Northwest Prime Time September/October 2020

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Are Seniors Still Moving? ... page 11

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VOL. 20

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Septem be Octobe r/ r 2020

Merrilee Rush

Seattle’s homegrown rock ‘n’ roll sweetheart

M

errilee Rush gained national fame in 1968 with her breakout hit song, Angel of the Morning, which earned her a Grammy nomination for female vocalist of the year.

Before that, Merrilee was already well-known on the northwest’s thriving teen dance circuit playing packed venues like the Spanish Castle on Pacific Highway and Parker’s on Aurora. She and her bands cut records, found radio play and were popular draws on the circuit. In short, they were regional celebrities. Then, as award-winning author and rock ‘n’ roll aficionado Peter Blecha writes: “...after scoring her first of several international radio hits, Angel of the Morning, she was no longer Seattle’s private treasure and the years of major-label record deals, television appearances and concert Merrilee has a small “herd” of Old English touring began.”

Merrilee spends time these days on Sheepdogs on her farm. She’s been raising the breed for 60 years; while she is near the end of her “dog” her historic farm outside of Redmond. career, she has loved showing. “I loved going around She is surrounded by 22 lush acres the ring with a beautifully-moving dog with its lovely stride.” But, “Getting out of bed at dawn, being my and a small “herd” of Old English Sheepdogs, a breed she’s been raising own roadie and schlepping gear, plus raising a litter is all consuming. That, and pulling dog hair out of my for 60 years. food.” Still, she loves her dogs!

“I couldn’t ask for a better place to be in when my dad quarantine,” was stationed in says Merrilee England during of the pastoral WWII,” she surroundings reports. she calls home.

The family It’s a place home was in Lake she’s known Forest Park, just her entire north of Seattle. life—Merrilee’s Merrilee, then grandfather Merrilee Gunst, built the farm enjoyed an idyllic in 1906. childhood with Since she three younger is at higher risk sisters and a much due to asthma younger brother. from years of She studied performing in classical piano for Merrilee and the Turnabouts were a popular draw smoky bars, 10 years. on the northwest’s thriving teen dance circuit her husband— By age 13, rhythm and blues musician Billy Merrilee was performing at talent Mac—does all the shopping. He also contests and local USO shows takes care of the land. entertaining military troops. She often “Billy Mac never signed up for accompanied her friends on the piano this,” laughs Merrilee about her citywhile they sang. “I’m playing the bred husband. “But it’s a special place,” Bumble Boogie,” she recalls. “But they she says of the farm. “He’s cared for it stand up and sing in their pretty dresses all these years and it has gone through and get all the applause. I told myself, I such a transformation. It’s a work of need to think about being a singer!” love.” According to Merrilee, Billy Mac Although she never thought she’d not only loves the farm, but the New actually become an entertainer, she Orleans native has also learned to love was always passionate about music— lawn tractors. especially listening to the radio and “I grew up coming out to this farm. watching American Bandstand. “That’s I actually lived here after I was born how I learned to dance.”

In 1968, Seattle’s own Merrilee Rush found fame with her hit song, “Angel of the Morning” All photos courtesy of Merrilee Rush

Soon enough, she herself would be Doo Wop singer “Tiny Tony” Smith. performing in front of those dancing The band was known for R&B music kids on the classic rock ‘n roll TV and choreographed steps. program.

“We were show bands and When rock entered her life, she we always liked to concentrate on quickly gave up the idea of being a personalities,” says Merrilee. She classical pianist. “Classical music is attributes the focus on personality intensive; your life is consumed with to the great radio stations in the it. Rock is so direct and simple,” says northwest. “We had KJR, which Merrilee. was personality jocks In 1960, combined with music... when she was guys talking to you being only 16, her funny and personable. friends wanted to They brought audition as singers something more than for a band from music to the program.

Renton called The I think radio had a Amazing Aztecs big influence on how led by saxophonist we trained to interact Neil Rush (an with the audience,” she older man at age recalls.

18). Merrilee Merrilee first started came along to performing during the accompany her era of Duke of Earl, Elvis Throughout her performing career, friends on the and Little Richard.

Merrilee has been known for highpiano while they energy and rocking the crowds The bands played what auditioned. was on the radio at the Neil Rush asked Merrilee if time; as she continued to perform, the she could sing. “I loved singing repertoire expanded to stay current harmony, but never thought I had the with popular music. wherewithal to be a lead singer.” She “At that time, rhythm and blues claims that when she started, she wasn’t was big in the northwest,” reflects a good singer. Still, she got the job.

Merrilee. “Tina Turner was my favorite There was disagreement within the of all time. The action was so essential... band about her role and the Aztecs fell people might remember what they saw apart. Neil Rush and Merrilee, under more than what they heard. When her parents’ watchful eyes, went on Tina and Ike Turner, Bobby Bland or to form other bands together, starting James Brown came to town, we always with Merrilee and Her Men. She soon went see them.” traded in her piano for a Hammond Then came the Beatles. organ when the two joined a thriving Merrilee says that Beatlemania Burien-based band, the Statics, led by continued on page 22

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Memories

20 Albums Turning 50 in 2020 ...by Deborah Brosseau

A significant year in music is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020. Best-selling 1970 album releases illustrated changing times, with heavy metal-ers sharing the charts with hippies, R&B crossing over to pop charts, and female artists earning positions in the Top 10.

The albums listed below are some of the chart-toppers from 1970. They will bring you back to that transformative year and they still hold up today as great listens.

Woodstock: Music from the Original Soundtrack. It took nearly a year to get a collection of highlights from the legendary Woodstock Music Festival to market. The triple album

highlights include Jimi Hendrix performing Star Spangled Banner and so much more.

Let it Be – the Beatles. In a year that also saw solo releases from John, Paul and George, the Beatles released their final studio album.

Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel. The final studio album from one of folk’s greatest duos also provided their two most famous songs, Bridge Over Troubled Water and Cecilia. It won six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Ladies of the Canyon – Joni Mitchell. Laurel Canyon in Hollywood was the music epicenter of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and Joni Mitchell was its leading lady. “Ladies of the Canyon” celebrated the female energy and intention of the folk movement with songs like Big Yellow Taxi.

Diana Ross – Diana Ross. In 1970, Diana Ross started her solo career with the release of her self-titled debut. It was a best-seller and chart-topper with the songs Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand) and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.

After the Gold Rush – Neil Young. Mostly recorded in his Laurel Canyon basement studio, Neil Young enlisted Crazy Horse and Crosby, Stills & Nash as well as the young musical genius, Nils Lofgren.

Sweet Baby James – James Taylor.

Recorded with an all-star band featuring Carole King and Randy Meisner, James Taylor’s second album put his career as a singer-songwriter on the fast track with hits Fire and Rain and Country Road.

Chicago – Chicago. While this was the band’s second record, it was the first to use the recognizable cursive logo. A double album with highlights 25 or 6 to 4 and Make Me Smile, Chicago was quickly certified Gold.

Moondance – Van Morrison.

Considered one of the greatest albums of all time, Moondance blended Irish folk, jazz, and R&B (including a horn section), the sound that Morrison would ultimately become known for.

Spirit in the Dark – Aretha Franklin.

With chart-topping hits Don’t Play that Song and Spirit in the Dark, the Queen of Soul was supported by two Kings: Carole and B.B. Get Yer Ya-Yas Out! – The Rolling Stones. The Stones’ live album was recorded at Madison Square Garden (except for one track in Baltimore) and debuted Mick Taylor on guitar.

September/October 2020 Signed, Sealed & Delivered – Stevie Wonder. Topping both the pop and R&B charts, Stevie Wonder’s 12th studio album was his first as producer.

The Man Who Sold the World – David Bowie. The third studio album from David Bowie is considered the beginning of his classic period with the music moving into harder rock than in previous releases.

Curtis – Curtis Mayfield. Soul singer Curtis Mayfield debuted in 1970 with this self-titled album.

Unlike his work with the Impressions, this collection tackled socio-political issues of the day.

American Beauty – Grateful Dead. One of the Dead’s most beloved albums, American Beauty exemplified the Americana genre with its blend of country, folk and rock.

Morrison Hotel – The Doors. Reeling from Jim Morrison’s obscenity arrests and a flop last album, the band went back to rock ‘n’ roll basics on Morrison Hotel and a much-needed hit record.

Paranoid – Black Sabbath.

Black Sabbath’s second studio album includes the band’s most famous songs, like the title track and Iron Man. Paranoid is considered one of the most influential works in heavy metal.

Desertshore – Nico. German avant-garde artist Nico added more fans to her cult following with this release. Produced by The Velvet Underground’s John Cale, the album included a tribute to the late Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones.

Fun House – The Stooges. While folk and R&B were having their moment, heavy metal and punk rock were just getting started.

Iggy Pop and The Stooges’ second album was integral to creating its foundation in the U.S. with seven propulsive tracks.

Starsailor – Tim Buckley.

Leaving his traditional folk sound way behind, Tim Buckley turned toward the experimental, which alienated some while exciting a whole new audience with its psychedelic, jazzy influences. ❖

September/October 2020

INDEX ARTFUL AGING

Merrilee Rush................................ 1 20 Albums Turning 50................... 2 Writing & Poetry Corners............. 20

COMMUNITY

Volunteering: Maryann Savina.......... 3 Ignite Healthy Aging Symposium.... 4 Where in the Northwest Contest..... 7 Win-Win: A housing solution....... 10 Library Corner............................ 23

HEALTH MATTERS

It’s True: Age is only a number!...... 4 Medical Minutes........................... 6 Medicare Open Enrollment: SHIBA.. 8 Getting the Health Care You Need.. 8

HUMOR & PUZZLES

The Funny Side of Life.................. 18 Rose & Dawn.............................. 18 Puzzles and Comics.................... 19

LIFE PERSPECTIVES

Lessons of Adventure................... 15 Scenes from Childhood............... 20

MONEY MATTERS

The SECURE Act......................... 17

OUT & ABOUT

Happy Camper........................... 17 LET’S GO! Calendar................... 21 RETIREMENT HOUSING Are Seniors Still Moving?............. 11 Retirement Advertiser Listings... 12-13 Alexa: Keep Me Independent...... 14 5 Questions to Ask...................... 14

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Volunteer Spotlight

Maryann Savina ...by David Thornbrugh

When RSVP member Maryann Savina discovered the opportunity to volunteer at one of Habitat for Humanity’s three ReStores King County Sheriff Matt Starwich (left) and two men burning a still in Seattle, during Prohibition, ca. 1925 it met her Matt Starwich was born in Austria in 1876 and immigrated to the United Maryann Savina States at the age of twelve. Starwich worked as a union coal miner, then as a criteria: “I deputy sheriff in King County for 17 years. In 1920 Starwich won the election knew it when I saw it.” She likes that she for King County sheriff as a Republican candidate. In 1922, when the term for can contribute as much volunteer time as the office of sheriff was extended from two to four years, Starwich easily won his bid for reelection. Washington law prevented a sheriff from serving more she likes, so long as she meets the monthly than two consecutive terms, so Starwich left office in January 1927. He again minimum. sought election as sheriff in 1930 but lost in the Republican primary. Starwich Raised in Wenatchee, Maryann moved then campaigned for Democrat William Severyns and was rewarded with a to Seattle in 1970. In the intervening years, position in Severyns’s office after he became sheriff. Starwich later worked for several years as superintendent of the King County Jail. she spent time in Friday Harbor running a bicycle shop with her husband, perhaps a Courtesy of the University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, natural progression from the bicycle trip they submitted by Nicolette Bromberg, Special Collections Visual Materials Curator took across Europe in 1979. She remembers the hard pedal uphill to cross the Italian Dolomites but treasures the memory of a two-day downhill glide into Austria. When the couple tired of repairing bicycles, they moved to Seattle where her husband worked for Boeing for 32 years. She has one child with her husband and a stepchild that she refers to by the Swedish phrase “bonus child.”

