Handbag Trunk Show to Benefit Santa for Seniors

by Sally F. White, Columnist
nside@neighbornewspapers.com

Timmy Woods, the famous Beverly Hills designer and manufacturer of fashion forward wearable art handbags for women, is coming to Atlanta Tuesday to show and sell her famous wooden handbags at Kings Home Furnishings on Menlo Drive in west Buckhead. A percentage of sales will benefit the heart-warming Santa for Seniors program sponsored by the Senior Citizens Services of Metropolitan Atlanta.

In 1985 Woods, a design major at the Fashion Institute of Technology, began designing and manufacturing handbags. She immediately won attention, but took time off after an auto accident and branched out into her family’s international real estate business. Inspired in 1992 by primitive, hand-carved wooden boxes in the Phillippines, she perfected cutting-edge handcrafted sculptured handbags from fallen Arcadia trees — each handmade bag takes 30 days to complete. Design forms are taken from a broad range of interests and lifestyles such as nature, pop trends, sports, hobbies, holidays and special events.

Enticed by the three enthusiastic co-chairs Jill Sherman, Dottie Smith and Jade Slover leading year-around fundraisers for the Atlanta senior holiday gift program, Woods will display and sell her collectible trend-setting wares in an evening trunk how reception format and give an early 2012 boost to the Senior Citizens Services programs.

“Many supporters and Atlanta chic fashionistas collect Timmy’s handbags — including Santa faces — and know her as a special, warm-hearted friend,” Sherman said. “We thought this evening would be a fun event to help our year-long fundraising efforts bring cheer and senior-friendly gifts to isolated older folks in Atlanta.”

Details and information: (404) 355-8995 or visit http://www.kingshomefurnishings.net/store/ or www.timmywoods.com.

Senior Citizen Services Wish List

Can you donate any of the following items? Call 404-351-3889 or email shargrove@scsatl.org.

• Microwave ovens for seniors to warm their meals


• Reliable truck for Home Repair program


• Any painting items: paint, brushes, rollers, pans, etc.


• Power tools: drills, pressure washers, paint sprayers, etc.


• Lawn mowers


• Ceiling fans


• Digital cameras


• Energy efficient light bulbs - 60 watt


• Exercise bikes and/or treadmills for Neighborhood Senior Centers


• Large plastic storage containers


• Ten sets of 2 lb. dumbbells


• Defibrillator


• Exercise mats for Senior Centers


• Kiln supplies for Senior Centers


• Permanent markers (bold point)


• Pens


• Dry-erase board


• Small filing cabinet


• 1, 1.5, and 2 inch binders


• Printers


• Paper shredder

Thanks so much.

Winter Safety Tips for Seniors

As tough as the cold weather is on everyone, it’s particularly dangerous for senior citizens. Jim Miller, editor of Savvy Senior, a syndicated newspaper column, was invited on the "Today” show to share some steps seniors should take to stay safe as the mercury plunges.

Home heating safety

More home fires happen during the winter months than any other time of the year mainly due to home heating devices and people age 65 and older are three times more likely to die or be injured in a home fire as those younger. In addition, heating devices and household appliances that are fueled by gas, oil, kerosene or wood in a closed up house can also produce deadly carbon monoxide gas.

Some simple things seniors can do to protect themselves are:

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home and check the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.


• If you’re using a space heater remember that space heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the heater, and if you’re looking to by a new space heater get one that automatically shuts off if the heater falls over.


• If you use a wood burning fire place make sure you have a glass front or screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs and have chimney flue pipe checked once a year.


• Get an ABC multipurpose fire extinguisher for the home; learn how to use it and check it yearly to be sure is working.

Winter auto safety

To ensure winter time driving safety — if you live in a cold climate — have your vehicle serviced and winterized so it’s ready for winter driving and winter road conditions.

Some specific items to be checked are the:
Tires: check the tire air pressure and make sure your tires have sufficient tread.
Radiator: have the anti-freeze levels checked.
Belts: inspect the belts and hoses for cracks or leaks.
Oil: ask you mechanic about switching to a thinner grade of engine oil for better performance in colder temperatures.
Wipers: inspect the windshield wipers and wiper fluid to ensure better visibility.
Battery: make sure the battery is fully charged.

Preventing wintertime falls

A common problem among the elderly is broken hips, which happen more frequently in winter due wet and slippery conditions. To help prevent wintertime falls seniors should wear shoes with non-skid soles, stay only on sidewalks or areas that have been cleared of snow and ice, use handrails when available and avoid getting out after dark or in hazardous weather conditions.

For more information, go to: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/10806061/ns/today-today_health/t/brrrr-winter-safety-tips-senior-citizens/