BEACON - April 2015 by BEACON Senior News

APRIL 2015

Vol. 29

No. 4

Mesa County’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 26,250 Readers.

Mesa County

BeaconFest Come to the area’s largest boomer and senior fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 16. Admission is FREE! Details inside. Senior Law Day Seminars covering estate planning, grandparents’ rights, Medicare and more will be at this event on May 1. Page 23. Want a relaxing vacation? Barefoot sailing on a Windjammer cruise ship is really the way to vacation at your own pace. Page 18.

Photo courtesy of Redlands Mesa

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www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

APRIL 2015

BeaconFest: a bounty of senior fun! By Kevin K. VanGundy

eaconFest is a celebration of all that’s boomer and senior related. Last year, a record number of people attended this festive event. This year’s senior fair will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, April 16 at the Two Rivers Convention Center in downtown Grand Junction.

Why attend BeaconFest? This year’s BeaconFest will feature nearly a dozen entertainers, including the ever-popular King ‘N’ Trio. Free seminars will be offered on topics as wide ranging as how to protect yourself from identity theft to how to plan your estate. Well-known restaurants such as the Nick ‘N’ Willy’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden and Rib City Grill will be giving away free samples of their food.

Feeling lucky? Thousands of dollars worth of valuable prizes and cash will be given away in free door prize drawings throughout the day.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Thank you! The main reason to attend BeaconFest is because it’s fun and it’s our way of saying thank you for reading the BEACON Senior Newspaper. Come and let us give you a happy hug or a hearty handshake. And please thank our vendors, as well as our sponsors: Walgreens, CallahanEdfast Mortuary & Crematory, Hilltop, FCI Constructors and Carlson Memorials.

Summer travel and festivals In June, the BEACON will present you with a myriad of suggestions on places to go and things to do. What we’d really like to know from you is what to include and what not to include. Also, we’d like to publish some of your older vacation photos. You know, the ones with your Brady Bunch station wagon or you at Niagara Falls in your coonskin cap. ■

Imagine the surprise of Publisher Kevin VanGundy, right, (you were hoping he was the one on the left) when a pig came to join the party at BeaconFest.

Have You Thought About Your Estate Plan Lately? Learn about Estate Planning at our Free Educational Workshops!

Vendors galore! Vendor booths from over 100 senior-related businesses and agencies will be set up to provide current and prospective seniors with information about products and services available to help them successfully navigate the aging process. We have home improvement folks, health and nutrition information, representatives from many of our local assisted living facilities, government officials, beauty products and services, longevity screenings, real estate professionals, and even a dentist!

Send your comments and photos to: Beacon@Pendant Publishing.com or BEACON Senior Newspaper P.O. Box 3895 Grand Junction, CO 81502

EDITORIAL 3

Experienced & Compassionate Estate, Trust & Tax Planning Attorneys When & How to Make Changes to your Estate Plan

April 8, 2015 4:30—5:30 p.m. This workshop will discuss lifetime events, and changes to laws which would affect your estate plan, as well as how changes to your estate plan should be made.

Estate Planning—Beyond the Basics

April 22, 2015, 4:30—5:30 p.m. In addition to discussing will and trust estate plans, we’ll delve into different types of trusts as well as Powers of Attorney. Registration is Required. The workshops are held at our office at 1250 E. Sherwood Drive. Sign up by calling (970) 243-8250 or on our website at:

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Phone: (970) 243-8250 1250 E Sherwood Dr. Grand Junction, CO 81501 817 Colorado Ave., #206 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

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4 COVER STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

says… Cheapest Places Where You'll Want to Retire By Stacy Rapacon

Choosing a retirement destination with a low cost of living can really help stretch a fixed income. But the place you select should offer more than just affordability. Safety, livability and economic stability are equally important qualities to retirees. Using data on more than 200 metropolitan areas across the U.S., we identified the places with the cheapest living costs specifically for retirees. We placed particular emphasis on reasonable price tags for the two biggest retirement budgetbusters, health care and housing, and we also looked at states' tax burdens on retirees. Plus, we sought out economically healthy areas with relatively low poverty. We favored areas with large populations of adults over 65, and because safety is paramount we weeded out cities with above-average crime rates. After narrowing the field to 32 finalists, we selected the 10 affordable cities that, as a group, offer retirees diverse choices in terms of size, climate, geography and lifestyle. Metropolitan-area population data and poverty rates are from the U.S. Census Bureau. Retiree living costs are from the Council for Community and Economic Research. Each state's tax rating is based on Kiplinger's Retiree Tax Map. Crime rates are from the FBI. See the top cities in the complete article and slideshow at: www. kiplinger.com/slideshow/retire ment/T037-S001-cheapest-placeswhere-you-will-want-to-retire/ index.html

APRIL 2015

Why retire in Grand Junction? By Jan Weeks

t’s official: Grand Junction is the least expensive place to retire, according to a February article on Kip linger.com, the website for Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, beating out St. George, Utah; Prescott, Arizona; and other popular places. “In general, Colorado is a great place for retirees,” Kiplinger.com Online Editor Stacy Rapacon said. “Grand Junction stood out because of the cost of living. The cost of living being 4.6 percent below the national average is attractive to retirees.” Residential real estate costs lure many seniors to retire here. According to U.S. Census records, in 2010 the median cost of a new house nationwide was about $221,000 and the average cost was just under $275,000. In 2014 the median price of a house in Mesa County was a little more than $181,000, according to city-data.com. Kiplinger also reported that Colorado has a friendly tax rating for retirees. If you’re between the ages of 55 and 64 you get a $20,000 pass on retirement income, including Social Security and other qualified retirement plans, such as IRA distributions, 401(k) plans and annuities. If you’re over 65, you can exclude $24,000. So many retirees pay nothing in state income tax. Even better,

Colorado has no state inheritance or estate taxes. Of course, such great tax breaks would not entice retirees to an area riddled with crime, smothered in smog year round, or hammered with high housing and health care costs. Fortunately, the Grand Valley offers relief from all of the above. Tom Shoaf has lived here since 2000. He and late wife Betty considered moving to Paonia or Battlement Mesa but wanted to be closer to medical care, and they had friends here. “I love the climate,” Shoaf said. “But I always tell people that when the temperature hits triple digits, I head to 9,000 feet,” referring to a cabin he and Betty built outside Colorado Springs. He’s also a huge fan of the cultural opportunities in Grand Junction. He subscribes to the Grand Junction Symphony and the Mesa County Concert series. “I was ushering at the symphony one Sunday and started talking to a gentleman from Washington, DC. He said our local symphony is much, much better. I think our symphony is perfect,” he said. The temperature may top 100 degrees a few times, but Grand Junction’s climate draws many retirees to the area. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards and other natural disasters leave us alone. Aside from minor flooding during spring runoff, the Grand Valley seems to be immune to weather and geologic events common to

the rest of the U.S. Retirees also take into consideration the availability of senior living options. Perhaps the most well known provider of such services is Hilltop, which operates The Cottages, The Commons, and The Fountains. The Cottages’ director Cathy Story said, “Our retirement homes, The Cottages, include all utilities, including basic cable, as well as maintenance and one meal per day in the main building. Residents can also buy meal tickets if they don’t want to cook. We also want to keep residents in the least restrictive environment, so we have levels of care, from none to companion care to safe haven.” All three facilities offer independent and assisted living, including dementia care, medication management, and housekeeping services. Helen Murrell moved to Grand Junction a little over a year ago. Her son Mark and his wife Jennifer have lived in Grand Junction for years while Helen and her son Scott resided in Champaign, Illinois. “Scott was born with a condition that left him learning disabled,” she said, leaving her as his primary caretaker. Mark urged her to move out here where he could take over Scott’s care if anything happened to her. “I never anticipated leaving Illinois,” Murrell said, but she and Scott seem to have settled in after months of transferring paperwork and records. “I belong to the Mesa County Community Concert Series and the Grand Junction Symphony,” she said. “I also take water aerobics at Crossroads Fitness.”

APRIL 2015 Now that Scott has settled in at Ratekin Towers, she hopes to have more time to explore all that Grand Junction has to offer. “People are so friendly and helpful,” she said. “I love my church family, and STRIVE has a support group for those in our situation. The parents of children with special needs are so supportive of each other.” Murrell also loves the climate. “The weather is incredible,” she said. “I appreciate all the things the community has available.” She looks forward to making up for lost time and exploring many more of the good things in Grand Junction. When you compare today’s retirees with those of a generation ago, it’s hard to recognize boomers as golden agers. We’re not our father’s 70, to paraphrase a Buick ad. Today’s retirees actively seek adventure, whether climbing icefalls, paragliding, or river rafting. Even those who prefer milder forms of outdoor adventure find an abundance of hiking, biking and water activities within minutes of Grand Junction. Ride from Palisade to Fruita on the Riverfront Trail, or hike the trails leading to the Colorado National Monument. The Colorado and Gunnison Rivers accommodate anglers and paddlers as well as those who just want a waterfront stroll. Lorie Gregor with Grand Junction Parks and Recreation said seniors have many opportunities for fun. “We have a variety of low-cost activities, some costing less than a dollar,” she said. “We’re aware that many in our community live on a fixed income. We even host free hikes.” Play pickleball, do gentle active yoga, or work out in the pool. For $10 a year, one can join the Senior Recreation Center, located at 550 Ouray Ave., just north of the library. Card games, pool tournaments, weekly dances, and classes in art and theater

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com are among the many pastimes available. The center is also a distribution point for Gray Gourmet meals. Seasonal catalogues of all Parks and Recreation offerings are available at the Senior Center, online at www. grandjunctionparksandrec.com or from the office located at 1340 Gunnison Ave., in Lincoln Park. Western Colorado Community College, a branch of Colorado Mesa University, also offers credit and noncredit classes in business, writing, music, photography, arts and crafts, languages, personal growth and even fly-fishing. Speaking of college, CMU offers seniors the opportunity to audit almost all classes for $25 a credit hour, plus course fees, through the Golden Scholars program. Always wanted to learn French? How about brushing up on bookkeeping? Or learn to write a short story? The active, vital atmosphere on campus will make anyone feel younger and more attuned to the millennials. “[Kiplinger has] written stories on college towns and how colleges provide so many amenities in the community,” Rapacon said. “Because of Colorado Mesa University’s Golden Scholar’s program, retirees can stay sharp.” According to Grand Junction Police Department spokeswoman Kate Porras, our town is a relatively safe place to live, too. Property crimes are at a five-year low, and offenses such as robbery, burglary, auto theft, theft from break-ins, shoplifting, disorderly conduct, harassment/stalking, fraud/forgery, and vandalism actually went down in 2014. “We work hard to have good relations and a partnership with community,” Porras said. “We also actively educate citizens about how to remain safe and protect themselves.” No one wants to get sick or injured, but

Community Hospital and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center are ready to offer comprehensive care when needed, and HopeWest offers hospice and palliative care options. Care is less expensive here, also. In 2010, an article published for Kaiser Health News (www.kaiserhealthnews.org) reported that the city’s health care system is the envy of much of the nation, providing quality care throughout the community at costs that are among the lowest in the country. Fortunately for Bryan Crowe, illness wasn’t what drew him and his wife Sherry to the area from San Diego. “My folks retired here from Denver many years ago, and we would spend a couple of weeks around the Fourth of July here, hiking, rafting and exploring all the outdoor opportunities,” Crowe said. They also came back in the winter to enjoy the holidays and ski at the different resorts. “I’m not a surfer or deep sea angler,” he said, “and there’s only so often you can go to the beach, so when my wife suggested we move back here, I said, ‘I’ll have to think about that.’ We sold our house the next day.” It didn’t take long to get to Grand Junction after that. Grand Junction offers something for all. Whether they come as retirees from far away or are ex-pat Junctionites, when they get here they know they’ve come home. ■

COVER STORY 5

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ........................ Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher................... Susan Capps Editor........................................ Cloie Sandlin Graphic Designer.................. Melissa Trottier Production................................ Karen Jones Office Manager......................Sherry Harmon Account Representative...............Sue Bowen Account Representative............Sidney Jayne Account Representative.................Dave Hoyt Proofreader................................. Jan Weeks Cheerleader..............................Genevra Shal Delivery............................. Lauren VanGundy Delivery .............................. Olivia VanGundy Delta-Montrose Bureau Assistant Editor...................Liesl Greathouse Account Representative.......... Virginia Carlile Delivery..........................................JR Milner P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 970.24 3.8 82 9  800.536.7516 fax Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com E-mail: Beacon@ PendantPublishing.com The BEACON is published at the beginning of the month. Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa County. Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Display advertising rates are available upon request. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. © Copyright 2015 • All Rights Reserved

Cover Photo Bassett Furniture Owners Rick and Susan Wise may not be retired (yet) but they enjoy living in Grand Junction, and toast to the beautiful weather and their free time spent at Redlands Mesa Golf Course.

6 FEATURE STORY

APRIL 2015

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

13 tips for de-cluttering your life By Melanie Wiseman

ooking forward to spring, we begin thinking about how we can improve our yard and gardens to make them more appealing. An attractive outdoor space is a relaxing spot where we enjoy spending our time and can see the fruits of our labor. Putting the same time and energy into your home can create a space that brings you the same peace and joy. But does the clutter in your home and garage seem like too daunting and too stressful a task to take on? You are not alone. Taking on the clutter challenge is worth the positive life-altering results, which can leave you feeling weightless and free. Your clutter anxiety will drop and your motivation to stay clutter free will keep you on track. Authors Gretchen Rubin (“The Happiness Project”) and Marie Kondo (“The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”), and professional organizer Barbara Reich are my three new superheroes. These three organization gurus inspire thousands of

people who face what seems to be an overwhelming task. Their books are best sellers and many of the 4,000 members of the National Association of Professional Organizers have an extended waiting list of clients. I share their passion. True story: For a recent white elephant gift exchange function I attended, guests were to wrap a “useless” item from home. I was the only one who actually had to go out and buy something. “Life will throw you enough messes. You don’t need to come home to one,” Reich said. “Clutter equals stress.” While all three of these professionals agree perfectionism is not the goal, they believe you should surround yourself with an environment that makes you happy and joyful. They also focus on working with those who tend to be unorganized. Perhaps the biggest challenge is how to get started. The first step is to accept that the battle against clutter is not a dramatic, one-time organizing event or one that magically happens when your back is turned. It

is a transforming process that involves small steps, some tough but necessary decisions, and follow-up maintenance. In her book, Kondo focuses less on what to discard and more on what to keep—those few items that spark sufficient joy or are truly necessary. Rubin and Reich’s approaches attack getting rid of unneeded items and organizing what is left. Both methods offer the same result: Less is more. Don’t let clutter weigh you down.

The road to being clutter free Getting started is no easy task. Choose the cluttered area of your home that bothers you the most, or pick a closet or cabinet and dig in. The point is to give yourself permission and just do it.

Spending the time and energy to declutter and organize the items in your home can create a space that brings you peace and joy, leaving you feeling weightless and free.

9 TIPS FOR STAYING CLUTTER FREE Congratulations! You’ve made progress toward a clutter-free lifestyle. You are now surrounded by things you actually use and that bring you joy, and everything has a place. The challenge is keeping it that way. 1

Use the one-in, one-out rule. If you buy a new pan, get rid of the old. If someone gives you a new lamp, donate your old one.

Purge often. Keep a box in your garage where anyone in the family can put items, that need to be donated, sold or consigned.

Everything has a place now, so become a habitual putter-awayer. A clear surface motivates you to keep it that way, whereas a cluttered surface invites more clutter. Return things to their “home.” With a home to go to, good stuff will never become bad clutter. The floor is not a storage option.

Get a paper shredder. Don’t hang on to unneeded paperwork.

Stop impulse buying because it was a “good deal.” Don’t accept things from other people that they are trying to get rid of.

Rent, borrow or swap tools with friends or neighbors instead of buying. Use the library for books, CDs and videos.

Your closets and cupboards should reflect who you are now, not who you were.

Make tidying up at night a serene way to end the day and a delightful way to wake up in the morning.

Involve everyone in your household and get their buy-in. Walk the walk before you ask others to join you. Demonstrating your own clutter-free habits will help them make a good and lasting start at being clutter free as well.

APRIL 2015 1. Pick a drawer, cabinet or closet. Pull everything out and only put back those things you actually use. You will be amazed at the duplicates you find, things you forgot you even had, or things you’ll admit you’ll never use again. “Want” and “need” will take on new meanings.

2. Make four piles: Keep. Donate. Consign/Sell. Toss. Ask yourself why you’re hanging on to things. If you’re not using something, consider that someone else may be very happy to have it. Don’t let your stuff control your life. Whether it’s a donation or money in your pocket, it’s a win-win.

