MESA COUNTY
FEBRUARY 2019
Volume: 32 | Issue: 2
Mesa County’s Monthly Magazine for Adults 50+ with over 32,500 Readers
LOVE IS IN THE LITTLE THINGS
Small gestures can make a big impact
We asked, you answered! Mesa County’s BEACON Best winners consistently impress. See inside for this year’s winners!
17
Volnteer of the Year nominations are open! Nominate an outstanding volunteer for our 2019 Volunteer of the Year award!
22
Weekend getaways for reigniting the spark Rekindle romance with these easy excursions
BEACON SENIOR NEWS
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ing, and many additional symptoms.
Figure 1: Notice the very small blood vessels surrounding each nerve.
The main problem is that your doctor has told you to just live with the problem or try the drugs which you don’t like taking because they make you feel uncomfortable. There is now a facility right here in Snowflake that offers you hope without taking those endless drugs with serious side effects. (see the special neuropathy severity examination at the end of this article)
with the proper nutrients to heal and repair. It’s like adding water to a plant and seeing the roots grow deeper and deeper.
appointmen neuropathy
BEACON SENIOR NEWS The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully re-
1300 S Snowf
Peripheral Neuropathy WARNING Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and the most debilitating balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood flow to the thedon’t hands drugsnerves whichinyou likeand feet which causes the nerves to begin taking because they make you to degenerate due to lack of nutrient flow. feel uncomfortable. There is
(928
Pain, Numbness & Tingling In The Hands/Feet
blood flow to utilizes a specialized blood flow to the nerves in the In order effectively treat your neuropathy factors must be low-level lightthree therapy (not to be hands and feet which causes the determined. confused with laser therapy) using nerves to begin to degenerate 1) What is the underlying cause? now a isfacility right here invaries fromlight diode technology. due to lack of nutrient flow. 2) emitting How Much Nerve Damage The treatment thatAs provided cover to peryou can atsee in Figure 2, as person The treatment that originally is provided at Has Been Sustained? The most common method Grand your Compass Medical Center son and can only be determined Junction that offers you This technology was the blood vessels that surround Compass Medical Center As you can see in Figure doctor will recommend to treat has four main goals: after a detailed neurological NOTE: and Once you have sustained the nerves taking becomevascular diseased they developed those bymain NASA to assist in evaluation. Ashas long fouras goals: yourvessels neuropathy with hope pre- without 85% nerve loss, there is nothing 2, as the blood that 1) isIncrease blood flow shrivel up which causes the you have not sustained at least endless drugs with serious side increasing blood flow. scription drugs that may tempothat we can doblood for you. 2) Stimulate small fiber nerves 1) Increase flow nerves to not get the nutrients to surround the nerves become 85% nerve damage 3)then yourmuch treatment will rarily reduce your symptoms. How 3) Decrease brain-based effects. (see pain thetospecial neuropathy 2) Stimulate small fiber nerves continue survive. Whencan these condition been treated. These drugsup have names The low level light therapypain is your condition require? diseased they shrivel which 4)generic Stabilize the nerve cells 3) Decrease brain-based severity examination at the end of such as Gabapentin, Amitripty4) Stabilize the nerve cells like watering a plant. The light causes the nerves to not get the The experienced providers at the line, or Lyrica and primarily thistoarticle) Theare treatment increase blood Compass Medical Center will can allow the blood therapy or anti-seizure nutrients toantidepressant continue to survive. flow utilizes a specialized lowtreatment to increase blood do a neuropathy The severity drugs. These drugs may cause level light therapy to be In order(not to effectively treat your to vessels to utilizes grow back around lowWhen theseyou nerves begin to “die” flow a specialized examination determine the to feel uncomfortable confused withand laser therapy) uslevel light nerves therapy and (not to be extentmust of the nerve damage. neuropathy three factors the peripheral they cause you balance ing harmful light emitting havetoa have variety of side diode technolThis neuropathy severity with laser therapy) usconfused ogy. This technology was origieffects. be determined. provide them with the proper problems, pain, numbness, examination will consist of a emitting diode technoling light nally developed by NASA to detailed sensory evaluation, Figure 2: When burning, these very small ogy. This technology was origi1) What is the underlying cause? nutrients to heal and repair. It’s tingling, and many assist in increasing blood flow. blood vessels become diseased they physical examination, nally developed byplant NASA 2) How much nerve damage has beginadditional to shrivel up and the nerves like adding water to a andto Figure 2: When these very small symptoms. diagnostic testing, and a assist in increasing blood flow. begin to degenerate. The low level light therapy is become diseased they blood vessels analysis of the findings been sustained? seeing the roots grow deeper The treatment that is provided at detailed varies from person to perThe most common method your begin to shrivel up cover and the nerves like watering a plant. The light your neuropathy. Compass Medical Center son and can only be The determined doctor will recommend to nerves treat begin to “die” they cause begin to of degenerate. low level light therapy is therapy will allow the blood vesNOTE: Once you have sustained deeper. has four main goals: after a detailedand neurological and your neuropathy is with you pre- to have balance problems, like watering a plant. The light sels to grow back around the pevascular evaluation. As longanas scription drugs that may tempo85% nerve loss, there is“die” nothing ourthey office today totherapy make nerves begin toCall cause pain, numbness, tingling, burn1) nerves Increase blood flow will allow the blood vesripheral and provide them you have to notdetermine sustained leastof treatment The amount rarily reduce your symptoms. appointment ifatyour 2) proper Stimulate small fiber nerves you to have balance problems, ing, and many additional sympsels grow back around the pethat we can do for you. with the nutrients to heal 85% nerve damage thentoyour These drugs have generic names neuropathy can be treated: 3) Decrease brain-based pain needed to allow toms. pain, numbness, tingling, burnand repair. It’s like adding water ripheral nervesthe andnerves provide them condition such as Gabapentin, Amitripty3) How treatment will can been treated. 4) Stabilize themuch nerve cells ing, many additional sympto a plant and seeing theand roots withrecover the proper nutrients line, or Lyrica and are primarily to fully varies fromto heal your condition require? The main problem is that your grow deeper and deeper. toms. The experienced providers at the It’s like adding water and repair. antidepressant or anti-seizure The treatment to increase blood person to person and can only doctor has told you to just live Compass Medical Center can drugs. These drugs may cause to a plant and seeing the roots flow utilizes a specialized lowdo is athat neuropathy severity you to feel uncomfortablewith and the problem or try the drugs The (not main your that is provided grow deeper after and deeper. be determined a detailed level The light treatment therapy to problem be Figure 1: Notice the very small blood examination to determine the have a variety of harmful which side you don’t like taking beThe amount of treatment needed doctor has told you to just live confused with laser therapy) us- Center has vessels surrounding at Compass Medical extent ofdrugs theneurological nerve damage.and vascular effects. each nerve. cause they make you feel unto allow to fully rewith thetechnolproblem or try the ing the lightnerves emitting diode 1300 Main Street This South neuropathy severity Peripheral neuropathy is a comfortable. There Figure is now1:aNotice fa- the very ogy. smallThis blood four main goals: evaluation. As long as you have technology was origiwhich you don’t like taking beThe amount examination of a of treatment needed Snowflake,will AZconsist 85937 here in vessels Snowflake surrounding each nerve. nally developed byblood NASA to result of damage toisthe nerves cility rightFigure Peripheral neuropathy a result cause theyflow make you feel sensory unto allow the to fully re1) Increase detailed evaluation, 2: When these very small not sustained at nerves least 85% nerve that offers you hope without takassist in increasing blood flow. (928) 536-5525 of damage to the nerves often comfortable. There is now a fa- examination, vessels become diseased they physical often causing weakness, pain, ing those blood endless drugsupwith se-nerves 2) Stimulate small fiber nerves damage then your condition begin to shrivel and the causing weakness, pain, numbcility right here in Snowflake diagnostic testing, and a Peripheral neuropathy The is a low result the spebegin(see to degenerate. level light therapy is numbness, and dethe rious side effects. ness, tingling,tingling, and the most detailed analysis of been the findings offers you hope without tak3) Decrease pain can treated. like watering a that plant.brain-based The light often cial neuropathyof damage severityto the nerves bilitating balance problems. This of your with neuropathy. The main problem is that your most debilitating balance ing those endless drugs senerves begin to “die” they cause therapy allow the blood ves- cells examination at thecausing end of weakness, this pain, numb4) will Stabilize the nerve damage is commonly caused by side (see the speyou tohas have balance problems, to grow around the effects. peprovider’s at article) doctor told you to just live problems. This damage ness, tingling, and thesels most de- backrious Call ourseverity office The today experienced to make an a lack of blood flow to is the pain, numbness, tingling, burncial neuropathy ripheral nerves and provide them bilitating balance problems.The Thistreatment to increase appointment to the determine if your Medical Center nerves in the hands by and feet of commonly caused a lack Compass with the problem or try the ing, and many additional sympwith the proper nutrients to healat the end of this examination In order to effectively treat your
The most common method your doctor will recommend to treat your neuropathy is with prescription drugs that The most common method your may reduce doctortemporarily will recommend to treat your symptoms. neuropathy isThese with drugs preyour scription drugs that may tempohave such as rarily generic reduce names your symptoms. These drugs have generic names Gabapentin, Amitriptyline, such as Gabapentin, Amitriptyor Lyrica andand areare primarily line, or Lyrica primarily antidepressant oror anti-seizure antidepressant anti-seizure drugs. These drugs may cause drugs. These drugs may cause you to feel uncomfortable and you uncomfortable haveto a feel variety of harmful sideand effects. have a variety of harmful side effects.
neuropathy can be treated: damage is commonly and caused byIt’s like adding water which causes the nerves to begin toms. article) neuropathy three factors mustofbeblood flow repair. a lack toplant theand seeing to degenerate due to lack of nuto a the roots determined. nerves isin that theyour hands grow anddeeper feet and deeper. The main problem trient flow. In order to effectively treat your 1) What doctor is the underlying cause? has told you to justthe live which causes nerves to begin 2) How Much Nerve Damage neuropathy three factors must be with the problem or try the drugs As you can see in Figure 2, as to degenerate due to lack of nuHas Been Sustained? Figure 1: Notice the very small blood determined. which you don’t like taking beThe amount of treatment needed the blood vessels surround trient flow. vessels that surrounding each nerve. NOTE: Once you have sustained 1) What is the cause they make you feel unto allow the nerves to fully re- underlying cause? the nerves become diseased they 1300 South Main Street 85% nerve loss, there is nothing comfortable. There is now a fa2) How Much Nerve Damage shrivel up which causes the As you can see in Figure 2, as Snowflake, AZ 85937 that we can do for you. cility right here in Snowflake Has Been Sustained? All major health insurances Peripheral nerves to not get the neuropathy nutrients tois a result Figure 3:surround The blood vessels will grow the blood vessels that offerstreatment you hope without 3) How that much will tak536-5525 youaccepted have(928) sustained damageWhen to thethese nerves often including Medicare. back around the nerves NOTE: much likeOnce a continue toofsurvive. the nerves diseased they ing those endless drugs become with se-plant’s your condition require? roots grow when watered. 85% nerve loss, there is nothing causing weakness, pain, numbshrivel up which causes the rious side effects. (see the speness, tingling, and the most dethat we can do for you. cial neuropathy severity nerves to not get the nutrients to Figure 3: The blood vessels will grow bilitating balance problems. This 3) How much treatment will examinationcontinue at the end of this When these back around the nerves much like a to survive. damage is commonly caused by your condition require? article) plant’s roots grow when watered.
TOGETHER WE LOST 889 POUNDS! a lack of blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet which causes the nerves to begin to degenerate due to lack of nutrient flow.
As you can see in Figure 2, as the blood vessels that surround the nerves become diseased they shrivel up which causes the nerves to not get the nutrients to continue to survive. When these
In order to effectively treat your neuropathy three factors must be determined. 1) What is the underlying cause? 2) How Much Nerve Damage Has Been Sustained? NOTE: Once you have sustained 85% nerve loss, there is nothing that we can do for you. 3) How much treatment will your condition require?
Figure 3: The blood vessels will grow back around the nerves much like a plant’s roots grow when watered.
Information seminars held twice a month at Grand Valley Wellness Center (605B 28 ¼ Road). Start the journey to a new you today!
cover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation. As long as Figure 3: The blood vessels will grow you have not sustained at least back around the nerves much like a 85% nerve damage then your plant’s roots grow when watered. condition can been treated.
All majo accepted
can do a neuropathy severity The experienced providers at the examination to determine the Compass Medical Center can extent nerve damage. do aof the neuropathy severity examination to determine the This neuropathy severity examextent of the nerve damage. ination will consist of a detailed This neuropathy severity examination will consist of a sensory evaluation, physical detailed sensory evaluation, examination, diagnostic testing, physical examination, and a detailedtesting, analysisand of thea diagnostic detailed of analysis of the findings findings your neuropathy. of your neuropathy.
Call our office today to make Call our office today to make an an appointment to determine appointment to determine if your if neuropathy can be can treated: your neuropathy be treated:
SouthRoad Main#17 Street 24781300 Patterson Snowflake, Grand Junction, AZ CO 85937 81505
536-5525 (970)(928) 549-2141
All major health insurances accepted including Medicare.
All major health insurances accepted including Medicare.
All major health insurances accepted including Medicare.
970-242-9123 www.YourCommunityHospital.com
WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2019 |
3
The Beacon & Hilltop Senior Living Communities
BEACON SENIOR NEWS
Age 55 and Better! New Larger Dance Floor!
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 9 THE COMMONS OF HILLTOP GARDEN ROOM MUSIC BY
CLARK GAULT’S SWING CITY EXPRESS
625 27 1/2 ROAD, GJ
7:00 - 10:00 pm
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EDITORIAL COLUMN National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher Susan Capps Managing Editor Cloie Sandlin Creative Director Melissa Trottier Graphic Designer Chrissy Martin Office Manager Stacey Splude Digital Media Manager Stephanie Summar Advertising Assistant Siggie Carpenter Advertising Executives Sue Bowen Debra Romaniec Proofreader Jan Weeks Delivery Cora Gentry Lauren VanGundy JR Milner
P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 Phone: 970.243.8829 Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com Email: 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 and Montrose counties.
Love dancing? Love the Rolling Stones?
L
ast month’s Beatles vs. Rolling Stones show was a hit. This sold-out show attracted fans of both legendary bands who were unafraid to let loose, dancing and singing along to some of their all-time favorite songs. While the majority of feedback we’ve received from readers leans pro-Beatles, the electric showmanship of “Mick Jagger” and the rest of the Rolling Stones tribute band swayed some die-hard Beatles fans to reconsider. Personally, I thought the Rolling Stones look-alikes won hands down even though I like more of the Beatles’ music. If a tribute band can emit such energy, imagine what it’d be like to see the real Stones live. If this is your dream then you’re in luck! The Rolling Stones are coming to Denver on May 26 and the BEACON is giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky reader. Entering is easy—just come to BeaconFest Boomer & Senior Fair at Two Rivers Convention Center on Tuesday, April 16. This annual expo and reader appreciation party is a whole lot of fun (and FREE!)
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
The Beatles might have said it best, but many of this month’s stories affirm the power of love and why it makes life worth living.
VALENTINE’S DANCE
If you love dancing, save the date for our Valentine’s Dance on February 9. We partner with Hilltop Senior Living to put on this semi-formal affair from 7-10 p.m. in the Garden Room at the Commons of Hilltop. Tickets are available for only $20—a sweet deal since each ticket includes desserts and hors d’oeuvres created by Hilltop’s chefs, live music by Swing City Express and two drinks from the bar. Come with or without a partner—we’d love to see you! Call 243-8829 to reserve your tickets!
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS OPEN!
Where would we be without our volunteers? Show a volunteer how much you love and appreciate them by nominating them for the BEACON’s 2019 Volunteer of the Year award. See page 17 for details—but hurry! The deadline is February 15. ■
Speaking of love, thanks to all who voted for
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 2019 • All Rights Reserved
Cloie Sandlin, Managing Editor
IN THIS ISSUE...
Cover Photo: To Kent Snowbarger and Shari Vandervelde, love is spending time with their grandkids Sterling and Scarlett. Photo by Cloie Sandlin
the BEACON Best, an elite group of your most loved locales, activities and businesses. And, thank you to these organizations for providing quality products and services to boomers and seniors that make their lives easier and more enjoyable. Check out the 2019 BEACON Best on page 26.
