50 Plus

A guide to good living in the Brazos Valley

Inside...

Big Dipper

Chef Diane adds something new to the holiday spread.

Pg. 3

Financial Literacy

Cutting through the confusion with inherited IRAs Pg. 5

December 2011 • Vol. 4, Issue 8 • A monthly publication of the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Better to Give Than to Receive Make the holidays special by giving your time as a volunteer PAGE PA GE 8

PAGE 9

50plus

CONTENTS Chef Diane: Edamame Dip

3

Bradway: Preventing Falls

4

Financial Literacy: Inherited IRAs

5

Health: Sleep Apnea

6

Travel: New Orleans

10

Calendar

14

Ca Calendar ev events

December 2011

Do you have an event you’d like on the 50plus calendar? Email it to billy.mau@theeagle.com (subject line:50plus calendar) or fax it to 979-774-0053 (attn Billy Mau). Calendar space is first-come-first-served.

50plus is a monthly publication of Bryan-College Station Communications Inc. 1729 Briarcrest Drive Bryan, Texas

PUBLISHER Jim Wilson

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SPECIAL PROJECT PR S EDITOR Billy Mau billy.mau@theeagle.com

DISPL ADVER DISPLAY ADVERTISING VERTISING MANAGER MANA Joanne R. Patranella joanne.patranella@theeagle.com

SP SPECIAL PROJECTS/MARKETING PROJECT OJECTS/MARKETING COORDINATO ORDINA R ORDINATO Dawn Goodall dawn.goodall@theeagle.com

Study shows willpower may grow with practice and age

The over-50 crowd is highly likely to have ha more self-control and willpower than younger people. I know this sounds self-serving, but just look at the obvious facts. Younger people are more likely to be impulsive, impulsi commit crime, make unwise choices, and do foolish things in general.

One reason may be that older people have ha had more practice at developing their willpower. It is probably safe to say that older people make fewer mistakes than they did when they were younger.

Smoking behavior beha helps make the point. Of the 21.6 percent of smokers today, the highest incidence occurs among people aged 25-44 (25.6 percent), while only 9.1 percent of those over 65 smoke. Over all age groups, 69 percent of smokers have ha tried to quit, but only 6.2 percent have ha succeeded.

There is something special about this 6.2 percent. They had enough willpower to

quit.

Getting addicted to smoking or to any substance of abuse has a large learning component. We learn to like it more and more. But learning to quit likewise in lves learning. We learn invo how to suppress cravings cra , to ignore cues that remind us of smoking’s pleasure, and most of all, learn how Dr. BiLL KLeMM to control the memory meDiC impulses and unwanted beha behavior .

In the process, our repeated defeat of smoking urges re-programs the executive ecuti -control areas ecutive our brain to be more active acti when exerting control than in smokers and even non-smokers who never confronted the monumental rigor of stopping smoking.

A new study of exsmokers documents their

superior willpower. The average age was about the same for each group (about 27 years), the same number of years of education (about 17), and the smokers and ex-smokers had about the same number of years of hea smoking (about seven). heavy Researchers measured everyone’s perfor perf mance in several tasks requiring strict self-control and also brain scans during the tasks. Exsmokers perfor perf med the tasks better than those in either of the other two groups and had distinctly more brain acti activity in those cortical regions known to be invo in lved in willpower.

This cortical activity acti suppresses activity acti in the brain’s “reward centers” located deep within the brain. Repeatedly exercising this self-control is a learning experience that reinfor inf ces infor

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makers at your local grocery. I like to serve this with fresh vegetables, but it is equally good with pita crackers.

Sa a few beans out for garnish –this Save will also help your guests indentify the “secret” ingredient.

Edamame Dip Make 3 cups 12 ounces shelled edamame, thawed 4 ounces plain goat cheese, room temperature 4 ounces plain cream cheese, room temperature 1/3 cup water Zest and juice from 1 medium sized lemon 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 1 ½ teaspoons wasabi paste Salt and black pepper to taste Place all the ingredients in a food processer or blender and puree until smooth. Season dip with salt and pepper, pper cover with plastic wrap, and pper, chill until ready to serve. Make up to 3 days ahead. Garnish with reserved edamame just befor bef e serving.

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Do something a little differ diff ent for this year’s holiday da party with Edamame Dip. day Made with soy beans, this dip is a little healthier than other bean dips and it keeps it’s brought color better than avocado dips.

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Diane Lestina, a certified pe personal chef, holds cooking ing classes and cook ing oks for residents nt in the Brya nts Br n-College Stat St ion area. To learn more, re visit re, www hefd www.c he iane.com

December 2011

It’s holiday party season and after all that work of trimming the tree, it’s time to invite in friends and neighbors over. It’s nice to have ha a few made-ahead items in the fridge for such moments or just in case that unexpected guest pops by.

This Edamame Dip has a lot of great features – besides being makeahead – it can also be classified as healthy, especially when served with fresh vegetables. Diane Lestina Edamame are Cook it Simple green soybeans www.ChefDiane.Com that can be found in the freezer section either whole or shelled. You want the shelled variety for this recipe. Unlike an avocado dip, this dip stays green for days.

I like the flavo fla r of the combined goat cheese and cream cheese, but you could certainly use all goat cheese to make it more tangy, or, or if you are not a big goat cheese fan, feel free to use all cream cheese. The Wasabi paste give gi s the dip a small amount of heat and balance. You can buy small containers of it from the sushi

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Tips to prevent dangerous falls for the elderly

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December 2011

I’m getting very depr depressed pressed because I keep falling. lling I’ve lling. fallen four times in the last few months. One of the falls left a bruise on my leg le and I couldn’t walk for five days da .

