Content 6 - RV Resorts 8 - Age Diversity 12 - Healthly Mind 14 - Sunblock 101 16 - Life Insurance 20 - Shopping Healthly 22 - Directory of Services President Gene Lara 806-231-0562
Volume 2 Issue 5 Aug 2010
Sales Eric Muehlhausen Linda Williams Olivia Herrera
Editor Camey Maldonado Contact Information 806-231-9822 806-231-0562
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One of my first real jobs was as an assistant manager at an outlet mall selling dishes. I love dishes, I love the way they look, I love the way they make you feel “special” while eating a home cooked meal and I love having different dishes for different occasions. Just a few weeks ago I was at a thrift store and they had a complete dish set of one of my favorite patterns and I contemplated buying the set. After leaving empty-handed I am still kicking myself for not buying them. I thought I needed a special occasion to buy the set and now I keep thinking…maybe I am the special occasion and or reason and maybe that should just be enough. So, I was thinking we should all start each of our days with a new outlook; to remember that we are all special. Repeat after me: “I’m special enough for every day.” “I’m special enough” is my new daily credo, which was inspired by Bill Cosby. Years ago, he bought expensive silver flatware from an estate auction house. At what special occasions did he plan to use his new sterling? His quote to the reporter is inexact here, but I recall it as, “Every day. I’m special enough.” The days of clumsy little kids at meal times are over. It’s one of the serious perks to older adulthood. It is time to transform the mundane. It’s time to eat spaghetti off the good china. Invite your girlfriends over for tea and finger sandwiches and use your favorite tea set. Have a tea party in the middle of the afternoon…you are special enough! Besides, what are you saving it for anyway? A younger generation lives a time-constrained, disposable, convenience-oriented lifestyle. Most likely, treasured Spode will be transferred to some other dark attic in the future – and like turkeys of Thanksgivings past, may never again see the light of day. Bring out the best and the finest now. You’re more than special.
RV Resorts
Many RV enthusiasts enjoy an extended stay at RV resorts. For those who take to the road for months at a time as a vacation or retirement option, RV resorts are a place to settle down, play a few rounds of golf, meet up with family and friends, and enjoy the convenience of premier restaurants, shopping, and activities. What is an RV Resort? RV resorts differ from RV camping in one major way: amenities. No one can stay on the road forever. An RV resort has many of the pleasures of home so you can feel comfortable to rest a while. It’s almost like having the best aspects of a retirement community without the fuss of keeping up a house. RV lots have patios and lawns with plenty of utility hookups. Travelers can enjoy swimming pools, hot tubs and saunas, fitness centers, and spas. Many RV resorts have general services such as medical resources, a beauty salon, barbershop, an ATM, library, a gift shop, laundry facilities, an RV necessities shop, and a post office. Wireless areas, computer facilities, and cable/satellite TV are common. Community activities are quite prevalent, such as game rooms and pool tables, tennis, basketball, volleyball, bocci courts, dancing, live entertainment, horseshoes, woodworking, crafts, and planned lectures and outings. Nearby attractions, everything from fine dining, shopping, museums, and golf courses, to fishing, direct beach access, racetracks, and amusement parks, are a stone’s throw away.
Choosing an RV Resort Certain RV resorts sites have particular designations to describe what the resort offers and its surroundings. GNP: Stands for Good Neighbor Park. Generally a quieter stop for those wanting to be away from the hubbub. Deluxe: Features some basic amenities to help travelers feel comfortable for an extended stay. Encore: At this type of resort, you can stretch your legs awhile and get involved in many activities. Encore Elite: Very close to prime attractions, but also offering many reasons to stay on premises. BPA: Considered one of the Best Parks in America. This is a five-star RV resort. Many RV enthusiasts need to have a certain kind of membership affiliation to access RV resorts, or have to purchase a lot, similar to a time-share vacation property. A resort membership fee helps provide some of the features you’ll use, but more importantly, you’re part of an extensive network that offers support and knowledge to guide you through this lifestyle. Fees vary widely, based on membership level. Tips from the Experts Traveling extensively 20 or 30 years ago really made a person feel cut off from the familiar. But modern conveniences and continual advances in technology have changed all that. If you’re wondering about the practicalities of RV life, here are some resources for you. Some people say they can’t imagine living away from home for months at a time. But for many, seeing the sights from an RV and resting in RV resorts makes the whole world seem like your backyard.
