SENIOR BEACON DECEMBER 2020

Senior Beacon SB Eldest & Locally-Owned Senior Newspaper in Southern Colorado

DECEMBER 2020

Vol. 39:11

Established February 1982

467 Consecutive Months!

Committed To Southern Colorado Seniors For 39 Years And Counting!!

Trump Administration Finalizes Policies to Give Medicare Beneficiaries More Choices around Surgery THE CENTERS for Medicare &

Medicaid Services (CMS) is finalizing policy changes that will give Medicare patients and their doctors greater choices to get care at a lower cost in an outpatient setting. The Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) final rules will increase value for Medicare beneficiaries and reflect the agency’s efforts to transform the healthcare delivery system through competition and innovation. These changes implement the Trump Administration’s Executive Order on Protecting and Improving Medicare

for Our Nation’s Seniors, and will take effect on January 1, 2021.

“President Trump’s term in office has been marked by an unrelenting drive to level the playing field and boost competition at every turn,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “Today’s rule is no different. It allows doctors and patients to make decisions about the most appropriate site of care, based on what makes the most sense for the course of treatment and the patient without micromanagement from Washington”.

In this final rule, CMS will begin eliminating the Inpatient Only (IPO) list of 1,700 procedures for which Medicare will only pay when performed in the hospital inpatient setting over a three-year transitional period, beginning with some 300 primarily musculoskeletal-related services. The IPO list will be completely phased out

by CY 2024. This will make these procedures eligible to be paid by Medicare when furnished in the hospital outpatient setting when outpatient care is appropriate, as well as continuing to be payable when furnished in the hospital inpatient setting when inpatient care is appropriate, as determined by the physician. In the short term, as hospitals face surges in patients with complications from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), being able to provide treatment in outpatient settings will allow non-COVID-19 patients to get the care they need.

In addition to putting decisions on the best site of care in the hands of physicians, allowing more procedures to be done in an outpatient setting also provides for lower-cost options that benefit the patient. For example, thromboendarterectomy (HCPCS code 35372) is a surgical procedure that removes chronic blood clots from the arteries in the lung. If this

procedure is performed in an inpatient setting, a patient who has not had other health care expenses that year would have a deductible of about $1500. In contrast, the copayment for this procedure for the same patient in the outpatient setting would be about $1150. Patient safety and quality of care will be safeguarded by the doctor’s assessment of the risk of a procedure or service to the individual beneficiary and their selection of the most appropriate setting of care based on this risk.

This is in addition to state and local licensure requirements, accreditation requirements, hospital conditions of participation (CoPs), medical malpractice laws, and CMS quality and monitoring initiatives and programs.

Beginning January 1, 2021, we are adding eleven procedures to the ASC covered procedures list (CPL), including total hip arthroplasty (CPT 27130), under our standard review process.

Additionally, we are revising the criteria we use to add surgical procedures to the ASC CPL, providing that certain criteria we used to add surgical procedures to the ASC CPL in the past will now be factors for physicians to consider in deciding whether a specific beneficiary should receive a covered surgical procedure in an ASC. Using

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Page 2 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

NEWS

Yankton Fund Grant Applications Sought THE ST. THOMAS More Health

Foundation announces that applications are now being accepted for the 2021 funding cycle for the Yankton Benedictine Sisters Fund grant.

Any organization that is located within Fremont County, and focused on the health and wellness of our community, may apply. Applications for program or equipment funding are encouraged.

Applications must be received no later than Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.

Over the past 17 years, the St. Thomas More Health Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in Yankton Benedictines Sisters Fund grants to more than 60 organizations.

“It is such an honor to be involved in this yearly gift that has supported our community in so many ways,” said Kristi Olson, St. Thomas More Hospital CEO. “Each year we look forward to learning about all the incredible things our neighbors are doing for one another. Because of this gift from

the Yankton Benedictine Sisters, St. Thomas More is privileged to support the many amazing programs that benefit the health and wellness of those in our community.”

“We are so fortunate to be able to continue the ministry of the Benedictine Sisters,” added Michael Till, St. Thomas More Foundation Board Chair.

“The Foundation’s ability to support our community partners truly enables St. Thomas More to live our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ by caring for those who are ill and by nurturing the health of the people in our communities.”

In 2020, the Foundation awarded $61,000 in Yankton Benedictine Sisters Fund grants to 19 local organizations.

These organizations have a broad reach across our community and touch all aspects of life.

"We offer our heartfelt gratitude to the Yankton Benedictine Sisters fund for the support St. Thomas More

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brings to so many in our community,” said Kris Hegler, Administrative Officer, Fremont Search and Rescue.

“This grant has provided needed medical supplies and necessary training for our volunteer Fremont Search and Rescue members for a number of years, better equipping us to respond to emergencies in the backcountry.

"Without the generosity of the Sisters Fund the cost would have been prohibitive. What an infinite help this grant program has been to us!”

The timeline for the grant process is as follows: Application review: January 2021 Grant notification and recipient reception: February 2021 The grant application and guidelines can be found at www.stmfnd. org, or applicants can contact Debby Fowler, Director of Stewardship, St. Thomas More Health Foundation, at 719-649-0279 or email debbyfowler@ centura.org.

Grant applications may also be mailed to the St. Thomas More Health Foundation, Attn: Debby Fowler, 1338 Phay Ave., Canon City, CO 81212.

The legacy of St. Thomas More Hospital that started 82 years ago by the Benedictine Sisters of Yankton, S.D., continues today. When the Sisters were called back to South Dakota after their service in Cañon City, they left a community outreach endowment with the St. Thomas More Health Foundation.

Each year, with the interest earned from the Endowment, the Foundation is able to fund Fremont County community organizations

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from the Yankton Benedictine Sisters Fund.

It was their vision to continue serving our community long after they returned home to continue their service at the Sacred Heart Monastery.

ABOUT ST. THOMAS MORE HEALTH FOUNDATION St. Thomas More Health Foundation solicits gifts, grants and bequests that are appropriate to the needs of St. Thomas More Hospital. Assets are managed to maximize our financial resources within reasonable risk tolerance. Distributions of funds are in a manner that is consistent with the needs of the health care system and in compliance with donor restrictions. All expenses incurred by St. Thomas More Health Foundation are reimbursed by our sponsor, Catholic Health Initiatives. This means that 100% of all money raised is used toward the donors designated project.

For more information, please visit www.stmfnd.org.

ABOUT CENTURA HEALTH Centura Health connects individuals, families and neighborhoods across Colorado and western Kansas with more than 6,000 physicians and 21,000 of the best hearts and minds in health care. Through our 17 hospitals, two senior living communities, neighborhood health centers, physician practices and clinics, home care and hospice services, and Flight For Life® Colorado, our caregivers make the region’s best health care accessible.

We’re on a mission to build flourishing communities and whole person care.

We’re Centura Health, and we’re your dedicated health partner for life. For information on Centura Health or any of the facilities in our network, please visit the Centura Health website.

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 3

FINANCE

Trillion-Dollar Electric Vehicle Boom Isn't Just About Cars LONDON, Dec. 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Morgan Stanley recently raised their rating on Tesla for the first time in 3 years. Two weeks later and the stock has already smashed through their $540 price point, and it's still climbing. But the real news here isn't about Tesla, or even about EVs... it's much, much bigger than that. Mentioned in today's commentary includes: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: APPL), BlackRock (NYSE: BLK), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB).

What it means is this: It's not about EVs anymore …It's about tech, software, services, and limitless verticals. It's about an entire EV ecosystem.

"Tesla is on the verge of a profound model shift from selling cars to generating high margin, recurring software, and services revenue … To only value Tesla on car sales alone ignores the multiple businesses embedded within the company," Morgan Stanley's Adam Jonas wrote in a note to investors.

Just like $7-billion asset manager Blackrock got the sustainable investing megatrend before anyone else, crowning it the new king of Wall Street. Morgan Stanley gets the profoundly profitable future of the EV 'ecosystem'. And there's one EV tie-in stock out there right now that has a similar multiple

businesses platform … aiming for the upside of Tesla before Elon Musk defied the skeptics and proved everyone wrong, 1,000 times over.

The company is Facedrive (FD.V) , (FDVRF) and it's already got tieins to household names like utility giant Exelon, and more. It's on an upward trajectory because it ticks every single box for most investors right now: * It's got multiple verticals * It's entirely tech-driven * It has a tie-in to a series of multi-billion-dollar industries * It boasts an entire ecosystem of "sustainable" services to attract the billions in "ESG" money that's desperately looking for someplace to park itself Future Profit Is About Platforms, Not Products Apple (NASDAQ: APPL) isn't just about the iPhone. It's about services. That's already becoming crystal clear in its profit picture.

And where all future growth comes from. Tesla, as Morgan Stanley has bet the bank, isn't just about EVs. It's about batteries, energy storage, solar, and more. And while you can catch your first-ever carbon-offset ride with Facedrive (FD.V) (FDVRF) … this isn't a ride-hailing company.

It's a tech ecosystem with 6

tech-driven, ESG-focused verticals that all have fantastic growth potential. It's carbon-offset ride-hailing, food delivery, and pharma deliveries. It's accessible EV car subscriptions that plan to revolutionize the private transportation industry and change the way we feel about car ownership.

