Beginning Jan. 1, many of us think of the changes we're going to make in our lives -- all for the better, of course. The Seymour Center on Homestead Road in Chapel Hill offers a wide variety of opportunities.

Special Events

• Three, Two, One...Happy New Year! Join us for a fabulous celebration, "New Years: the After Party" on Jan.. 14 at 1 p.m. The event will be hosted by Seasons at Southpoint, a Memory Care Community and Alta Walk, Luxury Senior Living. Welcome 2009 in a special way, including exquisite desserts. Call 968-2070 to register. Free

• The Central Orange Senior Center in Hillsborough at the SportsPlex will open on Jan. 8 and will have its Grand Opening Celebration on Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Healthy Aging booths will be available, as well as food, entertainment, door prizes, tours and demonstrations. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. the Friends of the Central Orange Senior Center will host a reception with entertainment and hot hors d'oeuvres. Everyone is invited.

• A special membership fee is being offered to members joining the SportsPlex through the Senior Center. See the Senior Times for information and the fees.

• Potluck Dinner and Fine Entertainment at the Seymour Center, Jan. 8, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Bring a salad or dessert to serve eight people. Entertainment will be provided by the Village Revue. Free. Call 968-2070 to register.

• Winter Wonderland Royal Tea: Join us for something a bit different, and elegant, at the Seymour Center on Jan. 12 at 3 p.m.

• Village Elders in Dialogue with Local Scholars: WCHL's Ron Stutts, "the Voice of Chapel Hill", will speak on "The Talk of the Town: Three Decades Ago" on Jan. 15 at 2:30 p.m.

• "Rising Energy Costs -- What it Means to Me" is a two-part series co-sponsored with the Orange County Cooperative Extension. The sessions will address rising energy costs, energy scarcity, and the threat of global warming. To register, call the Cooperative Extension at 245-2053. Jan. 15 and 22 at 7 p.m. Free

Seniors on the Road

• National Parks Tour 2009. Visit five of our nation's most breathtaking national parks on a 12-day tour. Come to the Seymour Center on Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. for an informational presentation with Blake Johnson of Collette Vacations. Call 968-2070 to sign up for the presentation.

• N.C. Symphony: "Friday Favorite," Jan. 9. North Carolina Symphony concert with conductor Grant Llewellyn presents Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto No. 2" and Handel's "Concerto Groso." We will eat a late lunch following the concert. Call 245-2015 for availability and times.

• Temple Theatre: "Once On This Island" is a musical based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid." The retelling of the story will unfold with spicy Caribbean music. Performance is Feb. 19, but tickets must be purchased by Jan. 15. Ticket and bus is $22. Call 245-2015 for more information.

Wellness Programs

A Chronic Disease Self-Management Program designed to enhance regular ongoing chronic diseases' treatments, as well as educational information on specific diseases, will be held at the Seymour Center. The interactive course lasts six weeks. The course is offered Jan. 13-Feb.17 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Seymour Center. Call 968-2070 to register.

A variety of support groups are offered at the Seymour Center and the Central Orange Senior Center. Call 968-2070 for information, or consult the Senior Times.

Many wellness classes are available as well. For information, or to register, call 968-2070. Some of the classes include:

• Balance: A 12-week balance training class, taught by a physical therapist, designed to improve your balance and prevent falls. This class is intended for seniors with balance problems. A required orientation class will be held Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-noon. Free

• Fit and Fun: Imagine walking, biking, kickboxing, and swimming all while seated in a chair and listening to music. Improve your strength, balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular level. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. $6 per class.

• Inspired Movement: Dynamic class designed to stretch and strengthen your entire body for maximized movement and endurance. Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:15-3:15 p.m. Free.

• Pilates: Pilates is a form of resistance exercise that focuses on strengthening the abdomen and back or "core" muscles to improve flexibility, posture, and balance. Minimum class size of five is needed. Mondays, 2:15-3:15 p.m. $6 per class.

• Stability Ball Class: Increase flexibility, improve co-ordination and develop strength. Class needs a minimum of 5 with a maximum of 12 participants. Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon. $6 per class

• Strength Training and Movement: The goal of the program is to improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, balance and total well-being. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Fee: $35 per month

• Yoga classes, and therapeutic massages and more are available at the Seymour Center. Call 968-2070 for more information, or consult the Senior Times.

Legal Services

Legal Aid of North Carolina is a non-profit, federally funded organization that provides free legal assistance, advice and representation to low-income individuals and senior citizens on a variety of non-criminal legal issues. On the second Tuesday of the month, elder law attorney James Wildes is available to advise people on wills and powers of attorney. Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, call (800) 672-5834 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments will be held at the Seymour Center on Jan. 6 and 13 from 9 a.m. to noon and at the Central Orange Senior Center on Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. Free

Art and Crafts Classes

To register for classes at the Seymour Center, or to get more information, call 968-2070.

