Prime February/March Issue 58

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Carmie & Jim Welch

Safe Havens:

Saving Young Girls from Exploitation

Relationships: True Love is Truly Ageless

Foodies:

Healthy Pizza? Yes, Please!




contents

features #58

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Editor’s Letter Masthead

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Not Dead Yet: Dennis Held blows minds with his public service announcement that Spokane is in the middle of a cultural bloom. “Yes, we’ve

got culture—right here in River City, to quote The Music Man,” he says. “And that starts with ‘T’ and that rhymes with ‘P’ and

that stands for—wait for it—Poetry!” Spokane has become wellknown, far and wide, as a place that produces top-flight poets.

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Third Life: Cheryl-Anne Millsap explores the ageless aspects of true love

and the sweet delicacy we experience over the course of sharing life with the special people in our lives.

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Role Model: Spokane resident Jim Welch founded the faith-based nonprofit

organization Real Restoration to provide safe haven and a path forward for sex trafficking victims in Nepal. The two homes in

Kathmandu currently house about 15 women and girls who are

recovering from exploitation. For this month’s Role Model, Jim shares details about how Real Restoration works and what dayto-day life is like for the women who live in the homes.

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Foodies: With so many social events that revolve around food, it’s not

easy to get a fresh start on making healthy food choices. But, with a little thought and planning, you can prevent taking

your body on a roller coaster ride—without having to choose

between food deprivation and satisfaction, even with pizza on the menu.

photo by Mamta Kandel

On the Cover: Carmie & Jim Welch, Founders of Real Restoration

CONTENTS 4

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editor’s letter

Choosing Your Purpose, Your Meaning

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ife is empty and meaningless,” said the conference facilitator, much to the outrage of many in the audience. Gasps pulled the air right out of the room. Some stood up and walked out. It had been a long weekend, and the culminating message was not received with a loving embrace. Nearly 36 hours of interpersonal reflection and, bam, it was all for nothing, it seemed. “Life is empty and meaningless,” he said again, because it wasn’t enough to hear it the first time around. I had the benefit of being a repeat guest of the conference, so this wasn’t my first rodeo. The woman beside me began gathering her belongings, as she mumbled, “What a waste of time, I’m outta here.” I encouraged her to sit with the notion for just a little longer, let it percolate. “If you could spin it positively, what would it mean to you?” I quietly asked. One of the notions we had been discussing throughout the weekend is that humans are “meaning making machines,” which wouldn’t be so much of an issue if we attributed positive meanings to life events. But most often, we interpret the way we are treated, or the way life shakes out, to mean something harmful and hurtful to our minds and hearts. Over the years, we accumulate a whole lot of hurt. Buckets of it that some of us laboriously carry along with us everywhere we go, in everything we do. “You only have this very moment,” the facilitator had said earlier in the conference. “There is no future. No promise of a future or a tomorrow; yesterday is gone, yesterday doesn’t exist.” “I don’t get it,” said the woman beside me. I encouraged her to put it all together, the thought that we only have right now. Ten minutes ago, ten years ago, isn’t really anywhere but in our memories. We know it happened. We see evidence of activities from the past: buildings, homes, cars, trees, our aging bodies. I know there was laughter, I can see it in the laugh lines becoming increasingly etched in my once-flawless face. But as far as our human experience, we only have now. And tomorrow? It hasn’t happened, therefore it doesn’t “exist.” We are the forces behind the meanings that fill all of those spaces. We choose the way we color our past, the way we color our experiences, the way we want our future to look. Some of us use more black and gray, others are limited to a bright color or two, and some can’t wait for Crayola to release the next array of color variations. When we stay present to the now, to this minute, we allow ourselves to stand in the very space we have full control over, regardless of the past or a perceived future. We choose the meaning we want it to have. We choose how to be, regardless of how we have ever been before. The only chains binding us to the past—or to a yet to present itself future—are the ones we shackle to ourselves. “Life is empty and meaningless,” although hard on our ears upon the first entry, becomes one of the most freeing, beautiful expressions to consider. So often we are torn to bits as we search and ask, “What is my purpose? What does THIS mean?” There is one answer: your purpose is what you choose it to be. And all of life, every bit of it, means exactly what you choose it to mean. Want to be fearless? Be fearless. Want to see joy in the world, see the joy in the world. Want to make a difference in the lives of others? Be the difference you want to see

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in the world. You hold all of the power in an empty and meaningless life, and you get to choose how to fill it up, how to color it, how to feel. What is the prime of your life? The prime of your life is the “someday” you’ve always referred to, maybe even dreamed of. It’s today. I would love to hear how you stay present in the “now” and how you have filled your life with meaning and purpose. Find me on Facebook to stay connected between issues, or send me an email to the address below. My best,

Stephanie stephanie@spokanecda.com


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Quality care for your loved one. Peace of mind for you.

