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EITHER WAY, IT’S A WIN.
The Health & Wealth Raffle, benefiting Barrow and St. Joseph’s, is back with more drawings, more prizes and better odds with a 1-in-25 chance of winning. Play to win Arizona’s original million-dollar cash prize, a European vacation, a 2014 Porsche Boxster and more. Whether you play to win prizes or play to heal patients like Cat Kozuch, make sure you play before time runs out.
The Parks and Recreation commission of Gilbert is changing Water Ranch Lake to catch-and-release artificial flies and lures only. Twice before (2004 and 2008) similar proposals were defeated with the Town Council voting against them. Hundreds of anglers—parents and grandparents with children, the elderly and the handicapped—use this lake weekly. Thousands who now fish this lake annually will be denied access unless they pay an additional fee above and beyond their urban license and only if they are physically capable of fishing with lures only and then release any fish caught. The Parks and Rec board members cite the recent opening of Discovery and Crossroads for anglers but they are aware that these ponds are too small to absorb the anglers now using Water Ranch. They claim that they will provide bait fishing at Freestone Park as another alternative. However, they know that unlike the deep well water charging Water Ranch, Keystone Park Lake is filled with reclaimed water unsuitable
I’vefor keeping and eating fish caught there and in fact...unsuitable to even sustain game fish, as previous efforts to stock it have failed. This proposed change is merely another under-handed effort by an elite group of “sportsmen” to establish their own semi-private fishing preserve. Hundreds of worm-dangling happy anglers and their families use this lake weekly. Help us. Please don’t let the elitists steal our lake!—Al Schneider
Another total disruption of highways. Get the pictures, get the stories out of your way, you newshounds and lawyers of future courts cases. Dummies.
Hello? I just have this to say: For those who say “Prove there is a God,” I say, “Prove you are worthy to know the answer.” Thank you. God bless everybody there.
To the person asking about possible cellphone/text messages from Malaysia flight 370: You apparently have no idea how and where cellphones work. Unless they “happened” to pass near enough to a cellphone tower (usually one to three miles), and have a compatible phone (there are different standards across the
left it to others to write the tributes and reviews on the life and times and unequaled career of Mickey Rooney, who died at age 93 on April 6. Mickey Rooney, the child vaudeville performer. Mickey Rooney, who defined the 1940s generation of teenagers as “Andy Hardy.” Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland as America’s fresh, young and innocent film sweethearts. Mickey Rooney, the multitalented and indefatigable multimedia superstar who for nearly a century was a legitimate entertainment legend.
That’s the big picture. That’s the CinemaScope version of a truly larger than life short guy whose talent stood taller than just about anybody else in show business.
Mine is the small-screen version, a
world), and the operator of that tower has an agreement with that person’s cellphone provider to provide service, then and only then could a cellphone/ text message get out. This plane was traveling over open water, where there wasn’t even traffic control radar, much less cellphone coverage. Cellphones may seem like they have coverage and work everywhere across the world, but they don’t. The only thing that might have worked was if someone happened to have a satellite phone in their carryon, and was able to get to it, turn it on, wait for it to acquire service, and then call/send a text.
We
day in the life account you won’t find elsewhere.
I met “The Mick” in the early 1980s after attending one of his dinner theater performances of “Three Goats and a Blanket.” I casually asked him if he would do a speculative TV commercial for one of my advertising agency clients. To my surprise, he unhesitatingly answered, “yes.”
Two days later I met with Mickey and had the shooting script for the product, a shampoo for women, written by me to specifically project his personality, his way of speaking, his infectious enthusiasm and energy. He read the copy out loud, using me as the camera, with the opening line, “I’m Mickey Rooney, and I know something about women and their hair.” His voice, facial expressions and gestures spontaneously
Is the Republican Party the new Third Reich? They hate the gays, they hate the Hispanics, they’re getting extremist. I don’t know what to do with these people.
Hello. I just want to say how much we appreciate the U.S. Navy and National Guard for coming to the rescue of those people who had a 37-foot sailboat about 1,000 miles west of Mexico. You people really did an excellent job and I’d say above and beyond the call of ...continues on page 8
At Lovin’ Life we believe your opinions should be heard. Give us yours! Space providing, your Sound Off will be printed in the next issue. Please limit your messages to one minute or 100 words and include your name only if you would like it printed.
meshed magnetically together into absolutely vintage Mickey.
Our morning meeting was at his casita at a resort hotel where he was staying with his wife, singer Jan Chamberlin, who married Mickey in the late 1970s.
At one point, quite abruptly, the couple got into a heated argument. I didn’t know what sparked the eruption, but it was a terribly uncomfortable scene for me, so I got up and headed for the door.
Mickey quickly broke away from Jan and followed me out, apologizing for what happened, then smiled and said, “Let’s go get some lunch.”
Maybe he wanted to delay returning home, but it was a long lunch, and the conversation was equally frustrating as it was fascinating. Every time I started to talk business, he jumped to a new idea that had popped into his cyclonic mind. It was impossible to keep up with him, to sort out one brainchild from the next.
There were calmer moments, most notably when Judy Garland’s name came up. His eyes became glassy; his frenetic mental pace turned warmly placid. There was a remarkable look on that famous face, appearing to reflect
something beyond anything he felt for any of the numerous other women in his life.
On the darker side, I didn’t tell him that our paths had indirectly crossed years before. I didn’t tell him that Barbara Ann Thomason, his murdered fifth wife and mother of four of his children, was an elementary school classmate of mine.
When securing major commercial talent, I was accustomed to first working with agents. In this instance, Mickey impulsively committed to my project without pursuing the nuts and bolts of prearranged contractual arrangements. Although the shampoo spot was shot and completed, it never aired because of the complications that followed. Still, the experience of once being inside the Mickey Rooney whirlwind was unforgettable.
I like to think he’s now gone somewhere over that rainbow Judy sang about and that she’s there. Maybe it was only words in a song. Maybe there never was an actual somewhere over that rainbow.
But there should have been.
: : by Michael Grady Woman
My mother was a teacher, And music was her bliss. She’d burst into a class And, before the kids could sass, She’d sit at the piano, Saying, “Get a load of this.”
Then she’d pound out a Top 40 tune, A song that they all knew, The students, prone to acting out, Would curb their urge to fight or shout Too curious, or frightened, Over what this broad would do.
She’d praise the rock ‘n’ roll they played And then she’d show them why The chords and keys And countermelodies Made their music fly.
If you were fond of music It opened up a door, To the tools of composition You hadn’t known before.
If you didn’t give a rat’s hind end ‘bout three-part harmonies, You kept your smart-ass self at bay And drew your chair up, anyway, To watch the joyful fury Of the woman at the keys.
My mother did what teachers do Some nine-score days each year: They soldier into classrooms which Would make some stand-up comics flinch
They call for quiet, face the crowd And then start sharing right-out-loud The knowledge they hold dear.
And though they hope Their labors fall on Kind, attentive ears, Many teachers live the sum Of Aristotle’s fears: Supplies are scarce; their budgets nil Want help? Wait for the Rapture. Their class size tends to grow until They’re teaching half New Hampshire
We trust them with our children, Say, “Teach them well, whate’er it takes,”
Then pay them three percent Of what a field goal kicker makes.
Most teachers sound quite hardened When you ask about their job.
“Why should I care?” They ask.
“The system’s rigged make me sob.” But turn the question back on them And press them why they stay, And a crusty, tough idealism Finds the light of day.
For every teacher has a quest. They stoke a secret fire. Each day, they scan the sea of heads —the miscreants, fresh-out-of-bed— For earnest hearts, and open minds, That they can help inspire.
We laugh about bad teachers. And some do stink, it’s true. But others spy a purpose Deep beneath your boorish surface. Like miners tilling precious ore, They claw and push and push some more
And draw it upward years before You ever see it, too.
Some weeks ago, with quiet grace Far from her keys held dear, My mother played her exit song And said, “I’m out of here.”
Her legacy will not be found Among the marbled tombs. Or in the spooky silences Of shuttered music rooms.
You’ll find it in those kids, long-grown, Who hear a favorite song, And smile and tap their fingers As it plays along.
They won’t recall just how or why Music gave them bliss. But they’ll crank it up, And tell their kid, “Hey, get a load of this.”
In memory of Claire Grady, 1927-2014.
Michael Grady is a Valley-based freelance writer, reporter and playwright.
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duty. We’re so lucky to have people like you in the military who can help us in whatever endeavor comes up. Whether these people were right or not for being there is irrelevant.
Well, I’ve been thinking about all the stuff going on here lately, the beginning of April. Today they reported on the news that they found the remains of a person they believe is a young girl out by Apache Lake. I have a feeling it’s a girl who’s been missing for a very long time. It’s Mikelle Biggs. She’s one who’s been missing since 1999—the very beginning of the year, 15 years ago. If it’s not her remains, it’s going to be an even bigger mystery. I couldn’t find any other names of people missing, other than a little girl by Casa Grande or Eloy who disappeared from her family’s house. But that little girl was young. At any rate, this is just one of those things where some degenerate monster performed unspeakable acts on this child and murdered her—and destroyed the family. I don’t know how the family’s doing but I know it would
shatter my life. These people need to be chopped to pieces. The system has gone totally haywire by protecting these monsters. Sex offenders who prey on children, there’s no rehab. The only thing to do is to get rid of them and then they won’t be doing it anymore.
What’s next? Hazardous dirty pay for our soldiers assigned to Fort Hood, Texas?
A government of the people, by the people and for the people? Anyone who watched Bill Moyers on Channel 8, Sunday, March 23, will understand—and even be shocked—at how corrupt our political system is these days.
Thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court, there is no requirement for those that donate millions of dollars to political action committees, (PACs) to disclose their identity or the reason for their “generosity.” The reason is pretty simple: It’s to purchase Congressional votes to support the PAC’s political agenda. And we call this a democracy? Call it what you like, but it is certainly
not a democracy. It’s a nation run by millionaires where the middle class has no say in how its country is run. Where I come from, selling your vote, your soul or your body is prostitution. That description pretty well applies to members of Congress where PAC money controls the political agenda of both the Republican and Democratic parties. And don’t be fooled by some of the patriotic names of PAC committees. Regardless of what they are called, it’s the same corrupting game.
Well, generous donations are being made to save the biting dogs. But where is the help for the poor life-damaged children who were bitten? Americans are just crazy sometimes.
There’s a new game in world politics: Russia has Putin. New Jersey has Christie. Guess who’s the best double talker in the world? God help us all.
Have always enjoyed your newsy, light-hearted paper (but) the recent article by Drew Alexander was very disturbing—
“Come to These Rooms, Honorable Harry Reid.” Not only did it have a malicious ring to it, but was very biased. Both out of context for your publication. Whether it is true or not, the article sets a negative tone to the entire publication. If we want to read this kind of material, we can find it in other tabloids—not one like yours.
The standardized test instrument within Arizona schools is ready-fire-AIMS.
Thanks for the article on concierge doctors. However, I had my opinion formed in 2004, when my doctor of 10 years decided she was in it for the money, not for those of us who really needed her services. Just treat the rich—not those less fortunate. She knows who she is. Money, money, money, that’s all the rich ever think about. Doctors used to be people who cared.
It’s great to see old grandma’s humorous opinions in the over-50 paper, to counter the old Curmudgeon sometimes. It’s
...continues on page 10
: : by Terry Ratner, RN, MFA
permanent reminder of a time in one’s life.
I’m chauffeured to my first radiation appointment by my boyfriend. The only sound is the faint hum of traffic around us. He isn’t sure what to say to make things better and I’m to blame for that. I don’t make it easy for him. I’ve been difficult to live with since the diagnosis, sometimes asking him to leave and not worry about me, other times trying to drive him away with erratic behavior. He never once left me—not even in anger.
I glance over at his face while he drives and I notice the lines around his eyes and mouth. They seem to be etched into his skin as if someone pushed down on a pencil to deepen the marks. I’m sure this is from worry about me and how I will handle the cancer treatments. My thoughts drift to whether or not my right breast will be deformed after the radiation or if I’ll experience scar tissue, sunburn or any other side effects.
Two tiny pills are packed in a small Ziploc bag inside my purse, just in case I decide to take something for the pain. I peek under the top of my dress to look at my right breast. Except for a small lumpectomy scar, my skin is soft and flawless—as if it belongs to a baby. I rub my fingertips over my breast like a magician casting a spell hoping my skin stays smooth and supple.
My radiation treatment of choice is brachytherapy, pronounced “brak-etherapy” with the first “a” sounding like the “a” in bra. It’s a partial breast irradiation in which tissue adjacent to the original breast lump is radiated using thin catheters inserted around the tumor site. The five-day treatment is eight minutes, twice a day, and six hours apart.
Ten catheters are inserted under local with a CT scanner to ensure correct placement. The procedure itself isn’t difficult, except for having to lie on your back for two hours. While I wait for the CT results, I lift up the dressing and check for bleeding and swelling. It’s not only my nursing
instinct that comes to play here, but also my vanity. It’s tribal looking, like a tattoo for a cult that is shaped like a kite, similar to the Big and Little Dipper with small buttons which form the artwork. The tiny white dots line up in a triangular position a quarter inch above my nipple. Under my right armpit are 10 corresponding buttons with numbers like a “connect-the-dots illustration” to assist the physicist with his treatment plan. I have to remind myself in mantra style that this is temporary, it will heal soon, it may not scar, and that the radiation lasts only five days.
I feel the lidocaine wearing off and my upper chest and right arm begin to ache, as if I worked out too hard. The pain affects every change of position: dressing, bending, eating, computer work and bathing. My body adjusts to the catheters and although I’m sore, it is tolerable. I wear a black sports bra which I change intermittently after my daily sponge baths. I sleep on my back for fear of dislodging the catheters.
A nurse friend comes over during the weekend to clean in between the buttons with a special solution. We go quietly into the bathroom, as if we are performing a ritual. She is the only one allowed to see the tattoo, my rite of passage, my mark of status and rank, a decoration for bravery. I find myself turning my head away from the site while she dabs solution with a Q-tip around the buttons.
I remember as a child looking for the North Star by finding the most recognizable asterism in the night sky. As I trace the Big Dipper on my chest, I feel it rotating around the north celestial pole through the night and through the seasons. Knowing it will always be a part of me, I look for the handle of the Little Dipper and let the North Star guide me home.
Terry J. Ratner, RN, MFA is a health educator at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center. Visit her website at www.terryratner. com. Send comments to info@terryratner. com.
