August 2019 - Atlanta Senior Life

Senior Life Atlanta

Where to Get Schooled on Tech page 18

AUGUST 2019 • Vol. 4 No. 8 | AtlantaSeniorLIFE.com

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HEALTH

THE ARTS

A Workout for Your Brain

LATE Summer Reading Choices

page 10

page 20

Connecting Pets and People page 4

Contents August 2019

COVER STORY

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‘Transfurring’ Love Across State Lines

6

No Age Limits on Love

8

Animals Provide Assistance, Support and Comfort

10

HEALTH Brain Health Boot Camp Keeps Seniors’ Minds Sharp

11

MAKING A DIFFERENCE I Care Offers Free Rides

12

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE How a Garden Grows

14

PERSONAL SAFETY Levels of Security

16

FOOD Happy Birthday, Zesto!

18

TECHNOLOGY Tech Learning Is a Life Skill

20

THE ARTS Late Summer Reading

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Atlanta Senior Life focuses on the interests, accomplishments and lifestyles of the active senior population in metro Atlanta. It aims to inspire readers to embrace a more rewarding life by informing them of opportunities to expand their horizons, express their talents and engage in their community.

OUT & ABOUT

Senior Life Atlanta

Where to Get Schooled on Tech page 18

AUGUST 2019 • Vol. 4 No. 8 | AtlantaSeniorLIFE.com

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HEALTH

THE ARTS

A Workout for Your Brain

Summer Reading Choices

page 10

page 20

Connecting Pets and People page 4

CONTACT US Editorial Kathy Dean Contributing Editor kathydean@atlantaseniorlife.com Joe Earle Editor-at-Large JoeEarle@reporternewspapers.net Contributors Judi Kanne, Collin Kelley, Donna Williams Lewis, Annie Kinnett Nichols, Steve Rose, Gene Rubel

ON THE COVER Mary Galinski and John Barnwell pick up Jane, one of three cats they adopted.

Photo courtesy of Furkids.

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Advertising For information call (404) 917-2200 Sales Executives: Jeff Kremer, Janet Porter, Jim Speakman

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© 2019 All rights reserved. Publisher reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertising for any reason. Publisher assumes no responsibility for information contained in advertising. Any opinions expressed in print or online do not necessarily represent the views of Atlanta Senior Life or Springs Publishing, LLC.

Steve Levene Founder & Publisher stevelevene@reporternewspapers.net (404) 917-2200, ext. 111 Amy Arno Director of Sales Development amyarno@reporternewspapers.net (404) 917-2200, ext. 112 Rico Figliolini Creative Director rico@reporternewspapers.net (404) 917-2200, ext. 117 Deborah Davis Office Manager deborahdavis@reporternewspapers.net (404) 917-2200, ext. 110

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COVER STORY

‘TransFURring’ love across state lines at any given time. The requests can be pretty specific, ranging from the number and age range of animals to requirements for recent vaccinations and certain medical treatments, Shelton said.

Furkids picks up animals from animal control and rescue agencies as far as three hours’ drive away, delivers them to the program’s shelter in Doraville, and then prepares them to be transported to north U.S. locations on the next TransFUR run.

“Our vet techs and veterinarians spend a good part of the day checking them from head to tail, making sure they’re totally healthy and preparing a health record,” she said.

Once they get to the North,

“whole teams are outside to help unload them and check them on their end,” Shelton said. “They typically quarantine them for a day or two. These cats are adopted immediately, once they hit the adoption floor.”

Karina King, director of operations at the Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, Mass., talked about the shelter’s win-win relationship with Furkids. “We love working with our Southern partner shelters and supporting their efforts to save lives,” King said. “We ourselves had far too many cats/kittens in our own community not too many years ago and remember what a blessing it was when we could get others to take some animals from us.

Furkids does a wonderful job working with us, and together we save more lives.”

A plea for help

Jean and Larry Hammond adopt their new cat, Jolie.

Photo courtesy of Furkids.

By Donna Williams Lewis Each year, about 6.5 million animals enter animal shelters nationwide, and about 1.5 million are euthanized, according to the ASPCA. In Georgia, about 150,000 adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized every year, simply because they are homeless, says Furkids, the nonprofit operator of what, according to its website, is the largest cage-free, no-kill shelter in the Southeast for cats and a nokill shelter for dogs.

Atlanta-based Furkids is going the extra mile — actually, lots of extra miles — to help put a dent in Georgia’s animal euthanasia rates.

Last year, the 17-year-old group launched its TransFUR animal transport service, a program that is picking up unwanted animals from high-kill shelters across Georgia and sending them to nokill animal shelters in northern states, where there is high demand

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for adoptable animals and a low inventory of them.

The warmer climate and lack of laws or enforcement of laws requiring spaying and neutering contribute to animal overpopulation in the South, according to Samantha Shelton, Furkids’ CEO and founder.

“They can’t comprehend the sheer volume of what we’re dealing with in the South,” she said. “They have the demand. We have the supply.”

TransFUR has delivered just under 2,000 cats and about 150 dogs to partner shelters awaiting them since the program’s inception in March 2018. “They’re begging us for these animals,” Shelton said. “Shelter staff welcome the animals with open arms and big smiles.”

The group partners with Georgia shelters and with shelters in the North so they all can know what types of animals are available and which are needed

AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

Samantha Shelton, CEO and founder of Atlanta-based Furkids, relaxes at home in Peachtree Corners with her four senior animals. From left are Betsy, 20; Uncle Buck, 20; Tortie, 18; and Misty, 8.

