Volume 32, No. 9
September 2014
the
Best Times
INFORMING & SUPPORTING JOHNSON COUNTY’S 60+ ADULTS
It’s not kung fu!
Prostate cancer: It’s Cane-Fu!
Pages 10-11 It’ not kung fu! It’s Cane-Fu!!
www.jocogov.org /thebest times
Johnson County Manager’s Office 111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 3300 Olathe, KS 66061
Publication of Johnson County Government
Fall signals time to reseed lawns Avoiding scams from emails, calls Steady Eddie? It means balance!
Good lawns for next year need good seeds this year. Pages 8-9 Scams come from many forms in seeking money. Pages 12-13 Exercising helps to keep life, activities in balance. Page 24
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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Columbia MO Permit No.353
etc.
Feed the Need collects 138 tons of food
J
ohnson County Government’s Feed the Need campaign again helped fill the shelves of 10 Johnson County food pantries, raising more than 138 tons of food. The annual food drive campaign collects donations that directly benefit food pantries serving Johnson County citizens. Six of those food pantries are located in multi-service centers operated by the Johnson County Department of Human Services. Last year, the drive raised more than 127 tons of food and provided food or food vouchers to
KC Symphony plans ‘Pops in the Park’
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he Kansas City Symphony will present its annual “Pops in the Park” concert on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, at The Theatre in the Park in Shawnee Mission Park. The performance is free to audiences of all ages. The parking lot opens at 4:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m. The symphony’s Instrument Petting Zoo begins at 5:30 p.m. Youngsters will enjoy the popular pre-concert activity where trained musicians help them try their hands at a variety of orchestral instruments. Entertainment by the Youth Symphony of Kansas City begins at 6 p.m. The orchestra takes the stage at 7 p.m. for a concert featuring patriotic and familiar classics from Bernstein, to Copeland, to John Williams’ Star Wars Suite. The Theatre in the Park is located in Shawnee Mission Park with a separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee. More information is available by visiting kcsymphony. org.
12,066 people in 4,885 households. Feed the Need hosted two fundraising events this year; the first took place on June 12 at the Sunset Drive office campus in Olathe and the second on June 19 at the Administration Building. The events included food booths, prize drawings, games, and served as a donation drop-off site. Throughout the rest of the year, employees donated food or funds as a department or agency. Employees from some departments hosted golf tournaments or races to increase support for the cause.
Johnson County’s Feed the Need started in 1987 with one county department and the collection of less than one ton of food. Since the program has begun, County Government has collected more than three million pounds of donations for local pantries and has become the leading participant in the annual metropolitan Feed the Need campaign since 1988. Feed the Need is a regional effort coordinated by the Mid-America Regional Council, the Mid-America Assistance Coalition, and Harvesters International.
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• September 2014
Volume 32, No. 9
the editor’s view
September 2014
Send us your best selfie
the
Best Times
By Gerald Hay, editor The Best Times
THIS & T HAT The Best Times, a monthly publication of Johnson County Government, is mailed without charge to Johnson County residents who are 60 years of age and older. Subscriptions are available for $15 annually for those who do not qualify to receive it. If you are interested in receiving The Best Times, call 913-715-8930. Mission: The Best Times is a monthly magazine provided for all Johnson County residents age 60 and older, publishing articles that inform, challenge, support, entertain, and persuade. Contributions to support the mission of The Best Times should be made payable to The Best Times and mailed to the address below, or online at www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes.
Publishing of letters from readers, opinion columns, or advertising does not constitute agreement or endorsement by this magazine or Johnson County Government. Interim Director of Public Affairs and Communications: Jody Hanson 913-715-0423 email: jody.hanson@jocogov.org Editor: Gerald Hay, 913-715-0736 email: gerald.hay@jocogov.org Circulation & Advertising Sales: Che’rell Bilquist, 913-715-8920 email: cherell.bilquist@jocogov.org
111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 3300 Olathe, KS 66061 913-715-8930 800-766-3777 TDD DEADLINE FOR EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING COPY IS THE 8TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING PUBLICATION
On the Cover
Jan Costello, Olathe, practices her Cane-Fu training at the Matt Ross Community Center, Overland Park. Cover story photos by Paul Andrews
N
o one can resist selfies anymore. Not astronauts. Nor President Obama. Not even Pope Francis. And, grandparents and folks in the 60-plus generation are taking part, and many of them actually are doing a pretty good job in the popular individual self-reflection activity. Some, perhaps many, definitely understand how to ham on their smartphones or iPads as they become quite tech-savvy these days, often with the help of their grandkids. In 2013, the Oxford English Dictionary made “selfie” the word of the year. Perhaps, a definition is in order. A selfie is a picture you take of yourself when you hold your cellphone at arm’s length, point the phone’s camera at yourself, and press the button. Because of the physical limitations, selfies on older smartphones may have a certain look: They’re often oddly composed and use peculiar camera angles. Faces usually are close-up and might look distorted. Newer smartphones usually do not have that issue. According to a recent Yahoo article nearly one trillion pictures will be taken in 2014 and most of them are expected to be selfies. For the most part, older adults are getting the hang of taking and sharing selfies in keeping up with younger generations. As a grandparent, I have received, taken, enjoyed, and shared more selfies on facebook and smartphones from my family and friends than pictures from digital cameras. Some of the best memories can be made with a camera or smartphone. With that said, let’s share the experience with The Best Times. In short: Give us your selfies! The sharing of selfies allows the 60-plus community in Johnson County to show us enjoying life, are really “hip,” and proud of the people we hold dearest. So smile; laugh; make a face; look silly;
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One of my favorite selfies with a granddaughter. pose alone or with grandkids, family members, friends, even pets; be on vacation; etc. In doing so, it also proves that even the older generation can lean new technology, perhaps with a little assistance from the younger folks. It’s easy. First, “like” us on The Best Times facebook at www.facebook.com/ jocobesttimes and then prepare to upload your masterpiece, but please exercise a little self-restraint and common sense. We do not want all your selfies, only your best one. We do want images that are appropriate for public viewing. That means selfies worthy, proper, and decent enough to be seen and shared by family members of all ages, your friends, your clergy, and the policeman/neighbor who might live in your neighborhood. In other words, no rude, crude, or nude selfies will be accepted. Questionable selfies will be removed by The Best Times. So, have fun! And, share your favorite selfie!! P.S. How to send a selfie to The Best Times is explained on page 9.
• Setpember 2014
Johnson County Area Agency on Aging
COA approves 2015 Area Plan By Jay Leak
T
he Johnson County Commission on Aging (COA) approved the 2015 Area Plan at a public hearing June 11. This is the second year of a proposed four-year plan. The Johnson County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is required to submit an annual area plan of services to the state of Kansas each August. The local COA hears testimony on the plan, and approves the document before sending it on for approval at the state level. The COA is a group of volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to provide information, guidance, advice, and support to the AAA, and to be a liaison to the board concerning the needs of older county residents and services to meet those needs. The Area Plan covers only services funded by the Older Americans Act, which establishes the legislative authority for the existence of the AAA. These include administrative, in-home,
community, and nutrition services. Although the bulk of the money comes from the federal government, state and county matches are required and some program income is generated, mainly from nutrition clients. The Area Plan generates 55 percent of the total operating revenues for the AAA. The administration costs of the Older Americans Act is 5.3 percent, while the direct service program costs are 94.7 percent. During the past decade, program income and the percentages funded by the federal, state, and county governments have stayed relatively stable. The revenues have stayed flat or have declined during the past few years. As the aging population increases and services become more costly, the Older Americans Act budget requires service to more people with fewer funds. However, the Kansas Department on Aging and Disability Services has reformulated the state funding formula, allowing the Johnson County AAA to better keep pace with the rapid growth of the senior population in the county.
Jay Leak is deputy director of the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging.
Need dental care? DDS offers help to eligible elderly
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onated Dental Services (DDS) helps the following who cannot afford needed dental care: • those with a permanent disability • the elderly (65+) • those who are medically at risk. The program does not provide emergency services or care for those who only need checkups and cleaning. There may be a waiting list for service assistance in some Kansas locales. If you have questions about the program, you may contact Andrew Acree at 1-888-870-2066, or reference information about the program at www.dentallifeline.org. Click on “Donated Dental Services” to make application. www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
Helping older adults to live in the community with independence and dignity. Information & Referral . . . . . . 913-715-8861 Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) . . . . . . . . . . . . 913-715-8856 Volunteer Services line . . . . . . 913-715-8859
Commission on Aging meetings will be held from 9-10 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month in Room 1070/1075, Sunset Drive Office Building, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe. The meetings are always open to the public. For more information, call 913-715-8860 or 800-766-3777 TDD. AAA programs are funded by the Older Americans Act and state funds through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, Johnson County government, agency matching funds, and individual participant donations. Johnson County government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.
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• September 2014
Johnson County Area Agency on Aging
Tips to increase personal safety • •
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Fall prevention Install handrails and grab bars wherever they are helpful, especially around stairs and bathrooms. Ensure ample lighting inside and outside your home, particularly around frequently used walkways. Add one more nightlight between your bedroom and bathroom. Choose shoes with non-slip soles that provide support without bulk that could cause you to trip. Use a walking aid, if needed, to improve balance and stability.
Join old friends and make new ones by lunching at one of the six SENIOR DINING SITES available in Johnson County. The Nutrition Program of the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging, 913-715-8888, serves nutritious meals Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. for those 60 and older, and offers fellowship, recreation, and educational programs. The meals are provided through the Older Americans Act. A donation of $3.00 is requested. To reserve a meal, just call the center of your choice by 10:00 a.m. one day in advance. Menus for meals provided through the Nutrition Program are available at http:// www.jocogoc.org. We hope to see you there soon!
Preventing fires and burns Set your water heater to 120 degrees. You can also use anti-scald devices on sinks and tubs. Test smoke detectors regularly. Be sure you have a smoke alarm in or near your cooking area. Alarms should also be installed in all bedrooms. When cooking, wear snug fitting or short sleeve clothing and high quality oven mitts that cover the lower part of your arms. Do not smoke in your home, especially if oxygen is used.
De Soto Neighborhood Center
Drive wisely Plan your route before you drive and use the safest routes that are well lit, familiar, and offer easy parking. Daytime driving in good weather is best. Eliminate distractions inside the vehicle and stay focused on the road. Know when it might be time to limit or stop driving, and learn how to get around the community without driving.
Take steps to improve driving skills
A
ARP offers a convenient way for older adults to take proactive steps towards improving their driving knowledge and skills. The course is offered in classroom settings as well as online. The class offers tips designed to help 50+ drivers, as well as anyone else who feels they need to brush up on their driving skills. Insurers in Kansas offer a discount on your automobile insurance policy upon completion of the course. Check with your private insurance carrier to see what the discount is for your specific coverage. The classroom course is just $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. The cost for the online course is $17.95 for AARP members and $21.95 for nonmembers. If you would like to register for a class or need more information, you may dial 888-AARP-NOW (1-888-2277669) or online at www.aarpdriversafety.org. www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
Eating is so much more fun with friends!
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• September 2014
De Soto Community Center 32905 W. 84th St. • 913-585-1762 Gardner Neighborhood Center Gardner Community Center 128 E. Park • 913-856-3471 Lenexa Neighborhood Center Lenexa Senior Center 13425 Walnut • 913-888-6141 Merriam/Shawnee Neighborhood Center Merriam Community Center 5701 Merriam Drive • 913-677-2048 Overland Park Neighborhood Center Matt Ross Community Center 8101 Marty St. • 913-648-2949 Spring Hill Neighbors’ Place Spring Hill Civic Center 401 N. Madison • 913-592-3180 CHAMPSS Program Senior dining at select Hy-Vee’s 913-715-8894 Home Plate Nutrition Program Seven frozen meals following hospital discharge 913-715-8810
Johnson County Area Agency on Aging
Highlights about older adults from the U.S. Administration on Aging •
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The older population (65+) numbered 43.1 million in 2012, an increase of 7.6 million or 21 percent since 2002. The number of Americans aged 45-64 – who will reach 65 over the next two decades – increased by 24 percent between 2002 and 2012. About one in every seven, or 13.7 percent, of the population is an older American. Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 19.2 years (20.4 years for females and 17.8 years for males). Older women outnumbered older men at 24.3 million older women to 18.8 million older men. In 2012, 21.0 percent of persons 65+ were members of racial or ethnic minority populations. Older men were much more likely to be married than older women – 71 percent of men vs. 45 percent of women. In 2013, 36 percent of older women were widows. About 28 percent (21.1 million) of noninstitutionalized older persons live alone (8.4 million women, 3.7 million men). Almost half of older women (45
Do not regret growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.
