Lifestyles After 50 Hillsborough Edition, Mar. 2015 by Lifestyles After 50 Magazine

Lo IN o si k de Gi

Fo rO ur Te ch

Another Great Issue

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On Chickens and Accidental Melons Dear Readers,

o there I was, with an armful of baby chickens. I was maybe four or five years old, and my hands were full of squirming balls of Tracie Lukens, Editor yellow down and peeping orange beaks. You should have seen the smile on my face. My folks came to their rescue, carefully scooping the chicks out of my hands and returning them to the hay pile they had been resting in. It was the first trip to the North Carolina State Fair that I can remember, and the first time I had met a chicken in person. Cows, sheep, pigs and goats were equally amazing, and I left having had a chance to see and touch and interact with creatures I had only seen in books. It made a big impression on me as a kid. Unless you grow up on a farm, a fair or a field trip is one of the first and few interactions we have with agriculture. And it becomes easier, as an adult, to lose touch with the earth and where everything comes from. We can take for granted what’s on our plate and how it gets there. There’s a movement you might have heard of called Slow Food that’s all about getting back to the basics—adding more fresh, locally grown produce to your diet when you can, and getting to know the people who grow it. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, as I was, you’ll learn more about the movement in this issue and how to participate by growing your own food at home or taking advantage of local farmers markets. Florida has a wealth of them! I had no idea until I first moved here from up north. Scattered at street corners across town were stands advertising ripe oranges and tangelos, flats of fresh-picked strawberries, crisp peppers and onions,

sweet corn, orange blossom honey, bulging watermelons and boiled peanuts. It was a special treat to pile the family in the car and head down to one of the neighborhood fruit stands for a handmade strawberry milkshake. That stand has been run by a local family farm for as long as I can remember. Still is. Florida has a wonderful agricultural tradition, and now is great time to celebrate it. Grow your own It’s also a good time to try your hand at planting your own edibles, if a rewarding hobby is what you’re looking for. There’s something wonderful about eating food that was grown right in your own backyard. Even by accident. When I was a kid, my family ended up with a rogue watermelon one year. It probably came from one of our seedspitting fights the previous summer. But my little brothers and sister and I watched with fascination as it grew in our backyard. It went from a golf ball, to a softball, to a football-sized fruit in a few weeks. It never got any bigger than

that, and it wasn’t as sweet as the grocery store variety, but we didn’t care. It was our watermelon, and somehow that made it taste better. (I just hope it wasn’t from one of the seeds my brother shot out of his nose.) A neighbor of mine is more professional about the whole thing, and he has a home garden full of broccoli, squash, loquats, kale, pineapple, (proper) watermelon and other fruits and veggies. He usually ends up with more than he can ever use, and enjoys sharing the bounty with others. Our editor emeritus, Janice Doyle, has fond memories of growing up on her family farm. Shortly before she retired, Janice and her husband decided to build a chicken coop in their backyard and have been having adventures raising hens. “We’ve become very 1970’s Mother Earth-y in our conversations,” she told me. “Fresh for us now means eggs that go from nest to skillet in a matter of minutes. We’re inundated with fresh greens from the garden this month and that’s wonderful as well.” The benefits to reconnecting with the earth are manifold. If you can, try growing one edible this year (even if it’s a rogue watermelon) and taste the fruits of your labor. It’s an amazing feeling. Even better, get a grandkid involved and watch the “wow” moments as a seed becomes a plant, and then a tomato, and then spaghetti sauce. Trust me, it’ll make a lasting impression. Spring is here with all its goodness, and there are many seeds to be planted. —Tracie Lukens

Tampa Bay Edition

Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc President Richard Reeves richard@lifestylesafter50.com Publisher/Director of Events & Marketing Kathy J. Beck kathy@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Tracie Lukens editor@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Emeritus Janice Doyle Ofﬁce Manager Vicki Willis vicki@lifestylesafter50.com Administrative Assistant Allie Shaw allie@lifestylesafter50.com Production Supervisor/Graphic Design 813-689-6104 Distribution Nancy Spencer: (941) 244-0500 nancy@lifestylesafter50.com

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News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638 Seffner, Florida 33583-0638 Fax: (813) 651-1989 www.lifestylesafter50.com

FCOA Attention Readers: The articles printed in Lifestyles After 50 do not necessarily reﬂect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. Lifestyles After 50 endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Lifestyles After 50 reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for each issue is the 15th of the previous month. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved. As a reader of Lifestyles After 50, you are creating an established relationship with our advertisers. You may be contacted by email, telephone or mail as allowed by law. Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 2

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Busch Gardens Debuts Food & Wine Festival

uests can now explore the Busch Gardens® Food & Wine Festival menu online at buschgardens.com and prep their palates for the inaugural spring event debuting on March 7. From comfort classics like bacon mac & cheese to decedent desserts like passion fruit flan, the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival feeds guests’ appetite for adventure with wild flavors for every taste at stations around the park. Here’s a sample: Field House Eatery: The Field House Eatery is the Festival’s biggest location,

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 4

offering pan-seared scallops, roasted pork belly and mango éclairs right on Gwazi Field. The Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival runs from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, March 7 through April 26. Plus, raise your glass to live concerts at 6 p.m. on Gwazi Field. The Festival is included with any pass, Fun Card or daily admission. Food and beverages are available for purchase at an additional fee. For tickets/info, call 1-888-800-5447 or visit buschgardens.com.

Around Town

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G M A R C H 2 0 1 5

ridays Plant City Social Dance Club. Wear your Western attire on the 6th with Thomas McGannon. Open to the public. $6/$8. Doors open at 6 p.m., Dance 7 – 10 p.m. Florida National Guard Armory, Plant City. 863-409-7714.

Gala 2015. Sit under the stars beside the Little Manatee River and enjoy a cocktail/dinner reception, live entertainment, silent and live auction, open bar, valet parking and more. $250/$150. 5 – 10 p.m. Firehouse Cultural Center, Ruskin. 813-645-7651.

17th Annual Scholarshop Concert. Hear more than 60 choral members representing 12 churches and a temple sing a collection of sacred and inspirational music. Free admission. 3 p.m. St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Sun City Center. 813-634-1252.

and 28 Zephyrhills Artsy Farmers Market. A multitude of vendors selling produce, plants and flowers, cooked and prepared specialty foods, ethnic foods, free entertainment and more. Free admission. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Zephyr Park. 727-657-0444.

Brews & Bites Food Truck Rally. A rolling celebration of food, fun and live entertainment from local musicians at the venue’s 360-degree waterfront bar. 6 – 11 p.m. The Sail, Tampa. 813-274-7778

– 22 “Motown the Musical.” A look back at the genre and the music that transformed America. $121. 8 p.m. Tampa Theatre, Carol Morsani Hall. 800-430-8903.

Lifestyles After 50 Fun Fest. Exhibitors, live music, free games for prizes, free health screenings, PrizeA-Palooza and more. Free admission and parking. 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Kapok Pavillion, Clearwater. 813-653-1988.

Art Makers and Cocktail Shakers. Take a blank canvas and a palette of acrylic paints and you can make beautiful art. But what happens when you shake it up with a cocktail or two? Come find out. $38/$42. (All inclusive) 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa. 813-269-1310.

Old-Fashioned Picnic in the Park with the Northdale Owls. Meet in picnic area at Northdale Park, 15550 Spring Pine Dr., Tampa at 10 a.m. for food, games, entertainment and camraderie. $7. RSVP to 813-962-0397. Sun City Center Community Party and Open House. Food trucks, live music, ribbon-cutting and tours of local clubs and wellness center. 1904 Clubhouse Dr., Sun City Center. More info at 813-387-3446.

– 22 The Woodworking Show. Test and compare the tools and products needed to pursue your passion. $10. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Florida Expo Park State Fairgrounds, Tampa. 800-345-3247.

American Legion Riders Riverview Chapter Post 148 8th annual Haley House Poker Run to benefit wounded veterans. Open to the public. $15 entry includes poker hand, raffle ticket, meal ticket and commemorative poker chip. More info at 813-440-0740.

Jazz With Jim. The concert is best known for fusing personal stories by the musicians with popular jazz. $12/$18. 7:30 p.m. Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa. 813-922-8167.

Enjoy an evening of Irish music as St. Patrick’s Day continues with Mike Donahue and his fellow musicians playing joyful and nostalgic Irish and Celtic melodies. $12/$15. 7:30 – 10 p.m. Firehouse Cultural Center, Ruskin. Call 813-645-7651 to reserve your seat.

Enjoy a one hour complimentary dance lesson followed by a dance party. Free admission. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Unity of Tampa Church Fellowship Hall, Tampa. 813-417-3722.

and 29 Craft Festival. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Lakeside Village, Lakeland. Free admission. 863-616-9360. Send Around Town news to News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; fax 813-651-1989 or email calendar@srnewsconnection .com. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. March 10 for April event.) Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 5

Slow Down, Eat Better With Farmers Markets By Tracie Lukens

here does your food come from? Is it healthy? Is its production beneficial to you, other people or the environment? In today’s culture, it can be easy to lose touch with what we eat. Convenience and cost can lead us to questionable choices that ultimately affect our wellbeing. In response, a growing movement called Slow Food has emerged with a mission to reintroduce the world to everything wholesome about food, from local farms and markets to your table.