It's stand-alone COVID-19 contact tracing technology and wearables, which have already earned it a pilot deal with Air Canada.

It's tech-driven social distancing solutions that allow for connectivity at a critical time, which is why Facedrive's newly launched HiQ app has already hit over 2 million downloads. It's even tech-driven stay-at-home Tally Technology that gets fans re-engaged in Major League Sports … and could help Major League Sports, including the NFL, NBA and NHL find new paths to revenue. It's a tech-driven, sustainable way of life.

Even Global Heavyweights Are Betting Big On The ESG Trend BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) is the world's most important global investment manager. It has well over $7.4 trillion in assets under management, and clients in over 100 different countries. It has played a vital role in shifting investors' perspectives in the ESG field.

In 2017, BlackRock underwent a major shift in its investment strat-

egy, prioritizing stocks with high ESG ratings. BlackRock's focus on technology and sustainability has fueled the new trend in the marketplace, pushing even more investors to consciously consider where they put their money.

Blackrock's holdings speak for themselves. In fact, its top investments include sustainability giants like Apple, Microsoft, Google and Facebook. It's also a major shareholder in Tesla and Next Era Energy, two of the leading renewable-focused firms on the market.

Microsoft (MSFT) is one of the greenest Big Tech companies. It's is going above and beyond in its emissions goals. In fact, it's pushing so hard that it is aiming to be carbon NEGATIVE by 2030. That's a huge pledge. A feat that will not be an easy task for such a massive technology corporation. Additionally, Microsoft is has also pioneered new solutions to aid other companies in curbing their emissions as well.

Other tech giants are getting involved, as well. Both Facebook and Google have embarked on similar paths to Microsoft, with massive business-wide changes with the goal of becoming leaders in the sustainability space.

Page 4 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

Dec. 1: Jerk chicken sandwich w lettuce and tomato, cream of potato soup, coleslaw, apple Dec. 2: Meatballs w marinara, pasta, broccoli, ww roll, strawberries Dec. 3: Pork pot roast w onion celery, carrots, potato medley, orange Dec. 4: Crab cakes, broccoli cheddar rice, green bean almandine, applesauce, raisin nut cup Dec. 5: Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, peas, coleslaw, banana Dec. 6: Goulash, green beans, salad w dressing, ww bread, apple Dec. 7: Mushroom ravioli w marinara, broccoli, salad w dressing, diced pears, raisin nut cup Dec. 8: Chicken salad on croissant, tomato basil bisque, high fiber cookie, orange Dec. 9: Baked citrus ti-

lapia, lemon herb rice, mixed vegetables, coleslaw, tropical fruit, roll Dec. 10: Meatloaf w gravy, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, three bean salad, orange Dec. 11: Bratwurst, cabbage and carrots, potato salad, ww bread, banana, ww M&M cookies Dec. 12: Pork pot roast w onion celery, carrots, potato medley, orange Dec. 13: Crab cakes, broccoli cheddar rice, green bean almandine, applesauce, raisin nut cup Dec. 14: Chicken stir fry, peas, brown rice, Asian cabbage, slaw apple Dec. 15: Pepper steak, brown rice, lima beans, dinner roll, strawberries Dec. 16: BLT, black bean lentil soup, pasta vegetable salad, spiced peaches, sugar cookie

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Dec. 17: Baked ham, sweet potatoes, broccoli, ww bread, peaches Dec. 18: Breaded catfish, wild & brown rice, peas, spinach mandarin salad, banana Dec. 19: Meatballs w marinara, pasta, broccoli, ww roll, strawberries Dec. 20: Mushroom ravioli w marinara, broccoli, salad w dressing, diced pears, raisin nut cup Dec. 21: Sloppy Joe, carrots, coleslaw, pineapple, sugar cookie Dec. 22: Pork Carnitas w pepper, onion, cheese, sour cream, salsa, tortillas, corn, sw black beans, peaches Dec. 23: Tuna salad croissant, chickpea soup, sunflower broccoli salad, apple Dec. 24: Chicken chow mein, brown rice, Asian vegetables, pear, choc-

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olate chip cookie, raisin nut cup Dec. 25: Chef’s Choice | Closed | Happy Holidays Dec. 26: Meatloaf w gravy, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, three bean salad, orange Dec. 27: Chicken stir fry, peas, brown rice, Asian cabbage slaw, apple Dec. 28 Cod piccata, wild and brown rice, broccoli, mandarin orange, high fiber cookie Dec. 29: Chicken cacciatore, pasta, green beans, ww roll, diced pears Dec. 30: Beef fajita w peppers, onions, cheese, sour cream and salsa, tortillas, Spanish rice, sw black beans, strawberries.

Dec. 31: chicken pot pie w butter biscuit, lime beans, tossed salad w red wine vinaigrette dressing, pear

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 5

SRDA NOVEMBER 2020 CALENDAR Special information from Pueblo’s SRDA (Plus)

Recreation Department is currently CLOSED due to Covid - 19.

All information provided depends on when SRDA reopens, which includes Matter of Balance. Also, all outside activity start up, like AARP -Taxes and Driver Safety classes will be determined by their national office.

Senior's Shopping Time Scheduled

EDITOR'S NOTE: THe following article is rerunning because of the COVID-19 relief efforts.

MANY STORES IN the area are offering a separate time for senior only shopping to assist in keeping one of the most vulnerable populations protected from the spread of COVID-19.

At this time, information for senior only shopping is as follows: Albertson’s Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 – 9 AM Dollar General, 1245 Spruce Every day, 8 – 9 AM Dollar General, W. 18th Street Sundays, 8 – 9 AM Dollar General, 1502 Troy Every day, 8 –9 AM Dollar General, 609 Pueblo Boulevard Thursdays, 12 – 1 PM; All other days, 8 –9 AM Dollar General, 1610 Santa Fe Every day, 8 – 9 AM

Are you new to the Pueblo area?

Looking to make new friends?

Here’s the place to go!!!

230 N. Union Ave. Pueblo, CO 81001

Call us: 719-545-8900 Dollar General, 2417 Prairie Every day, 8 –9 AM King Soopers North and South Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7 – 9 AM LaGrees Every day, 8 – 10 AM Natural Grocers Sundays, 9 – 10 AM Safeway Southside and Pueblo West Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 – 9 AM

Everybody has a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in Pueblo Sam’s Club Thursdays, 7 – 9 AM Save-A-Lot Every day, 7 – 8 AM Target Every day, 8 – 9 AM Walmart; South, North, Pueblo West, Neighborhood Market Every day 6 -7 AM All public and media inquiries in Pueblo are answered through the local hotline at Pueblo’s Joint Information Center. Pueblo COVID-19 Hotline is answering questions 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday, 719-583-4444.

Everybody has a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in Pueblo by: ■ Minimize social activities and

being physically close to other people.

■ Do not go to the emergency room unless medically necessary.

■ Wash your hands with soap regularly.

■ Cough or sneeze into elbow or tissue.

■ Stay home when you’re sick.

■ Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

Avoid close contact with sick people.

■ Clean surfaces frequently touched.

Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment encourages residents to seek out credible, reliable sources of information on COVID-19: www.puebloemergency.info Pueblo’s COVID-19 Hotline 719-583-4444.

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Page 6 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

‘LIGHT FOR THE JOURNEY’

JAN MCLAUGHLIN

Director of Prayer for Prisoners International

GOD IS SIFTING! ARE YOU CHAFF OR WHEAT?

T

he wonder of Christmas continues to amaze me. Sweet aromas of baking cookies and sweet breads,

carols proclaiming the newborn King, homes glittering with multicolored lights and joy bubbling from my heart. What a remarkable season. A glistening skift of new snow adds depth and beauty to the spell cast by the Christmas collage.

Admittedly, this season is different than any other we have known. The world is in chaos. National leaders tremble. God is surely up to something. And when God is up to something, we can expect a shaking. If you are like most Christians at this point, you agree the world needs shaking, especially in our political arena. Shaking is occurring now and will be much worse before issues settle. Yet we are to continue to trust in our God who is much bigger than anything the enemy can bring. He is still on the throne. He will have his way and what He says, He will do!

Confidence rises from reading Scriptures relating how kings and government heavyweights were taken down by force because of their wicked regimes. God will allow this wickedness to go so far and then His fist comes down. Do you sense that His fist is poised to come down? For nearly four years the world has watched as wicked mandates have been removed and replaced with godly concern for the American people, for babies and business owners. Christian prayer warriors are fasting and praying fervently that good will prevail over evil. We are truly in a war of good against evil. Pray. Fast. Never give up.

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

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and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV). Do any of these things sound familiar to you. Are you reading them in the daily paper or seeing on mainstream media? A candidate who promises to legalize prostitution! Constant lies from people who should be telling the American people the truth. Plans to destroy and burn cities if their favored candidate is not elected. Antifa and BLM rushing to murder, rob, burn and destroy. False witnesses in places of influence. Think of the media. How about the unbelievable division that has been spurned by government officials in high places? The heavyweights mentioned earlier. They exploited the common man in Biblical days and continue to plague the populace today.

