Today’s BoomeR

Today’s Vol.1 No.4

Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B ---Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!

“BOOMER“BOOMER“BOOMER---PRENEUERSHIP” PRENEUERSHIP” PRENEUERSHIP”

BOOMERS BOOMERS BOOMERS BACK to BACK to BACK to SCHOOLSCHOOLSCHOOL Pop Quiz: Are Small Business Really Driving the U.S. Economy??

Boomer Travel: Fall in Love with

Foliage Social Security: Prepare NOW to Retire in 2013

How 2 Start How 2 Start How 2 Start a Business a Business a Business and Follow and Follow and Follow

Your Your Your Dreams Dreams Dreams after 50 after 50 after 50

Boomer Healthy Eating: TailgaTe Rubbin’ Game day Grub

2 Today’s BoomeR

Up Coming Cruises-Book Now!

Odyssey of the Ancient Crusaders 2012

“CU Winds of Change EduCruise” September 21 – October 3, 2012

Hawaiian Islands Adventure 2012

“CU Discovery EduCruise” November 3– 10, 2012

A Western Caribbean Adventure 2012 “Credit Union Discovery EduCruise”

November 4-11, 2012

A Southern Caribbean Holiday EduCruise 2012

December 29, 2012-January 5, 2013

Navigating South America & the Panama Canal 2013

“Credit Union Discovery Symposium 2013” March 17-April1, 2013

Today’s BoomeR 3

Founder John Vardallas & Alexandra Maragha

Editor-In-Chief Alexandra Maragha

Contributing Writers :

Karyl Richson– Social Security

Gary Knowles– Travel Writer

Advertising Team

For Letters to the Editor, articles and feedback

as well as advertising inquiries email

Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com

The American BoomeR.com

John Vardallas CAE, CUDE

CEO/Founder Professional Speaker

Business/Lifestyle Strategist

Boomer Sage and Blogger

JohnVardallas@TheAmericanBoomeR.com

(608) 577-8707

Alexandra Maragha

Co-Founder, Editor-In-Chief Today’s BoomeR

Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com

Today’s BoomeR Vol.1 No.3 Today’s BoomeR is published

six times (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/ June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct,

Nov/Dec) a year by The American BoomeR.com

769 North Star Drive (Suite 207) Madison, WI 53718 All rights

reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission

is prohibited.

The American Boomer

@American_Boomer

Today’s

This Issue

September / October 2012

Volume 1, Number 4

Cover Photo from Gary Knowles

Boomer Travel 5

Autumn Escape Routes

Boomers Back to School 10

The young at heart follow their passions

“Boomer-Preneuership” 12

Reinventing yourself and following your

dreams after 50

Pop Quiz: Small Business 15

Are small businesses really driving the

U.S. economy?

Boomer Healthy Eating 16

Game Day tailgate rubs

Social Security 18

Prepare now to retire in 2013

B2B Marketplace 19

Business 2 Boomers Marketplace

4 Today’s BoomeR

(feature) p. 10

p. 4

p. 12

Fall-ow Your Dreams

EDITOR’S LETTER

Today’s

Alexandra Maragha

Editor-In-Chief

Send Letters and Feedback to: Alexandra@theamericanboomer.com

It is quite an accomplishment to achieve a dream. Completing a degree,

landing that position in the career you always wanted, or starting your own

business are parts of individual passions and goals that become realized at

any age.

This issue celebrates the choices that are motivated through passion,

commitment and sacrifice. Our feature on “Boomers back to school”, and

Boomers following their dreams after 50 through “Boomer-Prenuership” to

start their own businesses are instances where Boomers are achieving

their dreams and setting forth to do what they love.

Fall is also the time of year when a sense of renewal is crisp in the air and

trees turn to brighten the sky. Take in the feeling of change that surrounds

us and make that change that you have been waiting for.

Many have heard the saying “big risks can create big rewards”, but less

realize the path to success is paved with failure. Walt Disney was fired from

a newspaper for “lacking imagination”. At 30 years old, Steve Jobs was re-

moved from the company he started, and Oprah Winfrey was demoted from

her job as a news anchor because she...“Wasn’t fit for television.” By taking

risks we can join the famous failures club and continue the path of success.