Why Shop at a Farmers Market? store. Dragonfruit? Prickly pear? Why For starters, you have access to fresh food, harvested at the peak of its ripeness and nutrition, free of preservatives. Small markets also cut out the middleman, so you have a chance to score some deals on in-season produce, especially if you buy in bulk. Furthermore, you’re bringing money back to your community by supporting local farmers. Debbie Butts, one of the workers at EcoFarm in Plant City, Fla., has been selling produce at the downtown Lakeland farmers market for eight years. “I think buying local and organic is important,” she said. “Farmers markets connect people with the community. It’s a big social event, and now that we can take food stamps, we can get good food to the people.” Here are some tips for getting the most out of your farmers market trip:

not! You may discover a new favorite. Also, don’t be put off by “ugly” fruits and veggies, as they are just as flavorful and nutrient-rich as their waxed, uniform grocery store counterparts. 5. Talk to the farmer. The heart of the Slow Food philosophy is getting to know where your food comes from, and most small farmers are happy to answer your questions. You may find that they offer organic produce, even though they are too small to afford an organic certification. Don’t be afraid to ask for samples or recipe ideas—they want you coming back for more. 6. Make it a trip. Farmers markets can be fun, social experiences. Take a friend or a grandkid, learn more about agriculture and enjoy the fresh air and community fellowship.

These vouchers increase the amount of produce in the diets of some families on food assistance, according to research led by NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. “In terms of healthy food options, farmers market incentives may be able to bring a low-income person onto the same playing field as those with greater means,” said Carolyn Dimitri, an associate professor of food studies at NYU Steinhardt and the study’s lead author. Currently, only low-income elders living in Alachua, Bay, Dixie, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Hernando, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Sumter, Suwannee, Union, and Washington counties may apply for the program in Florida, though it will expand as program funding increases. Visit elderaffairs.state.fl.us/ doea/farmers_market.php to learn more.

Slow Food

What is “slow food?” Think of the term as the opposite of fast food. The movement is founded on three principles: Good: Our food should include a fresh and flavorsome seasonal diet that satisfies the senses and is part of our local culture; Clean: Food production and consumption should not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; Fair: There should be accessible prices for consumers and fair conditions and pay for small-scale producers. Since the global, grassroots movement was first established in 1989, it has grown to include millions of people in over 150 countries. Chefs like Stefan Mahan, founder of Mahan’s Eatery in Lakeland, Fla., are helping to champion the cause. A farmers market opens outside the restaurant’s doors every Saturday, and Mahan relies on its fresh, local goods for his dishes— everything from produce, bacon and seafood to spices and coffee. “It’s something that a lot of chefs don’t do,” he told me. “They rely on a produce company to drop things off. Here, I can touch everything, see everything, and if it’s not up to our standards, I don’t use it.” Like Mahan, you don’t have to travel too far to take advantage of neighborhood farmers markets, which offer benefits to your health and your local economy. Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 6

Find a Market Near You

USDA’s National Farmers Market Directory: This database includes directions, hours, products, federal nutrition program participation and more info on 8,100 farmers markets nationwide. Visit search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/.

Local Harvest: A great online resource for farms, farmers markets, cooking classes and agricultural events happening in your area. See localharvest.org.

1. Go early or late: The best produce can go fast, so it pays to arrive when it opens. However, if you show up right before closing, you can find some decent sales. 2. Bring a canvas bag or wheeled cart. This keeps plastic bag costs down for farmers and makes bulky produce easier to carry. Don’t forget a small cooler for meats, dairy or frozen treats. 3. Bring change. A few vendors will have card scanners, but most markets operate on cash. 4. Try new things. Local growers will sometimes have offerings that you wouldn’t otherwise find in a grocery

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): In this program, community Accessible Nutrition members can pledge funds to a local Farmers markets are also a huge part farm at the start of a growing season of making healthy food accessible to to cover the farmer’s salary and operaeveryone through federal programs like tion expenses in exchange for a share the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition of the farm’s bounty throughout the Program, or (SFMNP). It provides low- season—usually in the form of a box income seniors with vouchers that can of assorted fresh produce or meat and be exchanged for eligible foods (fruits, dairy products set aside for pickup each vegetables, honey and herbs) at farmers’ week. Members share risk with the markets, roadside stands and communi- farmer—some yields may be heartier ty-supported agriculture programs. than others, but the reward is a regular Economically disadvantaged families supply of fresh food at prices that are tend to consume diets low in fruits and usually cheaper than grocery stores. vegetables, partially due to poor access to To find a CSA, or to learn more, visit healthy food and the income to pay for it. localharvest.org/store/csa.jsp.

7 Things You Must Know Before Putting Your Home Up for Sale Hillsborough County - A new report has just been released which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money. This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today’s market.The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don’t get what they want for their homes and become disillusioned and - worse - financially disadvantaged when they put their homes on the market. As this report uncovers, most

homesellers make 7 deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable. In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free special report entitled “The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar”. To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-800-665-3797 and enter 1000. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 7

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 8

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Grab Some Shoes, Shake The Blues

hey are common suggestions to remedy stress: You just need a breath of fresh air. Walk it off. Get out and see people. Turns out all those things combined may, in fact, make you feel better—a lot better—a new large scale study suggests. Something as simple as joining a walking group may be one of the best ways to improve your overall health. Group nature walks are linked with significantly lower depression, less perceived stress and enhanced mental health and well-being, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan with partners in the United Kingdom. People who had recently experienced stressful life events like a serious illness, death of a loved one, marital separation or unemployment especially seemed to see a mood boost after outdoor group walks. “Walking is an inexpensive, low risk and accessible form of exercise and it turns out that, combined with nature and group settings, it may be a very powerful, under-utilized stress buster,” says Dr. Sara Warber, associate professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.” All of this is good news for individuals looking for effective, non-pharmacological ways to help treat conditions like depression. The physical benefits are also significant, according to a recent report in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Researchers reviewed 42 studies involving nearly 2,000 adults in 14 countries, some of whom had chronic health problems such as arthritis, diabetes, obesity, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Joining a walking group led to decreases in blood pressure, resting heart rate, body fat, weight and total cholesterol, as well as improvements in overall physical functioning and lung power. And the social aspect of the walking groups was a powerful motivator to get and stay fit. Three-quarters of the walking group participants stuck with the exercise program. You can reap the same benefits, and it’s easy to start. Try these: Park and Ranger-guided Walks – Free or low-cost group hikes and guided nature walks are available in many state parks: floridastateparks.org/things-to-do/events. AVA (American Volkssport Association) – This nationwide, grassroots network has about 300 active clubs for noncompetitive walks, hikes, bike rides, swims and events. Find a local club at ava.org. Silver Sneakers – If you’re part of a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement Health plan, you may already have a SilverSneakers membership. This program hosts walking groups, general fitness classes and more. Register/info at silversneakers.com. Charities and Events – Join a local fun run or fundraising/awareness walk team. Search on active.com/walking. Meetup.com – Join a walking club or start your own! Visit walkers.meetup.com.

Local health, community and fitness centers will also offer group walking classes. So grab your shoes and hit the trails for a healthier, happier you. (Info from HealthDay, British Journal of Sports Medicine and University of Michigan) Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 9

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 10_R

Urban Farm Solutions By Tracie Lukens

ver wanted to try your hand at growing your own food? There are ways to maximize the yield of small growing spaces or urban farms while minimizing cost and incorporating organic practices. Try these small farm solutions:

1. Earthboxes: Container gardening systems like Earthboxes are portable gardening solutions that work well in small spaces. After initial setup, they last for years with minimal maintenance and use less water and fertilizer than conventional farming methods. Earthbox.com.

2. Hoop Greenhouses: These customizable greenhouses are easy to build, inexpensive and allow you to farm yearround. Plants gain protection from pests and the elements. Find plans/kits online.

3. Aeroponic Farming: In this soil-free growing system, plants are rooted in a vertical container through which a nutrient-rich solution is circulated. This method conserves space, water and materials. Vertigro.com 4. Light, Composting and Rain Barrels: If your space has little or no natural sunlight is available, metal halide lights, which produce a strong output of the blue spectrum, can fill in.

Use your own compost bin to help dispose of organic waste while building your own soil. It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, which can save money and spare the environment. Vermicomposting, which uses a special kind of earthworm to produce compost, can help you build soil in a small space. Use rain barrels to capture rainwater for irrigation and enjoy the water bill savings!

5. A-Frame Chicken Tractors: These portable, lightweight coops offer grazing and roosting room for a small group of hens with a small backyard footprint. Plans and kits are available online. 6. Green Roofs: If you don’t have a yard, but have a flat roof other outdoor space that you can modify, a “green roof” might be your solution. A thin layer of soil or other medium can support a dense mat of plants. You can also start small by setting up a potted garden on a balcony or windowsill. 7. Community Gardens: Talk to your community, HOA or city officials about converting an unused public space, such as a vacant lot, median or a section of a park into a small garden that residents can use freely. Growers can earn extra income by selling surplus at community events and farmers markets, or provide charity by donating to food pantries. 8. Extension Offices: Online resources and free or low-cost classes on urban and small space farming are available at your local extension office. Ask the experts for more info on these solutions, tips for pest control, small livestock, plant selection and more: solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu.

