South Coast Prime Times – Jan./Feb. 2015

S o u t h

C o a s t

11t h

Prime timeS Ja nuary/February 2015 • Volume 11 • Number 1

Make it happy

Filling up for winter Get a hobby

A Baby Boomer looks back Best places to learn Tina Turner of the South Coast

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CONTENTS in every issue

4 From the publisher 32 Extra! Extra!

Local news and views

prime living

6

12

14

18

Baby boom or bust?

by Paul Letendre Keep learning

by Michael J. Vieira

12

The Dr. will see you now

by Derek Vital Winter foods

by Elizabeth Morse Read

prime season

28

30

40

10

16

on the cover

The golden egg

by Sherri Mahoney-Battles I got the music in me

by Jill H. Garvey 61 is the new…

by Paul Kandarian

good times

10

16

22

The Joy of song

by Sean McCarthy Hobby helpers

by Brian J. Lowney Zumba gold

by Joyce Rowley

24 Oddball technology

2

by Dan Logan

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This issue’s cover photo was taken at EJ’s Restaurant, Deli, and Bar in Fairhaven. After you come in for a delicious meal, be sure to stop by Emma Jean’s Cupcake Factory & Ice Cream Shoppe just next door for some tasty desserts. For more information visit EJsRestaurantAndDeli.com or TotalConfections.com

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January/F ebruary 2015

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FROM THE PUBLISHER January/February 2015 n Vol. 11 n No. 1 Published by

Coastal Communications Corp.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Ljiljana Vasiljevic

The clocks have struck midnight and it’s 2015 – right on time. Happy New Year!

Before you start that gym membership or pick up that big book you’ve been meaning to read, make sure you take a breath and reflect on the time that has passed, as well as what the future has in store for you.

Editor

Sebastian Clarkin Online editor

Paul Letendre Contributors

Jill Garvey, Paul Kandarian, Paul Letendre, Brian Lowney, Dan Logan, Tom Lopes, Sherri Mahoney-Battles, Sean McCarthy, Elizabeth Morse Read, Joyce Rowley, Michael Vieira, and Derek Vital South Coast Prime Times is published bi-monthly.

On page 6, Paul Letendre does exactly that as he examines the expectations for and the legacy of baby boomers.

It can be hard to want to leave the house as things get chilly, but Sean McCarthy has a new reason for you head out on the town with his profile of local singing sensation Joy Pereira on page 10.

On page 21, Michael J. Vieira shares the secret to a long life. When you find out what is it, you’re already doing it.

Copyright ©2014 Coastal Communications Corp.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission from the Publisher. All information contained herein is believed to be reliable. Coastal Communications Corp. does not assume any financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of an advertisement in which the typographical error occurs.

Though we’ve already dealt with some cold weather, winter is just beginning. Elizabeth Morse Read will help you set your table on page 18 with tips and recipes for the best snowy day dishes.

The holiday shopping may be done and you may have a new flatscreen in your den, but technology marches on. Don’t get left behind: Dan Logan keeps you on the cutting edge on page 24.

On page 40, Paul Kandarian wonders how he ended up being 61 and if it’s really as bad as it sounds.

Next issue February 11, 2015

There’s more in this issue for you to discover, just as there is about this area and ourselves. Thank you for all these years of support.

Circulation 25,000

May 2015 be a year of health, wealth, and happiness for you all.

Subscriptions $14.95 per year

M ailing address South Coast Prime Times P.O. Box 3493 Fall River, MA 02722

Ljiljana Vasiljevic

Phone

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

(508) 677-3000

Website http://www.coastalmags.com

E-mail editor@coastalmags.com

Our advertisers make this publication possible —please support them 4

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January/F ebruary 2015

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Baby boom or bust ?

Paul Letendre

I was Time Magazine’s Man of the Year (MOY) in 1966. If you were born between 1941 and 1962, then so were you. We Baby Boomers (we weren’t called that yet) were awarded the MOY that year.

From the January 6, 1967 issue of Time: “For the Man of the Year 1966 is a generation: the man—and woman—of 25 and under.

In the closing third of the 20th century, that generation looms larger than all the exponential promises of science or technology: it will soon be the majority in charge. He is the man who will land on the moon, cure cancer and the common cold, lay out blight-proof, smog-free cities, enrich the underdeveloped world and, no doubt, write finis to poverty and war.”

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We baby-boomers were arriving with a bang. In the shadow of the yet-undeclared “greatest generation,” we had instantly become the “greatest expectation generation.”

This award was exciting. Some of my friends couldn’t have cared less about it, but I was smitten with it. My generation now had some big expectations to live up to. In December of ’66 I was seventeen and applying for college. With my driver’s license and a ’56 Volkswagen (blue, small rounded back window on those bugs), I

January/F ebruary 2015

was cool. For us boomers, it has always been about being cool. There was great pride in being among that special generation that was now being recognized as the one that would invariably change the world for the better. We represented hope.

We were going to get it done and the wise folks at Time Magazine knew that we were going to be winners even before we got off the starting blocks.

By today’s standards the article is long and wordy (5,891 words). It cites one unrelated example after another of why we were so special. The writers occasionally allude to the fact that we started out with much more than any previous generation; more education, more comforts and conveniences. Of course more was expected. The staff written article notes: “For better or for worse, the world today is committed to accelerating change: radi-

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‘If he succeeds (and he is prepared to) the Man of the Year will be a man indeed — and have a great deal of fun in the process.’

cal, wrenching, erosive of both traditions and old values. Its inheritors have grown up with rapid change, are better prepared to accommodate it than any in history, indeed embrace change as a virtue in itself. The Man of the Year suggests that he will infuse the future with a new sense of morality, a transcendent and contemporary ethic that could infinitely enrich the ‘empty society’. If he succeeds (and he is prepared to) the Man of the Year will be a man indeed — and have a great deal of fun in the process.”

“Piece of cake, we like fun.” We were the generation that “looms larger than all the exponential promises of science or technology. Never have the young been so assertive or so articulate, so well educated or so worldly.” We were going to

Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page “infinitely enrich the ‘empty society.’”

Yes, many of us did have an adolescent gut reaction to what seemed a blind grab for the material that our parents displayed. The war in Vietnam further fed our rebellious appetites. In those raucous ‘60’s we were quick to condemn that “empty society.” Yet we were unable or unwilling to fathom that the generation immediately preceding ours

ness, we utilized these marvels to gain efficiencies that minimized labor and costs. We have divined how to collect energy from the wind and the sun. Our generation practically put science fiction writers out of business; we invented it faster that they could write it.

We still wanted more . . . more and better of everything. And often, it still wasn’t enough. had recently ascended from twenty years of depression and war; for many of our parents, years of deprivation. Their comforts were earned. Ours were inherited.

We never knew much of the deprivation, but felt entitled to attitude and righteousness.

It’s now forty-eight years down the road from when we were pronounced “special.” Recently, I read that roughly 20% of us baby boomers will die of some form of dementia. Maybe, before we go bonkers, we should think about what our prematurely anointed legacy might actually be.

Boomer achievements are remarkable; we are the generation that made everything more accessible. We collapsed distance and time with transportation marvels and computer wizardry. In busi-

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We pioneered the Peace and Job Corps, we’ve added years to lifespans, and have inoculated against and eradicated polio and numerous other diseases. Our generation has some undeniably impressive achievements in medicine and human service.

Maybe we have been on a generational magic carpet ride. Yes, we have experienced things that folks a hundred years ago couldn’t have imagined; from our perspectives, a hundred years ago seems like a thousand years ago. We flip a switch – we have light. We push a button – we have sound. We want to communicate with anyone, anywhere, anytime – no problem. We live in warmth in the winter; we stay cool in the summer. Our clumsiest cars have more comforts than

January/F ebruary 2015

the carriages that carried the European aristocracies not so long ago. We are able to lunch on a beach in the Caribbean and be at our desk in snowy New England the next morning; yes, we are able to skip from one continent to another in a few hours.

Indeed, what generation had more potential and opportunity to have a positive impact on mankind than we did? But our good intentions got sidetracked by millions of seemingly insignificant decisions: to use plastic, turn up the heat, drive a few more miles, drive a larger car, take a longer shower, throw it down the sewer, throw it in the river. “Let someone else worry about it,” became a silent mantra.

We were seduced by more shiny stuff and bigger houses and faster cars and more bathrooms and swankier resorts – and it wasn’t enough. We still wanted more: more marble countertops and stainless appliances, more shoes and more jewelry, more of and better of anything.

And often, it still wasn’t enough.

Soon, many of us were re-establishing an old pecking order that we had rebelled against. Many – no, not many – most of us saw those with the most and the biggest as the highest on the ladder – the most revered. “More” and “bigger” once again became a person’s measures. “Character” again became synonymous with net worth.

Think about what a beautiful planet we inherited when we arrived in the middle of the last century. Think about what that planet will be like in the middle of this century, when most of us are gone. No, we won’t be earning any posthumous awards for that one.

So, maybe we went a little astray. As a generation, we’ve had plenty of answers but it just seems that as soon as we solve one problem – three others pop up. Perhaps, with our supposedly superior gifts, we focused on the wrong things. Perhaps, we will be considered a rocky transitional generation from a pre-tech into a hightech world?

The world was not simple when we arrived; two massive World Wars had recently been ended. When we leave, the world will be a very different place.

Future generations will debate whether we really intended to make the world

safe for democracy or safe for petroleum transfers.

Has the planet peaked? Did we top it out? Small choices we have made will affect ensuing generations more than they have our generation. When we do depart this planet, along with some amazing technological advances we’ll also be leaving a slew of broken roads and bridges, piles and piles of metals and plastics, water bottles and k-cups and plastic bags, depleted resources and dying oceans.

Coal and petroleum? No, we won’t be leaving much of that.

We were the ones “who will land on the moon, cure cancer and the common cold, lay out blight-proof, smog-free cities, enrich the underdeveloped world and, no doubt, write finis to poverty and war.”

And we were the ones who would be “infusing the future with a new sense of morality, a transcendent and contemporary ethic that could infinitely enrich the ‘empty society.’”

Me, I’ve made a good life for myself.

Those who come after me, they might have it tougher.

There are many of us who might be able to say that.

The greatest expectation generation? A few of us did make it to the moon. We’re still working on those other issues. Kind of. We inherited a solid physical foundation that our forefathers had built. Is that foundation still as sound? Have we made an “empty society” an “emptier society?”

Have we watched a foundation crack and weaken while we were busy getting more stuff?

Man of the Year – Baby Boomers? We had such a good start!

Our legacy? Someone once said that life is lived in three stages. The first is “learn,” the second is “earn,” and the third is “serve.” We are expected to have long lifespans. As Boomers, we are mostly past life’s “learn and earn” stages. We are into the “serve” stage of our lives. We still have a lot of time; maybe we can earn that title bestowed upon us so long ago.

Paul Letendre has spent most of his life working for broadline food service distributors in the U.S. and Canada. He also writes an industry blog, “Restaurant Stuff,” at www. la10duh.com and is regular contributor to ‘South Coast Prime Times” and “The South Coast Insider”.

