Northwest Prime Time April 2017 by Northwest Prime Time

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CELEBRATING LIFE AFTER 50 IN THE PUGET SOUND REGION SINCE 1986

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VOL. 17 NO. 3 APRIL 2017

Bill Nye the Science Guy B

ill Nye is a scientist, engineer, comedian, author and inventor, but he is best known as the Emmy awardwinning television host of Bill Nye the Science Guy. Bill’s mission parties, and is to help people developed dual understand careers as an and appreciate engineer by day science. He and a stand-up has a knack for comic by night. making science “After you get entertaining and laughs on stage, understandable, it’s addicting,” combined with he admits. He a zany flair for eventually quit comedy. his engineering William day job to Sanford Nye pursue comedy. was born in Bill Washington met Steve D.C. in 1955, Wilson, one but the Science Bill Nye is the author of several books, and his of the people Guy got his DVDs are still shown in science classrooms launching around the country start in Seattle. Almost Live— In PBS’s Seattle’s NOVA series, The Secret Life of homegrown ensemble comedy Scientists & Engineers, Bill explained show that ended up going national. how the unlikely pairing of Steve Wilson was interviewed for Popular Martin and Carl Sagan was the Science about his buddy Bill. “Nye catalyst for his started hanging successful Science around the writers’ Guy character. room. He’d make “I loved science these jokes—we from when I can’t called them jokes of remember. When I the future because was a kid, bicycles they weren’t were just the coolest funny (yet). But thing…Bicycles and Bill learned that airplanes,” interests if he dipped a that inspired him to marshmallow in study mechanical liquid nitrogen and When Bill was a young engineer at engineering at popped it in his in Seattle, he won a Steve Martin Cornell University. Boeing mouth, smoke came look-alike contest. It was the catalyst for “Our story a career change to comedy and television out of his nose, begins when I was which got laughs. a senior in college. My friend came He could entertain people using… hurrying to my house. He wanted science!” me to see Steve Martin performing Bill started writing for on cable television. He said, ‘Look, Almost Live and at the same time this guy is just like you…This is volunteered at the Pacific Science what you ought to be doing!’ ” But Center. “We were in a meeting Bill was focused on graduating and for the show and we had to fill six getting a job. He did get a job at minutes,” he explained. The host, Boeing and moved to Seattle (where Ross Shafer said, ‘Bill, why don’t you he developed a hydraulic resonance do that stuff you’re always talking suppressor that is still being used on about at the Science Center. You 747s). could be, I don’t know, Bill Nye the But Steve Martin came up Science Guy, or something.’ That’s again about a year later. “When I how the first Science Guy bit came was working for Boeing, I entered to be,” recalls Bill, who thought it the Seattle Steve Martin look-alike was a fantastic idea. contest and I won.” He started The Seattle Times described performing as Steve Martin at The Science Guy’s inception this

Bill Nye was born in Washington DC, but the Science Guy got his start in Seattle

it funny.” way: “In 1987, Nye conducted an Bill started experiment on Almost Live! that developing the would hint at the Science Guy's Bill Nye The awesome TV potential. Donning Science Guy lab coat and safety glasses from show with his personal collection, he dunked Seattle’s PBS an onion in liquid nitrogen television and shattered it. The studio station, audience went nuclear. ‘It KCTS 9. hit me so hard,’ Nye recalls. The hit ‘Here was everything I show was wanted to do, with science distributed and being funny, all at by the Disney once.’ He won a local Emmy Company. for the bit and, that same year, Over the trademarked the Bill Nye course of its the Science Guy name and five year run printed up stationery and from 1993 business cards that read to 1998, the comedian - actor - writer – show won 19 engineer.” Emmy awards; Bill realized that Bill, himself, The Science Guy won seven. had potential, The New and consulted York Times his former called Bill Nye astronomy “The Bruce professor, Springsteen of Carl Bill appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2013, the Nerds.” He Sagan, but was soon sidelined because of an injury does come across about it. a bit like a rock “Sagan star on the college lecture circuit. influenced me a great deal. Then at my 10th reunion, I met with him…I “People in college grew up watching Bill Nye The Science Guy. They said I wanted to do a show about recite lines from the show…it’s science for kids. He said, ‘Focus really extraordinary,” he exclaims. on pure science. Kids resonate to pure science.’ ” And if you want to continued on page 22 entertain a kid, adds Bill, “you make

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April 2017

Lost Cities of Skagit

Skagit Settlers: Trials and Triumphs, “It was land routes also influenced the direction unique in Skagit County for its dreary of trade. As stands of virgin timber were ugliness, and its disappearance left no exhausted, logging and milling moved mourners.” By the mid-1950s, the coal elsewhere. Fires and floods were also …by Mari Anderson-Densmore, Skagit County Historical Museum deposits were exhausted and the site had factors. But no matter how they began, these early towns and settlements all but vanished. All that remained were Villages, settlements and communities the railroad grade, a refuse dump from the were all the substance of people’s flourished in Skagit County’s earliest days, mine and coal stains on the ground. dreams. but many have been “lost,” or vanished, long South across the valley, several miles Skagit City was the largest ago. The Skagit County Historical Museum metropolis of the Skagit area from northeast of the town of McMurray, lay has researched these lost cities and created an the Finn Settlement. Thirteen Finnish the 1870s to the 1890s, located interactive online map of Skagit communities families settled here in the dense forest on the South Fork of the Skagit that have significantly changed – or virtually land from 1891 until the early part of the River below the log jams that disappeared – during the last century. century. The prevented Skagit City was once the county’s largest metropolis residents further The researching of lost cities and were skilled travel settlements of Skagit County has struck known as Fidalgo City) which was touted woodworkers a chord with many people, whether as the “Promised Land” and where people upstream. It was who built an important stop they are complete newcomers to Skagit from thousands of miles away bought lots their homes for sternwheelers Valley or have a long history of pioneer sight unseen; Fishtown, a historic fishing of split cedar, and had a school, settlement here. We all want to know village on Skagit’s North Fork that was each with its churches, hotels, why some dreams for these towns took later settled by artists. These are just a few own sauna, saloons and other root, others changed their original vision of Skagit County’s “Lost Cities.” and worked and still others just vanished with nothing Among these are areas that once had businesses facing in the nearby the riverbank. left but a grassy field by the river. And a special character which can no longer The Finn Settlement was known for its skilled logging The decline of although the people who lived in these be seen, towns where promoter’s dreams woodworkers camps. the town began settlements have all passed on, today we never materialized, rural communities These Finns made and used the first skis with the erosion of the steep riverbank can remember their dreams and appreciate that never became towns. Others were in the county and constructed ice skates where the sternwheelers tied up. After what it took to build this area out of a towns that flourished for a time and by shaping the runners from the steel of the great log jam was finally cleared, dense wilderness. Whether these towns then vanished or lapsed into peaceful old cross-cut saws. The community was people could then settle upriver. With the lasted or disappeared, all of them played a villages. A handful – including Anacortes, growing commercial importance of nearby unified by its isolation, its language, its part in shaping the county as it is today. Burlington, La Conner, Mount Vernon own school and by its unique traditions. Conway and the discontinuance of its Many place names that appear and Sedro-Woolley – continued to grow. ferry in 1929, the town slowly disappeared By 1913, the residents could ride the in Skagit County’s history have since The first businesses and settlements railway to distant except for disappeared, but each has their own were located on waterways and were camps, and the school unique story: Skagit City, the first entirely dependent on them since that eventually roads building and a “metropolis” of the lower Skagit; Finn was the only means of travel. Railroads and cars provided Settlement, home of saunas and crossaltered those patterns, creating new towns. road named in opportunities its honor. cut saw skates; Cokedale, the village of The railroads increased the prosperity outside of the tiny Cokedale shacks that housed workers for a very of some old towns and took traffic away community. As was another productive coal mine, but had no peers from others. As time passed and roads the outside world early in its unattractiveness; Deception, (later and bridges were built, the improved drew closer, some settlement. members moved Located Cokedale was known for its “dreary ugliness” away and non-Finns among the bought their homes. The group gradually foothills of the North Cascades a few lost its cohesion, but the settlement miles east of Sedro-Woolley, Cokedale remains a warm memory. was also known as the Bennett Mine Moving west, the settlement at the (in honor of the man who discovered south end of Fidalgo Island just inside coal there in 1878). The mine operated Experience mountainous views all Deception Pass was first known as intermittently from 1891 to 1922 and from the comfort of your dining table. Deception (later Fidalgo City and finally had the only extensive quantity of highquality coking coal in the state. A group of renamed Dewey). In 1891, there were shacks at the mine housed 75 workers and 341 surveyed city blocks, stores, saloons, a 40-room hotel, a mill operating full blast their families. Cokedale had a population of 131 in 1900. According to the book continued on page 17

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Volunteer Spotlight

Sarah Parkhurst Volume 17 Number 3

…by Jan Hancock, RSVP Program Coordinator

Northwest Prime Time is published 10 times per year and is owned and operated by Northwest Prime Time, Inc. Monthly Circulation: 50,000 Subscriptions: $20 per year. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13647 Seattle, Washington 98198 (206) 824-8600 Fax (206) 824-8606 www.northwestprimetime.com Publishers: Michelle Roedell and Chris Mitchell Operations/Advertising Manager: Chris Mitchell Editor: Michelle Roedell Production Manager: Jason Reynolds Production Coordinator: Rachel Binford Associate Editor: Suzanne G. Beyer Copyeditor: Diann MacRae Administration: Barbara Davidson, Clarence Roedell, Doris Roedell, Gail Roedell Printing: Rotary Offset Press Northwest Prime Time welcomes letters and comments. Please send to: editor@northwestprimetime.com or P.O. Box 13647 Seattle, Washington 98198 Northwest Prime Time, published 10 times per year, is for vital men and women over 50 who are curious, passionate, and engaged with the world they live in; who know that these years are the prime time of their lives.

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Sarah Parkhurst has logged over 13 years of volunteer service

No stranger to volunteering, Sarah Parkhurst bustles her way through Wellspring Family Service’s Baby Boutique every Thursday, sorting clothing donations, baby equipment, diapers, infant formula, educational toys, books and other essential items which are made available at no cost to homeless families in need. (Baby Boutique is unique in that it is set up like a retail store where clients can shop for free, instead of just being handed a bag of donated goods.) Displaying the donations in a presentable and appealing manner and ensuring the boutique area is kept clean and neat comes naturally to Sarah. In true volunteer fashion, she enjoys the experience for what it is, not dwelling on the part she plays and the difference she makes in the lives of the children and families that rely on the necessities provided through the boutique. Sarah’s volunteer list is long and varied. In the thirteen years and 1,450 hours of service she has with RSVP, Sarah has tutored in adult education and literacy, assisted in a statewide event sponsored by Hire America’s Heroes to connect veterans to jobs and lent a hand to others in need through her work with the American Red Cross, to name just a few. She also has found time to promote RSVP in her official role as an ambassador, all the while proving an invaluable volunteer in innumerable ways. Sarah says it best. “I believe that as we age, and more healthily than in the past, we still have much to offer. Finding a satisfying niche in which to use talents and skills adds great joy and a tremendous sense of well-being to our lives.” If you would like to find a great volunteer job, contact RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) of King County at 206-694-6786 or janh@solid-ground.org. RSVP is administered in SeattleKing County by the local non-profit organization Solid Ground, which addresses poverty and its root causes.

Changing Aging Tour Dr. Bill Thomas, a leading expert on aging, brings the national Assistive Technology & Changing Aging Tour to the area. Resources Fair His goal is to shatter myths about The King County Library System is aging. The event features “nonhosting the FREE Assistive Technology fiction theater performances,” & Resources Fair on Saturday, April blending storytelling, live music, 29 from 11am to 3pm at the Auburn medical science and visual effects. Library. Assistive technology is any Each show features two topics, with product or service that makes tasks easier. an interactive lobby experience Learn about community resources and in between. On May 2, the show tools designed to help people live, work will be held at Pierce College in and play independently. Participating Puyallup. On May 3, the show takes organizations will discuss assistive place at Town Hall Seattle. On technology for hearing and vision both dates, “Disrupt Dementia” runs disabilities, mobility transportation 2:30-4:30pm; “Life’s Most Dangerous and much more. Accommodation for Game” 7-8:30pm. Each topic is $20, individuals with disabilities is available; or both for $30. For information and please contact the library in advance for tickets, visit https://changingaging. accommodation services. The Auburn org/tour/ Library is located at 1102 Auburn Way Alzheimer’s Conference South. For more information about this On Friday, April 7, the free event, call 253-931-3018 , or visit Alzheimer’s Association will host a www.kcls.org/auburn. day-long event with leading experts New 2017 Alzheimer’s in dementia care and research, Disease Facts & Figures exhibitors and resources. The event A new report by the Alzheimer’s is held from 8:30am to 4pm at the Association shows growing costs and Washington State Convention impact of the disease on families and the Center. Details can be found online nation’s economy. It has risen to become at www.alzwa.org or by calling 206the third leading cause of age-related 363-5500. death in the state. The report finds that Senior Service Cuts total payments for individuals living Sound Generations is looking with Alzheimer’s disease exceeded a ahead to significant funding cuts quarter trillion dollars. The report also in light of the White House’s discusses the impact of the disease on budget proposal that will cut family members and other caregivers. funds to programs helping our More than 15 million Americans area’s vulnerable seniors. Sound provide unpaid care for the estimated 5.5 Generations reports that research million Americans living with dementia. shows delivering meals to a senior In 2016, Alzheimer’s caregivers for seven years through Meals on provided an estimated 18.2 billion Wheels costs the same amount hours of unpaid care, which the report as one month in a nursing home. valued at $230.1 billion. The report “We know Meals on Wheels works also found that the strain of caregiving for the same reason we know that produces serious physical, emotional all of our programs work - because and mental health consequences. The we hear every day from people full text of the report can be viewed who depend upon our assistance at www.alz.org/facts. The Washington to survive.” They urge concerned State Chapter of the Alzheimer’s citizens to contact their elected Association provides programs for officials and to consider making a caregivers and individuals living with contribution. For information, visit dementia (www.alzwa.org or call the www.SoundGenerations.org or call 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900). 206-448-5757.