... from page 8 even better to notice how many more opinions are being printed every month. Americans aren’t as disinterested as the people in Congress seem to think. Keep writing, keep writing. We need your opinion.
Interesting, but not necessarily progress. Preschools today in some states are free for my grandchildren. My generation of Great Depression survivors went to the 1 to 12 grades free—free, what happened? My children had to pay for books in high school and fees for everything the school board decided had to be paid for by somebody else, of course. What happened? Politics and politicians and PTA, go on and on and on. Poor students are at their mercy. What happened? We’ve lost America completely, it looks like today.
I was quite shocked when Ed Pastor endorsed Mary Rose Wilcox. Did he forget 10 to 20 years ago that she was known as the “Slumlord of Phoenix”? She was renting to fellow Hispanics in buginfested, filthy apartments. They need young blood in Congress—not her.
At a high school in Pennsylvania, a student stabbed 20 people. Will there now be cries to ban all knives? Just wondering.
I’m paying my bill for the cost of 49 cent stamps per bill. Have you checked your cost to use the easy bank pay system? It’s all money in the bank—their bank, sucker. It costs much less to buy a few stamps and use the U.S. mail than it does to feed the greedy in the bank system.
The cost is going up if you bother to read what’s on your statement and the new cost for that system, as of May 24 at some banks. What a joke. The poor public is still so, so ignorant.
Remember this: If you vote Republican because you don’t believe in abortion, Republicans have had a full 40 years to repeal abortion, but they didn’t. Still believe in them? I got a bridge you might want to buy.
Good morning: Are you among the proud or should-beashamed this morning news? The people in some countries are dying to go vote, but too many Americans are too busy to bother. If you’re not watching PBS news around the world showing reality, you’re watching the corporate profit commercial programs that only blast out trivia. What kind of watcher are you? They’re voting in Afghanistan. Have you noticed? Thanks to everyone who went to help those people.
Oh gee, the Sunday morning experts are all wondering again why the Fort Hood happened again. They only have to check back to the ‘70s—the “Who Cares,” the “Me, Me” generations. If only 20 percent of the public cares, the other 80 percent couldn’t care less. That’s what happens. Shame on all of you experts, you’re not smart enough to know that yet—or again.
A vote for Republicans is a vote to kill your grandmother. Senior citizens can rack up 25 grand in one ER visit or one hospital
visit for one day. In the new budget from Republican Paul Ryan, you get one voucher for eight grand to last you a whole year. How do you pay for doctors the other 364 days? By this standard, you’re 17 grand in debt after that. The hospital will hound you for life. You’ll wish you were dead.
One day later and it looks like the Tea Party billionaire owners of the Washington business bubble is ready to make more war profits overseas. While landowners all over America are still trying to survive the oil-tar war in their backyards. What’s next? What’s next?
If you’re watching the television showing of the Boston memorial today, it’s not rain, it’s the nation crying out in sympathy for the people who were hurt.
Good morning, who covers their face when doing illegal deeds—burglars, thieves, al-Qaeda Muslims and Russians hooligans in the Ukraine. Understand now? Understand now? Russians are hooligans in the Ukraine.
It’s finally obvious, even to schoolchildren, that political democracy is dying only with the help of the Supreme Court and the half-dozen greedy billionaires. The People’s Democracy is still at work helping the homeless, hungry and storm-damaged neighbors. Shame on Washington bureaucrats, Congress and bureaucrats everywhere. The people’s democratic vote will survive despite the billionaires’ TV propaganda. Americans will win back America.
The citizens of Crimea were being abused by the government of the Ukraine so they voted to withdraw from the Ukraine and join Russia. The Ukraine moved troops into Crimea to try to force the citizens of Crimea to reverse their action. Russia moved troops into Crimea to protect the Crimean citizens from the Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian troops withdrew. Not a shot was fired. President Obama issued sanctions against Russia in an attempt to make the people of Crimea return to the Ukraine. President Obama persuaded several of the major world
powers to join in sanctions against Russia. Russia had only one major seaport, Murmansk. It is ice locked during the winter. Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea, provides Russia with a warm water port on the Baltic Sea. Putin is not about to give that up. The only effect of the sanctions will be to increase the hatred of the Russian people toward the United States. For half a century, ever since the Cold War, every president of the United States has done everything possible to improve relations between the United States and Russia. In one stupid move, Barack Obama has destroyed most of that goodwill. One by one, the other nations will, gradually, allow the sanctions to elapse. We, the people of the United States, will be left standing alone, with egg all over our faces. Congratulations, Barack! As a diplomat, you would make a good hangman.—Pete Davies
It’s Peace on Earth Day, but if Putin and Russia are threatening all of Europe, then all of Europe should band together to stop him and not expect Americans to save him the third time. This means also the peaceful Arabs fighting their own cousins everywhere in the Middle East. No one sent help to Oklahoma City, New York or Boston. We had to take care of our own without any help. Even Canada has to fight off a new nut at work in Quebec, trying to build a new country for himself. Wake up all you lazy people that are just watching the sports stations. Wake up and see the world is falling apart at your silly feet. Wake up!
The gentleman or lady who responded to my comment about the uselessness of the Department of Energy was partially correct, but he spoke of the ratio of the imports/consumption. I stated that the DEA was created to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The department was created in 1977. Imports of oil in 1978 was 3,419,000 barrels per day. By 2012 imports had reached 10,598,000 barrels per day. In 2013, that figure dropped to 9,794,000 due to the use of fracking, a process developed by the oil industry without the help of the DEA. The source of my information is the “Monthly Energy Review” published by the U.S. Energy Administration.—Pete Davies, Sun City
: : by Gayle M. Lagman-Creswick
Dear Old Bag: I find the title of your advice column and the graphic extremely offensive. Both are outdated stereotypes and have always been offensive. Both portray women in a negative light. I know you won’t change either but I am new to Arizona and shocked by the small-mindedness so much so that I turn the page quickly when I see your column. Signed, BN
BN: Yikes! It does take a good sense of humor to like my title. I am thinking perhaps Arizonans have a better sense of humor than those in some other states? It is time again for me to explain how “The Old Bag” came into being. One thing is sure: It got your attention, didn’t it? Thanks for writing. Signed, O.B.
Dear Readers: Every so often, I get questions about how the title of the column came to be. Here is the story again: Years ago, as a regional officer, I had an office in a retirement community. One day, while waiting for the elevator, I saw three women sitting on a bench waiting for the dining room to open. They were visiting loud enough for me to hear. One woman asks, “Who is that woman?” Another replied, “I don’t know, but she sure looks like an old bag.” Hearing this, I looked around. I was the only other person around. They had to be talking about me! I stepped onto the elevator and proceeded to the first floor and went into the restroom and looked in the mirror. Egads! I said to myself. You do look like an old bag. And then I smiled. When I smiled I no longer looked like an old bag. From then on I tried to smile more. I told this story to my friend Peg who laughed her head off. From then on when she called my home she asked to speak to the old bag. When I was preparing to write the column I thought “Ask the Old Bag” would get more attention than “Dear Gayle.” And so it was born. I came by it honestly! Signed, O.B.
Dear Old Bag: I am 70 years old. I am still working part-time, I take classes and am very active in
many endeavors. However, I have no relatives in this country, and I want to be prepared for the future in case I need care. I mentioned to a friend that I was thinking of moving to an independent retirement community and my friend had a fit. She said, “You are too young, too active. Don’t even think about it.”
Now I am having second thoughts. I would like to know what you think about it since your work was with retirement communities. Signed, Having Doubts
Dear Having Doubts: First, I applaud you for planning ahead. Many are caught unaware when they have unexpected needs! I could give you the sales pitch but I will not. Here are some bullet points which I have learned over the years:
• If you wait until you need care, you will not qualify for an independent retirement community situation
• Many people living in these communities still work and almost all do volunteer work
• You are free to live your life the way you want to. You may participate in their program or in your own
• People who discourage you do not understand the program
• Most people living there often say they wish they had moved in sooner
• I prefer a continuous care community with all levels, so if you do need care, you will not have to move again Best of luck to you. Signed, O.B.
Dear Readers: For those of you who are participating in our Kindness to Humanity to teach our younger generation about how to get along and respect each other, your assignment is to do a kindness to a child. Hopefully, something extra like telling them a story or telling them about your growing up. Something that says, “I care about you.”
If you have a question for The Old Bag, please send it to: Ask the Old Bag c/o Lovin’ Life After 50, 3200 N. Hayden Road, Suite 210, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 or lagmancreswick@ cox.net.
::by Alison Stanton
Asa sales agent for Retirement Insurance Specialists in Chandler, Mark Molina spends his days consulting clients, explaining their options and helping them choose their best insurance options.
“We are a licensed life and health insurance agency,” notes Molina, who is also marketing director for the 4-year-old company that specializes in supplemental Medicare products. It also provides consulting services for anyone who is looking for insurance.
Although the company’s name implies that it only works with retired clients, Molina says anyone is welcome to contact Retirement Insurance Specialists for help with the often-confusing array of insurance options.
“We do have clients who are under the age of 65, but our main focus is on Medicare,” Molina says, adding that it makes up about 70 percent of its business.
A licensed life and health insurance company, Retirement Insurance Specialists is, from left, Mark Molina, sales agent/marketing director; Justin Bro, sales agent/vice president of marketing; Mary Bro, president; and Brian Keep, sales agent/chief operating officer.
“There are a lot of products that we can provide; for example, annuity, dental, and final expenses.”
One of the things that helps to set Retirement Insurance Specialists apart from other companies, Molina notes, is that it represents multiple insurance carriers. Working with more than 20 different carriers allows Molina and his colleagues to offer their clients a wide variety of choices.
“We are also licensed in multiple states, which means that if clients do not live here full time, we can help them as well,” he says.
“It’s nice to know that when we walk into someone’s house to meet with them, we know we can give them a number of solutions that will fit their needs and save them money.”
In addition, Molina says, unlike other companies that might be able to help with one or two programs related to Medicare, Retirement Insurance Specialists is able to assist with Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, and help people with their enrollment.
“We really focus on those three things,” Molina says.
“We know that Medicare can be a really confusing process, and so as one of our mottos says, we like to take the mystery out of Medicare. People always have questions such as who is covered, how much coverage they will have, and how much they will have to spend, and we are happy to help answer these questions for them.”
Although this year’s general enrollment period for Medicare ended on March 31, Molina said anyone who is turning 65 this year is welcome to contact the company at any time during the year for help.
Knowing that he can consult with his clients who are at or near retirement and help to educate them on all of their insurance options is extremely fulfilling, Molina says.
“I just really enjoy helping my clients narrow down their options, having the ability to provide them with a multitude of options and making sure that our clients have the best provider that fits their needs.”
Retirement Insurance Specialists is located at 1490 S. Price Rd., Suite 318, in Chandler. For more information, call (480) 361-4630 or visit www. rismedicare.com.
• Turning 65?
• Living with a chronic condition such as diabetes or heart disease?
• Living in a new area from a recent move?
• Receiving extra help from Medicare to pay for medications?
• Losing coverage with an employer?
If you’re looking for a new Medicare Advantage plan that fits your specific needs, you may be eligible to join SCAN Health Plan® year-round. That means you don’t have to wait for Annual Enrollment or feel locked into your current plan —you could join right now!
Find out if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
May 1 Thursday
“Burt and Me,” 1:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., various times through May 24, The Palms Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa, $30 to $54 (depending on if dinner is purchased), (480) 924-6260 or www.thepalmstheatre. com. This romantic, musical comedy features 20 of the most popular songs by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Yoga for Every Body, 9:30 a.m., and Zumba Plus, 10:45 a.m. Thursdays in May, SCAN Health Education Center, 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 901-7226, ext. 3420. A gentle yoga class specifically helpful for seniors with movement disorders. Zumba Plus is a Latin-inspired dance and fitness class for those 50-plus.
May 2 Friday
Spring Greek Festival of Chandler, 5 p.m., repeats 11 a.m., May 3, and 11 a.m. May 4, St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 2716 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler, $3, www.atasteofgreeceaz.com. A Taste of Greece celebrates all things Greek.
Tai Chi, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays in May, Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, $5 per session, registration required, (623) 455-5633, www. sunhealth.org. Tai Chi instructor Carol-Ann Henritze teaches the traditional Chinese martial art.
Sonoran Desert Chorale’s “Requiem for the Fallen,” 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Ave., Mesa, $15 seniors, (480) 305-4538. The chorale will perform “Requiem for the Fallen” in anticipation of performing the program in Normandy, France.
May 4 Sunday
Blood Pressure and Exercise, 2 p.m., Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. An exercise physiologist and health coach explains how regular exercise can positively affect high blood pressure.
MS Disease Treatment Discussion, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tuesdays in May, Helen Foundation, 105 S. Delaware Dr., Suite 8, Apache Junction, free but registration required, (480) 389-5431, ernestogallegos01@gmail.com.
AAA Mature Drivers Course, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mesa Public Library—Red Mountain Branch, 635 N. Power Rd., Mesa, call for fee, (602) 241-2945, www. mesalibrary.org. This course gives specific defensive driving instruction in a classroom setting by AAA Arizona Community Specialist Michael Duhame.
The Diabetes Self-Management Workshop, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., May 6, May 13 and May 20, SCAN Health Education Center at 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 901-7226, ext. 3420. The interactive workshop offers participants a chance to learn goal setting, problem solving and action planning to gain the necessary skills to manage diabetes.
Matter of Balance, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., May 6, May 13, May 27 and June 3, SCAN Health Education Center at 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 901-7226, ext. 3420. To help seniors avoid accidental falls that can cause serious injuries, SCAN is offering the continuation of this eight-week workshop.
SCAN Health Plan (toll-free): 1-877-857-5024
8 a.m.–8 p.m., seven days a week. | TTY users: 711 There is no obligation to enroll | www.scan2014.com
SCAN Health Plan Arizona is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in SCAN Health Plan Arizona depends on contract renewal. Generally, members may enroll in SCAN only during specific times of the year unless you meet certain special election criteria. For more information, please contact SCAN Health Plan, or you may visit www.scanhealthplan.com. G8526
Y0057_SCAN_8313_2013F File & Use Accepted 11172013
Sonoran Desert Chorale’s “Requiem for the Fallen,” 3 p.m., Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, $15 seniors, (480) 3054538. The chorale will perform “Requiem for the Fallen” in anticipation of performing the program in Normandy, France
Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Discussion, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Mondays in May, Helen Foundation, 105 S. Delaware Dr., Suite 8, Apache Junction, free but reservations required, (480) 389-5431, ernestogallegos01@gmail.com.