Photo courtesy of Samantha Shelton

Robert and Jean Schmidt adopt their new cat, Trebor.

Photo courtesy of Furkids.

TransFUR had its genesis in October 2017 with Hurricane Irma.

As the hurricane approached the U.S., dozens of Furkids volunteers and staff in vans and planes worked around the clock for six days to rescue 120 dogs and cats from animal shelters in mandatory evacuation areas along Georgia’s coastline.

Getting them out of danger was just the first major step. Caring for and finding them homes was the next huge deal.

When a group from Minnesota heard about their emergency need for adopters, they called to say they could take 30 cats. A donor paid for a rental van and off the cats went.

Interest grew, and TransFUR was born.

These days, there is typically one transport per week, usually of about 30 to 65 cats, to currently 12 states, from Minnesota to Maine. The focus is on cats because most other

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animal transport services in the country focus on dogs, Shelton said.

Another reason: 70% of dogs entering shelters come out alive, while just 15% of cats do, she said, quoting stats from the Georgia SPOT Society (Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together).

Northern adopters show “so much gratitude and appreciation” for their transported pets, she said. “We have had some very sweet emails from people who’ve received them,” Shelton said. “It just brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my face to know there are cats from Georgia who were someone else’s throwaways who are somebody else’s beloved family member.”

Furkids has rescued more than 30,000 animals since its founding in 2002. About 1,000 animals are in the program today in Furkids shelters, PetSmart and Petco adoption centers and more than 400 foster homes.

A “no-kill shelter” generally means the shelter has a live release

rate of 80% or more, Shelton said.

“At Furkids, ‘no-kill’ means every life is valuable,” she said.

And the program has vastly improved the live release rates of its partner Georgia animal controls and rescues, she said.

Toccoa-Stephens County Animal Control, for instance, is reporting a 17% increase in its live release rate since joining the transport program, according to Furkids.

The program plans to acquire a second transport van this year to allow for more frequent trips to the North and is developing a training program for municipal shelters in Georgia’s small towns.

“We’re saving more lives through this program than we ever have before,” Shelton said. “We know we’re on to something great here and it’s worth every effort.”

Shelton’s senior animals

Furkids’ cat shelter has been offering rates reduced sometimes to zero for cats 5 years old or older.

The shelter currently has about 75 cats in that age category.

Shelton, a Peachtree Corners

resident, has personal experience with senior animals as the owner of four of them — three cats and a dog. Her youngest cat, Tortie, is 18 years old. She found her as a kitten in her backyard.

Her quest for a home for Tortie back then made Shelton aware of “the serious pet overpopulation problem in Atlanta” and led to her founding of Furkids. She’s passionate about the value of senior animals.

“With an older animal you definitely know what you’re getting in terms of personality,

which to me is a benefit … and you’re not having to deal with training,” Shelton said. “A lot people don’t fully grasp what’s involved when you have a puppy.

It’s like bringing home a baby.”

“There are wonderful adult dogs and cats available in the shelter,” she added. “Sometimes owners passed away, there was a divorce or a new job that requires traveling all the time.

These animals pay the price. It’s heartbreaking when people bring their senior pets to a shelter. That’s when they need us the most.”

Furkids — How you can help ■ Adopt or foster a Furkids cat or dog. You can search for your new pet at furkids.org and other sites such as petfinder.com.

■ Volunteer to walk, bathe or help socialize shelter animals.

Administrative and leadership volunteer roles are also available.

■ Help with the TransFUR van’s prep, cleanup or maintenance.

■ Make a donation.

For more information about Furkids, animal shelters and thrift stores in Peachtree Corners, Marietta and Lawrenceville, visit furkids.org.

AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

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No Age Limits on Love

Mature animals are ready for adoption at the Atlanta Humane Society Cecilia

When you’re looking for a new animal companion, consider an older cat or dog. They tend to be more settled, are house-trained and have already developed their social skills.

Here’s a sample of the loveable, older pets available at the Atlanta Humane Society.

An affectionate 3½-year-old spayed Domestic Shorthair, Cecilia is a little shy. Still, she gets along great with other cats! She’s available for adoption at the Duluth location.

Natasha ► A 3-year-old spayed hound mix, Natasha came to Atlanta Humane Society from a cruelty case where she was living on a chain outside with no shelter.

She has scars on her ears and neck from this neglect. She’s also being treated for heartworm disease, but this treatment will be completed at no cost to her adopter. Natasha is an affectionate, loving dog that will do just about anything for a treat! She’s available for adoption at the Mansell location.

Eliot ▲ Eliot is a 6½-year-old neutered Domestic Shorthair. He’s an independent guy who will climb in your lap for petting when he wants it and walk away when he’s had enough. He’s quite a character! He’s available for adoption at the Mansell location.

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Mollie At 11½ years old, Mollie is a spayed Siamese Mix. She’s independent but gets along well with other cats. Mollie loves to have her ears scratched, and she’ll let you know when she wants more petting. She’s available for adoption at the Duluth location.

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Lucy and Ricky ▲ These two are a bonded pair of 12-year-old Chihuahuas. Lucy was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, but Ricky will not eat and is very depressed without her. Lucy isn’t in any pain, so the Atlanta Humane Society is looking for a special adopter who can give them a place to comfortably live out their lives. They’re available for adoption at the Mansell location.

