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Au g u st 2 0 15
Fall Fashion What’s In Style
(and age appropriate)
Revive Summer
Skin & Hair • Hair Loss Explained
Hop on a Bike and Ride Naked
(it’s good for your brain) – Page 9
• The Super Food!
Avocados
– Page 8
Style & Beauty
Look Younger with a few simple steps
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Peridot AUGUST
Evocative of the luscious Marlborough region, this Sauvignon Blanc has fresh green characteristics with notes of citrus and tropical fruits. Layers of passion fruit, guava and kiwi lead to the crisp, approachable style of this wine.
Food Pairings
Pair with Chicken, Fish, Salad Seafood, Grilled Vegetables or serve as an aperitif. To see more of our favorite wines please join us in store or online!
| PrimeTime 2
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Peridot is related to love, truth, faithfulness and loyalty. Peridots help the wearer to see past the hurt, understand relationships in a better light and many times, heal the wounded ego.
August 2015
inthisissue
Pr i m e Ti m e August 2015 1944 Warwick Ave. Warwick, RI 02889 401-732-3100 FAX 401-732-3110 Distribution Special Delivery PUBLISHERS Barry W. Fain, Richard G. Fleischer, John Howell MARKETING DIRECTOR Donna Zarrella donnaz@rhodybeat.com Editor/ Creative Director Linda Nadeau lindan@rhodybeat.com WRITERS / Contributors Michael J. Cerio, Don Fowler, Elaine M. Decker, Mike Fink, Bruce Lane, Meg Chevalier, Kerry Park, Kathy Tirrell, Paula Sormanti, Camilla Farrell, Susan Pomfret ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Donna Zarrella – donnaz@rhodybeat.com Lisa Mardenli, Janice Torilli, Suzanne Wendoloski, Alex Viscusi Classified ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Sue Howarth – sueh@rhodybeat.com PRODUCTION STAFF Matt Bower, Brian Geary, Lisa Yuettner A Joint Publication of East Side Monthly and Beacon Communications.
Style & Beauty 4
Wardrobe Tips
and what to look for this fall
5 Fall Fashion Trends
Boutique owners tell us what’s trending on the runways
6
Look Younger
6
Female Hair Loss
7
Beautiful Hair
How to get it at any age
8
Revive
with just a few simple steps
Why it happens
Summer- ravaged skin, hair and feet
PrimeTime is now on Facebook!
Cycling (mostly) naked.......................................9 That’s Entertainment........................................15 Retirement Sparks..............................................17 What Do You Fink...............................................19
people & places
A Worthy Cause – Q & A with Gotta Have Sole founder Nicholas Lowinger...........................................10
Senior issues
Affording Retirement.......................................18 Celebrating 107 years......................................18 Alzheimer’s Association..................................20 Your Home..............................................................21
professional prospective
nextmonth Back To School!
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Do you have an interesting or strange heirloom that’s been passed down in your family? We want to hear about it – Send me your stories and photos!
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mail entries to:
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Gift Card August 2015
PrimeTime |
autumn style – what to look for Square prints
classic plaid
LONGER HEMS
Pantone® color of the year
cover up...
and more modern versions.
Marsala
an earthy red/brown shade flattering on almost everyone.
...well below the knee.
Wrap/Blanket Coats & Ponchos warmth and comfort!
PRINTS PRINTS PRINTS
Higher Necklines, Scarves and Turtlenecks
Mens Ware
the easy-to-wear look is back again!
for the men..
– 2015 Colors: Grey and Military Green – Bold Boxy Plaids – Higher waisted, looser fitting trousers
Wardrobe Tips
Celebrities and public figures make many things look easy, especially when it comes to fashion. Deep pockets and stylists on the payroll make it easy for celebs to project a polished appearance. But money alone does not buy style, and chances are the average woman has the wardrobe staples necessary to look her best. Such essentials need not cost a fortune to produce a seemingly endless array of outfits.
Take inventory of the basics
Go through the closets and find the wardrobe pieces that can be put to use in multiple combinations. Timeless styles can be used over and over, and some items work well as a base for a multitude of outfits. For example, a simple sleeveless dress in a neutral color can be worn alone or paired with a cardigan or blazer. A sheath in black, tan or navy can be worn repeatedly and matched to a bevy of other pieces. In addition to a simple dress, a pair of black pants, a knee-length skirt, a few tanks or camisoles, a pair of dark-colored jeans, and solid-colored cardigans can be mixed and matched in different ways. Make a running list of the staples your already own and then fill in the missing pieces.
Add some pieces that pop
Spice up the basics with some new items that feature hot colors of the season like Marsala. A bold blazer will pop, while a printed scarf paired with a neutral blouse and pants adds some color and whimsy without being too bold. You can play it safe with classic lines and colors, but don’t forget to add some punch accessories.
Make sure it fits
Clothing that does not fit properly will not look good no matter how fashionable or expensive it might be. Rather than fixating on the size printed on the tag, you should shop for clothing based on fit. This could mean bringing a few different sizes into the dressing room and figuring out which one fits best. Not all designers run true to size, and some fabrics will have more give than others. A good rule of thumb is to always fit the largest part of your body. The other measurements can be tailored accordingly. It is a safer bet to purchase a size bigger if one is between sizes and have the item altered rather than trying to squeeze into something that is too small.
Invest in good undergarments
Sometimes it isn’t the clothes that can make the woman, but the structure pieces worn underneath. Fitting experts attest that nearly 80 percent of women are wearing the wrong size bra. Most women are slipping into bras that are too small. Although bras range in size from 28AAA to 56FF, the majority of department stores stock a limited number of the most popular sizes. A good idea is to go to a specialty lingerie shop to get properly sized. A well-fitting bra can transforms the way shirts and dresses look and fit.
| PrimeTime
August 2015
style
b y j e ssic a s e l b y
fall
Fashion
Trends
&
beauty
W
hen the days get shorter and “A lot of women prefer the three the air gets cooler, you need quarter sleeve option because they want to make some adjustments in to cover the top half of their arms,” Geyour wardrobe. sualdi said. Iris Gesualdi, owner and clothing Both Rodopoulos and Gesualdi said buyer for Bags by Iris, located on Main that fabric and material seemed to be Street in East Greenwich, said that the a major factor in the upcoming style fall is a perfect time to look for styles trends. Making sure that fabric is soft that are “funky and different.” and comfortable are always important “Sure [ladies] can still wear their clas- when selecting items that they want to sic grey or black pants, but they want carry in their stores, the women said. to match it with a colorful top,” Ge“At the show we saw a lot of cotton sualdi said. “Especially as we head to- blend materials and a lot of cashmere, wards winter and people are not getting but not just your typical cashmere,” she as much sun, they start to look sallow, said. “There were not a lot of the paisbut everyone brightens up if they wear a leys, but we did see some wide plaid, bright colored top.” and a lot of the more flowy style looks. Mina Rodopoulos, who owns Shine Not maternity style, but things you Salon and Boutique with her business could feel comfortable in.” partner and long-time friend Stephanie On a recent trip to a boutique show, Piccolo, said that after returning from Gesualdi said that she saw a fall item a clothing show in New York City re- that she just could not resist. It was a cently she has realized that many of the black and white fabric material that had classic styles that were embraced last different texture. The design came as a year are being dress, a pair brought back of slacks, again this year. a shirt and “Leggings, as seemed to be some very what is always, are a big known as a common trends on the runway hit again this Mina Rodopoulos – Shine Salon and Boutique piano vest year,” Rodopou(because it los said. “The nice thing about leggings is long in the back,) Gesualdi said. Geis that they really work for all different sualdi said that the fall item is such a hit size women. You do not have to be a that she is already almost sold out in her size two to wear them and feel comfort- East Greenwich store. able and look nice.” “That is the nice thing about bouLong cardigans, vests and faux fur tiques; everything that we have is unique seemed to be some very common trends and different,” Gesualdi said. “You can on the runway as well, Rodopoulos said. go to one of those big box stores to find As were simple tops turned beautiful something that is just plain, but we only by simply adding detail to the bottom have a few of these unique items and trim, she said. once they are gone, they are gone. You “We saw a lot of just regular tanks don’t want to be out and see everyone that had lace or silk trim on the bottom, wearing the same thing that you are.” that seemed to be very big this year,” she Rodopoulos said that she has a few said. “At this time of year it’s nice to fall items in store presently, but typicalhave a simple camisole on that you can ly converts the seasonal design layout at just put a sweater over if it gets chilly.” the end of August and will at that time For some women, camisoles or sim- layout an entire fall line. Shine Salon ple tanks may not be the preferred op- and Boutique is located at 177 Danieltion, and according to Gesualdi, three- son Pike in the North Scituate village. quarter sleeves can be a nice alternative as she said she observed during a recent boutique show that she attended.
“
Long cardigans, vests and faux fur
Mina Rodopoulos, left, and Stephanie Piccolo, owners of Shine Salon & Boutique in North Scituate said many of the classic styles that were embraced last year are being brought back again this year. Iris Gesualdi of Bags by Iris shows off a piece from the stores black and white fall collection that is such a hit it is almost sold out at her East Greenwich store. (photos by Jessica Selby) August 2015
PrimeTime |
style & Beauty
b y p a u l a sorm a n t i
Simple Steps to
Look Younger
Get Your Beauty Rest A good
What are the secrets to looking younger as we age? You’d be surprised at how making a few simple modifications to your daily routine can result in changes that will reflect your individual beauty and bolster your self confidence.
Wardrobe
Moisturize Just because your age is approaching senior citizen
status your skin doesn’t have to. Hormonal changes can easily dry out the skin so once you hit 50+ moisturizing becomes key to healthy and younger looking skin. Moisturize your face day and night and after a warm morning shower slather on that body lotion and don’t forget to pay special attention to your elbows and knees.
Skincare Invest in the best skincare products your budget will
allow. There are so many skincare products on the market and those with the right ingredients can improve the appearance of wrinkles and slow down the aging process. Look for products with nature based synergystic blends and avoid those products that contain harsh chemicals. No matter which products you use , remember that being faithful to your daily/nightly routine is the secret to beautiful skin so keep your routine simple. If your regimen is comprised of multiple steps the likely hood of you being faithful to it is very low. So choose a skincare product that addresses multiple concerns at once.
