Beacon 082016

AUGUST 2016

Vol. 30 No. 8

™ Long-term care Planning

Mesa County’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 28,350 Readers.

2016

Medical Equipment

Medicare Aging in Place

FREE Assisted Living

Home Care

INS IDE

Senior Living Medical Services

Hospice

Bereavement

Nursing Home

Produced by the BEACON’s 2016 Advertising Team © copyright

Your Local Guide to Aging Well

com www.BeaconSeniorNews.

GUN DOG TRAINING

it’s for the birds Photo courtesy of High Country Sporting Dogs

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AUGUST 2016

EDITORIAL

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

BEACON readers save SHIP!

By Kevin K. VanGundy

T

ruth told, a whole bunch of people, including readers of the BEACON Senior Newspaper, have temporarily knocked some sense into our national leaders and SHIP, the program that serves to educate us about Medicare, will continue. I would have made that the headline, but the other one sounded so much better. Thank you for calling our elected leaders… and us.

Volunteer fair Volunteering is good for you and good for others. The problem is where do you start? To help answer that question, 22 local agencies in need of volunteers will come together at Mesa Mall on Saturday, August 13, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for a volunteer fair. Stop by to see where you can best use your time and talents to help others.

Transitions in Aging This month’s special insert focuses on the continuum of care that you and I go through as we age—from buying medical equipment to retrofitting the home, and from home health care to moving to an assist-

Learn about Estate Planning at our Free Educational Workshops!

ed living facility. The options available can be confusing and expensive, but we’ll help you sort them out in this yearly guide to long-term care.

Experienced & Compassionate Estate, Trust & Tax Planning Attorneys

Have You Thought About Long Term Care Planning?

Alternative Health & Wellness In a recent study of today’s active, affluent and aging adults, a healthy mind and body were cited as the topic of most interest to them. Our September insert will focus on health and wellness information from some of our esteemed local experts with an emphasis on non-traditional therapies. Have you tried any? Did they work? Please call us at 243-8829 and tell us what you think.

Montrose-Delta BeaconFest on September 15 A boomer and senior fair that’s fun! Our fifth annual BeaconFest at the Montrose Pavilion on Thursday, September 15, will not disappoint. A variety of vendors, interesting speakers and talented entertainers will make for another great senior event that you won’t want to miss. For more information, please email me at Kevin@PendantPublishing.com ■

Prohibition, the good ol’ days when men prided themselves on their brave acts of civil disobedience. I like to think that I would have had the courage to stand shoulder to shoulder with my thirsty brethren.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! MONTROSE-DELTA

APRIL 21, 15, 2016 SEPTEMBER 2016 TwoPavilion Rivers Convention Center Montrose • 9:00 a.m.

- 2:00 p.m.

Downtown, Grand Junction • 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

3

Do you have questions about the options? You’re not alone!

v Montrose: August 8th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. v Delta: August 15th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. v Grand Junction: August 24th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Do you have questions or concerns about long term care planning?

Don’t wait until there is a crisis to learn about your options! We invite you to join us at one of these workshops where we will cover the contents of our “Understanding Long Term Care” book (authored by attorneys in the firm) answer questions, address concerns and much more. Linger after the workshop and have the attorney sign your copy of the book!

Bring a friend, a family member, a loved one or your neighbor and they will also receive a free copy of the book. We hope you join us!

Registration is Required: Grand Junction workshops (our office) - 1250 E. Sherwood Dr. Montrose - Region 10 Area Agency on Aging - 300 N.Cascade.

Delta workshops - 1501 E. 3rd St. in the Mesa Lakes (Oncology Center) at Delta Hospital. Signup by calling (970) 243-8250 or on our website at:

www.brownandbrownpc.com Phone: (970) 243-8250 1250 E. Sherwood Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81501 1317 Grand Ave., Suite 224B, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Baird B. Brown u Clara Brown Shaffer u Jamie J. Roth u Paul M. Smith u Shauna C. Clemmer

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COVER STORY

On the hunt…

The upland game season starts in September for these hunting clubs and preserves. While both are membership clubs (members are given priority) hunts are also available for nonmembers.

Bring your own bird dog or they’ll provide one to work with you.

Black Canyon Wing and Clay 874-7195 2566 Last Chance Road, Delta, CO 81416 www.bcwandc.com

Broken Spoke Game Ranch 241-3949 8700 Reeder Mesa Road, Whitewater, CO 81527 www.brokenspokegameranch.com

To find a top gun dog, or for professional training and other services: High Country Sporting Dogs 417-9949 or 361-7455 www.highcountrysportingdogs.com

Photo courtesy of Black Canyon Wing and Clay

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

AUGUST 2016

Gun dog training... it’s for the birds

By Cloie Sandlin

H

unting guide Rob Courtney has trained bird dogs (also called gun dogs) most of his life.

“When I was young, we almost always had a poodle,” Courtney, 47, said. “The best bird dog we ever had was a miniature poodle named Snoop.”

Snoop, a six-ish pound fluff ball with ribbons on her ears belonged to his little sister. Snoop surprised the family and fellow hunters with her instinctual drive and talent for the hunt.

“Once we found birds, it was all over,” he said. “She was a pretty incredible dog.”

But Courtney’s current 6-year-old English pointer, Grace, is also pretty impressive.

“All she wants to do is hunt,” Courtney said. “If I were to bring her in the house and get out her hunting collar, she would go absolutely nuts.”

Courtney has owned pointers and flushers, the two types of upland game hunting dogs. But for guiding hunts, he prefers to use pointers because of their stamina.

Pointers locate birds by finding their scent in the air. They stop, point and stick their tails straight up, signaling to the hunter they have found a bird. Courtney said a good pointer stands solid as a rock and doesn’t move until the hunter shoots or the dog is given the command to retrieve

Photos by Dirty Dog Phodography

it. Flushing dogs don’t hunt the wind—they hunt ground scent.

“Grace is a very good pointer, but he doesn’t want to brag,” Courtney’s wife, Rob Courtney with Grace and Lucy, and his wife Tracy holding Tracy, said.

Lucy, gun dog in training.

Upland game birds are gallithrough February. Then it gets a little formes, a biological order that incrazy again toward the end of March cludes pheasants, chukars, quail, because hunters are trying to get in grouse and turkeys—ground-feeding that last hunt,” Courtney said. birds known for having edible white Courtney has been guiding hunts meat.

During bird hunting season, Court- for BCWAC for 18 years. He got Grace ney and Grace spend their weekends as a pup from another area hunting club, and today she is what’s considguiding hunts at Black Canyon Wing ered a finished bird dog. and Clay (BCWAC), a membership “She does everything she’s suphunting club located just outside of posed to,” Courtney said.

Delta.

Grace has the instinctual advantage Due to a diminished wild bird popof a good hunting dog, being bred ulation, most upland game hunting from a long line of quality hunters. is done with liberated birds at clubs Like Snoop, Courtney said a dog like Black Canyon, where they raise doesn’t have to come from hunting their own birds and release them parents to be a phenomenal hunting onsite for hunters. dog, but it has a better chance if the Though Colorado’s small game hunting drive and instinct is in its season starts September 1 for some birds, and seasons may last for two to blood.

Grace’s abilities and energy are three months at a time, Black Canhoned through Courtney’s training, yon’s season begins mid September and lasts through the end of March. which he starts at a young age. He is “It’s pretty busy from late October currently training Grace’s adopted

AUGUST 2016

COVER STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

sister and the newest addition to the family, a 12-week-old English pointer named Lucy.

For Lucy, Courtney said at this stage in training, it’s all about fun.

“As soon as I see her become disinterested, we’re done,” he said. “Because as soon as you start trying to force a dog to do something, you take the spark right out of them.”

Courtney said hunting dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but he likes working with English pointers because of their bird drive and willingness to please—two qualities of great hunters.

But if you’re looking for a hunting dog and a house pet, English pointers aren’t for you.

“They are very high strung. They’re like the Energizer Bunny,” Courtney said, adding that Grace and Lucy are mainly outside dogs, and will run laps indoors if given the chance.

“They’re working dogs. That is their full focus in life,” Courtney said.

“Their place is out hunting. That’s where they really shine.”

Grooming the best of the best Labradors are the hunting breed of choice for father-son dog training professionals Brett and Robbie Arnold.

Robbie, 32, said that while he likes working with all breeds, Labradors are his favorite because of their trainability. “Labradors have drive,” he said. “They retrieve, they can flush a point—they do it all.”

Not to mention that Labs are the ultimate pets. “His girl,” Stace, a 2-1/2 year-old Black Lab, is a companion and finished gun dog.

Robbie’s father, Brett, 55, started training dogs way before he started

High Country Sporting Dogs (HCSD) 25 years ago. Having always exhibited a special connection with dogs, Brett started training protection dogs in California in the ’80s and started hunting with his wife’s father, who owned a Labrador.

“To truly learn how to train dogs, you should train them all,” Robbie said.

Brett furthered his gift as a trainer by studying dog psychology and behavior, and started training all different breeds. He already had one gun dog and, after moving the family to Colorado, he started HCSD as a side business in 1991, training any client that came his way, from a kid with his dog Buddy to Grandma and Fifi.

Robbie followed in his father’s footsteps working with dogs from the time he was young and guiding his first hunt on a professional level at 17.

“From the time I was a kid, my dad was always my hero,” he said. “I always wanted to be just like him. I always liked working with dogs, too.”

The Arnolds built a reputation for themselves locally and nationally, and have greatly expanded HCSD’s services over the years to include gun dog training programs, AKC/UKC competitions and more. Most of their business comes from the Western Slope, and they provide services to everyday dog owners as well as highend hunters.

“We require a lot out of our dogs,” Robbie said. “Some of our competition dogs, which people also use to hunt, might have as much as $25,000 invested in them.”

HCSD contracts with local hunting clubs and ranches to provide experienced hunts with expert hunting

dogs. Especially for clients paying top dollar, dogs need to be top notch.

“When we go to the field, those dogs need to find birds,” Robbie said.

The Arnolds breed instincts, ability and drive to get the best top dogs they possibly can. Robbie said most amateur trainers will use the hunt to train the dog, where professionals understand the progression of learning.

“You want everything to be intense because you can’t put [the instinct] in them but you can hone it in,” he said.

“Give me the dog that is bonkers and will drive somebody nuts. Give me that dog to work with because that’s trainability, that’s drive to please, that’s everything we need. To see the dogs advance in such a short time is the coolest thing.”

Aside from having received professional training, Stace comes from high-end hunting dog bloodlines, her ancestors consisting of four hall of fame dogs, multiple master hunters and hunter retriever champions.

According to Robbie, dogs that are bred of the best don’t experience as much stress in training because they’ve already been bred to do what they’re being trained for. But regardless, training should start early before they learn bad habits and negative behaviors.

“A dog can make or break the hunt,” Robbie said. “That’s truly what upland hunting is about—to be out there with your dog, in nature, watching class dog work. If you shoot a couple birds, it’s a bonus.” ■

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National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ..............................Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher....................... Susan Capps Editor............................................. Cloie Sandlin Senior Graphic Designer............ Melissa Trottier Graphic Designer........................... Karen Jones Digital Media Manager............. Paige Slaughter Photography..............................Katherine Lopez Office Manager............................... Kim Latham Account Representative................... Sue Bowen Account Representative................ Sidney Jayne Sales Assistant.............................Stacey Splude Proofreader...................................... Jan Weeks Cheerleader................................... Genevra Shal Delivery...........................................Cora Gentry Delivery ................................. Lauren VanGundy Delivery...............................................JR Milner

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 ph: 970.243.8829 fax: 800.536.7516 Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com E-mail: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com The BEACON is published at the beginning of the month. Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa, Delta and Montrose.

Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Display advertising rates are available upon request. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. © Copyright 2016 • All Rights Reserved

Cover Photo: Father-son team and

Brett Arnold

dog training pros Brett and Robbie Arnold with High Country Sporting Dogs are serious about hunting and serious about training top-notch gun dogs.

6

FEATURE STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

It’s just a dog

By Melanie Wiseman

I

f you are a dog lover, no doubt you’ve had someone say to you, “What’s the big deal? It’s just a dog.”

You have to feel for these people, as they must be missing out on a lot of beautiful things in life—like just another rainbow, just another friend or just another sunset.

I’ve been fortunate to have three loving canine companions over the years, all of whom were so much more than “just dogs.”

My family got a dachshund when I was a 4-year-old preschooler. Fritz was my constant and loyal childhood companion for 15 years, passing away when I was a sophomore in college.

He was mine from the get-go, as my two older sisters were ambivalent toward him and my younger brother thought teasing him was funny.

Fritz had no special talents other than being my best buddy. Wherever I went, he was there like Velcro. He loved the sun, and his favorite spot on family car trips was the backseat windowsill. He followed a sunny spot

on the floor as it moved throughout the day. In the winter, he lay over our heat registers in the floor, ears flapping madly like he was ready for takeoff whenever the furnace kicked in.

When Fritz was about 10 I wanted to make sure I remembered how special he was to me, so with the help of my parents and brother, we made a home movie called “Fritz, This Is Your Life!” I have watched this “day in the life of Fritz” movie countless times over the years and it never fails to warm my heart.

As a single adult, I found myself craving that companionship and unconditional love once again. Enter Tucker, my Maltese. At just 9 weeks old, this little white fluff ball went on his first of many tent camping trips.

If he was going to be my dog, he needed to get used to doing what I liked to do right from the start. Over his 11 years, he hiked to mountain lakes, rode in a basket on the back of my mountain bike, and climbed 14ers, to the amazement of many

Labrador owners.

Tucker was extremely intuitive and mirrored my moods, lying quietly next to me if I was sick, or full of mischief if I was feeling playful. When my husband came into the picture, Tucker’s love grew to include this new person in my life.

Dan and I went four very long years without a dog after Tucker passed away. Although he was perfectly fine with this, to me there was a huge hole only another dog could fill.

Dan said several times, “You don’t need a dog— you have me!” Cute, but not even close.

We discovered a breed we weren’t familiar with, and both agreed to get Abby, our very active Papillon. Her personality and energy have kept us on our toes for almost seven years. She is a social butterfly full of personality. She has won blue ribbons in agility competitions and has gone through therapy dog training.

Would I trade the time, money and commitment it took to have any of these companions? Never.

What it means to have “just a dog” Even though she is “just a dog”…

• Abby is overly excited to see me whether we’ve been apart for two weeks or just long enough for me to run to the mailbox.

• She has never held a grudge, always forgives me and exemplifies unconditional love.

• She lifts my spirits, and those of other people.

• Because of her, I take long walks and enjoy cool evenings. She reminds me to live in the joy of the moment.

• She brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a

AUGUST 2016

better person.

• She reminds me it’s not just about me. She helps divert my thoughts from the day’s worries.

• Because of her, I stop and meet countless people who would have otherwise walked on by.

• She brings me comfort in moments of sadness, with her enthusiastic licks and wags telling me to have a great day.

• She represents a special time and place in this journey called life.

• She adds life to our quiet household.

• She reminds me it’s okay to take a nap when I’m tired.

How many hours would I have spent alone if it wasn’t for “just” this dog? How many times did I need a hug and she was there to curl up on my lap or look at me with adoration?

Have you hugged a dog today? The unbridled joy may surprise you.

P.S. To all cat lovers, they’re not “just a cat” either. ■

Author Melanie Wiseman pictured with the beloved pups she’s had throughout her life: Fritz, far left, and Tucker, right, and Abby, above.