My doctor keeps warning me that I’m going to break br something with one of these falls. I’m 70 years ar old; I can’t ars afford affor ord to break br any bones.

What am I supposed to do?

J.G. from Brya Br n Dear J.G., You are not alone in your concerns. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2000, falls among older adults cost the U.S. health care system over $19 billion dollars. By 2020, the annual direct and indirect cost of fall injuries is expected to reach $55 billion. The CDC believes this problem will only get worse as the population ages.

Right now, one in three adults age 65 and older will fall each year. Of these, 20-30 percent will suffer suf moderate to severe injuries making independent li living dif difficult if not impossible. And finally, falls can result in death. So as you can see, this is a critically important topic.

Some of the more common risk factors for falls are: 1. Acute illness or injury which reduces the person’s ability to walk 2. Medications (i.e., type of medication, number

of medications taken, drug reactions and overmedication).

3. Envir En onmental hazards (poor lighting, uneven surf surface , slippery floors, throw rugs, not familiar with area).

4. Visual difficulties dif (e.g., cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration).

5. Improper use of a gait device such as a walker or cane.

6. Confusion or change in mental status.

7. Low blood pressure.

8. Foot problems (e.g., bunions, toe def mities, defor Leon BraDway Dw Dway ulcers, pain herapy phySiCal therap with walking) 9. Sedentary lifestyle (i.e., muscle weaknesses is a significant risk factor) 10. Nutritional deficiencies 11. A history of falls 12. Increasing age (in particular women – tend to break bones when they fall) 13. Living Li alone 14. Wearing the wrong footwear or clothing 15. Mental depression.

16. Balance dysfunction.

The important thing to remember is that most falls are preventable. You can make a differ dif ence in preventing future falls. In addition, enlist your family’s help and ask your doctor, doctor pharmacist, and physical therapist for help. Get started today by going over

the risk factors listed above.

Which ones apply to you?

What can you do about them?

Below are some examples of what you can do now to start reducing your fall risk.

• Ask your doctor/ pharmacist to go over your medications and determine if there are any side effects ef that could affect af your vision, balance, muscles and so forth. If you find problems here, work with your doctor/pharmacist to see if alternative ti s are possible. tive • Try to make your en onment safer by envir removing loose rugs, repairing any damage in the home that may cause you to trip, install handrails on stairs and steps, make sure the lighting inside and outside your home is adequate and so on. Ask your family to help by walking through your home with you and looking for hazards to eliminate.

• Exercise every day. Just 10 minutes of walking a day can make a big differ dif ence.

But make sure you walk in appropriate attire (the right shoes and clothing). If your feet hurt, consider a stationary bike.

• Muscle strengthening – strength, endurance and power decline naturally as you age. Fight this by doing an exercise routine that builds muscle strength and endurance. The exercise program should concentrate on the large thigh muscles,

buttocks and muscles of the trunk. A physical therapist can evaluate your current condition and design a conditioning program for you. In our clinic, we also provide patients with a customized DVD to take home.

• Improve Balance – there are many things that can be done to improve balance.

You could join a Tai Chi or yoga class or do balance exercises standing or in a seated position. In most communities, there are

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classes specially designed for the older adult. Again, a physical therapist can screen you for balance problems and teach you postural transition exercises, sit to stand and standing and turning (turning is also very important).

• Make certain you are using the right assistive assisti device, that it has been fitted properly oper for your needs and operly

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Surviving Spouse

Beneficiary versus Surviving Spouse?

You may think that in normal speak you are both a beneficiary and a surviving survi spouse. Normal people like you and me would agree, but not the IRS. You have ha to pick one. You cannot be both.

According to the US Census Bureau, there are many widows younger than age 59½. Let’s say you are tragically a widow at age 55 and you need to tap that IRA to pay bills.

If you become an owner, ner you would ner, ha to pay 10% penalty to get those have

funds. But if you are considered a beneficiary (who is not an owner), you do not pay the 10% penalty when you get that money out. Death is an exception to the penalty. You need a CP to calculate which is your best CPA bet: be an owner and pay the 10% penalty or be a beneficiary and avoid the penalty. Trust me, this is not a slam-dunk calculation.

If you are a surviving survi spouse who is older than age 70½ and are older than your deceased spouse was at death, you may not want to own that IRA. Why? Because as an owner, ner ner, you would need to immediately start taking distributions. If you choose to be a beneficiary, beneficiary you can stretch the IRA by waiting until the year in which your deceased spouse would ha turned age 70½ to start taking have distributions.

Beneficiaries

Spouses can choose to be a beneficiary (which is not an owner). If you decide to be a beneficiary instead of an owner, ner your first three rules to ner, understand are …

1. You cannot later become an owner of the inherited IRA. 2. You cannot contribute to the inherited IRA. 3. You cannot rollover the balances

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Senior Circle is out to expand your horizons with an exciting calendar of events scheduled around town and around the world.

If you’re 50 or better, want to meet new people, learn more about your health, travel and just have fun, then Senior Circle is for you.

Dues are just $15 a year.

To join or for more information, call Mandy Williams at 979-764-5107 or visit CSMedCenter.com.

Become part of the Circle.

Waterways of Holland and Belgium: Tulips, Windmills & Canals March 26 – April 8, 2012 Join Senior Circle on this European river cruise and explore the majestic waterways of Holland and Belgium. Meet new friends and make memories on this exciting 14-day adventure.

