Local government aid cuts to city programs and services, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration and wellness and fitness opportunities await Mower County seniors in March.

The most important event at the Mower County Senior Center will be held Thursday.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Austin city government staff and officials will explain the expected impacts of LGA reductions.

Austin City Administrator James Hurm will unveil the city department heads’ proposed budget cuts tonight at the 5:30 p.m. regular meeting of the Austin City Council.

A member, signed by all city department heads, will detail the expected LGA impact on city programs and services.

The city expects to see significant cuts in LGA from the state both this year and 2010.

Thursday night’s “What Does It Mean To You” seminar will discuss what residents — seniors and others — should expect.

The seminar is free and open to the public.

In other news from the Mower County Senior Center, a variety of activities are scheduled in March.

The macular degeneration support group returns for a meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 11.

The meeting is for everyone living with the macular degeneration visual impairment or their caregivers.

A suggested donation of $3 for those 60 and older will help defray expenses or $5 for those 59 and younger.

The macular degeneration support group meets the second Wednesday of each month at the Mower County Senior Center.

On Monday, March 17, there will be a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Senior Center.

The fun begins at 11:30 a.m. with a special Semcac meal and entertainment.

Reservations must be made in advance. Call 433-3120.

The St. Patrick’s Day celebration menu will feature corn beef and cabbage.

Dr. Juliet O’Donnell will host a Hearth Health Seminar at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24.

Participants will learn normal heart healthy function, as well as unhealthy heart function.

O’Donnell will review the latest statistics on heart disease.

The physician will discuss warning signs for heart attack and stroke and prevention ideas. O’Donnell will also examine research and the impact of family history and diabetes.

The seminar is free and open to the public.

Wellness clinics are scheduled from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 12 and April 19.

Hand massages will be given for 10-minute duration.

Hearing aid clinics will be held at the Senior Center at 3:15 p.m. March 19 and April 26.

Both clinics will offer hearing aid device cleaning and checks.

Looking ahead to April, the Senior Center will host a defensive driving class Wednesday, April 8.

The 4-hour class takes place from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 8 and is needed for insurance discounts.

The cost is $16 for Senior Center members and $19 for non-members.

Call 433-2370 to sign-up.

A will advice clinic will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, April 13.

The free clinic will be sponsored by Southern Minnesota Legal Services.

Knowledgeable individuals will meet one-on-one with seniors to discuss power of attorney, estate planning and wills.

Senior citizens are asked to call 433-2370 for an appointment.

Jean Patzner Mueller, an advocate ombudsman, will host an informative seminar, explaining “how to be a good advocate for a loved one in a nursing home.”

The seminar will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28.

Patzner-Mueller will explain loved ones’ rights while in a nursing home and point out the questions to ask at a care conference.

She will offer tips on what visitors should observe when visiting a loved one in a nursing home.

She will also recommend the steps to take if family members have concerns about their loved ones in a nursing home. The seminar is free and open to the public.

Pre-registration is recommended. For more information about programs and activities at the Mower County Senior Center, call 433-2370.

The Mower County Senior Center is located at 400 Third Ave. N.E.