Lovin' Life After 50: Phoenix - June 2017 by Times Media Group

inside THIS ISSUE

First Lady Rosalynn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”

Statistics show her statement holds true. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, approximately 43.5 million people have provided unpaid care for an adult or child within the past year. In Arizona alone, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute, there are nearly 855,000 unpaid caregivers supporting loved ones at a combined worth of more than $9 billion per year. The need for caregivers and the economic and emotional impacts they make are well-documented. What’s less reported is the steep toll caregiving can take – studies show the lives of caregivers can be signi cantly shortened, as the stresses of providing medical, emotional and even nancial support for a loved one chip away at personal space and self-care. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that nearly 60 percent of caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia rate their emotional stress as “high” or “very high,” and more than a third report symptoms of depression. Experts in the eld say it’s increasingly important for caregivers to take care of themselves.

So this issue of Lovin’ Life After 50 is not

about caregivers – it’s for them. Our cover story delves into support groups and resources for caregivers, especially those in the “Sandwich Generation” – Boomers who are caring for their own children and their aging parents simultaneously. From companies like Duet: Partners in Health and Aging, which provides free supportive services and mentoring for caregivers, to programs like Road Scholar’s caregiver travel scholarships, we explore ways caregivers can carve out some muchneeded TLC for themselves. We also touch upon alternative options for would-be caregivers, including Arizona companies that provide in-home care.

As you might have noticed, our cover model this month is Arizona Diamondbacks broadcaster Greg Schulte. The play-by-play veteran recently called his 3,000th game for the D-backs, and will hopefully be calling more wins than losses this summer. We’ve also brought back the “Boomerish” comic strip this issue, in the hopes of making you smile – because no matter what kind of caregivers we are, laughter remains great medicine.

Niki D’Andrea Executive Editor

Late

Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Disputing Straus

Bring back The Curmudgeon! He was the only column we loved in LLAF! Does anyone edit the columnist in your paper? It is full of errors. In Bill Straus’ liberal column about “war against our constitutional (state) rights to initiate legislation,” he said these rights were included in our state Constitution upon entry to the U.S. in 1912. This is not true. When Arizona applied to become a state, this was in the state Constitution, but the federal legislature would not approve statehood if this was in the Constitution, so Arizona removed it. The federal legislature then approved statehood. As soon as Arizona received statehood, it put the initiative, referendum and recall back into the state Constitution. Arizona has been abusing it ever since to bypass our system of representative government the founding fathers so wisely instilled on the country.

Bud Harker

Not a Taker on Tech

Hello. I’m in my 80s and have read Lovin’ Life After 50 for over 15 years. I read your editor’s note in the latest edition and I want to express my opinion. One of the articles I always enjoyed was The Curmudgeon, but don’t think I’m only interested in articles in support of conservative opinions, as I subscribe to the Arizona Daily Star. I disagree that we older people want more technology information. All

Sounding Off

Just a note to welcome you as the new editor of Lovin’ Life After 50. I always look forward to the new copy when it comes out. I am glad that you again are publishing “Sound O ” comments. For several months they were eliminated, and I know I was not the only one disappointed to not see them. It is a healthy way for people to express their opinions without having to write a letter to the editor where they have to sign their name. Many times they get criticized and attacked for expressing their opinion. I did note that in the April issues, there were only about a half-page of Sound O comments. They used to have several pages full. I am hoping that more people will be calling in. Again, good luck in your new position.

Jean Gonclaves Sun City West

we have to do is ask a granddaughter or grandson, which is much better than trying to gure out instructions that come with a product or in newspapers. I believe it would have surprised you if you had asked for comments from Lovin’ Life After 50 readers before your editor’s note.

Duane Huckleberry Green Valley

Got something to say?

We want to hear from you! To send a letter to the editor, email ndandrea@timespublications.com, or mail your letter to: Lovin’ Life After 50 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., #219, Tempe, AZ 85282

If you want your letter to be printed, please include your name and city for veri cation. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters may be edited for length. All submitted letters to the editor become the property of Lovin’ Life After 50 and may be reprinted in part, quoting the letters’ authors, or in their entirety. Your submission to Lovin’ Life After 50 is considered your permission to print your written opinion. Opinions expressed in Sound O , Letters to the Editor, columns and cartoons are those of the authors and not that of Lovin’ Life After 50.

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Local Opinions Sound O

Stephen Colbert needs to be red. It’s his prerogative not to like President Trump, but the obscenity that he used was absolutely obscene. It was unacceptable, and where is the FCC in this? We do have freedom of speech, but this was obscenity and it was over the airwaves. Stephen Colbert needs to go. He’s not funny. If he had said that about President Obama, there would’ve been riots in the street. It would’ve been the main headline. He would’ve been run out of town. But double-standard here: They think they could say anything about President Trump and get away with it, and unfortunately, they do.

a FABULOUS First Lady” claimed Donald. I see no signs of any interest! Maybe she is working on some grand plans for her future role, as we taxpayers pay millions for her to stay in New York. One would think with the Obamas no longer in the White House, that the hatemongers would try to nd a new person(s) of color to heap undeserved nastiness on. Of course with racist old white men in charge, that won’t be quite as easy.

I’d like to make a comment about Donald Trump. Obviously, he skipped all his high school history classes on World War II. So much misfortune for all the rest of us.

Please record the truth of the history of Bashas’ in Arizona. They had a store on south Central in the late 1940s. Gee whiz, they only start history in the ‘50s? That must be when somebody important came from back east and decided Arizona was still just a territory. What do you think? If you’re going to print the news, check your history rst and stop reporting the wrong news. Gee whiz, Bashas’ has been here longer than your grandma. And this great-grandma should know; she shopped Bashas’ on south Central in 1947. Whoopee doo-da, get it right next time! It sure is a shame what’s happening to newspapers and all their phony news.

What a sad commentary of hate and racism portrayed in the May “Sound O ” – I’m talking about the letter calling Obama AND his wife Michelle “the epitome of narcissism.” The highly educated former First Lady did nothing but good things while serving in her role. Tell me, what is Melania Trump doing? “She’s going to be

Isn’t it interesting how Democrats are so quick to condemn President Trump, to call for investigations, to call for impeachment for this duly elected president? It’s funny how in eight years, all the unconstitutional things that Obama did, how he whispered to the Russian ambassador when he didn’t know the mic was still on that he was going to have more leniency and he’ll be able to do more with Russia. Funny how they persecuted the Tea Party people, how they conveniently lost emails, all the illegal things that Hillary Clinton did and nothing happened to her. It’s interesting how Democrats are so one-sided, so vicious; it’s disgraceful. With all the important things that need to be done in this country to help hard-working Americans, there is so much emphasis on “What did Trump say? Why did he say it? Let’s get an investigator!” This is dangerous to our country and it needs to stop.

Ask Gabby Gayle No need to be afraid of nursing homes

BY GAYLE LAGMAN-CRESWICK

Dear Gabby Gayle:

I am a widow in my 60s with only distant relatives. I have a chronic pulmonary disease and I have a terrible fear of ending up dying in a nursing home. There are such horror stories about them that I lay awake thinking about it! I know you have experience in working with aging people. Please give me some advice about how to handle these fears. Thank you.

Signed, Worried Sick

Dear Worried:

Believe me when I say there are good nursing homes. I believe that the media blows up every bad story and reports very few wonderful stories – and there are many. If you or a friend has access to a computer, you can go to the Department of Health in your state and have access to the inspection reports for each licensed home. You can then visit the ones you deem to be good. Visiting them will be facing your fears head on. If you are able, I suggest you volunteer in one. There are many easy volunteer jobs – visiting, reading to a resident, etc. By the way, there is more abuse of the elderly at home and by a relative than occurs in nursing homes! For you, I suggest you think about moving to a retirement community which has all levels of care, from independent living to skilled nursing. You will get to know other residents and they will become like family to you. So if the day comes and you need skilled care, you will know other residents. In a retirement community, the independent residents become the “quality assurance” for their nursing home, because they know that they or their loved one may someday need it, and they want to be sure it is good! Thanks and good luck.

G.G.

Q A Q

Dear Gabby Gayle:

I am a 59-year-old widower who is still working in my business. I have enough money to retire, but what will I do? I admit to a great fear of having nothing to do and no reason to get up in the morning. We had no children. I enjoy your common-sense approach to things... give me some common sense!

Signed, JH

Dear JH:

I will do my best. First of all, I cannot imagine not having anything to do. When I rst retired, I did take it easy for a couple months – slept in, had lunch with friends, stayed up till midnight, did as little work as possible. I called that recovery time, and for me it was necessary. Then I got busy. Signed up for classes, started volunteering, writing a book, etc. I have to be careful to save time for family now! If you recall, you were probably not ready for the next step in your life. Were you ready for that rst gray hair or baldness? Were you ready to become a widower? Were you a bit scared when you rst left home? I do think it is a good idea to make a plan before you jump into retirement. Please read my advice to the reader above, which may be good advice for you too! Hope that was common sense to you!

G.G.

Q A

Dear Gabby Gayle:

I am a 55-year-old daughter of a very cantankerous father. He has been that way all his life, and now that he is 80 it is getting worse. His health isn’t great, and he calls us for help, and when we try to help him, he gets nasty with us. We don’t feel equipped to handle him. Help, please!

Signed, BW

Dear BW:

As you know by now, this is a complex problem! Your father may have had small strokes or beginning dementia. My advice is that sometimes it is better to hire someone, not related, to help him out. Be sure his doctor is aware of the problem and that he has a checkup. He may do well with medication or other treatment. Remember, you cannot deal with an irrational person in a rational way! If he argues that white is black, you may have to agree with him. There are also classes available for caregivers. Good luck!

G.G.

News Briefs

BY LLAF STAFF

Tovrea Castle to release tickets next month for tours

History enthusiasts, mark your calendars. The Tovrea Carraro Society, a nonpro t group that operates tours of Tovrea Castle (aka “the birthday cake house” o Loop 202 near Van Buren Street), is releasing tickets July 1 to tour the building in 2018. The season runs from January to May.

The 90-minute tours shows guests the site, which is surrounded by cactus

gardens and was designed and developed as a boutique hotel in 1928. Tickets will go quickly and availability will be limited, according to Tamera Zivic, president of the group. Zivic says a wait time of six months is typical. “We know people are waiting,” Zivic says. “We want it to be worth their while.”

The tour features many stories from the site’s 107-year history, from the

Subaru Superstore opens second Valley location in Surprise

The city of Surprise now has its own Subaru Superstore. The two-story, 60,000-square-foot complex covers seven acres and includes a nine-vehicle indoor showroom, 26 fully airconditioned service bays, a multi-level parts and accessories warehouse, a client lounge and a kids’ activity area. Located within the Prasada 303 Auto Park, the Subaru Superstore is owner Richard Cvijanovich’s second Subaru dealership in the Valley (his rst is in Chandler).

“Selecting Surprise, AZ and the Prasada 303 Auto Park for our new

homestead days to the late 1960s (like the fact that in November 1968, Della Gillespie Tovrea Stuart was injured after she was tied up by two attackers who stole an estimated $50,000 worth of jewelry and other items).

Since 1989, voters have approved $16.3 million in bond funding that went to renovations and the purchase of land.

Tickets for the tour cost $15. For more information, call 602-2563221 or visit tovreacastletourscom.

– Brent Ru ner

AARP says Arizona could save over $89 million by assisting workers in saving for retirement

A study recently released by AARP Arizona claims the state could save taxpayers $89,210,582 over the next 15 years if it helped citizens save more of their own money for retirement. The report, from the University of Maine, shows among other things that employees are 15 times more likely to save if they have access to a payroll deduction savings plan, such as a 401(k), at work. The study also purports that without access to retirement savings plans for the 55 million Americans who currently have no access to them, public safety net programs such as Medicaid and food stamps could cost tax-

payers more than $86 billion nationally over the next 15 years.

“Too many small business employees don’t have a way to save for retirement out of their regular paycheck,” says AARP Arizona state director Dana Marie Kennedy. “If we act today, Arizona can help small businesses and their employees access retirement plans so they can save for a more secure future, and live the life they want to live as they age.”

To learn more about the study and AARP’s support for initiatives to help workers save for retirement, visit aarp.org.

Hal Wochholz is Sun Lakes Rotarian of the Month for May

Subaru dealership was absolutely the right decision, considering the growth of the Valley,” Cvijanovich says. “The tremendous economic, population, infrastructure and business expansion taking place within Surprise and surrounding markets fully supports the demand for the Subaru brand and a dealership facility of this magnitude.”

The Subaru Superstore locations offer more than 700 new, pre-owned and certi ed Subaru models. Visit shopsubaru.com for more information.

Hal Wochholz has been chosen as the Sun Lakes Rotarian of the Month for May. Wochholz has been a member of the Sun Lakes Rotary Club since 2000 and has served as the club’s webmaster. He’s also been a longtime PolioPlus chair for the club, and was awarded the Service Award for a PolioFree World by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Before retiring, Wochholz was vice president of engineering for Mesa-based Boeing. He lives with his wife, Phyllis.

CPG Salon chosen as preferred provider for retirement community

CPG Salon, a company that provides salon services for retirement communities, has been chosen as the preferred salon provider for Orchard Pointe Arrowhead Retirement Community in Phoenix.

“Orchard Pointe Arrowhead’s brand new community is state-of-the-art in design and ows throughout the community with

stellar amenities and phenomenal activities planned for their retired residents,” says CPG Salon spokesman Kurt Schemers. “We’re thrilled to be working alongside this thoughtful organization and share their commitment to senior lifestyles and salon needs.”

For more information on CPG Salon, LLC, visit cpgsalon.com.

Tickets for 2018 tours of Tovrea Castle go on sale next month.

(Photo by Brent Ru ner)

The Subaru Superstore is located in the Prasada 303 Auto Park. (Photo courtesy Subaru Superstore of Surprise)

Hal Wochholz worked for Boeing prior to his retirement.

(Photo courtesy Norm Noble)

Straus’ Place Bummertime?

BY BILL STRAUS

Despite the media’s obsession with it, passing the 100-degree mark does not mark the beginning of summer here. No, summer really hits this month. And I speak as a native Phoenician who has probably spent more summers here than most. I started reminiscing on my Arizona summers and thought I’d share some of those thoughts. When I went to Iowa for college, I realized – maybe for the rst time – that summertime here is the reverse of what it’s like everywhere else. There’s no question that our summers can be oppressive. Draining. Painful even. Those are the very same words people in the Midwest and East use to describe their winters. Even in San Diego, where I lived for eight years, summertime is the time… the time to be there! Here, summertime is the time to be elsewhere. And if you can a ord it, you are elsewhere.

Back in the ‘50s, before air conditioning was ubiquitous, most of our homes had

“Your aunt Dot is tossed!”

Skip the misunderstandings, not the moment.

With a captioned phone, you can hear and read your phone calls on a bright, easy-to-read screen. No asking to repeat. No “can you speak up?” Just the simple joy of conversation.

evaporative cooling. It worked ne until the humid depths of summer, and it was pretty much worthless in those months. I discovered from an old-timer that before evap cooling, people simply slept under dampened sheets, creating their own personal evap cooling system. But real airconditioning was truly a godsend. I am not alone in viewing it as the primary “pumpprimer” (apologies to the president, who incredibly claims to have founded that phrase) for the population explosion that followed its widespread use.

And air conditioning was precisely the attraction that drew us to the very rst indoor shopping mall in Arizona (and one of the rst in the world), Chris-Town (now Spectrum Mall). As teenagers, we would spend entire weekend days there, particularly when the temp surpassed 110 degrees. Oh, we spent many afternoons at local movie theaters, but Chris-Town had

one of our rst multi-screen theaters and o ered a whole new world to explore after the movie ended. The mall even created weekend dance parties with local bands so we could extend our visits there well into the evening.

We found a new way to beat the heat the summer of my junior year in high school: waterskiing on the canals. We would simply close one end of the ski line inside the rear door and one of us would drive along the canal bank while another of us skied alongside. Yeah, it was probably a little more dangerous than we thought at the time, but

it was tons of fun and one of the all-time best ways to neutralize the blistering heat. It wasn’t quite as brisk as tubing down the Salt River, but way more convenient. Oh sure, short trips to the White Mountains or California were always a part of our summers. The heat almost drives you away at its peak. But the truth is that as physically demanding as our summers are, anyone can survive them with the right mindset. And it’s important to remember that it could be worse. There are hotter places you could be. Like the White House.

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Features CARING CAREGIVERS

As more adults age 65 and older elect to “age in place” at home, family caregivers need more support and resources.

BY NIKI D’ANDREA | Photos Courtesy of DUET

People born between 1945 and 1965 have been called di erent generational terms, most familiarly “Baby Boomers.” But now, many people in the Boomer age group are nding themselves under another label: the “Sandwich Generation.”