Having the time of your life in the Inland Northwest

Vol. 10 Issue 1 February/March 2016

Editor

STEPHANIE REGALADO stephanie@spokanecda.com

Creative Director/Lead Graphics KRISTI SOMDAY kristi@spokanecda.com

Graphic Designer/Traffic Manager

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Contributors

DENNIS HELD JANET LAM-ROGERS CHERYL-ANNE MILLSAP ERIKA PRINS JUDITH SPITZER JACK TENOLD

Business Development

511 S. Pine St. | Suite D | Spokane, WA 99202

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Prime magazine is published by Bozzi Media Tapio Yellow Flg Bldg, Suite 209 • 104 S. Freya, Spokane, WA 99202-4866 • Phone: 509.533.5350 Prime magazine (ISSN 1938-5714) is distributed freely in the Inland Northwest. For distribution locations, subscription rates, or to read this month’s or previous months’ issues, visit us at www.primespokane.com. All contents © 2016. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Neither Bozzi Media nor Prime™ magazine assume responsibility for errors in content, photos or advertisements.


Bach Festival Celebration photo courtesy of Northwest Bach Festival photo by Hamilton Studios

Listen Up! Eat Up! Drink Up! Celebrate!

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he Annual Northwest Bach Festival and Series presented by Connoisseur Concerts under Zuill Bailey’s artistic direction announces a special celebratory event to close out Bach 16 on Sunday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m. following the Festival Finale Concert. The new event will take place in a venue new to the Festival, the Overbluff Event Center in the historic Washington Cracker Company building.

Listen Up! Eat Up! Drink Up! Celebrate! will include a buffet dinner by Fery’s Catering and will offer no-host bars with a selection of traditional spirits as well as a specialty cocktail, wine, beer and other beverages. Delightful surprises are planned throughout the evening including a short performance by Zuill Bailey, cello, with Festival guest artist Kurt Nikkanen, violin, of a virtuosic, show-stopping string piece, the Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia.

Tickets are $35, and include a catered buffet dinner. Only 150 spaces available. www.ticketswest.com

frontPORCH February - March 2016

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front porch Museums on Us Program at the

MAC

The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture is participating in Bank of America’s Museums on Us program in 2016, providing free admission on the first full weekend of every month for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch debit and credit cardholders. The Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers to enjoy the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture more often. We are grateful for the chance to participate in this great program, and we applaud Bank of America for supporting cultural institutions across the country,” says the MAC’s executive director Forrest B. Rodgers. To qualify for the free admission, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers simply present their credit or debit card and a valid photo ID to gain one complimentary general admission to the museum. The current exhibit is Treasure!, a new exhibit about the history, science and technology of treasure hunting which runs until May 29. www.northwestmuseum.org

Corbin Activity Center’s Movin’ & Groovin’ Fair

Saturday, March 2, 2016 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CORBIN ACTIVITY CENTER is holding their Movin’ and Groovin’ event on Saturday, March 2, at no charge to attendees. With more than 70 vendors providing free information on senior living, education, nutrition, health insurance, tours as well as financial and legal advice, medical information, computer assistance, funeral planning, and much more. Visit Corbin’s Facebook page for a full list of vendors. WSU’s School of Nursing will provide free health screenings, and Well Quest will be onsite to offer complimentary massages. Many prizes will be awarded throughout the event, as well.

Postly: Creating Postcards On the Go A fun new app has just been released that turns your smartphone photo into a postcard and mails it instantly.