Among her many hobbies are compiling and distributing “quilt kits” for a quilting group on Whidbey Island and swimming three times a week. She is also practicing a piano duet with a neighbor in hopes of overcoming a mutual shyness; both admit to being “petrified” of performing in public.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact the RSVP of King County Coordinator, Megan Wildhood: 206-694-6786 or meganw@solid-ground.org ❖

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September/October 2020

It’s True Age is only a number!

Ignite Aging Symposium Life Perspectives

Join the Center for Healthy Aging for this annual event ...by Paige Bartlett, UW School of Nursing de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging

Can communities outdoor and exercise community provide unique based healthy benefits for eating older adults? programs. The Does COVID Director of impact older Seattle King adults’ health County Public more than Health and younger ones’?

UW School The of Nursing Presenter Oleg Zaslavsky at Ignite Aging 2019 University of alumni, Washington Patty Hayes, de Tornyay Center for Healthy will also speak on how the Aging’s 2020 Ignite Aging relationship between aging and symposium will explore these immunity can make older adults questions and more with short more susceptible to diseases like talks from School of Nursing COVID. alumni, students and faculty.

Past Ignite Aging symposiums This year’s program highlights have been highly praised by population health research, attendees, who shared “I loved the looking at aging from a diverse, short presentations, all of community perspective. which were interesting,” and “It is “Our theme of population and exciting to hear about just a small community health is a topic that’s portion of the research being important, now more than ever,” conducted and how that can be said Basia Belza, director of the de applied to help us make our aging Tornyay Center. “It’s important lives better.” After a successful for us to explore ways to promote test run last year, we are bringing healthy living, to bring health back live musical interludes benefits to the greatest number interspersed through the program, of people and reduce health performed by musicians affiliated inequities.” with the UW School of Nursing.

Ignite Aging is an annual “We sincerely hope you will event hosted by the de Tornyay be able to virtually join us,” said Center for Healthy Aging Belza. “Come and engage with our featuring a sampler of outstanding presenters and learn from them.” healthy aging research. Each Ignite Aging 2020 will speaker gets five minutes to take place on Friday, October present their work, followed by 2 from 1-3 pm. The event is a question and answer session. free and open to the public.

Everyone is welcome to attend. In Pre-registration is required. response to the current pandemic, RSVP online at events.uw.edu/ the event is taking place online, IgniteAging2020. A link to access over Zoom. the event over Zoom will be sent This year, topics include out over email prior to the event. “green” outdoor exercise for older Email us with any questions at adults, health disparities in rural agingctr@uw.edu. ❖

THIS YEAR’S WALK IS EVERYWHERE

This year, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is on every sidewalk, track and trail.

All of us with one goal: A world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

Because this disease isn’t waiting and neither are you.

SEATTLE • 10/3/20 REDMOND 9/12 | EVERETT 9/19 OLYMPIA 9/20 | TACOMA 9/27

1.800.272.3900 • alzwa.org/walk

...by Dee Tezelli

Age is just a number.

If it starts with a 7, you are not eliminated from certain activities. Same with an 8. Regardless of the kids asking—‘Aren’t you too old to take that risk?’—bucket list items should never become casualties to a number.

Yes, we need to be a bit more cautious and maybe we aren’t the fastest folks on the trail, but being out in the fresh air, bending your joints, stretching your muscles and oxygenating your system are most valuable rewards. Will today’s youngsters ever find the peace, serenity and solitude that we have?

Seattleites Dee Tezelli and Steve Danishek are avid hikers I hope so. and mountain climbers We, at 74 and 77, are ordinary examples. Yes, we have been physically fit and blessed constant chatter of Creole-accented with good health and joints. However, English on the streets. The Piton Peak we’ve kept up exercising even when Café is close by and the small Still ill or injured—pressing on through it House resort (best lunch buffet) is only as long as it isn’t physically damaging a 10-minute walk. The monthly Friday our bodies. Sure, it may hurt, but we night Jump Up in the town square went proceed. Most of you do that too. on until 2am. Fun and loud.

We have discarded the ‘7s’ and are We selected Treasure Tours for looking forward to ignoring the ‘8s.’ transfer and guide services, mentioning Over 40 years ago, we climbed the our ages and climbing experience 14,411-foot peak of Mt Rainier when so they wouldn’t be surprised by our we were dating. It was bitterly cold fun. white hair. After an early pickup and We revisited the mountain last year, 45-minute drive to tiny Piton Village, albeit this time only for a 5,000-foot we met our guide Martin. An early vertical day climb from Paradise up start is advised before the sun moves the Muir Snowfield to the 10,000-foot fully around and starts cooking the Camp Muir. A beautiful August hike. trail. The trail is 2,200 vertical feet over Still, beyond age, we are afflicted two miles, with benches at .5-mile, with a problem. Climbers have 1.0-mile and the famous mango tree an insatiable need to stand on top at 1.5-mile. Only determined climbers of whatever challenges we see. If can love this trail – it is almost all over unclimbed, it is filed away on our rocks, large and small, and the last mile bucket list. is just straight up steep. Trail keepers On a Caribbean cruise in the have added several handrails of native 1980s, we stopped on beautiful little St. sticks to help over the worse spots...a Lucia in the Eastern Caribbean with precarious climb, not for the faint of its pleasant port of call at Castries. We heart. didn’t do much except poke around We reached the top of Gros Piton with our little boys. But staring back in the average two hours, much to at us were the near-twins Gros Piton Martin’s satisfaction. Martinique was in and Petit Piton, gigantic tooth shaped the haze 40 miles away (or a 90-minute volcanic spires. (Spires are solidified fast ferry ride from Castries) lava that forms inside volcanoes and After pictures, snacks, water and are all that is left when the volcano rejuvenation—and a chance to feed erodes.) The Pitons have taunted us for the abundant mosquitoes—we headed decades. Are we now too old for this? down. The descent is as perilous as the We set our sights on Gros Piton, ascent. at 2,608 feet, the slightly higher of We reached Piton Village and the two. Together, they are a World stopped for, what else, an ice-cold Piton Heritage Site. This was a good chance Beer. Another peak conquered, another to use up some of our Alaska Airlines item off the bucket list. mileage. Obligingly, our flight passed Was it ‘appropriate’ for folks of our alongside the Pitons before landing age to test our limits? Yes. It was there, at Hewanorra International Airport. we climbed it, end of story. Outdoor The southern half of the island is adventures are in our blood and we’ll less developed, more natural, less undoubtedly seek out a few more frequented by tourists—a delightful step volcanos to add to our bucket list. ❖ into the ‘real’ St Lucian culture where cruise ships don’t stop. We stayed at Seattleites Dee Tezelli and Steve Danishek the Downtown Hotel in Soufriere, an are avid hikers and mountain climbers old port in the shadow of Petit Piton. It who create e-books for seniors. www. was an immersive experience with the deetezellimountainstories.wordpress.com

September/October 2020

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SORTING FACT FROM FICTION FINDING TRUTH IN AN INFODEMIC

In today’s uncertain times, it has become increasingly difficult to know what’s true. The growth of social media, smart devices and a multitude of online sources offer unprecedented access to information. But with that access comes the threat of those who seek to deceive or trick consumers.

To help Washingtonians better sort fact from fiction, AARP, the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington and BECU are offering a series of free online events. Join us as our speakers offer tips on how to spot misinformation and scams, and where to go for the facts behind the claims.

Visit aarp.org/factfromfiction for event details. Pre-registration is required.

CONFRONTING MISINFORMATION: How to avoid falling for and spreading misinformation, disinformation, and “fake news.”

Jevin West, Director of the nonpartisan Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington Wednesday, September 16 | 11 a.m. – Noon INSIDE THE MIND OF “THE ORIGINAL INTERNET GODFATHER”: A former Dark Web mastermind details how scammers convince you to hand over your hard-earned money.

Brett Johnson, former Dark Web con artist Saturday, October 3 | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

THE FUTURE OF LYING: The New Rules of Deception and Trust Jeffrey Hancock, PhD, Stanford University Wednesday, October 14 | 6 – 7 p.m.

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE: Fact Checking Tips and Resources A roundtable discussion with experts from some of the leading fact checking organizations.

Saturday, October 24 | 11 a.m. – Noon

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September/October 2020

F.Y.I.

Naturally Healthy

Medical Minutes ...by John Schieszer

Developing a Multi Drug Cocktail against COVID-19 A new study has identified 21 existing drugs that stop the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Scientists analyzed one of the world’s largest collections of known drugs for their ability to block John Schieszer the replication of SARS-CoV-2.

They identified 100 molecules with confirmed antiviral activity in laboratory tests. Of these, 21 drugs were determined to be effective at concentrations that could be safely achieved in patients. Notably, four of these compounds were found to work synergistically with remdesivir, a current standard-of-care treatment for COVID-19.

“Remdesivir has proven successful at shortening the recovery time for patients in the hospital, but the drug doesn’t work for everyone who receives it.

That’s not good enough,” said study investigator Sumit Chanda, who is the director of the Immunity and Pathogenesis Program at Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla, California. “As infection rates continue to rise in America and around the world, the urgency remains to find affordable, effective and readily available drugs that can complement the use of remdesivir, as well as drugs that could be given prophylactically or at the first sign of infection on an outpatient basis.”

In the study, the research team performed extensive testing and validation studies, including evaluating the drugs on human lung biopsies that were infected with the virus. Among 21 drugs that were effective at blocking viral replication, scientists found that 13 have previously entered clinical trials for other indications and two are already FDA approved: astemizole (allergies), clofazamine (leprosy). Remdesivir has received Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for treating COVID-19. The researchers found that four of the drugs worked synergistically with remdesivir.

How is the Virus Mutating?

The SARS-CoV-2 mutation rate remains low. It is known that the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic presents in the form of at least six strains. Despite its mutations, the virus shows little variability, and this is good news for the researchers working on a viable vaccine.

Social Security Celebrates 85th Anniversary President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in 1935, providing economic security for workers when they retired. Today, Social Security provides Italian Researchers at the University of Bologna benefits to millions of retirees, workers analyzed 48,635 coronavirus genomes, which were with disabilities and their families. isolated by researchers in labs all over the world. It Virtual Memory Screening was then possible for researchers to map the spread Program and the mutations of the virus during its journey to all The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America continents. Their study was published in the journal is offering free virtual memory screenings Frontiers in Microbiology. every Monday, Wednesday from 7am The results are encouraging. The coronavirus presents little variability, approximately seven mutations to 1pm (PT) and Fridays 7am to 11am. per sample. Common influenza has a variability rate that Appointments can be scheduled by calling the Alzheimer’s Foundation at 1-866-232is significantly higher. “The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus 8484. Screenings are conducted one-on-one is presumably already optimized to affect human beings through secure videoconference technology and this explains its low evolutionary change,” said in real-time. The program is free and open study coordinator Federico Giorgi. “This means that to everyone; there is no insurance required. the treatments we are developing, including a vaccine, All that’s needed is a phone, a computer, might be effective against all the virus strains.” tablet or any other device with a webcam The original strain is the L strain, which appeared in Wuhan in December 2019. Its first mutation was the and internet capability. Memory screenings S strain and it appeared at the beginning of 2020. Since consist of a series of questions to gauge memory, language, thinking skills and mid-January 2020, researchers identified strains V and other intellectual functions. The screening G, and strain G is the most widespread. It mutated into strains GR and GH at the end of February 2020. “Strain takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes and G and its related strains GR and GH are by far the most is confidential. Results are not a diagnosis, but a memory screening can suggest if widespread, representing 74% of all gene sequences we someone should see a physician for a full analyzed,” said Giorgi.

In North America, the most widespread strain is GH, evaluation. Early detection is important because it can enable the person to begin while in South America the GR strain is more frequent.