Tampa Airport to Atlantic City St.Pete/Clearwater to Atlantic City

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March 18 – 21 to Atlantic City

**This offer is subject to availability and management reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time without notice. Must be 21 or older to gamble and enter and remain in a NJ casino and participate in any Harrah’s Resort promotions. Hotel taxes of $13 per night not included. Flights departing from Tampa Airport operated by Republic Airlines are DOT approved and a $30pp air service fee will be applied upon hotel departure. Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No ST39092. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 11

It’s Never Too Late To... Play Pickleball! By T. Bryce Reeves

St. Joseph’s John Knox of Tampa Bay has been located in the heart of Tampa across from the University of South Florida for over 40 years. We provide an outstanding Independent Living experience for the senior population. St. Joseph’s John Knox offers an extensive activities program which allows you to stay as active and healthy as you choose. The Assisted Living program at John Knox Village allows those who need assistance in their activities of daily living to get that assistance with the dignity and respect they deserve as they age.

t’s never too late to…pick up a paddle and play pickleball. This game with a funny name is actually one of the fastest growing sports in America. Combining elements of tennis, badminton and Older adults get a vigorous workout playing pickleball Ping-Pong, pickleball at Clearwater’s Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex. may be played by all Accounts of how the name pickleball ages, including those in their 90s. originated vary. A July 16, 2013 article in It is appealing to seniors because it is The Wall Street Journal says, “The name less strenuous than tennis, yet it can procomes not from the family dog, Pickles, vide challenging competition for more as popularly related. According to a advanced players. Pickleball paddles are newspaper column by Pritchard’s wife, smaller than tennis racquets and larger Joan, it was so heavily based on other than Ping-Pong paddles. The plastic balls games it reminded her of the pickle boat have holes and are similar to Wiffle balls. in crew, ‘where oarsmen were chosen Check with your city’s recreation defrom the leftovers of other boats.’” partment and see if they offer open play Popular belief is that the game was sessions. If they don’t, you may want to named after the dog, Pickles, who chased ask them to look into it. after the ball. Others claim both accounts may be true. Regardless of where it came A quick history: The game was created in 1965 by Joel from, the name pickleball has endured. (From Pickleball Fundamentals by USA Pritchard, a congressman from Washington, and Bill Bell, a businessman, to en- Pickleball Association with Mary Littlewood. For more, visit HumanKinetics.com.) tertain their families during a barbecue.

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The Med Center at St. Joseph’s John Knox of Tampa Bay is a 163 dual certified skilled nursing facility, serving the community with outstanding care and compassion for all the short term rehab and long term care patients they serve. Contact St. Joseph’s John Knox Village of Tampa Bay at 813-977-6361 for more information or to schedule a personal luncheon tour. Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 12

KARAOKE ON SATURDAY NIGHTS STARTING AT 9 PM!

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 13

Don’t gamble with COPD.

Improve your odds with stem cell therapy. Treatments at the Lung Institute use stem cells from the patient’s own body to regenerate new, healthy tissue that improves lung function and quality of life.

Call (855) 313-1150 or visit lunginstitute.com/gamble Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 14

Stem Cells Take Center Stage

By David Ebner, Staff Writer

he world will never forget the day when four young men from Liverpool, England walked onto the stage of The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. The bright stage lights and the squeals from the crowd rained down on the group, and that grainy black and white image was pinned as a major moment in music history. The introduction of stem cell research to the world stage was not filled with as much fanfare. There were no screaming fans or standing ovations when the first stem cell therapy was conducted in the form of a bone marrow transplant in 1956. The long hours that scientists spent diligently researching and studying cells in laboratories across the world were not recorded in the pages of Life magazine. Even in 2012, when the two scientists who discovered the application of stem cells as the building blocks for human life won a Nobel Prize, the response was limited to the medical community. While the history of stem cell research may seem dwarfed in comparison to that of the Beatles or Elvis Presley, its impact on the healthcare and medical industry is anything but small. Adult stem cells live all over the body, and if extracted and reintroduced to the body, they can specialize as whatever type of cell they are near. For example, if stem cells from a patient’s abdominal fat were removed, isolated and reintroduced to the lungs

of the patient with a progressive lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the stem cells would become lung cells. These new cells would be disease free and would regenerate more disease-free lung cells, inevitably increasing lung function. For someone with a debilitating disease, a stem cell treatment like this could mean the difference between struggling for air and breathing easier. The staff at the Lung Institute have successfully performed such procedures on over 500 patients. Many of these patients have shared their personal stories online at www.LungInstitute.com. The Lung Institute’s Medical Director, Dr. Burton Feinerman said, “Stem cells are important because they offer a different approach. Instead of just treating symptoms and making the patient a little more comfortable, stem cells target the disease and can repair the damaged tissue.” It’s difficult to imagine a medical breakthrough taking center stage over a story about the latest sensation. However, that isn’t to say that lifechanging advancements in medical therapies, like stem cell treatments, aren’t occurring every day. The people that have sought these innovative treatments are already seeing these advancements in action, and although they may not be screaming like the crazed Beatles fans of the sixties, the stem cell fan base is growing every day with people that can now breathe easier. Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 15

How Using an FTRI “Free” Amplified Telephone Changed My Life

ASk The exPeRT LAURIe e. OhALL BOARD CeRTIFIeD eLDeR ATTORNeY (813) 438-8503 464 OAkFIeLD DRIve, BRANDON, FL 33511 Laurie Ohall is a Florida Board Certified elder Law Attorney who has been practicing law since 1994. In addition to elder law her areas of practice include estate planning, asset protection planning, probate, guardianship and trust administration. Ms. Ohall is a member of the Florida Bar, Brandon Bar Association, National Academy of elder Law Attorneys and the Academy of Florida elder Law attorneys. Ms. Ohall is also licensed to practice law in Ohio and is “of counsel” with the law firm of Browning, Meyer and Ball in Columbus, Oh.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 16

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et’s imagine this scenario: your son calls to ask if you want to go out for dinner, but it sounds like there’s something wrong with the phone line. His voice sounds muffled and distant, too quiet. “What was that? You sounded muffled,” you say. He repeats himself, but it sounds the same. “Sorry, one more time?” He sighs and asks you to dinner once more. Finally you hear and understand his invitation but you also hear frustration in his voice. And it’s not the first time this has happened; you noticed the same thing when your best friend, coworker, other family members and doctor called. You are tired of asking everyone to repeat what they said. Eventually you stop answering the phone because it’s too frustrating, too painful to continue straining to understand the conversation. Unfortunately, that is an all-toocommon problem. In fact, millions of people suffer with hearing loss, yet only 20 percent do something about it. What the remaining 80 percent might not know is that, in addition to causing frustration and isolation, untreated hearing loss leads to a higher probability of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and falling. Thankfully, the Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) program offers a solution for Florida residents experiencing hearing loss. FTRI distributes a variety of amplified telephones to qualified Florida residents to ensure that they’re able to have the best quality of life at no cost. The no cost rationale was made possible with the passage of Florida’s Telecommunications Access Systems Act of 1991 that implements the current eleven cents surcharge on all landlines in Florida. This not-for-profit program serves any eligible Florida residents over the age of three with a certified hearing loss or speech-challenge that has a working landline at home.

It sounds too good to be true, but it applies to three million Floridians with varying degrees of hearing loss. Florida resident Donald Hoover knows how invaluable his amplified telephone is. “I was unable to use a phone until now,” he explained. “It has changed my life.” Thanks to ClearSounds technology, he is finally able to hear and understand conversations using an amplified telephone.

Do not let hearing loss come between you and your loved ones—reconnect today with the FTRI amplified telephone program! Call 800-222-3448 or visit www.ftri.org/ClearSounds1 to request an application. Do you know a Floridian friend or family member having trouble hearing on the phone? Share and pass it along one of Florida’s open secrets. Florida is speaking up for better communication! If you are experiencing trouble with your current FTRI phone, have a change in your hearing or no longer need your FTRI phone, please contact FTRI’s Customer Care at 888-554-1151. FTRI is a statewide nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization that administers the distribution of specialized telecommunications equipment for all Floridians with a hearing loss or speech challenge. A surcharge applied to landline subscribers funds the program as mandated by Florida’s Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991. #KeepFloridaConnected

Sleepy? Reset Your Internal Clock By Mike Sesma, National Institutes of Health

eeling tired and out-of-sorts this week? Springing clocks forward by an hour on March 8, traveling across time zones, staring at a computer screen late at night or working the third shift are just a few examples of activities that can disrupt our daily, or circadian, rhythms. Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s environment. They influence our physiology and behavior, and they’re driven by our body’s network of tiny timekeepers. Four facts about our internal clocks:

1. The biological clocks that control circadian rhythms are groupings of interacting molecules in cells throughout the body. A “master clock” in the brain coordinates all the body clocks so that they are in synch. 2. Nearly everything about how our body works is tied to biological clocks. Our clocks influence alertness, hunger, metabolism, fertility, mood and other physiological conditions. For this reason, clock dysfunction is associated with various disorders, including insomnia, diabetes and depression.