Northwest National Parks • July 13 – 26, 2012 Escape the blistering heat of Texas with Senior Circle as we explore magnificent Northwest National Parks such as Glacier National Park, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park and many more. This 14-day adventure takes tak us through Seattle, Montana, British Columbia and other destinations, with special visits including the Lonesome Dove Ranch and Dr Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens.

Classic Christmas Markets • November 28 – December 6, 2012 Treat yourself for Christmas and join Senior Circle as we explore the classic Christmas markets in Munich, Innsbruck, Wurzburg, Nuremberg and Strasbourg.

This nine-day adventure takes us to historic towns in Central Europe where we will have time to shop for handicrafts and experience delights such as a private choir performance in an 850-year-old church. Call Senior Circle for more details.

Come play with someone your own age!

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If the IRA owner (decedent) dies in the year in which he turns (or would turn) age 70½ or any year after that, we must take his required minimum distribution (RMD) in the year of death. Yes, even if he did not take it that year while he was alive ali . If he dies on any day between January 1 and December 31, the RMD must be taken in that year. Our fine legislators didn’t consider situations where the IRA tracy stewar ewart ewar art owner dies so close to yearfinanCial literaCy iter end that there is insufficient insuf time to deal with an RMD in the year of death. The rule is written to be a “too bad, so sad” situation. There is one glimmer of hope. Tax CPAs CP know how to write a letter to the IRS begging forgive rgi ness rgive from the 50 percent penalty that comes from not taking the RMD when required. No guarantees the IRS will forgive, rgi rgive, but it is worth a try.

If you are the surviving survi spouse and the sole beneficiary, beneficiary you can choose to make the IRA your own.

You may notify the IRA trustee (usually brokerage or bank) to either change the account name to yours or roll it over into your existing IRA. If you are the surviving survi spouse and younger than age 70½, rolling it over could be a good idea because you can postpone distributions. You will use a dif ent IRS distribution table than differ will non-spouse heirs (beneficiaries).

Your distributions can be smaller, smaller thus stretching out that IRA if necessary.

If you are the surviving survi spouse and age 70½ or more, you may want to conve con rt the IRA to yours. Now you become the owner, ner and by the IRS ner, tables you can take out even less each year than can a beneficiary (who, by the way, is not an owner). This is even greater stretching.

December 2011

Large portions of our savings sa are landing in IRAs. Be aware that rules of thumb for IRAs do not work with inherited IRAs. In fact, commonly held beliefs are frequently the wrong thing for an heir to do. In the current economic envir en onment, I see many people embracing the do-it-yourself ethic for their tax, divo di rce and financial dilemmas. Once in a while that will work, but more often than not, it will be bad news. Making the right decisions with an inherited IRA is the riskiest and potentially the most financially devastating DIY project I have ha come across. I have ha asked Dillard Leverkuhn, local CPA CP and partner with the Bryan firm Thompson, Derrig & Craig, PC, to come back and explain this brain teaser to us. Thank you, Dillard.

The first thing to know about inherited IRAs is that your usual vocabulary gets tossed out the window. A widow may think she is a surviving survi spouse, but for the IRS, she must officiall of y choose to be one instead of a beneficiary. In addition, she may think she owns the IRA her husband left to her, her but she must of officiall y announce herself as an “owner”. So, pay close attention to the labels described here.

Survi Surviving spouses have ha differ dif ent

rules than surviving survi non-spouses (beneficiaries).

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Inherited IRAs: Could it get more complicated than this?

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50plus December 2011 The Eagle • theeagle.com

Waking up to the serious problem of sleep apnea (ARA) - Many people struggling to get a restful night’s sleep are unaware that a serious health problem may be keeping them up. Sleep apnea, which affects 18 million Americans, is a disorder which causes breathing to repeatedly pause during sleep. Sleep apnea lowers a person’s blood oxygen level and results in a fragmented sleep pattern - making for a potentially dangerous health situation.

Sleep apnea is linked to major health conditions including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and coronary heart diseases. Often, sleep apnea goes undiagnosed by physicians since it is difficult detecting the condition during a routine office visit. In fact, untreated sleep apnea may cause up to $3.4 billion in additional medical costs in the United States. With the added challenge of having no blood tests available for diagnosing the problem, symptom recognition is extremely important. Discuss the possibility of sleep apnea if you answer positively to the below questions, using the acronym STOP: Snore - Do you snore loudly?

Tired - Do you often feel tired, fatigued or sleepy during the daytime?

Observed - Has anyone observed you stop breathing during your sleep?

Pressure - Do you have or are you

being treated for high blood pressure?

Once identified, a sleep study may need to be administered to confirm the diagnosis, which may require staying overnight in a sleep lab or selfadministering a home sleep test.

Treatment may be an ongoing process, but with proper maintenance and care, the quality of life for patients

with sleep apnea can improve. Here are some common tips and treatment options. Be sure to consult with your doctor, as they will be able to provide you with the best treatment plan based on your own individual health.

• Positive airway pressure devices (PAP): PAP devices are prescribed by your physician and come with a variety

of breathing masks, meant to be worn over the nose and/or the mouth, supplying air into the throat, which prevents the airway from collapsing.

These devices are most often obtained from a home health care company and are typically covered by insurance.

• Oral appliances: An oral appliance, which looks like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer, is worn while sleeping and is designed to keep the airway open by preventing the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat from collapsing.

• Maintain a healthy weight: About 70 percent of people with sleep apnea are overweight or obese - a common link between diabetes and sleep loss is obesity. Taking steps to lose weight will increase your chances of managing sleep apnea and also reduce the risk of diabetes, a condition that comes with its own set of health problems like kidney disease, heart disease and blindness.

• Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking: Alcohol consumption relaxes the upper airway breathing muscles, which makes it difficult for the airway to remain open, further aggravating sleep apnea symptoms. Smoking swells the upper airway, which also worsens symptoms.

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50plus December 2011

By HOLLI L. ESTRIDGE Special to The Eagl Ea e

Finding Opportunities

One prime source for local volunteer opportunities is the Volunteer Center of the Brazos Valley – a partnership of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments and the United Way of the Brazos Valley – which serves to connect locals with opportunities to serve the community.

The volunteer center refers volunteers through a web-based database at www.volunteerbrazosvalley.org, also featuring a calendar of volunteer opportunities.

Seniors also can call the Brazos Valley RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) Senior Corps program at the Brazos Valley Council of Governments – a program that matches volunteers of all ages to opportunities that match their interests and skills.

RSVP reports senior volunteer hours with legislators at state and national levels, demonstrating seniors’ contributions to the economy and workforce and often attracting federal matching dollars for local communities. The organization also covers volunteers under its insurance, for the hours they work.

Kraus said RSVP sees a variety of volunteers – from those transitioning from part-time work to retirement to those seeking meaningful, long-term work as well as holiday workers.

Often volunteering can also lead to full-time employment, said Kraus.

“Great volunteers make great employees,” said Kraus. “They are a proven entity when it comes to things like punctuality, punctuality proficiency and work ethic.”

Holiday Opportunities

8

From feeding the hungry to stringing lights for a sweeping holiday display, volunteer opportunities abound for locals during the holiday season:

Austin Colony Parkway and Boonville Boon Road, at the Bryan Police Department, the Brazos County Sheriff’ Sherif s Department Administration Building and St. Teresa Catholic Church.

For more infor inf mation, contact the police department at 979209-5300.

gi giving options at Christmas at the Creek throughout the month of December: Family Promise of BCS Voices of Children Big Brothers Big Sisters SARC Boys & Girls Gir Club Project Unity Twin City Mission Health for All BVCASA Prenatal Clinic Scotty’s House SOS Ministries MHMR (only Dec. 9) Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center

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As the holiday season rush kicks off, of so does an array of volunteer activities acti geared toward helping those in need throughout the community.

Carolyn Kraus, program director of Brazos Valley RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) Senior Corp., said local seniors wanting to volunteer should find an opportunity that matches their passion with organizations they know, trust and believe in.

“Google them and research them online,” said Kraus. “And if volunteering isn’t an option, often you can donate online.”

The holiday season often spurs would-be volunteers into action, but often individuals indi interested in giving gi to the community can find year-round opportunities through a variety of local resources.

Senior Christmas Project A service RSVP provides to homebound and nursing home residents throughout the Brazos Valley, lley volunteers delive lley, deli r more than 600 holiday gift bags filled with requested items such as warm clothing, blankets, house slippers and bath towels. RSVP accepts clothing and other items yearround at 3991 E. 29th Street in Bryan.

Christmas at the Creek Christmas at the Creek is a month-long holiday celebration that includes more than 1 million lights decorating the Wolf Pen Creek area in College Station.

Volunteers are needed to host visitors throughout the month, caroling, serving hot chocolate and cookies, greeting visitors in Christmas mascot outfits and assisting children with arts and crafts projects. For more infor inf mation visit www. volunteerbrazosvalley.org .

Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley needs volunteers to help children with acti activities , clean and teach during its Winter Wonderland nder nderland Camp Dec. 27. The museum is also requesting volunteers to coordinate crafts, count down, and help children make resolutions Dec. 31 for the Rock’n Noon Years Eve Party.

Volunteers must fill out a volunteer application and pay $6 for a background check. Contact Karrie Bourquin, director of education or www.cmbv.org.

Blue Christmas Project The Bryan Police Officers Of Association is collecting new and gently used toys for its Blue Christmas Project Dec. 18. Blue Christmas is a holiday project designed to help less fortunate families in the city during the holiday season.

The BPOA has placed a few boxes throughout the cit of Bryan for residents to support Blue Christmas, including at Walgreens locations on the corner of Villa Maria and S. Texas Avenue and on the corner of

December 2011

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50plus

‘Tis the Season for Giving Back Doing More

Scotty’s House Scotty’s House needs special event volunteers to work on the center wish list item drive, dri grounds improvement, decorating for seasons/holidays, community in lvement invo and other events at the center.

Orientation is required. For more inf mation, infor call 979-703-8813.

Nonprofit donations The following nonprofits will have ha booths presenting alternative ti tive holiday

Kraus said she encourages volunteers to contact reputable charities in the community to determine whether help is needed during the busy holiday months.

Agencies that can have ha need of volunteers during the holiday months include: Family Promise This national organization works through affilia af tes in 41 states, marshaling existing local resources to provide for homeless families as they work to get back on their feet.

Resources include available congregational spaces, donated goods and volunteers. Funds donated to the Bryan-College Station affilia af te remain local. For more infor inf mation, contact 979-268-4309.

Phoebe’s Home Phoebe’s Home is an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their families, also offering of case management and non-residential counseling services.

Volunteers can contact the center to determine needs, including whether children in residence need Christmas gifts.

For more infor inf mation, call 979-822-2674.

Salvation Army The organization, which donates millions of dollars each year to aid needy families, seniors and the homeless through its red kettle campaign, often is in need of bell ringers to collect funds near businesses around the city. For more infor inf mation, call 979-361-0618.

Scotty’s House The shelter for abused children and their families strive stri s to provide a child-friendly envir en onment for police to conduct interviews, among many other services. Volunteers can help decorate the center for the holidays. For more infor inf mation, call 979-703-8813.