Lung Ultrasound Testing May Be Valuable Tool to take an active role in developing their care plan, take medications sooner or A new study found that lung ultrasound testing is participate in a clinical trial. highly sensitive for detecting abnormalities in patients Collaborating for a Dementiawith COVID-19. In addition, ultrasound testing may be useful for diagnosing both the infection duration and Friendly Washington A two-day virtual conference to disease severity. promote dementia-friendly communities From March 3 to March 30, 2020, researchers in Washington will be held September performed lung ultrasound testing on patients with 29-30. This event is for all who want to positive test results for SARS-CoV-2. They compared the percentages of patients with each ultrasound finding take action to make their community more dementia-friendly, including people who between groups with different symptom durations and disease severity. Their findings can help guide physicians work in the public sector, people with dementia and their caregivers. The event on how best to treat an individual. In addition, these new findings are important because ultrasound tests can features speakers, provides opportunities for participants to connect with others, be performed with bedside portable systems to further and showcases innovative programs in protect health care workers. ❖ the state and across the nation. For more John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio information, visit http://depts.washington. edu/mbwc/events/dfc or call Marigrace and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute. He can be Becker at 206-744-2190. reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com.

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Win $25

Where in the Northwest?

Can you identify this historic photo?

Photos are taken from or adjacent to Washington State highways in our readership area: King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. Mail your answer to Northwest Prime Time, PO Box 13647, Seattle WA 98198 or email editor@ northwestprimetime.com. Answers should include enough of a description so that it is clear you know the spot. The winner will be drawn at random from the correct answers submitted by the deadline. If no correct answer is received, the $25 prize will transfer to the following contest. Submissions for the current contest must be postmarked October 1, or received via email by the same date: editor@northwestprimetime.com.

We had many correct answers to the location of the photo that appeared in our last “Where in the Northwest” contest (from our July/August edition).

The photo was taken from Highway 525 (Mukilteo Speedway) just before arriving at the Mukilteo ferry landing. Leila of Mukilteo was the lucky winner.

Her name was drawn at random from the list of correct answers.

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This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

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Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

Medicare Open Enrollment

Need Help?

SHIBA is still here to help – even during COVID-19! ...by Donna Wells, SHIBA & Consumer Advocacy

For the more than 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries in Washington state, this is an important time of year. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period occurs each year from October 15 to December 7.

During this time, people on Medicare: • can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan—and vice versa, • with Original Medicare can join, drop or switch a Part D prescription drug plan, • with a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan.

Your new coverage will start January 1, 2021.

The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program is ready to help you with all of these decisions!

SHIBA provides free, unbiased and confidential help with Medicare and other health care options to people of all ages and backgrounds across our state. We train and certify our volunteer advisors, who are available for one-on-one, in-person and phone counseling.

Instead of face-to-face counseling this year, our volunteer advisors can help you over the phone to compare prescription drug plans, Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage plans, and other information to help you make an informed decision about what Medicare plans work best for your personal situation. If you qualify, our SHIBA advisors can also help you apply for any programs that’ll save you money on Medicare costs. Medicare

is not a one-size fits all program. Each person’s needs, situation and benefits are different – and that includes spouses who may have their own unique Medicare plan.

Before you make your decision, consider the following tips: • Review all letters and notices from your current plan as plan costs and coverage can change every year.

• Make a list of all current prescription drugs you take, the doses, and how often. Then, use the Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov to compare Part D plans.

• Review the 2021 Medicare & You handbook. You should receive it by mid-October.

• Attend a SHIBA webinar (check out our online events calendar at www.insurance.wa.gov/shiba) or make an appointment for one-onone phone counseling with a SHIBA advisor.

For help with your Medicare questions before you sign up, call our: • Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900 and ask to speak with a SHIBA volunteer in your local county: King, Pierce or Snohomish, or • Contact your local SHIBA community partner directly: o King County: Sound Generations Phone: 206-727-6221 o Pierce County: Sound Outreach Phone: 253-593-2111 o Snohomish County SHIBA 1-800-562-6900 You can also check out SHIBA at www.insurance.wa.gov/shiba or its Medicare webpages at www.insurance. wa.gov/medicare. ❖

Help with Medicare is just a phone call away

Call SHIBA for FREE, UNBIASED help!

1-800-562-6900 We’re your local Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program

We have offices in Pierce, King & Snohomish counties

September/October 2020

Getting the Health Care You Need During COVID-19 ...by Dr. Richard Smith, Regional Vice President, Humana

Washington residents have been turning to medical virtual visits, also known as telemedicine, more than ever during the coronavirus pandemic.

While telemedicine companies have been around for years, the pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in virtual visits as primary care doctors, specialists and hospitals began offering the service as a way to help keep patients safe.

Now that medical offices and hospitals are accepting patients again for in-person visits and elective procedures, you may be wondering if you should return to your doctor’s office or stick to a virtual visit. Rest assured, your health care providers can help you decide what’s best as they work to ensure safe care for patients and staff. This includes changing the ways they deliver care like screening patients ahead of time to help determine if it’s best to go to a medical office or stay at home.

In-person Visits If it’s determined that an inperson visit is best for you, you’ll find that to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, many facilities are taking the following steps: • Screening arriving patients for COVID-19 symptoms and providing a mask and hand hygiene supplies before entering the center.

• Screening every employee for COVID-19 every shift and requiring them to wear masks at all times and other appropriate personal protective equipment.

• Treating suspected and symptomatic COVID-19 patients in designated areas only.

• Promoting physical distancing with new clinic layouts.

• Cleaning and disinfecting exam rooms between each patient visit, and regularly disinfecting high-traffic and high-touch areas.

Virtual Visits If you don’t require in-person attention, a virtual visit is still a good option. Many people are choosing virtual visits in non-emergency situations for routine follow-ups and non-lifethreatening conditions. This option allows you to consult your doctor or other health care providers in your network via a secure video or phone

appointment, all in the comfort of your home. Before your telehealth visits: • Make a list of all the medications – prescription and over-the-counter – that you take and include the name, address and phone number of your pharmacy.

• Write down details about your symptoms, concerns, any pain and feelings.

• Take digital photos of any injury, rash or other visible concern.

• Have your insurance ID card available.

• Use a phone, tablet or computer that’s connected to the internet. If you’ve never videochatted before, consider a practice run with a friend or family member to work out the process and check the microphone and speakers.

Headphones or ear buds provide better sound quality and more privacy.

• Have your home thermometer, bathroom scale, glucometer and blood-pressure monitor nearby.

Whether you choose a virtual or in-person visit, check with your health insurance provider to see if they’ve taken steps to help ease the burden during the health crisis.

For example, Humana is waiving cost sharing (including copays, coinsurance and deductibles) for in-network primary care, outpatient behavioral health and virtual visits for our Medicare Advantage members for the remainder of the calendar year.

Getting the care you need is always important. Consider these options to stay safe and healthy.

And remember, for life-threatening emergencies, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing or suicidal thoughts, always call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Bottom line: be careful but don’t delay needed care because you are worried about contracting COVID-19. ❖

September/October 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 9

H U M A N A M E D I C A R E A D VA N TA G E P L A N S

A network of doctors who care about you as a patient, and as a person.

That’s human care.

Care that’s centered on you is nearby.

6 care centers located near you.

Central District Iora Primary Care 306 23rd Ave. S., Ste. 200 Seattle, WA 98144

Federal Way Iora Primary Care 1414 S. 324th St., Ste. B207 Federal Way, WA 98003

Renton Iora Primary Care 64 Rainier Ave. S. Renton, WA 98057

Central Tacoma Iora Primary Care 5006 Center St., Ste. R Tacoma, WA 98409

Puyallup Iora Primary Care 3705 S. Meridian Ave. Ste. B Puyallup, WA 98373

Shoreline Iora Primary Care 15214 Aurora Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133

Learn more about the unique kind of care in Humana’s network at HealthThatCares.com.

Turning 65 or new to Medicare? Learn about Humana’s Medicare plans by contacting your local licensed Humana Sales Agent at 1-844-224-8993 (TTY: 711). ¿En español? Llame gratis al 1-844-357-9121 (TTY: 711).

Other Providers are available in our network. Newspaper advertising supplement to Northwest Prime Time. Important! At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal Civil Rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, marital status or religion ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-844-224-8993 (TTY: 711).

Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-844-357-9121 (TTY: 711). 繁體中文 (Chinese): 注意：如果您使用繁體中文 ，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務 。請致電 1-844-224-8993 (TTY: 711) 。 Y0040_GHHKTYSEN_M

10

Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

September/October 2020

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Win-Win: A housing solution ...by Meg Butterworth

For For the several years, Sahlers, offering Skip and temporary shelter Jan Sahler to Hanlon was a have been “win-win.” A win getting their for Hanlon, and a daily cup win for them for of jo from helping someone their local they know.

Magnolia For almost two Starbucks. months Hanlon Skip and Jan Sahler were able to offer Tom Over time, Hanlon (left) a place to stay while he waiting resided in the they got to for low-income housing to open up Sahlers “laundry know other regulars and formed a suite,” an approximately 12x20 group who would sit and converse space with a full bath, washer, about anything and everything. dryer, sink, counter, a small fridge “We were all older and mostly and a futon to sleep on. They retired. Tom was there more often told their daughters about their and longer hours than any of the arrangement with Hanlon, who rest of us,” shared Skip. were skeptical. Their skepticism Tom Hanlon had lived in the continued even after meeting neighborhood for over twenty Hanlon. years. A former maritime attorney As Skip says, “meeting a person and math enthusiast, Starbucks doesn’t give you a chance to know was where he read and worked on that person.” But their daughters projects. “He was obviously an knew their parents’ minds had academic…and he always carried been made up on the matter. two bags of books,” recalls Skip.

In October, an acquaintance Hanlon became well of Hanlon’s offered to sublet a unit acquainted with the Sahlers and he was renting in an old house others in their group. “He was in Magnolia. Happy to remain in kind of the center of most of our Magnolia, he took it. It did not turn conversations,” says Skip. out to be the long-term solution In the summer of 2017, Hanlon he had hoped for. In early 2019 received three months’ notice to the elderly woman who owned the vacate his apartment, which was house and who had kept the rent under new ownership. With no low died and her heirs sold the nearby family, a recent medical house to a developer. Once again, diagnosis and only his monthly Hanlon found himself forced out Social Security payments to pay his of affordable housing. He was still rent and living expenses, Hanlon making his monthly phone calls found himself, at the age of 72, facing to SHA with no news of openings. homelessness for the first time.

The Sahlers stepped in a second He shared his predicament time to offer some relief. with his Starbucks friends. It didn’t In June of 2019, Hanlon’s take long for the Sahlers to offer housing troubles were resolved. A Hanlon “a temporary roof over unit had opened up at a low-income his head.” The timing couldn’t apartment complex for seniors in have been better. Hanlon had put Ballard. Hanlon still remains on himself on the waitlist at Seattle the SHA waitlist and makes his Housing Authority (SHA) and monthly check-in calls, “just in diligently called each month case,” he says. After experiencing to maintain his place among housing insecurity for nearly two thousands of other people in need years, he knows how quickly a roof of affordable housing. Aware of can disappear from over your head. how overloaded the SHA is, he Although Hanlon doesn’t get knew it could take years before an to visit the Magnolia Starbucks apartment became available. In group much, he and the Sahlers the meantime, his three months get together every few months for a were almost up, and his options burger at McDonald’s. were bleak. He considered finding Reflecting on their experience shelter at the Ballard Nicklesville. with Hanlon, Skip says, “Tom fit The couple and Hanlon into our life well. It was a great couldn’t be more different in feeling to be able to help him end everything from life choices to up with a permanent, life-changing politics. That would be enough roof over his head.” for most people to perhaps listen For Hanlon and others politely to Hanlon, express experiencing housing insecurity, sympathy, wish him well and walk some comfort can be had knowing out the door with their Starbucks that there are folks out there, like cup in hand. But despite their the Sahlers, who are willing to step differences, this couple decided to in and help when our overburdened take a chance by inviting Hanlon systems can’t. As Hanlon says, into their home.

“Skip and Jan saved me.” ❖

September/October 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 11

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 Sampler of Retirement Housing Listings on pages 12-13.

Are Seniors Still Moving into Retirement Communities During the Pandemic?

The short answer is yes.