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percent) age 75+ live alone. In 2012, about 518,000 grandparents aged 65 or more had the primary responsibility for their grandchildren who lived with them. The population 65 and over has increased from 35.5 million in 2002 to 43.1 million in 2012 (a 21 percent increase) and is projected to increase to 79.7 million in 2040. The 85+ population is projected to increase from 5.9 million in 2012 to 14.1 million in 2040. The median income of older persons in 2012 was $27,612 for males and $16,040 for females. The major sources of income as reported by older persons in 2011 were Social Security (reported by 86 percent of older persons), income from assets (reported by 52 percent), private pensions (reported by 27 percent), government employee pensions (reported by 15 percent), and earnings (reported by 28 percent).
Principal sources of data for the profile are the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Options Counseling
D
o you have questions about services or resources that could help you? Have you thought about planning for your long-term care needs? Johnson County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) can help you sort through these issues: √ Housing options, including Section 8 and assisted living √ Questions about Medicare/Medicaid √ In-home services √ Community resources √ Transportation options √ Assistive technology resources √ Veteran’s Administration benefits √ Other long-term care services and supports, questions and resources Live your best life! Know your options. For Options Counseling, call 913715-8820.
Kansas Legal Services To schedule an appointment with Kansas Legal Services, contact the center you wish to visit. Be sure to provide the name of the client, not the name of the person making the appointment. Funding for Kansas Legal Services for older adults (60+) is provided through the Older Americans Act and private contributions. Clients are not billed for services, but contributions are gratefully accepted. To apply for Kansas Legal Services, call 913-621-0200 or a central intake line at 800723-6953. For up-to-date schedules, including future dates and notices of sessions that are full, visit www.jocogov.org/hsd (click on “Area Agency on Aging” and then “Legal Services.” Matt Ross Community Center
Sunset Drive Office Building
Appointments are scheduled for the third Wednesday every month. 8101 Marty Street, Overland Park 913-642-6410
Appointments are scheduled for the second Thursday every other month. 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe 913-715-8860
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• September 2014
the extension connection
Lawns require quality seed By Dennis Patton
L
abor Day signals the official start to fall. Turning the calendar to September also signals the start of the fall lawn care season. September is the most important period for developing and maintaining a healthy cool season lawn, tall fescue or bluegrass. September is important for the grass as it begins its recovery from the hot, dry summer, which places stress on turf that normally prefers to grow under the more favorable conditions of spring and fall. Cooler day and night temperatures combined with fall rain is the perfect recipe to jump-start the lawn from its summer slumber. September is the best time to fertilize the lawn over any other time of the year. Once the grass begins to overcome its summer stress, it wants to grow, and it wants to be fed. Simply stated, it needs to be fed. The most important nutrient is nitrogen. Apply a high nitrogen fertilizer low in phosphorus and potassium. The nitrogen, just like gas in a car, provides the fuel for growth. September is also the best time of the year to plant new grass seed to fill in bare patches. Again, the combination of cooler temperatures and warm soils provides the best opportunity to establish a new lawn or overseed thin areas. September conditions allow for quicker germination of the seed, establishment before winter and a mature stand that will be better able to withstand the coming summer conditions. Preparing the soil for seeding Success in planting grass seed is not as simple as just broadcasting it over the soil. There is an art and science to success. The steps are fairly simple. Mow the lawn slightly lower than normal, removing most of the debris. The next step is to prepare the soil. Soil preparation for seeding is accomplished by renting or hiring a firm to verticut the lawn. A verticutter slices
grooves into the soil in which the seed will fall or be placed for good seed-to-soil contact and germination. Be sure there is good soil moisture prior to verticutting so that the blades will penetrate the soil. Once verticutting is done spread the seed, fertilizer and water. The young seed should be up and growing within a couple of weeks. Unfortunately some people fail when seeding. The problem is usually not with the soil prep or care, but with the grass seed. There is really good grass seed on the market, but there is also, pardon my language, crap on the market. Tall fescue and bluegrass are the only species of grasses that should be planted in Johnson County lawns. That’s it! Just tall fescue and bluegrass — no other additives. There are many good varieties of these species on the market available from local garden centers. They do a nice job of following K-State and other regional land grant Cooperative Extension recommendations. Good mixture includes varieties A good mix of tall fescue and bluegrass will contain three of four different varieties, as each has desirable qualities. But some prepackaged bags or national brands add what I would call trash to either help control price or give you a quick fix that does not last. Here is the problem with blended mixes. In addition to the highly desirable tall fescue or bluegrass seed, other grasses are added such as perennial ryegrass, annual ryegrass, creeping red fescue, chewing fescue or other species that die under our climate. These species cannot tolerate summer heat and drought. The result is that they come up great in the fall and look good but by the following September these inferior species will be dead and gone, leaving you back where you started with a thin, patchy lawn. How do you know if you are purchasing quality grass seed for your lawn? That’s simple (and is the answer to many of Continued to next page
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• September 2014
It’s time to get seasonal flu shots By Shari Tedford
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o matter how healthy or youthful we feel, as we age, our ability to fight off viruses weakens, leaving older adults more vulnerable to the flu. Persons 65 years and older account for 90 percent of flu-related deaths and roughly 60 percent of flu-related hospitalizations in the U.S. each year, making the flu shot especially important for this population. Chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, COPD, and diabetes increase these risks. The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) recommends senior adults, 65 and older, get a seasonal flu shot as soon as it is available. They have two flu shots to choose from – a regular dose flu shot and a high dose flu shot that may offer stronger protection from the flu. Talk to your healthcare provider about which one is right for you. Visit www.NCOA.org/Flu or http://www.cdc.gov/flu for additional
Lawns need quality seed Continued from page 8 life’s questions), just read. By law, grass seed is required to have a seed label. This label is on the back and in small print and is comparable to a food label. It lists, by percentage, the grass species and varieties in the package. Following my recommendation, the percentage of seed in the bag should be 99 to 100 percent tall fescue or bluegrass, or a combination of the two. Any other species listed on the label is junk that will not survive for the long haul. These may seem like biting words about grass seed, but it is difficult telling someone they did all the right steps but the low quality seed mix they used was the cause of their issues. Achieving a beautiful lawn is akin to life. That is, you get out of it what you put into it. This saying can also be applied to grass seed. Now get out there and show that grass some September love. It will start you on the path to success. Dennis Patton, horticulture agent at Johnson County’s K-State Research and Extension Office, can be reached at 913-715-7000 or dennis.patton@jocogov.org.
information. The department will offer the regular and high dose flu shots this fall at the walk-in immunization clinics in Olathe (11875 S. Sunset Drive) and Mission (6000 Lamar Avenue). Visit http://www.jocogov.org/ for clinic hours and information or call 913-826-1263. Both the regular and the high dose flu shots are covered by Medicare Part B with no copay. JCDHE is a KanCare provider for all managed care organizations: Amerigroup, Sunflower and United Community. The department also accepts private insurance from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Coventry. JCDHE does not accept Coventry Advantra or Humana Gold Plus insurance. Cash, check or credit card payment is also accepted for those who are uninsured or who carry other insurance plans. Shari Tedford RN, BAN, is Senior Wellness coordinator for the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
Share your favorite selfie with The Best Times!
Share your favorite selfie with The Best Times!
Use your Computer
or
Your Smartphone
Go to www.facebook.com/jocobesttimes
Open the Facebook app.
Like The Best Time's page.
At the bottom of the screen (in the bar) are five icons. Select more.
Navigate to our post about sharing your favorite selfie.
In the search bar at the top of the screen type The Best Times. Select the option with our profile picture.
Under the post select and click on the comment option. A white box and the on-screen keyboard will appear. Click on the camera to the left of the comment box. A new window will open and show your files. Find and select your photo and click at the bottom of the window. The button may say Choose, Okay, or Attach- depending on your computer operating system.
Scroll down until you see our post about sharing your favorite selfie. Under the post select and click on the comment option. A white box and the on-screen keyboard will appear. Click on the camera to the left of the comment box. The photos saved to your phone will appear. Choose your photo and click on Done.
In the comment box, tell us who's in the selfie with you (children, friends, pets).
In the comment box, tell us who's in the selfie with you (children, friends, pets).
On your computer keyboard tap the enter or return button. Your photo and comment will appear in the comments feed of the post!
To the right of the comment box click on post. Your photo and comment will appear in the comments feed of the post!
www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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• September 2014
cover story
From left, Joanne Cohen, Jan Hull, Thomas Moore, David Yurkovich, and Jan and Mike Costello practice self-defense moves during the Cane-Fu training at the Matt Ross Community Center.
Cane-Fu:
‘Walk softly and carry a big stick’ ... a cane will do in self-defense
standing to strengthen feet and ankles. Both go hand-in-hand because relying on the cane for balance while trying to swing ost people only think of canes as a crutch. it or hold someone at bay in self-defense can result in a nasty After a few weeks of training at the Matt Ross fall. Community Center, some senior adults now conIt begins with learning how to walk with a cane while sider their canes as possible self-defense weapons. maintaining side-to-side balance, staying upright with good They are participants in classes of Cane-Fu being taught by posture, and heel-to-toe stepping while walking. Bennie Bolton, a former occupational therapist who has been “Don’t shuffle,” she said while watching class participants teaching classes and exercising programs at the Fifty Plus Dewalk across the training room. “If you shuffle, you’ll fall.” partment of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District Any kind of cane can be used in Cane-Fu, including those for two decades. made of aluminum or soft wood like pine. The best canes are To her, self-defense with a cane is designed specifically the hard-wood variety of hickory or oak because they don’t for senior adults and non-martial artists who want to feel more easily break upon impact. secure in their daily lives. Canes can also be carried – unconCanes can be used to encourage potential attackers to cealed – everywhere legally, including on airplanes, on the keep their distance with a poke in the stomach or solar plexstreet, and into public buildings. us. If further action is needed, canes can be used like swirling According to Bolton, the training has three main stages for swords to crack them in the knee, shin, elbow, neck, even the participants: stressing proper balance, mastering techniques in groin through various defensive swings protecting themselves with canes, and in neutralizing an attacker’s aggression using “their brains” and common sense. and self-protection. “Balance is important,” she said. The self-defense moves begin at The fall sessions of Cane-Fu will “People who walk with a cane don’t both knees, then the groin, and up to the be eight weeks each with the first usually have good balance. That’s why neck. classes scheduled to start on Sept. 8. A they’re using canes.” “The knee is a sure thing,” Bolton second session begins on Nov. 3. The beauty of Cane-Fu self-defense said, watching as her students practice Both classes will meet on Monis the idea that something one already swinging their canes on each other. days from 2-2:50 p.m. at the Matt owns and is likely to have on hand can “You should only hit one side (of the Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty be used as an effective weapon. The neck) because he’ll drop.” Street, Overland Park. training also offers a new way to proMichael and Janice Costello of Fee is $56 for Johnson County mote healthful exercise as well. Olathe, who are celebrating their 50th residents/$62 for non-residents. RegBolton stresses the importance of wedding anniversary, are taking Caneistration is required by calling 913proper balance in normal walking along Fu together for different reasons. 642-6410. Continued to next page with gentle exercises while sitting and By Gerald Hay
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New classes start soon
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• September 2014
cover story
Cane-Fu: “Walk softly and carry a big stick” Continued from page 10 He likes learning the self-defense moves, hoping the training would never have to be tested on someone in a real situation. And if that was to occur, would he try to use his cane as a weapon? “Definitely,” he replied without hesitation. His wife thinks the class and exercises will help to achieve better balance. “The self-defense part … well, that’s a sideline,” she said with a smile. Bolton hopes the Cane-Fu graduates in her class will acquire three important aspects from her training: improving their balance, mastering techniques in utilizing their canes in self-defense, and using their brains in either avoiding or controlling a challenging situation. She encourages participants to become more proactive through awareness – learning how to not put themselves in situations in which they will have to defend themselves. That means focusing on their walking, not talking on a cellphone, not using headphones, and resulting in an adaptation of Teddy Roosevelt’s old adage: “walk softly but carry a big stick.” In this case, a cane does the trick.
Bennie Bolton shows Dudley Potter how to use a cane in self-defense to stop someone. Clifford Rozelto, right, waits his turn. Two other Cane-Fu classes are scheduled for the remainder of this year. Both sessions will take place in the Matt Ross Community Center, Overland Park.
