July 2019 Senior Spectrum Newspaper by Senior Spectrum Newspapers

Editor’s Desk | Connie McMullen

Legislation Signed by the Governor Affecting Seniors

his Legislative Session several bills were signed into law benefiting seniors and people aging with disabilities. AB228 - became effective May 15, 2019. AB228 expands the jurisdiction of the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to protect persons receiving services from certain additional entities. In addition to skilled nursing facilities, AB228 allows the Ombudsman to inspect any facility for long-term care, adult day care center, facility for long-term rehabilitation or a facility maintained by a provider of supported living arrangement services and community-based living arrangements, and any records maintained by the facility. Additionally it expands the program to include 539 additional facilities in Nevada. AB414 - Makes an appropriation to provide grants to assist senior citizens and certain other persons with independent living. AB414 makes an appropriation to provide grants to provide respite care or relief of informal caretakers to assist senior citizens and certain other persons with independent living. AB414 allocates $296,803 in FY 2019-2020; $296,803 in FY 2020-2021. SB92 – Effective Jan. 24, 2019 – SB92 revises provisions on certain group housing. Requiring a person who provides referrals to certain group housing arrangements to obtain a license, requiring a

review to be conducted of certain unlicensed housing arrangements. AB480 – Effective July 1, 2019 – Enacts provisions governing supported decisionmaking agreements. AB480 enables an adult to enter into an agreement with one or more supporters to provide assistance when making decisions relating to health, coordination of health and support services, services to live independently, rather than guardianship. SB362 – Effective July 1, 2019 – Revises provisions concerning the placement of persons with dementia in a residential facility for groups. Requires the administrator of a residential facility for groups to ensure that certain assessments of residents are conducted (by a physician or qualified health provider); requiring a resident with severe dementia to be placed in a facility that meets their level of care. SB447 – Effective July 1, 2019 – Exempts sales of certain durable medical equipment, oxygen delivery equipment and mobility enhancing equipment from sales and use tax. SB443 - Appropriates money to increase rates of reimbursement for certain meal programs. DHHS to appropriate $1.5 million to establish a rate of reimbursement of $3.30 for congregate meals for people over 60. (In the ADSD budget: $3.15 increased to $3.65 for home delivered meals.)

July 2019

THIS ISSUE

Page 3 Editor’s Desk Page 23 Nevada Joins FTC in Crackdown on Robocalls

EVERY ISSUE Page 4 Opinion: US Senator Jacky Rosen Page 6 Opinion: US Senator CortezMasto Page 10 Seniors Say No to Free Genetic Tests Page 12 Free Savvy Caregiver Training Page 14 Scam Susceptibility Page 16 Warm Homes: A Model in Israel Dr. Larry Weiss Page 18 Arts Calendar Page 19 Senior Calendar

Page 20 Looking for a Miracle Page 22 Reno Senior Citizen Advisory Committee: Resilience Action Planning Page 24 Biggest Little City Movie Cowboys Page 26 Eclectic Observer Page 28 This ‘N That Page 29 Tinseltown Page 31 Crossword Page 32 Smart Travel Page 33 Resources

FINANCIAL

Page 8 Peace of Mind for New Moms and Dads Gerald Dorn, Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd.

Senior Spectrum Newspaper P.O. Box 7124 • Reno, Nv 89510

775-348-0717

email: SeniorSpectrumnv@aol.com Website: Seniorspectrumnewspapers.com

Publishers

Connie & Chase McMullen SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 3

Opinion

Our Seniors Deserve a Comprehensive US Senator Jacky Rosen Palliative Care System

evada’s sen iors have given so much to our state and our country, taking America to new heights and helping to usher in the last century’s Jacky Rosen cultural and finan cial prosperity. So why is it that we so often ignore the needs of our senior cit izens when it comes to their health care? Older Americans have looked out for our nation, and it’s time we look out for them, especially when it comes to providing access to affordable, quality health care, including palliative care. As a member of the Senate Special

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Committee on Aging and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, I have a unique opportu nity to work on issues important to sen iors, such as lowering prescription drug costs, supporting our caregivers, com bating senior fraud scams, and provid ing better access to health care. However, one issue I am particularly passionate about is the work I am doing to improve access to palliative care. Palliative care is aimed at improving the quality of life for people living with seri ous illness. Although often conflated with endoflife care, patients may receive both palliative care and curative treatment at any stage of an illness. This subject is not just a run of the mill topic. I understand how vital it is for

working families to have access to pal liative care, and that’s because this is an area that hits close to home for me. Before coming to Congress, and before even considering running for public office, I worked as a computer program mer, and was raising a family with my wonderful husband. As my parents and my inlaws got older as we all do they required more personal care. So, I decided to put my career on hold to take care of them when they started having severe health problems. I witnessed firsthand what it takes to be a caregiver, and the difficult choices that families often have to make. Currently, 90 million Americans live with

Palliative Care / page 4

a serious illness, and this number is expected to grow significantly in the next few decades. Research has shown that there is a need for the kind of benefits that palliative care would bring. In fact, there are about six million Americans that would seri ously benefit from palliative care. It’s why I recently introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R Alaska) that would ensure medical providers participat ing in the National Health Service Corps can choose to train in palliative care as part of the program, which places primary health care providers in underserved communities. We need to provide better support systems for older Americans and their families who care for them. By better integrating palliative care, we can ensure that the whole person and their families are cared for, not just certain aspects of the disease. Studies have shown that pal liative care can improve the wellbeing of patients, while also reducing costs. Just imagine how much better

someone can heal, or at least cope with a disease, when their pain is managed, when they feel heard, and when the goal is to improve quality of life. Improving access to and developing a better under standing of palliative care can help us transform our health care institutions to better care for these patients and their families who are dealing with advanced ill nesses. The fact is, none of us are getting any younger, and we must continue to think cre atively about how to best provide care so our seniors can age with dignity. We also must make sure that we don’t leave behind those individuals with fewer resources. Every person, no matter their income level, should be able to benefit from comprehensive health care, which includes pallia tive care. Looking out for the health of Nevadans and Americans all across the country is my top priority and it’s an area where I will keep working on commonsense solutions to help improve our nation’s health care system, because our seniors deserve it. SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 5

Opinion:

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

How Nevadans are Fighting to Feed Our Hungry Seniors

Catherine Cortez Masto

ood insecurity is a very real threat to sen

iors across Northern Nevada – a reality made clear during my visit to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada (FBNN), which

feeds over 95,000 people in Northern Nevada each month. Over 10,000 sen iors – a staggering 15 percent of them – in Washoe County are food insecure, meaning they lack access to necessary foods and nutrients for a healthy life. Living on fixed incomes, many face impossible choices to pay for critical medical care, keep a roof over their head or buy groceries. The problem is only getting worse as baby boomers age, and in the years ahead we’re facing a major public health crisis if we don’t take action. Nutrition and health go hand inhand, and the reality is that seniors facing food insecurity are also much more likely to suffer from serious medical conditions. When seniors skip meals, stress levels increase, producing negative effects on the heart. The inexpensive, unhealthy foods that many seniors are only able to afford have health consequences. Seniors struggling with access to healthy food face an increased risk of diabetes, car diovascular disease, stroke, cancer, obesity, high blood pressure and poor general health. Foodinsecure seniors are also 60 percent more prone to depression, accord ing to a 2017 report from Feeding America. The array of health challenges associated with food insecurity only worsens the chronic condi tions associated with aging. And we also find that for sen

