Issue 13: What's Your Heritage? by PS Magazine

NO. 13

What’s Your Heritage?

PS MAGA ZINE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE 13

Redefining Beauty at the Miss Navajo Pageant

THE VETERAN’S HISTORY PROJECT

Why You Should Consider At-Home DNA Testing

Cuba Then and Now Elliott Erwitt’s Photo Essay

This holiday season give the gift of

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Ancestry & Heritage November/December 2015 Issue 13

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

A Sacred Crown: Redefining Beauty at the Miss Navajo Pageant Photographs by JULIEN MCROBERTS Text by CHRISTINA BURNS

From Cuba with Love: Elliott Erwittâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photo Essay from Now and Then

8 Remember When 12 Did You Know? 14 Health & Wellness: Unraveling Your DNA 19 Dr. Lori: The Anatomy of Music 22 Life with The Eden Alternative: Mariachi and Mom 24 Tip of the Hat: A Nation of Immigrants

IN EVERY ISSUE

by CHRISTINA BURNS

Life Stories: The Veterans History Project

Letter from the Publisher

48 Books: The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende 49 Fun & Games 52

Left: New arrivals in Ellis Island were assigned immigrant identification tags that were worn on their clothes as they went through the process of inspection, c. 1915. PHOTO: BAIN NEWS SERVICE, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

for (Grand) Children

56 Horoscopes 60 Puzzle Solutions 64 The Last Laugh

LE T TE R FROM THE PUBLI SHE R

bout 10 years ago, I had the exceptionally good fortune of moving to Europe with my family and spending a few years working for a multi-national company. My position there included lots of travel around the globe, and it afforded me the opportunity to maintain relations with colleagues and business partners whose proud ancestries had local roots in each of this planet’s six populated continents. As I reveled in my exposure to such a diversity of global cultures on their home turfs, so to speak, I also enjoyed my unofficial position of being the only American in most of those situations. Often ribbed playfully (but sometimes less so) as someone from a country without a true cultural heritage, I would attempt to enlighten my cohorts with the awareness of America’s richest and most-defining characteristic: our national heritage is our peoples’ shared acceptance of everyone’s culture. While, of course, one could challenge such a claim with specific examples to the contrary, I believe Americans are overwhelmingly united because we are such a melting pot of the world’s ancestries. Today, whether I find myself in New York City, Los Angeles, Topeka, or Key West, I am both aware of and take comfort in the diversity of our population, enjoying the exposure we have to the world’s cultures here at home… thanks to our proud history of accepting people from all walks of life. In this issue of PS Magazine, we invite you to join us as we continue the American tradition of celebrating and honoring the importance of everyone’s heritage. As always, please find a comfortable space and enjoy a read of the feature articles and pieces contained herein. Chances are, you might just learn something new about one of your friends or neighbors! Sincerely,

John Polatz Publisher and CEO 6

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PUBLISHER AND CEO

VICE PRESIDENT — ADMINISTRATION & LICENSING

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EDITOR IN CHIEF

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ART DIRECTOR

VICE PRESIDENT — TECHNOLOGY

Elle Chyun

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EDITORS AT LARGE

VICE PRESIDENT — BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Lori Stevic-Rust Laura Beck, The Eden Alternative CONTRIBUTORS

Walter Backerman Julien McRoberts

PS Magazine is published by PS Lifestyle LLC 55 Public Square Suite 1180 Cleveland, OH 44113 Phone: (440) 600-1595 Fax: (440) 848-8560 © 2015 PS Lifestyle LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. To order a subscription or to distribute PS Magazine at your business, contact info@pslifestyle.com Cover: Photograph of Elliott Erwitt by Brian Smith

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Kristin Hinkson DIRECTOR — PROCUREMENT & LOGISTICS

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Debra Moore

POP CULTURE, NEWS, AND EVENTS FROM PAST DECADES

Remember When... 1935

1945

The MGM film adaptation of Mutiny on the Bounty, starring Charles Laughton and Clark Gable, was released to critical acclaim and commercial success.

The Nuremberg Trials against Nazi war criminals indicted on charges including crimes against peace and against humanity began in Nuremberg, Germany. PHOTO: AP PHOTO/B.I. SANDERS

Musician Charlie “Yardbird” Parker began his music career with several local jazz and blues bands in Kansas City, Missouri.

The toy Slinky was introduced at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia, and all 400 units sold out in ninety minutes.

PHOTO: WILLIAM P. GOTTLIEB COLLECTION

PHOTO: 123RF

1955

Dorcas Reilly from the Campbell Soup Company created the iconic holiday side dish, green bean casserole.

1965

1975

Lawyer and author Ralph Nader’s bestselling book, Unsafe at Any Speed, hit bookstores, prompting car safety measures including seatbelt laws in 49 states. PHOTO: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

PHOTO: COURTESY OF CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY

The Milos Forman directed film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, starring Jack Nicholson, was released in theaters. PHOTO: UNIVERSAL HISTORY ARCHIVE/UIG VIA GETTY IMAGES

Musician Bo Diddley made his national television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show performing his song, “Bo Diddley”. PHOTO: MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVES/GETTY IMAGES

The Great Northeast Blackout affected 30 million people in all of New York State, most of New England, parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada. PHOTO: AP PHOTO

The first fully functional calculator watch was launched by Pulsar as a limited edition in 18-karat gold for $3,950. PHOTO: COURTESY HAMILTON WATCH COMPANY

1985

1995

2005

Pixar Animation Studio’s movie, Toy Story, was the first entirely computergenerated animated feature and was the highest grossing film of the year. IMAGE: COURTESY PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS

Entertainer and former teen heartthrob Ricky Nelson was tragically killed in a plane crash northeast of Dallas, Texas on New Year’s Eve. PHOTO: AP PHOTO

Radio host Howard Stern held his final show of The Howard Stern Show on commercial radio. PHOTO: ANDY KROPA/INVISION/AP

More than six years after its launch, the Galileo spacecraft’s probe parachuted down to Jupiter to become the first manmade object to touch an outer planet. CREDIT: NASA/JPL

Television sportscaster Howard Cosell retired from ABC following the release of his autobiography.

Actor and comedian Richard Pryor died from a heart attack in Los Angeles, California at the age of 65.

PHOTO: AP PHOTO

Remember When... Rosa Parks Challenged Segregation

n December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a 42-year-old African-American woman in Montgomery City, Alabama, quietly refused to move from her seat on the basis of her race, setting in motion the Montgomery bus boycott and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Although she was in the first row of seats available to black passengers, when the white section became full, the driver insisted that she along with three others move to give their seats to white passengers who had entered the bus. In previous incidents others had taken similar actions to hers and at the time, she was actively fighting for civil rights and secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP. However, her refusal to move was not pre-meditated. “I did not get on the bus to get arrested; I got on the bus to go home. Getting arrested was one of the worst days in my life,” Ms. Parks later wrote. “I was just tired of giving in…. When I made that decision, I knew that I had the strength of my ancestors with me.” Above: Bus no. 2857, believed to be the Rosa Parks bus, has been restored and is on view at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. COPYRIGHT © THE HENRY FORD

Left: Rosa Parks being fingerprinted by Police Lt. D.H. Lackey in Montgomery, AL. (AP PHOTO/GENE HERRICK)

DID YOU KNOW

Food historians have traced the first known recipe for gingerbread all the way back to Greece in 2400 BC. By the late Middle Ages, the hard cookies were a staple at medieval fairs and festivals in England, France, Holland, and Germany. Queen Elizabeth I is credited with the idea of decorating the cookies—she ordered some made to resemble the dignitaries visiting her court. Gingerbread houses originated in 16th century Germany and were popularized in the Brothers Grimm tale of “Hansel and Gretel.” In colonial New England, the cookies were often cut into patriotic shapes like the American eagle. There is even a well-preserved recipe by George Washington’s mother, Mary Ball Washington, which was served to the Marquis de Lafayette and thereafter known as Lafayette Gingerbread. Today, gingerbread houses and cookies are a beloved American tradition during the holidays.