And from the motto that I have come to learn and love from The American

BoomeR.com, “Get MAD: Make A Difference” and don't be afraid or hesitant

to follow your dreams!

Today’s BoomeR 5

BO

OM

ER

TR

AV

EL

B

OO

ME

R T

RA

VE

L

Autumn Escape Autumn Escape Autumn Escape RoutesRoutesRoutes

From the Great River to the From the Great River to the From the Great River to the Great LakesGreat LakesGreat Lakes–––

Fall in Love with Foliage!Fall in Love with Foliage!Fall in Love with Foliage!

Story and Photography by Gary Knowles

There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky,

which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!

-Percy Bysshe Shelley

6 Today’s BoomeR

Summer’s warmth is fading fast. Evenings come to call sooner and stay longer. But don’t despair. The fuse has been lit and the great natural fireworks show is about to begin in the Upper Great Lakes States. Autumn, the season of anticipation, color, light, ex-citement, ooohs and ahhhhs is here. It starts with a bang and ends all too quickly so make your plans now to catch it while you can.

There are special places that hold the splendor of fall into October and sometimes beyond. The preferred way to do these tours is “open-air” in a convertible, top down or on a motorcycle. Of course you’ll notice that most every activity includes a lake, river or body of water. That’s what makes this area so special. Here are a three favorite autumn road tour routes and four autumn encore experiences to help you enjoy the very best of the season.

HIT THE ROAD!

Great River Ramble

The Great River Road (GRR) is an officially designated scenic bye-way of river roads that follow the Mississip-pi River from its start as a dribble in Itasca, Minnesota coursing through 10 states to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico. There are scenic visits along the entire route, but many travelers agree, no section is more

spectacular than the northern loop bounded by La Crosse, Wisconsin on the south and Red Wing, Minne-sota on the north. This is doubly true as fall colors blanket the bluffs. Don’t miss: the view of three states from Granddad Bluff in La Crosse WI; the totally unex-pected and stunning Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, MN with Impressionist works to make major museums envious; eagles overhead at Wabasha, MN, a town made famous by the “Grumpy Old Men” movies (no, they weren’t really shot there); the famous pottery museum at Red Wing, MN; the historic muse-um at Pepin,WI, birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder who wrote the “Little House on the Prairie” series; one of the greatest views of the river valley at Buena Vista Park at Alma, WI; and charming old Trempealeau, WI with Perrot State Park teeming with birdlife. From La Crosse take Inter-state 90 into Minne-sota, then Highway 61 to Red Wing. Cross into Wisconsin on Hwy. #63 then follow Hwy. 35 south, back to La Crosse. You can drive this route of about 200 miles in a day, but allowing more time to explore, it makes a wonderful 2-3 day getaway.

The Dairyland Riviera

Hurrying from Chicago or Milwaukee to Door County, many travelers choose the fast lane north through Green Bay on Interstate I-43. Off to the east, however, starting at Sheboygan, is an optional route that offers outstanding views of Wisconsin rural coun-try, Lake Michigan and great harbor towns along

“Wright Brothers National Memorial”

Today’s BoomeR 7

the way. Exit on Hwy. #23 east into Sheboygan where the Lake Michigan waters off Broughton Drive host the Midwest Surfing Championships each Labor Day Weekend. Take North 14th Street north and follow it as it becomes 15th Street, “Lakeshore Road, Hwy. “LS ” Stay on LS north to the world famous, award-winning Whis-tling Straits Golf Course at Ha-ven. Ranked with the world’s finest golf links, Whistling Straits was the site of the 2004 and

2010 PGA Championships, it hosts that tournament again in 2015 and then the “grand prize” - the 2020 Ryder Cup Tourna-ment. Golfers may want to stop for a drink on the patio of the Irish-style stone club house. Watch golfers whack

their way to the stunning 18th green (called “Dye-abolical” after designer Pete Dye.) Follow Hwy “LS” into Manitowoc, visit the Wisconsin Maritime Muse-um and the USS Cobia WWII Submarine. Stop at the Rahr-West Art Museum then follow Hwy. #42 north along the Lake Michigan shore into Two Rivers where the Ice Cream Sundae was first created (1881). At 22nd Street take Highway “O” – Wisconsin Rustic Road #16 – to Point Beach State Forest. The white sand beach stretches for six miles and is perfect for brisk autumn strolls. A short jog up the dunes takes you to the Rawley Point lighthouse. Follow Hwy. “O” to “V” back to Hwy. #42 north and the picturesque towns of Kewaunee and Algoma. Stay along the lake by taking County Hwy. “S” then “U” north from Al-goma to Highway #57 and #42 at Sturgeon Bay. Door

County is a leaf peepers paradise, so head in any di-rection. This route runs about 90 miles and makes a great day trip.

