Letters To the Editor: First, Mark Amodei held hostage the livelihoods of thousands of Nevadans by supporting the GOP shutdown that locked working people off their jobs, shuttered our national parks, and flung our still recovering economy into a tailspin. Now, Amodei wants to throw cuts to our hard earned Social Security benefits on the list of ridiculous demands Republicans want to end the shutdown disaster that they created. Social Security helps hundreds of thousands of our retirees, disabled workers, veterans and children in Nevada with their basic needs. It should be strengthened, protected, and expanded. Amodei and the
Republican Party need to realize that we will not stand for being used as pawns in their political games. Instead of asking to put Social Security on the table, Amodei should be calling on his leadership to give members a vote on a clean continuing resolution and put Nevada back to work and never shut down the US government again. He has no business even thinking of cutting Social Security when this is money that we have paid in and is not government money. Nevadans did not create this mess, but we are the ones who are paying for it every day this shutdown continues. Who do you think you are to do this to Nevadans? Barbara Stone Sparks, NV
21
Press photo, July 9, 2012, Academy of Motion Picture Art's and Science's presented a screening of "It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." Marvin Kaplan is seen with two other cast members Mickey Rooney and Jonathan Winters (who passed away last April).
2013 Contents
page 3 - Letters page 4 - Opinion: VA Claims Backlog Improves Ahead of Veterans Day page 5 - Opinion: Protecting
page 27 - Crossword page 29 - Resources page 31 - Seniors4Travel
Every Issue
Center for Healthy Aging page 15 - Ophthalmology: Dr. Michael Fischer, M.D.
Social Security page 16 - Sanford Center for Aging Director Shares Views page page page page page page
20 21 22 24 25 26
-
Calendar Tinseltown Talks Eydie’s Excerpts Eclectic Observer Biggest Little City this ‘n that
Health
page 10 - CMS: Time to Review Medicare Coverage page 12 - Family Caregiving Dr. Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D.,
Financial
page 7 - Special Needs Trusts Bradley B. Anderson, Anderson, Dorn, Rader - Wealth Advisors
Senior Spectrum Newspaper P.O. Box 7124 • Reno, NV 89510
(775) 348-0717
e-mai l : S eni orspectrumnv@aol . com S eni orspectrumnewspaper. com
Publishers: Chris & Connie McMullen Senior Spectrum is a monthly publication dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain. Publication of advertising contained does not constitute endorsement. Signed columns are the opinion of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publishers. Copyrighted publication. All rights reserved. November • 2013 • 3
Opinion U.S. Senator Dean Heller
VA Claims Backlog Improves Ahead of Veterans Day
Last month, I was notified that 100 percent of all disability claims over Sen. Dean Heller two years old in Nevada have been eliminated from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) backlog. No doubt, it is encouraging to hear that the VA has expeditiously processed these claims. Our veterans have waited too long for these decisions, and I appreciate the focus they have placed on bringing down the back-
4 • 2013 • November
log numbers. Since joining the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the 113th Congress, I have been vocal about the need to reduce the backlog in benefits claims. Most recently, I joined forces with Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. from Pennsylvania to launch the bipartisan VA Backlog Working Group. This group is a united effort by lawmakers, veterans, Veterans Service Organizations, and veterans’ advocates to put an end to the VA disability claims backlog once and for all.
This Veterans Day, we not only celebrate the claims reduction, we also join together in recognizing those who have valiantly served our country in the Armed Forces. My deepest respect and appreciation goes to the brave men and women who have and continue to defend this great nation. As we honor these heroes, we must never forget those who lost their lives while displaying courage and bravery so that we can live free. More than 300,000 veterans call Nevada home, and I
am grateful for the immeasurable sacrifices they have made on our behalf. The character and courage of our military men and women, past and present, are what have made our nation so great. To all of Nevada’s heroes, thank you for your service and everything you have given. Readers can contact Senator Heller at: Bruce Thompson Federal Building, 400 S. Virginia St., Ste. 738, Reno, NV 89501. In Carson City write to: 305 North Carson St., Ste. 201, Carson City, NV 89701.
Opinion U.S. Sen. Harry Reid Social Security reflects the best of America's values. It promises all Sen. Harry Reid Americans that if they work hard and play by the rules, they can retire and live in dignity. Social Security is not a handout. It is a benefit that Americans earn, by working and paying into the system. Social Security has been a remarkable success. But as important as Social Security's earned benefits are to seniors, they are not lavish. The average retiree benefit is less than $1300 month. Many in Washington seem
Protecting Social Security to think that's too much for Americans who have spent a lifetime contributing to their communities. I disagree. Opponents of Social Security often try to create the impression the program is in crisis. That simply is not true. The Social Security Trust Fund has sufficient assets to pay every penny of benefits for the next 20 years. In fact, even after that point, in the unlikely event that Congress takes no action, the trust fund still would bring in sufficient resources to pay about three quarters of promised benefits. Of course, Congress will have to address the pro-
gram's long-term challenges. But it is wrong to suggest that the only way to save Social Security is to destroy it, either by privatizing the program or making deep cuts in benefits. While we must cut wasteful spending and restore fiscal discipline, I strongly oppose plans that would balance the budget on the backs of seniors while protecting government giveaways to large corporations that ship American jobs overseas. Nevada seniors have earned their benefits, and rely on them to put food on the table, make the rent, and pay the bills, especially during these tough economic times. I often wonder whether
Republicans who want to take away from our nation’s seniors understand how many of them rely on Social Security benefits just to get by. Be assured that I will continue to do what I can to support Social Security and to protect it from those who would undermine it. Social Security represents a trust between the government and hardworking Americans who have contributed in good faith. That trust must never be violated. For more information, or to receive the Reid Report ENewsletter, visit Senator Harry Reid’s website at http://www.reid.senate.gov
November • 2013 • 5
6 • 2013 • November
Special Needs Trusts for Children with Down Syndrome Brought to you by Bradley B. Anderson Anderson, Dorn, & Rader, Ltd.
