On May 1 Minnesota Senior Federation-Metro Region will hold it's 33rd Annual Convention and Expo at Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. If you have not already registered, you may still attend by calling the office at 651/645-0261 to register or by registering at the convention and expo. Cost for attending morning sessions is $5 and a limited number of full-day tickets will be available at the door for $27. Free bus service will not be available to late registrants; however, you may call Earle Brown Heritage Center at 763/569-3455 for driving directions to the center. 

Registration and the exhibit hall open at 8 a.m. My Medicare Matters counselors will be available for individual counseling on Medicare Part D from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you wish to speak to a counselor, be sure to bring your insurance cards and a list of prescription drugs you are currently taking. 

A congressional forum will be the first event of the day. Eight House members representing the region and the state's two senators have been invited to participate. The forum, moderated by Susan Foote of the University of Minnesota, will focus on the question: What do you plan to do in the areas of pensions, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security between today and election day?

After a short break, attendees can choose from five workshops: Future of Transit in the Twin Cities, Medicare Part D, Eminent Domain, Property Taxes and Dr. Dale Anderson and his program "Health, Aging and Laughter."

More than 40 exhibits will be available for browsing from 8 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. At that time, a luncheon features a pot roast entrŽe with potatoes and green beans; salad, rolls, dessert and coffee. A vegetarian alternative is available. During lunch the Banjo Bandits Band will provide musical entertainment. Following lunch, President Barbara Kaufman will address the convention. Arvonne and Don Fraser will follow with the keynote address, "The Best Is Yet to Come."

The afternoon's business meeting will offer an opportunity for members to elect new Federation officers and sub-caucus on issues including health care, Social Security reform, affordable housing, property taxes, transportation and utility costs. Following that, convention delegates will determine key issues the Federation will focus on in the coming year.