lifestyles after 50 southwest nov. 2012 edition
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AFTER 50Lifestyles
www.LifestylesAfter50FL.com • Southwest • FREE
November 2012
BACKWelcome
to FLORIDA
plus+Shake up the Holiday Table
What is Your Perfect Diet? is Alive and Well
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 2
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 3
Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc
Lee, Collier & Charlotte Edition
General ManagerDave Tarantul
dave@lifestylesafter50.comPublisher/Director of Events & Marketing
Kathy J. Beckkathy@lifestylesafter50.com
EditorJanice Doyle
janice@lifestylesafter50.comOffi ce Manager
Vicki Willisvicki@lifestylesafter50.comAdministrative Assistant
Nancy Spencernancy@lifestylesafter50.com
Advertising SalesLee/Collier and Charlotte
Nancy Kuehne: (239) 822-6150
Distribution(941) 375-6260
News Connection USA, Inc.P.O. Box 638
Seffner, Florida 33583-0638
(813) 653-1988 • 1-888-670-0040Fax: (813) 651-1989
www.lifestylesafter50fl .com
(941) 375-6260 • (877) 535-3749Fax: (941) 375-8178
www.lifestylesafter50fl .com
Sarasota/ManateeJulie Simzak: (941) 685-1676
Attention Readers: The articles printed in Lifestyles After 50 do not necessarily refl ect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. Lifestyles After 50 endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Lifestyles After 50 reserves the right to refuse or dis-continue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for the Dec. 2012 issue is Nov. 15, 2012. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.
Our other editions:
To learn more, call 1-888-670-0040
Production Supervisor/Graphic DesignKim Burrell
kim@lifestylesafter50.comAssociate Editor/Production Assistant
Tracie Schmidttracie@lifestylesafter50.com
Customer Service(941) 375-6260
dave@lifestylesafter50.com
Sarasota Edition: Sarasota/ManateeHillsborough Edition: Hillsborough CountySuncoast Edition: Pinellas/Pasco Counties
Lake Edition: Lake/Marion Counties
FCOA
Dear Readers,
Here they come, ready or not! The
species Snowbirdius Floridicus should be arriving in a steady stream start-ing right about—now! License plates tell of their origins, but they’re all coming to the land of palm tree-lined driveways and warm weather. Bring them on, I say! Those of us who endure the hot, sticky summer months are finally starting to get out. We’re eating on the back porch, taking walks without dripping and, well, here come the traffic jams, the crowded doctor’s offices. But wait! It also ENERGIZES our lifestyle and our economy. Yes, come on down, all you Snowbirds! Wealthy Americans started making the trek south beginning in the early 1900s when railroad tracks were laid from Jacksonville to Key West, providing easy access to points south. The likes of Thomas Edison arrived early on. It was after World War II when more middle-income people started to buy winter homes in Florida. But the boom in Snowbirdius Floridi-cus came with Social Security benefits which were tied to inflation in the 1960s. With the advent of Medicare health benefits, the rest is history. The latest study done by the University of Florida almost ten years ago showed that nearly one million people became temporarily Floridian, with Lee County at the top of the list for destinations within the state.
How to Deal with Snowbirdius Floridicus!
Janice Doyle, Editor
Who Are the Snowbirds? Originally, “snowbirds” was a term for Canadians who, early on, purchased inexpensive land and built modest winter homes so they could spend up to six months in the Sunshine State but still retain their homeland residency. Today, snowbirds come from all over—even from no farther than Atlanta or Birmingham—who just enjoy good friends, fun activities and beautiful stretches of beach. For the busy locals who live here year-round, listen for complaints like “what’s with all the big cars and why do they drive so slow?” But those who rely on the influx of cash that comes with the snowbirds often “baby” them because, well, that cash impacts everything from churches to veterans groups. Clubs of all sorts exist only in the winter. Museums open new exhibitions to entice winter groups. Golf clubs spend money and time getting the greens ready.
Friendships are big for snow-birds—connections and comaraderie. Charities look forward to an influx of volunteers, snowbirds often are serving the needs of other snowbirds. Put on a parade, a festival or a fund-raiser and you’ll find snowbirds right in the middle of it.
What’s the best way to deal with snowbirds? Always remember that no matter what it is, they do it different, better, faster, cheaper and more accurately UP NORTH! As long as you can accept that fact, you get to stay in Florida year-round and they get to go back. Be patient with them, because you may visit UP NORTH in the summer and then you can tell them how much better, faster, cheaper and more accurately we do things here. Snowbirds are a win-win situation. Enjoy!
Congratulations!To Jacqueline Frederick of
Lakewood Ranch, winner of last month’s Guy Harvey Outpost
contest. She won a coffee table book autographed by Guy Harvey,
as well as an Outpost tote bag. Thanks to everyone who entered—
look for more great contests in upcom-ing editions of Lifestyles After 50!
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 4
13901 Shell Point Plaza • Fort Myers, Florida 33908 • www.shellpoint.orgThe Springs Assisted Living is part of Shell Point’s Integrated Healthcare System. Shell Point is a non-profit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc. ©2012 Shell Point. All rights reserved. SPG-084-12
You and a guest are invited to a complimentary Lunch & tour of The Springs. The Springs offers the ideal setting for those who desire independence but may need some assistance throughout the day. With beautiful surroundings and Shell Point’s proven reputation, The Springs may just be the perfect option for your loved one. Whether you are looking for a short term stay or a place to truly call home, The Springs offers an affordable private-pay option on a month-to-month basis.
You Choose the Date! To reserve your Lunch & Tour, call (239) 454-2077
Comprehensive FeeStarting at $2,995/mo.
Immediate Occupancy
For starters, how about Lunch on us?
How Affordable is Assisted Living atThe Springs?
Come See How Much Fun Being Over 50 Can Be!
Join us for the Annual Lifestyles After 50 Fun Fest, Nov 27 at
the Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St., Ft. Myers. Free park-ing will be available surrounding the Harborside Center, including the City of Palms garage. Volunteers and signs will direct guests to avail-able parking, and admission is free. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day, including music from the 50s and 60s with Denise Looney, the “DJ With a Twist.” There will be free bingo games for prizes, as well as free coffee and goodies from our
friends at Perkins. Check out the all new Prize-A-Palooza, with chances to win $100 cash thoughout the day. Florida Blue, our Premier Sponsor, will provide balloon art and giveaways at their booth for those young at heart. Local exhibitors will also provide in-formation and giveaways. The Health and Wellness area will be sponsored by Humana. They will give out free pedometers to the first 100 par-ticipants, and later in the day a raffle prize for the person who has recorded the most steps during the event.
Free health screenings will include memory screenings by the Alzheimer’s Association, leg vein screenings by The Vein Specialists, bone density, eye and ear checks. Visiting nurses will provide free flu shots with your Medicare part B card. Operation Medicine Cabinet will be on hand to take your expired or unused medications at the Lee County Sheriff’s booth. Don’t miss the Hot Chili Rods Classic Car show and take a chance for a prize at the Sports Center corn hole toss and putting green.
There is still time to send in your Grandkids are the Greatest Photos. The registration form is on page 15. Winners will be selected that day and posted on our website in December. Lunch will be available at the Harborside Concession area from $3.50 to $5.75. So plan on coming out and enjoy the day. Bring friends or come by yourself. See you there! For more information, call our toll free number at 888-670-0040or (239) 822-6150. Visit us online at www.lifestylesafter50fl.com.
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 5
Presents the 8th annual...
November 27, 2012 • 10 – 3 pmHARBORSIDE EVENT CENTER
1375 Monroe Street, Ft. Myers, FL
$1000s in Prizes & Giveaways!
FREE
Senior Friendly Sports Center Play & Win!
★ Denise Looney “DJ with a Twist” Singing and spinning your favorite tunes.
TRIVIA FOR PRIZES!!
ENTERNOW!
Call: 1-888-670-0040
Denise Looney“The D.J. with a Twist”
Premier Sponsor:
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
A F T E R 50
Information call 239-822-6150 or 1-888-670-0040 Directions: 239-321-8110
www.lifestylesafter50fl.com
FREE BINGO Games! For Prizes
FREE HEALTHSCREENINGS
Chances to Win $100 Throughout the Day
Join Us!
Memory Screeningsprovided by: the Alzheimer’s
Gulf Coast Chapter.
Bone Density Health Link of AmericaEye & Hearing Checks
Plus other important health informationand screenings.
Hot Chili RodsClassic Car Show
Lunch Available $3.50 – $5.75
FREE Admission! Free Parking!
FREE COFFEE & GOODIES
Sponsored by...
Exhibitors!Travel • Health
Retirement LifestylesHome Improvement
RestaurantsPharmacies Physicians
and much more!Operation Medicine CabinetDrop Off Expired or Unused Medications at the Lee County Sheriffs Booth.
Health & WellnessSponsored by...Free Pedometers for the first 100 participants! Raffle prize for the
person with the most steps!
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 6
Through 25 “Camping with Henry & Tom,” a witty historical com-
edy about Thomas Edison and Henry Ford by Florida Repertory Theatre, 2267 First St., Fort Myers. $20 to $45 tickets. Call (239) 332-4488.
5 – 11 Paint the Beach, Plein Air Festival with over 50 artists. Fort
Myers Beach, 7225 Estero Blvd., Ft. Myers. Phone (239) 463-3909.
9 and 10 Art Festival at Grace Com-munity Center, 4151 Hancock
Bridge Parkway, North Fort Myers. Fri. 4 to 9 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food, art, activities, more. (239) 287-3781 or egracechurch.com/gcc-art-festival.
9 and 10 Concert by the Venice Symphony Orchestra. Church of
the Nazarene, 1535 E. Venice Ave., Venice. Fri. at 8 p.m.; Sat. at 4 p.m. Reservations at (941) 207-8822.
10 Fall Bazaar by Windmill Village Hobby Club, 16131 N.
Cleveland Ave., Ft. Myers. Jewelry, crafts, baked goods, raffles. 8 a.m to 1 p.m. Information at (239) 656-2073.
