Life After 50 June 2016

LOS ANGELES METRO JUNE 2016

lifeafter50.com

southern california

PAUL SHAFFER

LIFE AFTER

LATE NIGHT WATCH YOUR BACK

Maintaining a Healthy Spine

BLISS IN FAMILY

BLENDING

SIX RULES FOR

SUCCESS

Joe

Mantegna The “Criminal Minds” star on family, fatherhood and more

Contents

June 2016

10

22

24

28

Cover Profile

Departments

10 Joe Mantegna

6 50-Plus: What You Need to Know

The “Criminal Minds” star on his career, family, fatherhood, and much more.

A quick look at things 50-plusers should be aware of.

Features

Looking to get out and about? Our June/July calendar has some great suggestions.

18 Seeking Bliss in Brood Blending? Don’t look to the Bradys Six Rules for successfully blending a family after death or divorce.

22 Watch Your Back!

Back and neck pain? Learn what’s new in minimally invasive surgery.

24 The Look Of Life After 50 – Paul Shaffer

30 Let’s Get Out

34 Rick Steves’ Travels

With summer almost here, learn how to avoid common travel mistakes.

38 And Finally…The Bookworm’s Best, A Look Back and Just A Thought Before We Go

A book suggestion, memory, and a little something to leave you with.

David Letterman’s musical director on life after late night.

28 The Hallowed Hall Of Must-Knowtables – Andy Griffith Legendary notables that everyone, of every age, should know.

Cover photo by Keith Munyan / www.keithmunyan.com

All material published within this issue of Life After 50 and on www.lifeafte50.com is strictly for informational and educational purposes only. No individual, advice, product or service is in any way endorsed by Life After 50 or Southland Publishing, Inc. or provided as a substitute for the reader’s seeking of individualized professional advice or instruction. Readers should seek the advice of qualified professionals on any matter regarding an individual, advice, recommendations, services or products covered within this issue. All information and material is provided to readers with the understanding that it comes from various sources from which there is no warranty or responsibility by Life After 50 or Southland Publishing, Inc. as to its or their legality, completeness or technical accuracy.

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Editor’s Note...

Two Cool Cats Who Are Too-Cool Dads

I

f you appeared in any one of the three “Godfather” films, you are automatically one cool cat. Period!

The same is true if you played a “founding father” role in NBC’s venerable “Saturday Night Live” and then went on to be the musical director of one of the hippest shows in the history of late night television.

The bottom line: Joe Mantegna and Paul Shaffer are two of the coolest cats we have ever featured in Life After 50. And if coolness can be even cooler, beyond their career successes, they are also both very cool guys to sit and chat with.

Having had the opportunity to do that with both of them for this issue – that will be out during the month we celebrate Father’s Day – my conversations with Mantegna and Shaffer included the sharing of thoughts and memories of their respective fathers, Joseph Anthony Mantegna, Sr. and Bernard Shaffer, and their children, Mia and Gia Mantegna, and Victoria and Will Shaffer.

It was interesting to learn how very different these men were from their fathers – Mantegna’s being an insurance agent and Shaffer’s a Canadian attorney. It was also touching to hear of the loving pride with which they both spoke of their children.

One of the greatest things about doing what I do for a living is not just getting to talk with people such as Mantegna and Shaffer, but to walk away from just about every interview with a perspective change or shift about the person, because of something they said.

Thus was the case as I was talking with Shaffer, whose son, Will, is an outstanding athlete. “Will didn’t have the advantage of having an athletic dad,” Shaffer told me. “But now we sit together and watch football games and he patiently explains to me how the game is played. I know he wants a dad that he can sit and watch the games with, so I do my best to keep up with him.”

Something that Mantegna said also resonated with me. He mentioned that as the years have passed, he has come to look at the celebration of Father’s Day in a different way. Rather than viewing it as a day in which his daughters honor him, he sees it as a day of being grateful for them. “I think of how lucky I am to be a father – to be Mia and Gia’s father,” he told me.

Yes, I came into my conversations with Mantegna and Shaffer thinking they are both pretty darn cool cats; and came away being assured of that fact.

But there was something else I came away being assured of: The coolness they possess goes way beyond having been in a “Godfather” film or having played a significant role in legendary late night television programs. It’s what I believe every reader will think to themselves after reading our stories about them: That along with their cool career accomplishments, these two guys are also very cool dads!

David Laurell, Editor-in-Chief

4 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

Publisher Valarie Anderson Editor-in-Chief David Laurell Associate Editors Steve Stoliar Claire Yezbak Fadden Art Director Michael Kraxenberger Editorial Assistant Max Andrews Controller Kacie Cobian Human Resources Andrea E. Baker Business Manager Linda Lam Billing Supervisor David Garcia VP Of Operations David Comden

To contact our editorial department: (818) 563-1007

Account Executives: San Diego County/Orange County Phil Mendelson Phil@LifeAfter50.com Orange County Mary Westphalen Mary@LifeAfter50.com Travel/Los Angeles James Thomopoulos James@LifeAfter50.com For advertising/distribution inquiries contact: Valarie Anderson (310) 822-1629 x 121, Valarie@LifeAfter50.com 5301 Beethoven St., Suite 183 LA CA 90066 Valarie Anderson Valarie@LifeAfter50.com 310 822-1629 x 121 Follow us on facebook @Life_After50

©2016 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved

A June Thought

“With spring being a tough act to follow, God created June.”

– Al Bernstein

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50

Celebrating The Stars And Stripes

PLUS

What You Need To Know

By Claire Yezbak Fadden and Max Andrews

I

Along with honoring our fathers, June is also the month of Flag Day when Americans show respect for the flag of our nation. To correctly display your flag, utilize proper decorum.

Flag etiquette encourages flying the flag from sunrise to sunset and not at night unless there is a light on it.

Do not fly the flag in the rain or inclement weather. The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole, with any other flags flown below. As a matter of respect, never let your flag touch the ground, and fold your flag when putting it away. When your flag is worn or in need of replacement, do not throw it away. Visit your local Veterans of Foreign Wars post to turn it in or click on www.vfw.org/flags for information on proper disposal.

“Taxi” Star Hails Change

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fter dating for a short while, actress Marilu Henner, best known for her role of Elaine on the hit sitcom “Taxi,” and her fiancé Michael Brown were hit with the ultimate bad news: Michael had cancer. Refusing traditional care, they pieced together a personal and holistic view on battling the disease, all while forging an unbreakable bond. In “Changing Normal: How I Helped My Husband Beat Cancer” (2016, Gallery Books) Henner relates her holistic perspective on health, including the super foods, exercises and immunotherapy she and Brown used to fight the disease. This inspiring tome also offers up proof that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of romance or of a happy and fulfilling life. Along with their new book, Marilu also offers health and wellness tips on her website: www.marilu.com, and will be lending her talent to USAgainstAlzheimer’s as they present Trish Vradenberg’s mother and daughter play, “Surviving Grace,” on September 25 at the Stephen J. Ross Theatre in Burbank, and on September 27 at the Shiley Theatre in San Diego. To purchase tickets, click on www.survivinggrace.org.

Fifty Candles

F

ifty years ago this month, the American and National Football Leagues announced plans to merge in 1970, agreeing that each year their champions would meet in a title game soon to be known as the Super Bowl; Janis Joplin, appearing with Big Brother and the Holding Company, performed in her first live concert at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco; the Supreme Court of the United States handed down the Miranda decision, ruling that police must inform suspects of their rights before questioning them; and the first gothic-inspired daytime soap opera, “Dark Shadows,” premiered. Notables born in June 1966 who are celebrating their 50th birthday this month include actresses Julianna Margulies, Mary Stuart Masterson and Laura Silverman, boxer Mike Tyson, television commentator Gretchen Carlson, director J.J. Abrams, actors John Cusack and Jason Patric and rocker Doris Pearson.

6 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

Fathering After 50

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n 1980, only one-in-23 children in the United States was fathered by men over the age of 50. That number has grown to about one-in-18.

According to Mark Penn and Kinney Zalesne, who co-authored the book “Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow’s Big Changes” (Twelve, 2007), part of the reason more men over 50 are fathering children is because their wives, who tend to be younger, had put childbearing on the back-burner for the sake of their careers. Another reason is divorce. It’s well-known that half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce and that men tend to remarry faster and more frequently than women. Sometimes called “Do-Over Dads,” more and more older men are trying their hand at fatherhood a second time around, with a younger wife. This is being reflected by the statistic that vasectomy reversal is up over 40 percent since 1999. Urologists report that men seeking the procedure are almost always in their mid-40s or older, with new wives who are at least eight years younger. Another reason is a combination of biology and success. Older men can still physically father children, and most are in much better shape, both physically and financially, than men over 50 at any other time in history. This means they can attract younger women, and have more time and financial resources to spend on a child.

Many older new dads also say that having a child has made them feel “renewed,” and that they are more relaxed and more interested in family life than they were (or might have been) when they in their 20s and 30s and busy building their careers.

A Little More You Need To Know

Where You Need To Go Celebrate 50 Years of Sawdust Soul

The Most Important Thing To Know This Month

June is Men’s Health Month

T

o promote healthy living during National Men’s Health Week, the week prior to Father’s Day, which is celebrated on Sunday, June 19, here are some of the most important things for men over 50 to do in order to embrace a healthy lifestyle:

Decrease alcohol use Men are more likely than women to drink heavily. Excessive alcohol use increases your risk of injury and cancer, can interfere with male hormone production and sexual function and can result in hospitalizations and death.

Quit using tobacco

F

or five decades, the Sawdust Art and Craft Festival has showcased the artistry of more than 200 Laguna Beach artists and featured live performances, fashion shows and workshops. This year, “Celebrating the Soul of Art for 50 Years!” is the golden anniversary theme.

Art enthusiasts, collectors, novice artists and art lovers have wandered the grounds since the festival’s beginning in 1966, marveling at artworks including hand-blown and fused glass, painting, jewelry, surf art, ceramics, clothing and textiles, wood and metal sculpture, scrimshaw and photography. Participating artists are on hand, eager to share their creative process, answer questions, provide art classes and put on live art demonstrations.

Throughout the nine-week festival, a wide variety of classes are presented.

Participants often find themselves behind the pottery wheel, creating memories and works of art that last a lifetime. Follow in the footsteps of the worldrenowned artists of Italy by taking on the legendary tradition of blowing glass at the festival’s Glass Hut – a unique experience not easy to come by. Daily art projects for all ages are offered at the Ceramic Center and Studio One.

The Sawdust Art Festival is held at 935 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach, June 24 through August 28. Admission is $8-plus. For more information call (949) 494-3030 or click on www.sawdustartfestival.org.

Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and causes most lung cancer cases. It also contributes to other cancers and heart and respiratory diseases. If you are ready to quit, call (800) 784-8669 or click on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Quit Smoking website at www.cdc.gov for free resources, including coaching, local resources and educational materials.

Avoid drowsy driving Drowsy drivers may cause up to 6,000 fatal crashes each year. Get enough sleep to prevent drowsy driving, seek treatment for possible sleep disorders, and refrain from drinking alcohol or taking sedation medications before driving.

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. To protect yourself from the sun, seek shade, wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and wear a broadspectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

For more health tips, click on www.cdc.gov/features/healthymen.

New Words You might not find all of these words in a dictionary yet, but they’re a part of the everyday American vocabulary. Here’s what they mean.

Keepin’ It A Hundred: Standing by your actions or what you say with 100 percent conviction.

Phubbing: A portmanteau of phone and snubbing, referring to the practice of ignoring someone you are with in favor of completely focusing on your mobile phone.

Sillerious: Being silly and serious at the same time.

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COVER PROFILE

Joe

Mantegna The “Criminal Minds� star on his most iconic roles, legendary directors, fathering and much more Ullstein / The Interview People

Story by David Laurell Photos by Keith Munyan / www.keithmunyan.com

S

urrounded by photos, posters and other items of memorabilia from his 40-plus-year career, Joe Mantegna sinks into a beige couch in his Burbank office located just blocks away from Taste Chicago, the Windy City-themed restaurant he and his wife Arlene have owned and operated since 2003.

Casually dressed in a black shirt and jeans, Mantegna sports a waist size more accustomed to a twentysomething than a man who will turn 69 this November. When asked how he stays in such great shape, what with the lure of all that deep-dish pizza, Italian beef and sausage sandwiches, Chicagostyle hot dogs and homemade meatballs, ribs and pasta dishes so close by, he breaks out in a slow grin.

“Moderation in everything, including moderation,” he says quoting Oscar Wilde. “I eat whatever I want but, just not too much of it too often.”

Born into an Italian family in Chicago, Mantegna first became interested in acting when he auditioned for a high school play. Matriculating at the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University, he put himself through school by performing with local bands.

In 1969, Mantegna scored a major career victory when he was cast in the controversial and popular Broadway hit “Hair.” More stage roles would follow and in 1984, he would win the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Richard Roma in the first American production of David Mamet’s play, “Glengarry Glen Ross.”

Branching out into television and feature films, Mantegna rapidly became known as a versatile actor capable of taking on diverse roles that, over his impressive career, have taken him from Joey Zasa, a treacherous mobster in “The Godfather Part III” and singer Dean Martin in HBO’s 1998 original film “The Rat Pack,” to Police Chief Will Girardi, the father of a young girl who communicates with God on the critically acclaimed CBS drama “Joan of Arcadia” to his recurring voice role of mob boss, Anthony “Fat Tony” D’Amico, on “The Simpsons.”

In August of 2007, after the sudden departure of Mandy Patinkin, Mantegna took on the role he has become most associated with: FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi on the CBS hit police drama, “Criminal Minds.” Almost a decade into his run on “Criminal Minds,” Mantegna, an avid firearm enthusiast, also hosts the Outdoor Channel and MidwayUSA’s “Gun Stories.”

Closing in on their 41st wedding anniversary, Mantegna and Arlene are the parents of two daughters: Mia, who was born prematurely in 1987 and diagnosed to be autistic as a toddler, and their younger daughter, Gia, who has followed in her father’s footsteps and established a career as an actress.

Welcoming Life After 50 to his office for a recent visit, Mantegna, delighted to learn he would be profiled in the June issue – the month of Father’s Day — put his hands behind his head and leaned back as he shared stories about his grandfather and father.

Joe Mantegna (JM): My dad’s father – my grandfather – was from Calascibetta, Italy, which is a little mountaintop village that is as far from the ocean as you can get. He left Italy at the turn of the century for Krebs, Oklahoma, of all places. He came to Krebs because this one guy from Calascibetta had come to America and heard they were looking for people to work in the coal mines there and were selling 10 acres of Indian territory for $100. So he sent the word back and all these immigrants from Sicily came to Krebs. My grandfather worked in the mines for five years. His plan was to work long enough to be able to have his wife come over from Italy and to buy 50 acres of land to start a farm. And that’s what he did. In fact, our family still owns the farm and there is still a huge Sicilian population there. My dad was born in Krebs and spent his childhood on that farm – which was something he always talked about. Well, my grandfather wasn’t in great health and he had a bad appendicitis attack when the kids were in their teens, and he died. After his death, my grandmother realized she couldn’t run a farm and raise her kids, so she packed them up and moved to Chicago where she had family. That is where my father met my mother and

where I was born. I was a real city kid with no connection to farming or any sort of rural life, so I never gave much thought to my dad’s story of his young life on the farm.

Life After 50 (LA50): Your dad was an insurance agent, right?

JM: Yes, but, he was always in poor health. He and his brothers had contracted tuberculosis from cows back on the farm, which I guess was common back then. His two older brothers died in their early 20s, but my dad survived and they sent him to a sanitarium in New York where they took out a lung and removed some ribs. He was there for three years and, remarkably, he recovered. He still wasn’t in great shape, but when he came back to Chicago, he got a job as an insurance man. He was an interesting character – the way he dressed was different than any of my friends’ fathers. He was unique – kind of a stylish hipster of his time [laughs]. But even though he was in poor health and only had one lung, he smoked two packs a day and drank heavily. It was obvious that he was depressed. He was never very successful, never made much money or got to do things he dreamed of doing. We always lived in apartments and he was forced to stop working in his 40s because his health was so bad.

So my mother supported us by working for Sears and Roebuck wrapping packages and my dad finally died in 1971 – he was only 57.

LA50: What did he think of you wanting to become an actor?

JM: I don’t know if he really understood it. Hey, my mother is still with us. She’s 100 and I still don’t think she understands what I do for a living [laughs]. Even when I won a Tony Award, my mother didn’t know what it was all about. She kept telling people I won an Oscar for doing plays [laughs]. But acting wasn’t something I ever talked about as a kid, because I didn’t even know I wanted to be an actor until I was in high

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 11

school. I didn’t grow up in a theatrical environment at all. I had no connection to acting or show business. But I loved this movie: “West Side Story.” I must have seen it 10 or 12 times and it kind of reminded me of my life as a kid in Chicago. Well, when I was a junior in high school, I saw this banner in a hallway that said they were doing tryouts for “West Side Story.” I never even knew it was a play. So I went home and played the soundtrack over and over and learned all the words to “Maria.” Then the next day, I went to the audition and sang the song and when I finished, I heard applause coming up from beyond the footlights and it was like a lightning bolt hit my chest. No one had ever applauded anything I had done. I was a C student and an average baseball player. I was average in everything I did. But that applause [gasps]. Right away I knew: This is what I want to do. I was so excited about how I did in the audition, I couldn’t sleep that night. Then I went to school the next day to see the list they posted with who got what roles and I couldn’t believe it – I didn’t get cast. I was devastated. But then I thought to myself: Why the heck am I devastated? Forty-eight hours earlier I didn’t even know “West Side Story” was a play! But doing that audition left a huge impact on me and I started hanging around the drama department and talking to the teacher, who told me that I did well in the audition, but was too small for the role. He thought I had talent and put me in an advanced drama class and I got totally hooked. I was 16-years-old and knew what I wanted to do with my life. So I went to the Goodman School of Drama and played in a band to support myself. Then in 1969, I tried out for “Hair” on Broadway and got cast.

LA50: What was your parents’ reaction to that?

JM: You know, they had seen me in the plays, but they never really said much other than: “That’s nice.” Where I grew up, being an actor wasn’t on the radar screen. You either became a cop or someone the cops chased. So I never knew what my dad thought of me becoming an actor until after he died and I asked my brother, who is eight years older, if he had ever said anything about it. He said that at one point, my dad had mentioned he was concerned about it, but that my brother said to just let me go and give it a try – what could it hurt. My father came to New York to see me do “Hair,” which was a big deal, but he didn’t live to see me achieve success.

LA50: You would have loved for him to have seen how the acting thing worked out for you huh.

JM: [sighs] I guess like a lot of kids, I didn’t really appreciate him till he was gone. He was a fascinating guy who had very little formal education, but he loved to read Shakespeare. He always talked about traveling all over the world and doing all sorts of adventurous things that he never did – could never do. So I have always felt I have lived my life vicariously for him. I have gotten to do all the things he hoped to do, and even things he couldn’t have dreamed of doing, so I think of him often. He was only 57 when he died and I’m already 11 years past that. If there is something to the fact that as a spirit, we can appreciate what is going on in this life, I know he does. He would have loved it all.

LA50: Directors sort of take on a fatherly role over their actors, and you have gotten to work with the best of the best: Woody Allen in “Alice” and “Celebrity,” Francis Ford Coppola in “The Godfather III,” Barry Levinson in “Liberty Heights” and “Bugsy.” How does it influence your performance to work with a legendary director?

JM: Well, as my friend Peter Falk used to say: “Work with the best. They’ll never hurt you.” It’s always an advantage when you get to work with people who are the best – top caliber. What they bring to a production rubs off on you and it inspires you. As an actor, you have to bring the goods, it’s on you, but a great director can help you bring out things you may have never thought of. I’m so fortunate to have gotten to work with the best in the business and have picked up things from all of them that didn’t just help me as an actor in the role I was playing for them, but also in my work as a director. Here’s a good example of that: In “The Godfather III,” there’s a scene in which I’m in a meeting with all these gangsters right before I blew the place up. It was a big set and Coppola had cameras hidden all over the place. So after we did a few takes he said: “Let’s do one that’s just all ad lib – whatever comes into your heads.” We were all game for that and I thought it was a great exercise for us to relax a bit before going back to the script. During that improv take, I 12 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016 PAL_005991_01_Sr_Print_4.625x11.5_R2_FINAL_CFR.indd 1

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eent fr e ev

was making small talk in character and said I’d like to be honored by the Catholic church and get a little pin from the pope. That line, about the pin from the pope, is totally my ad lib and Coppola liked it and left it in. Those are the kind of things you learn from the great ones.

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LA50: What did you learn from Woody?

JM: He’s an odd bird. Unique unto himself. I did two films with him and he doesn’t give you much direction. He is very softspoken and more like an observer on the set than the director. He would let you do some ad libs and if he felt it was working, great; otherwise he would just say: “Okay, let’s go back to the script.” It is a unique experience to work with Woody. He is brilliant in what he does.

LA50: Speaking of brilliance; you have been brilliant yourself in the way you have brought life to some wonderfully rich characters. Let’s talk about some of them. First, tell us a bit about Will Girardi from “Joan of Arcadia.”

JM: I loved playing Will. He was the father of a very special girl, just like me. I loved that show. When I first read the script, I knew it was something

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special and wanted to do it. I was a producer on that show and so I was involved in every stage of casting. I remember we were casting for the lead – for Joan – and this one young girl came in to read and she just knocked my socks off. I didn’t know who she was, but as far as I was concerned, there was no reason to go any further; she was the whole package. Then I remember someone asking me if I knew who she was, which I didn’t. Then they said she was Amber Tamblyn, who was the daughter of Russ Tamblyn who played Riff in the film version of “West Side Story” that I loved so much as a kid. So, of course, I said: “THAT’S IT! IT’S KISMET! Amber was perfect as Joan and it was a brilliant show – spiritual and really about something – always delivering a message. It’s everything you want a show to be. There were great life lessons in each show and I wish it could be required viewing for every high school kid.

LA50: Tell us about “Fat Tony.”

JM: Ah, “Fat Tony!” I had just finished doing “The Godfather III” and so I was the big Mafia guy of that time. I’m sure that’s why “The Simpsons” people thought of me. I had an Uncle Willie whom I just loved. He was like

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my second father. He lived to be 91, but he had suffered a bout of throat cancer.

He survived it, but, they had to take out his vocal cords which gave him this raspy voice that became my inspiration for “Fat Tony.” I thought that would just be a one-shot deal but, the next thing I knew, they called me back, again and again and – cut to the chase – 25 years later, I’m still doing “Fat Tony.”

LA50: When the history of television is written, David Rossi will be remembered as one of the medium’s iconic characters. Tell us about him.

