Nov 2011 Prime Montgomery

Page 1

Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

Montgomery

November 2011 F R E E

Music of a Generation: Kenny Rogers & the First Edition

The Big BAM Shows

Roy Orbis

on

Jerry Lee Lewis hristie Lou C

Paul Revere & the Raiders

INside

9 Treasures

from Alabama’s past America’s First Thanksgiving (It’s not where you think it was.)

nFall

Flowers nFried Apple Pies nRefinancing Your Home nHunting & Hearing Loss nCrossword, Sudoku nHospice Explained nDiabetes


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www.healthspring.com Meeting attendance is free with no obligation. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings call HealthSpring Customer Service at 1-888-602-8286 (TTY 711), seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. During the seminar, the HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans (HMO, POS, SNP) available in your service area will be discussed. You must reside in the plan service area. The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium, and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1, 2013. A Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare Advantage contract. Y0036_12_0504 File & Use 10012011 ADVO_MONT_NOV11 2

November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com


Features

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond!

Montgomery

9 The real first thanksgiving Long before the Pilgrims sat down with Native Americans to share a meal in the Massachusetts Colony, settlers in St. Augustine, Florida broke bread with natives of that area. Explore the city that celebrated America’s First Thanksgiving. By Andrea Gross

12 music of a generation Radio pioneers Cyril and Dan Brennan brought top-name music acts to Montgomery for the Big BAM Shows from the 50s through the 70s, performances rivaled only by Dick Clark’s traveling tours. By Lenore Vickrey

18 unburied treasures Quilts, pistols, musical instruments and more are some of the historic items found at the nation’s first state archives, devoted to finding, preserving and telling Alabama’s story.

Angel Trumpet at the home of Yard ‘n Garden columnist Ethel Dozier Boykin (page 17). Photo by Bob Corley

By Lenore Vickrey

November 2011 www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

3


Financial 21 social security: medicare part d Find out if you’re eligible for assistance with your Medicare Part D (Drug Plan) costs. By Kylle’ McKinney

23 moneywiSe: REFI Part #2 Determine if the benefits of refinancing your home justify the costs. By Alan Wallace

11

Lifestyles

Entertainment

11 A gracious plenty Handmade dough and an iron skillet produce delicious fried apple pies. By Carron Morrow

27 around montgomery A very welcoming location for the November Mystery. By Jake Roberts

17 Yard ‘n garden Fall flowers offer great color as you wait for leaves to turn. By Ethel Dozier Boykin 24 Off the beaten path Whether you shoot a .22 or a 12 gauge, hearing loss can occur if precautions aren’t taken. By Niko Corley

Health/Medical 10 in every life Hospice care came to the U.S. in the 1970s, and has broadened its scope to include non-terminal conditions. By Arlene Morris

34 34 prime diversions Reviews of DVD releases Bad Teacher, Crazy, Stupid Love and Larry Crowne. By Mark Glass

16 Hospice: A primer Hospice is not a place, but a concept of managing, not curing, terminal and long-term degenerative illnesses.

30 moving free with mirabai When you should NOT exercise. By Mirabai Holland November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

22 Silent killer: diabetes More than 25% of those 65 and older in the U.S. have diabetes, and even those with prediabetes are at risk for health problems.

4

On the Cover

November 2011 F R E E MontgoMery Music of a Generation: Kenny Rogers & the First Edition

The Big BAM Shows

Roy Orbis

on

Jerry Lee Lewis

istie Lou Chr

Paul Revere & the Raiders

INSIDE

9 Treasures

from Alabama’s past America’s First Thanksgiving (It’s not where you think it was.)

nFall

Flowers Pies Home & Hearing Loss

nFried Apple

nRefinancing Your nHunting

nCrossword, Sudoku nHospice

Explained

nDiabetes

Big BAM concert photos, courtesy of the Brennan family. Story page 12.


Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

Montgomery

November 2011,Volume 2, Issue 8 PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Andrea Gross, Lenore Vickrey CONTRIBUTORS Ethel Boykin, Tina Calligas, Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Mirabai Holland, Kylle’ McKinney, Arlene Morris, Carron Morrow, Jake Roberts, Alan Wallace PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Carter, Bob Corley INTERN Meagan Ashner SALES Bob Corley, 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@gmail.com Stephanie Crompton 334-462-1240 stephaniecrompton7@gmail.com Prime Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Road, #144 Montgomery, AL 36116 • 334-202-0114 www.primemontgomery.com ISSN 2152-9035 Prime Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2011 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contributing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/ Corley Group, LLC. Prime Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Prime Montgomery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals. Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, emotional, or legal matters. We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims.

Editor’s Note I regret the Big BAM concerts weren’t around for my children. Growing up in Montgomery, these seasonal events and the big name talent they attracted connected us to the pop-culture world. Whenever I’d get together with big-city friends and cousins I went toe-to-toe with them on musical acts we’d each seen in concert. “Have you seen Roy Orbison?” “Sure,” I’d cockily reply. “The Beachboys?” “More times than I can remember,” the nonchalant response. “The Hollies? Peter and Gordon? James Brown? Paul Revere and the Raiders? Sonny and Cher? The Who?” Each question was answered with smug delight. Lots of hit recording artists from the 50s through the early 70s appeared at the Big BAM shows (several more than once). Like thousands of Central Alabama teenagers I saw them, “live” and in concert on our own Garrett Coliseum stage. Attending Big BAM concerts was a rite of passage. I even remember the date of my first show – Dec. 12, 1964 – and the turquoise jumper and matching knee socks I wore. (A 12-year-old, I’d fretted over what I was going to wear for weeks. Who knew? Maybe one of the Dave Clark 5 would notice me in the audience and ask me to join them on the rest of their tour?) Looking back on those exciting days, and the men who brought the Big BAM shows to us, is the subject of Prime’s November cover story, Good Vibrations (page 12). Through conversations with former WBAM owners Dan and Cyril Brennan and deejay Bill Moody, writer Lenore Vickrey provides an engaging and fond look-back at those never-to-be-forgotten concerts that brought the music of our generation to us. If you haven’t been downtown to visit the state Archives recently, you’re due for a trip. From Bibb Graves’ dueling pistols, to amazing quilts handcrafted by Alabama women dating back to the 1700s, to items used by Martin Luther King during the Selma-to-Montgomery march, Unburied Treasure (page 18) merely scratches the surface of the fascinating Alabama-related artifacts on display. Didn’t we all learn in school that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated at Plymouth Rock in 1621? Not so fast there, Pilgrim. As you’ll see in The Real First Thanksgiving (page 8) America’s oldest city, St. Augustine, also claims the honor, predating Plymouth Rock by more than 50 years. It really doesn’t matter where that first Thanksgiving occurred, or its date, but rather it’s the contemplative act of considering and being thankful for what we hold dear. For us, that includes many things, not the least of which are you, our Prime readers. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Sandra Polizos Editor primeeditor@gmail.com

If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery! www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

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newS you can use

following year. (Nature Medicine)

Scientists Find Link Between Seizures and Brain Tumors New research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham pinpoints the relationship between primary brain tumors and the onset of epileptic seizures and reveals that sulfasalazine, a drug used to treat Crohn’s disease, inhibits those seizures and may be able to slow a tumor’s growth. The onset of seizures is a common symptom in gliomas and often is the first sign of a brain tumor. Sen. Ted Kennedy had a seizure in May 2008, and three days later doctors confirmed that he had a malignant glioma. Kennedy died the

No Link Found Between Menopause & Risk of Fatal Heart Attack Contradicting the long-held medical belief that the risk of cardiovascular death for women spikes sharply after menopause, new research from Johns Hopkins suggests instead that heart disease mortality rates in women progress at a constant rate as they age. The findings, published in BMJ, the British medical journal, could have implications for how heart health is assessed in pre-menopausal women, who were previously believed to be at negligible risk of death from heart attack. Dhananjay Vaidya, Ph.D., an assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine said, “What we believe is going on is that the cells of the heart and arteries are aging like every other tissue in the body, and that is why we see more and more heart attacks every year as women age. Aging itself is an adequate explanation and the arrival of menopause with its

altered hormonal impact does not seem to play a role.” Enzyme Might Be Target for Treating Smoking, Alcoholism An enzyme that appears to play a role in controlling the brain's response to nicotine and alcohol in mice might be a promising target for a drug that simultaneously would treat nicotine addiction and alcohol abuse in people, according to a study by researchers at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco. Primary Component of Turmeric Kicks Off Cancer-Killing Mechanisms in Human Saliva Curcumin, the main component in the spice turmeric, suppresses a cell signaling pathway that drives the growth of head and neck cancer, according to a pilot study using human saliva by

