Life After 50 July

lifeafter50.com

Los AngeLes Metro

July 2015

southern california

summer

in SoCal 50 GReat thinGs

to do Celebrating

50 Years

of touRinG universal studios

Wine-ing Your WaY through Superb Summer

Selections

From happY daYs to Challenging Ones

scott Baio Just keeps on running

吀䠀䔀 䔀堀䠀䤀䈀䤀吀䤀伀一 䘀䤀刀匀吀 吀䤀䴀䔀 䤀一 䰀伀匀 䄀一䜀䔀䰀䔀匀

一伀圀 ⴀ 匀䔀倀吀䔀䴀䈀䔀刀 㜀

䔀

砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀 琀栀攀 氀愀爀最攀猀琀 䐀攀愀搀 匀攀愀 匀挀爀漀氀氀猀 攀砀栀椀戀椀琀椀漀渀 攀瘀攀爀 洀漀甀渀琀攀搀 漀甀琀猀椀搀攀 漀昀 䤀猀爀愀攀氀⸀ 䘀攀愀琀甀爀椀渀最 猀攀氀攀挀琀椀漀渀猀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 愀渀搀 漀瘀攀爀 㘀 愀渀挀椀攀渀琀 愀爀琀椀昀愀挀琀猀⸀

㜀 䔀砀瀀漀猀椀琀椀漀渀 倀愀爀欀 䐀爀椀瘀攀 䰀漀猀 䄀渀最攀氀攀猀Ⰰ 䌀䄀 㤀 ㌀㜀 ⠀㌀㈀㌀⤀ 匀䌀䤀䔀一䌀䔀 挀愀氀椀昀漀爀渀椀愀猀挀椀攀渀挀攀挀攀渀琀攀爀⸀漀爀最

Contents

July 2015

10

18

24

32

Cover Profile

Departments

10 Scott Baio

6 50-Plus: What You Need to Know

8 It’s The Law

From happy days to challenging ones, he just keeps on running.

Features 18 50 Great Things To Do This Summer In Southern California Discover unique things to do in the Southland.

24 Celebrating 50 Years Of Touring Universal Studios

Meet John Murdy – The man behind the behind-the-scenes tour.

28 Wine-ing Your Way Through Superb Summer Selections Get the most out of summer with the perfect bottle of vino.

30 The Look Of Life After 50 – Cindy Williams Catching up with the star of “Laverne & Shirley” and “American Graffiti.”

32 The Hallowed Hall Of Must-Knowtables * Alfred Hitchcock Legendary notables that everyone, of every age, should know.

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

Mitchell A. Karasov on settling a sisterly situation.

31 Tuned In To What’s On

The best in July television viewing.

35 Let’s Get Out

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

41 Rick Steves’ Travels

Barcelona: A Visual Feast.

43 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.

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

PMF INVESTMENT CORP. a California Corporation

Announces a Limited Private Investment Offering:

7.90% Guaranteed Notes w/ Interest Paid Monthly • Only 500 Notes in this offering • Diversified investment in Credit Worthy Corporate Receivables • NOT tied to the Stock Market volatility • Each Note $10,000 with aggregate of $5 million • Short-term 13 month duration • In Accordance with Provisions of California Corporations Code Section 25102(n)

For more Information contact:

PMF Investment Corp.

(310) 858-6696 x0 9701 W. Pico Blvd.,1st flr.

Los Angeles, CA 90035 www.pmfbancorp.com/PMFnotes

PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS MAY BE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OR (OTHER STATES IN WHICH AN EXEMPTION IS AVAILABLE AND MUST MEET THE SUITABILITY STANDARDS OF SUB PARAGRAPH (A),(B),(C), OR (D) OF SECTION 25102(n)(2)(l) No Money or other consideration is being solicited by means of this Announcement nor will money be accepted. An offer may be made only by means of an Offering Circular/Disclosure Statement which an be obtained by investors meeting the suitability requirements by inquiring as directed below. (Il) An indication of interest made by a prospective purchaser shall involve no obligation or commitment of any kind. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED ABOVE IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED BY LAW. For more information on this Stock Offering, Section 25102(n), and the Offering Circular/Disclosure Statement.

Editor’s Note...

Wishing The Best For Really Good People

I

first met Scott Baio in 1987, when we were both working on the Universal Studios lot. He was doing “Charles in Charge” on the stage next to where I was working on a show that was being produced by Dick Clark Productions, whom I was working for at the time.

During down times, Scott and his costar, Willie Aames, would shoot hoops with the crew members of both their show and ours. They would come over to check out our set or just stand around and chat from time to time. I also recall that our production office was situated in an area between where Scott parked his little red truck and where the Universal tour tram went by. While the staff from our show would be working, we could always tell, by the thunderous reaction of the folks going by on the trams, when Scott was out waving at them, mingling with them, or actually joining them on board for a ride. He was what all of us on our show called: “Good people.”

A few years ago, Scott and his wife, Renee, suffered a horrific nightmare when, after learning Renee was pregnant with twins, she lost one of her babies and they were then told their surviving child had a serious metabolic disorder.

Fortunately, after running a battery of tests, that diagnosis proved false.

While many people may have simply been thrilled they dodged a bullet, Scott and Renee used the experience to help others who were not so fortunate by establishing a foundation to help parents and children with metabolic disorders.

When I heard about that, I was impressed by their commitment to helping others and thought: “Scott and Renee are good people.”

Over the past two months, as we here at Life After 50 were working with Scott on this month’s issue, the Baios learned that the migraine headaches Renee has been experiencing are a result of three brain tumors. Still, they both soldiered on, inviting us into their home, always being hospitable, available to talk, and doing a photo shoot.

Just before we went to press with this issue, I checked in with the Baios to see how they are doing. They have been told Renee’s tumors are located in a place that is operable and that she plans to, in her words: “Saddle up and warrior on.”

During our conversation, instead of talking about what she is going through, the couple told me that more than 6,500 people, mostly women, get the same diagnosis annually, and that their hope is that by going through this, they will be able to help educate others about the warning signs of meningioma brain tumors and support those who are dealing with a similar situation.

After wishing them the best for a quick and full recovery, I hung up. As I sat at my desk and looked at the photo that appears in this issue of them with their beautiful daughter, Bailey, I once again thought: “These two are good people – really good people.”

David Laurell, Editor-in-Chief

4 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

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

To contact our editorial department: (818) 563-1007 davidl@lifeafter50.com

Account Executives: San Diego County/Orange County Phil Mendelson Phil@lifeafter50.com Los Angeles/ Valley/Travel Beverly Sparks Beverly@lifeafter50.com For advertising/distribution inquiries contact: Valarie Anderson (310) 822-1629 x 121, Valarie@lifeafter50.com 5301 Beethoven St., Suite 183 LA CA 90066 Valarie Anderson Valarie@lifeafter50.com 310 822-1629 x 121

Follow us on facebook @Life_After50

©2015 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved

Discounted food and beverage available at select concession stands in the Stretch Run and Clubhouse. Offer good for Diamond Club Members only. Sign up for FREE on the Del Mar website, dmtc.com, or at the Diamond Club booth outside the Stretch Run admission gates.

FREE Stretch Run Admission FREE Seat FREE Program 1/2 Price Domestic Drafts 1/2 Price Sodas 1/2 Price Hot Dogs

JULY 16 - SEPT 7

Don’t miss seniors day thursday, july 30 and thursday, september 3.

All seniors 62 and over will receive FREE Stretch Run admission, a FREE program and a FREE seat with ID.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 5

50

What We Eat

A

Plus

What You Need To Know

By Claire Yezbak Fadden and Max Andrews

ccording to Technomic, Inc., a research and consulting firm servicing the food and food-service industry, consumers over 50 consider burgers and pizza to be their favorite foods by 69 percent. Among the other choices they weigh-in on as their faves: seafood/fish 63 percent, Chinese and sandwiches (other than burgers) tied at 60 percent, Mexican 58 percent, barbecue 57 percent, salads 56 percent, beef dishes and breakfast foods tied at 55 percent, chicken dishes (other than fried) 54 percent, pasta 45 percent and fried chicken 41 percent. If you are trying to eat healthier, check out dietitian Timi Gustafson’s book “The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun,” available on her blog, “Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D.” (www.timigustafson.com).

Arts For The Smarts

Tips For A Grand Getaway

dults who spend time doing arts and crafts and being involved in social activities may improve their brain health, according to a new study published in an online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Activities such as painting or quilting and joining social groups such as book clubs may delay the development of the thinking and memory problems that can arise as we get older.

During a four-year period, researchers tracked 256 adults, aged 85 and older. Study participants were active in computer use, drawing and sculpting, woodworking, pottery, ceramics, sewing and social activities, including going to the theater, movies, concerts, socializing with friends and travel. According to the findings, those involved in these activities were less likely to experience mild dementia during the next four years. Researchers were not able to prove that these activities actually prevented declines in thinking and memory, but the findings suggest that individuals participating in hobbies and social pursuits throughout midlife and later in life were 73 percent less likely to experience mild dementia.

re you thinking about inviting your grandchildren to be your traveling companions for a trip this summer? If so, it is a fabulous idea that will provide them with treasured memories they will never forget. However, if it has been many years since you have traveled with children, be aware: it can be a challenging experience. Whether you are thinking of a car trip for a few days or a lengthy European adventure, these following tips, comprised by attorney and www.forbes.com journalist Deborah L. Jacobs, will help you avoid the pitfalls of what could be a grand disaster.

A

To read the study or learn more about cognition, please visit the American Academy of Neurology’s website at www.aan.com/patients.

Fifty Candles

F

ifty years ago this month, the Rolling Stones charted with their first number one hit, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction;” the U. S. spacecraft Mariner 4 flew by Mars and became the first probe to return images from the Red Planet; filming began on a second “Star Trek” pilot; President Lyndon B. Johnson increased the number of U.S. troops in South Vietnam; Bob Dylan released “Like a Rolling Stone;” and President Johnson signed the Social Security Act of 1965 into law, establishing Medicare and Medicaid. Notable personalities born in July 1965 who are celebrating their 50th birthday this month include Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling, actors Paul Ben-Victor and Jeremy Piven, trumpet player Andrea Tofanelli, guitarists Saul “Slash” Hudson and Frank Bello, and sportscaster Curt Menefee.

6 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

A

• Involve children as you plan the trip. Ask them what they would like to see and do. Put their interests first. When you have children in tow, the agenda has to center on them.

• Make it age-appropriate. Whatever the destination, it can be a fine line between helping youngsters incorporate new experiences into their lives and pushing the limits of their maturity and attention span.

• Don’t overdo. The ideal trip length is 10 days to two weeks, during which you should be sensitive to their body clocks. When going overseas, try to fly at night, which makes it easier for everyone to adjust to time changes. If children still nap, allow time for a siesta. Have the evening meal at the time they are used to, even if it’s not meal time in the place you are visiting.

• Give everyone space. Adjoining rooms give everyone a little space of their own and you can leave the door open so they don’t get frightened if they wake up in a strange place.

• Pack light. Being encumbered by a lot of luggage is awful for adults. With kids in tow, it doubles the trouble. Discuss with them what to bring and how much they really need.

A Little More You Need To Know Photo by Dale Frost

The Most Important Thing To Know This Month

Be A Patriot And Protect Your Pet

A

ccording to studies, 80 percent of domestic animals are afraid of the noise, smell of sulfur and flashing lights associated with fireworks. As we celebrate Independence Day, here are a few tips for keeping your pets safe and secure during pyrotechnic presentations.

• Know when local fireworks shows will be happening.

Contact your local municipality to find out what has been scheduled for your area.

Where You Need To Go

Sun and Sea Festival

T

he original Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition headlines the Sun and Sea Festival that will take place on July 18, featuring worldclass, award-winning sandcastle builders competing in one of San Diego County’s most beloved traditions. Professional and amateur sand-carving teams fashion sand creations in a fast-paced, five-hour build as part of the day’s events.

Imperial Beach’s original public festival of the same name was held beginning in 1960 to celebrate the city’s incorporation. This annual community celebration featured a sand-sculpting competition. For 32 years, between 1980 and 2011, Imperial Beach also was the site of the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition.

Today this free, family-oriented street festival continues the tradition. Spend the day along the seaside and enjoy a pancake breakfast and the community parade.

Activities include a farmers market and international food fair, live music and entertainment. Watch youngsters compete in the Kids ‘n Kastles sand-building competition. New this year is the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Kidz Zone filled with kid-friendly fun and entertainment at the city’s Dunes Park. Public viewing of the sand castles and events will take place at Portwood Pier Plaza and along Seacoast Drive on Imperial Beach. The activities will take place throughout the day until 4 p.m. when the awards are presented.

• Prepare a pet safety zone in your home. If you will be gone, keep them contained in an inner room or other safe area with some lights on. Remove any sharp or breakable items from the room in case your pet starts jumping or running around. And, ensure that the room temperature is pleasant.

• Dampen the noise. Make sure all windows are closed, draw the curtains and turn a television or radio on.

• Make the room cozy. Put down familiar, clean bedding somewhere pleasant such as under a table, on or behind a chair. Add some familiar chew toys, scratch pads or balls to keep your pets amused and distracted. Add a litter tray for cats.

• Provide hydration. Be sure to leave sufficient water. Many pets will be uneasy or even frantic. If your pet has access to water, it will help calm them.

To volunteer, build sandcastles, enter the parade or learn more, click on www. sunandseafestival.com.

New Words

Y

ou might not find them in a dictionary yet, but they’re a part of the everyday American vocabulary. Here’s what they mean.

Deck: A key word in the hipster community, similar in meaning to (pick your generation) neat, keen, boss, cool, groovy, radical, tubular or fly.

To be totally deck is to be cutting edge and up on the latest trends.

Interrobang: A non-standard form of punctuation combining a question mark with an exclamation point used to ask a question in an excited manner.

Nibling: The child of your sibling; the new nongender specific term for a nephew or niece.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 7

It’s The Law Mitchell A. Karasov

Mitchell A. Karasov, Esq. has offices in Los Angeles, Ventura County and the Coachella Valley. He specializes in elder law with emphasis in estate planning, Medi-Cal eligibility, trust administration, probate, conservatorships of person or estate, estate and trust litigation and financial abuse litigation. For more information click on www.karasovelderlaw.com or call (818) 508-7192.

Settling A Sisterly Situation

Q

Our father created an estate plan naming me as the power of attorney for healthcare and my sister as power of attorney for finance. The problem is, my sister and I don’t get along and we have different opinions about everything. Now, it’s impacting our father because I think he should stay at home, which means he will need more care. His doctor says he doesn’t need to be moved to a nursing home and would be fine at home with some help. My sister, on the other hand, thinks the home help and care would be too expensive and that he should go to a memory care unit. She’s holding the purse strings, so I’m having a heck of a time getting him the care he needs to stay at home. As a result, I’m doing the caregiving and paying for some help to come in.

My business lawyer told me the only thing I can do to change this is to get an attorney to file a conservatorship. I looked into that and found it could be time consuming and I will have to pay the attorney. Are there any other alternatives to solving this kind of problem?

Did you use marijuana when you were younger? or

LATE-LIFE DEPRESSION For those who are suffering from feelings of depression, sadness, hopelessness, memory loss, concentration difficulties, lack of energy, or loss of interest and pleasure in activities; UCLA is conducting a 12-month research study using an experimental combination of two drugs and a placebo (an inactive substance).

If you are 60 years of age or older, not currently receiving any psychiatric treatment with effective medications, you may qualify. Medical and psychiatric evaluations and limited physical exams are provided as part of the study. Participants will undergo a PET scan and an MRI scan.

Evaluations and study drug are provided at no charge.

For more information, call UCLA at: (310) 983-3375.

8 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

Do you smoke cigarettes now but never used marijuana If you are over 55 years old you may qualify for your research study.

For more information please contact: DrugStudyUCLA@gmail. com or call 310-794-1021 Upon completion, you will receive $150 Study conducted by CA Burggren, Ph.D. UCLA Dept of Psychiatry

A

Although you and your sister might not see eye-to-eye on what’s best for your dad, there are alternatives you can pursue before filing a conservatorship. Of course, your dad’s expressed wishes are an important place to start. If your dad’s cognitive capacity is intact, he can tell you what he wants, and those directions should be followed. Based on your reference to memory care, it sounds like your dad’s cognition may be compromised. If that’s the case, then, looking to his written instructions would be the fallback position for understanding what the wishes are for the decision-makers to follow. However, if your dad isn’t fully aware of his care needs and their costs, or the estate planning documents aren’t definitive on the issue, then advice from a legal professional would be in order. Since the main disagreements revolve around where your dad should receive care and the costs involved, I would recommend you see if your sister would be receptive to consulting with a mutually agreed upon geriatric care manager, also known as a GCM. An experienced GCM would assess your dad’s needs and the appropriateness of caregiving in the home. The GCM will present opinions on available options and also what back-up plans are available. If finances are an issue, than it would make sense to consult with an elder law attorney to determine if there are government programs to assist with care costs. If your sister will not agree to hire a GCM, or if you do and the GCM’s assessment doesn’t result in a solution, your next step could be to propose attending a family mediation with an elder law mediator. The mediator will gather as much information as possible to bring you all closer to a workable plan. At that point, if none of those options work, a conservatorship might be the only way to secure the appropriate care for your dad. In addition, if you advance the legal fees for the conservatorship, you do have the ability to seek reimbursement from your dad’s finances once a conservatorship is put in place. I am optimistic that with professional guidance, you and your sister may find a care plan that is agreeable to all without necessitating court involvement. I wish you the best.

ENTER AND WIN UP TO $1,500 - THREE CATEGORIES

Calling all Photographers. Bring your skills, talent and creativity to the largest, most beautiful and diverse memorial park in America and win up to $1,500.

