Where Elegance and Comfort Come Together
Wednesday, January 8, 2:00
“Stepping Forward”
This workshop titled “Motivation and Goal Setting” will focus on stress management and developing healthy coping skills. The workshops will continue February 12 and is titled “Reducing Heart Disease with Risk Factor Modification”.
Tuesday, January 21, 9:00-5:00
Life Line Health Screenings
Mountain View Retirement Village is pleased to offer a preventative health event. Life Line Screening, a leading provider of preventative health screenings, will host affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries, abdominal aortic aneurysms, hardening of the arteries in the legs, atrial fibrillation or irregular heart “beat and bone density screening. Call 1-888-653-6441 to schedule an appointment or questions.
JANUARY Happenings
Wednesday, January 22, 2:00
Wendy Sweet
Wendy has been singing professionally since 1980. Wendy had a 25-year career as a radio personality and has recorded hundreds of radio and TV commercials as well as voice overs.
Thursday, January 30, 7:00
Swingin’ with Dean Show
Dean Ratzman is a life-long professional musician. He is a smooth and talented solo performer. He performs on piano, trumpet, trombone and sings. He plays ‘40’s Swing, Big Band, Jazz, Blues, Rock and Soul hits of Great American artists.
Free Caregivers Guide To Stroke
Lori Ramos Cavallo compares being a new caregiver to being CEO of a Fortune 500 company straight out of high school.
No prior experience. No qualifications. No idea where to start.
To help stroke caregivers, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, developed “Caregiver Guide to Stroke.” The free guide includes sections on emotional support, communicating with the health care team, managing
the effects of a stroke, legal resources, financial support and health coverage.
“While they are still adjusting emotionally to a sudden change in their loved one’s functioning, family caregivers also feel like they need to become instant experts on treatments, rehabilitation, insurance and more. This guide will help the person who does the helping.”
The American Stroke Association’s Together to End Stroke initiative, nationally sponsored by the global
health care product company Covidien, teaches the acronym F.A.S.T. to help people remember common warning signs of stroke.
F—Face Drooping
A—Arm Weakness
S—Speech Difficulty
T—Time to call 9-1-1
To download the association’s free “Caregiver Guide to Stroke,” visit www. StrokeAssociation.org/Caregiver. For caregiving or general stroke inquiries, e-mail TogethertoEndStroke@heart. org or call 888-4-STROKE (888-4787653).
opinion Sound Off
Bah humbug to the scumbags who stole the decorative reindeers from my front lawn last December. May you find lumps of coal in your Christmas stockings.
Greetings, Ms. Ratner. I was profoundly touched by your recent essay “Oblivious” in “The Widow’s Corner” column. In the piece, you have focused on expressing what a woman may experience when there is an unusual growth on her breast. My opinion? I advise you to fight. I say, tell your friends, readers and loved ones. Let the collective energy help you overcome the fear and avoidance. Set your mind to being strong and to winning. Set an example for other women, and yes, men too, to never give up in the face of a frightening adversity.—Norm
I’m a gun rights person. I believe I have a right to a gun. The Second Amendment is a virtue in the Constitution. However, I don’t think that George Zimmerman is
going to be able to solve every problem in his life now at a point of a gun— his relationships, his environment. He is going to kill somebody again. He thought he could literally kill every problem he had. By the way, he’s not alone. There are so many people in America who have poor mental health. They just want to point a gun at something and blow it away. We should have the right to have guns. George Zimmerman shouldn’t have a gun.
Parents, if you can’t discipline your children, you need to either give them up for adoption or have them taken away from you by the authorities.
Obamacare was a WMD— weapon of misinformation and deceit.
To all those people out there who can’t respect your fellow American, or your American laws: You need to leave. Find somewhere else to live. America is not the place for you.
DUI laws are over-enforced. I had a personal situation today, when I was nearly killed. A motorcycle and a car came through a
The Curmudgeon
My Curmuddy Awards for 2013
: by Drew
From the White House You Didn’t Build That Room, welcome to the 19th Annual Curmuddy awards, presenting mud-pie statuettes for some of the worst things said and done in 2013.
The Wretched Excess Curmuddy goes to all the mass media for their feeding frenzy of overdone, over-thetop reporting of the Jodi Arias murder trial.
To the city of Seattle, this Curmuddy for Insipid Political Correctness in rejecting “Buy American” ads on its buses and banning employees from using the words “citizen” and “brown bag” because they are “potentially offensive.”
A Perversion of the Press Curmuddy to the Gannett-owned suburban New York City Journal News
Alexander
for irresponsibly publishing a map with home addresses of all law-abiding licensed gun owners in Westchester and Rockland counties. Among those residents placed at risk are police officers and their families who could be victimized by vindictive criminals.
The award for Zero Tolerance Stupidity is presented to the officials of Park Elementary School in Baltimore, Md., for suspending second-grader Josh Welch for two days because he shaped a Pop-Tart into something vaguely resembling a gun.
Josh “used food to make inappropriate gestures,” said the devoid of common sense school bosses. Other schools around the country have made equally poor judgments related to pictures or other innocuous representations of guns.
red light and nearly took me out. The signal was red for quite a long time because the green signal for me was long enough for four cars ahead of me to make their turns. As I entered the intersection, it was just about to change from green to yellow, when another car came shooting into the intersection from my right, eastbound. When I caught up to her at the next traffic signal and scolded her for her actions, I could tell she was drunk, but she was aware of her actions. I almost got killed myself. I said, “Lady, you were at fault.” It’s one of those things where DUI enforcement would make no difference
We
whatsoever. DUI enforcement is not for minor, minor infractions. I think it needs to be changed.
I’ve lived in my neighborhood for 25 years across from a dirt lot—a couple of acres of dirt. It has an out-of-state owner. The property is probably some kind of tax write off. They can’t bother to keep people from dumping on it, shooting birds or driving ATVs. Child molesters hide in the overgrown scrub. The city of Phoenix is constantly threatening them with fines. When I did meet the ...continues on page 8
Want to HEAR from You!
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.
e-mail us: soundoff@lovinlifeafter50.com
Fred Phelps, the so-called pastor of the Westboro Baptist Church and his family are recipients of the Extreme Hate-Mongering Curmuddy for picketing and disrupting funerals of fallen American military and firefighter personnel. These sickos—who are not Baptists—are equal opportunity haters of Jews, homosexuals, Mormons, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, America, and just about everything and everybody in sight.
In Canada, after having her 2-yearold son in a hospital for five hours, Pauline Tantost and child were ejected from a Montreal city bus and fined $219 for not having the correct fare in coins. Tantost tearfully walked home. The Lack of Humanity Curmudgeon is awarded to the Montreal Transit Corp.
The Third Annual Clarence Dupnik Curmuddy for Dopiness co-recipients are Bob Filner, the brazen ex-mayor of San Diego who resigned in the wake of scores of sexual harassment charges, and Rob Ford, the erratic mayor of Toronto, Ontario,
8
us: Lovin’ Life After 50 3200 N. Hayden Rd., Suite 210 Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Canada, who admitted taking crack cocaine while being in a “drunken stupor.”
Receiving the Super Silly Censorship Curmuddy is the Air Force for censoring a Christian chaplain, Lt. Col. Kenneth Reyes, for posting an essay on a website using the phrase originating in World War II that “there are no Atheists in foxholes.” The Military Religious Freedom Foundation complained that the wordage was “a bigoted, religious supremacist phrase,” and demanded that Lt. Col. Reyes receive further punishment for expressing a matter of faith. Um, isn’t that what chaplains are supposed to do?
And finally, The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight Curmuddy to President Barack Obama and his inept administration and all the blundering Congressional Democrats who brought us the debacle called the Affordable Care Act, or Obama-Scare, and its multi-million dollar joke of a website.
Happy New Year.
The Up Side
A Blind Squirrel’s Guide to Meditation
: : by Michael Grady
Iachieved an altered state the other day.
Sitting still in my living room— eyes closed, focused on nothing but the sound of my own breathing—I was able to crawl out from under the frantic thoughts that crowd our minds every waking moment. If you get on top of those thoughts, there’s this marvelous, relaxing spot in your consciousness. It’s a quiet state of consciousness that I find energizing and inspiring—right up until my little dog’s bark startles me silly.
Meditation is something I do fairly regularly now. I was horrible at first, but through sheer persistence, have worked up to merely bad. And I occasionally hit a higher sphere of consciousness in the same way a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then. I don’t discuss meditation much because, when you do, people wait for you to hand them a religious pamphlet or hail the Mother ship. But, in a society strewn with fiscal cliffs, barbed rhetoric and Miley Cyrus’ tongue dangling everywhere, meditation has given me a refuge. And I figure anyone interested might benefit from what I have discovered along the way.
Rule No. 1: Everybody stinks at the beginning
Starting meditation is hard, especially in a family. Children want to climb you, spouses wonder if they can vacuum around you, and you spend a certain amount of time, sitting cross-legged on the floor, wondering how to think about nothing while the cat tries to sit on you. Those early times are tough, because you close your eyes expecting to touch the face of God, and the only action you get is from last night’s sauerkraut. There’s no shortcut. You have to keep trying.
Rule No. 2: Meditation will not make you George Clooney. I got into meditation for all the wrong reasons. Years ago, I wanted a better job and more money and more … everything. Someone suggested
meditation as a way to deeper wisdom. (“Yeah! Wisdom! I’ll take some of that!”) So I read a book, and sat in my backyard in the mornings, seeking higher consciousness for the same reasons people start pyramid schemes or chase leprechauns. I didn’t get anything (except a soundtrack of my dogs completing their digestive cycles) and I’m still not wise, but I did learn this: meditation is not a makeover or a slot machine. It can help you be a better version of who you are. But if you don’t like who you are, breathing deeply in a yard full of puzzled dogs won’t make you George Clooney.
