Lifestyles After 50 Sarasota/Manatee March 2014 edition

www.lifestylesafter50fl.com • Sarasota/Manatee • FREE

Vol. 25 • March 2014

Join us for the

FUN FEST

Venice Community Center • March 5 10 am – 3 pm

Peace & Serenity

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Traditional Irish Fare Patient Advocates Navigate the Healthcare System Learn to Capture the Magic Happenings & Events Around Town

Getting Off the Beaten Path Can Lead to Little-Known Gems of Discovery

Dear Readers,

J

ust look at that cover photo—a boardwalk leading to somewhere we can’t see. Knowing it is in Florida, we Janice Doyle, might guess there’s Editor a swampy area ahead (read: gators and cypress trees). I suppose we all feel like getting away sometimes. We think we’d like to get off the beaten path or boardwalk and go far from the busyness of the interstate highways and crowded shopping malls.

It’s fun just to take a path, walk on it and enjoy peace and tranquility—at least for a little while. I’m afraid I’ve become so tied to my technology (gotta check the iPhone—someone might be texting me!) and conveniences (run up to the store and get eggs) that I’d not be a good candidate for being REALLY REALLY far off the beaten path very long.

Getting off the beaten path means we pay less attention to comfort, convenience and what others consider best or right or timely and change to thinking more about a “fit” for our own needs. It’s times we find new thoughts, new ideas and perhaps new people. It means having less attachment to what we usually do or what others think about what we do.

I want to follow such paths, but where? when? how? I started by

Black Bear Scenic Byway

Punta Gorda’s Third Annual Pedal and Play in Paradise

Live Oak’s Spirit of the Suwannee Music Events Wine & Cheese Cruise on Homosassa Springs

leaving my comfy living room reading chair and taking a new book out into Dear Husband’s beautifully landscaped back yard. Why not read outside? I just hadn’t done it for years. Now I have.

And I’ve lived here over 30 years and had never gone to the every-single-Saturday-night rodeo at River Ranch. Now I have, and it was so very colorful and such fun—read about it in this issue.

After more thought and research, DH and I are ready to load up the cooler and the lawn chairs and start checking out some of Florida’s more unique places.

No mouse ears for a while, please!

From the website visitflorida.com’s section “Off the Beaten Path,” here’s our start-up list of places and events: 13th Annual Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival (April 13) Wild Horse Rescue in Mims—volunteer for a day

Black Bear Scenic Byway Drive 15th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show in Apalachicola

It’s Greek to Me: Take Bouzouki Lessons in Tarpon Springs (Only $5)

Yalaha Bakery in Lake County for the fresh bread Find some of Florida’s Historic Cemeteries

Festival of Bacon in Orlando October 5 (Who knew?)

Greenville, Florida: Childhood Hometown of Ray Charles

So, Readers, I’ll see you on the Black Bear Byway or in a cemetery or on some other off-the-beaten path adventure! Enjoy!

Veterans: We’re looking for

one-time military cooks to tell their stories. Send an email with a little about your experiences to: janice@lifestylesafter50.com.

Snail mail with your contact phone number: Attn: Janice Doyle, News Connection USA, Inc. PO Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583.

Sarasota/Manatee Edition Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc General Manager Dave Tarantul dave@lifestylesafter50.com

Publisher/Director of Events & Marketing Kathy J. Beck kathy@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Janice Doyle janice@lifestylesafter50.com Office Manager Vicki Willis vicki@lifestylesafter50.com

Administrative Assistant Nancy Spencer nancy@lifestylesafter50.com Production Supervisor/Graphic Design Kim Burrell kim@lifestylesafter50.com Associate Editor/Production Assistant Tracie Schmidt tracie@lifestylesafter50.com Distribution (941) 284-2930

Advertising Sales

Sarasota/Manatee Dave Tarantul: (941) 284-2930 Lee/Collier and Charlotte Nancy Kuehne: (239) 822-6150 Customer Service (941) 284-2930 dave@lifestylesafter50.com

News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638 Seffner, Florida 33583-0638

(941) 375-6260 • (877) 535-3749 Fax: (941) 375-8178 www.lifestylesafter50fl.com Our other editions: Southwest Edition: Lee/Collier & Charlotte Hillsborough Edition: Hillsborough County Suncoast Edition: Pinellas/Pasco Counties Lake Edition: Lake/Marion Counties To learn more, call 1-888-670-0040

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FCOA Attention Readers: The articles printed in Lifestyles After 50 do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. Lifestyles After 50 endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims.

Lifestyles After 50 reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for the Apr. 2014 issue is Mar. 15, 2014. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 2

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Around Town

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G M A R C H 2 0 1 4

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aturdays Dance party featuring a live band and DJ. 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

Free snacks. Singles and couples invited. YMCA, 1075 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. $10. 941-756-8303.

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Friendship Force of Sarasota, cultural exchange club meeting, 7 – 9 pm, Waldemere Fire Station, Sarasota.

Video on Hamburg, Germany and brief German lesson. 941-320-6557.

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Reason to Hope. Join the Alzheimer’s Association for lunch and program. 11:30 am to 1 pm at Michael’s On East Restaurant, Sarasota. Free. Info: 941-365-8883.

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Spring Swing® - Moffitt’s Sun Safety Tour. Free skin cancer screenings before select baseball games. 11 am to 1 pm before Red Sox vs. Pirates game at 1:05 pm. McKechnie Field, Bradenton. Info at moffitt.org/SpringSwing.

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Singles on the Go Travel Club meeting. Guest speaker: Jennifer Huber, Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau. 2:30 – 5 pm at Faith Presbyterian Church, 1201 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota. Free to visitors. Info: travelsingles@yahoo.com.

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and 7 Classics at Sarasota Opera House. 6 “The Flying Dutchman,” 8 – 10 pm; 7 “The Barber of Seville,” 1:30 to 3:30 pm. 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. 941-366-8450.

Manatee County Audubon Field Trip to Emerson Point in Palmetto. Two hour guided walk. Meet at 8:30 am at the Welcome Center.

Notify Lucette at 941-776-8424 to attend. Free/members; $3/non-members.

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Cat Depot’s 2014 Gala – “Caturday Night Fever.”

Buffet, entertainment, auctions, drawings and more. 1970’s or cocktail attire. 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm at Hyatt Regency Sarasota. $175. RSVP to catdepot.org/events/2014-gala.aspx.

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Gardens in Paradise. The Sarasota Garden Club hosts a tour of five private Coastal Gardens. Meet 10 am at 1131 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota. $35. Tickets/info: 941-955-0875.

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5th Annual Nokomis Beach Bash. Food, beverages and bands. Bring a beach chair and enjoy fun in the sun! 12

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 4

to 6 pm at Nokomis Beach Plaza on Casey Key. 941-861-5000.

Small Space Gardening class. 2 to 3 pm at Shamrock Park and Nature Center, Venice. 941-861-5000.

GFWC Woman’s Club of Sarasota Scholarship Luncheon and Bingo. 11:30 am at Saint James UMC Fellowship Hall, Sarasota. $15. Details: 941-377-3983. and 23 Anna Maria Taste Of Arts and Crafts Show. 10 am – 4:30 pm at 5801 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach. Fundraiser for Wildlife Rehab and Education Center. Food on site.

Free parking/admission. 941-379-0951. and 23 Sarasota Folk Festival.

Live music, craft and food vendors, workshops and more. 10 am to 10 pm (5 pm Sun.) at Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey. Tickets: $10 to $35 at gate or sarasotafolkfestival.org.

Boots & BBQ Dinner and Dance.

5:30 – 8:30 pm, $15. Renaissance on 9th, Sarasota. RSVP to 941-749-0100.

Firefly Gala to support family organization Forty Carrots.

Performance by “The Go-Gos.” Auctions, dining and more. 6 pm at The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club, Bradenton. $300. www.fireflygala.org.

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“The Best of Times.” Maestro Romanski has chosen the great music that has accompanied most of us at those special times of our lives.

3 to 5 pm at North Port Performing Arts Center. $12. www.nppaa.net.

Send Around Town news to News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; fax 813-651-1989 or email calendar@srnewsconnection.com. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. March 10 for April event.)

Breakthrough Procedure Helps Aortic Stenosis Patients patients’ lives— and that is what is so exciting.

A heart team of interventional magine what it would be like cardiologists, such to have a heart condition that as myself and a makes you give up much of what cardiac surgeon, makes life enjoyable. Imagine participate in that, due to your other health isthe procedure to sues, you are not able to undergo Enrique Rivera, MD, replace a diseased the open-heart surgery needed aortic valve FACC, FSCAI to treat this condition. Imagine without open-heart how hopeless it must feel. For many surgery. We do this by using a balloonpatients suffering from severe aortic expandable heart valve placed into the stenosis, a condition often caused by heart through a catheter, or small tube, the build-up of mineral deposits on that goes into an artery through a small areas of the aortic valve, this hopeincision—in this case, in the thigh. lessness is a reality. Fortunately, a Approximately 7 percent of Amerirelatively new procedure at Blake cans age 65 and older have aortic valve Medical Center is giving back hope. disease. It is likely 50 percent of these This new procedure is called people will not survive beyond two transcatheter aortic valve replacement, years after the onset of symptoms, or TAVR. The less invasive procedure which can include chest pain and/or does not require open-heart surgery and tightness, heart palpitations, shortness often produces results that lengthen of breath and fatigue. Advanced age,

BY ENRIQUE RIVERA, MD, FACC, FSCAI Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab at Blake Medical Center

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severe aortic valve disease symptoms and symptoms from other health conditions can even completely incapacitate people, eliminating quality of life. These patients are often too sick or too weak to undergo open surgery to replace their diseased valve—the preferred treatment.

TAVR can be a life changing option for these types of patients.

