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Winter/Spring 2014 rmsenior.com

Continue

learning

Estes Park excursion

The value of work

Calendar

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Special Section:

SENIOR healtH FOCUS falls • nutrition • sex

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C O NTE NTS

DEPARTMENTS

P6 • Out & about

Estes Park is open for business Head up the hill to enjoy winter activities and events

P8 • Mind, Body, Spirit

Let the learning continue Expand your mind and stay active with a class or program

P10 • Money matters

Egg money Work gives seniors more than just an income

Winter/Spring 2014 • Volume 5, Number 5 PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, 221-9210 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com EDITOR Kristin Titterington, 221-9210 kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com Calendar Editor Aly Titterington

P14 • Keep it Sharp

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com

P16 • Calendar Check out these activities across northern Colorado

ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Greg Hoffman, 689-6832 greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com

P24 • Senior Moment

DISTRIBUTION Wendee Brungardt, Sharon Klahn, Cherese Macy

Puzzles and games to challenge your mind

Coping with all the idiots The disquieting side of personal standards

Special section:

SENIOR healtH FOCUS falls • nutrition • sex

Falls are the No. 1 reason that older adults are admitted to the hospital. You can take steps to reduce the risk of falls by how you arrange your house and how you monitor your food, fluid and drug intake. In fact, you can maintain your quality of life by meeting your basic nutritional needs with the fewer calories that seniors tend to need. And on the quality-of-life end, sex continues to be an important part for many people in their golden years. Be sure to take precautions--rates of sexually transmitted diseases have doubled for people in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

COVER PHOTO iStockphoto.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bear Jack Gebhardt, Lana Olsson Linda Osmundson, Kim Sharpe, Janet Werst ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING 825 Laporte Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80521 Voice 221-9210 Fax 221-8556 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com www.RMParent.com Rocky Mountain Senior magazine is published five times a year by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2014 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

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out & about

Estes Park is open for business Head up the hill to enjoy winter activities and events Linda L. Osmundson

A

fter the devastating floods of last September, Estes Park is once again open. It can be reached via Hwy 34 through Loveland or Hwy 36 from Lyons. Winter activities and events offer fun for the whole family whether for a day or week in this beautiful mountain setting at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Enjoy alpine skiing, wildlife, snowshoeing, shopping, dining, craft classes, and/or exhibits. Here are a few examples.

The Stanley Hotel

This famous hotel, considered to be haunted, displays some of F. O. Stanley’s inventions. His Stanley roadster sits near the entrance. This hotel museum is open Monday-Saturday, 10am to 3pm.

Admission is free.

The hotel houses three restaurants – Cascades, Whiskey Bar, and Table, a new restaurant in The Lodge. At Table, the Stanley is offering 16 weekends of “Great Roads to Great Chefs” February through April 18/19 – perfect for a special celebration. Award-winning resident chefs will prepare five course meals with wine parings and a reception for a limited 20 guests a weekend. Cost per couple is $400 for the hotel stay and dinner. Find a list of chefs and more information at www.stanleyhotel.com/ table. A portion of the proceeds benefit Estes Park flood relief. For reservations call 970-577-4160 or book online at tinyurl.com/kk6qd8n.

The Stanley Film Festival April 2427 caters to people who like creepy horror films and activities. Several packages range from the ultimate Room 237 at a cost of $1190 (the 2013 rate) to a Saturday only pass for approximately $45.

Passes, packages, and films will soon be announced. For updated information, visit: www.stanleyfilmfest.com.

Exhibits

The Estes Park Museum, 200 4th Street, 6 | RMSENIOR

offers “Sandzén in Estes Park” through August 3, 2014. Swedish artist, Birger Sandzén (1871-1954), visited Colorado in 1925 where he founded Denver’s Chapell School of Arts. He taught at the school and summered in Estes until his death. Sandzén, often called “America’s Van Gogh,” was known for paintings and graphics such as those displayed in this exhibit. Winter hours until April are 10am-5pm on Friday & Saturday, 1-5pm Sunday.

Both children and adults will enjoy “Rails in the Rockies” February 15-16 at the Estes Park Conference Center, 201 S. Vrain Ave. Model railroad layouts in various scales cover 16,000 square feet.

Vendors offer railroad wares while interactive activities promise to entertain railroad enthusiast of all ages. Hours: 9am-5pm Saturday, 9am-4pm Sunday.

Admission: $5 for adults, free for children 12 and under.

The Estes Park Museum provides permanent exhibits of an old general store, the furnished Cobb-MacDonald historic cabin and vintage National Park Service uniforms as well as 25,000 collected items. The museum adds to visitors’ enjoyment through interactive and hands-on activities. It collects, preserves, and interprets local history for

residents and visitors. Located at the corner of U.S. Highway 36 and Fourth Street, winter hours through April 30 are Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 1 to 5pm.

Admission is free.

Some other museums in the area remain closed due to the season or flood repairs. After Memorial Day, check out the Key Museum of the Baldpate Inn, Moraine Park Museum, and or the MacGregor Ranch Museum. All are located in or around Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Shopping and dining

I highly recommend Mama Rose’s Italian Restaurant, 339 E. Elkhorn Ave. It serves traditional Italian fare at a reasonable price in casually elegant surroundings. For more information and menus visit their website at www.mama rosesrestaur ant.com/. For a list of other Estes Park restaurants log onto http:// www.visitestespark.com/restaurants/.