6 / July / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com

Hunger / from page 6

iors of color or those living on low incomes, the rates of food insecurity are even higher. Almost 50 percent of African American seniors and 40 per cent of Hispanic seniors are likely to encounter some level of food insecurity, compared to 16 percent of white sen iors. The time to take action and ensure the dignity of every senior in Nevada is now. It’s crazy to me how some in Washington are proposing to deal with this problem. This administration wants to cut vital programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a move that would take us backwards. Nearly one in seven Nevadans receive food benefits through SNAP, so yanking funding from this pro gram would have dire impacts for Nevadans of all ages struggling to afford food. That’s why in March, I wrote to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue condemning his proposed rule that would remove eligibility for food assistance through SNAP for over 1 mil lion Americans, including seniors. I also fought to preserve funding levels for food assistance programs in the farm bill passed by the Senate last year. And I’m working to combat food insecurity for lowincome Nevadans and commu nities of color throughout our state by cosponsoring bills like the Tribal Food Sovereignty Act, which empowers tribal governments that best know the needs of their communities to decide how fed eral hunger programs are administered locally. I’m also continuing to work to secure Medicare funding to reimburse nutrition services for vulnerable seniors, as Medicare Advantage plans will begin to do in 2020 for chronically ill enrollees. Medicare covers over 498,000 Nevadans, and I’m using my seat in the Senate to protect federal funding and guarantee the best care possible for our seniors. Part of my work as Senator is also fight ing for critical support and resources for the Nevadans working on the ground every day to provide nutritious meals to

Nevada’s seniors. After touring the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, I hosted a roundtable to discuss the importance of SNAP and food bank programs that are fighting hunger and poverty in the Silver State. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is especially dedicated to serv ing the children and seniors – who make up half of all residents it serves each month – through its food pantries and Mobile Harvest programs. The organiza tion also works diligently to address the root causes of hunger through partner ships, education and workforce pro grams while creating a sense of commu nity to boost overall wellbeing. These are the kinds of innovative programs Congress needs to work on in a biparti san way to support. Meals on Wheels is another critical pro gram serving Nevada’s hungry, a service that’s especially vital for seniors with limited mobility who need food deliv ered to their homes. Meals on Wheels delivers an entire week’s worth of meals so seniors who have problems with mobility or transportation can continue to live independently at home instead of in assistedliving facilities or hospi tals. I’m grateful for Washoe County Senior Services and com munity groups like Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, which both provide Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors and host community lunch es in the Reno Sparks area. To support programs like Meals on Wheels, I recently signed onto a let ter to increase

funding by up to 12 percent for services like nutrition service programs under the Older Americans Act. I’m inspired by all of these programs working tirelessly to feed Nevada’s hungry seniors, and I’m fighting in the Senate to secure every support possible so they can serve more members of our community and have the financial certainty that federal support will be there for them. Our seniors deserve to live with dignity and know that when they need a little help, there will be support services available to them. They shouldn’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. It’s unacceptable to me that some seniors are struggling to secure the basic necessity of having a healthy, affordable meal. I’m committed to ensuring that seniors in Nevada have food security so they don’t have to decide between their prescriptions and putting a week’s groceries on the table.

SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 7

Peace of Mind for New Moms and Dads By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys Gerald M. Dorn, J.D., EPLS, AEP Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. Legacy and Wealth Planning Attorneys www.wealth-counselors.com

A brand new baby brings a spe cial kind of chaos to your home. In the midst of sleep deprivation, mid night feedings, and seemingly endless diaper changes, estate planning is Gerald Dorn likely the last thing on your mind. And yet, making an estate plan is a relatively simple task that can bring an immense sense of security to your growing family. Here are the basics:

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Guardianship Your first order of business is to choose a guardian for your baby. For most parents, this is the toughest step in the entire process; however, it may also be the most important. A guardian is the adult you name in your Will to take responsibility for your child in the event your child is orphaned before he or she reaches adulthood. You name your child’s guardian in your Will. If you do not have a Will when you die, a judge will appoint a guardian for your child. The problem with this sce nario is that the person appointed might not be the person you would

have chosen. Without your input, the judge would love to make the decision without your guidance. So, how do you choose a guardian? It can be helpful to sit down and make a list of your most trusted family mem bers and friends, then narrow your choices based on factors such as: • Parenting Style • Religious Beliefs • Lifestyle • Educational Philosophy • Location • Current Family Size For many parents, it is helpful to

Moms and Dads / from p.8

remember that the decision you make does not have to be permanent because, let’s face it, circumstances change. For example, the guardian you choose when your child is an infant might move away by the time your child is in elementary school, or you might rethink your choice and settle on someone more suit ed to your child’s emerging personality. You can always update your estate plan to designate a new guardian. After you’ve settled on a guardian, you’ll want to take two additional steps. First, discuss your thoughts with the potential guardian before you make your Will. You’ll want the person you choose to be prepared, willing, and able to take on this important task if the need arises. Second, make sure the potential guardian has enough funds to care for and educate your child. Many young families find that the best way to accomplish this is with life insurance. And lastly, one of the most important ways you can plan for your baby’s future is to plan for your own and keep the fol lowing in mind when creating your complete plan. Revocable Living Trust A Revocable Living Trust is the cornerstone of many peo ple’s estate plans. This flexi ble planning tool covers a number of scenarios. For example, a Revocable Living Trust lets you maintain maxi mum control over your assets while ensuring your finances are protected in case you become disabled. It also allows you to provide security and support for your loved ones after your death. One benefit of a Revocable Living Trust is that it allows your loved ones to inherit from you without the need for pro

bate, its expense, delays, and publicity. Financial Power of Attorney A financial power of attor ney is a disability planning tool that lets you choose a responsible person – known as an agent – to manage any assets not included in your Revocable Living Trust. Healthcare Power of Attorney With a healthcare power of attorney, you can choose an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf. This planning tool ensures that a trusted friend or family mem ber has the authority to direct your medical care if you are too sick or too severely injured to make decisions on your own. HIPAA Release The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law designed to protect the priva cy of your medical informa tion. The law prevents unau thorized people from access ing and viewing your medical information. A HIPAA Release lets you name the individuals who should have access to your medical information. As soon as you emerge from the baby fog, get in touch with an experienced estate planning attorney. He or she will tailor a plan just for your family so that you can relax and enjoy your jour ney as a new parent with peace of mind. The law firm of Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. is devoted exclusively to estate planning and estate and trust adminis tration. For more information or to attend an upcoming seminar, contact us at (775) 823WILL (9455) or visit us online at www.wealthcoun selors.com.

SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 9

Medicare and Medicaid Services

Seniors: Say No to “Free” Genetic Tests Greg Dill, Regional Administrator Medicare District 9

Greg Dill

f you’re approached by someone who offers “free” genetic testing or cancer screening, turn them down. Medicare doesn’t cover such tests unless a doctor who’s treating you orders them and they’re medically necessary. Laboratory represen tatives have allegedly been taking swabs inside the mouths of Medicare beneficiar ies at health fairs, senior centers, resi dential complexes for older people, and vet erans’ centers. Some seniors are get ting cold calls about genetic testing kits. The caller usually

offers to send a “free” genetic testing kit and asks only that you return the completed kit with your insurance information – including a Medicare num ber. Beneficiaries’ numbers are then used to bill Medicare for thousands of dollars of medically unnecessary genetic testing. More creative schemes involve sending invitations to an “ice cream social” where seniors hear a presenta tion about “no cost” genetic testing and/or cancer screenings. During the presentation, seniors are asked for their Medicare numbers – and Medicare is later billed thousands of dollars per test. Seniors are also being asked for the Medicare num bers and other private information after being brought into healthfair booths for DNA swabs of their cheeks. In some instances, seniors are given gift cards and told that Medicare will be billed for the tests, even though there’s no physician order for them. Remember: • Don’t give your DNA away to a stranger! Beware of people who coldcall you or show up at your front door uninvited to push genetic tests and cancer screenings. Watch out for people who claim such tests are “100 percent covered by Medicare.” Medicare does cover such tests, but only when they are medically necessary and have been ordered by your doctor. • Look for charges on your Medicare Summary Notice statements for unnecessary tests or screen ings that you didn’t want or weren’t ordered by your doctor. In general, don’t give out your Medicare number or Social Security number to anyone you don’t know and trust. Be cautious of unsolicited requests for