Photo contest entry period runs from April 1 to July 31, 2015. Judging mid-August.

A PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST IN THE CEMETERY

Three Categories: Memorial Beauty, Celebration of Cultures, Creative Eye. Judging by popular vote (via Facebook & live event) plus Juried Panel. There is no fee to enter. All are invited to participate.

Entry & Rules at www.RoseHillsPhotos.com Or visit Facebook.com/RoseHillsMemorialPark For more information, email Info@RoseHillsPhotos.com

3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601 (562) 699-0921 • www.LegacyRoseHills.com #FD 970

360 family dental For All Of Your Dental Needs From Invisible Adult Braces, Cleanings to Permanent tooth replacement solutions, you will be happy you came” • • • • •

We Use Nitrous Sedative Gas (Upon request) ImPlANt Friendly and courteous staff SPeCIAl A Pleasant and quiet office $ A. Vaisman DDS All insurance accepted USC Graduate Serving the SFV for 20 years Senior discount available

899

www.360familydental.com | 818.365.7191 July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 9

Cover Profile

From Happy Days to Challenging Ones

scott Baio Just keeps on running Story by David Laurell * Photos by Christopher Ameruoso, www.www.chrisaphoto.com 10 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

S

cott Baio is indelibly seared into the American conscience as Chachi Arcola, the young cousin of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on “Happy Days;” as Charles, a college student who took on the challenge of caring for three children in “Charles in Charge;” and as one of the quintessential teen idols of the 1970s. For that reason, it is, perhaps, a bit hard to believe that come this September, 55 years will have passed since Baio was born in Brooklyn, New York.

The third child of Italian immigrants, Mario and Rose Baio, Scott made a decision at the ripe old age of nine that he wanted to become an actor. With a dream wholeheartedly supported by his parents, he soon landed roles in commercials that, in his mid-teens, led to his beating out more than 2,000 other young actors for the lead role in the 1976 feature film, “Bugsy Malone.”

His appearance in that film garnered the attention of television producer Garry Marshall, who, at the time, was riding a massive wave of television success led by the hugely popular ABC sitcom, “Happy Days,” for which he cast Baio as Chachi.

Along with the success of “Happy Days,” Baio was a fixture on the big screen through the latter part of the 1970s and early 1980s in such features as “Skatetown, U.S.A.,” “Foxes” and “Zapped!” He also appeared in the shortlived “Happy Days” spinoff, “Joanie Loves Chachi,” before taking on the title role in the sitcom “Charles in Charge,” which ran on CBS and then in first-run syndication from 1987 to 1990.

Continuing to do feature film and television work as both an actor and a director since “Charles in Charge” wrapped production, Baio starred in a 2007 VH1 reality series, “Scott Baio Is 45... And Single.” At the conclusion of the first season of that show, Baio and his then-girlfriend, actress Renee Sloan, married and announced she was pregnant with twins.

Following a difficult pregnancy in which she lost one of her babies, the couple’s daughter, Bailey, was born five weeks premature on November 2, 2007. Initially believed to be suffering from glutaric acidemia type one, a rare organic metabolic disorder, extensive testing ultimately proved the diagnosis to be false and Bailey was given a clean bill of health.

With immeasurable gratefulness that their daughter was healthy, Scott and Renee took the horrific experience to heart and established the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation to raise awareness, funding and provide support for children and families dealing with metabolic disorders.

This past month, as Life After 50 magazine was working with Baio to prepare this feature, the 42-year-old Renee began suffering from strong migraine headaches and, on June 16, revealed she had received a frightening diagnosis.

“Just a few days ago, we learned my wife, Renee, has a meningioma brain tumor,” Baio wrote in a Facebook post. “Although 90 percent of these type of tumors are benign, they can cause serious problems depending on the size of the tumor and the location. We are waiting to learn the exact location to see if it’s operable. Renee has been down some rough roads in her life, yet each time, with her strong faith in God, she comes through a better and stronger person. My wife is my rock. She refuses to even shed one tear, nor will she question God’s will. Renee, Bailey and I will get through this, and along the way, maybe help educate others to get checked out as 6,500 people each year, mostly women, get these tumors.”

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 11

lA50: if we may, let’s talk about your memories of doing “Charles in Charge” for all those years at Universal. What memories do you have of working on that lot?

SB: Oh, there are so many, I could go on forever, but I think the craziest thing I remember was the time that Willie [Aames] and I broke into the King Kong exhibit. It was right near our stage and one day, during a lunch break or something, Willie and I were walking around and we passed those big double doors that the trams go through to enter the exhibit. There was nothing going on. It was all quiet. So we went over to the doors and pushed on them and they opened. We looked at each other and then just walked in. It was crazy.

The monkey was just hanging there and it was all dark, so Willie is crazy, and he says: “Let’s hide and when the tram comes through, we’ll mess with the people.” I’m like: “Really,” and he’s saying: “Yeah, come on, it’ll be fun.” So we were roaming around and there’s a helicopter and a bridge and a building and Willie climbed up into the building and I got up on the skid pads of the helicopter, and then in comes a tram. So the thing lights up and everything starts moving and the monkey starts screaming and I didn’t know the hell was happening. I was holding on to the helicopter and it started dropping and I’m screaming: “HELP!” and I hear Willie screaming: “Help us! The gorilla is going to kill us!” And the people on the tram [laughing], they had no idea what the hell was going on. So the tram just goes through and there we were. The whole thing goes dark again and we just about wet our pants laughing. lA50: Do you think anyone recognized you guys?

SB: I have no idea what anyone thought [laughing]. What I do know was when we got back to the stage, we started rehearsing and about 20 minutes later, the phone rings and a PA [Production Assistant] came up to the set and said there was a call for me. That was strange, that he would interrupt a rehearsal. I said I couldn’t take it right now and told him so take a message. And the PA gives me this look and says: ‘It’s Sid Sheinberg [the president of Universal], and I went: “Oh shit!” So I picked up the phone and said: [in a meek voice] “Hello.” And all I hear is screaming: “You blankin’ blanks! If you ever do anything like that again, I’ll blankin’ blank this and that.” He must have gone on for five minutes just destroying me [laughing]. Of course, it was a huge liability issue on so many levels. But, hey, it was fun. So, yes, I loved working on the Universal lot. lA50: Holy cow! Tell us more:

life After 50 (lA50): Scott, it’s been a few weeks since you learned and revealed that renee has a brain tumor. As we prepare to go to press with this issue, can you update us on how she is doing?

Scott Baio (SB): She’s very tough and she’s doing fine. Since that post, we have learned that she actually has three meningioma tumors and that they are all located in areas that make them operable. So that’s our next step – to have the surgery to remove them. lA50: We certainly had no idea when we began working with you on this feature that this would be something you would be dealing with. So, on behalf of everyone at Life After 50, please know that you and renee will be in our thoughts and prayers for a fast and full recovery.

SB: Thank you. I appreciate that. Like I said, she’s tough. She would tell you it’s me whose been doing the crying, not her. Her expression, as someone who is half-American Indian, is “Saddle up and warrior on.” That is how she has lived her entire life. It is how she dealt with the challenges we had with losing a baby and then with Bailey’s health scare, and it’s how she will handle this. lA50: As you know, before renee’s diagnosis, we reached out to you to appear on the cover of this month’s issue to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Universal Studios tour, because you worked on that lot for so many years. We want you to know that we are greatly appreciative to you for your willingness to allow us to profile you in spite of everything you and renee are dealing with.

SB: I thank you and appreciate you saying that.

12 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

SB: I think that was the topper. But I knew Robert Blake and I had always heard these wild stories about him and the tours – how he once drove a tram into the “Jaws” lake and about running a golf cart through the commissary window, and so many other wild things. These stories were legendary around the lot. So one time, I asked him about them and he looked at me and said: “They’re all true.”

But for us, the King Kong experience was our wildest. Beyond that, we used to love to go up to the Psycho house on Friday nights with some friends and some girls. Willie – oh my God, [laughing] he was a dastardly human being back then – he still is. We were on that lot for a long time, so we felt like we owned the place. We knew every nook and cranny. And remember, we were in our mid 20s, so we weren’t kids, but we were still kind of idiot guys, so we did all kinds of crazy things. I loved seeing the folks on the tours. I would jump on the tram and go around a little bit with them and would then realize I had gone so far I would have to call for a PA to come and get me in a golf cart to bring me back to the stage. We had six great years working on that lot – really good times! lA50: When you think back to working on “Happy Days” and “Joanie loves Chachi” and “Charles in Charge,” is there anything particular that stands out as a fond memory?

SB: Working on “Happy Days” was the start – the jumping off point for me. It’s where I learned everything, and the people on that show were great. I have such amazing memories of doing that show. I grew up on that show. When we started out, I was a boy. I did “Happy Days” from the time I was 15 till I was about 22 or 23. And even though I was in my mid-teens when I started, I looked like an 11-year-old boy. So much of my real life took place while I was doing “Happy Days.” Then, as far as “Joanie Loves Chachi” – I shouldn’t have done it. That was a mistake. We did that between the 10th and 11th years of “Happy Days” and then I went back to doing “Happy Days.” After that came “Charles in Charge” and, you know, it’s good to be the king, right? [laughs].

SAFE, SECURE & GUARANTEED!

• Limited Time Only • No Gimmicks or Bonus from Broker

• No Fees or Charges • $5,000 Minimum Deposit

Act Now - These Rates Won’t Last!

3.19

1.65 3.00 % APY % % 2.40 4.04 * Call for details % APY

One Year Certificate

%

APY

3 Year Certificate

APY

5 Year Certificate

APY*

8 Year Certificate (Compound Yield)

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT (877) 322-0407 • Principal is 100% Protected • No Fees or Charges • Safe and Secure

www.sfsinvest.com

• Monthly Interest Available • $5000 Minimum Deposit • Guaranteed Rates

CA LIC #0G76413

Carlsbad • Del Mar • Rancho Bernardo Temecula • Los Angeles • Orange County Mission Viejo • Pasadena • Woodland Hills Palm Springs • Beverly Hills • Torrance Anaheim Hills • Rancho Cucamonga Now Open!

Call For Details.

Shoreline Financial Services dba SFS Insurance Marketing is a deposit broker offering Bank, Credit Union and Insurance Certificates/Short term fixed Annuities. $5000 minimum deposit required. Shoreline Financial will beat or match any advertised rate.

Certain restrictions apply. Other products and services also available.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

43rd Annual

Cancer Convention FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONALS

Sept. 5, 6, & 7, 2015 Sat., Sun. & Mon. – Labor Day Weekend

SHERATON UNIVERSAL (Across from Universal Studios Hollywood)

LEARN ABOUT THE PREVENTION & CONTROL OF CANCER THROUGH NUTRITION, TESTS & NON-TOXIC CANCER THERAPIES SUCH AS LAETRILE, GERSON, HOXSEY, POLY-MVA, ENZYMES & IMMUNOTHERAPY FROM MEDICAL DOCTORS, CLINICAL RESEARCHERS, NUTRITIONISTS & AUTHORS. ALSO, LEARN ABOUT CHELATION, DMSO, OXYGEN, HERBAL, CELLULAR & ELECTRO-MAGNETIC THERAPIES. IN ADDITION, NATURAL THERAPIES FOR HEART, DIABETES, ARTHRITIS, MS & EYE DISEASES.

40 Speakers, 5 Movies & 80 Exhibits $40.00/Day Pay at Door For All Events For Doctor Referrals and Programs contact:

CANCER CONTROL SOCIETY (323) 663-7801

www.cancercontrolsociety.com

DOCTOR’S SYMPOSIUM – Tuesday, September 8 CEU’s for Nurses & Dentists $45.00/Day

My son told me I need to move away from my home. I told him he needs to move away from my left.

She’s your mother, the greatest of all time. Maybe she doesn’t float like a butterfy any longer but she can still sting like a bee. Just between us... you really don’t want to mess with her especially when it comes to her wanting to live in her own home.

We know the importance of home and home care. That’s why we provide a wide range of services, from companionship to highly specialized nursing care. Our experienced, vetted RNs, LVNs, CNAs and caregivers provide Absolutely Always Amazing Tender Loving Care everyday to people of all ages. We participate in all facets of recovery, including caring for everyone who lives in the home, whether spouse, children or pets. And we do it in the comfort of the place they love the most... their home.

Call us at 866.608.6608, or visit aaatlc.com, for more information. Find out why we have been the premier home care company for 25 years.

Serving Southern California | 310.271.1887 | 818.380.6585 | 866.608.6608 | aaatlc.com July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 13

lA50: “Happy Days” was such a legendary show. A hundred years from now, who knows what people will be watching things on, but i’m betting they will still be watching reruns of “Happy Days.”

SB: I totally agree. I have people come up to me and mention “Happy Days” all the time – kids who weren’t even born when we were doing it. That just tickles me. It was a huge show and that had a lot to do with that era – the domination of the three networks – when people eight to 80 – 30 to 40 million people watched every week. I don’t know if we’ll ever see any one show that will be able to get that kind of audience again. It was a beautiful story. It was well-written. The characters were great. And that’s the key to success in any television show. And it all goes back to Garry Marshall – his vision for the show, and how he brought all the elements together to make it work. It was a wonderful experience.

Republican candidates. I worked for Mitt Romney and have already come out in support of Scott Walker for president in 2016. I’ve attended events for Marco Rubio and just had the chance to talk to Governor Kasich of Ohio. I don’t know who the Republican nominee will be, but whoever it is, I’ll support them. I know [Jeb] Bush has a lot of money, but I think he has too much to overcome with the name. So I like Governor Walker. I like what he had done in Wisconsin. I like people who fix things. My father was a fix-it type of guy, and when I look around I see a lot of things that are broken and need fixing. lA50: Tell us what a typical day is like for you.

SB: I take Bailey to school, have breakfast with my wife, go play golf, smoke a cigar with some friends, help Bailey with her homework and we have dinner [laughs]. That’s about it.

lA50: How did you get that role?

lA50: Who cooks dinner?

SB: After I did “Bugsy Malone,” they screened it for the executives at Paramount and Garry was one of the executives. When he saw me, he wanted me to be in a spinoff of “Happy Days” he had created called “Pinky.” So I did the pilot for that show, but it didn’t go. Then, at the same time, Garry was doing a show called “Blansky’s Beauties” with Nancy Walker. He put me in that for a year and then I went on to do “Happy Days.”

SB: We both do. Renee is from the South, so she makes all of her Southern specialties, and I’m an Italian guy from back east, so I do the pasta and meatballs.

lA50: How did the character of Chachi come about? Was he totally Garry’s creation?

SB: There was no character. It was just me doing dialogue. I think every actor plays a version of themselves in whatever character they are doing. I didn’t give it much thought. Chachi was just me. lA50: When did it hit you just how big you were – the magnitude of how you resonated with audiences and fans?

SB: I didn’t know what the hell I was doing and what was happening when I started. I was just sort of winging it. But, I guess there were two things that I remember hitting me. After filming “Happy Days” on Friday nights, the cast would go out into the audience and sign autographs. I remember once, Henry [Winkler] was out there and the people were going crazy. While he was doing that, I walked through the set and I heard this roar and it scared me. I looked out at the audience and they were looking at me. I didn’t know what was happening and I caught eye contact with Henry and I felt bad because I felt like I was stealing his thunder. I always had great respect for him. So I was looking at Henry and he motioned for me to come out into the audience. When I did, everybody was asking me for an autograph and taking pictures and it was crazy. I did that for about 10 minutes and then Henry came up behind me and put his arm around my shoulder and said: “Things are going to be very different for you from now on.” I didn’t really know what the hell he was taking about. But then, soon after that, I was invited to some car show in the Midwest to sign autographs. It was at this huge convention center and there was a catwalk around the perimeter of the hall. I remember walking there with my dad and looking down and seeing the place just packed with human beings. And I said, “Wow! This must really be a popular car show.” And the guy who was with us said: “They don’t care about the cars. They’re all here to see you.” I was 16. And I remember looking at my father and he put his arm around me and said: “It’s all right.” It was at that moment I got it – what Henry meant. lA50: You have been very open about your political leanings, which are not exactly in line with most people who work in show business. Are there any challenges for a conservative when it comes to navigating their way through the entertainment industry?

SB: I’ve always gotten work. I will never be cast in certain roles or win an Oscar. That has nothing to do with my politics, but rather, because I have this reputation as being bubble gum in a lot of people’s minds. I’ve always talked freely about my political beliefs and have never tried to hide anything. I find there are a lot of people in the business – people just in general – who believe the same fundamental things I do, but they don’t like the word “Republican” or to be associated with the Republican Party. I totally get that. It’s why I don’t consider myself a Republican. I’m a conservative, although I have worked for

14 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

lA50: What kind of a golfer are you?

SB: I can be really good and I can be really bad. lA50: You’re in great shape.

SB: I’m in okay shape.

Skincare AFTER 50

DERMATOLOGIST SPOTLIGHT O’Connell Der matology is dedicated to patients achieving visible results BROWN SPOTS BE GONE More than 71 million Americans suffer from rough dark/brown spots on their skin, which are often diagnosed as seborrheic keratosis.

These blemishes are a rising concern among those over 50, and O’Connell Dermatology offers specially tailored Clearista facials and applications to address these brown spots and improve the skin’s appearance.

SOLUTIONS BY A MEDICAL AESTHETICIAN Penny Johnson is Aesthetician at

the

Medical O’Connell

Dermatology and offers a personalized and professional approach in helping to improve skin health. She develops

CLEARISTA CLEAR The latest technology in skin care takes your appearance to a whole new level.