The term has nothing to do with what they eat. The Sandwich Generation consists of those people who nd themselves caring for both their children and their aging parents simultaneously. It’s a group growing in tandem with the expanding percentage of “family caregivers” – those who provide care for an aging or disabled loved one, free of charge, and often free of outside resources.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that approximately 70 percent of people age 65 and older will need some form of long-term care. And a recent AARP study shows that 87 percent of adults age 65 and older want to “age in place” and stay in their own homes, rather than be moved into a care facility. There are two options for people who want to provide in-home care for their elders: Hire a company to provide it, or be the caregivers themselves. According to the Arizona O ce on Aging, family caregivers provide more than 80 percent of all uncompensated care in the state.

Caregivers like Clara provide supportive services for their loved ones, without compensation.

Hire Help

10 questions to ask when choosing a home care provider

From the Area Agency on Aging

1. What is the background of your company?

2. How long has your company been in business?

3. What quali cations, certi cations, experience and training do you require of your workers?

4. Are your sta employees or contract workers? Are they insured and bonded?

5. How do you supervise your workers to make sure the proper care is given?

6. Will the same employee continue with my case?

But caring for an older adult (or a younger one with a disability) is not easy. Even selecting the right home care provider can be a challenge. So what should people look for in a prospective provider, and what resources and help are available to those who choose to provide the care themselves?

According to the Area Agency on Aging, there are 10 questions to ask when choosing a home care provider (see sidebar), starting with “What is the background of your company?” There are myriad home care providers throughout the Phoenix metro area and Tucson. One measure of a company’s reputation is whether or not it’s been recognized by a national organization in the eld, according to Carrie Kandes, who does

public relations for FirstLight Home Care, a nationwide company that provides non-medical care. For example, she says, FirstLight Home Care of Scottsdale was named one of the top home care providers in the U.S. in the Home Care Pulse Best of Home Care Awards in April.

“Non-medical home care provides the assistance and support people may need to maintain independence where they live,” Kandes says. “We’re helping people in your community maintain independence and enhance quality of life where they live.”

FirstLight o ers non-medical assistance

7. Do you conduct a home visit before starting the home care service?

8. Do you work with my doctor in developing a plan of care?

9. Can you give me some references from doctors, hospital personnel or social workers?

10. Do you guarantee customer satisfaction?

For more information, visit the National Association for Home Care and Hospice at nahc.org.

with things like bathing, cooking, light housekeeping, errands and transportation. Another Arizona-based company, Golden Heart Senior Care in Scottsdale, which provides services Valleywide, recently launched a program called Golden Heart Concierge to provide more specialized services. “We have had many clients request a higher level of service for all aspects of their lives,” says Laurie Malone, managing partner and CEO of Golden Heart Senior Care. “We can manage any level of service that our clients need. We separate ourselves through distinctive enhancements on our offerings and we strive to ensure that all facets of daily life are met.”

Golden Heart’s expanded services include support from RNs, CNAs, estate attorneys, real estate experts, physical therapists, exercise instructors and more. Supportive tasks could include moving a patient in and out of hospitals, coordinating medical advocacy, reviewing healthcare coverage, financial management or handling discharge paperwork. All of these services should be performed by only the most qualified professionals, according to Golden Heart partner and COO Rodney Malone. “People respond to a higher level of standards care and owner accountability,” he says. “We ensure we match our caregivers’ skills with our clients’ needs. It is a delicate dance to match-make clients and caregiver skills and personalities. All

play a role in ensuring that we meet and exceed client needs.”

Do It Yourself

But what if the “client” is a beloved family member who wants personal care from someone they know? What if hiring a home care service isn’t financially feasible? In cases like these, many people may choose to become caregivers themselves.

Being a caregiver can be difficult. Caregivers assist with all sorts of things, from everyday tasks like housekeeping, cooking and transportation to more complicated things like administering medications. Juggling all the responsibilities inherent in being a caregiver can be stressful, and full-time caretakers have very little time to themselves. “It’s important for caregivers to receive support because caregiving is one of the most difficult jobs ever asked of anyone. Older adults face the highest burden of care; research shows that being a caregiver can take years off of your life. The health issues that caregivers face can become their own health crisis if caregivers don’t receive help and support,” says Ann Wheat, director of caregiver services for Duet: Partners in Health and Aging.

reach out for support.”

Enter supportive services like Duet: Partners in Health and Aging. The Arizona nonprofit helps homebound older adults, family caregivers, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and those in the “Sandwich Generation” who are caregivers for their parents and their children. Duet helps with transportation to doctors’ appointments, grocery shopping and scheduling friendly visits, and provides caregiver support groups, all free of charge.

“Support groups are important because caregiving can be an isolating, lonely journey. When caregivers come to support groups, they move from isolation to a group of peers that can help them along the way,” Wheat says, adding that Duet’s Caregiving Mentor program, funded by the Piper Trust Grant, and events such as Duet’s Caregiver Symposium on November 2, are also top ways Duet supports caregivers.

“Research shows that the vast majority of family caregivers don’t identify with the term ‘caregiver.’ Once they know that they are a caregiver, they’re more likely to

For the Sandwich Generation, the challenge is compounded by caring for both one’s parents and one’s own children. “Caregiving is set to be a national healthcare crisis and it’s a big

care...continues on page 12

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George and David are two of the nearly 855,000 unpaid caregivers in Arizona.

Many Boomers find themselves in the “Sandwich Generation,” providing care for an underage child and a parent simultaneously.

Tired of Being Tired? Oral device therapy can improve your quality of life

BY SCOTT GOHUS SPECIAL TO LLAF

issue for Boomers,” Wheat says. “Many in the Sandwich Generation are experiencing a huge nancial impact as they might give up their careers to be caregivers or are emptying their savings to care for their aging parents. Caregiving is going to become a major issue for the Boomers as it’s going to be a huge part of our lives as the Boomers age.”

Resources for family caregivers

Duet: Partners in Health and Aging o ers supportive services including running errands for homebound adults, faith-based training for nurses, and providing resources for grandparents raising their grandchildren. Visit duetaz.org for more information.

Duet is always seeking volunteers. Rewarding themselves and taking a much-needed break might be the best course of self-care for caregivers. There are programs designed speci cally for caregivers, such as nancial assistance for caregivers to go on trips through Road Scholar (roadscholar.org), formerly

known as Elderhostel. The company recently began o ering scholarships of up to $1,300 for caregivers to join one of its trips that cost $1,400 or less.

Amy Goyer, a career caregiver, wrote a story last year for aarp.org, in which she described taking a Road Scholar trip to New Mexico. “After seven years of intensive caregiving for multiple family members, to say I was burned out is an understatement. The mental and physical stress has been cumulative, and a few months ago I realized I needed a break. I got that and much more,” Goyer wrote.

“For me, this adventure helped me learn that I was actually carrying my bliss within my heart and soul all along,” she continued. “It is in caring for and even in su ering with my loved ones, and in teaching, inspiring and supporting others, that I nd my meaning and bliss.”

When it comes to quality of life and health, snoring is more than just a nuisance. Kevin, a patient at Koala Center for Sleep Disorders, sought relief for loud snoring that affected the sleep of others near him. He also su ered from other symptoms such as waking up fatigued, headaches and jaw pain. According to Kevin, “I have spent more than 20 years trying to solve my snoring problem. I have had surgery, orthodontia, chiropractors and even a few infomercial products, but nothing has worked until now! I have already recommended Koala to friends.” At his last follow-up appointment, he reported feeling complete relief from snoring and pain, plus an increase in energy during the day and more dreaming.

Another patient, Dan, came into Koala with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), having previously su ered a heart attack. While he knew his condition would bene t from treatment, he refused to get treatment if it meant wearing a CPAP device. After treatment with an oral appliance at Koala, Dan claims his symptoms have been resolved: “I feel more energized, need less nap time, am more loving to my wife and honestly more happy.”

Improving the quality of life for patients with OSA is a professional passion and focus at Koala Center for Sleep Disorders. The physicians at Koala have taken hundreds of hours of continuing education courses on mastering sleep physiology and treating OSA with oral appliances. One of their doctors is a diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy.

Symptoms of OSA include snoring, gasping, stopping breathing, morning headaches, daytime tiredness, weight gain, and jaw problems including teeth grinding, muscle spasms and joint pain.

Collaborating with physicians who make the diagnosis of OSA is particularly important for the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) intolerant

patient. The primary medical treatment prescribed for obstructive sleep apnea requires sleeping with a mask over the nose and mouth which provides continuous pressure in the back of the throat to prevent collapsing when the muscles relax, which causes the airway obstruction. The masks work well when worn. Unfortunately, half or more of patients are unable to wear the mask and continue being tired. These patients are ideal candidates for an oral appliance.

E ective OSA treatment can reduce life-threatening health risks, including a 70 percent greater chance of being in an accident. Other preventable risks of OSA include higher probability of dying from heart disease or failure, a greater risk of developing cancer and a higher likelihood of having a stroke. One surprising discovery for me was learning that when hearing someone “died in their sleep,” you should be thinking obstructive sleep apnea could be a cause.

People who su er from OSA or experience symptoms such as snoring, gasping and jaw pain can seek treatment at Koala. The center o ers safe and comfortable treatment options covered by most medical insurance, including Medicare. Contact us to learn more about therapies that could resolve your symptoms and drastically improve your quality of life. For more information on oral appliance therapy for the treatment of sleep apnea, TMJ disorders, or facial and neck pain, call 602-357-9845 or visit koalabitmore. com. Koala Center for Sleep Disorders is located at 4235 N. 32nd Street, Suite A, in Phoenix.

Gail is a caregiver who receives support and resources from Duet: Partners in Health and Aging. care...continued from page 11

Duet’s Caregiving Mentor program provides a social and supportive environment for caregivers.

Crismon Peaks Relief

Mesa woman nds support for parents at assisted living home

BY COLLEEN SPARKS

Jeriann Dosemagen is used to taking care of business on her own.

The Whisper Mountain resident had routinely worked 70 to 80 hours a week in her corporate job at Abbott Laboratories, prior to her retirement. So she gured she could easily tackle caring for her parents when they could no longer live on their own.

“I naively didn’t realize how much work it was, the fact that their conditions changed on a day-to-day basis,” Dosemagen, 52, says. “My dad was the one that interestingly said, ‘You need to nd a place for me. You can’t be doing this all day, every day.’”

Ann and Gerald have Parkinson’s disease, which a ects critical nerve cells in the brain.

“I can’t say enough good about Crismon Peaks,” Jeriann says. “I feel blessed to have found a place so close to home, to have found everything they need. They get help from people who truly care about them, love them.”

She visits her parents every day and loves the personal attention they get in the home, which houses eight other residents. The people who live there, who are in their 80s to 100 years old, get help with many everyday tasks, including bathing, using the bathroom, dressing, eating, grooming, and transfers, where they’re moved from one area to another.

Jeriann said her mother and father have di erent physical needs addressed by the sta , which includes a fulltime nurse at the home. Gerald uses a wheelchair, and his blood pressure “drops dangerously low” if he tries to stand up on his own, so he gets help moving around.

role as their daughter when she visits her parents, rather than being in the awkward position of being their caregiver.

“I’ve always had a really good relationship with my parents,” she says. “I’m the youngest. It’s back to where it was and where it should be: I’m the daughter.”

Jeriann loves the family feeling of the home, where sta members routinely make meals, give gifts and hold celebrations for Father’s and Mother’s days, Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving and residents’ birthdays. The residents’ family members are invited to all the special events.

“raves about” every meal.

Jeriann says she feels less pressure than she did when she cared for her parents at home. She has two brothers and a sister in Wisconsin and a brother in Tucson, so she handled the bulk of caregiving duties herself. “I couldn’t go anywhere and leave them home alone,” she says. “It was pretty stressful.”

She had decided to move from Kenosha, Wisconsin to Mesa after retiring at age 50. The health of her parents, Gerald, 84, and Gail Ann, 81, was deteriorating, so she and her partner, Paul Garcia, moved her parents with them.

They moved to Mesa in 2015, but shortly after their move, Gerald wound up in the hospital and then required physical therapy.

After that, he moved to Crismon Peaks Assisted Living home on East Hillview Street, near the Las Sendas neighborhood. Almost a year later, Gail Ann also moved there as her health issues increased. Gail

“I was very averse to putting them anywhere,” Jeriann says.

“I always thought I’ll never do that to my parents.”

But it ended up being a good decision.

“It was the best thing for them,” she continues. “Now that they’re in this environment, they are doing so much better because they’re getting the type of care that they need.”

Another bene t of living at the assisted living home is that her parents get to socialize with other residents and the sta members rather than being at home with just her all day, she says.

Jeriann says now she can enjoy her

“Families get to know each other,” Crismon Peaks owner Meryl Schmitz says. “It is a family. We have 40 to 50 people (here) every holiday. We treat people with dignity here. That is very important to me.”

Schmitz says at least one sta member is at the assisted living home at all times. A doctor comes to the home to treat residents and a sta member accompanies residents to medical appointments outside of the home.

A cook at Crismon Peaks makes fresh, low-sodium, “heart-friendly” food every day, catering to residents’ dietary needs, Schmitz says.

Jeriann says food is a highlight of the experience for her parents. “They love the food there,” she says, adding her mother

She is not alone in being a caregiver. About 34 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last year, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the AARP Public Policy Institute’s Caregiving in the U.S. 2015 study.

Jeriann recommends other people whose loved ones need to be placed in an assisted living home visit many places before picking a place. She visited dozens of care homes before choosing Crismon Peaks.

Schmitz also urges people to visit homes and ask many questions, including how they handle emergencies and if they have insurance. She recommends people check to see if a home is licensed by visiting the Arizona Department of Health Services at azdhs.gov.

To nd assisted living, nursing homes and other senior care centers in your community, visit aplaceformom.com.

Gerald “Jerry” Dosemagen, 84, and his wife, Gail Ann, 81, celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in May. Their daughter, Jeriann, visits them often at Crismon Peaks Assisted Living home.

(Photo by Jeriann Dosemagen)

Jeriann Dosemagen keeps many family photos at her home in the Whisper Mountain neighborhood of Mesa. She visits her elderly parents at Crismon Peaks Assisted Living home daily. (Photo by Kimberly Carrillo)

Remodel Repay

Former patient renovates hospice home

BY MARILYN HAWKES

John Hardison’s philosophy about giving is simple: “No one ever went broke being generous.” After spending two and a half weeks in Dobson Home, Hospice of the Valley’s 11-bed palliative care unit in Chandler, Hardison was so moved by the care he received that he o ered to renovate the facility.

“He said, ‘Give me a list,’ and he took care of our list,” says Diana Murray, vice president of purchasing and facilities at Hospice of the Valley.

The decision to give was easy, Hardison says.

“I came here as a patient and they saved my life,” he says. “It’s all about the employees. I have never seen this level

of compassion at a hospital or clinic or doctor’s o ce. It was just impossible to look at the conditions that they were working in.”

Because of Hardison’s generosity, Hospice of the Valley was able to replace most of Dobson Home’s ooring, as well as repair exterior and interior woodwork, paint the interior, give the kitchen a facelift, provide more parking spaces, install a visible road sign, get new vanities in patient rooms, build shade structures over patient room doors, spruce up landscaping and make other small improvements.

Hardison, who is retired from the wastewater treatment industry, has can-

Dobson Home is housed in the 1939 home of John H. Dobson, an Arizona rancher who also played a role in the early development of Chandler. Hospice of the Valley acquired the property in 2003, then expanded the house to 6,000 square feet and opened in 2004. “With Mr. Hardison’s generous gift, we were able to give the home a facelift after almost 14 years of providing care here,” Murray says. The home has some interesting features, including a basement with colorful murals depicting Arizona scenes.

In mid-March, after all the patients had been discharged, construction workers started the renovation, which took only a week and a half, Murray says.

ments they had made possible. The sta greeted the Hardisons like they were part of the family, with hugs all around. Several people were choking back tears.

Hardison reiterated his feelings about the compassionate care he received from the sta while a patient at Dobson Home.

“Anything we needed, any questions that we had, any barriers, (Mr. Hardison) was right there to be of assistance,” she says.

When renovating, Hospice of the Valley took special care to maintain the original integrity of the home.

“That’s the goal for all of our patient care settings – if a patient can’t be at home for that moment in time, we want them to feel like home with their surroundings and the care and comfort that we’re able to provide in our environment,” Murray says.

On April 5, Hospice of the Valley invited Hardison and his wife, Patricia, to a luncheon at Dobson Home to thank them and show them the improve-

“Compassion is hard to explain – hard to de ne,” he says. “You have to be a special person and you have to have a special love and care in your heart to do (this kind of work).”

Looking around, Hardison was happy with the outcome.