JM: I came into “Criminal Minds” during a crisis situation. Mandy had left and things were a mess. They just weren’t sure how to move forward and I had to jump right in to take his place. So we came up with this character I could relate to right away. He was Italian and from Chicago, so I was comfortable with the character very quickly, except for the fact that I’m a huge Cubs fan and he was a White Sox fan. I have drawn on a lot of my personal life for him and, some people know this, I got the name, David Rossi, from a real Los Angeles cop. He had been the first guy to testify in the O.J. Simpson trial. He had been the watch commander who took the first call on the night of the murders. When he was on the stand, the defense – F. Lee Bailey and the rest of them – really beat him up for three days, and yet he was so poised and handled himself with such dignity that he really impressed me. So I used his name as a tribute to him and to honor all cops who are out there risking their life every day. I have since become great friends with the real David Rossi, who is now retired and living in Idaho. I first met him after he wrote me a letter that was very touching. Here’s a little bit of trivia for “Criminal Minds” fans: On my desk in the show there is a photo of me standing next to these two guys. The older guy is the real David Rossi and the younger one is his son.

LA50: You have also portrayed several real people throughout your career: George Raft in “Bugsy,” Fidel Castro in “My Little Assassin,” and Dean Martin in “The Rat Pack.” Did you ever get the chance to meet Dean?

JM: No, but I have gotten to know his daughter Deana and other members of the family. I wish I had gotten the chance to meet him because I idolized Dean Martin. It is one of the hardest tasks an actor can take on, doing the role of a real person, especially when you are playing an icon with a huge personality.

I did tons of research on him before doing that film. I watched lots of his films and talked to people who knew him. I really studied his voice and mannerisms and the way he dressed – how he held his cigarettes and tugged on his cuffs.

People always get a kick out of my story about how I found Dean’s voice for that role. I would listen to him over and over –singing, talking – and I kept thinking that he sounded like someone, that his voice reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Then it hit me. When I was a kid, there was a cereal called Sugar Crisps and in the commercial, there was the Sugar Bear who would say: “Can’t get enough of them Sugar Crisps, Sugar Crisps.” That’s when it hit me that the Sugar Bear sounded just like Dean Martin. That was when the voice clicked in with me and to get into it that was my exercise: doing the Sugar Bear’s line. That role was very important to me, because Dean meant so much to me. I wanted to portray him right. I wanted to do it right for his memory, and I have gotten great feedback on my portrayal from people very close to him – family members, guys who played with him, even Jerry Lewis, who told me that I had “gotten” him.

How To: Fix Crepey Skin Do It Yourself!

After months of secrecy, the participants of a user group in which volunteers were asked to test a revolutionary new anti-aging method are breaking their silence. For the first time, these women are free to speak about being among the first to experience “full-body age-reversal”... and they’re finally revealing the truth about this non-surgical solution to aging skin.

News of this unusual technique first broke earlier this year, when one of the country’s leading cosmetic surgeons made a surprising announcement: He was seeking volunteers to test a new anti-aging solution—described only as “full-body age-reversal.”And, despite the ad’s mysterious nature, the response from willing participants was overwhelming. After all, who wouldn’t want to work with Dr. John Layke?

His Los Angeles-based practice (the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group) boasts a multitude of A-list celebrity clients.

LA50: How old was she when she was diagnosed with autism?

JM: About two-and-a-half. Back then, autism wasn’t really understood. Today there is much more understanding and research and awareness. I had been involved with these little fringe groups back when Mia was young, one of which has grown into Autism Speaks. Mia is high-functioning and just beautiful. She is 29 now, but she is also 10. She always wants to go to Disneyland and meet

And when the their test group (consisting of female volunteers ages 50 and up) was finally selected, its members were strongly discouraged from speaking to the press…until now.

The participants’ sudden willingness to divulge these details may have to do with the release of a new video—posted online by Dr. Layke himself—which formally reveals his revolutionary skin-transforming technique to the public.

“After two days, I started looking for excuses to put on a sleeveless shirt!”

- laughs 56-year-old test group member, Brianna

LA50: Joe, we began our conversation talking about your father.

Let’s wrap up talking about your life as a father.

JM: I didn’t go into adulthood waiting to have kids. It just happened. Arlene and I had been together for 12 years before we had our first child, and then Mia was born under trying circumstances. She was born three months premature and was only one pound 13 ounces.

“The wrinkles on my knees, chest, and upper arms needed serious work—and I didn’t think that anything other than surgery could fix skin as crepey as mine.” - User Group Member

Plus, with appearances on shows such as Entertainment Tonight and The Doctors, Dr. Layke has become one of the industry’s most trusted names.

However, despite their normally media-friendly demeanor, both Layke refused to comment on their participant search, or reveal any more information about the new technique.

The video presentation—which went viral in less than 24-hours—even shows viewers how they can use Dr. Layke’s method to remove the appearance of crepey skin from their own body. And of course, how this once-unthinkable feat, can now be achieved without leaving home.

To Watch Dr. Layke’s Shocking Presentation Visit:

www.BHMD10.com June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 15

Photo courtesy of Joe Mantegna

Joe Mantegna, with his wife Arlene, says he is lucky to be the father of Gia, far left, and Mia.

the princess and take pictures with them. In a way, she will always be a young child. But you play the cards you are dealt. Having a child with any sort of a disability makes you a different person. I think you become more appreciative of things and more sensitive towards things.

LA50: How is Gia doing?

JM: Very well and I am so proud of her. This past year she was on “The Middle” and is currently working on an album. She is amazing. She is the little sister who, from day one, always had to be the big sister. She has always been the protector of her big sister. And she knows that the day will come when Arlene and I can no longer care for Mia – that she will eventually have to step up and take on the responsibility and the duty of caring for her sister. Gia just turned 26, but she has a level of maturity well beyond her years – always has.

She’s a great kid, and an old soul [smiles].

LA50: With this month being the one in which we celebrate our fathers, do you have any fatherly advice for other fathers?

JM: Every Father’s Day, I always think about how it is supposed to be the day they honor me, but I don’t look at it that way. I look at it in a different way. I think of how lucky I am to be a father – to be Mia and Gia’s father. As for advice, I don’t know, I think there are natural instincts that kick in when you become a parent, and if you are a decent person, you’ll figure it out and do right by your kids. Decency in the way you love them and accept them is the important thing – more important than anything else. You see families in disastrous situations who have that figured out, and kids who seemingly have the whole world in front of them who are totally screwed up because their parents haven’t figured that out.

16 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

LA50: As mentioned earlier, you’re in great shape. Do you have any advice on getting older or keeping fit — any philosophy on the passing of time?

JM: Well, turning 50 didn’t bother me at all, but 60 got my attention. I’ll be 69 in November and it’s hard for me to get my head around that. It’s like, wow, that’s a number I never imagined. But I’m in decent shape for my age. I have to stay in shape, because the “Criminal Minds” writers still have David kicking down doors [laughs]. My father only got 57 years, but my mother is 100 and lives back in Chicago in a retirement home – a wonderful place. She was still living alone until she was 92. I think my mother has lived to be 100 because of her attitude. She has always been good at keeping tension and stress out of her life. I see people freak out over things that just don’t deserve that kind of attention. But what you do have to be is conscientious of your health. I’ve lost three very close friends, just because they didn’t get colonoscopies. They are not here today, because they didn’t take care of something that was totally preventable. So I tell everyone to get a colonoscopy. Look, we’re all going to die, but I don’t want to be one of the dumb guys who dies from something that could have been avoided. As for my philosophy on aging: I embrace my age. I’m realistic about it and know that, at best, I’m in the third quarter of my life. You know that rainy day people always talk about – saving this or that for a rainy day? Well, I’m at the age in which it’s starting to drizzle [smiles]. I don’t know how many tomorrows I’ll have, but as I said earlier: Everything in moderation, including moderation.

That’s the philosophy I live by.

For more information on Joe Mantegna, click on www.joemantegna.com.

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Seeking Bliss in Brood Blending?

Don’t look to the Bradys Six rules for successfully blending a family after death or divorce

D

uring this time of year, with Mother’s Day having been celebrated last month and the observance of Father’s Day taking place this month, many parents tend to take inventory of the state of their family life and the parenting prowess they have been, and are, providing.

More so than at any time in history, many Americans, for many reasons, are finding themselves involved in family scenarios that are both unconventional and non-traditional. While the concept of blending a family due to death is certainly nothing new, today, with divorce so prevalent, many families are blended two or three times over.

If you grew up in the 1970s and are now in your 50s and 60s, the chances are more than good that “The Brady Bunch” was a part of your regular television viewing. Back in those pre-cable days of limited channels, it seems as if everyone watched that show about a widower who married a widow, each with three children of their own, and blended their families to live in one household in total suburban bliss.

Not only did the show sugar-coat how harmonious combined families are, it set the bar way too high even for traditional, first-marriage 18 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

By Jonathon Aslay

families. In each episode, the Bradys showed how siblings could always find a way to resolve conflict among themselves, or with a little help from an understanding parent (or live-in housekeeper).

The show presented each parent as being completely unbiased in how they treated their step-children versus their biological children.

There was mutual respect and no one (except Jan) was ever resentful, jealous, or hurt. There was no problem the good old Brady clan couldn’t solve during the 30 minutes between their iconic opening montage and the final credits.

THE BRADY MYTH “The Brady Bunch” may have seemed like a great role model for families to emulate, but, in fact, their story was a myth – a disservice to any blended family living in the realm of reality.

In the real world, blended families are quite common, but not without generous helpings of discord. Not everyone who blends a family is a widow or widower. These days, with divorce so prevalent, most have to co-parent with an ex, and sometimes that ex isn’t cooperative or focused on what’s best for the kids. Blended families are

often created against a backdrop of complicated custody arrangements and ugly financial issues.

And sometimes – let’s face it – kids just don’t like the idea that their mom or dad is dating or marrying someone they may not totally approve of.

Dating with teenage or adult children is, simply put, not an easy situation. But with half of all marriages ending in divorce and most marriages having children involved, the likelihood of dating someone with kids or becoming a step-parent in a second marriage runs pretty high.

For those who are single and dating at mid-life, just about every dating coach offers guidance on how to find “The One,” but very few bother to offer advice on resolving the challenges of dating when children are involved and the blending of families. Therefore, the task of making sure you’re informed and ready to take on a blended family dynamic is largely up to you.

The first thing you must ask yourself when dating someone who has kids, or if you have kids yourself, is how much of a priority are you placing on parenting versus your own needs in a romantic partnership? What if you meet someone you really like but he or she tells you that their kids will “always come first” or “are their top priority?”

That’s commendable and certainly understandable, but why would someone want to invest their time and heart in a relationship where they’re told right at the outset that they will never be the top priority?

If you feel that your kids will always come first, over and above your own needs or the needs of a future partner or spouse, then perhaps you need to examine whether or not you’re actually ready to get back into dating. Maybe now is not the right time, and waiting until your kids are more independent or out of the house would be a better choice for you and whomever falls in love with you.

If you’re dating someone who is telling you that their kids are always their top priority, don’t dismiss it, believe them. Don’t just hope they’ll change their mind once they get to know you. If you are facing this sort of a situation, you must ask yourself if you’re okay doing things without that person on the days they’re with their kids. Will you be happy putting aside what you want to do while your partner is shuttling their kids around to sporting events or attending to the various needs of adolescents? Are you okay playing second string? Are you secure enough in yourself to feel satisfied in a relationship where your needs will always come second? If not, then you may need to reconsider whether that person is a good match for you and your needs at this time in your life.

Assuming that you’re past the dating stage and already in a blended family environment, you are probably already experiencing some of the dilemmas that all blended families face.

For example: • Who’s in charge of discipline and what if your discipline philosophy differs from your partner’s or their ex’s?

• What if your step-kids don’t like you or you don’t like them?

• What if the ex is a negative, destructive influence in your new family’s life?

• How do you make space in a three-bedroom house for an additional child or two?

COMBINING FAMILIES CAN BE A DAUNTING TASK! The Bradys got along cheerfully for the most part, but the show failed to depict the presence of exspouses or the real, serious problems that inevitably manifest. If both mother and father are widowed, it makes parenting more transitional than trying to schedule visits or deal with conflicting rules of the non-custodial parent.

If, because of shows such as “The Brady Bunch,” you subconsciously developed false expectations of what blended family life should look like, you will need a reality check before proceeding. You can brush up on that rather quickly by watching contemporary family shows such as “Modern Family” and “Step Brothers” to get a preview of how multi-faceted blended families can be. But even if you have already altered your expectations and know what to do, don’t think for a minute that you will be living in blended family bliss right away.

Realistically, one can expect years to pass before getting into a good groove with each other.

Here are some rules for blended families to live by, without Hollywood screenwriting magic or the suspension of disbelief.

THE SIX RULES FOR SUCCESSFUL FAMILY BLENDING 1. Throw out your expectations that this will be anything like a traditional family.

Don’t expect that your step-kids will love and respect you automatically and immediately. You’ll need time to build trust and rapport, and you’ll need patience to cope with stress levels escalating when both families are together.

2. Get used to less space and privacy.

The more children you have in a combined family, the less space and privacy each family member will have (unless you’re living in some sprawling mansion). And unless you are wealthy enough to have a live-in housekeeper like the Bradys, everyone will need to chip in and do chores to keep the household running smoothly and not put undue burdens on any one family member for all the cooking and cleaning.

3. Boundaries and rules must be agreed to and established by the combined parents.

When conflict erupts among your kids, both parents have to enforce rules or make quick judgments governing the home. Sometimes one parent is stricter than the other. Sometimes the ex has different ideas of what rules should be enforced. It’s easy for a kid to pit one household against the other, so the sooner you can agree to rules and enforce them as combined parents, the better.

4. There are only ex-spouses, not ex-parents.

The real mother or father (however horrible you think they might be) will always be golden to the children, so don’t try to replace anyone’s role.

Don’t force your step-children to call you “mom” or “dad.” Let them set the tone for the relationship in this regard.

5. Avoid conflict by parenting your own children and enforcing rules to step-children.

One way to avoid conflict with your step-children is to tell them: “In this house, we…” while the true parent does the actual disciplining/parenting.

6. Strive for fairness.

Being strict with your own children and passive with step-children will cause resentment and tension in the household. Remember that weekend visits don’t make your step-kids “guests” of the house, and they should uphold rules just like resident children. Just because you only see the step-kids every other weekend, doesn’t mean they don’t also need to pitch in with chores. There is also a possibility of dealing with an ex-spouse who can wreak havoc on a combined family. Try to establish a way to deal with outside static, and when in doubt, use humor to get through sticky situations.

Never bad-mouth an ex in front of the kids or ridicule their parenting style. If you need to resolve conflicting rules or discipline, do so with your partner or spouse outside the earshot of your kids. * Being a good father or mother and raising a family is the hardest job in the world– even for traditional families. With an ample supply of patience, perseverance and a dash of humor, combined families can also weather the storms that come with blending lives. Add to that unconditional love and you will, at least, have the foundation for building a happy, healthy family life.

MEET JONATHON

Known as America’s leading mid-life dating and relationship coach, Jonathon Aslay is a successful entrepreneur, coach, speaker, and author. Aslay’s journey from seeking love to teaching people how to find love started after his own divorce when he discovered the trials and tribulations of dating in mid-life.

From his own experience, coupled with over 10,000 hours of listening to and coaching clients who have shared their stories, Aslay has developed a “heartcentered,” radically honest coaching style that offers help to those who are dating, mating and relating. He has created a unique website, www.

UnderstandMenNow.com, which offers dynamic weekly tips, inspirational teleclasses, and coaching opportunities.

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 19

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Special to Life After 50 by Dr. K. Rad Payman, M.D.

Watch Your

Back

what you should know about back and neck pain and the latest options in minimally invasive spine surgery

U

p to 80 percent of Americans will experience lower back or neck pain at some time in their lives. Back or neck pain may be caused by injuries, improper posture or degenerative disease, and can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, work performance and enjoyment of favorite activities.

For some, back pain limits their activity only a few days at a time. However, many others suffer from chronic pain that disrupts their quality of life and prevents them from being able to perform well at work or play.

Many patients will respond to non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, pain management, yoga and chiropractic adjustments. Regaining range of motion is important for many of these patients, not only for their general quality of life but also so they may continue to enjoy their favorite activities. When non-surgical options fail and surgery is required, advances in minimally invasive spinal surgery can relieve pain and dramatically reduce recovery time.

The benefits of minimally invasive techniques include more than just making a smaller incision. Most important is what’s being done in the body during a surgical procedure. With less disturbance to the body, 22 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

patients heal faster, usually recover more fully, and can return to activities like sports, going to the gym or other normal activities.

A VARIETY OF ISSUES CAN CAUSE BACK OR NECK PAIN NoNspecific lower back paiN:

While it may seem like a misnomer to say that the cause of pain is “nonspecific,” this is the diagnosis in many with acute pain. This type of pain is rarely chronic enough to lead to disability as it usually disappears within a month to six weeks. Doctors typically recommend that patients whose back pain cannot be traced to any specific cause attempt to remain as active as possible and treat the pain with over-the-counter analgesics.

spiNal steNosis:

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal and/or narrowing of the nerve root canals which

conduct the individual spinal nerves. Stenosis occurs as a result of the growth of bone spurs and intervertebral discs bulging into the spinal canal that take up the space normally occupied by the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Spinal stenosis can also affect younger people who are born with small spinal canals. Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis include a burning or aching type of pain in the buttocks that radiates to the legs, or weakness in the legs. The symptoms can come on slowly or suddenly. Spinal stenosis can also affect the spine in the neck region.

IS SPINAL STENOSIS THE NEXT TREND FOR BABY BOOMERS? The increasing number of spinal stenosis cases reflects the aging of a huge demographic group.

Estimates predict that during the coming decade, the cases of spinal stenosis will double. Aging Americans are maintaining a level of physical activity far beyond that of their parents and are fueling demand for management of back pain from injuries or age-related causes.

prolapsed discs

More commonly known as a “slipped disc” or a “herniated disc,” a prolapsed disc causes pain by putting pressure on a nerve root in the same way as spinal stenosis. Nerve root pain from a prolapsed disc is treated on a case-by-case basis, depending on the individual’s symptoms and history.

back or Neck iNjuries

Straining the muscles and ligaments in the back is a common cause of acute pain and can lead to ongoing issues. These injuries are typically caused by lifting, twisting or a sudden movement.

Other things that commonly cause pain and disability include arthritis, a prior failed back surgery, scoliosis, disc breakdown or ruptured discs. Many patients respond to conservative treatments for the pain caused by spinal stenosis; those who require surgery may be treated with one or more procedures. Some of these procedures are:

lamiNectomy

The surgical removal of the lamina, which is a bony portion of the vertebrae composing part of the spinal canal. A laminectomy may also be performed in conjunction with spinal fusion. This involves placing bone graft or bone graft substitute between two or more affected vertebrae to promote bone growth between the vertebral bodies. The graft material acts as a binding medium - as the body heals, the vertebral bone and bone graft eventually grow together to join the vertebrae and stabilize the spine.

spiNal fusioN

A surgical technique in which one or more of the vertebrae of the spine are joined together (fused) to stop them from moving against each other.

This is done by placing bone grafts or bone graft substitutes between the affected vertebral bones.

The graft material acts as a binding medium and also helps to maintain normal disc height - as the body heals, the vertebral bone and bone graft eventually grow together to join the vertebrae and stabilize the spine. This procedure is frequently used to treat: • One or more fractured (broken) vertebrae • Spondylolisthesis (slippage of one vertebral bone over another) • Abnormal curvatures of the spine, such as scoliosis or kyphosis • Protruding or degenerated discs (the cartilaginous “cushions” between vertebrae) • Instability of the spine (abnormal or excessive motion between two or more vertebrae)

Spinal fusion is typically recommended only after conservative treatment methods fail.

Your surgeon will take a number of factors into consideration before making this recommendation, including the condition to be treated, your age, health and lifestyle and your anticipated level of activity following surgery.

spiNal microdecompressioN

Certain patients may be candidates for a minimally invasive procedure called “spinal microdecompression” in which a smaller amount of bone is removed compared to the standard laminectomy.

This procedure, also known as “microlaminectomy,” relieves pressure on the spinal cord and lumbar nerves but will maintain the maximum possible level of spine stability and strength, allowing patients to maintain more active lifestyles.

People want relief from pain, but they don’t want to lose their ability to enjoy their favorite activities.

The best treatment approach is determined by each patient’s condition.

artificial disc replacemeNt

Lumbar artificial disc replacement is a surgical method of replacing the diseased or damaged intervertebral discs of the spinal column with an artificial disc to restore motion to the spine.

It can be considered as an alternative to spinal fusion for patients with lower back pain. Artificial disc replacement is indicated in patients with degenerative disc disease, a condition referred to as a gradual degeneration of the disc between the vertebrae caused by a natural process of aging.

Your doctor may recommend certain tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), discography, computed tomography (CT or CAT scan), and X-rays to identify the cause of pain. Patients with back pain caused from bulged or worn-out intervertebral discs and patients with no significant facet joint disease are recommended for artificial disc replacement. The surgery is not recommended in patients with scoliosis, previous spinal surgery and those who are morbidly obese.

Cervical artificial disc replacement surgery is a joint replacement procedure that involves inserting an artificial disc between the vertebrae to replace a natural spinal disc after it has been removed. This prosthetic device is designed to maintain motion in the treated area.

Over time, discs can become dried out, compressed or otherwise damaged due to age, genetics and everyday wear-and-tear. Disc degeneration also may result in bone spurs. If

disc or bone material pushes into or impinges on a nearby nerve root and/or the spinal cord, it may result in pain, numbness, weakness, muscle spasms and loss of coordination, both at the site of the damage and elsewhere in the body, since most of the nerves for the rest of the body pass from the brain through the neck. Similar symptoms may occur suddenly if the disc nucleus dislodges and causes nerve root compression, a condition referred to as a “herniated disc.”

When non-surgical therapies fail to provide relief from your symptoms, your doctor may recommend spine surgery. The goal of cervical artificial disc surgery is to remove all or part of a damaged cervical disc (discectomy), relieve pressure on the nerves and/or spinal cord (decompression), and to restore spinal stability and alignment after the disc has been removed.

A cervical spinal fusion with an anterior cervical plate currently is a very good surgical option for many patients, leaving most symptom-free and able to return to their normal activities within a short period of time.

Meet Dr. Payman A board-certified spine surgeon who focuses his practice on the comprehensive treatment of patients with spinal disorders, Dr. Payman specializes in reconstructive cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine surgery including the most advanced techniques of minimally invasive and micro-surgical spinal procedures. Dr. Payman performs spinal fusion, spinal disc replacement and procedures for spinal stenosis, herniated discs, scoliosis, failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and other conditions and injuries. He was trained at some of the leading institutions in the country, including the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, received additional training in orthopedic surgery at UCLA, and completed a prestigious spine fellowship at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. For more information, click on www.TheSpineMD.com.

