We have a lot going on this week. Here is a highlight of a few things.

Just in case you weren’t here last month. John Haymond brought a special guest with him to speak. He postponed the Banana Wars presentation until 2 p.m. Wednesday, titled “The Banana Wars: America’s Forgotten Forays into Central America.” Between 1900 and 1940, the United States was involved in military actions (and invasions) in places like Nicaragua, Haiti, and Guatemala. This presentation will discuss this often overlooked period of American history.

 Helping prevent fraud

At 2 p.m. on Thursday we are having a fraud prevention class. Con-artists don’t care how hard you worked, they steal billions from people like you every year. Today, people aged 50 and over control over 70 percent of the nation’s wealth and the scammers know it. They’re using the telephone, U.S. mail, email, the Internet and they may even show up on your doorstep trying to get your money.

For some, aging-related issues like memory loss can lead to vulnerability and new technology has made it easier for criminals to get access to personal information and savings. Understanding the latest trends and tactics in fraud can help us all protect our own savings, as well as people who are more vulnerable.

This presentation is based on analysis of undercover FBI recordings of con artists in action. AARP partnered with the FBI on a national level for the purpose of educating people about financial crime because the best defense is to prevent it in the first place. Consumer fraud, scams, identity theft, cyber security, credit card theft and financial theft within the family can be covered depending on the interests of the audience.

Jay Haapala is Associate State Director of Community Outreach with AARP Minnesota and leads the state’s Fraud Watch Network which serves to educate consumers about fraud, scams and identity theft. He and AARP Fraud Fighter volunteers have met with more than 200 community groups across the state, law enforcement officials and fraud investigators, learning how people are being targeted by financial crime right here in Minnesota. He has worked and served in the Minnesota nonprofit sector for 15 years building volunteer programs, and now is doing the same to build a network of fraud fighter volunteers with AARP. Please stop by or call 1-507-433-2370 to sign up for this important seminar.

 Celebrate the Irish

Whether you’re Irish or Irish-at-heart, join us for an afternoon of fun and maybe get the luck of the Irish. At noon on Friday a St. Patrick’s day feast will be held including a corn beef meal for $9.50 or lemon butter baked cod for $8.50. Bring your Irish friends and wear your green so you don’t get pinched. Tammy and Wendy will be here performing old time country music and playing many instruments such as guitar, accordion and fiddle. Sign up by stopping by the Mower County Senior Center front desk or calling 1-507-433-2370.

Learning Facebook

Don’t forget, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday to come in and set-up a Facebook account or learn about more options using your Facebook account. To sign up please stop by the front desk or call.

Don’t forget our coffee shop where every day you can have homemade soup for $1 and a sandwich for 50 cents. Tuesday we are having tator tot hotdish for only $2. You are always welcome at the center. See you here.

 Upcoming events

Monday: Bone Builders, 9 a.m.; Blood pressure checks, 9 a.m.; Naps, 9:30 a.m.; Coloring Class, 10 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Exercise with Evie’s Friends, 1 p.m.;

Facebook Class, 6 p.m.; Zumba, 6:15 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:15 a.m.; Exercise with Evies Friends, 9 a.m.;

Tator tot hotdish, 11:30 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge, 500) 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Tai chi, 9 a.m., Wood Carvers, 9 a.m.; Weight Watchers, 12:15 p.m.; Cards (Duplicate Bridge, Pinochle, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.;

Mower County Historical Society, 2 p.m.; Weight Watchers, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers, 8:15 a.m.; Exercise with Evie’s Friends, 9 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.; Fraud prevention, 2 p.m.; Life Long Learners, 2:30 p.m.;

Zumba 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Bone Builders, 9 a.m.; St Patrick’s Day Dinner, noon; Cards (Duplicate Bridge, Pinochle, Cribbage, 500), 12:30 p.m.; Ping pong 3 p.m.

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

Feb. 29, two tables

1st Carolyne Higgins, 2nd Jaynard Johnson, 3rd Dave Solomonson, 4th Ann Davorak, 5th Mary Johnsen

Tuesday Duplicate Bridge

March 1, six tables

1st Lorraine Lippert, 1st Russ Vaale; 2nd Rick Strouf, 2nd Edna Knobe; 3rd Joyce Crowe, 3rd Millie Seiver; 4th Orrin Rosen, 4th Barb Ingrebritsen; 5th Gail Schmidt, 5th Ray Schmidt

Tuesday 500

March 1, two tables

1st Wayne Chilson, 2nd Romans Kikuts, 3rd Betty Lebein

Friday Cribbage

March 4th, two tables

1st John Karnes, 2nd Lois Johnson, 3rd Carolyne Higgins, 4th Ann Dvorak, 5th Jaynard Johnson

Wednesday Duplicate Bridge

March 2, four tables

1st Dave Ring, 1st Orrion Poisen; 2nd Joyce Crowe, 2nd Millie Seiver; 3rd Eunice Mitnaelis, 3rd Warren Benrends; 4th Larry Crowe, 4th Jim Fisher

Pinochle

Dave Solomonson

Friday 500

March 4, three tables

1st Sally Michels, 2nd Wayne Chilson, 3rd Romans Kikuts, 4th Loretta Nelson

Wednesday Cribbage

March 3, two tables

1st John Karnes, 2nd Russ Vaale, 3rd Hilton Henschen