Maggi Grace will speak about her medical odyssey and the U.S. health system on Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. in the theater of the Seymour Center.

Grace's new book, "State of the Heart," is a nonfiction narrative that describes the odyssey that she and Howard Staab undertook after Staab's heart valve suddenly malfunctioned and a hospital in Durham estimated it would cost $200,000 to fix it. They faced paying the entire bill since Staab had chosen not to have health insurance, and instead, flew to India for the surgery.

Part travelogue, part critique of the U.S. healthcare system, part medical drama, this memoir describes the frantic search for alternatives to mortgaging the rest of their lives in exchange for Staab's life. It covers the trip to the Escorts Heart Institute and Research Center in New Delhi, the surgery and its aftermath.

It is also the story of how a woman, alone and consumed with worry, navigated Third World streets clogged with cattle to find such basic items as chocolate, pencils and friendship.

Dec. 7: Come to see the Governor's Mansion and the State Capitol decked out for the holidays. For security purposes, please bring a photo I.D. Lunch will follow at the Oyster Bar, a Raleigh landmark. Transportation will cost $5. Bus leaves Hillsborough at 8:30 a.m./Chapel Hill at 9 a.m.; returns to Chapel Hill at 3:30 p.m./Hillsborough at 4 p.m.

Dec.10: Southern Supreme Fruitcake is the destination for the annual trek to Bear Creek for some of the best-tasting fruitcake, jellies, candies and other goodies. Lunch will follow in Pittsboro. Transportation will cost $5. Bus leaves Hillsborough at 8:30 a.m./Chapel Hill at 9 a.m.; returns to Chapel Hill at 3 p.m./Hillsborough at 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 15: Magical Christmas: A Southern Christmas Show is scheduled. There's shopping galore. Olde Town shops in Charlotte are festive. Award-winning trees line Christmas Tree Lane. If time permits, we may stop at Concord Mills. The cost of the trip will include transportation, driver gratuity and show fee at a low cost of $35 per person. Lunch is on your own. Bus will depart from the Seymour Center at 7 a.m. and Central Orange at 7:30 a.m. Approximate return time will be 6:30 p.m. for the Central Orange and 7 p.m. for the Seymour Center.

Dec. 18: The holiday program at the Barn Dinner Theater in Greensboro will include music and dancing in the play, "Home for the Holidays." All tickets are $45 plus $5 for transportation. The deadline for payment has passed; call for availability. Buses leave Hillsborough 9:30 a.m./Chapel Hill 10 a.m.; return to Chapel Hill 4:30 p.m./Hillsborough 5 p.m.

Events at the Seymour Center, 968-2070

Dec. 4: Decorating with Helen, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Help craft teacher Helen Frederick make the center beautiful. Sign up at the front desk, or call the center to register.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 4-13: Paper Crafts, instructed by Sima Fallahi, is scheduled for 12:30-2:30 p.m. Projects include greeting cards, gift presentation and decorative items all made from paper. Fee: $40.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 4-13: Learn patterns to make simple items at the Holiday Knitting Circle from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Instructor: Sima Fallahi. Fee: $30. Bring knitting needles and some basic yarn to the first class.

Dec. 4, 11: Legal Aid of North Carolina is available from 9 a.m. to noon. To schedule an appointment, telephone 1-800-672-5834 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Wednesdays, Dec. 5-19: Tap dance classes start at 6 p.m. Learn how to tap from Footnotes Tap Ensemble co-artistic director Robin Vail. Fee: $52 (four lessons). Sign up at the front desk, or call the center.

Dec. 5: A healthy food demonstration by the head chef with the Franklin Hotel will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Call the center to register. Commitment fee: $7, payable at registration at the front desk.

Wednesdays, Dec. 5, 12: From the Health Expert is from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. Call the center to register. Dec. 5 -- "HIV and Seniors: Sex happens after 50." Learn what you can do to educate yourself and your family. Dec. 12 -- "Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine."

Dec. 6: Creative Memories -- creating your own StoryBook using a computer -- will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Class fee: $20, plus the cost of the StoryBook ($39.95 plus tax and shipping and handling).