Dry Brush Dry brush your skin daily with
a stiff natural bristle brush. The bristles of the brush work beneath the skin to get your blood flowing. This will also help to breakdown fat pockets beneath the skin and release natural oils to the surface. Dry brushing also detoxifies skin and diminishes the appearance of cellulite! For optimum results stroke your skin using long, upward sweeping movements. Begin at your feet, move up to your legs and then move up to your arms, chest, stomach and backside. Brush daily before showering for best results.
Meditate
Recent MRI studies confirm that people who meditate regularly increase gray matter in the area of the brain which is important for learning and memory. Keep your brain as youthful as the rest of your body!
night’s sleep plays a vital role in your in your ability to function, your general health and longevity. In addition it is equally important to looking and feeling your best.
Let go of the baggy clothes that weigh you down. Just because you’re over 50 doesn’t mean your wardrobe should be drab or boring. Don’t be afraid to add a pop of color to your wardrobe. Nothing screams grandma like a closet filled with grays, blacks and neutrals. Gem tones and deep pastels are a perfect way to accentuate your favorite assets. Select clothing that embraces your ageless spirit and doesn’t leave you stuck in the past. Your natural beauty is alive and well in your 50s, 60s and beyond. The most effective secret you have in your beauty arsenal is to be yourself. Embrace who you are and live each day to the fullest in your own personal style. Paula Sormanti www.wrinklefree.us www.youthfulbrain.us
style & Beauty
understanding
Hair Loss While baldness is an issue most often associated with men, women suffer from hair loss as well, and you may be surprised to learn just how prevalent the condition is. Hair loss, or alopecia, can affect the entire body and may be a hereditary condition or a side effect of medications or physical or psychological ailments. Just about anyone can experience hair loss. Research indicates as many as two-thirds of all women experience hair loss at some point. You may notice strands of hair in the trap at the bottom of the shower drain or caught in your hairbrush. It’s normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. But when hair loss is pronounced, either by falling out in clumps or thinning conspicuously, it may be indicative of a more serious medical condition. Hair production occurs in cycles. The scalp and hair can be compared to a garden. When the soil condition is not perfect, a garden will not grow properly. The same can be said for the scalp. Medications, illnesses, infections, or chemicals used on the head or body can disrupt the cycle and cause hair to stop growing properly. This can eventually lead to hair loss. Most women who experience hair loss notice it in their 50s or 60s, but doctors note it can happen at any age. Here are some of the primary causes of hair loss. * Telogen effluvium: This is a condition that takes place after pregnancy, major surgeries or even after drastic weight loss. When a woman is experiencing telogen | PrimeTime
effluvium, her hair shifts more quickly from the growing stage (anagen) to the transition stage (catagen) to the shedding stage (telogen). Typically, women experiencing telogen effluvium will notice hair loss between six weeks and three months after a stressful event, and women may have to be patient and wait for hair loss to slow down. If you’ve determined the hair loss is from medication, your doctor may be able to lower the dosage or switch drugs. * Hypothyroidism: Hair loss can be a byproduct of an underactive thyroid. That’s because, in addition to regulating your basal metabolic rate, the thyroid also is responsible for the growth of hair, skin and nails. If you don’t have enough of the thyroid hormone, you may notice changes in the body, such as hair loss. Blood tests can be given to test for hypothyroidism. * Anemia: Anemia is caused by iron deficiency and results in insufficient numbers of red blood cells to transport oxygen through the body. Iron deficiency anemia can cause weakness, pale skin, fatigue, headaches, and hair loss. Increasing iron in the diet through leafy greens, fortified cereals and beans can help. * Poor scalp health: Skin conditions present on the scalp may be the culprit behind hair loss. Psoriasis, seborrheic dermitis (dandruff) and even fungal infections can affect the skin on the scalp, and, in turn, affect the hair follicles. A physical exam of the scalp can determine scalp health. * Alopecia areata: This is an immune disease that affects roughly 2 percent of the American population and is characterized by small, round patches of hair loss. * Genetics: Take a look at the women in your family. Do they have thinning hair, most pronounced at the crown of the head? Hair loss may be in your genes, and you may have a higher risk than other women for losing hair. Hair follicles that vary in size, with some thin and others thick, are telltale signs of female pattern hair loss known as androgenetic alopecia. * Beauty styling: Self-inflicted damage also may lead to hair loss. Dyes, chemical treatments, styling tools and aides, and rough or aggressive brushing can damage hair and cause breakage. Taking it easy when toweling or styling hair can help minimize hair loss. Women experiencing hair loss can speak to a doctor, who may suggest visiting a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. Women can use wigs, hair extensions and other styling tricks to minimize the appearance of hair loss while they explore options in treatment. August 2015
style & Beauty
b y k a t h y t irr e l l
Beautiful Hair at Any Age If you’re like most women your hair has probably been of paramount importance to you all throughout your life. Many women think of their hair as a beauty feature and perhaps an extension of their personality as well. We can cut it short, layer it, color it, perm it, leave it long, braid it, whatever we fancy. However, there does come a time in life when our hair simply doesn’t do the things it used to do. It’s a harsh reality that hair starts to thin as we get older. Hormonal changes can affect hair growth patterns. Menopausal women can get dealt a double whammy—hair thinning and hair loss. The rate of hair growth slows down. Hair dryness becomes a problem because our oil glands shrink over time and don’t make oil the way they used to. Hair loses elasticity as we age which can cause it to become brittle. And there’s always that tell-tale sign of aging hair—it turns gray! Why does it do that? It has to do with a pigment called melanin, produced by hair follicles, structures in the skin that produce and grow hair. As we age the follicles produce less melanin. Some people may even begin graying in their 30s. “Graying is determined by your heredity,” said Shandra Printer, a professional hair stylist for 28 years who currently operates Tranquil Hair Lounge in Riverside. So that means some women will get lucky and not turn gray right away. For
August 2015
others not so fortunate, there is always the tried and true method of going to a hair stylist and getting their locks professionally colored. “It’s better to do it professionally,” said Printer. “We can color the roots and refresh the ends towards the end of the color.” When asked if she is seeing a trend with women wanting to keep their hair gray instead of opting for coloring, she said that has not been the case. “Some people color their hair every three weeks,” she said. “I don’t see a trend in it going away.” Of course it is perfectly acceptable to “go gray” and stay that way if that’s what you prefer. Celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis and Helen Mirren are perfect examples of ladies who look great and truly embrace their silver locks. If you’d like to test out some hair colors and styles, there is a web site that lets you upload your photo and click on celebrity hairstyles to try on yourself. Go to www.marieclaire.com/beauty/ a7343/virtual-makeover-tool. When it comes to overall healthy hair, Printer has some good basic advice. “A healthy diet helps,” she said, “and drink water to stay hydrated.” That just reinforces the old saying – Beauty comes from within. The food you put into your body matters. If you eat healthy foods, your hair should reflect that. A person’s lifestyle is important, too. Being tired or stressed out has a negative affect on your hair. When you feel tense, your scalp will tighten up, blood capillaries contract, reducing oxygen and nutrients from reaching hair follicles. If your sweat increases you might end up with a greasy scalp. Over time stress can lead to hair loss. A nice scalp massage can be very helpful in relieving tension and it’s also recommended to stimulate hair growth. When it comes to the problem of thinning hair, Printer admits there’s not too much you can do about it except “keep it shaped up.” When it comes to a hairstyle that will make hair look fuller, “shorter layers on top” is the way to go. “It will camouflage the thinning hair,” said Printer. Some beauty experts feel that bangs are a good way to camouflage the things we want to hide such as a large or wrinkled forehead or a receding hairline. And as Printer pointed
out, layering (bangs, in this case) can give the illusion of fuller hair. Another positive feature of bangs is they can draw attention to your eyes and away from the jaw, which might be a little saggy these days. If your thinning hair is hormonal, your doctor might prescribe Rogaine (Minoxidil), the only FDA-approved treatment for hair loss. A dermatologist can also advise you regarding hair transplants. If thinning hair is not hormonal or you’re dealing with brittle hair, there are several things that help – • You can switch the part in your hair. For example, if you usually part your hair on the left, try flipping it to the right. • Keep it cool. The less heat you use on your hair, the better. Air dry it whenever possible. If you want to use a blow dryer, keep it on the lowest level. • Use a good hairbrush. Try one with gentle boar bristles or flexible nylon.
Getting regular haircuts, every six weeks if possible, is another one of Printer’s tips for maintaining healthy hair. In her salon, her customers are very faithful about coming in for their regular appointments. “Some women would rather cancel a doctor’s appointment than a hair appointment,” she said. That makes perfect sense to me!
Artists’ ExchAngE
now offering
classes free seniors! for
Fun and engaging classes in art, ceramics, theater and music. Come in an try one out...
Upcycled Art............. Mondays 10:30am-Noon Basic Theater ........... Thurdays 10:30am-Noon Printmaking & Fridays 10:30am-Noon Screen Printing .......... Fridays, 12:30-2:00pm Space is very limited. Please call 490-9475 to reserve your spot in one or more free classes today!
w w w. a r t i s t s - e x ch a n g e . o r g Photo by John Howell
PrimeTime |
Revive Summer-Ravaged
Skin, Hair & Feet
As summer draws to a close, many people will reminisce about weeks spent relaxing and basking in the sun. Summer is typically full of fun, vacations and relaxation, but while the sun and surf may be refreshing for the mind, sometimes the body pays a price for all of those days spent soaking up some rays. Summer can be harsh on skin, feet, hair, and more. As the warm days wind down, practice some post-summer beauty tips to revive your skin, hair and feet.