Food and toy drives offer off great opportunities to volunteer your time or to make mak donations if you don’t have ha the time to do the volunteer work you’d like lik to do.

It’s also important to remember that charity and volunteering are year around eff ts, not just something that happens in December. effor December

9

50plus

Laissez les bon temps rouler in New Orleans

By JAMES GAFFNEY GAFFNE & CATHY CA JA B GAFFNEY JACO GAFFNE

The Eagle • theeagle.com

December 2011

Matur Life Mature Lif Features atur atures

NEW ORLEANS — We were dining with out-of-town friends on braised Mangalitsa pork por shoulder and bouillabaisse at La Provence, the spitting image of a charming Old Provencal auberge that reflected the soul of the region right down to its muted yellow walls, exposed beams, tile floors and archways.

“The bouillabaisse is as good as anything I’ve had in Marseilles,” a table-mate said, referring to the French city regarded as the birthplace of the saffr saf on-flavo on-fla red fish stew.

It made us think of how this evening might have ha never happened if locally born-and-raised superstar chef John Besh had not purchased this 40-year-old French restaurant. He made the acquisition shortly befor bef e the death of the original chef and owner, ner ner, Chris Kerageorgiou. It was nearly near six months after Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing flood washed away New Or Orleans and dropped the city to its knees.

Chef Chris, one of Besh’s mentors, was a fixture of the culinary scene and Besh wanted to preserve the French-born Kerageorgiou’s legacy of Provencal cooking. Several of

Crowd jams Jackson Square in front of New Orleans’ iconic St. Louis Cathedral on the edge of the city’s French Quarter. ter ter. his dishes are still on the menu, but Besh also has pushed the enve en lope to exciting new gastronomic levels, thanks in no small part to chef de cuisine Erick Loos.

La Provence, it might be said, not only was save sa d but was reborn in

Katrina’s wake.

So, too, was New Orleans Or following the largest natural disaster in U.S. history although some claim the history, failure of levees built decades ago to hold back the rising waters was more the result of poor engineering.

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Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm Sat: 8am - 6pm Sun: 8am - 6pm Open Every Holiday 4401 Hwy 6 South College Station, TX

2010 East Villa Maria Rd Bryan, TX

A Ministry of Sylvania Franciscan Health

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EXTENDED HOURS

Either way, those who returned to the Big Easy in the months after Katrina tromped through set to work with the aid of thousands of volunteers from around the country to raise and reclaim the Crescent City when more than a few congressional lawmakers wondered aloud whether New Orleans Or was worth rebuilding in the first place.

Some parts of the metropolitan area, mostly neighborhoods like the Lower Ninth Ward and outlying communities like St. Bernard Parish, are still working to recover. But many, if not most, of the city’s touristed areas, including the French Quarter, ter escaped ter, and shook off of Katrina’s sava sa gery.

It wasn’t long after Katrina’s departure that the rollicking City That Care Forgot was offering of outof-town guests customary doses of ri r-port charm, hot jazz, and torive die-f Creole and Cajun cuisine. The die-for impact of Katrina’s chaos largely goes unnoticed by most visitors who rarely venture beyond the city’s primary tourist attractions.

This was evident the evening we took a handful of Califor Calif nia visitors for a tour of favo fa rite watering holes.

See New Orleans pa 13 page

Groups Good for Your Health

Up With Caffeine

Percentage decrease of depression in women that drank 2-3 cups of coffee a day.

There’s Food Poisoning Hidden in those Festivities

A reverse mortgage could help you live more comfortably

Source: Harvard School of Public Health; 10-year study of more than 50,000 women © CTW Features

Bradway

from page 4 that you are using it properly. A physical therapist can help to identify and fit the right assistive device. They can also train you in the proper use of the device. For instance, many adults who use a walker do not use it properly and this can increase the risk of falling. Make sure that you review the use of any assistive device you use with your health care provider.

• Make sure you make and keep those eye appointments. If you haven’t been to the eye doctor in over a year, make an appointment

today. Visual impairments can significantly increase your risk of falling.

• If you do experience a fall, remember that just a few days of bed rest can have a significant and negative impact on your muscle strength. It is very important to start a strengthening program immediately to help prevent future falls.

• Make certain to eat right and have your Vitamin levels tested periodically (e.g., vitamin D, B). Deficiencies in these vitamins can increase your risk of falling and or fractures.

Don’t wait. Begin reducing your fall risk today.

The Eagle • theeagle.com

If you’re under 5 and over 70, you’re particularly vulnerable to food poisoning, according to data compiled from the 80 million or so cases reported in this country every year.

It’s difficult to dance through the maze of holiday fare without contracting some type of foodtainted problem, such as nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or vomiting. Think salmonella, e-coli and other unpalatable thoughts as you view table treats. Many victims of bad food think they have the stomach flu, according to experts.

To protect yourself at any time of year, make sure your food is well cooked. That kills bacteria, which thrive in raw eggs, poultry, pork, beef, and fish.

Food left sitting out on burgeoning buffet tables is special breeding ground for bacteria. This also includes fresh vegetables and smoked meats, cold cuts and desserts.

So take care when you stuff your stomach with those fantastic home-made sweets grandma made last week especially for your visit.

Mature Life Features

15%

December 2011

Finding folks and friends to meet with regularly keeps your senses sound.

An old tried-and-true way to build and maintain your own network is to find or form your own book club.

Along with the closing of household-name bookstore chains and the widely-reported demise of printed books because of the rising use of electronic reading devices come reports that the country is peppered with book clubs. The point is, plenty of people are still reading books.