The Cranberry Highway

Among the most spectacular autumn scenes is a cran-berry marsh during harvest season. The marsh is flood-ed and harvesters move from berm to berm raking ber-ries from the vines. The bright crimson fruit float to the surface where they’re gently gathered, put into trucks and taken to

processing plants. Wisconsin typically harvests the largest portion of the United States’ cranberry crop and the epi-center of activity is in the Wisconsin Rapids area. About ten years ago local promoters realized that

8 Today’s BoomeR

many autumn travelers had never seen this dazzling harvest in progress. They laid-out a 49 mile self-guided scenic tour route for automobiles and motorcycles and called it “The Cranberry Highway.” It runs through the heart of Wood County and Central Wis-consin’s famous cranberry growing region. Another route, The Cranberry Trail, was outlined for use by bi-cycle riders. A special optional 17 mile Wildlife View-ing Loop Tour through the Sandhill Widlife Area has been incorporated in both tours. This is a great place to see and photograph deer, loons, eagles, Canada Geese, marsh animals and even a captive buffalo herd. The 49 mile auto tour route follows scenic and well-maintained state and county roads.It includes visits to marsh harvest sites, wildlife areas, historic sites, mar-kets, shops and restaurants where travelers can see, experience and enjoy Wisconsin’s number one fruit crop. Driving times will vary depending on the num-ber of stops and the length of time taken at each one. Several growers and the Pittsfield FFA offer excellent guided tours. Advance reservations are usually re-quired.

SAMPLES OF THE SEASON!

You may not have a whole weekend, or even a day, so here are a few autumn diversions to make a few hours feel like a getaway.

Madison - UW Memorial Union Terrace – University of Wisconsin students set aside their studies to soak in sensational views of Lake Mendota, sunsets, sailboats and each other. You can get into a challenging chess game, discuss nuclear fusion, talk state politics or dis-sect TV series anytime. Jazz, rock, blues and ethnic music concerts are regular features. Don’t let the stu-dents have all the fun. Pull up a chair, breathe the fall air and “just be.

Dubuque- Iowa – Ride the Fenicula – See Eagle Point Park – This vibrant river town offer casino gambling, excellent shopping and the National Mississippi River Museum. For a quick autumn thrill catch a ride – and great views- on the Fenelon Place Elevator, 296 feet up a bluff in downtown Dubuque. Then drive a twisting road up a forested bluff to reach spectacular

*Gary Knowles, Today’s BoomeR’s Travel Writer, is freelance photo-journalist and travel consultant based in Madison, Wisconsin. He is the Upper Great Lakes Columnist for Journal and Topics Newspapers in Des Plaines, IL, serves as Travel Advisor to the Wisconsin Public Radio’s Joy Cardin Show and is author of “The Great Wisconsin Touring Book – 30 Spectacular Auto Tours.”

Today’s BoomeR 9

WHEN YOU GO: GREAT RIVER ROAD http://www.experiencemississippiriver.com/great-

river-road.cfm La Crosse, Wisconsin http://www.explorelacrosse.com/ PH: 800-658-9424 Minnesota Marine Museum – Winona, MN http://www.minnesotamarineart.org PH: 866-940-6626 The National Eagle Center – Wabasha, MN http://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/ PH: 651-565-4989 The Red Wing Area and Pottery Museum