Skin Many people now know of the damage ultraviolet rays can do to unprotected skin. In spite of that widely held
knowledge, skin cancer remains the most common form of cancer in the United States, where the Skin Cancer Foundation says more than 3.5 million skin cancers are detected annually. The best protection against skin cancer and skin damage from the sun is to use sunscreen and remain in the shade as much as possible. However, sometimes sunburns and blotchy suntans prevail. Moisturize the skin with a penetrating product as a first recovery step. Aloe is an item found in many healing skin balms and lotions. Although it can be tempting to tear off portions of peeling, sunburned skin, the peeling is actually a natural part of the healing process and should not be disturbed. The dead skin acts as a protective layer while fragile, tender new skin grows underneath. Use a mild soap and lukewarm water when showering. Moisturizer can keep the damaged skin moist and make peeling less noticeable. Some have found that spraying the skin with a solution made of vinegar and water can reduce the itching associated with peeling skin. If any part of the skin does not heal or looks strange, visit a dermatologist.
Hands & Feet Walking barefoot or in flip flops or sandals is common during summer. But flimsy sandals offer little protec-
tion against the sun as well as any dangers on the ground. Once summer is over, many people find their feet have paid the price, with calluses, blisters and dried-out skin. Find a spa or nail salon that provides paraffin wax treatments. These treatments use warm, oil-based wax to provide pain relief and skin-softening benefits. The heat in the wax increases circulation and relieves pain and stiffness. Paraffin works by increasing blood supply to the skin while also opening pores and trapping moisture from underlying layers of skin. Pedicure treatments also can provide some relief for your feet. Soaking and massaging the feet and addressing any calluses can help feet recover. Think about also applying a deep moisturizer to the feet and then covering them with cotton socks, which can be left on while you sleep, and you may discover the following morning that you have woken up with softer, smoother soles. Summer is a fun time of year, but one that takes its toll on the human body. A few simple tips can recharge the body and have a person looking refreshed and revitalized. Manicures and pedicures are not just for women. Many men benefit from visiting a nail salon or even a podiatrist to have their digits cared for. At the very least, trimming nails, ensuring hands and feet are clean and moisturized and removing calluses and dead skin are essential when caring for hands and feet. Athlete’s foot, a rash that forms on the surface of the skin and is commonly found on the feet, is caused by a fungus. Keeping feet dry and avoiding walking barefoot in certain areas, such as in gyms or locker rooms, can alleviate cases of athlete’s foot. Should a case arise, anti-fungal medication can generally clear it up.
Hair Weeks spent diving through the waves or plunging into a
backyard pool is excellent exercise and a great way to cool off on hot days. However, saltwater and chemical-laden pool water can turn tresses into a mess. One pitfall that plagues people who swim regularly is a green tinge that appears in the hair, which is most noticeable on people who have blond hair. Some people blame the chlorine in the water for the green tint, but the real culprit is copper, a common element found in commercial algicides. The solution is to find a shampoo that chelates the metal. Speak with a salon professional or a supplier of salon products to find the right shampoo for you. It’s sometimes possible to prevent future green highlights by sealing the hair cuticle with a conditioner before swimming, and then thoroughly rinsing hair after exiting the pool. Swimmer’s hair is another summertime phenomenon. Constant exposure to water and sunlight can leave the hair’s cuticles exposed and susceptible to damage. Leave-in conditioners may help counteract some of that damage. If that doesn’t work, speak to a stylist about what can be done to get hair looking healthy once again. He or she may suggest a fresh cut, new hair color and deep-conditioning treatments. | PrimeTime
style & Beauty
Avocados SKIN Avocados are good for you, inside and out. Eating avocado regularly can do wonders for their complexion. They are rich in healthy fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants that can improve your skin from the inside. eyes Avocados are a great source of lutein, a carotenoid that works as an antioxidant and helps protect against eye disease. They also contain the related carotenoids zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene,and vitamin E. weight Avocados can help you lose weight. Half an avocado contains 3.4 grams of fibre, including soluble and insoluble, which keep the digestive system running smoothly. Soluble fibre slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in your body, helping you feel full for longer. blood sugar They can help stabilize blood sugar. They are loaded with monounsaturated fat, which helps slow digestion and helping to keep blood sugar from spiking after a meal. lower cholesterol Oleic acid in avocados can help reduce cholesterol levels
Creamy Avacado
Pasta
Ingredients 12 ounces whole-wheat pasta 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, chopped 2 avocados, halved and pitted 3 large garlic cloves, chopped 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional) 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Instructions Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just tender. Remove from heat and reserve 1 cup cooking water. Drain pasta, cover, and set aside. In a bowl, add tomatoes and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add oil and basil. Toss to coat. Set aside. Scoop avocado into empty pasta pot. Mash with a potato masher. Add garlic and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Whisk pasta water in, creating a light sauce. Stir in pasta and tomato mixture to coat. Top with cheese, if using, and black pepper. Serves 4.
August 2015
lifestyles b y gr e g schw e m
d e k a n ) y l Cycling (most good for the brain I took up cycling several years ago after reading multiple scientific studies concluding that the simple act of repetitive clockwise leg movement while hunched over and struggling to breathe (my definition of cycling) improves memory and concentration while reducing stress and anxiety. This being science, researchers no doubt spent astronomical hours and federal grant monies to recruit cycling enthusiasts, place them on stationary bikes, hook them up to heart monitors, take copious notes (“Look, Dr. Jackson, he’s still pedaling! What do you make of that?”) and then observe those same participants as they solved puzzles and engaged in cognitive activities. Save yourself time and tax dollars, scientific community. Next time, simply hop aboard a bike and ride naked through a large metropolitan city. Having recently completed Chicago’s chapter of the annual World Naked Bike Ride, I heartily concur with the “cycling helps your brain” theory. For the record, I wore boxer briefs and a helmet, firm in my belief that nudity should always take a backseat to safety, particularly when one is riding up Michigan Avenue on wet pavement while high-fiving Uber drivers. And for those who feel my decision to ride partially clothed was somehow illegal, allow me to set the record straight. Total nudity is not a WNBR requirement; some participants wore full cycling attire while others bared all, much to the horror of young families strolling near the American Girl store on the Magnificent Mile. Let’s start with concentration. My prefrontal cortex - the portion of the brain that controls the ability to focus - was in fine form. Perhaps it was the random bare body parts, both male and female, to my left and right, or the bodypainted butt in front of me proclaiming “Less Gas, More A**” (an event slogan coined to encourage more reliance on “people-powered vehicles”). Alas, the cheap acrylic paint was no match for the recurring rain showers; the message slowly dissolved into its owner’s intergluteal cleft while I pedaled and focused intently. Add that image to the all the other stimuli flooding my acetylcholine receptor and I felt confident
I could work as the lone barista at Starbucks and correctly produce every order during the Monday morning rush, no matter how complex. This from a guy who, prior to the ride, could only half remember his wife’s request to pick up ground beef AND toilet paper from the grocery store. As the phalanx of nudity streamed up Rush Street, causing upper crust Gibson’s Steakhouse patrons to whip out their cellphones for something other than trading stocks, my stress and anxiety levels evaporated. Granted, I was a bit anxious upon checking in for the event and realizing I could be riding next to “Baby,” a New York man whose cycling ensemble consisted of a Scooby Doo mask, ski googles and candy-striped underwear. But Scooby/Baby quickly melded into the crowd. I bonded with 36-year-old Sarah, riding her fifth consecutive event and insisting she would continue doing so until “my boobs get caught in the spokes.” Anxiety free and armed with my newly returned abilities of concentration and memory, I began to exercise the capabilities of my brain’s parietal lobe, processing auditory information and committing it to memory via the hippocampus deep within the medial temporal lobe. In other words, here are things I overheard on the WNBR and will NEVER forget: “Does anybody have any duct tape?” “Slow down. I don’t need road rash down there.” “No photos please.” I’m still wondering how a publically naked person can be camera shy. “Why bother closing the door?” (A comment made to a male participant about to urinate in a Porta-Potty) “Go Hawks!” Even among nudists, Chicago is a hockey town. (Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad,” available at http://bit.ly/gregschwem. Visit Greg on the Web at www.gregschwem.com.) (c) 2015 GREG SCHWEM. DISTRIBUTED BY
Where RI seniors come first
Saint Elizabeth Home
Short-term rehab and long-term care East Greenwich: 471-6060
Saint Elizabeth Manor
Short-term rehab and long-term care Bristol: 253-2300
Saint Elizabeth Court Affordable assisted living Providence: 490-4646
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Daily support for seniors Warwick, Bristol, Coventry, and Little Compton Memory Care Center Warwick: 739-2844
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Affordable apartments for seniors and mobility impaired Providence: 273-1090
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Affordable apartments for seniors Warwick: 739-7700 Saint Elizabeth Community offers a full spectrum of care and services for older adults in Rhode Island, ensuring they receive the right care in the right place at the right time. To learn how we can help you or someone you love, call us at 471-6060 or one of the numbers above.
TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
The Annual World Naked Bike Ride is a fun
and conspicuous event promoting positive body image and improving public health. This event is global with dozens of cities participating world-wide. Outfits range from nude to painted to costumed to underwear.
August 2015
Saint Elizabeth Community
www.stelizabethcommunity.org www.facebook.com/SaintElizabethCommunity A non-profit, nonsectarian 501(c)(3) charitable organization and CareLink partner.
