Primetime Living BOOM Aug/Sept 2017

CELEBRATING 11 YEARS

Magazine

AUG | SEPT 2017

Prime Time LIVING

Inspired living in your ime

IN NAPA VALLEY

THERE’S POWER IN POSITIVE THINKING NAPA / SOLANO EDITION

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NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

Prime Time LIVING presents

ON THE COVER

6 20

Publishing/Contact

Solano Cares 4 Seniors Launch

Owner/Publisher Tracee Stacy We want to hear from you! If you have any comments or questions to any of the authors of the articles youʼve read please send your letters to the editor to:

Harvest Time in Napa Valley

22 Power

Mailing 209 Glen Eagle Way Address Vacaville, CA 95688

Phone 707-449-1270

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in Positive

Thinking

Email publisher@primetimeliving.org Web www.primetimeliving.org

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Editor Wendy VanHatten PTLeditor@primetimeliving.org

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WHAT'S INSIDE

Points Of Interest 10 15 28 29

Sharps Disposal Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Senior Community Centers Resource Guide

6

Solano County launches SolanoCares4Seniors.org a one-stop resource for Solano’s Seniors

{8}

boom LIFE

24

Choosing the Right Floor for Your Home

By Monte Hoover

26

5 Steps to a Smart Home

12

The Legacy of Memories

{14}

inspired YOU

By Terry Minion

22

There's Power in Positive Thinking

By Dr. Mark Fry, PsyD

boom HEALTH 8

Prostate Treatment

By NorthBay Healthcare

boom TRAVEL 14

By Wendy VanHatten

18

All About Our National Parks

By Travel and Escapes

20

{22}

Great Fall Trips... Close Enough for the Week-end

{27}

Harvest Time in Napa Valley

boom FOOD & WINE 17 27

Corn Pudding

Corn Dip with Pecorino Romano and Roasted Jalapeño 3

NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

EDITOR'S CORNER

Words from Wendy August and September… hot enough

to be summer and yet changes are happening all around us and in our routines. Does the water in your pool feel more like bath water than a refreshing pool? Mine does. That’s okay. I’ll still swim. Do you notice any changes in sunrise and sunset? We’ve already had the longest day of the year in sunlight.

Have you been paying attention to the solar eclipse that will cross North America on August 21? Since we’re not in the direct path here in northern California, we’ll see a partial eclipse, beginning at about 9:00 am and ending at 10:15 am on that day. Maybe you’re headed to Oregon

to see the entire eclipse. If so…have fun, and let us know how it was.

Have you been to a Farmers’ Market lately?

Did you notice different vegetables and fruits?

Colors are deeper, with red and orange peppers, colorful squash, perfect peaches, and golden corn, all just begging to have their picture taken.

Doesn’t it look so tasty? In case you bought an abundance, we have some new recipes for you to try. Happy eating.

Maybe you’re thinking about a long week-end trip, hoping to see something new or visit an old favorite. Want some ideas? You’re in luck because we have a few suggestions for you.

Want more ideas? Want ideas for a longer early fall trip? Ask us…we’ll give you suggestions for that as well.

Living this close to a major wine area…Napa Valley…we get spoiled by the beauty all year long. August and September show us another side to that beauty. If you haven’t been for a while…you need to go. Harvest time in Napa Valley is wonderful time to celebrate the grapes, celebrate all the hard work throughout the year, and celebrate another great vintage.

August and September are a magical time of year. Look around you, marvel at the abundance we have here, and get ready to celebrate another upcoming fall season. It’s a great time of year.

Wendy VanHatten, Editor boom 4

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NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

LIFE

Solano County launches

SolanoCares4Seniors.org

a one-stop resource for Solano’s Seniors Introducing a new way to get seniors in Solano County informed, involved and connected to services! Solano County Department of Health and Social Services has launched a free, one-stop resource website for seniors, their families, caregivers and service providers. The website, SolanoCares4Seniors.org, is a userfriendly portal of resources designed to simplify the search for senior services.

Online information about resources for seniors is currently scattered across various websites and pages, making it frustrating to find the right services available for them. Developed in collaboration with the Senior Coalition of Solano County and the Area Agency on Aging, the website addresses this issue by centralizing local, state and federal resources for seniors in one convenient place.