F.Y.I.

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Life Perspectives

In the Pool with Old People …by Laverne Bardy

My thirties and forties brought a slew of ailments and bodily assaults that left my once near-perfect torso looking like a map of the Manhattan subway system. But my exterior still looked good in clothes and I had energy. I miss energy. It wasn’t until my early sixties that I started to notice obvious signs of wear and tear on my body. It seemed I was losing my battle with gravity, which was pulling me closer to my feet. I could now see that while I had been focusing on gray hairs and wrinkles, my right foot had developed a large red bunion and a hammer toe, signaling the end of sexy sandals. This realization was more devastating than my belly scars since I have worshiped shoes my entire life. Two knee and one hip replacement, along with severe back arthritis, had me leaning on a cane and, occasionally, a walker. I passed a mirror and was shocked to see my posture resembled Quasimodo’s. My head stretched two feet in front of me when I walked, like a periscope in search of land. Hopes of making it with George Clooney had long

since vanished. Gravity had also worked overtime on my once perky bazoom (as my sister would say). I could practically now tuck them into the elastic waistband of my sweat pants. And, saddest of all, my face had begun to resemble that of a Shar Pei’s. With all this in mind, I was with my husband at a lovely Florida resort. He sat under an umbrella sketching while I made my way to the pool. I have always loved the water and even though I hated to be seen in a swimsuit, I could not give up romping in the water. I clung to the hot metal rail until I reached the bottom step into the pool, then made my way toward an animated group of my peers. I was walking on my toe nails, trying to avoid the cold water for as long as possible. Every few steps I stopped to splash water on my chest the way my mother had done, and I had sworn I never would. The five strangers in the pool were old, wrinkled and, for the most part, overweight with varicose veins, liver spots, wrinkled chests, floppy upper arms and cellulite

thighs. They all looked like me. The men had nose and ear hairs. Actually, several women did, too. Being an octogenarian granted me automatic membership into this circle of strangers. I worked my way to the edge of the circle and was warmly welcomed. Even before I could say “Lipitor” the conversation was flowing. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about stents, enlarged prostates, angina, osteoporosis, dementia, atrial fibrillation, arthritis, hip and knee replacements, back pain, epidurals, and – God help me – incontinence. When we finally disbanded I was surprised to realize that rather than feeling depressed, the spirit in this group had uplifted me. Most of them were suffering from one ailment or another but they were determined to enjoy this period of their lives. They were all doing things they had promised

April 2017 themselves they would do… when the children were grown, when they’d saved enough money, when they retired. They were traveling, painting, writing, learning to play guitar, teaching, moving to the city, going back to school and living myriad other dreams and yearnings that had been put on hold throughout their lives. Our parents didn’t have the benefit of modern medicine and technology. As a result, we are living considerably longer than they did. My father died of heart complications at age 46 – something far less apt to happen today. Because he died so young, I am able to remember him strong, handsome and always working. Because I have been fortunate to live far longer than my father, my children are not going to remember me young, strong and pretty. But they will be able to remember me old, actively involved and happy. Surgeries, wrinkles, aches, pains and low energy are tolls we all must pay for the privilege of longevity. Fortunately, spunk, zest and determination are free. ❖

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April 2017

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Adelaide Smith’s Swimming Career …by Jean Spohn

the New Jersey shore. She taught us all to swim and we fondly remember those swimming My mother vacations as the best of times. We Adelaide, at all are good swimmers, many still 98 years, is still doing laps. swimming laps When Dad was transferred at the YMCA. to Houston, they joined a pool She says she loves just a few blocks from home being surrounded where Mom indulged her passion by water, feeling for swimming every morning her arms and legs in the summer. Dad swam with exercise in the her before work. When the pool buoyancy and closed for the winter, they joined breathing evenly a local YMCA for frequent to the rhythm of swimming sessions. Australian the swim. crawl is her favored stroke and for Mom learned a while she would do a mile each to swim at an session. early age and Mom was just 70 when Dad every summer passed away. Swimming was would go to Girl Adelaide Smith at age 98 therapeutic for her. After moving Scout camp to to Washington State at 80, she joined spend many hours swimming in a fresh a local YMCA and swam nearly daily, water lake. As a teenager, she earned a generally getting to the pool at 6:30am. scholarship to take Red Cross lifesaving and teach swimming. During college years, When it was time to stop driving at 92 due to failing eyesight, she moved to an she taught swimming at the same Girl independent living facility that featured Scout camp she had attended since grade transportation to her YMCA. At 96 she school. fell and broke two ribs and her jaw. Then My mom also enjoyed swimming she had a ileostomy and pacemaker put in. dates in salt water at Jones Beach, New Still, she wanted to get back to swimming York, with her future husband, my dad, and after many months of healing, she was Hylas. back in the swimming pool at age 97 to Marriage brought four children. Mom’s strategy for summer entertainment swim again. She turned 98 on January 21, and hopes to swim until her end. ❖ was to take her brood to local lakes and

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To Your Health

Medical Minutes ...by John Schieszer

Lasers May Help Lead to New Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease Scientists are now firing up their lasers to try to better John Schieszer combat Alzheimer’s disease and other illnesses involving the memory. A new method uses near-infrared light to shed light on memory loss conditions. Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a new laser-activated technique for bridging missing links in memory flow. The Japanese researchers report that laser technology may help open up the mysterious world of neurotransmission. Memory involves the successful flow of neurotransmitters from neuron to neuron. When memory breaks down, there is a gap in this flow. Scientists know that stimulation of neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, is required for functioning memory. However, how these chemical messengers are produced remains a mystery. What is known is that calcium has a critical role to play. Its concentration increases prior to glutamates release, but again the mechanisms are poorly understood. This is due to calcium’s elusiveness in neuron cells where it exists as a dissolved salt, making it difficult to control or detect. In the lab, near-infrared lasers were projected at neuron cells containing these light sensitive carriers to see if calcium was released. When the electrical charge at each laser-beam penetration point was recorded, an interesting pattern emerged. It appeared that exposure to the electromagnetic wave broke down the light sensitive calcium-carrier molecules as planned. Scientists are focusing on these precise points of neurotransmitter production to develop treatments for memory loss. It is hoped that lasers can show how certain areas of the brain respond to medications.

Diet Makes A Big Difference When It Comes to Successful Aging Improving dietary resilience and better integration of nutrition in the health care system may help promote healthy aging, according to a report published in Advances in Nutrition. A new paper initiated under the auspices of the Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science Working Group on Nutrition for Aging Population is suggesting that by 2050, the number of persons aged 80 years old and over will reach 392 million, about three times the 2013 population. The authors contend that this means there will an increasingly large portion of the population vulnerable to nutritional frailty, a state commonly seen in older adults characterized by sudden significant weight-loss and loss of muscle mass and strength. Nutritional frailty is an essential loss of physiologic reserves, making a person susceptible to disability. Increasing numbers of older adults are obese; however, many obese seniors are also susceptible to nutritional frailty. The review concluded that exploring dietary resilience, defined as a conceptual model to describe material, physical, psychological and social factors that influence food purchase, preparation and consumption, is needed to better understand older adults’ access to meal quality and mealtime experience. A recent model to frame food intake includes the addition of more randomized clinical trials that include older adults with disease and medication. This will help to identify their specific nutrient needs, biomarkers to understand the impact of advancing age on protein requirements, skeletal muscle turnover and a reevaluation of how BMI guidelines are used. “A nutritional assessment model that takes into consideration the effect of aging on muscle mass, weight loss and nutrient absorption is crucial to overall wellness in our elderly population,” said Gilles Bergeron,

April 2017

Ph.D., executive director, The Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science at the New York Academy of Sciences. “However, nutrition recommendations are usually based on that of a typical healthy adult, and fail to consider the effect of aging on muscle mass, weight loss, and nutrient absorption and utilization.” E-Cigarettes May be Safer than Smoking E-cigarettes may be less toxic and safer to use compared to conventional cigarettes, according to research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Investigators in England are reporting that adults who swapped smoking regular cigarettes for e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for at least six months had much lower levels of toxic and cancer causing substances in their body than those adults who continued to use conventional cigarettes. For the first time, researchers analyzed the saliva and urine of longterm e-cigarette and NRT users, as well as smokers. They compared body level exposure to key chemicals. Exsmokers who switched to e-cigarettes or NRT had significantly lower levels of toxic chemicals and carcinogens in their body compared to people who continued to smoke tobacco cigarettes. However, those who used e-cigarettes

or NRT while continuing to smoke, did not show the same marked differences, highlighting that a complete switch is needed to reduce exposure to toxins. The study also showed that the amount of nicotine e-cigarettes provide is not noticeably different to conventional cigarettes. The authors of the study report that this can help people to stop smoking altogether by dealing with their cravings in a safer way. There has been a huge growth in the use of e-cigarettes, which deliver nicotine via inhaled aerosol. While it is theorized that e-cigarettes are unlikely to be as harmful as conventional cigarettes, there are still many unanswered questions. A recent study suggested that electronic cigarette users are more at risk of lung damage if they use flavorings such as menthol and butterscotch. Scientists say that ‘vaping’ flavors contain toxins, including harmful substances that are not inhaled by users of standard tobacco cigarettes. There is concern that a huge variety of non-standard vaping liquids is exposing people to unknown risks. ❖ John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute. He can be reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com.

Senior Fitness Tip

Core Strength …by Mark Bryant

Core strength is more than just doing crunches or sit-ups. It’s about stability and support. When you hear people talk about Mark Bryant their core, they normally mean abdominal muscles. There are other muscles that make up the core (not just abs alone), but for this tip, let’s focus on abs. When it comes to seniors, many can’t do traditional crunches. So how can they strengthen their core (abs)? One of the best ways is to

Learn about Pitcher Kenley Jansen’s AFib story.

sit in a chair without leaning your back completely against the chair, pull your abs in a little, keeping the ab muscles tight and sit up tall (don’t hold your breath when tightening and pulling the abs in). This exercise will help improve posture, give your lower back great support and, at the same time, strengthen your abs. Sit up tall. Mark Bryant is a Certified Senior Fitness Instructor and is the Enhance Fitness Coordinator at Southeast Seattle Senior Center. Despite having had a total hip replacement, Mark won the 2015 Powerlifting World Championship. www. fitnessexpertmark.com.

was a curveball I didn’t see coming.

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April 2017

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Naturally Healthy

Turmeric’s Amazing Health Benefits …by Suzy Cohenv

Let’s talk curry today. Penang, red or green curry, it’s all good with me! Curry sounds like it’s one spice, but it’s actually a blend of spices, and it always contains some turmeric spice. Turmeric comes from the ginger family. This yellow orange spice was first used as a dye until its medicinal properties were uncovered. Our research today proves turmeric positively benefits hundreds of health conditions, making it a healthy and tasty sprinkle for any dish. Do I want it right now? Yes please! You can buy the spice called turmeric all by itself if you don’t like curry. Supplements of turmeric are sold everywhere. And you’ll also find “curcumin” which is one potent extract of turmeric. Curcumin may prevent or improve age-related cognitive decline, dementia and mood disorders. This is not wishful thinking, it’s true. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled

trial observed 60 adults between the ages of 60 and 85. After about one hour of their curcumin dose, these adults enjoyed a higher attention span and better memory than those who swallowed the dud pill, the placebo. After four weeks of curcumin supplements, memory, mood, alertness and contentedness were considerably better in the participants. Curcumin is a hot supplement, not spicy hot, but “hot” in the sense that research is conducted frequently. I found a plethora of published research papers pertaining to curcumin’s anti-cancer activity. One of these papers found that curcumin has the ability to make some cancer cells commit suicide. Basically, curcumin programs the cell to die! That’s a good thing, you want those cancer cells to go bye bye! Technically, we call this “apoptosis.” Cancers that are resistant to multiple chemotherapeutic agents seem to still respond to curcumin, at least in mouse studies. Because of curcumin’s

F.Y.I. When to Go To Emergency Room; When to Consider Alternative, Less Expensive Options …by Dr. Richard Smith, Medical Director, Intermountain Region, Humana

you and your family with quality service for common injuries and When you are sick or injured, illnesses. A partial list includes it is essential for you to get the ear infections, allergies, sinus care you need. Connecting with conditions, flu, bronchitis, colds, your primary care physician strep throat, minor burns and is typically the best first step. However, if that is not possible, it rashes, simple sprains, strains, abrasions and contusions, as well is important to realize that going as other non-life-threatening straight to an emergency room (ER) is not always the best option, problems. Urgent care centers are especially in non-emergency increasingly offering diagnostic situations. ERs and freestanding testing including basic lab ERs, which aren’t physically and quick tests for flu, strep, attached to a hospital but are mono, pregnancy, diabetes and affiliated with one and charge ER urinary tract infections, as well prices or higher, typically have as immunizations, such as flu longer wait times and higher outand tetanus. Many have X-ray of-pocket costs. capabilities for the weekend Non-Emergency Situations athlete or injuries. Most offer Depending on the health extended weekend and evening condition and situation, there might be several options available hours and some can connect with a patient's primary physician to to you that are often faster, less share information and create a expensive and more accessible while providing personalized care. greater continuum of care. In addition, urgent care centers offer They include: a wait time of 30 minutes or less, • Urgent care centers • Retail clinics often located compared to an average wait time of more than two hours for ERs. in supermarkets and drugstores • Telemedicine. continued on page 15 These options can provide

long-term record of safety and low risk of side effects, I think it’s a great natural adjunct to many protocols, especially for breast and prostate cancer. It’s a strong anti-inflammatory. Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. Diabetes Care, the journal of the American Diabetes Association, published a study about curcumin’s ability to prevent prediabetic patients from becoming full blown diabetics. Results after nine months showed 100% success! No one progressed to full diabetes. Further, curcumin-treated patients had better pancreatic beta cell function and higher adiponectin. Excellent! You know, I’m a pharmacist and I’ll tell you there isn’t one drug behind the counter that competes. Additional studies demonstrate that curcumin’s anti-inflammatory

properties may improve joint health. Curcumin is the “Kardashian” of herbs. It’s spicy, notorious and a little goes a long way if you know what I mean. Too much is not good, it’s a laxative and too much may affect liver function. But, curry and curcumin are considered effective and safe by most physicians. Because it exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects, ask about supplementing with it if you have inflammatory conditions, especially autoimmune ones like rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s and psoriasis. ❖ Suzy Cohen has been a licensed pharmacist for 25 years and devotes time to educating people about the benefits of natural vitamins, herbs and minerals. She is the author of many different books on natural health, and you may have seen her on The Dr. OZ Show.