Does your child with Down syndrome receive government benefits? If yes, using your Will to leave money directly to your child can jeopardize their government benefits. Learn how a Special Needs Trust can provide long-term protection for your child. Every year, about 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States. Over their lifetimes, many of these children will contend with serious medical conditions including heart defects, gastrointestinal problems, visual or hearing impairment,
The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys www.probatebusters.com • blog.wealth-counselors.com
dementia, and early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, the costs associated with Down syndrome can be astronomical and many of those with the condition receive public benefits, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). All parents want their children to be happy and to enjoy long-term financial stability, and parents whose children have Down syndrome often believe the best way to accomplish this is to leave money to their children using a Will, a life insurance policy, or a retirement account.
However, leaving money directly to the child can disqualify him or her from receiving much-needed benefits. For example, under SSI rules, a recipient is limited to $2,000 in assets. If a recipient has property valued more than this amount, their benefits are suspended until those assets are “spent down” below the $2,000 threshold. This means that the unintended consequence of an inheritance or even a big gift from grandma could result in a loss of valuable benefits. What is the best way to plan for long-term financial
security for your child? One solution is to establish a Special Needs Trust. Under the terms of a Special Needs Trust, a Trustee manages trust property to ensure that it will remain a long-term source of funds for the child. The Trustee has discretion to distribute trust assets to (or on behalf of) the child, as long as he or she follows strict rules that forbid the use of Special Needs Trusts for any of the services covered by government benefits. In a nutshell, Medicaid and SSI benefits continue to cover the
November • 2013 • 7
Special Needs / page 7
basics, while trust assets can be used to provide a child with the “extras” that enhance quality of life. Often, parents opt for a Special Needs Trust that goes into effect when they die, but this isn’t the only choice. You can also establish a trust that takes effect during your lifetime. There are a number of advantages to establishing such a trust. For instance: • Substantial gifts to your child from grandparents and other family members can be paid into the trust without fear that they’ll interrupt your child’s benefits. • Funds you have earmarked for your child’s care can be transferred to the trust. After the transfer, they’ll be treated as separate assets – not yours and not your child’s. This way, the funds will be out of
8 • 2013 • November
reach of your creditors and safe in the event of divorce. The Trustee you’ve selected will manage them on behalf of your child, so you can rest assured the funds will be put to their best possible use. For more information about Special Needs Trusts, talk to an experienced estate planning attorney. They can help you sort through all your options and establish a comprehensive plan that meets the needs of your child and your entire family. The Law Firm of Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. is devoted exclusively to estate planning and are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. For more information or to attend a seminar, please contact us at (775) 823-9455 or visit us online at www.probatebusters.com.
November • 2013 • 9
Time to Review Your Medicare Coverage David Sayen
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period has begun, and I want to encourage everyone with Medicare to review their current health and prescription drug coverage. Open enrollment runs through Dec. 7, 2013. If you want to change your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan, this is the time of year to do it. Any new coverage you select will kick in on Jan. 1, 2014. If you have Original
10 • 2013 • November
David Sayen Regional Administrator, Medicare Region 9 Medicare and you’re satisfied with it, you don’t need to do anything during open enrollment. Also, Medicare’s open enrollment has nothing to do with the Affordable Care Act’s new Health Insurance Marketplace. If you have Medicare, you don’t need to worry about Marketplace plans. My agency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, announced recently that the average Medicare Advantage premium for 2014 is projected to be $32.60. CMS esti-
mated that the average basic Part D drug premium in 2014 would be $31 per month, holding steady for four years in a row. Since the Affordable Care Act was passed, average Medicare Advantage premiums are down by 9.8 percent. The deductible for standard Part D drug plans in 2014 will be $310, a $15 decline. Meanwhile, the quality of Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans continues to improve, with more than one-third of Medicare
Advantage plans receiving four or more stars (out of a possible five stars) in 2014 -a 28 percent increase over last year. Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans with five stars are allowed to enroll beneficiaries at any time during the year. Medicare plans’ coverage options and costs can change each year, and Medicare beneficiaries should evaluate their current coverage and choices and select the plan that best meets their needs. If you think your current
of fraud or identity theft, please contact 1-800MEDICARE. More information is available at www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
coverage will meet your needs for 2014, you don’t need to change anything. For more information on Medicare open enrollment and to compare benefits and prices of 2014 Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans, please visit: www.cms.gov/Center/Special -Topic/Open-EnrollmentCenter.html. A variety of resources are available to help people with Medicare, their families, and caregivers compare current coverage with new plan offerings for 2014. You can: • Visit www.medicare.gov to see plan coverage and costs available in your area, and enroll in a new plan if you decide to make a change. Open enrollment information is available in Spanish. • Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for around-the-clock assistance to find out more about your coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Counseling is available in a wide variety of languages. • Review the 2014 Medicare & You handbook. This handbook has been mailed to the homes of people with Medicare and it’s also online at: www.medicare.gov/ pubs/pdf/10050.pdf.
David Sayen is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Territories.