Rule No. 3: Don’t shriek at higher consciousness.
Occasionally, if my yard was still, my body would relax, my thoughts would roll to a stop and I’d feel this gentle awareness rise. It was nice feeling—energizing without being edgy. It might have been higher consciousness. I’ll never know because I would immediately shout at it: “What should I do with my life?! Should I get another job?!” Nothing screws up inner harmony faster than chasing it across your consciousness, shrieking questions at it in your mother’s voice.
Rule No. 4: Everybody has an approach, and none of them will fit exactly.
When I wasn’t getting “results,” I thought I was meditating wrong. So I read another book. And another. What I found was that learning meditation was like learning a golf swing: everyone has a different approach, and most of them contradict each other. Mantra. No mantra. Affirmation. No affirmation. Lotus position. No Lotus. Sit in a chair. Visualize light. Eyes open? Eyes closed. Incense? No incense. You can’t follow one method, without violating many others. Except at the end, they all say, “...then just relax.” I wound up feeling frustrated and inadequate, and for several years my mantra was, “the hell with it.”
Rule No. 5: Meditation rewards the persistent.
It took a stressful job to make me try meditation again. A very nice Buddhist lady offered a guided meditation class at work. I took it to be nice. But with the addition of a little assistance—and the absence of vacuum cleaners and dogs—guided meditation hit me like a whole lot of umbrella-ed drinks. My shoulders dropped to a place they haven’t been since 1978. But beyond that, I was struck by two things: 1) the ability of a focused mind to release stress and change your perception of the surrounding world, and: 2) the fact that meditation left my hands too relaxed to type the rest of the day. I would flail at my keyboard like a trained seal, thinking: “I’m gonna write about this when I get my fingers back.”
Rule No. 6: Look for subtle rewards.
We live in a highlight-reel world. Subtle changes—even profound ones—often go unnoticed. But this is what I discovered about meditation: it slows the game down. Whenever college athletes move to the pros, they talk about how fast the professional game is, and how they need to get to that place where the game seems to moves slower, so they can read defenses, recognize plays and react better. After a few weeks of meditation, I noticed that
the little workplace dramas at my job were coming at me slower. The people who drove me crazy could not push my buttons as much. I found more time to react, and the ability to react calmly. Meditation gave me a perceptual cushion, where I could stand back and watch the people at that job like they were at a distance or in an aquarium or something. And from that perspective, all of their whispered gossip, crazed office-speak and elaborate gesturing seemed goofy and even a little amusing. Yes, tequila can do the same thing. But tequila is expensive and makes me fall out of my cubicle.
Rule No. 7: Invest the time. Meditation is more effective when you consistently invest time in it. People tell me: “I’d like to meditate, but I don’t have time with my job/ life/commitments, etc.” It’s still a struggle for me, too. But I find the time is worth the investment. You don’t feel the benefits every single time—meditation is not a can of Red Bull—but the cumulative payoff is dramatic. And the very act of setting aside time for yourself, to sit down and do nothing, is therapeutic. It’s like flipping the bird to a caffeinated world that goes too damn fast, anyway. Now if I can only keep that dog from barking.
Michael Grady is a Valley-based freelance writer, reporter and playwright.
Sound Off
... from page 6
owner, he was elderly and a tad senile. Oh that didn’t help. He actually made me responsible for reporting dumping on this lot, which I have to do. If I don’t report the dumping, it just gets worse. A lot of dog walkers use it. I have to report that to the city. The infestation gets worse in the summer. Why doesn’t this person of wealth donate acreage to city and make it a dog park?
In a classic understatement of the facts, President Obama recently confessed that we
fumbled the ball on Affordable Health Care Act. His political advisers, together with public decency, precluded the use of a stronger four-letter verb, which also begins with the letter F.
Hi, my name is Chuck Hughes. I live in Mesa. I just called about the Curmudgeon. I think you should remove that person from the paper. Your byline says you’re to be informing, serving and entertaining. By having his article, you’re doing none. He never gets facts
right. He’s mean spirited. When you read the article it just sets the whole tone for what’s a pretty nice insert for my paper. He’s not entertaining. He’s not serving and he’s not informing. It’s one point of view, to the right of Attila the Hun and it’s nasty. You really should remove him from the paper.
As far as everybody complaining about President Obama: Just have his American Express card relinquished. Who’s paying for it? We are. Quick and simple. The whole “KISS” principle: Keep it simple, stupid.
cards are going to the people you’re handing them to. Nine out of 10, they’re given to the recipients where you drop them off and everybody’s having a ball with your money. Think again when you’re giving gift cards to charity.
Is there any wonder why the president and our nation are in such shambles? To date, Obama has had five chiefs of staff. That’s an average of one per year.
Is it just me or does Sen. Ted Cruz have a striking resemblance to Sen. Joseph McCarthy, who started the Communist witch hunt back in the ‘50s?
Domestic help and yard work people, and people who work inside the home, like in remodeling, they all want to be paid by cash, rather than check, or if it’s a check it’s made out to themselves. I believe all the cash that is given to them is certainly not reported to the government. The rest of us are paying taxes on our income. It does not seem fair to the rest of us.
Drew Alexander deserves a Pulitzer for Obamastein’s monster. It should be read at Christmas as a Christmas story, or even as a Thanksgiving story. He speaks the truth.
Now that everyone has given their gift cards to the food banks, how about figuring out where the money’s going to. The gift
ASU’s 24-point loss to Stanford in the PAC-12 title game clearly confirm that the blowhard head coach, Todd Graham, and his Sun Devils are nowhere nearly ready for prime time.
When Obama’s uncle was arrested for drunken driving in 2011, he claimed he didn’t know him. I heard on the news last night that he lived with him for three weeks when he was in law school. So much for telling the truth.
School children should be taught the final words of President Kennedy’s speech he never got to finish, which was just made permanent in the Dallas memorial plaque. They should learn it the same as Gettysburg. We need more presidents like that.
Hey, hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. It would have been so much better if the commercial people would learn to just transcribe a little line across the bottom of the TV so the children can see the parade. Don’t be so greedy every year. Who wants to see all the blabbing
on page 26
The Widow’s Corner I Hate Pink
: : by Terry Ratner, RN, MFA
My breast lump is tiny and pokey. It measures 0.6 x 0.3 x 0.2 cm, a circumscribed tumor nodule with a parallel orientation at the 11 o’clock position, approximately 9 cm from the nipple.
Reading over the interim print report, I could only smile about the coincidence of my scheduled 11 a.m. Monday surgery and the position of the nodule. It sounds better to call it a nodule than a tumor.
“Why did this happen to me?” I wondered aloud. What did “doing everything” to prevent cancer really mean? There are days I skipped sunscreen. I don’t exercise as much and as hard as I should. And, oh yeah, I live in a highly polluted urban area of the United States, but I eat healthy and try and keep my stress to a minimum.
Two weeks before I discovered the lump, I read an interesting article in the New York Times Magazine about breast cancer along with the pop culture of advertising it over the last 10 years. It began with a disclosure that the author was a breast cancer survivor, so I naturally thought it would be a positive article on the strides in breast cancer that science and the Komen organization has made over the last few years. Not exactly the case. The article talked about the flaws of Komen recommending mammograms as a way to prevent breast cancer. While Komen, along with the American Cancer Society are credited with raising the profile of the disease, encouraging women to speak about their experience and transforming “victims” into “survivors,” the Komen pink-ribbon culture has become less about eradication of breast cancer than self-perpetuation: maintaining the visibility of the disease and keeping the funds rolling in.
For the last 10 years, I have felt a certain disgust in seeing how the pink-ribbon culture has narrowed our awareness of what is being done in research to prevent breast cancer: Pink
ribbons on high-rise buildings, pink garbage trucks, pink gloves and pink spike shoes on football players, pink stockings, and pink ballet shoes—its relentless marketing has made the pink ribbon one of the most recognized logos of our time. It has come to symbolize both fear of the disease and the hope it can be defeated.
One hundred and eight American women die of breast cancer each day. Some can live for a decade or more with metastatic disease, the median life span is 26 months. I don’t want to be part of the statistics.
On the Friday before my scheduled surgery, I walked over to the breast center to request the radiologist report. I wanted to study it over the weekend, find a weak link in it, a mistake, something that might lead me to discover some inconsistency in the results. I opened the door to find six ladies with large pink ribbons in their hair. They stood around a table set for a party: a cake as the center piece with bright pink frosting, cupcakes with pink and white sprinkles, pink plastic forks and pink napkins, and purple punch with a pink ribbon painted on the glass pitcher.
“What’s going on here?” I asked.
“We are having a mammogram party,” a lady told me in between bites of cake.
After signing the release consent, the receptionist handed me my ultrasound report. I said goodbye to the giggling women just as one of them was called into an exam room. I wished them luck and left.
I didn’t quite understand the concept of the party. It was a sort of celebration before the mammogram study. I couldn’t believe they were resorting to “parties” at the breast center, but then again I had nothing to celebrate yet.
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.
DearAsk the Old Bag
Advice for the Over-50 Crowd
: : by Gayle M. Lagman-Creswick
Old Bag: Enjoyed your December 2013 column. I plan on using the suggestion you made about the older generation writing a story/anecdote for the children or grandchildren. I am going to try to help my dad—who is 96 years young—do this for each of his kids. Here is a suggestion for next year! Best gift I ever gave my dad.
