BEACON - March 2014 by BEACON Senior News

MARCH 2015

Vol. 29

No. 3

Mesa County’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 26,250 Readers.

Create a Legacy We all want to leave a lasting legacy. What will yours be? Read more in this month’s insert. Tips for the backyard bird watcher What can you do to attract birds to your yard year round? Here’s some advice. Page 6. Now’s the time to explore Cuba Now that restrictions have been lifted, see what you’ve likely missed these last 50 years. Page 24. Camp among the wild horses Camping in the Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Range is a true Wild West experience. Page 34.

O V R A S Local flavor

Life is too short to buy store-bought tomatoes. For produce fresh from the garden, contact your local CSAs. Photo Xxxx Carlson Xxxx. Photo by by Audrey

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March 2015

It takes a team to make a BEACON

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By Kevin VanGundy

’ve been in and out of the publishing business since I was the advertising manager for my high school’s yearbook and newspaper. During that time I’ve had the good fortune to work with many talented writers, photographers, sales people, editors and graphic artists. The team that I work with at the BEACON Senior Newspaper is made up of some of the best. Our lead designer, Heidi Graf, is the best graphic artist that I have ever had the privilege of collaborating with. Her ability to P.S. conceptualize and execute er, Heidi, m Reme b bt, an original design generally u “If in do urst!” rb exceeds every expectause a sta Heidi Graf has won more tion. And her use of negative awa rds for the BEACON Senior space in her compositions is Newspaper than any other person. the best I have ever seen. I bring this up because after eight years of working together, of the May issue of the BEACON. We Heidi is returning to her native New have 20 worthy candidates vying for England. Now that the Patriots have this year’s trophy and their nominareclaimed the Super Bowl title and tions appear in the Create A Legacy Boston has gotten more snow than insert. Please read about each of Colorado, all the signs of bon voyage them and vote, early and often. were in place. BeaconFest is April 16 Heidi, you will be missed, but not BeaconFest is an annual event forgotten. where our community comes toGive! gether to celebrate aging. This year’s The insert in this month’s paper, show will be Thursday, April 16, Create A Legacy, is your local guide from 9 a.m-3 p.m. at the Two Rivers about where to donate your time and Convention Center in downtown money. While there are many worthy Grand Junction. Admission is free! causes in the area, I think the organiA few vendor booths remain zations in this month’s paper deserve Does your business sell products or your extra consideration. services to our area’s fastest growVote early! Vote often! ing boomer and senior population? You’ll be hearing a lot about voting In addition to being an effective way as we head toward a City Council to meet with them one on one (over election, but in this particular case, 2,500 people attended last year), we would like you to help us choose BeaconFest is also a lot of fun! this year’s Volunteer of the Year. The Please call us at 243-8829 to get inforwinner will be announced at April’s mation about being a vendor at this BeaconFest and will grace the cover year’s show. ■ If you have an event or photo you would like to have appear in the BEACON, send it to: beacon@pendantpublishing.com.

EDITORIAL 3

4 COVER STORY

Become a CSA member today! Borden Farms CSA Full CSA Share - $495 (16 weeks starting mid-June) This full share includes an assortment of fresh, certified-organic vegetables, fruit, herbs, hanging baskets and more. Pick up in Delta, Montrose and Grand Junction! Times and days are still being decided. Contact the farm for details. To sign up, call 874-5383, visit www.bordenfarms.com or email bordenfarms@gmail.com.

Field to Fork CSA Spring Garden Share - $100 (4 weeks starting May 8) Distribution from 4 p.m. to dark at the farm, 3526 Front St. Summer Garden Share (17 weeks starting June 10) Distribution at the farm, 3526 Front St. in Palisade, or from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Lincoln Park. • Small share (1-2 people) - $375 • Medium share (3-4 people) $500 • Large share (5-6 people) - $800 Fall Garden Share - $150 (4 weeks starting October 16) Distribution from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Fridays at the farm. To sign up, visit www.fieldtoforkcsa.com or call 216-2642.

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Tired of tasteless tomatoes?

March 2015

Get to know your local CSA farms By Carrie Kellerby ired of tasteless tomatoes? So were Guy and Lynn Borden, who decided to leave their corporate jobs and move to the historic farming community in the Uncompahgre Valley to create The Borden Farm at Pea Green. “We decided we wanted to grow the great-tasting vegetables we remembered our grandparents growing,” Lynn said. They started with great soil and organic farming practices, becoming a certified organic grower in 1996. Today they provide a variety of handpicked fruits, vegetables, herbs and flower baskets to farmers markets from Telluride to Aspen, as well as to their many CSA members.

What’s a CSA? Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an alternative, locally based model of agriculture and food distribution that has been around since the 1980s. The movement began in Europe and was brought to the U.S. by Swiss farmer Jan Vander Tuin. The model’s purpose is rooted in the belief that delivering high-quality food to a local region is vital to the longterm stability of family farming. It was also a reaction against the emergence of large-scale corporate farming practices that were relying on chemicals and genetically modified (GMO) seeds that were designed to increase shipping stability and pest-resistance rather than taste or nutrition. CSA farms typically practice biodynamic or organic farming methods. Membership in a CSA buys a

share of the local farm’s harvest. Each week of the growing season— typically June through September— members receive a box of produce containing a variety of fruits and vegetables (and sometimes herbs, honey, eggs or dairy products, depending on the farm). CSAs include some kind of delivery system, typically a once-a-week drop-off destination, a local farmers market, or the option of picking up at the farm itself. CSAs are a great way to support your local farmers and get to know the faces behind your food. It is an opportunity to start a relationship with the folks who tend the soil and grow the food you eat, who provide you with a picked-when-ripe healthy alternative to commercially produced, early picked and distantly shipped food, while helping the local economy. Because the shares provide a weekly variety, you might even discover some new flavors that you may not otherwise get a chance to try.

Scott Washkowiak

Field to Fork: a dream come true Scott and Jessica Washkowiak at Field to Fork in Palisade are gearing up for their fourth year as a CSA farm. In the past they have leased land, but through the help of a USDA loan program for beginning farmers and ranchers they purchased their own farm last year, making 2015 the first season they will be working their own land. It’s the culmination of a longheld dream for the couple, and a responsibility that neither take lightly. They are now filling out the paperwork to obtain their organic certification.

March 2015 Scott has a degree in horticulture and learned organic farming practices in San Diego, where he and Jessica lived for a time. Jessica was raised in the Grand Valley and expressed her love for the community. “There comes a point where it’s about more than just a farm,” she said. “It’s really a relationship with the community that we are growing.” The Washkowiaks are committed to the quality of their products and the soil, which is the foundation of their sustainable farming philosophy. “It’s all about the health of the soil,” Jessica said. Their practice not only eliminates the use of harsh chemicals, but also includes a pledge to use only organic, heirloom and open pollinated seed. They will not use genetically modified seeds for any of their products. Field to Fork will grow a variety of different kinds of fruit, vegetables and herbs, and each week their members will receive a share filled with a sampling of what’s in season. The shares are purchased in advance and can be picked up either at the farm or at Lincoln Park in Grand Junction on Wednesdays from 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (A one-time delivery charge of $35 applies for pickups at Lincoln Park.) They will also operate a vegetable stand at the Field To Fork Farm throughout the season, open from 2 p.m. until dusk every day. You can find them at 3526 Front St. in Palisade. Field to Fork will also be at both the Grand Junction and Palisade farmers markets this year. The Washkowiaks offer several membership types. The spring garden share is for four weeks, beginning in May. It offers baby spring vegetables, flowers and herbs, eggs and popcorn. The fall garden share is a bountiful selection of late-season produce for five weeks. The whole season share has options for small (one to two people), medium (two to four people) or large shares (four to

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com Borden Farms manages 14 acres of field production and over 13,000 square feet of flowers, herbs and vegetables in their five large greenhouses. The farm has a fenced orchard and heirloom apricot trees, and operates two packing sheds on site. Borden Farms: a homegrown The Bordens begin their season paradise in May with a blaze of colorful Guy Borden of Borden Farms at Pea hanging floral baskets. In addition Green, nicknamed “The Tomato to the beautiful baskets, the farm Guy,” is, according to his wife, Lynn, is known for its “Borden’s Best a renaissance man. He farms, fixes Homegrown Tomatoes,” which the tractor, is an accomplished they start from seed and plant in woodworker and a great cook. It the ground in one of their large was his frustration with the narrow greenhouses, which gives them selection and low-quality produce a jumpstart. They can offer vineavailable in supermarkets that got ripened certified organic tomatoes him thinking seriously about farming in June, a month earlier than field nearly 20 years ago. These days tomatoes are ready. you can find Borden Farms at the Lynn talked about how they pack farmers markets in Aspen, Avon, the share boxes for delivery— Basalt, Carbondale, Crested Butte usually within a day of picking, and Edwards. They also have their sometimes hours. own stand or deliver to host homes “The vegetables are lightly in Telluride, Ridgway, Montrose washed, but not processed in and Grand Junction, as well as their any way,” she said, adding that thriving CSA business. everything in the boxes comes from Borden Farms at Pea Green, providing a huge selection of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs with every share. To sign up for a CSA share with Borden Farms, call 874-5383 or email bordenfarms@gmail.com. ■

six people) to accommodate various needs. Shares are somewhat limited; the Washkowiaks plan to serve about 100 families this year. To sign up for a membership, visit www. fieldtoforkcsa.com or call Jessica at 216-2642.

Guy & Lynn Borden

Remember that CSA memberships are limited and are usually offered on a first-come basis. Now is the time to secure your place and ensure that you will have the best quality produce throughout the year. Both of these CSAs deliver to Grand Junction. Borden Farms: 874-5383 or email bordenfarms@gmail.com Field to Fork: 216-2642 or visit www.fieldtoforkcsa.com

COVER STORY 5

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ........................ Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher................... Susan Capps Editor........................................ Cloie Sandlin Graphic Design..................... Melissa Trottier Production................................ Karen Jones Account Representative...............Sue Bowen Account Representative............Sidney Jayne Account Representative.................Dave Hoyt Proofreader................................. Jan Weeks Cheerleader .............................Genevra Shal Delta-Montrose Bureau Assistant Editor...................Liesl Greathouse Account Representative.......... Virginia Carlile Delivery..........................................JR Milner Beacon Mascot Bogart.......................................................... P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 970.24 3.8 82 9  800.536.7516 fax Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com E-mail: Beacon@ PendantPublishing.com The BEACON is published at the beginning of the month. Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Garfield counties. Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Display advertising rates are available upon request. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. © Copyright 2015 • All Rights Reserved

Cover Photo Field to Fork CSA members pick up their shares of fresh, organic produce in a market-style pickup at Lincoln Park. Fruits, vegetables and herbs are harvested and delivered straight to CSA members.

6 FEATURE STORY

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U O N R D TIPS R A E Y

for attracting and enjoying birds in your yard

March 2015

By Carrie Kellerby

ccording to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, nearly 54 million people in the U.S. feed the birds annually. It is ranked as the second most popular “passive” hobby in the country. Many people agree that birds are a joy to watch and a pleasure to listen to, but did you realize that a bird’s diet also provides a great service by keeping both the weed and insect populations in check? At a recent Garden Talk hosted by Western Colorado Botanical Gardens and Grand Junction Parks & Recreation John Moore, a retired biology teacher, master gardener and Audubon Society member, outlined the importance of creating a safe and enticing habitat for the birds of the Grand Valley.

Plants that attract birds

Western tanager. Photo taken along the Audubon Trail near Connected Lakes. Photos provided by Jackson Trappett

For seed-eating birds there is a large selection to choose from. The daisy family, including asters, en k ta – d ir zinnias, chrysanb g min s. n e Calliope hum rd a g l themums, cone a tanic near the bo flowers, calendula, dahlias and sunflowers is great for attracting birds year round. If you leave the yard cleanup until spring, the birds can feast on the seeds through the winter. In late fall, clean away the debris of bigger plants like sunflowers, but save the seed heads for the birds by putting them in the yard throughout the winter. Birds go only where they know food and water are always available, so consistency is the key to seeing birds in your yard all year long. To entice fruit and insect-eating birds during summer and fall, consider planting berry plants like currants, serviceberries, raspberries, elderberry, grape holly, or Virginia creeper. A number of trees and shrubs can help create a safe habitat or provide additional food sources for birds. These include mountain ash, all fruit trees, junipers, hawthorn, pyracantha

(though it may not survive an especially harsh winter), Russian olive, hackberry, Scotch pines and spruce. Hummingbirds, here from early April to late October, have their own unique needs. They are particularly attracted to flowers with long tubular shapes, like petunias, fuchsias, morning glories, and penstemon. Hollyhocks, columbines, geraniums, gladiolas, impatiens, coral bells, delphinium, phlox, salvia, bee balm, and iris also work well. If you are thinking of planting trees or shrubs in your yard, consider butterfly bushes, azaleas, hibiscus, trumpet vine, or Japanese honeysuckle. (Although many of these plants are highly desirable, they are also highly invasive, so be prepared for rigorous pruning.) As with any kind of landscaping decisions, make sure you do your research and read the plant labels.

Choose the right feed and feeder Consider supplementing the natural habitat with food by purchasing a feeder. The ideal bird feeder will withstand winter weather and squirrels, and be tight enough to keep seeds dry and clean. Different kinds of feeders and food attract different kinds of birds. If you’re starting out, visit Larry Collins at Wild Birds Unlimited, 2454 Highway 6 and 50 in Grand Junction, for a tour of the feeder options available, as well as some expert start-up advice. If you’re not sure what kind of birds you want to attract to your garden and therefore don’t know what food to purchase, it’s probably best to start with a basic “year-round” blend—one that contains black oil sunflowers (the easiest to eat for almost all seed-eating birds) and white millet. Avoid buying any kind of seed mix that has fillers such as sweet barley, red millet or oat. Most birds won’t eat these seeds and the waste can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus.

Three main types of feeders The tube feeder is just what it sounds like. It’s designed to attract smaller birds like sparrows, grosbeaks, chickadees and finches. Styles that have feeding ports with perches

March 2015

Yellow-shafted northern flicker. Photo taken in the town of Mesa.

are designed for birds like goldfinches that feed hanging upside-down. Tube feeders are generally popular because they are easy to fill and maintain, and larger birds can also be accommodated by simply adding a tray accessory to the tube feeder. Just remember when you refill the tube to discard the old seed, preventing mold or bacteria from contaminating the new food. There is a tube feeder model called a nyjer (thistle) feeder, which has smaller feeding ports and a fine mesh for the birds to cling to while extracting the small seeds. Goldfinches and pine siskins are particularly partial to nyjar seed The hopper feeder looks like a house where one side of the roof lifts for filling. The advantage of this style is that it provides a larger landing area for birds of all sizes, and is popular with jays, finches, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees and titmice. The squirrels also like them, so if that’s a concern you may be better off with a tube feeder. The hopper is slightly more difficult to keep clean than the tube or tray feeders, but can easily provide for a large number and variety of birds. Tray, or platform, feeders are the most versatile. They can accommodate all kinds of seeds, fruit, nuts and even mealworms, and can be located high up as a hanging tray set

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com on a perch, or placed lower to the ground to attract ground feeders, such as doves, jays, blackbirds and juncos. They don’t offer any protection to the seed from droppings or inclement weather, however, so they may need changed out more often than the other two types of feeders—preferably daily. Insect-eating birds will switch to fruit in the winter, so the tray is a good place to put raisins, diced grapes or berries for the cedar waxwings and robins. Collins puts peanuts in his trays for scrub jays. Hummingbird feeders - Finally, what about those ubiquitous hummingbird feeders for our fleet little bird friends? There are several styles of nectar dispensers available, from the classic bottle feeder to the flatstyle dispenser that both Collins and Moore swear by because it is easier to fill and less likely to drip. This feeder also sports a built-in water mote to prevent ants from getting at that nectar.

