Boomers (September 2013)

boomers Est. 2011 u Mid August - Mid September 2013

You’re never too old to exercise!

Get fit with

Curves DO’S & DON’TS Backyard Birding

Democracy needs accountability

author speaks out

Volume 3, Number 8 Gulf Coast Newspapers GulfCoastNewsToday.com

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Boomers

Mid August - Mid September 2013

You could be out living your life instead of living with a chronic wound. A wound that hasn’t healed after 30 days is one you shouldn’t ignore. It can keep you from enjoying life the way you used to. So don’t wait any

Enjoy.

longer to get the help you need. The Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center offers convenient, outpatient treatment with a specially trained staff and advanced techniques to help heal chronic wounds of any type.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 251-949-3920 today.

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1613 North McKenzie Street • Foley, AL 36535 Located on the southwest corner of South Baldwin Regional Medical Center’s main campus

1/4/13 11:42 AM

Mid August - Mid September 2013

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INSIDE: 4

Boomers

Mid August - Mid September 2013

Do’s & Don’ts A guide to backyard birding

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About the cover Curves of Daphne Snakes have a place in the ecosystem Let’s explore a brew or two Making the most of each day A spoonful of change Calendar of Events Democracy needs accountability Author speaks out Senior adult falls A growing health hazard Flashback 50 Improve heart health Two Americans in China Problems with one-child policy Food for Thought Preserving the bounty A Zen atmosphere in Fairhope Nesting in Eagle’s Landing Veteran housing project Notes from behind the horn Part six Blue Angels Scenes from a flight demonstration What is Pharmaceutical Compounding?

Managing Back Pain

You Get What You Need...

uRolling Stones, flipping pages Boomers magazine conveys information, activities and features for and about the baby boomers generation. While revisiting memories from the 1960s era and delving into critical examinations and comparisons thereof, Boomers also strives to pinpoint leisure activities; medical, political and environmental information; and technological options of specific interest to this group. The magazine offers possibilities of the past, present and future for a generation that never stops booming.

features@gulfcoastnewspapers.com

An Introduction to Boomers magazine

by Editor Jessica Jones

boomers Wants Your Input

Boomers magazine would like submissions for our Bragging Rights section. Please let us know if you have any of the following of your grandchildren, spouse, family or friends: 1. Unusual nicknames 2. Funny or memorable quotes 3. Candid photos

Want to advertise in boomers magazine?

Full page advertisers get one full page for submitted content, per month Half-page advertisers get a half page for submitted content, per month.

Contact the editor to find your local ad representative.

boomers Est. 2011

Jessica Jones, Editor Editorial and Photography Paige Renka Layout and Cover Design Marie Cafferty, Theresa Corbin, Charles Flach, M. Keith Hudson, Peter G. Johnson, Rachel S. Kaiser, Jim Laughren, Mark S. Sasser, John Stump and Jane Tyler Contributing writers Deirdre Davison, Dr. Linda Mitchell and Amanda Roberts Columnists Fred Marchman Cartoonist Gulf Coast Newspapers 217 N. McKenzie St. Foley, AL 36535 251-943-2151 features@gulfcoastnewspapers.com

Mid August - Mid September 2013

About the cover

Boomers

Exercise improves well-being at all ages n Curves of Daphne offers physical, social opportunities

Photos by Jessica Jones

W

hen 64-year-old Anne Armstrong bought a Curves franchise in Daphne three years ago, she wanted to help other women by offering exercise, meal planning and coaching. But she soon discovered owning a Curves franchise was about more than just getting fit.

“Our Curves facility is a vibrant community of caring women who help each other, and many of them are also involved in Prodisee Pantry and other local charities,” she revealed.

“We have members who range in age from their 30s to their 80s, who come three to four times a week to work out, socialize, and have fun.

Our motto is 'Strengthening Women,' and we feel that our members grow stronger in many ways.”

Coach Karen Walton explained that Curves' equipment is specially suited for varying needs.

“Hydraulic resistance allows each woman to adjust the intensity of her workout — the faster the movement, the greater the intensity,” she divulged. “For those desiring a more vigorous workout, we have Curves Smart which monitors your intensity and provides instant feedback as to whether you are meeting your targets. The object is to 'Go for the Green' or green light indicator on the success coach.”

Armstrong said hydraulic equipment allows each woman to adjust the intensity of her workout.

Younger women are able to burn a lot of calories without the risk of over-exertion that can come from using more traditional equipment, where the resistance comes from weights, she emphasized. “One of our younger members burns 500 calories on the machines and additional calories on the recovery boards.”

Walton also noted that exercise benefits those who find their bodies changing with age.

“As we age, we start to lose muscle mass,” she said. “It is so important for our strength and flexibility to exercise to regain that muscle.

Curves does that. Curves’ machines work all the major muscle groups.

It also provides the aerobic component to benefit cardiovascular health. Thirdly, it is a weightbearing exercise, which studies have shown to prevent, reduce or reverse osteoporosis. Some of our members have had improved bone-density scans after working out at Curves over a period of time. Flexibility is important to me. I'm 57 now and if I don't exercise regularly, my joints will be stiff and my mobility is impaired.

Most of our 'older' members would agree.”

Armstrong pointed out many health conditions that can be improved with physical activity.

“Women must continue to exercise as they age to fight off osteoporosis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other health conditions,” she recommended. “Keeping the body moving helps to fight off arthritis and, just as important, for those who live alone, having to get up and out of the house three times a week helps fight off the depression that can afflict many older people.”

While physical benefits are important, social and emotional factors weigh just as heavily, she revealed.

“Curves also offers a comfortable environment, just for women, where friendships are made and fellow members are supportive,” she offered. “In my Club I have seen women who hardly know one another offer to drive each other to and from doctor's appointments and check in on each other if someone is unwell. It's an amazing community and that's why I bought the Club when it was up for sale. I didn't know what I would do without the opportunity to exercise three times a week, and I would have really missed the support and friendship of the other members.”

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Photo courtesy of John Taylor

Although it may look menacing, the gray rat snake is not venomous.

Snakes

have a place in the

Ecosystem

By Mark S. Sasser Wildlife Biologist Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

M

ention the word “snakes” and you are likely to get a strong reaction from many people who don’t care for the creatures. But it’s important to keep in mind that snakes are an essential part of many food chains, both as food for other animals and as predators on small animals such as mice, rats and frogs.

Most snakes you encounter are harmless and non-venomous, but some snakes are potentially dangerous, such as rattlesnakes.

Care should be taken to reduce the chances of attracting them. They are continuously moving in search of food, mates and a safe, dry place to rest and hide.

Most snakes mate in the spring and early summer and feed on small birds, mice, rats, skinks, lizards and frogs. In turn, mice and rats are attracted to food scraps and grains around your home.

How can you prevent snakes from coming on your property? The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies to reducing snakes on your property. Unfortunately, there is no sure way of completely preventing snakes from moving on your property, particularly if you live in a wooded area or in the country. There is no product on the market that will repel snakes and is not toxic to pets and people.

Shooting and killing snakes, even venomous ones, is discouraged. Some snakes are protected by law in Alabama and by federal law under the Endangered Species Act, such as the rare and beautiful Eastern indigo snake and the black pine snake.

Remember that, most snake bites occur when someone is trying to catch or kill a snake. If you are bitten, the best medicine is a set of car keys. Have someone drive you to a hospital immediately.

For your peace of mind, buy a book and learn to identify the snakes of Alabama, especially the venomous snakes. If you learn to easily identify these six species, then the remaining ones are totally harmless.

So what does all of this mean? You cannot totally prevent snakes from entering your property, but you can lessen the chance of them choosing to stay. In place of living in fear, learn to coexist with them instead of always trying to kill them. They are important to the overall health of our ecosystem. For more information about snakes, visit outdooralabama.com and click on the “Watchable Wildlife” tab.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit outdooralabama.com.

Myths about snakes

n A snake’s tongue is venomous. n Snakes die only after sunset. n Snakes are attracted to a saucer of milk. n Venomous snakes can be rendered harmless by milking their venom. n Only coiled snakes can bite. n A line of sulfur will repel snakes and they will not cross it.

Make your property less attractive to snakes

n Remove bushes, rock piles, stacks of old firewood, and any debris lying in piles or close to the ground that snakes can use as shelter. n Remove any hiding places that are dark, damp and cool in the summer and warm in the winter. n If you feed your pets outside, do not leave uneaten food that will attract rodents. n Keep your yard mowed regularly. n Keep ornamental shrubbery and vegetation closely trimmed.