T

he skin resurfacing cosmetic line called Clearista ®

med spas alike as this season’s must-have skin care cosmetic

promises a new way to address skin and improve the appearance of fine lines, roughness, brown spots,and signs of premature aging. Created by Skincential Sciences, a San Francisco biotech cosmetic company, Clearista is a scientifically proven and patented solution aimed at making your skin look younger.

line.This latest innovation represents a new paradigm in skincare that aims to resurface the skin in a highly effective and gentle manner by using only water-based ingredients.

The advanced formulation is a com pl et e s k i n r e - t e x t u r i z i n g cosmetic solution, enabling skin softening and smoothing benefits with results often

Users rave about results, claiming “There’s nothing quite like it!” And it seems others are taking notice. Featured in O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmo, and other California publications, Clearista is being adopted by dermatologists and

ABOVE: Before and after brown spot (seborrheic keratosis) removal with the Professional Clearista Refining Pen, 2 months post treatment

thought to be achievable only with lasers, dermabrasion, and chemical peels.

BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE At its core, Clearista works to retexture the outer surface of your skin. The formula enables increased hydration and resurfacing to happen, resulting in a reduction in the appearance of unsightly blemishes and roughness. The scientifically proven solution helps skin appear younger and softer without causing irritation or damage.

The Clearista Professional line is available through select spas and dermatology offices, with premium home solutions also available at CLEARISTA. com. Clearista products are cruelty-free and contain no parabens or synthetic dyes or fragrances. Products are environmentally friendly and manufactured in California.

—KRISTIE COLÓN

customized skincare programs for all skin types, making sure to stay on top of the latest research and trends. Her areas of expertise include treatments for tightening, toning and brightening of the skin, fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, acne and hyperpigmentation.

When asked, Penny shares her vision for each patient: “My goal is to make every one of my clients feel like she or he is with a friend. Every client’s program is designed for his or her personal skin needs. I love making people look and feel good about themselves.”

Book your appointment with O’Connell Dermatology for the best in skincare treatments and for a chance to try the Clearista Professional skincare line.

23451 Madison Street, Suite 190 Bldg.7 In Torrance 310-373-6952 www.oconnelldermatology.com

Penny Johnson, Medical Aesthetician, O’CONNELL DERMATOLOGY

LA50: As we sit here in your home office, one can’t help but notice the photo of your father that is prominently displayed. Tell us a little about your parents.

SB: My dad is gone now. He died in 2007. And my mother has advanced Alzheimer’s. My dad loved my success. I mean he absolutely loved it. He got such a kick out of it. When he was a boy, his mother would tell him that Hollywood would be coming to steal him away from her.

So he got a kick out of the fact that it actually did happen to me. My father was the type of guy everyone who grew up in Brooklyn knew. An Old World Italian guy. Tough as nails. Tough physically. No B.S. – ever! I think about him a lot now that I have a daughter. I just saw her in a school play and I thought she was great. It made me think back as to how he must have felt when he would watch me. He was a special guy, and it wasn’t really until I had a daughter of my own that I understood just how special he was. He wasn’t the type of guy who always told me he loved me or that he was proud of me. But I know he was – so much – so much. That is where I am different from him. I’m always telling Bailey how much I love her and how proud I am of her. lA50: You and renee went through a parent’s worst nightmare when Bailey was incorrectly diagnosed with having a metabolic disorder. How is she doing now?

SB: She is wonderful. A genuinely happy and healthy little girl. We went through hell when we didn’t know what was happening with her. But, thank God, she is fine, and because of what we went through, we now have the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation that offers hope to parents who are not as fortunate as we were. lA50: in light of the health challenges renee is facing, i’m sure you have started to think about things differently. As we get older, we are all forced into dealing with various challenges – including health problems. Have you adopted any sort of a philosophy about getting older?

lA50: What do you do?

SB: Very little. I’m very lucky to have the metabolism of my mother. I actually have to force myself to eat to maintain weight. I’m one of those guys who can eat anything. lA50: You know that even some of your biggest fans will now hate you for revealing that.

SB: Yes [laughing]. I do know that. I’m sorry, it’s just who I am. But, I’m also active as hell. I have a very hard time sitting still. I’m always on the run. I play a lot of golf, I go to the gym two or three times a week. I use the weights, just to keep my body moving.

16 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

SB: If I have any philosophy, it would be that you have to keep moving. We hear that old expression about age being a state of mind. Well, that’s fine, but we know, in reality, age is really a state of body. So my whole thing is to keep moving. You can’t be young-minded if your body isn’t working. My mother always used to joke that her philosophy for men to stay young was to stay thin and don’t lose your hair [laughs]. But for me, I just believe in moving around, playing golf, getting out in the yard – just getting out of your chair. You have to keep moving and also keep your mind moving. You want to know my real philosophy on getting older? Never walk up a flight of stairs. Always run up a flight of stairs. Every time I come to stairs, I run up as fast as I can. For me, I know I’m okay as long as I can keep running. And I will always do that for as long as I can, no matter what age I am. So that’s it for me. Simple: As long as you are able, always run up stairs.

For more information about the Bailey Baio angel Foundation and their upcoming charity golf tournament, that will be held at the Woodland Hills country club in september to coincide with scott’s 55th birthday, call (310) 401-7363 or click on www.baileybaioangelfoundation.com.

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”

— J. Fitzgerald, VA

Easy-to-use remotes for massage/heat and recline/lift

Complete with battery backup in case of power outage

Our Perfect Sleep Chair® is just the chair to do it all.

It’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs – but this chair is so much more! It’s designed to provide total comfort and relaxation not found in other chairs. It can’t be beat for comfortable, long-term sitting, TV viewing, relaxed reclining and – yes! – peaceful sleep. Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of positions, including the Trendelenburg position and the zero gravity position where your body experiences a minimum of internal and external stresses.

You’ll love the other benefits, too: It helps with correct spinal alignment, promotes back pressure relief, and This lift chair encourages better posture to puts you safely prevent back and muscle pain. on your feet!

And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort.

Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. The high and low heat settings along with the dozens of massage settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you might get at a spa – just imagine getting all that in a lift chair! Shipping charge includes white glove delivery. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! Includes one year service warranty and your choice of fabrics and colors. If you’re not 100% satisfied simply return the chair within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. – Call now!

The Perfect Sleep Chair® Call now toll free for our lowest price.

Please mention code 100844 when ordering.

1-888-734-0282 Long Lasting DuraLux Leather

DuraLux II Microfiber

Tan

Burgundy Cashmere

Chocolate Burgundy

Fern

© 2015 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

Chocolate Indigo

46383

We’ve e’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly, operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper right off to dreamland.

Sit up, lie down — and anywhere in between!

Great Things To Do

This Summer

In Southern California

By Marc Blaine

Have A Beastly Ball: Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara

The zoo is just two miles from the Downtown area, located on the grounds of a former private estate.

The Santa Barbara Zoo features a variety of animals including lions, giraffes, penguins, elephants, gorillas, snow leopards and California condors.

500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara, (805) 962-5339, www.sbzoo.org.

Catch An Old-School Bargain: Woolworth Museum, Oxnard

The Woolworth Building in Downtown Oxnard was built in the 1950s and is filled will items that the F.W. Woolworth Company used to sell. One of the original “five and dime” stores in the U.S., the Woolworth museum is full of nostalgia, including old vending machines and lunch counters. Some of the artifacts and pictures are from the historic civil rights lunch counter sit-in that took place in 1960 at the Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina.

210 West Fourth St., Oxnard.

(818) 980-6966, www.thewoolworthbldg.com/Museum.html.

Be Fair To Yourself: Ventura County Fair

S

ometimes it takes someone from out of state or out of the country to visit us in Southern California for us to stop and realize all the great things there are to see and do right in our own backyard. People travel thousands of miles and spend big money to visit our area, while we have the privilege of living here year round. Sure, we all need a change of scenery, but sometimes it can be achieved within a short drive from home when one considers all the staycation options Southern California has to offer.

Having presented interesting and often overlooked daytrip ideas over the past few years, we here at Life After 50 are happy to once again present 50 unique and fun things to do this summer without having to venture far from home.

So, make this the summer you enjoy and explore Southern California’s natural beauty and unique special offerings – the things in our own backyard that make our corner of the world an international tourist destination.

18 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

The West Coast’s only fair that can boast that it’s located directly on the beach. Held every August at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, fairgoers can take in cool ocean breezes while enjoying carnival rides, midway games, exhibits, a variety of live entertainment and an unending selection of fair food.

August 5-6, 2015.

10 West Harbor Blvd, Ventura, (805) 648-3376, www.venturacountyfair.org.

Do An Island Exploration: Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, Ventura

The visitor center is a resource center for the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. Visitors can see a tide pool, museum, hear lectures and talk to park rangers and volunteers about features of the five northern

Channel Islands which sit just off the coast of Ventura. Information is available to schedule boat tours and plane flights to the islands as well as how to reserve camping sites.

1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, (805) 658-5730, www.nps.gov.

Enjoy A Floral View: Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Located on 65 acres in the foothills above the city, the garden features many of the state’s native flora. The oldest botanic garden in California opened in 1926 as an educational and scientific institution. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful walk that takes them over a historic dam to a ridge top that offers a sweeping view of the Channel Islands.

1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, (805) 682-4726, www.SantaBarbaraBotanicGarden.org.

Set Up A Photo-Op: Old Mission Santa Barbara

One of the city’s most photographed landmarks, Old Mission Santa Barbara is set between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Known as the “Queen of the Missions,” it was the 10th of California’s 21 missions and is the only mission to be continually occupied by the Franciscans. A $2 admission fee gives you access to the picturesque grounds and cemetery as well as to a museum that features Chumash artifacts and art.

2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, (805) 6824713, www.santa-barbaramission.org

Marvel At A One-Stop Museum: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Located near the Old Mission, this museum is unique in that it combines history, science, nature and art. Visitors can see the Sea Center that examines marine life or see exhibits that feature birds, insects and mammals. If the cosmos is your thing, you’ll enjoy the Space Lab and Gladwin Planetarium. A stroll near Mission Photo by Tim Hauf TimHaufPhotography.com

50

Ventura/ Santa BarBara

Creek at the Museum is a nice way to get away from it all.

2559 Puesta Del Sol Road, Santa Barbara, (805) 682-4711, www.sbnature.org.

Follow Your Nose And Palate: Santa Barbara

A group of wine makers got together and came up with the idea of the Urban Wine Trail. It’s designed to allow visitors to stay in the city to sample wine produced in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley. The tasting rooms are within blocks of each other in Downtown Santa Barbara and the nearby beach area. To take the self-guided tour, go to www. santabarbaraca.com to find a map.

You can walk, rent a pedicab or a cruiser bike to cover the trail that features wines from 19 different area wineries.

birthday. Catalina Express boats depart from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. The 22-mile boat trip to Avalon takes about an hour.

Must register and book reservation online or call (800) 995-4386. ID required when departing. Birthday promotion runs through December 31, 2015. www.catalinaexpress.com.

View LA LA Land: Los Angeles City Hall

A great way to get above all the hustle and bustle of Downtown Los Angeles is to head to the 27th floor observation deck at City Hall. It’s open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but visitors are required to check in at the security desk at the Main

Do A Hollywood Hike: Griffith Park, Los Angeles

For shuttle schedule and price of tickets go to www.hollywoodsign.org. Trailhead address: 3400 N. Beachwood Drive, Griffith Park, Los Angeles.

Cruise To Catalina

If you are looking to get away and it happens to be your birthday, Catalina Express is offering a free round trip to the island to anyone traveling to the island on their

Historic Greystone Mansion and Park, Beverly Hills. You can feel the history and get a panoramic view of the city from this breathtaking site.

The mansion was built for Edward Doheny, Jr., the son of oil tycoon Edward Doheny. Construction of the mansion was completed in 1930.

The City of Beverly Hills bought the property in the mid 1960s and subsequently made it a public park. In 1976, the 18-acre estate was entered into the Registry of Historic Places. The park is open to the public daily except for holidays, filming or special events. The mansion is open only for special events.

905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills.

(310) 285-6830, www.beverlyhills.org/ attractions/greystone.

Browse Vinyl Amoeba Music, Hollywood

LoS angeLeS area Originally built in 1923 to advertise the Hollywoodland real estate development, the Hollywood Sign has become an iconic part of the Los Angeles landscape. There are several ways to hike to the sign atop Mount Lee in Griffith Park: Brush Canyon Trail, Hollyridge Trail and Wonder View Trail. If hiking isn’t your thing, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks offers a weekend shuttle through the park to views of the Hollywood sign.

Experience 50 Shades of Greystone

Street public entrance. You can walk around the perimeter of the observation deck for unobstructed views of the downtown area. Trivia Time: L.A.’s City Hall was used as the Daily Planet Building in the classic “Superman” TV series of the 1950s. Signs on the deck let you know the locations of downtown landmarks including Union Station and Disney Concert Hall.

201 Main Street, Los Angeles.

Do A Downtown Art Walk

Held on the second Thursday of every month, this self-guided experience normally runs from 12 noon to 10 p.m. All kinds of art-related activities take place in the vicinity of the areas of the galleries. The galleries are primarily located on Spring and Main Streets between Second and Ninth Streets, but there’s plenty of other art-related activities going on in the surrounding area and nearby vicinity. It’s a great way to see how this portion of the downtown area has been reshaped into a vibrant community.

411 South Main Street, Suite M102, www.downtownartwalk.org.

If you miss the days of the record stores when you could allow the day to get away from you as you browsed through LPs, then Amoeba Music is just what the doctor ordered. This music store takes up an entire city block of Hollywood and its two floors house millions of titles on new and used vinyl, CD and DVD. The store also offers free shows on a regular basis. How big are the names? Paul McCartney played a secret show here in June of 2007. Check the website for upcoming shows and autographsigning parties.

6400 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 245-6400, www.amoeba.com.

Go Evergreen: Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles

This is L.A.’s oldest cemetery and the final resting place for a lot of people who made their mark in the early days of Los Angeles. You’ll see such names as Lankershimm, Van Nuys and Bixby on gravestones here. The cemetery dates back to the mid19th century and includes a jogging path, if you’re looking to break a sweat in a peaceful setting.

installation. Artist Simon Rodia began the project in 1921 and for 34 years, used only simple tools to build the towers. He used a variety of broken glass, seashells and ceramics to make the towers stand out. The tallest tower stands nearly 100 feet high. Check website for guided tour information.

1727 E. 107th Street, (213) 847-4646, www.wattstowers.us/

Blast Back To The Past: Electric Dusk Drive-In Theatre, Los Angeles Los Angeles’ only drive-in theatre is open year round and presents films geared for the entire family. If you remember family outings to the local drive-in from yesteryear, this is a great way to relive your youth as well as expose your children to a movie era gone by. Pet friendly, Astro-turf seating is also available near the screen. Parking for these seats is available across the street from the main gate. Enter the gate on 11th Street between San Julian and San Pedro. Purchasing tickets in advance is advised.

1000 San Julian Street, (818) 653-8591, www.electricduskdrivein.com.

Explore Zoo History: Old L.A. Zoo, Griffith Park, Los Angeles Walk through and explore what’s left of the zoo that opened in Griffith Park in 1912 when the city’s zoo was moved to the park from Lincoln Heights. The original zoo in Griffith Park initially featured only 15 animals. You can get inside old animal cages and enclosures for great picture taking and weave through rock grottos. Everything you’ll see was left behind when the zoo was abandoned in 1966 with the opening of the current zoo in Griffith Park.

4730 Crystal Springs Drive.

204 N. Evergreen Avenue, (323) 268-6714, www.evergreen-losangeles.com.

Take In An Iconic Landmark: Watts Towers, Los Angeles Seventeen sculptures of steel girders, wire mesh and concrete make up this famous artistic

Rock On To The Rocks: Vasquez Rocks, Agua Dulce

A sight to behold, located 40 minutes north of Los Angeles in the small July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 19

town of Agua Dulce. Huge precipices jut into the air at 45-degree angles.

A popular filming location. Shows or films shot here include “Star Trek,” “Power Rangers” and “Planet of the Apes.” The rocks are named after bandit Tiburcio Vasquez, known as “The Scourge of California” in the mid 1800s. He used the rocks as a hideout from the law.

10700 W. Escondido Canyon Road, Agua Dulce.

Marvel At Murals: Mural Mile, Pacoima

Some of the most impressive murals in the Los Angeles area are located on a mile stretch of Van Nuys Blvd. in Pacoima. It all started in 2012 when artist Levi Ponce began asking local business owners if he could turn their buildings into his canvas. Other artists took Ponce’s lead resulting in a multitude of colorful wallscapes featuring various subjects, including historical figures and celebrities.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley offers bi-monthly walking tours.

(818) 347-9665, www.muralmile.org.

orange County Fly Like Bond: Jetpack America, Newport Beach

You may have seen James Bond strap on a jetpack to take on an evil villain in one of the many Bond films.

Now you can play the role of 007 yourself. Learn how easy it is to get airborne with the first recreational jetpack, the Jetlev R200. Certified Flight Instructors will show you how to safely use the jetpack that culminates with a 20- to 30-minute flight over the water. Instructors communicate with students throughout the flight via walkie-talkie helmets and a remote-control throttle setup assists firsttime pilots.

Several different packages are available.

2600 Newport Blvd, Suite 122, Newport Beach, (888) 553-6471, www.jetpackamerica.com.

20 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

Beat The Heat: Knott’s Soak City Water Park, Buena Park

Think of it as a Slip ‘N Slide on a grand scale, and it’s not just for kids.

A great way for the entire family to cool off during the summer months.

The 13-acre water park features 17 tube slides and a wave pool. One of the featured attractions is the multi-person raft ride, the Pacific Spin. A 132-foot-long tunnel drops the fearless into a 75-foot funnel leading to a splashdown that will take your breath away. Adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm, park opens on May 16.