Golden Milk Tea …from Dr. Andrew Weil’s kitchen, www.drweil.com

Turmeric tea, also known as ‘golden milk,’ is a great way to get the many benefits of turmeric on a daily basis, along with the antioxidant power of ginger and black pepper. Numerous studies have linked turmeric to reduced inflammation that supports brain and joint health. Golden milk combines turmeric with ginger, another anti-inflammatory spice. Combining with black pepper enhances absorption of the beneficial spices. Here is Dr. Weil’s recipe for Golden Milk: Heat 2 cups light unsweetened coconut milk (or almond or soymilk) with 1 tablespoon peeled, grated fresh ginger and 1 tablespoon peeled, grated fresh turmeric (dry turmeric in a pinch) and 3-4 black peppercorns. Bring to a simmer and simmer covered for 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten to taste (if desired). Or try it iced for a refreshing alternative!

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F.Y.I.

Miscellaneous Stuff about Money …by Teresa Ambord

Life Insurance May Help With Assisted Living or Long-Term Care Costs …courtesy Life Care Funding

Older Americans Burdened by Student Loan Debt? If you think student loan debt is mostly the territory of young people and/or their parents, think again. In the last decade, the number of us aged 60 and older with this type of debt has quadrupled, said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. And the average amount they owe has skyrocketed. Why? Part of it is they just never paid it off in their earlier years. But more and more seniors are helping finance college for their kids and grandkids. If you’re considering taking on student loan debt, first look at the full picture. How much debt are we talking? From 2005 to 2015, the average amount of student loan debt among borrowers age 60 and up increased from $12,100 to $23,500. Only 27% of those borrowers reported that the debt was for their own or their spouse’s education (from a survey in 2014). A growing number of older borrowers are falling into default on their student loan obligations. That means that in 2015, about 40,000 borrowers had their Social Security benefits offset to repay those loans. With 69% of Social Security recipients having no other regular retirement income, an offset may

Even as aging Americans revel in the splendor of their well-earned retirements they still harbor plenty of worries, such as outliving their savings. Near the top of the worry list is the fear their health will deteriorate so much they’ll be forced to seek long-term care, a situation that could have them and their families slammed with expenses far beyond what they can afford. Surprisingly enough, the solution to this particular problem may be right in their home, tucked away in a drawer. “Many people don’t realize that a life insurance policy can be converted to pay for assisted living, home care and all other forms of long-term care,” says Chris Orestis, a senior-care

advocate and author of the books Help on the Way and A Survival Guide to Aging. “What’s really sad is that, when they’re suddenly confronted with the reality of long-term care expenses, some older people may let the policy lapse figuring they can no longer afford it. And it’s the very thing that holds the answer to their financial worries.” Part of the problem is that, while millions of people own life insurance policies, few of them understand their rights as owner, says Orestis, CEO of Life Care Funding (lifecarefunding.com). “Life insurance policies are assets,” he says. “Think of them just like a house. The owner of a house wouldn’t just move out without selling their property. Why should the owner of a policy ‘move out’ without first finding out what the real value of the policy is?” Here are a few key facts about how that life insurance policy can be converted to a long-term care benefit plan and potentially rescue the senior and their family from the back-breaking financial strain of long-term care:

April 2017 • “A Living Benefit.” A longterm care benefit plan allows policy holders to use any form of life insurance policy to pay for longterm care. In essence, what was a death benefit that would have been paid to the person’s survivors becomes a “living benefit” that covers the expenses of the policy holder now. • You can convert when you need it. You can’t wait until you’re about to move into a nursing home or assisted-living facility to buy long-term care insurance. At that point, it’s too late. But you can convert a life insurance policy to a long-term benefit plan at any time. There are no waiting periods, no care limitations and there are no costs or obligations to apply, Orestis says. • The full death benefit comes into play. The value of the conversion is not limited to the cash value, but is based on the death benefit. “That means the senior will receive a maximum amount of value toward their longterm care benefit plan,” Orestis says. If the insured person dies before the benefit amount is exhausted, any remaining balance is paid to the family or the named beneficiary as a final lump-sum payment. “Families can go broke trying to provide for a loved one,” Orestis says. “In many cases, they could have avoided it but they had only known about this solution.”

continued on page 16

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Bi-Annual Special Section Retirement & Assisted Living Communities Is it time to consider a move? Twice each year Northwest Prime Time brings you our Retirement & Assisted Living Communities Guide. As the experts say, even if you are healthy and active and don’t foresee a move anytime soon, planning ahead will maximize your options. See our featured retirement housing listings on pages 14 - 17.

Downsizing to a Senior Living Community De-Clutter, Downsize and Minimalize

Are you grappling with the prospect of downsizing, parting with what you have accumulated for years and then moving? It’s not as difficult as it seems, according to Senior Move Specialist Mary Jo Zeller. She does it every day. Just like Senior Move Specialists across the country, Zeller helps people downsize from their current home to move to into retirement communities. In specializing with seniors, Zeller’s task is to raise open-ended questions about someone’s furniture and home’s contents. It’s not her job to tell someone what they can or can’t bring but rather make sure what someone brings will fit into their new home. Talking with people opens the floodgates of memories, she says. She helps people build confidence to part with long-valued items. If you haven’t moved in 10-20 or more years, moving can be a daunting task. Plan ahead if possible – it is not too early to start organizing! Here are Zeller’s tips for downsizing, decluttering and minimalizing: • To get used to the routine of sorting and discarding, start with a spice cabinet. Look for “Best By Date.” People find spices that are well over their expiration date and it is easier to part with these items. This helps establish a rhythm. Start with this easy decision to help you get into a groove of sorting and organizing. • Work room by room identifying treasures. Treasures are items of high sentimental value but only represent 20-30% of what we own. Ordinary items are 70% of what is in a home and ordinary items can be easily replaced – don’t worry or stress over ordinary items. Treasures can be moved, regifted, donated or sold. • We are creatures of habit. You know what you use every day or wear. This is what you move. If you haven’t used it or worn it in 1-3 years, let it go. Bring what brings you joy. • Clutter didn’t start out as clutter. An object may have initially brought joy but no longer does. We don’t need to hang on to something simply because we spent money on it. • Everyone has one emotional place in a home that they will struggle with, but it is different for every individual. It could be photos, shoes, sets of china or books. Zeller advises saving these for last while

starting with the easiest room first. Consider the junk drawer in the kitchen to get the process started. • Remember it’s not all or none. If you aren’t ready to part with something, take only a portion. Five vases can be cut down to one or two vases. If you can’t part with your late husband’s golf clubs, taking a putter may suffice. • We hang on to many objects believing we’ll need them in the future. “I simply give someone permission to part with these things,” says Zeller. She cites the example of her crafting tools. Stain glass making was her hobby, but when she had exhausted making stain glass objects for everyone she knew, she needed to let it go. There was no point in storing all of the stain glass tools and materials in the hopes she would return to these years later. More downsizing tips from

Relocation.com: • Get the measurements of all the rooms in your new home before you move so you know exactly how much space you’ll have for your belongings, says Nancy Pelham, a professional organizer and owner of Helping Hands. You don’t want to find out from the moving company on the big day that everything won’t fit. “Have a realistic assessment of space limitations,” she advises. Measure the furniture you want to take with you to determine if they will fit or not. • Identify items to be passed down as heirlooms. Make a list of things you want to give away. If your loved ones don’t want the items, consider selling it or donating it to charity. • During the packing process, you can use different colored stickers to identify items to be moved to the new home, thrown out or given away.

It helps to do this well in advance and you can tackle it a little bit at a time so it doesn’t get overwhelming. Start this process early. • Be patient! This is a timeconsuming process and it can difficult. It might be easier if you spend some of this time with patient family members to go through the items and reminisce about earlier days. You can recall fond memories and fill in your loved ones on important family history. • Finally, when packing, remember that some items you are moving might be worth more than you estimate because they’ve become antiques or collectibles. For especially valuable belongings, consider carrying them with you rather than entrusting them to the movers. If you want the moving companies to handle them, consider buying separate insurance. ❖

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April 2017

Not Your Parents’ Retirement Community …by Kirk Vaux

There may come a time when you will need to consider downsizing to a safer, more secure housing situation. And, as you probably Kirk J. Vaux already have realized, senior housing of the New Millennium has evolved immensely in the last 20 years. Having the right information about the options available will make all the difference in whether you or someone you care about transitions successfully. It is important to find the right senior housing option as this will allow a senior to have the appropriate level of support and care. Factors such as the senior’s health and financial situation are critical to the decision since there are so many levels of care, each with different service and payment options. Here is an outline of some senior housing options, their features and approximate costs: Independent Living. As the name suggests, this type of apartment (or mobile park)

living is for independent and active adults interested in recreation and social opportunities. Residents usually have little or no healthcare needs. Some independent communities offer meals, but many are set up for seniors with full independence. Programs differ greatly. Another attractive feature of these communities is that many offer an activity calendar, including in-house events and off-site adventures. Pricing for one bedroom apartments start at around $775 and up per month without meals, or $2500/month and up for those with meal plans (less if you are eligible for subsidized housing programs). These are most commonly paid for with private funds. Assisted Living. These communities are designed for people who do not need care 24 hours a day, but require some assistance with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL), which might include getting dressed, bathing or prescription management. The apartments include bedrooms, kitchenettes (no oven or stove) and living areas and a meal plan. Depending on the resident’s

health needs, this option will cost approximately $500 to $2,000 per month over and above what similar Independent Living would cost and is paid for most often by private funds or long-term care insurance. Adult Family Homes. This option is very similar to assisted living communities, but on a much smaller scale. Adult family homes are typically located in residential areas. These single family homes have been remodeled into a property that will house up to six residents. Typically, there is a nurse on staff to assist with ADL’s and other health needs. Three meals a day will be served as well as light activities. Prices will range from $5000 to $8,000 per month Memory Care. Memory care communities can be either free-standing property or a part of an assisted living situation. These will typically offer everything Assisted Living offers but in a much more secure environment and much higher “staff to resident” ratio. When considering a Memory Care situation, safety, supervision and structured activities should be made a high

priority. Memory care housing is typically $8000 to $12,000 per month, depending on the resident’s needs. Payment options vary depending on the level of care chosen for the resident. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are a newer style of property on the market. These offer a full range of benefits including independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. As an individual’s healthcare needs change, he or she can remain on the property but transfer to the next level of care needed, allowing a person to “age in place.” This type of community may have a significant upfront buy-in and a typical monthly fee of $4000 to $7,000, but entrance fees and monthly rates vary tremendously. Entrance fees for CCRCs in the greater Seattle area for a onebedroom apartment can start at around $100,000 (and up) with monthly fees starting at $2,200. Two bedrooms can be rented for an entry fee range of $250,000 to $500,000 range continued on page 13

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www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 11

Finding a Safe Place for My Stuff A Downsizing Tale

…by Cheryle Hoskins Bigelow

The program for the Grid-GoRound was dated l957 and cost a quarter. The program for the “Turkey Day” Cheryle Hoskins Bigelow football game at Lincoln High School in Tacoma contained a picture of the quarterback that caused girls in saddle shoes to swoon when he lumbered down the hall. I had tucked them away in the box containing paraphernalia from my high school days. I was going through it in preparation for our move to Sequim. I was concerned that my family would discard the programs when I passed away. My goal was to find a safe house for items that spoke of my life and me while I could do it myself. I mailed one of the programs to my high school reunion committee in hopes they are still in touch with the quarterback. I gave the other program to a friend who attended an opposing school mentioned in the souvenir. I also gave him a ribbing that his school had not won the Grid-Go-Round

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family history so she will be a good caretaker and she is willing to share with the entire family. One of my daughters spoke for my collection of milk glass with pieces dating back to 1960 and the other one asked for my extensive collection of “ginger people.” I gave my children the few pieces of jewelry I possessed that had monetary value, so the baubles already have a new home and no “discussions” will be necessary later. My collection of angel figures were parceled out, one each, to the households in the family and the remainder donated to church to sell at a fundraiser. Friends who actively support the military accepted the red, white

competition I dropped off for ten years. the businessSome rivalries appropriate never cease. clothes I wore How can during my career anyone dispose at an agency that of keepsakes assists woman in stashed away need prepare for after the job interviews. Prom? I was in My younger contact with Some of Cheryle’s treasures included mementos sister lugged the librarian from her years at Tacoma’s Lincoln High School home family at Lincoln pictures and recently. She invited me to forward heirlooms. I relayed the backthe quaint dance cards and some story of the items to the best of my other items collected during my knowledge. She is interested in the continued on page 15 high-school tour of duty to her for the archives. Good save. The Eastside’s I went through my other “hope Premier Downsizing Realtor chest” secrets before I remarried and disposed of some of the notes my first love passed to me in folded, crumbled wads in junior high Windermere Real Estate, East Inc. school. I discarded pictures of other 206-850-4570 blokes who had dodged cupid’s KirkVaux@Windermere.com arrow and Valentine’s cards with KirkVaux.com personal notes. Okay, okay, I did DON’T MISS KIRK’S NEXT COMPLIMENTARY PRESENTATION: stash away a few mementos. The Senior’s Guide to Eating I framed my album that an Elephant … included the song “The Ballad of Downsizing from your long-time family the Green Berets” and gave it to home, one “bite” at a time! a pal who served in Viet Nam. A Saturday, April 22nd - 11AM-Noon woman friend asked for my excess King County Library, 14250 SE Newport Way, Bellevue 98006 fabric, patterns and sewing notions Please call PLUS! A special guest speaker specializing in the sorting, packing, to donate to underprivileged 206-850-4570 and liquidation of senior's possessions. to reserve your seat women who are learning to stitch.