TAVR is still a significant procedure involving general anesthesia, and as any physician will tell you, the decision to undergo surgery is an important one that should be discussed with your family and your doctor. That is why the risks and benefits are also carefully assessed by the TAVR Team and Valve

Clinic physicians to ensure that each patient is making an informed decision about their treatment plan. In certain cases, TAVR may not be an option, but for those who are candidates for TAVR, this therapy may provide relief from the often debilitating symptoms associated with severe aortic valve stenosis.

Now imagine what it would be like to walk to your mailbox or take a walk around the neighborhood without shortness of breath and fatigue.

Imagine going out with your family and friends; imagine having hope. Now stop imagining and talk to your doctor to see if your symptoms are associated with severe aortic stenosis and if the TAVR procedure is right for you.

When you suffer from severe aortic stenosis, you give up much of what makes life enjoyable, but don’t give up HOPE. Blake Medical Center is one of the select hospitals in the nation approved to provide transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for those considered high risk or inoperable using traditional valve replacement surgery.

Isn’t it time you take back your life?

Edwards SAPIEN Valve

2020 59th Street West, Bradenton 941-792-6611 BlakeMedicalCenter.com Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 5

Veterans “War Stories and Free Beer” Bridges Military/Civilian Gap Corner

BY JANICE DOYLE

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lder veterans remember coming home from their war experiences to a country that seemed not to care.

One man is trying to change all that for today’s soldiers. Army Special Forces Staff Sergeant Jason McCarthy told CBS News he feels “we can impact society for the better sooner” by telling war stories from Iraq and Afghanistan now to create understanding. McCarthy went on to say that public support for the military is strong but that very few people know someone in the service personally.

McCarthy is founder of GORUCK, a company that makes backpacks and other military-grade gear used today by individuals and miltary. He sponsors War Stories and Free Beer to tell the military story. McCarthy said that having served in the military doesn’t have to be the proverbial “elephant in

the room.” Instead of and Rangers who just hearing people say ‘take themselves too “Support the troops,” seriously in their black McCarthy wants to Oakley sunglasses.’” answer questions like Sophie Pollitt-Cohen “What did you do in the of GORUCK says, war?” or maybe “What “The goal of our was it like?” He wants event is to bridge the people to know who civilian-military-gap Army Special Forces Staff they are supporting. and break down some GORUCK’s War Stories Sergeant Jason McCarthy language barriers—in and Free Beer is coming an atmosphere anto Largo, Florida’s chored by a universal Armed Forces History love of beer. Often Museum Officers Club when it’s over and on Thursday, March 6. it’s the free beer time, During the two-hour people talk and that’s event, four veterans will when people can talk each share a deployment story, along individually to the participants. It’s a with personal photographs, followed by very intimate time for sharing stories.” a Q and A time. The stories are meant to One of the guest speakers for inform and humanize as well as entertain. the Largo GORUCK event will The Navy Times reported that Capt. be Major Ceasar Civitella. MAJ David Waikart, a military intelligence Civitella served in WWII with the officer, “had the crowd roaring as Office of Strategic Services, the he poked fun at the Special Forces predecessor to the CIA. He was one

of the first to be recruited for the newly formed U.S. Army’s Special Forces. Later, MAJ Civitella worked for the CIA where he was awarded the Intelligence Medal of Merit.

These are not open mic events, according to Pollitt-Cohen. The men have told their stories before. And McCarthy said beer will always be provided at the events because it serves as a symbol, “…just one of those things that makes you smile.”

There won’t be dress uniforms, and the environment is set up to be as unthreatening as possible. It will be a time to learn about the life of a deployed military service member in today’s world— and maybe share the understanding of what it meant to you in another time.

If you go: 7 pm to 9 pm. $10 donation/ tickets may be purchased online at goruck.com. Proceeds benefit the Armed Forces History Museum as well as Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Armed Forces History Museum – Officers Club, 2050 34th Way North, Largo.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 6

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To open an account, visit a TD Bank Store near you or call 1-877-700-2913 anytime.5 TD Bank is TD Bank, N.A., a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. Member FDIC. Accounts issued by TD Bank, N.A. are not insured by Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. 1 Money transferred by wire transfer only. Incoming wire fees may apply and will be rebated the next business day. Foreign exchange conversion rates may apply. 2 Assets are only considered for mortgage applications. 3 Subject to credit approval and other conditions. Mortgages limited to property located in U.S. state where TD Bank, N.A. has locations. Equal Housing Lender . 4 Credit cards issued by TD Canada Trust or TD Bank, N.A. Subject to credit approval. Applicants for a TD Bank, N.A. issued card must have a U.S. address within the TD Bank, NA footprint (PA, NY, NJ, CT, NH, ME, MA, FL, VT, DE, MD, DC, NC, SC, VA or RI). Other restrictions apply. 5 TD Bank, N.A. is located in the United States and its support line, Stores, products and services are primarily serviced in English. ® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 7 12/12/13 4:08 PM

Have a Healthcare System Problem? Hire a Patient Advocate

BY PAUL WYNN

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highlighted the dysfunction of the healthcare system and showed the growing distance between people who need healthcare and people who provide healthcare, says Vicki Breitbart, director of the health advocacy program at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. “Patient advocates can help bridge that gap.”

in their infancy that are still creating standards and a code of ethics, says Breitbart.

hen questions arise over medical bills, treatment options, insurance claims, Advocacy in action undiagnosed symptoms, who do To find a health advocate, you turn to for help? Doctors, AdvoConnection.com is a nurses, loved ones—maybe good place to start. All you Google. Turns out there are need to search the free directory professionals who can offer is an email address and zip answers—and provide help. code. There are about a half These professionals are dozen advocates on the called patient advocates, West Coast of Florida. sometimes known as health One of them is Lea Ann advocates or patient navigaBiafora with Beacon Ontors. While the profession cology Nurse Advocates in is in its infancy, it is slowly Saint Petersburg. Biafora achieving greater recognihelps patients and their tion as more people learn families work through about how patients can multiple issues related to benefit from their services. cancer—from evaluating “Just as many people now medical records, questions have a financial advisor, to ask their doctors to personal trainer or life treatment options and coach, more people are financial issues. “Our goal learning that they can hire Navigating the healthcare system can is to empower patients a patient advocate with and help them become be less confusing with a patient advocate insider knowledge and knowledgeable and by your side, but be prepared to pay direct experience about understand their treatment out-of-pocket for their services. how the healthcare system options,” she says. works,” says Elisabeth Paying for an advocate Schuler Russell, founder of Currently, there are an will most likely come out of Patient Navigator consultancy estimated 150 patient advocates your own pocket. Advocates’ and president of the National in the United States, composed services are generally not Association of Healthcare Adof nurses, physician assistants, covered by health insurance. vocacy Consultants (NAHAC). social workers, medical billers, It’s important to find out how Patient advocates provide insurance advisors and many much an advocate charges. a wide range of services. caregivers whose personal There’s no standard fee These services may include experience helping parents for patient advocates, but managing medical and hospital or loved ones with healthcare hourly fees range from $60 bills, filing insurance claims, decisions motivated them to to $250. Some advocates will choosing health or Medicare get involved in the profession. waive their fee for an initial plans, finding the right doctor, Russell says that as the baby consultation to learn more challenging insurance denials, boomers age, new insurance about your unique needs. researching medical conditions, options emerge through the Russell recommends asking accompanying you or loved ACA and treatment options for a written agreement or ones to medical appointments, become increasingly complex, contract that lists out the among many other things. there’s a growing need for services to be provided, patients to work with patient estimated hours and how Emerging trend advocates. But skeptics warn long the service will take.

The Affordable Care Act patients that there currently is “Most advocates will put (ACA) most recently fueled the no certification or state litheir information and answers need for “insurance navigators” censure for patient advocates to you in writing without to help consumers research and no actual qualifications hesitation,” she explains. and enroll in health insurance are required. This is not “Don’t rely on verbal exchanges. The ACA has also uncommon for professions promises or commitments.”

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 8

Finding a Patient Advocate

Hallmarks of an ethical and effective patient advocate:

Experience

Experience as a healthcare professional can be helpful in understanding the nuances of the medical system, but non-clinical backgrounds prove useful as well. Find out how much experience they have in handling similar cases.

Credentials

Some advocates may have earned local certificates from universities or online training programs, but there is no national certification or licensure for patient advocacy.

Affiliation

Does the advocate belong to professional associations such as the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC) or the Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA)? Membership is no guarantee for ethical behavior, but these two associations have set standards for their members.

Ethics

Members of APHA and NAHAC abide by a code of ethics with the goal of providing compassion and respect to patients and their families. Other ethical conduct includes being transparent, maintaining patient privacy and avoiding discrimination.

Specialization

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find an advocate. However, each advocate specializes in different areas so match your specific needs to someone with a track record and relevant experience.

Work Load

Ask how many projects the advocate works on. It’s normal for advocates to be juggling a few cases at one time, but make sure your needs get the attention you deserve.

Check AdvoConnection.com online.

Florida Patient Advocates include:

Compass Care: 813-501-2000 Professional Advocacy: Partners: 352-326-2030 Aging Wisely: 727-477-5845 Patient Advocacy Group: 972-390-1101 Florida Patient Advocacy: 352-379-8259 Beacon Oncology Nurse Advocates: 855-490-8777 Paul Wynn has covered healthcare trends for the past 20 years as a freelance writer.

Experience The Legacy Trail By Surrey Ride

BY TRACIE SCHMIDT

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hat do you do with a retired railroad system? Turn it into a trail, of course. The Seaboard Air Line Railway had its share of passengers from 1911 to 1992 before it closed, from civilians and freight to Ringling’s circus animals and WWII servicemen. Thanks to Sarasota County, it was repurposed in 2005 as the Legacy Trail and now has passengers of a different nature: hikers, bikers, dog-walkers, rollerbladers and surrey riders.

The Legacy Trail is a paved corridor that starts near Sawyers Loop Road in Sarasota and ends near Caspersen Beach and Shamrock Park in Venice.

It features these trailheads with parking along the way, from north to south: McIntosh Road; Bay Street Park; Oscar Scherer State Park; Laurel Park; Nokomis Park; Patriot’s Park and Venice Train Depot, before connecting

with Venetian Waterway Park Trail for a total length of around 20 miles.

