Life After 50 October 2016

LOS ANGELES METRO OCTOBER 2016

lifeafter50.com

southern california

Head Smart Ways to

CARE FOR YOUR BRAIN

Burt Ward

VISITING BATMAN’S

BOY WONDER

Waging War on

BREAST

“Barney Miller” Star CANCER

Trekking Down

William Shatner

Let’s face it…

Alzheimer’s is tough

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Contents

October 2016

10

24

28

Cover Profile

Departments

10 Trekking Down William Shatner

6 50-Plus: What You Need to Know

38

His thoughts on Leonard Nimoy, where Starship Earth is headed, and more.

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

Features

Looking to get out and about? Our October/November calendar has some great suggestions.

18 Be Head Smart And Care For Your Brain

Tips on keeping your brain working at its optimum level.

20 Waging War On Breast Cancer

Revolutionary breakthroughs and advances in breast cancer treatment.

24 The Hallowed Hall Of Must-Knowtables – Carolyn Jones

34 Let’s Get Out

38 Rick Steves’ Travels

Terrific tips on traveling light.

42 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.

Legendary notables that everyone, of every age, should know.

28 The Look Of Life After 50 – Burt Ward

The caped crusader from “Batman” is now a canine crusader.

Cover photo by Keith Munyan / www.keithmunyan.com

All material published within this issue of Life After 50 and on www.lifeafter50.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...

A Magical Trek Back To Childhood

S

ince its inception, television’s various genres have given iconic stature to individuals – both real and fictional – including the two men we feature in this month’s issue: William Shatner and Burt Ward who, respectively, played the roles of Captain James T. Kirk in “Star Trek,” and Robin the Boy Wonder in “Batman.”

When I was a kid, I was a big fan of both shows, which made it an exciting experience to have had personal encounters with Shatner and Ward over the years. I’ll never forget the first time I stood in the presence of Ward and his bat-cowled co-star Adam West. I may have been in my 30s, but that moment transported me back to being a 10-year-old kid, watching them crusade for the people of Gotham City from the living room of our Brooklyn home.

“When people come up to Adam and me, they come up as people with children and jobs and all the issues and problems that come with life as an adult,” Ward told me during my recent visit with him. “But standing in front of us, for a brief moment, they become totally childlike.”

I get that, and so does my brother, who knows just how childish the two of us can act whenever we’re together, because of something that happened back in the 1970s during my first meeting with Shatner.

Every family has treasured heirlooms and, because I come from a rather unconventional brood, one of our most prized possessions has been a Vulcan ear Shatner gave me when I first met him. Why he gave me that ear is a long story, but suffice it to say it’s kind of bizarre and, to make it even more Felliniesque, Geraldo Rivera was the impetus behind the whole thing.

Anyway, over the years, as with many prized treasures, that gift from Shatner has caused great strife within our family (namely with my brother). It has notoriously fallen into the wrong hands at times (namely my brother’s), and, mysteriously disappeared for long periods of time (at my brother’s house), only to reappear in a way that clearly pointed the finger of guilt at the unscrupulous scoundrel who absconded it (you guessed it).

That Vulcan ear has given the two of us (although not our perplexed wives) so many convulsing fits of laughter over the years, and has always – as Ward so aptly pointed out – transported us back to our childhoods.

When I met with Shatner for this issue, I brought the coveted ear with me and told him the story of how it had become a source of treasured intrigue within my family. He sat listening to the tangled tale of my family’s dirty laundry and then gave me the same look I get from my wife when I tell it. His response: “All that over something that looks like a dried pear!”

Later that day, when I sent my brother the photo of me and Shatner with the ear and called him to share his “dried pear” line, the two of us laughed hysterically – once again magically transported back to our childhoods – as I hope you will be when you read their stories.

David Laurell, Editor-in-Chief

4 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

Publisher Valarie Anderson

Account Executives: San Diego County/Orange County Phil Mendelson Phil@LifeAfter50.com

Editor-in-Chief David Laurell

Travel/Los Angeles James Thomopoulos James@LifeAfter50.com

Associate Editors Steve Stoliar Claire Yezbak Fadden Art Director Michael Kraxenberger Graphic Designer Nour BouChakra

For advertising/distribution inquiries contact: Valarie Anderson (310) 822-1629 x 121, Valarie@LifeAfter50.com

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

5301 Beethoven St., Suite 183 LA CA 90066 Valarie Anderson Valarie@LifeAfter50.com 310 822-1629 x 121

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©2016 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved

An October Thought

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50

It’s Think Pink Month

O

Plus

What You Need To Know

By Claire Yezbak Fadden and Max Andrews

Memoir From The Boss

A

fter appearing at the Super Bowl’s halftime show in 2009, Bruce Springsteen was so exhilarated that he decided to write the story of his life. In his just-released book “Born To Run” (2016, Simon and Schuster) Springsteen writes with the same honesty, humor and originality found in the lyrics of his songs. He describes growing up Catholic in Freehold, New Jersey, amid the poetry, danger and darkness that fueled his imagination. With disarming candor, he also shares the story of the personal struggles that inspired his best work, and explains why the song “Born to Run” reveals more than his audiences previously realized.

As with many of his songs: “Thunder Road,” “Badlands,” “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” “The River,” “Born in the U.S.A,” “The Rising,” and “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” Springsteen writes with the lyricism of a singular songwriter and the wisdom of a man who has thought deeply about his experiences.

Fifty Candles

F

ifty years ago this month, the National Organization of Women was officially incorporated. Then- 22-year-old Baltimore Oriole Jim Palmer became the youngest player to pitch a World Series shutout.

Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale created the Black Panther Party. President Lyndon Johnson signed a bill establishing the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the game show “The Hollywood Squares” made its television debut on NBC. Notable personalities born in October 1966 who are celebrating their 50th birthday this month include actresses Karyn Parson and Jill Whelan, actors Luke Perry, Mike O’Malley and Zahn McClarnon, singer Eric Benet, late-night talk show host Andy Richter, screenwriter Shawn Ryan and musician-rapper Adam (Adrock) Horovitz.

6 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

ctober is Breast Cancer Awarness Month, an anual reminder to increase awareness of the diease. While most everyone is aware of breast cancer, many haven’t implemented a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. The National Breast Cancer Foundation offers a free, comprehensive, online guide called “Beyond The Shock,” to assist in understanding breast cancer. It is a resource for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a place for loved ones to gain a better understanding of the disease, and a tool for doctors to share information. For more ideas on how to get involved or to learn more, click on www.nationalbreastcancer.org.

It’s Your Time To Be Heard

B

y the time you read the next issue of Life After 50, you and millions of other Americans will have cast your ballots for either Secretary Hillary Clinton or businessman Donald Trump to serve as our next president. Everyone will be impacted by the results of this decision, and older Americans are especially concerned about where the candidates stand on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. As we enter the final few weeks of the 2016 presidential race, it’s important that voters understand the candidates’ positions and plans for these vital programs and other issues, such as college loan debt for children and grandchildren; disappearing pensions; anemic 401Ks and a lack of retirement savings.

The website www.retirementUSA.com reports that the financial gap between what Americans need to retire and what they actually have is $7.7 trillion. In fact, about half of households age 55 and older have no retirement savings and a third of current workers aged 55 to 64 are likely to be poor or near-poor in retirement. Where do Clinton and Trump stand on strengthening vital health and retirement security programs? Senior Vote 2016 is a great non-partisan resource that can arm you with facts and help you cast your vote with greater confidence. Next month’s election will be a defining moment and it’s critical that American voters demand that candidates are held accountable for the policies that will impact generations of American families. For more information on where the candidates stand, click on www. senior-

vote2016.org or www.nextavenue. org.

A Little More You Need To Know

Where You Need To Go

Celebrate 50 Years Of Descanso Gardens

The Most Important Thing To Know This Month

Questioning Medicare?

Here’s Some Appealing Tips

A

s Medicare recipients gear up for the annual open enrollment period that begins this month, it is important to know what you or someone you know should do if you ever need to appeal a coverage or payment decision made

by Medicare or your Medicare health plan. If you are faced with such a situation, ask your doctor, supplier or other healthcare provider for information that may help your case. Keep a copy of everything you send to Medicare or your health plan as part of your appeal. How you file an appeal depends on the type of Medicare coverage you have. If you have Original Medicare, here are some tips: • Get the “Medicare Summary Notice” (MSN) that shows the item or service you’re appealing. Your MSN is the notice you receive quarterly that lists all the services billed to Medicare and tells you if Medicare paid for the services.

• Circle the item(s) you disagree with on the MSN, and write an explanation of why you disagree with the decision on the MSN or a separate piece of paper and attach it.

• Include your name, phone number, and Medicare number on the MSN, and sign it. Keep a copy for your records.

C

elebrate the 50th anniversary of Descanso’s Japanese Garden at a fun-filled family-friendly festival, Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16.

The weekend will be packed with unique, cultural and historic events.

Kinnara Gagaku will perform gagaku and bugaku, an ancient music and dance done in the Imperial Court of Japan, in religious institutions and for community activities in Japan and within the Japanese-American community. View examples of ikebana, the art of flower arranging, from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a curator-led walk through the new gallery exhibit, “Sharing Culture/Creating Community” opening in the Sturt Haaga Gallery. Join Dr. Kendall Brown, professor of Asian art history and author of “Quiet Beauty: The Japanese Gardens of North America,” as he leads a Japanese garden walk while Kishin Daiko Taiko drummers perform heart-pounding feats of percussion.

• Send the MSN, or a copy, to the company that handles bills for Medicare (known as the Medicare Administrative Contractor) listed on the MSN. You can include any additional information about your appeal. Or you can use CMS Form 20027 and file it with the company that handles bills for Medicare. To view or print this form, click on www.cms.gov/cmsforms.

Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive in La Cañada Flintridge.

For more information, call (818) 949-4200 or click on www.descansogardens.org.

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.

Andragogy: The method and practice of educating adults.

Throw shade: To publicly criticize, disparage, disrespect or demean another person.

Wifty: To be or to act in an eccentric, silly, scatterbrained, flighty or unfocused manner.

• You must file the appeal within 120 days of the date you get the MSN in the mail. You’ll generally get a decision from the Medicare Administrative Contractor within 60 days after they receive your request. If Medicare will cover the item(s) or service(s), they’ll be listed on your next MSN. • If you have a Medicare Advantage or another health plan, read the materials your plan sends you, call your rep, or click on www.Medicare.gov/appeals. In some cases, you can file an expedited, or fast appeal.

For more information on your Medicare rights, read the “Medicare and You 2016” handbook, at www.medicare.gov or get answers to your Medicare questions by calling (800) 633-4227.

October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 7

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Are you experiencing any of the following: fatigue, nausea, swelling, joint pain, bags under the eyes, bloating, cellulite, varicose veins, or difficulty with weight loss? The cause may be your lymph system!

The lymphatic system drains fluids from your body and helps remove toxins and waste products from your tissues.

Lymph function supports your immune, digestive and nervous systems, and helps keep the body healthy.

This system is not very well known popularly, but it is vital to your overall health. Here are just a few of the vital things to know about this system. The lymph vessels connect to almost every cell in your body, and there is more fluid in the lymph system than there is blood in your body. Twice as much in fact.

It is the vital system in disease prevention, as it is where white blood cells, the blood cells that help fight infections, are created and stored. This system also helps create the antibodies needed to get rid of an invading organism.

However, unlike the blood in the body that moves based on the contractions of the heart, the lymph system depends on muscle contraction and manual manipulation to move fluid.

So if you are leading a relatively sedentary life—the kind of life most desk-bound adults these days lead, this system can and does become blocked.

When the lymph system becomes blocked, due to illness, surgery, toxic overload or inactivity, the blockage can lead to lymph fluid build-up. This build up causes fatigue, nausea, swelling, joint pain, bags under the eyes, bloating, cellulite, varicose veins, and even difficulty with weight loss. The lymph fluid will also become increasingly toxic, and so becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, illness and disease.

A lymphatic system detox can increase the natural drainage of the lymph system and flush toxins into the lymph circulatory system so they can be cleared out of the body. A detox of this system can also improve blood flow and circulation. It can reduce swelling and pain in the legs, reduce water retention, and improve venous circulation.

This will assist with varicose veins, reduce premenstrual bloating, reduce bags under the eyes, reduce body weight and size, reduce and help control cellulite and even reshape the legs.

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LI FE + STYLE

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October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 9

Cover Profile

Trekking Down

William Shatner Constantly on the go, the “Star Trek” star shares his thoughts on his relationship with the late Leonard Nimoy and where he thinks Starship Earth is headed

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

I

t is early afternoon and the Life After 50 crew, which has been trying for the better part of a month to track down (or should we say “trek” down) William Shatner to do an interview and photo shoot, is awaiting his arrival on a balcony outside of his Los Angeles office.

“He’s on his way,” comes an update from his assistant.

Moments later, a silver Mercedes careens into the driveway below the balcony.

C

oming to an abrupt halt, the driver’s side window lowers and Shatner leans out. “Go on inside,” he instructs his guests. “i’ll be right up.” Bounding into his office with the energy one would expect of a person in their 30s rather than one who is halfway through his octogenarian years, Shatner apologizes for running late.

“It’s always one thing after another. There’s just not enough hours in the day,” he says as he takes a seat behind his desk and immediately starts flipping through a stack of mail.

When the comment is made that, with the schedule he keeps, he could really benefit from the use a Transporter to beam him from place to place, a slight smile crosses his face. He continues to peruse his mail, refraining from making an eye roll or any other indication that barely a day has passed during the better part of his life that someone hasn’t tossed some sort of “Star Trek” pun or reference at him. He then looks up from his mail and says: “Okay, let’s do this.”

THE SHATNER STORY Born in Canada in 1931, Shatner went on to attend Montreal’s McGill University, join the Canadian National Repertory Theatre, and train as a classical Shakespearean actor. Always willing to embrace extreme diversity in the roles he accepted, a then 23-year-old Shatner was cast as Ranger Bob on “The Canadian Howdy Doody Show,” a licensed spinoff of the American version created by Buffalo Bob Smith, and then made his Broadway debut in Christopher Marlowe’s “Tamburlaine the Great.”

Shatner found steady work in numerous films and television series from the mid 1950s through the mid 1960s, including in an episode of NBC’s “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” that featured another unknown actor by the name of Leonard Nimoy.

Shatner and Nimoy would soon be teamed up again when the latter was tapped to play the half-Vulcan science officer Spock, and the former was given the role of James T. Kirk, captain of the Starship Enterprise, a 23rd century interstellar exploration vessel of the United Federation of Planets, in the Gene Roddenberry-created sci-fi series “Star Trek. Now referred to as “The Original Series,” “Star Trek” debuted in 1966 and ran for three seasons on NBC. After the cancellation of “Star Trek” in 1969, Shatner entered the 1970s indelibly associated with the kitschy sci-fi series and, for the first time in his career, found difficulty getting work due to being typecast at Captain Kirk.

With money running low and acting prospects hard to come by, Shatner lost his home and, for a time, lived in a camper.

Accepting whatever small parts came his way, Shatner appeared in a string of films that led to a starring role in ABC’s short-lived western-themed secret agent series, “Barbary Coast.” By the mid 1970s, he was seen regularly in guest roles on many of the era’s popular television series including “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Columbo,” “The Rookies,” “Kung Fu” and “Ironside.”

Shatner also began doing commercials and became a fixture as a celebrity guest on games shows including “The $20,000 Pyramid,” “The Hollywood Squares,” “Beat the Clock,” “Tattletales,” “Match Game” and others.

While “Star Trek” was not a huge hit during its original three-year run, by the 1970s, syndicated reruns of the show had found a devout cult following and Captain Kirk became a cultural icon. This opened up a new revenue stream for Shatner, who began appearing at “Star Trek” conventions and ultimately went on to reprise his role of Kirk in a string of feature films based on the series. From 1979 till 1994, Shatner and the other original “Star Trek” cast members made six films, ending, for Shatner, with the death of his character in “Star Trek Generations.”

The 1980s saw Shatner once again return to television in a starring role as a veteran police sergeant in ABC’s “T. J. Hooker,” which ran for four

seasons. He also hosted the reality-based series “Rescue 911” for seven seasons and, in the early 2000s starred, alongside James Spader and Candice Bergen, in ABC’s “Boston Legal” as Denny Crane, an eccentric attorney who, far more than anyone else, was highly impressed with his legal prowess.

Along with acting, Shatner has also been a prolific sci-fi novelist, penned non-fiction books about his life and career, and made a mark, of sorts, in the musical word with a series of spoken-word albums that have been parodied for their overly dramatic recitations. Shatner’s last album, 2013’s “Ponder the Mystery,” was produced and composed by musician Billy Sherwood of the English rock band Yes, and led to Shatner going on tour with CIRCA, a progressive rock band founded by Sherwood and three other musicians associated with Yes. Shatner, who has been married four times, is the father of three daughters and has been married to Elizabeth Martin since 2001. The couple split their time between their home in Los Angeles and a 360-acre farm in Kentucky, named Belle Reve Farm, where he raises American Saddlebreds and Quarter Horses. Since 1990, he has been a leading force behind the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, which raises money for children’s charities.

Along with being seemingly omnipresent on the television airwaves as the pitchman for Priceline.com, a commercial website that provides users discount rates for travel-related purchases, this past summer saw Shatner starring in an NBC reality show, “Better Late Than Never.” Teamed up with Henry Winkler, Terry Bradshaw, George Foreman and comedian Jeff Dye, the quintet traveled to Japan, South Korea, China and Thailand to experience local culture, food and nightlife. While the new location has not yet been determined, NBC has announced they will renew the series for a second year.

October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 11

Photo by David Laurell

Life

after vision loss

For many patients with Macular Degeneration, the world has literally disappeared before their eyes. They have lost the ability to see and do many of the things they love, like being able to recognize the faces and facial expressions of friends and relatives, watch TV, cook, sightsee and read. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Macular Degeneration. However, if you suffer with the disease, there is hope. Thanks to low vision technology, Dr. Richard Shuldiner and Dr. Harold Ashcraft are helping patients reconnect to the things in life they love to see and do.

“The first step toward determining if a person would

benefit from a low vision evaluation is to speak to them personally” says Dr. Shuldiner, Optometrist, Clinical Director.

“If we determine the person may benefit from care, a low vision evaluation will be scheduled,” says Dr. Shuldiner.

“In California, low vision drivers can use Bioptic Telescope Glasses to read street and road signs and see traffic lights faster and easier”, says Dr. Ashcraft.

“This can allow some with conditions like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy to continue driving”.

Call today to see if you could benefit from low vision technology.

life After 50 (lA50): You have been one of the hardest people to track down for an interview. You’re seemingly constantly working and all over the place.

William Shatner (WS): I am, but you caught me just as I’m getting out of a meeting with Billy [Sherwood] and getting ready to leave for Europe. Billy and I are talking about doing another album together. We did “Ponder the Mystery,” and when it was released, it didn’t get the right sendoff. So I think we may do a tour – doing the numbers we wrote for “Ponder the Mystery” – to better promote it. We’re also talking about doing a Christmas album. So there is always a lot going on. lA50: Do you ever take any down time?