According to the American Association of Retirement Communities, inquiries about moving into retirement communities may have slowed since the coronavirus crisis began, but those still looking seem more motivated to make the move.

“It’s anybody’s guess as to when life will ‘go back to normal,’ states the Association’s website, but the new normal includes many reasons why people are still moving into retirement communities.

A recently minted senior community resident said that he and his wife made the move, and “It’s a great place to be quarantined.” The couple was motivated to sell their home during the “hot” real estate market and then had to move right away because their home sold so quickly. They had already selected their top pick for a retirement community before the pandemic hit.

When their house sold, they decided to move, in part, because of the precautions that are in place at senior facilities. The couple feel that the staff at their new community is looking after them and taking all the necessary safety precautions. Stiff restrictions have been in place at assisted living communities since the pandemic began. While independent living communities haven’t had the same level of restrictions, they are keeping up with all safety regulations. Safety and support are some of the reasons people are still making the move.

A top senior living referral organization, A Place for Mom, lists several benefits of living in a retirement community amid coronavirus.

“Unique amenities. Specialized services. Simplified daily living...

Whether eliminating stress related to supplies, transportation or figuring out what to make for dinner—anxieties and physical demands like these are greatly reduced,” writes the organization’s editor, Merritt Whitley. Retirement communities have their sights set on safety; living in a controlled environment with safety and sanitation protocols in place can reduce anxiety and makes a lot of sense for some older adults.

Information about coronavirus changes rapidly, but senior living communities are dedicated to

staying informed.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers guidance to senior housing on best practices.

Retirement communities stay on top of the outbreak by staying in touch with the CDC and also by following the latest state guidelines.

The article (www. aplaceformom.com/coronavirus/ resource-center/5-benefits-seniorliving) lists five benefits for moving into a retirement community during the COVID emergency.

1. Safety and security.

Senior living communities are especially focused on preventing coronavirus from spreading. They have instituted amplified cleaning practices, including strict use of hand sanitizers and masks. They monitor deliveries and may limit or monitor all visitors before entering.

Communities also keep large quantities of essential supplies on hand at all times.

2. Connection in a time of social distancing. Even with social distancing rules in place, retirement communities can offer more connection and activity than living at home. Staff can assist residents to connect with their loved ones through careful in-person meetings, or even help their residents set up video chats. Creating safe group activities can be a bit more challenging, but the article quoted Mary Pat Taylor, a retirement community activity director, who said that she works to come up with safe and fun activities every day.

Hallway activities have increased, with residents sitting at the threshold of their door but engaging in planned activities such as singalongs, bingo, happy hour or even group exercise they can do in their doorway.

Performances may take place outdoors, where residents can watch from their balconies or patios.

3. Daily cleaning to keep residents safe. In addition to mask

wearing and social distancing protocol, facilities are sanitized frequently.

Not only does the regular crew clean daily, other staff are wiping everything down several times a day, says Taylor. And, she adds, the community continually works to educate residents and staff on best practices to stay safe.

4. Opportunities for activity and exercise even during shelter-in-place.

Whitley writes that senior living communities work diligently to offer opportunities for entertainment and activity, even during these challenging times. One example, instead of bringing in instructors from the outside “we’re using a DVD series focused on strength and stretching exercises,” reported Taylor. “I’ve actually noticed more people in the community are exercising more now just to stay busy,” she added.

5. Less situational stress and strain, more focus on your relationship with your loved ones. Role reversal, where older adults rely more on their adult children, can cause family strain, writes Whitley. “This is especially true right now, as so many people grapple with coronavirus-related guidance about staying home... In senior living communities, family members are liberated to spend more meaningful, quality time with their older loved one rather than a caregiving role.” Taylor reports that family members tell her “how much they appreciate what we do for their loved ones.

It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that we put the minds of families at ease. They know their loved ones are in good hands during these tough times.”

If you are considering moving into a retirement community during the time of coronavirus,

NextAvenue.org, a national journalism service for America’s booming older population, suggests asking these questions of the communities: 1. What are your protocols for testing residents and staff for coronavirus?

2. Are new residents quarantined or tested prior to moving or upon arrival?

3. Has your facility had COVID-19 cases? What is the infection rate there and how are you communicating with families about it? What is the community’s “level” rating, as defined by the State? (Retirement communities might have a lower rating than the surrounding county, depending on how many cases they’ve recorded within the community.)

4. What safety protocols are in place to prevent COVID-19 from spreading? For example, how frequently are high-traffic spots such as elevator buttons disinfected, and how has the community dealt with meal service (staggered dining times in the dining rooms to offer social distancing, or meals delivered to rooms, or...)?

5. What do they do to maintain and support staff? Are there incentives in place to help limit turnover in staffing?

6. What is the community doing to engage residents? Since many group activities have been put on hold in retirement communities, what creative ways has the community developed to keep residents entertained and active—mentally and physically?

COVID is likely to be with us for quite some time, and major life decisions can’t always be put on hold. Living at home brings its own challenges and risks, including the stress of maintaining your own home, isolation from living alone, an increased risk of falls and poor nutrition, or lack of support when you need supplies, your internet or cable goes out, something breaks, or other life challenges pop up.

Perhaps now is not such a bad time to consider the benefits of retirement community living. ❖

12

Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

September/October 2020 COUPEVILLE 532

This Month’s Retirement L 20

Keystone

X

X

2. Cogir of Northgate Senior Living

X

X

122

X

X

3. Cogir of Queen Anne Senior Living

X

X

193

X

X

4. Fairwinds Brighton Court

X

X

5. Foss Home & Village 6. Foundation House at Northgate 7. Northaven Retirement and Northaven Assisted Living

X

CLALLAM 182

X

X

X

X

Yes

$2,695 to $5,350 116

X

X

Yes 20

$1,995 to $3,300

X

X

Yes

$2,795 to $4,995

X

X

X

X

X

X

104

X

X

194

40

234

174

60

X

154

59

94

X

1

SOUTH KING, EASTSIDE AND PIERCE COUNTIES 9. Boulevard Park Place Active Retirement Community

X

10. Harbor Place at Cottesmore

102

11. Patriots Glen Assisted Living and Memory Care

126 102 X

12. Stafford Suites - Sumner

72

13. Vintage at Seatac

X

72

104

131

50

15. Wesley Des Moines

352

75

16. Wesley Lea Hill

127

32

17. Wesley at Tehaleh

168

42

60 32

72 X

X

X

X

72

X

X

0

72

27

39

6

X

X

170

14. Wesley Bradley Park

54

206

JEFFERSON 0

17

198

7

28

515

X

16

175

18

228

Cost Range

23

ISLAND 23 23

52

X

8. Park Place Assisted Living

X

Entrance Fee

Ad location (page number)

1-Bedroom

203

Pets

Studios

X

Sequim

Dining/meals

Total Units

X

101

PORT TOWNSEND

525

2-Bedroom+

Assisted

1. Cogir of Mill Creek Senior Living

Community Name

20

including: Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Seattle

Independent

Memory Care

Skilled Nursing

S E AT T L E A R E A A N D P O I N T S N O R T H

9

119 101 72 X

X

X

X 101

X

X

Prices begin at $2,900/studio; $3,700/1BR; $4,600/2BR

15

Call for information: 206-364-1300

15

none

$1,950 to $5,045/month

14

Independent-HUD based on income Assisted Living: $4,000+ Port

17

$3,500

X X

X

None

X

X

None

Quilcene including:

19

none 104

Gamble Apartments start at $2,550 Medicaid/ COPES Accepted

X

Kingston Edmond 19

$1,595 - $2,400 307 Call 253-853-3354 for current rates

3

X

$2,500 for Ind. & Assisted Living

X

X

$3,800

Studios starting at $3,800 Poulsbo 1 bedrooms are $4,800

10

3

X

$850

$2,812+

n/a

X

None

18

308 $1,199 - $1,442

3

21

X

X

305 SilverdaleCall 253-435-8100 for current rates Fully Refundable

X

X

Fully Refundable

X

X

X

X

128

91

X

X

Fully Refundable

The seniors of Boulevard Park Place don’t sit still— they walk and raise $5,000 for COVID relief. On July 14, the Boulevard Park Place community in Burien celebrated 119 the completion of their Charity Walk Belfair after raising funds to support several 300 Hoodsport local non-profit groups. Donations were given to the Highline Area Food Bank, Highline Schools Foundation, the Seattle Union Gospel Mission at Riverton Place 101 and the White Center Food Bank. The participating seniors106 logged an astounding 5,000 miles to raise the $5,000—all on their 10-acre Boulevard Park Place property. The highlight of the festivities was an outdoor movie complete with a gigantic viewing screen, plenty of drinks and snacks, and a chance to see Tom Hanks portraying Mr. Rogers in “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” “A special thanks to all of our residents who burned up MASON those walking shoes for such a great cause. WAY TO GO, TEAM!” said Ron Steinman, 3 owner and general manager. For more information about Boulevard Park Place Active Retirement Living, call 206-243-0300 or 102 visit www.boulevardparkplace.com.

Since June 19 (Juneteenth), each Friday at noon some 15 residents of Horizon House, a SHELTON retirement community in downtown Seattle, demonstrate in support of Black Lives Matter.

They gather at all four corners of Ninth and 101Seneca on Seattle’s First Hill carrying signs, some homemade. “Some are with canes and walkers, but stout of heart. Call it granny power,” reported community resident, Connie 108 Anne Hellyer. “To the occasionally muttered ‘All lives matter,’ we respond: ‘Darn right!’”

The ongoing senior-powered demonstration was initiated by Shulamit Decktor and is chaired by Lynne Levine.

3

303 Bainbridge Call 206-824-5000 for current Island rates

3 3

Call 253-876-6000 for current rates 310

3

Call 253-466-2720 for current rates

3

Bremerton

304

166

16

302

Fauntleroy

Southworth 160

SPUR 302

SEA

PORT ORCHARD

Vashon Hts.

Purdy

16 10

Gig Harbor

Fe

16

163

Tacoma 705

16

Lakewood

5

5

OLYMPIA

101

n/a

Auburn, Bellevue, Bonney Lake, Burien, Des Moines, Gig Harbor Puyallup, 104 SeaTac, Sumner 3

KITSAP Fully Refundable

8

C

507

Lacey

7

530

Stanwood

September/October 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 13

530

Living Community Advertisers Arlington

531 9

5

Marysville

528

529

25

524

Everett

Clinton

1. Cogir of Mill Creek Senior Living: 14905 Bothell Everett Hwy, Mill Creek, WA 98012 • 425-338-1580 • www.cogirseniorliving.com 2. Cogir of Northgate Senior Living: 11501 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125 • 206-362-7250 • www.cogirseniorliving.com Granite Falls 3. Cogir of Queen Anne Senior Living: 805 4th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 • 206-284-0055 • www.cogirseniorliving.com 4. Fairwinds Brighton Court: 6520 196th St SW Lynnwood, WA 98036 92 • 425-775-4440 • www.leisurecare.com 5. Foss Home & Village: 13023 Greenwood Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98133 SNOHOMISH • 206-364-1300 • www.fosscare.org 6. Foundation House at Northgate: 11301 3rd Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98125 • 206-361-2758 • www.FoundationHouseNG.com 7. Northaven Retirement and Northaven Assisted Living: 11045 8th NE Seattle, WA 98125 • 206-365-3020 • www.northavenseniorliving.org 8. Park Place Assisted Living: 6900 37th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118 • 206-722-7275 • www.parkplaceassistedliving.org 9. Boulevard Park Place Active Retirement Community: 2805 S. 125th St., Burien WA 98168 Sultan • 206-243-03002 • www.boulevardparkplace.com 10. Harbor Place at Cottesmore: 1016 29th St NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 Monroe • 253-853-3354 • HarborPlaceRetirement.com 11. Patriots Glen Assisted Living and Memory Care: 1640 148th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98007 • 425-373-1161 • patriotsglen.com 12. Stafford Suites - Sumner: 15519 62nd St. Ct. E. Sumner, WA 98390 • 253-862-1818 • www.staffordcare.com/sumner 13. Duvall Vintage at Seatac: 21212 International Blvd, Seatac, WA 98198 • 206-565-1522 • www.vintageatseatac.com 14. 203 Wesley Bradley Park: 707 39th Ave SE, Puyallup, WA 98374 • 253-435-8100 • bradleypark.wesleychoice.org 15. Wesley Des Moines: 815 S 216th St, Des Moines, WA 98198 • 206-824-5000 • desmoines.wesleychoice.org 16. WesleyCarnation Lea Hill: 32049 109th Place SE, Auburn, WA 98092 • 253-876-6000 • leahill.wesleychoice.org 17. Wesley at Tehaleh: 17702 Cascadia Boulevard East, Bonney Lake, WA 98391 • 253-466-2720 • tehaleh.wesleychoice.org

2

Mukilteo

5

526

2

Snohomish

99

525

96 9 527

4 524

Lynnwood

ds

1

405

524

522

104

Bothell

104

522

523

5

2

6

99

7

Woodinville

Kirkland 5

Redmond

908

513 405

202

520

3

ATTLE

520

Bellevue 11

90

519

Fall City

90

8

99

Issaquah

509

9

599

900 900

518

Renton

169

99 509

13

15

18

167 515

181

Kent

Maple Valley

18 516

KING

5

509

16

99

ederal Way

Auburn

169

18

161 167

14

Wesley Des Moines opens new building with 151 senior living apartments. Wesley retirement 202 communities announced the opening of the first wings of the new Gardens North building, a 312,000 square foot Bend addition to Wesley Des Moines.

