MC BEACON, 072018

MESA COUNTY

JULY 2018

Volume: 31 | Issue: 7

Mesa County’s Magazine for Adults 50+ with over 32,500 Readers

HAMMIN’ UP THE AIRWAVES

Amateur radio spans generations, saves lives

FREE INSIDE

Got Game? Register for this year’s Western Colorado Senior Games! Find the official program inside

8

Coffee and history Artful Cup showcases stories of Grand Valley pioneer family

27

Talking Digital Save and store your digital information for when your loved ones need it

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

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Be ready for hot weather . . . call today!

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

Learn about Estate Planning and more at our Free Educational Workshops!

Who Has Authority To Act?

Advance Directives & Other Estate Planning Documents v Grand Junction: July 25th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

(Held in our office at 1250 E. Sherwood Drive) If you were to lose capacity, who has the authority to act on your behalf? What document do they need to prove it? In this workshop you will find out what authority an agent has under a medical and financial power of attorney. We will also discuss the role of a trustee if you have a trust estate plan. You will learn about the Colorado “hot powers” that may be included in your financial power of attorney and what they mean. We will also discuss what to do if a power of attorney is not accepted, what powers are helpful in long-term care planning, and when a Conservatorship and/or Guardianship is necessary. Sign up today!

Registration is Required: Sign up by calling (970) 243-8250, or on our website: www.brownandbrownpc.com by visiting the workshop calendar. There you can also view the full schedule with information for upcoming workshops in Grand Junction & in Montrose!

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Phone: (970) 243-8250

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

Senior Day

at the Fair

Fun and Free for Seniors Mesa County Fairgrounds Wednesday, July 25, 11:00 - 5:00

Win $1,000 Cash & Prizes

Elam Construction Stage in the Mahindra Arena (next to the Beer Garden) Bingo by: GJ Senior Rec Center Session One 11:30 - 1:00 Sponsored by:

Session Two 1:30 - 3:00 Sponsored by:

BEACON Senior Tent

Free Entertainment and Activities Just north of the main entrance, next to the fair office 11:00 – 12:00 ..........................................Cowboy Poetry 11:30 – 1:00 ......................................Free Beacon Bingo 12:00 – 5:00............................................. Rock Painting 12:30 – 1:30 ................................... Loose Cannon Band 12:30 – 1:30 ................ Lipizzaner Stallion Meet & Greet 1:30 – 3:00........................................Free Beacon Bingo 1:30 – 3:30.............................. Lavender Wreath Making 2:00 – 3:00 .................................. Ron Koss Kickin’ It Up 3:30 – 4:30 ...................Vocal Sensation Morgan Crouse

5

$

Senior Lunch Specials 11:00 - 5:00 for those age 55 and older

For information on Senior Day activities and entertainment visit www.BeaconSeniorNews.com For tickets to the Lipizzaner show visit www.mesacountyfair.com

4 | JULY 2018 |

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BEACON hosts Senior Day at the Mesa County Fair B

By Kevin K. VanGundy EACON Senior News has some great events planned this year at the Mesa County Fair that are fun and free for Grand Valley seniors.

Join us at the Mesa County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, July 25, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. for an opportunity to win $1,000 and other valuable prizes.

There is no admission charge to the fair this year, so after you make your way through the main entrance, turn left and head to the BEACON tent for live entertainment and free activities.

BEACON BINGO!

That’s right—there’s no cost to play in these two sessions of bingo, and you can win $1,000 cash and other prizes! The first session, sponsored by Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC), will be from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and the second session, sponsored by Hilltop Senior Living Communities, will be from 1:30-3 p.m. Both sessions will be called by Grand Junction Senior Recreation Center volunteers.

Arrive early to the Elam Construction Stage in the Mahindra Arena to get your lucky seat and card. Bingo seating is conveniently located in the covered arena next to the beer garden, which will be open.

ROCK PAINTING

Have you seen the pretty, painted river rocks popping up around

town? You may have seen some with intricate designs or inspirational messages in parks, hiking trails, restaurant parking lots and various spots downtown. Spread some joy by painting your own rock in the BEACON tent for free. Rocks, paint and supplies will be provided.

DIY LAVENDER WREATH

The Lavender Association of Western Colorado will provide the materials and teach you how to make a beautiful wreath from locally grown lavender at the BEACON tent.

STALLION MEET AND GREET

Bring your camera! The Lipizzaner Stallions is one of the fair’s most popular shows. Sure, these regal stallions look great on stage, but you’ll be in awe when you see them up close and in person.

The meet and greet will take place from 12:30-1:30 p.m. outside the BEACON tent.

SENIOR LUNCH SPECIALS

We’ve made special arrangements with several of the fair’s food trucks to offer a $5 Senior Lunch Special for those age 55 and older.

Special thanks to this year’s fair sponsors for making it free, and a big thank you to the Mesa County Fair board for allowing the BEACON to host this special event for our community’s seniors.

For more information on Senior Day activities and entertainment, visit www.BeaconSeniorNews.com.

For tickets to the Lipizzaner show, visit www.mesacountyfair.com. ■

EDITORIAL COLUMN

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher Susan Capps Managing Editor Cloie Sandlin Creative Director Melissa Trottier Graphic Design Chrissy Martin Office Manager Stacey Splude Office Assistant Olivia VanGundy Digital Media Manager Stephanie Summar Advertising Rep Sue Bowen Debra Romaniec Valeree Seiferd Proofreader Jan Weeks Delivery Cora Gentry Lauren VanGundy JR Milner

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 Phone: 970.243.8829 Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com Email: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

BEACON Bingo and more summer fun I don’t know what it’s like to be retired, but some readers tell us it’s like a long summer break, while others tell us they can’t seem to find the time to take a break.

Regardless of how you’re spending retirement, summer is in full swing, and boy, it’s a hot one.

Western Colorado residents are beating the heat with trips on the river, camping on Grand Mesa, relaxing in the shade of their gardens and staying indoors to try out some new hobbies—like ham radio, for example.

I find it absolutely fascinating that there are more than 800 licensed ham operators in Mesa County communicating over the airwaves with others all over the world. One man even got his teenage daughter hooked! Read more about amateur radio enthusiasts and Ham Fest in this month’s cover story.

SENIOR DAY AT THE FAIR

Win cash prizes at BEACON Bingo, show off your arts and crafts skills and meet some cool stallions at the Mesa County Fair on July 25.

Cool off in the BEACON tent and enjoy lunch specials and fun activities from 11

a.m.-5 p.m. All Senior Day activities are free for seniors—in fact, the fair is free all week long!

TRANSITIONS IN AGING

BEACON readers are facing some major decisions, ranging from planning their retirement and estates to seeking the right in-home care professional or assisted living community. The options available can be confusing and expensive. We’ll help you sort them out in August’s Transitions in Aging insert, our annual guide geared towards helping boomers and seniors navigate the next chapters in their lives. Do you lend a helping hand to seniors? We’d love to include you! Give us a call at 243-8829.

SEND US YOUR PET PHOTOS!

In last month’s column, I asked for photos of your pets for our August issue. We’ve received great response, but we simply can’t get enough!

Send stories and photos of your cuddly creatures by July 15 to Beacon@PendantPublishing. com or P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502.

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for some fun and friendly competition at this year’s Western Colorado Senior Games. The official program and registration form is inside!

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 counties.

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 2018 • All Rights Reserved

Cloie Sandlin, Managing Editor

IN THIS ISSUE...

Cover Photo: Dave Bratcher has contacted

340 foreign entities worldwide through amateur “ham” radio. He is one of over 840 licensed ham radio operators in Mesa County.

8 13 14

Coffee and history Artful Cup showcases stories of Grand Valley pioneer family 8 excellent disaster tips Plus a DIY emergency kit Buy-out brings best bone care Community Hospital grows its orthopedic practice with new doctors

22 30 34

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM |

America: the land that I love This July 4, remember this is our land—a land that reminds us to pray and fight for her.

Take the stress out of moving Caring Transitions takes care of it all Inventions we take for granted Computers top the list of best inventions, but what about tape or Ziploc bags?

JULY 2018 | EDITORIAL COLUMN | 5

COVER STORY

Hammin’ it up on the airwaves: Amateur radio

spans generations, saves lives Story and photos by Jan Weeks

Look up the origin of the term “ham radio” and you’ll find almost as many theories as there are ham operators, everything from people’s initials to the inept telegraphers who were referred to as “ham handed,” or as one wag put it, “heaps a’ money.”

H

am radio isn’t the same as CB (citizens’ band radio), which allows communication on a series of public channels with a limited range of about 15 miles. Ham operators are licensed to communicate on various frequencies that aren’t available to the public and not limited in reach. Calls to Europe, Africa, Asia and South America are not uncommon.

Since 2009, Dave Bratcher has contacted 340 foreign entities worldwide—not just countries, but also principalities and territories.

Pins on a world map in his home show the locations of his contacts to date. His first foreign contact was with the Isle of Jersey (officially the Bailiwick of Jersey), a Crown dependency in the English Channel between England and France. His 100th contact was in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira.

“I’ve talked to entities on Easter Island, Pitcairn Island, and even the Scott Amundsen station at the South Pole,” he said. “[Making overseas contacts] is like going hunting but without the snow and cold.”

Bratcher participates in “radio sports”—ham contests in which operators worldwide contact others for one minute and log the contact.

“The point is to get as many contacts logged as you can within a given period of time,” he said.

Bratcher is one of more than 840 licensed ham operators in Mesa County. Many ham operators are part of the Western Colorado Amateur Radio Club (WCARC), which meets every month at the Civil Air Patrol Hangar by Grand Junction Regional Airport.

Jack Hart, 81, got into amateur radio after serving as a Green Beret in Special Services at the end of the Korean conflict where he worked as an electronics technician. Once out of the service, he applied for a job at Chrysler Missile, which sought electronic technicians or ham radio operators. He studied for the shortwave test and qualified within two weeks.

Hart has always loved to tinker and took up ham operation as a hobby.

“There was lots of surplus radio equipment after World War II that could be cannibalized for parts,” he said.

Now he operates out of his home north of Fruita and is active in the WCARC. Besides communicating with other radio amateurs around the world, he also teaches workshops for those eager to learn about the craft.

Mike Merriman said the club’s upcoming Ham Fest is a great opportunity for the public to learn more.

There will be ham-related speakers, door prizes, sales tables and lunch.

Hams can also test for licenses.

› From top: Jack Hart got into amateur radio after serving as a Green Beret. Lily Mina learned about ham radio from her father, Dan. Cindy Balaz checks in using her car system.

6 | COVER STORY | JULY 2018 |

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A FAMILY AFFAIR

Ham Fest is where 13-year-old Lily Mina upgraded her beginner status to a more advanced license. Another ham offered to pay for her license, so she took it and passed with flying colors.

Lily credits her father, Dan, with sparking her interest in short-wave radio.

“I didn’t take it seriously at first. It was just something Dad wanted me to do,” she said.

After serving as a Marine during Desert Storm, Dan worked as a truck driver, and a fellow trucker encouraged him to take up ham radio, bringing back a childhood dream.

“I had a babysitter—a guy who was a ham operator and a pilot. I always wanted to learn to operate a radio,” Dan recalled.

Dan’s been an operator since 1998 and is an amateur extra class, the highest classification, which allows an operator to call on the greatest number of frequencies. His wife, Tammy, has her technician’s license, which is the first step in becoming a full-fledged operator.

Lily has her general license, the second classification, and is studying for her expert license.

“My dad is always training me to not break the rules, to stay within the FCC rules,” Lily said.

Lily said her classmates think her hobby is pretty cool. She took second place in The National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL) Rookie Roundup, a contest for newly licensed operators.

A LIFELINE IN CRISIS

The best part of being a ham, said Hart, is the camaraderie. Though ham operators are no longer blamed for interfering with radio and television reception like they were in the 1950s, they play a vital role in communications during crisis.

“I don’t think society today is

COVER STORY even aware of us, yet we’re their only means of communication if a crisis takes the power grid down,” Hart said. “Cell towers depend on electricity, as do computers. We back up our systems with generators, batteries, even solar and wind power.”

Ham operators were instrumental in getting help to the residents of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria took out all electrical power.

Cindy Balaz, 70, of Loma, has been a ham operator since the late 1960s, when beginners had to transmit by using Morse code.

She joined the Civil Air Patrol and helped coordinate search efforts as a ham operator when a small plane carrying athletic coaches back to Gunnison crashed in 1965. Unfortunately, no one survived.

Balaz let her license lapse when she got married, and then renewed it 12 years ago. Though she’s not as active as she once was, she still dials in to different frequencies and

listens to conversations. She also checks in with the “oatmeal network” at 7:30 each morning from her mobile unit. The moderator begins with the FCC required identification and then asks other hams to check in.

“It’s a way to hear what people are up to,” Balaz said.

Conversations last about a minute, acknowledging how folks are doing, and sometimes signing off with “73,” the code for “good luck.”

HAM FEST

The WCARC Ham Fest and swap meet on Saturday, August 4, allows local short-wave radio operators and the public to come together to exchange ideas and information from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at First Christian Church, 326 N. First St. in Grand Junction. Admission is free. License testing is $15.

For more information, visit www. w0rrz.org, or contact Merriman at 303-589-2364 or W0MWMqp@ gmail.com. ■

S E R V I N G

G R A N D

J U N C T I O N

&

M O N T R O S E

Sometimes we all need a little help caring for a loved one

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care, Support and Information.

Hilltop’s Senior Daybreak is a unique day program that keeps seniors with memory loss safe and secure while providing their caregivers the flexibility and support they need to care for their loved ones at home. We also offer valuable information and support groups specifically designed for those caring for someone affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s.

(970) 241-7798

www.seniordaybreak.org L O C A L L Y

O W N E D

A N D

O P E R A T E D

B Y

H I L L T O P

Mon-Sat, 10am - 6pm 970-263-4433 › Since 2009, Dave Bratcher has contacted 340 foreign entities worldwide.

Pins on a world map show the locations of his contacts to date.

2580 US Hwy. 6&50 Grand Junction (Next to Chrysler Dodge) blackcarriagefurniture.com WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM |

JULY 2018 | COVER STORY | 7

LOCAL LORE

Coffee and history:

Artful Cup showcases stories of Grand Valley pioneer family It was a country home located in the town of Hillcrest, which had a population of 400 and occupied one square mile.