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 23

Paul Shaffer Life After Late Night

O

Story by David Laurell · Photos courtesy of CBS

ver the past two years, a seismic shift in the late night television landscape has changed the way many people over 50 have been wrapping up their days since they were in college or just starting out in their careers. Just two months after Jay Leno handed the reins of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” over to Jimmy Fallon in 2014, David Letterman announced he would be stepping down as the host of CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman” in May of 2015 and giving way to Stephen Colbert.

While the wit and zaniness of Letterman served as a coda for millions of Americans every weekday for 33 years, first on NBC and then on CBS, the show also proved to be a showcase for a myriad of musical talent from established legends to groundbreaking newcomers, all backed by the show’s musical director and Letterman’s sidekick, Paul Shaffer.

With a penchant for a wild wardrobe inspired by Jackie Gleason’s orchestra leader, Sammy Spear, and Doc Severinsen, who conducted the NBC Orchestra on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” Shaffer was tapped by Letterman following his five

24 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

year tenure as the pianist for the house band on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”

A native of Ontario, Canada, Shaffer earned a degree in sociology from the University of Toronto before starting his musical career in 1972 when “Godspell” writer Stephen Schwartz asked him to be the musical director for the Toronto production of his Bible-based musical.

Shaffer’s work in “Godspell” led to a second gig with Schwartz when he staged “The Magic Show” starring magician Doug Henning on Broadway in 1974. The following year, Howard Shore, who had written the music for “The Magic Show,” was asked to serve as the musical director for a new weekly comedy program that had been created by a young television producer named Lorne Michaels.

Accepting the job on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” Shore put together a band that included Shaffer on the keyboard.

A standout amongst the band members, Shaffer periodically appeared in sketches performed by the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Perhaps

best remembered for being the piano accompanist for Bill Murray’s character Nick the Lounge Singer, Shaffer also did an uncanny portrayal of music producer Don Kirshner and served as the musical director for John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd whenever they performed or recorded as The Blues Brothers.

In the early 1980s, after David Letterman’s short tenure as a morning talk show host, NBC decided to develop a talk/comedy program to follow “The Tonight Show.” “Late Night with David Letterman” debuted on NBC in February of 1982 with Shaffer serving as the musical director of The World’s Most Dangerous Band.

In 1993, after losing “The Tonight Show” to Leno upon Carson’s retirement, Letterman cut ties with NBC and moved his show to CBS, where it was known as “Late Show with David Letterman.” Shaffer made the move with Letterman and renamed his band the CBS Orchestra.

During Shaffer’s time with Letterman, he also co-wrote “It’s Raining Men,” with Paul Jabara, which went on to be a number one hit for The Weather Girls

and recorded two albums: 1989’s Grammy-nominated “Coast to Coast” and 1993’s “The World’s Most Dangerous Party.” He also recorded with a galaxy of musical legends including Grand Funk Railroad, Diana Ross, B.B. King, Carl Perkins, Cher, Chicago, Robert Plant and Brian Wilson; married former “Good Morning America” booking agent Cathy Vasapoli, and become the father of two children, Victoria and Will.

Life After 50 recently visited with Shaffer, who is enjoying life after working the late shift for over three decades by spending time with his family and working on a new album. Asked if, over his extraordinary career in which he’s had the opportunity to work with just about every legend of the music world, there is anyone that stands out, not a millisecond passed before he blurted out one name: “James Brown.”

LA50: How about Dan Aykroyd?

Paul Shaffer (PS): He was the inventor of the music we are still dancing to today. Even though it may be called something else, it all started with James Brown. This is a guy that didn’t have any formal musical education, but somehow this stuff came from the depth of his soul. He was one of the first guys to do the Letterman show in 1982. When he was on, we played better than we ever thought we could play. Once he started singing, you just couldn’t help yourself. He did the show many times and every time he did, it was like a little music lesson for me.

PS: Oh gee, that guy runs everything, doesn’t he?

I’ve never seen anything like it. Most people think I was hired to do “Saturday Night Live” by Lorne, but it was Howard Shore who hired me to be his pianist and work with the cast on special material.

Lorne was wonderful to me right from the start.

I was there for the first five seasons, during the time they were just inventing the show. So I got to watch Lorne work and always found him to be very impressive. We were all so young at the time, but he really knew exactly what he was doing.

Look at the run of “SNL” and everything else he has accomplished! I was just the show’s pianist, nothing more than that, but Lorne invited me into the planning meetings for the show. I would be in there with Paul Simon and Chevy Chase, you know, Lorne’s inner circle – the people who actually put the show together. He was always so great to me.

When I did my swan song on Letterman, we made a video of the song “On Broadway.” It was a song I always loved and it kind of reminded me of myself in that I actually got my name up in lights on the Letterman marquee on Broadway. We asked Lorne if he would appear in the video and, in the middle of God knows what he was doing – meeting with Paul McCartney or having cocktails with Mick Jagger – he came over and did the video. I’ll always be grateful to that guy for so many things.

Life After 50 (LA50) It seems like you got to play or record with everyone. Was there anyone you never got to work with that you wish you would have?

PS: Well, yes, of course: Elvis and Sinatra. But other than that, I did pretty well. I used to say Aretha Franklin, but then I got to work with her and even got to produce her when she did “Respect” for The Blues Brothers 2000 movie.

LA50: Along with the many musical legends, you also got to know and work with true icons of comedy and popular culture including the original Not Ready For Prime Time Players. Can you share some of your memories of Gilda Radner?

PS: She was one of my dearest friends. We were both in “Godspell,” which was really our first professional job. We became fast friends and we then both came to New York around the same time.

I was doing “The Magic Show” and she was in a “National Lampoon” show. She was a wonderful person – so talented. Her talent still resonates today.

LA50: What about John Belushi?

PS: Bill Murray’s brother, Brian, and I had become friends when he was up in Toronto doing the Second City nightclub show. So when I came to New York, Brian introduced me around and one of the first guys he introduced me to was Belushi. We became good friends and were very close till the end of his life, which was so tragic. We worked together on The Blues Brothers and put that original band together. The two of us did that one musician at a time. Sometimes there was a little tension in our friendship, as there is when two people work together that closely, but he was a hell of a talented guy – really a sweetheart.

PS: Oh well, Danny is still one of my closest friends. You know I wasn’t able to do the first Blues Brothers movie because I was working with Gilda on a project at the time and it would have been a conflict. There was a bit of a scandal surrounding that, and Belushi got angry and put out a statement to the press that Schaffer is out and will never be a Blues Brother. I just felt so terrible about that. But we reconciled and I rejoined them for The Blues Brother tour that accompanied the movie’s release.

Then Danny arranged for me to be in the 2000 sequel and that’s when I got to work with Aretha.

Danny is just a great friend.

LA50: Tell us about Lorne Michaels.

LA50: Paul, what’s your call on the state of music today? What are you listening to?

PS: You know, same as always. I love soul music, which is what I grew up liking – James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson, Hal Green, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett. That’s still my favorite stuff. But I do try to keep up on with what’s currently going on. When I do so, I am reminded that today’s music isn’t being made for me, and that’s fine. Pop music has always been made for kids, since Sinatra was a bobby-soxer teen idol.

And it’s the same today. I hear some stuff that I love, and, of course, there is a lot of stuff I don’t get, because they are not aiming for me when they make these records. But kids have got to have music that their parents don’t understand. It has to be personal for each generation. The styles are different, but there is a lot of real talent out there today. The name Justin Bieber comes to mind. He is so big, you can’t deny his talent. When he came on Letterman one time, he sat down at the drums and we were all really impressed with how well

he could play – the drums and other instruments as well. He is just all-around talented, like Lady Gaga.

When she sang the National Anthem at last year’s Super Bowl, my gosh, she was just phenomenal and that sealed it for me. Her voice and her writing and showmanship is incredible; and after she puts out an album of music that appeals to her fans, she then just puts that aside and goes in a totally different direction – out on the road with Tony Bennett doing jazz standards! Who else can do that?

LA50: Let’s talk about the Letterman days. While it has been widely accepted that Dave left NBC after the “Tonight Show” situation with Leno, he always said the network fired the whole lot of you because you stole office supplies.

PS: [laughing] Yeah, Dave used to say NBC got rid of us because I took some pens or Wite-Out or something. We had a lot of fun doing that show and Dave was such a loyal guy to work for.

LA50: It seems there are some people who grew up with Carson and Leno and Letterman who just haven’t landed with any of the new late night guys. What is your call on the current crop – Fallon, Colbert, Kimmel?

PS: Well, I have watched all of them and they’re each great, but you have to remember, Dave and I came on the late night scene 33 years ago, and we were aiming for people in their 20s. Now, all these years later, the shows are still aiming for that age group. When you’re not in that group anymore, it’s understandable that the comedy and guests and references and jokes are resonating more with younger people than they are with you. It’s just like with music, late night is now geared to a new generation.

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 25

Photo courtesy of Cathy Shaffer

The Shaffer family –Will, Victoria, Paul, Cathy and their pups LA50: After all those years, what was going through your head as you walked out of The Ed Sullivan Theater after doing the last Letterman show?

PS: It’s hard to say, but I do think I was a little shell-shocked. We had a year to get ready for that night, and we all knew it was coming, but in some kind of a crazy way, I don’t think we ever really thought it would really come. My wife and kids were in the audience that night and when the show was over, we all went to the after-party and there was this feeling with everyone that we just couldn’t believe this day had come. You know, you really get used to doing the same thing day after day when you’ve been doing it for 33 years.

LA5: Do you keep in touch with Dave?

PS: Oh yes. I talk to him and see him quite regularly.

LA50: After keeping up that day-to-day routine of the show for so long, what are your days like now?

PS: Well, life is more relaxed. The Letterman schedule was relentless – every day was another show. I would get up and be right on the phone with my assistant to find out what was going on and it was kind of nonstop from there. Today, I still get up at the same time. My son, William, is 17 and he just finished his junior year of high school.

During the school year, I would get up and have

26 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

breakfast with him and send him off to school. Then I would get on my elliptical bike or do some things and take a little nap. I can do whatever I want. It’s kind of a nice feeling, but, of course, I miss doing the show. I’m also in the middle of a project. I have reassembled the band from the show and we are making a record that will be out around the end of the year. We’re having a great time doing that. I’ll be singing a couple of the vocals, and Will Lee and Felicia Collins will also do some vocals. We’ll also have a few secret guest singers. It’s an album of the songs I love, mostly covers, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it.

LA50: With Father’s Day coming up, can you share some memories of your dad?

PS: He was as different from me as I am from my son. He was a very well-respected attorney, but he was also a great singer and loved jazz singers like Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, Nat Cole and Sinatra and Ray Charles. He was pretty hip, and yet he was also very strict. He was always on me to practice piano and was always very supportive of my passion for music. I do think he would have preferred I would have had a real profession [laughs]. But he was so happy about my career success – very proud.

LA50: Let’s talk about your son, Will. You mentioned that you and he are different.

PS: My dad’s passion was law and my passion is music. For Will, his passion is football. He is quite

athletic, and my family wasn’t athletic at all, so that comes from my wife’s side of the family. Will didn’t have the advantage of having an athletic dad. But now we sit together and watch football games and he patiently explains to me how the game is played.

I know he wants a dad that he can sit and watch the games with, so I do my best to keep up with him. He knows every move and play that is happening. He is a really good athlete. He has attended Joe Namath’s football camp, along with a few other instructional camps, and will be the starting quarterback at his school next year.

LA50: Tell us about your daughter, Victoria.

PS: She is 23 and has graduated from the four year program at The New School. She was honored for her theatrical work by her graduating class and her ambition is to become a talk show host. I shouldn’t be surprised by that at all, because I was bringing her to work with me since she was in a stroller. She grew up around the Letterman show. She is very smart and talented and is currently working in production on Jimmy Kimmel’s show.

LA50: You’ll be celebrating your 67th birthday later this year. Any thoughts on the passing of time – about getting older?

PS: Well, it happens to everyone, so that helps you feel better about it – that you’re not alone. It gives you the chance to look back and be grateful and maybe have a better perspective on things. Hey, it’s just the natural process of life and nobody gets out of it alive.

California Eye Doctors Help Legally Blind To See High Technology For Low Vision Patients Allows Many To Drive Again the wet form is caused by blood vessels leaking fluid. Treatment is aimed at stopping the leak and preventing further leaks.

The vision cannot be regained in either type. This is where low vision glasses can help.

Patient using prismatic low While there is currently no vision glasses for reading. cure, promising research is For many patients with being done on many fronts. macular degeneration and “My job is to figure out other vision-related conditions, everything and anything the loss of central visual possible to keep a person detail also signals the end to one of the last bastions of independence - driving.

California optometrists, Dr. Richard Shuldiner and Dr. Harold Ashcraft are using miniaturized telescopes which are mounted in glasses to help Patient using telescopic glasses people who have lost vision to drive and read signs. from macular degeneration functioning” says Dr. Ashcraft, and other eye conditions. a low vision optometrist in Los “Some of my patients Angeles. Even if it’s driving. consider me the last stop for “The major benefit of bioptic people who have vision loss” telescope low vision glasses is said Dr. Shuldiner “most magnifying road signs, traffic people don’t know that there lights and other distance objects are low vision optometrists necessary for safe driving”. who have extensive experience Dr’s Ashcraft and Shuldiner in helping those with vision are members of The International loss.We help people with Academy of Low Vision macular degeneration, diabetic Specialists (www.IALVS.com) retinopathy, RP and other eye and have extensive experience diseases regain function and in working with the visually independence.” impaired.

Imagine a pair of glasses that can improve your vision enough Los Angeles to change your life. Low Vision Harold Ashcraft O.D. glasses may allow you to read, (800) 345-9719 watch television, see sporting www.LowVisionLosAngeles.com events, and even drive.

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T H H  M-K

By Steve Stoliar Illustration by Mark Hammermeister

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The name “Andy Griffith” usually conjures up thoughts of the long-running “The Andy Griffith Show” and images of wise and plainspoken Sheriff Andy Taylor, father of Opie – played by Ron Howard – and partner of Deputy Barney Fife – played by Don Knotts. But there was a lot more to Andy Griffith than just being Mayberry’s main man.

H

e was born Andy (not Andrew) Samuel Griffith in Mount Airy, North Carolina on June 1, 1926 (the very same day as Marilyn Monroe) to carpenter Carl Lee and his wife, Geneva Griffith, although he lived with relatives at first, sleeping in dresser drawers until his parents could afford to buy a house.

Andy was a shy student in grade school, but his ability to make classmates laugh would slowly draw him out of his shell and, as a student at Mount Airy High School, he took part in their drama program to further develop his performing skills. He also learned to sing and play the trombone.

After high school, Griffith attended the University of North Carolina, initially studying to be a Moravian preacher, but eventually switching to a music major and graduating in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in music. While at UNC, Griffith appeared in several Gilbert and Sullivan operettas: “The Gondoliers,” “The Mikado” and “H.M.S. Pinafore.”

Griffith spent a few years teaching music and drama at Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina, but his heart was really in performing and he became a popular local monologist, delivering what became a trademark comedy routine – “What It Was Was Football” – which Colonial Records released in 1953, reaching number nine on the charts.

In March of 1955, Griffith won a role that would shift his performing career into full gear. He starred as a good-hearted but wonderfully naïve farm boy, Will Stockdale, who is drafted into the U.S. Air Force in Ira Levin’s one-hour television version of the comedy, “No Time For Sergeants.” The show was so popular, Levin expanded the teleplay into a full-length theatrical version that opened on Broadway in October of 1955. Griffith received a Tony Award nomination the following year and won the Theatre World Award for Best Debut Performance.

Griffith’s other notable Broadway show was the 1957 musical version of the comedy-western “Destry Rides Again,” which ran for more than a year and garnered him a second Tony Award nomination, this time for Distinguished Musical Actor.

In 1957, Griffith made his film debut in a picture that was neither a musical nor a comedy. Far from it. The film was “A Face in The Crowd,” written by Budd Schulberg and directed by “On the Waterfront’s” Elia Kazan. Griffith gave a riveting and impressive performance as Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes, a seemingly naïve country boy who becomes a television star, eventually showing his true colors as a heartless, ruthlessly ambitious, egotistical monster. His costars were equally impressive: Patricia Neal, Lee Remick and Walter Matthau. Although the film opened to mixed reviews in May of 1957, its reputation steadily grew over the

This feature is intended for you to clip and give to your children or grandchildren because…they must-know!

28 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

years and it is now considered one of the great classic films of the 1950s – or any decade, for that matter.

In 1958, Griffith starred in a film version of the television and Broadway triumph, “No Time For Sergeants,” opposite Nick Adams and a skinny, rubberfaced comic actor who would loom large in Andy’s future – Don Knotts.

Another service comedy, “Onionhead” – centering on the Navy instead of the Air Force – was released that same year, costarring Griffith’s sardonic “Face in The Crowd” nemesis, Walter Matthau.

In 1960, Griffith guest-starred on Danny Thomas’ popular sitcom, “Make Room For Daddy.” He played the county sheriff in a sleepy little Southern town who pulls Danny over for speeding. This episode became the unofficial pilot for “The Andy Griffith Show,” produced by the prolific Sheldon Leonard who – not so coincidentally – also produced “Make Room For Daddy.”

“The Andy Griffith Show” had its debut on October 3, 1960. It ran until April of 1968 – a very healthy run by any standards. Although he never received an official writing credit, Griffith had a creative hand in every episode of the popular series. America instantly took the colorful citizens of Mayberry to its heart: Sheriff Andy Taylor, Opie Taylor, Barney Fife, Aunt Bee, played by Frances Bavier, Floyd the Barber, portrayed by Howard McNear, Thelma Lou, played by Betty Lynn, Otis Campbell, with Hal Smith in the role, Ernest T. Bass, played by Howard Morris, Howard Sprague, brought to life by Jack Dodson, Helen Krump, played by Aneta Corsaut – and Gomer Pyle, played by Jim Nabors, who would be spun off into his own vastly popular sitcom, “Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.,” in 1964, costarring George Lindsey as his cousin, Goober. Another Mayberry character, Sam Jones – played by Ken Berry – was also spun off into his own series, “Mayberry R.F.D.,” in 1968.

Although CBS was prepared to renew the show for another season, Griffith wanted to leave on a high note and move on. Over the next few years, he starred in such diverse television films as “The Strangers In 7-A,” “Go Ask Alice,” “Winter Kill” and 1974’s “Pray For The Wildcats,” in which he played a psychopathic and vengeful business executive. It was his darkest, most villainous role since “A Face in The Crowd.”

That same year, he starred in “Savages” as a villainous lawyer and big-game hunter.

In 1975, Griffith costarred opposite Jeff Bridges in the feature comedy-western, “Hearts of the West.” In it, he played a veteran 1930s cowboy star who takes a young Hollywood writer and actor, Bridges, under his wing.

In the late 1970s, Griffith starred in a number of well-received television mini-series, including “Roots: The Next Generations,” “Centennial” and “Washington: Behind Closed Doors.”

Despite all his years starring as the iconic Sheriff Andy Taylor, Griffith wasn’t nominated for an Emmy Award until he played the father of a murder victim in 1981’s “Murder in Texas (he lost out to David Warner in “Masada.”)

In 1984, Griffith costarred in the television drama, “Fatal Vision,” based on Joe McGuiness’ bestselling true-crime book.

He played Victor Woerheide, a real-life attorney in the infamous Jeffrey MacDonald murder case. Griffith’s impressive, attentiongetting performance in “Fatal Vision” paved the way for him to play an attorney two years later in a new dramatic series entitled “Matlock.”

Cast in the lead role of Matlock, Griffith headed up the drama from 1986 until 1995 – one season longer than “The Andy Griffith Show.” He played the part of Ben Matlock, a folksy-but-wily country lawyer in Atlanta who always seemed to win his cases. For three seasons, “Matlock’s” next-door neighbor and former client, Les “Ace” Calhoun was played by the erstwhile Don Knotts. Despite the series’ instant and enduring popularity, Griffith was never nominated for an Emmy Award, although he did win a People’s Choice Award in 1987.

Griffith’s later feature film roles included “Rustlers’ Rhapsody,” “Spy Hard,” “Waitress” and “Daddy and Them.” His final film role came in the 2009 romantic comedy, “Play the Game,” in which he portrayed an elderly widower suddenly thrust back into the dating world after a 60 year marriage.

In real life, Griffith was married to Barbara Bray Edwards from 1949 until 1972. They adopted two children: Andy Samuel Griffith Jr. and Dixie Nann Griffith. Andy’s second wife was Greek actress Solica Cassuto. They were married from 1973 until 1981. Griffith married his third wife, Cindi Knight, in 1983 and they remained married until his death.

On July 12, 2012, at the age of 86, Griffith suffered a fatal heart attack at his home on Roanoke Island, North Carolina. He was buried in the Griffith family cemetery less than five hours after his death.

LEARN MORE • “The Andy Griffith Story: An Illustrated Biography”

by Terry Collins (Explorer Press, 1995).

• “Beyond Mayberry: A Memoir of Andy Griffith and Mount Airy North Carolina” by Thomas D. Perry (CreateSpace Publishing, 2012) • “Andy & Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show”

by Daniel de Vise (Simon & Schuster, 2015)

Mark Hammermeister is an award-winning artist. His work is available for purchase at www.markdraws.com June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 29

Let’s Get OUt

LA/Ventura

June/July

A Preview of Upcoming Events for June/July By Claire Yezbak Fadden

eNteRtAINMeNt WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 DISGRACED In a riveting, contemporary exploration of identity and religion, this play follows a married couple living in Upper East Side Manhattan. Amir is a corporate lawyer and Emily an artist, and though Amir was born in Pakistan and raised Muslim, he has left his heritage behind. The couple hosts a small dinner party and soon, before anyone can stop it, polite protocol is abandoned and the talk turns to religion, politics and sex. Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

Through July17. $25-$85. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org.

GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS Jacqueline Suzuki, violin; Frank Basile, piano. Sanctuary of Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave., Glendale, Glendale.

Free. (818) 242-2113. glendalenoonconcerts. blogspot.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16 VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia live an angst-ridden, melancholic existence on their family farm. Housecleaner Cassandra provides the only break from monotony. That is, until their glamorous movie-star sister, Masha, pops in for a surprise visit-along with her hunky twentysomething boy toy, Spike. International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Thurs.-Sun. through July 3. $35-$49. (562) 436-4610. internationalcitytheatre.org.

MUSIC ON THE MAIN SUMMER JAZZ Bring your friends, picnics and folding chairs and savor the season of summer jazz.

Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge. Thursdays through Aug. 21. $6-$9. (818) 949-4200. descansogardens.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

CLYBOURNE PARK

This companion piece to “A Raisin in the Sun,” is set in Chicago. Act One takes place in 1959, as nervous white community leaders anxiously try to stop the sale of a middle-class home to a black family. Act Two jumps to 2009, in the same house, as the now predominantly African-American neighborhood battles to hold its ground in the face of urban renewal by a white couple.