Mid August - Mid September 2013

Boomers

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Wine lovers, it’s

summertime Let’s explore a brew or two

By Jim Laughren Just as beer drinkers are wise to bolster their knowledge and appreciation of fine wine, so too are wine lovers well served by opening their palates to embrace the attributes of great beer. And with the hot and muggy season upon us, what better time to begin the exploration?

Before you get your grape-stained cargo shorts all in a twist, no one’s saying that summertime wines aren’t marvelous. A bright, lively albariño between dips in the pool is just right, and lobster with white Burgundy is clearly one of life’s great pleasures. But after scooping divots on the back nine or powering the two-stroke around that precious carpet of green, who in their right mind is going to upend a 750ml of pinot bianco to cool off?

That’s right ... no one. Beer has many qualities in common with wine, but on one count at least, it stands head and shoulders above the sacred juice. Refreshment. Pure and simple restoration of body and spirit after a sweaty, grueling encounter with just about anything.

So if you’re willing to concede at least a nugget of truth in what I’m saying, let’s wrap our parched lips around some topnotch, steamy day beer options.

The simplest approach to good warm weather guzzling is to look for anything with bitter, white, wit, weisse, weizen, wheat, Kölsch, lambic, summer or seasonal on the label.

Bitter, as in English bitters or special bitters, is a traditional ale style with a good, but not overwhelming dose of hops, nicely balanced with some malty goodness and showing a touch of fruit.

They’re typically on the lower side in alcohol (a plus in the summer heat), light in body and gold to copper in color. Think of them like an IPA’s little brother who can’t quite hop like the

monster, but who still delivers tremendous drinkability and refreshment.

White, wit and weisse (or weiss), all meaning white, are made with wheat, as in weizen or wheat (and maybe a dollop of oatmeal) and often sport a complex, citrusy spiciness, rendering them stone-cold delicious and exceptionally refreshing. White beers may come from Belgium or Germany and are increasingly beloved by American craft brewers.

Straight wheat beers are likewise a mainstay of American brewers and are perfect for summer enjoyment, though for a step up in flavor and personality, turn your sights to the original European versions. What’s more, in a good beer joint you can expect to get a show to go with your order for a classic weissbier or hefeweizen.

Properly served, a very tall glass is placed over the bottle and the duo is inverted in a single, smooth motion. As the beer fills the glass the bottle is slowly raised until it leaves a marshmallowy two- or three-inch head, at which point the bottle is removed and either swirled wine-style or rolled back and forth on its side. This little trick gathers up all the remaining yeast (these babies are bottled sur lies) mixing it with the remaining foam, which concoction is then used to top off the glass, often followed by garnishing with a slice of lemon. Once served, dive into this gorgeous brew in all its orange, banana and cloveness for a singular beer experience.

Moving from “show” beers back to our list, Kölsch describes a golden ale produced in Cologne, Germany, and, well ... anywhere like the U.S., that makes this soft, hoppy, kind of fruity, kind of bitter, kind of not, easy and delicious, summer sipper. And then we have the lambics.

These Belgian throwbacks are open fermented with wild yeast (something any true vinophile can appreciate) after a convoluted mashing process that leaves even beer folks scratching their heads. The result is a sour, somewhat earthy, carbonated brew that in overly

simplistic terms is called “gueuze” when unflavored and “fruit lambic” when made with cherries, raspberries, cassis or peaches. Though it can be a love or hate proposition, the fruit flavors are rich and pure, and the higher acidity makes these summer quaffers a perfect match for any number of foods.

Finally, we have the summer or seasonal variants. A common bit of nomenclature among North American craft brewers, these are typically dosed with spice or fruit or a particularly interesting strain of hops. They’re made to refresh and encourage you to enjoy more than one.

And most are excellent, a cut above the everyday pale ale or light lager. You may find rye ale or blueberry lager or any number of possibilities.

Now that you have some worthy options, trade in the wine stem for a beer tulip now and again. There are terrific beers out there, and if there’s one thing wine drinkers love, it’s finding the next new taste. If you’re not sure which ale or lager, which witbier or lambic to try, put together a mixed six-pack. One of the beauties of beer is that it’s generally inexpensive. You can mix and match and hold your own tasting of half a dozen possibilities for the cost of a single bottle of good wine. Exploration and economics, a summer combo that’s hard to beat!

Jim Laughren is a Certified Wine Expert and has been distributing wine and educating consumers and businesses about the basic and finer aspects of wine selection and enjoyment for several decades. He just published “A Beer Drinker’s Guide To Knowing And Enjoying Fine Wine” which is written to educate without being patronizing in comparing beer to wine.

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Boomers

Mid August - Mid September 2013

Making the most of each day: A spoonful of change

By Deirdre Davison Our world was a cauldron of change in 1963, and August was a month that flavored our history. The Beatles’ songs were topping the pop charts as quickly as they were released. The first Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed between the U.S., Britain and Russia. Then First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, gave birth to a son prematurely who lived only two days. In the midst of the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, James Meredith became the first black man to graduate from the University of Mississippi. Martial Law was declared in South Vietnam after vicious raids on Buddhist pagodas and in response to the death of Thich Quang Duc, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk who caught himself on fire and quietly burned to death. More than 250,000 men and women came together in Washington, D.C., to peacefully demonstrate for “jobs and freedom,” and at that same rally, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his infamous, “I have a dream” speech. August, 1963 was a big month in history, a really big month.

Of course, as a kid, every month is a really big month. Every summer month is one month closer to a new school wardrobe. After the year’s halfway point,

every month is one month closer to Christmas; at least it was for me.

In August, however, it was hard to stay focused on all of the potential presents in the Sears catalog. Hard because it was so wretchedly hot and humid. With the gulf summer in full swing and no air conditioning, one could only pray and live for afternoon summer showers, days at the pool, a box fan in the window, shade trees, Kool-Aid and ice cream.

This weekend, my partner and I were sitting on our back porch under the fan sipping cold drinks and lamenting about the heat and humidity when out of nowhere came the sound of an ice cream truck. My eyes got big and a smile danced across my lips. I was a child again. My partner, Anthony, looked at me and began snickering.

“What?”

“You do the same thing every time you hear an ice cream truck. Your eyes open wide, you smile, sit up straight, and you pat your pocket as if to make sure you have money for ice cream!”

“I DO NOT!” I retorted indignantly, but I knew he

Continued on next page

Boomers 9 had a calliope, and a paper hat, the children would have followed him like the Pied Piper and thrown money at his feet for just one scoop.

Occasionally, my father took the family out for ice cream. We would pile into the car and go to the local creamery or to the only Baskin Robbins in town. It was always on the hottest of hot summer nights that he would treat us. Of course, until we were older and able to eat our cone before it melted, my dad chose our ice cream for us. If my brother was wearing green, he got mint chip or lime sherbet. If I was wearing pink, I got cherry, strawberry, or raspberry. It didn’t dawn on me until much later that he was buying ice cream to match our outfits so that when, not if, but when, it dripped down onto our clothes, we wouldn’t look like poor, unkempt, little children. When I realized it, I was a little incensed, but today, I think it was not only brilliant in terms of keeping us presentable, but brilliant in terms of expanding our palate.

For me, childhood and ice cream are synonymous. I hear the truck’s music and instantly feel like a kid still full of wonderment and joy. I eat a Nutty Buddy and wish that I was still carefree enough to let it drip down my arm. I put a spoon of ice cream in my mouth and the world which is still a cauldron of change, is again a safe and wonderful place to be.

Ah, but I’m really not a kid anymore. The world has grown and changed, as I have. The events of August, 1963 are as colorful as the ice cream that my father bought to match my dress and are as flavorful as Daddy’s wild concoctions. All have become part of my history, some more palatable than others, but all are important in creating the person I am today, and I wouldn’t change one single bite of it!

Mid August - Mid September 2013

Continued from previous page was right. I do and I love it. Ice cream is one of the most precious vestiges of my childhood, and ice cream trucks have a hallowed status. Granted, I can’t buy a popsicle for a dime anymore or a Nutty Buddy for a quarter, but I can remember those joyous times as a child when I heard the truck’s calliope calling me.

I do want to run out and wave the driver down and shoulder in like we all did as children, silver coins waving wildly at the man in the truck. I want to squeal and yell my pleasure at the same time as all of the other kids. I want to peel away the paper wrapper and get a “frozen head” from eating the treat too fast.

