Life After 50 April 2016

LOS ANGELES METRO APRIL 2016

southern california

lifeafter50.com

REDUCING

DEBT AND

INVESTING for Retirement

TOMMY

LASORDA

Stories and Secrets

A NEWLY

RENOVATED

FRANCE

Tippi

Hedren Her bird’s-eye view of life

MUST SEE

AT LEAST ONCE in YOUR LIFETIME The Arts Connecting Heaven & Earth

NOW PERFORMIN G!

ALL-NEW 2016 SHOW WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

“ I’ve reviewed over 3,000 shows.

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—Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic

“Absolutely the No.1 show in the world.

No other company or of any style can match this!”

— Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of the English National Ballet

“Absolutely the greatest of the great!

It must be experienced.”

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“This is the highest and best of what humans can produce.”

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“Awe-Inspiring Sensation!”

“A MUST-SEE!”

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— Broadway world

“Go see it to believe it, because otherwise, you are going to miss

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—Joe Heard, former White House photographer, watched Shen Yun 5 times

MAR 19- APR 30, 2016 Long Beach Thousand Oaks

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Northridge Downtown LA

Bakersfield Santa Barbara

Phoenix, AZ Seattle, WA

Tickets: 800-880-0188 ShenYun.com/LA

Contents

April 2016

10

22

26

30

Cover Profile

Departments

10 Tippi Hedren

6 50-Plus: What You Need to Know

Her bird’s-eye view of Hitchcock, her best-known roles, wildlife preservation, aging and more.

A quick look at things 50-plusers should be aware of.

Features

The best in April television viewing.

18 Questioning, Engaging and Diversifying…

The keys for achieving successful retirement investing.

22 Debt Settlement – Does It Really Work?

For those drowning in debt, settlement programs can make becoming debt-free a reality.

26 The Hallowed Hall Of Must-Knowtables – Oscar Wilde Legendary notables that everyone, of every age, should know.

30 The Look Of Life After 50 – Tommy Lasorda

32 Tuned In To What’s On

34 Let’s Get Out

Looking to get out and about? Our April/May calendar has some great suggestions.

38 Rick Steves’ Travels

Ce qui est nouveau en France en 2016.

42 And Finally…The Bookworm’s Best, A Look Back and Just A Thought Before We Go

A book suggestion, memory, and a little something to leave you with.

The Dodger legend shares stories and his secret plan for living to be 100.

All material published within this issue of Life After 50 and on www.lifeafte50.com is strictly for informational and educational purposes only. No individual, advice, product or service is in any way endorsed by Life After 50 or Southland Publishing, Inc. or provided as a substitute for the reader’s seeking of individualized professional advice or instruction. Readers should seek the advice of qualified professionals on any matter regarding an individual, advice, recommendations, services or products covered within this issue. All information and material is provided to readers with the understanding that it comes from various sources from which there is no warranty or responsibility by Life After 50 or Southland Publishing, Inc. as to its or their legality, completeness or technical accuracy.

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Editor’s Note...

Another Memory Made

E

ven here in Southern California, where spring doesn’t possess the overwhelming power to reawaken the soil of the land and the soul of mankind as it does in places that experience four distinct seasons, this time of year still has the capability to ignite the spark of new beginnings.

It is during this season that some celebrate their forefathers’ liberation from Egyptian slavery and the harvest of the first fruits of the barley, while for others, it is a time to commemorate the miracle of the age-old story of resurrection that serves as the foundation of their faith.

And then there’s baseball.

On the third day of this month, the 2016 Major League Baseball season will commence as the St. Louis Cardinals take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nine days later, the Los Angeles Dodgers will officially begin their 2016 campaign as they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for their home opener.

It seems that even with those who are not a fan of the game, it is a rarity to find an American who doesn’t harbor memories that, in some way, are connected to baseball. For some, it may be the memory of playing the game as a kid, whether it was in an empty lot, between passing cars on an urban street, or on an actual field with an organized team. For others, the memories may be of attending a game being played by Little Leaguers, high school or collegiate athletes, or Major League professionals.

My earliest baseball memories are of attending Major League games at Yankee and Shea Stadiums with my father or grandfather. It is amazing to me how much I can still recall of those outings – the players: Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer, Joe Pepitone, Willie Mays and Tom Seaver – the smells: freshly-mowed grass intermingling with cigar smoke and boiling hot dogs – and the hopes: that the Yankees or the Mets would win and I would get to use the fielder’s glove I always brought with me to snag a foul ball (the latter never materialized).

All those old baseball memories, and many more, filled my head as I recently spent an afternoon having lunch with former Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda.

For well over three hours, Lasorda entertained me as he shared what seem to be never-ending thoughts, memories and tales of his storied career, the game itself, and the plethora of colorful characters he has crossed paths with throughout his own colorful life. He even gave me insight on the secret plan he has enacted to reach the age of 100.

When we finished lunch, I gave Lasorda a hug and told him that having spent that day with him would be a memory I would cherish for the rest of my life – another memory made – one that means even more, because in this issue, I get to share a bit of it with you.

David Laurell, Editor-in-Chief

4 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

Publisher Valarie Anderson

Account Executives:

Editor-in-Chief David Laurell

San Diego County/Orange County Phil Mendelson Phil@LifeAfter50.com

Associate Editors Steve Stoliar Claire Yezbak Fadden

Orange County / Los Angeles Mary Westphalen Mary@LifeAfter50.com

Art Director Michael Kraxenberger Editorial Assistant Max Andrews Controller Kacie Cobian Human Resources Andrea E. Baker Business Manager Linda Lam Billing Supervisor David Garcia VP Of Operations David Comden

To contact our editorial department: (818) 563-1007 davidl@LifeAfter50.com

For advertising/distribution inquiries contact: Valarie Anderson (310) 822-1629 x 121, Valarie@LifeAfter50.com 5301 Beethoven St., Suite 183 LA CA 90066 Valarie Anderson Valarie@LifeAfter50.com 310 822-1629 x 121

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©2016 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved

An April Thought

“Life is like a car with a broken gas gage. You never know how far you’re going to go, so you have to do all you can to enjoy the ride.”

– Fritz Coleman

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201 South Lake Avenue Ste. 800 Pasadena, CA 91101

50

The Key To Alzheimer’s Disease?

B

PLUS

What You Need To Know

By Claire Yezbak Fadden

Cutting Taxes By Upping Efficiency

E

very year, the IRS and federal government offer a number of tax credits to homeowners based on how they generate and use energy in their home. The more efficient your home, the bigger the tax credit you’ll receive. With April 15 right around the corner, taxpayers want to receive the maximum refund they are eligible for by keeping up-to-speed on the latest federal energy tax credits. “If you upgraded your home in 2015 by adding insulation, one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make, you already know you are saving on your utility bills every month plus you may be eligible for a tax credit on that investment,” says Ameeta Jain, co-founder and spokesperson of Homeselfe.

Homeowners should also keep up-to-date on tax credits available for smaller upgrades in their homes, which can be eligible for tax credits up to $500, including: biomass stoves, heating, ventilation and air conditioning; advanced main air-circulating fans; insulation (10 percent of the cost, up to $500); roofs (metal and asphalt); water heaters (non-solar earns a tax credit amount of $300); windows, doors and skylights (tax credit amount is 10 percent of the cost excluding labor). For more information on energy tax credits click on www.irs.gov.

Fifty Candles

F

ifty years ago this month, New Jersey became the first state to create a public defender’s office, Bill Russell became the first African-American coach in the National Basketball Association, “The Sound of Music” won Best Picture at the 38th Academy Awards, Dr. Michael DeBakey performed the first artificial heart implant, the first official sporting event played on AstroTurf took place at the Houston Astrodome, and for the first time, American B-52 planes bombed North Vietnam.

Notable personalities born in April 1966 who are celebrating their 50th birthday this month include actresses Nancy McKeon, Robin Wright, Snooky Serna and Cynthia Nixon, actors Jeffrey Dean Morgan and James Barbour, singer Samantha Fox, golfer John Daly and rocker David Usher.

6 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

eing overweight at the age of 50 has been linked to an increased risk of dementia according to a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health tracked 1,400 people using data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Of those individuals, 142 ended up with Alzheimer’s. Researchers further explored the relationship between weight at midlife and Alzheimer’s among study volunteers. They found that being overweight, as measured by body mass index (BMI) at age 50, may predict an earlier age of onset of the devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Each unit increase in BMI at age 50 accelerated onset by nearly seven months in those who developed Alzheimer’s.

While additional research is needed to determine the relationship behind BMI and Alzheimer’s, these findings suggest that maintaining a healthy BMI might be one way to delay the onset of the disease.

Life Lessons From A Lunar Legend

I

n his new book “No Dream Is Too High” (National Geographic, 2016) astronaut Buzz Aldrin reflects on the wisdom, guiding principles and anecdotes he’s gathered through his event-filled life – both in outer space and on Earth. In this inspiring guideto-life for the next generation, Aldrin whittles down his life into a short list of principles he values, each illustrated by fascinating anecdotes and memories.

When Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins went to the moon in July 1969, NASA protocol called for Aldrin to be the first man to set foot on the moon, but rules changed just before the mission. This book outlines how he learned to be proud of his second-place status and also addresses how he felt and reacted when he was rejected from the space program the first time he applied. Aldrin, who will turn 87 this year, also writes of diving in the Galapagos Islands and hitching a ride on a whale shark to celebrate his 80th birthday. Staying fit, energetic and fascinated with life is the message this legendary moonwalker imparts in this great collection of life lessons.

A Little More You Need To Know

The Most Important Thing To Know This Month

Time To Spring Clean Your Resume

A

ge discrimination is a fact of life in today’s job market.

This is true for both the young and the old, according to Marc Miller of Career Pivot. The format and contents of your resume say a lot about your age. If you are seeking a new job, consider Miller’s suggestions to infuse your resume with a youth twist that will get you past the gatekeepers who might think you are too old.

Drop the Home Address

Where You Need To Go Revel in Vatican Splendor

O

ne of the largest Vatican collections ever to tour the United States is now on display at the Reagan Presidential Library. “Vatican Splendors: A Journey Through Faith and Art” includes an extraordinary collection of historical and religious objects, some of which date to the first century, as well as works of art

by Michelangelo, Bernini, Guercino and others. The exhibit includes one of Michelangelo’s signed documents and a rarely seen bas relief sculpture created toward the end of his career. Other objects include venerated remains of Saints Peter and Paul, artifacts discovered at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, and historical objects from the modern and ancient basilicas of Saint Peter’s in Rome. From the sights and sounds of the grand Basilica to a touchable cast of Saint John Paul II’s hand, the exhibition is a multi-sensory experience. The collection includes mosaics, frescoes, paintings by Renaissance masters, works by well-known sculptors and intricately embroidered silk vestments. View precious objects from the papal mass, uniforms of the papal Swiss Guard, historical maps, documents and relics on loan from the Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Vatican Library, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Apostolic Floreria, the papal Swiss Guard, the Vatican Museums, Pontifical Urbaniana University, private papal storehouse and private collections. This exhibition will run through August 28, when the items will return to the Vatican.

There are many reasons not to include your home address, including economic profiling, length of commute and personal safety. If the employer needs your home mailing address, they will request it.

Delete the E-Mail Address

One sure sign you are over 50 is to have an aol.com or an e-mail address from your cable provider. Either sign up for a g-mail address or get an e-mail-forwarding service from a professional society, your alumni association or consider getting your own domain name.

Do Not Double Space After A Period

Putting two spaces after a period is considered obsolete, even though this is how most of us were taught to type on a typewriter. Therefore, most who do this are over 50.

Limit the Skill List

Only list skills that are current and relevant to the position you are applying for. “I have seen many technical resumes that list every system, software program and technology that the applicant has ever worked on,” says Miller. “Unless you are applying for a job that requires knowledge (of) obsolete technologies, leave those skills out.”

The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley.

For more information, call (800) 410-8354 or click on www.reaganlibrary. com/vaticansplendors.

New Words

Y

ou might not find them in a dictionary yet, but they’re a part of the everyday American vocabulary.

Here’s what they mean.

Petextrian: One who texts while walking, usually unaware of their surroundings.

Drake Face: The face one makes when they are a little more than just sad.

Bye Felicia: A snide farewell to someone deemed unimportant and that people are glad to see leave. Rapper and actor Ice Cube coined the phrase in the 1995 comedy, “Friday.”

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 7

“SPRINGTIME” BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ. INSPIRATION BY ROSE HILLS. Spring is arriving. The hills are painted in vibrant tones of green, yellow and gold.

And Rose Hills continues to astound visitors, as well as local photographers like Michael Vasquez, with its everlasting beauty. For more than a century, countless families have made this inspiring setting theirs. You can too.

If you’d like to see first-hand what pristine beauty captivates the artist’s eye, we invite you to come visit us in person. Or us call and we’ll arrange a personal pre-need property tour. Rose Hills. Be inspired.

3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601 (562) 966-0921 • www.LegacyRoseHills.com #FD 970

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April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 9 3/30/16 6:46 PM

COVER PROFILE

Tippi

Hedren Her bird’s-eye view of Alfred Hitchcock, her best-known roles, wildlife preservation, aging and more Story by David Laurell Photos by Bill Dow

O

ver 50 years have passed since actress Tippi Hedren graced the screen in the two roles she will always be best-known for: Melanie Daniels in “The Birds” and Margaret “Marnie” Edgar in “Marnie.”

10 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

While those roles in two of Alfred Hitchcock’s most well-known films have permanently sealed Hedren’s place in cinematic history, the mention of her name today also brings other things to mind. She is the mother of actress Melanie Griffith and the grandmother of Dakota Johnson, who played Anastasia Steele in the controversial 2015 erotic romantic drama, “50 Shades of Grey.” She has also made dramatic and positive changes in the lives of countless Vietnamese-American families by establishing the Tippi Hedren Nail Scholarship Fund, and has provided protection and care for hundreds of wild animals – mostly tigers and lions – through The Roar Foundation and Shambala Preserve.

A fashion model from the time she was a teenager, the then-31-year-old Hedren was noticed by Hitchcock when she appeared in a 1961 television commercial. Looking for an actress to play the lead in his 1963 suspense thriller, “The Birds,” Hitchcock invited her to join him for lunch at Chasen’s restaurant, where he presented her with a pearl-adorned gold pin that depicted three birds in flight (which she is wearing in the photo that appears on this month’s cover and which she also had tattooed on her right shoulder), and offered her the lead role.

After making her big-screen debut in “The Birds,” Hedren was again cast by Hitchcock (who had become obsessed with her) in his next film, the psychological thriller, “Marnie,” in which she plays an emotionally battered woman who travels from city to city, assuming various guises to swindle employers. While “Marnie” was largely panned by critics upon its release, the film has aged well and is now considered to be not just one of Hitchcock’s better films, but a showcase for Hedren’s most outstanding performance.

Following her work with Hitchcock, Hedren moved on to work with yet another legendary filmmaker – Charlie Chaplin – who, at the age of 78, was preparing to produce, direct and score what would be his final film, “A Countess from Hong Kong.” Having already cast Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren in the starring roles, Chaplin lured Hedren to sign on by offering her a “major supporting role” as Brando’s character’s estranged wife. Not having been permitted to read the script prior to accepting the role, Hedren arrived in England for the shoot, only to find her part wasn’t much more than a cameo.

In 1969, while working on location in Africa, Hedren became aware of the plight of African lions. Becoming a passionate advocate for these magnificent cats that were quickly being hunted into extinction, she began speaking out on wildlife preservation, championed the making of the film “Roar,” which would eventually make its way to the screen in 1981, established her own non-profit organization, The Roar Foundation, and opened the Shambala Preserve, an 80-acre wildlife habitat that specializes in the care and preservation of lions and tigers. Today, Shambala, located 40 miles northeast of Los Angeles, serves as the residence for both Hedren and some 70 wild animals.

Having firmly established herself in both the film and wildlife preservation worlds, the mid-1970s saw Hedren’s eyes turn to yet another need. Always an active participant in relief programs for worldwide victims of earthquakes, hurricanes, famine and war, 1975 found Hedren serving as an international relief coordinator with Food for the Hungry. This work introduced her to Vietnamese refugees at Hope Village outside Sacramento, California. It was there that she learned the women who had escaped their war-torn homes were fascinated by her manicured nails. Realizing their fascination could be turned into job training, she employed her own manicurist to teach them the skills of the trade and worked with a local beauty academy to assist them in getting licensed and finding work.

Becoming instrumental in the development of Vietnamese-Americans working in and opening their own nail salons, Hedren’s work became the subject of Honey Lauren’s 2014 documentary, “Happy Hands,” which tells the story of how thousands of Vietnamese had their lives forever changed by finding a livelihood in their new country. That same year, Creative Nail Design, Inc., the global leader in professional nail products and services, partnered with the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation to establish the Tippi Hedren Nail Scholarship Fund to support professional nail education.

Hedren, who turned 86 this past January, recently took some time out of the busy schedule she maintains at Shambala to visit with Life After 50.

Suffering from serious headaches, an ailment that has plagued her for some time, Hedren began the conversation by saying there is simply too much for her to do to let the headaches get the best of her.

Tippi Hedren (TH): There are always all kinds of things going on here at Shambala. There are always a lot of issues and situations to deal with, and it’s all about the animals and what’s happening with them. Having all of these animals in captivity is a huge responsibility – a tremendous amount of work.

Life After 50 (LA50): Does your passion for animals go back to when you were a child?

TH: I think it even goes back before that. I just believe that some of us are born with a care and a love for animals. I have always had an affinity for animals. I respect them and am fascinated by them. When you have been born with that affinity and you become educated as to what is happening to so many of them around the world, you become acutely aware of their plight – dwindling natural habitats and heartless predators – humans.

LA50: Did you have pets as a child?

TH: Oh yes, I had a dog and a cat. It was just a regular domestic cat back then [laughs].

LA50: When did your passion turn to the more exotic of the species?

TH: I think I always had a passion for wild animals. I know there are many people who have a fascination for wild animals, so I don’t really think I’m unique in that respect. What does make me unique is that I rescue them, which is a huge endeavor, one that has really taken over my life. I mentioned that it was a huge responsibility, and it is.

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 11

LA50: You have dedicated much of your life to educating people on the plight of wildlife. Of all the information you impart to people, what is it that you hope they understand the most when it comes to the care and conservation of wildlife today?

TH: That we are on the verge of losing so many of them forever. And, unfortunately, as long as we have these misguided, and in some cases – maybe in most cases – these deranged egotistical big game hunters, we will forever lose more and more of this planet’s wild animals. There have been some laws implemented to stop big game hunting, and hopefully they will be enforced and there will be more that will be implemented that will be even stricter. Big game hunting is something I, and I have to believe, any normal person, just can’t comprehend: that someone could find some sort of perverse pleasure in picking up a high-powered weapon and blowing a magnificent animal away.

LA50: It is unimaginable that there are those who consider it sport to see the life drain away from a beautiful creature.

TH: For a long time, I just could not bring myself to understand that at all, and then, finally, it occurred to me that they are psychopaths. By realizing that fact, it at least helped me understand how a human being could do such a thing. The reason they can do it is because they have no conscience.

They feel nothing for anything or anyone other than satisfying their own warped egos.

LA50: Of all the animals that have come to Shambala over the years, is there one that has left a lasting impact on you – that has changed you in some way?

TH: Oh there have been many. But I don’t know if any of them changed me as much as they reinforced how I feel about them and how amazing and unique and different each one of them is. They all have their own different personalities, just like humans. Learning each one’s traits and personality is just one of the things that makes them infinitely fascinating. We had a Liger here whose name was Patrick. He was one of the most interesting creatures we ever had. Because he was half-lion and half-tiger, he had the characteristics of both animals. He reacted differently to things than any other lion or tiger I have ever known. He was so very beautiful, with caramel stripes covering his 600 pounds.

He became very close to me – my best buddy. Most of the time, he chose to spend his time close to my home. At Shambala, we move the animals around so they don’t get bored and feel like they are in jail. By giving them different surroundings and different neighbors, it keeps them active and is good for them.

But Patrick always liked to be close to where I was. It is with a cat like that you have to always be so cognitive that, while they may be curious about you – even affectionate in their own way – they will always have wild instincts. I remember one time getting too close to him while he was having his dinner, and let me just say, fortunately, there was a strong fence between us. I was just walking past the area where he was and all of a sudden, I heard this horrible, frightening sound and saw him running right towards me. He jumped up on the fence – just rose up with his arms stretched up and, oh my God, the sounds coming out of him were just horrific. I loved him and he wanted to be near me, but he was a wild animal and, had there not been a fence, he would have killed me over his dinner. The fact that they are wild and extremely dangerous is something we are always very much aware of.

LA50: For many years, when people heard your name, they would first think of your acting work, of “The Birds” or “Marnie.” But, today, when they hear your name, many think of wildlife conservation.

TH: And I am more than fine with that. I think that’s just absolutely wonderful!