10 Fall Bazaar & Holiday Sale at Colonial Country Club, 9181
Independence Way, Ft. Myers. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (239) 768-1566.
11Lee County Community Band Concert at Cape Coral High
School, 2300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral. 3 p.m. Marches, Broad-way hits, patriotic numbers, sea-sonal pieces and sing-alongs. Info at leecountyband.org or (239) 995-2097.
11Taste of the Arts at Alliance for the Arts. Sample food and wine
and enjoy visual and performance art on three stages. 4 to 7 p.m. $35. For details, call (239) 939-2787.
13 Fort Myers Republican Women’s Club meeting and
luncheon. Overview of current issues facing the county commissioners. The Helm Club, The Landings, South Fort Myers. Begins at noon. $16. Reserva-tions by Nov. 8, at (239) 489-4701.
15 – 25 “Moon Over Buffalo” comedy presentation by Cul-
tural Park Theater at 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. $18. Phone (239) 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com.
17 Orchestra Concert by the Southwest Florida Symphony.
Strauss, Schubert, Chopin, more. At Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. (239) 481-1500 for ticket info.
17 – 18 Open House at Garden Council, 2166 Virginia Avenue,
Fort Myers. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Dem-onstrations and displays. fmlcgcpres@embarqmail.com or (239) 463-3690.
17 “Not Just a Craft Fair” at Heritage Club House. Sales
and demonstrations (wire wrapping, stone faceting, jewelry making, much more) Raffles, food. Corner of Del Prado and N. Hwy 41, North Fort My-ers. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (239) 731-3768.
22 Thanksgiving Feast, traditional New England dinner aboard
the Seminole Gulf Railway. Fam-ily dinner at 12:15 p.m. (adults $40, children ages 2 – 12, $25). Murder Mystery Dinner Train at 5:30 p.m. ($66). Tickets at (239) 275-8487.
22 through Dec. 25 Miracle on 34th Street, holiday stage
presentation at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. New upscale dinner theatre experience on Saturday nights. Tickets $35 to $55 at (239) 278-4422, Broad-wayPalm.com or at the box office, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.
25 Open House at Shell Point Retirement Community. The
Community offers living areas as well as many features available to the pub-lic. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (239) 466-1131.
Send Around Town news to News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; fax (813) 651-1989 or email janice@lifestylesafter50.com.News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. November 10 for December event.)
Around TownW H A T ’ S H A P P E N I N G N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2
The EASY BOARDING Bicycle by BiriaNaples Cyclery813 Vanderbilt Beach Rd.Naples, FL 34108239-566-0600Engel’s Bicycles Int’l27310 Old 41 RoadBonita Springs, FL 34135239-498-9913Fort Myers Schwinn Cyclery3630 Cleveland Ave.Fort Myers, FL 33901239-939-2899Acme Bicycle Shop615 Cross St. #1116Punta Gorda, FL 33950941-639-3029www.acmebicycleshop.com EA Bicycles15630 McGregor Blvd.Fort Myers, FL 33908239-415-6600 For more dealers contact Biria USA:
Tel: 201-461-1980 • www.biria.com
• Unisex step-through design engineered in Germany
• Cross bar is only six inches from the ground, so you can easily step-through the bicycle
• Upright seating position for less back pain and clear view of the road
• Relaxed arm position for more control
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 7
People on Medicare...
We Exercise Our
FREEDOMto Choose!
Hector Montes,Member of Freedom VIP Savings (HMO-SNP) Plan Enjoy our OTC program!
Monthly Allowances based
on Plan Selection from $10 to $50(2)(3)
• $0 Plan Premium on most plans(1) • $0 Primary Care Visits
• $0 Co-pay for Tier 1 Preferred Generic Prescription Drugs. Some plans have $0 or $5 co-pay for Tier 1 through the Coverage Gap. • Fitness Club Memberships(2) • Dental, Vision & Hearing Benefits(2)
Plus...
That’s between$120 TO $600 IN SAVINGS OVER
THE COURSE OF A YEAR!
Freedom Health is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Florida Medicaid program. Freedom plans available are HMO- and HMO-SNP. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or co-payments/ co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. (1) You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. (2) Limitations, copays and restrictions may apply. (3) Amount varies by plan and county. A sales person will be present with information and applications (enrollment begins OCT. 15th); For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings call 1-888-796-0946. TTY/TDD 1-800-955-8771.This information is available for free in other languages. Please contact our customer service number at 1-800-401-2740, TTY/TDD: 1-800-955-8771 for additional information. Esta infomación está disponible gratuitamente en otros idiomas. Por favor llame al departamento de servicio de miembros al 1-800-401-2740, TTY/TDD: 1-800-955-8771 para mas información. 5427_News1_CMS Accepted
www.freedomhealth.comCall Now 1-866-484-1564 TTY/TDD 1-800-955-8771
Plans with:
$3550to
$9990of your Part B premium Refunded
back to YOU each month!(1)
Join us to learn more about Freedom Health HMO-SNP Plans
Benefits & Savings You Can Use Everyday!
Dates
October 1, 2012 to February 14, 2013 7 days a week 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.7 days a week
Monday through FridayFebruary 15, 2013 to September 30, 2013 October 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013
Days Times
Jeanne Martineau,Member of Freedom VIP
Savings COPD (HMO-SNP) Plan
Cape Coral Carrabbas Italian Grill762 Pine Island Road SW
Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 at 10:00 am
Hampton Inn and Suites619 SE 47th Terrace
Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29 at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm
Fort MyersGolden Corral
4690 Colonial BoulevardNov. 5, 12, 19, 26 at 10:00 am
& 1:00 pm
Fort Myers cont.Holiday Inn Downtown2431 Cleveland Avenue
Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27 at 10:00 am & 1:00 pmLehigh Acres
Perkins Restaurant2700 Lee Boulevard
Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 at 3:00 pmNorth Fort Myers
Capt’n Fishbones2787 North Tamiami Trail
Nov. 9, 16, 30 at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm
North Fort Myers cont. North Fort Myers Chamber
at the Shell Factory2787 North Tamiami Trail
Nov. 2 at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm
Attend one of our events and receive a $10 Gift Card with no obligation to enroll.
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 8
Volunteers Go Back to School to Make a DifferenceBY JANICE DOYLE
One of Joan Willoughby’s
volunteers, a former teacher, told her, “We get paid in hugs.” He’s a Foster Grandparent and he works in an elementary classroom with children who need extra help. The federally funded Foster Grandparent Program places seniors age 55 and over in their local schools, head start pro-grams or after-school programs where they serve as tutors and mentors. The “grandparents” work with teachers in classrooms where children need help academically or socially. Willoughby says, “The program is a win-win situation. The volunteers are helping children, but the volunteers get benefits too.” She realizes that the small stipend of $2.65 per hour, the 40 cents per mile travel reimbursement, free annual
physical and other benefits help out, but there’s much more in it for the volunteers. “I see the seniors work with children and I see that it keeps them young. They get to see the bright eyes of the child who is learning. And the children get the experience and wisdom of the older people,” she says. “Emotionally, it’s good for seniors. Socially, it gets them out and about; they have a reason to get up in the morning and kids that are looking for them to walk in the classroom door.”
The kids and volunteers bond because, unlike other volunteer programs where the help may be one hour a week, the Foster Grandparents work a minimum of 15 hours a week. “That means they are there in the classroom,” Willoughby says. “They’re there with the teach-ers and the kids and are a reli-able connection for everyone.” Teachers and volunteers bond as well, she says. Teachers have called volunteers who
were sick to let the children talk to them. Sometimes when a teacher changes schools, the volunteer requests to move to the new school with the teacher. Willoughby oversees the Foster Grandparent Program in six counties as a part of the Dr. Piper Center for Social Services. Her 135 active volunteers must meet income restrictions, agree to a background check and receive training. Monthly meetings of the volunteers create a support group environment.
They receive in-service training, some-times about tutoring issues or perhaps ways to serve as an advocate for a child in cases of abuse. But sometimes the meetings cover issues for their own lives and resources available for them. Willoughby loves hearing the volunteers’ stories, saying she “lives vicariously through them.” Her favorite stories are from volunteers who might begin the work for the money and then they have an amaz-ing transformation as they “gain self esteem and have something meaningful to look forward to.” About 10 percent of the Foster Grand-parents are men, according to Willough-by. “But the men who are doing it get so much out of it.” Volunteers often come to the program and stay. Some have been volunteers for as many as 20 years. (Income requirements: one person in family, less than $32,500; two people per family, $43,700.) If interested, email joan@drpiper-center.org or call (239) 332-5346.
Johnnie Mae Robinson (L) is a Foster Grandparent at Orangewood Elementary School.
Marifran Vanselow (R) is another proud volunteer.
Free Dinner Seminar Income, Retirement & Tax Planning
PROFESSIONAL Document Preparation…. Meet ‘THE DOCUMENT LADY”
239-997-9990 We are not attorneys and do not give legal advice.
12148 S Cleveland Ave Fort Myers
Reservations Required
That Golfing ~ Beach Going ~ Cruising “RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE” is NOT just for the folks
with lots of money!
Thursday Nov. 8 Tuesday, Nov. 13 6:00 pm 239-997-9990
Educational Workshop Retirement Income
Estate Planning Taxes
Reservations Required
We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice
FREE DINNER
12148 S Cleveland Ave Fort Myers
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 9
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 10
“The Veteran” Teaches Lesson in CourageBY NAN ROCHE
Wars have always resulted in stories of heroism and cour-
age. Old soldiers are known for sitting around telling stories, but often their real heroism comes from lessons learned on the battlefield. Set in the aftermath of the Civil War, Stephen Crane’s short story “The Veteran” tells the heroic tale of an old soldier and his grandson. Although, this tale is simple in its form and plot, it expresses a deep and powerful message concerning courage. The tales begins with the grandfather, Old Henry, retelling the story of his first encounter with war. Rather than telling a tall tale about his first battle experi-ence, he tells the truth. “Why, in my
first battle I thought the sky was falling down. I thought the world was coming to an end. You bet I was scared.” The crowd he tells his story to is amazed that a grown man and former soldier would acknowledge his fear. Old Henry goes on to explain what happened because of his fear: he ran away from the fighting. Even though the crowd accepted the Old Henry’s words with a bit of humor, Old Henry’s grandson Jim did not. He was “visibly horror-stricken. His hands were clasped nervously, and his eyes were wide with astonish-ment at this terrible scandal of his most magnificent grandfather telling such a thing. His grandfather had just openly admitted to cowardice in front of the townspeople.