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researchers at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. The study shows that curcumin can work in the mouths of patients with head and neck malignancies and reduce activities that promote cancer growth. Turmeric is a naturally occurring spice widely used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking and has long been known to have medicinal properties, attributed to its antiinflammatory effects. Previous studies have shown it can suppress the growth of certain cancers. In India, women for years have been using turmeric as an anti-aging agent rubbed into their skin, to treat cramps during menstruation and as a poultice on the skin to promote wound healing. (Clinical Cancer Research) Study Reveals Link Between High Cholesterol and Alzheimer’s Disease People with high cholesterol may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers found that high

cholesterol levels were significantly related to brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to high cholesterol increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers previously found that insulin resistance, a sign of diabetes, may be another risk factor for brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Aerobic Exercise May Reduce the Risk of Dementia Any exercise that gets the heart pumping may reduce the risk of dementia and slow the condition’s progression once it starts, reported a Mayo Clinic study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Researchers examined the role of aerobic exercise in preserving cognitive abilities and concluded that it should not be overlooked as an

important therapy against dementia. The researchers broadly defined exercise as enough aerobic physical activity to raise the heart rate and increase the body’s need for oxygen. Examples include walking, gym workouts and activities at home such as shoveling snow or raking leaves. Gender and Heart Attacks Women’s hearts are less likely than men’s to lose their ability to pump blood after a heart attack, and female heart patients were less likely to present with obstructive coronary artery disease. Instead, oxygen deprivation and subsequent damage to the heart is more likely to occur when small blood vessels, not major arteries, become dysfunctional. These are the findings of Dr. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, and colleagues at the Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles. Bairey Merz says more research is needed to develop appropriate treatments and reduce risk in women. (American Physiological Society, October 2011.)

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feature

The Real First Thanksgiving

St . Augustine, Florida By Andrea Gross Photos by Irv Green

N

o offense to the Pilgrims, but their well-publicized dinner party in the fall of 1621 was something of a repeat performance. The first Thanksgiving actually took place 56 years earlier and 1200 miles south of Massachusetts. It’s there, in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, that European settlers first joined with native Indians to say a Mass of Thanksgiving. A few months later, when their families back in Spain were celebrating the Fiesta de Natividad, the Europeans said another Mass, this time celebrating the birth of Christ. Hence, the first New World Christmas. My husband and I are standing at the very spot where the festivities occurred, on the edge of Matanzas Bay at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. “This is where the Spanish conquistadors came ashore, creating the first permanent European settlement in what would become the United States,” says our guide. I look at the ground beneath me. It looks very much like the field where my kids used to play soccer. 8

November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Nevertheless, it’s an awesome feeling to be at such an historic site. The Park honors early Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. Legend has it that he was searching for land, treasure and a fountain whose water bestowed eternal youth on those who drank it. I drink some of the fabled water, but there’s no sudden change in either my appearance or energy level. Like de Leon, I give up on the fountain of youth. More interesting is the Archaeological Park’s Timucuan Indian exhibit. A woman outfitted in native dress prepares dinner as she tells us about the people who were here when the Spanish landed. The Indians had lived happily for thousands of years, she explains, but were decimated by new infectious diseases that the Spanish inadvertently brought from Europe. While the Spanish got along well with the natives, pirates were another matter. The most famous raid occurred in 1586 when Sir Francis Drake pillaged the ports of St. Augustine


Above: Firing the cannon at Castillo de San Marcos. Below: Old Town blends historic buildings with shops and eateries.

from cooking and blacksmithing to pottery-making and musket-firing. Outside the compound other structures, the so-called Oldest School and Oldest House in America, give other perspectives of daily life during the 1700s. By 1821 Spain had tired of Florida and in a peaceful settlement ceded the land to the United States. And that is why, says Dr. Michael Cannon, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Florida, most Americans think the first Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth. “It is the victors who write the histories,” he says. While its status as the oldest continuously-occupied European town in the United States is what gives the city its fame, St. Augustine has many other attractions. We take a cruise on crystalline waters, shop at boutiques and outlet centers and even, in a burst of bravery, take a ghostly tour of the Old Jail. And of course we eat — although since we’re staying at the delightful St. Francis Inn, restaurant dining is scarcely necessary. The Inn hosts humongous breakfasts that make lunch an indulgence, plus an afternoon social hour and before-bed dessert that make dinner superfluous. But we don’t let that stop us. How can we pass up a meal at the Columbia Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in Florida? Their famous 1905 salad is big enough for two. Finally, we relax. Drinking from the Fountain of Youth didn’t restore us, but a day in the sun most certainly did! For more info: www.floridashistoriccoast.com.

and nearby towns. Drake’s story and that of other rogues is told with dramatic flair at St. Augustine’s newest attraction, the Pirate and Treasure Museum, which houses an extensive collection of pirate memorabilia. Beleaguered by both pirates and the British, in 1695 the Spanish completed a large star-shaped fortification called the Castillo de San Marcos. Today the Castillo, which is the oldest masonry fort in North America, is a national monument, replete with ranger talks, museum exhibits and “soldiers” who fire cannons during scheduled demonstrations. One boom from the cannon nearly shatters our eardrums and shows us why, with the exception of a few years in the mid-1700s, the Spanish were able to control St. Augustine for nearly 200 years. To learn how ordinary Spanish folks lived during this time, we go to St. Augustine’s Old Town, an area that abounds with shops, restaurants and historic attractions. Our favorite is the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, a living history site where costumed interpreters engage in everyday activities, www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

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in every life

Hospice and Palliative Care

T

he interprofessional hospice care movement began in 1967 in London to provide services to support persons of all ages and their families during the last period of life, Arlene Morris through the dying and bereavement processes, in accord with unique situations and personal values. This model of care came to the United States in the 1970s, and in the 1980s was approved for Medicare cost reimbursement. Traditionally, a physician certified that life expectancy was 6 months or less, and the person receiving care selected to have supportive care rather than curative or life-prolonging treatments. In 2007, the U. S. had approximately 4,700 hospice programs. The hospice model evolved to a broader, more inclusive palliative model of care in response to desires of many people with prolonged progressive and potentially debilitating diseases to obtain family-centered care that emphasized quality-of-life concerns, especially as techniques to manage (not cure) chronic illnesses developed. The scope of palliative care is greater than end-of-life care, blending both curative and hospice approaches across the illness trajectory. Palliative care is based in a “wholeperson” philosophy, and can occur across the lifespan and across health care settings (clinic, hospital, home, assisted, long-term care or respite facilities, in urban or rural areas). The person and family/significant others are the recipients of care that includes: n careful symptom management (nutrition, fatigue, pain, mobility, elimination, etc.) n care for emotional and spiritual needs of the person/family n promoting ethical and legal decision-making 10

n incorporating cultural values and attitudes of the person/family n advocating for personal wishes through genuine relationships and respect n therapeutic communication n inter-professional collaboration (nurse, physician, social worker, chaplain, therapist, or others) n the ability to convey hope and meaning in the face of death n follow-up care to support those experiencing loss, grief, and bereavement The World Health Organization, in response to worldwide acceptance of the care model, defined palliative care as “an approach to care which improves quality of life of persons and families facing life-threatening illness, through the prevention, assessment and treatment of pain and other physical, psychological and spiritual problems.” An “Open Access” approach, with the goal of providing quality symptom management concurrently with curative measures, provides opportunity to transition seamlessly to hospice services as frailty increases. There is a growing number of palliative care programs within institutions,

November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

or offered as consultation services through hospice programs. Although costs have constrained many open access programs, the vision for future care is to incorporate counseling, nutrition, fatigue and pain control services along with rehabilitation, rather than have distinct separation and reimbursement between diagnosis and treatment, and end-of-life care (The National Comprehensive Cancer Network @ http://www.neen.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/palliative.pdf). The National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care (March, 2009) identified guidelines for clinical practice in eight domains that can be accessed at http://www.nationalconsensusproject.org The City of Hope Pain/Palliative Care Resource Center provides other resources available at http://prc. coh.org. If you are interested in more information about palliative care, discuss it with your health care provider. Arlene H. Morris, RN, Ed.D. is a Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor in the Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing, where she enjoys teaching content regarding gerontology and professional nursing issues. E-mail her at amorris@aum.edu.