By C.J. Payton hat do a cup of coffee, a curly goat and an elegant garden have in common? They’re all part of the story of the Miller Homestead on HopeWest’s care center campus.

W

The Miller’s Hillcrest estate was the showplace of the Grand Valley. The housewarming party was the event of the season. The estate became part of the Fairmont community in 1916, which encompassed properties owned by several notable Grand Valley families.

The Miller Homestead houses the Artful Cup, an amicable coffee house and gift shop, where the sales from its handcrafted beverages and artwork benefit the HopeWest Kids program. Patients and their families, volunteers and community members are drawn in by the shop’s inviting atmosphere brought on by its friendly baristas and historic charm.

Starting in July, the Artful Cup will transition from a modern, art-focused shop to one that showcases the rich history of the Miller Homestead and tells the story of one of Grand Junction’s pioneer families.

THE MILLER ESTATE Built in 1889, the 2,650 square-foot home belonged to Lawrence and Amelia Miller, childhood sweethearts who ended up in the Grand Valley after they left the East Coast and headed west.

Lawrence was an active community member, who eventually became mayor, and served as president of Grand Valley Canal and Grand Valley District Ditch. The book, “Progressive Men of Western Colorado” (published by A.W. Bowen & Co), recognizes him as one of the most prosperous farmers of his neighborhood and “the special apostle of irrigation in this section of the county.”

Amelia was a leader in beautifying the community, taking first and second prizes in gladiolus shows at the Mesa County Fair in 1928.

She created a garden she called Tanglewood that was awash with color and fragrance, enveloping the property with roses, violets

› Above: Amelia and Lawrence Miller. Left: The Millers’ son, Mac, and his wife, Marie. Right: Lazarus, Mac’s prize-winning Angora goat.

8 | LOCAL LORE | JULY 2018 |

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and pansies that she graciously shared with neighbors.

PRESERVING THE PAST

The Miller Homestead has been on the City of Grand Junction Historic Register since 2007, and is the only house of its age open to the public. The estate’s integrity and beauty remain as a tribute to these local dignitaries, and Amelia’s Tanglewood Gardens are the inspiration for the gardens surrounding the campus today.

The property changed hands a few times before the Gene Taylor family donated it to HopeWest in 2007.

The building had fallen in such disrepair that HopeWest CEO Christy Whitney was pressured to tear it down.

“It was in rough shape from years as a rental for college students and it was expensive to renovate,” Whitney said, “but I couldn’t destroy this piece of history.”

Community members banded together to restore the property to its original splendor. Wanting to preserve as much of the original home as possible, com-

munity members did meticulous research, and period architecture, antiques and design trends were implemented in the renovation, which was completed that same year.

Sibyl Halliday, a HopeWest nurse, created the transoms above the doors to reflect the time period as well as a stained-glass piece that hangs in the window.

A COMMUNITY ICON

With help from the Museums of Western Colorado, HopeWest Marketing & Communications Manager Marisa Felix-Campbell spent the last few months learning everything about the history of the house and the Miller family.

“The Millers were all about enriching their community back in the 1800s, and that is what we are trying to do today with the Artful

LOCAL LORE Cup and Miller Homestead,” said Felix-Campbell.

The Artful Cup’s mascot that’s featured throughout the shop is an Angora goat named Lazarus, which belonged to the Millers’ son, Mac. Lazarus won first prize at the Kansas City Fair in 1900, and now has a specialty drink named after him—a chocolate, almond and coconut latte dubbed the Curly Goat.

There are other Miller-themed specialty drinks, like the Gracious Gardener, a hot tea made from local lavender inspired by Tanglewood Garden.

Lunch items, including delectable croissant sandwiches, have been added to the menu, along with a selection of Palisade jams, Enstrom toffee and ice cream, and homemade biscotti.

Patrons can take a stroll through the pristine gardens, or enjoy a pastry or beverage while playing a

game of cribbage, chess or Scrabble. They can learn more about the Miller family and the homestead in the parlor, which will be transformed into a mini museum.

Vintage jewelry, artwork and flower arrangements reflect the essence of the house, offering a unique experience for residents and visitors alike.

“We hope this piece of Mesa County history will be a place for friends and family to gather as well as an experience for tourists looking to grab coffee in a quaint historic home,” said Community Relations Manager Callie Rapke. “We invite guests to come experience the historic Miller Homestead and all the history we’ve uncovered.”

To learn more, visit the Artful Cup, 3090 N. 12th St. in Grand Junction.

The Artful Cup is open from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. ■

DONATE | SHOP | VOLUNTEER DELTA DONATE 532 Main Street (970) 874-5251

DELTA 532 Main Street (970) 874-5251

JUNCTION MONTROSE | GRAND | VOLUNTEER SHOP 635 Main Street 435 E. Main Street (970) 254-8556

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MONTROSE 435 E. Main Street (970) 252-3648 | JULY 2018 | LOCAL LORE | 9

RECIPES

Easy One-Dish Chicken and Veggie Bake Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 50 minutes, Servings: 4 1

pound chicken breast, cut in fourths 12 small red potatoes, quartered 12 ounces green beans 1 tablespoon olive oil

3 1 1/4 1/8

cloves garlic, minced tablespoon herbs de Provence teaspoon salt teaspoon pepper

Place chicken, potatoes and green beans in rows in 13-by-9-inch baking dish with chicken in middle. Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic, herbs de Provence, salt and pepper.

Bake 50 minutes, or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165° and potatoes are tender.

Recipe courtesy of Produce for Kids

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2692 Hwy 50, Ste E

970-644-5989

ASK THE OLD BAG

Could we not discuss politics?

Dear Old Bag: My wife has been pushing for us to move into an independent retirement community. I tell her we are too young and I’m not ready for that. We both enjoy reading your column and she suggested we see what you think. DW Plus One Dear DW and One: I could tell you tales of many couples who waited to make this decision—stories where one of them developed health problems and no longer qualified or where one of them died, leaving the other with the decision all by themselves. What is it you think you are too young for? Is it the freedom to travel and not worry about your home? Is it the freedom from home and yard care, or from cooking for your wife, or the freedom to pursue your hobbies or develop new ones? I could go on. Making a decision like this is a philosophical move from material to meaning. What is really going to matter in the years ahead? Think about it. Good luck. OB Dear Old Bag: My husband and I are friends with another couple, and we take turns hosting get-togethers at our homes. We mostly have an enjoyable time when we go to their house, but somehow they always seem to discuss politics. We don’t share the same stance on politics and it makes me very uncomfortable. They speak as if everyone who has a brain would agree with them. I don’t want to go over there anymore. My husband doesn’t like it either, but thinks we should grin and bear it. What do you think? LL Dear LL: I think it’s very rude to talk about your political viewpoint unless asked, or if you don’t know the leanings of your guests. There was a day and age when a good political discussion was okay, but in today’s climate, one must be very careful about causing uproar with their opinions. I grew up with a dad who was an Iowa republican and a mom who was a Kentucky democrat. They had many lively discussions, leaving me to understand that there are two sides to every story. At your next get-together, I think it would be perfectly okay to say something like, “Could we please not discuss politics?” If they ask why, be honest and tell them it makes you uncomfortable. Good luck. OB Dear Old Bag: I am a 59-year-old guy who has been dating a 55-year-old woman I met on a dating site. I really like this gal, but she insists on paying her way for everything. I am beginning to feel like a cheapskate. Is this the new dating protocol? Should I ask her why she feels it’s necessary? Signed, Puzzled Dear Puzzled: I don’t think this is new protocol, but it may be more common than it used to be. I think there are three reasons your date might want to pay. Some women who have written to me say that when the man pays for everything he thinks it gives him the right to “benefits.” She may also feel it is only fair. Another reason might be that she doesn’t think you can afford to be the constant payer.

I think you should ask her. Some men might think you are lucky! OB ■

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ASK THE OLD BAG

ADVICE COLUMN FOR THE OVER 50 CROWD

BY GAYLE LAGMAN-CRESWICK

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at lagmancreswick@gmail.com WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JULY 2018 | ASK THE OLD BAG |

11

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Seniors are more susceptible to diarrhea

D

iarrhea is a common malady and usually lasts a day or two and goes away without treatment.

Bacteria, viruses, parasites, medicines and diseases can all cause diarrhea, but seniors often get it from medicine, which is why it seems to be more common as you get older.

Seniors take a lot more medicine than younger people. The average senior takes more than four prescription drugs and two over-thecounter drugs daily. The high intake of medicine increases the odds that one or more of these medicines will give you diarrhea.

Older bodies also process drugs slowly, so they tend to stay in our bodies longer. Sometimes drugs can interact with one another because of the number of medicines we retain in our systems.

than an inconvenience. It causes dehydration, which can be lethal to older people, and can lose salts that your body needs. Diarrhea can make you pass more than a quart of watery stools a day.

Dehydration symptoms include thirst, reduced urination, dark urine, dry skin, fatigue, dizziness and fainting.

See a doctor if your diarrhea lasts more than two days, or if you have dehydration symptoms, severe abdominal or rectal pain, a fever or blood in your stools.

In many cases, adults can treat diarrhea by replacing fluids and salts by consuming broth, non-citrus fruit juices, flat ginger ale and ice pops.

Diarrhea can become much more

As your condition improves, Did you know diarrhea you can start eating bais hereditary? nanas, plain rice, boiled It runs in your jeans! potatoes, toast, crackers and cooked carrots. Smaller meals are recommended Don’t drink tap water or use ice because they’re easier to digest. cubes made from tap water.

When you have diarrhea, avoid Don’t drink unpasteurized milk or dairy products, fat, high-fiber dairy products. foods, sweets, spicy foods, carbonDon’t eat raw fruits and vegetaated beverages, chewing gum, cafbles. feine and any hot food or beverage.

Don’t eat meat or fish unless it is It’s also common to get diarrhea well cooked and served hot. when visiting a foreign country.

Don’t eat food sold by street The medical community even has a vendors. ■ name for it: traveler’s diarrhea.

Here are some tips to help you avoid diarrhea away from home.

HEALTHY GEEZER, BY FRED CICETTI

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

Thanks to the #1 team in neck and spine care . . .

I got my golf back.

Learn more at stmarygj.org/spine 12 | HEALTH & WELLNESS | JULY 2018 |

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DEAR PHARMACIST

8 excellent disaster tips, plus a DIY emergency kit

L

ast year, we saw the devastation from Hurricane Harvey and then monster storm Irma.

You just never know when severe weather will strike, or when you’ll have to jump in your car and evacuate or rush down into the basement because of a tornado.

It’s important to have a plan for every kind of disaster. This primer will get you started on developing one of your own:

MAKE LISTS

Keep a handwritten list of your medications in your wallet. Even better, stick the prescription label with all your dosing information onto a piece of paper. I’d also keep the list on your smartphone. When the power goes out, pharmacies can’t access your medication profile on the computer. Your list allows paramedics to give you the correct pills or shots.

If a rescuer wants to call your loved ones or spouse to assure them of your safety and rescue, having a handwritten “Loved Ones List” is invaluable. Nobody knows phone numbers by heart anymore.

PREPARE IN ADVANCE

Your dishwasher is waterproof. If floods are anticipated, store photo albums and documents inside of it. When the water recedes, they should still be in pristine condition.

Put a map in your car, just in case.

If you have to drive because of an immediate evacuation and can’t use GPS in your car or your smartphone, a paper map is a blessing.

Be sure to plan for any children who may be with you. I lived in Florida for 35 years. When the hurricanes barreled through, I made sure my kids were pleasantly distracted with puzzles, painting or beading.

It’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit on hand. You can buy some nice ones at Sam’s Club, or you can create your own.

DIY emergency kit • Analgesics like ibuprofen or acetaminophen • Hydrocortisone and antibiotic ointment • A blanket and a pair of socks • Toothpaste/brushes and deodorant

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• Small salt shaker to replenish electrolytes

Fill a Ziploc bag about 75 percent full with fresh water, then freeze it. Keep several frozen at all times.

Grab them if you need to leave in a hurry. While frozen, they can protect insulin, food or liquid antibiotics. As they melt, you’ll have water that you can drink in an emergency.

• Spare undies if you’re evacuating to a shelter

Buy a portable cellphone charger and a transistor radio. The radio can be hand-cranked, battery-operated or even solar-powered.

• N95 or N100 mask

• Eyeglasses or contacts • A whistle to call for help • Spare keys to your house/car • A multipurpose knife • Flashlights/batteries

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13

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Buy-out brings better bone care: Community Hospital grows orthopedic practice with new spine, bone doctors

By Jan Weeks

Whether you’re a senior needing a shoulder replaced, a weekend warrior with a broken leg, or a young person suffering from scoliosis you can now find comprehensive bone care under one roof as Community Hospital welcomes two spine surgeons and an established team of expert orthopedic surgeons into the family.

“Adding orthopedic spine surgery to our growing list of service lines and surgical specialties has been a priority for some time now,” Community Hospital President and CEO Chris Thomas said, “especially the caliber of surgeons as Clifford and Gebhard.”

Spine surgeons Kirk Clifford and James Gebhard recently moved from Rocky Mountain Orthopaedic

Associates into the suite of offices occupied by Western Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in the Canyon View Medical Plaza, the same building that houses Community Hospital. Their practice is known as Western Colorado Spine.

Gebhard and Clifford were both excited to join Community Hospital and help them grow their new orthopedic spine surgery program.

“[I] have been highly impressed with the strategic, forward-thinking approach Community Hospital has taken over the past several years to move the organization forward in a competitive health care environment,” Clifford said.

Mitchell Copeland, an orthopedic surgeon with Western Orthopedics, said he and the company’s other partners, Richard Knackendoffel and Kennan Vance, have been in negotiations with Thomas since last summer because patients aren’t the only ones feeling the squeeze of skyrocketing medical costs.

“The rising costs of compliance with government regulations and reporting have increased the costs of doing business to private practices, as have insurance hassles and contracting costs,” he said, adding that more doctors are choosing to be employed rather than starting a private practice.

Copeland said that recruiting new physicians and other professional

staff has also become extremely difficult, as there is a shortage of orthopedic doctors in the area.

By joining forces with Community Hospital, administrative duties such as payroll and hiring will be taken care of by the hospital’s professional team, allowing doctors to spend more time on patient care.

It seems that everyone—patients, doctors and medical staff—stands to benefit from the new association.

“Being able to offer better access to joint replacement and spine surgery will improve care for patients of all ages,” said Copeland.