If your regular social circle doesn’t include any readers, check with your local library, church, school parent-teacher association, community center, or Craig’s list for a book club near you. Or post notes on nearby supermarket bulletin boards. You can check the same sources to find folks who would like to form a book club.

Discussions at these meetings can range from critiques of writings to real-life experiences similar to those sketched by the author. You can confine the conversation to specific topics or let your tongue ramble free with thoughts provoked by the book at hand.

You’ll not only feel better, it’ll get you away from the rude and raucous television panelists who interrupt each other routinely with their opinions about the latest celebrity gossip.

If a book club isn’t one of your favorite modes of meeting,

there are still old favorites like bridge clubs you can organize.

You can also use the Internet to help you find any group with interests that perk you up and help keep you healthy. Just type into your search engines such phrases as “book clubs” or “bridge clubs” to find some near you.

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HEALTH MATTERS

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50plus December 2011 The Eagle • theeagle.com

MONEY MATTERS American Dream Fades

Crooks Aim at Aging Brain

More than two thirds of American retirees think their children and grandchildren will not be able to enjoy the “American Dream” and affor aff d retirement.

About three quarters of participants in a recent poll said they expect their children and grandchildren to have worse career and lifest lif yle opportunities than they enjoyed, according to Protect Seniors.

Org, which conducted the survey in conjunction with former Richmond Federal Reserve Bank chairman and former White House ERISA advisor, advisor Dr. Thomas Mackell Jr. “This is a real tragedy,” agedy agedy,” Mackell said, “In the past it was a given that children would enjoy better career and lifest lif yle opportunities than their parents.

That chapter in American life lif appears to be ending.”

While 84 percent of the 2,021 retirees polled felt they were given the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, 89.2 percent said they believe it will be more difficult for their children to live the American Dream. Only 1.9 percent saw their grandchildren having an easier time living that dream.

“This sentiment reflects the reality of what has been happening for decades,” he said.

“As defined-benefit pensions are rapidly disappearing from the retirement landscape, there is an over-reliance on stock-backed 401(k) plans, which have all of the economic stability of a slot machine.”

Despite warnings, seniors still seem to fall for schemes.

While there’s good reason for this, according to an AARP report, it’s no excuse for oldsters to get scammed.

Researchers probing more deeply into the three main reasons given for this vulnerability – memory loss, loneliness, and more trusting character – have revealed mind shifts caused by aging that makes the aged more prone to becoming victims.

Among their findings is the fact that con men have learned that an aging mind’s ability to grasp details like contract terms begins to slip after 2 p.m. That’s why these crooks call late in the afternoon or early evening.

Accompanying memory loss that comes as the aging brain slows down its ability to process inf mation is the tendency to infor believe anything, even a blatant lie, if it’s repeated often enough.

So statements like “you have to act now” and “this is all it will cost you” salted liberally throughout the conversation tend to become fact in the victim’s mind.

Studies also show that, while old folks are not as gullible as widely believed and tend to be able to detect dishonest deliveries and demonstrations, it’s their devotion to God and country that often does them in.

A crook comes a-calling claiming to be with a church charity or veterans group, for example, and walks away with their money.

Mature Life Features

Comfort

Memory Medic from page pa 2

the will-power circuitry. In other words, ex-smokers have ha perfor perf med an enormous amount of such “exercising” in the course of trying to quit smoking, and that “training” has give gi n them more capacity for willpower in other areas of choice and decision making.

It seems especially notable that ex-smokers showed more willpower than the control group that never smoked. Maybe ex-smokers have ha more willpower than people who have ha never smoked because the ex-smokers ha confronted the have challenge of quitting smoking and in the process have ha “exercised” their willpower circuitry.

Ear Earlier reports had shown that non-smokers are less impulsi than smokers impulsive and that people in general can learn to increase their willpower through practice.

Surely, though, I am not advo ad cating you get hooked on smoking just so you can train your willpower by trying to quit. There are other ways that are much less harmful to your health.

Meditation is the obvious choice. Brain scans have ha shown that meditation practice also stimulates these same cortex pathways.

Meditation can even actually change the physical structure of brain on a lasting basis. Exercise also seems to be beneficial.

It is noteworthy that my own multiple attempts to quit smoking only succeeded when I simultaneously took up jogging.

This study did not test how permanent the new self-control competency lasts after conquering “demon smoke,” but this mental power is a long-term memory and we know some memory, memories last a lifetime.

I quit 42 years ago, and I still vividl vi y remember my smoking temptations and the ef rt it took to quit. Back effo then I promised myself I could start smoking again if I live li d this long. Today, I can still resist the temptation.

Br scans Brain hav shown that have meditatio tat n prac tatio pr tice also stimulates st these same cortex rt pathways rtex wa . ways Meditatio tat n can even tatio ev actually change the ph ical stru phys st cture ur ure of a brain br on a last basis. lasting

Dr Bill Klemm is a Profes Dr. of sor of ofes Neuroscience at Texas A&M Universi er ty ersi ty.

Visit his blog at ThankYo nk uBrain.com for nkYo more memory tips. ti

Vision for the way you live.

Proudly serving the Brazos Valley for over 25 years.

Cataract Screening & Surgery Diabetic Eye Exam Routine Eye Exams In-Office Laser Surgery Lasik/PRK Refractive Surgery Contact Lenses & Glasses

979-776-7564

or 1-800-338-7864

MARR EYE CENTER William H. Marr, M.D., P.A. Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthamology

Jamie Houser, O.D.

2801 East 29th at Memorial Drive • Bryan 12

Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/ mmwrhtml/mm5420a3.htm Ernst, M. et al. (2001). Effect Ef of nicotine on brain activation during performance of a working memory task. PNAS April 10, 2001 vol. 98 no. 8 4728-4733.