Choose a sunny winter day, enjoy the scenic drive to Estes Park, have lunch, and stroll through the town popping in and out of interesting shops from candy and mountain wares to galleries. Even looky-loos find something they just can’t do without.

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mind, body, spirit

Let the learning continue

Expand your mind and stay active with a class or program

N

Linda L. Osmundson

orthern Colorado provides plenty of continuing education classes for those of us 50 and older who want to expand our minds and stay active.

To begin, check Loveland’s Chilson Senior Center, Fort Collins’ Senior Center, and Greeley’s Senior Activity Center for listings of events or classes in fitness, travel, art, crafts, theater, writing, music, and much more. Below are some senior continuing education outlets for you to consider.

Chilson Senior Center, Loveland

The Chilson Senior Center, 700 E. 4th Street, offers a program called Active Generation for adults 62+. The center’s Leisure Times Activity guide lists available activities and events while the Chilson Chatter Newsletter keeps the senior community abreast of its programs in six publications a year. Participation requires a Senior Activity Card. Daily visits cost $3.25 with 10 visits at $32.50.

Extended use passes are 6 months for $157 (just over $26 a month) or a yearly pass at $260 amounting to approximately $21 a month. Some classes or activities require an additional fee. www. ci.loveland.co.us/index.aspx?page=234.

Fort Collins Senior Center

Normally this center presents a wealth of classes at reasonable prices. However, the center is under construction and no listings are on their website at this time. In the past, I’ve taken a scroll saw class and taught a Memoir Writing class. I participated in an author visit and book signing last year where appetizers were served for members at no cost. A yearly pass is $25 and allows drop-in activities and/or other events/classes that may require an extra cost. For more information visit www. fcgov.com/recreation/seniorcenter.php.

Good Sam’s Senior College, Loveland

Good Samaritan Societies are located in communities across the country. They present Good Sam’s Senior College. The 8 | RMSENIOR

Loveland branch includes classes via DVD to increase knowledge of music, cultures, art, history, politics, literature, religion, health, and more. These courses are offered twice a year in conjunction with a couple of Minnesota colleges and the Good Sam Society. The 2014 Spring term begins February 24th and ends May 9th. Log onto tinyurl.com/mla4be2 for more information.

Osher at Colorado State University

This program, in partnership with the Bernard Osher Foundation, came to CSU in 2006. It offers some outstanding senior education courses, fieldtrips, and free-of-charge monthly lectures and tours. Membership consists of active adults interested in lifelong learning in a multitude of areas including art, history, cultures, science, and much more.

Two levels of membership allow seniors a choice according to their time limits and interests. Gold Membership cost $95 and permits one free course, the Perk series of no-cost lectures, tours, special events, and other courses at an additional $95 each. Gold members can enter the Value Added Draw, a program where members’ names and interests are placed in a drawing for a free class.

Green Membership is $35 and al-

lows members to attend the Perk series of lectures, tours, and special events.

Green members may not enroll in courses. More information is available at www.online.colostate.edu/osher.

For the past few years, Osher toured the Governor’s Invitational Art Show at the Loveland Museum/Gallery where I am a docent. Although I’m not an Osher member, I guided the tours of the show for interested members. In addition, I have been asked to present a lecture on women artists sometime in late spring that coordinates with my new book release How the West Was Drawn: Women’s Art. Volunteer to learn

Many museums and organizations in northern Colorado request volunteers help them achieve their goals. As a docent at the Loveland Museum/Gallery, I often help train volunteers to give tours for special art exhibits. Other museums offer training also. Learning art history, as well as art techniques, is a great way to challenge yourself.

Look into a museum or organization that interests you and learn for the fun of it. No tests, no stress creates a fun learning environment and connects you with other people with the same interests.

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money matters

Egg money

Work gives seniors more than just income

A

retired schoolteacher friend now raises a few chickens and sells the eggs. She makes about as much on the eggs as it costs to raise the hens. When asked why she does it, she shrugs and says she likes having the little business, and feeding the hens.

Young journalists in the media often assume the only reason a retiree might go back to work would be for the extra income. After all, if one didn’t have to work because of economic necessity, why would one work? Sadly, some retirees assume the same thing.

Recently, a friend in his seventies, who had been retired for a decade or more, applied for a relatively low paying editorial position, outside of his field. I was surprised.

“Why did you do that?” I asked.

This friend didn’t need the money. And the work was not all that exciting. He is a retired executive from a major corporation, a regular world traveler, a highend RV owner and a sailboat enthusiast.

Why would he want such a job? He gave an unexpected answer.

“The relationships you have with people in the marketplace, when you’re performing a function in the economic system, no matter how humble that function, are different than any other type of relationship,” he said. “I guess I miss that type of relationship with people. I need it again.”

This was a unique insight. My friend had in-depth experience with various volunteer activities, performing many valuable, much-needed services for a wide diversity of organizations. He also had rich, satisfying family and social networks and relationships. And, as mentioned, he travels extensively. Yet he missed those particular types of relationships that only come about with coworkers, customers and competitors that arise only when one is engaged, however humbly, in some kind of economic activity.

My friend had learned that even volunteering at a thrift shop is somehow different 10 | RMSENIOR

Bear Jack Gebhardt

than being employed by that same thrift shop, performing the exact same duties.