Start attracting orioles in early spring The Grand Valley is experiencing an increase to its oriole population, and catering to their tastes has become a popular local pastime. If you want to attract these brightly colored birds to your yard, you can start in early spring by setting out a small dish of grape jelly or by putting cut-up orange pieces in your tray feeder. Orioles, like hummingbirds, also drink nectar. Wild Birds Unlimited carries a nectar feeder designed specifically for orioles; it looks like a hummingbird feeder on steroids, larger than the traditional model and a bit more robust looking. If you are mixing oriole nectar, be sure to make the recipe six to one, rather than the hummingbird’s four to one ratio. There are many reasons to feed the birds, and spring creates the perfect opportunity for starting a new hobby by establishing your own backyard nature preserve. Just remember to be patient and consistent; it may take some time for the birds to notice the new neighborhood birdie buffet. ■

FEATURE STORY 7

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March 2015

Chocolate-Orange Brownie Cake

By Michelle DeLaCerda – More recipes at www.t hecompletesavorist.com

Ingredients: For butter cream frosting: 2 sticks of butter; very soft 1 stick butter; very soft 6 T cocoa powder 6 T milk 1 c orange juice; room temp 3 T cocoa powder 2 eggs 1 lb powdered sugar 2 c flour 1 t orange extract 2 c sugar ½ c buttermilk (or ½ c milk with 1 t white vinegar) 1 t vanilla 1 t baking soda 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan and set it aside. 2. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the butter, sugar and add 2 T cocoa powder. 3. Once combined, add one egg and thoroughly mix. 4. Add another 2 T of cocoa powder, mix well. 5. Add another egg and thoroughly mix. 6. Add the final 2 T of cocoa powder. 7. Slowly pour in the orange juice. 8. Add flour, about 1/4 cup at a time, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides. 9. Add the vanilla, baking soda and buttermilk. Mix well and scrape down the sides. 10. Bake for about 25 minutes or until done. 11. When brownie cake is done, allow to cool on a wire rack. Once cool, frost. FROSTING 1. Whip butter, cocoa and orange extract together. 2. Alternate adding powdered sugar and the milk until all have been added. 3. Occasionally stop and scrape down the sides. 4. Frost when the brownie cake has cooled. 5. Serve and enjoy.

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March 2015

Ask the Old Bag

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ASK THE OLD BAG 9

Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd By Gayle Lagman-Creswick Dear Old Bag: I am in a relationship with a man who knows everything. He was not like this in the beginning but as our relationship has matured he seems to have gotten worse. (We have gone together for two years.) He is extremely intelligent and has accomplished much in his life. I consider myself to be intelligent, but somehow he manages to show me where I’m wrong. When we are around others, especially my grown children, I can see them roll their eyes when he gets started on one of his diatribes. Once I gently suggested to him that he doesn’t always have to be right. He looked at me with great surprise and said, “I only speak up when I know I’m right. It wouldn’t be very nice if I let the other person think they are right when they are not.” Is there an answer to this dilemma? Signed, Growing Weary Dear Weary: Yes, there is an answer. I say, “Dump him!” Life is too short to spend it with egotistical people. There are many smart people in this world. It is a gift. In my opinion, he is misusing his gift to lord it over others he deems inferior. I can see why you are weary. Let him go! OB Dear Old Bag: Some of my friends criticize me for giving a couple dollars to people who are begging. I know some of those who beg probably don’t need it, and some will spend it on alcohol, and some should get a job (according to my friends). I don’t give to all of them. Some of them just ring true to me, and I am a good judge of people. What do you think, and have you given to beggars? Signed, Sucker? Dear Sucker: No, I don’t think you are a sucker. And if you are, I am, too. My theory is biblical. “Whatsoever you do to the least of my people,

you do also to Me.” If the person out there begging misuses what I give him, the sin is on him, not on me. I feel blessed that I do not have to beg, and blessed that I have something to give. If I did have to beg, I hope you would be the one who comes along. Dear Old Bag: I swear my husband is going to drive me crazy. There is no pleasing him. We just celebrated our 40th anniversary. He was pleased with me for about 10 of those years. Then he started picking on my handling of our children. If they got a cold, he blamed me. If they got hurt, he said I was not watching them. If the house was a mess, he would ask what I did all day. Then the kids were gone and he still found fault with my cooking, my cleaning, etc. It is not getting better. Sometimes I feel like walking out the door. Signed, Fed Up Dear Fed Up: I was married to one who was like him. I put up with it for 20 years. We had one year of marriage counseling and it did not help. I suppose I should advise you to try marriage counseling, but I am inclined to answer you with a similar answer to “Weary” up in the first letter: Dump him. Life is too short. If he doesn’t drive you crazy, he will drive you to great unhappiness. It is not too late for you to find peace and happiness. OB Dear Old Bag: The advice you gave to the person last month who was worried about her father falling and not going to assisted living seemed cruel to me. Signed, Just Sayin’ Dear Sayin’: That is probably because you are thinking like a daughter, and not able to put yourself into his place! ■

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net.

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10 THE HEALTHY GEEZER

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How to detect breast cancer early Healthy Geezer By Fred Cicetti

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March 2015

arly diagnosis of breast cancer saves lives. The most common breast cancer symptom is a lump, but other symptoms include swelling, skin irritation, nipple pain or retraction, and an unusual discharge. Health care experts recommend getting a mammogram, a clinical breast exam and self-exam to catch it early. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. If a mammogram finds an abnormality in the breast, a biopsy must be performed, which is where a tissue sample is taken for analysis. About 10 percent of women examined will need another mammogram. Only about 10 percent of those women will need a biopsy. Out of those biopsies, 80 percent will come back negative for cancer. As long as they are in good health, women 40 and older should have a mammogram and breast exam yearly. Self-exams teach women how their breasts feel normally and how to notice changes. Ultrasounds and MRIs are other diagnostic tools. Most women with breast cancer undergo some type of surgery. A lumpectomy removes only the breast lump and surrounding tissue; a mastectomy removes part or the entire breast and can be more extensive to include lymph nodes and muscle tissue.

Radiation therapy is another form of treatment. It uses highenergy rays or particles that destroy cancer cells. This treatment may be used to destroy cancer cells that remain in the breast, chest wall or underarm area after surgery. There are also medications used to treat breast cancer. Chemotherapy employs intravenous and oral drugs that can kill cancer cells in most parts of the body. The anti-estrogen drug Tamoxifen has been used for more than 20 years to treat breast cancer. Hormone replacement therapy to treat menopause symptoms and its relationship to breast cancer has become a controversial issue. Unfortunately, many women experience menopausal symptoms after treatment for breast cancer. In the past, doctors had offered HRT after breast cancer treatment to women suffering from severe symptoms. However, a recent study found that breast cancer survivors taking HRT were much more likely to develop a new or recurrent breast cancer than women who were not taking the drugs. This study discouraged doctors from recommending HRT to breast-cancer patients. ■

Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.

March 2015

HEALTH & WELLNESS 11

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The miracles of lemons By Wendell Fowler

hen fate lobs you a lemon, be grateful. Have you heard the good news that a morning glass of unsweetened, tepid water with freshsqueezed lemon juice is, well, a small miracle? Remember the excitement of assembling a lemonade stand and mom preparing glass pitchers of icy “brain freeze” lemonade with heaps of sugar? Though clueless at the time, we were incubating today’s train wreck of chronic disease. Plus, combining icy beverages and greasy food causes lousy digestion, resulting in GI blues. Adding the juice of a half lemon to your morning mug of tea, or lemon zest to your entrees and salad dressings can dramatically improve your health in glorious ways. But don’t use the bottle preserved with chemicals. I’m talkin’ the real thing—a heavenly source of vitamin C, B6, potassium, folic acid, flavonoids and a significant phytochemical flavonoid called limonene. University of Florida’s research suggests lemon flavonoids might possess some substantial anti-cancer properties, are antiviral, anti-inflammatory and can lower LDL cholesterol. My wife Sandi and I began drinking warm lemon water each morning to de-acidify and purge our body of toxins. We recognized its cleansing effects after two weeks. Lemon is one of the most beneficial fruits to use in a detox or cleanse because of its alkalizing properties. Warm (not hot) lemon water is the perfect morning drink. You must drink it upon rising and on an empty stomach before you eat or drink anything else, and wait 45 minutes while it cleanses and restores. Drinking warm lemon water encourages efficient digestion and absorption. It prevents constipation and diarrhea, guaranteeing a “moving experience.” Warm lemon juice triggers bile production, an egg yolk-yellow digestive

juice secreted by your liver, that aids the digesting of fats and helps detoxify your prescription-burdened liver and kidneys. Lemon water provides immuneboosting vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants to safeguard your body from illness. Lemon water dissolves uric acid, reducing joint pain and inflammation, helps sustain eye health, kills oral bacteria and is a natural teeth whitener. Fresh lemon juice can reduce the occurrences and treat urinary tract infections, too. Scientific studies indicate compounds in lemon are potential anti-cancer agents. Despite lemons’ acidity, those yellow orbs keep your body’s pH alkaline, which is vital in preventing cancer. Acidity in the body caused by eating sugar, grease, junk, white flour and booze, extends the cancer welcome mat. The flavonoids in the peel are effective in curbing cancer cell division and prevent the development of various types of cancers. Another benefit of consuming fresh lemon juice is in its enzymatic properties. Enzymes are large biological molecules responsible for the thousands of metabolic processes that sustain your life force. When lemons are processed, juiced, bottled, and stored over time, the enzymes are feloniously assaulted. In fact, the enzymes may not be active at all in bottled lemon juice. But be sure to wash ’em, folks. “The Journal of Environmental Health” study on lemon wedges found that 70 percent contained potentially harmful microorganisms. Think about that when you order a glass of iced tea from a restaurant. Did they wash the lemons first? Your body is sacred. The trillions of cells that form you respond to the real foods that creation intended humans to eat. If your health is a total lemon clunker, pucker up and show yourself some zesty, lemony love. ■

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12 HEALTH & WELLNESS

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There’s A New Prosthodontist In Town!

As a prosthodontist, I primarily deal with the replacement of missing or worn teeth. Whether it’s just one or all 32 of them, I can help you achieve a comfortable bite and a beautiful smile. And remember, it’s important to get your dentures checked annually! Having 4 kids, I know what it’s like to want the best for the ones you love. That’s why it’s not just about teeth. It’s about providing the best care in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. So, come on over, get to know us, and leave feeling like one of the family! *Dr. Atwood is the only Prosthodontist in the Western Slope of Colorado.

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By Melanie Wiseman

iets come and go, but the vegan diet has been around for well over a century (probably longer). Vegans’ compassion keeps them true to their eating habits that are more than simply a diet, but a lifestyle. Marian Dorn started the local chapter of Vegan Life Colorado 25 years ago. The Grand Junction chapter is one of five in Colorado. “The group offers the opportunity to share our compassion and food ideas, and to educate people on the benefits of being a vegan,” Dorn, 57, said.

I served in the United States Air Force where I polished my skills and learned the value of self-sacrifice and service.

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Veganism is more than a healthy diet. It’s a lifestyle.

I’m Jake R. Atwood and although I am new to town, I am not new to Prosthodontics.

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March 2015

diet. Tofu (soybean product) is often used as a replacement for meat-based dishes. From the humanitarian perspective, it has been proven that if land used for grazing cattle was used to raise crops instead, world hunger could easily be eliminated. Pound for pound, cattle consume far more protein in grains than they deliver in meat.

Living the vegan lifestyle

“It’s one of the best things I’ve done in my life,” Vegan Life Colorado member Rhonda Dunlap, 52, said. “I feel so much healthier and have so much more energy now.” Dunlap was a vegetarVegetarian vs. vegan Rhonda Dunlap ian for 12 years and has A vegetarian is genbeen a vegan for five. erally someone whose diet doesn’t “I’ve never looked back and don’t consist of meat or fish. feel like I’m missing anything,” she Vegans go a step further by elimisaid. “Once I started doing research, nating all animal products from their it all came together. I learned that diet, including eggs, dairy and honey. dairy is a high allergen, pasteurizing Many also abstain from wearing milk takes the calcium out and then wool, leather, silk and down prodit’s added back in, raw foods are ucts. anti-inflammatory, there is zero fiber Veganism is also a philosophy and in animal products, dairy is mucus compassionate lifestyle that abides forming and traditional diets are high by the belief that animals are not in saturated fat and lack nutrients. here to be exploited by man, and Once I took dairy out of my diet, I that commercialization of animals felt so much better. I also really see involves a fundamental, inhumane people’s blood pressure and choleslack of respect for basic life. Vegans’ terol go down within several weeks tremendous humanity for animals is of them going vegan.” an abiding, overriding conviction in Dunlap agrees there is a miscontheir lives. ception that vegans are deprived. Some people decide to become veg“I love to eat. I never feel deprived,” ans due to ethical, health, environshe said. “I actually feel like I have mental, humanitarian and religious more options. When you take out reasons. Prominent studies show that the high fat foods, you can eat so vegans are healthier and live longer many more calories of other healthy than their meat-eating counterparts options. If I felt deprived, the vegan because their diet is high in fiber, lifestyle is not something I could and low in carbs and saturated fats. maintain throughout my life.” Many companies that provide Dunlap said there are better alterhealth insurance now offer discounts natives for many things in traditional to vegans. Fruits, vegetables, grains diets, such as almond or rice milk and nuts are staples of the vegan

March 2015

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instead of dairy milk. New to the Grand Valley, Connie “Instead of going through aniBlaine found an immediate connecmals to get nutrients we need, we tion with the local vegan group. For would rather get them direct from her, the ways that animals are treated the original source,” Dunlap said. in factory farms is her primary rea“For example, we do not son for being vegan. consume red meat for iron “It’s a higher consciousor calcium, which the cow ness, thinking about gets from greens. A healthy more than yourself,” plant-based diet recomBlaine, 62, said. mends consuming a lot of Thomas Smith was a leafy greens such as kale, vegetarian for 30 years. romaine, broccoli, chard, Three years ago he lost collards and spinach for the his leg to diabetes. same nutrients.” “I knew if I didn’t Dorn said this do something I was way, vegans going to be in trouble,” NUTRIENT COMPARISON cut out the Smith, 64, present in 100-calorie portions of selected foods said. middleman. (Source: “Eat to Live” by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.) “Plant-based A friend Romaine foods metabo- suggested the Sirloin Lettuce Kale Broccoli lize quicker in vegan group Protein 5.4 g 11.6 g 9.46 11.2 g our digestive for support, systems due and Smith has Calcium 2.4 mg 257 mg 455 mg 182 mg to all the fiber been a vegan Iron .7 mg 7.9 mg 3.1 mg 2.2 mg that a healthy now for 1-1/2 plant-based years. Fiber 0 12 g 6.7 g 10.7 g diet contains,” “It turned Cholesterol 55 mg 0 0 0 Dunlap said. everything

around when I transitioned to a healthier diet,” Smith said. “Dairy was my addiction. I have so much more energy and benefit from the psychological changes of knowing the sacrifices animals make. It has made a huge difference in my health and attitude.”

Eating raw Dunlap takes her passion for being vegan another step further. “Eating raw is the way we were made to eat before processing denatured our foods,” Dunlap said. “Cooking food until it’s limp kills good nutrients and enzymes. The benefits of raw and plant-based foods are tremendous.” Dunlap suggests planting a garden, buying local fruits and vegetables when possible, and incorporating raw foods into your diet every day. Dunlap received her raw food certification with raw foodist David Wolfe. The program enhanced her knowledge on the benefits of raw foods. She is now a self-published author of “Guide to Super Raw Foods: Eat Fresh, Gain Energy and Lose Weight.”