Are you standing for truth? Are you spending time in prayer? Fasting? Persecution comes when a Christian takes a courageous stand against evil. Much of that is happening today when we stand against ungodly political and social agendas, abortion on demand, a liberal political candidate, or a company that is promoting an evil agenda contrary to godly values. Persecution often comes from family members. The enemy threatens and tries to intimidate. Take courage. God will not be mocked. Your stand for righteousness may be the only resistance which will prevent a loved one from falling into the devil’s camp. Your light, the light of Christ in you, may be offensive for someone who wants your approval for their sin. Stand firm. If you concede, your light will dim and in time, go out. Don’t fall for the enemy’s tricks.

Parents often buckle to a child’s desire for parental approval of their sinful lifestyle. The parent fears losing a relationship with that child. However, this is the question. Is the child’s relationship with you more important than their relationship with Jesus? Your relationship is temporal. A relationship with Jesus is eternal. Think of the alternative.

Your firm stand may be what God will use to cause that child to run into His arms for salvation.

I agree. This is a strange end to a Christmas message. Yet, it is a Christmas message. A message of new life in Christ even for those ones you believe are too far from Him to ever return. A message of hope and restoration for your relationship with a Father who loves you dearly. A message of hope for our country that is falling into the abyss. It is never too late. A message that says God’s love is greater than the circumstances we face. Whether it is in the political,

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 7

NEWS

The Gift “Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift (Jesus).” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Have you had the opportunity to receive the gift that God freely offers today? Have you received

His gift of salvation, and the gift of love that can be Does it bring joy to you when you receive a gift? yours? If not, this is the perfect time to do so. This has It certainly does to me.

I have been very blessed to been a difficult season for many in our world, but I have been given many gifts in my can honestly tell you from experience that His love lifetime; the gift of Jesus, the gift of parents, as well as brothers. can help you even in the most trying of times.

The gifts of a husband, children, grandchildren, a great grandchild, other family members and friends. doctors alone, but on the One who young woman who gave birth to I have also been given the oploved me and my child the most. her first-born son. portunity to serve my fellowman, The technology 64 years ago was That Son was to become the which is a gift. not what it is today, and I was told greatest Gift of all.

As I look back over the years and there was no hope for my baby.

That little baby, born in a manger, remember the special gifts that Moreover, I was told that to con- grew up to be the Savior that lived were given to me, I think of one of those gifts that remains vivid in my tinue the pregnancy would put my and died for the sins of the world. life in jeopardy as well.

Such an awesome gift makes not memory.

But my faith did not waver. only Christmas a very special day, I was pregnant with my first child While in the bed/hospital for but every other day as well. and was experiencing a very diffimonths, waiting for my son to be My first born is married, the facult pregnancy. born, I continued to trust in God to ther of two wonderful children and It soon became clear that I was bring us both through this difficult continues to be a special blessing to losing my first born. time. me today.

The doctors, family and friends As my little three-pound baby While my son was a special gift to began to prepare me for the loss of boy was taken from my womb by me and my family, the greater Gift my child, however, my trust and hope was not dependent on the c-section, I thought about another to all of us is Jesus.

Have you had the opportunity to receive the gift that God freely offers today?

Have you received His gift of salvation, and the gift of love that can be yours?

If not, this is the perfect time to do so.

This has been a difficult season for many in our world, but I can honestly tell you from experience that His love can help you even in the most trying of times.

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Have a blessed Christmas, enjoy your family and friends, and remember the Greatest Gift of all is there for you.

Kay Owen-Larson

Page 8 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

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NEWS OF THE WEIRD

SPECIAL TO THE SENIOR BEACON FROM THE EDITORS OF ANDREWS MCMEEL Creme de la Weird The Design Museum in London has included a "DIY meal kit" featuring steaks that could be grown from a diner's own human cells among the nominees in its Beazley Designs of the Year exhibit. Developers of the Ouroboros Steak envision that an individual will be able to harvest cells from their own cheek and feed them with serum derived from donated blood that has expired, Dezeen reported. After about three months, the steaks would be fully grown.

"People think that eating oneself is cannibalism, which technically this is not," said Grace Knight, one of the designers. Researcher Orkan Telhan added, "Our design is scientifically and economically feasible but also ironic in many ways," he added. [Dezeen, 11/13/2020] Inexplicable Officers from Utah's Department of Public Safety were helping the Division of Wildlife Resources count bighorn sheep from a helicopter on Nov. 18 when a shiny object in the desert landscape caught their eye. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, turn around, turn around," one of the biologists shouted, according to pilot Bret Hutchings. KSL reported the crew landed and found a 10-

to-12-foot-high silver monolith planted in the ground and tucked into a red-rock cove. After joking about extraterrestrials, the crew decided it looked manmade and took pictures, chalking it up to "some new wave artist ... a big '2001: A Space Odyssey' fan," Hutchings mused. [KSL, 11/21/2020] Collateral Damage Police in Corvallis, Oregon, said Dylan Milota was high on marijuana when he crashed the 2019 Tesla S he was driving at more than 100 mph into a utility pole on Nov. 17, breaking the pole and spraying hundreds of small batteries through the windows of two nearby residences. One landed on a bed, starting a fire in the bedsheets, KMTR reported. A tire from the car struck the second story of a nearby apartment building so forcefully it broke water pipes inside the wall, destroying the bathroom on the other side and causing flooding in the lower level, police said. Citizens were warned not to pick up any stray batteries, which can stay hot for up to 24 hours and release toxic fumes. Milota fled on foot but was quickly apprehended and charged with various offenses.

[KMTR, 11/19/2020]

News You Can Use -- College student Benjamin LaRose of Millis, Massachusetts, is recovering from third-degree burns he suffered at an outdoor party with friends this fall when someone used hand sanitizer as an accelerant in the fire pit they were gathered around, Boston25 reported. "It was rather sudden how quick it reacted," LaRose said, "very much like napalm," catching his leg and shorts on fire and requiring skin grafts to treat the burns. LaRose's pediatrician, Dr. Lester Hartman, warned of the dangers of using hand sanitizer and then being exposed to open flames: "Alcohol is very volatile and explosive ... and people that are doing a barbecue or even lighting a cigarette or lighting a candle" need to let the alcohol evaporate first. Or, experts say, use soap and water. [Boston25, 10/5/2020] -- "Do not let moose lick your car," say the flashing electronic signs along roads in Jasper (Alberta) National Park, where park spokesman Steve Young told CNN: "(Moose are) obsessed with salt. ...

They usually get it from salt lakes in the park, but now they realized they can also get road salt that splashes onto cars." Officials say if moose become accustomed to

licking cars, they'll lose their fear of vehicles, putting the animals in danger. In Jasper, where drivers often stop to get photos of the moose, officials recommend driving away if the animals start to approach.

[CNN, 11/22/2020] Awesome!

Josua Hutagalung, 33, was working outside his home in Sumatra in August when he got a surprise delivery: A meteorite crashed through his roof and landed outside. "When I lifted it, the stone was still warm, and I brought it into the house," the coffin-maker told local media.

United Press International reported the 4.5-pound meteorite was a rare variety, valued by experts at almost $1.9 million, which attracted American expert Jared Collins, who paid more than $1 million for the rock. "I have also always wanted a daughter," Hutagalung said, "and I hope this is a sign that I will be lucky enough now to have one." He also plans to donate some of the funds to his local church's new building project. [United Press International, 11/18/2020] Compelling Explanations French police in Lannion, Brittany, became suspicious when they spotted a man lurking near a

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 9

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

SPECIAL TO THE SENIOR BEACON FROM THE EDITORS OF ANDREWS MCMEEL parked car at a time when France's COVID-19 lockdown rules required him to be at home on Nov. 20. Upon questioning, the 39-yearold unnamed man produced the legally required "attestation," including his full name, the time he left home and his written-in reason for being out: to "smash a guy's face in." Local police chief Daniel Kerdraon said, "He was trying to fulfill the letter of the law, in his own way," The Guardian reported, "but we told him his reason for going out was not valid." He was fined not only for violating the curfew but also for being drunk in public. [The Guardian, 11/23/2020] Bright Idea Matthew Piercey, 44, has been indicted on 31 federal felony

counts related to a suspected Ponzi scheme, but when FBI agents tried to arrest him in Redding, California, on Nov. 16, he took off, authorities said. NBC News reported agents followed him to Lake Shasta, where Piercey pulled a $1,200 Yamaha 350LI Seascooter out of his vehicle, then disappeared into the frigid water, spending about 25 minutes "out of sight underwater where law enforcement could only see bubbles," Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hales wrote in court papers. The agents waited him out and arrested him when he resurfaced. Piercey faces up to 20 year in prison if convicted. [NBC News, 11/17/2020] The Way the World Works Evidence of election rigging in

SRDA MONTHLY MENU ABOUT THE MENU ● Nutrition Services (Congregate) Eligibility Policy: Individuals are eligible to participate in the congregate meals service in one of the categories listed in this below: Persons 60 years of age or older and their self-declared spouses of any age; Disabled persons under 60 years of age who reside with persons over 60 years of age, when the care and maintenance of the disabled person otherwise prevents the older adult from participating in the program and when the participation of such individuals does not prevent the participation of older adults and their spouses. The disabled person must accompany the eligible older consumer to the site; Disabled persons under 60 years of age who reside in housing facilities occupied primarily by older adults and at which congregate nutrition services are provided when such participation does not prevent the participation of older adults and their spouse Persons under 60 years of age who provide meal related volunteer services and individuals providing volunteer services at congregate meal sites during meal hours when the participation of such individuals does not prevent the participation of older

