Having the time of your life in the Inland Northwest
primeSPOKANE.com
April - May 2014 #47
Freedom, Friends & Fun Best Options in Retirement Living
Fly Fishing in the Great Northwest
Old Guy Basketball The Glue that Keeps Friends Together
contents 6 8
Editor’s Letter Masthead
features 16
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April - May 2014
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The Front Porch
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Your Third Life: Friends for Life
Rockwood Retirement Ground Breaking on “The Summit” | Record Store Day at 4,000 Holes Records| New Toyota Highlander
Cheryl-Anne Millsap discovers friendship with her adult children to be just as sweet and precious as those early moments in motherhood.
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Great Outdoors: Fly Fishing
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Retirement Living
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People: Nancy Roth
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Sports: Old Guy Basketball
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Inspiration
The Spokane Fly Fishers share their love of fly fishing along with a tale of a trip to Omak Lake, on the Colville Indian Reservation, where the fish are a unique strain of cutthroat trout—Lahontan cutthroats—native to alkaline desert lakes found primarily in Nevada’s Lahontan Basin.
As more and more Baby Boomers are turning the page into their senior years, they are increasingly aware of what their retirement living may look like and are demanding more amenities. And they are finding that options in terms of lifestyle and care are as varied and unique as are they. After more than 20 years working for Spokane Public Radio, Nancy Roth will be retiring at the end of May. When asked how old she is replies, “I’m either 13 or 76.” We asked her to share her story and vision for life after retirement. Once a week, Dennis Held and a group of his buddies, 30- to 60-somethings, meet up at a place where they are judged by their abilities, which includes their ability to get along, to play nice. They wind up wrung-out and smiling at the end of a couple of hours of basketball, t-shirts sweated through, and they reconnect with their buddies, which gets harder and harder to do in this world of electronic communication and other forms of dislocation. A vintage postcard from Spokane’s past.
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contents 4
Having the time of your life in the Inland Northwest
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About the cover The new options in retirement living afford you the flexibility and freedom to travel and spend time with the ones you care about more often than ever before.
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April - May 2014
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editor’s letter
ons i t i d Con ted Trea ▪ Arthritis ▪ Burns ▪ Carpal Tunnel ▪ Fractures ▪ Joint Injuries ▪ Post-surgical conditions ▪ Repetitive-strain injuries (overuse injuries) ▪ Tendinitis ▪ Tendon lacerations and repairs ▪ Total joint replacement ▪ Work injuries ▪ Wounds ▪ Crush and other traumatic injuries
es
ervic S l a i pec
S
▪ Fabrication of custom splints, both static and dynamic
Julie Paull, OTR/L Clinical Hand Specialist
2607 S. Southeast Blvd.Ste B150
Spokane, WA 99223 509.532.8114 applausehandtherapy.com
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Photo by Diane Maehl
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Choosing Life Through the Beautiful & the Brutal
called my mom from the basketball tournament, to report on my 13-year old son, Christopher’s statistics. I could faintly hear the tears as she replied. “Tell him how proud I am of him,” she said, voice shaking. “Please tell him I’m building up my strength, I won’t miss the next one!” In February, I was staring down at my mom as she lay back on a tissue covered sterile table. The surgeon unraveled the bandages from her chest, from her double mastectomy, for the first time. “I can’t look,” she whispered repeatedly, trying to steady her breathing. “I can’t look. Please tell me how it looks,” she said, her eyes meeting mine, reading them for the slightest sign of concern. “Your skin is beautiful, Mom,” I said. I meant it, although it was a new kind of beauty and my mind, heart, and soul had to act quickly to see it. Her eyes opened wider. “Are you sure? It doesn’t look too bad?” She slowly pulled in the air in the room and let it out, eyes closed, mustering up her bravery. She opened her eyes, meeting mine and then glanced down at her bare, flat chest. Her eyes quickly fell upon the horizontal incisions that replaced her once voluptuous bosom. “Oh, no! Oh, God!” she cried. I quickly scooped her hand into mine, pulling in close. “Breathe, Mom. Those scars will heal soon and eventually you’ll hardly be able to see them.” My mom is not a stranger to watching doctors unravel bandages to expose brutal scars. She has survived several cancers over the last 20 years. Although the cancers had threatened her life, the treatments that extended her life have had a profound effect on the quality of her life. Her bones break easily. Scoliosis has twisted her spine. Her teeth have darkened and break easily. She eats very little. Her abdomen is distended; she is riddled with intestinal hernias. She
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lives in continuous pain. Pain that wraps around her body, shoots up and down and in and out her limbs. She has life, but a life that makes it increasingly difficult to find joy and to see beauty. Mom called from the surgeon’s office this morning, the day we are sending Prime to press, and the day I’m writing this. “This body of mine!” she shouted. “I just want my life back!” She will undergo another major abdominal surgery in less than two weeks. The surgery will be long and tedious; the recovery, brutal for weeks. “I just want to be able to feel healthy again, so I can attend the grandkids’ activities, and enjoy these new breasts of mine!” she laughed painfully. “But, seriously. I’m worried I’m not going to make it through this year. I’m really worried I’m going to die in 2014.” That statement reached through the phone and grabbed me in my neck. I reminded her how much she has survived, how unbelievably unstoppable she has been. She reminded me how much she hurts, how much she misses out on as she sits at home in her recliner, wrapped in a heating pad under a heap of blankets, looking into the eyes of her furry best friends as they worry about her and wonder why they are missing their walk, again. Her heart breaks to know she is missing out on another grandkid’s activity. The hurt, she said, is unbearable. The hurt, she said, is killing her. There is a saying by Edward J. Stieglitz: “The important thing is not how many years in your life but how much life in your years.” I think of that now as I remind myself to “live each moment to the fullest.” I have learned, through loss and through my mom’s struggles—as well as her triumphs—to use my existing health and energy to devote myself to the now. To devote myself to those I love and care for, as well as for the matters that mean the most to me, including my work. We often fear death, but perhaps death isn’t the greatest threat of all; perhaps the greatest threat is to have life, but to be paralyzed by pain and hurt. And the greatest insult of all, is to have your health and not to live life to the fullest. We can choose to keep going through the difficulties, to choose life, through the beautiful moments as well as the brutal. We can choose to make our lives matter in those moments. What is the prime of your life? The prime of your life is the “someday” you’ve always referred to, maybe even dreamed of. It’s today. I am grateful to be here with you now, as your editor, and I look forward to the journey with you, through your prime. I would love to hear your stories of living in the now, and of you enjoying the prime of your life.
