Virtual Tour of Tampa Museum of Art

Our docent will guide a 45 minutes tour of exhibitions:

• White Gold: Thomas Sayre
• HerStory: Stories of Ancient Heroines and Everyday Women
• Sketches and Sculptures: A Study of C. Paul Jennewein
• Living Color: The Art of the Highwaymen 
• Figure Forward: Selections from the Permanent Collection.

Ask questions and participate in conversations through video, microphone, and the Zoom chat function. Interested in learning more about the exhibitions?  Visit their website.  Video, audio, and microphone capabilities suggested for the full experience.
Register by: December 29 at the Seymour Center (919-968-2070)

Date: Tuesday, January 5
Time: 1:30 pm
Fee: $10
Link: Will be sent one week prior to the tour (after payment has been received)

New to Medicare? Join our Welcome to Medicare Class

If you’re turning 65 soon, you’re probably being bombarded by mailings about Medicare.  This online class will provide valuable information whether you’re retiring soon, already retired or continuing to work.  You’ll learn how and when to enroll, potential penalties for late enrollment, Medicare’s costs, benefits and options. 
 
Date: Monday, January 11
Time: 6 - 7:30 PM
Register: To register, call 919-245-4274 and select option 2.  Leave us your name, phone and email address.  You’ll receive a confirmation email and a second email with a link to join our Zoom Meeting the day prior.

Holiday Closures

The Seymour and Passmore Centers will be closed on Friday, January 1 in observance of New Year's Day.  The Centers will reopen regular hours for phone calls, virtual programs, and scheduled 1:1 services on Monday, January 4.

Don’t Like Your Medicare Plan? You May Be Able to Change

If you missed Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, or if you have had second thoughts, you may still be able to change.  For those with a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan, you can change to another Advantage Plan or return to Original Medicare one time between January 1 and March 31.  (Aren’t sure whether you have an Advantage Plan?  Check your insurance card.  If it says “PPO” or “HMO” anywhere on the card, you do!) 
 
Make an appointment to meet with a certified counselor from the NC Department of Insurance.  Appointments available by Zoom video chat and in-person at the Seymour and Passmore Centers. Schedule online at ­www.orangecountync.gov/ocncSHIIP or call 919-245-4274.

Develop Your 2021 Job Search Action Plan Now

To search for a job, here are three things you should do right now.

1. Define the kind of work you want to do. What are you qualified to do? What are you really good at? And because your ideal job might not be available right away, you also need to confirm the kind of work you will and can do in the meantime. See more about Ideal and Acceptable Jobs.
2. Get started with Networking. All of us are challenged by the pandemic and the economy. Because over 50% of all jobs are not posted, you need to know how you learn about them. One really good way is through networking. This can be done by everyone, even if you are introverted and shy. For more information, see Networking Thoughts and Contact List.
3. Guiding Your Networking Contacts can be done quite easily. We’ve developed Networking Briefs for you to make and use. It’s one-page with three essential parts – your name and contact information, a summary of you, and a section called “Here’s how you can help” that makes it easy for anyone to help you. See Networking Brief Thoughts and two examples here: (Example One and Example Two).

If you have any questions about these or want help with your job search, I’m available. I’m Mike Komives, Employment Specialist, Orange County Department on Aging. You can call me at 919-616-8778, or email me: skomives@orangecountync.gov.
 
I wish each of you a Blessed and Peaceful Christmas, and a Happy and Better New Year! 
 
Mike Komives
 

Watch for Being Better Than Before, a FREE Webinar series created especially for people 55+ years of age or more, featuring presentations and interactive discussions led by experts in Creativity, Starting Your Own Business, and Job and Career Search.  Mark these dates: January 27, 29 and February 3 and 5. Additional details and registration information will appear in upcoming Endless Possibilities newsletters. 

Aging Helpline 

Talk to trained staff about any aging-related issue. You may also email Aging Services. We try to find answers to your age-related questions and link you to the services that you need. Helpline hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Chinese & Spanish Language Helpline
Call 919-245-4275 to speak to our staff in Mandarin.
Call 919-245-4245 to leave a message in Spanish.

Aging Transitions, Senior Center programming and Volunteer Connect 55+ staff are available to meet individually by appointment, by phone or email. For more information call the Passmore Center at 919-245-2015, Seymour Center at 919-968-2070, or the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087.

For more information about ways to help, please visit:

• Orange County Health Department - How I Can Help

• UNC Health- Ways you can help

• Duke Health - How you can help during COVID-19