“Let’s get another 15 to 20 years out of it and then we’ll rebuild again,” he told the sta . “If I can be here, I’ll do it for you. I’d do it again because of the impact that it has.”

Dobson Home is located at 1188 N. Dobson Road, Chandler. For more information, visit hov.org.

John and Patricia Hardison support Hospice of the Valley. After John’s discharge from the organization’s Dobson Home, he volunteered to renovate the facility. (Special to LLAF)

DearYes,

Chandler couple marks 70 years of marriage

BY PAUL MARYNIAK

John Vandenhuerk didn’t lose a step when asked about the key to a long and happy marriage.

“Just say ‘Yes, Dear’ a lot,” the Chandler man said, quickly adding, “But she said ‘OK’ a lot, too.”

The formula has worked for John and Bennie Lou Vandenhuerk – for seven decades.

The couple, both 89, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past spring at a luncheon with family and friends following the Sunday service at Faith Church in Chandler.

As well-wishers surrounded them, John looked back at Bennie and sighed, “It went by awfully quick, that 70 years. We’ve had some great times.”

They met as 18-year-olds on a train in California in 1946. He was heading to report for duty at the U.S. Naval base in Santa Barbara and she was traveling to her home

in Southern California.

“Trains in those days stopped at every little town, so it was a long ride,” he recalled.

“So, we talked. And then she gave me her phone number.”

A few weeks later, John, an Alabama native, had a few days’ leave and nothing to do, so he called her.

She invited him for a visit.

“My father canceled his plans so he could meet this sailor who was visiting his daughter,” Bennie said.

What followed were ve months of letter-writing while he was stationed in Guam.

Then, on a ve-day leave, he and Bennie went to Yuma because California required a three-day wait on a marriage license for a blood test.

And on March 26, 1947, their 70-year romance began, leading to two sons and two daughters – and, eventually, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. They didn’t bother renewing their vows

last weekend – they did that at the halfway point of their marriage as they celebrated their 35th anniversary on the Love Boat.

Indeed, while they were all dressed up for the celebration at Faith Church, Bennie said she was thinking, “How nice it will be to get back home and into my old duds.”

John is a retired power plant engineer for General Motors who oversaw an operation that produced electricity and compressed air to run tools and machines. Bennie worked at an upholstery and drapery shop that was owned by a friend.

The Vandenhuerks’ oldest daughter, Jonna Harness, said her parents “have always been ‘can-do’ types of people.”

“Each of them was handy,” Harness said. “Dad could x anything, and my artistic mother was always amazing at decorating and sewing. Although our family surely did not have a lot of money, Mom and Dad were industrious and were able to provide extras for the family through building things with their own hands.”

He took an early retirement in 1988 to care for some ailing family members and, ve years later, they moved from California to Chandler to be close to their daughter.

Both are active in the church, and he served for several years as a chaplain for the American Legion and then became a nancial o cer for the organization.

The Vandenhuerks’ devotion to each other has always been visible, said Harness. “One thing I observed as I grew up in our home was that Mom and Dad thoroughly enjoyed being together,” she said. “They talked a lot, shared everything and loved to laugh. They were always active in various churches no matter where they were living and inevitably grew close to people around them. Socializing and providing support for one another within social groups was – and continues to be –important to them.”

John and Bennie Lou Vandenhuerk met in California in 1946. (Special to LLAF)

Entertainment Calendar of Events

Gem over the Diamond

Broadcaster Greg Schulte brings baseball to life for D-backs fans

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Greg Schulte vividly remembers the rst time he sat behind the microphone: age 20 in Rock Island, Illinois. The red light illuminated and he thought one thing.

“I have to talk,” he says with a laugh. “So, I started reading the news. I was really nervous then. I really was.”

Schulte nailed it. Decades later, he celebrated calling his 3,000th game as the radio voice of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“I loved baseball ever since I was a little kid,” Schulte says in a Chase Field conference room. “To me, it is the best sport.”

Schulte was hired by Jerry Colangelo and the D-backs in 1995, three years before the team hit the eld for its inaugural game.

“It was a lifelong dream,” Schulte says. “I had done minor league baseball, college baseball, NBA basketball, the rst four years of Cardinals football, and ASU football, basketball and baseball. My one true passion, though, was to get to the MLB.”

Lifelong dream

The son of a John Deere employee, Schulte grew up in the Quad Cities area of northwest Illinois. He became obsessed

with listening to St. Louis Cardinals games called by the team’s radio voices, Harry Caray and Jack Buck.

“We had television, but I would listen to the transistor radio at night,” he says. “We didn’t get a lot of baseball on the television. Maybe one game on a Saturday. Now you can pick up a phone and watch a game, or watch it on television. Back in those days, it was all about radio.”

Schulte loved baseball, but knew the odds of making it to the majors as a player were stacked against him. He turned to radio.

“I could picture in my eyes nightly what they were talking about,” Schulte says. “There was a porch in right eld that had a screen in front of it. They would say a ball hit the screen. I could envision that.

“In my mind, as I was playing games or watching games, I was calling the games at a very young age. I would imagine how I would call them. That’s how I grew into a passion for radio.”

Schulte attended a six-month broadcast

Entertainment

June 1 Thursday

Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen

7:30 p.m., repeats June 2, Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, $38.50-$43.50, 480-478-6000, mim.org.

Movie and Popcorn: Rules Don’t Apply 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/ mesacommunity.

June 2 Friday

Lady Antebellum

7 p.m., Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, call for charge, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

Beauty and the Beast

Various times through July 2, Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, call for ticket information, 623-775-8400, azbroadway.org. This modern classic tells the story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress.

Britain’s Finest: The Complete Beatles Experience

school in Milwaukee before attending St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa. He then married his wife, Nancy, and started his broadcast career of 45 years and counting.

He moved to Arizona in the 1970s, following his parents’ relocation to Sun City. At the time, he was broadcasting University of Iowa basketball. When he arrived in the Grand Canyon State, he applied at KTAR and was hired.

He spent 14 years at KTAR prior to joining the D-backs. His resume also includes a 15-season run with the Phoenix Suns, working alongside Hall of Famer Al McCoy, rst as a producer, then as a color commentator for the last two seasons.

The move to Arizona gave him the opportunity to listen to and meet Vin Scully, who was calling Dodgers games carried on KTAR. After his hiring by the D-backs, Schulte became known as “the Gubnuh.”

“It was a name bestowed on me by (former play-by-play man) Thom Brennaman,” Schulte explains. “We were at dinner in Atlanta. I had a sport coat on. I was dressed up. Thom said I looked like ‘a

7:30 p.m., Casino Arizona Showroom, 524 N. 92nd St., Scottsdale, $15, 480-850-7734, casinoarizona. com. Los Angeles-based Britain’s Finest performs note-for-note live renditions of Beatles’ classics like “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Yesterday,” “She Loves You,” “Twist and Shout,” “Get Back” and “Hey Jude.” Let’s Dance!

6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Palm Ridge Summit Hall, 13800 W. Deer Valley Dr., Sun City West, $6 members, $8 guests, 602-679-4220, rocknroll.swclubs.com. DJ Kort Kurdi spins hits from the 1950s and 1960s. Beat the Heat!

Noon to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity. Enjoy healthy cool treats.

June 3 Saturday

Morgan James

7 p.m., Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, $38.50-$43.50, 480-478-6000, mim.org.

Karaoke Night

6 to 9 p.m., Sunland Village Auditorium, 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., Mesa, $2, 480-832-9003. Hillcrest Dance and Social Club Dance

7 to 9:30 p.m., RH Johnson Social Center, 19803 RH Johnson Blvd., Sun City, $6 members, $4 guests, hillcrest.scwclubs.com. Hillcrest Dance and Social Club provides singles an opportunity to socialize and share an evening of dancing. Couples are always welcome, too. Tonight’s entertainment is The Breeze.

June 4 Sunday

Hot Club of Cowtown

7 p.m., Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, $38.50-$43.50, 480-478-6000, mim.org.

June 5 Monday

Jackie Greene

7 p.m., repeats June 6, Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, $33.50-$38.50, 480-4786000, mim.org.

Greg Schulte began working for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1995.

Schulte recently called his 3,000th game for the D-Backs.

Photos by Sarah Sachs/Arizona Diamondbacks

Calendar of Events

Calendar...continued from page 16

Line Dancing Demo

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/ mesacommunity.

Sewing Group: Quilted Blankets

1 to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 6 Tuesday

Musical Instrument Museum Program

6:30 p.m. Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, free, 480-312-7323, scottsdalelibrary. org. Museum representatives will highlight its global collections, including artifacts, costumes and objects that convey the diversity of music around the world.

Let’s Knit

1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays in June, Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, free, 480481-7033, harrietc@vosjcc.org. Share the pleasure of knitting and crocheting. Help others with projects and patterns. Can’t knit? They’ll teach you. No reservations required.

June 7 Wednesday

TajMo: The Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ Band

7:30 p.m., Scottsdale Center for the Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale, $47-$105, 480-499-8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org.

Let’s Talk Current Events Discussion Group

2 to 3:30 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 480-481-

7033, harrietc@vosjcc.org. Bill Adler leads a stimulating discussion each month on current events. Bring ideas to share with the group.

Book Review and Discussion: The Cancer Effect by Claudia Bretzing

6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 6111 E. Arbor Ave., Mesa, free, registration required, 480-340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

June 8 Thursday

Chris Potter Quartet

7:30 p.m., Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, $33.50-$38.50, 480-478-6000, mim.org.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres

12:40 p.m., Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $22-$210, dbacks.com.

Average White Band

8 p.m., Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, $25-$80, 800-946-4452, wingilariver. com.

Movie and Popcorn: Bridge of Spies

1:45 to 3:45 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 9 Friday

Cards and Games

9 a.m. to noon Fridays, Eldorado Park Center, 2311 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale, free, 480-312-2483, scottsdaleaz. gov/parks/eldorado-park. Drop in for Scrabble, chess, cards and other activities Fridays through August 4.

AC2: An Intimate Evening with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen

8 p.m., Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, $58.50-$78.50, 602-379-2800, comericatheatre. com.

Jean-Luc Ponty: The Atlantic Years

8 p.m., Scottsdale Center for the Arts’ Virginia G. Piper

210 studio & one bedroom apartments

Theater, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale, $35-$75, 480499-8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org.

The Wizard of Oz: The Musical Various times through June 25, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, tickets start at $16.50, 602-252-8497, herbergertheater.org.

June 10 Saturday

Library’s Writer in Residence Workshop

10:30 a.m., Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, call for charge, 480-312-7323, scottsdalelibrary.org. Sharon Skinner presents Setting: Where in the World? workshop on improving writing skills.

Hillcrest Dance and Social Club Dance

June 11 Sunday

Chicago and The Doobie Brothers

7:30 p.m., Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, call for charge, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

Sweet & Salty Senior Summer Social

2 to 4 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, $5 donation, register by June 8, 480-5997198, vosjcc.org/seniorsocial.

June 12 Monday

The Sun Lakes Democratic Club Monthly Meeting

7 p.m., Sun Lakes Country Club’s Navajo Room, 25601 E. Sun Lakes Blvd. North, Sun Lakes, free, 480-200-3322. The guest speaker is Bethany Lambrecht with the Valley Interfaith Project. She will discuss religion and free speech.

Healthy Smoothie Demo

12:30 to 1 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

Charity Crafting: Knit and Crocheted Caps 1 to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 13 Tuesday

Book Signing and Discussion: Under a Desert Sky by Lynne Hartke Dobson Rd., Chandler, free, registration required, 480340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

June 14 Wednesday

Celebrate Dads Pancake Breakfast

10 a.m., Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd., Scottsdale, $5 for Scottsdale residents, 480-3121700, scottsdaleaz.gov/seniors. “The Singing Cowboy” will entertain the group as it plays outdoor games and eats a hearty breakfast.

Please Enjoy Your Happiness

7 p.m., Changing Hands Bookstore, 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, call for cost, 602-274-0067, changinghands.com. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Arizona resident Paul Brinkley-Rogers discusses and signs his new memoir recounting his love affair with a mysterious older Japanese woman in the summer of 1959.

June 15 Thursday

New Summer Shorts 2017

Various times through June 25, Theatre Artists Studio, 4848 E. Cactus Rd., Suite 406, Scottsdale, $25, 602-7650120, thestudiophx.org. The summer festival of short plays penned by the studio’s playwrights is an annual audience favorite.

Calendar ...continues on page 18

You will love living in

a Kivel Manor Apartment...

• Basic cable & utilities included

• Small pets welcome

• Laundry facilities on each ﬂoor

Delicious & nutritious meal program in a fine dining setting available

Safe & Secure

Kivel apartments, located in east central Phoenix on a beautifully landscaped campus are specifically designated for income qualified individuals over 62 who want to live independently, with or without assistance, in a well-maintained community with great neighbors!

Each apartment has:

• Kitchen with a stove/oven, full size refrigerator with plenty of freezer space and lots of cabinets

• Spacious bathrooms with grab bars and emergency call pullcords

HUD

• Off-duty police security patrol

• 24-hr emergency call system

• Automatic ﬁre alarm & sprinkler system

Numerous Social and Recreational Options

• On-site media center & theatre

• Bingo, cards, crafts

• Exercise & Tai Chi

• Discussion groups & book clubs

• Kivel bus for shopping & outings

Kivel Manor is a HUD community where rent is only 30% of net income. Included in the rent are all utilities— electric, heat, AC, water, sewage and garbage along with basic cable.

Kivel campus offers a variety of amenities:

• Hair care salon

• Theatre where residents enjoy movies

• Mini-mart for those little things you might need!

• Attractive dining room serving affordable, delicious and nutritious meals. Dietary laws observed.

• On-site dental clinic

• Media center with high-speed internet access

Living at Kivel Manor you can keep active with participation in the many and varied activities arranged by our experienced Activity Staff.

• Bingo is a favorite event but card games, book clubs, crafts, painting classes along with discussion groups offer stimulating and fun things to do.

• Monthly outings aboard the Kivel bus and weekly shopping trips too!

There is a model apartment waiting for you to see so, give Donna a call now at (602) 443-8039 to schedule an appointment!

Calendar of Events

Calendar...continued from page 17

Let’s Eat Mature Mavens Dinner

5 p.m., sponsored by the Valley of the Sun JCC. Meet for dinner, socialize and make new friends. Dinner is separate checks. Contact Bunneye at 602-371-3744 for the schedule of restaurants and to reserve a spot.

Movie and Popcorn: Collateral Beauty

1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 16 Friday

Celebrate Dads Pancake Breakfast

10 a.m., Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, $5 for Scottsdale residents, 480-312-1700, scottsdaleaz.gov/seniors. “The Singing Cowboy” will entertain the group as it plays outdoor games and eats a hearty breakfast.

Moonlight Swim

5 to 9 p.m., McDowell Mountain Ranch Park and Aquatic Center, 15525 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, call for charge, 480-312-6677, scottsdaleaz.gov. UV rays can damage skin in less than 15 minutes. Avoid the danger by swimming under the stars at Moonlight Swims.

Let’s Dance!

6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Palm Ridge Summit Hall, 13800 W. Deer Valley Dr., Sun City West, $6 members, $8 guests, 602-679-4220, rocknroll.scwclubs.com. DJ Kort Kurdi spins hits from the 1970s and 1980s.

Father’s Day Social Noon to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 17 Saturday

Library’s Writer in Residence Workshop

10:30 a.m., Arabian Library, 10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd., Scottsdale, call for charge, 480-312-7323, scottsdalelibrary.org. Sharon Skinner presents Point of View: Who...Are...You? workshop on improving writing skills.

Moonlight Swim

5 to 9 p.m., Eldorado Aquatic and Fitness Center, 2301 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale, call for charge, 480-312-2484, scottsdaleaz.gov. UV rays can damage skin in less than 15 minutes. Avoid the danger by swimming under the stars at Moonlight Swims.

Karaoke Night

6 to 9 p.m., Sunland Village Auditorium, 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., Mesa, $2, 480-832-9003.

Hillcrest Dance and Social Club Dance

June 18 Sunday

An Evening with Diane Shuur: American Songbook

6 p.m., Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, $43.50-$48.50, 480-478-6000, mim.org.

Maricopa Master Gardeners Class: Raised Bed Gardening

2 to 4 p.m., County Extension Ofﬁce, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix, $20, extension.arizona.edu/maricopamg.

June 19 Monday

Line Dancing Demo

12:30 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/community.

Sewing Group: Quilted Blankets

1 to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 20 Tuesday

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime Various times through June 25, ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, tickets start at $20, 800-7453000, ticketmaster.com, asugammage.com. Fifteenyear-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an Earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever.

Senior Fire Safety with the Mesa Fire Department 1 to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humana.com/ mesacommunity.