AUGUST 2016

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www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Beacon Pets

“My mother Ann with her long-time buddy, a senior Chihuahua named Rusty.”

– Lauren VanGundy

“Sweet Pea is 6 years old.

Wherever we go, people see her and smile. She loves to dress up and she struts around and likes to show off her costumes. Once she won a Halloween contest at PetSmart dressed as a fairy with little wings.” – Bunny Phillips

“Sending a few pictures of our puggle, Gus, who is the perfect dog and is just too cute for words. Also including a picture of our kitty, Ping, waiting for Santa.”

– Judy Chmielewski

Left: “Here’s my bubble-wrapped cutie who is a gift to me everyday. Imagine (named after the Beatles’ song) is a 5-year-old Sheltie. His gift of unconditional love abounds, whether it be laying nose to nose, waiting for me to open my eyes in the morning to accept the happy wag of his tail and mush-mouth kisses; snuggling his body against me while I read; or trekking through the woods or desert sands.

He’s always there to uplift my spirits and let me know I’ll always have a friend.”- Rose Black

Left: Lexi and Ander Trottier with Sunny the Bunny Right: Carroll Bennett and two of her pet guinea pigs.

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RECIPES

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AUGUST 2016

ULTIMATE SUNDAY BREAKFAST BUFFET Every Sunday 7:30am-1:30pm Catering  Special Events  Hosting  Weddings Corporate Meetings  Rehearsals  Black Tie  Service Provided  Banquets  Conventions  Banquet Room Available 

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Grilled Ginger Salmon and Grape Rice Bowl Servings: 4

Ingredients: Dressing:

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 boneless salmon fillets (3 ounces each), skin on

2 cups mixed green and red California grapes, halved

kosher salt

2 scallions, thinly sliced diagonally

freshly ground black pepper

4 cups hot cooked brown rice

2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar

2 cups finely shredded green cabbage

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

1 tablespoon honey

reduced sodium soy sauce (optional)

Instructions: Heat grill to high and oil grates. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper; set aside.

In small saucepan, combine rice vinegar, ginger, honey and olive oil, and bring to simmer over high heat. Stir in grapes and scallions, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside off heat.

Grill salmon, skin side up, 5-6 minutes. Turn and grill another 2-3 minutes, or until salmon reaches desired doneness.

Divide rice among four bowls and top with cabbage and salmon. Spoon grape mixture over top and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve with soy sauce, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: 487 calories; 23 g protein; 69 g carbohydrates; 13 g fat (24% calories from fat); 3 g saturated fat (6% calories from saturated fat); 43 mg cholesterol; 301 mg sodium; 6 g fiber.

AUGUST 2016

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

ASK THE OLD BAG Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd

By Gayle Lagman-Creswick Dear Old Bag: I’m sure you’ve had your fill of replies to “Coward” but I couldn’t resist adding my thoughts. I understand Grandma’s uneasiness with her granddaughter’s gay wedding. If she doesn’t attend the wedding that’s fine, but will she also miss out on holiday gatherings with the couple present? What will she do when they have children? Will she shun the great-grandchildren and miss out on the joy they will bring? She needs to think bigger than just the wedding. Grandma must accept they didn’t choose their sexuality any more than they chose the color of their eyes. Please, Grandma, open your heart and welcome a new member of your family. Your granddaughter will love you more than you will ever know by being so forward thinking and accepting of her lifestyle. Signed, One Who Knows

that will correct them from treating me this way? They say they love me, but it hurts. Signed, Hurting Mom

Dear One: Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful letter. In my book, you are right on. To reiterate: Acceptance is the greater part of loving. OB

• As parents age, some children seem to think that they need to take on the role of parent—a role reversal—then they scold us when we say things they don’t feel are appropriate or correct.

Dear Old Bag: I love my grown children dearly, but I’m beginning to realize they are not as loving to me. I have many friends who have at least one child who yells at them and is really mean to them. Is it because we’re living so much longer and our children can’t deal with our age? I respected my parents and never treated them this way.

I’m only 73 and still have a long life ahead of me. How much abuse should I take from my children? They will yell at me and apologize the next day, but it’s still hurtful. I’m very independent and I keep busy. I don’t depend on them for everything. I’m invited to all their family functions, but if I say one word that doesn’t suit them, I get chewed out. Is there anything I can do or say

Dear Hurting Mom: I hurt for you, too! This situation is more widespread than most would believe. We hear about abuse in care facilities, but did you know that 80 percent of abuse occurs at home? To me, yelling or scolding your parents is a form of abuse. I have given a lot of thought to this, and here is my two cents as to why this occurs: • As you said, part is because they cannot deal with you aging. Just as some people cannot deal with death, some can’t deal with aging, especially if it occurs with some changes that the children are not used to associating with Mom or Dad.

• The other reason is that they love us and want us to stop that “growing old business.” Maybe if they yell at us, we will shape up and fly right. Then they feel horribly guilty the next day and apologize.

Now what should you do? I am a believer of putting your cards on the table. When they begin yelling or scolding you, I would simply say, “I feel hurt by your words. What is it that has you so upset at me?” Maybe you will get an honest answer. At any rate, you will have expressed your honest feelings to them. Good luck. I would love to hear from you again about how it goes. Thank you.

OB ■

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net

ASK THE OLD BAG

9

10

THE HEALTHY GEEZER

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

AUGUST 2016

How to interpret chemical warning labels Healthy Geezer, By Fred Cicetti

P

esticides, oven cleaners, detergents, polish, paint and drain decloggers are just a few examples of everyday household products that usually contain toxic fumes, flammable vapors or poisons.

WESTERN SLOPE DENTAL CENTER BRANDON S. BERGUIN D.D.S. AND ASSOCIATES 514 28 Road • Grand Junction, CO 81501

241-3483

GENERAL & COSMETIC DENTISTRY

DENTURES, CROWNS, VENEERS, BRIDGES, FILLINGS, ROOT CANALS, EXTRACTIONS, IMPLANTS • • • • •

ALL FEES QUOTED BEFORE TREATMENT INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED DENTURE REPAIRS & RELINES EMERGENCIES WELCOME NO INTEREST PAYMENT PLANS

Brandon S. Berguin D.D.S. SENIOR DISCOUNTS

Senior Homecare by Angels

Take the proper health and safety precautions by reading the warning labels on many of these products.

Manufacturers use a low-medium-high system on labels to alert you to hazards. If the label on a container says Caution, it means the contents have the potential to harm you. The product’s fumes might make you sick.

Warning, it means you could be injured seriously if you don’t handle the product properly. Contents could be flammable.

Danger indicates that you should handle the product with extreme care because it can be lethal or cause an explosion.

Emergency action If you have an emergency with a household product, depending on the severity of the situation, read the label for instructions and look for an emergency phone number, or call Poison Control at 800-222-1222. If it requires immediate treatment, call 911.

The following are some general first-aid instructions.

• If you get a poison on your skin or in your eyes, rinse the affected area in the shower for at least 15 minutes.

• If you inhale toxic fumes, get to fresh air immediately.

• If poison is swallowed, do not use an emetic medicine such as syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting. Doctors no longer recommend using these medicines.

Prevention To prevent exposure: • Don’t keep flammable products inside your home.

• Check household products regularly for loose caps.

• Keep products in their original containers. This prevents confusion and keeps the labels around for reference.

• Don’t store toxic products near food or medicine.

• Never throw such products in the trash cans where children can get to them. Call Mesa County Solid Waste Management at 241-6846 for information on how to dispose of these products safely.

Keep in mind while handling • Paint can irritate the eyes and skin.

Paint fumes can give you headaches and make you nauseated and dizzy.

• Ammonia fumes can irritate eyes and lungs. Never mix ammonia with chlorine bleach because the combination produces a potentially lethal gas.

• Oven cleaners that contain lye can burn you and are potentially fatal if swallowed. Spray cleaners pose a threat to your lungs.

• Mold removers can cause breathing problems.

• Drain cleaners contain lye and sulfuric acid that can blind you if they splash in your eyes.

• Carpet cleaners that contain perchloroethylene cause dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, loss of appetite and disorientation.

• Weed killers can irritate the eyes and skin, and cause vomiting and diarrhea.

• Insect repellents can depress the central nervous system and cause forms of mental illness. ■

Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.

AUGUST 2016

HEALTH & WELLNESS 11

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

5 ways to save your brain Dear Pharmacist

Why use a Compounding Pharmacy?

By Suzy Cohen, RPH

I

lost my car at the mall and had to ask the security guy to drive me around and find it. I was practically in tears after roaming around the parking lot for 20 minutes. At the time, I just thought, “I’m losing my mind. How do I not remember this?”

Your brain should be properly “ fed” and “exercised” and in good shape.

Then I thought about it; I have a hundred million thoughts in my head, and I parked at a location I never usually park in near a store I never go to. And I had been wrapped up in an important and intense conversation on the phone (while I was driving and parking) and… are you assuming these are excuses?

Maybe so. But it made me think that memory loss, and other injuries of the brain could impact your quality of life.

It’s scary.

• Mullein root. A little harder to find, mullein root has mild anti-spasmodic effects. Since it has an affinity for facial nerves, some holistic doctors suggest mullein for Bell’s palsy, trigeminal neuralgia or other facial nerve pain syndromes associated with brain injury.

Your brain should be properly “fed” and “exercised”’ and in good shape. I can teach you how to save your brain, and support yourself if you’re dealing with memory issues, brain fog, or mild issues related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) or toxic encephalopathy.

I’m only offering suggestions to save your brain today. I’m not sure what’s safe for you or effective for your individual condition so please speak to your neurologist before trying any of these supplements.

• Fatty acids. Why not? Your brain is made of fat. Fat is an integral part of your brain, so it’s first up for that reason. One of the most important types of supplements you can take would be something high in DHA— docosahexaenoic acid. You’ll find DHA in supplements labeled as such, and in salmon oil, fish oils, chia seed oil and krill.

• Acetyl L carnitine. It’s capable of repairing brain cells (neurons) and it’s known to prevent age-related memory decline. It turns into acetylcholine in the brain, which can help you with learning. Doctors often suggest it for stroke victims.

• Ginkgo biloba. A well-known herb that sends blood up to your brain and it could help with both short- and long-term memory. It seems to help balance the various catecholamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, adrenalin) as well as serotonin and cortisol levels. Taken together this can help revitalize a fading memory, reduce anxiety and improve your mood.

• Ashwagandha. This is known to help with thyroid function over time by raising thyroid hormone levels but it can make you sleepy. Studies suggest that it’s a good choice if you have insomnia related to any brain injury, including TBI. ■

• Customized hormone replacement therapy • Different formulations such as making a pill into a liquid • Combining multiple medicines into one • Hard to find or discontinued medicines • Topical pain creams

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

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AUGUST 2016

Top 10 health tips for your pet

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hat’s better than a feline friend, devoted doggie or lively lizard in your life? Pets bring great benefits to their owners, which studies have shown include decreased stress, increased physical activity and lower blood pressure. But owning a pet comes with responsibility for their care. Some local vets gave their two cents on ways to keep your pet happy and healthy.

1. Schedule regular checkups “Preventive care is the most important thing for your cat or dog,” said Dr. Kyle Dunn, owner of Canyon Country Veterinary Services. “Animals age faster than humans, so it’s important to have your pet seen annually, at the very least. Checking on their dental health and updating vaccines is part of this visit.”

2. Vaccinate your pets

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Vaccines are vital to the health of your dog or cat. Rabies is a death sentence for your pet and is found locally, generally in skunks and raccoons. Even if your pets spend most of their time indoors, vaccinating them against rabies protects them in the case of unintended encounters with carriers.

For dogs, distemper and parvo are other core vaccines that should be kept up to date. Parvo primarily affects puppies, and is easily prevented. A three-shot series will protect against this potentially fatal virus that attacks the lining of the small intestine.

For cats, feline leukemia, often caught from feral cats, and feline distemper, an upper respiratory disease, are of particular concern to indoor and outdoor cats.

3. Make dental appointments Dental issues can cause your pet’s health to suffer if not treated quickly.

Eating issues that come from poor dental care can cause weight loss and sickness. If not caught early, it can lead to tooth loss. Age-appropriate diet is a key consideration and goes hand in hand with your pet’s dental health.

“Young animals need more calories and certain nutrients for growth, while older pets often have issues that affect their organs and require a dietary change,” Creature Comforts Animal Hospital owner Dr. Aimee Johnson said.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month and many local veterinarians offer special discounts on teeth cleaning for your pet.

4. Control fleas, ticks and other parasites Parasites are another concern for many pet owners.

“Fleas are the most common external parasite,” Dunn said. “My favorite product to control ticks and fleas is Frontline Plus over-the-counter medication, available for both cats and dogs. Just a squirt on the back of the neck once a month and it controls fleas and ticks. This is especially im-

AUGUST 2016

HEALTH & WELLNESS 13

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portant during the summer months.”

Tapeworms come from contaminated animals or from ingesting fleas.

A one-pill treatment is available, but they can recur if fleas are not kept under control, or if your pet has frequent encounters with potentially contaminated animals, such as rabbits.

Fleas can also cause skin irritations, hair loss and infection. These can be treated with soothing ointments or creams.

Heartworm comes from mosquito bites and is endemic to our area.

“I suggest a heartworm pill each month for your dogs, year round,” Dunn said. “If you choose to only do this in the summer months, then they should be tested for heartworm each spring before beginning their summer heartworm pills.”

5. Spay and neuter There are health and behavioral benefits to spaying or neutering your pet.

“It lowers the incidents of cancer and urinary tract infections,” Dunn said.

Your pet is also less likely to wander, lowering its chance of getting lost or encountering wild animals or feral pets that can be carriers of infection. It often makes pets less aggressive and easier to handle.

6. Safety tips When considering the safety of your pet, Johnson advised, “Make sure your medications are secured. Keep them in a place your pet cannot accidentally ingest them.” Invest in a pet carrier for cats, and let your dog ride in the back seat of the car in case of an accident.

7. Exercise and socialize “Dogs need to be properly exercised and socialized,” Johnson said.

“No matter how small the dog, letting them out into the yard is not enough.”

Dogs need time and attention daily.

Taking them for walks or to the dog park is important to their mental well being.

Cats who spend any time outdoors should have a breakaway collar to prevent injury or entrapment. Wheth-

er they are indoor or outdoor cats, they should have access to a litter box, which needs to be kept clean.

Seek medical care for your cat if you see them panting. This is normal behavior in dogs but warrants an emergency vet visit in cats.

Take note of any change in routine of your dog or cat that may indicate a health issue.

8. At-home bird care Birds are sociable creatures and brighten any home.

Indoor birds, such as parrots and macaws, can roam the house or perch outside their cage while the owners are around, but should be caged when alone.

“Also, they should not be on the floor,” Dunn said. “It’s easy for them to get stepped on.”

Birds bathe in the wild, but they need our help once domesticated.

They can be sprayed with water, use a bowl, or even hop in the shower with you.

Seek medical attention if you see discharge or swelling of the eyes, if your bird can no longer perch and is sitting in the bottom of its cage, or has a noticeable change in routine.

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9. Trim nails, beaks Dunn suggested trimming nails for dogs and nails and beaks for birds regularly.

Avoid sandpaper perches for birds.

These do not prevent nail overgrowth but will irritate the pads of your bird’s feet.

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10. Build the right habitat “[With reptiles] I usually see issues related to climate and environment,” Dunn said. “These are animals that live in a very different climate than Grand Junction.”