• Get one-on-one counseling assistance from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Local SHIP contact information can be found: ! At www.medicare.gov/ contacts/organizationsearch-criteria.aspx or; ! On the back of the 2014 Medicare & You handbook or; ! By calling Medicare (contact information above). People with Medicare who have limited income and resources may qualify for Extra Help paying for their Part D drug plans. There’s no cost or obligation to apply for Extra Help, also called the low-income subsidy. Medicare beneficiaries, family members, or caregivers can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1800-325-0778) to find out more. Please watch out for scammers during Medicare open enrollment season. Don’t give personal information to anyone who shows up at your home uninvited or makes an unsolicited phone call to sell you Medicarerelated products or services. If you believe you’re a victim
November • 2013 • 11
Adding Life to Years
The Importance of Family Caregiving Larry Weiss
November has been proclaimed as the National Caregivers Month. This month is designated every year to identify, educate, support, and thank family,
Dr. Larry Weiss Center for Healthy Aging friends, and other caregivers across the country that provide assistance to someone else who is, in some degree, incapacitated and needs help. If you have been reading my articles for the past several years, you will know that I have written about this topic several times. It is important and in fact, critical to our health and social care system. Who is a caregiver? A caregiver can be helping a wife who has suf-
12 • 2013 • November
fered a stroke; helping a father with Parkinson’s disease; helping a mother with congestive heart failure, or a friend with Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers provide a range of services, including emotional and spiritual support, assistance with financial matters, transportation and other activities of living and health-related services. Northern Nevada celebrates caregivers on November 19th at the Caregiver Awards Luncheon. It is sponsored by the Caregiver Coalition, an organization that is dedicated to providing information, education, advocacy and recognition to both volunteer and paid caregivers in our community. It is a small token, but valuable tribute to those persons that dedicate an incredi-
ble amount of their lives to others. Recognize them! Support them! Thank them! Family or informal caregivers in the U.S. provide an estimated $450 billion worth of uncompensated care to loved ones annually. These caregivers are a huge resource to our society. In addition, according to the Caregiver Action Network, formerly the Family Caregiver Alliance, unpaid caregivers will likely continue to be the largest source of long-term support services. Given the increase of the numbers of the older population and the rates of illness among older adults, more people in the U.S. will likely take on caregiver responsibilities and experience a range of repercussions related to the time, activities, and money that they must allot to caregiving. Imagine where a healthcare system would be without the family caregivers, let alone the quality of life of needy elders and the disabled.
about 51 percent of caregivers are between the ages of 18 and 49. Many caregivers of older people are themselves older adults. Of those caring for a person age 65 plus, the average age of caregivers is 63 years with one-third of these caregivers in fair to poor health. What do all these statistics mean? Put simply, we are becoming overwhelmed with the burden of those that need caregiving. In order to combat caregiver burnout and higher costs to our health and social services systems, we need to support caregivers by providing education and training, informa-
tion about services in the community, complementary services such as respite care, and increased coordination of care. Only through continual education, acknowledgement, and support will we head off a catastrophic burden on our healthcare system and quality of life for our elders and disabled. A beginning step if you are a caregiver is to listen to the following ten tips for family caregivers that the Caregiver Action Network has provided: 1. Seek support from other caregivers. You are not alone! (Caregiving page 14)
What are the demographics of caregivers? It has been estimated that 39 percent of all adult Americans are caring for a loved one who is sick or disabled – up from 30 percent in 2010. There are as many as 90 million family caregivers in the U.S. today. Men are now almost as likely to say they are family caregivers as women are (37% of men; 40% of women). And 36 percent of younger Americans between ages 18 and 29 are family caregivers as well, including one million young people who care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. While caregivers can be different ages, the average age of caregivers is 48 years; November • 2013 • 13
Life to Years / page 13 2. Take care of your own health so that you can be strong enough to take care of your loved one. 3. Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you. 4. Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors. 5. Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often. 6. Watch out for signs of depression and don't delay in getting professional help when you need it. 7. Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one.
14 • 2013 • November
8. Organize medical information so it's up to date and easy to find. 9. Make sure legal documents are in order. 10. Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is! The Center for Healthy Aging, as the non-profit arm, is active with the Nevada Caregiver Coalition in acknowledging caregivers and building educational and service programs that will support informal and family caregivers in the community. Please take the time
to acknowledge and thank the caregivers that you know, and support programs in the community that enhance caregiving. We need them and we need you to support them. What better way to “add life to years”. Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D., is CEO of the Center for Healthy Aging. Dr. Weiss welcomes your comments on this column. Write to him at larry@addinglifetoyears.com or c/o Center for Healthy Aging, 11 Fillmore Way, Reno, NV 89519.
Ophthalmology
Keeping An Eye On Your Internal Clock Michael J. Fischer, M.D. Eye Physician & Surgeon
Ever wonder what you would do without sunlight? The answer rests with your eyes, which provide your brain with clues that help it set the internal clock that keeps you going on a 24-hour cycle. Fairly recently, researchers discovered that there are branchlike eye cells that mammals utilize to set their inner clocks to either day or night. These so-called “intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells,” or ipRGCs, number only between one and two thousand and are positioned deeper in the retina than the Michael Fischer
rods and cones (the photoreceptors that help the eye distinguish light and color). For their part, ipRGCs measure overall light intensity and relay the information to a small region of the brain that controls the body clock. It should be noted, the information provided above helps explain why people deprived of light lose track of time. If you would like further information on today’s topic or an appointment, please call my office at (775)8822988. We are conveniently located at 3839 N. Carson Street, Carson City. Hours: 8-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri., by appt.