Kentwood Players, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Through June 18. $20. (310) 645-5156. kentwoodplayers.org.

main stage musical performances, music workshops, a children’s activities area and talent contest, food, beverages, arts and crafts booths, friends, festivities, jamming and camping. Live Oak Camp, Hwy. 154, near Cachuma Lake, Santa Barbara. Also June 1819. $55-plus. (805) 781-3030. liveoakfest.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

NIGHT DIVE This adults-only event features food and drink, live performances and other special programming for an 18-and-over crowd.

Discover the aquarium at night, and explore the galleries in a new way, with DJs and local artists creating an eclectic ambiance. Live bands take the stage in front of the Honda Blue Cavern turning the Great Hall into Long Beach’s unique music venue. The Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. $15. (562) 590-3100. aquariumofpacific.org.

PASADENA CHALK FESTIVAL Hundreds of madonnari (Italian for street painter) spend two days on their hands and knees creating spectacular murals on concrete areas the size of two city blocks.

In every style imaginable, from classical to contemporary, whimsical and fantastic, the murals are designed and created by independent artists and teams representing art schools, museums and cultural centers.

Also June 19. Paseo Colorado, 280 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Free. (626) 7958891. pasadenachalkfestival.com.

LIVE OAK MUSIC FESTIVAL This three-day festival features folk, roots rock, country, swing, gypsy-jazz, Afro-Celtic, blues and soul Latin-rhythms. Enjoy 16

TOM Ellen Geer’s free adaptation with music brings new eyes to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Stowe’s great novel demanded

30 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

freedom and equality for all, changing forever how Americans viewed slavery, galvanizing the abolition movement and contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Dates vary through Oct. 1. $10-$39. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com.

JAY MOHR This comedian, actor, radio host and bestselling author has performed stand-up comedy since he was 16-years-old. The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Dr., Agoura Hills. $25-$35. (818) 8795016. canyonclub.net.

SUNDAY, JUNE 19 AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC LATE NIGHTS Journey through the Pacific Ocean to meet over 11,000 animals, after-hours. Activities include meeting more than 150 sharks that can be touched. Short films will be shown in the Ocean Theater throughout the evening. The Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach.

Sundays through Sept. 4. $15 after 5 p.m.

(562) 590-3100. aquariumofpacific.org.

ROMEO AND JULIET Director Ellen Geer illuminates the continued relevance of this 500-year-old play, setting Shakespeare’s tale of forbidden love and warring families in East Jerusalem — a city beset by age-old prejudices, street violence and religious differences.

Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Dates vary through Oct. 2. $10-$39. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com.

WESTERN MUSIC ASSOCIATION SHOWCASE Musicians and cowboy poets perform stories and songs of the romantic days of the Old West, contemporary music of the American West and songs of the open range and the American cowboy. The Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. $6-$10. (323) 667-2000. theautry.org.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21 MAKE MUSIC DAY Dance, sing and jam along at this music festival held in more than 700 cities in 120

CALeNDAR

June/July LA/Ventura the United States government. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Thurs.-Sun. through July 3. $25-$34.

(310) 477-2055 x2. odysseytheatre.com.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24

countries around the world. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. $7-$10. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

WORLD RHYTHMS SERIES Celebrate the rich diversity of music from around the world. Bring a picnic. Lawn seating is first-come, first-served. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge.

Tuesdays through July 26. 4. $6-$9. (818) 949-4200. descansogardens.org.

ROARING NIGHTS AT THE L.A. ZOO This summer music series for guests ages 18 and up features a live band, DJ dance party, food trucks, full-service bars, pop-up zookeeper talks, animal encounters and visits to zoo animal habitats. Enjoy the “Animal Artistry Paint Party” and paint a favorite animal on a small canvas to take home as a souvenir. The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Griffith Park, 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles. Also July 22 and Aug. 26. $25. (323) 644-6042. lazoo.org.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

FIESTA OF GEMS Exhibits, gem dealers, demonstrations, prizes, books, minerals, fossils, tools and jewelry classes. Culver City Rock and Mineral Club, Inc., Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Blvd., Culver City. Also June 26. Free. (310) Pacific. Families will be able to enjoy the 836-4611. culvercityrRocks.org/fiesta.htm ambiance of the aquarium at night and get a fish-eye view of the Queen Mary fireworks TUESDAY, JUNE 28 display. The Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. $15 after 5 p.m.

VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAMS (562) 590-3100. aquariumofpacific.org.

Milano’s Italian Restaurant, Patio, Ventura Harbor Village, 1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura.

OLD-FASHIONED FAMILY BARN (805) 658-0388. milanositalianrestaurant.com. DANCE AND BARBECUE THURSDAY, JUNE 30

PITTANCE CHAMBER MUSIC Performing works by Beethoven, Schubert, G. Wolfgang, Piazzola, Brahms and Schumann.

Barrett Hall, Pasadena Conservatory of Music, 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena. $35. pittancecambermmusic.org.

THURSDAY, JUNE 23 HOME/SICK Disgusted by the Vietnam War and the government’s repression of those seeking equality domestically, a handful of leaders from the 1960s student movement seized control of Students for a Democratic Society and reshaped it in the name of overthrowing

of wonder, magic and romance where comical misunderstandings and the pain of unrequited love are resolved, and all is reconciled through midsummer night revelries and the enduring power of nature. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Dates vary through Sept. 25. $10$39. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The most magical outdoor setting in Los Angeles is once again transformed into an enchanted forest inhabited by lovers both fairy and human. Shakespeare conjures a world

KENNY ROGERS’ FINAL WORLD TOUR The first country artist to consistently sell out arenas, Rogers has played to millions of fans around the world, performing his hits including “The Gambler,” “Lucille,” “Coward of the County,” “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town,” “Lady,” “She Believes In Me,” “Through The Years,” “You Decorated My Life,” and “Buy Me A Rose.” Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. $61-$131. (805) 449-2787. civicartsplaza.com.

JULY

Celebrate the Fourth with a family hoe-down.

There will be square dancing with special guest Evo Bluestein, live music horse shoes, barbecue, local products, food and crafts.

Folk and country fun. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Prices vary. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS Sanctuary of Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave., Glendale, Glendale. Free. (818) 242-2113. glendalenoonconcerts.blogspot. com.

THURSDAY, JULY 7

FRIDAY, JULY 1

SIZZLING SUMMER NIGHT This all-ages outdoor dance party features CARS AND STRIPES FOREVER the best salsa and Latin fusion bands in Los This pre-Independence Day celebration features Angeles, plus dance lessons that are sure a classic car show, live bands performing on to get some feet moving. The Autry National two stages and a grand fireworks finale at Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Fanfare Fountains. Gateway Plaza, Harbor Blvd. Park, Los Angeles. Thursdays through Aug. 18. and the Vincent Thomas Bridge, Swinford St., $6-$10. (323) 667-2000. theautry.org.

San Pedro. Free. (310) 732-3508. lawaterfront. org.

SUNDAY, JULY 10 SUNDAY, JULY 3 TED NUGENT Nugent has carved a permanent place in rock ‘n’ roll history as the ultimate guitar-shredding showman, selling more than 40 million albums, performing 6,500 high-octane live shows and continuing to set attendance records at venues around the globe. Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. $48-$88. (888) 645-5006. sabantheatre.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6

GREY GARDENS

Set in East Hampton, New York, this is the story of Big Edie and Little Edie, the eccentric aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The two journey from 1940s glamorous aristocrats to notorious recluses of the 1970s living in a crumbling house filled with memories and cats. Rachel York and Betty Buckley star. Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Through Aug. 14. Dark Mondays. $25-$130. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org.

FREE FIRST SUNDAY Free admission to the Museum of Ventura County including its galleries and any special events. Museum of Ventura County, 100 East Main St., Ventura. First Sunday of each month.

(805) 653-0323. venturamuseum.org.

MONDAY JULY 4 JULY FOURTH LATE NITE Celebrate Independence Day with the red, white, and blue fish at the Aquarium of the

SECOND SUNDAY CONCERT Pasadena Central Library, 285 E Walnut, Pasadena. Free. (626) 398-0658.

TUESDAY, JULY 12 VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAMS Milano’s Italian Restaurant, Patio, Ventura Harbor Village, 1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura.

(805) 658-0388. milanositalianrestaurant.com.

eXHIBItIONs WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 CINDY SHERMAN: IMITATION OF LIFE This special exhibition features an expansive representation of Sherman’s photographs from throughout her influential career, as well as “Office Killer,” the 1997 feature film directed by the artist. The Broad, First Floor Gallery,

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 31

CALeNDAR

June/July LA/Ventura 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Through Oct. 2. Dark Mondays. Free. thebroad.org.

GEOGRAPHIES OF WONDER: AMERICANS AND THE NATIONAL PARK IDEA Origin Stories of America’s National parks 1872-1933. This year is the centennial of the National Park Service and two consecutive exhibitions explore the origins and evolution of the national park idea. The first exhibition highlights Americans’ early encounters with natural scenic wonders such as Niagara Falls and the Hudson River Valley, and follows the story through the creation of the first national parks, including Yellowstone and Yosemite.

The Huntington, MaryLou and George Boone Gallery, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino. Through Sept. 3. $19-$25. huntington.org.

FLYING HORSES AND MYTHICAL BEASTS The Magical World of Carousels. This touchable exhibition features items from the renowned Bray Collection, which spans the history of carousels, from the mid-19th century to modern day, with many examples from the golden age of carousels, 1861-1920.

Menagerie carvings from Europe, England, the United States and Mexico, of brilliantly painted and gilded horses, lions, elephants, giraffes, sea serpents and others. Pasadena Museum of History, 470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena.

Wed.-Sun. through Aug. 28. $5-$7. Wed.-Sun. (626) 577-1660. pasadenahistory.org.

BRETT WESTON: SIGNIFICANT DETAILS This exhibition focuses on Brett Weston’s (1911-1993) close-up photography. The works share the high-contrast and graphic qualities of Weston’s panoramic photographs while emphasizing the tendency toward abstraction and extremes in tonality that Weston explored through his nearly-60-year career. Pasadena Museum of Art, 490 East Union Street, Pasadena. Through Sept. 11. $5-$7. Wed.-Sun. (626) 568-3665. pmcaonline.org.

CHASING DREAMS: BASEBALL AND BECOMING AMERICAN From Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax to Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Fernando Valenzuela and Ichiro Suzuki, these players didn’t just play the game—they changed it. Through more than 130 original objects—including game-worn uniforms, films and historic footage, awards, baseball cards and signed memorabilia--this exhibition pays tribute to these major league game changers.

Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Through Oct. 30. $7-$10.

(310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

CLAIRE FALKENSTEIN: BEYOND SCULPTURE Though her enduring reputation rests on her sculpture, Claire Falkenstein (1908–1997) began and ended her career as an inventive painter. Her body of work also includes printmaking, jewelry, glass, film, stage sets for dance, public murals, fountains and monumental architectural commissions.

The retrospective assembles preeminent examples from each media, presenting the full range of one of America’s most experimental, productive and wandering 20th century artists. Pasadena Museum of Art, 490 East Union Street, Pasadena.

Through Sept. 11. $5-$7. Wed.-Sun. (626) 568-3665. pmcaonline.org.

RESPECT! OTIS REDDING AND THE REVOLUTION OF SOUL This exhibition offers a unique look at the influential career of the legendary King of Soul, and the lasting impact he made on music and pop culture in such a short period of time. The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live, Fourth Floor Mike Curb Gallery, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. Through Sept. 15. $12-$13. (213) 765-6803. grammymuseum.org.

NEW ACQUISITIONS Featuring the Kaufman Collection, this exhibit presents nearly 60 paintings, sculptures and works on paper. Organized thematically, the artworks are set alongside quotes that describe aspects of experience and identity in the West. These words support, challenge or complicate the artworks, creating a dialogue that reminds us that a work of art—like any

form of representation—does not always tell the whole story. The Autry National Center, Norman F. Sprague, Jr. Gallery, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, Los Angeles.

Through July 9. $6-$10. (323) 667-2000. theautry.org.

SHINING LIKE A NATIONAL GUITAR The 1920s were an exciting time for breakthroughs in entertainment technology, with the prominence of radio and talking movies. However, electric amplification of musical instruments was still rare and unreliable. Guitarists struggled to play a melody over the sound of other instruments. This was the challenge that George Beauchamp, a vaudeville Hawaiian guitarist, presented to John Dopyera, a musical instrument designer and repairman in Los Angeles. Following a few failed attempts, Dopyera developed a unique acoustic resonator instrument using a spun aluminum cone instead of a wooden top to amplify the vibrating strings, resulting in a louder, sweeter sounding instrument. The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live, Fourth Floor, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. Through Spring 2017. $12-$13. (213) 765-6803. grammymuseum.org.

Get the Word Out. E-mail your announcements to Claire Fadden, cfadden@lifeafter50.com 60 days prior (or even earlier) to your event. Include a brief description, location, date, time, cost, phone and website. Submission does not guarantee publication.

DINOSAURS: UNEXTINCT AT THE L.A. ZOO Seventeen life-size, life-like prehistoric creatures are on display in an all-new exhibit. Animatronic dinosaurs, brought to life with electronic “brains,” provide a rare chance to discover a lost world from millions upon millions of years ago. This exhibition includes a fossil dig, a Stegosaurus robot with controls you can operate and a climbable Pachyrhinosaurus. Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Griffith Park, 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles. Sat.-Sun. through Oct. 31. $20.

(323) 644-6001. lazoo.org.

REVOLUTIONARY VISION Explore the intertwined legacies of f/64, California’s premier photo-modernist group, and Richard Misrach, one of the state’s most well-known contemporary photographers.

Includes works by Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Richard Misrach, Edward Weston, and others who present changing visions of the Western landscape. The Autry National Center, Norman F. Sprague, Jr. Gallery, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Through Jan. 8, 2017. $6$10. (323) 667-2000. theautry.org.

32 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

JOSE MONTOYA ABUNDANT HARVEST

A retrospective celebrating the life, art and activism of José Montoya (1932-2013). This comprehensive survey includes nearly 2,000 drawings along with paintings, poems, sketchbooks, video footage, music and other ephemera. Together they demonstrate how Montoya captured the spirit of the times, and documented some of the most important civil rights and labor movements of the 20th century. The Fowler Museum at UCLA, North Campus, Los Angeles. Wed.-Sun. through July 17. Free. (310) 825-4361. fowler.ucla.edu.

“SPRINGTIME” BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ. INSPIRATION BY ROSE HILLS. Spring is arriving. The hills are painted in vibrant tones of green, yellow and gold.

And Rose Hills continues to astound visitors, as well as local photographers like Michael Vasquez, with its everlasting beauty. For more than a century, countless families have made this inspiring setting theirs. You can too.

If you’d like to see first-hand what pristine beauty captivates the artist’s eye, we invite you to come visit us in person. Or us call and we’ll arrange a personal pre-need property tour. Rose Hills. Be inspired.

3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601 (562) 966-0921 • www.LegacyRoseHills.com #FD 970

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Rick Steves’ Travels Avoiding Common Travel Mistakes RICK ST EVES’ T RAVELS

By Rick Steves

W

ith summer only weeks away, the highways, flyways and railways of the world will soon be filled with travelers out for exploration, adventure and relaxation, the latter too often a missing element in getting from one place to another these days.

To help make your summer travel a smoother experience, it is vital to avoid making certain mistakes. Once, while riding the train into Dresden, Germany, I got off where most other passengers did — at Dresden Neustadt. After about 20 minutes of walking in a confused fog, my denial that I had gotten off at the wrong station slowly became a reality. Embarrassed by my mistake, I hopped on the next train. Five minutes later, I got off at Dresden Mitte. As I stepped outside the station, it slowly sunk in: I had made the same mistake again. And so I got on another train and finally made it to Dresden Hauptbahnhof — a block from my hotel.

Even after countless trips to Europe, I still make my share of blunders — I get lost, miss train connections, and get shortchanged by taxi drivers.

But with each slip-up, I learn something that I can pass on to help others avoid common mistakes.

Here are some of the biggest mistakes I see travelers make these days:

SAVING MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF TIME

People focus on saving money while forgetting that their time is an equally valuable and limited

resource. It’s worth paying for museum admission rather than going on a free day and suffering through slow lines and crowds. If a taxi costs you $5 more than two bus tickets, it’s worth the 20 minutes saved. If ever time was money, it’s when you’re trying to get the most out of traveling.

USING OUTDATED INFORMATION

An up-to-date guidebook is a $20 tool for a $4,000 experience — and justifies its expense on the first ride to your hotel from the airport.

A guidebook can head off both costly mistakes (getting fined for not validating your train ticket) and simple faux pas (ordering cappuccino with your pasta in Italy). A good guidebook can also save time, keeping you from visiting a museum that’s closed for renovation or waiting for a bus that no longer runs.

NEEDLESS WAITING

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There are two types of travelers: Those who queue and those who don’t. Crowds are unavoidable at big attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower or Anne Frank’s house, but what is avoidable is standing in line for hours to buy tickets. These days, most popular sights sell advance tickets that guarantee admission at a certain time (often with a small booking fee that’s well worth it). While hundreds of tourists are sweating in long lines, those who’ve booked ahead can show up at their reserved time and breeze right in.

LACKING ALERTNESS

You’re not going to get knifed or mugged in Europe, but if you’re not on the ball, you could get conned, whether it’s a cabbie padding your fare, a waiter offering a dish with a “special” increased price, or a beggar with soulful eyes and sad stories asking for a Euro while stealing your wallet. Be cautious and be alert. Watch for thieves who work the lines at crowded sights and on the bus lines filled with tourists. Store your passport, credit cards, and cash securely in a money belt.

HANGING WITH THE CROWDS

Many Americans visiting Europe jockey themselves into the most crowded spots of the most crowded cities during the most crowded months — and then complain about the crowds. Likewise, they eat dinner on the most touristy street, at the most high-profile restaurant, with the most-aggressive wait staff, and are then upset by the crowds, big bill and disappointing food. You’ll enrich your trip by wandering the back streets, away from the main tourist areas.

You will be amazed how you can lose the crowds and scammers by venturing just five or six blocks from tourist areas.

NEVER LEAVING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

A fundamental goal in travel is to have meaningful contact with local people. At a pub anywhere in England, don’t sit at a table. Sit at the bar, where people hang out to talk. At lunchtime in Coimbra, Portugal, leave the quaint Old Town and head to the local university’s cafeteria to eat and practice Portuguese with students and professors. Connecting with people is what enlivens your travel experience.

LETTING MISTAKES RUIN YOUR TRIP

Many tourists get indignant when they make a mistake or get ripped off. When something happens, it’s best to just get over it. The joy of travel comes in having fun with the process, being wonderstruck by a wider world, laughing through the mistakes, learning from them, and making friends and memories along the way.

Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and radio.

You can e-mail him at rick@ricksteves.com and visit his website at www.ricksteves.com.

34 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

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And Finally...

The Bookworm’s Best A Life After 50 book review

by Terri “The Bookworm” Schlichenmeyer

True Reagan: What Made Ronald Reagan Great And Why It Matters

By James Rosebush

W

hat is the measure of a man? What motivates him? What makes him do what he does? Is it his background or his forward look to the future? When it comes to great men of history, those are interesting questions to ponder – and in his new book, “True Reagan,” author James Rosebush draws his conclusions.

Born more than a century ago to a poor family, Ronald Wilson Reagan was influenced by both of his parents, but mostly by his mother: she was a minister whose generosity extended to anyone in need, and she expected her children to behave similarly.

That’s just one thing Rosebush believes shaped Reagan – although there’s really no way of knowing for sure, because, as he writes: “Reagan never revealed his secret to achieving success.” He was not someone who talked about himself and never overtly called attention to his own feelings.

Rosebush says one gets another hint of the man through oratory: Reagan was a renowned storyteller – a talent he got from his father – and he often used humor to communicate to his listeners. He also liberally used quotes from other famous men in speeches, which, according to Rosebush: “added power and import” to them. People who paid close attention to Reagan’s public words could easily determine that his core beliefs in God and humanity polished the person he was and the president he became.

Personally, Rosebush says, both Reagan and his wife, Nancy, were intensely private people who ran their lives much like the Hollywood studio system. They were tightly controlled when it came to what the public saw and knew of them, Rosebush opines. They didn’t put on airs and there was nothing terribly scandalous about them, because “there were no major demons to unleash.”

Reagan, writes Rosebush, believed in the heroism of everyday people and was quick to laud it, both publicly and privately. He had a still, unshakable faith that he didn’t make a show of possessing, and, at least once, eschewed a church service so as not to disrupt it. The author also says he always found Reagan to be humble: “In his presidential diaries, Reagan never once used the word legacy.”

The name of our 40th president has been on many of the GOP candidates’ lips during this past presidential primary season. The story you will find in “True Reagan” may explain why. Before you find out why, however, there’s a lot of repetition to wade through. Rosebush was Reagan’s deputy assistant, a role that gave him a ringside seat to the man he overall lauds, but also calls: “An enigma.” It is clear from reading this book that because Reagan was reticent in so many respects, even with those very close to him, he left a legacy of many unknowns; a hypotheses that seems to be the theme of Rosebush’s book.

And yet, in spite of the guessing, there are tiny surprises to be found about “The Great Communicator.” Throughout the tome, Rosebush occasionally falls back on his own experiences in the White House to reveal the quietest of peeks into Reagan’s thoughts. Those anecdotes are interesting, but again, because Reagan was so private, they are heavily laden with conjecture.

I liked this book well enough, but with so many books having been written about Reagan, its raison d’etre is thin; therefore, I wouldn’t highly recommend it for anyone but fierce politicos and diehard Reaganites. For them, “True Reagan” will certainly measure up as a good read.

“True Reagan: What Made Ronald Reagan Great and Why It Matters” by James Rosebush, c.2016, Center Street, $27, 288 pages.

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer who lives on a hill with two dogs and more than 12,000 books. You can read more of her book reviews at www.lifeafter50.com. Just click on “Entertainment” and then “Book Reviews.”

A Look Back

F

ifty years ago this month, one of television’s most iconic fathers left the airwaves as the 158th and final original episode of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” aired on CBS. The classic sitcom that ran for five seasons starred Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie and Carl Reiner. Along with that peerless ensemble who created characters that went on to become television icons, the show boasted excellent writing. During the show’s final season, each of the cast members were featured in a show completely dedicated to their character. In the series finale, entitled “The Last Chapter,” much of which included flashbacks to prior episodes, Van Dyke’s character of Rob Petrie finally completed the book he had been working on for five years. For those who would like to take a stroll down memory lane with Rob and Laura Petrie and the gang, or share the shows with a new generation, Image Entertainment offers every episode of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in a box set containing five DVDs. The set also includes audio commentaries and interviews with the show’s creator and stars, along with never-before-seen rehearsal footage. To order the series, click on www.us.rljentertainment.com.