Make sure your pet’s cage is the appropriate size and structure, and has the correct lighting, so that you enjoy watching them while they move about freely.

These animals cannot self-regulate their body temperature, so make sure a heat source is installed.

Don’t underestimate the responsibility involved with caring for a pet, but it’s a small price to pay for the joy they bring. ■

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14

HEALTH & WELLNESS

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AUGUST 2016

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By Scott Rollins, MD

I

f losing weight seems impossible, don’t lose heart—the answer lies at the heart of integrative medicine.

By taking a holistic and functional medicine approach, and integrating behavioral coaching with medical science, anyone can break down the wall to weight loss.

Diet and exercise are important, but for many, eating well and exercising is not enough. The eat-less-andexercise-more mantra just isn’t going to work for some. These patients need a functional medicine workup that addresses the sneaky underlying medical issues that are blocking their success.

Some patients need guidance on nutrition, meal planning and cooking, or a little direction on the best type of exercise, along with a plan to help ensure it happens. Help with sleep and stress management is often a subtle part of losing weight.

The medical path “I’ve struggled with weight my whole life,” said the patient with low thyroid.

The stressed-out patient with high cortisol may complain, “I’ve put on this weight and it’s all stuck right around the middle.”

After menopause, many women put on 20-30 pounds in the first year due to deficiencies of the ovarian hormones. Men, too, usually by age 50, start to show signs of low testosterone manifesting as more belly fat and less muscle. Growth hormones are the master hormones for building muscle and burning fat, and they also decline with age. Evaluating and restoring hormone balance is key to weight control.

The hunger and metabolic hormones of the digestive system,

“Diet and exercise are important, but for many, eating well and exercising is not enough.” including insulin, leptin, ghrelin and adiponectin, can also be optimized for weight loss. Using supplements or medications, doctors can assist this hormone system to control appetite and speed up metabolism.

Addressing intestinal health is a fairly easy area to help patients with weight loss. Conditions such as leaky gut or a disrupted gut bacterial ecosystem can have profound negative impacts on nutrient absorption and metabolic vitamin production.

Delayed food allergies will cause weight gain—some patients lose 1020 pounds while undergoing food allergy elimination diets. Insufficient nutrients, overloaded detoxification pathways and genetic mutations called polymorphisms are other areas that can be tested for and treated.

Catalysts for weight loss There are several prescriptions that can really help get you started losing weight. HCG is a hormone that promotes weight loss by opening up access to stubborn fat reserves so that a restricted calorie diet causes rapid fat loss as it is burned for fuel.

Sermorelin is a compound that can be taken to stimulate the natural release of human growth hormones.

B12 injections, combined with the fat-burning trio of compounds called methione-inositol-choline (MIC), are other great adjuvants to use. Protein shakes for meal replacement work as well.

If you are struggling with weight loss, then consider these key elements. One of them may be the answer to your weight-loss solution. ■

Scott Rollins, MD, is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics.

AUGUST 2016

HEALTH & WELLNESS 15

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Alzheimer’s toll on women often a double whammy

H I L LT O P’S S E N I O R D AY B R E A K

By Tait Trussell

T

wo and a half times as many women as men give intensive care 24 hours a day to someone with Alzheimer’s disease—usually their husbands.

But new research has startled American women. It has found that the women caretakers are more at risk than their husbands. The Alzheimer’s Association has just discovered that a woman’s lifetime risk of developing killer Alzheimer’s at age 65 or older is one in six.

This compares with men’s one-in-11 chance of being struck with Alzheimer’s. The additional finding that senior women are twice as likely to become Alzheimer’s victims compared to developing breast cancer is a double shock.

A CNN story tells of Carol Moore, 75, who said she didn’t let the possibility of breast cancer worry her because she was vigilant about her health. As for her forgetfulness, she figured it was merely part of getting older. In 2012, she had a battery of tests for part of an Alzheimer’s study.

Much to her shock, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s Chief Science Officer Maria Carrillo said that women are more likely to provide round-the-clock care, including feeding, clothing and diapering. Alzheimer’s patients need care for four to seven years, sometimes longer.

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work because of their responsibilities as caregivers. Additionally, women are more likely to take a leave of absence from work or stop working altogether. They also report feeling more isolated and depressed than their male counterparts.

Another surprise was that 24 percent of women and men mistakenly believe they are only at risk for Alzheimer’s disease if they have a family member with it.

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s include genetics and age, but according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s former chief strategy officer Angela Geiger, “Anyone with a brain is at risk.”

Staying mentally, socially and physically active, and eating a brainhealthy diet can help. Women can reduce the risk factors by reducing blood pressure, and blood sugar levels if they’re diabetic.

At present, there are 15.5 million U.S. caregivers providing 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care, frequently at the risk and detriment of their own health. The impact of dementia caregiving resulted in increased health care costs for Alzheimer’s caregivers, researchers calculated. ■

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16

LAUGHING MATTERS

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LAUGHING MATTERS Trivia

allowed on the plane.

The second man explained that he was an agent from the Drug Enforcement Agency and that the dog was a sniffing dog.

like the new store?”

Submitted by Lewis Armbrust

She says, “It was unbelievable.”

Do you know why there are 239 beans in a bowl of bean soup?

Any more, and it would be too farty.

He asks, “Did you get everything on your list?”

She replies, “Yep! Everything but

Shopping list

toilet paper.”

Submitted by Bob Breazeale

Served

A retired woman decides that she’ll try out the brand-new, upscale, yuppie, 21st-century grocery store. She goes into the produce department, which smells like fresh cut cantaloupe, so she buys one. The meat department smells like steak cooking, so she buys some steak. The dairy department smells like bacon and eggs cooking, so she buys some bacon and eggs. The breakfast department smells like fresh baked donuts, so she buys some.

She pays for everything and goes home.

Her husband asks, “So how do you

P R E M I E R

“His name is Sniffer and he’s the best there is,” the agent said. “I’ll show you once we get airborne when I put him to work.”

The plane took off, and once it had leveled out, the agent said, “Watch this.”

Submitted by Kevin Ray

It was mealtime during an airline flight.

“Would you like dinner?” the flight attendant asked John, seated in front.

He told Sniffer to search. Sniffer jumped down, walked along the aisle, and finally sat purposefully next to a woman for several seconds. Sniffer then returned to his seat and put one paw on the agent’s arm.

“What are my choices?” John asked.

She replied, “Yes or no.”

Sniffing Dog

The agent said, “Good boy,” and then turned to the man and said, “That woman is in possession of marijuana.

I’m making a note of her seat number and the authorities will apprehend her when we land.”

Submitted by Kevin Ray

A man had just settled into his window seat on the plane when another man sat down in the aisle seat and put his black Labrador retriever in the middle seat. The first man looked quizzically at the dog and asked why the dog was

S E N I O R

“Gee, that is pretty good,” replied

L I V I N G

AUGUST 2016

the man.

Once again, the agent sent Sniffer to search the aisles. The lab sniffed about, sat down beside a man for a few seconds, returned to his seat, and this time he placed two paws on the agent’s arm.

The agent said, “That man is carrying cocaine, so again, I’m making a note of his seat number for the police.”

“I like it!” said his seatmate.

The agent then told Sniffer to search again. Sniffer walked up and down the aisles for a little while, sat down for a moment, and then came racing back to the agent, jumped into the middle seat and proceeded to poop on the seat.

The man was really disgusted by this behavior and couldn’t figure out why a well-trained dog would behave like that.

So he asked the agent, “What’s going on?”

The agent nervously replied, “He just found a bomb.”

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A G E S

LAUGHING MATTERS 17

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On turning 90: “You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.”

On turning 100: “I don’t feel old. In fact, I don’t feel anything until noon.

Then it’s time for my nap.”

Spiritual guidance If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains; if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles; if you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it; if you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any of their time;

When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied, “Monsieur, that is the reason I stole the paintings.

I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh.”

Advice Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can’t eat it or play with it, then pee on it and walk away.

Comedian favorite “I was not a particularly small child. I was the one who always got picked to play Bethlehem in the school nativity.”

- Jo Brand “The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how much I play, I’ll never be as good as a wall.”

- Mitch Hedberg “A class system is something you use to discriminate against someone who looks like you.”

- Reginald D. Hunter

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“The doc told me I had a dual personality. Then he lays an $82 bill on me, so I give him $41 and say, ‘Get the other $41 from the other guy.’”

- Jerry Lewis

Stolen art

“My problem with the Grand Canyon A thief in Paris planned to steal some is Americans are too proud of it for my paintings from the Louvre. After careful liking. The Grand Canyon was like that planning, he got past security, stole the when they found it! And it’s not like it Budtenders you ■ treat paintings, and made it Let safelyour backskilled to was hard to find.”help - Ed Byrne

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On turning 80: “That’s the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing.”

al

On turning 70: “I still chase women, but only downhill.”

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18

LOCAL LORE

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

AUGUST 2016

What’s a barrow ditch?

By Eileen O’Toole

S

eems I’ve heard the question a lot lately whenever I have a reason to mention one. A barrow ditch is a ditch to catch wastewater—something unseen in subdivision heaven where, without gutters, water tends to go wherever it wants to go.

Historically speaking, other names for a barrow ditch acquire a regional flavor. Some are called bar ditch, others borrow ditch, but they all do the same thing—travel along each side of a road to drain water off the road and/or to catch water runoff from farm fields. Bar ditch is apparently short for barrow, but the borrow ditch, it is said, means that while building the road, ditches were dug alongside to build the road base, so the dirt was “borrowed” to build the road.

Going back in time, barrow ditches were scooped out to build barrows— an ancient form of burial mound.

Anyone who is familiar with “The Lord of the Rings” will remember the frequent barrows in play throughout the books.

But in the history of the Grand Valley, we needed irrigation water in order to farm. That water travels slightly downslope from where it enters the furrows and doesn’t stop until something stops it. It simply goes and goes until the farmer chang-

es to other fields or furrows. This can cause major problems.

One of the problems with canals in the Grand Valley is drainage. In the early days, this drainage leaking from canals, especially larger canals, created swamps and alkali fields and sometimes collected in orchards and fields, killing crops. It didn’t take long for drainage to become as important as irrigation. Additionally, wastewater gathering along and on the surface of miles of dirt roads turned these roads into mud pits and made them impassable.

Barrow ditches carry water that comes from fields and orchards alongside roads, and when necessary, under roads (some of the old culverts under these roads were long wooden boxes), directing water into washes and drainage ditches and back into the river.

One of the perks of having barrow ditches was the crop of asparagus every spring that brought people from all over to pick it. As salt problems became more of a problem during the 1950s and 1960s, canals and laterals were cemented to contain the salt leaching into fields and rivers.

This killed much of the valley’s wild asparagus crop, but the rural barrow ditches continued to supplement the treat until they began to disappear. ■

The arrow in this photo points to the barrow ditch.

The photo was taken in the late 1930s of the author’s grandmother, left, and mother, right, sightseeing along South Broadway.

AUGUST 2016

19

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Pavement sizzling?

Think of your dog’s feet.

PETA gives hot-weather tips for your pet

P

eople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) receives reports every year about animals that experience horrifying deaths after being left in hot cars during the summer months. Other dogs sustain burns and develop blisters on their sensitive paws from walking on hot pavement, and cases in which dogs have collapsed from heat prostration are soaring. With high temperatures forecast for the rest of the summer, PETA is offering urgent guidelines for taking care of companion animals during hot weather.

When outdoor temperatures reach the 80s, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to well over 100 degrees in just minutes—and asphalt temperatures can reach 140 degrees, causing pain, burns, permanent damage, and scarring on dogs’ paws after just a few minutes of contact.

Locking dogs inside parked cars and walking them on hot pavement places them at risk of deadly heatstroke. If you see dogs showing any symptoms of heatstroke—including restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite or coordination—get them into the shade immediately and lower their body temperature by providing them with water, applying a cold towel to their head and chest, or immersing them in tepid (not ice-cold) water.

Then immediately call a veterinarian.

Remember: When dogs’ long tongues hang out, it means they are uncomfortable, even in danger.

PETA offers the following suggestions for safeguarding animals during hot weather: • Keep dogs indoors: Unlike humans, dogs can only sweat through their footpads and cool themselves by panting. Soaring temperatures can cause heat stress, injury or death.

• Provide water and shade: When

outside, animals must have access to fresh water and ample shade, and the shifting sun needs to be taken into account. Even brief periods of direct exposure to the sun can have life-threatening consequences.

• Walk—don’t run: In very hot, humid weather, never exercise dogs by biking and making them run alongside you or by running them while you jog. Dogs will collapse before giving up, at which point, it may be too late to save them.

• Avoid hot cars: Never leave an animal in a parked car in warm weather, even for short periods with the windows partially rolled down. Dogs trapped inside hot cars can succumb to heatstroke within minutes even if a car isn’t parked in direct sunlight.

• Never transport animals in the bed of a pickup truck: This practice is dangerous and illegal in many cities and states because animals can be catapulted out of a truck bed on a sudden stop or strangled if they jump out while tethered.

• Stay alert and save a life: Keep an eye on all outdoor animals. Make sure that they have adequate water and shelter. If you see an animal in distress, provide him or her with water for immediate relief and contact humane authorities right away.

• Avoid hot pavement: Walk on grass when possible, and avoid walking in the middle of the day.

• Use a cooling vest or mat: Dog cooling equipment, such as wearable vests or bed mats, come in a range of materials and prices and help prevent overheating. Simply freeze or soak the items in cold water to keep dogs comfortable while on a walk or lounging. Placing cold water bottles in a dog’s bed also works.

For more tips, visit PETA.org. ■

focus on people

our residents

their lives

their families

20 HOME & GARDEN

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

AUGUST 2016

How to plan an eco-friendly home renovation

By Nathaniel Sillin

P

970-640-3908

grandvalleyinsulation.com

lenty of people are now putting the sun, wind and water to work to cut their energy bill. Should you join them?

Before shifting to renewable energy technology, you’ve got to do some individualized research, and above all, work the numbers.

You might have heard recent news reports about solar energy’s sliding costs and rising support in Washington. A recent White House report noted that the average cost of a solar electric system has dropped by 50 percent since 2010 and that federal agencies are working to make it easier for lower-income taxpayers to borrow up to $25,000 for solar- and energy-efficient home improvements.

In December 2015, federal lawmakers agreed to extend solar and wind tax credits past year-end 2016. The 30 percent federal consumer energy efficiency tax credits for both solar power companies and residential users will now be good through 2019, though it’s scheduled to decline afterward to a level of 10 percent in 2022. Meanwhile, tax credits for wind projects at the current 2.3 cents for each kilowatt-hour of electricity will expire at year-end 2016 and then fall each year afterward until they expire in 2020.

How should you evaluate the cost of a renewable energy project? Consider these questions: Could incremental energy-saving projects be more practical?

Before you decide on an expensive solar or other renewables project, see if smaller changes around the home could save money. You can improve the performance of heating and air conditioning systems and seal air leaks from windows, doors and other areas of the home. A do-it-yourself or professional energy audit might be a good first step in detecting energy waste. Visit www.energy.gov/ener gysaver/articles/energy-audits for details.

What’s going on locally? When it comes to renewable energy, geography matters. Generally, weather, temperature, wind and sun exposure measurements matter when you’re choosing a particular project. State and local organizations dealing with renewables can offer guidance to cost, effectiveness, installation and other issues you’ll need to evaluate.