The website tackles the information gap that exists between services provided and the ability for seniors to know about them. The website directly connects seniors to these resources by giving them the ability to search for up-to-date information in one convenient place. The website also helps caregivers and service providers search for resources by cutting down search time and increasing valuable interaction with senior clients or patients.

SolanoCares4Seniors.org is a one-stop resource designed to inform, connect and empower seniors and their families. The website includes service up-to-date listings for Alzheimer’s, housing, transportation, healthcare, medical supplies, locations of senior centers, immigration, and much more. Users also have access to daily news clippings, pending legislation and means to contact local officials.

Here are the key features of the website: n The Service Directory is a comprehensive list of local, state, and national services for seniors. It enables users to find services, connect to providers, and make informed choices about what they need. n The Community Calendar features up-to-date events and classes throughout the county.

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n The Learning Center is designed to educate, inform, and provide access to the most relevant information available for a particular subject area. n The Legislate tool tracks pending legislation on the state and federal levels that can affect the lives of seniors.

A bill tracker lets site visitors follow bills pending in the current legislative session. And a built-in email tool makes it simple for seniors to contact their elected representative.

SolanoCares4Seniors.org is fully ADAcompliant and available in multiple languages.

Get informed, get involved and get connected.

Visit SolanoCares4Seniors.org today!

For more information, contact Shai Davis, Senior Health Education Specialist at (707) 784-8679 and KBDavis@ SolanoCounty.com.

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NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

HEALTH

PROSTATE TREATMENT

T

here is no reason for older men to suffer in silence with an enlarged prostate and the health problems it causes, according to Urologist Herkanwal Khaira, M.D., of NorthBay Medical Group in Fairfield.

“Many think that urinary problems are a natural and untreatable part of the aging process,” said Dr. Khaira. “As a result, too many men silently suffer from enlarged prostate and do not seek treatment. Unfortunately, when these men are finally driven to seek evaluation and treatment, the chronic prostate enlargement may have caused irreversible bladder damage.”

With the new minimally invasive treatments for enlarged prostate, men should not fear discussing urinary symptoms with their doctor, he added. Early evaluation and treatment for enlarged prostate can optimize long term health and quality of life.

Most men live their early lives completely unaware of their prostate. This is because the prostate is a small organ deep in the pelvis and when healthy has no sensation. The prostate serves as a male reproductive organ. Located beneath the urinary bladder, the prostate also surrounds a part of the urethra (the tube that

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urine passes through to leave the body). When a man empties his bladder, the urine passes from the bladder, through the middle of the prostate and ultimately out of the penis.

even losing control of the bladder and leaking urine. When not treated, enlarged prostate can result in urine infection, bladder stones, kidney injury, or kidney failure.

After the age of 40, the prostate often grows larger. Fifty percent of men in their 50s have prostate enlargement and by the time men get to their 80s, more than 90 percent have prostate enlargement.

“An enlarged prostate can cause a multitude of symptoms and if left unchecked, severe healthrelated problems,” said Dr. Khaira.

By compressing the urinary channel (imagine stepping on a hose) an enlarged prostate can result in slow urinary flow, difficulty starting the stream, and incomplete bladder emptying.

When the bladder struggles to empty through an enlarged prostate, men can find themselves going to the bathroom often during the day and/ or night, rushing to the bathroom, sometimes

“Numerous factors impact a man’s decision to not seek attention for enlarged prostate,” Dr. Khaira said. In addition to common misconceptions such as believing the symptoms are “normal,” men sometimes worry about treatments which could be painful or have permanent side effects. Nothing could be farther

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NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

HEALTH from the truth. Modern imaging and diagnostic techniques are very comfortable. Today’s treatments for enlarged prostate include lifestyle changes, medicines, surgeries, and most recently a revolutionary new procedure called Urolift.

“An enlarged prostate can cause a multitude of symptoms and if left unchecked, severe healthrelated problems,” said Dr. Khaira.

The Urolift implant is a nonsurgical approach to the treatment of enlarged prostate. The Urolift implants are placed in the prostate without cutting, heating or removing the prostate. Instead, the permanent implants hold back obstructing prostate tissue. Like the ties that are used to open window curtains, the Urolift implants create an open channel through the prostate.