November • 2013 • 15
Sanford Center for Aging Director Shares Views on Aging By Connie McMullen It’s been a little over two months that Peter Reed, Ph.D., MPH, has filled the seat as Director of the Sanford Center for Aging, at the University of Nevada, Reno. In the short time here, Dr. Reed has wasted no
effort in getting acquainted with the community, establishing some career objectives, and learning about the state’s lack of resources to care for an increasing aging population. With 20-years of educa-
Dr. Peter Reed, Director, Sanford Center for Aging
tion and experience in the field of aging, Reed says his special interest lies in Alzheimer’s care and research. He has had a long involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association and
16 • 2013 • November
personally gained knowledge and understanding having three grandparents afflicted with the disease. Caring for family, he quickly became aware that elder care would be a lifelong career. The mission of the Sanford Center for Aging to enhance quality of life of older adults through innovation and leadership in interdisciplinary age-related translational research, education and community outreach was one reason he accepted the position. “The fact that it has the legacy of Jene Sanford, the resources (endowment) to support the program, and the university leadership demonstrates a commitment to making the center successful…that was just really appealing.” Previously Reed was the CEO of the Pioneer Network, based in Chicago. The Pioneer Network is a virtual organization dedicated to transforming the “culture of aging,” a philosophy
Director / page 16
to shift long-term care from an institutional model to one of self-determination. Reed says the organization enabled him to work with culture coalitions in 40 states to establish “person-centered care” in nursing homes, a significant change in thinking about the way we care and treat people in the latter stages of life. “From the perspective of culture change, when you think of a nursing home we really try to emphasize the focus on the home. We recognize that as people age and experience perhaps a cognitive or physical disability there are times when they cannot live independently in the community. Certainly we want to support people to live as independently as they can, but there are times when people need to transition into a setting where they are going to receive more professional assistance. We like to think of those (settings) as people’s homes first.” Person-centered practices are a paradigm shift especially among organizations that work with people with disabilities. “Culture change is an important direction for transforming the care that is delivered; there’s a spirit of individualism that is very much aligned with the goals of self determination. Individualism is the heart of culture change.” Other area’s that will be a focus involve university research and student education. Reed says the Sanford Center fully supports the Gerontology Academic Program where 76 students are currently enrolled. “These are students that at a
minimum will have gerontological literacy in whatever profession they choose as a personal career. As we develop the research engagement and clinical outreach I hope to use them as learning opportunities for students. It is central to our mission.” Another area involves research in an academic environment. “What I’d like to do is to position the Sanford Center as a facilitator of interdisciplinary research across the campus and state. It’s about setting up a process by which the 40 or 50 researchers across the campus that are already doing a variety of different research projects can come to together and have a dialogue about the work they are doing, share their research and identify interdisciplinary collaborations to explore new projects and innovations.” Reed says he’s looking forward to setting up various opportunities in 2014
to bring researchers together for potential collaborations, to really use the center as a
cluster of interdisciplinary innovation in terms of aging related research.”
November • 2013 • 17
November Calendar Nov. 3 - Carson Chamber Singers, Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 Island Av., Reno, (775) 883-4154, ccsingersdirector@gmail.com. Nov. 4 - 25 - Food for Fines, to benefit the Food Bank of
Northern Nevada, Washoe County Library locations.
Nov. 4 and 13 - Cooperative Extension Master Gardener training orientations, contact Wendy Hanson Mazet at (775) 784-4848.
Nov. 7 - RSVP Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, Thursday, John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 10:30 a.m., (775) 7841807. Nov. 8 - Nominations for 25th Annual Human Services Awards due, Awards Jan. 16, visit humanservicesnetwork. org/hsn_awards.php. Nov. 8 - Saint Mary’s Art Center, artist reception, NolanPreece, 5:30 p.m., 55 R St., Virginia City, www.stmarysartcenter.org. November 9 - 17 - Friends of the Library bimonthly Book Sales, 10-5 p.m., Reno Town Mall, (775) 772-6297 or www.washoelibraryfriends.org. Nov. 8-10 - South Lake Tahoe
20 • 2013 • November
Food & Wine Festival, Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe, www.Itfoodandwine.com. Nov. 12 - Special Recognition Awards, Carson City Parks & Recreation Award Ceremony, 4:30 p.m., entrance, Pony Express Pavilion, Mills Park, (775) 883-4154. Nov. 18 - Commission on Aging, Aging and Disability Services, Carson City, 9:30 a.m. Nov. 19 - Caregivers Coalition Recognition Luncheon, 12 1:30 p.m., Atlantis Casino, (775) 829-4700, dianeross@ continuumreno.com. Dec. 6 - Senior Coalition, Renown Mack Auditorium, 8 a.m., (775) 348-0717.
Tinseltown Talks
Saluting Marvin Kaplan By Nick Thomas
Marvin points to a photo of the “Top Cat” cast. Arnold Stang, with whom he worked in “It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World,” did the voice for Top Cat. Found this photo on the web, but could not find its original source.