Instructors provide you with rope, gear and everything you’ll need for a successful ascent of the indoor climbing facility. It includes 12,000 square feet of sculpted climbing terrain that provides varying degrees of difficulty. The climbing can provide a low-impact way to improve body strength and endurance, not to mention a lot of fun.

1300 Logan Avenue, Costa Mesa, (714) 556-7625, www.rockcreation.com.

8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, (714) 220-5200, www.soakcityoc.com.

Shop Til You Drop: Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine

A shopper’s dream destination that features over 130 stores, including Nordstrom, Macy’s and Target to go along with an array of specialty shops. There is also no shortage of restaurant options for lunch or dinner. Over 35 different kinds of cuisine are offered here. The Irvine Spectrum Center is home to one of the nation’s largest theater complexes including an IMAX Theatre and an Improv Comedy Club. One of the center’s signature attractions is a 108-foot carousel that was made in Italy.

71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, (949) 789-9180, www.shopirvinespectrumcenter.com.

Trace The History Of Hanging Ten: International Surfing Museum, Huntington Beach

Since Huntington Beach is known as Surf City around the world, it’s fitting the city is home to a museum that traces the history of the sport.

Among the things you’ll learn as you stroll through the museum is how in 1914, George Freeth was credited as the first to surf in the U.S. when he showed what he could do on his board during the dedication of the Huntington Beach Pier. You’ll also see how the equipment has evolved over the years. The museum was founded to honor the pioneers, champions and innovators of surfing.

411 Olive Avenue, Huntington Beach, (714) 960-3483, www.surfingmuseum.org.

Rock On: Rockreation, Costa Mesa

It’s rock climbing with little risk and it’s out of the summer heat.

Fly Into The Danger Zone: Air Combat USA, Fullerton

If you enjoyed the 1986 movie “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise, then Air Combat USA is a way for you to experience what it’s like to be in the middle of a dog fight. This is not a simulator experience. You’ll take to the air in one of three different prop planes, including the Marchetti SF260, a combat-ready fighter/ trainer. No pilot’s license is required, since you’ll be flying with a licensed fighter pilot. Flights originate at Fullerton Municipal Airport. This experience doesn’t come cheap.

Check the company’s website for the different packages available. Aircraft are equipped with high-end digital cameras to record the experience to show to your friends and family what it was like to play the role of Maverick for a day.

3815 W. Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton, (800) 522-7590, www.aircombat.com.

Have A Titanic Experience: Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Buena Park

A chance to see over 250 artifacts recovered from the RMS Titanic that sank in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912. The exhibition is located alongside Bodies: The Exhibition at the Premier Exhibition Center.

(Formerly the Movieland Max Museum.) The exhibition retraces the history of the passenger liner that was billed as unsinkable, only to hit an iceberg and sink on its maiden voyage. If you’d like to experience

what it might have been like to be aboard the ship, a gala dinner event is available where you’ll run into actors playing some of the more notable passengers and crew aboard the ill-fated ship, followed by a guided tour of the exhibition.

7711 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, (657) 5297224, www.premierexhibitions.com.

Get An Anatomy Lesson: Bodies: The Exhibition, Buena Park

A look at the machine we call the body that is usually reserved for medical students and doctors. The exhibition features over 200 real full-body specimens and organs.

While this concept could make some people uncomfortable, curators of the exhibition point out all specimens are respectively displayed allowing visitors an unprecedented and unique look at how our bodies work and function.

A special preservation process is used so the specimens don’t decay. As mentioned above, this exhibition is located next to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. A comboticket rate is available to see both exhibitions.

7711 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, (657) 5297224, www.premierexhibitions.com.

Have A Presidential Experience: Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace, Yorba Linda

The library explores Nixon’s rise in politics and downfall. In the wake of Watergate, he became the only president to resign the office. Pictures, films, clothes and even a bullet-proof limousine and helicopter are among the exhibits.

The grounds also include the home Richard Nixon grew up in and is the burial site of the 37th president and his wife Pat. The library is privately supported and opened in July of

1990 with more than 50,000 people on hand including Presidents Nixon, Bush, Reagan and Ford and their First Ladies.

18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 993-5075, www.nixonfoundation.org.

Do Disney Without The Cost: Downtown Disney District, Anaheim

No E-ticket is required to visit Downtown Disney. While tickets to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park can set you and your family back hundreds of dollars, you can stroll through this area for no charge. A variety of restaurants, shops and street entertainment give this spot at the Happiest Place on Earth its vibe. Parking is free for up to three hours, five hours with validation.

Mickey and Minnie have been known to make cameo appearances.

1580 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, (714) 781-4565, http://disneyland. disney.go.com

San Diego area Get Acquainted With An Aquarium: Birch Aquarium at Scripps, UC San Diego, La Jolla

This aquarium isn’t as big as a number of others in California and isn’t on the scale of the sea-themed park down the street (Sea World), but keep in mind this aquarium was put together by the worldrenowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The aquarium features more than 3,000 fish in over 60 habitats. Also, the museum explores the results of research conducted by Scripps scientists and features 60 interactive exhibits. It’s located in a beautiful spot, perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, (858) 5343474, www.aquarium.ucsd.edu.

Get Wild: San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido The San Diego Zoo’s sister park offers visitors an alternative to the typical zoo with the opportunity to see an array of large animals in a more natural environment.

When we say big animals, we’re talking the likes of gorillas, lions, tigers, elephants, zebras, cheetahs

and rhinos. They live in large open spaces on the 1,800-acre wildlife sanctuary, located 35 miles north of San Diego in Escondido. Predators are kept away from prey, but otherwise the animals live here much as they would in the wild. For an extra charge, you can jump into a safari truck with a guide to go on an African-style safari tour.

15500 Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, (619) 231-1515, www.sdzsafaripark.org.

weeks of concerts from early July through Labor Day. This year, the symphony will be backing such performers as LeAnn Rimes, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Burt Bacharach to name a few. The open-air concerts take place at Embarcadero Marina Park South, behind the San Diego Convention Center.

(619) 235-0804, www.sandiegosymphony.org.

Rail The Day Away: San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego

If a Lionel train set was a musthave as a kid, you’ll want to head to Balboa Park where the only accredited railroad-themed museum in the United States is located. The. museum is one of the largest indoor model railroad displays in the world. It features four scale and model layouts that recreate the railways of the southwest. The museum features a Toy Train Gallery that includes an interactive Lionel layout. The model railroads are the result of train enthusiasts who volunteer their time to build and maintain the layouts.

1649 El Prado, (619) 696-0199, www.sdmrm.org.

Search For Spirits: Whaley House Museum, San Diego

Travel Channel’s “America’s Most Haunted” ranks this house as the top haunted house in the United States. A two-story brick building, located in Old Town San Diego, it was the first of its kind in San Diego. The home was built in 1857 on a former gallows. It was also where Violet Whaley, a daughter of Thomas and Anna Whaley, committed suicide. Besides being the home of the Whaley family, the structure housed the County Courthouse and the area’s first commercial theater. If you believe in ghosts, you can go on a guided ghost-hunting tour of the home and attempt to see paranormal activity firsthand.

2476 San Diego Ave., (619) 297-7511, www.whleyhouse.org.

Catch A Concert: The Ashford University Summer Pops, San Diego

The San Diego Symphony’s Summer Concert Series presents 10

See Where Champions Train: U.S. Olympic Training Center, Chula Vista

A must-see if you’ve ever dreamed about competing in the Olympic games. This 155-acre facility is one of only three official Olympic Training Centers in the country where potential Olympians are invited to train. Located next to the Lower Otay Reservoir, the center is set up to accommodate the training for athletes competing in a variety of sports, including beach volleyball, archery, rowing, cycling, BMX, tennis and track and field.

Since opening in 1995, it has been the proving ground for thousands of Olympic hopefuls. Guided tours are available or you can take a selfguided tour.

2800 Olympic Parkway, (619) 482-6220, www.teamusa.org.

Explore A Seaport Village: Seaport Village, San Diego

Segway Through San Diego: San Diego Segway Tour, San Diego

Is this how mall cop Paul Blart got his start? Learn how to ride a Segway Personal Transporter and then take a guided tour of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and Bayfront. While riding what is billed as the “Bike of the Future,” your tour guide will make sure you have a safe trip as you glide through downtown learning about the history of the area. A unique and fun way to see the city.

308 G Street, (619) 239-2111, www.anothersideofsandiegotours.com.

Hike Paradise: Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego

If you’re looking for a hike with the family, the trails offered in the Reserve are just what the doctored ordered. They’re just challenging enough, but also easily negotiable.

Located along the coast between La Jolla and Del Mar the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from the trails can be appreciated by all ages.

12600 North Torrey Pines Road, (858) 7552063, www.torreypine.org.

More than 50 shops and more than a dozen eateries and restaurants mark this scenic walk in the downtown area along the San Diego Bay. The boardwalk that runs along the bay will lead you to the USS Midway Museum. The area’s centerpiece is a vintage carousel that dates back to 1895. It costs just $2 per ride. A great way to spend an inexpensive day while taking in the beauty of “America’s Finest City.”

There is also plenty of green space next to the walkway, if you’d like to pack a lunch and picnic.

849 W. Harbor Drive, (619) 235-4014, www.seaportvillage.com.

Get Behind The Music: The Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad

Operated by the National Association of Music Merchants or NAMM to reflect on the history of music as well as to promote music in the future. Here you’ll not only get a look at over 450 vintage instruments and learn about how they were manufactured, but you’ll also have an interactive experience with the opportunity to pick up instruments and play yourself. Besides the ample amount of instrument exhibits, the museum offers hundreds of audio samples of popular music. On a regular basis, the museum offers live performances and lectures.

5790 Armada Drive, (760) 438-5996, www.museumofmakingmusic.org.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 21

inLanD empire Have A Bottle of White Or A Bottle of Red: Temecula Valley Wine Country, Temecula

You don’t have to be a wine snob to enjoy this great get-away centrally located in Riverside County. A few minutes from Interstate 15 in Temecula and you’re in a rural area that is home to 30 familyowned wineries; all members of the Temecula Valley Wine Growers Association. These wineries produce 50 different varietals of wine, and all have tasting rooms where, for a charge, you can sample the products.

Lodging is available on some of properties and some of the wineries also feature restaurants and picnic areas. For more information, contact the Temecula Wine Growers Association.

29377 Rancho California Road, (951) 699-3626, www.temeculawines.org.

Gaze At Guitar Paradise : Fender Guitars Factory Tour, Corona

You’d be hard pressed to find a music artist or band that doesn’t have a Fender guitar in their stable of instruments. This is where the legendary guitars are produced and you can get a firsthand look at how craftsman transform raw materials into beautiful instruments. This guided tour gives you a start-tofinish look at the process. The tour begins at the Fender Visitor Center, a music museum in itself that you’ll want to check out before or after the tour that makes about 60 minutes.

301 Cessna Circle, (951) 898-4040, www.fender.com

Get Above The Heat: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs During the summer months, the heat can be downright unbearable

22 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

in Palm Springs. Not a problem. Take one of the world’s largest rotating tramcars to the cool weather of Mount San Jacinto State Park. The 10-minute two-and-half mile ride up Chino Canyon will take you to the Mountain Station and an elevation of 8,516 feet. At this point, 54 miles of hiking trails and 14,000 acres of wilderness are calling. Camping sites are available as well as guided nature walks. It’s a great spot to beat the heat. Food and beverages are available at the Mountain Station.

1 Tram Way, (760) 325-1449, www.pstramway.com.

Early Road Warriors: Motte Historical Museum, Menifee

It may have the exterior of a barn and may be a former produce market, but inside the “barn,” you can see some rare automobiles. Members of the one of the oldest pioneering families in Perris Valley, the Motte brothers began restoring cars in the early ‘50s. On display in the 9,000 sqft barn are some twenty rare automobiles dating back to 1910 up until the late ‘60s. If that’s not enough nostalgia for you, the museum is also home to a replica of a 1950s malt shot and an Art Deco cinema.

28380 Highway 74 East, (951) 928-3210, www.mottemuseum.com.

Do SomeFast Sledding: The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, Big Bear Lake

There doesn’t have to be snow in the mountains to enjoy the beauty and attractions at Big Bear Lake. The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is open year round. If you’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to bobsled, this is something you have to experience. You start with a scenic chairlift ride to the top, before getting into a sled. From there, you have the option of navigating the sled down one of two quartermile cement tracks. The sleds take you through the banks and straightaways on Teflon runners and ball-bearing wheels. If water is your thing, during the summer months, the same recreation area offers a double water slide that takes riders through twists and turns in cool refreshing water before the big finish when you are dumped off into a heated pool.

800 Wildrose Lane, (909) 866-4626, www.alpineslidebigbear.com

Find Farm-Fresh Food: Tom’s Farms, Corona

A great spot if you’re in the market for fresh produce and at the same time are looking for a fun outing.

This attraction began as simple produce stand in 1974 before expanding with a wine and cheese store, a furniture store, restaurants and a duck pond. A hit with the grandkids is a vintage carousel, a miniature train ride, a tractordriving course and the chance to discover fossils and gems at Tom’s Mining Company. Tom’s Farms is located in Temescal Canyon near Lake Elsinore.

23900 Temescal Road, (951) 277-4422, shop.tomsfarms.com.

See SoCal Racing History: The Riverside International Automotive Museum, Riverside

Most of the exhibits here deal with the history of the now defunct Southern California racetracks, Riverside International Raceway and the Ontario Motor Speedway. Memorabilia from local racing champion Dan Gurney’s career is also a prominent part of this museum whose primary goal is to preserve California’s rich auto racing history. Opened in 2007 by father-son racing enthusiasts Ray and Doug Magnon, they’re proud to show off an impressive collection of Maserati road cars. Every model Maserati made available in the U.S. since 1951 is on display here.

815 Marlborough Ave., Suite 200, (224) 627-0104, www.riversideinternational.org.

Climb Mount Rubidoux: Mt. Rubidoux, Riverside

If you’re looking to peak while visiting the city of Riverside, you might want to hike to the top of Mt. Rubidoux, a granite hill that overlooks the city. The trail is a three-mile loop that is entirely paved. It’s suitable for all levels of hikers. You’ll experience a 500 ft. elevation gain during the hike, taking you to the 1,300 ft. elevation mark at its peak. During the climb, you’ll encounter several landmarks including Peace Bridge. At the peak of this designated Cultural Heritage Landmark, you will reach a cross where you have an expansive view of the city of Riverside.

Located northwest of the city, from Tequesquite Avenue, turn right on

San Andreas/Glenwood to reach the parking entrance.

(951) 683-3436, www.mt-rubidoux.org.

Peruse Pottery: American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona

One of the few museums in the nation devoted exclusively to ceramic art and the evolution of ceramic techniques. The museum is located about 40 minutes from downtown Los Angeles in the most eastern city in Los Angeles County.

The location of the museum is no coincidence. In the 1960s, Pomona became known as a center for clay artists. Besides exhibits, the museum has a ceramics studio where artists can work and where classes are available for all ages.

399 North Garey Avenue, (909) 865-3146, www.amoca.org.

Plant Yourself in Claremont: Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont

If you like to think you have a green thumb, this 86-acre garden is a mustsee. It’s devoted to the collection, cultivation, study and display of indigenous California plants. Quite a feat when you consider California has the richest flora of any state in the continental United States. While many of the 6,000 different kinds of plants here go dormant during the summer months, there is still plenty of color to enjoy. Guided walking tours are available. Also, a concert series in June and July provides the opportunity to enjoy an evening walk and great music in the Garden.

1500 N. College Avenue, (909) 625-8767, www.rsabg.org.

S E N I O R R E W A R D S P RO G R A M Entertainment Enjoy free shows at Infinity with one guest every Tuesday at 1 pm with your Privileges Card with 60+ Club sticker.

STUDIO PRODUCTION

Job #: PAL 002006_01

Title: 7/6 Senior Print

Element: Life After 50 Magazine

Date In: 06-04-15

ROUND: R2

Due Date: 06-29-15

Rebecca Clark

Surfin’

A Tribute to Barbra Streisand

The Ultimate Tribute to The Beach Boys

July 7

as Nat King Cole

July 14 Rob Ely’s Rockin’ 50’s Review!

July 21

July 28

Chris Nolan

Cash Giveaways Win a share of $300 * in cash every Tuesday and $1,200 *

Live: visual CD: Gary Kelly

*Must be present to win.

Dining Receive a 30% discount at our award-winning Choices, The Buffet, every Tuesday and Thursday from 11AM – 3PM.

Rewards Sign up for your FREE membership at our Privileges Center and enjoy member rewards. If you already have a card, be sure to pick up your 60+ Club card sticker.

APPROVAL

AD: Patrick Garcia

CD: Nick Yen

PD: Maira Gutierrez

CW: Jason Rivanis

SM: Rosa Baer

Trim: 4.625”w x 11.5”h

Bleed: N/W

Scale: 100%

Color: CMYK

Upload:

MECHANICAL

in cash every Thursday at Infinity.

OK CHANGES

Win your share of $1,200

APPROVAL

AE: George Miranda

PM: Sam Polk

Notes: 1/2 PG 4C

FREE BINGO EVERY THURSDAY! Doors open: 11:00AM · Early Birds 12:30PM · Regular session: 1:00 PM

FREE admission packet for 60+ includes:

OK CHANGES

· 1-Early Bird 2-On · 1-3-On for all regular session games · 1-Special Pala “P”1-On

· 1- Special Blackout 3-On · 1-Cash Drawing Ticket · Pull tabs available for purchase

Extra cards and daubers are available for purchase. To participate, players just have to be a member of the Pala Privileges Club. Guests under 60 years of age can play for a buy-in of $16.