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GOOD TIMES

The Joy

of song Joy Pereira performs two to three shows a week

For most of us, our early years had us singing our favorite songs into a hairbrush in front of the mirror. However, most of us never get beyond Karaoke.

Sean McC arthy

But for Joy Pereira, her youthful spotlight dreams became a reality that is entering its fifth decade as she marvels local audiences with a style that has many considering her to be the Tina Turner of the South Coast.

During this time, Pereira has certainly learned how to work a crowd.

“She knows how to get people on the dance floor,” says Patti Gonsalves, Manager of Ying Dynasty, a restaurant in Mattapoisett. “Her performances are very energetic – and she moves more than anybody in the room.”

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“She’s got more energy than a live five-piece band,” says Caroline DaCosta, owner and Manager of Madeira Café in New Bedford. “Her spirit is contagious.”

haven’t seen anybody in the area like her.”

Since 2003 Pereira has been performing solo, requiring only a laptop computer, a keyboard and a cordless microphone that allows her to come out from behind her setup and get audience members to dance and sing along. She is festive and agile beyond her age, with an energy that would rival any teenager.

“She loves a crowd,” Lima says. “She cre-

‘I love sharing the music and people love it too’ Elaine Lima and her husband Manny of New Bedford have been attending Pereira’s shows for more than 30 years.

“Joy knows how to have fun, she interacts a lot with the crowd,” she says. “I

January/F ebruary 2015

ates the feeling of a fun family.”

One of Pereira’s keys to longevity is her ability to adapt her performances to a wide array of audiences and events. While a majority of her shows feature classics

and popular selections, her laptop allows her to prepare songs for whatever an event calls for. She can usually find songs online after an audience member requests it.

But there are other dimensions to Pereira’s musical persona – each Wednesday night she entertains at the Wamsutta Club in downtown New Bedford, and she is sure to bring plenty of Frank Sinatra and easy listening songs to fit the mood.

But these nights also include her taking to her keyboard and crooning for those in attendance, a long way from the performer that stokes and stimulates audiences in other area establishments.

it too.”

Rick Jalbert, 66, of Dartmouth attends Pereira’s shows with his wife Regina.

“She can adapt to almost any environment and she encourages a lot of interaction.,” he says. “It’s entertaining for both singles and couples.”

Throughout her career Pereira’s family has supported her. Her mother Tillie lives in New Bedford, and she has a sister Rachel and a brother Garland.

“Joy is very quiet when she’s not performing,” her mother says. “Her favorite things are music and her cat Allie. Her personality between being at home and being onstage is night and day.”

‘I began singing at 13 and I loved it right from the start …

A s soon as I saw the Supremes on the Ed Sullivan Show I knew I wanted to be an entertainer’ Variety has been at the root of Pereira’s career. She can play to a crowd that wants to hear 1950’s nostalgia or contemporary Hip-Hop. She is also skilled in organ, guitar, drums, and harmonica.

Pereira’s resume is rich, having played everything from senior citizen centers to cruise lines, garden parties to art exhibits.

These days she plays mostly local restaurants, doing two to three shows per week.

Any night she plays in the area she can count on seeing 75 percent of the crowd who are regular fans.

And like many performers, she got her start in the church – specifically the A.M.E. Episcopal Zion Church in New Bedford.

“I began singing at 13 and I loved it right from the start,” she says. “As soon as I saw the Supremes on the Ed Sullivan Show I knew I wanted to be an entertainer. It was an incredible feeling when people would applaud for me for singing.”

But Pereira’s favorite musical moments don’t come when she’s in the spotlight alone – she thrives on involving her audience.

“I love involving an audience,” she says.

“I love sharing the music and people love

But Pereira didn’t launch her solo career without any experience. She was very busy throughout the 1980’s. During this decade she was the lead vocalist for the R&B and dance band, Jasmine. At the same time she was singing with the trio of Mike Antunes (of Beaver Brown), and his brother David. She was also the lead vocalist for the jazz band The Willie Love Quartet. In the early 1990’s she sang with a pair of dance bands – Sweet & Low, and Ricochet – and from 1996 to 2003 she was the front singer for oldies and dance band “Absolute.”

Pereira says that after retirement she doesn’t miss the 40-hour work week at all.

“God has been good to me,” she says.

“At the end of the night I thank God for giving me a good night. I’m also happy knowing that people are going home after having an enjoyable time.

“I’ll probably slow down eventually but I wouldn’t trade these experiences for anything.”

S ean M c C arthy has been a freelance journalist for 25 years.

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January/F ebruary 2015

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PRIME LIVING

Beverly Stevens in her office

Keep learning What’s the secret to a long life? Keep learning.

Michael J. Vieira

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty,” Henry Ford said. “The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

Studies show that lifelong learning can be “socially invigorating” but also can improve memory and cognitive abilities.

Since 1999, The Second Half Lifelong Learning Institute has been providing opportunities for South Coast residents to explore culture, food, art, politics, and more.

“It’s really interesting how the courses develop,” Beverly Stevens, the institute director, said. “They evolve into something wonderful.”

There are political course like “American Presidential Elections,” and “Democracy in America in Danger?” A course in “Political Polarization” was so popular, a

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second part will be offered in the spring so that those who started the discussion in the fall can continue the conversation.

Most courses are five to ten weeks long and cover subjects like finance and economics, literature and drama, science, and language and culture. Classes are usually two hours long.

“Study groups tend to be more academic,” Stevens explained.

Sounds too serious?

“Skills” classes range from three levels of Bridge to digital photography, cooking, and art.

Among the most popular courses have been a cooking course in which students “travel Europe one meal at a time.” This

January/F ebruary 2015

features guest chefs who share recipes from a variety of countries.

Another course provides an opportunity to study the techniques of certain artists, and then try the same techniques.

“People tend to love that class,” the director said.

Courses are taught by primarily former teachers and college professors.

“It all starts with an idea and a proposal.

A curriculum committee looks at the proposals and decides what to offer,” she suggested.

Faculty are not paid, but do receive free tuition for The Second Half courses.

“We’re extremely grateful. They deserve a great deal of credit,” she stressed.

She also noted that because most of the students are older, they also have a lot to share.

“They come in with wonderful life experiences,” she said.

Hit the road In addition to the courses, The Second

Half offers “local field trips.” Although “local” may stretch the definition for South Coast residents.

This fall, groups visited the Berkshires and John Adams National Historic Park in Quincy. They’ve also visited the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and the New York Botanical Garden.

Each year, The Second Half also offers one or two trips to Europe. According to their website, “members took a trip to the provinces of Lanquedoc and Provence in France in connection with the Frenchlanguage course called “La Provence et Le Lanquedoc.”

In October of 2013 a group explored Andalucia in Spain, after having taken a Spanish-language course entitled “Andalucia: The Land of Your Dreams.

Students also took a trip to the Azores following the fall class on “The Azores, Yesterday and Today,” and a trip to Paris, France. Trips to Barcelona, Spain as well as Italy and Greece are planned.

“People take the class and learn something about the culture and language and then take the trip,” Stevens said.

Since 2002, The Second Half has been located in Fall River. For much of that time, it was located in the UMass Dartmouth satellite location in the former Cherry and Webb building on South Main Street.

This fall, the group moved into its own space at 205 Bedford Street, not far from downtown Fall River. There’s parking across the street, and room for offices and classroom space.

In addition to the classes in Fall River, The Second Half provides courses in ten satellite locations including Bay View Assisted Living and Sakonnet Bay in Tiverton, as well as the Southworth and Mattapoisett libraries. The Westport Council on Aging also hosts classes.

“It serves two purposes,” the director suggested, “It gives us additional space and it gets us out more into the community.”

Not just for seniors Members come from Marion to Somerset and Swansea, she explained. Others travel from Taunton and Rhode Island.

“We cover a pretty wide geographic area,” she said.

The majority of the students are between 50 and 70 years old, Stevens noted, adding that there are some in their eighties and at least one in her nineties participated. At first, the program was only open to

people over 50 years old.

That changed in 2005. Now the courses are open to anybody. There’s just one limitation: “You have to be available in the daytime,” Stevens said.

When The Second Half started, it was housed under the Gerontology Center at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Although still affiliated with UMass Dartmouth, the program is now an independent non-profit organization. In 2013, it became a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt institute.

‘People take the class and learn something about the culture and language and then take the trip’

In addition to its association with UMass, The Second Half is also affiliated with the Road Scholars program, which was formerly Elder Hostel. This provides opportunities to work with other lifelong learning institutes.

Members pay a $35 fee. No matter when you join, all memberships expire on June 30.

Currently, there are about 350 members.

“Our goal is to have 400 this year,” she said.

In addition, tuition fees for each semester are $150 for up to two courses. There is a $30 fee for each additional course.

Classes start in mid-September and midFebruary and usually run for two hours.

The Second Half also offers special events at no charge to its members.

These have included a lecture by Dr. David MacKenzie, the music director and conductor of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra about their presentation of Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Gloria.

Some events are open to the general public. This included a Writing Workshop presented by Authors Without Borders, and an upcoming luncheon speaker series planned for the spring.

Also this spring, The Second Half will be partnering with the New Bedford

Whaling Museum. The lectures will relate to various exhibits and be held at the museum.

“This is a new venture for us,” Stevens said.

Another opportunity already announced are tickets for Kinky Boots. The Tony Award winning musical will be at the Providence Performing Arts Center on June 11, 2015.

The catalog of courses is mailed to members in January and published on the group’s website www.secondhalfli.org.

More ways to learn The South Coast is fortunate to have several colleges and organizations that provide low or no cost opportunities to learn. Local libraries, historical societies, book clubs and institutions of higher educations are great resources.

The Internet also has provided some amazing opportunities. No less than Harvard and MIT teamed up to offer free classes online. Visit www.edx.org/ for more information.

There are so many options, it’s probably easier just to Google “free online courses” – you’ll get more than 45 million results.

In Massachusetts, “seniors” (defined as people age 60 or older) qualify for tuition waivers at public colleges and universities. You must provide proof of age, be a resident of the Commonwealth for at least one year, be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, and submit a waiver form from the college.

But beware: in addition to tuition, most schools charge fees. For example, at Bristol Community College, the tuition is $24 per credit – but the fees are $147 per credit. At UMass Dartmouth, the fees vary. Both also offer non-credit courses which often have lower costs.

In addition to classes, area institutions of higher education frequently have art gallery exhibits, theatre productions, speakers and other events, many of which are free or very reasonable.

For more information, visit the college or university websites, including BCC, bristolcc.edu; UMass Dartmouth, umassd.edu; Roger Williams University, rwu.edu; and Bridgewater State University, bridgew.edu.

M ichael V ieir a , ph.d. has written for several newspapers and magazines including “The South Coast Insider” and “South Coast Prime Times”.