3. Use the one-year rule. As you sort through things, purge any clothing or items you haven’t worn or used in the past year. 4. Don’t “what if.” If you’re hanging on to clothing because you think to yourself, “What if I lose 20 pounds?” or a box of miscellaneous electrical cords because “What if I need them someday?” consider this: Live for the present and not the future. If you do lose the weight, great! Celebrate by treating yourself to some new clothes. Clothes you’re hanging on to are going out of style anyway. As for that box of miscellaneous cords to who knows what, toss them. Technology changes so quickly.

5. Take inventory of what you have and purge. Discovering you have four can openers, six hammers, eight pair of black pants or 15 glass vases will help you keep track of what you really need. Purge the rest.

6. Keeping things because of a sentimental attachment can be a big problem. Taking pictures of nostalgic clutter makes it easier to throw or donate items. Selling or donating them doesn’t mean you love them less. Are you still hanging on to your adult children’s toys and grade school art projects? It’s their memorabilia now. Pass it on and let them decide what to keep or throw away.

7. The paperwork nightmare. Starting with the mail, don’t let into the house what is trash to begin with. Sort your mail on the way from your mailbox and toss the junk mail in a

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com garage trashcan. If it hits the kitchen counter, it’s now clutter. Unsubscribe to catalogs. You can find almost anything online. Recycle newspapers as soon as they are read. Instead of saving stacks of old magazines, find good homes for them at the library, nursing homes, athletic clubs, etc. Micromanaging filing paperwork will keep you from doing it in the first place. Simplify by having a “car” folder, for example, which can include insurance, maintenance receipts and other records.

FEATURE STORY 7

Retirement living with the emphasis on living

8. Try a virtual move. Walk around your home and ask yourself if you moved today, which items would you pack or get rid of?

9. Make sure everything has a place. Baskets for mail, hooks for coats and clear plastic bins for seasonal items keep things organized and tidy. Don’t underestimate the importance of a junk drawer for things that don’t have a logical place to go. Homelessness is the primary cause of clutter.

10. Get rid of your storage unit. Most likely there is nothing in there you can’t live without or it wouldn’t be in storage. Sell it and treat yourself to a getaway weekend. Life is about experiences, not things.

11. Live within your means. Let the size of your home dictate how much stuff you have and not the other way around. If your closet is bursting at the seams, instead of dreaming of a bigger closet, why not try paring down your clothes to fit the space you have?

12. Still having trouble getting motivated? Ask yourself, “Do I want to leave all this for my kids to deal with someday?” That usually works. Another question to ask is, “Do I really want to spend my retirement years going through old paperwork or would I rather go to a matinee or for a walk?”

The Cottages of Hilltop gives you the independence and freedom to make the most of your retirement INDEPENDENT LIVING Our single-level patio homes offer

privacy and luxury. The open living plans feature two bedrooms, two baths, vaulted ceilings, contemporary kitchens, gas fireplace, covered patio and one-car garage.

CAREFREE LIFESTYLE Enjoy the freedom of maintenance-free

living with paid utilities, weekly housekeeping, snow removal, lawn maintenance and a customized meal plan at our Commons or Fountains dining rooms.

PEACE OF MIND Each residence includes a 24-hour emergency response system. Plus, we offer a choice of flexible care options and services to meet your changing needs.

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TheCottagesGJ.org

Visit today for a tour and free lunch

13. Forgive yourself and keep after it. Clutter doesn’t arrive overnight, and getting rid of it is a process. Nobody is perfect and nobody’s home is perfect. Don’t panic. Do a little at a time and celebrate your accomplishments. ■ L O C A L LY O W N E D A N D O P E R A T E D B Y H I L LT O P - M A K I N G A D I F F E R E N C E F O R P E O P L E O F A L L A G E S

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

APRIL 2015

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T. fat (bacon fat, olive oil, butter) • 1 small onion, chopped • 1 c. carrots, chopped • 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced • 1 ½ lbs. chicken, cubed • 2 ½ cups noodles (whatever you have) • 10 cups liquid (chicken broth, water or a combination) • ½ t. dried thyme • ½ t. dried sage • ¼ t. dried dill • ½ T. dried parsley • ¼ t. salt to taste • ½ t. black pepper

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Cook on a high simmer/low boil for about 10-12 minutes or until the noodles are al dente and the chicken is cooked through. Serve and enjoy.

APRIL 2015

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Ask the Old Bag

PARKWAY Our prices will help youDENTAL smile

Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd

By Gayle Lagman-Creswick Dear Old Bag: I recently took care of my sister, who was in hospice care, and I still have trouble believing how some visitors can be so rude. Here are a few examples: On one occasion, friends said they were coming to visit at 2 p.m. My sister (I will call her Kate) used all her strength to fully dress and be ready. By 6 p.m., I had to put her back to bed, as she was exhausted. About that time they called and said they were running late. I told them it was too late. Another time friends called and said they were coming to visit and asked if I could hold her pain medication so she would be lucid when they came. Here’s another thing. Some would come in and say, “Oh, Kate, you look so good!” She did not look or feel good, so it was awkward. I could go on and on. Perhaps their rudeness is because they have no knowledge of hospice dying. Maybe we can educate them. I hope you will share this. Signed, The Sister Dear Sister: Thank you for sharing. To every reader, please take heed. When visiting a dying person • always make an appointment and keep it. • never ask the caregiver to withhold medicine. Instead, ask what time of day might be best to visit. The best time to visit might be when they are not in pain. • instead of saying, “You look good,” why not say, “I am so happy to see you!” • if you are an old friend, you might bring up happy times of the past. Please visit—as long as the caregiver says it’s a good idea. If it’s not a good idea, send a note. If you feel uncomfortable about visiting, talk with the caregiver or hospice worker. Learn as much as you can about death and dying. Death is not morbid;

ASK THE OLD BAG 9

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it’s reality. If you have not yet lost anyone close to you, you will, and it is good to be knowledgeable before you have to face it. The trouble is no one likes to discuss it until they have to. O.B.

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Dear Old Bag: Last month you answered “Fed Up” by saying she doesn’t have to put up with not being able to please her husband and she should dump him. I disagree. He is her husband and she took a sacred vow. They should seek counseling. Marriage is forever, and you obviously disagree. Signed, Not With You On This

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Dear Not: I always welcome disagreements. Sometimes it makes me stop and think, and sometimes I need a whack on the side of the head. I used to think like you, but life has tainted my old ideal about marriage being forever. I have seen too many victims of that philosophy. Thank you for writing. O.B. Dear Old Bag: Today my grandchildren informed me that I am not to say no to my great-grandchildren. I am to redirect them. It took everything I had to keep my big mouth shut. This is what ails our society. Kids grow up thinking they can do anything. Have I lived too long? I think so. Signed, State of Shock

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EVERY LIFE IS A STORY - A TREASURE, INSIDE EVERY PERSON, TOUCHED ALONG THE WAY. THEY ARE PART OF THAT STORY. WHEN THEY TELL IT - THE TREASURE IS FOUND, THE STORY IS TOLD, IT’S PASSED ALONG. TELLTHEIR STORY.

Dear Shocked: I have heard this before. I can only agree with you. When I grew up, there was no question of what was right and what was wrong. If I did something against the rules I got swatted on the behind. They call that child abuse nowadays. I, too, worry about the future. How will they know where to draw the line? It’s hard for me to believe that we have kids from supposedly good families going to fight against us with ISIS. I have to wonder if they learned right from wrong. O.B. ■

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net.

Connecting People, rough Life, rough Loss

10 THE HEALTHY GEEZER

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

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For generations, Family Health West has been known for the quality of its elder care. Today that tradition of caring has a new name: Courtyard Care Center, providing 24-7 skilled nursing services. • Life enriching activities • Social services

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• Transportation provided to medical appointments For a facility tour, please call 858-2140. 228 N. Cherry Street Fruita, CO

APRIL 2015

Can men get breast cancer? The Healthy Geezer By Fred Cicetti

en do have breast cells that can become cancerous. The disease is uncommon in men, representing only 1 percent of all breast cancer cases. Because of its rarity, many men aren’t aware it exists. And that’s a problem. Breast cancer strikes most often when men are in their 60s. For unknown reasons, the incidence of male breast cancer has been increasing. About 2,000 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. The most common symptom of male breast cancer is the same as it is for women—a lump. Other signs include skin dimpling, a new indentation of the nipple, redness or scaling of breast skin, a clear or bloody discharge from the nipple. Risk factors include age, family (about 20 percent of men with breast cancer are related to someone with the disease), genetics (about 7 percent of breast cancers in men are inherited), and past radiation treatments. Men with Klinefelter syndrome may be at greater risk of breast cancer. Klinefelter syndrome is when

the body makes lower levels of male hormones and more female hormones. This syndrome and many medicines used to treat ulcers, high blood pressure and heart failure can cause benign breast enlargement (gynecomastia). Liver disease, obesity and drinking alcohol can also lead to breast cancer. If a man has a family history of the disease, he should consult a doctor about regular testing. Much like women, diagnostic tests for men include a clinical breast exam, mammograms, ultrasound, biopsy, and if indicated, a nipple discharge exam. There isn’t much tissue to a man’s breast, so removing the cancer usually means excising most of the tissue. Many procedures used to save breast tissue in women aren’t practical for men. Some men may need surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Most men with breast cancer require a modified radical mastectomy, a procedure in which a surgeon removes the entire breast and some underarm lymph nodes but leaves chest muscles intact. ■

Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.

Medicare: Questions or Concerns

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APRIL 2015

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HEALTH & WELLNESS 11

first lymph node the cancer is New breakthroughs in melanoma care and treatment (the likely to spread to from the tumor) By Tait Trussell

cientists have developed breakthrough drugs that cure skin cancer. The treatment is already having spectacular effects in seriously ill melanoma patients. It could soon be used to defeat other types of cancer. One scientist said it was amazing that researchers could talk of “using the C-word (cure) for the first time.” It was reported in Britain that a former hotel and restaurant owner developed an unusual type of a rare skin cancer that strikes only about 500 Americans a year. By the time doctors found it, the cancer had spread beyond the tumor in his nose. When the patient was diagnosed, doctors had only three treatments to choose from for stage 4 melanomas like his, none of which had been shown to extend lives. Only four in 25 patients survived five years. But this patient was diagnosed in 2008. Surgery gave him enough time to make it to 2010, when an incred-

ible transformation of melanoma care began. Since then, four new treatments for advanced melanoma have won federal approval, another two are likely to be approved fairly soon, and a few more are working their way through the process of the Food and Drug Administration. Millions of Americans will be exposed to melanoma if they are exposed to the sun’s rays for too long. This seismic shift in melanoma care, largely brought about by enlisting the immune system in the fight, could eventually be used to treat other cancers. Smoking-related lung cancers, among others, are starting to respond to similar treatments, according to researchers. The payoff has come from decades of basic research that led to a fuller understanding of the genetics of cancer and how tumors interact with a patient’s immune system. There are targeted therapies for many cancers now that attack tumors that have specific genetic mutations.

Many advanced melanomas have mutations in a gene called BRAF, which is involved in cell growth, division, communication and death. Different types of treatment are available for patients with melanoma. Some are being tested in clinical trials. When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard one, new treatments are open only to patients who have not started treatment. Surgery to remove the tumor is the primary treatment for all stages of melanoma. The doctor may remove the tumor using: • Wide local excision: Surgery to remove the melanoma and some of the tissue around it. Some lymph nodes may also be removed. • Lymphadenectomy: A surgical procedure whereby the lymph nodes are removed and a tissue sample is checked under a microscope for cancer. • Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the removal of the sentinel lymph node

during surgery. A radioactive substance and/or blue dye is injected near the tumor. The substance or dye flows through the lymph ducts to the lymph nodes. The first lymph node to receive the dye is removed. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. If none are found, he may not have to remove more lymph nodes. • Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by preventing division. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body. When chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, an organ or body cavity, the drugs mainly attack the cancer cells in those areas. For advanced melanoma, radiotherapy may be appropriate. The amount of treatment you have depends on the cancer. ■

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12 HEALTH & WELLNESS

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Goodbye, Marlboro Man By Cappy Hall Rearick

ong before I was a senior I was hooked on cigarettes and I had plenty of help getting there. Television entertained me with a dancing pack of Kents; glamorous movie stars seduced me when they clutched cigarettes in long, jeweled cigarette holders. R.J. Reynolds hooked many of us by giving away small packs of five. College athletes would find them in their dorm rooms and airline passengers found them on their food trays. Back in the day, smoking was the thing to do. After 22 hours in hard labor, my firstborn entered the world. Exhausted, I exited the delivery room, gazed at my husband and said, “Hey, sailor, got a cigarette?” He looked at me like I had pabulum for brains. Eventually, after joining the senior ranks, I remarried. My husband and I made a pact to stop smoking right after the wedding. We coughed out the official “I do,” but within five minutes we were lighting up with the Marlboro Man. Holy smoke! How messed up was that? I loved cigarettes as much as I loved chocolate, but a pact was a pact, so I grudgingly said goodbye to the Marlboro Man, even though I still wanted to smoke that cigarette. The craving hit after every meal or when it was five o’clock somewhere in the world. It haunted my waking moments and invaded my dreams. I was a casualty of habits determined to cling to me. Although I honored our wedding day deal, I dreaded the thought that I was destined to crave a smoke for the rest of my life. It was inevitable that at some point, I would have a meltdown and begin sneaking cigarettes behind my husband’s back. I was a kid again doing something I shouldn’t and getting away with it. I liked it but guilt ate me up. My addiction to ciga-

APRIL 2015

rettes was as much psychological as physical. I resented not being able to smoke in social situations and that made me crave one all the more. I so wanted a cigarette after meals. It was not until I took a hard look at my addiction that I was able to figure out how to tackle the difficult task of quitting once and for all. The American Cancer Society helped by providing me with a plethora of tools to make a smooth transition from heavy smoker to nonsmoker. I bought patches to conquer the physical withdrawal, but after every meal I still longed to smoke. Eventually I was able to see that giving up cigarettes was comparable to a crash diet. When I stopped dieting, I ate everything that had been a no-no. Similarly, when I gave up cigarettes, I didn’t give up the craving. I could have easily eaten them. In order to combat the feeling of always being deprived, I gave myself permission to smoke a pack of cigarettes one week a year without guilt. For the first few days I smoked only after meals or while enjoying a cocktail, two of my biggest psychological hang-ups. By the end of the week, my cravings were almost gone and I had cigarettes left over. Guilt-free smoking for a short period of time allowed my body to adjust to a gradual withdrawal. My brain followed suit but first I had to determine why I smoked before I could say a final goodbye to the Marlboro Man. My method for ridding myself of cigarette addiction may not work for all seniors, but it might. Coming to grips with why you smoke, where you smoke and when you feel the most deprived is the first step in dealing with the craving. If the patch works on the physical need, then check out the psychological part of the desire to smoke. It may provide, as it did in my case, the answer to throwing cigarettes away forever.

APRIL 2015

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HEALTH & WELLNESS 13

There is more information available today expressly for seniors than ever before and more to come. If you are ready to kick the habit, you can get help from any of the following resources. * At www.cdc.gov/tips you can download a Quit Guide, connect with former smokers, and get support for those times when you don’t feel you can go another day without smoking. You may even be eligible for free patches through this link to the Centers for Disease Control.

• Oxygen

* SmokefreeTXT at Smokefree.gov is a mobile text messaging program that provides 24/7 tips, advice and encouragement to help you quit smoking. You can sign up for SmokefreeTXT by completing the online form and clicking “Subscribe.”