LA50: But, of course, your acting work is still also a big part of who you are so, let’s talk about your career. Tippi, we just talked about what first comes to people’s minds when they hear your name. What first comes to your mind when you hear the name “Alfred Hitchcock?”

TH: Well, all kinds of things. I know a lot has been written and all, but the point of fact is that the man was a genius when it came to making films. He was a genius in the way he chose the stories and in how he told them. He was a genius in the way he directed and drew the audience in. He was a genius in every phase of making a motion picture. That is just a fact and no one can take that 12 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016 PAL_005136_01_Sr_Print_4.625x11.5_R2_FINAL_CFR.indd 1

3/21/16 1:04 PM

away from him. It was, however, unfortunate that he couldn’t overcome the obsessive infatuation he had with some of his leading ladies and that he felt they were to be sought after. I know that I’m the actress people think of when they hear of his obsession with actresses, but I wasn’t the first or only one he did this with. Unfortunately, with me, it got to the point that I just couldn’t work with him anymore. When it got to that point, I walked out. And I mean I literally walked out on him. Which is sad in so many ways. He played a big role in my life. He was responsible for my acting career and taught me so much – more than anyone else – about acting and filmmaking. But I just couldn’t bear his obsession any longer. When I did walk out, we never crossed paths again.

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LA50: So you stand by the stories Donald Spoto wrote in his 2009 book, “Spellbound by Beauty: Alfred Hitchcock and His Leading Ladies,” and the 2012 film it inspired, “The Girl,” which was what Hitchcock allegedly called you behind your back.

TH: When the producers of “The Girl” called me and said they wanted to do this film based on that book, I said: “Yes! I want to be involved.” I asked them if they would allow me to be involved in the writing of the script. So, yes, the stories and the film are accurate, from my standpoint.

LA50: What were your thoughts on Sienna Miller’s portrayal of you?

TH: I thought Sienna was wonderful. We had an opportunity to meet during the film’s production and spend time together. I thought she really did a

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 13

good job. I know it is very difficult to play a real person, especially someone who is still living. I was very pleased with her performance.

LA50: While you are weighing in on people, can we throw out a few names for you to comment on? Just whatever comes to your mind when you hear their names.

TH: Of course.

LA50: Let’s begin with the woman you are most associated with: your character in “The Birds,” Melody Daniels.

TH: She was a strong woman who knew what she wanted in life. She was purposeful and had a sense of humor. She was a really wonderful character to play.

LA50: What about Marnie Edgar?

TH: I loved playing that role. To prepare for it, I did a lot of studying about children that had been through traumatic experiences and how it manifested later in life. Not too long ago, understanding anything of how childhood trauma affects a person as they become an adult wasn’t even thought of. It has really only been in recent times that it has been discovered that if a traumatized or abused child isn’t dealt with on a physiological basis, it can really ruin their life. Of course, that is what happened to Marnie.

LA50: Tell us about Charlie Chaplin.

TH: He was an absolute delight. I think I am the only actress that got to work with both Chaplin and Hitchcock. I believe that’s true, and I am very 14 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

appreciative of that. I loved Charlie’s direction, although Brando hated the way he directed so much he wanted to quit. That was because Charlie would get on the set and act out all of our parts in front of us. Then he would say: “Okay, now you do it.” Well, that didn’t go over very well with Marlon, who was a Method actor. But I loved the way Charlie directed. I thought Charlie was an absolute delight. Because he was an actor and a physical comedian, he was used to doing all sorts of different roles. I just loved the way he worked, because I actually got to see him perform live.

LA50: What did you think of Brando?

TH: He was one of the finest actors who ever lived and he was wonderful to work with. He had an aura – a presence – about him that I have never seen in anyone else. He also once insinuated that he wanted to have an affair with me. We were on a plane together and that was something I’ll never forget.

LA50: And, and?

TH: [laughing] And I was quite flattered by his insinuation.

LA50: Got it! [laughter] Moving on, there’s one more person I would like you to comment on – Dakota Johnson.

TH: [laughing] Well now, there is a force of womanhood! I so admire my granddaughter. She is a meticulous actress – very serious about her work.

She really works hard and then stands tall and is proud of her work. She is also the most loving and caring woman I know. And so funny! She has a sense of humor that is so slick.

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LA50: When she was offered “50 Shades of Grey,” did she discuss it with you or ask for any advice on accepting such a controversial role?

TH: I don’t think she approached anyone. She is a woman who makes her own choices. She is extremely independent and has always been the type to think out her life and career very carefully.

LA50: Had she come to you for advice on doing it, what would you have said?

TH: That it would be her choice. I’m not big on offering advice. But, honestly, I was surprised she wanted to do that film. But that was her decision, and her attitude about doing it was so good. And, from what I’ve heard, she is apparently wonderful in it.

LA50: You haven’t seen it?

TH: No. Because of the content of the film, I don’t think it’s any of my business to see it. I don’t even know if Melanie has seen it.

LA50: Let’s switch gears again. It really is amazing how you have changed the lives of so many Vietnamese refugees.

TH: I know! It really is amazing – something I’m very proud of. After Vietnam fell, we had a tremendous amount of Vietnamese women coming into the U.S. I was working as a volunteer for Food for the Hungry at the time, and through that work, we were trying to help these women put their lives back together.

We tried to find sponsors for them and jobs for them. And the thing that caught my attention was how these women loved my finger nails. It became a running thing. Every day, they wanted to see my nails, so I thought this would be a great job for these women and asked my manicurist to train them on doing manicures.

After they learned the trade, they got licensed and certified and then those 40 or 50 women went off into the world to start their new lives. Then the word

traveled very quickly through the Vietnamese community and, pretty soon, there was an influx of Vietnamese women learning to become manicurists, and then going all over the U.S. to open shops, and begin lives, and have families, and put their children through school and college. Working with those women has touched me so much – so deeply.

LA50: In the midst of this current presidential campaign, the issue of refugees coming into our country has been one that candidates have been addressing. After working with the women who came from Vietnam, what are your feelings about the U.S. continuing to take in refugees?

TH: This is the United States of America and taking in refugees of war is what we do. As long as we are not being taken advantage of as being the country of the world with open arms, I think it’s the right thing to do.

I have certainly seen firsthand that it works. But in today’s world, with terrorism and millions of people becoming refugees due to a world filled with wars, I think we have to be cautious – extremely cautious – about the way it is handled.

LA50: Every day, we are all getting a little bit older, but you seem to have found some sort of age-defying secret, yes?

TH: I do take care of myself. I don’t eat any sort of meat, just a lot of fruits and veggies. I’m very concerned about what I eat, and I eat very healthy.

Most importantly, I never overeat. I work out every day. I can still get into clothes I’ve had from 30 years ago. I still weigh 100 pounds. I have a daily routine: I make my bed and do my exercises before I ever leave the bedroom.

I stretch my muscles and get my heart rate going. That’s how I begin each day. But I am 86 and I do suffer from severe headaches, so I’ve had to learn to accept that and deal with it as best as I can. I’m getting older every day, I know that, but I refuse to get older mentally. I have no idea of what it is like to be 86, and I don’t want to know. I never think about my age and refuse to give in to things simply because I’m older.

Come, In Peace and Harmony, to Visit Tippi and Her Animals

I

n Sanskirt Shambala means: “A meeting place of peace and harmony for all beings, animal and human.”

Tippi Hedren’s Shambala Preserve is home to lions, tigers, cougars, black and spotted leopards, bobcats and Asian leopards. Once an animal is brought to Shambala, it remains there for the rest of its life; provided with love, dignity and the best human, nutritional, medical, emotional and mental care possible.

With a monthly operating cost of $75,000, there are many ways you can help support The Roar Foundation and the Shambala Preserve. You can become a member of the foundation, adopt a Shambala resident, become a volunteer, or actually visit the preserve for a tour or an afternoon or sunset safari.

All visitors to Shambala must be at least 18 and the admission is $50 per person. The afternoon safaris consists of a three-hour planned program that includes a one-hour guided walking tour. The tour culminates at the Shambala Lake, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch. You will also have an opportunity to shop in the preserve’s Trading Post.

The very exclusive sunset safaris begin with a greeting from the Shambala staff,

16 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

who will then take you to a tent where you will spend the night. Once settled in, you will be taken on a guided tour to meet the residents. Shambala’s staff photographer will follow along to record this once-in-alifetime experience for you. After an evening dinner party with entertainment, there will be time to relax in your tent before you are served dessert, at which time you will be joined for a special welcome by Tippi Hedren and Shambala’s Director Chris Gallucci. After dessert, you will take a midnight safari to say goodnight to the “wild ones,” and then it is back to the tent to drift off to sleep while listening to the mesmerizing sounds of roaring lions and the other wildlife that surround you. The following morning, after breakfast, you will be able to shower and have one last look around at the spectacular animals and surroundings. The cost for this unique event, which is only available during the summer months, is a donation of $3,000.

The Shambala Preserve is located at 6867 Soledad Canyon Road in Acton, California.

For more information on tours or safaris, to make a reservation, or become a volunteer or Roar Foundation member, call (661) 2680380 or click on www.shambala.org.

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Questioning, Engaging and Diversifying…

The Keys for Successful Retirement Investing Special to Life After 50 by Stephen Perl, CEO 1st PMF Bancorp

K

nowing the right answers to important questions is crucial to achieving success in life. The same is true when it comes to investing for retirement. But before you can get the right answers, you must first know the right questions to ask. Knowing the right questions is essential before making any moves in your investment portfolio, and, perhaps, the most important two questions are:

How do I create a prudent investment plan, and what should I invest in to ensure safety and a reasonable return?

When it comes to investing and retirement planning, most people have a tendency to throw their hands up and just leave it up to their financial advisors. The problem with that is, even when it comes to those associated with the large financial 18 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

advising firms, they don’t have all the solutions.

In reality, they only hold a few of the pieces of the puzzle that must come together to create a retirement plan that is prudent, safe, and right for you. Therefore, you must become engaged and have an understanding and awareness of how and what to invest in. To begin that process, one of the most important questions to have answered is this one:

Does it ever make sense to put all your eggs in one basket?

The answer to that question is: “No; of course not.”

Now that you have the answer to that question, you are well on your way to understanding the first and most important principle of investing and for creating a solid investment plan:

Diversification Diversification is the process of investing in different asset classes. However, diversification does not mean to invest only in different stocks (even though this is a good technique for a stock portfolio). One must invest in real estate (if possible), stocks, insurance products, and alternative asset classes. Only by investing in different types of assets, with the prudent consultation of your accountant and financial advisor, will your investment portfolio be properly diversified and yield the best return with the level of safety that you are comfortable with.

Once you finalize a plan for diversifying your assets, you will be ready to evaluate various asset classes that are available for your new diversified portfolio.

For most people, it is automatically the stock market that comes to mind when thinking of their investment portfolio. That is wrong. There is a world of investments available that should be considered depending on the investor’s budget and appetite for risk and return. With that said, the stock market is still essential for a prudent portfolio, but purchasing stocks must be done in moderation and based on the timing of the market.

The current stock market has been on an upswing since 2009 and amounts to the third longest “bull market” upswing in U.S. history. And yet, if you are an investor who is close to retiring or retired, this is the time to be looking at investments that are not solely tied to the market. The following are a few of the things to consider when looking to diversify one’s investment portfolio.

REAL ESTATE For investors with the financial wherewithal, one of the most appealing investments for both shortterm and long-term appreciation is real estate. If you are invested in real estate, your investment will increase in value and protect your net worth from devaluation. Plus, there are other benefits to investing in real estate, such as the income it can produce So how does one approach investing in the real estate asset class?

One could tackle this from several angles. For the most conservative investment side of this asset class, one can buy a property in a well-developed area and then rent it out. This has little to no risk.

The key to making a good real estate investment is to find a property you can buy with a down payment that you are comfortable with, and then rent it out to provide a return of more than five percent per year (after paying mortgage interest, property tax, and insurance). Finding a property like that is not that hard, but it does take some shopping with a good Realtor and the application of good financial common sense.

For investors with a larger budget, buying an apartment building can potentially yield a higher return; but remember, a venture like that does require a bit more sophistication. For example, if you invest in a rental property with more than four units, you are subject to a commercial loan that requires a much higher down payment than a smaller building or traditional home. A four-unit or smaller building would only require a 20 percent down payment, whereas a larger building, one with more than four units, would require a down payment of 35 to 50 percent, depending on the building’s age and condition.

CORPORATE RECEIVABLES Another safe alternative that provides diversification to a portfolio is investing in corporate receivables indirectly.

This may be a bit confusing for some, but it a great alternative investment. Simply, here’s how it

works: Imagine being able to buy a discounted invoice that, say, a company like Costco owes to its supplier. Buying a $100 invoice that Costco will pay in 30 days for $98 is the underlying financial transaction; however, when investing in an invoice-factoring financing transaction or a derivative, the investment companies typically manage the process and just pay an interest rate of return on a monthly basis. The typical returns on this passive investment are about seven percent annually, which beats a certificate of deposit (CD) at a traditional bank by about 1,400 percent. There is some risk, but with more risk, there can be more return. And remember: yield spreads are distorted because bank CD rates are extremely low due the Federal Reserve artificially keeping interest rates low.

As an example of this, PMF Investment Corp. specializes in investing in corporate receivables and helps its many investors to diversify their portfolio over thousands of invoices. Therefore, through investing in numerous invoices of many credit-worthy companies, investors are protected through diversification, while still enjoying a relatively strong return at approximately seven percent per year.

While most advisers do not think about investing in corporate receivables or invoice factoring transactions, placing 10 percent of your investment portfolio in an asset class like this is a great means of diversification.

INSURANCE BASED INVESTMENTS Lastly, insurance-based investments have often been inefficient relative to the average return of the S&P over the last century. And yet, this

category is very important for estate planning and wealth protection in moving wealth to the next generation. There are many products available, but investing in a standard annuity is not always the way to go, since many are not great financial products. There are very solid companies in this space, such as NorthWestern Mutual, which are offering what are probably the safest and most efficient products in the market. Many of the insurance products could also double as investments, but you will need to engage a senior investment adviser from NorthWestern to assist, as they do not let outside advisers work with all their products.

Having the right answers to the right questions is the most important factor in properly creating your investment portfolio. So don’t just let your financial adviser make the call without your input.

Get engaged and be a part of assembling the pieces of the puzzle that will provide you with a plan that is prudent, safe and, most importantly, right for you.

STEPHEN PERL is the CEO

of 1st PMF Bancorp, a leading U.S. commercial bank lender that provides business loans and invoice factoring services. He is the author of “Doing Business with China: Dancing with the Dragon” (Chinamart USA Book Publishing, Inc., 2012). For more information on the services of the Los Angeles-based PMF Investment Corp., click on www.pmfbancorp. com or call (310) 858-6696.

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 19

on M

New amplified phone lets you hear AND see the conversation.

o ct N tra ee on o F N ly th

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Breakthrough technology converts phone calls to captions.

The Captioning Telephone converts phone conversations to easy-to-read captions for individuals with hearing loss.

A simple idea… made possible with sophisticated technology. If you have trouble understanding a call, the Captioning Telephone can change your life. During a phone call the words spoken to you appear on the phone’s screen – similar to closed captioning on TV. So when you make or receive a call, the words spoken to you are not only amplified by the phone, but scroll across the phone so you can listen while reading everything that’s said to you. Each call is routed through a call center, where computer technology – aided by a live representative – generates voice-to-text translations. The captioning is real-time, accurate and readable. Your conversation is private and the captioning service doesn’t cost you a penny.

Captioned Telephone Service (CTS) is regulated and funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is designed exclusively for individuals with 20 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

hearing loss. In order to use CTS in your home, you must have standard telephone service and high-speed Internet connectivity where the phone will be used. Callers do not need special equipment or a captioning phone in order to speak with you.

Finally… a phone you can use again. The Captioning Telephone is also packed with features to help make phone calls easier. The

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The Captioning Telephone is intended for use by people with hearing loss. In purchasing a Captioning Telephone, you acknowledge that it will be used by someone who cannot hear well over a traditional phone.

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Do you get discouraged when you hear your telephone ring?

Do you avoid using your phone because hearing difficulties make it hard to understand the person on the other end of the line? For many Americans the telephone conversation – once an important part of everyday life – has become a thing of the past. Because they can’t understand what is said to them on the phone, they’re often cut off from friends, family, doctors and caregivers. Now, thanks to innovative technology there is finally a better way.

California Eye Doctors Help Legally Blind To See High Technology For Low Vision Patients Allows Many To Drive Again the wet form is caused by blood vessels leaking fluid. Treatment is aimed at stopping the leak and preventing further leaks.

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Patient using prismatic low While there is currently no vision glasses for reading. cure, promising research is For many patients with being done on many fronts. macular degeneration and “My job is to figure out other vision-related conditions, everything and anything the loss of central visual possible to keep a person detail also signals the end to one of the last bastions of independence - driving.

California optometrists, Dr. Richard Shuldiner and Dr. Harold Ashcraft are using miniaturized telescopes which are mounted in glasses to help Patient using telescopic glasses people who have lost vision to drive and read signs. from macular degeneration functioning” says Dr. Ashcraft, and other eye conditions. a low vision optometrist in Los “Some of my patients Angeles. Even if it’s driving. consider me the last stop for “The major benefit of bioptic people who have vision loss” telescope low vision glasses is said Dr. Shuldiner “most magnifying road signs, traffic people don’t know that there lights and other distance objects are low vision optometrists necessary for safe driving”. who have extensive experience Dr’s Ashcraft and Shuldiner in helping those with vision are members of The International loss.We help people with Academy of Low Vision macular degeneration, diabetic Specialists (www.IALVS.com) retinopathy, RP and other eye and have extensive experience diseases regain function and in working with the visually independence.” impaired.

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April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 21

Debt Settlement –

Does It Really Work?

A viable option for those drowning in debt, have poor credit, and who don’t want to consider bankruptcy, settlement programs can make becoming debt-free a reality

By Jack Dominico, Allstate Debt Consolidation

G

etting rid of debt is crucial to anyone’s financial health, as well as their future.

Being debt-free allows people to enjoy life again and it allows them to make financial decisions without worrying about getting hounded by creditors every month. It also helps them start saving for retirement, their kids’ education, or any other important event that they may need to plan for down the road.

But what happens when people can’t reduce debt on their own? And what happens when, because of poor credit, they are unable to qualify for traditional solutions, such as consolidation loans?

That’s when debt settlement becomes a viable option. It’s for people who don’t have the best credit and who don’t want to consider 22 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

bankruptcy. Settlement programs are a strategy in which consumers hire a company to negotiate with creditors on their behalf. If the settlement negotiations are successful, the consumer’s total debt will be reduced to a manageable amount.

How much will one’s debt be reduced by?

That depends on how much debt the creditor is willing to forgive.

To achieve success in these negotiations, it’s important that creditors see the value and understand that this will be the best option for them as well. It’s always easy to see the value for a debtor, but for creditors, it has to be proven that this is the best way to solve the issue and not have it linger on for years or ultimately be charged off in bankruptcy. Once the debt-

settlement company is able to show the creditor that this is the best path to take for both parties involved, they are more likely to agree to the terms.

This type of program works best when a debtor has an experienced advocate representing them, someone who knows how creditors think and what their goals are. By hiring a quality debt-settlement agency, a person is more likely to have their creditors agree to new terms.

A settlement agency has the experience to make these deals and they know how to frame the situation in a way that makes sense to creditors and helps them see the value. At my company, Allstate Debt Consolidation, we provide consumers with the tools they need to make the right decisions for their debt and finances. We also provide reviews

of companies and other debt-elimination firms that consumers may not be familiar with. Our Website, www.allstatedebtconsolidation.com, has a plethora of information to help people no matter what type of debt-related info they are looking for.

Are you so far in debt that you’re unable to pay your payments?

Debt settlement may be your salvation.

To qualify, all you have to do is meet the criteria of the company providing this service to you. Usually, those requirements are that you have $10,000 or more of debt, and if a settlement can be arranged, that you will agree to stick to the program.

If this sounds good, it is. However, it is vitally important that you work with a reputable company to avoid getting ripped off and end up in even worse shape than when you started.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Debt settlement has come under fire because a lot of companies don’t deliver on their promises.

Many of the dishonest firms promise a lot and deliver very little, or nothing. That’s why the government has cracked down on them in a big way, which has resulted in many of the shady firms being put out of business. But some still exist.

The good news is that there are legitimate firms out there. The honest providers can get you a lower monthly payment after negotiating with your creditors to waive some of your fees.

In addition, they can help you create a smarter budget that fits your lifestyle. But the most

important part is that they can help you eliminate most of your debt within 24 to 48 months at a reasonable cost to you.

WHO SHOULD YOU USE? As mentioned earlier, not all companies comply with the rule of law and some are downright scammers. Avoiding these unscrupulous firms is crucial to your success.