“After the Urolift procedure, men typically experience much improved bladder emptying

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and urinary stream greatly strengthens,” explains Dr. Khaira, who has specialized training in placing the Urolift.

Side effects from the procedure are typically mild and short lived. Long term problems are very rare.

New data released at the American Urologic Association annual meeting last month demonstrated that men who had the Urolift procedure had similar improvements in their urinary symptoms compared to more invasive surgical removal.

Most amazing was the improvement continued to be seen 5 years after the procedure. As a result of this study, urologists around the world have begun adopting this ground breaking procedure.

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NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

YOU

By Terry Minion

The Legacy of Memories

S

ome years ago, I inherited boxes

of photographs that were the collection of my grandmother who died in the 1980’s. She seemed always to have a camera and was always taking photos. Many of the photos were of me, my brothers and sisters, my mom, and more. But, the vast majority of them— and I’m talking thousands of them— were of people I don’t know at all. Right now, they are in boxes in my closet, as I don’t know what to do with them. I expect they will go to the trash at some point.

There were home movies as well, and some of those were interesting to watch again having not seen them for over 40 years. With the volume of movies and photos, which can be turned into digital and shared more easily, the cost would be considerable. Some photos I’ve already turned into a digital format and have shared them in several different ways online and off.

As good as these are, what could be a better legacy? I think it would be writing, voice recording (all the movies are silent), or other lasting works. Historians love people who kept diaries, but I think this is a lost art, and yet we still have the power of the word, and even with less effort using today’s technology.

I have my memories of my grandparents, my mother, and father, and I have a relatively small number of photos to help remember what we all looked like at a time, but I don’t think they are anywhere near as powerful as the personality and intellect in action via the spoken or written word.

Many years back, my late wife’s uncle began recording stories at my wife’s encouragement. He has hundreds more than he recorded, but those recordings are fascinating, and to hear him tell it himself is the best.

I have letters that I wrote and that my wife wrote to me, even those we exchanged right after we first met. They are treasures. They indicate our emotional state in time and our thinking in that place too. To be able to read them from time to time is a special treat.

I’ve saved some writing when I was young, including poetry I’ve written, the first song I wrote, along with all those along the way until I stopped writing them

“The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching. The lawn-cutter might just as well not have been there at all; the gardener will be there a lifetime.”

– Ray Bradbury

What about stories? Wouldn’t you just love to hear stories that someone left behind in audio recordings, video recordings, or writing? I know I would. boom 12

and started writing other things. I don’t know what value they may hold for those who may entertain their contents in the future, but I know from my perspective that these are the things that move me that others have left behind.

I love biographies and have read hundreds of them of famous people and almost unknown people. It’s good to read about other people’s lives. But, what I really love are autobiographies.

Sure, as one writes his or her own story, they soften some of the edges, but I don’t care. What I care about is that the one who lived the life wrote about the life, and that legacy is their truth as they lived it, and I get to be the beneficiary of all their living perspective.

Whatever your legacy, I hope it contains a whole lot of you.

Terry Minion is an owner/manager of www.UpwardTrend.org, a website, online marketing company based in Fairfield CA. He also writes the CTS Daily Inspirations at www.ctsdaily.net.

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NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

TRAVEL

Great Fall Trips…

Close Enough for a Week-end

By Wendy VanHatten

A

re you considering taking a short trip this fall? Maybe someplace close by for a week-end trip, or someplace where you’d like to relax and enjoy the beauty for a few days, or someplace you’ve been meaning to revisit. We have so many options available around us, it can be hard to come up with the perfect one. These are a few of my favorites to get you started thinking about your next trip… any time of the year.

Monterey…

You can taste wine, check out the grape harvest, wander through the countryside, stop at roadside stands for fresh produce, visit the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, tour the west coast’s oldest lighthouse at Point Pinos, or open the windows and smell the fresh sea air as you drive along the coast. For a special treat, take the 17 Mile Drive and stop to watch the waves.

Did you know the area around Salinas is known as the salad bowl of the country? Yep. Over 80 percent of the US lettuce is grown here.

More vineyards are calling this area home as well. Check out the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. Stop and taste wine and find a new favorite.