H
alf a century ago, the country was embroiled in civil rights conflicts, a war in Asia, and mourning the loss of a president. When released in the midst of this social turmoil in 1963, Stanley Kubrick’s “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” must have seemed appropriately titled. In reality, the film was an epic comedy featuring one of the greatest casts of comedians ever assembled on film. “There was a pall on the whole country and not a lot to laugh about,” recalled Marvin Kaplan, who appeared in the movie’s memorable gas station sequence. “With stars like Mickey Rooney, Milton Berle, Jonathan Winters, Sid Caesar, Phil Silvers, Buddy Hackett, and Spencer Tracy, the film soon became a comedy classic.” In the gas station scene, Marvin is paired with Arnold
Stang. Their characters, Irwin and Ray, attempt to subdue a highly agitated Jonathan Winters whose character is competing in the mad race to locate buried money. When Winters erupts in anger, he reduces the building to rubble. “Unfortunately, the gas station was destroyed before all the close-up scenes were filmed,” Marvin recalled. “It had to be rebuilt overnight – a mistake that cost $100,000!” While filming his scenes, Marvin was pleased to share quarters with Winters who had one of the few air-conditioned trailers on the set – a blessing in the 107 degree California desert. He also recalls experiencing firsthand Winters’ brilliance at improvisation and mastery of madcap mimicry and mime. “We would play a game in the trailer called ‘Who (Kaplan page 33)
November • 2013 • 21
Eydie’s Excerpts
Heart Attack Survival
What do President Bush and David have it common?
22 • 2013 • November
101
by Eydie Scher
No it’s not their politics even though David likes him. No, David will never be President. David does not work out and bike lots of miles. One is a very fit guy. It’s not my guy although he is getting there. Both like to fish. You must have guessed. Both are very lucky. Both had very serious heart attacks in August. David Scher fishing in Alaska It’s been on the news. President Bush’s heart attack was blocked. Both have stents in them to keep more serious than initially indicated. arteries open. Apparently this is a pretty He is 67. His artery was 95 percent common procedure that saves lives. It blocked. David’s was 100 percent saved theirs. A stent is a small mesh tube that's used to treat narrow or weak arteries. So many of you have asked about how David is doing. I’m thrilled to report, “stupid has been repaired if not totally fixed”. He is doing remarkable well. Just to reiterate, his symptoms were pain in his right shoulder and pain in his jaw. He did not have chest pains. The day before his heart attack, he was at his regular doctor who performed the usual checks of his heart and breathing. Nothing is detected. Isn’t that weird that it happened the very next morning? Diabetes has partnered with David for something like 20 years. It was obvious when one day he came home exhausted, thirsty, and going to the bathroom. His weight was the highest it’s ever been. Luckily, his doctor did not put him on
insulin, just a ton of other meds. The meds helped him but daily checks of his glucose levels did not have the impact they should have. Numbers still remained high. Blood pressure meds have been his sidekick for most of his life, even before me! At the time of his heart attack, his blood pressure was out of sight. You may want to add that to symptoms. Fast forwarding to his release from the hospital, and his new determination to become healthy. And yes, there’s the 6week hiatus of all strenuous activities. Well someone has to mow the lawn. This brings me to the mini story of the Runaway Lawn Mower. The runaway lawnmower: Remember in the colonoscopy story? I mention that David got a new lawnmower along with his other trinkets? The first day he uses it, he needs to adjust the speed since it moves by itself and only needs to be guided. A picture of a rabbit is on top and one of a turtle is lower down to indicate speed options. He promptly rejects my request to try it out.
The lawn mowing falls to me with his instructions. I’m hanging on but the mower has a mind of its own and is taking me off the grass onto the concrete. I’m not supposed to mow concrete! Yikes, we’re going to hit the garage! “Grab the top handle,” David yells. The mower stops. “Can I finish the job?” My daughter and 3 neighbors intervene. The grass is cut but complaints of areas missed spew from his lips. Is there such as thing as lawn mowing lessons? Sign me up! I suppose I’m getting my walking papers for this job. Slowly but surely, David’s strength returns. He religiously keeps those appointments with Dr. Truong. The stent that blocked his artery needs to be checked and another stent might be necessary. Another night in the ICU reunites him with Nurse Heather. She has the night off from roller derby. Dr. Truong, gives me an amazing lesson in how hearts function and specifically shows
me images of David’s heart and stent placements. I might be able to pass an exam on how hearts actually work to keep us alive but don’t bet on it. What is the regiment David’s on since his heart attack? Out go the blueberry muffins, the salty foods and his nightly intake of milk. Twenty-five pounds drop from his frame. Glucose numbers are way down and so are blood pressure ones. This guy is actually walking our puppy on a daily basis. Change is happening. A recent follow-up visit to Dr. Truong assures him that he is able to return to all activities and his next appointment will be in 6 months. The worry is never gone. Winter is our time for snow blowing and shoveling in Tahoe. Now there’s another thing I’d need lessons in, snow blowers. We’ll get through it. The hard part is over. Do the stents shown look like a miracle? Some great men, including mine, can attest to the fact that they certainly are!