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Dr. Pamela Dorsett, an Atlanta Some service animals can, psychologist, likes to bring her among other things, pull a 5-pound, 7-ounce dog Naomi to wheelchair, retrieve a dropped work. Dorsett plans for Naomi to item, alert a person to a become trained as a therapy dog. sound, remind a person about With the exception of a medications or press an elevator handful of folks who either button on command. In fact, have allergies or some dogs have don’t care for dogs, even been trained her clients really to detect oncoming enjoy Naomi, epileptic seizures or Dorsett said. The sense the presence dog greets them, of certain human frequently sits with cancers. her patients and The individual’s sometimes licks disability and the their hands, if the tasks performed client doesn’t object, by a service of course. animal “must be Judith L. Kanne, “Naomi has big directly related to RN, BSN, BA brown eyes; she’s the individual’s affectionate and disability,” states is a registered nurse and incredibly friendly,” the ADA. freelance writer who lives Dorsett said.

Emotional in Atlanta.

She views Naomi support pets, which as an asset to her include comfort practice. animals and therapy dogs, are “I think she helps people feel not service animals (under calmer. When I’m meeting new Title II and Title III of the ADA). clients, Naomi helps put them Support animals might help at ease. It’s not an easy task with companionship, loneliness to talk to a complete stranger and comfort, as well as about deeply personal issues,” depression, anxiety and certain Dorsett said. “Greetings by a tiny phobias. However, they’re dog with big brown eyes can be not trained for performing a welcome sight when entering assistance acts. They bring a situation that can be initially comfort to their owners, not uncomfortable.” always others.

Making others happy is the role of the therapy dog.

Service animals and Physician Mark Perloe says his emotional support pets dog Andrew is “trained to be Many people ask: what comfortable in certain settings, distinguishes a service pet such as nursing homes and from a comfort pet or an children’s hospitals.” He and emotional support animal, Andrew enjoy visiting both. such as a cat, dog, rabbit, etc.?

Therapy dogs provide Readily available information comfort to others at the is listed on the Americans with handler’s direction and they Disabilities Act (ADA) website. must wear some type of special A service animal is “any dog gear when in service. Of course, that is individually trained to do they have devoted owners. work or perform tasks for the Another choice for comfort benefit of an individual with a What if caring for a pet is disability, including a physical, no longer an option? Of course, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual there’s nothing like a real pet, or other mental disability.”

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but if older adults struggle with dementia or anxiety — or have difficulty remembering to tend to a pet’s needs — maybe a Lucy the Lapdog can help.

Lucy, a plush, weighted blanket shaped like a dog with satin ears and embroidered paws, provides “comfort without confusion,” according to her originators.

Two sisters from Cumming, Ga. created her. Initially, Lucy’s role was help children with special needs.

Christy Bennett — an occupational therapist for 20 years — was looking to support children who needed help with sensory processing (a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses).

“Once we had our prototype,” Bennett said, “I wanted to show her to my husband’s grandmother who was visiting. And immediately, the family noticed how calm and content grandma became while holding Lucy.

“That’s when I realized we had something special,” Bennett said. “Lucy could be a [calming] sensory tool for many people, not just children.”

According to Bennett, one visit to a memory care center answered that question. “When residents held Lucy, they would begin to talk about dogs that were special to them from their past,” Bennett said.

Those with dementia (Alzheimer’s or other conditions associated with memory loss) often experience anxiety due to confusion over a number of things. The calming sensory input that Lucy the Lapdog provides “evokes a flood of positive emotions associated with caring for a pet,” Bennett explained.

Although she doesn’t bark or purr, Lucy can be a win-win for dementia, hospice and palliative care patients who find holding a pet comforting but can no longer care for one.

state laws defining therapy animals not covered by ADA rules ■ Georgia law states that disabled individuals “are entitled to full and equal accommodations” on all public conveyances and forms of transport and public places, “subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all persons,” according to Atlanta Pet Life’s website. Also, disabled persons cannot be charged more because they have a guide or service dog.

■ Georgia establishments may ask a disabled person what task their service animal is trained to do for them, but not what disability the person has or to provide proof of the animal’s training or a doctor’s note about their disability.

■ Therapy and emotional support dogs do not have the same level of access as service dogs to places where pets are not permitted in Georgia.

For more details and expanded info, visit AnimalLawSource.org.

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HEALTH

Brain Health Boot Camp Keeps Seniors’ Minds Sharp Today, there are more than 46 million people age 65 and up in the U.S., according to Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS).

That number is projected to more than double by 2060. With age serving as the greatest risk factor for cognitive impairment or memory loss, JF&CS last year launched a new program, called Brain Health Bootcamp.

The first of its kind in Atlanta, the program is designed to provide a cognitive and physical exercise program to individuals who may be experiencing a decline in cognitive functioning due to MCI or early stage Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) or other related dementias.

Dementia and AD are often used interchangeably. They actually have very different meanings. Dementia is not a specific disease but is a general term used to describe symptoms characterized by the loss of cognitive function (memory,

language skills, visual perception, problem-solving, self-management and the ability to focus and pay attention).

There are over 200 subtypes of dementia, with AD being the most common form. Often, individuals will receive a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) from their physician. MCI does not necessarily lead to AD, although individuals with MCI do have a greater risk of developing AD. MCI causes a slight but noticeable decline in cognitive abilities but the decline is not severe enough to interfere with daily life. Up to 15% to 20% of people 65 and older are living with MCI. Research has shown that the best way to keep the brain in optimum health is to exercise both body and brain and to stay socially engaged.