My dad has everything he wants and needs, including all of the latest electronics gadgets and enough shirts to last five lifetimes. Last year I wrote in his Christmas card that he was now enrolled in “The Pie of the Month Club.” At first he protested. “I don’t want no pie of the month,” thinking it was from some company. I explained to him I was going to bake him a pie myself, and he thought that was OK. My dad never calls me, so imagine my surprise when he called me on Jan. 10? He didn’t say “hello” or “how are you,” just “Where is my pie?” He said he had been thinking about that pie and was wondering when it was going to arrive...I baked the pie a few days later at his house so he could enjoy the aroma. He wasn’t home so I left it on the counter.
of the Month and several people young and old have asked to be my adopted dad! Each pie has been good for at least five or six phone calls; pretty good considering he never called me before! I hope others will consider this way to keep Christmas going all year for their parents.
Signed, C.A.M.
DearC.A.M.: I loved your letter and suggestion. It occurs to me that maybe some of those parents who live in the same town as their children, but never hear from them, could bake them a pie once in awhile to get their attention. Thanks for writing!
DearOld Bag: My New Year’s Resolution is to quit (complaining). Before I do, I have to get something off my mind. I have a friend who is living in the past. He was CEO of a big company, but retired 15 years ago. He still thinks he knows everything, and talks about how he single handedly slayed all the dragons. I have heard these stories many times. I know he is brilliant. I know he has been everywhere. He has done everything. But now he is just like me—retired. That life is over and there are a great many interesting and present things to talk about. Can I shut him up and still have him for a friend? Signed, Fed Up
About 10 minutes after I left he called and with great enthusiasm said the house smelled fabulous, the pie looked great, and he was just waiting for it to cool. He called an hour later to say he cut into the pie, and it was so delicious he had to have two slices. He called later that evening to let me know he shared a piece with my sister. He called the next day to say he took some to his bridge buddies and they enjoyed it, too. He called one more time to sadly tell me he had the last piece for breakfast and to thank me again for making him the pie. Pie of the Month has been a wonderful way for my dad to remember all of the delicious pies my mom made and for me to reconnect with my dad. He shares pie with his friends and family.
Everyone wants to be part of the Pie
Dear Fed Up: Your friend thinks his only importance lies in what he used to be. Perhaps you could say something like, “Friend, I don’t give a tinker’s darn what you used to be or did. I like you now...retired like me. You are an important person right now to your friends.” It won’t change him, but maybe it will make him stop and think. Good luck with your New Year’s resolution!
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,
Bear Market Report
‘Tis the Season…When Uncle Sam is Jolly!
: : by Teresa Bear
This is the time of year when our thoughts turn to that magical date ingrained in our consciousness from the days we started working for a living—April 15.
As a CPA, this time of year is not so affectionately known as “Tax Season.” For me, tax season means long hours, eating meals on the run, and not seeing my family for three and a half months. To help make life easier for your “tax lady” or “tax man,” here are some hints to streamline the tax preparation process. It goes without saying that because most CPA firms bill by the hour, following these tips may also save you some money in the process.
• Begin assembling your third-party documentation in one place. This includes your W-2, 1099, 1098, K-1 and Social Security statements. When you receive them, take a few minutes to review each one to ensure that the numbers make sense.
• If you have purchased or sold real estate during the year, your CPA will need the closing document from the sale (that long HUD-1 form).
• If you sold an asset and there is no cost basis showing on the 1099B from your brokerage firm, work with your investment advisor to determine the tax basis of the property sold. It is not the job of your CPA to divine these numbers – they are not clairvoyant.• If your CPA has sent you an organizer to fill out, do not send it back blank! A completely filled out organizer will help your CPA efficiently prepare your return. It will also jog your memory and give you an idea of what can and cannot be deducted. To use the simplified organizer that I have designed for my practice, visit http://teresabear.com/pdf/ LovinLife/2014/2013Organizer.pdf.
• If earned income from a business, provide a summary of income and expenses.
• If you own rental property, provide a summary of income and expenses.
• If you have donated “stuff” to charity, keep in mind that the maximum that can be deducted without filing form 8283 is $500. The IRS implemented this additional reporting requirement
because taxpayers had a tendency to place a slightly higher value on their well-loved sofa that they donated to Goodwill than the shopper who purchased said sofa.
• Reserve your financial confessions for your minister. You are legally required to report all income—even if it was “under the table” and you didn’t receive a 1099. Don’t tell your CPA about income that you do not intend to report to the government.
• While your CPA is not your priest, they are also not a tax collector for the IRS. If you report $487.23 of prescription expense on your organizer, your accountant does not need to see your receipts. We trust you. If additional documentation is needed for a specific item, we will ask for it.
• Keep your summary sheet at home! In addition to the information listed above, many taxpayers also give their accountants a handwritten summary sheet of income and deductions. The problem for the CPA is that they need to verify that sheet against the other information in the package. This adds time and cost to preparing your return.
Naturally, each tax professional runs their business slightly different. If they have different procedures, you should follow their directions.
Finally, keep in mind that because of the government shutdown and the complexity of implementing the tax provisions of the Affordable Health Care Act (also known as Obamacare), the IRS is behind schedule in preparing for tax season. Tax preparers are likewise affected. Be kind and patient with us. We are mere mortals working under tight deadlines to do our best to help our clients.
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.
Jan. 1 Wednesday
Happy New Year from everyone at Lovin’ Life After 50!
Jan. 2 Thursday
Public Health Nurse Visit, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Nanini Branch Library, 7300 N. Shannon Rd., free, 594-5365. Nurse from Pima County Health Department will answer questions.
Jan. 3 Friday
Walking Tours of Old Town Tubac, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., repeats Jan. 10, Jan. 17, Jan. 24 and Jan. 31, meet at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St., Tubac, $10, reservations required, 398-2252, info@ TubacPresidio.org. Explore the original adobe buildings and discover the rich heritage of Arizona’s first European settlement.
drummer/DJ plays “oldies but goodies” at a nonsmoking dance. Bring snacks for the potluck.
Historical Tour of Agua Caliente Park, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Rd., free, 615-7855, eeducation@pima.gov. Enjoy a guided walk around the lush grounds and historic buildings of Agua Caliente Park, and gain insights into the rich farming and ranching history of the site.
History of the Tanque Verde Valley, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Rd., free but reservations required, 615-7855, eeducation@pima.gov. The ranching history and personalities that shaped the Tanque Verde Valley are shared by local author and historian Jorga Riggenbach.
Jan. 6 Monday
Frontier Printing Press Demonstrations, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., repeats Jan. 12 and Jan. 25, Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St., Tubac, $5, reservations required, 398-2252. Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Hand Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, typesetting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering.
Jan. 4 Saturday
Birthday Potluck and Dance, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Singles and Friends, 2447 N. Los Altos Ave., $5 members, $7 nonmembers, 623-7875, www.facebook. com/singlesandfriendsinc, www.singlesandfriendsinc.com. Join the group for birthday cake and finger food. DJ Dale entertains.
Tucson Mountain Park Birding Walk, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area, 1548 S. Kinney Rd., free, 615-7855, eeducation@pima. gov. Join birding expert John Higgins for a guided birding walk to spot canyon towhees, rufous-winged sparrows, Gila woodpeckers, and other birds of the desert southwest.
A Night with the Stars, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Rd., free, 615-7855, eeducation@pima.gov. Explore the wonder and mysteries of the night sky. Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association volunteers provide an introduction to the night sky and set up telescopes for celestial viewing.
Jan. 5 Sunday
Bob Kay, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sundays, Singles and Friends Inc., 2447 N. Los Altos, $4, 883-5491. The singing
Sweater Nanas, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Joyner-Green Valley Branch Library, 601 N. La Canada Dr., Green Valley, free, 594-5295.
Jan. 7 Tuesday
Birding at Sweetwater Wetlands, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Sweetwater Wetlands, 2667 W. Sweetwater Dr., free, 615-7855, eeducation@pima.gov. Join a local birding expert on a guided walk to see a variety of ducks and shorebirds, sparrows, hawks and warblers.
Tour of Hacienda de la Canoa, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. Interstate 19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley, free but reservations required, 877-6004, CanoaRanch@ pima.gov. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley.
Jan. 8 Wednesday
Wednesday Sonoran Desert Weedwackers, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Pima County Tucson Mountain Park, 2020 N. Kinney Rd., free but reservations required, 6157855, eeducation@pima.gov. Join the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers to eradicate buffelgrass and fountain grass in Tucson Mountain Park. Work may require hiking and pulling buffelgrass on steep slopes.
Jan. 9 Thursday
Green Valley Stroke Support Group, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Zuni Room, La Perla at La Posada, 635 S. Park Center Ave., free but reservations required, 626-2901. For
stroke survivors and caregivers to learn more about stroke, to find positive solutions to shared concerns and to unite in support of each other.
Jan. 10 Friday
“Living History: Foods of the Spanish Colonial Period,” 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St., Tubac, $5, 398-2252. Volunteers dressed in period clothing describe the combination of native and introduced foods enjoyed by the Spanish soldiers and civilians who lived in Tubac during the Spanish Colonial period (1752-1776).
Tucson Mountains Sweetwater Preserve Hike, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sweetwater Preserve, 4000 N. Tortolita Rd., free but reservations required, 615-7855, eeducation@pima.gov. Join botanist Meg Quinn for a 3to 4-mile moderate level hike and learn about the plants and wildlife that inhabit our local desert.
Jan. 11 Saturday
Elvis Presley’s Birthday Night, Dance and Potluck, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Singles and Friends Inc., 2447 N. Los Altos Ave., $5 members, $7 nonmembers, 623-7875, www.singlesandfriendsinc.com, www. facebook.com/singlesandfriendsinc. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches furnished; bring a dish to share. DJ Robert entertains.
“The Life and Times of Tom Jeffords, Blood Brother of Cochise—Presented by Von Fowers,” 2 p.m., Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St., Tubac, $7.50, 398-2252. Learn how Tom Jeffords was instrumental in creating peace in the region and what he did after Cochise death to maintain that peace.