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January/F ebruary 2015

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PRIME LIVING

St. Charles Borromeo Parish in St. Francis, South Dakota is one of the churches affiliated with the S t. Francis Mission

Home of the St. Francis Mission located on the Rose Bud Indian Reservation in South Dakota

The Doctor will see you now: The dual lives of Dr. Carl Ferreira Derek Vital

Over the years, Dr. Carl Ferreira has been blessed. The Fall River-based dentist has a thriving practice along with a great family and close friends. Because of his good fortune, Ferreira decided it was time to give back.

Running water and sewage drains are rare commodities on the Rose Bud Indian R eservation.

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January/F ebruary 2015

He wanted to go where the need was great and where his skills would be put to good use. After some careful research, he learned about the plight of individuals living on the Rose Bud Indian Reservation in St. Francis, South Dakota. Things we take for granted, like running water and access to health care, were non-existent for the Native Americans residents.

“The needs of these Native Americans are overwhelming,” said Ferreira. “Basic needs such as health care, dental care, quality food, water and septic are in short supply with excessive wait times.”

Earlier this year, Ferreira paid a visit to the reservation where he volunteered his services for the people who live there. He performed routine dental procedures like cleanings, fillings and extractions, things we reluctantly endure in this part of the country. For the Native Americans, it was a welcome experience.

After 35 years of practicing dentistry, I

“

The patients were grateful and appreciative, said Ferreira. I have been blessed throughout my life and felt it was my time to pay it forward.

“

“The patients were grateful and appreciative,” said Ferreira. “I have been blessed throughout my life and felt it was my time to pay it forward.”

It was such a rewarding experience that Ferreira plans to return next year. He challenges his peers in the medical profession to get involved. With the extreme poverty and history of broken promises by the Federal Government these Native Americans have had to endure, Ferreira was amazed at how positive and upbeat they have remained.

“They are patient to a fault despite all that has been done to them,” said Ferreira. “It is my hope that if people cannot help personally they would consider a donation.”

Contributions can be made to the St. Francis Dental Clinic, 350 Oak St. St. Francis, South Dakota 57572. St. Francis is a 501C3 non-profit organization and all of your contributions are tax deductible.

Ferreira requested that checks be made payable to the St. Francis dental clinic so contributions can only be used for those purposes.

D erek V ital has been a writer and editor for various publications over the last 15 years. A lifelong resident of the South Coast, he lives in Dartmouth and has one son.

Bringing balance to the body In addition to his dental practice, Ferreira also is a board-certified Alternative Medical Practitioner. He obtained a doctorate in Classical Naturopathy from Trinity College of Natural Health.

He became interested in this treatment method in recent years after overcoming personal health concerns using naturopathy. His primary care physician was skeptical, but the results speak for themselves.

“All disease is one and what medical doctors call disease are only symptoms of a greater underlying problem,” said Ferreira. “Disease is nothing more than a manifestation of our body trying to correct imbalances.”

Ferreira said these imbalances can be caused by faulty nutritional patterns, improper rest, stress management and other lifestyle considerations which over time result in a weakening of the body.

“Our body tells us early on when there is a problem,” said Ferreira. “We can either respond to this message or try to suppress the symptoms that the body uses to tell us there is a problem. Unless the underlying problem is corrected, eventually the symptoms will no longer be helped by drugs and one will have to take stronger and stronger drugs to quiet the body’s message.”

Ferreira said conventional medicine will be able to diagnose and treat the symptoms at this point, but most medical doctors still fail to address the underlying problem that resulted in the illness. His background as a dentist makes him an ideal candidate to understand the positive aspects of natural healing and the limitations of

“

conventional medicine.

“A true healer is not overly concerned with naming diseases, but rather with identifying the underlying factors,” said Ferreira. “If they are not addressed, these underlying factors will result in the manifestation of disease and illness. These factors can be identified and corrected before many thought it was possible.”

According to Ferreira, the same concepts of healing used by naturopaths remain effective because once balance is restored the body automatically heals itself.

For example, a simple blood test is used to identify elevated antibodies in several common foods and indoor and outdoor inhalants.

By reviewing the results of this blood test, Ferreira can determine food and inhalant allergies that may be causing inflammation to your body, resulting in various chronic and autoimmune diseases.

Allergy testing will allow you to determine what you need to avoid in your diet and environment to minimize these symptoms.

“We believe it is our mission to guide our clients to the state of health they are willing to work toward,” said Ferreira.

“Through the use of non-invasive therapies, nutrition, and a balanced, holistic lifestyle, we assist clients with identifying both the damaging and healing forces in their daily life and direct the client to maximize the body’s inherent self-healing capacity.”

For more information about Ferreira’s Health Naturally practice, call 508-6794199 or visit www.health-naturally.info.

Both the Health Naturally and dental practices are conducted out of his office at 1190 Stafford Road in Fall River.

A true healer is not overly concerned with naming diseases, but rather with identifying the underlying factors

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just had an entire week where not a single patient said “I hate needles” or “I hate being here” or “I hate the dentist”,” said Ferreira.

Instead of complaints, Ferreira got praise and a sense of relief from his patients on the reservation.

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GOOD TIMES

A nnie Prescott (left) and A my Cantin (Right)

Hobby helpers It’s never too late to pursue a new hobby and add some sparkle to your life during the cold, dark days of winter.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted learn to play a musical instrument, paint or draw, or create beautiful clothes.

Whether you’re recently retired and eager to meet folks who share a common interest, or are still working but want to set aside a few hours every week just to relax and have some fun, why not enroll in a class and discover something new?

Libraries, nonprofit organizations, art groups, college and high school continuing education programs, and many area businesses all offer many opportunities for personal enrichment.

Brian J. Lowney

Stitching together If you’d like to learn to sew or improve or sewing skills, Fabric T reasures in Somerset offers open enrollment general sewing classes in which students of all

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abilities learn to create clothing or home décor items, including pillows, table runners, drapery, and quilts.

“Everyone works on what they want to,” begins storeowner Amy Cantin, adding that advanced sewers often help answer questions and share their knowledge with newcomers.

“It’s a community effort,” she says, noting that a few men have also taken sewing classes to learn how to upholster furniture.

Cantin says that many beginners who want to learn quilting begin with a small project, such as a tote bag or table runner and matching placemats.

She assures newcomers that, “It doesn’t have to be a gigantic undertaking,” adding that once students learn the basics of quilting, many advance to create beautiful wall hangings and bed coverings.

January/F ebruary 2015

“I sell everything that they will need for their project,” Cantin continues. The store sells an array of vintage fabrics once produced in local textile mills.

Fabric Treasures offers both morning and evening adult classes, as well as Wednesday afternoon and Saturday classes for children ages nine and older.

Cantin says the goal of the sewing classes is for participants to learn some new skills and create something beautiful, but most importantly, to have fun.

“If you’re not having fun, I don’t want you here,” she says with a smile. “There is nothing in this world that is perfect. It’s all part of the learning process.”

For more information about sewing classes at Fabric Treasures, call (508) 679-9301 or visit the store located at 1160 County St., Somerset. The store is open Tuesday-Saturday. Hours vary daily.

Sculpt it, wear it At the University of Anniechusetts, located at A nnie’s Unique Boutique, 1049 County St., Somerset, owner Annie Prescott offers classes in making polymer

clay jewelry. Individual or small group classes are offered, all materials are provided, and participants are taught how to create colorful pendants, earrings, pins and bracelets during an introductory, two and-a-half hour introductory class.

It’s a learning experience and you get to take home a piece of jewelry that you make,” says Prescott, noting that the class is a great venue for birthday parties and bridal showers.

The talented storeowner adds that many students return for advanced classes to make beautiful polymer clay jewelry to add to their collection.

Prescott, who taught at Durfee High School in Fall River for 35 years before retiring in 2008, says she began making polymer clay jewelry about two decades ago and several years later turned her hobby into a successful business.

Call (508) 243-5428 for more information or visit www.anniesuniqueboutique. com

Beautiful Music

The S ymphony Music Shop, located at 94 State Road in Dartmouth, offers classes for just about every musical instrument except accordion and organ, as well as voice lessons for folks who want to improve the quality of their vocal performance.

Storeowner Bob Williamson says it’s never too late to learn to play a musical instrument.

“I’ve had students in their 70s and 80s who come in and who have never played an instrument in their lives,” he begins, adding that the store has 38 teachers who are also employed by public schools or who are professional performers. Classes are held mid-afternoons to early evenings, and meet for a half hour once per week.

Instrument rental is also available.

“Take some lessons and see how it does,” Williamson advises. “Pursuing a hobby in music not only is relaxing, but also helps to build confidence and teaches discipline.”

“It doesn’t end,” he continues, adding that students can spend a whole lifetime learning to play a musical instrument.

Singers and musicians who join groups, he adds, also have the benefit of having an extended family of individuals who share a common interest.

For more information, call The Symphony Music Store at (508) 996-3301 or visit www.symphonymusicshop.com

If you’ve always dreamed of creating colorful stained glass sun catchers, lamps or kitchen cabinet inlays, then take a class at the Stained Glass Emporium, 69 Fall River Ave., Rehoboth.

Owner Karen Langille offers four-week classes that teach students how to create a sun catcher and small panel.

“It makes you smile when you see something you’ve done,” she says, adding that many students advance to create larger, more intricate projects. Langille also offers popular classes to make beautiful mosaic glass stepping stones for gardens.

For more information about stained glass classes, which are offered Tuesday mornings and evenings, call the Stained Glass Emporium at (508) 336-5455 or visit www.stainedglassemporium.net

Everything for the Student to the Professional Musician Since 1962

Repairs, Sales & Lessons Repairs, Sales & Lessons on ALL Instruments onProudly ALL Instruments Supporting Active Music-Making

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Our SouthCoast Community 94 StateinRd. Dartmouth, MA 02747 508-996-3301 | Like us on Facebook www.symphonymusicshop.com The Symphony Music Shop 94 State Rd. Dartmouth, MA 02747 508-996-3301 www.symphonymusicshop.com or “like” us on Facebook

Life Imitating art If art is your passion, then check out the classes offered by the Greater Fall River A rt A ssociation, 80 Belmont St., Fall River. Classes are offered in oil painting, drawing, acrylics, watercolors, basket weaving, collage, digital photography, jewelry, and more.

“It’s a beautiful environment, “ says Sheila Oliveira, photography instructor, noting that the historic building houses the studios of several resident artists who offer classes, allow visitors to see work in progress, and offer the opportunity to purchase beautiful artwork at affordable prices.

According to Tiago Finato, association president, art classes help students to think critically and sharpen their observation skills.

Finato, who teaches oil painting, adds that his students paint from photographs, use commonplace items to create beautiful still life paintings, and sometimes venture outdoors to paint colorful landscapes.

The acclaimed artist also urges individuals to support the local arts community.

“Buy art,” he tells. “That’s how you can support working artists.”

For more information, call the Greater Fall River Art Association at (774) 6446701 or visit the web site: www.greaterfallriverartassoc.org.