Age Diversity in the Workplace As lifespans increase and medical technology advances, age diversity in the workplace is a more common feature of the average working environment. While there are incidences of age discrimination to be found, despite laws against such practices, many employers are beginning to see the advantages of mixed-age work forces. Furthermore, employees also benefit from the multi-generational interaction of today’s workplace. Multiple Generations, Multiple Work Skills And Styles While the dividing lines between the specific generations tends to be a bit fuzzy and broad in scope, many workforces today are made up of four fairly distinct groups: The Matures, also referred to as Traditionalists The Baby Boomers Generation X Generation Y, also called Millennials by some
The four generations often display different attitudes and approaches to the circumstances and challenges of the workplace. Those growing up during the years of World War II typically have an overall outlook that differs significantly from those growing up during the times of relative prosperity enjoyed by those coming to age during, say, the 1960s or the 1980s. Matures Researchers have found that those tending to fall into the Matures tend to display attitudes that reflect the work values that were common during their formative years and those that were essential to being successful during those difficult years of economic difficulty and world war. Among these are sacrifice, duty, delayed gratification, loyalty, hard work, respect for authority, and conformity. Baby Boomers Baby Boomers, while sharing a certain degree of their parents’ value of hard work, didn't adapt to the Matures' focus on the good of the whole and delayed gratification of the individual. The Boomers leaned more towards instant gratification and the fulfillment of the self and its desires. However, the lessons of their era taught them the value of communication and team efforts, of personal development and an optimistic view. Generation X Generation X, often left on their own, either literally or emotionally, by parents following their paths to self-fulfillment in their careers and lives. They tend to be a self-reliant set, skilled at working independently and comfortable with moderns concepts, such as racial, gender, and sexual diversity, and modern technologies.
Researchers have noted tendencies towards a more global conception of the world, ranging from work to societal and social issues, something tightly intertwined with today’s global economy. One aspect of this, however, is a lessened degree of loyalty to a particular employer, as a Generation X-er knows that the world is filled with employment opportunities. Generation Y The oldest members of Generation Y are now entering the workforce, raised by parents that have often been much more child-centered than perhaps their own Baby Boomer parents were. These workers tend to have confidence in themselves, demonstrate a high degree of comfort with diversity and technology, and share their Mature predecessor’s concepts of civic duty and social responsibility, albeit with a modern, global twist. Another Generation Y feature that harkens back to earlier work eras – think cottage industries and piece work – while making use of the latest and greatest in modern technologies is a decreased division between work time and home time. Telecommuting, cell phones, laptops - it is all too easy to be always available and always at work. Everyone Benefits From Age Diversity In The Workplace In today’s more global economy, employers stand to gain a great deal by encouraging age diversity in the workplace. Each of the generations brings attributes and attitudes that have value to the workplace and each has a role to play in the overall, enduring success of a business Competitiveness in the global market is only enhanced by maintaining a workforce with diverse skills and strengths, with people capable of working in traditional forms and those able to see beyond those forms into modern market and technological paradigms. Employees benefit from age diversity in the workplace, not just in the potential to enhance production from learning skills from the various generations of co-workers and supervisors, but also on a personal, social level. We all benefit from lifelong learning, from being exposed to new ideas and thinking. Interacting regularly with the different generations in the workforce can add freshness and a deeper enjoyment and understanding of the differing generations encountered in personal lives and daily living.
A Changing World Affects The Modern Workplace The world is changing rapidly, and this forces the modern workplace to modify practices as well. Today’s older generation is more active and fit than ever before, living longer and healthier lives and continuing to work well into what was once standard retirement time. Economic changes have contributed to this lengthening of the working years also. Age diversity in the workplace is something that we can expect to see, and hopefully, benefit from for years to come.