Fibromyalgia Treatment Discussion, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Wednesdays in May, Helen Foundation, 105 S. Delaware Dr., Suite 8, Apache Junction, free but registration required, (480) 389-5431, ernestogallegos01@gmail.com.
Diabetes and Exercise, 10 a.m., Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. An exercise physiologist and health coach demonstrates how to exercise safely and effectively, even with a diagnosis of diabetes.
Long-Term Care Planning, 2:30 p.m., Fairway Recreation Center, Arizona Room 4, 10600 W. Peoria Ave., Sun City, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org.
Tai Chi and Qigong, 9 a.m., repeats May 14 and May 21, SCAN Health Education Center at 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 901-7226, ext. 3420. A form of moving energy derived from Chinese martial arts, the practices consist of a series of slow, fluid movements done softly and gently using breathing techniques for healthy biorhythms.
May 8 Thursday
Hearing Assistive Technology, 12:45 p.m., Ed Robson Branch Library, Lecky Center, 9330 E Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes, free, halib72@gmail.com, reggiefaith@ gmail.com, (602) 652-3000. Cynthia Amerman and Elizabeth Booth lead the discussion about technology aids. Bring devices to share.
Chronic Pain Treatment Discussion, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Thursdays in May, Helen Foundation, 105 S. Delaware Dr., Suite 8, Apache Junction, free but reservations required, (480) 389-5431, ernestogallegos01@gmail.com.
Society for the Arts, 5 p.m., Fleming’s Steakhouse, 6333 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, charge for food, $2 hospitality fee, (480) 596-8265.
May 9 Friday
Arthritis/Neuropathy Treatment Discussion, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Fridays in May, Helen Foundation, 105 S. Delaware Dr., Suite 8, Apache Junction, free but reservations required, (480) 389-5431, ernestogallegos01@gmail.com.
Yoga for a Healthy Back, 9:30 a.m., repeats May 23, Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, $5 per session, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. Led by a certified yoga instructor, the class combines yoga poses and relaxation techniques to reduce tension, relieve back pain and improve health.
Greater West Valley Christian Women’s Connection, 11:30 a.m., Corte Bella Country Club, 22129 N. Mission Dr., Sun City West, $23, (623) 2555352. Formerly known as SCW-Surprise Christian Women’s Connection, the group is hosting a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party featuring Mary Hollan, former Motown back-up singer.
May 10 Saturday
The North Valley Chorale’s “Broadway on Parade,” 7 p.m., repeats 3 p.m. May 11, Steele Indian School Park’s Memorial Hall, 300 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, $20 adults, $15 students and seniors, (602) 464-4100, www.northvalleychorale.org. Celebrate the history of Broadway and the country’s great heritage of musical theater in this collection of favorites ranging from Tin Pan Alley to contemporary musicals.
May 11 Sunday
May 12 Monday
Sun Lakes Democratic Club, 7 p.m. Sun Lakes Country Club’s Navajo Room, 25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes, donation of nonperishable food, (480) 8951162. Guest speaker is Sandra Kennedy, a candidate for the Arizona Corporate Commission.
Better Breathers Club, 2 p.m., The Colonnade, Recreation Village, 19116 Colonnade Way, Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www. sunhealth.org. Monthly education and support group for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Nutrition for Osteoporosis: Keeping Your Bones
Strong, 3 p.m., Sun Health Center for Health and Wellbeing, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www. sunhealth.org. A registered dietitian will discuss what adults can do to keep their bones strong and prevent injury.
May 13 Tuesday
Sun Lakes Republican Club, 6:30 p.m., Sun Lakes Country Club’s Arizona Room, 25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes, free, (480) 802-0178, www.slgop.org. The meeting will focus on “Social Media and the Public Square” and Arizona elections in 2014 with candidates running for corporation commission.
Taking Care of Your Heart, 9:30 a.m., Banner Boswell Medical Center, Support Services Building, Memorial Hall, 13180 N. 103rd Dr., Sun City, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth. org. May’s featured topic is Emotional and Spiritual Care for the Heart.
Diabetes Self-Management Education EightWeek Series, 10 a.m. May 13, Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. This eight-week class is for individuals with diabetes and will cover topics such as healthy eating, physical activity and medications.
May 14 Wednesday
Exercise is Medicine, 10 a.m., Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. Find out how to use exercise as a “medicine” to prevent or manage many of the most common chronic health conditions.
Eat Healthy, Be Active Six-Week Series, 2 p.m., May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11 and June 18, Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth. org. This six-week workshop is designed to assist people who wish to eat healthier and lose weight. ...continues on page 14
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Recipe for Health Aging, 9:30 a.m., Grandview Terrace, Santa Fe Dining Room, 14515 W. Granite Valley Dr., Sun City West, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. This Q&A session with Dr. Ed Perrin of Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center will provide insights into how to age successfully.
East Valley Michigan Club, 2 p.m., Golden Corral, 1868 N. Power Rd., Mesa, charge for meals, (480) 9867085, (480) 610-9864 or jilanctot@cox.net. The club meets at 2 p.m. the second Wednesday for lunch, and at 9 a.m. the fourth Wednesday for breakfast.
Meal Planning Seminar, 10:30 a.m., SCAN Health Education Center, 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 901-7226, ext. 3420. Find out how best to plan for nutritious, tasty and budget-friendly meals.
May 15 Thursday
AARP Smart Driver Course, 8:30 a.m., Grandview Terrace, Santa Fe Dining Room, 14515 W. Granite Valley Dr., Sun City West, $15 for AARP members, $20 nonmembers, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. The course is intended to help drivers live more independently as they age and remain safe on the roads.
COPD and Nutrition, 10 a.m., Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. A registered dietitian will discuss tips to improve mealtime and nutritional status.
May 16 Friday
Yoga, Relaxation and Meditation, 9:30 a.m., Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, $5 per session, registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth. org. The class is a combination of traditional and flow-style yoga that utilizes breathing, yoga poses, relaxation and meditation to create balance and inner peace.
May 17 Saturday
Sunland Village Karaoke Night, 6 p.m., Sunland Village Auditorium, 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., Mesa, $2 donation, includes soda or popcorn ticket, (480) 832-9003.
May 18 Sunday
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:10 p.m., Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson, Phoenix, $15 to $165, (800) 745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com, www. azdiamondbacks.com. The first 10,000 mothers receive a free pair of Diamondbacks slippers.
May 19 Monday
Heart Failure and Exercise, 10 a.m., Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. When
done safely, regular exercise has a positive impact for those with heart failure.
Introduction to the Mediterranean Diet, 2 p.m., Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth. org. A registered dietitian will discuss the Mediterranean diet and its potential benefits.
Free Memory Screening, 9 a.m., Visiting Angels East Valley, 701 W. Southern Ave., Suite 103, Mesa, free but reservations required, (480) 833-8247. The organization has been hosting screenings for the past eight years as part of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s initiative to be proactive about memory health.
Healthy Living with Chronic Pain, 9 a.m. May 20, The Colonnade, Recreation Village, 19116 Colonnade Way, Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. This six-week series helps people learn to manage pain so life can be more satisfying and fulfilling.
Tobacco Cessation Six-Week Series, 2 p.m., May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10, June 17 and June 24, Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org.
National Active and Retired Federal Association (NARFE) Chapter 1395, 11 a.m., Brother’s Family Restaurant, 8466 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, cost of meal, (623) 935-4681, deb.at.NARFE@gmail.com. All current and retired federal employees and spouses are invited.
Home Safety and Alzheimer’s, 9:30 a.m., Grandview Terrace, Santa Fe Dining Room, 14515 W. Granite Valley Dr., Sun City West, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. A memory care “navigator” will discuss how a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease makes it necessary to look at a home in a new light.
Improving Blood Pressure with the “DASH” Eating Plan, 10 a.m., Sun Health Center for Health and Well-being, Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. A registered dietitian discusses “DASH”—Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension—an eating plan supported by research.
Foods for Older Adults, 10:30 a.m., SCAN Health Education Center at 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 901-7226, ext. 3420. Learn which foods are the best to eat to support the special nutritional needs of seniors, specifically the foods that support bone and brain health.
Transitioning into Retirement, 1 p.m., Mesa Public Library—Main, 64 E. First St., Mesa, free, (480) 6443100, www.mesalibrary.org. Scott Sandell, Society for Financial Awareness president, will show participants what is changing, why it is changing and how participants can position themselves for success in retirement.
May 22 Thursday
Society for the Arts, 5 p.m., Bink’s Scottsdale, 6107 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, charge for meals, $2 hospitality fee, (480) 664-9238. Bink’s features locally grown produce with an innovative menu.
May 23 Friday
Strait Country: A Tribute to George Strait, 7:30 p.m., The Palms Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa, $28 to $39, (480) 924-6260, www.thepalmstheater.com. This concert showcases Strait’s catalog of 58 No. 1 and 83 top 10 hits.
May 24 Saturday
Behind the Scenes Tour, 9:15 a.m., Taliesin West—The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright, Scottsdale, $70 in advance, $75 day of event, reservations required, (480) 860-2700. Visit the Cabaret Cinema, Music Pavilion, Seminar Theater, Wright’s private office, the Taliesin West living room and the historic Sun Cottage.
May 25 Sunday
Anthem Farmers Market, 8 a.m., Anthem Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy., Anthem, free, (623) 848-1234. Browse an array of fresh and seasonal produce along with local dairy products, artisan breads, grass-fed meats and more.
May 26 Monday
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres, 5:10 p.m., repeats 6:40 p.m. May 27 and May 28, Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $15 to $165, (800) 7453000, www.ticketmaster.com, www.azdiamondbacks.com.
May 27 Tuesday
Chase Field Tours, 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $5 for seniors, www.azdiamondbacks.com.
East Valley Michigan Club, 9 a.m., Golden Corral, 1868 N. Power Rd., Mesa, charge for meals, (480) 9867085, (480) 610-9864 or jilanctot@cox.net. The club meets at 2 p.m. the second Wednesday for lunch, and at 9 a.m. the fourth Wednesday for breakfast.
National Senior Health and Fitness Day, 9:30 a.m., SCAN Health Education Center, 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 901-7226, ext. 3420. Celebrate by taking a fun class with Janet Jones, SCAN’s own Senior Olympian. Then watch “Age of Champions,” the award-winning PBS documentary that follows five competitors who sprint, leap and swim for gold at the National Senior Olympics. Free balance screenings will also be offered.
Stroke Prevention—You Have to Act “FAST,” 9:30 a.m., La Loma Care Center, Community Education Room, 14260 Denny Blvd,. Litchfield Park, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. A presenter from Banner Boswell Medical Center will discuss recognizing stroke symptoms, factors contributing to strokes and the relationship between strokes and heart disease and the need to act “FAST” (Face, Arm, Speech, Time).
May 30 Friday
Sun City West Dance for the Health of It Club’s “Let’s Dance,” 6:30 p.m., Palm Ridge Summit Hall, 13800 W. Deer Valley Dr., Sun City West, $5 members, $6 guests, (602) 679-4220, www.scwdanceforhealth.com. DJ Kort Kurdi spins greatest hits from the 1950s through the 1980s.
May 31 Saturday
Glass Class, 7 p.m., As You Wish Pottery Mesa Grand Studio, 1649 S. Stapley Dr., Suite 101, Mesa, $35, (480) 539-8400, www.asyouwishpottery.com. Students will learn basic glass-fusing techniques as they use scraps of glass to cut and paste and create beautiful pendants on an 8-inch tile.
it to info@lovinlifeafter50.com
Elvis fans have been working on their lip curls and “uh-huhs” because “The King” will be remembered at Chase Field during the Arizona Diamondbacks-Los Angeles Dodgers game at 6:40 p.m. Friday, May 16.
Fans are encouraged to don Presley jumpsuits and black leather. Purchasers of the special “Elvis Night” package will have the chance to take home a very special, custom-designed velvet print of Baxter, the team mascot, dressed in Presley regalia.
One lucky Elvis impersonator will even make their sassy debut singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” for the home crowd.
The evening will be filled with more Elvis surprises, including Diamondbacks’ players’ headshots reimagined as Presley. D-backs managing general partner Ken Kendrick is hopeful about the look.
“Some probably won’t look so good, but others might,” he says with a laugh.
More than your average Presley fan, Kendrick came up with the idea for the special event.
“I’m an old, old Elvis fan from boyhood,” Kendrick says. “I grew up a teenager in the ‘50s and Elvis took the world by storm at that time. I remember buying the very first album that he put out. It was a 78 wax record that I still have it because I’m a collector.
::by Ana Anguiano
“He was the great music star of my boyhood, previous to The Beatles and others coming along in the ‘60s.”
Kendrick’s love of Presley runs deep. He saw “Love Me Tender,” Presley’s first movie, with his girlfriend at the time and he watched Elvis perform several times. Even his wife, whom he met later in life, turned out to be a big Presley fan. Now, Presley is always with him in his car thanks to SiriusXM, which has an all-Elvis channel. From rock ‘n’ roll to gospel music, Kendrick is a fan of it all. So when it came time to plan the special events for the year,
Kendrick wanted to include “The King.”
The game falls on a Friday night, which means there will be a postgame fireworks display—this time featuring Presley’s music—sponsored by Gila River Casinos.
A limited number of tickets are available for the Presley celebration. For more information, visit http:// mlb.mlb.com/ari/ticketing/special_ events.jsp#elvis or call (602) 5148400.
And if you can’t make it to Elvis night, be sure to check out the D-backs Senior Days. Use the code “SENIOR” when purchasing tickets online for the Wednesday, May 14, Tuesday, June 10, Thursday, June 19, Wednesday, July 9, Wednesday, July 23, or Wednesday, Sept. 17, games, and receive a special senior discount. For more information, visit http:// arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/ari/ ticketing/seniordays.jsp.
WAR
WHEN: Fri., May 2, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Ovations LIVE! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass
Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler COST: $28 to $58
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
With a blend of funk, jazz, rock, rhythm and blues and reggae, WAR is known for such hits as “Low Rider,” “Spill the Wine,” “The Cisco Kid” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends.”
Empty Spaces: A Pink Floyd Tribute
WHEN: Sat., May 3, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Ovations LIVE! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass
Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler COST: $10
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
Empty Spaces brings to life the timeless sounds of Pink Floyd in a unique tribute event, complete with a synchronized laser light show.