Confused by his grandfather’s admission, young Jim inquires into his grandfather’s actions. Old Henry’s response to his grandson was, “I had to get used to it.” Crane’s lesson is that courage does not come naturally to everyone; sometimes it has to be learned through experience. Jim continues to be perplexed by his grandfather’s words and actions. The story continues with a tragic barn burning. Old Henry realizes the livestock in the barn are trapped there. Instead of sitting back and watching the barn burn like the rest of the crowd, Old Henry jumps into action. He runs into the barn to set the animals free. Inspired by the old soldier, others join in to save the barn and together they manage to free all but one cow and two colts.
Old Henry even saves the life of the man who caused the fire. Even though badly singed by flames, Henry still at-tempts a final rescue, the little colts in the back stall. Tragically, Old Henry never returns from the fiery barn. Although Crane leaves the story with this ending, the moral of his tale is not lessened but rather increased by Old Henry’s death. Through his selfless actions, Old Henry was able to demonstrate a powerful lesson for his grandson. A coward can learn courage, courage can inspire others and courage when practiced makes a hero, even in death. Many veterans have learned lessons of courage from those who fought in battles, especially those who died there.
The American Legion
join in saluting our military veterans of all wars this November 11th - and every day. Thank you for serving
America with honor, courage and commitment.
and
Veterans Day 2012The American Legion - Veterans Still Serving America
This Publicationand
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 11
Veterans Corner
Q. Which is the correct spelling of Veterans Day?
a. Veterans Dayb. Veteran’s Dayc. Veterans’ DayA. Veterans Day (choice a, above). Veterans Day does not include an apostrophe but does include an “s” at the end of “veterans” because it is not a day that “belongs” to veterans, it is a day for honoring all veterans.
Q. On what day of the week will Veterans Day be observed?A. Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. The Veterans Day National Ceremony, like most ceremonies around the nation, is held on Veterans Day itself. However, when Veterans Day falls on a weekday, many com-munities choose to hold Veterans Day parades or other celebrations on the weekend before or after November 11 so that more people can participate.
Q. Who decides if a governmentoffice or business closes or staysopen on Veterans Day?A. Federal government closings are established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). State and local governments, including schools, are not required to follow OPM closure policies. Likewise, non-government businesses are free to make their own decisions to close or remain open for business, regardless of federal, state or local government closings.
Q. Why do some schools close and oth-ers remain in session on Veterans Day?A. Because there is no legal require-ment that schools close on Veterans Day, individual states or school districts are free to establish their own policies on school closings.
Q. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?
Questions and Answers about Veterans Day
A. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military—in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowl-edge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served—not only those who died —have sacrificed and done their duty.Q. Why are red poppies worn on Veterans Day, and where can I obtain them?A. The wearing of poppies in honor of America’s war dead is traditionally done on Memorial Day, not Veterans Day. The practice of wearing of pop-pies takes its origin from the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by John McCrae. For information on how to obtain poppies for use on Memorial Day, contact a veterans service organization, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) or The American Legion. Q. Is Veterans Day celebrated in other countries?A. Yes, a number of countries honor their veterans each year on November 11, although the name and types of commemorations differ somewhat from Veterans Day celebrations in the United States. For example, Canada and Australia observe “Remembrance Day” on November 11, and Great Britain observes “Remembrance Day” on the Sunday nearest to November 11. If you’re a veteran, we say “Thanks for your service.” Veteran or not, if at all possible, find a way to honor veterans this November 11.
We Salute america’S VeteranS
Did you know that VA benefitsmay apply to assisted living?
If you are a veteran or a surviving spouse of a veteran, you may be eligible for generous senior living benefits. Brookdale Senior Living® is making it easier for you to apply for and receive special benefits for our exclusive senior living accommodations.
2012 BenefitsFor 2012, the maximum monthly pension amounts are...
• Veteran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,704
• Surviving Spouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,094
• Veteran and Spouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,020*
* Actual benefit amount is determined and awarded by the VA based on eligibility.
Visit www.brookdaleliving.com for moreinformation and to find a community near you.
W W W. B R O O K D A L E L I V I N G . C O M
Your story continues here...
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 12
Can You Find a Good Night’s Sleep at the Drugstore?Almost everyone suffers
from trouble sleeping at one time or another. Insomnia—the inability to sleep—isn’t a single disorder itself, but rather a general symptom like fever or pain. People with insomnia may be plagued by trouble falling asleep, unwelcome awakenings during the night and fitful sleep. They may experience daytime drowsiness, yet still be unable to nap, and they are often anxious and irritable or forgetful and unable to concentrate. Nearly half of insomnia stems from underlying psychological or emotional issues. Stressful events, mild depression or an anxiety disorder can keep people awake at night. When the underlying cause is properly treated, insomnia usually improves. If not, additional strategies to help promote sleep may be needed.
Over-the-counter sleep aids Walk into any drugstore, and you’ll find a be-wildering variety of over-the-counter sleep products. And people are buying them. One small survey of people ages 60 and over found that more than a quarter had taken nonprescrip-tion sleeping aids in the preceding year—and that one in 12 did so daily.
Standard nonprescrip-tion sleeping pills Despite the many brands, nearly all of them—whether a tablet, capsule, or gel cap—contains an antihistamine as its primary active ingredient. Most over-the-counter sleep aids—including Nytol, Sominex, and others—contain 25 to 50
milligrams (mg) of the antihistamine diphen-hydramine. A few, such as Unisom SleepTabs, contain 25 mg of doxyl-amine, another antihista-mine. Others—including
Aspirin-Free Anacin PM and Extra Strength Tylenol PM—combine antihistamines with 500 mg
of the pain reliever acetaminophen. Such antihistamines have a sedating effect and are generally safe. But they can cause nausea and, more rarely, fast or irregular heartbeat,
blurred vision or heightened sensitivity to sunlight. Complications are generally more common in children and people over age 60.
Alcohol heightens the effect of these medications, which can also interact with some drugs. If you take nonpre-scription sleeping pills, be sure to ask your physician about the possibility of interactions with other medications.Sleep experts generally advise against using these medications, not only because of side effects but also because these products are often ineffective in relieving sleep problems. Furthermore, there is no information about the safety of taking such medications over the long term. Info from Harvard Medical School.
Insomnia—the inability to sleep—isn’t a single disorder
itself, but rather a general symptom like fever or pain.
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 13
*You must continue to pay the Medicare Part B premium. If it is determined that you owe a late enrollment penalty, you will still have to continue to pay this amount. **In select counties. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. Florida Blue is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. A Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Health insurance is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, D/B/A Florida Blue. HMO coverage is offered by Health Options, Inc., D/B/A Florida Blue HMO, an HMO subsidiary of Florida Blue. These companies are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 14
Join the Band!The Lee County Com-
munity Band welcomes new members. Band members are musicians from all walks of life—ca-reer musicians, amateurs and folks renewing skills from years past—who reside in Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties. They rehearse Thurs-
days from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Michael’s Lutheran School in Fort Myers with
Director Richard Bradstreet. The band presents six free concerts each year for the community to enjoy. For more information, visit leecountyband.org
or phone Norman Jones at (239) 995-2097.
As you’ve gotten older, have you noticed that you often find
yourself marching around the house in a huff, searching for misplaced car keys or eyeglasses, or you just cannot remember the name of that new neighbor you met when walking the dog? It’s frustrating, to be sure, says Dr. Anne Fabiny, of Harvard Medical School.Memory-boosting tips Dr. Fabiny suggests these tips and tricks to keep your memory sharp:• Follow routines, such as leaving your car keys, glasses and cell phone in the same place every day so that finding them becomes a “no brainer.”• Slow down and pay attention to what you are doing to give your brain’s memory systems enough time to create an enduring memory.
• Avoid distracting or noisy environments and multitasking—the major memory busters today.• Get enough sleep, reduce stress and check with your doctor to see if any of your medications affect memory.Is it forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s? Worried that your minor memory slips mean you are headed toward Alzheimer’s disease? That’s probably
not the case. Like it or not, science shows that the ability to learn new information and recall it may decline somewhat after 50. “You just can’t pull things out of your memory the way you used to at the same speed,” Dr. Fabiny says. But forgetfulness can be a serious issue if it’s starting to interfere with daily tasks and routines, such as managing your healthcare and finances.
Tips To Get The Most From Your Memory
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 15
How to Rebuild Your Relationship with Your Adult Children after Your DivorceBY KATIE SAINT, MA, BCBA
The stigma of getting a …divorce is starting to lift.
Divorce for people over 50 has nearly doubled since the 1990’s. Expecting your adult children to take your divorce in stride might not be realistic, as divorce can completely change the relational dynamics. Children’s worldviews can be challenged by this; they might start to question their childhood memories, and they might even struggle with guilt. “My parents said they stayed together all those years because of me.” Adult children might view the situation as not just their parents separating, but rather that they are “losing their family.” So how do we navigate these murky waters and how do we preserve the relationship with our adult children?
Some starting points:Try to understand what they’re feeling.
This can be hard because you are going through a very difficult time your-self—your divorce—but understanding that this is a trauma for your adult children as well can make it easier to respond in a positive way to them. Your adult children might be an-gry at you, they might feel depressed or they might even try and fix the rela-tionship for you. No mat-ter how your child responds, do not try to rush them through their grieving process.
Try to respect your adult children’s boundaries.
An interesting dynamic that happens when parents of adult children divorce is that the parents often heavily depend on
the children to transition through the divorce. Par-ents might forget that the children are grieving too. Your child may or may not want to help. Be aware that this might be difficult for them and look for other help if it is presents as a problem for your child.