It’s funded by the Friends of The Legacy Trail and manned by volunteers who maintain and patrol it, offering information and assistance wherever it’s needed.

One service that the volunteers provide is free rides on a surrey—a covered bike that holds up to six people—that departs from the Nokomis Community Center. The goal is to allow casual trailgoers or individuals with mobility challenges a chance to enjoy sightseeing along the trail and learn about its history.

The surrey runs Wednesday and Thursday mornings from November to the middle of April, departing three times each day for a half hour ride along the Legacy Trail. There are no reservations required; it’s first come, first serve, and visitors can sign up at the community center between 9 and 10 am. Videos and information about

the flora and fauna you’ll find on a trip along the trail are free to peruse in the waiting room between rides.

Volunteer coordinator Sarah Calabrese noted that seniors were her most common surrey-goers, both as volunteers and passengers. “All but two of our 30 volunteers are in their 50s and 60s,” she says. “Another interesting fact has been that the passengers who are in their late 80s and 90s all seem to have been quite athletic in earlier years and often have

great stories of what they have done. I really enjoy the older clientele. They always leave me feeling this heart smile when we have finished a ride.”

Volunteer peddlers have benefited greatly from meeting and visiting with the riders. The positive and friendly responses of the walkers and cyclists along the trail add a sense of community, notes the Friends of the Legacy Trail.

Funds for the surrey come from the annual Tour de Parks Fun Ride. The next one will be held on Mar. 23 from 7 am to 2 pm, and will offer cyclists a 16, 37 or 62-mile ride through local parks. Registration is $35, and includes event shirt, breakfast, lunch and race refreshments.

If you would like to support the program in other ways, the surrey can always use pedal and waiting room volunteers. For more information about the trail, surrey rides or to register for the Tour de Parks, visit legacytrailfriends.org.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 9

This Month at Venice Community Center

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and 22 “The Best Show That Never Happened” – Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Elvis Tribute. Dance floor, cash bar, light food. 7:30 pm. $25.

hrough Apr. 11 AARP Free Tax Preparation Assistance. No appointments needed. Bring last year’s tax return. Room E: 9 am to 1 pm, Tues and Weds. 11 am to 7 pm, Thurs.

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Tenor Maurice Lomonaco – Your Musical Passport. Broadway, pop and rock with an opera twist. Maurice sings in seven different languages and has a voice that will melt your heart. $25.

Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice. 941-861-5000.

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Gershwin with a Twist.

This concert blends Gershwin’s style with Elvis, Tina Terner, Bob Marley, the Del Vikings and more. Ballroom, 7:30 pm. Tickets: $20 and $25.

Winter Classes Starting

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rom ballet appreciation to improving your golf swing, Adult and Community Enrichment at SCTI has the class for you! It’s the perfect time to try something you’ve always wanted to learn.

For the 2014 Winter session, they will offer classic favorites like “Classroom on Wheels” and new courses such as “Slim and Fit University.” There are over 400 classes starting over

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the next few months to choose from.

Registration starts on Mar. 5 during office hours until classes begin: Mon./ Weds.: 8 am – 4 pm; Tues./Thurs.: 8 am – 6 pm; Fri.: 8 am – 3:30 pm.

The Adult and Community Education center is located at 4748 Beneva Rd., Sarasota. See their website at sarasota countyschools.net/schools/ace/ for the complete schedule and class details, or call 941-361-6590 for info.

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Westgate River Ranch Vacation: Close to Nature Yet Far Enough Away to Be a Real Vacation

BY JANICE DOYLE

Y

ee haw! Ride ‘em cowboys. Not long ago we had a hankerin’ to get out the Western shirts and boots and spend a weekend in the great Florida outdoors. Out where the star sightings aren’t filtered by city lights. It was a good reason for a trip to Westgate River Ranch east of Lake Wales. The River Ranch has been around for decades and has recently been renovated as part of the Westgate Resort family.

It’s the largest dude ranch in Florida and a clean, safe place to go alone or with the whole family. Here’s what to look for:

1. Activities for everyone and for all ages: sit in the quiet with a book, go to The Saloon for a drink (including non-alcoholic), ride a mechanical bull, play mini golf. How about horseback riding, skeet shooting, swamp buggy, air boating, fishing or archery? On weekend nights there’s line dancing,

live music, bonfires, hayride/cookout, a small adventure park and the rodeo.

2. Try Glamping (glamorous camping). Each Glamping site is a sturdy fully-furnished canvas tent set on a platform in a wooded area complete with microwave, mini fridge, AC. Glamping sites include a key to a private bathroom facility with shower.

3. Convenient accommodations include new and older cabins and the renovated Lodge as well as a beautiful RV park.

4. Yee haw! It’s a Wild West rodeo every Saturday night! Eight seconds

may not seem like a long time, but when you’re watching a bull rider trying to stay on a bucking bull, it seems like an eternity. This rodeo is fun. Professional—and colorful—lady horseback riders make their acts seem easy and there’s a hilarious “calf scramble” for kid cowpokes. It’s a very patriotic, feel-good-to-be-an-American event with lots of red, white and blue and Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” A Rodeo Dance immediately following the rodeo is an open time for everyone to dance to slow tunes, boot-scootin’ boogie and fun stuff like “Macarena.”

5. Natural Florida is right outside the door. From watching bison and horses in the pasture to hiking trails through ancient live oak woods along the water, you may find your only distractions to be the birds and critters.

6. The easy life is here. On site, the Smokehouse Grill, the Saloon

and the Deli at the General Store serve up meals. And there’s a Dinner Hayride. No Western wear?

Buy a nifty cowboy hat or outfit at the onsite Western Store.

7. One-of-a-kind staff. Everyone is terrific and attentive—like they want to be there, and we found many who had worked at the ranch for years.

These guys may be bull riders for the weekend rodeo, but they make great trail ride guides during the day!

Days and hours of operation for restaurants vary by season; call ahead before visiting to know if you need to stop on the way for groceries.

Accommodation prices: Lodge: $99 and up; Cottages and Cabins: $150 and up; Glamping tents: $179 and up; tent sites: $20; RV sites: $40.

Sample activity prices: Rodeo: $15.50. Pontoon boat rental: $65/ hour + tax. Swamp buggy ride: $25.

To learn more, call 863-692-1321.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 11

Learn to Capture Magic Every Day of Your Life

BY EVELYN MACKEY

I

t’s never too late to have dreams.

Reaching mid life doesn’t mean dreams have to end. One man who dreamed big and acted on his dreams every day of his life was Walt Disney.

Recently, the movie “Saving Mr. Banks” provided insight into the way Disney saw his past and present. Near the end when he revealed details about his childhood, audiences gained new respect for him. At no time had he let his past define his present or ruin his dreams.

One book about Walt Disney, “How To Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life” also presents the man behind the myth. Authors Pat Williams and Jim Denney conducted over 1,000 interviews and then tied them all together

to share lessons You and Walt they gleaned How can you be like Walt from this icon of Disney? How can you American family make your own dreams entertainment. come true? The authors Williams, whose made 16 observations from personal fascinathose 1,000 interviews. tion with Disney If your life seems to lack began when direction or if you’re asking he relocated to yourself “What next?” this Orlando in 1989 list may help you begin to to build a new “capture the Disney magic NBAA basketball every day of your life”: team, considers Tomorrow can be a Walt Disney wonderful age. to be one of his mentors. In fact, his team, the Magic, was named in honor of one of Disney’s The way to get started is to quit talking most famous creations, and begin doing. —Walt Disney the Magic Kingdom.

The book is part biography, Live the Adventure part motivational speech, part self-help Be a Salesman book, part business guide, and it offers • Dare to do the Impossible many of Disney’s best features and • Unleash Your Imagination enduring qualities to incorporate into your own life. No matter your age.

• Become an Animated Leader

• Take a Risk • Deal with Loss • Plus Every Experience • Be a Person of Stick-To-It-Ivity • Be a Sponge for Ideas • Ask Yourself – ‘How About Tomorrow?’

• Live for the Next Generation • Build Complementary Partnerships • Stay Focused • Accept Your Mortality • Make Family Your Top Priority How To Be Like Walt follows Disney from his humble childhood years on a farm until his death in December of 1966. What is clear throughout the book is a life of imagination, perseverance and optimism.

The Walt Disney Family Museum, located in a building in The Presidio in San Francisco, also traces Walt Disney’s life and work. His dream?

Oh, he never had just one at a time – he just kept adding new ones.

You can too.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 12

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Plus, you’ll laugh all over again at some of the all-time greatest stand-up comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin, Roseanne Barr, Robin Williams, Ray Romano, Eddie Murphy, and Drew Carey, many of whom made their first national television appearance on The Tonight Show.

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• Three Decades of Timeless Entertainment • The Final Two Episodes • Hilarious Stand-Up Comedy • Animal Hijinks • PBS American Masters Special Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 13

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 14

It’s All Coming Back to Me Now:

Seniors on the Go

Researchers Find Caffeine Enhances Memory

F

or some, it’s the tradition of steeping tea leaves to brew the perfect cup of tea. For others, it’s the morning shuffle to a coffee maker for a hot jolt of java. Then there are those who like their wakeup with the kind of snap and fizz found in a carbonated beverage.

Regardless of the routine, the consumption of caffeine is the energy boost of choice for millions to wake up or stay up. Now, however, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University have found another use for the stimulant: memory enhancer.

Michael Yassa and his team of scientists found that caffeine has a positive effect on long-term memory in humans; in fact, caffeine enhances certain memories at least up to 24 hours after it is consumed.

“We’ve always known that caffeine has cognitive-enhancing effects, but its particular effects on strengthening memories and making them resistant to forgetting has never been examined in detail in humans,” said Yassa.

“We report for the first time a specific effect of caffeine on reducing forgetting over 24 hours.”