The layout of the new building takes advantage of the views of Puget Sound from multiple apartments, the dining room and the fifth-floor club room, which also features a demonstration kitchen. Additional amenities include a Town Center with a library, craft room, fitness center, theater/classroom and bistro. There is also a chapel/community room that will have a custommade pipe organ by Paul Fritts & Company Organ Builders in the balcony. Residents began moving into their new independent living apartments in August with special move-in protocols: required screening of all movers, limited building access, frequent sanitization of elevators, social distancing and use of facial coverings. For information, call 206-824-5000 or visit WesleyChoice.org.

164

167

12

Sumner

Enumclaw

Puyallup

512

Buckley

17

165

162 161

Carbonado

410

Carol Ramstad and Edith Calder are close, even for sisters. Both spent their adulthood in the greater Seattle area, both graduated from the University of Washington and now, amidst a once-in-a-century pandemic, both support each other as neighbors at Judson Park, a local senior living community. “We’ve been very close all our lives,” said Carol, who can see Edith’s apartment window from hers. “We’re 18 months apart. Our husbands got along well; we hiked together, skied together.” The pair are still active and go for daily walks—socially distanced and with masks. “We lean on each other for support; it makes all the difference,” said Carol. It’s a sentiment Edith shares. “We know each other so well,” she added. “We have no secrets, no surprises. We’re like twins.”

14

Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

Alexa, Keep Me Independent

Can smart speakers act as personal assistants for an aging population?

September/October 2020

5 Questions to Ask Before Visiting a Nursing Home ...by Doug Shadel, AARP State Director

As COVID-19 restrictions ease in Washington State, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have resumed visits for Older adults can to try it, but after a while she families. Visits won’t be the same as before the be hesitant about new was using the speaker to time pandemic, at least until the threat of coronavirus technology. At the her medications, listen to the has passed. There may be limits on when, where, same time, many are news, play games and even and for how long you can see loved ones, and reluctant to forfeit their write a book. Liu’s view of the distancing rules will likely be in place. independence, even if Echo quickly went from a silly We’ve been through an unprecedented crisis they are having trouble toy to an in-home aid which with the pandemic. This was the first time many performing tasks at home. helped keep her independent. family members couldn’t visit in-person with Hilaire Thompson Older adults can also their loved ones for such a long time. Even as and Yong Choi are use electronic assistants to restrictions ease, visits will look different for the Photo courtesy Alexa for Seniors researchers from help keep their body and near future. the University of mind healthy as they age.

If your loved one’s nursing home is resuming Washington School of Nursing. They wanted to Smart speakers can be programmed to set reminders in-person visits, AARP recommends asking the know if a technology exists that could help seniors stay for medication or to do an at-home exercise. Smart facility five key questions to prepare: independent for longer while lowering the worry of speakers have a variety of trivia games to choose from, accidents. including Jeopardy!, that can stimulate users’ brains on a 1. What is the nursing home doing Choi hypothesized that smart speakers could be on regular basis. to help make it safe for visitors to come the list of technologies that encourages independence.

Liu said that experimenting with her Amazon back? The federal Centers for Medicare & Thompson and Choi conducted a study where they Echo is “what keeps my mind from deteriorating.�

Medicaid Services, which regulates long-term asked a group of older adults to choose between four Additionally, speakers won’t get tired or frustrated care facilities, provided nursing homes with different technologies to try at home, one of which with endless questions from people with dementia. recommendations about resuming in-person was the Amazon Echo smart speaker. The researchers Alexa will just respond in the same chipper voice again visits, including: found that the subjects who tried the Echo started using and again. For people with limited mobility, smart • At least 28 days without a new it to answer basic questions, such as the day’s weather speakers can be set up to adjust lights, thermostats, COVID-19 case in the facility. forecast. After using the speaker for a while, they began electrical outlets and door locks with their voice. • Declining cases in the surrounding asking it more and more complex questions, and even This function takes care of simple tasks that cause community. started asking it to do things it couldn’t do. Thompson unnecessary pain for them and lightens the load for • Regular testing for residents. and Choi reported that some people wanted the their caregiver. • Adequate supplies of personal protective speaker to monitor health characteristics like blood For those who are living in an assisted living equipment. pressure and report the information to their doctor. facility, smart speakers are still a valuable tool. Residents 2. What kinds of health checks will be One woman, who lived alone, chose a technology of Front Porch, a retirement community in California, required for visitors? The federal guidelines other than the Echo and regretted her choice after an formed “The Alexa Clubâ€? to learn from each other include: accident. about the smart speaker technology and to socialize. • Checking visitors’ temperatures. “She fell, and her cell phone wasn’t near so she had Kari Olson is the innovation officer for Front Porch. • Asking visitors about COVID-19 to try to crawl out and try to find her cell phone,â€? said She thinks The Alexa Club is a great example of symptoms and their potential exposure.

Choi. connecting community through technological support. • Observing visitors for symptoms or signs If the woman chose the Amazon Echo and linked Whether it’s an individual living on their own reaching of infection. the device to her phone, she could have shouted at the out to their family for help or a group of residents at 3. Are visits restricted by time and place?

Echo to call for help. This incident highlights the role Front Porch troubleshooting their Alexas together, Keep in mind that: smart speaker technology can have in responding to Olson believes a real value of the smart speakers is the • You may need an appointment for your emergencies. opportunity they create for human connection. visit.

Smart speakers are also helpful assistants for Amazon smart speakers have a few exclusive • Visiting hours may be restricted. people with sensory issues and can keep them living applications that come in handy. ‘Find My Phone’ will • Visits may be time-limited or allowed independently for longer. Mei Liu, a guest on a KUOW locate that tricky device that always seems to slip in only in designated areas. podcast, reveals how her Amazon Echo helped her live between the couch cushions. ‘Ask MyBuddy’ notifies • You may be able to set a regular schedule independently after losing her sight. Liu lost her ability an emergency contact in the event of an accident. for visiting your loved one. to see after complications with glaucoma medication.

This application could mean the difference between 4. What protective and social-distancing Despite Liu’s blindness, her insurance refused to pay for receiving help quickly or crawling around on the measures are in place under federal guidelines? her to live at an assisted living facility because she was ground to find a phone in order to call for help. This You may need to: still physically able to live on her own. This left her and feature is critical for older adults who live alone. • Wear a mask or use hand sanitizer—ask if her family scratching their heads on who would assist To listen to a KUOW podcast on this topic, visit the facility will provide them. her with daily tasks. kuow.org/stories/primed-season-3-episode-2. To learn • Stay at least six feet away from your loved Liu’s daughter decided to introduce her mother to more about smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo one. the Amazon Echo after the incident. She was reluctant visit alexaforseniors.net. � • If you want to bring food or gifts, ask the ...by Maddie Smith

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September/October 2020 facility about their policies first.

5. Are you doing everything possible to minimize risks to residents?

• Don’t visit if you feel ill, even if the symptoms are mild, or if you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the previous two weeks.

• Keep visits short, and stay outdoors if possible.

• Consider a virtual visit by phone or video chat as an alternative to visiting in-person.

The top priority is keeping residents of nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term care facilities, their family members and staff safe as in-person visits resume.

In addition, AARP is urging Congress to ensure all nursing homes and other long-term care facilities regularly test residents and staff; have and correctly use personal protective equipment (PPE); publicly report COVID-19 cases and deaths daily; and facilitate virtual visits between residents and their families—even after in-person visits resume.

A video chat with family and friends reduces loneliness for nursing home residents, and the pandemic has reminded us just how important that connection can be.

AARP has more resources available for family members with loved ones living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities at aarp.org/nursinghomes. ❖

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 15

Life Perspectives

Celebrate National Grandparents Day on September 13— start, she decided to stay to fulfill her it’s always the first Sunday after Labor Day contract.

Lessons of Adventure ...by Maddie Smith

gene was passed down to me as well. At 22 years old, I’ve got the jungles of Ecuador, the Growing up, high Andes of Peru and what my grandmother, remains of the ice-capped Baba, took on the glaciers of Alaska under my role of matriarch belt. Baba had her fair share of the family. of adventures in her youth She would often and, despite the decades in babysit my brother between, there are some and me to give similarities between her stories my parents a and my own experiences. well-deserved When Baba was 30 years break from their Maddie Smith as a baby with her old, she made the decision to two screaming grandmother, Baba. Maddie was Northwest Prime Time’s intern move from Rochester, New children. during her final quarter at WWU’s York to Pawnee, Oklahoma.

My Baba is Journalism program.

She left everything behind a lawyer and she in New York to work as a nurse on the talked to me about her career as soon Pawnee Reservation. On July 5, 1971, as I was old enough to understand legal a bus dropped Baba and her brother battles, probably a little bit before if I’m being honest. Despite her responsibilities Jack off on the reservation. The land was covered in debris from the powwow as an attorney and a grandmother, I that took place the night before. A twocould always tell Baba had an intrepid year nursing contract was ahead of her. sparkle in her baby blue eyes.

She recalls Uncle Jack recoiling from A sense of adventure is a trait that culture shock after stepping foot on the runs strong on the female side of my reservation. He left the next day to go family. My parents and aunt instilled a back home to Toronto. love for travel in me from a young age, “I stood on the sidewalk crying after taking my brother, cousin and me on trips to places like Arches National Park, his bus pulled away,” she said.

Her first few months on the Pawnee New York City, Mount Rushmore and the Dominican Republic, to name a few. Reservation were troublesome. She was My mother shared her tales of adventure lonely without her friends from back home, and the Native Americans were around Europe, Alaska and Atlanta, slow to trust her. But, despite a rocky Georgia. Sure enough, the adventure

by our residents, our amazing Foss staff and the family members that support our efforts.

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Eventually, Baba met her best friend Nancy Mooney, a fellow nurse. The two women kept each other company for the remainder of their contract, inside the health clinic and out.

As nurses, they dealt with a staggering number of diabetes cases at the health clinic. Baba recalls a threeyear-old patient who was diagnosed with pre-diabetes. The food available for the Pawnees was not healthy; they subsisted off of beef lard provided by the U.S. government, and junk food.

The lard that gave so many people diabetes sizzled in the skillets of countless Pawnees, seeping into the pores of golden frybread. The aroma of the sweet bread is an unmistakable sign of a powwow. Baba looks back on powwows in Pawnee fondly. She enjoyed watching the dancers and drummers perform their art and, of course, the food. Baba still goes to potlucks from time to time with the Native American Coalition of Boise, where she now lives. She rejoices as she is asked to serve herself food before anyone else. Elders are highly respected in indigenous communities and, at age 80, Baba usually holds seniority, granting her the first pick of delicious, warm frybread.