38 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

Just A Thought Before We Go “Being a great father is like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.” ~ Reed Markham

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ORANGE COUNTY JUNE 2016

lifeafter50.com

southern california

PAUL SHAFFER

LIFE AFTER

LATE NIGHT WATCH YOUR BACK

Maintaining a Healthy Spine

BLISS IN FAMILY

BLENDING

SIX RULES FOR

SUCCESS

Joe

Mantegna The “Criminal Minds” star on family, fatherhood and more

Contents

June 2016

10

22

24

28

Cover Profile

Departments

10 Joe Mantegna

6 50-Plus: What You Need to Know

The “Criminal Minds” star on his career, family, fatherhood, and much more.

A quick look at things 50-plusers should be aware of.

Features

Looking to get out and about? Our June/July calendar has some great suggestions.

18 Seeking Bliss in Brood Blending? Don’t look to the Bradys Six Rules for successfully blending a family after death or divorce.

22 Watch Your Back!

Back and neck pain? Learn what’s new in minimally invasive surgery.

24 The Look Of Life After 50 – Paul Shaffer

30 Let’s Get Out

34 Rick Steves’ Travels

With summer almost here, learn how to avoid common travel mistakes.

38 And Finally…The Bookworm’s Best, A Look Back and Just A Thought Before We Go

A book suggestion, memory, and a little something to leave you with.

David Letterman’s musical director on life after late night.

28 The Hallowed Hall Of Must-Knowtables – Andy Griffith Legendary notables that everyone, of every age, should know.

Cover photo by Keith Munyan / www.keithmunyan.com

All material published within this issue of Life After 50 and on www.lifeafte50.com is strictly for informational and educational purposes only. No individual, advice, product or service is in any way endorsed by Life After 50 or Southland Publishing, Inc. or provided as a substitute for the reader’s seeking of individualized professional advice or instruction. Readers should seek the advice of qualified professionals on any matter regarding an individual, advice, recommendations, services or products covered within this issue. All information and material is provided to readers with the understanding that it comes from various sources from which there is no warranty or responsibility by Life After 50 or Southland Publishing, Inc. as to its or their legality, completeness or technical accuracy.

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Editor’s Note...

Two Cool Cats Who Are Too-Cool Dads

I

f you appeared in any one of the three “Godfather” films, you are automatically one cool cat. Period!

The same is true if you played a “founding father” role in NBC’s venerable “Saturday Night Live” and then went on to be the musical director of one of the hippest shows in the history of late night television.

The bottom line: Joe Mantegna and Paul Shaffer are two of the coolest cats we have ever featured in Life After 50. And if coolness can be even cooler, beyond their career successes, they are also both very cool guys to sit and chat with.

Having had the opportunity to do that with both of them for this issue – that will be out during the month we celebrate Father’s Day – my conversations with Mantegna and Shaffer included the sharing of thoughts and memories of their respective fathers, Joseph Anthony Mantegna, Sr. and Bernard Shaffer, and their children, Mia and Gia Mantegna, and Victoria and Will Shaffer.

It was interesting to learn how very different these men were from their fathers – Mantegna’s being an insurance agent and Shaffer’s a Canadian attorney. It was also touching to hear of the loving pride with which they both spoke of their children.

One of the greatest things about doing what I do for a living is not just getting to talk with people such as Mantegna and Shaffer, but to walk away from just about every interview with a perspective change or shift about the person, because of something they said.

Thus was the case as I was talking with Shaffer, whose son, Will, is an outstanding athlete. “Will didn’t have the advantage of having an athletic dad,” Shaffer told me. “But now we sit together and watch football games and he patiently explains to me how the game is played. I know he wants a dad that he can sit and watch the games with, so I do my best to keep up with him.”

Something that Mantegna said also resonated with me. He mentioned that as the years have passed, he has come to look at the celebration of Father’s Day in a different way. Rather than viewing it as a day in which his daughters honor him, he sees it as a day of being grateful for them. “I think of how lucky I am to be a father – to be Mia and Gia’s father,” he told me.

Yes, I came into my conversations with Mantegna and Shaffer thinking they are both pretty darn cool cats; and came away being assured of that fact.

But there was something else I came away being assured of: The coolness they possess goes way beyond having been in a “Godfather” film or having played a significant role in legendary late night television programs. It’s what I believe every reader will think to themselves after reading our stories about them: That along with their cool career accomplishments, these two guys are also very cool dads!

David Laurell, Editor-in-Chief

4 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

Publisher Valarie Anderson Editor-in-Chief David Laurell Associate Editors Steve Stoliar Claire Yezbak Fadden Art Director Michael Kraxenberger Editorial Assistant Max Andrews Controller Kacie Cobian Human Resources Andrea E. Baker Business Manager Linda Lam Billing Supervisor David Garcia VP Of Operations David Comden

To contact our editorial department: (818) 563-1007

Account Executives: San Diego County/Orange County Phil Mendelson Phil@LifeAfter50.com Orange County Mary Westphalen Mary@LifeAfter50.com Travel/Los Angeles James Thomopoulos James@LifeAfter50.com For advertising/distribution inquiries contact: Valarie Anderson (310) 822-1629 x 121, Valarie@LifeAfter50.com 5301 Beethoven St., Suite 183 LA CA 90066 Valarie Anderson Valarie@LifeAfter50.com 310 822-1629 x 121 Follow us on facebook @Life_After50

©2016 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved

A June Thought

“With spring being a tough act to follow, God created June.”

– Al Bernstein

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Group Services (714) 755-0236 June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 5

50

Celebrating The Stars And Stripes

PLUS

What You Need To Know

By Claire Yezbak Fadden and Max Andrews

I

Along with honoring our fathers, June is also the month of Flag Day when Americans show respect for the flag of our nation. To correctly display your flag, utilize proper decorum.

Flag etiquette encourages flying the flag from sunrise to sunset and not at night unless there is a light on it.

Do not fly the flag in the rain or inclement weather. The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole, with any other flags flown below. As a matter of respect, never let your flag touch the ground, and fold your flag when putting it away. When your flag is worn or in need of replacement, do not throw it away. Visit your local Veterans of Foreign Wars post to turn it in or click on www.vfw.org/flags for information on proper disposal.

“Taxi” Star Hails Change

A

fter dating for a short while, actress Marilu Henner, best known for her role of Elaine on the hit sitcom “Taxi,” and her fiancé Michael Brown were hit with the ultimate bad news: Michael had cancer. Refusing traditional care, they pieced together a personal and holistic view on battling the disease, all while forging an unbreakable bond. In “Changing Normal: How I Helped My Husband Beat Cancer” (2016, Gallery Books) Henner relates her holistic perspective on health, including the super foods, exercises and immunotherapy she and Brown used to fight the disease. This inspiring tome also offers up proof that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of romance or of a happy and fulfilling life. Along with their new book, Marilu also offers health and wellness tips on her website: www.marilu.com, and will be lending her talent to USAgainstAlzheimer’s as they present Trish Vradenberg’s mother and daughter play, “Surviving Grace,” on September 25 at the Stephen J. Ross Theatre in Burbank, and on September 27 at the Shiley Theatre in San Diego. To purchase tickets, click on www.survivinggrace.org.

Fifty Candles

F

ifty years ago this month, the American and National Football Leagues announced plans to merge in 1970, agreeing that each year their champions would meet in a title game soon to be known as the Super Bowl; Janis Joplin, appearing with Big Brother and the Holding Company, performed in her first live concert at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco; the Supreme Court of the United States handed down the Miranda decision, ruling that police must inform suspects of their rights before questioning them; and the first gothic-inspired daytime soap opera, “Dark Shadows,” premiered. Notables born in June 1966 who are celebrating their 50th birthday this month include actresses Julianna Margulies, Mary Stuart Masterson and Laura Silverman, boxer Mike Tyson, television commentator Gretchen Carlson, director J.J. Abrams, actors John Cusack and Jason Patric and rocker Doris Pearson.

6 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

Fathering After 50

I

n 1980, only one-in-23 children in the United States was fathered by men over the age of 50. That number has grown to about one-in-18.

According to Mark Penn and Kinney Zalesne, who co-authored the book “Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow’s Big Changes” (Twelve, 2007), part of the reason more men over 50 are fathering children is because their wives, who tend to be younger, had put childbearing on the back-burner for the sake of their careers. Another reason is divorce. It’s well-known that half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce and that men tend to remarry faster and more frequently than women. Sometimes called “Do-Over Dads,” more and more older men are trying their hand at fatherhood a second time around, with a younger wife. This is being reflected by the statistic that vasectomy reversal is up over 40 percent since 1999. Urologists report that men seeking the procedure are almost always in their mid-40s or older, with new wives who are at least eight years younger. Another reason is a combination of biology and success. Older men can still physically father children, and most are in much better shape, both physically and financially, than men over 50 at any other time in history. This means they can attract younger women, and have more time and financial resources to spend on a child.

Many older new dads also say that having a child has made them feel “renewed,” and that they are more relaxed and more interested in family life than they were (or might have been) when they in their 20s and 30s and busy building their careers.

A Little More You Need To Know

Where You Need To Go Celebrate 50 Years of Sawdust Soul

The Most Important Thing To Know This Month

June is Men’s Health Month

T

o promote healthy living during National Men’s Health Week, the week prior to Father’s Day, which is celebrated on Sunday, June 19, here are some of the most important things for men over 50 to do in order to embrace a healthy lifestyle:

Decrease alcohol use Men are more likely than women to drink heavily. Excessive alcohol use increases your risk of injury and cancer, can interfere with male hormone production and sexual function and can result in hospitalizations and death.

Quit using tobacco

F

or five decades, the Sawdust Art and Craft Festival has showcased the artistry of more than 200 Laguna Beach artists and featured live performances, fashion shows and workshops. This year, “Celebrating the Soul of Art for 50 Years!” is the golden anniversary theme.

Art enthusiasts, collectors, novice artists and art lovers have wandered the grounds since the festival’s beginning in 1966, marveling at artworks including hand-blown and fused glass, painting, jewelry, surf art, ceramics, clothing and textiles, wood and metal sculpture, scrimshaw and photography. Participating artists are on hand, eager to share their creative process, answer questions, provide art classes and put on live art demonstrations.

Throughout the nine-week festival, a wide variety of classes are presented.

Participants often find themselves behind the pottery wheel, creating memories and works of art that last a lifetime. Follow in the footsteps of the worldrenowned artists of Italy by taking on the legendary tradition of blowing glass at the festival’s Glass Hut – a unique experience not easy to come by. Daily art projects for all ages are offered at the Ceramic Center and Studio One.

The Sawdust Art Festival is held at 935 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach, June 24 through August 28. Admission is $8-plus. For more information call (949) 494-3030 or click on www.sawdustartfestival.org.

Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and causes most lung cancer cases. It also contributes to other cancers and heart and respiratory diseases. If you are ready to quit, call (800) 784-8669 or click on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Quit Smoking website at www.cdc.gov for free resources, including coaching, local resources and educational materials.

Avoid drowsy driving Drowsy drivers may cause up to 6,000 fatal crashes each year. Get enough sleep to prevent drowsy driving, seek treatment for possible sleep disorders, and refrain from drinking alcohol or taking sedation medications before driving.

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. To protect yourself from the sun, seek shade, wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and wear a broadspectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

For more health tips, click on www.cdc.gov/features/healthymen.

New Words You might not find all of these words in a dictionary yet, but they’re a part of the everyday American vocabulary. Here’s what they mean.

Keepin’ It A Hundred: Standing by your actions or what you say with 100 percent conviction.

Phubbing: A portmanteau of phone and snubbing, referring to the practice of ignoring someone you are with in favor of completely focusing on your mobile phone.

Sillerious: Being silly and serious at the same time.

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 7

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Every hero has a story. With tremendous pride, Belmont Village celebrates the service and sacrifice of our resident veterans through American Heroes galleries nationwide. Featuring stunning portraiture and gripping narrative, the galleries depict the unique wartime experiences that forever solidified Belmont Village veterans as heroes of their generation.

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June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 9 3/30/16 6:46 PM

COVER PROFILE

Joe

Mantegna The “Criminal Minds” star on his most iconic roles, legendary directors, fathering and much more

10 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

Ullstein / The Interview People

Story by David Laurell Photos by Keith Munyan / www.keithmunyan.com

S

urrounded by photos, posters and other items of memorabilia from his 40-plus-year career, Joe Mantegna sinks into a beige couch in his Burbank office located just blocks away from Taste Chicago, the Windy City-themed restaurant he and his wife Arlene have owned and operated since 2003.

Casually dressed in a black shirt and jeans, Mantegna sports a waist size more accustomed to a twentysomething than a man who will turn 69 this November. When asked how he stays in such great shape, what with the lure of all that deep-dish pizza, Italian beef and sausage sandwiches, Chicagostyle hot dogs and homemade meatballs, ribs and pasta dishes so close by, he breaks out in a slow grin.

“Moderation in everything, including moderation,” he says quoting Oscar Wilde. “I eat whatever I want but, just not too much of it too often.”

Born into an Italian family in Chicago, Mantegna first became interested in acting when he auditioned for a high school play. Matriculating at the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University, he put himself through school by performing with local bands.

In 1969, Mantegna scored a major career victory when he was cast in the controversial and popular Broadway hit “Hair.” More stage roles would follow and in 1984, he would win the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Richard Roma in the first American production of David Mamet’s play, “Glengarry Glen Ross.”

Branching out into television and feature films, Mantegna rapidly became known as a versatile actor capable of taking on diverse roles that, over his impressive career, have taken him from Joey Zasa, a treacherous mobster in “The Godfather Part III” and singer Dean Martin in HBO’s 1998 original film “The Rat Pack,” to Police Chief Will Girardi, the father of a young girl who communicates with God on the critically acclaimed CBS drama “Joan of Arcadia” to his recurring voice role of mob boss, Anthony “Fat Tony” D’Amico, on “The Simpsons.”

In August of 2007, after the sudden departure of Mandy Patinkin, Mantegna took on the role he has become most associated with: FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi on the CBS hit police drama, “Criminal Minds.” Almost a decade into his run on “Criminal Minds,” Mantegna, an avid firearm enthusiast, also hosts the Outdoor Channel and MidwayUSA’s “Gun Stories.”

Closing in on their 41st wedding anniversary, Mantegna and Arlene are the parents of two daughters: Mia, who was born prematurely in 1987 and diagnosed to be autistic as a toddler, and their younger daughter, Gia, who has followed in her father’s footsteps and established a career as an actress.

Welcoming Life After 50 to his office for a recent visit, Mantegna, delighted to learn he would be profiled in the June issue – the month of Father’s Day — put his hands behind his head and leaned back as he shared stories about his grandfather and father.

Joe Mantegna (JM): My dad’s father – my grandfather – was from Calascibetta, Italy, which is a little mountaintop village that is as far from the ocean as you can get. He left Italy at the turn of the century for Krebs, Oklahoma, of all places. He came to Krebs because this one guy from Calascibetta had come to America and heard they were looking for people to work in the coal mines there and were selling 10 acres of Indian territory for $100. So he sent the word back and all these immigrants from Sicily came to Krebs. My grandfather worked in the mines for five years. His plan was to work long enough to be able to have his wife come over from Italy and to buy 50 acres of land to start a farm. And that’s what he did. In fact, our family still owns the farm and there is still a huge Sicilian population there. My dad was born in Krebs and spent his childhood on that farm – which was something he always talked about. Well, my grandfather wasn’t in great health and he had a bad appendicitis attack when the kids were in their teens, and he died. After his death, my grandmother realized she couldn’t run a farm and raise her kids, so she packed them up and moved to Chicago where she had family. That is where my father met my mother and

where I was born. I was a real city kid with no connection to farming or any sort of rural life, so I never gave much thought to my dad’s story of his young life on the farm.

Life After 50 (LA50): Your dad was an insurance agent, right?

JM: Yes, but, he was always in poor health. He and his brothers had contracted tuberculosis from cows back on the farm, which I guess was common back then. His two older brothers died in their early 20s, but my dad survived and they sent him to a sanitarium in New York where they took out a lung and removed some ribs. He was there for three years and, remarkably, he recovered. He still wasn’t in great shape, but when he came back to Chicago, he got a job as an insurance man. He was an interesting character – the way he dressed was different than any of my friends’ fathers. He was unique – kind of a stylish hipster of his time [laughs]. But even though he was in poor health and only had one lung, he smoked two packs a day and drank heavily. It was obvious that he was depressed. He was never very successful, never made much money or got to do things he dreamed of doing. We always lived in apartments and he was forced to stop working in his 40s because his health was so bad.

So my mother supported us by working for Sears and Roebuck wrapping packages and my dad finally died in 1971 – he was only 57.

LA50: What did he think of you wanting to become an actor?

JM: I don’t know if he really understood it. Hey, my mother is still with us. She’s 100 and I still don’t think she understands what I do for a living [laughs]. Even when I won a Tony Award, my mother didn’t know what it was all about. She kept telling people I won an Oscar for doing plays [laughs]. But acting wasn’t something I ever talked about as a kid, because I didn’t even know I wanted to be an actor until I was in high

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 11

school. I didn’t grow up in a theatrical environment at all. I had no connection to acting or show business. But I loved this movie: “West Side Story.” I must have seen it 10 or 12 times and it kind of reminded me of my life as a kid in Chicago. Well, when I was a junior in high school, I saw this banner in a hallway that said they were doing tryouts for “West Side Story.” I never even knew it was a play. So I went home and played the soundtrack over and over and learned all the words to “Maria.” Then the next day, I went to the audition and sang the song and when I finished, I heard applause coming up from beyond the footlights and it was like a lightning bolt hit my chest. No one had ever applauded anything I had done. I was a C student and an average baseball player. I was average in everything I did. But that applause [gasps]. Right away I knew: This is what I want to do. I was so excited about how I did in the audition, I couldn’t sleep that night. Then I went to school the next day to see the list they posted with who got what roles and I couldn’t believe it – I didn’t get cast. I was devastated. But then I thought to myself: Why the heck am I devastated? Forty-eight hours earlier I didn’t even know “West Side Story” was a play! But doing that audition left a huge impact on me and I started hanging around the drama department and talking to the teacher, who told me that I did well in the audition, but was too small for the role. He thought I had talent and put me in an advanced drama class and I got totally hooked. I was 16-years-old and knew what I wanted to do with my life. So I went to the Goodman School of Drama and played in a band to support myself. Then in 1969, I tried out for “Hair” on Broadway and got cast.

LA50: What was your parents’ reaction to that?

JM: You know, they had seen me in the plays, but they never really said much other than: “That’s nice.” Where I grew up, being an actor wasn’t on the radar screen. You either became a cop or someone the cops chased. So I never knew what my dad thought of me becoming an actor until after he died and I asked my brother, who is eight years older, if he had ever said anything about it. He said that at one point, my dad had mentioned he was concerned about it, but that my brother said to just let me go and give it a try – what could it hurt. My father came to New York to see me do “Hair,” which was a big deal, but he didn’t live to see me achieve success.

LA50: You would have loved for him to have seen how the acting thing worked out for you huh.

JM: [sighs] I guess like a lot of kids, I didn’t really appreciate him till he was gone. He was a fascinating guy who had very little formal education, but he loved to read Shakespeare. He always talked about traveling all over the world and doing all sorts of adventurous things that he never did – could never do. So I have always felt I have lived my life vicariously for him. I have gotten to do all the things he hoped to do, and even things he couldn’t have dreamed of doing, so I think of him often. He was only 57 when he died and I’m already 11 years past that. If there is something to the fact that as a spirit, we can appreciate what is going on in this life, I know he does. He would have loved it all.

LA50: Directors sort of take on a fatherly role over their actors, and you have gotten to work with the best of the best: Woody Allen in “Alice” and “Celebrity,” Francis Ford Coppola in “The Godfather III,” Barry Levinson in “Liberty Heights” and “Bugsy.” How does it influence your performance to work with a legendary director?

JM: Well, as my friend Peter Falk used to say: “Work with the best. They’ll never hurt you.” It’s always an advantage when you get to work with people who are the best – top caliber. What they bring to a production rubs off on you and it inspires you. As an actor, you have to bring the goods, it’s on you, but a great director can help you bring out things you may have never thought of. I’m so fortunate to have gotten to work with the best in the business and have picked up things from all of them that didn’t just help me as an actor in the role I was playing for them, but also in my work as a director. Here’s a good example of that: In “The Godfather III,” there’s a scene in which I’m in a meeting with all these gangsters right before I blew the place up. It was a big set and Coppola had cameras hidden all over the place. So after we did a few takes he said: “Let’s do one that’s just all ad lib – whatever comes into your heads.” We were all game for that and I thought it was a great exercise for us to relax a bit before going back to the script. During that improv take, I 12 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016 PAL_005991_01_Sr_Print_4.625x11.5_R2_FINAL_CFR.indd 1

5/25/16 3:58 PM

eent fr e ev

was making small talk in character and said I’d like to be honored by the Catholic church and get a little pin from the pope. That line, about the pin from the pope, is totally my ad lib and Coppola liked it and left it in. Those are the kind of things you learn from the great ones.

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LA50: What did you learn from Woody?

JM: He’s an odd bird. Unique unto himself. I did two films with him and he doesn’t give you much direction. He is very softspoken and more like an observer on the set than the director. He would let you do some ad libs and if he felt it was working, great; otherwise he would just say: “Okay, let’s go back to the script.” It is a unique experience to work with Woody. He is brilliant in what he does.

LA50: Speaking of brilliance; you have been brilliant yourself in the way you have brought life to some wonderfully rich characters. Let’s talk about some of them. First, tell us a bit about Will Girardi from “Joan of Arcadia.”

JM: I loved playing Will. He was the father of a very special girl, just like me. I loved that show. When I first read the script, I knew it was something

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special and wanted to do it. I was a producer on that show and so I was involved in every stage of casting. I remember we were casting for the lead – for Joan – and this one young girl came in to read and she just knocked my socks off. I didn’t know who she was, but as far as I was concerned, there was no reason to go any further; she was the whole package. Then I remember someone asking me if I knew who she was, which I didn’t. Then they said she was Amber Tamblyn, who was the daughter of Russ Tamblyn who played Riff in the film version of “West Side Story” that I loved so much as a kid. So, of course, I said: “THAT’S IT! IT’S KISMET! Amber was perfect as Joan and it was a brilliant show – spiritual and really about something – always delivering a message. It’s everything you want a show to be. There were great life lessons in each show and I wish it could be required viewing for every high school kid.

LA50: Tell us about “Fat Tony.”