Stay for a long week-end if you’re not finished exploring this area.

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Sonoma Coast…

Check out cheese making or wine from vineyards along the entire coast. You won’t be disappointed.

Lighthouses played an important part in this coastline for years. Point Reyes is the windiest place along the Pacific coast and the second foggiest in North America. You can understand why this would have been one of the most treacherous places for mariners. This one is worth a stop.

With the Fresnel lens magnifying the light source through prisms, mirrors were no longer needed here. It’s impressive…the climb down to the lighthouse and its history.

Head to Bodega Bay, stop at one of the many beaches, take your shoes off, and look for sea glass.

At the next beach, roll up your jeans and wade through the tide pools. Since the Pacific never gets warm, see if you can spend a few minutes in the cold water as the waves come crashing in. Be careful of sneaker waves and undertow.

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NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

TRAVEL

Gold Country…

With leaves changing colors, the hills reflecting gold in the late afternoon sun, and overhead skies still brilliant blue… take a relaxing drive. Stop along the way at one of the area’s newest wineries and see how their harvest is developing.

With so many things to do here and a wide area to explore, turn this trip into a long week-end getaway and have a good time.

Check out museums, taste wine, immerse yourself in the Gold Rush history, and hop aboard a late 19th century steam train for a ride through the foothills. You’ll definitely need a week-end here.

Yosemite…

An absolute favorite of mine. With any luck, the crowds are thinning out a little. Plan

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ahead for a weekend getaway and stay in Yosemite Valley. You’ll still need reservations, but they’re much easier to get this time of year.

For me, there’s no more spectacular views than I find in Yosemite. From Glacier Point, where the views seem endless, to the mist-drenching Bridal Veil Falls…this is nature at its finest.

This year, waterfalls are still abundant.

Check out the highest one in North America…

Yosemite Falls at 2,425 feet.

If you bring binoculars, you may see some climbers on Half Dome or El Capitan. If climbing is your thing, make reservations and climb one of them.

At over 1,200 square miles of national park, you could be here a while.

Wherever your fall trips take you…have fun.

And, let us know what you enjoyed.

Wendy VanHatten is the editor-in-chief, an avid travel writer, and travel blogger. Check out her blog at http://www. travelsandescapesblog.com/ for travel ideas and tips, travel product reviews, and the most up-to-date information for your travels.

FOOD & WINE

Directions Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 2 quart baking dish.

Corn Pudding Ingredients ❱ 4 Cups fresh Corn kernels

❱ 1 Cup Bread Crumbs ❱ 4 Tablespoons Butter, melted and divided

❱ 2 Eggs ❱ 1 ½ Cups Half and Half ❱ ½ Cup Green Chiles, roasted and chopped

❱ ½ Cup Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack Cheese

Place 1 ½ cups of the corn in a food processer and pulse until mixture is chunky.

In a large, bowl whisk together the eggs, half and half, salt to taste. Add the whole and the pureed corn, green chiles, ¼ cup of the bread crumbs, and 3 tablespoons of the melted butter.

Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle cheese on top.

In a small bowl, mix remaining bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter. Spoon over cheese.

Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

Serve hot.

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NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

TRAVEL

All About Our National Parks Our National Park System encompasses over 390 parks throughout the United States and provides millions of acres for land for Americans and tourists alike. Late summer is a wonderful time to visit these places as the crowds are less and weather wonderful. Test your national park knowledge with the following questions!

1. The first National Park was created in 1872. Which park was it?

a. Yosemite

b. Great Smoky Mountains

c. Yellowstone

d. Crater Lake 2. True or False National Parks are home to two tropical rainforests.

3. The best preserved cliff dwellings can be found at this National Park in Arizona.

a. Montezuma Castle National Monument

b. Mesa Verde

c. Canyonlands

d. Badlands 4. About how many people visit National Parks each year?

a. 650,000

b. 1,200,000

c. 11,000,000

d. 280,000,000 5. This National Park is located in Oregon and is home to the deepest lake in the United States. Can you name it?

6. This National park is in New Mexico and is home to the deepest cave in the United States. Which is it?

7. True or False Former federal prisons boom 18

have never been turned into National Parks.