• Scooters • Lift Chairs • Power Wheelchairs • Hospital Beds • Commodes • Walkers • And Much More

* Free telephone support and other worthwhile help is available for Californians at http://www.nobutts.org/medi-cal. * Go to: www.nihseniorhealth.gov/toolkit/toolkit.html for tips and tools geared to the needs of older smokers trying to quit for the first time as well as those who have tried before. * “Clear Horizons: A Quit Smoking Guide for People 50 and Older” is a PDF booklet that includes information about the challenges and advantages of quitting when you’re older, smoking’s effect on medications, how to handle withdrawal, cravings and more. * www.nia.nih.gov, the National Institute of Aging conducts and supports research on the health and wellbeing of older people. * www.nlm.nih.gov, the National Library of Medicine, collects, organizes, and makes available biomedical science information to scientists, health professionals, as well as the public. ■

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was standing in line at the bank and noticed that all four men in front of me were bald, and the row of round, gleaming heads seemed kind of funny to me. I know it’s creepy, but secretly laughing at other people is one of my small pleasures in life. There was a young guy with a full head of hair standing behind me and I decided to share the joke, whispering, “I feel like I’m in a bowling alley.” The young guy smiled and then said, “I guess that happens when you guys hit a certain age.” We were two compadres, sharing a private laugh when suddenly the words “you guys” registered. And then I did a double take. Actually if I were drinking water it would have been a spittake worthy of Milton Berle or Danny Thomas. Was my former compadre saying I was also bald? But I wasn’t bald. Or was I? I hadn’t looked at the back of my head in an awfully long time. I anxiously continued my business at the bank. I was tempted to turn around and ask the teller if I was bald. However, I really didn’t want to call attention to myself and maybe the bank has a special service charge for telling someone if they’re bald— they have charges for everything else. So I went home and used the double mirror technique to look at the back of my head. Sure enough, there was a fairly large bald spot back there. It was like a large pink grapefruit juice stain on a gray carpet. I felt like I was punched in the stomach. I suddenly realized that I looked older than I thought I did. It was reminiscent of the first time I was given, unasked for, a senior discount. My first thought was that I was being punished for making fun

APRIL 2015

of those other bald guys. But that was silly. My hair couldn’t fall out because of a bad joke. If that were the case, I would have been completely bald years ago. My second thought was to change the term “bald” to “balding.” That little “ing” made me feel somewhat better. I wasn’t quite bald yet. Of course “balding” is an active word and it meant the spot was growing, spreading—taking over my head. My third thought was to fix the problem. I researched hair transplants, hair thickening, laser therapy, herbs, wigs, the Donald Trump comb-over, and that spray that kind of looks like you’re putting shoe polish on your head. I even thought of turning to religion. I’m a Reform Jew but if I became Orthodox I would always wear a yarmulke, hiding my bald spot. Okay, I realized I was going a little crazy. I also realized, during my research, that baldness isn’t necessarily a sign of getting older. There were many young people who were bald and that made me happy. And also, there are some really good-looking bald men. There’s Bruce Willis and there’s uh, Bruce Willis, and did I mention Bruce? Okay, I can’t think of anyone else right now but I’m sure there are lots of them. Anyway, I just decided to accept my situation. I wish I could say I learned some moral lesson about all this, like don’t make fun of people because it will come back and bite you. However, the following week I was at the bank again and this time the four guys in front of me all had long shaggy hair. I turned to the man behind me and whispered, “I feel like I’m at the Westminster Dog Show.” And we both laughed. ■

My first thought was that I was being punished for making fun of those other bald guys. But that was silly. My hair couldn’t fall out because of a bad joke.

APRIL 2015

Tree carvings: a living legacy of a forgotten people By Pat Martin

ust about anywhere that aspen groves cover the backcountry of the Rocky Mountains, hunters, hikers and campers come across tree carvings, a unique art form dubbed arborglyphs. Originally these artistic endeavors of Basque sheepherders were brought to the U.S. from Spain and France in the 1880s. These bark carvings have been perpetuated into the present by succeeding generations of herders, more recently coming from Mexico and Peru. Isolated with their flocks for months at a time and homesick for their native countries, these men often turned their thoughts to the things they missed most: wine, women, home and church. Carving their sentiments into the aspen trees was about the only form of expression available to the lonely herders. From love words written in delicate script to self-portraits and even pornography, the forest holds many such testaments to utter loneliness and longings of the flesh. Since aspen trees lack the heavy resins of pine trees, they form corklike gray cells to heal scars. These scars give permanence to artwork scratched into what was initially the smooth white canvas of aspen bark.

It’s now illegal to carve on or otherwise damage trees because it makes them more susceptible to disease. But carvings left behind, some from decades ago, provide records of a group of people who don’t show up in history books. Aspen trees usually live 80 to 100 years, which explains why the oldest authenticated date documented in a carving is only 1908. But as aspen grow, eventually towering 60 to 80 feet high, the carvings remain at the level at which they were originally cut. While trunks grow fatter in diameter, upward growth takes place at the top of the tree and at the ends of its branches. The U.S. Forest Service fights against the clock to document arborglyphs before age, pests, fire and vandalism wipe out the trees on which they’re carved. Full-time employees with the federal agency, archaeologists and hundreds of volunteers are working systematically to find, document, sketch and photograph the artwork in forests from California to Colorado to New Mexico. With an increasing awareness of the unique history of arborglyphs, officials hope the carvings are respected and treasured for what they are: a living legacy of a mostly forgotten people. ■

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16 LAUGHING MATTERS

Laughing Matters Something’s missing

Submitted by Kevin Morris A retired older guy was driving in Colorado when the highway patrol urgently pulled him over and asked him if he realized his wife had fallen out of the car a mile back. “Oh, thank God!” the man said. “I thought I was going deaf.”

Tell me something nice

Submitted by Antonia McIver A husband and wife are getting ready for bed. The wife is standing in front of a full-length mirror taking a hard look at herself. “I look in the mirror and I see an old woman,” she told her husband. “My face is all wrinkled, my boobs are barely above my waist, my bum is hanging out a mile. I’ve got fat legs and my arms are all flabby.” She turns to her husband. “Tell me something positive to make me feel better about myself,”

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she said. He thinks about it for a bit and then said in a soft voice, “Well, there’s nothing wrong with your eyesight.”

Handy cleaning tips

Submitted by Carrie Ramsey Dirt: Layers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a helpful filter against harmful and aging rays from the sun. Call it an SPF factor of 15 and leave it alone. Cobwebs: Web artfully draped over lampshades reduce the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere. If someone points out that the light fixtures need dusting, simply look confused and exclaim, “What? And spoil the mood?” (Or just throw glitter on them to create a festive mood.) Pet hair: Explain the mound of pet hair brushed up against the doorways by claiming that it keeps out cold drafts in winter. Guests: If unexpected company

is coming, pile everything unsightly into one room and close the door. As you show your guests through your tidy home, rattle the doorknob vigorously, fake a growl and say, “I’d love you to see our den, but Fluffy hates to be disturbed and the shots are so expensive.” Dusting: If dust is really out of control, simply place a showy urn on the coffee table and say, “This is where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes.” General cleaning: Mix onequarter cup pine-scented household cleaner with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the air lightly. Leave dampened rags in conspicuous locations. Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself on the couch and sigh, “I clean and I clean and I still don’t get anywhere.” As a last resort, light the oven, throw a teaspoon of cinnamon in a pie pan, turn off oven and explain that you have been baking cookies for a bake sale for a favorite charity and haven’t had time to clean. Works every time.

APRIL 2015 Another favorite, I think from Erma Bombeck: Always keep several get-well cards on the mantle so if unexpected guests arrive, you can say you’ve been sick and unable to clean.

The birds and the bees

Submitted by Corrina Pecos A father asked his 10-year-old son if he knew about the birds and the bees. “I don’t want to know!” the child said, bursting into tears. “Promise me you won’t tell me!” Confused, the father asked what’s wrong. “Oh, Dad,” the boy sobbed. “When I was 6, I got the ‘There’s no Santa’ speech. At 7, I got the ‘There’s no Easter bunny’ speech. When I was 8, you hit me with the ‘There’s no tooth fairy’ speech. If you’re going to tell me that grownups don’t really have sex, I’ll have nothing left to live for.”

A new sort of witchcraft

Submitted by Naomi Klein Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was

APRIL 2015 called witchcraft. Today, it’s called golf.

Senior’s prayer

Submitted by Lorena Warner Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my shape to keep. Please no wrinkles, please no bags, And please lift my butt before it sags. Please no age spots, please no grey. And as for my belly, please take it away. Please keep me healthy, please keep me young, And thank you, Dear Lord, for all that you’ve done.

Seen on T-shirts

Submitted by Julia Gallegos I childproofed my house, but they still get in. I’m still hot. It just comes in flashes. I’m not 50. I’m $49.95 plus tax. We got rid of the kids. The cat was allergic. Live your life so that when you die, the preacher will not have to tell lies at your funeral.

Classes for men

walls and nearby bathtub? (Group practice) Fundamental differences between the laundry hamper and the floor (Pictures and explanatory graphics) Dishes and silverware: Can they levitate and fly into the sink? (Examples on video)

Learning how to find things: Looking in the right place instead of turning the house upside down while screaming

NOVEMBER 2014 •

Real men ask for directions when lost (With real life testimonials—may be cancelled due to unavailability of testimonials)

• 2014 Holiday events you don’t want to miss

page 6 & 12

Produced by the BEACON’s Advertising Team

Health watch: Bringing her flowers is not harmful to your health (Graphics and audio tape)

Your Guide to a Happy Holiday

Now on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Vol. 28 No. 11

Western Colorado’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 34,020 Readers.

Celebrate the holidays with gift-giving ideas galore from our area’s finest merchants.

Healing with Art The Veterans’ Art Center is a place where veterans can heal their emotional wounds through music and art. Page 6. Elks’ Lodge It was no easy task establishing a lodge in both Delta and Montrose, but perseverance and creativity prevailed. Page 20. Museum honors Ute heritage The Ute Indian Museum helps share the stories and livelihoods of the native Utes. Page 30.

Our annual salute to local veterans

Photo courtesy of Veterans Committee of Photo the Western by Xxxx Slope Xxxx.

Is it genetically impossible to sit quietly as she parallel parks? (Driving simulation) Learning about life: Basic differences between mother and wife (Online class and role playing)

How to fill the ice cube tray step by step (With slide presentation)

How to fight cerebral atrophy: Remembering birthdays, anniversaries, other important dates and calling when you’re going to be late (Cerebral shock therapy sessions and full lobotomy offer). ■

Is it possible to urinate by lifting the seat and avoid splashing the floor,

Here we GROW! (again)

Identity crisis: Losing the remote to your significant other (Support groups)

Submitted by Cecilia Franklin Classes for men at the local adult learning center. (Due to the complexity and difficulty level, each course will accept a maximum of eight participants.)

Toilet paper: Does it grow on the holder? (Round table discussion)

LAUGHING MATTERS 17

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How to be the ideal shopping companion (exercises, meditation and breathing techniques)

Send your jokes to Beacon@pendantpublishing.com or

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502

Brad Baldwin, D.O. 30 years of experience

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Balancing the needs of seniors with the interests of boomers is no easy task, but we must be doing a pretty good job because we can’t keep the racks full. So we’re printing more papers and adding more racks. Thanks for reading!

18 TRAVEL

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Barefoot sailing: Windjammer cruises an intimate way to vacation By Melanie Wiseman

un, sand, sailing and seafood. If these four words sound inviting to you, then step aboard one of two Island Windjammer sailing ships. Leaving your busy life and cares behind is the only option as you slow down, let the wind blow through your hair, take in the kaleidoscope of Caribbean colors, enjoy rum punch and the sound of ocean waves, witness a plethora of sea life, stroll powdery white sandy beaches and savor delicious meals.

Within 24 hours on the Windjammer cruise I questioned why I had bothered packing multiple pairs of shoes. It’s no surprise that these excursions are also known as “barefoot cruises.” To keep the ship clean and sand free, the crew literally takes your shoes each time you board and returns them only as you set out for island outings. Dress is extremely casual so packing simply requires a few bathing suits, shorts and T-shirts. It’s also a good idea to bring seasickness pills or patches until you know how seaworthy your stomach is. My husband Dan and I met my sister and her husband in Grenada for a six-day sailing adventure on the 12-passenger, 101-foot Diamant sailing ship. Island Windjammer’s fleet also includes the 22-passenger and 120-foot Sagitta. Each ship ventures to a different set of Caribbean islands for six- or 12-night excursions. All meals, snacks, wine and rum punches are included in the price. There’s no better way to see the Caribbean than on a sailing ship. A combination of sailing time, island activities and relaxation makes

dinners of fresh tuna, marlin, shrimp, lobster and swordfish. We also enjoyed unique open-air beach bars, local music and dancing, steel drums, a beach bonfire and gorgeous sunsets. Cabins on board are efficiently small with private bathrooms. With the Caribbean out there waiting to be experienced, a quick change of clothes, a shower, or being cradled for a good night’s sleep is really the only time you spend in your cabin. Over the course of the trip you get used to the gentle rocking of the boat when anchored, and the thrill of the larger waves while sailing. Getting to know the six-person crew, who were from St. Maarten, Barbados, Guyana, Ecuador and Grenada, and the other guests, who were from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Virginia, was a great part of the journey. Tales of travels from all over the world whet our appetites for future adventures.

for a perfect mix. The Island Windjammer crews tend to your every need and prides themselves on giving you a totally relaxing getaway where they set the course, but you set the pace. Every day promised a new adventure. Our Diamant sailing journey took us to the lesser known and lesser inhabited islands of Carriacou, Bequia, Mayreau, Union Island, Canouan and the Tobago Cays. Days were filled with sailing, snorkeling, short hikes to scenic views, walking beautiful remote beaches, exploring vibrant villages and colorful fruit markets, island tours including a turtle sanctuary, cheeseburger in paradise lunch on the beach, and just sitting on the beach enjoying the ocean view. At the end of the day, with the captain’s encouragement, many guests and crew had the thrill of taking flight into the ocean off a rope swing from the bow of the ship. Snorkeling was filled with sightings of turtles, sea rays, eels, and countless shapes, sizes and colors of fish, surrounded by beautiful plant life and coral. Evenings offered Charlie Vojnovich, Becky Baumbach, Melanie and Dan Wisemouth-watering seafood man on the bow of the ship while sailing between islands.

TRAVEL 19

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Escorting Custom Tours from Grand Junction Since 1985.

TOP: A hillside view from the Diamant ship. BOTTOM LEFT: Women sorting and bagging whole nutmeg nuts for processing. RIGHT: Fresh fruit market on Union Island. The average age of guests on Windjammer cruises averages 50plus, as empty nesters and retirees look for adventure and also a chance to unwind. The Windjammer style allows those of all energy levels to be as active or non-active as they desire. It’s truly your vacation. My sister from Wisconsin and I found we weren’t the only siblings on the ship. Two brothers and their wives also used the Windjammer as a great place to hook up and create new memories together. A very fun father and daughter duo was also part of the guest mix, as were a couple from Minneapolis who could not count the number of Windjammer trips they had taken over the years. When the week ended and 10 of us reluctantly left the ship, these two stayed on for a second week with 10 new guests to repeat the cruise we had just taken. Instead of flying home directly after the cruise, my sister and our

husbands decided to spend an extra four days exploring the island of Grenada. Rich with history, culture and friendly natives, we are glad we did. A daylong tour of the island took us to waterfalls and rain forests, small mountain towns, and cocoa, nutmeg and rum processing factories, Our extended stay was at the Allamanda Hotel on Grand Anse Beach, a beautiful two-mile long white sandy beach perfect for daily walks and swims. We even rented a Hobie Cat, a small sailing catamaran, one morning to try our own hand at sailing. Leaving Grenada and our Caribbean Island Windjammer adventure to head back to Grand Junction was a bit of a shock. But with the hundreds of pictures taken and the countless memories created, we can revisit this cultural, relaxing and adventuresome sailing experience at any time. To schedule your own Windjammer cruise, visit www.islandwind jammers.com or call 877-772-4549. ■

751 Horizon Court, Suite 249 (Skyline Building behind WW Peppers)

Grand Junction, CO 81506 • 434-6494

MACKINAC ISLAND

May 2 – 9, 2015 8 Days * 10 Meals Highlights… Mackinac Island, Holland Tulip Festival, The Grand Hotel, Chicago, Millennium Park and MUCH – MUCH MORE!! Get ready for a journey through the coastal regions and farmlands of the Midwest. The tranquil beauty of Mackinac Island and the Great Lakes region is accented by old-fashioned traditions and incredible scenery.. The space for this GREAT tour is limited and the time to make Your Reservation is NOW!!

For Brochure ~ Prices ~ Details call or email Margaret

“THE BOOK OF MORMON” Returning to Denver’s Ellie Caulkins Theater in August 2015… “The Book of Mormon” is so popular Group Sales have been ongoing since November, 2013. Full payment for Theater Ticket is required at time of reservations. Golden Circle Seats ~ $148.50 (includes service fees) Trip Details & Pricing will follow. Call Margaret to reserve your spot. Call for information, reservations, and to receive a free newsletter. Payment plans available...call for details Margaret Krabbe

P.O. Box 2142 • Montrose, CO 81402 Specializing in Escorted Local, National & International Senior Group Travel!

Phone (970)

240-3020

Email: mkrabbe@montrose.net

20 HOME & GARDEN

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

How green is your house?

iving an eco-friendly lifestyle starts at home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, residential use accounts for more than one-fifth of the nation’s total energy consumption. Adopting an earth-first, energy-saving mindset will let you make adjustments around your home so that you can feel good about your family’s contributions to protect the environment.

Green energy Improving your home’s energy efficiency is not only good for the planet, but it’s good for your wallet. Wasted energy is money lost in monthly utility bills. Air leaks, outdated appliances or inefficient heating and cooling systems can all negatively impact your home’s energy usage.

Structural improvements Give your home a thorough inspection to identify and repair leaks and cracks around windows, doors and ductwork. Poorly sealed attics and basements are also common culprits of energy loss.

Appliances and major systems Upgrading your appliances and temperature control systems also helps drive more efficient energy use throughout the house. Look for ENERGY STAR-certified products, which are designed to save energy without sacrificing performance. Where possible, make purchases that will perform double duty, such as high-efficiency washing machines that can save on both energy and water usage.