Preplanning Seminar for Military Veterans Please join us September 23 at 6 p.m. for a seminar on preplanning for military veterans. Guest speakers will be William Owensby Jr., Director of the Leavenworth National Cemetery Complex, and Gary Swanson of the Veterans History Project. Please RSVP by September 22. Call 768-6777. Ann Rauh
PenwellGabelOlathe.com 14275 S. Blackbob Road
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Great location Social events No voucher needed
Quality housing that meets your budget, in a safe, secure setting.
www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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• September 2014
avoiding scams
Scams come in many forms By Gerald Hay
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Hint
Johnson County has a 60-plus population of more than 60 thousand adults. It is the job of the Johnson County Sheriff ’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office to help protect them and their assets from a growing trend to target older citizens as easy marks for a variety of illegal schemes. The best way to do that is through education and awareness along with encouraging residents to use good
.T. Barnum has long been quoted as once saying: “There’s a sucker If it sounds too good to born every minute.” Whether or not he actualbe true, it probably is ly said that remains in dispute decades just that – too good to later, but attempts at being swindled by a con artist, sharpie, smoothie, or flimbe true. flammer remains timeless. Scams come in many forms. old common sense. An Olathe man on disability income, who contacted The There are good reasons why seniors are good scam tarBest Times, came close, very close, to losing $800 to a scam. gets. They are more likely to have substantial savings in their He received a call saying he had won $800,000 in a sweepnest eggs, own their homes, and have excellent credit ratings. stakes. The caller didn’t request any personal information – They were raised to be polite and trusting and con artists take Social Security, bank account, credit card, etc. – but provided advantage of these good traits. Seniors are more likely to be a long list of information indicating the legacy of the winhome during the day and less likely to say no or hang up the nings, including a name of a woman in West Virginia to prophone. cess the payment. By the end of the call, the Olathe resident The explosion in technology has resulted in wonderful already had spent half of the fortune in his mind. new tools for law enforcement personnel to help solve crimes The following day, the caller again contacted him to and protect citizens from harm. Unfortunately these same wrap-up collecting his cash prize, asking him if he had the advancements have opened new ways to identify specific age $800 money order ready to send to the West Virginia contact groups, such as 65 and older, as targets and to steal their hard to complete the transition. In order to receive the money, he earned money or retirement savings. had to pay a local tax to free up the winnings. Fortunately, Here are some of the most common “senior scams.” that request raised a red flag. The Olathe man realized that he • Lottery and sweepstakes scams: Typically a letter is sent or was being scammed and hung up after voicing a few colorful call is made to the victim announcing they are a big winner of a words to the caller. lottery or sweepstakes. There is either a request to wire money He’s not alone in almost becoming a victim to a scam. to pay the taxes and process the winning prize or the letter will Others, however, are not so lucky. even include a bogus check with instructions to deposit the check Scams have one thing in common, the demand for money. and then wire a portion of the prize back to cover taxes, etc. And, the numbers are staggering. $73 billion dollars! That is When the check bounces the victim is out of that “tax money” or the estimated amount scammed illegally each year from some processing amount with little or no recourse because it was wired 25 million senior citizens across the country, according to the to an overseas account. Federal Trade Commission in testimony at a recent hearing by Continued to next page the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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• September 2014
Scams come in many forms
Continued from page 12 •
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Grandchild in trouble scam: The con artist impersonates a grandchild to a senior who may have some hearing deficit or claims to be some sort of law enforcement or public official giving details of the young person’s financial or legal trouble that needs to be dealt with immediately. Wire the money now is the request to avoid sending the grandchild to jail or bailing them out of one. Bereavement scams: These are the cruelest of all con games: The scammers take advantage of seniors who have recently lost loved ones, most likely a spouse, daughter, or son by scouring the obituaries. They call the widow or widower or grieving parent claiming that their dear departed has outstanding debts that need to be paid immediately by check or credit card. Investment and work at home schemes: In an effort to supplement their fixed incomes seniors respond to these direct mail and e-mail ads. The investment invitations promise huge
returns and usually require victim to sign up quickly. In working from home scams, whether it is stuffing envelopes, data entry, or serving as a “mystery shopper” the offers that are not legitimate ask the applicant to send money up front to cover start-up costs. • Medicare scams: Seniors are called or e-mailed by someone who claims to be with Medicare saying some errors have occurred and they need updated information such as Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers. Medicare will never request personal financial information by phone or e-mail. The Sheriff’s Office has deputies who are specialists in crime prevention who will gladly provide you information in any and all efforts to fight scams. Check out the office’s website at http://www.sjso.org and click on the “crime prevention” link. There is a section devoted to crimes against the elderly. In addition, residents can register an Internet complaint as well as obtain valuable information from the Federal Government at http://www.ic3.gov.
What to do?
Here is the best advice the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office can offer:
o Get all the information you can about any unsolicited request or offer of services then check out those facts and claims through legitimate sources such as the Better Business Bureau. o Be suspicious of high pressure sales tactics or the need to make quick decisions regarding any financial transaction. Ask for a call back number (which the caller most likely will not provide). o Ask a trusted friend or relative for help. o If someone claims a family member is in financial trouble, check it out by calling them. You will most likely discover they are just fine and don’t need anything. Bottom line: Never give money to anyone who calls making that demand. It’s that plain and simple. Next step: Call local law enforcement and report the scam.
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www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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• September 2014
elder law
New law better protects elders
By Alexandra R. English
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new elder abuse and mistreatment of dependent adult statute now provides for much greater protections for seniors and other dependent adults along with much harsher penalties for those who commit both financial and physical crimes against seniors and dependent adults. Mistreatment of Dependent Adults: One of the major improvements with this new statute is that it expands the definition of the crime for mistreatment of a dependent adult. The new law creates a much stiffer penalty for those who commit crimes against dependent adults. As defined by statute, a dependent adult is an individual 18 years of age or older who is unable to protect his or her own interest. This could include, but is not limited to, an adult cared for at a residential facility, in a private residence, in a medical care facility, or an individual with in intellectual or developmental disability receiving services through a community facility. Prior versions of the statute would have considered infliction of physical injury or “cruel punishment” against a dependent adult to be only a battery or a Level 6 person felony. However now, depending on the situation, it can be charged as a Level 5 person felony, which comes with much harsher penalties than a Level 6 person felony. Elder Abuse: Unfortunately this new statute does not expand the same punishments for “physical injury, unreasonable confinement or unreasonable punishment” to all elder persons. An elder person is defined as an individual 70 years old or older. It is unknown exactly why the legislature chose 70 years of age. Other states use different ages, and the majority of states seems to use 60 years of age instead. Perhaps 70 is the new 60. It is important to note that if the victim is an elder person who is also a dependent adult, then that crime can be charged under the new statute. Otherwise, if an elder person is a victim of physical abuse, that would still be charged under the Kansas battery statute, which is K.S.A. 21-5413. It is my hope that one day physical violence against elder persons, whether they are a dependent adult or not, can be charged under this same statue with harsher penalties than the battery statue. Financial Abuse of an Elder: The penalties for financial abuse are harsher as well. Previously, all violations of the Kansas Power of Attorney Act (K.S.A. 58-650 – K.S.A. 58-665) had to be dealt with by filing a civil lawsuit. For the first time in Kansas, this new statute criminalizes violations of
the Kansas Power of Attorney Act. For example, if you have given your neighbor Power of Attorney over you, and that neighbor violates their fiduciary duty and steals money from your bank account under the guise of being your agent, that neighbor can now be charged criminally for a breach of his or her fiduciary duty to you, in addition to the theft. The mistreatment of an elder portion of this statute reads: (b) Mistreatment of an elder person is knowingly committing one or more of the following acts: (1) Taking the personal property or financial resources of an elder person for the benefit of the defendant or another person by taking control, title, use or management of the personal property or financial resources of an elder person through: (A) Undue influence, coercion, harassment, duress, deception, false representation, false pretense or without adequate consideration to such elder person; (B) a violation of the Kansas power of attorney act, K.S.A. 58-650 et seq., and amendments thereto; or (C) a violation of the Kansas uniform trust code, K.S.A. 58a101 et seq., and amendments thereto; or (2) omission or deprivation of treatment, goods or services that are necessary to maintain physical or mental health of such elder person. Conclusion: Even though the new law isn’t perfect, it is a huge improvement over its predecessor, and we should all be extremely grateful for its passage and enactment. It provides for much greater protections for our state’s seniors and other dependent adults. We can only hope that the harsher penalties that will be handed down will cause a chilling effect on physical and financial abuse and neglect of seniors and dependent adults. If you would like to read the statute in its entirety, you can find it in the Kansas Statues Annotated 21-5417. This statute only applies to crimes committed after July 1, 2014. Any crimes committed prior to July 1, 2014, would be charged under different statutes under the older penalties. If you believe you are a victim of elder abuse as defined under this new statute, or if you know of someone who may be, do not hesitate to report it to your local police station, your local prosecutor’s office, and/or your local Adult Protective Services Office.
Alexandra English is an elder law attorney with Kansas Legal Services, Inc.
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• September 2014
serving and protecting
District Attorney reports rise in elder abuse reports
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lder abuse reports, particularly involving financial exploitation of older adults, have grown dramatically in volume since 2009. Reports come to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office from numerous sources, including the Adult Protective Service (APS) of the Kansas Department of Children and Families, from family members of the abused adults, financial institutions, the courts, and by private attorneys. The DA’s protocol for handling this increased volume has been to conduct training with local law enforcement agencies to help them investigate reports of elder abuse, and in many cases, assign one of the DA criminal investigators to assist the local agency in the investigation. In cases where medical records of the victim are involved, the DA will often put together a Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST team) that includes a volunteer medical professional, a detective in the city where the offense has taken place, an Assistant District Attorney, APS, a DA investigator, and, when appropriate, an investigator with the involved financial institution. This multi-disciplinary approach allows for a more comprehensive investigation with more resources, and is helpful in resolving financial exploitation cases that have complex medical, behavioral, and financial attributes that have to be addressed for successful prosecution. Many cases are handled by the local police agency on their own, or by DA investiga-
tors, which is typical when the medical and behavioral aspects of the case are established before the offense takes place. Reports of elder abuse are typically made directly to APS via their 24/7 hotline (800-922-5330), who will conduct a preliminary investigation, and if a criminal offense is suspected, APS will refer the case to the local police agency. The District Attorney is provided copies of all reports referred to police agencies in Johnson County so that assistance on those cases can be provided by the DA’s Office when requested by local law enforcement. When elder abuse is suspected, the local police department can be contacted and a complaint filed with them, or by contacting the Adult Protective Service at the hotline number provided above. If there are questions about whether abuse is taking place, the District Attorney operates a white collar crime hotline at 913-715-3140, and an investigator can assess the nature of the complaint and assist the caller in proper reporting of the offense. As noted, the volume of offenses has increased tremendously in the past five years, and can be attributed to not only the aging population in the county, but also to increased unemployment among people inside and outside of Johnson County that have access to elderly victims with financial resources. The volume of reports is expected to grow larger with a recent change in Kansas criminal statutes that broadened the definition of financial exploitation and victims.
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Longtime friends to showcase their photography at exhibit
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“Two Woman-Two Worlds Photography Exhibit,” showcasing the photo-based reality and fantasy worlds of two good friends, is being displayed in September in the Endres Gallery at the Prairie Village Municipal Offices, 7700 Mission Road. The free exhibit, which opens Sept. 3, features the works of Gloria Hawkins, Leawood, and Christina Ellis, Overland Park. The exhibit may be viewed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through the end of September. An art reception Gloria Hawkins, left, and Christina Ellis for the exhibitors will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 12. While taking photography classes,16 years ago, at Johnson County Community College, they discovered a shared mutual passion for photography. Beginning in the wet darkroom, with black-and-white film photography and progressing to color film, then to digital photography their friendship has continued as they perfected their skills.
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www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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• September 2014
Celebrating a Life
Photo/Janice Suddath
Robert Roberge Sr. is shown in his memory garden with his son, Robert Roberge Jr. and his 7-year-old granddaughter, Maddie Roberge. The garden has three sections for his grandchildren, Maddie, and Peter and Perri Polyviou.