Do you really understand the technology? There’s no doubt that technology is always evolving, which is one of the reasons why renewable energy options are becoming cheaper. However, falling costs are one thing, but you need to fully understand what you’re buying so you can hire the best people to install it and service the system over time. For the basics, a good place to start is the U.S. Department of Energy at www.energy.gov.

Should you buy, lease or borrow? One of the drivers behind the recent growth in solar is a new generation of vendors who provide onestop shopping, installation and billing for systems at little or no initial cost.

These vendors facilitate both purchase-by-loan and lease options. As convenient as this option might be, watch for inflation clauses, fees and penalties that could drive you above what you’re paying for conventional, utility-produced electricity.

How will it affect resale? There’s a fair amount of debate as to whether green home improvements actually boost home prices. Also, many real estate experts have mixed opinions about how prospective buyers feel about purchasing a home with existing renewable energy equipment that’s either been bought or leased.

Should I involve my financial and tax advisors? Whether you plan to buy, borrow or lease a system or do intermediary energy improvements around the home, talking to a qualified financial or tax advisor is essential. It’s also a good idea to speak with your homeowners insurance agent to see if your project will affect your coverage. ■

AUGUST 2016

HOME & GARDEN 21

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How can I improve the health and look of my landscape?

Garden Smarts, By Kathy Kimbrough Q. Planning my garden is over-

whelming. I love the early spring bulbs, but I’m not sure when to plant them. I see many beautiful flowers in the summer but I forget about them. When I walk around my yard, I’m not sure what to plant where. Can you recommend a place to start or a plan of action for creating a landscape that’s interesting all year long?

Great landscapes happen over time and involve year-round planning. I like to make notes of when certain plants are blooming or look their best. I go on garden tours or view public gardens, such as the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens or the Montrose Botanic Gardens, and the CSU Extension Arboretum on Orchard Mesa. Take pictures of landscapes you see around town and collect your ideas on Pinterest. Show the garden center clerk your pictures and they can guide you to those plants.

Local garden center staff and the CSU Extension staff can also give you ideas on what to plant and when. Review catalogs and garden websites, and make

changes to your hardscape. Consider hiring a garden designer, as they can give you a fresh perspective of your landscape and show you ways to get the most from it all year long.

Q. Some of my purple coneflowers

are green and some are deformed, but all of them are much smaller than they should be. What is going on and what can I do about it?

It sounds like your coneflowers may be infected with aster yellows. Chlorosis, yellowing of the leaves while the veins remain green, is a major symptom.

Stunted, twisted growth and oddly distorted flowers are also common symptoms. Leafhoppers spread the disease when they suck the sap of infected plants. Affected flowers should be pulled up and discarded immediately to stop the spread of the disease. Control weeds such as dandelions, plantains and thistles, which may carry it. Cover vegetables with floating row covers. Find less susceptible plants such as verbena, salvia, nicotiana, geranium, cockscomb and impatiens to avoid future problems.

PLANT OF THE MONTH—

Amethyst Falls Oregano (Origanum Amethyst Falls) Ornamental oregano is a long-blooming perennial with aromatic foliage and beautiful flowers that resemble hops. Its mature size is 15 inches tall and 18 inches wide, and it blooms from late summer through mid-fall. It is well suited for containers and rock gardens—just be sure to plant it in a container that can overwinter outside without cracking. It’s a lowmaintenance, non-edible, water-wise plant that prefers good drainage and full sun.

Divide every three to four years and trim off old stems in spring when new growth appears. Deadheading during the season extends the flowering period.

Q. What should I do to prepare my roses for winter? I have hybrid teas, floribundas and climbers.

You should start planning the hardening off process for your roses, trees and shrubs. Gradually reduce your watering and stop fertilizing by the end of August. This will help them go into dormancy at a safe pace and keep them from being stressed all winter long. The climbers and hybrid teas are the most sensitive to winter temperatures. Clean up dead leaves from around the base of the roses to eliminate a winter home for insects or diseases. Leave the serious pruning until spring. Consider mulching the crown of your roses with dirt, bark mulch or straw for winter protection.

Water during the winter if there is not sufficient snow, which is most of the time. Once a month is plenty to keep the roots from dehydrating and the leaves from desiccating. ■

GARDEN CHECKLIST:  If needed, divide spring-

blooming perennials like peonies and iris.  Plant spinach. Harvest tender

leaves for salads in the fall, and overwinter for early spring greens.  Harvest onions when 80

percent of the tops have fallen over.  Fertilize lawns between now

and mid-September, using one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.  Reduce watering of trees and

shrubs to prepare them for winter.  If spring-flowering bulbs are

crowded or need relocated, do it now. Let them dry a few days in a cool shady spot. Choose the best ones to re-plant.

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22

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AUGUST 2016

Henry Ford loved contra dancing, and so will you!

By Melanie Wiseman

pop culture,” Young said.

onnie Smith calls herself the “Contra Queen.” She started going to contra dances in Albuquerque in 1980, and even played piano with the band. When she moved to Grand Junction in 1992, she was disappointed to learn there were no dances here.

Enter Ron Young, who was introduced to Smith while playing music together. They discovered their mutual love of contra dancing and the frustration of having to travel out of town to dance. Together, they committed to change that. For the past 17 years, their passion has kept this slice of Americana alive in Grand Junction.

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Smith and Young each volunteer a good deal of time organizing and promoting contra dances locally.

Their October dance will mark their 100th contra dance in Grand Junction. Dances are held on a new 2,000-square-foot floor at DanceSport on Colorado Avenue. Smith, 57, plays the piano, and Young, 67, is the caller.

“It’s like our baby,” Smith said. “I’m as proud of those dances as I am of my sons because we built it.”

Sometimes described as New England folk dance or Appalachian folk dance, contra dances can be found around the world.

“We almost lost contra dance,” Young said. “It was a very popular dance in England and the colonists brought it with them. Up until 150 years ago, community dance was very popular. Everyone grew up dancing.”

In the mid 19th century, group dances started to decline in popularity, favoring couple dances, such as the waltz and polka. Henry Ford and other influential contra dance lovers helped keep it alive.

“In the ’60s, in particular, it made a comeback as an alternative to the

“It’s a glorious thing when everyone in the room is doing the same movement at the same time to live music,” Smith said. “A sweet moment for us was having over 200 people once at the Lincoln Park Barn.”

The only real answer to the question “What is contra dance?” comes when you give it a try.

“It’s hard for people to visualize when you’re describing it,” Smith said.

Contra dancing has been described as social interaction set to music.

“I consider it traditional community dance,” Young said.

This social dance is great for attendees without a partner. Contra dancing is long lines of pairs who follow the caller in a series of figures and steps.

Want to learn how to contra dance?

All the instruction you’ll need is taught in a workshop for new dancers during the half-hour prior to local dances.

Each individual dance has 32 bars or measures that are repeated, as couples progress up and down the lines.

The most common type of movement is a smooth walking step. Young teaches the sequence of figures before the music starts.

“We play a combination of Celtic music, old time music, southern Appalachian music and contra dance fiddle tunes,” Smith said. “We have guest fiddlers from Glenwood Springs, Fort Collins and Moab as well as locals, including former symphony performers.”

The fiddle is considered the core instrument, though the piano and stringed instruments, such as the guitar, banjo, bass and mandolin, are played as well.

Local dances are generally held seven to nine times a year and dress is casual.

AUGUST 2016

23

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August 11th —TrAvel TAlk Coffee BreAk

10:00am • Clarion Inn • 755 Horizon Drive • Grand Junction, CO

Open to All who love traveling! Come hear Terry give a “spirited” presentation about ALL of our current escorted tours, and introduce some new tours for 2017 with more to come. featuring: 2016 — Columbia river Cruise, Colorado Christmas 2017— Island Princess Panama Canal Cruise, Great Smoky Mountain Spring

“This past year we threw in a couple English country dances,” Smith said.

Dances are open to singles, couples and families—just make sure that kids participating in the dances are 10 or older.

“On average we have 50 to 60 attend a dance and new people are always welcome,” Smith said. “It’s fun watching the kids grow up with it.”

Dancing with a smile “I never stop smiling while I’m contra dancing,” Leah Lyon, 56, said. “It’s always a positive experience. Everyone helps each other and there’s no judgment.”

Lyon has been contra dancing for three years.

“I’m researching what they used to wear so I can create an outfit,” she said. “The little girl in me likes having my skirt twirl.”

Married for 34 years, Lyon could never get her husband to go dancing.

Contra dance changed all that.

“I think he’s having as good of a time as I am,” she said. “It’s great ex-

ercise and I like the nice age mix.”

“I might be 64, but I’m 30 when I’m out there dancing,” said Moab resident Sam Sturman, who attended a recent dance. “Its non-competitive and fun for everyone. The more experienced dancers help you become a better dancer.”

Sturman has been contra dancing for 14 years. Because of his love for the dance, he doesn’t think twice about the miles he travels from Moab to dances in Salt Lake City, Carbondale, New Mexico and Grand Junction.

“It’s like the building of America.

People coming from all over the countryside to get together,” Sturman said. “It’s part of Americana.”

Terry Eakle

Escorting Custom Tours from Grand Junction Since 1985.

751 Horizon Court, Suite 249 Grand Junction, CO 81506 • 434-6494

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Our Gift to You & Your Loved Ones

Get ready to dance!

Contra dances take place at Dance Sport, 421 Colorado Ave. in Grand Junction. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and $4 for kids age 10-17. New dancers workshop starts at 7 p.m. and dances begin at 7:30 p.m. ■

2016-2017 schedule August 27 ..............................Contra dance September 24 ...........English Country dance October 29..............................Contra dance November 19..........................Contra dance January 7................................Contra dance February 11............................Contra dance March 25................................Contra dance April 29 ..................................Contra dance May 20 ......................English Country dance

For more information about local dances, visit www.fifthreelmusic anddance.com. To locate dances outside of Grand Junction, visit www.cfootmad.org.

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Contra Dance and English Country Dance classes are also offered through New Dimensions classes for people 50 and older. Visit www.newdimensionsgj.org to register.

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24 TRAVEL

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AUGUS

Magnificent

By Victor Block

T

owering mountains overlook dense forests and broad plains that are home to a wealth of wildlife. That safari-like setting is reason enough to visit the northwestern corner of Montana. Add a choice of enticing towns, Indian reservations and vestiges of authentic cowboy culture, and it’s no wonder that the area attracts a steady stream of visitors.

Dining and Moose Drool This region clings proudly and stubbornly to touches of its frontier past. Rustic roadside signs advertise equally rustic establishments like the Bison Inn Café and Hungry Horse Saloon.

Communities and geographic places are named after former Native American chiefs (Charlo, Arlee), legendary fur traders and explorers (Jocko Valley, Finley Point), wildlife (Hungry Horse and Whitefish) and natural elements (West Glacier, Columbia Falls). Many residents of

the region, as well as curious visitors, drown their thirst by quaffing a locally brewed beer named Moose Drool.

The area’s overall ambience may be encountered and appreciated at hangouts like the Old Timer Café, a nondescript eatery in St. Ignatius.

Its breakfast menu features chicken-fried steak accompanied by ample portions of eggs, biscuits and gravy.

Another favorite among locals is the “cow patty,” which is artery-clogging hash brown potatoes topped by ham, eggs and melted cheese, all buried beneath a pool of thick beef gravy.

Diners themselves provide an intimate introduction to the region’s lifestyle. During my visit, two Native Americans wearing ornately beaded shirts shared a table with a cowboy, resplendent in 10-gallon hat, leather vest and chaps. An elderly gentleman, obviously a regular, whispered and giggled with a waitress. Two bearded young men wore red jackets that sported the logo of their employer, “Robert Cattle Services – Bull Semen

Collection.”

Mont

Old West culture The down-home western flavor is evident everywhere. Ubiquitous boots, cowboy hats and country dancing hint at a Marlboro Man machismo. Adding to the interest is that this western setting melds comfortably with a strong Indian culture.

The Flathead Reservation runs about 60 miles north to south, from Flathead Lake to just above Missoula.

The Salish and Kootenai who live there are among 11 tribes that have or share reservations in Montana, together making up about 9 percent of the state’s population. This strong influence adds to the feeling of having been transported back in America’s past.

Museums and artifacts Museums large and small re-create and retell the history of Native Americans who roamed the region and still make it their home. The People’s Center in Polson exhibits clothing,

beadwork, cooking implements and other artifacts from the daily lives of the Salish, Pend d’Orielle and Kootenai tribes. At times, there are presentations of drumming, dance and other native traditions.

Other small but interesting collections are tucked away in restaurants, the back of stores and in hidden recesses of hotels. For example, old photographs of Indians grace the lobby walls of the Kwa’TaqNuk Best Western Resort on Flathead Lake, and a diorama on the lower level depicts a teepee village.

Pre-Columbian arrowheads, an eagle-handled dance stick, and a bird feather fan are among displays at the aptly named Miracle of America Museum in Polson. They share space with a jumble of more than 10,000 items that greet visitors to what has been called the Smithsonian of the West.

Among the eclectic collection of Americana are an old service station, schoolhouse and 19th-century

ST 2016

TRAVEL 25

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t

tana sod-roof log cabin. World War II tanks, Jeeps and an antiaircraft gun vie for space with antique motorcycles, presidential election memorabilia and early dishwashing machines.

As much as any such collection, the majestic mountain setting of western Montana itself is a kind of outdoor museum. The town of Bigfork, near the head of Flathead Lake, is a com-

munity of resorts and galleries. In windows of art studios that line the quiet streets, traditional Western cowboy art mingles comfortably with more contemporary creations.

Kalispell in the Flathead Valley got its name from the Native American words for “grassy land above the lake.” It’s home to close to three dozen artists.

Outdoor life Life of a different kind makes Glacier National Park a must-see part of any visit, and provides proof for the claim that Montana has more wildlife and fewer people than anywhere else in the continental 48 states.

That 1.1 million-acre refuge is home to an array of what a ranger referred to as “watch-

able wildlife,” and it didn’t take long to understand why.

I spotted a bear cub cavorting in a meadow, digging, scraping and rolling about. A snow-white mountain goat appeared, preening as if posing for pictures. Several prong-horned antelope played a spirited game of tag, and a small herd of elk grazed in the distance. The guide also pointed to signs that one of several wolf packs, which roam the park, had recently passed by.

Man-made attractions also vie for attention. For example, the town of St. Ignatius (population about 900) is the site of a mission of the same name, which was founded by Jesuits in 1854 for the Flathead Indians. Visitors may view the mission church, which was built in 1891, and two

small cabins that were the original homes of resident Jesuits and Providence nuns.

Fifty-eight murals on the church walls and ceilings depict saints and scenes from the Old and New Testaments. They were painted in the early 20th century by Brother Joseph Carignano, an Italian Jesuit who served as both cook and handyman at the mission.

A small tepee perched on a side alter, hymns sung by a tribal chorus and other unique touches are reminders that this is Indian country. It’s a place where visitors have opportunities to immerse themselves in both history and present-day life, not to mention some of Mother Nature’s most magnificent handiwork. ■

Thinking about visiting Montana?

Miracle of America Museum

For more information, call the Montana Office of Tourism at 800-847-4868 or go to www.visitmt.com.

NIC

26 BUSINESS PROFILE

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Family Health West celebrates 70 years in Fruita

By Cecily Whiteside

W

hat started as a citizen-led community hospital in 1946, Family Health West has continued to grow and transform, but it still holds true to its founding premise: community matters.