“I always thought we could use a little more of that in our culture,” she said.

Baba’s adventures lay behind her, but the memories remain. As I continue traveling, I hold these stories close because lessons of adventure are among the few things unaltered by time. ❖

Behind the front door of a Leisure Care community, there’s so much more than people would expect.

Behind every exciting experience, there’s a team of passionate experts.

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September/October 2020

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www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 17

Money Sense

The Great Outdoors

The SECURE Act

Happy Camper

...by Karen Telleen-Lawton

...by Roger Urbaniak

COVID 19 and its far-reaching effects have dominated the news for months. Fears of illness and financial instability are both overwhelming stressors for seniors. A deep concern for many is that the average 65-yearold will outlive her savings by a decade or more.

The SECURE Act of 2020 was designed to address this situation.

The House version passed back in July 2019 with a phenomenally bipartisan vote of 417 to 3. The Senate acted on a modified bill in the fall, which become law December 2019.

The SECURE Act – Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement – is designed to encourage and strengthen personal retirement accounts. While there are promising provisions, it pays to understand the details of the act. The financial industry spent millions of dollars in lobbying efforts; a strong indicator of who expects to benefit. What’s in it for typical seniors?

The three main provisions of the act call for: • Helping to reduce small employer set-up costs for retirement plans.

• Increasing access to annuities options inside retirement accounts.

• Major changes to the rules governing retirement accounts and Required Minimum Distributions.

For small businesses, SECURE aims to reduce the cost and administrative headaches of setting up employee 401(k) retirement accounts. It offers employers a $500 tax credit for starting such accounts.

It also increases the cap from 10 to 15% of wages under which small businesses can set up automatic “safe harbor” retirement plans. Finally, it allows part-time workers to be included if they work a minimum of 1000 hours or 500 hours for three consecutive years.

An increasing number of seniors work part-time hours. This new provision allowing seniors to continue setting aside retirement money is a valuable asset. Depending on your circumstances, you may be better off saving outside of a small company’s plans, which may have higher costs than large companies can negotiate. But unless you are uber-disciplined to do it on your own, a company retirement plan is a great option. The main advantage is that it reduces your temptation to spend those funds.

Annuities are an even trickier issue. They are sound in theory: you can think of them as a private version of Social Security. You put down a sum of money (or a stream of money from each paycheck) and in return receive a monthly

check for the rest of your life (or a specified period of time). The complexity emerges in the details.

For retirement account holders, the fees paid can be both steep and obscure. Whether considering a purchase within or outside a retirement account, it is imperative to understand the fees before you choose to invest in an annuity.

Moreover, private annuities aren’t backed by the federal government as is Social Security. In the years or decades before a worker begins to collect on an annuity, the insurance company offering the product may go out of business. This can be catastrophic for the retiree as well as a liability for the employer offering the retirement account.

The annuities provision in the SECURE Act encourages employers to offer annuities in retirement plans. Before the Act, few companies offered annuities, partially because of the risk in choosing an insurance company that could go out of business in the years or decades before the retired employee begins the payout.

Annuity’s high fees have also made them an “unpopular” choice for workers even when offered.

The Act may increase annuities’ popularity to companies by reducing their liability if the insurer goes bankrupt. On the other hand, that could result in more insurance companies with dubious reputations offering annuities. The issue of annuities being laden with fees is also not addressed. It remains to be seen whether workers choose this option.

Whether or not annuities are part of your IRA package, other provisions of SECURE make it highly relevant for upcoming seniors.

The Act brings about significant changes to IRA distribution rules.

It allows seniors in the workforce to continue contributing to their IRAs after age 70½ (the previous limit).

It also pushes to 72 (from 70½) the age at which account owners need to take required minimum distributions (RMDs). Other new provisions involve rules around inherited IRAs. Check with your accountant or tax advisor for details on which provisions apply to you. As with any part of your retirement plan, it pays to understand the details. We all hope to make it to the other side of COVID’s reaches. When we do, let’s arrive with our health—and our retirement plans—intact. ❖ Karen Telleen-Lawton helps seniors help themselves by writing about bias-free financial advice. She can be reached at ktl@ DecisivePath.com.

I was behind a motor home on the freeway that had the bumper sticker, “Happy Camper.” Linda and I once owned a VW Eurovan camper for more than 15 years, traveling all the lower 48 states in it. That bumper sticker triggered many pleasant Roger and his wife Linda traveled the lower 48 states in their VW Eurovan camper memories. or other pleasant natural features.

Traveling around the country For a comparison of rates and in the camper had been a lifelong rental details, I called Cruise America wish and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. When we sold our van four Motorhome Rentals to learn about their rental options. Since Cruise America is years ago to Peace Vans, a company a much larger company with a variety that rents them out, we hoped that of rental vehicles, I found their rental others would enjoy it as much as we options attractive. With over 5000 did. We named our old van “Yakima” rental vehicles and rental facilities in when we sold it.

33 states, drop offs were expanded for Since I was curious, I contacted one-way trips. Vehicle options ranged Peace Vans to get rental details. Rental from campers to standard and large RV vehicles include Vanagons, Mercedes rentals with a capacity of up to seven vans and specialty vans with a six-night people. Mileage charges were also $.35/ minimum May through October and mile but were half price from September four-night minimum during the offseason. Rental rates vary from $1,350 for to December. Most vehicles had toilets six nights in peak season to $740 for four and showers to go with refrigerators and nights during the off-season. In addition microwaves, air conditioning and, unlike Peace Vans, were also pet-friendly. Both to the basic rental rate, there is a charge Cruise America and Peace Vans sell for taxes and insurance, plus $.35 per vehicles if you decide camping should mile for mileage over 125 miles per day. become a way of life.

Our Eurovan averaged about 20 Flying around the country might miles per gallon on the longer trips. get you there quicker, driving a car or Campground costs varied from free taking the train might get your there alongside the road or Walmart lots to cheaper, but if you wish to really see as much as $75 per night if we went deluxe. We typically traveled off season, America off the beaten path, it is hard and normal rates for us were about $25 to match the experience of a camper van. Sharing stories around campfires per night. with fellow campers while listening to One year when our refrigerator elk bugle in the background becomes began acting up, we decided to buy a way of life...and counting the stars a bag of ice and camp at primitive overhead really grows on you. sites. It turned out to be a positive If you decide to try a few outings, experience—these sites were often we just might see a “Happy Camper” larger, cheaper, are generally away from sign on the rear of your new vehicle. ❖ the crowd and sometimes had a pond

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18

Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

September/October 2020

The ongoing life-affirming adventures of Rose and Dawn

The Funny Side of Life

Round Robin at Thinking Big Thoughts the Senior Center

…by Sy Rosen

During the pandemic, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking while lying on my couch eating carrot sticks (okay, Sy Rosen potato chips). Some of these thoughts are big and important, some are small and petty, and some are bordering on the incoherent. You decide which is which. (I’m voting for incoherent.)

During the coronavirus, I’ve gotten these emails about learning a new word every day.

The site is called ‘word genius’ and I like that it’s got ‘genius’ in it. Unfortunately, the optimum number of words I can learn and remember in a day is… one. However, I don’t think it’s because of my senescence. (That was yesterday’s word.)

Now that I wear a mask in the grocery store, I can’t lick my finger which makes it almost impossible to open one of their plastic bags. It takes so long to get the bag open that the fruit I’m trying to put in has turned from ripe to overripe.

I don’t know what to say to people who wear a mask but don’t cover their nose. I don’t want to create a scene because I guess they are trying. Well, I finally figured out a solution.

The other day I was in the supermarket and there was a guy with an uncovered nose. I yelled out in a very high-pitched voice, “Hey you, cover your nose!” I then looked over to a nearby, appropriately masked, lady and nodded my head in agreement as though she had said it.

This thing about noses got me thinking about high school.

Back then my nickname was Nose. I had such a complex about it that when I was 14 my parents took me to a plastic surgeon to see about a nose job. He said it wouldn’t do

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

…by Diana Couture

any good because my nose was still growing. I kept thinking, how big is this thing going to get? Will it have to get its own driver’s license? Well, my theory is if everyone was wearing a mask in high school nobody would have noticed my nose. It would have been the coronavirus equivalent of a nose job.

I will never ever capitalize coronavirus. Because first, it’s grammatically incorrect; second, I don’t want to give it any more power. Third, I’m a little weird.

While sheltered in place, I find myself daydreaming a lot.

I think if I close my eyes tight enough and open them, I will be a child again and will be able to relive my life. You all have those thoughts, right? You don’t?

Okay, I don’t either. I was just kidding.

Because of the pandemic I don’t go out much. Every three days I start up my car to make sure the battery doesn’t die.

When I get in, I feel like my car is talking to me: “Where have you been?” “I missed you.” “Are you seeing someone else?” I’m sure most of you can relate. No? Your car doesn’t talk to you? Oh right, mine doesn’t either. I was just kidding.

I was looking through my wallet and found two gift certificates to the local movie theater. Unfortunately, I can’t use them right now and I love the movies. Besides movies, I also love making lists and I started making a list of the best movie endings. (I hope the word “endings” doesn’t reflect my fear of the virus.) My list includes Some Like it Hot, Casablanca, Rocky, The Shawshank Redemption, Love Actually, Gone with the Wind and The Graduate.

If you have some favorite endings you can email them to me at sdr1717@aol.com because besides movies and making lists, this old curmudgeon has discovered he also loves human contact. Even if it’s just through emails. ❖

Note – This edition’s adventure takes place in a COVID-free world

Anticipation filled the great room of the senior center. Today was the day for a new card game that was supposed to keep the minds sharp and the bodies active.

“How can a card game keep one’s body active?” Rose asked Dawn.

“I’m not quite sure, Rose, but we’ll soon be finding out.” Just then the activities director stepped into the room and announced that today’s fun would be starting soon.

She requested that everyone take a seat.

People were milling around, picking tables with friends. After a time, all were seated except for Butch, one of the late arrivals. Rose saw Butch trying to find a chair.

She hailed Jennifer, the activities director, over to her table. “Jennifer, we need another seat. Butch is still standing.”

Jennifer smiled and called for everyone’s attention. “We are one seat short for our card table games for a reason. We are going to try a new angle in card playing by asking everyone who loses the hand at a table to get up and find another empty chair which will have been vacated by someone else who has lost the hand at another table.

There will always be one person left standing, waiting for an opportunity to be seated in the next ‘Round Robin’.”

Heads swiveled and some mouths gaped.

“Just stand up at your table after a losing hand and wait for someone else to stand at another table. Anyone using a walker will be provided with a ‘spotter’– one of the volunteers – to claim a chair, giving them time to get to the new seat. Doesn’t this sound like fun?”

Jennifer gushed with enthusiasm.

With some significant reservations, the group got down to dealing cards and playing the first game of four-handed rummy.

The air in the room was thick with concentration. Everyone

was focused on their cards to make sure they played their best so they could stay seated. After ten minutes, one person stood up at a table and then another and another.

People threw their losing hand down on the table, stood up and raced over to a table where another card player was standing. Spotters, assigned to those using walkers, held chairs for their “person.”

Others rushed as well as they could to empty seats. Jennifer had to intervene at one point to remind everyone that no shoving was allowed…for obvious reasons.

With the first round complete and everyone but Pastor Lisel seated at a card table, the next hand was dealt. Again, everyone concentrated on their cards; the festive giggling during the seat exchange was now a thing of the past.

Beads of sweat showed on furled brows. Another 10 minutes passed until people began to stand after folding their losing hands. It was a mad rush and this time Dawn was at the ready, having lost at her table. With agility unseen in years, Dawn bounded to the nearest table to claim the empty chair. She sat down and sighed with relief at not being the ‘odd man out,’ the one left standing.

