It might be a challenge packing so much into four hours. But Blacksburg AARP president Carl McDaniels and other organizers of the Health and Wellness Fair coming Sept. 19 are willing to try.

More than 50 profit and non-profit exhibitors including the United Way, New River Valley Agency on Aging and Carillion Health Systems will be at the Blacksburg Community Center that day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The attractions include demonstrations, seminars, films and giveaways.

The Blacksburg AARP chapter has mailed more than 5,000 post cards to area members inviting them to attend. About 400 people participated last year and McDaniels won't be surprised if turnout this time exceeds that number.

"It's kind of a one-stop information center," McDaniels said. "One stop and you can talk to 50 or 60 health care providers in the area."

Co-Sponsored by AARP Virginia, the Virginia Tech Retirees Association, the Blacksburg Community Center and Senior Center and the Mt. Tabor Ruritan Club, the fair offers seniors a surplus of options.

Some of the most interesting offerings include seminars on informed prescription drug use and local transportation options for seniors who have quit driving.

Representatives from the Smart Way Bus, Blacksburg Transit and various senior services will share tips on the easiest ways to get from place to place when the time comes to throw away the keys.

Dr. George Smith of Shawsville, author of the book "Mind Over Fatter," will provide incites on healthy nutrition.

Announcements over a loudspeaker located on the floor of the exhibit hall will direct attendees to the seminars of their choice.

"People come for different reasons," McDaniels said. "There's a lot of reasons to be there."

Seniors can also receive guidance from the big screen.

A new film produced by AARP, titled "Your medicines and you," featuring physician Bill Thomas and another film from the Funeral Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge, called "Strangers in Good Company," will air in the morning.

"It's information not just seniors can use but younger people taking care of seniors can use," said Joy Herbert, director of the Blacksburg Senior Center which is providing space for the event. "It's informative to all people really."

Between viewings, coffee and pastries will be provided in the exhibit area located in one of the center's two gymnasiums.

Door prizes and giveaways include a $100 gift card to Kroger and free books on health care.

A kettle band from Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg will provide background music.

The fair will take a one-year sabbatical next year and return in 2008.

"I want this to be a real fair with fun and balloons and music," event chairwoman Jo Ann Underwood said, "not just last wills and funeral arrangements. We've got to live until we don't live anymore and hopefully well."

Senior shorts

n Grandparents Day: Leave Blacksburg Community Center at 12:30 p.m. today for a potluck dinner and return by 3 p.m. Children and grandchildren welcome. Blacksburg residents, $2; others, $4. 961-1134.

n Breakfast get-together. 10 a.m. Monday, Blacksburg Community Center. 961-1134.

n Moose Lodge bingo: 11 a.m. Monday, Montgomery County Moose Lodge, Christiansburg. $2 per person. 994-8627.

n Men's eight ball tournament: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Christiansburg Recreation Center. City residents, $2; others, $4. 382-2349.

n Blood pressure screening: 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Christiansburg Recreation Center. 382-2349.

n Health fair: Sept. 19. Sponsored by AARP and the Blacksburg Department of Parks and Recreation. Hospitals, adult resident centers and a range of health and wellness organizations will be on site. Seminars will be conducted on health topics. No registration required. 961-1134.

n Muscial Jam Day: 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 20, Pulaski Senior Center. 994-8627.

n Senior health session II: 10:15 to 11 a.m. Sept. 20, Christiansburg Recreation Center. Speaker is Cindy McDaniel. Free. 382-2349.

n Wohlfahrt Haus Theatre trip: leave Pulaski Senior at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 for a 6 p.m. dinner followed by a musical at 8. $42 per person includes dinner, play and transportation. Registration ongoing. 994-8627.

n The NRV Agency on Aging is seeking volunteers to assist Medicare recipients in choosing and enrolling in a Medicare Part D prescription Drug Plan during the enrollment period, Nov. 15 through Dec. 31. Training provided, but some computer experience helpful. Call 980-7720 to sign up for an informational coffee hour in Pulaski on Sept. 26 or Christiansburg on Sept. 28.

n Wheatland Retirement Community needs volunteers to help monthly with arts and crafts classes. Assistance is also needed 10 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays with an Easy Motions Wellness Program. 382-5700.

n Free smoke detectors: Offered by Montgomery County fire departments to anyone who needs them. Call your local fire department or Neal Turner, Montgomery County emergency service coordinator, 394-2146.

n Personal training and fitness classes: Available at the Blacksburg Senior Fitness Center. Registration is ongoing for Personal Training, Fit over Fifty, Healthy Backs, Pilates for Seniors and Stretch, Balance and Tone classes. Fees vary. Free orientations to the fitness center available by appointment. 961-1134 or 961-1149.

n Card games: Bridge, 10 a.m. Mondays; canasta, 1:30 p.m. Mondays; beginning canasta, 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Radford Senior Center. 731-5517.

n Novice Knitters: 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Blacksburg Senior Center social room. Informal group works on a variety of needle projects. Free. 961-1134.

n Duplicate bridge: 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, Blacksburg Community Center. Partners required and intermediate to advanced skill levels recommended. 552-5361.

n AARP Blacksburg: Third Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Blacksburg Community Center. 552-5818.

n Quilting and Ceramics: 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Radford Senior Center. 731-5517.

n Gospel singing: Public invited monthly for gospel singing of old hymns on the following schedule: 10 a.m. first Tuesdays at the Christiansburg Recreation Center senior activities area; and 2 p.m. first Wednesdays at Wheatland Retirement Center, Christiansburg. Musicians and singers welcome. Mary Dotson, 382-8543.

n Party bridge: 9 a.m. to noon second Tuesdays and 1 to 4 p.m. second and fourth Wednesdays, Blacksburg Community Center. 961-1134.

n Badminton: Wednesdays, 9 a.m. Pulaski Central Gym. 994-8627.

n Bingo: 10 a.m. Wednes days, New River Valley Mall community room, Christiansburg. 382-6346.

n Creative Memories: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. first Wednesdays, Radford Senior Center. Features scrapbooking with leader Lynn Wright. Supplies available or bring your own. Lunch included for $15. 731-5517.

n Radford Chapter AARP luncheon: 12:30 p.m. third Wednesdays, Radford Senior Center. A guest speaker will address seniors each month on a topic of interest. 639-4571.

n Seniors workshop: 9 to 11 a.m. fourth Wednesdays, Radford Senior Center. $5. 731-5517.

n Blood pressure clinics: 9 to 10 a.m. first Fridays in the Betty Craig Activity Room of the Radford Senior Center. Blood sugar screenings also offered at Friday clinic. 731-5517.

n Easy Motions: Less strenuous exercise class, 9 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Christiansburg Recreation Center multipurpose room 2A. Doctor's note and registration required, 382-2349.

n Fun & Fit Fridays: 8 a.m. to noon, at the Blacksburg Senior Center. Billiards, table tennis, shuffleboard, basketball free throws, Frisbee, croquet, horseshoes, bocce and planned outings for other activities. Registration not required. No programs during holiday weeks. 961-1134.

n The Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge: Volunteer consumer-rights advocacy group provides information about options available for funeral and other end-of-life arrangements, www.funerals.org/fcavbr. 953-5589.

n Intrepid USA Healthcare Services: Provides free, in-home evaluations to determine whether an individual qualifies for professional home-care services such as home health aid, medical social workers and physical therapy under Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance. 961-5464 or (888) 416-1428.

n H2U: Seniors 50 and older may receive national and local benefits from membership in the Montgomery Regional Hospital Chapter. Betty Jahn, 953-5291.