Orange, Riverside, San Diego counties Richard Shuldiner O.D., F.A.A.O. (888) 610-2020 LowVisionCare.com

12 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

Los Angeles Harold Ashcraft O.D. (800) 345-9719

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WS: When I do, I ride horses. That is my passion and my relaxation. I ride competitively. In fact, I just did a show this past weekend and took two firsts and two seconds. I’m up against a lot of really talented and much younger people, but I have very talented horses and great trainers. I’ve been really working hard at competitive riding, and so the horses are my other life besides acting and writing. lA50: Where did your love of horses stem from?

WS: You know, I really don’t know. When I was a kid, I think I rode a horse maybe only once or twice. My passion for horses and for riding came about

much later in life, when I had the money to buy a horse. I bought some land, bought a horse, and it just took off from there. I have now spent years working at being a good horseman. I have been obsessive in learning everything I can about breeding, selling, training and competing.

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WS: I’ve got a really nice book out right now called “Leonard: My FiftyYear Friendship with a Remarkable Man” [Thomas Dunne Books, 2016] that tells the story of my relationship with Leonard Nimoy. I also have another book – a novel – that came out in September. It’s a good sci-fi read called “Zero G” [Simon & Schuster, 2016] that is about how, in 2050, there will be so many vehicles out in space that there will be a need for law and order to be established. So they send the FBI out – G-men in zero gravity – thus the title. I’ve also just recently started work on another book about horses.

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lA50: let’s take a moment to talk about leonard. You have said in the past that while you interacted socially over the years, it was after the accidental death of your wife, Nerine, in 1999 that your friendship with him really strengthened. i’m sure his death earlier this year proved to be an emotional and difficult time for you.

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WS: Very much so. Keeping his memory alive is the emphasis of the book that, hopefully, will resonate with readers. It is about losing somebody you care about, that you have had a lifetime of experiences with, and then, rather quickly, realizing you are beginning to forget things about them.

What happened, eventually, with me, is that the memories of all those times and events I shared with Leonard began to play games with me. There was nobody to validate some of those memories, because it had just been him and me. The best way for me to describe it is that it’s like when you are telling a story and you say you had been wearing a blue hat, and someone who was there says: “No! The hat you were wearing was green!” And you think to yourself: “Oh that’s right. It WAS green.” We all get to a point when we start fighting our memory. Time erodes everything – even the best of memories. So this book, while it is really a love letter from me to Leonard, it also commemorates – documents – the events that happened between us that, had I not written about now while they were still fresh in my mind, would have been lost forever.

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to something I said or did. I attempted to bring the issue up a couple of times, but he would never clarify it. So the last time we spoke, it was difficult.

It was apparent that he did not have long to live but I wasn’t able to really say goodbye to him other than in a letter I sent him shortly before he died. lA50: How did you deal with that – come to terms with that?

WS: I totally ignored all of it. I believe – my reasoning – for why he behaved as he did was due to his illness, the medications, the lack of oxygen. I believe it was those things that affected his behavior. I guess I’ll give it any excuse, because the friendship we had for over 50 years – the moments of great joy in which we shared so much and had so much in common – was what was important and what I choose to remember. Our backgrounds, our families, the divorces and deaths of family members we’ve been through, there was so much – so many really heavy things – that we shared and could relate to one another on because we had so much in common. So whatever misunderstanding he had of me and our relationship at the end of his life is of no consequence to me.

I will never understand it, but what I do understand is that I loved him and I know he loved me. lA50: You have written an entire book about him, but if you were asked to capsulize your thoughts and feelings about him in just a sentence or two, what would you say?

WS: That I will always remember the hysterical laughter we evoked from each other. We made each other laugh. We did quite a few things – the conventions – in which we performed without a prepared script. In those spontaneous moments, we said things that made us laugh so hard. That is the thing I will remember about Leonard the most: how we laughed.

There may be something to be said about a friend with whom you can cry in your beer. That’s fine. But to laugh – I mean really laugh with someone like we did – that is never ending. lA50: So you are at peace in terms of leonard?

WS: Totally. lA50: And are you also at peace with James Kirk?

WS: Oh God yes. I always have been. I will always be grateful for the celebrity status that was bestowed on me by playing him. That was the greatest gift I have ever received for doing “Star Trek,” that I could use my celebrity to do good things for people in need. I run a horse show, and between working with some of the companies I have been associated with for sponsorships and tugging at people’s sleeves, we have managed to raise between four and five hundred thousand dollars a year for the past 30 years. So that has now become several million dollars, and we have funneled every penny to various charities for children and veterans. Had it not been for the celebrity that “Star Trek” gave me, I could have never done that. I treasure the fact that I was able to play this character that went on to become an icon. What were the odds? The show did not have any monumental length – it only lasted three years – but look at what it

14 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

has become. The fact that it is what it is today – 50 years later – it’s nothing short of phenomenal. lA50: As you know, some of the world’s greatest collections have been built of “Star Trek” memorabilia. So, fess up, do you own any very special item, some holy grail from the show?

WS: No I don’t. I don’t have a thing. Now, had I known what would transpire as the years went by, I would have greedily grabbed up everything in sight [laughing]. But we had no idea at the time that the show would go on to become a cultural icon. I’ve heard that after doing a show or a movie, Glenn Ford used to back up a truck to the stage door and take everything. Then the executives at MGM, who knew he was doing that, would wait a week and send a truck out to his house to get it all back [laughing]. But I never took anything from the show, not a prop or a costume. I have nothing from the show. lA50: Having traveled, theatrically speaking, to the ends of the universe, boldly going where no one had ever gone to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and civilizations, what are your personal beliefs on whether or not other worlds and life forms exit somewhere out there?

WS: It’s not a matter of belief – mine or anyone else’s – to simply look around at our known world and see how inescapable life is. How in every nook and cranny life is created and thrives. The formation of life is a cosmic urge. So it is incomprehensible that in all the billions of opportunities that the universe offers that life hasn’t formed somewhere else as it has here on Earth.

Our solar system is only some four-and-a-half-billion-years-old in a universe that we believe is over 13-billion-years-old, and there may be so many other universes and planets we don’t even know to exist. So it is incomprehensible – mathematically and logically impossible – that there isn’t other life out there, and possibly in much higher forms than we are. lA50: Prior to that first boot print Neil Armstrong put on the moon’s surface in July of 1969, you, again theatrically speaking, had left your boot prints upon many moons and planets. Where were you and what were your thoughts when you watched Apollo 11 land on the moon?

WS: I talk about that in a one-man show I do – that I did on Broadway.

I’ve toured many cities doing that show and it is very dear to me. In it, I describe myself lying in a camper in a pasture on Long Island, where I was doing summer stock. I was in this camper with a little four-inch portable black-and-white television set balanced on my chest. I was looking out the camper’s window at the moon at the very same time I was watching Armstrong put his foot down saying those famous words: “That’s one small step for

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“I’m in total denial about [aging]. That really works for me, and I recommend it for everyone.”

a man…” At that time, I was going through a difficult time personally. I was post-divorce and post-“Star Trek,” very broke, couldn’t find work, and was wondering what was to become of me. I remember lying there watching this amazing milestone in world history and thinking: “I wonder what my next step will be?” It was a real turning point for me, because although I was despondent, I became filled with the majesty of the moment and excitement over what my next step would be. lA50: This coming March you will turn 86. Can you share your secret for the vitally and stamina you possess?

WS: No secret. I just love what I do – everything I’m into. I keep very busy doing the things I love. lA50: Do you adhere to any sort of fitness regimen or diet?

WS: Whenever I’m not working or don’t have any appointments, I’m riding my horses. I’m not the type of person who takes a walk in the park. I’m actively rehearsing with my horses. Riding a horse with power and motivation for three or four hours three times a week – that’s a real workout! In addition, I try to get into the swimming pool a few times a week for a 15-to-30-minute workout. As for diet, in the last couple of years, I have become much more careful about what I eat. I have finally accepted the fact that carbs are very bad for me, because they quickly turn to sugar. So I’m pretty much on a lowcarb, high-protein diet. At least I am for as best as I can be. It is very difficult for a person who loves bread and pasta. But I have to stay in shape to be able to continue to ride competitively and take the pounding of a galloping horse.

16 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

lA50: We always ask people if they have adopted any philosophy about aging as they have gotten older. Have you?

WS: Yes! I’m in total denial about it [laughs]. That works really well for me, and I recommend it for everyone. lA50: one last thing: As someone who will be forever known as the captain of the Starship enterprise that had a defined mission, do you ever think about the mission of Starship earth and wonder where we are headed?

WS: I think we’re headed to hell in a hand basket if we don’t come to our senses very fast. For those of us who have been around a while, we remember the world in its innocence, where singing birds were prevalent, and bees made honey, and fruits and vegetables were beneficial to your health, because they were grown in good earth, and there was some semblance of decency and care when it came to the way we treat other people and how we serve as the custodians of this planet. What is our mission? We must teach our children what that was like, and how we have to harken back to taking care of our planet and one another before all that we know is destroyed. That’s our mission. We have to do that, and fast!

For more information on William Shatner, his upcoming projects, books and charities, click on www.williamshatner.com or www.horseshow.org.

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Be Head Smart and Care For Your Brain With the diagnosis of alzheimer’s disease and dementia on the rise, do all you can to keep your brain working at its optimum level

Special to Life After 50 by Dr. Kenneth E. Smith, Chief Medical Officer, Inter Valley Health Plan

A

s each year passes, all we have to do is take a glimpse in a mirror to be reminded that our bodies are aging. While physical changes are an “in-your-face” reminder of the passage of time, we must also be cognizant of the changes we can’t see – the ones that are taking place inside our bodies.

With each ache and pain we experience in our joints, necks, backs or knees, we are reminded that our “working parts” may not be functioning as well as they once did. Because of those physical pains, we think about our aching backs or our sore feet.

But what about our brains? That gray mass inside our skull doesn’t cause us the kind of noticeable pain a wrist or a knee might, but that doesn’t mean that our brains are immune to the aging process.

Because the signs and symptoms of deterioration are not always as readily apparent in our brains, it is equally – if not arguably more – important to do all we can to maintain our mental fitness and brain health as we get older.

18 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly five million people were recorded as suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. last year alone. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and is a progressive disease with no cure to date.

It begins with mild memory lapse or confusion and can possibly lead to the loss of the ability to carry on a conversation, recognize friends and loved ones, and respond properly to the environment.

The first signs and symptoms of dementia typically occur in adults over the age of 60, and the number of people with the disease doubles every five years beyond age 65. In fact, by 2050, the projected number of individuals suffering from dementia is expected to rise to a staggering 14 million.

While age is the biggest risk factor for those who are diagnosed with dementia, it

certainly does not affect all older adults. However, brain health is a critical component to healthy aging and should be taken as seriously as physical and emotional wellness. Often, these three components – physical, mental and emotional wellness – are interrelated, and caring for each of them will play a huge role in maximizing long-term health benefits.

Here are a few easy and helpful tips to supporting your brain function:

STAY PHYSICALLY FIT

Physical and mental health are not mutually exclusive.

In fact, exercise is good for your cognition, mood and brain health. You can improve those things throughout your life with regular exercise, which has been shown to increase neurogenesis in the brain. If you don’t exercise regularly, start incrementally by incorporating short walks into your day, and continue to expand new exercises as you become stronger.

KEEP LEARNING

Much like physical exercise, becoming a perpetual student will help to improve the working speed and function of your brain. Taking up a new hobby, such as learning a language or playing an instrument, will help the synapses in your brain to remain active and help them to continue to make new connections, which will keep you sharp.

MANAGE YOUR STRESS LEVEL

Stress levels negatively impact your brain. Many studies have indicated a direct link between stress levels and declining brain function. Be sure to identify activities that help you relax, if you are feeling anxious or stressed during your week. Take a hike, read a book, or take an aromatherapy bath to relax and foster a low-stress environment. This will pay off dividends for other aspects of health as well, including disease management.

EAT A BALANCED DIET

We all know that eating our fruits and vegetables is important to maintaining a healthy body, so it should come as no surprise that these foods are good for your brain, too. Additionally, scientific evidence has shown that Omega 3s and vitamin E are also good for your brain. Incorporate more fish and nuts into your diet, both of which are high in these nutrients. In general, be sure to eat nourishing and nutrient-rich foods for optimal mental and physical health.

MAINTAIN YOUR FRIENDSHIPS

Believe it or not, you do have a great excuse to attend that party with your colleagues or getting together with friends. Your brain will greatly

benefit from maintaining and expanding social relationships. Social interaction, the exchange of stories, ideas and opinions, have proven to be both stimulating and healthy. However, be sure to focus on cultivating positive, healthy and happy relationships to avoid any unnecessary stress.

STAY POSITIVE

Especially with yourself. Incorporating positive affirmations on a daily basis will help increase your mental proficiency. Adding positive mantras at the beginning of your day (e.g. “I am loved,” “I am grateful for my life, health, family and friends”) will strengthen the neural pathways in your brain (not to mention, you may also experience increased self-confidence, well-being and overall satisfaction in your life).

As with anything, good habits are cultivated with slow but regular practice. If you find that you could improve one of the areas above, make it a point to practice them one day at a time until they become a natural habit. Taking care of your mental capabilities and brain function should not be left until tomorrow. Start today and practice them regularly. If you find yourself – or a family member – experiencing memory loss or declining motor function, be sure to contact your physician as soon as possible to get tested for dementia.

The earlier you identify a problem, the sooner you can make any necessary changes to help mitigate its deterioration further.

Dr. Kenneth E. Smith is the chief medical officer for Inter Valley Health Plan, a notfor-profit Medicare Advantage Health Plan

serving Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and North Orange County. Inter Valley Health Plan is dedicated to keeping its members healthy and strong and delivering highly personalized service to the Medicare-eligible community. For more information, click on www.IVHP.com.

BEE BRAINY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH

Inter Valley Health Plan is committed to enhancing the mind, body and spirit of aging residents of Southern California. The Medicare Advantage Health Plan recently launched its Bee Brainy initiative, which offers free classes, events and resources dedicated to brain health. The Bee Brainy program centers on all the elements that help maintain a healthy brain, including diet, exercise, socialization and other stimulating activities.

At each of Inter Valley Health Plan’s Medicare and Information Vitality Centers, you will find informative and educational free monthly classes that focus on health and vitality for adults over 50.

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Waging War on

BreASt CAnCer Dramatic breakthroughs and advances in breast cancer treatment are creating a revolution Special to Life After 50 by City of Hope

T

he evolution of breast cancer treatment has become a revolutionary war on the disease thanks to precision medicine, improved screening, and a move to more refined surgical techniques. This fight will continue as advances such as immunotherapy, nipple-sparing surgery, and gene therapy continue to transform the field.

To learn more about this revolution, we spoke with two of City of Hope’s breast cancer specialists, Dr. Laura Kruper, M.D., head of breast surgery service, and Dr. Joanne Mortimer, M.D., director of the Women’s Cancers Program. They answered questions about new directions in breast cancer treatment and what research they believe we will see in the coming year.

Dr. Mortimer, who has been named numerous times as one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly, serves as vice chair and professor in the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research. As part of her research, she is working on a new way to match breast cancer patients to specific treatments.

Dr. Kruper, an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, is director of the Women’s Center. A vocal advocate for breast cancer awareness, she led a study that showed how race, income and insurance status can prevent breast cancer patients from getting the reconstructive surgery to which they are entitled.

What treatment advances do you expect for breast cancer patients in the near future?

20 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

“We’re seeing very promising advances in several directions, such as in systemic therapies where the focus is moving to drugs that target abnormalities in the cancer cell that are unique to each patient,” Dr. Mortimer said. “We’re also looking to provide individualized treatment for breast cancer patients, which means less chemotherapy, less surgery and less radiation.”

In the area of surgery, Dr. Kruper sees a new emphasis on procedures that remove tumors while preserving as much of the breast as possible.

“One of the innovative surgeries that we can offer patients here at City of Hope are nipplesparing mastectomies with direct implant-based reconstruction,” Dr. Kruper said. “This means that we preserve the whole envelope of the breast, and the plastic surgeons then place implants during the same surgery.”

Unlike at many other medical centers, plastic surgeons at City of Hope do not use tissue expanders, Dr. Kruper said.

“With expanders, patients undergo expansion with saline over a period of three months and then have the tissue expanders exchanged for implants as a separate surgery,” she said. “By eliminating the need for tissue expansion, patients are spared many office trips as well as an additional surgery.”

“Also, two new therapies to destroy early-stage breast cancers are showing great promise in clinical trials,” Dr. Kruper said. “One uses lasers; the other uses freezing, also known as cryoablation.”

In fact, she said, a cryoablation trial called FROST will open soon at City of Hope.

How significant is the move to precision medicine?

“It means being able to match a breast cancer patient with the most effective treatment for her specific cancer,” Dr. Mortimer said.

“When you identify which drugs are best for individual patients, you are likely to find more

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effective treatments for each individual,” she said.

“That means less chemotherapy, less surgery and less radiation, which means fewer side effects. This will also help prevent resistance to existing therapies.”

“The surgical innovations offer breast cancer patients a better quality of life during and aftertreatment,” Dr. Kruper said. “Cryoablation and laser therapy are less invasive than traditional surgery, so patients recover more quickly and with less pain.”

How will this improve the patient experience or patient outcomes?

Growing precision in the area of drug therapy means matching a type of cancer to a specific treatment, Dr. Mortimer said.

“Patients will be more comfortable that they are getting the appropriate therapy that is unique and individual to them,” she said.

“And as a result, they will experience fewer of the side effects that make cancer treatment difficult.”

As for nipple-sparing surgery without the use of tissue expanders, that preserves the natural look of a patient’s breast and eliminates the need for additional surgery, Dr. Kruper said.

“By eliminating the need for tissue expansion, patients are spared many office trips as well as an additional surgery,” Dr. Kruper said. “Patients also wake up after surgery with intact nipples and the original appearance of their breasts.”

What research progress do you expect in the coming year?

“The focus on the genetic and molecular makeup of breast cancer will continue to reveal how the disease

works and how the body can be mobilized to fight it. Breast cancer is made up of many types and sub-types and each patient is different,” Dr. Kruper said.

“For example, there are at least six different subtypes of triple-negative breast cancer,” she said. “We will see increasing use of molecular profiling tools that result in more personalized treatment regimens.”

“Research into checkpoint inhibitors, which unleash the power of a patient’s own immune system, will significantly advance the cancer fight,” Dr. Mortimer said.

“We will improve quality of life for patients because treatment will no longer be one-sizefits-all,” she added.

Overall, where is the field of breast cancer treatment and research moving?

“The shift is toward a greater and more thorough understanding of the biology of each subtype of cancer,” Dr. Mortimer said. “The more we understand about the genetics of cancer, the more we will be able to identify therapies that will be more effective than the drugs we have had up until now, many of which simply kill all cells that divide, rather than just breast cancer cells.”

Dr. Kruper foresees continued and rapid change.

“The field is constantly changing, which is exciting,” Dr. Kruper said. “We learn more each year about the [diversity] of breast cancer and how individualized patient treatments are so important.”

10 Tips for Patients Going Through Treatments From the moment of a breast cancer diagnosis, the emphasis is on treating the disease. But cancer support specialists say that by taking some surprisingly simple steps, patients can manage the physical and emotional side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

The following are 10 tips to help ease the side effects during treatment: 1. Many women don’t realize that for some time after their surgery, they won’t be able to lift their arm. Wear lightweight shirts and tops with front closures, which are easy to slip on.

Some postsurgical tops have special pockets to accommodate drains.