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 90 percent of people worldwide consume caffeine in one form or another. In the U.S., 80 percent of adults consume caffeine every day. The average adult has an intake of about 200 milligrams—or roughly one strong cup of coffee or two small cups of coffee—per day.

Newswise (Study published in Nature Neuroscience)

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Make Friends; Live Longer A

t age 80, Sunie Levin wrote a book: Make New Friends... Live Longer. She says she found herself feeling and acting much younger than many of her calendar-year friends and acquaintances. She saw many of her friends spend their days watching the days pass them by instead of “meeting the unlimited supply of new people out there just waiting to be met. That’s when it hit me. I’ve been making new friends, who keep me interested in life.” She wrote her how-to’s in her book. More at sunielevinbooks.com.

Acetaminophen—Be Cautious, Not Afraid

A

lthough billions of doses of acetaminophen are consumed safely every year, some people taking the drug end up in the emergency room or need hospitalization, and some die from acetaminophen overdose or interaction. Acetaminophen is the chemical name for the widely used pain and fever reliever in Tylenol and other over-thecounter medications. High doses of acetaminophen can inflame and damage the liver. Because acetaminophen is in more than 600 different medications, it can be easy to get more than is healthy.

For the average healthy adult, the generally recommended maximum daily dose is no more than 4,000 milligrams (mg) from all sources. It’s safest to take only what you need, and not to exceed 3,000 mg a day whenever possible.

Here are guidelines for taking acetaminophen safely: • Stick to recommended doses.

Don’t be tempted to add a little extra to the recommended dose. Cold and flu remedies count. When you reach for an over-the-counter product, take a look at the label.

Does it contain acetaminophen? If so, add the dose to your daily total.

• Know your pills: Over-the-counter acetaminophen pills may contain 325, 500, or 650 mg of the drug. Be very cautious.

• Go easy on alcohol: Drinking alcohol causes the liver to convert more of the acetaminophen you take into toxic byproducts. Men should have no more than two standard drinks per day when taking acetaminophen, women no more than one.

• Beware of medication interactions: Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your prescription medications could interact badly with acetaminophen.

From Harvard Men’s Health Watch.

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www. treasuresthriftshop.com Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 15

8 Simple Stressbusters

BY HENRY S. MILLER

G

ot stress? Stress is a part of a normal life that you can’t really avoid. The good news? You have more power than you realize to control stress before it prevents you from living the life you want to lead. Here are eight simple stressbusters to help you: 1. Breathe Slowly and Deeply Before you react to the next stressful event, first take three deep breaths and consciously release each breath slowly. If you have more time, try a relaxation technique, such as meditation or guided imagery, before deciding how to handle the situation.

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2. Speak More Slowly If you feel overwhelmed at any time, deliberately slow down the pace of your speaking. You will appear less anxious and more in control of the situation. Stressed people tend to speak fast and breathlessly. If you slow down, you’ll find you can think more clearly and react more reasonably to stressful situations.

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4. Check Your Posture Hold your head and shoulders upright. Avoid slumping or stooping: bad posture leads to muscle tension, pain and increased stress. If you are behind a desk during the day, avoid repetitive strain injuries and sore muscles by making sure your workspace is ergonomic, and take five minutes every hour to walk around or stretch.

5. Drink Plenty of Water and Eat Small, Nutritious Snacks Fight dehydration and hunger—they can provoke aggressiveness and exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress. Drink plenty of water and always have small and nutritious snacks on hand, such as fruit, string cheese or a handful of nuts.

6. Do One Thing Today Take control of your time. Every day, do at least one simple thing you’ve been putting off: return a phone call, make a doctor’s appointment or file the paperwork piling up on your desk. Taking care of one nagging responsibility will energize you and improve your attitude!

You might even find that completing one task inspires you to move on to the next one. At the end of each day, try planning your schedule for tomorrow.

7. Reward Yourself after a Stressful Day At the end of the day, set aside any work concerns, housekeeping issues or family concerns for at least a few minutes. Allow yourself a period of time to fully relax before bedtime each day—even if it’s only 30 minutes.

Remember, you need time to recharge.

Don’t spend this time planning tomorrow or doing chores you didn’t get around to during the day.

8. Practice Letting Go When your next inevitably stressful situation comes up, make a conscious choice not to become upset. Just let it go. Don’t waste your energy on situations where it is not deserved. Managing your anger is a proven stress reducer.

There’s no way to avoid stress, but you can be proactive in managing it. Here’s wishing you a happy life with less stress!

Miller is the author of “The Serious Pursuit of Happiness: Everything You Need to Know to Flourish and Thrive.” He is a speaker, trainer, and consultant.

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Professional Golfer Sees Results After Using Low-Intensity Vibration Professional golfer Peter Jacobsen, “After about 10 days—20 sessions— 59, understands the importance of the fasciitis was gone in my foot.” maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That’s Not only was Peter astounded by the why he purchased a LivMD from results he has seen, he was also impressed Marodyne Medical to help combat with how easy it was to use LivMD. conditions associated with aging such “I plugged it in, it beeped at me and as osteoporosis, osteopenia, plantar started vibrating,” Peter said. “It’s about fasciitis and joint problems. as big as home plate— Peter began using LivMD—a kind of like a bathroom low-intensity vibration device scale—and doesn’t designed to help fight against take up a lot of space.” conditions such as osteoporosis and osteopenia—to maintain “My legs feel like they have renewed energy,” his overall health and quality of he said. “By activating the muscles in your legs, life. In the past, Peter had a hip and knee replacement and was it relaxes your whole body.” diagnosed with joint problems Unlike other vibration machines on and plantar fasciitis—a Peter uses his condition that causes painful LivMD for 10 minutes the market, LivMD’s vibrations are inflammation in the connective two times per day. mild and safe. LivMD was developed tissues in the sole of the foot. Pro golfer Peter Jacobsen During his sessions, based on The Occupational Safety Although Peter has he’ll watch TV, and Health Administration’s (OSHA) only used LivMD for a short check email or do some exercises safety standards. The device, which time, he has seen great results. such as squats, twists or knee bends. emits a vibration of 0.3 at 30HZ, is “It’s been eye-opening. I didn’t expect “You’ll be surprised how quickly safe to stand on for up to four hours to have results this fast,” Peter said. 10 minutes goes by,” he said. per day, according to Marodyne.com.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 18

“LivMD emits a very low vibration. It’s very slow and not intense,” Peter said. “I find the vibration relaxing.”

Peter has noticed small changes that affect him in a big way. He has more energy and his mobility and strength have improved since using LivMD. “My legs feel like they have renewed energy,” he said.

“By activating the muscles in your legs, it relaxes your whole body.”

Using LivMD for 10 minutes daily has helped Peter improve his health so he can continue doing the things he loves—like spending time with his grandchildren and golfing.

“I’ve already told many people about it,” Peter said. “They’re going to be surprised by the results. I had a lot of little aches and pains go away.”

For more info about LivMD or Marodyne Medical, visit Marodyne. com. You can learn more about Peter Jacobsen at PeterJacobsenSports.com.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 19

Where Do You Fit? Facts About American Eating Habits

M

y, how times have changed!

Look at our nation’s mealtime choices and behaviors as found by the Institute of Food Technologists.

1. In a single day, Americans typically eat and drink 14 different kinds of food and beverages from sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, carbonated soft drinks, milk, coffee, potatoes, salty snacks, juices and ready-to-eat cereal.

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2. The largest restaurant chains in America from highest grossing are McDonalds, Subway, Starbucks, Wendy’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, Dunkin’ Donuts, Pizza Hut, KFC and Chik-fil-A.

Health 3. Forty-five percent of Millennials and 24 percent of boomers have adopted a special diet (e.g., gluten-free or vegan). One-third of all Millennials’ eating involve global cuisine; 56 percent of Millennials want something healthy for their next snack.

4. Millennials are round-the-clock eaters; 12 percent of their eating occasions are for breakfast, 16 percent are for morning snacks, 15 percent lunch, 17 percent afternoon snacks, 18 percent dinner, and 20 percent evening snacks.

5. Snacking now accounts for just over half of all eating occasions. One in five people eat one snack per day; 41 percent have two, 24 percent have three, 13 have four and 4 percent have five or more.

6. Consumers are most interested in savory flavors, including spicy, smoky and tangy flavors; sour and bitter flavors are also drawing increased interest from consumers.

7. For the first time, a majority of consumers say they prefer hot or

spicy sauces, dips and condiments and bolder flavors. Chile sauce, cayenne, Sriracha, and habanero and ancho peppers are delivering the “new” heat.

8. Specialty cheeses account for more than two-thirds of deli cheese sales.

Gouda, Brie, bleu and goat cheese are increasingly strong sellers as are Mediterranean and Hispanic cheeses.

More U.S. cheesemakers and retailers are embracing affinage, the art of aging cheeses.

9. More than half of adults buy specialty chocolate, oils and cheese.

10. The percentage of all meals eaten and prepared in the home in 2013 was exactly the same as in 2012—73 percent, up from 70 percent five years ago.

11. Half of adults bought prepared foods at a convenience store in 2013.

Hot dogs, followed by deli sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, pizza and other breakfast foods were the popular items.

12. Forty percent of specialty food consumers bought food online.

13. About one-third of adults are devoted breakfast-eaters who never pass it up.

Information published in the January edition of Food Technology.

The Healthy Geezer

BY FRED CICETTI

Q

. Aneurysms are pretty scary things. Do they have any symptoms?

Aneurysms are artery bulges.

And yes, they are scary because, if they burst, they are lethal. Many victims of a ruptured aneurysm die before they get to a hospital.

The type and location of the aneurysm will determine the symptoms.

Chest aortic aneurysms, which occur in the large blood vessel (aorta) that carries blood from the heart to other parts of the body, may cause shortness of breath, a raspy voice, backache or shoulder pain.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms may cause pain or tenderness below your stomach, make you less hungry or give you an upset stomach.

Cerebral aneurysms may produce headaches, pain in your neck and face, or trouble seeing and talking.