Information – Red Wing MN http://www.redwing.org/ PH: 800-498-3444 Stockholm Pie Company –Stockholm, WI http://www.stockholmpiecompany.com/ PH: 715-442-5505 The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum – Pepin, WI http://www.lauraingallspepin.com/ PH: 715-442-2142 Buena Vista Park – Alma, WI http://www.wingsoveralma.org/visitalmathecenter/

buenavistaparktrail.html PH: 608-685-3330. Trempealeau, WI and Perrot State Park http://www.trempealeau.net/ PH: 608-534-6780 THE DAIRYLAND RIVIERA Sheboygan Travel Information http://www.visitsheboygan.com/ PH: 800-457-9497 Manitowoc – Two Rivers Travel Information http://www.manitowoc.info/ PH: 800-627-4896 Point Beach State Forest http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/pointbeach/ PH: 920-794-7480 Kewaunee Travel Information http://www.cityofkewaunee.org/ PH: 920-388-5000 Algoma Travel Information http://www.Algoma.org PH: 920.487.2041 THE CRANBERRY HIGHWAY Tours: http://www.visitwisrapids.com/cranhwy PH: 800-554-4484 SHORT AUTUMN GETAWAYS The UW Wisconsin Memorial Union http://www.union.wisc.edu/terrace/ PH: 608-265-3000 Dubuque, Iowa http://traveldubuque.com PH: 800-798-8844 Northwoods Electric Boat Tours Bayview Inn – Minocqua www.bayviewminocqua.com PH: 877-215-8051 or 715-356-9610 The Colsac III Ferry http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/water/merrimac.htm

PH: 608-246-3876

Eagle Point Park, 164 acres overlooking the Mississippi River Valley. Some 500 feet below is Lock and Dam #11. You can see parts of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Au-tumn colors in the river country can be awesome. Bring binoculars, watch for eagles, migratory birds and river traffic. It’s an easy scenic drive on Highway #151 less than two hours from Madison.

Minocqua - Northwoods Electric Boat Tour – Some of Wisconsin’s most splendid Northwoods color can only be seen from the water. This classic electric launch owned and piloted by Bay View Resort innkeepers Jim and Kelly Phillips is sensationally quiet. Seating up to a dozen people it is powered by sixteen batteries. It’s qui-eter than a canoe, spews no gas fumes and feels as if you’re being pulled through the water by an invisible magic cord. Enjoy loons calling, fish jumping or eagles soaring overhead. Call to set up a tour. Bring Wisconsin wine and cheese for a perfect picnic.

Merrimac – ColSac III (free) Ferry– This is fun anytime, but in autumn the Wisconsin River is totally dressed for the season! From Prairie du Sac, WI follow colorful Hwy. #78 to Merrimac. Or from Madison take beautiful Highway 12 north to Hwy.#188 along the Wisconsin Riv-er to the ferry landing. Drive aboard the Col-Sac III for a free ride across the Wisconsin River to Merrimac. Once you try it, this trip can easily become a fall tradition.

10 Today’s BoomeR

The young at heart follow their passion in increasing numbers

By Julie Christensen and Katie Weddle Langer Back in the day, the phrase “non-traditional student” described a minority group of college

students who were over the age of 22, enrolled part time, had dependents, worked full time, or all

of the above. Today, these so-called “adult learners” are much more commonplace on college

campuses, and baby boomers are among them.

According to the National Center for

Education Statistics, college enrollment of

students ages 50 to 64 increased 17 percent

nationwide between 2007 and 2009. More

generally speaking, college enrollment of

students 25 and older rose 43 percent be-

tween 2000 and 2009, compared to an in-

crease of 27 percent for students 25 and

younger.

So why are more boomers returning to or

going to college for the first time later in

their lives? The answer is pretty straight-

forward. Just ask Jamie Hill, a 53-year-old student at Globe University in Madison, Wis.

BOOMERS

BACK TO

SCHOOL

Today’s BoomeR 11

“After raising seven kids and having all of them

grown up but one, I decided it was time for me to

do something for myself,” she says.

Hill is enrolled in the veterinary technology pro-

gram at Globe’s Madison East campus. Globe is a

family-managed career college based in Wood-

bury, Minn., that prepares students to be work-

ready for careers in a wide range of fields. Stu-

dents gain hands-on education that immerses

them in real-world situations.

When Hill graduates with an associate in applied

science degree in June 2013, she’ll be ready for a

job as a veterinary technician—a role that aligns

with her passion for animals.