PHOTO: 123RF

The Long History of Gingerbread

US Army General George S. Patton, Jr., whose leadership was instrumental in the Allies’ victory during World War II, was born on November 11 in 1885. That the day of his birth falls on Veterans Day is merely a coincidence. Veterans Day, originally Armistice Day, was proclaimed as November 11 to mark the end of World War I when an armistice went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1919. 12

PHOTO: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Patton’s Day

Fascinating Facts to Know and Tell December is Bingo’s Birthday Month

PHOTOS: 123RF

The game of Bingo is believed to have originated from the national lottery game in Italy that began in 1530 (and has been played almost continuously to this day). It made its way to other parts of Europe and evolved to include playing cards and tokens with the numbers called out. In 1929, the game that was then known as Beano was introduced in the US when it was played at a carnival near Atlanta. It was there that toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe encountered an excited crowd playing it. He renamed it Bingo and hired mathematician Carl Leffler to help create at least 6,000 different Bingo cards. By 1934, an estimated 10,000 Bingo games were played weekly, and today more than $90 million dollars are spent on Bingo each week in North America alone.

Genetics in a Sneeze When you look at a bright light and start sneezing, the cause is a genetic reflex called Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst Syndrome, also known by the acronym ACHOO. It is estimated that 20–35% of the human population has the “photic sneeze reflex” or a “solar sneeze” trait. To test if you have the gene, go into a dark room and wait for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Then exit the room and look at a bright light, preferably the sun. Most people will sneeze 2–3 times when the reflex is set off. 13

HEALTH & WELLNESS

UNRAVELING YOUR HEALTH IN CONSUMER DNA TESTS

PHOTO: COURTESY OF IBM

by CHRISTINA BURNS

our DNA plays a big part in your health equation, along with your lifestyle choices and environment. With rapid advancements in genetic science and technology, we have access to discovering our individual genetic code. Since certain health conditions can be genetic, a deeper understanding of family history may help reduce or prevent risks of potential health problems. Reading into your DNA can be enlightening for those curious to know more about their lineage and may give you information to make more informed decisions about your health and lifestyle. In 1866, Austrian monk Gregor Mendel studied pea plants and noted recessive and dominant traits, and in doing so discovered the basic principles of genetics. Nearly a century and a half later, we successfully mapped the human genome by unraveling the sequence of DNA in hopes of understanding and finding cures for many genetic diseases. Although 99.9% of human DNA sequences are the same in every person, that 0.1% is enough to distinguish one individual from

“While many of the consumer DNA kits focus on tracing your ancestral roots, more companies are putting the focus on individualized healthcare.”

another (the only exception is in the case of identical twins, although recent discoveries may challenge this assumption). Today, at-home DNA kits are flooding the marketplace, with many ranging in price from $100– $300. Simply pay for the kit, take a swab of your saliva from your cheek to collect your DNA sample, and send it back to the company for processing. Several weeks later, you’ll find out more about yourself than you ever knew, depending on which kit you buy, including your ancestry and family history, and how your DNA code might influence your well-being and how you respond to certain medical treatments. The results can sometimes be quite surprising, although it remains to 15

be seen exactly how we can apply these results. While many of the consumer DNA kits focus on tracing your ancestral roots, more companies are putting the focus on individualized healthcare. Recently, the FDA became involved in how these companies are accurately interpreting the health-related test results. 23andMe recently received FDA approval on their DNA kit that also accesses inherited traits and genetic disorder risks. In addition to ancestry composition and maternal and paternal lineage, 23andMe now screens for genetic variants associated with 36 inherited diseases like cystic 16

PHOTO: STEVEN HEAP/123RF

fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and Bloom syndrome. (These tests are typically for people who display no symptoms for a genetic disorder but may be at risk for passing it on to their children.) Your test results can also indicate your likelihood of having certain characteristics such as taste preferences, baldness, lactose digestion, and your muscle composition. For example, the results of the muscle composition wellness report can be helpful to determine which sports you may be best suited for but may not necessarily go beyond that. However, all of 23andMe’s carrier tests won’t give you an estimate of your risk of developing certain diseases or tell you your likelihood of passing along a specific genetic disease to your children. They will simply tell you whether or not you carry a specific mutated copy of a gene. Genetic make-up may be the factor of how well someone responds to a particular treatment, or its side effects. Kailos Genetics’ home kit (kailos means “well-being” in Greek), which also has FDA approval, focuses on how an individual’s DNA may determine

their response to certain medications. The test is similar to others in that you take a swab from your cheek and send in the sample, but the results are either reviewed by their in-house physician or sent to your medical professional, who can interpret and discuss them. Their consumer test gauges genes associated with response to a range of commonly prescribed medications including proton pump inhibitors, antidepressants, Plavix (clopidogrel), Tamoxifen, and oral contraceptives. More intensive genetic testing requires authorization from an intermediary like a doctor or genetic counselor. For those who are at more serious risk of certain inherited disorders, a genetics counselor can advise on the consequences and nature of the disorder, the probability of developing or transmitting it, and the options available in management and family planning. A genetics counselor may suggest specific DNA screening tests that focus on a particular disease or condition. The National Human Genome Research Institute operates the Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center that can assist consumers in identifying appropriate screening

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your test results can also indicate your likelihood of having certain characteristics such as taste preferences, baldness, lactose digestion, and your muscle composition.â&#x20AC;?

tests at nearby medical centers. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really all about the data and research. On an individual level, these DNA kits can be insightful and personal, but ultimately the mission of many of these companies and organizations is to gather and use the data to gain knowledge about genes and health information from large groups of people, comparing which genes are linked to which health traits. To date, more than one million people have used 23andMe, and 80% of their customers let their data be used for research. Another one million have been genotyped by the family genealogy site Ancestry.com under the product 17

name AncestryDNA, who is another big player in the consumer DNA health testing market. These companies and others have been partnering with drug companies to study what role genetics plays in getting sick, and how it can help us get better faster. 23andMe expanded to include the United Kingdom and Canada, and partnered with pharmaceutical companies Genentech and Pfizer to open up access to its database. AncestryDNA hopes to take genealogy and the personal health information supplied by their members to eventually integrate family health history data into electronic medical records as a screening tool for physicians. Over the next several years, the Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development is calling on veterans to submit DNA samples and health information for the establishment of one of the largest databases of genetic, military exposure, lifestyle, and health information. The Million Veteran Program is intended to understand how genes affect health and illness to improve health care, particularly for future generations of veterans. 18