• Acrylic Painting: Learn to draw as well as paint by learning basic shapes. Thursdays, Jan. 8-March 12, 9-11 a.m. $80 for 10 weeks

• Beginning Oil Painting: Class will begin with still life sketching followed by learning to paint still lifes, landscapes and portraits. Mondays, Jan. 5-Feb. 16, 10 a.m.-noon. $60 for six weeks.

• Beginning Watercolor: Learn the basics of watercolor painting and explore your creativity in this 10-week course. Wednesdays, Jan. 7-March 11, 9-11 a.m. $80 for 10 weeks.

• Learn to Draw by Learning to See: Learn drawing through basic composition and value. Wednesdays, Jan. 7-March 11, 1-3 p.m. $80 for 10 weeks

• Sewing Circle: Join instructor and friends for an afternoon of sewing and conversation. Mondays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Free

• Tatting Class: Tatting is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace constructed by a series of knots and loops. Wednesdays, Jan. 21 and 28, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $40, includes materials.

• Woodcarving Demos. Learn the art of woodcarving. Fridays, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Free

Bridge Classes

• Bidding Brush Up: Review or get up-to-date with the 21st-century bidding. Join the two-day class for fun and fellowship. Jan. 13 and 15, 9:30 a.m.-noon. $25

• Play of the Bridge Hand-Heart Series Bridge Class. Develop your plan, recognize your winners and losers, consider your alternatives, and execute the most effective play Thursdays, Jan. 22-March 19, 9:30-noon. $90 plus $20 book fee.

Bridge Games

• Contract Bridge: Newcomers are always welcome. Contact the Central Orange Senior Center at 245-2015. Meets every Monday and Wednesday from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Free

• Duplicate Bridge Meets every Friday at the Seymour Center at 1:15 p.m. A fee is charged.

• Morning Bridge game with ACBL Accredited Teacher, Jo Anne Vansuch. A small fee will be charged. Seymour Center: Mondays, 9:15 a.m.-noon.

• Social Bridge: Enjoy an afternoon of social bridge. Newcomers are always welcome. Mondays, 1-4 p.m.

Other Classes

• Geopolitical Georgia: Professor Robert Rupen will look closely at Russia's 2008 invasion of Georgia and assess its importance in contemporary inter-national politics. Wednesdays, Jan. 21-Feb. 25, 1-3 p.m. Fee: free

• Dance in American Film: A survey of the American musical and how composers, directors, choreographers and dancers created what is now known as the "Golden Age of Movie Musicals." The class will cover the transition from silent to talking pictures through mid-twentieth century when Hollywood showcased talent and produced dance sequences that will likely never be filmed again. Tuesdays, Jan. 20-Feb. 24, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Call 968-2070 to register.

• Interior Decorating Class: Need a room makeover? Looking for decorating ideas? If so, join Frances Rose, aka "The Room Therapist," for this class. Space is limited to 15 participants. Thursdays, Jan. 22-Feb. 19, 10-11 a.m. Free. Call 968-2070 to register.

• Spanish classes are beginning in January. Introductory, beginners, intermediae and advanced classes. Classes in English as a second language are also offered. Call 968-2070 or see the Senior Times for details.

• Ballroom Dance for Fun and Fitness: Get a musical workout, enjoy social time with your partner and keep fit all at once. Mondays, 3-4:30 p.m. Free.

• Ballroom Dance Social is a great way to meet new people. All ages, couples, and singles are welcome. For more information call 933-8982. Jan. 22 and 29, 7-9:30 p.m. $2

• Other dance classes include: dance ratatouille, line dancing, tap dancing and waltzing practice. Call 968-2070 or see the Senior Times.

• Athletic Activities are numerous. These include badminton, basketball, billiards, bocce ball, bowling, shuffleboard, table tennis, Wii gaming session. Call the Seymour Center at 968-2070, or look in the Senior Times.

• Movies will be shown at the Seymour Center. "The Longest Yard," will be shown on Jan. 10 at 11:30 a.m. On Tuesdays at 1 p.m. the following will be shown: Jan. 6, "Please Don't Eat the Daisies"; Jan. 13, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"; Jan. 20, "On the Town"; and Jan. 27, "Gilda."•Interest Groups There are many groups, including Homeopathy Study Group, Men's Conversation Group, Sudoku Club, and Writer's Discussion Group.

•Elders for Peace will meet at the Seymour Center on Jan. 5 from 1 to 2 p.m. The group is committed to using our energies and imaginations to work toward a more peaceful world. Everyone is welcome. Call 968-2070.