2. A lightweight jacket or a soft shawl is good for both emotional comfort and warmth.

3. Invest in a high-quality, postsurgical bra.

Good ones are made from a soft, gauze-like material and have Velcro front closures.

4. A balanced diet is key. Eating can be a battle, but fresh vegetables and fruits, plenty of protein and lots of water will help with fatigue.

5. Exercise – a gentle walk, a beginner’s yoga class or an art therapy class – can literally move you into a better frame of mind.

6. Keep a journal. Turn it into anything you want – a diary of your journey, a wish list for the future, or a letter to yourself or loved one.

7. Take time for you. Get a book on tape, do a Netflix binge, find a massage therapist who makes house calls and have “Me Dates.”

8. Meditate. Take a class, join a friend or grab a cushion and head for a park. It’s a deeply personal thing to do, with surprising benefits.

9. Help someone else. Join a support group and be a guide for those newer to the cancer journey.

Or get away from cancer altogether and sign up for something easy and manageable – a half-hour per week of reading to an elderly person or maybe tutoring a homeless child at the library. It’s amazing how good the act of giving feels.

10. Remember to go easy on yourself and do the best you can. If you set up a wellness plan and don’t stick to it, understand that everyone has bad days, and there may be times when all you want to do is stay in bed. Listen to your body and nurture yourself.

Learn more about City of Hope’s breast cancer program and research. If you are looking for a second opinion or consultation about your treatment, request an appointment online at www.cityofhope.org or call (800) 826-HOPE.

22 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

T H H  M-K

By Steve Stoliar Illustration by Mark Hammermeister

C

J

“They’re creepy and they’re kooky; mysterious and spooky; they’re altogether ooky, the Addams family!”

Just about every baby boomers can recite the lyrics to that popular 1960s television theme song in their sleep. Viewers were hooked on the comedic and creepy adventures of this macabre brood, and the family’s matriarch, Morticia Addams, played to perfection by Carolyn Jones. Although she will always be best remembered for her sexily sinister performance on that series, there was much more to Jones than just Morticia, including an Oscar nomination and appearances in scores of classic films.

C

arolyn Sue Jones was born on April 28, 1930, in Amarillo, Texas.

Her mother, Cloe, was a housewife; her father, Julius, was a barber.

When Jones was only four-years-old, Julius abandoned the family, forcing Cloe and her two children (Carolyn and younger sister, Bette) to move in with her parents.

Asthma plagued the young Jones from an early age, which restricted her outdoor activities. As a result, she became an avid reader – with a particular fondness for Hollywood fan magazines. When she was feeling strong enough, she also loved going to the movies.

When she was only 15, Jones ventured westward and enrolled at the famed Pasadena Playhouse. During her days there – while still in her teens – she married fellow acting student, Don Donaldson, although the marriage was very short-lived.

In classic Hollywood fashion, a talent scout from Paramount Pictures saw Jones perform at the playhouse, which led to a contract at the storied studio.

Her first role was a small one – uncredited – in the 1952 film noir, “The Turning Point,” starring William Holden and Edmond O’Brien.

The following year, she married fellow actor – and future filmmaker – Aaron Spelling, converting to Judaism in order to fit into his family.

Jones landed another uncredited role as a nightclub hostess in Fritz Lang’s classic 1953 film noir, “The Big Heat,” starring Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame.

That same year, she played the memorably tragic role of Cathy Gray, the victim Vincent Price’s character turns into a wax figure of Joan of Arc in the 3-D horror masterpiece, “House of Wax.” Jones had a near-brush with greatness when the role of dance-hall girl Lorene in the classic 1953 war drama, “From Here To Eternity,” was written just for her.

Unfortunately, a severe bout of her old nemesis, asthma – which led to pneumonia – forced her to bow out and be replaced by Donna Reed, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for that role.

During this early period in her career, Jones appeared in several episodes of the popular television detective series, “Dragnet,” as well as “City Detective,” “State Trooper,” the classic Western “Wagon Train,” and the Ray Milland sitcom, “Meet Mr. McNutley.”

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

24 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

In 1955, Jones costarred in “The Cheney Vase,” a memorable television episode of the legendary anthology series, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” in which she played Darren McGavin’s scheming girlfriend, helping him to plan a daring art theft.

The following year saw her making notable appearances in two vastly different cinema classics – the paranoid sci-fi favorite “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (as Teddy Belicec, who, along with her husband, is taken over by a pod from outer space) and Alfred Hitchcock’s remake of “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (as Doris Day’s character’s friend, Cindy Fontaine).

The following year, Jones was cast as a Greenwich Village party girl known only as “the existentialist” in the Paddy Chayefsky classic, “The Bachelor Party,” opposite Don Murray and E.G. Marshall. For her efforts, Jones was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, losing out to Miyoshi Umeki in “Sayonara.” She did, however, win a Golden Globe that year as Most Promising Newcomer.

In 1958, Jones landed the role of Ronnie in what many consider to be Elvis Presley’s finest film – “King Creole.” She’s even featured on the movie’s poster, locked in an embrace with The King of Rock n’ Roll.

The following year, Jones costarred with two other legendary singersturned-actors: Frank Sinatra in Frank Capra’s delightful “A Hole in the Head,” and Dean Martin in the Hollywood blacklist drama, “Career,” which also starred Tony Franciosa and Shirley MacLaine.

Her marriage to Spelling led to appearances in two of his productions: The anthology drama, “The Lloyd Bridges Show,” in 1962, and the celebrityinterview series, “Here’s Hollywood,” in 1963. That same year, Jones landed a prominent role in the all-star Western saga, “How The West Was Won,” as the wife of a sheriff played by George Peppard.

In 1964, Jones and Spelling divorced, but there was an equal and opposite piece of good news for the versatile actress: She landed the coveted role of Morticia Addams in what was to become the popular ABC sitcom, “The Addams Family,” based on the one-panel cartoons of legendary New Yorker artist, Charles Addams, and produced by comedy veteran Nat Perrin, who had written for The Marx Brothers and was a close friend of Groucho Marx. In fact, it was Perrin’s input to John Astin, who played Morticia’s husband, Gomez, to employ the expressive eyebrows, moustache and cigar which were echoes of Groucho’s persona.

The macabre black-and-white series, which ran from September of 1954 until April of 1966, introduced us to this “altogether ooky” family: with Jones as Morticia and Astin as Gomez, the family was rounded out with former child star Jackie Coogan as Uncle Fester, Ted Cassidy as Lurch the butler, Blossom Rock as Grandmama, Ken Weatherwax as Pugsley, and Lisa Loring as Wednesday. Jones earned a Golden Globe nomination for her unforgettable turn as Gomez’s black-bedecked better half.

Curiously – or eerily – CBS launched their own horror-comedy series about an “unconventional” family – “The Munsters” – which also ran from 1964 to 1966. To this day, fans continue to argue over which series was better, although many baby boomers loved – and continue to love – both of them equally.

After “The Addams Family” was canceled in 1966, Jones made a splashy appearance on the campy comic book series “Batman,” with Adam West and Burt Ward, playing Marsha, the Queen of Diamonds.

In 1966, Carolyn remarried once again, this time to Tony Award-winning Broadway musical director, Herbert Greene – who was also her vocal coach.

Their marriage lasted 11 years.

In 1976, Carolyn landed the role of Hippolyta, Wonder Woman’s mother, on the popular Lynda Carter superhero series. The following year saw Jones giving a memorable dramatic performance as Mrs. Moore, the wife of a sadistic plantation owner played by Chuck Connors, in the groundbreaking mini-series, “Roots.”

In 1981, Jones was cast as Myrna Clegg, the ruthless and ambitious matriarch on the CBS daytime drama, “Capitol.” Soon after “Capitol” began its run, Jones was diagnosed with colon cancer, which spread quickly to her liver and stomach. Remarkably, despite the intense pain, she managed to finish out the first season of “Capitol,” before bowing out.

In September of 1982, fully realizing she was dying, Jones married her longtime boyfriend, actor Peter Bailey-Britton. At their wedding, she wore a lace cap to hide the hair loss caused by her chemotherapy.

In July of 1983, Jones fell into a coma at her West Hollywood home

and, on August 3, she died there with her husband by her side at the age of 52. She was cremated and her ashes were placed beside her mother’s at Melrose Abbey Memorial Park Cemetery in Anaheim, California.

LEARN MORE • “In Morticia’s Shadow: The Life And Career Of Carolyn Jones”

by James Pylant (Jacobus Books, 2012) • “The Addams Chronicles: An Altogether Ooky Look At The Addams Family” by Stephen Cox (Cumberland House Publishing, 1998) • “The Addams Family: The Complete Series” (DVD Box Set) (MGM Video, 2010)

Mark Hammermeister is an award-winning artist. His work is available for purchase at www.markdraws.com October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 25

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October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 27

Holy Canine Crusader!

It’s Burt Ward!

The man who played Robin the Boy Wonder in the classic “Batman” television series is on a mission to rescue dogs and give them long and healthy lives

Story and photos by David Laurell

O

nce the security gate swings open and a winding road is traversed past pastoral horse corrals with Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains serving as a backdrop, the trees to the right clear and there’s nothing else to say but: HOLY AQUATIC AWESOMENESS! While it’s not easy to divert your attention from the elaborate pool, built below towering and cavernous rock formations that include an island, waterfalls, inlets, grottos and caves, the warm and effervescent welcome being offered by the property’s owners, Burt and Tracy Ward, makes it hard to focus on anything but them.

Still, unable to move on without making mention of the world of water and wonder that serves as the couple’s backyard, Burt responds with a laugh. “Yeah, well, Tracy and I can’t seem to do things in a little way,” says the actor best known for his role as Robin the Boy Wonder in the classic 1960s television series, “Batman.”

Cradling a four-pound Chinese Crested dog named My Little Pony, Tracy rolls her eyes as the over-the-top water feature is discussed. “I used to travel to six or seven states a week when I was working,” she explains. “I was constantly gone from home, but Burt was always here, and he

28 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

wanted to go on vacation – do some traveling.

That was the last thing I wanted to do. For me, being home was a vacation, so we built this pool with an island and Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon and a Bat Cave. I figured if we put a vacation destination in our backyard, there would be no reason to go anywhere else, and ever since we had it built, Burt has never mentioned traveling again.”

“Now we’re on a permeant vacation,” he adds as the couple makes their way into a spacious room painted sky-blue with puffy white clouds that serves as the office for their charitable organization, Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, the largest giant breed dog rescue in the world that is housed on the property of their sprawling Riverside County estate.

BURT’S BACKSTORY Burt Ward was born into a show business family 71 years ago this past July. His father owned a traveling ice show called “Rhapsody On Ice,” in which young Burt first performed at the age of two.

A studious child with good business sense, Burt continued to harbor a passion for

performing, even while excelling as a student at UCLA. That love of the spotlight saw Burt keep one foot in the theatrical world while preparing for what most who knew him thought would be a career in science or business. Just prior to his 20th birthday, he auditioned for and won the role of Robin in ABC’s “Batman,” a live-action series based on the Dark Knight of DC comic book renown that was starring Adam West as Batman. During his run as Robin, Burt was also being seriously considered for another role: that of Benjamin Braddock in the feature film, “The Graduate.” Making the decision to stay on as Robin, he passed on the part that ultimately went to Dustin Hoffman, who earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance.

The “Batman” series, a kitschy and semicomical take on the darker character created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, only lasted for three seasons. Always scoring high ratings, the show incurred production costs that ABC felt were exorbitant. Ironically, after ABC dropped the show, NBC offered to pick it up, until they learned the sets and props had been destroyed.

In the wake of “Batman,” Burt joined West as they reprised their roles of Batman and Robin

in the 1966 20th Century-Fox film, “Batman,” and also did small roles in numerous made-fortelevision films.

In 1990, Burt married Tracy Posner, the daughter of billionaire businessman Victor Posner. An astute businesswoman in her own right, Tracy served as a principal in her father’s company and, by 1993, was listed as one of the world’s wealthiest women.

Blending their business success into their passion, 1994 saw Burt and Tracy establish Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions.

“We’re always very busy here,” says Burt.

“We work seven days a week, but we don’t think of it as work. This is a labor of love in the truest sense. Over the past 22 years, we have rescued over 15,500 dogs, which would have otherwise been put to death. We provide them with food, shelter and medical care, and then find them loving homes.”

Cozying up with a trio of canine companions on a leather sectional that almost runs the entire length of their office, Burt and Tracy giggle like newlyweds when asked how they met.

Burt Ward (BW): When I first met Tracy, she was extremely busy, working with her father, running their empire, overseeing close to 4,000 companies including Arby’s, Home Centers and RC Cola. During that time, I was also running a business. I have always been very businessoriented, something you don’t find with many actors, but I have always had a good head for business. In fact, when I was at UCLA, the dean was very upset when she learned I was leaving to do “Batman,” because I had placed in the top three percent in the country in math and science.

Tracy Ward (TW): During that time, I was in Los Angeles looking into some acquisitions

including this one company my father wanted me to look into that was owned by Burt Ward. Well, I had taken care of all my scheduled work for that trip and had this one last thing to do: speak with Burt. I just wasn’t into doing it, but my father was adamant about it. I told him I was going to pass on meeting with him and, for the first time, he pulled the boss card on me and said I had to go see him. So I called him and we set up a time to meet. I wasn’t interested in his company and certainly not in dating. I was too busy running companies. So, to make a long story short, we met and before the end of our first meeting he told me that we were destined to be in a relationship.

Now a comment like that would have normally had me gone, but we ended up going out to lunch and at the restaurant, he again said that we were destined to be in a relationship. Then he asked me what I thought of him and from out of nowhere, I said that if he was everything he seemed to be, we could work well together, and if he was not everything he seemed to be, whatever he was would be more than enough. As soon as I said that, I thought: “What the heck did I just say?”

Well, we ended up talking all night – till six in the morning, and five minutes after I left him, I said to myself: “I’m going to marry him.” I got on a plane and as soon as I landed in New York, he called me and said he wanted to marry me and I said yes. So instead of acquiring his company, we acquired each other.

Life After 50 (LA50): That is quite a story!

TW: And listen to this: That week, after I met him, I was walking down a street in New York and stopped in one of those little souvenir shops you find all over the city. As I walked in, my eye caught a little Robin figurine. I picked it up and in doing so, I knocked over all these Wizard of Oz figurines that were around it and dropped the Robin figurine. That got the shopkeeper’s attention, who ran over and picked up the Robin figurine that had fallen on the floor, and she said: “It looks like Robin wants to go home with you.”

I then started blurting out this story, that I had met him and was going to marry him and what a coincidence this all was. I think along with the shopkeeper, I also got the attention of some other shoppers who thought I was some crazy lady going on and on about marrying Robin [laughs]. I’m sure I put on quite a show!

BW: Tracy had been a workaholic and also a bit of a hermit when it came to socializing and dating, so when she said she was going to marry an actor and move to California, that didn’t go over too well with her father.

TW: From the time I was three, my father told me to never get involved with an actor [laughing].

BW: After she moved in with me, her father actually called and asked that I send his daughter back and to not have anything to do with her.

He said in return, he would wire me $10 million dollars. I told him I was in love and had to decline

his offer. I thought it was kind of a test, but then I realized when he got angry, he really meant it! I never said anything to Tracy about that, but her father had real chutzpah and he called her and told her that her boyfriend was a real schmuck and crazy because he turned down $10 million to send her back. I thought she would think that was beyond anything I could ever do to show her how much I loved her, but instead she was upset. She said: “My dad is right! You are crazy! You should have taken the money, because I’m not leaving you anyway!” [Laughing]. So here we are, all these years later, and we have such a great relationship.

We are always together – 24/7. Most couples have jobs and lives beyond their spouses, but we are constantly together.

LA50: What is your secret to making it work?

TW: We share everything and have always been dedicated to making our relationship work no matter what.

BW: We’re in this for life, and we’re both serious about that. I have never met anyone in my life whom I respected more than Tracy.

LA50: Burt, let’s talk about another person whom you have always said you also have great respect for: Adam West.

BW: I adore him and always have. Not all actors work well together, but Adam and I became good friends right from the beginning. When we were doing the show, we would work these long hours all week and then, come the weekend, I would go over to his house and we would play tennis. Do you know that Adam and I have been submitted to the “Guinness Book of Records” as the only two actors in history to have worked together for over 50 years? And that work continues. We have

October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 29

a direct-to-DVD movie coming out next month called “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” [Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment, 2016]. It’s really exciting, because it combines the success of the original series with all the new technologies. It’s an animated production and Adam and I do the voices, and Julie Newmar does the voice of Catwoman. The dialogue and the situations are current and hip. It’s really ahead of its time, just like our show was back in the 1960s.

I think it’s one of the best things Adam and I have ever done and the fans will love it.

LA50: “Batman” really did resonate with viewers.

Did you ever think about why it was that fans became so loyal to the show?

BW: Batman and Robin resonated with people, because unlike other superheroes, they were real – they were human, with no super powers. That made them vulnerable to feelings and emotions, and because they were mortal, the risk that they could get killed. We really created something unique with that show. It was written funny but played seriously. We captured people with the double-entendres, and while it was a put-on of the comic book Batman – the Dark Knight – it was smart and well-written. Adam and I used to say we put on our tights to put-on the world.

LA50: It’s kind of interesting that the dual role you played of Dick Grayson and Robin sort of paralleled your real life.

BW: Yes. My father ran the biggest ice show in the world and I had become a professional skater when I was a child. I was two-years-old and the world’s youngest professional ice skater. And, of course, Dick Grayson came from a performing family – the Flying Graysons – who were an acrobatic family. Did you know I was selected from over 1,100 actors who had auditioned for that role? After I got the part, the producer told me the reason they chose me was because if there really was a Robin in real life, they thought it would be me.

LA50: You and Adam do a lot of autograph shows and conventions together. It must be very exciting for the fans, who grew up watching you two, to get to actually meet you.

BW: It’s exciting for us, too! I love it. When people come up to Adam and me, they come up as people with children and jobs and all the issues and problems that come with life as an adult. But standing in front of us, for a brief moment, they become totally childlike. It is a transition that I have seen time and time again and it always touches me in a very emotional way. We have 60-year-old guys telling us about how, when they were kids, they played Batman and their brother played Robin; and women say they were in love with Bruce Wayne or Dick Grayson.

30 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

It’s so wonderful to see these regular people transform into kids right before your eyes.

It is so powerful to see what the show meant to them.

LA50: Along with Adam, you got to work with some really big stars when you were doing “Batman” – genuine Hollywood heavyweights.

BW: I know! Tallulah Bankhead, George Raft, Sammy Davis, Jr., Vincent Price, Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith. I had watched these people in films when I was a kid! I was like a kid in a candy store getting to meet these people.

LA50: Let’s talk about your dog rescue.

BW: It is our passion and we do what we do for the right reasons. We believe if you do things for the right reason, you get the best results. People who are the happiest don’t do things for themselves, they do things for others. That brings an enrichment you can’t put a price on. For 22 years of our lives, Tracy and I have dedicated ourselves to becoming knowledgeable about the care of dogs, rescuing them, providing them with medical care, finding them loving homes, and doing all we can for them to live long and healthy lives.

TW: We have a dog that is 27-years-old.

That is unheard of. She has lived triple her expected lifespan. The majority of our dogs are between 15 and 26.