8 14 18
Dating perils lead to pleasure After a few online dating flops, author Laverne Bardy met Marc, an unexpected match. Awareness is key to heart disease prevention It’s time to have a heart-toheart talk with your doctor. Pregnant at 61? If laughter is the best medicine, this month’s Laughing Matters is the cure for anything that ails you—even hiccups.
24 33 38
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Win concert tickets! Try your luck to win tickets: Will it be Black Market Trust or The Jersey Tenors? Donating saves lives Did you know your organs can benefit up to 7 people? Anyone can become a donor today! Can reading novels make us better people? Consider going to your library to pick up a thoughtful novel.
FEBRUARY 2019 | EDITORIAL COLUMN | 5
COVER STORY
Love is in the little things
M
By Melanie Wiseman
› Top: Carol and Steve Jordan (pictured) will never forget the thoughtful gifts left on their doorstep from neighbors Larry and Dorothy Klinger in Ridgway. Photo by Melanie Wiseman › Bottom: Maureen Beyer believes everyday acts of love are often taken for granted “like telling each other to drive careful when you leave the house.” Her husband, Doug, loves how she looks out for him.
y husband, Dan, goes to chick flicks with me. Before he heads to the grocery store he asks if I need any personal items and often returns with my favorite ice cream. He calls to say he misses me when I’m away or tucks a card under my pillow if he knows he’s going to be gone. He fills my car with gas, waxes my skis and even cleans the drain to my sink when it’s clogged with my hair. Through these small acts, I know he loves me.
While expensive gifts and over-thetop gestures can be nice, they’re not important to me, especially at this time in my life. No diamond or giant teddy bear can replicate the same feelings I get when Dan reaches for my hand, prepares my favorite dinner, writes me a thoughtful note or does other things to show he’s thinking of me.
impact on someone’s day.
My parents have been together for 70 years. At 88 and 92, they still hold hands and my mom still laughs at my dad’s jokes. My dad says the secret to a long and happy relationship is falling in love all over again every day. (With them as role models, it’s no wonder I didn’t get married until I was 42.)
“I go to musicals and the theatre because she enjoys it so much even though it’s not my thing,” said Snowbarger.
Not only can little acts of love strengthen relationships, they can also lift spirits and have a big
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDLY
Shari Vandervelde and her husband, Kent Snowbarger, know that relationships are give and take, but every moment they spend together speaks volumes of their love for each other.
Likewise, Vandervelde joins him in cheering for the Buffs at CU Boulder games. Even though she had no interest in football when they met, she’s learned the game and has become a fan herself. Despite their active lifestyles, they still find time to cuddle on the couch and give each other foot massages while they watch TV. “Kent cuts up fresh fruit each morning for me,” said Vandervelde. “I don’t know if he realizes how much I appreciate that.” It’s similar gestures that Maureen Beyer appreciates about her husband, Doug—like when he opens the car door for her. “It’s just a nice way to say ‘I love you,’” she said. “Everyday acts of love are taken for granted, like telling each other to drive careful when you leave the house.” That’s just one way the Beyers look
6 | COVER STORY | FEBRUARY 2019 |
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› Shari Vandervelde went to CU Boulder football games with her husband, Kent Snowbarger, before she had any interest in football. Now she loves going to games and cheers alongside him. Photo by Cloie Sandlin.
out for one another, taking the other person’s interests to heart. “With my hearing loss, she repeats a comment or story at gatherings if I’ve missed them,” said Doug. “She’s always looking out for me.”
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR
Love isn’t something that should only be reserved for your partner. Ruth Rodgers said she could write a book on all the loving things people have done for her, but what she is too humble to believe is that those people may be simply mirroring her own thoughtfulness throughout the years. As the unofficial grandma to many of the neighborhood children, Rodgers, 92, knows her neighbors and considers many of them family. “They visit often, take me on errands and even keep my bird feeders full,” she said. “Often, when I open my blinds in the morning, I have a meal sitting at the front door.” It’s not just the people who live nearby that have gone the extra
COVER STORY
GRAND JUNCTION
GRAND JUNCTION
› Ruth Rodgers, 92, said she could write a book on all the loving things people have done for her, like the help she receives from neighbors like Nancy Olsen, left, and Lou Stanton, right. Photo by Melanie Wiseman.
mile for her. After noticing how Rodgers struggled getting to the mailbox, Judd, her former mail carrier, took it upon himself to arrange for the mailbox to be moved to her front door. Now, her new carrier brings mail right to her house through all weather conditions.
Vandervelde and Snowbarger find more value in sharing experiences and creating memories together over giving gifts—especially when they can bring along their grandkids. “We go fishing, skiing and camping,” said Vandervelde. “We get
“They’re all in their 20s now and still talk about how fun that was,” said Quinn. My parents always wondered what their children would remember about growing up. One day I wrote down “100 things I remember about my childhood” and gave it to them. They lit up with joy. As a teacher, Michael Gallegos does what he can to make a positive impact on his students. “I try to always show sincere interest in the students, pay close attention and make myself available to listen to their stories,” he said. “Children are no different than adults in that they want to feel loved and special.”
LOVE IS AGELESS
True love, whether between friends, neighbors, spouses or family, comes naturally, freely and unconditionally. Never discount small acts of love. You may never realize the huge impact they have. ■
9:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m. Two Rivers Convention Center, Grand Junction For information call 243-8829
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When Shirley Quinn’s grandchildren were young, she dressed like “Valentine’s Lady,” decked head to toe in big red hearts, driving to each of their houses delivering goodies, hugs and love.
JUN E 201
“Even though they have both passed, we will always remember them as salt-of-the-earth people, never expecting anything in return,” said Steve.
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Carol and Steve Jordan were also recipients of countless acts of neighborly love when they lived part-time in Ridgway. For two decades, their neighbors Larry and Dorothy Klinger delivered fresh, homemade bread to the neighborhood and shared boxes of fresh, seasonal produce. When winter came, there was no doubt in the Jordans’ minds who was behind the stack of cut wood that appeared at their door.
Enjoy the area’s largest boomer and senior fair!
right in the blow-up swimming pool with our grandkids and let them shoot water guns at us.”
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FEBRUARY 2019 | COVER STORY | 7
BEACON SENIOR NEWS
Online dating perils can lead to pleasures By Laverne H. Bardy fter a long hiatus from men, I returned to the dating scene.
A
for attention bestowed upon them after long years of neglect by their husbands.
of heavy gloves. He showed up in rumpled bib coveralls, a dingy undershirt and dirty work boots. He looked at me and said, “You’re fatter than your picture.” I resisted saying, “You’re more revolting than yours.” He sprang for a Coke and a bag of Ruffles potato chips. It was the only time I did not offer to share the bill.
found fault with his salmon, the tiny silverware, the wait staff and my shoes. He blamed his ex-wife for his estranged relationship with his sons because she allowed him to play golf every spare moment during their marriage. “She should have insisted I stay home,” he growled.
Sadly their assessment was accuI laughed. “You’re joking, right?” Online dating sounded wonderful. rate in many cases. Frankie and I had just one lengthy I put together a bio that painted a “Hell, no!” online session. We shared many clear picture of who I am and that Lying is rampant online; mostly reDick’s last nameInns should been owne Thestatus. PARC Acute Rehab Center) is have a family interests. After about an hour, he at Larchwood garding age and marital But (Post said I was not interested in a comHead. wrote,listened “How old are I’m 12.” physicians and our community to de the fact that I trusted no one didn’t mitted relationship. That, apparentbusiness. We have to you? families, After months of delightful online ruin the fun I was having. ly, appealed to most men because I gasped. “What? I’m provides considerablyphysical, a Rehabilitation Center that occupational, conversation with Brent, and I took speech the I was flooded with responses. I older than you,” I wrote. Good looks and chemistry matter train to meet him. I entered therapies for your post surgical and post hospital therapy needs.his conlearned that two weeks of daily to me, but chemistry is the sum “Wait, don’t sign off,” he typed. “I do and found the dining room table correspondence with a person can of a person; not merely an attraclove older women.” beautifully set with china dishes, We was offer offer more insight than a dozen tive face. Monty’s photo notprivate and semi-private rooms that include all the modern amen Dick was an ophthalmologist. He silverware and crystal goblets. He traditional dates. Intellect, sense of for youbutor your loved one to enjoy. particularly appealing to me, was well traveled, and as I came to said his table is always set. A closer humor,compassion goals, tolerances, passions, conversations were fascinating. and dignity our in living discover, a snob and a moron. He look revealed an inch of dust on evWe He won me over with his work sense ofwith Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, private and politics, prejudices and countless .;_ humor and intelligence. subtleties are rapidly revealed. commercial insurances, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Federal Workman's comp., an
a.
I learned that time hadn’t changed men’s primal urges. The only difference now was finesse and patience were lacking. Men had the notion that divorcees should be grateful
Friends tried to dissuade us from moving so fast. We checked our birth certificates and determined that waiting wasn’ttheanmoment option.you walk
Henry worked in an Black abbey. I Lung, had no Tricare, Champ VA and many others. idea what he did there since he was so secretive. I agreedCome to meettake him a tour today! You can feel the difference out of curiosity. His claim to fame through our doors. was he fed squirrels without benefit
The *PARC at Larchwood InnsFeaturing the is a family owned business. Alter G We have listened to families, physicians and our community to design a Rehabilitation Center that provides physical, occupational, and speech therapies for your post surgical and post hospital therapy needs.
70 245-0022 .larchwoodinns.com
We offer private and semi-private rooms that include all the modern amenities for you or your loved one to enjoy.
Anti-Gravity compassion and dignity i Treadmill .;_
a.
hwood Inns• 2845 15th Street• Grand Junction, CO 815 We work with Medicare, Medicare North Advantage, Medicaid, private and commercial insurances, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Federal Workman’s comp., and Black Lung, Tricare, Champ VA and many others.
Come take a tour today! You can feel the difference the moment you walk through our doors. (*Post Acute Rehab Center)
245-0022
970 www.larchwoodinns.com Larchwood Inns 2845 North 15th Street Grand Junction,Bronze CO 81501 2017 AHCA/NCAL Commitment
to Quality Award Recipient 8 | FEBRUARY 2019 |
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Skilled Nursing and Post Acute Rehab Center
Featuring the Alter G Anti-Gravity Treadmill
BEACON SENIOR NEWS > After a long hiatus from men, Laverne Bardy returned to the dating scene—online. There were a few flops, but then she met Marc, an unexpected match!
while San Diego certainly was off Broadway, it was too far off Broadway to be off Broadway. He thought that anything not on Broadway was classified as off Broadway.
erything. And, when Brent shopped, he bought two of everything; from shirts to can openers to televisions. His entire diet consisted only of pizza and burgers. I was wearing a skirt when I met Alan. He complimented me on my lovely, slim calves, which is all he could see from below my hemline. “I bet you have beautiful legs,” he said. “You might be disappointed,” I admitted with candor. “My thighs are not nearly as slim as my calves.” “I’m not an idiot,” he shot back. “Do you really think I thought those piano calves had the strength to hold up that large ass?” And finally, I met Marc. He lived in the next state over. He had been the sole caretaker for his wife of 47 years who had Alzheimer’s. He was looking for happily ever after. I was looking for something to do on Saturday nights. We exchanged lengthy emails, which evolved into six-hour phone conversations, during which he asked if I curse. “Is this a trick question?” “No.” I paused. “Well, sometimes, ‘oh darn’ just doesn’t do it.” It turned out he wanted a woman who knew how to spice up a conversation. He told me he had performed off Broadway when he lived in San Diego. I explained that
He suggested visiting me. I suggested he was crazy. “If you come here, where will I run if you’re an axe murderer?”
Question
“I’m not that kind of girl. What would my neighbors, my children and my parents think?” Then I remembered I didn’t know my neighbors, my children hadn’t always been prime examples of propriety, and my parents had passed away. So I jumped into my car. He jumped into his and he followed me for four and a half hours to my home, where he remained for 10 weeks, during which we discussed growing feelings and future plans. Friends tried to dissuade us from moving so fast. We checked our birth certificates and determined that waiting wasn’t an option. We’ve been happily together for 14 years and married for 12. We discovered that we grew up seven miles from each other, and I had dated boys from his high school while he was there. ■
Month
How did you meet the love of your life? Britton Purser “I met my wife, Ami, in the art department at Colorado Mesa University. When we went on a school trip to Santa Fe, it wound up being just the two of us who were interested in seeing the art and architecture, so we hung out. I knew she was the one when it was obvious to all our friends that we were in love. They knew before we admitted it to ourselves.”
We decided to meet in the middle. He learned I favor linebackers. He isn’t. I discovered he prefers petite. I’m not. But after three days and nights of divulging, evaluating, analyzing, sharing and laughing, he decided his search was over and I discovered he filled gaps I never knew existed. He asked if he could go home with me. I flatly refused.
of the
Jeannie Miller “I first met my husband when he bought some furniture I was selling before moving out of Colorado. I knew he was the one because he loved to cook and had a great sense of humor. We’ll be married for 33 years in March.”
Betty Milner “I met my husband through a friend he went to high school with. I can’t say there was something specific about knowing he was the one. I just always knew. We had been married for 53 years before he passed.”
Bob Anderson “I met my wife, Jodie, in the RV business. She came in to get some parts and the guys paged me so I could meet her—they were always trying to set me up. Our first date didn’t go so well. I was smoking cigarettes and drinking whiskey when I found out she was against both. I thought ‘that’s that.’ One day, months later, a girl caught my eye in the parking lot of Walmart. I spun around and it was her. We started talking, then she jumped on the back of my motorcycle and we’ve been together ever since. How did I know she was the one? We’re complete opposites, so I don’t know how it works, but I know it does!”
Compiled by Corey Colombin
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9
RECIPES
Crispy Baked Wings with Chipotle Barbecue Sauce or Nashville-Style Sauce Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Servings: 4-6 WINGS: 2 tablespoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 4 1/2 pounds chicken wings, drums and flats separated, tips removed
M O N DAY - T H U R S DAY U N T I L 6 P M
Early DinE
CHIPOTLE BARBECUE SAUCE: 1 cup barbecue sauce 3 tablespoons Tabasco Chipotle Sauce 2 tablespoons lime juice
NASHVILLE-STYLE SAUCE: 6 tablespoons Tabasco Sauce 8 tablespoons butter, softened 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS Heat oven to 425 F. In bowl, combine baking powder, salt, paprika and black pepper. Shake over both sides of wings.
HAPPY HOUR
C HO O SE F ROM
4- 6
11 DINNERS
eek 7 Days A W
$2.50
domestic pi
$3.75
Place seasoned wings on rack over foil-lined sheet pan.
FOR
nts
premiu m pi
To make Chipotle Barbecue Sauce: In bowl, mix barbecue sauce, Tabasco Chipotle Sauce and lime juice.
nts
Or, to make Nashville-Style Wing Sauce: In bowl, mix Tabasco Sauce, butter, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder and salt. Set aside.
500
$ ORIGINAL ROCKS
Our original margaritas have three tequilas and are specially blended with our signature sweet and sour, orange juice and agave nectar.
18 oz.
Bake 20 minutes, turn wings over and cook additional 20 minutes in convection oven or 30 minutes in conventional oven. Cooked wings should reach at least 180 degrees F internal temperature with crispy texture.
Call ahead seating 243-5700
Remove wings from oven. Toss wings with preferred sauce and serve.