Bill Santiago
WHEN: Fri., May 9, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Vee Quiva Events Center at Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino, 15091 S. Komatke Ln., Laveen COST: $10
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
Wildly funny and brilliantly clever in two languages, author and stand-up comedian Bill Santiago released the best-selling book “Pardon My Spanglish,” which is the foundation for his live show.
Kathy Griffin
WHEN: Fri., May 9, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Ovations LIVE! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler COST: $65 to $125
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
Kathy Griffin is a multi-faceted performer with rapid-fire wit.
Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx
WHEN: Sat., May 10, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Ovations LIVE! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
COST: $36 to $69
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
Dennis Deyoung is the founding member of Styx and the lead singer and writer on seven of the band’s eight Top 10 hits.
The Health & Wealth Raffle, benefiting Barrow and St. Joseph’s, is back with more prizes and better odds — a 1-in-25 chance of winning. Play to win Arizona’s original million-dollar cash prize, a European vacation, a 2014 Porsche Boxster and more. Whether you play to win prizes or to heal patients, make sure you play before time runs out on May 22.
Last fall’s $1 million grand prize winner got the surprise of her life when she learned that she was Arizona’s newest millionaire. “I never thought I’d win the big million-dollar grand prize,” said Katherine. “To me, it’s all about giving to research at Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph’s Hospital. The research done here could help people like us someday.”
The Raffle is more than just prizes. Since its founding, the Raffle has contributed more than $50 million to Barrow and St. Joseph’s. Dollars raised by the Raffle support research into new lifesaving medical care, education for young doctors and nurses, and healthcare services, both in the hospital and throughout our community.
“All of us at Barrow believe that healing is always possible, even in the worst of cases,” said Dr. Robert Spetzler, director of Barrow Neurological Institute. “Every ticket purchased helps make Barrow a center of hope and healing for patients facing seemingly insurmountable odds.” A few areas that have benefited include:
• The Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center – The center is working to extend the lives of patients with devastating brain tumors through innovative research and patient care.
• Rehabilitation – Barrow offers rehabilitation for every stage of recovery after brain and spine diseases and injuries.
• Doctor and specialty training –More than 200 future physicians are training at Barrow and St. Joseph’s.
“Everyone comes out a winner,” said Hoffman. “That’s what makes the Raffle so special. One $100 ticket is all it takes to make a difference in a patient’s life or your own.”
This spring, the Raffle has more than 2,400 amazing prizes, including:
• An Alaskan cruise for two
• A Cardinals VIP suite experience for 12
• A 2014 Mercedes Benz C250
• A Diamondbacks exclusive suite for 20.
THE TWO GRAND PRIZES ARE:
• First place: $1,000,000 cash
• Second place: A 2014 Porsche Boxster convertible, $125,000 cash and a European vacation.
“The Spring Raffle is a bit different than past Raffles,” said Hoffman. “We’ve added 400 quality prizes, including Arizona-specific prizes, and improved the odds to 1 in 25, compared to the previous odds of 1 in 40.”
To date, the Raffle has awarded more than 137,000 prizes to Raffle participants, including 28 homes, 493 trips, 510 vehicles and more than $18.5 million cash.
Tickets are $100 each with a limited number of three-packs for $250. It only takes a minute to support Barrow and St. Joseph’s.
Purchase your tickets now at HealthWealthRaffl e.org or call 866-658-4068 before May 22.
one of the Southwest’s most experienced vein specialists. He has performed 25,000 treatments while maintaining over a 95 percent patient satisfaction.
A+ Rating BBB since 2003 State of the Art Technology 20 years combined Experience Patient Choice Award - Vitals.com www.BetterVeins.com
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Mariachi Vargas
WHEN: Fri., May 16, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Ovations LIVE! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass
Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
COST: $37 to $87
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
Mariachi Vargas is a high-energy group that sizzles with the traditional sounds of Mexico.
Jerry Riopelle
WHEN: Sat., May 17, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Talking Stick Resort Showroom, 9800 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale
COST: $15 to $45
INFO: (480) 850-7734 or www.talkingstickresort.com
The cross-genre artist whose success has spanned over five decades is bringing back his hard-hitting show for fans.
Kevin Sterner and Strait Country
WHEN: Sat., May 17, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Vee Quiva Events Center at Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino, 15091 S. Komatke Ln., Laveen
COST: $10
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
The “King of Country” gets the ultimate salute from Kevin Sterner and Strait Country as they perform the music of George Strait.
Latino Fashion Live
WHEN: Sat., May 17, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Ovations LIVE! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass
Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
COST: $25 to $50
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
Latino Fashion combines the distinct style and bold sounds of tango, flamenco and samba music and dancing.
Chance Tinder and Kentucky Rain: A Country Music Salute to Elvis Presley
WHEN: Fri., May 23, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Vee Quiva Events Center at Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino, 15901 S. Komatke Ln., Laveen
COST: $10
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
Imagine for a moment that Elvis survived the late 1970s and found himself performing his greatest hits “country style” in current day.
Gipsy Kings
WHEN: Sun., May 25, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Ovations LIVE! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass
Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
COST: $71.50 to $151.50
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
See the fabulous Gipsy Kings perform their sizzling hits like “Bomboleo,” “Baila Me” and their Spanish-language version of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”
Justin Hayward
WHEN: Fri., May 30, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Talking Stick Resort Showroom, 9800 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale
COST: $40 to $100
INFO: (480) 850-7734 or www.talkingstickresort.com
With the Moody Blues, Justin Hayward has sold millions of albums worldwide.
Rodney Carrington
WHEN: Fri., May 30, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Ovations LIVE! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass
Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
COST: $42 to $75
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
Rodney Carrington blends country music and stand-up comedy in an energetic stage show sure to incite laughter and spontaneous sing-a-longs in any audience.
Tim Allen
WHEN: Sat., May 31, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: The Salt River Grand Ballroom at the Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale
COST: $25 to $175
INFO: (480) 850-7734 or www.talkingstickresort.com
This hilarious man that made himself a fixture in TV viewers’ living rooms on the ‘90s hit “Home Improvement” has revved up a whole new show.
DSB: Journey Tribute
WHEN: Fri., June 6, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Vee Quiva Events Center at Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino, 15091 S. Komatke Ln., Laveen COST: $10
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
DSB, comprised of outstanding musicians who have an unparalleled grasp of Journey’s nostalgic hits, has been rocking audiences from around the country for years.
Jimmy Vaughan and the Tilt-A-Whirl Band
featuring Lou Ann Barton
WHEN: Sat., June 7, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: The Showroom at the Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale
COST: $25 to $45
INFO: (480) 850-7734 or www.talkingstickresort.com
Jimmie Vaughan has such classics as “Texas Flood,” “Six Strings Down” and “Powerful Stuff.”
All My Rowdy Friends:
Hank Williams Jr. Tribute
WHEN: Fri., June 13, at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Vee Quiva Events Center at Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino, 15091 S. Komatke Ln., Laveen
COST: $10
INFO: (877) 840-0457 or www.wingilariver.com
It’s rockin’ country with a dose of old time rock ‘n’ roll blues.
WhenMay hits in Arizona, you can bet we’ll be running from our air-conditioned home to our airconditioned cars, and only making stops in air-conditioned stores and venues.
When you think about it, it’s a little insane that we brave 110-plus degree temperatures during the summer just to get those few months of relief in the winter. (The snow birds have the right idea!) But hey, at least we don’t have to scrape all of that Vitamin D-packed sunshine off our windshields when we head out for our daily errands.
Life could be worse. Here we are looking cool with sunglasses on, while our friends back east still need to deal with rain and other unpredictable weather. Frankly, they can have it!
To celebrate May and embrace the upcoming searing temperatures, we compiled some ultra-hot trivia questions that will help you feel cool in comparison.
1
On June 26, 1990, Phoenix recorded its hottest-ever high temperature. What was it?
2
3
About how many metric tons of hydrogen does our sun fuse every second?
Arizona State University climate researchers believe population growth in the “Sun Corridor” of Arizona will increase the average summer temperature between 3 and 7 degrees by what year?
4
Where in California did the thermometer hit 134 degrees in 1913, the highest recorded temperature on earth?
5 SPF 45 blocks what percentage of UVB rays?
To enter simply:
On a sheet of paper list the correct answers in order 1 through 5. Include your full name, mailing address, phone number and an email address (if you have one).
Mail your trivia contest entry to: Lovin’ Life After 50 Attn: Trivia Contest
3200 N. Hayden, Suite 210 Scottsdale, AZ 85251
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!
A gift certificate to a Valley restaurant awarded to two individual winners
Restaurant gift card
Becky Jimenez
Restaurant gift card
Del Holdson
1
George W. Bush broke tradition when he declined to play a presidential practical joke on Barack Obama.
2
The BBC reported that Big Ben would be switched into a digital clock.
3 Burger King took out a full-page ad in USA Today advertising the faux burger, the “Left-Handed Whopper.”
4 A Swedish technical expert told viewers they could “bend” the light of their blackand-white TVs by placing stockings over the screen.
5
The name of the show Cartoon Network was advertising with devices mistaken for bombs in the Boston area was “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.”
One player definitely had the luck of the Irish on her side as she played slots on St. Patrick’s Day at Talking Stick Resort. That luck became evident as she won $845,006.79 playing Wheel of Fortune Double Diamond in the early morning hours of March 17.
“This is truly a remarkable moment as the jackpot almost topped the $1 million mark,” says Ramon Martinez, director of public relations for Talking Stick Resort. “We’re always rooting for the big win here at Talking Stick Resort and when it happens, everyone gets excited.”
The female winner wished to conceal her identity. However, her lucrative jackpot has solidified her as the second woman to play a version
of the TV-themed slot machine and win a large prize in March. Marianne Bort of Phoenix tried her luck with the Wheel of Fortune Double 3x4x5x Times Pay on March 1 and won more than $400,000.
With more than 240,000 square feet dedicated to gaming, Talking Stick Resort is home to 700 multidenominational slots. Games include Triple Trouble, Cherry Chance, Winner Winner Chicken Dinner, Catch the Money and Dante’s Diamond. To be eligible for additional discounts and benefits, participants must be registered as Player Reward Card members. For more information on membership, call (480) 850-7777 or visit www. talkingstickresort.com.
Fort McDowell Casino Bingo
WHEN: Seven days a week, various times
WHERE: Fort McDowell Casino, 10424 N. Fort McDowell Rd., Fort McDowell
COST: $12 to $60
INFO: (800) THE-FORT, ext. 4380, or www.fortmcdowellcasino.com/bingo.php
The bingo experience is intense at Fort McDowell Casino’s state-of-the-art and award-winning 1,700-seat Bingo Hall.
Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino Bingo
WHEN: Seven days a week, various times
WHERE: Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino, 15091 S. Komatke Ln., Laveen
COST: $2 to $32
INFO: (800) 946-4452, ext. 1942, or www.wingilariver.com
Gamers who stop by Bingo Park enjoy picturesque National Park views in the state-of-the-art, 550-seat bingo hall.
Lone Butte Casino Bingo
WHEN: Seven days a week, various times
WHERE: Lone Butte Casino, 1077 S. Kyrene Rd., Chandler
COST: $1 to $32
INFO: (800) 946-4452, ext. 8928, or www.wingilariver.com
The state-of-the-art and spacious bingo hall features 850 seats and has morning, matinee and evening sessions. The morning sessions include five regular games and two specials, with three for $10 and $1 specials.
Sunland Village Bingo
WHEN: Thursdays in May; doors open 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Sunland Village Auditorium, 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., Mesa
COST: Charge for cards varies according to number purchased
INFO: (480) 832-9003
Auditorium doors open at 4:30 p.m., cards are sold at 6 p.m. and play begins at 7 p.m. There’s a $900 progressive pot.
Sunland Village East
WHEN: Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Sunland Village East, 8026 E. Lakeview Ave., Mesa
Montesa offers resort-style amenities, a stunning natural landscape, and Premier Homes - a desert paradise for adults 55 and older. Montesa is minutes from shopping, entertainment and recreation,You cannot find better retirement living at a more affordable price. Nestled near the base of the Superstition Mountains, Montesa is a gated and secure community.
• 2,700+ square-foot fitness center
• Volleyball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, billiards, tennis courts
• 11,000 square-foot community center
Walking and bicycle paths • Gentle mountains for hiking
7373 E. US Highway 60 Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 (480) 982-2393
HOURS: Mon - Fri: 9am to 5pm Sat - Sun: 10am to 4pm
COST: Charge for cards varies to number purchase
INFO: (480) 380-0106
Bingo is played in the auditorium every Sunday.
Earl E. Mitchell Post No. 29
WHEN: Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., and Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Earl E. Mitchell Post No. 29, 6821 N. 58th Ave., Glendale
COST: Various costs, call for pricing
INFO: (623) 930-9313 or www.azlegionpost29.org
Guaranteed coverall jackpot; no regular games under $100. Play all the games for $21, or the Moneyball for $1.
Big Game Bingo and Social Bingo
WHEN: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Red Mountain Active Adult Center, 7550 E. Adobe Rd., Mesa
COST: Included with a current membership
INFO: (480) 218-2221 or http://rm.evadultresources.org
Bingo seating begins at 12:50 p.m.
Losers Bingo, Social Bingo and Big Game Bingo
WHEN: Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Mesa Adult Center, 247 N. Macdonald St., Mesa
COST: Charge for bingo cards
INFO: (480) 962-5612 or http://mesa.evadultresources.org 21 games, win up to $500.
Social Bingo
WHEN: Mondays at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Apache Junction Active Adult Center, 1035 N. Idaho Rd., Apache Junction
COST: 25 cents per card
INFO: (480) 474-5262 or http://aj.evadultresources.org
Join others during Social Bingo.
Brentwood Southern Bingo
WHEN: Monday evenings, hall opens 4 p.m., sale starts 5:15 p.m. and bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Brentwood Southern, 8103 E. Southern Ave., Mesa
COST: varies according to games and numbers purchased
INFO: brentwoodsouthernbingo@cox.net
Bingo is played all summer, except Memorial Day and Labor Day. There is a moneyball; 17 games include three that are percentage payout.
::by Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Despite having a packed schedule with 41 shows per season and honors from Channel 12 and the governor’s office, the Looney Tooner Band still gets peppered with questions about what exactly it does.