Fuel sources Choosing the right energy source can also help lessen your impact on the environment. For example, using propane-powered appliances in your home can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to a recent study sponsored by the Propane Education & Research Council, propane-powered furnaces emit 73 percent fewer greenhouse gases than electricity. Similarly, propanepowered storage water heaters emit approximately 39 percent less greenhouse gas than electric models. For details, visit www.propane.com.

Green upgrades There are many other ways you can make appliances and electronics even more sustainable: • Rely on LED light bulbs, which use a fraction of the energy and last significantly longer than traditional

APRIL 2015 bulbs. • Use light timers to turn off lights when they aren’t needed. • Make a habit of powering off lights and other electronics when you leave the room. • Set a programmable thermostat to adjust temperatures when you’re away from home. • Wash only full loads of laundry, and use cold water when possible. • Air-dry dishes, rather than using the dishwasher’s drying cycle.

Recycle like a pro Sustainable living also means putting earth-friendly practices in place throughout your home, such as recycling. Here are some tips. • Establish collection bins to make it easy to gather all your recycling in one place. Check your city’s guidelines for sorting to see how many bins you need. • Most families find the kitchen is a primary source of recyclable goods. But don’t forget to recycle in other rooms, too. If space is at a premium, keep a smaller collection bin in the kitchen that can be easily transported to a sorting station in a larger area, such as the garage. • Remember that recycling can also come in other forms, like donating unwanted clothing to charity or using leftover water to quench thirsty plants or freshen the dog’s bowl. • Be sure to rinse away any food or liquid residue from containers to manage odors and keep your recycling area tidy and odor free. • Maximize your bin space by compressing cans and bottles. ■

APRIL 2015

Where can I get plants if I can’t find them locally? Garden Smarts

By Kathy Kimbrough

Q. Sometimes I can’t find a cer-

tain plant here in town. Can you recommend reliable mail-order companies for plants that do well in our area? It’s important to know where the company is located. Remember our soils are very lean with little to no organic matter, alkaline, low humidity and intense sunlight. Ordering plants from a company that specializes in shady plants or plants that thrive on rich organic soils probably won’t do well in the long run. Visit www.davesgarden.com, a garden watchdog page that lists highly rated mail-order companies. My favorite company is High Country Gardens. They are located in Santa Fe, New Mexico and specialize in water-wise high desert plants which is just what we need. Seed companies are a good source of hard-to-find plants. Botanical Interests and Select Seeds also have interesting plant varieties that do well in our area.

Q. How can I attract more hummingbirds and butterflies to my garden?

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Did you know Colorado is home to 250 species of butterflies? That’s more than anywhere else in North America. Have something in bloom for as long as you can during the season, and plant what these special creatures need. Plant native material. You need to understand the life cycle of the butterfly. The eggs are laid only on a host plant. The young caterpillars will eat only on a specific plant before they change into a chrysalis, the pupa stage, and then to a butterfly. Each species of butterfly has its own plant that it survives on. Plants such as dill, parsley, fennel, carrot, mallow, hollyhock, mustards, alfalfa, clover, milkweed, aspen, cottonwood, elm, willow, chokecherry and sunflowers are important during the caterpillar stage. As full-grown butterflies, asters, bee balm, butterfly bush, cosmos, blanket flower, lilac, marigold, ornamental thistles, potentilla, rabbitbrush, sunflowers, sweet pea, verbena, viburnum and zinnias have the nectar they need. As for hummingbirds, tubular flowers provide the nectar they are looking for in a vessel that fits their long beaks and tongues. Agastache, penstemon, red hot pokers and salvias are great flowers to plant. ■

P lant of the Month

Jones’ Bluestar (Amsonia jonesii) This Plant Select native perennial has flowers the

color of our Colorado sky on a clear summer morning. The delicate blue flowers attract bees and butterflies from April through June, and the foliage turns a clear beautiful yellow in fall. According to High Country Gardens’ David Salman, this western native is deer and rabbit proof (PROOF, not resistant). Jones’ Bluestar forms an attractive mound approximately 10-14 inches high by 12-15 inches wide and loves the full sun. Good drainage is a must. If you have heavy clay soils, amend or plant on a slope. Hardy to zone 4, which makes it great for our high-altitude gardens.

HOME & GARDEN 21

Garden Checklist Spring means irrigation water is here. Here are a few tips to use this precious commodity wisely.

 Water lawns and planting beds according to their needs. Start slow while temperatures are relatively cool.

 Water between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to decrease the chance of fungal problems and eliminate excessive evaporation.

 Consider an automatic sprinkler system for efficient water use. Still using a hose? Be sure to get an automatic timer to keep track of time spent on each area.

 Aerate your lawn to promote root growth. Water thoroughly a few days prior to aeration for good penetration.

 Mow lawn at an appropriate height. Err on the side of longer blades of grass.

 Fertilize as needed. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn for an extra boost of nitrogen.

 Plant bare root plants. Roses, clematis and young fruit trees

are available for sale this month, as well as rhubarb, asparagus, strawberries and grapes.

 Transplant or divide crowded perennials when new growth emerges.

n Easter Gift of Lo a e v Gi ith Hardy Colorado Grow ve w

Give a plant for EASTER! Trees & Shrubs Evergreen Trees & Shrubs Annuals & Perennials Roses & Vines Grasses & Herbs Gift Certificates

680 24 ½ Road (¾ mile north of Mesa Mall) # 245-2634

22 FUN AFTER 50

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Fun after 50

Activities offered by GJ Parks and Recreation Compiled by Lorie Gregor

o register for these programs, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org. April 2

luck meal at noon at the Senior Recreation Center, 550 Ouray Ave. Cost is $3 in advance and $5 at the door. Call 243-7408. April 9

Deuces & Donuts Here’s your chance to win gift cards to local businesses and restaurants.

Easter Party Dancing starts at 10 a.m. with pot-

From 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., wake up Lady Luck and play blackjack or poker or spin the wheel at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $5.

p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Orchard Mesa Pool. Cost is $4.25 to drop in or $44 for a 12-punch pass.

April 14

Friday Hikes: Mica Mine

Garden Talk: Butterfly Wayside Advanced master gardener Marilyn Thompson will teach you how to create, conserve and protect butterfly habitats. Proper planting ensures adequate nectar for the migration of butterflies. Learn how to become a Monarch Butterfly way station. Class is at noon at the botanical gardens. Cost is $5. April 18

Southwest Arbor Fest

Senior Recreation Center 550 Ouray Avenue - 970 243-7408

The Senior Recreation Center offers activities for seniors age 50 and older. The center is open Monday - Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Annual membership is $10.

S e n i o r R e c re a ti o n C e n te r M o n t h ly C a le n d a r

Ev e n ts

Monday

9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

Cribbage Cards Computer Classes Gray Gourmet Card Bingo & Dominoes Singles Pinochle (1st & 3rd Monday)

Tuesday

9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m.

Cribbage & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Bingo

Wednesday

9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

Ladies Pool & Cribbage Jack & Jill Pool Tourney Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) Gray Gourmet Pinochle & Canasta

Thursday

9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Cribbage & Dominoes Dance w/Music (1st Thursday) Membership Meeting Pokeno (Starts at 1 p.m. on 1st Thursday) Dance

Friday

9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:45 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

Painting Class & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Bible Study Bridge Canasta

Saturday

9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.

Bridge Bingo

Sunday

1:00 p.m.

Dance (1st & 3rd Sunday)

APRIL 2015

Celebrate Earth Day from noon to 5 p.m. at Lincoln Park. There is a chili cook-off and tasting, salsa competition, jalapeno-eating competition, live music, Colorado craft beer, vendor booths, kids activities and a tree seedling giveaway. April 21

Blood Pressure/Ask a Pharmacist From 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center.

HEALTH April 10

Facts and Tracks: Breathe for Health Join wellness experts for a focused 30-minute lecture on various topics, then spend the next 30 minutes outside walking the Riverfront Trail. This month learn how to breathe deeply by utilizing your diaphragm, which increases oxygen delivery throughout your body. Class is noon to 1 p.m. at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. Cost is $5. Tuesdays & Fridays

Gentle Active Yoga

This class is designed for an active beginner and above. Students must be able to get up and down from the floor unassisted. Class is 8 a.m.-9 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $7 to drop in or $50 for a 10-punch pass.

Aqua Aerobics These aerobic classes are for novice to intermediate individuals. Class is 8:15 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 5:30 p.m.-6:30

April 24

This 2.6-mile hiking trail is lined with sagebrush, wild roses, willows and several varieties of trees. There are pieces of mica and quartz lying all over the ground. Meet at the trailhead at 10 a.m. Register by April 22.

SPORTS April 11

Pickleball Clinic At the Pineridge Courts. Cost is $10. Beginning (1.0-2.5): 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Intermediate (2.5-3.0): 1 pm.-3 p.m. May 2 & 3

Western Slope Regional Pickleball Tournament Doubles teams play in men’s, women’s and mixed divisions. Competitive levels include 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0+. Cost is $35. Register by April 24.

Fun after 50 softball Program is open to both men and women ages 50+ and is an excellent avenue for exercise and friendly competition. Call 255-6688 August 22-2

Western Colorado Senior Games Registration opens May 1. Early bird registration is $24.

DANCE Mondays (April 6-May 11)

Beginning Line Dance

No partner or previous dance skills needed. Class is at 12:15 p.m. Mondays at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $15. Mondays

Intermediate Line Dance Class is 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $34 for 10-punch pass or $5 to drop in. Thursdays & Sundays

Senior Dances with Live Music Dance to live music from 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. every Thursday and from 1 p.m.3 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3. ■

Senior

LAW DAY MAY 1, 2015

7:30 a.m.â&#x20AC;&#x201C;4:00 p.m. Two Rivers Convention Center 159 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 Registration required

Call 2-1-1 or 970-244-8400 to register

Registration fee $5.00 Includes lunch, entertainment, door prizes, vendors, presentations & materials Keynote Speaker Eli Wald, Professor of Law, University of Denver

THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD LEVEL EVENT SPONSORS

Pull out Inse Sen r t ! ior

Brin g th is w ith you to

Law

Day

Senior Law Day 2015

Seminar

Keynote Speaker: Eli Wald Charles W. Delaney Jr. Professor of Law, University of Denver What to expect when hiring an attorney

Eli Wald’s research has appeared in leading journals across the country. His ongoing research into the causes and manifestations of explicit prejudice and implicit bias at large law firms, as well as means of overcoming discrimination, has gained national attention. He is an expert witness in legal ethics and malpractice matters. Prior to joining the Sturm College of Law, he was a litigation associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in New York City. He holds S.J.D. and LL.M. degrees from Harvard Law School.

John Ahern Medicare 101:

What you need to know when turning 65

John became interested in insurance issues as co-founder and president of Trihydro Corporation, a hazardous waste permitting and clean-up company. As he approached Medicare age, he visited the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) in Grand Junction to learn more about Medicare insurance options. Now he is a certi fied SHIP Medicare counselor and helps others navigate Medicare’s choppy seas.

Angela Barnes Aging in place: Your home is your castle

Angela Barnes is a lawyer for Mesa County where she has been employed as an assistant county attorney for the past 13 years. Among her duties, Angela provides legal consultation for the Adult Protection Department for the Mesa County Department of Human Services. Angela also litigates the mental health involuntary commitments in Mesa County. Angela brings compassion to her cases for the persons involved in the legal system, as she has lived in Mesa County for over 30 years, having graduated from Mesa State College in 1989. She then attended law school and the University of Utah where she graduated in 1992. Angela enjoys hiking and yoga followed up by wine and cheese with her husband.

Clara Brown Shaffer What if there is no will? Colorado has written one for you

Clara is a partner at the Law Office of Brown and Brown, P.C. Her practice focuses primarily on estate planning, estate administration, special needs planning, elder law and long-term care planning. Clara received her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2006. She is highly involved in the legal and local community, serving on several boards, including the NextGen Board at HopeWest and the Colorado Mesa University Foundation. She is also co-chair of the Statutory Revisions Committee for the Trust and Estate Section of the Colorado Bar Association.

Barbara Butler Probate and personal representatives: Learn the steps

Barbara is a partner at Dufford, Waldeck, Milburn & Krohn. She works on a variety of legal issues, including probate, civil litigation, real estate transactions, business

PRESENTATIONS Medicaid Planning: How to Pay for Long-Term Care.................................... Mary Catherine Rabbitt/Shauna Clemmer Medicare 101: What You Need To Know When Turning 65.................................................................... John Ahern Bankruptcy: Are You Judgment Proof?............................................................................................... Drew Moore Veterans Benefits: What Your Country Can Do For You & Your Spouse.......................................... Timothy Johnson Aging In Place: Your Home Is Your Castle.............................................. Dave Norman/Angela Barnes/Christie Higgins Wills &Trusts: You Can’t Take It with You....................................................................................Lloyd Quesenberry What If There Is No Will: Colorado Has Written One for You.....................................................Clara Brown Shaffer Probate & Personal Representatives: Learn the Steps............................................. Annie Murphy/Barbara Butler Mental Health First Aid: Can you spot the signs?............................................................................ Brandi Kroese Emergency Disaster Preparedness.................................................................... Nanci A. Quintana/Andy Martsoff Grandparent Rights.............................................................................................................Magistrate Rubinstein POAs/Living Wills/MOST: Make Your Decisions Now...........................................................Jon Pfeifer/Dyann Walt Titling Assets & Beneficiary Deeds: To Gift or Not To Gift?.............................................................. Chris Mahre Special Needs Trusts/ABLE Act: Planning For A Disabled Heir.................................. Drew Moore/Shauna Clemmer Elder Exploitation: Spotting the Signs of Abuse.......................................................................... Candace Mcguire Guardian/Conservator 101: When Is It Necessary......................................................... Drew Moore/Lorri C. Stone Family Law: Marriage Issues In The Golden Years............................................................. Trudee Gurley/Kay Snider Mobile Home Park Act: The Lease That Never Terminates.................................... Carol A. Viner/Andrea Rosenberry Long-Term Care Insurance & Annuities......................................................... Sebastian Zacharias/ Penny Hardrick What to Expect When Hiring An Attorney............................................................................................. Eli Wald

formation and property taxation. She has effectively represented clients across Colorado and from as far away as England and Australia. She is an active member of the Mesa County Bar Association and serves on the boards of The Pro Bono Project, the Access to Justice Committee, and KAFM.

Shauna C. Clemmer Medicaid planning: How to pay for long-term care Special needs trusts/ABLE act: planning for a disabled heir

Shauna’s practice focuses primarily on estate planning, estate administration, probate, conservatorships/ guardianships and special needs planning. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from Penn State, Dickinson School of Law in 2006. Prior to joining Brown & Brown, P.C., she worked as assistant counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation. She is a member of numerous associations and a member of HopeWest’s Planned Giving Counsel.

Trudee Gurley Family law: marriage issues in the golden years

Trudee is the owner of The Gurley Law Group, LLC. She received her law degree from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida. After spending more than a decade as a prosecutor in the criminal trial courts of Tampa Bay, she relocated to Colorado. She has extensive experience handling personal injury cases and devotes a significant amount of her time to handling divorce and family law matters.

Penny Hardrick Long-term care insurance and annuities

Penny Hardrick has been a financial services representative for 29 years, specializing in retirement and estate planning.

Christie Higgins Aging in place: Your home is your castle

Christie has been in the social services field for over 13 years, having worked with

Senior Law Day 2015

many different populations and age groups. She is currently the director of the Aging and Disabilities Resources for Colorado Program and Western Colorado 2-1-1.

Timothy Johnson Veterans benefits: What your country can do for you and your spouse

Timothy has been a patient advocate in the Grand Junction veterans health care system for 8-1/2 years. Prior he worked at the VA Health Administration Center in Denver, working with the CHAMPVA program.

Brandi Kroese Mental health first aid: Can you spot the signs?

Brandi is a program director at Mind Springs Health, where she oversees the Women’s Recovery Center and Detoxification Program. In 2013 she became certified in Mental Health First Aid and is now certified in adults, youth and veterans. Her passion is in serving those who deal with mental health and substance abuse issues and helping them find ways to see hope and find recovery.

Chris Mahre Titling assets and beneficiary deeds: To gift or not to gift?

Chris received a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law. After operating his own practice in Washington, he moved to Grand Junction in 2001. He is a member of the Grand Junction Downtown Rotary Club, and was a past member of the National Ski Patrol. Chris Mahre & Associates provides a broad range of legal services with emphasis on estate planning, probate and elder law.

Andy Martsoff Emergency disaster preparedness

Andy is the Emergency Manager for Mesa County. His primary responsibilities are to administer the County’s emergency management program and to facilitate interagency coordination, cooperation and planning between all levels of government, volunteer groups, and non-government organizations in preparation for and response to disasters and emergencies.