A gracious plenty

My, Oh My, I Love (Fried) Pie

W

hen the leaves begin to show their majestic colors and there’s a crispness in the air, memories of my mama and grandmother cooking delicious pastries creep into my head. Through the summer months, from one generation to another, peaches and apples would be dried to use in their prize-winning fried pies. A seasoned iron skillet, handed down from mother to daughter, was a must for the perfect fried pie. I don’t know if Chilton County peaches Carron Marrow are the sweetest in the country, but if you’re making a fried peach pie, generations of my family think this variety brings the greatest possible praise at the end of the meal. A scoop of vanilla ice cream and a steaming cup of coffee are perfect companions when a fried pie comes off the stove. For added flavor sprinkle the ice cream with Nescafe’. Using dried fruit, as in this recipe, means you’re not dependent on the season for a delicious treat. Ingredients Filling 1 lb. dried apples or peaches Ready-made or handmade dough Place dried fruit in a boiler with three quarts of water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer until the fruit is tender, about an hour, or when the water has been absorbed. Refrigerate overnight. Handmade Dough 6 cups self-rising flour 2 cups Crisco 2 cups cold water Add flour to a large bowl, make a hole with your fist, add the Crisco then the cold water. Bring the flour into the center, mix and knead slowly until it becomes dough. Caution: too much flour in the mixture will make the crust tough. Recipe Roll the dough on a floured cloth or board until it’s about one-quarter inch thick and big enough to cut out several three-inch circles. Flour your cutter (you can use a bowl from your kitchen) and cut out your circles. Place a tablespoon of filling on the dough circles, fold the dough over to form a half-moon, then crimp the edges using a floured fork. Pour vegetable oil half-way up the side of an iron skillet and heat to medium. Add pies to the heated oil and brown on each side. Remove from the skillet, place on a paper towel (or like grandmama, a brown paper bag), and sprinkle with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon.Yummy!

Carron Morrow owns Personal Touch Events, a 35-year-old Montgomery-based company specializing in corporate and personal catering and event planning. Contact Carron at 334-279-6279 or by e-mail at carronmorrow@bellsouth.net, or visit www.onlinepersonaltouch.com. www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

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feature

As the arena began to fill up, you could hear the noise of the crowd from backstage. It was electric.We were the opening act and it was the biggest crowd we had ever played before, nearly 30,000 people.The stage was an immense rectangle glutted with scaffolding and hundreds of klieg lights and a sound system on a board that looked like the skyline of New York at night. Because it was so big, we ran on stage as soon as we were introduced, grabbed our instruments and started playing before the applause died down.The eruption from the crowd was louder than expected but the lights were so blinding, we could not see the audience.We only heard them. ‌It would be tough going back to ballrooms and small clubs after this.Those two days in Alabama left a lasting impression on us because it was how we measured the rest of our gigs. — Tommy James, of Tommy James and the Shondells, describing his appearance at the WBAM and WVOK Summer Shows in 1966. (from Me, the Mob and the Music)

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November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com


Good I

Vibrations By Lenore Reese Vickrey Photos courtesy the Brennans, Lenore Vickrey, Bryan Carter

bar). The following year 13 acts f you were a teenager played in WVOK’s Shower of anywhere near MontStars show at Legion Field in gomery in the mid-60s Birmingham. Dan Brennan reand early 70s, the concert calls the reaction from performscene didn’t get any better ers. than the fanfests known as “One of the Beach Boys told the Big BAM shows. Where me it was the biggest talent else could you scream your show he’d ever been in!” head off while watching a The only multiple-act show in dozen live acts play the hit the country similar to what the songs you listened to on Brennans offered were those your transistor radio – for produced by Dick Clark. the whopping ticket price of Ticket prices were $2 for $2.50? shows in the early 1960s, The Big BAM was WBAM, Radio entrepreneurs and creators of the Big BAM Shows, brothers gradually increasing to a top price the 50,000-watt AM radio Cyril (l) and Dan Brennan. of $5.50, a pittance by today’s station owned by the Brennan family, whose other Alabama station was Birmingham’s WVOK. Both stations played Top 40 hits of the day, and the The Beatles in Alabama? concerts were the Brennans’ gifts to a loyal radio audience. The Show That Almost Happened “The primary reason for the shows was to keep a personal In 1964 the Brennans booked the Beatles for a concert in relationship with the listeners,” said Dan Brennan, 81, former either Legion Field in Birmingham, or Garrett Coliseum or general manager at WVOK. Crampton Bowl in Montgomery. But it never happened. “It gave them a voice. We’d ask them, ‘Who would you The Fab Four wouldn’t play to segregated audiences, like to see?’ Then we’d select artists for the shows from this listener input.” From 1963 to ’73 the Big BAM shows and their counterpart in Birmingham, the Shower of Stars shows, presented four concerts a year. “We’d have them in the spring, summer, fall and winter,” said Dan Brennan, known on-air as ‘Dan the Music Man’ hosting “Dan’s Dusty Discs,” who also announced acts on-stage. Brother Cyril Brennan, 84, was alternately chief engineer, manager, program director and music director at WBAM and also involved in lining up talent. The concert series started around 1960 with such stars as Fabian and Brenda Lee. Later acts included the Beach Boys, the Animals, the Dave Clark Five, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and at that time this was the case in Alabama. Instead, the Tommy James and the Shondells and the perennial Montgomconcert was held at the Gator Bowl under the auspices of the Brennan’s Jacksonville station WAPE, the Big APE. Dan ery favorite, Lou Christie. Brennan had the honor of introducing the Beatles (above at In 1964 the Brennan’s Jacksonville, Florida station, WAPE, mic, Harrison behind him to the left, Lennon on the right). hosted the Beatles in concert at the Gator Bowl (see side-