Residents of assistant living centers or visitors to senior centers often ask if a kitchen band “plays on pots and pans.”
Pianist Toni Dimond just laughs.
“We have kazoos taped to kitchen utensils,” she says. “We do have a tub and washboard.”
Dimond plays in the band with Lori Brenner (kazoo), Beverly Byington (maracas), Marilyn Click (piano), Al DaRosa (harmonica), Alma Engel (kazoo), Steve Gurley (kazoo), Margaret Hansen (kazoo), Judy Humphrey (kazoo), Larry Lay (piano), Cheryl Langenberg (flute), Jim Sachs (bass tub), Sue Scott (dance), Bill Sherry (kazoo),
Doug Spencer (drums), Harrold Waits (guitar) and Nancy Walker (kazoo). Dimond started playing piano in the band after her brother, the former keyboardist, died unexpectedly.
“We think it’s (the band) about 35 years old,” explains Dimond, a 20-year member. “We lost at least one a year. We have one lady who’s been in the group for 30 years.”
In August 2013, the Looney Tooner Band received an award from Channel 12, the “12 Who Care” award. With its prize of $1,200, it purchased new equipment because “we had antiquated old equipment that seniors couldn’t carry well. That was wonderful for us.”
The band was also a 2014 nominee for the Governor’s Arts Award.
“Since we won these awards and stuff has appeared in the paper, we have so many people who want to join us. Now that we have 17, we had to
put a kibosh on it. If someone wants to join, we take a waiting list.”
The Looney Tooner Band rehearses at 9:30 a.m. Mondays at the Pyle Adult Center in Tempe and performs at locations throughout the Valley. The act does not meet from June through August. To join or be added to the waiting list, call Dimond at (480) 947-7461.
It charges $75 per performance—if the hosting organization or facility can afford it. The Looney Tooner Band’s next show is Friday, May 16, at Merrill Gardens (Emeritus), 7231 E. Broadway Ave., Mesa. It will return to performing on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Sunrise of Chandler, 5757 W. Chandler Blvd.
“We do four to eight shows a month in nursing homes, adult care homes, hospitals and trailer parks,” Dimond says. “We’ve even done two country clubs. The members are from Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa and Scottsdale.”
In these performances, the Looney Tooner Band plays music spanning the 1920s to the 1950s, songs the members and audiences grew up with.
“Since it’s a kitchen band, we kazoo the first verse and then we sing the second verse,” Dimond says. “We have one person who plays the tub. It has one string on it. It takes the place of the string bass. One gal plays the washboard. One man plays the harmonica; 12 soloists.
“We play a group of three songs and then we have two to three soloists and then another three songs. In the middle of our program, we pass out song sheets and have a sing-along. One gal does dance numbers so we have a variety.”
The shows are changed up every months according to holiday/seasonal themes—March celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with Irish songs, while April and May fete spring. November boasts a patriotic setlist, followed by Christmas tunes in December, Western tracks in January and love songs in February.
“It would really get boring if we did the same show all the time,” Dimond mused.
The venues are varied as well, but the group yearns to spread its musical wings into unexplored nursing homes and adult care centers.
“Some are strictly Alzheimer’s units, where you wonder if you’re getting through to that person,” Dimond says wistfully. “Then you see that smile. I always shake their hands before I leave and thank them. This lady had tears. She said, ‘The song you played was my husband’s favorite.’ There are seniors who don’t even get dressed. I get to see things that other people don’t and I’m able to count my blessings.”
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By Jimmy Magahern
Many seniors find that dating is easier the second time around because they know what they’re looking for and don’t feel a need to pretend to be something they aren’t.
WhenMartha Sipple-Stevens found herself back in the dating pool a couple of years after her husband passed away, she was initially frightened about re-entering the singles scene as a fiftysomething widow.
“I was married for 32 years, and then all of a sudden to be thrown out there again, it was very scary,” says the now-63-year-old Mesa woman.
“You have friends who are trying to set you up on blind dates, or bring you along to the bars to try to meet someone. And I just found the whole thing to be very frightening.”
Eventually Sipple-Stevens—who goes by “Marty”—ventured into online dating, which she preferred.
“I wasn’t into the bar scene and I still work—I don’t have a lot of free time. And online, you can pick and choose from a lot of people.”
After about nine years of trying out different sites, including a few like OurTime.com, tailored to older adults (the fastest-growing segment in online dating, according to industry analysts), Marty met Clay Stevens, a fun-loving divorcee who wound up being her perfect match. They were married in February 2013.
Now, Sipple-Stevens is an unabashed cheerleader for senior dating, encouraging other suddenly single friends in their 60s to embrace what she considers a much more enjoyable dating scene than the one she remembers from her 20s.
“In your older years, I think you’re done playing any type of games,” she says. “You know what you’re looking for, and you’re not really trying to impress. I mean, you want to be nice and friendly, but you don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not. You’re set in your ways. You know what you want out of life, you know what you’ve done. In your younger years, you’re still trying to find your place out there. When you’re older, you’ve had your life experiences. You’ve had your children, you’ve had relationships. You’re not trying to find yourself. Who you are is who you are.”
Not that you don’t still have to be careful hooking up with strangers.
“You’d be surprised how many in our age group are still out there being very active, sexually!” she says, with a salty laugh. “And most of us don’t think we have to worry about safe sex. We figure we’re not going to get pregnant, and we’ve already lived through so much that the danger of it never ...continues on page 26
... from page 24 crosses our minds. But it really needs to be a concern.”
She also found a lot of younger men searching for older women to be their “sugar mommas.”
“You have a lot of younger people out there who are looking for an older person, because they think an older person is established, they have money,” she says. Sipple-Stevens dated one man who was about 15 years her junior and a couple of others who were a few years younger than her. “I guess I did it just to see if I could attract younger men,” she says, laughing. “Kind of an ego boost.”
But she discovered some of the younger suitors—and even quite a few her own age—were actually scammers, a growing trend in the online dating world, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. In 2012 alone, the group reports, members on dating sites were bilked out of more than $55 million through “romance scammers.”
“If they lived out of town, you’d eventually get to a point where you’re trying to set up a face-to-face meeting,” she says, recalling a common scenario. “And then right before you were ready
to meet, something catastrophic would suddenly happen and they needed you to send them money. They’d say they would pay you back when they got into town—which I knew would never happen. There’s a lot of that going on. A lot of that.”
Nevertheless, Sipple-Stevens insists dating as a self-assured older adult still beats doing it as a nervous, awkward youngster.
“The biggest advantage is that you can be honest. You don’t have to play games. You can tell someone, ‘These are my expectations, and if you’re not going to meet them, then let’s move on.’
At our age, we’re not afraid to say that anymore. And that alone can make the whole experience so much better!”
Joann Cohen, a Scottsdale-based dating coach and matchmaker, is in the business of matching, as she says, “successful men with attractive, smart women.” A good portion of her clients, she says, are wealthy North Valley men wary of the “gold diggers” known to haunt Scottsdale clubs, and many of them are in their 60s, 70s or beyond.
“I just recently matched a man in his 80s, with a woman in her late 70s,” Cohen says proudly. “And they connected on their first match!”
Cohen says there’s a simple mathematical reason why many older singles seek out the help of a highend matchmaker like herself.
Marty Sipple-Stevens met her husband Clay Stevens on the website OurTime.com, which is tailored to older people who are getting back into the dating scene.
“When you’re younger, single people are all over the place,” she observes. “If you’re in college, you’re surrounded by people around your age with similar interests, and it’s very easy to find people to date. But as you get older, there are less and less places where all the single people in your age group congregate. That’s a big challenge.”
In addition to having fewer like-aged singles to choose from, mature daters are also more selective about who they consider a good fit, which further narrows the pool.
“Older women are looking for men who have been at least as successful
financially as they are,” Cohen says. They must also be in good physical shape, so that the woman doesn’t end up being more of a caregiver than a lover a few years down the road.
“Women will say, ‘I don’t want to be a nurse or a purse!’”
That can make things difficult for the ordinary older man who suddenly finds himself out in the dating scene again. Cohen says she has to reject about 20 percent of the men who come to her for her services (like many high-end matchmakers, Cohen charges only male clients while recruiting suitable women, for free, as matches).
Calculated Couples, founded by Dave Gorman in 1983, puts on dances geared toward divorced singles who are re-entering the dating game.
“Just because they pay me money, I’m not a fairy godmother!” she exclaims. “I’m not gonna get Megan Fox to date a 75-year-old, overweight guy.” It may sound harsh, Cohen admits, but in order to meet the expectations of the discriminating women in her pool (which she assembles by trolling the spas, nightclubs and shopping districts), her business adheres to a strict “no fatties” rule.
“Almost everybody I deal with is really fit,” she says—which Cohen notes is particularly selective for the Phoenix area, ranked as the 18th “fattest city” in America in the latest Men’s Fitness round-up, with 41 percent of residents tipping the scales as overweight. “Seriously, I have men in their 60s with six-packs! That’s what they’re competing with.”
Appearance still counts—maybe even more so than in our younger years, when a so-so slouch could be chalked up to a diamond-in-the-rough waiting to be refined, over time, by the right woman. In the what-you-see-iswhat-you-get world of senior dating, that finished product has got to be topnotch.
“Everybody, once they hit 40, says, ‘I look young for my age.’ I get that all the time,” Cohen says—and the research bears her out. In a new AARP survey, 45 percent of respondents aged 40 to 90 felt they looked younger than their age, while roughly the same percentage categorized other people in their age group as looking at least that old or older. “Everyone thinks they’re an exception. So they want to date their age or younger. And that can be a challenge, because other people may not consider them as young-looking as they do themselves!”
There are, of course, some actual exceptions—like that man in his 80s Cohen matched with a woman in her 70s.
“But both of them were exceptionally attractive, and in exceptionally good health,” Cohen notes. “That certainly helped.”
Dave Gorman has been arranging singles dances and matchmaking parties for older folks since 1983.
“Actually, when a friend and I started this back in New York, our idea was that we were going to run dances for young people and help them find love,” says Gorman, whose company, Calculated Couples, staged singles events in some 60 cities nationwide before finally settling in Phoenix (another company, Singles and Friends, organizes similar Saturday night dances and potlucks in Tucson).
“But then we found out young people don’t care who they’re with, as long as they can go out and do fun things. So we started doing events for divorced singles. And that’s what we’ve been doing ever since.”
Along the way, Gorman, who goes by the name “Love Dr. Dave” and, for a time, dressed the part, donning a doctor’s oversized white lab coat while making the rounds at his dances, has weathered the competition from online dating services.
“When Match.com and all the other dating sites started coming online, people were telling me, ‘Boy, they’re gonna put you out of business!’” Gorman says. “And for about six months, our parties were down about 20 percent in attendance. But then, ...continues on page 28
The opportunity to get a Reverse Mortgage in Arizona has never been better. In fact, the company that wrote the first Reverse Mortgage in Arizona, Terry Turk, President of Sun American Mortgage, is the #1 Reverse Mortgage banker in Arizona. This is great news for seniors, because sun American mortgage has helped thousands of seniors gain financial freedom through a Reverse mortgage, and they have a track record of satisfied customers. Sun American Mortgage is a locally based and locally owned mortgage banker. In fact Sun American Mortgage is owned by the Farnsworth family, who have been helping seniors in Arizona for over 50 years It’s never been easier to qualify for a reverse mortgage and for seniors to get more money in their pocket. In fact, some mortgage bankers like Sun American Mortgage, have even sliced their own closing costs and eliminated their origination and servicing fees to put even more money back into the hands of seniors who qualify for a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage allows people who are 62 years old and older to convert their home
equity into cash without ever having to make another payment and with no out of pocket expenses. Instead of the homeowner writing a check to the bank each month, the bank now pays the homeowner who can elect to receive a lump sum, a line of credit or monthly payments.
One of the biggest criticisms of reverse mortgages has been the fees, which before the new changes could have totaled up to 5% of a home’s value. But the new cuts in fees, plus the discounts and cutting of their own fees at Sun American Mortgage mean that some homeowners can save $15,000 or more on the closing costs. Parker Turk, from Sun American Mortgage also explained more about these savings.
“The new calculations allow more seniors to qualify for a Reverse Mortgage. Over the past 12 months, many people that have called seeking financial relief just didn’t have enough equity in their home, but with the new government changes people are revisiting a Reverse Mortgage as an option and are finding out they now qualify. In addition, at Sun American Mortgage we cut our origination fees, servicing fees, and are now able to cut
their closing costs putting that money directly back into their pocket.” If anyone is considering a reverse mortgage, or would just like to speak to a trusted advisor to see if a reverse mortgage would be right for them, it is recommended that you consult with a company that will is big enough to handle whatever needs you may have, but also that you find a local business with a great reputation so that you can meet face to face with your banker, and get the answers you need, from a company you can trust. Sun American Mortgage is Arizona’s Largest Reverse Mortgage Banker and the wrote the first reverse mortgage in the state of Arizona over 20 years ago.
For more information, just call Parker Turk or Rex
people started coming back. They told me, ‘You know what? I spent four months chatting with somebody online, thinking we had so much in common, and then when finally we met in person, two minutes into dinner I’m thinking ‘This isn’t who I thought it was.’ There’s just something about meeting people in person and doing it all live that really can’t be beat.”
Part of the reason an old-school dance beats an online chat room, Gorman says, is that the aging loveseeker immediately feels less alone than he does staring at a computer screen.
“We have a lot of people who come to our events who are very scared,” he says. “They’ve been in one marriage for a very long time, got divorced or widowed and now they’re like, ‘What do I do? How do I talk to people? I haven’t dated anyone in, like, forever!’ And I tell them, right at the door, ‘Everyone in this room has been through what you’ve been through. Everybody here has lost somebody, one way or another, and is starting over. You’re not alone.’ And it’s amazing how comfortable they become once they see that.”
Like a good doctor, Gorman dispenses helpful advice to nervous seniors re-entering the dating world.
“The main thing I tell them is don’t rush anything. No matter how wonderful the person is that you meet, don’t get married or join assets for at least a year. Because it takes a year of kid’s birthdays, traveling to meet the grandkids, going through holidays, going through anniversaries of the death of a spouse, before you really know how someone is.”
A particularly difficult hurdle for some older couples is winning over the acceptance of their adult kids,
who may view the newcomer in mom or dad’s life as a threat—both to their inheritance and to the undivided attention they’ve been receiving from an unattached parent. Often a pair of love-struck empty nesters will overlook their kids’ objections—until that kid suddenly re-enters their lives.