8. Can you name at least one National Park that honors a war or historic battle?

9. Two of the Presidents listed below have the most sites named for them. Which two are they?

a. Theodore Roosevelt

b. George Washington

c. Abraham Lincoln

d. Thomas Jefferson 10. True or False The largest National Park in the United States is Denali National Park in Alaska.

11. Which of the following is the most visited National Park?

a. Zion

b. Grand Canyon

c. Olympic

d. Great Smoky Mountains 12. Which National Park is also home to the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere?

13. Which two National Parks are located North of the Arctic Circle?

a. Denali

b. Gates of the Arctic

c. Kobuk Valley

d. Kenai Fjords 14. This well-known park is located in Utah and is known for its beautiful arched stones and balanced rocks.

ANSWERS 1.

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c. Yellowstone

2. False, The National Park of America Samoa, and Saguaro National Monument in Arizona.

(Olympic National Park is home to a temperate rain forest.)

3. a. Montezuma Castle National Monument 4. d. 280,000,000 5. Crater Lake National Park

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NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

TRAVEL

Harvest Time in Napa Valley

T

ake a drive anywhere in Napa Valley this time of year and you’re sure to see and smell different things.

It’s Harvest in Napa Valley… usually mid-August through October. Since the weather and each winemaker dictates the times for their own vineyards, it can vary from year to year at each winery.

Take a look around and check out the different sites as you drive through the Valley. For one thing, the leaves have turned from bright green to a blend of dark reds, sunshine yellows, neon oranges, and even darker greens. Fat, picture-perfect bunches of purple grapes may still be hanging on the vines at some wineries. At others, those purple beauties are oozing juice as they sit in containers waiting their turn in the tanks.

Now, take a good whiff. What’s that smell? Get close to any winery and the scent of ripe

By Travels and Escapes

grapes permeates the air. You can just smell the fermentation before you get close.

Traffic…it’s probably worse than it has been all summer.

With harvest being a popular time here, you’re sure to encounter traffic and people like no other time of year. It’s all part of the fun. Be patient and drive like a local. That means making right hand turns onto the busy roads.

Trust me…you’ll wait in traffic far less if you turn right.

Wineries are bustling with activity, more so now than earlier in the summer.

Winemakers and vineyard workers are racing against nature to pick the grapes at the peak of ripeness and get them into their wine-making process.

If you want to visit and taste wine during harvest, check ahead of time to see if the winery hours have changed, or if they allow ‘behind the scenes’

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tours, or do barrel tastings.

Also, if you’re a member of a wine club, you may be invited to their harvest parties. It’s a special time and wineries often celebrate with parties and festivals.

Hungry? Dining is different this time of year as well. Napa Valley cuisine focuses on seasonal and local ingredients.

That means heirloom tomatoes, squashes, figs, and pumpkins will find their way onto many menus.

Whatever you plan to do during Harvest in Napa Valley…you’ll have a great time. If you haven’t been to the Valley during this time, it’s worth a drive to witness the changes and enjoy the process of turning grapes into wine.

Cheers!

Travels and Escapes offers tips, trips, advice, and suggestions along with photos. Read more at http://www. travelsandescapesblog.com/

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NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

YOU

There’s Power in Positive Thinking

By Dr. Mark Fry, PsyD

W

ith most things in life, we have choices. That is never truer than how we experience life, itself. What I mean by this is how we view ourselves, the world around us, the people we meet, and the experiences we have.

I consider myself a pretty positive person, sometimes to a fault! Some people discount people who follow the mantra of positive thinking; they consider them foolish and naïve. But, it seems the subject is gaining in popularity, as evidenced by the many books, lectures, and courses about it. Have you noticed the explosion of yoga studios that have sprung up? (More on that later.) For it to be an effective part of your life, however, you need more than just to be aware of its existence. You need to incorporate the attitude of positive thinking in everything you do.

Here are some suggestions:

• Do your homework. Read about it. Even if at first it seems weird, give it a shot. You’ve got nothing to lose.

• Seek only advice and company from those you trust and respect.

• Use your imagination to visualize only favorable and beneficial situations.

In order to make the shift toward more positive thinking, some internal work may need to take place. Our thinking style didn’t develop overnight and if changes need to take place, it’s going to be a journey.