I want to have to rinse my sticky hands off under the hose because I couldn’t eat all of the frozen treat before part of it melted on me. I want to run, scream, and flail about because a yellow jacket wants to share my ice cream! I want to, but I don’t, because now I would be too embarrassed. Still, every time I hear the truck coming down the road, I go through the whole scenario in my head, and I still get a great deal of pleasure out of it even if it, is only in my mind!

My father had one old crank ice cream machine and two that were electric. With a little rock salt, fresh cream, sugar, fruit or special flavorings, and elbow grease, he made frozen miracles. As an artist, he complied with the commercially accepted flavors like vanilla bean, peach and strawberry, but he also ventured to the edge of wild with coffee, mint chocolate chip, rocky road and rum raisin. He was our neighborhood’s ice cream impresario! People came from all over the neighborhood to taste his wares. I believe that if he’d

Modern Plastic Cartoon by Fred Marchman

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Boomers

Mid August - Mid September 2013

calendar of events uArts

Sunday Sunset Series

3 p.m. every Sunday through Aug. 25 $5 per person American Legion post 199 Fairhope 700 Mobile Street on Mobile Bay American Legion Post 199 is launching a Sunday Sunset Series of concerts on the beach.

A different band, with it’s own unique music will play each week. Although there is plenty of parking, guests can also choose to arrive by bicycle, kayak or boat. This is a family friendly event. The American Legion hopes the community will turn out in large numbers to enjoy the beach, the music, the people, the food, and the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Proceeds from the concerts will be used to enable Post 199 to continue funding community activities and also continue its ongoing mission of service to military personnel and veterans.

2013 SEC BeachFest

Aug. 15-18 Gulf Shores Main Public Beach SEC BeachFest will feature a golf scramble, FanZone fueled by BP, fishing tournament, appearances by legendary coaches and players, alumni happy hours at local restaurants, a 5k and 1-mile fun run and concerts on the beach. secbeachfest.com

Street Party at the Wharf

5 p.m., Aug. 17 The Wharf, Orange Beach The Jay Williams Band plays live-Fun, Free, Rock ‘N’ Roll!

Thewharfvacationrentals.com, 866-864-0937

Author Darrell McMann book signing 1-3 p.m., Aug. 17 Free Foley Antique Heritage Mall,

and Entertainment

802 S. McKenzie St. Foley McMann, a resident of Cantonment, Fla., will be available to sign copies of his book, “Welcome to the Brier Patch.” This is his true story, a gripping, no-holds barred journey into the everyday life of a police officer in one of the most racially polarized regions of the country. McMann guides us into a world that is at once recognizable and completely foreign.

For more information, 877-727-0697 or Michelle at michelle@keymgc.com.

The Children’s Cup Regatta

12:30 p.m., Aug. 17 $50 per boat, Youth class entry $25 per boat Fairhope Yacht Club, 10 Volanta Ave. Guests are welcome to watch the race for free.

Activities available for children and adults throughout the day. The sea-themed children’s activities area will open from 3-6 p.m. The awards ceremony begins at 7 p.m. featuring live music from the Fairhope Yacht Club Band, a D.J., a cash bar, silent auction and $5 barbecue plates. childrensal.kintera.org/ Children’sCupCalendar2013

Jazz Society of Pensacola presents Jazz Fest Goes On

6-9 p.m., Aug. 17 $20 in advance, $25 at the door, $5 for students with I.D. Seville Quarter, Pensacola, Fla. Featuring the Downbeat Jazz Orchestra, an exciting big band made up of talented musicians who live in the Fort Walton, Niceville area.

Tickets available at the Jazz Society office, 850-433-8382 as well as Seville Quarter.

“Heaven is for Real”

7 p.m., Aug. 23 Orange Beach Event Center, Orange Beach

Mid August - Mid September 2013

Boomers

11

calendar of events uArts

The true story of the Burpo family and Colton, who during his life-threatening illness and sudden surgery, slips from consciousness and enters heaven. “Heaven is for Real” has sold more than 8 million copies since it’s release in November 2010 and has been on the New York Times list for more than two years.

SNewton@thomasnelson.com or call 615-902-2320

Grand Summer Ball

Aug. 24 Thomas Hospital Foundation, 750 Morphy Ave., Fairhope Dinner, Dancing, and Fun: Half the available tickets are sold.

Call to reserve your tickets today, 251-279-1517 or order online.

and Entertainment

Kayak races, barbecue cook-offs, live blues music, fireworks and extreme water sports will be some of the highlights of the festival.

The Standup Comedy of Kevin James

8 p.m., Sept. 5 Reserved seating tickets: $65, $40.50 and $39.50 Saenger Theatre, Pensacola, Fla. Kevin James is most known for his role as Doug Heffernan in “The King of Queens.” As well as roles in movies such as “Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” “I now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry” and “Grown Ups” with “grown Ups2” to be shown in theaters as of July 13. Kevin James is the champion of working class comedy.

Fort Mims 200th Commemorative Weekend 9 a. m.-3 p. m., Aug. 30-Sept. 1 $5 12 miles north of Stockton on Alabama Highway 59, then west on Baldwin County Road 80, Tensaw Remembering all who were killed or survived one of the bloodiest battles in American History featuring daily battle re-enactments, living history, and pioneer and Creek Indian cultural presentations. The Fort Mim’s Restoration Association’s three-day event will honor the more than 400 white settlers, families of mixed heritage and enslaved Africans, and the more than 200 Redstick Creek Warriors who lost their lives in one of the bloodiest battles in American history. fortmims.org

The First Annual Kayak, Barbecue and Blues Festival

9 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Aug. 31 Galvez Landing off Innerarity Point Road, Perdido Key

Our vision is helping YOURS.

Call 251.410.9000 for an appointment.

Cornea fellowship trained ophthalmologist, Dr. Ryan Turner, and optometrist Dr. Melissa Hoercher provide comprehensive family vision care for Baldwin County patients. From diagnosis and treatment of diseases to eye glass and contact lens fittings, you can schedule an appointment at one of our two locations today.

Daphne | Infirmary Eastern Shore Clinic 7101 U.S. Highway 90 Suite 204 | 410.9000 Fairhope | Thomas Hospital Campus 150 S. Ingleside St. Suite 5 | 928.2302 Most insurances and vision plans accepted.

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Boomers

Mid August - Mid September 2013

Democracy needs accountability

By Theresa Corbin Contributing writer “We have a Republic if we can keep it,” former U.S. Senator Max Cleland quotes Benjamin Franklin in the non-partisan guide to ethical citizenship and accountability in government, “Accountability Citizenship.”

With this wise quote, Cleland endorses the former legislative fellow and first-time author Stephen Tryon's new book “Accountability Citizenship.”

Stephen P. Tryon has a bachelor’s degree from West Point and a masters in philosophy from Stanford University. Also having served in the U.S. Army for 21 years as a legislative fellow for Senator Max Cleland and as the legislative assistant to the senior general at Army headquarters in the Pentagon, he has the scholarship and the behind-the-scenes knowledge of politics to back up the honest and non-partisan information and advice in his book.

“Accountability Citizenship” is not only informative; it is a timely treatise because of the increasing voter apathy in the United States,” says publicist Kristen Marquet, who cites data from the Statistical Abstract of the United States. “Only 37 percent of eligible residents participated in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Congressional elections. Additionally, voter participation in federal elections from 1932 through 2010 was an average of 17 percent lower in non-presidential election years than in presidential election years.”

With these trends in mind and with congressional approval ratings down, Tryon's book couldn't have come at a better time.

In “Accountability Citizenship,” Tryon discusses how voter apathy through the years has taken its toll on government and consequently the country, and why it is of the utmost importance that we as citizens make governing our business. But Tryon doesn't stop there; he goes on to present the ultimate guide to political empowerment.

Setting the stage, Tryon claims in his book that because “we are inundated with more information than

we could possibly consume … The content of the commercialized information stream, driven by economics and psychology, converges on some common themes.

I call these themes the five myths. I believe the myths tend to distract us from our individual relationship with our members of Congress. I believe they lead us to more negative interpretations of events than is warranted by the facts alone.”

When asked in what meaningful way can Americans start down the path to learning the skills of information-age citizenship, Tryon said “each person needs to decide what the most important issue is to them, then engage on that one important thing ... And use the score card (included in his book) to appraise your congressman on your important thing.”

Furthermore, Tryon says in order to be “accountable citizens, we should be appropriately positive, appropriately informed, and appropriately engaged.” And in order to “be appropriately positive we need to be active consumers of information. We need to know our values and take positive control by seeking out information.”