2870 North Avenue
Recipe courtesy of Tobasco
10 | RECIPES | FEBRUARY 2019 |
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ASK THE OLD BAG
What kind of generation of kids are our kids raising? Dear Old Bag: A couple years ago I wrote to you regarding my loneliness after my wife passed away. You suggested I move to an independent retirement community that had all levels of care. It took me about a year to take your advice, but I finally did, and it may have been the best decision I’ve ever made. The people here and the staff have become family to me. I still golf—I’m actually more active than I was at home. We go to the symphony and ball games on our bus, which takes us right to the door—no driving or worrying about parking. Readers, do this while you can still enjoy it. Don't wait until you can't enjoy this life. Signed, Smart Dear Smart: It is always good to hear from someone who felt I gave good advice! Your letter serves as a good reminder to those who shy away from retirement communities until they “need” them. If you put it off until you need care, then you cannot always qualify for independent living. OB Dear Old Bag: My mother is an 80-year-old widow going on 16. She got this wild idea about joining a dating site and has turned into a teenager. She met a man five years younger than her and I think she is sleeping with him. My sisters and I are mortified. Please advise. Signed, MGB Dear MGB: I do not think you are going to like my answers, but first some questions: Don't you want your mother to be happy? Don’t you want happiness for yourself when you are 80? Have you read any of the articles that say romance
can lengthen your life? If your mother is giddy, like a teenager in love, why is that wrong at any age? Intimacy does not belong just to the young. It is not shameful; it is beautiful. Please try to be joyful that your mother is living her life to the fullest. OB Dear Old Bag: I read an article about a teacher who was fired for giving some of her students zeros for not completing their work. That got me thinking about some of my own grandchildren and how they’re growing up. My kids frequently tell me, “We don’t say ‘no’ to our children; we redirect them.” Then I hear others say their grandchildren received trophies for just being on the team. What kind of children are we raising to where they are rewarded for showing up instead of exceeding expectations? If they want to rob a bank, will we just redirect them? How will they learn to be industrious, hard working, honest and successful? What do you think about this? Signed, Old Fogie Dear Fogie: I guess I am an old fogie, too! I was raised with the attitude that there is right and wrong, and you were never too young to learn. I stole a tricycle when I was 5, and I felt the peach stick on my rear all the way taking it back to where it belonged. I never took another thing in my life. That is how we were “redirected” in my day. When we received an award, it was because we worked hard to get it. Every generation has their methods, but this one is lost on me. OB ■
ASK THE OLD BAG
ADVICE COLUMN FOR THE OVER 50 CROWD BY GAYLE LAGMAN-CRESWICK
Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at lagmancreswick@gmail.com
The carefree lifestyle you want...
In a tranquil neighborhood all your own. The Cottages let you live independently while giving you the freedom to make the most of your retirement. Our single-level patio homes offer privacy and luxury with open living plans featuring two bedrooms, two baths, vaulted ceilings, contemporary kitchens, gas fireplace, covered patio and a one-car garage. All nestled in a quiet neighborhood with beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces and walking trails. Enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle with paid utilities, weekly housekeeping, snow removal, lawn maintenance and a flexible meal plan at our Commons or Fountains dining rooms. Plus you and your N loved ones get peace of mind with a 24Hom ew e hour emergency response system. Call or Avai s Now visit today for a tour and free lunch. labl
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11
HEALTHY GEEZER
Pinch yourself to measure your water intake
T
he eight-by-eight rule, which has been around for as long as I can remember, states that you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day—one half-gallon. A nice guideline, but the amount of water you should drink is really dependent upon the state of your personal health. See your doctor for advice that’s specific to you. I can never follow the eight-byeight rule myself. Eighty percent of your total water intake is from all beverages, including soda, coffee and beer. You get the remaining 20 percent from food. For me, all that fluid has me doing what my granddaughter calls “the pee-pee dance.”
kidney disease, you may actually need to cut back on fluids.
eat enough each day to compensate for lost fluids.
and swollen tongue.
Some experts recommend using your weight as a guideline for water intake. They say to divide your weight in half and use the number of pounds to determine the number of ounces of water you should drink daily. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, you should drink 60 ounces of water a day.
Without water, we become dehydrated and all of our systems suffer. Dehydration is especially dangerous to seniors, who are less able to sense it than younger people.
The Institute of Medicine advises men to consume 125 ounces of beverages daily and women to consume 91 ounces of total beverages a day.
A good way for seniors to check their hydration levels is the pinch test. Pinch the skin on top of your hands. If it doesn’t return to its normal state, you need to drink more water.
This may be a lot to ponder, but the simplest answer I could find to “How much water should I drink?” is this: If you aren’t thirsty and you produce one to two quarts of light yellow urine daily—the average output for an adult—you’re probably taking in enough water. ■
Another way to ensure that you are drinking enough water is by following a replacement guideline. You urinate one to two quarts a day. Another quart of water is lost through sweating, exhaling and defecating. Make sure you drink and
Drinking an insufficient amount of fluids is a common problem. However, in rare cases, if you have conditions such as heart failure and
Other signs of dehydration include fatigue, headache, dizziness, flushed skin, elevated pulse rate, muscle spasms, increased breathing rate
HEALTHY GEEZER, BY FRED CICETTI
Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email him directly at fred@healthygeezer.com
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12 | HEALTH & WELLNESS | FEBRUARY 2019 |
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6 life-saving reasons to eat cauliflower
O
ne of my favorite meals to enjoy with my husband is homemade chicken soup with a slice of sourdough bread and melted butter.
We usually chatter during meals and tell funny stories, but when soup and bread hit the table we go silent. Sam, my husband, said, “We always eat our soup and bread silently because we are mentally calculating how to time the last bite so it’s perfect.” So true. Recently, we decided to make this simple yet delicious meal a little differently. We used peas instead of celery, red onions instead of white ones and shredded cauliflower instead of rice. That was the biggest and most pleasant surprise because I didn’t think it would actually work. You can save time by buying shredded cauliflower in bags in the produce department of your grocery store. Someone should have bagged this stuff decades ago! It holds up remarkably well, even days later. It’s just like rice except, with cauliflower, you get the most incredible health benefits. It’s a crucifer like its green cousins, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, so it has the same cancer-fighting properties. Here’s why you should cook with cauliflower: 1) Cauliflower contains sulforaphanes, the compound that gives it a funky sulfur smell, which has been isolated and studied. It clearly demonstrates cancer-fighting promise in both animal models and test tube studies, especially for breast, prostate and other reproductive cancers.
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2) Cauliflower contains many antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals. There are many, but the more recognizable ones are quercetin, vitamin K, vitamin C, beta-carotene and kaempferol. 3) Cauliflower protects your bones because it is a rich, natural source of vitamin K and C, as well as minerals like potassium, manganese and phosphorus. 4) Cauliflower gives you a low-carb alternative to digestible fiber to help you achieve regular bowel movements while eliminating toxins stuck in the deep crevices of your gut. 5) Sulforaphanes and glucosinolates found in cauliflower fight helicobacter pylori. That fact alone should reduce your risk of colon cancer. 6) Cauliflower contains I3C (indole 3 carbinol), which helps metabolize estrogen into anti-cancer byproducts that are good for both men and women. I3C has been studied for its role in cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis. ■
24/7 EmErgEncy Surgical SErvicES and morE
DEAR PHARMACIST BY SUZY COHEN Send your questions to Suzy in care of the BEACON or via her website, www.suzycohen.com
300 W Ottley Ave • Fruita, CO 81521 (970)-858-3900 fhw.org
SERVICES PROVIDED BY
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13
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Medicare Moment:
Monthly tips and tidbits about Medicare and Medicare fraud
Get the most out of your Medicare preventive services Live a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease by exercising, eating well, keeping a healthy weight, and not smoking. Medicare pays for many preventive services to keep you healthy. If you have Original Medicare and a doctor who accepts assignment, Part B-covered preventive services are covered. Preventive services, such as exams, shots, lab tests and screenings, can find health problems early when treatment works best. They also include programs for health monitoring, counseling and education to help you take care of your own health. Register at MyMedicare.gov to get direct access to your preventive health information and to find out what is covered. You can also call your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 243-9839. Take charge of your health in 2019!
422 White Ave., Suite 090 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday www.rsvpgrandjunction.org
Awareness is key to heart disease prevention, but many remain unaware By Teresa Ambord
There is some good news in the fight against heart disease: In the last decade, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is down almost 30 percent. Through intense efforts at educating the public, agencies like the American Heart Association (AHA) with programs like Go Red for Women, have made great strides in spreading the word. Studies show that this education is effective in actually reducing the incidence of heart disease; but even so, certain segments of the population are not getting the message.
H
eart disease remains an enormous problem for women in general, and a significantly higher cause of death in black women. Why the difference? Studies indicate that lack of awareness is the major swing factor. In fact, based on their responses to surveys, black and Hispanic women are 66 percent less likely to be aware that heart disease is a leading killer of women.
are also problems with the data itself. Fewer minority participants in studies make it difficult to analyze conclusively.
Making this even more significant is the fact that some risk factors tend to be more common in these minorities. Black women are more prone to hypertension and Hispanic women are at greater risk for diabetes. Both of these are conditions leading to a higher likelihood of developing heart disease.
While there is time, talk over an emergency plan with your spouse or someone close to you. The National Institutes of Health recommends that you
Researchers admit that while the evidence points to a lack of awareness among these groups, there
focus on people
our residents
their lives
their families Sub-acute care ■ 24-hour skilled nursing ■ Rehabilitation Long-term care ■ Dementia care Hospice and Respite care ■ Secured Alzheimer’s unit
�\l/� Third Street �\l/� 151 East 151 East Third StreetPeach Peach
Grove Grove Palisade, CO 81526 Palisade, CO 81526 isade Palisade Living Center Living Center REHABILITATION REHABILITATION 970-464-7500 970-464-7500
111m 111m
14 | HEALTH & WELLNESS | FEBRUARY 2019 |
AWARENESS MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Organizations are heating up efforts to get this information into the hands of all women. If knowledge is power, then in this case, it has the power to save lives.
chest. The discomfort usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain—even like heartburn or indigestion. • Upper body discomfort. You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw or upper part of the stomach. • Shortness of breath. This may be your only symptom, or it may occur before or along with chest pain or discomfort. It can occur when you are resting or doing a little bit of physical activity.
• Ask your doctor about your risk for heart attack and whether he or she recommends that you take aspirin if symptoms of a heart attack occur.
• Breaking out in a cold sweat.
• Make a list of important information and keep it in a handy place, like on your refrigerator. The list should include medicines you take, medicines you cannot take due to allergies, and key phone numbers, such as for your physician and close family members.
• Light-headedness or dizziness.
• If you suspect you or someone with you is having a heart attack, acting quickly can save a life. Ask your physician for materials describing heart disease symptoms and signs of heart attacks.
SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK NIH lists these common signs:
• Chest pain or discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the
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• Feeling unusually tired for no reason, sometimes for days. • Nausea and vomiting. • Any sudden, new symptoms or a change in the pattern of symptoms you already have. The NIH goes on to report that heart attacks can occur without presenting any of these signs. They can start slowly and cause only mild pain or discomfort. Symptoms also may come and go over several hours. The most common symptom, in both women and men, is chest pain or discomfort, but women are also somewhat more likely to have shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, unusual tiredness (sometimes for days), and pain in the back, shoulders and jaw. ■
BEACON SENIOR NEWS
Cryotherapy: A cool way to alleviate arthritis pain
“It’s been a year since my first cryo session and my life has changed! Now I walk three miles a day, get great sleep, have lots of energy and live without rheumatoid arthritis pain—and that’s without medication! I feel like the person I was 12 years ago before that dreaded diagnosis. I’m thankful that I can now share a fuller life with my husband and sons, and that I can do more to bless them.” - Whole body cryotherapy client
Not to be confused with
fight or flight response. This
cryogenics and Walt Disney,
causes the blood to temporar-
the history of cryotherapy can
ily leave the hands and feet to
be traced back to ancient
protect the body’s vital organs,
Greece when it was reported
pushing more oxygen, enzymes
that Hippocrates prescribed
and nutrients into the blood.
the use of ice and snow to treat
When the treatment is over,
inflammation and pain. Then, in
the enriched blood flows back
1978, Dr. Yamaguchi of Japan
into the body, releasing endor-
started using extremely cold
phins, which leads to a decrease
temperatures to treat his patients
in pain.
• INCREASES ENERGY
Cryotherapy is now used for
• BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTION
who were suffering from rheumatic diseases. The treatment was extremely successful, not just for rheumatic diseases, but for a number of other conditions as well.
the reported benefits are:
• DECREASES CELLULITE
•
We are so excited to introduce this new technology to Grand Junction that we’re making you this special offer:
Decreases inflammation and back, hip, knee, elbow, ankle and wrist pain
Call us today to get started!
cryosauna to rapidly cool the
314-7556
surface of the skin was much
Next Level Regen 2648 Patterson Road, Grand Junction
athletic performance. Some of
soreness and pain his patients joints. He learned that using a
more effective than immersing a patient in an ice bath because cryosaunas rapidly decrease the temperature of the skin’s surface, leading to an immediate
• MAXIMIZES ENDORPHIN RUSH AND IMPROVES MOOD
• INCREASES COLLAGEN PRODUCTION
tory diseases and improving elite
skin significantly reduced the were experiencing in their
• ENHANCES EXERCISE RECOVERY • BOOSTS METABOLISM
treating many chronic inflamma-
Yamaguchi discovered that rapidly cooling the surface of the
• DECREASES INFLAMMATION AND BACK, HIP, KNEE, ELBOW, ANKLE AND WRIST PAIN
50% off Whole Body Cryotherapy Money back guarantee!
*terms and conditions apply Must present coupon. Offer expires February 28, 2019
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15
BEACON SENIOR NEWS
One of the Secrets to
Making New Friends Studies show that volunteering helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills. Volunteering. Good for You. Good for Your Community. Discover all our volunteer opportunities by visiting HopeWestCO.org.
SIMPLY
EARRESISTIBLE!
FREE HEARING SCREENING
243-6440
Space is limited—call to schedule your appointment. (970) 241-2212 | HopeWestCO.org
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2532 Patterson Rd., Ste. 12 | Grand Junction | www.aaahearing.net
NEED KNEE OR HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY? The latest in robotics technology is now in the hands of fellowship-trained surgeons to provide a joint replacement experience that is second to none. Dr. Kevin Borchard and the Advanced Orthopedics team at Pioneers Medical Center combine specialized expertise with state-of-the-art technology and personal care to deliver world-class results. For more information on what Dr. Borchard and the Mako Assisted Surgery System can do to help you live without joint pain, call 970.878.9752 or visit pioneershospital.org.
100 PMC Drive • Meeker, CO • (970) 878-9752 • pioneershospital.org
16 | FEBRUARY 2019 |
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The Mako Robotic-Arm doesn’t replace our surgeons; it’s a tool that enhances the preciseness in which surgery is performed, resulting in better results with lower risks. Pioneers Medical Center is proud to be one of the first hospitals on the Western Slope to offer this technology that is transforming joint replacement surgery.
BEACON SENIOR NEWS
Readers to choose Volunteer of the Year
B
eaconFest is just around the corner, which means we need your help in selecting the 2019 BEACON Volunteer of the Year.
GRAND JUNCTION
NOMINATE A VOLUNTEER
This month we’re seeking nominations for a volunteer who has gone above and beyond his or her usual duties and responsibilities. Do you know such a volunteer? Please complete and return this nomination form no later than February 15 to include them in this event. Nominees will be featured in the March issue of the BEACON and our readers will choose the winner. All nominated volunteers will be recognized and honored with awards at BeaconFest Boomer & Senior Fair on Tuesday, April 16 at Two Rivers Convention Center, and the winner will be announced. Please note our new day of the week—BeaconFest is on a Tuesday.
HOW TO VOTE
Our readers are passionate about local volunteers. Here’s how to make your vote count when it’s time to vote: Step 1: Once you receive your March BEACON, go to www. BeaconSeniorNews.com. Step 2: Click “Vote for Volunteer of the Year” to be directed to the ballot. Step 3: Fill out the ballot and pick your favorite volunteer. (We will never send you unwanted emails or pass your information along to a third party.) Step 4: Click “Submit” You can also mail in your ballot, which will be included in the March BEACON. Mail it to: BEACON Senior Newspaper P.O. Box 3895 Grand Junction, CO 81502 ■
Volunteer of the Year Awards 2019 NOMINATION FORM Honor an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for the BEACON’s Volunteer of the Year award. Use this form to tell us a little about your organization’s volunteer and how they go above and beyond their usual duties and responsibilities. Your nomination and a head shot of your volunteer will be published in the BEACON’s March issue, at which time our readers will choose the winner. Please notify your volunteer of their nomination. The winner will be announced and all nominees will be recognized in a brief ceremony at 12:50 p.m. at BeaconFest Boomer & Senior Fair on Tuesday, April 16 at Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St., Grand Junction. Only one nomination per agency, please. Nominated volunteers must be 50 years old or older. Complete and return this form, and include a head shot of your nominated volunteer, no later than February 15, 2019 to: • Email (best): Cloie@BeaconSeniorNews.com • Mail: P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 Name of Volunteer:_______________________________________ Their phone #________________________ Nominated by: ___________________________________________ Your phone #________________________ Organization name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Qualifications: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you’re interested in advertising, or if you’d like a booth at this year’s BeaconFest, call 243-8829 for more information. WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2019 |
17
LAUGHING MATTERS
LAUGHING MATTERS
PREGNANT AT 61?