YOUR BEACON OF LIGHT INTO THE WORLD OF STAINED GLASS

REPAIRS • CUSTOM WORK • LESSONS SUPPLIES • GIFTS 69 Fall River Ave (Rt.6) • Rehoboth, MA 02769

P:508-336-5455 • Toll Free:800-491-5450 • F:508-336-0952

www.stainedglassemporium.net

After Xmas Clearance Sale Dec. 26 – Jan. 10 Sewing Machine Repair/Service Fabric Consignment & Sewing Classes Quality Used Sewing Machines for Sale

1160 County St. • Somerset, MA 508-679-9301 (Rt. 138 next door to MaRaffa’s)

Brian Lowney is a freelance writer based in Swansea. He is the author of the new book “Unconditional Love: Pet Tales to Warm the Heart”, which is available in local bookstores.

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Winter foods for comfort and joy Eliz abeth Morse Read

The backyard barbecue and salad days of summer are over, folks. Welcome to winter. You’re stuck indoors more than out, and you’re either eating mindlessly out of boredom or else picking at your food because it doesn’t satisfy your winter hunger.

We don’t get much sun or exercise in winter, and it’s always cold and somekind-of-wet outside. Our bodies need specific nutrients to make up for that lack of sunshine and physical activity. We start craving the hearty and aromatic comfort foods of winter.

But if you shift to eating and cooking more mindfully this winter, you’ll be healthier and happier come springtime.

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Hunker down and splurge on South Coast winter food.

The Zen of winter foods Get out the crock-pots, griddles, Dutch ovens and the Corning-ware. Real winter cooking is deliberately meant to be sloooow. It distracts you from the lousy weather, and it forces you to slow down and focus on the process, not just the end result.

January/F ebruary 2015

If you’re going to be stuck indoors over a few months, you might as well have some fun and make soup while the sun don’t shine. Think of it as culinary chess.

It’s important that you make your winter meals from scratch using the freshest ingredients available – the pre-packaged/ frozen/take-out/microwaveable “instameal” version is not good for you. But the good news is that you can still have your plum pudding and eat it, too.

Just eat less of it – take your time eating it, savor every bite of it, and stop eating before you feel full.

A table for one…

Because the weather limits our eatingout opportunities, we eat alone indoors much more often in the winter. So bring

placemat and

one, and linger

over a thoughtful meal

Breaking bread with others “Man does not live by bread alone” – nor does man always want to eat bread alone. The word “company” comes from Latin, meaning “(to share) bread with.”

So, sharing your winter meal with “company” is your chance to socialize during the winter months, whether it’s a Sunday brunch or a game-day buffet or a pajama party.

But remember that it’s also your guests’ chance to socialize. So if you want to “share your bread” with someone else, make it worth their while to visit you on a bitter-cold day. Don’t be serving deli Buffalo wings, Doritos and Sara Lee cakes

Healthy journeys begin at the Y

proper table for

GET BACK TO YOUR BEST

napkin, set a

There’s a unique combination at the Y. Little ones build skills and self-esteem. People connect while strengthening body and mind. The Y offers everything from weights and fitness equipment to improve well-being, to kids programs that nurture their potential through learning and play. At the Y, your membership means more. Come try us out!

Put down a

ymcasouthcoast.org

The South Coast is an ethnic patchwork quilt, and our traditional winter soups are a reflection of our past and everchanging demographics. Winter is soup season, so enjoy and share a bowl of your heritage.

When I grew up in New Bedford post-WWII, what you ate was pretty much defined by what parish you belonged to, and whether or not you had a live-in grandmother from the old country.

The Polish and FrenchCanadian families lived in the North End, the Portuguese lived mostly in the South End, the upper middle-class and African-Americans shared the West End, and us English/Irish lived somewhere in the middle.

There were very few Italian families, virtually no Hispanics, Pakistanis, Asians, or Central Americans, but there were a few pocket-parishes of Greeks or Cape Verdeans or Lebanese.

The good news is that there was an ethnic restaurant in every neighborhood, and there were festivals year-‘round where I could sample the non-English/ Irish foods.

Then I went to a regional high school (Bishop Stang), and made friends from non-New Bedford ethnicities. Then I went to a state college (Bridgewater), and made friends from non-South Coast families. From there I went to U.R.I. for grad school (definitely non-Massachusetts) and ended up living in New York City (non-New England, but a whole lot like New Bedford) and traveling a lot (non-America). I ate a lot of homemade soup along the way and cherish the memories – it’s like a photo album for my taste buds.

New Memberships only. Membership rates still apply. Some restrictions apply. $50 gift card bonus excluded on financial aid and youth | teen memberships.

Inquire at the Welcome Center desk for details. Promotion ends 1.31.2015.

South Coast soup du jour

YMCA SOUTHCOAST

to someone who had to dig out their driveway to get there. You will be much more popular if you serve homemade South Coast comfort foods.

PAY THE DAY JOINER FEE SPECIAL We want you to get back to your best so we are offering a discount on the joiner fee plus an extra bonus of a $50 gift card* to use on a future program. Become a Y member on January 2nd and your joiner fee is $2, on January 3rd it’s $3, and so on. Don’t wait, the best deals are early.

some comfort and joy into your life by making your mealtimes special every day.

If you wouldn’t serve your guests a mealin-a-bag to be eaten standing in front of the TV, then why should you do that to yourself? Would you eat in a restaurant that had a stack of mail on the table or video-games blasting in the background?

Would you really want to share a table with someone who’s texting or checking their Facebook page?

Be your own guest, three times a day.

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, dining solo should be a special event, a reward, an excuse to pamper yourself. Take a full hour to plan, prepare and enjoy every meal. Don’t be distracted by the chores or the digital world – they’ll be there waiting after you eat.

Treat yourself to some peace and quiet.

Never eat in a car or cafeteria or with a cell phone in your other hand – mealtime is your time to withdraw and daydream.

Get away from your desk and find a place where you can wander or put your feet up while you nibble. Light some candles or go sit by a sunny window. Put down a placemat and napkin, set a proper table for one, and linger over a thoughtful meal.

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Continued from previous page

Mashed-Potato Dumplings Technically, a “dumpling” is a carbohydrate-based ball that’s fast-boiled in a soup or broth. Some are “stuffed” with other ingredients, some are made with baking powder, some incorporate grated cheese – the end results are the same. Think pierogies, tortellini, wontons, matzoh balls, gnocchi, spaetzle.

caulipots, thoroughly knead in one cup flour, one beaten egg and some salt/grated cheese and pepper/herbs to taste. You want a sticky dough-like texture, so add more/less flour as needed.

Using a cookie scoop, drop balls of the mixture into the boiling pot; cover and simmer for ten minutes.

Dumplings are always added to the boiling water or broth at the end of the cooking time, then covered and simmered – so when the “dumpling” rises to the top, everything else in the pot is ready to eat.

Foods that stick to your ribs (not your thighs)

In addition to being filling, dumplings are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes or “caulipots. For each cup of cold mashed potatoes/

I know it was probably the same way growing up in Fall River or Wareham or Taunton and anywhere else on the South Coast, back in the day. When I moved back here, I was crushed that “The Uke Club” in Fall River had closed its doors. I was heart-broken when the last English/ Irish bakery within driving distance shut down.

But then I discovered Norwegians in Fairhaven and Southeast-Asians in East Bay RI. I found a local fish-market that still sold finnan-haddie. I actually know how to use gorton (when I can find it) in a meatloaf and I make a killer stuffed cabbage (“gwumpkie”), kale soup and fish chowder. I automatically assume that linguica is its own food group. My South Coast-based cooking repertoire amazed (stunned?) my New York City in-laws.

My 91-year old father always gets sentimental about his mother’s Depressionera homemade tomato soup (I finally managed to recreate it, so I am now his favorite child.) A packet of ramen noodles or Lipton’s or a can of Campbell’s is not a reasonable facsimile. Soup is personal, and should be a bowl of memories and

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eat. But if you gagged on “salmon wiggle” during Lent as a child, you might have fallen off the “eat your fish!” wagon a long time ago.

Here we live in one of the richest fishing regions of the world, yet good seafood is still more expensive than filet mignon.

That’s no excuse for not eating seafood – you don’t need to buy marinated swordfish steaks, imported jumbo shrimp, or caviar. Buy cheap “chowder fish” bits for stews, make codfish cakes, eat sardines on crackers, or get creative with canned clams and tuna. Those oily cold-water fish of winter are high in omega-3 fatty acids and are great nutritional supplements for sunshine.

comfort, not just sustenance. Share one with yourself, your family, and your friends this winter.

Fishing for compliments Seafood is probably one of the healthiest and most delicious winter foods you can

Think about it – who really wants to eat hot oatmeal or a mug of cocoa or barley soup in the good ol’ summertime? Slow-cooked hot foods are for winter tables – no one wants to heat up a kitchen in August. Baked beans, casseroles, lasagna, stew with dumplings, pot pies, mac and cheese, “boiled dinners” – all those hearty meals that fill the kitchen with warmth and aromas and people.

But winter comfort foods all contain carbs and fats and sugars you wouldn’t normally consume in the summer. You’re

Winter Cole Slaw The classic winter side-dish, crunchy and full of much-needed winter nutrients. Cut out the core of a small green cabbage, and discard the top layer of tough leaves. Cut the cabbage into quarters (easier to handle on a cutting board), then slice it into very thin strips.

Using a vegetable peeler or grater, make thin slices of two carrots. Toss the cabbage and carrot with some apple-cider vinegar, olive oil, caraway seeds, dried cranberries and crushed walnuts. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Make a little, make a lot – it will last for a week in the fridge, and

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it makes a great topping for sandwiches and salads, too.

not as physically active in the winter, so it’s harder to burn off those extra calories.

Sure, our bodies need extra fuel in the cold months, but comfort foods can be the downfall of health-minded people or anyone watching their diet. Your body will be overwhelmed if you don’t use some common sense you’ll feel sluggish and moody.

Make sure you use products like no-yolk flat noodles, multi-grain pastas, brown rice, no-salt-added canned products, and nutrient-dense winter dishes like caulipots [see sidebar].

Experiment with healthier substitute ingredients, like using ground turkey instead of ground beef. Instead of layering your lasagna with whole-milk ricotta and mozzarella, use low-fat cottage cheese and skim-milk mozzarella. Use more herbs and spices and less salt. Use olive oil instead of butter.

Every comfort food recipe can be adapted. You can tickle your winter taste buds without clogging your arteries, expanding your waistline or triggering cabin-fever depression.

E at your winter veggies…

Why waste your money on those tasteless imported tomatoes and asparagus?

Eat more carrots and sweet potatoes, squashes, low-salt canned tomato products, peppers and cranberries – all of those yellow-orange-red foods are bursting with vitamins C, D, A and fiber.

Think of them as the winter version of oranges, berries and cherry tomatoes.

Winter brings us an abundance of root vegetables like turnips, parsnips, and carrots, all of which offer important nutritional benefits (good carbs, fiber, vitamins and micronutrients). They also have mild, almost-sweet and nutty flavors, and can be cooked multiple ways very easily.