In Tryon's book he says, “Being appropriately informed is a disciplined use of available information and basic critical reasoning skills to achieve an informed, balanced perspective on the issues appropriately engaged. Being appropriately engaged means applying the information we absorb to vote, to communicate our values and to scorecard the performance of our elected public servants.”

Tryon believes if we would all just do these three “appropriate” behaviors, we would all move toward the center, and, politicians would less and less have to play to the activist in the extreme right and the extreme left and we would reach a common ground, or a “wholesome consensus,” as he terms it.

But it is not all about the citizens changing their behaviors. Tryon also believes that congress needs to take steps to change for the better.

“Every Congressmen needs to take the political courage test on votesmart.org,” Tyron said. Votesmart.org allows citizens to gauge their Congressional representa-

Mid August - Mid September 2013

tive's willingness to take risks on important issues.

Tryon also calls congressmen to “change their websites from bulletin boards” and come into the new age of communication, into a place where citizens can interact with their congressional representative.

“The technology exists to create functionality in the web site of every member of Congress that will create what I call Congress 2.0,” Tyron says in his book. “This technology would allow individuals registered to vote in a particular member’s district or state to record their top priority issues along with the rank they assign to each.”

Congress 2.0 websites and taking the political courage test are two things congress needs to do to become more transparent to their constituents, Tyron says.

“The Constitution gives us the power to replace 87 percent of our Congress every two years,” Tryon said in an interview.

Therefore, in his book, he explains that “We do not have to accept public servants who are more responsive

Boomers

to their party leaders than they are to the people they represent.”

When asked why he would take on a project of this magnitude, Tryon said that as a member of the armed forces it is his “duty to support and defend the constitution of the U.S.” And even though he is retired from the Army, he said, “I guess you can take the boy out of the Army, but you can't take the Army out of the boy.”

And it is with this sense of duty, this passion for his country and this belief in the American system that Tryon authored “Accountability Citizenship.”

Offering advice on how to become active citizens and how to hold representative accountable, Tryon's “Accountability Citizenship” serves as a guide book to enable citizens to restore their government.

You can order your copy of “Accountability Citizenship” from Amazon.com and Overstock.com. Like the book on Facebook, and visit the website accoutabilitycitizenship.org to find out more.

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Boomers

Mid August - Mid September 2013

Photo courtesy of Jimmy Andrews

14

Bluebird

Do’s & Don’ts of feeding and attracting birds

By M. Keith Hudson Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that backyard birding or watching birds around the home is the most common form of bird-watching. Many people also feed and attract birds around their homes. If you are one of these backyard birders or would like to be, here are a few practical Do’s and Don’ts for feeding and attracting birds to your yard.

DO HAVE A PLAN: Plan the landscaping and maintenance of your yard with birds in mind. Generally speaking, birds need food, water and cover. A manicured,

weed-free yard may be aesthetically pleasing, but it can be a sterile, uninviting place for birds. Plan to leave a section of your yard a little “rough around the edges.”

Usually, the greater the diversity of plants in your yard, the greater the diversity and amount of birds you will attract.

DO PROVIDE FOOD: Birdfeeders, suet feeders and feeders for hummingbirds are well-known for the ability to attract birds. Many feeders can be purchased inexpensively at local home improvement stores, or you can always build your own. A quick Internet search on “bird feeder plans” will reveal many styles, types and choices of feeders. You can also just sprinkle bird seed

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Mid August - Mid September 2013

on the ground – the birds don't care. You should always select seeds and grains that are packaged specifically as birdseed that are free of chemicals. Clean feeders periodically by removing all old and possibly rotting food, and use a weak solution of household bleach. After the bleach has evaporated, you can restore and replenish the feeder.

DO PROVIDE WATER: Bird baths, waterers, and misters are great ways to attract songbirds – particularly in the hot summertime. With a little effort and expense, small landscaping pools can also be added. However, all must be kept clean and be regularly replenished with fresh water.

Consider making a “water tree” this summer. Take a rigid piece of PVC pipe and rig one end so it can be attached to a water hose. Run the stiff pipe up a tree beside the trunk to the treetop, and turn on the water. As the water drips and falls through the foliage, hundreds of cool, wet places are created. Cedar trees are ideal. To attract birds this hot summer, just make them a water tree.

DO LANDSCAPE WITH NATIVE, FOOD-BEARING PLANTS: In addition to providing food in artificial bird

feeders, plant native vegetation to provide food and cover for birds. Most native trees and shrubs are hardier than ornamental plants and often just as beautiful. The fruits and seeds they provide are usually more beneficial to birds and other wildlife. Remember, the trees and shrubs you plant today may still be around years from now, providing food and cover.

DO PROVIDE COVER: Bird houses, martin houses, nesting boxes, and many other types of artificial structures provide shelter, cover and nesting habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. These are especially valuable in urban settings. However, when possible, consider natural cover such as thick shrubs and bushes. Creating brush piles and log piles will create habitat for wrens and other small cavity-nesting birds.

harm. Use them wisely and sparingly. Pesticides also can kill insects and grubs that are actually providing a food source for the very birds you are trying to attract.

Generally, more chemicals results in less birds.

DON’T MAKE IT EASY FOR CATS: Cats are very efficient predators, and studies show that many migratory songbirds are killed each year by housecats. Avoid placing feeders, bird houses and waterers in places that make it easy for cats to ambush the songbirds you are trying to attract. The efforts you make to attract birds may do more harm than good by creating a “cat feeder” instead of a bird feeder. Another problem is the feral, rural and free-ranging cat. Help limit feral and unwanted cats by having your cat spayed or neutered.

DON’T ENCOURAGE BIRDS NEAR WINDOWS: Published estimates of the annual mortality to birds in the United States from collision with windows range from 100 million to 1 billion. One study found that bird-window collisions were the second largest human source of bird mortality on earth. Planting trees close to windows, adding awnings, screens, or anything that makes a reflecting window look less like the sky can reduce these fatalities. Though placing your bird feeder near a window may make them easier to see and enjoy, this location may actually cause mortality to some of the birds you are trying to attract.

Just following these few simple Do’s and Don’ts will go a long way in making your backyard an inviting and attractive place for birds and will provide many hours of enjoyable bird watching.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit outdooralabama. com.

DO LEAVE DEAD TREES AND SNAGS WHERE PRACTICAL: These provide

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food for woodpeckers and habitat for a wide variety of cavity-nesting birds.

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DO BUY A HUNTING OR WILDLIFE HERITAGE LICENSE, AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE ALABAMA NONGAME WILDLIFE PROGRAM: Consider purchasing a hunting license or Alabama Wildlife Heritage License whether or not you hunt or fish, and contribute what you can to the Alabama Nongame Wildlife Program. Some of the revenue from these sources goes for research, education and management of song birds. You can easily purchase a license online at outdooralabama.com.

Here are a few Don’ts to be considered when attempting to attract birds.

DON’T OVERUSE CHEMICALS: Be careful with chemicals around your yard.

Insecticides and herbicides are designed to be lethal. They can also be deadly to birds and wildlife you do not intend to

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Photo courtesy of Kim McFry

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Boomers

Mid August - Mid September 2013

Senior Adult Falls: A growing public health problem

By Marie Cafferty SARPC Area Agency on Aging

F

alls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries and death for adults aged 65 and older. One-third of adults fall every year, and less than 50 percent talk to their doctors about it. Unfortunately, this is a missed opportunity to find a solution. A fall may be the first sign of an acute problem (infection, postural hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia), may stem from a chronic disease (parkinsonism, diabetic neuropathy), or may point to the progression of ‘‘normal’’ age-related changes in vision, gait, and strength.

Falls are common, predictable and most falls are preventable. In 2009, 2,000 seniors died as a result of falls. Although more women fall than men, the rate of fatal falls is 50 percent higher for men than women. Between 20 and 30 percent of older adults who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries including laceration, hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Falls are the primary cause of traumatic brain injuries. Awareness of what causes falls and taking action to reduce individual fall risks factors lead to prevention.

Because falls are caused by many factors, they require as many solutions. A large number of falls and fall injuries in older people are due to multiple risk factors, many of which can be modified or eliminated with targeted fall prevention interventions.

Major risk factors include:

n Developing a fear of falling is now recognized as a risk factor for falls. Surveys have reported between 30 and 75 percent of community dwelling older adults who have fallen acknowledge a fear of falling. Loss of confidence to walk safely can restrict physical activity leading to a further decline in strength and balance. n Studies show leg weakness is a strong predictor for falls.