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Genetic Tests / page 10

your Medicare or Social Security numbers. If your personal information is com promised, it may be used in other fraud schemes. Medicare will never contact you out of the blue and ask for your Medicare number or other personal information. And don’t consent to any lab tests at senior centers, health fairs, or in your home. Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you’ll pay nothing for genetic tests and cancer screenings. If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, we want to hear from you. Please call us, tollfree, at 1800MEDICARE (18006334227). You can also report suspect

ed fraud at 1800HHSTIPS. Or you can contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol, a ter rific group which educates people with Medicare about how to avoid healthcare fraud and abuse. You can reach Senior Medicare Patrol at 18778082468, or visit https://www.smpresource. org. One last tip: enter your phone number on the Do Not Call Registry https://www.donotcall.gov. Greg Dill is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1800MEDICARE (1800633 4227).

SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 11

Free Savvy Caregiver Training Provides Tools, Support for Those Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease, or Dementia By Niki Rubarth, Regional Director Alzheimer’s Association of Northern Nevada

o help empower family care givers to succeed in the care giving role, the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern Nevada is offering Savvy Caregiver Training, a 6week course designed to provide clinicallevel training for family care givers in order help them (1) improve their knowledge, skills and outlook, (2) gain the confidence to set and achieve caregiving goals and (3) learn strategies to manage stress and make decisions.

affected predicted to rise to 64,000 by 2025.

“The training acknowledges the myri ad of stresses that can be associated with caregiving, and how mediators such as increased knowledge, skills and attitudes, combined with stable resources including financial, family and communi ty support, can lead to decreased caregiv er distress and increased rewards, thus achieving the goal of caregiving,” said Niki Rubarth, regional director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern Nevada.

Alzheimer's disease is the most com mon form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cog nitive impairment serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.

Nearly 47,000 people in Nevada aged 65 and older currently live with Alzheimer’s disease – onethird of these individuals live in Northern Nevada. Nevada is the second most rap idly aging state in the United States, with the number of those 12 / July / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com

Approximately 151,000 people in Nevada provide care and support for people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. As the population ages, the increase in these statistics will result in a corresponding rise in care givers – typically unpaid family care givers – who will shoulder the responsibility of caring for loved ones as the disease progresses.

Care for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia can take many forms, from help with trans portation to administering medica tions, bathing, dressing and feeding. According to data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), in Nevada, more than half of all adults providing unpaid care to loved ones with Alzheimer's or dementia have been doing so for at least 2 years, and nearly 40 percent (compared to a national average of 30 percent) of those caregivers provide 20 or more hours of care each week. BRFSS find ings also indicate that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or demen tia creates physical and mental health problems for the caregivers, as one in eight caregivers report fre quent physical distress and 22.9 per cent report experiencing depression. Family caregivers play an essential role in helping people with Alzheimer’s disease remain engaged

Caregivers/ from page 12 and active in the community, while avoiding or delaying institutional place ment, but often to the detriment of their own health. Attending education classes is one way in which caregivers can mediate the negative health outcomes of caring for someone with dementia. Caregivers can better maintain their wellbeing by taking consistent breaks, i.e. respite, from caregiving whether that is to learn new caregiving strate gies, to engage in a hobby, to socialize with friends, or to simply go for a walk. “While research continues to focus on ways to stop, slow, prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease, much of the responsibility for helping people with dementia, preserving their sense of identity, autonomy and quality of life, while avoiding institutional placement, lies with caregivers,” said Rubarth. “Ensuring the health and wellbeing of caregivers is high on our list of priori

ties, and giving caregivers the skills and strategies they need and can rely upon to feel a sense of mastery of the care giving role is just as important.”

available until July 23. For more infor mation on dates and times, or to regis ter, call 18002723900 or go to tinyurl.com/SavvysNorCaNV.

Free Savvy Caregiver Training will be offered in Reno starting Tuesday, August 20th. Respite funding for the caregiver to attend the series will be

For additional information and resources, call the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern Nevada’s 24/7 helpline at 18002723900.

SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 13

National Institute on Aging

Scam Susceptibility May Signal Risk for Cognitive Decline

lder adults who are less likely to detect scams may be at an increased risk for developing dementia, finds a new study from researchers supported by the National Institute on Aging. The study, led by Patricia Boyle at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Chicago, was published April 16 in Annals of Internal Medicine. Scam awareness is a complex behavior that requires a vari ety of social cognitive abilities, including recognition that other people may have different intentions from yours, as well as awareness of others’ personality traits. The complexity of this behavior—particularly the need to integrate multiple abilities while managing a challenging social situation—may be the reason for its apparent status as an early harbinger of Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The researchers measured scam awareness in 935 older adults without dementia who were part of the ongoing Rush Memory and Aging Project using a questionnaire that assessed knowledge of deception tactics and willingness to engage in behaviors that result in scams. Each participant had

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annual clinical evaluations that included cognitive per formance tests, medical history interviews, and inperson neu rological exam inations. Older woman on the phone looking at her credit card. Over the course of 6 years after the scam awareness assessment, 255 of the partic ipants developed MCI and 151 developed Alzheimer’s disease. Participants with low scam awareness were about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and MCI than those with high scam awareness. Those who developed Alzheimer’s also had lower levels of education, lower global cognition, and lower scam awareness than those who did not develop the disease. Further analysis demonstrated that associations between low scam awareness and Alzheimer disease and MCI remained strong even after controlling for global cognition, suggesting that the researchers may be tapping into a con struct that is distinct from cognition. Researchers further found that in a subset of the partici pants who were deceased and had a brain autopsy per formed, low scam awareness was related to a greater load of pathology associated with Alzheimer’s disease—betaamyloid plaques and tau tangles. The researchers considered this find ing to provide strong support for the conclusion that low scam awareness may, in part, be a consequence of accumu lating Alzheimer’s pathology and therefore could be an impor tant early sign of adverse cognitive outcomes. Researchers caution that the measure used in this study cannot predict at the individual level whether a person who is susceptible to scams will develop Alzheimer’s disease or MCI. More research is needed to develop measures that can be used in clinical settings. Problems managing money and with financial decision making in general may be among the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease. All older persons—even those without MCI or Alzheimer’s disease—could benefit from education on how to avoid scams and fraud and how to protect financial resources. If you or someone you know is being scammed, contact the Department of Justice – Fraud Section. Reference: Boyle P, et al. Scam awareness related to inci dent Alzheimer dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2019 Apr 16. doi: 10.7326/M18 2711.

“Adding Life to Years”

Warm Homes: A Model in Israel to Combat Loneliness and Healthy Aging Dr. Larry Weiss Center for Healthy Aging

Larry Weiss

had the honor and pleas ure to travel to Israel with a group of professional gerontologists that became educated on several of the issues and programs serving

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elders. One of the issues that stood out for me was how the country pulled together during terrible times and developed programs that dealt with issues such as loneliness. Most people struggle with feelings of lone liness from time to time, but research shows that those emotions have negative health consequences, espe cially for older people. Loneliness is associated with declining health, decreasing mobility and death in people 60 and older, according to an

Archives of Internal Medicine study in 2012. Loneliness among older adults in Israel has considerable medical and social implications, both for the older adults and their families.