My own experience confirms my friend’s insight. A year or more after retirement I started a small online book business, offering my own inventory of books that I had accumulated, haphazardly yet steadily, for more than thirty years. After several months of start-up effort, I am now happily obliged to spend one to two hours most days filling orders for my books from all over the world. The money I make is modest, like egg money from chickens. (Most of my books are not rare.) Yet somehow performing this simple function—selling and sending someone a book they are ready to read right now—helps ease the “retirement restlessness” that so many people experience after a lifetime of work.

And such economic work here in our mature years is not only a cure for retirement restlessness. Dr. Robert Butler, Founding Director of the National Institute on Aging, observed, “We know that intellectual stimulation, social engagement and even physical activity helps maintain cognitive health.” However, Dr. Butler recommended against accepting or stay-

ing in a job that is stressful or unpleasant, which will have the exact opposite effect.

Research from the University of Bristol and the University of London found that regular work, and especially work with our hands and work in the soil, activates neurons in the brain that produce serotonin, and serotonin, “at appropriate levels, is key for regulating mood and contributes to better emotional stability and a better social life, not to mention decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Although many seniors who are still working, or going back to work report that they do so for economic reasons, a survey by National Public Radio found that a majority of seniors who are still working say it is primarily because they want to feel useful. Underlying this “useful feeling” may be the clear, clean and unique form of relationship which work in the marketplace entails. Although a little extra egg money is always nice, the relationships involved while earning money are in themselves unique and enriching. As the noted journalist H.L. Mencken observed, “I go on working for the same reason a hen goes on laying eggs.”

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keep it sharp

RMSenior Word Search

Search the stories in this issue to find the answers to these clues. Then search for the words in this puzzle.

Clues: Estes Park is open for business, page 6 1. What devastating event last September cut off Estes Park.

2. This famous hotel is considered to be haunted.

3. E xhibit at the Estes Park Conference Center— Rails of the ________.

Let the learning continue, page 8 4. To find a class, start at your city’s Senior ________.

5. Name of the Senior Center in Loveland.

6. Name of the program at CSU. Egg money, page 10 7. S ome seniors miss the relationships with people in the _______________.

8. Seniors who work want to feel this.

9. Some seniors report working for this reason.

Senior health focus, page 12 10. N o. 1 reason older adults are admitted to the hospital.

11. S eniors need to get all nutrients with fewer of these.

12. R ates of sexually transmitted ___________ have doubled for people in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

Answers: 1. Floods, 2. Stanley, 3. Rockies, 4. Center, 5. Chilson, 6. Osher, 7. Marketplace, 8. Useful, 9. Economic, 10. Falls, 11. Calories, 12. Diseases

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health focus • Wear properly fitted shoes with non-skid soles.

• Keep your list of medications updated and request a yearly medication review with your pharmacist. There are a number of medications and over-the-counter medicines/herbs/supplements that don’t mix well together.

• Avoid excessive alcohol intake. Alcohol and medicine don’t mix and our bodies process alcohol differently as we age.

• Make sure your path to the bathroom is well lit at night. Install nightlights or have a flashlight next to your bed.

• Avoid climbing to reach high shelves. Move items to a lower shelf.

• Put on your glasses.

• If you use a walking aid, have it fitted by a doctor or therapist and use it as directed by your doctor.

Staying up on falls

Eliminate and reduce your risk factors Janet Werst

F

alls do not have to be a part of getting older. We can do a number of things to lessen our risk factors. Yet, in Larimer County, and in the state of Colorado, falls are the number one reason older adults are admitted to the hospital.

Some risk factors cannot be changed, such as heredity; however, several risk factors can be eliminated or reduced. The University of Colorado Health and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons have developed guidelines to help you avoid falls.

• Participate in an exercise program for agility, strength, balance, and coordination. Tai Chi and yoga are two highly recommended classes to improve balance and coordination.

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• Get an annual physical and eye examination, particularly an evaluation of cardiac and blood pressure problems.

• M aintain a diet with adequate dietary calcium and Vitamin D. • Remove all tripping hazards in your home (throw rugs, electrical cords, items in the walkway, etc.). Fifty percent of falls occur at home!

• Install brighter light bulbs to light your rooms. Frosted bulbs can help reduce glare.

• Install grab bars, handrails, and non-slip mats in the bathtub or shower. Do not use towel bars, as they are not secured enough to the wall.

• Before getting out of bed, sit on the edge and secure your footing to make sure you are not dizzy.

If you do fall, don’t panic. Assess the situation to determine if you are hurt. If you are hurt, crawl or scoot to the phone (keep on in each room) and call 9-1-1. Fire and EMS personnel are on-call 24-hours a day, so don’t hesitate to call them if you need them!

If you are not hurt, crawl to the nearest piece of sturdy furniture. Take your time bracing yourself and getting yourself into a sitting position. Sit down and rest. Something caused you to fall…it could have been medication, weak muscles, inner ear issues…find out why and see what you can do to fix it so it doesn’t happen again.

For more information, visit www. pvhs.org/aspenclub, http://www.cdc. gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/ index.html, or http://www.cdc.gov/ ncipc/pub-res/toolkit/checklistfor safety.htm.

Janet Werst is the Injury Prevention Coordinator at University of Colorado Health.

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health focus

The senior nutrition challenge

Balancing the essentials with a little room left for dark chocolate

E

ating properly has special challenges in senior years. We strive to stay active and fit, yet our physical activity tends to decrease. We need to get all of our vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and fat—with fewer Calories. Our vitamin and mineral needs do not decrease with decreased activity.