The Western Orthopedics team is rounded out by podiatrist Dr. Joshua Thun, hand surgeon Dr. James Rose, and sports medicine specialist Dr. Bjorn Irion.

For more information, call 2420920 or visit www.yourcommunity hospital.com. ■

The Backbone of Good Health.

James Gebhard, MD

Kirk Clifford, MD

Western Colorado Spine Team

Jason Bell, PA-C

Todd Ousley, PA-C

970-644-4010 www.YourCommunityHospital.com

14 | HEALTH & WELLNESS | JULY 2018 |

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Your body has a bone to pick with you about your diet

M

ost people know that when you look for a house, you want a place with “good bones.”

In other words, if the structure of the home is in good shape, most people feel they can fix up the rest.

If a home doesn’t have good bones, the rest of it doesn’t matter.

The same can be said of your body. If you don’t take care of your bones, the rest of your body will quickly fall into disrepair.

“Taking care of your bones doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. Just a little moderate exercise and eating some of the right food and drinks is all that is required,” said Dr. Victor M. Romano, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon in Illinois and author of “Finding The Source: Maximizing Your Results – With and Without Orthopaedic Surgery.”

Vitamin D, for example, is important for the absorption of calcium and aids in improving muscle strength and balance, Romano said.

A deficiency of vitamin D can cause soft, thin, brittle bones. It’s also associated with depression, Parkinson’s disease and seizures. Moderate weight training is always recommended to keep bones strong, even for senior citizens.

Romano recommended that instead of taking calcium pills, the best way to get calcium into the body is with a healthy diet. He suggests a few ways to add calcium to your diet to keep bones healthy: • Start the day with calcium-fortified orange juice.

• Cook cereals with skim milk or almond milk (instead of water) or add two tablespoons of nonfat dry milk.

• Spread low-fat cream cheese on bread or toast instead of butter or margarine.

Medicare Moment:

• Add low-fat cheeses to sandwiches, salads and pizzas.

• Add sardines to salads or sandwiches.

• Include higher calcium greens, such as spinach, broccoli and kale, in your salad.

• Enjoy low-fat or fat-free yogurt with berries for dessert.

• Make smoothies with frozen fruit, fortified orange juice and low-fat or fat-free yogurt.

“A poor diet can lead of a lot of health complications, but poor bone density is usually overlooked by many people trying to get healthy,” Romano said. “Getting enough vitamin D and calcium in the diet is well worth the effort.” ■

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Fight your polite!

It’s okay to be rude and hang up the phone.

We all learned phone etiquette at a young age, but with telephone scams abounding, fight the urge to be so polite!

It’s easy to respond with “yes” when you answer the phone and the caller asks, “Is this (your name)?” Scammers can record your “yes” and use it to open online accounts in your name. If they have your Medicare number, you could become a victim of medical identity theft. They may purchase medical devices, treatment or medicine; submit false claims; and totally disrupt your life. There are no consumer protections for medical losses, and it can take years to get false claims off your record.

Protect yourself with these tips: Ask, “Who wants to know?” instead of saying, “Yes.”

Don’t answer any questions; just hang up. Never give personal or financial information to someone who calls you unexpectedly, even if they claim they are from a government agency or organization.

Government agencies will only contact you by mail.

Stop talking; get off the phone.

Scammers want to keep you talking. The more questions they ask, the more likely they will get personal information from you.

If you receive scam calls, contact your local SHIP/SMP at 243-9839, ext. 1, and we’ll help you report it.

SHIP provides free, personalized and unbiased assistance on Medicare and Medicare-related issues.

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Dreaming in color: Nothing beats fall in New England Story and photos by Melanie Wiseman ast year, my husband, Dan, and I had a travel epiphany. It seems we were funneling our travel funds toward annual trips to faraway countries like Peru, Cuba and New Zealand. While there’s nothing wrong with that, we realized we were missing some of the most spectacular places right here in the U.S.

L

A scenic 27-mile park loop connects Acadia’s lakes, mountains and rugged seashore. We went on coastal hikes, rode bikes on the historic carriage roads, and hiked to dramatic ocean vistas on Cadillac Mountain, the park’s highest point.

MAINELY QUAINT

Although warm weather delayed the fall colors, it didn’t hamper a beautiful countryside drive through Maine on Highway 2. New Hampshire’s White Mountains enveloped us as we entered the state near Conway. A brief stop at the wellstaffed Pinkham Notch visitor center gave us the information we needed to climb Mount Washington, the Northeast’s highest peak at 6,288 feet.

Acadia National Park was our initial Maine destination, but not before traveling up the coast via Highway 1 and taking in the simplicity of quaint harbor towns like Camden.

It didn’t take long for us to discover many things about Maine that were a fun contrast to the southwest.

For one, there were no RV sale lots, but plenty of boat yards. The streets made us smile with names like Happy Town Road, Pretty Marsh Road and Hogan’s Elbow Road—avenues that might you lead you to the nearest Dunkin’ Donuts or ice-cream shop (both which we found about every five miles).

The state’s name also made a clever WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Following a stop at Windsor Chairmakers in Ellsworth, we began our three-day exploration of Acadia National Park. Though there are endless lodging options inside and outside the park, we enjoyed our stay at the Café Dry Dock & Inn in Southwest Harbor, where we feasted on crab cakes, lobster rolls and blueberry pie. Yum!

So last fall, we planned what would be the first of many homeland adventures. A friend from New England helped us plan what would be a memorable experience of fall colors, rich history and pristine communities in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. If you’ve never been, this trip’s a must!

We bypassed the congestion of Boston, and flew directly to Portland, Maine, where we rented a car for 12 days. We had a general route in mind, but had an open, flexible schedule, letting the trip be a journey of spur-of-the-moment discovery.

16 | TRAVEL | JULY 2018 |

pun for many local businesses, which had names and slogans like “Mainely Used Cars,” “Mainely Cats” and “Chow Maine.”

ON TOP OF THE WORLD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Although Washington is foggy 300 days a year, we were greeted by a clear, blue day and were rewarded at the summit with a clear view of five states and Canada. We met people from all over the world on our journey up the mountain and made frequent stops to take in breathtaking views.

The Kancamagus (Kang-ah-mangus) Scenic Byway across New Hampshire was at the top of my mustsees list. This leisurely winding drive is full of history, waterfalls, covered bridges and scenic overlooks that

TRAVEL

we enjoyed as the fall colors finally began to pop.

DREAM TICKET TO VERMONT

As we drove, the White Mountains gave way to the gorgeous rolling hills of eastern Vermont. A tiny cabin at Point Comfort on Joe’s Pond in Danville, Vermont was one of our favorite finds. Since there were no restaurants in this tiny community, we made our way to the local grocery store and found some delicious chowder at the deli.

On the way to Burlington, we learned about the process of making maple syrup—a Vermont staple—at Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, an eighth generation family-owned maple syrup farm.

We made an unplanned stop in Montpelier, the capital of Vermont

and a dream-like community that was right out of the movies. The locals were very friendly and a senior volunteer gave us a behind-thescenes tour of the capitol building.

Heading north on Highway 100, we stopped at Cold Hollow Cider Mill and witnessed apple cider making first hand. We also spent time with a glass blower and wood carver, and toured the Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream factory. Of course, being a huge “Sound of Music” fan, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see the Von Trapp Family Lodge, an Austrian-inspired resort specializing in European-style accommodations and cuisine.

didn’t have an option to drive up.

We also rented bikes and took off on the Burlington Bike Trail, a 28mile round trip along the shores of Lake Champlain, and took a drive through Grand Isle.

Our final day took us back to Portland for our return flight. The colors were spectacular by then and we factored in plenty of time to stop along the way. We toured a Morgan horse farm in Middlebury and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Rutland, and visited the cool little town of Woodstock.

I’m sure New England is magical year-round, but the weather and the fall colors made it an unforgettable experience. Dan and I are confident that our next trip exploring this great country will be another fabulous journey. ■

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LAUGHING MATTERS

LAUGHING MATTERS SEEKING DONATIONS Submitted by Chrissy Kief

“Honey there are some people at the door asking for donations to build a new swimming pool.”

“Give them three…no, two buckets.”

CITY PARKING

Submitted by Nona Carver A wealthy man walks into a New York City bank and asks for the loan officer. He says he’s going to Europe on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5,000. The bank officer says the bank will need some kind of security for the loan, so the man hands over the keys to a new Ferrari, which costs $250,000.

The man produces the title and necessary paperwork and hands over the keys to the loan officer, and tells him the car is parked on the street in front of the bank.

After the man leaves, the loan officer, the bank’s president and their colleagues enjoy a good laugh at the man for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral against a $5,000 loan.

One of the employees drives the Ferrari into the bank’s underground garage and parks it there. Two weeks later, the wealthy man returns, repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $23.07.

The loan officer says, “Sir, we’re very happy to have had your business, and this transaction worked out very nicely, but we’re all a little puzzled.

While you were away, we checked you out and discovered that you’re a multimillionaire. Why would you bother to borrow $5,000?”

The man replies, “Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $23.07?”

SECRETS TO A LONG LIFE Submitted by Denise Cliff

Young Johnny was sitting on a park bench eating chocolate bars. A man sitting opposite watched him finish six of them.

The man called over to Johnny and said, “Eating that many chocolate bars is bad for you.”

Johnny replied, “My granddad lived to be 105.”

“Did he eat lots of chocolate bars?” asked the man.

“No,” said Johnny, “he minded his own bloody business.”

DEAL BREAKERS

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Linda to dance clubs, restaurants, concerts, movies and museums. He was convinced that she was his soul mate.

Every date was better than the last.

On the one-month anniversary of their first dinner on the cruise ship, Ed took Linda to a fine restaurant.

As they enjoyed cocktails and waited for their salad, Ed said, “I guess you can tell I’m very much in love with you, but I’d like a little serious talk before our relationship continues.

It’s only fair to warn you, I’m a total golf nut—I play golf, I read about golf, I watch golf on TV—in short, I eat, sleep and breathe golf. If that’s going to be a problem for us, you’d better say so now!”

Linda paused, but then responded, “Ed, that certainly won’t be a problem. I love you as you are, and I love golf, too; but, since we’re being totally honest with each other, you need to know that for the last five years I’ve been a hooker.”

Ed paused for a while, and then said,

LAUGHING MATTERS “It’s probably because you’re not keeping your wrists straight when you hit the ball.”

WORD COUNT

Submitted by Bob Breazeale If you’re like me, I think our politicians are way too long winded. The bills they pass are so long and complicated that they don’t even understand them. It seems like things used to be simpler years ago.

For example: The Pythagorean theorem - 24 words The Lord’s Prayer - 66 words Archimedes’ principle - 67 words The 10 Commandments - 167 words The Gettysburg Address - 286 words The Declaration of Independence 1,300 words

The U.S. Constitution and all 27 Amendments - 7,818 words The U.S. Government Regulation on the sale of cabbage - 26,911 words

PHILANTHROPY

Submitted by Alex & Mary Fran Baldo A businessman traveling out of town for work decided to have a night on the town and went to a concert at the Smith Auditorium. He was quite impressed with the architecture and the acoustics, and asked one of the venue workers, “Is this magnificent auditorium named after Steve Smith, the famous scholar?”

“No,” replied the worker. “It is named after Kerry Smith, the writer.”

“Never heard of him,” the businessman said. “What did he write?”

“A check,” he replied. ■

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19

HOME & GARDEN

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO PLANT YOUR FLOWERS Mesa Feed Mart has 54 varieties of flower seed and eight mountain flower mixes. For your convenience, we offer quantities in as little as 1/2 ounce as well as larger quantities, and we’ll custom mix any variety. Below are some great flowers to brighten your home and landscape summer through fall.

Asters & Daisies - These beautiful late-blooming flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Calendula & Cosmos - These flowers have a marigold-type bloom, are drought tolerant

and attract butterflies and bees.

All Calendula and only Sulphur Cosmos are edible.

Sunflowers - Great for long, hot summers, these drought-tolerant flowers have beautiful yellow blooms that last.

Zinnias - A customer favorite! Zinnias are also animal resistant since they don’t like the taste.

Wildflower mixes Formulated for drought tolerance, wildflowers provide a sea of wonderful colors.

Let your flower gardens bloom!

Check out all of our varieties at Mesa Feed Mart.

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So many ways to spend time in the garden In July, we get to be gardeners in every sense of the word.

There are so many ways to spend time in the garden, from tending to our crops and harvesting the fruits of our labor to sowing more seeds for fall and winter bounties.

But amidst all the things to do, be sure to take time to rest in the shade, smell the flowers, watch hummingbirds and enjoy the paradise you’ve created.

Harvest broccoli crowns while they’re still tightly in bud, before the florets begin to open up and lose flavor. You can also harvest the lower leaves of broccoli and cabbage plants, slice them into strips and simmer them in salt water.

Harvest lettuce in the morning and soak in cold water before putting it in the fridge. This process of hydrocooling your greens makes for crisper, longer-lasting greens.

To encourage fuller growth and vitality, harvest basil by cutting the main stem, taking about a third of the plant. Cut just above a leaf pair, rather than leaving a stub. Keep your basil in a small vase of water, as you would a cut flower, or set it out to dry, instead of storing it in the fridge.

SEED NOW, PLANT LATER

We are at the peak of summer’s heat, so continue sowing lettuce seed every three weeks for a continuous harvest of tender greens.

You can also sow another round of root vegetables to harvest through fall and into winter.

Brassicas like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower thrive in cooler temperatures. Start brassicas from

seed this month so you can plant them in August and enjoy a fall crop of these hearty veggies. Brassicas germinate best at 65 to 75 degrees, so start seedlings indoors if you can.

BE A SEED SAVER

Saving seeds opens up a whole new door into the world of gardening.

By saving seeds from the plants you grow, you’re helping preserve biodiversity and sustainability.

When seeds are grown, saved and replanted in the same place, adaptations develop that make for tastier, more resilient food crops.

By selecting seeds from stand-out crops and replanting them the following year, you are participating in the evolution of plants, encouraging specific traits like frost and heat tolerance, pest resistance and richness in flavor to carry on.

If you’re new to seed saving, start with self-pollinating crops like lettuce, peas, beans, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. To save seeds from wet-fruited crops like tomatoes, leave a few fruits on the vine past the time you would harvest the fruits for eating so that the seeds are fully mature.