Candace McGuire Elder exploitation: spotting the signs of abuse

Candace has worked with Mesa County Department of Human Services for 9 years. She has been a long-term care case manager and Adult Protective Services case manager. She is currently a supervisor for the Adult Protective Services division.

Drew Moore Bankruptcy: Are you judgment proof? Special needs trusts/ABLE Act: planning for a disabled heir Guardian/conservator 101: When is it necessary?

Drew graduated from Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1993. He was an advisor to the Ombudsman Title III program, working with Medicaid issues. Since being in private practice, his emphasis is in elder law issues, including planning for long-term Medicaid, representation of guardians and conservators in court proceedings, and probate administration. He is currently on the board of the Mesa County Adult Protection Program, Inc.

Annie Murphy Probate and personal representatives: Learn the steps

Annie is a partner at Dufford, Waldeck, Milburn & Krohn. Originally from Milwaukee, she earned her law degree at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Her law practice is concentrated in the areas of leasing, real property, estate planning/probate, and civil litigation. She is a trial lawyer, but also assists clients outside of court.

Dave Norman Aging in place: Your home is your castle

Dave Norman has called the Western Slope home since 1973. He established Mesa County RSVP and assisted in the planning and organization efforts to establish an Area Agency on Aging, to which he became director in 1974. Most recently, he implemented a regional Adult Resources for Care and Help (ARCH) program that provides assistance to seniors and adults with disabilities. He has created a network of committed sponsors who have provided over $1.3 million to support services for seniors.

Jon Pfiefer GPOAs/living wills/MOST: Make your decisions now

Jon joined Rider & Quesenberry as an associate attorney after having served as chief deputy district attorney for the 14th Judicial District of Colorado. He handled a variety of criminal cases and as a prosecutor was a member of the Community Corrections board and served on two Colorado District Attorneys Council working groups. He earned his law degree at the Indiana University-Bloomington Maurer School of Law in 2008. In law school, he helped form and participated in the non-profit legal clinic, which provided general legal representation for an array of business matters ranging from entity formation to governance and operation.

Lloyd Quesenberry Wills and trusts: You can’t take it with you

Lloyd’s practice focuses on business transactions, real estate, oil and gas work, and wills and estates. He attended the University of Iowa College of Law, where he served as associate editor of the Iowa Law Review. He served a 1-year federal judicial clerkship in Dallas, Texas, before joining Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP, in New York.

Nanci A. Quintana Emergency disaster preparedness

Nanci is a 10-year member of the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response team at the Mesa County Health Department, providing services and trainings to 10 county public health departments in Western Colorado. She is the unit coordinator for the Mesa County Medical Reserve Corps and administrator of the West Region Healthcare Coalition.

Mary Catherine Rabbitt Medicaid planning: How to pay for long-term care

Mary has been the Colorado legal assistance developer for the elderly at Disabil-

ity Law Colorado since 2008, managing and implementing the civil legal assistance program provided for under the Older Americans Act and the Older Coloradans Act. She provides training and technical assistance to local ombudsmen. She’s a University of Denver law graduate and was inducted into the National Elder Rights Advocacy Hall of Fame in 2011 for her work advocating for and protecting older adults.

Andrea Rosenberry Mobile home park act: the lease that never terminates

Andrea graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans with a degree in civil law in 2013. During law school, she was a member of the Loyola Wage Claim clinic, where she assisted a group of laborers in their wage claim using the Louisiana Wage Claim Act. Her work at Colorado Legal Services focuses on family law and tenant disputes.

Stephanie Rubinstein Grandparent rights

Stephanie is a current magistrate with the 21st Judicial District. She graduated from Drake University Law School and moved to Grand Junction in 1996 where she served the community working with Colorado Legal Services. She was in private practice for three years. She was appointed as a magistrate in 2006.

Kay Snider Family law: marriage issues in the golden years

Kay graduated law school at the University of Wyoming. After graduation, she had a law practice there for six years. After moving to Colorado, she primarily handled personal injury and worker’s compensation matters and opened Kay Snider P.C. in 1997. Her practice focuses on family law, including dissolution of marriage actions for ceremonial and common law marriages, alimony, child support and child-related issues, including visitation and custody.

Lorri Stone Guardian/conservator 101: When is it necessary?

Lorri has 26 years of court experience, including 8 years working as Mesa County’s probate registrar and protective proceedings monitor. She volunteers for the Pro Bono Project, assisting in presenting guardianship clinics and works closely with the public to initiate new guardianships and conservatorships by giving instruction on completion of court paperwork and procedural information.

Sebastian Zacharias Long-term care insurance and annuities

Sebastian Zacharias is a corporate vice president and national sales officer for New York Life Insurance Company within the U.S. Life and Agency division. He has been in the insurance and financial services industry for over 18 years. He holds FINRA Series 6, Series 26, Series 63 and Series 65 licenses, and various state life and health insurance licenses. He also holds the CLTC (Certified in Long-Term Care) designation from the Corporation for Long-Term Care. He is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Institute and currently lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Senior Law Day 2015

THANK YOU TO OUR ENTERTAINERS

Peggy Malone Spare Parts Barbershop Quartet The members of Spare Parts Barbershop Quartet are no strangers to the Grand Valley. They have sung together as a registered quartet for over 10 years. These handsome and talented men are members of the Bookcliff Barbershop Harmony Chorus and enjoy singing a variety of song styles for the enjoyment of all audiences.

Peggy Malone was inducted into the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. She received the honor of being selected as Entertainer of the Year in 2013. She has been entertaining professionally for about 50 years and has no plans of slowing down. Peggy has been preshow to LeRoy Van Dyke, Larry Mahan and many other big-name stars. Her song “Appaloosa Running Through My Mind” was adopted by the National Appaloosa Horse Club in Moscow, Idaho as their official theme song. Her music is enjoyed by young and old, as crowd participation is encouraged.

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21st Judicial Access to Justice Committee

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Drew Moore, Attorney at Law

APRIL 2015

Bringing home the bacon and the bling Local veterans live up to their CHAMPS nickname By Patrick G. Metoyer

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t may take a while to groom them for membership in the Red Hat Society. These ladies are not ready to trade their red, white and blue for purple hats, boas, bangles and beads. These women veterans were on a mission last July: to surpass their male counterparts for the first time both in number of participants and CHAMPS Team. BACK: David Murphy, Al Atkinin medals won at the 28th National son, Coach Henry Bullock, Chuck Akerkman, Ed Veterans Golden Age Games. Waker. FRONT: Linda Bishop, Emma Folnsbee, U.S. Army veteran Emma Folnsbee, Mary Sonneborn, Tiger Holm & Deb Scott. 79, recruited three female teammates “Tiger” Holm and Ed Wacker with as first-time participants to boost four medals each. She competed in the women’s numbers in the annual dominoes, shuffleboard, bowling and event sponsored by the U.S. Departhorseshoes. ment of Veterans Affairs. Will the male teammates counter Newcomer Mary Sonneborn, a Vietnam-era U.S. Army veteran, garnered the ladies’ success in time for the 2015 event in Omaha, Nebraska? a gold medal after her first-place finFolnsbee is still wearing her game ish in the adaptive-wheelchair bowlface. ing competition. “Emma, our team captain, was Support our CHAMPS! inspiring,” Sonneborn said. “It was You can support the men and like being in the service again—all women veterans of the Grand Juncteamwork.” She recalled how the ladies rejoiced tion CHAMPS at these upcoming fundraisers. Proceeds from these events about returning to Grand Junction with their jewelry—13 medals for the assist team members with travel and lodging expenses for the 2015 Nagirls and only four for the boys. Sonneborn added to her share of the loot tional Golden Age Games in Omaha, Nebraska on August 8-12. by capturing a gold medal for horseshoes and a bronze for shuffleboard. Saturday, April 18 - Yard Sale FundraisTeammate and U.S. Air Force er in the VA Medical Center parking veteran Linda Bishop’s gold medal lot at 8 a.m. Donations accepted. performance in the precision mile Saturday, May 2 - Bowling Tournament walk competition must have had fundraiser at 3 p.m. at Orchard Mesa Folnsbee beaming. This new recruit Lanes, 295 27 Road. All ages are welmatched fellow teammate Edward come to participate and cash prizes Wacker’s first-place finish in the same will be awarded. Preregistration is category. encouraged. Entry fee is $25 per perWhen Folnsbee recruited Claudia son or $90 for a four-person team. To Holm to join the team, her “Tiger” enter the tournament, call 245-6175. nickname must have been the Join the CHAMPS! clincher. A silver medal for bowling and three gold medals (in horseshoes Participation in the games is open to veterans age 55 and older, who and two freestyle swimming events) receive care from the U.S. Departfilled the ladies’ treasure chest. ment of Veterans Affairs. For informaThe sweet Folnsbee, who was spotted taking a banned smoke break tion about joining the CHAMPS, call between events in Arkansas, matched Folnsbee at 245-6175. ■

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APRIL 2015

Tips for staying beautiful By Geno Lawrenzi, Jr.

s an international journalist, I have traveled to a lot of places and have met and interviewed people from many parts of the world. One common denominator that nearly all of them have shared is an appreciation for beauty. The beauty people seek takes shape in many forms—art, architecture, mountains, deserts, tropical islands and physical. Not long ago, an attractive woman, a native of the South Pacific, visited our church. She was tall, slender, with waistlength hair, and possessed all the beauty made famous by the Royal Polynesians. What struck me and the other members of the congregation, aside from her striking physical beauty, was the inner spiritual beauty that formed an integral part of her. Her name was Leilani and she was part of a missionary movement. Along with other members of her team, she was visiting our city to gain volunteers and financial support for a mission on one of the Hawaiian Islands. Three Christian musicians, who were also members of the Royal Polynesian family, accompanied her. Before Leilani delivered her message, the musical trio played and sang songs from the islands. Their words and music were so beautiful that for a little while you were transported to a place where tropical winds blew and you could hear the sounds of ocean waves crashing on the surf. Leilani’s talk focused on the work of the church, their need for volunteers and money, and their hopes for the future. Then she smiled and delivered her formula for staying beautiful.

“People seem to think beauty is all physical,” she said. “Even though we have many beautiful people in Hawaii, Tahiti and the other islands, beauty is much more than skin deep, as I am sure most of you realize. With the help of some of my Christian brothers and sisters, I have come up with a formula for staying beautiful all of your life. Some of you may have heard of some of these tips from another source. I am not claiming all of this is totally original. But I think it bears repeating even if some of these tips have been around for a while.”

“People seem to think beauty is all physical...beauty is much more than skin deep. With the help of some of my Christian brothers and sisters, I have come up with a formula for staying beautiful all of your life.”

HERE ARE HER TIPS:

If you girls want attractive lips, speak a word of kindness to the next person you meet. That goes for the older women as well. For lovely eyes (and the women of the South Pacific do have lovely eyes) seek out the company of good people. For a slim figure, which all women want, share your food. For beautiful hair, let a child run its fingers through it at least once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone. Christ is always at your side, even in the darkest moments. And remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of your arm. The older we grow, the more we discover that we have two hands—one for helping ourselves and one for helping others. If anybody can come up with a better formula for staying beautiful all the days of your life without plastic surgery, send it to me. I’d like to hear it. ■

APRIL 2015

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Last-minute printer issues? Who can help? Ask the computer guy By Daniel Ashurst, Alpine Computer Solutions

omorrow’s the big day— that day you give that important presentation to a big client at work. You’ve spent weeks preparing for it so you feel confident. It’s late, the kids have gone to bed, and you’re ready to retire yourself. All you have to do is print off the materials for your presentation. As you go to print, a strange noise emanates from the printer. It prints out half of the first page and then jams. Stress starts to sink in. The presentation is scheduled for early in the morning, leaving little to no time to fix your printer or to find a way to print what you need. Where can you get help at this hour? It’s the setup for the perfect storm if you are one of the many new companies springing up on the web. The average person who searches the web for printer tech support is well intentioned enough. But the delighted advertiser of “Epson tech support” or “HP tech support,” however, is certainly no relation to the company. What this company will tell you is the reason your printer jammed is because you have 239 viruses on your computer. But fear not, because for $199 they can remove the viruses and get you printing in no time. Furthermore, if you have any issues with your computer over the next year with these pesky viruses, they are sure to help for that annual fee of $199. Even if you’re in a crunch, that printer that you purchased for $79 at Sam’s Club is certainly not worth $199 to troubleshoot over the phone.

What if my printer has a warranty? Do HP and Epson give tech support to users within their warranty period? Absolutely. I strongly support anyone’s decision to go to them for free support. But I have never heard of a manufacturer offering $199 for remote tech support on a printer that is within warranty. Are you past your warranty period? Walk carefully. Not only is your printer probably not worth the cost, it’s also not worth allowing some stranger complete access to your computer remotely. Warranty or no, make sure that you are talking with the manufacturer before opening yourself up to troubles. My personal belief is that despite these promises, visiting a local tech is the best way to go. Driving 15 minutes is better than a promise from a far-off land. At Alpine Computer Solutions, we will print any document that is 10 pages or less for free. If you find yourself in a printer jam situation, drop by or give us a call. We are open at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. We can also help you with tech support from a real local source, or we can help you find your printer manufacturer’s phone number. ■

Email your questions to Daniel Ashurst with Alpine Computer Solutions at solutions@alpinepc.com or mail them to the BEACON at P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502. For professional assistance, call Daniel at 234-1011 or Alpine Computer Solutions at 257-1011.

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APRIL 2015

Caring for an older, dependent family member? Claim your tax deductions By Teresa Ambord

re you caring for an elderly relative? The Pew Research Center did a study showing that 36 percent of adults in the U.S. provided unpaid care to an elderly relative. You could qualify for large tax savings for your efforts and expenses. Here’s what you need to consider. Dependency: If your parent or relative qualifies as your dependent, for 2014 this is worth a deduction of $3,950 against your taxable income. (On your 2015 taxes this rises to $4,000.) You might be able to claim your parent or relative as a dependent if: • He or she had gross income of no more than $3,950 including pensions, taxable investments and taxable Social Security (most do not have taxable Social Security). • You must have provided more than half of the person’s financial support, which includes allowing the person to live with you, rent free. • The person must be related to you. He or she does not have to have lived with you; for example, you might have supported your mother who resided in a nursing facility. If you and your siblings together provided support for a parent, only one can claim the parent as a dependent. If no one contributes more than 50 percent, you may need to check with your CPA to consider a multiple support agreement. Some siblings rotate who gets the deduction. For single taxpayers, even if your elderly relative does not qualify as your dependent, you may be able to file as head of household. Ask your CPA. Medical expenses: If his/her income exceeded $3,950 and you provided more than half of his/her financial support, you may be able to add the person’s medical expenses to yours. Expenses include such costs as Medicare part B and D premiums,

copays, coinsurance, equipment like ramps, safety rails, wheelchairs, walkers, dentures, hearing aids. • You must itemize your deductions. • If you were over 65 before the end of 2014, your medical expenses (combined with your relative’s medical expenses) must exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. If you are 64 or younger, the percentage jumps to 10 percent.

What if you owe taxes but can’t pay? Don’t let that stop you from filing on time or getting an extension. The extension does not allow extra time to pay, but it will cause you to incur lower penalties if you don’t pay by April 15. Failing to pay the tax you estimate you will owe by April 15 will result in a late-pay penalty of .75 percent per month. But if you also fail to file your return (with or without payment) the IRS will add a stiff 5 percent per month failure-to-file penalty. So what to do about that payment? Ask for an installment plan. You’ll need to file form 9465 with your tax return (available at IRS.gov or from your tax preparer). On the form you can ask for certain terms, like a specific monthly payment on a specific due date. If you owe less than $10,000, approval is automatic, provided you propose to pay the bill off within 36 months. If you owe more or need longer to pay the bill, the IRS will ask for more information. You will have to pay a setup fee. You will still be charged interest on the unpaid balance, but at a lower rate. You can also pay with a credit card. In the long run, it might be cheaper to get an installment plan with the IRS. If the reason you can’t pay is a temporary tax crunch, go ahead and file your taxes on time, and pay what you can pay. The IRS will bill you for the balance, a process which should take at least 30 days. When you get the notice, pay it off. ■

APRIL 2015

How to protect your medical information By Kim Latta, Colorado Division of Insurance

e’ve all heard about identity theft—when someone steals your credit card information, social security number or banking account numbers and uses that information to make charges in your name. Medical identity theft is a special type but it’s serious business. Medical ID theft occurs when someone steals personal health information, such as your name and Medicare number, and uses the information to get medical treatment, prescription drugs, surgery or other services under your name. Or they pretend to be your doctor or claim that they have provided you with a wheelchair or other equipment, and they bill Medicare for services or equipment that you never received. It’s a multi-million dollar scam and, according to one study, about 1.5 million Americans are victims of medical identity theft each year. If it happens to you, it can affect your medical and health insurance records. Every time a thief uses your identity to get care, the thief’s medical information becomes part of your medical record. That could mean that you now have a record of a different blood type, past drug or alcohol use, test results that are not yours, or even an incorrect medical diagnosis. Any of these could lead to you receiving the wrong treatment or you could be denied a Medicare service or equipment because your records falsely show that you have already received it, when in fact, it went to someone posing as you. It might be fairly easy to correct your records with your local doctor who knows your medical history, but it will be a bigger and more time consuming hassle to clear it up with the insurance company and Medicare. All types of people, including doctors and medical equipment com-

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panies, have been caught stealing people’s medical identities. There have even been links to organized crime and thieves in other countries. Sadly, about one-third of the people who do it are family members.