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a worthy cause
Gotta Sole b y M ich a e l j . c e rio
have
From Rhode Island to now 41 states across the country, Gotta Have Sole Foundation helps kids be kids
I
t’s been a number of years at this point, but I still remember approaching my 13th birthday. Once my homework and chores were done, I couldn’t wait to spend my allowance on packs of baseball cards (when they still came with gum inside!), hang out in the tree fort a friend and I built, ride my bike, and probably cause some mischief. Sure, I enjoyed helping my grandparents when they needed something done they could no longer do, and my soon-to-happen Confirmation project would involve volunteering at my church. But it wasn’t until I graduated college that I really began to appreciate—and get more involved with—community service. Fortunately, for more than 39,000 children across the country today, Nicholas Lowinger wasn’t your typical young man as he approached his 13th birthday. His story, actually, begins even earlier. At 5 years-old, Nicholas, with his parents, volunteered at a local homeless shelter. It was there that he first met children without footwear or with shoes falling apart. Not understanding why other children didn’t have the same opportunities he had, Nicholas began donating his gently-used shoes when he’d visit the shelter and play alongside his new friends. Fast forward six years and Nicholas had an idea. How could he address a need as important as underprivileged children without proper shoes? With his bar mitzvah on the horizon, Nicholas’ mind hit overdrive as he contemplated the service project that would precede his religious coming-of-age ceremony. It would take time, and a lot of hard work, but Nicholas was determined. For his project, he would establish the Gotta Have Sole Foundation, a nonprofit committed to providing new footwear to children in shelters. While Nicholas’ bar mitzvah has long since passed, Gotta Have Sole Foundation not only continues, it has grown to touch more young lives with each passing year. What began with donations to local shelters has evolved to reach children in 41 states. With ambition as big as his heart, Nicholas shares with us more of his story, his goals for the future, and what keeps him going.
Q. Why is this cause so important to you? During my visits to shelters, children would share their personal stories of bullying, falling grades and lack of friends. There were two stories that really moved me. First, I remember a tearful 12 year-old boy telling me he had nothing to wear but his sister’s pink sequined sneakers, which was a terrible source of embarrassment for him. He was constantly ridiculed by his peers and dreaded going to school. Another girl told me that she was devastated when she was pulled from her varsity volleyball game because her sneakers were held together with duct tape. Although early donations of my own gently-used shoes sometimes didn’t fit correctly, the children always took them, sometimes squeezing their feet into shoes that were much too small. I realized these weren’t the best options, and that I still wasn’t able to reach everyone in need. The answer was new shoes, so I began Gotta Have Sole Foundation. The satisfaction that I get from doing this work is indescribable. I want to make a difference beyond donating new footwear; I want these young people to feel valued, thought of and cared for, and I think we’ve been accomplishing that. I truly believe that donating new footwear to homeless children improves their self-esteem, confidence, and quality of life. 10 | PrimeTime
Nicholas Lowinger established Gotta Have Sole when he was 12 years-old, growing the organization from helping Rhode Island children to reaching kids all over the country. (submitted photo) Q. How does Gotta Have Sole work? What is the process to acquire donations and distribute through shelters? Our footwear inventory started with a single bin of new shoes and sneakers donated by members of my community. Since then, while we still receive regular footwear donations from individuals, numerous footwear manufacturers and retailers, including 6PM.com, Timberland, Reebok, Supra, Walmart, Puma, Wilson and Stride Rite, provide us with a stream of inventory so we can fill orders on a weekly basis from shelters around the country. And, if we don’t have specific sizes in stock, we purchase the footwear we need with monetary donations we receive.
Once we get the footwear order from the shelter with children’s information, we select the size he or she needs, put in a pair of socks and a personalized card made by members of the community. If it’s going to a local shelter, we hand-deliver to the children, or if out-of-state, we mail the package to the shelter. Sometimes, volunteers in other states or Gotta Have Sole clubs hand out the footwear on our behalf. The shelters we work with have either contacted us directly, have been referred to us by people who support the cause, or are ones we have contacted ourselves. We interview all shelters first to make sure someone on-site will measure children’s feet for accurate sizing. August 2015
people & places Q. Have you encountered challenges or lessons learned along the way? Has anything surprised you about the community’s response, or the exposure you’ve received?
A young boy affectionately embraces the brand-new pair of Stars Wars sneakers given to him by the Gotta Have Sole Foundation. Q. Did you ever anticipate that Gotta Have Sole would become what it is today? My dream since launching Gotta Have Sole Foundation was always to outfit homeless children throughout the United States, and I set a goal to be working with homeless children in every state by the time I graduate high school in 2016. I have 9 more states to go and believe I will reach my goal. But it isn’t necessarily the number of states that the Gotta Have Sole program is in that’s important; it’s increasing the number of homeless children we help, and raising awareness about homelessness in our country.
A number of years ago, after speaking with people of all ages, it was clear to me that people have misconceptions about homelessness in America, thinking that the average homeless person is an adult addicted to drugs and alcohol, isn’t looking for work, and is living on handouts on the street. Many feel that homeless people should accept any physical donation given to them, no matter the condition, and that they don’t need anything “new.” I believe it’s important to educate students and adults about the real face of homelessness. I’ve seen first-hand that when people understand what others are facing, they can be more empathetic and work to build more cohesive, inclusive and peaceful communities. Recently, I noticed an important component that was missing in how my organization helps homeless children—which is the power of play for all kids. Homeless children often don’t have access to sports and unstructured play, as outdoor recreation is limited by the physical space of most shelters. Now, Gotta Have Sole club members visit shelters to provide new footwear, and then stay to hang out with these children and facilitate athletic and social activities at the shelter. The time spent together breaks down the barriers that exist between homeless and non-homeless children, creating a more compassionate community that is more accepting of each other. I am fortunate to have received a lot of support from my community, without whom I could never help as many children as I have. As for the accolades I’ve received, I look at them as increasing my Foundation’s visibility, which has definitely helped expand my efforts. I have had so many parents describe how new shoes improved their children’s selfesteem and confidence, how they are no longer bullied because of their worn-out shoes, and can SOLE –Page 16
One of the many personalized thank you notes that Nicholas has received over the years, highlighting the improved self-esteem, confidence and quality of life that children experience through the Foundation providing new footwear. (submitted photos) August 2015
Cra-Mar Meadows A UniqUe HeAltH CAre FACility Proudly owned and operated by the Grzych family for over 35 years
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For weeks, your neighbors have been storytellers and filmmakers, capturing life in North Kingstown, RI. Now these stories filled with nostalgia, humor, enterprise, history, and even a surprise or two are in a documentary about to be shown on TV. North Kingstown neighbors and friends will also be in the Rhode Island PBS studios sharing their experiences. It’s sure to be a fun, unique show to watch. Tune in!
Explore Our Town - Your Voice, Your Vision.
Highest Quality, Easiest Access .OW !CCEPTING "LUE #ROSS "LUE 3HIELD -%$)#!2% !$6!.4!'% "LUE#(I0 s #OMPLETE RANGE OF THE MOST ADVANCED LABORATORY TESTS s LOCATIONS n .O APPOINTMENT NECESSARY For information on our Patient Service Center Lab locations: Call 401-793-4242 or 1-800-980-4244 or visit www.Lifespanlabs.org *RIH Ventures d.b.a Lifespan Laboratories
Laura M. Krohn ELDER LAW ATTORNEY Crisis Medicaid Planning & Applications • Wills • Trusts • Power of Attorney • Estate Administration • Care Coordination
In-Home Consultations
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401-398-8383
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Laura M. Krohn, Elder Law Attorney
Author of Senior Resource Guide of Rhode Island© It’s a peaceful mid-summer afternoon in Wakefield, but there is still plenty going on in the busy law office of Laura M. Krohn. Even in the constant activity of the day, Attorney Krohn has a calm demeanor about her, yet there is an urgency in her message about the need to plan for the future. Laura, a native Rhode Islander who has been practicing Elder Law for seventeen years, is eager to impress upon her clients the importance of preparing for the inevitabilities of life, no matter their age or financial status. She has dedicated herself to helping people navigate the often difficult issues surrounding elder care and has worked tirelessly to be sure her clients are ready for the tough decisions when they come along. Laura was recently named by SO Rhode Island Magazine as one of Rhode Island’s “leading ladies” for her work with Elder Law, though her important work extends to those of all ages, stages of life and degrees of disability. What sets Laura apart in this competitive field is her unique “holistic” approach. She regards her clients as the sum of all their needs and plans, knowing that a comprehensive plan of action will yield Meet Attorney Laura M. Krohn, an Elder a far better outcome for them and Care Attorney and author of Senior Retheir families. There are no “boxes source Guide of Rhode Island©, now upto check” or faceless account num- dated and in its fourth edition. bers to file, but rather real people with real concerns and real dreams. Laura advocates for the whole person and cares about the individual issues that affect each of them, whether they are legal, social, emotional, physical/medical, financial or family-related issues. Specializing in Elder Care, Laura is an expert in the following areas: • Crisis Medicaid Planning & Applications • Estate Planning & Asset Protection • Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney • Long-term Care Planning • Caregiver Support Groups • Care Coordination • Guardianship In addition to her legal services, Laura has received recognition for her widelyused and highly regarded publication Senior Resource Guide of Rhode Island©. Now in its fourth edition, this thorough, updated and all-inclusive guide provides answers to the many questions facing the elderly and their families as they age. It is an absolute essential resource for those searching for direction as they plan for their futures in Rhode Island’s long-term care system. It can be purchased for only $15.00 through her office or online. Finally, as an additional service, Laura provides regular Caregiver Support Group meetings which are held every Thursday evening at 6:00pm at Atria Harborhill on 159 Division Street in East Greenwich. For more information about Attorney Laura M. Krohn, call her office today at 401-398-8383 or visit her helpful website at www.seniorguideri.com. Her office is located at 25 South County Commons Way in Wakefield. In order to better serve her clients, Laura also offers in-home consultations.
August 2015
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Westbay Café…More than a Meal Making a luncheon reservation at our eight Westbay Cafes is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Special August Meals Bring A Friend Day Wednesday, August 19 Greek Salad, Chicken Fajita with Peppers, Red Beans & Rice, Tortilla with Sour Cream, Cupcake. Pub Option: Roast Beef sandwich Lazy, Hazy Summer Party! Thursday, August 27 Sliced Cantaloupe, Roasted Potato, Green Beans, Angel Food Cake. Pub Option: Turkey Sandwich
Our caterer provides the following three options (two each day) for your meal • Hearty Traditional Meal – Appetizer, Main Entrée with sides (potato, vegetables) • Pub Option – Delicious Sandwich • Spa Option – Lighter, healthy option for those on the go All luncheons include an appetizer, bread, dessert and coffee or tea
For more information, please call patty martucci, Assistant Director of Senior nutrition program
401-732-4666 ext. 142
Senior CenterS Charlestown 401-364-9955 East Greenwich 401-886-8638 Jamestown 401-423-2658 The Center–S. Kingstown 401-789-0268 West Warwick 401-822-4450 Westerly 401-596-2404 Senior ApArtmentS (you do not have to be a resident) Park View-Westerly 401-596-4918 Shalom Apartments 401-737-0180
We invite seniors age 60 and older and individuals with disabilities to join us at these Cafes for a nutritious lunch. The suggested donation is $3/person. Reservations are necessary and should be made by Thursday for the following week.