April - May 2014
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S t a f f fa m i l y o w n e d a n d m a n a g e d
"Our Family Cares for Your Family."
Having the time of your life in the Inland Northwest
Vol. 8 Issue 2 April / May 2014
Editor
STEPHANIE REGALADO • stephanie@spokanecda.com
• Worry Free Alzheimer’s/ • Therapeutic Living Environment Dementia Care with Wander • Spacious Studios with a Full Guard Technology Private Bathroom • Fun Social/Activities Program • 24 Hour Professional Medication • 3 Savory Meals Daily Management and Personal Care • Competitive All-Inclusive Pricing
Creative Director
David Crary • david@spokanecda.com
Lead Graphic Designer
Kristi Somday • kristi@spokanecda.com
Traffic Manager | Graphic Designer camille mackie • camille@spokanecda.com
New Alzheimer’s Memory Care Center
Contributors
Carla Brooks Darin Burt Mark Bjerkestrand Dr. Gary Craig Dennis Held Cheryl-Anne Millsap Larry Ray
We provide the highest standard of personal care in a home environment, with loving and patient nursing and care staff.
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Senior Account Manager
debra j smith • debra@spokanecda.com
Senior Account Executive
Anthony
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Board Certified Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology
Cindy Guthrie • cindy@spokanecda.com Jeff Richardson • jrichardson@spokanecda.com Diane caldwell • diane@spokanecda.com
Director of Events and Promotions
Melissa Halverson • melissa@bozzimedia.com
Operations & Finance Manager Kim Morin • kim@spokanecda.com
Accounts Receivable & Distribution
theresa berglund • theresa@spokanecda.com
Publisher
Vincent bozzi • vince@spokanecda.com
Associate Publisher
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emily guevarra bozzi • emily@spokanecda.com
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Post Falls Periodontics 602 N. Calgary Ct., Ste 102 • Post Falls. ID 83854
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Prime magazine is published by Bozzi Media Tapio Yellow Flg Bldg, Suite 209 • 104 S. Freya, Spokane, WA 99202-4866 • Phone: 509.533.5350 Prime magazine (ISSN 1938-5714) is distributed freely in the Inland Northwest. For distribution locations, subscription rates, or to read this month’s or previous months’ issues, visit us at www.primespokane.com. All contents © 2014. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Neither Bozzi Media nor Prime™ magazine assume responsibility for errors in content, photos or advertisements.
Rockwood Retirement Communities Breaks Ground on
“The Summit”
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ith more than 80% of the apartments presold and financing now in place, Rockwood Retirement Communities has broken ground on the next phase of expansion on its South Hill Campus. Construction of The Summit at Rockwood South Hill entails a new 11-story, 165,000 (excluding parking) square foot building, with 65 new luxury apartments and common areas. Most apartments will range from 900 to 1,970 square feet with the exception of the top two “Penthouse Level” floors, which will range in size from 1,050 to 2,210 square feet. All homes will be fully appointed with kitchens, washers and dryers, individual heating/cooling systems, internet and emergency call access.
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front porch
The Ridge, the seven story building previously known as The Manor, will also receive renovation of common areas on the first floor and will connect to The Summit, improving access for the entire South Hill Campus to the services and amenities to be offered in both buildings. These services and amenities include a 3,400 square foot ballroom/multipurpose room to accommodate large gatherings; a theater/ educational center; art studio and library; more than 9,000 square feet of dining and entertainment venues, including 11th floor Sky View lounge, formal dining room, outdoor patio, sports bar, espresso bar/cafĂŠ and bistro with display kitchen; a 3,100 square foot fitness area with state-of-theart exercise and floor exercise room; and a 1,700 square foot beauty salon and spa.
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The estimated date of completion for The Summit is in spring of 2016 and cost of the entire project is approximately $60,000,000. Walker Construction has been selected as the general contractor for the project and NAC Architecture of Spokane is the lead architect. Spokane United Methodist Homes, doing business as Rockwood Retirement Communities, is a not-for-profit corporation that has served Spokane seniors for more than 53 years. It is dedicated to providing services and housing to older adults with a commitment to excellence in promoting independence, wellness and lifelong vitality. For more information, visit www.rockwoodretirement.org.
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- May 2014treatment. 11 Disclaimer: The Strickland Facelift Dentures™ services are in no way related to Dr. Sam Muslin's exclusive April Face Lift Dentistry®
front porch
Kathy Bryant Seniors Real Estate Specialist & Top Spokane Realtor
509-993-3538 Century 21 Beutler & Associates 41 W Riverside – Ste 310 – Spokane, WA kathybryant@21goldchoice.com www.YourMoveYourTerms.com
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First Look: 2014 Toyota Highlander Story and photo by Darin Burt
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ooner or later, comfort and convenience enter into the car buying equation. My seventysomething year-old father loves his Cadillac for exactly that reason—it’s large and luxurious with all the bells and whistles. I was curious how Dad would react to the redesigned 2014 Toyota Highlander. It is, after-all, a midsize crossover SUV— something that in the past meant big and boring. Now in its third generation, the Highlander has been completely revamped with bold new styling, familyfriendly features, and the latest in advanced safety and audio technology. “This is really comfortable,” Dad said, sliding easily onto the heated and ventilated front leather seat. He was a little perplexed that there was no ignition key needed, but a simple push of the large button marked “Engine Start Stop” on the dash got things going. “Push the button with the ‘talking face’ on the steering wheel and see what happens,” I said. He did and the Entune multimedia system, which includes hands-free Bluetooth streaming and advanced voice recognition, came to life asking if he wanted destination directions, the local weather report, or to tune to a favorite radio station. The large touchscreen panel in the center of the dash proved easy to operate even for a guy who still has trouble figuring out his television remote.