shows,” Knapp said. “It’s amazing standards. the life we got to live.” “What made those Moody also got to do his shows big was that share of transporting stars, Dan and Cyril would taking them to the Diplomat always pick the artists Inn, owned by Bill Brennan, who were hot at the older brother of Cyril and Dan time,” remembered and a partner in WBAM and Bill J. Moody, a former WAPE. Moody remembers Roy WBAM announcer Orbison being one of the nicer, and later host of more polite performers, and “Hubcap Classics.” the Grass Roots, Paul Revere “If a group had a and Buckinghams being easy to hit record, we would work with. have them. People The most popular group, came from several both Brennan brothers agree, states to see these shows. Many of the Listener input, such as this stack of letters, helped determine show acts. was Herman’s Hermits (see sidebar). Moody remembers the artists told me these group mysteriously disappeared after one show and had to be were the biggest shows they’d ever done.” retrieved to play their second gig (lead singer Peter Noone Now sales manager for a Dothan radio station, Moody was known to enjoy a party.) fondly remembers working as a teenager at a 1959 WBAM The most entertaining act? Jerry Lee Lewis, the Brennans said. concert featuring singer Connie Francis. After helping escort “I’d never seen anybody get an audience so excited,” Dan her safely away from an unruly crowd, she rewarded him with Brennan remembered. His wild antics while playing the piano, a big kiss. including jumping on the keyboard, whipped the audience into “For this little kid from Wetumpka, that was a big, big deal,” he said. Performers would play to more than 10,000 at Garrett Skyping with a Hermit Coliseum in Montgomery Friday night (for Tommy James in When Peter Noone left Herman’s Hermits in 1971, 1967 it just seemed like 30,000), then pack-up and play three Hermits’ drummer Barry Whitwam keep going, and today shows in Birmingham on Saturday. continues to lead his own Herman’s For fans, half the fun was trying for a glimpse of the stars at Hermits band (as does Noone performtheir hotel or coming to and from the coliseum. Montgomery ing as Herman’s Hermits starring Peter resident Mike Vickery remembers getting a friend’s mother Noone). A recent Skype video call to his to drive him and others to the WBAM station to get tickets U.K. home found Whitwam fondly remembering the Hermits’ Big BAM Show as soon as they went on sale “so we could get them near the performances. front on the floor.” On one occasion, he accompanied some “Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis female friends to the Diplomat Inn where they spotted Lou were on the bill,” said Whitwam of their Christie sitting by the pool, “a secret one of them has never first performance at Garrett Coliseum. told her mother to this day.” “We were waiting at the Holiday Inn, in the bar at the hotel George Howell, who as ‘George the D.J.’ co-hosted “Hubhaving a beer. But Lewis went over his allotted time. He cap Classics,” was a big fan of the BAM shows beginning in must have played an hour and 20 minutes or more. So we the 9th grade. had another beer. Then another. By the time they came to “I kept going to at least one show a year through about get us we were pretty shozzeled.” 1968,” he said. “I never chased the stars around to hotels or Whitwam remembers little of that show, but subsequent anything. I just went to the Coliseum for the music. I always performances are crystal clear. got seats on the floor for the shows. That way I could see the “The audience was huge, sold out, 10,000 or more. We stars and hear the music better. I always was impressed about had a fabulous time.” how well the bands performed when they were live, even One show in particular stands out. With no sound checks though the Coliseum acoustics weren’t so good.” between acts, group would run on stage and begin playing The Brennans often picked up and drove band members almost immediately. to and from the airport and hotels, quite a thrill for Diane “When I got on stage the drum kit seat was way too high. Brennan Knapp and Donnie Kay Brennan, daughters of Cyril I told someone to lower the seat, and when I sat down, it Brennan and teenagers at the time. Their friends were quite went all the way to the bottom,” he said, chuckling. “I had to envious when they got to hang out with the Grass Roots, play the whole set standing up!” Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds, Mark Lindsay of Paul ReWhitwam, now in his 47th year playing music, is pleased vere and the Raiders, and rode around with Eric Burden and with the makeup of their current audiences. the Animals. “We get young people, folks our age, and older folks,” he “There was always so much excitement surrounding the said proudly. 14 November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com


a frenzy, making his act “the most exciting at the time,” Cyril Brennan added. “He would tear up the piano,” Moody said, “We couldn’t find anyone to provide a piano, but he would put on a show.” By 1972 the heyday of the big shows had passed. The last Big BAM show was headlined by B.J. Thomas, joined by John Kay (solo after leaving Steppenwolf), the Grass Roots and others. Two years later WBAM went country and the station was later sold. WVOK is now all-sports. “We enjoyed all the years we spent in radio,” said Dan Brennan, who now owns a video production company in Birmingham. Cyril Brennan, who received a Top Program

(left) Big BAM Shows played to a full house in Garrett Coliseum. (above) Paul Revere and the Raiders’ lead singer Mark Lindsay watches as pranksters Jan and Dean carry a ladder across the stage during the Raiders’ set.

Director award from Billboard Magazine, is retired and lives in Pike Road. They enjoy reminiscing about the stars, the shows and the fans who made it possible. “We always had the feeling,” said Dan Brennan, “that it was more than just a job.” “It was the golden era of rock and roll,” said Moody. “And the Brennans knew how to put on a show.”

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feature

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Hospice: A Primer

ospice is primarily a concept of care, not a specific place of care. It’s often provided in the patient’s home, but can also be administered at a hospice center, hospital, or skilled nursing facility. Hospice is a combination of services designed to address not only the physical needs of patients, but also their psychosocial needs as well as those of their loved ones. Hospice combines pain control, symptom management and emotional and spiritual support. Seniors and their families participate fully in the health care provided. The hospice team develops a care plan to address each patient’s individual needs. The hospice care team usually includes: n The terminally ill patient and his or her family caregiver(s) n Doctor n Nurses n Home health aides n Clergy or other spiritual counselors (e.g., minister, priest, rabbi) n Social workers

n Volunteers (if needed, and trained to perform specific tasks) n Occupational, physical, and/or speech therapists (if needed) As with many end-of-life decisions, the choice to enroll in a hospice care program is a deeply personal thing. It depends almost as much on the patient’s philosophy of living and spiritual beliefs as it does on his or her physical condition and the concerns of family members. Medicare, private health insurance, and Medicaid (in 43 states) cover hospice care for patients who meet eligibility criteria. Private insurance and veterans’ benefits also may cover hospice care under certain conditions. In addition, some hospice programs offer health care services on a sliding fee scale basis for patients with limited income and resources. To get help with your Medicare questions, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY/TDD: 1-877-486-2048 for the speech and hearing impaired) or look on the Internet at www. medicare.gov.

Resources for More Hospice Information Caring Connections, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), seeks to improve care at the end of life. The program offers a web site and a HelpLine, 800-658-8898.Visit www. hospiceinfo.org to learn more. Hospice Association of America. Information about hospice programs and how terminally ill patients and their families can find hospice services in their area. Call 202-5464759 or visit www.nahc.org/HAA/ consumerInfo.html . The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has an abundance of information on healthcare in general, including hospice. Their website is www.ahrq. gov/. Hospice Net, www.hospicenet.org. Information on finding a hospice. 16

November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Hospice Foundation of America. Call 1-800-854-3402 or visit their website, www.hospicefoundation.org . To find out more about hospice programs where you live, you can contact your local aging information and assistance provider or area agency on aging (AAA). The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging (1-800677-1116 or http://www.eldercare. gov) can help connect you to these agencies. Seniors and family caregivers facing end-of-life decisions often must deal with very difficult issues of grief and loss—both before and after their loved one dies. In addition, they may have practical concerns about their legal rights and how to pay the bills now that an important member of the household is gone. To help families

prepare for a loved one’s death (and to support them afterwards), the following organizations offer resources that address everything from family counseling to financial planning: Americans for Better Care of the Dying was founded in 1997 to help ensure that every terminally ill patient can count on good end-of-life care. It publishes several books on how to deal with death and what health care alternatives (including hospice care) are available for seniors.Visit their website, www. abcd-caring.org/ Family Caregiver Alliance supports and assists caregivers of brain-impaired adults through education, research, services and advocacy. They have facts sheets available on a variety of topics including end-of-life issues. The fact sheets are available on their website, www.caregiver.org/


yard ‘n garden

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Flowers of the Fall

hile you’re waiting for the trees to show some color, take time to enjoy the flowers. Many unique, easy-to-grow flowers are blooming in our area. Many of these are ‘pass Ethel Boykin along’ plants, seen in rural areas or older parts of the town. Long before there were nurseries folks ‘passed along’ cuttings from their yard to help family and friends start their gardens. I’m fortunate to have my grandmother’s journal noting the plants in her yard from friends who shared their cuttings. Many people today still ‘pass along’ cuttings. One of the big bloomers showing off now is the appropriately named Angel Trumpet, available in white, yellow, pink and golden. The sight of these 12-inch flowers bending toward the earth can

stop traffic. Maybe we should plant them at intersections where people run red lights instead of installing traffic cameras! At dusk they swirl open and emit a sweet fragrance better than any perfume. With a large number of flowers the entire yard can be sweetly scented. Last week my husband and I enjoyed more than 300 Angel Trumpet blooms on six, eight-to-ten foot trees beside our screen porch. Opening the door we were greeted with their pleasant aroma and spectacular show of flowers. As with many plants they look boring until they bloom. They grow to maturity during the summer, then towards the end of September cigar-shaped pods appear. A few weeks later you’re greeted with flowers that bloom for about a month. Passing this plant along is easy. Cut a one-foot stem and stick it in a mason jar of water and wait. Soon it’ll explode with white roots. Keep this rooted cutting in the house over winter and plant it in the spring for your own fall flower