August 2010
Silver Calendar
TUESDAY AUGUST 3 7:00PM-9:00PM STARLIGHT THEATRE PALO DURO METRO CHORUS SAM HOUSTON PARK FREE TO ATTEND FRIDAY AUGUST 6 6:30PM HEARTS IN HARMONY A CONCERT FOR KAIROS FAMILY LIFE FELLOWSHIP SATURDAY AUGUST 7 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS LAREDO BRONCOS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON SUNDAY AUGUST 8 6:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS LAREDO BRONCOS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON MONDAY AUGUST 9 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS LAREDO BRONCOS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON TUESDAY AUGUST 10 7:00PM-9:00PM STARLIGHT THEATRE THE MARTINIS SAM HOUSTON PARK FREE TO ATTEND 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS LAREDO BRONCOS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS SAN ANGELO COLTS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON
7:30PM AMARILLO OPERA MISICIA VARIADA GLOBE NEWS CENTER $13.00 PER PERSON
SATURDAY AUGUST 14 9:00AM-5:00PM COIN & THURSDAY AUGUST 12 COLLECTIBLES 6:00PM TRADE SHOW MS DINNER OF AMARILLO CIVIC CHAMPIONS CENTER ROASTING JERRY REGENCY ROOM HODGE AMARILLO CIVIC 10:00AM-7:00PM CENTER ULTIMATE MAN CAVE HERITAGE BALL AMARILLO CIVIC ROOM CENTER S. EXHIBIT HALL 7:05PM $15.00 PER PERSON AMARILLO DILLAS VS SAN ANGELO 7:00PM COLTS RT ROLLER DERBY DILLA VILLA AMARILLO CIVIC $5.00-$8.00 PER CENTER PERSON N. EXHIBIT HALL $13.00 PER PERSON 7:30PM MUSIC IN THE 7:00PM GARDENS THE BIG SUMMER TENNESSEE WEDDING TUCKNESS TRINITY AMARILLO FELLOWSHIP BOTANICAL GARDENS CHURCH $5.00 TO ATTEND OPEN TO THE FIRST 30 COUPLES FRIDAY AUGUST 13 10:00AM-7:00PM 7:05PM ULTIMATE MAN CAVE AMARILLO DILLAS AMARILLO CIVIC VS SAN ANGELO CENTER COLTS S. EXHIBIT HALL DILLA VILLA $15.00 PER PERSON $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS SUNDAY AUGUST 15 VS SAN ANGELO 1:00PM-4:00PM COLTS HIGH PLAINS DILLA VILLA WEDDINGS $5.00-$8.00 PER TRADE SHOW PERSON AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER
HERITAGE ROOM 9:00AM-5:00PM COIN & COLLECTIBLES TRADE SHOW AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER REGENCY ROOM 7:30PM THE KING LIVES- A TRIBUTE TO ELVIS GLOBE NEWS CENTER $21.00-$25.00 PER PERSON TUESDAY AUGUST 17 7:00PM-9:00PM STARLIGHT THEATRE INSUFFICIENT FUNDS SAM HOUSTON PARK FREE TO ATTEND THURSDAY AUGUST 19 6:30PM-9:00PM THIRD THURSDAY AMARILLO MUSEUM OF ART FREE TO ATTEND 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS SAN ANGELO COLTS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON 7:30 PM MUSIC IN THE GARDENS DAN BAKER AMARILLO BOTANICAL GARDENS $5.00 TO ATTEND 7:00PM FRIENDS OF FOGELBERG CONCERT GLOBE NEWS CENTER
FRIDAY AUGUST 20 12:00PM-5:00PM AMARILLO’S LARGEST GARAGE SALE AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER N&S EXHIBIT HALLS 12:00PM 9TH ANNUAL BOY SCOUT SPORTING CLAYS CLASSIC CAMP DON HERINGTON 6:00PM-10:00PM SPORTING CLAYS AUCTION AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER GRAND PLAZA 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS SAN ANGELO COLTS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON 8:00PM AMERICAN ROCK & ROLL CONCERT AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER AUDITORIUM $29.00-$39.00 PER PERSON SATURDAY AUGUST 21 9:00AM-4:00PM AMARILLO’S LARGEST GARAGE SALE AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER N&S EXHIBIT HALLS 5:00PM-12:00PM CENTER CITY BLOCK PARTY DOWNTOWN AMARILLO $10.00 IN ADVANCE
/$15.00 AT GATE 7:00PM BATTLE OF THE BADGES AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER AUDITORIUM $15.00-$25.00 PER PERSON 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS SAN ANGELO COLTS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON SUNDAY AUGUST 22 6:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS SAN ANGELO COLTS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON TUESDAY AUGUST 24 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS EDINBURG ROADRUNNERS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 25 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS SAN ANGELO COLTS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON THURSDAY AUGUST 26 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS SAN ANGELO COLTS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON
7:30 PM MUSIC IN THE GARDENS LONESOME GOAT AMARILLO BOTANICAL GARDENS $5.00 TO ATTEND FRIDAY AUGUST 27 7:05PM AMARILLO DILLAS VS SAN ANGELO COLTS DILLA VILLA $5.00-$8.00 PER PERSON SATURDAY AUGUST 28 7:30AM-5:30PM HIGHER FOCUS 2010 JOHN STIFF MEMORIAL PARK GAZEBO AREA FREE TO ATTEND 9:00AM WALK TO CURE DIABETES THOMPSON PARK 7:00PM-12:00PM SANTA IN THE SUMMER EVENLY RIVERS BENEFIT EVENLY RIVERS WORKSHOP 4TH & JEFFERSON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1 11:45AM-1:00PM UNITED WAY KICKOFF LUNCHEON AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER HERITAGE ROOM SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4 SHARK FIGHTS AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER AUDITORIUM