14 | PrimeTime
August 2015
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT b y D O N F O W LE R
Lighthouse Tours
Save The Bay offers narrated tours, breathtaking views I can’t think of a better way to spend the day than checking out the unique lighthouses in Narragansett Bay. And there’s nobody better qualified than the folks at Save the Bay to help you. We recently spent a sunny afternoon enjoying an up-close view of nine unique lighthouses on a three and a half hour trip beginning and ending at Save the Bay’s Fields Point dock. The 24 passenger boat was captained by Dan Blount, with former East Providence school principal, David Kelleher, providing the interesting and humorous historical and geographical background. We began with Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, located on a large rock on the east side of the Providence River.
The square, two-story, wood-framed keeper’s residence has a mansard roof topped by a tower and lantern. We were able to walk the grounds and examine the structure up close. The outside has been restored by the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, which is currently winding down its fundraising efforts to finish the inside restoration. We enjoyed motoring along the Providence, Cranston, and Warwick shoreline, observing familiar sites like Johnson and Wales, the Edgewood and Rhode Island Yacht Clubs, Rocky Point, and Aldrich Manor. After a close up view of the Conimicut Lighthouse, we passed the stately structure at Warwick Neck before heading to Prudence Island to see Rhode Island’s oldest lighthouse.
Discovering Rhode Island from the bay is a unique way of seeing the beauty of our state. Next on the tour was the 200 acre Hog Island, and its lighthouse, which was renovated by the Coast Guard in 1995. We discovered the beauty of the Mount Hope Bridge from a new perspective and a view of the Bristol Ferry Lighthouse, traveling along the Barrington shores to the Nyatt Point Lighthouse. Some of the original lighthouses, like Bullock’s Point and Sabin Point Lights, have been destroyed by storms, with only a pile of rocks and a light remaining. Kelleher shows everyone models and photos of the original structures. Guests are presented with information sheets taken from a web site (www.light-
housefriends.com) to fill in many of the details. Save the Bay will conduct the Ultimate Tour of 18 lighthouses on the Providence River and Narragansett Bay on September 12 and October 3, leaving from the Alofsin Piers at Fort Adams in Newport Cost is $85 for members and $100 for non-members. A southern tour, also leaving from Fort Adams, will view 11 lighthouse, including Beavertail, Castle Hill, Conimicut, Dutch Island, Gull Rocks, Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Rose Island, and Wickford. Cost is $45 and $55. Dates are August 22 and September 26. For more information and reservations, visit www.savebay.org/lighthouse or call 272-3540 ext.133.
Terrazza
Fantastic Mediterranean Fusion Dining restaurant review
We discovered a wonderful new restaurant in northern Rhode Island, where seniors can dine in leisure, enjoying the fusion of ethnic cooking and the beautiful Smithfield countryside. Marios, former chef at Federal Hill’s Nara, has joined with two partners to open Terrazza, a first class restaurant on Douglas Pike in Smithfield that combines the best of Mediterranean, Lebanese, Greek, and Italian cuisine in one of the most pristine dining settings in Rhode Island. Located in Smithfield, just off the Route 295 North exit 8A, at 645 Douglas Pike, the restaurant is easily accessible from all directions. It is only fitting that Terrazza should have a large Terrace dining area that looks over woods and fields. A little imagination puts you in the Italian countryside. We enjoyed Marios’ fusion cooking at Nara, as did many of his customers who have followed him north to Smithfield. We are usually not wine drinkers, but Marios urged us to try the Zaccagnim Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo 2013 Italy, a fine red wine that complemented our meal nicely. Pita bread with a butter/herb spread was immediately brought to the table, and immediately devoured. We remembered Marios’ award-winning hummus, served with warm chick peas, olive oil, and pita bread ($8). Add lamb and pine nuts for $3, and you’ll be in heaven. Appetizers include a falafel basket, kafta harra, vine leaves, feta and olives, and, keeping with Rhode Island tradition, calamari, all priced reasonably between $7-$11. We shared a huge salad of fresh baby August 2015
spinach, walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, raisins, and blue cheese dressing ($7) that was as good as it gets, and would make a wonderful luncheon. Dinner entrees range from $16 for Ourjouwan Risotto (Joyce’s choice) to Fire Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops ($29). Joyce loved the risotto, aborio rice mixed with baked purple-red beets, goat cheese, and scallions. I chose Lamb Orso ($24) a special lamb shank, shredded and mixed with a variety of spices and heirloom tomatoes, topped with a decadent cheese blend that was beyond description for its presentation and taste. I apologize to my vegan friends, but there is nothing better that a creative prepared lamb dish, and Marios is an expert when it comes to lamb. We’ll be back for lunch to try sandwiches like falafel with tomatoes, pickled turnips, fresh mint leaves, parsley and tahini sauce ($8); Soujouk –grilled spicy sausage with grilled tomatoes, onions drizzled with chipotle mayo ($10); and a salmon burger made with Scandinavian salmon, topped with arugula and tarragon tartar sauce ($12). Take advantage of the summer weather and dine on the terrazza, or if you prefer, the comfortable air-conditioned dining room. Terrazza is open Monday through Saturday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and dinner from 4:00 to 11:00p.m. Sunday brunch is 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner 2:30-11:00 p.m. For reservations, call 233-3223, or go on line at www.terrazzari.com.
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SOLE from page 11 now attend school, sports and social programs. Knowing that I’ve had some part in improving these lives is extremely gratifying and makes me want to continue Gotta Have Sole throughout my lifetime. Q. How has Gotta Have Sole Foundation grown in recent years? In the first year, we donated new footwear to just over 400 children in 9 Rhode Island shelters. Now in our fifth year, we have given new footwear to 39,800 children in 106 shelters in 41 states. The growth outside of Rhode Island happened in 2011 when my family and I were traveling to Washington, D.C., where I was receiving a Jefferson Award for Public Service. We decided that whenever we traveled for an award, a family vacation or celebration, we would partner with a shelter in whatever state we traveled to. Whenever we’re able to make the donations to children personally, it has been a wonderful experience. Meeting and talking with children and their parents has made this that more meaningful to me.
wants to make a donation. We need the space not just for our inventory, but also to hold volunteer events. While we host volunteer events in our garage, we are limited by the size and cannot accommodate large groups. A bigger location would enable us to have more frequent volunteer events of all sizes. Another primary need we have is to connect with more manufacturers who would supply us with ongoing footwear. There are nearly 2.5 million homeless children in the United States, so there are a lot of kids in need of footwear. Q. What is your vision for the future of Gotta Have Sole Foundation?
My vision is to donate new footwear to children in all fifty states, and to create Gotta Have Sole clubs in high schools, nationwide, engaging youth leaders to understand the true face of homelessness and to take action by first donating new footwear to homeless children in their communities, and then by running engaging after school activities for the children right at the shelters. I also hope that by raising awareness about the true face of homelessness, we can change the state Q. For readers who want to get involved of homelessness in our country. with Gotta Have Sole, what are your Q. Engaging youth is an important part primary needs? of your work—tell us about the Gotta One of the biggest needs we have Have Sole club program and how this is connecting with someone willing to works towards the Foundation’s overall donate warehouse space; our garage is goals. overflowing! As a 501c3 organization, After founding Gotta Have Sole, I this would be a tax-deductible contribuknew that if I wanted to have a big imtion for someone who has the space and
pact, it would take a village to make it happen. And so I started a club at my high school to organize other students to get involved. Since we started, the Gotta Have Sole club in my school has mobilized young volunteers to take action— it’s been huge! Based on that success, we decided to take our club program to the next level and make it national. I asked high school students across the country to start Gotta Have Sole clubs in their own schools, and in the past 5 years, we have activated 100 youth leaders in 9 clubs in 7 states. Gotta Have Sole clubs create a space where students can increase their understanding of homelessness and break down the stigma associated with it. The club pairs students with a homeless shelter in their community, and they’re responsible for collecting footwear donations, dropping off those donations and organizing after school programs for the children staying in the shelter. Our club leaders serve as important role models to the children in the shelter. When I go into a shelter, I’m making meaningful relationships with the kids who are living there. I believe it’s really important for these kids to have positive role models in their lives, and for students who are not homeless to develop more compassion and empathy. Through this club program, we can also raise awareness of youth homelessness and provide other young people, like me, a way to take action and care for their neighbors in need. Our Gotta Have Sole club program is building a movement of young volunteers who take action to support their less fortunate peers.
Q. If people could remember just one thing about Gotta Have Sole Foundation, what would you want it to be? I saw the injustices that homeless children face when I was just 5 years-old, and knew I had to take action. It took me another 6 years before I could realize my dream of donating new footwear to homeless children, and I could never have expanded my program without my community and the collaboration of corporate sponsors, donors, advisors and volunteers. Everyone has the power to make a difference in the lives of others, no matter their age. All it takes is an idea, passion, courage and perseverance. I want people to remember Gotta Have Sole as a nonprofit with heart—one that provides equal opportunities, and fulfills hopes and dreams for homeless children through the gift of new footwear while mobilizing youth to take action to help their neighbors in need and change the state of homelessness. If you are interested in getting involved with the Gotta Have Sole Foundation, or would like to make a donation, visit their website at www.GottaHaveSole.org or email GottaHaveSole@gmail. com. Donations may also be sent to: Gotta Have Sole Foundation, P.O. Box 8379, Cranston, RI 02920. And don’t forget to like them on Facebook at Facebook.com/ GottaHaveSoleFoundation to stay up to date on their progress.