Professional literature defines loneliness as a com plex and unpleasant emo tional response to isolation or lack of companionship. Loneliness can result from a living situation, life event or it may simply be a feeling of isolation, which can surface even among people who sur round themselves with family and acquaintances. The effects of loneliness can be devastating, especially among older adults who may also be experiencing retire ment, a decrease in self esteem, and/or a decline in physical and cognitive func tioning. Thirtythree percent of older adults in Israel fre quently or sometimes felt lonely (40% women; 25% men), with the sense of lone liness increasing with age. Researchers at U.C. Davis in the US discovered loneliness was more prevalent than expected. In this U.S. study done in 2019, threefourths of study participants report ed moderate to high levels of loneliness. The figure repre sents a substantial increase from previously reported prevalence estimates in the US general population, which have ranged from 17 to 57

percent.

In Israel the Warm Home is an inexpensive and easy to operate program designed to relieve the loneliness of older adults and enrich their lives. The Warm Home provides regular meetings with peers and neighbors in the commu nity. The professionals behind the program spent the past seventeen years developing customized mod els to address the needs of different populations in Israel. The Warm Homes program developed by JDCEshel organization excels in its sim plicity, effectiveness and flex ibility, and in its adaptability to the different needs of Israel’s diverse populations. By recruiting a volunteer and creating an intimate group, the Warm Home successfully relieves loneliness and strengthens its members’ sense of belonging. This model provides a unique solution for special popula tions, for the peripheral regions and for older adults who require intimate frame works. The first Warm Homes in Israel were intro duced in 1998 and were an immediate success. As of 2017, over 330 Warm Homes have opened throughout Israel with 5,500 participants. The program is based on a ‘host’ (or host

Homes / from page 16 family), who holds regular and frequent meetings in their home for a group of up to fifteen older adults (the limited number of members stems from the importance of maintaining intimacy). The schedule and meeting topics are chosen by the group members and by the host, who usually also serves as moderator. From time to time the meetings may include guest lecturers and special activities to celebrate holidays. The success of the program is measured by the group’s importance for its members, their willingness to attend regularly, share and actively participate, and by the dynamics inbetween meetings, such as: mutual visits, frequent phone calls, caring for sick group mem bers, going to performances or shopping together. Participants contribute to the extent they are able and share moments of joy and grief with each other. The program also stresses the importance of strengthening ties with the community by, for example, having volun teers participate as guest lec turer and having group mem bers volunteer in their com munity. The host is responsible for the meeting content togeth er with the group members. Although each Warm Home has its own way of conduct ing meetings, several activi ties are common to all Warm Homes such as: Celebrating birthdays or holidays, lec tures, social games, physical exercise, singing, watching movies, group discussions, sharing life stories, sharing photos and memories, or travel experiences.

During the program's first year, 1,000 participants were involved. The evaluation data of the program suggests par ticipants experienced improvements in their atti tude to life, positive changes in their familial relationships, increased community involvement and were highly satisfied with the programs. The Warm Home initiative has provided best practices in order to build personcen tered plans for alleviating loneliness. These individually tailored plans have included a variety of group activities by interest, volunteer visits, and virtual program involve ment that has built personal skills and wisdom. The Warm Home program have had the following outcomes: • Increased social interac tion and formation of social relationships

program. Creating such a community focused initiative, which is a low cost and highly effective model for dealing with loneliness, is a no brain er. This pro gram adds life to years and needs to be adopted and replicated in the US.

lifetoyears.com or c/o Center for Healthy Aging, 11 Fillmore Way, Reno, NV 89519.

Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. is CEO of the Center for Healthy Aging. Dr. Weiss wel comes your comments on this column. Write to him at larry@adding

• Inclusion and integration into the community • Improved communication • Improved wellbeing and healthy life choices • Reduced loneliness • Increased awareness of loneliness amongst profes sionals • An increased sense of belonging to the community • Feeling secure due to the presence of a social support network • An effective model for reducing loneliness The US needs to pay atten tion to what Israel has devel oped with its Warm Home SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 17

CALENDAR • July 2 Sweet Vibrations: Tintabulations Handbell Ensemble, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church (775) 3224564, $5. • July 3 Whisky Tasting with Skerryvore, 5 p.m., Ceol Irish Pub, ((775) 3295558. • July 3 Blue Pool Party at the Sands, 6 p.m., The Sands Regency Hotel and Casino Pool, (775) 3482200. • July 3 Lazy 5 Summer Music Series, 6:30 p.m., Lazy 5 Regional Park.

Amphitheater, free. • July 9 Dancing in the Park: Sierra Nevada Ballet, 8 p.m., Wingfield Park, free. • July 11 Artown Presents: An Evening With Ruthie Foster, 7:30 p.m., Nugget Event Center, free.

• July 5 The Eclectic Concert, Trinity Espiscopal Cathedral, 12 p.m., (775) 3294279. • July 5 Rollin’ On The River, Wingfield Park, 5:30 p.m., free. • July 9 Pink Martini, classi cal, jazz, and pop music, 7:30 p.m., Bartley Ranch Hawkins Amphitheater, $75 assigned seats, $50 general admission. 18 / July / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com

• July 24 Native American Cultural Experience, 6:30 p.m., Wingfield Park, free.

• July 14 Reno Municipal Band: Sunday Evening in the Park, 5:30 p.m., Wingfield Park, free. Also July 28th.

• July 24 Let’s Dance Big Band Concert, 7:30 p.m., Sparks United Methodist Church, free.

• July 16 Dancing in the Park: See the Music, 8 p.m., Heart & Sole Dance Academy, and Dysrhythmia Contemporary Dance Company, Wingfield Park, free.

• July 25 Steeldrivers, 7:30 p.m., Bartley Ranch Hawkins Amphitheater, $45 assigned seats, $25 general admission.

• July 4 American Salute July 4 Celebration, 7:30 p.m., Wingfield Park, free.

July 4th with Reno Phil

• July 22 Music Lesson with Mariachi Acero De Las Vegas, 1 p.m., Boys and Girls Club Truckee Meadows Bresson, free. Also at Wingfield Park, 6 p.m.

• July 22 Monday Night Music Series: Sammy Miller and the Congregation, Bartley Ranch Hawkins

• July 28 Barbershop Chorus Show, 4 p.m., The Bridge Church, (775) 544 7168. • July 28 Midtown Concert Series: Whitney Myer, 7:30 p.m., Brasserie Sant James, free.

Whitney Myer

• July 29 Opera Showcase with the Reno Phil, 7:30 p.m., Bartley Ranch Hawkins Amphitheater, free. • July 29 Family Series: Yogapalooza, 68 p.m., Wingfield Park, free. Childrens art activities from 67 p.m.; perform ance 78 p.m.

Shelea

• July 21 Midtown Concert Series: Kara Grainger, 7:30 p.m., Brasserie Sant James, free.

• July 28 A French Feast: Chamber Concert Meet the Musicians, 4 p.m., Classical Tahoe Pavilion, Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, $30.

• July 26 Silver Dollar Chorus, 7 p.m., RenoTahoe International Airport, free. • July 26 Koresh Dance Company, 7:30 p.m., Bartley Ranch Hawkins Amphitheater, $30 assigned seats, $20 general admission.

• July 18 Shelea, pop, jazz, and soul, 7:30 p.m., Bartley Ranch Hawkins Amphitheater, $45 assigned seats, $25 general admis sion.

Failure Macine Live, 8 p.m., West Street Market, $10.