For dry-fruited crops like lettuce, simply wait until seed pods form and begin to dry, then harvest and make sure they’re completely dry before storing. ■

ALIVE & DIGGING

BY PAIGE SLAUGHTER Send your questions to Paige in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at paige@fruitionstudio.com

20 | HOME & GARDEN | JULY 2018 |

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HOME & GARDEN

Rethink your turf:

Xeriscapes require fewer chemicals, less water and time Story and photo by Melanie Wiseman ccording to the Bureau of Reclamation, we’re in one of the worst drought cycles of the past 1,200 years. Despite voluntary water restrictions and educating the public on water shortages, users typically increase their water consumption rather than conserve.

A

Las Vegas took the lead in a “cash for grass” program, which has spread to other cities, where the local water utility subsidizes lawnto-desert landscape conversions, saving participating homeowners an average 75 percent on water use.

Could Grand Junction be next?

Jennifer and Fletcher Colwell didn’t need any financial incentive six years ago when they replaced the majority of their turf with a contoured desert landscape, complete with a dry streambed of river rocks.

“We had the sense that it was the right thing to do,” said Jennifer.

The Colwells took advantage of the BLM’s Wilding Permit, and collected prickly pear, yucca, rabbit and salt brush from designated BLM land.

Ed Miller said he spent so much time fertilizing, weeding, aerating, mowing, trimming and watering his lawn that he “knew every blade of grass by name.” He and his wife, Diane, wanted a lock-and-leave life-

style, and replaced their lawn with water-wise shrubs and trees, and a variety of rocks.

“During the hot months, we went from using 30,000 gallons of water per month to 3,200 gallons per month,” said Ed. Xeriscapes don’t have to be dull.

Adding attractive drought-tolerant plants, such as sunburst honey locust tree, red bird of paradise shrub, Angelina sedum ground cover, zebra ornament grass and Lewisia perennials, you can enjoy a beautiful, sustainable landscape and create a habitat for birds, butterflies and bees.

In addition to providing color, texture and shade, fig trees or serviceberry bushes can also produce fresh, organic food.

Bill Richardson of Dragonfly Gardens, a xeriscape landscaper, considers his customers’ yards a blank canvas.

“Each landscape I create is unique and lush,” he said. “People who xeriscape recognize the need to use less chemicals, water and maintenance time.”

Thom Russell, owner of Painted Desert Landscaping, creates a landscape that embraces the area’s geography and climate and comple-

Ed and Diane Miller wanted a lock-and-leave lifestyle, and replaced their lawn with water-wise shrubs and trees, and a variety of rocks. ments the home’s architecture.

Providing a lawn with one inch of water requires over 62 gallons of water for every 10-by-10-foot area—this happens every time you turn on the sprinklers! To deter disease and evaporation, water between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

YOUR CITY AT WORK: Grand Junction’s efforts to conserve water

• Flow sensors are used to detect excessive irrigation flow.

• Rain detection equipment reduces water runoff.

• Drip irrigation is installed to reduce evaporation and water waste.

• Encourages xeric landscapes in medians/shoulder spaces.

• Actively seeks more native and drought-resistant plant varieties.

• A centralized computer system monitors and adjusts irrigation systems from one location.

• The City is an active water conservation partner with the Drought Response Information Project (DRIP). ■

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

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America: the land that I love

By Lynn Gendusa ’ve had the privilege of traveling beyond the hills where I was born to many places in this great land we call America. How many times have I flown from coast to coast and gazed at my native earth from above? The land where majestic peaks dot the deserts of the west and the green of the east, and where flat patches of farming land form a beautiful quilt over much of America’s center. Where the rivers, lakes, ponds and oceans that feed our portion of earth glimmer in the sun as blue skies frame it all.

I

I have sailed in Maine, canoed in Georgia, climbed the skyscrapers of New York and the trees of North Carolina. I have reached to the sky in Colorado and touched the sacred ground of fallen soldiers in Virginia.

I climbed into the Grand Canyon, hiked in California and walked through the blue grass of Kentucky.

In South Dakota, I watched the buffalo roam as four past presidents watched me from Mount Rushmore.

I have crossed the country twice by car and witnessed the diverseness of the land and its people.

America is relatively new. We don’t have the castles or remnants of old Roman civilizations that other countries do. We don’t have kings or queens, tsars or regimes. Instead, our power is in our freedom.

The freedom that so many have given their lives for and still fight to maintain is where we find our unique beauty. We are not a land of old; we are a land where opportunity allows us to be new all the time.

Americans have seen their share of division, hatred, wars, apathy, and heartache, but somewhere in the depth of each American is a need to achieve unity, love, peace, care, and joy.

We can renew because we have the freedom to do so. We have the

22 | JULY 2018 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

right to protest, protect, pray and proceed as this great nation we call “united.”

In Tennessee, near where I was born, lies the grave of John Walker.

He immigrated, as many did, from Scotland in the mid 1700s. He and his six brothers fought for our freedom in the Revolutionary War. Generations would follow John.

They lived among the hills of the East and then moved westward.

They searched to find their place in the world because John and those like him won them the freedom to do so.

Beside John’s grave is a tiny American flag. He died not as a Scotsman, but as an American.

This July 4, perhaps we choose not to listen to the news about our divisiveness, but instead walk outside and pick up the soil, letting the grains of dirt fall through our fingers because this is our land—a land that reminds us to continue to pray and fight for her.

Maybe we should turn off our phones and televisions. Perhaps instead, we should take our children and grandchildren to visit the graves of fallen soldiers who gave their lives so that they could play free on a noisy schoolyard.

Maybe we don’t need to hear political parties feuding. Perhaps, we need to hear the exploding fireworks celebrating the birth of our United States.

Perhaps we should take an American flag and plant it in every front yard. We can dot this beautiful landscape with red, white and blue.

After all, “God shed his grace on thee.”

I was born in the hills of Tennessee.

In the end, I will return and be laid beside my brother and the rest of my family who fought and died for the freedom they gave me to travel far. ■

SENIOR GAMES

General Information REGISTRATION OVERVIEW

Registration deadlines • Early bird registration deadline is August 3 at 5 p.m. Registration closes August 10 at 5 p.m. No registrations will be accepted after this time.

How to register • Fill out the entry form on page 26 and return it to the Grand Junction Parks & Recreation office at 1340 Gunnison Ave. • Registration form available online at www.bit.ly/westerncoseniorgames18 • Request a registration form by calling 254-3866 Age Requirements • Participants should register according to the age they will be on August 20, 2018.

• The age groups are: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99, 100+. Some events are 10-year increments.

• Events will be conducted by age group except when it is necessary to combine for competition.

• All team members must submit an individual entry form and entry fee.

Partners/teammate(s) must be indicated on the entry form where required.

RECRUIT A NEW ATHLETE • Participants are encouraged to get new athletes involved in this year’s games.

As a reward, recruiting athletes will receive $5 off their registration costs if the new athlete’s registration is turned in with the recruiting athlete’s registration form. $5 is the maximum athletes may take off their registration fees.

CANCELLATIONS, POSTPONEMENTS & REFUNDS

• In the event of inclement weather or unusual and extenuating circumstances, Senior Games Officials reserve the right to change the format of competition, postpone events, or cancel. Refunds will not be given due to weather. Refunds will only be granted if requested prior to August 3, 2018. No refunds will be given after this date.

CHECK-IN & EVENT SCHEDULING

• Participants are encouraged to check in at the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation office prior to participation. This can be done between 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. on August 17 or August 20-24. A T-shirt (early registration only), participant medal, goodie bag, schedule, map and other info will be provided.

• Participants should be at the event 15 minutes prior to the event start time, as listed on the schedule.

• Participants are allowed and encouraged to enter more than one event, but do so at their own risk, as schedule changes cannot be made to accommodate sports that occur simultaneously.

AWARDS

• Star pins will be presented to the first, second and third place finishers in each category at the event venue.

• The Western Colorado Senior Games is open to out-of-state residents.

• Competition must take place to determine an award winner. If there is only one individual entered into an age group, that athlete must enter and complete the event in order to receive a pin. That athlete will be placed in the closest age category, but will not compete against those athletes.

ACCOMMODATIONS • For hotels offering special rates, call 800-962-2547, or visit www.visitgrand junction.com or www.bit.ly/westerncoseniorgames18.

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SENIOR GAMES

Schedule of Events

Please remember to check in prior to your participation at the Grand Junction Parks & Recreation Office Monday through Friday, 8 am-5 pm (excluding noon to 1 pm)

Monday, August 20 BOCCE BALL 8:30 am Hawthorne Park, 400 Gunnison Ave. BILLIARDS MEN’S 8 BALL 9:00 am Senior Recreation Center, 550 Ouray Ave. TABLE TENNIS 2:00 pm Bookcliff Activity Center, 540 ½ 29 ¼ Road Tuesday, August 21 5K WALK/RUN 8:30 am Course: Trail Canyon View Park, 730 24 Road Baseball Shelter (east side) CORNHOLE 9:00 am Canyon View Park, 730 24 Road, Liberty Cap Softball Field DANCE COMPETITION 1:00 pm Lincoln Park Barn, 910 N. 12th St. GOLF (2-PERSON SCRAMBLE) Tee times begin at 3:00 pm Lincoln Park Golf Course, 1340 Gunnison Ave. Fee: $9 per person (Clubs provided if needed). Carts are available for $9 per person.

Wednesday, August 22 GOLF (LONGEST DRIVE) 7:30 am Lincoln Park Golf Course, 800 Mantlo Circle GOLF (CHIP & PUTT) 9:00 am Lincoln Park Golf Course, 800 Mantlo Circle BASKETBALL (FREE-THROW, HOT SHOT & 3-POINT) 1:00 pm Bookcliff Activity Center, 540 ½ 29 ¼ Road CARDS (CRIBBAGE) 2:00 pm Senior Recreation Center, 550 Ouray Ave.

Thursday, August 23 SWIMMING Warm Up: 7:00 am 500-Meter Freestyle: 7:30 am All Other Events: 8:15 am Orchard Mesa Pool, 2736 Unaweep Ave. BILLIARDS MEN’S 9 BALL 9:00 am Senior Recreation Center, 550 Ouray Ave. HORSESHOES 9:00 pm Canyon View Park, 730 24 Rd (northeast side)

Thank you to our 2018 Western Colorado Senior Day sponsors:

BOWLING (SINGLES) 1:00 pm Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road Fee: $5 BANQUET 4:30 pm Ale House, 2531 N. 12th St. Fee: $6 per participant, $11 per guest Friday, August 24 TRACK & FIELD Discus/Shot put: 7:00 am Field Events Start: 7:30 am 1600-meter walk: 8:30 am All Other Track Events - 9:00 am Lincoln Park Track, 1340 Gunnison Ave.

PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Clerical / Secretarial Administrative / Bookkeeping Customer Service Restaurants

STEEL TIP DARTS 1:00 pm Eagle Aerie, 1674 US 50 Saturday, August 25 PICKLEBALL - DOUBLES Times and locations to be determined (teams may be capped) 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5

Light & Heavy Industrial Maintenance Production / Assembly Warehouse

241-6007 LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

817 N. 1st Street, Grand Junction •FAX: 241-6163 www.quicktemsllc.com / quicktemps@hotmail.com

HEALTH FAIR 10 am -12 pm at Lincoln Park Barn CARDS (PINOCHLE) 1:00 pm Senior Recreation Center, 550 Ouray Ave.

Construction Delivery Welders / Fitters CDL Drivers

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East Third Street �\l/� 151 151 East Third StreetPeach Grove Sunday, August 26 Grove Peach Palisade, CO 81526 Palisade, CO 81526 Palisade Palisade Living Center SUNDAY PICKLEBALL - MIXED Living Center REHABILITATION REHABILITATION 970-464-7500 970-464-7500 Times and locations to be determined (teams may be capped) 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JULY 2018 | SENIOR GAMES | 25

111m 111m

ENTRY FORM - 2018 Western Colorado Senior Games Complete all information on this form. Please print in ink. Form also available online at http://bit.ly/westerncoseniorgames18 LAST NAME____________________________________________FIRST NAME________________________________________________ ADDRESS____________________________________________CITY___________________________STATE_______ ZIP CODE___________ PHONE_________________________________________________________DATE OF BIRTH__________________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS (IF APPLICABLE) ____________________________________________________________________________________ EMERGENCY CONTACT_______________________________________________PHONE_______________________________________

EVENT & SOCIAL REGISTRATION FEES

AGE DIVISION EVENTS:

Registration closes at 5 p.m. on August 10.

5K RUN/WALK

Registration fee includes all events, medal and a T-shirt

 Walk  Run

(except where listed below)

BASKETBALL SHOOTING  Free Throw  Hot Shot  3-Point

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT-(If registration is received on or before August 3, 2018 at 5:00PM - T-Shirt guaranteed)

$29.00

$

REGISTRATION FEE (If registration is received after August 3, 2018 at 5:00PM - No T-Shirt)

$34.00

$

EXTENDED SIZE T-SHIRT FEES Size XXL +$2.00 / Size XXXL +$4.00

$2.00 / $4.00

$

($5.00)

$

BANQUET FEE

$6.00

$

BRING A GUEST TO THE BANQUET # Guests__________

$11.00/Guest

$

BOWLING FEE

GOLF

$5.00

$

GOLF: 2 PERSON SCRAMBLE

$9.00

$

 Chip  Putt  Longest Drive (Competed in 10-year age groups)

GOLF CART

$9.00

$

HORSESHOES

EXTRAS: 2018 SENIOR GAMES HIGHLIGHT REEL

$5.00

$

 Horseshoes (Competed in 10-year age groups)

$

SWIMMING (Order of events;

FIELD EVENTS (Starting at 7:00 am)

Size__________

RECRUIT A NEW ATHLETE DISCOUNT New Athlete Name: ___________________________ (New athlete’s registration form and recruiting athlete’s form must be turned in together)

Become a “FRIEND OF THE WESTERN COLORADO SENIOR GAMES” by contributing an extra amount that will help enhance this year’s games!

Make checks payable to Grand Junction Parks and Recreation

TOTAL

$

LIABILITY AND PRESS RELEASE WAIVER Affidavit: I will not hold the City of Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department or any cosponsoring agency, responsible for injury incurred while participating in any program. I understand that I will indemnify the City and its officers and employees from any injury claims. I am aware that participating in any sport/activity can be a dangerous activity involving many risks of injury, including crippling injury or death. I AUTHORIZE, ALLOW AND RELEASE the unlimited publication, broadcast, transmission, re-transmission and or other form of reproduction of any and all audio, video and photographic images without payment of compensation or royalties.