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Some of Dad’s cronies can be a little hard of hearing, especially when riding in the back seat. Toyota solved that issue with Easy Speak in which a microphone in the overhead console amplifies the driver’s voice and broadcasts it through the rear speakers. Safety features abound with Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Parking Assist Sonar, and an available Driver Technology Package that includes a pre-collision system with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Safety Connect. For carrying golf clubs, fishing gear or even a foldable wheelchair (in Mom’s case), foldable third-row seats give way to ample rear storage space that’s easy to access thanks to a one-touch power tailgate. The 2014 Highlander can be ordered in one of several grades, each of which comes with different levels of comfort and convenience features: LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited, and Hybrid Limited; all grades offer both FWD and AWD. The hybrid model pairs a V6 engine with an electric motor, and is naturally the most fuel efficient of the bunch, returning 27/28/28 mpg city/highway/combined. With a base price of $30,075 to $48,160, the Highlander is an affordable choice for those looking for a perfect mix of comfort, convenience and eye-catching style. Dad’s verdict: “Let’s go for a ride.”
RECORD STORE DAY
Saturday, April 19. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
At 4,000 Holes Records By Mark Bjerkestrand
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ith the infamous Record Store Day approaching, you might want to head down to 4,000 Holes Records to celebrate and check out some of the rare 45s made in the 1990s. From 1990 to 1992, 4,000 Holes produced five, 7-inch 45 records. With Bob Gallagher’s steep local music history as an artist, promoter, producer, manager and record shop owner, this was his first foray into the record label business. Vinyl is back. Yes, downloading and CD sales still dominate the way music is purchased and shared nowadays, but many music collectors still hold true to the vinyl experience. Let’s throw out the obviousness of size and convenience of the electronic medium—the 45 is cool. With vinyl sales being such an important niche in the music lover community, Bob made five, 7-inch singles in the 1990s. At the height of the Northwest grunge music scene, 4,000 Holes Records produced singles. The music captured the sound of the 1990s. Bands on the 4,000 Holes label were The Fumes, the Young Brians, Ball of Destruction, Nice World, Waterman’s Hollow and Small. I sat down with Bob and asked him about his vinyl ride. When did you start making 45s? Around 19891990. What was the first group on 4,000 Hole Records? Young Brians. What made you start a record label? Because I was stupid, seriously! I had met the Young Brians and liked them a lot. They were a very original band; I thought it was an opportunity to put out local records. I had no dreams of making it rich. What was your best seller? It’s hard to say. I never took an accurate inventory; the Fumes and Waterman’s Hollow were popular in the shop. Who made the vinyl discs? They were made by a company out of Nashville, called United Pressing. They are now big—that’s the company that Jack White works with. Did 4,000 Hole Records produce any CDs? I was going to produce a CD for Caravan of Stars and The Big Red Wagon. They would have been compilation disks of local bands but the economy tanked in the 90s and it did not make financial sense. Has anyone else tried to make 45s? There have been several LP producers, but the one that comes to mind is David Hayes, “Too Many Records.” Plans are in the works for a compilation CD of the nuggets left behind by the local bands of the 1990s. Bob continues to contribute to the Spokane music culture not only with his record store, but by playing in the band, Blue Canoe and Starlight Motel. Record Store Day will offer limited edition selections from various artists. Collectors can stock up on rare vinyl and out of print CDs and LPs during the event on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 4,000 Holes Records on 1610 N. Monroe.
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third life
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By Cheryl-Anne Millsap
Friends for Life
rapped in heavy white terrycloth robes, truly relaxed for the first time in months, we sat in comfy chairs at the spa—a rare treat—sipping herbal tea and waiting for our pedicures. She’d already had a massage and I’d spent that time reading the book I’d brought along. It was a beautiful spring day and her birthday celebration. We were talking about men and children, work and worry, commitments and obligations, about navigating the complexities of adult relationships and balancing careers and life at home, all the ordinary things, when one of us made a joke—the kind of joke women make when they’re alone. We laughed. It was a warm moment between friends. But what made the moment particularly sweet, was that it was between two adult women who also happen to be mother and daughter. This has been happening more often these days. Some time after she finished graduate school and got her first job, after she met and married a man and started her own life, after she had a child and became a mother, we eased into a new stage—a new relationship—for the two of us. Finally, after the inevitably stormy years of her adolescence and my clumsy transition from the mother of small children to young-adult gatekeeper, a time when we butted heads often and disagreed on almost everything, something wonderful has happened. We are on the same side.
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In some ways our roles have reversed. Now she’s the stressed mother, anxious to do the right thing, sometimes overwhelmed by the ups and downs of life. And I am more carefree. She wakes up and asks herself, “How will I get it all done today?” And I sometimes have the almost-forgotten luxury of asking myself, “What will I do today?” My daughter often asks for and seems grateful for my advice. And I feel the same way. I go to her when I need a clearer head than my own because, in many ways, she’s already the kind of person I always wanted to be. This is not to say we never disagree. We do, but not often. And now when we disagree, we do so like adults. Like friends. Like two people who each values the opinions of the other. I thought about this as we sat in the spa, comparing our polished toes, and I was filled with gratitude for the good fortune of having made it this far. My mother died young, when my daughter was two years old, and I didn’t have much time with her as an adult. Through the years, watching my children grow, blindly feeling my way through the darkest stages of motherhood, I’ve often wondered how she would relate my adult self to the child I was in her memory. With good fortune, I will get to experience this transition again, with each of my children, as one by one they bloom and move into the fullness of the lives they are creating for themselves. To be honest, it is something I never considered as I brought each new baby home. But, in its way, this time of life is just as tender and just as sweet. Cheryl-Anne Millsap’s audio essays can be heard on Spokane Public Radio and on public radio stations across the country. She is the author of Home Planet: A Life in Four Seasons and can be reached at catmillsap@gmail.com.