Your Mind Gets Better With Age if it's Active Giving yourself a mental workout is as important for your body as taking regular walks. When it comes to flexing brainpower, you don't have to get in an exercise rut. Numerous tasks, such as doing a crossword puzzle, can improve your cognitive edge. Start by introducing some of these fun tricks into your daily routine. Work on Wordplay Whether you're figuring out the newspaper's crossword puzzle or circling the answers in a word-jumble book, your mind reaps the benefits of activities requiring lots of thought. Start easy, and work up to more difficult versions. You can find these types of books at most supermarkets. Read, Read, Read Reading significantly enhances cognitive ability, especially in children. Get your whole family excited about reading by making an event out of visiting a local bookstore or library. Then make a point to read a little more and watch television a little less. It will be time well spent!
Go for a Walk Or a run, or a swim, or any other type of aerobic activity you enjoy. By raising the heart rate and increasing blood circulation, physical activity helps the brain function better. So the next time you hit a mental roadblock, refresh yourself with an invigorating exercise break. Take Dance Lessons Along with offering aerobic benefits, dancing challenges your brain. Dancers learn how to think quickly on their feet. Sign up for a dance class that best suits your personality. Listen to Lots of Music Music can help you relax and take worries off your mind. Certain songs also can evoke emotions from past events, which triggers the brain to recall and retain more memories.
Listen to Lots of Music Music can help you relax and take worries off your mind. Certain songs also can evoke emotions from past events, which triggers the brain to recall and retain more memories.
Be Social An engaging conversation forces you to think about interesting topics--but even small talk can offer advantages. Try to meet new people the next time you're at a party.
Sleep on It Your brain is very active while you're snoozing. Scientists believe that sleeping helps your brain organize the information you acquire when you're awake. That's more than enough reason to get eight hours of sleep each night.
Pick a Hobby Choosing a new pastime requires thought and research. Before you begin, ask for advice and read instruction books. Once you get started, you will continue to learn from mistakes and the successes you achieve.
Play Games Choose your favorite games, and then plan a game night. Not only does the playful competition offer quality time with friends and family, but it also causes you to think outside the proverbial box.
Write It Down Journaling can relieve your mind of stress while allowing you to express feelings. Writing also helps you feel more focused. Release joys and concerns onto paper before your head hits the pillow. You might even find that you sleep better.
Alter Your Daily Routine Encourage your brain to think extra hard by mixing up the way you perform regular tasks. For example, brush your teeth with your nondominant hand or cook an unusual meal for your family. These mental exercises help create new connections in your brain.
Take a Trip Visit a place you wouldn't normally go, and see how the experience opens your mind. It doesn't have to be a long vacation; a trip to a science museum or art exhibition also broadens your brain's horizons.
Get the Facts About Sun Protection The Sun Protection Factor The Facts: A sunscreen's effectiveness is measured by its sun protection factor (SPF)-a number that indicates how long it would take for UVB light to redden skin versus no protection at all. The SPF number, however; doesn't rate any UVA-shielding benefits-and UVA waves make up 95 percent of the Earth's solar radiation. The Bottom Line: UVA rays are as dangerous as UVB rays and are present year-round. They penetrate through glass and clouds, and damage skin without leaving a telltale burn behind (but will leave fine lines and wrinkles). Look for a sunscreen with "broad spectrum protection" and scan the ingredient list for FDA-approved UVA guards including titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, and oxybenzone. Watch Your SPF The Facts: Common outdoor activities such as walking the dog may seem harmless, but any time spent outside unprotected has cumulative, harmful effects. The Bottom Line: For everyday incidental exposure, SPF 15 is fine. If you're sitting out or playing in the sun, use at least an SPF 30.
