Automobiles
have changed over the years - from push button transmissions, metal dash
boards, and cigarette lighters to computerized engines, backup cameras and remote
car keys (so you can lock your car from your living room – and accidently set
off the car alarm as you fumble with your car keys!)
And
so have traffic rules, driving conditions, and although I hate to admit it - so
have we. But by taking a AARP Driver Safety course you'll learn the current
rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, and how to manage and
accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time.
In
addition, you'll learn how to minimize the effects of dangerous blind spots; how
to maintain the proper following distance behind another car; the safest ways
to change lanes and make turns at busy intersections; ways to monitor your own
and others' driving skills and capabilities; the effects of medications on
driving; and the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating,
smoking, and cell-phone use. No wonder many insurance companies will reduce
your insurance rates if you successfully complete the class.
Dennis
Davis teaches the AARP Driver Safety Class at the Center from 9:00 – 12:00 on
the third Monday and Tuesday of every month. The cost is $14.00 and $12.00 for
AARP members and you can sign up by calling the Center.
After
completing the course, you will have a greater knowledge of how to avoid collisions
and injuries to yourself and others. And maybe, just maybe, it will help you convince
your kids not to take your car keys – at least not yet!
During
the summer several of the Center’s activities enjoy a break including the
Young-at-Heart Serenaders, Strong Women, Tuesday Lectures and Creative Arts. But
there are plenty of other opportunities during the summer months to keep you
active. Here are a few highlights.
If
you are interested in local history The Dalles School District Archive Museum at
the Wahtonka Campus is open every Saturday from 10:00 – 3:00 PM during the
summer (whether you went to school in The Dalles or not, it is a fascinating
collection of school memorabilia.) The
Rorick House at 300 W. 13th Street is now open on Saturdays and Sundays through
August with several Summer History Programs including Carolyn Wood discussing
the restoration and preservations of the Historic Columbia River Highway at
1:30 on Saturday June 22nd. And you can “take a walk on the rural
side” and visit the Sherman County Historical Museum in Moro including the 30th
Anniversary Celebration on Saturday June 22nd.
If
you are interested in art and music you can enjoy the work of local based
artists at The Dalles Art Center; bring your picnic dinner and lawn chair to
the Fort Dalles Fourth Sunday at the Fort Music Concerts; and at The
Dalles/Wasco County Library on June 19th starting at 7:00 PM ,you
can listen to 87 year old author Ralph Salisbury who just published his memoir “So Far, So Good” - and award winning poet Ingrid Wendt
For
more information about these and many more summer treats, you can go online to
The Dalles Chamber of Commerce Community Calendar.
And
before the bow bends and the arrow flies, playing tonight at the Center is
“Truman” And on Tuesday, June 25th “For the Good Times” will play
till your heart’s content or your knees are sore. Music starts at 7:00,
everyone is welcome and donations are appreciated.
The R&B group that formed in 1953 and successfully recorded several old
standards including the "My Prayer" and
"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" is the Platters. (And the
winner this week is Ed Anghilante.)
But let’s move away from music to an icon of American culture. “The
Lone Ranger” will be coming back to the movie theaters on July 3rd.
But Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels
starred in the popular ABC series from 1949
- 1957 about the ex-Texas Ranger who left behind silver bullets, wore a mask made from his dead brothers’ vest and rode
his trusty steed, Silver. And who along with his Indian companion Tonto, fought injustice in the Old
West. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what did Tonto
call the Lone Ranger? E-mail your answer to
mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a recording of the
William Tell Overture.
Well, it has been another week trying to lick the
frosting off the cake without gaining any weight. Until we meet again, as
George Carlin once said, “I’m in favor of personal
growth as long as it doesn’t include malignant tumors”.
"Life is understood
looking backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” Soren Kierkegaard
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