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April - May 2014
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fly fishing
y l F g n i h s i F
It’s Where it Takes You in Life
By Larry Ray
T
he early morning chill is still in the air as several fishermen sit in their cars at a parking lot in Spokane’s West Plains, engines idling, waiting for their companions. As they arrive, gear is transferred to the waiting vehicles as quick goodbyes are shared with spouses who will return home. Then the little caravan, on an outing sponsored by the Spokane Fly Fishers, leaves for north-central Washington. Dawn beckons and anticipation quickens as the party moves through agricultural and sage country to its destination— Omak Lake, on the Colville Indian Reservation near the town of the same name. On arrival, the party divides itself
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among the three available boats. After sharing information on fishing locations and recommended flies, and reminding each other about tribal restrictions around some lakeshore locations, each speeds off. They head their separate ways, exploring the lake and fishing until they rendezvous for lunch. More than half the fishers on this trip are retirees. The party on one boat is comprised of a retired Air Force Colonel, a retired Master Sergeant, and a retired federal civil servant. Meanwhile, an Air Force pilot shares his boat with another retired Sergeant. Fly fishing appeals to retirees simply because they have the time to practice and master the sport. Fly fishing appeals to me for several
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Above: Jeff Johnson walked away with the “big fish” story of the day, a 29-inch Lahontan cutthroat. Inset: Shoreline lunch break.
reasons. There is, first, fly fishing’s practical side. Fly fishing seems simply more productive. Think about it—when fishing flies, you spend most of your time with your terminal gear (the fly) in the water, in front of fish, without frequently replacing messy bait. There is ease in quickly picking up the fly and recasting to a fish that shows. The flies are made of materials that pulsate and appear lifelike in the water. Also, there is very little weighty gear between the fisherman and the fish and the battle is more direct, with smaller fish having a sporting chance. But fly fishing also has a contemplative appeal. There is something relaxing, yet stimulating, about it. The casting keeps the fisher constantly active, yet one can
still ponder and contemplate. Fly fishing allows the practice of what we call catch and release—the fish are usually hooked lightly in the lip and can be quickly returned to the water, unharmed. After a quick examination of an individual trout, admiring all its color and conformation unique to its species and drainage, I get real satisfaction from returning it to its home. That allows me to feel connected to the fish, as though we have somehow shared something. It has been said in the fly fishing fraternity that a fish is something too valuable to catch only once. I think most of us believe that. Kurt Temple notes some of the changes he has seen over time. “A larger percentage of our membership is comprised of women now, although a few are real veterans of the sport. One, Carolyn Sells, has been fly fishing and talking about it on local TV for years. Other women members actively serve the club as instructors, organizers, and officers. A nice, more recent development has been the outreach to wounded veterans provided by Project Healing Waters. That program offers wounded vets, through fly fishing and fly tying, a chance to connect to the outdoors and to regain the confidence generated by successful recreation.” The Spokane Fly Fishers actively support Project Healing Waters and provide other opportunities for those new to the sport. In addition to outings, the club sponsors classes in fly casting, fly tying for three different levels of expertise, and water safety. There are activities, such as fly auctions and equipment raffles, at some monthly membership meetings, which, in addition to providing fun
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fly fishing
for the members, raise funds to support these activities. There is an extravaganza each spring during which various fly fishing shops and related businesses, as well as fish and wildlife agencies, promote the sport and share information. After a picnic lunch, the outing on Omak Lake resumes with boats heading off again to different destinations. The members agree, however, to meet at the south end of the lake in the late afternoon. Omak Lake’s fish are a unique strain of cutthroat trout—Lahontan cutthroats—that are native to alkaline desert lakes found primarily in Nevada’s Lahontan Basin. Noted for their rapid growth and large size, their introduction to Omak Lake has created a fine fishery for area
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fly fishers. Lahontan cutthroats are known to congregate where wind and waves wash food into the water near shore, a fairly common development late in the day on Omak’s south end. As the boats arrive there near evening, the wind and fishing do indeed pick up. Several large fish are landed and Jeff Johnson catches one that seems noticeably larger than the others. It measures a lengthy twenty-eight inches and Johnson, at the end of the day, receives both the congratulations and the good-natured ribbing that comes with such accomplishment. Omak Lake is just one of many fly fishing opportunities in and around Spokane, most located within a half-day’s drive or less. The Spokane Fly Fishers actively encourage their members to take advantage of these
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Above: Kurt Tempel’s big catch of the day, a Lahontan cutthroat. Inset: Birds-eye view of Omak Lake.
almost limitless opportunities by sponsoring outings, such as the one described, and through instruction. The club is open to anyone interested in fly fishing, from kids to adults and families. It meets regularly from September through May, while closing during the three summer months to avoid disturbing members’ fishing plans. Larry Ray lives in Spokane and fly fishes area lakes and streams when he is not in the field hunting with his best friends, his goshawk, Maggie, and beagle, Pixi. You can find more information on the Spokane Fly Fishers by visiting www.spokaneflyfishers.com.
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retirement
Living it Up By Darin Burt
More choices available to retirees and seniors seeking living arrangements that suit their lifestyle 20
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A
s more and more baby boomers are turning the page into their senior years, they are increasingly aware of what their retirement living may look like and are demanding more amenities. And they are finding that options in terms of lifestyle and care are as varied and unique as they are. “Seniors are living longer and more active lives than in any other generation, and as a result the retirement living industry is responding by offering features and amenities never before seen in retirement communities,� says Kathy Bryant, Real Estate Agent with CENTURY 21 Beutler & Associates.