How can we continue to enjoy rich desserts, fried foods, candy, sugary sodas, and alcoholic beverages?

First we must acknowledge that if we have reached senior status in good health, then we must be doing something right!

We don’t need make radical eating changes late in life, unless our survival depends on it.

If you suspect that you are not meeting your basic nutrient needs, your best bet is to simplify. Focus on getting enough calcium, fiber, and protein—and the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients will probably follow. If you enjoy cereal, choose one that is fortified with 100 percent of essential vitamins and a significant amount of minerals and fiber. When you add milk to that cereal, you will get a serving of calcium, which is essential for bone health, nervous health and blood-pressure control.

Calcium is best obtained from food (and not pills); primarily milk, yogurt, cheese and canned fish with bones.

Foods made from milk, such as pudding, custard and chowders, are equally good calcium sources.

Calcium-fortified beverages are available in most supermarkets; including orange juice and soy beverage.

Yogurt with live bacterial cultures has an added benefit of introducing good bacteria into the intestines, which provides a barrier to disease.

Dietary fiber is more than an antidote to constipation. Fiber fosters the growth of good bacteria in the intestines and defends against infection. One of the richest sources of fiber is the legume (pinto, navy, garbanzo, lentil, kidney, small red, cannellini, etc.).

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Lana L. Olsson

The American diet tends to be rich in protein. Protein works best when consumed at each meal, starting with breakfast; as it helps to stabilize blood sugar, and is truly the body’s building block.

The highest-quality proteins are found in animal products. Plant proteins also contribute to meet protein requirements.

Americans are now cautioned to reduce salt and sodium intake and we know that most sodium we consume comes from additives used in processing.

Cooked lentils are virtually sodium free, but a canned lentil soup may have 500

of protein rich foods—such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs, cheese and legumes; and one-fourth with grains—such as bread, pasta, rice, barley, corn, kasha, and quinoa.

(Legumes are unusual because they serve as a grain serving and a protein serving).

The healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats and oils--including olives, nuts, and seeds are added to the meal. A serving of fruit and a calcium-rich dairy product are found to the side of the plate at the meal.

Are you now asking, where’s the red wine and dark chocolate? Remember to consume these healthy choices judiciously.

mg of sodium per serving (1/4 of recommended daily intake).

Lightly salting your homemade soup recipe is not a problem. Only 5 percent of people’s salt intake comes from the saltshaker.

You should consume twice as much potassium as sodium. Consuming half of your meal or plate as vegetables will help you get plenty of potassium and this strategy will help to control blood pressure.

The healthy American plate looks like this: half full of vegetables; one-fourth full

The nutrition challenge is to eat three or more meals a day as recommended, flavoring with herbs, using small doses of sugar and salt, and then to consider what, if anything, you are truly missing.

All foods can fit when enjoyed moderately and as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Lana L. Olsson is a registered dietitian, board certified in gerontological nutrition.

Lana consults for The Hillcrest in Loveland, and is the dietitian for a V.A. home based primary care team based in Greeley, CO.

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health focus “As adults stay healthy longer and surgery and drugs improve sexual performance and drive, these numbers could rise higher,” says Suddenly Senior.com a top-100 web blog site for seniors and boomers.

It’s natural for human beings to maintain a need for intimacy as they age. “This includes the desire to continue an active, satisfying sex life… but with aging, there may be changes that can cause problems,” the National Institute on Aging says.

Health issues

Health issues such as arthritis, chronic pain, dementia, diabetes, heart disease and incontinence can all present issues in the bedroom, but seeking information from health-care providers and practicing patience usually solve them.

Sexual activity can continue, perhaps with the assistance of modern pharmacology and/or simple remedies your grandparents probably used.

Sexually transmitted diseases

Making whoopy Safe sex for seniors

KIM SHAR P E

H

ave you ever considered when the honeymoon really ends?

Does it happen after a month, a year or is it possible for it to last through the Golden Years?

For younger generations, it may be hard to imagine a time when sex and love-making isn’t a priority. But there are several reasons a couple’s love life loses the top spot on the to-do list as years go by. Jobs, kids and maintaining a household are primary romance busters. They require time and energy, leaving partners exhausted at the end of a day with their batteries on empty.

The only rocking action many beds get is from the raucous snoring once people fall into them in a comatose state. After the kids grow up and move out, and/or people retire, however, the

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drain on time and energy decreases, which could leave more of both to rekindle that romantic flame.

Sexual activity

Indeed, studies are finding that older married couples are staying sexually active later and the number of seniors dating after divorce or the death of a spouse is increasing.

Patricia Bloom, a physician at the Mount Sinai-New York University Medical Center, reports that many older people remain sexually active, including “87 percent of married men and 89 percent of married women in the 60-64 age range.” And for those over 80, Bloom reports that 29 percent of men and 25 percent of women still engage in sexual activity.

An issue that definitely needs to be addressed is the rising rate of sexually transmitted infections among older adults. Living arrangements, such as retirement communities and assisted-living facilities, offer many opportunities for people to “spark” a relationship. With the risk of pregnancy being null and void, many older people engage in sex with multiple partners.