Application is Key The Facts: Most people don't apply enough sunscreen or reapply it often enough. To get the level of protection listed on the bottle, you'll need one ounce (a shot glass) for the entire body and a teaspoon for the face. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or excessive sweating. The Bottom Line: Applied properly, an 8-ounce bottle provides only 5 to 7 whole body applications Protective Clothing The Facts: A regular white cotton shirt only provides an SPF of 5 to 7 (wet it drops to 3). The Bottom Line: If you can see through a garment when you hold it up to a light, then UVA radiation can penetrate through it. Eye-Q The Facts: People fear losing their eyesight above any other sense. So when outdoors, wear a wide brim hat and sunglasses with UV protection. The Bottom Line: Just because sunglasses are dark, doesn't mean they'll save your eyes. Look for a sticker designating 95 to 100 percent UV protection. Tanning Beds The Facts: The light used in tanning beds emits UVA radiation at strengths that, in some cases, are 15 times more powerful than the sun. The Bottom Line: Exposure to tanning beds before age 35 increases your risk of melanoma by 75 percent. It makes you two and a half times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and one and a half times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma. The UVA radiation emitted from tanning beds exponentially increases your chances of developing a malignant melanoma. Skin Cancer The Facts: Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, but it rarely strikes without warning. The Bottom Line: Most skin cancers are treatable if caught early. Perform your own checks and see a dermatologist at least once a year for a fullbody screening.
Will Vitamin D Keep Me Healthy? We get Vitamin D mainly from sun exposure. This is a big problem since we are advised to limit our sun exposure to keep from getting skin cancer. Do you really need this vitamin? Most definitely, Vitamin D will help keep you healthy. Some benefits include osteoporosis prevention with some evidence in prevention of cancer and memory loss. How do I know if I need it? To find out your level have your provider do a simple blood test. Then they will let you know if you can benefit from additional Vitamin D. Where else can I find Vitamin D? You find Vitamin D in very few of the foods that we eat. The sun is the best source though a problem because of skin cancer risk. Even this is dependent on if the day is cloudy or even the time of the day and your very own skin melanin content. “Sun bathing� is a problem as we should be using sunscreen to prevent the very rays that can promote Vitamin D in your skin. This leaves us with the over the counter Vitamin D3 replacement per your providers recommendation and in fortified foods such as cereals and milk. Can you Vitamin D cause problems? Steroids can affect the absorption of calcium and Vitamin D. Dilantin taken to prevent seizures can be affected as well as some cholesterol lowering agents. Check with your provider to make sure about your own medications.
Life Insurance 101 Learn the Basics Why life insurance? Life insurance isn't a sexy topic. But if you have people depending on you for financial support and daily care life insurance is a necessity. There are two basic types of life insurance: term and permanent. Term insurance is purchased for a set period of time, say 20 years, and it's far cheaper than permanent insurance. Permanent insurance, such as whole life insurance, covers you until the day you die, and as long as you pay your premiums, you will continue to have coverage. Not every policy is for every person. Here's a look at what's out there, and the advantages and disadvantages of both.
policy. But if you die after 10 years and two weeks, no benefit will be paid. With term insurance, you can buy more coverage for less money, which financial planners say is a huge advantage for young families who may need a lot of coverage, but who may not be able to afford the steep premiums of a permanent policy.