A family approach to Hospice Care. Our Interdisciplinary Hospice Team unites physicians, nurses, CNAs, social workers and the clergy to provide the highest quality care for our patients, and their families. George Cumuze, RN, Case Manager 4150 Carmichael Court • Montgomery, AL 36106 334-270-2274

show. Root several and plant a few outside. In our climate there’s a good chance it’ll be fine and come up next spring. If not, you have your backups inside. The tree dies back after the first freeze and needs to be cut back and bedded down for winter. To encourage good growth provide a moist area, fertile soil, sun, and feed them. Many of you know I’m big on reminding you to fertilize. Another big bloomer and big plant (they often go together) is the Confederate Rose. This is so Old South you can’t take a ride in the country this time of year and not see it blooming. It’s a cousin to cotton, and to those that know cotton plants they see the relationship. It’s in the Hibiscus family, with blooms that start white, go to pink, and then end in red, all on the same bloom. The blooms are about six inches across and remind you of the pink Kleenex® and bobby pin flowers we made as children. It’s good I’m writing for a magazine with readers of the age who remember things like tissue flowers. One story tells of women giving the blooms to soldiers returning from the Civil War, thus giving the flower its name. It’s also been called the Cotton Rose, since its buds resemble cotton bolls. Much like the Angel Trumpet, the Confederate Rose needs a big space to grow, plus sun, water, fertile soil and food. It, too, dies back in winter and leaves a large stump once the limbs are pruned, and returns in the spring. Root this using the same method used for the Angel Trumpet. The mature plant is about 10' in height and width. I’m starting to see some color in the trees, so enjoy these big flowers while they bloom, since the fall colors are not far behind. Ethel Dozier Boykin owns Art in the Garden, a landscape design and consulting company in Montgomery. Contact her at 334-395-5949, or at etheldozierboykin@yahoo.com.

www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

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Unburied Treasures By Lenore Reese Vickrey Photos courtesy Ala. Dept. of Archives and History; Bob Corley

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ore than 500,000 artifacts are housed in the Alabama Department of Archives and History building in downtown Montgomery. Among them, an extensive collection of Civil War-era Confederate flags, the guitar 14-year-old Hank Williams, Sr. won in a talent show, and an assortment of quilts, some dating from the 1700s. A short list of items reveals the span of history contained under Archives’ roof. 1. Custom-made “Nudie” suits belonging to Alabama native Hank Williams, Sr. “We have four in our collection,” said Jessamyn Boyd, curator of collections. The suits were created by Nudie Cohn, tailor to many country-western

stars, and donated by the singer’s mother. William’s long-lost daughter Jett saw the suits for the first time during a recent trip to the Archives. A mannequin in the Archives’ Sampler Gallery wears one of the suits, plus boots and hat, and holds the Gibson guitar Williams played on WSFA radio. 2. Clothing worn by former Gov. George Wallace, First Lady Cornelia Wallace and security guard E.C. Dothard during the May 15, 1972 assassination attempt in Laurel, Maryland. “We have the shoes he was wearing; the last shoes he ever walked in,” said Boyd. The black leather buckle shoes are in a display case, however the Continued on next page

www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

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blood-stained shirt and pants are out of public view in a special storage drawer in the textile area. “The shirt has an interesting story,” she said. Clothes are usually cut away on patients in an emergency room, but a hospital orderly, who realized its significance, saved the blue shirt and kept it until a few years ago when Archives acquired it.” 3. The panels, electric switches and meters used to operate “Yellow Mama,” the state’s electric chair. “Yellow Mama” was so named because it was painted with highway-line paint from the Alabama Highway Department. Built in 1927, the chair was in use until May 10, 2002, when it was retired and put in storage at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. The panels, switches and meters reside in the furniture storage area at Archives. 4. Civil War-era Confederate flags, the third largest collection behind the Museum of the Confederacy and the State History Museum in North Carolina. “Right now only one is on display,” Boyd said, “but we plan to exhibit more.” Archives has 90 such flags, many created by the wives and girl friends of men who served in small companies later formed into regiments. Many of the flags are made of dress silk and painted with inspirational designs. “We’ve been able to conserve about 18 of them with the help of private donations,” she added. 5. A collection of about 75 quilts dating from the late 1700s. 20

“We have a wide range of quilts, from the “crazy” quilts to quilts made of whole cloth,” said Boyd. One of the more unusual quilts was made during the Great Depression, when a New Deal program designed to help farm women provided ladies’ sock tops from a Ft. Payne hosiery factory. Despite its age, the quilt remains almost pristine white, and features designs in stripes, diamonds, squares, and other shapes. 6. A brass slave collar, part of the collection from the William Rufus King plantation. King, a Selma plantation owner, was the shortest serving vice president of the United States, dying of tuberculosis after three months in office. He was also the only national politician to be inaugurated outside the country, being in Cuba for health reasons at the time. King owned many slaves and brought them with him to Washington, DC. When slaves traveled, Boyd explained, they wore a metal collar bearing their owner’s name so they could be identified. 7. The chair in which Martin Luther King, Jr. sat before the Selma to Montgomery March, and the stool on which Ralph David Abernathy sat next to King. “A lot of people remember the photos of this event that were in LIFE magazine,” Boyd said. Archives acquired the chair and stool from the owner of the home in Selma where King and Abernathy prepared for the march. 8. The State Bible. This volume has been used for the inauguration of most Alabama gover-

November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

nors since its purchase. It was also used in 1861 when Jefferson Davis took the oath of the presidency of the Confederacy. For the inaugural ceremonies the Bible is walked over to the Capitol steps and back, the holder escorted by a state trooper. “There are some wonderful inscriptions inside,” Boyd said. 9. Thomas Bibb’s 1800s dueling pistols. Both pistols, standard flintlock types, are on display at Archives, and are of special interest to gun lovers, Boyd said, because of their particular firing mechanism and the fact that both are still together. It’s not known whether Bibb ever engaged in a duel using the pistols. The Alabama Department of Archives and History houses more than 45,000 cubic feet of records and artifacts, and work continues on expanding the facility to provide more display space for its collections. For more information, visit www.archives. Alabama.gov.


feature

Open Season: Hunting for a Prescription Drug Plan

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unting season is upon us; time to set your target for the Medicare prescription drug plan that’s best

for you. Newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries who wish to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, and current beneficiaries who are considering changes to their Medicare Part D plan, can do so now. The “open season” runs from October 15 to DeKylle’ McKinney cember 7. The Medicare Part D prescription drug program is available to all Medicare beneficiaries to help with the costs of medications. Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary, and participants pay an additional monthly premium for the coverage. While all Medicare beneficiaries can participate in the prescription drug program, some people with limited income and resources are also eligible for “extra help” to pay for monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments.The extra help is worth about $4,000 a year. To figure out whether you are eligible for the extra help, Social Security needs to know your income and the value of any savings, investments, and real estate (other than the home you live in).To qualify, you must be receiving Medicare and also have:

Income limited to $16,335 for an individual or $22,065 for a married couple living together. Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. Some examples where your income may be higher include if you or your spouse: n Support other family members who live with you; n Have earnings from work; or n Live in Alaska or Hawaii; and n Resources limited to $12,640 for an individual or $25,260 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds.We do not count your house or car as resources. You can complete an easy-to-use online application for the extra help at www.socialsecurity.gov. Click on Medicare on the top right side of the page, then click on “Apply for help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs.” To apply for the extra help by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020). Or go to your nearest Social Security office. And if you would like more information about the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program itself, visit www.medicare. gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227;TTY 1-877-4862048). So this open season, hunt for something that could put about $4,000 in your pocket — bag the best Medicare prescription drug plan for you and see if you qualify for the extra help through Social Security. Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866-593-0914 ext. 26265, or kylle.mckinney@ssa. gov.

www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

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feature

the

Silent Killer B

efore people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have "pre-diabetes"—blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. There are 79 million people in the U.S. with prediabetes, and recent research shows some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may occur during pre-diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults (previously known as juvenile diabetes.) In type 1 the body doesn’t produce insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy necessary for daily life. Five percent of diabetics have this form. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children can learn to manage type 1 diabetes and live long, healthy lives. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, with millions of Americans diagnosed and many more unaware they’re at high risk. Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, including African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore it. When you eat food, the body breaks down the sugars and starches into glucose, the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into the cells, it can lead to diabetes complications. During pregnancy many women develop gestational diabetes. This diagnosis doesn't mean you had diabetes before you conceived, or will have it after giving birth. Follow your doctor's advice regarding blood glucose (blood sugar) levels while planning your pregnancy, so you and your baby remain healthy. Among the 65+ population in the U.S., 10.9 million, or 26.9%, have diabetes. Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates as well as stoke risks about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes, and diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure among adults 20–74 years. In 2007, U.S. healthcare costs of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes was approximately $218 billion. 22