“Our motto is: No one cares for you like family,” Family Health West Foundation Director Stacey Mascarenas said. “This is a true community hospital. The citizens of the community started it and the community is still involved. We really are like family to our patients.”

Family Health West includes Colorado Canyons Hospital & Medical Center, a full-service hospital with a level 4 trauma-certified emergency department, a surgical center, and extensive physical, occupational

and speech therapy departments.

They also have a full array of physician services. It’s the three longterm care facilities, however, that really sets Family Health West apart in its care for seniors and those in need of extended care.

“We have the Courtyard Care Center, which is a typical nursing home,” Mascarenas said. “This is more for those patients whose body is shutting down, generally due to age and infirmity, but they are still mentally sharp. The Oaks is our assisted living facility. And we have The Willows, which is a secured memory care facility, for those who may be physically fine but their mental capacity is diminished. With our low nurse-to-patient ratio, we are well-suited to care for these

We take care of all of you.

F

or 70 years we’ve been here for you, providing quality home-town care.

As your family has grown, we’ve grown with you to deliver comprehensive health care for all. Our mission is to serve you through every stage of life in a culture of caring you’ll find nowhere else. We are here to take care of all of you.

sphere and quality of care given to the residents of Family Health West is its employees. The organization has several multi-generational employees, which according to Mascarenas, all speak highly of the organization and their mission.

“Kayren Goss has worked at Family Health West for more than 40 years. She is now the director of The Willows,” she said. “Her mother Nelle Evers, was one of our first nurses, and worked here for more than 45 years. Brothers Steve and Tom Lambert have worked in the facilities department for 25 years.

Cameron Garcia worked in landscaping in high school. His mom, Kay Garcia, has worked at FHW for over 30 years.”

After 70 years in Fruita, Family Health West is still vital and growing.

“We have plans for growth and for modernizing existing buildings, to care for those that are aging, but we want to stay in Fruita,” she said.

“Our reputation and history speaks for us, and we never lose sight that our core mission is to serve the seniors who need us. We’ve served the Lower Valley for 70 years. We’re excited for the next 70.”

For more information about Family Health West and its services, call 858-3900. ■

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patients.”

The array of senior services has allowed Family Health West to make an overwhelming impact on the quality of life as community members age. They have a high percentage of Medicaid patients in comparison to other care facilities in the Grand Valley.

“In many cases, patients will exhaust their savings in private-pay facilities,” she said. “They may have no place to go. We make sure they are cared for.”

Family Health West serves residents from the Fruita area and across the Western Slope, and even some from across the country.

“A lot of times, family members live here and they want their aging parents nearby,” she said. “We provide personal care with a community atmosphere.”

This is evidenced by the number of high school-aged youth who volunteer in the care facilities, the elementary-aged kids who sing or play for patients, and the fact that Fruita always routes its parades by the nursing home.

“CNAs and nurses bring many of the patients down to make sure they can see and participate in these community events,” Mascarenas said.

Perhaps the most demonstrative token about the positive atmo-

AUGUST 2016

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Roice-Hurst’s Animal Resource Center gives pets, owners new leash on life

By Carrie Kellerby

L

ast year, workers at Roice-Hurst Humane Society noticed an alarming trend. Not only were they seeing an uptick in the number of animals entering the facility because of behavioral issues, but the animals were also staying in the shelter for a longer time than they had in the past. To make matters worse, the animals’ behavioral problems were increasing because of the stress from being sheltered so long.

In response to this situation RHHS launched the Animal Resource Center (ARC) at the beginning of 2016. Designed to help educate the public about the basic needs of dogs and cats, provide information about proper pet care and counsel pet owners when animal behaviors become problematic, the goal of

the new program is to decrease the surrender of animals back to the shelter because of behaviors that can be corrected. In addition to the focus on animal behavior and human education, Roice-Hurst also recognizes the important role of matching owner and pet to the ultimate success of a long-term adoption.

RHHS Executive Director Anna Stout said that many people have misconceptions about what animals need, so pre-adoption education is critical for a good outcome.

“I’ve met some people who think that cats are just smaller versions of dogs and could be treated the same way,” she said.

Understanding the needs and natural inclinations of one’s pet is also critical. Generally, cats don’t like to run with the pack, and dogs don’t like being left alone for very long.

While there may be exceptions, expecting an animal to change its natural inclination is probably going to lead to trouble and the possibility of problematic behaviors.

While successful placement is paramount, another focus of the Animal Resource Center is working with the animals currently at Roice-Hurst to mitigate any existing behavioral problems. To accomplish this, Roice-Hurst has expanded its staff by bringing aboard Jodi Summers, a cat specialist with 18 years of experience, and master trainer in canine behavioral modification, Lance Ferguson.

The two counselors are currently working with the animals at Roice-Hurst as well as offering informational and training courses, which brings us to the final component of the new program—training and counseling. This component is designed to strengthen the bonds

RESOURCE DIRECTORY HIGHLIGHT 27 between pets and their owners.

Classes are offered in specific behaviors, like potty training an animal or educating the human partners in feeding their pet for optimal nutrition. Additionally, both Summers and Ferguson provide one-on-one counseling services preand post-adoption from the shelter.

Anyone interested in the behavioral counseling services can make an appointed for a free 30-minute phone or in-person counseling session.

Finally, the Animal Resource Center hosts classes on an ongoing basis. The current courses include Kitty Kindergarten, Taming Your Tiger, Kitty Classes for Kids, Clicker and Agility Training, Puppy Potty Training, Crate Training, Nutrition, Grooming, and Easing Aggression.

For those who adopt an animal from RHHS, the classes are available for six months at no charge.

The classes are also available to the general public for either $10 per class or the donation of an item

from RHHS’ wish list. To see the wish list, visit rhhumanesociety. org/wish-list.

The program is partially funded by grant money, but support for the program is always welcome. For more information about Roice-Hurst Humane Society, their new Animal Resource Center, any of their programs or services, or ways to help the organization, call 434-7337. ■

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Legislators keep programs to benefit seniors

By Eileen Doherty, Colorado Gerontological Society

T

he 2016 Colorado Legislature did not pass much new legislation that affects seniors, but they kept many of the programs that benefit older adults without any cuts or changes, which some may consider a “win.”

Even when funding is more flexible, advocates are concerned about maintaining funding for senior programs. Most of the funding is discretionary, so if legislators need to balance the budget, those programs are often seen as unnecessary.

Property Tax Homestead Exemption The Homestead Exemption provides for a tax break of 50 percent of the first $200,000 of value on a personal residence, in which the homeowner has lived for 10 years and is over the age of 65. Homeowners can apply at the county assessor’s office for this tax break.

In 2014-15, there was an excess of approximately $1 million in the Homestead Exemption fund, which was made available to older adults through the Area Agencies on Aging and will help fund programs such as transportation, home care and meals on wheels.

Older Coloradoans Fund The Older Coloradoans Fund was funded at 2015-16 levels, thus allowing local service providers to continue serving the needs of many seniors with services that promote independence in the home and often help delay the need for long-term care services. Funding for these programs is available through the Area Agencies on Aging, with a focus on serving those in most economic and social need.

Health care Health Care Policy and Financing was awarded $3 million to serve non-Medicaid individuals 60 and over, whose monthly income is less than 250 percent of poverty, with dental services. Services are provided through 21 grantees throughout the state, including federally qualified health centers, private dentists who contract with community agencies, and dentists who are in private practice.

Funding was also maintained for low-income seniors whose monthly income is less than $12,953 ($17,560 for a couple) to provide a rebate on rent, heat and/or property taxes.

Applications can be made through the Colorado Department of Revenue.

Elder abuse In 2014, many individuals, either by their license or the type of institution in which they work, were deemed mandatory reporters of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation for anyone who was over the age of 70. This year the legislature expanded those same protections to any individual age 18 and over who is identified as an atrisk adult. The group of individuals who are mandatory reporters was also expanded.

Respite care More people are caring for elders and loved ones in their own homes. The legislature directed a study in late 2015 and passed a bill in this session to begin to address the needs of families and those providing care to the disabled and those with chronic conditions. For the next three years, the project is tasked with identifying the needs of

Most of the funding is discretionary, so if legislators need to balance the budget, those programs are often seen as unnecessary.

AUGUST 2016

families needing respite care, a central registry to list respite services, training for those providing respite services, and making it easier to use Medicaid funds to provide respite services.

Joint tenancy Transferring title to property that is owned in joint tenancy upon the death of one of the joint tenants was simplified. The surviving joint tenant has to file paperwork with the county clerk to affirm that the individual is deceased. The bill also outlines how creditors can file a claim against the estate and makes provisions for those who want to challenge the Last Will and Testament.

Suicide Suicide in Colorado is high compared to other states, especially among the elderly. The Colorado Department of Public Health has been charged with collecting data to identify ways to reduce suicide rates. While no funding was provided for this mandate, the department is required to develop a plan to improve training and to develop a plan

by July 1, 2019.

County departments of human services process applications for food stamps, Medicaid, Old Age Pension and long-term care. Colorado has consistently paid fines to the federal government for taking too long to process the applications and for the inaccuracies in processing applications. If the State meets certain requirements for accuracy and timeliness, the State receives a bonus. Based on the legislation signed by the governor, the State will share the bonuses with county departments that meet the requirements for timely processing and accuracy of awarding benefits to beneficiaries.

For information on these and other bills affecting older adults, call 303-333-3482. Individuals needing assistance with applying for any of the programs are encouraged to call and talk with a counselor. ■

AUGUST 2016

TALKING DIGITAL 29

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What is Pokémon Go?

Denver Theater Trip

Tuesday, September 20, 2016 10:00AM - Montrose

By Adam Cochran

O

ver the past several weeks I have been asked the same question by almost everyone I talk to. What is Pokémon Go? The internet is packed with all sorts of articles, commentaries, videos and chiasmuses about Pokémon Go. These explanations are packed with jargon and over-complicated descriptions of the app. The purpose of this column is to provide a very simple explanation of Pokémon Go, not to defend it, or promote it.

I live across the street from a Pokémon hotspot, and I have noticed a lot of people 50 and older with their cell phones out, capturing Pokémon in groups, with their families or grandkids.

Here’s what you need to know to start having fun.

Pokémon Go is a free mobile app, but players can advance faster if they choose to buy in-game “coins” with real money. Most players will be just fine with the free game.

The most basic explanation I give is that Pokémon Go is a mobile game that uses a simplified GPS map to guide players around town to collect digital awards at real-world landmarks.

Once the game is installed, players need to sign up for an account or they can use their existing Google (Gmail) account or they can setup an account with Nintendo.

The free account sign-up allows the game to store your progress online,

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form real-world teams, or buy coins.

You can’t play the game without providing some basic information (name and birthday), which you don’t have to tell the truth about, but you do have to remember what you said.

Once the game is running, players are presented with a very simple map with obvious “Pokéspots” marked where players can collect game fodder, such as Pokéballs (used to catch Pokémon, incense (to lure the Pokémon) and potions used for healing. Along the way, players will encounter creatures (Pokémon) that appear on the map.

Tapping on the map opens your phone’s camera so you can actually see the creatures appear as though they were really there in front of you.

You collect Pokémon using a simple game where you flick the phone screen just right in order to capture them.

Start the app, which signs in automatically after the first time you play, look at the map, travel to a Pokéspot or creature, claim the items at the Pokéspot or capture the creature. That’s pretty much it.

If you decide that you love the game element, there are other activities such as battling at certain areas in town that are set up as arenas and there is a complex scoring system for those who really get into the game. But, to have fun, get exercise and relate to others, this column covers the basics.

Read more about the cultural impact of the game on my blog: http://tinyurl. com/pkgbeacon.

This video offers more than you need to know, but it is a great visual walkthrough and explanation of the actual game: http://tinyurl.com/pkgintro. ■

Adam Cochran is a technology instructor at Colorado Mesa University.

You can email your technology questions to Adam at adamc@talkingdigital.org.

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30 FAITH MOVES

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

AUGUST 2016

Putting Christ at the Center

By Melanie Wiseman

T

he puzzle is complex, with thousands of pieces.

How did a rebellious preacher’s kid from South Africa leave the church for 16 years, marry and have a family, immigrate to the U.S. and reconnect with God, lose a child and find his faith strengthened, partner with other passionate people to build the local Christ Center and expand its ministry?

There’s no simple answer, but in retrospect, Andrew Marais, 58, realized that God had a bigger plan for him than his own personal wants.

The prodigal son Born and raised in South Africa, Marais’ father was senior pastor of the Dutch Reform Church in Pretoria, the country’s political epicenter.

“I saw people with a lack of authenticity vying for positions to feel important and self-promoting,” Marais said. “I honestly thought people in the church were special and we’re not. I was suffering from some sort of delusion. People are just people—we’re all sinners.”

According to Marais, apartheid (a system of racial segregation) and the Dutch Reform Church (also

called the National Party of Prayer) basically reinforced each other.

“When I got my brains, I figured out there was something wrong in this society,” he said. “I wondered why my church did not create an outcry over apartheid. All of these things played into my questioning this ‘God’ thing.”

As the pastor’s kid, he was the butt of gossip. He became rebellious and ran away from his faith.

Marais earned his law degree, married his wife Gerda, and had two sons. From 1985-1989, he worked as a diplomat for the South African Embassy in Washington, DC. “I was materialistic and wanted money,” he said. “I wanted to be successful, drive an expensive car and be an important guy.”

Marais and his family moved back to South Africa for two years during the difficult transition, just as Nelson Mandela was released from prison and job prospects were poor. The only hope of the lives the parents wanted for their sons was in America.

During the family’s relocation to the U.S. a local church reached out to them and made a great effort to be warm and welcoming.

“This church was the antithesis of my perception of church people,” Marais said. “After avoiding church for 16 years, I ran smack into the love of Christ. When my next encounter with suffering came, I was surrounded by people who cared, and as a result, I held onto Jesus very tightly that time.”

Finding home and loving arms Andrew and Gerda decided the East Coast wasn’t a good fit for their family.

“We were looking for someAndrew Marias, founder of The Chirst Center

thing more rural—more real for our sons,” Marais said. “Colorado reciprocated my South Africa law degree. I fell in love with Grand Junction and we decided to find a home in Fruita. It was 1996 and the boys were 15 and 12.”

When the Marais’ found no housing in the area, a local Fruita couple picked them up off the street, housed and fed them for five weeks. Marais practiced law for two years and was wrapping up his practice when he received news that his 17-year-old son was killed in a car accident.

“I can’t tell you how many amazing things happened during that horrible time,” he said. “People wrapped their arms around us, and wouldn’t let us go. I really saw God showering us with gentleness. God was really talking to me. It’s like my spiritual eyes opened.”

Although he struggled to understand why this happened, Marais is confident he and Gerda wouldn’t be where they are now spiritually if Pieter hadn’t died.

“The more I struggled, the more God was connecting dots for me in a way I never thought about life before,” he said. “My perspective in the past was so short term, thinking about money and our next vacation. Now all of a sudden my son was in heaven, so it stretched my mind to start thinking long term. I had Pieter for 17-1/2 years, but I had another son, Johann, I needed to

focus on.”

Stepping out in faith After several months, a contractor friend picked Marais up. He followed this friend around for six months, learning everything about the construction trade. Another friend invited him to invest in property development.

Marais refers to it as “a fluke” when he and his wife bought a rental property near 12th and Kennedy in 2004.

“The day after we bought it, Gerda said, ‘You know what we just did? We bought a house on the doorstep of the campus. What do you think God is telling us?’” Marais said.