JM: Ah, “Fat Tony!” I had just finished doing “The Godfather III” and so I was the big Mafia guy of that time. I’m sure that’s why “The Simpsons” people thought of me. I had an Uncle Willie whom I just loved. He was like

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my second father. He lived to be 91, but he had suffered a bout of throat cancer.

He survived it, but, they had to take out his vocal cords which gave him this raspy voice that became my inspiration for “Fat Tony.” I thought that would just be a one-shot deal but, the next thing I knew, they called me back, again and again and – cut to the chase – 25 years later, I’m still doing “Fat Tony.”

LA50: When the history of television is written, David Rossi will be remembered as one of the medium’s iconic characters. Tell us about him.

JM: I came into “Criminal Minds” during a crisis situation. Mandy had left and things were a mess. They just weren’t sure how to move forward and I had to jump right in to take his place. So we came up with this character I could relate to right away. He was Italian and from Chicago, so I was comfortable with the character very quickly, except for the fact that I’m a huge Cubs fan and he was a White Sox fan. I have drawn on a lot of my personal life for him and, some people know this, I got the name, David Rossi, from a real Los Angeles cop. He had been the first guy to testify in the O.J. Simpson trial. He had been the watch commander who took the first call on the night of the murders. When he was on the stand, the defense – F. Lee Bailey and the rest of them – really beat him up for three days, and yet he was so poised and handled himself with such dignity that he really impressed me. So I used his name as a tribute to him and to honor all cops who are out there risking their life every day. I have since become great friends with the real David Rossi, who is now retired and living in Idaho. I first met him after he wrote me a letter that was very touching. Here’s a little bit of trivia for “Criminal Minds” fans: On my desk in the show there is a photo of me standing next to these two guys. The older guy is the real David Rossi and the younger one is his son.

LA50: You have also portrayed several real people throughout your career: George Raft in “Bugsy,” Fidel Castro in “My Little Assassin,” and Dean Martin in “The Rat Pack.” Did you ever get the chance to meet Dean?

JM: No, but I have gotten to know his daughter Deana and other members of the family. I wish I had gotten the chance to meet him because I idolized Dean Martin. It is one of the hardest tasks an actor can take on, doing the role of a real person, especially when you are playing an icon with a huge personality.

I did tons of research on him before doing that film. I watched lots of his films and talked to people who knew him. I really studied his voice and mannerisms and the way he dressed – how he held his cigarettes and tugged on his cuffs.

People always get a kick out of my story about how I found Dean’s voice for that role. I would listen to him over and over –singing, talking – and I kept thinking that he sounded like someone, that his voice reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Then it hit me. When I was a kid, there was a cereal called Sugar Crisps and in the commercial, there was the Sugar Bear who would say: “Can’t get enough of them Sugar Crisps, Sugar Crisps.” That’s when it hit me that the Sugar Bear sounded just like Dean Martin. That was when the voice clicked in with me and to get into it that was my exercise: doing the Sugar Bear’s line. That role was very important to me, because Dean meant so much to me. I wanted to portray him right. I wanted to do it right for his memory, and I have gotten great feedback on my portrayal from people very close to him – family members, guys who played with him, even Jerry Lewis, who told me that I had “gotten” him.

How To: Fix Crepey Skin Do It Yourself!

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News of this unusual technique first broke earlier this year, when one of the country’s leading cosmetic surgeons made a surprising announcement: He was seeking volunteers to test a new anti-aging solution—described only as “full-body age-reversal.”And, despite the ad’s mysterious nature, the response from willing participants was overwhelming. After all, who wouldn’t want to work with Dr. John Layke?

His Los Angeles-based practice (the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group) boasts a multitude of A-list celebrity clients.

LA50: How old was she when she was diagnosed with autism?

JM: About two-and-a-half. Back then, autism wasn’t really understood. Today there is much more understanding and research and awareness. I had been involved with these little fringe groups back when Mia was young, one of which has grown into Autism Speaks. Mia is high-functioning and just beautiful. She is 29 now, but she is also 10. She always wants to go to Disneyland and meet

And when the their test group (consisting of female volunteers ages 50 and up) was finally selected, its members were strongly discouraged from speaking to the press…until now.

The participants’ sudden willingness to divulge these details may have to do with the release of a new video—posted online by Dr. Layke himself—which formally reveals his revolutionary skin-transforming technique to the public.

“After two days, I started looking for excuses to put on a sleeveless shirt!”

- laughs 56-year-old test group member, Brianna

LA50: Joe, we began our conversation talking about your father.

Let’s wrap up talking about your life as a father.

JM: I didn’t go into adulthood waiting to have kids. It just happened. Arlene and I had been together for 12 years before we had our first child, and then Mia was born under trying circumstances. She was born three months premature and was only one pound 13 ounces.

“The wrinkles on my knees, chest, and upper arms needed serious work—and I didn’t think that anything other than surgery could fix skin as crepey as mine.” - User Group Member

Plus, with appearances on shows such as Entertainment Tonight and The Doctors, Dr. Layke has become one of the industry’s most trusted names.

However, despite their normally media-friendly demeanor, both Layke refused to comment on their participant search, or reveal any more information about the new technique.

The video presentation—which went viral in less than 24-hours—even shows viewers how they can use Dr. Layke’s method to remove the appearance of crepey skin from their own body. And of course, how this once-unthinkable feat, can now be achieved without leaving home.

To Watch Dr. Layke’s Shocking Presentation Visit:

www.BHMD10.com June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 15

Photo courtesy of Joe Mantegna

Joe Mantegna, with his wife Arlene, says he is lucky to be the father of Gia, far left, and Mia.

the princess and take pictures with them. In a way, she will always be a young child. But you play the cards you are dealt. Having a child with any sort of a disability makes you a different person. I think you become more appreciative of things and more sensitive towards things.

LA50: How is Gia doing?

JM: Very well and I am so proud of her. This past year she was on “The Middle” and is currently working on an album. She is amazing. She is the little sister who, from day one, always had to be the big sister. She has always been the protector of her big sister. And she knows that the day will come when Arlene and I can no longer care for Mia – that she will eventually have to step up and take on the responsibility and the duty of caring for her sister. Gia just turned 26, but she has a level of maturity well beyond her years – always has.

She’s a great kid, and an old soul [smiles].

LA50: With this month being the one in which we celebrate our fathers, do you have any fatherly advice for other fathers?

JM: Every Father’s Day, I always think about how it is supposed to be the day they honor me, but I don’t look at it that way. I look at it in a different way. I think of how lucky I am to be a father – to be Mia and Gia’s father. As for advice, I don’t know, I think there are natural instincts that kick in when you become a parent, and if you are a decent person, you’ll figure it out and do right by your kids. Decency in the way you love them and accept them is the important thing – more important than anything else. You see families in disastrous situations who have that figured out, and kids who seemingly have the whole world in front of them who are totally screwed up because their parents haven’t figured that out.

16 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

LA50: As mentioned earlier, you’re in great shape. Do you have any advice on getting older or keeping fit — any philosophy on the passing of time?

JM: Well, turning 50 didn’t bother me at all, but 60 got my attention. I’ll be 69 in November and it’s hard for me to get my head around that. It’s like, wow, that’s a number I never imagined. But I’m in decent shape for my age. I have to stay in shape, because the “Criminal Minds” writers still have David kicking down doors [laughs]. My father only got 57 years, but my mother is 100 and lives back in Chicago in a retirement home – a wonderful place. She was still living alone until she was 92. I think my mother has lived to be 100 because of her attitude. She has always been good at keeping tension and stress out of her life. I see people freak out over things that just don’t deserve that kind of attention. But what you do have to be is conscientious of your health. I’ve lost three very close friends, just because they didn’t get colonoscopies. They are not here today, because they didn’t take care of something that was totally preventable. So I tell everyone to get a colonoscopy. Look, we’re all going to die, but I don’t want to be one of the dumb guys who dies from something that could have been avoided. As for my philosophy on aging: I embrace my age. I’m realistic about it and know that, at best, I’m in the third quarter of my life. You know that rainy day people always talk about – saving this or that for a rainy day? Well, I’m at the age in which it’s starting to drizzle [smiles]. I don’t know how many tomorrows I’ll have, but as I said earlier: Everything in moderation, including moderation.

That’s the philosophy I live by.

For more information on Joe Mantegna, click on www.joemantegna.com.

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Seeking Bliss in Brood Blending?

Don’t look to the Bradys Six rules for successfully blending a family after death or divorce

D

uring this time of year, with Mother’s Day having been celebrated last month and the observance of Father’s Day taking place this month, many parents tend to take inventory of the state of their family life and the parenting prowess they have been, and are, providing.

More so than at any time in history, many Americans, for many reasons, are finding themselves involved in family scenarios that are both unconventional and non-traditional. While the concept of blending a family due to death is certainly nothing new, today, with divorce so prevalent, many families are blended two or three times over.

If you grew up in the 1970s and are now in your 50s and 60s, the chances are more than good that “The Brady Bunch” was a part of your regular television viewing. Back in those pre-cable days of limited channels, it seems as if everyone watched that show about a widower who married a widow, each with three children of their own, and blended their families to live in one household in total suburban bliss.

Not only did the show sugar-coat how harmonious combined families are, it set the bar way too high even for traditional, first-marriage 18 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

By Jonathon Aslay

families. In each episode, the Bradys showed how siblings could always find a way to resolve conflict among themselves, or with a little help from an understanding parent (or live-in housekeeper).

The show presented each parent as being completely unbiased in how they treated their step-children versus their biological children.

There was mutual respect and no one (except Jan) was ever resentful, jealous, or hurt. There was no problem the good old Brady clan couldn’t solve during the 30 minutes between their iconic opening montage and the final credits.

THE BRADY MYTH “The Brady Bunch” may have seemed like a great role model for families to emulate, but, in fact, their story was a myth – a disservice to any blended family living in the realm of reality.

In the real world, blended families are quite common, but not without generous helpings of discord. Not everyone who blends a family is a widow or widower. These days, with divorce so prevalent, most have to co-parent with an ex, and sometimes that ex isn’t cooperative or focused on what’s best for the kids. Blended families are

often created against a backdrop of complicated custody arrangements and ugly financial issues.

And sometimes – let’s face it – kids just don’t like the idea that their mom or dad is dating or marrying someone they may not totally approve of.

Dating with teenage or adult children is, simply put, not an easy situation. But with half of all marriages ending in divorce and most marriages having children involved, the likelihood of dating someone with kids or becoming a step-parent in a second marriage runs pretty high.

For those who are single and dating at mid-life, just about every dating coach offers guidance on how to find “The One,” but very few bother to offer advice on resolving the challenges of dating when children are involved and the blending of families. Therefore, the task of making sure you’re informed and ready to take on a blended family dynamic is largely up to you.

The first thing you must ask yourself when dating someone who has kids, or if you have kids yourself, is how much of a priority are you placing on parenting versus your own needs in a romantic partnership? What if you meet someone you really like but he or she tells you that their kids will “always come first” or “are their top priority?”

That’s commendable and certainly understandable, but why would someone want to invest their time and heart in a relationship where they’re told right at the outset that they will never be the top priority?

If you feel that your kids will always come first, over and above your own needs or the needs of a future partner or spouse, then perhaps you need to examine whether or not you’re actually ready to get back into dating. Maybe now is not the right time, and waiting until your kids are more independent or out of the house would be a better choice for you and whomever falls in love with you.

If you’re dating someone who is telling you that their kids are always their top priority, don’t dismiss it, believe them. Don’t just hope they’ll change their mind once they get to know you. If you are facing this sort of a situation, you must ask yourself if you’re okay doing things without that person on the days they’re with their kids. Will you be happy putting aside what you want to do while your partner is shuttling their kids around to sporting events or attending to the various needs of adolescents? Are you okay playing second string? Are you secure enough in yourself to feel satisfied in a relationship where your needs will always come second? If not, then you may need to reconsider whether that person is a good match for you and your needs at this time in your life.

Assuming that you’re past the dating stage and already in a blended family environment, you are probably already experiencing some of the dilemmas that all blended families face.

For example: • Who’s in charge of discipline and what if your discipline philosophy differs from your partner’s or their ex’s?

• What if your step-kids don’t like you or you don’t like them?

• What if the ex is a negative, destructive influence in your new family’s life?

• How do you make space in a three-bedroom house for an additional child or two?

COMBINING FAMILIES CAN BE A DAUNTING TASK! The Bradys got along cheerfully for the most part, but the show failed to depict the presence of exspouses or the real, serious problems that inevitably manifest. If both mother and father are widowed, it makes parenting more transitional than trying to schedule visits or deal with conflicting rules of the non-custodial parent.

If, because of shows such as “The Brady Bunch,” you subconsciously developed false expectations of what blended family life should look like, you will need a reality check before proceeding. You can brush up on that rather quickly by watching contemporary family shows such as “Modern Family” and “Step Brothers” to get a preview of how multi-faceted blended families can be. But even if you have already altered your expectations and know what to do, don’t think for a minute that you will be living in blended family bliss right away.

Realistically, one can expect years to pass before getting into a good groove with each other.

Here are some rules for blended families to live by, without Hollywood screenwriting magic or the suspension of disbelief.

THE SIX RULES FOR SUCCESSFUL FAMILY BLENDING 1. Throw out your expectations that this will be anything like a traditional family.

Don’t expect that your step-kids will love and respect you automatically and immediately. You’ll need time to build trust and rapport, and you’ll need patience to cope with stress levels escalating when both families are together.

2. Get used to less space and privacy.

The more children you have in a combined family, the less space and privacy each family member will have (unless you’re living in some sprawling mansion). And unless you are wealthy enough to have a live-in housekeeper like the Bradys, everyone will need to chip in and do chores to keep the household running smoothly and not put undue burdens on any one family member for all the cooking and cleaning.

3. Boundaries and rules must be agreed to and established by the combined parents.

When conflict erupts among your kids, both parents have to enforce rules or make quick judgments governing the home. Sometimes one parent is stricter than the other. Sometimes the ex has different ideas of what rules should be enforced. It’s easy for a kid to pit one household against the other, so the sooner you can agree to rules and enforce them as combined parents, the better.

4. There are only ex-spouses, not ex-parents.

The real mother or father (however horrible you think they might be) will always be golden to the children, so don’t try to replace anyone’s role.

Don’t force your step-children to call you “mom” or “dad.” Let them set the tone for the relationship in this regard.

5. Avoid conflict by parenting your own children and enforcing rules to step-children.

One way to avoid conflict with your step-children is to tell them: “In this house, we…” while the true parent does the actual disciplining/parenting.

6. Strive for fairness.

Being strict with your own children and passive with step-children will cause resentment and tension in the household. Remember that weekend visits don’t make your step-kids “guests” of the house, and they should uphold rules just like resident children. Just because you only see the step-kids every other weekend, doesn’t mean they don’t also need to pitch in with chores. There is also a possibility of dealing with an ex-spouse who can wreak havoc on a combined family. Try to establish a way to deal with outside static, and when in doubt, use humor to get through sticky situations.

Never bad-mouth an ex in front of the kids or ridicule their parenting style. If you need to resolve conflicting rules or discipline, do so with your partner or spouse outside the earshot of your kids. * Being a good father or mother and raising a family is the hardest job in the world– even for traditional families. With an ample supply of patience, perseverance and a dash of humor, combined families can also weather the storms that come with blending lives. Add to that unconditional love and you will, at least, have the foundation for building a happy, healthy family life.

MEET JONATHON

Known as America’s leading mid-life dating and relationship coach, Jonathon Aslay is a successful entrepreneur, coach, speaker, and author. Aslay’s journey from seeking love to teaching people how to find love started after his own divorce when he discovered the trials and tribulations of dating in mid-life.

From his own experience, coupled with over 10,000 hours of listening to and coaching clients who have shared their stories, Aslay has developed a “heartcentered,” radically honest coaching style that offers help to those who are dating, mating and relating. He has created a unique website, www.

UnderstandMenNow.com, which offers dynamic weekly tips, inspirational teleclasses, and coaching opportunities.

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 19

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Watch Your

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U

p to 80 percent of Americans will experience lower back or neck pain at some time in their lives. Back or neck pain may be caused by injuries, improper posture or degenerative disease, and can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, work performance and enjoyment of favorite activities.

For some, back pain limits their activity only a few days at a time. However, many others suffer from chronic pain that disrupts their quality of life and prevents them from being able to perform well at work or play.

Many patients will respond to non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, pain management, yoga and chiropractic adjustments. Regaining range of motion is important for many of these patients, not only for their general quality of life but also so they may continue to enjoy their favorite activities. When non-surgical options fail and surgery is required, advances in minimally invasive spinal surgery can relieve pain and dramatically reduce recovery time.

The benefits of minimally invasive techniques include more than just making a smaller incision. Most important is what’s being done in the body during a surgical procedure. With less disturbance to the body, 22 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

patients heal faster, usually recover more fully, and can return to activities like sports, going to the gym or other normal activities.

A VARIETY OF ISSUES CAN CAUSE BACK OR NECK PAIN NoNspecific lower back paiN:

While it may seem like a misnomer to say that the cause of pain is “nonspecific,” this is the diagnosis in many with acute pain. This type of pain is rarely chronic enough to lead to disability as it usually disappears within a month to six weeks. Doctors typically recommend that patients whose back pain cannot be traced to any specific cause attempt to remain as active as possible and treat the pain with over-the-counter analgesics.

spiNal steNosis:

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal and/or narrowing of the nerve root canals which

conduct the individual spinal nerves. Stenosis occurs as a result of the growth of bone spurs and intervertebral discs bulging into the spinal canal that take up the space normally occupied by the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Spinal stenosis can also affect younger people who are born with small spinal canals. Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis include a burning or aching type of pain in the buttocks that radiates to the legs, or weakness in the legs. The symptoms can come on slowly or suddenly. Spinal stenosis can also affect the spine in the neck region.

IS SPINAL STENOSIS THE NEXT TREND FOR BABY BOOMERS? The increasing number of spinal stenosis cases reflects the aging of a huge demographic group.

Estimates predict that during the coming decade, the cases of spinal stenosis will double. Aging Americans are maintaining a level of physical activity far beyond that of their parents and are fueling demand for management of back pain from injuries or age-related causes.

prolapsed discs

More commonly known as a “slipped disc” or a “herniated disc,” a prolapsed disc causes pain by putting pressure on a nerve root in the same way as spinal stenosis. Nerve root pain from a prolapsed disc is treated on a case-by-case basis, depending on the individual’s symptoms and history.

back or Neck iNjuries

Straining the muscles and ligaments in the back is a common cause of acute pain and can lead to ongoing issues. These injuries are typically caused by lifting, twisting or a sudden movement.

Other things that commonly cause pain and disability include arthritis, a prior failed back surgery, scoliosis, disc breakdown or ruptured discs. Many patients respond to conservative treatments for the pain caused by spinal stenosis; those who require surgery may be treated with one or more procedures. Some of these procedures are:

lamiNectomy

The surgical removal of the lamina, which is a bony portion of the vertebrae composing part of the spinal canal. A laminectomy may also be performed in conjunction with spinal fusion. This involves placing bone graft or bone graft substitute between two or more affected vertebrae to promote bone growth between the vertebral bodies. The graft material acts as a binding medium - as the body heals, the vertebral bone and bone graft eventually grow together to join the vertebrae and stabilize the spine.

spiNal fusioN

A surgical technique in which one or more of the vertebrae of the spine are joined together (fused) to stop them from moving against each other.

This is done by placing bone grafts or bone graft substitutes between the affected vertebral bones.

The graft material acts as a binding medium and also helps to maintain normal disc height - as the body heals, the vertebral bone and bone graft eventually grow together to join the vertebrae and stabilize the spine. This procedure is frequently used to treat: • One or more fractured (broken) vertebrae • Spondylolisthesis (slippage of one vertebral bone over another) • Abnormal curvatures of the spine, such as scoliosis or kyphosis • Protruding or degenerated discs (the cartilaginous “cushions” between vertebrae) • Instability of the spine (abnormal or excessive motion between two or more vertebrae)

Spinal fusion is typically recommended only after conservative treatment methods fail.

Your surgeon will take a number of factors into consideration before making this recommendation, including the condition to be treated, your age, health and lifestyle and your anticipated level of activity following surgery.

spiNal microdecompressioN

Certain patients may be candidates for a minimally invasive procedure called “spinal microdecompression” in which a smaller amount of bone is removed compared to the standard laminectomy.

This procedure, also known as “microlaminectomy,” relieves pressure on the spinal cord and lumbar nerves but will maintain the maximum possible level of spine stability and strength, allowing patients to maintain more active lifestyles.

People want relief from pain, but they don’t want to lose their ability to enjoy their favorite activities.

The best treatment approach is determined by each patient’s condition.

artificial disc replacemeNt

Lumbar artificial disc replacement is a surgical method of replacing the diseased or damaged intervertebral discs of the spinal column with an artificial disc to restore motion to the spine.

It can be considered as an alternative to spinal fusion for patients with lower back pain. Artificial disc replacement is indicated in patients with degenerative disc disease, a condition referred to as a gradual degeneration of the disc between the vertebrae caused by a natural process of aging.

Your doctor may recommend certain tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), discography, computed tomography (CT or CAT scan), and X-rays to identify the cause of pain. Patients with back pain caused from bulged or worn-out intervertebral discs and patients with no significant facet joint disease are recommended for artificial disc replacement. The surgery is not recommended in patients with scoliosis, previous spinal surgery and those who are morbidly obese.

Cervical artificial disc replacement surgery is a joint replacement procedure that involves inserting an artificial disc between the vertebrae to replace a natural spinal disc after it has been removed. This prosthetic device is designed to maintain motion in the treated area.

Over time, discs can become dried out, compressed or otherwise damaged due to age, genetics and everyday wear-and-tear. Disc degeneration also may result in bone spurs. If

disc or bone material pushes into or impinges on a nearby nerve root and/or the spinal cord, it may result in pain, numbness, weakness, muscle spasms and loss of coordination, both at the site of the damage and elsewhere in the body, since most of the nerves for the rest of the body pass from the brain through the neck. Similar symptoms may occur suddenly if the disc nucleus dislodges and causes nerve root compression, a condition referred to as a “herniated disc.”

When non-surgical therapies fail to provide relief from your symptoms, your doctor may recommend spine surgery. The goal of cervical artificial disc surgery is to remove all or part of a damaged cervical disc (discectomy), relieve pressure on the nerves and/or spinal cord (decompression), and to restore spinal stability and alignment after the disc has been removed.

A cervical spinal fusion with an anterior cervical plate currently is a very good surgical option for many patients, leaving most symptom-free and able to return to their normal activities within a short period of time.

Meet Dr. Payman A board-certified spine surgeon who focuses his practice on the comprehensive treatment of patients with spinal disorders, Dr. Payman specializes in reconstructive cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine surgery including the most advanced techniques of minimally invasive and micro-surgical spinal procedures. Dr. Payman performs spinal fusion, spinal disc replacement and procedures for spinal stenosis, herniated discs, scoliosis, failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and other conditions and injuries. He was trained at some of the leading institutions in the country, including the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, received additional training in orthopedic surgery at UCLA, and completed a prestigious spine fellowship at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. For more information, click on www.TheSpineMD.com.