Koresh Dance Company

• July 26 Classical Tahoe Open Rehearsal, 1012 p.m., Classical Tahoe Pavilion, Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, free. Also July 27, 28. • July 27 Romantix, 7 p.m., Bartley Ranch, donation $40. • July 27 Ryan James and

• July 30 Sweet Vibrations: The Jazzettes in Concert, Cami Thompson, Erika Paul and Julie Machado, First United Methodist Church, $5 donation. • July 30 Dancing in the Park: Collateral & Co. Presents “Dust Settled”, 8 p.m., Wingfield Park, free. • July 31 Closing Night: Squirrel Nut Zippers, 7:30 p.m., Wingfield Park.

SENIOR CALENDAR

• July 1 Veterans Resource Officer, 1012 p.m., WCSS. • July 2 Vision Support Outreach, 9:3011 a.m., WCSS. • July 2 Hawaiian Music, 10:3012:30 p.m.,WCSS. Also July 10, 17, 23, 30. • July 3 Grumpy Old Men, music and dancing, 10 a.m., WCSS. Also July 12, 24, 31. • July 3 Veterans Suicide Prevention, 1012 p.m., SVSC. • July 4 All gov. buildings closed for Independence Day. • July 5 AARP Board Meeting, 1012 p.m., WCSS. • July 5 Catholic Charities Outreach, 10noon, WCSS. Also July 12, 19, 26. • July 5 Senior Dance Club, 7:30 p.m., WCSS. Also July 12, 19, 26. • July 8 RPEN Board Meeting, 12:302 p.m., WCSS. RPEN General Meeting, 23 p.m. • July 9 Student Outreach Clinic, 69 p.m., UNR, (775) 6828646, free. • July 11 Discover Your Park Walks, 6 p.m., Virginia Lake Park, Reno.

• July 12 Computer Classes: Beginning Word, 13 p.m., Meeting Room, Sparks Library. • July 16 Assistance League Food Pantry, 811 a.m., WCSS, (775) 3282575.

Center locations

Cold Springs Community Center (CSCC): 971-8542 Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center (EMNECC): 334-2262 Gerlach Senior Center: 1-775-557-2206 Incline Community Center: www.washoecounty.us/ seniorsrv/incline_community center Lazy 5/Spanish Springs: 1-775-328-2786 Neil Road Recreation Center (NRRC): 689-8484 Sparks Senior Center (SSC): 353-3110 Sun Valley Senior Center (SVSC): 673-9417 Teglia’s Paradise Park Activity Center (TPPAC): 356-3176 Washoe County Senior Services (WCSS): 328-2575

Prevention, 1012 p.m., SSC.

1011 a.m., WCSS.

• July 16 Washoe County Animal Services Pet Food, 8 10:30 a.m., WCSS.

• July 19 Beanbag Baseball Practice, Fri., 1012:30 p.m., TPPAC, dropin fee; also every Monday, and Friday, NRRC, 1:303:30 p.m.

• July 26 Nevada HOPES Blood Pressure Clinic, 10 a.m., SVSC.

• July 16 SNAP Food Stamp Signup, 812 p.m., WCSS.

• July 19 Friends on the Go, 111 p.m., SSC.

• July 17 Renown Grief Support, 6:158:15 p.m., WCSS.

• July 24 ThisNThat Exchange, 13 p.m., NRRC, dropin fee, every Wed.

• July 17 Star Tours, 8:30 9:30 p.m., Auditorium, Downtown Reno Library.

• July 24 Catholic Charities Food Pantry, 9:30 a.m., SVSC.

• July 17 Northern Nevada Food Bank Distribution, 910 a.m., SVSC. • July 18 SNAP Workshop, 812 p.m., WCSS. • July 18 NV HOPES Blood Pressure Clinic, 911 a.m., WCSS. Also July 25. • July 18 Renown Grief Support, 2:303:30 p.m., SSC. • July 18 Discover Your Park Walks, 6 p.m., Crystal Peak Park.

• July 25 Chair Yoga, Thurs., 1010:45 a.m., NRRC. • July 25 Aging & Disability Resource Center Outreach, 10:3012:30 p.m., SVSC. • July 25 Zumba Gold Fitness, 1011 a.m., TPPAC, $10 dropin fee. Also Tues., EMNECC, 11:1512:15 a.m. • July 25 Tai Chi Class, EMNECC, $5, Tues., Thur., EMNECC, 12 p.m.; Monday, 67 p.m.

• July 18 Veterans Service Officer, 10 a.m., SVSC.

• July 26 Mat Yoga, 1011 a.m., NRRC, Fri. Also Mon., Wed., Fri., 121 p.m., EMNECC, $30.

• July 19 Ballroom Dancing, EMNECC, Friday, 67:45 p.m.

• July 23 Ostomy Support Group, 5:308:30 p.m., WCSS.

• July 19 Veteran’s Suicide

• July 25 Accordion Players,

• July 26 Care Chest of Northern Nevada, 10noon, WCSS. • July 26 Karoke with Allen, 10:301:30 p.m., WCSS. • July 27 AARP Driver’s Safety, 12:304:30 p.m., SSC. • July 28 Reno Senior Dance Club, 25 p.m., NRRC, $5. • July 28 Movie Day, 12:15 p.m., SSC. • July 29 Jeff Wayne Sings, 10:3011:30 a.m., WCSS. • July 29 Sunshine Quilters, 14 p.m., TPPAC, dropin fee. Every Monday. July 30 Bingo, 9:30 a.m., SVSC. Every Tuesday and Wednesday. • July 30 Silver State Super Seniors, 8:30 a.m., EMNECC, every Tues., Thurs., Fri. • July 31 Sit and Get Fit, 8:309:30 a.m., every Mon., Wed., Fri., TPPAC. Also Tues., Thurs., 1011 a.m., EMNECC, dropin fee. SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 19

Looking for a Miracle Deb Girard Circle of Life Hospice

ecently I read the obituary of a beautiful young woman who’s life was cut short by the same eating disorder that claimed my daugh Deb Girard ter 9 years ago. I thought of the lyrics of a song that says, “I would not think for myself to ask but, does heaven have enough angels yet?” It was with this thought that I took my dog Max for his early morning walk.

about the young woman who had recently died. My heart ached for her parents as I imagined myself where they stand now in their time of loss. Time had begun to bring back the scattered and shat tered pieces of my heart and my life was returning to some kind of “normal” without my daughter in it. It is during the times when I still feel the sharp knife of a short life that I ask her if she would please give me a sign to let me know that she still hears me.

The evening before while gazing at Alison’s picture I spoke of how I missed her. Not the “missing her” that had become part of my daily routine, but a heavier sort, brought on by thinking

It was time for me to take Max, the dog Ali got 30 days before she died for his morning walk. As we returned home, I noticed a rainbow over Mount Rose. Smiling, I thought, “Is that you Ali?” A morning talk show was playing as I walked into my home. I heard them talking about some new country western artist as they began to play a song called, “If I Die Young.” I felt the familiar beauti ful chill run through me as I lis tened to the fol lowing lyrics, “Lord, make me a rain bow and I’ll shine down on my moth er, She’ll know that I’m with you, as I cover her with color.” Coincidence? Einstein said, “You can view life as though nothing is a miracle or every thing is.”