3. Every organism has them—from algae to zebras, and many of the clock genes and proteins are similar across species, allowing researchers to make findings about human circadian processes by studying organisms like fruit flies, bread mold and plants. 4. Whether we’re awake or asleep, our clocks keep ticking. While they might get temporarily thrown off by changes in light or temperature, (or time and distance, in the case of jet lag) our clocks usually can reset themselves. Reset Your Clocks Sometimes it can take up to two weeks to get back on schedule. Some helpful tips: • Establish a relaxing pre-sleep ritual, such as reading or listening to calm music. • Make sure the bedroom is quiet, dark and free of the bright lights and stimulation of TVs and other electronics. · • Avoid large meals, alcohol (3 hours) and caffeine (6 hours) before bed. • Exercise earlier in the day. • Keep the same bedtime and wake time each day, even on weekends. • Get more sun exposure in the morning and avoid light at night.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 17

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MEDICARE ANSWERS

Should I Apply For A MSP? D ear Marci, I think my monthly income is a little over the income limit for a Medicare Savings Program. Should I still apply anyway? —Alexander

Dear Alexander, yes, even if your income is above the guidelines for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), you should still apply. You may still qualify for an MSP because certain income and assets may not count. Each state has its own formula for counting your income and assets to determine eligibility for an MSP. In all states, the following income is never counted: • The first $20 of all income • The first $65 of monthly wages • One-half of your monthly wages (after the $65 is deducted) • Food stamps Some states may not count other income, and/or may exclude things from your income, such as the money you use to pay health insurance premiums (like Part B premiums). Also, if there are more than two people in your household, the

monthly income limit may be higher in some states. In all states, the following assets are never counted: • Your primary house • Your car • Household goods and wedding/ engagement rings • Burial funds for you and your spouse valued up to $1,500 each • Life insurance with a cash value of less than $1,500 • Many states do not count other types of assets. Some states have no asset test.

To find out your state’s guidelines for determining eligibility for an MSP, contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). To find the contact information for your SHIP, you can go online and visit www.shiptalk.org. —Marci Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www. medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare.

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LivMD: Making Waves In The Research Community I f ten minutes per day and something the size of a bathroom scale could make you healthier, wouldn’t you try it? Marodyne Medical, a research and development company that specializes in interventions for illness, disease and injury, created LivMD, a device that uses low-intensity vibration to benefit your whole body—in just ten minutes daily. Developed by Marodyne Medical’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Clinton Rubin, LivMD, cleared by the FDA as a Class 1 medical device, is designed to help you maintain overall wellness through the use of low-intensity vibration. By standing on LivMD for ten minutes daily, the low-intensity vibrations “...improve localized circulation during use, strengthen and recondition those under-going rehab, restore motion to joints, redevelop muscles, assist as an adjunct treatment for obesity and relieve aches and pains throughout the body,” according to Marodyne Medical. “The vision of Dr. Rubin, the founder of Marodyne and scientist behind LivMD technology, is to offer the world

a safe, convenient, non-drug, scientifically proven approach to maintaining musculoskeletal health and wellness,” said Patrick Foote, Chief Operating Officer of Marodyne Medical. LivMD has more than 25 years of scientific research developing low-intensity vibration technology from esteemed institutions such as NASA and National Institutes of Health. The research was “initially focused on maintaining and improving bone density and treatment of osteoporosis for various age groups,” Foote said. The past ten years of research, however, have shown that lowintensity vibrations may aid in much more than bone health. Dr. Clinton Rubin, Distinguished Professor and Chair “Most recent information is of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University showing that these low-level According to Marodyne Medical, vibratory signals may be helpful to improving neurocognitive challenges not only is LivMD the product of facing humans, helping to overcome nearly three decades of low-intensity neuromuscular weaknesses, particularly vibration research, the device or one of as a result of aging or infirmity,” its prototypes has been used in studies all over the world that focused on “maintain Foote said.

or improving bone quality, mobility and balance, back pain relief, and wound-healing. Visit Marodyne.com or www.LivMD.US to learn more about low-intensity vibration technology and how Marodyne’s LivMD may improve your health.

“The vision of Dr. Rubin, the founder of Marodyne and scientist behind LivMD technology, is to offer the world a safe, convenient, non-drug, scientifically proven approach to maintaining musculoskeletal health and wellness...”

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 21

Pudgy Pets—How Weight Can Take Its Toll By Michelle Ferrera, DVM

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e don’t care what you dog looks like in a bathing suit, we just want them to be healthy. It has been estimated that 30 – 40 percent of pet dogs and cats are overweight in the United States. This is a result of excess calorie intake and inadequate exercise, but other contributing factors like breed, age, sterilization, hormonal disorders and medication side effects can play a role. What is considered ideal body condition? The ribs should be easily felt, but not seen. There should be a visible taper at the waist when viewed from the top and the side. The base of the tail should feel smooth with a thin layer of fat over the bones. Excess body weight takes a toll on your pet‘s health. Earlier onset of arthritis with associated lameness, diabetes mellitus, skin problems, heart and respiratory difficulty, blood lipid disorders are just a few issues associated with an unhealthy weight. These conditions will shorten your pet’s healthy life span, and medical

intervention to treat these conditions results in more frequent veterinary care and increased expense. If you are uncertain if your pet is overweight, or are not sure how to go about implementing a weight loss program, please consult your veterinarian. Cats can develop

life-threatening hepatic lipidosis, a fatal liver condition, if placed on an aggressive calorie-restricted diet. Your veterinarian can help you calculate the optimal weight and calorie intake for your pet, help you choose an appropriate diet and treats, and set a timetable for realistic weight loss for your pet.

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This Month at MOSI

The Art of Being Floridian Exhibit March 27 – April 30, 2015 A flock of artistically-painted pink plastic yard flamingoes will be on display at MOSI for the month of April. The flamboyant flock serves as a unique reminder to homeowners in Hillsborough County to “Skip The Fertilizer” in the summer to protect the waterways that make living here so much fun. Participating artists come from all over the region, from New Port Richey to Avon Park. Seniors: $20.95 (museum admission).

Humpback Whales: IMAX 3D All Month Narrated by two-time Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor, Humpback Whales is an extraordinary journey into the mysterious world of one of nature’s most aweinspiring marine mammals. Senior: $7.95. Times/tickets at mosi.org. MOSI is located at 4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa. Parking is $5/car. 813-987-6000.

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elcome to this month’s Tech Talk column, where we cover the latest apps, gadgets and websites that make life a little easier. We’re giving away the 10.4” Pixstar FotoConnect XD Wi-fi this month. With Pix-Star, you can take a photo on your mobile device and send it by email straight to this video picture frame at home. You can also receive photos by email directly on your Pix-Star frame, or send photos from your Pix-Star directly to your friends’ email, no computer required. The frame allows you display and stock photos with 4 GB of internal memory. You can use it to display your online pictures, link your external web albums (Facebook, Flickr, Google+, RSS photo feeds, etc...) and display their content on your frame. You can control which photos display with a remote control. The Pixstar Fotoconnect XD also includes fun features like the ability to listen to your favorite web radio stations, create your own playlists, manage contacts or check the weather. The digital frame is available at amazon.com and pix-star.com.

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Send us your name, address and phone number by March 19. The drawing will be held on March 20, and the winner will be contacted and announced in the March issue of Lifestyles After 50. Look for more giveaways in upcoming editions. Good luck!

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Be Sure to Check Your Attorney’s Background William R. Mumbauer, Attorney www.flwillstrustsprobate.com

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• Free, no obligation consultation. • Single will $150 • Husband and wife wills $200 Costs, if any, extra The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask the lawyer to send you free written information about his qualifications and experience.

lthough the overwhelming majority of attorneys are ethical and conscientious professionals, it is still wise to check the credentials of any attorney you are considering hiring. And doing so may be especially important if you reside in a senior community because troubled attorneys often cluster near areas populated by the elderly who are perceived by these unscrupulous attorneys to be easy prey. The unethical behavior of these few “bad apples” usually manifests itself in the charging of excessive fees or the recommendation for the preparation of unnecessary or inappropriate legal documents. The easiest way to check an attorney’s background is to log on to www. thefloridabar.org (or simply call The Florida Bar toll free at 800-342-8060) The Florida Bar website contains quite a bit of information about Florida attorneys, such as when the attorney was admitted to practice law and where he or she attended law school. But most importantly, the website will tell you

if the attorney is currently eligible to practice law in Florida and what, if any, Bar disciplinary action has been brought against the attorney in the past ten years. And finally, don’t forget the tried and true method of just asking your relatives and neighbors if they know anything about the attorney you are considering hiring. If the attorney has been in the same geographic for any period of time, his or her reputation—either good or bad—is probably known.