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 23

Paul Shaffer Life After Late Night

O

Story by David Laurell · Photos courtesy of CBS

ver the past two years, a seismic shift in the late night television landscape has changed the way many people over 50 have been wrapping up their days since they were in college or just starting out in their careers. Just two months after Jay Leno handed the reins of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” over to Jimmy Fallon in 2014, David Letterman announced he would be stepping down as the host of CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman” in May of 2015 and giving way to Stephen Colbert.

While the wit and zaniness of Letterman served as a coda for millions of Americans every weekday for 33 years, first on NBC and then on CBS, the show also proved to be a showcase for a myriad of musical talent from established legends to groundbreaking newcomers, all backed by the show’s musical director and Letterman’s sidekick, Paul Shaffer.

With a penchant for a wild wardrobe inspired by Jackie Gleason’s orchestra leader, Sammy Spear, and Doc Severinsen, who conducted the NBC Orchestra on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” Shaffer was tapped by Letterman following his five

24 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

year tenure as the pianist for the house band on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”

A native of Ontario, Canada, Shaffer earned a degree in sociology from the University of Toronto before starting his musical career in 1972 when “Godspell” writer Stephen Schwartz asked him to be the musical director for the Toronto production of his Bible-based musical.

Shaffer’s work in “Godspell” led to a second gig with Schwartz when he staged “The Magic Show” starring magician Doug Henning on Broadway in 1974. The following year, Howard Shore, who had written the music for “The Magic Show,” was asked to serve as the musical director for a new weekly comedy program that had been created by a young television producer named Lorne Michaels.

Accepting the job on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” Shore put together a band that included Shaffer on the keyboard.

A standout amongst the band members, Shaffer periodically appeared in sketches performed by the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Perhaps

best remembered for being the piano accompanist for Bill Murray’s character Nick the Lounge Singer, Shaffer also did an uncanny portrayal of music producer Don Kirshner and served as the musical director for John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd whenever they performed or recorded as The Blues Brothers.

In the early 1980s, after David Letterman’s short tenure as a morning talk show host, NBC decided to develop a talk/comedy program to follow “The Tonight Show.” “Late Night with David Letterman” debuted on NBC in February of 1982 with Shaffer serving as the musical director of The World’s Most Dangerous Band.

In 1993, after losing “The Tonight Show” to Leno upon Carson’s retirement, Letterman cut ties with NBC and moved his show to CBS, where it was known as “Late Show with David Letterman.” Shaffer made the move with Letterman and renamed his band the CBS Orchestra.

During Shaffer’s time with Letterman, he also co-wrote “It’s Raining Men,” with Paul Jabara, which went on to be a number one hit for The Weather Girls

and recorded two albums: 1989’s Grammy-nominated “Coast to Coast” and 1993’s “The World’s Most Dangerous Party.” He also recorded with a galaxy of musical legends including Grand Funk Railroad, Diana Ross, B.B. King, Carl Perkins, Cher, Chicago, Robert Plant and Brian Wilson; married former “Good Morning America” booking agent Cathy Vasapoli, and become the father of two children, Victoria and Will.

Life After 50 recently visited with Shaffer, who is enjoying life after working the late shift for over three decades by spending time with his family and working on a new album. Asked if, over his extraordinary career in which he’s had the opportunity to work with just about every legend of the music world, there is anyone that stands out, not a millisecond passed before he blurted out one name: “James Brown.”

LA50: How about Dan Aykroyd?

Paul Shaffer (PS): He was the inventor of the music we are still dancing to today. Even though it may be called something else, it all started with James Brown. This is a guy that didn’t have any formal musical education, but somehow this stuff came from the depth of his soul. He was one of the first guys to do the Letterman show in 1982. When he was on, we played better than we ever thought we could play. Once he started singing, you just couldn’t help yourself. He did the show many times and every time he did, it was like a little music lesson for me.

PS: Oh gee, that guy runs everything, doesn’t he?

I’ve never seen anything like it. Most people think I was hired to do “Saturday Night Live” by Lorne, but it was Howard Shore who hired me to be his pianist and work with the cast on special material.

Lorne was wonderful to me right from the start.

I was there for the first five seasons, during the time they were just inventing the show. So I got to watch Lorne work and always found him to be very impressive. We were all so young at the time, but he really knew exactly what he was doing.

Look at the run of “SNL” and everything else he has accomplished! I was just the show’s pianist, nothing more than that, but Lorne invited me into the planning meetings for the show. I would be in there with Paul Simon and Chevy Chase, you know, Lorne’s inner circle – the people who actually put the show together. He was always so great to me.

When I did my swan song on Letterman, we made a video of the song “On Broadway.” It was a song I always loved and it kind of reminded me of myself in that I actually got my name up in lights on the Letterman marquee on Broadway. We asked Lorne if he would appear in the video and, in the middle of God knows what he was doing – meeting with Paul McCartney or having cocktails with Mick Jagger – he came over and did the video. I’ll always be grateful to that guy for so many things.

Life After 50 (LA50) It seems like you got to play or record with everyone. Was there anyone you never got to work with that you wish you would have?

PS: Well, yes, of course: Elvis and Sinatra. But other than that, I did pretty well. I used to say Aretha Franklin, but then I got to work with her and even got to produce her when she did “Respect” for The Blues Brothers 2000 movie.

LA50: Along with the many musical legends, you also got to know and work with true icons of comedy and popular culture including the original Not Ready For Prime Time Players. Can you share some of your memories of Gilda Radner?

PS: She was one of my dearest friends. We were both in “Godspell,” which was really our first professional job. We became fast friends and we then both came to New York around the same time.

I was doing “The Magic Show” and she was in a “National Lampoon” show. She was a wonderful person – so talented. Her talent still resonates today.

LA50: What about John Belushi?

PS: Bill Murray’s brother, Brian, and I had become friends when he was up in Toronto doing the Second City nightclub show. So when I came to New York, Brian introduced me around and one of the first guys he introduced me to was Belushi. We became good friends and were very close till the end of his life, which was so tragic. We worked together on The Blues Brothers and put that original band together. The two of us did that one musician at a time. Sometimes there was a little tension in our friendship, as there is when two people work together that closely, but he was a hell of a talented guy – really a sweetheart.

PS: Oh well, Danny is still one of my closest friends. You know I wasn’t able to do the first Blues Brothers movie because I was working with Gilda on a project at the time and it would have been a conflict. There was a bit of a scandal surrounding that, and Belushi got angry and put out a statement to the press that Schaffer is out and will never be a Blues Brother. I just felt so terrible about that. But we reconciled and I rejoined them for The Blues Brother tour that accompanied the movie’s release.

Then Danny arranged for me to be in the 2000 sequel and that’s when I got to work with Aretha.

Danny is just a great friend.

LA50: Tell us about Lorne Michaels.

LA50: Paul, what’s your call on the state of music today? What are you listening to?

PS: You know, same as always. I love soul music, which is what I grew up liking – James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson, Hal Green, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett. That’s still my favorite stuff. But I do try to keep up on with what’s currently going on. When I do so, I am reminded that today’s music isn’t being made for me, and that’s fine. Pop music has always been made for kids, since Sinatra was a bobby-soxer teen idol.

And it’s the same today. I hear some stuff that I love, and, of course, there is a lot of stuff I don’t get, because they are not aiming for me when they make these records. But kids have got to have music that their parents don’t understand. It has to be personal for each generation. The styles are different, but there is a lot of real talent out there today. The name Justin Bieber comes to mind. He is so big, you can’t deny his talent. When he came on Letterman one time, he sat down at the drums and we were all really impressed with how well

he could play – the drums and other instruments as well. He is just all-around talented, like Lady Gaga.

When she sang the National Anthem at last year’s Super Bowl, my gosh, she was just phenomenal and that sealed it for me. Her voice and her writing and showmanship is incredible; and after she puts out an album of music that appeals to her fans, she then just puts that aside and goes in a totally different direction – out on the road with Tony Bennett doing jazz standards! Who else can do that?

LA50: Let’s talk about the Letterman days. While it has been widely accepted that Dave left NBC after the “Tonight Show” situation with Leno, he always said the network fired the whole lot of you because you stole office supplies.

PS: [laughing] Yeah, Dave used to say NBC got rid of us because I took some pens or Wite-Out or something. We had a lot of fun doing that show and Dave was such a loyal guy to work for.

LA50: It seems there are some people who grew up with Carson and Leno and Letterman who just haven’t landed with any of the new late night guys. What is your call on the current crop – Fallon, Colbert, Kimmel?

PS: Well, I have watched all of them and they’re each great, but you have to remember, Dave and I came on the late night scene 33 years ago, and we were aiming for people in their 20s. Now, all these years later, the shows are still aiming for that age group. When you’re not in that group anymore, it’s understandable that the comedy and guests and references and jokes are resonating more with younger people than they are with you. It’s just like with music, late night is now geared to a new generation.

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 25

Photo courtesy of Cathy Shaffer

The Shaffer family –Will, Victoria, Paul, Cathy and their pups LA50: After all those years, what was going through your head as you walked out of The Ed Sullivan Theater after doing the last Letterman show?

PS: It’s hard to say, but I do think I was a little shell-shocked. We had a year to get ready for that night, and we all knew it was coming, but in some kind of a crazy way, I don’t think we ever really thought it would really come. My wife and kids were in the audience that night and when the show was over, we all went to the after-party and there was this feeling with everyone that we just couldn’t believe this day had come. You know, you really get used to doing the same thing day after day when you’ve been doing it for 33 years.

LA5: Do you keep in touch with Dave?

PS: Oh yes. I talk to him and see him quite regularly.

LA50: After keeping up that day-to-day routine of the show for so long, what are your days like now?

PS: Well, life is more relaxed. The Letterman schedule was relentless – every day was another show. I would get up and be right on the phone with my assistant to find out what was going on and it was kind of nonstop from there. Today, I still get up at the same time. My son, William, is 17 and he just finished his junior year of high school.

During the school year, I would get up and have

26 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

breakfast with him and send him off to school. Then I would get on my elliptical bike or do some things and take a little nap. I can do whatever I want. It’s kind of a nice feeling, but, of course, I miss doing the show. I’m also in the middle of a project. I have reassembled the band from the show and we are making a record that will be out around the end of the year. We’re having a great time doing that. I’ll be singing a couple of the vocals, and Will Lee and Felicia Collins will also do some vocals. We’ll also have a few secret guest singers. It’s an album of the songs I love, mostly covers, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it.

LA50: With Father’s Day coming up, can you share some memories of your dad?

PS: He was as different from me as I am from my son. He was a very well-respected attorney, but he was also a great singer and loved jazz singers like Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, Nat Cole and Sinatra and Ray Charles. He was pretty hip, and yet he was also very strict. He was always on me to practice piano and was always very supportive of my passion for music. I do think he would have preferred I would have had a real profession [laughs]. But he was so happy about my career success – very proud.

LA50: Let’s talk about your son, Will. You mentioned that you and he are different.

PS: My dad’s passion was law and my passion is music. For Will, his passion is football. He is quite

athletic, and my family wasn’t athletic at all, so that comes from my wife’s side of the family. Will didn’t have the advantage of having an athletic dad. But now we sit together and watch football games and he patiently explains to me how the game is played.

I know he wants a dad that he can sit and watch the games with, so I do my best to keep up with him. He knows every move and play that is happening. He is a really good athlete. He has attended Joe Namath’s football camp, along with a few other instructional camps, and will be the starting quarterback at his school next year.

LA50: Tell us about your daughter, Victoria.

PS: She is 23 and has graduated from the four year program at The New School. She was honored for her theatrical work by her graduating class and her ambition is to become a talk show host. I shouldn’t be surprised by that at all, because I was bringing her to work with me since she was in a stroller. She grew up around the Letterman show. She is very smart and talented and is currently working in production on Jimmy Kimmel’s show.

LA50: You’ll be celebrating your 67th birthday later this year. Any thoughts on the passing of time – about getting older?

PS: Well, it happens to everyone, so that helps you feel better about it – that you’re not alone. It gives you the chance to look back and be grateful and maybe have a better perspective on things. Hey, it’s just the natural process of life and nobody gets out of it alive.

California Eye Doctors Help Legally Blind To See High Technology For Low Vision Patients Allows Many To Drive Again the wet form is caused by blood vessels leaking fluid. Treatment is aimed at stopping the leak and preventing further leaks.

The vision cannot be regained in either type. This is where low vision glasses can help.

Patient using prismatic low While there is currently no vision glasses for reading. cure, promising research is For many patients with being done on many fronts. macular degeneration and “My job is to figure out other vision-related conditions, everything and anything the loss of central visual possible to keep a person detail also signals the end to one of the last bastions of independence - driving.

California optometrists, Dr. Richard Shuldiner and Dr. Harold Ashcraft are using miniaturized telescopes which are mounted in glasses to help Patient using telescopic glasses people who have lost vision to drive and read signs. from macular degeneration functioning” says Dr. Ashcraft, and other eye conditions. a low vision optometrist in Los “Some of my patients Angeles. Even if it’s driving. consider me the last stop for “The major benefit of bioptic people who have vision loss” telescope low vision glasses is said Dr. Shuldiner “most magnifying road signs, traffic people don’t know that there lights and other distance objects are low vision optometrists necessary for safe driving”. who have extensive experience Dr’s Ashcraft and Shuldiner in helping those with vision are members of The International loss.We help people with Academy of Low Vision macular degeneration, diabetic Specialists (www.IALVS.com) retinopathy, RP and other eye and have extensive experience diseases regain function and in working with the visually independence.” impaired.

Imagine a pair of glasses that can improve your vision enough Los Angeles to change your life. Low Vision Harold Ashcraft O.D. glasses may allow you to read, (800) 345-9719 watch television, see sporting www.LowVisionLosAngeles.com events, and even drive.

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The name “Andy Griffith” usually conjures up thoughts of the long-running “The Andy Griffith Show” and images of wise and plainspoken Sheriff Andy Taylor, father of Opie – played by Ron Howard – and partner of Deputy Barney Fife – played by Don Knotts. But there was a lot more to Andy Griffith than just being Mayberry’s main man.

H

e was born Andy (not Andrew) Samuel Griffith in Mount Airy, North Carolina on June 1, 1926 (the very same day as Marilyn Monroe) to carpenter Carl Lee and his wife, Geneva Griffith, although he lived with relatives at first, sleeping in dresser drawers until his parents could afford to buy a house.

Andy was a shy student in grade school, but his ability to make classmates laugh would slowly draw him out of his shell and, as a student at Mount Airy High School, he took part in their drama program to further develop his performing skills. He also learned to sing and play the trombone.

After high school, Griffith attended the University of North Carolina, initially studying to be a Moravian preacher, but eventually switching to a music major and graduating in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in music. While at UNC, Griffith appeared in several Gilbert and Sullivan operettas: “The Gondoliers,” “The Mikado” and “H.M.S. Pinafore.”

Griffith spent a few years teaching music and drama at Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina, but his heart was really in performing and he became a popular local monologist, delivering what became a trademark comedy routine – “What It Was Was Football” – which Colonial Records released in 1953, reaching number nine on the charts.

In March of 1955, Griffith won a role that would shift his performing career into full gear. He starred as a good-hearted but wonderfully naïve farm boy, Will Stockdale, who is drafted into the U.S. Air Force in Ira Levin’s one-hour television version of the comedy, “No Time For Sergeants.” The show was so popular, Levin expanded the teleplay into a full-length theatrical version that opened on Broadway in October of 1955. Griffith received a Tony Award nomination the following year and won the Theatre World Award for Best Debut Performance.

Griffith’s other notable Broadway show was the 1957 musical version of the comedy-western “Destry Rides Again,” which ran for more than a year and garnered him a second Tony Award nomination, this time for Distinguished Musical Actor.

In 1957, Griffith made his film debut in a picture that was neither a musical nor a comedy. Far from it. The film was “A Face in The Crowd,” written by Budd Schulberg and directed by “On the Waterfront’s” Elia Kazan. Griffith gave a riveting and impressive performance as Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes, a seemingly naïve country boy who becomes a television star, eventually showing his true colors as a heartless, ruthlessly ambitious, egotistical monster. His costars were equally impressive: Patricia Neal, Lee Remick and Walter Matthau. Although the film opened to mixed reviews in May of 1957, its reputation steadily grew over the

This feature is intended for you to clip and give to your children or grandchildren because…they must-know!

28 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

years and it is now considered one of the great classic films of the 1950s – or any decade, for that matter.

In 1958, Griffith starred in a film version of the television and Broadway triumph, “No Time For Sergeants,” opposite Nick Adams and a skinny, rubberfaced comic actor who would loom large in Andy’s future – Don Knotts.

Another service comedy, “Onionhead” – centering on the Navy instead of the Air Force – was released that same year, costarring Griffith’s sardonic “Face in The Crowd” nemesis, Walter Matthau.

In 1960, Griffith guest-starred on Danny Thomas’ popular sitcom, “Make Room For Daddy.” He played the county sheriff in a sleepy little Southern town who pulls Danny over for speeding. This episode became the unofficial pilot for “The Andy Griffith Show,” produced by the prolific Sheldon Leonard who – not so coincidentally – also produced “Make Room For Daddy.”

“The Andy Griffith Show” had its debut on October 3, 1960. It ran until April of 1968 – a very healthy run by any standards. Although he never received an official writing credit, Griffith had a creative hand in every episode of the popular series. America instantly took the colorful citizens of Mayberry to its heart: Sheriff Andy Taylor, Opie Taylor, Barney Fife, Aunt Bee, played by Frances Bavier, Floyd the Barber, portrayed by Howard McNear, Thelma Lou, played by Betty Lynn, Otis Campbell, with Hal Smith in the role, Ernest T. Bass, played by Howard Morris, Howard Sprague, brought to life by Jack Dodson, Helen Krump, played by Aneta Corsaut – and Gomer Pyle, played by Jim Nabors, who would be spun off into his own vastly popular sitcom, “Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.,” in 1964, costarring George Lindsey as his cousin, Goober. Another Mayberry character, Sam Jones – played by Ken Berry – was also spun off into his own series, “Mayberry R.F.D.,” in 1968.

Although CBS was prepared to renew the show for another season, Griffith wanted to leave on a high note and move on. Over the next few years, he starred in such diverse television films as “The Strangers In 7-A,” “Go Ask Alice,” “Winter Kill” and 1974’s “Pray For The Wildcats,” in which he played a psychopathic and vengeful business executive. It was his darkest, most villainous role since “A Face in The Crowd.”

That same year, he starred in “Savages” as a villainous lawyer and big-game hunter.

In 1975, Griffith costarred opposite Jeff Bridges in the feature comedy-western, “Hearts of the West.” In it, he played a veteran 1930s cowboy star who takes a young Hollywood writer and actor, Bridges, under his wing.

In the late 1970s, Griffith starred in a number of well-received television mini-series, including “Roots: The Next Generations,” “Centennial” and “Washington: Behind Closed Doors.”

Despite all his years starring as the iconic Sheriff Andy Taylor, Griffith wasn’t nominated for an Emmy Award until he played the father of a murder victim in 1981’s “Murder in Texas (he lost out to David Warner in “Masada.”)

In 1984, Griffith costarred in the television drama, “Fatal Vision,” based on Joe McGuiness’ bestselling true-crime book.

He played Victor Woerheide, a real-life attorney in the infamous Jeffrey MacDonald murder case. Griffith’s impressive, attentiongetting performance in “Fatal Vision” paved the way for him to play an attorney two years later in a new dramatic series entitled “Matlock.”

Cast in the lead role of Matlock, Griffith headed up the drama from 1986 until 1995 – one season longer than “The Andy Griffith Show.” He played the part of Ben Matlock, a folksy-but-wily country lawyer in Atlanta who always seemed to win his cases. For three seasons, “Matlock’s” next-door neighbor and former client, Les “Ace” Calhoun was played by the erstwhile Don Knotts. Despite the series’ instant and enduring popularity, Griffith was never nominated for an Emmy Award, although he did win a People’s Choice Award in 1987.

Griffith’s later feature film roles included “Rustlers’ Rhapsody,” “Spy Hard,” “Waitress” and “Daddy and Them.” His final film role came in the 2009 romantic comedy, “Play the Game,” in which he portrayed an elderly widower suddenly thrust back into the dating world after a 60 year marriage.

In real life, Griffith was married to Barbara Bray Edwards from 1949 until 1972. They adopted two children: Andy Samuel Griffith Jr. and Dixie Nann Griffith. Andy’s second wife was Greek actress Solica Cassuto. They were married from 1973 until 1981. Griffith married his third wife, Cindi Knight, in 1983 and they remained married until his death.

On July 12, 2012, at the age of 86, Griffith suffered a fatal heart attack at his home on Roanoke Island, North Carolina. He was buried in the Griffith family cemetery less than five hours after his death.

LEARN MORE • “The Andy Griffith Story: An Illustrated Biography”

by Terry Collins (Explorer Press, 1995).

• “Beyond Mayberry: A Memoir of Andy Griffith and Mount Airy North Carolina” by Thomas D. Perry (CreateSpace Publishing, 2012) • “Andy & Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show”

by Daniel de Vise (Simon & Schuster, 2015)

Mark Hammermeister is an award-winning artist. His work is available for purchase at www.markdraws.com June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 29

Let’s Get OUt

San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire

June/July

A Preview of Upcoming Events for June/July

eNteRtAINMeNt WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 CAMP DAVID In the tumultuous 1970s, Middle East peace seemed as remote a prospect as it does today.

Yet during 13 extraordinary days in 1978, two world leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, under the watchful and sometimes exasperated eyes of U.S. President Jimmy Carter (Richard Thomas) and his wife Rosalynn, hammered out an agreement that inspired the entire world. Riveting and moving, the story is filled with humor, insight and surprises, as three very different men, find that peace is possible and that hope is always the better choice. The Old Globe Theatre, Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $29-plus. Through June 19. (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.org.

STUPID F**KING BIRD This irreverent, contemporary and funny remix of Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” wages a timeless battle between young and old, past and present, in search of the true meaning of it all. Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego. Through June 19. $34. (619) 3371525. cygnettheatre.com.

BUYER AND CELLAR Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach. Dates vary through June 26. Prices vary. (949) 497-2787. lagunaplayhouse.com.

HEDDA GABLER The play weaves a mesmerizing tale of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage and driven by a need for power and freedom.

North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D, Solana Beach. Wed.Sun. through June 26. Prices vary. (858) 4811055. northcoastrep.org.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16 AMERICAN RHYTHM Actors, singers and dancers along with a band, journey through the last 100 years of great American music. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado.