Rose was happy that her friend had made it and waved congratulations to Dawn. The next hand was now ready to be dealt.

Rose was very serious studying her cards as they landed in front of her.

There’s no way she was going to give up her seat in this dog-eat-dog rummy game.

Eyes focused on cards, people played like their lives depended on it. Finally, eleven minutes later, the first person stood up. Rose slammed down a losing hand and had to stand up. “Darn it, she thought. “I’ve got to get another chair. I’m too good at this game to be left standing.” With a discerning eye, she noticed a seat about to be vacated.

Rose moved stealthily and left poor Butch (the very same one she’d tried to rescue earlier) standing out another hand. ❖

September/October 2020

Finishing School ...by Len Elliott

Across 1. Pan of cookies 6. Big Ben, e.g.

10. Invitation abbreviation 14. “Hi” in HI 15. Soothing substance 16. Pub potables 17. Painter of ballet scenes 18. Foal’s mother 19. Postal clerk’s call 20. Noted early 1900s sportswriter (penned “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”)

23. Spaceship passengers?: abbr.

24. “____, a mouse!”

25. Small group of trees 28. Controversial NFL receiver considered by the Seahawks 32. Bangkok bills 35. Graduate, for short 36. Anatomical duct 37. Kardashian ex Lamar 38. Home interior design 40. Server’s handout 41. 1921 play that introduced the term “robot” 42. Plasterer’s backing 43. Delta of “Designing Women” 44. Catcher who played almost all of his games with the New York Yankees 48. Knight’s ride 49. Onassis, to friends

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 19 50. Murray or Cantwell, e.g. abbr.

53. Curly-headed child star of the 1930s who later became an ambassador 58. Bert who played the Cowardly Lion 60. Continental currency 61. Language of Iran 62. Micronesian sailing boat 63. Light beige 64. Internet business 65. Observed 66. “____ we forget” 67. Palm tree products Down 1. Something earned by a Scout 2. Police bulletin 3. Romans wore them 4. Charlie of old detective stories 5. Hurries 6. Capital of Mali 7. Verve 8. Lady’s husband 9. Lustful look 10. Fierce resentment 11. Teen party, sometimes 12. Irritate greatly 13. Puget Sound setting in the winter: abbr.

21. Allow 22. Weapon launched from silos: abbr.

26. Actress Hilary 27. Follow, as a result 28. Casino convenience: abbr.

29. Cheese-covered snack 30. U.N. workers’ agency 31. “____ Town” (play) 32. Makes one yawn

“Pre” School 1. Hawk to a vole 2. Vole to a hawk 3. Magic 4. “Heartbreak Hotel” was his first #1 hit 5. Protestant denomination adhering to the views of John Calvin 6. It can be exerted by peers or air 7. Mythical sergeant of the Northwest Mounted Police (ably assisted by his dog, Yukon King) answers on page 22

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33. “Who’s the ____ in the room?”

34. It’s pitched at a stake 38. Rather or Aykroyd 39. Biblical verb ending 40. Ingredient in a kid’s pie 42. “Oh, Lord, stuck in ____ again” (CCR lyric about a California town) 43. Informed, as before a mission 45. Capital of Iran 46. Exit door: 2 wds.

47. Paintings or sculpture

Emily Kelleher of Fatherly.com offers these jokes about coronavirus. “Humor is essential,” she writes, “even—or especially—in tough times.”

...by Len Elliott

The answer to each clue is a word beginning with “pre”, but not in the usual role of meaning “before.”

For example, Longdistance runner Steve, who achieved hero status in Oregon – Prefontaine.

1

solution on page 22

50. Jack who could eat no fat 51. Borden spokescow 52. Singers Diamond and Young 54. Lively dance 55. Co-founder of Time Magazine 56. Messes up 57. Hari of spydom 58. They spin at 78 rpms.: abbr.

59. “Car 54, Where ____ You?”

EMAIL

A powerful tool, with the flick of a finger A message is sent that will languish and linger; And, if misguided, can cause endless woes.

Like Styrofoam, sentences won’t decompose.

-- Pat D’Amico

• What did the man say to the bartender?

I’ll have a corona, hold the virus.

• Did you hear the joke about the germ?

Never mind, I don’t want to spread it around.

• Why do they call it the novel coronavirus? It’s a long story….

• What’s the difference between COVID-19 and Romeo and Juliet? One’s the coronavirus and the other is a Verona crisis.

• What’s the best way to avoid touching your face? A glass of wine in each hand.

• By the way, nah nah nah to the virus

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September/October 2020

Writing Corner

Scenes from Childhood

Walking to School Newsprint …by Ariele M. Huff

While out for a walk, I saw a mother put her child on a school bus. The bus drove across the street and half-ablock to the Dace Pedecis recalls the pleasures of walking to elementary school in a simpler time school. I couldn’t believe what I’d seen. Yes, it was a busy street with no crossing guard, but surely the mom could have walked her child to school. Years later, I still think of it and wonder.

Not to be the old fogey who says, “In my day…” But my friends and I often walked to school. It wasn’t far.

Between kindergarten and my senior year in high school, I went to five different Tacoma schools. From kindergarten to third grade I walked three-quarters of a mile; middle school was a little over two miles away. My friends and I didn’t have to walk. We could take a city bus and often did, but many times we walked just because we felt like it.

We weren’t thinking about the health benefits of exercise and fresh air—we walked because it was enjoyable.

There was no one to supervise us. We could have skipped school, but never did. Our parents trusted us and we lived up to their trust. We could talk and laugh as loudly and as much as we pleased; there was no one to shush us. It felt good to move. We had to cross one of the busiest streets in town. Nobody pulled any foolhardy stunts. We waited for the light.

Then there was the old-fashioned pleasure of having a boy walk me to school. I still remember the adorable blond boy I walked to school with when we were in third grade. I was heart-broken when his family moved. Having a boy to walk with happened again in high school. He walked with me to school and carried my books. I felt both abashed and pleased. A sweet memory.

What a pity that things have changed so much. If I had school age children, I’m not sure I’d let them walk to school. When I was in school our neighborhoods seemed safe, though we walked past vacant lots and under a railroad bridge.

I feel sorry for kids who don’t have the freedom we did then. They’ll never know what they’re missing. ❖

Most of us have some pieces from newspapers that we want to save: birth, death and wedding announcements; articles about achievements or accidents; historically interesting moments during Ariele M. Huff our lives; columns or articles written by us or about us.

If you’ve struggled with this issue [while working on] a scrapbook or publish-ondemand paperback or eBook, you’ll recognize some of the issues in attempting to save these precious mementos.

My husband laughingly says that newsprint was created with the purpose of being read once and then used to wrap fish or put on the bottom of a bird cage.

As a lifetime columnist and freelance writer, I have saved most of my work— withholding it from fire-starting or other common household uses.

My magazine clips, on more durable paper with non-smearing ink, are easily dealt with, but newspaper clips require some tricks. Here they are: 1. Putting newsprint pieces in plastic sheet holders is a fine way to preserve them for future going back through your published work—sigh. Who wrote this good piece? LOL. 2. Sadly, even framed like snapshots behind glass, the poor things degrade at a fairly rapid pace— yellowing, wrinkling, fading and developing tears. With the article about my Great Grandmother Naomi shown

Poetry Corner

...by Dace Pedecis

Feeling lonely? Need a hot lunch?

Washed hands for thirty seconds, singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”

Gently down the stream—soap bubbles foamed a germ fighting coat.

Merrily, merrily, merrily—rinse twice, germ free.

Face set to mask-up.

Life is but a dream—hidden, sneaky virus. In disguise, ideas may erupt.

Slow drive, spring cottonwood white fluffs float—result: puffy blizzard.

Sneeze, sneezed, sneezing—sniffed, snorting— mimic a Kleenex wizard.

Not a great day to walk the grocery aisle—blowing, gasping, wheezing.

Steer to nearby drive-thru, tasty feast in a bag—unhealthy but pleasing.

If you are or know someone 60 years and older who could use a meal, social connection and direction to health and social resources, please call our office, (206) 878-1642, and let us know.

In partnership with Catholic Community Services, we are serving hot, grab-and-go lunches at the Center front door from 12noon to 12:30pm Monday through Thursday. Please practice physical distancing by staying six feet away from those around you as you wait to get a lunch.

We understand these are unprecedented times and we continue to move forward day by day, being mindful of how we can best support you.

We exist because of you!

Keep smiling, it helps you and others. Stay safe!

With love and care, the Activity Center Staff

Des Moines/Normandy Park Senior Activity Center 206-878-1642 • desmoineswa.gov/Seniors

in the last wagon train to go across the country, I find the aging of the paper adds charm.

3. To include some news pieces along with other parts of life stories, I scan them like photos and give them separate pages.

Be sure to use the Insert menu to add these scanned pieces that are now a secondary photo of the words and pictures within them.

Some of these have plenty of sepia allure and are readable.

4. Others require enlarging.

5. When I’ve been crazy enough to take a job making a book of newspaper columns or articles, I scan each page and portions of pages into photos. Then, I adjust the brightness and contrast carefully. Each page can need an entirely different setting.

6. If so, you may need to use some of the other photo formatting solutions on your photo editing program. For example, further improvements can be made with the Remove Background adjustment, the Transparency range and the Artistic Effects options.

7. Paperback books of longer columns often require a larger size book template for adequate readability.

8. Problems with headshots are especially knotty. Wrinkles across a face are one of the least attractive newsprint foibles.

Sometimes, you may need to block a problem area with a correctly shaped piece of paper or crop out the unattractive part.

9. Two other solutions for rebellious spots: cut them out physically from a scan and then re-scan the altered photo…or, as a last resort—cut them out of the original.

10. Finally, it is always wise to prepare readers for the inadequacies of duplicating or even saving newsprint items.

11. The wisest attitude for any of us to take is that rather than flaws, these color and readability differences are part of the appeal of the past. ❖

--April Ryan

Bellevue Chamber Chorus is supported in part by:

“Heart Murmur”

My heart is murmuring to yours, hoping you will murmur into my hearing aid.

We have murmured together in good times and bad; murmuring, murmuring, murmuring, a duet of love.

--Dorothea Kewley

Poems may be edited, excerpted from or used in Sharing Stories. Send poetry to ariele@comcast.net

Virtual Premiere Performance:

Tuesday Sept. 8, 2020 at 7:30 pm PT

“Roots”

a new work by Ola

Gjeilo

Join us online for our premiere of this commissioned piece!

Website: https://www.bellevuechamberchorus.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SingBellevue YouTube: Bellevue Chamber Chorus Official

For monthly updates on our virtual season join our mailing list at:

https://www.bellevuechamberchorus.org/mailing-list or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Questions? Suggestions? Call 425.522.3436 or email us at info@bellevuechamberchorus.org!

September/October 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 21

of Places LET’S GO! Ato Calendar Go, Do or See… See our full calendar at northwestprimetime.com/calendar

Bellevue Chamber Chorus Virtual Premiere Performance! Sept 8, 7:30pm, “Roots” – join the chorus online for this new work by Ola Gjeilo. Website, www. bellevuechamberchorus.org. Facebook, www. facebook.com/SingBellevue. YouTube: Bellevue Chamber Chorus Official. Get monthly updates on season at www.bellevuechamberchorus. org/mailing-list, 425-522-3436 or info@ bellevuechamberchorus.org.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s Join the walk to create a world without Alzheimer’s: Redmond Sept 12; Everett Sept 19; Olympia Sept 20; Tacoma Sept 27; Seattle Oct 3; please call for more info 1-800-272-3900, www. alzwa.org/walk.

AARP Free Online Events “Finding Truth in an Infodemic” AARP offers several events in Sept & Oct to sort fact from fiction—learn to spot misinformation and scams; FREE but Pre-Registration is Required: Sept 16 from 11am-noon “Confronting Misinformation”; Oct 3 from 11am-12:30pm “Inside the Mind of the ‘Original Internet Godfather’ (how scammers convince you to hand over your money); Oct 14 from 6pm-7pm “The Future of Lying” (new rules of deception and trust); Oct 24 from 11am-noon “The Truth is Out There” (fact checking tips and resources), visit aarp.org/factfromfiction for event details.