Postly is an easy solution to turn your smartphone photos into postcards . . . great for upcoming vacations and family events. No more wasting time on trips buying the right postcard for each person in your address book or finding a post office, with postage costing a fortune in some countries. Now you can take a picture, upload it right to Postly on your phone and hit send in seconds. They offer worldwide delivery for just $1.99 and it is available for iOS and Android. www.getpostly.com

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front porch

FREE Tax-Aide is Available By Janet Lam-Rogers, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Volunteer

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tarting February 1, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will provide free tax preparation and electronic filing at sites throughout the state. TaxAide is totally free; you do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this free service. Whether you are a working or retired individual, Tax-Aide’s IRS taxcertified volunteer preparers at each site can help answer your questions and prepare your tax returns. In addition to earned and retirement income reporting, they can help you with your investment income (interests, dividends, and capital gains for Schedule D), Schedule C for individuals with small businesses that have less than $25,000 in annual expenses, and various healthcare (Affordable Care Act), education, child and earned income credits. Taxpayers using the free service can receive their tax refunds rather quickly as all Tax-Aide sites will be using electronic filing. In Washington state last year, more than 1,000 Tax-Aide volunteers at about 150 sites helped approximately 81,000 taxpayers get more than $51 million in refunds. For more information and to locate an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site near you, visit www.aarp.org/findtaxhelp or call (888) 227-7669.

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Not Dead Yet:

Life After 55

Aging Artfully Spokane’s Poetic Bloom

By Dennis Held

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I’M GOING to let you in on one of Spokane’s craziest little secrets: we’re in the middle of a cultural bloom. Yes, we’ve got culture—right here in River City, to quote The Music Man. And that starts with “T” and that rhymes with “P” and that stands for— wait for it—Poetry! That’s right. Spokane has become well-known, far and wide, as a place that produces top-flight poets. Exhibit A: Gonzaga professor Tod Marshall has just been selected as Washington State’s poet laureate, the first time the recognition has been bestowed upon an Eastern Washington writer. The City of

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Spokane created its own poet laureate position three years ago, and Thom Caraway did a great job before handing the reins over to Laura Read last year. And those are just a few of the recently well-recognized poets in town. At EWU, Christopher Howell and Jonathan Johnson head up the poetry-teaching staff in a well-respected Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing. Both writers have published books with major presses, and contribute to the cultural life of Spokane. The same can be said of GU’s Dan Butterworth and Maya Jewel Zeller, Laurie Lamon at Whitworth, and a


half-dozen other poets who work here in Spokane. But that’s not what all the buzz is about. There’s another side to Spokane’s poetic life, one that’s brimming with juice and life and verve, and for the most part it lives apart from the academic world. It’s Spokane’s spoken-word poetry scene, and it’s rocking. By rocking, I mean rooms full of people shouting and clapping like they’re at a rock concert. I mean a weekly reading series that has been filling a local burrito shop for five years running, with standingroom-only crowds the staple for most of its existence. I mean poetry—and yes, I mean Spokane. Too often, we let ourselves believe that because we live in Spokane, we live in a cultural backwater, where there really isn’t much to do that is interesting and challenging and fun. That may have been true at one time, but anyone who has paid attention to Spokane’s cultural life in the last few years knows that something’s afoot. There are more visual art openings, more musical events of all kinds, and for certain, there’s been an explosion of poetry readings. And these aren’t your grandma’s poetry readings, where everybody sits quietly and gives out with a little “woosh” of air when the poem is over. This is another animal entirely. Take the weekly readings at Neato Burrito downtown. Started five years ago by spoken-word

artists Mark Anderson and Kurt Olson, Broken Mic has grown into a major event. Held every Wednesday, beginning around 6 p.m., the readings are almost always packed full, with 50 or more spectators—a few weeks back, 30 people signed up to read, a number that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Readers are kept to a three-minute time limit, so if you don’t like what you’re hearing, just wait a minute, and you’ll have another chance to connect with the next poet. Another great venue is provided by Auntie’s Bookstore on Main Avenue. The first Friday of every month, in conjunction with the First Friday artwalks downtown, readers and writers converge for Three Minute Mic, hosted by Spokane poet Chris Cook. The scene here is slightly more sedentary, with a solid contingent of seniors adding their voices to the mix. This would be a good introduction to the range of voices available in Spokane open-mic poetry, and Auntie’s is a comfortable home-away-fromhome for many of us readers in the senior set. If you’re really up for something different, dip into Spokane’s version of the Poetry Slam. A Slam, for the uninitiated, features a group of readers competing for the highest score, which is awarded by random members of the audience selected to be that evening’s “judges.” It’s a little bit ridiculous, and a whole lot of fun.