Claudette Haney, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mountain Oyster Club, 6400 E. El Dorado Circle, reservations required, 721-9295. Arizona state president of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will address the group about how to retain aging members and recruit and involve Generation Y (Millennials). Haney will also discuss how current members can engage younger members.
Jan. 12 Sunday
Peter McLaughlin, 2 p.m., Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St., Tubac, $18, 398-2252, events@TubacPresidio.org. National flatpick guitar champion, renowned for his intricate arrangements and stunning virtuosity on guitar, is well known in the Tucson music scene for his country and bluegrass style.
Jan. 13 Monday
Lovin’ Life After 50 Expo, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Doubletree Hotel Tucson, 445 S. Alvernon Way, free, (800) 959-1566. The 26th annual event features booth, exhibits and entertainment for the over-50 market.
Tucson Community Stroke Support Group, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., University of Arizona Medical Center,
Cafeteria Dining Room C, 1501 N. Campbell Ave. free but reservations required, 626-2901. For stroke survivors and caregivers to learn more about stroke, to find positive solutions to shared concerns and to unite in support of each other.
Jan. 14 Tuesday
National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Chapter 1874 Meeting, 11:30 a.m., Golden Corral Restaurant, 6865 N. Thornydale Dr., $7.95, 400-3456. A member of the Rose Society of Tucson will talk about growing roses in Tucson and how to prune the brushes.
Birding at Hacienda de la Canoa, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Histoic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. Interstate 19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley, free but reservations required, 877-6004, CanoaRanch@pima.gov. Join a guided birding walk at Historic Hacienda de la Canoa to see a wide variety of sparrows, raptors, and other desert and grassland birds.
Jan. 15 Wednesday
Write to Heal, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., repeats Wednesdays thru Feb. 12, Northwest Art Center, 7770 N. Shannon Rd., Room 303, $60, deborah@ deborahmayaan.com. Each class focuses on writing exercises for a topic, including “Increasing Resiliency,” “The Body Electric,” “Visions for Our Bodies” and “Our Lives, My Healing Journey” and “Healing Relationships.”
Heritage Area Structures Rehabilitation Tour, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. Interstate 19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley, free but reservations required, 877-6004, CanoaRanch@pima. gov. Architectural preservationist Simon Herbert discusses the processes and materials used for the rehabilitation of the structures at Historic Hacienda de la Canoa as he leads this behind-the-scenes tour.
Jan. 16 Thursday
Green Valley Genealogical Society, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 S. Camino del Sol, Green Valley, free, 396-4630, joannherbst@cox.net. Methods used to trace German ancestors back to Hamburg in 1614 and Irish ancestors back to Ireland in 1816.
“Sorting Out Heart News You Can Really Use” with Lori Mackstaller, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Canoa Hills Social Center, 3660 S. Camino del Sol, Green Valley, free, 626-2901. Presented by the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center.
Jan. 17 Friday
Living History: Chocolate in Spanish Colonial Tubac, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., repeats Jan. 31, Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St., Tubac, $2 to $5, 298-2252. Explore the history, geography and culture of chocolate in New Spain. ...continues on page 14
— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
Jan. 18 Saturday
from page 13
“Fabulous Fibers—The Fine Arts of Clothing,” 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Many Hands Artist Cooperative’s courtyard, 3054 N. First Ave., free, 360-1880, MHArtistCoop@gmail.com. Also see Tucson Hand Weaving and Spinning Guild as well as live Alpacas.
Crazy Dress Night Potluck and Dance, 6:30 p.m., Singles and Friends Inc., 2447 N. Los Altos Ave., $5 members, $7 nonmembers, 623-7875, www.singlesandfriendsinc. com, www.facebook.com/singlesandfriends. Patrons are encouraged to wear crazy outfits while dining on spaghetti. Bring a dish to share. DJ Gloria entertains.
The Famous Juan Bautista de Anza Expeditions to California—Presentation by Jack Lasseter, 2 p.m., Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St., Tubac, $15, 398-2252. This is the story of Juan Bautista de Anza’s two famous trips in the 1770s, in which he guided Spanish immigrants overland from Tubac to California.
Jan. 19 Sunday
Northern Jaguar Project, 2 p.m., Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St., Tubac, $7.50, 398-2252, events@ TubacPresidio.org. Learn about the project and what it is doing to save the population of endangered jaguars, and the dozens of other threatened wildlife species found in the region.
Ancient Native American Pottery of Southern Arizona, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Rd., free but reservations required, 615-7855, eeducation@pima.gov. Using digital images and actual ancient pottery, Allen Dart shows Native American ceramic styles and discusses how archaeologists use pottery for dating and interpreting archaeological sites.
Jan. 21 Tuesday
Tucson Organic Gardeners Monthly Meeting, 7 p.m., St. Mark’s Church, 3809 E. Third St., free, 6709158, www.tucsonorganicgardeners.org. This month’s program is “Grow Grains in the Desert” by Melissa Mundt.
Jan. 22 Wednesday
Wednesday Sonoran Desert Weedwackers, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Pima County Tucson Mountain Park, 2020 N. Kinney Rd., free but reservations required, 6157855, eeducation@pima.gov. Join the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers to eradicate buffelgrass and fountain grass in Tucson Mountain Park.
Jan. 23 Thursday
Walking Tours of Tubac’s Art History, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St., Tubac, $20, reservations required, 398-2252. Learn why Tubac is the town where “Art and History Meet.”
Jan. 24 Friday
Living History: Medicine of the Spanish Colonial Period, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tubac Presidio State Historic
Park, 1 Burruel St., Tubac, $2 to $5, 398-2252. This living history program features a display of medicinal herbs and plants.
Jan. 25 Saturday
Hobo Night Potluck and Dance, 6:30 p.m., Singles and Friends Inc., 2447 N. Los Altos Ave., $5 members, $7 nonmembers, 623-7875, www.singleandfriendsinc. com, www.facebook.com/singlesandfriendsinc. Stew and cornbread are furnished as patrons are invited to bring a dish to share. DJ Robert entertains.
Birding at Hacienda de la Canoa, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. Interstate 19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley, free but reservations required, 877-6004, CanoaRanch@pima.gov. Join a guided birding walk at Historic Hacienda de la Canoa to see a wide variety of sparrows, raptors, and other desert and grassland birds.
Jan. 26 Sunday
American Indian Exposition, various times thru Feb. 16, Flamingo Quality Inn ballroom, 1300 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, call for admission charge, 622-4900, www. usaindianinfo.com. Demonstrations and artists change every three to seven days for the event, which features authentic crafts and art from 80 tribal nations.
Jan. 27 Monday
Introduction to Microsoft Excel, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Nanini Branch Library, 7300 N. Shannon Rd., free but reservations required, 594-5365. Session one of six.
Jan. 28 Tuesday
Tour of Hacienda de la Canoa, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. Interstate 19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley, free but reservations required, 877-6004, CanoaRanch@pima.gov. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch.
Jan. 29 Wednesday
Yetman Trail Hike, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Camino de Oeste Trailhead, 400 N. Camino de Oeste, free but reservations required, 615-7855, eeducation@pima.gov. During this 2- to 3-mile easy- to moderate-level hike, the group searches for signs of wildlife and visits the ruins of the old stone Bowen House.
Jan. 30 Thursday
Introduction to Computers, 8:45 a.m. to 10 a.m., El Pueblo Branch Library, 101 W. Irvington Rd., free but registration required, 594-5250.
Jan. 31 Friday
Looking at Windows, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch Library, 8959 E. Tanque Verde Rd., free but registration required, 594-5275. Part one of two.
Open House & Ribbon Cutting
EVEN EXCHANGE
by 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.
SUDOKU TIME
Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
DIFFICULTY
THIS MONTH H H H
H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY! HHHH Put on your helmet!
SCRAMBLERS
Across
1. Not tacit
6. Prepare, as tea
10. Glasgow gal
14. “Wall Street” movie character
15. Percolate slowly
16. Voice below soprano
17. Like porridge
18. Brusque
19. Camera lens
20. A great 2013 deal for the Cardinals
23. Flowered
26. Supply with oxygen
27. Three in one
28. George Gershwin’s brother
29. Family member
30. Yardage pickup
33. Religious maxims
38. Lifestyle center in Scottsdale
41. Far from shore
42. Hairy twin who sold his birthright
43. Guitarist or right winger?
44. Nave seat
46. Rough uplands
48. Imbue with spiritual awareness
52. Depression
54. Home for Simone
56. Split up
57. Pinlike
58. Earth color
63. Halftime lead, e.g.
64. International ___ Line
65. Like hot tar
66. Hairdresser, often
67. Work detail
68. Games expert
Down
1. In days past
2. Where ewes roam
3. Calendar abbr.
4. Small guitar, for short
CROSSWORD
5. Castle’s inner tower
6. WW I soldier
7. 18 holes, e.g.
8. Nehemiah follows it
9. Hotel-suite amenity
10. Piano virtuoso ___ Berman
11. Lei giver’s greeting
12. Ferret cousin
13. French river to the English Channel
21. Finish
22. Purview
23. Rumor, in Rouen
24. What fans stand in for tickets
25. Bizarre
27. “We’ll ___ cup . . . “: Burns
28. New World empire
31. Refreshing way to start?
32. Tags
34. Shaded in tone
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!
35. They’re leaving
36. Andes Indians
37. Inquires
39. Really dig
40. Go one better than
45. Twisty-horned animals
47. “Stop!”
48. Needed to say “Oops”
49. Deserving assistance
50. Blacken
51. Less ordinary
52. It has wheels on its heel
53. Quetzalcoatl worshipper
55. Get as a return
59. Bossy utterance?
60. The “B” of B.S.A.
61. Aquarium resident
62. Oft-seeded loaf
rivia Contest
Happy New Year!