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August 2015
retirement sparks
lifestyles
b y e l a in e m . d e ck e r
Loss of Padding
When my husband left for a three-week trip to India last fall, it presented a welcome opportunity for me to attack a major project. Since I had wanted to get my third edition of Retirement Sparks to print before yearend, I planned to use the window of uninterrupted time to assemble the book for publication. After three days of sitting at my computer for hours at a time the first week he was gone, I had one of those Aha! (Oh, no!) moments. My fanny was killing me. My lower back wasn’t exactly thrilled with me either, but the pain in my butt was something new. Those who have never met me in person, especially before I lost 30 pounds in 2013, might not see this as an Aha! moment. So, here’s some back(side) story. I’ve always had a lot of “junk in the trunk.” My sister, my brother and I all inherited my father’s behind. (Our mother’s rear end was as flat as a pancake.) Because I fenced in high school, my gluteus maximus was especially well-developed. And it didn’t bounce around. It stayed that way even after college, probably because I walked briskly and a lot when I worked in Manhattan. And usually in high heels. (Lots of muscle flexing…) I considered my derrière an asset, since men seemed to like big butts, even before Sir Mix-a-Lot came out with his song, Baby Got Back. (“I like big butts and I cannot lie…”) By the way, if you haven’t seen Jimmy Fallon’s remix of Brian Williams rapping to that song, you must check it out on YouTube. Returning to that week’s painful realization: my bottom had lost much of its cushioning capability. Though some of this was probably due to my weight loss, it was more likely another sad side effect of growing old. I say this because I had already noticed that the balls of my feet were no longer doing a good job of making walking comfortable either. Simply put: my body was losing padding. No one tells you to expect this. Fallen arches, yes. But you don’t hear folks saying: “You’ll feel like you’re walking on concrete unless you wear special shoes.” And you certainly don’t have folks warning you that at some point, you’re going to think you’re sitting directly on your ass bone. (Is there an ass bone? I know it wouldn’t be the tailbone. That’s in the middle, at the base of the spine.) Moving on… I suppose I wouldn’t be as miffed at this loss of padding in useful places if it weren’t that I’ve been gaining it in places I don’t need it. Or want it. Take for instance my
belly. No, really. Please take the extra padding I have there. (Thank you, Rodney Dangerfield.) Despite the collateral tummy tuck that came along with one of my cancer surgeries, I was left with plenty of space for fat cells to proliferate. And proliferate they did. Scientists should research a method of shifting belly fat to the fanny area. That ought to be pretty easy. They already do liposuction after all. Just reposition the stuffing laterally about 180 degrees. If someone can figure out a way to do that, they’ll make a fortune. People our age won’t even care if it leaves some scars. Of course, there’s also the extra cushioning on our upper arms. Actually, I’m not sure it’s accurate to call it cushioning if it dangles. Whatever. It’s padding I don’t need, don’t want, and can’t seem to get rid of. If those same scientists can take that upper arm flab and reposition it to the bottoms of our feet, they’ll have something irresistible to peddle in the AARP publications. Did I mention my neck wattle yet? Maybe not in this essay, but you’ve certainly read plenty about it during the years that my Retirement Sparks column has appeared in Prime Time. There’s not enough excess there to help with my feet, but I’d still like to get rid of it. Just sayin’. Seriously, how many of you had given any thought to this problem as part of your adjustment to retirement? I’m warning you: put this on your radar now. Start looking for extra-thick gel inserts for your shoes and a Kardashian butt enhancer today. Like Sir Mix-a-Lot, I cannot lie. You’ll thank me later. Copyright 2015 Business Theatre Unlimited Elaine M. Decker’s books—Retirement Sparks Redux (published in December, 2014), Retirement Sparks Again, Retirement Sparks and CANCER: A Coping Guide—are available at SPECTRUMINDIA, on the East Side of Providence, on Amazon.com, including Kindle editions, and by special order through your local bookstore. One of her essays appears in the anthology: 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com.
Pet Q & A dear shelby & smoke
Dog Days of Summer (Fun)
Have you thought about all the fun things you can do with your two legged parents this summer? We can’t say we have been to all of these great places but here are some thoughts for your summer. There are several dog parks: Buttonwoods Dog Park (Warwick), Gano Street Dog Park (Providence – separate area for smaller dogs), South Kingstown Dog Park (Wakefield – area for smaller dogs too), Newport Dog Park (Newport), Bow Chika Wow Town (inside-Warwick), Pawtucket Dog Park (Pawtucket), Compass Rose Beach (North Kingstown – must be leashed), Gansett Cruises (Newport). On August 22 and 23 check out Dogapalooza Summer Festival 2015 in Pawtucket. If you can hold out until October 24, the Providence Animal Rescue League is having their annual Pet Walk at Roger Williams State Park. After a nice walk you may want to sit and relax. There are several restaurants that have patio seating and welcome us dogs. Again please double check first but Union Station Brewery (Providence), Duck and Bunny (Providence), Julian’s
August 2015
(Providence), Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House (Warwick), BLU (East Greenwich), Twisted Pizza (East Greenwich). There are many more around Rhode Island. Don’t forget that after a nice play and a meal we like to watch a good movie too! Try the Rustic Tri View Drive In. “Kibble of the Month” Cats have a specific mutation in the Taqpep gene that results in having a spotted coat. If they have only one mutated gene they are considered blotched or Classic but if both genes are mutated they are spotted or Mackerel. A brief paws ‘till next time
Shelby & Smoke Email your pet care questions to:
shelbyandsmoke@westpaws.com Dr. Danielle Paradise and Dr. Clarissa Williams are from West Paws Animal Hospital, (formerly West Bay Animal Hospital) and NorthPaws Veterinary Center, northpaws.com. PrimeTime | 17
senior
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b y k e rr y p a rk
senior issues
b y s u s a n A . pomfr e t
Affording Retirement Celebrating 107 years For many, affording retirement has become extremely difficult. A recent article notes, “many Americans are struggling to make ends meet in their golden years,” says Mike Sante, of Interest.com. “Especially in high-cost areas such as the Northeast, retirees are battling higher costs for housing, gas, food and other necessities”. Being on a fixed income and trying to stretch those dollars is getting more difficult for seniors. Many seniors can’t afford to completely retire and have taken on part time jobs to fill the gap. Sante also stated, “we’ve made saving for retirement a lifetime occupation”. This should be a time when seniors are enjoying themselves rather than having to worry about affording their health care costs, housing costs and those day-to-day expenses. Fortunately there is an option for those that own their home. Tap into the home equity you have to afford the necessities and to do the things you’ve been putting off. For many keeping
We’re looking for new members . . .
Korean War Veterans Korean Service Veterans Meetings held 2nd Wednesday of every Month Chepachet Senior Center, Rte. 44
1210 Putnam Pike, Chepachet
Call Frank 231-3736 or Gil 831-3301 For More Information KWVA – Chapter 3
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up with home repairs has been put on the back burner. Now you can afford to update and modify your home when tapping into that equity with a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). I see too often how seniors are having trouble “aging in place.” By this I mean moving an upstairs bedroom onto the first level or making the bathroom more accessible by removing the tub and putting a walk-in shower. Not to mention affording to hire someone to cut the grass. Seniors want to stay in their homes and rightfully should. On the flip side a growing number of financial advisors see HECMs as a retirement tool when evaluating their client’s needs. The market’s ups and downs are reducing their retirement account but by using the proceeds from the HECM while the market is down rather than taking a withdrawal, allows the retirement account to rebound and preserves it so that the client doesn’t outlive their money. To understand what Alicia H. Munnell who runs the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College recently said, seniors are going to need money, and this (their home) is the place where the money is. Call the loans, the lenders and executives who run the institutions anything you want. But the tool they are selling is one whose time has come, and people who refuse even to consider a reverse mortgage* in the coming years may do themselves a disservice. *Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) are government insured. The industry commonly refers to HECMs as a reverse mortgage. Proprietary reverse mortgages are not government insured. Susan is a HECM Senior Vice President for The Federal Savings Bank. She was one of the first to originate a HECM in Rhode Island back in 1989 as part of the FHA Pilot Program. She combines her professional experience with her senior volunteer work for the Senior Agenda Coalition, a past Board of Directors member for 6 years for the RI Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and appointed an Alzheimer’s Ambassador RI – U.S. Representative.
Alfred Booker’s life has been marked by special events: The first passenger airplane flight, Henry Ford’s first Model T, two world wars, and the invention of the television and internet to name a few. It’s an impressive list for an impressive man who celebrated his 107th birthday this past June at a party held in his honor at Eastgate Nursing and Recovery Center in East Providence. The staff at Eastgate pulled out all the stops to make the celebration Booker’s most memorable event yet. A Freemason for more than seventy years, five brothers from Booker’s former lodge in New Jersey traveled far to join their Rhode Alfred Booker receives accolated from Island counterparts in honoring fellow Freemasons from New Jersey their fellow member. With famand Rhode Island at a celebration of his ily, staff and press present, Booker 107th birthday at Eastgate Nursing and was recognized for his long memRehabilitation Center in East Providence. bership in the Freemason frater(submitted photo) nity and proclamations were read in his honor from Governor Gina Raimondo and East Providence Mayor Thomas Rose,. Family members from as far away as South Carolina reminisced over cake and refreshments and there were pictures - lots and lots of pictures. When asked about the key to his longevity, Mr. Booker slyly answered, “It’s a secret!” He did however, suggest that exercise, eating well and keeping out of trouble had something to do with it. Sage advice from a man that lived independently until 106 and is still going strong at 107.