DEAR MOM
MY COLLEGE DAYS
Submitted by Larry Anderson
Submitted by Kimberly Ray
He doubted it, but he said he’d email her just to be sure.
A woman went to the doctor’s office where she was seen by one of the younger doctors. After about four minutes in the examination room, she burst out screaming as she ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was, and she told him her story.
A mom visited her son for dinner. During the course of the meal, she couldn’t help but notice how pretty his female roommate was. The mother had long been suspicious of a relationship between the two, and this only made her more curious.
He sat down and wrote:
Recently, my brother and I were reminiscing about our college days in the late ’60s. There were some really good bumper stickers and T-shirts back then. We all remember “Honk if you’re horny” and “Make love, not war.” Here are some others you may remember:
After listening, he had her sit down in another room. The older doctor marched down the hallway back to where the young doctor was writing on his clipboard. “What’s the matter with you?” The older doctor demanded. “Mrs. Terry is 61 years old, has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?” The younger doctor continued writing and without looking up said, “Does she still have the hiccups?”
Over the course of the evening, as she watched the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between them than met the eye. Reading his mom’s thoughts, the son volunteered, “I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, we are just roommates.” About a week later, his roommate came to him and said, “Ever since your mother came to dinner, I’ve been unable to find the silver plate. You don’t suppose she took it, do you?”
LL CA E! M
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Dear Mother: I’m not saying that you did take the silver plate from my house and I’m not saying that you didn’t take it, but it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner. Love, Your Son Several days later, he received an email from his mother that read: Dear Son, I’m not saying that you do sleep with your roommate, and I’m not saying that you don’t sleep with her. But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the silver plate by now, under her pillow.
Submitted by Bob Breazeale
Honk if you’re horny. Think honk if you’re telepathic. Kiss me twice. I’m schizophrenic. I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy. Does the name Pavlov ring a bell? Clones are people two. Cloning is the sincerest form of flattery. Wernher von Braun settled for a V2 when he could have had a V8.
Love, Mom
Walt Disney is in suspended animation.
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LAUGHING MATTERS Mr. Spock wears vulcanized rubbers. Darth Vader sleeps with a Teddy wookie. Van Allen wore suspenders. Thor was a flasher. Alfred Wegener was a drifter. Carl Sagan was a secret astrologer. White dwarf seeks red giant for binary relationship. Polymer physicists are into chains. Watson and Crick were into acid. Why is no lifeguard at the gene pool? Oscillating between career choices? Become a wave mechanic. LA residents, be the first in your neighborhood to own a set of tectonic plates. Microbiology lab: staph only! The meek may inherit the earth, but the rest of us will escape to the stars.
DATING GAMES
Submitted by James Moyer Two elderly people living in a retirement community (he was a widower and she a widow) had known each other for a number of years. One evening there was a community supper in the clubhouse. The two were at the same table across from one another. As the meal went on, he took a few admiring glances at her and finally gathered the courage to ask her, “Will you marry me?”
After about six seconds of careful consideration, she answered, “Yes. Yes, I will!” The meal ended and with a few more pleasant exchanges, they went to their respective places. The next morning, he was troubled because he couldn’t remember: did she say yes or did she say no?
Bringing Health Care Home to You
Try as he might, he just couldn’t recall. With trepidation, he went to the telephone and called her. First, he explained that he didn’t remember as well as he used to. Then, he reviewed the lovely evening they had spent together. As he gained a little more courage, he inquired, “When I asked if you would marry me, did you say yes or did you say no?” He was delighted to hear her say, “Why, I said, ‘Yes, yes I will.’ And, I meant it with all my heart.” Then she continued, “And I am so glad that you called because I couldn’t remember who had asked me.”
WORLD’S SHORTEST FAIRY TALE
Submitted by Genevra Shal Serving Once upon a time, a guyMesa, askedGarfield, a Pitkin, girl, “Will you marry me?” The Eagle girl and Gunnison said, “No!” And the guy lived happily Counties ever after riding motorcycles, going fishing and hunting, playing golf a lot, drinking beer and scotch, leavingServing the Mesa, toilet seat up and farting wheneverGarfield, Pitkin, Eagle and he wanted. The end. ■ Gunnison Counties
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19
HOME & GARDEN
Spring dreamin’ Spring is on the horizon, which means we gardeners are flipping through seed catalogs and doing lots of dreaming.
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lanning out the garden ignites our imagination and feeds our deep desire for new beginnings. Our gardens empower us to live out our intentions, and that’s a beautiful thing. In reading (and, let’s be honest, re-reading) seed catalogs, there’s so much more we can take away than a shopping list. Seed catalogs educate us on new and classic varieties of plants, display images that help us visualize our gardens before bringing them to life, and offer tools for planning gardens that are more abundant and resilient. Here are some of my favorites—visit their website to request a physical catalog: Johnny’s Selected Seeds (www. johnnyseeds.com) has a large se-
lection of organic and conventional seeds. This is the company I turn to when smaller seed companies don’t have what I’m looking for, and the catalog is one of the best garden planning tools out there. Johnny’s catalog is packed with practical information about growing, like optimal germination temperatures and seeding rates (so you know how densely to direct seed and how warm the soil needs to be before you can expect it to germinate). Strictly Medicinal Seeds (www. strictlymedicinalseeds.com) is rich with insight about different medicinal and culinary herbs and flowers. Their selection is vast and unique, and they offer an amazing number of different cultivars. Incorporating herbs into your garden plan adds
diversity to your landscape, invites beneficial insects and gives you an opportunity to explore herbal medicine, make herbal teas and dry your own culinary herbs.
us a jumpstart on weed prevention. As long as you have access to water, you can easily sow seeds that will start to come up as we wade into spring.
Johnny Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds (www.kitchengarden seeds.com) is fun to look through; the illustrations are lovely and they have a good selection of vegetables, herbs and flowers. None of their seeds are treated with chemicals, and their entire collection is non-GMO.
Spinach has an optimal germination temperature of around 68 to 72 degrees, and it’s hardy enough to withstand the cold temperatures of spring. Lettuce and parsnips germinate optimally between 59 and 68 degrees. Arugula and cress will also germinate in the upper 60s. Poppies will germinate between 55 and 60 degrees.
- Foundation tilting?
High Desert Seed + Gardens (www.highdesertseed.com) is based in Montrose. Laura Parker and her team are committed to growing open-pollinated, resilient seeds in the high desert. Locally grown seeds will be better adapted to our high-altitude climate, making them more drought tolerant, cold hardy and robust. Laura has a rich collection of beans, greens and flowers as well as other vegetable seeds.
- Basement leaking?
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As you start planning your garden, consider the stages of growth to come. It’s easy to jump ahead to May in our minds, but there’s so much we can do in our gardens in the spring—even without a greenhouse or cold frame. Direct seeding in early spring gives
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You can direct seed these cold-season crops by raking them into topsoil. Add an inch of straw for mulch; this will protect the seeds and sprouts from frost and will help hold in moisture while the seeds germinate. If cold-weather gardening is not your cup of tea, consider seeding an early spring cover crop like peas and oats or barley. These crops will germinate in cooler temperatures, withstand frost (under a layer of straw mulch) and help suppress weeds. Nature is amazing: tough, gorgeous and bountiful. Remember the vast possibility as you cuddle up with catalogs and dream about your garden and remember how dynamic it can be. ■
ALIVE & DIGGING BY PAIGE SLAUGHTER Send your questions to Paige in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at paige@fruitionstudio.com
BEACON SENIOR NEWS
Am I going crazy? I ’m not sure why I’m still in a book club. No matter how much I enjoyed the agreed-upon book, the details fade quickly as soon as I finish the last page. Is it time to see a professional for early signs of dementia? How else can I explain all the times I walk into a room and forget why I’m there, or attempt to put the milk in the cereal cabinet and the cereal box in the refrigerator? I’ve even cracked an egg directly into the garbage disposal instead of the bowl next to the sink. Some people call it a brain fart or a senior moment. I call it a little unnerving and worrisome. But I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand why my car door won’t open regardless of how many times I hit the unlock button on the key fob. (That happens when you’re standing next to the wrong car!) I’ve discovered all I need to do to know I’m not losing my mind is keep a sense of humor and share my awkward moments with friends, who have their share of brain farts as well. Upon returning home from a two-week cruise, my friends Jim and Janet St. Clair tore their house apart trying to find things they had safely stashed before they left. “Sometimes when you put something in a safe spot, it’s only safe from yourself,” said Jim, 71. Janet, 68, said she is horrible when it comes to remembering people’s names. At her Pampered Chef parties, she makes it a habit of having people wear name tags.
“Between the time I ask their name and go to write it down, I can forget it,” she said. “I cover myself by asking them for the correct spelling.” I’ve learned similar tricks to help me navigate these senior moments, such as retracing my steps after I forget where I’m going. I’ve also become the queen of sticky notes. Paula Reece loves lists, but they don’t do her any good when she forgets to bring them with her to the grocery store. Putting them in her phone doesn’t help since she can’t read her phone list without the glasses she might also forget to bring.
For a list of participating restaurants + to view their special menus, visit :
“I can’t multitask as well anymore, and I make out my grocery list in order of the store layout,” said Reece, 54. “I never used to do that. I write everything down now.” My friend Julie Bursi said people who don’t forget things aren’t normal. “It’s not just as we age,” said Bursi, 70. “When I was young, I did the same things. We had the same number of brain cells, we just didn’t use them all.” One time I was sitting in my car in a parking lot when a woman opened the back door and tossed in her bags. “Hello,” I said. “Oh my gosh,” the woman said, embarrassed. “I thought this was my car.” I felt instant camaraderie with the woman. Welcome to the club. ■
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BOOMER BEAT BY MELANIE WISEMAN Send your questions to Melanie in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at melaniewisewoman@gmail.com WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2019 |
21
TRAVEL
LA CALST L
2019 Escorted Tours from Grand Junction
March 29-31 – DENVER THEATRE WEEKEND TOUR The company that brought you the Gaylord Opryland Resort comes to Denver!
Weekend getaways for reigniting the spark
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By Kimberly Blaker
egardless of your age or how long you’ve been married or in a relationship, nurturing it is necessary to maintaining and strengthening your bond and keeping the romance alive. AVAILABLE!” STILL IS SPACE WHILE -NOW “BOOK Come explore and enjoy 2 nights at the NEW Consider some of these weekend getaways for reigniting the spark. CHRISTMAS ! November 29 – December 3, 2017 - OZARK MOUNTAIN
Gaylord Rockies Resort including Hello, Dolly! Tabuchi, Lennons & Osmonds, Shows: Shoji Seven Branson Holiday Branson Belle Showboat, Presleys’ Country Christmas…and more! In Western Colorado, there are at the Buell Theatre & Oliver! at the Candlelight A Jolly Good Way to begin the Holiday Season! TOUR / CRUISE ALASKA 2018 6, June – 25 May plenty of escapes within a halfDinner Theatre. Wonder at Alaska’s beauty on a 4 night visit to Fairbanks, Denali National Park,
and Mt day’s drive or less. You might even CALL FOR DETAILS & PRICING! stunning “Coral Princess” visiting Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau & Ketchikan. McKinley then Sail-away for 7 days down the Inside Passage on the
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(Skyline Building behind WW Peppers)
Terry Eakle
Escorting Custom Tours from Grand Junction Since 1985.
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consider hopping on a short flight for more choices. Get your wheels spinning with these ideas.
Call for details and pricing!
751 Horizon Court, Suite 249 Grand Junction, CO 81506 • 434-6494
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(Skyline Building behind WW Peppers)
A dude ranch - Spend a weekend cowboy style at one of the many dude ranches offering accommodations around the country. Enjoy horseback riding, wagon rides, hiking, fishing, cowboy cookouts, dancing, relaxing in a hot tub and plenty of western charm. The Dude Ranchers’ Association’s website has a list of ranches in the area and outlines their amenities. Find your next dude ranch getaway at www. duderanch.org. Golf getaway - Choose from one of many weekend golf packages or create your own by making accommodations near some of the courses you’ve been dying to play. You can’t beat the view at many of the golf courses on either side of the Rockies! Bed and breakfast - You can find a romantic bed and breakfast almost anywhere! Find a quaint town with old-time charm and stroll through a historical neighborhood, window shop, dine in local cafes, enjoy old-fashioned ice cream, take a riverfront walk, and visit historic sites. Contact the town’s visitor’s center or chamber of commerce for a list of accommodations. You can even find some unique stays at www. airbnb.com A trip down memory lane - Remember those carefree days early in your relationship? Make your reservation at a hotel in the area
where you met or where you’ve shared other special moments, then spend the weekend revisiting your past. Eat at the restaurant of your first date, visit parks you once enjoyed, or even reenact some of your favorite dates. Lover’s Lane - Make accommodations with an in-room Jacuzzi, then dedicate your first evening to a mini-shopping spree at a nearby lingerie store. Choose items for each other to try on to discover what your partner likes. Purchase something you each found appealing on the other. Then spend the weekend having breakfast in bed and catching up on movies. Don’t forget to bring fragrant candles, a portable stereo, your favorite music and fun stuff for your weekend. A weekend of culture and class You don’t have to go to the big city for high-class happenings. Select a top-notch hotel with fine dining and a luxurious room and reserve tickets in advance to an area play, musical or event. Be sure to bring along your best attire. Ouray’s Wright Opera House hosts a variety of movies, music, theatre and lectures in this historic building established in 1888. To view upcoming events, visit www.thewrightoperahouse.org or call 325-4399. Creede Repertory Theatre in Creede, Colorado, offers world-class comedy, musicals and theatre. Their 2019 season features “Peter and the Starcatcher,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Boomtown: Explosive Improv Comedy” and more. For tickets and details, visit www.creede rep.org.
TRAVEL Mystery weekend - Witness the suspense of murder mystery dinner theatre. Mesa Murder Mysteries in Grand Junction offers a killer combination of comedy, sleuthing and audience participation. Enjoy a laughter-filled evening with your beau as you try and identify the murderer. But be prepared. If you’re not the murderer, you could wind up the victim. Visit them on Facebook or call 628-1987. Amusement park - Get in touch with your inner child. Make a reservation at an amusement park resort so you can take breaks and come and go as you please. Music lover’s weekend - Buy concert tickets, then plan a weekend of musical merriment. Reserve a room near the concert hall, then catch a cab for a designated driver. Winter Resort - There’s no shortage of snow this year. If you like the cold and snow, spend the weekend at a winter recreation resort. Hit the slopes or cross-country trails, toboggan, or go ice-skating. When you’re done, warm up with hot cocoa by a fire. Festivals - Contact your visitor’s bureau or chamber of commerce to discover upcoming festivals and book a reservation in the area. Make sure to check out the BEACON’s guide to summer travel and festivals coming out in June!
Camping and canoeing - Enjoy a weekend of water, sunshine and sleeping under the stars. Find a canoe rental facility that offers riverbank camping and overnight trips. Rimrock Adventures in Fruita and is a great place to get started.
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Second honeymoon - Renew your vows and take a second honeymoon. Write your own promise to recite to your partner, and each of you bring a gift of your appreciation for the other to serve as a future reminder of your renewed commitment to each other. Don’t forget the honeymoon suite.
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Make it a surprise - Pull this off and you’ll have your partner eating out of your hand. See how far you can drag your partner along before he or she discovers the surprise.
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You can also research and plan your weekend so it isn’t over before you get started. Discuss your expectations with your partner beforehand so you don’t arrive with different ideas that’ll lead to disappointment. Come to a mutual agreement that meets both of your needs so you’ll both come home feeling renewed. Discuss costs and spending in advance to avoid arguments that could ruin the weekend. Leave your cell phone at home to avoid unnecessary interruptions. Finally, keep in mind some things might not go as planned. Take it in stride and be flexible because it’s about renewal and each other. ■
WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2019 | TRAVEL |
23
BEACON SENIOR NEWS
More than just Jersey
The Jersey Tenors come to Grand Junction By Jan Weeks f you are planning to skip the fourth performance of the Community Concerts season, fuggedaboutit! The Jersey Tenors hit town on Friday, March 1 with a rollicking opera/rock mash-up that includes songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen.