Most older adults show signs of leg weakness. Muscles can be strengthened at any age. Not knowing which exercises are important for fall prevention can be a barrier to exercising. Exercises best suited for fall prevention are those that improve balance, flexibility, strength and coordination. Walking is a low-maintenance activity that improves endurance, strength and coordination. It is advisable to don safe footwear — low heels and soles that provides good traction. If your physician or physical therapist has recommended an assistant device, be safe and use it. Now that we are in the dog days of summer, it's best to avoid walking during the heat of the day. Instead, try an early morning walk before the day heats up. Look into using an indoor track that may be available at your community recreation center, or local YMCA. n Some medications increase a person’s risk for falling because they cause side effects like dizziness or confusion.

People who take four or more medications have an increased risk of falls. If you think your medication is making you unsteady, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can tell you which medications, including over the counter medications, might cause falls. Do not change you medications on your own.

One-third of adults fall every year and less than 50 percent talk to their doctors about it.

About 50 percent of falls occur around the house. High risk areas include the bathroom. Never reach for a towel bar to steady yourself. Add grab bars and rails installed securely into the wall. Avoid loose bathmats and wet soapy floors.

If you are unsteady on your feet, use a bathtub bench to sit on rather than sitting down in the tub. A handheld shower attachment allows greater control to direct the spray. Elsewhere, remove small throw rugs. Keep frequently used items within reach to avoid using a step stool. Have handrails and lights put in all staircases. Never climb steps carrying bundles in both hands; keep at least one hand firmly on the railing.

Improve the lighting inside and outside your home. As we get older, we need brighter lights to see well and it takes our eyes longer to adjust between light and dark environments.

Motion senor flood lights installed on the outside corners of your home will illuminate pathways. Some folks string clear, white Christmas lights around bushes and trees bordering their walkways to brighten their path.

The National Council on Aging leads the fight to reduce falls in older adults and prevent their devastating consequences. Sept. 22 is the first day of fall and marks the 6th Annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. This year’s theme Preventing Falls One Step at a Time, seeks to galvanize action between professionals, older adults, caregivers, and family members to participate in raising awareness and preventing falls within our communities. The SARPC Area Agency on Aging will join forces with the NCOA and offer free balance screens at sites in Mobile and Baldwin counties during Fall Prevention Awareness Week Sept. 22 through 27. Stay tuned for an update on Fall Prevention Awareness activities and locations featured in next month’s column.

Matter of Balance — Managing Concerns About Falls is an evidence-based program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels in older adults. For more information on programs in your area, contact Clara Chandler at 251-706-4684. In the meantime, have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day.

Mid August - Mid September 2013

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Boomers

Mid August - Mid September 2013

Flashback 50: September uThis month in 1963

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A unidentified visitor to Lenin’s Mausoleum, in Moscow, entered the shrine with a bomb concealed under his coat, and then detonated the explosive, killing himself and causing an unspecified amount of damage and injuries. The event was not reported in the Soviet press and would not be revealed until after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

At 6:30 p.m. New York time, Walter Cronkite introduced the CBS Evening News with the statement, “Good evening from our CBS newsroom in New York, on this, the first broadcast of network television’s first half-hour news program.

The first show included a pre-recorded segment of Cronkite’s interview with U.S. President Kennedy.

Previously, the three networks ran their daily national news for 15 minutes. NBC would inaugurate its half hour news program a week later, although ABC would not follow suit until 1967.

The United States federal minimum wage was increased to $1.25 an hour, roughly $9.48 in 2013 dollars. Fifty years later, the minimum wage would be $7.25 an hour. n Died: Louis MacNeice, 55, Irish poet and dramatist, of pneumonia developed from bronchitis contracted while caving on the Yorkshire moors.

Died: Robert Schuman, 77, Luxembourg-born politician, twice Prime Minister of France Profumo Affair: British prostitute Christine Keeler was arrested for perjury.

Born: Mark Chesnutt, American country music singer, in Beaumont, Texas The Pro Football Hall of Fame opened in Canton, Ohio, with 17 charter members.

Operation 34A, authorizing American secret operations against North Vietnam, was approved by U.S. Army General Maxwell D. Taylor, who at that time was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. n The Fourth Session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space opened at United Nations Headquarters, New York.

For the first time in the history of Major League Baseball, three brothers appeared for the same team in a game. Felipe Alou, Jesús Alou and Matty Alou took the outfield (at right, center and left field, respectively) for the San Francisco Giants against the New York Mets. In the eighth inning, Jesús, Matty and Felipe came up to bat in consecutive order, and were all struck out by Mets pitcher Carl Willey; the Mets won 4-2 n Italian Mafia boss Bernardo Provenzano was indicted for murder. Eight days later, he would become a fugitive, and would not be captured until 43 years

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later, on April 11, 2006. n U.S. President Kennedy issued an executive order that exempted married American men from being drafted.

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a state law, requiring segregated seating in publicly owned ballparks, was unconstitutional. n Died: Suzanne Duchamp, 73, French Dadaist painter and sister of Marcel Duchamp Mary Kay Cosmetics was incorporated by a Texas widow, Mary Kay Ash, who invested her life savings of $5,000. By the time of her death in 2001, the company had sales of 1.4 billion dollars. n Barbara Streisand married for the first time at the age of 21, in a wedding to film actor Elliott Gould; they would divorce in 1971.

The first issue of “The Hornet” was published by D. C. Thomson & Co. n Comet Pereyra, extremely bright with an apparent magnitude of 2, was discovered by astronomer Zenon M. Pereyra from an observatory near Córdoba, Argentina; it would last be seen from Earth on Dec. 18. n Born: The Fischer quintuplets (Mary Ann, Mary Catherine, Mary Margaret, Mary Magdalene and James Andrew Fischer), the first American born quintuplets to survive infancy, and only the third in world history; in Aberdeen, S.D. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing: At 10:22 a.m., in Birmingham, a bomb exploded in the basement of the 16th Street Baptist Church, where 80 African-American children were attending Sunday school. Four girls were killed. Denise McNair was 11, and Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Addie Mae Collins were all 14. Another 22 were injured. Robert Edward Chambliss, a white member of racist United Klans of America, would finally be convicted of the children’s murder on Nov. 18, 1977. Bobby Frank Cherry, who planted the bomb, and Thomas Blanton, Jr., who drove the group to the church, would be convicted of murder in 2001. n The Beatles and The Rolling Stones performed in the same show for the first and only time, appearing at a concert at Royal Albert Hall in London.

The science fiction anthology television show, The Outer Limits, premiered on the ABC television network at 7:30 pm in the United States, beginning with the episode “The Galaxy Being.”

On television, David Janssen made his first appearance in the title role of The Fugitive, portraying Dr. Richard Kimble, a physician who had wrongfully been convicted of murder. Barry Morse portrayed Indiana detective Philip Gerard, whose relentless pursuit of Kimble would

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Mid August - Mid September 2013

end with the series finale on Aug. 29, 1967.

The first flight of the ASSET project, (Aerothermodynamic-elastic Structural Systems Environmental Tests), a winged space payload vehicle, was carried out, to develop a manned spacecraft which could return from orbit and land on a runway. n The Patty Duke Show premiered on television, with actress Patty Duke playing two roles as “identical cousins.” Camera tricks allowed Duke to appear as both Patty Lane and her look-alike cousin Cathy Lane. n The last sports event took place at the Polo Grounds in New York City, with baseball’s New York Mets losing to the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-1 before a crowd of only 1,752 people. When the game ended, the fans ran onto the filed, vandalizing the scoreboard and the sod on the field, as well as some of the seats in the stadium, which was scheduled to be torn down in 1964.

Iota Phi Theta, and African-American collegiate fraternity, was founded with the first chapter organized at Morgan State College. There are now 249 chapters of the fraternity. n At the United Nations, Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko announced that the U.S.S.R. was prepared to negotiate and sign a treaty to prohibit the orbiting of nuclear weapons platforms in outer space. The Outer Space Treaty would be signed in 1967. n Died: Agnès Humbert, 68, French art historian, ethnographer and Resistance member At the United Nations, U.S. President John F. Kennedy proposed a joint moon mission between the USA and the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union Communist Party newspaper Pravda reported the speech, but commented that the idea as “premature.” Kennedy would die two months later, and Soviet Chairman Khrushchev would be deposed within 13 months, and the United States would proceed alone in its lunar program. n The first successful prenatal blood transfusion in history was performed in New Zealand at the National Women’s Hospital at Auckland. Dr. William Liley carried out the transfusion on the unborn son of a woman identified only as “Mrs. E. McLeod” in order to treat the fetus for hemolytic disease.