You also need to eat the cold-weather “dark greens” full of vitamins, iron, calcium, and folates, like parsley, chard, kale, or other cabbage vegetables. And, if you want to ward off winter sniffles, there’s always the triple-whammy immunity-boosting onions, garlic, and mushrooms. They’re full of antibiotic-like micronutrients.

“Caulipots” So simple, so nutritious, the New Age version of colcannon or neepsand-tatties. Cauliflower is a cabbage (cruciferous) vegetable, even though it’s white and almost-flavorless. It is related to the dreaded brussel sprouts and kale and sauerkraut of winter tables. But caulipots is an easy, cheap and versatile winter dish.

If you’re boiling water to make mashed potatoes, add a few extra inches of water. Chop up a head of cauliflower into small pieces -- you want a rough ratio of three parts potato to one part cauliflower. When the potatoes are almost fork-tender, add the cauliflower and continue boiling for a few more minutes.

fluffiest mashed potatoes you’ve ever eaten. You won’t need to add milk or butter. If you want to add some flavor, stir in a few finely-sliced scallions, a minced clove of garlic, or some chopped cilantro/parsley.

Save leftover caulipots (drain off any excess water) and use them to top a shepherd’s pie or to make mashed potato dumplings.

Drain thoroughly (cauliflower stays soggy for a while) and then mash them together – it’ll produce the

Seasonings Greetings!

The traditional herbs and spices of winter can boost your health and mood. Paprika, cinnamon, sage, turmeric, caraway, cloves, rosemary, ginger, anise – they are just some of the traditional seasonings of winter comfort foods, and with good reason.

Incorporating specific herbs and spices into your winter recipes is not just for their heady flavors. Our grandparents knew the healing properties of herbs and spices. Winter seasonings have actual medicinal value and health benefits.

What many have in common is that they’re anti-microbial – they kill bacteria and viruses. Many are also analgesic (pain-relieving) or anti-inflammatory or antioxidant. Some can lower cholesterol, others can calm a queasy stomach, clear congestion, or ease a toothache.

Fresh is best, but frozen or freeze-dried is fine. Dried, ground-up herbs and spices go stale quickly, so always clean out your spice rack every winter and buy small amounts from a neighborhood grocer

or reputable online vendor. Try www. pendereys.com.

And choco-holics, rejoice! Dark chocolate (unsweetened) is good for you, especially in the wintertime. It’s full of antioxidants, endorphins, and minerals.

It elevates your moods and lowers your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Think mugs of hot cocoa, fondues, holiday treats. Dip a chunk in your morning coffee. Grate some for homemade scones or over a bowl of oatmeal. Make your own winter trail mix/snack food with dried cranberries, unsalted nuts, and dark chocolate chips.

E lizabeth M orse R ead is an award-winning writer, editor and artist who grew up on the South Coast. After 20 years of working in New York City and traveling the world, she came back home with her children and lives in Fairhaven.

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GOOD TIMES

Zumba Gold:

bring your two left feet!

By Joyce Rowley

W

hen I first heard the music at New Bedford’s Buttonwood Senior Center last month, it was as hypnotic as a snake charmer’s punji calling a cobra out of a basket. Just a half tempo slower than the aerobic version of the dance, Zumba Gold offers a workout that sneaks up on you.

“You don’t have to be a dancer to join,” said Pati Cautillo, the licensed Zumba instructor. “We tell people to bring your two left feet. Once you let that misconception go, then you can experience the joy of the class. Oh, and by the way, you’re working out.”

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Zumba (pronounced “zoom-ba”) is the work-out dance that started twenty years ago in Columbia, South America when aerobics dance instructor Alberto “Beto” Perez forgot his music for a dance class.

So he used his own salsa and merengue music – instead of the pop music favored

January/F ebruary 2015

back then – and the class loved it. Perez brought the new latin-styled aerobics steps with him when he came to the U.S. in 2001 and started Zumba Fitness. Now there are 14 million people that take weekly Zumba classes worldwide.

The Zumba Academy licenses instructors to use a variety of international music like cumbia, salsa, merengue, mambo, flamenco, cha-cha-cha, reggaeton, soca, samba and tango to get people moving.

Instructors are trained in routines, music, and styles. Cautillo spent four years learning the steps as a student and began teaching Zumba three years ago.

In September, Cautillo started Chair

Zumba at the Buttonwood Senior Center.

It quickly gained traction. Now she offers Zumba Gold, Chair Zumba and Zumba Gold-Toning in New Bedford and Acushnet senior centers. She also offers Zumba Aqua at the YMCA in Wareham.

If all this zumba-ing sounds contagious, it is.

“I started part-time and presented it to New Bedford seniors. It took off. They kept asking for more,” Cautillo said. She now teaches eight to ten classes a week.

Up to 40 students join her just for the Zumba Gold class each week. “They love it and they have a great time.”

stretch and move to the beat with Cautillo at the front of the class showing the routine.

Zumba Gold-Toning is a standing dance class that uses light weights to improve a muscle group strength. Plus it helps your posture, mobility, and coordination.

And Zumba Gold is a get-up-and-dance even if you have two left feet, Cautillo said. All three branches of Zumba Gold are designed as low-impact exercise. All three workouts stretch the mind, too, as students learn new steps in a social setting.

An hour-long class may use up to 16

‘Don’t do anything that hurts, I tell them. Just have fun . . . As long as they’re moving, that’s all that matters to me.’

— Pati Cautillo

“Zumba Gold is a beginning, non-impact Zumba” said Cautillo. “It is designed for de-conditioned people who may not have exercised in a while. Chair Zumba is designed for people who have balance issues or are recovering from surgery.”

Cautillo makes it clear that she’s not interested in pushing people to do too much. Instead, she let’s them set the pace and tailors each class to the participants.

What’s important is that everyone stays within their limitations.

“Don’t do anything that hurts, I tell them. Just have fun,” Cautillo says. “As long as they’re moving, that’s all that matters to me.”

Choosing the right Zumba But don’t worry, you won’t be able to sit still at Cautillo’s Chair Zumba sessions: her music playlist is as infectious as her Energizer Bunny attitude.

Chair Zumba is a branch of Zumba Gold where participants use a chair to sit, but that’s the only part of them that isn’t moving. Arms, hands, legs and feet

songs. That, plus learning and memorizing a routine keeps Cautillo busy, too.

The routine is further modified for a group based on the student’s needs.

“I put a playlist together and present it to the students. It’s trial and error. I tell them it’s their class. If they don’t like it or are tired of a song, they tell me and I try something else,” Cautillo said. The same music is used for all of the classes.

She stresses moving the arms and legs, sitting very tall in the chair, and stretching muscles.

“I love what I do, that’s where I find the energy,” Cautillo said. Cautillo started doing Zumba seven years ago when she walked into a studio and saw a class in action. “As soon as I walked in, I loved it.

I knew I wanted to do it.”

To learn more about Zumba, visit Cautillo’s facebook page: www.facebook.com/ ZumbaFitnessWithPati

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GOOD TIMES

Oddball technology Fancy and fairly expensive new technology wins a lot of attention, but other interesting half-digested ideas, early prototypes, and quietly released products are always bubbling away behind the scenes. Let’s take a look at some of products that are easing their way into our consciousness.

Dan L ogan

Go goo!

We’re always looking for a better way to glue, tape and otherwise bind surfaces together.

Usually, the most difficult part of the process is finding the right goo for the job. Years ago it seems as if I was always searching for something that bonds this-to-that.

The technologists have apparently overcome many of those bonding issues in the last decade or so. Sugru (sugru.com) is described as a Play-Doh-like, moldable silicone glue than can be stuck and shaped; when it cures it becomes a rubberized, flexible coating that will maintain a strong bond under hot or cold

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conditions, according to the Sugru website.

The glue is available in ten colors and claims to bond together a variety of materials. The website offers lots of ideas and has some modestly entertaining videos.

It’s alive!

The functionality of the ubiquitous electrical outlet is being reshaped as we collect more devices that need to be powered or recharged.

One of many designs available is the LivingPlug inlet (LivingPlug.com), which isn’t particularly high tech or innovative, but illustrates how an old idea is being taken a useful step further.

The LivingPlug plugs into an existing outlet to give you three tamper-resistant outlets plus a USB port for charging your phone or other device. The LivingPlug starts at $25; you can dress it up with any of an array of 600 custom faceplates.

The unit also has an on/off button to reduce so-called vampire energy drain.

Long in the Bluetooth?

Sometimes you just don’t want to have to use earbuds to listen to music or to hold your phone up to your ear to talk. The Clipster Active (ionaudio.com/products/details/clipster) works as a small Bluetooth-connected speaker that enables you to have a phone conversation or listen to music.

According to Ion Audio it’s suitable for hands-free talking – for example, if you’re riding your bike or if you don’t have a Bluetooth connection in your car.

If you really want to never lay hands on your phone, The Clipster Active uses a carabiner to attach to a belt loop or keychain, and is rubber coated and waterproof. The devices charges via micro-USB and a charge will last for roughly three hours.

Health and Tech New technologies are making it possible for individuals to contribute to broader societal goals at modest expense.

HabitatMap (HabitatMap.org), a Brooklyn environmental health non-profit, is building an organization for monitoring, mapping, and sharing health and environmental data using smartphones and Bluetooth-connected devices.

The AirBeam (takingspace.org) is a handheld air quality monitor that can collect data on the fine particular matter floating in the air and send it to a smartphone using Bluetooth.

Fine particulate matter is one of the EPA’s six key air pollutants; fine particles of dust, smoke or soot are inhaled into the lungs and absorbed into the bloodstream, contributing to

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Continued from previous page asthma, bronchitis and other health problems that plague the world.

The AirBeam is designed to collect data at a given location and transmit it for inclusion in a worldwide database.

The will of the masses Crowdfunding, of which Kickstarter is the best-known example, is an Internet-sparked method of raising money to support the development of new products and ideas. Basically, you put your financial goal and project plans out there and if someone likes your crowdfunded project they can invest a small amount of money in it. The approach is giving visibility to a lot of interesting products.

There’s the inevitable dark side, featuring whackjob product ideas and clever scams, but in general, crowdfunding works.

Prototype products are popping up that aren’t available yet but sound promising.

I think one crowdfunded startup is taking the right approach – look for other fashion accessories that can be turned into useful devices. A company called BioSensitive Technologies (earosmart. com) is developing Ear-o-Smart, smart earrings that can connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone and monitor and report on daily activity, heart rate and calories burned. The earlobe turns out to be a good place to monitor blood flow to get the data.

Fashion certainly plays a key role in earring appeal, but earrings could be one more approach to seamlessly incorporating connectivity into the daily life of the active individual.

Some of the crowdfunded ideas are viable, but also hysterically funny. Myontec Mbody (myontec.com) smart athletic shorts look

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January/F ebruary 2015

like what Darth Vader would wear in his workouts. Though the Mbody reminds me of the complex gizmos available to improve your golf swing (think Rene Russo in Tin Cup), it features builtin data collection and display capabilities; the wearer can listen to real-time audio coaching and the data can be ported to a computer via USB to help analyze one’s training.