“I’ve always been one to bring in strays; they are

like kids to me,” Hill says. “I love animals and I

love people, so it’s the perfect job for me.”

For Brian Hagen, 55, returning to college was

about revamping his skill set. He studies music

business at Globe University-Madison East.

“I decided to enroll at Globe because the industry

in which I am involved is changing so rapidly that

I need a well-informed source to get up-to-date,”

Hagen says. “Also, my former degree had no busi-

ness classes, and they are very useful in any mar-

ket.”

The Appeal

At Globe’s Madison East campus, 10 of the 275

students are over 50 years old, and 37 students

are between 40 and 49. Small class sizes that fos-

ter one-on-one attention are part of Globe’s “We

Care” guiding philosophy that appeals particular-

ly to its baby-boomer students.

“The small class sizes are one of the biggest rea-

sons I chose Globe,” Hill says. “I’d get lost in big

classrooms. I love the extra attention we get

here.”

The university’s staff and faculty provide support

from a campus-based student services depart-

ment and lifelong career services assistance.

“Everybody at Globe cares,” says Barb Reilly, a

boomer-aged graduate in the university’s medical

assistant program. “All of the staff and faculty that

I’ve come in contact with here want you to suc-

ceed.”

So what is it like attending classes as a baby

boomer? For Hill, it’s seamless.

“I’ve never felt like I’m the old lady on campus,”

she says. “The students make me feel like I’m one

of the gang.”

And as she tells her friends and family, “You’re

never too old to go back to school.”

Photo: Barb Reilly, a baby-boomer graduate in the

medical assistant program at Globe University in

Madison, WI, weighs a child during a wellness clinic

held on the campus. The clinic is one example of many

hands-on educational experiences students receive at

the university.

Sources:

http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d11/tables dt11_201.asp

http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=98

12 Today’s BoomeR

By John A. Vardallas, CAE, CUDE Founder/CEO

TheAmericanBoomeR.com

The current economic downturn has given rise to many new startup companies. One of the fastest growing areas is small businesses led by baby boomer men/women who seized the opportunity to

strike out on their own. Hats off to them!

Americans ages 55-64 form small businesses at a higher rate than any other age group, and women are at the core of new breed business leaders.

They are the examples of the other side of the glass being half full after suffering a job loss or loss of employment due to recessionary times of the last few years—not being down, out and depressed about the economy. They are the ones that have the guts to

take the first steps toward starting their own business. Small businesses drive new business and are critical to the economic health of our nation rebounding.

Entrepreneurs fuel the growth of our nation generat-ing 75% of new jobs in the USA.

Many boomers who are over the age of 50 have embraced the mantra “no guts no glory” in pursuing their dream and will go into their golden years with a

“Work-tirement” mindset.

Change is no longer a force in the business environ-ment--it IS the business environment, and embracing change is an opportunity for renewal and can help fuel your pursuit.

Starting your own business and following your own path is not for the faint hearted.

Following Following

Your Dreams Your Dreams

After 50After 50

Hesitant about starting

your business to follow

your dreams? Take a look

at a few success stories

of people who started

later in life and achieved

their dreams!

Colonel Sanders

Owner of Kentucky Fried

Chicken, Harlan David

Sanders (Colonel Sanders)

was 65 years old when he

started his business

franchise.

Nelson Mandela

At 74 years old, Nelson

Mandela became the oldest

elected president of South

Africa.

Julia Child

Julia Child was 49 when her

first cookbook Mastering the

Art of French Cooking was

published.

Henry Ford

When he was 45 years old,

Henry Ford introduced the

Model T automobile and at

60 years old created the first

car assembly line.

Reinventing Yourself:

The New “Boomer-Preneuership”

Today’s BoomeR 13

It requires mega doses of Passion for what you do, Perseverance of never looking back and the Patience to cultivate your business for the long run.

I offer the following suggestions and

questions to ask yourself while soul searching to get you started on the path to being your own boss:

1) Start with your idea—what is that you want to do or create? Does

it inspire you and others? What niche will it fill? Is my idea practical? Can I create a demand for my product/service?

2) Test your idea—will your product or service gain acceptance in the

marketplace?

