The Orcas Senior Center is holding two events this November.

“Be Smart When Hiring a Contractor” will be held at the Orcas Senior Center on Friday, Nov. 15, from 1-2 p.m.

Are you trying to find a contractor or understand the difference between an estimate and a quote? How about how to deal with an insurance company over a home repair issue? Join us at the Orcas Senior Center to learn from an expert the many tips and terminology that will help you when dealing with a home maintenance or repair issue. Greg Sawyer has had a decades-long career as a contractor and facilities manager. He will share his knowledge and answer your questions at this workshop.

This one-hour workshop is the second of two workshops that are being offered through the Orcas Senior Center with a generous donation from United Way of San Juan County.

“The Senior Money Project” will be presented on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 1-3 p.m. by Consumer Education and Training Services. People are swindled out of billions of dollars each year. “The Senior Money Project” was created in order to help seniors and people of all ages identify and protect themselves against scams and fraud. CENTS is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that teaches individuals how to improve their financial health. This free presentation will cover: how to safely handle “Robo” calls; preventing identity theft; imposter scams; the most common fraud tactics; a mental framework that will help you identify and avoid scams; and what to do if you are victimized.

The presenter, CENTS Executive Director Anthony Leahy, has designed several financial education curricula aimed at adults, including the Senior Money project. Leahy is also the chair of the Outreach and Education Committee of the Student Loan Work Group, which was informally convened by the Washington Attorney General’s Office. He received his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Washington School of Law.