June

21 Wednesday

Django Festival All-Stars

7 p.m., Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, $38.50-$43.50, 480-478-6000, mim.org.

National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association (NARFE) Chapter 1395 Luncheon/ Meeting

11 a.m., Brothers Family Restaurant, 8466 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, charge for meal, 623-935-4681, deb.at.narfe@ gmail.com. Shawn Supple from Savers Thrift Store will discuss the importance of supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs. All current and retired federal employees and spouses are invited.

ID Theft Discussion with Karen Stegengo Noon to 1 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 22 Thursday

Movie and Popcorn: La La Land

1:45 to 3:45 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 23 Friday

Queen + Adam Lambert

8 p.m., Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale, call for ticket information, 800-745-3000, gilariverarena.com, ticketmaster.com.

Bon re: A High-Energy Tribute to Early AC/DC

7:30 p.m., Casino Arizona Showroom, 524 N. 92nd St., Scottsdale, $15, 480-850-7734, casinoarizona.com.

Beat the Heat!

Noon to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity. Stop in for cold healthy treats.

June 24 Saturday

Paul Goldschmidt X-Wing Fighter Pilot Star Wars

Bobblehead Night

7:10 p.m., Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $22$210, dbacks.com. The ﬁrst 20,000 fans through the gates receive the bobblehead. After the D-backs/Phillies game, fans can enjoy ﬁreworks.

Gordon Lightfoot

8 p.m., Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, $60-$100, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort. com.

Hillcrest Dance and Social Club Dance

June 25 Sunday

Opera and Gelato Film Fest

1 p.m., Arizona Opera Atrium, 1636 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, free, reservations required, 602-266-7464, azopera.org. The Opera and Gelato Film Festival features The Magic Flute, composed by Wolfgang Mozart. This opera was ﬁlmed in Milan’s famed Teatro alla Scala.

June 26 Monday

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

7 p.m., Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, $35.50-$43.50, 480-478-6000, mim.org.

Healthy Smoothie Demo

12:30 to 1 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

Charity Crafting: Knit and Crocheted Caps 1 to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 27 Tuesday

Alice Smith, 7 p.m., Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, $38.50-$43.50, 480-478-6000, mim.org.

June 28 Wednesday

Mariachi Flor de Toloache

7 p.m., Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, $30.50-$38.50, 480-478-6000, mim.org.

Nutrition Talk: Foods to Fight the E ects of Aging 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/ mesacommunity.

Healthy Cooking Demo: Anti-Aging Foods 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 29 Thursday

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals 12:40 p.m., Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $22-$210, dbacks.com.

AARP Smart DriverTEK Workshop

11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., North Tempe Generational Center, 1555 N. Bridalwreath Street, Tempe, 480-858-6500, aarp. org/ﬁndaworkshop.

June 30 Friday

Santana, 8 p.m., Ak-Chin Pavilion 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, call for ticket information, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

Healthy Fruit Slushie Demo 1 to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

Hot August Night: A Tribute to Neil Diamond 7:30 p.m., repeats July 1, Casino Arizona Showroom, 524 N. 92nd St., Scottsdale, $15, 480-850-7734, casinoarizona.com. Hot August Night and singer Dean Colley recall Neil Diamond’s legendary Greek Theatre concert from August 1972.

Support Groups

June 1 Thursday

Meditation for Healing 6 to 7 p.m., repeats June 15, HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center, Medical Building 1, 19841 N. 27th Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, free, reservations required, 623-7804673, honorhealth.com/events.

Heartfullness Meditation

5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursdays in June, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler, free, registration required, 480-340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

Tai Chi with Roxanne Reynolds

3 to 3:45 p.m. Thursdays in June, Ironwood Cancer and

Calendar ...continues on page 19

Yoga for Recovery

for the Elderly & Disabled.

Calendar of Events

Country Dance, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunland Auditorium, 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., Mesa, $7, (480) 8329003. Music by Angie Senger and Friends.

Calendar...continued from page 18

November 24 Saturday

6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays in June, HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center, Medical Building 1, 19841 N. 27th Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, free, reservations required, 623-780-4673, honorhealth.com/events.

Breast Cancer Support Group

Sun Lakes Arts and Crafts Association Fall Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd., Chandler, free, (602) 882-3651, (480) 982-7744.

6 to 7:30 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

Chair Yoga

November 25 Sunday

Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc. com.

Sun City Christian Women’s Club Brunch, 9 a.m., Sun City Country Club, 9433 N. 107th Ave., Sun City, $15, reservations required by Nov. 9, (623) 341-6019, mwholick@gmail.com. Mary Lou Powell from Golden, Colo., is the guest speaker and the morning will also feature a trunk showing of thrift-store fashions.

June 2 Friday

Chair Yoga

November 17 Saturday

1 to 2 p.m., repeats June 16, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 5810 W. Beverly Ln., Glendale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

Chair Pilates

2 to 3 p.m., repeats June 16, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc. com.

Fleming’s Grilling Seminar—Holiday Poultry, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.., Fleming’s Peoria, 9712 W. Northern Ave., Peoria, $25, (623) 772-9463, www. ﬂemingssteakhouse.com. Fleming’s Chef Partner Jeff Fearing will show guests how to grill turkey, cook beer can chicken and barbeque duck plus offer tips to make sure your bird is juicy and delicious.

June 3 Saturday

Caregiver Support Group

10 a.m. to noon, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Dr., Chandler, free, registration required, 340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

Myron Sommerfeld and His Music, 7 p.m., Las Palmas Grand, 2550 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, $8, (480) 357-1148.

June 5 Monday

Look Good, Feel Better

November 18 Sunday

4 to 6 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Dr., Chandler, free, registration required, 800227-2345.

Un Corazon Flamenco, 5 p.m., El Encanto, 6248 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, charge for meals, (480) 488-1752.

June 6 Tuesday

Stroke Screening

November 19 Monday

8 a.m. to noon, HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center, Medical Building 1, 19841 N. 27th Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, free, reservations required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth. com/events.

Ina Garten’s Foolproof Thanksgiving, 6:30 p.m., Sur La Table, 7122 E. Greenway Pkwy., Suite 100, Scottsdale, $95, (800) 243-0852, www.surlatable.com.

Heart Health Evaluation

November 20 Tuesday

7:30 to 11:30 a.m., HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, 9003 E. Shea Blvd., Diagnostic Center, Scottsdale, $20, registration required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/events.

Heart of a Woman Educational Support Group

10 to 11 a.m., HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, 9003 E. Shea Blvd., Brady Conference Center, Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/events.

Thanksgiving Luncheon, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, $5 residents, $8 nonresidents, (480) 312-5810. The event features a catered Thanksgiving meal in a heated tent, plus live entertainment.

Tai Chi with Roxanne Reynolds

November 21 Wednesday

4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays in June, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler, free, registration required, 480-340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

Acupuncture Sessions

National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association (NARFE) Chapter 1395, 11 a.m., Brothers Family Restaurant, 8466 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, lunch must be paid for by members, (623) 934-7431.

By appointment Tuesdays in June, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler, call for charge and appointment, 480-330-6211, ironwoodcrc.com.

November 22 Thursday

Writing Workshop

Happy Thanksgiving from Lovin’ Life After 50.

10 a.m. to noon, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 480-340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

November 23 Friday

Mindfulness Classes

Noon-12:30 p.m., Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix; and Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix; free, hov.org. Half-hour mindfulness sittings.

June 7 Wednesday

Sun City Fall Arts and Crafts Festival, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 23, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 24, Sundial Recreation Center, 14801 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, free, (623) 876-3048. The event features rafﬂes and awardwinning crafts from more than 40 clubs in Sun City.

Bone Density Screenings

Myron Sommerfeld and His Music, 7 p.m., Venture Out, 5001 E. Main St., Mesa, $8, (480) 832-9000.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, 9003 E. Shea Blvd., Diagnostic Center, Scottsdale, $20, registration required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/events.

The Big White Tent, Golf Resort, 6100 S. Kings Ranch Rd., Gold Canyon, free, (480) 982-5730, www.artistsofthesuperstitions.com. Thirty artists show/sell fine art.

10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays in June, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Dr., Chandler, free, registration required, 480-340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

Tai Chi 1 to 2 p.m., repeats June 21, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 5810 W. Beverly Ln., Glendale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

November 26 Monday

Diabetes Support Series Part 4: Shop and Swap 10 to 11:30 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., call for charge, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humana. com/mesacommunity.

Winter Risotto Workshop, 7122 E. Greenway Pkwy., Suite 100, Scottsdale, $69, www.surlatable.com.

Kidney Smart: Managing Chronic Kidney Disease with DaVita

November 27 Tuesday

Noon to 1:30 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 8 Thursday

The Essentials of Tremor

The Swinging Resorters Big Swing Band, Sunland Auditorium, 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., Mesa, $5, (480) 832-9003.

5:30 to 6:30 p.m., HonorHealth Spine Group Arizona, 3621 N. Wells Fargo Ave., Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/events.

November 28 Wednesday

Breast Cancer Support Group

“Dralion,” Nov. 28, thru Dec. 2, US Airways Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $32 to $80, www.cirquedusoleil. com/dralion, (800) 745-3000.

6 to 8 p.m., repeats June 22, HonorHealth Breast Health and Research Center, 19646 N. 27th Ave., Suite 205, Phoenix, free, 623-780-4673, honorhealth.com/cancer.

Lymphoma Support Group

million people worldwide since the show premiered in 1999, “Dralion” is the fusion of ancient Chinese circus traditions and the avant-garde style of Cirque du Soleil.

6 to 8 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

Watercolor Painting Class

10 a.m. to noon, repeats June 15, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 5810 W. Beverly Ln., Glendale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

“Dealing with Emotions and Stress Management,” 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., SCAN Connections Resource Center, 1313 E. Osborn Rd., Suite 150, Phoenix, free but reservations required, (602) 778-3420.

Doc Talk: Breast Cancer 101 with Jora Primary Care

November 29 Thursday

12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 9 Friday

Chair Yoga

Best Quick Breads, Basil Gourmetware and Cooking School, 10749 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 101, Scottsdale, $50, (480) 5965628, www.sweetbasilgourmet.com.

2 to 3 p.m., repeats June 23, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc. com.

Breast Cancer Screenings

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, call for charge, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity. Bring your Humana card.

Crispy Popovers with strawberry butter; Cast Iron Skillet Beer Bread; Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread Muffins; Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze; Corn and Bacon Spoon Bread with tomatoes; California Date Nut Spiced Muffins; and Homemade Vanilla Bean Tortillas rolled with cinnamon and sugar.

BMI/Blood Pressure Screenings

November 30 Friday

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, call for charge, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 10 Saturday

Friday Night Dance, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunland Auditorium, 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., Mesa, $7, (480) 8329003. Music by the 4-50’s Band.

Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?

Send event information to: info@lovinlifeafter50.com

10 a.m. to noon, HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, 9003 E. Shea Blvd., Brady Conference Center, Scottsdale, reservations required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/events.

Breast Cancer Support Group

10 a.m. to noon, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

Calendar ...continues on page 21

Rockin’ Genes

Boston drummer and Arizona resident Curly Smith bonds with his teenage son over classic rock

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Boston drummer and Sedona resident Curly Smith cherishes shows in his home state.

He calls the crowds “wonderful.” He loves Comerica Theatre, where Boston will perform on Thursday, June 8. Smith also embraces his friends and family who will attend the concert. He’s especially thrilled about one family member who will attend: his 14-year-old son, Zachary.

“He didn’t quite understand what I do,” says Smith, a Montana native who previously lived in Phoenix and Scottsdale. “But now that he’s playing guitar and piano, he’s very anxious to see how it all works. It’s nice for me. I didn’t expect him to go into music. I didn’t push it at all. He just picked up the guitar and decided he was going to learn a song. In a matter of weeks, the guy was playing. It’s pretty miraculous, actually. It took me a lot longer.”

Smith, who adds that his son excels academically as well, began pursuing music at age 11, a little younger than Zachary. He started touring and making records at 18.

“I don’t know if he’s going to do that,” he says about his son. “Hopefully, he goes to college first. That will be his decision.

“I had an opportunity to go to the University of Texas or go into music. I had an audition in L.A. for Jo Jo Gunne. I decided to take that and it worked out. I ended up staying out there for 22 years.”

After Jo Jo Gunne, Smith worked with a variety of artists in Los Angeles, London and Miami, including Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Branford Marsalis, The Monkees, Joe Walsh, Warren Zevon, Brian Auger, Sam Kinison, Billy Idol, Willie Nelson, Ron Wood, Dickie Betts, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Ian Hunter.

Smith also played side by side with The Who’s Keith Moon. He laid down tracks

for many No. 1 hits like “Missing You” with John Waite, “Heaven Is a Place on Earth,” “I Get Weak” and “Circle in the Sand” with Belinda Carlisle and “Heartbeat” with Don Johnson.

“Session work is interesting, but it can be that: work,” he says. “It could be

a Motown single, a country single, or every now and then you get to record with someone you really love. I was playing with or even listening to people like Jeff Beck. With Keith Moon, that was pretty wonderful. I feel fortunate to have

Boston...continued on page 23

INNER

Enjoy independent living at one of the premier apartment communities for 55+ active seniors. Convenienly located near Desert Ridge Marketplace, Paradise Valley Mall, and Kierland Commons. Be surrounded by the top restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and events in the North Phoenix/ Scottsdale area. Amenities include a swimming pool, spa, and covered parking. Newly renovated and pet-friendly, our community will satisfy all your living needs.

Curly Smith did session work for many big-time musicians prior to joining Boston in the 1990s. (Photo by Ron Elkman)

Calendar of Events

Calendar...continued from page 19

June 12 Monday

Pancreatic Cancer Support Group

4 to 5:30 p.m., HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10460 N. 92nd St., ﬁrst ﬂoor conference room, Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 480-323-1321, honorhealth.com/cancer.

Look Good, Feel Better

4 to 6 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 800-227-2345.

Prostate Cancer Support Group (USTOO)

7 to 9 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Dr., Chandler, free, registration required, 480-340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

June 13 Tuesday

Cholesterol and Glucose Screenings

7:30 to 11:30 a.m., HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, 9003 E. Shea Blvd., Diagnostic Center, Scottsdale, $15, registration required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/events.

Grief Support Group

3 to 4:30 p.m., repeats June 27, HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10460 N. 92nd St., ﬁrst ﬂoor conference room, Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 480-323-1321, honorhealth.com/cancer.

Color Me Calm

1 to 2:30 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

Nutrition Talk: Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements

1 to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

Mindfulness Classes

Noon-12:30 p.m., Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix; and Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix; free, hov.org. Half-hour mindfulness sittings.

June 14 Wednesday

Eat Real: Have Your Bread and Eat It Too

6 to 7:30 p.m., HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10460 N. 92nd Street, third ﬂoor conference room, Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 623-5805800, honorhealth.com/cancer.

Breast Cancer Support Group

Noon to 1:30 p.m., HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10460 N. 92nd St., Suite 301, Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 623-323-1321, honorhealth.com/ cancer.

Cancer Support Group

6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 5810 W. Beverly Ln., Glendale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

Diabetes Support Series Part 5: Medication

Safety

10 to 11:30 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, call for charge, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 15 Thursday

What’s that Pain and Tingling Down My Leg?

5:30 to 6:30 p.m., HonorHealth Spine Group Arizona, 3621 N. Wells Fargo Ave., Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/events.

SPOHNC – Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Support Group

6:30 to 8 p.m., HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10460 N. 92nd St., ﬁrst ﬂoor conference room, Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 480-323-3214, honorhealth.com/cancer.

Mind, Body and Spirit – Art Class

10 a.m. to noon, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler, free, registration required, 480-340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

June 16 Friday

Chair Yoga

1 to 2 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 5810 W. Beverly Ln., Glendale, free, registration required, 602588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

Chair Pilates

2 to 3 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

Dementia Caregiver Support Group

10 to 11 a.m., third Friday of each month, Renaissance Luxury Living at Sun Lakes, 9504 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes, free, hov.org.

June 17 Saturday

Breast Cancer Support Group

10 a.m. to noon, Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 5810 W. Beverly Ln., Glendale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

June 18 Sunday

Happy Father’s Day!

June 19 Monday

Stroke Survivor and Caregiver Support Group

10 a.m. to noon, HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center, Cowden Center, 9202 N. Second St., Phoenix, free, reservations required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/ events.

Look Good, Feel Better

4 to 6 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 5810 W. Beverly Ln., Glendale, free, registration required, 800-227-2345.

Head and Neck Cancer Group

3 to 4:30 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler, free, registration required, 480-340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

June 20 Tuesday

GYN Cancer Support Group

4 to 5:30 p.m., HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10450 N. 92nd St., Suite 301, Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 480-323-1321, honorhealth.com/ cancer.