To avoid the scammers, you must only deal with companies that are known for doing the right thing. One such company is National Debt Relief. Not only did they survive the government crackdown, they also have a stellar record with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). They are a big company within the industry and have thousands of satisfied customers from all over the country.

One of the things that separates the legitimate debt-settlement companies from the scammers is that the good ones don’t charge any upfront fees. National Debt Relief doesn’t make people pay anything until the work is done. If they can negotiate a successful plan for you, they will then charge between 20 and 25 percent of the total debt you enroll with them.

Another second settlement company you should take a look at is www.Curadebt.com. They have been around over 10 years, also have a good rating with the BBB, and are accredited with the American Fair Credit Counsel.

JUST HOW DOES THIS ALL WORK? A debt settlement program enables you to reduce what you owe and pay off personal loans, utility

bills, credit-card debt, medical bills and many other unsecured debts at an affordable rate. You will repay a defined percentage of the overall debt, along with a fee for the negotiating and handling of the agreement.

Debt settlement programs are a two- to fouryear agreement where a pre-agreed sum of money will be paid to the trustee’s account. This program is considered to be the primary alternative to bankruptcy. However, unlike filing for chapter seven, it is not a legally binding arrangement.

Following a 2010 ruling by the Federal Trade Commission, all fees must be taken from each monthly payment. Fees cannot be front-loaded.

This ensures that fewer creditors become frustrated because they are last to receive any money. It also gives you the chance to change your mind if you ever decide that the solution is not right for you.

GETTING STARTED If you are unsure whether a company offers a good service, check the feedback that has been given to the Better Business Bureau. When trying to find a trustworthy debt settlement company, look for one that has been around for many years. If there are any problems, they are more likely to have been exposed. This is not to say that a new company is not good, but it is harder to find out what they are all about, because of their newness.

Once you have selected the right company for your requirements, do not delay getting started, because the sooner you begin, the sooner you will be free from debt. You just need to make sure that you have considered every other option before starting a program like this. You will also need to look into whether these programs are available in your state and if there are any tax obligations that may be incurred by debt elimination. Remember, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) treats debt settlement or negotiation as taxable indebtedness income. In other words, when your debt is reduced, it is considered to be a source of income unless you are considered to be insolvent. That is why you need to seek the advice of your accountant before proceeding with this type of program. If you don’t, you could end up with a large tax bill.

THE BOTTOM LINE If you are out of options and drowning in debt, these programs can offer relief and peace of mind.

But it is crucial that you do your due diligence before signing on with a firm. If you do find the right one, you can be on your way to eliminating your debt and start living again.

JACK DOMINICO is a representative of Allstate Debt Consolidation.

For more information on debt settlement programs, click on www. allstatedebtconsolidation.com

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T H H  M-K

By Steve Stoliar Illustration by Mark Hammermeister

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The name “Oscar Wilde” usually conjures up his two most-famous works: “The Importance of Being Earnest” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” But there was so much more to this flamboyant – and controversial – writer than just those two titles. This larger-than-life character was a prolific poet, playwright, novelist, essayist and an incredibly popular celebrity of his time.

O

scar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in Dublin on October 16, 1854. His mother Jane Wilde was a successful poet who wrote under the pen name “Sperenza” (Italian for “Hope”). Oscar’s father Sir William Wilde was also an author, as well as an oto-ophthalmologist (ear and eye doctor). Oscar was the second of three children. In addition to the three children he had with Jane, William also fathered three other children out of wedlock before his marriage.

Wilde was self-taught, learning French, German, Italian – even ancient Greek – developing a fascination with art and the classical world. He attended Trinity College in Dublin from 1871 to 1874, focusing on classical studies and sharing a room with his older brother Willie.

While at Trinity, Wilde became a respected member of the University Philosophical Society and was an exemplary student, publishing impressive, thought-provoking poems and essays with great regularity.

In 1874, Wilde won a scholarship to Magdalen College at Oxford in England, where he became quite well known for his active participation in the aesthetic and decadent movements. He loved to decorate his rooms with extravagant and exotic items, including peacock feathers, lilies and sunflowers. He once commented to a friend: “I find it harder and harder every day to live up to my blue china.”

In 1878, Wilde won the coveted Newdigate Prize for his poem “Ravenna,” inspired by his visit to the Italian city several years earlier. After graduating from

Oxford that same year, Wilde returned to Dublin where he rekindled a romance with his childhood sweetheart Florence Balcombe. Unfortunately, Florence jilted Wilde and married future “Dracula” author Bram Stoker. A disappointed Wilde left Ireland and returned to England, which he would make his home for much of the remainder of his life.

In 1881, at the age of 27, Wilde published his first collection of poems. It quickly sold out its first run of 750 copies. Not every reviewer was taken with Wilde’s poetry, however. The satirical magazine, Punch, quipped: “The poet is Wilde, but his poetry’s tame.” One imagines Wilde must’ve appreciated their cleverness – even as they criticized his talents.

In 1882, opera impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte invited the promising young writer to make a lecture tour of the United States, during which he expounded upon a wide variety of topics including decorative art and the English Renaissance. The tour was intended to last four months, but because of the increasing popularity of his colorful lectures, his time in America lasted nearly a full year. This is not to say that the critics were as kind to Wilde as the audiences.

They criticized and caricatured him mercilessly, poking fun at his outlandish outfits and behavior and accusing him of making more of a bid for notoriety than a genuine advocacy of beauty and aesthetics. Nevertheless, Wilde was celebrated in the most-fashionable salons of every city he visited.

In 1883, Wilde penned the play “The Duchess of Padua,” which, when

This feature is intended for you to clip and give to your children or grandchildren because…they must-know!

26 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

coupled with his considerable earnings from his published poems, essays and recent American tour, allowed him to move to Paris, where he lived for several months, before moving back to London.

On May 29, 1884, Wilde married Constance Lloyd, the daughter of one of Queen Victoria’s attorneys, whom he had met several years earlier in London.

They had two sons, Cyril, born in 1885 and Vyvyan, born the following year. During Constance’s pregnancy with Vyvyan, Wilde reportedly became physically repelled by his wife’s appearance and their marriage began to unravel (they divorced in 1898.) During this time, Wilde was reportedly initiated into homosexuality by Robert Ross, a Canadian journalist and art critic who had attended Oxford and had remained in London.

Throughout the 1880s, Wilde contributed numerous essays and poems to different publications dealing with art, literature and his overall philosophy of life. In 1887, he became editor of The Woman’s World magazine, penning articles on parenting, culture, politics, fashion and art. He would also contribute an occasional short story.

The following year, Wilde left the magazine to devote himself to writing fiction for numerous periodicals, which covered subjects as varied as fairy tales, Shakespearean sonnets, and crime.

The July 1890 issue of Lippincott’s Monthly magazine featured, as its lead story, the first installment of “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” by Wilde. The story concerns the title character, a wealthy London gentleman who makes a Faustian bargain that he will remain forever young, even as an oil painting of himself grows old and decrepit. This allows Gray to indulge in any number of hedonistic and criminal pleasures, without any apparent toll being taken on his actual person. After the story was serialized in the magazine, Wild published the complete tale as a novel in 1891.

Reviewers attacked the story’s decadence and homosexual overtones, some calling it “unclean” and “poisonous.” Nevertheless, the book – Wilde’s sole work as a novelist – was a great success.

In 1892, Wilde wrote a biography of the Biblical temptress, Salome, in play form – and in French. Celebrated artist Aubrey Beardsley provided the illustrations. Plans were under way for “Salome” to be presented on the London stage starring the great French actress, Sarah Bernhardt.

Unfortunately, the Lord Chamberlain refused to license the play to be performed in England because it depicted characters from the Bible.

(The play was eventually produced in 1896.)

Wilde followed this controversial work with three light, comedic plays about society: “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” “A Woman of No Importance” and “An Ideal Husband.” These were received with much less resistance by the authorities as well as audiences. He then delivered what turned out to be his last play – and what is generally considered to be his masterpiece: The farcical light comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” which centers on two Londoners who put up fictitious identities in order to avoid social obligations.

The play, which opened in February of 1895, was wildly (so to speak) successful and remains his most frequently revived play. Its success was followed by an equal and opposite downturn in Wilde’s life – his arrest and imprisonment for homosexuality (which continued to be illegal in England until 1967).

It was Wilde himself who brought libel charges against the Marquess of Queensberry for accusing him of indulging in homosexual acts. Had Wilde not gone forward with the lawsuit, the scandal might have gone away before getting out of control. Unfortunately, Queensberry won the libel case, Wilde was arrested, convicted, and taken to London’s Newgate Prison in May of 1895, transferring to Wandsworth Prison a few months later.

While in prison, Wilde wrote a 50,000-word autobiographical letter to his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, which was posthumously published as “De Profundis” and later included in “The Letters Of Oscar Wilde.” He was released in May of 1897 and immediately sailed to France, never to return to England – or Ireland.

Not surprisingly, Wilde’s harsh imprisonment had taken a substantial toll on his health and spirit, and he spent his final years in impoverished exile, wandering the Parisian streets alone, spending what little money he had on alcohol.

As his health deteriorated, he became confined to a run-down hotel, where he joked to a friend: “My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One of us has got to go.” Variations on this bon mot have been widely circulated as “Oscar Wilde’s Last Words,” but they were really only his “towards the end of his life” words. Closer to death, he told his friend Reggie Turner: “I dreamt that I had died and was supping with the dead!”

Wilde actually took his place at that table of the departed on November 30, 1900, of cerebral meningitis. He was initially buried at Cimetiere de Bagneux outside Paris, but his remains were transferred to the famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris in 1909, where they currently reside.

Although scandalized in life and impoverished at death, Wilde’s work is still widely read and performed, and he is remembered as much for his wit as he is for being an early champion of gay rights.

LEARN MORE • The Complete Works Of Oscar Wilde” by Oscar Wilde (Harper Perennial Classics, 2008).

• “The Importance Of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde (Dover Publications, 1990) • “The Picture Of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde (Dover Publications, 1993) • “Oscar Wilde” by Richard Ellman (Vintage Publishing, 1988)

Mark Hammermeister is an award-winning artist. His work is available for purchase at www.markdraws.com April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 27

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Tommy Lasorda One can learn a lot by lunching with the Dodgers’ legendary skipper... including his secret plan for living to be at least 100

Story and photos by David Laurell

E

njoying lunch on the patio of a Burbank restaurant, Tommy Lasorda hardly puts a forkful of food in his mouth without fellow diners and people passing by waving, calling out to him, or actually stopping at his table to express their love and appreciation of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ former skipper.

“People are always coming up and saying hello and asking for an autograph and if they can have their picture with me,” says Lasorda. “It happens everywhere I go and I’m very grateful for that.

Back when I was a young player with the Brooklyn Dodgers, I could walk down a street in New York and if I dropped dead right in the middle of the street, people would just step over me. Today, I walk down a street anywhere and everybody’s yelling: ‘Hey Tommy! How you doing?’ The truck drivers drive by hollering, people of all ages are waving and smiling.

It makes you feel good. I love it.”

As Lasorda finishes his lunch, the waiter asks if he would like to cap off the meal with dessert and begins listing the temptations. Lasorda, who is trying to lose 30 pounds, ignores the list of confections until the mention of carrot cake widens his eyes.

30 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

“Carrot cake is one of my weaknesses,” he reveals under his breath as he motions for the waiter to bring him a slice. “But I do have to get serious about losing weight,” he says. “One of the owners of the Dodgers – I’m not going to say who – but he told me he didn’t like the way I’m looking and made me a deal: that if I lose 30 pounds, he’ll give me a million dollars.”

As the carrot cake arrives and Lasorda takes a bite, he says he has been given a year to drop the weight. “I figure if I start getting close to the time being up and see I’m not going to make it, I’ll just go to my doctor and have him cut off one of my legs. Hey, I’m not going to miss out on the million,” he adds with a laugh.

HIS MOTIVATING MAGIC If Lasorda’s own well-honed motivation skills (along with the big payout) are not enough to get his weight down, it will be a surprise. Throughout his many years as a team manager with the Dodgers, he proved, over and over, to be able to inspire players and coalesce them into highly

motivated championship-winning teams.

Asked about his ability to spark such inspiration in others, Lasorda says it was just a matter of knowing his job and the responsibility that came with it: to get players to believe in themselves, work as a team, and win.

“I managed seven years in the Minor Leagues, and five of those years we won the pennant,” Lasorda states proudly. “My players always knew I was out for them and that I loved them, that I believed in them, and wanted them to be the best they could be.”

Asked to provide a specific example of his motivational proficiency, Lasorda recalls a time one of his teams was in a bad losing slump. “We had lost six games in a row,” he says. “And after that sixth loss, I walked into the locker room and the guys were all sitting around looking like somebody killed their entire family. So I said: ‘What the hell are you guys hanging your heads for?’ I wanted to tell them something that would really motivate them, so I said: ‘Do you guys realize that every sportswriter has always believed the greatest team in baseball was the 1927 Yankees? Well, do you guys know the

‘27 Yankees lost eight games in a row? You guys have only lost six. So let’s get out there and turn it around.’ I then went out to the car where my wife was waiting for me and she asked what took me so long. I told her that story and she said: ‘Wow! That must have really made an impression on them.’ So we were heading home and a few minutes later, my wife asked me if the ’27 Yankees really lost eight games in a row. ‘How the hell should I know? I was just born that year,’ I told her. ‘But they could have.’ And that story sure sounded good to those players. It motivated them and, I kid you not, they went out and began winning again.”

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY Having scouted for, played with and against, and managed some of the most legendary players in the history of baseball, Lasorda says he considers Ted Williams to be the greatest player of all time – a comment he realizes is viewed as heresy by his fellow Italians. “Italians believe Joe DiMaggio was sent to us by God,” he laughs.

He also still pines for the greatness that might have been with one young kid he tried to recruit when, following his days as an active player, he worked as a scout for the Dodgers.

“As a scout, you travel all over, always imagining you’ll see a player like no one else has ever seen, and that you will find a guy who will go on to become a star,” says Lasorda. “So one time, I found myself in this little town in Pennsylvania.

A guy at the game asked me if I saw anybody I liked. I told him I liked this one kid and the guy asked if I wanted to meet him. I said: ‘Do you have an Italian restaurant in this town?’ He said they did, and I said: ‘Great! Let’s meet there.’ So later that day this kid walks in with a little goatee and I offered him a contract with a $10,000 bonus, which was good money at that time. He said: ‘I‘d love to play baseball more than anything. But I promised my mother I would go to college, so I’m going to have to turn you down.’ Many years later, I had just gotten on a plane heading for L.A. and the flight attendant came over to me and said: ‘Tommy would you mind taking the window seat.

I have a passenger who has a bad leg and needs an aisle seat.’ So I moved over and who walks in: that kid with the goatee from Pennsylvania – whose name was Joe Namath. He sat down and I said: ‘Ya know Joe, had you taken that 10 grand I offered you to play baseball instead of going on to play football, you wouldn’t have to be sitting on the aisle with a bad leg.”

“Whenever I talk about the Dodgers, it’s never just about the team,” says Lasorda “I always talk about the fans. I used to tell my players we had to win, not just for ourselves, but for our fans. I felt we owed them championships. I always admired and appreciated the fans and was very aware that I always represented the Dodgers in everything I did. If I got into a fight in a bar, nobody was going to say Tommy Lasorda from Norristown, Pennsylvania, got in a fight. They would say Tommy Lasorda of the Dodgers got into a fight.

Wherever I went, I always wanted to represent the organization to the highest degree. I never got politically involved or did anything controversial. I love the Dodgers and will die a Dodger. I had many opportunities to leave the organization during my career, but would never do it. I turned them all down, because I wanted to always be a Dodger.”

Along with his allegiance to the Dodgers, Lasorda has an even stronger one to his wife, Jo, whom he married 65 years ago this month. Asked if there is any secret to making a relationship work for that many decades, he shrugs and says there really is no secret. “You just have to have confidence in each other and believe in one another,” he opines. “You have to love one another and always treat your wife the way you did when you were dating them.”

The proud grandfather of one granddaughter, who is currently attending Pepperdine University and hopes to become a horse trainer, Lasorda says one of his greatest joys is spending time with her.

What is not so joyful to him is having to watch what he eats.

“The only thing I watch is every mouthful as it goes in,” he says laughing. “But I am going to be getting serious about it here soon, because I

can’t lose out on that million dollars. So I do a little exercise. I don’t overdo it, but I stretch every day to keep my muscles loose and I have a weight machine I use.”

HIS SECRET PLAN FOR LONGEVITY As for his thoughts on living life in his ninth decade, Lasorda says he is feeling good and has plans on still being around for some time – at least to 100. In fact, he actually has a specific plan for making that happen.

“I have a system to make it to 100. I keep moving around so God can’t find me,” he says with a laugh. “God starts looking for people to take when they slow down and stop moving. So every day, I’m up and doing this and doing that, moving around from here to there, so he never knows exactly where I am.”

As he reluctantly pushes away the plate holding his half-eaten carrot cake, Lasorda looks up to see a restaurant patron standing a few feet away from the table. The man, making eye contact with Lasorda, says he doesn’t want to bother him while he’s having lunch, but to just take a second to genuflect.

Lasorda laughs. “Can you believe that?” he says shaking his head. “That means so much to me. It amazes me how much love I get from people. It’s been an incredible life that I can’t even believe.

I never thought I would have a life like this. I have been so blessed. And I always want people – especially kids – to know that, no matter how down you may be in life, you can still become something.

If it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.

I’ll never stop saying that. The only time I’ll ever stop is when I stop moving. That’s when God will find me and it will be time for me to go.”

LASORDA’S LIFE TODAY Today, at the age of 88, the Norristown, Pennsylvania native who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, continues to scout, evaluate and teach Minor League players for the Dodgers. He is a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, regularly visits patients at the Tom Lasorda Heart Institute at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, California, and has become the most popular goodwill ambassador for the Dodgers, and the game itself.

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 31

Game of Silence – New Series, NBC – Premieres Thursday April 7 at 10 p.m.

The producers of such shows as “CSI,” “Parenthood” and “Friday Night Lights” are behind this 10-episode drama based on the award-winning Turkish television series. Aiming for a darker, cable-style feel – and promising a definite resolution at the end of season one – this Atlanta-set series centers on a promising young attorney, played by David Lyons, whose career is suddenly threatened by the return of a dark secret from his past. He and his four best friends thought their secret was buried 25 years ago, but they soon discover that you can’t hide your past forever.

Hunters – New Series, SyFy – Premieres Monday April 11at 10 p.m.

This adaptation of Whitley Strieber’s novel “Alien Hunter” stars Nathan Phillips as a Baltimore FBI agent whose investigation into the disappearance of his wife leads him to a secret government antiterrorism unit whose targets may not exactly be locals and may or may not be from this world. Part gritty crime drama and part sci-fi thriller, this new 13-episode series hails from executive producers Gale Anne Hurd who brought us “The Walking Dead” and Natalie Chaidez of “Heroes” fame.

This new two-part, four-hour film from master documentarian Ken Burns tells the story of an American icon whose life-long battle for first class citizenship for all African-Americans transcends even his remarkable athletic achievements. Robinson rose from humble origins to cross baseball’s color line and become one of the most beloved men in America.

A fierce integrationist, Robinson used his immense fame to speak out against the discrimination he saw on and off the field, angering fans, the press, and even teammates who had once celebrated him for “turning the other cheek.” After baseball, he was a widely-read newspaper columnist, divisive political activist and tireless advocate for civil rights, who later struggled to remain relevant as diabetes crippled his body and a new generation of leaders set a more militant course for the civil rights movement.

The Last Panthers – New Miniseries, Sundance

Photo courtesy of Hulton Archive Getty Images

Jackie Robinson – New Documentary, PBS – Premiers Monday April 11and Tuesday April 12 at 9 p.m. (check local listings)

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Samantha Morton, John Hurt, and Tahar Rahim head the cast of this six-episode European crime thriller. Based on true events involving the Pink Panthers, notorious Balkan jewel thieves, this heist thriller kicks off with a daring diamond robbery. It then transfers to the heart of Europe as Naomi, a British loss adjuster, played by Morton, and Khalil, played by Rahim, get on a collision course with a Serbian gangster, and a French-Algerian policeman, in hot pursuit. Hurt plays Naomi’s shady boss. The chase takes Naomi and Khalil into a world populated by not just gangsters but a new species of criminal “banksters.”

The late David Bowie provided the series’ theme song.

The Night Manager – New Miniseries, AMC – Premieres Tuesday April 19 at 10 p.m.

Published in 1993, this six-part contemporary adaptation of John le Carre’s “Night Manager,” follows Jonathan Pine, played by Tom Hiddleston, a British soldier turned luxurious hotel night auditor.

Pine crosses paths with a French-Arab woman named Sophie with ties to Richard Onslow Roper, played by Hugh Laurie, an Englishman who specializes in selling black market weapons. The woman provides Pine with incriminating documents, which he forwards to a friend in British intelligence. After Sophie winds up dead, Pine works with intelligence operatives and goes undercover as part of a sting against Roper to avenge Sophie’s death.