SIGNATURE:____________________________________________________ DATE:_________________________________________________________ Each participant should consult his/her doctor in regard to practice, preparation and competition in this event or any similar physical activity.

Please review your entry form to make sure you did the following:  Completed the general information entirely and marked all the events in which you are

planning to participate. For doubles events, a partner was included if necessary.  Signed and dated the liability and press release waiver.  _Enclosed the total payment, including additional event fees, banquet fees and discounts.  Reminded team partners, as applicable, to submit their entry form and fee.  Check made payable to Grand Junction Parks and Recreation.  Mailed your entry form and payment prior to Friday, August 3, 2018 to: Grand Junction Parks and Recreation, 1340 Gunnison Ave., Grand Junction, CO 81501

 Male

 Female

Age Group (as of 8/21/2017)

 50-54  55-59  60-64  65-69

 70-74  75-79  80-84  85-89

 90-94  95-99  100+

T-Shirt Size

 Small  Medium  Large  X-Large  XX-Large ($2.00)  JULY-Large ($4.00)  None

BOWLING ($5 extra fee)  Singles (Average:____________)

CARDS  Cribbage  Pinochle

CORNHOLE  Cornhole DANCE COMPETITION  Couple Team Name (2):

 Discus  Shot put

____________________________________

FIELD EVENTS (Starting at 7:30 am)

Partner's Name:

 Football Throw (Men’s)  Softball Slugfest  Softball Throw (Women’s)  Standing Long Jump

____________________________________

Starting at 7:30 a.m.)  500-Meter Freestyle  50-Meter Backstroke  50-Meter Breaststroke  50-Meter Freestyle  25-Meter Breaststroke  100-Meter Freestyle  25-Meter Backstroke  25-Meter Freestyle

TRACK EVENTS (Order of events) Starting at 8:30 a.m.  1600-Meter Walk Starting at 9:00 a.m.  50-Meter Dash  100-Meter Dash  200-Meter Dash  400-Meter Dash  800-Meter Run  1600-Meter Run  400-Meter Walk  800-Meter Walk

EVENTS NOT COMPETED BY AGE DIVISION: BILLIARDS  Men’s 8 Ball  Men’s 9 Ball

BOCCE BALL (Partners will be drawn)  Bocce Ball

How did you hear about the Western Colorado Senior Games?  Received entry form directly  From a past participant

Gender

 Activity Guide  BEACON  Misc. Promotion (website, promo cards, poster etc.)

 Other:_____________________________________________________________________________

 Large Team Name (9-18): ____________________________________ Captain’s Name:________________________

 Small Team Name (3-8): ____________________________________ Captain’s Name:________________________ Large and small teams may be combined

GOLF: 2-person scramble ($9 extra fee)  Doubles Partner:___________________________

 Individual (Partner will be drawn at the event)  Golf cart ($9 extra fee)

PICKLEBALL (The highest level partner determines play level for team)  Men’s Doubles 3.0  Men’s Doubles 3.5

 Men’s Doubles 4.0  Men’s Doubles 4.5+

 Women’s Doubles 3.0  Women’s Doubles 4.0  Women’s Doubles 3.5  Women’s Doubles 4.5+  Mixed Doubles 3.0  Mixed Doubles 3.5

 Mixed Doubles 4.0  Mixed Doubles 4.5+

DOUBLES PARTNER NAME: ____________________________________ MIXED DOUBLES PARTNER NAME: ____________________________________

STEEL TIP DARTS  Novice

 Experienced

TABLE TENNIS  Table tennis

Save and store your digital information for when loved ones need it

I

spent last month helping a close friend take over the affairs of her aging parents. Her mother was adapting to assisted living and her father’s failing health transitioned quickly from bad to worse, and ultimately to a fatal heart attack.

Her parents live in western Colorado, but she lives on the East Coast.

My friend was able to arrange all the powers of attorney during a trip to Colorado after her father had a small heart attack earlier in the month. Little did she know that her father would pass a few days after she returned home.

Helping her through all of this has caused me to think a lot about the impossibility to simultaneously grieve and dig through unsorted digital or tangible piles of clutter, looking for important information, such as an account number, password or title for a car.

When I was a full-time computer guy, the majority of my clients were seniors. Many couples have one member who is somewhat tech-savvy and one who is not.

It was not unusual for me to get a call from the spouse who rarely touched technology asking for help.

When the spouse or family member who handles all of the finances and digital communication suddenly passes, it can make the loss even more disorienting.

For some people, the only records of family phone numbers, photos, passwords and finances are stored inside the computer.

If this is the case for you or a loved one, please consider taking actions that will prevent a difficult time from becoming unbearable. Keep in mind this doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with age—an accident or illness can cause problems for anyone.

Don’t make your puzzles too hard to solve. Many people try to hide tangible valuables and valuable data (such as passwords) in complicated locations. Hide your passwords in reasonable places and tell a trusted friend or family member where to find them.

Print your passwords somewhere. It doesn’t matter whether you use a password manager like LastPass.com or a traditional Rolodex.

Print your will. Many people write one, even if it’s not formal, and save it in their computer. Print it out and store it somewhere.

TALKING DIGITAL

Considering selling?

A senior real estate specialist (SRES) can help.

Price: A senior real estate specialist (SRES) can help you find the best price for your home by doing a analysis of homes like yours that have recently sold and those currently on the market.

Staging: Staging takes place before the house goes on the market so it’s ready to show right away. In addition to advice for a thorough cleaning and cosmetic repairs, a SRES can provide tips for each room to look its best. Rooms look smaller when there’s clutter.

Storing unneeded items creates an impression of more space. If the home is unoccupied, we can add furniture and minimal décor to make it more inviting.

Showings: Now your home is ready to show. It’s best that the owner is not at home when the home is being shown. Be sure to keep medications and valuables out of sight while your home is on the market.

Print your most important photos. If you have photos that are precious to you, spend the 25 cents or less to have them printed. Using a service like SnapFish, you can send photos directly from your phone and receive archival hard copies in the mail within days.

Negotiating: Your agent understands the local market and can look at factors to indicate whether an offer should be seriously considered. Remember, the negotiation process usually requires give and take. Once an offer is accepted, the buyer will hire a home inspector to thoroughly inspect the home. If the inspection comes back with issues and the buyer and seller can’t agree on a solution, the buyer may walk away. Sometimes sellers have a pre-inspection before they put their home on the market so they know what to expect.

Packing and moving: Moving can be overwhelming if you’ve been in the home a long time and have many fond memories.

Sometimes hiring a third party or having an estate sale is the best option. A SRES can also recommend senior moving specialists to help.

Contact me for your free market analysis.

Martha Newman

Senior Real Estate Specialist 970-260-8747 martha.l.newman@gmail.com.

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Use marked envelopes and filing systems. Don’t put important papers into piles or throw everything into a single folder. This applies to digital files and folders as well. ■

1206 Ute Avenue 243-5744

TALKING DIGITAL

BY ADAM COCHRAN Send your technology questions to Adam in care of the BEACON, or email him directly at adamc@talkingdigital.org

Outside 24-Hour Teller

HOURS: Monday - Friday 10 am - 6 pm Saturday 10 am - 2 pm • Closed Sunday *New Customers Only / Discount Senior Coupons Available

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JULY 2018 | TALKING DIGITAL |

27

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

The carefree lifestyle you want...

Find confidence in creativity at Grand Junction’s oldest art gallery

W

Story and photo by Diana Barnett

hen my daughter Kate and I signed up for a stained glass class at the Working Artists Gallery in downtown Grand Junction, we had no idea what we were in for.

But by the end of the four weeks, we had completed two beautiful projects, learned new skills from working with glass, made new friends and were inspired to create on our own time.

This feeling wasn’t unique to Kate and me. According to the gallery’s owner, Roni Schwinn, many students continue class projects at home; some even create their own working studios.

In a tranquil neighborhood all your own.

The Cottages let you live independently while giving you the freedom to make the most of your retirement. Our single-level patio homes offer privacy and luxury with open living plans featuring two bedrooms, two baths, vaulted ceilings, contemporary kitchens, gas fireplace, covered patio and a one-car garage. All nestled in a quiet neighborhood with beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces and walking trails. Enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle with paid utilities, weekly housekeeping, snow removal, lawn maintenance and a flexible meal plan at our Commons or Fountains dining rooms. Plus you and your N loved ones get peace of mind with a 24Hom ew e hour emergency response system. Call or Avai s Now visit today for a tour and free lunch. labl

e

sible to walk past the store without wanting to go in and take a look.

Timi Nees was so enthused after taking a stained glass class earlier this year that she set up her own studio in her garage.

In addition to a variety of classes, the gallery features metal work, fabrics, jewelry, hand-blown glass, sculpture, fine photography and more from over 80 local artists.

It’s also the biggest stained glass supplier between Denver and Salt Lake City.

“I’ve always wanted to learn stained glass, but the reason I signed up for this one was to learn the craft so I can create a piece for a new door for my house,” she said.

“Working Artists was meant to be here for a long time,” Schwinn said.

“Did you see the metal sign embedded in the concrete in front of our door?”

Over 27 years on Main Street makes Working Artists the oldest gallery in Grand Junction, said Schwinn, who worked under the gallery’s former owner for seven years before purchasing it nearly two years ago.

Schwinn attributes the business’ longevity to her kind and knowledgeable employees.

The colors of the stained glass hanging in the store’s window at 520 Main St. beckon downtown passersby, making it nearly impos-

Joanie Post, an artist whose pottery is sold at the gallery, said, “Roni and her staff are all very friendly and know their artists.”

Schwinn wants the gallery and its classes to continue to be a fun place where people can learn and

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28 | JULY 2018 |

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

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› Over 27 years on Main Street makes Working Artists Gallery the oldest gallery in town. Pictured from left: Leigh Ashman, owner Roni Schwinn and June Schendel. be part of a congenial, supportive group.

one can usually help me right away,” she said.

“I think our students will tell you there is a really safe feeling here in our small groups,” she said. “Everybody comes to us for a reason.”

Stained glass classes, in foil and lead, are offered at the gallery throughout the year on Friday or Saturday afternoons for four weeks. Workshops are also held on Thursday evenings this summer during the downtown Farmers’ Market.

Nees said it’s easy to forget your outside worries when you’re focused on your project in class. Even outside of the classroom, she said an expert’s advice is only a phone call away.

“If I have a question or need help, I can drop in or just call, and some-

For more information on upcoming classes and events, drop by Working Artists Gallery at 520 Main St., call 256-9952 or visit www.working artistsgallery.com. ■

It’s getting crowded around here!

Your donation to the Veterans Art Center will help us purchase the property next door, allowing us additional parking for better access to and from the building, more studio space for art activities, upgraded facilities and more.

Call today to see how you can support our veterans!

462-3126 Wheelchair-bound?

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MILLENIUM SERVICES

307 S. 12th St., Grand Junction, CO www.operationrevamp.org Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Monday through Saturday

Call 24-hours a day:

(970) 270-9092 WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JULY 2018 |

29

BUSINESS PROFILE

Caring Transitions takes the stress out of moving, downsizing

By Melinda Mawdsley “It was worth every penny.”

Whether that sentence was uttered with a sigh of relief or with a gracious smile, it’s the most common feedback Caring Transitions owners Robbie and Dave Seng receive from clients.

Caring Transitions seeks to ease the stress of downsizing, moving to a senior living facility, or hosting estate sales by overseeing the process from start to finish.

“In a nutshell, we are move managers,” Robbie said. “When people call us, it’s because they want to move…they generally know where they are going, but have no idea how to move.”

It can be daunting to anyone, particularly seniors with a lifetime of

memories in each corner, to look in rooms and decide what to keep and what has to go, and then what to do with the stuff that won’t go with them.

To combat this stress, the Sengs greet every new client with a free consultation to learn what they want and let them know how they can help.

Not everyone needs or wants help packing—or unpacking, and not everyone has enough stuff for an estate sale.

The Sengs used a recent client experience to illustrate the level of service their company provides.

The Caring Transitions team recently moved a woman in her 80s from one senior living facility to another because she required a different

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30 | BUSINESS PROFILE | JULY 2018 |

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› Caring Transitions Owners Dave and Robbie Seng ease the stress of downsizing and moving by overseeing the process from start to finish. level of care. Her new space would be smaller and she would no longer cook for herself. Team members learned what she wanted to keep, what she hoped to keep, and the items she no longer needed, then they measured her new space to determine if the pieces she wanted to keep would fit.

“We worked with her and her daughter for several days before the move,” Robbie said. “We work really, really, really hard to make the next location look like the previous one.”

They took photos of how she had arranged her two 7-foot glass cabinets, so when items were unpacked, everything was put back exactly as it had been displayed.

Every client who uses Caring Transitions can expect that level of treatment, the Sengs said.

“If we move a desk, we will take a picture of the top of the desk,” Robbie said. “If it’s a mess, it’ll be the same mess” when they unpack.

Caring Transitions can also host estate sales and donate what doesn’t

get sold, clean the house and even provide references for Realtors and other experts.

No matter what a client wants, whether it’s help decluttering or a full relocation, Caring Transitions will give the client a bid, then pay others involved in the process.

With over 200 franchises nationwide, Caring Transitions can help seniors move out of town or out of state as long as there is another franchise nearby. The Sengs will coordinate services with colleagues to make the transition as smooth as possible.

The company is fully insured, and the Sengs have earned their Certified Relocation and Transition Specialists certification. The local office’s 11 additional staff members have all undergone background checks.

“When we found this Caring Transitions opportunity we knew that was for us,” Robbie said.

Get started with your free in-home consultation by calling 822-7087. ■

SENIOR SCAMS

Protect your assets and identity

By Teresa Ambord id you remember to take the required minimum distribution (RMD) from your traditional IRAs? If you’re not familiar with this tax law, you must take your first RMD from your traditional (not Roth) IRAs by April 1 of the year after you turn 70 1/2. So if you turned 70 1/2 in 2017, you had until April 1, 2018, to take your first RMD or face a stiff penalty equal to 50 percent of the amount you should have withdrawn. After that, you must also take an RMD every year

by December 31.

D

WHAT IF YOU MISSED THE DEADLINE?

Explain your situation to your financial planner. According to Josh Sailar, a certified plan fiduciary advisor with Los Angeles-based Miracle Mile Advisors, you must file IRS Form 5329, with a letter explaining why you missed the deadline, and take your RMD without delay.