Rhythm and Relaxation

6 to 7 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

Mindfulness Classes

Noon-12:30 p.m., Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix; and Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix; free, hov.org. Half-hour mindfulness sittings.

June 21 Wednesday

Caregiver and Family Support Group

4:30 to 5:30 p.m., HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10460 N. 92nd St., Suite 301, Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 480-323-1321, honorhealth.com/ cancer.

Osteoporosis Support and Education Group

9 to 10 a.m., HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, 9003 E. Shea Blvd., Brady Conference Center, Scottsdale, free, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/ events.

Calendar ...continues on page 23

That’s the number of happy residents who will live at Glendale’s

TERRA POINTE

NOW OPEN FOR TOURS

• Utilities Included

• 3 Delicious Meals a Day + Snacks!

• Housekeeping incl. linen service

• Licensed, Caring Staff, 24-7

• Loving community pet

• Personalized Care Program including Medication mgmt.

• Beauty Salon ON SITE!

• Nearby Medical Center/Doctors

• Outings and Activities!

Greg...continued from page 16

Southern Gubnuh,’ as he called me using a Southern drawl. He used the ‘Gubnuh’ part on-air the following night, and the nickname stuck.”

Schulte is now in his 19th season, and his 11th season with radio partner Tom Candiotti. He delivered the call of Luis Gonzalez’s walk-o , ninth-inning single to win game seven of the 2001 World Series over the New York Yankees. He was behind the mic for Randy Johnson’s historic achievements, including his perfect game on May 18, 2004.

In addition, Schulte called several no-hitters such as the D-backs’ Edwin Jackson on June 25, 2010; the Cardinals’ Jose Jimenez on June 25, 1999; and the Marlins’ Anibal Sanchez on Sept. 6, 2006. He fondly recalls Aaron Hill hitting for the cycle on June 18 and June 29 in 2012.

their eyes and they really appreciate the color that I bring into their lives.

“They love the description of each and every play they imagine. I can’t imagine being blind or even sight-impaired. That’s about as good a compliment as you can get.”

Schulte makes it sound easy. He sits in his broadcast chair and speaks with Candiotti about “something we have a passion for” – baseball.

“He played the game for 16 years in the major leagues,” Schulte says. “We also know the history of the game, having grown up about the same time.

“We grew up loving the sport.”

Schulte and Nancy, with whom he has two children, Scott and Stephanie, live in the Valley and are preparing to celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary.

“Nancy and I have a lot in common,” he says. “We love sports. We love to travel. We’re best friends. It just kind of works.

“I enjoy my work,” he says. “I have a terri c boss here in (D-backs President and CEO) Derrick Hall. He’s the absolute best. He’s so uplifting. You just want to do anything you can for him.”

The feeling is mutual.

“There is one voice that is truly synonymous with D-backs baseball and that’s Greg Schulte, who has been here since the beginning,” Hall says. “He not only does an incredible job each night of describing the action for our fans, but he has always represented the organization with class away from the ballpark and he’s become an invaluable part of our history.”

Fans frequently approach Schulte to share their highlights. But those aside, one group of folks makes Schulte particularly proud of his job.

“I’m the eyes for people who can’t see the ballgame,” he says. “I think the best compliments I get yearly – whether it’s phone calls, letters or emails – are from people who are blind. They tell me I’m

“We married very young, but we waited almost seven years to have children. We didn’t rush into a family. I think we were better equipped to manage children and a family that way. We will celebrate anniversary No. 44 in November.”

Those are his keys to a successful marriage. So how did he succeed behind the mic?

“I’m prepared nightly,” he says. “I think my upbringing listening to a lot of baseball and the Hall of Famers really allowed me to put as good of a broadcast on the air nightly as I possibly could.

“I try and call a game as it should be called. I don’t try to bring a lot of craziness into it. I understand how hard it is to play the game. I want fans to understand that. When a player strikes out, I’ll credit the pitcher trying to get him out. I want to give the fans as much entertainment as we possibly can.”

Greg Schulte grew up loving baseball.

Calendar of Events

Cooking Demonstrations

3 to 4 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 10585 N. 114th St., Suite 401, Scottsdale, free, registration required, 480-314-6677, ironwoodcrc.com.

June 22 Thursday

Beauty in Bloom

4:30 to 7:30 p.m., HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10460 N. 92nd St., first floor conference room, Scottsdale, free, reservations required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/cancer.

Diabetes from Head to Toe with Sally Scrivner, RN 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 23 Friday

Beat the Heat!

Noon to 1 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity. Stop by and get cold healthy treats.

June 24 Saturday

Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?

10 a.m. to noon, HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, 9003 E. Shea Blvd., Brady Conference Center, Scottsdale, reservations required, 623-580-5800, honorhealth.com/events.

June 26 Monday

Multiple Myeloma Cancer Support Group

1 to 2:30 p.m. Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 8880 E. Desert Cove Ave., Scottsdale, free, registration required, 602-588-4367, ironwoodcrc.com.

Survivor Group

6 to 7:30 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler, free, registration required, 480-340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

June 27 Tuesday

How to Stay Positive When Life Feels Negative

12:30 to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

Mindfulness Classes

Noon-12:30 p.m., Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix; and Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix; free, hov.org. Half-hour mindfulness sittings.

June 28 Wednesday

Metastatic Cancer Support Group

3 to 4:30 p.m., Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers, 685 S. Dobson Dr., Chandler, free, registration required, 480-340-4013, ironwoodcrc.com.

June 29 Thursday

Diabetes Support Series Part 6: Being Active

9:30 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, call for charge, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity.

June 30 Friday

Healthy Fruit Slushie Demo

1 to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana.com/mesacommunity. Calendar...continued from page 21

Smith adds it’s “karma” that Zachary listened to that music.

“I’m sure my mother didn’t appreciate Jimi Hendrix and Cream,” he explains.

“She dealt with it very well. I would tell (Zachary), ‘That’s a good song, but I don’t quite get it. Maybe you can explain it to me?’”

During Smith’s last break from Boston, his son played songs by The Beatles and Green Day, as well as “Layla” by Derek and the Dominos.

“I have stories to go with all of the songs,” he says. “I can talk about how they were created and who played on them. All of a sudden we’re bonding on a musical level and a sports level. We’re big basketball fans. It feels very good to me.”

FOR MORE INFO

What: Boston

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8

Where: Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix Cost: Tickets start at $39

Info: 602-379-2800, comericatheatre. com

Entertainment

Tinseltown Talks Word Up: Malaprop Master Norm Crosby

BY NICK THOMAS

We all use the wrong word occasionally –“that skinny dog looks emancipated” – but comedian Norm Crosby molded a career from such humorous grammatical ga es, known as malaprops.

“Although I had a good job as an advertising manager for a shoe company in Boston, I liked to fool around with comedy,” Crosby says from his home in Los Angeles.

It was the 1950s, and Crosby began visiting small local bars and clubs on weekends to try his hand at standup.

“I would watch The Ed Sullivan Show and borrow a few lines here and there from guests like Red Buttons and Buddy Hackett to create a routine,” he explains. “Then I

started getting invited to do political functions like the governor’s birthday ball or mayor’s dinner.”

At one event, he bumped into E.M. Loew, owner of the popular Latin Quarter nightclub in New York City. “He liked my work and invited me to do a week there. I told him I’d think about it.”

While adapting the jokes of others worked for occasional regional performances, Crosby knew he needed original material to perform in a major city. Then he remembered the owner of a club in Springeld, Mass., where he sometimes appeared.

“The guy would hit on the singers and dancers,” Crosby recalls. “The club was 90

480.209.9167 (TTY: 711)

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

*No obligation to enroll.

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English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 855-791-4087 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Y0040_GHHHXDEEN17 Accepted

miles from Boston, so some of the girls stayed at hotels during their engagements whereas others would commute each day.”

When the club owner took a fancy to one cute girl, Crosby remembers him asking for help.

“He said, ‘Find out if she is staying over or is communicating,’” Crosby says with a chuckle. “I knew that wasn’t the right word, but it was funny. So I starting playing around with the idea of malaprops and that’s how my signature act evolved.”

Crosby soon found audiences appreciated his style of satire, and he appeared for 18 weeks at the Latin Quarter and retired from his advertising job.

After a glowing newspaper review by the powerful gossip columnist Walter Winchell, Crosby signed with the William Morris Agency and spent three years traveling the country in the early ‘60s as the opening act for Robert Goulet before

branching out on his own.

Crosby soon became a frequent guest on TV talk and variety shows, including Dean Martin’s, and subsequently was a perfect choice as a regular roaster on the hugely popular Dean Martin Celebrity Roast shows of the ‘70s, writing lines like: “Wilt Chamberlain is an insulation to young people all over the world. Wherever he appears, after every game the kids give him a standing ovulation.”

Crosby continued with a busy schedule in the following decades, and was the Los Angeles co-host of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon for over 25 years, until Lewis was unceremoniously dumped from the annual event in 2011. In later years, Crosby, who turns 90 in September, performed at casinos and Friars Club roasts and on cruise ships.

“They all still seem to enjoy my style,” Crosby quips.

Norm Crosby on TV during a Dean Martin Celebrity Roast (Special to LLAF)

Norm Crosby made a career of malaprop wisecracks. (Photo courtesy Norm Crosby)

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers di er from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

1682-1725

35 Goblet part

36 Missile shelter

37 Banned pesticide 38 Trench 40 Night light?

42 Junior

“Dukes of Hazzard” surname

Atmosphere 50 Alligator’s kin

Eminem, e.g. 54 Bring into harmony

Vinegary

Lyricist’s concerns

Physics particle DOWN

Nota follower 2 Initial stake

Rage 4 Charged bit

Oil baskets 6 Poet Teasdale 7 Levels out 8 Male turkey 9 Duplicitous 10 Jeans maker Strauss

Mess up

Apiece 24 Chances, for short

Drench

Forever

Wire

Owned

31 Mel of baseball lore 33 Flightless bird 34 Moo gai pan

39 Macbeth’s title 41 Scruffs

42 Cicatrix 43 Solemn promise 45 Individuals

Doing 48 Check 49 Joan of –

Silent

Paradise 12 Central 18 Laundry

Expert

SUDOKU TIME

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

GO FIGURE!

by Linda Thistle

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the gures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank quares and use each of the

SCRAMBLERS

Unscramble the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words. Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag!

Trivia Contest

Time to put on your thinking caps

BY KENNETH LAFAVE

“June is busting out all over,” go the lyrics to a song written about June on the Eastern seaboard. Here in Arizona, things already busted, temperature-wise, in May, with highs sometimes exceeding 100 degrees in Phoenix. Even so, Phoenix’s average high for May is a mere 95, while for June it’s 104. In Tucson, there’s a di erence of 91 vs. 99. So June con rms what May promised: Summer is here.

June is National Candy Month and National Iced Tea Month. Father’s Day, celebrated the third Sunday of June in the United States, happens June 18 this year.

June 2 is National Doughnut Day, June 3 is Eggs Day, and June 4 is Cheese Day. June 5 is Day of the Great Bloat, if you have over-observed the three previous days.

The largest amphibious landing ever

June Questions:

1

2

An old song, sung by Robin Williams in The Fisher King, proclaims “I like ___ in June.” Fill in the two words left blank.

On June 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Virginia law forbidding blacks and whites to marry. There is now a move afoot to proclaim June 12 a national holiday named after the couple who fought the law. If successful, what would the name of the new holiday be?

Contest Prizes:

For June, two readers in Tucson and two readers in Phoenix will win a certi cate for a one-night stay at InnSuites.

To Enter:

On a sheet of paper, list the correct answers in order 1 through 5. Include your full name, mailing address, phone number and email address if available.

Mail your trivia contest entry to: Lovin’ Life After 50

occurred June 6, 1944, when allied forces landed in Normandy, France. By day’s end, some 150,000 American, British and Canadian troops had landed, beginning the long and deadly task of dislodging Nazi occupying forces from France and the low countries.

June 18, 1815, saw the last stand of Emperor Napoleon of France, whose army that day was crushed by British and Prussian forces at Waterloo, Belgium.

On June 25, 1876, George Custer and 250 men of the Seventh Cavalry were massacred by some 3,000 Sioux warriors at Little Big Horn in Montana. What do you know about June?

June 14 is Flag Day. Who introduced the idea of the stars and stripes to Congress on that day in 1777?

June is considered a “summer month,” even though the majority of its days are in spring. What month, not July or August, has more summer days than June?

What war did a U.S. President declare on June 17, and in which year?

May Winners:

The winners each received a one-night stay at InnSuites.

PHOENIX: Jan Sniderman and Caroline Burgess

TUCSON: Diana Giddens and Michelle Bass

May Answers:

1 Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexican victory in what battle? PUEBLA

Attn: Trivia Contest 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., #219 Tempe, AZ 85282

Or email your entry to: trivia@lovinlife.com

The deadline for entry is the 15th of each month. Please be sure to have your entry postmarked by that date. If you’re a winner in our drawing, we’ll contact you via telephone.

GOOD LUCK!

2 On May 5, 1862, the Mexican Army defeated the forces of what European leader? NAPOLEON III

3 The European leader above sought to establish a puppet regime in Mexico under the leadership of what monarch? EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN

4 Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. What day is? SEPT. 16

5 Tequila is the uno cial liquor of Cinco de Mayo. On average, how many cases of tequila are purchased by Americans every year? 12.3 MILLION

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3901 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix 602-235-2000 Fax: 602-272-6533

Palm Valley Rehabilitation and Care Center is located at 13575 West McDowell Road in Goodyear, Arizona next to Abrazo West Campus. Palm Valley opened in December 2015 a pulmonary program that provides care to clients needing short-term and long-term care ventilator / airway management. The dedicated staff of Nurses and Respira-tory Therapists of this unit work under the supervision of an attending physician and pulmonary specialist provide 24 / 7 care for pulmonary compromised clients. Our goal is to deliver all-encompassing ventilator care and tracheostomy care as they teach clients to breath or their own.

For more information on our ventilator / airway unit and bed availability or to schedule a tour of our unit please call 623-536-9911 or email dking@windsorcares.com

Travel

In My Life: Part 2

Greetings, parched and scorched readers. In our May 2016 issue, I wrote an article about island destinations which o ered a reprieve from the blistering Arizona heat. Like last year’s article, the destinations don’t necessarily o er tropical treats like island trade winds and crystalclear waters caressing the sand, but are unique island locales o ering experiences not found elsewhere on the globe.

Svalbard, Norway – Wildlife

As late as 1990, there was virtually no tourism to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Located between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole, Svalbard was rst a place for explorers, then whalers and coal miners. But thanks to companies like cruise line Hurtigruten, it is now on the tourist map for the whole world to see. My adventure began aboard the coastal steamer MS Nordstjernen from Longyearbyen – the northernmost city in the world. Heading northwest, I experienced breathtaking ords, calving gla-

ciers, unique animal and plant life, and a midnight sun that refused to go down. Over 60 percent of the archipelago consists of national parks, nature reserves, and bird or plant sanctuaries. Only four land mammals can survive on this barren tundra: the Svalbard reindeer, the Arctic fox, the Svalbard mouse and the polar bear – which has become the very symbol of Svalbard. The largest living land carnivore, they are considered the only animal that actively hunts humans. Actual encounters with this mighty species are rare, but their presence is felt all around. Visitors cannot leave settlements without a weapon or armed guide, and instructions are given on what to do with an unexpected encounter. From the deck of the vessel, I spotted a mother and her cub sleeping on an iceberg. After a couple of restless nights of my own, I would have liked to have asked them how they managed to sleep through the midnight sun. For more information, visit hurtigruten.us.

Stromboli, Italy - Volcanoes

In Stromboli, Roberto Rossellini’s 1950 masterpiece, Ingrid Bergman plays a displaced Lithuanian World War ll refugee who marries an Italian POW sherman she met in an internment camp. Unable to adjust to the harsh environment of Stromboli, her husband’s volcanic island home, she attempts to ee by walking to the other side of the island to a waiting boat. As she climbs the active volcano, she is awed by its power and fury, losing her battered suitcase and then her pride, eventually breaking into tears and calling for God. Seeing the little island of Stromboli from the luxury of the 360-footlong and vemast vessel Star Clipper was a slightly di erent experience. As we sailed by, I could see smoke pouring like clockwork out of the crater, and the two small villages below. Sea gypsies hugged the shoreline. Located o the north coast of Sicily in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Stromboli has been in almost continuous eruption for the last 3,000 years. Eruptions typically result in a few seconds of emitting ash and lava fragments, but ery lava ows spilling into the Mediterranean Sea do still occur. The last major eruption was in 2014, resulting in closure of the island. As Stromboli began to disappear in the distance, I stared in awe at the villages of islanders who refused to leave their homes as the black smoke lled the sky. For further information, visit starclippers.com.