Memory garden: A good place to honor the dead By Linda Chesney Kaut
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butterfly flits around a yard. A chipmunk darts across a patio. And, like a scene from a painting, a man sits amid splashes of color in a sea of green. Welcome to a backyard garden in Prairie Village which has become a gathering place for insects and animals as well as people. What sets this space apart is that it’s a memory garden, a place to remember someone who has died. The man who spends nearly every day in the garden is Robert A. “Bob” Roberge Sr., a retired funeral home director who has lived 48 years in the ranch-style house with the colorful garden. The person the garden honors is his late wife, Betty Roberge, a retired teacher. The two met in 1953 and married two years later - Memorial Day. The couple, whose family includes two children and three grandchildren, was married 59 years before Betty Roberge suddenly became ill and died two days later on New Year’s Eve in 2012. Earlier that year, this wife, mother, and grandmother had planted wildflowers in an area that had been a vegetable garden. She had help from the grandchildren. Working with children was routine for Betty Roberge, a longtime elementary school art teacher. The grandchildren have their own art studio at the back of this house because their grandmother transformed a sunroom for them. During the winter, outdoor plants are taken to this room in a house filled with art. “It’s like a museum,” Roberge said of the house. “Her artwork is everywhere.” Signs in the garden bear the names of the three grandchildren. In addition, there are small bicycles with moving wheels
which represent each of them. “All of this is her artwork,” Roberge said of the garden, which is home to varieties such as sunflowers, morning glories, and elephant’s ears. This garden even has moonflowers, which open from evening to sunrise. When it’s dark, he said, strobe lights turn the garden three different colors. The garden also includes a water feature, in this case complete with the sights and sounds of a fish pond with 23 goldfish and a koi fish. Another feature is a windmill, a gift from a friend. Visitors include people who knew Betty Roberge as well as a variety of birds such as cardinals and hummingbirds. The garden has so many feathered friends, Roberge said, that bird feeders are routinely refilled every other day. Despite all the traffic, the most devoted visitor is Roberge. “Here I can sit and be with her,” Roberge said. “This is very tranquil.” A memory garden is a good place to honor someone, said the retired funeral home director. People generally don’t visit a cemetery very often, he said, and sometimes they can’t get there. “That’s my message,” Roberge said. “You make it easy for those who cannot go to the cemetery.” A memory garden at home is ideal, according to Roberge. After all, he said, “I think about her all the time.” All he has to do is go to the garden. “She’s right here. This garden is a tie between me and my wife.” Linda Chesney Kaut, a former newspaper reporter, is a freelance writer. She lives in Spring Hill.
2014 Advertising Section www.jocogov.org/the best times •
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• September 2014
End-of-Life Planning, Funeral Homes & Crematories
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Four important steps for funeral planning
onoring our dead doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. It’s your choice whether to have a very simple disposition or a more elaborate funeral. Your taste, beliefs, and budget should dictate the type of funeral you arrange. The following steps will help you plan a funeral for yourself or for someone else. STEP 1: Discuss Funeral Arrangements with Your Family Funeral planning starts at home. Just as most families discuss weddings, home-buying, college, and other major life issues, so should they discuss funerals. Families who make funeral planning a normal part of life say that the conversation made a painful time easier to bear.
Many people say they found great meaning and peace carrying out thoughtful funeral plans that honored their family members in an appropriate and affordable way. There are as many ways to honor the dead as there are cultures, religions, and budgets. Families can choose simple arrangements, such as a cremation with no ceremony, or more elaborate ones, such as a long wake before a funeral. They can use no coffin at all, or they can choose a handcrafted oak casket. They can keep the body at home for a private visitation, or they can hold a public viewing at a funeral home. Continued to next page
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• September 2014
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End-of-Life Planning, Funeral Homes & Crematories
Four important steps for funeral planning Continued from Page 18 Whatever you choose, be sure it’s based on what’s meaningful to you, not on what you think “the community” expects you to do. No amount of money, great or small, can express how we feel about those who have died. Taking an active role in our family’s funeral arrangements – whether that means carrying out the whole process without a funeral home, or just preparing and delivering the eulogy – is more meaningful than the money we spend. STEP 2: Know Your Options Most people are confused about what they can and can’t do. A “traditional funeral” – embalming, fancy casket, open-casket wake, funeral ceremony, procession, and graveside service – is a relatively recent commercial invention rarely practiced outside the U.S. and Canada. If a typical American funeral brings you comfort and you can afford it, then by all means arrange one. But every family should know it has the right to care for its dead in any way the family sees fit within the law. STEP 3: Shop Around A funeral can be simple or elaborate, inexpensive or costly. But unless you plan well in advance and shop around, you’re likely to pay top dollar. Most people don’t
shop around for a funeral – they pick the funeral home closest to them, or the one their family has always used. Neither of these criteria tell you whether you’re getting a good value. By federal regulation, funeral homes must give you price quotes over the phone. In addition, they must give you printed, itemized price lists when you show up in person to discuss funeral arrangements. That means you have the right to stop in to any funeral home and request a General Price List (GPL), no questions asked. It’s a good idea to visit several funeral homes to pick up price lists and take them home for comparison at your own kitchen table. The best place to start shopping is your local funeral consumer group. A nationwide directory of nonprofit information organizations can be found there. These volunteer groups can often recommend reasonably priced funeral homes and crematories. Some of these groups have contracted for substantial discounts for their members, too. When shopping on your own, you can get numbers for funeral homes and crematories in the Yellow Pages and online, too. Continued to next page
www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes.org •
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• September 2014
Resources Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City (816) 561-6322 4501 Walnut Street Kansas City, MO 64111 •
Helps individuals and families make informed decisions about death-related services, offers information on price surveys, funeral myths, your legal rights, etc… Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts
(785)-296-3980 700 SW Jackson Street, Suite 904 Topeka, KS 66603-3733 •
Health and safety regulators, informing the public of the laws and options available to them when dealing with the funeral profession, planning funerals, or searching for licensed providers.
End-of-Life Planning, Funeral Homes & Crematories
Four important steps for funeral planning
Continued from page 19 STEP 4: Put It All Together with the “Before I Go, You Should Know” Kit Once you’ve found a funeral home you want to use, or a list of good choices, bring those likely to survive you in on the conversation. Tell them what you’ve found, share your wishes with them, and show them what a funeral home price list looks like. If your plans go awry, or your death occurs away from home, they’ll need the skills you’ve developed to negotiate the funeral. Most importantly, put your plans in writing, in as much detail as necessary. The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) offers a funeral planning kit that comes with a 16page fill-in-the-blanks booklet for your funeral plans, the
locations of your important papers, your computer passwords, and more. The “Before I Go, You Should Know” planning kit also comes with state-specific advance medical directives. Kits are $10 each from the national FCA, but check with your local FCA group to see if they supply them. Whether you buy a planning kit, or draft your plans on your own stationery, the most important thing is to copy them and distribute them to those who will be handling your funeral arrangements. The Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City also offers information to make your healthcare wishes known. You can download a booklet titled “Caring Conversations,” by visiting www.practicalbioethics.org. Click on “Resources,” then “Caring Conversations” (available in English or Spanish). Source: Abridged from Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City website www.funeralsks.org.
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Cremation Center of Kansas City The Cremation Center of Kansas - a cost-effective, dignified alternative to funeral homes and cremation societies is the preeminent cremation provider in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri. Located in Johnson County, the Cremation Center of Kansas City offers the reputation of long-term professionals who have been standing beside local residents during difficult moments for many decades. Jim Hawkins, the director of Cremation Center of Kansas City, has served Kansas City metropolitan residents for many Years.
Here is just some of what makes us appealing and sets us apart: • We operate our own crematory - Johnson County’s first crematory. Our reputation extends back to 1979, more than 30 years of service to the local community. • Because we are a local family-owned cremation service, we do not answer to a board of directors or stockholders who are focused on high sales margins and profits. Our focus is personal relationships that last across generations. • Our phones are answered by professionals who are available around the clock to provide compassion and dignified service to family, caregivers, hospices, hospitals, and nursing homes. • All services are provided by our own staff, who are trained to the highest
standards and are accountable to us. It is the caring personnel of the Cremation Center of Kansas City who will come to your home, hospital, hospice house, or nursing home when a death has occurred. Your loved one is never with a contracted service. • Our licensed, compassionate funeral directors are sensitive to the customs, rituals, and traditions of many faiths and will work with you, honoring what matters most to you. • Not all families wish to witness cremation, but many do. We not only support that choice and make it available, we encourage it. • When you approach the Cremation Center of Kansas City for support and service, you will never be daunted by preregistration, prepayments, or membership fees. • The Cremation Center of
www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes.org •
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• September 2014
Self-defense to T.A.K.E to field at The K
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presentation of The Ali Kemp Educational (T.A.K.E.) Foundation Self-Defense Seminar on the playing field at Kauffman Stadium will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, for women ages 12 and older. The free program, which is being presented at Kauffman Stadium for the seventh year, begins at 10 a.m. and will last about two hours. Participants are asked to complete a registration form they can find online at http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/community/take_defense.jsp and bring it with them, but walk-in participants will be accepted on the day of the event. In case of inclement weather on Sept. 6, those planning to attend are asked to call 913-826-2951 to be advised of cancellation or rescheduling of the event. Participants should
consider bringing sunglasses and sunscreen. Bottled water will be provided. Johnson County Park and Recreation District Corporate and Community Wellness Manager Jill Leiker said the first half-hour of the class, consisting of verbal instruction and talk about safety awareness, will take place with participants in the stands. For the handson training portion, Leiker will move to a stage on the turf and participants will move onto the field. The T.A.K.E. program represents a living legacy in honor of Ali Kemp, a 19-year-old Leawood resident who was murdered while working as a lifeguard at a neighborhood pool in Johnson County. The goal of the program is to raise awareness and to give women and girls the self-protection skills they need to avoid becoming victims of violent crime.
Barn Players offer ‘Hair’ until Oct. 5
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he classic rock musical “Hair,” which sparked the journey of youth through the 1960s and 1970s, is the next production at the Barn Players, 6219 Martway, Mission, playing from Friday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 5. The musical is the story of youth searching for love, truth and peace and tells the story of the “Tribe” a group of hippies living in New York City. “Hair” features a long list of fantastic music including Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In, and Good Morning Starshine. The production is directed by Phil Kinen with musical direction by Chris Holbrook. Friday and Saturday performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18, with discounts for seniors and students, and are available through the theatre website at www.thebarnplayers.org, by calling 800-838-3006, or purchasing at the theatre box office prior to each production. www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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• September 2014
inside story
Wreaths for graves of vets By Joe Henderson
wreaths each year is the last Monday in November.” Wreaths cost $15. For every two wreaths purchased by reaths Across America on Dec. 13 will again place the MOKAN Gold Star Families group the wreath company wreaths on the graves of military veterans in the donates a wreath free. All donations go through Wright who Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. maintains a strict accounting of donations and sends them This is the fifth year for the annual ceremony along to the company. The wreaths are trucked to Leavenworth sponsored by the MOKAN Gold Star Families group at the from Maine in early December. Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery that began in 2010. That “Our volunteers meet the truck, unload the wreaths and on first year 516 wreaths were placed on graves. the specified date lay them on the The next year, despite freezing graves,” Pitts said. temperatures and blowing sleet, A 35-inch wreath is placed in the ceremony was held on schedule the rotunda of the Kansas State and volunteers laid 762 wreaths House a week before the official on headstones. In 2012, as the cemetery ceremony – always project gained volunteers, 1,072 conducted the second Saturday wreaths were placed. Last year, of December – which coincides 2,800 graves were decorated with with similar events at Arlington wreaths. National Cemetery and other naFort Leavenworth National tional cemeteries. The ceremony Cemetery is a “closed” cemetery includes honor guards, taps and meaning only veterans killed in prayers, she said. action, spousal burials of veterans Because there are more than already interred there or crema20,000 headstones in the Leavtions are allowed. It’s one of the enworth National Cemetery the first 13 national cemeteries enacted group lays wreaths in a designated secin 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln. tion each year to honor as many veterans Now more than 22,000 veterans are buras possible. ied there, including eight Medal of Honor “Our hope is that one day we will be recipients, one a double Medal of Honor able to lay a wreath on every grave in recipient. the cemetery each December,” said Pitts, The MOKAN Gold Star Families whose son, David, 21, was the first solgroup was founded by Diana Pitts, dier from Leavenworth, killed in Iraq. Leavenworth, and Betty Wright, ShawPitts is from an Army family. Her unnee, both of whom lost sons serving on cle, Delbert Vogeli, was the first soldier active duty. They met for the first time at from Leavenworth killed in action in the a gathering of Gold Star families in July, Korean War. Her son, Jeremy, 26, and Diana Pitts, left, is shown with Betty 2009, at a Leavenworth VFW. Wright’s her son-in-law, Brandon Casey, 24, recently Wright and Don Churchill. son, Shawn, died in 1991. Pitts’ son, David, returned home from Afghanistan. Both her was killed in Iraq in 2006. grandfathers were in the army in World War II. Pitts has been They believe it is important to keep the public aware of employed at Fort Leavenworth 26 years. the sacrifices of veterans who fought on battlefields around Behind the Wreaths Across America success is the selfless the world and their families. Wreaths Across America is one of work by hundreds of volunteers who believe strongly in the the ways to keep their memory alive. group’s mission. Many of whom are veterans themselves. Don “We’re not an organization or a club,” Pitts emphasized. Churchill, Olathe, was in the Army from 1964-68 and was on “We don’t have a membership list, bylaws, dues or officers. hospital duty in Vietnam. We’re a group of all volunteers. We support one another and “I learned about Wreaths Across America listening to a urge others to remember and honor those who died for our television commentator,” he said. “My first reaction was ‘why country.” haven’t I heard about this sooner.’” “We must not forget their service. We can’t forget the ac“When I laid a wreath last year it meant so much to me, tive duty person who puts on the uniform every single day so brought back so many memories. How do you begin to repay we can walk these streets free. We have to remember them,” the sacrifices our military makes in war time?” Churchill said. she said. “By remembering to pay respect to every one of them. This is Pitts’ title is location coordinator. Wright is the sponsorwhat Wreaths Across America can do.” ship leader who handles sponsor’s donations and sends them For more details about Wreaths Across America or to make to Wreaths Across America headquarters in Maine to buy a donation, contact Betty Wright at betty7312@gmail.com. wreaths. “We begin soliciting donations for next year the day after Joe Henderson was a federal court reporter with The Kansas City Star for 40 the Dec. 13 ceremony,” Wright said. “The deadline to order years and is now a freelance writer. He lives in Overland Park.