“Rates of sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have doubled for people in their 50s, 60s and 70s in the past decade…The numbers of older people with HIV has nearly doubled, and 15 percent of new diagnoses of HIV in the U.S. were in people age 50 and older in 2005, which is the most recent year that the CDC calculated the risk for this age group,” according to researchers at Kings College and Saint Thomas’s Hospital in London and reported by ABC News.

But the percentage of older people who discuss or receive information about senior sex is very low. “Most older adults have never discussed sex

with a physician,” says Stacy Tessler Lindau, who conducted a research study on the subject through the University of Chicago. “From a medical and health perspective, we have an opportunity and an obligation to do better patient education and counseling about health-related and potentially preventable and treatable sexual problems.” Experts agree that promoting safe sex and the use of condoms is just as important after 50 as it is in one’s perceived sexual prime.

This was adapted from The Mayo Clinic.

Tips for enjoying sex • Talk with your partner. It may be difficult to talk about sex if you grew up viewing it as a taboo subject. But openly talking with your partner about your needs, desires and concerns can help you both enjoy sex and intimacy more.

• Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you manage chronic conditions and medications that affect your sex life. If you have trouble maintaining an erection or reaching orgasm, ask your doctor about medications or other treatments for these problems.

• Expand your definition of sex. Intercourse is only one way to have fulfilling sex. Touching, kissing and other intimate sexual contact can be just as rewarding for both you and your partner. Realize that as you age, it’s normal for you and your partner to have different sexual abilities and needs. Be open to finding new ways to enjoy sexual contact and intimacy.

• Change your routine. Simple changes can improve your sex life. Change the time of day when you have sex to a time when you have the most energy. Because it might take longer for you or your partner to become aroused, take more time to set the stage for romance. Try a new sexual position or explore other new ways of connecting romantically and sexually.

• Don’t give up on romance. If you’ve lost your partner, it can be difficult to imagine starting another relationship—but socializing is well worth the effort for many single seniors. If you start an intimate relationship with a new partner, be sure to practice safe sex.

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WINT E R S P RING 2 0 1 4 ONGOING Through March 8 Yeah Yeah Yeah: A Beatles Concert Event Their songs. Their stories. Midtown Arts Center, 3750 S. Mason St., FC. 970-2252555 or www.midtownartscenter.com.

Through March 23 9 to 5: The Musical Pushed to the boiling point by their boss, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Market Place Dr., Johnstown, CO. 970-744-3747 or www. coloradocandlelight.com.

February 6-8 Ballroom With A Twist A critically acclaimed international dance production. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 970-221-6730 or www.LCTIX.com.

February 6 – March 9 Becky’s New Car Directed by Sarah Zwick-Tapley. A smart, comic cruise through the perils of middle-aged longing and regret, this is an original comedy with serious overtones, a devious and

delightful romp down the road not taken. Bas Bleu Theatre Company, 401 Pine St., FC. 970-498-8949 or www. basbleu.org.

February 21- March 2 The Mikado The Rialto Theatre Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 970-962-2120 or www.ci.loveland.co.us.

Saturday, February 1 Fort Collins Symphony: Magnificent Mahler.

The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 7:30pm. 970-221-6730 or www.

LCTIX.com.

Computer Comfort Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10am. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

The Love Boat The Rialto Theatre Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7pm. 970-962-2120 or www. ci.loveland.co.us.

Mini Scrapbook & Journal Class Come create a scrapbook or journal. We’ll supply the books and other craft supplies.

Lincoln Park Library, High Plains Library District, 919 7th St., GR. 1pm.

970-506-8622 or www.mylibrary.us.

Show Your Love A benefit for breast cancer awareness.

Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 6pm. 970-356-5000 or www. ucstars.com. iLearn Technology: Computer Basics 101 (Windows7) True Beginner Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 9:30am. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Loveland Loves Origami Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 11am. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Spice Up Your Life with Susan Kirkpatrick Presented by the Interesting People Series. The Aspen Club, Senior Services.

Poudre Valley Hospital, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 9-10:30am. 970-495-8560 or www.pvhs.org.

Saturday, February 2 The Love Boat The Rialto Theatre Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 1pm. 970-962-2120 or www. ci.loveland.co.us.

Saturday, February 3 UNC Orchestra Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 970-356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

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Thursday, February 6 Pinterest Basics for Personal Use Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 6:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Library eBooks on your iPads, iPhones, Smartphones and Tablets Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Book Buzz: Romance Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 4pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Friday, February 7 American Legacy Cheerleading Budweiser Event Center, 5290 Arena Circle, LV. 9am. 970-619-4100 or www. budweisereventcenter.com.

Sunday, February 4 Blogging Basics with WordPress Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 6:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Great Decisions Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 3-4pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Pinterest: What Is It? Windsor-Severance Library, Clearview Library District, 720 3rd St., Windsor.

6:30-7:30pm. 970-686-5603 or www. clearviewlibrary.org.

Affordable Healthcare Act Q&A Join us for a presentation that will walk you through the basic changes in the way Americans get health coverage and how the Health Insurance Marketplace works. Farr Regional Library, High Plains Library District, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 2pm. 970-506-8500 or www. mylibrary.us.

Wednesday, February 5 iPad 101: The Basics for iPad Users Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10-11:30am. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

22 | RMSENIOR

Alton Brown Live!

This star of Good Eats brings his brand of quirky humor and culinary-science mischief to the stage. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7pm. 970356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

Loveland Loves Origami Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 2pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Crochet an Infinity Scarf Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 3pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks The Rialto Theatre Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7pm. 970-962-2120 or www. ci.loveland.co.us.