“I know a couple who met, fell in love and got married and everything was great,” Gorman recalls. “And then, six months later, one of the woman’s daughters moved back in with her. And all of a sudden, it becomes a whole different relationship. There are always these little surprises.”
Gorman himself has been surprised by a few of the things he’s observed about older singles.
“One of the things I’ve learned is that a lot of older people do not want to get remarried,” he says. “Our company motto years ago was ‘Meet Mr. or Mrs. Right in just one night.’ We’ve changed, because we’ve had a lot of people come in and say, ‘You know what? I am set in my ways. I’ve got a house, I’m comfortable, I like what I do on the weekends, I like what TV shows I watch. I’m just looking for somebody to spend some time with. I want somebody to go square dancing with during the week; I want a golf partner on Sundays. But I sure as heck don’t want them living with me again!’ They’ll say, ‘I don’t want somebody telling me what to wear, or what I should not be eating!’”
Gorman laughs.
“That surprised me. But that is actually the mindset of the majority of people who come to our events now. The way they are is the way they’re going to be. And they don’t want anybody to change that.”
Take Charge America’s new Senior Financial Friends Program helps seniors understand and improve their financial situation. In one-on-one meetings, a Senior Financial Friends volunteer will conduct a thorough financial review and provide information and education about how to get your finances under control. It’s FREE and we will not try to sell you anything…ever! To meet with a Friend or get more information, call 623-266-6148 or e-mail PWalter@takechargeamerica.org.
Donna Pettman
Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from M A STER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.
Across
1. Fair share, maybe
5. Speed demon
10. When repeated, a Latin dance
13. Cosmetic additive
14. Synthesized music
15. Assistance
16. Deal (out)
17. Choice
18. How fast it goes round
19. Philip _____ adobe house, the oldest known house in Phoenix
22. West Pointer
25. Offbeat
26. Shallot
27. Lover
29. Social suffix
30. Bachelor’s last words
31. Sea between Italy and Greece
35. Piedmont province
39. Former name of Phoenix city Square
42. Quartz variety
43. Parting words
44. “Noah” boat
45. Ashes holder
47. Scant
49. Combusted
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.
H Moderate HH Challenging
HHH HOO BOY! HHHH Put on your helmet!
5. Not an original, to a dealer
52. Prized
55. Exposed publicly
56. Historical neighborhood in Tucson
59. Took the cake?
60. Go extinct
61. “Do ___ others as...”
65. Music category
66. Short musical pieces
67. Court petitioner
68. It came from a big bang theory?
69. Interprets, old way
70. Ski lift
Down
1. Goes with bacon
2. Beverage that may be blonde or pale
3. What a house stands on
4. Tributary
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!
6. Pretended
7. Chef Julia
8. Ether type
9. Last sonata movements
10. Wrist joints
11. African herbivorus mammal
12. Pitcher, of a sort
14. Rocky hill
20. Saved on supper, perhaps
21. Deprive of courage
22. Egyptian city
23. Extra
24. Lulu
28. European mountain ash
29. Bone in the ear
32. One of Hollywood’s Beattys
33. Roman 3
34. A dog’s is 7x a human’s
36. Turn on the ignition
37. Third conical hour
38. Nettled
40. Elite’s hood?
41. Record holder?
46. Schoolbook literature
48. Long-venerated
49. Accommodate
50. Mattress
51. Awkward
52. Person who makes deceitful pretenses
53. Lyric poem
54. Some test answers
57. Customary practice
58. The “I” in T.G.I.F.
62. Gist
63. Some like it hot
64. Nutritionist John Boyd ___, 1949 Nobel winner
:: by Ed Boitano | Photos by Deb Roskamp
Gold! Gold! Gold!” headlined the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in July 1897. “Sixty-Eight Rich Men on Steamer Portland” arrived in Seattle with “Stacks of Yellow Metal.” The news spread like California wildfire, and the Klondike Gold Rush began.
In the first 10 days, more than 1,500 people left for the Klondike. Within the next six months, approximately 100,000 gold-seekers steamed up Alaska’s Inside Passage and arrived in Skagway, the base for two treacherous overland treks to the Klondike. Only 30,000 completed the trip; 4,000 or so found gold, and only a few hundred struck it rich.
The ones who did make a fortune were the merchants and profiteers who took advantage of the inexperienced miners, whom they dubbed “stampeders.” Long before the days of mass media, most of the “get-richquick” miners knew virtually nothing about where they were going and the hardships that lie ahead of them. Pamphlets and newspapers contained little or no real information. They made outrageous claims of wealth, saying there were riverbeds of gold just sitting there for the taking.
Seattle served as water route and the gateway to the Yukon. Advertised as the “outfitter of the gold fields,” merchants sold supplies, stacked 10 feet high on storefront boardwalks
Driven by dreams of unfathomable riches, the first “stampeders” arrived in Skagway and found themselves confronted by an inhospitable muddy settlement that was barely a collection of tents. They were also met by a swarm of conmen, whose only interest was taking their money. The most infamous of the swindlers was “Soapy” Smith and his gang of “bunco men.” One of their schemes was operating a telegraph office, where a message could be sent anywhere in the world for a
mere $5. What the “stampeders” didn’t know was that there were no telegraph wires to or from Skagway
The “stampeders” faced two horrendous trails, which had to be climbed before the freeze, then another 550-mile journey through the lake systems to the Yukon River’s gold fields. The North-West Mounted Police had created the “One Ton Law of 1898,” requiring all miners entering Canada to carry a year’s supply of food and equipment, equaling around 2,000 pounds. The 45-mile-long White Pass Trail was promoted as a horse-packing trail and appeared easier than the Chilkoot Pass, where the miners had to carry supplies on their backs. The trail turned out to be even more difficult because of muddy bogs and steep rocky cliffs. More than 3,000 horses died along the way, and it was quickly dubbed the “Dead Horse Trail.” It was obvious that there was need for a better form of transportation up the White Pass Trail.
In 1897, three separate companies organized to build a railway from Skagway to Fort Selkirk, Yukon, 325 miles away. Considered almost an impossible task, tens of thousands of men were challenged by a godless climate and brutal geography.
Twenty-six months later, construction reached the 2,885-foot-high summit of White Pass, 20 miles away from Skagway. On July 6, 1899, the last spike was driven. But the timing was bad; the gold rush was over. The White Pass and Yukon Route continued as an economic lifeline to the Yukon, but eventually shut down. But there was a new kind of gold rush just around the bend.
Tourism exploded in Alaska in the mid-1980s with the arrival of the cruise ship industry. With numerous cruise ships stopping at Skagway, a recreation journey on the White Pass and Yukon Route sounded like a perfect fit. The rails were laid right
down to the docks, ideally positioned to sell a railroad ride through the mountains to the tourists. Billed as the “Scenic Railway of the World,” the White Pass and Yukon Route reopened between Skagway and White Pass in 1988. As a heritage railway, tourists could step back in time and experience the Klondike Gold Rush. Still using vintage parlor cars—three with wheelchair lifts—the White Pass and Yukon Route runs on its original narrow-gauge track, rising from sea level at Skagway to 2,885 feet at the White Pass summit in only 21 miles. With steep grades up to 3.9 percent and cliff-hanging turns of 16 degrees, the railroad seemingly hangs on the mountainside for most of the way to the summit. A spectacular steel cantilever arches 215 feet above Dead Horse Gulch, once the highest railroad bridge in the world. It’s a breathtaking piece of country with a stunning panorama of mountains, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels and historic sites. Period-clad railroad men offer a folksy narration. A wood-burning stove keeps everyone warm.
Today the White Pass and Yukon Route is Alaska’s most popular shore excursion, and is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, a designation shared with the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Panama Canal.
For more information, visit www.WPYR.com.
by Ed Boitano
ALASKA CRUISES AND VACATIONS BY TYEE
- What kind of cruise is right for you? From casual small-ship cruises to elegant luxury ships, Alaskans at Alaska Cruises & Vacations have experience and first-hand knowledge to plan your perfect cruise. Customize a land tour to make your journey complete. For advice from Alaskans who cruise themselves, go online at www.akcruises.com or call (800) 977-9705
CLIPPERSHIP MOTORHOMES, INC. was founded in 1982 and has remained a family owned and operated business ever since. Our goal is to provide affordable and flexible Alaskan RV vacations and to help our clients create their own dream vacation. Whether your Alaskan vacation involves independent activities such as wildlife tours, glacier tours, fishing trips, or organized tours; Clippership Motorhomes can help make your Alaskan vacation dreams come true. (800) 421-3456 or www.ClipperShipRV.com
BIG SUR LODGE is located in ancient groves of redwood and oak trees in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Big Sur. Guests are invited to step back in time to an earlier, more peaceful era. Our 61 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, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Point Lobos State Reserve. (800) 424-4787 or www.BigSurLodge.com
DOLPHIN BAY RESORT & SPA - Set along the rugged California Coast, just south of San Luis Obispo on California’s
Scenic Highway 1, Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa is centrally located in Pismo Beach. The 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, Lido Restaurant, The Spa at Dolphin Bay and an array of activities, guests can experience the best of the Central Coast. (800) 5160112 or www.thedolphinbay.com
LOMPOC VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND VISITORS BUREAU - Lompoc (pronounced LOM-POKE) is located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway, just 155 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Coined the City of Arts and Flowers, the Lompoc Valley boasts spectacular rolling hills which open at the Pacific Coast Shoreline. Gateway to Santa Rita Hills Vineyards, wineries and the amazing “Wine Ghetto,” visitors enjoy colorful murals, vibrant summer flowers, year-round golf, skydiving, Chumash Indian sites, and recent history in the Lompoc Museum. The restored La Purisima Mission of 1787, now a State Historic Park, marked the earliest European settlement of the Lompoc Valley. (800) 240-0999 or www.lompoc.com
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
QUALITY INN & SUITES OCEANVIEW offers affordable rates in a convenient location in Capistrano Beach, CA. Our hotel is ideally located near many area points of interest, which include Dana Point Harbor and the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Get refreshed in our inviting guest rooms, which feature expanded cable television channels, wake-up services, microwaves and refrigerators. Enjoy beach access, free deluxe continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi and kitchen facilities. (866) 857-2864; (949) 248-1316 or www.qualityinn.com/hotel-capistrano_ beach-california-CA374
TAHOE TRIPS & TRAILS - For 20 years, Tahoe Trips have provided opportunities to experience the awe inspiring beauty of the natural world. Tahoe Trips provide destinations for our guests to really challenge themselves – both mentally and physically. Guests can choose from a wide variety of all-inclusive packages that range from Lodge-Based Trips and Wilderness Backpacking Trips to Tahoe Teasers Day Trips. Our trips can be a catalyst for self-discovery. (800) 581-HIKE or www.tahoetrips.com
Only a ve hour drive from the LA area, the dramatic Big Sur coastline offers breathtaking views. Enjoy the tranquility, and spend the night surrounded by ancient oaks and redwoods at the Big Sur Lodge.
Only a five hour drive from the LA area, the dramatic Big Sur coastline offers breathtaking views. Enjoy the tranquility, and spend the night surrounded by ancient oaks and redwoods at the Big Sur Lodge.
Mention this ad for a complimentary breakfast.
Mention this ad for a complimentary breakfast.
Big Sur Lodge
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park 47225 Highway One, Big Sur, CA 93920
KAUAI CALLS offers a variety of fully furnished condos and, cottage rentals for your Kauai vacation. The most beautiful and
the oldest of all the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is the island of which dreams are made, the very definition of a tropical paradise. Set your heart free in the quiet majesty of the island’s lush tropical setting and extraordinary natural heritage. Kauai Calls you to discover the legendary Aloha Spirit that abounds in this friendly garden paradise. Contact Michelle or Candace at (888) 8222403; candace@kauaicalls.com or www.kauaicalls.com
LOGAN, UTAH is famous for outdoor adventures, hands-on heritage experiences, and performing and fine arts. The city is home to Utah State University, art galleries, specialty shops, Mormon pioneer architecture, and the 1923 Ellen Eccles Theatre. This beautiful high mountain valley is nice and cool. It’s just 90 minutes north of Salt Lake City and 4 hours from Yellowstone National Park. Take a day trip along Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway through dramatic limestone cliffs and forested canopies to the breathtaking turquoise waters of Bear Lake. (435) 882-4433 or www.explorelogan.com
PANGUITCH, UTAH - Located in the valley between the Markagunt and Pausaugunt Plateaus, Panguitch is home to some of the most majestic scenery on earth. A Native American Paiute word meaning “Big Fish,” Panquitch is undoubtedly named for the plentiful lake in the nearby mountains, ideal for year-round fishing. Sprinkled with wild-west history, the city boasts museums, original architecture and cool mountain air. Just 24 miles northwest of Bryce Canyon, surrounded by many National Parks and Monuments, this magical town is one of Utah’s best kept secrets. (435) 676-8585 or www. visitpanguitch.com
PARK CITY LODGING - “Cool Mountain Escapes! Park City offers an abundance of activities, breathtaking views and comfortable weather. Enjoy world class golf, kayak or fly-fish, hike or bike moderate trails, enjoy a dine-around, gallery stroll, or cooking class and attend free outdoor concerts. Beat the Heat! Inquire about special senior events and deals: 855-3938473 or bit.ly/summerseniors -- ParkCityLodging.com”
RUBY’S INN & RV PARK is the closest accommodations to southern Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park. We offer 368 deluxe guest rooms, restaurants, general store and gallery, conference center, car care, Hertz car rentals, and a RV park and campground. Our guests can enjoy swimming pools and spas, or browse the general store, shops and gallery. We feature year-round activities including cross-country skiing, horseback rides and scenic flights. Ruby’s Inn and Bryce Canyon National Park are open all year. (866) 878-9389 or www.RubysInn.com
CANYON INN - HOTEL AND RESTAURANT is one the finest inns and hotels in Southern Utah. Nestled in Tropic, our views of Bryce Canyon National Park are breathtaking. Reserve your front row seat to some of nature’s greatest accomplishments. When you’re lodging at our Bryce Canyon hotel, you will love exploring the surrounding area and relaxing each night while enjoying incredible views from our secluded cabins, cottages and bungalows. Stay at the Stone Canyon Inn, and complete your lodging by dining at our new Stone Hearth Grille! (866) 489-4680 or www.stonecanyoninn.com
COLORADO TRAILS RANCH - What you need is a week unwinding and exploring the wonders of our
Colorado Trails Ranch is not far from Durango, in lovely 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
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 and plain relaxing on the porch swing, everyone is sure to find something that appeals to them. (866) 399-2339 or www.DudeRanch.org
RAINBOW TROUT RANCH is the perfect Colorado dude ranch for adults, families, groups or anyone else who wants a Western getaway. Offering horseback riding, fly fishing, children’s programs, teen ranch programs, swimming, day trips to Taos, white water rafting and a chance to ride America’s highest and longest narrow-gauge steam train. Our dude ranch brings timeless simpler pleasures to life all in a spectacular setting. (800) 633-3397 or www.RainbowTroutRanch.com
ROWES 1 + 1 RANCH - Satisfy your inner Cowboy with one of the world’s most authentic working ranches! Learn to
work cattle, ride the Nebraska range and experience life as a real cowboy with real cowboys. Ride, rope, brand, drive the herd, sort cattle. Nestled in Burwell, Nebraska, Rowse’s 1+1 is widely known for its wide open spaces, genuine hospitality, phenomenal horses and unparalleled riding opportunities. You will finally receive that quality riding holiday you’ve been looking for. Adults only. (308) 346-5530 or www.1plus1ranch.com
WESTERN PLEASURE GUEST RANCH is located on 1100 acres of pastures with tall pines and breathtaking views of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges in Idaho’s scenic Panhandle region. This fifth generation historic cattle ranch is one of Idaho’s quality guest ranches. Enjoy accommodations in the 10,000 square foot main lodge, offering six spacious guest rooms, each with private bath. When you’re looking for a fantastic guest ranch vacation as a family, a single or couple, look no further than Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. (888) 863-9066 or www.WesternPleasureRanch.com
CRUISEONE specializes in cruise and land vacations to the world’s most exotic destinations, including Alaska, Antarctica, Belize, Hawaii, Caribbean, Mediterranean 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. (800) 600-4548 or www.luv2cruz.com
FRIENDLY PLANET has created great vacations to fascinating destinations, at the best prices, for over three decades. Each year, thousands of travelers experience China, Japan, Greece, the Galapagos Islands, Kenya, Thailand and more, in style and comfort, on our regular departure tours. Best of all, our amazingly low prices make dream travel affordable for all. Visit www.friendlyplanet.com or call (800) 555-5765.