I
“We’re Jersey proud,” said the band’s manager and singer Brian Noonan, 51. But there’s more than just Jersey, according to Noonan. “We’ll be performing the first installment of the show, which ranges from East Coast music to Europe, where we sing music from France, Spain, Italy and England before circling back to our New Jersey repertoire.” The group loves being able to cross over different styles of music. Noonan said that originally, the
group sang mostly Frankie Valli and songs from the musical, “Jersey Boys.” They now mash up all different styles—even Jersey girl Whitney Houston is covered toward the end of the second act. “It takes a lot of work and dedication to keep practicing, creating the harmonies,” Noonan said. Their dedication to perfecting their style is evident in such classics as France’s “La Mer (Beyond the Sea),” Italy’s “Torna Surriento,” “Granada” from Spain, and a Queen medley of “Bohemian Rhapsody/Killer Queen.” Then they return to their roots with “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Bruce Springsteen’s “Jersey Girl,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” plus a medley from Kool and the Gang. The group has played many venues, from clubs to cruise ship, from concert halls to outdoor stages. They perform a lot in the Catskills, New York’s famous mountain resort area
where many comedians, musicians and acts started. Atlantic City casinos and resorts also welcome them. Florida country clubs and communities provide more opportunities to share their music. As Noonan says, touring gives them a way to “get to explore the whole country again.”
starring Italian men.
The Jersey Tenors have performed on all seven continents, including a show on Palmer Island, where a small group of scientists who study Antarctica live year round. They’ve also presented their music on cruise ships that stopped in Africa, French Polynesia and Australia.
Noonan is from Randolph, New Jersey. The three other cast members—Vaden Thurgood, 36; Matthew Billman, 32; and Dylan Ratell, 36—are from New York City, which is only hop and a skip away.
The show is not just about the performers. Noonan said they love to meet people after the show, and at times they ask for the house lights to be brought up so they can encourage the audience to sing along. Though this will be the Tenors’ first time in Grand Junction, they’ve performed in Montrose and loved the area. There will be all new songs and a new story line, Noonan said. The title of the new installment is “Jersey Tenors Make America Guido Again,” based on songs movies
“We’ve picked songs from the 10 top movies that have actors with the sacred virtue of Guidoism,” Noonan explained with a chuckle, referencing the boldness and audacity of Italian performers such as Frank Sinatra, Tom Cruise, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
The performance will take place Friday, March 1 at the Grand Junction High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:45 and the concert begin at 7:30. Parking lot space is limited and people start filling the lobby early, as seating is open and on a first-come, first-served basis. This concert is included in the 2018-19 CCGV season ticket package. If you don’t have season tickets, non-subscriber tickets are $25 each, and can be bought at www.community concertsgrandvalley.org or at the door, if available. ■
TICKET GIVEAWAY! DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES TO WIN!
Gypsy jazz quintet Black Market Trust canceled their performance earlier this season but are returning to Grand Junction for a makeup show at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 24. The Jersey Tenors play just days later on March 1.
2 WAYS TO ENTER
1) Like BEACON Senior Newspaper and Community Concerts of the Grand Valley on Facebook for your chance to win a pair of tickets to a show of your choice! To enter, tag us in a post with the name of the band you want to see. 2) Don’t have Facebook? Tell us which show you want to see and why by emailing Beacon@PendantPublishing.com, or mail us a note at:
› The Jersey Tenors come to Grand Junction High School at 7:30 p.m. on March 1.
24 | FEBRUARY 2019 |
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BEACON Senior News, PO Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502. Don’t forget to include your name and phone number. Winners will be notified by February 18.
TRAVEL
BEACON BEST
TY N U O C MESA
T S E B L OCAL
LOVE
Readers’ most loved locales revealed
D
2019
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And the
WINNERS are... Downtown Grand Junction Best Farmers Market__________________________________________ Las Marias Best Mexican Food ___________________________________________ Kohl’s Best Clothing Store___________________________________________ Tuesday Morning Best Place to Buy Gifts_________________________________________ Fisher’s Discount Liquor Barn Best Liquor Store_____________________________________________ Heirlooms for Hospice Best Secondhand Store________________________________________ VisualEyes Eyecare Best Optical Store____________________________________________ Chow Down Best Pet Supply Store__________________________________________ Wells Fargo Advisors Best Financial Planner_________________________________________ Western Slope Auto Best Auto Dealership__________________________________________ Scotty’s Complete Car Care Center Best Auto Repair_____________________________________________ Discount Tire Best Tire Store_______________________________________________ Bookcliff Gardens Best Garden Nursery__________________________________________ Avalanche Heating Cooling Plumbing Best Heating & Cooling Service__________________________________ Thompson Enterprises Best Landscaping/Lawn Care Service_____________________________ Hawaii Best Place to Vacation_________________________________________ Pufferbelly Best Place for Breakfast________________________________________ Main Street Bagels Best Place for Lunch__________________________________________ WW Peppers Best Place for Dinner__________________________________________ Avalon Theatre Best Date Night Location______________________________________ Main Street Bagels Best Place for Coffee__________________________________________ Carlson Vineyards Best Winery_________________________________________________ Serpents Trail Best Hiking Trail______________________________________________ Dinosaur Journey Best Place to Take the Grandkids________________________________ Tiara Rado Best Place to Golf_____________________________________________ Kannah Creek Best Local Beer_______________________________________________ Jeopardy! Best Thing on TV_____________________________________________ Pablo’s Best Pizza Place______________________________________________ 26 | TRAVEL | FEBRUARY 2019 |
WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM
Introducing the BEACON Best
T
MESA COU NTY
BEST L OCA
L
he nominations are in and the results have been tallied. BEACON readers spent the last two months nominating their favorite local hot spots. Now, we’re excited to reveal the BEACON Best—nearly 30 restaurants, shops, service providers and more who rise above the rest for Mesa County boomers and seniors.
Carrie Sanders, 72, it’s because of the extent the staff goes to in order to make sure shoppers—and their pets—have a pleasant experience.
“There are other, similar contests, but none specifically from the viewpoint of boomers and seniors,” said BEACON Publisher Kevin VanGundy. “Nothing else focuses on the businesses and services they particularly like.”
Sanders said the staff is helpful in helping her find products her dog likes and that help with her dog’s allergies.
Although this year’s winners span many different industries, they all have something in common—each provides a high-quality experience in a welcoming, friendly environment. One huge component of that is a dedication to superior customer service. “Many of our readers grew up in an age where service came with everything you bought,” VanGundy said. Unfortunately, some businesses treat customer service as if it’s old-fashioned and out of style. The winners of this year’s BEACON Best Awards do not feel the same way. “We try to accommodate seniors and work around their schedules,” said Maggie Heiser, office manager for Avalanche Heating Cooling Plumbing, the BEACON Best winner in the best heating and cooling services category. “We inspect their equipment for potential maintenance issues and catch them before they occur.” Readers voted Chow Down Pet Supplies as the best pet supply store for the second year in a row. According to long-time customer
LOVED
2019
“We are attentive to customers and take time to listen and share information,” said Autumn Udovitch.
“They’re cheerful and you can tell they care,” she said. “It’s even nice that they carry out heavy bags of dog food to the car for me.” Main Street Bagels won the jackpot, earning two awards for the best place for coffee and for lunch. “This means a lot to us since there are a lot of other places our guests can choose to patronize,” said owner Mark Smith. “Truly, since 1995, our guests have been voting for us just by visiting.” Smith credits his lively staff for helping guests feel welcome. “Our staff is comprised of people you would probably want to have as friends,” he said. “They support us tremendously, just like they do for our guests young and old.” While VanGundy hopes that other businesses will take note of the BEACON Best Awards and think about ways to make their establishments more senior friendly, he said the idea of the contest is to recognize the businesses and services that seniors love. It’s this kind of attitude that sets the BEACON Best apart. ■
BEACON SENIOR NEWS BEST FARMERS MARKET
BEST PET SUPPLY STORE
“Thank you for your ongoing support of Downtown, from attending our events to shopping and dining and supporting small business.”
“We appreciate your business and trust in providing care and information for your beloved pets!”
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BEST SECOND HAND STORE “We are grateful that you appreciate the value of items we provide and giving back to our community.” - Mandy Vindiola, Heirlooms for Hospice
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H I L L T O P
TALKING DIGITAL
You can learn a lot from the internet, but don’t use it to evaluate your health T his month I am going to write about technology and health. However, I’m not going to explain how technology can keep you healthy. Instead, I am going to tell you how NOT to use technology in relation to your health.
My family has a varied history of health issues. My wife has endometriosis, she is legitimately allergic to the cold, and she is undergoing a multi-phase dental procedure that likely won’t be complete until early next year. Even though I have decades of family experience with researching health issues, it was my own health problems that inspired me to write this column. Emotionally and mentally, I never felt able to deal with day-to-day life in the same way my peers seemed to. As an adult, my wife has encouraged me many times to talk to a
doctor about possible diagnoses and treatments for depression and anxiety. I listened to her concerns but decided to do my own research rather than see a doctor.
WebMD, Psychology Today and countless other websites were packed with information on conditions, medications, treatments and side effects. Once I learned all there was to know, I was terrified. I suspected that I was borderline schizophrenic, bipolar, codependent and hyperactive with delusions of grandeur. I even tried to connect my fear of large ocean creatures and my loathing of sticky hands to whatever influence my limbic system had on my emotions. When I reached 40, my episodes got worse. I began to disconnect from many of the things I had once been passionate about.
I felt like things couldn’t get much worse so I decided to talk to my doctor. And a therapist. And another therapist. I stopped researching my symptoms and possible treatments on the internet.
The therapists were fairly helpful, but it was one visit to my personal physician that “fixed” the problem. He prescribed a daily dose of one tiny little pill and told me it would take a few weeks to feel the effects. I felt the shift begin within 24 hours. I could feel an improved balance that I had never felt before. The progress continued and today I feel more in control of my mind and emotions than I ever have. My doctor suggested that my rapid response to the medication was an indicator that my brain chemistry was drastically off balance. I have been on the medication for
months. There are really only two reasons I didn’t get appropriate help sooner. First, I was afraid to talk to a doctor and find out that I was broken. It didn’t occur to me that the same expert might be able to fix my brokenness. Second, I consulted the internet rather than talked to someone who helps people with similar problems every day. The internet is a vital resource for discovering ways to improve your health. However, you wouldn’t avoid a surgeon and perform surgery on yourself or a loved one after reading about the procedure on the internet. So, don’t use the internet as a replacement for consultation and treatment from other real-world health experts. See your doctor. ■
TALKING DIGITAL BY ADAM COCHRAN Send your technology questions to Adam in care of the BEACON, or email him directly at adamc@talkingdigital.org
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29
FINANCE
Dollars and divorce:
TURNING 65?
Financial advice to consider
YOU HAVE A LIMITED WINDOW TO SIGN-UP FOR MEDICARE
By Karen Telleen-Lawton ivorce is like a death in the family. Long-term dreams evaporate and long-term financial stability is threatened. Even if you know in your heart that it’s the best decision for your future, the necessary decisions forced by a divorce or separation can be emotionally crippling. What should you do if decades-old wedding vows are slipping towards a divorce decree?
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Perhaps you’ve been seeking advice from friends or coworkers. At the point you begin contemplating divorce, however, it’s time to consult the professionals. A marriage counselor, financial advisor and divorce attorney will smooth your path and ultimately save you money in the long term. First, consult a marriage counselor to help you sort out whether your differences are irreconcilable. If your spouse won’t go with you, go alone. If you’re still clashing and you decide that divorce is the route to follow, a divorce lawyer will help you understand the process and the implications of what you are conceding and what you’re demanding, while a financial advisor will project how a split will affect your retirement income and will help you determine which assets are more or less valuable in a split. You want to be gracious when dealing with your soon-to-be-ex, but it isn’t a good idea to acquiesce decision-making to a savvier partner. Assemble a pro forma budget. What expenses will you pay as a single person, and what income can you expect? The split of assets, such as retirement accounts, differs depending on whether you live in a community property state (Louisiana, Arizona, California, Texas, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, New
Mexico and Wisconsin) or an equitable distribution state like Colorado. If your budgeting exercise hints at retirement income that is less that you expected, consider your options. There are basically four ways to increase projected retirement income: earn more, retire later, spend less and improve the return on your investments. Earning more requires you to brainstorm how you can put your life experiences to work for higher income. Retiring later implies that you keep up or restore your health to increase your energy and desire for earning for a few more years. Spending less is arguably the most controllable way to increase your future retirement income. Reevaluate your needs versus your wants. Cherish the things that don’t cost a lot of money, like spending time with friends and family or taking a walk in the neighborhood. Take an adult education or community class to meet new friends and develop new marketable skills. If you’re already separated, consider a roommate or co-living arrangement. You may be able to increase the return on your investments without much increased risk. If you have a lot in cash, reallocate some in Certificates of Deposit and high-rated bonds (not bond funds). Check the management fees on your investments. If the rates or fees are high, consider switching money managers. Be wary of switching to riskier investments for a higher expected return. Seniors have fewer years in which to recover from the inevitable recessions. You could look for a Sugar Daddy or Sugar Mommy as part of your strategy to increase retirement income, however, this isn’t generally the road to satisfaction.
FINANCE These budgeting and retirement income exercises are likely to be very sobering. If you are unsure about the advisability of divorce, consider a trial separation. Living apart may even improve your relationship enough to attempt a trial reconciliation. You may not have wanted a fresh start after 50 (or 60 or 70), but you can still appreciate the chance to squeeze more living from this
“third” period of your life. Look to friends and family for support while you add new friends and activities to replace things you used to do as a couple. Count emotional happiness as part of equation. Use professionals to make your best deal now, and then live with the consequences. Above all, rejoice in taking charge of your life. ■
5 TIPS WHEN YOU’RE
CONTEMPLATING DIVORCE 1. Don’t go it alone. 2. Develop a pro forma singleperson budget. 3. Consider ways to increase your (future) retirement income. 4. Consider separation (instead of divorce) as a short- or even long-term solution. 5. Appreciate the opportunity to take control of your life.
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31
BUSINESS PROFILE
Hearing is believing By Jan Weeks
If you’re of a certain age, you remember when hearing aids looked like a box the size of a cigarette pack that you carried in a shirt pocket with a thick wire leading to an earpiece. You may have sworn you’d never wear one.
T
hen time rolled on, and suddenly you find yourself saying, “Why is everyone mumbling?” and cranking the TV as high as it will go. Blame it on those rock concerts if you need a scapegoat, but guess what? You probably need a hearing device. We’ve come a long way, baby. Now you can be fitted with a wireless device that hides in your ear, or one so small it rests behind your ear with a clear cord connecting to the transmitter inside your ear.
› Pamela Kreps, owner of Pinnacle Hearing Aid Center, knows that reaching the point in your life where you need assistance to hear can be very stressful. She will take all the time needed to customize the fit you need to give you the quality of life you expect. Top photo by Jan Weeks
Pam Kreps, a board-certified hearing instrument specialist, opened Pinnacle Hearing Aid Center to offer a variety of devices, including rechargeable aids that don’t require you to struggle with those tiny batteries. She knows that reaching the point in your life where you need assistance to hear can be very stressful, and she will take whatever time is needed to customize the fit you need to give you the quality of life you expect. Kreps moved to Grand Junction in 2010 and worked as a receptionist at another hearing aid company. She had to apprentice before she could take the boards, and she spent her spare time studying the books and learning as much as she could. In 2013 she sat for the exam.
• Trustworthy • Compassionate • Dedicated to your care Pamela Kreps, Owner Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist
“When I came out, I started crying and my husband said, ‘Oh, no. You failed?’ Actually I passed! Most people have to take the test several times. I did it the first time,” she said.
Captel phones, with large screens that show the conversation in print, are also available to those who qualify. Kreps evaluates their hearing and if it meets certain standards, the phone is free and will be installed by experts as long as the recipients have an Internet connection. Pinnacle Hearing is located at 759 Horizon Drive in Grand Junction, but she’s working on spending at least one day a week in Montrose. “I can fit clients from Montrose in one or two visits,” she said. “If they have smart phones, there’s an app that lets me adjust their devices remotely through their phones.” Pinnacle Hearing is open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, Kreps said, “I can come in early, work late, open on weekends, and even go to someone’s home.” Financing is available to those who qualify. To schedule a fitting or consultation, call 628-4927. For details, visit www.pinnacle hearingaidcenter.com. ■
Kreps’ passion for her work is evi-
(970) 628-4927
The hearing evaluation and consultation are free, and when you buy a device, there’s a noobligation trial period.
759 Horizon Dr, Ste E Grand Junction, CO 81506 www.pinnaclehearingaidcenter.com
32 | BUSINESS PROFILE | FEBRUARY 2019 |
dent as she stressed that she wants people to be comfortable and never pressures them to buy right away. She also educates them about the devices. The hearing evaluation and consultation are free, and when you buy a device, there’s a no-obligation trial period. Most maintenance and repairs are also done in her office. Insurance for loss, damage and repair after the original warranty expires is also available.