There are two Slams held every month: one starts at 7 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month, at Boots Bakery and Lounge, 24 W. Main Ave.; the other is at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of the month at The Bartlett, 228 W. Sprague Ave. (It’s always best to call the venue beforehand, to check on start times and such.) Of course, the bigger question is: why? Why bother to go out of your way to listen to an artform that some say has long since lost its relevance in contemporary life? Poetry is not only alive and well in Spokane, it’s having an effect on the greater cultural life of the city. For one thing, poetry is helping to bridge the gap between younger and older writers, and audience members. It’s also providing a living, breathing community for younger writers and artists in Spokane, a way for them to connect with each other and with the wider cultural forces at work here. It’s giving young, creative people a reason to stay here in Spokane and continue the work of making this a better place to live. And for older Spokane artists— writers, painters, musicians among others—it’s a way to feed the creative fires that need to be continually stoked, in order to keep creating. If you’re looking for a boost during these short, drab days of winter, try visiting one of Spokane’s many outlets for spoken-word poetry. You just might wind up sparking up some new ideas of your own.

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STANDING AT THE WINDOW, high above the busy street, I watched them. The elderly couple walked slowly down the sidewalk. He was tall. His head was bent low over the woman at his side, and strands of his thin white hair lifted in the wind. Faded, shapeless, corduroy pants, a size too big, hung loosely on his spare frame. The woman was small. Her head was no higher than the man’s shoulder and her open coat flapped around her thin legs and billowed behind her. His arm was wrapped protectively around her slight shoulders as she clutched his sweater, and they clung together against the onslaught of the gusts of wintry wind. There was something about the way they walked, fitted into and against one another, that hinted of a long history as a couple.

THIRDlife

By Cheryl-Anne Millsap

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I imagined them as they had awakened that morning. Bodies that had lost the softness of youth, grown lean and sharp with age, spooned together in the bed they had shared for many years. They rose to greet the day in a room full of photographs, the smiling faces of mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, newborn babies and fresh-scrubbed children, looking down from the walls. Their own wedding portrait—perhaps he was wearing a uniform—on the table beside the bed. I imagined a room and two lives that had seen passion, heartache, tears and laughter. And love. For weeks we’ve seen Valentine’s Day ads for chocolate and diamonds and all the trappings of romance. For some reason, in the midst of the sentimental spiel about expensive jewelry and sexy lingerie, the image of the old man and woman popped into my mind. The idea of love as it is fed to us by greeting cards, movies and best-selling novels is luscious, soft and sweet. Like ripe fruit. But what I saw in the language of the bodies that moved so slowly down the sidewalk was something else. It was older and mellowed, more mature.

Cheryl-Anne Millsap’s audio essays can be heard on Spokane Public Radio and on public radio stations across the country. She is the author of Home Planet: A Life in Four Seasons and can be reached at catmillsap@gmail.com.


Your Senior Living Community! It was real love. Love that has been tempered and forged. Love that, like wine, has opened and breathed. Love that has bloomed. Forget the candy and the roses. I want what they have. I’m not naïve. I know there must have been days, weeks, months and even years when the feeling between them waned. When the bonds felt more like chains, and desire cooled. When life was too hard and unforgiving to foster romance. But love endured. I could see it in every move they made. As I watched, the man and woman rounded the corner and disappeared from view. Impulsively, I hurried down the stairs and out the door to the corner. But they were gone. On Valentine’s Day, somewhere in this town, in a room filled with memories, the morning light will fall on the man and the woman. I can’t help but believe that when they stir, each feeling the comforting presence of the other before their eyes even open; without a word, without flowers or diamonds, they will quietly share what the rest of us will wrap in poetry and pretty paper: Love. Real love. This essay appears in Cheryl-Anne Millsap’s book Home Planet: A Life in Four Seasons which is available at Auntie’s Bookstore in Spokane.

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Health symposium

Q+A WITH A PANEL OF FIVE PRACTITIONERS

(dermatology, back health, sports medicine, men and women’s health, mental health) Plus a multitude of specialists in booths throughout the venue... we hope you will join us for the most relevant information that will help you live long, healthy, vibrant lives. Guests will enjoy great company, inspiring speakers, a complimentary glass of wine, and a healthy dinner buffet.

Wednesday Feb 24th, 2016 5:00p.m.– 8:00p.m.

Tickets at eventbrite.com $20/person or $120/table of 8

Brought to you by Bozzi Media and

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Take a bite out of Kansas City’s barbecue culture Arthur Bryant’s BBQ The stream of people going in and out during the lunchtime rush never stops. Once we’re in, I look around at the other diners. Men in dress shirts try to protect their ties as they eat and a group of women, obviously old friends, burst into loud laughter as they power down the ribs and sliced sausage. At a table in the corner, a pair of Highway Patrol officers tuck into the biggest sandwiches I’ve ever seen. I promised myself I would take it slow but I break that promise within minutes, devouring the tender ribs and sausage and hearty beans. It’s the first stop of the day and I’m already a KC Barbecue fan.