It’s a multi-million dollar scam... about 1.5 million Americans are victims of medical identity theft each year. If it happens to you, it can affect your medical and health insurance records. Here are some warning signs. • You get a bill for medical services you did not receive. • You are contacted by a debt collection company for money you don’t owe. • Your insurance company says you’ve reached your limit on medical benefits. • You are denied insurance for a medical condition you do not have. Keep a notebook with all your medical appointments and take a couple minutes to compare those notes with the Medicare Summary Notices (MSN), Explanations of Benefits (EOB) statements, and medical bills you receive. Be wary of offers of free medical equipment, services or goods in exchange for your Medicare number. Also, protect your Medicare and other health insurance cards in the same way you would protect a credit card. If you see something suspicious, call the Colorado Senior Medicare Patrol. They will help answer your questions, and if necessary, they will do the research on the case. Their services are free and confidential. They can be reached at 1-800-5035190. ■

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Medicare primer 101 By Jason Alderman

f your 65th birthday is around the corner or you’re anxious about the Medicare open enrollment period, it’s a good time to start focusing on your options. Health care choice is becoming a bigger factor in the lives of preretirees as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare, brings significant change to employer-sponsored and individually purchased health plans. Though a separate federal health insurance system with no connection to Obamacare or its online marketplaces, Medicare is going through its own evolution in terms of plan offerings and customer access. Here’s a basic primer for future Medicare enrollees: What is Medicare? Medicare is a government-provided health and hospitalization insurance program for people 65 and older and for some

people under age 65, based on disability or particular forms of illness. What does it cost? Though you’ve likely paid taxes into the Medicare system your entire career, Medicare isn’t a completely free program. You’ll pay premiums deducted from your Social Security checks for some portions of your benefits. There may be copays and deductibles for certain services. If you have health issues already, it’s a good idea to investigate coverage based on the services you’re likely to need over time. When do I get to join? You can apply for Medicare through your nearest Social Security office up to three months before your 65th birthday. If you wait longer than three months after your 65th birthday to apply, you may face a late enrollment penalty. If you are already drawing Social Security benefits at age 65, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare. What does Medicare coverage look

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like? Keep in mind that you can get many current answers to Medicare questions online or in person at your nearest Social Security office. But as of late 2014, here’s an overview of current Medicare plans: • Parts A (Hospital) and B (Outpatient). Part A covers inpatient hospital care and Part B covers outpatient medical care and procedures. You’ll hear Parts A and B referred to as “Original Medicare” or “Traditional Medicare” because if you choose to take this option, you’ll sign up for them as a pair. You’ll get to go to any doctor, hospital or facility that’s enrolled in Medicare and accepting new Medicare patients. You’ll end up paying a premium for Part B, which can change from year to year while Part A is usually free for most people. • Part C (Medicare Advantage). Call this one-stop shopping for your hospital, outpatient (Part A and B) and usually your prescription coverage (see Part D, below). Medicare Advantage policies are sold by private insurers. Medicare pays their share and you pay your premium. They may include differing assortments of services, including vision, prescription drug, dental or hearing. But keep in mind different Medicare Advantage plans have different rules for services and can charge different out-of-network costs. • Part D (Prescription drug coverage). Part D added prescription drug coverage to “Original” Medicare, but as mentioned, may be folded into Medicare Advantage coverage if you elect to take it. What’s Medigap insurance? If you go with Original Medicare (Part A and B), you’ll find some gaps in your Medicare coverage. Medigap is the nickname for Medicare Supplement Insurance, which you purchase privately. Some employers and unions offer Medigap coverage to retirees, and these plans can vary widely in terms of cost, coverage and state participation. Also, if you’re on Medicare Advantage, it’s unlikely you’ll need separate Medigap coverage, but it’s important to check. What if you plan to keep working with company health benefits after

APRIL 2015 you turn 65? Confer with your financial advisor, human resources department and Medicare before you make any decisions, but you may qualify for a special enrollment period as a result. You’ll need to coordinate with your spouse as well if you share any kind of health coverage as part of coordinating your overall retirement picture. People who continue to work past 65 may enroll in Part A but bypass Part B and D if they’re already on a company plan. Are your doctors on the plan? You’ve probably had some experience with this from checking to see whether your physicians are in-network with whatever health insurance you currently carry. You’ll continue to do this on Medicare Advantage. Check availability of doctors and costs on any plan you’re considering, particularly out-of-network costs. What can your state do for you? If you find you’re not getting answers on specific Medicare subjects from Medicare itself, your employer, your union, your financial advisor or Social Security, your state is a participant in the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP is a national program that offers one on one counseling and assistance on Medicare to individuals and their families. To contact the Mesa County SHIP office, call 243-9839. What’s the best way to tie all this stuff together? Stop looking at your health, investment, retirement and tax issues separately. Medicare is a critical piece of the health care affordability puzzle, but it’s important to consider choices and potential worst-case scenarios within the scope of your broader retirement plan. If you’ve never sat down with a financial planner and have five years or more until you plan to retire, find one and have a broad discussion about where you stand on health, retirement and estate issues. To find a qualified planner in your community, start with solid recommendations from friends and family and consult organizations like the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards or the Association for Financial Counseling Planning and Education. ■

APRIL 2015

HopeWest helps with grief By Melanie Wiseman

rief is a highly personal experience, unique to each individual. While it is natural and necessary, grief can often feel isolating. But it doesn’t have to be. HopeWest offers an array of support groups where you can learn how to cope with grief, connect with others who share a common bond, and find new peace, strength and purpose. “I think sharing in a group is the beauty of our bereavement program,” Senior Clinical Director of Support Services Pam Anderson said. “It is designed in such a way that it meets everyone where they’re at in their grief journey.” As group members share their experiences, they help each other come to terms with the new realities of life. “People tell us how life changing the grief groups have been for them,” Anderson said. “It gives them comfort to know that what they’re experiencing is normal and that others are struggling with some of the same things. It normalizes their grief and helps them break through the fog.” Group rules create an atmosphere safe for sharing.

Mending Hearts The 10-week curriculum for Mending Hearts groups in Grand Junction, Fruita, Montrose and Delta is based on “Understanding your Grief: 10 Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart” by Alan Wolfelt. The 10 touchstones are:

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1. open to the presence of your loss 2. dispel misconceptions about grief 3. embrace the uniqueness of your grief 4. explore what you might experience 5. recognize you are not crazy 6. understand the six needs of mourning 7. nurture yourself 8. reach out for help 9. seek reconciliation, not resolution 10.appreciate your transformation Mending Hearts meets during the day and tends to be made up of people age 65 and older. No registration is required and people should feel free to drop in. “We designed it in such a way that people can jump in at any time,” Anderson said. “If people are on the fence about it, I would encourage them to try it out and see if it meets their needs. There’s no obligation.” “This group and the leaders have helped me cope and understand the process of grief,” said one participant. “It was good to know I hadn’t lost my mind.”

on grief being a natural response unique to each person and one of the most difficult challenges in a person’s life. Healthy grieving can be experienced as people are educated about the grief journey.”

Cups Club New in April, Cups Club will offer a social support group for those looking to meet new people, grow friendships, discover hobbies and participate in cards or games. Club meets at 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays at the Artful Cup, 3090 N. 12th St. Groups are free to attend. For details call 248-8844 or visit www. hopewestco.org/hopewest-support.

Mending Hearts meetings Grand Junction group meets 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Miller Homestead, 3090 N. 12th St. Call 248-8844. Fruita group meets 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Lions Room at the Fruita Civic Center. Call 248-8844. Montrose group meets 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursdays in the Bosom Buddies Room, 645 S. Fifth St. Call 240-7734. Delta group meets at 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Westminster Hall, 145 E. Fourth St. Call 874-6823. ■

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Netflix movie madness

APRIL 2015

By Dick Wolfsie

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hen my wife Mary Ellen and I decide on what film to see in a local theater, it’s a pretty simple process, one developed by Mary Ellen. She picks a movie (that’s movie A) and then I suggest a movie (that’s movie B). Then she says: “Why would we spend $15 to see a B movie when we can see an A movie?” This is why I have never seen Jennifer Lopez on the big screen. There has to be a better system. I began investigating some online movie services and decided to subscribe to Netflix, but I had to justify the new expense to Mary Ellen. Here’s pretty much how the conversation went: “Mary Ellen, I think it’s time we sign up for Netflix.” “Why?” “Because they stream movies.” “What does that mean?” “I have no idea. But it’s only $8 a month.” “How do we get our movies now—the ones we watch on cable?” “We download them.” “I thought we uploaded them. What’s the difference?” “Not a clue.” In order to enjoy Netflix, we were advised to ditch our old DVD machine and buy a Blu-ray player. Then we hired someone to hook everything up, and that night, Mary Ellen and I sat in front of the TV for about four hours—not watching a movie, but trying to figure out which of three remotes to use. We did a lot of scrolling, pressing and pointing the remote at the TV. Nothing happened. We called the young man who had connected everything. “Spencer, it’s Dick Wolfsie. We have been looking at a blank TV screen all night.” “That’s weird. Why not watch a movie?” “We can’t get it to work.” Spencer mumbled something about the Blu-ray’s on button and pushing it made a big difference.

Okay, now it should have been easy to find something we could both enjoy. After all, there were over 3,000 choices. This would be a piece of cake. Sadly, we can never pick out a type of cake we both like, either. There were dozens of different categories like crime, mystery, fantasy, adventure, romance and westerns, to name a few. We didn’t know where to begin. The only thing we really agreed on was that we didn’t like Nicolas Cage, which narrowed down the options considerably. Then we both made a list of the other elements in a movie that allowed each of us a veto.

“No blood, no hour-long car chase scenes, no gratuitous sex, no juvenile bathroom humor,” Mary Ellen said. I cited, “No subtitles, no flashbacks, no Victorian mansions, no sappy love stories, no prequels, no sequels.” (Non-gratuitous sex was okay.) We also axed all movies with less than a two-star rating by Netflix viewers and canned the few hundred films we had already seen. This narrowed our choice down to a couple dozen, but it turned out they were all animated features, which really pretty much eliminates sex, blood and flashbacks. There was a castle in “Beauty and the Beast,” but I was willing to let that slide. We settled on the DreamWorks mega-hit “The Croods.” We made popcorn and cuddled up. Yes, it started out to be the perfect evening—except for one thing. Who was doing the voice of the caveman Grug, one of the main characters? You guessed it: Nicolas Cage. ■

APRIL 2015

Mentor-Up for all you techno-tards By Terri Benson

t may sound a little harsh, but I just heard that term recently and unfortunately, it describes me to a “T”. A techno-tard is someone who doesn’t get the new digital technology. Like people who don’t know how to retrieve messages from their cell phones (guilty!), or send email or texts, or video chat on Skype, or use the hundreds of other things technology can do that today’s kids consider as normal as breathing.

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That’s what Mentor-Up is all about. It’s a program from AARP that pairs adult seniors with high school seniors to get their technology questions answered. Last year about 20 Fruita Monument High School honor students mentored with more than 40 seniors mentees, teaching them how to use various types of technology, including cell phones, tablets, laptops, computers (Macs and PCs), and social media tools, such as Facebook, Twitter, Skype and Google. Mentor-Up workshops occur in many states, but Colorado’s first Mentor-Up events were held last year. This year, events will take place at the Fruita Community Center and Central High School, and possibly other locations. Last year’s program was implemented by Colorado State AARP President Terri Potente, who lives

in Fruita. She first heard about the inter-generational program at a national conference in Washington, DC, and to her it was a no-brainer. She contacted FMHS Honor Society Advisor Terri Bowen and asked if any students were interested in being mentors. Since honor society students are required to perform community service as part of the program, the students were eager to help. FMHS senior Delainey Boyd participated in Mentor-Up last year. She plans on being a teacher, and thought it was a great way to practice her intended career. “Most of the seniors had pretty basic questions, but it was fun because just a simple answer really helped them a lot,” she said. “One lady couldn’t figure out how to turn her phone to silent and was embarrassed because it kept going off in the wrong place and she didn’t have any younger family members to help her. I know it really made her happy to be able to fix this after talking with us.” Sharon Hanley was one of last year’s mentees.

“I am completely illiterate when it comes to technology,” she said. “It was so exciting to find there was someone who wanted to help me.” She said two FMHS students solved just about all of her issues. “It was really great to have somewhere to go for answers,” she said. “The kids gave great service, and I really appreciated getting to participate.” “We hope to have other participating schools this spring, and expect to have another event later this year,” she said. The Mentor-Up events are free, but registration is requested. To register, call 1-877-926-8300. The next events are scheduled for Saturday, April 18. The morning session will be from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Fruita Community Center, 324 Coulson St. in Fruita; and the afternoon session is from 1:30 p.m-4 p.m. at Central High School, 550 Warrior Way in Grand Junction. For more information, visit states. aarp.org/tag/mentor-up/ ■

Are you taking full advantage of your cell phone, tablet, e-reader or laptop? Would you like to learn about Skype, Facebook and other types of social media? Join AARP and volunteers from local high schools for a free Mentor Up! workshop. Learn how to get more out of new technologies. AARP Colorado and volunteers from local high schools want you to get the most out of your devices. Students will be at two locations to answer your tech questions. Bring your electronic communications devices for a one on-one with local high school volunteers.

Saturday, April 18, 2015 Central High School 550 Warrior Way Grand Junction, CO 81504 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (two sessions available)

Fruita Community Center 324 N. Coulson Street Fruita, CO 81521 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (two sessions available)

Register today at 1-877-926-8300. The Intergenerational Center TEMPLE UNIVERSITY® College of Health Professions and Social Work

Mentor Up is a new way of making a difference from AARP Foundation, which is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+.

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APRIL 2015

Grand Valley’s got talent! By Cloie Sandlin See the talent of local music groups and Grand Valley youth at “Grand Valley’s Got Talent,” an annual show presented by the Bookcliff Barbershop Harmony Chorus. Performances will be at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 at the Avalon Theater, 645 Main St. Accompanying the chorus and its quartets will be a Sweet Adeline’s quartet, and local youth choirs and soloists from Grand Valley schools, including Palisade High School and Caprock Academy. Songs will be sung

in the a capella barbershop style, including “Hi Neighbor,” “It’s a Good Day,” “All I Do is Dream of You,” “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles,” “Lazy Days,” and “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables. This is the chorus’ 47th show. A portion of the proceeds goes toward funding for the participating schools’ music programs. “Our main goal is to let folks know, especially kids, that there are other types of music, not just what the current rage is, so to speak,” chorus member Jim Witt said. “[The kids]

enjoy performing and it’s a fun time for everybody.” Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. There will also be an afterglow that evening after the last show at First Baptist Church, 720 Grand Ave, which is open to the public and costs $5. “We go back to my church, where we sing some more, eat a little bit and have some fun with our hair let down,” Witt said. For tickets and information, call 257-SONG (7664). ■

Bookcliff Barbershop Harmony Chorus

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APRIL 2015

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Mesa County Club Activities Compiled by Liesl Greathouse

• Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the second Thursday at Community Hospital’s lower conference room. Call 260-4653 or visit www.thefriendshipforce.org. • Western Slope Coin Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday at the VFW Post #1247. Get a free coin/currency evaluation at 5:30 p.m. Call 241-1770 or visit www.gjcoinshow.com. • Two River Sams, Good Sam RV Club, meets at noon on April 18. For location, call 523-5625. • Grand Valley Knights meets at 7 a.m.9:30 a.m. Saturdays at Spoons Bistro & Bakery with their sport and classic vehicles. Call 462-6762 or visit www. grandvalleyknights.com. • Mesa County Genealogical Society meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday at The Commons of Hilltop and at noon on the fourth Wednesday at the Museum of Western Colorado. Help sessions are at 1 p.m. on the first Friday at a library branch. Call 640-2388. • Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays at the Masonic Center. Call 261-1670. • Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway will meet at 2 p.m. April 12 at Zion Lutheran Church, 701 S. Junction Ave. in Montrose, for Lefse Making Day. Bring a dish for potluck. Call 2455649 or visit www.vestafjelllodge. org. • Happy Feet Rounds offers basic choreographed ballroom dancing at the Masonic Center on Sundays (beginners from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and intermediate from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.) and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Mondays (Phase 3 and 4 dancers). Call 243-5858. • Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets monthly at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 523-5965. • Grand Valley Woodturners meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817.