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www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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• September 2014
Special Edition program begins pilot project
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ohnson County Transit has launched a pilot project in its Special Edition program involving a small expansion of the service area through early 2015. The project, which began Aug. 1, will allow clients to be dropped off at service providers a little farther west and south in the transportation system. The facilities must be within a half mile outside the current Special Edition southern (159th Street) and western (K-7 and Hedge Lane) service area boundaries. Individuals being transported must be approved Special Edition riders in good standing. Special Edition supports Johnson County residents who are over age 60 and/or have intellectual/developmental disabilities. The pilot project will allow residents to request an “exception” to the service area boundary. The exceptions may be approved for Community Service Providers, which are agencies that provide day and/or residential services to eligible persons. The pilot program ends on Jan. 31, 2015. After completion of the pilot project, a determination will be made whether to stop the program or make it permanent. More information is available at www. thejo.com or by calling 913-782-2210.
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Hoe Down set Sept. 5
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he Johnson County Fairgrounds are the place for good food, entertainment, and company during a new special event by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. The Fairground Hoe Down will take place on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Fairgrounds, 136 East Washington Street, Gardner. Participants will start the night off with warm chili and tasty cornbread. Also planned is bingo with prizes, followed by music and square dancing. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The cost, including dinner and entertainment, is $5 per person in advance or $7 at the door. To get the lower price, RSVP no later than Monday, Sept. 1, by calling 913-826-2859.
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• September 2014
to your good health
Steady Eddie?
Seniors and balance and five great exercises! By Lisa Taranto Butler
to get the heel and toes as close as you can without losing your balance. Try about 20 steps this way and make sure ot balance? Well, if you are younger, you may take to keep your eyes focused on something ahead of you your stability for granted, but for seniors, balance is which helps to stay stable. necessary for daily activities and essential to a safer, • Leg Extensions more-mobile life. Stand next to a wall or chair. Put most of your weight One in three adults age 65 and older in the U.S. fall each on the inside leg. Lift and lower your leg out to the side, year. Of those, 20 to 30 percent suffer moderate to severe making sure to lift and lower at the same speed. Do not injuries and increase their risk of early death, according to let your leg just plop down. Control the movement. Keep the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). your supporting knee bent slightly. Do 15 reps on both The Scoop legs. This exercise works balance as well as But let’s get poised here. your hips and tush –all needed Just because we are aging for a great gait! doesn’t mean we have to give • P lay Some Hoops! up on solidity. We may not think about falling every Have some fun and do this exercise about 15 times on day, but perhaps we should since, as we age, our stabileach leg. Start with feet about hip width apart. Step ity decreases. forward with one leg like you are shooting a basketball. You don’t have to practice squatting on a BOSU ball for Make sure to shift your weight to the front leg. Shoot at two hours each day to be a “Steady Eddie” on your feet. A your imaginary hoop above with the same hand. Bring leg simple program of gentle, at-home exercises can help you back to starting position. Score! or your elderly loved one improve coordination and de• Think Disco crease the risk of falls and accidents. Thanks to John Travolta and Saturday Night Fever, we can The Work gain a little more stability and have fun at the same time. You can do the following movements on your own, Walk forward as you normally would walk. Take your with another person acting as stability or next to a chair or hand (with a pointed disco finger, of course) and reach at railing. Don’t try these exercises alone if they are too chala diagonal movement across your body as you move forlenging or make you feel ward. Watch your finger uncomfortable. Have a as it moves diagonally friend, caregiver or relaacross your body. Do tive assist where needed. this several times, turn • The Flamingo around and use the other arm. Stand on one leg and hold onto the The Timing When it comes to exercise, seniors back of a chair or put your hand Falls are the leading cause of injury should never forgo balance training. on a wall. Hold for approximately death for older Americans. Practicing stability on an almost daily 10 seconds and repeat about eight • Every 14 seconds, an older adult basis is ideal, but at least three days a times. Do the same thing with the is treated in the emergency room week of balance exercises can put you other leg. Many people feel more for a fall; every 29 minutes, an on a more permanent path to stability. balanced on one side than the other, older adult dies following a fall. The Results and that is very normal. Don’t slack • Falls are the leading cause of Improving your balance doesn’t on the posture. Keep your head up, fatal injury and the most common happen overnight. Practice makes better chest proud and your shoulders cause of nonfatal trauma-related when it comes to stability - especially as down. As you get more comfortable hospital admissions among older we age. Being consistent and persistent with this move, challenge yourself adults. will be hugely beneficial for a senior by adding more difficult progres• Falls result in more than 2.4 milwho wants to keep moving and perform sions. Try to reach the foot that is lion injuries treated in emergency activities for daily living. You will see off of the ground as far out in front departments annually, including the results eventually, but will find of you as possible without it coming over 772,000 hospitalizations and improvement in your daily life forever. in contact with the ground. more than 21,700 deaths. Now go get balanced! • Toe the Line • In 2012, the total cost of fall No, you are not getting pulled over, Some information for this article was found injuries was over $36 billion. at BPMrx.com. but this move is great for balance. • The financial toll for older adult Think “heel-to-toe” walking in a Lisa Taranto Butler is triple-certified by the falls is expected to increase as straight line. Place the heel of one American Council on Exercise as a personal the population ages and may foot so that it’s touching the toes trainer, lifestyle, and weight management reach $59.6 billion by 2020. coach, and group fitness instructor. She is the of the other foot. If your toes don’t - CDC owner of FitChix KC in Leawood. actually touch, that is okay, just try
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Falls take toll
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• September 2014
grandparents as parents
C hildren only really need three things
By Shirley Carson inding out you are going to be a grandparent, whether for the first time or the eighth time, is a cause for celebration. The bond that can form between grandparent and grandchild is a special gift that not everyone gets to experience. Usually grandparents can love and spoil their grandchildren, along with lending a hand watching them when mom and dad need an evening out. But when you are parenting one or more of your grandchildren, grandparents carry the responsibility for decision-making, which can be difficult. As every snowflake is different, so is every child. Every family is different, too, although your family may have similarities with other families where grandparents are raising grandchildren. There are theories and ideas about how to handle specific situations, such as the oppositional child, the one who refuses to eat, the overly shy child, etc. But remember that because children are different, there is no best method of raising them. However, there are a few things that can help: • Start with common sense. • What you do has to fit in with your family and ALL the family members.
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If yours is a two grandparent family raising grandchildren, both MUST be on the same page and be a team together. • Do not try to be your grandchild’s friend – you are the parent. • Parent is both a noun and a verb. • Your real job when parenting grandchildren is to become obsolete – not needed – eventually. • Children only really need three things: Love Structure/security Boundaries There are a lot of books out there with advice on parenting, and it can be overwhelming. From Dr. Spock on down the list, many of them promise that if you follow their method, you will have the happiest, most well-behaved, adjusted children ever. If it were only that easy! If you Google “parenting,” you will come up with 1,000-plus entries. Kids don’t come with instruction books, and they don’t come with guarantees. But don’t be afraid to be the parent your grandchild needs. Saying “no” is part of the program. Children need to learn that boundaries can be guiding and protective. Letting a child learn from natural consequences may be okay some •
of the time. But left solely to a world of consequences without limitations, can lead to chaos and confusion. Use common sense, and just provide love, security, structure, boundaries and patience – for both you and your grandchildren. My thoughts and prayers are with you, as you are on the journey of parenting your precious grandchildren. Shirley Carson, RN, is a retired nurse and great-grandmother. Since raising her three oldest grandchildren, her desire is to encourage others who are parenting their grandchildren. She lives in Olathe.
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www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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• September 2014
kitchen table money talk
Living small means some big decisions
S
By Gene Meyer
elling the house where your kids grew up can be tough to think about. You have a lifetime of memories involved. Downsizing also can be a great way to stretch your income and assets. Property taxes typically run about one percent of a home’s value, according to statisticians at the Tax Foundation, a Washington think tank. Annual maintenance costs run about one percent to three percent, says Freddie Mac. In Johnson County that translates into approximately $4,100 a year potential savings if you move from a middle of the market $315,000 home to a smaller $175,000 unit. But, as financial services providers often remind us, your actual results may vary. If mortgages are involved on either property, you’ve got some additional tax calculations to make, said Sandi Weaver, owner of Financial Security Advisors, a Prairie Village fee-only financial planning firm. “For many of our clients, the mortgage interest deduction is what allows them to itemize their (income tax) deductions,” Weaver said. Gains from giving up So, look at what you potentially give up and what you potentially gain if you reduce or eliminate a mortgage and go with the solution that fits you best, she recommends. Most of us, if we think about downsizing at all, will look at all the ways we have to look for cuts, not just our homes or maybe the second car we will no longer need as much. “What we look at is what’s most important to us,” said Adam Hoopes, an associate with Stepp & Rothwell Inc., an Overland Park fee-only financial planning firm. Very often, “planning comes down to what we could cut versus what we want to cut,” Hoopes said. You will find many choices for stretching your retirement funds. Most will fall into one of three broad categories. One is economizing. If you aren’t doing so already, now is the time to start tracking all your expenses for at least three or four months to see exactly where your money is going, Weaver said. “There is a lot of good software out there to help you, but you also can go to the library and copy some worksheets,” Weaver said. Dividing your expenses between needs and wants will help you find smaller economies that also can help stretch your resources significantly, she said. Some of the specific cuts, such as choosing whether to keep just land line or cell phone service if you have both, may seem small, “ but if you can find $200, $300, or $400 a month little things such as that, it adds up,” Weaver said. Look for bigger cuts Look for bigger cuts, too. If you have sufficiently comfortable retirement savings, for example, you might feel com-
fortable cutting back on life insurance you bought to replace income from the job you’ve left. Or you might ditch a second vehicle if you aren’t commuting. That will save you about $1,023 a year on car insurance, if you pay AAA’s estimated national average premiums. You also would save another approximately $7,850 on fuel, maintenance, tires, and depreciation. Creating income is another way to stretch your retirement resources, said Hoopes in Overland Park. “Instead of retiring completely, work part time, without benefits, to pick up extra income,” he suggests. The extra money helps, of course, but the greater contribution to your retirement wealth may be simply the luxury of waiting longer to tap your nest egg. Reverse mortgages also may be worth exploring, if you are comfortable with the idea of lowering your home equity for additional cash, Hoopes said. “They aren’t the best choice, but they will work for some people,” he said. Before you apply, though, think about questions such as whether you can find a cheaper way to reach your financial goals, might you need the money for emergencies later, and whether your loved ones want to keep your home after you die, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises. Watching the calendar is a third way to stretch your retirement income, planners say. “We’ve got a good example of that coming up this fall,” said Matt Syverson, founder of Sound Stewardship, an Overland Park fee-only planning firm. Medicare open enrollment Open enrollment for Medicare begins Oct. 15, giving seniors covered by that health plan until Dec. 7 to switch their choices in the program’s health care and prescription drug plans to ones that may fit better if their circumstances have changed. And, if you are approaching 65, it is important to apply on time – about three months before your 65th birthday – to avoid late payment penalties. Those go up by about 10 percent for each 12-month period you delay from the approximately $105 monthly premium most people pay and you pay that penalty for as long as you are covered. Medicare drug coverage also goes up if you delay applying, by about one percent for each month you are late. However, the costliest deadlines to miss are the federal ones set for taking what are known as Required Minimum Distributions from your IRAs, 401-Ks or other tax deferred retirement accounts. If you haven’t taken money out of the plans before then, the federal rules require you start pulling money out by the first April 1 that lands after you turn 70 ½. Uncle Sam charges a 50 percent penalty if you miss that deadline. If you fail to take, say, a $4,000 distribution by then, you owe the feds another $2,000.
Gene Meyer, a Fairway resident, is a former staff reporter at The Wall Street Journal and The Kansas City Star.
