<mh>Public Forum on Aging
<bt>Ira Shapiro will host a public forum, "The Challenges of an Aging Society to our Health Care System," on Sunday, March 10, from 1-3 p.m. at Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, 5020 Battery Lane. Participants will include U.S. Representative Robet T. Matsui, ranking Democrat, House Subcmmittee on Social Security; Dr. Judy Feder, Dean, Georgetown Public Policy Instititue; Mark Richman, executive director, Grass Roots Organization for the Well Being of Seniors; and other national and local experts. Shaprio is the Democratic candidate for Congress in Maryland's 8th District. Call 301-838-1947.
<mh>Jewish Social Service Agency
<bt>* The Next Step Support and Activities Group meets at 6123 Montrose Road in Rockville on Thursdays, from 7-8:30 p.m. Next Step is a group for individuals 50-65 who have been widowed for more than a year.
* New Friends Support and Activities Group will meet at 6123 Montrose Road in Rockville the first Monday of the month. This group is for seniors age 65 and over who have been widowed more than a year. The next meeting will be March 4, from 1-2:30 p.m.
Call Mary Hull Levyne at the Jewish Social Services Agency at 301-816-2680.
<mh>Bethesda Senior Source
<bt>Bethesda Senior Source, 4805 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda, offers programs and activities for seniors 55-plus. Upcoming events include two-hour computer classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 301-951-1990.
* The Power of Herbs. Get the latest information about the safe and rational use of popular herbal products and understand the best ways to use them. Friday, March 1, 2:30 -4 p.m. Free.
* Stress Management for Life. The physiological aspects of stress are the focus of this interactive, four session lecture. $15 per person. Friday, March 1(Fridays through March 22), 10:30 a.m.- noon.
* Women's Discussion Group. Lectures and topics chosen by group. Free. Tuesdays, March 5 and 19, 10:30 a.m.-noon.
* Tai Chi Club. For new and returning students wanting to brush up on skills. Thursday, March 7, from 10:30 -10:45 a.m. Free.
* Contemporary Issues. Guest speaker, David King, former U.S. Congressman and former ambassador to Mauritius and Madagascar. Fridays, March 8 and 22, 2:30 to 4 p.m., $3 per person.
* National Symphony Education Programs: Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky. Join docents and representatives of the Bethesda Library for this educational program. Tuesday, March 12, 2 - 3:30 p.m. Free.
* Gourmet Pizza Workshop. Make and eat. Thursday, March 14, 10:30 - 12:30 p.m. $8 per person.
* Foreign Film: "An Autumn Afternoon". Thursday, March 14, from 2 -4 p.m. $4 per person.
* St. Patrick's Day Social, March 15, 12:30 - 2 p.m. Free.
* Spring Gardening Tips. Get expert advice on the timing of clean-up, mulching, fertilizing, and watering your garden. March 18, 12:30 -1:30 p.m. Free
* Estate Planning An Overview. Discuss wills and trusts, dying without a will, etc. March 21, 2 -4 p.m. Free.
* Topiary: The Art of Green Sculpture. Learn the special techniques necessary to shape plants into living art. March 26, 10 to noon, Free.
* The World of Art: Winslow Homer. Explore the artist's world with Joan Hart. March 211, 9:30 -11 a.m., $4 per person.
<mh>Hearing Services
<bt>The Jewish Community Center, 6125 Montrose Road in Rockville, will have a representative from the American Hearing Centers at 1 p.m. to help seniors with a variety of hearing services including replacing hearing aid batteries and discussing hearing problems. This service is free. Call 301-881-0100.
<mh>Interfaith Resource Center
<bt>The Seniors' Interfaith Resource Center, Inc. is seeking volunteers to assist the elderly in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Kensington and Potomac areas. Activities would include driving seniors to medical appointments; sharing two hours of companionship each week; grocery shopping and errands; and helping seniors with paperwork. Schedules are flexible and training is provided. Call 301-962-0820.
<mh>AARP Widowed Persons Service
<bt>A free meeting for persons widowed less than two years will be held at Bauer Drive Recreation Center, 14625 Bauer Drive in Rockville, on Sunday, March 10, beginning at 2 p.m. Sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the meeting will feature speaker Dominique Maggio, health educator in The Prevention and Wellness Department of Shady Grove Hospital at 3 p.m. Her topic will be "Be Good to your Back" which will examine the causes of back pain and prevention of back injury. Call 301-949-7398.
<mh>Free NIH Lecture
<bt>"The Brain, the Body and Aging" will be the topic of free lectures given by the National Institutes of Health Scientists on Monday, March 11 and Friday, March 15, from 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. The event at the University of Maryland Shady Grove Center, 9640 Gudelsky Drive, Building 2, in Rockville, will also offer computer training to find health information from 12:30-1:15 p.m. Space is limited. To register for computer training only, call 1-800-438-4380.