SENIOR SIDELIGHTS

Austintown Senior Center, 100 Westchester Drive, Austintown, Monday, blood pressure screenings 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., free painting class at 9:30; Tuesday, free Balance Class at 9:30 a.m., Zumba at 10:15 and bingo at noon; Wednesday, trip to Mountaineer casino at 9 a.m., bingo at 10, and Tai Chi at noon; Thursday, trip to Southern Park Mall and Das Dutch Haus at 9 a.m., yoga at 9:30 a.m., senior shape up at 10:30, poker and euchre at 10:30, and bingo at noon; Friday, bingo at 10, cards, and senior focus with Peg Flynn at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is available at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Registration required by 11 a.m. each day. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information call 330-953-1416.

The Meadows at Covington, Senior Residence, 200 Covington Drive, East Palestine, will present a free senior educational program, “Better Living Through Planning,” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Atty. Charlene E. Burke will discuss such topics as elder law, estate planning, Medicaid planning, benefits for veterans, living will, power of attorney and advanced directives. There will be a continental breakfast. Register by calling Marlene Figley at 330-426-2922 by Feb. 7.

Senior Independence Senior Center of Mahoning County, 1110 Fifth Ave., Youngstown, Monday, Men’s and Women’s Needlecraft Club at 8:30 a.m. and bridge at 1 p.m.; Tuesday, oil painting at 10, computer class at 10 and noon; Digital Club at 2; Wednesday, watercolor class at 10 a.m., tap class at noon, Tai Chi and 500 cards at 1 p.m.; Thursday, Watch Our Weight and Woodcarvers at 9 a.m., line dancing at 1 p.m. and beginner line dancing at 2; and Friday, board games and parties. Call 330-744-5071 for free applications for HEAP, AT&T, Medicare and discount prescription program applications. Special events are as follows: Trip to Vernon’s at Eastwood Mall and Cindy’s Health Foods Store Tuesday, and beginning Monday trained AARP tax experts will offer free income tax assistance at the center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Monday and Friday. Take last year’s tax return, all 2010 papers, and all parties involved as returns will be filed electronically Appointments are required and will be accepted at 330-744-5071.