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3/15/17 12:27 PM

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Moving In With a Child

April 2017

Retirement Community Living

Should You Do It?

The Dirt on Garbage

…by Lisa M. Petsche

...by Janet Taggart

When older folks are living alone, there may be concerns from others about their physical well-being, emotional welfare or both. Particularly in situations where they are having health problems or do not live close by, a son or daughter may invite them to move in. If you receive such an offer, ask yourself the following questions and take time to honestly and thoroughly answer each one before making a decision. Interpersonal Issues What kind of relationship do you and your son or daughter have? How well do you get along with others in the household? Any personality clashes are sure to be magnified when you are living under the same roof. If you need assistance, are you comfortable with the idea of role reversal? Your Needs And Expectations Would the move uproot you from important relationships and community connections such as supportive longtime neighbors, a church congregation or seniors’ clubs? If you have a pet, can it be accommodated? If your child has pets, are you comfortable around them? If you have a chronic illness, how are your needs likely to change? Would you expect your family to provide whatever help you may require? If so, are they willing and able? Your Family’s Needs And Expectations Would you be expected to contribute to the household in practical ways, such as cooking meals or providing child care? If you require assistance: Would

Many of the residents in my retirement living apartment have impressive records of success in their businesses and personal lives. Their names Janet Taggart are frequently followed by letters such as BA, MA, and Ph.D, yet in spite of their professional and military accomplishments they seemingly cannot master the rules of garbage disposal. They can be seen holding items such as shabby tennis shoes, broken vacuums and brooms worn to a nub, standing, obviously perplexed and anxious, in front of a line of bins. They your child or other household members are aware that making the wrong be able to cope with the demands of choice can subject them to scorn from caregiving? Would they have enough maintenance people and their fellow time to devote to the rest of their tenants who are advocates for the family? Would they still have time for environment and only want to save our whatever else is important to them? planet from the ravages of uncontrolled Lifestyle Issues garbage. Do you and your son or daughter The confusion is understandable. have similar lifestyles and values? If not, Before retirement, most lived in are differences likely to be an ongoing neighborhoods where two categories source of tension? of unwanted material and goods had If you require care, how might to be sorted from one another and your needs affect your child’s work life, carried to the curb. From there it was social life, vacation plans and other picked up in trucks—one equipped pursuits? Is he or she prepared to make with a compactor and another that adjustments? hauled away manufactured items. The Available Supports people performing these tasks were Would you be within walking called garbage men and often became distance of a convenience store, well-acquainted with the home owners, pharmacy or bank? What about much like the people who delivered proximity to a place of worship? Would the mail and who sometimes served the you be close to public transit routes? same neighborhood for a lifetime. Easy access to at least some amenities Today, garbage has developed would maximize your independence. subtitles. On the bin usually labeled Would friends and former as “Food and Yard Waste,” the term continued on page 17 essentially implies that it is organic and

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includes foodstuffs and yard clippings. Formerly, these same items may have been labeled “compost.” What was once called “trash” by some is now labeled as “recycle,” and includes glass, metal and paper. It must be clean (though not perfectly) and it eventually becomes useful in a new life. “Trash” still exists. It is the detritus of everyday life and does not meet the definition of the other categories. Paper is further segregated for disposal, but subject to change by the rule-makers. For example, pizza boxes were once considered recyclable, but have now become compost (also known as “Food and Yard Waste”). Clean paper, such as newspaper and cardboard boxes, are tossed into recycle along with plastic items, as long as those items have “height, weight and depth” and conform to the identifying number system your recycler accepts. To all the men and women out there who are engineers, you can be of help to those of us who have trouble identifying these objects. [Hazardous materials are not suited to any of these categories and require specialized disposal.] Sometimes expressions of nostalgia are heard for the city dump where items could be tossed with abandon, without restriction and where sometimes a discarded object could be spotted and taken home as a prized additional item to the household. But although we may yearn for the old days when all we had was garbage and trash, we become better citizen partners in preserving our community, and indeed the world, by making it a healthier place for all of us. A colorful picture display of the items and rules for disposal is available from Seattle Public Utilities and is very helpful, or check with your local provider. ❖

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April 2017

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Not Your Parents’ Retirement Community ...continued from page 10

and a monthly rental of $3,000$5,000. Entry fees of upwards of $1,000,000 are not unheard of in today’s market! It is very important to note, there is a wide range of pricing for CCRC properties based on services offered, square footage, view and location in the community. Because of the significant financial obligation of the style of community, I strongly suggest, when you’ve decided on a particular Community, to have an estate attorney review all documents. The most common form of payment is private funds. [Editor’s note: look for an article about Continuing Care Communities, including costs, payment options and modified contracts with lower entrance and monthly fees, in Northwest Prime Time’s next Retirement Housing issue.] My greatest hope is that this article will give you some clarity as to features and financial considerations of each style of retirement community. But truly the best way to find yourself your next home is to go out with a friend or family member and tour as many communities as possible in the neighborhoods that you are most interested in. Happy touring! ❖ Kirk Vaux is a Senior Real Estate Specialist at Windermere Real Estate/ East Inc. Join him on Saturday, April 22 from 11am to noon for a free presentation on downsizing from your long-time family home. The presentation will include information on sorting, packing and liquidation of your possessions. The presentation takes place at the Newport Way Library, 14250 SE Newport Way, Bellevue. Kirk can be reached at 206850-4570 or visit kirkvaux.com.

Tips and Questions When Considering a Retirement Community Some considerations when choosing a retirement community: Cost – According to the U.S. Department of Labor, no more than 60% of your income (or combined income for a couple) should go toward supporting you in a retirement community. Consider entrance fees and monthly costs. Is this a nonprofit or for-profit facility? Are any subsidies available? Do you have long-term care insurance, pension benefits or other resources to help with these costs? Be sure you know all services that are (and are not) provided for your monthly fee. TIP: Total all of your current monthly expenses including housing costs, food, home maintenance, utilities, real estate taxes, housekeeping and other housing expenses and compare to the monthly expense at the community you’re considering. Make sure you know what the contract covers in terms of services and meal plans. Services – What is the full range of services available, which of these are covered in the basic fee and which are extra? Do you require help with any day-today activities or housekeeping chores? Fully consider all services or assistance you need now or may need soon when selecting a facility. Make sure you fully understand the contract and what it covers in terms of services. • What is covered in the upfront fee? • Would you (or your heirs) get any part of your upfront fee back if you move out? • Make sure you understand the change in monthly fees should you start in independent and move to assisted living.

• If married, will you have to pay more in monthly fees if your partner needs assisted living and you want to keep your apartment? • Consider having an attorney look over any contract before you sign it. Transporation & Medical Services – Consider how frequently you need to keep medical appointments and if the community transportation schedule meets your needs or offers alternatives. Will you be able to keep your current doctor or will you need to find a new one closer to your new home? Can you transfer your prescriptions and does the new pharmacy accept your prescription coverage plan? Meals – Do you have special dietary needs? Do you like the menu? How often are meals served and what meals are included in the fee? Are snacks available during non-meal hours? Activities – Does the facility offer the types of activities and programs that you enjoy? Check out their full schedule. Location – Is the facility convenient to friends, family and the activities you enjoy? Walking & public transportation opportunities –

Although many communities offer transportation for shopping, medical appointments and excursions, is there a nearby bus stop? Check out walking trails and routes in the neighborhood. Is there a nearby library and other services that are important to you? Affiliations – Does the facility have a religious, fraternal or governmental affiliation? Pets – Do they accept pets? Make a list of your criteria and questions, and visit several facilities that seem to meet your needs. Bring a friend or family member to compare notes and help ask questions. Use your senses ... do you like the looks of the place? How does it smell? See if you can have a meal at the facility and attend some scheduled activities. Ask about the management, their experience in the business, their track record and check out their reputation at this and any other facilities they manage. What is the staffto-resident ratio? Does the staff seem harried or irritable? (might be a sign of understaffing). How long has key staff worked there (administrator, head nurse, social worker, marketing person)? ❖

Transforming and Redeﬁning Aging. Everyday. Are you investigating care for your elderly veteran or family member? Are you surprised at the costs? If so, you’re certainly not alone!

Call (206) 281-5744

Schedule a tour, meet our residents and view our beautiful apartments. Ask for our special promotions.

The average monthly costs for assisted living is over $3,400.00. With a need for assistance and living on a fixed income, getting the needed care can be a real challenge. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that help may be available from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Benefits exist that can absorb 20-50% or even more of these monthly costs. Normandy Park Senior Living is here to help you thoroughly understand your entitlement and benefit rights and help you obtain this vital assistance as quickly and professionally as possible.

Call Today And Let Us Help. 206-241-0821 A 62+ Nonproﬁt Life Plan Community 11 West Aloha Street | Seattle, WA 98119 Bayviewseattle.org *Bayview Resident Allan

A member of the Artēgan family of communities.

16625 1st Ave. S, Normandy Park, WA 98148

www.normandyparksl.com

normandypark@artegan.com

Granite Falls

Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

Retirement Living Sampler

Organized by region: Seattle & Points North; Eastside; South King & Pierce Counties

Marysville

Seattle Area & Points North

April 2017

528 including: Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mercer Island, Mukilteo, Seattle

SLAND 1. Aljoya Mercer Island: 2430 76th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040 • 206-230-0150 • eraliving.com SNOHOMISH

2. Aljoya Thornton Place (North Seattle): 450 NE 100th Street, Seattle, WA 98125 • 206-306-7920 • eraliving.com St. Seattle, WA 98119 • 206-284-7330 • www.bayviewseattle.org 3. Bayview 529 525 Retirement Community: 11 West Aloha 524

4. Cedar Creek Memory Care Community: 21006 72nd Ave. West, Edmonds, WA 98026 • 425-301-6425 • www.cedarcreekedmonds.com

Everett

Clinton & Village: 13023 Greenwood Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98133 • 206-364-1300 • www.fosscare.org 5. Foss Home 6. Foundation House at Northgate: 11301 3rd Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98125 • 206-361-2758 • www.FoundationHouseNG.com

Mukilteo 5 Mukilteo, WA 98275 • (425) 493-8555 • www.hpretire.com 10200 Harbour Pl, 7. Harbour Pointe Senior Living: 2

Greenwood Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98133 • 206-361-1989 • eraliving.com 8. Ida Culver House Broadview: 12505 526

Snohomish WA 98115 • 206-523-7315 • eraliving.com 9. Ida Culver House Ravenna: 2315 NE 65th Street, Seattle, 10. The Kenney: 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW 99 Seattle, WA 98136 • 206-937-2800 • www.thekenney.org 525

11. The Lakeshore: 11448 Rainier Avenue S., Seattle, WA 98178 • 206-772-1200 • eraliving.com 96

12. Quail Park of Lynnwood: 4015 164th St SW Lynnwood, WA 98087 • 425-689-5672 • www.quailparkoflynnwood.com/nw 9

2 13. Quail Park Memory Care Residences of West Seattle: 4515 41st Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116 • 206-455-8842 • www.qpmcwestseattle.com/ 527

Sultan

Monroe

14. Northaven Retirement and Northaven Assisted Living: 11045 8th NE Seattle, WA 98125 • 206-365-3020 • www.Northavenseniorliving.org 15. Parkshore: 1630 43rd Ave. E Seattle, WA 98112 • 206-438-4720 • www.parkshore.org 524

at Lake City: 13730 Lake405 City Way NE,524 Seattle WA 98125 • 206-482-8808 • www.thesavoylakecity.com 16. The Savoy Lynnwood

ingston

522

Edmonds University House Wallingford: 4400 Stone Way N., Seattle, WA 98103 • 206-545-8400 • eraliving.com 17. 104

(Mukilteo) (Edmonds)

522

(Lynnwood)

203

Kirkland

9 513

520

SEATTLE

Redmond

908

405

Duvall

Woodinville

523

5 8

Bothell

104

520

Bellevue 90

519

Fall City

Issaquah

Fauntleroy Hts.

Carnation

202

202 11

509 599

N B

900 900

518

Renton 99

509

167 181

169

515

April 2017

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 15

Studios

1-Bedroom

2-Bedroom+

Dining/meals

Pets

Ad located on page...

