Aging Well February 10th 2015

Do you still receive unsolicited calls from telemarketers trying to sell you something you don’t want or need: security systems, satellite television or a new remedy for your diabetes? They are often scams but can also be calls from telemarketers representing Fortune 500 companies. But there are steps you can take to limit them.

First, register with the National Do Not Call Registry by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you wish to register, or go online at donocall.gov. (For online registration you will need an email address.) You may want to register your cell phone, but is shouldn’t be necessary because it is illegal in most cases for telemarketers to call a cell phone.

Once you have registered your phone number, it is permanent - unless you have lost your mind and want to take your name off the registry. Or if you forgot to pay your last two phone bills and were disconnected, in which case you will need to register again.

Unfortunately, the law does not prohibit calls from charities, political organizations, telephone surveyors and companies with which you've done business in the last 18 months. But for those telemarketers not covered by the Do Not Call regulations, you can ask them to put you on their own internal Do Not Call list, and by law they have to honor your request. Record the date you make the request so if there are future violations, you'll be able to file an FTC complaint.

Telemarketers have up to 31 days to update their lists, so it could take that long for calls to cease. After that, you can file a complaint about unwanted calls at the Do Not Call website or phone number.

Through enforcement actions, the Federal Trade Commission is working to reduce the number of illegal telemarketing calls and holding telemarketers and businesses accountable. Just recently, a federal judge in Illinois ruled that the satellite TV company Dish Network is liable for making 57,606,609 illegal telemarketing calls.

It was nice to see everyone at the Civic for GoRed for Women’s Heart Health. And if the event nudged you towards being more active, the Center offers several affordable movement and exercise classes: from the gentle and contemplative Tai Chi to the high energy Zumba Gold with Seniorcise, yoga and Strong Women in-between. You can drop in any class at any time to see if the class works for you. But you will have to wait until March 2^nd for Corliss Marsh’s Tai Chi class to return.

For all of you who did not make it to Saturday Night Bingo you missed a delicious meal prepared by Cherry Heights Living – the Center’s neighbors to the north. Thanks to managers Blll and Nelda, and cooks Barry and Sandy for helping make a wonderful evening of fun and good food.

AARP Tax Aide, a free service for low and moderate income tax payers, is off to a fast start with a packed downstairs at the Center on Friday and Saturday. The hours for the program are from 2:00 – 6:00 on Fridays and 9:00 – 1:00 on Saturdays through April 11^th. And a reminder, it is first come first serve. If you are not in a rush you might want to wait until March when the action slows down and you won’t have to wait as long.  

For the Tuesday Night Music and Dance at the Center on February 10th, the crowd pleasing Andre, K.C. and Tom will be performing. Doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00, all ages are welcome and donations are always appreciated.

The name of the boy with the pointed cowlick in the “Our Gang” and “Little Rascals” comedies was Alfalfa. (And the winner of a free Cherry Festival Breakfast is Kim Birge.)

The television commercials for this product were some of most popular in the 60’s and 70’s. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was name of the medication that was advertised on television using the 1966 hit song “No Matter What Shape Your Stomach’s In”? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop it off with “a spicy meat ball-a”.

Well, it’s been another week, wondering what the winter would have been like if all the rain had been snow. Until we meet again, it’s your attitude not your age that counts.

“Someday, everything will make perfect sense. So for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, be strong and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason.” ― John Mayer