Spring brings wonderful happenings at the Seymour Center and Central Orange Senior Center -- and most of them are either free or have a nominal fee. Who can beat that?! For complete information, check The Senior Times, which is available at local libraries as well as the senior centers. If you would like to receive a copy in the mail, call 968-2080.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is available free to people in the community with incomes of $50,000 or less. All the volunteers are IRS-certified and will prepare people's tax returns on the computer and file them electronically at no charge. Appointments are available at various locations through April 15. For more information, consult The Senior Times, or go to www.co.orange.nc.us/aging/vita.asp. People can also call the Seymour Center at 968-2070 for specific locations and telephone numbers.

Senior Games is a year-round health promotion for adults ages 55 and up. Activities include clinics, tournaments, social activities, Silver Arts, as well as local and state competitions. Registration forms are available at the Seymour and Central Orange Senior Centers, local recreation departments and at the location of each event. The final registration deadline is April 3, but there's an "early bird" savings for applications postmarked by March 13. For more information or opportunities to volunteer, call Lisa Berley, Senior Games Co-Coordinator, at 245-2015.

Local artist Nerys Levy's exhibition, "Global Perspectives," will be on display at the Seymour Center through March 31. Levy portrays the forms and forces of nature: Antarctic landscapes and wildlife, Chinese urban and riverine landscapes, Alamance, Orange and Chatham county locations and more.

The Writers Discussion Group just published its fourth book, "Lest the Colors Fade." They're always looking for new members, including both experienced and beginner writers. Meetings are held Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 3 and 17; April 7 and 21; and May 5 and 19.

Senior Calendar

Events at the Seymour Center. Call 968-2070 for information or to register.

• March 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m. -- Tips on Eating Right: Presented by Renee Kemske, nutritionist from the Orange County Health Department.

• March 6, 10-11:30 a.m. -- Seymour Garden Group: Starting a Compost Pile.

• March 12, 6-8 p.m. -- St. Patrick's Day Dance. Free, but call 968-2070 to register.

• March 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. -- Declutter for Real Life, Part II: Creating Special Memories.

• March 16, 2 p.m. -- Book Discussion group on "Atonement" by Ian McEwan.

• March 16, 2 p.m. -- Interested in singing? Come and help start a Seymour Center Chorus.

• March 16, 3 p.m. -- St. Patrick's Day Royal Tea. Pre-registration is greatly appreciated.

• March 17, 8 a.m. -- Senior Striders meet in the center of University Mall. At 8:20 a.m. a free breakfast buffet is served at the Weathervane Restaurant at A Southern Season. At 8:45 a.m., Renee Kemske will offer tips on eating right. Senior Striders meets the third Tuesday of the month. Free

• March 19, 2:30 p.m. -- Village Elders in Dialogue with Local Scholars: William F. Little, professor emeritus in the UNC Department of Chemistry, will talk on "Research Triangle Park: 50 Years of Progress."

• March 19, 6:30 p.m. -- Classic Book-Film Series Movie: "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

• March 26, 7 p.m. -- Classic Book-Film Series Discussion: "The Picture of Dorian Gray," by Oscar Wilde.

• March 26, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. -- In the Eyes of Opera with Victoria Windle

• March 26 and April 23, 2-4 p.m. -- Alert Driver Senior Program. Fee: $30

Events at the Central Orange Senior Center. Call 245-2015 for information or to register.

• Thursdays, March 19-May 21, 6:30 p.m. -- North Carolina History for Fun. Robert Ireland, retired historian and educator, will lead a discussion series.

• Thursdays, March 5-April 30, 4-5 p.m. -- Tales to Tell in Writing. Chris Firpo will lead sessions on journaling and narrative writing.

Seniors on the Road

• March 11, noon-1:30 p.m. -- Presentation about the trip to California for New Year's 2010. Call 968-2070 to sign up for the presentation. Lunch provided. Free.

• March 11, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. -- Bennett Place and Duke Homestead. $5 for transportation. Call 245-2015 to register.

• March 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Temple Theatre's "Moonlight and Magnolias." $17 for ticket and $5 for transportation. Tickets must be purchased by March 6. Call 245-2015 to register.

Classes at the Seymour Center. Call 968-2070 to register.

• Bridge: Bidding Brush-Up. March 11 and 17, 9:30 a.m.-noon. $25.

• Bridge: Overcalling a No Trump Opener. March 18 and 25, 1-3:30 p.m. $25.

• Calligraphy. Tuesdays, March 3-April 7, 9-10 a.m. $50

• Let's Do Pastries: Pastry Baking Class. Tuesdays, March 3-24. $56 for four two-hour sessions.

• Community Rhythm Circles. Mondays, March 16-April 13, 10-11 a.m. $50 for five classes.

• Beginning Spanish. Mondays, March 16-April 20, 1-2 p.m. $45 plus $5 book fee. Other Spanish classes are also offered. Call 968-2070 for information.

• Chinese Brush Painting Class. Tuesdays, March 17-May, 1:30-3 p.m. $80 for eight classes.