3) Create a Business Plan for your new venture. What will be your goals and what skill sets/experiences do you bring to the business?

4) Know how you will be able to fund your business and what financing you will need.

5) Be prepared to market yourself and your business. Remember: You Are the Brand!

What will I name my business and where will I locate?.

6) Scan your Competition: Know who you will be up against. What is your competitive advantage

14 Today’s BoomeR

over existing organizations?

7) Utilize Technology to help you man-age and grow your business.

(Online/Off Line?)

8) Monitor/Evaluate your progress.

9) Identify your Success Metric. How will you measure achievements? Money, Service to others, Satisfaction, Making a Difference?

10) Be prepared to fail, learn and reset

your pathway to success. Seek help

from others along way (vendors, oth-er small businesses, government agencies, trade associations).

As a new small business owner you will need to constantly build your competencies and network of contacts.

The future business environment will continue to change rapidly and become more Darwinian, and you need to be-come a survivor by adapting to change—one with resiliency who is not thrown by crisis, defeats, or failures.

And remember the adage of having a passion for what you do before profit. This will test and drive your new ven-ture. The road to success is also paved with failure (teachable moments).

Your future success will be measured by

how much you invest in keeping your self growing and going and “Never Letting Go of Your Dreams”!

Boomer Resources for

Starting Your Own Business

Chambers of Commerce

Small Business Administration

Local University/Community College

Small Business Departments

SCORE (Counselors to Americas Small

Business) Chapters

Local Business to Business

Networking Groups

Credit Unions

Strategies To Improve

Your Business

Keep Up Your Skills & Competencies

Think Positive

Challenge Yourself To Learn

Something New

Build Networks and Stay Connected

Bring You’re A-Game to Work

Everyday

Look for Ways to Help Your Business

Be Successful

Learn to Think Outside The Box

Reward Yourself Periodically by

Celebrating Your Accomplishments

Maintain A Survivor Mindset

Be Passionate About What You Do

Today’s BoomeR 15

Pop Quiz: Are Small

Businesses Really Driving

the U.S. Economy?

Politicians often argue that small businesses are the

lifeblood of America, the engine that fuels the coun-

try's economy. But what, exactly, is a small business --

and how big an effect do they have on daily life in the

U.S.? To help

illustrate the

role of small

businesses,

we've put to-

gether this little

quiz. If you've

ever wondered

about the little companies that could, take a peek.

1. What is the maximum number of employees that a

company can have and still be considered a small

business?

A. 50 B. 500 C. 1,500 D. 2,000

Answer: C (1,500) According to the Small Business Ad-

ministration's size standards, the definition of small busi-

ness varies widely, depending upon the industry that they

work with. For example, petroleum refineries, ammuni-

tion manufacturers, and thirteen other businesses can

qualify as "small businesses" if they have fewer than 1,500

employees.

2. What is the maximum yearly income that a compa-

ny can have before it is no longer considered a small

business?

A. $650,000 B. $950,000 C. $1 million D. $35.5 million

Answer: D ($35.5 million) Another way of looking at a

company's size is its yearly income. For parking lots, in-

dustrial launderers, home centers and fourteen other

businesses, yearly gross income of $35.5 million is the cut-

off between a small business and a large one

3. In the EU, what is the maximum number of employ-

ees that a company can have before it no longer quali-

fies as a small business?

A. 50 B. 250 C. 750 D. 1,500

Answer: A (50) In the Euro-

pean Union, policymakers

take the idea of small businesses at face value. According

to the SME User Guide of the European Commission, a

small business can have no more than 50 employees. In-

terestingly, this is also the cut-off line drawn by the Pa-

tient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

4. What percentage of the U.S. private sector payroll

comes from small businesses?

A. 5% B. 20% C. 43% D. 57%

Answer: C (43%) According to the Small Business Admin-

istration, a stunning 43% of all private payroll in the U.S.

comes from small businesses. In other words, almost half

of all privately-paid salaries come from small businesses,

not big conglomerates.

5. What percentage of small business owners are mil-

lionaires?