The Maraises immediately proposed free access of the house to all campus ministries. Within a year, the overwhelming usage made it clear this little old house was no longer adequate.

One day Marais noticed a “For Sale By Owner” sign on the corner of 12th and Bookcliff.

“I explained my goal to the own-

AUGUST 2016

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

er, and he sold it to me for a little less than another offer as a result,” he said.

A sign was planted saying, “Future Home of the Christ Center,” and a capital campaign was launched.

Small groups prayed. Anonymous donors were extremely generous.

“God was connecting dots like crazy and he was blowing my mind,” Marais said. “He provided $550,000 in the first five months of the year during which we expected to raise only $300,000. Altogether, 300 people, churches and businesses donated to help build the building.”

The Christ Center/Four Winds Coffee and Tea opened in November 2009.

“There are so many things that God orchestrated to make this all happen,” Marais said. “This is the legacy of all those willing to be the light of Jesus on our campus. I think the Christ Center has pulled people out of complacency. This is just the beginning.”

FAITH MOVES 31

Mission to Spain “Over time we realized our local ministry can work anywhere with some adjustments,” Marais said.

“I became aware of a tremendous spiritual need at the University of Malaga in Spain. Malaga is a city where many cultures from all over the world meet. With 37,000 students, the university only has two full-time ministers.”

The Christ Center is working to “light a new candle” by duplicating its coffeehouse ministry in Malaga and encouraging a student exchange program.

“We need to look outside the box when reaching out to a society which is no longer Christian,” Marais said. “I’m convinced this is an opportunity waiting for us, we just need to find people to help make it happen.”

Looking back today at South Africa from a different vantage point, Marais said, “How my faith grew literally took the mental chains around my head and busted them.

The Christian faith at its core is a faith in action.” ■

There’s more to the Christ Center and Four Winds than meets the eye.

• It’s a safe meeting place with a Christ-filled atmosphere for use by campus ministries, all students and the community.

• It’s a bridge between the CMU campus and the local Christian community, and a place where students are engaged to help them grow toward spiritual maturity.

• Scholarships are provided for mission trips, enabling students to carry their faith all over the world, returning forever changed.

• After student priority, study, prayer and meeting rooms are available to the community free for the first hour with drink purchase and $20 per hour after that.

For more information regarding the ministry in Malaga and activity equipment donations, call Marais at 250-5236. For room reservations, coffee house questions and ministry donations, call John Young at 424-5336.

Experience God's love in a traditional setting.

32

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AUGUST 2016

Walking on rooftops Reasonably Priced, Creatively Disguised as Expensive I

By Marti Healy

want to do that. That was, in fact, the first impulsive thought that came to me as I watched my cat Tuppence saunter across the roof of my one-story cottage. She had been sitting quietly at the top most peak of the roof when I pulled my car into the driveway. But as I made my approach toward the house, she began walking along the entire outer edge of the structure: arched tail, ho-hum pace, devil-may-care attitude. It was the kind of walk that runway models assume for Victoria’s Secret.

With complete envy and admiration, the thought broke into a smile and spoke out loud in my head in awe: “I really want to do that.” Not the model thing—the roof thing.

And maybe not exactly the roof thing, but the idea of it—the experience of it.

This wasn’t the first time I’d see Tuppence roof-walk. But it was the first time that it reached out to me in invitation. The first time it became an example and represented something maybe even significant.

Tuppence has her own personal access to the roof. I’ve seen her use it—a vine with hefty woody stems that creeps its way from the ground, in and out and along the top of a fence, up the side of the house, and all the way to the edge of the roof. So my first observation is that she walks on the roof because she can. She has access. She has ability. She has her pathway.

Perhaps she keeps it secret. Perhaps she shares with friends. But it’s hers to use as she pleases. And so she does.

I’ve also noted that when Tuppence is walking the roof, she is having a great deal of fun. The

casual pace, the cool-kids swagger, the assumed indifference—it’s all illusion. This is the kind of fun that you feel inside your ribs and on the bottoms of your feet. The best-dayever kind of fun. The do-it-againplease fun. She may not want to show it, but Tuppence walks the roof for the pure joy of it.

And what, I wonder, does the world look like to Tuppence when she is at the very peak of the roof?

What delight she must take in the vast expanses she can see in all directions—over fences, across strange yards, far above dog houses and birds’ nests. To be able to see over all the heads of all the people below. All the roofs of the cars passing by. Eye to eye with squirrels and other climbing and flying creatures.

Up among the air currents—summer breezes and fragrant blooms, and winter chimney scents of wood fires and warm rooms. At night, the stars must seem so much closer, the moon unobscured. When one is so tiny, what joy there must be to rise so far above one’s typical reality.

And so, I suspect, Tuppence roofwalks because of the perspective.

The new, daring and freeing perspective.

“I want to do that.”

Perhaps not coincidentally, I have felt compelled lately to learn to embrace a more empathetic life.

One filled not just with compassion or love or altruism. But with true empathy—experiencing the interconnectedness of all things of life and being. Perhaps this will be my “roof.” And perhaps Tuppence will be a significant lesson for me in learning to walk it. I’ll do it for the possibilities, I’ll do it for the joy and I’ll do it for the view. ■

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AUGUST 2016

Victim advocates provide comfort during crisis

By Carrie Kellerby

I

33

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n 1982, President Ronald Reagan’s federal Task Force on Victims of Crime provided the foundation for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which passed two years later. This act provided funding to victim assistance programs and for state crime victim compensation programs.

Since then all 50 states have passed legislation establishing victim rights, and 33 states have passed constitutional amendments requiring the provision of certain services to crime victims.

In Mesa County, the Sheriff’s Office Victim Assistance Program serves victims, witnesses and the friends and families of victims following a traumatic incident or crime. Sandy (last name withheld to protect those she serves), 74, has been a victim’s advocate with the program for 12 years. Shortly after retiring from her position as a construction secretary she attended the Citizen’s Police Academy and found out about the program. This organization felt right to her so she attended the training.

Advocates respond on-scene with deputies and are charged with taking care of the victim’s well being.

It might mean calling a friend or relative on behalf of the victim, providing information, or assisting them to shelter and safety. Sandy said the biggest surprise she had when she first started working as an advocate was how alone many people seemed to be.

“A lot of people didn’t know their neighbors at all, and they didn’t like to bother people from work,” she said.

On a call Sandy’s first concern

is that the immediate needs of the victim are met. That means that the victim is physically safe and stable.

Her next task is to call family or close friends and ensure that there is a support system in place before moving on to secondary matters, like referrals to services or counseling.

Situations vary. She might be called to a car accident, an assault, a robbery or a situation of domestic violence. In the case of domestic violence, she said that her biggest challenge is often persuading the victim to leave the situation for a safer environment. She hates leaving someone where they might be harmed again, but she does the best she can and leaves them with as much information and resources possible.

In a crisis, everyone’s needs are different and no two calls are alike.

An advocate might spend half an hour or several hours with a victim, depending on the situation.

“I’m just a Band-Aid until the real help, like family, a friend, or a minister, can get there,” she said.

Sandy admitted that what she does as a victim advocate, “isn’t always easy, but it definitely has its rewards. I’ll continue being an advocate for as long as I can.”

She helps people make it through difficult situations and to move on to a better part of their lives.

If you’d like to help Sandy and others like her, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking more compassionate volunteers for their Victim Assistance Program.

No experience is necessary and volunteers will be fully trained. For more information, call Tracy Baker with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office at 244-3275. ■

Want to be a Victim Advocate?

Training begins August 16! Call Tracy at 244-3275 for time and details.

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34

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AUGUST 2016

The power of teachers:

Grand Valley residents recall memorable, inspirational teachers

By Jan Weeks

B

How can you make a difference?

VOLUNTEER!

Don’t know where to start?

HERE! █

▼ Western Slope Volunteer

Management Association

VOLUNTEER FaiR At Mesa Mall Saturday, August 13th 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

For more information Call 683-5897

22 Different Agencies with Volunteer Opportunities: American Red Cross CASA of Mesa County Grand Valley Catholic Outreach Center for Independence Colorado Cross Disability Coalition Community Hospital Family Health West Grand Junction Police Department Victim Advocates Program Grand Junction Police Department Volunteer Services Grand Junction Visitor Center St. Mary’s Gray Gourmet Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County HomewardBound HopeWest Mesa County Libraries Mesa County Sheriff’s Office National Alliance on Mental Illness National MS Society Riverside Educational Center Mesa County RSVP The Salvation Army Western CO Suicide Prevention

etween ages 6 and 18, we spend more time with our teachers than we do with almost anyone else, even parents, Author Jan Weeks’ because our senior photo teachers are with us continually for six to seven hours a day. It’s no wonder that teachers can change our lives, or at least our outlooks, for good or ill.

Warren McConnell, 80, has two coaches at Paonia High School to thank for changing his life, but not in the way you’d think.

“Coach Haskins, my football coach, taught me the basics of swing dance in PE class, and I won the contest at the school dance,” McConnell said.

Coach Keegan was his basketball coach, as well as a PE instructor.

“He taught us the waltz, and I knew dancing was what I wanted to do,” he said.

McConnell went on to become an Arthur Murray dance instructor and still teaches private lessons today.

Pam Larson, 69, recalled a social studies teacher at the old junior high, now the site of Chipeta Ele-

mentary School.

“I never liked history,” Larson said, “but Mrs. Parrish loved the subject so much that when she started talking, history came alive and everyone listened. A couple years later it came out in the paper that she was invited to the White House with other history teachers to share a meal with President Kennedy. I don’t think she changed my life but I never forgot her or her love for history.”

Norma Jean Eisenhauer, a member of Grand Junction High School’s largest ever graduating class, said her favorite teacher also taught junior high.

“Mrs. Norma Hamilton was my eighth grade English teacher,” she said. “The first thing we did every day was to conjugate verbs. Mrs. Hamilton never started the class with small talk. No ‘How was your weekend?’ or ‘What did you do last night?’ She jumped right in to work.

Each day we conjugated present, past, future, and other tenses of a verb.”

Mrs. Hamilton was younger, which also resonated with Eisenhauer. “But she wasn’t there to be our friend. She was there to teach us grammar and literature. She made us memorize poetry, and I can still recite some of those she made us learn,” Eisenhauer recalls. “She emphasized that English skills are important.

She wanted us to learn more than we wanted to learn. She was passionate. I think she got more satisfaction when we learned than we did.”

Photo of GJHS students from the author’s senior yearbook.

AUGUST 2016

35

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Janet Fiser, also a GJHS graduate, had several teachers who influenced her.

“Mrs. Williams was my fourth grade teacher in West Des Moines, Iowa,” she said. “Our classroom was a converted house, The Cottage, which stood on the corner lot just across the playground.”

Mrs. Williams read all the Little House books to the students, which were housed in the former living room and parlor of the house.

Crafts were encouraged, such as beadwork and quilting on a Singer treadle machine. There was plenty of learning going on, though.

“We worked hard and were rewarded for our efforts by getting to do fun stuff,” Fiser said. “I made a pair of bookends and used a wood-burning tool to write ‘Books Are’ on one and ‘Your Freinds’ on the other. It wasn’t until the words were indelibly scribed that I found out I’d spelled ‘friends’ wrong!”

Mrs. Margaret Vandenburg and Mr. Dennis Kiefer, high school En-

glish teachers, encouraged her love of writing and she went on to pen many articles and books. There was one teacher, however, that forever changed the way Fiser thought about herself.

“I taught in Deadwood, South Dakota,” she recalled, “and took part in the South Dakota Writing Project for a month one summer. The students were mostly older people, nontraditional students, as they say.

Stuart Bellman was the professor and a more unstuffy man would be hard to find. One of his projects was based on having several students volunteer to go into the hall and wait while he explained to the rest of the class what they were to do.”

Fiser volunteered, along with three other older students. One by one, the other students were called into the room. The task was to walk across the room, wait for a minute, then sit down. When her turn came, Fiser followed instructions.

Then Bellman called on the other

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writers to read their impressions of Fiser, based on the way she entered the room.

She doesn’t remember what the students said, but she’ll never forget what the professor read from his notes.

“I see a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it,” he said. “She’s adventurous and confident in herself.”

“I had always thought of myself as just schlepping through life,” Fiser said. “To have someone I respected as much as Dr. Bellman give such praise made me look at myself in a whole different way. It gave me the confidence to move on from the thoughts that had held me back.

Mrs. Margaret Vandenburg, left, and Mr. Dennis Kiefer, right, were two GJHS English teachers that encouraged Janet Fiser’s love of writing.

It made me want to live up to his vision of who I was.”

Teachers come in many forms and in many ways, and some stay in our hearts forever.. ■

36 FUN AFTER 50

Senior Recreation Center 550 Ouray Avenue - 970 243-7408

The Senior Recreation Center offers activities for seniors age 50 and older. The center is open Monday–Saturday from 8 am–4 pm Annual membership is $15.

Senior Recreation Center Monthly Calendar of Events MONDAY 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 5:30 pm

Cribbage Cards Computer Classes Gray Gourmet Lunch Card Bingo & Dominoes Singles Pinochle (1st & 3rd Monday)

TUESDAY 9:00 am Cribbage & Pool Tourney 12:00 pm Gray Gourmet Lunch 1:30 pm Bingo WEDNESDAY 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am

12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Ladies Pool & Cribbage Jack & Jill Pool Tourney Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) Gray Gourmet Lunch Pinochle & Canasta

THURSDAY 9:00 am Cribbage & Dominoes 10:00 am Dance w/Music (1st Thursday) 10:30 am Membership Meeting 12:00 pm Pokeno (Starts at 1 p.m. on 1st Thursday) 7:30 pm Dance

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

AUGUST 2016

FUN AFTER 50

Activities offered by GJ Parks and Recreation To register for these programs, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org.

SPECIAL EVENT AUGUST 26 Movies in the Park Bring the family to an all-ages movie playing in Lincoln Park. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” starts at dusk. Admission is free.

AUGUST 27 End of Summer Fest Enjoy hot cars, craft beer and a concert featuring Eric Paslay and Mo Pitney in Lincoln Park. For more information or to purchase tickets for $20, visit www. endofsummerfest.net

HEALTH TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS Gentle Active Yoga This class is designed for an active beginner and above. Class is at 8 a.m.-9 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $7 to drop in or purchase a 10-punch pass for $50.

MONDAY-FRIDAY Aqua Aerobics These aqua aerobic classes are for beginner or novice individuals. Class is 8:15 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Orchard Mesa Pool. Drop in for $4.50 or purchase a 12-punch pass for $46.50.

DANCE THURSDAYS Senior Dances with Live Music Dance from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3.

AUGUST 24 Lincoln Park Open Track Meet This meet is designed for track starts of all ages and abilities. Onsite registration begins at 5 p.m. Cost is $5 for three events.

ART PUBLIC ART EXHIBITS City Hall: Tom Calenberg, mixed media Caroline McDaniel, photographer El Espino, El Salvador The Rock at Tiara Rado Golf Course: Colorado National Monument Two Rivers Convention Center: Wildlife

VOLUNTEER TRAIL HOST PROGRAM Become an ambassador for the Riverfront Trail System and help the City of Grand Junction keep the trail friendly for users. Meetings are from noon to 1 p.m. on the first Wednesdays of the month, March through October. An application process must be completed prior to the meeting. Call 254-3876 for details.

