Leader 5-18 B

Page 1B • The Leader • May 18, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

Summer fun alert: Where to go from those who know

(Submitted photo)

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see Summer • Page 2B

Dare to Downsize

Larry Jines, who never considered himself a pack-rat, still brought in help to organize his new home once it was time to sell the old one. Thanks to such a favorable market, his apartment on Woodcrest sold quickly, meaning a fast turnaround into a new home. (Photo by Cynthia Lescalleet)

Scaling down doesn’t have to be difﬁcult by Cynthia Lescalleet For The Leader Like many with a cozy home of many years, Larry Jines wasn’t interested in ever moving – until circumstances forced it. The sudden shift wasn’t triggered by poor health, a fall, the loss of a spouse or a rising property taxes - all common reasons for an elder’s move. Rather, it was the current real estate market; the cottage in Woodcrest, near Memorial Park, containing his apartment of more than a decade sold recently (and quickly). Jines, 64, had to ﬁnd a new place to live, pack up and resettle. Fortunately, Jines is a habitual clutter-buster, meaning he had periodically winnowed his mementos and accumulated furnishings – in part because he loathed the idea of others plowing through his things upon his passing. Even so, he opted to hire a senior move manager to handle the recent transition. The process was an exercise in trust – as well as an expense – that proved worthwhile none-

theless, he said. Comfort Moves’ MaryLynne Cappelletti headed the small, tidy team that tackled his turnkey relocation into a slightly smaller Inner Loop apartment that already feels like home. “I did not see anything for three days. I walked in and they were hanging the last picture. It looked like a showplace,” Jines recalled. Jines ’ case is a bit unusual for senior downsizing in that he entered into the move with minimal memorabilia and family estate pieces, Cappelletti said. But he did insist upon keeping his lifetime collection of greeting cards; other non-essential-but-useful items were donated to area charities. As adult children often ﬁnd, however, ease and cooperation in the downsizing process is often not the case right off the bat, especially with parents who’ve lived their lifetime in the same place. And yet, when grown siblings gang up to encourage Mom and Dad to move – or to age in place (with some organized tweaking) – it’s even more traumatic than any reason causing

the move, she said, “leaving devastated seniors and fractured families in the wake.” It doesn’t have to be like that “especially if people start right-sizing for a healthy senior lifestyle (I call it “liberation” from the stuff of our younger lives) well in advance of a move. It’s the accumulated stuff that holds them back, even when they want to move,” she said in emailed comments. Adult children need to be sensitive to what an emotional realization it can be for their parents to think about letting go of what they’ve known. Their things contain meaning and memory, which cloud a process that’s really about more than the move; clients are facing their later years. Cappelletti recommends families in this phase get themselves a copy of “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?: A Guide to Passing on Personal Possessions,” published by University of Minnesota. Think of it as a rela-

see Downsize • Page 3B

out customer orders, among other tasks, as long as it takes place during certain hours. Children aged 16 or 17 can perform work for any number of hours, as long as it is not deemed hazardous by DOL. Teens interested in job-search assistance and career resources should contact their local Workforce Solutions ofﬁces by visiting WorkInTexas.com. Older teens also may visit TexasInternship.jobs for free online job resources. To learn more about child labor laws, call TWC’s Labor Law Section at 800-832-9243 or 512-475-2670, or visit www.texasworkforce.org/customers/jsemp/employee-rightslaws.html.

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helping Texas’ future workforce acquire the skills that will beneﬁt them throughout their careers.” TWC reminds employers, workers and parents to familiarize themselves with state and federal laws, as well as safety regulations that address child labor issues. Any person under the age of 18 is considered a child when employed. Federal and state child labor laws are designed

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Tough market for teen jobs in summer so learn these rules As summer approaches, the number of teenagers looking for work increases dramatically. According to a 2012 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study, the number of 16- to 19-year-olds employed or searching for work last year skyrocketed between April and July, increasing by almost 2 million workers for a total of more than 7.3 million in July. “Summer employment can help Texas high school students learn the value of hard work and responsibility, while experiencing the pride of earning their ﬁrst paycheck,” said Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar. “TWC is committed to

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Garden Oaks mom Alice David has a few tried and true activities relatively close to home. • For the nearest option, Del Mar Lanes, 3020 Mangum Rd., 713-682-2506, offers a family friendly bowling experience, while 300 Houston, 925 Bunker Hill Rd., 713-461-1207, describes itself as bowling with a twist. It has a bit more of a

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Less than 20 miles

The Myers family at Garner Park on the Frio River over Mother’s Day weekend.

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With the days lengthening, families have the opportunity to spread their wings for spring and summer fun. Leader readers share their favorite activities, near and far.

lounge atmosphere, especially during the evenings. • David also takes her girls to feed the horses at the Houston Police Department Mounted Patrol Facility, 5005 Little York Rd., 832-394-0399, which aside from being a blast is also free - with the exception of the cost of some apples or a bag of carrots. • Roller skating at Skate Dairy Ashford Roller Rink, 1820 S. Dairy Ashford St., (281) 493-5651, is a great way to beat the heat, and to remember when you didn’t look like Frankenstein trying to get around the ﬂoor. Reader Gina Etherton was a wealth of information. “With my grandchildren liv-

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