TRANQUILITY BAY RESORT is nestled on twelve acres on one of the finest beaches in Belize. Located just inside the Belize Barrier Reef, Tranquility Bay is the only resort on Ambergris Caye that is located inside the United Nations World Heritage Site. World class fishing, sailing, snorkeling and diving are just out the front door. This is like a private hideaway for travelers, interested in adventure and romance, while enjoying local culture and environmental wonders without sacrificing a comfy bed, terrific food and a well stocked bar. (888) 843-2293 or www.TranquilityBayResort.com
: by Jan D’Atri
Thismonth, in honor of Mother’s Day, I pay tribute to Guadalupe Valenzuela Peyron Proctor or “Grandma Lupe.” She was the beloved mother and grandmother who left a treasured recipe behind for five generations to enjoy.
Here’s the story from Grandma Lupe’s granddaughter, Hayley Gibbons.
“When there’s a cause for celebration or a need for comfort, only one food fits the bill in our house—Grandma Lupe’s Tacos.
“The fact that our family has Arizona roots five generations deep clearly made Mexican food part of our family culture. That these tacos took a special place in our family gatherings was more a factor of our abiding love for the woman who first fried them up and they’re darn good.
“Grandma Lupe started making these tacos as a young bride in Tucson, on a small four-burner gas stove. It was 1920 and Arizona was in its infancy. A tiny woman (she wore a size 2 1/2 shoe), Lupe was known for her hospitality, her skill at stretching a meal and her tacos.
“So enjoy, and when you do, think of our Grandma Lupe. Know that you’re enjoying authentic cuisine that’s seen a pioneer Arizona family through its dark days and great joys.”
Grandma Lupe’s Tacos
1 pound of lean ground beef
1 dozen corn tortillas
Approximately 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
1 16 oz. can whole or crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried or fresh oregano
4 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Garlic salt for sprinkling
1 package cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend grated or crumbled)
Shredded lettuce
Thin sliced radishes
Peas (frozen or canned)
Simmer the tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic, oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 15-20 minutes. Prepare tacos. Press a thin layer (about 1 tablespoon) of raw ground beef onto on half of the tortilla. Season with garlic salt and pepper.
Heat oil on medium/high in large pot to avoid oil splatter. (Fry a few strips of corn tortillas to test oil temperature. Oil should bubble and strips should get crisp.) If tortillas cook too slowly, they’ll be greasy when done. If they cook too fast, it will be difficult to shape taco shell or have hamburger cook thoroughly. Once oil is the right temperature, gently place the tortilla with ground beef on it into the hot oil. Almost immediately, fold tortilla over meat to form taco. If oil gets too hot, lower temperature to medium. With tongs, turn tortillas to get crispy on both sides (about 1 1/2 minutes) making sure the top of the taco remains open. This will make it easier to stuff later. When cooked, lay each taco on a paper towel to drain until all 12 are done.
Fill tacos with tomato mixture (approximately 1 tablespoon). Add desired amount of cheese and lettuce. Garnish with radishes and about 2 tablespoons of peas. Taco sauce, salsa, guacamole or sour cream can be added if desired.
Lt.Col. Ruth Peake, a resident of Mesa’s Citadel Care Center, has certainly served her country.
Joining the U.S. Air Force as a nurse at age 21, Peake embarked on a career that would not only help others but bring her close to important moments in American history.
Her first assignment was as a staff nurse on the neurological ward at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After her two-year enlistment, she and a former nursing school classmate moved to Belmont, Calif.
The love of military service, however, called Peake back. Eighteen months after her move, she reenlisted with the Air Force with the rank of captain and was assigned to March Air Force Base near Riverside, Calif. It was there she had one of the most awesome experiences of her life.
Peake was the charge nurse of a multiservice ward and on March 19, 1968, she was notified that her assignment changed. She needed to accompany an internal medicine physician to Palm Desert, Calif., to help assess a health problem of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
“I was kind of shocked,” Peake says.
“I didn’t know what I was getting into. It was kind of a hurry-up, grab-yourhat, come-on-we-have-to-go type of thing, and I didn’t really know what his condition was or what was going to happen.”
The problem only required a few days of rest at home. Peake and her roommate, Lt. Karen Heaberlin, who was also stationed at the hospital, stayed in the guest house next to Eisenhower’s house during this assignment.
“Gen. Eisenhower was a very smart man, very kind, a family man,” Peake says. “He was very easy to talk to, and he didn’t particularly enjoy talking about when he was president, but he loved to talk about when he was a soldier.”
When Eisenhower was feeling better, the women returned to their usual assignments. Several days later, they received autographed copies of Eisenhower’s latest book, “At Ease,” along with a note of appreciation for their care.
It wasn’t the last time Peake would come to the aid of the five-star general. A month later, Eisenhower had to be hospitalized in the intensive care unit at March Air Force Base. He asked for Peake and Heaberlin, a well as one
::by Michele Michaels
Think about the sounds that make up your day: cars honking, phones ringing, birds chirping or kids laughing. These are the ordinary sounds that can be heard each day. But imagine having a hearing loss and not being able to hear those sounds.
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, and in honor of the annual month of awareness, the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH) wants to remind people of the importance of hearing health.
In Arizona there are more than 700,000 people who are deaf or hard of hearing, a surprising number of whom go undiagnosed.
Oftentimes people dismiss signs of hearing loss as “no big deal.” In reality, hearing loss is a very big deal. Hearing loss can affect anyone at any time and impacts all the areas of your
additional nurse, to care for him.
When Eisenhower recovered enough to return to Washington, D.C., he requested that his nurses accompany him as his guests. They flew with him to Andrews Air Force Base on Air Force Two and traveled to Walter Reed Hospital. His three nurses stayed in the nurses’ quarters at the hospital.
“We were driven around the city by two Secret Service men,” says Peake. “They were not from Ike’s detail but from the Washington group because they knew the city better, and of course we saw every national monument.”
After four days in Washington, the nurses were flown home. Peake was reassigned in September 1968 to the 20th Casualty Staging Flight at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan, where she cared for wounded soldiers flown in from Vietnam.
The staging unit took in casualties and then either flew them by helicopter to area hospitals for care or to a hospital in the United States close to their homes.
“The patients turned over every day—flights out in the morning and in during the afternoon and the same the next day,” Peake says.
“We took care of a lot of patients in a
attending concerts, riding motorcycles and/or listening to MP3 players.
So, how do you know if you have a hearing loss? Do you:
short time. But it was rewarding taking care of the Vietnam casualties and giving them the care they needed. We enjoyed our work. We were with a good group of people; we all worked together, and if the nurses on duty needed help when the flights came in, those of us who were off duty would go in and help them.”
During this time, Peake served as a staff nurse and as a charge nurse and was promoted to the rank of major. Peake served in several more locations after the war, retiring from the Air Force in 1984 after 20 years of service. She had achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel, as well as earning four Meritorious Service Medals and three U.S. Air Force Commendation Medals.
Peake moved to Arizona after leaving the military and continued nursing work as a civilian from 1988 to 1998. A Citadel Care Center resident since 2011, Peake stays in touch with Heaberlin.
• Get your hearing and your child’s hearing checked routinely.
• Wear ear plugs and other protective gear when operating noisy equipment.
life, including your relationships, your health and your safety.
How? If hearing loss goes undiagnosed, one might encounter more misunderstandings in their relationships; earn less money at work and experience other health issues, such as dementia. Making phone calls becomes more challenging and isolation and depression are common, especially in the senior population. Educate yourself to ensure your hearing lasts by learning to identify the signs of hearing loss.
According to the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), the primary causes of hearing loss are aging and previous exposure to loud noise or noise-induced hearing loss. This can be due to different types of occupational and recreational noise exposure: military service, construction workers, bartenders, dentists, landscapers or even things like
• Frequently ask people to repeat themselves;
• Often turn your ear toward a sound to hear it better;
• Understand people better when you wear your glasses or look directly at their faces;
• Have trouble following group conversations;
• Keep the volume on your radio or TV at a level that others say is too loud;
• Have pain or ringing in your ears.
For some, hearing loss may be inevitable. But for most, it’s completely preventable. Here are some tips from the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing on how to protect your ears and keep hearing loss at bay:
• Keep the volume on televisions, music, radios and cell phones turned down to a moderate level.
• Smoking toxins can negatively affect a person’s hearing ability. Don’t smoke.
• Take regular breaks from loud noise— at least a 10-minute break every hour.
• Avoid unhealthy eating. A poor diet increases the chances of being diagnosed with diabetes and thus puts an individual at a greater risk of developing hearing loss.
Michele Michaels, B.A., CPM, is the hard of hearing specialist at the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. Michaels provides outreach, education, training, resources, information and referrals to Arizonans. A hard of hearing person herself and the daughter of a parent who progressively lost her hearing, she understands the challenges and opportunities inherent in hearing loss. She began working in the field of hearing loss in 1993.
For more information on the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing visit www.acdhh.org or Arizona Relay Service visit www.azrelay.org.
: : by Teresa Bear
In the past, a solid income plan in retirement has been financed through a combination of pensions, Social Security and personal savings. By relying on these three funding mechanisms, retirees could count on income to last for the rest of their lives.
Consider the humble three-legged stool. The three legs of the stool form a solid sitting surface. For the past 30 to 40 years, this three-legged stool analogy worked for most retirees. One-third of income needs were funded with a company pensions, 1/3 with Social Security and the final 1/3 through personal savings.
But what about now? Which leg would you guess is the shakiest?
Many people might answer “Social Security,” but in my opinion, pensions are in the most danger.
According to the most recent survey by Towers Watson, in 1998, 90 percent of Fortune 100 companies offered a lifetime pension to their retirees. Now that number has almost completely flipped. By 2012, only 11 percent of these large companies offered pensions to new hires.
Of course, the reason for the decrease is easy to figure out. Pension plans are extremely expensive. After all, to fund a guaranteed income for life, the pension plan needs to take on two big risks— stock market risk and longevity risk.
Pension plans are subject to very stringent funding requirements set forth by the Department of Labor. Every year a team of actuaries determines how much the company needs to contribute to the plan to meet their obligations to their retirees. What if the year happens to be 2008 when there’s a big market correction followed by a recession? Then the company has two problems— first of all, they must make up for the market losses in the pension plan—at the same time that their revenues may be hurting because of the recession.
The second risk is longevity. Consider this case in point:
• This individual had the following health issues in his life
• Suffered first heart attack at the age of 34.
• For the next 13 years was addicted to painkillers.
• At the age of 56, had another serious heart attack.
• Is a type 1 diabetic.
• At age 39, an on-the-job injury almost left him paralyzed.
• Has had pulmonary fibrosis
• And last but not least—has prostate cancer.
With all these health issues, how long would you guess that he would live? Age 65? Maybe 70? Could he make it to age 75?
On March 16, Jerry Lewis turned 88 years old!
Employers have that same risk—that every medical advance means that they will need to fund their employees’ retirement for a very long time. That is why employers have turned to 401(k) plans.
Regrettably (in my opinion), employees are the losers in this change. Instead of a professionally managed portfolio and income for life, their employers now furnish them with an 800 number and a PIN.
Social Security is the second leg of the income stool.
In 1935 when Social Security was started, the average life expectancy for women was 63.9 years and the retirement age was 65. Therefore, it was assumed that most people would not collect Social Security and it was a fallback position for those who lived longer lives. Today, due to the miracles of modern medicine, life expectancies have dramatically increased. According to the 2009 LIMRA “Retirement Income Reference Book,” if you are older than 65, there’s a 50 percent chance that you will reach age 86 and a 25 percent chance that you will survive to age 92. That means that if you take early retirement from Social Security, there’s a 1 in 4 chance that you will be retired and drawing Social Security for 30 years!
At the same time that life expectancies have increased, the number of workers to retirees has dropped. According to Social Security, the number of workers to retirees is now only 3.3—versus 16.5 in 1950.