Participation is entirely voluntary and does not affect a veterans’ access to health care or benefits, and information security and patient confidentiality are top priorities. If you participate, you won’t receive your results—you’re simply volunteering to share your information for the greater good. Home genealogical tests have yet to be standardized and information obtained is not intended to be conclusive. There is a margin of error, with some genomics experts believing it to be up to 15%. However, with new medical research findings and the growth of personal genomics and public databases, the home tests will eventually become more comprehensive and accurate. We still don’t fully understand all the functions of DNA, which is complicated and sophisticated. Yet the potential to understanding our DNA and how it affects our long-term health could be limitless. Decoding your DNA is not simply for the curious but for a better understanding of how genes work that may help to prevent and improve the treatment of diseases. ■

Doctor Lori Stevic-Rust

The Anatomy of Music

he song came on the radio and an image flashed: She was wearing a blue skirt that swirled like the wind as she moved. A black belt was tight around her waist holding in her silky white blouse. The room was cloudy, filled with the haze of cigarette smoke. He held her tight as he spun her around the dance floor. His deep, brown eyes were holding her gaze as her cheeks became hot and the fluttering in her stomach grew. She could smell the musky scent of his warm skin pressed to her face. As she sat staring out the window of her room in the senior facility, her body swayed in her wheelchair. She could feel the smile growing across her face. That memory was more than 65 years ago but in her mind it was vivid and alive. She was reliving it. Our memories are the threads of the fabric that makes up our life stories. We weave these memories from the past into the present like a well-made tapestry, the threads made up of emotions, images, smells, temperature, and physical sensations. While memories can be triggered by sounds, smells, and places, music appears to be one of the strongest triggers to evoke the most vivid memories, particularly when a song hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been heard for a long time. When we hear a song for the first time, our brain processes it through the auditory cortex as we integrate the melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. Our premotor cortex, the area of the brain that coordinates movement, is activated as we sing along to the song. When we dance to the music, our 19

neurons, or nerve cells, synchronize to the beat through electrical charges. If we are paying close attention to the lyrics, our parietal cortex becomes activated as we shift attention between instrumentation, lyrics, and differing stimuli. When the song triggers personal memories, the prefrontal cortex becomes active. This is the anatomy of music. Research demonstrates that songs from our past leave the deepest imprint in the brain. Between the ages of 12 and 22, the brain undergoes the most rapid neurological development. This is, in part, why music we loved during this time gets hard-wired into the brain. The emotional connection to songs is at an all-time high during this hormonally driven period of our lives. These songs and the connected emotions are the most powerful and remain with us through our lifetime. At the University of California, researcher Petr Janata mapped the brain activity of people as they listened to music and discovered the connection between music and memories. Sitting right behind our forehead is an area of the brain 20

known as the medial prefrontal cortex, which is the hub that connects familiar music to emotions and memories. “What seems to happen is that a piece of familiar music serves as a soundtrack for a mental movie that starts playing in our head. It calls back memories of a particular person or place, and you might all of a sudden see that person’s face in your mind’s eye,” says Dr. Janata. His research concluded that music can be a therapeutic tool for those with Alzheimer’s disease as the prefrontal cortex of the brain is one of the last places to atrophy or become damaged. Thus, music can serve as a way to connect and create a better quality of life for those suffering from the disease. In a later study, Amee Baird and Séverine Samson at the University of Newcastle in Australia studied how music can help patients with brain injuries recover memories. They found that music was more effective at eliciting autobiographical memories than verbal prompts. Music is one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal to readily change our mood, elicit memories, and influence our

behavior. In fact, when we hear a song from our past, a surge of the neurotransmitter dopamine is released. Dopamine controls the brain’s reward and pleasure centers and regulates emotional responses. When dopamine is released, we more clearly see rewards and can move into action to achieve them. However, while familiar music can stimulate the release of dopamine, if we overplay a particular song we dilute the power of the neuronal triggers. When songs are played in a random order, our brain cannot anticipate what is coming next and a burst of dopamine is released when an unexpected and familiar song is heard. This is in part the explanation for why a song from our past that we have not heard for years can elicit the strongest memory and create an intense feeling. If we continue to listen to the song the neuronal triggers become weak and the feeling loses intensity. Endothelium is the inner lining of our blood vessels. In a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in 2013, Dr. Marina Deljanin Ilic´ concluded that the combination of music and physical activity produced

impressive benefits on cardiovascular health. When we listen to music that we love or that evokes positive memories, we produce more nitric oxide, which is important to the health of our blood vessels. Dr. Deljanin Ilic´ found that listening to joyful music for 30 minutes can improve endothelial function. The combination of physical activity while listening to our favorite songs appears to trigger the release of endorphins in the brain. These feel-good chemicals improve the lining of our blood vessels and contribute to a healthy cardiovascular system. Music serves as the bridge from our past to our present. The rhythm, the electrical beat, and the lyrics can vividly recreate a memory by activating multiple areas of the brain. We are physically and emotionally moved as music draws our memories to the present. As we approach the holiday season, a time for reflection and family, enjoy your present and new experiences. But don’t forget to put on your favorite music, reminisce, and relieve all the joyful memories from the past that actively and vividly live in your mind. ■ 21

ILLUSTRATION: ÂŠ M. MUSGROVE

LIFE WITH THE EDEN ALTERNATIVE

Mariachi & Mom by LAURA BECK

fter my mother passed away in 2010, my family gathered at a Mexican restaurant in San Antonio, Texas to take comfort in the ballads sung by the mariachi band there. Twelve years earlier we had done the same, coming together here after losing Dad. How comforting it was to hear my eldest sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich and soothing voice again, singing along in Spanish, not missing a beat. Of all of us, she had been most immersed in this family tradition. Born last, I am a latecomer to this ritual, and so I tend to fake my way through, brushing off how I butcher the language. While my tongue may struggle, my heart is all in. Through tears, squeezed hands, and a margarita or two, we pour our grief into the music, reveling in a pastime only our family can truly understand. Born on the border in Laredo and nurtured by a string of Mexican nannies, my mother spoke Spanish before she spoke English, and this music formed the soundtrack for her life there. As an Air Force fly boy before WWII, my father met Mom in Laredo, where they danced together to these soulful tunes. While 22

not a drop of Hispanic blood runs through our veins, these treasured pieces of the culture do. As human beings, we weave meaning into our experiences and interactions. They frame who we’ve been, who we are, and what we’ll become. These stories become a part of our DNA, our sense of self. At The Eden Alternative, we teach that identity, connectedness, and meaning are crucial aspects of wellbeing, and that, throughout our lives, they must be nurtured and celebrated. Honoring our heritage provides a powerful vehicle for this expression, highlighting how we are each unique and yet intimately connected… a part of something bigger than ourselves. Elders play a special role in holding dear the legacy that is our heritage. In this fast-paced world where it’s easy to lose our way, the stories of our ancestors are both grounding and reassuring. When elders gift us with knowledge of our heritage, the circle of care also becomes complete. While we care for them as their abilities change, they give us care in return, by reminding us who we are and where we come from. The Eden Alternative defines this as care partnership,

where opportunities to give as well as receive are alive in every moment, provided we tune in and tap them. Looking back, my mother’s gift as my care partner was to teach me to be deeply curious about the heritage of others. With only a high school education, she made learning about people a scholarly endeavor with an open heart and mind. Welcoming diversity and celebrating our differences is the most valued gift she offered me. It has helped me engage easily with people of different backgrounds and to appreciate the inherent beauty of unique values and traditions. Today, I live in the Northeast, where each day there are new and interesting expressions of cultural identity for me to explore. And with open heart and mind, I dive in, while the distant strains of mariachi stir within my soul. ■ Laura Beck is the Learning and Development Guide for The Eden Alternative, an international, nonprofit organization focused on creating quality of life for Elders and their care partners. For more information about The Eden Alternative, go to www.edenalt.org. 23