FRIDAY 9:00 am

12:00 pm 12:30 pm 12:45 pm 1:00 pm

Painting Class & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Lunch Bible Study Bridge Canasta

SATURDAY 9:00 am Bridge 1:00 pm Bingo

To make Gray Gourmet lunch reservations, call 243-9844. $3.50

For more information about the Western Colorado Senior Games

Call (970) 254-3866 or visit us online at

www.gjcity.org

AUGUST 2016

MESA COUNTY 37

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Mesa County Club Activities Art Quilt Association (AQuA) meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the third Saturdays in Grand Junction.

Location is generally the Goodwill meeting room, but can vary. Updates at www.theartquiltassociation.com/ home/event-calendar.

Grand Mesa Chorus, Sweet Adelines International, rehearses every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Redlands United Methodist Church.

Rehearsals are open to visitors. Call 255-9419 or 523-3464 or visit www. grandmesachorus.org for details.

Blue Lodge Masons meets monthly at 10 a.m. the first Saturday at the Masonic Center. Call 245-5312 for details.

Grand Valley Pets Alive works to reduce pet overpopulation by funding spay and neuter programs and meets monthly from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. on the third Wednesdays at Church of the Nativity. New volunteers welcome. Call 462-7557 for details.

Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at 2923 North Ave. Call 243-7874 for details.

Cribbage Lite meets at 6 p.m. every Tuesday at International House of Pancakes (IHOP). Call 270-2433 for details.

Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 244 meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesdays at the VFW Post #3981. All former, retired and active sea service, U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard are welcome.

Call 434-0868 for details.

Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the second Thursday at the Red Cross Training Center. Call 260-4653 or visit www.thefriendship force.org for details.

Grand Junction Chess Club meets from 6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. every Monday in the Safeway Starbucks, 2901 F Road. Players of all abilities welcome. If you don’t have a chess set, we loan sets out at no charge.

For details, visit www.jctchess.com.

Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Thursdays and 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursdays at 2328 Monument Road. Email grandjunctionrockclub@gmail.com for details.

Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets monthly at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church.

Call 245-8817 or 523-5965 for details.

Grand Valley Woodturners meets monthly at 7 p.m. the second Tuesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 856-3632 for details.

Great Old Broads for Wilderness meets at 4:30 p.m. August 29 at the Universal Unitarian Church. Call 2559900 for details.

group is intended to create a space of empowerment, grace, community and wisdom for individuals age 60 and older. Call 433-7799 for details.

Orchard Mesa Lions Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays at A Taste of Heaven Catering. Call 424-4980 for details.

Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets at noon Thursdays downstairs in Study Room B at the Mesa County Public Library Central Branch. Call 250-3969 for details.

Thunder Mountain Camera Club meets monthly from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on the fourth Tuesdays at Western Colorado Community College, 2520 Blichmann Ave., Building B, Room 171. Visit www.thundermountain cameraclub.org for details.

Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays at the Masonic Center. Call 261-1670 for details.

Two River Sams, Good Sam RV Club will meet at 1 p.m. August 13. Call 523-5625 for location and details.

Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway, meets at 1:30 p.m. August 8 in the west meeting room at Golden Corral.

Call 245-5649 or 858-6702 for details, or visit www.vestafjelllodge.org.

Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets at 9 a.m. the second Saturdays at First Congregational Church. Call 640-2751 for details.

Western Slope Coin Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesdays at the VFW Post #1247.

Get a free coin/currency evaluation at 5:30 p.m. Call 208-3389 or visit www.gjcoinshow.com for details.

Western Slope Rovers RV Club meets monthly for breakfast on the first Thursdays. Call 858-3907 for details.

Western Slope Adventurers meets from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on August 8 for a potluck and speaker in the Garden Room at the Commons at Hilltop, 625 27 1/2 Road. Community members welcome. Call 433-4312 for details. ■

Come join us for the 5th annual

High Desert Diamonds meets monthly for plus-level square dances from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on the first and third Fridays at the Masonic Center in Grand Junction. Call 241-7457 for details.

Mesa County Genealogical Society meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday at The Commons of Hilltop and at noon on the fourth Wednesday at the Museum of Western Colorado. Help sessions are at 1 p.m. on the first Friday at a library branch. Call 640-2388 for details.

Grand Junction Newcomers Club meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. the second Wednesdays at First Christian Church. Call 549-0439 for details.

Mesa Fiber Arts Guild meets monthly at 6 p.m. the first Thursdays at Color Creek Fiber Art, 1150 N. 25th St. Unit B in Grand Junction. Call 2433598 or visit www.mesafiberartsguild. org for details.

Grand Junction Toastmasters meets at 7:10 a.m. Tuesdays at St. Mary’s Life Center. Call 242-4863 for details.

Not Going Quietly meets monthly from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays at Two Rivers Center for Spiritual Living. This

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AUGUST 2016

Mesa County Calendar AUGUST 3 Take the Confusion Out of Medicare!

New Medicare beneficiaries can get answers to their Medicare questions at this free educational seminar from 10 a.m. to noon at RSVP in the US Bank Building, 422 White Ave. Seating is limited. Call 243-9839 to reserve your spot.

AUGUST 5 “Vast, Yet Intimate Southwest” art exhibit opening reception Join artist Christopher K. Eaton for the opening of this exhibit of landscape photography from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at Main Street Gallery, 412 Main St. in Grand Junction. Refreshments will be provided. Driven by a desire to understand both the natural and cultural history of our landscape, Chris is a visual storyteller striving artistically to produce photographs that faithfully represent the world as he sees and experiences it.

Travel along with the photographer as he discovers both the vast landscapes and the intimate details. For more information, contact Fay Timmerman at 270-8365.

AUGUST 5 “The Two of Us” First Friday opening reception The Colorado Mesa University Art Department in conjunction with The Art Center presents an exhibit of work by acclaimed artists James Surls and Charmaine Locke. The opening reception takes place from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at CMU’s downtown art gallery, 437CO, located at 437 Colorado Ave., and the exhibit runs at 437CO and at The Art Center until September 23. Call 2481833 for more information.

AUGUST 8 Lego Extravaganza Display The Help Hospitalized Veterans Community-Based Arts and Crafts Center, located at 1670 North Ave. in Grand Junction, is proud to present the

first-ever Lego Extravaganza showing at HHV. Two veterans of the Vietnam era, Keith and Diana Reed, took up this hobby in 2003. They soon fell in love with the craft, and eventually found themselves building Bionicles, Star Wars, Technics and more. With over 40 different finished models, this show promises to please all ages. The opening reception is from 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and complimentary refreshments will be served. Call 424-0499 for details.

AUGUST 12 Grand Mesa Hike Join Fruita Seniors at 7 a.m. for a halfday hike on the Grand Mesa. Meet at the Fruita Senior Center. Bring a lunch, appropriate clothing and plenty of water. Cost is $10. Call 858-0360 for more information.

AUGUST 9-13 Catholic Daughters of the Americas fundraiser The Catholic Daughters of the Americas fundraising sale takes place inside St. Joseph’s Parish Hall at Third Street and Grand Avenue (entrance on the north side of the building). Sale takes place from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

New items arrive daily. To donate, bring your items in excellent condition on Tuesday or Wednesday before the sale.

Call Marilyn at 255­9152 or 640­4942 for details.

AUGUST 13 Tour of the Valley Bike Ride This year’s 28th annual ride offers the ever-popular 100-mile route, which takes riders over the Colorado National Monument with rest stops along the way. There are also 30-, 55- and 75-mile route options available. Cyclists will begin and end their ride at Community Hospital, 2351 G Road.

Proceeds from this year’s event will support concussion education and prevention through health education and

AUGUST 2016

MESA COUNTY 39

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

wellness activities offered free to the public by Community Hospital. Registration includes a pre-ride breakfast, robust rest stops with great snacks and beverages to help cyclists refuel, a postride BBQ with local beer and wine, live music by the Williams Brothers Band, complimentary post ride massages (based on availability) and a Tour of the Valley T-shirt. To register, visit www. yourcommunityhospital.com.

AUGUST 18 Free leg screening clinic Did you know half of Americans over the age of 50 have varicose veins and more than 30 million people are living with undiagnosed varicose veins?

This type of vein is more than just an eye sore, as they can lead to serious health consequences. In order to bring awareness to the problem of varicose veins, Valley Surgical is offering a free leg screening from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at their office, 2478 Patterson Road, Suite 4. Appointments are required. Call 773-1946 to reserve your spot.

at 9:30 a.m. and runs until noon. The Colorado Senior Lobby business meeting will be held from noon to 12:30 p.m. and includes the election of the CSL Board. You do not have to be a member to attend and you do not have to be a senior. Learn more by calling 303-794-0799 or visit www.coloradoseniorlobby.org.

AUGUST 20 Book It For Reading 5K Start your day at the Palisade Peach Festival with a 5K run/walk though Riverbend Park beginning at 7 a.m. at the West End trail. This fast-paced course features a paved trail along the Colorado River. All proceeds will go to the Mount Garfield Middle School Library. Peach festival entry is sold separately and required. The 5K run for all ages will start at 8 a.m. Register online at www.itsyourrace.com or email paulacsquared@gmail.com for more information.

AUGUST 19 Music and Memories: A 1940s-50s throwback!

Grand Villa Assisted Living invites the public to “Music & Memories,” a 1940s and ’50s throwback extravaganza, held at 11 a.m. at 2680 N. 15th St. Celebrate with music, food and fashion to honor the memories of those golden decades. This event will be a great time for everyone, so put on your finest ’40s and ’50s attire and break out your dancing shoes. Enjoy light snacks and refreshments, get to know our community and maybe even learn a few new dance moves. Space is limited. Call 866-928-4752 to register.

AUGUST 24 Long-term care planning seminar Do you have questions about the options for long-term care? You’re not alone! Join the attorneys of Brown & Brown, PC at this free workshop, where they will cover the contents of “Understanding Long-Term Care,” a book authored by attorneys in the firm, and will answer questions and address concerns. Linger after the workshop and have an attorney sign your copy.

Seminar is from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Law Offices of Brown & Brown, 1250 Sherwood Drive. Registration is required. Call 243-8250 or visit www. brownandbrownpc.com to register.

AUGUST 20 Colorado Senior Lobby Social & Live Streaming event Held in Denver and live-streamed at The Mesa County Workforce Center, this free event features panel discussions and speeches from congressional delegates and Colorado legislators.

Socializing and refreshments are from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. The program starts

AUGUST 25 Grand Mesa Chorus’ Strollin’ and Singin’ Head to the Downtown Farmers Market in Grand Junction for fresh fruits and veggies, unique crafts, delicious food and barbershop-style music by the Grand Mesa Sweet Adelines starting at 6 p.m. Contact Bette Lowenstein at 523-3464 for more information. ■

Colorado Senior Lobby Summer Social Live Streaming Event August 20, 2016 – Saturday, 8:30 – Noon

Mesa County Workforce Center • 512 29 RD Grand Junction, CO

All ages welcome to this free event! Bring a friend!

Panel hosted in Denver includes Congressional Delegates and Colorado Legislators.

Former Colorado Governor Roy R. Romer, Colorado’s 39th Governor is attending.

Socializing and refreshments are from 8:30 am to 9:30 am and program starts at 9:30.

We will be honoring 6 legislators with the “Serving our Seniors Award” and presenting a lifetime achievement award to Senator Pat Steadman.

The Colorado Senior Lobby business meeting will be from Noon to 12:30 pm Everyone is welcome to stay!

You do not have to be a member to attend and you do not have to be a senior!

ColoradoSeniorLobby.org

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40 MESA COUNTY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

AUGUST 2016

A Great Place to Call Home! Mesa County Beacon Bits

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HEAR IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE CONCERT SERIES Hazel Miller Band

$20 advance / $25 at door Benefits Mesa County Partners

Saturday, auguSt 6 Sponsored by Bank of the West

the doug Simons Band

Saturday, auguSt 13 $15 advance / $20 at door Sponsored by Benefits Community Hospital Foundation Enstrom Candies

Enjoy an evening of great music, great wine and great views while supporting great causes! All concert proceeds benefit local non-profit organizations.

Bring your friends and join us!

Gate opens at 6:30 p.m.

Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. rain or shine!

Dinner, wine, soda, and bottled water offered for sale NO OUTSIDE BEVERAGES PERMITTED (COMPLIMENTARY WATER AVAILABLE)

TICKET OUTLETS Grande River Vineyards, Fisher’s Liquor Barn, Enstrom Candies & Online at granderiverwines.com Kids 12 & under FREE Bring a chair & a picnic, but please leave pets at home.

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PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Grand Junction woman places third at ITF Senior World Team Championships Susan Wright, 58, placed third in the Maureen Connolly Cup at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Senior World Team Championships held June 19-24 in Helsinki, Finland. The American senior tennis contingent won the Alice Marble Cup, the senior equivalent of tennis’ Davis Cup and Fed Cup competitions. In the Alice Marble Cup final, the American women beat France, 2-0, to retain the cup they won last year.

Call for Artists: “Art Unleashed” benefit The Western Colorado Center for the Arts is excited to be teaming up with Roice-Hurst Humane Society for “Art Unleashed,” a benefit exhibition to expand both organizations’ horizons.

Together, they are seeking artistic expressions of animals, particularly the four-legged variety, and asking for at least a 50 percent donation in the case of artwork sales. Donations are tax deductible. All mediums welcome.

There is no limit to the number of pieces one person can submit. For submission guidelines, visit www. gjartcenter.org/wp/art-unleashed.

Deadline for submissions is Monday, August 15. The exhibition will run October 7-29. Selected work will be exhibited alongside pieces from the Art Center’s permanent collection.

Grand Junction Housing Authority receives grant The Colorado REALTOR® Foundation (CRF) has awarded Grand Junction Housing Authority (GJHA) a $5,000 grant towards its Service Program at The Nellie Bechtel Apartments. GJHA acquired The Nellie Bechtel Apartments, a senior campus, in December 2015. GJHA has extensive experience owning and operating multiple senior properties and understands the need for supportive services for the elderly. The funds provided through this

grant will assist residents in accessing services they need and benefits they qualify for. For more information, call 208-9555 or email jkole@gjha.org.

Mandatory reporting training As of July 1, Colorado State Law mandated reporting abuse of adults with developmental disabilities. Senate Bill 15-109 was passed last year and is being implemented statewide.

Mesa County Department of Human Services Adult Protection Department is offering this training on mandatory reporting of abuse, neglect and exploitation on developmentally disabled adults. This training will be provided at no cost to individuals that work in professions where they might have contact with adults with developmental disabilities. Call 248-2888, option 2, to schedule training. Request to speak with Kirsten Barnard.

Attention Grand Junction High School Class of 1961!

The GJHS Class of 1961 is looking for contact info of class members who may be interested in attending the 55th class reunion September 30-October 1, 2016. If you have not received any mailings and are interested in information, call 241-2367 or email gj61hs@gmail.com, sportersings@ gmail.com or pweegpm@gmail.com.

Registration deadline is August 15.

Help Hospitalized Veterans provides therapy with crafts HHV supplies hundreds of therapeutic craft kits each week to military service members and veterans receiving medical care for free. Kits include a variety of crafts, such as leatherwork, models, woodwork, jewelry, painting, needlecrafts, poster art and scrapbooks. The Community-Based Craft Center, 1670 North Ave., is open from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 424-0499 for more information.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Mesa County RSVP connects in-

AUGUST 2016

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

dividuals 55 and older to volunteer positions in any of our member agencies. For a list of volunteer opportunities and to register, call 243-9839.