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Donate life: Anyone can register as an organ and tissue donor By C.J. Payton rgan and tissue donations save nearly 500,000 lives in the U.S. every year, but there are still 120,000 people in the U.S. awaiting organ transplants. About 2,500 of them are Colorado and Wyoming residents.
O
Donor Alliance is a federally designated nonprofit that facilitates the donation and recovery of transplantable organs and tissues in Colorado and most of Wyoming. The organization connects donors and their families with those awaiting transplants by employing recovery programs in more than 100 hospitals and inspiring the public to register as organ and tissue donors. “Anybody can be on the registry to be organ and tissue donors,” said Donor Alliance board member and St. Mary’s Hospital President Dr. Brian Davidson. There is no age cutoff. Even people living with chronic diseases or those with a history of cancer are encouraged to register. “We need many more people on the registry to increase the probability that we have a donor that meets the criteria,” said Davidson. “If someone on the registry is felt to be a good match for organ donation, that’s all it takes for Donor Alliance to be notified.” One deceased person’s recoverable organs—heart, kidneys, liver, lungs,
pancreas and small intestine—can benefit up to seven people. Tissue donations from that same donor can potentially help 75 others. Bone, corneas, veins, skin, tendons and ligaments are also considered for transplant, and Donor Alliance works closely with Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank to facilitate eye, organ and tissue donations. St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction is part of the organization’s network of hospitals and is the largest organ donor hospital between Denver and Salt Lake City. Davidson, who has been on Donor Alliance’s board of directors since 2018, boasts extensive experience in health care management, including serving as a faculty anesthesiologist and medical director at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Hospital, one of the busiest transplant centers in the Rocky Mountain Region. “I’ve had professional and personal interest in organ and tissue donation and transplantation since the very beginning of my career,” he said. “Organ and tissue donation and transplantation truly embodies a great human gift. It’s an amazing process.” Davidson was moved by an experience in medical school where he saw the process come full circle. “I was part of the surgical
HOW TO REGISTER
Sixty-seven percent of Coloradans are registered organ and tissue donors. In 2017, 69 percent of Mesa County residents renewing their driver’s license or ID registered as donors. Those interested can also register at www.donatelifecolorado.org/become-a-donor or can request an application by calling Donor Alliance at 888-256-4386.
team who recovered organs of an individual who committed suicide,” he said. “Within four hours, I witnessed a complete pendulum swing as the tragedy of an individual who took his own life turned into joy and gratitude when the heart and both lungs went to a patient at the university hospital.” Donor Alliance assumes all costs associated with recovering and processing organs and tissues once death has been declared. Although
BEACON GUIDE HIGHLIGHT there is no cost to the donor’s family, it’s important for them to know if a donor is on the registry. Legislation states the donor’s wish supersedes family wishes after death. “It’s saying, ‘I want to be a donor. That’s my decision.’ Your family can also make the decision to donate your organs after your passing even if you’re not on the registry,” he said. The body is released to the family after the recovery process is complete—within 24-36 hours. The donor’s appearance following donation still allows for an open casket funeral. ■
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Do you have questions about probate? Do you wonder how your own estate will be administered? At this free workshop, we’ll discuss important issues in the estate administration/probate process, and common mistakes that catch people off-guard. We’ll cover sProbate vs. Non-Probate assets sHow and when to distribute assets sWhat taxes may be owed? What about creditor claims? sWhat if they didn’t have a will? What if there is a will? sWhat happens if the family starts fighting? sDoes the court need to be involved? Sign up today! To read more about this workshop, and other presentations, please visit the Workshop Calendar on our website www.brownandbrownpc.com Registration is Required: Sign up by calling (970) 243-8250, or by visiting our website at www.brownandbrownpc.com
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CHECK OUT OUR SEAT LIFT CHAIRS Mama kissed CHECK OUT OUR
BEACON SENIOR NEWS
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I was thrilled to see them. I had just gotten out of a poker game at the American Legion and returned to my apartment when my mother stepped out of the darkness and gave me a hug. Naturally, I wanted to impress them by showing them around. Egan was appearing in a comedy production at the Windmill Dinner Theater in Scottsdale, and I was able to get tickets for my parents to watch the show. My mother was smitten. “Will we get to meet him?” she asked, totally forgetting about my father. “He’s so handsome! I watch him all the time on ‘Twelve O’clock High.’” “Sure you’ll get to meet him, Mom,” I said. “They hold a post-produc-
4/25/18 12:34 PM
tion party after the show with free champagne and food. I’ll fix it up for you.” Before writing my review of the comedy, I researched Egan’s life. He was born in San Francisco on July 29, 1921, and graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory. He studied drama at the University of San Francisco, earned a master’s degree in theater history at Stanford University, and taught public speaking at Northwestern University, where he appeared in 30 campus stage productions. His brother, a Catholic priest, urged him to become an actor. Egan served in the U.S. Army as a judo and knife-fighting instructor. He spent a year in the Philippines during World War II and was honorably discharged as a captain. A talent scout spotted him in one of the productions at Northwestern University and encouraged him to go to Hollywood. There, he had a series of unsuccessful screen tests before being signed for small parts in “The Story of Molly X” and “The Good Humor Man.” Egan was popular with his fellow actors and was sought after by directors and film producers because of his good looks and engaging on-screen personality. He played Joan Crawford’s husband in “The Damned Don’t Cry” and a doctor in “Pollyanna” starring Haley Mills and Jane Wyman. He starred in “The Revolt of Mamie Stover” opposite Jane Russell who took the role after Marilyn Monroe turned it down. His long list of roles included many westerns, war films and Biblical epics including “Demetrius And The Gladiators,” where he fought a battle to the death with Victor Mature. Egan’s other films included “The
BEACON SENIOR NEWS Glory Brigade,” “The Golden Horde,” “Hollywood Story,” “The Battle of Apache Pass,” “Underwater,” “These Thousand Hills” with Don Murray and “Blackbeard, the Pirate.”
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When I told my mother about Egan and all these movies on the way to the dinner theater, she was star struck. “And I’m going to meet him?” she asked excitedly. “You sure are, Mama,” I said. Dad just smiled and shook his head. The theater owner gave us a great table near the stage. That evening, we dined on steak and champagne, and I have to admit my mother did not stint on drinking the bubbly champagne. Egan was great in his role and I took plenty of notes. After the cast took their bows and the theater emptied, we were escorted backstage where Egan was sipping a glass of champagne with one of his co-stars. I introduced myself and my parents. Mom accepted a glass of champagne from a smiling cocktail waitress. Egan told my mother, “Your son is a good interviewer, Mrs. Lawrenzi. You should be proud of him.” Mom swayed, probably from the effects of the champagne as well as the compliment. Then she blurted, “Richard, will you kiss me?” Egan handed his glass of champagne to someone, bent my mother over and gave her a Hollywood kiss. To this day, I wish I had captured that on film. Before he died of prostate cancer at age 65, Egan had an interview with a magazine writer, where he spoke about his career and said he wasn’t happy with the direction Hollywood was going.
Richard Egan (pictured 1949) was popular with his fellow actors and was sought after by directors and film producers because of his good looks and engaging on-screen personality.
“They want anti-heroes now and it’s just not for me,” he said in 1966. “I’m not right for that. It’s much easier in Hollywood to be cynical than to make a positive statement. They set up a man only to knock him down. It’s harder to show a man convincingly who successfully sticks by his beliefs. We desperately need something to give strength and fortitude to the lost. I want to be part of that—part of the solution rather than part of the problem.” Egan appeared in several television series, including “The Streets of San Francisco” and “Police Story.” He and his wife, who were married 30 years, had four daughters and a son. Before his death, he played the part of Father Kino in a true story filmed in Arizona and directed by my friend, Ken, brother of acclaimed Hollywood director Burt Kennedy. “Mission to Glory: A True Story” is now part of Catholic archives. ■
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BEACON SENIOR NEWS
For the love of cats: These
friends to felines are the cat’s meow Story and photo by Melanie Wiseman t’s no accident that the outside door of Verda Patterson’s screened-in porch is cracked open day and night. From her dining room sliding glass doors, she watches with delight as homeless cats and kittens come and go, seeking food, water and sanctuary.
I
“I have always fed feral cats but started to trap, spay and neuter them when I got this crowd out here,” said Patterson. “I thought, ‘Holy cats! This is going to be an army before too long!’” In just the last three years,
14 feral cats have been spayed or neutered because of this spunky 87-year-old with a huge heart for felines. Although Patterson loved animals, pets weren’t allowed in the Denver apartments she grew up in. Once she married, she and her husband, John, moved to Grand Junction in 1958. Once they got into a place of their own, they installed a cat door for a couple strays. “We called them Mama and Little One,” she said. “After moving to Lakeside, we found a kitten, wet and crying with no mom to be seen. That’s how we got Stinker who lived for 18 years.” Stinker was followed by Brenda, Buddy, Whiskers, Callie, Fuzz, Boo, Oreo, Bebe and several others. Patterson said she’s had just about as
much fun naming the cats as she’s had caring for them. “I’ve never adopted a cat that wasn’t feral,” she said. “I wasn’t about to go out and buy a cat when so many have just happened upon us.”
STOPPING THE CYCLE
The most felines Patterson’s had at any given time is eight—three indoor cats and five outdoor cats. As they get more acclimated, outside cats are welcome to use the cat door and come in and spend the night. They also have the option of snuggling in one of several cathouses she keeps under the porch. Patterson has a stack of files containing veterinarian records of every cat she’s spayed or neutered, including shots and welfare check ups. Once trapped, the cats are leery, making future trips to the vet a challenge. “When you have stray cats around and they start having kittens, you
Verda Patterson, a heroine for cats. think, ‘Oh brother! The problem is just going to continue to grow.’ This is the best way to stop the cycle, not only for the cats but for everyone,” she said. “I’m hoping someone will see these cats around, make a connection and adopt them.” Patterson spends roughly $150 a month feeding the cats, and her veterinarian works with her on care and surgery expenses in support of her cause. She said it’s best to go through local nonprofits that provide discounted spay and neuter vouchers, however, availability of
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BEACON SENIOR NEWS such vouchers are usually dependent on donations and funding. “If you love cats and want what best for them, trap, spay or neuter and try and find them a home,” said Patterson. If you’re a feral cat who hangs around Sue Yaeger’s home for a couple weeks, you’ll also likely find yourself at the vet’s office for a little “romantic repair.” Her four indoor cats all started feral, and she has been feeding strays for 25 years. In the winter of 2007, Yaeger connected with a young cat in her alley that had one litter after another. She knew she needed to take action. “Mama” had four litters before she caught her. Since then, Yaeger has been responsible for more than 30 cats’ spay or neuter, and has found homes for many kittens. “At the highest point, I was feeding 23 cats,” said Yaeger, 72. “Now I’m down to eight, so it’s working.”
FRIENDS OF FELINES
Both ladies support local rescues. The Grand Valley Cat Coalition (GVCC) is a collaboration of six local animal welfare groups: CLAWS, Grand Rivers Humane Society, Grand Valley Pets Alive, Loma Cat House, Roice-Hurst Humane Society and Mesa County Animal Services. With the ever-growing numbers of cats and kittens flood-
ing shelters, GVCC targeted a Trap Neuter Return campaign in 2018 in the 81501 zipcode with plans to move to others as soon as possible. In their first year, the coalition sterilized more than 1,700 cats. Trap Neuter Return is a humane management method to control, stabilize and shrink the community cat population without over burdening local rescue groups. Cat owners between First and 12th Streets and Riverside Parkway and North Avenue can make arrangements to take advantage of these free surgeries.
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“Grand Valley Pets Alive alone has done 1,809 spay or neuters of cats and dogs since we started in 2014,” said Carol Chowen, president of Grand Valley Pets Alive. “We have over 250 animals on our waiting list for supplemental assistance.” Chowen adopted a kitten found roaming on BLM land in the Bangs Canyon area. She also fostered three 5-week old kittens dumped in a box at Riverbend Park in Palisade. All three were later adopted after GVPA paid for their spay and neuter. “However you feel about the cats out there, reducing the population through spay and neuter is the key,” Chowen said. “Please spay and neuter. Please don’t abandon. It’s a win-win situation to help these animals.” ■
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Volunteers and donations are welcome at all of these animal welfare nonprofits. GRAND VALLEY PETS ALIVE..................................................................... 256-1851 www.grandvalleypetsalive.org GRAND VALLEY CAT COALITION .......................................................... 261-3760 www.grandvalleycat.org ROICE-HURST HUMANE SOCIETY........................................................549-1058 www.rhhumanesociety.org MESA COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES..................................................... 242-4646 animalservices.mesacounty.us GRAND RIVERS HUMANE SOCIETY.....................................................257-0070 www.grandrivers.webs.com CLAWS...............................................................................241-3793, www.clawsgj.org LOMA CAT HOUSE..................................................................www.cathousegj.org
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BEACON SENIOR NEWS
Can reading novels make us better people? F By Bonnie McCune ebruary is Library Lovers’ Month. The local library attracted me like a magnet draws metal since I was a child. I used to check out armloads of books and took refuge in its sheltering walls during times of youthful disasters and fights with my family and friends. I always felt comforted and safe.
970-243-4442 • mesacountylibraries.org
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As it turns out, in addition to being entertained, occupied and protected, I was building my brain and developing empathy for others. Have you ever read a novel and felt as if you’ve left your surroundings for a new world? This is one of the ways I use to decide if a book made a major impact on me. It’s not a matter of action or steamy love scenes. A combination of writing style and language, plot, compelling characters and an unfathomable mixture of interesting ideas old and new are some of the qualities that go into what’s called “willing suspension of disbelief.” In essence, although I know what I’m reading is imaginary, I react mentally as though it’s real. It changes me in ways I haven’t measured, provides knowledge and wisdom. Some of the books that have done that for me are “Pride and Prejudice,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Hunger Games,” “Main Street,” “Caramelo,” “Doomsday Book,” “Revolutionary Road” and “The Things They Carried.” These probably aren’t your choices, but you might have your own favorites. You might not even read fiction. I know people who refuse to on the grounds that it’s not real. But fiction is more truthful than nonfiction because it allows us entry into other people’s minds and emotions. It
38 | FEBRUARY 2019 |
WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM
presents thoughts in action and practice. It’s the closest thing we have to eternal life since every eon and each individual can be represented. This perspective is now being substantiated through various studies. Yes, reading fiction stimulates and strengthens certain areas in your brain. Yes, reading changes behavior. Changes can be positive, assisting you to function and relate better in the world or they can be negative, encouraging aggression and cruelty, setting you and those around you up for a world of trouble. I began thinking more about the impact of fiction on real life when I read a novel about a poet and a group of immigrants in Sweden. “The Shadow Girls” by Henning Mankell starts off comedic but then matches the hero with three young immigrants. The reader learns of the terrible and distinctive circumstances of each. I started grasping emotionally how the state of homelessness, powerlessness, non-personhood affects the girls in the novel. I wished everyone on all sides of the immigration debate would open themselves to the world in the book’s pages, because in some small sense, you are what you read. This month, consider going to your library to pick up a thoughtful, positive and compassionate novel with a happy ending. Library Lovers’ Month is a monthlong celebration of school, public and private libraries of all types. It’s a time for everyone, especially library supporters, to recognize the value of libraries and to work to assure that the nation’s libraries will continue to serve. ■
FUN AFTER 50
SPORTS
FUN AFTER 50
Your trusted resource Activities offered by GJ Parks and Recreation
ALL YOUR MEDICAL NEEDS To register forFOR these programs, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org.
FEBRUARY 14
Valentine’s Dance and Potluck Bring your sweetheart to the Senior Recreation Center’s Valentine’s Dance and Potluck for live music and dancing from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Admission is $3, or bring a dish to share.
a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $7 to drop in, or purchase a 10-punch pass for $50.
MONDAY-FRIDAY Proudly serving the Western Slope Aqua Aerobics for over 24 Years These classes are for beginner or novice individuals, and incorpoLocally owned and operated! rate noodles, hand paddles, water weights and more. Class is from Oxygen 8:15-9:15 a.m. Monday, WednesHEALTH days and Fridays and 5:30-6:30 p.m. TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS ScootersTuesdays and Thursdays at Orchard Gentle Active Yoga Mesa Pool. Drop in for $4.50 or purThis class is designed for active chase a 12-punch pass for $46.50. beginners and above. ClassLift is 8-9Chairs
Indoor Pickleball schedule at Lincoln Park Barn Play indoor pickleball at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $6 to drop in or get a 10-punch pass for $45. Schedule is subject to change. Confirm by calling 254-3866. Mondays: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays & Fridays: 9:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.; 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursdays: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturdays: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sundays: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
DANCE THURSDAYS
Senior Dances with Live Music Dance from 8-10 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3.