New Zealand's Bird of the Year competition has set organizers all atwitter, NPR reported. Officials at Forest & Bird, a conservation organization, noticed that more than 1,500 votes in the annual event had come from one email address on Nov. 9, all in favor of the spotted kiwi. "That is an amazing bird," spokeswoman Laura Keown said, "but ... these votes had to be disallowed, and they've been taken out of the competition." The disqualification cleared the way for the competition's eventual winner: the kakapo, or moss chicken, a rare nocturnal bird and the world's only flightless parrot. [NPR, 11/14/2020] Signs of the Times -- Alexios Gerakis, 37, a candlemaker in Thessaloniki, Greece, has

NOTE: Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), meal sites are closed. Meals-on-Wheels is still open

adults and their spouses; and Staff members of the nutrition program who are 60 years of age or older when such participation does not prevent the participation of other older

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updated his Santa Claus candles for 2020 with blue surgical masks covering the big elf 's beard. "Because of the times, we are trying to convey a message that health comes first, then everything else," Gerakis told Reuters Television. His snowmen candles also sport masks.

[Reuters, 11/18/2020] -- And in Lajosmizse, Hungary, confectioner Laszlo Rimoczi can't keep up with the orders after he added tiny marzipan surgical masks to his chocolate Santas. He has simplified the design, Reuters reported, and has increased production to about 100 Santas a day in his rural workshop. Father Christmas "will have to wear a mask because Santa has to show a good example to people," Rimoczi said. [Reuters, 11/21/2020]

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Page 10 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

ANN COULTER

Columnist, author and lawyer

GEE, WHY CAN’T TRUMP ACCEPT DEFEAT LIKE THE DEMOCRATS? IN 1980, DEMOCRATIC Presi-

dent Jimmy Carter lost in a landslide to Ronald Reagan, 489-49 in the Electoral College. So naturally, Democrats concluded that Reagan had committed treason in order to steal the election, to wit: His cam-

paign had conspired with Iranian ayatollahs to prevent 52 American hostages from being released until after the election.

And who can blame them? Carter’s economic policies had produced a 21% interest rate, a 17% mortgage rate and a 15% inflation rate in the coveted “hat trick” of presidential incompetence. His brilliant strategic ploy of abandoning the Shah of Iran had led to a 154% spike in oil prices and Islamic lunatics seizing our embassy and holding Americans hostage in Tehran, where they remained for 444 days, until Carter was safely removed from office.

With all that going for them — plus that old Mondale magic –Democrats were dumbstruck that they lost the 1980 election. What other than a dirty trick could explain it?

The Democrats’ theory was that a month before the election, members of Reagan’s campaign had clandestinely met with representatives of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Paris and offered to sell him weap-

ons in exchange for a promise not to release the hostages, thus denying Carter a huge election eve triumph.

In other words, liberals believed the Islamo-fascist cutthroats who had been toying with Carter like a cat with a ball of yarn wanted Carter replaced by someone stronger, like Reagan. How else to explain the fact that, minutes after Reagan’s inauguration, the hostages were released?

A more plausible theory was given in a Jeff MacNelly cartoon showing Khomeini reading a telegram aloud: “It’s from Ronald Reagan. It must be about one of the Americans in the Den of Spies, but I don’t recognize the name. It says ‘Remember Hiroshima.’”

The lunatics behind the “October Surprise” conspiracy theory might have spent their days in obscurity, talking to super-computers of the future — as one theorist claimed she did — except that, after a decade of periodic eruptions in in disreputable publications like The New York Times (Flora Lewis, August 1987), The Nation (Christopher Hitchens, July 1987), and Playboy magazine (September 1988), the Times began flogging the story in 1991, beginning with a lengthy op-ed by Columbia University professor Gary Sick.

Sick had been President Carter’s principal aide on Iran during the hostage crisis, which would be like being FDR’s chief adviser on “sneak attacks” in December 1941. Columbia hired Sick as a professor, apparently unable to find Carter’s aide in charge of gas prices.

Soon, other news outlets such as PBS’s “Frontline” and ABC’s “Nightline” began treating crazies howling at the moon as if they were serious intel sources. Carter himself called for a “blue-ribbon” commission to investigate, saying, “it’s almost nauseating to think that this could be true.” (Which is ironic because that was my reaction, word for word, upon learning that Carter had been elected president.)

The theory that Reagan had

arranged to keep our hostages in captivity until after the election was originally hatched by Lyndon LaRouche, the second-most ridiculous person named “Lyndon” to ever run for president.

One of the key American “witnesses” to the conspiracy — and Hitchens’ main source — was paranormal expert Barbara Honegger, who said she heard voices from the future and that satellites were directed to part the clouds during Reagan’s inauguration so that the sun would shine only on him. Years later, Honegger promoted the theory that clocks stopped at the Pentagon at 9:32 a.m. on 9/11, proving that the plane could not have hit at 9:37.

So she was a credible source.

Another major player was fake CIA agent Richard Brenneke, who was about to be fired from his lucrative job with a left-wing think tank for failing to substantiate a different conspiracy theory: that Vice President Bush was running an Israeli-backed drugs-for-arms operation in Central America. To stave off his firing, Brenneke suddenly remembered that not only had he heard of the October Surprise, he had been there! A LaRouchite confirmed that he had seen Brenneke at the meeting — something Brenneke himself had not remembered until that very moment.

One by one, each of the Reagan campaign aides allegedly at the imaginary Paris meeting had their precise locations proved for nearly every minute of the crucial dates of Oct. 17-19, when the sources claimed the secret meeting had taken place.

Then it turned out Brenneke wasn’t at the nonexistent meeting, either. Signed credit card receipts proved he was at a Star Trek convention in Seattle on Oct. 17-19. Just kidding! It was a martial-arts tournament.

These were among the nuts behind the “October surprise” fable pushed by the major media and the Democratic Party for more than a decade after Reagan’s trouncing of Carter in 1980. Democratic-led congressional committees spent millions of dollars investigating the nutzo conspiracy theory, eventually concluding there was nothing to it, which I could have told them for say, $300,000.

At the conclusion of the House’s investigation, Rep. Lee Hamilton, the House Democrat who had chaired the October Surprise Task Force, wrote an op-ed in The New York Times, saying: “The task force report concluded there was virtually no credible evidence to support the accusations.”

On the same day, the Times published a rebuttal op-ed by Gary Sick.

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 11

NEWS

Commissioner Honored as a Top Aging Influencer ANDREW SAUL, Commissioner of Social Security, recently received an honor as a 2020 Influencer in Aging by PBS’s Next Avenue, a digital publication dedicated to covering issues for people 50 and older.

The list honors advocates, researchers, and thought leaders who are changing how people collectively age and think about aging.

Commissioner Saul earned the distinction for being an innovative leader and making customer service his top priority since his confirmation in 2019.

“When I came in, the first thing I did was make it very clear that our job at the agency, meaning the whole team, was to serve the public. Customer service is the most important feature--that's the mojo here, and that's what we are dedicated to do,” said Commissioner Saul.

“The global pandemic has changed the way we do business, and I think it will be changed forever. We must provide the public with additional online, remote service, and self-service options that we all expect from organizations today.”

The agency has made tremendous progress in improving service delivery, despite the unprecedented times. Commissioner Saul has led the agency to significantly reduce the wait time for a disability hear-

ing, offer remote hearings via video or telephone, hire new employees, improve staff training, and streamline workflows and communications. His full interview with Next Avenue is available at www.nextavenue.org/for-social-securitys-chiefandrew-saul-customer-service-isjob-1/.

During his interview, Commissioner Saul highlighted two topics that are especially relevant during the COVID pandemic and holiday season: scam calls and Social Security’s online services.

Social Security continues to raise public awareness, particularly during the holiday season, about telephone impersonation schemes.

These calls include scammers pretending to be government employees or requesting cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for purported Social Security number problems. The agency urges the public to remain vigilant, hang up on these fraudsters, and report the call to Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa. gov.

A safe and secure way to conduct business with Social Security is through the agency’s website, where people can create their my Social Security account, a personalized online service.

Through a personal my Social Security account, people can re-

quest a replacement Social Security card, check their Social Security Statement, apply for benefits, manage their benefits, and more. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount for more information.

Agency employees continue to work remotely to provide the vital services the public relies on through online services and phone services, and offices are not able to accept in-person visitors at this time, except by appointment for dire need situations, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Please visit www.socialsecurity. gov/coronavirus for more information about services during the pandemic.

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Page 12 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 13

FOR A HEALTHIER YOU Help Older Relatives Enjoy the Holidays MANY PEOPLE ARE filled with joyful anticipation and festive good cheer right now. But some are apprehensive and may also experience heightened feelings of loneliness as Christmas approaches. Or perhaps they feel empty LISA M. PETSCHE Medical social worker inside. and freelance writer This type of reaction is commonly referred to as the holiday blues.