32 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

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Let’s Get OUt A Preview of Upcoming Events for April/May By Claire Yezbak Fadden

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MINGLE WITH SINGLES DANCES 50-PLUS Dance to hits of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. $25. minglewithsinglesdances@gmail.com.

MAN OF LA MANCHA Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes and his 17th century masterpiece, this musical tells the story of the mad knight, Don Quixote, as a play within a play, performed by Cervantes, his manservant and his fellow prisoners as he awaits a hearing with the Spanish Inquisition.

Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles. Also April 16. $25.

(310) 645-5156. kentwoodplayers.org.

ST. JAMES SUNDAY CONCERTS Mezcla Muzik. Performers combine instruments and elements of indigenous Mexico, South America and Europe into a contemporary language. With Christopher Garcia, percussion and Jeronimo Jxel Rajchenberg, guitar. St James Presbyterian Church, 19414 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. Free.

(818) 345-2057. stjamespres.org.

THE FULL MONTY This charming and hilarious musical follows the journey of two unemployed steelworkers desperate to make a living. Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. Through April 17. Ticket prices vary. (714) 589-2770.

3dtshows.com.

YOU NEVER CAN TELL A lunch unlike any other reveals a family secret–uncovering both the pleasures and perils of family life. Written over a century ago, this early George Bernard Shaw play is charming and comically surprising. No man (or woman) is an island in this warm, wise and most modern play. A Noise Within, 3352 E Foothill Blvd. Pasadena. $40-$62. Through May 15. (626) 356-3100. anoisewithin.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16 CLOUD NINE In the wilds of 19th century Africa, the colonizers are restless in more ways than one. Friends and family flirt and fumble with power, gender and sexuality, hilariously pushing against the boundaries of Victorian imperialism. Fast forward 100 years to the concrete jungle of London, where the Victorian legacy finally explodes in a blast of sexual awakening, self-acceptance and delectable humor. Antaeus Theatre Company, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Thurs.Sun. through April 24. $30-$34. (818) 5061983. antaeus.org.

34 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

April/May Angeles. Weekends through May 8. $30. (310) 477-2055 x2. odysseytheatre.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15

CHILDREN OF EDEN Based on the stories of Adam and Eve, and of Noah and the Ark, this is the story of parents and children, of knowing when to hold on tightly to family, and of knowing when to let go. Cabrillo Music Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Prices vary. Through April 17. cabrillomusictheatre.com

LA/Ventura

CHASING DREAMS: BASEBALL AND BECOMING AMERICAN

From Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax to Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Fernando Valenzuela and Ichiro Suzuki, these players didn’t just play the game—they changed it. Through more than 130 original objects—including game-worn uniforms, films and historic footage, awards, baseball cards and signed memorabilia--this exhibition pays tribute to these major league game changers.

Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Through Oct. 30. $7-$10. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

ROMEO AND JULIET The greatest love story of all time seduces audiences with its romantic aura as much today as when it was written. A Noise Within, 3352 E Foothill Blvd. Pasadena. $40-$62.

Through May 8. (626) 356-3100. anoisewithin. org.

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER The uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession, by any means necessary. He is also juggling his mistress (she’s after more than just love), his fiancée (she’s his cousin but who’s keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars.

But it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance … and be done in time for tea. Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Dates vary through May 1. $25-$130.

(213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org.

WESTERN MUSIC ASSOCIATION SHOWCASE Musicians and cowboy poets perform stories and songs of the romantic days of the Old West, contemporary music of the American West and songs of the open range and the American cowboy. The Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. $6-$10. (323) 667-2000. theautry.org.

BLUE OYSTER CULT Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. $38-$110. (888) 645-5006. sabantheatre.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19

SUNDAY, APRIL 17 SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR Nobody wants to be heard more than the six characters in this groundbreaking play from the early 1920s by the Nobel Laureate Pirandello. Posing the questions “When do characters become more real than the actors?

And where does the line between fact and fiction really lie?” the fourth wall comes down between actors and audience in this wellknown display of theatrical sleight of hand. A Noise Within, 3352 E Foothill Blvd. Pasadena. $40-$62. Through May 8. (626) 356-3100. anoisewithin.org.

DINNER AT HOME BETWEEN DEATHS Andrea Lepcio’s pitch-black comic thriller examines the American dream and American identity in the face of eroding ethics. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los

SHEN YUN 2016 A monkey born from a stone acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices.

A young woman becomes an honorable

CALeNDAR warrior. The death of a revered general inspires loyalty to generations. These are some of the more than 20 Chinese tales told in an all-new spectacular show. Sixty authentically costumed dancers and a 40-piece orchestra perform before a 30-foot interactive video screen as transformations of time and location materialize. Authentic sounds of imperial courts and folk songs handed down through the generations accompany visits to ancient dynasties such as the Tang and the Qin, the mountains of Tibet, the shores of a Dai village and the sprawling plains of Mongolia. Valley Performing Arts Center, 1811 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Also April 20. Microsoft Theater, 777 Chick Hearn Ct., Los Angeles. April 23-25. $60-$200. (800) 880-0188. shenyun.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS In this play set during the Civil War, a slave named Hero is offered his freedom if he joins his master in the ranks of the Confederacy.

His decision brings him face to face not only with a nation at war with itself, but with what freedom truly means. Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Dates vary through May 15. $25-$85. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org.

GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS Crescenta Ensemble. Sanctuary of Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave., Glendale, Glendale. Free. (818) 242-2113. glendalenoonconcerts.blogspot.com.

April/May LA/Ventura THURSDAY, APRIL 21 EXPLORING BLUE CARBON The term “blue carbon” refers to the massive amount of carbon stored in the vegetation and soils of many coastal ecosystems, including the salt marshes of Southern California.

Associate Professor of Life and Environmental Sciences Jason Keller shares results from collaborative projects exploring the ecology of blue carbon in Southern California salt marsh ecosystems. The Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. $5. (562) 590-3100. aquariumofpacific.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 THE SUPERHERO AND HIS CHARMING WIFE An original story of a career SuperHero whose marriage collapses when his wife develops the surprising ability to transform into other women. The Hero, a man devoted to order and constancy, is forced to confront his deep terror of chaos, the unknown and losing control. In search of her own identity, the Hero’s wife discovers a dark side of herself that she was not prepared to face. Dates vary through May 15. Highways Performance Space @ 18th Street St. Arts Center, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. $20-$30. (310) 315-1459. highwaysperformance.org.

A GAMBLER’S GUIDE TO DYING What are the odds of living an extraordinary life? This is the story of one boy’s granddad who won a fortune betting on the 1966 World Cup and, when diagnosed with cancer, gambled it all on living to see the year 2000.

An intergenerational tale of what we live for and what we leave behind. Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Ave., Santa Monica.

Through April 29. $25. (310) 397-3244. ruskingrouptheatre.com.

choreography has earned him a distinguished reputation as a groundbreaking artist worldwide. Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills. Also April 30. $39-plus. (310) 746-4000. thewallis.org.

STAGE KISS When long-lost loves are cast as long-lost lovers, two squabbling actors are slow to learn their lines but quick to ignite an old flame.

On-stage, back-stage and out the stage door, reality collides with fiction in this raucous and revealing play within a play. Gil Cates Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave. Los Angeles.

Through May 15. $32-$76. (310) 208-5454. geffenplayhouse.com.

MAY

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS Sanctuary of Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave., Glendale, Glendale. Free.

(818) 242-2113. glendalenoonconcerts. blogspot.com.

WILD FOR THE PLANET AT THE L.A. ZOO A variety of events to spotlight the zoo’s conservation efforts and what people can do to protect and preserve planet Earth.

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Griffith Park, 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles.

Sat.-Sun. through May 22. $20. (323) 6446001. lazoo.org.

PUDDLE OF MUDD The Rose, 300 East Colorado Blvd, Unit 101, Pasadena. $25-$35. (888) 645-5006. roseconcerts.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26

EARTH DAY

Celebrate nature with programs focusing on flowers and plants for your garden.

A California wildflower display gives a close-up view of many beautiful native blooms; choose from a variety of native seeds to make your very own wildflower seed packet; join horticulturalist Layla Valenzuela for a walk that explores the Oak Woodland, a wildlife restoration site. This year’s celebration includes the Mt. SAC plant sale and Botanic Bling, a signature trunk show of unique accessories and jewelry. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge. Also April 24. $6-$9. (818) 949-4200. descansogardens.org

THE GIRL WHO FORGOT TO SING BADLY Peggy O’Hegarty sings with the voice of an angel—a grossly unfortunate angel, who can’t sing at all. One day work for her family’s business dries up and Peggy steps outside to find that everyone in her city has gone.

Lovelace Studio Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills. Weekends through May 8. $15. (310) 746-4000. thewallis.org.

FREE FIRST SUNDAY Free admission to the Museum of Ventura County including its galleries and any special events. Museum of Ventura County, 100 East Main St., Ventura. First Sunday of each month.

(805) 653-0323. venturamuseum.org.

THE JOHNNY CLEGG BAND This South African singer-songwriter’s vibrant blend of Western pop and African Zulu rhythms, exploded onto the international scene carrying a message of social justice and toe-tapping beats that traverse cultural barriers. Pepperdine University, Smothers Theatre 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. $25-$55. arts.pepperdine.edu.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

SUNDAY, MAY 1

VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAMS Milano’s Italian Restaurant, Patio, Ventura Harbor Village, 1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura.

(805) 658-0388. milanositalianrestaurant.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29 EZRALOW DANCE COMPANY: OPEN Award-winning choreographer Daniel Ezralow makes his hometown debut with his new dance company. Ezralow’s unique style of physical expression and articulate

FRIDAY, MAY 6 THE TEMPTATIONS The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Dr., Agoura Hills. $38-$68. (818) 879-5016. canyonclub.net.

SUNDAY, MAY 8 SECOND SUNDAY CONCERT Pasadena Central Library, 285 E Walnut, Pasadena. Free. (626) 398-0658.

TUESDAY, MAY 10 VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAMS Milano’s Italian Restaurant, Patio, Ventura Harbor Village, 1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura.

(805) 658-0388. milanositalianrestaurant.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 12 DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES ART WALK This self-guided, public art walk brings art lovers and community friends together in downtown Los Angeles. 411 S. Main St., between Second and Ninth Streets, Los Angeles. Free. downtownartwalk.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 14 ROSE FESTIVAL Celebrate America’s favorite flower at this two-day festival. Events include an up-close look at rare and special roses. Make floral creations using roses and other flowers and enjoy a rose garden walk guided by horticulturists. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge. Also May 15. Free. (818) 949-4200. descansogardens.org.

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 35

CALeNDAR

April/May LA/Ventura

eXHIBItIONs

CLAIRE FALKENSTEIN: BEYOND SCULPTURE Though her enduring reputation rests on her sculpture, Claire Falkenstein (1908–1997) began and ended her career as an inventive painter. Her body of work also includes printmaking, jewelry, glass, film, stage sets for dance, public murals, fountains and monumental architectural commissions.

The retrospective assembles preeminent examples from each media, presenting the full range of one of America’s most experimental, productive and wandering 20th century artists. Pasadena Museum of Art, 490 East Union Street, Pasadena.

Through Sept. 11. $5-$7. Wed.-Sun. (626) 568-3665. pmcaonline.org.

THE ARTIST’S GARDEN American Impressionism and the Garden Movement, 1887–1920. Focusing on paintings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this exhibition explores the connections between the American Impressionist movement and the emergence of gardening as a middle-class leisure pursuit. The show features a hand-picked selection of 17 paintings from the exhibition that originated at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Art. The Huntington, MaryLou and George Boone Gallery, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino. Through May 9. $19-$25. huntington.org.

NEW ACQUISITIONS Featuring the Kaufman Collection, this exhibit presents nearly 60 paintings, sculptures and works on paper. Organized thematically, the artworks are set alongside quotes that describe aspects of experience and identity in the West. These words support, challenge or

complicate the artworks, creating a dialogue that reminds us that a work of art—like any form of representation—does not always tell the whole story. The Autry National Center, Norman F. Sprague, Jr. Gallery, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, Los Angeles.

Through July 9. $6-$10. (323) 667-2000. theautry.org.

GEORGE CARLIN: A PLACE FOR MY STUFF The exhibit marks the third display in the museum’s comedy series, following previous tributes to Rodney Dangerfield and Joan Rivers. The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live, Third Floor, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles.

Through May 31. $12-$13. (213) 765-6803. grammymuseum.org.

JELLIES Delve into the mysterious world of sea jellies through this new exhibition. Often referred

to as “jellyfish,” sea jellies are actually invertebrates or animals without backbones.

Explore the amazing life of these gelatinous animals and learn about their importance to our ocean planet through new exhibits, educational programs, a film and even art.

Ever wondered what a jelly feels like? You can even safely touch them. The Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach.

Through April 30. $26-$29. (562) 590-3100. aquariumofpacific.org.

Get the Word Out. E-mail your announcements to Claire Fadden, cfadden@lifeafter50.com 60 days prior (or even earlier) to your event. Include a brief description, location, date, time, cost, phone and website. Submission does not guarantee publication.

RESPECT! OTIS REDDING AND THE REVOLUTION OF SOUL This exhibition offers a unique look at the influential career of the legendary King of Soul, and the lasting impact he made on music and pop culture in such a short period of time. The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live, Fourth Floor Mike Curb Gallery, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. Through Sept. 15. $12-$13. (213) 765-6803. grammymuseum.org.

JOSE MONTOYA ABUNDANT HARVEST A retrospective celebrating the life, art and activism of José Montoya (1932-2013).

This comprehensive survey includes nearly 2,000 drawings along with paintings, poems, sketchbooks, video footage, music and other ephemera. Together they demonstrate how Montoya captured the spirit of the times, and documented some of the most important civil rights and labor movements of the 20th century. The Fowler Museum at UCLA, North Campus, Los Angeles. Wed.-Sun. through July 17. Free. (310) 825-4361. fowler.ucla.edu.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30

URBAN OCEAN FESTIVAL

Explore and celebrate Southern California’s coast during this event that includes art exhibitions, a fashion show and contest for designs using recycled materials, mural painting, poetry readings, booths and educational activities. Urban Ocean boat cruises exploring the local coast and port complex will be available during the weekend at an additional cost. The Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. Also May 1. $26-$29. (562) 590-3100. aquariumofpacific.org.

36 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

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April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 37

Rick Steves’ Travels Ce qui est nouveau en France en 2016 RICK ST EVES’ T RAVELS

By Rick Steves

F

rance has given the world so much culture and art and, in 2016, the country also champions the modern concept of what everyone wants in a vacation. Top that off with the fact that the dollar is about 15 percent stronger than the euro compared to a year ago and it should come as no surprise that France is currently one of the most popular vacation destination for Americans.

Recognizing that so many Americans are including France in their travel plans, I thought this would be a great time to offer Life After 50 readers some updates on the changes and developments they should expect as they plan their visit.

Of course, no visit to France is complete without spending some time in Paris, and if it has been awhile since you were in the City of Light, you’ll find that, following a $38-million-dollar renovation, the Eiffel Tower’s first level is now decked out with new shops, eateries, and a multimedia presentation about the tower’s construction, place in pop culture and more. The highlight of a visit to the tower is the breathtaking, vertigoinducing glass floor that lets you experience what it’s like to stand atop an 18-story building and look straight down.

Just a few blocks away from the tower, the Rodin Museum is now fully open after a threeyear renovation. Elsewhere in Paris, the Carnavalet Museum, which covers the history of the city and has a great exhibit on the French Revolution, is currently undergoing renovations (it is open, but some rooms may be closed). The Louis Vuitton Foundation is the latest entrant to the Paris art scene. Its sailboat-like glass building, set in Bois de Boulogne Park, features modern and contemporary art. All over Paris, more museums are offering free apps that serve as an audio guide for their collections. You’ll also find more opportuni-

38 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

ties to buy your sightseeing tickets online (which, depending on the museum, can help you avoid a queue).

There are also some fresh budget options for getting into Paris. A new Easy Bus shuttle service runs from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris, with dirt-cheap fares. Uber also provides airport transport and may save you some money over a taxi, but because Uber drivers can’t use the busonly lanes as normal taxis can, expect some added drive time.

Beyond Paris, up on the Norman coast, Mont St-Michel is a true island once again at high tide. It’s reachable by a new super-sleek bridge, rather than the old causeway that blocked the flow of water around the island. A new minivan (Bayeux Shuttle) offers service between Bayeux and Mont St-Michel.

As for the Loire Valley, which boasts more than 100 castles, it can be hard to choose which ones to visit. Here’s a tip: This year, I’d skip the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, as some wings may be closed during the 2016 renovation and scaffolding will likely cover parts of the exterior.

Venturing out into eastern France, Colmar’s Unterlinden Museum has reopened after a multiyear restoration, and its masterpiece, Matthias Grünewald’s gripping “Isenheim Altarpiece,” is back on view. While Colmar is no longer the departure point for any minivan tours of the Alsace’s Route du Vin wineries, travelers based in Strasbourg can ride along with Ophorus Tours, which visit several wine villages and include wine tastings and time to wander.

This year marks a milestone in France’s World War I history — the centennial of the Battle of Verdun. To coincide with this anniversary, the Mémorial de Verdun museum has completed its three-year renovation and now offers the best

historic exhibits on this monumental battle anywhere.

There is also good news for Alp-oholics: Chamonix’s gondola over the Alps to Italy has opened again after years of closure. The new lift, called Skyway Monte Bianco, offers an amazing ride as you head into (or away from) Italy rotating 360 degrees as you sail along.

And in France’s sunny south, the ancient Roman sites of Provence are now easier than ever to enjoy. In Avignon, a direct express bus now goes to Vaison-la-Romaine, a picturesque town chock-full of ancient ruins. At the Pont du Gard, visitors have two new options for seeing the Roman aqueduct in the summer: an afterhours program that lets visitors enjoy the site until midnight, and (in July and August) half-hour tours through the water channel at the top of the aqueduct. And, along the Riviera, Nice’s new tramline makes getting around the town center easier than ever. Nice’s Russian Cathedral, long closed for renovation, opened again this year after a two-year, $20-million-dollar renovation.

If you have never been, or if it’s been awhile, a newly renovated France that still boasts the historic traditions and culture of the country awaits.

Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and radio. You can e-mail him at rick@ricksteves.com and visit his website at www.ricksteves.com.

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 39

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And Finally...

The Bookworm’s Best A Life After 50 book review

by Terri “The Bookworm” Schlichenmeyer

Before I Forget

By B. Smith and Dan Gasby with Michael Shnayerson, foreword by Rudolph Tanzi, PhD

Y

ou can’t remember what you came into the room for. That happens with disturbing frequency. Forgetting your glasses. Losing your keys. It really bothers you, because you’re not sure if it’s a normal part of aging or something else, and in the new book “Before I Forget” by B. Smith and Dan Gasby with Michael Shnayerson, the worry isn’t yours alone.

For most of her life, B. Smith was a whirlwind of activity. She was a model and had her own line of household goods, television shows, and restaurants she co-owned with her husband, Dan Gasby. She was known for her sense of style and her elegance.

And then, a few years ago, something uncharacteristic began to happen: the woman who was put together, inside and out, began to display emotional outbursts, use inappropriate language, and her fashion sense faltered. Her memory faded until it frightened the couple and they sought help.

Smith, as it turned out, had mild-stage Alzheimer’s.

A take-charge kind of guy, Gasby did his research. “Some 5.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s,” he writes, “Half a million people die of it every year. Perhaps due to higher rates of diabetes and heart disease, it hits the black community the hardest and, by age 85, half of all African-Americans have it.”

Knowing the facts can be empowering, but they don’t make dealing with the disease any easier. Smith lost things constantly, “hoarded” clothing to Gasby’s irritation and, though she was previously fastidious, ignored sloppiness. She shut family out physically and friends emotionally. Long-ago recollections were sharp, but her short-term memory was all but lost.

When things got worse and Smith was inadvertently put in a dangerous situation, the family found expert advice, only to learn that there was little they could do. Alzheimer’s has no cure. It can barely be “managed.” They would just have to deal with the day-to-day challenges and simply learn to cope, although there is nothing simple about it.

Of his wife and their plans one day, Gasby writes: “She sits…at the breakfast table, the love of my life, waiting quietly for me to tell her what to do.”

Is there a sentence more heartbreaking than that? I don’t think so, and you’d be likewise hard-pressed to find a book that will affect you more than “Before I Forget.”

Would you blame anyone if you saw a pity-party in this book? Probably not, but there’s no whining in Gasby’s words, nor will you find a “poor me” in what B. Smith contributes (with Michael Shnayerson). Instead, there’s resignation here; a we’ll-get-through-this attitude wrapped in a love story that gets more and more poignant as the story progresses. Gasby, who is fierce about Alzheimer’s education, also offers up-to-date information and advice on what works and what doesn’t.