In terms of the therapy process, let’s take the topic of depression recovery as an example of how positive thinking can be used clinically. Specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you out-think negative patterns that may be hindering your recovery. Negative thinking can slow depression recovery, and the reason is pretty simple: If you think negative thoughts, you’re more likely to stay depressed. However, and this is a big however, people with depression don’t lack positive emotions, they just don’t allow themselves to feel them.

Here are 5 common strategies that may be helpful in becoming a more positive thinker (and feeler!):

1 Locate the problem and brainstorm solutions.

I always encourage journaling and maintain social contacts.

2 Write self-statements to counteract negative thoughts.

• Use positive words in your inner dialogues and when talking to others.

3 Find new opportunities to think positive thoughts.

• If a negative thought enters your mind, try to replace it with a constructive one. This happens in yoga all the time. The teacher will be trying to get us to focus on our breath and I suddenly start thinking about stopping at Raley’s after class, lunch, that day’s NASCAR race, my aging dog…anything but my breath! The point is to be able to let the thought pass through and then refocus.

5 Learn to accept disappointments as a normal part of life.

• Smile a little more.

4 Finish each day visualizing its best parts.

This can help you move on and feel better about your future.

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707-643-1797

www.solanoseniorspei.org Se Hablo Español

23

NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

LIFE

Choosing the Right Floor for Your Home

By Monte Hoover, President Gillespie’s Abbey Carpet & Floor

S

o, you finally decided that it is time to do some interior design updates in your home. After months or years of procrastinating, you have committed to doing this makeover and you are excited beyond belief. The next morning, fear and anxiety take over and you are not sure where to start. You begin to think “maybe I should postpone this home makeover.”

Before you have an anxiety attack, let’s discuss choosing the right floor. You can consider carpet, hardwood, cork, bamboo, ceramic tile, porcelain, or a natural stone tile. Then you have products that replicate these, such as laminate which comes in both tile and wood-look. And finally, you have luxury vinyl and sheet vinyl both offering patterns that resemble hardwood and tile.

not second guess yourself. I have found that when people are drawn to a specific product, there is a reason for that. I cannot tell you why, but in my 42 years of experience, I have found this to be true. Simply go with your gut and 99.9% of the time you will be satisfied with your selection.

It is natural for people to feel overwhelmed, as they don’t know where to begin. When you put a new floor down, you will live with it for many years to come. It is also a major investment of time and money, so you don’t want to get the wrong product. What you need to do is seek out someone you trust. Someone who is a design consultant, has lots of product knowledge, and can ask you questions and find out what will fit your home and your lifestyle. A good, trusted adviser and design consultant can accommodate that. They will have questions for you to consider, which will simplify the showroom selection process for you.

The things a trusted adviser will ask you are: What room or rooms are you redoing? Is there a style for the room or a specific design you are working with, i.e. traditional, modern? Is there a theme you are trying to create? Is there a piece in the room you want to design around?

What are your paint, wallpaper, and furniture colors? What will the room be used for? What is it you dislike about your current floor? How soon do you need it installed? If you need it quickly, your options will be minimized. If you have a longer timeframe, your options are vast.

Are you going to install it yourself or have it professionally installed? How long do you plan to stay in the home?

Once you narrow down the product category and you are onto picking a color or texture, do

I want to invite you to check out Gillespiesabbeycarpet.com. There you can read

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more about these products, look at the pros and cons of specific products, as well as create a room scene using a picture you upload of your home in our room visualizer tool.

The benefits of a home makeover are numerous. Not only will it give you an opportunity to de-clutter your home, but you will also improve the health and beauty of your space. You will be increasing the value of your largest investment. So, before you get frustrated and procrastinate this life-changing project, seek out the advice Yoloconsultant.

County’s Yolo County’s of a trusted They will able to create an experience that is rewarding and enjoyable, turning your interior design dreams into reality.

Looking for In-Home Care?

Let us help!

(707) 447-7734 www.americarenorcal.com

Sally Price

Monte Hoover is President and General Manager of Gillespie’s Solano County’s Solano County’s Abbey Carpet & Floors, a company established in 1934.

Solano County’s

Patti Ruona

Debbie Doyle

Thank you for trusting us to serve your Senior In-Home Care needs for the past 10 years!