Mr. Mumbauer, a 5th generation Floridian, has maintained a law practice in Brandon, Florida since 1980 with emphasis on estate planning. Mr. Mumbauer takes special pride in representing the senior community by maintaining a sensitive and practical approach to problem solving. Mr. Mumbauer is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and is a participating attorney in the AARP Legal Service Network. Mr. Mumbauer is also a Mentor in probate law and has been qualified by the Second District Court of Appeal in Florida as an expert witness in matters involving the drafting of Wills. Mr. Mumbauer’s Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating among judges and lawyers for Legal Ability is High to Very High and his General Recommendation Rating is Very High. His articles are based on general principles of law and are not intended to apply to individual circumstances.

Social Security Q & A: Tax Season By Daryl Rosenthal Public Affairs Specialist, Tampa

ow is the time to prepare for tax season! Whether you are a retiree or a newlywed, here are some Social Security tax tips that may help you. Call today to receive your free consultation and emergency record guide 813-677-9494

Are Social Security benefits taxable? Yes, for some people with higher incomes. About one third of those receiving Social Security benefits must pay taxes on some of their Social Security benefits, depending on the amount of their taxable income. Learn more at socialsecurity.gov/planners/taxes.htm.

Will I get a tax form for my Social Security benefits? Yes. Beneficiaries should have received their Social Security Benefit Statements (Form SSA-1099) for tax year 2014 on or before January 31, 2015. If you receive Social Security and haven’t received your 1099 yet, you can request one online at socialsecurity.gov/1099.

I got married last year. Do I need to report my name change to Social Security? Yes. If you’ve legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, court order, or for any other reason, make sure you Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 24

change your name with Social Security, as well as with your employer, to make sure your earnings are properly recorded. This will ensure you get the Social Security benefits you are entitled to. Failing to do so could also cause a delay in your receipt of any federal income tax refund. Learn more about how to change your name at socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. Does Social Security have any tips at this time of year for those filing their taxes? Yes. We encourage you to carefully check: your name, Social Security number, and all data on your W-2s; your online Social Security Statement; and your Social Security card to make sure they all match. A mismatch could delay your tax refund and cause problems with future Social Security benefits. If you notice an error, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or if the info on the W-2 is incorrect, notify your employer. For more info, visit socialsecurity.gov.

VETERANS CORNER

When Books Went to War

By Janice Doyle

hen America entered World War II in 1941, we faced an enemy that had banned and burned over 100 million books and caused fearful German citizens to hide or destroy many more. Outraged American librarians launched a campaign to collect and send books to American military training bases and to troops overseas. They gathered 20 million hardcover donations for the troops, many of which were not appropriate subject matter (knitting and cooking, for example) and were heavy to ship. Still, the books they shipped were welcomed. “We need smaller books on subjects soldiers can enjoy,” they said.

In 1943, the War Department and the publishing industry stepped in with an extraordinary program: 120 million small, lightweight paperbacks for troops to carry in their pockets and their rucksacks, in every theater of war. Comprising 1,200 different titles of every imaginable type, these paperbacks were instant hits with the troops who often had many hours of waiting to deal with. “Soldiers read them while waiting to land at Normandy, in hellish trenches in the midst of battles in the Pacific, in field hospitals and on long bombing flights. They wrote to authors, many of whom responded to every letter,” says one writer. This effort by the Council on Books turned many service members into lifelong readers. They helped rescue The Great Gatsby from obscurity. Betty Smith’s book A

Tree Grows in Brooklyn became a favorite and she received letters daily from soldiers. In a new book, When Books Went to War, author Molly Manning traces the history of the program which provided books to troops. She tells stories and quotes letters revealing how much the men loved the books and some of the strange politics that sprang up around the program. Republican senators at one point, hoping to keep servicemen from voting to re-elect Roosevelt, passed a law prohibiting any kind of political references in the books. Pretty much everything, including course material for Army training, includes some kind of political reference. Eventually there was enough flak by servicemen and their families that the politicians adjusted the law. An impressive part of Manning’s book is about the long-term influence on our culture of getting hundreds of thousands of men to read for pleasure. It turned many men into life-long readers who might not otherwise have done so. My favorite parts of the book are the stories of the soldiers and sailors who read the books and the letters they wrote about what books meant to them. For example, when American troops stormed Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of France, they faced a barrage of machine-gun fire and almost certain death. Troops landing on the beach later that day found many badly injured soldiers propped up against the cliffs of Normandy reading books while waiting for medics to arrive. Truly it was when books went to war. When Books Went to War is yet another tribute to the so-called Greatest Generation.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 25

Active For Life: Strength Building Ajèe Wells-Eiland, BS, NCCT/ MMCI, NSCA-CPT

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uilding muscle strength is essential to everyday life. Over the years we lose a significant amount of muscle function due to the aging process, which weakens us and reduces our capacity to carry out basic tasks. This process is called sarcopenia (muscle degeneration due to aging). The musculoskeletal system (muscle, bone, and tendons) is a complex system that is responsible for our body’s mobility. Within this system, let’s focus on walking. There are muscles that are central to this movement— the gluteus, quadriceps and gastrocnemius. The gluteus muscle (maximus and medius) or buttock is the largest muscle in the body. The Gluteus Maximus extends and rotates the femur/thigh bone (quadriceps muscles) outward. The Gluteus Medius abducts and rotates the femur/ thigh bone (quadriceps muscles). The bones act as levers (a pulley system). When muscle contracts, it moves these levers to enable walking. When they become excessively weak, the large muscles that create this movement can impair walking, limiting gait swing. If we think of locomotion as gluteal, quads and calf then we can understand why a sedentary lifestyle causes muscle disorder. As we walk forward, our thighs and hips move backwards. Sitting for long periods of time can cause our anterior muscles (hip flexor) to become tight, producing an anterior tilt of the pelvic region. This pulls the torso (trunk) downwards and weakens our posterior muscles (back and gluteus). Building muscle strength is essential to help protect our skeletal structure from the mechanical distortion that we undergo. Have you ever noticed the way people walk? Some people walk with a long gait (or stride). Some people walk with a short gait, and there are those who walk with a very tight gait like they’re shuffling. Strong, healthy muscles have better coordination and contraction, making certain movements easier to perform. The metabolic stresses placed on the body during strength training cause your body to rebuild muscle, which can slow down your rate of muscle loss as you age. However, the initial changes are the neurological balances of our nervous system’s ability to activate our muscles (muscle recruitment). Strength training truly matters and can be done safely. Studies show that engaging in a consistent guided program can benefit everyone. To ensure a safe and successful exercise program, seniors should seek

out competent personal trainers who will provide careful supervision. Most importantly, you should consult your physician before you start any workout regimen.

Take the Strength Training Challenge! 1. Get 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Activity can be done in 10-minute increments if locomotion proves to be limited. 2. Choose 1 or 2 cardio exercises to perform for 30 minutes or 15 minutes each. a. Walking b. Cycling c. Treadmill d. elliptical 3. Only choose a few strength training exercises per workout. a. Squats b. Deadlifts c. Leg extensions d. Leg curls e. Step-ups f. Leg press quads g. Kick backs h. Calf raises

4. Do 1 – 2 sets per exercise and 5 reps each. 5. Rest for a couple minutes between sets. 6. Find your balance by asking yourself, am I doing too much or too little? 7. Be alert; know your body’s warning signs. 8. Remember, your body weight can be more than adequate. Now, Get up, Get going, Get Active for Life! For more information on Healthy Exercise Training, call 813-468-1096.

New Books “The Art Of Not Having It All: True Stories of Men, Sex and Other Disasters” By Melissa Kite

n a world where women are all “leaning in,” being a single lady who doesn’t have it all together can be tough. For Melissa, it seemed like every woman she knew was heroically juggling work and family life, but there was a note on her fridge that read, “Don’t forget to get married and have kids,” which had been covered up by shopping lists and dry-cleaner receipts. A “modern-day Bridget Jones” (Easy Living Magazine), she didn’t believe there was anyone out there even remotely like her. “The Art Of Not Having It All” is Melissa’s relatable journey toward understanding that not having it all—the white picket fence, the kid, the job, and Mr. Right—was enough for her, and can be for others as well. The book is available at Amazon.com, Google Books and us.macmillan.com. “The Widow or Widower Next Door” By Mary Lee Robinson

“Is grief more taboo than sex? That’s easy,” says author Mary Lee. “You can start up a conversation just about anywhere and bring up the topic of sex and people will join in, offer opinions, say just about anything. Try mentioning grief (or the fact that their spouse just died) and all of a sudden the conversation is over. It is too uncomfortable. No one knows what to say.”

In her book, Mary Lee recounts the day that doctors told her that her husband, Pat, who suffered from a cerebral hemmorage at 63, was not going to be with her much longer. She took a red marker and a ballpoint pen with her to the hospital on Valentine’s Day, then took his hand and drew a heart on his palm. She wrote “my heart” inside it and said ‘I love you; you hold my heart in your hand.’ The mortician left it in place. Mary Lee states, “Pat still holds my heart in his hand and my heart is warm because of it.” “The Widow or Widower Next Door” is a collection of stories from 25 storytellers revealing the unexpected reactions that occur after the death of a loved one. “Nothing prepares us to lose a spouse,” she says. “We hope to get people thinking and preparing, and we hope to educate others about what is helpful and what is not when a friend or loved one is grieving.” She intends to take the profits from her book and use them to start widow and widowers social clubs in other cities. The book is available in both paperback and e-book versions from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Google Books andmaryleerobinson. com.