Without being a spoiler, there is no happy ending to this book, save the sheer love that makes it soar. If you’re an Alzheimer’s caretaker or are facing the disease yourself, you absolutely will want to read this riveting memoir. “Before I Forget” is a book you never will.

“Before I Forget” by B. Smith and Dan Gasby with Michael Shnayerson, foreword by Rudolph Tanzi, PhD, 2016, Harmony Books, $25, 322 pages.

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer who lives on a hill with two dogs and more than 12,000 books. You can read more of her book reviews at www.lifeafter50.com. Just click on “Entertainment” and then “Book Reviews.”

A Look Back

42 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

Photo by George Wa tson

F

ifty years ago this month, the ribbon was cut on Anaheim Stadium as the then-California Angels moved into their new home after having spent four seasons renting Dodger Stadium, which was called Chávez Ravine Stadium during Angels games. Anaheim Stadium was built on a parcel of 160 acres of agricultural land with field dimensions of 333 feet.

The field’s size was derived from a scientific study based on the average air density at normal game times (1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.). The facility’s engineers used the study to formulate dimensions that were fairly balanced between pitcher, hitter and the average weather conditions. Now the home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the stadium was also home turf for the Los Angeles Rams from 1980 to 1994. Often referred to by its unofficial nickname, “The Big A,” it is the fourth-oldest active stadium in the U.S. behind Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Dodger Stadium. Along with professional baseball and football, Anaheim Stadium, which was renamed Edison International Field of Anaheim before its current dubbing as Angel Stadium of Anaheim, has also hosted high school and college football games, the short-lived World Football League, two Billy Graham crusades and concerts featuring The Rolling Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead and Madonna.

Just A Thought Before We Go “Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.”

– Dorothy Canfield Fisher

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Stories and Secrets

A NEWLY

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Tippi

Hedren Her bird’s-eye view of life

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Contents

April 2016

10

22

26

30

Cover Profile

Departments

10 Tippi Hedren

6 50-Plus: What You Need to Know

Her bird’s-eye view of Hitchcock, her best-known roles, wildlife preservation, aging and more.

A quick look at things 50-plusers should be aware of.

Features

The best in April television viewing.

18 Questioning, Engaging and Diversifying…

The keys for achieving successful retirement investing.

22 Debt Settlement – Does It Really Work?

For those drowning in debt, settlement programs can make becoming debt-free a reality.

26 The Hallowed Hall Of Must-Knowtables – Oscar Wilde Legendary notables that everyone, of every age, should know.

30 The Look Of Life After 50 – Tommy Lasorda

24 Tuned In To What’s On

34 Let’s Get Out

Looking to get out and about? Our April/May calendar has some great suggestions.

38 Rick Steves’ Travels

Ce qui est nouveau en France en 2016.

42 And Finally…The Bookworm’s Best, A Look Back and Just A Thought Before We Go

A book suggestion, memory, and a little something to leave you with.

The Dodger legend shares stories and his secret plan for living to be 100.

All material published within this issue of Life After 50 and on www.lifeafte50.com is strictly for informational and educational purposes only. No individual, advice, product or service is in any way endorsed by Life After 50 or Southland Publishing, Inc. or provided as a substitute for the reader’s seeking of individualized professional advice or instruction. Readers should seek the advice of qualified professionals on any matter regarding an individual, advice, recommendations, services or products covered within this issue. All information and material is provided to readers with the understanding that it comes from various sources from which there is no warranty or responsibility by Life After 50 or Southland Publishing, Inc. as to its or their legality, completeness or technical accuracy.

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Editor’s Note...

Another Memory Made

E

ven here in Southern California, where spring doesn’t possess the overwhelming power to reawaken the soil of the land and the soul of mankind as it does in places that experience four distinct seasons, this time of year still has the capability to ignite the spark of new beginnings.

It is during this season that some celebrate their forefathers’ liberation from Egyptian slavery and the harvest of the first fruits of the barley, while for others, it is a time to commemorate the miracle of the age-old story of resurrection that serves as the foundation of their faith.

And then there’s baseball.

On the third day of this month, the 2016 Major League Baseball season will commence as the St. Louis Cardinals take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nine days later, the Los Angeles Dodgers will officially begin their 2016 campaign as they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for their home opener.

It seems that even with those who are not a fan of the game, it is a rarity to find an American who doesn’t harbor memories that, in some way, are connected to baseball. For some, it may be the memory of playing the game as a kid, whether it was in an empty lot, between passing cars on an urban street, or on an actual field with an organized team. For others, the memories may be of attending a game being played by Little Leaguers, high school or collegiate athletes, or Major League professionals.

My earliest baseball memories are of attending Major League games at Yankee and Shea Stadiums with my father or grandfather. It is amazing to me how much I can still recall of those outings – the players: Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer, Joe Pepitone, Willie Mays and Tom Seaver – the smells: freshly-mowed grass intermingling with cigar smoke and boiling hot dogs – and the hopes: that the Yankees or the Mets would win and I would get to use the fielder’s glove I always brought with me to snag a foul ball (the latter never materialized).

All those old baseball memories, and many more, filled my head as I recently spent an afternoon having lunch with former Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda.

For well over three hours, Lasorda entertained me as he shared what seem to be never-ending thoughts, memories and tales of his storied career, the game itself, and the plethora of colorful characters he has crossed paths with throughout his own colorful life. He even gave me insight on the secret plan he has enacted to reach the age of 100.

When we finished lunch, I gave Lasorda a hug and told him that having spent that day with him would be a memory I would cherish for the rest of my life – another memory made – one that means even more, because in this issue, I get to share a bit of it with you.

David Laurell, Editor-in-Chief

4 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

Publisher Valarie Anderson

Account Executives:

Editor-in-Chief David Laurell

San Diego County/Orange County Phil Mendelson Phil@LifeAfter50.com

Associate Editors Steve Stoliar Claire Yezbak Fadden

Orange County / Los Angeles Mary Westphalen Mary@LifeAfter50.com

Art Director Michael Kraxenberger Editorial Assistant Max Andrews Controller Kacie Cobian Human Resources Andrea E. Baker Business Manager Linda Lam Billing Supervisor David Garcia VP Of Operations David Comden

To contact our editorial department: (818) 563-1007 davidl@LifeAfter50.com

For advertising/distribution inquiries contact: Valarie Anderson (310) 822-1629 x 121, Valarie@LifeAfter50.com 5301 Beethoven St., Suite 183 LA CA 90066 Valarie Anderson Valarie@LifeAfter50.com 310 822-1629 x 121

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©2016 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved

An April Thought

“Life is like a car with a broken gas gage. You never know how far you’re going to go, so you have to do all you can to enjoy the ride.”

– Fritz Coleman

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50

The Key To Alzheimer’s Disease?

B

PLUS

What You Need To Know

By Claire Yezbak Fadden

Cutting Taxes By Upping Efficiency

E

very year, the IRS and federal government offer a number of tax credits to homeowners based on how they generate and use energy in their home. The more efficient your home, the bigger the tax credit you’ll receive. With April 15 right around the corner, taxpayers want to receive the maximum refund they are eligible for by keeping up-to-speed on the latest federal energy tax credits. “If you upgraded your home in 2015 by adding insulation, one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make, you already know you are saving on your utility bills every month plus you may be eligible for a tax credit on that investment,” says Ameeta Jain, co-founder and spokesperson of Homeselfe.

Homeowners should also keep up-to-date on tax credits available for smaller upgrades in their homes, which can be eligible for tax credits up to $500, including: biomass stoves, heating, ventilation and air conditioning; advanced main air-circulating fans; insulation (10 percent of the cost, up to $500); roofs (metal and asphalt); water heaters (non-solar earns a tax credit amount of $300); windows, doors and skylights (tax credit amount is 10 percent of the cost excluding labor). For more information on energy tax credits click on www.irs.gov.

Fifty Candles

F

ifty years ago this month, New Jersey became the first state to create a public defender’s office, Bill Russell became the first African-American coach in the National Basketball Association, “The Sound of Music” won Best Picture at the 38th Academy Awards, Dr. Michael DeBakey performed the first artificial heart implant, the first official sporting event played on AstroTurf took place at the Houston Astrodome, and for the first time, American B-52 planes bombed North Vietnam.

Notable personalities born in April 1966 who are celebrating their 50th birthday this month include actresses Nancy McKeon, Robin Wright, Snooky Serna and Cynthia Nixon, actors Jeffrey Dean Morgan and James Barbour, singer Samantha Fox, golfer John Daly and rocker David Usher.

6 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

eing overweight at the age of 50 has been linked to an increased risk of dementia according to a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health tracked 1,400 people using data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Of those individuals, 142 ended up with Alzheimer’s. Researchers further explored the relationship between weight at midlife and Alzheimer’s among study volunteers. They found that being overweight, as measured by body mass index (BMI) at age 50, may predict an earlier age of onset of the devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Each unit increase in BMI at age 50 accelerated onset by nearly seven months in those who developed Alzheimer’s.

While additional research is needed to determine the relationship behind BMI and Alzheimer’s, these findings suggest that maintaining a healthy BMI might be one way to delay the onset of the disease.

Life Lessons From A Lunar Legend

I

n his new book “No Dream Is Too High” (National Geographic, 2016) astronaut Buzz Aldrin reflects on the wisdom, guiding principles and anecdotes he’s gathered through his event-filled life – both in outer space and on Earth. In this inspiring guideto-life for the next generation, Aldrin whittles down his life into a short list of principles he values, each illustrated by fascinating anecdotes and memories.

When Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins went to the moon in July 1969, NASA protocol called for Aldrin to be the first man to set foot on the moon, but rules changed just before the mission. This book outlines how he learned to be proud of his second-place status and also addresses how he felt and reacted when he was rejected from the space program the first time he applied. Aldrin, who will turn 87 this year, also writes of diving in the Galapagos Islands and hitching a ride on a whale shark to celebrate his 80th birthday. Staying fit, energetic and fascinated with life is the message this legendary moonwalker imparts in this great collection of life lessons.

A Little More You Need To Know

The Most Important Thing To Know This Month

Time To Spring Clean Your Resume

A

ge discrimination is a fact of life in today’s job market.

This is true for both the young and the old, according to Marc Miller of Career Pivot. The format and contents of your resume say a lot about your age. If you are seeking a new job, consider Miller’s suggestions to infuse your resume with a youth twist that will get you past the gatekeepers who might think you are too old.

Drop the Home Address

Where You Need To Go Revel in Vatican Splendor

O

ne of the largest Vatican collections ever to tour the United States is now on display at the Reagan Presidential Library. “Vatican Splendors: A Journey Through Faith and Art” includes an extraordinary collection of historical and religious objects, some of which date to the first century, as well as works of art

by Michelangelo, Bernini, Guercino and others. The exhibit includes one of Michelangelo’s signed documents and a rarely seen bas relief sculpture created toward the end of his career. Other objects include venerated remains of Saints Peter and Paul, artifacts discovered at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, and historical objects from the modern and ancient basilicas of Saint Peter’s in Rome. From the sights and sounds of the grand Basilica to a touchable cast of Saint John Paul II’s hand, the exhibition is a multi-sensory experience. The collection includes mosaics, frescoes, paintings by Renaissance masters, works by well-known sculptors and intricately embroidered silk vestments. View precious objects from the papal mass, uniforms of the papal Swiss Guard, historical maps, documents and relics on loan from the Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Vatican Library, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Apostolic Floreria, the papal Swiss Guard, the Vatican Museums, Pontifical Urbaniana University, private papal storehouse and private collections. This exhibition will run through August 28, when the items will return to the Vatican.

There are many reasons not to include your home address, including economic profiling, length of commute and personal safety. If the employer needs your home mailing address, they will request it.

Delete the E-Mail Address

One sure sign you are over 50 is to have an aol.com or an e-mail address from your cable provider. Either sign up for a g-mail address or get an e-mail-forwarding service from a professional society, your alumni association or consider getting your own domain name.

Do Not Double Space After A Period

Putting two spaces after a period is considered obsolete, even though this is how most of us were taught to type on a typewriter. Therefore, most who do this are over 50.

Limit the Skill List

Only list skills that are current and relevant to the position you are applying for. “I have seen many technical resumes that list every system, software program and technology that the applicant has ever worked on,” says Miller. “Unless you are applying for a job that requires knowledge (of) obsolete technologies, leave those skills out.”

The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley.

For more information, call (800) 410-8354 or click on www.reaganlibrary. com/vaticansplendors.

New Words

Y

ou might not find them in a dictionary yet, but they’re a part of the everyday American vocabulary.

Here’s what they mean.

Petextrian: One who texts while walking, usually unaware of their surroundings.

Drake Face: The face one makes when they are a little more than just sad.

Bye Felicia: A snide farewell to someone deemed unimportant and that people are glad to see leave. Rapper and actor Ice Cube coined the phrase in the 1995 comedy, “Friday.”

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 7

“SPRINGTIME” BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ. INSPIRATION BY ROSE HILLS. Spring is arriving. The hills are painted in vibrant tones of green, yellow and gold.

And Rose Hills continues to astound visitors, as well as local photographers like Michael Vasquez, with its everlasting beauty. For more than a century, countless families have made this inspiring setting theirs. You can too.

If you’d like to see first-hand what pristine beauty captivates the artist’s eye, we invite you to come visit us in person. Or us call and we’ll arrange a personal pre-need property tour. Rose Hills. Be inspired.

3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601 (562) 966-0921 • www.LegacyRoseHills.com #FD 970

Just in time for mother’s Day The May Women’s Edition of Life After 50 Covering women’s health, lifestyle and trending topics Call for ad rates at 310.822.1629 x 121 or email us at advertise@Lifeafter50.com i s s u e Dat e m ay 2

www.Lifeafter50.com 8 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

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April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 9 3/30/16 6:46 PM

COVER PROFILE

Tippi

Hedren Her bird’s-eye view of Alfred Hitchcock, her best-known roles, wildlife preservation, aging and more Story by David Laurell Photos by Bill Dow

O

ver 50 years have passed since actress Tippi Hedren graced the screen in the two roles she will always be best-known for: Melanie Daniels in “The Birds” and Margaret “Marnie” Edgar in “Marnie.”

10 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

While those roles in two of Alfred Hitchcock’s most well-known films have permanently sealed Hedren’s place in cinematic history, the mention of her name today also brings other things to mind. She is the mother of actress Melanie Griffith and the grandmother of Dakota Johnson, who played Anastasia Steele in the controversial 2015 erotic romantic drama, “50 Shades of Grey.” She has also made dramatic and positive changes in the lives of countless Vietnamese-American families by establishing the Tippi Hedren Nail Scholarship Fund, and has provided protection and care for hundreds of wild animals – mostly tigers and lions – through The Roar Foundation and Shambala Preserve.

A fashion model from the time she was a teenager, the then-31-year-old Hedren was noticed by Hitchcock when she appeared in a 1961 television commercial. Looking for an actress to play the lead in his 1963 suspense thriller, “The Birds,” Hitchcock invited her to join him for lunch at Chasen’s restaurant, where he presented her with a pearl-adorned gold pin that depicted three birds in flight (which she is wearing in the photo that appears on this month’s cover and which she also had tattooed on her right shoulder), and offered her the lead role.

After making her big-screen debut in “The Birds,” Hedren was again cast by Hitchcock (who had become obsessed with her) in his next film, the psychological thriller, “Marnie,” in which she plays an emotionally battered woman who travels from city to city, assuming various guises to swindle employers. While “Marnie” was largely panned by critics upon its release, the film has aged well and is now considered to be not just one of Hitchcock’s better films, but a showcase for Hedren’s most outstanding performance.

Following her work with Hitchcock, Hedren moved on to work with yet another legendary filmmaker – Charlie Chaplin – who, at the age of 78, was preparing to produce, direct and score what would be his final film, “A Countess from Hong Kong.” Having already cast Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren in the starring roles, Chaplin lured Hedren to sign on by offering her a “major supporting role” as Brando’s character’s estranged wife. Not having been permitted to read the script prior to accepting the role, Hedren arrived in England for the shoot, only to find her part wasn’t much more than a cameo.

In 1969, while working on location in Africa, Hedren became aware of the plight of African lions. Becoming a passionate advocate for these magnificent cats that were quickly being hunted into extinction, she began speaking out on wildlife preservation, championed the making of the film “Roar,” which would eventually make its way to the screen in 1981, established her own non-profit organization, The Roar Foundation, and opened the Shambala Preserve, an 80-acre wildlife habitat that specializes in the care and preservation of lions and tigers. Today, Shambala, located 40 miles northeast of Los Angeles, serves as the residence for both Hedren and some 70 wild animals.

Having firmly established herself in both the film and wildlife preservation worlds, the mid-1970s saw Hedren’s eyes turn to yet another need. Always an active participant in relief programs for worldwide victims of earthquakes, hurricanes, famine and war, 1975 found Hedren serving as an international relief coordinator with Food for the Hungry. This work introduced her to Vietnamese refugees at Hope Village outside Sacramento, California. It was there that she learned the women who had escaped their war-torn homes were fascinated by her manicured nails. Realizing their fascination could be turned into job training, she employed her own manicurist to teach them the skills of the trade and worked with a local beauty academy to assist them in getting licensed and finding work.

Becoming instrumental in the development of Vietnamese-Americans working in and opening their own nail salons, Hedren’s work became the subject of Honey Lauren’s 2014 documentary, “Happy Hands,” which tells the story of how thousands of Vietnamese had their lives forever changed by finding a livelihood in their new country. That same year, Creative Nail Design, Inc., the global leader in professional nail products and services, partnered with the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation to establish the Tippi Hedren Nail Scholarship Fund to support professional nail education.

Hedren, who turned 86 this past January, recently took some time out of the busy schedule she maintains at Shambala to visit with Life After 50.

Suffering from serious headaches, an ailment that has plagued her for some time, Hedren began the conversation by saying there is simply too much for her to do to let the headaches get the best of her.

Tippi Hedren (TH): There are always all kinds of things going on here at Shambala. There are always a lot of issues and situations to deal with, and it’s all about the animals and what’s happening with them. Having all of these animals in captivity is a huge responsibility – a tremendous amount of work.

Life After 50 (LA50): Does your passion for animals go back to when you were a child?

TH: I think it even goes back before that. I just believe that some of us are born with a care and a love for animals. I have always had an affinity for animals. I respect them and am fascinated by them. When you have been born with that affinity and you become educated as to what is happening to so many of them around the world, you become acutely aware of their plight – dwindling natural habitats and heartless predators – humans.

LA50: Did you have pets as a child?

TH: Oh yes, I had a dog and a cat. It was just a regular domestic cat back then [laughs].

LA50: When did your passion turn to the more exotic of the species?

TH: I think I always had a passion for wild animals. I know there are many people who have a fascination for wild animals, so I don’t really think I’m unique in that respect. What does make me unique is that I rescue them, which is a huge endeavor, one that has really taken over my life. I mentioned that it was a huge responsibility, and it is.

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 11

LA50: You have dedicated much of your life to educating people on the plight of wildlife. Of all the information you impart to people, what is it that you hope they understand the most when it comes to the care and conservation of wildlife today?

TH: That we are on the verge of losing so many of them forever. And, unfortunately, as long as we have these misguided, and in some cases – maybe in most cases – these deranged egotistical big game hunters, we will forever lose more and more of this planet’s wild animals. There have been some laws implemented to stop big game hunting, and hopefully they will be enforced and there will be more that will be implemented that will be even stricter. Big game hunting is something I, and I have to believe, any normal person, just can’t comprehend: that someone could find some sort of perverse pleasure in picking up a high-powered weapon and blowing a magnificent animal away.

LA50: It is unimaginable that there are those who consider it sport to see the life drain away from a beautiful creature.

TH: For a long time, I just could not bring myself to understand that at all, and then, finally, it occurred to me that they are psychopaths. By realizing that fact, it at least helped me understand how a human being could do such a thing. The reason they can do it is because they have no conscience.

They feel nothing for anything or anyone other than satisfying their own warped egos.

LA50: Of all the animals that have come to Shambala over the years, is there one that has left a lasting impact on you – that has changed you in some way?

TH: Oh there have been many. But I don’t know if any of them changed me as much as they reinforced how I feel about them and how amazing and unique and different each one of them is. They all have their own different personalities, just like humans. Learning each one’s traits and personality is just one of the things that makes them infinitely fascinating. We had a Liger here whose name was Patrick. He was one of the most interesting creatures we ever had. Because he was half-lion and half-tiger, he had the characteristics of both animals. He reacted differently to things than any other lion or tiger I have ever known. He was so very beautiful, with caramel stripes covering his 600 pounds.

He became very close to me – my best buddy. Most of the time, he chose to spend his time close to my home. At Shambala, we move the animals around so they don’t get bored and feel like they are in jail. By giving them different surroundings and different neighbors, it keeps them active and is good for them.