Ventricular aneurysms in the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) may cause shortness of breath, chest pain or an irregular heart beat.

Fortunately, aneurysms can be detected by a physical examination, x-ray, ultrasound and modern imaging systems such as a CAT scan or an MRI. The size and location of the aneurysm determines the treatment method. For example, aneurysms in the upper chest are usually operated on immediately. Aneurysms in the

lower chest and the area below your stomach are watched at first. If they grow too large or cause symptoms, surgery may be required.

The standard treatment for aneurysm once it meets the indications for surgery is replacement of that weakened portion of the aorta with an artificial graft. Usually, a graft made from Dacron, a material that will not wear out, is used.

In recent years, a treatment has been developed to repair an aneurysm using less-invasive surgery. In the procedure, a stent-graft made of a polyester tube inside a metal cylinder is inserted into the bloodstream at the end of a catheter. The stent-graft is positioned to carry the blood flow instead of the aneurysm.

The following increase the risk of getting an aneurysm: being older than 60, plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, smoking, injuries or infections of the blood vessels, a congenital abnormality, and inherited diseases.

Most aneurysms are caused by a breakdown in the proteins that provide the structural strength to the wall of the aorta. These proteins can gradually deteriorate with age. But inflammation that is associated with atherosclerosis can accelerate this process. There are also naturally occurring enzymes that cause the breakdown of the proteins. An excess of these enzymes or other conditions that activate these enzymes may also contribute to the formation of an aneurysm, or its sudden growth. In rare cases an aneurysm may be caused by infection.

The combination of early diagnosis with safer, simpler, and ever more successful treatments can prevent needless deaths due to ruptured aneurysms. If you think you or one of your family members might have an aortic aneurysm, see a doctor without delay.

If you would like to read more columns, you can order a copy of “How To Be A Healthy Geezer” at www.healthygeezer.com. All Rights Reserved © 2013 by Fred Cicetti.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 22

From the moment you open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW Computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection. Then you’ll see the screen – it’s now 22 inches. This is a completely new touch screen system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now the very people who could benefit most from Email and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it. Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it time you took part?

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Tips to Help Seniors Downsize D

ownsizing can be a daunting task for seniors, especially when moving to a retirement community. It requires not only packing and relocating, but the possibility of separating from sentimental items. However, if older Americans take the right steps to downsize their homes, they can find that it will be a smooth transition and cause less stress once completed.

Contrary to popular belief, no matter the circumstances, seniors can downsize with a sense of pride and even create great memories along the way.

The SearStone continuing care retirement community in Cary, N.C., offers the following tips:

Retirement Living • Get a head start. One common mistake seniors make is waiting until the last minute to start packing. The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), a leading organization with more than 800 senior moving companies, reported that more than 50 percent of the move managers were contacted two to four weeks prior to a senior’s move, while only 37 percent were contacted one to six months prior. However, the earlier the start, the more effective the process will be. An earlier start allows less stress, more time to consider what items to discard or keep, and more time to hire additional help if needed.

• Know the new space/floor plan. This is extremely important.

Knowing the floor plan allows you to plan what can realistically fit into the space you will be moving into.

Often, retirement communities come with amenities such as bed linens, kitchenware, etc. This information

Worry Lines Disappear

should be easy to receive from the community’s office. Maybe they’ll even have some suggestions on what to bring. It will ultimately eliminate many items right from the start.

• Get help. Older adults should consider family first; family can make the experience more personable and affordable. However, if family is not nearby or not available, they should research senior moving companies. Specialized senior moving companies are more apt to cater to older adults’ needs through understanding and patience.

before your appointment.

Our Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeons, Rich Castellano, M.D. and Randall Weyrich, M.D., have helped thousands restore their youthful appearance and achieve natural, lasting results.

• Downsize step-by-step. Seniors should go room-by-room or spaceby-space, beginning in areas that are not used frequently. Start with large items and work toward smaller ones.

This establishes a sorting system.

• Decrease junk. This can be one of the hardest parts of downsizing for seniors. Separating from sentimental items is difficult, but there must be a realistic perspective on what can or can’t be taken to the new home.

Here are some questions older adults should ask themselves when deciding on whether or not to discard or keep an item: • When was the last time I used this?

• Does this have sentimental value?

• What purpose does it serve for me, and will it serve a purpose in my new home?

• Is it in good shape?

With these tips, seniors can have a smooth transition. Downsizing still requires time, but if they plan accordingly, the move will not be half as exhausting as previously thought.

Morgan Lamphere is director of sales and marketing at SearStone, a continuing care retirement community in Cary, N.C. Contact her at mlamphere@searstone.com.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 23

Make the Fox River Cities Area Your Summer Destination The Paper Discovery Center in an old paper f you’re traveling mill presents an through Wisconsin opportunity to this summer, stop in imagine our counthe area known as the try in the days Fox River Cities, just when water was south of Green Bay. king of manufacThe Fox River was Crafting at the Paper turing and production.

Discovery Center. an early power source Take a look at the Fox and the industries, money and River from the overlook. The Center technology that power created have brought Appleton a long, rich heritage shows all facets of paper-making from tree to finished product. And since it’s of interesting people and events. sponsored by Kimberly Clark, there’s a section explaining the many health and hygiene paper products we use. See how they make those tissues so soft!

From the youngest visitor to the Drawing from a wide area oldest—even grumpy old of northeastern men—all enjoy actually Wisconsin, Appleton making their own sheets is a regional hub of paper. The Center is of activity. a winning spot to visit.

BY JANICE DOYLE

I

Travel

Think shopping!

2. Houdini unwrapped.

That would be the Fox River Mall.

Faces and facts that define the area can be found in the History at the Castle. The castle experience begins with beautiful stained glass windows in lobby depicting the four seasons in the area.

Then think culture.

That would mean attending the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and its staging area that brings a world class schedule of events to the area.

Think heritage. Check out the working Dutch windmill in Little Chute.

Here are other reasons to visit the area 1. Paper. Appleton’s core industry using the Fox River’s power has been paper-making. The first hydroelectic power plant in the U.S. was on the Fox River and the first home in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity is Hearthstone Historic House with its original light fixtures (and a learning center in the basement).

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 24

W

For a time Harry Houdini’s family called Appleton home, and the hands-on displays about Houdini are fun and engaging as visitors get an inside look at the renowned magician and performer. The idea of the museum is to reveal his secrets of illusion, so visitors can try duplicating some of Houdini’s tricks, picking locks on handcuffs, and so on.

Trivia: Houdini’s massive head of hair? Good for hiding things in. Well, there were other body parts he used for hidings, too.

Other displays: Bottoms up! the tavern history of the area; Spearfishing for sturgeon (see a fully equipped ice shanty); Food of the area from early settlers to recent settling by Hmong tribes.

3. Say Cheese! This is Wisconsin

where macaroni and cheese takes on a whole new meaning! Try local cheese every chance you get. Simon’s Specialty Cheese, for example, creates cheese specialties and also offers locally produced wines, beers and sausages.

4. Add local color! Nearby Neenah’s downtown makes the

hen you’re in Wisconsin, you’re in Packers territory, so enjoy a meal at Lombardi’s Steak House in downtown Appleton. Filled with more than 400 Lombardi memorabilia and photos donated by his son and daughter, it’s part museum and part restaurant. Spend some time looking around. See hand drawn football plays, Lombardi’s draft card, three Coach of the Year trophies, a replica of the Lombardi Trophy.

Lombardi’s “Commitment to Excellence” has been passed to the staff and menu choices. The food is superb: entrees such as prime cuts of beef and seafood entrees, family-sized side dishes and amazing desserts. The Steakhouse has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year since 2005 for having one of the most outstanding wine lists in the world.

Trivia: Lombardi Steakhouse hosts each challenging team for dinner the night before their game against the Packers. Lombardi would approve!

Find savory cheese and wine at Kerrigan Brothers Winery.

perfect spot to join the locals for dining and shopping of any sort you want. Kerrigan Brothers Winery nearby in Freedom offers the latest in Wisconsin fruit wines and an owner who is a world-renowned cheese carver.

5. Milwaukee baseball fans will want to see the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (the Brewers’ Class A affiliate) at their newly renovated stadium – the Time Warner Cable Field.

6. Get out in nature. The Fox River

is a sportsman’s haven. From walleye in the spring to waterfowl in the fall, the river is a perfect backdrop to a good sports tale. Add Lake Winnebago and the area’s parks for hiking, biking, boating and it’s a perfect place for a vacation.

For more information about the area, go to foxcities.org.

The Video Games Challenge

I

t’s true that playing video games challenges older people to stay sharp, alert and well-coordinated. A recent survey suggests that growing awareness among seniors of the positive effects of playing video games is a leading factor in the rapid rise in video games’ popularity among people over 65.

Although some survey respondents were drawn to entertainment-oriented games such as Angry Birds and slot games, the majority indicated a preference for strategy games, spelling games, word games and puzzle games such as Candy Crush and Pet Rescue.

The University of California, San Francisco study involved the yearlong development of NeuroRacer.

NeuroRacer is a game that requires players to navigate a racecar on a winding track while hitting a button

on a controller when a green circle appears. As a player improves, the level of challenge increases accordingly.

NeuroRacer was first tested on people aged from their 20s through their 70s and showed a decline in multitasking ability with advanced years.

Next, subjects aged 60 – 85 years spent 12 hours each over a month-long period playing a version of NeuroRacer. These subjects attained better multitasking levels than 20-year-olds who did not train with the game. The seniors maintained superior levels for six months after the training period ended.

Games such as Nintendo’s Brain Age and their Wii games often provide the opportunity to enjoy physical benefits associated with certain familiar sports and games while minimizing the risk of injury.

Spring is so sweet Now’s the perfect time to make the move to our communities. As our valued resident, you’ll enjoy: • Daily chef-prepared meals • Full calendar of activities • 24/7 live-in managers

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 25

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 26

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CanDiscounts A $50 Bill Insurance Ruin Your Day? For Mature Drivers

BY MARK PILARSKI

D

ear Mark: Do you know why $50 bills are unlucky in a casino?