The shorts and necessary accessories currently sell for about $1000, but the company hopes to get future versions down into the $500 range.

So cool, it’s hot The prototype device that comes closest to making me acquiesce to willingly suspending my disbelief is the Wristify (embrlabs.com). The Wristify is a thermoelectric bracelet that claims to be able to seriously cool you when you’re warm and warm you up when you’re cold--in other words, to enable you to stay comfortable on hot summer days or when you’re chilly in winter.

See how science helps us progress? My desperate, unrequited teenage dream to own a full-body cooling suit that would ward off heat and humidity may be fulfilled by a simple wristband. I won’t have to risk public humiliation to stay cool. I can be cool, and stay cool.

Founded by four MIT students (who won an MIT design competition for their product), the Wristify team discovered that heating or cooling a small patch of sensitive skin (the wrist being one convenient spot) with thermal pulses can quickly impact the entire body.

The device will not only keep Wristify owners comfy, but it also promises to save the economy zillions of dollars in heating and cooling costs.

By the time you read this, the Wristify may actually be available. I won’t be camping outside some retailer three days in advance, though – it’s too cold out.

Dan L ogan is a freelance writer and photographer from Fairhaven, MA. E-mail him at dlogan@thegrid.net.

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‘Tis the season of stress and challenges

by Michelle D. Beneski

T

he holidays are here and because of the time and distance, changes in older loved ones become more noticeable when families get together. Families may realize that they will have to face difficult decisions about their older relatives. Here are changes that you should look out for in an older person: • Poor personal hygiene • A messy/dirty home • Unusually loud or quiet, paranoid or agitated • Self-imposed isolation • Forgetfulness; unopened mail, piling newspapers, empty prescriptions, missed appointments • Poorly managed finances; unpaid bills, losing or hiding money, overpaying bills • Unusual purchases If you are concerned, have a physical and neurological exam done to identify a medical issue. If your loved one tests positive for physical or cognitive degeneration, contact a Geriatric Care Manager to help your family assess what types of options are available. Suggestions may include a home health aide, adult day care, a bill paying service, etc.

Where will the elder live? A family member’s home, assisted living, senior housing, or nursing home? These choices have consequences and a good elder law attorney can help.

If a nursing home is needed, Medicaid planning should be done as soon as is practical to preserve as much of their assets as possible.

Many believe that all savings will be lost to pay for a nursing home – not so! A good elder law attorney should be able to protect all the assets of a married couple and a good portion of a single person’s savings.

Also, your loved one should consult an elder law attorney to ensure that all alternative decision-making documents such as a Health Care Proxy, Durable Power of Attorney and HIPAA release are in place and valid. A Health Care Proxy allows another person to make medical decisions for you if you become incompetent. A Durable Power of Attorney allows another person to handle legal or financial issues. A HIPAA release allows others access to your medical records. These documents allow families to assist an elder who is facing physical or mental challenges. If they are not chosen, the court will chose one for you through guardianship, which is both complicated and expensive. If you require a consultation, call us for an appointment at 508-994-5200.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific questions you should consult a qualified attorney.

M ichelle D. B eneski is an At-

torney at Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. For specific questions call her at 508-994-5200 or send e-mail to mdb@nbelderlaw.com

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PRIME SEASON

The goose that laid the golden egg Financial fraud against seniors is now one of the fastest growing forms of elder abuse, and it has become so prevalent that it’s now considered “the crime of the 21st century.”

Sherri M ahoneyBattles

For con artists and scammers, seniors are thought to be an easy mark for many reasons.

They often have money sitting in their accounts, are too polite to hang up the phone, and tend to be trusting.

Seniors are often lonely, and scammers are willing to spend the time listening to their stories and laments in exchange for a promise of payment or a credit card number.

Scammers contact elders they perceive to be vulnerable. They prey on people that are isolated, lonely, disabled, and unfamiliar with finances or have recently lost a spouse.

Once the senior takes the bait their name is included on a “sucker’s list” and sold.

What follows is a deluge of junk mail and sales calls all designed to swindle money out of the elderly victim.

There are many different types of scams

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being perpetuated against older people, and scammers are constantly looking for new angles to gain access to this vulnerable group.

A national disaster will be followed by solicitations for fake charities. Earlier this year in our area, we had people posing as IRS agents attempting to collect on bogus tax bills.

Most seniors will often pay a bill rather than risk feeling ashamed that they might have forgotten to pay something

January/F ebruary 2015

Identity theft among seniors is also on the rise. Seniors are often not required to file tax returns, and a scammer that can score a senior’s social security number can file fraudulent tax returns for years claiming large tax refunds.

Just recently I was contacted by an older taxpayer to file some back tax returns only to find that her tax identity had been stolen and that someone else had been filing tax returns using her social security number.

The internet makes it easy for many scammers to take advantage of seniors.

Pop-up browser windows trick victims into downloading a fake anti-virus program (for a substantial fee) or contain an actual virus that opens up information on the user’s computer so that it is available to scammers.

Additionally, a senior may receive emails asking them to update or verify their personal information or official looking bills or documents from tax agencies, the Social Security Administration or doctor’s offices demanding immediate payment.

Most seniors don’t like being in arrears, and will often pay a bill rather than risk feeling ashamed that they might have

Over 90% of all reported elder abuse is committed by a family member, and most of these crimes go unreported because the elderly victims are often too confused, embarrassed, or fearful by the crime to report it forgotten to pay something.

Unfortunately, it’s not always strangers who perpetrate these crimes. Over 90% of all reported elder abuse is committed by a family member, and most of these crimes go unreported because the elderly victims are often too confused, embarrassed, or fearful by the crime to report it.

For many elderly people the financial abuse is difficult to detect, because it often comes in the guise of a caring family member paying attention to a senior who is often lonely and afraid of being victimized by scammers.

These crimes often take place over a long period of time while the family member slowly gains access to bank and investment accounts convincing the senior that these measures are being taken for their own protection against scammers, and that they shouldn’t have to worry about financial problems at their age.

The “trustworthy” helper may even go so far as to contact the senior’s bank or broker with tales of forgetfulness and dementia eventually even blocking the senior from access to their own accounts.

In many cases, a senior intimidated by paperwork and potential scams is often all too willing to hand the keys to their financial portfolios over to someone who they think has their best interests at heart.

Case study For many years I prepared tax returns for a senior and her middle-aged daughter.

The mother had significant investments and was always very sharp about collecting all of her tax documents and tracking her investments. I always enjoyed our meetings and the mother would prepare reports listing her taxable income and deductions.

After a painful divorce, the daughter connected with an old high school boyfriend online, and quickly left the state to

move in with her boyfriend bringing her elderly mother with her.

According to the daughter, the boyfriend was her knight in shining armor. A brief career in the banking world made him an ideal candidate to deal with the mother’s investments, and before long he had added himself on to the accounts so that he could make the financial decisions that he claimed put undue stress on the aging mother.

The daughter was working long hours as a nurse, and was grateful to this fellow for taking an added worry off her already heaping plate of responsibility. The mother suffered a fall, and the knight helped her file a lawsuit against a negligent building owner. As a result of injuries sustained in the fall the mother was heavily medicated to deal with her pain.

Managing the mother’s portfolio was a demanding job, and the knight decided not to seek other employment when he was laid off from work since he was so busy dealing with proceeds from the lawsuit, managing the portfolio and making care arrangements for the elderly mother.

For a several years, the mother and daughter continued to send in their tax information, and I was discouraged to see a rapid deterioration in the mother’s portfolio.

One day I received a phone call from the mother who was crying softly. She was worried about her investments, and she couldn’t understand why she owed taxes since she hadn’t taken any money out of her investments.

I explained that she had indeed been drawing large sums from her IRA’s and selling stock in her portfolios. She claimed to have no knowledge of any of these transactions, and after speaking with her I made some phone calls to elder service agencies in her area.

A few days later I received a phone call

from the knight telling me that my services were no longer needed and that all future contact would need to go through him since the mother’s health was too frail to be troubled by such things.

You can help protect the well-being of a senior in your life, or yourself by learning about common scams and risks. Take some time explaining these scams to your loved ones and offer to help them review bills or solicitations. Let them know that it’s okay to be suspicious and that they don’t have to be polite or listen to every solicitor who calls. Suggest that they ask questions before doing business with a new company, and ask for a name, address, phone number, and website.

Sometimes just asking questions will intimidate potential scammers. Advise the senior against giving personal information online. Most legitimate companies will never request social security numbers, bank account numbers or routing information online. Ask your senior that they agree not to make hasty financial decisions, and that they wait to make a decision to hand over money until they’ve had time to contact you and you’ve had time to do some research. Be wary of family members with get-rich-quick investment schemes or relatives that seem overly interested in learning about mom or dad’s financial resources.

A little advance protective planning and communication can help protect the seniors in your life and let them truly enjoy their golden years!

S herri M ahoney-Bat tles is an Enrolled Agent who specializes in income tax preparation for small businesses and individuals. Visit her website at www.taxingmatters. com, send an email to Sherilyn@taxingmatters.com or call 508-636-9829.

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PRIME SEASON

I got the music in me “Where words fail, music speaks.”

-Hans Christian Andersen

by J ill H. G arvey I am currently on a quest to embrace only the positive memories of my youth – we’ll see how this goes. I really don’t excel at this type of challenge. My recent commitment to a low carb diet fizzled on day two at the sight of a warm chocolate chip cookie. Clearly, my head is easily turned. Sad. Anyway, some of my brightest childhood memories are of, and from, my Dad. When I was quite young, he carried me through two feet of snow – about a mile walk, each way – to make sure that I had my “Polio drink.” He was extremely generous, gifted with amazing creativity, and he never quit. As with us all he had his faults – opinionated, ignored his health, workaholic – but he was a good guy. Salt of the earth.

And he loved music! In his younger

years, his mother was an opera singer.

When she wasn’t touring, their home was frequently resplendent with singing, fabulous food, and laughter. My Nana’s circle of friends included many famous performers of the era and it wasn’t unusual for my Dad to find Eddie Cantor

the healing power of

who loved them. Although very young at the time, I have a fuzzy recollection of the flickering candles on the little tables and, of course, the music.

By the mid-60’s, intrigued by Rock and Roll and the excitement of the British Invasion, he managed a rock band and held weekend teenage dances.

His connections in the business were excellent – his headliners included well-known bands of the time such as “The Animals,” “The Rascals” and “The Turtles.”

He had a blast! He was in his element, immersed in the music of his life.

I was reminded of these remarkable memories today while reading about a documentary entitled Alive Inside. This inspiring film spotlights the efforts of social worker Dan Cohen, founder of Music & Memory (www.musicandmemory.org).

music can triumph where prescription medication

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falls short or Al Jolson sleeping soundly on the sofa when he woke up in the morning.