HEALTH & WELLNESS 13 Her no-cook book includes 50 delicious recipes for people who want more roughage in their diet, and is available at Crystal Books and Cafe Sol on Main Street in Grand Junction, or on amazon.com. “I enjoy sharing my passion of this wonderful vegan lifestyle and hope it inspires more people to consider all the benefits, too,” Dunlap said. “It is a healthy and compassionate diet, and sustainable for the planet.” Listen to Dunlap’s program on KAFM 88.1 called “The Fresh Cafe” at 12:30 p.m. every fourth Wednesday. Guests include doctors, authors, raw food specialists and herbists. Find out more about eating raw at www. natural-health-cafe.org and www. raw-food-diet-magazine.com. The local Vegan Life Colorado group meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month at Lakeside Community Center, and noon the first Wednesday at different restaurants. To learn more, visit www. meetup.com/veggrandjunction or call Dorn at 255-0417 or Dunlap at 242-2089. ■

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Stop by for a cup of coffee at The Artful Cup coffee shop, at: 3090 North 12th St., Grand Junction, 970-623-9665, Wednesdays between the hours of 9 am to 12 pm on the following dates: Mar 4, Mar 11, Mar 18 and Mar 25. I will be happy to talk with you, or if you cannot make it to the coffee shop feel free to give me a call.

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March 2015

Ring-a-ling, ding and tweet: Phones now symbolize different things By Eda Suzanne

n my lifetime, owning a phone went from being for the privileged few to everyone having their own phone, including elementary school students. As of yet, I don’t think preschoolers are toting phones, probably because they may drop them in the sandbox—if they still have sandboxes. The use of the phone has changed drastically during this same period. I vividly remember how excited my entire extended family was when during a Passover Seder in 1947, my oldest cousin called us in Brooklyn all the way from New Orleans. Today people aren’t the least amazed about being able to call or even Skype loved ones on another continent. The ring of a telephone has gone from being cherished to being ignored. As a child, I rushed to answer it. An unanswered phone meant no one was home. Not anymore. Now I emulate a habit I once criticized in my adult children. Before answering, I see who is calling and sometimes let the answering machine do its job—especially during the dinner hour. The same rule is for my cell. A “ding” lets me know when a message is left. My young sons called their grandparents, even after they left for college. This habit did not get passed on to their children. Texting is now the preferred means of communication. I’m amazed the name “cellphone” hasn’t been changed to “celltext.” To me, Facebook has been a fantastic way to really see what is going on in my grandchildren’s lives. A picture is worth 1,000 words, especially since few school-age children respond more than “Nothing, really” when asked, “What are you doing?” It is not unusual for my weekly Mah Jongg game to share special pictures that our loved ones have posted. I’ve learned not to comment on pictures posted of my grandchildren on their streams. It isn’t cool for grandparents

to add their comments in between hundreds of very young adults’ words of wisdom. I send a private message so I don’t get unfriended. What has come to be the expected norm for communication in my extended family may soon change. An article I read recently said young people are leaving Facebook for other means of communicating. One way is Twitter. Two of my grandchildren use it now. I have friends who never joined Facebook. Most of them usually live near their family. Others, like me, have found Facebook to be an easy way to remain in contact with our extended family. However, more and more of my peers have been using it to share things with each other. We post pictures of unique recipes, family events, and/or our travels. I recently posted pictures of my community’s garden club’s trip to Fairchild Gardens in Miami. And that, according to what I’ve read on Google is the problem. The young’uns’ feel we have invaded their turf. They fled from MySpace when we invaded and now, since we followed them to Facebook, they are leaving that also. One just has to look at the neon nail polish colors sported by gals in their 70s and 80s to realize we’re emulating our children and theirs. Many women on Social Security are also wearing the same skin-tight leggings as young women—very young women. So what’s next? The “follow us on Twitter” suggestion is something I hear daily, so I assume I will soon need a Twitter account. As for fashion, teens are sporting striped hair to match their neon polish. No problem for me here. My hair is already striped. I think it is called salt and pepper, with very little salt. So I’m already in vogue. ■

March 2015

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An Easter basket gone wrong: It’s what I get for being clever By Teresa Ambord

hen it comes to housekeeping, my greatest pet peeve has always been overflowing trash cans. As my son Ryan grew up, it was his job to collect trash cans from around the house as they filled up and empty them. But often, those details got by him. So when I’d find one that needed attention, I’d set it outside his bedroom, rap on the closed door, and go about my business. Within a few seconds, I’d hear him open the door and imagined him seeing the trash basket sitting there. He’d groan, mumble something about child abuse, and stumble out the back door to empty the little can into the giant one. Then without fail, he’d come in and ask, “Where does this one go?” Sometimes Ryan would stack up the small cans from around the house and carry them all out. That would’ve been fine, but now and then one would disappear, presumably because he accidentally tossed the can itself into the big trash can, unnoticed. One day, not long before Easter, the green wastebasket from under my desk went missing. I went to ask Ryan if he had emptied it, and

there it was, under his desk. “Hey, what’s the big idea?” I asked. “I need a trash can, too,” he complained. “Yes, and you had a blue one. Let me guess. It disappeared, right?” He shrugged, and handed me my green can. I made a mental note to buy Ryan a new trash can—a cheap one. A few days later I was shopping for things we needed for Easter dinner, including stuff for Ryan’s Easter basket. Like many parents, I’d given up on actual Easter baskets years earlier. You know the ones – the colorful but flimsy straw

I realized the can was the perfect Easter basket. I picked out a bright purple one, and congratulated myself on being so clever.

I heard his door open...But he didn’t come into the living room. Instead, I heard the back door open and shut. baskets that would sit on a closet shelf until they eventually fell apart. Instead, I looked for practical things that could serve as an Easter basket and be used again. One year his Easter basket was a big mug for his hot chocolate. Another year, it was a giant insulated water cup. As I went down my shopping list, I saw that I still needed a trash can for Ryan. When I saw the colorful small cans, I realized that was the perfect Easter basket. I picked out a bright purple one, and congratulated myself on being so clever and thrifty. Then I shopped for things to fill the can: new socks, pens, a CD, a gift card for pizza lunch, and of course, a variety of candy. That night I assembled the basket of goodies. As always, I could hardly wait to give it to him. When he was younger, on Easter morning I’d sneak into his bedroom while he slept and leave the basket on his bed. Now that he was in his late teens, I’d simply set his Easter basket outside his closed door. Finally Easter arrived. I was up hours before he was, and I’d set his basket outside his closed bedroom door for him to find when he got out of bed. Eventually, I rapped on his door and went back to the living room, back to my coffee and to wait

to see how surprised he would be. A moment later, I heard his door open, and then the usual groan and grumble and charges of child abuse for making him get up. But he didn’t come into the living room just yet. Instead, I heard the back door open and shut. A minute later, he was back, holding a bright purple empty trash can. “Where does this one go?” he asked. My mouth dropped open. And before I could say anything, he added, “Morning, Mom. Hey, it’s Easter. Don’t I get an Easter basket this year?” I paused. “That was your Easter basket,” I told him, pointing at the empty purple trash can. “It was full of goodies. Didn’t you even look at it before you emptied it?” Ryan rolled his eyes, mumbled more teenage complaints, and headed back to the backyard. It took awhile, but I think he found everything. It was all there, plus a few coffee grounds, eggshells, and a butter wrapper stuck to his new socks. “Thank you Mother Easter Bunny,” he told me, with a kiss on top of my head. I just looked at him, and took another sip of coffee. Sometimes it’s no use being clever. ■

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16 LAUGHING MATTERS

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Laughing Matters Local story

Submitted by Bob Breazeale Remember the guy who was arrested for pointing a banana at a cop? I kind of know how he feels. The other day I stuck my head out the window to yell at my grandkids. The cops arrested me for moonin’.

Corny collection

Submitted by Christine Treiter Two peanuts walk into a bar. One is asalted. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The barman says, “I’ll serve you, but don’t start anything.” A sandwich walks into a bar. The barman says, “Sorry, we don’t serve food in here.” A dyslexic man walks into a bra. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says, “A beer please, and one for the road.” Two cannibals are eating a clown.

P R E M I E R

my mother said my face would look that way permanently.” He looked at me for a few seconds and said, “Well, you can’t say you weren’t warned.”

One says to the other, “Does this taste funny to you?”

Smart as you look

Two cows are standing next to each other in a field.

Submitted by Bob Breazeale Over the holidays my brother and I were discussing one of the many political topics of the day. After one of my comments, my brother said, “You’re smarter than you look. Of course, I guess you’d have to be.”

Daisy says to Dolly, “I was artificially inseminated this morning.” “I don’t believe you,” Dolly said. “It’s true,” Daisy exclaimed. “No bull!”

Golf balls

A guy walks into the psychiatrist wearing only Glad Wrap shorts. The shrink says, “Well, I can clearly see you’re nuts.” Two hydrogen atoms walk into a bar. One says, “I’ve lost my electron.” The other says, “Are you sure?” The first replies, “Yes, I’m positive.”

Lessons learned

Submitted by Bob Breazeale The other day my 7-year-old grandson was making all kinds of weird faces in the mirror. I told him, “When I was a kid and made faces like that,

S E N I O R

March 2015

Submitted by Willy Charles A man got on the bus with both of his front trouser pockets full of golf balls and sat down next to a beautiful blonde. The puzzled blonde kept looking at him and his bulging pockets. Finally, after many glances from her, he said, “It’s golf balls.” The blonde continued to look at him for a very long time, thinking deeply about what he had said. Finally, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she asked, “Does it hurt

L I V I N G

as much as tennis elbow?”

Show and tell

Submitted by Mary Sorensen A kindergarten teacher gave her class a show and tell assignment. Each student was instructed to bring in an object that represented their religion to share with the class. The first student got up in front of the class and said, “My name is Benjamin. I’m Jewish and this is the Star of David.” The second student got up in front of the class and said, “My name is Mary. I’m Catholic and this is a rosary.” The third student got up in front of the class and said, “My name is Tommy. I am a Methodist. And this is a casserole.”

Money talks

Submitted by Karen Jones A well-worn $1 bill and a similarly distressed $20 bill arrived at a Federal Reserve Bank to be retired. As they moved along the conveyor belt to be burned, they struck up a

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March 2015 conversation. The $20 bill reminisced about its travels all over the country. “I’ve had a pretty good life,” the $20 bill proclaimed. “I’ve been to Las Vegas and Atlantic City, the finest restaurants in New York, performances on Broadway, and even a cruise to the Caribbean.” “Wow!” exclaimed the $1 bill. “You’ve really had an exciting life!” “Yeah,” said the $20 bill. “So tell me, where have you been throughout your lifetime?” The $1 bill replied, “Oh I’ve been to the Methodist church, the Baptist church, the Lutheran church...” The $20 bill interrupted, “What’s a church?”

Are you Chinese?

Submitted by Max Corbett Apparently, 1 in 5 people in the world are Chinese. And there are five people in my family, so it must be one of them. It’s either my mom or my dad, or maybe my older brother James. Or my younger brother HoCha Chu. But I’m pretty sure it’s James.

True Thoughts

Submitted by Jordan Murphy Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement. Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway. There are two kinds of pedestrians:

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com the quick and the dead. An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other unbreakable toys. If quitters never win, and winners never quit, then who is the fool who said, “Quit while you’re ahead?” Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won’t bother you for weeks. Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing. Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again. All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism or predictions. Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200 and a substantial tax cut saves you 30 cents? How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

Bachelors

Submitted by Charles Craig Two bachelors named Larry and Frank went out to dinner. The conversation drifted from office to sports to politics and then to cooking. “I got a cook book once,” Larry said, “but I couldn’t do anything with it.” “Too much fancy stuff in it, huh?” Frank said. “You said it,” Larry said. “Everyone of those recipes started off the same way: Take a clean plate.” ■

Send your jokes to Beacon@pendantpublishing.com or

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502

LAUGHING MATTERS 17

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March 2015

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or locals and Montrose visitors alike, a trip to the Boardwalk shopping complex south of town yields cool antiques and many unique finds. Among these rare finds is an old school bus, painted mostly purple but complemented by vibrant colors and eye-catching designs that pay tribute to a bygone era. A sort of “hippie bus,” the vehicle serves as an attraction to the Boardwalk shops but is also a symbol of the ’60s, which to its owner, Dennis Vanderwist, was a magical time in his life. “I see it as a symbol of that time,” Vanderwist said. “The bus reminds people of a different time and brings them back. When people come in,

they have smiles on their faces. My favorite part is that it represents a magical time in the upbringing of a lot of us old hippies.” Vanderwist, 64, also owns the Boardwalk. He found the school bus at an old power plant in Montrose and bought it, hoping to do something with it to attract visitors. But the bus just sat there. After a while Vanderwist thought about sending it to the junkyard until a friend sent him pictures of Further, a 1939 bus purchased by American author Ken Kesey (“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”), which carried him and his Merry Band of Pranksters on a cross-country trek from La Honda, California to New York’s World’s Fair

during the summer of 1964. Seeing Further reminded Vanderwist of something similar, an event during his college days when the Hog Farm, a hippie commune and working farm, came to Boulder in 1970. “There were at least 10 buses and over 100 Hog Farm members in the caravan,” he said. “The group was led by Hugh Romney, aka Wavy Gravy.” Vanderwist decided to take the old school bus and create his own Further. “The bus is a reminder of a time when people my age were just out of school and trying to figure out what to do with their lives,” he said. “We were all kind of lost and searching.” His ex-wife, Judy, was the artist behind the designs and the paint.

March 2015 The Pranksters painted Further using a variety of psychedelic colors and designs, a look that Vanderwist tried to recreate. The bus is 25 feet long, and was made by White Motor Company somewhere between 1947 and 1952. It seated approximately 50 passengers and was originally a school bus in China Lake, California. The bus has a Steampunk-themed front end complete with 3D printedgears and portraits of the members of The Beatles on the windows. “All you need is love” and “Revolution” are the messages painted on the sides, each accompanied by flowers, music notes, hearts, stars, rainbows and other symbols splashed across the exterior, reviving memories of the hippie era. At night, strings of light display different colors and patterns to the delight of passersby. A motion sensor at the front of the bus initiates a recording of “All You Need Is Love” when people approach. “The motion sensor blows people away,” Vanderwist said. The bus was completed last summer and has since become quite the attraction. Many visitors stop by to take photographs with the bus. A local shoe company even used it as a backdrop for its photos. “It’s doing what I hoped it would do,” Vanderwist said, “prompt

conversation and bring people in.” Vanderwist is glad the bus didn’t end up in the junkyard. “Lots of people stop by for photographs and our conversations bring up memories, especially with people 50 and above,” he said. “It’s been really interesting.” Like so many other things at the Boardwalk, the bus elicits comments and memories of that era, with comments such as “Are you taking it on tour?” “I saw the Merry Pranksters in Denver,” “I had a bus like that once upon a time” and “I always thought about doing something like that.” When Kesey bought Further in the ’60s, the bus already had bunks, a bathroom and kitchen, complete with refrigerator and stove. Kesey and the Merry Pranksters repainted it and made other additions to prepare for their journey. Vanderwist hopes to work on the inside of the bus this summer. He has no specific plans for it, but a vision is sure to develop as he searches for fitting décor. If anyone has furnishings or decorations that would be appropriate, contact Vanderwist at 209-1703. All who donate will be given credit for their items. Visit the Boardwalk at 17656 Highway 550 South in Montrose to see the bus and many other unique objects.