20 / July / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com

Many people who have lost a loved one have similar experiences that are often shared behind closed doors with a ther apist. Some of my friends role their eyes and ask me if “I still talk to Ali.” Well, I do and will until I pass from this world to the next. I will also always share the moments like my Mount Rose rainbow to encourage others to open their hearts to the possibilities of the ongoing presence of their loved one in a way that becomes part of the “normal” grieving process. It is my hope that more and more peo ple bring these stories into the light of day where they may bring comfort to another; to someone who might have been standing in a field of sorrow, unable to find a path out, until it feels impossible to feel anything else. I’ve decided that all the shoulder shrugs and eye rolls in the world will be unable to change what has become “normal” for me years ago when I first began my work with the dying. When standing close to their side as their journey here ends we are often given a glimpse, if only for an instant, of the possibilities and the promises of a life beyond this one. As Rumi, one of my favorite poets said, “The mystic dances in the sun hearing music others don’t. “Insanity,” say those others. If so it’s a very gentle nourishing sort.”

SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 21

Reno Resilience Action Planning and Seniors

by Donna Clontz, Chair Reno Senior Citizen Advisory Committee Donna Clontz

ecently the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee (SCAC) and the Age Friendly Reno Action Group heard a presentation from Lynne Barker, Reno’s Sustainability Manager, about the city’s new 2019 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan. The plan details nine priorities with action plans in these areas: • Sustainable City Operations • Transition to Clean, Renewable Energy

• Green Building as Standard Practice • Create Lively, LowCarbon Neighborhoods • Toward Zero Waste • Healthy, Equitable Urban Forest • Access to Fresh, Healthy Food • Safeguard Water Resources • Strengthen Climate Resilience We learned the alarming news that Reno is growing

hotter more quickly than any other city in the United States. Our average annual temperature rose more than 7 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 50 years. Last sum mer, Reno experienced the hottest summer on record and the highest number of 100 plus degree Fahrenheit days. The ten hottest sum mers on record have occurred over the past 15 years. Here are some highlights of recommended actions in the plan that seniors should be aware of: • Reducing city facility energy and water use; reduce fleet carbon emis sion and increase use of electric vehicles; increase city recycling rate and adopt sustainable purchasing poli cies. • Improving access and incentives to use more renewable energy in homes and businesses. • Providing housing to low income residents that offers affordable transportation options and better access to jobs and services. • Creating more transitori ented and walkable neigh borhoods to increase physi cal activity and reduce the risk of disease and obesity.

22 / July / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com

• Improving recycling and eliminating litter and illegal dumping; increasing educa tion and volunteer engage ment in these efforts. • Increasing community health and wellbeing by tree planting activities to increase the tree canopy cover in more neighborhoods to lower ambient temperatures, increase property values, reduce illness and crime; cre ate “cooling areas” for sen iors and others with health risks during high tempera tures. • Reducing food insecurity among seniors and others by expanding education and access to food assistance programs and benefits; encourage development of grocery stores in under served communities and sup port urban farms, community gardens, farmers markets, greenhouses and hoop hous es in planned residential developments. More than 10,000 seniors in Washoe County are food insecure, raising their suscep tibility to chronic disease and mental health problems such as diabetes and depression. SNAP and other benefits are available to seniors, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports only 42 percent of eligible seniors take advantage. The

Nevada Joins FTC in Crackdown on Illegal Robocalls Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, in cooperation with the Federal Trade Commission and other feder al, state, and local agencies, announced a major crack down on illegal robocalls. The joint crackdown, “Operation Call it Quits,” is part of the FTC’s ongoing effort to help stem the tide of billions of universally loathed pre recorded telemarketing calls. Federal, state, and local agencies will participate in the initiative through a vari ety of tools, including enforcement actions and consumer education. As part of the joint sweep, the Nevada Attorney General’s Office will share educational tips through a series of social media posts, including videos, designed to inform Nevada consumers of what actions they can take

when they receive illegal robocalls and how they can identify robocall scams. Some tips that Nevada consumers can begin: ∙ Illegal robocallers may engage in “neighbor spoof ing,” thereby making the number seem like it is com ing from your area code to increase the chance you answer the call. Let them leave a message if you have concerns about the call being legitimate.

Planning / from page 22

improve our quality of life and protect the future of our world. The action plan was accepted by the Reno Planning Commission in June and will go before the Reno City Council for approval on July 24. Plan to attend to sup port the issues you care about. You can read the full report on the City’s website at www.reno.gov once the July 24 City Council agenda packet is posted.

city can assist in outreach activities to connect more seniors to the benefits. • Protecting our Truckee River water supply and encourage responsible water use; build an aware and engaged community that cares for the river. • Building community capac ity to bounce back after cli materelated hazardous events such as flooding, wild fire and drought. Sustainability initiatives will

∙ Know that you can block illegal robocallers. ∙ Avoid pressing any num bers when you receive an illegal robocall as this can lead to even more robocalls. ∙ Report illegal numbers from suspected robocalls to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

For more information, please contact Donna at 775240 2745 or donnanorm1@yahoo.com. SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 23

BIGGEST little City

Harry Spencer

MOVIE COWBOYS When I was a young Harry Spencer ster the many games we played were always topped by pretending to be cowboys. Our favorite costumes were authentic western duds that were ordered from the Montgomery Ward cata logue. Tops among movies of that era were the Saturday western serials. Watching those heroes ride and shoot it didn’t seem possible that over the ensuing years I would actually interface with

some five dozen or more western stalwarts. The most famous of those would have to be John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. I enjoyed a bout of cocktails with Wayne at the Reno Airport when he was here for a Silver Spurs presentation in honor of his departed friend

The Cartwright cast from Bonanza: Dan Blocker as Hoss, Michael Landon as Little Joe, Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright and Pernell Roberts as Adam. 1959, NBC Photo

Ward Bond. As for Eastwood I spent a lot of time with him on the Tennis Court and at other functions when I per suaded the Hyatt officials to host his Celebrity Tennis Tournament at Lake Tahoe. One of the earliest western movie stars I met was Dale Robertson, the syrupy voiced actor who was here for a film shoot and showed up one afternoon at the old Wolf Den on the University of Nevada campus. The greatest gathering of western types occurred when Reno was the site of the World Premier of Bonanza. Because it was a promotion of the Reno Chamber of Commerce we met with Lorne Green, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon during 24 / July / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com

the three day celebration. Another trio of western stars were housed at the Mapes Hotel in 1960 for the filming of The Misfits. They included Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift and Eli Wallach. I spent most of the time with Wallach at the counter at breakfast in the Mapes cof fee shop. He was a wealth of information on how the trou bled production was going. When I asked him what he was going to do after the movie was finished he said he would probably go back to Broadway. I inquired why he would give up a movie career to go back East. He told me he had won the role of Maggio in “From Here to Eternity” but that somehow he had been dropped when Sinatra got the part, which won him (Sinatra) an Oscar.

Biggest Little / page 24 One of Reno’s longest running Special Events was the annual Silver Spurs award. The first one was sponsored by the Reno Chamber and was awarded to John Wayne. Among the winners from movie land that I happened to meet were the Cartwrights, Jim Arness, Richard Boone, Jimmy Stewart, Fred MacMurray, Gregory Peck, Jack Lemmon and Gary Cooper. Of the list, I first met Peck in the early a.m. at LAX when he and other actors in the crew were departing for a Florida air field where Twelve O’Clock High was to be shot. The most embarrassing meeting I had was with Gary Cooper, when we were both doing our business in the men’s room at the old Reno Airport. When western movies fell out of favor the award was given to the stars of TV “oaters”.

Hollywood. An avid horseman he had been galloping about in the hills of Southern Cal. when he chanced to meet a fellow rider who happened to be Alan Ladd. Ladd was so taken by the looks of the handsome Calhoun that he arranged a screen test for him and the rest was history. When we were students at the University of Nevada our favorite trips for Christmas and Easter vacations were to Southern California. One time we

were staying at the ATO house and one in our group said that he was a shirt tail relative of Hoagy Carmichael, the famous piano player who had written the hit song “Stardust”. He also said he had Hoagy’s phone number and was going to call him in hopes we would get a visit. He was successful and we motored out Wilshire to Hoagy’s resi dence and spent a pleasant hour or two with the star. Many years later I spotted Hoagy as he had a continuing part on the western TV show “Laramie”.