Dementia-Friendly Washington Sept 29-30, two-day virtual conference to promote dementia-friendly communities in Washington, learn to take action to make your community more dementia-friendly, event includes speakers, provides opportunities to connect, showcases innovative programs, for info call Marigrace at 206-744-2190 or visit depts.washington.edu/ mbwc/events/dfc.

Ignite Aging Symposium Oct 2, 1-3pm, UW School of Nursing’s annual event presents information on healthy aging, free but pre-registration is required for this virtual Zoom event. RSVP online at events.uw.edu/ IgniteAging2020.

Museums are Opening!

Many museums are opening in early September for inperson visits! In accordance with state COVID guidelines, museums are opening at limited capacity and with all social distancing and safety protocols in place. Contact your favorite museum to learn when they are opening and consider enjoying this opportunity to safely stroll through your favorite museum.

Margaret Atwood Sept 9, 6pm Seattle Arts & Lectures presents an evening with Margaret Atwood, moderated by Cheryl Strayed. Live online, 206-621-2230 ext 10, www.lectures.org In the Spirit The annual festival of Northwest Native arts and cultures takes place free and online with events held on multiple days from Sept 10-Oct 17. The event represents more than 10 indigenous nations and will include online programming from the Tacoma Arts Museum, Museum of Glass and the Washington State History Museum. Look for conversations and interviews with the exhibition’s artists, jurors and more. The art market includes jewelry, textiles, art and more. Visit www.InTheSpiritArts.org for the full event schedule.

Emerald City Writers’ Conference Oct 16-18, online event features “Master Classes,” pitch sessions with agents and editors, and a pitchfest to polish up your pitch. For info and to register, visit http:// gsrwa.org/home/emerald-city-writersconference/ Contact your favorite local arts and senior organizations Many organizations are live-streaming performances or offering virtual events.

Contact your favorite organization to learn more.

FREE RENT Until 2021* *On select units

Update: Northwest Prime Time featured Caryl and Ralph Turner, founders of the Precious Life Animal Sanctuary outside of Sequim, in its summer edition. In the article, co-founder Ralph Turner was called Roger. We heartily apologize to Ralph. He and his wife Caryl work so diligently on behalf of animals. The Turners take no salary for their never-ending efforts at the Sanctuary. COVID has financially devastated the sanctuary and other non-profits.

Donations are much appreciated.

For more information, visit preciouslifeanimalsanctuary.org or call 360-582-1437. To read the original article, including photos and background information on some of the lucky rescued animals at the sanctuary, visit northwestprimetime.com/ news/2020/jul/01/caryl-andRalph-turner-founders-precious-lifeanim/

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22

Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

Merrilee Rush

Chips Moman, who was producing the Raiders’ album, asked her to record ...continued from page 1 some demo songs. He liked her voice and invited her to come back a month killed the rockin’ R&B music she was later. That is when she recorded Angel playing and that had been so popular of the Morning, with the same crew of in the Northwest. “Everybody had great session musicians who backed to become a pop band! So Neil and Elvis’ Memphis recordings. “I was very I left the Statics,” and in 1965 they lucky to be in that studio,” she told Jake formed a new group, Merrilee and the Uitti of KEXP radio.

Turnabouts.

Angel of the Morning was undeniably By then, Merrilee and Neil Rush successful; Merrilee became a star, with were an official couple—they married opportunities popping up left and right. on July 1, 1963 and the following year “When Angel hit, I started doing had a son, Michael.

TV in Los Angeles,” remembers “My dad was a builder and he Merrilee. She really enjoyed the work. built us a house right across the street She was impressed at how professional from them,” said Merrilee. The the television crew was—not like the arrangement worked well. Merrilee and the Turnabouts were booked every casual atmosphere she was used to, where things might be slapped together weekend on the circuit of teen dance venues from Seattle to Spokane, Idaho with duct tape. Merrilee appeared on American Bandstand, The Johnny Cash and Oregon. While Merrilee and Neil Show, the Glen Campbell Goodtime Rush performed, her parents took care of Michael, who had a built-in ‘brother’ Hour, Steve Allen’s show and many others. “I’d do my glamor thing in L.A. at his grandparents’ house. then come home and play the dance “My brother Clay was only one circuit again.” year older than Michael,” reports The record deals started, too. “I Merrilee. “My parents tried and tried was so green, so inexperienced in the for a boy and got four girls. When they recording industry,” says Merrilee. stopped trying, they finally got Clay.”

Interestingly, Merrilee’s brother and her “There was no real follow-up on Angel, no capitalization on that hit.” She cut son played together on the same team more songs, but the company went in school. “Michael was a great athlete under. “I just didn’t know anything growing up,” she adds. He also became about the business end of the music a keyboard player and singer just like industry.” his mom.

Recording was an adjustment. She “It’s all a blur,” admits Merrilee was used to performing live before an of the teen dance years. “We were audience. “They pitched songs and we playing to huge crowds. There were chose from them, but they weren’t the some ballrooms, but also roller-skating songs I would have chosen for myself. rinks and airplane hangars and even They wanted me to sing sweet, but that horse roping arenas.” She recalls one place with a dirt floor, the dancing kids was only one side of me. Our shows were rock and energetic.” kicking up dust, dirt swirling in the air She recalls putting together a while she sang. Another time, kids set performance at the end of production off fireworks inside the hangar during for one of the albums. All the people the show. from the record label were there and Her life took a major turn when they watched her perform in her usual one of their roadies went to work with rocking style. The producer realized Paul Revere and the Raiders, another they’d been “cutting her all wrong,” popular northwest-based band. The Raiders were enjoying great success and she said in the KEXP interview. “But planned a major tour in the deep south. I never felt that was something I could complain about. I just did the The roadie recommended Merrilee’s band as an opening act for the Raiders. recordings.”

Despite her disappointments with At the end of the tour, the Raiders the recording industry, Merrilee was were cutting their next album in still riding high on Angel and her other Memphis, Goin’ to Memphis, and records when, in 1971, she was booked Merrilee tagged along. Hit-maker in Las Vegas.

“I didn’t like Vegas at all,” she states. “We were doing the same show two or three times a night.

Everything is written out and you can’t deviate from it. We were in a small showroom off the casino and had to keep the volume down or else the pit bosses would scream at us for being too loud.”

It was a delicate balance, trying to keep up the energy in the room for the people who came to dance, and having to keep the volume down for the gamblers. “And it was the same thing every night,” Merrilee with her husband, rhythm and blues musician says Merrilee. “We were Billy Mac used to rocking out and

constantly learning new tunes, keeping it fresh.” Vegas didn’t suit her.

What had suited her was the dance circuit. Although it was a rigorous schedule, Merrilee calls the teen dances back home “a wonderful playground.”

She knew what she was doing, the crowds were fun, she had control over the performances and received feedback from the audience. But by the time she returned from Vegas, the teen dances had dissipated. Unfortunately, that meant playing in clubs and bars instead.

“I never drank or smoked, so going into these rooms...I hated it.” She had signed on with the William Morris agency, which had successfully booked her on TV, but they didn’t know how to book her on concert tours. And performing was what she liked to do.

Merrilee did keep recording and touring the clubs for many long years.

But, finally, she had enough. She retreated into the old farmhouse on her grandfather’s farm.

Reflecting on the “olden days,” Merrilee says, “Playing the teenage dances and getting to rock out was my favorite, it was heaven. The clubs weren’t as much fun. That northwest dance scene meant there was work for everybody. Bands could stay together,” she adds. “We were lucky to have that.

I think we had the best teen dances anywhere in the country.”

Touring and playing the clubs wasn’t all bad, though. She met people from across the country she would never had known, including her future husband—musician and songwriter Billy Mac. Fate introduced them. They began touring together. Along the way, they married.

Until the pandemic, Billy Mac continued to perform five nights a week, four hours a night. Although he’s had to have vocal cord surgery, he has “an extremely durable voice,” says Merrilee. “He has a raspy, sexy voice.

He’s amazing,” she adds. Not only has her talented husband learned to fix lawn tractors, when COVID put his performing career on hold, he started setting up a video recording studio to go online with shows. “He’s a Brainiac,” says Merrilee “A jack-of-all trades, a renaissance man.”

Billy Mac walks into the room as Merrilee is describing him. “People see her and think she is the sweetest person,” he says of Merrilee. “But what they don’t know is that she really is one of the gentlest, sweetest, most irrepressibly joyful people. Merrilee is greatest thing that has ever happened to me.” He then adds, “Just the facts, ma’am.”

Merrilee responds with, “He is my prince charming.”

For years, the two put on an annual concert on the farm, the MacFest, with musicians gathering from all over, taking turns performing for each other. They hope the tradition might continue once the pandemic is behind us.

Merrilee still performs occasionally. She also enjoys participating in the “Golden Oldies” concerts that continue to pop up over the years. “If they call to put me

September/October 2020

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AlohaDreamsCondo.com PUZZLE ANSWERS Answers to questions on page 19

1. predator 2. prey 3. prestidigitation 4. (Elvis) Presley 5. Presbyterian 6. pressure 7. Preston Crossword Answers Solution for the puzzle on page 19 B A D G E

A L E R T

B O R E S

A D U L T

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T O G A S

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H B E L A A L O S M A R T L A N D E E K A N T O N I H T S A L O M D E C O R L A T H S T O N H O W E E D A S H I R L E Y H R E U R O O A E C R U E N L E S T

L E E R I C O B U M R B A R R I T E F E D

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on a nostalgia show, I am there,” she avows. In 1989, the Northwest Area Musicians’ Association (NAMA) honored Rush with membership in the NAMA Hall of Fame.

Merrilee says the only singing she’s doing these days is when she gets on the treadmill, puts in the earbuds and sings along.

Does she have any advice to Northwest Prime Time readers? “Keep moving! Keep moving forward. As they say, ‘Use it or lose it.’ Rest is really important, too. It’s an ebb and flow.”

She adds, “Music has such an impact on your psyche. People should listen to music that makes them happy.”

Rock on. ❖

More Information To purchase Merrilee Rush’s CD, which includes Angel of the Morning and other favorites, visit Billy Mac’s online store at shop.billymac.com/main.sc.

You will find Merrilee’s CD and posters, along with Billy Mac’s music and more.

September/October 2020

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 23

Library Corner

Consumer Protection Resources ...by Wendy Pender

We’ve all heard the cautionary expression, “buyer beware,” but how do you get reliable information before deciding on a purchase?

Wendy Pender Fortunately, the library is here to help with a variety of resources.

For years, Consumer Reports has built

its reputation on ad-free testing. You can still access its information for FREE via the library and its online version, as well as print copies you can check out with your library card. Remember to start at your library’s website (not the Consumer Reports’ website) so you can get access as a patron; the library has paid for the subscription so you don’t have to.

Need another source to check? If

you’re online, you might also want to search the ConsumerSearch.com database, which has reviews on thousands of products. It provides another reliable resource to study before pulling the trigger on a purchase. (Note: This resource is only available electronically; it doesn’t have a print version.)

If you want ratings on services rather than products, you can’t beat the Puget Sound Consumers’ Checkbook. It rates health providers, pet care, auto shops, plumbers, stores and much more. This non-profit organization was started in 1968 after Robert Krughoff, then a U.S. Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare employee, became fed up after driving away from an auto repair shop for the third time and realizing

he would have to go back again for the same engine repair. He thought there ought to be a better way for consumers to find the best local services and the Checkbook was born.

Finally, don’t forget that the Washington Attorney General’s Office is here to help protect against scams and fraud. The office conducts classes around the Sound and provides educational materials on its website, www.atg.wa.gov/consumer-issues, where you can sign up for scam alerts as well.

Do your research, be informed and stay alert in these challenging times.

Your library is here for you! ❖ Wendy Pender, Older Adults Program Coordinator, King County Library System, wgpender@kcls.org

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