So Many Ways To Win

TM

1-877-WIN-PALA (1-877-946-7252) PalaCasino.com Located in Northern San Diego County From Orange County & Los Angeles County: Take I-5 South to Hwy 76, go east 23 miles From San Diego & Riverside County: Take I-15 to Hwy 76, go east 5 miles

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 23 PAL_002259_01_7_6_Senior_Print_r2.indd 1

6/18/15 4:50 PM

CelebraTing 50 YearS of Touring Universal Studios Meet John Murdy – The man behind the behind-the-scenes tour Story by David Laurell * Photos courtesy Universal Studios Hollywood

A

n exploration of Israel and Egypt allows us to step back in time, thousands of years, to the cradle of civilization. A visit to Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. gives us the opportunity to trace the footsteps of our nation’s founding fathers. And, for those who journey into the TMZ – the historic “Thirty Mile Zone” or “studio zone,” a 30-mile radius centered at the intersection of West Beverly Boulevard and North La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles – we can step through the looking glass and prowl the backlots and stages where the legendary dream-makers of Hollywood applied their craft and churned out their magical product.

Of the “Big Six” major studios of Hollywood – 20th Century-Fox, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Columbia Pictures (Sony), Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures – all but Disney and Fox offer opportunities for visitors to tour their facilities.

That practice of inviting the public to take a peek behind the curtain into the world of moviemaking 24 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

began with Universal Studios, which was founded in 1912 by a German filmmaking pioneer named Carl Laemmle.

After focusing his production efforts in the Hollywood area for two years, Laemmle opened the largest motion picture production facility in March of 1915. Known as Universal City, the studio sat on 230-acres of former farmland just over the Cahuenga

Pass from Hollywood. From the very beginning, Laemmle opened his studio to curious onlookers who, for a small admission fee that included a box lunch, could sit on wooden bleachers and watch

how the company’s melodramas, Westerns and serials were actually made.

While Universal Studios has always welcomed the public to their lot, in 1964, two years after being purchased by Music Corporation of America, they upped their hospitality by establishing a theme park with various rides and attractions. By the following year, they had introduced pink and white “Glamor Trams” and hired and trained tour guides – beautiful, young, white-gloved women dressed in business suits, nylons and pumps – to take visitors behind-the-scenes of a working studio.

Today, 50 years later, the studio that brought the movie-going public such blockbusting classics as “Jaws,” “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, “Jurassic Park,” and, most recently, “Furious 7” and “Jurassic World,” has become a world-class destination for tourists from every corner of the globe.

To celebrate the tour’s 50th anniversary, the studio has recently added new rides and attractions, including the Fast and Furious – Supercharged thrill ride; Springfield, an all-new immersive experience surrounding The Simpsons Ride; and, in 2016, will open the highly anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Universal’s world-famous studio tour, offered in multiple languages and led by expert guides, is also undergoing a complete makeover to coincide with this 50-year milestone. By 2016, they will have rolled out an entirely new fleet of contemporary trams that guests will board at a new Art Decothemed entry portal.

They have also instituted a new nighttime tour that will take guests to over 20 locations showcasing an array of lighting and special effects used in nighttime production. The nocturnal tour will also allow guests to have up-close and inperson encounters with some of the studio’s greatest legends. The new nighttime tour will run every weekend throughout the summer until Labor Day. “For 50 years, Universal Studios Hollywood has given guests unprecedented access to the world’s most alluring business by inviting them to peek behind the velvet curtain and become part of the exciting moviemaking process,” says Larry Kurzweil, president of Universal Studios Hollywood. “We are reimagining over 75 percent

of our destination as we build upon our incredible success and expand our vision for the future, and we look forward to entertaining and inspiring guests for generations to come with what will ultimately be an entirely new theme park experience.”

THE MAN BEHIND IT ALL John Murdy, who serves as the creative director of entertainment at Universal Studios Hollywood, began working at the studio in 1989 as a tour guide – the perfect gig for a kid who had been enchanted by the studio for as far back as he can remember.

“I’m an L.A. kid, so I’ve been coming to Universal since I was very young,” says Murdy. “I always wanted to go to Universal for any occasion – my birthday or whatever – because I was fascinated with the place. After college, I became a tour guide, along with many other people who saw the job as a stepping stone into the business. And it really is.

Today, so many of the people I worked with as tour guides are now working in all areas of the industry.”

Murdy, who has seen a tremendous evolution of the studio’s tour over the past 40-plus years, says it is of the utmost importance that Universal tour guides are well-versed, not just in the studio’s history, but also in the art and science of moviemaking.

“The amount of knowledge we expect our tour guides to have is like the hardest course you would take in college,” he says. “The manual of information they are required to learn is like a phone book.”

Believing the tour guides of today who are following in his footsteps are goodwill ambassadors for Hollywood, Murdy says both the studio and the guides themselves take their role seriously.

“When tourists come from around the country or the world, they have what I would call the ‘Hollywood of the imagination’ – a perception that is in their head of what Hollywood is like,” he opines. “Our job is to both fulfill the fantasy and also show them the reality. We take people on a real working backlot where we are actually in the process of making television shows and movies and music videos every day. Then, along with the reality, there is also the fantasy element

– the attractions like King Kong or Fast and the Furious. Doing this is a tradition at Universal.

When this studio first opened, Carl Laemmle sent out a press release inviting people to visit the studio and 20,000 people showed up the first day. We have all sorts of archival photos of people who would come and sit in bleachers watching silent movies being made. There were people just walking around the backlot and watching them film a Western scene while they would have a picnic. So our gates have always been open to the public. Laemmle was a believer that people would want to see how movies are made – to get a peek behind the curtain – so he is the one who is responsible for people getting to come behind-the-scenes and see how the magic comes together.”

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 25

Along with the opportunity to see how movies are made, the Universal Studios Hollywood Tour, at times, gives visitors the added bonus of having an encounter with a star. Because no two tours are ever alike, the chance to interact with a famous face is a hit-or-miss occurrence, but it happens often enough that the stories of these encounters have become a part of the lot’s legend.

“The route of our tour can change daily and even hourly, depending on what production is taking place on the lot,” says Murdy. “And the tour takes on a different dynamic depending on what is in production and who is working on the lot. Like every tour guide who has ever worked here, I’ve had so many encounters with stars over the years,

and some of them have been really fun or bizarre or strange. A good example of that is Jim Carrey.

He was here doing ‘Man on the Moon,’ the film about Andy Kaufman. One day, the tram was going past the Psycho house and Mother was out in front roaming around and coming up to the tram. We later found out it was Jim. So all these people had a oneon-one encounter with Jim Carrey and didn’t even realize it. I also remember him driving an ice cream truck on the lot and handing out ice cream to people on the tram. There are so many stories and pictures of stars interacting with the tours over the years – John Wayne used to do it, and I remember Scott Baio interacting with the tours when he was here doing ‘Charles in Charge.’ I also remember when I was a kid taking the tour and seeing Grandpa Munster [Al Lewis] all the time. He was always interacting with the tours.”

Murdy says that while people from all over the world take the tour on a daily basis, he would encourage locals to do the same, especially if they have never done it or it has been many years since they last visited the legendary lot.

“I think some people from Southern California tend to take it for granted that they can visit our lot, because the film industry is all around them every day,” he reasons. “But for those who haven’t visited us in a while, they will find the joy and nostalgia of things that still exist – the flash flood and the ‘Jaws’ attractions – along with many other things

26 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

that people who took the tour 30 or 40 years ago would remember. But we also have so many new attractions. And now we are doing the nighttime tour that will give people the chance to see the studio in – no pun intended – an entirely different light. So for locals, it’s a great reason to come back to visit us.”

According to Murdy, the new nighttime tour will be very different then the regular daytime tour. “We will be using live actors to recreate classic movie moments in the environments – on the actual sets – where those movies were originally made. An example would be ‘Psycho.’

When a tour rolls up on the Bates Motel by the Psycho house, they will get to see a recreation of that classic moment when Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates is

coming down to Cabin One and screaming: ‘Mother! Blood! Blood!’ and then they’ll see the silhouette of Mother moving around inside the house. We’ll also recreate classic Marilyn Monroe moments, and this studio is, of course, the home of the Universal monsters – Dracula, the Frankenstein monster, the Mummy, the Wolf Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. We have had the European sets for decades, where those classic monster films were shot. So at night when the tours drive through those sets, they’ll see the Frankenstein monster emerge from the fog. It will bring these classic movie moments to life on the actual sets where they were filmed.”

Murdy’s exuberance in talking about the Universal lot and tour is so passion-filled, one may wonder how, after all these years, he still finds it all so exciting.

“It never gets old,” he snaps back without hesitation. “I have walked past the Psycho house thousands of times throughout my career and there hasn’t ever been a time I haven’t stopped in my tracks to appreciate the sense of wonder that comes with being there. When you think of the history of this lot – Robert Redford and Paul Newman filming scenes from ‘The Sting,’ and Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi doing ‘The Blues

Brothers,’ and Elvis doing one of his last films here – it’s just amazing. It never gets old for me to walk through our backlot streets and stages, or through Courthouse Square, that is most associated with ‘Back to the Future,’ and was used in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and in ‘Bruce Almighty,’ and not have a tremendous appreciation for the giants of the industry who have worked here. This lot goes back so long – in the same location – to the earliest days of cinema. Today, there are not a lot of the grand old studio backlots left, and yet, this one has always remained as big as it ever was and some parts of it still look very much the same as they did back when the studio began.”

Murdy pauses for just a moment and reflects on what he has just said. “Yeah,” he repeats with a laugh. “It just never gets old.”

For more information on visiting Universal Studios Hollywood and all the tours they offer, click on www.universalstudioshollywood.com.

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”

— J. Fitzgerald, VA

Easy-to-use remotes for massage/heat and recline/lift

Complete with battery backup in case of power outage

Our Perfect Sleep Chair® is just the chair to do it all. It’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs – but this chair is so much more! It’s designed to provide total comfort and no found in other chairs. It relaxation not can’t be beat for comfortable, longterm sitting, TV viewing, relaxed reclining and – yes! – peaceful sleep.

Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of positions, including the Trendelenburg position and the zero gravity position where your body experiences a minimum of internal and external stresses. You’ll love the other benefits, too: It helps with correct spinal alignment, promotes back pressure relief, and This lift chair encourages better posture to prevent puts you safely back and muscle pain. on your feet!

And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. The high and low heat settings along with the dozens of massage settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you might get at a spa – just imagine getting all that in a lift chair! Shipping charge includes white glove delivery. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away!

Includes one year service warranty and your choice of fabrics and colors. If you’re not 100% satisfied simply return the chair within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. – Call now!

The Perfect Sleep Chair®

Call now toll free for our lowest price.

Please mention code 60351 when ordering.

1-877-748-6761 Long Lasting DuraLux Leather DuraLux II Microfiber

Burgundy

Chocolate

Tan

Cashmere

Fern

© 2015 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

46383

We’ve e’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly, operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper right off to dreamland.

Sit up, lie down — and anywhere in between!

Burgundy

Chocolate

Indigo

Wine-ing Your Way Through Superb Summer Selections Get the most out of summer with the perfect bottle of vino

By Alicia Bien

S

ummer in Southern California; a time for spending time with friends, picnics, outdoor concerts and wine. Or as I see it: wine, wine and more wine. Whether it be exploring in the mountains, desert or seaside communities, or taking in an evening of entertainment at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, the Hollywood Bowl, the Ford Amphitheater, The Greek Theatre, or a movie night at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Southern California offers plenty of ways to get out and enjoy beautiful temperate summer nights with delicious wines.

Here are some of my favorite vino suggestions for getting the most out of this beautiful time of year:

Brunch Mimosas and brunch go together like bacon and eggs. Mimosas are simple to make: just use equal parts sparkling wine with orange juice. To make a refreshing summer brunch Mimosa, use black label M. Chevallier Carte Noire Cava (Trader Joe’s $6). If you want less citrus in your wine, go for a 28 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

straight-up champagne brunch with a bubbly sparkling wine. Bring home a bottle of Mumm Napa Brut Prestige; it’s crisp with notes of melon and vanilla (BevMo! $16).

PooLside After swimming laps, doing cannonballs or just drifting on a raft, unwind poolside with a glass of Pinot Gris. Known as “Pinot Gris” in France where the grape originated and “Pinot Grigio” in Italy where it grows well, both names refer to the wine varietal made with the white grape with a grayish skin. Gris (in French) and grigio (in Italian) both mean “gray.” Try a bottle of King Estate Pinot Gris from Oregon 2014 (BevMo! $16). With its citrus flavors, it’s a true taste of summer in a glass.

Picnic Pack a picnic and hit the road for your favorite getaway destination or concert venue, but don’t forget to bring a bottle or two of Sauvignon

Blanc. Currently New Zealand is making some really good Sauvignon Blancs. Its success with this varietal may be related to the fertile, stony soils of areas such as Marlborough and the Wairau Valley. Try the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2014, which has hints of cut grass and gooseberries ($15). If you’re on a budget, go for Sauvignon Republic Cellars’ Sauvignon Blanc 2013, which has tropical fruit and citrus flavors (Trader Joe’s $8). Both of these bottles have screw-top caps, which means there is no need to pack the corkscrew.

Lunch A wide variety of grapes can be used to make a Rosé table wine, but what makes a wine a Rosé is the brief contact it has with the grapes’ skins; which is more than white wine (which has none) but not as much as with red wine. Pink-colored Rosé is the ultimate refreshing summer wine. If you are a Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie fan, try their Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé 2012. A joint venture between the Hollywood

A-listers and the Famille Perrin, this delicious wine has strawberry and raspberry flavors (BevMo! $22). If you like less celebrity in your wine, uncork D’Esclans’ Whispering Angel 2013 with its delicate pink hue and tasty strawberry flavors (BevMo! $20).

dessert Need to cool down at the end of a hot day or serve a dessert without turning on the oven? Pour a sweet Sherry over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sherry is a fortified wine, meaning that it is sweeter and has a higher alcohol content than its table wine cousins.

Made from the Palomino grape into Sherry’s dry varieties ranging from fino and amontillado to palo cortado, these are meant to be drunk as an aperitif before a meal. However Sherry can also be made from Spain’s sweet Pedro Ximénez (PX) grape, which makes a perfect choice for dessert.

Try a bottle of Sanchez Romate NV Cardenal Cisneros Reservas Pedro Ximénez. Made with the Pedro Ximénez grape, this Sherry adds rich fig and chocolate notes to any bowl of humble French vanilla ice cream. Or skip the ice cream and just drink this sweet PX Sherry all by itself.

Whatever you do, or wherever you go this summer, don’t forget to make time for wine. Cheers!

Evolve Into Wine

Do you like wine but don’t know anything about it except that it’s alcoholic and wet?

Well, Alicia Bien is here to remedy that. Pronto!

Bien is the author of “Evolution of a Wine Drinker” (Bien Entertainment, Inc., 2013) a funny collection of self-deprecating wine stories depicting the highs – and lows – of her own evolution as a wine drinker, from novice to (many bottles later) an expert. The book contains an alphabet’s worth of wine stories from “Drinking Alone” and “How the Army Changed My Life,” to “Ullage, Uvula, U Know” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-A-Dee-Ay, My Oh My What a Zinfandel Day”.

So grab a copy of “Evolution of a Wine Drinker,” available at www.amazon.com, and a good bottle of whatever suits your mood, sit back and start evolving!

Since 1996, The Law Offices of Mitchell A. Karasov has been leading the way in helping seniors deal with Elder Law issues related to: Long-Term Care; Medi-Cal eligibility; chronic illnesses and issues related to incapacity and planning for finances and health care. We offer unparalleled resources and experience, with a service-oriented and compassionate approach. It is our mission to meet our clients’ needs on a personal basis, offering services designed to address individual circumstances. Our Attorneys and Support Staff are knowledgeable, caring, and sensitive to the issues of aging.

THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS

We offer the following services: Conservatorships of Person and Estate Trust Administration Medi-Cal Eligibility & Recovery Estate and Trust Litigation Long-Term Care Estate Planning Financial Abuse Litigation Probate

Offices in Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley

(818) 508-7192 www.KarasovElderLaw.com

Like us on

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 29

h Azimzade Ryan Photo by

Williams In Wonderland Cindy Williams, best-known for her roles in “American Graffiti” and “Laverne & Shirley,” living the adventurous fun ride of life

W

By David Laurell * Photo courtesy of CBS Television Studios

hile the movie-going public was first introduced to her as Laurie Henderson in the George Lucas-directed, 1973 coming-of-age dramedy, “American Graffiti,” Cindy Williams secured her place in pop culture history two years later when she was cast as Shirley Feeney in the ABC smash sitcom, “Laverne & Shirley.”

A Southern California native who honed her skills at The Actors Studio West, Williams began her career by appearing in commercials and playing small roles in classic television programs of the early 1970s such as “Room 222,” “Nanny and the Professor” and “Love, American Style.”

After appearing in “American Graffiti,” she caught the attention of director Francis Ford Coppola, who cast her in his 1974 psychological thriller, “The Conversation.” She then auditioned for a role in a scifi space film called “Star Wars,” as a character known as Princess Leia.

While she never got the call to put her hair up in side buns and travel back in time to that “galaxy far far away,” she did get a call from producer Garry Marshall the following year to appear alongside his sister, Penny, as a fun-loving brewery worker in an episode of “Happy Days.”

30 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

Introduced as friends of Fonzie’s, the characters of Laverne De Fazio, played by Marshall and Feeney, played by Williams, were such a hit with fans, Marshall decided to do a spinoff show with the girls as the leads.

“Laverne & Shirley” debuted on ABC in 1976 and ran until 1982, after which Williams and her thenhusband, singer and musician Bill Hudson of The Hudson Brothers, welcomed their daughter, Emily, and, four years later, a son, Zachary.