Older adults are particularly susceptible because they’re more likely to experience losses, such as a spouse or other companion, a long-time home, financial security, health and physical functioning and the independence associated with it. As a result, they’re not able to celebrate the holidays the way they always have.

Feelings of grief may include sadness, frustration, anger, anxiety,

or guilt—emotions that sap energy and create stress.

Fortunately, relatives can do many things to help seniors in this situation experience enjoyment during the holiday season.

If you have a family member who is widowed or living with illness or disability, read on for some ways to lift their spirits and lighten their load.

Addressing Stress Bake extra holiday treats to share with your relative.

Offer to help decorate, wrap gifts, address greeting cards and take them to the post office or perform other holiday-related tasks.

Take your relative out to the mall for gift shopping and lunch. Arrange accessible transportation if necessary.

Let them know when you are heading out to the grocery store or on other errands, and ask what you can drop off or pick up to make things easier.

If they don’t drive, offer transportation, so they can get to a hair

◀ FROM MEDICARE, PAGE 1

our revised criteria, we are adding an additional 267 surgical procedures to the ASC CPL beginning January 1, 2021. Finally, we are adopting a notification process for surgical procedures the public believes can be added to the ASC CPL under the criteria we are retaining.

CMS is announcing that it will continue its policy of paying for 340B-acquired drugs at Average Sales Price (ASP) minus 22.5% after the July 31, 2020 decision of the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholding the current policy. This policy lowers out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries by letting them share in the discount that hospitals receive under the 340B program. Since this policy went into effect in 2018, Medicare beneficiaries have saved nearly $1 billion on drug costs, with expected Medicare beneficiary drug cost savings of over $300 million in CY 2021.

As part of the agency’s Patients Over Paperwork Initiative, which is aimed at reducing burden for healthcare providers, CMS is establishing a simple updated methodology to calculate the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating (Overall Star Rating). The Overall Star Rating summarizes a variety of quality measures published on the Medicare. gov Care Compare tool (the successor to Hospital Compare) for common conditions that hospitals treat, such as heart attacks or pneumonia. Along

with publicly reported data on Care Compare, the Overall Star Rating helps patients make better-informed healthcare decisions. Veterans Health Administration hospitals will be added to CMS’ Care Compare, which will help veterans understand hospital quality within the VA system. Overall, these changes will reduce provider burden, improve the predictability of the star ratings, and make it easier for patients to compare ratings between similar hospitals.

In response to stakeholder feedback about the current methodology used to calculate the Overall Star Rating, CMS is not finalizing its proposal to stratify readmission measures under the new methodology based on dually eligible patients, but will continue to study the issue to find the best way to convey quality of care for this vulnerable population.

Finally, in order to address the ongoing public health emergency, CMS is finalizing a new requirement for the nation’s 6,200 hospitals and critical access hospitals to report information about their inventory of therapeutics to treat COVID-19. This reporting will provide the information needed to track and accurately allocate therapeutics to the hospitals that need additional inventory to care for patients and meet surge needs.

appointment, do banking or attend a holiday event.

Giving Gifts Resist the urge to go overboard with gifting, so your relative doesn’t feel the need to reciprocate.

Ask, rather than guess, what kind of gifts your relative would prefer.

Practical presents, such as grocery store or pharmacy gift cards, toiletries, clothing, home safety equipment, and adaptive aids, may be most appreciated.

Consider, too, gifts of time and talent. Create a book of IOUs for home-cooked meals, baked goods, household chores or repairs, yard work, chauffeuring, running errands, or teaching a skill such as computers.

Planning Ahead Be prepared to modify or forego traditions that aren’t practical for your relative. It may be time to start a new ritual. Brainstorm ideas with other family members.

Be sensitive to your relative’s healthcare needs when considering the time period for a family event.

Before deciding on an event location, consider your relative’s environmental needs, including accessibility and safety.

Stay Connected Here are some ideas for spending quality time together and creating lasting memories.

Invite your relative over for a baking or decorating party or a holiday movie viewing.

Go on a holiday light tour, followed by coffee and dessert.

Invite them to share recipes for special dishes or sweets. Offer to coordinate a cooking or baking demonstration. Even if they’re not physically able to participate, they can provide instruction and supervision.

If applicable, invite your relative to join you at a worship service.

Encourage them to reminisce about holidays from their youth.

Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior health matters.

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Page 14 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

FREMONT COUNTY/SALIDA MENUS GAC ● Dec. 1: Swedish meatball, whipped potatoes w gravy, chopped spinach, orange, bran muffin ● Dec. 2: Arroz con pollo, corn and zucchini, Mexicana, tossed salad, apricot, ww bread ● Dec. 3: Swiss broccoli pasta, 5-way vegetables, tossed salad w lite ranch, banana, Mitzie’s ww roll ● Dec. 4: Meatloaf, brown gravy, roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned brussels sprouts, tossed salad, pineapple tidbits, ww bread ● Dec. 7: BBQ chicken, potato salad w mandarin oranges, apple, ww roll w butter ● Dec. 8: Sloppy Joe on a bun, scalloped potatoes, broccoli and carrots, apple ● Dec. 9: Ham and Beans, collard greens, cornbread, orange juice ● Dec. 10: Turkey tetrazzini, Italian green beans, strawberry, applesauce, chocolate chip cookie, ww bread w butter ● Dec. 11: Lemon baked fish, scalloped potatoes, spinach salad w mandarin oranges, banana, ww bread w butter ● Dec. 14: Enchilada pie, refried beans, tortilla chips w salsa, clementine ● Dec. 15: Stewed chicken w olives, Greek spinach rice, salata, parslied carrots, orange, raisin nut cup ● Dec. 16: Tuna noodle casserole, mixed vegetables, sliced zucchini squash, sliced peaches, ww bread w butter

● Dec. 17: Roast pork w gravy, oven browned potatoes, brown gravy, spinach mandarin salad, parslied carrots ● Dec. 18: Bratwurst on a bun w onion and cabbage, oven browned potatoes, peas and carrots, orange ● Dec. 21: Pork chow mein, steamed brown rice, cabbage w red pepper, banana, fortune cookie, ww bread w butter ● Dec. 22: Combination burrito, salsa, lettuce, tomato, cilantro lime rice, refried beans, citrus cup ● Dec. 23: Roast turkey w gravy, smashed red potatoes, squash, cream of spinach soup, Mitzie’s ww rolls, orange ● Dec. 24: Closed for Christmas Eve ● Dec. 25: Closed for Christmas ● Dec. 28: Baked potato, broccoli w cheese sauce, tossed salad w lite French, peaches, fruit cocktail, drop biscuit w butter ● Dec. 29: Chili con carne, steamed broccoli, cornbread, trail mix w nuts and raisins, apple ● Dec. 30: Spaghetti w meat sauce, salad w lite Italian, seasoned green beans, orange, ww bread w butter ● Dec. 31: Chicken fried steak, cream gravy, smashed red potatoes, California mixed vegetables, apple, ww dinner roll SALIDA ● Dec. 1: Pork chow mein, steamed brown rice, cabbage w red pepper, banana, fortune

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cookie, ww bread w butter ● Dec. 3: Swiss broccoli pasta, 5-way vegetables, tossed salad w lite ranch, banana, Mitzie’s ww rolls ● Dec. 4: Meatloaf, brown gravy, roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned brussel sprouts, pineapple tidbits, ww bread ● Dec. 8: Sloppy Joe on a bun, scalloped potatoes, broccoli and carrots, apple ● Dec. 10: Turkey tetrazzini, Italian green beans, strawberry applesauce, chocolate chip cookie, ww bread w butter ● Dec. 11: Lemon baked fish, scalloped potatoes, spinach salad w mandarin oranges, banana, ww bread w butter ● Dec. 15: Chili con carne, ww crackers, cut broccoli, raisin nut cup, apple, cornbread w butter ● Dec. 17: Roast pork w gravy, oven browned potatoes, brown gravy, spinach mandarin salad, parslied carrots ● Dec. 18: Bratwurst on a bun w onion and cabbage, oven browned potatoes, peas and carrots, orange Dec. 22: Roast turkey w gravy, smashed red potatoes, squash, cream of spinach soup, mitzie’s ww rolls, orange ● Dec. 24: Closed for Christmas Eve ● Dec. 25: Closed for Christmas ● Dec. 29: White bean chicken chili, spinach salad w lite Italian, cornbread, orange juice ● Dec. 31: Chicken fried steak, cream gravy, smashed red potatoes, California mixed vegetables, apple, ww dinner roll FLORENCE