Bryant does more than sell homes; as a Senior Real Estate Specialist, she helps guide older adults into the next chapter in their lives—whether that is an independent or assisted living community. “Many folks are living in their homes long past when it is safe for them to be doing so,” Bryant says. “Many people are starting to move into retirement communities at a younger age because they want the freedom to do things they’ve always dreamed of without having the responsibilities of homeownership.” With so many choices, Bryant says the solution to making a smooth transition is to be proactive and explore the options, if possible, well ahead of the need. With that in mind, we visited with some of the retirement communities in the Spokane area to discover a little of what makes them special. What we found is that they are each special in their own way, and are ready and able to make their residents feel special too. Affinity Living Communities in Spokane, on the South Hill and Mill Road, are truly independent living communities for active older adults. What makes Affinity different? For starters, it’s amazingly affordable, with no need to buy-in or sign a lengthy contract—you simply rent. Add to that about 30,000 square feet of extra living space and a fun social vibe living around people your age—and it makes for a perfect place to settle in. In 2009, seeing a lack of quality apartments designed for independent people 55 and over, Inland Group, a Spokane-based company that specializes in high-density residential development and construction, set out to redefine housing for the vibrant 55 plus age group that was not being served by traditional retirement communities, and to provide a much-needed affordable alternative to the historically expensive options in this category. “It’s the first step into downsizing or retiring,” says director of asset management Scott Scelfo. “Many of our residents still work or are newly retired and they just want to simplify their lives.” Affinity Living is very much like a traditional condominium complex, except that people of like age surround you, and there is a significant amount of social activities within the community. Residents gather at the pub for happy hour, participate in water aerobics at the indoor pool, and share interests in clubs for everything from quilting to movies. Activities are organized by residents, not by community directors—so if they’d rather
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retirement
just relax in their apartment, complete with full-size kitchen and big, roomy baths, that’s fine too. As they say at Affinity, you can retire young, or not at all. Before Evergreen Fountains opened in 2008, the management team visited similar care facilities in Arizona where residents were enjoying active, healthy lives. “We wanted to bring those concepts to the Spokane area to attract a more active segment in the Baby Boomer generation that we see coming up,” says Gene Arger, marketing director of the Spokane Valley senior living community. It’s a simple, yet all-encompassing mission: Encouraging residents to enjoy their own independent lifestyle centered on physical, mental and spiritual health. The community focused on personal wellness from the get-go. Their fitness facility is complete with a warm-water pool—kept a soothing 88 degrees, and exercise equipment specifically designed to adapt to senior bodies and abilities. Evergreen Fountains’s wellness director and classes are certified by the Arthritis Foundation. Many classes center on improving strength, flexibility and balance—particularly important as about one third of the elder population over the age of 65 falls each year, and the risk of falls increases proportionately with age. Many of the classes are also open to the outside public. The programs have been so successful and inspiring that nearly seventy-five percent of residents actively participate. One gentleman lost thirty pounds, and one woman actually became taller as her posture improved. Everyone involved is feeling fit and refreshed. “Ultimately,
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our goal is to help people regain their independence and improve their quality of life,” Arger says. From cottage homes for independent living to independent and assisted living apartments, Orchard Crest offers seniors a variety of creative living options without them having to worry about moving to a new home. “We change with you as you need so that you can remain living a quality life,” says Dianna Carter, director of community relations. “Our floating license allows us to give care when someone needs it in their home or apartment without them having to relocate because their life is changing. “Many seniors struggle with being passed from place to place—from the doctor to the hospital and even outside services or other agencies,” Carter adds. “Making decisions about what to do can be difficult when the person can’t remain in their home.” Active seniors are a big part of the Orchard Crest community, and benefit from a safe environment and supportive neighbors and staff. Orchard Crest extends their reach to families, and even the outside community, through monthly wellness workshops focused on senior needs and empowering them for success. Several residents have celebrated their 100th birthday at Orchard Crest. Carter has seen a trend of “younger folks” looking at this option as their home for life. People are looking for a “lifestyle now,” Carter explains, rather than being stuck with the thought of having to go to an old-fashioned nursing home. Riverview is a 30-acre campus along the beautiful Spokane River that offers
a full spectrum of senior housing and care solutions and a continuum of care, from well-appointed independent residences to assisted living and skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Riverview is special in that it is a Christian organization affiliated with the Lutheran Church, providing support and care in a Christ centered environment. “We are passionate for all. It brings people together in a unique way because it gives them a spiritual tie,” says assisted living administrator Melissa Goetz. Many residents are in their middle to late eighties, but still have a healthy body and mind. They are active not only in Bible classes and church services to maintain their spiritual health, but also in improving their physical condition. With that in mind, Riverview recently completed construction of a $5 million aquatic and fitness center complete with therapy and lap pools, and lazy river for a relaxing float; specialized workout equipment; and an indoor walking track. The aquatic center coordinator recruits local fitness trainers and instructors from community colleges to teach a variety of exercise classes. And if that’s not enough to keep residents busy, there’s a woodworking workshop and a crafting studio where they can express themselves at their leisure. “It’s like a small town here and people get to know one another and interact on many different levels,” says Goetz. “We don’t want retirement living to be boring; we want our residents to have things they can look forward to and be excited about.” Since 1960, the mission of Rockwood Retirement Communities is to provide innovative retirement living options for seniors from affordable apartments to luxury homes. The latest project is the recent ground breaking of an 11-story apartment tower called The Summit at Rockwood South Hill. In designing this new living option, developers took a nod from focus groups who shared their desires should they choose retirement living in their future. “We’re at a point in retirement living where people want a lot of individuality,” says director of marketing Eowyn Sallis. “They want to customize and have their space be their home.” Most of the new tower’s units will range from 900 square feet to 1,970 square feet. The top two floors will offer “penthouse” units, ranging from 1,050 square feet to 2,210 square feet. The apartments will provide stunning views of
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retirement
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the surrounding region, quality interior finishes, full kitchens, and most will have large balconies, making them the most spacious and comfortable in the area. The building will include a chapel, library, cultural center, theater, rooftop lounge, fitness center, and multiple dining venues. The Summit raises the bar at Rockwood yet again. It’s just another example of why this longstanding community is Spokane’s only accredited continuum care campuses—an important factor because it means that they have been observed by an outside agency to ensure they are using best practices not only in business, but also in the care of residents. A large part of the mission at Good Samaritan Spokane Valley is doing God’s work in word and deed. They offer nondenominational religious services, and they reach out to the local community by supporting a variety of charities and hosting educational seminars. Good Samaritan is actively involved with the Senior Action Network of Eastern Washington that promotes healthy independence and security for seniors through volunteer services, fundraising and community outreach events. “We see the need, and not only are we serving residents in our own community, but we are reaching outside of ourselves and really providing the love that God expects us to bring to the table,” says marketing and senior living director Claudia Ouwerkerk. As a continuum of care style retirement community, Good Samaritan offers a variety of service settings utilized by residents as well as those living in the outside community. They regularly host workshops on senior related topics such as downsizing and organization, financial and estate planning, and fall prevention.