These three key factors are at the core of the Brain Health Boot

At the

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Camp program. The cognitive led by experienced professionals stimulation component is a full who specialize in the field of aging. brain workout through word The program is made possible in games and language-based part by a grant from the Breman exercises. The physical exercise Foundation, Inc. portion includes learning breathing techniques, yoga, and cardio moves that require the individual to remember sequenced movements. The best part of the program is participating with a small group of other Members of JF&CS’s Brain Health Boot Camp individuals facing participate in exercise sequences to music to similar challenges. promote brain health. It’s a fun way to exercise body “It is rewarding to and mind at the same time. Photo courtesy of JF&CS. see the transformations that take place here,” said Georgia Ongoing semesters of eight Gunter, Geriatric Care Manager at weekly classes are offered JF&CS. “Friendships are formed, from at JF&CS. Individual and participants gain confidence classes are $25 or $200 for a full and a sense of reassurance semester. For more information, that they are not alone in their please visit www.jfcsatl.org/ journey.” brainhealthbootcamp or call 770The Brain Health Boot Camp is 677-9421.

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

I CARE OFFERs FREE Rides Are you interested in a great volunteer opportunity or do you need transportation to your medical appointments?

Over the past 20 years, I CARE Inc. — the Interfaith Companion and Ride Express, a 501c3 nonprofit organization — has provided thousands of rides to medical appointments for thousands of lowand fixed-income seniors of DeKalb County.

The I CARE program is designed to enhance and promote the quality of life, independence, dignity, well-being and overall health of the under-served, lowand fixed-income seniors of DeKalb County.

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Atlanta

E.com No. 2 | AtlantaSeniorLIF February 2018 • Vol. 3 facebook.com/A

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Making a Difference

club

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&

Four

to be to serve seniors in DeKalb County by providing free transportation and companionship to and from medical appointments, provided by volunteer drivers who use their own vehicles to provide the transportation safely and on time.

If you’re interested in joining the I CARE Driver Team and experience the joy of helping DeKalb County Seniors with a service they truly need, or if you’re a DeKalb County senior in need of free transportation to your medical appointments, please contact Kate Maddux or Tim Simon of I CARE by calling 404-377-2273 or visiting icareseniors.org.

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on the run Story on page 4

Story on page 4

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PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

How a Garden Grows these days

Still, as long as the rains come, at least some things in my garden grow. So, I have made peace with my not-quite-what-it’s-supposed-tobe yard. It just takes perspective. And you may have to squint a bit.

The other day, while mowing, I thought I should share the hard-won knowledge I’ve gained through these many years of failing to turn my little plot into Yard of the Month.

Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

I like gardens. I like them a lot. I enjoy the colors, the smells, the sense of walking into a fantasy world filled with flowers.

The problem is, it turns out I’m not a very good gardener.

Oh, I try. I’ve read the books. I’ve spent hours turning the soil and planting the plants. I’ve Joe Earle is editor-at-large been going to garden shows for decades. I’ve wandered nurseries and seasonal plant sales in and has lived in metro Atlanta for over search of a special tree or flower to decorate my 30 years. He can be yard. reached at joeearle@ Years ago, I paid a designer tens of dollars to reporternewspapers.net draw up a garden plan for my yard. I collected the specified plants and carefully placed them in an effort to turn that paper design into a real-world floral wonderland.

I chased away rabbits and chipmunks and squirrels. I pruned. I got lots of exercise. I cursed and sweated a lot.

It wasn’t enough. Plants that were supposed to grow didn’t, or at least not where I planted them. Plants that weren’t supposed to live in my yard showed up out of nowhere, put down roots and prospered like kudzu on a country road.

My back yard looks nothing like the pictures in the books or the careful design I followed. It’s a jungle out there.

On the other hand, the little patch of lawn I carefully tend in front of my house produces a mixture of healthy weeds and dead spots. My grass looks scared.

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My 15 rules for gardening and lawn care: 1. Anything you can mow counts as grass.

2. Grass that turns brown in the winter still counts as a lawn.

3. Brown spots add color and character to your lawn. Ignore them.

4. Use native plants in your garden. They’re supposed to grow around here. If they die, you can blame the weather and not your neglect.

5. Use electric tools, not gas-powered ones. You can say it’s to save the environment (I do) but you also can stop working when you reach the end of the cord.

6. Irrigation is God’s problem, not yours.

7. When looking at gardening books, magazines, TV shows and other propaganda from Big Gardening, never assume that the plants you see blossoming beautifully in the photos will grow in your yard. They won’t. Instead, they will wilt and slowly die just to mock you.

8. When you’re working outside, stay hydrated. This is very, very important. Don’t wait till you feel thirsty to have a glass

of water or a cold beer. Your body needs liquids constantly.

Especially the beer.

9. Lawn Mower Beer is the cheap stuff you keep in the back of the icebox so you’ll have something to drink quickly when you need to rehydrate and you’re too hot to taste it.

10. Lawn Mower Beers contain no calories.

11. Don’t hire a lawn service until you’ve tried and failed miserably as least three times. OK, four.

12. Gardens always look better from a distance. Don’t let visitors out of your house.

13. There’s nothing you can do about plant damage from squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, deer, coyotes, wolves, passing teenagers and other varmints. They’re the curse we incur for living in a “city in the woods.”

14. Composting leaves, grass clippings, food trimmings and dead varmints is worthwhile, but if your compost heap grows taller than your children, you should take a break. Besides, you probably need rehydrating.