Will Social Security disappear? I’m
no politician, but I would guess that Social Security will be here for the foreseeable future. However, I would guess that some adjustments will need to be made. They may include:
• Increase the 7.65 percent tax rate for current workers
• Increase the amount in wages that are subject to tax
• Increase the tax that retirees pay on their benefits from the current maximum of 85 percent
• Increase normal retirement age
• Eliminate the early retirement option
• Decrease the inflation adjustment
• Some combination of all of these. The bad news is that with the decreasing ability to rely on employerfunded pensions and government-
...from page 30
funded Social Security, retirees are going to have to rely more and more on their personal savings to fund their retirement needs.
Teresa Bear, CFP, CPA (www.TeresaBear. com), specializes in retirement planning and asset preservation for retirees and those about to retire. Bear is the author of the new book “She Retired Happily Ever After.” Send questions to TBear@JCGrason.com.
Investment advisory services provided by Brookstone Capital Management, LLC., a SEC registered investment advisor. The information in this article describes general guidelines and suggestions for preventing identity theft. In no way should it be deemed as advice for any individual circumstance or situation.
“Igot one! What do I do now?”
Katherine LeBlanc’s voice is tight; her line is taut; she has a catch. Scotty, one of the two crewmen on our deep sea fishing boat, rushes over and helps her reel in a threadfish. It’s so small that it will be used as bait later in the day when we get out to where the big fish live, but no matter. Someone just like us—which is to say a newbie to the world of fishing—has caught a fish just minutes after leaving Destin Harbor, and we all rock the boat in delight.
Destin, a small town that centers Florida’s Panhandle between Panama City and Pensacola, is on a small peninsula that separates the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay. It’s so close to the deep waters of the gulf that anglers don’t have to go more than 10 miles out to sea to catch the likes of snapper, grouper, amberjack, cobia, triggerfish and mackerel.
This proximity to fish-rich waters has earned Destin the name of “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” a slogan bestowed by Florida Gov. Leroy Collins in the mid-1950s. As legend has it, the governor was in Destin trolling for votes when a local fisherman invited him to troll for fish instead. When Collins stepped off the boat 20 minutes later, he was holding aloft a 29-pound mackerel.
“It’s hard to believe that you left the dock and returned so soon with a fish like that,” commented a reporter.
“It’s not hard to believe when you’re fishing from Destin,” replied the governor, sporting an ear-to-ear grin. “This is the world’s luckiest fishing
village.” The moniker stuck. The city found that living up to its nickname was easy. Commercial fishermen realized that they made more money catering to the leisure fisherman than to the commercial market, and now approximately 100 charter fishing boats operate out of Destin. What’s more, its attractions have expanded to include more than fishing. People can hike, bike and simply stroll along beaches that are known for brilliant white sand, radiant green water and, on most days, a cerulean blue sky.
Scientists say that the sand is made from quartz that is ground into fine particles as it makes its way downriver from the Southern Appalachians and that the sea is green because light reflects off the submerged algae. Poets express it differently. The sand, they say, is like powdered sugar; the sea is the color of emeralds. As for me, being neither scientist nor poet, I simply enjoy the private beach that’s attached to the Jade East Condos, take in the sights and swoon.
Meanwhile, I realize that I have absolutely no idea what a 29-pound mackerel looks like. Fins and tail, sure. But is it round and fat or long and skinny?
For fish identification and to see an array of sea-related paraphernalia, my husband and I go to the Destin History and Fishing Museum. I look long and hard at the giant wall that features award-winning examples of fish that inhabit the nearby waters. Finally, secure that we can tell a marlin from a Mackerel, we examine the museum’s
collection of rods and reels. I’m most fascinated by a bamboo pole that belonged to Ernest Hemingway. After all, a man who can write a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about an “old man and the sea” obviously knows something about fishing poles.
But after two days on land, it’s time to get out on the water, so that evening we board an 80foot glass-bottom boat for a two-hour dolphin watch. As the sun sets, the captain steers the Southern Star past the multi-million dollar homes that line Destin’s harbor and heads into the nearby waters. The dolphins put on quite a show, surfing the waves with abandon and seeming to dance to the music that blares from the ship’s sound system.
The Emerald Coast, which comprises about 100 miles of Florida’s Panhandle, is a year-round destination.
would attract the large trophy fish. But after the previous night’s display, I find it hard to be mad at these delightful creatures. OK, so I won’t catch a trophy. I’ll be happy to catch anything. And soon I do. I haul in an amberjack. Katherine catches a respectably large snapper; Dennis reels in a bonito.
May “Mom’s Month.”
Yes, I am declaring the ENTIRE month we celebrate moms. I know you’re thinking this is because I’m a mom. It’s more than that. You see, when you have shared a similar experience with someone, you understand that person more than someone who hasn’t.
perseverance, wisdom and a whole lot of grace!
The next day we rise at 6 in the morning for a five-hour deep sea fishing expedition. Will we be as lucky as the governor?
Actually, no. dolphins hover around our boat, jumping, diving and eating the small bait fish that we’d hoped
In fact, by the time we head back to Destin, everyone on board has caught something—not the biggest fish in the world but a fish big enough to brag about.
For us, Destin is indeed the world’s luckiest fishing village.
www.emeraldcoastfl.com
As a mom, I know what goes into being a mom. I know what it feels like to desire to be the best and yet come up short. I can relate to the sacrifices that we joyfully make in being “mom.” What it means to be crazy tired, and yet find yourself up all night with a child that doesn’t feel well, has had a bad dream, or doing a stupid science project. The struggle within between using the degree you fought hard to obtain, or staying home to wipe noses and run carpool. It’s a daily task of keeping everyone on schedule, making sure homework, doctor’s appointments, piano lessons, laundry, vacuuming and dinner not only get accomplished but with some level of consistency and excellence. The mom quickly packing a special lunch while alternately making sure the briefcase holds all she needs for the day’s meetings at work, or those moms who find themselves micromanaging teenagers to complete college and scholarship applications and honor curfews. Not to mention, the list of hopes, dreams, desires and tasks that belong to us moms!
Please understand that I’m not whining - we have made the choice to be moms. But moms are just like the rest of the world, making choices, then finding we need to be reminded of why we chose the way we did. In the grand scheme of life, this is the best profession we could ever have imagined. I have learned how to overcome the biggest of power struggles that could bring any corporate executive to their knees and have an amazing solution to dealing with severely loud tantrums wielded by selfish people. I can go from nurse, cook, counselor, bodyguard, referee, teacher, taxi driver to warden all in under an hour - a feat that takes compassion, self-control, intelligence, stamina,
It’s in the having done this myself, that I appreciate the moms around me. Mom to mom, I appreciate what you go through to raise and build up healthy kids who will turn into adults with character and integrity. Kids who know their potential and that good sportsmanship and a strong work ethic are highly valued and rewarded. The moments where you have to sit by and let your child walk through a rough time, wanting so desperately to rescue them, but knowing that in resisting you teach them problem solving and the importance of standing up for themselves and what is right.
Several years ago I was listening to a local radio program. A caller had just called in to try and win one of the contests they were running. The radio personality asked the woman what her name was and what she did for a living. She responded with her name first, followed by, “… and I’m just a mom.” I will never forget the response by the radio personality. He replied, “Just a MOM! There is no such thing as JUST a mom! My wife is a mom. She stays home with our kids, and I don’t know how she does it. I could never do what she is accomplishing every day, and I appreciate her for it. Please, don’t ever refer to what you do as such a menial thing. It’s a put-down, and you deserve much more for all your hard work.”
Affirm the moms in your life during this month, whether it be your own mom, your wife, friend, or co-worker. The list of reasons for why moms should be valued and encouraged could go on and on. Each story is unique and different and helped create legacy—destiny. The simple fact that you are reading this would imply that someone turned you from a thought into a reality. Join me and celebrate the moms in your life.
Pastor Holly Anderson
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Skin is the largest organ in the body, accounting for approximately 15 percent of the total body weight of an adult. Some of the major functions of our skin include: protecting other organs from the environment; helping to control the temperature and fluid balance of our body; and facilitating the transmission of sensations such as touch.
Some common skin conditions that worsen as we age include dryness, itchiness and more frequent skin injuries. Also, damage due to chronic overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either from the sun or tanning lamps, contribute to the development of age spots and even skin cancer in the most extreme cases.
Dry Skin: As skin ages, it becomes thinner and produces less natural oils leading to dry, itchy skin and an increased susceptibility to injuries. Recommendations to improve dry skin include: using mild soaps while bathing; bathing with warm water instead of hot water; and using moisturizers daily.
Age Spots and Skin Tags: Age spots are flat, brown spots whereas skin tags are small, usually flesh-colored skin growths that are raised. Both are harmless, develop on various parts of the body, and can be removed by a dermatologist if bothersome.
Skin Cancer: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and may be curable if detected early. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends to selfmonitor new or existing moles and growths regularly for the five signs of skin cancer, also known as the “ABCDE’s” of skin cancer:
A = Asymmetry; half of the mole or growth looks different from the other
B = Borders are irregular or uneven
C = Color changes or multiple colored moles or growths exist
D = Diameter greater than 6 millimeters, the size of a pencil eraser
E = Evolving; a change in size, shape or symptoms (itching, tenderness) of the mole or growth
See your physician immediately if any of these signs exist.
Skin is constantly producing new cells, so it’s never too late to start taking measures to decrease and prevent further sun damage.
1. Time in the Sun: Avoid direct sun exposure when the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Even when it’s cloudy, the sun’s rays can penetrate the clouds and cause sunburns. Also, avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
be reapplied every two hours and more often if you are swimming.
3. Protective Clothing: Wear hats that provide shade to your neck, ears, eyes and head. Clothing that covers your arms and legs can also help prevent sun damage.
For more information about skin care or questions about medications that can increase your sensitivity to the sun, talk to your Walgreens pharmacist today.
The National Senior Games Conference was held April 10 through April 13 in Minnesota with representatives from the state organizations convening from all over the United States. The conference is held annually to elect board members and to discuss and decide upon key issues affecting the national and state senior games.
Arizona Lifelong Fitness Foundation Executive Director Irene Stillwell, who served on the board
By Irene Stillwell, ASO Executive Director
“Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.”—Dan Gable
The giving of medals can sometimes be controversial. All of us remember times in the Olympic games when medals have been disputed and sometimes even taken away. Are medals really that important?
The value of the medal is not in its material worth, but in what it represents. To the onlooker, it might represent an image, a dream of what
for 12 years, represented the Arizona Senior Olympics.
The event began with special session outlining changes in the games’ software by FuseSport Vice President Ian Fitzpatrick.
The same evening, members were welcomed at Mall of America by the location organizing committee for the 2015 National Senior Games.
The conference continued on Friday with a bus tour of the venues in Bloomington, St. Paul and
Minneapolis that will be used for the 2015 national games. The highlights of the tour were the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center and the stadium at St. Thomas University in St. Paul where track and field will be held.
Coordinators from the four NSGA regions spent Saturday in meetings as well as round-table discussions. The association’s annual membership meeting was also held.
imitated. To the recipient it speaks of values and priorities.
Each year in the Arizona Senior Olympic Games, medals are presented ceremoniously to those who have won their competition. The medal ceremonies are meant to give honor and recognition for a job well done. ASO strives to set a high standard for the way in which the medals are presented.
be, a model to be admired and
What does the ceremony and the receiving of the medal mean to the athlete? It has been said that the depth of value to the athlete may be in proportion to the amount of effort they put into obtaining it. The harder one has worked to achieve, the greater the
sense of achievement.
We urge every athlete in the Arizona Senior Olympic Games to take pride in their achievement and enjoy their moment in the sun of recognition. Those who don’t make plans to stay for the recognition deny themselves that moment and deny their peers the opportunity “to dream of what could be.”
Athletes who have not received their medals may pick them up at the ASO office by appointment. Please call (602) 274-7742 between Monday and Thursday to set up a time.
The answer is in the faces of these proud Senior Olympic athletes.
Evidence is mounting regarding the benefits of staying fit in the prevention of breast cancer.
More and more studies are showing that fitness is a positive factor in preventing the disease because it stops obesity, which is a major risk factor. A recent study showed that the intensity was not a factor but that about two hours of exercise each day yielded a 30 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer. However, gaining weight seemed to cancel out the effect of that exercise.
Lauren McCullough of the University of North Carolina Gillings
School of Global Public Health says,
“The observation of a reduced risk of breast cancer for women who engaged in exercise after menopause is particularly encouraging given the late age of onset for breast cancer.”
If more evidence to encourage exercise is needed, Celeste RobbNicholson, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and editor in chief of Harvard Women’s Health Watch, says, “Exercise fights obesity, combats heart disease and diabetes, improves mood and memory, strengthens bones and possibly prevents breast cancer.”
Many people believe that when the ASO Games are over, the work is done. But really, the work has just begun.
Office workers are in “results mode.”
Sports commissioners will hand over to the games office the results of more than 100 events and the numbers will be checked for accuracy and retyped in the format required by the website and the NSGA.
Athletes can qualify for the National Senior Games in two different ways— by winning a medal (plus fourth place, in some cases) or by meeting minimum performance standards.
Commissioners list the medalists for each sport, however, office workers must check the results for athletes who achieved minimum performance standards. The
“Qualifying Down” policy must be carefully checked to ensure that Arizona athletes are not displaced by out-of-state athletes. The rule is that if the medalists are from out of state, “Qualifying Down” will allow going down until three Arizonans are identified and qualified to represent Arizona.
In addition to paperwork, there is a good deal of postgames physical work involved. Equipment must be cleaned and stored for next year. Some items may have to be repaired or replaced. Medals and T-shirts must be inventoried.
“We want all our athletes to know that getting their qualifying information to the NSGA is our No. 1 priority until it is finished,” stated Irene Stillwell, ASO executive director.
Arizona Senior Olympics was saddened to learn of the recent death of longtime volunteer Dick Potter. A familiar figure each year at the track and field meet, Dick was highly respected for his ability and expertise, whether it was working on the timing of track events or managing one of the field events.
He was patient with the athletes, always willing to give a word of help or advice and his thorough knowledge of athletics guaranteed fairness to all.
Dick had a long and successful career in education and was devoted to teaching. He was often heard saying, “I’m here for the kids.”
As a USATF certified official, Dick was known throughout the Western United States for his fair judgment.
“Dick was truly missed at our meet at the 2014 games and will continue to be missed by our staff, volunteers and athletes,” says Irene Stillwell, ASO executive director.
q Yes, I would like to be a friend of Arizona Senior Olympics Send your tax-deductible contribution by check, money order, credit card or go online to www.seniorgames.org.
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