But Patrick always liked to be close to where I was. It is with a cat like that you have to always be so cognitive that, while they may be curious about you – even affectionate in their own way – they will always have wild instincts. I remember one time getting too close to him while he was having his dinner, and let me just say, fortunately, there was a strong fence between us. I was just walking past the area where he was and all of a sudden, I heard this horrible, frightening sound and saw him running right towards me. He jumped up on the fence – just rose up with his arms stretched up and, oh my God, the sounds coming out of him were just horrific. I loved him and he wanted to be near me, but he was a wild animal and, had there not been a fence, he would have killed me over his dinner. The fact that they are wild and extremely dangerous is something we are always very much aware of.

LA50: For many years, when people heard your name, they would first think of your acting work, of “The Birds” or “Marnie.” But, today, when they hear your name, many think of wildlife conservation.

TH: And I am more than fine with that. I think that’s just absolutely wonderful!

LA50: But, of course, your acting work is still also a big part of who you are so, let’s talk about your career. Tippi, we just talked about what first comes to people’s minds when they hear your name. What first comes to your mind when you hear the name “Alfred Hitchcock?”

TH: Well, all kinds of things. I know a lot has been written and all, but the point of fact is that the man was a genius when it came to making films. He was a genius in the way he chose the stories and in how he told them. He was a genius in the way he directed and drew the audience in. He was a genius in every phase of making a motion picture. That is just a fact and no one can take that 12 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016 PAL_005136_01_Sr_Print_4.625x11.5_R2_FINAL_CFR.indd 1

3/21/16 1:04 PM

away from him. It was, however, unfortunate that he couldn’t overcome the obsessive infatuation he had with some of his leading ladies and that he felt they were to be sought after. I know that I’m the actress people think of when they hear of his obsession with actresses, but I wasn’t the first or only one he did this with. Unfortunately, with me, it got to the point that I just couldn’t work with him anymore. When it got to that point, I walked out. And I mean I literally walked out on him. Which is sad in so many ways. He played a big role in my life. He was responsible for my acting career and taught me so much – more than anyone else – about acting and filmmaking. But I just couldn’t bear his obsession any longer. When I did walk out, we never crossed paths again.

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LA50: So you stand by the stories Donald Spoto wrote in his 2009 book, “Spellbound by Beauty: Alfred Hitchcock and His Leading Ladies,” and the 2012 film it inspired, “The Girl,” which was what Hitchcock allegedly called you behind your back.

TH: When the producers of “The Girl” called me and said they wanted to do this film based on that book, I said: “Yes! I want to be involved.” I asked them if they would allow me to be involved in the writing of the script. So, yes, the stories and the film are accurate, from my standpoint.

LA50: What were your thoughts on Sienna Miller’s portrayal of you?

TH: I thought Sienna was wonderful. We had an opportunity to meet during the film’s production and spend time together. I thought she really did a

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 13

good job. I know it is very difficult to play a real person, especially someone who is still living. I was very pleased with her performance.

LA50: While you are weighing in on people, can we throw out a few names for you to comment on? Just whatever comes to your mind when you hear their names.

TH: Of course.

LA50: Let’s begin with the woman you are most associated with: your character in “The Birds,” Melody Daniels.

TH: She was a strong woman who knew what she wanted in life. She was purposeful and had a sense of humor. She was a really wonderful character to play.

LA50: What about Marnie Edgar?

TH: I loved playing that role. To prepare for it, I did a lot of studying about children that had been through traumatic experiences and how it manifested later in life. Not too long ago, understanding anything of how childhood trauma affects a person as they become an adult wasn’t even thought of. It has really only been in recent times that it has been discovered that if a traumatized or abused child isn’t dealt with on a physiological basis, it can really ruin their life. Of course, that is what happened to Marnie.

LA50: Tell us about Charlie Chaplin.

TH: He was an absolute delight. I think I am the only actress that got to work with both Chaplin and Hitchcock. I believe that’s true, and I am very 14 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

appreciative of that. I loved Charlie’s direction, although Brando hated the way he directed so much he wanted to quit. That was because Charlie would get on the set and act out all of our parts in front of us. Then he would say: “Okay, now you do it.” Well, that didn’t go over very well with Marlon, who was a Method actor. But I loved the way Charlie directed. I thought Charlie was an absolute delight. Because he was an actor and a physical comedian, he was used to doing all sorts of different roles. I just loved the way he worked, because I actually got to see him perform live.

LA50: What did you think of Brando?

TH: He was one of the finest actors who ever lived and he was wonderful to work with. He had an aura – a presence – about him that I have never seen in anyone else. He also once insinuated that he wanted to have an affair with me. We were on a plane together and that was something I’ll never forget.

LA50: And, and?

TH: [laughing] And I was quite flattered by his insinuation.

LA50: Got it! [laughter] Moving on, there’s one more person I would like you to comment on – Dakota Johnson.

TH: [laughing] Well now, there is a force of womanhood! I so admire my granddaughter. She is a meticulous actress – very serious about her work.

She really works hard and then stands tall and is proud of her work. She is also the most loving and caring woman I know. And so funny! She has a sense of humor that is so slick.

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LA50: When she was offered “50 Shades of Grey,” did she discuss it with you or ask for any advice on accepting such a controversial role?

TH: I don’t think she approached anyone. She is a woman who makes her own choices. She is extremely independent and has always been the type to think out her life and career very carefully.

LA50: Had she come to you for advice on doing it, what would you have said?

TH: That it would be her choice. I’m not big on offering advice. But, honestly, I was surprised she wanted to do that film. But that was her decision, and her attitude about doing it was so good. And, from what I’ve heard, she is apparently wonderful in it.

LA50: You haven’t seen it?

TH: No. Because of the content of the film, I don’t think it’s any of my business to see it. I don’t even know if Melanie has seen it.

LA50: Let’s switch gears again. It really is amazing how you have changed the lives of so many Vietnamese refugees.

TH: I know! It really is amazing – something I’m very proud of. After Vietnam fell, we had a tremendous amount of Vietnamese women coming into the U.S. I was working as a volunteer for Food for the Hungry at the time, and through that work, we were trying to help these women put their lives back together.

We tried to find sponsors for them and jobs for them. And the thing that caught my attention was how these women loved my finger nails. It became a running thing. Every day, they wanted to see my nails, so I thought this would be a great job for these women and asked my manicurist to train them on doing manicures.

After they learned the trade, they got licensed and certified and then those 40 or 50 women went off into the world to start their new lives. Then the word

traveled very quickly through the Vietnamese community and, pretty soon, there was an influx of Vietnamese women learning to become manicurists, and then going all over the U.S. to open shops, and begin lives, and have families, and put their children through school and college. Working with those women has touched me so much – so deeply.

LA50: In the midst of this current presidential campaign, the issue of refugees coming into our country has been one that candidates have been addressing. After working with the women who came from Vietnam, what are your feelings about the U.S. continuing to take in refugees?

TH: This is the United States of America and taking in refugees of war is what we do. As long as we are not being taken advantage of as being the country of the world with open arms, I think it’s the right thing to do.

I have certainly seen firsthand that it works. But in today’s world, with terrorism and millions of people becoming refugees due to a world filled with wars, I think we have to be cautious – extremely cautious – about the way it is handled.

LA50: Every day, we are all getting a little bit older, but you seem to have found some sort of age-defying secret, yes?

TH: I do take care of myself. I don’t eat any sort of meat, just a lot of fruits and veggies. I’m very concerned about what I eat, and I eat very healthy.

Most importantly, I never overeat. I work out every day. I can still get into clothes I’ve had from 30 years ago. I still weigh 100 pounds. I have a daily routine: I make my bed and do my exercises before I ever leave the bedroom.

I stretch my muscles and get my heart rate going. That’s how I begin each day. But I am 86 and I do suffer from severe headaches, so I’ve had to learn to accept that and deal with it as best as I can. I’m getting older every day, I know that, but I refuse to get older mentally. I have no idea of what it is like to be 86, and I don’t want to know. I never think about my age and refuse to give in to things simply because I’m older.

Come, In Peace and Harmony, to Visit Tippi and Her Animals

I

n Sanskirt Shambala means: “A meeting place of peace and harmony for all beings, animal and human.”

Tippi Hedren’s Shambala Preserve is home to lions, tigers, cougars, black and spotted leopards, bobcats and Asian leopards. Once an animal is brought to Shambala, it remains there for the rest of its life; provided with love, dignity and the best human, nutritional, medical, emotional and mental care possible.

With a monthly operating cost of $75,000, there are many ways you can help support The Roar Foundation and the Shambala Preserve. You can become a member of the foundation, adopt a Shambala resident, become a volunteer, or actually visit the preserve for a tour or an afternoon or sunset safari.

All visitors to Shambala must be at least 18 and the admission is $50 per person. The afternoon safaris consists of a three-hour planned program that includes a one-hour guided walking tour. The tour culminates at the Shambala Lake, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch. You will also have an opportunity to shop in the preserve’s Trading Post.

The very exclusive sunset safaris begin with a greeting from the Shambala staff,

16 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

who will then take you to a tent where you will spend the night. Once settled in, you will be taken on a guided tour to meet the residents. Shambala’s staff photographer will follow along to record this once-in-alifetime experience for you. After an evening dinner party with entertainment, there will be time to relax in your tent before you are served dessert, at which time you will be joined for a special welcome by Tippi Hedren and Shambala’s Director Chris Gallucci. After dessert, you will take a midnight safari to say goodnight to the “wild ones,” and then it is back to the tent to drift off to sleep while listening to the mesmerizing sounds of roaring lions and the other wildlife that surround you. The following morning, after breakfast, you will be able to shower and have one last look around at the spectacular animals and surroundings. The cost for this unique event, which is only available during the summer months, is a donation of $3,000.

The Shambala Preserve is located at 6867 Soledad Canyon Road in Acton, California.

For more information on tours or safaris, to make a reservation, or become a volunteer or Roar Foundation member, call (661) 2680380 or click on www.shambala.org.

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Questioning, Engaging and Diversifying…

The Keys for Successful Retirement Investing Special to Life After 50 by Stephen Perl, CEO 1st PMF Bancorp

K

nowing the right answers to important questions is crucial to achieving success in life. The same is true when it comes to investing for retirement. But before you can get the right answers, you must first know the right questions to ask. Knowing the right questions is essential before making any moves in your investment portfolio, and, perhaps, the most important two questions are:

How do I create a prudent investment plan, and what should I invest in to ensure safety and a reasonable return?

When it comes to investing and retirement planning, most people have a tendency to throw their hands up and just leave it up to their financial advisors. The problem with that is, even when it comes to those associated with the large financial 18 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

advising firms, they don’t have all the solutions.

In reality, they only hold a few of the pieces of the puzzle that must come together to create a retirement plan that is prudent, safe, and right for you. Therefore, you must become engaged and have an understanding and awareness of how and what to invest in. To begin that process, one of the most important questions to have answered is this one:

Does it ever make sense to put all your eggs in one basket?

The answer to that question is: “No; of course not.”

Now that you have the answer to that question, you are well on your way to understanding the first and most important principle of investing and for creating a solid investment plan:

Diversification Diversification is the process of investing in different asset classes. However, diversification does not mean to invest only in different stocks (even though this is a good technique for a stock portfolio). One must invest in real estate (if possible), stocks, insurance products, and alternative asset classes. Only by investing in different types of assets, with the prudent consultation of your accountant and financial advisor, will your investment portfolio be properly diversified and yield the best return with the level of safety that you are comfortable with.

Once you finalize a plan for diversifying your assets, you will be ready to evaluate various asset classes that are available for your new diversified portfolio.

For most people, it is automatically the stock market that comes to mind when thinking of their investment portfolio. That is wrong. There is a world of investments available that should be considered depending on the investor’s budget and appetite for risk and return. With that said, the stock market is still essential for a prudent portfolio, but purchasing stocks must be done in moderation and based on the timing of the market.

The current stock market has been on an upswing since 2009 and amounts to the third longest “bull market” upswing in U.S. history. And yet, if you are an investor who is close to retiring or retired, this is the time to be looking at investments that are not solely tied to the market. The following are a few of the things to consider when looking to diversify one’s investment portfolio.

REAL ESTATE For investors with the financial wherewithal, one of the most appealing investments for both shortterm and long-term appreciation is real estate. If you are invested in real estate, your investment will increase in value and protect your net worth from devaluation. Plus, there are other benefits to investing in real estate, such as the income it can produce So how does one approach investing in the real estate asset class?

One could tackle this from several angles. For the most conservative investment side of this asset class, one can buy a property in a well-developed area and then rent it out. This has little to no risk.

The key to making a good real estate investment is to find a property you can buy with a down payment that you are comfortable with, and then rent it out to provide a return of more than five percent per year (after paying mortgage interest, property tax, and insurance). Finding a property like that is not that hard, but it does take some shopping with a good Realtor and the application of good financial common sense.

For investors with a larger budget, buying an apartment building can potentially yield a higher return; but remember, a venture like that does require a bit more sophistication. For example, if you invest in a rental property with more than four units, you are subject to a commercial loan that requires a much higher down payment than a smaller building or traditional home. A four-unit or smaller building would only require a 20 percent down payment, whereas a larger building, one with more than four units, would require a down payment of 35 to 50 percent, depending on the building’s age and condition.

CORPORATE RECEIVABLES Another safe alternative that provides diversification to a portfolio is investing in corporate receivables indirectly.

This may be a bit confusing for some, but it a great alternative investment. Simply, here’s how it

works: Imagine being able to buy a discounted invoice that, say, a company like Costco owes to its supplier. Buying a $100 invoice that Costco will pay in 30 days for $98 is the underlying financial transaction; however, when investing in an invoice-factoring financing transaction or a derivative, the investment companies typically manage the process and just pay an interest rate of return on a monthly basis. The typical returns on this passive investment are about seven percent annually, which beats a certificate of deposit (CD) at a traditional bank by about 1,400 percent. There is some risk, but with more risk, there can be more return. And remember: yield spreads are distorted because bank CD rates are extremely low due the Federal Reserve artificially keeping interest rates low.

As an example of this, PMF Investment Corp. specializes in investing in corporate receivables and helps its many investors to diversify their portfolio over thousands of invoices. Therefore, through investing in numerous invoices of many credit-worthy companies, investors are protected through diversification, while still enjoying a relatively strong return at approximately seven percent per year.

While most advisers do not think about investing in corporate receivables or invoice factoring transactions, placing 10 percent of your investment portfolio in an asset class like this is a great means of diversification.

INSURANCE BASED INVESTMENTS Lastly, insurance-based investments have often been inefficient relative to the average return of the S&P over the last century. And yet, this

category is very important for estate planning and wealth protection in moving wealth to the next generation. There are many products available, but investing in a standard annuity is not always the way to go, since many are not great financial products. There are very solid companies in this space, such as NorthWestern Mutual, which are offering what are probably the safest and most efficient products in the market. Many of the insurance products could also double as investments, but you will need to engage a senior investment adviser from NorthWestern to assist, as they do not let outside advisers work with all their products.

Having the right answers to the right questions is the most important factor in properly creating your investment portfolio. So don’t just let your financial adviser make the call without your input.

Get engaged and be a part of assembling the pieces of the puzzle that will provide you with a plan that is prudent, safe and, most importantly, right for you.

STEPHEN PERL is the CEO

of 1st PMF Bancorp, a leading U.S. commercial bank lender that provides business loans and invoice factoring services. He is the author of “Doing Business with China: Dancing with the Dragon” (Chinamart USA Book Publishing, Inc., 2012). For more information on the services of the Los Angeles-based PMF Investment Corp., click on www.pmfbancorp. com or call (310) 858-6696.

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 19

on M

New amplified phone lets you hear AND see the conversation.

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A simple idea… made possible with sophisticated technology. If you have trouble understanding a call, the Captioning Telephone can change your life. During a phone call the words spoken to you appear on the phone’s screen – similar to closed captioning on TV. So when you make or receive a call, the words spoken to you are not only amplified by the phone, but scroll across the phone so you can listen while reading everything that’s said to you. Each call is routed through a call center, where computer technology – aided by a live representative – generates voice-to-text translations. The captioning is real-time, accurate and readable. Your conversation is private and the captioning service doesn’t cost you a penny.

Captioned Telephone Service (CTS) is regulated and funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is designed exclusively for individuals with 20 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

hearing loss. In order to use CTS in your home, you must have standard telephone service and high-speed Internet connectivity where the phone will be used. Callers do not need special equipment or a captioning phone in order to speak with you.

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Do you get discouraged when you hear your telephone ring?

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California optometrists, Dr. Richard Shuldiner and Dr. Harold Ashcraft are using miniaturized telescopes which are mounted in glasses to help Patient using telescopic glasses people who have lost vision to drive and read signs. from macular degeneration functioning” says Dr. Ashcraft, and other eye conditions. a low vision optometrist in Los “Some of my patients Angeles. Even if it’s driving. consider me the last stop for “The major benefit of bioptic people who have vision loss” telescope low vision glasses is said Dr. Shuldiner “most magnifying road signs, traffic people don’t know that there lights and other distance objects are low vision optometrists necessary for safe driving”. who have extensive experience Dr’s Ashcraft and Shuldiner in helping those with vision are members of The International loss.We help people with Academy of Low Vision macular degeneration, diabetic Specialists (www.IALVS.com) retinopathy, RP and other eye and have extensive experience diseases regain function and in working with the visually independence.” impaired.

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Debt Settlement –

Does It Really Work?

A viable option for those drowning in debt, have poor credit, and who don’t want to consider bankruptcy, settlement programs can make becoming debt-free a reality

By Jack Dominico, Allstate Debt Consolidation

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etting rid of debt is crucial to anyone’s financial health, as well as their future.

Being debt-free allows people to enjoy life again and it allows them to make financial decisions without worrying about getting hounded by creditors every month. It also helps them start saving for retirement, their kids’ education, or any other important event that they may need to plan for down the road.

But what happens when people can’t reduce debt on their own? And what happens when, because of poor credit, they are unable to qualify for traditional solutions, such as consolidation loans?

That’s when debt settlement becomes a viable option. It’s for people who don’t have the best credit and who don’t want to consider 22 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

bankruptcy. Settlement programs are a strategy in which consumers hire a company to negotiate with creditors on their behalf. If the settlement negotiations are successful, the consumer’s total debt will be reduced to a manageable amount.

How much will one’s debt be reduced by?

That depends on how much debt the creditor is willing to forgive.

To achieve success in these negotiations, it’s important that creditors see the value and understand that this will be the best option for them as well. It’s always easy to see the value for a debtor, but for creditors, it has to be proven that this is the best way to solve the issue and not have it linger on for years or ultimately be charged off in bankruptcy. Once the debt-

settlement company is able to show the creditor that this is the best path to take for both parties involved, they are more likely to agree to the terms.

This type of program works best when a debtor has an experienced advocate representing them, someone who knows how creditors think and what their goals are. By hiring a quality debt-settlement agency, a person is more likely to have their creditors agree to new terms.

A settlement agency has the experience to make these deals and they know how to frame the situation in a way that makes sense to creditors and helps them see the value. At my company, Allstate Debt Consolidation, we provide consumers with the tools they need to make the right decisions for their debt and finances. We also provide reviews

of companies and other debt-elimination firms that consumers may not be familiar with. Our Website, www.allstatedebtconsolidation.com, has a plethora of information to help people no matter what type of debt-related info they are looking for.

Are you so far in debt that you’re unable to pay your payments?

Debt settlement may be your salvation.

To qualify, all you have to do is meet the criteria of the company providing this service to you. Usually, those requirements are that you have $10,000 or more of debt, and if a settlement can be arranged, that you will agree to stick to the program.

If this sounds good, it is. However, it is vitally important that you work with a reputable company to avoid getting ripped off and end up in even worse shape than when you started.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Debt settlement has come under fire because a lot of companies don’t deliver on their promises.

Many of the dishonest firms promise a lot and deliver very little, or nothing. That’s why the government has cracked down on them in a big way, which has resulted in many of the shady firms being put out of business. But some still exist.

The good news is that there are legitimate firms out there. The honest providers can get you a lower monthly payment after negotiating with your creditors to waive some of your fees.

In addition, they can help you create a smarter budget that fits your lifestyle. But the most

important part is that they can help you eliminate most of your debt within 24 to 48 months at a reasonable cost to you.

WHO SHOULD YOU USE? As mentioned earlier, not all companies comply with the rule of law and some are downright scammers. Avoiding these unscrupulous firms is crucial to your success.

To avoid the scammers, you must only deal with companies that are known for doing the right thing. One such company is National Debt Relief. Not only did they survive the government crackdown, they also have a stellar record with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). They are a big company within the industry and have thousands of satisfied customers from all over the country.

One of the things that separates the legitimate debt-settlement companies from the scammers is that the good ones don’t charge any upfront fees. National Debt Relief doesn’t make people pay anything until the work is done. If they can negotiate a successful plan for you, they will then charge between 20 and 25 percent of the total debt you enroll with them.