BW: We have doubled and tripled the lifespan of our dogs by doing a tremendous amount of research with veterinarians and nutritionists. Most people who are over 50 have a pet, a canine kid now that their real kids are off living their lives. We know how much those dogs mean to the people who share their lives with them and love them, so we are doing all we can to spread the word about what we are doing to give dogs longer and healthier lives.

LA50: So tell us!

TW: There are three things that are most important: how you care for your dog, how you feed it, and what you feed it. For our dogs, living into their 20s is not an anomaly, it’s the norm. We have created a dog food that is of the best quality available. There is no one out there who would do what we have done in creating a dog food, because we have never been in it for the money. Our goal was to create the best food possible and then sell it at a price that is comparable with any other commercial dog food.

There is no commercial company that would ever do that, because it doesn’t make sense from a business standpoint. Our goal is not to sell dog food to make money, it is to sell dog food that will help dogs live long and healthy lives.

LA50: What is different about the food you have created?

BW: Commercial dog foods are filled with fat.

Just look at the chart on the back of any dog food.

Look at crude fat and you will see it is 12 to 22 percent in every dog food. Most dog foods are also sprayed with lard to make it more appealing to dogs. Think of what that fat and lard does to your dog’s intestines. “Life After 50” readers can go on our website, www.gentlegiants.com, to see how our food is made and what ingredients go into it.

It is all natural and made with the highest quality ingredients. But remember, this is a charity. We make nothing from our dog food.

LA50: Is it available in local markets?

TW: Yes, but if it isn’t available in someone’s area, they can order it from our website or through Walmart.com, who will deliver it to their home or local store at no cost.

LA50: It really is amazing what you guys are doing for dogs and the people who love them.

BW: Well, we appreciate the preciousness of life and this has become a passionate crusade for us.

You know, I always tell everyone: “I used to be the caped crusader, but now I’m the canine crusader!”

For more information on Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions and the company’s dog food products, click on www. gentlegiants.com.

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32 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

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Let’s Get OUt A Preview of Upcoming Events for October/November By Claire Yezbak Fadden

eNteRtAINMeNt

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM Phylicia Rashad directs this play depicting the racism and exploitation in the music industry through a 1927 recording session in Chicago with a legendary blues singer. The story is inspired by the real-life Gertrude “Ma” Rainey.

Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

Through Oct. 16. $25-$85. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org.

BOO AT THE L.A. ZOO Spooky caves filled with eerie sights and delights, and weekend frights including a graveyard safari, a boneyard education station, storytelling, live music, strolling characters, pumpkin carving and animal feedings. Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Griffith Park, 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles. Through Oct. 31. $17-$20. (323) 644-6001. lazoo.org.

WAIT UNTIL DARK This suspenseful thriller is set in 1944 Greenwich Village. Susan Hendrix, a blind yet capable woman, is imperiled by a trio of men in her own apartment. Aided by her difficult, slightly unreliable young neighbor Gloria, she must fight for her life against a gang of ruthless criminals, led by the violent, psychotic Roat who believes she has hidden a baby doll somewhere in her apartment that was used to smuggle heroin into the country. Kentwood Players, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Through Oct. 15. $20. (310) 645-5156. kentwoodplayers.org.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT The enchanting Biblical parable of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to life in this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Dates vary through Oct. 23. $40-$85. (562) 4678818. cerritoscenter.com.

SHIPWRECKED! An intrepid explorer who became an instant celebrity upon his return to civilization, Louis de Rougemont’s amazing tales of bravery, survival and exotic locales left 19th century England spellbound. But was it real or just a figment of his imagination? Will he be vindicated or will his reputation be ruined forever? International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Thurs.-Sun. through Nov. 6. $35-$49. (562) 436-4610. internationalcitytheatre.org.

LA/Ventura

October/November sharks and see large sharks such as the sand tiger and zebra sharks. The Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach.

Fridays through Dec. 30, except Oct. 28. Free.

(562) 590-3100. aquariumofpacific.org.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 SHARK LAGOON NIGHTS Get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators. Touch bonnethead and bamboo

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.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19 GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS Sanctuary of Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave., Glendale, Glendale.

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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE Eddie Carbone is a Brooklyn longshoreman obsessed with his 17-year-old niece, Catherine. When Catherine falls in love with a newly arrived immigrant, Eddie’s jealousy erupts in a rage that consumes him, his family and his world. Center Theatre Group/ Ahmanson Theatre At the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Also Oct. 16. $25-$125. (213) 972-4444 or centertheatregroup.org.

UNDER THE OAKS This salon series offers music and performance outdoors. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Performances vary. $25. (310) 4553723. theatricum.com.

JAPANESE GARDEN FESTIVAL This family friendly festival salutes Japanese culture through displays, tours, a garden walk, music and other activities. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge.

Also Oct. 16. $6-$9. (818) 949-4200. descansogardens.org.

34 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26 UNDERNEATH This paly spins a rich and vivid tale of a life lived in secret, a testament to the people who live on the fringes, under the nose of everyday life. It explores the surface, and what lies underneath. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Thurs.-Sun. through Nov. 6. $25–$34. (310) 477-2055 x2. odysseytheatre.com.

WHAT MAKE’S IT GREAT? — GERSHWIN

In a three-part format, Rob Kapilow explores composer George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris.” The piece is performed with the Cal State Fullerton Orchestra.

A lively question-and-answer period concludes the evening. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. $55. (562) 467-8818. cerritoscenter.com.

CALeNDAR A TASTE OF HONEY Shot through with love and humor, bursting with energy and daring, this exhilarating and angry depiction of harsh, working-class life in post-war England offers an explosive celebration of the vulnerabilities and strengths of the female spirit in a deprived and restless world. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Fri.-Sun. through Nov. 6. $25–$34. (310) 477-2055 x2. odysseytheatre.com.

BLOOD This political thriller with music shares the tale of 1980s “Japanese Tainted Blood Scandal” in which 2,000 people died of AIDS after the U.S. knowingly sold contaminated blood to Japan. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Fri.-Sun. through Nov. 6. $25–$34. (310) 477-2055 x2. odysseytheatre.com.

October/November LA/Ventura SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23

SLIGHTLY SPOOKY STORIES An all new family-friendly production of stories that are funny, surprising and slightly spooky. Kids (and grown-ups) are encouraged to come in costume. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge. Also Oct. 23. $6-$9. (818) 9494200. descansogardens.org.

CAMARILLO RANCH HOUSE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Spend an afternoon celebrating Adolfo Camarillo’s birthday. Enjoy fun, food, music, shopping and learn a bit of history.

Camarillo Ranch House, 201 Camarillo Ranch Rd., Camarillo. Free. (805) 389-8182. camarilloranch.org.

GOING, GOING…GONE! Set in the press box of a major Los Angeles baseball stadium, this new comedy surrounds four sports journalists whose lives are changed during the course of one game. Hudson Theatres, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. Fri.-Sun. through Nov. 6. $30. (323) 960-5521. plays411.com/Gone.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAMS Milano’s Italian Restaurant, Patio, Ventura Harbor Village, 1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura. (805) 658-0388. milanositalianrestaurant.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 HANSEL AND GRETEL BLUEGRASS A new version of the classic story set in depression-era Kentucky and featuring the rollicking bluegrass sounds of The Get Down Boys. 24th Street Theatre, 1117 West 24th St., Los Angeles. Sat.-Sun. through Dec. 11. $10$24. (213) 745-6516. 24thstreet.org.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 OINGO BOINGO DANCE PARTY The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Dr., Agoura Hills. $22-$32. (818) 879-5016. canyonclub.net.

FOREIGNER: THE HITS UNPLUGGED The rock group that dominated the music charts throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s performs their top hits, including “Double Vision,” “Urgent” and “Hot Blooded.” Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. $80-$105. (562) 467-8818. cerritoscenter.com.

NOVEMBER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS Sanctuary of Glendale City Church, 610 E. California Ave., Glendale, Glendale.

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

THEATRICUM BOO-TANICUM

Wander through the spooky BOO-tanicum in the heart of rustic Topanga Canyon, where the stage and sets are converted into a frightening maze and haunted house. Enjoy delicious food and spooky drinks, actors telling ghost stories, pumpkin and face painting, game booths and other activities. Perfect for ghosts and goblins of all ages. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. $15. (310) 455-2322. theatricum.com.

AUTUMN FESTIVAL Delve into the arts, cuisines, cultures and marine environments of Asia during this festival. Highlights include the traditions and cultures of Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines through a weekend of learning opportunities and family entertainment. The Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. Also Nov. 6. Prices vary. (562) 590-3100. aquariumofpacific.org.

AMERICAN SALTUES OUR VETERANS Senior Star Power 2016 talent competition.

This exciting, live theatrical production features contestants and performers 60 years young and over. Wadsworth Theatre, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Also Nov. 6. $45.

(818) 400-2701. seniorstarpower.org/ america-salutes-our-troops. thepinkladyhollywood@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

THE MIDTOWN MEN Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer, Michael Longoria and Daniel Reichard, the original cast members of “Jersey Boys”, bring to life their favorite ‘60s hits, including “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Bye Bye Baby.” Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. $50-$85.

(562) 467-8818. cerritoscenter.com.

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.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAMS Milano’s Italian Restaurant, Patio, Ventura Harbor Village, 1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura.

(805) 658-0388. milanositalianrestaurant.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN This musical parodies the horror film genre. The story follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein as he attempts to complete his grandfather’s masterwork and bring a corpse to life. Includes memorable tunes like “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and “Puttin’ On The Ritz.” Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles.

Weekends through Dec. 17. Prices vary. kenwoodplayers.org.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 RICKLES AND REGIS “Mr. Warmth” Don Rickles’s 90th Birthday Laughfest, classic stories, film clips and fun, hosted by Regis Philbin. Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. $78-$158. (888) 645-5006. sabantheatre.org.

4 GIRLS 4 Andrea McArdle, Donna McKechnie, Faith Prince and Maureen McGovern perform an evening of music, laughter and memories.

Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. $50-$80. (562) 467-8818. cerritoscenter.com.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 SECOND SUNDAY CONCERT Pasadena Central Library, 285 E Walnut, Pasadena. Free. (626) 398-0658.

October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 35

CALeNDAR

October/November LA/Ventura

eXHIBItIONs SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 CREATURE From slick avatars and popular icons to images rooted in mythology and animal instincts, the installation of more than 50 works features works by some 25 artists. This exhibition offers an array of lenses through which to view the human experience, some scientifically based and others drawing inspiration from cultural representations of how living things change over time. The Broad, First Floor Gallery, 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Through March 19.

Dark Mondays. Free. thebroad.org.

LEGENDS OF MOTOWN: CELEBRATING THE MIRACLES This exhibit uncovers the remarkable career of The Miracles, Motown’s first successful recording act, through artifacts from the personal collection of Claudette Robinson, the first female artist to ink a record deal with Motown, making her the “First Lady of Motown.” This display offers an intimate look into the group’s early career and their later rise as Smokey Robinson and The Miracles.

The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live, Third Floor Mike Curb Gallery, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. Through Summer 2017. $12-$13.

(213) 765-6803. grammymuseum.org.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Celebrate the joyous tradition of Mexico’s most famous holiday at this annual block party with music, dance, homemade tamales, face painting, crafts booths and a graveyard where families can make their own altars for their departed loved ones. The procession begins at 5 p.m. at Estrella Park, 1956 Estrella Ave., Los Angeles and continues to 24th Street Theatre, 1117 West 24th St., Los Angeles. Free. (213) 745-6516. 24thstreet.org. Brig a flashlight!

A SKY IN THE PALM OF A HAND This exhibition pairs Lloyd Hamrol’s sitespecific, industrial felt sculptures and Joan Perlman’s abstract paintings and prints, creating an immersive, multimedia environment that provides a platform to consider the related ideas and sharp distinctions between two artists’ investigations of materials, processes, impermanence, and landscape. Though Hamrol and Perlman have an ongoing, collegial dialogue, the two Los Angeles-based artists have never exhibited together. Pasadena Museum of Art, Back Gallery, 490 East Union Street, Pasadena.

Through Feb. 19. $5-$7. Wed.-Sun. (626) 5683665. pmcaonline.org.

SHARING CULTURE, CREATING COMMUNITY This exhibition explores the history of the Descanso Japanese Garden and celebrates how Japanese-style gardens energize diverse communities to create, interact and reflect.

Descanso Gardens, Sturt Haaga Gallery, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge.

Through Jan. 29. $6-$9. (818) 949-4200. descansogardens.org.

HORSES AND DRAGONS While Pegasus is a mythical creature, did you know that winged horses really do exist in

36 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

the ocean? Or, that male seadragons carry eggs until they hatch, and that seahorses can change color? Explore the mysterious realm of dragons and horses that dwell under the sea through these new exhibits, featuring about a dozen species of seahorses and seadragons and their relatives. See and learn more about the unusual animals in the Syngnathid group, which includes the sea moth (also known as Pegasus), seahorses, seadragons, pipefish and razorfish through exhibit displays. The Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. Through March 31. $15 after 5 p.m. (562) 590-3100. aquariumofpacific.org.

TATAU: MARKS OF POLYNESIA This exhibition explores the beauty of Samoan tattoos as well as the key role they play in the preservation and propagation of Samoan culture. Japanese American National Museum, 100 North Central Ave., Los Angeles. Through Jan. 8. $5-$9. (213) 625-0414. janm.org.

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.

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.

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.

Nights of Laughter at North Coast Rep

OCTOBER 19 – NOVEMBER 20 Directed by Tom Markus

From the gifted pen of America’s favorite playwright, Neil Simon, comes one of his funniest plays. As you clutch your sides in laughter, you’ll see why The New York Times hailed LAUGHTER as “one of Simon’s best, most enduring and endearing plays.”

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October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 37

Rick St eveS’ t RavelS

Rick Steves’ Travels Top Tips for Traveling Light

By Rick Steves

S

ometimes I wonder why people lug two and even three big suitcases with them when they travel instead of packing light enough to go strictly “carry on.”

Traveling with multiple heavy bags can be a drag, dragging them through airports, paying what can be exorbitant extra fees for them, and then waiting (and hoping) for them to arrive at baggage claim.

Why is traveling light important?

Practically speaking, if your itinerary involves taking trains, buses, or ferries, you need to be able to carry your luggage on board and heave it up onto a rack or wedge it into a tight space between seats. Also, at airports, if you don’t have your bag in your hand, you don’t have the option of jumping on the next available flight in the event yours gets delayed.

Too much luggage marks you as a typical tourist – a target for scammers and pickpockets. It also limits you. For instance, Europe’s most charming and characteristic hotels tend to be harder to reach – up winding paths, down back-alley staircases, or tucked deep in an area of town where cars aren’t allowed.

Many of them also lack elevators.

Here are some of my top tips for traveling light: Bring just one suitcase and one smaller bag

That’s it, even for a couple. Make those things your world, whether you’re going for two weeks or two months, in summer or in winter, on a bus tour or cruise.

Wear one pair of practical shoes

Especially when traveling in Europe, it’s really important to have solid shoes with a good, comfortable sole, as you’re out every day walking on cobblestones, winding paths or climbing ruined castles. You may have to sacrifice a bit of style, but your feet will thank you. Also, think long and hard about whether you really need to pack a second pair. You probably don’t.

38 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

Pack a limited wardrobe

You don’t need new underwear and socks for each day you’ll be gone. You just need to do laundry every few days. And don’t worry about repeating outfits: Nobody’s going to notice except whomever you are traveling with, and they’re in the same situation.

Plan to do laundry

You have several options when it comes to doing laundry. You can pay to have the hotel or cruise ship do it, wash it in your hotel sink, or go to local launderette. If using the hotel or ship sink, be tidy, wring out wet clothes well, snap them a few times, and hang them over the tub.

Go light on the toiletries

Bring just the basics: shampoo, a brush and comb, a toothbrush, a razor, deodorant, and a few first-aid or

personal items. Don’t bring everything you think you may need. If you ever get caught in need of something there will always be a place where you can pick up on whatever you need.

Remember, packing light isn’t just about saving time or money — it’s about your traveling lifestyle.

Too much luggage weighs you down and serendipity suffers. Changing locations becomes a major operation and con artists figure you’re a helpless tourist. Being mobile lets you travel efficiently, flexibly and gives you the freedom to truly experience and enjoy your trip without being, literally, weighed down.

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.

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Plan your travel | lifeafter50.com/news/travel/ 40 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

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And Finally...

The Bookworm’s Best A Life After 50 book review

by Terri “The Bookworm” Schlichenmeyer

Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year

By Ian Brown

Q

uick! Someone, call the fire department!

That old joke about the candles on one’s birthday cake was funny the first time you heard it, decades ago; but now, all these years later, not so much. You don’t need the reminder of blowing out boxes (plural) of little candles to know that you’re getting older, a fact that Ian Brown takes on in his new book, “Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year.”

Brown’s message is loud and clear: 50 is NOT the new 30. “That,” writes Brown, “is what self-help books would have you believe, but 60 is 60, no matter how you cut it – even if (and perhaps, especially) when that “certain age” finally sneaks up on you.”

Getting older takes place when we aren’t paying attention, Brown opines. It just sort of happens while we’re busy attending to our family or career until – whoosh, all of a sudden, we’re remembering (or not remembering) things long gone, and regretting time lost and opportunities missed.

Going bald is just one indignity; running out of breath doing something routine is another. Brown also writes of thinking lustfully toward younger women, and then realizing, with a start, that the only positive thing about having such thoughts is realizing that at least sexual interest still exists.

Despite such downsides, there are wonderful things about aging: keeping in touch with old friends, for instance; enjoying the company of those with whom you’ve had a history; getting to know your children as adults; and spending time with grandchildren.

And yet, as birthday candles escalate in number, there’s the panicky thought that time is running out for that special event you have wanted to pull together, the trip you have always wanted to take, the hobbies you thought you would someday try. Things you used to view as important aren’t important any longer, because there’s no room for trifles. You wonder if you’ll have time to say what you need to say and do what you have hoped to do.

You may worry about money and you certainly worry about your health.

Though it could be argued that the pace of “Sixty” is indicative of a slower, more introspective time of life, I struggled with this book precisely because of its meandering, which was also a bit too melancholy for my taste at times. Yes, this is a look at one man’s personal experiences in a milestone year, but it’s a diary consisting of a lot of plaintive railing and entries that aren’t always complete enough to avoid confusion. Readers may get a few giggles as Brown employs his wry sense of humor, but he seems to swing wildly between the profound and the profane, often settling back to the three main topics he seems obsessed with: his impending death, his failing body, and that he’s no longer sexually desirable to younger women. These prove to be amusing rants at first, but after the 61st reminder of such things (and please forgive me for saying this, but) it gets old.

The author proudly presents himself as a curmudgeon, and if that mien appeals to you, then you may well relish this read. If, however, you are looking for a book that embraces the aging process with a bit more positivity, “Sixty” is a book that, as with those ever-multiplying candles on your cake, I’d recommend you blow off.

“Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year” by Ian Brown, 2016, The Experiment, $24.95, 320 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

Just A Thought Before We Go

W

ild child rocker Grace Slick, who will turn 77 this month, is also celebrating another October milestone: It was 50 years ago this month that she made her first appearance with Jefferson Airplane. In what would become a 20-year career that would see the group rise to international commercial success, Slick’s debut with Jefferson Airplane, took place at The Fillmore in San Francisco in October of 1966. With Slick on board, the Airplane turned in a more psychedelic direction from their former folk-rock style. Their second album, “Surrealistic Pillow,” which would be released in February of 1967, included new recordings of “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love,” both of which became top 10 singles. Jefferson Airplane would go on to become one of the most popular bands in the country and earned Slick a position as one of the most prominent female rock musicians of the era. After retiring, Slick began drawing and painting animals, various renditions of white rabbits, nudes, portraits of her colleagues in the music industry including Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Jerry Garcia and “Alice in Wonderland”-themed paintings. Slick’s original works and prints have become highly sought-after with both art and music collectors. For more information on Slick and her art, visit her on Facebook at Grace Slick@GraceSlickOfficial.