One night as I was hav ing dinner in the Coach Room of the Mapes I got a call from Bill Peachart, our casino manager, asking me to come up to the Sky Room because he said he had a celebrity that was doing some pretty heavy gaming at the 21 table. Peachart and I had a system which he had invented that put me at the 21 table in order to converse with heavy players in order to keep them playing. Peachart would bank roll me and if I hap pened to win I could keep the winnings minus the bank roll. Calhoun was an amiable fellow and quite talka tive. The most interest ing thing he told me was about how he was first discovered in SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 25

ECLECTIC OBSERVER Janet Ross

otpourri: literary or musical medley; a fragrant mixture. An apt descrip tion for the Janet Ross month of July in this area because there is so much going on. Choices for entertainment are endless. The weather is almost guaranteed to be fine … and hot. There are serious concerns as well, and I'm going to start with those. A longtime friend from ele mentary school days lives in Sebastopol, California. Her home sits in the middle of an apple orchard on a hilltop. The location is secluded and rural, off a winding highway to the coast, up a winding, narrow driveway. Last month she received a notice from her home owner's insurance company. Her policy of many years would not be renewed unless she met the following new restrictions (a result of the wildfires in the area): limbing all trees up to 10 feet if they are closer than 100 feet to the house (the loss of 15 apple trees); cut ting down all trees closer than 10 feet apart (the loss of pine, cedar and liquid amber trees); cutting all ornamental shrubs around the house (azaleas, roses and more to go) … the list continues, with no excep tions. Insurance costs and coverage may no longer be affordable for many who live in areas subject to the possi bility of wildfires and, as happened in Santa Rosa, 26 / July / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com

even urban neighborhoods may be considered at risk. Nevada is not California, but it could be when it comes to insurance. There is a Canine Rehabilitation Center and Sanctuary in Washoe Valley; it's housed at the site of a former restaurant popular in the 197080s. The stated mission of this facility is “to inspire, educate and moti vate the human spirit. To save, nurture and love the canine spirit and to bring the two together to change the way the world views, rescues and places homeless dogs.” A representative of the organization visited Reno's venerable Twentieth Century Club earlier this year along with one of their adorable, rescued canines who happily greeted every lady present. If you love dogs, this may be the perfect charity for you. For more information call 7758001906, check online at info@crcsdogs.com or crc sgiveslife.org. Washoe County Library has published the Explorer book let, featuring summer pro grams and special events lasting until August 31st. The free information source is fully loaded for all ages, not just children. The Sparks Branch Library will host two unique events in July. First up will be a Drag Queen Storytime to promote “acceptance of everyone for who they are”; be there to show your support on Saturday, July 20th at 10:15 a.m. On Saturday, July 27th, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sparks

Eclectic/ from page 26 will offer a DIY Repair Clinic. “Local experts will be on hand to share their knowledge and help you repair, disassemble and asses your broken items.” No charge for the professional help. Staying in Sparks, Food Trucks will be on hand every Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the United Methodist Church parking lot at the corner of Pyramid Way and Oddie Boulevard. (Same site as the popular Tuesday Farmers' Market.) Back in Reno there's a new art museum in town, this one at the University of Nevada, Reno. The hefty name, the John & Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art, honors former University President and his wife. There are more than 5,500 works of art in the Museum's collection including a ThreeHorned earth enware Mythical Beast from ancient China. Located on cam pus in the expanded Arts Building, there is free parking on Saturdays in the Brian Whalen Parking Complex. With the University on summer hours, check for exhibits and hours on Instagram @thelilleymuseum. Taking another direction, I've been browsing the latest Stonewall Kitchen catalog; its summer edition has jars of Strawberry Lemonade Jelly and Watermelon Jelly, both perfect for the season. Other new prod ucts include Lemon Teriyaki Sauce, Siracha Horseradish Cream Sauce, Bacon Queso and Apple Blueberry Salsa. You can call for a catalog of your own at 1800207JAMS or check the website at stonewallkitchen.com. Browsing caloriefree might be the best thing to do on a hot, July after noon.

SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 27

this ‘n that

by Anne Vargas annevargas3@gmail.com

Local woman goes to the gym

“

So, are you still doing it at 3 a.m.? An incongruous ques Anne Vargas tion but one I get frequently. And no, the query is not about “dancing the whole night through”, it’s about going to the gym. For nearly eighteen years I did exactly that, effortlessly leaving my bed in the wee small hours of the morning and getting to Sports West before the birds began to sing. Most of our friends thought this was strange but it worked for me; if I didn’t go early, I wouldn’t go at all. Nor was I alone; there were (and still are) other faithful predawn participants, most of whom exercised far more rigorously than I did but I clung to the “something is better than nothing” conviction and plodded along. For eighteen years. Then one day, I just stopped. I stopped getting up in the middle of the night to rush to the gym before dawn. I stopped going to the gym at all. I stopped look ing fit and stopped feeling healthy. Was this sudden apathy a consequence of the creeping calendar? I made an inter esting discovery; the longer I did noth ing, the easier it was to do nothing so I kept right on doing nothing which resulted in nothing. “Mirror, Mirror on the wall…” I clearly was not the fairest one of all. I was wrestling with that reality and wonder ing whether I would ever want to return to the gym (maybe I was too old?) when I read about Julia (“Hurricane”) Hawkins who had just cemented her title as the oldest woman to compete on an American track at the National Senior Games, finishing both the 50 and 28 / July / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com

100 meter dashes at the age of 103. And that’s not even the best part of her story…she didn’t start running until she was 101! Talk about inspiration. The mirror spoke: “what’s your excuse now?” So I reluctantly went back. Not easily. Not every day, but I am back. There had been some significant changes during my hiatus; I found myself surrounded by unfamiliar faces attached to astonishing bodies demonstrating extraordinary strength, stamina and skill. It’s very impressive. It’s very intimidating. I watched them all carefully and decided to give it a shot even though I was seri ously out of practice and appallingly out of shape. Surely it couldn’t be that hard to ride a bike for a minute or lift a little weight or stay on the treadmill for 30 seconds? It was!!!

Since balance is some thing I need to work on, I decided to try the

Bosu Ball. I was smugly pleased with myself that I could stand on the cushiony side and manage to stay there (as long as I held onto the wall). That feeling of pride vanished when I saw a woman turn that ball upside down so she was standing on the wobbly side, pick up some heavy weights, lift one leg in the air behind her and balance on one foot while lean ing down to touch the floor. I ignored her, which is another form of exercise. Then I tried the TRX Suspension Trainer. It looked “doable”. It looked easy. It’s not. Running??? If “Hurricane” Hawkins can win races at 103, there may be a chance for me. Sounds like a plan…especially the part about start ing at 101. That means I still have some time. Meanwhile…

Reminder: The OpenDoor Café is an inclusive and com fortable gathering place for people liv ing with any form of dementia, either as a sufferer or a caregiver, in an informal, relaxed atmosphere. Everyone is wel come to attend on the third Thursday of every month, from 2 – 3:15 p.m. at the Lake House on the corner of Arlington and Court Streets. (July 18th this month). Please join us.