Is Your Home Healthy and Winter Prepared?

The Aspen Club, Senior Services. Poudre Valley Hospital, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 2-3:30pm. 970-495-8560 or www.pvhs.org.

Scrabble Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 10am-Noon. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Harmony in the Round with African Dancers Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

McTeggart Irish Dancers The Rialto Theatre Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7pm. 970-962-2120 or www. ci.loveland.co.us. iLearn Technology: Internet Tips & Tricks Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 9:30am. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Great Ideas Discussion Group Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 2pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Feeding Your Spirit: The Missing Link The Aspen Club, Senior Services.

Poudre Valley Hospital, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 2-3:30pm. 970-495-8560 or www.pvhs.org.

First Friday Gallery Walk Old Town Square, Downtown, FC. 6-9pm. 484-6500 or www. downtownfortcollins.com.

First Friday: A Night of Art Greeley is thriving with local artistic talent! Stop by participating art galleries for a wonderful evening. Downtown Art Galleries & Studios, GR. 5-8pm. 970-3566775 or www.greeleydowntown.com.

Saturday, February 8 Winter Farmer’s Market Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., FC. 10am-2pm. 484-6500 or www. downtownfortcollins.com.

The Passions Project: Larimer County Join the Foundation on Aging for Larimer County for an event featuring the photography of Heidi Wagner. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 7pm.

970-221-6730 or www.LCTIX.com.

American Legacy Cheerleading Budweiser Event Center, 5290 Arena Circle, LV. 9am. 970-619-4100 or www. budweisereventcenter.com.

Internet Searching Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10am-Noon. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

UNC Performing & Visual Arts Gala Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 970-356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

Writing Workshop: Building A Better Book Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 1-4pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Winter Revelry The Rialto Theatre Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-962-2120 or www. ci.loveland.co.us.

Chess Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 10am-Noon. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Movie Night: 42 Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Winter Olympics XXII We will celebrate the 17 days of competition with geography and Olympic information centers. Lincoln Park Library, High Plains Library District, 919 7th St., GR. 1pm. 970506-8622 or www.mylibrary.us. iLearn Technology: Microsoft Excel 101 Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 12:30pm. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Knitting Club Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 3pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Sunday, February 9 An Intimate Evening with Clint Black This prolific singer-songwriter has been heralded as one of Country music’s brightest starts. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 7:30pm. 970-2216730 or www.LCTIX.com.

Tremendous Tales: A Storytime for Adults Join us as actor John Jankow entertains with a variety of captivating short stories for adults. Centennial Park Library, High Plains Library District, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 3pm. 970-506-8622 or www. mylibrary.us.

Monday, February 10 Diverse History and Discovery of the Rocky Mountains Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7-8pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Affordable Healthcare Act Q&A Join us for a presentation that will walk you through the basic changes in the way Americans get health coverage and how the Health Insurance Marketplace works. Lincoln Park Library, High Plains Library District, 919 7th St., GR. 3pm.

970-506-8622 or www.mylibrary.us.

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Hot Cocoa, Hotter Romance Romance readers unite! We’ll talk about hot new titles and hidden gems. Farr Regional Library, High Plains Library District, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 6pm. 970506-8500 or www.mylibrary.us.

Vickie’s Knitting Loom Group Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 1pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Thursday, February 13 Word Basics Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 6:30-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

iLearn Technology: Gmail 101 Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 5:30pm. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Arthritis Education with Dr. Bill Holt The Aspen Club, Senior Services. Poudre Valley Hospital, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 11am12:30pm. 970-495-8560 or www.pvhs.org.

Tuesday, February 11 Kevin Cook: Huck Finn of the Forest Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. Noon-1pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Night: Egypt Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7-8pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Bonsai The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 5:30pm. 970-416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens. iLearn Technology: Computer Basics 201 (Windows7) – Next Steps Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 9:30am. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org. iLearn Technology: Microsoft Excel 201 Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 12:30pm. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

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Learn to Knit Yourself a Scarf!

It’s winter and it’s cold! Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 1pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Color Tablets & Library eBooks Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 4:30pm. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Become a Strong Woman with a Healthy Heart The Aspen Club, Senior Services. Poudre Valley Hospital, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 4-5:30pm. 970-495-8560 or www.pvhs. org.

Wednesday, February 12 Celtic Nights: The Emigrants Bridge Celtic Nights expertly weaves together the lilting melodies and plaintive lyrics of the rich Celtic heritage to tell the story of a people. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 7:30pm. 970-2216730 or www.LCTIX.com.

Rocky Mountain Raptors?

Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 6:30-7:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Bill Reed Presents!

The Rialto Theatre Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7pm. 970-962-2120 or www. ci.loveland.co.us.

Exercise!

Do you need to do it? What kind is best? What if you don’t want to? Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 7-8pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Nooks @ Your Library Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Judy Collins The Rialto Theatre Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-962-2120 or www. ci.loveland.co.us.

Amplified! A Showcase of Local Talents Windsor-Severance Library, Clearview Library District, 720 3rd St., Windsor.

4:30-6:30pm. 970-686-5603 or www. clearviewlibrary.org.

Echoes to Bugles: Huck Finn of the Forest Examine the natural history of 24 mammals treated as 12 pair of two very different but very connected animals.