TIP OF THE HAT

Nation of Immigrants

by WALTER BACKERMAN

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” — Emma Lazarus, From “The New Colossus,” engraved on a tablet within the pedestal on which the statue stands, Statue of Liberty National Monument

he young poet Emma Lazarus wrote the sonnet entitled “The New Colossus” on November 2, 1883. Ms. Lazarus’s ancestors came to America a century before to seek a better life, fleeing from religious persecution in Europe and finding sanctuary and comfort here. Although her family was well off by 1883, she couldn’t distance herself from the 24

plight of others coming here. Based on her faith in America as a safe place for the suffering, she wrote and donated “The New Colossus,” realizing the significance of seeing the Statue of Liberty for immigrants sailing into New York harbor. America is a land of newcomers. Even the Native Americans, who had occupied this area for tens of thousands of years, were originally natives of Asia, who came to this region via a land bridge that no longer exists. The history of the European settlement in the Americas generally dates back to the voyages of Christopher Columbus, looking for short passage to Asia while serendipitously discovering “the New World” but there are those who would argue with good cause that the first Europeans here were the Vikings. The first Europeans came looking for riches in the form of mineral wealth. There were fortune-hunters, people fleeing from the poverty in their homelands, there were those looking to end the religious persecution that they had endured. Then, too, were those who were enslaved and brought here against their will. Whatever the reasons for

Emma Lazarus PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

coming here, whether ignominiously or with more noble aims, America is a land of immigrants, whose inhabitants come from every corner of the world, speaking every language known to man, enjoying the freedom to practice whatever religion they choose to follow, and pursue their dreams without impediments. In doing so, our 25

society is a richer and better place because of them. We are also a nation who accepts the value of people regardless of their background or where they came from. Albert Einstein immigrated to the US in 1933 to escape Nazi Germany and the anti-Semitism there. Six years later, he signed a letter to President Roosevelt that warned of German scientists who

Albert Einstein PHOTO: ORREN JACK TURNER/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

were developing powerful nuclear bombs and made recommendations for the US to consider their own action. President Roosevelt responded by forming what would become the Manhattan Project, although Dr. Einstein was restricted from participating due to his pacifist beliefs. Instead, he advised the US Navy on designs for highly explosive materials. In 1944, Dr. Einstein re-wrote in his own handwriting his 1905 paper on special relativity for the purpose of auctioning it off as a contribution to the war effort. His manuscript raised $6.5 million in war bonds, and is now housed in the Library of Congress. Last week, I walked inside Carnegie Hall in New York City for the first time. This is a grand place of legendâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a gift from a Scottish immigrant who arrived in America at the age of 12 with nothing but hopes and ambition. Andrew Carnegie had only five years of schooling but his business acumen was equal to none. He was a living paradoxâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;his steel mills helped equip battleships with steel plating yet he was repulsed by war, and

Andrew Carnegie PHOTO: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

he believed in equality for all yet he notoriously underpaid his workers. He endeavored to make money by any means no matter the cost and succeeded beyond his wildest expectations. By his life’s end, Mr. Carnegie had become a wealthy industrialist who gave most of his fortune away to build public libraries, schools, and institutions like Carnegie Hall in hopes of inspiring others to make this country a richer place to be.

America is truly built on those who’ve come before, welcoming others to build a better life for now and for the future. Like no other place on Earth, we are a nation of immigrants whose cultures and traditions converge—fused in to a blend stronger than its separate components, forming a colorful mosaic that has inspired the world. There have been millions of immigrants who have come here looking for a better life, hoping to leave their legacies, and inspiring future generations to build their dreams. There are many others that are still to be written. In the nurturing environment of America, any goal is achievable if pursued with passion and good luck. ■

Walter Backerman is best known as Walter the Seltzer Man, a third generation seltzer delivery man in New York City who works the route that was originally created on horse and cart by his grandfather in 1919. Walter has a great fondness for American history, particularly of the 20th century, and is an avid collector of popular culture memorabilia. 27

A Sacred Crown Redefining Beauty at the Miss Navajo Pageant by CHRISTINA BURNS photographs by JULIEN MCROBERTS

great source of pride in the Navajo Nation is the annual Miss Navajo beauty pageant. But contestants aren’t asked how they would save the world and there is certainly no swimsuit competition. Rather, it is a showcase of inner beauty, skillfulness, and commitment to one’s heritage. Miss Navajo is about the importance of cultural preservation and the meaning of being a Navajo woman. Ultimately, the competition bridges the gap by connecting younger with older generations and the traditions of their tribe. The Navajo Nation extends into northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southern Utah, covering over 27,000 square miles, making it larger than ten of the 50 states. With a population of about

250,000 people, it represents the largest tribe in the United States. The Navajo Nation is a selfgoverning entity whose laws are subject to review by the US Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In the Navajo language, known as Diné, the traditional homeland is called Dinetah (“and of the people”) and the Navajo are also called Diné (“the people”). The Diné are descended from ancient tribes of hunters and gatherers who later became settled farmers and herders. The Miss Navajo pageant is among several “royalty pageants” in the Navajo Nation but it is by far the most prestigious. Since 1952, the Miss Navajo pageant has been a celebration of Navajo women and the beauty of Diné language, culture,

Opposite: McKeon K. Dempsey won the title last year of Miss Navajo Nation 2014. 29

Left to right: 2015 contestants Starlene Tsinniginnie, Crystal Littleben, Farrah Fae Mailboy, Ann Marie Salt, Alyson Jeri Shirley and tradition. Every September over a five-day period at the annual Navajo Nation Fair, contestants are required to showcase skills that are crucial to Navajo daily life including sheep butchering, fry-bread making, and rug weaving, and display a literacy of Navajo history, language, and customs. In order to be eligible to compete for the title, a young woman must be between the ages of 18 to 25, has never been married, has no children, and is an enrolled 30

member of the Navajo Nation. During the pageant, contestants are prohibited from using profane language, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, and they are not allowed to be engaged in â&#x20AC;&#x153;unacceptable socializing with a boyfriendâ&#x20AC;? in public. Onstage, the women must demonstrate their fluency in the native Navajo language. Throughout each competition, whether they are butchering a sheep, grinding corn, or weaving a rug, contestants are expected to respond in both DinĂŠ