January is a time for renewal. You’ve finally found the courage to say “no” to those leftover holiday cookies (You’re a better person than us!) and committed yourself to getting a fair amount of exercise. Things will be different this year, you tell yourself.
Stick to those resolutions and soon you’ll have a happier, healthier 2014. But nearly everyone makes a resolution at the beginning year, only to give up weeks or months later.
However, this year is going to be different. You’re going to spend more time with the grandkids. You’re going to ease up on the stress you put on yourself. You’re going to find a fulfilling hobby and become really, really good at it!
A new year is a new chance for new opportunities, and throughout history, people took it as a way to celebrate what’s to come. Here are a few New Year’s questions to get your noggin’ puzzlin’ in 2014.
Trivia–New Year
1 Which country celebrates birthdays, but a citizen’s legal age doesn’t change until the New Year?
2 Chinese New Year takes place during which season?
3 What item is stolen more on New Year’s Day than any other holiday?
4 What year marked the first Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop?
5 What fruit is eaten in groups of 12 once the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, according to Latin American tradition?
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!
Contest Prizes
A restaurant gift card, awarded to two winners
December 2013 Winners
One-night stay at InnSuites Mona Sandefur
One-night stay at InnSuites William Carson
Last Month’s Answers
1 Dick Cheney’s daughters Liz and Mary have made headlines for being on opposing sides of the same sex marriage issue.
2 Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine Jackson had her guardianship suspended of her grandchildren when she disappeared to Arizona for 10 days.
3 Madonna has a homeless brother who is none too impressed by her fame and failure to help him out financially.
4 Theodore Roosevelt’s son-in-law, Nicholas Longworth, an early 1900s Republican member of the house, didn’t back his father-in-law’s bid for the presidency.
5
Hulk Hogan and his ex-wife Linda split up in 2007 and both started dating people 20 to 30 years their junior.
Unless noted, events take place at El Dorado Health Campus.
Thurs., Jan. 9 1:00pm –3:00pm
Mon., Jan.13 9:00am – 2:00pm
Tues., Jan.14 1:30pm –3:30pm
Wed., Jan. 15 10:00am –11:30am
Tues., Jan. 21 10:00am – 11:00am
Wed., Jan. 22 9:00am –10:30am
Thurs., Jan. 23 1:30pm –3:00pm
Wed., Jan. 29 12:00noon –1:00pm
Journey for Control - Diabetes Education
Lovin’ Life After 50 Expo At the Doubletree Hotel
Alzheimer’s Film: Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?
Healthy Lifestyle I: Sharpen Memory and Enhance Learning
Nutrition: Put the Fire Out –Avoid Inflammation
Parkinson’s Disease: Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis & Treatment
Sleep Well as We Age
Hearing and Older Adults
Terry Gentner has always had a strong heart in the figurative sense. Fixing his physical heart was a much greater challenge.
“Well, I am 75,” he says. “I didn’t expect to get old, and I did.”
His work as a dispatcher, as well as long weekly drives to transport equipment for a company where his wife works as an office manager, was no problem.
“I could work or drive sitting up,” he says. “But I couldn’t lay down. And if I did the least bit of exertion, I had to rest.”
By Kimberly Hosey
For years, Gentner was the portrait of an active individual. Sailing, camping, hunting, fishing, and leading Cub Scouts were just a few activities that kept the Ajo resident busy for decades—not to mention 23 years of service in the U.S. Navy that included time in the Middle East.
More recently, he’s worked for a program near his home that provides counseling for alcohol abuse, domestic violence and anger management.
Even as his health deteriorated, he worked weekends as a fire department dispatcher.
Gentner really never planned to stop. His body, however, had other ideas.
Gentner and his doctor worried that there was something more than old age holding him up. He began to become short of breath after a few seconds of activity. Short walks— even from one room in the house to another—required rest stops. He could no longer lie down to sleep.
“If I got up to go to the front door, I’d be out of breath, in that short of time. And I’m talking about 40 feet. It was really quite disturbing,” he says.
...continues on page 20
[Repaired] Heart ... from page
Gentner was diagnosed in 2007 with an abnormal heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation. As his condition worsened, his heart began to fail and his chest filled with fluid. Gentner was admitted to University of Arizona Medical Center—University Campus for further tests.
Dr. Raj Janardhanan, associate professor of medicine and medical imaging in the UA College of Medicine—Tucson in the division of cardiology and an expert at detecting and evaluating valve disorders, saw Gentner.
The initial two-dimensional echocardiogram Gentner received upon admittance suggested there might be a problem with his mitral valve, the valve between the heart’s left atrium and the left ventricle. To find out more, Janardhanan called for a more specialized echocardiogram—this time a 3-D look, from the inside. For this echocardiogram, Gentner swallowed a probe that took a sonar image of his heart in much greater detail.
The technique is called threedimensional transesophageal
18
echocardiography, or 3D-TEE. The internal, transesophageal imaging has been used for well over a decade, but the 3-D look at Gentner’s heart and valve only became possible within the last five years, Janardhanan says. And it’s the 3-D view, what Janardhanan calls the “surgeon’s view,” that really helped. From the details learned in the 3D-TEE imaging, Janardhanan was able to learn the severity of Gentner’s leaking mitral valve, and was able to create a 3-D model for the surgeon.
He confirmed that Gentner’s mitral valve was leaking, which caused blood to flow backward (also called mitral regurgitation) instead of flowing smoothly from the left atrium to the left ventricle. It left Gentner’s body short on oxygen, causing his fatigue and shortness of breath.
Janardhanan was also able to determine that Gentner would not need an artificial replacement valve, as might have been routinely done if doctors only had the two-dimensional image for reference.
“That was critical information,” Janardhanan says. “You’re able to
preserve a lot of a patient’s own valve structure when you are repairing. 3-D really adds to patient care.”
Gentner seems to appreciate keeping as much of who he is as possible. He also was heartened by the fact that the surgery would be performed robotically. In robotic repair as opposed to openchest repair, the incision is much smaller, which means the recovery time is much faster.
Terry Gentner of Ajo pauses during a cardiac rehab session with Dr. Raj Janardhanan, who made a 3-D image of his heart that helped Gentner’s surgeon repair a leaking mitral valve. Gentner’s health has improved greatly since the surgery, which was performed robotically.
After the surgery, Gentner was very weak (“You ever see a puppet with his strings cut?” he asks), but he began the long process of rehab, attending twice-weekly sessions at the medical center, where he worked with machines and weights. He has since moved his sessions home to Ajo, where he joined a gym and works out at least three times a week.
He also eats healthfully: His wife, who likes to try out healthy recipes from the Food Network, is a great cook, he says, looking forward to that evening’s chicken marsala.
In the end, new technology and old-fashioned stick-to-itiveness worked together to help Gentner on his recovery. He’s now able to walk
The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center, established in 1986, is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease via the academic pillars of research (discovering knowledge), education (sharing knowledge) and patient care (applying knowledge).
around more easily, do minor repairs around the house, sleep in the same bed with his wife (and their three dogs), and enjoy many activities he’d once written off completely. He’s itching to give back, to be more active again. He’s considering working for the counseling program again, or any “little lifesaving job,” he says.
It’s all about quality of life.
“Many people with a leaky valve, they just attribute it to getting old, and they kind of slow down. But once we’re able to fix that, we’re able to give them their quality of life, and that’s the key thing,” Janardhanan says.
Gentner certainly agrees.
“I feel much better. I’m not ready to run a marathon, but my quality of life is just tremendously more than it was. It is amazing that I am that much better,” he says.
And he has advice for anyone with health concerns, particularly older individuals.
surgery, it’s a lot more common than he once thought—and much easier to recover from.
“I can’t express this too strongly, don’t dread this thing. Go get it fixed.”
Janardhanan agrees. While newer technology and techniques like 3D-TEE have a lot of potential to help people like Gentner, he stresses that it takes specialists to operate the technology, and advises individuals to start with their own doctors.
Using a new technique called three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, or 3D-TEE, doctors are able to get a “surgeon’s view” of a patient’s heart and create a 3-D model for the surgeon.
“Get yourself a great doctor, and then go and listen to him, and don’t dread what he’s going to tell you, because what he’s going to tell you is probably going to be way less than you dread,” he says, adding that while not everyone will have the benefit of less-invasive robotic
Boomerish
Steve Greenberg
“Increasing shortness of breath, fatigue: These are common symptoms elderly people can come across—I recommend seeing their doctors, maybe start with a basic 2-D ultrasound which can at least give us proof on what’s going on with the heart muscle and the status of the heart valve. Those are the two key (pieces of) information we get from the regular echo. That would still be the starting point. And based on that, we can go into more advanced imaging to fine tune the best way of treatment.”
As for Gentner?
“I just want to get back out there,” he says. “I’m feeling really good, and though I don’t know how much better I’ll get, things have improved mightily.”
Big Band Bash Swings in the New Year
Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance and Marana Health Center bring back Senior Prom Big Band Bash for a third year
The concept began in New York and Chicago. The platform exposed stars like Louis Armstrong. The music influenced an entire culture of fashion, dancing and lifestyle.
On Martin Luther King weekend, Saturday, Jan. 18, the era of swing will come to life during Marana Senior Prom Big Band Bash, presented by Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and MHC Healthcare.
as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Duke Ellington.
Tickets, $25 per person ($5 veterans discount), include appetizers, wine and cocktail sampling, car show, photo fun booth, music and silent auction to benefit Marana Healthcare Foundation.
All ages are welcome to be part of the event, beginning with a food and drink social hour at 4 p.m., and the live performance begins at 5 p.m.
Marana Senior Prom Big Band Bash
WHEN: Sat., Jan. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m.