42 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

“People say, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. That is not true.

Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote – a very different thing.”

– Walter H. Judd

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here was a time when the world was full of splendor and miracles. Sages and immortals walked the land, and emperors ruled by the will of Heaven.

People lived in harmony with the universe and believed in a connection among all things. The divine guided and inspired.

You could see it in the arts, hear it in the music, and sense it in the very air.

What if you could journey back and visit this lost paradise?

Shen Yun brings the profound spirit of this lost civilization to life on stage with unrivaled artistic mastery. Every dance movement, every musical note, makes this a stunning visual and emotional experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Banned in communist China today, the non-profit Shen Yun is dedicated to reviving 5,000 years of civilization.

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Contents

October 2016

10

24

28

Cover Profile

Departments

10 Trekking Down William Shatner

6 50-Plus: What You Need to Know

38

His thoughts on Leonard Nimoy, where Starship Earth is headed, and more.

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

Features

Looking to get out and about? Our October/November calendar has some great suggestions.

18 Be Head Smart And Care For Your Brain

Tips on keeping your brain working at its optimum level.

20 Waging War On Breast Cancer

Revolutionary breakthroughs and advances in breast cancer treatment.

24 The Hallowed Hall Of Must-Knowtables – Carolyn Jones

34 Let’s Get Out

38 Rick Steves’ Travels

Terrific tips on traveling light.

42 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.

Legendary notables that everyone, of every age, should know.

28 The Look Of Life After 50 – Burt Ward

The caped crusader from “Batman” is now a canine crusader.

Cover photo by Keith Munyan / www.keithmunyan.com

All material published within this issue of Life After 50 and on www.lifeafter50.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...

A Magical Trek Back To Childhood

S

ince its inception, television’s various genres have given iconic stature to individuals – both real and fictional – including the two men we feature in this month’s issue: William Shatner and Burt Ward who, respectively, played the roles of Captain James T. Kirk in “Star Trek,” and Robin the Boy Wonder in “Batman.”

When I was a kid, I was a big fan of both shows, which made it an exciting experience to have had personal encounters with Shatner and Ward over the years. I’ll never forget the first time I stood in the presence of Ward and his bat-cowled co-star Adam West. I may have been in my 30s, but that moment transported me back to being a 10-year-old kid, watching them crusade for the people of Gotham City from the living room of our Brooklyn home.

“When people come up to Adam and me, they come up as people with children and jobs and all the issues and problems that come with life as an adult,” Ward told me during my recent visit with him. “But standing in front of us, for a brief moment, they become totally childlike.”

I get that, and so does my brother, who knows just how childish the two of us can act whenever we’re together, because of something that happened back in the 1970s during my first meeting with Shatner.

Every family has treasured heirlooms and, because I come from a rather unconventional brood, one of our most prized possessions has been a Vulcan ear Shatner gave me when I first met him. Why he gave me that ear is a long story, but suffice it to say it’s kind of bizarre and, to make it even more Felliniesque, Geraldo Rivera was the impetus behind the whole thing.

Anyway, over the years, as with many prized treasures, that gift from Shatner has caused great strife within our family (namely with my brother). It has notoriously fallen into the wrong hands at times (namely my brother’s), and, mysteriously disappeared for long periods of time (at my brother’s house), only to reappear in a way that clearly pointed the finger of guilt at the unscrupulous scoundrel who absconded it (you guessed it).

That Vulcan ear has given the two of us (although not our perplexed wives) so many convulsing fits of laughter over the years, and has always – as Ward so aptly pointed out – transported us back to our childhoods.

When I met with Shatner for this issue, I brought the coveted ear with me and told him the story of how it had become a source of treasured intrigue within my family. He sat listening to the tangled tale of my family’s dirty laundry and then gave me the same look I get from my wife when I tell it. His response: “All that over something that looks like a dried pear!”

Later that day, when I sent my brother the photo of me and Shatner with the ear and called him to share his “dried pear” line, the two of us laughed hysterically – once again magically transported back to our childhoods – as I hope you will be when you read their stories.

David Laurell, Editor-in-Chief

4 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

Publisher Valarie Anderson

Account Executives: San Diego County/Orange County Phil Mendelson Phil@LifeAfter50.com

Editor-in-Chief David Laurell

Travel/Los Angeles James Thomopoulos James@LifeAfter50.com

Associate Editors Steve Stoliar Claire Yezbak Fadden Art Director Michael Kraxenberger Graphic Designer Nour BouChakra

For advertising/distribution inquiries contact: Valarie Anderson (310) 822-1629 x 121, Valarie@LifeAfter50.com

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

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

An October Thought

“Backward, turn backward, O time, in your flight make me a child again just for tonight!” ~ Elizabeth Akers Allen

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50

It’s Think Pink Month

O

Plus

What You Need To Know

By Claire Yezbak Fadden and Max Andrews

Memoir From The Boss

A

fter appearing at the Super Bowl’s halftime show in 2009, Bruce Springsteen was so exhilarated that he decided to write the story of his life. In his just-released book “Born To Run” (2016, Simon and Schuster) Springsteen writes with the same honesty, humor and originality found in the lyrics of his songs. He describes growing up Catholic in Freehold, New Jersey, amid the poetry, danger and darkness that fueled his imagination. With disarming candor, he also shares the story of the personal struggles that inspired his best work, and explains why the song “Born to Run” reveals more than his audiences previously realized.

As with many of his songs: “Thunder Road,” “Badlands,” “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” “The River,” “Born in the U.S.A,” “The Rising,” and “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” Springsteen writes with the lyricism of a singular songwriter and the wisdom of a man who has thought deeply about his experiences.

Fifty Candles

F

ifty years ago this month, the National Organization of Women was officially incorporated. Then- 22-year-old Baltimore Oriole Jim Palmer became the youngest player to pitch a World Series shutout.

Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale created the Black Panther Party. President Lyndon Johnson signed a bill establishing the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the game show “The Hollywood Squares” made its television debut on NBC. Notable personalities born in October 1966 who are celebrating their 50th birthday this month include actresses Karyn Parson and Jill Whelan, actors Luke Perry, Mike O’Malley and Zahn McClarnon, singer Eric Benet, late-night talk show host Andy Richter, screenwriter Shawn Ryan and musician-rapper Adam (Adrock) Horovitz.

6 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

ctober is Breast Cancer Awarness Month, an anual reminder to increase awareness of the diease. While most everyone is aware of breast cancer, many haven’t implemented a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. The National Breast Cancer Foundation offers a free, comprehensive, online guide called “Beyond The Shock,” to assist in understanding breast cancer. It is a resource for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a place for loved ones to gain a better understanding of the disease, and a tool for doctors to share information. For more ideas on how to get involved or to learn more, click on www.nationalbreastcancer.org.

It’s Your Time To Be Heard

B

y the time you read the next issue of Life After 50, you and millions of other Americans will have cast your ballots for either Secretary Hillary Clinton or businessman Donald Trump to serve as our next president. Everyone will be impacted by the results of this decision, and older Americans are especially concerned about where the candidates stand on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. As we enter the final few weeks of the 2016 presidential race, it’s important that voters understand the candidates’ positions and plans for these vital programs and other issues, such as college loan debt for children and grandchildren; disappearing pensions; anemic 401Ks and a lack of retirement savings.

The website www.retirementUSA.com reports that the financial gap between what Americans need to retire and what they actually have is $7.7 trillion. In fact, about half of households age 55 and older have no retirement savings and a third of current workers aged 55 to 64 are likely to be poor or near-poor in retirement. Where do Clinton and Trump stand on strengthening vital health and retirement security programs? Senior Vote 2016 is a great non-partisan resource that can arm you with facts and help you cast your vote with greater confidence. Next month’s election will be a defining moment and it’s critical that American voters demand that candidates are held accountable for the policies that will impact generations of American families. For more information on where the candidates stand, click on www. senior-

vote2016.org or www.nextavenue. org.

A Little More You Need To Know

Where You Need To Go

Celebrate 50 Years Of Descanso Gardens

The Most Important Thing To Know This Month

Questioning Medicare?

Here’s Some Appealing Tips

A

s Medicare recipients gear up for the annual open enrollment period that begins this month, it is important to know what you or someone you know should do if you ever need to appeal a coverage or payment decision made

by Medicare or your Medicare health plan. If you are faced with such a situation, ask your doctor, supplier or other healthcare provider for information that may help your case. Keep a copy of everything you send to Medicare or your health plan as part of your appeal. How you file an appeal depends on the type of Medicare coverage you have. If you have Original Medicare, here are some tips: • Get the “Medicare Summary Notice” (MSN) that shows the item or service you’re appealing. Your MSN is the notice you receive quarterly that lists all the services billed to Medicare and tells you if Medicare paid for the services.

• Circle the item(s) you disagree with on the MSN, and write an explanation of why you disagree with the decision on the MSN or a separate piece of paper and attach it.

• Include your name, phone number, and Medicare number on the MSN, and sign it. Keep a copy for your records.

C

elebrate the 50th anniversary of Descanso’s Japanese Garden at a fun-filled family-friendly festival, Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16.

The weekend will be packed with unique, cultural and historic events.

Kinnara Gagaku will perform gagaku and bugaku, an ancient music and dance done in the Imperial Court of Japan, in religious institutions and for community activities in Japan and within the Japanese-American community. View examples of ikebana, the art of flower arranging, from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a curator-led walk through the new gallery exhibit, “Sharing Culture/Creating Community” opening in the Sturt Haaga Gallery. Join Dr. Kendall Brown, professor of Asian art history and author of “Quiet Beauty: The Japanese Gardens of North America,” as he leads a Japanese garden walk while Kishin Daiko Taiko drummers perform heart-pounding feats of percussion.

• Send the MSN, or a copy, to the company that handles bills for Medicare (known as the Medicare Administrative Contractor) listed on the MSN. You can include any additional information about your appeal. Or you can use CMS Form 20027 and file it with the company that handles bills for Medicare. To view or print this form, click on www.cms.gov/cmsforms.

Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive in La Cañada Flintridge.

For more information, call (818) 949-4200 or click on www.descansogardens.org.

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.

Andragogy: The method and practice of educating adults.

Throw shade: To publicly criticize, disparage, disrespect or demean another person.

Wifty: To be or to act in an eccentric, silly, scatterbrained, flighty or unfocused manner.

• You must file the appeal within 120 days of the date you get the MSN in the mail. You’ll generally get a decision from the Medicare Administrative Contractor within 60 days after they receive your request. If Medicare will cover the item(s) or service(s), they’ll be listed on your next MSN. • If you have a Medicare Advantage or another health plan, read the materials your plan sends you, call your rep, or click on www.Medicare.gov/appeals. In some cases, you can file an expedited, or fast appeal.

For more information on your Medicare rights, read the “Medicare and You 2016” handbook, at www.medicare.gov or get answers to your Medicare questions by calling (800) 633-4227.

October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 7

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Are you experiencing any of the following: fatigue, nausea, swelling, joint pain, bags under the eyes, bloating, cellulite, varicose veins, or difficulty with weight loss? The cause may be your lymph system!

The lymphatic system drains fluids from your body and helps remove toxins and waste products from your tissues.

Lymph function supports your immune, digestive and nervous systems, and helps keep the body healthy.

This system is not very well known popularly, but it is vital to your overall health. Here are just a few of the vital things to know about this system. The lymph vessels connect to almost every cell in your body, and there is more fluid in the lymph system than there is blood in your body. Twice as much in fact.

It is the vital system in disease prevention, as it is where white blood cells, the blood cells that help fight infections, are created and stored. This system also helps create the antibodies needed to get rid of an invading organism.

However, unlike the blood in the body that moves based on the contractions of the heart, the lymph system depends on muscle contraction and manual manipulation to move fluid.

So if you are leading a relatively sedentary life—the kind of life most desk-bound adults these days lead, this system can and does become blocked.

When the lymph system becomes blocked, due to illness, surgery, toxic overload or inactivity, the blockage can lead to lymph fluid build-up. This build up causes fatigue, nausea, swelling, joint pain, bags under the eyes, bloating, cellulite, varicose veins, and even difficulty with weight loss. The lymph fluid will also become increasingly toxic, and so becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, illness and disease.

A lymphatic system detox can increase the natural drainage of the lymph system and flush toxins into the lymph circulatory system so they can be cleared out of the body. A detox of this system can also improve blood flow and circulation. It can reduce swelling and pain in the legs, reduce water retention, and improve venous circulation.

This will assist with varicose veins, reduce premenstrual bloating, reduce bags under the eyes, reduce body weight and size, reduce and help control cellulite and even reshape the legs.

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October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 9

Cover Profile

Trekking Down

William Shatner Constantly on the go, the “Star Trek” star shares his thoughts on his relationship with the late Leonard Nimoy and where he thinks Starship Earth is headed

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

I

t is early afternoon and the Life After 50 crew, which has been trying for the better part of a month to track down (or should we say “trek” down) William Shatner to do an interview and photo shoot, is awaiting his arrival on a balcony outside of his Los Angeles office.

“He’s on his way,” comes an update from his assistant.

Moments later, a silver Mercedes careens into the driveway below the balcony.

C

oming to an abrupt halt, the driver’s side window lowers and Shatner leans out. “Go on inside,” he instructs his guests. “i’ll be right up.” Bounding into his office with the energy one would expect of a person in their 30s rather than one who is halfway through his octogenarian years, Shatner apologizes for running late.

“It’s always one thing after another. There’s just not enough hours in the day,” he says as he takes a seat behind his desk and immediately starts flipping through a stack of mail.

When the comment is made that, with the schedule he keeps, he could really benefit from the use a Transporter to beam him from place to place, a slight smile crosses his face. He continues to peruse his mail, refraining from making an eye roll or any other indication that barely a day has passed during the better part of his life that someone hasn’t tossed some sort of “Star Trek” pun or reference at him. He then looks up from his mail and says: “Okay, let’s do this.”

THE SHATNER STORY Born in Canada in 1931, Shatner went on to attend Montreal’s McGill University, join the Canadian National Repertory Theatre, and train as a classical Shakespearean actor. Always willing to embrace extreme diversity in the roles he accepted, a then 23-year-old Shatner was cast as Ranger Bob on “The Canadian Howdy Doody Show,” a licensed spinoff of the American version created by Buffalo Bob Smith, and then made his Broadway debut in Christopher Marlowe’s “Tamburlaine the Great.”

Shatner found steady work in numerous films and television series from the mid 1950s through the mid 1960s, including in an episode of NBC’s “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” that featured another unknown actor by the name of Leonard Nimoy.

Shatner and Nimoy would soon be teamed up again when the latter was tapped to play the half-Vulcan science officer Spock, and the former was given the role of James T. Kirk, captain of the Starship Enterprise, a 23rd century interstellar exploration vessel of the United Federation of Planets, in the Gene Roddenberry-created sci-fi series “Star Trek. Now referred to as “The Original Series,” “Star Trek” debuted in 1966 and ran for three seasons on NBC. After the cancellation of “Star Trek” in 1969, Shatner entered the 1970s indelibly associated with the kitschy sci-fi series and, for the first time in his career, found difficulty getting work due to being typecast at Captain Kirk.

With money running low and acting prospects hard to come by, Shatner lost his home and, for a time, lived in a camper.

Accepting whatever small parts came his way, Shatner appeared in a string of films that led to a starring role in ABC’s short-lived western-themed secret agent series, “Barbary Coast.” By the mid 1970s, he was seen regularly in guest roles on many of the era’s popular television series including “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Columbo,” “The Rookies,” “Kung Fu” and “Ironside.”

Shatner also began doing commercials and became a fixture as a celebrity guest on games shows including “The $20,000 Pyramid,” “The Hollywood Squares,” “Beat the Clock,” “Tattletales,” “Match Game” and others.

While “Star Trek” was not a huge hit during its original three-year run, by the 1970s, syndicated reruns of the show had found a devout cult following and Captain Kirk became a cultural icon. This opened up a new revenue stream for Shatner, who began appearing at “Star Trek” conventions and ultimately went on to reprise his role of Kirk in a string of feature films based on the series. From 1979 till 1994, Shatner and the other original “Star Trek” cast members made six films, ending, for Shatner, with the death of his character in “Star Trek Generations.”

The 1980s saw Shatner once again return to television in a starring role as a veteran police sergeant in ABC’s “T. J. Hooker,” which ran for four

seasons. He also hosted the reality-based series “Rescue 911” for seven seasons and, in the early 2000s starred, alongside James Spader and Candice Bergen, in ABC’s “Boston Legal” as Denny Crane, an eccentric attorney who, far more than anyone else, was highly impressed with his legal prowess.

Along with acting, Shatner has also been a prolific sci-fi novelist, penned non-fiction books about his life and career, and made a mark, of sorts, in the musical word with a series of spoken-word albums that have been parodied for their overly dramatic recitations. Shatner’s last album, 2013’s “Ponder the Mystery,” was produced and composed by musician Billy Sherwood of the English rock band Yes, and led to Shatner going on tour with CIRCA, a progressive rock band founded by Sherwood and three other musicians associated with Yes. Shatner, who has been married four times, is the father of three daughters and has been married to Elizabeth Martin since 2001. The couple split their time between their home in Los Angeles and a 360-acre farm in Kentucky, named Belle Reve Farm, where he raises American Saddlebreds and Quarter Horses. Since 1990, he has been a leading force behind the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, which raises money for children’s charities.

Along with being seemingly omnipresent on the television airwaves as the pitchman for Priceline.com, a commercial website that provides users discount rates for travel-related purchases, this past summer saw Shatner starring in an NBC reality show, “Better Late Than Never.” Teamed up with Henry Winkler, Terry Bradshaw, George Foreman and comedian Jeff Dye, the quintet traveled to Japan, South Korea, China and Thailand to experience local culture, food and nightlife. While the new location has not yet been determined, NBC has announced they will renew the series for a second year.

October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 11

Photo by David Laurell

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life After 50 (lA50): You have been one of the hardest people to track down for an interview. You’re seemingly constantly working and all over the place.

William Shatner (WS): I am, but you caught me just as I’m getting out of a meeting with Billy [Sherwood] and getting ready to leave for Europe. Billy and I are talking about doing another album together. We did “Ponder the Mystery,” and when it was released, it didn’t get the right sendoff. So I think we may do a tour – doing the numbers we wrote for “Ponder the Mystery” – to better promote it. We’re also talking about doing a Christmas album. So there is always a lot going on. lA50: Do you ever take any down time?

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WS: When I do, I ride horses. That is my passion and my relaxation. I ride competitively. In fact, I just did a show this past weekend and took two firsts and two seconds. I’m up against a lot of really talented and much younger people, but I have very talented horses and great trainers. I’ve been really working hard at competitive riding, and so the horses are my other life besides acting and writing. lA50: Where did your love of horses stem from?