THE FIRST THING people tell you when you arrive in Kansas City, Missouri, is that there is more to the city than just the great barbecue they’re known for. Kansas City is a vibrant hub for fine art, world-class jazz, baseball and innovative cuisine. The second thing they tell you is you can’t come to Kansas City and not taste the BBQ. The locals are right on both counts. The museums and other locations are easy to find. But if, like most tourists, you have a tight schedule and limited time to drive from place to place, and you have no idea where to find the good stuff, how do you taste the best smoky meats the city has to offer? The answer is simple. Just hop on the bus. The KC Barbecue tour bus. It’s hard to believe that before Bethanie and Karl Schemel, Kansas City locals, saw the opportunity for a business and started KC Barbecue Tours in 2013, there wasn’t any kind of dedicated barbecue tour. Tasters were on their own. Now, all you have to do is board one of the company’s air-conditioned buses and sit back and enjoy the ride while Bethanie fills you in on the colorful lore of KC barbecue, serving it up with a side of the city’s history.

WANDERlust

LC’s Bar-B-Q Our next stop on the tour was LC’s and this hole-in-the wall, genuine BBQ joint, shouldn’t be missed. What you see is what you get. With only a handful of tables, finding a seat at LC’s can be a challenge, but don’t let that discourage you. The line snakes around the corner as people line up for food, especially the famous “burnt ends” and fries. Men and women hustle, pulling slabs of meat out of the big smoker and diners navigate the greasy floors, all under the watchful eye of the big man at a table near the counter. That’s L.C. and he sees everything. The meat was tender, perfectly charred and delicious, and the signature fries were impossible to resist.

By Cheryl-Anne Millsap

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Cheryl-Anne Millsap writes about travel for spokesman.com and can be reached at catmillsap@gmail.com.


Gates Bar-B-Q Just as Bethanie promised, we opened the doors and immediately a greeter called out “Hi, may I help you?” We sat down to a platter of ribs, tender smoked turkey, and slices of out-of-this-world brisket. Where Bryant’s sauce has the classic KC peppery tang, Gates sauce is sweet and savory and was a big hit on our tour. Gates is also known for their individual peach and “yammer” (sweet potato) pies and a few of us gave in to temptation and ordered one. Members of the Gates family are usually on hand. Like Bryant’s, Gates bottles their signature sauce and fans order it from all around the country. So, it turns out the locals were right. There’s a whole lot more to Kansas City than its famous barbecue. But, oh man, that barbecue is good. If you’re in the area you ought to catch the bus and give it a taste. KC Barbecue also offers the following private tours: The Riblet Tour: A 2.5- hour tour of two barbecue restaurants in the Kansas City area. The Half Slab Tour: A 3-hour tour of three barbecue restaurants in the Kansas City area. The Full Slab Tour: A 4-hour tour of four barbecue restaurants in the Kansas City area. For more information about KC Barbecue Tours go to kcbarbecuetours.com.

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S

pokane residents Jim and Carmie Welch founded the faith-based nonprofit organization Real Restoration to provide safe haven and a path forward for sex trafficking victims in Nepal. The two homes in Kathmandu currently house about 15 women and girls who are recovering from exploitation. For this month’s Role Model, Jim shares details about how Real Restoration works and what day-to-day life is like for the women who live in the homes.

ROLEmodel 18

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By Erika Prins | Photos by Mamta Kandel


As a longtime resident of the Inland Northwest, how did you come to found a nonprofit organization all the way across the globe?

In 2008, in a variety of cities throughout the world, and specifically Spokane—at the time I was living in Boise, Idaho—there was an influx of Bhutanese and Nepali refugees into the United States. I got involved with those resettlement issues. My involvement with that group of people just got to be more fascinating and interesting and extremely enjoyable—a meaningful part of my life. In 2011, I was in Kathmandu and I got connected with a woman who was involved with a long-term commitment home for exploited or trafficked girls. I think the light just started turning on in my heart that, here is a country that has a lot of different issues— everywhere has issues—but this one of exploited girls was one that was really important to me. July of this year, I took the step to file with the IRS and with the state of Washington. This October we became “legit” in Nepal in terms of being registered with that government, and we’re also registered in India. What impacted you about volunteering at the home for exploited women?

getting married, or being enrolled in school or getting into the vocational workforce. How do Nepalese women become victims to sex trafficking?