Continuing to work in television, feature films and theater on a regular basis, along with doing a 2007 Broadway appearance as Mrs. Tottendale in “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Williams recently turned to a project she has been thinking of doing for a long time – writing an autobiography.

THE STORY OF A STORIED LIFE

Released this past May, “Shirley, I Jest” (Taylor Trade Publishing, 2015), is the tale of what Williams describes as “her storied life.” From the struggles of growing up with an alcoholic father and a hardworking mother in a home where money was always tight, to her work as a waitress at the Whisky A Go

Go, and then on to television stardom, Williams recollects on her life and times in a series of touching and humorous vignettes.

“I never really intended for this book to be anything more than little stories and anecdotes about my life and career,” Williams reveals. “But my agent and publisher really encouraged me to write a more in-depth book about my life, so I agreed, but I wanted it to be fun and buoyant. I wanted readers to smile when they read things and then put it down feeling good. But I also wanted it to be truthful. The chapters about my dad’s alcoholism are completely truthful. And so, while it is a story that the children of alcoholics will immediately relate to, I wanted to do it in a loving way. I wanted to get the pain across, but to do it in a loving manner, because I love my father.”

Williams reveals that while the book will give readers the opportunity to learn a lot more about her than they have ever known, it actually did much the same for her.

“I learned a lot about things I hadn’t dealt with from my childhood by writing this book – things I never really examined,” she says. “Socrates said: ‘The unexamined life is not worth living,’ and that was what I discovered during the process. When

you write a book about your life, you look back and realize there are things you have been holding on to that you have to let go. I learned to get rid of the anger and the resentment I had been harboring for many years. That was really kind of a surprise – to realize I did have to get rid of those things – because I always thought of myself as being upbeat and kind and loving and generous in spirt. But by writing this book, I discovered there were things I needed to resolve. My father was an alcoholic. That was a fact.

I always loved him and still love him, but he caused me a lot of suffering and pain and I had to let that go and forgive him. I discovered that the bottom line to everything in life is love – unconditional love. And, that in the end, that is really all there is, which is what some other great philosophers – The Beatles – said.”

WAITRESSING AND LOST ROLES

HAVING A FUN RIDE Today, living in a desert community outside of Los Angeles, Williams says that along with trying to find the right vitamins to give her energy, she still enjoys working, especially doing live theater and spending time with her kids.

“My kids are adults, but they’ll always be kids to me,” she laughs. “My daughter is a songwriter and singer and my son is a drummer and a bass player.

They are working together on a project, which is a rough way to pay the bills, but my parents were supportive of me wanting to be an actress, so I’m supportive of them.”

With her 68th birthday coming up next month, Williams says the way she has approached getting older is to embrace it.

“Someone recently asked Penny and me to play in a celebrity dodgeball tournament,” she says. “I wanted to do it, but Penny said: ‘We can’t move!’ and I said: ‘I know. But that will be the fun of it!’ To me, having fun is what life should always be about. In the end, no matter what your story has been, it should have been a fun ride. I’ve had challenging times, like everyone, but I’ve also had a blessed life with so many marvelous adventures. There’s no escaping old age and death, so I think of it all as an adventure.

I think we should be like Alice and our lives should be our Wonderland. We never know what may happen along the way, but we should just embrace the adventure and have fun as it gets curiouser and curiouser. When I come to my last day, I want my final words to be: “It was really a fun ride. Good night!”

Photob By Hayley Sparks

Among the tastiest of stories Williams recounts in her book is waitressing at Hollywood’s legendary Whisky A Go Go, having Jim Morrison demand a bottle of Jack Daniel’s be brought to his table, and then being taunted by The Doors’ lead singer when she told him she wasn’t allowed to do that. “I had to include that story, because it all turned out to be a prank he was pulling on me,” she laughs. “I was punked by Jim Morrison! How many people can say that? So I felt it was an honor, even though it was humiliating at the time.”

Williams says that along with her encounter with Morrison, another reason for including stories about her time working at The Whisky in the book is because she was very proud of being a part of that profession.

“I loved being a waitress,” she proclaims proudly.

“My mother had been a waitress her entire working life, almost right up until she died. She was an excellent waitress and she was always very proud of what she did. I also fancied myself as an excellent waitress. To me, I loved waiting on people. Every table was like its own little piece of theater – a mini play with all these different characters and its own little story and dialogue. In Hollywood, most waitresses pride themselves on being a great actress.

I’m an actress who is proud to say I was a great waitress,” she adds with a laugh.”

Asked about her feelings on the roles that got away – most notably those of Princess Leia and Janet Weiss in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” – Williams says she has not even the slightest of regrets.

“No one will ever be able to imagine anyone other than Susan Sarandon as Janet and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. They were each perfect,” she opines. “Yes, I was up for those roles, as were many other actresses. And with ‘Rocky,’ it came down to just me and Susan. But when I saw those films, I was totally removed from the roles – totally disconnected – and have never given thought that I could have had those parts. Never!” She pauses. “The only thing I may have thought about is what I could have done better in my auditions.”

Williams laughs. “But when it comes to sitcoms, they are such personality plays, and I think every actor’s personality weaves its way into their character and then the writers pick up on those traits and run with it. Garry was very trusting of what Penny and I brought to our characters and the writers worked with what we gave them.”

THE SCOOP ON SHIRLEY As for the big role she did get, Williams says the persona of Shirley Feeney was primarily based on Cindy Williams.

“The only direction Penny and I got from Garry was that these were two girls who date the fleet,”

For more information on Cindy Williams and to order “Shirley, I Jest!” click on www.thisiscindywilliams.com.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 31

The Hallowed Hall of Must-Knowtables

By David Laurell Illustration by Mark Hammermeister

Alfred Hitchcock “The Master of Suspense,” Alfred Hitchcock, or “Hitch” as he was known, was intrigued by the macabre and the mysterious, both of which become trademarks of the films he made, as well as his own persona. Over a career that spanned six decades, he pioneered many film techniques, became an icon of the suspense and psychological-thriller genre, and departed this Earth, firmly established as one of the world’s most influential filmmakers.

B

orn in Leytonstone, Essex, England on August 13, 1899, Hitchcock showed a prodigious talent for drawing at an early age. By his early 20s, he had begun working in the British film industry doing set drawings and designing title cards for the “dialogue” in silent films. Fascinated by filmmaking, he rose from the art department to directing films in five years, serving as a screenwriter, art director and assistant director along the way.

In 1940, having made his mark in British cinema for 20 years, Hitchcock, his wife, Alma, a talented film editor, and their daughter, Patricia, left the U.K. for the U.S. – specifically, for Hollywood. Hired by renowned producer David O. Selznick to direct an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca,” Hitchcock went on to give movie-goers a treasure trove of hugely successful suspense thrillers that have gone on to become classics, including “Suspicion,” “Spellbound,” “Notorious,” “Rear Window,” “Vertigo,” “North By Northwest,” “Psycho” and “The Birds.”

Having carved out a highly distinctive and recognizable directorial style, Hitchcock pioneered never-before-used point-of-view shots and other visually innovative camera movement techniques. He would maximize a scene’s anxiety or empathy by the use of unique framing, and instituted concepts of film editing that inspired a galaxy of directors including Steven Spielberg, Brian De Palma,

M. Night Shyamalan, Martin Scorsese, Peter Bogdanovich, William Friedkin and Quentin Tarantino.

The tales Hitchcock brought to the screen often featured fugitives on the run and “icy blonde” females who found themselves in thrilling plots laced with violence, murder, mystery, psychological and sexual overtones, and twisted endings. He became notorious for focusing on a story’s narrative and withholding crucial information from his characters as well as his viewers, almost to the point of cruelty. “Always make the audience suffer as much as possible,” he once told an interviewer who questioned his malevolent storytelling style.

Hitchcock also employed the use of decoys, or “MacGuffins” as he called them, which were objects, places, characters or, at times, more abstract driving forces such as emotions that he included in a film for no reason other than to motivate a character or to drive the film’s narrative.

Another signature of a Hitchcock’s was to make an on-screen cameo somewhere in the film. Among the most interesting ones are in 1944’s “Lifeboat,” in which he appears in “Before” and “After” pictures in a newspaper ad for a product called “Reduco Obesity Slayer,” and in 1964’s “Marnie,” in which he passes the film’s star, Tippi Hedren, in a hotel corridor and breaks the fourth wall

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

32 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

by looking straight into the camera. Hitchcock fans became so obsessed with finding him in each film, he began including his cameo in early scenes so they could concentrate on the film and not on spotting him.

While directors of Hitchcock’s era were not typically recognizable, he was the exception. Along with his cameos, he appeared in many televised interviews, film trailers, and as the host of the television anthology series, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” (known as “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour” after 1962) which ran on NBC and then CBS from 1955 to 1965.

Hitchcock served as both producer and host of the series, which became iconic for its opening. In each episode, a simple caricature of Hitchcock’s profile (which he himself drew) would appear and, as the program’s theme music – Charles Gounod’s “Funeral March of a Marionette” – played, Hitchcock would walk into the silhouette before intoning “Good evening,” in his signature droll delivery.

His introductions of each episode always included a setup for what was to come, dripping like blood off a knife’s blade, with his wry, gallows humor.

Hitchcock’s work earned him multiple nominations and prestigious awards, among them, two Golden Globes, the first British Academy of Film and Television Art’s Fellowship Award, the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, and five Academy Award nominations for Best Director, none of which resulted in a win, although his film, “Rebecca,” did win the Best Picture Oscar in 1941.

In 1979, suffering from poor health due to angina and renal failure, Hitchcock was awarded the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award. That year also saw Queen Elizabeth confer knighthood upon her famous subject, giving him the title of Sir Alfred Hitchcock.

On the morning of April 29, 1980, Hitchcock took his final breath at the age of 80 at his Bel Aire home. His funeral was held the following day at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, after which his body was cremated and his ashes scattered over the Pacific Ocean.

Hitchcock shuffled off this mortal coil having directed more than 50 feature films. His body of work earned him a place in the hierarchy of cinema as one of the all-time greatest filmmakers – a director who ranks within the top tier of those who shaped modern cinema.

Hitchcock and is based on Donald Spoto’s book, “Spellbound by Beauty: Alfred Hitchcock and His Leading Ladies” (Three Rivers Press, 2009).

• “Hitchcock,” a 2012 Fox Searchlight Pictures drama based on Stephen Rebello’s book “Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho” (Soft Skull Press, 2013), in which Hitchcock is portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins.

LEARN MORE There are numerous book on Hitchcock.

Among the best are: • “Hitchcock/ Truffaut” (Simon & Schuster, 1967), by Alfred Hitchcock and Francois Truffaut.

• “Hitchcock on Hitchcock: Selected Writings and Interviews” (University of California Press, 1997), by Alfred Hitchcock and Sidney Gottlieb.

• “The Dark Side Of Genius: The Life Of Alfred Hitchcock” (Da Capo Press, 1999) by Donald Spoto.

• “Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light” (It Books, 2004) by Patrick McGilligan There are also two Hitchcock biopics: • “The Girl,” a 2012 BBC and HBO Films production that stars Toby Jones as

Mark Hammermeister is an award-winning artist. His work is available for purchase at www.markdraws.com July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 33

Southern California’s Premier Lifestyle, Health and Active Aging Expo Series! Free Admission & Parking!

Ventura County

Los Angeles West

San Fernando Valley

Orange County

Sat, July 18th 2015 10am-3pm Ventura County Fairgrounds 10 W. Harbor Boulevard Ventura, CA 93001

Sat, September 19th 2015 10am-3pm Veterans Memorial Complex 4117 Overland Avenue Culver City, CA 90230

Sat, October 10th 2015 10am-3pm Airtel Plaza 7277 Valjean Ave Van Nuys, CA 91406

Sat, November 7th 2015 10am-3pm Angel Stadium 2000 Gene Autry Way Anaheim, CA 92806

Pre-Register Online & Get Your FREE Quick Pass Ticket. You Can Also Register At The Door. Open To The General Public.

Website: www.GoldenFutureSeniorExpo.com Information Line: 818-763-4197 34 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

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

eNteRtAINMeNt

FRIDAY, JULY 17

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN Featuring all of the beloved songs, splashy dance numbers and comedic antics, this twotime Tony-nominated musical delivers the best of the beloved film, live on stage. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton, Long Beach. Weekends through July 26. $20-plus.

(562) 856-1999, ext. 4. musical.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD In a small Southern town during the depression, the idyllic childhood of eightyear-old Scout and her brother, Jem, is changed forever when their lawyer-father defends a poor black man accused of raping a white girl. Through the drama of the trial and its aftermath, the children experience the harsh realities of prejudice that surround them. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga.

Performances vary through Sept. 27. $10$40. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com.

THIRD WEDNESDAY “Backyard Bash” Happy Hour with craft beer and food samples. Kick off midsummer with a neighborhood-wide party on the treelined boulevards of Downtown Culver City, between Culver and Washington Blvds. and Duquesne Ave. downtownculvercity.com.

GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS Suzuki-Lo Giudice Duo. First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St., Glendale. Free. (818) 242-2113. glendalenoonconcerts.blogspot.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 16 ALL-AMERICAN GIRL Who will save the children? Playwright Wendy Graf explores the journey of an “all-American girl” as she develops from innocent youth to radicalized extremist.

InterACT Theatre Company at the Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Tues.-Sun. through July 26.

(818) 765-8732. interactla.org.

PICNIC It’s a balmy Labor Day in the American Heartland, and a group of women are preparing for a picnic... but they’ll have to lay a lot on the line before they can lay out the checkered cloths. When a handsome young drifter named Hal arrives, his combination of uncouth manners and titillating charm sends the women reeling, especially the beautiful Madge. When Hal is forced out of town, Madge must decide whether their fleeting encounter is worth changing the course of her life. The Antaeus Company, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., N. Hollywood. Thurs.-Sun. through Aug. 9. $30-$34. (818) 506-1983. antaeus.org.

RENT: THE MUSICAL Based loosely on Puccini’s “La Boheme,” Jonathan Larson’s story follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. $49-$130.

Dates vary through July 26. (888) 645-5006. sabantheatre.org.

SATURDAY, JULY 18

OFF THE KING’S ROAD With his wife’s passing and retirement, an American businessman takes a week’s respite in his favorite city, London. Upon checking into a small hotel, his stay unexpectedly turns into a voyage of self-discovery. Amy Madigan directs the West Coast premiere of Hollywood publicist/manager/producer-turned-playwright Neil Koenigsberg’s gentle drama. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Weekends through Aug. 2. $25-$30.

(323) 960-7712. plays411.com/kingsroad

GREEN GROW THE LILACS The courtship between a rancher and his gal is threatened by a menacing farmhand and turns violent, jeopardizing the young lovers’ future. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga.

Through Sept. 26. $10-$40. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 19 CIRQUE MUSICA Enjoy this musical journey of spellbinding grace and daredevil athleticism. This show

July/August 2015 features glorious orchestral music executed live in artistic partnership with the greatest circus performers from around the world.

Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins, conductor. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles. $13-$177. (323) 850-2000. laphilcom, hollywoodbowl.com.

GIRLFRIEND Set in Nebraska in the 1990s, two teenage boys – one a social outcast, the other the quintessential jock – explore a relationship during a summer of self-discovery between high school graduation and the rest of their lives. Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City.

Tues-Sun. through Aug. 9. $25-$55. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org.

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

TUESDAY, JULY 21

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS In this semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon, we meet 15-year-old Eugene Jerome during the heart of the Depression in 1937.

He is witty, perceptive, obsessed with sex, and forever fantasizing his baseball-diamond triumphs as star pitcher for the New York Yankees. As our guide through his “memoirs,” Eugene takes us through a series of trenchant observations and insights that show his family meeting life’s challenges with pride, spirit and a marvelous sense of humor.

Kentwood Players, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Weekends through Aug. 15. $20-$25. (310) 645-5156. kentwoodplayers.org.

OKLAHOMA! A headstrong cowboy. A stubborn young woman. A territory destined for statehood.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first collaboration features “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’,” “People Will Say We’re In Love,” “I Cain’t Say No,” and “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top.” Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Through July 26. $34-$74. (805) 4492787. civicartsplaza.com.

LA/Ventura

WORLD RHYTHMS SERIES Celebrate the rich diversity of music from around the world. Bring a picnic. Lawn seating

TUESDAY, JULY 21

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN

Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the queen of rock ‘n’ roll. The unmistakable voice filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Featuring acclaimed blues singer Mary Bridget Davies, this musical journey celebrates Joplin and her biggest musical influences – trailblazers like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith, who inspired one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest legends. The Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Tues.-Sun. through Aug. 16. $55-$150.

(626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 35

CALeNDAR is first-come, first-served. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge.

Tuesdays through Aug. 4. $6-$9. (818) 9494200. descansogardens.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 OEDIPUS MACHINAL Inspired by Ellen McLaughlin’s “Oedipus,” adapted from Sophocles, Ron Sossi directs a lean, contemporary adaptation that brings a new and poignant power to this primal work, a cornerstone of western drama. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. $30-$35. Dates vary through Aug. 2.

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

THURSDAY, JULY 23 MUSIC ON THE MAIN SUMMER JAZZ Bring your friends, picnics and folding chairs and savor the season of summer jazz.

Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge. Thursdays through Aug. 20. $6-$9. (818) 949-4200. descansogardens.org.

July/August 2015 LA/Ventura AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets.

Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Dates vary through Sept. 27. $10-$40. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com.

TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR WITH FIREWORKS The Los Angeles Philharmonic with Gustavo Dudamel, conductor. USC Trojan Marching Band, Dr. Arthur C. Bartner, director. Selections include “Symphony No. 5,” “Nutcracker Selections,” and “1812 Overture.” Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles.

