Library notes: Books reveal deals for those over 50

Published 12:00 am Friday, June 26, 2009

By Edward Hirst
Rowan Public Library
Life expectancy is higher then ever before, (approximately 65,000 Americans are more than 100 years old), and most of us can expect to live a long, healthy life.
On your 50th birthday, (or your 60th, 62nd or 65th), you qualify for hundreds of special opportunities and money-saving offers that have younger people wishing they were old for a couple of good reasons.
As a person in your prime, you deserve them. Since you are a part of the fastest growing segment of the American population, you represent an enormous market of potential consumers to the business community.
More then a quarter of the American population is over 50, and that will increase to a third as the baby boomers hit the half century mark, (one every seven seconds).
In “Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can’t Get Unless You’re Over Fifty” by Joan Heilman or “Free Stuff & Good Deals for Folks Over 50,” by Linda Bowman you can learn about the discounts and privileges that are among the advantages of getting older.
Besides wine another thing that improves with age is airfare. Almost every airline, foreign or domestic gives a 10 percent discount off published fares for people age 60 or 62 and a traveling companion.
If you’re a typical member of the over 50 crowd, you have the time and energy to pursue new interests, so why not go back to school and learn those things you always wished you knew? Many colleges and universities have set up special programs to lure older folks back to the classroom. Some offer good reductions in tuition and most state colleges and universities permit seniors to audit courses for free or a small fee.
Along with the healthful benefits of participating in sports is the added benefit that many sports, exercise and fitness programs can be enjoyed at reduced prices for those 50 and older.
The National Senior Games Association events are held every two years at Washington University in St. Louis. In order to compete, an athlete must be 55 or older and qualify at a local or state competition sanctioned by the National Senior Games Association. There are more than 500 events organized for men and women separated into age categories.
Use your library card to check out these books and others from Rowan Public Library.
Children’s: Summer Reading Program. This week’s featured program is Mountain Marionettes, “At the Hop.” Storytellers, educators and entertainers will make “Be Creative” a fun-filled summer. For more information, call 704-216-8234. Children must be the minimum age listed by May 1.
Headquarters: Tumblers (12-24 months) Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Dancers (2-year-olds) Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Singers (3- to 5-year-olds) Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Artist (rising first- through fifth-graders) Tuesdays, 2 p.m.
East: Tumblers (12-24 months), Mondays, 10:30 a.m.; Dancers (2-year-olds), Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Singers (3- to 5-year-olds), Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Artist (rising first- through fifth-graders) Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
South: Tumblers (12-24 months), Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Dancers (2-year-olds), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Singers (3- to 5-year-olds), Mondays, 10:30 a.m.; Artist (rising first- through fifth-graders), Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Teen program: Come play with your food and create many different experssions for your fruit and vegetables. Pizza and snacks will be served and there will be weekly door prizes and raffle drawings. Teens can attend any of the programs without registration.
Headquarters, Monday, 5:30 p.m.; South, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.; East, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday Night at the Movies: All movies are at 6:30 p.m. All movies are rated G, PG or PG 13; some movies are inappropriate for younger audiences. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn and lemonade.
June movies are anime features selected by the Rowan County Anime Group.
Tuesday, “Howl’s Moving.”
Displays: Headquarters ó Rowan Arts Council, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; South ó Ireland by Diane Brideson; East ó stained glass by James Brady.Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.