Sailar said it will typically take the IRS a couple of months to send a response about whether your explanation will be accepted or not.

Explanations include ignorance, forgetfulness and natural disasters.

Don’t be embarrassed; tell the truth. It’s no guarantee the IRS will accept your explanation, but the tax agent is sometimes forgiving of taxpayers who try to make things right.

BEWARE THE BANK SCAM

Have you gotten a notice by email from a bank informing you that there’s a problem with your account? I’ve gotten several—usually from banks I’ve never done business with—but tens of millions of people do have accounts with these banks and might be tempted to click out of fear.

Most of the emails I received kind of looked legitimate, with the bank’s

logo and all, but my particular message did not address me by name, which is always a red flag. Genuine representatives of any financial or health institution will make sure they are talking to the right person before proceeding. Some emails also contained grammatical or spelling errors, which may indicate that English is not the first language of the scammer, who may be in another country.

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HERE’S WHAT MY EMAIL SAID:

111m 111m

970-464-7500 970-464-7500

During our regularly scheduled account maintenance and verification procedures, we have detected a slight error in your billing information.

This might be due to either of the following reasons: 1. A recent change in your personal information (i.e. change of address).

2. Submitting invalid information during the initial sign up process.

3. An inability to accurately verify your selected option of payment due to an internal error within our processors.

Please sign in to visit and update profile immediately.

What followed was a malicious link, which would’ve hijacked my computer if I’d clicked on it.

If I have any doubt about the legitimacy of the message, I go to another computer or a phone and contact the institution myself, never with the links or addresses provided in the scam message. It only takes a few minutes to verify that your account is okay.

Other variations of this scam ask you to update your payment information or confirm that you are expecting a package delivery (usually from a nationally known delivery company). ■

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JULY 2018 | SENIOR SCAMS |

31

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

Rivers of spirit

By Mary McCutchan

“Don’t put an age limit on your dreams.”

- Dana Torres, Olympic swimmer

T

he plan started weeks before with conversations between my partner, Dennis, and his longtime boating friends, but it gathered traction after a late-night argument between the two of us.

“I think I can do it if one of our friends rows the boat,” Dennis assured me.

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do the advertising. take the calls. take the trade-ins. arrange financing.

“But what about the fall risk?” I countered. “It’d be the wrong time to interrupt physical therapy.”

“I think with my walker, plus four tennis balls and crutches, it’ll work,” he said.

Although he’d been a boater for more than 45 years, Dennis couldn’t blame me for being apprehensive about this rafting trip down Idaho’s Payette River. He already had three surgeries so far that year and it was only August.

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Back surgery was the biggie. He’d lost motor control and was in rehab for a month, only to be discharged in a wheelchair. It took 10 additional days at home before he stood unsupported. Thankfully, some of our dear friends—one a retired physical therapist—took over, holding down the fort as I jetted off to Alaska on a trip planned months before.

“Fine,” a dark voice spat out, “We won’t go. I’ll just call and cancel…”

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After hearing his tone and the hurt in his voice, I told him to give it time so we could explore our options.

We both loved the outdoors— it’s an activity we’d often shared together, and this biennial river trip had been a tradition with Dennis and his boating buddies for over 25 years.

I started to understand where he was coming from and it got me thinking about the one thing that

motivates a body to get up every morning to do exercises and follow directions from physical therapists: goals. And for Dennis, that goal was this river trip.

THE MUSIC TRIP

Our good friend, Andrea, rearranged her schedule so she could captain Dennis’ boat with him, rowing optional due to lack of feeling in his feet and legs.

The only thing better than sorting river gear is being on the river itself, and it was a happy sight seeing Dennis sorting life jackets and dry bags from his walker seat. With extra help from friends, we loaded up. It was gratifying to see smiles and hear jokes in spite of my apprehension.

Andrea and I competed for the best miles per gallon on the long drive to Idaho, and Dennis’ friend, John, joined the caravan in Boise.

The air was smoky, and the smoke thickened on the surrounding dry hills as the route took us beside the Payette River and we watched the lively water splash with “rooster tails” in gnarly rapids. Soon we pulled in to the Lower Salmon Campground and Boat Launch near White Bird, Idaho.

Bulky rolling green and gold hills gave way to high farm fields and the smoke descended to river level in the late afternoon. Dennis started looking around for familiar cars and rigs. He and his buddies called this particular trip “The Music Trip,” since many boaters from Washington played either bluegrass or folk.

We dropped tents at the camp spot in dried stubble underfoot and then drove to the launch, where Andrea backed the trailer and boat down into the water.

My joy at seeing Dennis with his friends was tempered with anxiety about the smoke. Should a senior like me with asthma be on this trip

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Above: Jesse and Jim play music in camp.

Left: Mary McCutchan and her partner, Dennis, hit the water.

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without a heavy-duty face filter?

I was handed a bandana and I felt calmer when I saw Jim strolling around the truck with his mandolin and Terry, a new face, walking along with his guitar case in hand.

The last to arrive was Casey, aka Dr. Whitewater, gear seller and “Skinny White Boy” as his self-deprecating song says. It dawned on me that even though this was a “senior” trip, nothing would keep these crazy friends off the water.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES Dennis encountered his first challenge on day one—getting out of the boat, onto the beach and into a chair.

Chores seemed to go seamlessly.

Andrea took charge of Dennis’ boat and enjoyed getting to know everyone and hearing music in camp.

Everyone was so thoughtful. Jessie, the banjo player, was normally a bit gruff and cussed up a storm, but the kindness in his eyes when he brought Dennis a plate of food was unmistakable. We wondered whose heart he’d received since he’d had a transplant.

By the third day, the smoke seemed a little transparent and the sun not as orange. Craig, the trip leader, brought both his sons on the trip.

From listening to Jake, the younger

of the two, I realized his sense of humor was shaped by his tough job. His older brother was going through a bit of a rough spot, but his smile was still intact.

After some time getting to know everyone, it dawned on me as the smoke lifted that it wasn’t just Dennis and me dealing with a handicap—we were all dealing with something. One boater had a broken ankle; others were dealing with seizures, arthritis, asthma, depression, rehab and surgery, to name a few.

Yet none of these ailments hindered us from conquering class IV rapids with muscle-powered rafts.

Once music poured out across the basalt canyons with bluegrass melodies rising up to the stars, I noticed how easy it was to forget these difficulties.

Blue Canyon was the last camp before the confluence with the Snake River. The next morning, Andrea and I sang on the water, as we watched bighorn sheep move though the confluence. Dennis had “boated around” and was riding with Craig’s son.

Dennis endured and enjoyed the trip with help from these friends.

We had one warm night to spend on the Snake and more music in the air. Everyone agreed to do this again next year, instead of waiting for year two. ■

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Real Estate Information

Helping Seniors

Senior Property Tax Exemption is available to senior citizens and the surviving spouses of seniors who previously qualified.

The exemption is available to individuals who are 65 years of age or older on January 1 and who have owned and occupied the property as their primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years prior to January 1. Limited exceptions to the ownership and occupancy requirements are detailed in the qualifications section of the application.

Applications forms are available from and must be submitted to Mesa County Assessor by July 15th of the year which the exemption is requested. Mesa County Assessor phone number is (970) 244-1610

Is it time to sell your home and downsize, give me a call and I will help guide you through the maze.

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“Helping families for 28 years to make the right move”

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JULY 2018 |

33

Question of the Month

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

What is your favorite invention?

Greg Biskupski “I suppose the computer has affected my life.

That’s how all our banking is done. I imagine that we’ve been using the computer a lot since the late ’90s. We use to sell on eBay. It doesn’t seem like we could get along without one anymore.”

Betty Bulla “The cell phone is an invention that has greatly affected my life.

It’s another piece of technology you can’t live without.

I use it for sending pictures and keeping track of my appointments.”

The best inventions we take for granted Story and photo by Jan Weeks uman knowledge doubles approximately every 13 months, so those of us who have been around for a few years have seen some amazing innovations. In the last 50 years, we’ve seen television go from tiny, black and white sets to monster screens. Personal computers, only a dream in the 1980s, have shrunk from desk-sized behemoths to smaller than a pack of cards.

H

her first plastic bag. She and her new husband were stationed at an Army post in Arizona.

Often, our favorite inventions are the ones that have affected our lives personally. Sue Hughey remembers how the automatic dishwasher changed her life.

“My mom sent me a plastic bag about 9 inches by 12 inches—no Ziploc—from Oklahoma Gas and Electric. I used that thing for years, thinking I might never see another one,” she recalled.

“They didn’t come standard in houses then, and I had eczema so bad for years from having my hands in soapy water,” she said. “My fingers would crack and bleed and were always covered with Band-Aids. After my husband bought me a portable dishwasher, my eczema went away in no time.”

Martin also remembers coming across aluminum foil for the first time.

She did some research and found that the first hand-powered dishwasher was invented by Josephine Cochrane, a wealthy matron who was tired of the servants chipping her china.

Local artist Lee Bowerman treasures his cordless drill set, which includes a charger, flashlight and carrying case.

Amy Nuernberg & Lida Lifferty Amy: “The computer has affected my life because I’m a graphic designer. When I went to college to learn design, we had to typeset. We would get the roll of paper, proof it and wax it. You spent all your time trying to get it straight instead of designing. Now, everything is a design decision. I enjoy design a lot more now.”

Lida: “I have this latte blender. It’s a little mobile milk frother. You can [take] it camping. You can do it anywhere. It’s wonderful! I can have a latte anywhere.”

34 | JULY 2018 |

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Sue Hughey remembers how the automatic dishwasher changed her life.

So what are the best inventions of the past 50 years? Not surprisingly, computers top the list, but there are also more mundane inventions that we now take for granted, such as Ziploc bags, aluminum foil and cordless phones.

“I’m a mural painter so I don’t take a lot of tools on the job but occasionally need a drill, sander or saw. It’s nice to have a compact case with those tools handy,” he said.

He also praises the variety of tapes—striping tape, painter’s edge tape and Gorilla tape—as well as disposable paper coveralls, paper shoe covers and lint- and static-free synthetic rags.

“How did we get by without them?” he wondered.

Mike Shults, a retired Realtor and skilled handyman, loves the backup camera on his truck, and said his cell phone is invaluable for staying in touch with clients.

Pat Martin got married in 1958 and remembers

“When I was a kid back in World War II, we would strip the foil from the inner part of cigarette packages, roll the pieces into a giant ball and turn them in for the war effort,” Martin said.

Martin also mentioned Velcro, that ubiquitous staple for everything from “tying” shoes to “zipping” tents.

Hand-held blow dryers head the best invention list for reader Joyce Finley.

“Back in high school, we had a hair dryer with a slip-on hood like a plastic bag that connected to the base with an expandable tube,” she said. “I was in heaven when they came out with one that had a hard hood, like in the beauty salons.”

Heated rollers were high on her list, too.

“I didn’t have to factor in time before work to wet and set my hair, then sit under the dryer for half an hour,” she said.

Now, of course, anyone can achieve great-looking hair with a round brush and a blow dryer that can fit in an overnight case.

Look around today and notice all the things that make your life easier and better and take time to appreciate them and the inventors who had what at the time seemed like impossible ideas and brought them to life. We truly are surrounded by everyday miracles. ■

FUN AFTER 50

Senior Recreation Center 550 Ouray Avenue

970-243-7408

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.

JULY 4

Fireworks Find a spot on North Avenue or buy a ticket to the Grand Junction Rockies game and watch the fireworks from the field or bleachers. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park.

JULY 13

Food Truck Friday Come out for great food, live entertainment and craft beer at 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park Barn.

JULY 13

Movies in the Park: “Moana” Bring the grandkids for this free movie at Lincoln Park. Movie starts at dusk.

HEALTH

Pool. Drop in for $4.50 or purchase a 12-punch pass for $46.50.

DANCE MONDAYS (JULY 9-30)

Line Dance Line dancing is great physical exercise and helps keep your mind sharp. This combo class focuses on beginning steps and moves for easier dances, then builds on those steps to create more challenging dances to a variety of music. Class is from 12:15-2 p.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $12 for the session or $5 to drop in. No partner needed.

Gentle Active Yoga This class is designed for active beginners and above. Class is at 8-9 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 classes are for beginner or novice individuals, and incorporate noodles, hand paddles, water weights and more. Class is from 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Orchard Mesa

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

THURSDAYS

Senior Dances with Live Music Dance from 8-10 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3.

TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS

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.

SPORTS

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

THURSDAY

JUNE 23

Beginning Pickleball Clinics Learn basic rules, equipment and play strategies from 9-11 a.m. at Pineridge Park. Cost is $15.

AUGUST 20-26

9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am

12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Western Colorado Senior Games Choose from over 60 events to compete in. Registration form on page 23. ■

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 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.

Cost $3.50 WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JULY 2018 | FUN AFTER 50 |

35

BEACON BITS

Save the DateS! Two Rivers Chautauqua

museumofwesternco.org 970.242.0971 For Schedule and InFo: TworIverSchauTauqua.com

presents

World War I:

ThE war To End aLL wars

August 17 and 18

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The Avalon Theatre

BoBBiE and siGma aLpha

Presented by: Brought to you by:

9 am

Shotgun start Old Fossil: $100 Team of 4: $400

September 21

Adobe Creek National Golf Course

Info:

970.242.0971, ext. 2204 or 970.858.2170

CALENDAR JULY 3

U.S. Air Force Academy Band The United States Air Force Academy Band from Colorado Springs presents an Independence Day celebration at Las Colonias Amphitheatre in Grand Junction at 7 p.m. This outdoor family friendly event will feature the band in a program that celebrates the patriotic spirit of the American people. Admission is free.

JULY 3

Fruita Summer BBQ and Benefit Concert Celebrate Independence Day with free hot dogs and live music from Wave 11 and The Oxymorons from 6-9 p.m. at the Fruita Civic Center.

There will also be vendors, slushies for sale, and a color explosion on the Civic Center lawn at 9 p.m. This event benefits the Grant a Wish Program. Fireworks have been canceled due to dry conditions. For information, call 234-9808 or 858-0360.

JULY 4

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JULY 4

Independence Day Parade The annual Fourth of July parade on Main Street in downtown Grand Junction starts at 10 a.m.