Do not talk bad about your spouse to your adult child. It may feel like they are adults and they can handle your divorce, but keep in
mind that they are not your confidants. Talking bad about your spouse could lead to your child taking sides, or it could hurt their relationship with the other parent. They may be mad at you for talking bad, or they might side with you and be angry with the other spouse. Either response is not in the best interest of the family. In
addition to not being able to hear bad things about your spouse, this also means your child might not be able to celebrate with you different aspects of your new life that you may enjoy.
Re-establish that your love for them has not changed. Show your children with actions that, even though you are not married anymore, you still are the same person to them that you have always been. If you used to be a good listener for them, continue to do so. If you used to go out to coffee, continue that routine.
It can be rough, especially for the first year after the divorce. Do not be afraid to seek counsel if you feel your relationship with your children is severely damaged. Katie Saint is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who works with clients with relationship problems and is author of the book “When Grandparents Divorce.”
Presents...
Could Your Grandchild’s Photo be a Winner?
Selected photos will be published in upcoming issues of Lifestyles After 50 magazine. Photos will be on display at the
Lifestyles After 50 Fun FestNovember 27, 2012 at the Harborside Event Center,
1375 Monroe St., Ft. Myers 33901. Call 1-888-670-0040 for more information.
Enter Now!
Please enclose this form with your entry. (make sure to sign the bottom)
Mail to: News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583-0638
Grandparent Name
Address
City
Phone
Photo Title
Sender’s Age(s)
Subject’s Name
Photo release signature
State
Subject’s Age(s)
Zip
Entries must be received by Nov. 19, 2012 to be entered in the Photo Contest. (Send your photos in early so we can share them with our readers). Photos will be returned within 45 days after contest ends, if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope (large enough to fit your photo) and name and address on the back of the photo.
RULES: Photos should be: Maximum size 8 1/2” x 11”, printed on photo paper only. Maximum 5 entries per person. NO professional photos. Please no photos by e-mail.
X1st Place Winner $75 X 2nd Place Winner $50 X 3rd Place $25 X Grand Prize $125 FM
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Nothing Captures the love of a grandparent for a grandchild more than a great photo!
A F T E R 50
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 16
Take Five! BY JANICE DOYLE
Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie.
Just a few of the names that made jazz an American household word. Jazz—the only original American art form—originated at the beginning of the 20th century in black communities in the southern U.S. From its birth in a mix of African and European music traditions, jazz is now being embraced by music lovers of all ages and from multiple cultures. And the record industry where jazz made its name might be dead, but jazz itself is very much alive. For many people, the word jazz evokes a singer in a bar, club, restaurant or hotel, reworking the old standards. It’s tied in memory to the cultures that gave it rise: its native New Orleans from the early 1920s, big band swing and Kansas City jazz. And there’s Harlem where the sounds of Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, John Coltrane and Billie Holiday reverberated through the streets. There were soul jazz, jazz fusion, smooth jazz and more. Electronics changed everything, and finally, in the seventies, jazz lost much of its popularity and “took a nose dive,” ac-cording to a jazz historian. It looked like jazz was destined to be a memory.
But, as jazz trombonist J.J. Johnson said in 1988, “Jazz is restless. It won’t stay put and it never will.” Jazz didn’t stay down for long.What it is The music form came back and entices younger generations to use their instru-ments for both Sousa marches and jazz because jazz lets them improvise. Older folks might say jazz has to be music you can tap your foot to and dance. Still others want their jazz “to have swing, be soulful,” feeling the blues of an African American church in it some-where—the notes that put a “moan” or “shiver” in John Coltrane’s solos. And free jazz, or improvised music, incorporates all kinds of electronics. West coast Florida jazz clubs are in full swing this month and jazz festivals will continue to draw crowds all season. What’s it all about? What is all that jazz anyway? In jazz, the skilled performer interprets a tune in very individual ways, never playing the same composition exactly the same way twice. Depending upon the performer’s mood and personal experi-ence, interactions with other musicians, or even members of the audience, a jazz musician/performer may alter melodies,
harmonies or time signature at will. Mark Feinman, president of the Al Downing Jazz Association in St. Pete, says jazz is a tradition, passed down from generation and that’s the way to learn it—just as generations learned from
the legendary Al Downing. Today, jazz can be found in both conventional and unconventional places. All the colleges and universities in area promote jazz programs. It’s found in jam sessions and concerts and in huge festivals which bring in big name jazz musicians. Listening to jazz Feinman educates both children (by going into schools) and adults in listen-ing to jazz. “There’s no wrong or right way to listen to jazz,” Feinman says. He says some listeners enjoy focusing on what a musician is doing, watching all his movements as he plays. Other people just listen because it feels right. They become a part of community as a whole with the artists who share their music on the stage and their passion for the people who are listening. If you go to a traditional, classical show, Feinman said, you appreciate that they’re getting it all right—the lights, the sounds—it’s all a part of the ticketed price. “But with jazz you’re involved in the experience.” Instruments in jazz vary from two players to a full 22-piece big band. There’s the stereotypical drum, piano, upright bass; the trumpet, sax and trom-bone. Jazz is now global, and there are strings, oboes, a French horn, baritone, and more, all of which are “widening the palate and colors of jazz.”
Forty years ago popular jazz musicians like Bill Evans listened to Debussy and Chopin and incorporated jazz standards with the harmony of Debussy. On today’s jazz scene, South Ameri-can salsa melodies and rhythms are incorporated with jazz’s improvisation. Or, classic South Indian raga melodies mix with more modern instruments and harmonies. “It goes under the umbrella of jazz because they’re improvising with their rhythms and harmony.” Feinman has a student from China who incorporates his ancient Chinese music into America’s only original art form – jazz. If you take in a jazz festival in the area, Feinman says, “You’ll find ways to chal-lenge your ears. The festival planners will be presenting what they feel com-fortable with and what they have faith in offering as representing good jazz.” So, challenge your ears at one of the area’s many jazz opportunities. It’s the American way!
Jazz Is Alive and Well on the West Coast of Florida
“Take Five” is a jazz piece written by Paul Desmond and performed by
The Dave Brubeck Quartet on their 1959 album Time Out. It became famous for its catchy saxophone melody, a jolting drum solo and the use of the unusual quintuple (5/4) time, from which its name is derived. The song was first
played to a live audience by The Dave Brubeck Quartet at the Village Gate nightclub in New York City in 1959.
“Take Five” has been included in count-less movies and television soundtracks, and still receives significant radio play.
It was the theme music for the NBC “Today” program in the early 60s.
Al Downing (1940 - 2005):
Tuskeegee Airman, jazz musician, teacher, St. Petersburg resident
and founder of the Al Downing Florida Jazz Association.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet.
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 17
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 18
BY FRED CICETTI
It’s time for a flu shot.
You can get the flu vaccine from your doctor, and at pub-
lic health facilities, senior centers, pharmacies and supermarkets. The vaccine can be administered anytime during flu season. Adults over 50 are prime candidates for the vaccine because the flu can be fatal for older people. More than 200,000 flu victims are hospitalized annually in the United States; about 36,000 people die from it. As much as 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu each year. Flu season usually begins in October and can last through May. Flu is a contagious illness of the respiratory system caused by the influenza virus. Flu can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, ear problems and dehydration. Droplets from coughing and sneezing spread the flu. An adult with flu can infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. Children may spread flu for more than seven days. The best way to combat the bug is to get the flu vaccine. You have to get inoculated annually because new vac-cines are prepared every year to com-bat new versions of the virus. When you battle the flu, you develop anti-bodies to the invading virus, but those antibodies don’t work on new strains. The vaccine does not prevent flu in all people. It works better in younger recipients than older ones. Contrary to rumor, you can’t catch the flu from the vaccine. The flu vaccine is not made from a live virus. There are three different flu shots available: a regular shot approved for people ages 6 months and older, a high-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older, and an intradermal flu shot approved for people 18 to 64 years of age. The intradermal flu vaccine uses a very fine needle that is injected into the skin instead of muscle. This is designed for people who hate needles.
A nasal-spray flu vaccine is approved for healthy people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant. The recovery time for the flu is about one to two weeks. However, in seniors, weakness may persist for a longer time. The common scenario for flu is a sudden onset of symptoms that include chills, fatigue, fever, cough, headache, sore throat, nasal conges-tion, muscle aches and appetite loss. While nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can be related to the flu, these are rarely the primary flu symptoms. The flu is not a stomach or intestinal disease. The term “stomach flu” is inaccurate. When symptoms strike, get to a doctor as soon as possible; the faster the better. There are prescrip-tion antiviral drugs to treat flu. ºOver-the-counter medicines can help relieve symptoms of the flu. You should also drink liquids to prevent dehydration, and sleep to bolster your immune system, If you would like to read more columns, you can order a copy of “How To Be A Healthy Geezer” at www.healthygeezer.com. All Rights Reserved © 2012 by Fred Cicetti.
The Healthy GeezerMARK YOUR CALENDAR!
THIS IS THE TIME TO:• Choose a plan that covers your medications in 2013• Switch Prescriptions Drug Plans or Advantage Plans• Enroll for the first time if you are new to Medicare• Enroll for the first time if you did not enroll when
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Pill Bottles Tell AllI was emptying
out my mother’s bathroom cabinet after she died, and I came across a bottle of pills. On the label, she’d written “Aspirin—probably” in her lovely neat writing.
Distraught woman to doctor: “Is it true that the medication you prescribed for me, has to be taken for the rest of my life?”“Yes, I’m afraid so.” Woman, after a moment of silence: “I’m wondering just how serious my condition is; the prescription is marked NO REFILLS.”
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 20
As women age, they find they have to rethink their cosmetics
routine to match their changing skin. It’s also a good idea to rethink wardrobe elements. Here are some tips for doing that:
Look for products that offer hydrating formulas to ease drying skin and light-reflecting ingredients to diffuse lines
for a smoother, more even appearance. Primers prep the skin for makeup application by evening out the skin’s surface, filling in lines and concealing any imperfections of face, eye and lip.