Each month features a different pair and presents both the details of their separate lives as individuals and of their inseparable lives as predator and prey. Farr Regional Library, High Plains Library District, 1939 61st Ave., GR. Noon. 970-506-8500 or www.mylibrary.us.

iLearn Technology: Microsoft Word 201 Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 9:30am. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Friday, February 14 Happy Valentines Day! Love & All That Jazz Dance & Silent Auction Dance the night away to the sounds of the Foothills Pops and Swing Bands. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 7:30pm. 970-221-6730 or www.LCTIX. com.

Great Ideas Discussion Group Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 2pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Sweetheart Skate Greeley Ice Haus, 900 8th Ave., GR. 7:158:45pm. www.greeleyicehaus.com.

Romeo & Juliet The Rialto Theatre Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-962-2120 or www. ci.loveland.co.us.

GPO Connoisseur Concert #5 Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 970-356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

Saturday, February 15 The Stars of Tomorrow Youth Talent Show Come see the best youth talent that Fort Collins has to offer! The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 6pm. 970-2216730 or www.LCTIX.com.

Winter’s Farmer Market Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., FC. 10am-2pm. 484-6500 or www. downtownfortcollins.com.

Tech ZOO Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 10am. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

GPO Connoisseur Concert #5 Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 970-356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

Moon Over My Open Space Join a naturalist for a moonlit hike.

Learn about owls and other nighttime critters. River Bluff Open Space, East of I-25 between Timnath and Windsor.

5:30pm. 970-498-7000 or www.fcgov. com/naturalresources.

Sunday, February 16 Game Day @ Your Library Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 1-5pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

School’s Out Movie: Wreck It Ralph Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 2-4pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Tuesday, February 18 Minetti Quartett A musical sensation from Austria. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 7:30pm. 970-221-6730 or www.

LCTIX.com.

Blogging Beyong Basics with WordPress Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 6:30-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Kindles @ Your Library Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 7-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

UNC Bands Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7pm. 970-356-5000 or www. ucstars.com.

Business Book Blitz Farr Regional Library, High Plains Library District, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 6:30pm.

970-506-8500 or www.mylibrary.us.

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Feeling Fabulous in February Chilson Senior Center, 700 E. 4th St., LV. 2-4pm. 970-495-8560 or www.pvhs.org.

Friday, February 21 Foodie Walk Old Town Square, Downtown, FC. 5-8pm. 484-6500 or www. downtownfortcollins.com. iLearn Technology: Computer Basics 201 (Windows7) – Next Steps Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 9:30am. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

UNC Dance Alliance Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 970-356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

Benefits of BioFeedback The Aspen Club, Senior Services. Poudre Valley Hospital, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 9-10:30am. 970-495-8560 or www.pvhs.org.

Wednesday, February 19 Money Matters: Home Buying Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 6:30-7:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Thursday, February 20 Olympic Affair Author Terry Frel Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 6:30-8pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Pet Seniorhood: Diseases Affecting Your Pet Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 6:30-7:30pm. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Word Beyond Basics Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 6:30-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

iLearn Technology: Gmail 201 Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 9:30am. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org. iLearn Technology: Computer Basics 101 (Windows7) – True Beginner Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 5:30pm. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Outsmarting Investment Fraud The Aspen Club, Senior Services. Poudre Valley Hospital, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 1-2pm. 970-495-8560 or www.pvhs.org.

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2014 Lunch Time Health Series Making Loveland a healthier community.

Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. Noon. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Book Page Flowers Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 4pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Black & White eReaders & Library eBooks Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 5:30pm. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Saturday, February 22 Mark Nizer: 4D Juggling Theatre One of the greatest entertainment comedians and jugglers performing today. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, FC. 2pm & 6pm. 970-2216730 or www.LCTIX.com.

Winter’s Farmer Market Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., FC. 10am-2pm. 484-6500 or www. downtownfortcollins.com.

WebPage Design with SnapPages Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10am-Noon. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Movie Night: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7-9pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

UNC Dance Alliance Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 970-356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

Got Grandkids?

Visit rmparent.com for family-friendly activities in northern Colorado.

facebook.com/RockyMountainParent RMsenior

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Introduction to Genealogy Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 9:15am. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

iLearn Technology: Microsoft Word 201 Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 5:30pm. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

DIY Sock Puppets Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 3pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

iLearn Technology: Microsoft Word 101 Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 9:30am. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Wednesday, February 26 Symphony Composer Talks Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. Noon-1pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Thursday, February 27 Digital Photo Editing with Picasa Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 6:30-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

UNC Jazz Bands Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7pm. 970-356-5000 or www. ucstars.com.

International Night: Egypt Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 7-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Sunday, February 23 The Faces of Korea Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 2pm. 970-356-5000 or www. ucstars.com.

Altered Books Join us for an evening of crafts as we get creative with some of our old books.

Kersey Library, 413 1st St., Kersey. 6pm.

970-584-3244 or www.MyLibrary.us.

Spotlight On Youth Band Concert Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 6:30pm. 970-356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

Monday, February 24 iLearn Technology: Microsoft Excel 101 Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 5:30pm. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

iLearn Technology: Microsoft Excel 201 Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 9:30am. 970-962-2665 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Friday, February 28 Forgiven: A Fairy Tale Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7pm. 970-356-5000 or www. ucstars.com.

Vickie’s Knitting Loom Group Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 1pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

iLearn Technology: PowerPoint 101 Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 1pm. 970-962-2665 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

AARP Drivers Class The Aspen Club, Senior Services. Poudre Valley Hospital, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 9am-1:30pm. 970-495-8560 or www. pvhs.org.

