Staff reports

ASHEVILLE -- The Council on Aging of Buncombe County, in conjunction with Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, has announced winter and spring dates for their free Medicare Choices Made Easy seminars. The classes explain how Medicare works, the enrollment process, how to avoid penalties and ways to save money.

The information sessions are free and open to the public. People new to Medicare, caregivers and others who help senior citizens with their Medicare insurance should consider attending. The information presented is unbiased and accurate. No products are sold, recommended or endorsed.

To register for any of the class sessions listed below (each offers the same information), go to the Council on Aging of Buncombe County website at coabc.org or call 828-277-8288. Classes are offered as follows:

• Jan. 27, 2-4 p.m.: OLLI/Reuter Center, UNC Asheville, 1 University Heights, Asheville.

• Jan. 31, 2-4 p.m.: Blue Ridge Community Health Services, 2579 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville.

• Feb. 7, 2-4 p.m.: Leicester Public Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester.

• Feb. 10, 2-4 p.m.: Goodwill Training Center, 1616 Patton Ave, Asheville.

• Feb. 21, 6-8 p.m.: Skyland/So. Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville.

• Feb. 28, 2-4 p.m.: Blue Ridge Community Health Services, 2579 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville.

• March 7, 2-4 p.m.: Black Mountain Public Library, 105 Dougherty St., Black Mountain.

• March 10, 2-4 p.m.: Goodwill Training Center, 1616 Patton Ave. Asheville.

• March 16, 2-4 p.m.: Fairview Public Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview.

• March 21, 2-4 p.m.: Blue Ridge Community Health Services, 2579 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville.

• March 24, 2-4 p.m.: OLLI/Reuter Center, UNC Asheville, 1 University Heights, Asheville.

• April 7, 2-4 p.m.:Goodwill Training Center, 1616 Patton Ave. Asheville.

• April 10, 7-8:30 p.m.: Big Ivy Community Center, 540 Dillingham Road, Barnardsville.