Tax Help and More At Your Library

“Make The Most Of Your Social Security Benefit.” Attend a talk by a local Social Security representative in order to be better prepared to file for benefits. 2 to 3 p.m. at Jimmie B. Keel Library, Community Room C.

“Retire Wisely.” Join Matthew Oleson of Thrivent Financial as he discusses how to manage the six major risks all retirees face: outliving their income, inflation, unpredictable events, market volatility, income taxes

and rising healthcare costs. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Town ‘N Country Regional Library, Community Room A.

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Free Tax Help From AARP TaxAide Foundation. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bloomingdale Library, McLean Community Room. For more info on these classes and locations, please call the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative at 813-273-3652, or visit hcplc.org. Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 27

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Lesson: Payback Time

Brian Gunnell and the American Contract Bridge League

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n recent Bridge Bites, our West has been a bit of a pest, frequently coming up with dastardly plays which make Declarer’s life difficult. This week we are delighted to report that West makes a slight slip and becomes the victim. Perhaps South was a little boisterous in the bidding, a more prudent player would have merely invited game. But making seemingly impossible contracts is one of the joys of the game, and your job is to make 10 tricks after West plays three rounds of Diamonds.

It looks pretty grim, doesn’t it? Two Diamonds have already been lost, the ♠A is another loser, and there appears to be an inescapable Heart loser. Down one? No, it’s too soon to give up! Declarer has a long-shot route to success, which requires that West started with the singleton trump Ace and no more than two Hearts. Step 1 is to cash the top Clubs and ruff a Club. Step 2 is to cash the ♥A and the ♥K. Now, Step 3 is to exit with a trump. Let’s relish West’s discomfort! Declarer’s fine play has eliminated all of West’s safe exit cards. With nothing left but Diamonds and Clubs, whatever West plays will give Declarer a ruff and discard… he’ll ruff the return in one hand and discard the “inescapable” Heart loser from the other. Making 10 tricks! You see where West went wrong, of course. He needed to cash the ♠A early in the play (before the third round of Diamonds). Now, the elimination play does not work, and Declarer will eventually be down one. Visit acbl.org for more about the fascinating game of bridge or email marketing@acbl.org. To find a bridge club in Florida, go to district9acbl.org /D9Clubsmap.htm. Bridge article provided courtesy of St. Petersburg Bridge Club: stpetebridge.org.

Volunteering: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Call 877-284-8202 for more information. *You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. The $0 monthly plan premium only applies to BlueMedicare HMO and BlueMedicare RPPO plans. **HMO and PPO plans are only available in select counties. Florida Blue is a PPO and RPPO Plan with a Medicare contract. Florida Blue HMO is an HMO Plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Florida Blue or Florida Blue HMO depends on contract renewal. Health Insurance is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, D/B/A Florida Blue. HMO coverage is offered by Health Options, Inc., D/B/A Florida Blue HMO, an HMO subsidiary of Florida Blue. These companies are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Y0011_81434 0714 CMS Accepted Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 28

tudies have shown that volunteering boosts self-confidence, life satisfaction and even your health! If you want to challenge yourself to have a more active mind, a stronger sense of purpose, greater social involvement, and improved mental, emotional, and physical health, the SHINE Program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) could be for you. Under the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, SHINE is a free program that is operated through Area Agencies on

Aging, locally known as the Senior Connection Center. The SHINE Program provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to help beneficiaries, caregivers and their loved ones make informed decisions to best suit their needs. By volunteering with SHINE, you gain the training and ability to change lives for the better. If you are interested in volunteering, or are in need of SHINE assistance, please contact the SHINE program at 1-800-963-5337 or learn more at www.floridashine.org.

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Question: Where was the very first St. Patrick’s Day parade held? Your Answer: Send in the correct answer to be entered in a drawing to win a prize valued at $25 or more each month. Deadline for entries Mar. 16, 2015. Drawing held Mar. 20, 2015.

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February’s answer is “The Hanging Gardens of Babylon.” Rodney Rodriguez is February’s winner.

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Online Dating Tips Part 2—Playing It Safe a new date home. Don’t worry about offending the other person; an honest mate will understand your taking precautions.

By Elle Layne

reetings, web-crossed lovers! In last month’s article, we talked about a few ways to narrow down a dating site. This month is all about making your online dating experience a safe one. We’ve heard the horror stories about predators with fake profiles arranging meetings with unsuspecting dates, or about con artists or phishers who seem caring and forthright at first but then ask for money and aggressively persist if you refuse. Lonely seniors make especially appealing targets for scammers. Rather than allow a few bad apples to ruin it for the genuine beaus out there just looking for a good match, stay one step ahead of them by keeping these safety tips in mind: 1. Protect personal information. Don’t give out your address, phone number, credit card number or other details. This sounds like a no-brainer, but sometimes we can let our guard down in our attempts to please others. You do not want this information to fall into the hands of

3. Watch for red flags: These are a few signs that your match might be a scammer trying to lure you into parting with your money or information, according to Match.com: a stranger, con-artist or potential stalker. Exercise sound judgment and give the relationship time before you trust anyone with sensitive info, for your safety. 2. Meet on your terms. Choose somewhere familiar, safe and preferably public when meeting someone for the first time, and drive yourself. If you take your own car, you have the freedom to leave should the date go awry. Make sure to tell a friend where you are going and the name of the person you are with, and have an exit strategy. Never bring

• Your new match quickly asks to chat on an outside email or messaging service • Claims to be from U.S. but currently travelling, living or working abroad • Asks you for money

• Vanishes mysteriously from the site, then reappears under a different name • Talks about “destiny” or “fate”

• Claims to be recently widowed

• Asks for your address under the guise of sending flowers or gifts

• Makes an inordinate amount of grammar and/or spelling errors • Sends you emails containing strange links to third-party websites • Uses fake photos. Scammers will sometimes pull photos off of stock image sites or other people’s Facebook pages. You can double-check a photo by dragging or saving the image to your computer’s desktop, opening Google Image Search (images.google. com), and dragging the photo into the search field. Then hit the “search images” button to see where else the photo is being posted online. It never hurts to do your homework! 4. Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. And there is no excuse for harassing texts, emails or phone calls. If someone is stalking you, don’t hesitate to report them to the dating site and to the police. Nothing is worth risking your safety over.

I hope these tips help make your experience a smooth one. In our next and last installment, I’ll let you know how you can make your dating profile pop!

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 31

Explore Bok Tower Gardens

scape to a sanctuary filled with tropical gardens, graceful swans, nature trails, art and music. Bok Tower Gardens, located at 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, was created in the late 1920s by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and humanitarian Edward W. Bok for the public to enjoy. Its signature landmark, The Singing Tower, is a masterwork of sculpted stone and colored tile that rises 205 feet above a reflection pool. It houses a 60-bell carillon that plays daily at 1 and 3 p.m., and during concerts throughout the year. If you’re planning a visit, there’s plenty to see and do; you can catch a new art exhibit in the visitor’s center; grab a bite to eat at the Blue Palmetto Café; take a tour of a 1930’s mansion; attend an art or gardening class; come for a concert or just spend an afternoon reconnecting with nature by strolling the gardens and trails. Tickets start at $12, and hours are 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Here’s what’s coming up:

St. Patrick’s Day Carillon Concerts, March 17 Stroll the blooming gardens and enjoy Irish favorites playing on the Singing Tower carillon. Included with Gardens admission. Times: 1 to 1:30 p.m. and 3 to 3:30 p.m.

Easter Sunrise Service, April 5 A longstanding Gardens tradition, Easter morning worshippers are offered free admission from 6 – 8 a.m. to experience a magical sunrise service with full choir, brass ensemble, live carillon performances and an inspirational Easter message delivered by Pastor Chad Reynolds from the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales. A buffet breakfast will be served in the Blue Palmetto Café following, for an additional fee. For a complete event calendar, or for more info, visit boktowergardens.org or call 863-676-1408.

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and 21 Balcony-To-Backstage Tour.Learn the Theatre’s secrets, stories, art and architecture with an intimate tour of the historic movie palace. The 90-minute tours will kick off in the lobby at 11:30 a.m. and include a demonstration of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Tickets are $7.50 for adults and $5 for children ages 2 to 12. Tampa Theatre members are free.

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TRAVEL

Seven Ways to Enjoy the Mile High City Goliath, accessible by the M. Walter Pesman Trail within the Arapaho National Forest. Mount Goliath includes delicate wild flowers and awesome Rocky Mountain vistas. The Gardens offers guided tours of Mount Goliath on select dates in June through August.

By Janice Doyle

enver—so many reasons to go; so much to enjoy. I first put Denver on my travel bucket list in the 60s watching Colorado’s heroine, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” That musical told her rags-to-riches story and led my heart straight to Denver. In real life the Titanic survivor Margaret Brown was typical of those whose spunk and spirit during the Silver Boom and Gold Rush made Denver what it is today. Whatever your interests, today’s Denver and that area of Colorado provides vacation diversity.