Some available opportunities include: • Grand Valley Peace and Justice Resource Desk Volunteer • Gray Gourmet - Registrar at Senior Recreation Center meal site • Habitat for Humanity Restore Donation Processing • Hilltop Community Resource Crisis Line Support • Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley – Cooks and Servers Family Health West is looking to fill the following volunteer positions.

To learn more, call 858-2211 or email nwatchman@fhw.org.

• Greeters at Colorado Canyons Hospital & Medical Center • Volunteers to assist with activities in FHW’s assisted living facilities.

• Baristas to prepare coffee drinks at the coffee bar at Colorado Canyons Hospital & Medical Center. Training provided. No experience necessary.

AARP is seeking volunteers for the following positions. Call 462-7581 if interested.

• Administrative Assistant. Duties consist of answering phones, greeting guests and helping prepare the office for volunteer phone banks and other events. Hours are flexible.

• Phone Bank Volunteers. Phone banks are hosted at local staging locations, such as community centers and libraries.

SUPPORT GROUPS • Mending Hearts Support Group is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. Grand Junction groups meets from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest. Call 248-8844.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups for family members of adults who have a serious mental illness and con-

nection groups for adults living with a mental illness. Groups meet at various times and locations in Mesa County.

For additional information, please visit www.NAMIWS.org or call 462-3989.

• Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision support group, meets from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 241-0315.

• Compassionate Friends offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. The group meets monthly at 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on the first Tuesdays at Unity Church, 3205 N. 12th St. Call 434-3822.

• MACHO Men cancer support group meets monthly at 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Hospital’s Java City Café.

Call 298-2351 for details.

• MS and Men, a support group for men living with MS, meets monthly on the third Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the Artful Cup. Call 2418975.

• MS Breakfast Group meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the first Tuesdays at Village Inn, 757 Horizon Dr. Call 241-8975.

Hear it Through the Grapevine Concert Series Enjoy an evening of great music, great wine and great views at Grande River Vineyards while supporting great causes, as all proceeds benefit local nonprofits. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. rain or shine. No outside beverages permitted. Complimentary water available. Bring a chair or picnic, but please leave pets at home. By tickets at Grande River Vineyards, Fisher’s Liquor Barn, Enstrom Candies and at www.granderiverwines.com.

• August 6 – Hazel Miller Band ($20 advance, $25 door) • August 13 – The Doug Simons Band ($15 advance, $20 door) ■

MESA COUNTY 41

42 FUN & GAMES

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

FUN & GAMES

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AUGUST 2016

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For the puzzle answers see page 46

Across 1 The old gray one 5 Book classification 9 Take a powder 14 Field of study 15 “Now ___ me down …”

16 One-named singer 17 Behind closed doors 19 Put to the grindstone 20 Whitney Houston’s cousin 22 Attacks 23 Skill of the masters 24 James Arness’ brother 31 Nav. officer 34 Fidelity 35 Be in store for 36 Swedish export 38 Conduct ance unit 39 Trigo nometry function 40 Journalist Stewart 42 You can get down here 45 “Solaris” author Stanislaw 46 Francis Ford Coppola’s nephew 48 ___ Kan (pet foods name) 49 Physicist Fermi 54 Martin Sheen’s acting son 58 “Cosmos” creator 60 Honduras neighbor

FUN & GAMES 43

Turn to page 46 for your puzzle answers 61 1975 Pulitzer critic 62 Bony prefix 63 ___’acte 64 School grades 65 The R in CD-ROM 66 Something to do Down 1 Hotel force 2 Legendary golfer’s nickname 3 Transplant the fern 4 Isn’t just given 5 Rosy was one 6 What there oughta be 7 Pro ___ 8 Ogling one 9 Astronaut Wally 10 Native Alabamans 11 File’s partner 12 “You ___” (Lionel Richie hit) 13 “The ___ Squad” 18 Not suitable 21 Move one’s tail?

25 Heavy reading?

26 Code of conduct 27 Classic TV’s Morgenstern 28 Colorado ski resort 29 German article 30 It may get tongue-tied 31 Strong ___ ox 32 Surrealist Salvador

33 Opposite of fem.

37 Certain placeholder 41 Gripes 43 Discharged 44 French income 47 Word before spice or star 50 Convened again 51 Marla’s predecessor 52 Cornishmen 53 Mountain range of Arkansas 54 Hungarian city or river 55 Frankenstein flunky 56 Any of three English rivers 57 “I could ___ horse!”

58 Sch. for ministers 59 One-time hoop gp.

Crossword Puzzle

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GREAT SCOTT’S HARDWOOD FLOORS. Installs, sand and refinish, residential, commercial, sports floor installation and stripping. Remote? No electricity? Not a problem! 25 years’ experience. 433-3539. greatscottshardwoodfloors.com

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QUESTIONS? Call us, 970 243-8829 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

2 TON WELDER’S TRUCK, with other equipment; 8x8x16 concrete blocks; (4) trailer house mounted tires & wheels. Call for info: 285-7743.

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CONDO – 2 BEDROOM, 2 BATH ON ONE LEVEL 994 square feet. Included: washer, dryer, storage unit, RV parking, indoor pool and balcony. 961 Lakeside Dr., Grand Junction, $1,000 plus electric.

Call 303-522-3878.

HOME TO SHARE. Would you feel more secure if not living alone?

I will share beautiful home in Montrose. $700/mo. includes private bedroom, bath, utilities, amenities. Call 596-1408 for additional information. Assisted living provided at additional cost.

Start running my ad in the month of __________________ for _____ months. ❒ check ❒

FOR SALE

1 BEDROOM CONDO @ Horizon Towers, Grand Junction. Complete remodel. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, w/d. Secure building. Indoor pool, sauna, billiard room, etc.

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Available Aug. 15, 2016 or sooner. 241-4129.

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AUGUST 2016

TWO CEMETERY PLOTS available at Memorial Gardens in the Garden of Gethsemane, Grand Junction, CO. $1,500 each, plus transfer fees. Contact Steve at 260-1740.

HELP WANTED WENDY’S NOW HIRING! Shift supervisors and crew members. We are looking for smiling faces and positive attitudes. We offer competitive pay, discounts and a great working environment. Full-time and part-time employment available.

Please apply at your nearest location in Grand Junction.

writers wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is looking for writers in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties.

Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com

sales person wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is growing and we’re looking for a mature, loving sales person to grow with us.

Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com

HOME SERVICES COMPUTER LADY, LLC In-home repair. 15 years serving Mesa County. Windows, Internet, Wi-Fi, Android, Tablets, Netflix, Roku. Virus removal, installation and instruction. Dependable, reasonable, qualified.

255-1216.

AUGUST 2016

SCENE CLEARLY, LLC Window cleaners specializing in making your day a little brighter!

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CLASSIFIEDS 45

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Professionally conducted estate sales, executive sales, farm and ranch

THE PROVEN PROFESSIONALS

www.reliableestatesales.biz

ANTIQUES, APPRAISALS, ESTATE SALES With over 40 years in the antique, appraisal and estate sale business, Great American Estate Sales is the valley’s leader in appraisals and estate liquidation.

Settling an estate, moving into a smaller home or just simplifying your lifestyle? Great American Estate Sales can provide a worry-free and quick solution. Free consultation. 216-0048.

DO LITTLE SERVICES, LLC Helping seniors, single adults, and anyone maintain home and property. Garden tilling, weeds, trees, hedge trimming. Swamp coolers and general repairs. Free estimates. Jeff 773-6337.

TREE SERVICE Get ready for summer. Tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding. FREE hauling, boom truck to 85 feet, FREE estimates.

Licensed and insured. Chris 2600222.

THE WINDOW CLEANING COMPANY. Quality work at a fair price. Free estimates. 245-2993 / 261-0131.

REMODELING & FOUNDATION REPAIR. 3 generations of quality construction, additions and remodels. Residential/insured.

References and free consultations gladly provided. Tom Peters 261-4303. tompetersconstruction.com.

ATTENTION SENIORS: We’re here to serve you! Hair Services: Perms, cuts and styles for men and women. Melody: 201-0267.

Husband does yard work and extra jobs! Great senior prices.

Trustworthy and reliable.

Donovon 778-7331.

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LET US DO THE JOB FOR YOU! Light hauling and cleanup. Small/odd jobs. Technical support. Housekeeping by appointment. References available. Mike 434-2556.

Tabby 549-1265. Boyd 361-7239.

ABOVE THE REST CLEANING. Superior Cleaning. No job too small or large. Discounts available for seniors and veterans. Satisfaction guaranteed. Kari Fay 523-7625.

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MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES HELP IS HERE! Pet, home and ranch sitting, handyman repairs, carpet cleaning, snow removal, yard work, dump runs, swamp cooler start up and winterize, and more. Call Leave It To Larissa at 260-8336. $AVE MONEY ON TRAVEL~! Travel Club membership offering discount cruises, travel packages, and decreased condo rates. Checkout www.coconutclubvacations.com. Member # cc1546ue, password #1115. Travel agents at 855-259-1155. Call Susan at 970-462-1115 before booking a trip so I can call the organization with pre-approval.

Free to BEACON readers to use this membership.

WANTED TO BUY USED BOOKS BUY, SELL OR TRADE Gently used books on hundreds of subjects. Westerns, Romance, Mysteries, Suspense, Kids, Young Adult, Inspirational, and many others. Large print. Special orders. 970-242-3911. Twice Upon a Time Bookshop, 2885 North Ave., Ste. B. Located in front of North Ave. Walmart and next to Subway. 10-6 Mon-Sat, 11-4 Sunday. **Bring this ad in for $10 Trade Credit**

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Personal Care & Homemaking 24/7 Personal Safety Alert Button IHSS Services in Multiple Counties

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46

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

I’m going crazy from the heat

By Jody Lebel

I

have two words to describe recent summers on the Western Slope: Stupid hot.

What’s going on? I used to love summertime. It’s a time of lazing around and swinging on hammocks.

It’s a time of pool parties and cold watermelon. It’s a time where folks are relaxed, amorous and free spirited. Right?

Wrong. The truth is that extreme heat causes sun poisoning, burned shoulders and looser earwax. Hot weather makes us irritable, violent

and depressed. In other words, the heat makes you crazy. I decided to do a little online research on how to keep cool and deal with the heat.

Here’s what I found: Site #1 - “The Egyptian method” involves dampening a towel in cool water and using it as a blanket.

They recommend laying the damp sheets on top of a dry towel to avoid soaking the mattress. Are they out of their minds? Has no one ever heard of mold?

Site #2 - This site urged people to practice common sense in the heat.

I agree you need to stay hydrated but every drop of water I drink gathers its buddies and wakes me up at 3 a.m. for a trip to the loo.

Site #3 - “Focus on aspects of your life you can control, and realize that eventually, it will cool down.” Duh. That’s their big advice? Wait until winter?

Site #4 - This site discussed how hot weather tests our tempers and leads to increases in aggression and violence. It stated there are more crimes reported during summer than other months and that August is actually the peak month for homicides, largely due to the prevalence of heat waves. So what I gather from this one is if you don’t want to be riddled with bullets standing in line for ice cream, stay home stretched out in your recliner.

Site #5 - “Summer is a good time to hold a yard sale and clear up the clutter.” Not sure what displaying your pathetic junk on little tables scattered about your front lawn has to do with keeping cool, but I decided to play along.

My garage sale sign read, “Garage sale today from 9 a.m. until 90 degrees.” So I stopped an hour and a half later. Whether or not it was actually 90 degrees at 10 a.m., it sure as hell felt like it.

Site #6 - “Summer is a good time to take car rides.” I learned two things: The seat belt makes a great branding iron, and I really only need one finger to turn the steering wheel.

Site #7 - This site advised me to exercise in the morning or evening rather than the middle of the day to avoid the heat. What a bunch of hoohaw. All gyms are air-conditioned.

We have a great little walking path where I live, but in this kind of heat, I’m afraid I’ll keel over and cook to death right there on the sidewalk.

I give up. I spent all afternoon searching for some good advice on how to beat the heat, or at least how to cope with it, but the truth is none of the sites had a cure-all answer. I guess I’ll just sit on the couch and read a book or watch Netflix. ■

AUGUST 2016

kvetch \ kfech  “I will renew my subscription for two years as I want to be sure I get my BEACON. However, I am unhappy as my BEACON usually arrives at least a week to 10 days into each month. Once it was the 15th before it arrived. By then it’s too late for some information to be useful.”– Shirley V. Kevin: “I’m sorry. Our goal is to have your BEACON to you by the 5th of the month.”  “I’m glad that Graff Dairy has reopened. At first, I was worried about adding inches to my waistline. But thanks to the long waits and inexperienced employees, I won’t have to worry about that.”

- Darrell R., Grand Junction

Cloie: “I understand how frustrating it is but many of the teen workers at Graff Dairy are disadvantaged or homeless. It’s the first job for a lot of them, but hopefully they’ll get the hang of it!”

FUN & GAMES Game answers from page 39

AUGUST 2016

47

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

of the

Question

Month

Retirement living with the emphasis on living

What is your favorite breed of dog? ➤ Ron Rehberg “I love pugs because they are cute and quiet.”

“Border collies are the only breed I’ve owned. I love them because they are sweet, kind and loyal.”

➤

Sonia Contreras

➤ Sharon Nelson with Mack, her bull mastiff-shepherd mix, and Weaver, her Yorkie-poo “My favorite breed of dog would be a cocker spaniel. I used to own a registered male named Shannon, and he was the best dog I ever had. Now I choose to own mixed breeds because I am not breeding, and I believe in spaying and neutering my animals.”

The Cottages of Hilltop gives you the independence and freedom to make the most of your retirement INDEPENDENT LIVING Our single-level patio homes offer

privacy and luxury. The open living plans feature two bedrooms, two baths, vaulted ceilings, contemporary kitchens, gas fireplace, covered patio and one-car garage.

CAREFREE LIFESTYLE Enjoy the freedom of maintenance-free

living with paid utilities, weekly housekeeping, snow removal, lawn maintenance and a customized meal plan at our Commons or Fountains dining rooms.

PEACE OF MIND Each residence includes a 24-hour emergency

“Great Danes are gentle, goofy and loyal. My wife and I have two—Bones and Rexy.

They are both affectionate and fun, and love to use everyone as a leaning post.”

➤

Neil Bumgardner

response system. Plus, we offer a choice of flexible care options and services to meet your changing needs.

(970) 434-2111

TheCottagesGJ.org

Visit today for a tour and free lunch

L O C A L LY O W N E D A N D O P E R A T E D B Y H I L LT O P - M A K I N G A D I F F E R E N C E F O R P E O P L E O F A L L A G E S

Over 3 million Medicare Advantage members* With nearly 30 years of experience in the U.S. offering Medicare plans, one of our first priorities is still to get you the benefits you want at an affordable price.

Call now to put years of experience to work for you and learn why nearly 7.5 million* people across the country chose Humana Medicare plans.

1-800-372-2348 (TTY: 711)

Call a licensed sales agent 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Friday ¿En español? 1-800-304-3596

*Humana First Quarter 2015 Earnings Release 4/29/2015 Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract.

Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings call 1-800-372-2348 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Friday.

This information is available for free in other languages. Please contact a licensed Humana sales agent at 1-800-372-2348 (TTY: 711). <Esta información está disponible gratuitamente en otros idiomas. Póngase en contacto con un agente de ventas certificado de Humana al 1-800-304-3596 (TTY: 711).> Y0040_GHHJEXNENTE16 Approved

CO 8/16