November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Symptoms n n n n n

Frequent urination Unusual thirst Extreme hunger Unusual weight loss Extreme fatigue and Irritability

Any of the type 1 symptoms n Frequent infections n Blurred vision n Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal n Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet n Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections If you have one or more of these symptoms see your doctor right away. n

- Information supplied by the American Diabetes Association.


moneywise

Refinancing Rationale I

n last month’s column we looked at how to minimize the costs of refinancing a home mortgage. This month we will talk about the benefits of a refi and whether or not the benefits justify the costs. A refi could be attractive for you because: You can lower the payment on your fixed rate loan for the same mortgage term. Alan Wallace The lower rate may let you shorten your mortgage term. If you have an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), you can switch to a low-rate fixed interest loan. The chart below shows the monthly principal and interest (P+I) payment necessary to amortize a $100,000 loan at various rates for 10, 15, 20 and 25-year periods. (You can scale the numbers up or down based on your mortgage balance.) 4% 5% 6% 10 yr $1,012 $1,061 $1,110 15 yr $ 740 $ 791 $ 844 20 yr $ 606 $ 660 $ 716 25 yr $ 528 $ 585 $ 644 If your mortgage term will remain the same, you should first determine whether to pay closing costs for the new loan from current cash or add them to the mortgage balance. Once you answer that question, compare your old monthly P+I payment to the one for the new loan. If the new payment is lower, how many months of the savings are required to recoup the closing costs for the new loan? How long do you expect to live in the house? If you will be there long enough to come out ahead, you should pursue a refi. If you are thinking about shortening the duration of your mortgage, you need to consider your total outlay to pay off the debt. If you reduce the term, your monthly payment may be about the same as it has been, or could even be higher. But making the payments for a shorter period of time at a lower rate will save you money. The table below shows the total cost (principal and interest) to pay off a $100,000 mortgage at various rates over 10, 15, 20 and 25-year periods. 4% 5% 6% 10 yr $121,494 $127,279 $133,225 15 yr $133,144 $142,343 $151,894 20 yr $145,435 $158,389 $171,943 25 yr $158,351 $175,377 $193,920 While a lower interest rate obviously saves money each month, shortening the payoff period does even more over the long term. The issue is whether or not your cash flow can handle the payment required for a shorter term. If not, or if you are not sure, stay with the longer term and

pay extra principal either monthly or in any amount when you have available funds. That approach provides flexibility and lets you decide the timing of extra payments instead of being locked in to a refi obligation that could become burdensome. If you have an ARM, the big advantage of moving to a fixed rate mortgage is that it eliminates the risk of rising payments resulting from higher interest rates. This decision does not fit the quantitative approach that I described above.You will have to judge for yourself if the peace of mind you get from such a change makes sense. The financial benefits will only become evident over time. However, with interest rates at historic lows, locking in a fixed rate is generally recommended. The only questions are: “How quickly?” and “How much?” I recently checked on fixed mortgage rates for 15 and 30 years and found them as low as 3.25% and 3.75%, respectively. Mortgage rates have never been lower in my lifetime, nor probably yours. If you have not looked at refinancing, now is certainly a great time to do so. Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior Financial Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, 334-270-5960, alan.wallace@ronblue.com

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off the beaten path

Improve Your Outdoor Hearing

A

ccording to some sources, 80% of shooting sportsmen/ women have some degree of hearing loss. One commonly overlooked cause, says Montgomery Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon Dr. Rick Love, is “...impaction of debris and cerumen, or wax, in the ear canal down onto the ear drum.” Shooters may push ear plugs in too far, or attempt to clean out the wax Niko & Bella using cotton tips. This is not a good strategy, says Love. “This action can push the cotton fibers into the wax and move the hardening mass deeper into the ear, causing an obstruction of the ear canal and a ‘conductive’ type hearing impairment.” This type impairment can often be corrected in the office where an ENT specialist removes the plug of material. Another common cause of diminished hearing is noise-induced. According to Love, sound blasts from a shotgun shell, pistol or rifle cartridge can create tremendous sound pressure energy. “Every pull of the trigger,” he says, “creates an explosion loud enough to cause permanent damage and hearing loss,” whether it’s a .22 pistol, .410 shotgun or .357 magnum. Love recommends wearing both hearing and eye protection, not only when shooting, but when observing others shooting as well. “I am pleased that the training program developed by the National Rifle Association includes hearing and vision protection even with air rifle and air pistol activity,” says Love. Protective implements range from inexpensive foam plugs to electronic devices using high-tech circuitry to dampen loud noises. Ear plugs provide minimal sound suppression and therefore minimal protection. Love says ear plugs are much more effective when used with shooters ear muffs, and recommends discarding foam plugs after each use to avoid the risk of infection. According to Love, electronic noisereduction devices are often favored by upland bird hunters and range shooters for the added safety they provide that allows for normal voice communication while offering full noise abatement and protection. Some deer hunters, he adds, may find these devices help them hear an approaching buck before they would otherwise have noticed rustling noises. The biggest drawback is price; they can cost as much as programmable hearing aids, or a new shotgun or rifle. For maximum 24 November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

effectiveness these units require a good fit inside the ear with a custom ear mold. Some sporting goods stores offer these devices, as do many hearing instrument dealers and some ENT doctors offices. Ringing in the ears may be the first indication you’ve not taken adequate precautions to protect your hearing while shooting. Without proper protection, repetitive firing, at the range or on a bird hunt, can be very harmful. Love offered some signs to watch for that may indicate you have a hearing problem, noise-induced or otherwise: -- hearing but not understanding when others are speaking -- need for more TV or radio volume than those around you -- frequently asking others to repeat themselves or speak up -- difficulty with telephone conversations or in a noisy area “Often hearing loss sufferers wait 12 months or more before seeking assistance,” says Love, something he strongly advises against. “Sudden hearing loss can be a true medical emergency,” he says. “Shooters who have ear pain, or a sudden change in hearing that does not recover within an hour, should seek the help of an ENT specialist as quickly as possible. “ Love says recent research has many ENT doctors advising patients with blast noise exposure to take two aspirin tablets and two vitamin E capsules three times a day for 48 hours after unprotected exposure to a blast. “This is thought to help the inner ear with cellular level biochemical recovery from the blast noise,” says Love, “and thought to mitigate the lasting damage of loud sound.” A follow-up visit within two weeks after such treatment is recommended. For more information on noise-induced hearing impairment, visit these websites: -- www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/ hearingProtection.cfm -- www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/ Noise-Induced-Hearing-Loss-in-Children. cfm -- www.nidcd.nih.gov/news/releases/11/ Pages/101211.aspx -- www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/inside/spr03/ pages/pg4.aspx -- www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/ pages/noise.aspx -- www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/noise/ -- http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/857813-overview -- www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss_prevention/noise_induced_hearing_loss/index.cfm -- http://nohrfoundation.org/prevention Niko Corley spends his free time hunting, fishing and enjoying other outdoor activities. He can be contacted at cootfootoutfitters@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @cootfootoutfitters.


What’s in a name? 5555555555

Prime Montgomery is searching for unique, unusual grandparent names and how they came to be. Do your grandchildren have an unusual name for you, or did one of your grandparents have a unique name? What’s the story behind it? All names and stories submitted have a chance of being published in a future issue of Prime Montgomery. Send your names and stories to: primemontgomery@gmail.com or Prime Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Rd. #144 Montgomery, AL 36116 Facebook and our website reach far and wide, so you do not have to live in Montgomery’s River Region to submit a name and story. 5555555555

So tell us... what’s in a name?

Bou Cou

dancewear & a whole lot more!