A. 1% B. 3% C. 10% D. 40%

Answer: B (3%) Tax critics argue that increasing taxes on

millionaires would cripple small businesses. In reality,

however, only 3.31% of small business owners make $1

million or more per year. In fact, over 75% make less than

$200,000 per year -- putting them well below the cut-off

for President Obama's proposed tax increases

Small businesses are a big part of the engine that propels

the American economy -- study after study shows that

they are the quickest to add jobs, the biggest growth sec-

tor of the economy, and a major contributor to GDP.

But are America's small businesses being used to sell its

taxpayers a bill of goods? When huge airline manufactur-

ers and home repair stores are getting many of the same

benefits as the local mom and pop store, it's worth asking

if we need to reconsider our small business standards --

and support the people who really need it.

? By Bruce Watson

Bruce Watson is a senior features writer for DailyFinance. You can reach him by e-mail at bruce.watson@teamaol.com, or follow him on Twitter at @bruce1971.

16 Today’s BoomeR

BOOMER HEALTHY EATING:

Game Day Tailgate Grub!Game Day Tailgate Grub!

Go-To Beef Rub 2 Tablespoons Sea Salt 2 Tablespoons Pepper 1 teaspoon Onion powder 1 teaspoon granulated Garlic 1 teaspoon smoked sweet Paprika Put all that in your spice grinder, give it a whirl and off ya go. I’ll rub the flesh with a light coat of olive oil and then work the rub into it, coating thoroughly, about 30 to 45 minutes prior to grilling. Let it sit

Don’t Get Rub the Wrong Way!

Grilling, barbequing or smoking means one thing, flesh. Nothing

makes it yours better than a great rub: Don’t trust great flesh to a

bottle from who knows where. Stuff somebody else made means that

you have no idea of or control over how fresh it is or what the pro-

portions are.

If you want to truly shine at your next tailgate shindig and you’ve got

a pantry full of years old spices, throw ‘em all out and start over. Go

out and buy some top quality, fresh ingredients. Find sea salt, whole

pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and anything else you really like,

(Garlic, onion powder, sugar, smoked paprika, oregano); get nice

fresh supplies of those too. Lastly, buy a cheap coffee or spice grind-

er and from now on, always buy your spices whole: Now you can get

down to business.

When it comes to rubs, you want one or two dominant notes, with

two or three minor notes, as needed or desired. Simple is always

best, so don’t add so many flavors that you muddy the blend. Pick

your dominant notes and portion them 50% – 50% as a start point. If

we’re going to prepare a rub for 3 or 4 nice 8 oz. T-Bone steaks, go

with about 2 tablespoons each of dominant notes and a teaspoon

each for the minor ones. Scale up or down from there as needed.

at room temperature and then let there be fire…Once again, depending on the meal desired, you could change this rub up as you see fit: Add a ¼ teaspoon of chili powder, rose-mary or sage, or add a little lemon juice to the oil. Get the idea? Notice the lack of sugar in that rub: Why is that? Simple question, simple answer – Cooking method. With steaks, we’ll cook relatively hot and fast, so sugar is not what we want, because it can and will burn un-der those conditions, and we don’t need to ruin good meat.

Eben Atwater is a Chef and writer who began cooking professionally in the 1970’s in Washington State and Idaho. In addition to a

food blog he publishes with his wife and partner-in-crime Monica, Eben is an accomplished musician and instrument maker. He

lives in western Washington State where he manages a bakery-café. Visit www.urbanmonique.com

Recipes and Photos from

Chef Eben Atwater

www.urbanmonique.com

Today’s BoomeR 17

Go-To Chicken Rub

2 Tablespoons Sea Salt 2 Tablespoons mild Green Chile powder, (Hatch again!) 1 Tablespoon Pepper Blend 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika 1 teaspoon dried Lemon Peel 1 teaspoon dried Orange Peel Grind ‘em up, oil the bird and massage the rub right in. Poultry should always be kept cold for food safety reasons, so allow it to blend in a cooler until you’re ready to grill.

With fresh, custom-made rubs in your quiver, I’m willing to bet that in short or-der you’ll need to up the portion count at your next tailgate party, so be ready, Amigos!

Chicken lends itself to many variations of rub or marinade, so you almost

cannot go wrong. You’ll find a lot of chicken rubs with sugar in them, but I lean toward citrus for sweet-tart notes instead, (The sweet notes are already

there in the basic flesh anyway).