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Good Samaritan also partners with Infinity Rehab for inpatient and outpatient therapy needs, providing both clinic-based and in-home rehabilitation programs in their on-site clinic. Infinity Rehab was established with the intention of focusing on comprehensive therapy for older adults and takes pride in providing high quality, clinically intensive, comprehensive care to the older adult population. According to an AARP report, ninety percent of individuals over the age of fifty-five would prefer to remain in their homes. At the same time, according to longtermcare.gov, seventy percent of those seniors will require long-term care. That’s where home health care can be a perfect option. Family Home Care, locally owned in Spokane since 1966, is one of the few home care agencies to employee registered nurses, and thus are able to offer a broader scope of services as they are licensed as both a home care and home health care agency. “We find statistically that individuals choose and retain home care companies based on the quality of caregivers,” says president Jeff Wiberg. In an industry challenged with high employee turnover, Family Home Care has a combined total of longevity of some 600 years. They provide their staff with comprehensive training programs and excellent compensation, and are endorsed as Best of Home Care by Home Care Pulse. “Being an employer of choice means that caregivers stay with us longer, are higher trained and exercising the most of their skills and abilities toward quality of care,” Wiberg says. That in turn leads to more informed care and a relationship of trust between
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retirement
caregiver and client. “Having a consistent relationship is one of the keys to success,” Wiberg says. “Having a caregiver who is well-trained, congenial, has a big heart and a holistic approach can make a world of difference.” Having worked as a registered nurse, Tiffany Murphy, owner of Senior Helpers of Spokane, has the background to effectively assess a client’s needs and address questions and concerns about
their challenges and care options when the decision has been made to stay at home. Senior Helpers of Spokane offers a range of services, including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, personal and companion care, senior care management and evaluation, surgery assistance, sitter services, contracted care through the VA community based services, and much more, so seniors may continue living
independently at home. Even though an individual may be in good enough health that they don’t need the help of an RN, they may still require assistance with the chores of daily living and personal care. “We provide a safe environment to all of our clients so they can remain as independent as possible in their own home,” Murphy says. That sense of security extends to family members who may worry about their loved ones living on their own. Alzheimer’s disease can present one of the most frustrating situations faced by caregivers and family. The Senior Gems Program, developed through the national Senior Helpers network, is the first of its kind in the in-home care industry— this step-by-step program teaches family members what is happening to their loved one, why they are acting the way they are, how to communicate better with them, the activities that can help maximize their capabilities, reduce fear, aggression and confusion, and ways to improve the interactions with everyone involved. “We look at it not as what they have lost,” Murphy says, “but as what they can still do.”
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April - May 2014
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finances
Prepare for Health Care Costs in Retirement By Carla Brooks, Financial Advisor
A
s you save and invest for retirement, what are your ultimate goals? Do you plan on traveling the world? Purchasing a vacation home? Pursuing your hobbies? People often think about and plan for these costs. Yet, too often, many of us overlook what potentially could be a major expense during our retirement years: health care. By preparing for these costs, you can help yourself enjoy the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned.
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Many of us may ignore the impact of health care costs because we just assume Medicare will pay for everything. But that’s not the case. In estimating health care costs during retirement, you may find that $4,000 to $6,000 per year per person for traditional medical expenses is a good starting point, although the amount varies by individual. Furthermore, this figure does not include the costs of longterm care, which can be considerable. To illustrate: The national average for home health aide services is nearly $45,000 per
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year, and a private room in a nursing home is nearly $84,000 per year, according to a recent survey by Genworth, a financial security company. So what can you do to help cope with these costs? Here are a few suggestions: Estimate your costs. Try to estimate what your out-of-pocket health care costs might be, based on your health, your age at retirement, whatever supplemental insurance you may carry and other factors. Know the key dates. Things can change in your life, but try to identify, as closely
F E A T U R E D A R T I S T S I ra G ard n er
as possible, the age at which you plan to retire. This will help you spot any coverage gaps before you become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Also, be aware of the seven-month window for enrolling in Medicare, beginning three months before your 65th birthday. Review your insurance options. Medicare-approved insurance companies offer some other parts to Medicare, including Part D, which covers prescription drugs; Medigap, which covers gaps in Parts A and B (in-hospital expenses, doctor services, outpatient care and some preventive services); and Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage, which is designed to replace Parts A, B, Medigap and, potentially, part D). You have several options for Part D, Medigap and Medicare Advantage, each with varying coverage and costs, so choose the plans that best fit your needs. (To learn more about Medicare and supplemental insurance, go to www.medicare.gov.) Develop a long-term care strategy. To meet long-term care costs, you could selfinsure or purchase insurance coverage. To learn about long-term care insurance
solutions, contact your financial advisor. Invest for growth and rising income. Health care costs typically rise as you move further into retirement, so make sure that a reasonable portion of your assets is allocated to investments with the potential for both growth and rising income. Think about health care directives. If you were to become incapacitated, you might be unable to make health care decisions—and these decisions may affect not only your quality of life but also your financial situation, and that of your family. Talk to your legal advisor about establishing a health care directive, which allows you to name someone to make choices on your behalf. Health care costs during your retirement may be unavoidable. But by anticipating these costs, you can put yourself in a position to deal with them —and that’s a healthy place to be. Carla Brooks, AAMS, is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. She can be reached at (509) 924-0581 or via email at Carla. Brooks@edwardjones.com.
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April - May 2014
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people
By Cheryl-Anne Millsap
A
Prime: What brought you to Spokane? The last of my many husbands owned a small ranch with his brother on the West Plains and we moved here in what I remember as “The Great Winter of ’89 and ’90” when the temperature got down to minus 40 degrees. Really! It was an unsuccessful residential alliance, but despite the weather, I stayed here. For someone from the beach, rural Spokane was darn exotic. This was when we still had a stockyard, just two nice restaurants, no Starbucks, no Huckleberry’s. What has kept you here? I decided to bloom where I’d been planted. I met Sally Pierone and her pals, a group calling themselves The Rolling Crones.
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Retiring: Nancy Roth
fter more than 20 years working for Spokane Public Radio, Nancy Roth will be retiring at the end of May. When asked how old she is replies, “I’m either 13 or 76.” We asked her to share her story and vision for life after retirement.