Above: Contestants must be knowledgeable in Navajo culture, history, values, and traditions and fluent in both English and DinĂŠ. and English to questions poised by judges in either language. Fluency in DinĂŠ tends to be challenging for these young women because it is a language that nearly died out. Most of the contestants grew up speaking English because many of the older generation had to attend government-run boarding schools and were pushed to assimilate into American culture. Contestants dress in both evening and traditional attire but are asked to be conservative in choosing a

gown that shows respect to elders in the audience. Women in the contestantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; families will make the many outfits that will be worn onstage, including bright colored dresses made from velvet and satin worn together with moccasins and the beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry that the Navajos are famous for. Competitors may be asked to recount legendary stories passed down through oral traditions, or demonstrate knowledge about the 31

clans they are descended from. One of the most intense competitions is the sheep butchering, when the women are required to slaughter, skin, and gut an adult Navajo-Churro ewe in just over an hour. All the while, they must answer impromptu questions posed by judges who are assessing their skills and knowledge of each part of the animal and how it is used. Over the past five decades, the pageant has endured its share of changes as the title of Miss Navajo has grown in prestige and publicity. During the 1950s and 1960s, there were often two winners—one woman serving as the “modern Miss Navajo” and the other as the “traditional Miss Navajo.” Past competition categories included “appearance,” in which contestants were judged on assets including apparel neatness, hairstyle, beauty, and posture. In September of this year, 20-yearold Alyson Jeri Shirley from Tolani Lake, Arizona was crowned the 69th

Miss Navajo Nation. In her acceptance speech, Ms. Shirley thanked her grandmother for helping her win. Now she becomes the Goodwill Ambassador of the Navajo people, an advocate for Diné culture and language, and fulfills the roles of womanhood, acting as grand-mother, mother, aunt, and sister to her people. ■

Above: Alyson Jeri Shirley, crowned Miss Navajo Nation 2015, prepares to grind corn. Opposite: Contestants must properly butcher a sheep while answering intense questioning from the judges amid cheers and jeers from the audience. 33

From Cuba with Love Elliott Erwitt’s Photo Essay from Now and Then by CHRISTINA BURNS

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS © ELLIOTT ERWITT/MAGNUM PHOTOS

n 1964, while on assignment with Newsweek, famed photographer Elliott Erwitt spent a week in Cuba. His iconic black-and-white photographs captured street scenes from Havana as well as Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and other Cuban leaders in both public and private moments. Over 50 years later, just as Cuba and the US begin the discussion of restoring diplomatic relations, Mr. Erwitt returned to Cuba for several weeks this past summer to document both the urban and rural landscapes, and most prominently, the fascinating people of this isolated nation. His recent mission to capture modern day Cuba coincides with the launch of The Elliott Erwitt Havana Club 7 Fellowship, which will be awarded each year to one photographer who will travel to Cuba to “depict the country at this point in history”. The fellowship is funded by a yearly contribution from the Havana Club rum company and by the sale of photography prints, starting with the collection of works from Mr. Erwitt’s travels through Cuba. Following this inaugural year of the fellowship, the sale of prints will come from the winning fellow, so each successive photographer will benefit the next in line in order to continue the legacy of Mr. Erwitt.

Above: Elliott Erwitt, photographed by Brian Smith Opposite: Museum of the Revolution (Museo de la Revolución), 2015 35

Mr. Erwitt has enjoyed a long career in photography and filmmaking, and traveled all over the world. He spent his childhood in Paris and Milan before his family immigrated to the US in 1939. His interest in photography began while he was a teenager living in Hollywood. In 1948, Mr. Erwitt moved to New York, where he met famed photographers Edward Steichen, Robert Capa, and Roy Stryker, and after spending the year 1949 traveling in France and Italy, he returned to New York and began working as a professional photographer. Drafted into the US Army in 1951, he continued to take photographs while stationed in Germany and France. He was invited to join the prestigious photo agency Magnum Photos in 1953 by Robert Capa. He has published dozens of photography books and has had one-man exhibitions in numerous museums and galleries, and his work has been featured in publications around the world. In addition to his work as a still photographer, Mr. Erwitt began making films in 1970. Recently, Mr. Erwitt was one of the faces of the fashion company Cole Haan’s “Born in 1928” advertising campaign. Mr. Erwitt sat down with PS Magazine to share what his witnessed in front of and behind his camera during his unique experiences in Cuba.

Havana, Cuba, 1964 36

Top: Fidel Castro surrounded by a crowd of young people, 1964. Fidel was surrounded by people everywhere he went. He was probably playing for the camera. In the crowd, you’ll see a blonde woman in the middle. That is Lisa Howard, the American journalist who was rumored to be Fidel’s girlfriend. Subsequently, she committed suicide. Bottom: Che Guevara, 1964. Che was detached and not very friendly; he was slightly sour. He offered me a box of cigars but I didn’t bring them back to the US because it was prohibited. I regret the cigars to this day. 37

Top: Baseball dugout, 1964. I attended a baseball game with Fidel Castro, and halfway through the game, Fidel decided that he would like to play, too. So they stopped the game and he went into the field and started playing baseball. And when he went up to bat, they threw very easy balls. Bottom: Prima Ballerina Alicia Alonso and Premier Dancer Anette Delgado at The Cuban National Ballet (Ballet Nacional de Cuba), 2015 Alicia Alonso is blind and 93-yearold. They performed Giselle just for us in their rehearsal space. 38

Top: Romeo y Julieta cigar factory, 2015. This factory makes many famous brands of Cuban cigars, including Cohiba. They got the name â&#x20AC;&#x153;Romeo y Julietaâ&#x20AC;? from their practice of reading stories out loud to workers as they handrolled the cigars. They started naming cigars after the stories. Bottom: The Rafael Trejo boxing gym, 2015. This was at a famous boxing club in Old Havana. The Cuban government is big on sports and the arts and encourages it from an early age.

Above: Schoolgirls in Havana, 1964 Opposite top: A Cuban family at home, 2015. A friend introduced us to this woman, who lives in this very modest home with her two sons and mother (the girl in the middle is her niece). She put on this special dress just for us. She went blind while she was giving birth to her second son, the doctors don’t understand why that happened. Opposite bottom: Salsa dancers, 2015. That’s a dance club in someone’s front room. The people are older, and everyday around 5:00 they meet to dance salsa together. ■

Life Stories

The Veterans History Project

good way to spend some spare time is going through the audio files, transcripts, photographs, and other personal documents available through the Veterans History Project, on the Library of Congress’s website. You’ll find the intriguing first-hand accounts of servicemen and servicewomen recounting their experiences from World War I through the Iraq War. Created in 2000, the Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from them and better understand the realities of war. In addition, those US citizen civilians who were actively involved in supporting war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc.) share their valuable stories. The program relies on a national network of veteran service organizations, universities, secondary schools, community groups, and the general public to record interviews according to program guidelines. You can participate in the project if you are a veteran who served in the U.S. military, regardless of branch or rank, or are an American civilian who served in support of a US war/conflict effort in a professional capacity. It is easy to get involved, and there is no deadline to submit materials. More information is available on www.loc.gov/vets/kit.html. Following are excerpts from just a few of the life stories culled from the Veterans History Project.