Tuesday, February 25 Antarctic Lecture Series Under the Ice: the geophysical unveiling of the Antarctic Continent. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Answer Cache: Databases for Adults Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 6:30-8:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Stick Baskets The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 5:30pm. 970-416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

UNC Choirs Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 970-356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

Creating Easy To Do “Stain Glass” Windsor-Severance Library, Clearview Library District, 720 3rd St., Windsor.

6:30-8pm. 970-686-5603 or www. clearviewlibrary.org.

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Build friendships and learn new skills while having fun with horses!

Riding Technique and Games, Horse Behavior, Horse Breeds, Parts of the Horse, Feeding, Grooming, Care and Parts of the Bridle and Saddle.

Build your child’s confidence, strength, responsibility, and empathy during this fun camp where we will learn all about horses, how to care for them, and learn to ride!

SAVE $50 th 8 1 y r a u r b e F r with you payment reservation & ers) (limited to 8 rid

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APRIL 1ST - 4TH IN PIERCE

(POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT)

(HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT)

TUESDAY - FRIDAY 10:00 - 3:00** 00 • $399 PER STUDENT • AGES 7 - 12 YEARS • BEGINNER - INTERMEDIATE RIDERS WELCOME!!

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- Don’t miss out, space is limited to 8 Riders -

CALL 970-402-2536 NOW TO REGISTER

970.402.2536 • www.inspirationridingacademy.com • RMsenior

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senior moment

Coping with all the idiots The disquieting side of personal standards

Bear Jack Gebhardt

I

’ve recently observed, once again, how I hold to particular personal standards for human behavior that, if not met by my fellow human beings, I will, in my frustration at their failure to live up to said standards, spontaneously squirt a small, unhealthy dose of disquiet into my own personal physiological system. Irrational, this, I know.

Case in point: I have certain standards for how clear the car windows should be after a snowfall before actually driving down the street. Seems important to me to have, at a minimum, a healthy portion of the front windshield scraped off and at least a small pocket of the back window. Less visibility than this, on a pass/fail basis, fails. On the standard “F” to “A” basis, such minimum (two window) clearance rates about a D. To get a C, one would also need to clear at least the driver’s side window, and one side mirror. That would rate about a C-. Both side windows cleared, both mirrors, the whole back window, whole front window, C+ to B-. To get an A, one would have all windows cleared, hood swept, top of car swept, and, of course, tail lights and front lights cleared. (Cars that have been garaged out of the snowfall, and thus are clean and sparkly driving down the street on a cold winter’s day, are out of the judging.

That’s another game all together. ) As I was driving down the street after a recent snowstorm, I noticed the car traveling in front of me still had its back window iced over, and as I drew closer, realized that the side windows were likewise still untouched, and the side mirrors still caked with miniature snow drifts. The driver had scraped a small, six- by eight-inch sized square from his windshield, through which he was now peering, hunched over the wheel.

“You idiot!” I said out loud, though I was driving alone in my own well scraped (B to B+) vehicle, and knew 30 | RMSENIOR

without doubt that the other driver—we live in a college town and I assumed it was one of “those”—could not even know of my existence, let alone of my reaction to his artless (D-) lifestyle.

Okay, yes. I’ve been that cold, that annoyed, that much in a hurry– mostly in my younger days—when I, too, did a quick front windshield scrape and then hopped in without exerting the obligatory energy to undo the vehicle from the chill. Some days are like that. You just hope and trust the heater will kick into turbo-charge, melt the whole ice problem away from the inside out, and do it soon, before The Law spots you. You just hope that you get to your destination, and back into the warm, before your ice-cubed car becomes an issue. And you know people driving next to you are probably yelling to themselves, “idiot!”

And you agree, yes, yes, sorry, sorry, I’m an idiot, but I’m cold and grumpy and in a hurry so okay, just this once, ignore me, if you will, for a minute, until this thing warms up.

I’ve been there.

Didn’t stop me, of course, this time from yelling, “Idiot!”

It was when I yelled “idiot” at the kid in the ice-cube car who couldn’t see or hear me that I realized I was squirting a dose of unnecessary heebie-jeebies into my own system just because…

I have particular personal standards for human behavior. The fact that most of us share somewhat the same basic standards in such a common artistry as scraping ice from the car— doesn’t mean that I don’t take it personally when someone violates those standards. What I’m still learning to do is not squirt that disquiet into my system when someone –some idiot college kid, for example— fails to meet said standard. I confess I have a long way to go. That squirt is, at least for now, fairly spontaneous.

On the other hand, I also must learn not take secret pleasure– spontaneously giggle and feel a certain relief from the angst–in seeing, a few blocks later, in my rear view mirror, said kid being followed (unawares) by the local gendarme, red and blues flashing. Inner laws, divine justice, I smugly observe, enforced outwardly.

Wait until spring. I have a whole different set of standards (D- to A+) for what a suburban lawn should look like.

Community Advantage

Community Advantage provides quality residential, supported living, and day program services for people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities. We serve the following countries: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld.

ResidentiAl Host Home-An individual living with a family and included in typical family activities and responsibilities.

GRoup Home Employees support four or five individuals in a home setting. suppoRted livinG seRviCes Individuals living on their own or with a family member are supported by employees’ periodically. dAy seRviCe Providing meaningful activities to individuals four days a week.

970.330.3349 • www.Rescare.com

Weld County office • 5400 West 11th st. Greeley, Co, 80634

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