Along with meeting some artistically sophisticated neighbors, the Keebles, the group was balm to the displaced Californian in me. Later on, I found Peaceful Valley, a neighborhood where I felt comfortable, and I got engaged with the political life of that community. And then I found a great job working for Spokane Public Radio. What was your early involvement with Spokane Public Radio? The only familiar thing in my new environment was the sound of public radio. So when the station had a Pledge Drive, I volunteered and I’ve been with the station, in one way or another, ever since.
You’ve done everything from on-air to producing. Share how you and the station grew together. At that time, KPBX was about ten years old, a basic public radio station with something for everyone. The staff consisted of many of the people who are still at the station, Verne Windham among them, and it was Verne who gave me opportunities to learn what I needed to know. Thanks to Doug Nadvornick, news director at the time, I began to do culture interviews, even winning a journalism award, of which I’m very proud.
How do you engage others socially? How important is community involvement? I don’t like “exercise” but I love to dance, so I do Zumba, and I use the great resources of the Y, the Community Colleges and the Senior Centers, and walking and biking in season. I’ve been very fortunate in working with a group of people who daily keep me engaged and laughing. I meet monthly with a small group of friends who are discussing retirement. We call ourselves “RED,” which stands for “Retired Extremely Dangerous.” I don’t know if that should have a comma or What kept you at it for more than 20 years? not: we don’t have a tee shirt. I also have weekly breakfasts It’s a great working environment, with bright, funny people. with friends, where we often talk politics and community isIt keeps me in touch with the visual arts and music communisues. I’ve learned not to be afraid of talking to strangers. ties, the museum, librarians, and other interesting folks. I’ve It’s easy to become isolated, especially in winter, and with had wonderful opportunities to write and produce programs, a limited budget. I’m very aware that I’ll need to build in meet and write for people like Susan Stamberg and Paula another form of daily socialization to keep myself going. I go Poundstone, to whom I gave a little lecture to church, and am currently functioning as an on columnar basalt. I have great friends Episcopalian, though I have a foot in with the “I’m not opposed to ‘doing I’ve met through my work. Unitarians. I belong to the Community Choir. nothing’ for a little while, but I fully expect that I’ll do regular volunteering of Things have changed a great deal what I really look forward to some kind. since the beginning of Public Rais doing things I’ve put off dio. What has been gained and There is such a “I can’t wait to retire or haven’t had time to do. I what has been lost? and do nothing” mentality in this counwant to take classes in art I think we’ve gained much more than try. How are you different? Was your we’ve lost. Advances in technology have and history, go camping, visit decision to work into your 70s as much enabled community producers all over the friends and family, take naps a financial choice as a lifestyle choice? country and the world to do amazing sound I’m not opposed to “doing nothing” for a little (even after breakfast) and production and exciting stories of all kinds. while, but what I really look forward to is doing spend all day at the library.” things I’ve put off or haven’t had time to do. I The addition of two program streams at Spokane Public Radio has tripled service want to take classes in art and history, go campto the SPR listening community. ing, visit friends and family, take naps, even afAt the same time, the costs of broadcasting have risen, and ter breakfast, spend all day at the library. our audience has gotten older. I worry about maintaining and When I complained that I couldn’t afford to retire, my growing the public radio audience. Public radio is an irredaughter convinced me that it was time to begin spending placeable resource for us as citizens. my savings. The light dawned—that’s what they were for! You’ve been closely involved in the literary side of Spokane Public Radio. Do you write? What do you like to read? I write as my job requires or offers opportunity. I particularly like writing comedy sketches like some I’ve written in the past for station events. I was heavily influenced in my youth by Bob and Ray, The Firesign Theater and The Goon Show. As to literature, I’m currently nuts about Michael Chabon’s latest book, Telegraph Avenue. He’s one of my favorite writers, as are Alice Munro, Gary Shteyngart, Lorrie Moore, S.J. Perelman, Dave Eggers, Nicholson Baker, Grace Paley. I also like to read American history and lots of other things.
You’re officially retiring on May 31. What do you plan to do and what kind of role do you hope to play in the future of SPR? The first thing I’m going to do is take a leisurely car trip and visit friends and family for as long as they’ll have me. After that, I’ll punt. It would be nice to be an SPR Emerita, with a badge of some sort, and maybe to continue as an independent producer. What do you want others to know about you? I’m both more and less serious than I may appear to be.