• Levis & Lace Square Dance Club meets monthly on the second and fourth Fridays at the Masonic Center. Rounds at 7 p.m. and square at 7:30 p.m. Call 434-6541. • Art Jewelers’ Guild meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday at the Grandview Apartments, 1501 N. First St. Call 243-1220. • Stamp Collectors meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday at White Star Electric. Call 986-1502. • Mesa Fiberarts Guild meets monthly at 6 p.m. the first Thursdays at Color Creek Fiber Art, 1150 N. 25th St. Unit B. Call 243-3598 or visit www.mesafiberartsguild.org. • Blue Lodge Masons meets monthly at 10 a.m. the first Saturday at the Masonic Center. Call 245-5312. • Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at 2923 North Ave. Call 243-7874. • Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets monthly at 9 a.m. the second Saturday at First Congregational Church. Call 640-2751. • Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 244 meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the VFW Post #3981. Call 434-0868. • Grand Junction Toastmasters meets at 7:10 a.m. Tuesdays at St. Mary’s Life Center. Call 242-4863. • Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets at noon Thursdays at the Business Incubator Center. Call 250-3969. • Western Slope Rovers RV Club meets monthly at the Egg and I for breakfast on the first Thursday. Call 858-3907 for time and details. • High Desert Diamonds is a plus-level square dance club that dances from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on the first and third Fridays monthly at the Masonic Center. Call 241-7457. • The Brush & Palette Club meets monthly at 1 p.m. the third Thursdays at the Art Center. Call 433-4180 or visit gjbrushandpalette.org. ■

MESA COUNTY 37

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38 MESA COUNTY

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Mesa County Calendar Compiled by Liesl Greathouse April 5

Easter Sunrise Service Join in a free Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. at the Saddlehorn Amphitheater in the Colorado National Monument. Arrive early, as the monument’s staff requires tollgate check in; however, no toll will be taken to access worship. Following the service, come to Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way for Easter breakfast from 7:30 a.m.10:30 a.m. and worship at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. This service features a cross of live flowers, contributed by our members, friends, neighbors and visitors. All events are free and there is no obligation. For more information, call 245-1075. April 5

Handel’s “Messiah” Don’t miss a free full performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at 2:30 p.m. in the Grand Junction High School Auditorium, 1400 N. Fifth St. The concert is the 11th annual performance by the Messiah Choral Society of Grand Junction and is offered as a musical gift to the community. The concert features four professional soloists, a 20-piece orchestra and a 90-voice chorus. For more information, visit www.MCSGJ.org.

April 6 & 7

Domestic Violence Prevention Academy Mesa County Domestic Violence Task Force and Colorado Mesa University presents the seventh annual Domestic Violence Prevention Academy at CMU, 1100 North Ave. in Grand Junction. This two-day multi-disciplinary conference is open to the public, and is for law enforcement officers, judicial staff, social workers, counselors, educators, case managers, advocates, service providers and other professionals who work with those impacted by domestic violence. Cost is $85 for Mesa County residents and $150 for non-residents. To register, visit RegOnline.com/dvacademy2015 or call 640-3821. April 7

Healthy Eating Habits presentation Gray Gourmet, Mesa County’s senior nutrition program, hosts a luncheon for area seniors at the Palisade Community Center, 120 W. Eighth St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and lunch is served at noon with a presentation on nutrition and diet to follow. The suggested donation for lunch is $3.50 for seniors over age 60. Reservations required. Call 243-9844, ext. 1. This month’s presentation features Dr. Dustin Morrison of Palisade Family Health & Chiropractic, who will dis-

APRIL 2015

cuss how good nutrition and lifestyle choices can keep you, and your digestive tract, happy and feeling good. April 10 & 17

Kids build and launch rockets Bring the grandkids to this year’s Junior Rocket Launch at the Mesa County Libraries Fruita Branch. Registration is open for kids from kindergarten through sixth grade who want to build and launch their own rockets. Members of the Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) Club at the Fruita 8/9 School will help children design and build their rockets and create a storybook about their work. Rocket construction and story creation are scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 10. The rocket launch and story sharing will begin at 3 p.m. April 17. The event is limited to 30 participants, and registration is required. Register online at mesacountylibraries.org or call 8587703. Spectators are invited to watch the launch on April 17. April 15

Adam embark on an intense relationship that causes shy Adam to go to extraordinary lengths to improve his appearance and character. Rated PG-13. “The Shape of Things” is directed by David Cox and will be his last show with CMU theatre as he is retiring after 37 years as a professor of theatre at CMU. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors. For details and tickets, call 248-1604. April 16

BeaconFest Boomer & Senior Fair The 15th annual BeaconFest Boomer & Senior Fair will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St. BeaconFest features an exciting lineup of entertainment, free food, lively seminars and informational booths from 100 senior-related businesses. Thousands of dollars worth of door prizes will be given away. BeaconFest is free to attend. Local volunteers will be recognized at 12:50 p.m. and Volunteer of the Year will be announced. For more information, call 243-8829.

CMU presents “The Shape of Things”

April 16

Colorado Mesa University will close its theatre arts season with Neil LaBute’s “The Shape of Things.” The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Moss Performing Arts Center’s Robinson Theatre. In a modern version of Adam’s seduction by Eve, “The Shape of Things” pits awkward Adam against experienced Evelyn. After a chance meeting, Evelyn and

The Brush & Palette Club presents artist Jim Brock, who will do a demonstration in accidental watercolor at 1 p.m. at the Artist Haven, 240 North Ave. in Grand Junction. He will also discuss using watercolor on media other than paper. For more information, call 433-4180 or visit www. gjbrushandpalette.org.

Accidental watercolor demonstration

Medicare Moment

LAST DAYS IN VIETNAM AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Tuesday, April 28, 8pm

CAN YOU SPOT MEDICARE FRAUD?

SHIP volunteers educate consumers on how to “Protect, Detect and Report” health care fraud as part of a program called the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). What can you do if you see suspicious charges on your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or doctor bill?

on Rocky Mountain PBS Be sure to watch this Academy Award®-nominated documentary directed by Rory Kennedy as she explores the chaotic final days of the Vietnam War. With a communist victory inevitable and the U.S. readying to withdraw, many Americans on the ground worried their South Vietnamese allies and friends faced imprisonment or death at the hands of the approaching North Vietnamese. A number of heroic Americans took matters into their own hands, engaging in unsanctioned and often makeshift operations in a desperate effort to save as many South Vietnamese as possible.

1. Call your health care provider about the charge. It may be a simple mistake. 2. Call the company that paid for the suspicious charge (shown on your MSN). 3. Keep a record of visits, tests or procedures in a Personal Health Care Journal and then compare what you recorded with you see in your MSN. Do dates and procedures match? Are you being charged for a visit you never made? 4. If you are not happy with the responses you receive, get help from your local SHIP/SMP. Stop by the SHIP booth at the April BeaconFest. We will have free Personal Health Care Journals as long as they last. Brought to you by the Mesa County RSVP Senior Health Insurance Assistance Project (SHIP) Sponsored by the Association of US West Retirees (AUSWR) and Mesa County RSVP rmpbs.org

QUESTIONS? Call SHIP! 243-9839

APRIL 2015 April 18

Veterans yard sale fundraiser This yard sale is sponsored by the Grand Junction CHAMPS Golden Age Games Team and will begin at 8 a.m. at the VA Medical Center parking lot, 2121 North Ave. in Grand Junction. This is an opportunity to clear out your closets and find a great bargain. Yard sale donations are also accepted at 8 a.m. This fundraiser assists the 2015 Golden Age Games Team to travel to the national games in Omaha, Nebraska. For details, call 245-6175. April 18

Red, White and Bloom Pancake Breakfast Celebrate spring and raise donations for local veterans at this pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Monument Baptist Church, 486 23 Road in Grand Junction. Enjoy door prizes and great food. Donations are welcome, even items such as canned food, paper towels, shampoo, etc. Donations benefit Vets Helping Vets, a local food pantry. For more information, email hmpfalzgraff@gmail. com. April 18-19

ShareFest Weekend ShareFest is a weekend event with the mission to show the love of Christ in tangible ways by recruiting volunteers to help those in need with projects such as cleaning yards, turning on swamp coolers, picking up trash, painting mobile homes, etc. If you’d like volunteers to help you with a project, submit a need by April 10. To submit a need or to volunteer, visit www.gjsharefest.com or call 7784880. April 19

Sentimental Journey Band Concert The Sentimental Journey Band will present a free concert to benefit Holy Family Catholic School’s music program at 3 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium, 786 26 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. The program will include a

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com variety of band music to entertain an audience of all ages, and will feature a woodwind trio, trombone quartet, saxophone quartet, and flute and clarinet duet. Donations are encouraged. For more information, call 314-1617. April 22

Personal Safety Training Program Executive Security International presents this free personal safety training program from 10 a.m. to noon at the RSVP office on the lower level of the US Bank building, 422 White Ave. in Grand Junction. In this course, we dispel the need to be a professional fighter, martial artist or even proficient with weapons. Through a simple series of discussions we will focus on minimizing your risk factors, and early identification of dangerous situations. We will teach you that you can buy yourself the time needed through early recognition of a bad situation to avoid incident altogether through presence of mind, planning and life experience. Seating in limited. For reservations and more information, call 243-9839, ext 5. April 26

Free community bell concert Enjoy the Kokopelli and Friends annual spring concert, featuring the Kokopelli Bells handbell choir and various church and community choirs. Concert takes place at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 3940 27 ½ Road in Grand Junction. Selections for this concert include “Arkansas Traveler,” “American Overture” and “Dem Bones,” among others. The choir will also have Ellen Currier from the Grand Junction Symphony accompanying them on a beautiful rendition of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” Though the concert is free, donations are welcome and help the choir purchase new music. For more information, call 270-5898. May 1

Senior Law Day Colorado Legal Services hosts Senior

If you have an event or photo you would like to have appear in the BEACON, send it to: beacon@pendantpublishing.com.

Law Day from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St. Learn about topics from estate planning and Medicare to grandparents’ rights and more from our area’s expert attorneys. Cost of $5 includes lunch, entertainment, door prizes, presentations and more. Registration is required. Call 2-1-1 or 244-8400 to register. See our special pull-out insert on pages 23-26 of this month’s BEACON. May 2

Veterans’ bowling tournament fundraiser This fundraiser is sponsored by the Grand Junction CHAMPS Golden Age Games Team. Compete in the Bowling Tournament fundraiser at 3 p.m. at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road. All ages are welcome to participate and cash prizes will be awarded to winners. Preregistration is encouraged. Entry fee is $25 per person or $90 for a four-person team. This fundraiser assists the 2015 Golden Age Games Team to travel to the national

MESA COUNTY 39

games in Omaha, Nebraska. For details or to register, call 245-6175 May 3

Rose Hill Rally St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation is proud to sponsor the annual Rose Hill Rally. Riders begin between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. for both the 50K (31 miles) & 100K (62 miles) distances. Proceeds benefit the Rose Hill Hospitality House, a service of St. Mary’s Hospital that provides lodging to patients and family members residing outside Mesa County. Cyclists of all ages and abilities will enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Grand Valley on this fully supported non-race ride. Support vehicles, rest station refreshments, a quick breakfast, a hot lunch, minor bike maintenance, complimentary massage, entertainment and prizes are all included in the registration fee. T-shirts are available until April 24. For location and to register, call 243-7968. ■

40 MESA COUNTY

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Mesa County Beacon Bits Compiled by Liesel Greathouse

Museum of Western Colorado activities • April 3 - Museum Gallery Tour at Museum of the West, 462 Ute Ave., starts at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. • April 9 - Changing Landscapes of Science lecture at 7 p.m. at the Whitman Educational Center, 248 S. Fourth St. Topic is “Brewing Award Winning Beers in the Grand Valley.” Cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. • April 16 - Oral History Presentation

at noon at the Whitman Educational Center, 248 S. Fourth St.

See world-class entertainment at Regal Cinemas Experience unique entertainment from the comfort of your local movie theater. See renowned operas and ballets in HD right here in Grand Junction. Showings take place at Regal Cinemas, 648 Market St. in Grand Junction. For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com. •April 14 - Vincent Van Gogh art exhibition starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults.

• April 25 & 29 - “Calvalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” operas. These operas from the Metropolitan Opera will show at 10:30 a.m. April 25 and 6:30 p.m. April 29. Cost is $24 for adults and $22 for seniors.

Free estate planning workshops Have you thought about your estate plan lately? Learn about estate planning at these free workshops offered by the attorneys at the Law Office of Brown & Brown, PC, 1250 E. Sherwood Drive. Workshops are free but registration is required. Classes are held at the office from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Register at www.brownannd brownpc.com or call 243-8250.

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APRIL 2015 • April 8 - When and how to make changes to your estate plan This workshop will discuss lifetime events, and changes to laws which would affect your estate plan, as well as how changes to your estate plan should be made. • April 22 - Estate planning: beyond the basics In addition to discussing will and trust estate plans, we’ll delve into different types of trusts and powers of attorney.

Spring into wellness classes begin May 1 Spring into Wellness is eight days of over 30 free classes and events, including yoga, tai chi, dance, meditation and more. This event will include everything you need to assist you in feeling healthier and happier. Registrants will receive 30+ classes free of charge, daily tips throughout the challenge, inspirational messages and recipes for nutritional cleansing. They will also be entered to win a grand prize of three months of unlimited free classes. Visit www. yogawestcollective.com/spring-intowellness for class schedule or call 255-9642. Our expert presenters will introduce you to three levels of nutritional cleansing: • The Easy Cleanse is a good place to start if you want to eat and live healthier, but are new to cleansing. This cleanse encourages participants to give up one or more of the following for five days: white sugar, white flour and coffee. • Intermediate Cleanse is a five-day cleanse consisting mostly of fruits and vegetables, along with daily recipes for delicious soups, smoothies and juices. • The Master Cleanse is a 3- to 5-day cleanse consisting of purified water, lemon juice, maple syrup and a dash of cayenne.

Gardening Book Sale The Friends of the Mesa County Public Library will host a gardening book sale from April 1-10 at the Central Library. For more information, call 243-4442.

APRIL 2015

Grand Valley Transit named ‘Best of the Best’ Among the more than 130 national and international divisions operated by MV Transportation, Grand Valley Transit (GVT) has been named 2014 “Best of the Best” in the small division category. From 2013 to 2014, GVT had a 17 percent improvement in total accident frequency rate, 61 percent reduction in preventable accident frequency rate, 72.5 percent improvement in preventable claims, and 72 percent improvement in injury frequency rate. For details, call 628-6866.

Nontraditional quilt display Mesa County Libraries are proud to host an exhibit of unique artistic quilts made by members of The Art Quilt Association. The exhibit features approximately 30 colorful and beautifully designed quilts on display in the main corridor and checkout area of the Mesa County Libraries Central Library, 443 N. Sixth St. The quilts will be on display during regular library hours through April 19. Many of the quilts center on the theme “Books and Book Titles.” For more information, call 243-3550.

Free days at the Mesa County Landfill In support of spring cleanup efforts throughout Mesa County, the Board of County Commissioners is sponsoring a free day of garbage disposal at the Mesa County Landfill and at the Fruita, Gateway and DeBeque transfer stations. Items such as tire disposal, electronic waste, appliances containing refrigerants and commercially hauled materials will be subject to normal tipping fees. All waste material entering the landfill or transfer stations during free days must be secured with a tarp. For more information, call 241-6846. • Fruita Transfer Station 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 4 • Mesa County Landfill 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 11 • Gateway Transfer Station 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 18 • DeBeque Transfer Station 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 25

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Support groups

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is offering support groups in Mesa County for adults diagnosed with mental illness and separate groups for their families. In Fruita, the Family-to-Family group meets monthly from 5:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m. the first Tuesday at the Fruita Library, 324 N. Coulson. For more information, call 462-3989. • GriefShare is a nondenominational Christ-based support group for those mourning the death of a loved one. Call Vicci at 628-1453 for details. • Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision peer support group, meets from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call Joanne or Cathy at 241-0315. • Mending Hearts Support Group is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. Call 248-8844 for more information. - Grand Junction group meets from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th St. - Fruita group meets from 2 p.m.3:30 p.m. in the Lions Room at the Fruita Civic Center, 325 E. Aspen Ave. • Caregiver Connections is open to all caregivers and meets from 10 a.m.11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th St. Call 248-8844. • St. Mary’s Stroke Support Group meets from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. on the third Friday of each month in the Grand Mesa Room of St. Mary’s Life Center. Call 298-1929. • MACHO Men, a cancer support group, meets at 5 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at St. Mary’s Hospital’s Java City Café. Call 298-2351 for details.