Total Units

Memory Care

Cost Range

Assisted

Entrance Fee

Independent

Community Name

Skilled Nursing

Seattle Area & Points North

1. Aljoya Mercer Island

114

Yes

Please call: (206) 230-0150

2. Aljoya Thornton Place

142

Yes

Please call: (206) 306-7920

124

124 53 60 11 (Ind) (Ind) (Ind) (Ind)

Yes

Independent Monthly range $2,170-$5,100 (incl. couples pricing)

80 beds

$1,500

$147-220 per day

none

Call for information: 206-364-1300

n/a

None

Month to month rentals $1,675 - $4,995

3. Bayview Retirement Community

43 X

4. Cedar Creek Memory Care Community X

5. Foss Home & Village 6. Foundation House at Northgate

7. Harbour Pointe Senior Living

8. Ida Culver House Broadview

9. Ida Culver House Ravenna

10. The Kenney

11. The Lakeshore

12. Quail Park of Lynnwood

194

15. Parkshore

110

16. The Savoy at Lake City

17. University House Wallingford

X 7

105

2/3

$1,500

$2,650 - $4,600 excludes Memory Care

241

From $2,850

From $2,400

166

$48,715-$339,895

$2,285-$6,800

156

From $2,675

130

Yes

$2,900-$6,000, depending on apartment size and style

No, but there is a Community Fee

None

Independent-HUD based on income Assisted Living: $3,900

Yes

Yes. Refundable Option Available

Starts at $190,000

n/a

Community Fee $1,500

Prices from $1,675-$2,525 Includes all utilities

From $3,200

14. Northaven Retirement and Northaven Assisted Living:

104

13. Quail Park Memory Care Residences of West Seattle

X 234

174

168

146

...continued on page 16

When to Go To Emergency Room; When to Consider Alternative, Less Expensive Options ...continued from page 7

Urgent care centers, which accept most insurance, Medicare and cash payments, can also provide a considerable service to patients’ wallets. Depending on the copay and level of treatment, the average urgent care visit ranges from $50 to $150 while an ER visit can range from $1,200 to $2,200. Health insurers, like Humana, are increasingly offering telemedicine as an added benefit in medical plans as a way for health plan members to connect remotely with boardcertified medical providers. These providers can be accessed easily via voice or video, usually through a mobile device. Average wait times are under 10 minutes, you can connect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the visit is typically the cost of a copay. Telemedicine clinicians are uniquely trained to treat patients virtually and fully licensed to practice in a particular patient’s state. As a result, patient issues are typically resolved during 83 percent of initial telemedicine visits.

Emergency Situations Going to the ER – or calling 911 – is the right course of action for lifethreatening situations where patients exhibit severe symptoms or have a serious injury or illness, including head trauma, chest pain, loss of consciousness and severe burns. However, research shows that up to half of ER visits usually don’t require an ER. As a result, people might end up paying more than they need to for non-emergency care. More importantly, these non-emergency situations clog up emergency rooms and drive up the cost of care for everyone. Reducing Confusion In addition to traditional hospital ERs, there have been a number of free-standing ERs that have popped up across the country in recent years. Typically located in retail centers, these facilities are often affiliated with hospitals or physician groups, have advanced life-saving technologies and maintain hours similar to traditional ERs. As a result, freestanding ERs charge traditional ER prices. Since many of these facilities physically resemble urgent care centers, some patients who go to a free-standing ER for nonemergency care may not realize the difference until they receive

the bill. Therefore, it is important for you to take the following precautions to avoid higher costs: • Determine before leaving the house whether the visit is emergency-related • Check the physician finder feature on your health insurer’s website to find an urgent care or retail clinic in your network. Many health insurers, like Humana, offer a mobile app you can use to locate an in-network provider while on the go • Confirm the type of facility you’re visiting as soon as you arrive – this is especially important since some facilities like urgent care centers and freestanding ERs may look alike, and • Keep a list of the phone numbers and addresses of choices that you have for non-emergency care like a nurse advice line, a local retail clinic, urgent care location or telemedicine service posted on your fridge at home or on your mobile phone. Understanding the differences on what type of facility to use and when will help you make the right decision for you and your family, as well as avoid unnecessary costs. ❖ Richard Smith, MD is Humana’s medical director for the Intermountain Region, which includes Washington state.

Finding a Safe Place for My Stuff ...continued from page 11

and blue decorations we collected for our annual Independence Day parties. Now they will have more flags and banners to wave from the Freedom Bridge at the Madigan Gate to Joint Base Lewis-McChord to support military convoys passing below. Some pass-a-longs, like my collection of little glass shoes, drew tears. I gave them to my grown-up granddaughter who used to try to put them on her chubby toddler feet. My husband got the memo. He assembled a toolbox for our grandson, stocked with his extras of items a young man will need to take care of routine maintenance, then transferred the remainder of his “man stuff” to a storage unit we had rented to stow grungy belongings until we relocated. I have attached a list of personal property to my will designating who should receive the remaining bits and pieces that tell my story. I have tried to audit my personal possessions sufficiently so my family will not have to make difficult choices about disposing of the traces of my life someday. ❖

Edmonds

104

307

104 Bothell Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 522

Poulsbo Retirement Living Sampler

Woodinville Organized by region: Seattle & Points North; Duvall

Eastside; South King & Pierce Counties

523

South King & Pierce Counties 99

April 2017

203 Milton, Normandy Park including: Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Gig Harbor,

308

Kirkland

908 Way, WA 98003 • 253-838-0517 • www.belmormhc.com 1. 3 Belmor Park & Country Club: 2101 S. 324th St., Federal Redmond 513

305

405 Silverdale2. Boulevard Park Place: 2805 S. 125th St., Burien WA 98168 • 206-243-0300 • www.boulevardparkplace.com 202 Carnation

303 Bainbridge Assisted Living & Memory Care: 2901 I St NE Auburn,520Wa 98002 • 253-736-2800 • www.villageconcepts.com 3. Brannan Park Island SEATTLE Bellevue 4. Harbor Place at Cottesmore: 1016 29th St NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 • 253-853-3354 • HarborPlaceRetirement.com 520

302

509

Renton

169

167 515

181

Purdy

Kent

18 516

Gig Harbor

509

Federal Way

KING

Auburn 18

512

1. Belmor Park & Country Club 2. Boulevard Park Place 5 Active Retirement Living

3. Brannan Park Assisted Living & Memory Care

4. Harbor Place at Cottesmore

6. Normandy Park 510

Yelm Lea Hill 8. Wesley Homes

702

507

Miscellaneous Stuff about Money ...continued from page 8

create serious financial hardship for many affected seniors. Trust Issues: What Should Beneficiaries Know? If you have your money in a trust, should you let your beneficiaries know? Some states allow residents to have quiet or silent trusts. That means you can leave your money to your heirs without them knowing about it. Why would you do this? Some parents don’t want their kids to know how much they might inherit, for fear they will live irresponsibly. Some advisors warn against a silent trust because children have ways of finding out, and then they live irresponsibly anyway.

127

206

162

104

110

X X

175

Pets

$1,000 Community Fee

127

YES 3 YES

$2,000 for Ind. & 3 X Carbonado Assisted Living

513

165

155

148

Buckley

Entrance Fee

326

Enumclaw

7. Wesley Homes Des Moines

126 X

South King & Pierce Counties

161

507

5. The Meridian at Stone Creek:

Sumner

Dining/meals

Lakewood

Puyallup

164

167

2-Bedroom+

Independent

167

Memory Care

Community Name

161

1-Bedroom

705

169

Tacoma

Skilled Nursing

163

Assisted

Maple Valley

Cost Range

410 Lot Rent $775-$900 New Homes starting at $149,000

Ad located on page...

SPUR 302

518

Studios

90 Meridian at Stone Creek: 1111 S 376th St, 5. The310 519 Milton, WA 98354 • 253-248-4448 • www.meridianatstonecreek.com Bremerton Fall City Park Senior Living: 16625 1st Ave. South, Normandy Park, WA, 9098148 • 206-241-0821 • www.normandyparksl.com 304 6. Normandy 99 PORT ORCHARD S 216th St, Des Moines, WA 98198 • 206-824-5000 • desmoines.wesleyhomes.org Issaquah 7. Wesley Homes Des Moines: 816 Fauntleroy 166 202 Southworth Wesley Homes Lea Hill: 32049 109th Place SE,509Auburn, WA 98092 • 253-876-6000 • leahill.wesleyhomes.org 8. 16 Vashon Hts. North 160 599 900 Bend 900 2

Total Units

One Bedrooms start at $1,575 Two Bedrooms start at $2,140

$1,995-$4,500 + Any care

n/a

Call 253-853-3354 for current rates

$3,000

$2,300-$4,200

X X 3 PIERCE

X 165

$1,000

$6,875-$7,500 Memory Care $3,300-$4,350 Assisted

Varies

0 1 2 3 4 5 Call 206-824-5000 for current rates

MI 9

Fully Refundable

0 for current 4 Call 253-876-6000 rates8

KM 9

Also, there might be an increased risk of litigation with a quiet trust. The trustee must act in the best interest of 7 Eatonville the beneficiaries. When the children ultimately become aware of the trust, they may seek to challenge any past decisions the trustee made. Better approach, incentivize responsible behavior with a different trust. It’s actually called an incentive trust, and provides opportunities for you to shape the future behavior of your heirs. Incentive trusts provide positive reinforcement by communicating terms of the trust, let beneficiaries know what they must do to receive their rewards, and provide them the help they need to succeed. Tax Credit for Retirement Savers If you (or your adult children) are on the lower end of the income spectrum and have an IRA or other retirement plan,

WASHINGTON STATE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION Geographic Services, Cartography and GIS SMALL PUGET SOUND BASE MAP * At AGI exceeding $62,000, the DECEMBER 2008

there might be a special income tax credit credit is completely phased out. available. But to get it, you must claim it. It’s the Retirement Savings Contributions Head of household filers: AGI of $27,750 or less brings a credit Credit, more commonly called the Saver’s of 50%. Credit. It’s intended to provide lower \\dotfsolygeo2\cartography\state\GIS\BaseMap8x11\MXD\Finished\PugetSoundFINAL.mxd AGI exceeding $46,500, the credit is income individuals with an incentive to completely phased out. save for retirement security. All other filers: The amount you qualify for depends *AGI of $18,500 or less, the credit is on your filing status and your income, 50%. and is a percentage of the amount you * At AGI exceeding $31,000, the contributed to your retirement plan. The maximum credit you can receive credit completely phases out. For elective contributions to on your 2016 return (and 2017) is $1,000 retirement plans under 401(k) or 403(b) if you file a single return, or $2,000 if your you would’ve had to complete them by file a married joint return. If you meet the qualifications and limits (listed below) you December 31. However, the Saver’s Credit and contributions to a new or existing will need to file IRS Form 8880. IRA will be permitted until the filing date For married taxpayers filing jointly: * For adjusted gross income (AGI) of for your 2016 tax return (April 18, 2017). For more details, go to https://www.irs. $37,000 or less, the credit is 50% of your gov/taxtopics/tc610.html ❖ qualified contributions.

525

April 2017

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 17

Sultan

Retirement Living Sampler 9

527

Eastside

524

Lynnwood

Monroe

including: Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland

405

524

Organized by region: Seattle & Points North; Eastside; South King & Pierce Counties

522

1. The Gardens at Town Square: 933 111th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 • 425-688-1900 • eraliving.com

104

House 12215 N.E. 128th St., Kirkland, WA 98034 • Phone: 425-821-8210 • www.madisonhouseretirement.com 2. Madison 104 Bothell 522

3. University House Issaquah: 22975 SE Black Nugget Road, Issaquah, WA 98029 • 425-557-4200 • eraliving.com Woodinville

Duvall

523

Kirkland

Redmond

908

513

203

405

ATTLE

520

Bellevue

519

Fall City

Issaquah

ntleroy

202 599

Eastside

2. Madison House

Kent

3. University House Issaquah

18 516

Ad located on page...

Pets

1. The Gardens at Town Square

Dining/meals

181

2-Bedroom+

515

1-Bedroom

167

Cost Range

Studios

509

Entrance Fee

Total Units

169 Assisted

Community Name Renton

Independent

518

North Bend

900

Memory Care

509

Carnation

202

520

Skilled Nursing

nds

Snohomish

168

From $2,800

140

Yes

$5,000

$120-190 per day

184

From $3,050

Maple Valley

KING

discovered the broad delta and stayed. Then Moving In With a Child in the 1960s, a new generation of artists and 169 18 ...continued from page 12 poets showed up…Even though it was on the ...continued from page 2 maps, Fishtown was and six steamboats next to impossible to neighbors be able to visit that stopped every get to unless you had a frequently? Consider the distance day on their runs boat. It was frequently they would have to travel to get 164 167 161Seattle and between looked for by friends, to your new location and what and later by travelers type of transportation is available 167Bellingham. One Sumner settler wrote, “Fidalgo on the hippy trail, to them. Enumclaw City! It’s like the but they were usually If your child lives in a Puyallup Promised Land! The told, ‘it’s there, but you different area, how easily could water wheel is over can’t get there from you link with needed medical 40 feet high! Keeps here.’ ” supports such as a new primary 410 512 Buckley the mill humming, For more on care physician? What kinds of Deception, also known as Fidalgo City, was turning out lumber. Skagit County’s community support services are 165 called the “Promised Land” I’ll have building “Lost Cities,” call available to assist in meeting contracts for the rest of my life.” The national 360-466-3365 or visit the Skagit County your needs, either now or in the economic depression162 of 1893 ended those Historical Museum at 501 S. 4th Street in future? dreams, and the town with so much promise La Conner. You can also visit the museum’s Finances 161 faded away. A scattering of private homes marks website at www.skagitcounty.net/museum for How much would you be Carbonado the area today. an interactive “Lost Cities” map. If you plan expected to contribute toward According to to visit the museum, household expenses? Steve Herold, author check out their Do you have savings or of Where the River exhibit “Washington insurance that would cover Ends: Art & Poetry Remembers World the cost of any needed medical 165 of the Lower Skagit, War II” on display equipment or healthcare Fishtown (near through June 25. ❖ 0 1 services? 2 3 4If not, 5 would MI your family LaConner) “began be prepared to pay for them? in the 1860s when a Mari C. Densmore Home Setup 0 4Is there sufficient 8 KM space in the group of fishermen is the archivist at the built their cabins Skagit County Historical home toSTATE meet everyone’s needs Fishtown attracted artists and hippies in the early WASHINGTON DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION 70s. Photo by Mary Randlett, courtesy UW on the north bank Museum. She has written for privacy? Would you have Geographic Services, Cartography and GIS special collections of the North Fork articles for Peninsula separate living quarters? SMALL PUGET SOUND BASE MAP near its mouth… Magazine, the Spokane DECEMBER How accessible is the home? 2008 left to go halfway to a ghost town by changes in Spokesman Review, Skagit Valley Herald, and was If adaptations would be needed, fishing regulations.” In the 1930s, “local artists a former staff writer and interim editor at Target what is the estimated cost and 7 such as Guy Anderson and Clayton James Communications. who would pay it? Eatonville

Lost Cities of Skagit Federal Way Auburn

PIERCE

\\dotfsolygeo2\cartography\state\GIS\BaseMap8x11\MXD\Finished\PugetSoundFINAL.mxd

Other Options Before making any decisions, explore alternatives: -home healthcare services and other home supports such as meals on wheels; -live-in help; -home renovations; and -moving to a condominium, seniors’ apartment complex or assisted living facility. Find out if any of these options are appropriate and affordable. The Decision If you decide to move into your son or daughter’s home, consider a six-month trial period with a clear understanding that other options will be pursued if you, your child or other household members feel it’s not working out and issues can’t be resolved. Keep in mind that such a plan involves changes in family dynamics and household routines that will affect daily living. Therefore you need to allow plenty of time for everyone involved to adjust. There are bound to be some difficulties, but these can usually be worked through if you are committed to making the arrangement work. ❖ Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior concerns, and has recent personal experience with elder care.

Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com is so much easier to make – you just

The Funny Side of Life plop it in the oven. They ought to take something off the price. This extra charge seems wrong, morally wrong. And yes, I’ve spent way too much time thinking about this. I sometimes forget things and am afraid that this may be the onset of dementia. Once I forgot my wife’s name and tried to cover by lovingly calling her Pumpkinhead. Unfortunately we had just seen the cult horror film Pumpkinhead on TV. It was a long evening. I still think I have a chance to play professional baseball. At least I don’t think that I still have a chance to play professional football. That would be delusional. I hate when people write “Wash Me” on the rear window of my car. They do it anonymously and then walk away, probably feeling superior. Who do they think they are? It really annoys me. I have done it myself a couple times, but only as an act of kindness to help the person realize that their car is dirty. Even paranoids have enemies. My daughter insists that I only give my granddaughter organic snacks. I agree. Ice cream and chocolate cake are organic, right? It makes me deliriously happy when I see my three-year-old granddaughter put on a jacket or sweater. She squinches up her face and with total concentration clutches the sleeves of her blouse so when she puts her arms through the sweater her blouse sleeves won’t roll back up. And then, when the task is finished, she smiles gloriously at her accomplishment. She’s being a grown up and a child all at once. I guess this rite of passage is kind of like learning to tie shoe laces (but Velcro has largely taken that rite of passage away). I hate having a little notebook to write down my thoughts because that means I will have to come up with some thoughts. That’s a lot of pressure. When I am in Costco, it seems that no matter which way I walk everybody is going in the opposite direction. What do they know that I don’t know? One other thing about Costco – I am offended when the lady at the exit door just checks off my receipt without really looking at my items. Does she think I am too old to steal? I heard on NPR that there is an increase of older people robbing banks. Actually, one older gang was caught during the getaway because they had to pull over and stop their car when one of the robbers had to pee. ❖

Crazy Things I Think About …by Sy Rosen

Here are some of my scattered thoughts and admissions. Some are sweet, some are funny and some are strange (okay, most are Sy Rosen strange). If you can relate to more than three of them, I know a good psychologist for you to see. I have considered cryogenics. I know it probably doesn’t work, but I have a warm sweater and it wouldn’t hurt anybody if I gave it a try. I hear it’s expensive, but I think there’s room for me in our Sub-Zero refrigerator. It might freak out my wife when she gets a midnight snack, but at least she won’t forget me. I don’t know why some restaurants charge to substitute a baked potato for the hash browns. A baked potato

55 plus? Unemployed? Looking for work? We can help you find a job! Call Today! 206-624-6698 Must be financially qualified

It’s not the good life, it’s the best life!

April 2017

The ongoing life-affirming adventures of Rose and Dawn

Madame Parisian …by Diana Couture

“Rose, do you ever miss working? Lately, I’ve been missing the rush, rush of the work week,” asked Dawn as she looked at Rose over the dinner table. The two 80+ year-old women were eating in Dawn’s cozy kitchen. The portions were small, but the gravy with mushrooms and mashed potatoes hit the spot on this cold Seattle evening. Dawn cleared the dishes from the table as she waited for Rose to finish chewing her final bite and answer the strange question. “Are you crazy Dawn? Miss the daily grind of getting up early, fighting traffic and facing snarly coworkers who haven’t had their coffee? Hmmmm. Now that you mention it, I guess I do kind of miss it. I wonder why?” Rose asked incredulously. The teapot on the stove whistled while Dawn rinsed the dishes and thought about her working days. “I think it’s the familiarity of it all, Rose. We’re used to working hard. Retirement is the unknown for us. We’ve never been people of leisure.” “But, Dawnie, we’re now the ‘pros from Dover’ as far as retirement goes. We know how to fill a day with no problems. We can go to the movies at the drop of a hat or decide to go out of town the next day. We’re free of the drudgery of work. So, why would we miss it?” The women looked at each other while remembering years gone by. “Maybe it’s another measure of the short time we have here on earth.” Rose offered. “Well, thanks for that reminder, Rose. I thought I might just be feeling a little bored with retirement, but now I’m facing the ‘countdown to death’?” Dawn said angrily. “NO! No, really I didn’t mean to insinuate that. I just think we’ve got to get busy with things we want to do and not waste time thinking about the past. So tell me

You’ll probably find this considerably more strenuous than other treadmill tests you’ve taken

Dawnie, what’s something you want to do before…well, uhm… you know what I mean?” Dawn furled her brow and thought intently. “I’ve always wanted to take a cooking class. I mean I know I’m a great Italian cook, but I’d like to take a French cooking class. You know, mix things up a little.” “Wow. That’s a great idea honey. I’d like to do that too. Let’s check into it.” Rose enthusiastically responded. The next day Dawn called the senior center to see if they had any idea who might offer a French cooking class. A referral, a call and a few minutes later, she and Rose were signed up for their next cooking ‘experience.’ The girls excitedly set off in Rose’s car for their new adventure, located just a few minutes drive from Greenlake. Arriving early, Rose and Dawn found a beautiful home with welcoming aromas, a huge kitchen and chairs set up in rows in front of a kitchen island the size of an Olympic swimming pool. The class filled quickly with eager students of all ages. The girls chatted with everyone and were thoroughly enjoying themselves when Madame Parisian entered with aplomb. A hush fell over the crowd as if royalty had just entered the room. Madame addressed her audience with much showmanship and heavily accented English. The next two hours were a blur of activity including stirring, poufs of flour and heavy cream all placed in copper pans to produce extraordinary roux and sautés. Rose tried to take notes during the excitement but was unable to take her eyes from the spectacle happening on the kitchen island. Madame Parisian wielded a carving knife like a mobster in a hurry to get the job done. She diced without stopping for a breath. Her sauces were bubbling cauldrons of heavenly aromas and the window of the oven showed a growing soufflé the likes of which had never been seen by this audience before. With a flourish like a ‘John Hancock’ signature, Madame Parisian placed all of the finished dishes in front of her and invited her audience to “Please enjoy.” The women in the class nearly knocked one another over in their haste to get to the sinfully rich spread. “Dawnie,” Rose said with a morsel of soufflé on her lip. “This is one of the best ideas you’ve ever had. But I don’t think I learned enough in this class. We’d better sign up for another one.” ❖

April 2017

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 19

Arbor Daze ...by Len Elliott

Across 1. Actor Nicolas 5. ____-Pei (dog breed) 9. Rented out again 14. Elvis ____ Presley 15. Kind of package or bear 16. 2017 Grammy winner for “Hello” 17. It can be proper or common 18. Stag’s sweetie 19. Spice used in curry powder 20. Howard Hughes’ wooden aircraft 23. Tree to tie a yellow ribbon around? 24. Monotony 25. Tehran’s land 27. Hire a whole new set of actors 31. Comic strip noise 34. Coeur d’____, Idaho 38. Early Ron Howard TV role 39. Like Cheerios 40. Type of geometry 41. Delivery company: abbr. 42. Nobelist Sadat 43. Wile E. Coyote’s supplier 44. “To Live and Die ____” (1985 film): 2 wds. 45. Heralded hostess Perle 46. Part of CD 47. Name Stanley Kowalski famously yelled on stage 49. Species of dabbling duck 51. Help to happen 56. Tree with first name Douglas 58. The Donald’s wife number two, not “tree”

“Angry” Birds

62. Kagan of the Court 64. Its state tree is 23-Across 65. Crusader Rabbit’s tiger companion, familiarly 66. Claims upon property 67. Post-D-Day battle site 68. Someone from Muskogee 69. French heads 70. Ceases 71. Brooklyn’s NBA team Down 1. Is able to, Biblically speaking 2. “It was Mr. Green in the hall with ____”: 2 wds. 3. “Follow the Drinking ____” 4. Boredom 5. Plot 6. Secretary of State under Reagan 7. It flows through Florence 8. Overhaul 9. Indy 500 participant 10. Student’s email address ending 11. Certain citrus-growing statutes? 12. Director Kazan 13. Road run distance: 2 wds. 21. Like some hams 22. Location 26. “I have ____ to pick with you.”: 2 wds. 28. Dracula’s title 29. Saucy? songstress Fiona 30. Rope fiber plant 32. Rat-____ (describing a series of sharp sounds): hyph.

answers on page 22

...by Len Elliott

These birds aren’t really angry, just a little mixed up. Remove a letter from each word and rearrange the remaining letters to get the name of a bird. E.g., JOCUND - D ~ JUNCO. The removed letters, reading down, will spell the name of a sixth bird.

1. ANARCHY 2. TITLES 3. TRIKE 4. WOOL 5. OPENING -

___ ~ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ~ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ~ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ~ ___ ___ ___ ___ ~ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING! Any body that’s worth it’s salt Will tell you when it’s time to halt. Aches and pains and strains ensue For those who deign to overdo. -- Pat D’Amico

Solution on page 22

33. “____ Breckinridge” (Vidal novel) 34. “It’s ____ situation, alas.”: 2 wds. 35. Sets of points 36. Nightmarish city roadway? 37. Your sister’s daughter 42. Appliance manufacturer 44. Land in the ocean: Sp. 48. Site of a 24-hour test for drivers: 2 wds. 50. Gather together, big-time

52. Chef’s garb 53. Musician Eubie 54. Lawful 55. Curvy letters 56. Sensed 57. “Nasty” Nastase of tennis 59. University in Houston 60. Bank transaction 61. Amazed 63. Opposite of SSW

The hostess at a casino buffet showed me to my table. I asked her to keep an eye out for my husband who would be joining me. "He has gray hair, glasses, a potbelly..." She stopped me there. "Today is senior day. They all look like that."

Active, Independent Community for Seniors 55+ Three-time Burien Champions at Father’s Day Car Show

Proud Sponsor of Relay for Life of Highline

206-243-0300

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Scenes from Childhood

April 2017

Writing Corner

1959 Laundry

Passive Income

…by Perrilee Pizzini

…by Ariele M. Huff

“Hi. What are you looking at?” Roger asks. “Ants. Look how they pass the breadcrumbs down the line to their hill. They seem very organized.” “Amazing. Do you want to go Perrilee and her brother Stosh over to Zoo Crick after I get done delivering papers?” have to let you use the wringer soon, “I’ll see you there. It’s laundry day, but I am not ready even if you are. maybe by nine.” Maybe next year. I just don’t want you I leave the ants to their business to have smashed fingers,” she says as she and take the newspaper to the table for looks down at her over-sized knuckles my dad. I plug in the coffee pot. Mom on her right hand, mangled by the announced last night that today is rollers when she was four. laundry. We have two batches of whites and I gather laundry from the hamper, one of towels in baskets ready to hang, the towel rack, the kitchen basket and a batch of sheets in the second rinse the basement chute. I take the hose and and a batch of colors in the first rinse. fill the wringer washer with hot water, I have scrubbed all the socks on the add the cleanest whites and, like my washboard and they are ready to add to mom always does, add just a little soap, the heavily soiled batch in the washing letting the clothes agitate just until machine. My brother comes downstairs everything is wet. Then I turn off the just in time to carry the baskets up to power so they can soak awhile. All the the clothesline. I join him, carrying the white socks go in a pail of soapy water, two large hanging bags of cloths-pins. awaiting their turn. Mom stays operating the wringer while My dad is at the table when I return I begin hanging. My brother continues upstairs. “I heard the washer,” he says,” to haul laundry up to the back yard and What is going on?” helps with the sheets. I hang the socks “I just want to get started so I can in pairs by their toes. go play with Roger at the Zoo Crick.” Mom says, “The lines are full. I will “I would join you if I didn’t have to finish, there are only two batches left go to work.” He gives me a hug as he and they are soaking. Where are you leaves at his usual 6am. going to play today?” As we go downstairs mom says, “Zoo Crick. Roger will be there. He “You started, great. We will have these asked me to join him when he brought out on the line in no time. I will start the paper. Roger is good at finding putting the clothes through the wringer. arrowheads, we will most likely go to Will you fill the two large sinks with the quarry to hunt for them on the way water? I know you are eleven and I will home.” ❖