Jewelry Accessories Gifts Invitations Monogramming

In The Courtyard 2101 Eastern Blvd. (behind Starbucks)

(334) 239-0655 www.boucou.net www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

25


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around Montgomery

November Mystery

I

remember this location back in the 1970s. Like most of downtown Montgomery, it had been neglected for years. Inside were broken benches, shattered windows and a layer of dust over most flat surfaces. Outside, grass and weeds grew through the cracks in the asphalt and concrete. But even back then, amid the decay and fading colors, its splendor was evident. Now restored, this building is a shining example of re-purposing to benefit the public good. Become a visitor and drop in. While you’re there, take your photo at this location, send it to me by November 16, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a gift certificate to Mr. G’s Ristorante.You’ll also get your photo in the next issue of Prime Montgomery. E-mail your photo and contact information to jakebroberts1@gmail.com. And if you need a clue, remember, everybody loves a train!

October FOUND!

The October Mystery location is one of many sculptures at Eastchase. Several people found it, but Allyson Hildreth was the lucky name drawn from the group.Thanks to Allyson for locating the frog and snapping this photo. She wins a gift certificate to Mr. G’s Ristorante.

MONTGOMERY

(334) 517-2015 520 South Hull Street Montgomery, AL 36104

0Drop

• Stroke Recovery Rehabilitation • Orthopedic Center of Excellence • Orthopedic Surgeon Director • In-House Pharmacy Consultant • Internal Medicine Physician • Registered Dietitian • Physical Therapy • Specialized Nursing Care • Speech and Occupational Therapy • Private rooms available Medicaid · Medicare · VA Contract Private Pay · Private Insurance Medicare Advantage Programs

In For A Visit Today0

Patient Referral: (334) 517-2007 www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

27


NOVEMBER CALENDAR

THEATRE G EVENTS

RECURRIN

Exercise Class, Bible Study, Bingo.Various days, times, locations. Montgomery Area Council on Aging, www.macoa.org, 334-263- 0532. Zumba. Tues. 5 p.m. Jackson Hospital, www.jackson.org, 334293-8978. Jam Sessions. 2nd and 4th Sat. 9 a.m.-noon. Old Alabama Town, www.oldalabamatown.com. 334-240-4500 Art Class. Tues., Wed. 10 a.m. Perry Hill United Methodist Church, www.perryhillumc.org, 334-272- 3174 Hearing Loss Support Group. 2nd Thurs., 4 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 334-262-3650. Gluten Intolerance Group. 4th Thurs., 6 p.m. Taylor Rd. Baptist Church. Call or check on-line for alternate Nov. meeting date. 334-328-5942. www.gfmontgomery.blogspot.com.

Sign-up to receive the Digital Edition of Prime Montgomery on your computer. E-mail primemontgomery@gmail.com and write Digital Subscription in the subject line.

Nov. 3-5, 10-11. A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody. Millbrook Community Players. www.millbrooktheatre.com. 334782-7317. Nov. 12, 13. An Evening With Mark Twain. Wetumpka Depot Players. kmeanor@wetumpkadepot.com, 334-868-1440. Nov. 19, 20. A Christmas Carol, Favorite Dances of Christmas. Alabama Dance Theatre. Davis Theatre. www.alabamadancetheatre.com. 334-241-2800.

SIC

MU

Nov. 4, 7 p.m. Jazz Concert. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. www.uumontgomery.org. 334-272- 4115. Nov. 11, 7 p.m. Jam Session. Chestnut Street Opry. www. chestnutstreetopry.com. 334-313-0843. Nov. 20, 12:30/3 p.m. Lunch/concert. Montgomery Chamber Music Organization. Museum of Fine Arts. 334-277-3505 Nov. 27, Noon. Jazz Jam. Alabama Roots Music Society. Museum of Fine Arts. www.mmfa.org. 334-240-4333. Nov. 30 6 p.m. Harpsichord concert. Christchurch, 8880 Vaughn Rd. 334-387-0566. Dec. 1, 7 p.m. Sound of Christmas concert. Band, choir. Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Rd. 334-279-5433.

AR TS

&

CR

AF

Physical Therapy • Wellness/Personal Training 28

November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

TS

Nov. Mon-Fri. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The American Scene 2011. MMFA. www.mmfa.org. 334-240- 4333. Nov. 5, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Pike Road Arts & Crafts Fair. Historic Marks House in Pike Road, Alabama. www.pikeroadartsandcraftsfair.com. 334-270- 5908. Nov. 11, 12, 9 a.m. 13th Annual Craft Show & Tasting Fair. Wetumpka Civic Center. 334 3598, 334-567-5785. Nov. 11, 4-7 p.m. Harvest Moon Festival, AUM. 334-2443279. OTHER Nov. 5, 8-11 a.m. Walk To Stop Diabetes. American Diabetes Association. ASF. 334-292-8000. Nov. 6, 9-11 a.m. Oakwood Cemetery Walking Tour. Old Alabama Town. www.oldalabamatown.com. 334-240- 4500.


Support the Businesses that Support Prime Montgomery When you visit any of these businesses, let the owner or manager know you’re a Prime Montgomery reader, and you appreciate their support of the River Region’s premiere monthly magazine focusing on those of us 50+ (Ad page numbers are listed after each advertiser’s name.)

Active Health and Rehab - 28

HealthSpring - 2

Alabama Artificial Limb &

Home Instead Senior Care - 10

Orthopedic Service - 21

Hospice Care of Montgomery - 17

Alabama Shakespeare Festival - 32

ITEC - 23

All Ears Hearing Centers - 36

MCA Fitness Center - 22

Bou Cou Boutique - 25

Montgomery Symphony - 32

Capitol Hill Healthcare - 6

Mr. G’s Ristorante - 15

Carter PhotoDesign - 31

Omaha Steaks - 26

Corks & Canvas - 9

Partners in Healthcare - 31

Corner on Dentistry - 7

Rehab First - 27

Eastdale Mall - 35

Stone Images Photography - 25

Elmcroft of Halcyon - 30

Tai Chi of Montgomery - 29

Be a Santa to a Senior _________________

Last year more than 1,000 gifts were delivered to needy local seniors through Home Instead Senior Care’s Be a Santa to a Senior program linking merchants, non-profits & Home Instead to promote, collect, wrap and deliver the gifts. The program runs Nov. 12 to Dec. 15. For a list of participating merchants and to find out how you can help call Home Instead at 334-215-9577, or visit www.beasantatoasenior.com. _______________

832-1907

Home Instead Senior Care 2520 Fairlane Dr. Suite 240

www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

29


moving free ® with mirabai

When NOT to Exercise F

or a week now I’ve been nursing the flu, mostly in bed, and its very frustrating. I can feel the fitness juice draining Mirabai Holland out of me. Several times I’ve thought of getting out of bed and putting on my sneakers, but each time my body, my lungs and my head have said “Whoa! Maybe this is a bad idea!” So, resting on an elevated pillow, feet up, I’ve resigned myself to the fact that there are times when being physically active can do more harm than good. With nothing else to do, I’m making a list of when not to exercise. When You Are Sick If you’ve got a cold and it’s not severe you CAN exercise without or injuries can exercise with doctor’s making yourself sicker.Your body permission between flair-ups. But many will probably tell you to back off the make the mistake of trying to exercise intensity and you should listen. So just when their condition is acute. do a maintenance workout. The Flu, When your condition flairs up, wait however, is not to be messed with. it out. Don’t exercise. It only takes a Influenza kills several thousand people moment to cause permanent damage. If a year.Your body is under siege from a virus and you need to win that battle. Rest. Don’t exercise. With A Fever The Flu is often accompanied by a fever because your immune system is fighting off infection. Any time you have a fever you need to be resting to give your body a fighting chance. No exercise. When You’re Tired How tired? It you’ve got the fatigue and brain-block that comes from a long day at the office, some moderate exercise after work may help you relax and recharge. But if your body is telling you go home and go to bed, that’s what you need to do. When A Chronic Condition Flairs Up Most people with chronic conditions 30 November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

your flair-up persists, go see your doctor. Whey You’re Pregnant Most pregnant women can exercise, but the ability to exercise varies greatly from person to person. Make sure you talk to your doctor about any exercise you’re planning to do. When You Have Pain Patient: “Doctor it hurts when I do this.” Doctor: “Don’t do that!” It really IS that simple. Pushing through the pain is nonsense even for most professional athletes. If you’ve got pain don’t exercise. See your doctor. This list is a work-in-progress, and since I’m lying here, I’m sure I can think up some more stuff. How about you? If you’ve got some good reasons not to exercise, send them to me at exercise@movingfree. com. Mirabai Holland is a leading authority in the Health & Fitness industry, and a public health activist who specializes in preventive and rehabilitative exercise. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work.