But there are disadvantages to term. When you're in your 30s, premiums are very inexpensive, assuming you're in good health. Premiums stay level during the course of your policy. But when you get into your 50s and 60s, purchasing a new term policy can get prohibitively expensive because you are a greater risk to the insurance company. Your insurance company will Term Insurance Term insurance is the simplest kind of insurance available. probably want you to have a physical exam and take blood tests if you want to renew your policy just as you'll have to You pay a monthly premium for a certain amount of when you first apply. If your health has changed as you've coverage it could be $50,000 or $250,000 or anywhere in between, or even more. You choose how long the coverage gotten older, your premiums will get pricey or you could even be turned down for coverage when you try to renew will last, such as 10 or 20 years. Coverage continues for the length of the policy, as long as you pay the premiums. your policy. Compare that to a permanent policy, which Your beneficiaries would use the money to pay such items will cover you until the day you die, no matter what happens to your health as you age. as an outstanding mortgage, upcoming college costs or basic living expenses that your salary would otherwise Another disadvantage to term is that 100 percent of the have covered. premiums you pay go into the pocket of the insurance company. That's different from permanent insurance, For example, you could buy a $250,000 term policy for a which has a portion of your premiums invested into a 10-year period. Keep paying for those 10 years and if savings-type account that will accumulate over time. something happens to you during that time, your beneficiaries will inherit the full $250,000 face value of the
Permanent Insurance Permanent insurance is also known as cash value insurance, because you build a cash value to the policy as you pay the premiums. Part of your premium pays for the insurance, and part is invested in an account that accumulates interest in your name. The biggest advantage is that when you buy a permanent policy, the insurance sticks with you as long as you pay the premiums. The insurance company can't cancel the policy for medical reasons. The cash value that accumulates grows tax-deferred, and depending on the type of policy you buy, the cash value is invested in stocks, bonds or other investments. You can actually borrow from this account, or withdraw the cash value completely, though withdrawals will be taxable as regular income. There are disadvantages to this form of insurance, too. Permanent policies are much more expensive than term insurance often thousands of dollars a year, versus a few hundred dollars a year for term insurance. And while the permanent policy has a cash value, you might be able to invest that money better than the insurance company will. There are different types of permanent policies: Whole Life: These policies have the same premiums every year, but you don't have the option to decide how your cash value is invested. Variable Life: Like whole life, variable life policies have the same premiums every year, but you're given investment choices for your cash value. You can usually choose from among a batch of mutual funds, some more aggressive, some more conservative. Universal Life: This is the most flexible type of permanent policy. You can choose the investments for your cash value account and you can also choose what your premiums will be, as long as you pay the minimum. So if you're having a good year or a bad one financially, you can alter what you pay each year. Which is Better For You? That depends on your reason for buying the policy. When you look at your overall financial picture, do you need insurance, or do you need insurance and an investment vehicle? If you solely need insurance and you're investing elsewhere, term is by far the most affordable. But if you're not a good saver, a permanent policy could be the way to go.
Hanging Garden A living wreath lets you hang the color and freshness of live plants on a fence, wall, or door in nearly any season. Lasting Beauty You've probably hung some kind of wreath on your door at one time or another. Unlike seasonal wreaths that come and go, living wreaths make lasting impressions. In fact, they can live for months or even years, depending on your climate. And you can make them yourself. Create a living wreath with groupings of live plantings placed in a bed of soil and moss that's molded around a concave wreath form. When selecting plants for a living wreath, pick ones that do well in the shade. Because they hold their shapes, plants that thrive in pots work particularly well. Annuals provide quick summer color, but you can use perennials or a mix of both. You might also experiment with draping plants, vines, or ground covers. In choosing colors, consider your preferences and the color of the surface the wreath will hang on. Use texture from foliage to play up the colors.
Step by Step What You Need: Concave wreath form Floral greening pins Wire or fishing line Moss (Fresh moss is preferred; if using dry moss, soak thoroughly.) Moist soil Plants
Instructions: Step 1 Lay moss inside the wreath form.
Step 2 Pull the moss over the sides of the wire form. Leave the front open for soil.
Step 3 Mound moist soil as high as you can. Pack it down firmly to prevent water from channeling and loosening the soil.
Step 4 Select plants in 2-3/4-inch pots. When removing plants from pots, spread roots before replanting. To give them room for spreading, plant at 5-inch intervals around the ring.
Step 5 Pull moss around the plants, and pin in place with floral greening pins.
Step 6 Wrap the wreath with wire. Or, if the wreath will remain outdoors indefinitely, use fishing line, which won't rust. Step 7 Fill any gaps with bits of moss secured by greening pins. Hang your wreath where it's sheltered from drying winds and direct afternoon sun. Step 8 For a successful wreath, train your flowers to retain the wreath's form. Prune and clip regularly to keep the shape.