WS: You know, I really don’t know. When I was a kid, I think I rode a horse maybe only once or twice. My passion for horses and for riding came about

much later in life, when I had the money to buy a horse. I bought some land, bought a horse, and it just took off from there. I have now spent years working at being a good horseman. I have been obsessive in learning everything I can about breeding, selling, training and competing.

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WS: I’ve got a really nice book out right now called “Leonard: My FiftyYear Friendship with a Remarkable Man” [Thomas Dunne Books, 2016] that tells the story of my relationship with Leonard Nimoy. I also have another book – a novel – that came out in September. It’s a good sci-fi read called “Zero G” [Simon & Schuster, 2016] that is about how, in 2050, there will be so many vehicles out in space that there will be a need for law and order to be established. So they send the FBI out – G-men in zero gravity – thus the title. I’ve also just recently started work on another book about horses.

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lA50: let’s take a moment to talk about leonard. You have said in the past that while you interacted socially over the years, it was after the accidental death of your wife, Nerine, in 1999 that your friendship with him really strengthened. i’m sure his death earlier this year proved to be an emotional and difficult time for you.

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WS: Very much so. Keeping his memory alive is the emphasis of the book that, hopefully, will resonate with readers. It is about losing somebody you care about, that you have had a lifetime of experiences with, and then, rather quickly, realizing you are beginning to forget things about them.

What happened, eventually, with me, is that the memories of all those times and events I shared with Leonard began to play games with me. There was nobody to validate some of those memories, because it had just been him and me. The best way for me to describe it is that it’s like when you are telling a story and you say you had been wearing a blue hat, and someone who was there says: “No! The hat you were wearing was green!” And you think to yourself: “Oh that’s right. It WAS green.” We all get to a point when we start fighting our memory. Time erodes everything – even the best of memories. So this book, while it is really a love letter from me to Leonard, it also commemorates – documents – the events that happened between us that, had I not written about now while they were still fresh in my mind, would have been lost forever.

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to something I said or did. I attempted to bring the issue up a couple of times, but he would never clarify it. So the last time we spoke, it was difficult.

It was apparent that he did not have long to live but I wasn’t able to really say goodbye to him other than in a letter I sent him shortly before he died. lA50: How did you deal with that – come to terms with that?

WS: I totally ignored all of it. I believe – my reasoning – for why he behaved as he did was due to his illness, the medications, the lack of oxygen. I believe it was those things that affected his behavior. I guess I’ll give it any excuse, because the friendship we had for over 50 years – the moments of great joy in which we shared so much and had so much in common – was what was important and what I choose to remember. Our backgrounds, our families, the divorces and deaths of family members we’ve been through, there was so much – so many really heavy things – that we shared and could relate to one another on because we had so much in common. So whatever misunderstanding he had of me and our relationship at the end of his life is of no consequence to me.

I will never understand it, but what I do understand is that I loved him and I know he loved me. lA50: You have written an entire book about him, but if you were asked to capsulize your thoughts and feelings about him in just a sentence or two, what would you say?

WS: That I will always remember the hysterical laughter we evoked from each other. We made each other laugh. We did quite a few things – the conventions – in which we performed without a prepared script. In those spontaneous moments, we said things that made us laugh so hard. That is the thing I will remember about Leonard the most: how we laughed.

There may be something to be said about a friend with whom you can cry in your beer. That’s fine. But to laugh – I mean really laugh with someone like we did – that is never ending. lA50: So you are at peace in terms of leonard?

WS: Totally. lA50: And are you also at peace with James Kirk?

WS: Oh God yes. I always have been. I will always be grateful for the celebrity status that was bestowed on me by playing him. That was the greatest gift I have ever received for doing “Star Trek,” that I could use my celebrity to do good things for people in need. I run a horse show, and between working with some of the companies I have been associated with for sponsorships and tugging at people’s sleeves, we have managed to raise between four and five hundred thousand dollars a year for the past 30 years. So that has now become several million dollars, and we have funneled every penny to various charities for children and veterans. Had it not been for the celebrity that “Star Trek” gave me, I could have never done that. I treasure the fact that I was able to play this character that went on to become an icon. What were the odds? The show did not have any monumental length – it only lasted three years – but look at what it

14 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

has become. The fact that it is what it is today – 50 years later – it’s nothing short of phenomenal. lA50: As you know, some of the world’s greatest collections have been built of “Star Trek” memorabilia. So, fess up, do you own any very special item, some holy grail from the show?

WS: No I don’t. I don’t have a thing. Now, had I known what would transpire as the years went by, I would have greedily grabbed up everything in sight [laughing]. But we had no idea at the time that the show would go on to become a cultural icon. I’ve heard that after doing a show or a movie, Glenn Ford used to back up a truck to the stage door and take everything. Then the executives at MGM, who knew he was doing that, would wait a week and send a truck out to his house to get it all back [laughing]. But I never took anything from the show, not a prop or a costume. I have nothing from the show. lA50: Having traveled, theatrically speaking, to the ends of the universe, boldly going where no one had ever gone to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and civilizations, what are your personal beliefs on whether or not other worlds and life forms exit somewhere out there?

WS: It’s not a matter of belief – mine or anyone else’s – to simply look around at our known world and see how inescapable life is. How in every nook and cranny life is created and thrives. The formation of life is a cosmic urge. So it is incomprehensible that in all the billions of opportunities that the universe offers that life hasn’t formed somewhere else as it has here on Earth.

Our solar system is only some four-and-a-half-billion-years-old in a universe that we believe is over 13-billion-years-old, and there may be so many other universes and planets we don’t even know to exist. So it is incomprehensible – mathematically and logically impossible – that there isn’t other life out there, and possibly in much higher forms than we are. lA50: Prior to that first boot print Neil Armstrong put on the moon’s surface in July of 1969, you, again theatrically speaking, had left your boot prints upon many moons and planets. Where were you and what were your thoughts when you watched Apollo 11 land on the moon?

WS: I talk about that in a one-man show I do – that I did on Broadway.

I’ve toured many cities doing that show and it is very dear to me. In it, I describe myself lying in a camper in a pasture on Long Island, where I was doing summer stock. I was in this camper with a little four-inch portable black-and-white television set balanced on my chest. I was looking out the camper’s window at the moon at the very same time I was watching Armstrong put his foot down saying those famous words: “That’s one small step for

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“I’m in total denial about [aging]. That really works for me, and I recommend it for everyone.”

a man…” At that time, I was going through a difficult time personally. I was post-divorce and post-“Star Trek,” very broke, couldn’t find work, and was wondering what was to become of me. I remember lying there watching this amazing milestone in world history and thinking: “I wonder what my next step will be?” It was a real turning point for me, because although I was despondent, I became filled with the majesty of the moment and excitement over what my next step would be. lA50: This coming March you will turn 86. Can you share your secret for the vitally and stamina you possess?

WS: No secret. I just love what I do – everything I’m into. I keep very busy doing the things I love. lA50: Do you adhere to any sort of fitness regimen or diet?

WS: Whenever I’m not working or don’t have any appointments, I’m riding my horses. I’m not the type of person who takes a walk in the park. I’m actively rehearsing with my horses. Riding a horse with power and motivation for three or four hours three times a week – that’s a real workout! In addition, I try to get into the swimming pool a few times a week for a 15-to-30-minute workout. As for diet, in the last couple of years, I have become much more careful about what I eat. I have finally accepted the fact that carbs are very bad for me, because they quickly turn to sugar. So I’m pretty much on a lowcarb, high-protein diet. At least I am for as best as I can be. It is very difficult for a person who loves bread and pasta. But I have to stay in shape to be able to continue to ride competitively and take the pounding of a galloping horse.

16 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

lA50: We always ask people if they have adopted any philosophy about aging as they have gotten older. Have you?

WS: Yes! I’m in total denial about it [laughs]. That works really well for me, and I recommend it for everyone. lA50: one last thing: As someone who will be forever known as the captain of the Starship enterprise that had a defined mission, do you ever think about the mission of Starship earth and wonder where we are headed?

WS: I think we’re headed to hell in a hand basket if we don’t come to our senses very fast. For those of us who have been around a while, we remember the world in its innocence, where singing birds were prevalent, and bees made honey, and fruits and vegetables were beneficial to your health, because they were grown in good earth, and there was some semblance of decency and care when it came to the way we treat other people and how we serve as the custodians of this planet. What is our mission? We must teach our children what that was like, and how we have to harken back to taking care of our planet and one another before all that we know is destroyed. That’s our mission. We have to do that, and fast!

For more information on William Shatner, his upcoming projects, books and charities, click on www.williamshatner.com or www.horseshow.org.

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Be Head Smart and Care For Your Brain With the diagnosis of alzheimer’s disease and dementia on the rise, do all you can to keep your brain working at its optimum level

Special to Life After 50 by Dr. Kenneth E. Smith, Chief Medical Officer, Inter Valley Health Plan

A

s each year passes, all we have to do is take a glimpse in a mirror to be reminded that our bodies are aging. While physical changes are an “in-your-face” reminder of the passage of time, we must also be cognizant of the changes we can’t see – the ones that are taking place inside our bodies.

With each ache and pain we experience in our joints, necks, backs or knees, we are reminded that our “working parts” may not be functioning as well as they once did. Because of those physical pains, we think about our aching backs or our sore feet.

But what about our brains? That gray mass inside our skull doesn’t cause us the kind of noticeable pain a wrist or a knee might, but that doesn’t mean that our brains are immune to the aging process.

Because the signs and symptoms of deterioration are not always as readily apparent in our brains, it is equally – if not arguably more – important to do all we can to maintain our mental fitness and brain health as we get older.

18 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly five million people were recorded as suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. last year alone. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and is a progressive disease with no cure to date.

It begins with mild memory lapse or confusion and can possibly lead to the loss of the ability to carry on a conversation, recognize friends and loved ones, and respond properly to the environment.

The first signs and symptoms of dementia typically occur in adults over the age of 60, and the number of people with the disease doubles every five years beyond age 65. In fact, by 2050, the projected number of individuals suffering from dementia is expected to rise to a staggering 14 million.

While age is the biggest risk factor for those who are diagnosed with dementia, it

certainly does not affect all older adults. However, brain health is a critical component to healthy aging and should be taken as seriously as physical and emotional wellness. Often, these three components – physical, mental and emotional wellness – are interrelated, and caring for each of them will play a huge role in maximizing long-term health benefits.

Here are a few easy and helpful tips to supporting your brain function:

STAY PHYSICALLY FIT

Physical and mental health are not mutually exclusive.

In fact, exercise is good for your cognition, mood and brain health. You can improve those things throughout your life with regular exercise, which has been shown to increase neurogenesis in the brain. If you don’t exercise regularly, start incrementally by incorporating short walks into your day, and continue to expand new exercises as you become stronger.

KEEP LEARNING

Much like physical exercise, becoming a perpetual student will help to improve the working speed and function of your brain. Taking up a new hobby, such as learning a language or playing an instrument, will help the synapses in your brain to remain active and help them to continue to make new connections, which will keep you sharp.

MANAGE YOUR STRESS LEVEL

Stress levels negatively impact your brain. Many studies have indicated a direct link between stress levels and declining brain function. Be sure to identify activities that help you relax, if you are feeling anxious or stressed during your week. Take a hike, read a book, or take an aromatherapy bath to relax and foster a low-stress environment. This will pay off dividends for other aspects of health as well, including disease management.

EAT A BALANCED DIET

We all know that eating our fruits and vegetables is important to maintaining a healthy body, so it should come as no surprise that these foods are good for your brain, too. Additionally, scientific evidence has shown that Omega 3s and vitamin E are also good for your brain. Incorporate more fish and nuts into your diet, both of which are high in these nutrients. In general, be sure to eat nourishing and nutrient-rich foods for optimal mental and physical health.

MAINTAIN YOUR FRIENDSHIPS

Believe it or not, you do have a great excuse to attend that party with your colleagues or getting together with friends. Your brain will greatly

benefit from maintaining and expanding social relationships. Social interaction, the exchange of stories, ideas and opinions, have proven to be both stimulating and healthy. However, be sure to focus on cultivating positive, healthy and happy relationships to avoid any unnecessary stress.

STAY POSITIVE

Especially with yourself. Incorporating positive affirmations on a daily basis will help increase your mental proficiency. Adding positive mantras at the beginning of your day (e.g. “I am loved,” “I am grateful for my life, health, family and friends”) will strengthen the neural pathways in your brain (not to mention, you may also experience increased self-confidence, well-being and overall satisfaction in your life).

As with anything, good habits are cultivated with slow but regular practice. If you find that you could improve one of the areas above, make it a point to practice them one day at a time until they become a natural habit. Taking care of your mental capabilities and brain function should not be left until tomorrow. Start today and practice them regularly. If you find yourself – or a family member – experiencing memory loss or declining motor function, be sure to contact your physician as soon as possible to get tested for dementia.

The earlier you identify a problem, the sooner you can make any necessary changes to help mitigate its deterioration further.

Dr. Kenneth E. Smith is the chief medical officer for Inter Valley Health Plan, a notfor-profit Medicare Advantage Health Plan

serving Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and North Orange County. Inter Valley Health Plan is dedicated to keeping its members healthy and strong and delivering highly personalized service to the Medicare-eligible community. For more information, click on www.IVHP.com.

BEE BRAINY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH

Inter Valley Health Plan is committed to enhancing the mind, body and spirit of aging residents of Southern California. The Medicare Advantage Health Plan recently launched its Bee Brainy initiative, which offers free classes, events and resources dedicated to brain health. The Bee Brainy program centers on all the elements that help maintain a healthy brain, including diet, exercise, socialization and other stimulating activities.

At each of Inter Valley Health Plan’s Medicare and Information Vitality Centers, you will find informative and educational free monthly classes that focus on health and vitality for adults over 50.

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Waging War on

BreASt CAnCer Dramatic breakthroughs and advances in breast cancer treatment are creating a revolution Special to Life After 50 by City of Hope

T

he evolution of breast cancer treatment has become a revolutionary war on the disease thanks to precision medicine, improved screening, and a move to more refined surgical techniques. This fight will continue as advances such as immunotherapy, nipple-sparing surgery, and gene therapy continue to transform the field.

To learn more about this revolution, we spoke with two of City of Hope’s breast cancer specialists, Dr. Laura Kruper, M.D., head of breast surgery service, and Dr. Joanne Mortimer, M.D., director of the Women’s Cancers Program. They answered questions about new directions in breast cancer treatment and what research they believe we will see in the coming year.

Dr. Mortimer, who has been named numerous times as one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly, serves as vice chair and professor in the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research. As part of her research, she is working on a new way to match breast cancer patients to specific treatments.

Dr. Kruper, an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, is director of the Women’s Center. A vocal advocate for breast cancer awareness, she led a study that showed how race, income and insurance status can prevent breast cancer patients from getting the reconstructive surgery to which they are entitled.

What treatment advances do you expect for breast cancer patients in the near future?

20 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

“We’re seeing very promising advances in several directions, such as in systemic therapies where the focus is moving to drugs that target abnormalities in the cancer cell that are unique to each patient,” Dr. Mortimer said. “We’re also looking to provide individualized treatment for breast cancer patients, which means less chemotherapy, less surgery and less radiation.”

In the area of surgery, Dr. Kruper sees a new emphasis on procedures that remove tumors while preserving as much of the breast as possible.

“One of the innovative surgeries that we can offer patients here at City of Hope are nipplesparing mastectomies with direct implant-based reconstruction,” Dr. Kruper said. “This means that we preserve the whole envelope of the breast, and the plastic surgeons then place implants during the same surgery.”

Unlike at many other medical centers, plastic surgeons at City of Hope do not use tissue expanders, Dr. Kruper said.

“With expanders, patients undergo expansion with saline over a period of three months and then have the tissue expanders exchanged for implants as a separate surgery,” she said. “By eliminating the need for tissue expansion, patients are spared many office trips as well as an additional surgery.”

“Also, two new therapies to destroy early-stage breast cancers are showing great promise in clinical trials,” Dr. Kruper said. “One uses lasers; the other uses freezing, also known as cryoablation.”

In fact, she said, a cryoablation trial called FROST will open soon at City of Hope.

How significant is the move to precision medicine?

“It means being able to match a breast cancer patient with the most effective treatment for her specific cancer,” Dr. Mortimer said.

“When you identify which drugs are best for individual patients, you are likely to find more

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effective treatments for each individual,” she said.

“That means less chemotherapy, less surgery and less radiation, which means fewer side effects. This will also help prevent resistance to existing therapies.”

“The surgical innovations offer breast cancer patients a better quality of life during and aftertreatment,” Dr. Kruper said. “Cryoablation and laser therapy are less invasive than traditional surgery, so patients recover more quickly and with less pain.”

How will this improve the patient experience or patient outcomes?

Growing precision in the area of drug therapy means matching a type of cancer to a specific treatment, Dr. Mortimer said.

“Patients will be more comfortable that they are getting the appropriate therapy that is unique and individual to them,” she said.

“And as a result, they will experience fewer of the side effects that make cancer treatment difficult.”

As for nipple-sparing surgery without the use of tissue expanders, that preserves the natural look of a patient’s breast and eliminates the need for additional surgery, Dr. Kruper said.

“By eliminating the need for tissue expansion, patients are spared many office trips as well as an additional surgery,” Dr. Kruper said. “Patients also wake up after surgery with intact nipples and the original appearance of their breasts.”

What research progress do you expect in the coming year?

“The focus on the genetic and molecular makeup of breast cancer will continue to reveal how the disease

works and how the body can be mobilized to fight it. Breast cancer is made up of many types and sub-types and each patient is different,” Dr. Kruper said.

“For example, there are at least six different subtypes of triple-negative breast cancer,” she said. “We will see increasing use of molecular profiling tools that result in more personalized treatment regimens.”

“Research into checkpoint inhibitors, which unleash the power of a patient’s own immune system, will significantly advance the cancer fight,” Dr. Mortimer said.

“We will improve quality of life for patients because treatment will no longer be one-sizefits-all,” she added.

Overall, where is the field of breast cancer treatment and research moving?

“The shift is toward a greater and more thorough understanding of the biology of each subtype of cancer,” Dr. Mortimer said. “The more we understand about the genetics of cancer, the more we will be able to identify therapies that will be more effective than the drugs we have had up until now, many of which simply kill all cells that divide, rather than just breast cancer cells.”

Dr. Kruper foresees continued and rapid change.

“The field is constantly changing, which is exciting,” Dr. Kruper said. “We learn more each year about the [diversity] of breast cancer and how individualized patient treatments are so important.”

10 Tips for Patients Going Through Treatments From the moment of a breast cancer diagnosis, the emphasis is on treating the disease. But cancer support specialists say that by taking some surprisingly simple steps, patients can manage the physical and emotional side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

The following are 10 tips to help ease the side effects during treatment: 1. Many women don’t realize that for some time after their surgery, they won’t be able to lift their arm. Wear lightweight shirts and tops with front closures, which are easy to slip on.

Some postsurgical tops have special pockets to accommodate drains.

2. A lightweight jacket or a soft shawl is good for both emotional comfort and warmth.

3. Invest in a high-quality, postsurgical bra.

Good ones are made from a soft, gauze-like material and have Velcro front closures.

4. A balanced diet is key. Eating can be a battle, but fresh vegetables and fruits, plenty of protein and lots of water will help with fatigue.

5. Exercise – a gentle walk, a beginner’s yoga class or an art therapy class – can literally move you into a better frame of mind.