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● Dec. 1: Corned beef dinner, new potatoes, cabbage and carrots, spinach salad w mandarin oranges, apple ● Dec. 3: Swiss broccoli pasta, 5-way vegetables, tossed salad w lite ranch, banana, Mitzie’s ww rolls ● Dec. 4: Meatloaf, brown gravy, roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned brussels sprouts, tossed salad, pineapple tidbits, ww bread ● Dec. 8: Swedish meatballs, whipped potatoes w beef gravy, chopped spinach, orange, bran muffin ● Dec. 10: Turkey tetrazzini, Italian green beans, strawberry applesauce, chocolate chip cookie, ww bread w butter ● Dec. 11: Lemon baked fish, scalloped potatoes, spinach salad w mandarin oranges, banana, ww bread w butter ● Dec. 15: Chili relleno bake, corn and zucchini Mexicana, ww tortilla w salsa, tossed salad w lemon wedge, peaches ● Dec. 17: Roast pork w gravy, oven browned potatoes, brown gravy, spinach mandarin salad, parslied carrots ● Dec. 18: Bratwurst on a Bun w onions and cabbage, oven browned potatoes, peas and carrots, orange ● Dec. 22: Roast turkey w gravy, smashed red potatoes, squash, cream of spinach soup, Mitzie’s ww rolls, orange ● Dec. 24: Closed for Christmas Eve ● Dec. 25: Closed for Christmas ● Dec. 29: Turkey pot pie, broccoli spears, tossed salad w French, drop biscuits, chilled apricots

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 15

SENIOR SAFETY

PUEBLO POLICE DEPARTMENT — 549-1200 | PUEBLO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE — 583-6125 | EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE — 520-7100 | COLORADO SPRINGS POLICE DEPT. — 444-7000 | FREMONT COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPT. — 784-3411 | CANON CITY POLICE DEPT. — 276-5600

WEARING A MASK WON’T CURE “UNHEALTHY” PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE MAKING ANY HEALTH CHANGES.

ARE YOU like everyone else in the world--concerned about COVID? Then you should also be equally concerned about proactively doing something about your own health. Underlying comorbidities are the widely believed cause of COVID death.

Number one among these is being over-nourished, that is, overweight.

Here's a few tips to help you navigate these trying health times.

1. GET IN SHAPE If you haven’t already, get a wearable. It could be a Fitbit, Apple or Samsung smart watch, or other device. Many of these will track your steps, tell you to stand up if you’ve been sitting too long, track workouts, and sync with other health apps on your phone.

These wearables will alert you with “haptics” or a gentle vibration.

Having you been sitting for over an hour? The Apple Watch will gently nudge you with a haptic alert and tell you to get up and move about.

As a bonus, many of these will also monitor your sleep, ensuring a healthy amount of immune-boosting rest.

Create a get-in-shape plan with your doctor and include family and friends on walks, yoga workouts, and weight exercises.

2. REVIEW YOUR VITAMINS To our limited knowledge here at the Senior Beacon, we’re aware of at least two medical protocols that have been proven to both enhance immunity and effectively fight COVID. Both protocols involve various vitamins and minerals, including D, C, and zinc, among others. A

14-page link to one of these is on our website under “Breaking News” and titled “Demand This From Your Doctor!”

3. IMPROVE YOUR DIET When is it a bad time to improve your diet? You can get many healthy, immune-building components from the food you eat. The CDC mentions, “certain vitamins and minerals (e.g., Vitamins C and D, zinc) may have effects on how our immune system works to fight off infections, as well as inflammation and swelling.”

They also say “the best way to obtain these nutrients is through foods: Vitamin C in fruits and vegetables, Vitamin D in low-fat milk, fortified milk alternatives, and seafood, and zinc in lean meat, seafood, legumes, nuts, and seeds.”

Now’s the time to shape up that diet.

4. GET THE FACTS We’re putting up, on the SeniorBeacon. info website, a 29-page white paper from a courageous and bold doctor. This educated pro was blacked-out and censored by the media and tech industry (her website was arbitrarily taken down). She has actually written a book on her recent experience, which is available on Amazon. com. Her name is Dr. Simone Gold.

Why was she censored? She dared to educate the public on a cheap, non-$3,000 COVID treatment that is both highly effective and safe for the majority of people.

Do you know more than this practicing doctor? Could you learn absolutely nothing from 29-pages of well-researched, factual information? Go visit our website to download it for free.

Also, take a look at Dr. Gold’s site: PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE MAKING ANY HEALTH CHANGES.

AmericasFrontlineDoctors.com Please remember that, whether it’s five months from now or five years from now, this publication and the above doctors were willing to stick their necks out to

get you useful, unpopular, and censored information to enhance your health. When others were silent or silenced we spoke out for your benefit.

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Page 16 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

REELING

BETTY JO KEEPS AN OPEN MIND TO NETFLIX REMAKE OF A FAVORITE FILMMAKER ALFRED HITCHCOCK STRIKES AGAIN BETTY JO TUCKER Pueblo award winning film critic

F

ull disclosure: I am a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock’s REBECCA, which was released in 1940 and won an Oscar for best picture that year. It made a strong and lasting impression on me.

In fact, when my husband Larry and I moved into a new home back in the late 1990s, we named it Manderlarry even though our abode was a two-bedroom house and nothing like Manderley, the massive Gothic mansion in Hitchcock’s masterpiece.

So you can understand why I was leery of watching Netflix’s new “Rebecca,” directed by Ben Wheatley. How does this latest movie version of Daphne du Maurier’s celebrated novel stack up? I will try to give a fair com-

parison.

First, the casting of Lily James as our shy heroine and Armie Hammer as Max de Winter, the wealthy widower she weds, makes sense. They are both quite watchable. They look great together, even more so than Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier. However, their chemistry with each other fails to sparkle. And Kristen Scott Thomas evokes chills as the sinister housekeeper. But she doesn’t match 1940’s Judith Anderson for gravitas.

Next, what about the cinematography? This new version goes from bright colorful scenes in Monte Carlo, where the two leads meet and wed, to the dark shadows of the Manderley manor house in England. Not surprisingly, the black-and-white cinematography of 1940’s “Rebecca” comes across more emotionally effective than the new film’s muted colors during many scenes there.

Third, splendid period costumes help viewers get a feel for the era in question while watching both movies.

But Joan Fontaine’s gorgeous white gown overpowers Lily James’ lovely red one in the crucial ball sequence that ends up being the most memorable scene in both films.

Finally, the compelling plot moves along with a necessary slow pace allowing viewers time to realize the late Rebecca’s tremendous influence over Manderley and how that makes the second wife feel diminished in each offering. Too bad the last part of the film seems rushed in both versions.

The 2020” Rebecca footage looks almost like it should be in a different motion picture entirely. And it packs too much into the mix.

Of Manderley a dream creeps in.

She sees that mansion once again.

A place where she feels unwanted She’s quite ashamed to be a dud.

Why should she feel so bad this way?

Husband’s first wife might still hold sway.

Although Rebecca died, she seems always there with ghostly schemes.

Could it be housekeeper Danvers?

She’s filled with hate and maybe worse.

Rebecca left a legacy.

It’s one that reeks of mystery.

Hitchcock’s version wins out, I claim.

The master still retains his fame.

Yet this new movie should be seen.

What a story! It’s always keen.

(The 2020 “Rebecca” is available on Netflix and rated “PG-13” by MPAA.)

◀ FROM SIFTING, PAGE 6 financial, familial, or physical, His message is whatever you ask in prayer, believing, He hears and will answer. “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well. . .” (Mark 11:23-25 Berean Study Bible).

© December 2020 Jan McLaughlin… e-mail: Jansmail@reagan.com.

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 17

THE WELL-DRESSED GARDEN

Environmentally Smart Gardening CLIMATE CHANGE IS a worldwide reality -- a matter not just of warming temperatures and shifting patterns of precipitation, but of broad environmental transformations -- and it is MARTY ROSS also happening Freelance garden right in our journalist and own backsyndicated gardening columnist yards. Smart gardening practices can help reduce its impact without compromising the pleasures of a beautiful garden.

You really don't have to give anything up to become a more effective steward of the environment on your own property. You can still grow flowers, fruits and vegetables and have family picnics on the patio -- in fact, you may enjoy these pleasures even more because climate-sensitive gardens conserve time, energy and money. Instead of mowing the lawn, dragging hoses around and fighting insect pests with expensive chemicals, you'll discover you have more time to relax and appreciate your garden.

Climate-smart gardening practices aren't radical recommendations, but sensible suggestions. Healthy trees help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and they also provide welcome shade.

Planting a tree on the south or southwest side of your property will shade the house in the summertime, reducing energy bills.

Deciduous trees, when they drop their leaves in fall, allow the sun's rays to warm your house in the

winter.

A lawn is a thing of beauty, especially if it is set among fine trees and shrubs and attractive flower beds. According to the National Audubon Society, this combination of elements turns any backyard into an environmental haven for songbirds, which so enliven a garden.

Lawns are, in fact, the least important in this environmental sense.

"A lawn doesn't support much more life than a roadway," says Doug Tallamy, an entomology professor and author of Bringing Nature Home and Nature's Best Hope, both full of inspiration for beautiful, sustainable gardens.

Tallamy argues persuasively for the environmental benefits of diverse landscapes that support insects, birds and wildlife in general, and backs his recommendations with research showing how many species of insects are supported by a single oak tree, a redbud, a sycamore and many other trees.

The naturally occurring vegetation anywhere in the world, from eastern woodlands to the great western prairies and the rainforest of the Pacific Northwest -- as well as every bug that creeps and bird that sings in these environments -- is a natural and thoroughgoing manifestation of regional climatic conditions.