Joe Morgan, a second baseman formerly with the Modesto Colts, made his Major League Baseball debut for the Houston Colt .45s and began a career that would lead to his induction in baseball’s Hall of Fame. n In fiction, Carrie White, the telekinetic teenage girl in Stephen

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King’s novel Carrie, was born in Chamberlain, Maine.

South Korea began its commitment to the Vietnam War, sending the first of 312,853 soldiers who would fight against the North Vietnamese.

The U.S. Senate ratified the nuclear test ban treaty by an overwhelming majority, 80-19, fourteen more than the two-thirds majority required by the U.S. Constitution. John F. Kennedy considered the ratification of the treaty, which would go into effect on Oct. 11, the greatest achievement of his presidency, according to aide Theodore Sorensen. n The rural-themed situation comedy Petticoat Junction premiered on CBS television as a spinoff of the hit comedy The Beverly Hillbillies.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 271-155 to approve the reduction of the federal income tax rate. The bill would pass the U.S. Senate, and be signed into law on Feb. 26, 1964. n The Danny Kaye Show premiered on CBS as a variety show in a 10 p.m. midweek timeslot. It would run four four seasons, until 1967.

T. S. Eliot’s “Collected Poems 1909-1962,” selected by the author, were published on his 75th birthday. n After only one day on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, bank robber Carl Close was arrested by local authorities in Anderson, S.C. Close had just robbed a branch of the First National Bank in Anderson, and was stopped by a detective three minutes later while trying to commandeer another car. n A 38-year-old man from Waynesville, N.C., crashed his pickup truck through the closed iron gates of the White House, stopping short of hitting the building. The unarmed man, who reportedly demanded to see President Kennedy and shouted that “the Communists are taking over in North Carolina,” was taken to a hospital for observation. The President was out at the time.

Jim Morrison, a 19-year-old student at Florida State University and future founder of the rock group The Doors, was arrested for the first of six times, after he and his friends stole items from a Tallahassee Police Department cruiser.

Morrison spent a night in jail, then paid a $50 fine and continued his studies at FSU. The Judy Garland Show began its run on CBS. Earlier that night, the situation comedy My Favorite Martian was broadcast for the first time on the same network.

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boomers wants your submissions Attention, readers:

Boomers magazine would like submissions for our Bragging Rights section. Please let us know if you have any of the following of your grandchildren, spouse, family or friends: 1. Unusual nicknames 2. Funny or memorable quotes 3. Candid photos To submit, email editor Jessica Jones at features@gulfcoastnewspapers.com. All photos must be at least 300 dpi or 1 MB for quality reproduction. Please include your first and last name and city of residence in the email.

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Volunteer for better aging, and to improve heart health

By Peter G. Johnson, M.D. We’ve all heard the old adage, “do unto others,” but this motto may have greater meaning than simply a guideline for getting along and treating other people kindly. Now there’s medical evidence that caring for others may actually contribute to better health.

Recent research has found that volunteering can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure in older adults. A new study published in the journal “Psychology and Aging” found that seniors who volunteered at least 200 hours per year were 40 percent less likely to have high blood pressure than adults who did not volunteer. The study, conducted at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Penn., included 1,100 adults ages 51 to 91 and tracked their blood pressure from 2006 to 2010.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, and high blood pressure is one of the primary risk factors for the disease. Nearly 84 million adults have one or more forms of heart disease, and of these, 43 million are older than age 60, according to the American Heart Association.

Heart disease leads to other problems for older adults, too. Adults with heart disease are more likely to have difficulties with activities of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing, eating, walking and getting into and out of bed, according to the National Academy on an Aging Society. Among those with heart disease, about one-third of seniors ages 51 to 61 and about half of those age 70 and older have difficulty with one or more ADL. The study supports other industry research showing there are many things you can do to lower your risk of heart disease — and several are simple lifestyle changes, from nutrition to daily activities.

As people age, retirement and the loss of spouse and friends leave seniors with time on their hands and less opportunities for spending time with others, study authors observed. Volunteer activities provide older adults with active steps they can take to improve their health, as well as the emotional benefits of making connections and spending time with others.

For volunteer opportunities at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, contact the Volunteer Services Coordinator, Mary Larue Childre at 251-949-3563.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly 30 percent of Americans have high blood pressure and don’t know it. If you haven’t had yours checked in two years, see your doctor. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor can help with targeted recommendations for diet, nutrition and exercise that will help keep your blood pressure in check — and your heart healthy. To learn more, visit SouthBaldwinRMC.com, choose the Health Resources tab and

What’s Your Number?

Controlling your blood pressure begins with understanding what normal blood pressure, prehypertension, and hypertension is. Your blood pressure reading is made up of two numbers: the systolic (top number) and diastolic (the bottom number) pressure.

Systolic:

Normal systolic blood pressure = 120 or below.

Prehypertension = a systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139.

Hypertension = a systolic blood pressure number of 140 or higher.

Diastolic:

Normal diastolic blood pressure = less than 80.

Prehypertension = a diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89.

Hypertension = a diastolic blood pressure number of 90 or higher.

Lower Your Blood Pressure:

Maintain a healthy weight. Make good nutritional choices with plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and dairy products.

Try following the DASH, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, diet. Visit nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dash/ to learn more. Limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams a day or less, or 1,500 milligrams or less if you are age 51 and older or have high blood pressure. Limit alcohol and caffeine. Exercise regularly. Relax with music. Get plenty of sleep.

type “High Blood Pressure” or “Hypertension” in the search box. You will find several videos and podcasts, health tips, a risk assessment — and more.

About the author

Dr. Peter G. Johnson with Robertsdale Medical Specialists is board certified in Occupational Medicine with the American Board of Preventive Medicine. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 251-424-1160. Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information to facilitate conversations with their physician. © Copyright 2013 - Community Health Systems Professional Services Corporation. These articles are for use by CHS-affiliated hospitals only.

Sources: American Heart Association, heart.org, National Institutes of Health, nlm.nih.gov, National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, nhlbi.org, National Academy on an Aging Society, agingsociety.org.

Mid August - Mid September 2013

Boomers

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Two Americans in China Long-term effects of China’s one-child policy

By Amanda Roberts It’s pretty much a given that most foreigners decry China’s one-child policy. Enacted in 1979 to help stem the booming population China was experiencing, it was only supposed to last for 20 years. It has now lasted for more than 30, leading to a second generation of single-child families. While some of the effects were rather immediate (such as an overwhelmed social system burdened with too many unwanted girl babies and a rise in female infanticide rates), much research is being done on the longterm effects of the one-child policy that won’t (and can’t) be undone for decades to come.

China’s welfare state isn’t designed to care for the elderly. The care of elders has always fallen to the children.

But China is experiencing an unprecedented gender imbalance. For every 100 women in China, there are about 120 men. This will be devastating for the next generation of elderly people who have no support system to take care of them. There are already problems with elderly people whose only child dies leaving them with no one to take care of them in old age. If 20 percent of this generation ends up not marrying and having children of their own, the State will not be able to care for them. So who will?

China is also, surprisingly, facing a huge labor shortage.

With the Chinese economy improving and families only having one child to pour all their money and hopes into, China’s Amanda Roberts children are better educated than ever. China is churning out more engineers, doctors, lawyers and accountants each year than America produces in a decade, but they aren’t producing enough unskilled blue-collar factory workers to meet demand. China has already seen many factories pulling out and heading for places with more workers (like India) and this is a trend not likely to stop. China’s lack of children might be its economic undoing if millions of jobs leave the country.

There are also many more subtle long-term effects. A great study was recently published by Australia’s Monash University; it found that the generation of children born after the one-child policy was implemented are less trusting, less trustworthy, and are adverse to competition and risk-taking. This generation of ‘little emperors’ (mainly boys who are considered spoiled by doting families) could prove devastating to China’s economic future. Trust and competitiveness are requirements for entrepreneurs and people in the financial sector. Without new business and investors willing to take risks, an economy will only crumble.

With all these known and probable negative outcomes from the one-child policy, is China showing any sign of ending it? Yes … kind of. A government think-tank recently suggested that the government should replace the onechild policy with a two-child policy by 2015, with a complete eradication of family planning laws by 2020. Chinese citizens are becoming more and more outspoken about ending the policy as well. But will the government take action? This is probably the top issue facing China’s new head of the Communist Party, Xi Jinping.

About the Author: China has seen an increase in highly educated workers and has a shortage of blue-collar factory workers. This has caused many factories to relocate to areas with a larger workforce, like India.