JULY 4

Investment Services Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, an independent broker/ dealer, and are: NOT Deposits. NOT Insured by FDIC or any other government agency. NOT GUARANTEED by the bank Subject to risk and may lose value. Raymond James is not affiliated with the financial institution or the investment center. Bank of Colorado and Bank of Colorado Investment Services are not registered broker/dealers and are independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Investment Advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

36 | BEACON BITS | JULY 2018 |

Redlands Lion’s Club celebrates Independence Day The Redlands Lion’s Club celebrates Independence Day by placing over 700 American flags in yards throughout the Redlands, and picking them up late in the afternoon. The Redlands Lion’s Club flag service honors nine patriotic holidays annually. If you are interested in subscribing to this service or volunteering to help place flags, call 270-4658 or 433-7961. The cost for residents to subscribe to flag services is $35.

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Rockies Game and fireworks Watch the Grand Junction Rockies take on the Ogden Raptors at 6 p.m. at Suplizio Field with fireworks to

immediately follow. For tickets and more information, visit www.milb. com/grand-junction.

JULY 4

Palisade Independence Day Parade & Celebration Palisade turns red, white and blue to celebrate the Fourth of July. The day kicks off with a parade starting at 10:30 a.m. from the firehouse to Third Street to Main Street, heading south. After the parade, enjoy live music, free BBQ, games and ice cream at Memorial Park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

JULY 7

Night Shadows: Bats of the Colorado National Monument Join Colorado Parks and Wildlife Biologist Dan Neubaum at 8:30 p.m. as he shares interesting information about bats. He will assist audience members in locating bats with acoustic detectors as they leave their daytime roosts in the canyon below. Reservations required. Call 858-3617, ext. 360. Additional program details will be provided upon registration.

JULY 7

Hear it Through the Grapevine: Quemando Hear it Through the Grapevine Concert Series presents Quemandoat 7 p.m., benefiting Child & Migrant Services. Enjoy live music, great wine and delicious food at Grande River Vineyards. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Concerts are held rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable. Dinner is offered for sale along with wine, soda and water. You may bring a picnic and a lawn chair, but no outside beverages or pets are permitted.

JULY 13

Atlas of a Lost World Colorado Public Radio presents Atlas of a Lost World with Craig Childs and Colorado Matters Host Ryan Warner, a vivid travelogue

BEACON BITS through prehistory that traces the arrival of the first people of North American at least 20,000 years ago and the artifacts that tell their lives and fates. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Movie starts at 7 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Avalon Theatre Box Office or online at www.mon umentaltix.com.

JULY 17

Music in the Grapevines: The Scones The Grand Junction Art Center Guild presents their annual Music in the Grapevines concert series with The Scones playing at the Two Rivers Winery pavilion. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Cost is $15 per person. Purchase tickets at The Art Center, Two Rivers Winery or at the door. Wine will be available for purchase by glass or bottle. Bring a picnic and a lawn chair. Pets are not permitted.

JULY 18

Medicine, Medium & The Radical Middle Join Western Colorado Writers Forum for an evening of poetry, song and conversation about language, politics, the shaman’s way and the unfashionable art of compromise with special guests Issa Forrest and Alan Wartes, and Art Goodtimes at the KAFM Radio Room. Event begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for writers forum members and $10 for nonmembers. To reserve your seat, visit www.kafmradio.org.

JULY 21

Deadly Family Reunion mystery dinner theater Join us for a little “business meeting” about “waste management” but watch out for wise guys, wicked women and wannabe whackers. If you’re not an “associate” when you show up, you’ll be mobbed up or mopped up by the end of the night.

This event, presented by Mesa Murder Mysteries, starts at 6:15 p.m. at Garfield’s restaurant. Cost is $30.

Tickets available at www.garfields

restaurantgj.com/events or by calling 628-1987.

JULY 21

Colorado Riverfest This annual community festival celebrates one of our most powerful and majestic friends—the Colorado River. Celebrate with riverside yoga at 8 a.m., a downtown paddleboard event at 10 a.m. and live music at Las Colonias Park Amphitheater starting at 11 a.m. A portion of ticket sales go toward preserving our rivers. The lineup consists of seven artists, including Pineapple Crackers and Niceness. To purchase tickets, visit www.coloradoriverfest.com or visit the Avalon Theatre Box Office.

Palisade’s fruit s

Serving families in the Grand Valley for over 100 years.

Palisade’s fruit stop

JULY 25

2515 Patterson Road Senior Day at the Mesa County Grand Junction, CO 81505 Fair This year’s fair will be one to remem970.243.2450 ber, as admission is free—thanks to generous community sponsors.

Callahan-Edfast@dignitymemorial.com The Mesa County Fair, which runs www.callahan-edfast.com July 24-28, has partnered with the BEACON Senior News to put on some great events that are fun and free for Grand Valley seniors from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25. Senior-friendly events include two sessions of BEACON Bingo, rock painting, a lavender wreath design class, a Lipizzaner Stallion meet and greet, senior lunch specials and After six generations, the more. For more information on After sixfamily generations, the Clark Clark is still farming Senior Day activities and entertainfruitfarming in Palisade.

The 100is still fruit in Palisade ment, visit www.BeaconSeniorNews.

After six generations, the Clark family acre farm raises cherries, com. For tickets to the Lipizzaner 100-acre farm raises cherries, a apricots, peaches, pears, still farming fruit in Palisade. The show, visitiswww.mesacountyfair. peaches, pears, and plums, alon After six generations, the Clark family and plums, along with a com.

100-acre farm raises cherries, apricots,

Palisade’s fruit stop

Palisade’s Palisade’s fruit stop fruit

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is still farming fruita in Palisade. The wonderful vegetable garden, a wonderful vegetable garden, peaches, pears, and plums, along with 100-acre farm raises cherries, apricots, you to Stop savor. Stop by a bite, JULY 31 youalltoforalong savor. by for pears, and plums, a wonderful vegetable garden, all peaches, for for a bite, with fresh from the Caring for All Creation lecture from the orchard. a wonderful vegetable garden, all for There hasyou beento a lotsavor. of discussion orchard.

Stop by for a bite, fresh you to savor. Stop by for a bite, fresh recently regarding the Endangered from the orchard. from the orchard.

Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. What does it all mean? After six generations, the Clark family is still farming fruit in Palisade. The Learn more at this free lecture presented by Caitlin Cattelino with 100-acre farm raises cherries, apricots, 970-464-0418 970-464-0418 3929 Hwy. 6 Defenders of Wildlife at Church peaches, pears, and plums, along with 3929vegetable Hwy. 6 garden, all forFamily (1½ miles East of the Nativity, 2175 Broadway in a wonderful Orchards Family Orchards (1½ miles of Palisade) Grand Junction. Coffee and appetizyou to savor.

Stop byEast for a bite, fresh Palisade, CO Palisade, CO Family Orchards ers available at 6 p.m. Lecture begins Palisade) from theoforchard.

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After six generations, the Clark family clarkorchards.com is still farming fruit clarkorchards.co in Palisade. The clarkorchards.com 100-acre farm raises cherries, apricots, | JULY 970-464-0418 WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM 2018 | BEACON BITS | 37 3929 Hwy. 6 plums, along with peaches, pears, and

BEACON BITS

BEACON BITS

Dinosaur Journey receives $19,450 from Giving Club Dinosaur Journey was selected as the recipient for the Mesa County Giving Club’s quarterly donation.

Museums of Western Colorado Executive Director Peter Booth said the gift will go toward much needed repairs of the roof at Dinosaur Journey. To learn more about Dinosaur Journey and Museums of Western Colorado, visit www.museumofwesternco.com or call 2420971. To learn more about Giving Club, visit www.gjgivingclub.org.

Library Director Joseph Sanchez to leave for new position in Hawaii Joseph Sanchez, who has served as director of Mesa County Libraries for the past five years, will leave his position this summer to take a new job in Hawaii. Sanchez has accepted a position as university librarian for the University of Hawaii and plans to leave Mesa County Libraries in late June. Shana Wade, associate director of Mesa County Libraries, will become interim director while the library board of trustees con-

ducts a search for a new director.

Museum offers free admission to active-duty military personnel and families The Museums of Western Colorado (MWC) has a new partnership with Blue Star Museums, which allows MWC to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve. To find museums that participate in the Blue Star Museums program, visit www.arts.gov/bluestar museums. To learn more about MWC, visit www.museumofwest ernco.com or contact Peter Booth at 242-0971, ext. 2204.

PBS “Kingdoms of the Sky” series A new three-part series from PBS and the BBC Natural History Unit, “Kingdoms of the Sky,” tells the story of the wildlife and people of the world’s greatest mountain ranges: the Rockies, the Andes, and the Himalayas.

• “The Rockies” airs July 11 at 8 p.m.

• “The Himalayas” airs July 18 at 8 p.m.

• “The Andes” airs July 25 at 8 p.m.

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celebration of life. Ellie, you are greatly missed.

We are committed to sharing our lives and sharing war stories while meeting the needs of our veterans, spouses and Gold Star parents. If you are a service connected veteran disabled 70-100%, your long-term care stay may be paid in full. We have Medicare, Medicaid and private pay rooms available for both long-term stay and short-term rehab. Join us for a tour of our facility.

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BEACON BITS Stepping On is a seven-week fall prevention program covering a range of issues, including falls and fall risks, strength and balance exercises, safe footwear, vision-related falls, safety in public places, community mobility, coping after a fall and understanding how to initiate a medication review. It’s based on the latest scientific research, and is proven to prevent falls for people 65 and over. The course begins July 26. Courses are 1-3 p.m. Thursdays at the St. Mary’s Life Center. Cost is $55. For more information or to register, call 298-6130.

AARP Driver Safety Courses Save money on insurance and keep up on newer traffic laws at the AARP Driver Safety course, offered twice in July. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Call for location and to register.

July 17 - 1-5 p.m. Call 314-7408 to register.

July 20 - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 4330384 to register.

Glade Park Cowboy Music & Poetry Festival Mark your calendars for the seventh annual Glade Park Cowboy Music & Poetry Festival from 5-8

p.m. on August 4. This festival brings the Old West back to life with cowboy poetry, cowboy music and poetry with themes of the western lifestyle, humorous anecdotes as well as memories of times and people long gone. Performances by James Michael, Terry Nash and Steve Jones. All ages welcome.

Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. The event will happen rain or shine. Bring your own chair and a jacket, but no pets.

Proceeds benefit Glade Park Community Services. For more information, call Dena at 497-0683.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES • Mesa County RSVP connects individuals 55 and older to volunteer positions in any of our member agencies. For a list of volunteer opportunities and to register, call 243-9839.

• Mesa County Spellbinders is looking for volunteers to learn a few storytelling skills and make a difference in children’s lives. Spellbinders tell stories to students in kindergarten through fifth grade once a month during the school year. To join, call 4627346. ■

RIVER CITY SINGLES

INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE

Location is everything

Hilltop’s senior communities offer gracious living, personalized care, and unsurpassed amenities in a tranquil neighborhood all your own. n Luxurious apartments with great views, spacious floorplans,and paid utilities

n 24-hour emergency response

Fridays at 5 p.m. - Calling all singles over 50!

Meet new friends at Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) in the Hideaway Lounge at the Travelodge, 718 Horizon Drive. Call Chuck at 242-5252 for details.

n Restaurant-style dining n Beautiful outdoor spaces and walking trails

n Customized wellness program helps you “Stay Fit for Life!”

Tuesdays at 9 a.m. - Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive.

Visitors welcome. Call Debbie at 245-4995 for details.

n Social activities and trips

n Temporary assisted stays

The Commons • (970) 243-3333

The Fountains • (970) 243-8800

625 27 1/2 Road • TheCommonsGJ.org

3203 N. 15th Street • TheFountainsGJ.org

“Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship.”

Annual membership is $20.

n Flexible care options to meet your current and future needs

Sundays at 12:30 p.m. - Bowling Sunday at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road. RSVP to Bob at 263-8462 by 10 a.m.

Mondays at 8 a.m. - Play golf at Adobe Creek Golf Course in Fruita. Meet there at 7:30 a.m. Call Janice at 261-9114 to sign up.

Wednesday, July 4 at 1 p.m. - Celebrate Independence Day with hot dogs and a potluck meal. RSVP to Janice at 261-9114.

Thursday, July 19 - Dinner at Spoons Bistro & Bakery, 3090 N. 12th St. RSVP to Jim at 424-2545.

Saturday, July 21 at 9 a.m. - Nine-hole chipping tournament with Jim at Billie’s. RSVP to Jim at 424-2545.

When you choose Hilltop Senior Living Communities, you are supporting a nonprofit that has provided Western Colorado with compassionate and comprehensive human services for over 65 years. Best of all, your money stays right here in our community bringing vital services to those who need them most.

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JULY 2018 | BEACON BITS |

39

BEACON BITS

SUPPORT GROUPS Breast Friends, a breast cancer support group, meets monthly from 5-6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday in St. Mary’s Reflection Room.

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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups for family members of adults who have a serious mental illness and connection groups for adults living with a mental illness.

Groups meet at various times and locations in Mesa County. For details, visit www.NAMIWS.org or call 462-3989.

GriefShare is a nondenominational Christ-based support group for those mourning the death of a loved one. This group meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. For location and details, call 628-1453.

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones meets at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday at First Presbyterian Church. If you have a child who struggles with alcohol, drugs or food, there’s help and hope. Call 379-5786.

HEARTBEAT/Survivors After Suicide meets monthly from 7-9 p.m. on the third Tuesday at First Congregational Church. Call 7789274 or 241-4349.

Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group meets monthly from 1-2 p.m. on the first Tuesday at Church of the Nativity, 2175 Broadway. Call 245-9606.

Job Searching after 50 networking group meets from 8:3010 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Mesa County Workforce Center, room 154. You must be registered as a job seeker ar www.connectingcolorado.com.

Call 248-7560 for details.

MACHO Men cancer support group meets monthly at 2 p.m. on the first Thursday at the VA Medical Center In-Patient Dining Room. Call 298-2351.

Grand Mesa Medi£al supJI.{II 1-800 262-0833 • 241-0833 "Where Your Quality of Life Comes First" 40 | BEACON BITS | JULY 2018 |

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

Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Support Group meets monthly from 4-5 p.m. on the third Monday in St. Mary’s Reflection Room.

• POWER MOBILITY AND SEATING SPECIALISTS, • FACTORY AUTHORIZED SERVICE TECHNICIANS, • MODIFICATIONS, CUSTOM AND SPECIAL ORDERS.

“Where Your Quality of Life Comes First”

Caregiver Connections meets from 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest.