6. Keep a journal. Turn it into anything you want – a diary of your journey, a wish list for the future, or a letter to yourself or loved one.

7. Take time for you. Get a book on tape, do a Netflix binge, find a massage therapist who makes house calls and have “Me Dates.”

8. Meditate. Take a class, join a friend or grab a cushion and head for a park. It’s a deeply personal thing to do, with surprising benefits.

9. Help someone else. Join a support group and be a guide for those newer to the cancer journey.

Or get away from cancer altogether and sign up for something easy and manageable – a half-hour per week of reading to an elderly person or maybe tutoring a homeless child at the library. It’s amazing how good the act of giving feels.

10. Remember to go easy on yourself and do the best you can. If you set up a wellness plan and don’t stick to it, understand that everyone has bad days, and there may be times when all you want to do is stay in bed. Listen to your body and nurture yourself.

Learn more about City of Hope’s breast cancer program and research. If you are looking for a second opinion or consultation about your treatment, request an appointment online at www.cityofhope.org or call (800) 826-HOPE.

22 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

T H H  M-K

By Steve Stoliar Illustration by Mark Hammermeister

C

J

“They’re creepy and they’re kooky; mysterious and spooky; they’re altogether ooky, the Addams family!”

Just about every baby boomers can recite the lyrics to that popular 1960s television theme song in their sleep. Viewers were hooked on the comedic and creepy adventures of this macabre brood, and the family’s matriarch, Morticia Addams, played to perfection by Carolyn Jones. Although she will always be best remembered for her sexily sinister performance on that series, there was much more to Jones than just Morticia, including an Oscar nomination and appearances in scores of classic films.

C

arolyn Sue Jones was born on April 28, 1930, in Amarillo, Texas.

Her mother, Cloe, was a housewife; her father, Julius, was a barber.

When Jones was only four-years-old, Julius abandoned the family, forcing Cloe and her two children (Carolyn and younger sister, Bette) to move in with her parents.

Asthma plagued the young Jones from an early age, which restricted her outdoor activities. As a result, she became an avid reader – with a particular fondness for Hollywood fan magazines. When she was feeling strong enough, she also loved going to the movies.

When she was only 15, Jones ventured westward and enrolled at the famed Pasadena Playhouse. During her days there – while still in her teens – she married fellow acting student, Don Donaldson, although the marriage was very short-lived.

In classic Hollywood fashion, a talent scout from Paramount Pictures saw Jones perform at the playhouse, which led to a contract at the storied studio.

Her first role was a small one – uncredited – in the 1952 film noir, “The Turning Point,” starring William Holden and Edmond O’Brien.

The following year, she married fellow actor – and future filmmaker – Aaron Spelling, converting to Judaism in order to fit into his family.

Jones landed another uncredited role as a nightclub hostess in Fritz Lang’s classic 1953 film noir, “The Big Heat,” starring Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame.

That same year, she played the memorably tragic role of Cathy Gray, the victim Vincent Price’s character turns into a wax figure of Joan of Arc in the 3-D horror masterpiece, “House of Wax.” Jones had a near-brush with greatness when the role of dance-hall girl Lorene in the classic 1953 war drama, “From Here To Eternity,” was written just for her.

Unfortunately, a severe bout of her old nemesis, asthma – which led to pneumonia – forced her to bow out and be replaced by Donna Reed, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for that role.

During this early period in her career, Jones appeared in several episodes of the popular television detective series, “Dragnet,” as well as “City Detective,” “State Trooper,” the classic Western “Wagon Train,” and the Ray Milland sitcom, “Meet Mr. McNutley.”

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

In 1955, Jones costarred in “The Cheney Vase,” a memorable television episode of the legendary anthology series, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” in which she played Darren McGavin’s scheming girlfriend, helping him to plan a daring art theft.

The following year saw her making notable appearances in two vastly different cinema classics – the paranoid sci-fi favorite “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (as Teddy Belicec, who, along with her husband, is taken over by a pod from outer space) and Alfred Hitchcock’s remake of “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (as Doris Day’s character’s friend, Cindy Fontaine).

The following year, Jones was cast as a Greenwich Village party girl known only as “the existentialist” in the Paddy Chayefsky classic, “The Bachelor Party,” opposite Don Murray and E.G. Marshall. For her efforts, Jones was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, losing out to Miyoshi Umeki in “Sayonara.” She did, however, win a Golden Globe that year as Most Promising Newcomer.

In 1958, Jones landed the role of Ronnie in what many consider to be Elvis Presley’s finest film – “King Creole.” She’s even featured on the movie’s poster, locked in an embrace with The King of Rock n’ Roll.

The following year, Jones costarred with two other legendary singersturned-actors: Frank Sinatra in Frank Capra’s delightful “A Hole in the Head,” and Dean Martin in the Hollywood blacklist drama, “Career,” which also starred Tony Franciosa and Shirley MacLaine.

Her marriage to Spelling led to appearances in two of his productions: The anthology drama, “The Lloyd Bridges Show,” in 1962, and the celebrityinterview series, “Here’s Hollywood,” in 1963. That same year, Jones landed a prominent role in the all-star Western saga, “How The West Was Won,” as the wife of a sheriff played by George Peppard.

In 1964, Jones and Spelling divorced, but there was an equal and opposite piece of good news for the versatile actress: She landed the coveted role of Morticia Addams in what was to become the popular ABC sitcom, “The Addams Family,” based on the one-panel cartoons of legendary New Yorker artist, Charles Addams, and produced by comedy veteran Nat Perrin, who had written for The Marx Brothers and was a close friend of Groucho Marx. In fact, it was Perrin’s input to John Astin, who played Morticia’s husband, Gomez, to employ the expressive eyebrows, moustache and cigar which were echoes of Groucho’s persona.

The macabre black-and-white series, which ran from September of 1954 until April of 1966, introduced us to this “altogether ooky” family: with Jones as Morticia and Astin as Gomez, the family was rounded out with former child star Jackie Coogan as Uncle Fester, Ted Cassidy as Lurch the butler, Blossom Rock as Grandmama, Ken Weatherwax as Pugsley, and Lisa Loring as Wednesday. Jones earned a Golden Globe nomination for her unforgettable turn as Gomez’s black-bedecked better half.

Curiously – or eerily – CBS launched their own horror-comedy series about an “unconventional” family – “The Munsters” – which also ran from 1964 to 1966. To this day, fans continue to argue over which series was better, although many baby boomers loved – and continue to love – both of them equally.

After “The Addams Family” was canceled in 1966, Jones made a splashy appearance on the campy comic book series “Batman,” with Adam West and Burt Ward, playing Marsha, the Queen of Diamonds.

In 1966, Carolyn remarried once again, this time to Tony Award-winning Broadway musical director, Herbert Greene – who was also her vocal coach.

Their marriage lasted 11 years.

In 1976, Carolyn landed the role of Hippolyta, Wonder Woman’s mother, on the popular Lynda Carter superhero series. The following year saw Jones giving a memorable dramatic performance as Mrs. Moore, the wife of a sadistic plantation owner played by Chuck Connors, in the groundbreaking mini-series, “Roots.”

In 1981, Jones was cast as Myrna Clegg, the ruthless and ambitious matriarch on the CBS daytime drama, “Capitol.” Soon after “Capitol” began its run, Jones was diagnosed with colon cancer, which spread quickly to her liver and stomach. Remarkably, despite the intense pain, she managed to finish out the first season of “Capitol,” before bowing out.

In September of 1982, fully realizing she was dying, Jones married her longtime boyfriend, actor Peter Bailey-Britton. At their wedding, she wore a lace cap to hide the hair loss caused by her chemotherapy.

In July of 1983, Jones fell into a coma at her West Hollywood home

and, on August 3, she died there with her husband by her side at the age of 52. She was cremated and her ashes were placed beside her mother’s at Melrose Abbey Memorial Park Cemetery in Anaheim, California.

LEARN MORE • “In Morticia’s Shadow: The Life And Career Of Carolyn Jones”

by James Pylant (Jacobus Books, 2012) • “The Addams Chronicles: An Altogether Ooky Look At The Addams Family” by Stephen Cox (Cumberland House Publishing, 1998) • “The Addams Family: The Complete Series” (DVD Box Set) (MGM Video, 2010)

Mark Hammermeister is an award-winning artist. His work is available for purchase at www.markdraws.com October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 25

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October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 27

Holy Canine Crusader!

It’s Burt Ward!

The man who played Robin the Boy Wonder in the classic “Batman” television series is on a mission to rescue dogs and give them long and healthy lives

Story and photos by David Laurell

O

nce the security gate swings open and a winding road is traversed past pastoral horse corrals with Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains serving as a backdrop, the trees to the right clear and there’s nothing else to say but: HOLY AQUATIC AWESOMENESS! While it’s not easy to divert your attention from the elaborate pool, built below towering and cavernous rock formations that include an island, waterfalls, inlets, grottos and caves, the warm and effervescent welcome being offered by the property’s owners, Burt and Tracy Ward, makes it hard to focus on anything but them.

Still, unable to move on without making mention of the world of water and wonder that serves as the couple’s backyard, Burt responds with a laugh. “Yeah, well, Tracy and I can’t seem to do things in a little way,” says the actor best known for his role as Robin the Boy Wonder in the classic 1960s television series, “Batman.”

Cradling a four-pound Chinese Crested dog named My Little Pony, Tracy rolls her eyes as the over-the-top water feature is discussed. “I used to travel to six or seven states a week when I was working,” she explains. “I was constantly gone from home, but Burt was always here, and he

28 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

wanted to go on vacation – do some traveling.

That was the last thing I wanted to do. For me, being home was a vacation, so we built this pool with an island and Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon and a Bat Cave. I figured if we put a vacation destination in our backyard, there would be no reason to go anywhere else, and ever since we had it built, Burt has never mentioned traveling again.”

“Now we’re on a permeant vacation,” he adds as the couple makes their way into a spacious room painted sky-blue with puffy white clouds that serves as the office for their charitable organization, Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, the largest giant breed dog rescue in the world that is housed on the property of their sprawling Riverside County estate.

BURT’S BACKSTORY Burt Ward was born into a show business family 71 years ago this past July. His father owned a traveling ice show called “Rhapsody On Ice,” in which young Burt first performed at the age of two.

A studious child with good business sense, Burt continued to harbor a passion for

performing, even while excelling as a student at UCLA. That love of the spotlight saw Burt keep one foot in the theatrical world while preparing for what most who knew him thought would be a career in science or business. Just prior to his 20th birthday, he auditioned for and won the role of Robin in ABC’s “Batman,” a live-action series based on the Dark Knight of DC comic book renown that was starring Adam West as Batman. During his run as Robin, Burt was also being seriously considered for another role: that of Benjamin Braddock in the feature film, “The Graduate.” Making the decision to stay on as Robin, he passed on the part that ultimately went to Dustin Hoffman, who earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance.

The “Batman” series, a kitschy and semicomical take on the darker character created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, only lasted for three seasons. Always scoring high ratings, the show incurred production costs that ABC felt were exorbitant. Ironically, after ABC dropped the show, NBC offered to pick it up, until they learned the sets and props had been destroyed.

In the wake of “Batman,” Burt joined West as they reprised their roles of Batman and Robin

in the 1966 20th Century-Fox film, “Batman,” and also did small roles in numerous made-fortelevision films.

In 1990, Burt married Tracy Posner, the daughter of billionaire businessman Victor Posner. An astute businesswoman in her own right, Tracy served as a principal in her father’s company and, by 1993, was listed as one of the world’s wealthiest women.

Blending their business success into their passion, 1994 saw Burt and Tracy establish Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions.

“We’re always very busy here,” says Burt.

“We work seven days a week, but we don’t think of it as work. This is a labor of love in the truest sense. Over the past 22 years, we have rescued over 15,500 dogs, which would have otherwise been put to death. We provide them with food, shelter and medical care, and then find them loving homes.”

Cozying up with a trio of canine companions on a leather sectional that almost runs the entire length of their office, Burt and Tracy giggle like newlyweds when asked how they met.

Burt Ward (BW): When I first met Tracy, she was extremely busy, working with her father, running their empire, overseeing close to 4,000 companies including Arby’s, Home Centers and RC Cola. During that time, I was also running a business. I have always been very businessoriented, something you don’t find with many actors, but I have always had a good head for business. In fact, when I was at UCLA, the dean was very upset when she learned I was leaving to do “Batman,” because I had placed in the top three percent in the country in math and science.

Tracy Ward (TW): During that time, I was in Los Angeles looking into some acquisitions

including this one company my father wanted me to look into that was owned by Burt Ward. Well, I had taken care of all my scheduled work for that trip and had this one last thing to do: speak with Burt. I just wasn’t into doing it, but my father was adamant about it. I told him I was going to pass on meeting with him and, for the first time, he pulled the boss card on me and said I had to go see him. So I called him and we set up a time to meet. I wasn’t interested in his company and certainly not in dating. I was too busy running companies. So, to make a long story short, we met and before the end of our first meeting he told me that we were destined to be in a relationship.

Now a comment like that would have normally had me gone, but we ended up going out to lunch and at the restaurant, he again said that we were destined to be in a relationship. Then he asked me what I thought of him and from out of nowhere, I said that if he was everything he seemed to be, we could work well together, and if he was not everything he seemed to be, whatever he was would be more than enough. As soon as I said that, I thought: “What the heck did I just say?”

Well, we ended up talking all night – till six in the morning, and five minutes after I left him, I said to myself: “I’m going to marry him.” I got on a plane and as soon as I landed in New York, he called me and said he wanted to marry me and I said yes. So instead of acquiring his company, we acquired each other.

Life After 50 (LA50): That is quite a story!

TW: And listen to this: That week, after I met him, I was walking down a street in New York and stopped in one of those little souvenir shops you find all over the city. As I walked in, my eye caught a little Robin figurine. I picked it up and in doing so, I knocked over all these Wizard of Oz figurines that were around it and dropped the Robin figurine. That got the shopkeeper’s attention, who ran over and picked up the Robin figurine that had fallen on the floor, and she said: “It looks like Robin wants to go home with you.”

I then started blurting out this story, that I had met him and was going to marry him and what a coincidence this all was. I think along with the shopkeeper, I also got the attention of some other shoppers who thought I was some crazy lady going on and on about marrying Robin [laughs]. I’m sure I put on quite a show!

BW: Tracy had been a workaholic and also a bit of a hermit when it came to socializing and dating, so when she said she was going to marry an actor and move to California, that didn’t go over too well with her father.

TW: From the time I was three, my father told me to never get involved with an actor [laughing].

BW: After she moved in with me, her father actually called and asked that I send his daughter back and to not have anything to do with her.

He said in return, he would wire me $10 million dollars. I told him I was in love and had to decline

his offer. I thought it was kind of a test, but then I realized when he got angry, he really meant it! I never said anything to Tracy about that, but her father had real chutzpah and he called her and told her that her boyfriend was a real schmuck and crazy because he turned down $10 million to send her back. I thought she would think that was beyond anything I could ever do to show her how much I loved her, but instead she was upset. She said: “My dad is right! You are crazy! You should have taken the money, because I’m not leaving you anyway!” [Laughing]. So here we are, all these years later, and we have such a great relationship.

We are always together – 24/7. Most couples have jobs and lives beyond their spouses, but we are constantly together.

LA50: What is your secret to making it work?

TW: We share everything and have always been dedicated to making our relationship work no matter what.

BW: We’re in this for life, and we’re both serious about that. I have never met anyone in my life whom I respected more than Tracy.

LA50: Burt, let’s talk about another person whom you have always said you also have great respect for: Adam West.

BW: I adore him and always have. Not all actors work well together, but Adam and I became good friends right from the beginning. When we were doing the show, we would work these long hours all week and then, come the weekend, I would go over to his house and we would play tennis. Do you know that Adam and I have been submitted to the “Guinness Book of Records” as the only two actors in history to have worked together for over 50 years? And that work continues. We have

October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 29

a direct-to-DVD movie coming out next month called “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” [Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment, 2016]. It’s really exciting, because it combines the success of the original series with all the new technologies. It’s an animated production and Adam and I do the voices, and Julie Newmar does the voice of Catwoman. The dialogue and the situations are current and hip. It’s really ahead of its time, just like our show was back in the 1960s.

I think it’s one of the best things Adam and I have ever done and the fans will love it.

LA50: “Batman” really did resonate with viewers.

Did you ever think about why it was that fans became so loyal to the show?

BW: Batman and Robin resonated with people, because unlike other superheroes, they were real – they were human, with no super powers. That made them vulnerable to feelings and emotions, and because they were mortal, the risk that they could get killed. We really created something unique with that show. It was written funny but played seriously. We captured people with the double-entendres, and while it was a put-on of the comic book Batman – the Dark Knight – it was smart and well-written. Adam and I used to say we put on our tights to put-on the world.

LA50: It’s kind of interesting that the dual role you played of Dick Grayson and Robin sort of paralleled your real life.

BW: Yes. My father ran the biggest ice show in the world and I had become a professional skater when I was a child. I was two-years-old and the world’s youngest professional ice skater. And, of course, Dick Grayson came from a performing family – the Flying Graysons – who were an acrobatic family. Did you know I was selected from over 1,100 actors who had auditioned for that role? After I got the part, the producer told me the reason they chose me was because if there really was a Robin in real life, they thought it would be me.

LA50: You and Adam do a lot of autograph shows and conventions together. It must be very exciting for the fans, who grew up watching you two, to get to actually meet you.

BW: It’s exciting for us, too! I love it. When people come up to Adam and me, they come up as people with children and jobs and all the issues and problems that come with life as an adult. But standing in front of us, for a brief moment, they become totally childlike. It is a transition that I have seen time and time again and it always touches me in a very emotional way. We have 60-year-old guys telling us about how, when they were kids, they played Batman and their brother played Robin; and women say they were in love with Bruce Wayne or Dick Grayson.

30 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

It’s so wonderful to see these regular people transform into kids right before your eyes.

It is so powerful to see what the show meant to them.

LA50: Along with Adam, you got to work with some really big stars when you were doing “Batman” – genuine Hollywood heavyweights.

BW: I know! Tallulah Bankhead, George Raft, Sammy Davis, Jr., Vincent Price, Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith. I had watched these people in films when I was a kid! I was like a kid in a candy store getting to meet these people.

LA50: Let’s talk about your dog rescue.

BW: It is our passion and we do what we do for the right reasons. We believe if you do things for the right reason, you get the best results. People who are the happiest don’t do things for themselves, they do things for others. That brings an enrichment you can’t put a price on. For 22 years of our lives, Tracy and I have dedicated ourselves to becoming knowledgeable about the care of dogs, rescuing them, providing them with medical care, finding them loving homes, and doing all we can for them to live long and healthy lives.

TW: We have a dog that is 27-years-old.

That is unheard of. She has lived triple her expected lifespan. The majority of our dogs are between 15 and 26.

BW: We have doubled and tripled the lifespan of our dogs by doing a tremendous amount of research with veterinarians and nutritionists. Most people who are over 50 have a pet, a canine kid now that their real kids are off living their lives. We know how much those dogs mean to the people who share their lives with them and love them, so we are doing all we can to spread the word about what we are doing to give dogs longer and healthier lives.

LA50: So tell us!

TW: There are three things that are most important: how you care for your dog, how you feed it, and what you feed it. For our dogs, living into their 20s is not an anomaly, it’s the norm. We have created a dog food that is of the best quality available. There is no one out there who would do what we have done in creating a dog food, because we have never been in it for the money. Our goal was to create the best food possible and then sell it at a price that is comparable with any other commercial dog food.

