Just for seniors

Seniors citizens may be interested in these programs offered in DuPage County.

Holiday event:ŒGlendale Heights Parks and Recreation Department is taking registration for New Year's Eve at noon for seniors at the Sports Hub, 250 Civic Center Plaza, Glendale Heights. The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 31. The fee is $45 for residents, $50 for others.

Glendale Heights seniors:ΠGlendale Heights Parks and Recreation Department offers senior activities at the Sports Hub, 250 Civic Center Plaza, Glendale Heights.

For details about all these programs, visit the Web site at www.glendaleheights.org/ParksRecreation or call (630) 260-6060.

• Senior club meetings will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Sports Hub for cards and bingo. A senior exercise class for ages 62 and older meets from 10 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Sports Hub. The classes are free for residents, $20 for a punch card with 15 punches for others.

• The senior transportation service is available for shopping, doctor appointments, senior clubs and transportation in the area. The fee is $2 per round trip. Participants must call one day in advance. Transportation is available from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays; 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays; and 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fridays. For details, call (630) 260-6060.

Readers Theatre:ŒVilla Park Recreation's Readers Theatre Group meets from 3 to 4 p.m. Mondays at Community Recreation Building, 320 E. Wildwood Ave. The program, led by local resident Joe Schrantz, will offer an opportunity to perform without memorizing scripts. Participation is free. For details, call (630) 834-8970 or visit www.vprd.org.

Birthday bingo: Seniors 55 and older may attend the Villa Park Recreation Birthday Bingo program, held from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month at the Community Recreation Center, 320 E. Wildwood Ave., Villa Park.

The cost is $5 for both residents and others, which includes lunch, bingo, prizes and birthday cake.

Admission is free the month of your birthday.

Registration is required. For details, call (630) 834-8970 or visit www.vprd.org.

Expanded dining:ŒThe DuPage Senior Citizen Council's Community Dining Program will expand its popular sandwich buffet program in November. Currently, the sandwich buffet only is offered Tuesdays at Peace Memorial Manor, 3737 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. It now will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays. The program also will be offered at Castle Towers, 325 S. York Road, Bensenville, and at York Township Senior Center, 1502 S. Meyers Road, Lombard. The DuPage Senior Citizen Council is a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven agency that provides various programs and activities for residents 60 and older. For details, call (630) 620-0804 or visit www.dupageseniorcouncil.org.

Help for home repairs:ŒThe DuPage Senior Citizens Council offers a Minor Home Repair Program that provides qualified professionals to handle seniors' minor home repair needs. Services include minor plumbing, electrical, carpentry, general maintenance and installation of safety equipment. Cost for home repairs are $40 per service hour in subsidized communities and $60 per service hour in unsubsidized communities. There is no charge for estimates.

Other maintenance programs include: Senior Home Inspection Program to ensure personal, home safety and weather needs; Contractor Referral Program, a list of prescreened contractors who will not take advantage of seniors; Chore Days Program in the spring and fall, which assists seniors with seasonal outdoor yard work. For details, call (630) 620-9794.

Guardian calls:ŒGuardian system is a free service provided by the DuPage County sheriff's office to ensure the well-being of seniors ages 62 and older or those physically or mentally disabled and living alone. After signing up, members may designate days and times they want to be called. When a person is called, they enter a four-digit code on the phone to let the system know they are all right. If the code is not entered, a police dispatcher will call. If that call is not answered, a designated neighbor or family member will be called. If emergency contact cannot be made, a deputy will be sent to the home.

Applications may be picked up at the sheriff's office, 501 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, or by calling (630) 407-2400 for an application to be mailed.

District 87 Gold Cards:ŒSenior citizens who live in Glenbard High School District 87 have an assortment of free athletic, musical and dramatic entertainment options in the district. Glenbard offers a Gold Card to retirees ages 60 and older who reside in the district. The card allows members free admission to most events at the four high schools. For details of events, visit the Web site at www.glenbard.net or call for the free card at (630) 469-9100, ext. 5124.

Lilac Town Seniors: The Lombard Park District Lilac Town Seniors meets at 1 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road.

Seniors age 55 and older may attend. The event includes bingo and other free activities.

Dues are $3 per year, which includes a quarterly newsletter.

For details, call (630) 620-7322 or visit www.lombardparks.com.

Pinochle: Villa Park Recreation's Older Adults Group gets together for lunch and pinochle from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays at the Community Recreation Building, 320 E. Wildwood. Guests are welcome. For details, call Jenny Casale at (630) 834-8970, ext. 16.

Strength and exercise: The Lombard Park District is offering senior exercise and senior strength training for adults 55 and older at the Lombard Community Center, 433 E. St. Charles Road.

Senior exercise meets from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Senior strength meets from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Participants may register for a five-, 10- or 20-class punch card. For details, call (630) 620-7322 or visit www.lombardparks.com.

Addison Park District: The following free, ongoing programs for senior citizens are offered by the Addison Park District. All activities are offered at the Community Recreation Center, 120 E. Oak St., unless specified. For details and bingo times, call (630) 833-0100.

• Fit and Fabulous exercise, 9 to 10:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

• S.A.L.T. monthly bingo at McDonald's. Call for times.

• Men's Friday card group, 9 a.m. to noon Fridays.

• Free blood pressure screenings, second and third Tuesday of each month.

• Free chair massages, first Tuesday of each month.

Seniors helping seniors: The West Suburban Humane Society offers a special adoption program for senior citizens.

The "5-5-5" program allows anyone 55 or older to adopt a pet 5 or older for a 50 percent discount on the adoption fee.

For details, call (630) 960-9600, ext. 24 or visit www.WSHS-DG.org

Free activities: The Lombard Park District offers free activities for seniors each week at the Sunset Knoll Recreation Center, 820 S. Finley Road.

From 10 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays, seniors can play table tennis; from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, they can play cards.

Registration is not required. For details, call (630) 620-7322 or visit www.lombardparks.com.

Tai Chi: Beginning Taoist Tai Chi classes are offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Belmont Village, 545 Belmont Lane, Carol Stream and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at First United Church Methodist Church, 155 S. Main St., Lombard.

The practice may help reduce stress and improve balance and flexibility. The first lesson is free. For details, visit www.taoist.org or e-mail lombard.il@taoist.org.

West Chicago Gold Card:ŒA senior citizen's Gold Card Program for local residents ages 55 and older is offered by Community High School District 94, 326 Joliet St., West Chicago. The Gold Card entitles senior citizens to attend most district-sponsored events held at Community High School free of charge, including most athletic and musical events.

Applications are available at the district office. For details or an application, call Deanne Simpson at (630) 876-6210.

Itasca seniors:ŒThe Itasca Senior Citizens Club meets at 10:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Alta Villa Banquets, 430 N. Addison Road, Addison. A full-course luncheon is served after the meeting. Cost is $5 for members, $9 for nonmembers. For details, call Marilyn Eberspacher at (630) 875-0205.