The Aran Islands, IrelandA Living History

In Robert Flaherty’s 1934 documentary Man of Aran, we see a man smashing limestone rocks to bits while his wife gathers seaweed below the island’s windswept cli s. Meanwhile, their young son scavenges for particles of dirt that have blown from the mainland. These three ingredients will be used to create soil to grow potatoes – the family’s main source of subsistence. This is the Aran Islands, a landscape made entirely of solid limestone rock. It is a landscape that is so cruel and unforgiving that this poor Irish family must manufacture their very own soil in order to survive. When Flaherty heard of these stoic people, he knew that someday he would make a lm about them. When I rst viewed his masterful documentary, I knew that I too would someday set foot on the islands. Located o Ireland’s west coast, the Aran Islanders today no longer create their own soil and tourism is now their largest form of income. Visitors come from all over the globe to experience their living history of primitive stone forts, weathered churches and dramatic scenery. The best way to begin your exploration is at the Aran Heritage Centre, which takes you back 2,000 years in the life and times of the Aran Islands. For more information, visit aranislands.ie.

STORY & PHOTOS BY ED BOITANO

The cemetery on Aran Islands is a major draw for tourists.

Natives arm themselves against polar bears on the Norwegian island of Svalbard.

Volcanic activity makes Stromboli an exciting island to visit.

THE COOL COUNTRY TRAVEL PLANNER

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, CALIFORNIA, WORLD CLASS DESTINATIONS, TREKS & TOURS

v Compiled by Ed Boitano

HAWAII

COCONUT WAIKIKI HOTEL is a family-friendly boutique hotel with classic island-chic style, located in the heart of Waikiki and renovated in Summer 2016. With bright rooms spacious enough for cartwheels, private balconies, complimentary Continental breakfast, a pool with sun deck, and Waikiki Beach just blocks away, this is your island home away from home. Book directly through our website and we will waive the resort fee! (808) 923-8828 or www.coconutwaikikihotel.com

CONDOMINIUM RENTALS HAWAII has been managing quality vacation condos on or across the best beaches for 35 years. Choose from the best locations on both Maui and Kauai. Save up to 25% off now through Dec 20th for as low as $105 per night! Call (800) 367-5242 or select your fabulous condo online at www.crhmai.com

SHORELINE HOTEL WAIKIKI is a modern boutique hotel

with classic island-chic style, just 2 blocks from the beach and upscale shopping. Choose from 135 rooms, designed with sleek, minimalist interior design that accents ample natural light each with their own private lanai. The property features free breakfast, Heavenly Organic Restaurant and lounge and an outdoor rooftop pool with panoramic view of the Paciﬁc Ocean. Shoreline Hotel Waikiki is within two blocks of Royal Hawaiian Center and The International Market Place. Book directly through our website and we will waive the resort fee! www.shorelinehotelwaikiki.com or (808) 931-2444

RAMADA PLAZA WAIKIKI — Your island stay begins at Ramada Plaza Waikiki! We are steps away from beautiful Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana Shopping Center, and surrounded by an array of restaurants and local activities! As an off-beach property, we offer affordable accommodations with NO resort fees! Our primary goal is to provide you with our gracious hospitality and comfortable non-smoking rooms. Come and relax, recharge and experience the island lifestyle that awaits you…

To advertise in this section, contact Ed Boitano at 818.985.8132 or Ed@TravelingBoy.com

Special discounts for Seniors and AARP members! Reservations: (808) 744-4351 or visit us at www.ramadaplazawaikiki.com

CALIFORNIA

THE BEACH HOUSE INN is an intimate oceanside property located on the Paciﬁc Coast Hwy 1 in Fort Bragg, California. Choose from 30 luxurious rooms with amenities such as ﬁreplaces, large TVs, HBO, extended cable, WI-FI, private balconies and large soaking tubs for two. Framed by an Estuary, natural creek views are captured by the balcony windows - with the beach and bicycle path just a 500 foot walk away. Ideal for travelers and bird fans alike, the Beach House Inn is minutes by car to Fort Bragg or Mendocino. Designated pet-friendly rooms are also available. (707) 961-1700 or www.beachinn.com

THE BEACHCOMBER MOTEL ON THE BEACH is nestled on the dramatic Mendocino Coast with direct access to the beach

and the ten-mile Coastal Trail. With the Paciﬁc Ocean at its front yard, guests enjoy spectacular views from every suite and room. Luxuriate on spacious decks, ideal for watching the sunset or barbecuing your catch of the day. New Pet Suites available. Be sure to visit Glass Beach and MacKerricher State Park. (800) 400-SURF (7873) or www.TheBeachcomberMotel.com

BIG SUR LODGE is located in ancient groves of redwood and oak trees in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Big Sur, California. Guests are invited to step back in time to an earlier, more peaceful era. Our 61 newly-renovated and remodeled cottage-style guest rooms, each with its own deck or porch, are located on a hillside, within walking distance of our restaurant, gift shop, and grocery store. Your stay at the Big Sur Lodge includes free access to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Ask about our Lovin’ Life discount. (800) 424-4787 or www.BigSurLodge.com

DOLPHIN BAY RESORT & SPA

— Set along the rugged California Coast, just south of San Luis Obispo, Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa is centrally located in Pismo Beach. Dolphin Bay is the ideal hotel for romantic getaways or family vacations where guests stay anywhere from two nights to months at a time. With 60 spacious 1 and 2 bedroom suites featuring all of the amenities of a home, The Spa, award winning restaurant, Lido at Dolphin Bay and an array of activities, guests can experience the best of the Central Coast. (800) 516-0112 or www.thedolphinbay.com

GLORIETTA BAY INN – Nestled just one block from the beach in Coronado, California, the Glorietta Bay Inn combines old-world charm with modern amenities. The eleven-room historic mansion features 89 contemporary inn rooms and suites. Amenities include complimentary expanded continental breakfast, heated swimming pool and spa, ﬂat screen TV, refrigerators, microwaves, complimentary WI-FI, plus afternoon refreshments and more. The Glorietta Bay Inn is just a short

stroll to famous Hotel Del Coronado. (800) 283-9383 or http://www.gloriettabayinn.com/internet-specials

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

& SUITES OF ATASCADERO — Stay, explore, savor the best of the Central Coast. Experience our award-winning wine country hotel featuring full hot breakfast, Wi-Fi, refrigerators/ microwaves/Keurig coffeemakers in each room, and an outdoor heated pool & spa. Conveniently situated in the heart of the Central Coast – minutes to Hearst Castle and historic Atascadero City Hall. Marston’s 101 Restaurant & Cocktails, and Caladero Event Room – NOW OPEN! (805) 462-0200 or www.hieatascadero.com

THE LODGE AT LAKE

TAHOE — Centrally located in South Lake Tahoe. Our condominiums provide ample space and comforts of home to relax after a fun-ﬁlled day. Heated pool is open seasonally with hot tub open year-round. Our onsite resort amenities serve as the premier spot to relax and enjoy South Lake Tahoe. Call today (866) 4698222 or visit www.8664myvacation.com

PAJARO

Cruz and Monterey, California. Relax in one of our beach front homes, townhouses or condominiums, all with beautiful coastal views. Plan your next vacation getaway, reunion or seminar retreat with Pajaro Dunes Resort. (800) 564-1771; www. PajaroDunes.com or www.pajarodunes.com/?RCODE=AzLife

PISMO COAST VILLAGE RV RESORT — Located right on the beach, this beautifully landscaped RV resort features 400 full hookup sites, each with complimentary Wi-Fi and cable TV, on 26 grassy, tree-lined acres. Enjoy general Store, children’s arcade, restaurant, Laundromat, heated pool, bicycle rentals and miniature golf course. The resort offers the ideal location for wineries, golf or Hearst Castle. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort was awarded the 2007/2008 National RV Park of the Year. (888) RV-BEACH or www.PismoCoastVillage.com

TAHOE LAKESHORE LODGE & SPA – The only beach front Lake Tahoe hotel where every room has a lake view

and ﬁreplace. Offering both lodge rooms and condominiums. Enjoy summer in Tahoe or make plans for the fall. Amenities include a private beach, seasonal heated pool and hot tub that are lakeside and a day spa for pampering. Centrally located just minutes from downtown casinos, area restaurants, marinas and area attractions. Use promo code AZCL to receive 25% off your midweek (Sunday-Thursday) stay 05/01/17-05/25/17, 05/30/17-06/15/17 and 09/04/17-10/31/17, restrictions apply. (800) 4484577 or www.TahoeLakeshoreLodge.com

SURF & SAND LODGE is located on the beach in Fort Bragg, and Northern California’s spectacular and rugged Mendocino Coast – the ideal location to explore Fort Bragg, Glass Beach, Macke richer State Park and the Mendocino Coast. We have 30 beautiful and luxurious rooms, 24 with an ocean view. We also have rooms with ﬁreplace and spa tub for two. Enjoy the magniﬁcent ocean, whale watching, and beautiful

sunsets, all from your own private balcony. (707) 964-9383 or www.surfsandlodge.com

THE VILLA CAPRI BY THE SEA is an intimate, charming boutique hotel with on site concierge management in the tradition of ﬁne small European hotels. Nestled in Coronado, this historic property is conveniently located directly opposite the Hotel Del Coronado and the Paciﬁc Ocean. Standard rooms include a king size “sleep therapy” pillow top bed, microwave/ fridge, Wi-Fi, cable TV and air conditioning. Full kitchen suites are also available. Guests can walk to shops, restaurants, golf, tennis and theatre. Daily, weekly or monthly rates offered. (619) 435-4137 or www.villacapribythesea.com

UTAH

CEDAR CITY — Join us in Cedar City, Utah for “A Midsummer Adventure”; a day immersed in art, local history, geology

with seasoned southern Utah experts, plus hiking at Cedar Breaks National Monument. Add an evening at the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival (bard.org) for a fantastic summer getaway. Dates are: July 19, August 2, and August 9. $75/person (including transportation). Register at go.suu.edu/active-learning-adventures or call 435-586-7759.

LOGAN, UTAH is a few degrees cooler in so many ways. This beautiful high mountain valley offers unparalleled access to world class performing arts on the edge of the great outdoors. It’s only a 10 minute drive from the downtown theater district to hiking, fishing, or picnicking in the Wasatch Cache National Forest. Explore Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway with its dramatic limestone cliffs and wildflowers. Our valley is famous for outdoor adventures, hands-on living history experiences, and fine arts. Just 90minutes north of Salt Lake City. (800) 882-4433 or www.explorelogan.com

PANGUITCH, UTAH is located in a valley 6,624 ft above sea level, creating the perfect summer time temperatures. A Native American Paiute word meaning “Big Fish,” Panguitch is undoubtedly named for the plentiful lakes in the nearby mountains, ideal for year-round ﬁshing. Just 24 miles northwest of Bryce Canyon, surrounded by many National Parks and Monuments, Panguitch is the central hub to many outdoor activities: hiking, biking, camping, ATV trails, making this magical town in the cool mountain air one of Utah’s best kept secrets. (435) 676-8585 or www. panguitch.com

RUBY’S INN is located at the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park and offers the closest lodging with everything from luxury hotel rooms to RV parks and campgrounds. Ruby’s Inn is open year-round with a General Store that provides fuel, groceries, camping gear, clothing and gifts. To plan your vacation, visit www.RubysInn.com or call 1-866-866-6616.

SunRiver - ST. GEORGE is southern Utah’s premier master-planned active adult lifestyle community. Built in an unspoiled, rural location, SunRiver St. George provides a quiet, superbly planned community with occupancy limited to at least one resident 55 or older. From the golf course layout and community center design to the ﬂoor plans of our sensational SunRiver St. George homes, the active adult lifestyle is our central point of focus. SunRiver St. George is

“building a lifestyle, not just homes.” (435) 688-1000 or www.SunRiver.com

ALASKA

CORDOVA — Intentionally off the beaten path. Cordova, Alaska is an authentic commercial ﬁshing town nestled in the heart of a spectacular wilderness, shaped by its dramatic natural setting, rich cultural heritage and colorful residents. In 2017, let Cordova become your base of operations for an unforgettable Alaskan adventure. Go hiking, ﬁshing, birding, boating, kayaking, or travel to other parts of the state. (907) 424-7260 or www.cordovachamber.com

HOMER, ALASKA — This captivating little town has something for everyone. Activities include hiking, worldclass ﬁshing, bear viewing, kayaking, and bird watching, Homer is known as a “foodie” town, cultural arts community, and wellness destination. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Kenai Mountains, glaciers and volcanoes overlooking the Kachemak Bay. Stroll on the beaches and get close up to playful sea otters, bald eagles, pufﬁns and sometimes whales. (907) 235-7740 or www.HomerAlaska.org

TOGIAK RIVER LODGE— Located in Togiak, Alaska, we are all about the fishing and keeping you comfortable and well fed. Yes we have the hot tub on the river’s edge, and a sauna too, satellite television for those who must catch up on their sports teams, Wi-Fi Internet, daily room service and more, but it is the world-class Alaska Salmon fishing, King Salmon Fishing, fly fishing Silver Salmon, and Trophy Rainbow Trout fishing that people travel to Togiak, Alaska for. Allow us to take care of you, your family or friends on a remote Alaskan wilderness fishing adventure of a lifetime. (503) 784-7919; www.togiaklodge.com or llchinook@aol.com

LAS VEGAS

OASIS LAS VEGAS RV RESORT - Experience the exciting environment of Las Vegas’ most spectacular RV resort. The Oasis Las Vegas, with its tropical “Casablanca” theme, helps guests relax in sunny Las Vegas by day and see the bright city lights by night. The resort is conveniently located just south of the Las Vegas Strip, only ﬁve minutes from the main hotels. If you are seeking an RV resort that offers numerous champagne-class amenities, affordable luxury and superb customer service, contact us today. (800) 566-4707 or www.oasislasvegasrvresort.com

SEDONA

BEST WESTERN PLUS INN OF SEDONA — The award-winning design of this hotel, nestled in the famous red rocks of Sedona, echoes the natural features of the

surrounding desert terrain, showcasing the panoramic views from the hilltop location with four large terraced balcony walks, and quintessential desert-inspired style complete with an outdoor pool and ﬁre pit seating. The complimentary ‘About Town’ Shuttle will get you to and from your Sedona adventures. www.InnofSedona.com 928.282.3072 or toll free 800.292.6344

WESTERN EXPERIENCES

COLORADO TRAILS RANCH — What you need is a week unwinding and exploring the wonders of our ﬁrst class guest ranch. Colorado Trails Ranch is not far from Durango, in Southwest Colorado. Set in the spectacular panoramas of the San Juan Mountains, our dude ranch resort offers lifetime experiences for singles, groups and entire families. There isn’t one difﬁcult activity in our perfectly personalized programs. The food is delicious, the comfort is wonderful and you’ll feel like a well cared member of the family. (800) 323-3833 or www. ColoradoTrails.com

and plain relaxing on the porch swing, everyone is sure to ﬁnd something that appeals to them. (866) 399-2339 or www.DudeRanch.org

INTERNATIONAL

ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL CHILE

— Wine Tour to Chile & Argentina September 03-10, 2017. Enjoy the best wines of South America. Visit top wineries, stroll the picturesque vineyards, savor famous local varieties, and learn about Chilean and Argentine cuisine, culture and history. We specialize in small groups, expert bilingual guides and guaranteed departures. We also welcome wheelchairs and slow walkers. Contact us at: info@accessibletravelchile.com or www.accessibletravelChile.com

THE DUDE RANCHERS’ ASSOCIATION - Dude ranches are a popular destination vacation for families, couples, singles and groups. All seem to ﬁt in nicely with the easygoing ranch atmosphere. Since most ranches offer a wide variety of activities such as horseback riding, ﬁshing, river rafting, swimming pools, children’s programs, cattle drives, cookouts, line dancing, spas

CRUISEONE specializes in cruise and land vacations to the world’s most exotic destinations, including all western coast destinations, the St. Lawrence River, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Hawaii and the Mexican Riviera. Programs range from family reunions at sea and honeymoon cruises to river cruising and land vacations. Each independently owned and operated business combines the latest technology with old-fashioned customer service. Contact Joni Notagiacomo in Los Angeles at (800) 600-4548 or www.luv2cruz.com

TARA TOURS specializes in tours to Latin America with more excitement and mystery one could experience in a lifetime of travel. Tara Tours can take you there, with great service and tour programs, designed with your desires and budget in mind. Experience the majesty of Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro’s “Cidade Maravilhosa,” indigenous market of Chichicastenango; Peru’s Amazon Jungle; the incredibility of the Galapagos Islands, Chile and Argentina’s Patagonia,the ruins of Tikal, Easter Island, and natural beauty of Costa Rica. (800) 327-0080 or www.TaraTours.com

Dining

Desert Fresh

LON’s at Hermosa Inn switches to summer menu

The words “desert” and “fresh” aren’t often paired together, but at LON’s at The Hermosa Inn, the desert seems a breathing, blooming being. You can see it all around you in the resort’s abundant foliage, from bright owers to blooming cactuses to verdant bushes, but you can also taste it in the fantastic food at the restaurant.