Local centers recognized by national program Four long term and post-acute care organizations in Rhode Island have been recognized with the 2015 Silver Achievement in Quality Award selected by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for their commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The National Quality Award Program by AHCA/ NCAL spotlights centers across the country that have demonstrated their commitment to delivering quality care for seniors and individuals with disabilities. This year’s Rhode Island recipients included South Kingston Nursing & Rehabilitation, Westerly Health Center, Village House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Newport, and West Shore Health Center in Warwick. All four centers are part of Health Concepts Ltd., a family-run, Rhode Island-based company which operates 12 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers throughout the state. “A Silver Quality Award is a significant achievement and speaks volumes about
the facilities’ commitment to quality,” said Virginia Burke, President/CEO of the Rhode Island Health Care Association, the state’s largest professional organization of skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities. “We’re very lucky that Rhode Islanders have access to such a high level of care. It doesn’t come easily. Only one in three applicants achieve this recognition. The employees of the centers that earn this award go above and beyond every day to ensure that the people in their charge are cared for with compassion, commitment and competence.” This year, Rhode Island’s recipients are four of 126 throughout the country. In June, Heritage Hills Nursing & Rehabilitation in Smithfield and Pine Grove Health Center in Pascoag, became 2015 recipients the Bronze level award. Both facilities are also part of Health Concepts Ltd. The awards are sponsored by AHCA/ NCAL Associate Business Members My InnerView by National Research Corporation and PointRight.
August 2015
VA Summer Sports Clinic
LIFESTYLES
wHAT DO YOU FINK? by MIKE FINK
Brief Encounters
Chatham Milton, front, a Veteran patient of Vermont’s White River Junction VA Medical Center, and volunteer Chris Warehane of Adaptive Adventures, from Littleton, Colorado, kayaked in Newport during the VA New England Healthcare System’s Summer Sports Clinic, hosted by the Providence VA Medical Center in July. Approximately 50 disabled Veterans travelled to Rhode Island for the special rehabilitation-related sporting clinic, which ran July 20 through 23. The clinic featured adaptive sporting events including cycling, golf, horseback riding, water skiing, deep sea fishing and more. (Providence VA Medical Center photo by Kimberly DiDonato.)
Saint Elizabeth Community to acquire Cathleen Naughton Associates Saint Elizabeth Community is proud to announce that it has signed an asset purchase agreement with Cathleen Naughton Associates, a provider of home care in Rhode Island and is pending Rhode Island Department of Health change in effective control approval. Cathleen Naughton Associates (CNA) provides home care that includes skilled nursing care, rehab services (PT, OT, ST) and certified nursing assistants, and also provides geriatric care management, and concierge services. “These services complement the spectrum of care already provided by Saint Elizabeth Community,” said Steven J. Horowitz, President and CEO of Saint Elizabeth Community. “Cathleen Naughton Associates is a respected provider of home health care in RI, and our mission and goals are aligned. It’s a great fit for the organization.” Established in 1978 by Cathleen Naughton, R.N., the business is currently managed by her daughter Caroline Naughton Rumowicz. She will continue to manage and maintain the two RI locations in Providence and Wakefield. CNA provides services to approximately 675 individuals a year and has a staff of 121, making about 17,000 home visits. Upon final health department approval, Rumowicz will join the leadership team of Saint Elizabeth Community. “Saint Elizabeth Community has a reputation for excellence,” says RumowAugust 2015
icz, “and we are confident that RI seniors will benefit from our decision. I look forward to joining the Saint Elizabeth Community team.” Saint Elizabeth Community is a not for profit provider of care and services for seniors, and adults with disabilities, and has six member organizations: Offering skilled nursing and short term rehab, Saint Elizabeth Home in East Greenwich and Saint Elizabeth Manor in Bristol. Saint Elizabeth Court, affordable assisted living in Providence. Cornerstone Adult Services, adult day centers in Warwick, Coventry, Bristol and Little Compton and a specialized memory care adult day center in Warwick. Saint Elizabeth Place offers affordable apartments for seniors and adults with mobility impairments in Providence as well as Saint Elizabeth Terrace in Warwick. Cathleen Naughton Associates will be the 7th member organization with locations in Providence and Wakefield Upon final regulatory approvals, Saint Elizabeth Community will have twelve RI locations and provide care and services to over 2,200 seniors a year. Saint Elizabeth Community prides itself on being the organization “where RI seniors come first.®” www.stelizabethcommunity.org
I guess these notes, reminders of table talk, are mostly melancholy, even tragic. Bear with me, please, if you will. Charlie runs a Fox Point cafe. He said on the street one day, “We haven’t seen you in a while. Stop by again soon.” I showed up on the sidewalk, and Charlie caught up with me about his pursuits, regrets, and souvenirs. “My grandfather left five children and a wife in Russia when he made his way to America, long ago. He never did bring them across the ocean to join him. He started another family here, into which I was born in the postwar world. Well, I heard various, contradictory reports on what happened to those relatives. Some claimed they were all murdered by the Nazis. Others may have survived and settled in Israel. There were rumors that a few had actually risen diplomatically or politically within the Soviet regime during the Cold War. I traveled to Israel and met one aunt....” And here, Charlie hesitated, his lips quivering: he had to wipe his eyes. .. This to me is a familiar scenario. I too recall a great aunt crying because she had no idea what had happened to her Rumanian relatives, with whom she had kept in touch via postcards with portraits and a few words in a faded, forgotten, forsaken, and foggy language and landscape. One scholarly visitor to our John Carter Brown library on the university campus, Nathan Wachtel, presented an account of his research book about the hidden victims of the Spanish Inquisition who had made new lives in this hemisphere, keeping private records of the world they had left behind in the Iberian peninsula. He compared their secret and mixed faith to his own life’s experience. He invited us to dinner at the “Rue,” the Hope Street restaurant with a good cocktail list. His wife chose the wine, with poise and pride. As a youth Nathan had lived in the Vichy area of occupied France. A family across the street told his family that the Gestapo was due to hunt for Jews the next day before leaving the area. “These kindly neighbors invited us to spend the weekend at their residence. Once the collaborationist police or the Gestapo hunting for aliens or resistants took off, we returned to our own apartments and
survived the war!” Nathan Wachtel’s tale of courtesy and rescue ironically implied the opposite: the imminent dangers, the haunting shadows. Also at a Brown campus event I met a former Russian partisan who was sent to Siberia, to an abandoned structure with no food or water, no matches to light a fire...nothing, but his life itself. He found a moldy, stale, heel of bread and started to chew it, when a soldier punched him in the face. His nose was broken and bleeding, but he would not relinquish the prize piece of bread. I burst into tears at his words, and then approached him to hug him in spontaneous, respectful, courtesy. I loved this lone veteran, for his pain. My third tale is equally as disturbing, maybe even more intense and intimate. I had a friend from college, including a year at the Sorbonne, and numerous semesters at Brown graduate school. He had already lost his mother and father but found a charming bride. With her (plus a PhD in physics) he moved about the great world of opportunities in quest of comfort and contentment. In London, they entertained at their home in Pimlico the Hollywood stars who had for various reasons---the repressive era of the postwar decade--or for tax purposes-- hid out abroad. Ava Gardner, Betty Grable, George Raft, Peter Ustinov. In time, my friend and his wife had one daughter. My friend died unexpectedly, and I led his daughter down the aisle in his stead when she married. Not long afterward, the wife also died, and only a few months later, the daughter likewise passed away. All three vanished from this world, and all I have of them is a collection of letters, a few photographs, and memories of their hospitality, their genuine friendship, and my quest for some trace of meaning in our shared history. I was privy to so many chapters in their journeys in time and space! All lives are cut off one way or another. There is an incomplete quality about all destinies. We build our lives daily within the major habits and connections of our routines. But there is also the invisible world of our thoughts, our acquaintances, the confidences lodged within our minds and souls.
PrimeTime | 19
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If you agree, you don’t need to reply unless a payment is due. If you don’t agree, it’s important that you respond to the IRS. Write a letter that explains why you don’t agree. Make sure to include information and any documents you want the IRS to consider. Include the bottom tear-off portion of the
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If you get an irs notice, here’s what to do Each year the IRS mails millions of notices and letters to taxpayers. If you receive a notice from the IRS, here is what you should do: • Don’t Ignore It. You can respond to most IRS notices quickly and easily. It is important that you reply right away. • Focus on the Issue. IRS notices usually deal with a specific issue about your tax return or tax account. Understanding the reason for your notice is important before you can comply. • Follow Instructions. Read the notice carefully. It will tell you if you need to take any action to resolve the matter. You should follow the instructions. • Correction Notice. If it says that the IRS corrected your tax return, you should review the information provided and compare it to your tax return.
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notice with your letter. Mail your reply to the IRS at the address shown in the lower left part of the notice. Allow at least 30 days for a response from the IRS. • Premium Tax Credit. The IRS may send you a letter asking you to clarify or verify your premium tax credit information. The letter may ask for a copy of your Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. You should follow the instructions on the letter that you receive. This will help the IRS verify information and issue the appropriate refund. • No Need to Visit IRS. You can handle most notices without calling or visiting the IRS. If you do have questions, call the phone number in the upper right corner of the notice. You should have a copy of your tax return and the notice with you when you call. • Keep the Notice. Keep a copy of the notice you get from the IRS with your tax records. • Watch Out for Scams. Don’t fall for phone and phishing email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS first contacts people about unpaid taxes by mail – not by phone. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text or social media. If you need additional information, please visit www.irs.gov.
de velopment direc tor , alzheimer ’s association r hode island chapter
Walk to End Alzheimer’s set for September Lace up your sneakers, grab your friends, co-workers and family – the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is back so sign up your team now. We invite Rhode Islanders to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sunday, September 20 and this year we are back in Providence at Roger Williams Park. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m at the Temple to Music and the walk is at 9 a.m. through the park. The following week the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is on Sunday, September 27 in Newport. Registration begins at noon at the O’Hare Academic Center and the walk is at 1 p.m. along Bellevue Avenue. We are encouraging you to “make your walk personal” and share with us why you walk and raise funds for the cause. Share your stories about your loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease at work, in the office, on email, Facebook, twitter, flicker or however you connect, but share so we can bring more attention, funding, and research to this disease. Walk to End Alzheimer’s is more than a walk. It is an experience for more than 2000 participants in Rhode Island who will learn about Alzheimer’s disease and how to get involved with this critical cause, from advocacy opportunities, the
CareLink welcomes SAGE-RI CareLink, a non-profit management service organization, is pleased to announce it has assumed the role of parent organization for SAGE-RI. SAGE-RI, whose name is an acronym for Services and Advocacy for GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) elders, has been in existence since 1997, with it roots in the recognition that GLBT elders often did not have the supports they needed to age in good health and with security. CareLink shares a commitment with SAGE-RI to addressing issues of concern to GLBT elders, and offers SAGE-RI a platform Kim Stowell, SAGE-RI Executive Director to advocate for the communities (Photo credit: Gora Communictions Associates, LLC) it serves. SAGE-RI has also hired Kim Stowell as its first Executive Director. A leader in the Rhode Island GLBT community, Stowell served as Managing Director of Options, the newsmagazine for the Rhode Island GLBT community for almost ten years. “I am proud to assume this role,” Stowell said, “and thrilled to be working with such a talented and energetic group, both within the SAGE organization and at CareLink. With deep respect for those who came before me, I feel that SAGE-RI is well positioned to strengthen and expand its work.”