The Tattered Cover

1. Visit the unique downtown area The Tattered Cover bookstore is just one gem in downtown Denver where the Wild West blends with urban chic. In the 16th Street Mall find decades-old bookshop Tattered Cover full of oldstyle lamps, leather couches, and all the books you could ever wish for. Or buy a

cowboy shirt at Rockmount Ranch Wear (inventors of the snap button shirt). Denver’s LoDo (lower downtown) district comprises 28 square blocks of restaurants, sports bars and brewpubs as well as nightly live music in various places. (Booklovers – Tattered Cover is an indie bookstore with three locations in the Denver Metro Area.)

2. See the Denver Botanic Gardens— three of them! Woody Allen’s film Sleeper was filmed at the central Denver Botanic Garden. It is huge and features a large amphitheater, a conservatory, themed gardens and rotating exhibits. One of the Gardens’ satellite locations is the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, a working farm located along a creek in southern Jefferson County. Prepare for exceptional trails and great bird watching. Another satellite garden is the alpine and subalpine location called Mount

3. Take in a game Name a sport and Denver has a team. “The Mile High City” is the home of the Denver Nuggets, the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Rockies. A summer visit The Source means that you can watch the Colorado Rockies hit homeruns at Coors Field where summer 2015 will offer 52 craft beers on tap. 4. Scavenger Hunt—if you have the grandkids along or if you are just someone who likes to have some fun in new places, use the Smart Phone app and go on the amazing scavenger hunt Urban Adventure Quest for Denver. By solving clues and completing challenges, you can turn Denver into a three-hour gameboard combining the fun of Amazing Race with a city tour. (Urban Adventure Quests are now in 35 cities and are just plain FUN.)

6. Stay at the Brown Palace Hotel At this iconic and elegant old hotel, you brush your teeth with water from the hotel’s own artesian well. Almost every president since Teddy Roosevelt has visited this elegant, classic hotel. (About $300/night)

5. Find your organic self Imagine a huge warehouse called The Source. Now put an organic-centric Colorado spin on it. Do that and you have 26,000 square feet of local everything from food to crafts to beer. From coffee shop to restaurant to art gallery—take your foodie self to The Source for a taste of Colorado on Brighton Boulevard.

7. See Western art Western Art rarely looks at home anywhere but in The West, but I admire it at every opportunity in my travels. The Denver Art Museum houses the Petrie Institute for Western American Art. The American Museum of Western Art— The Anschutz Collection is downtown in the Navarre Building. The Visions West Galleries of Denver specializes in Western art and wildlife motifs, and small galleries in the area almost always include Western artists’ works. So, plan a trip to enjoy a spirited time a mile high. For more ideas, go to www.denver.org.

Rocky Mountain National Park

his iconic national treasure turns 100 this year, and the park is celebraing with monthly events ranging from art shows and guest speakers to festivals, natural history presentations, wilderness activities and ranger programs. Recently, Lonely Planet ranked Rocky Mountain National Park as # 2 on their list for top places to visit in 2015. And in 2014 National Geographic named Rocky Mountain National Park as one of its best trips in the world. Just 70 miles from Denver, RMNP is a memorable summer daytrip or multi-night trip add-on. Driving to the park you’ll pass breathtaking red sandstone rock formations. In the park, take the Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous motorway in the US. You can snake across the tundra at over 11,000 feet elevation for incomparable views, crossing the Continental Divide along the way. Or traverse the Old Fall Road, the first road to cross the Rockies with stunning overlooks. Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 33

Famous Birthdays

Last Month’s Answers

February Sudoku

Anne Marshlow is last month’s winner! Congratulations!

Win Great Prizes!

New winner selected each month

o you share a March birthday with someone famous? Here are a few:

Chuck Norris, 75 on March 10

Albert Einstein;

(1879 – 1955) Mar. 14

Good Luck!

Mar. Sudoku

Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well. Good luck! The first correct answers selected from the drawing on March 20 will win.

Dana Owens Bruce Willis, 60 “Queen Latifah,” 45 on March 19 on March 18

Sarah Jessica Parker, 50 on March 25

Steven Tyler, 67 on March 26

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC. P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES! Sudoku muST bE REcEIvEd by mAR. 20, 2015

Word Search March

Word Search

In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions – forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

Answers From February

Pat Porter is last month’s winner! Congratulations! Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: News CoNNeCtioN UsA, iNC. P.o. BoX 638, seFFNeR, FL 33583

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 34

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on March 20 will win. Mystery Prize!

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

Mystery Prize!

(Puzzles must be received by March 20, 2015.)

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 35

Seniors Getting Together WOMEN SEEKING MEN

4119 SEEKING CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN Former airline stewardess and model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., widow, slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare. Fulbright scholar, eats healthy & exercises. Likes sports and animals. Loves the Lord. 4435 ARE YOU ANSWERED PRAYER? Petite, single CRWF, 58 YY, 5’2‘, HWP, hazeleyed, natural curly-haired, ISO S/D, R/P, honest, trustworthy, emotionally/financially stable C/M. Family oriented, old fashioned values, FF/LTR/TLC, NS, ND, NDrg. Likes listen/dance to 50s jazz and southern gospel music. Optimistic. Compassionate. Respectful. Fun-loving. Adventurous. 4436 PRETTY, FUN, INTELLIGENT, CHARMING, SWF. Just retired, 55, likes to work out and many other activities except golf and sailing. LTR, need my forever man/ friend/companion and lover. No affairs here. Eastern Hillsborough. 4440 A LADY OF DISTINCTION who is a youthful 69, petite, widow, no children, non-smoker, non-drinker, a heart full of love (been told I have a nice smile & legs) sincere, loyal, works hard, creative, trustworthy, determined to succeed, strong but gentle, not much on cooking and sports. New England French roots, loves airplanes, Harleys, boating, sports cars and animals.

Seeking bright, financially stable white gentleman of integrity, 65 – 75, no beards, who is neat, distinguished, who laughs, has fun, is adventurous, successful, and has a natural warmth and compassion for others. 4442 LOOKING FOR LAST LOVE. SWF ISO SWM, 5’7” and 65 – 75 for dancing, and some travel. Lets enjoy life together. Largo Area. 4444 CHRISTIAN LADY SEEKING CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN. NS, ND, understanding, fun loving, honest. I am 67YY. Look like 40YY. I like flea markets, travel, gardening and church. I am healthly, truthful and eat right. ISO 60 – 67 single Christian Gentleman. 4445 SEEKING THE GOOD LIFE. DBF 62YO, 6’1”, thick, attractive, loving, caring, Steve Harvey books are my kind of a man. Seeking the same. I love God and have lots of interests. Largo area. 4446 SPANISH SPEAKING LADY looking to find you. I am 70 years old, 5’1” tall, educated, honest, not so pretty, but kindly, neat, white skin, USA citizen, some shyness. I want to know about you “gentleman”.

MEN SEEKING WOMEN 4421 ATTRACTIVE, IN SHAPE, 57YO Athletic build, good values, good listener, financially secure, conscientious and considerate. I enjoy travel, adventure, sports, movies, music and fun. ISO lady with similar interests.

4431 WHITE MALE, 60, 5’9”, 165lbs, looking for female 60 to 67. Height and weight proportionate, non smoker, laid back woman. Likes fishing, beach, day trips. Looking for romance to send photo and letter. Madeira beach area. 4437 MISSION IMPOSSIBLE SIZE FOUR. This SWM, 6’2’, 183# would love to meet very slender, active, educated female, late 50’s to early 60’s for day trips, museums, concerts, art fests, biking, etc. Ambition is a LTR with that very special person. 4443 HOLIDAY AREA MAN. Nice, 65, looking for slim female, any age for intimate times who is also a nice person. No smokers, drugies or drunks. Holiday area next to Tarpon Springs. Remember phone # in your letter. 4441 INCESSANT, PASSIONATE, FAITHFUL, GENUINE Dare to think and be young again. Age is merely a number. Pure romantic (real) love is totally cerebral and emotional. I am building a home in the B.V.I. on the beach. Dare to be there with me!

Commonly Used Abbreviations:

TO PLACE AN AD

Send your ad, stating what category you would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the address listed below. Make any checks out to News Connection USA, Inc. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue. No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right to edit any ads for space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City or area included at no charge. TO RESPOND TO AN AD

Write a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped envelope and write the ad number on the bottom left hand side of the envelope. Place your stamped, numbered envelope(s), along with $2 for each letter enclosed, into another envelope and address it to: News Connection USA, Inc. Seniors Getting Together P.O. Box 638,Seffner, FL 33584

F-Female, M-Male, S-Single, D-Divorced, WW-Widow, A-Asian, B-Black, H-Hispanic, I-Indian, W-White, C-Christian, J-Jewish, YO-Years Old, YY-Years Young, ISO-In Search Of, SOH-Sense Of Humor, SM-Smokes, S-Light Smoker, NS-Non Smoker, ND-Non Drinker, SD-Social (Light) Drinker, DR-Drinks, NDrg- No Drugs, LTR-Long Term Relationship, HWP-Height & Weight Proportional, R-Retired, P-Professional, FF-Friendship First, TLC-Tender Loving Care.