After 50, a woman’s skin tends to become dry and sallow and loses its natural radiance and color. Hydrating products help energize the look, but remember to use lightweight formulas that won’t settle into lines and wrinkles. Using a brush to apply makeup creates a polished look, as well.
A light powder blush in a bronze hue adds dimension and highlights cheekbones. With a large dome-shaped brush, sweep the color from the cheekbone across the nose to the other side of the face as well as on the temples and along the hairline. The combina-tion of the rounded brush and the bronze hue achieves a vibrant yet natural, sun-kissed (Florida!) look.
Medicare Answers Dear Marci, I am thinking about changing my drug coverage during the Fall Open Enrollment Period. What are some things I need to know before making any changes to my drug coverage?—Constance
Dear Constance, You can make changes to your health or drug
coverage during Fall Open Enroll-ment, which spans from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 of each year. During this time, you can make as many changes as you’d like, and the last change you make will take effect January 1 of the following year. When you are choos-ing prescription drug plans, it might be helpful to ask the following questions:• Are my medications listed on the plan’s list of covered drugs (formulary)?• What are the premium, deductible and copay amounts I must pay under the plan?
• Are my pharmacies in the plan’s preferred network so I pay the lowest amount?• Does the plan have any rules I need to follow in order to get my prescription drugs? Keep in mind that if you have a Medicare private health plan that provides health and drug coverage (Medicare Advantage plan), switching drug plans will affect your health coverage. However, if you have Original Medicare and a separate Part D plan that just covers drugs, you can switch Part D plans and keep your current health coverage. You may also find it helpful to use Medicare’s PlanFinder tool, which can give you a comprehensive list of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, the drugs they cover, and their costs. You can access PlanFinder by calling Medicare at (800) 633-4227 or online at medicare.gov. —Marci
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 21
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 22
Build A Social Support Core To Maximize Fitness and A Healthy LifestyleBY WALTER URBAN President and owner of Urban Dynamics Inc., a consulting company. www.urbandynamics.net
I have been training in the gym for about 17 years and compet-
ing at a national and international level for almost 15 years. Over this time I have come to value the need to surround myself with a core social support system that embraces and encourages my efforts to maximize my progress and longevity in fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Over the years, my “core” social support group has been composed of my wife, daugh-ters, co-workers, clients and friends.
Whether you’re a regular in the gym or a weekend warrior who wants to get back into shape, finding and maintain-ing core support is a huge asset. As you get older, it’s even harder to main-tain the stamina of earlier years. Core
support fills in the gaps when motiva-tion fatigue and boredom hit you. A number of studies from respectable health organizations reinforce the notion that “social” influence and support can play a big role in fitness and exercise. The key point is that you will do more if you obtain positive outside social core support.Places to seek out “core” support:Training Partners: Seek out others who are exercising to round out your support system. Working out with a partner helps you stay motivated. Find someone who does similar workouts and goes to the gym or attends the same classes that you do. You can push each other when you are at low points and enjoy successes when you are both peaking. Partnerships often extend well beyond the gym to social surroundings.
Family: You normally spend more of your “free time” with family than any other group, making family support paramount. While you are at home and not doing exercise, you and your wife, girlfriend or other members of your
family can work together to live a healthier life-style. This can include taking your whole family to the gym, going on walks or cycling. Personal Trainers: If you can afford it, a personal trainer is the best way to reach or exceed your fitness goals.
A personal trainer will also be able to correct your form and give you tips to make your workouts as successful as possible. He or she will be mental support as well when you just don’t have the motivation to exercise. Social Media: Sounds crazy, but Facebook and
Twitter are outlets that allow you to join online fitness groups and even possibly find training partners. Don’t underestimate this online medium. Doctors: Doctors will be able to give you limited suggestions about your exercise routine but can point out anything you are doing that could be bad for your body. Make sure that you visit your doctor regularly to chart your health and also check with him or her when you drastically change your fitness program. Remember, there is power in numbers, so get as much support whenever or wherever you can. To find more information on Walter Urban and his World and National records please visit walterurban.com. Author Walter Urban set a new Guinness World Weightlifting Record on Sept. 29. The 54-year-old broke the record for the “Heavi-est Sumo Dead lift in one minute” - lifting 10535 LBS in 60 seconds. Walter lifted a 215 lb weightlifting bar 49 times over the 60 sec-onds for the 10535 lbs and the new record.
Health
The Great Cholesterol MythAccording to the authors
of The Great Cholesterol Myth, lowering your cholesterol won’t prevent heart disease—but they have a plan that will. Heart disease is the #1 killer in North America, claiming the lives of thousands of people annually. As doctors work to fight this deadly disease, recent research has created concerns about how we’ve been treating it. Authors Jonny Bowden, Ph.D. and Stephen Sinatra, M.D. say the em-phasis on lowering cholesterol is all wrong, and has been the entire time! In their book, the authors say these are the facts:
• Cholesterol is harmless and is only a minor player in heart disease.
• Cholesterol levels are a poor predictor of heart attacks.
• Half the people with normal cho-lesterol have heart disease while half
the people with el-evated cholesterol have perfectly healthy hearts.• The true cause of heart disease is inflammation.• The number one dietary contributor to heart disease is sugar, which is a far greater
danger to your heart than fat. • New studies suggest that statin drugs may be associated with a higher risk for cancer and diabetes. The doctors urge readers to take a closer look at their eating habits and the steps to take to protect their hearts. They feel that the standard prescrip-tions for lowering cholesterol and fighting heart disease (such as side-ef-fect-causing statin drugs), actually ob-scure the real causes of heart disease. To learn more, read The Great Cholesterol Myth by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D. and Stephen Sinatra, M.D.
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 24
November is Long Term Care Awareness Month—Here’s What You Need to Know: BY ROSEMARIE HURLEY, CSALong-Term Care Insurance Specialist
There are many companies offer-ing Long-Term Care policies.
For the most part, they all have the same policy “skeleton.” There are two parts to it: one is automatic, built-in benefits, and the other is based on your personal and financial prefer-ences. Here are some policy basics: What kind of coverage do you want? Home Care or Facility Care (Assisted Living and Nursing Home Care), or a comprehensive plan that will pay for all three? How much do you want to be paid in benefi ts when you qualify for a claim? At the time you purchase the policy, you se-lect a “daily benefi t” (for example, $180 per day). That means that when you need the policy, the company will pay to you $180 per day, or approximately $5400 per month, for the expense of your care. How long do you want the company to pay on this claim? You may choose an “unlimited policy,” which pays for as long as you need it, or a shorter benefi t period—for example, a 3- or 5-year ben-efi t. This means that you have the chosen number of years in which to recover and after that time frame has passed, the company is no longer responsible. You agree to pay the rest out-of-pocket. There is a “deductible” or Elimination Period. You may choose 0, 30, 60, 90 days—these are the most common. The higher the number of days, the lower your premium. You are agreeing to pay that number of days out of your own pocket before the company will be responsible.
Infl ation Protection is very important, depending on how old you are when you buy the policy. Most companies offer “compound” or “simple” infl ation at 5 percent. If selected, the company must automatically increase your benefi t by that amount every year. Since it is built in, it does not increase your premium when the benefi t increases. With younger clients, I always recommend infl ation protection. Each company has a Health Rating System that determines premium cost. The amount you pay for your policy is based on the choices you make from the above list, and your age and health risk. Usually there are several categories of risk. Naturally the healthier the risk, the less expensive your premium. And there are certain health conditions that are uninsurable no matter how old you are such as a smoker with emphysema or already-diagnosed dementia. There are even plans that offer a return of your premiums paid, if for some reason you do not go on claim while you own the policy. Whether you choose a limited policy or lifetime coverage, remember, it is always better to have a policy in place, than to be without coverage at all. Rosemarie Hurley, president of Senior Insurance Solutions has been a Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist for over 17 years and brokers with only the fi nest insurance companies in the industry. She is a Certifi ed Senior Advisor and Past President of the local chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters. She is a member of the Bonita and the Estero Chambers, current Past-President of the Rotary Club of Estero. She can be reached at (239) 274-6678, in Estero, or please visit her website: www.longtermcareinsurance-online.com
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Reasons To Consider Hiring A Non-Skilled In Home Care ServiceSeniors that require some amount
of care might gain advantage from having assistants from a non-skilled home care agency come into their home. These agencies supply assistants that provide elderly care at home. Going through an agency is a superb decision, since individuals are thoroughly screened before being hired to provide care. When it comes time to decide if in-home care is the best choice for your aged loved one, here are some reasons to consider hir-ing a non-skilled home care agency:
Reason 1—Convenient and Comfortable One of the most significant reasons to try home care is because it is so convenient and comfortable for your loved one. Many people don’t want to have to leave their home to get the care that they require. Home is snug and familiar, and many folks are more comfortable having someone come into their home to supply them the care and assistance that they require.
Reason 2—Help with Housekeeping and Meals Another reason to think about going with a non-skilled home care agency is because they offer help with housekeeping and meals. This is an important benefit, since it can often help you avoid having to hire care services and a housekeeper. Many agencies provide housekeeping services that may include vacuuming, laundry, making the bed, cooking and more. Ensure you talk with the agency that you’re considering to discover what housekeeping and cooking jobs may be handled by their aides.
Reason 3—Personal One-on-One Care With the home care offered by a home care agency, your elderly loved one will get private, one-on-one care. This may be useful to individuals because it offers them conversation and company instead of putting them into a more frosty environment. The caregiver will be spending time with them, helping them with their
needs and guaranteeing they get the care they need all of the time.
Reason 4—Respite for Family members In numerous cases, family members take over the care of their old parents or other family members. This can become quite stressful from time to time and family caregivers often need a short break. Getting an agency for elderly care at home can allow family members some much needed rest. This is often beneficial for the family care-giver as well as the aged person, since both may need a break now and then.