In the early 1960’s he purchased a function facility where he hosted a nightly coffee house for folk-singers and the beatniks

January/F ebruary 2015

Per their website, Music & Memory is a non-profit organization that brings personalized music into the lives of the elderly or infirm through digital music technology, vastly improving quality of life. In April 2012, a documentary about their work, Alive Inside: The Story of Music and Memory, was screened at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City. A video clip of Henry, one of the residents reawakened by listening to his Cab Calloway favorites, went viral with more than 7 million views.

the film illuminates the transformative purpose of music and memory Their brilliant mission warms me on so many levels that I felt compelled to share this with you. Quite simply – and I don’t say this lightly – the results can be magical.

Go to www.AliveInside.us to see it and understand. On this website, you’ll learn about the film that beautifully illuminates the transformative purpose of Music & Memory. The movie trailer alone was fascinating.

Alive Inside is a joyous cinematic exploration of music’s capacity to reawaken our souls and uncover the deepest parts of our humanity. Filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett chronicles the astonishing experiences of individuals around the country who have been revitalized through the simple experience of listening to music. His camera reveals the uniquely human connection we find in music and how its healing power can triumph where prescription medication falls short.

When my Dad passed away at the outrageously young age of 60, he was suffering from many ailments, including cognitive impairment. Had Music & Memory been available for him at that time, he may have had one more chance to revel in the music, and the memories, that brought him such joy.

J ill H. G arvey is Director of Admissions and Marketing, Adams House/Freeman Borden TCU/Bay View

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E xtra! E xtra!

In brief…

Eliz abeth Morse Read

Woohoo for winter! Get out the sleds and the skates or plan a bonfire picnic! Take a (heated) train ride! Take a polar plunge! See the fireworks and your breath at the same time! (Can’t do any of that in July, huh?)

Winter on the South Coast is full of twinkling lights and frosty nights. The distinctive music, foods, spectacle and inevitable cabin-fever of the dark months is not to be missed. It makes us want to do non-summer things. Plus there will be visiting relatives, kids out of school, and the occasional dead battery during the winter months, folks, so plan ahead.

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Regional Highlights…

Attleboro is to the Christmas season what Bristol is to the Fourth of July and what Plymouth is to Thanksgiving – find time to visit the 61st Annual Festival of Lights at LaSalette Shrine through January 4. For details, call 508-222-5410 or visit www.lasalette-shrine.org.

January/F ebruary 2015

Going Up! On January 1, NSTAR electricity rates will jump an average of 29%, following the increases announced by National Grid back in September.

Get ready for the 19th Annual MobyDick Marathon at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford January 2-4. Call 508997-0046 or visit www.whalingmuseum. org.

Attention, Online Shoppers! Starting in December, the US Postal Service will make Sunday deliveries of Amazon purchases in a pilot program being tested in Fall River, Taunton and Somerset.

Amazon may soon be building a millionsquare-foot distribution facility in the

South Coast Life Sciences and Technology Park in Fall River/Freetown, which could create 1,000 fulltime jobs, and hundreds of part-time and seasonal jobs. Stay tuned, folks.

Tabor Academy’s flagship training schooner SSV Tabor Boy will be the subject of an exclusive documentary “Tabor Boy: 100 Years at Sea,” to be aired on Rhode Island public television on December 28 at 9 PM. For more info, visit www. taboracademy.org.

Thanks to a new partnership between UMass Dartmouth and Southcoast Health, on-site MBA classes are available at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, and will soon be available at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham. A new master’s degree program in health care management will be available next year at all three locations.

Enjoy the bounty of the South Coast – to find fresh local foods and holiday greens near you, visit www.semaponline. org, www.pickyourown.org , www.farmfresh.org or www.localharvest.org.

Day-Trippin’…

Experience pre-Industrial Age life at the Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol, rated the “Best Living-History” farm in Rhode Island by Yankee Magazine. To learn more, visit www.coggeshallfarm.org or call 401-253-9062.

Plan a group excursion to see “The Christmas Carol” through December 31 or “Barefoot in the Park” through December 21 at Trinity Rep in Providence. Call 401-351-4243 or visit www.trinityrep. com.

If you’re 50 or older, check out the trips sponsored by the New Bedford Senior Travel Program – there’s the trip to Washington DC May 15-19, and day trips to Mohegan Sun January 12 and to Foxwoods February 9. For details, call 508-991-6171. The Fairhaven Senior Center will host a Yuletide Newport Trip December 1 and a 7-day trip to Savan-

nah, Jekyl Island and Beaufort April 19-25. Call 508-979-4029. The Acushnet Senior Center will head for the Newport Grand December 8 and Turning Stone Resort & Casino March 24-26. Call 508998-0280. Spend a day in New York City on December 7 with the Humane Society & Shelter of Dartmouth – for details, call 508-995-6661.

Bizz Buzz…

Standard & Poor’s has raised Portsmouth’s bond rating to AAA. The New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce recently recognized three local businesses for their impact on the region’s economic development – T. Marzetti Co. of Wareham, Reidar’s Manufacturing in New Bedford, and Hawthorn Medical Associates in Dartmouth.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries will open soon at the Rosebrook Plaza in Wareham.

More detours ahead, South Coasters – major construction work on Rt. 195 in Fairhaven and New Bedford will take two years to complete. The work will be done at night to minimize traffic disruptions.

South Coast Stars…

Melanie Levesque of Fall River climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa in December to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as part of a “Climb for Life” fundraiser. To learn more, go to www.climbforlife2014.com.

Quinn Staley, a senior at Wareham High School, won first prize in the 2014 Cell Phone Cinema Contest at the Buzzards Bay Coalition Film Festival.

At this year’s annual Chowder Festival in New Bedford, the new Black Whale Restaurant won 1st prize for Best Chowder.

Former Taunton mayor Robert Nunes has been chosen as Middleboro’s next Town Manager.

Ka-Ching! For the 14th year in a row,

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Continued from previous page New Bedford ranked first in the nation for the commercial value of fish landed in 2013 – $379 million.

The Swansea Mall has been sold for $6.65 million.

Thanks to a Commonwealth Fellows program, in-state applicants to UMass Law School in Dartmouth are eligible for a $5,000 tuition discount.

The National Science Foundation has awarded more than $900,000 in grants to UMass Dartmouth’s Assistant Professor Honggang Wang to create hi-tech monitoring systems for premature babies.

Southcoast Health has received an $8 million state grant to improve healthcare delivery for diabetes, heart disease and behavioral health patients at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River and Tobey Hospital in Wareham. This grant supplements the earlier $1.1 million grant earmarked for St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford.

Fall River has embarked on an ambitious (and long overdue) $1.7 million road and sidewalk reconstruction project throughout the city’s neighborhoods.

UMass Dartmouth’s Professor Pinnguo He was awarded a $200,000+ grant by NOAA’s National Marine Service to develop a bottom trawl that would avoid catching heavily-regulated flounder.

The Lloyd Center for the Environment in Dartmouth received a $7,700 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for public cultural programs. Visit www. lloydcenter.org or call 508-990-0505.

All Aboard!

Ride in a heated car on the “Holiday Train Ride” starting December 26 on the Old Colony & Newport Railway. For details, go to www.ocnrr.com or call 401846-4674.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation approved a nearly $18.4 million contract for South Coast Rail crossing upgrades in Taunton, Freetown and New Bedford.

Eve” on December 31 – a free family event of music, fireworks, street performers and food. The February 12 AHA! Night theme is “Tall Tales.” Go to www. ahanewbedford.org or call 508-9968253.

Enjoy a round-trip Holiday Train Ride from Wareham to Buzzards Bay on December 28. For info, go to www. warehamvillage.org.

Don’t miss the annual Christmas Fair at St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett on December 6.

Head for Edaville Railroad in Carver for the Christmas Festival of Lights through January 1! Call 508-866-8190 or visit www.edaville.com.

Bundle up and go on the “Owl Prowl” on December 5 at the Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Wareham. For more info, visit www.massaudubon.org.

Take a ride on “The Polar Express” on the Newport & Narragansett Bay Railroad on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout December. For details, go to www.newportpolarexpress.com.

The skating rink at Tabor Academy in Marion will be open to the public on selected dates through February.

On a quiet afternoon…

Stroll through the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford on a sunny day! For details, call 508-991-6178 or visit www. bpzoo.org. Or pack up the kids and spend an afternoon at the Whaling Museum – go to www.whalingmuseum.org or call 508-997-0046.

If you’re a boat-lover, don’t miss the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, home to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.

Learn more at www.herreshoff.org. Or check out the ship models at Fall River’s Marine Museum in Battleship Cove! For info, visit www.marinemuseumfr.org or call 508-674-3533.

Meet your friends on Saturdays at the Oxford Book Haven and Café at the Church of the Good Shepherd in North Fairhaven. Fresh soups and desserts, used books on sale, board games, WiFi. To learn more, visit www.goodshepherdfairhaven.com or call 508-992-2281.

Fun for the whole family…

Enjoy FREE family fun and entertainment at AHA! Night in New Bedford.

Don’t miss “City Celebrates! New Year’s

The Holiday Shop at the Marion Art Center will be open through December 22. For details, call 508-748-1266.

Check out the Children’s Museum in Easton when the kids are home from school! For info, call 508-230-3789 or visit www.childrensmuseumineaston.org.

Head for the Westport Library on December 6 for the annual Holiday Fair. For info, visit www.westportartgroup.com.

Sharpen your skates and head for the Newport Skating Center. For info, call 401-846-3018 or go to www.skatenewport.com.

During school vacation week, check out the Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River. For more info, go to www. cmgfr.org or call 508-672-0033.

Visit “The Giving Tree” at the Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro thorough December 21. Call 774-203-1840 or go to www. capronparkzoo.com.

School Daze…

Starting in January, UMass Dartmouth will waive in-state tuition costs for community college graduates with a 3.0 GPA

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January/F ebruary 2015

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Continued from previous page

The Clancy Legacy Linden Place

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The Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton will present the Magnolia Cajun Band on January 3 and February 7, as well as the Atwater-Donnelly Trio on January 10. For a complete schedule, go to www.sandywoodsmusic.com or call 401-241-7349.

If you’re a fan of Americana and roots music, check out the monthly Salon Concerts at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford. Flynn Cohen & Deadstring Ensemble will perform on January 3; Dale Robin Goodman & Alex Smith on February 7. For details, go to www.wamsuttaconcerts.com.

The Sprit of Song Ensemble will perform a Christmas Cantata at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church in New

(grade point average) who want to transfer and earn a baccalaureate degree.

The Northeast Maritime Institute in Fairhaven will now offer an Associate’s degree program in applied nautical science. The two-year program has been approved by both the state and the US Coast Guard. For more info, call 508-992-4025 or visit www.northeastmaritime.org.

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Bristol Community College, UMass Dartmouth and the Town of Dartmouth have been recognized by the state as leaders on alternative energy and sustainability projects.

The Charlton College of Business at UMass Dartmouth has partnered with the University of Abuja in Nigeria to collaborate on teaching, research and service

January/F ebruary 2015

M agnolia Cajun Band Sandywoods

Bedford on December 7. Free tickets, but limited seating. For details, call Gisele at 508-264-8010.