The Florida Orchestra: Star Wars, SENIORS GETTING TOGETHER Russian Favorites and More in March

RUN YOUR AD FOR ONLY $6 A MONTH Personal Ad Placement

Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month prior to placement.

Only $6 to place an ad!

Mark The Edition(s) You Would Like To Run Your Ad In: Hillsborough & Suncoast (Pinellas/Pasco) Lake/Marion Counties Southwest/Charlotte (Fort Myers/Port Charlotte)

Ad Copy • Please Print Neatly • 30 Word Limit Title (First 4 Words):

City (No Charge):

If more room is needed, please use separate sheet. Mail this form along with $6 for each ad per month (add $4 for each additional edition/market in the same month). We cannot accept your ad without it. This information is conﬁdential.

Name: Address: City: Phone:

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MAIL TO: ATTN. / SENIORS GETTING TOGETHER, NEWS CONNECTION, USA, INC. • P.O. BOX 638., SEFFNER, FL 33583 Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 36

By Henry Adams

t the next Raymond James Pops concert, “Star Wars & More!,” it’s a celebration of John Williams’ extraordinary film music from Superman, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Hook, E.T. and Schindler’s List, along with a cosmic hit parade of themes from Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, A New Hope and The Phantom Menace. Bob Bernhardt conducts an 8 p.m. concert on March 6 in Tampa and both a 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. concert on March 7 in St. Petersburg. At the upcoming Tampa Bay Times Masterworks, TFOs’ new Music Director Designate Michael Francis leads the orchestra in an all-Russian program. The concert opens with the tragic tale of puppets endowed with human vulnerabilities in Stravinsky’s Petrushka. This is followed by Rachmaninoff’s mysterious and dramatic Isle of the Dead, a musical depiction of Romantic painter Arnold Bocklin’s painting of the same name. The evening closes with Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous

yet tragic tale of love in his symphonic poem Francesca da Rimini. These concerts are March 14 and 15 in St. Petersburg and Clearwater, respectively. At the following Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concert, the night begins with Strauss’ wonderfully intimate interplay of 13 wind instruments in Serenade for Winds, prior to Barber’s nostalgic Knoxville: Summer of 1915, with it recollections of idyllic childhood memories of simpler times in rural America. Closing the concert, Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 is brimming with joyous and lovely melodies as it leads up to the gorgeous vocal solo by soprano Talise Trevigne in the radiant finale. Associate Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra Cristian Macelaru conducts TFO for these concerts on March 20, 21 and 22 in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Individual concert tickets for this season as well as series packages for the 2015/16 season are all available atfloridaorchestra.org or by calling 1.800-662-7286. Most concerts offer affordable single-ticket prices of $15, $30 and $45.

Last Month’s Answers

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Last Month’s Answers

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Send your answers for a drawing. First correct answers selected from the drawing on Mar. 20 will receive $20 cash! Send to: News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583

I want information on: Travel / Cruises Recreation / Leisure Entertainment / Events

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Hills

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 37

MEMORIES WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS ARE PRICELESS. DON’T LET MACULAR DEGENERATION TAKE THEM AWAY.

A CURE IS IN SIGHT.

Blind spots or blurry vision aren’t necessarily signs of old age. More than 10 million people in the U.S. are affected by Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50. The Foundation Fighting Blindness provides information about diagnosing and managing AMD, so you can continue enjoying time with your grandchildren. To learn more and for a free AMD information packet, call 800-434-1974 or visit FightBlindness.org.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 38

Annual Expo Showcases Services For Seniors

he 26th annual Temple Terrace Senior Expo will bring together a wealth of services, products and important information tailored specifically for seniors, caregivers and others on Friday, March 6, 2015. There will be musical entertainment, door prizes, bingo and other fun-filled activities. The USF College of Pharmacy will be providing free blood pressure and glucose screenings. Seniors also can dispose of old, unwanted medicines through Operation

Medicine Cabinet. Just bring any expired, unused or unwanted medicines and prescription drugs to the event between 9 a.m. and noon. Please do not bring needles or sharp objects. A free continental breakfast will be available at 8 a.m. on a first-come, firstserved basis. This free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Family Recreation Complex, 6610 Whiteway Drive, Temple Terrace. For more information, please call 813-506-6635.

HUdson NAPA Auto Parts .............. 727-862-8631 Brandon Auto Clinic of Brandon ...... 813-654-8686 Xtreme Powersports ......... 813-626-6060 Brooksville Sunrunner Automotive ...... 352-596-2314 Master Auto/Air ................. 352-799-6444 Halo Autosports ................ 352-437-1999 Brooksville Transmission.. 352-796-6544 General Auto Parts ........... 352-796-2522 Clearwater LeSS of Tampa Bay..............727-873-6929 M & M Ultrasports ...........727-412-8020 Stouts Auto Service .......... 727-400-6955 dade City Reliance Auto Center ....... 352-567-5281 Holiday NAPA Auto Parts .............. 727-934-4651

Palm HarBor K & K Custom Cycles........ 727-773-1095 Pinellas Park George’s Performance ..... 727- 521-2206 Port riCHey Napa Auto Parts ............... 727-848-2509 rUskin Thompson’s Auto Parts .... 813-645-3204 st. Pete Park Auto Service ............727-521-2910 Royal edger ......................727-573-1700 Bob Lee’s Tires.................727-822-3981 Complete Auto Parts ........727-895-3821

Miles Automotive ..............727-323-0180 J.C. Automotive ................727-866-0044 St. Pete Power Sports ......727-456-6088 Suncoast Auto & Tire .......727-520-1148 seffner Schembries Auto Serv...... 813-685-5654 sUn City Killingsworth Automotive .. 813-645-7220 tamPa John erb’s ......................... 813-908-3333 Storm Automotive ............. 813-469-0055 Atlantic Automotive ........... 813-936-1510 BNB Automotive ............... 813-416-8711 Franklin Car Care ............. 813-882-4230 Tony’s RamTech................ 813-877-6642 Xtreme Powersports ......... 813-626-6060 Mobile Auto Serv. ............. 813-892-3603

If you or your business would like to get AMSOIL products at Wholesale CALL 941-586-3853

Get Connected to sMIlE WIth COnFIdEnCE Ask about our competitive pricing and interest free financing for qualified applicants.

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sPRInG hAs sPRUnG! If you’re looking to improve your smile this season, come in before April 30 and receive 10% off* crowns (reg. $970).

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Open Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 5811 E. Broadway Ave. Insurance and Medicaid Accepted

Full Service General Dentist • In-House Lab Serving The Dental Needs of the Community Since 1974

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Unique Vacation Hotel for Cats Only! F Featured on Nationwide TV F Reasonable rates F Huge windows on tropical gardens F Vet on call F Soft music, lots of loving & petting

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Improve Your Golf Game By Kalliope Barlis

olf is a mental game as much as it is a physical one. Visualizing your shot beforehand and saying your goal aloud ignites the brain’s pathways to achieve it. Aim your brain by stating in positive language what it is that you want: “I am going to score 72 today.” Consistency in landing your target is gained through mastering these seven fundamentals: 1. Decide where you want the ball to land or roll specifically. Always have your target in mind. 2. Have a firm yet passive hold of the club in your hands. 3. Have precise aim with your club face and alignment of your body. 4. Your eyes are focused on the center of the back of the ball where the center of the club face strikes through. In the sand, your eyes are focused one to two inches behind the ball on the sand.

5. Maintain balance while striking through the ball to the end of your follow-through. 6. Face your outcome. Watch the ball land until it comes to a resting position. 7. If the ball lands where you intended, celebrate the outcome internally or with a fist in the air and remember what you did. If the ball did not do what you intended, sense what you can do differently and make the adjustments necessary for the next shot. If you tell your brain what you want and combine it with these fundamental skills, you will dramatically improve your game with practice.

Kalliope Barlis is an NLP Coach, Master Practitioner and Trainer, Doctor of Acupuncture, Golf Improvement Specialist and author of the guide “Play Golf Better Faster,” which can be purchased on her website: www.PlayGolfBetterFaster.com.

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Take A Gardening Workshop

he UF/IFAS Extension of Hillsborough County will be offering Compost Happens, Water-Wise and Rainwater Harvesting Workshops free for Hillsborough County residents on

April 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hillsborough County Extension Service, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner. Pre-registration required online at hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml. Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 39

At Continucare, we take your health personally.

For the physicians and specialists at Continucare, our priority is always the patient. Everyone works together, as a team, to help you live a healthier life. That’s why we focus on preventive medicine, and offer most of the services you need under one roof, for your convenience. At the end of the day, our greatest satisfaction comes from doing what is best for you – our patient. We take that very personally.

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1-813-793-6913 Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm The quality care you deserve

continucare.com Not all services are covered under all health plans and patients are responsible for checking their health plan documents for coverage. Not all services are available at all facilities. Please contact your nearest Continucare location for more information. Limitations may apply. MKCONFDM5824