Solano County’s

Thank you for making us your #1

Hearing Instrument Specialist

seven years in a row, thank you!

Cynthia Peffers

Our Services:

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Quality Products Personalized Service Insurance Plans Accepted

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25

NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

LIFE

5 steps to a smart home When it comes to technology, smarter is better.

There are smart watches, smart televisions and just about everyone has a smartphone.

So what about a smart home?

Smart thermostats and lighting timers represent the first steps toward smart home technology for many homeowners, but in a lot of cases, they were the only steps. Since then, technology has continued to develop, and today there are scores of home goods that can talk to one another while allowing you total control of your home from your smartphone, tablet or another device.

It all sounds so simple, so perfect, yet many consumers remain confused on how to make the most of smart home technology in their house.

Instead of finding the installation welcoming, they see it as daunting and expensive.

This doesn't have to be the case. Installing - and enjoying - smart home technology in your house is easier than you think. Follow these five simple steps and your home will be a smart home in no time.

①

Determine what you'd like to control remotely or automate based on time.

Having total control of your home sounds great, but it also leads to total responsibility and sometimes you don't need all that. For example, lighting solutions are a popular automated option. The smart dimmer by Leviton allows you to dim and time lighting to meet your needs once you download the app, providing you increased functionality all from your smartphone or tablet.

②

Select technology that works with your home.

When you're shopping for products - like lighting switches - you should always be mindful of functionality.

For example, does your home operate on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?

Understand the base functionalities of your home and you'll streamline your shopping process.

③

Seek professional help. If you're concerned about your ability to set up your smart home technology successfully, don't be afraid to seek out some guidance.

Call on your contractor to assist you in the installation. You can also download helpful guides and how-to instructions from the manufacturer's website. The more information you have before beginning the project, the more comfortable you'll be with the installation.

④

Download the proper apps. The key to your home's smart technology lies in the corresponding apps. Make sure you've downloaded the right one to match your system. Many smart home technologies offer both iPhone and Android apps to provide the functionality control you need.

⑤

Set your schedule and optimize as needed.

Your smart home is an ever-evolving machine, and the more time you take to continually customize your preferences, the more you'll get from your system. Establish your initial schedule and then add voice control through Amazon, Google or Apple.

Finally, don't be afraid to make continued improvements. You've already tackled the biggest hurdle of installing your system, and the ongoing small adjustments you add will make your system great.

To learn more about today's smart homes and lighting technologies available from companies such as Leviton, visit www.Leviton.com/DecoraSmart.

Provided By: ARA

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FOOD & WINE

Corn Dip with Pecorino Romano and Roasted Jalapeño DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS ¿ 3 jalapeños, halved and seeded ¿ 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil ¿ 5 ears corn, shucked, kernels cut off (set-aside 1/2 cup of the kernels to use for garnish) ¿ 1 large shallot, diced

In a hot oven or grill, char the jalapenos. Set aside to cool.

Remove charred skin and chop the jalapenos. Take out the seeds for a milder taste.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and cook until just soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until the garlic has just softened. Add the corn and sauté until cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season the corn mixture with salt and pepper.

¿ 2 cloves garlic, minced ¿ Salt and pepper to taste ¿ 1/2 cup water ¿ 1 1/2 cups sour cream ¿ 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes, divided ¿ 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano ¿ Juice from 2 limes

Remove 1 cup of the corn mixture and set aside to cool. Add the water to the remaining ingredients in the pan to deglaze. Transfer the mixture to a food processor. Add the roasted jalapeños and blend for 2 minutes until smooth. Set aside to cool.

¿ 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika ¿ 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper ¿ 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon, divided

Whisk together the sour cream, the reserved sautéed corn and jalapeño-corn purée until well mixed. Add 1 cup of the tomatoes, Pecorino Romano cheese, lime juice, smoked paprika, cayenne and 1 tablespoon of the tarragon.

Season with salt and mix. Transfer dip to refrigerator for at least an hour before serving, to let the flavors meld together.