Katz, R. C., and Singh, N. N. (1986).

Reflections on the ex-smoker: Some findings on successful quitters. J. Behavioral Medicine. 9 (2): 191-202. DOI: 10.1007/BF00848477

WHEN EXPERIENCE COUNTS, WE’RE THE ONES TO SEE

from page pa 10

Stewart

from page pa 5 of the inherited IRA into another IRA. But remember, member only a surviving member, survi spouse who was the sole beneficiary can choose to be either an owner or a beneficiary, beneficiary but not both for the same IRA. As a beneficiary, beneficiary you can move your share of the inherited IRA to another trustee as long as you do two things.

1. Move it in a trustee-to-trustee transfer 2. Title the IRA as “Deceased name, deceased, for the benefit of you, beneficiary”. Such as “Cedric Stewart, deceased, for the benefit of Tracy Stewart, beneficiary”.

Scary Warning: If I give gi my inherited IRA a differ dif ent name than described in No. 2 above, the IRS will call it a full distribution. If this is a $1 million IRA and I am younger than 59½, I will ha to pay income taxes and 10 percent penalty have on that entire $1 million. If I am older than 59½, I will have ha to pay income taxes but not the penalty.

Another Scary Warning: Although noninherited IRA owners are allowed to clean out an IRA and move it into another IRA within 60 days without incurring taxes or penalties, this is not true of inherited IRAs of which I am the beneficiary. My inherited IRA must be transferred “trustee to trustee” or the IRS will tax it. Again, not pretty.

Ha your eyes glazed over yet? Mine have Have ha .

And we are not done yet. Let’s take a break and finish this up in the next column. Besides, my editor limits the amount of space I get.

Contac nt t Trac ntac Tracy acy B. Stewart, CPA, CP PFS, PFS CFF, CF CDF CFP® CDFA, CF through ug her blog at ugh www.Texas www.T .TexasDi exasDivorceFin eF ance.com eFin

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than a century. To step inside M.S. Rau Antiques is to understand how best to preserve one of the finest collections of antique European and American treasures in the city. This is also the place to buy antique French walking canes.

Bourbon Street, one block away, ay ay, is best save sa d for nighttime, when one’s penchant for raucous live li music, strong drinks and bawdy strip clubs can be sated within a five- to 10-block French Quarter stroll. But the Quarter is also home to scores of fine restaurants, not to the mention Preservation Jazz Hall, which showcases live li traditional New Orleans Or jazz perf med by a multigenerational perfor mix of musicians who reveal what it means to hear New Orleans Or .

Next door is famed Pat O’Brian’s, whose fountain-framed courtyard is among the most delightful spots in town to soak up the late-night vibe and, of course, a hurricane, the popularly popular powerful rum-punch drink for which this bar is famous.

Later, ter we strolled along the ter, photogenic gaslamp-lighted Moonwalk on the Mississippi Ri r befor Rive bef e heading to Cafe du Monde for a traditional after-hours “final course” of cafe au lait and French- style beignets beneath the green awning at this New Orleans Or landmar established in 1862 and landmark, one of the oldest coffee cof shops in the country.

December 2011

Our first stop was The Columns, a historic hotel featured in the movie “Pretty Baby,” by where we by,” sipped martinis on the breezeswept terrace while soaking in the sight of St. Charles Char Avenue streetcars rumbling by beneath canopies of oak trees on this thoroughfar oughf e best known for oughfar its stately Greek Reviva vi l and viva Italianate mansions. We wound our way through the Warehouse Arts District for a gallery opening bef e adjourning to the legendary befor French Quarter restaurant, Arnaud’s, and its elegant bar French 75 for cocktails of the same name: a simple yet precise mix of champagne, cognac, simple syrup and lemon juice.

Then a round trip on the Canal Street Ferry carried us across the Mississippi Rive Ri r to gaze upon this 300-year-old city’s romantic nighttime skyline. This was followed by a jaunt to Faubourg Marigny, the French Quarter’s neighboring bohemian cousin to sample the live li jazz and alternative ti tive music that pours forth nightly from Frenchmen Street’s funky and always-fun venues like Snug Harbor and Blue Nile.

What our visitors learned quickly was that this

checkerboard city of workingclass neighborhoods, middle-class enclave la s, and uptown society lave tumbles through life with the motto, “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll) and enjoys itself with probably more exuberance than just about any other place on Earth. For further proof, all they have ha to do is book another trip to coincide with Mardi Gras or the Jazz and Heritage Festiva sti l, two of the largest fetes for stiva which this city is renowned.

The following day, we ducked into a pair of the city’s cherished cheap-eats venues, which always bustle with good vibes and great local fare. Our lunchtime take on a “progressive ssi ssive dinner” included barbecue shrimp poboys at Liuzza’s by the Track and dripping roast-beef versions of the Big Easy’s popular Frenchbread-based sandwich at Parkway Bakery.

But there’s no escaping the lure of a satisfying stroll through Jackson Square past the towering St. Louis Cathedral as the wind carries the sound of steamboat calliopes docked at the rive ri r and aromas of Creole delicacies from nearby restaurants. We ambled down Royal Street to window-shop and browse around contemporary and fine-art galleries and antique establishments, some of which ha have been in existence for more

50plus

New Orleans

Ronny nn Baker B.S.,A.C.A. nny 2805 Earl Rudder Freeway S. College Station • 979.680.8808 centraltexasent.com 2010 Business Performance Award

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50plus

CALENDAR

The Eagle • theeagle.com

December 2011

Ongoing Christmas at the Creek Wolf Pen Creek, College Station.