■

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20 FUN AFTER 50

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St. Patty’s Day Party

Dancing starts at 10 a.m. with potluck meal at noon at the Senior Recreation Center, 550 Ouray Ave. Cost is $3 in advance and $5 at the door. Call 243-7408. March 18

Garden Talk: Spring Tree Care

Senior Recreation Center 550 Ouray Avenue - 970 243-7408

The Senior Recreation Center offers activities for seniors age 50 and older. The center is open Monday - Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Annual membership is $10.

S e n i o r R e c re a ti o n C e n te r M o n t h ly C a le n d a r

Ev e n ts

Monday

9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

Cribbage Cards Computer Classes Gray Gourmet Lunch* Card Bingo & Dominoes Singles Pinochle (1st & 3rd Monday)

Tuesday

9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m.

Cribbage & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Lunch* Bingo

Wednesday

9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

Ladies Pool & Cribbage Jack & Jill Pool Tourney Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) Gray Gourmet Lunch* Pinochle & Canasta

Thursday

9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Cribbage & Dominoes Dance w/Music (1st Thursday) Membership Meeting Pokeno (Starts at 1 p.m. on 1st Thursday) Dance

Friday

9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:45 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

Painting Class & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Lunch* Bible Study Bridge Canasta

Saturday

9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.

Bridge Bingo

Sunday

1:00 p.m. Dance (1st & 3rd Sunday) * Call 243-9844 x.1 to make reservations. Suggested donation $3.50.

March 2015

Join an educational brown bag lunch series presented by industry professionals at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. Tom Ziola will teach you how to choose trees, plant them and care for them. Trees increase your property value, increase energy efficiency, and are good for the environment. Class is at noon. Cost is $5. March 20

Murder Mystery Dinner Party: Murder at Mardi Gras Pierre DuPre has been found strangled by a pair of Mardi Gras beads and you must unmask the culprit before the killer strikes again! Event is at 5 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $19. Register by March 9.

DANCE Mondays (Through March 23)

Beginning Line Dance

Learn fun dances to improve your balance and coordination, strengthen your heart and stimulate your mind. No partner or previous dance skills needed. Class is at 12:15 p.m. Mondays at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $15. Mondays

Intermediate Line Dance Continue with the benefits of dancing and improve your line dancing skills by learning new dances with a little more difficulty. Class is 1 p.m.2:30 p.m. Mondays at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $5 to drop in or $34 for a 10-punch pass. Thursdays & Sundays

Senior Dances with Live Music Dance to live music from 7:30 p.m.10 p.m. every Thursday and from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3.

HEALTH March 13

Facts and Tracks: Cleaning Naturally Join wellness experts for a focused 30-minute lecture on various topics, then spend the next 30 minutes outside walking the Riverfront Trail. This month, learn how to clean your house without harmful chemicals, using simple recipes. Class is from noon to 1 p.m. at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. Cost is $5. March 27

Friday Hikes: Devil’s Kitchen Hike a 1.5-mile gradual ascent to a natural opening formed by a circle of huge upright boulders. Hike is free but entrance fees may apply. Meet at the trailhead at 10 a.m. Register by March 25. Tuesdays & Fridays

Gentle Active Yoga

This class is designed for an active beginner and above, offering teaching for flexibility of mind and body. Students must be able to get up and down from the floor unassisted. Class is 8 a.m.-9 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $7 to drop in or $50 for a 10-punch pass.

Aqua Aerobics Moderately intense activities incorporate noodles, hand paddles, water weights and more. Class is 8:15 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Orchard Mesa Pool. Cost is $4.25 to drop in or $44 for a 12-punch pass.

SPORTS Fun After Fifty Softball Program is open to men and women ages 50 and older. Call 255-6688. ■

March 2015

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A Valentine’s spectacular

Retirement living with the emphasis on living

hank you to everyone who came out to the Commons of Hilltop for the Valentine’s Dance hosted by the BEACON Senior Newspaper and Hilltop Senior Living Communities. We had a swingin’ good time. How about you? Clark Gault’s Swing City Express put on another great show, and packed the dance floor. It’s safe to say the dance has become a Valentine’s Day tradition for Grand Valley seniors, so mark your calendars for next year! ■

Photos courtesy of Jeff Stoddart Photography. All the photos are able to be viewed at: www.jeffstoddart.com/valentinesdance

Ellen Roberts and Mary Lee Bowen boogie and twirl on the dance floor.

The Cottages of Hilltop gives you the independence and freedom to make the most of your retirement INDEPENDENT LIVING Our single-level patio homes offer Couples, friends, dance partners and groups all came out for a romantic evening, swingin’ music and a fun night out.

privacy and luxury. The open living plans feature two bedrooms, two baths, vaulted ceilings, contemporary kitchens, gas fireplace, covered patio and one-car garage.

CAREFREE LIFESTYLE Enjoy the freedom of maintenance-free

living with paid utilities, weekly housekeeping, snow removal, lawn maintenance and a customized meal plan at our Commons or Fountains dining rooms.

PEACE OF MIND Each residence includes a 24-hour emergency response system. Plus, we offer a choice of flexible care options and services to meet your changing needs.

(970) 434-2111

TheCottagesGJ.org

Visit today for a tour and free lunch

L O C A L LY O W N E D A N D O P E R A T E D B Y H I L LT O P - M A K I N G A D I F F E R E N C E F O R P E O P L E O F A L L A G E S

22 HOME & GARDEN

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March 2015

Home remodel isn’t always the best transition

By Shelley Clennin, Paragon Restoration & Building, Inc.

o you know someone who is contemplating the decision of aging at home or moving to an assisted living or nursing home? It’s a difficult decision that many people face. Paragon Restoration & Building, Inc. partners with many organizations in our community that can help when a transition or life-changing event occurs. Resource Center: Western Colorado 2-1-1 is a call service that helps community members locate and learn about health and human services in their area. It also helps by letting them know what information they will need with them when applying for a service to prevent delay in receiving assistance. To access this information, call 2-1-1. Skilled Nursing Care: Elite Care at Home is a skilled home care agency privately owned by Sarah and Dustin Andrews. The company works with various insurances and assists with medical needs at home. They are located at 2829 North Ave., Suite 102 in Grand Junction. Call 208-8359 or visit www.elitecareathome.org. Non-medical Home Care: Nightingale’s Home Care was established in 2005 and is celebrating its 10th year of servicing the Grand Valley. This organization focuses on companionship, meal preparation, house cleaning, errands and transportation. Nightingale’s is located at 2352 N.

Seventh St., Unit C in Grand Junction. Call 208-3985. Meal Preparation: Gray Gourmet is a nutritional meal program for seniors, providing meals at dining sites and by home delivery. Sponsored by St. Mary’s Hospital, the program also provides other nutrition-related services. Gray Gourmet is dedicated to the good health of Mesa County seniors. To make a reservation at a dining site, or to apply for home delivery, call 243-9844. Assistance with transitioning: The process of moving or downsizing can be stressing and overwhelming for seniors and their family. Total Transitions specializes in helping make the process as pain free as possible. Call 201-9122. Transportation: Did you know there are local transportation companies that offer services to medical and non-medical appointments for persons in wheelchairs? These services may be covered by your insurance company or considered a covered benefit and paid for through Medicaid. Contact Western Colorado 2-1-1 for more information. When facing life transitions, the best solution is not always making changes to your home. Making such changes can be beneficial, but sometimes other options are more meaningful. By actively participating in the community of providers, we can better assist our customers in finding the right solution for their circumstances. ■

March 2015

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Landscapes with pets in mind Garden Smarts

Fruit

By Kathy Kimbrough

Q. Our backyard is the main

playground for our dogs. Are there any plants I should avoid using in our landscape that may hurt them? When planning a landscape for any area, the first thing you should consider is who will be using it. You wouldn’t plant a row of roses surrounding a kid’s play area because of the thorns and you wouldn’t want a vine covering your patio arbor that attracts bees. We need to think about our pets when it comes to these issues as well. Contact the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-4264435 in emergencies. Here is a list of common plants that are harmful to dogs and cats when ingested.

Flowers All spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils) Hyacinth bulb, leaves and flowers Foxglove leaves, flowers and seeds Morning Glory seeds Daphne berries, bark and leaves Lily of the Valley Lilies Castor Bean Chrysanthemum blooms and leaves English Ivy leaves

Chokecherry leaves, pits and stems Peaches, cherries, apricot and plums pits Grapes/raisins Rhubarb leaves Hops

Vegetables Mushrooms, onions and garlic Miscellaneous Marijuana Yew needles, bark and seeds Ornamental grasses Cocoa bean mulch Dried blood meal

Q. My lawn has burn spots from our dog’s urine. How can I eliminate these spots and keep her from doing more damage? The CSU Extension fact sheet says, “Dog spots occur because a high concentration of nitrogen and salts has been deposited in a very small area of the lawn. In some cases, the added nitrogen causes dark green spots and rapid grass growth without injuring the grass. In other cases, the result is a brown spot, often surrounded by a halo of dark green grass. The browning is caused by the concentrated nitrogen deposited in the center, which

P lant of the Month

Purple Rock Cress (Aubrieta deltoidea) - If you are looking for early blooms of every shade of purple, look no further than Purple Rock Cress. This lovely perennial ground cover is easy to grow and forms soft mounds that spread year after year. It is also well suited to rock gardens, slopes or spilling over a wall. Purple Rock Cress blooms from early April through May and has a sweet fragrance. Sun or part shade, this lovely ground cover looks great when planted among spring-blooming daffodils and tulips. It is easily grown from seed. Sow directly into the garden in early spring or start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date. Good drainage is a must for this alpine plant and once established, water only when necessary.

burns the leaf tissue and may or may not cause tissue death. The lower concentration of salts on the periphery fertilizes the grass, resulting in a darker green ring.” There is little evidence that shows that products that change the pH of your dog’s urine are effective. And the alkalinity of dog urine does not cause the burn spots on grass. There are no dietary supplements that have been scientifically proven to reduce either the incidence or severity of dog spotting in lawns. Try watering the spot where the dog urinated to dilute the nitrogen. Letting your lawn grow 3 to 4 inches tall will hide a few imperfections. But the only sure fire way to eliminate dog urine spots is to train them to use an area that has no grass, such as a mulched or graveled location. ■

Garden checklist for a pet-friendly landscape

HOME & GARDEN 23

 Set aside a corner of the yard for their business and train them to use it and nowhere else.  Don’t use thorny or spiny plants, or brittle plants that would be squashed by a running dog. Sturdy plants like woody shrubs and evergreens hold up well to traffic.

 Smooth river rocks or small bark chips are easy on dog feet and won’t cling to their coat.

 Always have a shady spot for your pets: a porch, arbor or their own doghouse. A small patch of grass is also a great place for your pets to sunbathe and stretch out. ■

PROTECT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU

 Leave space behind plants along the fence line for your dog to patrol the yard.

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24 TRAVEL

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

March 2015

Finally

a chance to explore

Cu ba after 50 years of restrictions

By Victor Block

f I told you I was lying on a white-sand beach at the edge of the turquoise sea, I could be at any Caribbean destination. But what if I told you I was also enjoying an experience that few Americans could over the last 50 years? Those who travel to Cuba under the new regulations due to the recent agreement between Cuba and the U.S. to reestablish diplomatic relations, lift trade barriers and ease restrictions on those traveling to Cuba from the U.S., will find a country of contradictions that make it an intriguing and inviting place to visit. The streets of Old Havana (Habana Vieja), the original 16th-century walled city, are lined by a treasure trove of architectural gems. Mountain ranges rise dramatically from verdant valleys and fields of sugar cane. Almost everyone I met wel-

comed visitors with a warm smile on their lips, music in their souls and a mix of resignation and humor about the challenges of their lives. Even vintage American-made cars from the 1950s, prized possessions for those who can afford them, add to the dichotomy. Some have been lovingly restored by well-to-do owners with the appropriate resources. Most are junkers kept running by a combination of mechanical innovation, imagination and luck. In recent years, renovations to former stately homes in Havana, many of which now house several families, have been underway, especially in areas where tourists congregate. Given the backlog of structures that have deteriorated, however, there are still countless buildings, their former glory hidden beneath crumbling facades and flaking paint. Behind its faded beauty, Havana

While signs of some buildings’ former glory is hidden beneath crumbling facades, renovations are being made to former stately homes in Havana. has enough attractions to make for an interesting day. Some three dozen major museums make the city an art lover’s paradise. A number of them offer the unsubtle propaganda, and praise for socialism and the revolution, that visitors to Cuba soon learn to expect. Others would rank as world class wherever they were located, displaying works of art by the likes of Renoir, Rodin and Picasso. The aptly named Museum of the Revolution focuses upon the uprising (1953-1959) that led to the downfall of the dictatorial ruler Fulgencio Batista and the rise to power of Fidel Castro. Maps, weapons and other exhibits—many with English descriptions denouncing U.S. oppression, imperialism and capitalism—trace the revolution in detail. An outdoor display area includes the tiny yacht in which Castro and 81 other men landed in Cuba to begin their improbable

and ultimately successful revolution. When I sought to exchange the confined space of museums to the world outside, I found the streets and neighborhoods of Havana to offer an introduction to living history. The Plaza de Armas, the most important square, was laid out in 1519, and served as the center around which early Havana arose. The Malecon, a sweeping boulevard between the city and the sea, is frequented by strollers, fishermen and lovers strolling hand in hand. The stately old villas of sugar barons and other wealthy Cubans who once resided in the upscale Miramar neighborhood, which were abandoned following the Revo-

lution, now house government agencies, foreign embassies and business offices. I also explored other areas of the island, including fields of sugar cane and what many cigar aficionados rate as the world’s best tobacco yield, and rolling plains where cattle graze. Cowboys (vaqueros) riding horses and farmers guiding plows pulled by oxen come into view. Hills where coffee is grown rise into mountain ranges. The northern coastline is rimmed by the best beaches on the island. The resort complex at Varadero, a two-hour drive east of Havana, has long attracted vacationers from Europe and Canada who have been free to visit Cuba. Explorations elsewhere on the island provide a wealth of experiences and impressions.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com Strolling the narrow cobblestone streets of Trinidad, founded in 1514, is like being immersed in a time capsule of Cuba’s colonial past. Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city, is perched in hills overlooking the southeastern coast. Its past includes serving as the capital city during the mid 16th century, and being a slave port and refuge for French settlers from Haiti. In the little village of El Cobre, just outside Santiago, even the most ramshackle houses are neat, tidy and often decorated by foliage and flowers. Many of the people I encountered there, and elsewhere in Cuba, looked at me with curiosity, then smiled and offered a greeting in Spanish. One man gestured for me to enter his modest hut for coffee and to meet the family. After looking around to make certain no one was observing us, another man rolled up the sleeve of his T-shirt to display for me an American flag tattoo on his upper arm. The positive attitude that tattoo represented is held by many Cubans. In recent years, they have been getting a small taste of economic freedoms that we enjoy in the U.S., at least in a limited way. A number of the unpopular policies imposed by Castro during the

decades he ruled in Cuba have been eased by his brother Raul, who became president in 2008 when Fidel stepped aside due to illness. For example, Raul has lifted the restriction, that prevented people from buying and selling property and automobiles. He has also encouraged limited private enterprise, and many new small businesses have sprung up, including restaurants and people selling pizza through the windows in their homes. Those who visit Cuba under the new travel policies will be able to observe these changes and experience the friendliness of people whose lives have been challenging and lacking in luxuries. The attitude they have managed to retain is one of my lasting memories, along with the confusing, often conflicting, impressions left by that country. Those recollections linger, along with images of Cuba’s natural beauty, glorious yet sometimes faded architecture, and other attractions. With the lowering of barriers for people from the U.S. to visit, more Americans are likely to follow in my footsteps and return home with their own impressions. ■

TRAVEL 25

A young girl g reets the auth or and poses in the d oorway for a p hoto.