April - May 2014
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By Dennis Held
S
pokane author Jess Walter, a self-described “streak shooter,” lofts his high-arcing rainbow jumper from 24 feet out. Swish. Sometimes, he’ll drive from the right side, throw a little hitchstep to rock the defender back on his heels—usually, that’s me—then he slips a quick cut to the left and tosses up a slick bank-shot runner in the lane. Nothing you can do but say, “Sweet” afterward. There’s a lot of that, even from the guys on the other team: “Good look,” “Nice pass,” and “Check out the finger roll.” That last comment is directed at Carl Richardson, who teaches art at SFCC. Carl brings the muscle—that’s him with the tattoed arms in the photograph—and an easy smile to every game he plays. He also brings a boatload of hustle to his game, chasing down loose balls, getting more than his share of rebounds and steals. But nobody hustles more than Gonzaga English professor and poet Tod Marshall. At about five and a half feet tall, Marshall is a whirling, churning guard, a quick-release passer with great court vision and an unending source of energy: at the end of our hour and a half, when most of us are dragging our sorry old-guy asses up and down the floor, Tod’s still buzzing around, leaving his defender—that’s me again—exhausted, hands on knees as Tod launches another unlikely 28-footer. More often than not, they go in. Tod’s also the organizer, renting the Jefferson Junior-high gym and posting emails to everybody once a week, coaxing us to play. About a dozen of us are on the email list, and anywhere from six to ten might show up any given Tuesday. If there are six of us, we play halfcourt, eight or more and we go full. Either way, it’s a lot of running. A basket from beyond the arc is worth two points in our game, a regular basket is one point. A game is up to
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eleven, but you have to win by two, so sometimes a game will drag on, 14 to 15, 15 to 16, until somebody hits one of those bombardier long shots and we all breathe a sigh of relief. Make no mistake, we all want to win, we still compete, and at our age especially you have to play hard to play well. If you try to hold back too much, you can get hurt, or worse, by coming in late on defense, commit a hard foul that could hurt someone else. That’s the elephant in the gym: basketball is notoriously hard on old guys. At our age—say 30-something to 60 or so—an injury that might get better in a week in a younger person, can take months to heal. So we play by a set of agreed-upon rules that we restate every week: no hard fouls, stay under control, and call your own fouls; that is, the person who commits the foul fesses up. It’s an attitude of respect, and it fosters an odd kind of caring among men in an otherwise sweat-soaked hard-running scene. We watch out for each other. To keep playing, we make concessions. These days, it takes me almost as long to stretch and strap on my braces—ankle, knee, wrist—as it takes to play a full game. And we all stretch, before the game, and it’s probably rather pathetic to watch: duck-walking quad thrusters and sitters on the floor bending forward, grabbing toes; calf-workers pushing against walls. Then, we pick teams, trying to balance height and skill levels on both sides. We’re no giants. At about six-foot three, Scott Orme, who teaches at SCC, is usually the tallest man on the floor. He’s also got a deadly outside shot, a pancake-flat jumper that shouldn’t go in, as hard as he shoots it, but it almost always does fall through. He’s spindly and long-armed and blocks a ridiculous number of shots. He’s often covered by Andy Dinnison, who owns Atticus coffee shop and Boo Radley’s, the gift and
toy store. Andy matches a strong inside game with one of the best wits on the floor. There are as many jokes as rebounds in our game, and that’s another reason we all keep coming back: the camaraderie, the goodwill that pulls us back to the floor again and again. Now, the truth is, it’s not all roses out there on the hardwood. Jess isn’t the only streak shooter. We all have off nights, when there’s a lid on the basket and you can’t buy a hoop. That’s still no fun, no matter how old you are. And there are bruises and skinned knees and sprains, collisions and fallings out of bounds. Sometimes, somebody comes up limping and has to miss a game or two. I know it won’t be long before I play my last game. I’m 55 years old, and so far I’ve been lucky, in terms of injuries, knock on hardwood. My joints are still the original equipment. As I get older, I cultivate a wide assortment of tricky, underhanded shots to compensate for my lost quickness. I’ve even worked up a serviceable left-handed hook. Shooters respect my defense. What more could I ask? Once a week, I nestle into a place where I am judged by my abilities, which includes my ability to get along, to play nice. I wind up wrung-out and smiling at the end of a couple of hours, my t-shirt sweated through, and I reconnect with my buddies, which gets harder and harder to do in this world of electronic communication and other forms of dislocation. This is physical, and no amount of virtual anything feels the same way. Maybe that’s why we fight so hard to keep playing, to set back as far as possible that awful, inevitable day we hang up our sneakers forever. It’s exercise, sure, but it’s more, a connection to our past that keeps us together in the present, and offers hope for connection in the future.
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Good Joint Health By Gary Craig, MD of Arthritis Northwest, PLLC
R
heumatoid arthritis is a debilitating, lifelong disease that can lead to severe joint deformity and disability that can interfere with a patient’s ability to perform daily living activities, and can ultimately lead to the permanent loss of gainful employment and social functioning. Utilizing new technology such as the JointMan Platform to track their disease activity, rheumatologists are empowered to work more closely with their patients and to improve overall health outcomes. There are two classes of joint disease that can dramatically impact one’s daily living activities: degenerative and inflammatory joint disease. You are born with only one set of joints, and you cannot regenerate them (though a few can be replaced—knees, hips, shoulders, etc.). All joint damage is permanent. Often, damaging a joint leads to subsequent premature wear and tear, just as driving on a damaged car tire would decrease the lifespan of that tire. The most easily and frequently damaged joints are the knees. The best way to protect them is to keep your weight down and keep your leg muscles in good shape through weight-bearing or strengthening exercises. Some types of sports such as jumping sports, contact team sports, and skiing are more likely
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to lead to knee injuries, so special care should be taken if you’re involved in these types of activities. Shoulder rotator cuff tendons are easily damaged in throwing sports and activities involving a lot of lifting or reaching. High-grade tears typically lead to tremendous range of motion loss and premature degenerative arthritis in the shoulder. Again, common sense and regular strengthening exercises are the best preventive measures. Some types of degenerative arthritis—such as hip osteoarthritis—are somewhat more difficult as there is little you can actually do to prevent them, outside of avoiding major injuries. The most common, damaging
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inflammatory joint diseases are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Individuals with these diseases should be followed by an arthritis specialist (a rheumatologist). Joint inflammation from these diseases can cause permanent and progressive joint damage in as little as a year. The only way to prevent this from happening is to use potent medications and careful follow-up by a physician who knows how to track the number of actively inflamed joints and determine if changes in therapy are necessary. Rheumatologists at Arthritis Northwest in Spokane use patientcentric technology called JointMan to track patient outcomes. They begin by recording joint information at each visit via a patented point-and-click, color-coded homunculus. Once in the system, this data is used to track biologic and DMARD effectiveness over time. Collecting a standardized clinical data set is a requirement for high practice performance and excellent patient care. Analyzed data helps identify trends, predict outcomes, influence therapy choices, and improve care as both physician and patient work toward a low disease activity state. Arthritis affects each patient differently. The key to successful management is to work closely in collaboration with your physician, and follow prescribed treatment plans with diligence. Through close monitoring of patient outcomes, we’re making progress in how we diagnose, treat, and manage a disease that affects millions of Americans each year.
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inspiration
Vintage Postcard Lower Falls card mailed to Ellendale, Minnesota, in 1918, stated: Hello Everybody: Well am quite a ways from home now. I am surely enjoying it. So many interesting things to see that I have never seen like before. Picture of this waterfall is right in town and streets steeper than any hills down there and mountains all around town. Oh it’s nice to see. From Martha This image was excerpted from Vintage Postcards From Old Spokane, by Tornado Creek Publications. For more images and stories from our region’s past, visit www.tornadocreekpublications. com or call (509) 838-7114.
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