15. If all else fails, try again. Just not as hard this time.

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ThePiedmontatBuckhead.com AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

13

PERSONAL SAFETY

Levels of Security Pundits — looking for have their own unique style ratings — offer opinions based of hitting, yet they all do one on no personal experience, or more of the same things other than what fits their consistently, in order to hit the agendas or what ball effectively. they think will The batter’s shock people into stance, balance, listening. Regardless weight shift, batof what controversy speed and so on, is on the table for all come together today’s blame game, in an effort — not eventually, it has to to collect hits, but filter down to you rather to put the ball and your family. into play. The more So let’s make baseballs put into STAY SAFE Steve Rose is a retired things simple. First, play, the larger the Sandy Springs Police I’ll offer up my percentage of hits.

Captain, veteran Fulton analogy, then some Therefore, the goal County police officer and freelance writer. He is the is to increase the statistics that may author the book “Why interest you. percentages.

Do My Mystic Journeys If you didn’t Those things Always Lead to the Waffle House?” and the column know, life imitates done consistently, “View from a Cop.” baseball. It’s true, in order to increase keep reading, I’ll tie those percentages, I it in. All great baseball hitters call absolutes. Things done the

same way over and over to yield effective results.

Here is the “tied-in” part.

Employ that same mindset, simple absolutes done consistently, in your personal and property security, and it will move you over to that smaller group of unattractive potential victims.

Let’s apply this to a potential burglary.

You can control only what is controllable. You cannot control a crook’s decision to select, for instance, your

residential community, be it apartments, condominiums or single-family homes, but you can control his decision to bypass your house by creating a first impression.

Let’s say there are three levels of security for you.

Level 1: Perception. Alarm sticker or sign. There is no rule that you actually need to have an alarm in order to display an alarm notice. What about a Neighborhood Watch sign?

Although the sign is good, the program is better. Contact

Listen to podcasts on personal safety with steve rose atlantaseniorlife.com

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7300 Spalding Drive (near Winter’s Chapel) www.TheMansionsatSandySprings.com Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

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Serving your local police or sheriff department’s community affairs unit. Post a notice that the area is under video surveillance.

Want old school perception?

Try a large dog dish and size 18 dirty work boots at the doorstep next to the latest issue of “Guns & Ammo” magazine.

Level 2: Hardware. Dead bolt.

Your local crime-prevention officer will come to your home and do a survey, along with good suggestions for increasing your security. Front and back door deadbolts should have two-inch throws, (the part that inserts into the doorjamb.)

Window locks. They may not keep the burglar out, but they will deter many because they don’t want to break the glass.

Sliding doors will secure with a stick between the sliding part of the door and the doorframe.

Level 3: The alarm itself — use it! Video is inexpensive, $300 or so for a two-camera set with monitor and online access. These are two great deterrents.

There is a Level 4, which, if the burglar gets past the first three, are sure to do the trick.

They include large ball python snakes, a borrowed junkyard dog, an angry mother-in-law and, if all fails, a guy sitting on the sofa who says, “Hi, I’d like to talk to you about a wonderful new product that can be yours for only 16 monthly payments of $29.95.”

Any burglar will be out of there with skid marks.

Oh yeah, the statistics? Here are a couple.

0.3% of Canadian road accidents involve a moose, and 40% of women have hurled a piece of footwear at a man! * Find your absolutes, create that impression, talk to your police crime-prevention officers and put the ball into play.

a helping hand

Something about Somerby sparks going above and beyond.

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Residents call on Jim to make repairs and hook up internet and cable. But just as often, they stop him simply to chat. That’s an important connection too.

Somerby is Full of Life. What will it spark in you?

Call us today to learn more or schedule a personal visit.

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AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

15

FOOD

Happy Birthday, Zesto!

Atlanta ice cream and burger institution celebrates 70 years

By Annie Kinnett Nichols One of Atlanta’s true icons, Zesto has been serving signature treats like the Nut Brown Crown (soft serve ice cream dipped in milk chocolate and rolled in dry roasted peanuts), Arctic Swirl cones, milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits, chili dogs and the Chubby Decker, Atlanta’s first ever double cheeseburger, for 70 years.

In 1949, Big John Livaditis opened the first Zesto franchise in Atlanta on Peachtree Road across from the Brookwood train station and it was instantly popular. Big John, born in Illinois to Greek parents, sponsored other Greek immigrants to come to the United States to work with him and opened more Zesto locations.

Big John hired friends and family to work at the stores and made sure his employees got to know the customers.

That’s still true today.

The employees at the five Zesto locations know your name, and your kids’ names and they know what your favorites are.

Each store has its own personality and special menu items. The Piedmont Road and Tyrone stores serve tacos and quesadillas, the Forest Park store is the only one that serves breakfast and East Atlanta has fish and chips as well as fried chicken livers and gizzards. Along with the burgers and hotdogs, all locations offer awesome Greek gyros and lemon pepper chicken wings.

The family atmosphere at Zesto also means that they have longtime employees who have become mainstays and icons themselves. Jimmy Koulouris and his wife Angela at the East Atlanta store, Delores Slaughter

16

John Livaditis

Leigh Ann amd Jimbo Livaditis

Mechelle Harper

at the Piedmont store and Mechelle Harper at the Little Five Points location have all been with Zesto for decades.

They have some great stories to tell, too.

Slaughter recalled when Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson came into the Ponce store to get his favorite milkshake and they told him

AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

the water main was down in the area. Jackson made one phone call and the repair was made while he waited to buy his milkshake. Rap star Lil Yachty was a regular at the East Atlanta store while working on the film “How High,” which used Zesto as a filming location.

Big John, who also created Big John’s Christmas Trees,

Jimmy and Angela Koulouris

died in 1995 and his son and daughter-in-law, Jimbo and Leigh Ann, now run the family business.

My advice to you is to find the nearest Zesto and if you’ve never been there, go in and introduce yourself. You’ll be family in no time!