LEFT: Many cigar aficionados rate Cuba’s tobacco yield as one of the best. CENTER: A man rolls Cuban cigars. RIGHT: Family and friends play dominoes.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

March 2015

Local community foundation makes leaving legacies easy By Adele Israel

You Can Trust Us In Your Hour of Need 729 37 3/10 Rd. (970) 464-5333

he idea of creating a legacy may seem complicated but Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF) makes it incredibly easy. In fact, its mission is to “promote charitable giving, build and manage charitable legacy funds and endowments and to provide grants and other resources to benefit the residents and communities of western Colorado.” WCCF President and Executive Director Anne Wenzel said there are many misconceptions about leaving a legacy with the foundation. “We can meet donors wherever they are,” she said. Involvement with WCCF is not limited to wealthy patrons but can be accessed by anyone who wants to support specific causes in the community. People with a serious onetime tax liability can mitigate tax consequences while benefiting local causes. According to the foundation’s website, www.wc-cf.org, the logo for WCCF is a spiral which represents three concepts. “The circle reflects a sense of community and our connectedness to others. The spiral reflects the power of endowment, a permanent gift that keeps on giving. The petroglyph symbolizes those who have been here before us and who have left their mark.” The foundation, which began in 1996, offers several ways to secure your legacy. For as little as $5,000 you can create a named fund using your name or named to honor someone else. Frequently, funds are named after children or grandchildren. When you name a fund after progeny, you actively engage them in philanthropic values and teach them to

give back to the community. An End-of-Life Fund is created through a bequest or your estate. This is an effective way to support something important to you for perpetuity. This type of fund is especially attractive to people who do not have heirs. Wenzel has been at the foundation’s helm for 15 years. “I love this job,” she said. During this time period the assets of WCCF have grown from $1 million to a whopping $45 million. The foundation manages 250 different funds including three $7-8 million endowments. Wenzel is in the process of lining up two signature estate gifts bringing in an additional $8-10 million. This concentration of money has a huge positive impact on our community. Scholarship funds are popular with donors and the foundation manages 28 such funds. Donors can serve on the selection committee, read essays submitted by applicants and then track progress of scholarship recipients. “Scholarship funds can be very satisfying to donors,” Wenzel said. Recently funds from an anonymous donor have been designated for a new initiative to alleviate child hunger in western Colorado. Few people realize 45 percent of the children enrolled in Mesa County Valley School District 51 are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Hungry children cannot focus on learning and fall behind in school. These children are often doomed from the start, struggling to break the cycle of hunger and becoming productive members of society. The initiative is supporting an emerging hunger alliance, which will serve as an umbrella

March 2015 organization for 35 different entities dealing with this problem. Identifying gaps in services is essential and summer feeding is a major concern. When school is not in session many children go hungry. “We are trying to raise awareness and generate more funding to address this issue,” Wenzel said. WCCF has established excellent relationships with local nonprofit agencies making it easy to determine the most pressing community needs. General purpose community grants are designated to help meet these needs. For example, adjusting to the new laws legalizing marijuana for adults, the Meth Task Force has broadened into the Drug Threat Oversight Committee. Money for this effort is provided by the foundation. The same is true for the expansion of Riverside

Task Force educational programs into Grand Junction High School. Another way to support community projects is simply to donate to the foundation. You can specify which fund you’d like to enhance and all donations are fully tax deductible. For more information go to the foundation’s website at www.wc-cf.org or call 243-3767 to discuss options and receive the brochure “Thinking About Your Charitable Legacy.” ■

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H I L LT O P’S S E N I O R D AY B R E A K

g Servin ction n u J Grand ontrose &M

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care, Support and Information. n Safe and secure adult day program for seniors affected by memory loss or who are medically frail. n Providing caregivers the flexibility and support they need to care for their loved ones at home. n Valuable information and support groups specifically designed for those caring for someone affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s.

(970) 241-7798 • www.seniordaybreak.org Jo Waldeck established a legacy fund in 2010 to provide nursing scholarships at Colorado Mesa University and eight of her favorite nonprofits.

L O C A L L Y

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Her daughters Kathy Gaginni and Susan Diaz received a Special Friend award from Hilltop for the Waldeck Fund.

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28 FAITH MOVES

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SHAREFESTWEEKEND April 24&25, 2010

APRIL 18-19, 2015 VOLUNTEER TO SERVE YOUR NEIGHBORS. Deadline to submit a project request is April 10. ShareFest is an annual event bringing the churches in the greater Mesa County area together to visibly demonstrate the love of Christ through united prayer, a day of serving in the community, sharing service projects, food, and celebrating together God’s goodness.

A CITY WIDE EVENT TO SUBMIT A PROJECT OR VOLUNTEER: Demonstrating the Call: Love970-778-4880 of Christ to Our Community Email: gjsharefest@gmail.com Website: www.gjsharefest.com

970-778-4880

www.g jsharefest.com

What can we do for you?

March 2015

Creating a caring community with ShareFest

SHAREFESTWEEKEND

By Liesl Greathouse

termined by a group of local pastors. Volunteers are carefully screened before details such as a project’s location and contact numbers are released. “It is important for us to check out the people who want to help,” Colby said. “We have to protect seniors from scams or risks.” ShareFest was started in 1999 by a group of pastors in Arkansas. In 2007, a local group of pastors got together to discuss bringing the initiative to the Grand Valley. The first Grand Valley ShareFest took place in April 2008. Colby is happy with the way the program has evolved over the years. “Some churches have to step away, so it’s always nice to see newer churches joining and older ones coming back,” she said. While local churches are key components ShareFest, ColbyCommunity underLove ofofChrist to Our lined the objective of ShareFest. “It’s a weekend to show the love of Christ to people, not to get them to go to church,” she said. “People find it hard to accept that we can help them with no strings attached. After ShareFest, I hear people say that they were all prepared for preaching, but we were just busy cleaning up their yard.” To submit a need or sign up as a volunteer, call 778-4880 or visit www.gjsharefest.com. ■

April 24&25, 2010

ommunity members, businesses and church volunteers are preparing to get their hands dirty over ShareFest weekend April 18-19. During these two days, volunteers will execute projects such as raking leaves, cleaning yards, starting swamp coolers and washing windows for those unable to do it themselves due to age or disability. “It is a weekend where we go out and show the love of Christ in tangible ways,” local ShareFest Steering Committee Chair Debe Colby said. Some people volunteer with projects at local schools or homeless shelters. Projects (needs) come from members of participating churches as well as people who have heard about it in the community. Some people request help from ShareFest every year and have already Demonstrating formed relationships the with volunteers. ShareFest gives beneficiaries old and new the chance to interact with people—something they might not normally get the chance to do. While some projects go un-adopted and others can’t be completed in two days, they are still available to those who wish to continue volunteering their time and talents. ShareFest volunteers can tackle a myriad of projects, but more complex tasks, such as re-roofing a house or pouring foundation can’t be done. “Not only do we not have the skills or money to do something like that, but our goal is to not put a local business out of business,” she said. The local ShareFest operates with donations from participating churches. While the beneficiaries are typically responsible for providing or paying for the supplies, some funds are available for those in need, with need being deShareFest volunteers tackle a project for someone in need.

A CITY WIDE EVENT

What can we do for you?

March 2015

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Are you using secure wireless networks? Ask the computer guy By Daniel Ashurst Alpine Computer Solutions

he temptation to use someone else’s unsecured wireless network is common, and, to the frugal, seems justified. While working on someone’s computer during a home visit, I always find a list of wireless networks—many that are not secured with a password.

Now, if you think I’m acting as the “wireless police,” then rest assured, I am not. After reading this article, I think you will realize that I don’t have to be once people are educated on the methods of hackers today. Understanding wireless security Security on wireless networks is a twoway street. Most people think about security being the restriction put on them so that they could not “borrow” their neighbor’s wireless. Step one in keeping yourself safe is understanding that the security on the network protects the owners of the wireless as well as any person they allow to use the wireless. The unfortunate truth is that we all must approach using our wireless devices with the understanding that there could also be a hacker logged on to that wireless connection just waiting for some unsuspecting coffee drinker at Starbucks. Scary Starbucks scenario You go to Starbucks and decide to move some money from your checking to your savings. What better way to do that than to just log in to the secure bank website through the unsecure wireless network at Starbucks?

The truth is that spoofing is a common practice and those that are good at it can do it very quickly. How? They watch your Internet connection to the bank and see you log your username and password. Have you ever had one of those popup notifications where the bank software says, “We see you are accessing from IP Address 169.245.54.237, you have never logged in from this location, please verify your identity.” Once you have done that from Starbucks, guess what? That just happens to be the IP Address of anyone who sits at Starbucks at that location. Next time Joe Hacker wants to get access to the bank, it will likely not even ask him to verify identity. Ouch! While I don’t believe it is likely that there are hackers at every Starbucks, count on this: Any network connection in town that is widely used and unsecure is a bright flashing beacon to hackers that there are victims waiting to be hacked. And by the way, don’t assume your neighbors are leaving their network unsecure just because they don’t know how to secure it. What if they are setting a trap? It’s something to think about. If you need help securing your wireless networks or router, please contact Alpine Computer Solutions at 257-1011. ■ Email your questions to Daniel Ashurst with Alpine Computer Solutions at solutions@alpinepc.com or mail them to the BEACON at P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502. For professional assistance, call Daniel at 234-1011 or Alpine Computer Solutions at 257-1011.

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30 SENIOR SCAMS

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Home repair and improvement scammers target the elderly By Teresa Ambord

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EC TOR Y RE SOU RCE DIR

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t begins with a knock on your door. The details vary, but according to warnings from the police, it goes something like this. You open the door and find a young man dressed like a laborer. “I was just doing a home repair job up the street,” he tells you. “I noticed your rain gutters are dangerously full. Did you know that? It looks like you’ve got some real trouble brewing there. The gutter problem might’ve even caused roof damage. I’m on my way home but I can clean those gutters for you right now if you want. While I’m up there, I can take a look at your roof.” The damage he mentions may or may not be real. But if he manages to alarm you, you may see this as a quick and affordable way to fix a problem before disaster strikes. Often the con artist acts like it doesn’t matter to him, but he wants to do you a favor and is willing to give you a great price. Plus, you like this friendly young man and you figure it’s a win/win situation. Beware because this has the earmarks of a home repair/improvement scam. Chances are, the “deal” is not so good, and the price is much higher than the job is worth but he’s counting on you not to know that. Also, the work that he describes as urgent may never get done or the work may be shoddy, and he may have little or no experience in home repair. And this might only be the beginning. This is exactly what happened to one 98-year-old man in Indiana. Billy Smiley answered the door and found a likable man there, who offered to clean his gutters and check his roof. Smiley agreed, and paid the man $3,000 (far more than the job was worth). Soon the repairman was back, knocking on the door again,

looking concerned. “Now that I’ve been up on the roof and taken a closer look, this is a much bigger job than I thought,” the man said. Smiley then agreed to more work for more money. Actually, while an accomplice did the job, the repairman came in and kept the lonely senior company, pretending to form a friendship. Somehow he got a look at Smiley’s bank statements, and decided that Smiley could afford to lose a lot more money. Before long, an afternoon’s work turned into a 15-day job with a $76,000 price tag. Plus, the repairman stole $20,000 in jewelry from Smiley’s house, all while pretending to be interested in a lonely old man. “They made it sound like they were doing me a favor,” Smiley later told reporters. Why did he let it escalate? At first, they won his trust. Then he was in too deep. “I had to rely on their honesty,” he said. “And once I got into it, it was one of those deals where you can’t just walk away from it. They had my roof torn off, and the weather was bad. I needed them to get it fixed.” But they didn’t. When Smiley caught on to the scam, he stopped paying, and the men left. Smiley had to hire someone else to fix his roof, which may not have even been damaged in the first place. “I have no one to blame but myself,” Smiley said. “It’s one of those things I’ve criticized others for doing—for not investigating guys like that before doing business with them.” He warns people to use legitimate contractors and not to trust someone who just knocks on your door. In addition, if someone claims to be a licensed contractor, ask to see his/her contractor’s license, and proof that they are adequately insured. Also, take a look at the contractor’s vehicle. Does it have marketing signs on

March 2015

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it? A phone number? Copy down the phone number. And keep in mind, if the marketing signs are of the magnetic, stick-on variety, this could be part of the scam. The men were apprehended and went to prison. But that wasn’t much consolation for Billy Smiley.

It’s nothing new According to authorities, the home repair scam is everywhere. Often, it targets the elderly, especially after a storm or other disaster when damage is apparent and homeowners are likely to feel desperate. Adding to the desperation is the fact that many legitimate contractors are swamped with work right after a storm, so homeowners start looking around for other answers. And then a friendly looking guy wearing a tool belt knocks on the door. Here are some of the warning signs to watch for, so you can avoid a home repair/improvement scam: * The repairman comes to your door to solicit work. * He may say he has materials left over from another job (like roof shingles) and can therefore offer you a discount. * He makes the job seem urgent, pressuring you to make a quick decision. * He talks fast, uses terms that may be confusing, and does not stop to explain when you ask questions.

* He does not offer references that you can check.

Home Care Beyond the Expected

* He may drive a vehicle without a business name painted on it. Conversely, there may be a name on the vehicle, but it is a removable magnetic sign. His vehicle may have out-of-state plates. * He may resist giving you a written contract but expects you to trust him, offering a handshake to seal the deal. Or he may pressure you to sign a written contract immediately, without time to consider the job or to check out his credentials. * The only contact he offers has a post office box for an address and a cell phone number. * If permits are required, he may ask you to get them, which is a sign he is unlicensed. * He wants payment up front, possibly in cash, before the work begins. He may tell you the money is required for materials.

What if you suspect you have been victimized? If you believe you have been a victim of a home repair/improvement scam, it’s important to contact an attorney immediately. There are time deadlines to pursue some legal claims, and to cancel sales contracts. You can also contact your state attorney general, your county district attorney, or the department of financial services for insurance-related scams in your area. ■

Medicare Moment

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR PREMIUM-FREE MEDICARE PART A?