BONUS: Touchdown Chili

1 lb. ea. lean ground beef and pork 1 12 oz. can each white, kidney, pinto, black, or garbanzo beans 2 cups tomato, diced, crushed, or pureed as you prefer 1 sweet onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, fine dice 1 each red, orange, or yellow bell pepper 1 or 2 hot chili of your choice. ½ cup cilantro, chiffenade cut 1 teaspoon Mexican Oregano ½ tsp. Cumin ½ teaspoon ground pepper 2 cups beef or vegetable stock 2-3 cups of water (start with 2 cups and see if you need more) Put beans, 2 cups of water, and the tomatoes into a crock pot or large soup pot over medi-um heat. Stir often, and as soon as this comes up to heat, reduce so that it is on a low sim-mer. Lightly brush your bell peppers and chilies with olive, salt and pepper. Place them on a baking pan whole and slide that onto a fairy high rack with your oven on broil. Keep an eye on the peppers and chilies and rotate them as they blacken and blister. When they're done all around, pull them out and let them cool enough to touch. Remove stems, seeds and veins and rough chop. Pour a few tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet or sauté pan and let it get nice and hot. Toss in your onions and sauté until transparent. Re-duce heat to medium and add the garlic, cilantro, diced and roasted peppers, chilies and corn. Add the veggie stock and all spices to your liking, (Those amounts are a decent starting point to middle ground volume; do more or less as you please!) As this gets up to a simmer, throw it all into the big pot and let the flavors blend on a low simmer for at least 2 hours, (and the longer, the better!)

18 Today’s BoomeR

Social Security: If 2013 is Your Lucky Year to Retire, Prepare Now

Do you plan to begin receiving Social Security retirement

benefits early in 2013? If so, now is the time to prepare. We

recommend you apply up to four months before you want

your retirement benefits to begin.

These days, you no longer need to travel to an office or wait

in line to apply for benefits. You can do it from your home or

office computer. The Social Security website at

www.socialsecurity.gov makes the process easy and

convenient.

You can complete your application for retirement benefits in

as little as 15 minutes. In most cases, after you submit your

online application electronically, that’s all you have to do.

You’re done. There are no forms to sign or additional paper-

work to complete. In rare cases where we need additional

information, a representative will contact you.

Not ready to retire yet? Perhaps you want to plan ahead and

begin considering your options regarding when to retire. In

that case, you’ll want to visit Social Security’s website to use

our convenient and informative retirement planner at

www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2. Here you can find out just

how close you are to meeting your financial goals and then

“bookmark” the website to apply for retirement benefits

whenever you are ready.

We encourage people at any stage in their working career to

use the Retirement Estimator for an instant, personalized

estimate of future retirement benefits. Find it at

www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

Remember that you’re always first in line when you go

online, to www.socialsecurity.gov.

Here’s to a lucky 2013. If you’re planning to retire and begin

receiving Social Security benefits in January, start the year off

right by applying online now for Social Security benefits.

By Karyl Richson

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Milwaukee, WI

Your Social Security Questions Answered

Q: What can I do to protect myself against

identity theft?

A: First, don’t carry your Social Security card in your wal-

let. Keep it at home with your other important papers.

Second, avoid giving out your Social Security number.

While many banks, schools, doctors, landlords, and oth-

ers will request your number, it is your decision whether

to provide it. Ask if there is some other way to identify

you in their records.

To report identity theft, fraud, or misuse of your Social

Security number, the Federal Trade Commission, the na-

tion’s consumer protection agency, recommends you:

Place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one

of the following companies (the company you contact is

required to contact the other two, which will then place

alerts on your reports):

Equifax, 1-800-525-6285; Trans Union, 1-800-680-7289;

or Experian, 1-888-397-3742.

2. Review your credit report for inquiries from compa-

nies you have not contacted, accounts you did not open,

and debts on your accounts you cannot explain;

3. Close any accounts you know, or believe, have been

tampered with or opened fraudulently;

4. File a report with your local police or the police in the

community where the identity theft took place; and

5. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at

1-877-438-4338 (TTY 1-866-653-4261).

Today’s BoomeR 19

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