My husband will never accept them from a cashier, but can’t explain why except to say that they are jinxed. Have you ever heard of such a thing? —Jackie H.

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Sit down at almost any baccarat table and you will find pencils and scorecards provided for the players to track the outcome of each hand. What they are doing is analyzing their card for trends as winning hands switch back and forth between the Player and Banker. Personally, I believe they are wasting their time. Assuming, as you should, that the shoe and dealer are legit, the next hand is an independent, random event.

The fiftydollar bill ($50) is a denomination of United States currency that has the 18th U.S. President, It is unclear where the bill’s Ulysses S. Grant, featured on the unlucky reputation comes from, obverse, with the U.S. Capitol on the reverse. Hardly anything here but legend has it that mobsters draws on superstition, that groundless used to tuck $50 bills in the belief in a supernatural agency. Yet, jacket pockets of victims they your husband is far from alone. buried in the desert. Bugsy Many gamblers dead setOnline! against Take YourareClass Siegel had three on him when accepting them, and many casinos he was snuffed out by the mob.

• Study your leisure, will not evenathand them out. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. read the course materials online and then answer It•isSimply unclear where the bill’s unlucky Nevertheless, jotting B-P-B-B-P-Preputation but legend a fewcomes quiz from, questions.

P-B’s on a Baccarat scorecard, even has• itThere that mobsters used to tuck is no need to attend boring classes or listentoto if there is no advantage doing so, $50 bills in the jacket pockets of long lectures. does add some excitement to the game victims they buried in the desert.

Baccarat. strategy that I ed would • After completion, issueThe a state-certifi Bugsy Siegel had three on of himcourse when weofwill recommend is that since the house he was snuffed outfor by you the mob. certifi cate to turn into edge yourfor insurance company to the Bank hand is slightly When I worked at the Cal Neva receive your discount for a three year lower thanperiod. for the Player hand (1.17% at Lake Tahoe, the long-time vs.

1.36%), just keep betting on the casino cage manager named Mae, banker and on the scorecards.

Take Your Mature Driver Course OnpassThe Internet! who was even there when Frank Now, please allow me to contradict Sinatra owned the joint, told me If you have a Florida Driver’s License and are 55 years of the myself.

Sure, I advocated betting that the $50 bill was seen by Asian Banker hand and dismiss age orasolder, you unlucky. are nowAteligible to complete motor scorecards, vehicle gamblers god-awful the numbers theaccident Cal Neva, prevention we could takecourse them thatfiguring will allow you to support receivethea Banker bet as the statistically better in,mandatory but we didn’t reduction dole them out. on your insurance rate fordifference three years. wager, even if the between Tell your husband that within the Player and Banker hand is ever casino walls, the only wayDepartment you Florida ofthe Highway Safety so slight.

The problem playing this can bring luck onto yourself is & Motor Vehicle Approved Course way is that the game action becomes through smart wagering. Hence monotonous. Who wants to sit my motto; “the smarter you down at a Baccarat table and bet the play, the luckier you’ll be.” same wager (B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B) all night long? You’re trading the Dear Mark: I have seen many fun of gambling for a minuscule baccarat players filling out the statistical gain. There is that “fun scorecard for every bet placed. Does factor” to guessing that I don’t want that really matter for increasing to overlook here. (SENIOR WIRE) the winning odds? —Vince W.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 27 2/13/14 1:14 PM

Bald and Kind of Beautiful

BY SY ROSEN

I

was standing in line at the bank and noticed that all four men in front of me were bald, and the row of round, gleaming heads seemed kind of funny to me. I know it’s creepy, but secretly laughing at other people is one of my small pleasures in life. There was a young guy with a full head of hair behind me and I decided to share the joke, whispering, “I feel like I’m in a bowling alley.” The young guy smiled and then said, “I guess that happens when you guys hit a certain age.”

Humor We were two compadres, sharing a private laugh when suddenly the words “you guys” registered. And then I did a double take. Was my former compadre saying I was also bald? But I wasn’t bald.

Or was I? I hadn’t looked at the back

of my head in an awfully long time.

I anxiously continued my business at the bank. I was tempted to ask the teller if I was bald. However, maybe the bank has a special service charge for telling someone if they’re bald— they have charges for everything else.

I went home and used the double mirror technique to look at the back of my head. And sure enough, there was fairly large bald spot back there.

It was like a large pink grapefruit juice stain on a gray carpet.

I felt like I was punched in the stomach— I realized I looked older than I thought I did. It was reminiscent of the first time I was given, unasked for, a senior discount.

My first thought was that I was being punished for making fun of those other bald guys. But that was silly. My hair couldn’t fall out because of a bad joke. If that were the case, I would have been completely bald years ago.

My second thought was to change the term bald to balding. That little “ing”

made me feel somewhat better. I wasn’t quite bald yet. Of course “balding” is an active word and it meant the spot was growing, spreading, taking over my head.

My third thought was to fix the problem. I researched hair transplants, hair thickening, laser therapy, herbs, wigs, the Donald Trump comb-over, and that spray that kind of looks like you’re putting shoe polish on your head. I even thought of turning to religion. I’m a Reform Jew but if I became Orthodox I would always wear a yarmulke—hiding my bald spot.

Okay, I realized I was going a little crazy. I also realized, during my research, that baldness isn’t necessarily a sign of getting older.

There were many young people who were bald (and that made me happy). And also, there were some really good looking bald men. There was Bruce Willis and there’s, uh, Bruce Willis, and did I mention Bruce—okay,

I can’t think of anyone else right now but I’m sure there’s lots of them. Anyway, I decided to accept my situation.

I wish I could say I learned some moral lesson about all this—don’t make fun of people because it will come back and bite you. However, the following week I was again at the bank and this time the four guys in front of me all had long shaggy hair. I turned to the man behind me and whispered, “I feel like I’m at the Westminster Dog Show.” And we both laughed (yes, I know it’s sad).

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7:00 p.m.

Ruth Eckerd Hall 1111 McMullen Booth Road • Clearwater, FL 33759 727-791-7400 Tickets - $7.00 each

For more information regarding the Bright Stars Senior Talent Show or Senior Idol Show A F T E R 50

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lorida Studio Theatre’s Improv group gives the audience the reins in their inventive shows. Here’s what’s playing: Out of Bounds: and all-improv game show featuring five virtuoso actors for a night of games, scenes and skillful storytelling.

52 Card Pickup: 52 suggestions, one outrageous play. The audience decides what crazy characters, unexpected

locations and incredible hurdles the actors will portray by filling out cards on each table before the show begins.

TEXT M for Murder: witness a completely improvised murder and call the shots as the clueless detectives meet and question eccentric suspects, reveal secrets and uncover deadly motives.

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Boomers, Explore New Possibilities A

s baby boomers across the country contemplate retirement and seek new opportunities to give meaning to their lives, experts are on hand to offer helpful approaches to retirement.

Join the Ignite Your Life event on March 12, 2 pm at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Rd., Sarasota for workshops and group discussions designed to address the many dimensions, roles and needs in creative aging.

Workshops will explore subjects that include leaving a legacy for loved ones, managing finances, supporting your health and wellness and even keeping faith through all of life’s chapters.

Experts in the fields of finance, health care, business, ministry and more will meet in a live talk show format.

Admission is $20 per person, including workshops and lunch. Register and pay online at IgniteYourLife.info.

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Name: Address: City:

State:

Phone:

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Zip: Date:

E-mail: o Single o Married o Are you a Group Leader?

Please contact me by: o Mail o Phone o E-mail SEND INFORMATION ON AREA(S) CHECKED BELOW RESIDENTIAL LIVING: o Factory-Built Homes o Manufactured Homes o Apartments o Single Family Homes LEISURE TIME: o Consignment/Thrift Stores o Biking o Gambling o Workout Facilities o Theater o Dining In/Out o Transportation o Music Performances o Keyboard Lessons pERSONAL HEALTH: o Physicians o Clinical Trials o Pharmacies o Prescription Drugs o Hearing Care o Fresh Produce o Home Health o Hospitals o Skin Care o Cancer Treatment o Veterinary Services o Eye Care o Electronic Cigarettes OTHER:

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 29

Broadway, Celtic Music & More

The Florida Orchestr a

At the Mahaffey Theater In Downtown St. Petersburg

Tampa Bay Times Masterworks

Korngold’s Violin Concerto Fri, Mar 14, 11am Sat, Mar 15, 8pm

Tampa Bay Times Masterworks

Bartok’s Piano Concerto No. 1 Sat, Mar 22, 8pm

Raymond James Pops

BY HENRY ADAMS

C

oncertgoers can enjoy complimentary coffee and doughnuts at The Florida Orchestra’s next morning Coffee Concerts “Salute to Broadway.”

Featuring music from South Pacific, The Music Man, A Chorus Line, Threepenny Opera and more, Stuart Malina conducts the orchestra and also shares insightful anecdotes about the music during these concerts, which are Mar. 5 at 10 am at Ruth Eckerd Hall and Mar. 6,at 11 am at the Mahaffey Theater.

At the next Raymond James Pops concerts, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” the orchestra performs a salute to St. Patrick’s Day with traditional tunes of the Emerald Isle and other Irishthemed music. Vocalist Cathie Ryan will lift the spirit with her Irish band and dancers from Tampa’s ScariffHardiman School of Irish Dance. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik leads these concerts on March 7, 8 and 9 in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

A Tribute to Benny Goodman

Lauded by The Dallas Morning News as “a dazzling soloist,” Caroline Goulding plays Korngold’s film-themeinspired and crowd-pleasing Violin Concerto at the next Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concerts in a program that includes Thomas Ades’ dances from Powder Her Face and Prokofiev’s “hymn to the human spirit,” Symphony No. 5. Stuart Malina conducts at the Mahaffey Theater on Mar. 14 at 11 am and Mar. 15 at 8 pm, and on Mar. 16 at 7:30 pm at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Cited for his “virtuosity, flair and showmanship” by The Houston Chronicle, German pianist Markus Groh performs Bartok’s Piano Concerto No. 1. TFO Conductor Emeritus Stefan Sanderling conducts this program, which also includes Sibelius’ Symphony No. 4 and a world premiere by composer David Rogers titled Euphemism No. 3. These concerts are Mar. 21, 22 and 23 in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

For tickets and info, visit florida orchestra.org or call 727-892-3337.