Call 260-8931.

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

Mending Hearts is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. This group meets from 2-3:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest. Call 2488844.

MS and Men, a support group for men living with MS, meets monthly from 11 a.m. to noon on the third Thursday at The Artful Cup. Call 241-8975.

Tinnitus Support Group meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Community Hospital, 2351 G Road, legacy room 1. Call 589-0305.

Western Colorado Post Polio Group educates polio survivors and caregivers about post-polio, connects post-polio people and promotes independent living for people struck with the virus many years ago. Call 241-7825 for details.

Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision support group, meets monthly from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Center for Independence. Transportation is available. Call 241-0315.

Yoga for Life meets from 5:306:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Life Center Aerobics Room, 2686 Patterson Road. Classes practice basic yoga stretches and gentle movements with attention to breathing and are designed for cancer patients of all abilities. ■

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES Art Quilt Association (AQuA) meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the third Saturday in Grand Junction. Visit www.theartquiltassociation.com.

Knitting Club meets monthly from 6:30-8 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday at Community of Christ Church, 2880 B 1/2 Road. Call 623-1455.

Cups Club meets at 2 p.m. Wednesdays at The Artful Cup. Meet people through cards and games or talk and tea. Call 683-4909.

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 Whitman Education Center. Help sessions are at 1 p.m. on the first Friday at a library branch. Call 640-2388.

Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) #244 meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday at the VFW #3981. All former, retired and active sea service, U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard are welcome. Call 434-0868.

Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the third Thursday at First Baptist Church. Call 2604653 or visit www.thefriendship force.org.

Grand Junction Chess Club meets from 6:30-11:30 p.m. Mondays in the Safeway Starbucks, 2901 F Road. We loan chess sets out at no charge. Visit www.jctchess.com.

Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday and 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday at 2328 Monument Road. Email grandjun ctionrockclub@gmail.com Grand Mesa A Capella Chorus, Sweet Adelines International, rehearses from 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays at Crossroads United Methodist Church. Call 255-9419 or 523-3464, or visit www.grandmesachorus.org.

Grand Valley Pets Alive meets monthly from 4:30-6 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Church of the Nativity. Call 462-7554.

Guys’ Giving Club meets quarterly at the Springhill Suites, 236 Main St. in Grand Junction. Members donate $100 at each meeting and are invited to nominate a local charity to receive the evening’s total contributions. For membership information, call 243-8829 or 270-6184.

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

This group is intended to create a space of empowerment, grace, community and wisdom for individuals age 60 and older. Call 4337799.

Outing Club meets quarterly but hosts activities weekly. Call 8126759 or 243-7645.

Thunder Mountain Camera Club meets from 7-9 p.m. on July 24 at Western Colorado Community College, in Building B Room 171. Visit www.thundermountaincameraclub. org or call 216-9311.

Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets Thursdays at the Masonic Center.

Call 261-1670.

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Two River Sams/Good Sam RV Club meets at noon on July 12. For location, call 523-5625.

Western Colorado Amateur Radio Club meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the second Saturday at the Civil Patrol Hangar, 2868 Aviators Way. Visit www.w0rrz.org.

Western Colorado Astronomy Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday at Colorado Mesa University’s Wubben Hall, room 161. Call 812-3661 or visit www. wcacastronomy.org. ■

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41

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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 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?

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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 Oil chAnge SeRvice Service hours Oil chAnge any make orSeRvice model Service hours 41 Gripes any make orSeRvice model Oil chAnge Service hours Monday-Friday 43 Discharged any makegas or model Monday-Friday 9595 gas engine 7:30-5:30 44 French income 95 gas $29.

Monday-Friday engine synthetic oils slightly higher 7:30-5:30 95 synthetic oils slightly higher 47 Word before spice or engine Saturday 7:30-5:30 diesel Saturday synthetic95 oils slightly higher star 8:00-5:00 engine 95 diesel 95 Saturday $79.

8:00-5:00 engine 50 Convened again diesel No appointment necessary 95 8:00-5:00 engine No appointment necessary 51 Marla’s predecessor No appointment necessary 52 Cornishmen 2728 Railroad Ave • 970-625-1680 • www.columbineford.com 2728 Railroad Ave • 970-625-1680 • www.columbineford.com 53 Mountain range of 2728 Railroad Ave • 970-625-1680 • www.columbineford.com Arkansas 54 Hungarian city or river 55 Frankenstein flunky 56 Any of three English rivers 57 “I could ___ horse!”

New Windows • Window Repairs • Window Glass Mirrors 58 Sch. for ministers NEED GLASS REPAIR? No Job Too Smal Table Tops • Insulated Glass Shower & Tub Enclosures 59 One-time hoop gp.

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WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JULY 2018 | FUN & GAMES |

43

CLASSIFIEDS

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Looking for Country and Bluegrass Pickers and Jammers!

Call 909-522-1112.

EVENTS Medical Cannabis Certification Cannabis treats arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, Parkinson’s, MS, cancer, glaucoma, PTSD, etc.

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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

SEEKING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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44 | CLASSIFIEDS | JULY 2018 |

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Do you have neuropathy, inflammation, arthritis sore muscles, aches or pains?

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As a support group, we know what you are going through. Meet like-minded people in a positive environment managing to live with Tinnitus. Meets third Wednesday monthly at 7 p.m. at Community Hospital, 2351 G Road. Call Elaine 589-0305.

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SERVICES Do You Need Help?

I can do it all: shopping, errands, appointments, adult and house sitting, housecleaning, laundry, dishes, etc.

I am trustworthy, compassionate and thoughtful and experienced.

Kristin, 361-0811.

Chores & Vacation Help Retired gentleman will help you with household chores. Also vacation care. Very reasonable. 909522-1112.

HOME SERVICES The Window Cleaning Company Quality work at a fair price. Free estimates. 245-2993/261-0131.

Custom Draperies, Blinds and Solar Shades Floor coverings and design services.

Interior Monologues, Inc. 234-0040

CLASSIFIEDS Roofing Don Fowler Roofing, LLC. Over 30 years’ experience. Licensed and insured. All types of roofs and repairs, including wind damage.

Honest, reliable and fair prices. Call 623-1045.

Fine Painting by David Expert Interior and Exterior Painting Pressure Washing • Sheetrock Repair Door & Furniture Refinishing • 40 Years Experience • Extensive References davidwaldron262@yahoo.com 307-399-1348 • 307-399-8087

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.

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.

Remodeling and Foundation Repair. Three generations of quality construction, additions and remodels. Residential/insured. References and free consultations provided.

Tom Peters: 261-4303, tompetersconstruction.com.

Answers from page 43

Scene Clearly, LLC Window cleaners specializing in making your day a little brighter!

Grand Junction area. Call Frank Cordova at 242-1264.

WANTED TO BUY Cash paid!

Buying autographs of movie stars and famous people, old documents, WWII and Civil War memorabilia, old silverware, coin collections, comics, baseball cards, antiques. Oldstuff@ mail.com, or (385) 208-2209.

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. 2423911. 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**

2018 Hear it Through the Grapevine OUTDOOR C O N C E R T S O N TAT HE G R A S S AT G RRIVER ANDE RIV E R V I N E YA R D S // PALISADE PA L I S A D E C OCO OUTDOOR CONCERTS GRANDE VINEYARDS Enjoy an evening of great music, great wine and great views while supporting great causes!

Gate opens at 6:30 p.m.

Bring your friends and join us!

SATURDAY / JULY 7 Shows begin at 7:30 p.m.

Quemando rain or shine!

Sponsored

by Alpine Bank Dinner, wine, soda, and bottled water offered $18 in advance / $24 at the door for sale All concert proceeds benefit local non-profit organizations...

NO OUTSIDE BEVERAGES PERMITTED (COMPLIMENTARY WATER AVAILABLE)

TICKET OUTLETS Grande River Vineyards Fisher’s Liquor Barn Roper Music Bring a chair and a picnic, but please leave pets at home.

GRANDE RIVER VINEYARDS 787 N. Elberta Avenue Palisade, CO 81526 (Off I-70 at Exit 42) granderiverwines.com

A Quality Timepiece

A Quality Timepiece totoLast forGenerations Generations Last for Men’s and

Men’s and women’s women’s watches watches for for every every lifestyle. lifestyle.

970.464.5867

Benefits Child & Migrant Services

SATURDAY / JULY 14

Boogie Machine Sponsored by Chafa

$15 in advance / $20 at the door Benefits Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley SATURDAY / AUGUST 4

Hazel Miller

$20 in advance / $20 at the door Benefits Mesa County Partners

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, CALL SOMEONE FAST, FRIENDLY AND RELIABLE

All Mountain Time watches All Mountain Time watches have:have:

•• Jeweled quartz Swiss movements Jeweled quartz Swiss movements • Sapphire crystals • Sapphire crystals • Surgical grade stainless steel • Surgical grade stainless steel • Solid link bands • Solid link bands • Water resistant ratings • Water resistant ratings •

3-year warranty

All our watches are backed by our Our watches are backed by department. our own own full-service repair full-service repair department

Water, Fire & Smoke Restoration Mold Remediation & Removal 24/7 Emergency Services We have the fastest response time and the most knowledgeable staff in the industry. We pride ourselves on our high level of

integrity, honesty and work ethic.

Call for your free estimate 1460 North Ave., Ste. R, Grand Junction, CO 970-628-1225 • watchrepairgj.com Store hours: Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

1460 North Ave, Ste R Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-628-1225 watchrepairgj.com

970-306-0890 877-501-0181

www.restoration1.com/westerncolorado WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JULY 2018 | CLASSIFIEDS |

45

KUDOS & KVETCH

Full Service Nursery

Welcome Summer with Hardy Colorado Grown

680 24-1/2 Road (3/4 mile north of Mesa Mall) 245-2634

Send us your questions and suggestions.

BEACON Senior Newspaper P.O. Box 3895 Grand Junction, CO 81502 Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

Join your friends at Crossroads Join today and get the

FIRST MONTH FREE!

You’re probably wondering why I’m headed for my next career when so many of my friends and colleagues are retiring, traveling and kicking back. There are many reasons why boomers and seniors are embarking on that new thing, working past retirement age, launching new businesses, embracing public service and taking on new challenges. But for me, personally, I have a strong belief in public service on which our government was founded. Career politicians leave a bad taste in our mouths, and it’s people like us, with practical life experience, who can bring some sense to government.

For too long and at an increasing rate, politicians posture rather than represent. Parties block rather than collaborate, and government stalls, refusing to do the right thing for its constituents rather than rolling up its sleeves in the spirit of hammering out good policy to move our state and country forward.

Fitness just for you!

• Easy Does It Yoga • Zumba Gold • Sweat & Sculpt • Water Classes • Silver & Fit Silver Sneakers preferred provider

I come from a long line of determined and brave women. One of my great-grandmothers escaped an abusive relationship and traveled to the U.S. from Scotland with her two children in tow. Another great-grandmother operated a butcher shop in Paterson, New Jersey.

www.crossroadsfitness.com

Downtown: 225 N. 5th St., #18 (Alpine Bank Bldg) 241-7800 Airport: 2768 Compass Drive (oft Horizon Drive) 242-8746 46 | KUDOS & KVETCH | JULY 2018 |

By Thea Chase y name is Thea Chase. I’m a Baby Boomer and an independent running for House District 54 in Colorado.

M

Trees & Shrubs, Perennials Roses & Vines, Grasses & Herbs

Tell us what you think.

This Baby Boomer is running for state legislature

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

My father was a World War II veteran, but I didn’t know him well.

For the most part, my mom made it on her own with two young children growing up in the 1960s. Her father didn’t feel it was important for women to be educated, so she borrowed money from her sister

and put herself through college. I remember going to night classes with her when I was 5, and she got her degree in psychology. These are good memories and ones that impacted my own desire to get an education and be self-sufficient.

Another very important woman in my life is my Aunt Lois. Auntie Lo and her husband started a flower shop in my hometown of Ridgewood, New Jersey. After they divorced, she would cruise the New York City flower market with salesmen following her as she pointed out her order. When I was 11, she took me under her wing and trained me in the family business.

When I applied for the executive director position at the local Business Incubator Center in 1993, I told the board of directors about how I came from a long line of small business owners and how I understood the rewards and challenges, like working through the night, on holidays and never really taking a day off.

That’s why I’m running for state legislature, inspired by the women in my family and the overwhelming belief in our form of government and a passion to serve. For more information check out my website, www.chaseforcolorado.com. ■

LET US KEEP YOU SAFE Easy Access Showers

-Convert your a The PARC (Post Acute Rehab Center) at Larchwood Innstub is atofamily owne shower business. We have listened to families, physicianswalk-in and our community to de a Rehabilitation Center that provides physical,-Barrier occupational, and speech free units therapies for your post surgical and post hospital therapy availableneeds.

The Power of the Library transforms lives.

The Mesa County Libraries Foundation helps our local public libraries enrich lives and build community through opportunities to learn, discover, create, and connect. Your �inancial support of the Foundation helps provide programs, events, and facilities enjoyed by people of all ages.

compassion and dignity in living

We offer private and semi-private rooms that include allbars the modern amen -Grab for you or your loved one to enjoy.

For more information about the Mesa County Libraries Foundation, contact Development Director Karen Kllanxhja at 970-683-2438 or kkllanxhja@mcpld.org

a.

.;_

visit mesacountylibraries.org

We work with Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, private and commercial insurances, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Federal Workman's comp., an Black Lung, Tricare, Champ VA and many others.

FOUNDATION

Come take a tour today! You can feel the difference the moment you walk DONATE ONLINE – Make a secure donation at mesacountylibraries.org through our doors.

FOUNDATION

The *PARC at Larchwood InnsFeaturing the is a family owned business. Alter G We have listened to families, physicians and our community to design a Rehabilitation Center that provides physical, occupational, and speech therapies for your post surgical and post hospital therapy needs.

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hwood Inns• 2845 15th Street• Grand Junction, CO 815 We work with Medicare, Medicare North Advantage, Medicaid, private and commercial insurances, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Federal Workman’s comp., and Black Lung, Tricare, Champ VA and many others.

Come take a tour today! You can feel the difference the moment you walk through our doors. (*Post Acute Rehab Center)

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970-245-1211 970-245-1211 970-245-1211 2501 Little Bookcliff Drive 2501Little LittleBookcliff BookcliffDrive Drive, 2501 Grand Junction Grand Junction Grand Junction