My life as a freelance writer and an editor (often contractual) has allowed me many luxuries that most employed people miss. I’ve gotten to be a Ariele M. Huff hands-on parent and pet owner, not turning over raising my children and pets to others. I get to cook and bake healthy and fun food to my heart’s content. Sewing, gardening, time with friends can all be worked around athome jobs. So that’s the first level of passive income—not having to drive to many of my jobs, to hang out in offices or to spend my days with those I like less than my children and pets ;-) And, yes, I’ve had some editing jobs in offices, and I’ve taught most of my classes in other venues than my house. After all, you need some time away from home/kids/pets, too. In the last 17 years (since I turned fifty), I’ve upped the level of my passive income by adding royalties from eBooks and paperbacks. Of course, the books require the initial investment of being written. (Several of the books I’ve put up on publishing sites during the last two years were written in previous years. But several are also recent.) Aside from the writing, books have to be put up on Amazon (eBooks) or Createspace (paperbacks). That process takes somewhere between two and six hours. The reason this can take so long

IF If I had a color to choose, what would it be? To describe the world or magically change me. One stain made to represent I’m true. A rainbow of color to pick through. Blue like the sky bouncing sun into night or stirring sad monsters under bed to fight. Pluck four-leaf clover green, yielding seven days of luck or turn envy to a sour fiend like a brakeless truck. Red—a passionate sign when to safely stop

Poetry Corner

Please send us your Scene from Childhood. Submit approximately 300 words and include a brief author bio and a childhood photo. Articles and photos can be emailed to editor@northwestprimetime.com or mailed to NWPT, PO Box 13647, Seattle, WA 98198. Since photos will not be returned, mail a photoquality copy or send a high-resolution photo by email. Each Scenes contributor will receive a one-year subscription to Northwest Prime Time.

is that once the formatted version of the book is uploaded to the site, it often has problems that weren’t visible on the computer when the file was being made. So corrected versions of the file have to be uploaded until one with a smooth, professional look is achieved. (Deformatting often involves breaks between pages, the placement of photos changing and the appearance of different symbols or fonts.) The next step is to appeal to my “tribe of the five stars”—loyal writing community—to read the work and give me suggestions that will bring it to a “five star” level. Then they give me the reviews I need to achieve a desirable “search function.” In the US, it takes six. In other countries, only two positive reviews with five stars place a book where it will be found by search functions requesting “wellreviewed books.” Initially, oversight of files is desirable. Watching sales and “reads” makes it easy to catch a book not doing well. Then changing the description, search key words, genre categories and even the title or cover can suddenly make the book fly off the shelves. Later, maintenance involves running occasional sales—a few days of free downloads or a short period reducing the price to 99 cents—good options. Rarely, I find corrections that have been missed or find I need to do a new version or update the current one. I love to help others set up passive income with books, too. Contact me at ariele@comcast.net or come to one of my senior center groups: Shoreline, Greenwood, Mountlake Terrace or Edmonds. ❖ or a burning anger pressing eyes to pop. Now I see the color purple soft as a boa feather or arched under all colors hung together. Picking a color to start my wish is like walking a buffet, filling a dish. I happily choose the color orange. Like me it is satisfied to have no rhyme. --April Ryan

Poetry may be excerpted, edited or used in “Sharing Stories” on Northwest Prime Time’s website. Send to ariele@comcast.net.

BELLEVUE CHAMBER CHORUS presents

It Might As Well Be Spring Saturday, May 20, 2017 • 7:30 pm • St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Bellevue Sunday, May 21, 2017 • 3:00 pm • First United Methodist Church, Bellevue

ejoice in the return of spring with our musical celebration of flowers, birds, newfound sunlight … and love! Renaissance madrigals and chansons, 19th century classics by Brahms and Grieg, modern gems by Lauridsen and Rodgers & Hammerstein, and contemporary works by Daniel Elder (Fresh and Fearless), Seattle composer Giselle Wyers (After the Winter), and more, all prove that even in rainy western Washington, “it might as well be spring!”

Special Senior Prices are available. For more information, please call the Chorus office at 425-881-0445, or visit www.bellevuechamberchorus.org.

April 2017

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 21

LET’S GO! Senior Events

Wisdom Cafes Free facilitated discussions for 50+; Apr 7, 1:30pm “True to Ourselves or Set in Our Ways?” Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 425-392-5430; Apr 19, 2pm, “Connected – a Strategy for a Full Life” Maple Valley Library, 21844 SE 248th St, 425-432-4620; Apr 12, 1:30pm “Overcoming Limitations” Providence Point, 4135-A Providence Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-392-9483; Apr 25, 10:15am “Overcoming Limitations” Sno-Valley Senior Center, 4610 Stephens Ave, Carnation, 425-333-4152; Apr 24, 2pm “Who Knows You?” Library 15990 NE 85th St Redmond, 425-885-1861. Senior Prom Apr 8, Sentimental Journey extravaganza for 55+, $5, Clover Park Tech College Auditorium, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, 253-752-6621. Retired or Rewired? Apr 8, 11am-12:30pm, “Creating a Fulfilling Third Act” options after retirement, share ideas, Federal Way Library, 848 S. 320th, 253-839-0257. Intergenerational Theater Apr 8, life story-based theater production features cast ages 17-72, post-show discussion with audience, $10, Rainier Arts Center, 3515 S. Alaska St, Seattle, 206-291-0886, more productions throughout region can be found at www.silverkite.us/intergenerational-theatre Northshore Senior Center Apr 11, 7:30-9:30pm, Boeing Employees Concert Band & dessert, $5; 10201 East Riverside Dr., Bothell, 425-487-2441. What’s Your Next Stage Apr 13, May 11, June 8, 10-11:30am, join a community discussion about life after retirement for new opportunities, speakers, discussion, coffee, tea, baked goods provided, $15, The Bridge at Green Lake, 6846 Woodlawn Ave NE, Seattle. Shoreline-LFP Senior Center Apr 14 Karaoke Bingo RSVP; Apr 27 fundraising breakfast $50, 206-365-1536, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, 206-365-1536. LGBTQ Seniors Resource Fair Ap 19, 10am-3pm, Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave S, Seattle. Ap 29, 10am-3pm, Northgate Community Center, 10510 5th Ave NE, Seattle. May 10, 10am-3pm, Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave E, Seattle. Sponsored by Seattle Parks - Discover fun social opportunities, help with bills and housing, fitness programs and healthy diets, military discharge status help, transportation assistance, free to all includes refreshments, for info: Cheryl 206-615-0619, cheryl.brown@seattle.gov, or www.seattle.gov/parks/LGBTQ. Downsizing Apr 22, 11am-noon, free presentation on downsizing to a retirement community, includes tips on sorting, packing, liquidation of possessions, Newport Way Library, 14250 SE Newport Way, Bellevue, for info call Kirk 206- 850-4570. Aging Mastery Program Mondays Apr 24-May 22, 6-8:30pm, wellness program developed by National Council on Aging to empower people to make impactful changes as they age, expert speakers, light dinner provided, sponsored by Edmonds Senior Center, held at Verdant Health Commission, 4710 196th St SW, Lynnwood, RSVP 425-774-5555. Dementia-Friendly Art Classes April 28, May 5, 10:30am, dance, poetry, music and art for those with memory loss, Bothell Library, 18215 98th Ave NE, for info & RSVP call Wendy, 425-369- 3285. Assistive Technology & Resources Fair Apr 29, 11am-3pm, King County Libraries hosting free event, resources for vision, hearing and mobility challenges, Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S, 253-931-3018 , www.kcls.org/auburn, or call 425-369-3285 for more info. Changing Aging Tour May 2-3; “non-fiction theater performances” to shatter myths about aging, blends storytelling, live music, medical science and visual effects, 2 topics & an interactive lobby experience in between, May 2 at Pierce College in Puyallup; May 3 at Town Hall Seattle; 2:30-4:30 .“Disrupt Dementia”; 7-8:30pm “Life’s Most Dangerous Game” $20, or both for $30. https://changingaging.org/tour/ Meet Me at the Movies May 6, 3pm, designed for those with memory loss, short film clips followed by audience discussion and reminiscence, Bothell Library, 18215 98th Ave NE, for info call Wendy, 425-369-3285.

Retirement Communities Wesley Homes Des Moines Ap 13, 2pm, join travel expert Matthew Brumley, presentation includes info on travel to Cuba, Free event. Drawing for $150 gift card, 816 S 216th St, Des Moines, RSVP 855-445-8827 or www.wesleyhomes.org

A Calendar of Places to Go, Do or See…

See our full calendar at northwestprimetime.com/calendar

Health Education

Diabetes Prevention & Management Apr 4, 10am, risk factors, how to live well with diabetes, Des Moines Senior Center, 2045 S. 216th St, RSVP 206-878-1642; Apr 12 at 10am Center at Norpoint, 4818 Nassau Ave NE Tacoma, RSVP 253-404-3900. Living Well with Chronic Illness Apr 6, 10am, key strategies for improving communications with health providers, caregivers, available resources; May 4, 10am “The ABC’s of Living Well with Diabetes” Auburn Senior Center, 808 Ninth St SE, 253-931-3016. Alzheimer’s Annual Conference Apr 7, 8:30am-4pm, featuring leading dementia experts, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, 206-363-5500, www.alzwa.org Puyallup Health & Wellness Fair Apr 8, 8am-4:30pm, info & resources, entertainment, long-term care presentation, Puyallup Activity Center, 210 W Pioneer, 253-841-5555. Movement for the Brain Apr 12, 1-5pm, learn a movement tool that helps focus, attention, sponsored by King County Library but held at Northshore Senior Center, free, but RSVP 425-486-7811. Advanced Care Planning Apr 17, 12:30-2:30pm, learn how values and beliefs can guide personal choices on medical care, selecting someone to speak on your behalf, lifesustaining treatments, necessary forms to document your choices, Edmonds Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave, Edmonds, 425-774-5555. Living Well with Arthritis Apr 19, 12:30pm, treatment & strategies, SeaTac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave S, SeaTac, RSVP 206-973-4680. Caregiver Training Conference June 5, offers 16 workshops on topics for caregivers, speakers, practical info and resources, Tukwila Community Center, Tukwila, RSVP early for discount, space limited 1-800-422-3263.

Community Sales

Collectibles Sale Apr 22, 1-5pm, complete your collection with oneof-a-kind objects, sale followed by dinner auction, benefits non-profits in South King County, $5 sale, $30 dinner, Real Life Church, 26201 180th Ave SE, Covington, 253-852-0800. Arts, Craft & Jewelry Show May 5, 9am-4pm; May 6, 9am-3pm, breakfast Sat, Northshore Senior Center, 10201 East Riverside Dr., Bothell. 425-487-2441

Community Events

Science in the City Lectures Apr 4, 7pm Why do more boys than girls have autism?; Apr 11, 7pm “Terracotta Warriors” Pacific Science Center, Seattle Center, $5, 206-443-2001. Writing Your Family Story Apr 4, 7-8:30pm, free, Lake Forest Park Library, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 206-362-8860. Washington State Spring Fair Apr 20-23, Fairgrounds at Puyallup, free parking, www.thefair.com/spring-fair. Retirement Planning Conference Apr 22, 8am, free seminar hosted by retired school employees, features state and local expert speakers to discuss state retirement plans, health insurance benefits, Prince of Peace Church, 19030 8th Ave S, SeaTac, RSVP Tina WSSRA@gmail.com American Heart Association Apr 22, annual gala , dinner, auction, cocktails, dancing, Seattle Design Center, 5701 6th Ave S, Seattle, 206-336-7223; Apr 25 “Go Red for Women Luncheon” & health expo, Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock St, Tacoma. Indie Bookstore Day Apr 29, visit 17 participating local stores and get 25% off with “passport” www.facebook.com/ SEABookstoreDay Disaster Preparedness Day Apr 29, 10am-1pm, kit preparation, food & water preparedness, power outages, free, Lakewood YMCA, 9715 Lakewood Dr SW. Arts North Studio Tour May 6-7, 31 artists at 9 studios in Seattle’s Haller Lake area, www.artsnorthstudiotour.com

Garden & Outdoor Events Flyways Symposium Apr 6, 2-7pm, free, discussion and info on Seattle’s tree canopy program to promote habitat for birds, wildlife and communities, Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, johnb@seattleaudubon.org Spring Fling Outdoor Market Apr 22, 10am-6pm, items for yard & garden, crafts, food truck, Master Gardeners, Bethany United Methodist Church, 5634 South Park Ave, Tacoma, marketcoordinator@hotmail.com

Native Plant Society Sale & Fair Apr 29, 10am-4pm, largest local selection of natives plants, shrubs, trees - talk with experts, Mercerdale Park, 77th Ave & 32nd St, Mercer Island, free parking, 206-527-3210. Rhododendron Walk May 4, noon-2pm, bring a brown bag lunch and tour the park with rhododendron specialist, table service and beverages provided, free, Kenmore Senior Center, 6910 NE 170th St., Kenmore. 425489-0707.

