Are you an undiscovered artist? Looking to be discovered? AARP is looking for amateur artists to enter their original oil, acrylic, or watercolor paintings in a contest to find the artwork that will adorn their 2008 AARP calendar.

The contest is open to all current AARP members. 14 paintings will be chosen from among the entries for the 2008 calendar. Entries must be received by May 31, 2007. The winning entries will be displayed at this year’s AARP Life@50+ National Event & Expo in Boston, MA, September 6-8, 2007.

The theme of the 2008 calendar is “America: From Sea to Shining Sea”.

Instructions for entering your painting can be found at the AARP Website

A bill that has passed the House and now needs Senate approval, will give Medicare the right to negotiate drug prices and bargain directly with the pharmaceutical companies. Drug companies are lobbying hard against this legislation.

AARP is urging all members and all seniors to contact their Senators on April 4, AARP’s National Call to Action Day, to urge their senators to pass this bill and give Medicare the ability to negotiate lower prices for their 43 million beneficiaries.

For instructions on how to join the Call to Action, see the AARP website.

Many older adults and retirees would love the opportunity to volunteer and be of service to their community. Volunteering can also be a stepping-stone to learning new skills while utilizing the skills you already possess. It can also be a great method of social networking. Volunteering offers a lot of positives, but finding the right volunteer job for you is the most important first step.

AARP has an informative article called Finding the Right Opportunity. The AARP article suggests you start by asking yourself these questions:

* Why am I interested in volunteering?
* What type of activities am I interested in?
* What are my natural strengths and gifts? What do I really enjoy doing?
* Would I prefer a small local organization, or a larger regional or national one?
* What issues do I care most about?
* How will my desire to serve fit in with my current time commitments?
* How much time do I want to give? What days, or parts of days?
* Would I prefer to do something in my own neighborhood, or travel to another?

They also suggest you consider becoming an AARP volunteer. Check out the article for information on finding the right volunteer opportunity and for a link to the volunteer opportunities in your state.

It’s tax time again and once you’ve retired your tax picture can change dramatically. There are tax preparation services available, but for those on a fixed income, paying the high fees of an accountant or tax-preparer may be budget-busting.

For seniors, AARP offers Tax-Aide - a free, volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service. 32,000 volunteers provide free tax preparation and assistance services to low and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to those 60 years of age and older. Electronic filing and online counseling are also offered.

Go to the AARP website for more information about Tax-Aide and to find a Tax-Aide site near you.