Learn to shop healthy at the grocery store Use our easy aisle-by-aisle aiislle-bby-aisle grocery guide to fill your cart with healthier items for your family to eat better all week long. It happens every week: You push your cart through the local supermarket on autopilot, reaching for the same items again and again. But are the foods you’re buying as healthful as you think? Here is what you should be buying on every aisle. Produce Reach for: Brightly hued fruits and veggies such as carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and oranges The payoff: Colorful produce is chock-full of phytonutrients, which may ward off certain cancers as well as heart disease. Fruits and vegetables are also a source of plant sterols, a natural ingredient that can help to lower cholesterol levels. Reach for: Romaine lettuce, spinach or arugula The payoff: Leafy greens have plenty of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help you avoid heart disease and possibly certain cancers. Cereal Reach for: Brands with less than 150 calories per cup, at least 3 grams of fiber and no more than 10 grams of sugar per serving. The payoff: By cutting back on sugar, you’ll avoid a mid-morning energy crash. Plus, a diet rich in
keep you fiber can keep full and may decrease your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Snacks Reach for: Walnuts The payoff: These nuts are packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Eating nuts at least five times per week could lower your risk of diabetes by almost 30 percent, according to Harvard University research. Reach for: Low-fat popcorn The payoff: Munch on this salty snack for whole grains and fiber. (Craving a sweet treat? Choose low-fat kettle corn, which has a sugary taste but is still low in calories.) Staples Reach for: Olive oil or canola oil The payoff: Use these in your cooking for a dose of good-for-you mono-unsaturated fats. Plus, making these oils part of your diet gives you more omega3s that help keep your ticker happy. Reach for: Cinnamon, oregano, thyme and cloves The payoff: Oils and extracts from these herbs and spices are antimicrobial. They might be helpful in keeping E. coli and other pesky bugs away from your family’s food, USDA experts say.
Canned goods Reach for: A can of kidney, cannellini or pinto beans The payoff: Beans are full of protein and fiber. Toss them on top of a salad or use them in place of meat when making a pasta dish. Bakery Reach for: Whole-wheat bread, rolls or tortillas The payoff: Refined carbs found in white bread cause blood sugar to spike then plummet, leaving you hungry. Carbs that come from whole grains stick with you, so you’re less tempted to snack. Meat and fish Reach for: Ground chicken or turkey breast (100 percent white meat) or lean ground beef (at least 90 percent lean) The payoff: You’ll eliminate unnecessary fat. Reach for: Mackerel, salmon and herring The payoff: Eating 3 ounces of these fish at least twice a week, can help ensure that you’re getting enough omega-3 fatty acids. Freezer Reach for: Edamame The payoff: Munch on soybeans instead of chips. A ½ cup of edamame has 100 calories, 4grams of fat and 10grams of protein. One 1-oz. serving of chips, on the other hand, has 150calories, 10grams of fat and just 2grams of protein. Reach for: Fudgsicles, frozen 100 percent fruit-juice bars or light ice cream sandwiches The payoff: These single-serving treats can help you avoid the temptation of going overboard on ice cream. Dairy Reach for: Low-fat (or skim) milk The payoff: Switch from whole to 2 percent and you'll cut the saturated fat from 23 percent of your daily allotment to 15 percent for a one-cup serving. By going from 2 percent to 1 percent you'll slash the saturated fat from 15 percent to 7 percent. One cup of fat-free has just 2 percent of your saturated fat for the day.
Directory of Services
ASSISTED LIVING & INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITIES: THE ARBORS 1910 MEDI PARK AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-467-4700 THE CLAIRMONT 4707 BELL ST. AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-353-0052 CHILDERS PLACE 6600 KILGORE AMARILLO, TEXAS 79106 806-350-2200 www.bivinsfoundations.org
THE CRAIG METHODIST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 5500 W. 9TH AVENUE AMARILLO, TEXAS 79106 806-352-7244 www.sears-methodist.com