You improve your chances as a gardener -- and those of myriad living things -- by planting native plants that have naturally evolved in the area and are thus exquisitely suited to conditions where you live.

Native plants are also high on the lists of recommendations from the National Wildlife Federation, the Association of Profession-

jrs country The Need GoldenVolunteer Age Center continues!!

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We can get The County Golden Shuttle/Fremont County

arc residents to appointments or to the grocery store. Drivers are Transit Program has taking every precaution and sanitizing our vehicles frequently. jewetts

toca shoppe expanded service to Florence andwhile Penrose Drivers and passengers are required totic wear mask they are in a vehicle. Also, we are looking for volunteer goldendrivers. corral?If you are whichstoprequires more interested, by and talk to our Director, Jamie Ellis for more information. drivers.

Also, we are still providing grab-n-go meals. Just call 719-345-3064 the day you would275-5177 like to receive a meal. you would like to receive our newsletter via email, Call ifIf you are send an email to newsletter@theccgac.com requesting to be added. We’ll get you on the email list. interested.

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al Landscape Designers and the American Society of Landscape Architects, which all have programs that advocate for sustainable, climate-smart gardening and environmental responsibility.

John Greenlee, an internationally known garden designer who specializes in ornamental grasses and meadowlike, naturalistic plantings, likes to combine showy native grasses with perennial flowers in his designs for both commercial and residential clients.

Natural lawns and native grasses stabilize the ecology, he says. Flowers "are the meadow sweeteners"

that make such landscapes breathtakingly beautiful.

You don't need a large property to plant a meadow.

"The greatest possibility for a meadow is a front lawn," Greenlee says. Small lawns, he says, "are strange things that are meaningless," and reducing the size of a lawn -- or eliminating a high-maintenance lawn altogether -- also eliminates the need for noisy, polluting mowers, blowers and edgers.

"We can't just decorate the planet anymore," Greenlee says. "We have to fix it. We have to garden for the planet."

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Page 18 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

SENIOR CLASSIFIEDS

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TWO (2) IMPERIAL GARDENS cemetery plots for sale. Lo-

cated in the Garden of Last Supper section.Lot #935 spaces 1 & 2 includes vaults. Selling Price for the two plots is $4,200.00

Needs ramps, doors painting, LIGHTING FOR YOUR HOME plus much more. Carl 251- TrimLight is an amazing new product that offers year-round 2535 #0821w

PUEBLO WEST: 4 BEDROOM, 2 bath home; 3BR, 2B home and 2 furnished rooms with Private Baths.

ELECTRIC WHEEL CHAIR

with Bruno E2 lift on rear of vehicle. (New motor on EZ-Lift). $1,700

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WANTED: VINYL RECORDS: from 1950s and 1960s; 45s, 78s, LPs. Also sheet music from same period. Also 10 and 12 cent comics. (719) 566-7975 after 11:00am.

SPECIALIZING IN SPECIAL PERMANENT EXTERIOR

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SENIOR CLASSIFIED AD REQUEST

This classified ad section of the Senior Beacon carries advertising of all sorts. The cost is $15.00 for the first 20 words or less and $.25 for each word over twenty words.

TO PLACE AN AD either: (1) Write your ad in the space provided below. Please print clearly. _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Phone:_________________ Your Name:______________________ Then mail ad and check (send no cash) to:

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Pueblo, CO 81008

(2) Email your ad to BeaconNewsGroup@gmail.com

or

(3) Visit SeniorBeacon.info and click the “advertise” page

Deadline is the 20th of the month

(allow mailing time)

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 19

SOCIAL SECURITY & YOU

JOSH WELLER, PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST-SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION - PUEBLO COUNTY, FREMONT COUNTY AND EL PASO COUNTY

Social Security Benefits Increase in 2021 NEARLY 70 MILLION Americans will see a 1.3 percent increase in their Social Security benefits and SSI payments in 2021.

Federal benefit rates increase when the cost-of-living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

The CPI-W rises when inflation increases, leading to a higher costof-living.

This change means prices for goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive, so the COLA helps to offset these costs.

January 2021 marks other changes that will happen based on the increase in the national average wage index.

For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax in 2021 will be higher.

The retirement earnings test exempt amount will also change in 2021.

You can read our press release for more information at www.ssa. gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2021.pdf.

We will mail COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees.

Want to know your new benefit amount sooner?

You can securely view and save the Social Security COLA notice online via the Message Center inside my Social Security in early December without waiting for the mailed notice.

If you don’t have an account yet, you will have to create your account by November 18, 2020 to receive the COLA notice online this

year. my Social Security account holders can opt out of receiving a mailed COLA notice and other paper notices that are available online.

You can choose text or email alerts when there is a notice in Message Center by updating your Preferences at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount/opt-out.html so you always know when we have something important for you.

Be the first to know! Sign up for or log in to your personal account today at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Choose email or text under “Message Center Preferences” to receive courtesy notifications. This way you won’t miss your online COLA notice!

You can find more information about the 2021 COLA at www.ssa. gov/cola.

Get Your New Standardized Benefit Verification Letter Online If you receive a Benefit Verification letter, sometimes called a

"budget letter," a "benefits letter," a "proof of income letter," or a "proof of award letter," we have good news for you! A new standardized Benefit Verification letter is now available when you need proof of Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicare.

In addition to name, date of birth, and the benefits received, the new Benefit Verification letter includes other identifiers to prevent misuse and fraud. This is an added benefit to you as proof of income for loans, housing assistance, mortgage, and other verification purposes.

The same standardized letter is also available if you need proof that you do not receive benefits, or proof that benefits are pending. If you are an individual representative payee, you can use the my Social Security Representative Payee portal to access the same standardized Benefit Verification letter online for your beneficiaries.

Page 20 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

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SOCIAL SECURITY & YOU Question: I’ve been receiving SSI for a few years and recently went back to work. My boss wants me to work full time and I feel like I can do the job, but I’m concerned about losing my Medicaid coverage. If my SSI payments stop due to my earnings, can I still keep my Medicaid?

Answer: In most cases, Medicaid coverage will continue even if your earned income is too high to receive an SSI payment. In order to qualify for this coverage, the following provisions apply: • You are still blind or have a disability; and • You meet all the SSI eligibility requirements, except for the amount of your earnings; and • You were eligible to receive a regular SSI cash payment for at least one month before you became

eligible under Section 1619 of the Social Security Act; and • You were eligible for Medicaid coverage in the month before you became eligible under Section 1619; and • You need continued Medicaid in order to work; and • Your earnings would not replace the value of your SSI cash benefits, your Medicaid benefits, and any publicly funded personal or attendant care you receive that would be lost due to your earnings.

The amount you can earn and still receive Medicaid varies from state to state. You may call 1-800772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) for more information.

Question: I worked for many years before I became disabled, but I didn’t have enough recent work to receive So-

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cial Security Disability (SSDI) payments. I receive for SSI. Will I ever receive Social Security payments?

Answer: It depends. If you have at least 40 quarters of coverage, you can be eligible for Social Security retirement payments beginning at age 62.

Additionally, if you are performing some work while you are on SSI, you may become currently insured for disability payments in the future.

There are other ways in which you could become eligible for Social Security benefits, including benefits through a spouse or a divorced spouse. For more information, you may call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office.

Question: I was incarcerated for 2 years. Before I was imprisoned, I received SSI benefits. Will my SSI payments start automatically when I am released?

Answer: No. You must contact your local Social Security office and provide them with information regarding your release dates. In some cases, it may be necessary to reapply for SSI benefits. For more information, visit www. socialsecurity.gov/reentry or contact your local Social Security office.

Question: I’m 65, not ready to retire, but I want to apply for my Medicare coverage. How can I do that?

Answer: The easiest and most convenient way is to apply online! Use our online application to sign up for Medicare. It takes less than 10 minutes. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done.

There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if we need more information.

You’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail. It’s convenient, quick, and easy.

There’s no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative. Get started today at www.socialsecurity. gov/medicareonly.

Question: I need proof that I receive Medicare benefits. Where can I get a letter proving that?

Answer: If you need proof that you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicare, get an instant benefit verification letter online by using your personal my Social Security account.

If you don’t receive benefits, your letter will serve as proof that you don’t receive benefits. If you recently applied for benefits, the letter will make that clear as well.

The information on your benefit verification letter will include information that applies to your situation. You can set up your secure, personal my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount.

Question: I didn’t enroll in Medicare Part B back when my Part A started a few years ago. Can I enroll now?

Answer: It depends. The general enrollment period for Medicare Part B, medical insurance, begins January 1 and runs through March 31.

Keep in mind that although there is no monthly premium for Medicare Part A, there will be a premium for your Medicare Part B. And in most cases, that premium goes up each 12-month period you were eligible for it and elected not to enroll.

If you are covered by a group healthcare plan based on your employment or the employment of a spouse, you may qualify for a special enrollment.

Special enrollments may be processed at any point during the year, but require proof of coverage.

To find out more about Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov or www. socialsecurity.gov/medicare.

Question: I found out that my daughter submitted incorrect information about my resources when she completed my Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs.

How can I get my application changed now to show the correct amount?