Reason 5—A Cheaper Option In numerous cases, contracting a home care agency offers a less expensive option than paying for assisted-living or nursing home care. Care in a nursing home or managed living facility can speedily drain somebody’s finances, which may be a problem for someone who wishes years of good care. An agency that comes into the home offers more personalized care for a lower price. Not only is it inexpensive, it frequently offers a better standard of living for the recipient as well.
Contracting a good home care agency can be an excellent option if you’re looking for a way to care for your aged loved one. These are merely a few reasons you should consider. Non-skilled home care may provide the ideal option for your requirements, helping you and ensuring your loved one gets the best possible care.
Carol Botley is a Fort Myers, FL based independent copywriter with a deep interest in health care of the elderly. When you’re looking for some of the most professional in-home care services, contact Private Care At Home: (239) 440-3119.
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 26
Eenie, Meenie, Miney Mo…Get Your Weight Nice and Low!Low fat, low carb or Mediterra-
nean: which diet is right for you? Losing weight sometimes takes experimentation. Genes, family, your environment—even your friends—influence how, why, what and how much you eat, so don’t get too dis-couraged or beat yourself up because a diet that “worked for everybody” didn’t pay off for you. Try another. Here’s a look at three com-mon diet approaches:
Low fat: Doesn’t taste great …and is less filling Low-fat diets were shoved aside by the low-carb frenzy. But healthy fats can actually promote weight loss, and some fats are good for the heart; eliminating them from the diet can cause problems. Since fat contains nine calories per gram while carbohydrates contain four, you could theoretically eat more without taking in more calories by cutting back on fatty foods
and eating more that are full of carbohydrates, especially water-rich fruits and vegetables. Still, such a diet tends to be less filling and flavorful than other diets, which lessens its long-term appeal and may lead to eating highly processed carbs which sabotages your weight-loss plan.
Low carbohydrate: Quick weight loss but long-term safety questions Eating carbohydrates boosts blood sugar, triggering an outpouring of insulin from the pancreas. The surge of insulin can rapidly drop blood sugar, causing hunger. Limiting carbs in favor of protein and fat is supposed to prevent the insulin surge and make you feel full longer. To make up for the lack of carbohy-drates in the diet, the body mobilizes its own carbohydrate stores from liver and muscle tissue. In the process, the body also mobilizes water, meaning that the pounds shed are water weight which tends to slow and reverse after a while.
The American Heart Association cautions people against following the Atkins diet because it is too high in saturated fat and protein, which can be hard on the heart, kidneys and bones. Most experts believe that the South Beach and other less restrictive low-carbohydrate diets offer a more reasonable approach.
Mediterranean style: Healthy fats and carbs with a big side of fruits and vegetables Good fats are the monounsaturated fats found in olive oil and other oils, and the polyunsaturated fats found in fish, canola oil, walnuts, and other foods. Saturated fat and trans fat are the bad guys. Mediterranean diets tend to have a moderate amount of fat, but most of it comes from healthy fats.
The carbs in Mediterranean-style diets tend to come from unrefined, fiber-rich sources like whole wheat and beans. These diets are also rich in fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fish, with little meat and cheese. People living in Mediterranean countries have a lifestyle that includes lots of physical activ-
ity, regular meal patterns, wine and good social support, which is believed to help reduce cardiovascular risk and the development of diabetes.
Make your own A good diet should be as good for your heart, bones, brain and colon as it is for your waistline. Such a diet won’t give you a quick fix but offers a lifetime of choices that will be good for all of you, not just parts of you. Successful weight loss depends largely on becoming more aware of your behaviors and starting to change them through learning new skills.
Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment Information
Everyone with Medicare who is enrolled in a private health
or drug plan should review their choices during the upcoming Fall Open Enrollment Period, advises the Medicare Rights Center, a national, nonprofi t consumer service orga-nization. Even people who are cur-rently happy with their plan should do so, because plans make changes to their benefi t packages every year. The Fall Open Enrollment Period runs through Dec. 7. During this time,
Medicare benefi ciaries can make changes to their health and drug coverage options without restriction. They have the right to make as many changes as they need, and the last change they make on or before December 7 will go into effect on January 1, 2013. “Medicare benefi ciaries need to be aware of any changes
to their current plan and carefully review all of their options in time to make a decision by December 7,” said Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center. Review your options and read the fi ne print carefully. Costs for different plans vary depending on your health status and the plan’s rules and restrictons. Everyone should have received their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). The ANOC lists the changes in the plan, such as the premium and copays, and will compare the benefi ts in 2013 with those in 2012.
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 27
Humana is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. If you are a member of a qualified State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program, please contact the Program to verify that the mail-order pharmacy will coordinate with that program. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-877-868-0796 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Applicable to Humana Gold Plus® (HMO) plans: H0028-004, H1036-140, 143, H2012-009, 011, 013, 027, 028, H2649-020, 024, H4510-018, H8953-001, 002, 006, 009, 010, H1036-157, 196. *Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in the plan only during specific times of the year. Contact Humana for more information.Y0040_GHHHD34HH CMS Accepted SWFL 11/12
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 28
8 Tips for Gutter CleaningRobert Lenney, inven-
tor of the Gutter-glove gutter guard says, “Cleaning out gutters is pretty easy as long as you know what you are doing. Every time I hear of someone getting hurt from cleaning their gut-ters it makes me cringe, because it could most likely have been avoided had they followed proper cleaning procedures.”Here are his eight tips forthis job:• Let someone know you are
cleaning your gutters.• Use a safe and secure ladder.
Avoid rickety wooden ladders. • Rake leaves off roof first. • Wear rubber-soled shoes when
walking on the roof.
• Use plastic gutter scoop. • Wear gloves and proper eyewear.• Unclog downspouts.• Watch out for hazardous power lines. Lenney says he can’t turn the job into Disney-like fun, but following his tips can at least make it asafe experience.
Insured or Uninsured Money?What Is Insured?
Traditional types of bank accounts—checking,
savings, and certificates of deposit (CDs)—are insured by the FDIC.
What about Mutual Funds? The basic answer is no, mutual funds are not insured. Investors sometimes favor mutual funds over other investments, perhaps because they hold promise of a higher rate of return than say, CDs. With a mutual fund, such as a stock fund, your risk—the risk of a company going bankrupt, resulting in the loss of investors’ funds—is more spread out because you own a piece of a lot of companies instead of a portion of a single enterprise. Or your funds may be invested in a money market mutual fund, which may invest in short-term CDs or securities such as treasury bills and government or corporate bonds.
Do not confuse a money market mutual fund with an FDIC-insured money
market deposit account, which earns interest in an
amount determined by, and paid by, the finan-cial institution where
your funds are deposited. The key point to remember
when you contemplate purchasing mu-tual funds, stocks, bonds or other in-vestment products, whether at a bank or elsewhere, is: Funds so invested are NOT deposits, and therefore are NOT insured by the FDIC—or any other agency of the federal government. Securities you own, including mutual funds, that are held for your account by a broker, or a bank’s brokerage subsidiary are not insured against loss in value. The value of your invest-ments can go up or down depending on the demand for them in the market. Info from FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation).
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 29
BY BILL LOSEY, CFP®, CSA
Classic financial missteps that plague retirees may come as a
result of many factors. Boomers can be aware of their potential difficul-ties as they plan for retirement.1. Leaving work too early. The full retirement age for many baby boomers is 66. As Social Security benefits rise about 8 percent for every year you delay receiving them, waiting a few years to apply for benefits can position you for greater retirement income. Any way you can postpone applying for benefits will leave you with more SSI.2. Underestimating medical expenses. Fidelity Investments says that the typical couple retiring at 65 today will need $240,000 to pay
for their future health care costs (assuming one spouse lives to 82 and the other to 85). Prudent retirees explore ways to cover these costs.
3. Taking the potential for longevity too lightly. At age 65, a man has a 40 percent chance of living to age 85; a woman has a 53 percent chance, according to the Social Security Administration. About half of those aged 45 – 60 underestimated their projected life expectancy. We still have a lingering cultural assumption that our retirements might duplicate the relatively brief ones of our parents.
4. Withdrawing too much each year. You may have heard of the “4 percent rule,” a popular guideline stating that you should withdraw only about 4 percent of your retirement savings annually. The “4 percent rule” isn’t a rule, but many cautious retirees do try to abide by it. So why do some retirees withdraw 7 or 8 percent a year? In the first phase
of retirement, people tend to live it up; more free time naturally promotes new ventures and adventures, and an inclination to live a bit more lavishly.5. Ignoring tax efficiency and fees. It can be a good idea to have both taxable and tax-advantaged accounts in retirement. Get good advice. Account fees must also be watched. The Department of Labor notes that a 401(k) plan with a 1.5 percent annual account fee would leave a plan participant with 28 percent less money than a 401(k) with a 0.5 percent annual fee.6. Avoiding market risk. The return on many fixed-rate investments might seem pitiful in comparison to other options these days. Equity investment does invite risk, but the reward may be worth it.7. Retiring with big debts. It is pretty hard to preserve (or accumu-late) wealth when you are handing chunks of it to assorted creditors.
8. Putting college costs before retirement costs. There is no “financial aid” program for retirement and no “retirement loans.” Try to refrain from touching your home equity or your IRA to pay for your children’s education expenses.9. Retiring with no plan or invest-ment strategy. Many people do this—too many. An unplanned retirement may bring terrible financial surprises; retiring without an investment strat-egy leaves some people prone to market timing and day trading. Plan now to avoid these classic mistakes. Take a little time to review and refine your retirement strat-egy in the company of the financial professional you know and trust. Bill Losey, CFP® is author of “Retire in a Weekend! The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Making Work Optional” and he also publishes a free newsletter. Learn more at MyRetirementSuccess.com.
9 Major Retirement Planning Mistakes To Avoid
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 30
Shake Up the Holiday Table with More SaladsMaybe it’s time to shake things
up a bit at the holiday table by adding make-ahead cold vegetable salads instead of hot veggie casseroles to the turkey dinner. These could mean the start of new traditions.
Sweet Potato Salad4 small sweet potatoes (Peel, cook
to fork tender and cut up.)4 stalks celery, cut up1 small red pepper, chopped1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
(or canned, drained)2 scallions, chopped
Recipe
Corn salad can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before serving.