Amanda Roberts has been living and writing in China for nearly three years.

You can learn more about her and living abroad at her website TwoAmericansinChina.com.

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Boomers

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Mid August - Mid September 2013

Food for Thought: Preserving the bounty

By Dr. Linda Mitchell Contributing writer All the hard work Dean put in a few months ago is now bearing fruit … or veggies, as the case may be. We enjoyed our first home grown tomatoes and peppers, and the crop looks to be bountiful. The problem is how to preserve it so we can continue to have that tasty experience of homegrown goodness. A few years ago, I got into the dehydration mode … if it could be sliced I tried to dry it. I had so many dried apples I changed my motto from an apple a day keeps the doctor away to a pie a day keeps everyone happy, happy, happy.

Home preserving is making a comeback. Don’t know why, but I do know it’s a smart skill to have and an easy one to acquire. A boiling-water canner and rack are necessary tools for preserving high acid foods such as jams, jellies, whole fruits and pickles. The rack keeps the glass jars off the bottom and allows water to circulate. If you have a big enough pot, you only need to purchase a wire rack to fit it and you’re in business. For low acid foods like veggies and meats, a pressure canner with a locking lid and safety valve uses steam to reach the high temps necessary for safely preserving lowacid foods.

Peach Pie Filling 3 1/2 cups sliced peaches or other fruit 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup clear jel 3/4 cup water 1/4 cup lemon juice or Fruit Fresh Sanitize the jars either in the dishwasher or by boiling them for 10 minutes. Keep them in the hot water until ready to use. Place the lids in a pan of hot, but not boiling water for 5 minutes.

Peel and cut up the peaches. Sprinkle with lemon juice or Fruit Fresh to keep the peaches from

turning dark. Gently toss so that all the surfaces are coated.

For the liquid, mix water, sugar and clear jel together and cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken. Add drained peach slices and continue to cook 2-3 more minutes.

Fill the quart jars to within 1 inch of the top, wipe any spilled filling off the top, seat the lid, and tighten the ring.

Put the filled jars in the canner Dr. Linda Mitchell and keep them covered with at least 1 inch of water while boiling. Boil for 30 minutes. (Note: if you are 1000 feet or more above sea level check a chart for boiling times.)

Lift the jars out of the water and let them cool without touching them. Once cooled, check to see that they are sealed. Just press gently in the center. If it pops up and down, it is not sealed. If you refrigerate the jar right away is will still be safe for use.

Brown Butter and Maple Carrots 2 pounds carrots, trimmed and halved or use baby carrots 2 teaspoons olive oil Sea salt (to taste) 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Toss carrots with olive oil and season with salt. Place carrots on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 10-12 minutes.

Meanwhile, over medium heat, melt butter and stir until it turns golden brown, about 1 minute.

Remove from heat and stir in maple syrup. Drizzle maple butter over the carrots and roast another 1012 minutes.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 eggs 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups shredded zucchini 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour one large loaf pan or three smaller ones. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda; set aside. In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, brown sugar, honey and vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and gently fold the batter together until almost no flour remains. Stir in the zucchini and chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before turning out.

Coconut Shrimp

Loaded Baked Potato Dip

Whisk together the flour, spices, salt and sugar in a shallow dish or pie plate. Lightly beat the eggs with the water in another shallow dish. Combine the coconut and panko in a third shallow dish. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees. Bread the shrimp by dropping them into the flour mixture and then dipping them into the eggs. Next, drop the shrimp into the coconut-panko mixture, pressing to make certain it sticks.

Drop in small batches into the hot oil, stirring to prevent sticking. When golden brown, remove from oil and allow to cool.

(perfect for tailgating time)

16 ounces sour cream 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups) 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion 2 tablespoons fresh chives, diced Combine ingredients in a medium bowl and refrigerate before serving to allow flavors to meld together. Garnish with extra shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped chives. Will keep for up to one week in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

A By john stump

1 pound extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon paprika Salt and pepper to taste 2 eggs 1 tablespoon water 1 cup shredded coconut 1 cup panko bread crumbs Oil, for frying

Zen atmosphere in Fairhope

I have been gardening off and on more than 50 years, since my childhood days in West Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Appalachian Mountains. My father and grandmother would take me into our backyard that was the side of a mountain filled with rocks, stone and fallen wood. I wondered, even at my young age, just what my father thought he could grow in such rough and uninviting soil.

My job was to carry rocks and wood and to scratch out enough area and soil to plant the garden.

I was always surprised at the vegetables we were able to get from the little mountain plot in the fall. My mother would always come up to the garden area to check our clearing and planting progress and to stake out her area to grow flowers.

Over the years, wherever we traveled and lived, my family would always have a garden. I suppose that is where my interest in gardening and growing came from.

Even in college I took several elective courses while at the University of Maryland in botany. Not because I needed them in my biology studies, but because I wanted to know more about plants and growing.

My family and I have now migrated down to the Gulf Coast, where the terrain is completely different and ex-

tremely inviting for plants. The only rocks here are ones you have to buy and put in your landscape. The soil is either sand or clay for the most part, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s little problem with rainfall. All of these environmental factors are different, yet all can be found in the Zen gardens so alluring in Japan. From the mountains to the beaches, you can find Zen gardens, large and small, big and tall.

But the best gardens are found in the same climate as ours, here in South Alabama.

Zen and plants seem to go together; quiet, still, yielding and attractive. When getting up in the morning and venturing out to the backyard itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to find myself back in Kyoto for a moment while I walk or quietly sit among the flowers and fauna of my little Zen garden here in Fairhope.

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Nesting in Eagle's Landing By theresa corbin Contributing writer Most of us cannot imagine the horrors of war. Most of us cannot fathom being without a roof over our heads. But imagine having to face both. Many veterans coming back home from war are faced with the problem of homelessness.

“Fighting in a war can be a harrowing experience, but imagine coming back and not being able to find a home. More than 1 million veterans are at risk of becoming homeless, while tens of thousands of former service members are already living without shelter,” according to the Center For American Progress. “In fact, one in seven homeless people previously served in the military, a December 2011 report found, and much of the other data surrounding homeless veterans are equally worrisome,” wrote Harry Bradford for The Huffington Post.

Volunteers of America (VOA) has taken notice of this growing problem. According to VOA southeast’s website (voasoutheast.org), “convergent sources estimate that between 23 and 40 percent of homeless adults are veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that over the course of the year, 336,627 veterans experience homelessness.” With this large number of veterans who have served our country being on the streets, the VOA has decided to take action in Mobile with the help of Mobile County.

On July 26, a 39-unit transitional housing project for military veterans came to Mobile. The housing project, called Eagle’s Landing, developed and operated by VOA and partly funded by Mobile County, will provide veterans with a range of support services intended to help veterans obtain permanent housing within two years.

According to the VOA website, those veterans who served in the active military who are both homeless and mentally ill, have a substance abuse problem, disabled, diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or those with dual diagnosis are eligible for the transitional services provided at Eagle’s Landing.

Senator Jeff Sessions told Local 15 News that the veterans have “ … suffered many times from the deployment that we as a nation have asked them to undertake and we owe them, we have a real debt of obligation to those who’ve served our country.”

And in this spirit, Mobile County and the VOA are doing their part to repay that debt.

In addition to housing, Volunteers of America, in cooperation with numerous outside agencies, will

provide much needed help with: substance abuse/mental health, job training and placement, medical and dental care, and educational services on a voluntary basis to the veterans at Eagle’s Landing.

“Our veterans will have some help in getting back into the community and into the workplace,” Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl is quoted as saying in a June Mobile County press release.

According to Jo Anne McKnight on al.com “Eagle’s Landing is a Grant Per Diem program funded through a partnership with the Veteran’s Administration and Volunteers of America. Five of the quadriplex buildings — 20 individual apartments — have been completed and five veterans are currently in residence. Each unit, which has its own entrance, is fully furnished with kitchen appliances, sturdy oak dining, living and bedroom furniture and a bathroom. Some are outfitted for veterans in wheelchairs.”

Steven Dahmer, director of Eagle’s Landing, told McKnight that “it takes $2,400 to sponsor a room, meaning that such a donation would furnish an apartment in the same style as the others. The business or donating organization would be recognized for their sponsorship with a plaque on the apartment wall.”

Voa.org states “According to a December 2011 survey, 67,495 veterans are homeless on any given night and (more than) twice as many experience homelessness during a year. Right now, the number of homeless Vietnam-era veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died during that war.