In Nepal there’s a couple different scenarios of trafficking. One is that a father will get tricked by a trafficker for his daughter to go to school. I think they say there’s about 215,000 Nepali girls in brothels in Calcutta. And that’s just one of the cities in India. Then, there’s the scenario within the country of girls who might live out in a village. Girls and boys will work their way into the city potentially for education or for a job. A girl might get a job in a restaurant and there’s a name for a restaurant in Nepal that might be referred to as forced prostitution and that’s a “cabin restaurant.” That might start out as somewhat of a legitimate job—serving drinks and food—and end up in forced prostitution. This sense of having to send money back to the village to the family might be fulfilled by that and they get trapped by that.

IT WAS IN A VERY SHORT TIME THAT THEIR LIVES WERE HEALING

As I spent time with this particular home of girls, I would see new girls come in and they were broken and hurt. And over time, I would see their countenance change. Their frowns or sadness started turning to joy. Of course, when I would meet these girls the first time, quite often their view of male figures was a little bit—and for good reason—it was out of balance. They would be at arm’s length to me and I understood that. And then, over time, they would come up to me and start calling me a particular phrase in Nepali, or they would give me a high five or a hug. It was in a very short time that their lives were healing and the two goals were successful: restoration and successful reintegration into society—whether

What is day-to-day life like for a girl or woman who lives at a Real Restoration home?

Each girl has their set of chores. Each girl is on a rotational basis depending on their age—a 9 year old isn’t going to be cooking breakfast for everybody—girls have different chores from cleaning to cooking, and then they head off to school. When they get home, then homework is on the agenda, and that can be anywhere from about two to four hours. It’s dinner time around six and again different girls are involved with cooking and preparation, setting the table. When they come home, we want the girls to be with somebody. Almost all the time they’re with somebody else, for not only safety reasons but for the camaraderie. The older girls help the younger girls. There’s a couple house mothers who are making sure those things get done and also looking over emotional care—a lot of talking—for each of the girls.

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What does the path to recovery look like for women who have recently escaped a trafficking situation?

When they enter, there’s a health screening right off the bat. We’re checking for AIDS, for HIV, for STDs. When a girl is ready to go back to school, we get them enrolled. We have a girl who’s 17. She’s brushing up on some computers, some English— she comes from a mountain village, she’s very bright—who needs to brush up on those things before getting into the college. Within a home, because there’s an age range, they’re not all in one school. Right now, we’re dealing with about 15 girls in total. It’s not unheard of for a girl to wake up

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with a nightmare in the middle of the night and be screaming. Everybody’s different and there’s no doubt that whether it’s counseling or a relationship that builds within a home, there are milestone breakthroughs that are very evident. One little girl that came in in January, her countenance was very low. And the next day, she, there was another girl that had her hair braided in just this really cool fashion. I asked, “Who braided your hair?” and she said, “The new girl. She braided my hair.” So just within that 24 hours—that may sound fairly simple, but to trust somebody to work with, play with, style your hair, that’s kind of therapy for both people. She was still there in October when I visited and she was just a different girl. It was like a light turned on inside her.


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g n i m o C g n i r p s s i h t

A Bozzi Media presentation Catering by Red Rock

(509) 795-2019

421 W. Riverside Ave. | Spokane, WA 99201

Spokane’s premier meeting & event space


R By Jack Tenold

Changes in Reverse Mortgage Laws

ose has lived in her Spokane home for 35 years and is recently widowed. Her children are living independently. Rose has always paid her bills, and has kept up with her home maintenance, insurance, and taxes. She plans to stay in her home as long as possible. Lately however, Rose has had some financial difficulties. They began when her washing machine broke and could not be repaired. Replacement required financing. Then Rose’s 10-year-old car needed extensive repairs. A couple of minor family emergencies followed by the Christmas season further depleted her financial position. She found she was having difficulty paying her home taxes and paying off one of her three credit cards in a timely manner. She had fallen behind “a little.”