Broccoli and Peanut Salad
1 large or 2 small bunches fresh broc-coli, cleaned and chopped, head only
1 cup mayonnaise3 Tbsp. vinegar3 Tbsp. sugar3 Tbsp. minced onion1/2 cup raisins3/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
Chop broccoli. Mix all other ingre-dients except peanuts and mix with broccoli. Marinate overnight in fridge. Just before serving, stir in peanuts.
Dressing: 1/4 cup mayonnaise1 Tbsp. mustard Mix and chill. Add 1/2 cup toasted pecans just before serving.
Martha Stewart’s Corn Salad6 ears corn or 3 cups frozen corn2 medium tomatoes, chopped3 scallions, thinly sliced crosswise2 sprigs fresh basil1 lime, juiced1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oilSalt & pepper Remove corn kernels from cobs and place in a large bowl. Scrape corn milk from cobs into the bowl. Add remain-ing ingredients and stir to combine.
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 31
ThanksgivingBY ANN THOMAS
Where I live in Cali-fornia we have wild
turkeys walking around. They are lean, aggressive and unattractive birds and I wonder who first got the idea to eat them. I know the story about the Indians and Pilgrims coming together for this great fall feast and since the In-dians were apparently experts on corn and fish, I’m assuming one of the Pil-grims was responsible for the turkey. I’m trying to imagine the reaction of his wife or mother when he walked in with this dead bird and presented it to her with instruction to be sure and remove the pin feathers before cooking. I’m also having a bit of trouble imagining the reactions of those at that first Thanksgiving when everyone sat down and viewed this mixed assortment of food. Surely this tough, sinewy bird, even minus pinfeathers, couldn’t have commanded center stage. But cod fish, prepared in any way they might have tried, just seems wrong. On the other hand, I know cranberries grow in Massachusetts so there might have been cranberry sauce, which al-ways helps turkey. I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a relish tray, but perhaps gravy? Our elementary school books pre-sented that first gathering as a relaxed, happy party, bringing together good friends to celebrate a good harvest. It appears this idea is what most of today’s families are trying to recreate. I don’t want to be a spoil sport, but there is some misunderstanding here. Even though the Indians brought most of the food because generosity was part of their tradition, it seems the purpose of the gathering was business. In fact, the Pilgrims were attempting to negotiate a treaty of some sort. So, besides being a model for future
Thanksgivings, this get together was also, apparently, the first example of how to conduct a business luncheon. What I don’t know is the role of sports in the day’s activities. Of course
there was no television, but one of our former Presidents demonstrated that it was possible to have everyone run into the yard and begin a game involving some ball. My impression of the Pilgrims is that they were a serious lot and probably didn’t own a ball, much less have an amateur team for that year’s sporting event. The Wamanoags, on
the other hand, having lived in the neighborhood for at least several generations, may have had a history of sports, although probably not football. In our family, Thanksgiving dinner generally ends with pie. It seems likely that both the Pilgrims and Indians would have known about pumpkin, al-though I doubt, under those living con-ditions, the pie crust would have been very flaky. On the other hand, when I was in Massachusetts, I was served something called Indian pudding, a dessert made from corn. I wasn’t fond of it, although the people I was travel-ing with thought it grand. They ordered it with vanilla ice cream and the ice cream certainly improved the dish. Maybe my friends’ fondness for that dessert indicates they’re descended from some of the originals who attended that first dinner party. Still, I’m not at all sure where any of those early diners would have found vanilla ice cream. Ann Thomas can be contacted through her website dr-annthomas.comand on her blog theparentingclinic.comwhich has a section for grandparents.
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 32
Last Month’s Answers October Sudoku
Ruth Cobes is last month’s winner!
Congratulations!
Nov. Sudoku Sudoku requires no arithmetic
skills.The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must
include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well. Good luck! The first correct answers selected from
the drawing on Nov. 21 will win.Send your answers along
with your name, address and telephone number to:
NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC.P.O. BOX 638,
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WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!SUDOKU MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOV. 21, 2012
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Word Search Answers
From October
Marie Sirois is last month’s winner!
Congratulations!
Word Search NovemberIn the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions – forwards, backwards, horizontally,
vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?
Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to:
NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC. P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583
The first correct answers selected from the drawing on November 21 will win.WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!
(Puzzles must be received by Nov. 21, 2012.)
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At Last, An Explanation:Ever walk into a room with
some purpose in mind, only to completely forget what that purpose was? Turns out, doors themselves are to blame for these strange memory lapses. Psychologists at the Uni-versity of Notre Dame have discovered that passing through a doorway triggers what’s known as an event boundary
in the mind, separating one set of thoughts and memories from the next. Your brain files away the thoughts you had in the previous room and prepares a blank slate for the new locale. It’s not aging, it’s the door! Whew! Thank goodness for studies like these!
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 33
Slot Machines:Past and Present
BY MARK PILARSKI
Dear Mark: The following quote is from “The Grapes of Wrath” by
John Steinbeck. “Al wiped his hands on his apron. He looked at a paper pinned to the wall over the griddle. Three lines of marks in columns on the paper. Al counted the longest line. He walked along the counter to the cash register, rang “No Sale,” and took out a handful of nickels. “What ya doin’?” Mae asked. “Number three’s ready to pay off,” said Al. He went on the third slot machine and played his nickels in, and on the fifth spin of the wheels the three bars came up and the jackpot dumped out into the cup. Al gathered up the big handful of coins and went back of the counter. He dropped them in the drawer and slammed the cash register. Then he went back to his place and crossed out the line of dots. “Number three gets more play’n the others,” he said. “Maybe I ought to shift ‘em around.” He lifted a lid and stirred the slowly simmering stew.” Is Steinbeck making a mistake about slot machines, or did slot machines in the 1930s have scheduled pay offs instead of being completely random? —Bob H.
Slot machines of today, Bob, are a distant cousin of what Bavarian immigrant Charles Fey invented in 1895. It was Fey who linked the three reels to the slide payout mechanism, creating the first, reeled, mechanical slot machine. In a gesture of patrio-tism, he named it Liberty Bell. The slots of yesteryear work the same as they do today, where a stop on each reel has an equal chance, although today’s symbol combinations are controlled by a Random Number Generator instead of the action of spinning reels. Old slot machines had, as a central element, a metal shaft that supports the reels. This shaft was connected to a handle mechanism that, after a coin detector initially registers that
a coin has been inserted, unlocked a brake so the handle could be pulled. The machine then used a braking system to halt the spinning reels, with the final resting position of the reels matched to a payout system. Slots had a certain number of reels with a specific number of symbols, and each symbol, on a legitimate machine, would have had an equal chance of coming up on a spin. All this is not to say that slot opera-tors in bars and restaurants didn’t rig out machines to pay or stiff patrons. Mechanical slot machines of the past were easy to manipulate and thereby used to cheat naive players. Although the dialog above in Steinbeck’s book lacks machine specificity, and my only recollection of the character Al was that of a cook at a restaurant who ordered Mae to give bread to a migrant family, it is within reason that Al could have known when a jimmied machine was going to pay off.
Speaking of a rigged machine, I own a slot machine from that era, a Mills Mystery, whose stops were fiddled with by a previous owner, and it now pays the highest jackpot on every yank of the handle. It’s stored in the attic because relatives want to keep the winnings. (SENIOR WIRE)
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 34
M anners are a common source of differ-
ences among genera-tions. Priscilla Murtha is a Protocol Consultant who offers this advice in those muddy waters about thank you notes for gifts.
Q: I send beautiful gifts to my grandchildren; however, I do not receive a thank you note or even a call that the gift has been received. What should I do?
A: This is a common problem and is not only occurring between generations. Thank you notes are quickly being forgotten, unfortunately. This is what I would recommend—after a week, phone the grandchild (or parent if the child is young) and ask if the gift was even received. Then, to discourage this from happening again, request that a note be sent.
I’m old school and prefer a written
note, but you may have to accept ane-mail thank you. Once you have thathabit established you can move intoquestions like “Was the gift usedand appreciated?” I totally understand—one of my nieces did not receive many gifts in the mail due to her lack of appreciation (lack of communication). It’s frustrating, but a little behavior modification, via courtesy training, goes a long way! Priscilla can be reached by email at p@protocolbypriscilla.com or online at protocolbypriscilla.com.
Florida Senior Games State Championships Coming
The 2012 Florida International Senior Games & State Cham-
pionships will be held Dec. 1 – 9 in Polk County. These games are qualifi ers for the 2013 National Senior Games, and are expected to draw 2,000 athletes. Open, non-qualifying sports include archery, badminton, billiards, pickle-
ball, powerlifting, race walk, racquet-ball, road race, softball and volleyball. Register, confi rm your registration and events or fi nd information at www.fl asports.com. Of the 23 sports of the 2012 Florida International Senior Games & State Champion-ships, bowling currently leads the pack in individual registrations.
Vets & Spouses Free in NovemberAARP offers Driver Safety refresher
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 35
Pick a Perfect PasswordIt’s a modern day dilemma—
picking passwords for everything you do online. Here’s advice from FBI’s top cybercrime cop, Gordon Snow. He spent his days tracking down the world’s most malicious cybercriminals. Now you can know a few simple tricks which appeared in the Fall 2012 USAA Magazine. Quick quiz: Which password is stronger: “H7%doss!” or “MyLazyDogRex”? Answer: “MyLazyDogRex” is stron-ger. Shocked? Well, a modern brute-force password cracker—a software program that cycles through every possible combination of characters—could crack the eight-character string of gibberish in less than four hours. The 12-character plain-English phrase would take 317 YEARS. That’s why security pros urge people to focus on length, not complexity, when choosing online passwords. So think of a phrase when you set your next password.
Five steps to help you build better passwords:1. Use “Password Strength Indicators” when they are given.2. Use passphrases
rather than passwords when possible. Length is more important than complexity.3. Include numbers, special characters and both uppercase and lowercase letters.4. Create different passwords fordifferent sites.5. Change your passwords everyfew months.Editor’s note: How/where do you keep track of your passwords? Send your tip to janice@lifestylesafter50.com. Subject line: Passwords. (We will only use your first name if we share your tip with readers, so you’re safe with us.)
