Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 5, 1994 TAG: 9401050023
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOANNE ANDERSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Sign language is one way to enhance conversation with hearing-impaired people. It's easy to learn, graceful to do and valuable when communicating with anyone who has diminished hearing.
Classes in sign language in the New River Valley start Tuesday at the Christiansburg Senior Center. The beginning class, taught by Tammy Horton, provides information on basic skills for communicating, hand signs for the alphabet and numbers and how to use these in conversation.
People enrolling in the intermediate class, taught by Kathleen Gilbert, should already have a basic knowledge of signing.
Both classes will meet Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St. The course runs eight weeks and costs $26.
At 7:30 p.m. each Tuesday, a Hands Group gathers for sign conversations. There is no fee to attend or to observe this group of hearing-impaired people and signers converse, laugh and enjoy discussions.
The VIRGINIA CENTER FOR ACTIVE RETIREMENT sponsors its first Wednesday Wondering of the new year today from 9 to 11 a.m. in Conference Room F of the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center at Virginia Tech. The topic is "Tourism in Your Community," and the cost is $5.
February's Wednesday Wondering, set for Feb. 2, is "How to Disagree without Being Disagreeable." If you don't think you need to hear this, then bring someone who does! But couldn't we all benefit from such a presentation?
The monthly luncheon of the RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM will be Tuesday at noon at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 22 W. Main St. in Christiansburg. This covered-dish event is open to anyone over 55, and it's a great time to make new friends and visit with old ones.
A cluster meeting of AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS chapter officers will be held Jan. 14, 1:30-4 p.m., at the Giles Senior Center, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg.
The president, vice president, secretary and treasurer from chapter 53 of Christiansburg, chapter 445 of Giles County, chapter 502 of Narrows, chapter 1383 of Pulaski, chapter 1584 of Radford and chapter 2613 of Blacksburg are encouraged to attend, along with any interested members.
Officers are asked to bring the blue AARP Chapter Handbook, eighth edition. The Giles County chapter is host for the meeting.
Radford University is accepting commuters into its spring ELDERHOSTEL programs. Feb. 27-March 4 will focus on fairy tales, the joy of singing, and censorship in our schools.
The March 20-25 program includes a study on Appalachian caves, a biological discussion of who we are and where we came from and an examination of the impact television has had on our lives.
To view a decade of classic Western films and discuss the minds of serial killers and how to improve family communications, register for the March 27-April 1 session.
Commuter fees are $135 for all three weeks, $75 for two programs and $40 for one. For more information, call 831-5483.
The Virginia Department for the Aging in Richmond will publish a LEGISLATIVE UPDATE in late January and early April. The first copy will be a summary of all bills before the Virginia General Assembly that affect older citizens. The second issue will contain information about bills that passed and their anticipated impact.
To receive a copy of these updates, send your name and complete address to: Bill Peterson, Virginia Department for the Aging, 700 East Franklin St., 10th Floor, Richmond 23219-2327, or call toll free, (800) 552-4464.
The RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St., 731-3634:
If exercise was on your list of New Year's resolutions, join the Radford senior citizens walking group each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at 9 a.m. at the Radford recreation gym, 29 First St., next to the senior center.
Free blood-pressure screenings are being held today at 10 a.m. Creative writing also is at 10 a.m.
The GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, 921-3924:
Chapter 445 of the American Association of Retired Persons will meet Friday at 12:30 p.m.
Bring cookies Monday for a special coffee hour from 10 to 11 a.m.
Ceramics is held all day Tuesdays.
The swimming pool times for 1994 are not yet definite, so check with the center to confirm the expected swim times of 9:15 a.m. each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St., 382-8173:
A trip to Libby Hill Seafood Restaurant in Salem is scheduled Friday. The van leaves the National Guard Armory at 9:30 a.m. Transportation fee is $3.
Free blood-sugar screenings will be held at the center Tuesday between 10:30 a.m. and noon. No appointment is necessary.
Hearing screenings will be Jan. 13. You must call the day before to schedule an appointment.
A mystery trip is planned Jan. 14. Transportation fee is $3, and the van leaves the armory for destination unknown at 9 a.m.
The PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave., 980-3969:
The newsletter will be printed bimonthly in 1994 to cut down on the high cost of mailing.
by CNB