For more information, visit zestoatlanta.com.

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AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

17

TECHNOLOGY

Tech Learning is a Life Skill It’s a well-documented fact that seniors are more susceptible to online scams and phone scams than any other cohort in our population. The horror stories are published in newspapers and broadcast on local and national TV news reports. It’s time for seniors – and their families – to tackle the problem head-on because the scammers get better all the time and because there’s more money at stake.

There are numerous places in metro Atlanta where seniors can find tech learning and coaching.

They range from tech sessions at retail stores, such as those for iPhone training at Apple Stores, to programs run at senior centers or residential facilities to private, in-home coaching.

(Full disclosure: I have recently affiliated with the Lifespan Technology Learning Center as one of their resource people.)

Whatever learning programs you choose or wherever you go, there are some basic rules of thumb to follow whether you pick up a telephone or use a tablet or computer.

■ If somebody you’ve never met – even if they say they’re good friends of someone you know – offers you a technical

or financial service, don’t take it. You could be easily scammed.

Most of you already know all or most of these rules of thumb.

The problem is that it’s all too easy to become confused by fast ■ Don’t even have a talkers and the fast pace of some conversation with a strange technological tricks. Speed and caller offering computer jargon are two things scammers services. It’s the easiest way for use to take advantage of seniors. them to get into your computer Therefore, a life-learning system and into your lesson that applies to financial sites to everyone – before we clean you out. get into technology – is to train yourself ■ If you’re offered to take a step back. something that’s too Why is a stranger good to be true, it contacting you by likely isn’t true. phone or email with an offer to make you ■ Don’t use redial richer or make your to call back a phone computer run better? number you don’t Why are you seeing a recognize. Scammers Gene Rubel pop-up on a website are really good at the Digital Device while you’re on the disguising their real Doctor, cures digital internet? phone numbers, and you could be calling anxiety for seniors and home/home-office users. back a foreign Places to Learn A graduate of Harnumber (with huge Group Learning: charges to you) that’s vard Business School, “Doctor Gene” spent Group learning is linked to a way to more than 30 years in always a great way get you to pay for international business. to start learning something you’ll He can be reached at about any aspect of never get. generubel@gmail.com. technology. Once somebody asks a ■ Don’t click on question, it always any links that you seems to open a floodgate of are not 1,000 percent sure you questions and concerns, and know. you’ll quickly learn you’re

not alone. You’ll be able to cover things that you hadn’t thought about before and trade information with fellow students and the group leader.

Group lessons are either free or charge modest fees. While a good place to hear others, group lessons are not tailored to the individual and sometimes impart information that the student already knows, doesn’t care about or doesn’t understand.

Individual lessons: While more expensive than group lessons, a one-on-one encounter with the teacher provides a individualized approach which will more often lead to better learning. Many of the organizations that offer group lessons will also provide individual lessons.

On-line learning: There are a multitude of websites that provide tutorials and practice sites. A good place to start is YouTube, where you can find videos on just about any subject.

Remember however, that just because it’s on YouTube, it isn’t always right!

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or weekly schedule. I attach articles from these sources to newsletters and post them on the Digital Device doctor Facebook page. One of my favorites is Techlicious (www.techlicious. com).

Software company websites and forums: Virtually all software vendors offer help on their websites and almost always sponsor user forums. The trick is to ask the right question. Again, take all data with a big grain of salt.

Just ask Google: We have all been amazed to find a super explanation or response just by asking Google. Enter your question in the search bar and within seconds, it’s all there.

Ask the Digital Device Doctor: We are available to answer your questions or resolve your issues and will frequently point you to articles or other helpful information. Just call, text or

send a quick email. More indepth training is also available for a fee.

Topics for Learning

You can simplify your online life by learning about ad blockers. But that’s just one area where tech learning can help, and here are some you should consider: Computer Security: Keeping all of your software up to date is one of the most important steps you can take to keep out hackers.

We recommend learning about how updates from hardware manufacturers and software publishers are distributed and how to make sure you can download and install them.

Updates contain bug fixes and security updates to protect you from hackers.

Viruses and Malware: Numerous programs exist to keep viruses and malware from getting into your computer.

You should learn how to select

one (or why to accept one recommended by a trusted source) and how to manage it for maximum protection. We always recommend having antivirus and malware protection running constantly in the background.

Router and Wi-Fi Network Security: You should know how they work (in brief, nontechnical terms) and to set usernames and passwords for maximum security. If hackers get into your network, they can do a lot of damage to your computer and any device running on your network, including phones, tablets and smart-home devices.

Smart-Home Devices: Smart speakers such as Amazon’s Echo (Alexa) and Google’s Nest, as well as Siri on iPhones, can add convenience and improve seniors’ quality of life. They can also tie into a number of systems to help others communicate with you. Other smart-home devices include cameras,

doorbells and thermostats. You’ll likely need someone to set them up, but learn how to use them and how to use new features as they come along—they can be lifesavers.

Smartphones: It’s humbling to think that when you have a smartphone, you have more computing power in the palm of your hand than NASA had when we sent astronauts to the moon.

Find a comfortable starting point to learn how to use your phone’s many features. Learning can cover smartphones in general or specific phones, such as iPhones or Samsung phones.

Wherever you go for your learning, it’s important to make sure you get information you can put to use immediately.

That will help you retain your learning better and give you a foundation of knowledge on which to build more technical skills and understanding while better protecting your assets.