November • 2013 • 23
THE ECLECTIC OBSERVER By Janet Ross
M
y daughter and I are hooked on British television, especially crime series, but our love of what’s on the tube in Great Britain dates to our residence there for a few years at the end of the Sixties. It would be fair to classify us as Anglophiles as
24 • 2013 • November
we’re also addicted to Yorkshire Gold tea, sticky toffee pudding, news about the Monarchy, English gardens and Tudor architecture. If a local cable TV provider had BBC America on its menu, we’d probably spring for the service. However, since so
many DVDs of British series are available from Washoe County Library we enjoy free access to our favorites. Some at the top of our list follow: For mysteries considered “cozy,” queen of that genre has to be writer Agatha Christie. There are two memorable characters to Christie’s credit Miss Marple of village-life fame and the dapper Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. David Suchet is the precise Poirot in adventures set in the Art Deco era. Miss Marple has had several actresses in this title role, beginning with the lumpy, frumpy Margaret Rutheford decades ago. Another period, cozy series is The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries. These are based on Dorothy L. Sayers crime thrillers, set in the 1920s, and star Ian Carmichael as a “pippip” kind of protagonist. For something more contemporary there’s Midsomer Murders, set in an English village and featuring DCI Tom Barnaby and his assistant Sgt. Gavin Troy. This popular series has been running for years, with the most recent ones continuing after the retirement of DCI Barnaby. If you’re in the mood for feisty crime fighters, you can’t do better than Inspector Jack Frost in the series A Touch of Frost. Sir David Jason has the title role and he attacks like a dyspeptic bulldog to the dis-
may of his superiors on the force. Equally unpleasant, but eminently watchable is Trevor Eve as the head of a cold-case unit in Waking the Dead. Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel is another loveable grouch, often at odds with his sidekick, DI Peter Pascoe in the Yorkshire series, Dalziel & Pascoe. Rounding out the nasties is Trial & Retribution starring David Hayman as a tough, conflicted police officer. By now you’re probably ready for some comic relief when it comes to crime. There’s none better than the New Tricks series, featuring a cold-case unit staffed by aging, former detectives and lead by the sexy, tough DS Sandra Pullman. Providing you can get through the thick Scots’ brogue, Hamish Macbeth stars Robert Carlyle as a small town Sheriff in Scotland. Oxford detective Morse (played by John Thaw) has provided hours of interesting viewing and the spin-off, featuring his sidekick, Lewis, is now equally popular. The Oxford location adds a unique perspective to the adventures of Inspector Lewis. Finally, there’s the king of mystery writers, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with his masterful detective, Sherlock Holmes. As with Christie’s Miss Marple, several actors have taken on the Holmes mantle beginning with Basil Rathbone. Most of the series mentioned are based originally on books; you’ll find many on DVD at Washoe County Library, for purchase from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and subscription from NetFlix®.
BIGGEST little City
by Harry Spencer
Local Historian Rejuvenates Comstock
A
fter decades of neglect and deterioration, the iconic mining buildings of the Comstock Mining District finally have a new champion of restoration. The name of that champion is the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture. This foundation is co-sponsored by Comstock Mining, Inc. which is setting aside a percentage of its profits to assist in the preservation of this historic landmark. Other organizations and individuals are encouraged and welcome to contribute and cosponsor this worthwhile endeavor. Ron James, freshly retired as Nevada’s state historic preservation officer, serves as the executive director of this non-profit organization and recently was the featured speaker at the Good Old Days (G.O.D) Club in Reno during a standing room only luncheon at the Tamarack Junction. I believe the formation of the Comstock Foundation represents an important step for-
ward for the preservation and promotion of one of Nevada’s greatest cultural treasures and attractions,” said James. “Much needs to be done to preserve the buildings and to address the archaeology within the historic district. The Foundation offers an opportunity for all Nevadans to help preserve, promote, enhance and continue celebrating this national treasure.” In addition to the Comstock Foundation, James serves on the National Park System Advisory Board, as the Chairman of the National Historic Landmarks Committee, and as a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Cold War Theme Study. In December 2012, James retired as the Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer, having administered this agency for thirty years. He was a member of the Comstock Historic District Commission for seventeen years. In 1991, James organized the (Biggest Little page 30)
November • 2013 • 25
this ‘n that
by Anne Vargas annevargas3@gmail.com
There could be an Elephant in our Garage
Not that we expect an elephant in our garage but if Anne Vargas one did wander in we wouldn’t have seen it. Twenty years of accumulated “stuff” had resulted in such a mess that anything could be
lost in there. Even an elephant!
26 • 2013 • November
I’ll be blowing out candles on a birthday cake soon but I won’t be wishing for a visit to a Spa or a trip to Hawaii; what I want is a clean garage. A garage like the ones in magazines. A garage with no clutter. A garage where everything we need can easily be found and everything we don’t need is gone. A garage where an elephant couldn’t hide. I’ve written previously about the frustration of being married to someone who doesn’t want to get rid of anything. “Don’t throw that chipped, rusty
shovel without a handle away (even though we have a new one); we may need it!” I have also written about my secret life as a “toss-a-holic”, sneaking things out in the trunk of my car in the wee small hours of the morning in a feeble attempt to eliminate useless stuff. We did clean the garage once years ago but my elation was short-lived because we had only straightened things up instead of purging; everything still there. We lived in 26 houses during the first 30 years of our marriage. Moving often ensured a certain degree of order and a minimum of excess. Then we retired, came to Reno and have spent the past twenty years in this house. Given my husband’s stance on “stuff”, its not surprising elephants could be undetected in the garage. The Birthday fairy must have been listening because one day, not long ago, my husband unexpectedly announced that he agreed with me about the garage mess and said we had to do something. I didn’t know whether to be ecstatic or distressed because an article in AARP magazine cautioned that sudden personality changes should be brought to the attention of a doctor. I decided to wait until we finished the project before calling.