latest in Alzheimer’s research and clinical trial enrollment to support programs and services. Each walker will also join in a meaningful ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, holding up colorful flowers in honor of loved ones. “There has never been a greater need for the citizens of Rhode Island to join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by participating in Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said Donna McGowan, Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter Executive Director. “Funds raised will provide care and support services to Rhode Islanders living with Alzheimer’s, while also contributing to advancing criticallyneeded research.” Be a sponsor or join a team today at alz.org/ri. Join us for a moving ceremony from people affected by Alzheimer’s disease, visit our exhibitors, dance to the DJ, food, giveaways, children’s games, a band, dancers, and of course, fundraising. It is a FUNdraising day for all. If you are interested in signing on as a team, please visit our website at www.alz. org/ri or call the Chapter Office, 1-800272-3900, or 401-421-0008 for details. Contact Camilla Farrell cfarrell@alz.org or Bella Garcia agarcia@alz.org to join and WALK. Save the date for our Annual “Caregiver’s Journey” Conference on March 31, 2016, Crowne Plaza Hotel Warwick.
Comfort Keepers® forms National Alzheimer’s Walk Team Comfort Keepers® of Rhode Island is pleased to announce they will receive national recognition as a Member-level National Team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.® Owner Dan Belhumeur is excited about this endeavor. “As one of only 25 national teams Comfort Keepers will be represented at every walk across the nation. This kind of national recognition means the Comfort Keepers’ logo will be displayed on national team banners at every local walk, and the logo will be prominently featured on the National Teams section of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s website. We were honored to be recognized as a member of the Champions Club in 2014 and this is something we strive for again in 2015.” However, Belhumeur is equally quick to add, “Ultimately, it is what we do each and every day that matters most: We help seniors to live independently within the comfort of their own homes.” Comfort Keepers of Rhode Island will be participating in The Walk To End Alzheimer’s 2015 on Sunday, September 20 at Roger Williams Park in Providence. Comfort Keepers® is a leading franchise network in the in-home care market for seniors and other adults needing care. www.ri.comfortkeepers.com August 2015
your home
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b y B R U C E LA N E president of senior real estate solutions
Being Green Means Seeing Green Years ago, if you were “going green” you probably ate something that didn’t agree with you. These days, builders and developers are “going green” by installing the newest technologies to save energy and natural resources. Reducing a property’s carbon footprint is the big trend in real estate right now and some of the strongest selling points in new homes and buildings are the hightech advances that promise to save the consumer tons of cash over the long haul. Brand new buildings however, aren’t the only properties that can offer “green” benefits. Even the owners of a 1950’s ranch can make minor adjustments to help them enhance energy efficiency and reduce the home’s impact on the eco system. By doing so, not only will these homeowners help preserve scarce resources, they will also save money every month and end up with even more green in their pocket when it’s time to sell. After all, an energy efficient home is a hot commodity in today’s market. With that in mind, here are ten easy and relatively inexpensive things that just about anyone can do to go green: • First, the obvious - change your habits. For example, don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth or shaving, and turn off lights when you leave a room. • Schedule a free home efficiency audit with RISE Engineering. After a thorough evaluation of your home, RISE will give you tons of suggestions and put you in touch with generous incentives to greatly reduce the cost of home efficiency improvements. • Install new lightbulbs. LED and fluorescent lighting require less energy and therefore less cost over the long term.
Yes, LED bulbs cost more upfront, but providers like National Grid offer great savings and RISE supplies compact fluorescent bulbs at no charge with their free energy audits. • When you find yourself in need of new appliances, make sure to choose those with an Energy Star label. • Use recycled materials when remodeling. • Install programmable thermostats. The less you touch your thermostat, the better. Program it to lower the heat slightly at night and increase slightly in the morning. (Don’t program for big swings in temperature though. A fairly consistent temperature is actually more energy efficient that having to “reheat” your home from low temperatures.)· Make changes to your landscaping to plants dependent on less water. Many drought resistant plants look great and are easy to maintain. • Ensure that your basement, walls attic and crawl spaces are well-insulated. • If you have old windows and can’t replace them, caulk and seal the storms and add weather stripping to the doors if needed. • Wrap your water heater with an insulated blanket and put pipe sleeves made with polyethylene or neoprene foam or fiberglass pipe wrap around your water pipes. Even if worrying about the planet isn’t your thing, everybody understands the value of smart investments and saving money. So, just remember, if you go green, you’ll save green. Give some of the easy ideas above a try and you’ll probably find that green is your color.
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Meet the Artists at PACE PACE Organization of Rhode Island (PACE®) was honored to host State Representative Grace Diaz at the Center’s “Meet the Artist” event. Earlier this year, Representative Diaz had discussed her hopes of having PACE Participants create artwork for City Hall as part of what is now titled, the Sunset Collection. Ines Q., Clara G. and Ellen L., the artists that dedicated their time and shared their artistic talent, unveiled their pieces to Rep. Diaz. Rep. Diaz thanked the artists for pieces that evoke feelings of happiness and exude their love and energy for the arts. She noted that PACE enables individuals to engage in activities that they otherwise may not be able to. “PACE is a beautiful place for many people here in our city and our state, I know that the participants are happy and the staff are taking very good care of each and every one of them, that makes me feel good, as my mother is a participant here,” said Rep. Diaz. While the event was an unveiling of the Sunset Collection, Rep. Diaz acknowledged numerous PACE participants for their contribution within their community with a State House Citation. Contributions of these participants ranged from assisting with day center activities to the knitting and crocheting of blankets given to Hasbro Children’s Hospital by the PACE Blanketeers. PACE Organization of Rhode Island provides and coordinates comprehensive care to meet the needs of Rhode Island seniors who wish to maintain their independence and live in the community. Services offered include primary care, access to specialists, prescription drugs and durable medical equipment, round-the-clock emergency services, homecare, transportation to adult day centers and other medical appointments, meals, and physical, speech, occupational and respiratory therapies. For more information visit www.pace-ri.org.
MEET THE ARTISTS: Left to right: Art teacher John Housley, artist Ines Q, artist Ellen L., artist Clara G., and Representative Grace Diaz
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Senior Discounts August 2015
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* Limited time only. Subject to approved credit. Example: Based on 9.9% APR, a down payment equal to 1/3 of contract amount, and a monthly payment of $150 for 120 months. By submitting this request, I agree that Premier Care in Bathing may contact me by telephone using automated technology at the telephone number provided. I understand this consent is not a condition of purchase. ** Limited Lifetime Warranty subject to terms and conditions.
288 Arnolds Neck Dr., Warwick, RI • 732-6575 Located 1/4 miLe South of apponaug 4 cornerS
www.crowsnestri.com
Saving a Life from a potential catastrophe EVERY 10 MINUTES
but I’m never alone. I have Life Alert.®
®
AS SEEN ON
I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!
TV
For a FREE brochure call:
1-800-516-0367 22 | PrimeTime
August 2015
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BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS AND SERVICE DIRECTORY ANTI-AGING
LABORATORY SERVICES
CEMETERIES
HOME CARE With BAYADA Home Health Care…
Better Cognitive Function and Overall Brain Health, Fortify and Strengthen Natural Brain Functions and more.
“I love taking care of my clients. They are like family to me.” – Shevon Barnhill, HHA
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Traditional and/or Cremation Burial
30 Day Money Back Guarantee
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www.youthfulbrain.us
6365 Post Road, North Kingstown 401-884-7691 www.qmcemetery.org
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BAYADA provides: • CNA and homemaking services (from 1-24 hrs./daily) • Variety of payment options, including Medicaid, state waiver programs, and private pay Call 401-330-2525 www.bayada.com
Honest – Reliable Professional
Mature Matters
SENIOR REAL ESTATE SPECIALISTS Call Mature Matters to develop your personalized plan.
Susan A. Pomfret
Call for your FREE CONSULTATION
HECM Senior Vice President
Laura Bittinger
401-595-7300
401-932-5770
TOLL FREE (844)595-HECM
Donna DeLauro
401-486-6044
email: spomfret@thefederalsavingsbank.com
www.thefederalsavingsbank.com/susanpomfret
Each office is independently owned and operated.
www.maturemattersrealestate.com
NMLS #1253876
DERMATOLOGY
CATERING Cater to Seniors
Professional, courteous dermatological care in three convenient RI offices.
Call 401-732-3100 for advertising details
CLEANING SERVICES The Professional Directory for Professional Results! Call
401-732-3100 for details
Mrs. Clean of Rhode Island Cleaning Services
WEEKLY, BI-WEEKLY, MONTHLY 3 Rooms – Basic Cleaning $55 Seniors 3 Rooms – Basic Cleaning $45
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CALL 401-732-3100 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADVERTISING August 2015
PrimeTime | 23
Everyone Loves the Expo!
exhibitors wanted Exhibitors . . . make your plans now for the Fall Senior Living Expo! For registration information contact Lisa Bronstein – American Health Resources, Inc.
508-588-7700 or e-mail lisab@ahrevents.com
primetime nd rho de isla
fALL Senior Living Expo
Thursday, October 8 • Warwick Mall
24 | PrimeTime
August 2015