The Art of Aging Successfully: Life is Growth and Growth is Life is the focus of a conference slated for 8:46 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, at the McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University, 495 Ferry Mall, Detroit.

Keynote speaker Esther Shapiro, an independent consumer consultant to nonprofit, government and business organizations, will discuss "I May Be Old but I'm Not Stupid." Shapiro also lectures on consumer affairs and avoiding fraud.

Panel and group discussions are planned. Participants include Carol Coulon of the Michigan Commission on Indian Affairs; Carrie Hayes-Gaskin, former board member for the Detroit Area Agency on Aging; Michigan Women's Hall of Fame member Millie Jeffrey, former labor organizer and assistant to Walter Reuther and governor emerita at WSU; Hector Lopez, counselor for people affected with HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and homelessness and a former volunteer community probation worker for Partners Against Crime Detroit; entomologist Shiva Sastry, who is retired from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and occupational therapist Lisa Schlicker.

Participants in the conference will learn what others view as essential to aging successfully as well as share their ideas and hear the stories of fellow seniors.

A non-refundable $10 registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch and conference materials. Reservations must be made by March 31.

For more information call (313) 577-2297 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays. The event is sponsored by the WSU Institute of Gerontology.