Another second settlement company you should take a look at is www.Curadebt.com. They have been around over 10 years, also have a good rating with the BBB, and are accredited with the American Fair Credit Counsel.

JUST HOW DOES THIS ALL WORK? A debt settlement program enables you to reduce what you owe and pay off personal loans, utility

bills, credit-card debt, medical bills and many other unsecured debts at an affordable rate. You will repay a defined percentage of the overall debt, along with a fee for the negotiating and handling of the agreement.

Debt settlement programs are a two- to fouryear agreement where a pre-agreed sum of money will be paid to the trustee’s account. This program is considered to be the primary alternative to bankruptcy. However, unlike filing for chapter seven, it is not a legally binding arrangement.

Following a 2010 ruling by the Federal Trade Commission, all fees must be taken from each monthly payment. Fees cannot be front-loaded.

This ensures that fewer creditors become frustrated because they are last to receive any money. It also gives you the chance to change your mind if you ever decide that the solution is not right for you.

GETTING STARTED If you are unsure whether a company offers a good service, check the feedback that has been given to the Better Business Bureau. When trying to find a trustworthy debt settlement company, look for one that has been around for many years. If there are any problems, they are more likely to have been exposed. This is not to say that a new company is not good, but it is harder to find out what they are all about, because of their newness.

Once you have selected the right company for your requirements, do not delay getting started, because the sooner you begin, the sooner you will be free from debt. You just need to make sure that you have considered every other option before starting a program like this. You will also need to look into whether these programs are available in your state and if there are any tax obligations that may be incurred by debt elimination. Remember, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) treats debt settlement or negotiation as taxable indebtedness income. In other words, when your debt is reduced, it is considered to be a source of income unless you are considered to be insolvent. That is why you need to seek the advice of your accountant before proceeding with this type of program. If you don’t, you could end up with a large tax bill.

THE BOTTOM LINE If you are out of options and drowning in debt, these programs can offer relief and peace of mind.

But it is crucial that you do your due diligence before signing on with a firm. If you do find the right one, you can be on your way to eliminating your debt and start living again.

JACK DOMINICO is a representative of Allstate Debt Consolidation.

For more information on debt settlement programs, click on www. allstatedebtconsolidation.com

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 23

Game of Silence – New Series, NBC – Premieres Thursday April 7 at 10 p.m.

The producers of such shows as “CSI,” “Parenthood” and “Friday Night Lights” are behind this 10-episode drama based on the award-winning Turkish television series. Aiming for a darker, cable-style feel – and promising a definite resolution at the end of season one – this Atlanta-set series centers on a promising young attorney, played by David Lyons, whose career is suddenly threatened by the return of a dark secret from his past. He and his four best friends thought their secret was buried 25 years ago, but they soon discover that you can’t hide your past forever.

Hunters – New Series, SyFy – Premieres Monday April 11at 10 p.m.

This adaptation of Whitley Strieber’s novel “Alien Hunter” stars Nathan Phillips as a Baltimore FBI agent whose investigation into the disappearance of his wife leads him to a secret government antiterrorism unit whose targets may not exactly be locals and may or may not be from this world. Part gritty crime drama and part sci-fi thriller, this new 13-episode series hails from executive producers Gale Anne Hurd who brought us “The Walking Dead” and Natalie Chaidez of “Heroes” fame.

This new two-part, four-hour film from master documentarian Ken Burns tells the story of an American icon whose life-long battle for first class citizenship for all African-Americans transcends even his remarkable athletic achievements. Robinson rose from humble origins to cross baseball’s color line and become one of the most beloved men in America.

A fierce integrationist, Robinson used his immense fame to speak out against the discrimination he saw on and off the field, angering fans, the press, and even teammates who had once celebrated him for “turning the other cheek.” After baseball, he was a widely-read newspaper columnist, divisive political activist and tireless advocate for civil rights, who later struggled to remain relevant as diabetes crippled his body and a new generation of leaders set a more militant course for the civil rights movement.

The Last Panthers – New Miniseries, Sundance

Photo courtesy of Hulton Archive Getty Images

Jackie Robinson – New Documentary, PBS – Premiers Monday April 11and Tuesday April 12 at 9 p.m. (check local listings)

The Best In APRIL Television Viewing

By Sandi Berg

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Samantha Morton, John Hurt, and Tahar Rahim head the cast of this six-episode European crime thriller. Based on true events involving the Pink Panthers, notorious Balkan jewel thieves, this heist thriller kicks off with a daring diamond robbery. It then transfers to the heart of Europe as Naomi, a British loss adjuster, played by Morton, and Khalil, played by Rahim, get on a collision course with a Serbian gangster, and a French-Algerian policeman, in hot pursuit. Hurt plays Naomi’s shady boss. The chase takes Naomi and Khalil into a world populated by not just gangsters but a new species of criminal “banksters.”

The late David Bowie provided the series’ theme song.

The Night Manager – New Miniseries, AMC – Premieres Tuesday April 19 at 10 p.m.

Published in 1993, this six-part contemporary adaptation of John le Carre’s “Night Manager,” follows Jonathan Pine, played by Tom Hiddleston, a British soldier turned luxurious hotel night auditor.

Pine crosses paths with a French-Arab woman named Sophie with ties to Richard Onslow Roper, played by Hugh Laurie, an Englishman who specializes in selling black market weapons. The woman provides Pine with incriminating documents, which he forwards to a friend in British intelligence. After Sophie winds up dead, Pine works with intelligence operatives and goes undercover as part of a sting against Roper to avenge Sophie’s death.

24 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

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April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 25

T H H  M-K

By Steve Stoliar Illustration by Mark Hammermeister

O

W

The name “Oscar Wilde” usually conjures up his two most-famous works: “The Importance of Being Earnest” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” But there was so much more to this flamboyant – and controversial – writer than just those two titles. This larger-than-life character was a prolific poet, playwright, novelist, essayist and an incredibly popular celebrity of his time.

O

scar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in Dublin on October 16, 1854. His mother Jane Wilde was a successful poet who wrote under the pen name “Sperenza” (Italian for “Hope”). Oscar’s father Sir William Wilde was also an author, as well as an oto-ophthalmologist (ear and eye doctor). Oscar was the second of three children. In addition to the three children he had with Jane, William also fathered three other children out of wedlock before his marriage.

Wilde was self-taught, learning French, German, Italian – even ancient Greek – developing a fascination with art and the classical world. He attended Trinity College in Dublin from 1871 to 1874, focusing on classical studies and sharing a room with his older brother Willie.

While at Trinity, Wilde became a respected member of the University Philosophical Society and was an exemplary student, publishing impressive, thought-provoking poems and essays with great regularity.

In 1874, Wilde won a scholarship to Magdalen College at Oxford in England, where he became quite well known for his active participation in the aesthetic and decadent movements. He loved to decorate his rooms with extravagant and exotic items, including peacock feathers, lilies and sunflowers. He once commented to a friend: “I find it harder and harder every day to live up to my blue china.”

In 1878, Wilde won the coveted Newdigate Prize for his poem “Ravenna,” inspired by his visit to the Italian city several years earlier. After graduating from

Oxford that same year, Wilde returned to Dublin where he rekindled a romance with his childhood sweetheart Florence Balcombe. Unfortunately, Florence jilted Wilde and married future “Dracula” author Bram Stoker. A disappointed Wilde left Ireland and returned to England, which he would make his home for much of the remainder of his life.

In 1881, at the age of 27, Wilde published his first collection of poems. It quickly sold out its first run of 750 copies. Not every reviewer was taken with Wilde’s poetry, however. The satirical magazine, Punch, quipped: “The poet is Wilde, but his poetry’s tame.” One imagines Wilde must’ve appreciated their cleverness – even as they criticized his talents.

In 1882, opera impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte invited the promising young writer to make a lecture tour of the United States, during which he expounded upon a wide variety of topics including decorative art and the English Renaissance. The tour was intended to last four months, but because of the increasing popularity of his colorful lectures, his time in America lasted nearly a full year. This is not to say that the critics were as kind to Wilde as the audiences.

They criticized and caricatured him mercilessly, poking fun at his outlandish outfits and behavior and accusing him of making more of a bid for notoriety than a genuine advocacy of beauty and aesthetics. Nevertheless, Wilde was celebrated in the most-fashionable salons of every city he visited.

In 1883, Wilde penned the play “The Duchess of Padua,” which, when

This feature is intended for you to clip and give to your children or grandchildren because…they must-know!

26 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

coupled with his considerable earnings from his published poems, essays and recent American tour, allowed him to move to Paris, where he lived for several months, before moving back to London.

On May 29, 1884, Wilde married Constance Lloyd, the daughter of one of Queen Victoria’s attorneys, whom he had met several years earlier in London.

They had two sons, Cyril, born in 1885 and Vyvyan, born the following year. During Constance’s pregnancy with Vyvyan, Wilde reportedly became physically repelled by his wife’s appearance and their marriage began to unravel (they divorced in 1898.) During this time, Wilde was reportedly initiated into homosexuality by Robert Ross, a Canadian journalist and art critic who had attended Oxford and had remained in London.

Throughout the 1880s, Wilde contributed numerous essays and poems to different publications dealing with art, literature and his overall philosophy of life. In 1887, he became editor of The Woman’s World magazine, penning articles on parenting, culture, politics, fashion and art. He would also contribute an occasional short story.

The following year, Wilde left the magazine to devote himself to writing fiction for numerous periodicals, which covered subjects as varied as fairy tales, Shakespearean sonnets, and crime.

The July 1890 issue of Lippincott’s Monthly magazine featured, as its lead story, the first installment of “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” by Wilde. The story concerns the title character, a wealthy London gentleman who makes a Faustian bargain that he will remain forever young, even as an oil painting of himself grows old and decrepit. This allows Gray to indulge in any number of hedonistic and criminal pleasures, without any apparent toll being taken on his actual person. After the story was serialized in the magazine, Wild published the complete tale as a novel in 1891.

Reviewers attacked the story’s decadence and homosexual overtones, some calling it “unclean” and “poisonous.” Nevertheless, the book – Wilde’s sole work as a novelist – was a great success.

In 1892, Wilde wrote a biography of the Biblical temptress, Salome, in play form – and in French. Celebrated artist Aubrey Beardsley provided the illustrations. Plans were under way for “Salome” to be presented on the London stage starring the great French actress, Sarah Bernhardt.

Unfortunately, the Lord Chamberlain refused to license the play to be performed in England because it depicted characters from the Bible.

(The play was eventually produced in 1896.)

Wilde followed this controversial work with three light, comedic plays about society: “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” “A Woman of No Importance” and “An Ideal Husband.” These were received with much less resistance by the authorities as well as audiences. He then delivered what turned out to be his last play – and what is generally considered to be his masterpiece: The farcical light comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” which centers on two Londoners who put up fictitious identities in order to avoid social obligations.

The play, which opened in February of 1895, was wildly (so to speak) successful and remains his most frequently revived play. Its success was followed by an equal and opposite downturn in Wilde’s life – his arrest and imprisonment for homosexuality (which continued to be illegal in England until 1967).

It was Wilde himself who brought libel charges against the Marquess of Queensberry for accusing him of indulging in homosexual acts. Had Wilde not gone forward with the lawsuit, the scandal might have gone away before getting out of control. Unfortunately, Queensberry won the libel case, Wilde was arrested, convicted, and taken to London’s Newgate Prison in May of 1895, transferring to Wandsworth Prison a few months later.

While in prison, Wilde wrote a 50,000-word autobiographical letter to his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, which was posthumously published as “De Profundis” and later included in “The Letters Of Oscar Wilde.” He was released in May of 1897 and immediately sailed to France, never to return to England – or Ireland.

Not surprisingly, Wilde’s harsh imprisonment had taken a substantial toll on his health and spirit, and he spent his final years in impoverished exile, wandering the Parisian streets alone, spending what little money he had on alcohol.

As his health deteriorated, he became confined to a run-down hotel, where he joked to a friend: “My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One of us has got to go.” Variations on this bon mot have been widely circulated as “Oscar Wilde’s Last Words,” but they were really only his “towards the end of his life” words. Closer to death, he told his friend Reggie Turner: “I dreamt that I had died and was supping with the dead!”

Wilde actually took his place at that table of the departed on November 30, 1900, of cerebral meningitis. He was initially buried at Cimetiere de Bagneux outside Paris, but his remains were transferred to the famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris in 1909, where they currently reside.

Although scandalized in life and impoverished at death, Wilde’s work is still widely read and performed, and he is remembered as much for his wit as he is for being an early champion of gay rights.

LEARN MORE • The Complete Works Of Oscar Wilde” by Oscar Wilde (Harper Perennial Classics, 2008).

• “The Importance Of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde (Dover Publications, 1990) • “The Picture Of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde (Dover Publications, 1993) • “Oscar Wilde” by Richard Ellman (Vintage Publishing, 1988)

Mark Hammermeister is an award-winning artist. His work is available for purchase at www.markdraws.com April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 27

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Tommy Lasorda One can learn a lot by lunching with the Dodgers’ legendary skipper... including his secret plan for living to be at least 100

Story and photos by David Laurell

E

njoying lunch on the patio of a Burbank restaurant, Tommy Lasorda hardly puts a forkful of food in his mouth without fellow diners and people passing by waving, calling out to him, or actually stopping at his table to express their love and appreciation of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ former skipper.

“People are always coming up and saying hello and asking for an autograph and if they can have their picture with me,” says Lasorda. “It happens everywhere I go and I’m very grateful for that.

Back when I was a young player with the Brooklyn Dodgers, I could walk down a street in New York and if I dropped dead right in the middle of the street, people would just step over me. Today, I walk down a street anywhere and everybody’s yelling: ‘Hey Tommy! How you doing?’ The truck drivers drive by hollering, people of all ages are waving and smiling.

It makes you feel good. I love it.”

As Lasorda finishes his lunch, the waiter asks if he would like to cap off the meal with dessert and begins listing the temptations. Lasorda, who is trying to lose 30 pounds, ignores the list of confections until the mention of carrot cake widens his eyes.

30 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

“Carrot cake is one of my weaknesses,” he reveals under his breath as he motions for the waiter to bring him a slice. “But I do have to get serious about losing weight,” he says. “One of the owners of the Dodgers – I’m not going to say who – but he told me he didn’t like the way I’m looking and made me a deal: that if I lose 30 pounds, he’ll give me a million dollars.”

As the carrot cake arrives and Lasorda takes a bite, he says he has been given a year to drop the weight. “I figure if I start getting close to the time being up and see I’m not going to make it, I’ll just go to my doctor and have him cut off one of my legs. Hey, I’m not going to miss out on the million,” he adds with a laugh.

HIS MOTIVATING MAGIC If Lasorda’s own well-honed motivation skills (along with the big payout) are not enough to get his weight down, it will be a surprise. Throughout his many years as a team manager with the Dodgers, he proved, over and over, to be able to inspire players and coalesce them into highly

motivated championship-winning teams.

Asked about his ability to spark such inspiration in others, Lasorda says it was just a matter of knowing his job and the responsibility that came with it: to get players to believe in themselves, work as a team, and win.

“I managed seven years in the Minor Leagues, and five of those years we won the pennant,” Lasorda states proudly. “My players always knew I was out for them and that I loved them, that I believed in them, and wanted them to be the best they could be.”

Asked to provide a specific example of his motivational proficiency, Lasorda recalls a time one of his teams was in a bad losing slump. “We had lost six games in a row,” he says. “And after that sixth loss, I walked into the locker room and the guys were all sitting around looking like somebody killed their entire family. So I said: ‘What the hell are you guys hanging your heads for?’ I wanted to tell them something that would really motivate them, so I said: ‘Do you guys realize that every sportswriter has always believed the greatest team in baseball was the 1927 Yankees? Well, do you guys know the

‘27 Yankees lost eight games in a row? You guys have only lost six. So let’s get out there and turn it around.’ I then went out to the car where my wife was waiting for me and she asked what took me so long. I told her that story and she said: ‘Wow! That must have really made an impression on them.’ So we were heading home and a few minutes later, my wife asked me if the ’27 Yankees really lost eight games in a row. ‘How the hell should I know? I was just born that year,’ I told her. ‘But they could have.’ And that story sure sounded good to those players. It motivated them and, I kid you not, they went out and began winning again.”

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY Having scouted for, played with and against, and managed some of the most legendary players in the history of baseball, Lasorda says he considers Ted Williams to be the greatest player of all time – a comment he realizes is viewed as heresy by his fellow Italians. “Italians believe Joe DiMaggio was sent to us by God,” he laughs.

He also still pines for the greatness that might have been with one young kid he tried to recruit when, following his days as an active player, he worked as a scout for the Dodgers.

“As a scout, you travel all over, always imagining you’ll see a player like no one else has ever seen, and that you will find a guy who will go on to become a star,” says Lasorda. “So one time, I found myself in this little town in Pennsylvania.

A guy at the game asked me if I saw anybody I liked. I told him I liked this one kid and the guy asked if I wanted to meet him. I said: ‘Do you have an Italian restaurant in this town?’ He said they did, and I said: ‘Great! Let’s meet there.’ So later that day this kid walks in with a little goatee and I offered him a contract with a $10,000 bonus, which was good money at that time. He said: ‘I‘d love to play baseball more than anything. But I promised my mother I would go to college, so I’m going to have to turn you down.’ Many years later, I had just gotten on a plane heading for L.A. and the flight attendant came over to me and said: ‘Tommy would you mind taking the window seat.

I have a passenger who has a bad leg and needs an aisle seat.’ So I moved over and who walks in: that kid with the goatee from Pennsylvania – whose name was Joe Namath. He sat down and I said: ‘Ya know Joe, had you taken that 10 grand I offered you to play baseball instead of going on to play football, you wouldn’t have to be sitting on the aisle with a bad leg.”

“Whenever I talk about the Dodgers, it’s never just about the team,” says Lasorda “I always talk about the fans. I used to tell my players we had to win, not just for ourselves, but for our fans. I felt we owed them championships. I always admired and appreciated the fans and was very aware that I always represented the Dodgers in everything I did. If I got into a fight in a bar, nobody was going to say Tommy Lasorda from Norristown, Pennsylvania, got in a fight. They would say Tommy Lasorda of the Dodgers got into a fight.

Wherever I went, I always wanted to represent the organization to the highest degree. I never got politically involved or did anything controversial. I love the Dodgers and will die a Dodger. I had many opportunities to leave the organization during my career, but would never do it. I turned them all down, because I wanted to always be a Dodger.”

Along with his allegiance to the Dodgers, Lasorda has an even stronger one to his wife, Jo, whom he married 65 years ago this month. Asked if there is any secret to making a relationship work for that many decades, he shrugs and says there really is no secret. “You just have to have confidence in each other and believe in one another,” he opines. “You have to love one another and always treat your wife the way you did when you were dating them.”

The proud grandfather of one granddaughter, who is currently attending Pepperdine University and hopes to become a horse trainer, Lasorda says one of his greatest joys is spending time with her.

What is not so joyful to him is having to watch what he eats.

“The only thing I watch is every mouthful as it goes in,” he says laughing. “But I am going to be getting serious about it here soon, because I

can’t lose out on that million dollars. So I do a little exercise. I don’t overdo it, but I stretch every day to keep my muscles loose and I have a weight machine I use.”

HIS SECRET PLAN FOR LONGEVITY As for his thoughts on living life in his ninth decade, Lasorda says he is feeling good and has plans on still being around for some time – at least to 100. In fact, he actually has a specific plan for making that happen.

“I have a system to make it to 100. I keep moving around so God can’t find me,” he says with a laugh. “God starts looking for people to take when they slow down and stop moving. So every day, I’m up and doing this and doing that, moving around from here to there, so he never knows exactly where I am.”

As he reluctantly pushes away the plate holding his half-eaten carrot cake, Lasorda looks up to see a restaurant patron standing a few feet away from the table. The man, making eye contact with Lasorda, says he doesn’t want to bother him while he’s having lunch, but to just take a second to genuflect.

Lasorda laughs. “Can you believe that?” he says shaking his head. “That means so much to me. It amazes me how much love I get from people. It’s been an incredible life that I can’t even believe.

I never thought I would have a life like this. I have been so blessed. And I always want people – especially kids – to know that, no matter how down you may be in life, you can still become something.

If it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.

I’ll never stop saying that. The only time I’ll ever stop is when I stop moving. That’s when God will find me and it will be time for me to go.”

LASORDA’S LIFE TODAY Today, at the age of 88, the Norristown, Pennsylvania native who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, continues to scout, evaluate and teach Minor League players for the Dodgers. He is a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, regularly visits patients at the Tom Lasorda Heart Institute at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, California, and has become the most popular goodwill ambassador for the Dodgers, and the game itself.