Most people are eligible for premium-free Part A when they turn 65 if they paid in 40 quarters of Medicare payroll taxes (10 years). What about a spouse who has never worked? A recent question came from a person who was turning 65 in January. Since she hadn’t worked, she’d been told she would pay a high premium for Medicare Part A. Going on Medicare would cost her more than her current plan premium through Connect for Health Colorado, so she wanted to know if she could keep this plan and not sign up for Medicare at all. In most cases you cannot keep your current health plan once you become Medicare age. This client was in luck! She was eligible for premium-free Part A by “hitchhiking” on her spouse’s work quarters. She then picked up Parts B and D for less than her current pre-Medicare premium. If you have questions about Medicare, call the RSVP SHIP for help. Brought to you by the Mesa County RSVP Senior Health Insurance Assistance Project (SHIP) Sponsored by the Association of US West Retirees (AUSWR) and Mesa County RSVP

QUESTIONS? Call SHIP! 243-9839

SENIOR SCAMS 31

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Life’s garden By Jan Weeks

ardening is in my genes. My maternal grandmother’s half-acre garden fed the family all through the Depression. My father let 5-year-old me stick seeds in the ground and helped me hold the hose as he sat in a lawn chair and sipped a beer. In the fall, the dusky smell of Iowa earth surrounded us as we harvested our crop. No wonder I began to “grow my own” as soon as I was able. In both alkali-riddled western Colorado and the rich loam of South Dakota’s Black Hills, I cultivated flowers and vegetables, in plots or pots, envying the TV gardeners whose mini-farms unfurled luxuriously and produced prolifically. A dozen years ago I moved to the Redlands, where I finally had enough room to plant my dream garden. I planted and watered and watched the plants die. A visit to the local extension office revealed that trying to garden in our heavy clay soil was like farming in concrete. But I didn’t give up. Through trowel and error, I discovered that gardening and life require some of the same skills. Do the hard work. Gardening requires lots of water, mostly in the form of perspiration. I mulched leaves and hauled manure by the truckload, and began to actually give away excess produce. For years, past fears and sorrows smothered me. I watered my soul with tears. After a head-on wreck left me with torn muscles and a broken heart, physical and emotional therapies opened up psychic wounds I’d buried long ago. But I figured if those events didn’t kill me the first time, the memories wouldn’t either. I grieved and healed. Be patient. I used to be like the little boy

March 2015

who planted peas, then dug them up every day to see if they’d sprouted. Now I let the carrots and beets unfold in their own time and celebrate every new shoot. When I started writing for publication, I haunted the mailbox, but magazine editors may take months to reply. Book publishers may not respond for a year. And many editors never answer at all. In spite of the lengthy waits, I’ve sold four novels and hundreds of articles, short stories, essays and poems. Everything to its season. I plant spinach and lettuce in late February because they love cool weather. Since chard resembles spinach, one year I planted it at the same time. The spinach flourished. The chard pouted. I replanted, thinking I’d gotten some bad seed. In June, the ground warmed and I was awash in chard. In life you have to crawl before you walk. Through high school and college, I sought spiritual sustenance but left the church table always hungry. I toyed with meditation and dabbled in eastern philosophies. Then I discovered a church philosophy I resonated with and my life is amazing. Don’t be stingy with seeds. Plant profusely and thin relentlessly. There are always some seeds in the packet that won’t germinate so I’ve learned to overplant. I feel like a murderer when I tug out tiny seedlings, but the rest of the crop comes in strong and healthy. I work to eliminate the weaker seeds of Self, too. Ego, fear and judgment must be yanked out to give the shoots of love and acceptance room to grow. I give willingly of time, talent and treasure to sustain a healthy life harvest. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Chemicals have no place in my garden, so my chard sometimes looks like lace, courtesy

March 2015

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Author Jan Weeks tends to her garden in Grand Junction. of the grasshoppers, and the resident rabbit nibbles an occasional pea, but holey lettuce nourishes as well as unblemished greenery. I don’t have to be perfect, either. Mistakes have taught me empathy and allowed me to progress; forgiveness mends hearts and minds. Be willing to be surprised. Eight years ago, a strange shrub sprouted. Three years later I harvested dozens of peaches from what had become a tree. Last year’s lettuce went to seed and came up throughout the garden this season. Plum tomato vines came up from frost-killed fruit I composted in the fall. Life surprises me, too. Driving back roads reveals wonders I’d never see from the interstate. When I say yes to a new experience, enthusiasm and joy reward me. Surprisingly, what seems like a disaster while it’s happening may turn out to be the best thing that’s ever happened. Without the wreck, I would never had gotten the body and mind work I needed. When I was robbed in Spain, I found that I could survive being stranded in a foreign country without a passport or identification. I also experienced how helpful and kind strangers can be. If it doesn’t thrive where it’s planted, move it. A spindly rose struggled to put forth one bloom per year in the shady bed where it had

originally been planted. I moved it to the sunny backyard and now it’s taller than I am and blossoms from May into October. I stayed in two sometimes violent marriages, rooted by uncertainty and fear of seeming disloyal. When I finally freed myself, life opened up. I created a new career as a freelance writer and editor, and jump out of bed every day, eager for what the day will bring. Leave room for things to grow. For years my crops didn’t wait to die; they committed suicide. After mulching and amending the soil, I double planted tomatoes and peppers from habit. By mid-summer, I could barely thrust my hands into the luxuriant foliage to harvest huge fruits. Green beans outgrew their poles and my appetite. Life requires room, too. For years other people’s expectations and demands smothered me. I suffocated in resentment of the girl who crashed into me. When I finally released the anger and bitterness, the pain disappeared and I healed. Was the Garden of Eden a metaphor rather than an actual place? Maybe, but we can each have our own fruitful piece of life. All it takes is a willingness to follow the laws of the garden. ■

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March 2015

Camp among the wild horses By Melanie Wiseman

y husband Dan and I are always looking for unique camping locations and memorable experiences. The Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range is one of our favorites, and it’s basically right in our backyard. Just a few miles northeast of Grand Junction is the rugged canyon and plateau area known as the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range. It encompasses 36,113 acres and approximately 145 wild horses roam the sagebrush parks and pinyon-junipercovered hills. Hiking, camping and horseback riding in this amazing country is truly a Wild West experience and a photographer’s dream. Although Dan and I had seen wild horses from the Little

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Book Cliffs herd on hikes up Mt. Garfield and Coal Canyon, just off the I-70 Cameo exit, we set our sights on a little more adventure. We wanted to be one with the wild horses and wanted to camp among them. We took the I-70 DeBeque exit and followed signs into what is known as the Dry Fork and Winter Flats area. Although hiking, camping, riding horseback and four-wheel vehicles are permitted, the BLM needs help protecting the range. Staying on designated hiking trails and dirt roads, camping in pre-existing campsites (both natural and BLM provided), and respecting the wild horses’ space are all part of the experience. The 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act provides for the management, protection and control of all unbranded and unclaimed horses and burros on public lands. Though wild horse herds live in many parts of the western United States, the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range is one of only three ranges in the country set aside to protect wild and free-roaming horses. Natural barriers such as cliffs and canyons are supplemented with fencing to define the area and control horse movement. The BLM monitors vegetation and the health of the horses and wildlife living on the range with the help of the Friends of the Mustangs volunteers. Records are kept of each wild horse and its offspring. They are even

March 2015 given names. A successful fertilitycontrol darting program helps maintain a viable herd size and has drastically reduced the need for adoption gatherings. The wild horses are scattered throughout the range, traveling in small bands made up of a stud and his harem of mares, or in bachelor bands of young stallions. Horses use the higher country in spring, summer and fall, and shift to lower country in the winter, where there is less snow and feed is found more easily. The herd is constantly on the move and viewing them is usually a matter of being at the right place at the right time. This one year, we chose to camp in late April, hoping to see new colts and fillies and to avoid gnats, which can be annoying later in May and June. We were not disappointed. It was an absolutely thrilling experience to see 80 wild horses over the course of the weekend. We witnessed mares with their young that were wary of our presence, feisty studs fighting off bachelors to preserve their harems, and the everyday bonds, movement and activities of the horses. We viewed the horses while scouting from the vehicle on dirt roads and as we hiked. Although it is believed most horse movement is in the early morning and evening, we were fortunate to see them at all times of the day. One exciting encounter happened while we were in our camp.

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Senior Homecare by Angels

We stood motionless as a string of nine paraded right by our camp. Watching the horses at a distance that THEY consider safe is key. Changes in their behavior are noticeable if they sense you are too close. Use binoculars, spotting scopes and telephoto lenses to help you get that close-up feel. Whether you’re taking a day trip to the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range, or camping several nights, take a walk on the wild side and enjoy an experience of a lifetime. For brochures, directions and more information, visit the Bureau of Land Management Office at 2815 H Road in Grand Junction, call 244-3000 or visit www.blm.gov. For more information about the Friends of the Mustangs, call 216-0011 or visit www.friendsofthemustangs.org. ■

Where did these wild horses come from? During the Ice Age, ancestors of the modern horse roamed North America and became extinct over 10,000 years ago. Horses were reintroduced to the continent in the 1500s by Spanish explorers who began to settle what is now the western U.S. These horses were known as “mustanos” and those that escaped and formed early wild herds were later called mustangs. Some of the Little Book Cliffs horses can be traced back to Indian ponies, but the majority are descendants of horses who either escaped or were turned loose by ranchers and farmers.

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March 2015

6 tips for choosing the right caregiver By Joni Karp, CDP, CaregiverCARE, LLC

a good match to begin with. This is not to say you need to be a tyrant and unfriendly, just clear and concise. A hoosing the right caregiver has smile and a kind voice go a long way. been a topic I’ve contemplated Your goal should be to create a partwriting about for some time. There nership with the ability to have open are so many wonderful, capable and and honest conversations. trustworthy caregivers who will truly Don’t be afraid to “call it.” If the make a positive differarrangement isn’t ence in the life of your working for whatever loved one. Whether reason, you need to Support Group your preference is an find someone else. independent caregiver While this may be a 5:30 p.m. or someone who works hassle, it shouldn’t preon the third Wednesdays for an agency, there vent you from finding are things you need to Call 361-6308 for location. a better fit. You need consider prior to bringto ask yourself, “Who ing someone into the is the most important person in the home. room?” and move forward. Involve the care receiver in the hiring process. If possible, it’s a good Consider a few precautionary measures. idea to involve the care receiver • Buy a lock box or safe if there isn’t when creating a job description and one already. during the interview process. Your • Get a background check. Note that idea and that of the care receiver most agencies run background may be very different. It is important checks on their employees. Visit and essential that the care receiver www.dmv.org/articles/how-to-runis comfortable and trusts the person background-checks-online for tips who will be providing the care. If on this process. you are unsure of what exactly is

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needed, talk it out. An experienced caregiver will be able to provide feedback and suggestions, and will have the ability to help direct care. Keep in mind that needs will change as your loved one declines, resulting in changes in the care being provided. Be clear with your expectations and requirements. It’s only fair to all involved. Clarity can eliminate misunderstandings and or confusion. The care of a loved one is a big responsibility, and you are the advocate. This is especially true for the person who is unable to communicate clearly. You have to be diligent in your protective oversight and setting clear expectations is a part of that process. Remember the person you hire really does work for you. Don’t be timid or live in fear they will get mad and quit. If that happens, it wasn’t

Unless a part of the caregiver’s responsibility is overseeing financial matters, there is no reason for bank statements, financial records with account numbers, blank checks, or credit cards to be left out and accessible. Anything that you or your loved one consider irreplaceable should also be locked up. If a part of the caregiver’s responsibility is overseeing financial matters, you should have already done your homework on that person by checking no less than three work and three personal references and a background check. Ask others. It is always a good idea to ask others who have used agency services or independent caregivers for recommendations. A support group is a good place to find others in your same situation and to exchange information. ■

March 2015

Mesa County Club Activities Compiled by Liesl Greathouse • Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the second Thursday at Community Hospital’s lower conference room. Call 260-4653 or visit www.thefriendshipforce.org. • Western Slope Coin Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday at the VFW Post #1247. Get a free coin/currency evaluation at 5:30 p.m. Call 241-1770 or visit www.gjcoinshow.com. • Two River Sams, Good Sam RV Club, meets at 11:30 a.m. on March 14. For location, call 523-5625. • Grand Valley Knights meets at 7 a.m.9:30 a.m. Saturdays at Spoons Bistro & Bakery with their sport and classic vehicles. Call 462-6762 or visit www.grandvalleyknights.com. • Mesa County Genealogical Society meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday at The Commons of Hilltop and at noon on the fourth Wednesday at the Museum of Western Colorado. Help sessions are at 1 p.m. on the first Friday at a library branch. Call 640-2388. • Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays at the Masonic Center. Call 261-1670. • Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway will meet at 2 p.m. March 15 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church for their annual corned beef and cabbage dinner. Cost is $8. Call 245-5649 or visit www.vestafjelllodge.org. • Happy Feet Rounds offers basic choreographed ballroom dancing at the Masonic Center on Sundays (beginners from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and intermediate from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.) and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Mondays (Phase 3 and 4 dancers). Call 243-5858. • Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets monthly at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 523-5965. • Grand Valley Woodturners meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesdays at Redlands United Method-

ist Church. Call 245-8817. • Levis & Lace Square Dance Club meets monthly on the second and fourth Fridays at the Masonic Center. Rounds at 7 p.m. and square at 7:30 p.m. Call 434-6541. • Art Jewelers’ Guild meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday at the Grandview Apartments. Call 243-1220. • Stamp Collectors meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday at White Star Electric. Call 986-1502. • Western Slope Non-Smoking Singles meets monthly at 1 p.m. on March 14 at Starvin’ Arvin’s in Clifton for lunch and games. For more activities, call 434-0803. • Mesa Fiberarts Guild meets monthly at 6 p.m. the first Thursdays at Color Creek Fiber Art, 1150 N. 25th St. Unit B in Grand Junction. Call 243-3598 or visit www.mesafiberartsguild.org. • Blue Lodge Masons meets monthly at 10 a.m. the first Saturday at the Masonic Center. Call 245-5312. • Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at 2923 North Ave. Call 243-7874. • Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday at First Congregational Church. Call 640-2751. • Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 244 meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the VFW Post #3981. Call 434-0868. • Grand Junction Toastmasters meets at 7:10 a.m. Tuesdays at St. Mary’s Life Center. Call 242-4863. • Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets at noon Thursdays at the Business Incubator Center. Call 250-3969. • Western Slope Rovers RV Club meets monthly at the Egg and I for breakfast on the first Thursday. Call 858-3907 for time and details. • High Desert Diamonds is a square dance club that dances 7 p.m.-9 p.m. the first and third Fridays monthly at the Masonic Center. Call 241-7457. ■

MESA COUNTY 37

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38 MESA COUNTY

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Mesa County Calendar Compiled by Liesl Greathouse March 4

How to start a business Want to launch a business? Attend “Pumping Up the Dream: Starting a Business in Western Colorado” from 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Mesa County Libraries Central Library. “Pumping Up the Dream” is a 2 1/2-hour overview of everything you need to know to start and grow your company, including business licensing requirements, business planning and financing options. The class will be presented by Small Business Development Center Director Julie Morey. From 3 p.m.-5 p.m., you can meet individually with staff members from the Business Incubator Center to ask them questions about starting or growing a business. The class is open to business and the public at no charge. Space is limited, and preregistration is required. Register at mesacountylibraries.org or call 243-4442. March 4

Medicare 101 Educational Seminar Are you confused about Medicare? Come to this free seminar from 10 a.m. to noon at RSVP, located in the basement of the U.S. Bank Building, 422 White Ave. in Grand Junction. The Senior Health Insurance Assis-

tance Project (SHIP) will help you unravel the Medicare mystery. This seminar is designed to help new Medicare beneficiaries understand their health options. Seating is limited. For details and to reserve your spot, call 243-9839. March 5

Bottoms Up! St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Ale House invite the public to celebrate the newly remodeled Ale House with their new Bottoms Up Brew, while learning about colorectal cancer in observance of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Event takes place at the Ale House, 2531 N. 12th St. from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. For more information, call 298-2351.

fers a free workshop to the public from 9:15 a.m. to noon at the Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way. Breakfast will be provided at 9 a.m. Author Carol Berg presents, “Writing characters that live,” and will share techniques for inventing a person, and ways to get into your characters’ heads, giving them an inner life that motivates their actions. RSVP to Terri Benson at tbenson@ gjincubator.org or call 243-5242. For more information about RMFW, visit www.rmfw.org. March 10

CMU Jazz Ensemble with PHS guests

Mary Weir will talk about the traditional Scandinavian knitting technique of Twined or Tvaandstickning (two-ended knitting) at the Mesa Fiber Arts Guild meeting at Color Creek Fiber Art, 1150 N. 25th St. in Grand Junction. Meeting will start promptly at 6 p.m. and will end at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.mesafiberartsguid.org.