MONDAYS
Line Dance Line dancing is great physical exercise and helps keep your mind sharp. This combo class focuses on beginning steps and moves for easier dances, then builds on those steps to create more challenging dances to a variety of music. Class is from 12:15-2 p.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $18 for the February 25-April 8 session or $5 to drop in. No partner needed.
VOLUNTEER Apply to be a Trail Host or Downtown Ambassador Make an impact in your community and get actively involved by becoming a Trail Host or Downtown Ambassador! For more information, call Lorie at 254-3876. ■
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BEACON BITS
CALENDAR FEBRUARY 1
Cat’s Meow variety show Grand Valley Pets Alive presents this benefit concert, featuring Broadway show tunes, dancers, The Mice is Right: an audience participation game show, a kibble break dessert buffet and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. at Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children. Come dressed as your favorite animal. For details, call 462-7554.
FEBRUARY 4
Taste of the Grand Valley Taste of the Grand Valley is United Way’s signature annual fundraiser and the biggest and tastiest food festival in town. Exhibitors set up from 4-7:30 p.m. at Colorado Mesa University’s University Center Ballroom and provide samples of their food and beverage, and participants enjoy an evening of tasting and fun, all while supporting United Way of Mesa County. Tickets are $15 for adults.
FEBRUARY 6
Parts A and B cover, how to choose the best health and drug plan and more at this free seminar from 10 a.m. to noon at Mesa County RSVP in the basement of US Bank, 422 White Ave. Call 243-9839 to reserve your seat.
Legislative Caucus on Aging update Learn about the efforts of the Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging and the work being done by the Colorado Health Institute and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to better support older Coloradans and their families at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver from 7:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m. If you can’t make it, you can call in at 605-472-5561 507406#.
FEBRUARY 8 & 9
Gallery 88.1 Art Auction Support local artists and KAFM Community Radio as the station begins to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The Gallery 88.1 Preview begins at 5 p.m. on Friday with a media mixer and a chance to meet the artists at KAFM Community Radio, 1310 Ute Ave. Beverages and appetizers will be available. The live
FEBRUARY 6
Medicare 101 seminar Are you new to Medicare? Learn when and how you sign up, what
NOW OPEN HNurry ! OW N o w O P ENt!o loc HurS k in ryPN EoCwIAL to lo OcPkEN SPECP in ING IA RLICOEP O EN FIN OG PR$IC NLY 29 E 9O5F O MN OLN $2995 YTH LY (OO M ffe Nr
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Live Auction - February 9th - 7 PM Champagne Reception from 5 to 7 Preview Event - February 8th - 5 PM Meet the artists and enjoy beverages and appetizers KAFM Radio Room More information at kafmradio.org or by calling 241-8801
970-712-9299
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BEACON BITS auction will be at 7 p.m. Saturday with a reception at 5 p.m. View more than 60 original works from local artists. Proceeds support them and KAFM. For details, call KAFM at 241-8801. Artwork will also be available for viewing online at www. kafmradio.org.
FEBRUARY 9
Valentine’s Dance Grand Junction’s best Valentine’s Dance, hosted by the BEACON Senior Newspaper and Hilltop Senior Living Communities, will be from 7-10 p.m. in the Garden Room at the Commons of Hilltop, 625 27 1/2 Road. Advance tickets are available for only $20—a sweet deal, especially since each ticket includes two drinks from the bar. Dancers will be able to glide across a wooden dance floor led by the big band melodies of Clark Gault’s Swing City Express. Hilltop’s finest chefs will be cooking up a delectable assortment of hors d’oeuvres and sweet indulgences. Call 243-8829 to get your tickets!
FEBRUARY 13-14
Friends of St. Mary’s Hospital Fudge Sale Get some fudge for your sweetie or for yourself and help support St. Mary’s Hospital. Choose from 18 flavors of fudge and chocolate roses. Goods will be sold in the hospital’s main lobby and the Pavilion lobby from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days or until sold out.
FEBRUARY 16
Sweet Heart Run & Wine/Chocolate Tasting City of Fruita and Family Health West host the 12th annual Sweet Heart Run at 10 a.m., followed by a wine and chocolate tasting from 3-5 p.m. hosted by the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology. Cost is $25 to participate in the 5K run/ walk, $30 for the 10K run, and $35 for the wine and chocolate tasting if you register by February 14. Racers receive free entry to the Fruita Community Center for the day, a custom Loki beanie (guaranteed to the
first 400 registrants), fun swag and post-race refreshments. To register for the race, visit www.sweetheartrun.com or call 858-0360. Get your tickets for the wine and chocolate tasting at www.winecolorado.org.
FEBRUARY 17
Karaoke Killer Mystery Dinner Theatre Contestants vie for the title top vocalist in a Karaoke Killer competition. When one of the singers winds up sporting a toe tag, you become a suspect and deputy in the investigation to bring a killer to justice. Audience members will have the chance to strut their best karaoke vocals solo or with the cast. This event is presented by Mesa Murder Mystery and takes place at 6 p.m. at Clifton Christian Church. Tickets are $5 and available by calling 434-7392.
FEBRUARY 21
Eco-printing with leaves Have you ever picked up leaves to admire and collect, but then wondered what to do with them? Mesa County Libraries’ 970West’s Artist in Residence Julia March Crocetto will help you create botanical prints with eco-printing, direct printing and stamping. Take home a silk scarf and samples on cotton that you can incorporate into your own creative endeavors. Materials will be provided. Class is at 6 p.m. at the Central Library in Grand Junction. Registration required. Call 243-4442 or visit www.mesacountylibraries.org.
FEBRUARY 24
Black Market Trust in concert Due to a scheduling conflict, Black Market Trust had to cancel their November 2018 performance as part of Community Concerts of the Grand Valley’s current season, but they are returning for a makeup show at Grand Junction High School at 7:30 p.m. Five world-class musicians merge their love of everything from the Mills Brothers to the Beach Boys. Tickets are $25 and can be bought at the door, if available. For details, visit www.community concertsgrandvalley.org. ■
grows L oveno matter
physical reactions to those most precious to them.
the season. Our home is filled with stories of love and we share a lifetime of memories of those who went off to war.
This also becomes a constant reminder for those whose family members suffer.
Our veterans tell of times when love was young and their hearts were full of life. What may have been lost though the years is now a memory often forgotten. Dementia and Alzheimer’s takes much away; however, to our veterans, their service is not just an untold memory—it’s a constant source of anxiety resulting in aggressive behaviors. PTSD is a reality for those who have experienced war first-hand. It’s a source of nightmares and
At Colorado Veterans Community Living Center, we treasure these stories and uniquely want to be a part of their day, sharing both the good and bad. We are here to help those families suffering in desperate need of care for their loved ones. Give us the opportunity to assist in providing a gentle helping hand, and a loving touch. We are here to serve veterans, their spouses and Gold Star families. Please call and we will assist you.
851 E. 5th St., Rifle |
970-625-0842
RIVER CITY SINGLES “Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship.” Annual membership is $20. Fridays at 5 p.m. - Calling all singles over 50! Meet new friends at Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) in the Hideaway Lounge at the Travelodge, 718 Horizon Drive. Call Chuck at 242-5252 for details. Tuesdays at 9 a.m. - Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie at 245-4995 for details. Sundays at 12:30 p.m. - Bowling Sunday at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road. Arrive at noon if you want to play. Call Cheryl at 208-4995 Tuesday, February 4 and 18 at 12:15 p.m. - Enjoy lunch in the lounge at the DoubleTree Hotel followed by games of Pinochle. Games start at 1 p.m. Call Jo Anne at 201-4035. Thursday, February 28 at 11 a.m. - Tour the Fruita Community Center at 11 a.m. To carpool, meet in the Sutherland’s parking lot at 10:15 a.m. Enjoy lunch at Suds Brothers after the tour. Call Kathy at 250-8579. WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2019 | BEACON BITS |
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BEACON BITS
BEACON BITS
Pioneers Medical Center invests in surgeon and newest technology in total knee replacement Pioneers Medical Center (PMC) in Meeker is one of the first hospitals on the Western Slope to offer Stryker’s robotic-arm assisted total knee, partial knee and total hip replacement application for use with its Mako System. Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Borchard will be the first surgeon to use the Mako System at PMC. Patients using the Mako System will benefit with smaller incision and less scarring; reduced risk of infection; minimal hos-
pitalization; more rapid recovery; less risk of implant dislocation, loosening and mechanical problems; and reduced need for future revision surgery. Learn more about Borchard and the Mako System at www.pioneershospital.org.
Palisade Peach Festival poster art contest The Palisade Chamber of Commerce staff is considering submissions for original art to be used for the Palisade Peach Festival’s 51st anniversary. The art should show peaches in a fun and pleasing format that honors the history and impact of the agricultural community. Cost is $20 for one entry or $30 for two. Drop art off at the Palisade Chamber of Commerce, 305 S. Main St., by February 28. Entries will be on display at the Blue Pig Gallery from March 1-29 and will be
voted on by the public and chamber members. The winning artist will be announced at a reception at the Blue Pig from 5:30-7 p.m. March 15 and they will win $200 and be featured in the Peach Town News and local media. For entry form and details, call 464-7458. Museum accepting nominations for 2019 Heritage Awards The Museums of Western Colorado is currently accepting nominations for its 2019 Heritage Awards, recognizing leaders and organizations that have contributed significantly to the community’s heritage. Recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony on March 5 and recognition will be given in seven categories. Written award nominations must be submitted via mail by January 31. For more information about the awards and nominating process, visit www.museumofwesternco.com or contact Peter Booth at 241-0971, ext. 204. Explore spring trips with the
Museum of Western Colorado The Museum recently released its 2019 trips and tours, highlighted by six spring adventures. For more trips and information, visit www. museumofwesternco.com or call 242-0971, ext. 206 to register. • February 19 - Telluride Historic Pub Crawl: Toast to the Rockies with the Telluride Historical Society. Cost is $95 for museum members; $120 for nonmembers. Includes transportation, appetizer at one of our stops, and one drink at three of our stops. • March 11 - Geology Jeep Tour of Canyonlands National Park. Cost is $150 for museum members; $175 for nonmembers. Includes transportation, Jeep excursion and guide. • March 23 - Nine-Mile Canyon Rock Art Tour. Cost is $85 for museum members; $110 for nonmembers. Includes transportation and sack lunch.
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BEACON BITS • April 6 - Dominguez Canyon Hike: Petroglyphs, Waterfalls and Desert Big Horn Sheep. Cost is $90 for museum or Colorado Canyons Association members; $115 for nonmembers. Includes transportation, permit and lunch. • April 19 - Slots and Goblins: Geology of Goblin Valley State Park. Cost is $80 for museum members; $105 for nonmembers. Includes transportation, guide, admissions and lunch. • April 20 - Spring Farm Tour in the North Fork Valley. Cost is $95 for museum or Colorado West Land Trust members; $115 for nonmembers. Includes transportation, lunch al fresco and exclusive visits to conserved farms. AARP Driver Safety classes Save money on insurance and keep up on newer traffic laws at the AARP Driver Safety course. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Call for location and to register. February 7 - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Call Donna at 720-290-4053. February 13 - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Call Tom at 319-0137. February 20 - 1-5 p.m. Call Mary at 433-0384. Free tax preparation services through April 15 AARP Tax Aide volunteer preparers are trained in tax law, then tested and certified each year through the IRS, ready to prepare and electronically file 2018 federal and state returns on behalf of community members at no cost to them. Bring your Social Security card, picture ID for each individual on the return, all documents needed to complete your return, proof of bank account and routing information, and last year’s return. Filers are helped on a first-come, first-served basis, so get there early! For information, call 589-3789. Tax-Aide volunteers will set up at the following locations: • 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - Wells Fargo Bank,
359 Main St., Grand Junction • 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday - Wells Fargo Bank (downstairs), 2808 North Ave., Grand Junction Julia March Crocetto is new Mesa County Libraries 970West Artist in Residence Julia March Crocetto blends printmaking, painting and stitching to create intricate and unique interpretations of the Western landscape. Crocetto will host a variety of workshops for adults and teens during her 970West residency and also will host weekly studio hours where the public can drop in and visit with her about her artwork. Her residency at 970West Studio, 502 Ouray Ave., lasts through April 22. For information about Crocetto and the classes she offers, visit www.mesacountylibraries.org or call 243-4442. Free education course for caregivers of adults with brain illness This 12-week course is designed specifically for family members of caregivers of adults living with a brain illness. Starting February 18, this course addresses current treatments, evidence-based therapies, medication side effects, information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain. It explores managing crisis, solving problems, communicating effectively, self-care and managing stress, developing confidence and stamina to provide support and compassion, finding and using local supports and services, and the impact mental illness has on the entire family. Register at 462-3989 or email info@namiws.org. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES • Mesa County 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. ■
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BEACON BITS Safe and Secure Private Rooms Heated Pool
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Compassionate Friends offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at Unity Church. Call 434-3822. COPD Support Group meets monthly at 1 p.m. on the fourth Friday at 581 Grand Valley Drive in Grand Junction. Call 317-7556 or email jimcampbell3@aol.com. Divorce Support Group meets at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays at 103 S. Fifth St. in Palisade. Call 200-1191. Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step meeting to help compulsive gamblers recover, is from 7-8 p.m. at The Meeting Hall, 1938 N. First St.
They gave. Now it’s your turn. There are many people in our community who may feel vulnerable and isolated. Many carry hidden burdens, overwhelming stress and struggle to shield their pain.
Our veterans have a variety of needs to help them transition back into the community, and Operation Revamp helps with those needs and more.
This is the case with some of our local veterans. When duty, honor and country called, they served. Now you can help serve them by donating to Operation Revamp.
Our mission is ongoing and your support is crucial. Your donation could save a veteran’s life and give hope to those ready to give up on themselves when all they really want is to regain a sense of purpose and contribute to their community.
Our mission is to help ease some of those burdens and enrich a veteran’s life. In our community, we serve over 850 veterans and their families annually with programs and classes to help them battle their pain or PTSD, and provide a safe harbor for those dealing with suicide and a place of friendship.
This year, become a hero to our veterans who served honorably and unselfishly. Mail donations directly to: Operation Revamp, Inc. 307 S. 12th St. Grand Junction, CO 81501
______________________________ To learn more, or donate online visit www.operationrevamp.org or call 462-3126
Get famous.
Send your jokes, quotes and gloats to BEACON Senior News P.O. Box 3895, GJ 81502 or Beacon@PendantPublishing.com
44 | BEACON BITS | FEBRUARY 2019 |
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GriefShare, a nondenominational Christ-based support group for those mourning the death of a loved one, meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. For details, call 628-1453. HEARTBEAT/Survivors After Suicide meets monthly from 7-9 p.m. on the third Tuesday at First Congregational Church. Call 7789274 or 241-4349. Job Searching After 50 Networking Group meets from 8:30-10 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Mesa County Workforce Center, room 154. You must be registered as a job seeker at www.connectingcolorado.com. Call 248-7560 for details. Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Support Group meets monthly from 4-5 p.m. on the third Monday in St. Mary’s Hospital’s Reflection Room. Look Good, Feel Better meets monthly from 3-5 p.m. on the last Wednesday. Beauty professionals provide tips to help women defy the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Call 800-2272345 to register. MACHO Men cancer support group meets monthly at 2 p.m. on
the first Thursday at the VA Medical Center In-Patient Dining Room. Call 298-2351. Mending Hearts is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one, and meets from 2-3:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest. Call 248- 8844. MS and Men, a support group for men living with MS, meets monthly from 11 a.m. to noon on the third Thursday at The Artful Cup. Call 241-8975. MS Breakfast Group meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the first Tuesday at Village Inn, 757 Horizon Drive. Call 241-8975. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups for family members of adults who have a serious mental illness and connection groups for adults living with a mental illness. Groups meet at various times and locations in Mesa County. For details, visit www.NAMIWS.org or call 462-3989. Parents of Addicted Loved Ones meets at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday at First Presbyterian Church. If you have a child who struggles with alcohol, drugs or food, there’s help and hope. Call 379-5786. Tinnitus Support Group meets monthly at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Community Hospital’s Legacy Room 1. Call 589-0305. Western Colorado Post Polio Group educates polio survivors and caregivers about post-polio, connects post-polio people and promotes independent living for people struck with the virus many years ago. Call 241-7825 for details. Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision support group, meets monthly from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Center for Independence. Transportation is available. Call 241-0315. Woman to Woman cancer support group meets monthly from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday in St. Mary’s Hospital’s Reflection Room. ■
CLUBS & ACTIVITIES American Association of University Women meets monthly at 11:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday, usually at Chez Lena. For details or to confirm location, call 201-0386. Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at 12:45 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley. Call 244-9989. Colorado Archaeological Society Grand Junction meets monthly from 6:30-9 p.m. on the second Monday. Call 433-4312 or visit www. meetup.com/CAS-GJ/events. Cribbage Lite meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays at IHOP. Call 201-7823. Cups Club meets at 2 p.m. Wednesdays at The Artful Cup. Meet people through cards and games or talk and tea. Call 683-4909. Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the third Thursday at First Baptist Church. Call 778-6191 or visit www.ffwcolo.com. Good Sam RV Club, Two River Sams meets at 11:30 a.m. on February 9. For location, call 523-5625. Grand Junction Chess Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays in the Safeway Starbucks, 2901 F Road. Visit www.jctchess.com. Grand Junction Gem & Mineral Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month and 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2328 Monument Road. Email grandjunctionrockclub@ gmail.com Grand Junction Newcomers Club meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday at First Christian Church. Call 549-0440. Grand Valley Pets Alive meets monthly from 4:30-6 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Church of the Nativity. Call 462-7554.
Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays and 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 523-5965. Grand Valley Woodturners meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 856-3632. Guys’ Giving Club meets quarterly at the Springhill Suites, 236 Main St. in Grand Junction. Members donate $100 at each meeting and are invited to nominate a local charity to receive the evening’s total contributions. The next meeting is at 5:15 p.m. February 5. For membership details, call 243-8829 or 270-6184. Mesa County Genealogical Society meets at 7 p.m. on February 14 at the Commons of Hilltop’s Garden Room for an ancestry webinar on little used marriage records on Ancestry.com. Members also meet at the Whitman Educational Center at noon on February 27 for a share session and elections. Not Going Quietly meets from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction. This group is intended to create a space of empowerment, grace, community and wisdom for individuals age 60 and older. Call 433-7799.
BEACON BITS Sweet Adelines International, Grand Mesa A Capella Chorus, rehearses from 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays at 527 Village Way. Call 255-9419 or 523-3464, or visit www.grandmesachorus.org.
Use promo code “BEACON15” to receive 15% off your first booking.
Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets at noon on Thursdays at Cendera Funding. Call 250-3969. Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets Thursdays at the Masonic Center. Call 261-1670. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #3981 meets monthly at 5:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday for a family style dinner and meeting at the Post Hall, 503 1/2 Florence Road in Grand Junction. Call 778-8242. Western Colorado Amateur Radio Club meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the second Saturday at the Civil Patrol Hangar, 2868 Aviators Way. Visit www.w0rrz.org. Western Slope Toastmasters meets Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Chronos Builders, 637 25 Road. Call 640-4324. ■
Handy Mandy at your service!
So Many Projects So Little Time! Moving - Shopping Organization Estate Sales- Pet Sitting Any task big or small! “Mandy is the helping hand I needed for cooking and cleaning. She brightens my spirits each week! We enjoy our outings to physical therapy and the grocery store as well.” - Linda T. Age 75
970-216-1164
handymandycolorado@gmail.com
www.handymandyco.com
www.vineyardsmemorycare.com
Personalized Care for Alzheimer’s & Dementia
Outing Club meets monthly at 7:30 on the first Monday. For location, call 812-6759 or 243-7645. Sons of Norway, Vestafjell Lodge meets at 1:30 p.m. on February 9 for traditional soup and chili at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. Call 245-5649 or visit www. vestafjelllodge.org.
970-243-7224 1530 Walnut Ave., Grand Junction WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2019 | BEACON BITS |
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FUN & GAMES
DO N’ T D E C AY
Schedule today!
970 - 2 5 5 -7070 Cleanings, Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry. Extractions, Dentures, Implants, Crowns and Bridges. Tooth Whitening and Invisalign. BarrFamilyDentistry.com | 1301 N. 7th St., GJ
46 | FUN & GAMES | FEBRUARY 2019 |
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FUN & GAMES
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Across 1. Slippery swimmers 5. Aloe ___ 9. Eurasian juniper 14. Blind part 15. Nastase of tennis 16. Muse of love poetry 17. Edible corm 18. Japanese wrestling 19. Conger catcher 20. Spinster 22. Chats 24. Sunburn soother 25. Fourth highest peak in the world 26. Bird having a very large bill 29. Cowboy display 31. Vows 32. Leaf of a book 33. Breach 36. Before, once 37. Seesaws 40. Guadalajara gold 41. Draft org. 42. Away from the wind 43. Marsh of mystery 45. Seizes with teeth 47. Door
48. Sunflower seed, botanically 51. Fiddling emperor 52. 1992 David Mamet play 54. Voter 58. ___-car 59. Nike’s swoosh, e.g. 61. Cube maker Rubik 62. Unspoken 63. Work without ___ 64. Film unit 65. Mountain ridge 66. PBS science series 67. Shout Down 1. This, in Tijuana 2. Airline since 1948 3. Hog fat 4. Abdomen 5. Sight 6. Evade 7. Outer edge 8. Long time 9. Boil 10. Playground retort 11. Hired parker 12. Anatomical passages 13. Like Eric the Red
21. As ___ resort 23. Tree of the birch family 26. Digits of the foot 27. Rowing implements 28. Western Indians 29. Gives a 9.8, say 30. Arch type 32. Brazilian soccer star 33. Capricorn’s animal 34. Horne solo 35. Wading place 38. Consumed 39. Night noise 44. Food store 45. Scram! 46. From birth 47. Jai alai ball 48. Main artery 49. Lucid 50. Therefore 51. Israeli desert region 53. King of comedy 55. Hammock holder 56. Like Nash’s lama 57. Drum sound 60. Lennon’s lady
Silver Sneakers Preferred Provider
Silver & Fit • Discounted Senior Memberships Senior Exercise Classes • Events & Seminars DOWNTOWN LOCATION • 225 N. 5th Street, Suite 18 • Alpine Bank Building • 241-7800 AIRPORT LOCATION • 2768 Compass Drive • 242-8746
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CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIEDS HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL OR A SERVICE TO OFFER? List it here—pricing starts at just $29 per month!
Call Stacey at 243-8829, ext.102 to reserve your space in next month’s issue.
SUPPORT GROUPS
HOME CARE
Gamblers Anonymous Finally a 12-step meeting in Grand Junction to help compulsive gamblers recover from our self-inflicted miseries. Tuesdays, 7-8 p.m., at The Meeting Hall, 1938 N. First St. It takes courage to change.
Compassionate, Dependable Home Care Provider with 28 years experience. Home cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands, outings, companionship. PCP, CPR & First Aid certified. Excellent references. Your happiness is my happiness. Cherie 314-7420.
HELP WANTED
WE’RE HIRING! The BEACON Senior News is growing and we’re looking for talented folks who want to grow with us! We’re hiring for the following positions: FREELANCE WRITERS ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES PHOTO JOURNALISTS Send your letter and resume to Beacon@PendantPublishing.com
Creative folks, don’t forget to send samples of your work! No phone calls, please.
Antiques, Appraisals, Estate Sales With over 40 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. 216-0048.
HOME SERVICES Sam’s Tilling and Maintenance Spring roto-tilling, spring yard cleanup and summerizing: swamp coolers, sprinkler systems, pumps, etc. New sprinkler/irrigation systems, new lawns, gardens and fences. Fast affordable service, quality equipment and people. Sam’s Tilling and Maintenance, 697-6031. Computer Lady, LLC In-home repair. 15 years serving Mesa County. Windows, Internet, Wi-Fi, Android, tablets, Netflix, Roku. Virus removal, installation and instruction. Dependable, reasonable, qualified. 255-1216.
Custom Draperies, Blinds and Solar Shades Floor coverings and design services. Interior Monologues, Inc. 2340040.
SERVICES Pet Sitting: Daily Visits/Home Stays Come home to a happy pet after your getaway! Sarah’s caring nature, plus veterinary experience, will give you peace of mind. Please call 242-5236 for a free meet and greet. Sarah Shaw, Kind Heart Pet Care. Bonded, insured and PSI Member.
Pat’s Hair Salon and Ceramics Family salon. February special: Senior citizen perms $35 includes shampoo, set and blow dry; appointment only. Classes in making ceramics and porcelain dolls; call for class times. 3004 East Vista Drive, GJ. 778-8075.
FOR SALE Black Walnuts Bumper crop. They are so good! $12.50 per pound. 434-7637.
VOLUNTEER Mothers of Preschoolers Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) is desperately seeking volunteers to love, watch and teach children 9 months to 6 years during its meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Canyon View Vineyard Church. All curriculum, materials, snacks and coffee are provided. Time commitment is 8:45-11:15 a.m. Call MOPS Kids coordinator Morgan Barb at 216-2952.
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General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentures, Crowns, Bridges, Veneers, Bleaching, Implants, Root Canals, Extractions Complimentary consultation with this ad
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48 | CLASSIFIEDS | FEBRUARY 2019 |
DR. BRANDON BERGUIN DR. WILLIAM BERGUIN
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WANTED TO BUY 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. 2423911. 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**
0
WHAT IS CBD AND IS IT FOR YOU? Senior Real Estate Specialist
Vicki Dennis CALL today
270-3640
REAL ESTATE & Monument Property Management
Downsizing?
Call today Julie Adams
Realtor CRS ABR SRES SFR
(970) 712-1977
JulieAdamsGJ@gmail.com LifestyleLivingRealEstate.com
750 Main St. Unit 107 Grand Junction, CO 81501 CLIFTON • $120,000
www.VickiChandlerRealEstate.com
HEALTH & WELLNESS Medical Marijuana Doctor Days in Montrose & Grand Junction Got pain? Find out if medical marijuana is right for you. Doctor evaluation and education on cannabis use in a professional HIPAA-compliant setting. Call for appointment times and days 720-443-2420 or visit www.healthychoicesunltd.com. Medical Cannabis Certification Cannabis treats arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, Parkinson’s, MS, cancer, glaucoma, PTSD, etc. GJ - Thursday 2/21 Rifle - Wednesday 2/20
CBD (cannabidoil), as it is used in the market today, is produced from the agricultural hemp plant NOT the marijuana plant. It is emerging as a promising therapy for many illnesses such as pain, inflammation, anxiety and depression, and has been proven safe for humans and animals. It is usually made with a very small amount of THC content (<.3%), has no psychotropic effects, and is legal in all 50 states. It can also be purchased with no THC as well. Mesa Feed Mart researched several CBD manufacturers and has chosen to offer products from Mesa Lavender Farms. Mesa Lavender Farms produces many products for humans in the form of salves and tinctures (liquid) and also offers a tincture for your pet. We chose them because the company has done exhaustive testing and research and provides a high quality, reasonably priced product.
We offers the following products: • Lavender Lemon - 600 mg • Lemon (no lavender) - 600 mg • Pet (unflavored) - 600 mg (Note: The pet version is unflavored, as essential oils should not be given to animals.) • CBD TRI Salve - a topical product and has a less strong lavender scent • CBD Salve - lavender scent Response to CBD has been great and the product is promising in many aspects. However, as with any new products, if you show a reaction other than expected, please consult with your medical professional. Please come see all of our new products!
Mesa Feed Mart
242-7762 • 520 S. 9th St., Grand Junction www.mesafeedmart.com
Bring your sweetie to
RIB CITY for Valentine’s Day
Wendy Zaharko, MD, 970-319-0652, z@alumni.princeton.edu. Your local Western Slope cannabis physician since 2009. 3251 E Road #60 • Beautiful manufactured home on rented lot • 55+ community in Picture Ranch • Open concept with large kitchen • Split bedroom design with 5 bedrooms • Spacious living
250-7742 Regina Stout
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Genetic Cancer Screening Do you have Medicare? Have you or a family member had cancer? Would you like to see if you qualify for NO COST TO YOU genetic cancer testing? Call 589-2863 or visit us to set up your appointment: www. MMConsultingLLC.net.
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WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2019 | CLASSIFIEDS |
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KUDOS & KVETCH
Too young to grow old I
kudos \ ku • dos Who’s better: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? “Gotta love both. They are so different, but The Beatles win for
By Vivien Hollis don’t believe in growing old gracefully—or even disgracefully for that matter. But something happens around birthdays.
breaking the mold. But for dancing, the Stones are the winners!” - Susan E.
“Beatles, of course!” - Hal W. “The Beatles are my favorite because I know more of their songs. I
think Abbey Road did a great impersonation of them at the Beatles vs. Rolling Stones show, although Mick Jagger was pretty animated!” - Stacey S.
“My fave are The Beatles. They came on the scene when teens wanted their own music so they could break away from their parents’ music. They pioneered a new sound. They were cute and clean cut but with an edge to them that was unlike anyone else. They had great harmony and lyrics that you could sing along to but also had social relevance. During the Beatles vs. Stones concert, the audience sang along to The Beatles’ music much more than they did with the Stones—we knew all the words. The Beatles’ music makes you feel good. The “bad boys” Stones’ look and music just never appealed to me and I never got into them.” - Sue B.
“My husband, Brad, and I both loved the Beatles vs. Stones concert.
As far as performance, we thought the Mick Jagger look-alike and his group won hands down. You can’t beat The Beatles for the mostloved music though. The Fruita quartet added a nice touch.” - Diana B.
“The Stones were my favorite. Most of their songs brought back
many memories from earlier times. Many songs were and still are my favorites!” - Debra R.
In response to “Get into the spirit of giving” by Laverne Bardy:
“This is a fantastic article! Thank you for posting. Yes, an obligation.” - Susan B
In response to “Threshold comfort: Bedside singers provide audible kindness in difficult times” by Melanie Wiseman:
“On behalf of the members of Grand Valley Threshold Choir, we
would like to let you know how much we appreciated you including Melanie Wiseman’s article about us in your recent issue. Melanie was a joy to work with and we have several prospective new members as a result of the article.” - Joyce Deem & Cindy Webb
When I was 50 I enrolled in a gym. Anticipating an upcoming body metamorphosis, I tried on a pair of burgundy leather pants and sashayed around the shop like I was on a catwalk. My husband encouraged me when I asked his opinion. To his credit, he didn’t mention my thighs or the practicalities of sweaty leather pants, he just smiled, happy that I was happy. That day he bought a pair of jeans and wore them for five years. My leather pants lasted 20, hanging in the closet unworn but still loved. Another opportunity to reinvent myself arose when I turned 60, this time inspired by Helen Mirren whose picture appeared in the papers wearing a bikini on the beach. Since buying the first itsy bitsy teeny-weeny bikini in my teens, the intervening years and a still unused gym membership have challenged the probability of stopping my aging clock. Undeterred by wobbly bits and sagging skin, I headed to a swimsuit shop. A lady helped me choose some to try on: high waists to cover a bulging stomach, boy shorts and skirtini to cover dimpled thighs
and tankinis to support drooping breasts. The selection was dispiriting, as if I was ashamed of my body. I’m not. When I look in the mirror I see a different woman from the girl I was, but I like the way I look. Determined to prepare for an upcoming boat cruise with a pool, I chose a patterned orange and green fluorescent two-piece which made me feel assured and sexy. A few weeks back I turned 70. I considered skinny jeans but dismissed that thought because with my legs—well, I knew they would probably cut off my circulation. However, another notion wandered out of my mouth at supper. I was eager for something different and I’ve always wanted to try line dancing. I enrolled in a class and it turns out I have natural rhythm and a sense of the ridiculous that helps when I rotate and find the rest of the dancers facing me. Recently, my friends and I shared stories of the past. One friend said she’d been envious of how great I looked years ago in a pair of burgundy leather pants. Another mentioned a bright bikini I’d bought that showed off a golden summer glow, adding that she didn’t have the confidence for a one-piece, much less a two-piece. So last night I washed my very faded orange and green bikini and lifted out my leather pants. I intend to be surprising at 70! ■
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50 | KUDOS & KVETCH | FEBRUARY 2019 |
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