FINANCIAL February - March 2016

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621 W Mallon Spokane WA 99201

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Rose had heard about reverse mortgages, and so she made an appointment with me to discuss her situation. When her husband was alive, they had established a line of credit on their home. The amount owed is considerable, so the bulk of any reverse mortgage payout would go to paying off that line of credit. That was fine with Rose though, because without the $800 per month principal and interest house payment, Rose would be able to catch up on her credit card payments and catch up on her home taxes. Rose was pleased with the prospect, but only for a while. New changes in the reverse mortgage law require that if a person has fallen behind in their property taxes, a life expectancy set aside (LESA) is required. The required set aside amounted to more than Rose could get from her reverse mortgage after paying off the line of credit. Without additional cash to bring to closing, she did not qualify for a reverse mortgage. If Rose had looked for help even three months earlier, it would have been possible to eliminate her house payments and keep her current on the credit cards and property taxes. She would have been able to stay in her home just as she planned and enjoy her retirement years without the pressure of a house payment. Instead, Rose’s credit has been damaged, and her ability to continue to live in her home is in jeopardy. The new financial assessment law for reverse mortgages requires examining whether or not a borrower will be able to maintain his or her home and pay their taxes and insurance in the future. The formula, while not complex, can be critical to the ability of a borrower to qualify.

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FINANCIAL EDUCATION CLASSES REJUVENATE YOUR RETIREMENT MAR 10 & 17 | 9:30 - 11:30 AM TH

TH

MAGNUSON BUILDING (FT GEORGE WRIGHT): $34 CLASS #1032

MAR 15 & 22 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM TH

ND

CENTERPLACE (IN THE VALLEY): $34 CLASS #1033

The Rejuvenate Your Retirement course provides a fundamental working knowledge of the principles of conservative retirement planning as they apply to retirement planning. The materials cover varied aspects of conservative retirement planning, such as changes in planning paradigms, history of markets, impact of bear markets, retirement budgeting, aspects of financial decisions, income planning, asset allocation, and more, while highlighting the ABC Planning Model. Students will increase their awareness of the overall risk in the markets as well as possible asset allocation models to help manage exposure to risk.

their pensions, investments, and Social Rose says that she will tell her friends Security. For example, a reverse mortgage to look into a reverse mortgage while may allow a person to hold off on Social their financial position is still healthy. I Security payments until the age of 66 or hope she will. later instead of taking early and smaller FHA reverse mortgages were created payments. by Congress in 1988 and were designed Folks such as Rose need to act quickly to help our aging population (of any before they fall behind on any of their economic status) to remain in their homes. Unfortunately obligations. broad guideline changes recently Jack Tenold, NMLS “If Rose had looked for make the RM less 10261, is a Reverse help even three months favorable to many of Mortgage Specialist the very people they in Spokane. He is earlier, it would have were intended to help. the branch manager been possible to eliminate Due to even moderate for First Priority her house payments� inflation, cost of health Financial, Inc., care, and many other NMLS 3257, an factors, some seniors Equal Housing are finding it difficult to stay ahead. Opportunity company. Jack is licensed in As a result, the reverse mortgage has Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California more and more become a financial tool where he is licensed by the Department of for the more affluent who wish to stretch Business Oversight under the CRMLA.

MAXIMIZING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY COMING SOON!

CHECK WEBSITE FOR APRIL CLASSES The Maximizing Social Security course provides a fundamental working knowledge of the Social Security program as it applies to retirement planning. The materials cover the history of Social Security, how to qualify for benefits, spousal benefits, widow & widower benefits, taxation of benefits, working while you receive benefits, issues involved in claiming benefits early, and strategies to maximize your benefits while developing an income stream in retirement.

Register through SCC at sccel.spokane.edu/ACT2 View the class calendar at triadwealth.net/events 621 W. Mallon, Ste. 601-A (the Flour Mill) Spokane, WA 99201 Office: (509) 822-1082 email: bonitak@triadwealth.net

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FOODIES 26

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Arugula Mushroom Flatbread Pizza 1 Flatout Flatbread 1/2 cup mushrooms, cooked 1/2 cup arugula 6 grape tomatoes 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated 1 1/2 teaspoons fat-free balsamic vinegar Heat grill or oven to 375 F. Pre-bake flatbread for 2 minutes. Remove. Warm mushrooms in microwave or pan. Top flatbread with arugula, tomatoes and mushrooms. Sprinkle with cheese and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Cut into slices. Flatbread Pizzas: Have Your Pizza, and Eat it, Too With so many social events that revolve around food, it’s not easy to get a fresh start on making healthy food choices. But, with a little thought and planning, you can prevent taking your body on a roller coaster ride—without having to choose between food deprivation and satisfaction. “Whether you are hosting an event or attending someone else’s celebration, planning ahead can help you stay on track,” says Mitzi Dulan, a registered dietitian and nationally recognized nutrition and wellness expert. “Having quick and simple strategies and recipes on hand makes it easy to eat well and keep you feeling great.” Put a winning plan in place to take a new look at your approach to eating smart with these tips from Mitzi, who is the team nutritionist for the World Series champion Kansas City Royals. >> pg 24