Tinseltown

Nick Thomas

ince her first film role in 1940, Terry Moore has appeared on the Big Screen in each of the subse

Terry Moore as Valentino’s Lady in Black To prepare for the role, Moore says she and the director visited Sequoia National Park to rehearse. “Going to Sequoia and work ing among those wonderful old trees was a brilliant idea,” she recalled. “The peaceful, quiet environment was perfect to bring out the range of emotions I had to develop and deliver in the film.”

Terry Moore celebrating her 90th birthday provided by Terry Moore.

quent eight decades. Recently celebrating her 90th birthday, the actress plays a lead role in the Vladislav Kozlovdirected period drama about silent film superstar Rudolph Valentino – Hollywood’s first male sex symbol. “The film’s called ‘Silent Life’ and I had 90 pages of dialog to learn,” said Ms. Moore from her home in Santa Monica. “I feel it’s one of the best roles I’ve ever had.” Following Valentino's passing in 1926, a veiled woman who became known as “The Lady in Black” visited the actor’s grave each year, depositing a red rose. Over the years, the ritual was copied by other women and Moore’s charac ter is an amalgamation of these mysterious crypt callers.

Director Kozlov was quite impressed with the veteran actress, calling Moore “a trooper” working over three brutally hot summer weeks during filming.

Terry Moore and her role in Lady in Black provided by Terry Moore.

1953’s “King of the Khyber Rifles.” “Ty was the kindest actor I

ever knew and one of the easiest actors I ever worked with,” she said. “It gave me chills to see it while filming

“She was doing everything – dancing, crying, laughing, getting angry, telling jokes and stories and didn’t com plain once,” recalled Kozlov. “She has an incredible will, stamina, and a very sharp mind.” Moore says working with Kozlov reminded her of another film, some 60 years earlier. Scenes depicting Valentino’s mausoleum were filmed at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, at the star’s actual tomb, which sparked the film flashback. “In one of the scenes I’m talking to Valentino in my mind and from the corner of my eye I could see Tyrone Power’s grave,” she said. Moore and Power starred in

SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 29

Tinseltown / from page 29

because I remembered he once told me ‘If I die

filming “Solomon and Sheba” in 1958 and died soon after

Terry Moore in Valentino’s Lady in Blackphoto from Terry Moore.

tomorrow, I want two things: to die on set and to have a son.’ He did both.”

Tyrone Power and Terry Moore in 1953’s “King of the Khyber Rifles.”

Power suffered a heart attack during a dueling scene with costar George Sanders while

(his scenes were later reshot with Yul Brynner playing Power's Solomon role). Power's wife gave birth to Tyrone Power IV two months later. In 2015, both Moore and the younger Power appeared in the horror film, “Mansion of Blood,” and she says “it’s so wonderful he’s followed in his father’s footsteps.” Moore and the director (who also plays Valentino) hope their film will have its world premiere at this year’s Venice Film Festival in August. “It was a challenging part, full of emotions, but I had to do it,” says Moore. “I started acting when I was 10 years old. It’s so marvelous to think I’m still working.” Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and is a freelance journalist for news papers and magazines.

30 / July / SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com

SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com / July / 31

Simply Smart Travel Jeff & Virginia Orenstein

Marvelous Memphis

Elvis, Civil Rights and More

f you love Elvis Presley, the king of rock and roll, there is no doubt that you will love Memphis, the home of Graceland and the Sun Recording Studio where he was discovered and made famous. Wherever you go in this town, Elvis memorabilia and his music are not far away. No wonder Graceland and its Elvisoriented attrac tions now cover 120 acres and attract as many as 750,000 visitors a year. It is the secondmostvisited home in the United States, second the White House. But even if you are not an Elvis fan, Memphis is worth

exploring because of its worldfamous Beale Street, its boundless blues music, barbque galore, a great craft beer scene, the Mississippi River and its river boats, the famous Peabody Hotel daily duck parade and the nottobemissed National Civil Rights Museum on the spot where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. This cosmopolitan city of more than 650,000 people and several distinct neighbor hoods boasts a cornucopia of live music on Beale Street and elsewhere. It has earned its moniker as the “Home of the Blues and the Birthplace

Solution

from page 31

Graceland, the Presley family’s mansion, is a popular Memphis touring venue. The 120 acre campus has the mansion, exhibition halls of Presley memorabil ia, restaurants and a new convention center. Credit: Jeff Orenstein, Simply Smart Travel

of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” with a musi cal tradition almost two cen turies old that continues today. While blues, rockn roll, soul, and jazz music dominate on Beale Street, the city’s rich musical histo ry is evident almost every where, and Memphis has a flourishing classical and gospel music performance scene ready to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Always shaped by its loca tion on the great river, a highway between north and south, Memphis was a bustling center of cotton commerce by the 1840s and remained so during the Civil War. Beale Street was an AfricanAmerican commer cial and cultural center and its proximity to the Mississippi attracted African Americans from neighboring

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states and served as the northern gateway to the rich culture of the Mississippi delta. The city’s large Black popula tion also made it an impor tant focus of the 20th centu ry civil rights movement and this is reflected in its history and museums as well. With affordable hotel rates, many museums and music venues and some great bar bque, Memphis is a recom mended place to put on your travel schedule. You won’t be disappointed. Before You Go Check Out: • https://www.memphis travel.com/ • https://theculturetrip.com /northamerica/usa/ten nessee/articles/15reasons whyyoushouldvisitmem phis/

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• https://www.buddy thetravelingmonkey.com/ visitingmemphisforthe firsttime/ • https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=2D1NjMO_g9M Getting There and Getting Around Memphis can be reached by air, highway, river cruise ship and rail. • By car, Memphis is crossed by Interstate Highways 40, 55 and 69. • The nearest commercial airport is Memphis International, 3.6 miles from Graceland and 8.5 miles from Beale Street. • The nearest river cruise port is in downtown Memphis. • The Memphis Amtrak sta tion is Downtown. It is 9 miles from Graceland and is served by the City of New Orleans running from

Chicago to New Orleans. MustSees For A Short Trip to Memphis: Among attractions that you should take in are: • Graceland, home of Elvis Presley with acres of dis plays. • Beale Street’s bars and blues joints. If You Have Several Days, Best Options Are: • Touring the National Civil Rights Museum. (Excellent!) • Touring Sun Recording stu dio where Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Johnny Cash record ed. • Seeing the daily duck parade at the Peabody Hotel. • Listening to blues on Beale Street. • Taking a 90minute narrat ed sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi River.

Beale Street, home of the Memphis blues, is a popular attraction. Credit: Jeff Orenstein, Simply Smart Travel

Ginny O’s Tips For Dressing The Simply Smart Travel Way For Graceland and Memphis: Upscale resort casual is the norm at Graceland and at the Civil Rights Museum. Anything and everything goes along Beale Street. Over 50 Advantage: Relatively affordable hotels, oodles of rock and roll era nostalgia, southern hospitali ty, civil rights history and an excellent multigenerational trip venue.

Mobility Level: Moderate. There are hills on the river front to climb. When To Go: Anytime is good but May through September is the best time to visit. Summers are humid but also is the best time for festivals and outdoor activi ties. There are four distinct sea sons in Memphis, with pre cipitation distributed evenly throughout the year. Late thunderstorms are frequent in summer, as is typical of subtropical locations, but usually don’t last long. Where To Stay: If visiting Graceland is part of your itin erary, the Guest House at Graceland is new, comfort able and convenient to Graceland and the airport. Shuttles to Beale Street are available. If you want to be downtown, the Peabody Hotel is famous for its daily duck walks and the city has a comprehensive collection of hotels at every price level.

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Jeffrey Orenstein, Ph.D. and Virginia Orenstein are travel writers from Sarasota, Florida. Reach them at joren stein@SimplySmart Travel.com.