CONNER HOUSE 2 COTTONWOOD DRIVE CANYON, TEXAS 806-655-5965 MEREDITH HOUSE 812 W 25TH STREET PAMPA, TEXAS 806-665-5668 POTTER HOUSE 6800 PLUM CREEK DRIVE AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-353-5185
COUNSELING SERVICES: CENTER 1300 WALLACE BLVD ALZHEIMER’S’ AMARILLO, TEXAS ASSOCIATION TH 415 SW 8 AVE STE 79106 806-359-7681 300 AMARILLO, TEXAS www.amaspeechheari ng.org 79101 806-373-5313 JO WYATT CLINIC www.alz.org/txstar 1411 AMARILLO FAMILY SUPPORT BLVD EAST AMARILLO, TEXAS SERVICES 806-351-7200 1001 S. POLK STREET AMARILLO, TEXAS TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF 79101 DISABILITY 806-342-2500 3501-L WEST 45TH www.fss-ama.org AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-376-7214 EMERGENCY CARE www.dads.state.tx.us SERVICES: AMARILLO URGENT CARE 1915 COULTER AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-352-5400
OUTREACH HEALTH SERVICES 1616 S KENTUCKY STE 140A AMARILLO, TEXAS 79102 806-353-9907
AMARILLO SENIOR CARE www.outreachhealth.com CLINIC 14 MEDICAL DRIVE AMARILLO, TEXAS HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICES: 806-358-8300 TRIUMPH HEALTHCARE 7501 WALLACE BLVD AMARILLO, TEXAS 79124 806-468-9185 HEALTH SERVICES: AMARILLO SPEECH, HEARING & LANGUAGE
COMPASSION HOME CARE 1301 S. COULTER STE 402 AMARILLO, TEXAS 79106 806-351-8522 www.compassionhom ecare.us GOODCARE HEALTH SERVICES 4107 S.W. 49TH AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-373-7373 INTERIM HEALTHCARE 1901 MEDI PARK AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-467-1156 SHEPARD’S CROOK HOME HEALTH 2311 SOUTHWEST 7TH AVENUE AMARILLO, TX 79106-6601 (806) 358-9548 www.shepards-nursing.com
LONG TERM CARE:
ABUNDANT ACCOLADE HOME QUALITY LIVING CARE 6402 OAKHURST 6300 I-40 WEST, STE DR 210 AMARILLO, TEXAS AMARILLO, TEXAS 79109 79106 (806)-358-9807 806-352-3900 ODYSSEY CENTRAL LINE HEALTHCARE INFUSION 6900 I-40 WEST STE 1301 S. COULTER 150 STE 201 AMARILLO, TEXAS AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-372-7696 806-352-1212
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES:
RETRIED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER SERVICES 321 SW 7TH AVENUE AMARILLO, TEXAS 79101 806-373-8389 Larue.johnson@ pcsvcs.org
MEALS ON WHEELS 219 W. 7TH AMARILLO, TEXAS 79101 806-374-1521 WEST TEXAS GROCERY DELIVERY AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-433-1403 PHARMACIES:
MOBILITY SERVICES: OPEN ROAD MOBILITY 6103 STAR LANE AMARILLO, TEXAS 79109 806-353-2747
HOME NURSES: NURSES UNLIMITED 4037 W 50TH AMARILLO, TEXAS 79109 806-467-0672 1-888-859-0631
AVONDALE PHARMACY 5135 PLAINS AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-352-2708 D&S PHARMACY 3324 S. GEORGIA 806-352-2711 3500 N.E. 24TH 806-383-3377 SOUTHPARK PHARMACY 5901 S. BELL AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-358-2428 REHABILITATION:
NUTRITION: FAITH CITY MISSION 401 SOUTH EAST 2ND AMARILLO, TEXAS 79105 806-373-6402
NORTHWEST TEXAS REHABILITATION HOSPITAL 7200 W. 9TH AMARILLO, TEXAS 79106 806-468-2900
RESPIRATORY SERVICES: STATE AGENCIES: QUALITY RESPIRATORY SERVICES & REPAIR 6633 CANYON DRIVE AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-352-4140 SENIOR CITIZEN’S SERVICES: ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES 7132 W. I-40 # B AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-463-5114 AREA AGENCY ON AGING 415 WEST 8TH PO BOX 9257 AMARILLO, TEXAS 79105 806-331-2227 www.theprp.org PANHANDLE SUPPORT SERVICES 1502 SOUTH CLEVELAND AMARILLO, TEXAS 79102 806-373-0392 www.pcsvcs.org WIDOWED PERSONS SERVICE OF AMARILLO 2207 WEST 7TH- THE CANYONS AMARILLO, TEXAS 79106 806-374-9772
ELDER ABUSE HOTLINE 1-800-252-5400 FOOD STAMPS 1-806-376-7214 MEDICARE HOTLINE 1-800-633-4227 SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
1-800-772-1213 TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGING & DISABILITY HOTLINE 1-800-252-9240 TEXAS VETERAN COMMISSION 1-800-252-3036 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE SERVICES: AMERICAN RED CROSS 806-376-6309 SALVATION ARMY
806-373-6631 TRANSPORTATION: LE FLEUR
TRANSPORTATION
OF TEXAS 900 S. NELSON AMARILLO, TEXAS 79104 806-367-1476 www.LeFleur.net
Directory of Services
AMARILLO SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION 1220 SOUTH POLK AMARILLO, TEXAS 79101 806-372-3381
HIGH PLAINS FOOD BANK 815 ROSS STREET AMARILLO, TEXAS 79102 806-374-8562