The CMU Jazz Ensemble will perform with guests from the Palisade High School Jazz Band. The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Moss Performing Arts Center’s Robinson Theatre, 1100 North Ave. in Grand Junction. Under the direction of Jeff Mason, the Palisade band will open the concert. CMU will perform “Any Dude’ll Do” by Bill Holman, “Freedom Jazz Dance” by Eddie Harris, “The First Circle” by Pat Metheny, and “Wind Machine” by Sammy Nestico. They will also feature CMU senior Cody Krieger on alto saxophone on “In Your Tender Care” by Steve Owen. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for seniors. For details and tickets, call 248-1604.

March 7

March 11

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers of-

Learn the basics about will and trust

March 5

Scandinavian knitting

Free writers’ workshop

Estate planning basics

March 2015 estate plans and how they can be used with powers of attorney to ensure your wishes are followed. The event is free and will be held from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at The Law Office of Brown & Brown, PC, 1250 E. Sherwood Drive in Grand Junction. Registration is required. For more information and to register, call 2438250. March 12

Golden Age Vets square dance fundraiser Polish your best boots for a fun square dance event, sponsored by the Grand Junction CHAMPS Golden Age Games Team. The event will be 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Fruita Community Center, 324 N. Coulson. All are welcome. Learn the calls and steps, or show off your skills. Proceeds offset travel expenses for the VA Golden Age Games Team to travel to the national games in Omaha, Nebraska. Admission is $6. Refreshments will be available. For details, call 303-5485789. March 15

Corned Beef & Cabbage dinner Come celebrate those Irish Viking roots and cultural delight with a delicious home- cooked dinner provided by fabulous Norwegian chefs, and learn the outcome of the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 AD between the Irish and Vikings. Presentation by Tom Sorensen. Event is at 2 p.m. at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran

Concern, Caring and Compassion

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Veterans, Military, Police, Fire, EMS Receive 15% Off Services We Honor and Accept Pre-Arranged Funeral Plans from Other Funeral Homes www.GrandValleyFuneralHomes.com

March 2015 Church, 3133 F Road in Grand Junction. Cost is $8 per adult. For more information, call 245-5649. March 19

Acrylic painting with the Brush & Palette Club Raechel Bailey Kolb will demonstrate the versatility of acrylic painting with two different approaches at 1 p.m. at The Art Center, 1803 N. Seventh St. in Grand Junction. Raechel expresses herself on canvas with oil and acrylics in animated equine paintings, which are widely sought in the world horse community. Her paintings are featured at the Colorado Canyons Gallery in Grand Junction and Cowboy Mercantile in Fruita. For more information, call 433-4180. March 20 & 21

Senior Theatre presents “Lucky Dollar, Private Eye” The Grand Junction Senior Theatre presents this musical comedy at 7 p.m. March 20, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 21 at Grand Junction High School. Tickets are $10 and available at Roper Music, City Market and Albertsons. For more information, call 234-1828. March 20 & 21

Not Your Grandmother’s Quilt Show This quilt show will exhibit quilts by members of Sunset Slope Quilters, nonmembers and youth. There will be traditional, modern, art, vintage and antique quilts of all sizes. Door prizes will be given away and a quilt created by members will be raffled off. Tickets for a chance to win “Not Your Grandmother’s Fans” are $1 each. Vendors selling quilt-related products will be present, and a number of quilts will be for sale. Show is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days at Lincoln Park Barn. Admission is $3. For more information, visit www.sunsetslopequilters.com.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com March 25

Hot estate planning topics We’ll discuss the latest on important topics including legislative updates and changes to Colorado law, protecting your inheritance from creditors and spouses, and choosing your personal representative, trustees and agents. The event is free and will be held from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at The Law Office of Brown & Brown, PC, 1250 E. Sherwood Drive in Grand Junction. Registration is required. For more information and to register, call 243-8250. March 27 & 28

2015 Grand Valley Health Fair This year’s fair will continue to focus on all aspects of overall health and encourage residents to take charge of their health with low-cost or free health screenings, access to health information, and fun and informative hands-on activities for all ages. The fair takes place at 10 a.m.-3 p.m. both days at the Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St. in Grand Junction. All blood draws must be done prior to the fair. Results will be mailed directly to the recipient. There will be no blood draws or results available at the health fair. For details and to make an appointment for the blood draws, available through March 13, call 211. For details on the health fair, call 211 or 244-8400.

River City Singles

MESA COUNTY 39

March 2015 Activity Schedule

“Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship!” Fridays at 5 p.m. - Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) meets in the lounge at the Travelodge (formerly the Country Inn), 718 Horizon Drive. The first FAC meeting of the month is the business meeting. Cards and games will follow the meeting. Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. - Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie Grose at 245-4995 for details. Wednesdays at 5 p.m. - Dine out at the following locations every week. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie Grose at 245-4995 for details. March 4 - Genghis Grill March 18 - Sang Garden March 11 - Applebee’s March 25 - Feedlot in Fruita Sundays at 12:30 p.m. - Bowling Sunday and card games at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road. RSVP to Bob Lewis at 263-8462. Saturday, March 7 at noon - Enjoy billiards, games of pool and lunch at Bank 8 Billiards, 2460 Patterson Road. Call Mary Wynn at 255-7370. Thursday, March 12 at 11 a.m. - The Fun Lunch Bunch meets at the Children’s Nature Center, 404 Jurassic Ave. in Fruita. Lunch will follow at El Tapatio. RSVP to Penny at 712-2588. Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m. - Join this group for painting and mimosas during “Mimosa Morning” at the Art Bar, 205 Colorado Ave. Class is at 10 a.m. RSVP to Janice at 261-9114. Tuesday, March 17 at 5 p.m. - St. Patrick’s Day potluck at Janice’s house at 5 p.m. RSVP to Janice at 261-9114. Thursday, March 26 at 5 p.m. - Restaurant Rove location will be announced at the FAC meeting. RSVP to Jim Spiegel at 464-0578. EVERY LIFE IS A STORY - A TREASURE, INSIDE EVERY PERSON, TOUCHED ALONG THE WAY. THEY ARE PART OF THAT STORY. WHEN THEY TELL IT - THE TREASURE IS FOUND, THE STORY IS TOLD, IT’S PASSED ALONG. TELLTHEIR STORY.

March 28

Community Contra Dance Come with or without a partner to La Puerta Ballroom, 523 1/2 Main St. in Grand Junction (upstairs in the Margery Building). A new dancer’s workshop begins at 7 p.m. and the dance takes place from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Adults are $8. All ages are welcome. Enjoy live, Celtic/old time music. For details, call 243-6736. ■

March 21

Maggie and Jiggs Dinner The dinner will serve corned beef and cabbage, with Irish stew. Event is 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Fruita United Methodist Church, 405 E. Aspen Ave. Cost is $9. For more information, call 858-3490.

If you have an event or photo you would like to have appear in the BEACON, send it to: beacon@pen dantpublishing.com.

Connecting People, rough Life, rough Loss

40 MESA COUNTY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Mesa County Beacon Bits Compiled by Liesl Greathouse

Museum of Western Colorado activities

• March 12 - Changing Landscapes of Science lecture at 7 p.m. at the Whitman Educational Center, 248 S. Fourth St. Topic is “Bigger is Better: Digital Laser Scanning and Sculpture Enlargement.” Cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. • March 19 - Oral History Presentation at noon at the Whitman Educational Center, 248 S. Fourth St. • March 27 - Architectural and Historic Downtown Walking Tour. Meet at the Museum of the West, 462 Ute Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $5.

See world-class entertainment at Regal Cinemas Experience unique entertainment from the comfort of your local movie theater. See renowned operas and ballets in HD right here in Grand Junction. Showings take place at Re-

gal Cinemas, 648 Market St. in Grand Junction. For more information, visit fathomevents.com. • March 8 - “Romeo and Juliet.” This ballet from the Bolshoi Ballet will show at 12:55 p.m. Cost is $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. • March 14 & 18 - “La Donna del Lago.” This opera from the Metropolitan Opera will show at 10:55 a.m. on March 14 and 6:30 p.m. March 18. Cost is $24 for adults and $22 for seniors. • March 19 - “Swan Lake.” This ballet from the Royal Ballet will show at 7 p.m. Cost is $18 for adults and $15 for seniors.

HopeWest CEO recognized as community visionary HopeWest President & CEO Christy Whitney was recently honored with the Community Visionary Award from the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce. In 1993, Whitney hired her first employee in Mesa County.

Today, HopeWest has 350 employees and 1,500 dedicated volunteers. HopeWest provides care to people on the western slope of Colorado with offices in Grand Junction, Delta, Montrose, Collbran and Meeker. For more information, call 241-2212.

Center for Independence events

• Job Club - CFI’s Job Club provides people with disabilities a place to meet, share experiences and receive support while they search for a job. Each session includes a short discussion on a relevant job search topic with opportunity for one to one sessions. Job Club will begin March 12 and will meet thereafter on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. • Re-Hire Program - The program is for people having problems getting back into the workplace. Participants must be over 50. Besides getting help finding a job, the program subsidizes employment at $8.23 per hour. Participants can work up to 20 hours a week for 15-18 weeks in the program. The job must give the participant an opportunity to enhance or develop new skills. Applicants need to be registered at the Mesa County Workforce Center and have a resume and their DD2-14 before calling for an appointment. Call 812-2993 for an appointment.

CMU senior exhibition UNDERTOW The Colorado Mesa University Art Department presents UNDERTOW, the first of three exhibits featuring artwork from seniors graduating from the BFA Studio Art program, in the Colorado Mesa University Art Gallery, 437 Colorado Ave. in Grand Junction. UNDERTOW will showcase the artwork of Jessica Lane, Jade O’Day and Danielle Cox March 6-20, and will encompass a variety of mediums, including printmaking, short film, sculpture, painting and mixed media. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is free. On Friday, March 6, there will be a public reception to view the exhibit and meet the artists from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Call 248-1833.

March 2015

ShareFest 2015 weekend will be April 18-19. ShareFest is where people of all ages work on projects such as cleaning yards, turning on swamp coolers, picking up trash, and painting mobile homes. Need submissions are currently open for 2015 and will be open until April 10. For more information, read the story on page 28 of this month’s BEACON. To submit a need or to volunteer, visit www. gjsharefest.com or call 778-4880.

National watercolor exhibit open at Art Center The Western Colorado Watercolor Society presents the 23rd annual Rockies West National Watercolor Exhibition March 3 through April 3. The society has grown the exhibition to national status. Western Slope artists represent Grand Junction, Palisade, Fruita, Montrose, Delta and Ridgway. The exhibit is at the Art Center, 1803 N. Seventh St. An opening reception will be held from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. March 6. There will also be a gallery talk with an awards presentation at 6:30 p.m. The show and reception are open to the public. For more information, call 874-3088.

HHV teams up with Partners for arts and crafts clinic Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) teams up with Partners to host an innovative arts and crafts clinic in Grand Junction, in which local veterans will team up with Mesa County youngsters. The clinic will be held from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. March 26, and 9 a.m. to noon on March 31 at 1670 North Ave. in Grand Junction. For more information, call 424-0499.

Gray Gourmet lunch and speaker series Gray Gourmet will present three special lunches accompanied by guest speakers for Palisade area seniors. Lunch takes place at the Palisade Community Center, 120 W. Eighth St. Lunch served at noon. The suggested donation for lunch is $3.50 for seniors over age 60 and $7.75 for people under age 60. Reservations required. To reserve your spot and for more information, call 243-9844,

March 2015 ext.1. March’s presentation will be on the Grand Valley Diversion Dam by Palisade Historical Society.

St Joseph’s Church Holy Land Pilgrimage info. St Joseph’s Catholic Church is conducting a pilgrimage to The Holy Land November 5-13. Space is still available. Collette Travel Representative Matt Greenwaldt, Father Edmundo and the trip’s facilitator Elizabeth Barry will host an informative presentation and slideshow on March 9 at St Joseph’s, 230 N. Third St. in Grand Junction. Please RSVP for this free presentation, as coffee and dessert will be provided after the presentation. For more information and to register, call 640-9256 or visit www. pilgrimagesforthecatholicfaith.com.

Call for chorus singers for Handel’s “Messiah” The Messiah Choral Society of Grand Junction begins choir rehearsals for its 11th annual Easter performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” If you would like to sing in the performance of this

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com timeless masterwork, join us from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. every Sunday afternoon until Easter Sunday at the First United Methodist Church, 522 White Ave. in Grand Junction. All singers are welcome. No audition necessary. Easter performance will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Grand Junction High School auditorium. For details, call 245-4914.

Support groups

• The National Association for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is offering support groups in Mesa County for adults diagnosed with mental illness and their families. In Fruita, the group meets 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at Family Health West, 228 N. Cherry Street. Call 462-3989. • Low-vision Peer Support Group, Western Slope Visionaries, meets from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call Joanne or Cathy at 241-0315. • Mending Hearts Support Group is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. This group meets from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th St. Call 248-

8844 for more information. • Caregiver Connections is open to all caregivers and meets from 10 a.m.11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th St. Call 248-8844. • St. Mary’s Stroke Support Group meets from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. on the third Friday of each month in the Grand Mesa Room of St. Mary’s Life Center. Call 298-1929 • Breast Cancer Support Group meets from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the Reflection Room (Entrance 25). Call 2982254 for details. • MACHO Men, a cancer support group, meets at 5 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at St. Mary’s Hospital’s Java City Café. Call 2982351 for details.

Volunteer opportunities

• RSVP connects individuals 55 and older to volunteer positions in any of our member agencies. For a list of volunteer opportunities and to register, call 243-9839. • Mesa County RSVP seeks volunteers

- Mini Implants to Stabilize Dentures and Partials - 0% Financing Options - Open Fridays - Laughing Gas Available For Relaxation - Friendly, Kind, Experienced Staff - Find Courage And Trust - We’re Here To Help

MESA COUNTY 41

for a variety of positions. For a list of volunteer opportunities, call 2439839. • Mesa County SOS needs volunteer drivers to give seniors rides to grocery shopping, pharmacy and medical visits once a week. SOS will reimburse for mileage. Call 248-2746. • HopeWest seeks volunteers for a variety of positions. Volunteering can be as simple as one hour a month. Call 623-8816 for details. • Operation Interdependence invites you to write notes for deployed troops around the world. Notes don’t have to be lengthy—just a simple thank you will do. Call 523-4217 for drop-off location. • St. Mary’s Foster Grandparents seeks volunteers to work with children in Mesa County and Delta County schools. Volunteers mentor kids in classrooms under supervision of a certified teacher. Volunteers may be eligible to receive a non-taxable hourly stipend, mileage reimbursement, annual wellness exam and other great benefits. Call Tanya at 298-9091. ■

42 CROSSWORD PUZZLE

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Here we GROW! (again) NOVEMBER 2014 •

• 2014 Holiday events you don’t want to miss page 6 & 12

Produced by the BEACON’s Advertising Team

Your Guide to a Happy Holiday

Now on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Vol. 28 No. 11

Western Colorado’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 34,020 Readers.

Celebrate the holidays with gift-giving ideas galore from our area’s finest merchants.

Healing with Art The Veterans’ Art Center is a place where veterans can heal their emotional wounds through music and art. Page 6. Elks’ Lodge It was no easy task establishing a lodge in both Delta and Montrose, but perseverance and creativity prevailed. Page 20. Museum honors Ute heritage The Ute Indian Museum helps share the stories and livelihoods of the native Utes. Page 30.

Our annual salute to local veterans

Photo courtesy of Veterans Committee of Photo the Western by Xxxx Slope Xxxx.

Brad Baldwin, D.O. 30 years of experience

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Balancing the needs of seniors with the interests of boomers is no easy task, but we must be doing a pretty good job because we can’t keep the racks full. So we’re printing more papers and adding more racks. Thanks for reading!