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• September 2014
library connection
Program features stories from horse whisper er
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free storytelling event at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, will feature stories from Tom Bass, the horse whisperer. The program will take place at Brighton Gardens, 7105 Mission Road, Prairie Village, and features storyteller John Anderson (Brother John). He will portray an elder Tom Bass in an interactive, one-man show. Bass, known for his traditional high hat and riding suit, was an African-American Missouri native, show horse performer and trainer, from the early 1900s. “Brother John” Anderson will share stories of Bass’s birth into slavery, anecdotes of his 50-plus years as a professional equestrian, and his journey to world fame, eventually creating a successful horse show in Kansas City which later became known as the “American Royal.” The program is based on historical facts and accounts of the life of Bass, who was born in Mexico, Mo. Told in first person by Brother John, the setting of the play recounts highlights of his life’s journey,
including how Bass overcame adversity and racism. Following the storytelling, a chuck wagon dinner is being offered for $7.50 with live music on the patio, weather permitting. Registration is requested, but not required, by calling 913-262-1611. The event is cosponsored by the Positive Aging Coalition, Brighton Gardens of Prairie Village, and Johnson County Library. A book display will be provided at the west main entry of Brighton Gardens with books relating to horses, horse racing, the American Royal, black horsemen and jockeys, and western cookbooks. Johnson County Library is offering a Tom Bass Booklist though its online catalog. More information about the storytelling event is available by calling 913-8264600. Article was co-written by Lynn Wild, Senior Services librarian and Caitlin Taggart, Information Services librarian at the Corinth Neighborhood Library.
A community for all your life can be. Welcome to a community where lifestyle choices and living life your way is remarkably easy. Enjoy a resident-shaped culture of opportunity, surrounded by services, amenities, choices and hospitality. Live confidently, knowing you have access to a full continuum of care on one campus. It’s all rooted in our mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Brother John will portray Tom Bass at upcoming program.
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Discover how Aberdeen Village is the perfect fit for you now and in the future. Call us at 1-866-262-3174 to schedule your personal visit. Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care | Long-term Care | Rehabilitation www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
27
• September 2014
to your good health
Can I still eat this? By Crystal Futrell t almost feels sinful to throw food away. Not only is it the same thing as throwing away money, but when we throw away food, we come face to face with something even more disheartening, our guilt. It’s hard not to think about all the hungry people in t he world and in our community as we
I
scrape leftover casserole into the trash. The term “waste” truly is the perfect word to define food sitting in a trash can. But keeping and consuming food past its limit can be very harmful to our health. As eaters, we need to foster a respect for food’s natural progression of life. Just like us, food exists on a continuum; it has a birth, a thriving state of being, a state of decline, and then a period where microorganisms move into the food and reclaim it back for the earth. When we consume food past its state of decline, we are consuming those microorganisms that are trying to reclaim the food, but rather than break down old food, they turn their intention to decaying our GI tract instead. Not good. So How Long Does Food Really Last? Some foods, like dairy products and deli meats, will have a “use by” date printed on its package. Check this date when purchasing food at the store and try to select the item that has the farthest date from the day of purchase and plan to consume it before its “use by” date. Some produce like onions, tomatoes, and potatoes, are best kept at room temperature and will last for several days. Other produce is best kept in the fridge and will last up to a week. Berries, unfortunately, will only last a couple of days at most. Check for signs of spoilage on produce like
mold and browning before enjoying. To delay the spoilage process, don’t wash your produce before storing it, but do wash it just before you’re ready to use it. For highly perishable items like hamburger meat and chicken, I use a simple formula — the two day/four day formula. If it’s an uncooked meat product that’s not package-sealed, it gets two days max in the fridge. If it’s a cooked leftover, I toss it out after the fourth day. If it’s the second day and I still haven’t cooked those chicken breasts, I’ll wrap them up nice with freezer paper, put them inside a freezer baggie, and label it with a piece of masking tape with the name of the product and the date and put it in the freezer. I’ll do the same thing with leftovers on the fourth day if I know it’s something that will freeze well. How to Extend the Life of Your Food • Take stock of what you REALLY need. This is hard for many, especially those who’ve had to downsize. Adjusting to smaller purchases can be a challenge. To help with this, keep track of how much you actually eat and alter your grocery list accordingly. Do you always throw bananas away? Then reduce how many you purchase. And avoid buying food in bulk. Yes, the unit price is often cheaper, but throwing away unused food is expensive. • Buy frozen/canned produce. Despite the rumors, canned and frozen produce are nutritious options and have a huge advantage over fresh — they’re often more affordable and will last a lot longer. • For best results, use packaging designed for Continued to next page
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• September 2014
What is the difference? • “Sell by” means the store should sell the product by the printed date, but the consumer still can eat the product safely after that date. • “Best if used by” does not mean the consumer should use the product by the date listed for safety reasons, but for best quality and flavor. • “Use by” is the last date recommended for use at peak quality. You likely will see a marked deterioration in product quality (flavor, appearance, texture) after that date. Note: Do not use infant formula and baby food after the “use by” date.
Can I still eat this from the refrigerator?
Continued from page 28
•
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refrigerator/freezer storage. This extends shelf life and protects food from damage, contamination, and deterioration. Use foil, plastic wrap, plastic bags, or airtight containers designed for refrigerating or freezing food. Moisture- and vapor-proof materials are best. Clean your refrigerator regularly to reduce food odors and cross contamination. Remove spoiled foods immediately so decay cannot pass to other foods. A refrigerator temperature between 34 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit is best. Perishable foods stored at temperatures above 40°F spoil rapidly and may allow pathogen growth. Check tempera-
•
tures with a refrigerator thermometer. Keep your freezer clean and at 0°F or lower. Foods should be used quick-
ly and be sure to label and date the package for easy identification. And, finally practice the first-in first-out method.
Taco Night
Old friends are the best friends. Bob and Katie have enjoyed a weekly taco night with a group of friends for more than 30 years. While the group eventually moved away from tacos, they never moved away from each other. So when Bob and Katie were preparing for the next chapter in their lives, the previous chapters were always top of mind. Bob and Katie found what they were looking for at Village Shalom – a place where they enjoy a care-free retirement lifestyle just a stone’s throw from friends and the best “taco spots” in town. Start a chapter with us. Call 913-266-8407 or visit VillageShalom.org. Honored to be woven into a million life stories over a hundred years.
“Providing Quality Care With A Personal Touch” • Home & Community Based Services • Home Health Aides & Homemakers • Financial Management Services (Self Direct) • Night Support • SRS Enrollment Assistance
Crystal Futrell, Johnson County Extension Agent in Family and Consumer Sciences, can be reached at 913-715-7000 or crystal.futrell@jocogov.org.
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• September 2014
Hospice House nears opening By Julia Johnston
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lathe Medical Center (OMC) is opening Johnson County’s first Hospice House in September at 151st Street and I-35. The facility, located at the Olathe Medical Park, is designed to meet the needs of an inpatient hospice house for residents of Johnson and Miami Counties and other surrounding counties. The grand opening is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 17 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. following with tours of the Hospice House by the hospice staff. The facility will be operational on Sept. 22 and will start housing patients in October. Hospice House will be equipped to provide modern medicine and care to terminally ill patients, allowing them and their families to live fully and comfortably while coping with end-of-life issues. The facility will have eight individual patient/family units with plans to expand to 32 rooms. “Most patients will likely have been enrolled in a hospice program, whether it is our hospice program or another. Hospice care as a whole is meant for patients who have a doctor certification stating that with the normal course of their illness they have a life expectancy of six months or less,” Sally Lundy, Director of Hospice and Home Health for OMC, said. Hospice House services will include: • 24/7 nursing care
A SALUTE TO
JOHNSON COUNTY’S
VETERANS
Volunteer assistance Family aftercare program to help manage grief • Social workers and chaplains available to assist with spiritual or other forms of counseling • Nutritional counseling • Massage therapy The hospice program of OMC originated more than 30 years ago and is Medicare certified and Joint Commission accredited. Hospice services can be provided in the home, a nursing home, or at an assisted living facility, or an inpatient hospice setting. Insurance coverage for the Hospice House is commonly available and is provided by Medicare and Medicaid in Kansas as well as most private health insurance policies. Families should check with their health insurance provider in order to be sure of coverage. The fundraising campaign to build the facility surpassed its goal of $3.2 million on April 18, 2012 and now has collected more than $4.3 million for the initial construction and ongoing operational needs of the facility. “What made this fundraising successful is that our hospice program is really supported by our community and our efforts have been community driven. The community felt strongly about having a Hospice House and therefore pulled together to help support it,” Lundy said. • •
in cooperation with Americans Remembered
Val Jones Lenexa Vietnam, Navy, corpsman on USS Iwo Jima LPH-2, hospital corpsman first class, served 1968-1978. Tom Wing Kansas City, Kan. Vietnam, Army, 3rd Brigade , 4th Army, sergeant, admin. clerk in battalion headquarters, served 1965-1967, stateside. Weldon”Wink” Hoyle Olathe World War II, Army, 8th Cavalry Div., anti-tank platoon, staff sergeant, Leyte, Luzon Philippines, Bronze Star, Purple Heart. George Chesney Olathe Korea and Vietnam, Marines, lst Marine Air Wing, chief master sergeant, aircraft maintenance supervisor, served 10 years Marines and Air Force.
Julia Johnston, a senior at the University of Kansas, is an intern at the County Manager’s Office.
Bloom Living begins construction
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loom Living-Olathe, a senior living community, operated by Midwest Health, Inc. and developed by Complete, LLC, has started construction on a new independent living community at 14001 West 133rd Street. The project is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2015. The three-story building will accommodate 95 residents. The exterior of the new building will have Hardie cement siding, stone façade, stucco board, and other interesting architectural details. There will be carports available, covered main entrance, and a large community room.
Residents will be able to choose from a single suite or one bedroom, all with full kitchens and baths. They will have transportation services, housekeeping, apartment maintenance, and meal plans available, along with a wide variety of activities daily. Other community features include a resident lounge and café area with seating, fireplace, and large screen TV. The outside amenities include an outdoor patio area with seating, a walking trail, gazebo, and water feature with fountain. More information about Bloom Living is available by visiting www.bloomlivingusa.com or calling 913-738-4335.
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Ernie Cooper Olathe Vietnam, Navy, served stateside, 1963-1968, in security, second class boatswains mate.
The Best Times features veterans each month. Some vets outside Johnson County are featured when their family members are Johnson County seniors. To suggest a vet’s name, including yours, contact Gary Swanson: call 913-744-8282 or email gswanson@kc.rr. com.
• September 2014
County adopts 2015 budget with no increase in mill levy
T
he Johnson County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has adopted the FY 2015 budget for Johnson County with a constant mill levy of 23.247 mills. Johnson County’s mill levy has remained stable since 2006. The proposed budget was balanced using a modest mill levy increase. However, Chairman Ed Eilert presented a recommendation that eliminated the need for an increase. That recommendation identifying $5.4 million in revenue and expenditure adjustments and one-time use of reserves received approval by the BOCC, along with the 2015 expenditure budget. It incorporates: • the state’s projections on the impact of the elimination of the Mortgage Registration and Collection fee • a rate reduction to the Kansas Police & Fire (KP&F) Retirement System • the elimination of ad valorem funding for nine previously approved Full Time Positions • a one-time use of Risk Management and Public Works reserves • use of the remaining balance in the Heritage Trust Fund. The 2015 adopted budget totals approximately $870.1 million with estimated expenditures at slightly more than $696.1 million and $174.0 million in reserves to maintain the programs and services administered by Johnson County Government’s 32 departments, offices and agencies. The 2015 budget reflects a projected $10.3 million in revenue from increased valuation in property. This amount is
shared between Johnson County Parks and Recreation District ($1.1 million), Johnson County Library District ($1.2 million) and the County Taxing District ($8.0 million). The money earmarked for the County Taxing District will be used to cover a 3.0 percent merit pool for employees, increased operational costs, and “backfilling” positions cut by reduced state and federal funding. The adopted FY 2015 Budget includes a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) totaling almost $110 million. Highlighted proposed projects under the CIP include: • Library Master Plan Phase II that would continue and complete the Library Master Planning process begun in 2014, determining the future direction of the Johnson County Library system over the next 20 years. • Park Police Building/John Barkley Visitor Center that would replace the John Barkley Visitor Center and expand and renovate the existing Park Police Building at Shawnee Mission Park. • Transit funding for bus replacement and the I-35 bus on the shoulder program. The final setting of the mill levy for the new fiscal year, which starts Jan. 1, will be established by the end of October with the final property valuations by the Johnson County Department of Records and Tax Administration. Details about the FY 2015 Budget, the current FY 2014 Budget, and budget process are available at the county’s main website at www.jocogov.org.
New Museum exhibit opens on Sept. 5
A
special exhibit, featuring images by photographer Lewis Wickes Hine, will open on Sept. 5 at Johnson County Museum, 6305 Lackman Road, Shawnee. The Lewis Hine: Let Children be Children exhibit will be on public display until Nov. 1. Wickes Hine (1874-1940) used her photographic talents to artfully reveal the circumstances that poor working children endured until national legislation against child labor prevailed in the late 1930s.