Check us out online!

www.primemontgomery.com

www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

31


ve nta! ium E emmas Sa r P st ith ri Ch e w

e

n ati

M

“An entertaining and heartwarming theatrical work that is just perfect for the holidays.“ -Charlie McCollum, San Jose Mercury News

November 25–December 24 Book by Duane Poole | Music by Larry Grossman Lyrics by Carol Hall Based on the short story by Truman Capote

35th

AlAbAmA ShAkeSpeAre FeStivAl

montgomery, Alabama 1.800.841.4273 www.ASF.net

Anniversary Season

Montgomery Symphony Orchestra

Concert II Monday, November 21 • 7:30pm Davis Theatre 240-4004 • montgomery symphony.org 32

November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com


games Crossword Clues ACROSS 1 Kilmer of “Batman Forever” 4 Nostalgic soft drinks 9 Latish wake-up time 14 Object of a conquistador’s quest 15 Conjure up 16 As a friend, to Francois 17 What older baseball pitchers might do? 20 “Scarborough Fair” herb 21 Huey, Dewey and Louie, e.g. 22 Dull routine 23 Fetch Halloween costumes from the attic? 27 Mice and lice 29 Quick-flash link 30 French land mass 31 Early pamphleteer 35 Big name in baseball cards 39 “Can I get a word in?” 41 Muffler 43 Intimate apparel purchase 44 Wrinkle-prone fabric 46 Work with one’s hands 48 NATO founding member 49 Classy org.?

51 Dulles alternative 53 Post snide comments on a blog? 59 Italian diminutive suffix 60 “Pagliacci” clown 61 Dundee denials 64 Join the high school wrestling team? 68 Early Indo-European 69 Actress Dunne 70 Volstead __: Prohibition enabler 71 Campfire treat 72 Enjoyed, as a beach blanket 73 “Go for it!” DOWN 1 Swears 2 Certain stage solo 3 Scratch 4 Composer Rorem 5 HTC smartphone 6 Mr. Fixit’s genre 7 “Don’t remind me” 8 Attach, in a way 9 Most likely to crack 10 Bring down the curtain 11 Tiny Pacific republic

12 Rally, as a crowd 13 Thin sprays 18 Think 19 Actress Swenson 24 Fall (over) 25 Geneticist’s concerns 26 Art colony town 27 Medicine chest item 28 K-12 32 “Ew!” 33 Mary Bobbsey’s older daughter 34 Poetic preposition 36 Keeps at it 37 Galileo Galilei Airport city 38 Attention __ 40 Choice reading? 42 Casino game 45 Its largest moon is Triton 47 Drops on a blade? 50 Each 52 Monument word 53 Gyro essentials 54 Render weaponless 55 Godzilla’s stomping ground 56 “Wait __ Dark”: 1967 film 57 Pageant trophy 58 “Okey-__!” 62 Verb-to-noun suffix 63 Droop-nosed fliers 65 Mr. Potato Head piece 66 “Small Craft on a Milk Sea” musician 67 Home viewing room ©2011 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

For Crossword answers, p. 31 For Sudoku answers, p. 21 www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

33


prime diversions

Recent dvd releases

Bad Teacher, Crazy, Stupid, Love & Larry Crowne

Bad Teacher (R) Cameron Diaz heads the cast of this darkish comedy as a gold-digging babe, killing time as a middle-school teacher while planning to marry a rich nerd. As her presumed last term ends, she’s off to her guy, with no fond farewells for her peers or pupils. But her fiancé realizes what she is, ending the gravy train. Next fall, she’s back in class, but undeterred in her quest for marrying into money. Justin Timberlake, as an unbelievably sensitive new teacher may be her next meal ticket. But he’s too touchy-feely, and another teacher may block her path to his side. As the film progresses, we see how lazy and selfish she is, knowing she’ll have to turn it around, but wondering how it will happen...and whether we should even care. Following Billy Bob Thornton’s Bad Santa model is no guarantee of comedic success. The premise doesn’t fit as well here for a variety of reasons. The script is short on laughs. Given all the troubles our public schools are facing in the real world, the timing seems off for milking laughs out of a teacher who ignores her duties at the expense of the kids until she finds another selfish reason to do otherwise. Some of the best moments come from supporting players like Timberlake, Thomas Lennon and Phyllis Smith (you likely know her best as Phyllis on NBC’s hit sitcom, The Office). One hilarious scene evokes comparisons to memorable moments from There’s Something About Mary and American Pie, but the film offers far less overall than either of those for either the audience or its eponymous star. (10/18/11)

Crazy, Stupid, Love (PG-13) Here’s another summer romantic comedy with a fine cast, interesting premise and some clever moments, somewhat impaired by a director who doesn’t know when to trim the fat. Steve Carell is shell-shocked by his wife’s (Julianne Moore) sudden announcement of her decision to divorce him after 25 years, children and a Volvo station wagon. She’s been his one and only since high school. He’s a whitecollar drone, numbed into suburban blandness by his take on the American Dream. Carell comes under the tutelage of a studly young master of the bar scene (Ryan Gosling), who makes him over for 34

November 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

the chase with some amusing success. Meanwhile, one lass (Emma Stone) who Mark Glass spurned Gosling’s pickup routine has some misgivings about her choices. Carell’s eighth-grade son (Jonah Bobo, who delivers big-time in several scenes) pines for their baby-sitter, who has a secret crush on Carell. More started all of this merry-go-round by having a fling with a coworker (Kevin Bacon), who aspires to more than a one time boink. A number of unlikely, and mostly entertaining, events occur, including some well-placed barbs about the genre in which the characters find themselves. Marisa Tomei, John Carroll Lynch, Analeigh Tipton and several others contribute good support. At 90 - 100 minutes, this could have come in as the gem of the season. At 118, it drags us all through the cast’s transitions for too long, draining vitality from the script’s best features. (11/1/11)

Larry Crowne (PG-13) When two of Hollywood’s most bankable stars (Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts) headline the cast for a romantic comedy, expectations run high. Unfortunately, the script co-written by Hanks and Nia Vardalos (whose body of work since My Big Fat Greek Wedding has thus far made her appear to be a one-trick pony) fails to utilize the collective talents of its cast. George Takei, Rob Riggle, our own Cedric the Entertainer, and multiple Emmy winner Bryan Cranston are among the undernourished supporting players. After twenty years as a Navy cook, Hanks is fired from a Walmart-type retailer for having maxed out on advancement due to lack of a college degree, even though he’s been one of their best workers for the past couple of years. Divorced and burdened with an under water mortgage in a lousy economy, he decides to enroll at the local community college to insulate himself against such future losses. Roberts is one of his teachers. She has her own problems. Stuff happens. People learn things about themselves and each other. Little of these proceedings will live up to either the chemistry or comedy one would think these actors should generate. There are a few chuckles and one good moment near the end, but far less overall than anyone would have predicted at the pitch meetings. (11/15/11)

Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association.


the best

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There’s only one place in town where you can get everything for the holidays at special savings for everyone on your list. Eastdale Mall is your savings stop for all the newest trends from your favorite stores, all under one roof!

Belk, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears and over 85 Specialty Shops, including the River Region’s only Build-A-Bear Workshop® Vi s i t u s o n l i n e a t w w w. s h o p m a l l s .co m

www.primemontgomery.com | November 2011

35


We gather from near and far, giving thanks, counting blessings, telling family stories. Our goal is to improve patient hearing so these blessings and stories will be clearly heard. May the sounds of this Thanksgiving Season fill your ears.

6912 Winton Blount Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36117 334-281-8400 www.allearscenters.com

“The doctor to see is an ENT.�


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