27

NAPA/SOLANO EDITION

Senior Centers American Canyon Senior Center 2185 Elliott Drive American Canyon 707-647-4369

Napa Senior Activity Center 1500 Jefferson Street Napa 707-255-1800 Florence Douglas 333 Amador St. Vallejo 707-643-1044

Please contact your local Senior Center for Schedule & Event Information

Fairfield 1200 Civic Center Drive 707-428-7421 McBride 91 Town Square Vacaville 707-469-6660 Rio Vista Senior Center 25 Main Street, Rio Vista 707-374-3349

Dixon 201 South 5th St. 707-678-7022 Suisun City 318 Merganser Dr. 707-421-7203 Benicia Senior Center 187 L Street 707-745-1202 Senior Center Without Walls seniorcenterwithoutwalls.org 877-797-7299

More joy per square foot.

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Whatever retirement means to you, embrace it with even greater pleasure. Our Northern California community pairs secure living with gracious, modern comfort. It’s time to enjoy life with the worry-free ease you worked a lifetime for.

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FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA

5/12/17 12:09 PM

RESOURCE GUIDE - Important Local Phone Numbers SOLANO COUNTY

NAPA COUNTY

AREA AGENCY ON AGING

AREA AGENCY ON AGING: 800-510-2020

The toll free number will automatically route the caller to the city of residence.

NAPA OMBUDSMAN: 707-258-9348

1-800-510-2020

Administrative Offices: F a i r f i el d: V a ca v i l l e: V a l l ej o:

PTS_Sol_OctNov09:Layout 1

644-6612 4 2 9 -6 2 3 5 4 6 9 -6 6 7 9 6 4 3 -1 7 9 7

9/29/09

7:59 AM

ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION

Page 15

1-800-660-1993

NORTHBAY ALZHEIMER'S RESOURCE CENTER ica707-624-7971 is about – helping each other, the foundation of our country,”ALZHEIMER'S she said. “There a tonCENTER of informaNORTHBAY DAYisCARE tion at the (Solano Community) Foundation and 707-624-7970 Fax: 707-624-7969 people should be using resource.”

FAIRFIELD SENIOR DAYthis PROGRAM The Foundation Directory Online is available 707-428-7742 toREDWOOD the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER through Friday at Solano Community Founda800-834-1636 tion, 1261 Travis Boulevard, 320, in FairInterfaith Volunteer Suite FAITH IN ACTION: Caregivers of Solano County, CaregiverPlease Respite Program, with Pride &to Cancer Patient Navigator Program at field. callRideahead reserve at spot South Solano County: 707-425-6164 707-399-3846.

North Solano County: 707-469-6675 Andrea E. Garcia is Director of CommunicaIN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES (I.H.S.S.) tions for Solano Community Foundation.

She Public Authority: 707-784-8259 can at 707-280-8771 I n t a k ebeL i n ereached : 7 0 7 -7 8 4 -8 2 5 9or at andrea@solanocf.org.

MEALS ON WHEELS of Solano County Home Delivered Meals: 707-425-0638 Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun & Vacaville Home Delivered Meals: 707-644-7444 Benicia & Vallejo Congregate Dining: 707-426-3079 Senior centers in Solano County

HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING & ADVOCACY PROGRAM (HICAP) 800-434-0222

SOLANO OMBUDSMAN

24-Hour Hotline: 800-231-4024

ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES 707-784-8259 24-Hour Hotline: 800-850-0012

IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES: 707-253-3818 ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES: 707-253-4625 MEALS ON WHEELS: 7077-253-6111 NAPA VALLEY HOSPICE & ADULT DAY: 707-258-9080

McCune Garden Chapel

FUNERAL DIRECTORS In Your Community Since 1938 • FD-0388

212 Main Street • Vacaville, CA (707) 448-6546

Milton Carpenter Funeral Home In Your Community Since 1859 • FD-0386

569 N First Street • Dixon, CA (707) 678-2189 Traditional Funeral Pre-need Arrangements Cremation Memorial Services Monuments Serving Vacaville, Dixon, Winters, Davis & Surrounding areas.

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Find these reading glasses in our magazine and be registered to win a $50 Olive Garden gift card! Simply e-mail the PAGE NUMBER and your NAME and ADDRESS or enter by mail by 9/15/2017. primetimeliving@aol.com or

Prime Time Living, 209 Glen Eagle Way, Vacaville, CA 95688