We didn’t exactly rush into it; first we had to talk about it some more. Then we mentally set aside three days when the weather was predicted to be good; surely we could do this in three days? Maybe not. On Day One we peeked in there numerous times but it was so overwhelming we didn’t know where to start so we retreated into the house to work on other things. Anything. Cleaning toilets was vastly more appealing. Day Two was spent in serious discussion about the best approach and we decided we needed to buy some cabinets. (I backed the car into the old one two years ago and the half-hanging door, easily viewed from the street, has added significantly to the appalling scene.) On Day Three we went shopping and chose something perfect. We didn’t actually buy them, we just selected them, but that gave us a tremendous feeling of accomplishment despite being a bit off our timetable. A week later (yes, a week; I was still procrastinating) I found some cabinets I thought would be better, resulting in more discussion, more time and, finally, a purchase. Heartened by that we put the cars in the driveway, moved a table into
(this ‘n that page 28)
Answers page 28
November • 2013 • 27
this ‘n that / page 26
the garage and started to wade in and weed out, sorting through things we hadn’t seen in years. There was stuff on the table, stuff on the floor, stuff in the driveway, stuff to be donated to St. Vincent’s, stuff in the garbage. But there was no stuff in the trunk of my car; unbelievably, my spouse (or whoever was disguised as my spouse— I didn’t bother to ask) was still amenable to the idea of clearing it all out. In the midst of this, during week number three, some of the new cabinets arrived and more time was spent deciding how we would organize them. Then the garage project somehow evolved to making massive changes in the house (more mess) which led my husband to decide to paint the fence and refinish the deck. At the same time. That’s what he is doing now while I am upstairs Crossword p.27/Solutions
28 • 2013 • November
writing this, neither of us yet inclined to go finish the garage. “Anyone can do any amount of work providing it isn’t the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment.” Robert Benchley It’s week number four. Disarray is prevailing but the scary part is that we are getting used to existing in chaos. The cars are still outside. More stacks of stuff are being added to the driveway. The neighbors are getting anxious…”WHAT ARE THEY DOING?” I told them not to worry. As Sam Levinson said, “I’m going to stop putting things off, starting tomorrow!” Meanwhile, “There’s nothing to match curling up with a good book when there’s a job to be done around the house.” Joe Ryan
RESOURCES • NEVADA INFORMATION.....................211 • Aging and Disability Services ........................................................688-2964 • ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION 1301 Cordone Ave, Suite 180, Reno........786-8061 • CARE CHEST 7910 N. Virginia Street, Reno.....................829-2273 • COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY, 1090 East 8th, Reno.........................................786-6023 • ELDER PROTECTIVE SERVICES ADSD.…................................................................688-2964 • FOOD BANK (TRUCK)....................331-3663 • FOSTER GRANDPARENt........358-2768 • HAWC CLINIC, 1055 S. Wells, Reno........................................................................329-6300 • MEDICATION MANAGEMENt, Sanford Center for Aging.............................784-1612 • NV STATE WELFARE.....................684-7200 • CENTER FOR INDEPendent LIVING, 999 Pyramid Way, Sparks......353-3599 • RTC ACCESS TRANSPORTATION Information.........................................................348-0477 • RENOWN MED. LOW INCOME CLINIC, 21 Locust, Reno..........................982-5270 • RSVP, Reno...................................................784-1807 • RSVP, Rural Counties Carson City..........................................................687-4680 • SANFORD CENTER FOR AGING, UNR........................................................................784-4774 • SENIOR COMPANION.................358-2322 • SENIOR Community Services Employment, AARP, 1135 Terminal Way, Reno........................................................................323-2243 Job Connect, Reno...........................................284-9600 Sparks....................................................................284-9520
• SENIOR LAW PROJECT....328-2592 • SENIOR OUTREACH SERVICES .........................................................................784-7506 • SENIOR SAMPLER (Assist. League) 1701 Vassar St., Reno...........................324-2003 • SHIP (State Health Ins. Adv. PGM) ...............................................................800-307-4444 • SilVER COLLEGE, 5270 Neil Rd., Reno…….....................................................829-9010 • Social Security 1170 Harvard Way, Reno..........888-808-5481 • Veteran’s Administration 1000 Locust Street, Reno...................328-1293 • Veteran’s Benefits 5460 Corporate Drive, Reno....688-1653, X1
November • 2013 • 29
Biggest Little / page 25
30 • 2013 • November
Commission for Cultural Affairs and subsequently administered the distribution of roughly $40 million in grants from that agency, supporting the rehabilitation of over one hundred historic Nevada buildings to function as cultural centers. James is the author or coauthor of ten books including The Roar and the Silence: A History of Virginia City and the Comstock Lode, winner of the Wilbur S. Shepperson
Humanities Book Award for 1998. He has received two awards from the American Association of State and Local History, one for the exhibit Havens in a Heartless World: Virginia City's Saloons and the Archaeology of the Wild West (2007) and more recently for his book, The Gold Rush Letters of E. Allen Grosh and Hosea B. Grosh, which also received an Award of Special Recognition from the Clark C. Spence Award
Committee of the National Mining History Association (2013). James is well qualified to lead this non-profit corporation. The newly organized Comstock Foundation for History and Culture recently announced that the Nevada Secretary of State’s office has accepted the Foundation’s Articles of Incorporation. The Comstock Foundation was established as a non-profit corporation to encourage the preservation and promotion of historic and cultural resources within the Comstock Historic District. The District was granted National Historic Landmark Status in 1961 and is one of the largest, most significant historical landmarks in the country. The Comstock played a critical role in the history of mining, industrial, financial and technical innovation represented by engineering, logistics, legal and cultural advancements. The Comstock was the birthplace of cutting edge mining technology during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. All this happened while Comstock miners developed one of the greatest gold and silver deposits ever discovered. Comstock initially began the groundwork by propping up some of the crumbling structures in Gold Hill and Silver City. The foundation has a twofold purpose of refurbishing and rehabbing iconic mining structures and providing an interactive display to lure additional tourists to the storied location. With everyone’s participation in this Foundation, “the way it was can be the way it is”, for many generations to experience. For additional information, please contact Ron James at 775-443-7803.