Answer: You can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) and let us know. We will match information on your application with data from other federal agencies.

If there is a discrepancy that requires verification, we will contact you. For additional information about Medicare prescription drug plans or enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800633-4227.

Question: I pay my monthly premium directly to my Medicare prescription drug plan provider. Why can’t I also pay my income-related monthly adjustment amount directly to my Medicare prescription drug plan provider?

Answer: By law, we must deduct your income-related monthly adjustment amount from your Social Security

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 21

SOCIAL SECURITY & YOU payments. If the amount you owe is more than the amount of your payment, or you don't get monthly payments, you will get a separate bill from another federal agency, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or the Railroad Retirement Board.

Read our publication, Medicare Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries, for an idea of what you can expect to pay. You’ll find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs.

Question: I am applying for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.

Can state agencies help with my Medicare costs?

Answer: When you file your application for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs, you can start your application process for the Medicare Savings Programs — state programs that provide help with other Medicare costs. When you apply for Extra Help, Social Security will send information to your state unless you tell us not to on the application. Your state will contact you to help you apply for a Medicare Savings Program. Learn more about how Social Security can provide Extra Help with your Medicare prescription drug costs by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/ prescriptionhelp.

Question: If I have a question about my

Medicare bill, who should I contact?

Answer: First, contact your provider. If you are unable to get your question answered or the problem resolved, then contact 1-800 MEDICARE (1800-633-4227). For more information about Medicare benefits, visit www.medicare.gov.

Question: I need to make changes to my Medicare prescription drug coverage. When can I do that?

Answer: Open season for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage runs from October 15 to December 7. The Medicare Part D prescription drug program is available to all Medicare beneficiaries. Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary and participants pay an additional monthly premium. If you are considering changing your plan, you might want to revisit the Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs. If you have limited resources and income, you may also be eligible for Extra Help to pay monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments.

Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per

year. To find out more, visit www. socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.

For more information about the Medicare prescription drug program itself, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Question: I applied for Medicare benefits last week. How can I check the status of my application?

Answer: You can check the status at our secure website, secure.ssa.gov/ apps6z/IAPS/applicationStatus, but you must wait five days from the

date you originally filed. You will need to enter your Social Security number and the confirmation number you received when you filed your application.

Your application status also shows the date that we received your application, any requests for additional documents, the address of the office processing your application, and whether a decision has been made about your benefits. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us at 1-800772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Page 22 - Senior Beacon - December 2020

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NEWS

ElectriCritters Celebrates Over 28 years 32 YEARS AGO, in 1986, the Pueblo County Commissioners established the Department of Housing and Human Services and it became the administrator of the Pueblo County Food Surplus Food Distribution or the Commodity Program as known by most people in Pueblo.

Previously the program was under the non-profit agency call Pueblo Action.

The program has seen many changes, but two components of the program have remained the same: the mission and the workers.

The mission has been to basically to provide free food for those in need and the backbone of the work force has been the volunteers.

ElectriCritters, presented by Black Hills Energy, is back for its 28th season at the Pueblo Zoo, the top-rated family entertainment destination by Best of Pueblo.

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a visit to ElectriCritters! See thousands of lights

limited!

LIGHTS UP. ElectriCritters open now through December 27.

and over a hundred imaginative designs as you walk through the winter wonderland at the Pueblo Zoo. Warm up with a cup of cocoa (and a cookie) at our Candy Cane

Café, buy a unique holiday gift from their gift shop, and enjoy a safe and memorable experience with the whole family!

“People can’t have their normal indoor celebrations with extended family this year due to the prevalence of virus spread in small multi-household gatherings. That is difficult.” says Executive Director, Abbie Krause.

“Our goal is to offer a safe option for individual households to get outside and enjoy some holiday magic.

"We are taking every precaution to keep our guests and staff safe such as online timed ticketing and limited capacity to control crowd size and ensure social distancing; mandatory masks for guests and additional PPE for staff at entry and purchase points; and requiring one household per group with a maximum of 10 people.”

To safely manage capacity, timed tickets are required. Spaces are

Book ahead online.

Times: ElectriCritters runs 5:00pm – 9:00pm on event nights.

Event Dates: Select dates November 27 – December 27 (ElectriCritters will host special Member Mondays and Discount Nights on select dates.)

Prices for Tickets: Non-Member Adult $12; Non-Member Child $10; Member Adult $10; Member Child $8; Children under 3 years old are free (but need a ticket for timed capacity).

Full Details: Check https://www. pueblozoo.org/electricritters for more information!

Thanks to our presenting and ambassador sponsors Black Hills Energy, Colorado Lottery, Wagner Rents, Talecris Plasma Resources, and Pueblo Electrics.

All proceeds raised from the event go towards the care and feeding of the zoo’s 400 animals. The event is crucial in helping the zoo make ends meet during the slower winter months and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pueblo Zoo has been a strong advocate for safety during the pandemic, finding ways to give the community a safe option for enjoying our outdoor space.

We are vigilantly implementing and enforcing the extensive health and safety measures that have been in place since we reopened in July to keep our animals, staff, and guests safe!

We are counting on the public to do their part by continuing to wear masks, staying within household groupings with no more than 10 people per group, and being patient while we all work through this together.

The Pueblo Zoo is a not-forprofit organization and is an accredited member of the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) featuring more than 400 animals, 125 species, and beautiful grounds.

Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.

For more information, call 5611452 or visit www.pueblozoo.org.

Join us on Facebook and Instagram.

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December 2020 - Senior Beacon - Page 23

OPINION-EDITORIAL

DAVID SHRIBMAN

Insert his title here when you finally get it down

MODERN GENERATION GAP GOES BEYOND AGE GROUP WE ARE IN the middle of another generation gap.

Only this one is different. Really different.

This one isn't a chasm between the World War II generation and the youthful rebels of the 1960s. This one is about race and social attitudes with a little bit of policy and ideology thrown in.

And it is a whopper of a generation gap.

Consider this: Every American under 40 today — fully a majority of the country — is either a millennial (born 1977-1995) or a Gen Zer (born 1996 or after).

Or this: There are more people in the millennial and Gen Z generations than in the baby boom generation, Gen X and the rest of the population combined.

And all those people who say they don't recognize the America they see outside their quarantine windows or behind masks on the streets? They are right.

This is not your grandfather's United States. It is not even your parents' United States.

For the first time in American history, more than half of those under age 16 are part of an ethnic or racial minority. And as white baby boomers age out of the workforce — it is happening every day — all the labor growth will be among racial minorities.

William Frey, per-

haps the best-known demographer in the country, has spent a lifetime harvesting data such as this. His 2014 book "Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics Are Remaking America" (updated in 2018) helped introduce the notion of a "cultural generation gap" — a generation gap where the resentment may be less among the young than among older Americans, who are being replaced professionally and displaced culturally by a surging new generation.

"This gap is reflected in negative attitudes among many older whites toward immigration, new minority growth, and big government programs that cater to the real economic and educational needs of America's younger, more diverse population," he wrote.

Just the other day, Frey, 73 and himself a baby boomer, amplified those views in a telephone conversation: "We need leaders to tell older Americans these changes will help our economic growth. If it were not for these young people, we would be facing a declining labor force.

This is where the future is. The la-

bor force is becoming more racially diverse and, in another 10 years, all the baby boomers will be out of the workforce and we will need these people, their talents and their energies."

The most prominent change in the character of America may be the least noticed, and surely the least appreciated. Indeed, the most profound changes in America are occurring among the young population — even as the most profound challenges in America are affecting the young population the most.

An Urban Institute study found that 57.4 percent of Gen Zers were in families that experienced job losses related to the coronavirus, a far greater rate than working-age baby boomers (35.4 percent). Moreover, the millennials were the only generation to fall behind financially between 2010 and 2016, according to the Federal Reserve Board of St. Louis.

Much of this has been reflected in the nation's political life.

"There's no question that in the last several elections, the young voted differently than the rest of the population," Frey said in the

interview. "They are more interested in interracial marriage, gay rights, criminal justice and diversity, while older whites aren't happy about the changing demography in the United States. They see a threat to American values and American customs."

Today there is little confusion between the two major political parties. Two shorthands prevail, though as with all shorthands there are variations: The Republican Party comprises people who are older, white, male, rural and Southern.

The Democratic Party is a party of people who are younger, non-white, female, urban and non-Southern.

Senior Beacon

Senior Beacon serves Pueblo, El Paso, Fremont and the 12 surrounding counties that make up most of Southeastern Colorado. It is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, educate and entertain the Senior Community of these areas. Subscriptions are available, prepaid with order, at $34.95 for one 12-month period. Send your order to the mailing list below.

Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns are the opinions of the writers and not necessarily that of the publisher. Senior Beacon is locally owned and operated.

Founded in February of 1982.

BEACON NEWS GROUP d/b/a Senior Beacon P.O. Box 8485 Pueblo, CO 81008 Publisher Beacon News Group Publisher Emeritus, CCO James R. Grasso Advertising Manager Ronald S. Phillips Advertising Executives Jan McLaughlin Rick Forman Mark Phillips Jim Grasso Graphic Design and Layout Christine Ina Casillas Distribution Manager Braden Phillips IT Support Robin Eckelberry

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