The exhibit is organized by the George Eastman House-International Museum of Photography and Film. The Museum is open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. Please visit www.jocomuseum.org for more details about the exhibit and corresponding educational programs. Guided tours of the Let Children be Children exhibit are available by contacting Rebecca Schroeder, curator of education at 913-7152570 or Rebecca.Schroeder@jocogov.org.
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• September 2014
Your Chairman Chairman Ed Eilert Phone: 913-715-0500 Email Ed.Eilert@jocogov.org
Your Commissioners C. Edward Peterson 1st District Phone: 913-715-0431 Email Ed.Peterson@jocogov.org
Jim Allen 2nd District Phone: 913-715-0432 Email Jim.Allen@jocogov.org
Steve Klika 3rd District Phone: 913-715-0433 Email Steve.Klika@jocogov.org
Jason L. Osterhaus 4th District Phone: 913-715-0434 Email Jason.Osterhaus@jocogov.org
Michael Ashcraft 5th District Phone: 913-715-0435 Email
Michael.Ashcraft@jocogov.org
John Toplikar 6th District Phone: 913-715-0436 Email John.Toplikar@jocogov.org
The weekly public business sessions of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays in the Johnson County Administration Building, 111 S. Cherry Street, in downtown Olathe. Live coverage of the meetings is viewable each week over the Internet through the county’s main website at www.jocogov. org.
the write stuff
Is it time to write your story?
H
By Barbara Bartocci
ave you ever heard someone say, “I wish I knew more about my mother’s or father’s life?” Often, by the time adult children want to know more, it’s too late: their parents are gone and the questions can’t be answered. That’s why one of our greatest legacies can come from writing our own stories. And writing our personal stories helps us explore our own lives in a deeper way as well as offering the unique joy of self-expression. For years, as an author and professional writer, I have told true stories from my own life or the real lives of other people. And I have learned that everyone has stories worth telling. It’s why I enjoy leading memoir-writing workshops to show people how to get started writing their stories. Keep in mind that unlike an autobiography or a family history, a memoir doesn’t try to tell everything that has happened to you. Instead, it describes a particular time in your life. Or an event that has special meaning. Or possibly a person. Or a place where you once lived. Memoirs can be big or small, happy, or sad. What they have in common is that the story is significant to you and has a meaning you want to share. Here are some tips Don’t think you have to start at the beginning or have all your thoughts organized when you start writing. Simply jot down ideas and memories as they come to you. You can organize and polish later. Like physical exercise, writing gets easier the more you do it so I encourage people to try a regular routine. It’s better to write for 15 minutes five days a week than to try and write
for two hours every now and then. You’ll also discover that the more you write, the more details you’ll start remembering, and details are what make our stories interesting. If you’re not yet sure what to write about, make a timeline of your life, and in each decade, list significant events. Then choose one of them. Or think about people who were important to you, either for good or bad. Or page through family photo albums. What memories do the pictures trigger? Or dig out an old diary. Or what about those oft-told, often hilarious family stories? Interview your siblings if you’re writing about a shared event. (Their memories might be quite different from yours!) Google the time period you’re writing about to see what was happening in the larger world at the time. I also encourage you not to re-read or edit along the way. It’s too easy to decide, “This is no good. I stink!” Just keep going until you reach what seems like the end of your story. Then put it aside for a few days. If you have confidence in a friend or spouse, you might ask for their feedback. And who knows? Your story might go beyond family readers. Jerry Weis, a local retired school principal, wrote about his teen-age years in the small Kansas town of Chanute. Now his book, Rites of Passage and Rituals of Humiliation, is listed as a popular read on Amazon.com. But what’s most important is this: Putting the moments of your life down in writing offers you self-expression and is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your family. Barbara Bartocci will teach a “50-Plus” memoir-writing workshop through the Johnson County Park and Recreation District beginning at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Matt Ross Community Center in Overland Park. For more information, call 913-895-6390.
Grandparents, grandpals invited to special event
R ecovery in mind,
A
new special event, a Grandparents and Grandpals Social, begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, in the Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr. Participants will savor ice cream sundaes with all the toppings, play bingo, and preserve memories by filling out a thought book. The cost is $9 per person. Preregister is requested by calling 913-826-3160 by Sept. 2.
body and spirit.
To learn more about our rehab therapy services, call (913) 397-2900.
All faiths or beliefs are welcome.
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• September 2014
your September classifieds Professional Window Washing. Residential/store fronts. Insured and bonded. FREE ESTIMATES. Over 40 year’s experience, contact GENE JACKSON, 913593-1495.
Complete Residential Services. Electrical, plumbing repairs, interior and exterior painting, driveway sealing and repair, expert textured ceiling or wall repair. Free estimates and references available. Call Rich at 913-522-8325.
Publishing of classified advertising does not constitute agreement or endorsement by this magazine or Johnson County Government.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management and transportation to the elderly and disabled in their home, assisted living or skilled nursing facility. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at 913-341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Debbie or Gary.
CPR Computing. For all your computer needs. Virus and spyware removal, Windows repair and installation, upgrades, software and hardware training, new PC consultation, and networking. Call Rich Armstrong at 913-522-8325. Fast, friendly, and very affordable.
Computer Training For Seniors SenCom (Senior Computer Users Group of KC) is offering three-hour computer workshops sponsored by Shawnee Parks and Recreation. Workshops are hands-on, senior paced, with plenty of help. September offerings include: Introduction to Facebook, Windows 7, Ipad, Organizing Files and Folders, Using Email and Using Quicken. All workshops begin at 9 a.m. at 6535 Quivira except for Using Email and Ipad which begin at 1pm. The Ipad class will be held at the Shawnee Civic Center, 13817 Johnson Drive. For more information or to register, call 913-631-5200. SenCom, a user’s group for seniors also offers monthly meetings including Q & A sessions and presentations on a topic related to computer use. Our monthly meeting place is the Carmack Room at the Central Library. For more information call Teresa at 913-206-7017, or visit us on the Web at www.kcsenior.net.
Mowing, yard cleanup, shrub, tree trimming, gutter cleanup, landscaping, and hauling. Free estimates. Senior citizen discounts. Octavian’s Lawn Care, 913-5303536, www.octavianslawncare.com.
Glen’s Installs and Handyman Service. 25 years as experienced owner/installer. No job too small. Windows, doors, bathroom and kitchen remodeling, electrical and plumbing repairs. Home 913-764-0520; cell phone 816-260-5024. References available. www. glensinstalls.com.
MG Home Repair and Improvement. All around the home repairs. Carpentry, lighting, plumbing, concrete repairs, deck and fence repair, power washing, staining and sealing, interior and exterior painting. Experienced, quality workmanship; senior discounts; free estimates; insured. Call Michael in Shawnee, 913-486-9040.
Ironing and Alterations. Please call Domi at 913-642-2421. HANDYMAN PRO, LLC - Repair, Remodel, Renew. Bathrooms, painting, decks, yard work, sheetrock repair, grab bars, ramp building. Call Tom for free estimate. 913488-7320. Handymanprokc.com.
Adult painting classes now forming. Have fun while making new friends in a small creative painting environment designed for all skill levels. No prior experience necessary, contact Carole, at 913-8251307. Visit my website at caroleabla.com.
DEAN’S PRO PAINTING: 25 + years experience; insured, fast, clean, reliable, quality work; interior/exterior; residential/ commercial power-washing, wallpaper removal; drywall & plaster repair, faux work; texture matching; crown & trim work; custom colors. References available. Call Dean at 913-322-9089 or 913-944-3769.
Swalms Organizing and Downsizing Service. Reduce clutter and enjoy an organized home! Basement, attic, garage, shop, storage rooms—any room organized. Belongings sorted, boxed, and labeled. Items hauled for recycling, items donated, trash bagged. For before-and-after photos, please see www.swalmsorganizing.com. Over 20 years of organizing experience, insured. Call Tillar: 913-375-9115.
AM/PM Technology DAY/NIGHT PC, Apple and Android Service (including computers, tablets and smart phones.) We come to your home. Same low rates and senior discounts for all services. 913-3852676. For 19 years we have been the #1 resource for helping seniors in Johnson County to install new PCs, get rid of viruses, resolve e-mail issues, repair equipment, set up wireless networks and handle related issues. To learn more, schedule a visit or ask for free advice, call Joe, John, Doug or Patrick at 913-385-2676. “We speak English.”
Brick, Block and stone all work guaranteed. I am insured and have forty year’s experience. Call Paul 913-302-7297 Day or 913-321-0431 Night. Johnson County Home Service Plumbing Co. Free service call for any plumbing in your home with this ad! Servicing Johnson County for over 50 years. JCHS is a division of Reddi Root’r Systems. Trust earned the old-fashioned way! Angie’s List Super Award winner. Member Better Business Bureau. www.jocoplumbing.com or 913-439-1700.
Lawn mowing, aerification, seeding, fertilizing and landscape. Honest, Reliable and Reasonable. 25 yrs. exp. of golf grounds management. Call KURT @ 816-896-7354. Again, please call me at 913-488-6809 to confirm.
at your service
at your service
Classified ads must be submitted in writing and with payment by the eighth day of the month for the following month’s issue. The rate is $30 for up to 20 words and $.55 per additional word. (Minimum, $30).
Help From A Friend
To have your business card included in this advertising section, business cards must be submitted by the eighth day of the month for the following month’s issue. To either place a classified ad or insertion of your business card:
Helping Older Adults with the Most Common Improvement Maintenance & Repair Services 25% - 50% Less Than Typical Service Providers Yard Work Planting
Lawn Mowing Gutter Cleaning
Aerating Verticutting
House Cleaning Window Cleaning
Weeding Pruning Trimming
Leaf Cleanup Lawn Care Lawn Renovation
Power Raking Seeding Fertilizing
Organizing Junk Removal Moving Help
Shrub Removal Yard Cleanup
Mulch / Edging Topsoil / Sod
Lawn Patching Weed Control
Interior Painting Odd Jobs & More
Email: TheBestTimes@jocogov.org Visit: www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes Call: 913-715-8920
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A+ Rating
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HelpFromAFriend.com
• September 2014
913-980-8686
your September classifieds SERVICES PROVIDED House need a face lift? I’m a painter and wallpaper hanger. Also do light construction, electrical, plumbing, tile layment and wood working. Call Tom Barnekoff at 913-7225562. NEED SECRETARIAL SERVICES? CALL “FLYING FINGERS”, 913-432-0907: Since 1997; fast (80 wpm) & confidential, superb grammar, punctuation & spelling: Novels, correspondence, legal documents, dictation, spreadsheets. . .$15-$16 per hour; jdrake3@ kc.rr.com. Prescription Drug SAVINGS! See www. LSRXCare.org/99622. Patient Advocacy Group helps those qualified to save on name brand drugs. I can help, if you are uninsured, or have Medicare Part D, Obamacare or private insurance. Join us and save! Call Beth at 913-787-5917. *** ART APPRAISAL SERVICE *** Hello and thank you for reading my advertisement! I love art, especially old paintings. HOW MUCH ARE YOUR PAINTINGS WORTH? I subscribe to an art auction database that gives me PRICES REALIZED at auction and PICTURES of those paintings sold. The proper assessment of an old painting requires BOTH the quantitative data of dollars achieved at auction AND the qualitative assessment that only PICTURES can provide. You have to VISUALLY COMPARE your paintings to the paintings sold at auction. I charge $400 for an appraisal. For that I will give you auction results of up to 10 different paintings (prints). You could subscribe to a similar service yourself for $100 and get ONLY the PRICES achieved at auction – NO PICTURES. It would cost you nearly $1,000 for the complete information I am offering. MOST IMPORTANT: Your paintings or prints need to be legibly signed. Without a signature there is no foundation to evaluate your art. Please do not call if your artwork is NOT signed. Thank you! 913-522-9408.
Hotrods and Classic Cars. Building a Hotrod or Classic Car can be a bit overwhelming. Areas of repair that I can help with: Planning Your Build, Structure Support, Sheetmetal Replacement and Welding Techniques. Bodyman, semi-retired, over 30 years experience 913-907-0737. MEDICARE ANSWERS from an independent insurance broker with MMA will save you time. We represent more seniors than any other company in the Midwest since 2006. All we do is help MEDICARE beneficiaries find a plan to fit their needs.Call Susan Joski at 913-402-8181 or go to ASKMMA.com (never a fee and no investment sales). Best on the Block Interior and Exterior Painting. Licensed and insured. For free estimate, call Troy at 913-424-6346. Senior hairstyling; haircuts, perms, color, roller or blow dry styling. located at 5909 Dearborn Dr. Mission, Ks. Between Martway and Johnson Drive. No steps. Front door parking. Call Carol at 913-341-8754. If no answer leave a message. $5 off first visit. Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance. Includes home health care and assisted living. Arvin Pfefer, 913-722-7200 or arvinonline. com. Doggie Day Care and Boarding at All Things Dogs KC. Pets are not caged and they stay in a home atmosphere that’s on two acres fenced. Call Kim at 816-719-1339. Mister Green Landscaping & Lawncare Family owned and operated. We offer competitive prices with excellent service. We are a one-stop business for your lawn needs. Mowing, Cleanups, Landscaping, Mulch, Tree Trimming & Removal, Irrigation Repairs, New Installations, Drain Solutions, Patios, Retaining Walls, Yard work, Concrete Work and Snow Removal. FREE ESTIMATES, FREE MOWING ask for details. Quick service, 10+ years’ experience, licensed & insured. 913-707-2551.