LON’s is a dining destination in the heart of Paradise Valley, an area with admittedly way more mansions and sprawling ranch homes than restaurants. Set in the foothills of Camelback Mountain, Hermosa Inn seems a world away from the bustling city that’s just several miles down one of its idyllic streets. The patio –complete with a majestic water fountain,

stylish shade umbrellas, table lanterns and copious lush gardens – provides a paradisiacal place to dine when the weather is nice. Dining inside is the thing to do in summer, surrounded by the art and accoutrements of cowboy artist Lon Megargee, who built this property in the 1930s as his home and studio.

Executive chef Jeremy Pacheco has called LON’s his culinary home since 2010 (excluding the two years he spent from 2013-2015 as executive chef at Society Café Encore/Wynn Las Vegas before returning to his native state). A ninth-generation Arizonan, Pacheco prides himself on sourcing local ingredients, not just from local farmers and providers, but from the surrounding desert itself.

Take a drink, for starters. Almost everything on the garden-to-glass cocktail menu includes something from the surrounding gardens, or an ingredient made exclusively for LON’s by a local producer, or something special only made in-house.

Standout signature drinks include the Desert Interlude (gin from Tempe-based Caskwerks Distilling Co., Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, house-made blueberry syrup and lemon juice); the Hermosa Mule (vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice,

The patio at LON’s provides a paradisiacal place to dine when weather is nice.

STORY & PHOTOS BY NIKI D’ANDREA

Beet salad

served on tap and in a copper mug); and The Stetson (slightly smoky El Silencio mezcal, curacao, prickly pear and agave syrups, and lime juice). The wine book is thick and maybe slightly intimidating; fortunately, LON’s servers are happy to help you navigate the vino list according to your tastes.

Pacheco changes the food menu regularly according to what ingredients are available, and he recently switched to a seasonal summer menu. One of the new

with flour from Queen Creek-based Hayden Flour Mills) is slathered in a delectable truffle goat cheese, the flavor of which stays with you long after you’ve slurped the last drop of potent golden oil from the bottom of the bowl.

Another stellar starter is the Himalayan salt-seared ahi tuna, drizzled with yuzusoy sauce. Served on a hot slab of pink salt and with a side of green, cilantro-based sauce, the tender tuna almost melts in the mouth. Even the best of friends might fight over the last bite.

Among the entrées, salmon fans will delight in the fennel honey-glazed Scottish salmon, a fork-tender cut of fresh fish served with incredibly soft baby artichokes, olives and tomatoes. The roasted Petaluma chicken (served with Arizona cheddar mashed potatoes) is also popular.

Two things go in LON’s wood-fired grill: steak and lobster. The steak, an 18-ounce bone-in rib eye, is perfectly seasoned and in terms of portions, not for the faint of heart. The lobster is Tristan lobster, from the waters of remote island Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic, and it has an extraordinarily soft texture and buttery flavor. It feels decadent enough just eating it alone, but this lobster comes with a generous heap of salty grilled asparagus.

The dessert menu has a handful of items, including warm semolina cake and house-made ice cream, but the one thing you must try is the should-be-legendary LON’s Signature Cowboy Candy Bar. A slab of chile-spiced chocolate ganache as thick as a bar of gold is crowned with caramel sauce and anointed with Marcona almonds before being served with a scoop of ice cream. It’s pretty epic, just like the man it’s named after and the resort he founded. At LON’s, the idea of “desert fresh” isn’t a legend; it’s a menu.

appetizers is grilled peaches with prosciutto, and it provides a wonderful savory-sweet-salty performance on the palate. Smoked beet salad, featuring beets from McClendon’s Select farms in Peoria, makes a lighter introduction to an entrée, and even ends on a bit of a sweet note thanks to the orange wedge, pistachios, and most of all the chocolate vinaigrette. One of the most popular appetizers on the menu is the truffle mac and cheese. The thick and curly wheat pasta (made Estate plans don’t ‘expire.’ However, personal circumstances and laws do change. Reviewing your plan is an opportunity to make sure it still ﬁts your current needs.

You should have your estate plan reviewed if:

Your plan was not created in Arizona; Your plan was created more than four years ago; You are unsure whether your trust addresses potential capital gains and/or income tax issues; or You, your spouse or your named beneficiaries have had a change in circumstances (financial or personal).

There are several more reasons to have your plan reviewed, including the importance of understanding the plan you have in place and how it will impact those you care about.

Call 602-249-1328 to make an appointment for a complimentary review or download a guide on living trusts at morristrust.com/llphx

Tristan lobster with grilled asparagus

Scottish salmon

Aging Today The Power of Gratitude

BY BOB ROTH Managing Partner of Cypress Homecare Solutions

When Americans celebrated Thanksgiving six months ago, most of us acknowledged the blessings of a good life. At the midway mark of the year, I ask you: How often have you expressed gratitude since then? According to a 2011 Harvard Mental Health Letter, people who routinely express gratitude sleep better, go to the doctor less often, and show less depressive symptoms. It is amazing how many positive correlates there are to gratitude. So many, you’d think we’d all be chasing after it, hard, all the time. So why aren’t we?

I would like to help you consider cultivating gratitude with a novel approach. The “Headwinds/Tailwinds Asymmetry,” a paper published by two social scientists,

of gratitude. We mostly fail to appreciate all the things that make our lives the envy of the rest of the world. Have you stopped to consider how we are so blessed to be born during this time in the world? To live in a country not torn apart by civil war?

Shai Davidai and Tom Gilovich, asserts that most of us are missing a vital component to gratitude. “The invisibles” is the aptly named component that is missing. When life gets hard, we have to pay attention to the barriers in front of us because we have to get over them, or get through them in some way. We have to overcome them. These headwinds are the enemies of gratitude. They force us to forget about what is good or stop paying attention to those things or people that are boosting us along.

But Gilovich and Davidai argue that as we most often a rm our gratitude for good fortune and family (which is important), we are missing the entire spectrum

Our internet is not restricted. How about having electricity, central air conditioning, and burgeoning medical breakthroughs?

We live in a society that allows us to practice our religion, enjoy theater, sporting events, museums and poetry readings. These are the invisibles.

When was the last time you sat down with a good book in a comfortable chair and thought, “Wow, I am so lucky!” Gratitude is the work you do now to pave the inevitable bump in the road. It allows you to gain perspective to answer the question, “Why is my life so hard”?

Think of gratitude as the reciprocal of the advanced directive, the plan that ensures your wishes are carried out in the event that you are no longer able to make

decisions for yourself. This gratitude directive is your ability to control how you see the world when you are presented with the hurdles that you could never predict or control. You can’t grant this to anyone. It is only you who can express this acknowledgment of the tailwinds that boost you along.

Ultimately, this ability to acknowledge what elevates our spirits allows us to better connect to something larger than ourselves as individuals. If gratitude can help us connect to other people, nature or a higher power, why not do it routinely before next Thanksgiving?

Here are some ways to cultivate gratitude on a regular basis:

• Write a thank you note

• Thank someone mentally

• Keep a gratitude journal

• Count your blessings

• Pray

• Meditate

Bear Market Report

The Arizona healthcare nightmare

BY TERESA BEAR

Nostalgic for the good old days? Check out the BBC series Back in Time for Dinner. You can nd the episodes online. The series traces 20th-century British history –through food. I learned that even though WWII ended in 1945, food rationing in Britain continued for nine years afterward. The Brits nally threw out their ration books on July 4, 1954. To me, however, the most shocking fact was that six years earlier – on July 5, 1948 – the National Health Service was born. Although Great Britain was quite literally rebuilding bombed-out cities, food was rationed, and only 2 percent of households owned a refrigerator, the nation found the money to ensure that every person could see a doctor when they were sick.

Fast-forward to today. In 2015, Great Britain managed to provide healthcare to every man, woman and child for an

average per capita cost of $4,003 while the United States covered fewer people at more than double the cost ($9,451), according to Wikipedia. Do we get more for our money? Even though we spend more, we die sooner. Americans have a life expectancy of 78.8 years compared with England’s 81.1 years.

Normally, I refrain from politics in this column. However, as I meet with retirees and pre-retirees, the healthcare debate is not political. It’s personal.

In my business, I meet two types of clients: Those who are on Medicare, and those who want to be on Medicare.

Except for those served by the Department of Veterans A airs, I have yet to meet someone over 65 who wants to give back their Medicare card. Recently, the House of Representatives passed HR 1628, aka Trumpcare. It hasn’t

made its way to the Senate, but this law would repeal Obamacare and wipe out the pre-existing conditions protections. If you are reading this column, you are more likely than not to have a pre-existing condition – since 68 percent of American retirees have a chronic illness (compared to 33 percent of Brits). We don’t get younger or healthier.

The answer that every other industrialized nation in the world embraces is single-payer. This has been introduced in the House under bill HR 676. Only two Arizona congressmen – Democrats Raul Grijalva and Ruben Gallego – have signed on to support single-payer – or Medicare for all. This bill not only expands coverage to everyone in the country, but it also expands what Medicare covers. Under HR 676, virtually all necessary medical expenses will be covered without premiums or co-pays, including doctor’s visits and lab tests, prescription drugs, nursing home care, and hospitalization.

Why are only two of our state’s legislators standing alone in support of this bill? Give your congresspeople a call. Attend town hall meetings. Let them know how you feel about their vote – especially if you voted for them in the last election.

Don’t know who your representative is? Download the “Congress” app for Android or “Countable” for Apple devices. These apps pinpoint who your reps are in Washington and have a handy-dandy feature that will dial their o ce for you. In all great civil rights battles, those who have rights and privileges stand up for those without. Freemen stood up for slaves in the 1860s. Men stood up for women in the 1920s. Whites stood up for blacks in the 1960s.

It’s time for those with Medicare to stand up for those without. It may save the life of your son, daughter, friend, or co-worker. It will de nitely save the life of a stranger you don’t know.

Note: Opinions expressed are my own and do not re ect those of the publishers of Lovin’ Life After 50.

Teresa Bear, CFP™, CPA (www.TeresaBear. com; 480-503-0050) specializes in retirement planning and asset preservation for retirees and those about to retire. Investment advisory services provided by Brookstone Capital Management, LLC., a SEC registered Investment Adviser. Neither the author nor the publisher is engaged in providing accounting, legal, investment, or other professional services through the publication of this article – you must seek competent, professional representation for your personal situation.

Hearing loss should not cause travel loss

BY KEN ARCIA Arizona Relay Services

Summer months call for summer trips. This June, start thinking about how to make summer travel easier and how to work around the most common problems people with a hearing loss face when traveling. For the 48 million people in the United States who have a hearing loss, including the more than one million people in Arizona alone, travel can be especially di cult. Crowded terminals, overhead announcements and security checks – all things that are tedious enough as it is – become even more challenging when hearing loss and hearing assistive devices are added to the mix.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology narrowed down the common problems that arise when traveling with a hearing loss:

• Inability to hear or understand airline boarding and in- ight announcements

• Di culty making reservations

• Inability to hear hotel room telephones, someone knocking on the hotel door or warning signals, such as smoke alarms

• Di culty using public telephones, hotel phones and cell phones

• Inability to hear and understand scheduled events and planned activities

• Lack of oral and/or sign language interpreters

• Lack of accommodations for hearing dogs

Although travel may seem di cult, there are plenty of stress-free strategies available to individuals with hearing loss that help to make it easier. It may take a little extra planning at the beginning of a trip, but the reward of having less hassle and more stress-free travel time certainly makes up for it.

The number one travel tip that is consistent across the board is to select your destination carefully. Always consider the activities available, the population, the nightlife and the average tra c of your destination.

Getting There: How can you prepare ahead of time?

• If traveling with a service animal, check your airline’s regulations. Most airlines will require documentation proving the animal is a service animal, and on longer ights they may also require documentation saying the animal won’t need to relieve itself on the plane. Contact your airline to know what to expect. Many airports also have service animal relief areas.

• Find out about screening procedures. For any travelers with inquiries and questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint, they can call TSA Cares. Passengers will need to contact the service at least 72 hours in advance of their ight. The number

to call is 1-855-787-2227 and is available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

• Don’t forget hearing devices and batteries. While it may seem incredibly basic, it is an incredibly important tip to remember! If you use a hearing aid or cochlear implant, don’t forget to pack an extra set of batteries so you’re not stuck with a nonworking hearing device when you most need it.

Once You're There: Things to know

• If you need to be up at a certain time, order a wake-up call. Every hotel should o er some sort of wake-up call, and hotels are required to provide an equally accessible wake-up call to all guests, including visual and tactile (bed vibrator) ringers for guests.

• Hotels are equipped with emergency situation indicators for deaf and hard-of-hearing guests. Hotels are also required to have an adequate strobe light alert installed in every guestroom. If there were a re or some other sort of emergency, this would alert an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing that they need to evacuate.

• Hotels are required to provide a TTY for guests upon request. This ensures that guests who are deaf or hard of hearing will be able to use the telephone provided at the hotel. Hotels are also required to have a TTY at the front desk.

Apart from these tips, it is also bene cial for people with a hearing loss to know that most major airlines and transportation companies have services to assist passengers. Another important thing to note is that it is okay for you to keep your hearing equipment turned on even after being asked to “turn o all electronic devices”; however, in ight you may have to turn o the Bluetooth on your smartphone which might impact some of your hearing aid capabilities.

Speaking of electronic devices, are there other devices aside from hearing aids that are helpful when traveling?

Arizona Relay Service and the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing can help you nd more information about devices that may assist you with the rest of your needs.

For more information on the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, visit acdhh.org, or Arizona Relay Service, azrelay.org.

Managing your mental health

One in five adults older than 55 has experienced some type of mental health concern, and one in three of them do not receive treatment. Walgreens’ goal is to help you be aware of your mental and emotional state so that you can manage it and stay happy, healthy and beautiful.

1) What are the most common mental illnesses in older adults?

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia (memory loss) are the most common mental health issues in older adults. More than 5 million Americans older than the age of 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, depression is very common condition in older adults that often goes undiagnosed or untreated.

Anxiety is another common mental health concern in older adults. It can present itself as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), hoarding syndrome, or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At least 7.6% of older adults have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder in some point in their lives.

2) What are some causes of mental illness?

Mental illness can originate from physical and emotional stresses caused by long-term illness, loss of a loved one, change in environment (i.e., moving to assisted living) or physical disability.

3) What are some of the symptoms of mental illness?

Regular forgetfulness is natural, but persistent memory loss can be more serious.

Symptoms of depression and anxiety include:

• Sadness or depressed mood lasting longer than two weeks

• Loss of interest and social withdrawal

• Lack of energy or unexplained fatigue

• Confusion or memory loss

• Feeling of worthlessness, helplessness, or thoughts of suicide.

4) What can I do to manage mental health?

It is important to address these feelings and symptoms immediately and not let it go undiagnosed or untreated. Here are a few tips that can improve our mental health as we age:

• Promote a sense of purpose

• Maintain social connections through community centers or

places of worship

• Take care of plants or pets

• Have a positive body image

• Dine out with others

• Maintain vision and hearing by getting tested regularly

• Utilize adaptive technologies like walkers or hearing aids. Walgreens is committed to supporting you and your loved ones’ mental health. Explore Walgreens’

online resources, and consider speaking to a licensed-therapist about your mental health concerns at the privacy of your home. Also, stop by your local Walgreens and speak to your pharmacist to obtain more recommendations on how to manage mental illness. At Walgreens, we want to do everything we can to help you stay happy, healthy and beautiful.

Arizona Greenthumb Exploring Arizona’s scintillating succulents with Thomas Staudt

BY GLENDA STRICKBINE

When the Spaniards rst came to the desert, they were confounded by the spiny cacti. These plants resembled no plant they had ever seen. Fast-forward 500 years and environmental biologist Thomas Staudt felt much the same way when he rst laid eyes on the Sonoran Desert. There were spiny blustery chollas, elegant agave and, of course, the saguaro, desert sentinel by nigh and bustling high rise by day. The sheer audacity and stamina of plants adapting to live in an environment of soaring temperatures and little rainfall stopped him in his tracks, literally. When I sat down to breakfast with Staudt to discuss his newly published book, Field Guide to Cacti & Other Succulents of Arizona, I was in for a rare treat. His passion for his work is obvious. I admitted I wasn’t a native Arizonan and he said neither was he. He pointed out that few of us are and I felt immediately comfortable with all of my questions.