Crossword Puzzle

Across 1 Round peg in a round hole 6 Delhi streetwear 10 Decays 14 Poet’s inspiration 15 “I agree!” 16 Euclid’s lake 17 Latent 20 Impresario Hurok 21 Time frames 22 Parser’s parts 23 Traveler 25 Fateful March date 26 Jack Benny catchphrase 28 Where FDR met Stalin 30 Land of Esau’s descendants 34 In full voice 36 Play opener 38 See red? 39 On the mat 43 Honshu shrine -center 44 Cartoon expletive 45 Hearth bit 46 “Leaving Las Vegas” girl 48 Inappro-priate 51 Prime minister Moro 52 Hoops great Willis 54 Bonanza dad 56 Sacred text of Islam 58 Oliver Twist’s request 59 Greek letter 62 Blue 65 Auerbach and Buttons 66 Sovereign state began in 1937 67 Longest river in France 68 Robin’s -residence 69 Paper for the house 70 Single-celled micro-organism Down 1 Early -socialist presidential candidate Eugene 2 Popular cookie 3 Non-dancer at the dance 4 Ike’s W.W.II domain 5 More humble in status 6 Libyan hot spot 7 “Rag Mop” brothers 8 Matter for the courts 9 Flood 10 Say nay! 11 Port on the Mediter-ranean 12 Annoying facial -movements 13 Come to understand 18 Deuce -topper

March 2015

19 School builder? 24 President Chester Arthur’s middle name 25 “The Seven Year ___” 26 Sinai streambeds 27 Notched irregularly 29 Strong frothy espresso 31 Dieter’s bane 32 Held title 33 Way around downtown 35 Country P.O. letters? 37 Vanilla of rap 40 Got one’s bearings 41 Big name in cartography 42 Sultanate on the Gulf 47 Put the cuffs on 49 Turned the field 50 Burned -rubber 53 Cochlea locale 55 Royal -kingdom 56 Capped joint 57 Tote board data 58 Like a bagatelle? 60 Daughter of Cronus 61 Bugged 62 Large -coffeepot 63 Giddyup! 64 “Me ___ !”

March 2015

He was a Cowboy By Pat Martin

I stare at the old man In the hospital bed, So small, so frail, so unlike The giant of a person He once was And still is in my memory. He was a cowboy. Not a wannabe cowboy But the real deal. Born and bred, tried and true. A man’s man, as they say. Hands that once Roped wild horses And rubbed dry Half-frozen calves Now lie gnarled and still Atop stiff, white sheets. Eyes that could squint Into the distance And capture every detail On the far horizon Stare rheumy and dimmed by time.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com If he could speak I know what he’d say. I’ve heard it more than once: Life moves forever forward Don’t waste your time Lookin’ in the rearview mirror.

quality assisted living in a residential setting

I touch his hand, kiss his cheek And wish my grandpa Godspeed Then lean closer and whisper: “Ol’ Roanie’s standin’ by the gate And he’s lookin’ your way. Listen! Can you hear his welcoming neigh? “Ol’ Kippy’s there, too. His tail’s just a waggin’ As he watches for you. Your ol’ pards are patiently waiting To lead the way once you are free And ready to hit the trail to this, Your next great adventure.” So, saddle up, cowboy, Slap those reins And let ol’ Roanie run As you ride toward the light Of the setting sun.

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Where did the years go? All those years of hard work And reckless abandon Riding broncs in the rodeo Then dancing away the night. Does he think about those times Now as he lies dying? Does he wish to relive them And perhaps savor once again The adventures of his youth And his dreams for the future?

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ARE YOU A POET? Here’s your chance to show it! Writing poetry is a great way to express your creativity. We’d like to read your poems and maybe they’ll get published! Send your poetry to the BEACON at beacon@pendantpublishing.com or PO Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502

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Free Meditation Class Introduction to KRIYA Meditation – Ancient Teaching from KRIYA Traditions Tuesday nights. 7 p.m. YOGA West, 1025 Main St. Call 5235685.

For Sale Stair Lift Chair Expands 4 steps but could be extended for longer stairway. Light tan in color. Located in Cedaredge. 856-3121. Home Scooter From the Scooter Store. Model TSS300. New batteries and charger. $1,600 OBO. Call Barbara 858-0569.

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Skilled and unskilled homemaking and/or personal care. Skilled nursing, specialize in wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, CNA, social work, pre-op, post-op services. PASCO/SW carriers certification for Mi, children’s hospice and Tbi waivers. Please call for courtesy evaluation of your home care needs. Serving: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel

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Health & Wellness Classes

 credit card # ............................................................... name on card ............................................................... exp. date ..................................... cvc ........................

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QUESTIONS? Call us M-TH, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 970 243-8829 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Cortez (970)565-6833; Durango (970) 247-1211; Montrose (970) 240-1771; Toll Free (877) 685-6833

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Home Services Black Canyon Home Services Small repairs, maintenance, housekeeping, second home care. Visit our website at www. blackcanyonhomeservices.net. Montrose area. Call John 209-2095. Accessibility Services Grab bars. Walk-in tubs/showers. Licensed plumber/handyman. Serving Western Colorado since 1989. Free estimates. Compare and save! 985-1403. Tree Service Get ready for winter – Tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding. FREE hauling, boom truck to 85 feet, FREE estimates. Licensed and insured. Chris 260-0222.

March 2015 SCENE CLEARLY. LLC Window cleaners specializing in making your day a little brighter! Grand Junction area. Call Frank Cordova at 242-1264. Antiques, Appraisals, Estate Sales With over 30 years in the antique, appraisal and estate sale business, Great American Estate Sales is the valley’s leader in appraisals and estate liquidation. Settling an estate, moving into a smaller home or just simplifying your lifestyle? Great American Estate Sales can provide a worry-free and quick solution. Free consultation. 216-8236. Reliable Estate Sales Are you in the midst of a stressful relocation or passing of a loved one? Let us handle the burden of personal property liquidation from start to finish. Contact Mark Bluhm at 2602327, cash4@bresnan.net or www. reliableestatesales.net. Skilled Handyman Services Fast, reliable handyman services available. No job too big or too small. We are licensed and insured and have over 35 years’ experience. We are ADA (Special Needs), CAPS (Aging in Place) and NHBA (National Home Builders Association) certified to meet your individual needs. All services include carpentry, plumbing, electrical and misc. services. Western Interior Builders, LLC. Call 241-2029 for appointment. HOUSE CLEANING Do you want a clean house? A one-time cleaning or on a regular schedule, let’s talk about what works for you. Also, I will give a 15% discount to seniors. References available. Call Benni at 241-2611.

Wanted to Buy CASH Paid for Old Stuff Wind-up men’s wrist/pocket watches, gold and silver jewelry, pocket/ hunting knives, antique firearms, fishing gear, toys, BB guns, old Colorado bottles, old motorcycles, radios and amps, railroad, military, mining items. www.cash4oldstuff. net. Mark 260-2327.

March 2015 BUYING OLD CLOTHING Costume jewelry, purses, sewing patterns and perfumes (pre-1970s). Call Linda 234-4736 or 1-800-5727670. USED BOOKS BUY, SELL OR TRADE Gently used books on hundreds of subjects. Westerns, Romance, Mysteries, Suspense, Kids, Young Adult, Inspirational, and many others. Large print. Special orders. 242-3911. Twice Upon a Time Bookshop, 2885 North Ave., Ste. B. Located in front of North Ave. Walmart and next to Subway. 10-6 Mon-Sat, 11-4 Sunday. **Bring this ad in for $10 Trade Credit**

Help Wanted Wendy’s NOW HIRING! Shift Supervisors and Crew Members. We are looking for smiling faces and positive attitudes. We offer competitive pay, discounts and a great working environment. Full-time and part-time employment available. Please apply at your nearest location in Grand Junction.

Real Estate for Sale

ADOPTION PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Talk with caring adoption expert. Choose from families Nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions 866-413-6296 Void In Illinois/New Mexico/Indiana

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sales person wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is growing and we’re looking for a mature, loving sales person to grow with us. Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com

Real Estate for Rent

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CLASSIFIEDS 45

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46 KUDOS & KVETCH

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

youth kudos\ku·dos The truth about maintaining “More” are both a little more truth-

 “Thank you for giving us our own BEACON. I loved the story and photos of the old hippie bus.” - Kelli F., Montrose

 “Seeing the hippie bus on the cover of your paper brought back some great memories from the ’60s. Groovy, man!” - Ted H., Montrose

 “I have never picked up a copy of the BEACON before, but then I saw that cool bus on the cover and thought, ‘Wow. Count me in.’ Here’s $15 for a subscription.” - Jack R., Ridgway Kevin: We’re excited to have grown enough to turn what once was a Montrose-Delta section in the paper into its own paper. And we got such positive response to the story about the hippie bus that we are running it this month in Grand Junction.  “My mom used to live at Eagle Ridge. Your article was very truthful. They have made many good changes there and she loved the staff.” - Margaret A., Grand Junction

 “I cried during the reading of [“Love overcomes grief” in February’s BEACON]. It was lovely. I love the BEACON.” - Martha B., Grand Junction

 “We enjoy the BEACON so much. Thank you.” - Patricia W., Billings, MT

 “I want to thank whoever shoveled my walk recently after that crazy snow flurry. I meant to get to it. I live near the high school.” - Loyd P., Montrose  “To the nice couple that sat across from us at Denny’s in Clifton. No, they didn’t buy my meal, but they did give me a half-price coupon. Thank you.” - Denise S., Clifton

Wanna give a shout out? Pass out a compliment? Write us at Beacon@PendantPublishing.com.

By Patsy Pipkin

he high cost of maintenance is driving me nuts! Not just the monetary cost. It’s just so darn time consuming. I know there are products and promises out there that are supposed to help relieve the pain and offer hope for the aging population. They lie. No matter how crazy it sounds, I’d better not quit my feeble efforts to take care of what’s left. What I see when I look in the mirror is far better than it will ever be in the future. Every single thing I do, just to maintain what’s left, is entirely too time consuming. There’s got to be a short cut. When darkness arrives each evening, I’m too pooped to even complete my bedtime beauty routine, much less read a book, or watch TV. I guess this period has been creeping up on me for years, but I have been too busy to notice. Well, it’s finally caught up with me. All the time and effort put forth through the years, thinking I was going to get better, be more limber, define my waistline, lighten the darkness under my eyes, remove the liver spots on my hands and arms, and wake up glowing and skinny was completely useless. I’m wide awake now and I can plainly see I haven’t accomplished a single one of those sought-after beauty tricks. Not that I haven’t had constant encouragement. Every single magazine I pick up offers suggestions for staying young and beautiful. Face creams, massage, sun-spot lighteners, hair color, diet pills, Botox, eight glasses of water a day, and all the exercise in the world isn’t going to accomplish what the ads and nutrition books herald. Should I just give up and let nature have its way? No. I’m not ready to accept defeat. I’m still reading stuff like “The New You” and the “The Number One Beauty Treatment in the Country,” and those before-and-after bodies still catch my eye. “O: The Oprah Magazine” and

ful than some of the others geared to foolish younger women, but even they preach standards and goals I’ll never reach. Besides, they have an age limit on most of their studies about maintenance and beauty tips. I don’t know why I still subscribe. Recently I’ve been plagued by medicine my dentist gave me to swish around in my mouth for two minutes each morning. You’d think that would be a snap, but nay. I don’t have two minutes to swish metallic tasting stuff every morning. I’m a busy woman. There’s also the six pages of stretching exercises I’m supposed to do each morning. I know I have arthritis. It thrives in my fingers and toes, and lately it’s trying to invade my knees. Sometimes I think it’s migrated to my lower back but I’m trying to ignore that. In other words, I’m doing quite well for my age, or so I’m told. I’m also told I don’t have the crippling kind of arthritis, but nobody told that to my fingers and toes! My fingers are frightful to look at and won’t unscrew anything. My big toes are blessed with a plastic joint and a little screw and simply rebel when stuffed into high heels. I’ve been forced to reconsider those “dreadful grandma shoes” that I once swore loud and long to never wear. Most days I don’t have an hour to stretch. I just do the few absolutely necessary moves to get me going. After coffee and the newspaper in my recliner, I usually head to the fitness center, if I don’t settle down to write an hour or two. I have thought my maintenance routine was working reasonably well for the last 13 years. Thirteen lying, cheating years! Just look at all the time and effort I’ve wasted, not to mention the money for special shoes and stretchy pants. All this time I’ve been thinking I was going to at least get better, but now I’ve come to realize that youth vanished long ago. ■

March 2015

kvetch\kfech  “Cockamamie county commissioners are at it again! This time approving a subsidy, $50,000+, for a quarter-ofa-billion-dollar company, Townsquare Media, that promotes Country Jam. Doesn’t make sense to me. How about you?” - Dean R., Grand Junction  “I don’t mind our community subsidizing the arts, but I don’t like that crap they call country. It doesn’t sound country to me.” - Lucinda W., Fruita

 “As a resident who lives near where they have Country Jam, I get a pretty good earful and I’m not always happy with what I hear. Now I understand they are bringing the devil himself to town, Rob Zombie. Will the county pay for my hotel in town? I will not subject myself to that garbage!” - Please don’t use my name.

 “It’s official! I have sworn off local radio for good. Now my tax dollars are going to make them richer. It’s not like they are still locally owned. I’m glad my new truck came with XM Radio!” - Todd O., Grand Junction

 “I don’t understand why gas can be $1.97 a gallon at one gas station and just across the street its 15 cents more and people still go there.” - Floyd M., Grand Junction

Wanna pitch a fit? Write us at Beacon@PendantPublishing.com.

March 2015

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

KUDOS & KVETCH 47

Screenings and education provided by St. Mary’s Medical Center at the Grand Valley Health Fair Thank you to all sponsors and media!

Body Mass Index Screening Have your body mass index (BMI) calculated. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Learn about surgical weight loss options that may address diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint pain, GERD, and high cholesterol.

Cancer Prevention and Detection Learn the importance of cancer prevention and early detection., including early warning signs of skin and breast cancers. A representative of St. Mary’s Cancer Survivorship Program will provide info on the hospital’s new tobacco cessation program, free home radon test kit, and screening for those at high risk for colorectal cancer.

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Services Learn what causes cardiac (heart) and vascular (blood vessel) disease and how to reduce your risk. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease in men and women—the symptoms are different! And learn what your cholesterol numbers mean.

Diabetes Education Complete a brief questionnaire to identify personal risk factors for developing diabetes. Our diabetic educator can answer general questions about diabetes and its management.

Mammography Take home educational materials about mammography and bone densitometry, and learn about scheduling appointments at St. Mary’s Wilma B. Bacon Mammography Center.

Stroke Education

Visit our website at www.stmarygj.org for information about our services, campus maps, and driving directions.

970-298-CARE (2273) 2635 N. 7th Street • P. O. Box 1628 Grand Junction, CO 81502-1628 An Affiliate of SCL Health System

Every 40 seconds someone in America suffers a stroke— a brain attack in which a blocked or burst blood vessel can cause brain damage. Stroke diagnosis and treatment success depend on fast action. Learn to reduce your risk of stroke, recognize the symptoms, and act quickly to get treatment.

Total Joint Replacement Joint pain can keep us from doing things we like to do. To better understand your options, come learn about what is available for treatment and what you can do about it.

March 27-28, 2015 10:00 am–3:00 pm

Two Rivers Convention Center 159 Main Street, Grand Junction

Mark your calendar for better health! For more information: www.grandvalleyhealthfair.org

Access to healthcare The Grand Valley Health Fair offers many free and low-cost screenings, on-site health professionals to answer your questions, and materials to educate you on health topics from A to Z. It’s an easy way to access the resources you need to put you and your family on the path to healthier living.

FREE

and open to the public.