Also July 25. $13-$177. (323) 850-2000. laphilcom, hollywoodbowl.com.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Shakespeare conjures a world of wonder, magic and romance where comical misunderstandings and the pain of unrequited love are resolved, and all is reconciled through midsummer night revelries and the enduring power of nature. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Performances vary through Sept. 25. $10-$40. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com.

SUNSET CONCERTS: LA CHIVA GANTIVA Guests may bring their own food. No outside alcoholic beverages or chairs are permitted.

Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Free admission.

(310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 24

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 SATURDAY, JULY 25 THE FABULOUS LIPITONES A barbershop quartet who’s been belting out close harmonies for 20 years suddenly loses its lead singer, who dropped dead at the Regionals on a heart-stopping high C. The three surviving members must cease their bickering and race to find a replacement in time for the Nationals. The Colony Theatre is located at 555 North Third Street, at the corner of Cypress, in the heart of Downtown Burbank. Through Aug. 23. Prices vary.

(818) 558-7000. colonytheatre.org.

HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN

Hershey Felder brings to life the remarkable story of Irving Berlin, “America’s Composer.” From the depths of anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia, to New York’s Lower East Side, and ultimately all of America and the world, Berlin’s story epitomizes the American dream. Featuring the composer’s most popular and enduring songs from “God Bless America” to “White Christmas” and beyond, Felder’s masterful creation of character and musical performance makes this evening with Irving Berlin an unforgettable journey. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. Tues.Sun. through Aug. 16. $39-$74 (310) 208-5454. geffenplayhouse.com.

WANG CHUNG This band came out of the post-punk, New Wave scene in the U.K., going on to achieve global success. Their smash hit “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” with its now famous line, “everybody Wang Chung tonight,” saw the invention of a new U.S. verb; “to Wang Chung.”

The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Dr., Agoura Hills. $20-$28. (818) 879-5016. canyonclub.net.

SUNDAY, JULY 26

ROARING NIGHTS AT THE L.A. ZOO This summer music series open to guests ages 18 and up features a live band, DJ dance party, food trucks, full-service bars, pop-up zookeeper talks, animal encounters and visits to zoo animal habitats. Enjoy the “Animal Artistry Paint Party” for guests to paint a favorite animal (or whatever inspiration strikes them) on a small canvas to take home as a souvenir. Plentiful free parking is available for the series, open to ages 18 and up. The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Griffith Park, 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles. $20. (323) 644-6042. lazoo.org.

36 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

AS YOU LIKE IT Rosalind, daughter of a banished duke, is forced to flee the court and enter the Forest of Arden when her uncle, usurper of his brother’s estate, threatens to have her killed. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Performances vary through Sept. 26. $10-$40. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 28 VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAMS Milano’s Italian Restaurant, Patio, Ventura Harbor Village, 1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura.

(805) 658-0388. milanositalianrestaurant.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 30 UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS TOUR Learn just how the Gambles lived in, maintained and appreciated their beautiful Greene and Greene house. Visit the original

AUGUST laundry and coal rooms in the basement; the light and accommodating servants’ bedrooms and learn about the multi-ethnic staff that helped make the Gambles’ lives in Pasadena more comfortable. The Gamble House, 4 Westmoreland Pl., Pasadena. $20.

Thurs.- Sun. through Aug. 16. (626) 793-3334. gamblehouse.org.

SUNSET CONCERTS: BASSEKOU KOUVATE AND NGONI BA Guests may bring their own food. No outside alcoholic beverages or chairs are permitted.

Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Free admission. (310) 4404500. skirball.org.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 TARZAN: THE STAGE MUSICAL This age-old moving story of a fearless young boy raised among wild apes who grows up to become an openhearted, accomplished, intelligent young man. Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. Through Aug. 9. Ticket prices vary. (714) 589-2770. 3dtshows.com.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 FREE FIRST SUNDAY Free admission to the Museum of Ventura County including its galleries and any special

July/August 2015 LA/Ventura events. Museum of Ventura County, 100 East Main St., Ventura. First Sunday of each month. (805) 653-0323. venturamuseum.org.

Blvd., Thousand Oaks. $53-$106. (805) 449-2787. civicartsplaza.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5

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

GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St., Glendale. Free.

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 SUNSET CONCERTS: HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF Guests may bring their own food. No outside alcoholic beverages or chairs are permitted. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Free admission. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAMS Milano’s Italian Restaurant, Patio, Ventura Harbor Village, 1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura. (805) 658-0388. milanositalianrestaurant.com.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES ART WALK This self-guided, public art walk brings art lovers and community friends together in downtown Los Angeles.

411 S. Main St., between Second and Ninth Streets, Los Angeles. Free. downtownartwalk.org.

SUNSET CONCERTS: AURELIO Guests may bring their own food. No outside alcoholic beverages or chairs are permitted. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Free admission. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7

eXHIBItIONs

PAT BENATAR AND NEIL: 35TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Powerhouse duo and rock-n-roll legends Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo bring their undeniable chemistry and unprecedented sound to the stage.

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks

RAVI SHANKAR: A LIFE IN MUSIC This exhibit marks the first in the United States to celebrate India’s most esteemed musician. Through a collection of sitars, artifacts and rare photographs from the Shankar family, visitors get a one-of-a-kind glimpse

CALeNDAR into the music icon’s early life, the roots of his musicality and his vast impact on Western music. The display features a collection of sitars played by Shankar throughout his life and career; performance attire, including outfits worn at Woodstock in 1969 and the Concert for Bangladesh, rare photographs from the Shankar family collection as well as original correspondences, writings and music. The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live, Fourth Floor, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. Through Spring 2016. $12$13. (213) 765-6803. grammymuseum.org.

Beverly Hills

smiles Dental Group All on 4 in 1 DAy TreATmenT

SOMEDAY IS NOW: THE ART OF CORITA KENT This is the first full-scale exhibition to survey the entire career of pioneering artist and designer Corita Kent (1918– 1986). For more than three decades, Kent experimented in printmaking, producing a groundbreaking body of work that combines faith, activism, and teaching with messages of acceptance and hope. Her work was widely recognized for its revolutionary impact and remains an iconic symbol of that period in American history. Pasadena Museum of Art, 490 East Union Street, Pasadena. Through Nov. 1. $5-$7. Wed.Sun. (626) 568-3665. pmcaonline.org.

Get the Word Out. E-mail your announcements to Claire Fadden, cfadden@lifeafter50.com.

Include a brief description, location, date, time, cost, phone and website.

Submission does not guarantee publication. Deadline for the August/ September calendar is July 1.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BILLBOARDS OF THE SUNSET STRIP

Featuring stunning photographs of hand-painted billboards that dominated the Los Angeles landscape for almost two decades, this exhibition brings to life a unique period in the history of rock ‘n’ roll and the fabled Sunset Strip, whose nightclubs were the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll royalty. Photographer Robert Landau traces the billboard phenomenon from the breakthrough promotion for the debut album by the Doors in 1967 to the advent of MTV in the 1980s, which signaled the end of an era. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Tues.-Sun. through Aug. 16. $7-$10. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 37

REVERSE MORTAGES

AT THE MOST COMPETATIVE RATES & CHARGES

Our GIFT of a BASIC LIVING TRUST can ensure a SENIOR’s home can stay in the family forever. jshahrokh@tdcareversemtg.com

Golden AGe dentistry Beat the high cost of Dentistry Bonded White or Amalgam Fillings (per Surface) ......................................... $45 Porcelain (PMF) Crowns and Bridges (per unit) ................................. $360 Full Upper Custom Denture ............... $425 Full Lower Custom Denture ............... $425 Upper Custom Chrome Partial

.......

$590

Lower Custom Chrome Partial ........ $590 Root Canals (starting at) ...................... $185 Relines (upper or lower) ...................... $165 Night or Sports Guards (each arch) ... $105

Jim SHAHROKH President Cell: 818.521.5219

it is time to live the life you want… member

111 N. Jackson St. Suite 204 Glendale, CA 91206 tel: 818.500.1122 DRE 00984564 NMLS #292647

tdcareversemtg.com PleASe CHeCK teStimOniAlS

Teeth Bleaching (per upper or lower arch) ......................................................... $85

Extractions (simple) ........................................ $65

Hurry WHile tHese Prices last!

Quality Dentistry at the Lowest Prices in California!

Prices for those 50 years of age and older!

Free x-ray & exam (new patients only)

3901 Tyler St. Riverside, CA 92503

For appointment, call (951) 353-9824 Same Driveway as Vista Paint

Pasadena Weight Loss Center

WE SPECIALIZE IN PATIENTS

AFTER 50 • Lifestyle Coaching

• Personalized Workout • Tailored Nutrition • Professional Supervision

Learn to control diabetes, fatty liver, hypertension, high cholesterol and sleep apnea

FREE

N. CONSULTATmIO e.

Limited ti

BEFORE

AFTER

CALL NOW 626.844.4686 “Dr. Matar’s knowledge is the ‘missing link’ that I was looking for. It is not a program where you are told not to eat ‘this’ or ‘that.’ It educates you and gives you the tools and the freedom to make your own choices. He is a gem amongst the massive confusion that exists out there.”

Linda Gray, Actress (Dallas)

CALL NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION. This offer expires on August 1st, 2015.

Dr. Claude Matar, Founder

www.pasadena-weight-loss-center.com 38 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

REDISCOVER RETIREMENT

It’s finally time to punch out.

After years of routine, schedule and structure, it’s finally time to punch out. Come discover the SunRiver lifestyle first hand with a $99 2 Night Discovery Villa Stay. Call 888-674-5083 for more information.

R E S O R T- S T Y L E L I V I N G

T Ravel MaRkeT p lace | Guide

TRavel

Living the High Life...

Marketplace

antiques

G u i d e

farms

Ask for current promotions Featured tours include: 12 Day Imperial China & Yangtze River Gold Experience from $3,599* visit our website to see more options Featuring Ritz-Carlton & Shangri-La Hotels in most major cities

Ask for current promotions Featured tours include: 9 Day Dreams of the Taj C Escapade H Experience

I $1,599* N from visit our A website to see more options

Ask for current promotions Featured tours include: 6 Day Touch of Japan Escapade I Experience

N D $2,199* I from visit our A website to see more options

Ask for current promotions Featured tours include: 13 Day Argentina J & Brazil Gold A or Silver

P A from $3,599* visit our N website to see more options

S O U T H

local wineries

A M E R I C A

Just 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Tehachapi is the perfect get-away.

You’ll find our cool, clean mountain air refreshing and our historic downtown friendly and charming.

* Air-inclusive & land-only prices are based on per person, double occupancy (int’l air LAX/SFO departure - add $200 for JFK; India JFK only - ask about other gateways. Fuel surcharges, taxes and fees included in air-inclusive prices). Air-inclusive prices are subject to change only before the final payment.

Above packages are land-only. For complete list of terms & conditions, please visit www.pacificdelighttours.com. CST 2098539-20

www.pacificdelighttours.com or www.pdttours.com (800) 221-7179

life after 50 half pg.indd 1 1 LIFEAFTER50.COM FEbRuARy 2015 40 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

museums

Plan your trip at VisitTehachapi.com

6/26/15 3:00 PM

California

All-inclusive DuDe RAnch Vacations are perfect for everyone.

Horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, skeet shooting and archery await you on your Ranch Vacation. Horses, Hats, Hospitality, Heritage, Honesty and Heart they’re the foundation of every ranch.

Rick Steves’ Travels

1-866-399-2339 | www.duderanch.org The lODGe AT lAKe TAhOe Our centrally located resort boasts studio-totwo bedroom condominiums that provide the comforts of home. Our on-site resort amenities serve as the premier way to enjoy South Lake Tahoe.

866.469.8222 or visit www.8664myvacation.com

For more info call 661.333.5932 or email VisitTehachapi@gmail.com www.VisitTehachapi.com

Hawaii

AsTOn hOTels Save on your best Hawaii vacation with the Aston Hotels & Resorts “Hawaii 5-0” program. Exclusively for guests 50 years and better, you’ll enjoy preferred rates at steps-to-the-beach locations with spacious accommodations, comprehensive amenities and unparalleled island-style hospitality.

Call 866.774.2924 and ask for “50+ Rates” or visit AstonHotels.com

Utah

sunRiveR sT.GeORGe is southern Utah’s premier master-planned resort-style living community. Built in an unspoiled, rural location, SunRiver St.George provides a quiet, superbly planned community with occupancy limited to at least one resident 55 or better.

From the golf course layout and community center design to the floor plans of our sensational SunRiver St. George homes, the resortstyle living lifestyle is our central point of focus. SunRiver St.George is “building a lifestyle, not just homes.”

888.688.6556 or www.SunRiver.com

International pAciFic DeliGhT TOuRs — Air inclusive China Tours from $2,599*.

Explore all of our Asia destinations: China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and India.

For more information: Call 800.221.7179 or visit www.PacificdelightTours.com

By Rick Steves

I

f you’re in the mood to surrender to a city’s charms, let it be in Barcelona.

A stroll down Barcelona’s main pedestrian drag, the Ramblas, is a freefall into sensory overload. This grand boulevard takes you from rich (the elegant main square, Plaça de Catalunya) to rough (the port) in a onemile walk.

The Ramblas, which means “stream” in Arabic, is an endless current of people and action. At the lively La Boquería produce market, locals shop in the morning for the best and freshest selection of meat, fruit, and veggies.

East of the Ramblas is Barcelona’s Gothic quarter, the Barri Gòtic, which centers on the colossal cathedral.

The narrow streets are a tangled but inviting grab bag of undiscovered Art Nouveau storefronts, neighborhood flea markets, musty junk shops, classy antique shops, and musicians strumming the folk songs of Catalunya (the independent-minded region of northeast Spain, of which Barcelona is the capital).

A creative spirit is part of the ebb and flow of daily life in Barcelona. Modern artist Joan Miró lived in the Barri Gòtic. His designs are found all over the city, from murals to mobiles to the La Caixa bank logo. If you enjoy his childlike style, ride the funicular up to Parc de Montjuïc and peek into the Fundació Joan Miró, a showcase for his art.

The Barri Gòtic was also home to a teenaged Pablo Picasso. It was in Barcelona in the 1890s that Picasso grabbed hold of the artistic vision that rocketed him to Paris and fame. The Picasso Museum in the La Ribera district is far and away the best collection of the artist’s work in Spain.

For a refreshing break from the dense old city, head north to the modern Eixample neighborhood, with its wide sidewalks, graceful shade trees, chic shops, and Art Nouveau frills. Barcelona was busting out of its medieval walls by the 1850s, and so a new town — called the Eixample, or Expansion — was laid out in a grid pattern. The original vision was an egalitarian one: Each 20-blocksquare district was to have its own hospital and large park, markets, schools, and daycare centers.

But over time, the Eixample became a showcase for wealthy residents and their Catalan architects, who turned the flourishing Art Nouveau style into Modernisme, their own brand of decorative design. Buildings bloom with characteristically colorful, leafy, and flowing shapes in doorways, entrances, facades, and ceilings.

Barcelona’s most famous Modernista artist, Antoni Gaudí, created architectural fantasies that are a quirky quilt of galloping gables and organic curves. A quintessential example of Modernisme, La Pedrera (a.k.a. Casa Milà) has walls of wavy stone and a fanciful, undulating rooftop, where 30 chimneys reach towards the sky.

At Casa Batlló, a green-blue ceramic-speckled facade, tibia-esque pillars, and shell-like balconies are inspired by nature, while the humpback roofline suggests a cresting dragon’s back.

Gaudí’s best-known and most persistent work is the eternally unfinished Sagrada Família, with its meltingice-cream-cone spires and towers. The Nativity Facade, the only part of the church essentially completed within Gaudí’s lifetime, shows the architect’s original vision.

Mixing Christian symbolism, images from nature, and the organic flair of Modernisme, it’s an impressive example of his unmistakable style.

Climb up between the spires for a gargoyle’s-eye perspective of a living, growing, bigger-than-life building.

Local craftsmen often finish up their careers by putting in a couple of years working on the project. The church is supposed to be completed in 2026, which marks the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death.

Gaudí fans can also enjoy the artist’s magic in the colorful, freewheeling Park Güell, a 30-acre hilltop garden. Carpeted with fanciful mosaics and dotted with sculptures, this park is a great place to cap the day.

From art to food to markets, Barcelona specializes in being a visual feast.

Rick ST eveS’ T Ravel

cOme up TO TehAchApi! Just 90 minutes from L.A., Tehachapi is the perfect getaway. Located at 4,000 ft, our cool mountain breezes will give you a refreshing perspective. Come visit our historical downtown area, quaint boutiques, antique shops and award winning wineries.

Barcelona: A Visual Feast

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.

TOuRs4Fun Cruise the tropical waters of Baja, Mexico and enjoy your relaxing and fun-filled vacation aboard!

Book your 4-Nights Baja, Mexico Cruise starting as low as $169!

Call: 1-855-656-6725 or visit www.tours4fun.com/cruises

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 41

And Finally...

The Bookworm’s Best A Life After 50 book review

by Terri “The Bookworm” Schlichenmeyer

Infinite Words: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Publishing

By Zane

S

ometimes, you feel like a boiling pot.

That’s because you’ve been cooking a story up and it bubbles and rolls just below the surface of your mind, waiting to burst forth into a bestseller for an eager audience. It’s always been your dream to be a famous author – and, who knows, that could happen, but there’s work to do first. “Infinite Words” by Zane can get you started.

You’re witty. You’ve had an interesting life and friends have said that you should write a book, although “not everyone who thinks they want to will be able to write a book or become a published author,” says Zane. Even so, if you decide to walk the walk, there are lots of steps to consider.