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THE ARTS

LATE Summer Reading

Susan Rebecca White

By Collin Kelley & Joe Earle

Smile A While Kyle Brooks Better known by his nom de plume, BlackCatTips, the painter and muralist has created his first book, which includes many of his familiar smiling faces alongside poems about things you can do to smile and be happy. While it looks like a children’s book, Brooks said “Smile A While” is for all ages. The artist was reluctant to release a book, but after friend and marketing whiz Laura Thompson gave him a small Andy Warhol art book along with a business plan to get the book into the world, Brooks spent a year working on the paintings and verses. The book will debut at a reading and signing on Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon at The Grove at Colony Square in Midtown. To order the book and find out about more events, visit blackcattips.com.

None of the Above Shani Robinson and Anna Simonton

Robinson, one of the teachers caught up in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal, and journalist Simonton explore the racial and economic disparities that brought about the case.

We Are All Good People Here Two life-long friends reconnect when their daughters are endangered by secrets from their mothers’ radical college days.

Ummarriageable

Soniah Kamal

A thought-provoking retelling of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” in classobsessed, modern-day Pakistan.

The Favorite Daughter

Patti Callahan Henry A woman returns to her small South Carolina hometown to care for her father diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and discovers his secret past.

Deaf Republic Ilya Kaminsky

Sunset Beach

The new director of Poetry at Tech, Kaminsky’s tour-de-force collection of poems weaves a narrative of a town in a war-torn country whose populace goes deaf in protest and resistance againt the occupiers.

Mary Kay Andrews A down-on-her luck woman who works for her father, a flamboyant personal injury attorney, stumbles onto a murder in a sleepy beach community.

Never Have I Ever Joshilyn Jackson

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls Anissa Gray

The lives of three sisters are upended when one of them is sent to prison for defrauding the town they live in.

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AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

A boozy book club turns into a nightmarish game of one-upmanship as a newcomer threatens to expose secrets and lies about one member’s past.

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The Magnetic Girl

The Last Widow

Jessica Handler

Karin Slaughter

The thriller writer brings back medical examiner Sara Linton and her partner Will Trent on the case of a missing Centers for Disease Control scientist and the diabolical enemy behind the plot.

Smokelore

Jim Auchmutey A guided tour of the history of barbecue in America, including vintage art and recipes.

Be Well

Memoirist Jessica Handler and her mother shared an interest in stories of remarkable women, so years ago, when Handler’s mother came across an article about Lulu Hurst, she emailed a copy to her daughter. The article was titled “The Feats of the Magnetic Girl Explained.” That article would inspire Handler’s debut novel, a fictionalized account of Hurst’s days as vaudeville act and how she supposedly used magnetism in her body to lift people seated in parlor chairs or to knock grown men across the stage. Hurst later admitted in her own autobiography that she was a charlatan and her powers were actually tricks and stagecraft. For her version of Lulu’s story, Handler invented a sick younger brother, who hopes Hurst’s magnetic powers might heal him, and explores her relationship with her parents, who enjoy the benefits of their daughter’s growing celebrity. Handler says she spent about a decade working on the novel and even tried to perform some of Hurst’s “magnetic tests” herself, but never fully mastered them.

“The chair thing, I can’t figure,” she said.

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21

►Out & about The Arts Sundays on the River: Sam Lewis ► Sunday, Aug. 11, 7-9 p.m. What better way to wrap up the weekend than an evening under the stars listening to live music with friends? Live music fills the stage on the second Sunday of each month through September. This month features the musical stylings of Sam Lewis. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell 30075. For tickets and info, visit chattnaturecenter.org or call 770-992-2055.

Art Opening Reception at Gallery 4945 ▲ August 10, 5-7 p.m. The art of Lila McAlpin, lilamcalpin. com, will be featured at Gallery 4945 Aug. 8 through Sept. 29.

McAlpin was graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and lives in Atlanta. She currently studies with Marc Chatov and Albert Handell. “I paint and draw from life, so that I might capture the subtle and intangible qualities of mood, personality, and history that each subject embodies,” McAlpin said. Gallery 4945 is a volunteer run gallery offering exhibition space for emerging and established artists in the Atlanta area. Gallery 4945, 4945 High Point Road, Sandy Springs 30342. For more information, call 404-252-3324 or visit gallery4945. weebly.com.

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Margaret Mitchell House, 979 Crescent Avenue, Atlanta 30309. Get details at atlantahistorycenter. com, click on Programs, then Author Programs.

The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra ► Saturday, Aug. 24. Jeremy Davis and Clay Johnson are two sophisticated Southern gentlemen who present a highenergy show with the help of their hot 17-piece big band. Their show celebrates the Great American songbook, with nods to the sounds of Sinatra, Motown, Elvis and more.

Tickets are $30 to $35. Buford Community Center Theatre, 2200 Buford Hwy., Buford 30518.

Go to bufordcommunitycenter. com for tickets and details.

Author lecture: The Trial of Lizzie Borden Tuesday, Aug. 13, 7 p.m. This is the first book of lawyer/author Cara Robertson. She has based it on the transcripts from one of the most sensational murder trials in American history.

Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally murdered in Fall River, Mass. in August 1892.

When their younger daughter was arrested for the crime, the case became international news. Tickets are $5 for Atlanta History Center members, $10 for non-members.

AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

AJC Decatur Book Festival Friday-Sunday, Aug. 30-Sept.

1. The 2019 14th annual AJC Decatur Book Festival presented

by Emory University brings more than 250 nationally and internationally known authors

representing diverse genres and perspectives, so there’s something for every one of the tens of thousands of readers who attend. Free and open to the public, the festival takes place in more than a dozen venues throughout downtown Decatur.