There is no commercial company that would ever do that, because it doesn’t make sense from a business standpoint. Our goal is not to sell dog food to make money, it is to sell dog food that will help dogs live long and healthy lives.

LA50: What is different about the food you have created?

BW: Commercial dog foods are filled with fat.

Just look at the chart on the back of any dog food.

Look at crude fat and you will see it is 12 to 22 percent in every dog food. Most dog foods are also sprayed with lard to make it more appealing to dogs. Think of what that fat and lard does to your dog’s intestines. “Life After 50” readers can go on our website, www.gentlegiants.com, to see how our food is made and what ingredients go into it.

It is all natural and made with the highest quality ingredients. But remember, this is a charity. We make nothing from our dog food.

LA50: Is it available in local markets?

TW: Yes, but if it isn’t available in someone’s area, they can order it from our website or through Walmart.com, who will deliver it to their home or local store at no cost.

LA50: It really is amazing what you guys are doing for dogs and the people who love them.

BW: Well, we appreciate the preciousness of life and this has become a passionate crusade for us.

You know, I always tell everyone: “I used to be the caped crusader, but now I’m the canine crusader!”

For more information on Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions and the company’s dog food products, click on www. gentlegiants.com.

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Let’s Get OUt

San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire

October/November

A Preview of Upcoming Events for October/November By Claire Yezbak Fadden

help of his friends and the local community, he just might light up the night. The Old Globe Theatre, Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $29-plus. Through Oct. 23. (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.org.

SEVEN GUITARS In the backyard of a Pittsburgh tenement in 1948, friends gather to mourn for a blues guitarist and singer who died just as his career was on the verge of taking off.

Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego.

Through Nov. 6. Prices vary. (619) 337-1525. cygnettheatre.com.

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

EQUIVOCATION The king’s government pressures Britain’s greatest playwright to add a politically biased history of the “Gunpowder Plot” into one of his scripts. The results are explosive. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado.

Through Nov. 20. Prices vary. (619) 437-6000. lambsplayers.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20

RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL STARR BAND

Starr’s music has always emanated from his warmth, humor, and exceptional skill, manifesting in the songs we know and love: “With A Little Help From My Friends,” “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine).” After celebrating his 76th birthday in front of the iconic Capitol Records building in Hollywood as part of his #PeaceAndLove birthday celebration, Starr announced a new set of fall tour dates. This tour features the current and longest running All Starrs: Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Todd Rundgren, Richard Page, Warren Hamm and Gregg Bissonnette. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. $59-plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

eNteRtAINMeNt SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 SWEET CHARITY Have you ever known a girl who wanted something so badly that she tried too hard to get it? Meet, the girl who wants to be loved so much that she has lost sight of who she is. Charity sings, dances, laughs and cries her way through romances with the “animal magnetism” hero, the “ultrachic continental” hero and the “impossible-to believe-buthe’s-better-than-nothing” hero. Welk Resorts Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr., Escondido.

Dates vary through Nov. 20. 28. $49-plus.

(888) 802-7469. welktheatre.com.

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL This is the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.

Features a stunning array of beloved songs, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural

34 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Also Oct. 16. $29-plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Dates vary through Nov. 13. Prices vary. (714) 708-5555. scr.org.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

AMY GRANT Richard Kaufman, conducts the Pacific Symphony. Grant has produced numerous hits such as “Baby,” “Every Heartbeat,” “That’s What Love is For,” “I Will Remember You,” “Lead Me On,” “El Shaddai” and more.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. $35-plus. (714) 5562787. scfta.org.

LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR Neil Simon recounts his writing, fighting and wacky antics during days of live television when he cavorted with such comedy legends as Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D, Solana Beach. Dates vary through Nov. 13. Prices vary. (858) 481-1055. northcoastrep.org.

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

(866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

DESTINY OF DESIRE On a stormy night in Bellarica, Mexico, two baby girls are born—one to poverty, one to privilege—and then secretly switched by a scheming former beauty queen. Eighteen years later the girls meet, brought together by misfortune. Or is it destiny? South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20

OCTOBER SKY This musical inspired by the beloved 1999 movie, centers in the sleepy town of Coalwood, West Virginia. After the Soviets launch the Sputnik rocket, a local high schooler named Homer decides to enter a rocketry competition against the wishes of his domineering, practical-minded dad. With the

TRACY MORGAN Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego. $6. (800) 745-3000. humphreysconcerts.com.

JAZZ AT THE MERC Mark Christian Miller. Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula. Thursdays. Prices vary. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

CALeNDAR

October/November San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

NOVEMBER

PALM SPRINGS MODERNISM SHOW AND SALE Featuring 40 premier national and international decorative and fine arts dealers with items representing all design movements of the 20th Century. A classic car show, plus book signings and other special events. Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs. Also Oct. 22-23. Prices vary. (708) 366-2710. palmspringsmodernism.com.

AKRAM KHAN DANCE COMPANY: CHOTTO DESH Chotto Desh, meaning “small homeland,” draws on Khan’s unique quality of crosscultural storytelling, creating a compelling tale of a young man’s dreams and memories from Britain to Bangladesh. Using a magical mix of dance, text, visuals and sound, the performance celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the modern world and is a magical, thrilling and poignant dance theater experience. Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine. Through Oct. 29. Prices vary. (949) 854-4646. thebarclay.org.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY Gomez and Morticia Addam’s daughter, Wednesday, is growing up. Now 18, she has fallen in love with a “normal” boy, and to make matters worse, has invited him and his parents over for dinner. In one fateful, hilarious night, secrets are disclosed, relationships are tested and the Addams family must confront the one horrible thing they’ve managed to avoid for generations -- change. Costa Mesa Playhouse, 661 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa.

Fri.-Sun. through Nov. 20. Prices vary. (949) 650-5269. costamesaplayhouse.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4

HARVEST FESTIVAL The festive fall-themed atmosphere makes exploring the array of exhibits an exciting discovery of beautiful jewelry, blown glass, ceramics, hand woven clothing, photography, candles, wood carvings, garden designs, homemade sauces and soups, antique treasures, children’s accessories, sculptures and holiday ornaments. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Also Oct. 22-23. $4-$9. (800) 346-1212. harvestfestival.com.

JAZZ AT THE MERC Paulette McWilliams. Old Town Temecula Community Theater, The Merc, 42051 Main St., Temecula. Thursdays. Prices vary. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 LIVE JAZZ ON THE PATIO Mojo Sessions. Bernardo. Winery, Tasting Room Patio, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego. Free. bernardowinery.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 CAPITOL STEPS Washington’s premier political satirist returns to put the mock in democracy. Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, 15498 Espola Rd., Poway. $35-$45. (858) 748-0505. powayonstage.org.

DON MCLEAN The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Prices vary. (949) 4968930. thecoachhouse.

THE MIDTOWN MEN Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer, Michael Longoria and Daniel Reichard, the original cast members of “Jersey Boys”, bring to life their favorite ‘60s hits, including “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Bye Bye Baby.” California Center for the Arts, Concert Hall, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Prices vary. (800) 988-4253. artcenter.org.

MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS Mr. Popper loves Antarctic adventures. So he’s thrilled when a penguin named Captain Cook waddles out of a mysterious box on the doorstep. The zookeeper donates a female companion and soon—the patter of 20 baby penguin feet! They’ll sing and dance their way into everyone’s hearts in a musical version of the classic children’s book. South Coast Repertory, Julianne Argyros Stage, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Through Nov. 20. Dark Mondays. Prices vary. (714) 708-5555. scr.org.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23

KRIS KRISTOFERSON Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Prices vary. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

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

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

TONY BENNETT The music legend performs songs he made famous during his celebrated six-decade career and that are now part of the Great American Songbook. His initial successes came via a string of Columbia singles in the early 1950s, including such chart-toppers as “Because of You,” “Rags to Riches” and a remake of Hank Williams “Cold, Cold Heart.”

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. $59plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.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.

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.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25

MISS YOU LIKE HELL

When a free-spirited mother convinces her whip-smart teenage daughter to join her on a drive across the country, neither can imagine where it will take them. Chance encounters with a motley crew of characters along the way brings them closer to understanding what sets them apart — and what connects them forever. This vibrant and affecting new American musical from Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes and renowned rock musician Erin McKeown exudes the joy, love and frustration of being a family in a changing country. La Jolla Playhouse, UCSD Campus, Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla.

Through Nov. 27. Prices vary. (858) 550-1010. lajollaplayhouse.org.

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

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.

October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 35

October/November San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire

CALeNDAR

1930) was one of the highly talented artists whose presence in the community helped put Laguna Beach on the map as a premier art colony during the first decades of the 20th century. The exhibition showcases some 40 of Hills’s paintings along with documentary materials relating to her life and work in Laguna Beach. Laguna Art Museum, Upper Galleries, 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach. Through Jan. 15. Closed Wednesdays. Prices vary. (949) 494-8971. lagunaartmuseum.org.

THE ERIK GRONBORG EXPERIENCE Presents a full picture of this Danish-born American artist’s creative life over a span of 55 years. This exhibition brings together examples of Gronborg’s entire oeuvre, including sculpture in cast metal, carved wood, studio furniture, printmaking, and drawing, along with a comprehensive survey of his ceramics Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park, 1439 El Prado, San Diego. Through March 12.

Prices vary. (619) 239-0003. mingei.org.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CONCERT

Celebrate Mexico’s revered Día de los Muertos with performances by Perla Batalla, La Santa Cecilia, Pacifico Dance and Quetzal.

These four performances take place in a single concert. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. $39-plus. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

eXHIBItIONs HEATED EXCHANGE: CONTEMPORARY ENCAUSTICS No longer entombed with the mummies, the ancient art of encaustic (hot wax) resonates in contemporary culture. The multi-dimensional surface, luminous color, and ethereal image layering unique to this once obsolete medium is now recognized both for its exquisite beauty and incredible versatility. The Museum at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Through Nov. 13. $8. (800) 988-4253. artcenter.org.

VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE: IMAGES IN COLONIAL MEXICO This exhibition explores the extraordinary impact of the appearance of the Virgin in 1531, through various themes of religious, political and social importance during Mexico’s colonial period. This display is comprised of several important collections from Mexico, including the Museum of the Basilica of Guadalupe, the most visited religious pilgrimage site in all of the Americas.

Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Through Jan. 29. $10-$15. (714) 567-3679. bowers.org.

36 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

MASTODON! PREHISTORIC ELEPHANTS IN THE SOUTHWEST Mastodons, mammoths, and gomphotheres entered North America millions of years ago and roamed the continent until the end of the Ice Age. Now, a full-size mastodon mother and calf are on exhibition offering new information about prehistoric elephants in the region. The mastodons help round out the “Life to Death to Discovery” diorama that culminates in a recreated dig to recover mastodon fossils San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands. Tues.-Sun. through Dec. 31. $10. sbcountymuseum.org.

MASTERPIECES OF CALIFORNIA ART The Irvine Museum, 18881 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. Tues-Sat. through Feb. 16. Free. (949) 476-2565. irvinemuseum.org.

EXTRAORDINARY IDEAS FROM ORDINARY PEOPLE A History of Citizen Science. This new permanent exhibit highlights naturalists and the impact their work and observations has had on science. Rare books, art, photographs, and historical documents from the museum’s 56,000-volume collection will be displayed

alongside plant and animal specimens and brought to life through touchable objects and multimedia experiences that allow deeper access to the works on display. San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. $15-$27. Through Jan 3.

(619) 232-3821. sdnhm.org.

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.

MISS HILLS OF LAGUNA BEACH The landscape painter Anna Althea Hills (1882–

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. $6-$8. (619) 232- 6203. sandiegohistory.org.

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. Victor Valley Museum, 11873 Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley. Wed.-Sun. through Dec. 31. $5. sbcountymuseum.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.

Nights of Laughter at North Coast Rep

OCTOBER 19 – NOVEMBER 20 Directed by Tom Markus

From the gifted pen of America’s favorite playwright, Neil Simon, comes one of his funniest plays. As you clutch your sides in laughter, you’ll see why The New York Times hailed LAUGHTER as “one of Simon’s best, most enduring and endearing plays.”

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Same Driveway as Vista Paint

October 2016 LIFEAFTER50.COM 37

Rick St eveS’ t RavelS

Rick Steves’ Travels Top Tips for Traveling Light

By Rick Steves

S

ometimes I wonder why people lug two and even three big suitcases with them when they travel instead of packing light enough to go strictly “carry on.”

Traveling with multiple heavy bags can be a drag, dragging them through airports, paying what can be exorbitant extra fees for them, and then waiting (and hoping) for them to arrive at baggage claim.

Why is traveling light important?

Practically speaking, if your itinerary involves taking trains, buses, or ferries, you need to be able to carry your luggage on board and heave it up onto a rack or wedge it into a tight space between seats. Also, at airports, if you don’t have your bag in your hand, you don’t have the option of jumping on the next available flight in the event yours gets delayed.

Too much luggage marks you as a typical tourist – a target for scammers and pickpockets. It also limits you. For instance, Europe’s most charming and characteristic hotels tend to be harder to reach – up winding paths, down back-alley staircases, or tucked deep in an area of town where cars aren’t allowed.

Many of them also lack elevators.

Here are some of my top tips for traveling light: Bring just one suitcase and one smaller bag

That’s it, even for a couple. Make those things your world, whether you’re going for two weeks or two months, in summer or in winter, on a bus tour or cruise.

Wear one pair of practical shoes

Especially when traveling in Europe, it’s really important to have solid shoes with a good, comfortable sole, as you’re out every day walking on cobblestones, winding paths or climbing ruined castles. You may have to sacrifice a bit of style, but your feet will thank you. Also, think long and hard about whether you really need to pack a second pair. You probably don’t.

38 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

Pack a limited wardrobe

You don’t need new underwear and socks for each day you’ll be gone. You just need to do laundry every few days. And don’t worry about repeating outfits: Nobody’s going to notice except whomever you are traveling with, and they’re in the same situation.

Plan to do laundry

You have several options when it comes to doing laundry. You can pay to have the hotel or cruise ship do it, wash it in your hotel sink, or go to local launderette. If using the hotel or ship sink, be tidy, wring out wet clothes well, snap them a few times, and hang them over the tub.

Go light on the toiletries

Bring just the basics: shampoo, a brush and comb, a toothbrush, a razor, deodorant, and a few first-aid or

personal items. Don’t bring everything you think you may need. If you ever get caught in need of something there will always be a place where you can pick up on whatever you need.

Remember, packing light isn’t just about saving time or money — it’s about your traveling lifestyle.

Too much luggage weighs you down and serendipity suffers. Changing locations becomes a major operation and con artists figure you’re a helpless tourist. Being mobile lets you travel efficiently, flexibly and gives you the freedom to truly experience and enjoy your trip without being, literally, weighed down.

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.

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And Finally...

The Bookworm’s Best A Life After 50 book review

by Terri “The Bookworm” Schlichenmeyer

Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year

By Ian Brown

Q

uick! Someone, call the fire department!

That old joke about the candles on one’s birthday cake was funny the first time you heard it, decades ago; but now, all these years later, not so much. You don’t need the reminder of blowing out boxes (plural) of little candles to know that you’re getting older, a fact that Ian Brown takes on in his new book, “Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year.”

Brown’s message is loud and clear: 50 is NOT the new 30. “That,” writes Brown, “is what self-help books would have you believe, but 60 is 60, no matter how you cut it – even if (and perhaps, especially) when that “certain age” finally sneaks up on you.”

Getting older takes place when we aren’t paying attention, Brown opines. It just sort of happens while we’re busy attending to our family or career until – whoosh, all of a sudden, we’re remembering (or not remembering) things long gone, and regretting time lost and opportunities missed.

Going bald is just one indignity; running out of breath doing something routine is another. Brown also writes of thinking lustfully toward younger women, and then realizing, with a start, that the only positive thing about having such thoughts is realizing that at least sexual interest still exists.

Despite such downsides, there are wonderful things about aging: keeping in touch with old friends, for instance; enjoying the company of those with whom you’ve had a history; getting to know your children as adults; and spending time with grandchildren.

And yet, as birthday candles escalate in number, there’s the panicky thought that time is running out for that special event you have wanted to pull together, the trip you have always wanted to take, the hobbies you thought you would someday try. Things you used to view as important aren’t important any longer, because there’s no room for trifles. You wonder if you’ll have time to say what you need to say and do what you have hoped to do.

You may worry about money and you certainly worry about your health.

Though it could be argued that the pace of “Sixty” is indicative of a slower, more introspective time of life, I struggled with this book precisely because of its meandering, which was also a bit too melancholy for my taste at times. Yes, this is a look at one man’s personal experiences in a milestone year, but it’s a diary consisting of a lot of plaintive railing and entries that aren’t always complete enough to avoid confusion. Readers may get a few giggles as Brown employs his wry sense of humor, but he seems to swing wildly between the profound and the profane, often settling back to the three main topics he seems obsessed with: his impending death, his failing body, and that he’s no longer sexually desirable to younger women. These prove to be amusing rants at first, but after the 61st reminder of such things (and please forgive me for saying this, but) it gets old.

The author proudly presents himself as a curmudgeon, and if that mien appeals to you, then you may well relish this read. If, however, you are looking for a book that embraces the aging process with a bit more positivity, “Sixty” is a book that, as with those ever-multiplying candles on your cake, I’d recommend you blow off.

“Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year” by Ian Brown, 2016, The Experiment, $24.95, 320 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

Just A Thought Before We Go

W

ild child rocker Grace Slick, who will turn 77 this month, is also celebrating another October milestone: It was 50 years ago this month that she made her first appearance with Jefferson Airplane. In what would become a 20-year career that would see the group rise to international commercial success, Slick’s debut with Jefferson Airplane, took place at The Fillmore in San Francisco in October of 1966. With Slick on board, the Airplane turned in a more psychedelic direction from their former folk-rock style. Their second album, “Surrealistic Pillow,” which would be released in February of 1967, included new recordings of “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love,” both of which became top 10 singles. Jefferson Airplane would go on to become one of the most popular bands in the country and earned Slick a position as one of the most prominent female rock musicians of the era. After retiring, Slick began drawing and painting animals, various renditions of white rabbits, nudes, portraits of her colleagues in the music industry including Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Jerry Garcia and “Alice in Wonderland”-themed paintings. Slick’s original works and prints have become highly sought-after with both art and music collectors. For more information on Slick and her art, visit her on Facebook at Grace Slick@GraceSlickOfficial.

42 LIFEAFTER50.COM October 2016

“People say, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. That is not true.

Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote – a very different thing.”

– Walter H. Judd

T

here was a time when the world was full of splendor and miracles. Sages and immortals walked the land, and emperors ruled by the will of Heaven.

People lived in harmony with the universe and believed in a connection among all things. The divine guided and inspired.

You could see it in the arts, hear it in the music, and sense it in the very air.

What if you could journey back and visit this lost paradise?

Shen Yun brings the profound spirit of this lost civilization to life on stage with unrivaled artistic mastery. Every dance movement, every musical note, makes this a stunning visual and emotional experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Banned in communist China today, the non-profit Shen Yun is dedicated to reviving 5,000 years of civilization.

Experience the Arts connecting Heaven & Earth! Experience Shen Yun!

—Joe Heard, former White House photographer, watched Shen Yun 6 times

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