Password:_____
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 36
Seniors Getting TogetherTO RESPOND TO AN AD
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TO PLACE AN ADSend your ad, stating what category you
would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the News Connection USA, Inc. address listed above. Ads received
by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue. No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right to edit any ads for
space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City or area included at no charge.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Salute OurTroops BallThe American Legion Post 38
presents their 4th Annual Salute Our Troops Ball in honor of America’s Veterans on Nov. 10, 2012, from 6 p.m. to midnight. En-tree choices: prime rib and baked chicken. Entertainment by Dallas and the AHT4U Student Singers, and Damn Out-laws. There will also be a cash bar and silent auction. Sponsored by American Legion Post 38, 1857 Jackston Street. For more information, and to RSVP, please call (239) 332-1853. Tickets are $20 and may be paid in advance or at the door.
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 37
Last Month’s Answers
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Senior Connection • June 2005 • page 36
LEARN HOW TO PLAN FOR YOUR PETS IN AN EMERGENCY
The SPCA’s brochure "Our Best Friends Deserve Better Plans" has allthe latest information on Estate Planning for Pets and Florida's PetTrust Law and it is FREE! This brochure helps pet owners plan for theirpets in case of an emergency or in case their pets outlive them. Use thisorder form to order your free materials.
Send Me Information! Clip and mail this coupon
Name: Address:
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� I/We have included the SPCA in my/our estate plan.
Please send me the following information� Best Friends Deserve Better Plans brochures� Pet Alert Wallet Card� In-Case-Of-Emergency Window DecalInformation and notices on Estate Planning for Seminars� Including the SPCA in my will or codicil.� Giving my paid up life insurance policy to the animals at the SPCA� Making the SPCA the beneficiary of my retirement plan
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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 38
Insurance DiscountsFor Mature Drivers
Have a Florida’s Driver’s License and are 55 years of age or older?
For Mature Drivers������������������
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Take Your Class Online!• Study at your leisure, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.• Simply read the course materials online and then answer a few quiz questions.• There is no need to attend boring classes or listen to long lectures.• After completion, of course we will issue a state-certifi ed certifi cate for you to
turn into your insurance company to receive your discount for a three year period.
Take Your Mature Driver Course On The Internet!If you have a Florida Driver’s License and are 55 years of age or older, you are now eligible to complete motor vehicle accident prevention course that will allow you to receive a mandatory reduction on your insurance rate for three years.
Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicle Approved Course
To Register go to:www.seniordriverclass.comor call 1-800-771-2255
Ready or Not, Shopping Season Starts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday
BY ANDREA WOROCH
Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday
are great money-saving opportunities for early-bird holiday shoppers, but what about all the procrastinators out there? As a nationally recognized media source for all things consumer and money-savings related, I’ve creat-ed a quick list of last-minute gift ideas for all those procrastinating shoppers.
1. Think Digital Books are a classic gift for the readers in your family, and the popularity of e-books makes it even easier to put off holiday shopping until the bitter end. Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble offer digital gift purchases of popular titles—all you need to do is peruse, select and send!
2. Be Charitable There’s no better time to donate to a charity than during the season of giving. Determine your gift recipient’s favorite cause or organization and donate an amount on their behalf. Not only will your friend or family member be pleased about the gift, but the receiving organization will benefit from your kindness as well.
3. Put It Off Free Shipping Day is the one-day online event scheduled for Monday, Dec. 17 for procrastinating shoppers looking for deals on last-minute purchases. This year, the event en-deavors to compete with Cyber Monday for the most online sales, so be sure to hit up FreeShippingDay.com for some stellar offers.
4. Use Your Email You can give gift cards and even save money off their face value by purchasing discount online gift cards from GiftCardGranny.com. You can save up to 20-percent on e-gift cards
to retailers, restaurants and movie theaters and have your selection delivered immediately.
5. Re-Gift Though some people
might turn up their noses at the idea of re-gifting, it
can be a good option when executed thoughtfully. Be sure the gift you’re recycling wasn’t given to you by the intended recipient and would be of value to him or her.
6. Daily Deal It Daily deals like Groupon are a great last-minute gift for most people on your shopping list. Does your mom need to relax? Get her a voucher for a massage or spa day. Could your friends with the newborn use a night out? Buy them a drinks-and-appetizer deal for the newest restaurant. Just be sure to read the fine print and let recipients know of any blackout dates or important details.
7. Try Ship-to-Store Retailers like Walmart, Target and Home Depot offer free ship-to-store services for shoppers who can’t wait the standard 5 – 7 business days for their gift. By ordering online and having your gifts ready for pickup, you avoid the crowds that contribute to your procrastinating behavior, and you save shipping charges.
8. Give a Subscription Subscriptions for products and magazines represent a no-brainer, last-minute gift that keeps on giving. There’s a magazine for even the most far-out interest (Modern Drunkard, anyone?), and subscription rates are almost always affordable. Product subscriptions are another great op-tion, with companies like Birchbox and Glossy Box offering travel-size samples of the latest beauty products.
Andrea Woroch is a nationally-rec-ognized consumer and money-saving expert. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.
Retirement Living
Shared Resource is a Shared Responsibility
Question: What do most government agencies, public and private corpora-
tions, home based businesses, schools, seniors and students have in common?Answer: Access to the world through the use of technology via web. While America faces serious econom-ic and security challenges, our prosper-ity and competitiveness in depends on effective cyber security. If you are an internet user, you have a personal responsibility in securing cyberspace by taking precautions and understand-ing the potential consequences of your actions and behaviors while online.
Some ways to start doing that include: • Downloading “free” stuff like games, ring tones or screen savers can hide viruses or spyware.
• Use peer to peer (P2P) file sharing services with caution. Make sure you install file-sharing software properly, and scan downloaded files with security software before you open or play them. • Make sure your browser meets industry security standards. Features such as the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encrypt your personal informa-tion as it is sent over the internet. • Check the URL displayed in the address bar to see if a website encrypts data before it is sent over the internet. A site that encrypts will begin with the abbreviation “https” (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), while web pages that do not encrypt data only display “http” (no “s”). To arrange to have someone come out to your community to talk about this or another security topic, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Community Relations Section at (239) 477-1400.
on your case How We’re Helping Seniors
Protect Themselves from Fraud
Lifestyles After 50 • November 2012 • page 39
The Best ofCharlotte County
Lifestyles After 50 Is Your Connection To The Seniors Of Charlotte County
November 2012
Charlotte County!
10 Charles of the Village Hair Show,
1 – 2 p.m. Center Court.
17 ”Lighting of the Village” 5:30 –
9 p.m. Over one million lights and themed deco-rations will be lit at 5:30 p.m., followed by parade by Lee County Pipes & Drums. Carolers, visits with Santa, free refresh-ments, horse drawn carriage rides, kids activi-ties and more. Admission: bring canned good.
26 Author’s Market, noon to 6 p.m. Meet area authors and learn about their latest
publications. Free admission. (941) 637-3514.
Fishermen’s Village is on the waterfront in Punta Gorda. Call (941) 575-3007 for details.
Fridays and Saturdays Bingo from 11:45 a.m.
to 3:30 p.m. Game packs start at $12.
9 10, 11 Christmas Bazaar. 42nd annual
Charlotte County shopping experience. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
10 – 18 Happy Travelers trip: Branson Show
Extravaganza. 20 Day trip to Immokalee Casino. Info: (941) 625-4175 ext. 204.
22 Nowhere Band - Beatles Tribute
Holiday Show. 7 p.m. $18.
All events at Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte. Tickets, times and info: (941) 625-4175.
18 Annual “Being Thankful” Celebra-
tion. Learn about organic vegetables and farm-ing, mini yoga session, meditation on thankful-ness. Donations to Good Samaritans accepted . 3 - 5 p.m. at Worden Farm, 34900 Bermont Rd., Punta Gorda. (941) 505-9642.
22 14th Annual “Turkey Trot” 5K
Run/Fun Walk for charity, 7:30 am. Event day regis-tration 6. – 7:15 a.m., $30. Early reg., $25 by Nov. 19, charlottecountyhfh.org or (941) 639-3162. Edison State College, 26300 Airport Rd. Punta Gorda.
888-670-0040
Call for Special Rates and Marketing Packages for the Best of Charlotte County!
• Collector Car Show and Open House, Nov. 10 , 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Charlotte Sun, 23170 Harborview Rd., Port Char-
lotte. See antiques, classics, sports, special interest vehicles and trucks from yesteryear. Food/beverages available. Livemusic by Leslie Sax Man D. Diabetes screening. Free admis-sion. Open to all non-modified vehicles – register at Veteran
Motor Car Club of America: (941) 235-7701.
• Golf Scramble. Nov. 17. 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Riverwood Golf Club, 4100 Riverwood Dr., Port Charlotte. Registration at 7:30 a.m., shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. $80/person or $320/4 person
teams. Fees include breakfast, BBQ lunch buffet, golf cart and prizes! Proceeds benefit the Charlotte County Homeless
Coalition. Info/register at (941) 627-4313, ext. 118.
• Nice Day Trip: Lifestyles after 50 Fun Fest, Nov. 27 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Harborside Event Center, Ft. Myers. Health screenings, information, prizes and more. 1-888-670-0040.
Helping Hands• R.S.V.P. (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program): (941) 613-2299.
• Meals on Wheels/Friendship Cafe Dining Sites: (941) 255-0723.• Elder Helpline of Southwest Florida: 1-800-398-4233.
Senior Centers and Resources• Senior Friendship Centers: (941) 255-0723 or friendshipcenters.org.
• Senior Choices of Southwest Florida: 1-866-413-5337 or srchoices.org.• O.C.E.A.N. (Our Charlotte Elder Affairs Network): (941) 235-4500 or ocean-fl.org.
FEATURED EVENTS
Join Us For Our Dec. 2012 Edition!
HappyHolidays!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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