Rutherford Brice spent almost 25 years in the armed forces, first in the segregated Navy, where he lucked into a position as an aviation machinist. Then, after attending college, he joined the Army just in time to head off 42

to the Korean War, this time as a commissioned officer. Through tours of duty that took him around the world, including two tours of Vietnam, he broadened his skill set, taking full advantage of every career possibility he was offered. I guess I have an interesting up and down kind of a career. By that, I mean I served as an enlisted man, an NCO, and an officer. See, when I enlisted in the Navy in 1942, I was 17. And during World War II, I served Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second in the Navy, as I said. I was one of those, I Class Rutherford Brice, would say, fortunate Blacks in that during 19 years old, 1945 that time the whole world was a tad different in that the military was segregated. And I guess, except for the Black NCOs and officers that were assigned to the Diesel Training Center at Hampton Institute in Virginia, there were no military occupation specialties that included Blacks. I was one of the fortunate 143 experimental kind of Blacks that were sent to Aviation Machinist’s Mates School. Initially, I went to Fort Lawrence, or Camp Lawrence in Chicago, to become a sailor. Then shortly afterwards was sent to Memphis Naval Air Training Station in Memphis, Tennessee. I remember the first day that we arrived there they gave us a mattress cover to go and pick up all of our clothing. As we were walking along with these big mattress covers over our backs with the clothing in it, the white troops were marching along saying “cotton pickers.” {Laughing} They were teasing us, and we didn’t think it was funny at all, as a matter of fact. But we finished that school, Aviation Machinist’s Mates School. I think out of the 143 it was something like 40 of us that completed the school. And I have no clue where most of them went. I think I saw one or two afterwards during that whole war. 43

I was sent to Syracuse University. First college campus I was ever on. I was still a little boy and I was taught to be a supercharger specialist. They were putting an airplane into the fleet in Alameda, California. It was a F4F Corsair. And it was really an impressive airplane because it could turn inside of a zero. That was the airplane that the Japanese had and they thought that was quite impressive. And it had a supercharger that made it a lot faster. So, at any rate, I finished that school and was then sent to Alameda, California to join the Carrier Area Service Unit 14. And it was a Lieutenant Colonel part of the fleet that included the Intrepid. Rutherford Brice, undated So during that war, I was in Guam, Saipan, and Guadalcanal, all with that fleet that was going through the Pacific. Nothing of really classic history, I guess, except an incident, as I said, was a part of the time it was a segregated Army, Navy service. And it was interesting, I’d go in the daytime during duty times and work with my crew because I was a specialist in that area. And then I had to go to the forward part of the ship out of the hanger deck to speak with my compadres, so to speak, the guys that were the cooks, bakers, and steward’s mates. Some were Black and some were Filipinos. But the quarters were separate, completely.



Ralph Albertazzie was a pilot in the Air Force, who achieved the rank of Colonel. He served in three wars: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War before becoming Chief Pilot of Air Force One under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. After his retirement as a pilot, he went back to his home state of West Virginia where he took up the post of Commerce Commissioner. 44

I started years ago when it was the Army Air Corps, it subsequently became the United States Air Force…. I remember starting on High Street when Pearl Harbor happened and could hardly believe it, and it came along and all of us were anxious to serve the country. Many did not want to be drafted in a service we didn’t want to participate in, we all had ideas of what we wanted to be whether it be the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Coast Guard. Whatever the case may be, I wanted to be a pilot, so I went off to the Army Air Corps. I went through [basic] training in Atlantic City, New Jersey. At that time, I stayed at the Ritz Carlton along the beach because it was turned into barracks for practical purposes and we trained on the boardwalk and then I went to flying school and became a B-17 pilot instructor.... I was flying Air Force One. Of course you remember Richard Nixon, because of Watergate, elected to resign the office. About a couple of days before he actually resigned, I’d gotten a call from the Pentagon saying they were going to take one of the Presidential helicopters out to California, and that kind of lead me to think we were going out there. So I called the White House and said, “Are we going to California?” “Yeah.” “How long are we going to be out there, I want to notify the crew?” “You’re not, you’re just going to make a drop.” So then, we knew the President was going to resign. I think most people know Air Force One is a call sign when the President is on it. If he’s not on that airplane, it runs by its license number. It’s tail Colonel Albertazzie shaking number as we call it. So here’s the hands with President Richard President of the United States going to Nixon in front of Air Force One resign at noon that day, we’re leaving Washington at 10:00. At noontime 45

when President Ford, Gerry Ford, the Vice President, takes the oath of office, becomes the President, we’re not Air Force One anymore. So we arrange with the Federal Aviation Administration to be prepared to change our call sign from Air Force One to SAM 27000 and that happened 13 miles Southwest of Jefferson City, Missouri. Gerry Group photo with Colonel Ralph Ford said “I do” to the Justice of Albertazzie, flight crew, President the Supreme Court, he then Richard Nixon and Mrs. Pat Nixon became the President of the United States. And we were listening to the broadcast and we had piped the information for the passengers on board the airplane. You know, Diane Sawyer was there, Ron Ziegler, and the other White House people, if they wanted to listen to it. So now the President is not the President anymore, so we proceeded on to California and he went off to San Clemente where his California residence was and we took care of some things and unloaded some things and a lot of people, then we came back to Washington.



Frances Buckley served on a hospital ship off the coast of Vietnam in 1968. She was already a seasoned veteran of the Navy Nurse Corps, having served stateside during the Korean War. Sailing up the north Vietnam coast, she supervised the operating room nurses and corpsmen. After the war, she continued her career in military nursing, eventually serving as Director of the Navy Nurse Corps from 1979 to 1983. I was responsible for the operating room, what we call the preanesthesia and staging area, and the recovery room, which was the same thing, and the central supply. Obviously, I had people to help in those 46

areas. Casualties came in immediately from the flight deck. Usually, they came in by helicopter, and were taken down—it was just a routine…. Afterwards, they came out of the operating room, and recovered enough, you know, to be alert—at least to be awake, if they were ever going to be awake—and then they went back to the wards. The hospital ships, according to international law, could not pull into any port. They had to sail all the time. So we were up in the northern part of Vietnam… we’d sit off the coast, as close as we could, so we could get casualties—wherever Rear Admiral Francis Buckley there was fighting, that’s where we went. There were two hospital ships out there. We had a reunion not so long ago, on the ship. And I never realized how many people were affected by this one person’s life. He was a gunny sergeant. His name was Charles Perkins. And I hadn’t been aboard too long, and I can’t remember where it was that he was injured, whether it was Quang Tri or whether it was Phu Bai. It was one of those. And he came in, and I remember it was like a Saturday, and he had a through-andthrough of the chest and he didn’t look too bad. His color was great. After a while, you got so you could assess the casualties by looking at them. You knew…. He was alert and talking and he asked me, he said, “Nurse, am I going to make it?” And I said, “Piece of cake, Honey.” He was a gunny sergeant. “No problem.” Seventeen surgical procedures later, he died. And I never, ever, ever told another patient they’d make it. I’d tell them they were in a safe place and we were going to take care of them. ■ 47

BOOKS FIC TION

THE JAPANESE LOVER ISABEL ALLENDE

he first thing you may notice about bestselling novelist Isabel Allende’s newest book, The Japanese Lover, is its gorgeously designed cover. Beyond that, her story quickly pulls you in and comes to life. This epic novel spans eighty years and the lives of her two female protagonists: Alma Belasco, the matriarch of a prominent San Francisco family and Irina Bazili, her part-time caregiver and confidant. Set in present day at a senior living community, Alma’s life seems shrouded by a great mysterious love. Irina was raised by her grandparents in povertystricken Poland, and has a deep affection and reverence for the elders she works with, particular Alma. Alma’s story is rooted to 1939 when, as a young Jewish-Polish girl, she is separated from her brother and parents and sent from Poland to the safety of her aunt and uncle in San Francisco. Feeling alone and 48

abandoned, she is drawn to the Japanese gardener’s son, Ichimei Fukuda, and quickly develops a close friendship. After Pearl Harbor is bombed, the Fukuda family is forced to move into a Japanese internment camp, first housed in a racetrack and then in a camp in the desert of Utah. Despite being separated by circumstances, Alma and Ichimei are secretly reunited many times throughout their lifetimes. Their love story is revealed through the letters and tokens sent from Ichimei, and by what Alma later confides to Irina and her grandson, Seth. The Japanese Lover touches on the aging process and legacy, race and identity, abandonment and reconciliation, and our capacity for love. It is a delicious read— just don’t expect it to run too deep into the historical accounts of the last century.