Through Aug. 7. Prices vary. (619) 437-6000. lambsplayers.org.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Propelled by a stirring score, by turns driving and majestic, satirical and tender, this musical illuminates the transcendent power of the human spirit with a passion that goes straight to the heart. Welk Resorts Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr., Escondido. Through Aug.

7. $49-plus. (888) 802-7469. welktheatre. com.

$29-plus. Through June 26. (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.org.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR This year’s theme, “Mad About the Fair,” commemorates the centennial anniversary of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition held in Balboa Park, and the great traditions and inventions arising from fairs. Did you know the bicycle, telephone, ice cream cone, Ferris Wheel, and air conditioning were all introduced at a World’s Fair? Favorite rides, food, exhibits, contests and entertainment.

Del Mar Fairgrounds, I-5 at Via de la Valle, Del Mar. Through July 5. Closed Mondays. $8-$15.

(858) 755-1161. sdfair.com.

CLASSICAL MYSTERY TOUR Albert-George Schram, conductor. Four musicians perform music from The Beatles’ songbook, all backed by the lush sounds of Pacific Symphony. This high-energy concert celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ final live concert in 1966. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Also June 18. $35-plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

COUNTRY LIVE! AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula.

Saturdays. Prices vary. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

TOKYO FISH STORY Sushi chef Koji built his successful career on respect—for tradition, fine ingredients, and the legends who came before him. But now his restaurant, considered one of the greatest in Tokyo, is losing its customers to newer and flashier places. It’s time for a new generation to take over. Koji’s brilliant protégé Takashi might know how to save the restaurant, if only he could find a way to tell his mentor.

The Old Globe Theatre, Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

SUNDAY, JUNE 19 MACBETH Tempted by an evil prophecy, and encouraged by his wife ever deeper into his own dark ambition, Macbeth murders his way to the throne of Scotland. Shakespeare’s chilling tragedy is filled with ferocious battles, supernatural horrors, famously gorgeous poetry, and some of the Bard’s most vivid characters. The Old Globe, Lowell Davies Festival Theatre (outdoors), 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $29plus. Through July 24. (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.org.

CLASSICS AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula. Second and fourth Sundays. Prices vary. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

RAPUNZEL UNTANGLED What’s a prince to do when the love of his life is stuck in a tower? A comedy, musical and romantic tale of a girl with the ultimate hair issues. LifeHouse Theater, 1135 N. Church St., Redlands. Weekends through July 24. $16-$20. (909) 335-3037 ext. 21. lifehousetheater.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

BAROQUE TO BLING!

High Art and Low from the Collection of Donna MacMillan. If the baroque suggests excess, bling is that final, often glittery, enhancement that brings a sense of awe. This playful exhibition offers an intimate peek into the exuberant collection of one of the region’s most prominent collectors. Drawn from museum gifts and loans, this display conveys MacMillan’s distinctively ebullient collecting sensibility through cutting-edge art, fantastic fashion design and sculptural jewelry -- all linked by their highly decorative and meticulously-crafted aesthetics. Palm Springs Art Museum, The Galen and the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden, 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert. Tues.-Sun. through Oct. 16. Free. (760) 346-5600. psmuseum.org.

30 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

CONCERTS IN THE PARK Relax and enjoy the sounds of great music.

Pack a picnic lunch, bring lawn chairs and blankets. Peppertree park, 230 W. First St., Tustin. Wednesdays through Aug. 10. (714) 573-3326. tustinca.org.

DAN AND PHIL: THE AMAZING TOUR IS NOT ON FIRE This theatrical stage show complete with hilarious anecdotes, sketches and lots of audience interaction. A loose story ties it all together with some surprises you’ll never see coming. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. $45-plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

CALeNDAR

June/July San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire Saturdays. Prices vary. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

fourth Sundays. Prices vary. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 5

LIVE JAZZ ON THE PATIO Chini and Camberos. Bernardo Winery, Tasting Room Patio, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego. Free. bernardowinery.com.

MONDAY, JULY 11

FESTIVAL OF ARTS FINE ART SHOW Explore this juried fine art show featuring 140 of Southern Orange County’s top artists in an open-air gallery setting. The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Through Aug. 31. $8-$12. (800) 487-3378. (949) 4976852. foapom.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

SISTER ACT

This musical tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look — a convent. Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace, Vista. Through July 2. $10-$55. (760) 724-2110. moonlightstage.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 23

JULY

JAZZ AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula. Prices vary.

(866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

JULY 1

FRIDAY, JUNE 24 SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL It’s the 50th anniversary of this unique arts and crafts celebration. Experience the creative wonders of nearly 200 Laguna Beach artists in an enchanting outdoor canyon paradise adorned with waterfalls, eucalyptus trees and the best hand crafted art in California. Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Through Aug. 28. $8-plus. (949) 4943030. sawdustartfestival.org.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26

STAR-SPANGLED POPS San Diego Symphony Summer Pops Concert.

Embarcadero Marina Park, behind Convention Center, San Diego. Also July 2, 3. Prices vary.

(619) 235-0804. sandiegosymphony.com.

RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL STARR BAND Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego. $145. (800) 745-3000. humphreysconcerts.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 2 COUNTRY LIVE! AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula.

THURSDAY, JULY 7 MAESTRO Leonard Bernstein, one of America’s greatest musicians, broke through every artistic ceiling possible to become the world’s musical ambassador. Conductor, composer, pianist, author, teacher, librettist, television star…for Leonard Bernstein, boundaries simply did not exist. Hershey Felder portrays Leonard Bernstein. San Diego Repertory Theatre at the Lyceum Stage, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego. Through July 17. $60-$89. (619) 544-1000. sdrep.org.

JAZZ AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula.

Prices vary. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 8 CASH’D OUT The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Prices vary. (949) 4968930. thecoachhouse.

SATURDAY, JULY 9

LIVE JAZZ ON THE PATIO Jimmy and Enrique. Bernardo Winery, Tasting Room Patio, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego. Free. bernardowinery.com.

COMEDY AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula.

Saturdays. Prices vary. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

TUESDAY, JUNE 28

SUNDAY, JULY 10

THE LAST TIGER IN HAITI In an earthquake-torn tent shack in Haiti, the sounds of kanaval fill the air as a group of restaveks – child slaves – spend the night trading fantastic folktales until the line between reality and fiction blurs. At daybreak, the oldest plans to break free for a new life but discovers the story of his future and past are in the hands of someone else. La Jolla Playhouse, UCSD Campus, Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla. Through July 24. Prices vary. (858) 550-1010. lajollaplayhouse.org.

COMPOSTING WORKSHOP Learn how to use your yard clippings as a resource, naturally achieve a beautiful, health yard and garden and reduce your use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Living Coast Discovery Center, 100, Gunpowder Point Dr., Chula Vista. Shuttle to entrance from parking lot. $9-$14. Sundays. (619) 409-5900. thelivingcoast.org.

CLASSICS AT THE MERC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula. Second and

MOVIE MONDAYS: GREASE Movie-goers, enjoy casual evenings full of funfilled activities, picnic dinners or specialties from popular food trucks and watch favorite films. Future viewings include “Selena” (July 18), “Elf” (July 25), “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (August 1) and “Labyrinth” (August 8).

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Free. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org/moviemondays.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 CONCERTS IN THE PARK Relax and enjoy the sounds of great music.

Pack a picnic lunch, bring lawn chairs and blankets. Peppertree Park, 230 W. First St., Tustin. Wednesdays through Aug. 10. (714) 573-3326. tustinca.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 14 THE MAMBO KING: A TITO PUENTE SALUTE San Diego Symphony Summer Pops Concert.

Embarcadero Marina Park, behind Convention Center, San Diego. Prices vary. (619) 2350804. sandiegosymphony.com.

GYPSY The musical is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist. The story follows the dreams and efforts of Mama Rose, to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. Songs include “Everything’s Coming up Roses,” “Together (Wherever We Go),” and “Let Me Entertain You.” Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego.

Through Sept. 4. $34. (619) 337-1525. cygnettheatre.com.

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 31

CALeNDAR

June/July San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire

eXHIBItIONs SATURDAY, JUNE 25

one of the world’s most significant books.

Many of Shakespeare’s plays, which were written to be performed, were not published during his lifetime. “The First Folio” was the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays. It was published in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare’s death. San Diego Central Library, Ninth Floor Art Gallery, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego. Through July 7. Free. firstfoliosandiego2016.org ANTHONY FRIEDKIN: THE WAVE PORTFOLIO Renowned California photographer Anthony Friedkin made the 20 black-and-white photographs of his Wave Portfolio between 1977 and 2006, printing them in his own darkroom in Santa Monica. They show waves at Zuma Beach, Venice Beach, Hermosa Beach, La Jolla, Carmel, and Santa Monica.

Laguna Art Museum, Upper Galleries, 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach. Through Sept. 25.

Closed Wednesdays. $5-$7. (949) 494-8971. lagunaartmuseum.org.

PETER KRASNOW: MAVERICK MODERNIST Featuring approximately 50 paintings and 20 sculptures, this is the first museum survey of Krasnow’s work in almost 40 years. His largely realist portraits and symbolic carved sculptures, are examples of social realism and Art Deco. His “Demountables” of the ‘30s and ‘40s—hand-carved wood sculptures assembled from interlocking component parts—are organic abstractions drawing on traditions of folk and tribal art. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach. Through Sept. 25. Closed Wednesdays. $5-$7. (949) 494-8971. lagunaartmuseum.org.

WE WERE HERE: ABSENCE OF THE FIGURE This exhibition explores the persistence of the human presence in place and time through contemporary interpretations of landscape, object, and environment. While the human figure is notably absent, these selected works trace and document existence, whether it be the ecological impact and human footprint of man-made materials as in Jedediah Caesar’s Helium Brick or the isolation of Robert Olsen’s hauntingly serene bus shelters. Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach. Wed.-Sun. through July 10. $10. (949) 7591-1122. ocma.net.

FIRST FOLIO! THE BOOK THAT GAVE US SHAKESPEARE This national traveling exhibition organized by the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. commemorates the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. This exhibit offers a rare glimpse of the “Shakespeare First Folio,”

MY HERO: CONTEMPORARY ART AND SUPERHERO ACTION This exhibition allows a glimpse into the secret lives of our most loved superheroes through a sprawling collection of artwork. Created in a variety of media by artists from the region and around the world, these interpretations range from dark to humorous and familiar to new. The artists in the exhibition pay homage to these universal idols and present critical questions about their God-like stature as they re-imagine and newly interpret iconic superhero imagery. The Museum @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Through Aug. 17. $8. (800) 988-4253. artcenter.org.

THE LORE BEHIND THE ROAR 100 Years of the San Diego Zoo. Celebrating the centennial of the world-famous San Diego Zoo, this extraordinary family-friendly exhibition tells the story of its humble 1915 beginnings to its evolution as a major tourist attraction and cultural touchstone. Full of interactive features, visitors can ride on a vintage zoo tour bus, hear stories from long-time zoo employees, live the life of a zookeeper, explore the extensive animal and plant collection and learn things they didn’t know about the world’s most popular zoo.

San Diego History Center, Casa De Balboa, Balboa Park, 1649 El Prado, San Diego.

Through Jan. 31, 2017. $6-$8. (619) 2326203. sandiegohistory.org.

MUMMIES OF THE WORLD Through modern science, engaging interactive and multi-media exhibits featuring 3-D animation, explore how mummies are created, where they come from and who they were. Using state-of-

the-art scientific methodology, discover how modern science enables researchers to study mummies through innovative and non-invasive ways, offering unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations.

Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Through Sept. 5. $10-$15. (714) 5673679. bowers.org.

ASAFO FLAGS FROM GHANA On display are 37colorful flags from West Africa dating to the late 19th and 20th centuries, and feature graphic folk imagery and appliquéd designs over a background of French roller printed cotton cloth. Asafo flags are displayed at funerals, annual festivals and other ceremonial occasions, where they adorn central shrines and are paraded and waved through villages and towns. Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park, 1439 El Prado, San Diego. Through July 17. $7-$10.

(619) 239-0003. mingei.org.

Get the Word Out. E-mail your announcements to Claire Fadden, cfadden@lifeafter50.com 60 days prior (or even earlier) to your event.

Include a brief description, location, date, time, cost, phone and website. Submission does not guarantee publication.

MYSTERIES AT THE MUSEUM This exhibit features unfamiliar objects from the Museum’s anthropology and archaeology, geology, history, and biology collections and challenges visitors to figure out their functions using the scientific method. Some were totally familiar items a century ago; others appear to be commonplace but may not be exactly what they seem. Museum visitors are invited to observe, question, hypothesize, test, decide and share their results by posting notes in the exhibit itself and by using social media. San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands. Tues.-Sun. through July 15. $10. sbcountymuseum.org.

MARILYN MINTER: PRETTY/DIRTY For more than three decades Marilyn Minter has produced lush paintings, photographs, and videos that vividly manifest our culture’s complex and contradictory emotions around the female body and beauty. Her unique works—from the oversized paintings of makeup-laden lips and eyes to soiled designer shoes—bring into sharp, critical focus the power of desire. Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach.

Wed.-Sun. through July 10. $10. (949) 75911122. ocma.net.

MINGEI OF JAPAN: TREASURES NEW AND OLD Among donated treasures to be seen for the first time will be important textiles; indigo-

32 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

dyed bed-clothes, door-way hangings and kimono belts. A large selection of mostly19th century Shinto ema paintings will also be exhibited for the first time. These disarming folk paintings depict familiar and exotic animals, vegetables and people.

Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park, 1439 El Prado, San Diego. Through Oct. 2. $7-$10. (619) 239-0003. mingei.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 7

PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS: PARTNERS Enjoy tableaux vivants (living pictures), incredibly faithful re-creations of classical and contemporary works of art using real people posed to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. Filled with provocative and passionate tales of some of art’s dynamic duos – artists and patrons, models, muses, even dance partners -- this year’s theme pulls back the curtain to reveal the significant others without whom the creation of great masterpieces might not have been possible. A live narrator serves as a guide through the story of each living picture accompanied by the music of a professional orchestra. The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters, Irvine Bowl, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Through Aug. 31. $25-plus.

(800) 487-3378. (949) 497-6852. foapom.com.

“SPRINGTIME” BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ. INSPIRATION BY ROSE HILLS. Spring is arriving. The hills are painted in vibrant tones of green, yellow and gold.

And Rose Hills continues to astound visitors, as well as local photographers like Michael Vasquez, with its everlasting beauty. For more than a century, countless families have made this inspiring setting theirs. You can too.

If you’d like to see first-hand what pristine beauty captivates the artist’s eye, we invite you to come visit us in person. Or us call and we’ll arrange a personal pre-need property tour. Rose Hills. Be inspired.

3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601 (562) 966-0921 • www.LegacyRoseHills.com #FD 970

See our digital issue at

.com

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 33

Rick Steves’ Travels Avoiding Common Travel Mistakes RICK ST EVES’ T RAVELS

By Rick Steves

W

ith summer only weeks away, the highways, flyways and railways of the world will soon be filled with travelers out for exploration, adventure and relaxation, the latter too often a missing element in getting from one place to another these days.

To help make your summer travel a smoother experience, it is vital to avoid making certain mistakes. Once, while riding the train into Dresden, Germany, I got off where most other passengers did — at Dresden Neustadt. After about 20 minutes of walking in a confused fog, my denial that I had gotten off at the wrong station slowly became a reality. Embarrassed by my mistake, I hopped on the next train. Five minutes later, I got off at Dresden Mitte. As I stepped outside the station, it slowly sunk in: I had made the same mistake again. And so I got on another train and finally made it to Dresden Hauptbahnhof — a block from my hotel.

Even after countless trips to Europe, I still make my share of blunders — I get lost, miss train connections, and get shortchanged by taxi drivers.

But with each slip-up, I learn something that I can pass on to help others avoid common mistakes.

Here are some of the biggest mistakes I see travelers make these days:

SAVING MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF TIME

People focus on saving money while forgetting that their time is an equally valuable and limited

resource. It’s worth paying for museum admission rather than going on a free day and suffering through slow lines and crowds. If a taxi costs you $5 more than two bus tickets, it’s worth the 20 minutes saved. If ever time was money, it’s when you’re trying to get the most out of traveling.

USING OUTDATED INFORMATION

An up-to-date guidebook is a $20 tool for a $4,000 experience — and justifies its expense on the first ride to your hotel from the airport.

A guidebook can head off both costly mistakes (getting fined for not validating your train ticket) and simple faux pas (ordering cappuccino with your pasta in Italy). A good guidebook can also save time, keeping you from visiting a museum that’s closed for renovation or waiting for a bus that no longer runs.

NEEDLESS WAITING

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There are two types of travelers: Those who queue and those who don’t. Crowds are unavoidable at big attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower or Anne Frank’s house, but what is avoidable is standing in line for hours to buy tickets. These days, most popular sights sell advance tickets that guarantee admission at a certain time (often with a small booking fee that’s well worth it). While hundreds of tourists are sweating in long lines, those who’ve booked ahead can show up at their reserved time and breeze right in.

LACKING ALERTNESS

You’re not going to get knifed or mugged in Europe, but if you’re not on the ball, you could get conned, whether it’s a cabbie padding your fare, a waiter offering a dish with a “special” increased price, or a beggar with soulful eyes and sad stories asking for a Euro while stealing your wallet. Be cautious and be alert. Watch for thieves who work the lines at crowded sights and on the bus lines filled with tourists. Store your passport, credit cards, and cash securely in a money belt.

HANGING WITH THE CROWDS

Many Americans visiting Europe jockey themselves into the most crowded spots of the most crowded cities during the most crowded months — and then complain about the crowds. Likewise, they eat dinner on the most touristy street, at the most high-profile restaurant, with the most-aggressive wait staff, and are then upset by the crowds, big bill and disappointing food. You’ll enrich your trip by wandering the back streets, away from the main tourist areas.

You will be amazed how you can lose the crowds and scammers by venturing just five or six blocks from tourist areas.

NEVER LEAVING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

A fundamental goal in travel is to have meaningful contact with local people. At a pub anywhere in England, don’t sit at a table. Sit at the bar, where people hang out to talk. At lunchtime in Coimbra, Portugal, leave the quaint Old Town and head to the local university’s cafeteria to eat and practice Portuguese with students and professors. Connecting with people is what enlivens your travel experience.

LETTING MISTAKES RUIN YOUR TRIP

Many tourists get indignant when they make a mistake or get ripped off. When something happens, it’s best to just get over it. The joy of travel comes in having fun with the process, being wonderstruck by a wider world, laughing through the mistakes, learning from them, and making friends and memories along the way.

Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and radio.

You can e-mail him at rick@ricksteves.com and visit his website at www.ricksteves.com.

34 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

June 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 35

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And Finally...

The Bookworm’s Best A Life After 50 book review

by Terri “The Bookworm” Schlichenmeyer

True Reagan: What Made Ronald Reagan Great And Why It Matters

By James Rosebush

W

hat is the measure of a man? What motivates him? What makes him do what he does? Is it his background or his forward look to the future? When it comes to great men of history, those are interesting questions to ponder – and in his new book, “True Reagan,” author James Rosebush draws his conclusions.

Born more than a century ago to a poor family, Ronald Wilson Reagan was influenced by both of his parents, but mostly by his mother: she was a minister whose generosity extended to anyone in need, and she expected her children to behave similarly.

That’s just one thing Rosebush believes shaped Reagan – although there’s really no way of knowing for sure, because, as he writes: “Reagan never revealed his secret to achieving success.” He was not someone who talked about himself and never overtly called attention to his own feelings.

Rosebush says one gets another hint of the man through oratory: Reagan was a renowned storyteller – a talent he got from his father – and he often used humor to communicate to his listeners. He also liberally used quotes from other famous men in speeches, which, according to Rosebush: “added power and import” to them. People who paid close attention to Reagan’s public words could easily determine that his core beliefs in God and humanity polished the person he was and the president he became.

Personally, Rosebush says, both Reagan and his wife, Nancy, were intensely private people who ran their lives much like the Hollywood studio system. They were tightly controlled when it came to what the public saw and knew of them, Rosebush opines. They didn’t put on airs and there was nothing terribly scandalous about them, because “there were no major demons to unleash.”

Reagan, writes Rosebush, believed in the heroism of everyday people and was quick to laud it, both publicly and privately. He had a still, unshakable faith that he didn’t make a show of possessing, and, at least once, eschewed a church service so as not to disrupt it. The author also says he always found Reagan to be humble: “In his presidential diaries, Reagan never once used the word legacy.”

The name of our 40th president has been on many of the GOP candidates’ lips during this past presidential primary season. The story you will find in “True Reagan” may explain why. Before you find out why, however, there’s a lot of repetition to wade through. Rosebush was Reagan’s deputy assistant, a role that gave him a ringside seat to the man he overall lauds, but also calls: “An enigma.” It is clear from reading this book that because Reagan was reticent in so many respects, even with those very close to him, he left a legacy of many unknowns; a hypotheses that seems to be the theme of Rosebush’s book.

And yet, in spite of the guessing, there are tiny surprises to be found about “The Great Communicator.” Throughout the tome, Rosebush occasionally falls back on his own experiences in the White House to reveal the quietest of peeks into Reagan’s thoughts. Those anecdotes are interesting, but again, because Reagan was so private, they are heavily laden with conjecture.

I liked this book well enough, but with so many books having been written about Reagan, its raison d’etre is thin; therefore, I wouldn’t highly recommend it for anyone but fierce politicos and diehard Reaganites. For them, “True Reagan” will certainly measure up as a good read.

“True Reagan: What Made Ronald Reagan Great and Why It Matters” by James Rosebush, c.2016, Center Street, $27, 288 pages.

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer who lives on a hill with two dogs and more than 12,000 books. You can read more of her book reviews at www.lifeafter50.com. Just click on “Entertainment” and then “Book Reviews.”

A Look Back

F

ifty years ago this month, one of television’s most iconic fathers left the airwaves as the 158th and final original episode of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” aired on CBS. The classic sitcom that ran for five seasons starred Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie and Carl Reiner. Along with that peerless ensemble who created characters that went on to become television icons, the show boasted excellent writing. During the show’s final season, each of the cast members were featured in a show completely dedicated to their character. In the series finale, entitled “The Last Chapter,” much of which included flashbacks to prior episodes, Van Dyke’s character of Rob Petrie finally completed the book he had been working on for five years. For those who would like to take a stroll down memory lane with Rob and Laura Petrie and the gang, or share the shows with a new generation, Image Entertainment offers every episode of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in a box set containing five DVDs. The set also includes audio commentaries and interviews with the show’s creator and stars, along with never-before-seen rehearsal footage. To order the series, click on www.us.rljentertainment.com.

38 LIFEAFTER50.COM June 2016

Just A Thought Before We Go “Being a great father is like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.” ~ Reed Markham

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