For more info, including lists of presenters and book signings and a complete schedule, visit decaturbookfestival.com.

Art in the Park ▼ Saturday-Monday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Local and national artists show their work at the 33rd annual Art in the Park held at Marietta Square. The festival includes a gallery tour, chalk

art display, Children’s Art Alley, music and food. Admission to the festival is free. Glover Park on the Historic Marietta Square, 50 N. Park Square, Marietta 30060.

Learn more at artparkmarietta. com.

Learn Something AARP Defensive Smart Driver Course Tuesday, Aug. 13, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn defensive driving techniques and how to compensate for age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. Cost is $15 for AARP members (bring your card) and $20 for nonmembers — cash or check only. Pay at the door.

Please bring a drink and a bag lunch. Reservations requested by

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emailing events@gwinnettpl.org.

Gwinnett County Public Library, Suwanee Branch, 361 Main Street, Suwanee 30024. For info and more, go to gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.

Fall Vegetable Gardening Thursday, Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m. Join Tim Daly, from UGA Extension Gwinnett, and learn which type of vegetables thrive in cooler weather and the minimal maintenance needed for a successful harvest. Registration requested at gwinnettpl.org/ calendar. Gwinnett County Public Library, Suwanee Branch, 361 Main Street, Suwanee 30024.

Visit gwinnettpl.org or call 770978-5154 for more info, events and classes.

Master Gardener: Fall Vegetable Gardening Monday, Aug. 26, 7-8:30 p.m.

The Atlanta area’s extended growing season allows us to take advantage of three seasons of vegetable gardening. Autumn’s mild temperatures create perfect growing conditions for coolseason crops, such as lettuce, spinach, broccoli and carrots.

This class covers: summer vs. fall season crops, sustainable gardening techniques, direct seeding and transplanting, frost protection and preparing the garden for winter. Ages 10 to adult welcome; donation appreciated. Lost Corner Preserve, 7300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs 30328.

For details and to register, visit friendsoflostcorner.org or email info@friendsoflostcorner.org.

Community Family Night Hike Saturday, Aug. 10, 8-10 p.m.

Looking for a night of fun for the whole family? Come and explore the sounds and sights of the forest and wetlands. We’ll listen for the calls of owls, as well as experience an animal encounter and a warm campfire.

Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell 30075.

Tickets and more info available at chattnaturecenter.org or by

Services directory

calling 770-992-2055.

Summer Line Dancing Showcase Thursday, Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to shake! Jazzy Jan will lead an open line dance for guests. There’ll also be light snacks, prizes and more.

Participants must RSVP to perform; please include your team name, number of dancers and song of choice. Rosel Fann Recreation Center, 365 Cleveland Avenue, Atlanta 30354. RSVP to 678-509-6396 or georgia@ primarycare.com.

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Creek Stomp and Minnow Roundup at Big Trees Preserve Friday, Aug. 23, 9-10:30 a.m. Wear water shoes and cool off in the creek at Big Trees Preserve. A Sandy Springs naturalist will bring a minnow trap and nets so everyone can have a close look at all the aquatic animals before they’re gently released. Folks who prefer to keep their feet dry will have a chance to sketch the catch. Free, all ages welcome, weather permitting. Big Trees Preserve, 7645 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs 30350. Get details and find more activities and events at friendsoflostcorner.org.

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Aloha to Aging Annual Gala Friday, Aug. 16, 5 p.m. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Aloha to Aging’s annual gala will focus on “Building Our Legacy” with special guest speaker Sarah Stanley Fallaw, Ph.D., east Cobb resident and co-author of “The Next Millionaire Next Door.”

Reception and silent auction begin at 5 p.m.; banquet dining, live auction and program start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person; proceeds fund programs and services to ensure enhanced quality of life for seniors, their care partners and the community in Cobb County. Olde Towne Athletic Club, 4950 Olde Towne Parkway NE, Marietta 30068. For tickets and more info, call 770-722-7641 or email info@ alohatoaging.org.

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Summer

Atlanta’s Premier since 1968 Window Cleaning

• Gutter Cleaning • Pressure Washing • Family Owned • Licensed and Insured • FREE ESTIMATES

404.355.1901

BUYING COINS GOLD JEWELRY STERLING FLATWARE MEMBER: ANA, NGC, PCGS

404-263-2967 Matthew’s Handy Services Small Jobs & Chores are My Specialties!

Shelves • Organizers • Carpentry Drywall • Painting • BBB rated

www.WindowCleanAtl.com

FEMALE CAREGIVER

With 20 years exp. seeks to barter domestic services for a room in a nice home in the metro area.

Senior cat coming with.

470-351-7237 FRIENDS OF THE CHAMBLEE LIBRARY

BIG AUGUST BOOK SALE 4115 Clairmont Rd, Chamblee, 30341 Thursday, Aug 22 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm (Friends Only - Join at the Door)

Friday and Saturday, Aug 23 and 24 10:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday, Aug 26th 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (Silent Auction bidding closes at 1:00 pm)

404-547-2079 Mwarren8328@gmail.com

Paperbacks $1 Hardbacks $2 DVD's and CD's $1 and as marked Children's books are less

FOR SALE BY FRED YOUNG (OWNER) 404-281-0952 Arlington Memorial Park Sandy Springs

• Six adjoining burial plots available • Seller pays Title Transfer Fee • Value $134,000 • Offers encouraged

AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

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Manley & Associates

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Manley & Associates P.O. Box 450534, Atlanta, GA 31145-0534 | 770-493-4167 | manleyandassociates.com 24

AUGUST 2019 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com

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