SENIOR FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM

Applications for the 2010 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
have been mailed from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to all seniors who participated in the Program last year.  These documents should be completed and returned to Rapides Council On Aging for approval.
           
Rapides Council has administered the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program for the  U. S. Department of Agriculture for 26 years.          

TENTH ANNUAL CLECO FAN DRIVE FOR THE ELDERLY

With summer heat on the horizon, Cleco is collecting fans to help the elderly and offering tips to help customers manage their electric bills.

“Air conditioning is important during Louisiana’s hot summer months,”said Anthony Bunting, vice president of customer services and energy delivery. “But keeping cool can be critical for the elderly because getting too hot can be more than uncomfortable – it can be deadly.”
           
Cleco employees are preparing fundraisers and working with local businesses to generate funds and fans for Cleco’s Tenth Annual Fan Drive.  The fan drive began on April 5 and will continue to May 27.  Donated fans will be distributed vy Councils ON Aging.
           
Call the Rapides Council at  445-7985 to place your name on the list for a fan as soon as they are available.

AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM

AARP has offered the classroom course for 25 years.  Designed to help drivers tune up their driving skills.  The course offers information to update their knowledge of rules of the road and learn about age-related physical changes and how to adjust driving to allow for those changes.

A one-day, four-hour refresher course for individuals 50 years of age and older will be held on May 13, at the Power Center, 1804 MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, next to Office Depot.  Class will start at 8:30 am.  Cost for the course is $14 with a $2 discount for AARP members. 

Please bring a check or money order payable to AARP to cover the cost of the course.  Also bring your AARP Membership card to verify your membership number and to receive the $2 discount.

Call 448-6970 to pre-register.

CENLA RESIDENTIAL MARKET UPDATE
By Liz Merryman

There are many bright spots for this year:

• Interest rates continue below 6%.
• First time Home Buyer Tax Credit of $8,000 was extended through April, 2010.
• Additional Current Homeowner Tax Credit of $6,500, added this year for selling a principal residence, was extended through April, 2010.
• 100% financing is available through VA and Rural Development Loans.
  
  The average sales price is down from $149,603 in 2008, to $144,150 in 2009, and to $132,485 for the first quarter of 2010.   
  Average days on the market is still climbing from 92 in 2009 to 100 in the first quarter in 2010.
  
  Statistics indicate that homes in top notch condition are selling well.  Condition, pricing and staging are crucial to selling a house.