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Seasoned Scene-Stealers Shine in The Sarasota Silver Stars

T

he Sarasota Silver Stars is a performing troupe who represents The Players Theatre at community events, public appearances and on the Main Stage of the theatre as the seasoned wing of the 84 year-old arts organization. The Silver Stars is open to anyone who would like to join and has interest in singing, dancing and/or acting.

The group is in its third year as a part of The Players Theatre and will perform an original revue titled “The Colors Of My Life” on March 8 and

9, where the audience will join them on a colorful ride through sketches, songs and dances; a glowing performance featuring bright moments from stage and screen.

Among all the group’s performance opportunities, The Silver Stars also acts as an outreach performing troupe to bring live entertainment to those who cannot travel. These performances include various festivals, events, retirement and nursing facilities as well as conventions and trade shows. With so many performance opportunities; this troupe is an outlet for seasoned performers to gain camaraderie and support while giving a chance to express themselves theatrically. To join, or for more information, call 941-365-2494 or visit www.theplayers.org.

SATURDAY DANCE PARTY EVERY 7:30 – 10:30pm

See a show in March!

PAID FOR IN PART BY SARASOTA COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT FUNDS

Radio Gals Thru March 2

1075 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota 34237 (at the corner of Bahia Vista & Euclid)

March 2 & 3! s!

3 show

Oklahoma!

Thru March 16

Rich Little March 2 & 3

Let’s Hang On (Frankie Valli Tribute) March 9 & 10

Underneath the Lintel March 13—30

Rave On (Tribute to Buddy Holly) March 16 & 17

The Silver Foxes Follies March 19 - 23

Patti Highland March 23

TICKETS & more information: 941.488.1115 | VeniceStage.com Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 31

St. Patrick’s Day Fun

A

re you wearing green? Get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with Irish music, food, games and more at these fun events:

5 2496 Sylvia Lane, Venice, FL 34292

Venice Ranch is a quiet, clean, 55+ manufactured home community in a Office: 941-488-5672 super location. Here’s what is nearby: www.VeniceRanch.com • Shopping ...............................1/2 mile Hours: Mon.,Tues., Thurs. & Fri. • Hospital ............................ 3-1/2 miles 10:00 to noon and 1:00 to 4:00.

• Restaurants ............................1/4 mile Closed Wed. • Banking .................................1/4 mile Weekends by appointment only.

• Quaint, cultural, and BEST OF ALL …

• Homes starting at $2,000 and up, on larger historic Venice Center ............... 3 miles • Four golf courses ...................1-3 miles than normal manufactured home lots • Beaches ................................... 4 miles • New solar heated pool • Interstate 75 ..........................3/4 mile • We have all kinds of clubs and amenities

Ballads, Yarns & Riddles. An evening of traditional Irish songs, tall tales and mind twisters with balladeer and storyteller Dwight Sullivan at the Pub 32 Irish Gastropub, Sarasota.

Test your wits and maybe win a prize!

Free. 6 to 9 pm. 941-952-3070.

9

Sarasota Harley Owners Group 15th Annual St. Patty’s Day Poker Run. $10 per hand or three hands for $20. Registration: 11 am – 12 pm at The Humane Society, 2331 15th St., Sarasota. All poker run stops are Irish pubs/restaurants. Run ends at 3:30 pm.

Benefits Humane Society - prizes for best and worst hand, 50/50 drawing, door prizes and adoptable pets. Info: Donna at 941-720-5955 or Peteat 941730-1620, or rossiterharleydavidson. com and click on HOG Chapter.

15

3rd Annual Irish Celtic Festival. 5K fun run (6:30 am), traditional food and music, Lucky Dog Parade, scavenger hunt, contests, sports and more. Main event 11 am to 4 pm. Central Park center off Lakewood Ranch Blvd. 941-757-1530.

16

9th Annual Irish Rover St. Patrick’s Day Festival. Irish food, drink, music, dance and kids activities. $7. 11 am to 6 pm at Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Rd., Sarasota. Irishroversarasota.com or Twin Lakes: 941-861-9930.

17

St. Patrick’s Day Block Party at Shamrock Pub, 2257 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Irish beer, music, bagpipers and food. Limerick contest, kids activities, Irish Dance Academy of Sarasota and more.

Free. Starts at noon. 941-952-1730.

30

Celtic Music and dance with Marcille Wallis & Friends at Siesta Key Chapel, Sarasota. 4 to 5 pm. $10. 941-921-1985.

New Lifestyle Products

Grillbot — www.grillbots.com

This nifty little robot is the answer to all those cleaning woes that arise after firing up the barbeque grill.

Tidying up is as simple as placing this battery-operated self-cleaning device on the grill, pressing the button and letting it scrub away with its mighty trio of washable and replaceable brass or steel brushes. The smart LCD timer and alarm will signal when cleaning is complete. You’ll never have to miss another minute of the game or your party by letting the Grillbot do the cleanup for you!

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 32

CableKeeps by Nice by Design — www.nicebydesign.com These handy little devices easily attach to any Apple charger and the cord can be wrapped neatly around your CableKeep. They are made of molded Santoprene thermoplastic rubber which makes them durable, recyclable and non-toxic. They come in a variety of fun colors so no longer will your Apple charger be confused among others!

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 33

Word Search March

In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions – forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

Word Search Answers From February

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: News CoNNeCtioN UsA, iNC. P.o. BoX 638, seFFNeR, FL 33583

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on March 21 will win.

Mystery Prize!

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

Mystery Prize!

(Puzzles must be received by Mar. 21, 2014.)

March Sudoku

Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.

The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well.

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on Mar. 21 will win. Good luck!

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583 Mystery Prize!

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES! (Sudoku must be received by March 21, 2014.)

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 34

Elsie Drew is last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

Last Month’s Answers

February Sudoku

Barb Kemp is last month’s winner! Congratulations!

Last Month’s Answers

Enter

Last Month’s to Win! Winner Is Carole Hendricks Congratulations!

When You Just Don’t

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This month’s winner is

Enter To Win!

Speak with a professional 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at

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941-342-4461

Last Month’s Answers

Moodiness is often dependent on circumstances. It is normal to feel down when negative things happen to you. Depression may strike for no reason or may occur after a major life trauma. While moodiness comes and goes, depression lasts at least two weeks.

FILL IN ANSWERS & WIN MONEY!

Send your answers for a drawing. First correct answers selected from the drawing on Mar. 19 will receive $20 cash!

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I want information on: Travel / Cruises Recreation / Leisure Entertainment / Events

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Send your answers for a drawing. First correct answers selected from the drawing on June 19th will receive $20 cash! Send to: Mature Lifestyles, 220 W. Brandon Blvd., Suite 203, Brandon, FL 33511

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 35

Wherever you live in Sarasota County there is a Walgreens store nearby

Open 24 Hours 3601 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, 34233 ....................... 941-921-4681 3901 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34231..................... 941-926-2522 6465 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34231..................... 941-921-9222 5800 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, 34233 ....................... 941-377-1589 1120 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, 34275 ..................... 941-441-2909 15180 S. Tamiami Trail, North Port, 34288................. 941-423-6100 1490 Venice Bypass, Venice, 34292 .......................... 941-493-3925 Other Stores - Call For Hours 3506 Clark Rd., Sarasota, 34231 ............................... 941-923-2885 5281 Clark Rd., Sarasota, 34231 .............................. 941-929-9443 3550 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 34237 .......................... 941-955-4282 1224 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34239..................... 941-953-9804 1947 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 34236 .......................... 941-955-2064 1921 Waldemere St., Suite 201, Sarasota, 34239 ..... 941-955-6012 391 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, 34285 .......................... 941-244-1977 1405 E. Venice Ave., Venice, 34292........................... 941-488-8122 4105 Pointe Plaza Blvd., Venice, 34293 .................... 941-497-0751 15 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood, 34223....................... 941-473-7787 2940 S. McCall Rd., Englewood, 34223 ..................... 941-475-8030 12600 Tamiami Trail, North Port, 34287 ..................... 941-244-1955 1009 N. Sumter Blvd., North Port, 34286 ................... 941-426-5083 1063 N. Toledo Blade Blvd., North Port, 34286 .......... 941-429-6174 4210 E. State Rd. 64, Bradenton, FL 34208 .............. 941-708-9161 4320 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205 ..................... 941-755-8596 1504 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34203 ................... 941-752-0705 1455 Upper Manatee River Rd., Bradenton, FL 34212.. 941-462-1564

Shingles shots now recommended for adults 50+

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 36

Wherever You Live In Manatee County There Is A Walgreens Store Nearby

Open 24 Hours 6003 14th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207 ..................... 941-755-8526 4220 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205 ............ 941-749-1561 5945 U.S. Highway 301 N., Ellenton, FL 34222 ......... 941-722-2884 Other Stores - Call For Hours 3248 E. Bay Dr., Holmes Beach, FL 34217 ................ 941-778-0451 3425 53rd Ave. W, Bradenton, FL 34210 ................... 941-752-7997 5896 59th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34209 ..................... 941-792-3817 8315 Market St., Bradenton, FL 34202 ...................... 941-907-2686 14415 Arbor Green Trail, Bradenton, FL 34202 ......... 941-739-5752 3155 University Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34243 ........... 941-351-9290 1700 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota, FL 34234 ... 941-926-6132 930 8th Ave. W., Palmetto, FL 34221 ........................ 941-729-5250 3535 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234 ............... 941-360-3474 4210 E. State Rd. 64, Bradenton, FL 34208 .............. 941-708-9161 4320 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205 ..................... 941-755-8596 1504 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34203 ................... 941-752-0705 1455 Upper Manatee River Rd., Bradenton, FL 34212.. 941-462-1564 Ask About: • Our durable goods product lines: lift chairs, wheelchairs, walkers • Our “Go 90” prescription program • Our prescription savings club • Our exclusive savings for AARP members • Our prescription “auto fill” program • Our Balance Rewards Card Enroll in our balance rewards program today and receive instant points and endless rewards.