Celebrate a Celtic Christmas with The Clancy Legacy at Bristol’s Linden Place Mansion on December 19. For tickets, call 401-253-0390.

Head for Common Fence Music in Portsmouth for some down-home entertainment. There’s the 21st Annual Winter Solstice Concert with Aine Minogue December 20, Matt Turk and the Young Fish School Global Jazz Ensemble on January 17, A Gathering of Fiddlers & Fishermen January 24, Patty Larkin February 7 – and more! Call 401-683-5085 or visit www. commonfencemusic.org.

programs. The partnership is in keeping with UMD’s recently unveiled strategic plan to become a globally-recognized research university by 2020.

About 2,000 solar panels will be installed on the rooftops of Somerset Middle School and the town’s North Elementary School in the spring of 2015.

The 640-plus kilowatts solar arrays will

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It’s all happenin’ at the Z! Head for the Zeiterion in New Bedford for a Christmas Celtic Sojourn December 18.

Plan ahead for Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam January 7, “Sister Act” January 18, Natalia Zuckerman January 22. Go to www. zeiterion.org or call 508-999-6276.

And don’t miss the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “Family Holiday Pops: Magical Moments” at the Zeiterion in New Bedford on December 20, or “Romantic Spells” February 14. Go to www.zeiterion.org, www.nbsymphony.org, or call 508-9996276.

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at Goff Memorial Hall in Rehoboth.

Join the Sunday Night Jammers for free monthly dances. Call 508-252-3031 or visit www.carpentermuseum.org.

508.673.2982

The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River has a great line-up – there’s the New Riders of the Purple Sage December 27, NRBQ December 30. Plan ahead for Girls, Guns & Glory January 3, The Iguanas January 23, American Crossroads with Dave Bromberg January 29, Red Molly February 7 – and more!

For a complete schedule, visit www.narrowscenter.com or call 508-324-1926.

The Russian Duo will perform on January 24 in the “Arts in the Village” series

save the town a significant amount in annual electricity costs.

All the world’s a stage…

Plan a group day-trip to see “The Christmas Carol” through December 31 or “Barefoot in the Park” through December 21 at Trinity Rep in Providence.

“Middletown” will be performed January

22 through February 22. Call 401-3514243 or visit www.trinityrep.com.

Your Theatre in New Bedford will perform “Italian American Reconciliation” January 15-25. For more info, go to www. yourtheatre.org or call 508-993-0772.

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Continued from previous page 401-421-2787 or go to www.ppacri.org.

Enjoy a performance of “Lie, Cheat, and Genuflect” through December 31, then February 19 - March 15 at the Newport Playhouse. Go to www.newportplayhouse.com or call 401-848-7529.

Fall River’s Little Theatre will present “Oleanna” January 22-February 1. For details, visit www.littletheatre.net or call 508-675-1852.

Head for 2nd Story Theatre in Warren!

“Collected Stories” will play January 9 through February 8, and “Seminar” will be performed January 23 through February 22. For details, call 401-247-4200 or go to www.2ndstorytheatre.com.

Don’t miss the Attleboro Community Theatre’s performance of “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge” on weekends during December. For details, visit www.attleborocommunitytheatre.com.

Take the family to a performance of “A Christmas Carol” at Buzzards Play Productions in Wareham December 19-21.

For more info, go to www.buzzardsplayproductions.com or call 508-591-3065.

A sight to behold…

Events at Blithewold Mansion & Gardens in Bristol are always special – “Christmas at Blithewold” is on display through January 4. Go to www.blithewold.org or call 401-253-2707.

Stroll through “Christmas at the Newport Mansions” through January 4. Enjoy “Holiday Evenings” of live music and refreshments at The Breakers December 27, and at The Elms and Marble House December 20. Visit www.newportmansions.org or call 401-847-1000.

Marion’s Tabor Academy’s flagship training schooner SSV Tabor Boy will be the subject of an exclusive documentary “Tabor Boy: 100 Years at Sea,” to be aired on Rhode Island public television on December 28 at 9 PM. For more info, visit www.taboracademy.org.

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Go back in time at the free 103rd Annual Medieval Christmas Pageant at St. George’s School in Middletown on December 16. Call 401-847-7565 of go to www.stgeorges.edu.

More detours ahead, South Coasters – major construction work on Rt. 195 in Fairhaven and New Bedford will take two years to complete. The work will be done at night to minimize traffic disruptions.

Stroll through “A Victorian Christmas” at the Fall River Historical Society.

For dates and times, call 508-679-1071 or go to www.fallriverhistorical.org or www. lizzieborden.org.

The Wareham Free Library is in danger of decertification, due to chronic budget problems.

Auld lang syne…

Ring in 2015 in New Bedford at “City Celebrates! New Year’s Eve” – a free family event of music, fireworks, street performers and food. For details, visit www. ahanewbedford.org or call 508-996-8253 x 205.

The Westport Middle School will close its doors next September.

Classical acts…

Listen to the Rhode Island Philharmonic’s performance of Handel’s “Messiah” with the Providence Singers on December 20 at the VETS in Providence.

Call 401-248-7000 or visit www.ri-philharmonic.org.

Bring in the new year at “Plymouth Rocks New Year’s Eve,” the Midnight Masquerade Ball at Memorial Hall. All proceeds go to Plymouth’s 400th Anniversary Celebration in 2020. Learn more at www.plymouthrocksnewyearseve.com.

Festival Ballet Providence will perform “The Nutcracker” December 19-21 at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Go to www.festivalballet.com, www.ppac.org or call 401-353-1129.

Head for the New Year’s Eve Bash at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford!

Live music, dancing, children’s activities, fireworks, cash bar. Call 508-997-0046 x116 or go to www.whalingmuseum.org.

Listen to the Rhode Island Philharmonic’s “Strauss Showpieces” January 17 or Mozart’s “Elivira Madigan” February 21 at The VETS. Call 401-248-7000 or visit www.ri-philharmonic.org.

Climate changers…

Rhode Island College hosts a full schedule of performing arts events – there’s The Muir String Quartet February 2, Tango Buenos Aires February 17. For a complete schedule, visit www.ric.edu/pfa or call 401-456-8144.

Bristol Community College, UMass Dartmouth and the Town of Dartmouth have been recognized by the state as leaders on alternative energy and sustainability projects.

In just one year, New Bedford’s recycling rate has doubled after introducing single-stream recycling and larger recycling bins.

The Winter Farmers Market will be held on the second Saturday of each month at the Old Rochester Regional Junior High gymnasium in Mattapoisett.

“That’s a bummer, dude…”

Water rates will go up 19% in Onset, effective immediately.

January/F ebruary 2015

Footnotes…

Dartmouth Town Meeting approved the purchase of a new mobile police station.

No decision has been made yet whether to renovate or rebuild the police station building which was closed down in the spring.

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January/F ebruary 2015

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PRIME SEASON

61 is the new. . .

I turned 61 this year. Not terribly old.

Granted, if you’d asked me at 21 if 61 were old, I’d have laughed and said, “Seriously? Aren’t Paul most people dead by K andarian then?”

OK, I’m not laughing anymore. But I do not believe 61 is old. I do believe it is middle aged. So I went looking for what constitutes “middle age.” It varies considerably.

I found an essay on The Huffington Post written by a woman who outlined, in a funny way, her life as a middle-aged woman, including needing glasses to read instead of holding a book down to her knees, falling asleep by 9:30, and thinking TV shows are too loud.

She’s 43. For God’s sake, 43? That’s not middle aged, that’s the flower of youth, granted a bit on the starting-to-wilt side, but 43? Be reasonable.

Age is funny. Some people, when asked their age, hem and haw and fudge and think of a number they’d like to be, or that won’t make you judge them. No surprise that it’s mostly women who do that, though some men do as well.

Why is that? People ask me my age and I’m proud to say 61. I’m also proud that I actually remember it’s 61 and don’t have to stop and think about it. Yet. Why do mostly women hesitate to reveal their true age? Granted, I’m not a woman, but still. I can say, unequivocally, I find women in my age wheelhouse immeasurably more attractive than those 30 or 40 years younger. Laugh if you will, but it’s true.

You hear stories about middle-aged men leaving their same-age wives and taking up with someone in her 20s. Really? Do you know how much energy that would take, not to mention money to support her

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and your Viagra prescriptions? Wouldn’t it be better to be with someone who doesn’t want to stay out until 2 a.m. and instead hit the sack at 9? The last time I stayed up until the wee hours with a young female, I was changing her diaper.

Mature women (a gentle way of saying older) are far more secure of themselves and don’t need as much pampering as do many more ego-sensitive younger women.

I’ve long been with a woman in my age range and sincerely find her far, far more attractive than anyone – anyone – decades younger. She’s not crazy about getting older (who is really?) but is a truly beautiful lady who wears her age very, very well.

If we feel and act younger, and can do so without snapping a hip, the number matters very little to anyone outside insurance actuarial people They say it’s what’s inside that counts, and there’s a good deal of truth in that. We of a certain age will never be numerically young again, but so what? If we feel and act younger, and can do so without snapping a hip, the number matters very little to anyone outside insurance actuarial people.

I actually found a definition for middle age at Wikipedia, which is as steadfastly reliable and accurate as Facebook. It reads “middle age is the period of age beyond young adulthood but before the onset of old age.” Yeah, that helps.

It also says, “various attempts have been made to define this age, which is around the third quarter of the average lifespan of human beings.”

Well now. Life expectancy in the Bronze and Iron ages (also courtesy of Wikipedia) was 26, meaning middle age was about

January/F ebruary 2015

19. Great, just after you got your license to drive the family chariot, you forgot where you left the keys to the horses.

It also varies widely from country to country. In Swaziland, where sadly AIDS and tuberculosis are huge issues, life expectancy is 49. In Japan, where they eat ridiculously healthy and have an obesity rate of 3.5 percent compared to our 35, they live on average to 82.6. And they look good doing it. Ever see a really old Japanese person who looked really old?

The average world rate is 67. The average rate in the U.S. is at an all-time high of about 79. Now I suck at math, but am happy to compute that means middle age for American means about 59.

I’ll take that. I’m 61, but pretty active. I still play ice hockey as a goalie, one of the most physically demanding positions in sports. You strap on 35 pounds of gear, flip and flop and slide around the ice trying to stop rock-hard rubber disks flying at you from all directions, and most of all try not to get hurt doing it. I sustain injuries from time to time, mostly groin or hamstring pulls, but so far, still come off the ice alive.

I see guys I used to play with ages ago, many of whom now sport bellies shaped like, and likely the result of, beer kegs and they ask how I can still be playing.

“Because I don’t want to end up looking like you, you fat bastard,” I usually say.

Guys can get away with saying things like that, trust me, particularly as we get older and our truth-varnishing filter starts to thin.

So yes, technically I am middle aged, but acting and thinking much younger. The guy in my mirror may not look it, but what the hell does that old fart know?

PAUL KANDARIAN is a lifelong area resident and has been a professional writer since 1982, as columnist, contributor in national magazines, websites and other publications.

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