You’re invited for a behind-the-scenes look inside Northwest’s new 60,000-square foot surgical wing. Tour the newest O.R. suites in Tucson, see the surgical technology and meet sta dedicated to providing the best surgical care.
Tour the community’s newest Surgery Wing Saturday, January 18 9 a.m. - Noon
6200 N. La Cholla Blvd., Tucson (Enter from Corona Road)
NorthwestMedicalCenter.com
Truly a night to remember, the Big Band Bash will celebrate the days of Studebakers, swing dancing and the beginning of post war “baby boom” at MHC Healthcare Main Campus, 13395 N. Marana Main St., in Tucson.
Attendees can “cut a rug” on the dance floor in the indoor terrazzo to sounds of the 16-piece Memories Big Band, playing classic greats, such
Partners.
WHERE: Marana Health Center (MHC) Healthcare, 13395 N. Marana Main St.
COST: $25 per person ($5 veterans discount)
INFO: 797-3959 or www.saaca.org
With you every step of the way.
It’s important to have a primary care physician who knows your medical history and is committed to helping you live a healthier life. Dr. Nakisa Mohsen Sheini is here to help you with services ranging from well visits to management of chronic conditions. Let Dr. Sheini help you live life to the fullest. Call 520-232-5280 or visit MyTucsonDoc.com to request an appointment.
Nakisa Mohsen Sheini, M.D. Board-Certi ed Internal Medicine Physician 4001 E. Sunrise Drive, #161 520-232-5280
Monday, Jan. 13th, 2014
9am-2pm | Admission Free Doubletree Hotel
445 South Alvernon Way Tucson, AZ 85711
Lots of Prizes and Giveaways!
Event Schedule
9:00 a.m. Exhibit doors open
9:15 a.m. ....... Official welcome
10:00 a.m. .... Door prizes; $100 drawing giveaway
10:05 a.m. .... Tucson Medical Center Announcement
10:10 a.m. .... Joe Bourne Performs
11:00 a.m. .... Door prizes; $100 drawing giveaway
11:05 a.m. .... Tucson Medical Center Announcement
11:10 a.m. Joe Bourne Performs
12:00 p.m. Door prizes; $100 drawing giveaway
12:05 p.m. Tucson Medical Center Announcement
12:10 p.m. .... Joe Bourne Performs
1:00 p.m. ....... Door prizes; $100 drawing giveaway
1:05 p.m. ....... Tucson Medical Center Announcement
1:10 p.m. ....... Joe Bourne Performs
2:00 p.m. ....... The Expo Concludes
Welcome to the Stage: Joe Bourne
Crooning at this year’s expo will be award-winning singer
Joe Bourne. Performing in concerts all over the world with his rhythm and blues/jazz band, Bourne has sang in concerts alongside artists including: The Stylistics, Natalie Cole, The Manhattans, The Pointer Sisters and Dionne Warwick.
Joe continues to deliver his special brand of entertainment for radio and TV programs, gala evenings, concerts, dinner shows, film premieres, fashion shows, openings, conventions and charity benefits. For more information: www. joebourne.com.
2014 Expo Exhibitors
AAA Arizona
AARP - Arizona
Advanced Hearing Technologies
Arizona Comm for Deaf & HH
Arizona Shuttle
Assurance HealthCare Corp
Atria Bell Court Gardens and Atria Valley Manor
AZ Institute of Urology
AZ Office of Problem Gambling
Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center
Bestcare @ Home
CareMore
Cascades of Tucson
Center for Venous DiseaseTucson
Cochlear Americas
Earthwheels Mobility Scooters
Edward Jones
Estate Planning at Your Service
Fellowship Square Tucson
Final Exit Network
Fishkind, Bakewell, Maltzman
Eye Center
Fletcher Music Centers
Gentiva Hospice
Health Net of AZ
JEA-Copper Canyon
Life Care Centers
Manor at Midvale
Mountain View Retirement
Village
New York Life Ins Co
NNS Clinical Research
Pima Council on Aging
Rincon Country RV Resorts
RN Patient Advocates PLLC
SCAN Health Plan Arizona
Science Care
Seniors Helping Seniors
Sleepover Rover, Inc
Snelling Total Wellness
Southwest Dental Group
Stryker Orthopaedics
The Hartford
Celebrate Seniors at the 26th Annual Lovin’ Life After 50 Expo
Local seniors have the perfect opportunity to get the latest information on everything from travel to health and nutrition at the 2014 Lovin’ Life After 50 Expo!
This 26th annual event features entertainment, prizes and more than 70 vendors with information on retirement, health care, leisure, travel, education and casinos.
There will be musical performances and activities including door prizes and an hourly drawing for $100. Admission and parking are free.
“It all lends itself to a very positive experience,” said Lovin’ Life After 50 publisher Steve Strickbine. “People come out for a variety of reasons, mainly they like to look at the booths, but there is a social aspect, too. And in the mean time, they get to learn something.”
Lovin’ Life After 50 has been in publication for more than 30 years. Due to the popularity of our publications and growing demand, 26 years ago we began hosting expos—giving readers and advertisers a place to connect in person.
Since then, our expos have become a powerful way for exhibitors to show and explain their products and services to a ready 50-plus market.
Booths at our events provide an excellent opportunity for readers to meet and connect with variety of business professionals.
We look forward to seeing you at the expo!
Sound Off
... from page 8
mouths that don’t mean a thing and who don’t interest the children who want to see the parade?
Oh boo-hoo, businesses are complaining. Holiday sales are down. Is no one smart enough to realize that shoppers are unemployed, or prefer to wait until after they cook, eat, enjoy TV and greet visitors, not stuck in traffic or airports? Get over the instant gratification sales. It would be better to get back to the old days when someone had a day off every now and then. A day off, what in the world is that?
Obama’s Kenyan-born uncle is allowed to remain in the U.S. Over 20 years ago he was ordered to leave. He defied that order. Obama’s aunt, who is also illegal, was ordered to obey the laws don’t apply to the Obama family. That pesky Constitution means nothing to them.
Isn’t it interesting how depraved the general public is becoming when the TV murdering stars are all the people want to see on TV? This country is going to the dogs faster than you can realize. There are disgustingly depraved growing generations of the public. Disgustingly depraved and they don’t even know it because they’re so doggone dumb.
Oh hey Republican neighbor, I just had a terrible accident and I got a $100,000 bill in the hospital, but I didn’t get any of that Obama insurance. You’re going to pay that bill for me aren’t you, aren’t you? You said so. Gee whiz. I guess I should have gotten that dumb Obama insurance, after all. Oh boy, now what?
If you’re among the many people who still read newspapers and listen to PBS, you probably don’t realize the problems of current America are being created and controlled by the under 35-year-old generations. Who didn’t know Twiddly Dee, Twiddly Dum. They were all cheated of educational systems that didn’t not teach them reading, writing and arithmetic. Poor things, they think they’re running the country and they call it Congress. God help America.
Oh yeah the newest urban plans for the East Valley—save water, selectively destroy the orchards and farm land, build estatelike sized homes for the haves of the world. The boxes, stack them high, cram them together for the have-nots, to save on transportation and call it progress. Yeah, sure. Let’s have Phoenix look just like anywhere else back east, and then no one would be homesick.
If you think we live in a democracy, newsflash! It is an oligarchy run by the billionaire Koch brothers, for the Kochs and of the Kochs. Their ultimate goal is to grow the masses of poor while decimating the middle class. It is largely succeeding thanks to the shrewd piggy backing onto the Tea Party movement. The Tea Party controls the House of Representatives which has blocked all legislation to create jobs, fund education programs, build infrastructure, and 99 percent of any bills presented to them. Ironically, the Kochs don’t agree with all Tea Party ideology. Witness the recent government shutdown. The enactment of Citizens United provided a means for the Kochs to use their money to influence elections of Tea Party congressmen, governors, representatives at the federal, state, county and city level. The “no new taxes/shrink government” policies are particularly destructive to the middle class. They argue that funding cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, unemployment insurance, temporary assistance to needy families are a necessary evil. These cuts, as well as sequestration, result in more people permanently stranded at the poverty level and pushed out of the middle class for good. Tea Party-ers believe that people in need are moochers, parasites, and the 47 percent of the population. “Punish to poor” is the foundation built into any legislation they agree upon. Additionally, the Tea Party Republicans have blocked legislation to regulate banks. Without new legislation requiring that banks separate their banking and investment entities, they have become monstrosities bigger than in 2008. Subprime mortgages are available now with a different name—short sales with high interest. When the bubble bursts again, will our economy be able to recover? How many poor people will
A New Year for New Ear Resolutions
::by Lee Sams
Millions of people around the world make New Year’s resolutions— the idea that you get a fresh start at the beginning of the calendar year is a powerful notion that cuts across cultures. While losing weight offers a host of benefits for many people, addressing other health issues, like hearing health can make an equally compelling New Year’s resolutions.
Why?
Studies show that people are being diagnosed with hearing damage at younger and younger ages. Whether you’re in the habit of making New Year’s resolutions or not, consider making hearing health a bigger priority this year by following these helpful tips:
Pay attention to noise
Have you ever thought about the different noises you encounter in a day?
From listening to music loudly, to traffic noise and even electrical equipment, these all can lead to significant hearing loss if not careful. As you head into the New Year, keep in mind that 85 decibels (dB) is the threshold for noises that can be harmful and irreversible for your ears.
Get your hearing checked regularly
Statistics indicate many people who suspect they have a hearing loss wait an average of five or more years before having their hearing tested. If you or a loved one is having difficulty hearing, set a resolution to get hearing tested in the New Year.
Get to know your hearing aid
If you are a hearing aid user, make it a priority to work closely with your hearing aid provider to learn the features of your instrument. Many digital hearing aids have new functions that can help improve quality of life if used properly.