FUN & GAMES

Solutions on page 60

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 1

12 13

14 15

ACROSS 1. Thaw something out (7) 5. Top-left computer key (3) 7. Sergeant, eg (inits) (3) 8. Made up of “0”s and “1”s (7) 9. Evacuates from a pilot’s seat (6) 10. Bean curd (4) 13. Remove from office (4) 14. A continent (6) 16. Biology, eg (7) 18. 2001 Will Smith film (3) 19. Opposite of yang (3) 20. Zero (7)

DOWN 1. Hazardously (11) 2. Comes into bloom (7) 3. Peculiarity (6) 4. Roman attire (4) 5. Chew and swallow (3) 6. Working out, mathematically (11) 11. Decorative paper folding (7) 12. Result (6) 15. In the near future, poetically (4) 17. Lodge (3)

FUN & GAMES

Solutions on page 60

FASHION DESIGNERS Fashion Designers

C C T C I N A M R A A T L M S

Z N E M I O A X I O R C A L O

L X O N I T N E L A V R L L D

V I L M I O D D R E E L E T I

ARMANI BLASSARMANI CHANEL BLASS CONRAN DIOR CHANEL CONRAN GALLIANO GAULTIER DIOR GIVENCHY GALLIANO GAULTIER GIVENCHY 50

I G A A L H D K O M I A N S O

I B I L G T I S L O A G A A R

I A L V O E A Z N E W N H A D

O A C A E C R G Z D I T C H E

N I E N S N K F A A D N S C I

A D K E I S C N E L L A L E T

R Z O N T E Y H E L L R O A W

N L U E T R F O Y N D I A R I

O O G A U L T I E R A H A T R

C S A I N T L A U R E N T N M

GUCCI KLEIN GUCCI LACROIX KLEIN LAGERFELD LACROIX SAINT LAURENT TARLAZZI LAGERFELD VALENTINO SAINT LAURENT WESTWOOD TARLAZZI VALENTINO WESTWOOD

O G G U C C I T R R T Z O E O

SUDOKU Sudoku—also known as Number Place—is a logicbased, combinatorial numberplacement puzzle. The aim of Sudoku is to enter a number from 1 through 9 in each cell of a grid. Each row, column, and region must contain only one instance of each number.

LETTER SOUP Can you rearrange the floating letters below to spell out different woodwind instruments? Each letter should be used exactly once in the resulting set. 1. 2. © ANY PUZZLE MEDIA LTD

3. 4.

5 9

2 2 1 1 7

3 6 9 4 6 8 2 5 9 3 7 4 8 5 2 9 3 9 6 7 2 3 6

ON B O C A E BS LT I O A C LO S N O E IR U T O EPCL

5. 51

Illustrated by Chuck Dillon

Down in Front

See if you can slide into the only open seat without disturbing anyone. Answers on page 61

START

Illustrated by Frank Bolle

FINISH

Answers on page 61

Illustrated by Janet McDonnell

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 HOROSCOPES by Chris Flisher ARIES (March 21–April 19) A significant new chapter emerges in your life over the coming months. This new venture may introduce you to a series of mindexpanding journeys that allow you to analyze and grasp concepts much more fully than you have in recent years. Travel may be likely, but education in particular. This theme may be so compelling that it requires genuine concentration and a certain degree of diligence on your part. The process may be equally challenging and rewarding. However, the effort you put in will most likely match the outcome, and therefore be worth it. Philosophy, spirituality, and even deep personal reflections are likely under these skies. Writing and similar forms of expression are favored. TAURUS (April 20–May 20) Expect to see action in group activities that require your input and analysis. You may have a unique skill set that dovetails nicely with this endeavor and your insights might be just what is needed to ground the conversation going forward. 56

Fundraising, charities, educational grants, and other sources of outside income may be the most prevalent arenas for you to seek out and offer your knowledge. Religious organizations, social justice, and political campaigns may be areas that pique your interest. If you take steps in that direction expect to be in high demand. By the same token be wary of taking on more than you can handle. GEMINI (May 21–June 21) Your significant relationships may require more of your time over the coming months. In many ways your partners may become your occupation of sorts. Whether you step in to help with background research or understanding the complexities of procedures, your unique ability to multi-task may be in high demand. Curiosity may be your greatest asset as you find yourself able to digest large amounts of information and subsequently provide a precise summation of what is required. The rewards may be hard-won, but at the same time worthy of your intervention on your

partner’s behalf. Enter into this with an open heart and be grateful you can be of service. CANCER (June 22–July 22) Expect to witness some reorganization of your daily patterns as the month ahead unfolds. Some of what comes your way may be selfimposed and some may simply land in your lap because you are the most capable person for the task. You may be asked to reconsider a living arrangement or take on a volunteer position at a learning center. The same sort of attention may place you in a leadership role for an excursion. The devil may be in the details, so expect to be pulled into the spotlight in some responsible manner. Whether you enjoy this or not, you may be the perfect person for the role, which is why the finger of fate may tap your shoulder. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) People may know and love you for your creative spirit. How wonderful. With that in mind you may be singled out for just that reason. While that may be flattering and entirely

appropriate, you may end up biting off more than you can chew. That does not, however, mean you can’t rise to the occasion. There may be no one who has the same panache and foresight to successfully deliver but you. Charitable organizations may seek out your unique qualities to fulfill a need. Since such as effort may require more background work than you imagined, you may feel a bit like a deer in headlights. Let the dust settle and then see how things appear. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your primary residence and family may be the source of great inspiration and increased attention during this time. Keeping the lights on may be the least of your worries as you step into a whole new way of living. Jupiter is in Virgo and you are edgy and eager to expand and improve in some manner. Jupiter expands and inflates all of your projects and plans with an air of optimism and possibility. However, with great progress comes great responsibility, but also great rewards. Your desire to 57

communicate, evaluate, designate, and originate are all highlighted during these coming months. The only caveat may come from trying to accomplish too much, too fast. Trim your expectations. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The months ahead may hold an extra duty of working with your siblings. Whether they are moving to a new location or you have to work together on a family project, you may find that your time becomes occupied with them. One area that may be especially active will be that of research and correspondence. With that in mind you could be exploring your past and sharing different pieces of the same puzzle as you remember them. Oftentimes, others remember details we may have overlooked so you may enjoy this journey into the past. Expect to put in some time in this area and learn to relish the effort. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) As a skilled researcher you may impress others with you ability to get beneath the surface of topics that others merely avoid. That single characteristic may come into full focus this month as you are asked to 58