Volunteer opportunities

• Mesa County RSVP connects individuals 55 and older to volunteer positions in any of our member agencies. They are currently seeking volunteers for a variety of positions within RSVP. For a list of volunteer opportunities and to register, call 243-9839. • HopeWest seeks volunteers for a variety of positions. Volunteering can be as simple as one hour a month. Call 623-8816 for details. ■

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Crossword Puzzle

Across 1 Round peg in a round hole 6 Delhi streetwear 10 Decays 14 Poet’s inspiration 15 “I agree!” 16 Euclid’s lake 17 Latent 20 Impresario Hurok 21 Time frames 22 Parser’s parts 23 Traveler 25 Fateful March date 26 Jack Benny catchphrase 28 Where FDR met Stalin 30 Land of Esau’s descendants 34 In full voice 36 Play opener 38 See red? 39 On the mat 43 Honshu shrine center 44 Cartoon expletive 45 Hearth bit 46 “Leaving Las Vegas” girl 48 Inappropriate 51 Prime minister Moro 52 Hoops great Willis 54 Bonanza dad 56 Sacred text of Islam 58 Oliver Twist’s request 59 Greek letter 62 Blue 65 Auerbach and Buttons 66 Sovereign state began in 1937 67 Longest river in France 68 Robin’s residence 69 Paper for the house 70 Single-celled microorganism Down 1 Early socialist presidential candidate

Eugene

2 Popular cookie 3 Non-dancer at the dance 4 Ike’s W.W.II domain 5 More humble in status 6 Libyan hot spot 7 “Rag Mop” brothers 8 Matter for the courts 9 Flood 10 Say nay! 11 Port on the Mediterranean 12 Annoying facial m ovements 13 Come to understand

APRIL 2015

18 Deuce topper 19 School builder? 24 President Chester Arthur’s middle name 25 “The Seven Year ___” 26 Sinai streambeds 27 Notched irregularly 29 Strong frothy espresso 31 Dieter’s bane 32 Held title 33 Way around downtown 35 Country P.O. letters? 37 Vanilla of rap 40 Got one’s bearings 41 Big name in cartography 42 Sultanate on the Gulf 47 Put the cuffs on 49 Turned the field 50 Burned rubber 53 Cochlea locale 55 Royal kingdom 56 Capped joint 57 Tote board data 58 Like a bagatelle? 60 Daughter of Cronus 61 Bugged 62 Large coffeepot 63 Giddyup! 64 “Me ___ !”

APRIL 2015

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urs Open Mon. - Sat. 6am to 2pm Closed Sun. Mon-Thly 970-243-2133 On 241 Grand Ave.• Grand Junction, CO

Palisade Dental 125 West 3rd Street, Palisade, CO 81526

Brian E. Day, D.M.D., P.C. • 464-5123 Hill & Homes, LLC Ben Hill 970-250-5002 ben@hillandhomes.com

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1235 Wolf Creek Court • Ultimate lock & leave • Beautiful award winning quality home • 2005 Parade of Homes, Peoples Choice • In floor radiant heat • Private courtyard • Energy certified $246,900

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CLASSIFIEDS 43

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Coldwell Banker

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vaughnteam@coldwellbanker.com

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11-7 pm tues - fri s 9-5 pm sat

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44 CLASSIFIEDS

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APRIL 2015

Classes Free Meditation Class Introduction to KRIYA Meditation – Ancient teaching from KRIYA traditions. Tuesday nights. 7 p.m., YOGA West, 1025 Main St. Call 523-5685.

Tools & machines available to make your woodworking projects. Also classes on additional woodworking ideas & techniques available

“COME BUILD YOUR STUFF” call 970-241-2029 We are located at 2483 Patterson Rd. Grand Junction, CO.

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QUESTIONS? Call us M-TH, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 970 243-8829 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Help Wanted Janitorial Experienced supervisor, commercial cleaning. Individuals, teams, husbands and wives, retirees, seniors. Evenings and weekends. Part-time. Please call 255-0525, M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grand Junction residents only please. Wendy’s NOW HIRING! Shift Supervisors and Crew Members. We are looking for smiling faces and positive attitudes. We offer competitive pay, discounts and a great working environment. Full-time and part-time employment available. Please apply at your nearest location in Grand Junction.

sales person wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is growing and we’re looking for a mature, loving sales person to grow with us. Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com

writers wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is looking for writers in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com

For Sale Home Scooter From the Scooter Store. Model TSS300. New batteries and charger. $600 OBO. Call Barbara 858-0569. AKC – UKC Standard Poodle male puppies. First shot and wormy. Call only. 8588601. Pristine gently used 2006 Rochwood travel trailer. All the bells and whistles, ultra light. Tows like a dream. $14,500. Please call 8580421.

Home Care PASCO/SW, INC.

Skilled and unskilled homemaking and/or personal care. Skilled nursing, specialize in wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, CNA, social work, pre-op, post-op services. PASCO/SW carriers certification for Mi, children’s hospice and Tbi waivers. Please call for courtesy evaluation of your home care needs. Serving: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel Cortez (970)565-6833; Durango (970) 247-1211; Montrose (970) 240-1771; Toll Free (877) 685-6833

www.pascosw.com

Home Services Will do errands, Shopping, appointments, light chores. $10 per hour. Call Linda 5230218.

APRIL 2015 Renovating an existing landscape? Have irrigation problems? Need a design? Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC), a trade association for the landscape industry, will recommend a member company to suit your needs. Call 589-7472 for a FREE referral. House Cleaning Do you want a clean house? A onetime cleaning or on a regular schedule, let’s talk about what works for you. Also, I will give a 15% discount to seniors. References available. Call Benni at 241-2611. SCENE CLEARLY. LLC Window cleaners specializing in making your day a little brighter! Grand Junction area. Call Frank Cordova at 242-1264. Reliable Estate Sales Are you in the midst of a stressful relocation or passing of a loved one? Let us handle the burden of personal property liquidation from start to finish. Contact Mark Bluhm at 2602327, cash4@bresnan.net or www. reliableestatesales.net. Antiques, Appraisals, Estate Sales With over 30 years in the antique, appraisal and estate sale business, Great American Estate Sales is the valley’s leader in appraisals and estate liquidation. Settling an estate, moving into a smaller home or just simplifying your lifestyle? Great American Estate Sales can provide a worry-free and quick solution. Free consultation. 216-8236. Accessibility Services Grab bars. Walk-in tubs/showers. Licensed plumber/handyman. Serving Western Colorado since 1989. Free estimates. Compare and save! 985-1403. Tree Service Get ready for winter – Tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding. FREE hauling, boom truck to 85 feet, FREE estimates. Licensed and insured. Chris 260-0222.

Skilled Handyman Services Fast, reliable handyman services available. No job too big or too small. We are licensed and insured and have over 35 years’ experience. We are ADA (Special Needs), CAPS (Aging in Place) and NHBA (National Home Builders Association) certified to meet your individual needs. All services include carpentry, plumbing, electrical and misc. services. Western Interior Builders, LLC. Call 241-2029 for appointment.

Wanted to Buy BUYING OLD CLOTHING Costume jewelry, purses, sewing patterns and perfumes (pre-1970s). Call Linda 234-4736 or 1-800-572-7670. USED BOOKS BUY, SELL OR TRADE Gently used books on hundreds of subjects. Westerns, Romance, Mysteries, Suspense, Kids, Young Adult, Inspirational, and many others. Large print. Special orders. 242-3911. Twice Upon a Time Bookshop, 2885 North Ave., Ste. B. Located in front of North Ave. Walmart and next to Subway. 10-6 Mon-Sat, 11-4 Sunday. **Bring this ad in for $10 Trade Credit** CASH Paid for Old Stuff Wind-up men’s wrist/pocket watches, gold and silver jewelry, pocket/ hunting knives, antique firearms, fishing gear, toys, BB guns, old Colorado bottles, old motorcycles, radios and amps, railroad, military, mining items. www.cash4oldstuff.net. Mark 260-2327.

CLASSIFIEDS 45

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National Classifieds  APRIL 2015 ADOPTION PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Talk with caring adoption expert. Choose from families Nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions 866-413-6296 Void In Illinois/New Mexico/Indiana AUTO’S WANTED CARS/TRUCKS WANTED! Top $$$$$ PAID! Running or Not, All Years, Makes, Models. Free Towing! We’re Local! 7 Days/Week. Call Toll Free: 1-888-416-2330 GET CASH TODAY for any car/truck. I will buy your car today. Any Condition. Call 1-800-8645796 or www.carbuyguy.com BUSINESSES FOR SALE Innovative Yoga and Day Spa business and franchise prototype. Winner prestigious “Best of Rhode Island Award” 2014. $65,000. www. NowYoga.NET 415-797-2636 HEALTH/MEDICAL Viagra Users! Viagra 100mg/Cialis 20mg 44 pills only $99.00. No prescription Needed! Discreet Shipping! Call Today! 1-800-213-6202 Save, Save, Save! MISCELLANEOUS/CAREER TRAINING AIRLINES ARE HIRING for those with FAA certification. Financial aid if qualified - Job placement assistance. Get the A&P training at Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-686-1704 MISCELLANEOUS Bundle & Save on your TV, Internet, Phone!!! Call Bundle Deals NOW Compare all Companies, Packages and Prices! Call 1-855-978-2608 TODAY! CASH FOR CARS: All Cars/Trucks Wanted. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Any Make/Model. Call For Instant Offer: 1-800864-5960 CASH PAID for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! 1 DAY PAYMENT & PREPAID shipping. HIGHEST PRICES! Call 1-888-776-7771. www. Cash4DiabeticSupplies.com

Do you owe over $10,000 to the IRS or State in back taxes? You could get a settlement for as low as 25% of previous IRS settlements. Call now! 1- 800-741-9104 TOP CASH PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920’s thru 1980’s. Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins/Banjos. 1-800-401-0440 Got Knee Pain? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace -little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1800-491-6053 Make a Connection. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks. Try it FREE. Call NOW: Call 1-877-737-9447 18+ Sell your structured settlement or annuity payments for CASH NOW. You don’t have to wait for your future payments any longer! Call 1-800714-4724 SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1-800-290-8321 to start your application today! Struggling with DRUGS, ALCOHOL, PILLS? Talk to someone who cares. Call ADDICTION HOPE & HELP LINE for a free assessment. 800-768-9180 SUPPORT our service members, veterans and their families in their time of need. For more information visit the Fisher House website at www.fisherhouse.org TIMESHARES SELL/RENT YOUR TIMESHARE Now! Guaranteed Services find more buyers/renters. NO GIMMICKS JUST RESULTS! www.BuyATimeshare.com 1-888-879-8612 WANTED TO BUY Cash for unexpired DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! Free Shipping, Best Prices & 24 hr payment! Call 1-855-440-4001 www.TestStripSearch.com.

DIVORCE, ETC. $240-$550* Covers Children, etc. *Excludes govt. fees! For a Local Office, Call 1-215-717-8499, Ext. 400 or 1-888-498-7075, Ext. 500 BAYCOR & ASSOCIATES Established 1973

Finding Senior Housing can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be. “You can trust A Place for Mom to help you.” – Joan Lunden

(800) 217-3942 A Place for Mom is the nation’s largest senior living referral information service. We do not own, operate, endorse or recommend any senior living community. We are paid by partner communities, so our services are completely free to families.

46 KUDOS & KVETCH

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to be history kudos\ku·dos Technology has no time partner to ruling the world all from

 “I am honored by the story [“Mentoring is magical” in March’s Create a Legacy insert]. Actually the most factually correct story I think I have been involved in with the media. I also loved Melanie Wiseman’s story about camping with the wild horses. Thanks to you doing a positive piece about my beliefs in mentoring.”- Joe Higgins, Grand Junction.

 “We saw the article about the Montrose Pavilion Dance Club (in March’s BEACON) and were very excited about it. We appreciate your doing this for us. I also appreciate your publishing notices of our dances.”- Sandra J., Montrose  “Reading the Hippie Bus story in the recent BEACON reminded me that back in the late ’50s or early ’60s, when I visited my grandmother’s house in Montrose, she would tell me to come with her up on Sunset Mesa and pick some ‘comfy.’ So I would go with her and a bunch of other old folks and pick this comfy, which they made into a tea. Some farmers from California in a big yellow bus came in and bought three acres nearby. A few years later, the state patrol busted them for marijuana. But they weren’t growing marijuana. It had been there 20 years before. My grandma was mad when she found out that the comfy she had been picking for years had been marijuana.”- Bud, Montrose

 “Thank you so much for the article in the March BEACON about ShareFest. It was a very well done article. I have had several people comment on how nicely it was written.”-Debe C., Grand Junction

Wanna give a shout out? Pass out a compliment? Write us at Beacon@PendantPublishing.com.

By Anne Ashley

It used to require at least 30 years of existence before technology was even considered for historical status. Things were allowed to become old fashioned and only eventually replaced by the long awaited for new and improved versions after years of wear and tear. But today technology changes so rapidly that we hardly have time to master the (mis)spelling of something before another innovative iGadget is on the shelves. Just a quick diversion on the subject of these all-singing and all-dancing iGizmos…Is anyone else alarmed that it costs more to purchase and run a phone these days than we older folk spent on our first home? I happened to glance at a display recently where the newest version of some have-to-have communication device was being rolled out and I don’t know what shocked me more: the price, which I initially mistook for a phone number, or the fact that the line of people waiting to purchase it was too long to count, and growing! I get that this thingamabob is also a camera, calendar, radio, recording device and a navigational genius but seriously! In my day, spending that much money used to involve hiring a van to transport my purchase(s) home! You can fit this costly thing in your pocket—and that’s its selling point! Anyway, today our household items are eliminated, dismissed and obsolete without even a fond farewell. No more do we get the contraption home, unwrap it and use it before we’re bombarded by advertisements for the newer model…in blue (when translated, means more expensive). And the poor inventors don’t even get an honorable mention. I’m not overly impressed with being able to do everything from calling your

the keypad of a smart phone, but it would be nice to know what geek donated his/her entire youth to such technology. We all know who invented the original telephone. History has taught us to respect the wondrous achievements of Alexander Graham Bell. But can you name the first, middle and last name of the equally impressive inventor of the technology that turned our phones into NASA-worthy contraptions without looking it up on Wikipedia? No one cares any more about who invented it. We just want to know when we can have it and when can we look forward to the new model. All this short-lived, short-term expectation of stuff makes me feel badly for today’s youthful generation. There’ll be nothing left for them to cherish and hand down to their offspring. No valuable keepsake to assign to the chosen child. No reminder of times gone by to warmly educate future generations of how we used to do things. No relic from days of yore will exist because everything now is disposable! I can recall my grandmother showing me a light bulb that had been given to her by her father. She kept it wrapped in a tea towel and stored snugly inside what looked like a shoebox. The modest, oddly shaped glass bulb was a treasure to her still, despite light bulbs now being a dime a dozen. She recounted stories about her childhood home being converted to electricity and how her mother was terrified of the intrusion. I believe I was about 10 the first time I heard the tales and saw the antiquated bulb, but I shared her admiration. I don’t even want to guess what my grandchildren would think of me if I unfolded the old cloth around my treasured and carefully stored USB plug and tried to inspire the same level of awe. ■

Is anyone else alarmed that it costs more to purchase and run a phone these days than we spent on our first home?

APRIL 2015

kvetch\kfech  “Our neighborhood has two feral cats. I recently read that rabies is almost always fatal and can be passed from animals to humans. I called the people at Mesa County Animal Control, who told me if they were stray dogs they could come get them, but not cats. What am I supposed to do? I guess I’ll shoot them!”- Bill H.  “Cuba is governed by an oppressive, corrupt, self-destructive regime in its death throes; and anathema to everything the United States of America once stood for. It was supported by the Soviet Union until they realized it was a losing proposition, as was the Soviet Union itself. Nothing has changed. The sooner it collapses the better off our hemisphere will be, and our tourist dollars will only be used to prolong its existence. Cuba has nothing to offer us except rum and cigars. Jamaica, Bahamas, and any of the other countries in the Caribbean have anything Cuba has and our dollars won’t support a regime dedicated to the destruction of our way of life.”- Rob G., Delta, UT  “Is this a case of ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?’ Now we (Montrose) have a much smaller paper, so fewer stories, and our version doesn’t include Ask the Old Bag and Ask the Computer Guy, two of my favorite features.”- Janet S., Montrose

Cloie: Thank you for your feedback. Input from our readers is vital for the Montrose-Delta BEACON’s growth. We’ve received many comments about Ask the Old Bag, so you will see it is in this month’s Montrose-Delta edition. Please be patient with us, as this edition will get bigger. In the mean time, we ask that you support our advertisers and encourage others to advertise.  “I could do a much better job at advising to seniors than Gayle. Telling people to give money to beggars on the street is wrong. Even the charities that help them say do not do that…terrible advice…don’t give biblical advice in the paper…Gayle totally over stepped her boundary. Get rid of her!”- Linda D.

APRIL 2015

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