Choral Music

Exhibits

Early Music Guild Apr 1-2 “Baltimore Consort” Benaroya Hall; Apr 5, Metamorphosis St James Cathedral, 206-325-7066 Salish Sea Early Music Festival Apr 9, 7:30pm, works by Philidor, Christ Episcopal Church, 4548 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle. Seattle Symphony Apr 10, 7:30pm Organ Recital; Apr 13-15 Rachmaninov; Apr 20,22 Bruckner’s 5th; Apr 24 piano recital; Apr 27, 29 Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto; 206-215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. Opera Preview Apr 20, 7pm, preview of The Magic Flute, Federal Way Library, 34200 1st Ave S, 253-838-3668. Dido & Aeneas Apr 29 at 7:30pm at Benaroya Hall 206-2154747; Apr 30 at 2pm at UW Meany Hall, the only true opera from Purcell, $20-$45, 206-543-4880. Ladies Musical Club Free concerts – Apr 6, noon Seattle Art Museum; Apr 9, 3pm West Seattle Library; Apr 10, 7:30pm University House Wallingford;Apr 12, noon Seattle Central Library; Apr 21, 7pm Crossroad Community Center, Bellevue; Apr 22, 7:30pm Music Center NW; www.lmcseattle.org

Hibulb Cultural Center Interactive displays on the Tulalip people, storytelling in the longhouse, workshops, lectures, Native Art Mart, 6410 23rd Ave NE, Tulalip, 360-716-2600, www.hibulbculturalcenter.org Seattle Art Museum Thru Apr 6, celebrating 100 years of Jacob Lawrence, Thru May 23, Landscape Masterworks – an exhibit exploring the development of the landscape genre, 1300 First Ave, Seattle, 206-6543100, www.seattleartmuseum.org The Museum of Flight Apr 9, celebrate 737 turning 50, reception with birthday cake 2-4pm, 9404 E Marginal Way, Seattle, 206-764-5720, www.museumofflight.org Washington State History Museum Thru May 21,a prewar look at Washington’s Japanese American community, 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 253-272-3500. Bellevue Art Museum Thru June 11, “Quilts of the Sierra Nevada” over 30 of Ann Johnston’s large-scale quilts, 510 Bellevue Way NE, www.bellevuearts.org White Valley Museum Thru June 18, new exhibit honors women at work: Uniforms & Work Wear, 1910-2010, 918 H Street, Auburn, 253-288-7433, www.wrvmuseum.org

Theater

Tacoma Little Theatre Thru Apr 2 “Gypsy”; 253-272-2281. Edmonds Center for the Arts Ap 6, 6:30pm, ECA Film Cabaret enjoy happy hour then film “The Artist” 410 Fourth Ave N, Edmonds. 425-275-9595. www.ec4arts.org Seattle Musical Theatre Apr 7-30, “Kiss Me Kate” Seattle’s Magnuson Park, 206-363-2809, www.seattlemusicaltheatre.org, Centerstage Thru Apr 9 “Squatch the Musical” Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, 253-661-1444, www.centerstagetheatre.com.

Silent Movie Mondays

Apr 10, 17, 24 at 7pm, comedy classics, includes live music and post-screening discussion, $10, Paramount Theatre, Seattle, www.stgpresents.org 5th Avenue Theatre Apr 14-May 6, The Secret Garden, 206-6251900, www.5thavenue.org Village Theatre Thru Apr 23 “A Proper Place” Issaquah; 425392-2202; Mar 3-26 Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps” Everett, 425-257-8600, www.VillageTheatre.org

Bellevue Chamber Chorus May 20, 7:30pm, St Luke’s Lutheran Church, Bellevue. May 21, 3pm, First United Methodist Church, Bellevue. Concerts feature Renaissance madrigals, 19th century classics, Rodgers & Hammerstein & contemporary works, Special senior prices, 425-881-0445, www.bellevuechamberchorus.org

Classical Music

Pop, Jazz, Folk, Country

Seattle Jazz Vespers Apr 2, 6pm “The Fab Three” Beatles band, Seattle First Baptist, Harvard & Seneca Streets, free , 1st Sundays Oct-June, www.SeattleJazzVespers.org Rebirth Brass Band Apr 7-9, Grammy award winning New Orleans band, Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, 206-215-4747. The Brothers Four Apr 8, 7:30pm, Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave NE, Bothell, 425-298-3449. Jazz Alley Apr 6-9, 14-year-old Joey Alexander; Apr 13-16, Kenny G, 2033 6th Ave, Seattle, 206-441-9729 Edmonds Center for the Arts Ap 7, 7:30pm, Sons of Serendip; May 14, 7:30pm, Women of the World celebrating folk traditions. 410 Fourth Ave N, Edmonds. 425-2759595. www.ec4arts.org Old Time Fiddlers’ Benefit Apr 15, 1:30pm, $5-$6, Washington state’s finest fiddlers, vocalist, Des Moines Masonic Center, 2208 S. 223rd, Des Moines, 206-242-0272. Spring Handbell Concert Jazz standards & originals, Apr 29, 7pm Tibbetts Methodist Church, Seattle; Apr 30, 4pm Bremerton Methodist Church; May 5, 7:30pm Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood; May 7, 4pm First Christian Church, Tacoma, $8-$10, 206-574-8417.

Discover the History & Culture of the Tulalip Tribes Open Tuesday thru Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday & Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Closed on Mondays Volunteer opportunities available, please call 360.716.2600 for details. 30 Minutes North of Seattle, 1 Mile West of I-5 off Exit 199. 6410 23rd Avenue NE, Tulalip, WA 98271

360.716.2600 info@hibulbculturalcenter.org

HibulbCulturalCenter.org

Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

April 2017

Bill Nye the Science Guy

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Wherever he goes, he gets stopped for autographs, selfies, hugs and high-fives. It’s the unique combination of science education, entertainment and comedy that sets Bill Nye apart. He comes by the comedy naturally, he says. “My family is funny,” he confides, “not just funny looking.” His family is more than funny; they’re smart. “My grandfather was an organic chemist,” says Bill. As a kid, his father dubbed himself “Ned Nye, Boy Scientist,” although he made his living as a salesman. His father was also a lifelong sundial enthusiast, an interest he developed while in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. Bill’s mother played a role in WWII, too, as a code breaker. “My mom and her buddies worked on the Enigma code,” says Bill, something she had to keep secret for 50 years. His niece and nephew both have PhDs in chemical engineering. Bill holds Honorary Doctorate degrees from six universities. He has lectured at his alma mater Cornell, where, as a tribute to his parents’ strong belief in the value of education, he designed and funded a 12-foot diameter clock to be installed in their honor. And, inspired by his father, he designed the MarsDials, three sundials mounted on the robotic rovers exploring Mars. So Bill made it to space, in a sense, even though he was rejected four times by NASA for the astronaut program. Bill Nye’s other designs and inventions include a device to help people learn how to throw a baseball better, a magnifier made of water for science kits, a digital abacus and an improved ballet toe shoe. Dancing is another of Bill’s passions. “I like dancing,” says Bill. “I go dancing all the time. Swing dancing, specifically. When I lived in Seattle, I used to go Scandinavian folk dancing and ballroom dancing.” He’d wanted to be on Dancing with the Stars for a long time, and his wish came true in 2013. But learning choreography “is a whole, completely different thing. I was very nervous,” he said of performing on the show. Unfortunately, he tore a quadricep early in the competition, an injury that left him walking with a cane. “When I got injured on Dancing with the Stars it was fantastically disappointing. But it was really this great experience,” he adds. In addition to dancing, Bill keeps fit with bicycling and rigorous calisthenics. Always active, he also founded the first men’s ultimate Frisbee team in Seattle, the Olympic

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Bill Nye’s new Netflix show, Bill Nye Saves the World, premieres on April 21

Windjammers. Bill remains a popular public figure and continues his role as a science educator. He serves as CEO of The Planetary Society, the world’s largest spaceinterest group. “The Planetary Society was started by Carl Sagan,” says Bill, who became a member in 1980. “I got on the Board of Directors, then I left the room or something and I became Vice President. And then, at a dinner party, there was wine or something. Now I’m the CEO!” In 2004, Bill moved to Los Angeles for more opportunities, where he remains involved in a good-natured rivalry with his neighbor, actor and fellow environmentalist, Ed Begley. They compete to see who can save the most energy and produce the smallest carbon footprint. Bill now splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City. His television work continued after his Seattle-based mega-hit. His additional shows include The Eyes of Nye, Stuff Happens, and the 100 Greatest Discoveries show. Bill has

even on occasion entered the acting fray, appearing on both TV and film. He is well-known for his educational children’s books and DVDs, which continue to be shown in science classrooms around the country. His general audience books include the bestseller Undeniable and Unstoppable: Harnessing Science to Change the World. Bill’s latest book, Everything All at Once, comes out in July. His new Netflix show, Bill Nye Saves the World, premieres on April 21, the day before Earth Day. He’ll bring experts and famous guests to his lab for a high-energy talk show exploring “hot” topics in science and technology. Watch the trailer at www.netflix.com/title/80117748. While he was creating The Science Guy series, Bill wrote a rule book for the show. The first rule was to “Change the World.” Nye, who is single and never had children of his own, spent his life educating kids to like science. He wants more kids, especially girls, to study math, science and engineering to help make the world healthier for everyone. Through his work, Bill hopes to inspire people everywhere to change the world. ❖

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Bill Nye says that the most common question he gets is, ‘How many bow-ties do you have?’ The answer? Hundreds. “I started wearing bow-ties when I was young, in high school,” says Bill. The boys served the girls at a high school banquet; Bill told the guys they should look like waiters and wear bow ties. “I remember, my father showed me how to tie it while we were watching a Perry Mason rerun. What I found was that a bow-tie does not slip into your flask or slip into your soup. It’s very practical.” Bill started a line of bow-ties with menswear designer Nick Graham. “Looking sharp is not rocket science,” says Bill You can watch a You Tube video of Bill demonstrating how to tie a bow-tie; just search “Bill Nye – tying a bow-tie is not a rocket science.”

Backyard Surprise ...continued from page 23

to the store is justified (where we hope to find more clever and agile goldfish). We have finally come to grips with the understanding that the pond, in spite of our original intentions, is now part of nature’s food chain. By maintaining the pond in this fashion, we keep wildlife close-by and interested. Since we continue to enjoy wildlife sightings, purchasing inexpensive “feeders” has turned into a pretty good investment. When I hear the evening hoot owl call these days, I just check the loose change drawer. I suspect that a trip to the pet store will be needed soon. ❖

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later the owl sheepishly poked its head out from the stump to see if the coast was clear. We have heard the hoot of our …by Roger Urbaniak owl on several occasions A hoot owl has started taking Towards dusk one warm evening, advantage of Roger and Linda during dusk and early evening a large lone bird landed in a nearby tree Urbaniak's backyard pond as it calls out to and seemed to be watching Linda and the neighborhood, “It’s dinner time.” me as we dined on our patio deck. We Our yard has been certified as a briefly exchanged glances with it through wildlife habitat. It nestles up to a ravine rapidly fading light when suddenly it moved silently from the tree to a perch on with a small year-round stream, and has lots of trees, stumps and natural vegetation a railing above our goldfish pond, only a to go with our planted garden. We have few feet from us. Its identity was revealed; added bird feeders and occasionally put it was a barred owl, also known as a hoot out corn for squirrels. When we added owl. What a treat to observe up-close its a goldfish pond below our patio deck, stripes, coloration and rounded face as it I didn’t realize how this feature would continued to stare back at us with large penetrating eyes as if to make sure that we also become a focal point for wildlife. Birds ranging from hummingbirds to meant it no harm. crows regularly take sips from our pond’s Suddenly, the owl dropped from its fountains and even bathe themselves perch into the pond and snatched an there. We have also seen great blue heron, unsuspecting goldfish from the top of the kingfisher, crows, raccoons, and now an water column. The remaining goldfish owl, steal goldfish from the pond. scattered to the safety of the rocks, so the At first we were protective of the owl was limited to just one short snack this goldfish and added piles of rocks to the evening. pond for them to hide in rocky crevices. A few weeks later during midday, We even covered the pond at night with commotion from the yard caught my netting. But raccoons and our clever birds attention as I stood near the kitchen window. My eyes stared in disbelief as two eventually worked out how to thwart crows in hot pursuit chased the barred owl our well-planned barriers. So when our goldfish population becomes depleted across the yard until the owl dived into below good viewing numbers, another trip the top of a large hollow stump to escape. The crows soon departed and moments continued on page 22

The Great Outdoors

Backyard Surprise

Library Corner

Dementia-Friendly Programming …by Wendy Pender, KCLS Older Adults Project Specialist

Are you or a loved one living with memory loss? At the King County Library System (KCLS) we recognize that Alzheimer’s and related dementias are a reality for more and more families. With that in mind, KCLS now offers dementiafriendly programming! This year we are partnering with the Frye Museum to bring its successful “Meet Me at KCLS offers “Meet Me at the Movies” and arts programs for the Movies” program to the people with dementia. Photo by Katherine Lamar Movies,” we are also partnering with Silver Burien and Bothell libraries. Kite Community Arts to bring dementia“Meet Me at the Movies” is a unique friendly art classes to our community. Held film experience. Short clips from classic on Friday mornings, these classes provide and contemporary films are shown, people experiencing memory loss and followed by audience discussion and their care partners opportunities to engage reminiscence guided by a moderator. with dance, poetry, music and art in fun, The dates for these relaxing, enjoyable creative “sampler” sessions over the course afternoons are May 6 at the Bothell of several weeks. Classes will be held at Library (18215 98th Ave NE) at 3pm, the Bothell Library at 10:30am on Friday, and August 5 and November 4 at the April 28, May 5, 12 and 19, and the Burien Library (400 SW 152nd St.), also Burien Library next fall. Space is limited; at 3pm. The themes change with each please call Wendy Pender at 425-369event in the series, and the May 6 session focuses on pets and animals. Come join us 3285 to register or for more information. Thanks to the KCLS Foundation for at Bothell Library – perhaps we’ll glimpse its generous support of these programs! As Lassie, Rin-Tin-Tin, Mr. Ed - or even always, check out www.kcls.org/browse/50 Flipper, Moby Dick or Nemo! for more! ❖ In addition to “Meet Me at the

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