Seniors4Travel
New York, New York
part 2
By Carolyn Prusa and Robert Boyd
When tourists, worldwide, plan a trip to New York City (a city on most travelers’ itineraries, we’d guess) there are at least a half-dozen “must see” landmarks to visit. Our list, when we were in ‘The Big Apple’ this September, included the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Empire State Building, Governors Island, Times Square, Radio City Music Hall, the National September 11 Memorial and St. Paul’s Chapel. The National September 11 Memorial and St. Paul’s Chapel Indelibly etched in our minds is the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 which forever changed our country. As with most tourists, topmost on our “must see” list was a visit to the National September 11 Memorial. Located at the World Trade Center site, the monument’s design features a forest of trees with two square pools, each at the location where one of the twin towers once stood. A key element of the memorial plaza’s tree-studded landscape is a single Callery Pear tree, recovered from the rubble at the World Trade Center site. www.9-11 memorial.org In the same vicinity is the historic St. Paul’s Chapel. The chapel and surrounding grave yard date back to our nation’s colonial period. In fact, it is the church where George Washington prayed prior to his inauguration. Until we went to the memorial, we were unaware of the significant role played by St. Paul’s Chapel at the time of the terrorist attack. Located directly across from Ground Zero, the church became a haven for survivors and first responders. It is open to the public and has on exhibit pictures
and memorials to the victims and first responders. St. Paul’s Chapel 209 Broadway, New York, NY 10007 Phone: (212) 233-4164 The Statue of Liberty National Monument The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France in 1885 to the people of the United States as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It has been said that ‘Lady Liberty’ is America’s tallest film star, having been shown in over 100 movies. From the monument’s fabled observatory, nearly a quarter-mile above Fifth Avenue,
viewers can see all of New York City and nearby New Jersey as well as parts of Eastern Pennsylvania. The Statue of Liberty can only be reached via the ferry, either from Battery Park, at the southernmost tip of Manhattan or Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. Ferries run daily, every 15 minutes, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Normally, the ferries also stop at Ellis Island but it has been closed since October 2012 due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. Alas, we had been looking forward to visiting Ellis Island since that was the American gateway for our immigrant forbearers, along with 12 million other new arrivals (New York page 32)
November • 2013 • 31
New York / page 31
from 1892 to 1954. Another time. Phone: (212) 363-3200 www.nps.gov/stli/ Radio City Music Hall One of Robert’s favorite places is Radio City Music Hall, where as a teenager, for two summers he worked as an usher. The pay, he recalls, was $18 a week. Judging from Robert’s fond remembrances, Carolyn wonders if he wouldn’t have gladly paid the music hall for the privilege of being there. Located in Rockefeller Center, the building was nicknamed the “Showplace of the Nation” and its interior declared a city landmark in 1978. The title “Radio City” indicates to today’s readers the importance of
32 • 2013 • November
radio before the days of television. Although, since its inception Radio City Music Hall has been the venue for premiering top films, today it is best known as the country’s leading hall for concerts and stage shows. Notably, since 1932 Radio City Music Hall has served as home base for the famed precision dance company, the Rockettes. Radio City Music Hall 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 (212) 247-4777 www.radiocity.com Curious as to why New York claims the moniker “Big Apple”? If so, check back with us next month as we conclude our adventure in New York City.
Kaplan / page 21
are you today, Jonathan?’ He would go on for 45 minutes making up characters while we waited to shoot the next scene. I’ve worked with two comedy geniuses in my life and one was Jonathan Winters.” The other was Charlie Chaplin. In 1948, a youthful Marvin Kaplan was stage manager for a play called “Rain” at the Circle Theater in Los Angeles. Chaplin was the director. “He was so graceful and walked like a ballet dancer. One time he did a handstand on a table – he was around 60 at the time! And during the shows, he couldn’t sit in the audience and watch because he was too hyper. So he’d walk around the theater with a handkerchief in his mouth, but all the audience was watching him!” Kaplan also recalls performing one Christmas in a play, “Aladdin and the Wonderful
Lamp,” with Chaplin in the audience. “I was in dark Egyptian makeup with my glasses removed. During the show I was supposed to hold up cards, but couldn’t see a thing, so they were all the wrong way. It was really messed up. Chaplin came backstage after the performance to see the cast and Sydney, his son who was in the show. We asked him how he liked it: ‘Sydney was good,’ he said. ‘The monkey was good, too. But that nearsighted Nubian slave really cracked me up.’ It was one the greatest compliments I ever got!” Since the 1950s, Marvin has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, and was a regular cast member on the 80s sitcom, “Alice.” With his distinctive Brooklyn-flavored accent, he also worked as a voice actor, notably in the popular “Top Cat” cartoon from the early
Press photo, July 9, 2012, when the Academy of Motion Picture Art's and Science's presented a screening of "It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" for its "The Last 70mm Film Festival" at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Marvin Kaplan is seen with Jonathan Winters during a panel discussion of the film for its 50th anniversary.
1960s where he voiced ChooChoo. “People tell me all the time they named their cat Choo-Choo after that character!” In recent years, Marvin, who turns 87 in January, has concentrated on writing and producing, including the plays “A
Good House for a Killing” and “Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife” (see www.marvinkaplan.com). In addition, Marvin still acts. “The great thing about growing old is that I can do whatever projects I want. I have to keep busy.”
November • 2013 • 33