Be prepared for a hearing health emergency
From excessive loud noise to running out of hearing aid batteries, these are hearing health emergencies that you
or a loved could encounter in the New Year. Be prepared to handle these emergencies by having a set of foam earplugs or noise-reducing earmuffs for every member of your family and keeping them accessible. And, because batteries can go bad at any time, it’s always a good idea for hearing aid users to keep an ample supply of batteries on hand.
Share hearing health tips
And of course, it’s never too early to start talking to other family members and young kids about protecting their hearing. Share your knowledge about hearing healthy with loved ones.
Here are a couple things to share:
• Remind your family members to lower the volume. If you have to yell to be heard while watching your favorite TV show, it’s too loud. Discuss the importance of keeping the volume on TVs, radios and music devices at a reasonable level to avoid any damage to hearing.
• Remind your family members that it’s OK to give your ears a break. Because in today’s busy world, we are constantly around noise. After being exposed to high noise volumes hours on end, it is important to find a quiet space to give your ears a break.
• With these simple strategies, you and your loved ones will be well on your way to better hearing health in the New Year and your ears will thank you.
For more information, visit www. azrelay.org.
Lee Sams is an outreach manager for Arizona Relay Service, which is administered by the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. As an outreach manager, Sams works to raise awareness and promote the different types of relay services available for the deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled communities throughout the state. Sams is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a master’s in rehabilitation counseling and also teaches American Sign Language at Paradise Valley Community College.
JAN 29 | 7:30PM FEB 11 | 7:30PM
FEB 7
home Gwen’s Pineapple Gazpacho
: :
by Jan D’Atri
Put away the cookie cutters, icing and candy sprinkles—at least until Valentine’s Day. We’re starting off the New Year with a fresh, kicky and absolutely delicioso gazpacho courtesy of one of my favorite food bloggers.
Our bodies are craving light and nourishing—and yet fantastically flavored— food right now, and thanks to food writer Gwen Walters, we’re off to a yummy start.
Gwen, who has authored three award-winning cookbooks, emptied her cup of the corporate life a few years ago and filled her plate instead with all things food. On her website www.penandfork.com, we can follow Gwen’s life as a professionally trained chef and food adventurer. The site features cooking tips, cookbook and restaurant reviews, practical how-to cooking techniques plus articles on the latest food trends and other culinary finds.
Gwen’s Pineapple Gazpacho is so gorgeous, it’s a “Made-For-TV” dish, but Gwen first shared this recipe on my radio show. The chopping and dicing of fresh ingredients and the whir of the blender came screaming through the airways. In the studio, we were begging for second helpings—and thirds.
Gwen shares its origin:
“This particular recipe is from my book, The Great Ranch Cookbook, and is based on a recipe from Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg.
When I married I didn’t know how to cook. But on my first trip to Georgia as a new bride, my husband Jeff’s granny and aunt changed all that. They made me see that cooking wasn’t a chore—it could be fun. They pulled me into the kitchen with open arms—and I haven’t left since.”
The Pineapple Gazpacho is the perfect start to a great new year, and a recipe that originated from the historic
PINEAPPLE GAZPACHO
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 small fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and chopped
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup peeled, seeded and chopped cucumber
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper sauce
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
Garnish:
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup finely seeded, chopped cucumber 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
Place all ingredients (excluding garnish) in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Taste and add more seasoning if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve. (Can be prepared one day in advance; stir before serving). Ladle 6 to 8 ounces into chilled soup bowls and sprinkle with red and green bell peppers, cucumber and cilantro.
Kick up the “heat” level by adding a pinch of minced jalapeno or Serrano chile along with the garnish.
Wednesday, January 22nd
Rancho de los Caballeros is a terrific place to begin a brand new season of healthful cooking. Here’s to a yummy 2014!
the diagnosis of heart failure.
Heart failure also is the leading cause of all hospitalizations in individuals
Journeys
True-life tales from some of Arizona’s most fascinating residents.
older than the age of 64. Additionally, once hospitalized for heart failure, the patient carries a 30 percent risk of being readmitted with heart failure in the next 30 days.
Can these admissions and readmissions be prevented or at least reduced? The answer is an astounding has a vital role in avoiding one of every five hospitalizations for heart failure. Furthermore, a dedicated patient may decrease the risk of annual readmission by almost 40 to 45 percent.
The Roles of the Doctor
The role of the cardiologist does not stop after diagnosing and treating the failing heart with medications, surgery and/or devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators. The role of the cardiologist is fourfold in such a setting. The cardiologist wears several hats. She not only has to connect with the patient, engage as an active listener, convey and deliver the treatment plan, but most importantly, she assumes the role of the patient’s coach, as well.
Connecting with the Patient
Dr. Maribeth Gallagher Director of Hospice of the Valley’s Dementia Program
Age: 59
One would think that for such a common disease as heart failure, the treatment would be universal and cut and dry, as well. Unfortunately, that is not the case. There is no cookie cutter approach to heart failure. The treatment plan not only has to complement the patient’s lifestyle, likes and dislikes, but also has to be consistent with his abilities and habits. Most importantly, the heart failure treatment plan has to conform to the beliefs of the patient. All the above-described patient characteristics have to be identified, recognized and acknowledged by the doctor.
The Power of Music
: : by
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Maribeth Gallagher has witnessed the power of music.
As a longtime professional singer, Gallagher moved audiences with her voice, warming up crowds for the likes of Donna Summer, The Beach Boys, Huey Lewis and the News and Frankie Valli.
“I went to nursing school and moved to San Francisco, where I was offered a singing job, which was kind of bizarre,” says Gallagher, a Brooklyn native.
“I thought, ‘This will last six weeks.’”
Her career spanned 30 years.
“That led to me being in some places where maybe an American New York woman wouldn’t be received so warmly, shall we say,” she says.
I started to appreciate early in my career that music was so much more than entertainment. It really was a powerful medium.”
Now she is taking her passion for music and improving the bonds between dementia patients. As the director of Hospice of the Valley’s Dementia Program, Gallagher encourages families to listen to music together.
She has seen those with dementia slowly begin to remember words to songs. Married to jazz keyboardist Peter Zale, Gallagher saw one family sing Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” together.
“They said, ‘We can sit there and hold hands,’” she recalls. “‘We start out by listening to it, then she’ll start singing and then we’ll start singing and then we’ll sing together.’”
It’s the depth of that connection where words aren’t required, she explains.
was all happening out there. I was definitely drawn into it. I became a rock ‘n’ roll singer in San Francisco and hit the road. I didn’t get to Arizona until about 20 years ago.”
“On the stage, you can feel the energy of the crowd. So, when I was in Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, I noticed in about three songs that it was very, very different. Our differences started to melt away. Our similarity and connection would start to emerge just naturally.
“It gets the job done—the expression of spirit, the expression of personhood.”
The cardiologist must respect and accept these characteristics in her patients.
Active Listener
Motivation: Her mother-inlaw developed Alzheimer’s. “I didn’t know anything about the journey of being a caregiver of somebody with dementia. From pre-diagnosis until death, we supported her through this process. I learned so much and I felt called to try to make a difference for people with dementia and for their caregivers.” She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees and became a nurse practitioner in psychiatry. Then, she found a job with Hospice of the Valley using some of the methods she had learned. She has since earned her doctorate.
To be an active listener, the cardiologist is lucky, as she already has the important ingredients of compassion and care. However, active listening also requires time and patience. To have time, the vital component on her side, the cardiologist would need to schedule her Heart Failure Clinic with
Sharing her knowledge: Gallagher will present the free program “Music and Dementia: Hitting the Right Note” from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tues., Jan. 21, at the Musical Instrument Museum. She will highlight the power of music to maximize comfort and enhance quality of life for persons with dementia. The program is sponsored by a grant from The Grayhawk Classic Residents’ Foundation at Vi at Grayhawk.
Why Move from New York to San Francisco? “San Francisco in 1975? Please! It
Info: http://mim.org/ events/music-and-dementiahitting-the-right-note/
SAM NALVEN
travel
THE GONE WITH THE WIND TRAIL: Where Everyone Gives a Damn
IallowDo You Have Pain/Numbness/Tingling in the Feet/Legs???
A doctor has moved to Tucson that treats neuropathy (nerve problems), and his name is Dr Trent Freeman DC (Dr T). He has been treating Neuropathy for the last 10 years.
three days to explore the Gone with the Wind Trail in and near Atlanta, but it takes me only one to become a Windie. A Windie is a die-hard GWTW fan, a person who is immersed in the history, legends and legacy surrounding the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and enormously popular film. Some dream of Rhett; others dream of Scarlett’s fancy clothes or 17-inch waist. As for me, I dream of publishing a novel that wins one of the world’s most prestigious awards and is turned into a film that earns me millions.
Selznick produced the movie, which is the highest grossing film in box-office history, earning an estimated $3.3 billion in today’s dollars. To capitalize on the public’s interest, Georgia created a GWTW Trail that leads people to five sites that are in some way connected to the book, the film or the author.
Maybe you have seen him interviewed on CBS by Steve Ochoa or during the Dr Oz show, maybe you saw him on NBC. He has brought this new treatment to persons suffering from neuropathy in Tucson. He uses two kinds of Light to stimulate the nerves to function better. He uses pulsed infrared technology that helps reduce the pain, and FDA approved cold lasers that help the cells function better. He offers his consultation for FREE. He looks at the interview time as a time for him to see if you have the type of neuropathy that he treats but more importantly, for you to interview him and see if he is someone that you would like to work with. His clinic is certified with the Neuropathy Treatment Centers of America and he has received advanced training in the treatment of neuropathy. There are fewer than 100 doctors in America that have received this advanced training in this type of therapy. Dr T looks at neuropathy as a thief that comes to your life and starts to steal from you. If you allow neuropathy to continue, it will steal your independence (driving, walking, balance) As Dr T says “Everyday we are having more success relieving neuropathy pain, WHY NOT YOU?” Give his office a call and schedule the FREE consultation and see if you qualify for this new therapy 520-445-6784.
