Senior news: Too early to think flu?
Baltimore County Department of Aging in partnership with Maxim Health Systems will be offering flu/pneumonia clinics beginning Oct. 10 and 11 at the annual Senior Expo/Boomer Expo. Afterward, clinics will be held at area senior centers (see list below).
If you are covered by Medicare B insurance, there will be no cost to you for the vaccine. However, if you are over 65 and have an HMO you will be responsible for the cost of the vaccine and must be reimbursed by your insurance company. The fee for the vaccines is as follows: $30 flu/$40 pneumonia. Each Baltimore County Senior Center will host a three-hour clinic, numbers will be handed out as you come in and will be called in order. You will be required to have your insurance card and photo identification with you and will be asked to fill out two forms before your vaccine will be given. (This is required by Maxim and Baltimore County Department of Aging for anyone receiving a vaccination.) For more information and a complete list of clinics, call 410-887-2594.
Flu shot clinics will be held:
Parkville Senior Center
Monday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Seven Oaks Senior Center
Friday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Rosedale Senior Center
Friday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Overlea Senior Center
Thursday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Seniors warned of BGE scammers asking for cash
Baltimore County Police are warning residents – in particular elderly residents – that a team of criminals is currently passing themselves off as BGE representatives.
According to a county detectives and BGE security specialists, a woman calls a BGE customer and says there is an outstanding bill due. The amount varies, but it is usually a substantial amount. In one case, a Rosedale man was told he owed $1,000, but they would accept $750.
The caller warns that if the bill isn’t paid immediately, the power will be shut off. That fear fuels the scam and frightens the victim. There is, however, a BGE representative in the neighborhood, according to the caller, and the customer can pay him or her at the door. The demand is always cash only.
In more than one case, the representative has shown up at the door as the resident is still talking on the phone to the bogus service representative.
Those taken by the counterfeit representatives have said that the caller has identified herself as either Samantha Barkley or Erica Walker. In two cases, the victims were able to give a brief description of the suspects. The first suspect was a young black female in her 20s, while the other was an older black female in her 40s with a heavy build.
A BGE security official reminds everyone that the company does not contact customers by phone if a customer is in arrears with a bill. The consumer is either contacted by letter or in-person by a legitimate BGE representative. That person must and should have proper BGE identification. If there is a doubt, the customer is encouraged to ask for additional proof.
If anyone has been a victim of this fraud, please call 911 immediately.
Run (or walk) fundraiser
The Baltimore County Department of Aging will have its first fitness run/walk on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 8:30 a.m. The 5K run/1 M walk will take place at Towson University at Johnny Unitas Stadium. Proceeds from the walk will benefit the BCDA fitness centers and fitness programs in our senior centers. Registration brochures are available at the senior centers. Details: 410-887-7530 or 410-887-3654.
Regular AARP meeting
The Perry Hall AARP meets every third Wednesday (this month, Sept. 19) at 1 p.m. at Perry Hall Methodist Church, 9515 Belair Rd. Details: 410-256-6354.
Interested in nature?
Put aside your busy lives for a while and marvel in the beauty around you. This nature series is for adults over 50. Come to one or all of the programs. You must be able to hike over uneven terrain. Classes will be held on Sept. 29 (Masters of the Air), Oct. 20 (Native American Customs), Nov. 17 (Walk Through Time), & Dec. 8 (Night Stalker). Reservations required. $2 per class members/$4 per class non-members. Willow Grove Farm, Cromwell Valley Park. Details: 410-887-2503 (office hours 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
Centers offer travel opportunities
•Voices of Christmas: Living Waters Theatre – Wednesday, Dec. 12. Cost $68. Bundle up and get ready for a sparkling holiday show to remember Christmas as it once was. This holiday show is alive with your favorite Christmas carols, dances, live instruments, animals, costumes and Christmas theme stories. $30 deposit due upon signing up, final payment due Nov. 12. Bus departs from Weis parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and returns 5:30 p.m. Seven Oaks Senior Center Travel, 410-887-5192.
•Rainbow Dinner Theatre in Paradise, Pa. – Oct. 18. Cost $60. Sign up deadline Sept. 17. Parkville Senior Travel, 410-887-6087.
•Enjoy autumn in Thurmont – Oct. 22. Cost $39. Tour Mother Seton Shrine, shopping at farmers market, lunch at cozy and dessert at Baugher’s. Overlea-Fullerton Senior Center, 410-887-5220.
•Oyster Feast at Harris Crab House – Oct. 25. Cost $60. Travel to Kent Narrows, for a menu that includes oysters FIVE different ways: on the half shell, fried, steamed, topped, or baked, plus Oyster Gumbo, another meat entrée, tossed salad, coleslaw, potato salad, corn muffins, dessert, soda, coffee, or tea. Side trip to Midway Slots. Rosedale Senior Center Travel, 410-574-4125.