Holiday celebration nights are Dec 9 and 10 from 6 – 9 pm. Enjoy live performances, hayrides, pictures with Santa and free cookies and hot cocoa. Free parking at Post Oak Mall. Christmas lights up every night throughout December. For information, call 979-764-3486.

Sit & Fit - Looking for a fun way to exercise in the comfort of a chair? Join other senior adults at Southwood Community Center every Tuesday and Thursday, noon - 12:45pm. The Center is located at 1520 Rock Prairie Rd. Contact Southwood Community Center at 764-6351 for more information or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Game Day - All Senior Adults are invited to come and play at Southwood Community Center located at 1520 Rock Prairie Rd from 12:00 - 3:00 pm. We offer of a variety of board games, dominoes, cards, billiards and Wii System.

Check out our lending library while enjoying a free cup of coffee. cof Contact Southwood Community Center at 764-6351 for more information or College Station Parks

and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 764-6371 or mrodgers@ cstx.gov.

Dominoes - Meet your friends every Thursday to play 42 at Southwood Community Center located at 1520 Rock Prairie Rd. from 9:30 - 11:30 am. Contact Southwood Community Center at 979-764-6351 for more information or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Friday Bridge - Join other senior adults every Friday from 9 am -noon at Southwood Community Center located at 1520 Rock Prairie Road for a fun day of bridge. Contact Southwood Community Center at 764-6351 for more information or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

Line Dancing - Senior adults “line-up” every Friday for Line Dancing at Southwood Community Center located at 1520 Rock Prairie Rd from 10:00 - 11:00 am, and Tuesdays from 1:30 – 2:30 pm.

Contact Southwood Community Center at 764-6351 for more information or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 764-6371 or mrodgrs@ cstx.gov.

December 7 Computer Club for Seniors The Computer Club for Seniors is free and open to everyone. The club meets from 9:00 - 10:30 am at the Carter’s Creek Training Room located at 2200 North Forest Parkway in College Station. No registration required. The topic is “What’s New in the Technology World”. For more information, contact College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 979-764-6371 or email: mrodgers@cstx.gov.

December 8 Holiday Dance - Celebrate the holidays at the Christmas Dance held at the College Station Conference Center located at 1300 George Bush Drive from 5:30 7:30 pm. Refreshments and door prizes. FREE! Contact Southwood Community Center at 764-6351 for more information or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

information, contact Annie Williams at 979-764-3750.

Christmas Stroll in the Park Bryan, 6 pm. Enjoy the sites and sounds of Christmas with a step back in time at Heritage Park in Bryan. Musical entertainment, a mini Historical Home Christmas Tour and refreshments. Tickets for the home tour will be available in the Park for $5. Event sponsored by the Brazos Heritage Society.

Navasota Holiday Celebration - 6:30 pm, outside of the new Municipal Building. The first lighted holiday parade hosted by the Navasota Chamber of Commerce.

Parade goes through historic

downtown Navasota. Free event.

Call 936-825-6475 for info.

December 14 Holiday Open House - All senior adults are invited to enjoy fresh baked cookies, entertainment, door prizes and photos with Santa at Southwood Community Center from 10:00-12:00 noon. Learn about the variety of activities & classes offered of at Southwood Community Center for senior adults. Contact Southwood Community Center at 764-6351 for more information or College Station Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Services at 764-6371 or mrodgers@cstx.gov.

BEEF UP YOUR BUSINESS!

December 10

Beef up your business by reaching a dedicated, targeted audience of over 45,000 readers.

Advertise in The Land & Livestock Post!

Senior Pageant - All seniors (55 +) are invited to enjoy free food, entertainment & door prizes!

The pageant will honor the “Age Of Elegance” with the crowning of Ms. Senior Brazos Valley at Lincoln Center, 1000 Eleanor Street from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. For more

Call today for your free marketing consultation.

Jesse Wright • (979) 731-4721 jesse.wright@theeagle.com

Waldenbrooke Estates is Proud to Present the

Adult Protective Services Charity Holiday Dance Monetary donations or the donation of items on our wish list is appreciated

December 9th, 2011 7:00pm - 10:00pm Waldenbrooke Estates 2410 Memorial Drive Bryan, TX 77802 Wish List: Bus tokens, cab passes, blankets, space heaters, laundry detergent, cleaning products, reading glasses, roach traps, etc.

All Raffle Proceeds and Donations to benefit APS clients For additional information Contact: Rachel Portnoy, APS Community Initiatives Specialists (512)834-3446

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HEALTHCARE HEALTHWISE

HOSPICE an AccentCare company

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Memorial Funeral Chapel Bryan • (979) 823-8125

2012 Se Senio niorr Se nio Seminar minar Se Serie riess rie

CENTER FOR REGIONAL SERVICES 3991 East 29th Street Bryan, Texas 11:30 a.m. to 1:00p.m.

Call Today to RSVP: Susie Brown or Bobby Gail Jeffries 979-595-2800 ext. 2025 Lite Lunch Provided

The Eagle • theeagle.com

Mark your calendars ar for the second Tuesday ars da day of each month beginning February 2012

December 2011

PROUDL PR OUDLY OUDL Y SPONS SPONSORS ORS

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50plus The Eagle • theeagle.com

December 2011

Year End Closeout!

ONE MONTH FREE RENT WITH NO COMMUNITY FEE!

Call 979.703.7088 to make an appointment.

3801 East Crest Drive • Bryan, Br TX 77802 • www.watercrestbryan.com www 16

(near the corner of University Drive and Boonville Road)