Already, veterans returning from Iraq and Afghani-

Mid August - Mid September 2013

stan are appearing among the homeless population.”

But the VOA and Mobile County are here to help.

“We are proud to be contributing to the quality of life for our veterans, who have sacrificed so much for all of us,” said Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson in the June Mobile County press release.

Since the First World War, the VOA has provided services to veterans and put them in contact with other organizations that can help.

“We are committed to ending homelessness for those on the street and preventing others from becoming homeless

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by providing a wide array of well-designed and managed services to meet the specific needs of homeless veterans.

Every night, we give veterans emergency shelter and, when they are ready, provide transitional and even permanent housing,” states voa.org.

Volunteers of America is accepting referrals now for Eagle’s Landing. For information on assistance and ways to help the residents at Eagle’s Landing, call 251-219-3900, 251-421-1229, or email Steven Dahmer at sdahmer@voase. org.

Notes from behind the horn, part six

By Charles Flach Ralph and I were historical buffs and New Orleans was an ideal place for anyone interested in museums, libraries, zoos, churches and historical sites. We always bought the local newspaper of the towns we lived in and also the weekly news magazines. Of all the bands that I played with, none of the other band members were interested in any of these activities. We always enjoyed talking to the local town folks to learn more of their culture and lifestyle.

It was indeed an educational experience traveling with the bands and Ralph was the perfect roommate.

Hal negotiated with another booking agent in Richmond, Va. and we began a long string of one-nighters through Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. I decided to leave the band and go home for some needed rest and home-cooked meals.

We had an interesting date in Petersburg, Va. We opened the Petersburg baseball season at the ball park. The band strand was set up on the pitcher’s mound and we played to a crowd of 6,000 ball fans. I don’t know of any other band that played to that size crowd unless it was Les Brown’s band when touring with the Bob Hope tour of Army bases during World War II. Well, I thought that I was going to have a three-month rest when I returned home, but it only lasted for two weeks.

When various bands heard that Flackie was back in town, my restful days were over. Actually, I couldn’t wait to get back on the bands in my area. In the next two months, I played with four different bands. Since I needed transportation to get around, I bought a 1940 Buick for $800. I also managed to get my old buddy Bob on one of the bands. By this time, Bob had married and had a child.

One day, I received a phone call from a saxophone

player whom I played with on two different bands. He had joined Don Grimes band in Savannah, Ga. and Don needed a saxophone player immediately. I had four days to get to Savannah, so the Buick was packed and off I went. It reminded me of Willie Nelson’s song “On the Road Again.”

My precious mother made several sandwiches for me to eat on the way, which helped to save some time by not stopping at too many restaurants. The trip was a total of 700 miles and took me through three states: Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. As I was driving through the Smoky Mountains, I came around a curve in the road and in the middle of the road was a good-sized bear. I stopped the car and just sat there for a few minutes taking in the natural beauty of the place, plus observing old Smokey the Bear. I thought that this was an unusual occurrence, but another surprise was awaiting me that night.

It was around 4 p.m. and the trip was moving along smoothly when a bird flew in front of the car. I assumed that I hit the bird or that the bird escaped injury. When it grew dark, I stopped to check the water, and when I opened the hood, the bird flew out. I never could figure that out.

I finally reached Savannah and began my first night with the Don Grimes band. The most important aspect of playing with a band is the ability to sight read any music placed in front of you, and the next important aspect is how well the intonation or sound of your instrument blends in with the other instruments in the band. I satisfied Don on both accounts, which was an honor since he was very strict in these regards. uuu TO BE CONTINUED uuu • Keep reading Boomers for more notes from behind the horn.

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T he Blue Angels

Photos by Terrence Siren U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Leader Cmdr. To Blue Angels, Co m Frosch taxis mmanding Offi his F/A-18 Horn pilot proficiency cer and Flight et down the ru flight from Nav nway prior to ta al Air Station Pe ke-off during a nsacola, Fla.

Maintenance and Support Team mem bers run clear of the runway as part of a practice ground performance prior to the launch of a pilot proficiency flight from Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

Air Station f from Naval Pilots take of a pilot m or a., to perf Pensacola, Fl -18 Hornet.

A F/ e th ght in proficiency fli

Crew chief Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class David Schooley of Easton, Pa., runs clear of the Number One jet as part of a practice ground performance prior to the launch of a pilot proficiency flight from Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

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What is Pharmaceutical Compounding?

By rachel s kaiser

Medistat Have you ever struggled to cut a prescription tablet in half because the pill wasn’t manufactured in the strength you required? Or wished your medication did not contain additives, such as dyes or preservatives? Or wished your child’s medications tasted better, so he or she would accept it without a fuss? Perhaps an ill loved one could have benefited from having a medication converted from a hard-to-swallow pill to another dosage form or multiple medications combined into a single dose. Compounding pharmacists provide solutions to all of these problems, and more.

Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications for individual patients. The practice of compounding dates back to the origins of pharmacy. In the 1930s and 1940s, a majority of prescriptions were compounded. With the arrival of mass drug manufacturing in the 1950s and 1960s, compounding declined as the pharmacist’s role as a preparer of medications quickly changed to that of a dispenser of manufactured dosage forms. However, this one-size-fits-all approach to medication meant that some patients’ needs were not being met.

Compounded medications solve numerous problems for patients who have special needs, such as patients suffering from chronic pain or inflammation, men and women suffering from hormone imbalances or infertility, people who are sensitive to additives in manufactured medications, and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other developmental, functional or sensory issues. Additionally, pharmacy compounding offers unique delivery systems for a patient’s medications. For patients who find it difficult to swallow a capsule, a compounding pharmacist may instead prepare the drug as a flavored liquid suspension.

Other medication forms include topical gels or creams that can be absorbed through the skin, suppositories, sublingual troches, or even lollipops.

Following consultation with a patient’s physician, a compounding pharmacist can: n

Adjust the strength of a medication

n

Prepare medications using unique delivery systems

n

Add flavor to make the medication more palatable

n Prepare medications without unwanted ingredients such as dyes, preservatives, lactose, gluten, or sugar.

For close to a decade, mediStat has provided compounding pharmacy services and solutions to thousands of patients and physicians throughout Baldwin County. In May 2012, owners Mark Acker and Tim Fickling opened a new, 21,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art pharmaceutical compounding facility, retail pharmacy and corporate office in Foley at 110 E. Azalea Ave. With more than 70 years of combined compounding experience, mediStat’s pharmacists have established an outstanding reputation among physicians by providing medications and advice that make a difference in the lives of their patients.

In addition to providing high quality compounded medications, mediStat is a complete health and wellness resource, carrying pharmaceutical-grade, over-the-counter vitamins and supplements. mediStat may be reached by calling 855-737-2550 or by visiting the pharmacy between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Also, please visit mediStat on the web at mediStat.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/Medistat.

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Back pain is a concern of many Americans and can originate from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.

Managing Back Pain A common complaint

by JANE TYLER Back pain is one of manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most frequent complaints. It is one of the most common reasons for missed work. And, it is the second most common reason for visits to the doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, outnumbered only by upper respiratory infections.

Back pain usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. It includes neck or cervical pain, middle back or thoracic pain and lower back or lumbar pain and tailbone or sacral spine pain.

Acute vs Chronic

Obviously such a complex structure means that there are several potential sources and causes of back pain. Most back pain is due to inflammation and lasts from two weeks to three months. This is termed acute for its duration. Chronic back pain is that which lasts longer than three months.

With acute back pain, usually a physician does not immediately seek a diagnosis but rather begins treatment to reduce the pain. With pain lasting longer than several weeks though, a physician will seek to find the underlying cause of the pain and advise a specific course of treatment. It is at this

point that a patient might seek the services of a pain management facility.

Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging

Precision Imaging in Gulf Shores offers the most extensive interventional procedures available for back pain management. Dr. Jason Williams, a board certified radiologist, utilizes advanced imaging to precisely find and treat neck and back pain without surgery.

Precision Imaging is the only facility in the area to offer CT-guided pain management procedures and one of the few facilities in Alabama offering cervical epidurals. The state-of-the-art, 64-slice CT scanner produces detailed images that allow Dr. Williams to more accurately diagnose the problem and pin-point the placement of injections.

And, Precision Imaging offers diagnostic and interventional imaging at costs lower than those of area hospitals.

If you are suffering from chronic back pain, get your life back ... Ask your physician for a referral to Precision Imaging or contact Precision Imaging for a consultation at 251-948-3420, visit 1680 W. 2nd St., Gulf Shores, or visit PrecisionImag.com.

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