Growing and studying succulents is quite simply fascinating. Succulents thrive in diverse landscapes, but here in the low desert they are at their ercest and most beautiful. Field Guide to Cacti & Other Succulents of Arizona is an excellent hands-on eld guide, and is novice-friendly. Staudt

pointed out the work in this guide was begun by botanists, naturalists and writers in covered wagons. He was also quick to point out the writers of the book are Arizonans and the book was published here also.

Just glancing through the pages, you get a glimpse of this diverse and beautiful world that will literally stop you in your tracks. It makes you want to explore this special group of plants.

Making succulents part of your gardening is a winning proposition – low maintenance, symmetrical beauty. You can grow succulents in a container, a garden or pop a few on your windowsill to begin to appreciate their tactile beauty.

Rule number one about succulents is they do not like wet feet. They don’t make a lot of demands, but good drainage is a must. A mixture of 1:1 with pearlite and potting soil will work or simply use sand. Abundant sunshine is usually the other prerequisite, but some may require ltered shade.

It’s been said succulents and rocks go together like peanut butter and jelly. Keep this in mind for large shallow containers as well as gardens. You will feel a deep sense of satisfaction pairing lush succulents with

interesting complementary rocks. It’s fun to not only plant succulents but to create their landscape.

When planting your smaller succulents, be aware that two hours of direct sunlight may be all they can tolerate. Also keep in mind that a berm or mound may be necessary for drainage on some plants. Do not be tempted to crowd your plants; let each one stand on its own. Try to choose from the various succulent groups: agave, yuccas, sedum, kalanchoe or sempervivum, more commonly known as “hen and chicks.”

One of the wonderful attributes of succulents for outdoor landscapes is their diverse blooming seasons. The saguaro, cholla, prickly pear and ocotillo are sun worshippers and profuse spring bloomers. Tree aloe, although not native, can add a winter burst of vibrant orange owers. Likewise, the slipper plant will bloom in the fall as well as spring and bring much needed color to the fall landscape.

Get acquainted with succulents and prepare to be amazed and grati ed. Succulents paint a vivid picture of the daily

struggle to survive and deliver on a promise of breathtaking beauty.

I would like to thank Thomas Staudt for providing a launching pad into the fascinating world of succulents with his eld guide and for taking time to share his knowledge and passion with our readers. Field Guide to Cacti & Other Succulents of Arizona is available at Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Tucson Botanical Gardens and other stores and nurseries throughout the state. You can also order it at tucsoncactus.org.

Hospice Is Hope Pets Are Good Medicine

BY LIN SUE COONEY

My dog thinks he’s a person. Probably because I treat him like one. I say “please” when I ask him to sit. I say “thank you” when he pauses at the door to let me go rst. He sits patiently when I brush his teeth – and dings a hotel bell with his paw to indicate he’d like to go outdoors. I think you get the picture. Max is very good at understanding humans and has no problem pretending to be one. It’s exactly what makes him an ideal therapy dog.

We became a certi ed pet therapy team just over two years ago, intending to do something fun and service-oriented for Hospice of the Valley patients. We had no earthly idea how rewarding it would be. Hospice of the Valley has 120 pet therapy teams – mostly dogs, but cats, miniature horses and bunny rabbits, too. Those animals (and their humans) are a phenomenal comfort to patients. If it’s ever crossed your mind to give it a try, let me do my best to convince you.

At rst, it may feel strange… but just follow your furry companion. No matter how someone looks, sounds or smells, dogs accept them unconditionally. Pooches are unfailingly cheerful, eager to please, content to just share the space beside you. All invaluable traits when it comes to brightening someone’s day – someone who may no longer have human visitors.

When Max and I step into a room, something magical happens. People who were sitting vacant-eyed perk up and smile. They point and reach. They coo and beckon. And Max is thrilled to oblige. He prances from outstretched hands to clapping ones and boldly but gently nudges ngers that lay sti or still in someone’s lap.

"I’m here for you", his nose bumps. "Hi there, I’m back to see you; remember me?"

As a puppy, he bravely endured two young boys gleefully opening and shutting his eyelids for him. He learned trust and cultivated an enormous will to please – great training for pet therapy all these years later. Now, when dementia patients grab his curly top knot, he shuts his eyes and waits until they free him. When they roughly tug

his long soft ears or poofy lion tail, he holds still and I’m the one who winces. Two seconds later, his eyes are twinkling again and he’s back for a pat on the head.

When hospice patients rouse from a foggy dream state to ask his name, Max responds as if he’s being introduced. When they try to kiss him, he doesn’t shy away. When they reminisce about a dog they used to have while absently stroking his fur, Max stands motionless, as if movement would break the spell.

True, our visits are often mundane – a patient doesn’t like big dogs, or is too tired or ill to notice we’re there. Maybe it’s a family member who enjoys meeting Max. Sometimes we never had a clue that our boring few minutes with Betty were later described to sta as the highlight of her week.

But there’s no doubt in my mind that pet therapy is wonderful medicine. It cheers and comforts. It breaks the monotony of an endless day, and calms a restless, lonely heart. Best of all, it’s a gift not only to the patient, but to Max and me – a reminder that unconditional love is all any of us really need.

If you’re interested in joining Hospice of the Valley’s Pet Connections Team, call us at 602-636-6336 or go to hov.org/volunteer/pet-therapy.

Lin Sue Cooney is Director of Community Engagement at Hospice of the Valley. For more information, call 602-530-6900 (available 24/7) or visit hov.org.

Lovin’ Tech After 50 Caregivers Use these 3 technologies to improve your life

BY JUSTIN FERRIS

Acting as a caregiver to a parent, spouse, child or other loved one is no easy task. Are they taking their pills? Did they fall in the shower? Will they wander o if you take your eyes o of them? The endless uncertainties and worries create a mountain of stress.

Fortunately for caregivers, technology o ers increasingly helpful solutions that can provide some assurance, and help your loved one retain their dignity. Mix and match to create the right solution for your situation.

Eyes at a distance

Keep visual tabs on your loved one remotely courtesy of a wireless camera that streams video over the Internet. Many models o er features like twoway audio, motion detection alerts and cloud storage for recordings. Advanced models o er geofencing, so they turn on automatically when you leave the area.

According to review site The Wirecutter, the most feature-packed camera for the price right now is the Logitech Logi Circle ($160). The Netgear Arlo Q ($150) is another good option, and the Blink Home Security Camera ($100) works well for multiple-camera systems.

As a potentially cheaper DIY option, you can repurpose an old or unused smartphone or tablet into a serviceable wireless camera using apps like Manything (manything.com) or Alfred (alfred.camera).

Quick tracking

If your loved one tends to wander, there are a number of options to keep them in the house, from signs and other visual cues to coded door locks. Once they’re outside, however, you need a fast way to track them before something bad happens. That’s a job for GPS.

For loved ones who routinely carry a smartphone, Apple’s Find My iPhone service or Google’s Android Device Manager can bring up their location in a ash. Apple’s Find My Friend app, and cross-platform apps like Life360 (life360. com) or Family Locator (sygic.com/

family-locator) allow you to set up a geofence around a speci c location. That means you get an instant alert when the phone leaves that area.

For non-smartphone users, a GPS watch like the MX-LOCare GPS Tracking Watch ($130, adiantmobile.com) or the SmartSole shoe insert ($300, gpssmartsole.com) might be preferable. These also o er geofencing alerts so you won’t feel the need to obsessively check the wearer’s location.

Help in an emergency

Balancing your loved one’s autonomy against their safety is not always easy to do. A home medical alert system lets you increase the former without worrying as much about the latter.

Some of the major providers are LifeCall (lifecall.com) – known for the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” commercials – MedicalAlert (medicalalert.com), Philips Lifeline (lifeline.philips.com) and GreatCall (greatcall.com). These o er everything from basic call-for-help units to full- edged GPS-enabled gadgets with fall detection and medical sta on standby.

If you’re a bit tech-savvy, you can create your own basic, cheap alert system using a smartphone or tablet and a wireless button like the ic ($39.99, ic.io) or the Stone from Peeblebee ($30, pebblebee. com). Your loved one can wear the button and trigger a preset action, such as an emergency call or alert text, with a quick press.

Lin Sue Cooney and Max visit with patient David Strasshofer at The Beatitudes. (Photo by Delbert Vega)

T HE F INIS H L INE

Arizona’s Leader in Senior Fitness

Visit Our Online Store

June is an especially exciting month for us this year because we will be launching our online store! Many of you have asked for the opportunity to purchase specialized apparel and other items related to Senior Olympics for special occasions or to wear to the various games in which you compete. By shopping at our online store, you

will not only be selecting from a wide variety of top-of-the-line products; you’ll be helping Arizona Senior Olympics as well. The store will open in mid-June so watch our website at seniorgames.org and experience the convenience and ease of buying the merchandise you want from people you trust.

City of Phoenix Kicks O Age-Friendly Initiative

The City of Phoenix recently kicked o an initiative to make the city more “agefriendly.” Although the city has long had excellent programs for seniors through the Parks and Recreation Department and the Human Services Department, the city is looking to improve on and expand a wide variety of programs that will make living in the city more attractive than ever before. Headed by Councilwomen Thelda

Williams and Kate Gallego, the subcommittee is analyzing every aspect of the lifestyles of various age groups with a goal of making sure the city is compatible with the lifestyles of all of its residents. Seniors can look for new programs and activities that will t contemporary senior preferences. Read The Finish Line for the latest updates on the Age-Friendly Initiative.

June Is National Oceans Month

It’s that time of year again! Millions of people will be heading to the beaches on all of the American shores, excited to be outdoors enjoying the beauty of the ocean. They’ll swim, play and relax in what we all believe to be some of the most beautiful places on Earth.

It’s hard to believe that lurking in the North Paci c Ocean is a giant garbage patch, oating with the currents and made up of all kinds of waste, put there by our species.

The “garbage patch” is a popular name for concentrations of marine debris in the North Paci c Ocean. While “Great Paci c Garbage Patch” is a term often used by media, it does not paint an accurate picture of the marine debris problem in the North Paci c Ocean.

Here are some startling facts about the Great Paci c Garbage Patch: • 7 million tons of weight

• Twice the size of Texas

• Up to 9 feet deep

• In the great Paci c Ocean currents, there is six times more plastic than plankton, the main food for many ocean animals.

So how did all that debris wind up in the ocean? Of course there are many sources, from human littering on the beaches to losses of shing and shipping equipment in storms. An estimated 10,000 containers are lost at sea each year by container ships. All the contents of those containers are polluting our oceans and over time the plastics become “micro plastics” which can barely be seen but are killing the sh and making their way into our food chain.

It is in the interest of all of us to use less plastic and to recycle all that we do use. It’s really up to us to SAVE OUR OCEANS.

Never Too Late to Exericse

It’s never too late to start exercising. This is the summer. Feel better! Look better! Be stronger! Be healthier! Don’t wish for it; work for it! Be t by fall!

Take the Survey

Last month in The Finish Line, we announced that Dr. Richard Gitelson of the University of California has volunteered his time and e ort to put together a valid survey for Arizona Senior Olympics. All surveys are anonymous and the results will help ASO learn how to better serve our participants.

Have you taken the survey yet? If you haven’t, take a look in your email for “Evaluation of Arizona Senior Olympics.” We hope that every Senior Olympian will help us in this way. Your opinions are important to us! Thanks for your help!

O to Birmingham!

They’re o to Birmingham! One hundred and nineteen happy, enthusiastic senior athletes from Arizona are on their way to the National Senior Games. The location is Birmingham, Alabama and the schedule is lled with 20 sports held throughout a city that has rolled out the carpet for them. From the exciting check in, where they will meet athletes from all over the country, to the actual venue where they will compete, there will be the joy of renewing friendships, the excitement of competition, the satisfaction of doing their “personal best” and perhaps the winning of a treasured medal.

Arizona Senior Olympics is a member of the National Senior Games Association and we are proud of every athlete who will represent our state. We hope they will remember their Arizona pledge:

“As a Senior Olympian, I pledge myself to the spirit of the Olympics:

THE SPIRIT OF ACHIEVEMENT, that I may reach my goals,

THE SPIRIT OF COMPETITION, that I may win or lose with pride and honor,

THE SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP, that I may be a true friend of those around me.”

- Irene Stillwell, 1982

Don’t Wait to

Forget Before

Getting Checked for Alzheimer’s

BY ELLIE KALLAL

Dementia and Alzheimer’s scare us. We get worried when we start to forget things such as where we put the car keys and the name of the nice kid at the co ee shop. But memory loss is not the rst sign of Alzheimer’s and there are ways to reduce the onset of the dementia.

Some early signs of Alzheimer’s include:

• Changes in walking movements, gait, and stability may be early signs, as well as reduced speed. Since we often change our walking patterns as we age, this sign can go unnoticed.

• Falling frequently (four or more times a year).This is often assumed to be a balance or aging issue. Not so.

• Losing interest in favorite things and activities. Interests change, but they are usually replaced with new interests. If the interests are not replaced, but simply disregarded, this can be a sign.

• Losing an interest in food, especially favorite foods, can be a sign. Temporary appetite loss is not the same. Many things can cause a temporary loss, including the common cold. Watch for permanent loss. And if ever I say I’m not interested in food, get me to a doctor fast.

• Becoming unusually anxious, aggressive or suspicious

• Saying inappropriate things, making comments and ignoring embarrassment. Making comments of a sexual nature is an example.

• Losing empathy. When a normally nice person starts saying hurtful or insulting things and not realizing that it is unacceptable, it is cause for concern.

• Sleeping a lot; suddenly wanting to sleep more than nine hours at a time, when you usually sleep less

• Not recognizing sarcasm. There are

other issues that inhibit an ability to recognize a sarcastic remark, but if this condition is a recent development, it can be an early warning.

• Sudden disregard for the law. For example, shoplifting small items, running stop signs, ignoring the IRS deadline.

There is a test that identi es Alzheimer’s very early, before any symptoms appear. This test looks for increased levels of amyloid protein in the brain. More recently, Tau proteins have been identi ed as a more accurate predictor. However, this is not a commonly run test and many won’t get the test run. Not all insurance policies will pay for tests unless there is a history or other indications the patient is at risk. Some people don’t want to run the risk of losing their insurance if they are diagnosed and others simply assume that it doesn’t do any good to know. Not everyone understands that early detection can mean early treatment. As with most diseases, early treatment helps. We can put o the later stages of Alzheimer’s by changing lifestyle patterns and drugs. If you or someone you care for is exhibiting these symptoms, get to a doctor for analysis.

The

Tale of a Shirt

Every year, Arizona Senior Olympics sta begins the process of ordering shirts. The shirts are intended to be souvenirs of the great time everyone has at the annual Arizona Senior Olympic Games.

In the 36 years of ASO’s existence, thousands of shirts have been enjoyed by our athletes. We’ve had all kinds of shirts. Some were very popular, like the one with the theme “Stayin’ Alive” that had Kokopellis dressed like John Travolta dancing on the shirt. Some were popular with women, but not men, like the beautiful yellow one with Hawaiian owers across the front.

Obviously you can’t please all the people all the time, and our shirts are proof of that! However, there are some

little-known facts that many ASO athletes do not understand.

• The shirts are custom, which means they are designed just for Arizona Senior Olympics.

• Because custom shirts are a nite number, they cost more because they are not produced in enough quantity to drive the price down.

• The shirts are screen-printed with the design. This means they go through a printing process on a machine that places one color at a time on the fabric.

• If a shirt is printed with only one color, it goes on the machine once. If it’s printed with six colors, it goes on the machine

six times. In between each color, the machine must be cleaned.

• The screen printer doesn’t manufacture the shirts. They’re purchased from the manufacturers as blanks. White is the least expensive. Color costs more.

• The material of the shirt varies widely. Some people like 100 percent cotton, which is often cooler and more comfortable. Others prefer 50 percent cotton and 50 percent polyester because it retains its shape better and launders easier without wrinkles.

• Shirts are ordered in quantities of 50, but the more you order, the lower the cost.

• In all of this there are deadlines: Deadlines for having the design go to the printer, deadlines for ordering the shirts from the manufacturer, deadlines for paying for the shirts.

After the shirts are ordered – and sometimes after they are printed – an athlete will call, wanting to buy a single shirt. We always feel bad when we have to turn them away because it is not possible to order just one shirt. It’s obvious the person thinks that shirts are ordered “on spec” as they would be in a store. That’s not the case with custom shirts.

Many games give shirts and the cost is included in the registration. Sponsors’ names are almost always on the shirts. In Arizona we give the athlete a choice to buy a shirt or not. In this way, there are no sponsor names on the shirt and we don’t have hundreds of shirts wasted by having to order before quantity is known. So that’s the “Tale of the Shirt.” Order one soon in our own ASO store at our website, seniorgames.org.

Puzzle Answers

FROM PUZZLES ON PAGE 25

answers

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