uncover something hidden. This skill may be particularly relevant especially when it comes to finances. In this manner you could be exploring discrepancies in your group budgets or setting up a new method for tracking dues at your favorite club or organization. While the facts may be a bit cloudy, you are the most likely candidate for digging deep enough to find the crux of the matter. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Expect to feel the pull of the family in the coming months as you embark on new projects that involve your primary residence. Whether you are renovating, moving, or simply redecorating, you may find that your time grows short as the holidays loom largely on the calendar. With such a deadline staring at you in the near future, you may find yourself putting in extra hours, applying the finishing touches on all things domestic. You may feel as if all eyes are upon you and even wonder if you haven’t taken on too much at the time. Your resilience and determination may come to the rescue though,

but not without the cost of time and effort on your part. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may be standing on the cusp of a new adventure that holds great promise for your fabulous work ethic and writing skills. You may not have been aware of it yet, but you are about to turn an interesting corner. New and intriguing ideas may draw you in like a curious cat, especially as you begin to chip away at historical records that may reveal an interesting tidbit about your past. During this exploration you may become confused by some of the details, but you may understand the value of plodding forward despite the muddy waters. Just as you decide to give up, though, new facts emerge and you may be thankful you were tenacious in the end. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Expect to spend some of your time in the coming months poring over financial records for a group that you administer. Your role in that group may be pivotal to its financial efficacy. Your natural inclination towards the greater purpose of the group may be an inspiration to

others, but at the same time you may discover several budgetary loose ends that require your attention. Focus on the details and you may be able to straddle the differences that inevitably crop up during your investigation. While you may not be clear as to why you find yourself in this role, you are entirely capable nonetheless. PISCES (Feb. 19–March 20) You may be cast as the dreamer of the zodiac and while that role may be appropriate, your desire to express that position can come under duress at times. Others may look to your vision as the guiding light and yet you may find that you are unable to communicate your ideas as effectively as required. Extra time and effort may be needed to ensure that everyone knows where you are leading them. With that in mind, you may find that group meetings with special emphasis on the details may help provide the clarity you need to move forward. This may not be an easy sell, but others may believe you know the way. © 2015 Chris Flisher 59

FUN & GAMES SOLUTIONS CROSSWORD PUZZLE SOLUTION D

A N

G E

I C

R U

C I

S A

C O

R R

M H

U L

L C

T F

C A

E A

L Y

U S

R O

WORDSEARCH SOLUTION

A T

I N

SUDOKU SOLUTION

8 9 6 4 2 5 7 3 1 60

5 7 3 1 8 9 6 4 2

1 4 2 7 6 3 8 5 9

7 2 1 3 4 6 5 9 8

6 8 5 9 7 2 4 1 3

4 3 9 5 1 8 2 6 7

2 1 4 6 3 7 9 8 5

3 5 7 8 9 4 1 2 6

C C T C I N A M R A A T L M S

Z N E M I O A X I O R C A L O

L X O N I T N E L A V R L L D

V I L M I O D D R E E L E T I

I G A A L H D K O M I A N S O

I B I L G T I S L O A G A A R

I A L V O E A Z N E W N H A D

O A C A E C R G Z D I T C H E

N I E N S N K F A A D N S C I

A D K E I S C N E L L A L E T

R Z O N T E Y H E L L R O A W

N L U E T R F O Y N D I A R I

O O G A U L T I E R A H A T R

C S A I N T L A U R E N T N M

LETTER SOUP SOLUTION

9 6 8 2 5 1 3 7 4

1. BASSOON 2. CLARINET 3. FLUTE 4. OBOE 5. PICCOLO

O G G U C C I T R R T Z O E O

FUN & GAMES SOLUTIONS DOWN IN FRONT (Page 51)

Magazines for every age!

START

Ages

0-2 Ages

2-6

NEW!

In Spanish and English

FINISH

Ages

2-6

6-12

Highlights.com/Friends

1-800-627-1976

15 AD-HXM0315.indd 1

SLICE AND DICE (Page 52)

1/16/15 2:09 P

IT’S A PARADE

(Page 53)

M W H I S K P W P A Q F O L N Y O H U Q A O E A D R A O T H S L I C E L C T I E L D E U N L H K T T S T C B M I G P O S T C S E F R M A N A E B E A T G N O A U A X I I O T H N S T M C H E E R U P K E B Y F O Q O M X A F Q O S S P O H C T H C R I M P X N A E H N C F L R S O X B W P I T M T W B I O H D A L I T W B R A I L P R T O A S T R P B P W E C I D I D Q

Complete your collection of PS Magazine PS Magazine is the only pro-aging print magazine that is designed for and about older Americans.

MAGA ZINE

Feel like you are missing out? If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have every issue of PS Magazine, then you are! You can now order past issues of the print magazine for $5 per issue simply by contacting 440-600-0028. ISSUE 1 The Happiness Issue ISSUE 2 Take Control of Your Health ISSUE 3 Our American Values ISSUE 4 Brain Power

ISSUE 5 The Era of New Technology

ISSUE 9 The Companionship Issue

ISSUE 6 The Creative Arts

ISSUE 10 The Bonus Years

ISSUE 7 Family & Staying Connected

ISSUE 11 Super Humans

ISSUE 8 Turning Ageism Into Sage-ism

ISSUE 12 The Style Issue

MOVIE SCREENING

ADVANCED STYLE PS Enrichment, a division of PS Lifestyle, offers your senior living community the special opportunity to host a movie screening of the documentary film, ADVANCED STYLE (run time: 72 minutes). Street style photographer Ari Seth Cohen and director Lina Plioplyte dive into the personal lives of New York City’s most fashionable seniors in ADVANCED STYLE. These older women dispel conventional ideas about beauty and aging and prove that with age comes grace, confidence, boldness, flair, and new, unimagined opportunities for fame and fortune. Sign up to have PS Enrichment provide your community with a DVD of ADVANCED STYLE, the public performance rights to show the film to a non-paying audience on organization grounds, and a digital flier to print out to promote your screening. Respond by email to info@pslifestyle.com with the header “Movie Screening” or deliver this form in person to any member of the PS Lifestyle team.

Community name Contact name Phone number Address Desired date for screening Sponsored by ENRICHMENT

JACK ZIEGLER, THE NEW YORKER COLLECTION/THE CARTOON BANK

THE L AST L AUGH

“Your daddy had all the trimmings, son, our nation’s biggest honor.”

Holiday Shopping One December weekend, a couple went holiday shopping. The shopping center was very crowded, and the wife realized that her husband was no longer by her side. After looking around for him, she decided to call him on her mobile phone. When the wife asked him where he was, the husband said, “Do you remember the jewelry store we went into about five years ago where you fell in love with that diamond necklace that we couldn’t afford, and I told you that I would get it for you some day?” His wife became very emotional and said, “Yes! I do remember that store.” The husband replied, “Well, I’m in the bar next door.” 64

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Ask a PS Lifestyle team member or purchase online at shop.pslifestyle.com