Secure Horizons, FCTV and Cape.Com Create SeniorNet Center

(Falmouth, MA) Falmouth Community Television's computer center is now also the Cape’s first SeniorNet Learning Center. Thanks to the generous support of Secure Horizons - Tufts Health Plan for Seniors, FCTV-13 and Cape.Com, local older adults will have the opportunity to learn computer and Internet skills close to home on state-of-the-art equipment. The Falmouth SeniorNet center will officially open its doors on Thursday, October 4th, at FCTV studios where an Open House will take place from 4 - 6 pm. The public and press are welcome to attend.

SeniorNet members learn and teach others to use computers and communications technologies to accomplish a variety of tasks. They learn to desktop publish anything from a newsletter to an autobiography, manage personal and financial records, communicate with others across the country and around the world, and serve their communities. Older adults are learning to use the Internet for genealogy purposes, to purchase goods and services, participate in online auctions, make travel plans, and research medical issues, among other things.

Seventeen volunteers from Falmouth and Mashpee will teach, coach and run the Falmouth Learning Center. "I am very excited to be a part of this new venture establishing a SeniorNet Learning Center in Falmouth. The support we have received from Secure Horizons, FCTV and Cape.Com will enable us to offer a wide range of computer classes to a segment of the community that is anxious to get on the technology bandwagon", said JoAnn Fishbein, Falmouth's SeniorNet Co-Coordinator. "Secure Horizons is thrilled to be involved in a project that will help seniors in the local area have access to these valuable resources," said Patty Blake, Vice President of Secure Horizons.

Cape.Com, Inc. of Mashpee donated a high-speed DSL connection to FCTV last year, and is pleased to now be the exclusive provider of Internet services to the Falmouth SeniorNet Center. "The curiosity of the Internet and the desire to communicate with family members has prompted many older adults to delve into computers. We are pleased to supply them with a DSL connection, one of the fastest and easiest forms of Internet access available," said Suzanne Cosgrove, Director of Marketing for Cape.Com.

"Internet instruction is the most requested course by our senior population," added Bill Long, SeniorNet Co-Coordinator.

A variety of computer classes are available, ranging from $20-$40. To participate, students must be members of SeniorNet ($30 annual fee), and be 50 years of age or older. For more information or to enroll in an upcoming class, contact Bill Long or JoAnn Fishbein at FCTV, 508-457-4652, or email seniornet@fctv.org.

The nonprofit SeniorNet grew out of a research project funded by the Markle Foundation and begun in 1986 to determine if computers and telecommunications could enhance the lives of older adults. The San Francisco based organization now has over 100,000 members; publishes a quarterly newsletter and a variety of instructional materials; and has over 220 Learning Centers throughout the country. More information on SeniorNet is available at a www.SeniorNet.org.

Secure Horizons®, Tufts Health Plan for Seniors is one of the country's largest health plans for Medicare beneficiaries, with nearly 105,000 members. Secure Horizons was recently awarded a 2001 Senior Gold Choice Award and was the sole Medicare+Choice plan in the Boston area to qualify for the award. Secure Horizons members receive comprehensive benefits beyond those offered by Medicare, such as prescription drug coverage, annual physicals, and virtually no paperwork. For more information on Tufts Secure Horizons, call 1-800-246-2400.

Falmouth Community Television (FCTV-13) is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to provide access to all forms of community communication to the people of Falmouth. This includes providing television equipment, training, technical support and free cablecast time on channel 13 in Falmouth. FCTV also offers an onsite community art gallery, the Maser Gallery, in addition to the community computing center. FCTV is located at 310B Dillingham Ave., Falmouth, and can be reached at 508-457-0800.

Cape.Com is the leading ISP on Cape Cod, specializing in high-speed DSL, 56K Dial-Up, ISDN, T1 and Frame-Relay Internet access. They also provide website & email hosting along with website development, secure e-commerce, and wide range of networking solutions. Locally-owned and operated since 1994, Cape.Com has offices in Mashpee at the Prime Center and Mashpee Commons, and serves over 400 business and 6000 residential customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Cape Cod and the Islands. They can be contacted at 508-539-9500.

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