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 31

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Let’s Get OUt

San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire

April/May

A Preview of Upcoming Events for April/May By Claire Yezbak Fadden

eNteRtAINMeNt FRIDAY, APRIL 15 SHEN YUN 2016

More than 20 Chinese tales are revealed in an all-new spectacular show. Sixty authentically costumed dancers and a 40-piece orchestra perform before a 30-foot interactive video screen as transformations of time and location materialize. Authentic sounds of imperial courts and folk songs handed down through the generations accompany visits to ancient dynasties such as the Tang and the Qin,

the mountains of Tibet, the shores of a Dai village and the sprawling plains of Mongolia.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa.

Through April 17. $60-plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org. (800) 880-0188. shenyun.com.

and prey from Birch Aquarium at Scripps naturalists. Leaves daily from San Diego Bay. $40-plus. Through April 17. (619) 234-4111. flagshipsd.com. (858) 534-7336.

RAIN Based on Somerset Maugham’s famous short story, the tale follows a group of American travelers thrown together in a boarding house on a tropical South Pacific island. The sudden arrival of another guest, the mysterious and provocative Sadie Thompson, turns their lives upside down in ways they could never have foreseen. The Old Globe Theatre, Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $36-plus. Through May 1. (619) 2345623. theoldglobe.org.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Tevye the milkman tries to protect his daughters and his way of life from a changing

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

WHALE WATCHING Witness the longest mammal migration in the world, when approximately 20,000 gray whales pass San Diego on their annual 10,000-mile round-trip journey from the Bering Sea to the lagoons of Baja California.

Learn about gray whale baleen, barnacles

world. The musical deals with serious issues such as persecution, poverty and the struggle to hold on to one’s beliefs in the midst of a hostile and chaotic environment. Welk Resorts Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr., Escondido.

Through April 24. $49-plus. (888) 802-7469. welktheatre.com.

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW A satirical tribute to the science fiction and B-list horror movies of the 20th century, the show centers around two naïve lovers, Brad and Janet. Seeking shelter from a thunderstorm, they find themselves thrust into the laboratory of the cross-dressing mad scientist Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter. Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego. Dates vary through May 1. $34. (619) 337-1525. cygnettheatre.com.

FUTURE THINKING Chiara is a spoiled starlet. Peter is a pet photographer. He’s also Chiara’s obsessed, middle-aged stalker-fan, who believes there’s another dimension, where he and Chiara can live happily. It’s Comic Con time, and Peter’s in trouble. He has violated his restraining order and is being held by a security guard who dreams of being a real cop. All Chiara wants is for her stage mom and her bodyguard to get lost—preferably, together. South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Dates vary through April 24. $22-plus. (714) 708-5555. scr.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 17 MOSES Experience the powerful true story of Moses and witness some of history’s most amazing moments. The splendor and intrigue of ancient Egypt propel this moving musical about a man truly in God’s hands. LifeHouse Theater, 1135 N. Church St., Redlands. Weekends through May 1. $16-$20. (909) 335-3037 ext. 21. lifehousetheater.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 18

THE NATURE OF WATER: OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE

This exhibition serves a dual purpose; it presents a selection of superb California landscape paintings and raises awareness of one of California’s historically scarce and precious resources, water. Some 60 works feature scenes of snow, clouds, rain, lakes, rivers and oceans, by 32 artists such as Mischa Askenazy, Franz Bischoff, Granville Redmond, Paul Grimm, Guy Rose and Karl Yens, among others. The Irvine Museum, 18881 Von Karman Ave., Ground Floor, Irvine. Tues-Sat. through June 16. Free. (949) 476-2565. irvinemuseum.org.

34 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

CONSTELLATIONS A chance encounter between two lost souls opens the door to the infinite possibilities.

Breathlessly navigating through the spellbinding and romantic journey of being in love, the story looks at how the tiniest change in the detail of our lives can lead us on completely different paths. The Old Globe Theatre, Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $29-plus.

CALeNDAR

April/May San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire CABERET AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula. $20. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

Through May 8. (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 SEX AND EDUCATION Meet Joe Marks, a basketball star whose college scholarship is suddenly in jeopardy when his poorly-written, sexually-charged note to his girlfriend is intercepted during a final exam. Meet Miss Edwards, his high school English teacher on her last day of teaching. In this hilarious homage to educators everywhere, Miss Edwards uses the note to teach Joe a lesson – on life, love and the power of words. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach. Dates vary through May 22. Prices vary. (949) 497-2787. lagunaplayhouse.com.

JAZZ WEDNESDAYS Barbara Morrison. Laguna Beach Live!, 891 Laguna Canyon Road. Laguna Beach. $25.

(949) 715-9713. lagunbeachlive.org.

RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic musical combines the story’s classic elements – glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Through May 1. $25-plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

MAY SUNDAY, MAY 1

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

HANAMATSURI BAZAAR

A Japanese and Buddhist cultural festival celebrating the birth of the historical Buddha. Featuring Japanese food, taiko drumming, tea ceremony, tea tasting, introduction to Buddhism talk, cultural performances, game booths for children and a karaoke contest. Vista Buddhist Temple, 150 Cedar Road, Vista. Free. (760) 941-8800. vbtemple.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 AGNES OF GOD This mystery by John Peilmeier tells the story of a novice nun who gives birth and insists the child is the result of a virgin conception.

Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 N. Museum Dr., Palm Springs. Dates vary through May 1. $45-$60. (760) 325-4490. annenbergtheater.org.

WAY DOWNRIVER A flood of Biblical proportions on the mighty Mississippi provides the dramatic backdrop to this gripping, edge-of-your seat adventure.

The play reveals an unlikely pair of souls who are bound together by the forces of nature, and who struggle to overcome their fears and prejudice in order to survive their harrowing experiences. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D, Solana Beach. Wed.-Sun. through May 8. Prices vary.

(858) 481-1055. northcoastrep.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21 RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN Girlfriends Catherine and Gwen chose dramatically different paths after grad school. Catherine built a career as a rockstar academic. Gwen became a homemaker.

Decades later, when Catherine returns home to live with her ailing mother, each woman covets the other’s life. San Diego Repertory Theatre at the Lyceum Space, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego. Dates vary through April 30.

Prices vary. (619) 544-1000. sdrep.org.

GUYS AND DOLLS Gambler Nathan Detroit tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck.

Meanwhile, his girlfriend, nightclub performer Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for 14 years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the dough, but Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown. Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula.

Dates vary through May 1. $20-plus. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

JAZZ AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula. $15. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 THE FULL MONTY This charming and hilarious musical follows the journey of two unemployed steelworkers desperate to make a living. Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton.

Through May 8. Ticket prices vary. (714) 5892770. 3dtshows.com.

OFFICE HOUR He sits in the back of the classroom, wearing dark glasses, a baseball cap pulled down low…never speaking. His creative writing assignments are violent, twisted—and artless.

He scares the other students. He scares the

teachers. The kid is trouble. Or is he just mixed up, using his writing to vent, provoke, maybe even protect himself? South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Dates vary through May 1. $22-plus. (714) 708-5555. scr.org.

COMPOSTING WORKSHOP Learn how to use your yard clippings as a resource, naturally achieve a beautiful, health yard and garden and reduce your use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Living Coast Discovery Center, 100, Gunpowder Point Dr., Chula Vista. Shuttle to entrance from parking lot. $9-$14. Sundays. (619) 409-5900. thelivingcoast.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 FIRST WEDNESDAYS Featuring Fanny and the Atta Boys. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, Concert Hall, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Prices vary. (800) 988-4253. artcenter.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

THURSDAY, MAY 5

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE Follow the escapades of four brave children as they join forces with the mighty lion Aslan to free the land of Narnia from the clutches of the White Witch. LifeHouse Theater, 1135 N. Church St., Redlands. Thurs.-Sun. through June 12. $16-$20. (909) 335-3037 ext. 21. lifehousetheater.com.

CRYSTAL BOWERSOX The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Prices vary. (949) 4968930. thecoachhouse.

DINNER WITH MARLENE This new play surrounds an actual dinner party in 1938 Paris, with singer, movie star Marlene Dietrich and a fascinating assortment of artists, writers and socialites, as Europe is about to come apart at the seams. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado.

Through May 29. Prices vary. (619) 437-6000. lambsplayers.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 6 JACKSON BROWNE As part of his U.S. acoustical solo tour, celebrated singer and songwriter Jackson

SUNDAY, APRIL 24 LIVE JAZZ ON THE PATIO Jimmy and Enrique. Bernardo Winery, Tasting Room Patio, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego. Free. bernardowinery.com.

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 35

CALeNDAR

April/May San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire

SATURDAY, MAY 7

Network star Alton Brown in his new tour.

Brown added a slew of fresh ingredients including new puppets, songs, bigger and potentially more dangerous experiments and what every cook needs in his kitchen: fire.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. $49plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

COUNTRY LIVE! AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula. Saturdays. $12. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

COMEDY AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula. Saturdays. $12. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

Browne plays both guitar and piano and performs many of his top hits and selections from his most recent album, “Standing In The Breach.” Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. $49-plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 8

eXHIBItIONs MARILYN MINTER: PRETTY/DIRTY For more than three decades Marilyn Minter has produced lush paintings, photographs, and videos that vividly manifest our culture’s

complex and contradictory emotions around the female body and beauty. Her unique works—from the oversized paintings of makeup-laden lips and eyes to soiled designer shoes—bring into sharp, critical focus the power of desire. Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach. Wed.-Sun. through July 10. $10. (949) 7591-1122. ocma.net.

HELEN LUNDEBERG: A RETROSPECTIVE Featuring approximately 70 paintings, this exhibition surveys Lundeberg’s career, beginning with her landmark Post-Surrealist paintings of the 1930s. By the late 1950s Lundeberg was working on a larger scale.

She simplified her style into broad, flat areas of color and, though never a pure abstractionist, played a key part in the “hard-edge” tendency in mid-century painting. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr.,

ASAFO FLAGS FROM GHANA On display are 37colorful flags from West Africa dating to the late 19th and 20th centuries, and feature graphic folk imagery and appliquéd designs over a background of French roller printed cotton cloth. Asafo flags are displayed at funerals, annual festivals and other ceremonial occasions, where they adorn central shrines and are paraded and waved through villages and towns. Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park, 1439 El Prado, San Diego. Through July 17. $7-$10.

(619) 239-0003. mingei.org.

LIVE JAZZ ON THE PATIO Chini and Camberos. Bernardo Winery, Tasting Room Patio, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego. Free. bernardowinery.com.

CLASSICS AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula. Sundays. $12. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 12

FRIDAY, MAY 13 ALTON BROWN LIVE: EAT YOUR SCIENCE Expect more comedy, talk show antics, multimedia presentations and music from television personality, author and Food

36 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

THE LORE BEHIND THE ROAR 100 Years of the San Diego Zoo. Celebrating the centennial of the world-famous San Diego Zoo, this extraordinary family-friendly exhibition tells the story of its humble 1915 beginnings to its evolution as a major tourist attraction and cultural touchstone. Full of interactive features, visitors can ride on a vintage zoo tour bus, hear stories from long-time zoo employees, live the life of a zookeeper, explore the extensive animal and plant collection and learn things they didn’t know about the world’s most popular zoo.

San Diego History Center, Casa De Balboa, Balboa Park, 1649 El Prado, San Diego.

Through Jan. 31, 2017. $6-$8. (619) 2326203. sandiegohistory.org.

MUMMIES OF THE WORLD Through modern science, engaging interactive and multi-media exhibits featuring 3-D animation, explore how mummies are created, where they come from and who they were. Using state-ofthe-art scientific methodology, discover how modern science enables researchers to study mummies through innovative and non-invasive ways, offering unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations.

Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Through Sept. 5. $10-$15. (714) 5673679. bowers.org.

ALEC HOLCOMB Holcomb’s technicality and interpretation of famed classical works have pushed the boundaries of the genre. His journey to mastering the classical guitar began when he was six-years-old. Fourteen years later, he has accumulated an impressive set of accolade. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, Concert Hall, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $25-$30. (800) 988-4253. artcenter.org.

LIVE! AT THE MUSEUM Features LA Horn Quartet. Laguna Beach Live!, 891 Laguna Canyon Road. Laguna Beach. $7.

(949) 715-9713. lagunbeachlive.org.

Laguna Beach. Through May 30.

Closed Wednesdays. $5-$7. (949) 494-8971. lagunaartmuseum.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 5

MARIACHI SOL DE MÉXICO – CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION

Enjoy traditional Mexican folk, classical and pop music with Hernandez’ vivid and graceful compositions. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. $29-plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

Get the Word Out. E-mail your announcements to Claire Fadden, cfadden@lifeafter50.com 60 days prior (or even earlier) to your event.

Include a brief description, location, date, time, cost, phone and website. Submission does not guarantee publication.

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Rick Steves’ Travels Ce qui est nouveau en France en 2016 RICK ST EVES’ T RAVELS

By Rick Steves

F

rance has given the world so much culture and art and, in 2016, the country also champions the modern concept of what everyone wants in a vacation. Top that off with the fact that the dollar is about 15 percent stronger than the euro compared to a year ago and it should come as no surprise that France is currently one of the most popular vacation destination for Americans.

Recognizing that so many Americans are including France in their travel plans, I thought this would be a great time to offer Life After 50 readers some updates on the changes and developments they should expect as they plan their visit.

Of course, no visit to France is complete without spending some time in Paris, and if it has been awhile since you were in the City of Light, you’ll find that, following a $38-million-dollar renovation, the Eiffel Tower’s first level is now decked out with new shops, eateries, and a multimedia presentation about the tower’s construction, place in pop culture and more. The highlight of a visit to the tower is the breathtaking, vertigoinducing glass floor that lets you experience what it’s like to stand atop an 18-story building and look straight down.

Just a few blocks away from the tower, the Rodin Museum is now fully open after a threeyear renovation. Elsewhere in Paris, the Carnavalet Museum, which covers the history of the city and has a great exhibit on the French Revolution, is currently undergoing renovations (it is open, but some rooms may be closed). The Louis Vuitton Foundation is the latest entrant to the Paris art scene. Its sailboat-like glass building, set in Bois de Boulogne Park, features modern and contemporary art. All over Paris, more museums are offering free apps that serve as an audio guide for their collections. You’ll also find more opportuni-

38 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

ties to buy your sightseeing tickets online (which, depending on the museum, can help you avoid a queue).

There are also some fresh budget options for getting into Paris. A new Easy Bus shuttle service runs from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris, with dirt-cheap fares. Uber also provides airport transport and may save you some money over a taxi, but because Uber drivers can’t use the busonly lanes as normal taxis can, expect some added drive time.

Beyond Paris, up on the Norman coast, Mont St-Michel is a true island once again at high tide. It’s reachable by a new super-sleek bridge, rather than the old causeway that blocked the flow of water around the island. A new minivan (Bayeux Shuttle) offers service between Bayeux and Mont St-Michel.

As for the Loire Valley, which boasts more than 100 castles, it can be hard to choose which ones to visit. Here’s a tip: This year, I’d skip the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, as some wings may be closed during the 2016 renovation and scaffolding will likely cover parts of the exterior.

Venturing out into eastern France, Colmar’s Unterlinden Museum has reopened after a multiyear restoration, and its masterpiece, Matthias Grünewald’s gripping “Isenheim Altarpiece,” is back on view. While Colmar is no longer the departure point for any minivan tours of the Alsace’s Route du Vin wineries, travelers based in Strasbourg can ride along with Ophorus Tours, which visit several wine villages and include wine tastings and time to wander.

This year marks a milestone in France’s World War I history — the centennial of the Battle of Verdun. To coincide with this anniversary, the Mémorial de Verdun museum has completed its three-year renovation and now offers the best

historic exhibits on this monumental battle anywhere.

There is also good news for Alp-oholics: Chamonix’s gondola over the Alps to Italy has opened again after years of closure. The new lift, called Skyway Monte Bianco, offers an amazing ride as you head into (or away from) Italy rotating 360 degrees as you sail along.

And in France’s sunny south, the ancient Roman sites of Provence are now easier than ever to enjoy. In Avignon, a direct express bus now goes to Vaison-la-Romaine, a picturesque town chock-full of ancient ruins. At the Pont du Gard, visitors have two new options for seeing the Roman aqueduct in the summer: an afterhours program that lets visitors enjoy the site until midnight, and (in July and August) half-hour tours through the water channel at the top of the aqueduct. And, along the Riviera, Nice’s new tramline makes getting around the town center easier than ever. Nice’s Russian Cathedral, long closed for renovation, opened again this year after a two-year, $20-million-dollar renovation.

If you have never been, or if it’s been awhile, a newly renovated France that still boasts the historic traditions and culture of the country awaits.

Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and radio. You can e-mail him at rick@ricksteves.com and visit his website at www.ricksteves.com.

April 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 39

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And Finally...

The Bookworm’s Best A Life After 50 book review

by Terri “The Bookworm” Schlichenmeyer

Before I Forget

By B. Smith and Dan Gasby with Michael Shnayerson, foreword by Rudolph Tanzi, PhD

Y

ou can’t remember what you came into the room for. That happens with disturbing frequency. Forgetting your glasses. Losing your keys. It really bothers you, because you’re not sure if it’s a normal part of aging or something else, and in the new book “Before I Forget” by B. Smith and Dan Gasby with Michael Shnayerson, the worry isn’t yours alone.

For most of her life, B. Smith was a whirlwind of activity. She was a model and had her own line of household goods, television shows, and restaurants she co-owned with her husband, Dan Gasby. She was known for her sense of style and her elegance.

And then, a few years ago, something uncharacteristic began to happen: the woman who was put together, inside and out, began to display emotional outbursts, use inappropriate language, and her fashion sense faltered. Her memory faded until it frightened the couple and they sought help.

Smith, as it turned out, had mild-stage Alzheimer’s.

A take-charge kind of guy, Gasby did his research. “Some 5.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s,” he writes, “Half a million people die of it every year. Perhaps due to higher rates of diabetes and heart disease, it hits the black community the hardest and, by age 85, half of all African-Americans have it.”

Knowing the facts can be empowering, but they don’t make dealing with the disease any easier. Smith lost things constantly, “hoarded” clothing to Gasby’s irritation and, though she was previously fastidious, ignored sloppiness. She shut family out physically and friends emotionally. Long-ago recollections were sharp, but her short-term memory was all but lost.

When things got worse and Smith was inadvertently put in a dangerous situation, the family found expert advice, only to learn that there was little they could do. Alzheimer’s has no cure. It can barely be “managed.” They would just have to deal with the day-to-day challenges and simply learn to cope, although there is nothing simple about it.

Of his wife and their plans one day, Gasby writes: “She sits…at the breakfast table, the love of my life, waiting quietly for me to tell her what to do.”

Is there a sentence more heartbreaking than that? I don’t think so, and you’d be likewise hard-pressed to find a book that will affect you more than “Before I Forget.”

Would you blame anyone if you saw a pity-party in this book? Probably not, but there’s no whining in Gasby’s words, nor will you find a “poor me” in what B. Smith contributes (with Michael Shnayerson). Instead, there’s resignation here; a we’ll-get-through-this attitude wrapped in a love story that gets more and more poignant as the story progresses. Gasby, who is fierce about Alzheimer’s education, also offers up-to-date information and advice on what works and what doesn’t.

Without being a spoiler, there is no happy ending to this book, save the sheer love that makes it soar. If you’re an Alzheimer’s caretaker or are facing the disease yourself, you absolutely will want to read this riveting memoir. “Before I Forget” is a book you never will.

“Before I Forget” by B. Smith and Dan Gasby with Michael Shnayerson, foreword by Rudolph Tanzi, PhD, 2016, Harmony Books, $25, 322 pages.

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer who lives on a hill with two dogs and more than 12,000 books. You can read more of her book reviews at www.lifeafter50.com. Just click on “Entertainment” and then “Book Reviews.”

A Look Back

42 LIFEAFTER50.COM April 2016

Photo by George Wa tson

F

ifty years ago this month, the ribbon was cut on Anaheim Stadium as the then-California Angels moved into their new home after having spent four seasons renting Dodger Stadium, which was called Chávez Ravine Stadium during Angels games. Anaheim Stadium was built on a parcel of 160 acres of agricultural land with field dimensions of 333 feet.

The field’s size was derived from a scientific study based on the average air density at normal game times (1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.). The facility’s engineers used the study to formulate dimensions that were fairly balanced between pitcher, hitter and the average weather conditions. Now the home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the stadium was also home turf for the Los Angeles Rams from 1980 to 1994. Often referred to by its unofficial nickname, “The Big A,” it is the fourth-oldest active stadium in the U.S. behind Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Dodger Stadium. Along with professional baseball and football, Anaheim Stadium, which was renamed Edison International Field of Anaheim before its current dubbing as Angel Stadium of Anaheim, has also hosted high school and college football games, the short-lived World Football League, two Billy Graham crusades and concerts featuring The Rolling Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead and Madonna.

Just A Thought Before We Go “Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.”

– Dorothy Canfield Fisher

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