Ask your friendly Pharmacist about the shingles vaccine and pneumonia vaccine.

Fur Pet’s Sake in my home to ease their transition into my family. Denise decided to go to her final home instead of Hospice Meet Lucy and Libby!

House, and The Girls and I are about An Inheritance Doubles My Family to began our journey as family.

My experiences and ne year ago we knowledge of cats would discussed how become handy. Cats have to plan for the posmatriarchal societies and sibility that you may accept only those cats no longer be able to that are familiar to them. care for your pet due They have a keen sense to illness, disability, of smell. With this in or death. Well, life mind, I set out to prepare happens as they say. my home prior to their And so does death. arrival. I have a small One week ago I Kate Brown, DVM, home with a spare room inherited Lucy and and her cat, Frankie. that I use as an office.

Libby (The Girls), the My cats don’t consider beloved feline children of my dear this room as high value real estate, friend Denise. Denise lost her battle making this the perfect room for The with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Girls’ private space, which I named Facing disability and death was The Cat Cave. Preparations started bad enough for Denise, but a huge by eliminating all items that might concern for her was what would have the essence of my cats. I added happen to her cats. Denise created a Feliway plug-in pheromone diffusers Pet Trust as part of her estate planning to this room and the remainder of to give her peace of mind about The the house to provide a familiar and Girls so that she could concentrate calming effect on all cats. I placed all her energies on living while she The Girls’ cat tower, window seat and was dying. Over the next few months their toys into the Cat Cave, letting I will share with you the lessons, my Frankie and Zoe check them out. challenges and successes as The I started Frankie on Prozac (that’s Girls are integrated into my family. right) to take the edge off his historical The first lesson is to have a plan. aggression toward cats other than Zoe. Early in her illness, Denise talked to In one week, The Girls will friends and family to see if anyone arrive and life will never be the would be willing to take her cats. same for Frankie, Zoe, Lucy, I happily agreed to re-home The Libby and I. Stay tuned…

Girls when it became necessary.

Kate Brown, DVM is the owner Denise trusted me to incorporate and medical director of Brandt The Girls into my family or place Veterinary Clinic in Nokomis, Florida, them in a loving home as a pair. As which was recently awarded Cat Denise’s illness progressed, there Friendly Practice status by the were conversations about how to keep American Association of Feline Denise and her girls together for as Practitioners. Visit their website at long as possible. She was fortunate www.brandtvetclinic.com or email to be able to stay in her home due to her at drkate@brandtvetclinic.com . the care of Nancy, a wonderful friend who became her live-in caretaker.

When it became necessary, Hospice House would be Denise’s home and The Girls would visit. I agreed to take The Girls and began modifications

BY KATE BROWN, DVM

O

Rescue Adoption Education Resource Center

if Cat Depot Supply and G

t Stor

e

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of wet and dry cat food, litter and calming products 2542 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234 • 941.366.2404 • www. catdepot.org

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 37

A New Home for the New Year

Financing Available*

Brand New 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Model Homes From $49,999 Bay Indies is a tropical paradise located in beautiful Venice, Florida. Enjoy our resort style amenities and social clubs. The community is within three miles of the breathtaking Gulf Coast beaches, as well as shopping, medical facilities and the Intracoastal Waterway.

*Prices, specifications, layout and model availability subject to change without notice. See sales consultant for more information. Financing options available from 3rd party lenders for qualified buyers.

941-254-3754 | 950 Ridgewood Ave. ∙ Venice, FL 34285 | EquityLifestyle.com/BayIndies

� � � ������Discounts ���������� Insurance ������������������

For Mature Drivers

A

ARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free help for older taxpayers and people with limited incomes. Go to the site listed below at a time listed to schedule an appointment. Do not call a public library to make an appointment.

North Port Sr. Center (Weds. 10:30 am – 5 pm; Fri .10:30 am – 2:30 pm) St Thomas Moore Church 2506 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota 941-922-7886 (Weds., 9 am – 4 pm; Fri., 8:30 am – 12:30 pm) Fruitville Library (Mon., Tues., Weds., Thurs. 10 am – 1 pm) Venice Community Center (Tues. and Weds., 9 am – 1pm; Thurs., 11 am – 7 pm) Jacaranda Library, Venice (Mon. 10 am – 2 pm; Weds. 10 am – 4 pm) Holiday Park Rec. Center, North Port (Mon., 9 am – noon) Selby Library, Sarasota (Mon., Tues., Weds., Thurs., 2 – 6 pm)

������������

Take Your Class Online! ���at��� ���leisure, ������ • Study your 24�� hours week. �����a day, 7 days a�� ���������������� • Simply read the course materials online and then answer a few quiz questions. ���������������������� � classes � � � �� �� �� • There is no need to attend boring or listen to long lectures. ���������������� ��������������������� • After completion, of course we�� will issue a�� state-certified certificate for you to

����

������� ��year ���period. turn into your insurance company to receive your discount for�a�� three ��

Take Your Mature Driver Course On The Internet!

If you have a Florida Driver’s License and are 55 years of age or older, you are now eligible to complete motor vehicle accident prevention course that will allow you to receive a mandatory reduction on your insurance rate for three years.

Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicle Approved Course

To Register go to:

www.seniordriverclass.com

or call 1-800-771-2255

Senior Friendship Center, Sarasota (Tues., 9 am – 3 pm) Woodmere Park, Venice (Thurs., 9 am – 1 pm)

San Pedro Activity Center, North Port (Thurs., 9 am – 1 pm) Bay Indies, Venice (Fri., 1 – 4:30 pm)

Elsie Quirk Library, Englewood Appointment at 941-275-4407 (Mon., 1 – 5 pm; Tues. and Fri., 10 am – 12:30 pm)

Manatee County

Braden River Library, Bradenton (Weds. and Fri., noon to 4:45 pm)

Manatee Central Library, Bradenton (Mon. and Fri., 9 am – 2 pm) Freedom Village Lifecare, Bradenton Weds., 8:30 – 11:30 am Call 941-798-8935 for required appt.)

Bayshore Gardens Community Church, Bradenton (Tues., Noon to 4 pm)

Increase Balance, Confidence While Biking

BY BASSEL MOUKADDEM, EZ Trainer Enterprises, Inc.

P

����a��Florida’s Have ����������� Driver’s License ��������� �������� and are 55 ����������years ������� of age or older? ����

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 38

Free Tax Assistance

oor balance performance increases with aging. More than half of people 62 years and older have a fear of falling. Such fear makes it harder to maintain vitality through physical activities since many people decide to stop their favorite sports.

The cycling industry faces this reality.

With age, a large number of cyclists avoid riding, fearing they might fall.

Some will turn to alternative solutions like the use of a tricycle. Others will select rigid side wheels restraining the possibility to lean when riding. The real cycling experience is lost and so is the pleasure, leading to lack of motivation and high drop-out rates.

The Adult Stabilizer Wheels designed

by EZ Trainer Enterprises Inc. combine flexibility and stability through the flexing torsion spring. The product received excellent feedback from industry experts, communities and clients:

• I was in need of these Stabilizer Wheels in order for my brother, who has a brain tumor, to ride his own new bike that he had bought before the tumors began to grow again. The service I got was EXTRAORDINARY and CARING and I appreciate you helping to make what could be a “last wish” come true. —Debbie

• What a great product! At Bike-On. com we cater to adults and children who have limited abilities. We have found the Stabilizer Wheels to be a perfect fit for our customers who have some balance limitations. The Stability Wheels provide just the right amount of balance assist which makes for a confident cyclist—a great product! —Scott from Bike-On • These training wheels help the rider to gain confidence back. Very innovative way to retrofit your bike without spending a fortune on a trike bike. —Patrick from Lambert Call us for more information: 1-800-759-0057.

T

raditional Irish fare like this is good any time of day. Use up your leftover corned beef (or buy some at the deli) in a tasty quiche and serve it up with warm Irish soda bread.

Crustless Corned Beef and Cheese Quiche 2 Tbsp butter 1 onion, chopped 1 c chopped celery 1 c cooked corned beef, diced 1 c jack cheese, shredded 4 eggs 1 c heavy cream 1 c milk Salt and pepper to taste Saute onions and celery slightly in butter. Add corned beef. Heat through and spread in buttered quiche pan (or ramekins). Add cheese. Whisk eggs, cream milk and seasoning together and pour into pan. Bake at 425 about 25 minutes.

NOW FEATURING PRIME MEATS AND FRESH SEAFOODS DAILY – CALL FOR DAILY SPECIALS.

Irish Soda Bread

2 1/2 cups flour 1/2 c sugar 2 tsp caraway seed 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup raisins or currants 1 1/4 c buttermilk 2 eggs 1/2 tsp vanilla

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Mix dry ingredients; stir in raisins and then eggs, buttermilk and vanilla. Spread in pan and bake at 350 for 45 to 50 minutes.

Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

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MANATEE SCOOTERS ..............677-2668 H3 PERFORMANCE ...................751-1949 RNR MARINE ...........................840-1767 PALMETTO NORTHSIDE AUTO PARTS .....722-4581 HHHT AUTO CARE ..................721-3888 PARRISH PARRISH GEN SUPPLY ..........776-2141 VENICE AUTO WORX OF VENICE .......923-1438 ADVANCE AUTO PARTS .........484-6128 ADVANCE AUTO PARTS .........497-7970 NAPA AUTO PARTS .................485-9616 AMERICAN IMPORTS .............484-1340 ENGLEWOOD STIVER’S TIRE & AUTO ..........474-7660

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2014 • page 39