Barbecue Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe created by Mitzi Dulan, RD non-stick baking spray 2 Flatout Flatbreads 1/2 cup barbecue sauce 1/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded 6 ounces grilled chicken breast, torn into pieces 1 tablespoon red onion, diced 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped Heat oven to 400 F. Spray large baking sheet with non-stick baking spray. Place flatbreads on baking sheet. On each flatbread, evenly spread 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce. Sprinkle both cheeses over flatbreads. Mix remaining barbecue sauce with grilled chicken and place on pizzas. Top with diced onion. Bake 5 minutes. Sprinkle cilantro on top and serve.

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Don’t skip meals. Although skipping breakfast may seem like a good way to cut calories, it’s a plan that can actually backfire, making you hungrier as the day wears on, and more likely to overeat or sneak unhealthy snacks. Start each day with a well-rounded breakfast to fuel your body. Apply a similar approach to events later in the day, as well. You may be tempted to skip a meal so you can enjoy the treats at a party, but chances are you’ll end up overdoing it with high-calorie indulgences, so make sure you fuel up ahead of time. Love what you eat. Be mindful of the food you eat and make every bite count. Enjoying each delicious taste will make it easier to stick to a sensible eating plan. For the foods you do love, look for ways to make them better—better for you, that is. For example, if pizza is your weak spot, substitute a lower-calorie crust, such as Flatout Flatbread. Then choose toppings wisely to amp up the flavor while managing added fat and calories.

Thin Crust Pepperoni Pizza 1 Flatout Flatbread Artisan Thin Pizza Crust 1/4 cup chunky red sauce 3 slices provolone cheese 1/4 cup mozzarella, shredded 30 pepperoni mini slices Heat oven or grill to 375 F. Place flatbread on cookie sheet. Bake 2 minutes. Remove from oven. Spread sauce on flatbread. Lay provolone on top of sauce. Top with mozzarella and pepperoni. Return to oven and bake 4 more minutes, or until cheese melts. Grilling method: Heat grill to 375 F. Pre-bake flatbread on grill for 2 minutes. Remove from grill. Spread sauce on flatbread. Lay provolone on top of sauce. Top with mozzarella and pepperoni. Return flatbread to grill. Close lid. Grill for 4 minutes, or until cheese melts.

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Eat smaller portions. When you simply must indulge, you may be surprised to hear “go ahead,” but to do so in moderation. One clever way to keep your portions small: use a tablespoon, not a serving spoon to dish out portions. Then eat slowly so your body has time to tell your brain you’re full. Get your fill in healthy ways. Overeating often comes down to a very basic cause: hunger. Becoming more conscious of how you answer your hunger will help you stay on track. Drinking water before and during events will help to fill you up so you are less likely to consume excess calories. Snacking throughout the day can also help keep hunger at bay; several small, healthy snacks, such as a handful of nuts or trail mix, can help keep you feeling full. Also, remember to stop eating when you feel satisfied, but before you feel full. To find a Flatout Flatbread retailer near you, visit FlatoutFinder.com.

Thin Crust Egg, Sausage and Pepper Breakfast Pizza 1 Flatout Flatbread Artisan Thin Pizza Crust 1/2 cup cheddar cheese 2 eggs, lightly scrambled 3 ounces sausage, cooked and crumbled 2 ounces yellow peppers, diced 2 ounces red peppers, diced Heat oven to 375 F. Place flatbread on cookie sheet. Bake for 2 minutes. Remove from oven. Top flatbread with cheese, scrambled egg, sausage and peppers. Return to oven and bake 4 more minutes, or until cheese melts. Grilling method: Heat grill to 375 F. Pre-bake flatbread on grill for 1-2 minutes. Remove from grill. Top flatbread with cheese, scrambled egg, sausage and peppers. Return to grill. Close lid. Grill 4 more minutes, or until cheese melts.

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Rakan Alduaij has a unique eye when it comes to capturing stunning landscape images. “During my short visit last Christmas, I was able to capture the beauty of Spokane. Photographing Riverfront Park and Downtown Spokane and sharing these images with visitors and the local community is very satisfying,” he says. “Through my photographs, I aim to showcase and enhance the beauty of my surroundings, and hope you will also feel inspired by the work I’ve created.” You can find other images from Rakan on his website, www.photosbyrakan.com.

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