Cleaning “Maid Simple.”Residential house cleaning. Reasonable and dependable. Johnson County area. Call Denise Carter. 913-563-5883. Free estimates. Budget Tree Service, LLC. Trimmed, shaped, or removed. Shrubs shaped or removed. Fence rows cleaned. No job too small. Licensed, insured. 913-593-7386. Free estimates. Budgettreeservicekc.com.
ROOM WANTED Seeking room/private bath. Kind, clean, respectful, Christian female, no children/ no pets, seeks quiet room in home w/ female or couple. Due to allergies, request free of mold, cats, & smoke. Good credit. Character references available. I have a business and medical background. Would consider providing assistance or massage-like therapy in exchange for all or part of rent. Call Susan at 913-839-1351 or email susansound7@ gmail.com.
AVAIL ABLE HOUSING Empty Nesters? Thinking about downsizing? Our house is just right : Raised Ranch, 4 bdr, 2 1/2 bath, new roof, new HVAC, new flooring, low utility costs. Private “Green Oasis” back yard, peaceful, friendly neighborhood, Mill Valley (Shawnee). Come and see ! Call Inge 913-244-3715. Time flies! Start planning now to get more than you pay for in an affordable, faith-friendly home. Now accepting applications for our waiting list: Olathe Towers and College Way Village. 913-782-6131. Equal Housing Opportunity. All faiths or beliefs welcome.
ITEMS WANTED RESIDENTIAL LIFTS. Buy, sell, trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts, elevators. Call Silver Cross at 913-327-5557.
your September calendar
All classes and events require registration unless otherwise indicated.
September 3 iPad® Basics. 1:30 p.m. Matt Ross. $29/$33.
September 2 , 9, 16 & 23 Kitchen Confidence - Intro to Basic Cooking Skills. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Extension. $50. Four series class teaches the basics of cooking.
Zumba Gold. 6:30 p.m. Mill Creek Activity Center, 6518 Vista Dr., Shawnee. $48. 913-826-2950 Creative Writing Group. 7 p.m. Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park.
September 2 50 & Beyond Potluck. Noon-2 p.m. Sylvester Powell. Watercolor Painting. 1:30 p.m. Matt Ross. $89/$98 for nine/2 ½-hour sessions. Memoir Writing Group. 2-3 p.m. Corinth Library, 8100 Mission Road, Prairie Village.
Zumba Gold Mix Ups. 5:30 p.m. New Century. $48.
Etsy 201: Your Growing Shop. 7-8:30 p.m. Shawnee Civic Centre. $25.
Senior Cinema – “Labor Day” – starring Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet. 12:15 p.m. (new time). Lenexa Senior Center. Enjoy free popcorn, beverage and a movie!
September 5, 12 , 19 & 26 Tea Dance. 2-4 p.m. Matt Ross. $5.
September 4 & 18
September 2 , 9, 16, 23 & 30 Social Tea Dance. 1:30 p.m. Roeland Park. $5.
School Days Bingo. 1:30 p.m. New Century. $5 for 12 games.
Park. $48/$53 for five/two-hour sessions.
September 4
Beginning Line Dance. 2 p.m. Matt Ross. $56/$62 for eight/ 50-minute lessons. Barbershop Harmonizers. 2 p.m. Matt Ross. $15/$17 for 16/two-hour sessions. Painter’s Palette. 1:30 p.m. Matt Ross. $80/$88 for eight/2 ½-hour sessions. Mah Jongg: Mah Jongg for Beginners. 10 a.m. Roeland
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September 5 Basic Clogging at 3 p.m and Learn to Clog at 2 p.m. Matt Ross. $47/$52 for eight/ 50-minute sessions. Painter’s Palette. 9:30 a.m. Tomahawk Ridge. $80/$88 for eight/2 ½-hour classes. China Painting. 9 a.m. Roeland Park. $46/$51 for three/ three-hour classes. Tap Dance Lessons. 5:45 p.m. Mill Creek. $31. Fairground Hoe Down. 5 p.m. Johnson County Fairgrounds in Gardner. $5 at Gardner City Hall or $7 at the door. Extension.
• September 2014
your September calendar September 6
September 11
September 20
Beginning Bridge. 10 a.m. Roeland Park. $79/$87 for eight/two-hour sessions.
Fall Harvest Bingo. 1-3 p.m. Irene B. French. $3/three cards.
Open carry in Johnson County’s public places. 9-11 a.m. Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
Lunch Bunch. 11:15 a.m. “Renee Kelley’s” in Shawnee. Cost of your meal, plus $8 per person if transportation is needed. Transportation departs from the Lenexa Senior Center at 10:30 a.m.
Septembe r 7 Grandparents and Grandpals Social. 1:30 p.m. Roeland Park. $9 per person. Grandparents Day. Noon-4 p.m. Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm, 1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe. Grandparents admitted free with paying grandchild admission of $4. Call 913-971-5111 for details.
Septembe r 8
Get Comfortable with Microsoft Windows® 8. 1:30 pm Matt Ross. $34/$37. Advanced Beginning Ballroom Dancing. 7 p.m. Matt Ross. $63/$69 for nine/50-minute lessons. Beginning Ballroom Dancing. 8 p.m. Matt Ross. $63/$69 for nine/50-minute lessons. Writing Your Memoir. 1:30 p.m. Matt Ross. $58/$64 for eight/two-hour classes.
September 9 50 & Beyond Matinee: Wrinkles. 12:30 p.m. Sylvester Powell. $1; free for SPJCC members. Fish Tales. 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Uncle Buck’s at Bass Pro, 12051 Bass Pro Drive, Olathe. Reservation requested by calling 913-831-3888. A reminiscence-and-discussion group for individuals with earlier stage dementia. Introduction to Facebook. 9 a.m.-noon. Shawnee Safety Center. $30 ($15 for SenCom members). Speaker Series: The Model A American Home. 7 p.m. Place: Shawnee Town 1929, 11600 Johnson Drive.
September 10 & 24
eBook Class. 9 a.m. Central Resource Library.
September 10
Scarecrow Bingo. 1:30 p.m. Matt Ross. $5 per person for 12 games.
Windows 7. 9 a.m.-noon. Shawnee Safety Center. $30 ($15 for SenCom members). Pickleball Potluck. Noon. New Century.
September 13 Turkey Creek Car and Motorcycle Show. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive.
September 15-19 Upholstery Workshop. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Johnson County Fairgrounds in Gardner. $90. Extension.
September 15 Safety in the Digital World. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Shawnee Civic Centre. $15. Emerald Ash Borer. 6 p.m. Lenexa Community Center.
Transitions, a support group for family members who have lost someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Alzheimer’s Association Education Center, 3856 W. 75th Street, Prairie Village. Reservation is requested by calling 913-831-3888.
September 22 Country Dance Party. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Shawnee Civic Centre. $5 at the door.
Septemb er 23
50 & Beyond Matinee: Belle. 12:30 p.m. Sylvester Powell. $1; free for SPJCC members.
September 24-25 AARP Smart Driver Course. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Park Meadows Senior Living, 5901 West 107th Street, Overland Park. $15 AARP member, $20 non-member. 913-901-8200.
September 24
Tailgate Bingo. 1:30 p.m. Roeland Park. $5/$6.
September 25
Jam Session. 1-2 p.m. Alzheimer’s Association Education Center. Reservation is requested by calling 913-831-3888.
September 27 & 28
September 16-17
AARP Smart Driver Course. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tomahawk Ridge. $15 AARP member, $20 non-member. 913-642-6410.
September 16 Genealogy 101. 1:30 p.m. Matt Ross. $23/$25. Poetry and Prose. 7-8:30 p.m. Central Resource Library.
Wild West Days. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. $5/ person ages 3 and up or a special family rate of five admissions for $20.
September 27
September 17 & 19
Day trip to Ciderfest at Louisburg Cider Mill. 7:30 a.m.12:45 p.m. Depart from Sylvester Powell.
September 17
Military “Muster.” 1 p.m. Gardner Historical Museum, 204 West Main. Honor veterans and civilians from Sunflower Ordinance Works, Olathe Naval Air Station, and Nike Missile Base. 913-856-4447.
AARP Smart Driver Course. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Valley View Bank, 7500 West 95th Street, Overland Park. $15 AARP member, $20 non-member. 913-381-3311. Mah Jongg Tournament. 10 a.m. Tomahawk Ridge. $10/$11.
September 29
Safe and Savvy Online: A Positive Aging Coalition Event. 7 p.m. Leawood Pioneer Library, 4700 Town Center Dr.
September 18-19
AARP Smart Driver Course. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Blue Valley Rec. $15 AARP member, $20 non-member. 913-685-6000.
September 18
Blood Pressure Clinic. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Central Resource Library.
Pickleball Lessons. 9 a.m. Matt Ross. $7/$8.
Birthdays celebration. Lunch @ 11:30 a.m. ($3 donation) at Lenexa Senior Center; birthday folks will receive their lunch for free. Entertainment by “The Senior Barn Players” will follow @12:15 p.m.
Fall Prevention. 1:30 p.m. Matt Ross.
September 19
Boogie Woogie Hop. 7 p.m. Lenexa Community Center. $10. 913-477-7100.
Downloading E-Books with the Johnson County Library. 1 p.m. Matt Ross. Grand Adventure to the Kansas City Zoo. Departs from Antioch Park at 9 a.m. $21. 913-826-2859.
September 30 Dog Obedience: Canine Life and Social Skills-Bachelor Level. 7 p.m. Roeland Park. $65/$72 for six/one-hour sessions. Walk in Weston day trip. Depart from Lenexa Senior Center at 9 a.m.; return at 5:30 p.m. $27 includes shuttle bus, snacks, water and two Lenexa Parks & Recreation representatives. Lunch is your own cost.
FACILITY LOCATIONS BLUE VALLEY REC.: Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center: 6545 W. 151st St., Overland Park, KS 66223; 913-685-6000; www.bluevalleyrec.org.
NEW CENTURY: New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Parkway, New Century, KS 66031; 913-826-2860.
CENTRAL RESOURCE LIBRARY: 9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66212; 913826-4600 and Press 3 for all Johnson County Library reservations.
OLATHE PUBLIC LIBRARY: 201 E. Park St., Olathe, KS 66061; 913-971-6850; to register, 913-971-6888.
EXTENSION: Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe, KS 66061; 913-715-7000; www.johnson.ksu.edu/classes.
PRAIRIE VILLAGE: Prairie Village Community Center, 7720 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208.
INDIAN CREEK: Indian Creek Branch Library, 12990 Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS 66062; 913-971-6888. IRENE B. FRENCH: Irene B. French Community Center, 5701 Merriam Drive, Merriam, KS 66203; 913-322-5550.
ROELAND PARK: Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Drive, Roeland Park, KS 66205; 913-826-3160. SHAWNEE CIVIC CENTRE: 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66216; 913-631-5200.
LENEXA SENIOR CENTER: 13425 Walnut St., Lenexa, KS 66215; 913-477-7100.
SHAWNEE SAFETY CENTER: SenCom computer lab, lower level, 6535 Quivira Road, Shawnee, KS 66203; 913-631-5200.
MAHAFFIE STAGECOACH STOP AND FARM: 1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS 66061; 913-971-5111.
SYLVESTER POWELL: Sylvester Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway St., Mission, KS 66202; 913-722-8200.
MATT ROSS: Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, KS 66212; 913-642-6410.
TOMAHAWK RIDGE: Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 11902 Lowell Ave., Overland Park, KS 66213; 913-327-6645.
www.jocogov.org/thebesttimes •
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• September 2014
Actual Spectrum Residents
Life with...
independence
Please Join Us! Health Fair Wednesday September 24 10am-12pm
Discover the freedom that comes with fewer responsibilities.
Enjoy freedom and flexibility, along with all the amenities of luxurious retirement living. Discover why This Feels Like HomeSM.
913.871.3743
6335 Maurer Road, Shawnee, KS 66217 ShawneeHillsSeniorLiving.com
Independent Retirement Living
Sister property in Overland Park
SH Best Times September 2014 Full Page
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A SPECTRUM RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
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• September 2014