Dec. 7: Creative Memories Scrapbook/Photo Preservation, 9-11:30 a.m. Learn about scrapbooking and photo albums. Fee: $10 includes handouts and supplies to complete one to two pages. There is no charge for the beginner class if an album is purchased at the time of the class. Follow-up workshops: $5. Pre-registration is mandatory.

Dec. 8: Matinee at the Seymour Center at 11:30 a.m. features new release films, popcorn and drinks. This matinee is "Last Holiday." Sign up at the front desk or call the center.

Dec. 8-9: The Prime Time Players will present two one-act plays at the Seymour Center Theater on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. and on Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. The plays are "Gin and Tonic" and another play by a local playwright.

Dec. 11: "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, a one-man show, will be presented at 6 p.m. Sign up at the front desk, or call 968-2070 to register.

Dec. 12: Karaoke sing-along and cider is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Join Jim Marchesse and the Village Revue to usher in the holiday. Bring photos or poems to share. Sign up at the front desk or call the center.

Dec. 13: Have a caricature made. Check cost and sign up at the front desk. Sudoku tournament will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Prizes will be given. Sign up at the front desk or call the center. U.S. Rep. David Price will speak at 2 p.m. For more information, call Carol Parr, 967-4631, or Robert Plonsey, 918-3520. Guests are welcome. Potluck dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. We will serve turkey. You bring the dessert or a side dish to serve at least eight people. Entertainers will be Carolina Meadows Jazz Ensemble. Call the center to register and let us know what you are bringing.

Dec. 15: "In the Eyes of Opera," with Victoria Windler, will be presented from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring Mozart's Don Giovani. There will be a lunch break, so bring a lunch. Sign up at the front desk or call the center.

Dec. 19: A holiday potluck will be from11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The center will provide the meat, and you bring the rest, a side dish or dessert enough for 6 persons. Register by calling 968-2070, and let us know what you will be bringing. A night of poetry reading with Anuraag Pendyal at the piano will be from 6 to 7 p.m. If you love to read poetry and would like to share, contact Cydnee Sims at 969-3025 to be a part of this program.

Dec. 21: A holiday dance will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Kick off the holiday with dancing, dinner and a live DJ. Bring a friend and don't forget to register at the front desk, or call 968-2070.


Carrboro Senior Program

Dec. 7: Holiday Tea, 2 p.m. Light Hors d'oeuvres will be served. Music from the fiddle of Mara Shea and the piano of Ted Ehrhard. For information call 918-7364 Pre-registration preferred.

Dec. 8: Short Film Festival with filmmaker Todd Tinkham at 7 p.m. $4 per person. Carrboro Century Center.

Dec. 12: Breakfast With an Expert will present "Public Health: Who is the Public and What is Public Health" from 9:30 to 11 a.m., with Beth Lamanna. Free. Carrboro Century Center.

Dec. 13: The Carolina Country Christmas Show will be from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Temple Theatre in Sanford. Bring money for lunch at Mrs. Lacey's Magnolia House in Sanford. Fee: $28. Pre-registration required. For information call 918-7372.


Central Orange Senior Center

Dec. 3 and Dec. 5: Holiday Sweet Treats, from 1-3 p.m., is a new class in cooking sweet treats to share. Fee: $10 for each class.

Dec. 4-Jan. 22: Acrylic painting, from 3-5 p.m., will teach general skills in drawing, perspective, design, composition, color and brush techniques. Material list is at the front desk. Fee: $60.

Dec. 5: Bingo, 10-11 a.m.

Dec. 14: In One Stroke Painting, 9-11 a.m. Contact the center to register one week prior to the class. Instructor: Pam King. Fee: $20, includes all materials. Physical Function Screen -- How Am I Doing?, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is free. Call 968-2070 for an appointment no later than two days in advance of the date you wish to come, and ask them to send you the preliminary forms in the mail.

Dec. 19: Holiday potluck with holiday music at 11:30 a.m. The center will provide the meat, and you bring the sides. Pre-register by Dec. 14 and let us know what you will be bringing.