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On the surface, GWTW is the wildly romantic tale of Scarlett O’Hara, a headstrong Southern belle (played by Vivian Leigh in the movie) and her lovehate relationship with Rhett Butler, a dashing, successful opportunist (depicted by Clark Gable).
But on a deeper level, GWTW is the story of the American South during and immediately after the Civil War, a time when an entire society was challenged and ultimately transformed.
Our first trail stop is in Clayton County, where Mitchell’s relatives had a rural home. As a child, Mitchell visited often and listened intently as her family elders told stories about their experiences during the Civil War. Many of these tales were transformed into scenes in her novel, leading her heirs to dub Clayton County the “Official Home of ‘Gone with the Wind.’” (To Mitchell’s dismay, Selznick upgraded the comfortable farmhouse of Mitchell’s memory into Tara, a much grander mansion that he thought would better appeal to movie audiences.)
The book, written by first-time novelist Margaret Mitchell, was released to the public in 1936 and became an overnight sensation. David
The Road to Tara Museum has a painting of the old farmhouse, in addition to authentic Civil War items and reproductions of many of the costumes worn in the film, including the green Drapery Dress that Leigh wears in one of the movie’s most
The Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum is filled with memorabilia surrounding the film version of Mitchell’s blockbuster novel.
:: by Andrea Gross | photos by Irv Green
One of the most popular pieces in The Road to Tara Museum is a replica of the Drapery Dress, worn by Vivian Leigh.
memorable scenes. But it’s not until I see the display of foreign edition books that I begin to morph from casual tourist to possible Windie.
GWTW has been translated into more than 40 languages and sold in more than 50 countries, from Albania and Burma to North Korea and Serbia. Why are people all over the world so intrigued by a story about a war that took place in America so long ago?
We learn the answer the next day when we visit the Margaret Mitchell House, where the author lived when she began her novel. It takes only a few minutes to see the small apartment but much longer to peruse the exhibits in the nearby hallway. There, on a large signboard, is a quote by Margaret Mitchell: “If the novel has a theme, it is that of survival.”
Why, of course. GWTW addresses a basic concern: If their old world is “gone with the wind,” how do people create a new one that will work in their new circumstances? This is a question asked by everyone who has ever suffered a hardship, be whatever the cause. When seen in this light, it’s easy to understand the story’s universal and enduring appeal.
Our next stop is Atlanta’s Public Library, where there are more than 1,500 of Mitchell’s personal items, including her old Remington typewriter and 1937 Pulitzer Prize certificate.
We’re even more fascinated by the items on display at the Marietta GWTW Museum, Scarlett on the Square, which holds a treasure-trove of photos and ephemera. I examine the film contracts. Gable got $160,000 plus a bonus that enabled him to divorce his wife
and marry Carole Lombard, the love of his real life. On the other hand, his co-star Vivian Leigh got a mere $30,000. Yes, Gable was a mega-star but still, I can’t help but wonder what Mitchell, who was quite the feminist for her time, thought of that.
Finally, we double back to Atlanta to visit Oakland Cemetery, where Mitchell is buried next to her husband. Her tombstone is small compared to many and gives no hint of her fame. It’s simply inscribed with her married name, Margaret Mitchell Marsh. Someone, a Windie no doubt, has decorated the grave with pink flowers, reputedly Mitchell’s favorite color.
I want to extend my stay in Georgia, to delve more deeply into the GWTW phenomena and to learn more about the era in which the novel is set. But we have a plane to catch, so I console myself by remembering Scarlett’s words, “Tomorrow is another day.” I’ll be back.
For more information: www.gwtwtrail.com
A festival celebrating the 75th anniversary of the film’s release will take place at the Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum from June 6 to June 8. For more information, visit www. gwtwmarietta.com
Puzzle Answers
...from page 16
“Gone with the Wind,” the book, has been published in more than 40 languages, including Amharic (Ethiopia) and Kamnada (India).
Clayton County is proud that Mitchell’s heirs dubbed it “The Official Home of ‘Gone with the Wind.’”
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Music isn’t all you can hear on KGVY. Listen to your local community radio station for local news, weather, traffic and upcoming events.
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Medication Adherence is Important to Quality of Life
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease has been the leading cause of death since 1935. In addition, death from other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and chronic lower respiratory disease, has steadily become more common. Hence, taking medications as directed is becoming more and more important as medications play a large role in controlling chronic diseases, preventing hospitalizations and improving quality of life.
What is Medication Adherence and Nonadherence?
Medication adherence is a key factor in determining the effectiveness of a medication. Adherence describes a behavior and is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “the extent to which a person’s behavior— taking medication, following a diet, and/ or executing lifestyle changes, corresponds with agreed recommendations from a health care provider.” Essentially, medication adherence is the degree to which a person’s behavior with taking medication, including the timing, dosing, and frequency, corresponds with the recommendations from their health care provider. Not being adherent, or nonadherence, to a medication regimen is a serious public concern and may include any of the following actions:
• Never filling a prescription or not refilling a prescription
• Skipping or forgetting doses
• Taking extra doses
• Stopping a medication
• Taking a dose at the wrong time or with foods, liquids, and other medications that may cause an unfavorable interaction
• Taking a mediation prescribed for someone else
Consequences of Nonadherence
Medication nonadherence may result in serious health risks, such as a worsening of the medical condition, if taking less, or medication toxicity, if taking more than prescribed. For example, suddenly stopping a medication used to control high blood pressure can result in organ damage due to spiking blood pressure. Conversely, medication toxicity, such as a dangerously slow heart rate, can result from taking too much blood pressure medication.
Poor health outcomes and increased health care costs due to an increase in physician visits, unnecessary additional
treatments, emergency department visits, and hospital or nursing home admissions, are also associated with nonadherence to medication regimens.
In fact, each year in the United States, medication nonadherence is responsible for an estimated 125,000 deaths, up to
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For information about any of your medications, reducing medication costs, or how to better manage your health, talk to your Walgreens pharmacist today.
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ASO Initiates ‘Cause Walk’
By Pat Lawlis, Preservation of Arizona Resources and Children
All ASO cyclists will tell you that safe places to ride—and even more so to race—are scarce.
Although Arizona has the perfect climate to adopt cycling as regular exercise, it is a sad fact that places for safe cycling are disappearing.
As a proponent of physical exercise as a way of maintaining good health, Arizona Senior Olympics is in favor of the development of facilities and communities that encourage regular exercise. The following article is written about a cause we support.
The Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway (SMF) has been discussed for 30 years. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) claims it will save our Valley from traffic congestion and air pollution. ADOT plans to eliminate Pecos Road in Ahwatukee and destroy three ridges of South Mountain to build this $2 billion freeway.
The ASO uses Pecos Road in Ahwatukee as its venue for bicycle races and road races. The elimination of Pecos Road would leave ASO without a venue for these events and with the very difficult task of trying to find a suitable replacement venue. So the important issues are whether ADOT is going to build the SMF for sure, and whether it is really necessary.
Often, no one looks closely enough at a freeway proposal, so it goes uncontested and approval is quick. The SMF, however, has raised numerous questions throughout
the 30 years since it was first “a line penciled in on a map.” In 2006, when ADOT announced going ahead with the freeway, a grassroots group, Protecting Arizona’s Resources and Children (PARC), decided to examine it more thoroughly.
When ADOT released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the SMF in April 2013, PARC brought together several experts in various areas covered by the DEIS. These experts examined the document and provided comments regarding issues they saw. At the very least, their comments would point out any problem areas that ADOT needed to resolve before getting approval to build. At most, the experts would point out issues that cannot be resolved that would result in disapproval of the project.
PARC’s experts found more problems with ADOT’s study than expected as detailed in PARC’s 318page response. Any of the numerous problems would prevent freeway approval if not resolved.
Of particular interest is that PARC’s traffic engineering experts have determined that the SMF would result in no appreciable improvement in traffic congestion anywhere, including on Interstate 10 and on arterial streets.
Further, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) examined the DEIS and came to the same conclusion as PARC’s air quality
experts and gave the ADOT’s study its lowest possible rating. Correct modeling shows that air pollution would get worse rather than better.
The process of closely examining ADOT’s proposal and requiring that all problems be fixed helps all citizens of the Phoenix metropolitan area. If the freeway problems cannot be mitigated, court action may be necessary to protect the interests of the public. This citizen-based struggle is expensive and the PARC
organization needs the support of those who believe in its cause.
On March 1, the public is invited to participate in a family “Cause Walk to Save Pecos.” The event will be jointly produced by ASO and PARC. Walkers are urged to seek per-kilometer pledges to donate to help raise money for this critical issue. Registration for the walk should be made on: www. seniorgames.org, where registrants can also find further information and a pledge form.
Barbecue
www.seniorgames.org
Still Time to Join Our Great Volunteers
Arizona Senior Olympics is still looking for volunteers as mentors, ambassadors and administrative assistants.
Mentors: People with expertise in a sport who are willing to share their knowledge with newcomers.
Ambassadors: Those who are willing to “spread the word” about the annual Senior Olympic Games by taking brochures, etc., to senior
centers, communities and other places they frequent.
Administrative assistants: People who are good with detail to help with on-site registrations or the collection of results at the various sports competitions during the games.
Those who are interested should call the ASO office at: (602) 274-7742, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
A Tip from the Harvard Health Blog
According to the prestigious Harvard Health Blog, above-normal blood sugar could be linked to dementia. A report in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that even in people without
diabetes, above-normal blood sugar is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. That’s another reason to work on keeping that blood sugar level under control.
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