First of all, she says, you’ll need discipline to set your writing habits, to find the right people to help you create a good product, and to finish your manuscript. Determine your writing style and “make a PIE” (Persuasion, Information, Entertainment) to hold your readers’ interest. Mixing the “six basic human needs” into your story is also important, and while you’re writing, read, read, read; you will learn from other writers.

As for characters in a novel, know what to do and what not to do. Zane warns against adding too much “fluff” in your story; it only serves as padding and might turn readers away. For a non-fiction book, remember that anything libelous or slanderous won’t be published by a reputable company. “Publishers,” says Zane, “are not going to risk a lawsuit, no matter how amazing the book may be.”

Understand that the editing process requires patience (and yes, even if you’re self-publishing, you’ll need proofreaders and an editor). Don’t ever send a sloppy manuscript out. Know the realities of being an author, keep in mind that “the literary industry is a very small, close-knit community,” and maintain professionalism at all times.

Says Zane, remember that, “A successful writing career is not going to fall into your lap.”

Oh, how I wish I could wave a magic wand and put “Infinite Words” into the hands of every new and budding writer!

With blunt truthfulness, that’s like a breath of fresh air, author-publisher Zane tells it like it is as she coaches writing readers with tough love and advice that, regretfully, might still not bring success (which she explains). Be aware this book may squash your dreams; in fact, there are many pages where her words could be hard to accept. Nevertheless, readers brave enough to be in it for the long-haul (and that includes erotica writers) will find information to instruct, becalm, and enlighten, from opening sentence to finished product.

If you’ve been told that you “should write a book,” this is the place to start. This book can keep you on-track and away from mistakes, and it can help you determine if you’ve got it in you to continue. If you’ve always dreamed of being an author, “Infinite Words” is perfect, whether you’re planning a memoir, novel, erotica, romance, or… a potboiler.

“Infinite Words: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Publishing” by Zane, 2015, Atria, $16.00, 198 pages The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer who lives on a hill with two dogs and more than 12,000 books. You can read more of her book reviews at www.lifeafter50.com. Just click on “Entertainment” and then “Book Reviews.”

A Look Back

F

ifty years ago this month, musicians Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek encountered one another while strolling on Venice Beach. The duo soon decided to from a band that, ultimately, was whittled down to themselves, drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger. The inspiration for their band’s name – The Doors – came from Aldous Huxley’s book “The Doors of Perception,” which was inspired by a line in William Blake’s “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell” that read: “If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is: infinite.” Going on to become the house band at the Whisky A Go Go, they were discovered and signed

by Elektra Records president Jac Holzman, recorded their first album, “The Doors,” in 1966, and saw “Light My Fire” reach Number One. Many believed the door would permanently shut on The Doors following Morrison’s death from a widely believed (but never officially confirmed) drug overdose in 1971 at the age of 27. The Doors, however, did go on for two more years, leaving a legacy as one of the best-selling bands of all time, being ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and being inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

42 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

Just A Thought Before We Go “Long may our land be bright With freedom’s holy light.”

– Samuel Francis Smith

Explore Hawaii’s sky blue waters. Walk its soft sandy shores. Feel the rhythm of island life.

Stay at an Aston hotel or condominium resort on Oahu, Maui, Kauai or Hawaii Island and enjoy picture perfect settings, island inspired accommodations and true Aston hospitality. Let Aston welcome you with its 65-year tradition of service and aloha. Ask about special 50+ Rates* for guests 50 years and older.

866.774.2924 | AstonHotels.com *Room must be occupied by qualifying individual. Valid picture ID with proof of age required upon check-in. Subject to availability. Some restrictions may apply.

lifeafter50.com

Orange COunty

July 2015

southern california

summer

in SoCal 50 GReat thinGs

to do Celebrating

50 Years

of touRinG universal studios

Wine-ing Your WaY through Superb Summer

Selections

From happY daYs to Challenging Ones

scott Baio Just keeps on running

“THERE IS SIMPLY NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT.“ THE NEW YORK TIMES

SCFTA.org

|

OCTOBER 6 – NOVEMBER 1

714-556-2787

|

Groups (10+) 714-755-0236

|

Segerstrom Hall

©Disney

Saturday, October 17 at 2:00pm

Contents

July 2015

10

18

24

32

Cover Profile

Departments

10 Scott Baio

6 50-Plus: What You Need to Know

8 It’s The Law

From happy days to challenging ones, he just keeps on running.

Features 18 50 Great Things To Do This Summer In Southern California Discover unique things to do in the Southland.

24 Celebrating 50 Years Of Touring Universal Studios

Meet John Murdy – The man behind the behind-the-scenes tour.

28 Wine-ing Your Way Through Superb Summer Selections Get the most out of summer with the perfect bottle of vino.

30 The Look Of Life After 50 – Cindy Williams Catching up with the star of “Laverne & Shirley” and “American Graffiti.”

32 The Hallowed Hall Of Must-Knowtables * Alfred Hitchcock Legendary notables that everyone, of every age, should know.

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

Mitchell A. Karasov on settling a sisterly situation.

31 Tuned In To What’s On

The best in July television viewing.

35 Let’s Get Out

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

41 Rick Steves’ Travels

Barcelona: A Visual Feast.

43 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.

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

PMF INVESTMENT CORP. a California Corporation

Announces a Limited Private Investment Offering:

7.90% Guaranteed Notes w/ Interest Paid Monthly • Only 500 Notes in this offering • Diversified investment in Credit Worthy Corporate Receivables • NOT tied to the Stock Market volatility • Each Note $10,000 with aggregate of $5 million • Short-term 13 month duration • In Accordance with Provisions of California Corporations Code Section 25102(n)

For more Information contact:

PMF Investment Corp.

(310) 858-6696 x0 9701 W. Pico Blvd.,1st flr.

Los Angeles, CA 90035 www.pmfbancorp.com/PMFnotes

PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS MAY BE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OR (OTHER STATES IN WHICH AN EXEMPTION IS AVAILABLE AND MUST MEET THE SUITABILITY STANDARDS OF SUB PARAGRAPH (A),(B),(C), OR (D) OF SECTION 25102(n)(2)(l) No Money or other consideration is being solicited by means of this Announcement nor will money be accepted. An offer may be made only by means of an Offering Circular/Disclosure Statement which an be obtained by investors meeting the suitability requirements by inquiring as directed below. (Il) An indication of interest made by a prospective purchaser shall involve no obligation or commitment of any kind. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED ABOVE IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED BY LAW. For more information on this Stock Offering, Section 25102(n), and the Offering Circular/Disclosure Statement.

Editor’s Note...

Wishing The Best For Really Good People

I

first met Scott Baio in 1987, when we were both working on the Universal Studios lot. He was doing “Charles in Charge” on the stage next to where I was working on a show that was being produced by Dick Clark Productions, whom I was working for at the time.

During down times, Scott and his costar, Willie Aames, would shoot hoops with the crew members of both their show and ours. They would come over to check out our set or just stand around and chat from time to time. I also recall that our production office was situated in an area between where Scott parked his little red truck and where the Universal tour tram went by. While the staff from our show would be working, we could always tell, by the thunderous reaction of the folks going by on the trams, when Scott was out waving at them, mingling with them, or actually joining them on board for a ride. He was what all of us on our show called: “Good people.”

A few years ago, Scott and his wife, Renee, suffered a horrific nightmare when, after learning Renee was pregnant with twins, she lost one of her babies and they were then told their surviving child had a serious metabolic disorder.

Fortunately, after running a battery of tests, that diagnosis proved false.

While many people may have simply been thrilled they dodged a bullet, Scott and Renee used the experience to help others who were not so fortunate by establishing a foundation to help parents and children with metabolic disorders.

When I heard about that, I was impressed by their commitment to helping others and thought: “Scott and Renee are good people.”

Over the past two months, as we here at Life After 50 were working with Scott on this month’s issue, the Baios learned that the migraine headaches Renee has been experiencing are a result of three brain tumors. Still, they both soldiered on, inviting us into their home, always being hospitable, available to talk, and doing a photo shoot.

Just before we went to press with this issue, I checked in with the Baios to see how they are doing. They have been told Renee’s tumors are located in a place that is operable and that she plans to, in her words: “Saddle up and warrior on.”

During our conversation, instead of talking about what she is going through, the couple told me that more than 6,500 people, mostly women, get the same diagnosis annually, and that their hope is that by going through this, they will be able to help educate others about the warning signs of meningioma brain tumors and support those who are dealing with a similar situation.

After wishing them the best for a quick and full recovery, I hung up. As I sat at my desk and looked at the photo that appears in this issue of them with their beautiful daughter, Bailey, I once again thought: “These two are good people – really good people.”

David Laurell, Editor-in-Chief

4 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

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

To contact our editorial department: (818) 563-1007 davidl@lifeafter50.com

Account Executives: San Diego County/Orange County Phil Mendelson Phil@lifeafter50.com Los Angeles/ Valley/Travel Beverly Sparks Beverly@lifeafter50.com For advertising/distribution inquiries contact: Valarie Anderson (310) 822-1629 x 121, Valarie@lifeafter50.com 5301 Beethoven St., Suite 183 LA CA 90066 Valarie Anderson Valarie@lifeafter50.com 310 822-1629 x 121

Follow us on facebook @Life_After50

©2015 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved

Discounted food and beverage available at select concession stands in the Stretch Run and Clubhouse. Offer good for Diamond Club Members only. Sign up for FREE on the Del Mar website, dmtc.com, or at the Diamond Club booth outside the Stretch Run admission gates.

FREE Stretch Run Admission FREE Seat FREE Program 1/2 Price Domestic Drafts 1/2 Price Sodas 1/2 Price Hot Dogs

JULY 16 - SEPT 7

Don’t miss seniors day thursday, july 30 and thursday, september 3.

All seniors 62 and over will receive FREE Stretch Run admission, a FREE program and a FREE seat with ID.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 5

50

What We Eat

A

Plus

What You Need To Know

By Claire Yezbak Fadden and Max Andrews

ccording to Technomic, Inc., a research and consulting firm servicing the food and food-service industry, consumers over 50 consider burgers and pizza to be their favorite foods by 69 percent. Among the other choices they weigh-in on as their faves: seafood/fish 63 percent, Chinese and sandwiches (other than burgers) tied at 60 percent, Mexican 58 percent, barbecue 57 percent, salads 56 percent, beef dishes and breakfast foods tied at 55 percent, chicken dishes (other than fried) 54 percent, pasta 45 percent and fried chicken 41 percent. If you are trying to eat healthier, check out dietitian Timi Gustafson’s book “The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun,” available on her blog, “Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D.” (www.timigustafson.com).

Arts For The Smarts

Tips For A Grand Getaway

dults who spend time doing arts and crafts and being involved in social activities may improve their brain health, according to a new study published in an online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Activities such as painting or quilting and joining social groups such as book clubs may delay the development of the thinking and memory problems that can arise as we get older.

During a four-year period, researchers tracked 256 adults, aged 85 and older. Study participants were active in computer use, drawing and sculpting, woodworking, pottery, ceramics, sewing and social activities, including going to the theater, movies, concerts, socializing with friends and travel. According to the findings, those involved in these activities were less likely to experience mild dementia during the next four years. Researchers were not able to prove that these activities actually prevented declines in thinking and memory, but the findings suggest that individuals participating in hobbies and social pursuits throughout midlife and later in life were 73 percent less likely to experience mild dementia.

re you thinking about inviting your grandchildren to be your traveling companions for a trip this summer? If so, it is a fabulous idea that will provide them with treasured memories they will never forget. However, if it has been many years since you have traveled with children, be aware: it can be a challenging experience. Whether you are thinking of a car trip for a few days or a lengthy European adventure, these following tips, comprised by attorney and www.forbes.com journalist Deborah L. Jacobs, will help you avoid the pitfalls of what could be a grand disaster.

A

To read the study or learn more about cognition, please visit the American Academy of Neurology’s website at www.aan.com/patients.

Fifty Candles

F

ifty years ago this month, the Rolling Stones charted with their first number one hit, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction;” the U. S. spacecraft Mariner 4 flew by Mars and became the first probe to return images from the Red Planet; filming began on a second “Star Trek” pilot; President Lyndon B. Johnson increased the number of U.S. troops in South Vietnam; Bob Dylan released “Like a Rolling Stone;” and President Johnson signed the Social Security Act of 1965 into law, establishing Medicare and Medicaid. Notable personalities born in July 1965 who are celebrating their 50th birthday this month include Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling, actors Paul Ben-Victor and Jeremy Piven, trumpet player Andrea Tofanelli, guitarists Saul “Slash” Hudson and Frank Bello, and sportscaster Curt Menefee.

6 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

A

• Involve children as you plan the trip. Ask them what they would like to see and do. Put their interests first. When you have children in tow, the agenda has to center on them.

• Make it age-appropriate. Whatever the destination, it can be a fine line between helping youngsters incorporate new experiences into their lives and pushing the limits of their maturity and attention span.

• Don’t overdo. The ideal trip length is 10 days to two weeks, during which you should be sensitive to their body clocks. When going overseas, try to fly at night, which makes it easier for everyone to adjust to time changes. If children still nap, allow time for a siesta. Have the evening meal at the time they are used to, even if it’s not meal time in the place you are visiting.

• Give everyone space. Adjoining rooms give everyone a little space of their own and you can leave the door open so they don’t get frightened if they wake up in a strange place.

• Pack light. Being encumbered by a lot of luggage is awful for adults. With kids in tow, it doubles the trouble. Discuss with them what to bring and how much they really need.

A Little More You Need To Know Photo by Dale Frost

The Most Important Thing To Know This Month

Be A Patriot And Protect Your Pet

A

ccording to studies, 80 percent of domestic animals are afraid of the noise, smell of sulfur and flashing lights associated with fireworks. As we celebrate Independence Day, here are a few tips for keeping your pets safe and secure during pyrotechnic presentations.

• Know when local fireworks shows will be happening.

Contact your local municipality to find out what has been scheduled for your area.

Where You Need To Go

Sun and Sea Festival

T

he original Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition headlines the Sun and Sea Festival that will take place on July 18, featuring worldclass, award-winning sandcastle builders competing in one of San Diego County’s most beloved traditions. Professional and amateur sand-carving teams fashion sand creations in a fast-paced, five-hour build as part of the day’s events.

Imperial Beach’s original public festival of the same name was held beginning in 1960 to celebrate the city’s incorporation. This annual community celebration featured a sand-sculpting competition. For 32 years, between 1980 and 2011, Imperial Beach also was the site of the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition.

Today this free, family-oriented street festival continues the tradition. Spend the day along the seaside and enjoy a pancake breakfast and the community parade.

Activities include a farmers market and international food fair, live music and entertainment. Watch youngsters compete in the Kids ‘n Kastles sand-building competition. New this year is the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Kidz Zone filled with kid-friendly fun and entertainment at the city’s Dunes Park. Public viewing of the sand castles and events will take place at Portwood Pier Plaza and along Seacoast Drive on Imperial Beach. The activities will take place throughout the day until 4 p.m. when the awards are presented.

• Prepare a pet safety zone in your home. If you will be gone, keep them contained in an inner room or other safe area with some lights on. Remove any sharp or breakable items from the room in case your pet starts jumping or running around. And, ensure that the room temperature is pleasant.

• Dampen the noise. Make sure all windows are closed, draw the curtains and turn a television or radio on.

• Make the room cozy. Put down familiar, clean bedding somewhere pleasant such as under a table, on or behind a chair. Add some familiar chew toys, scratch pads or balls to keep your pets amused and distracted. Add a litter tray for cats.

• Provide hydration. Be sure to leave sufficient water. Many pets will be uneasy or even frantic. If your pet has access to water, it will help calm them.

To volunteer, build sandcastles, enter the parade or learn more, click on www. sunandseafestival.com.

New Words

Y

ou might not find them in a dictionary yet, but they’re a part of the everyday American vocabulary. Here’s what they mean.

Deck: A key word in the hipster community, similar in meaning to (pick your generation) neat, keen, boss, cool, groovy, radical, tubular or fly.

To be totally deck is to be cutting edge and up on the latest trends.

Interrobang: A non-standard form of punctuation combining a question mark with an exclamation point used to ask a question in an excited manner.

Nibling: The child of your sibling; the new nongender specific term for a nephew or niece.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 7

It’s The Law Mitchell A. Karasov

Mitchell A. Karasov, Esq. has offices in Los Angeles, Ventura County and the Coachella Valley. He specializes in elder law with emphasis in estate planning, Medi-Cal eligibility, trust administration, probate, conservatorships of person or estate, estate and trust litigation and financial abuse litigation. For more information click on www.karasovelderlaw.com or call (818) 508-7192.

Settling A Sisterly Situation

Q

Our father created an estate plan naming me as the power of attorney for healthcare and my sister as power of attorney for finance. The problem is, my sister and I don’t get along and we have different opinions about everything. Now, it’s impacting our father because I think he should stay at home, which means he will need more care. His doctor says he doesn’t need to be moved to a nursing home and would be fine at home with some help. My sister, on the other hand, thinks the home help and care would be too expensive and that he should go to a memory care unit. She’s holding the purse strings, so I’m having a heck of a time getting him the care he needs to stay at home. As a result, I’m doing the caregiving and paying for some help to come in.

My business lawyer told me the only thing I can do to change this is to get an attorney to file a conservatorship. I looked into that and found it could be time consuming and I will have to pay the attorney. Are there any other alternatives to solving this kind of problem?

Golden AGe dentistry Beat the high cost of Dentistry Bonded White or Amalgam Fillings (per Surface) ......................................... $45 Porcelain (PMF) Crowns and Bridges (per unit) ................................. $360 Full Upper Custom Denture ............... $425 Full Lower Custom Denture ............... $425 Upper Custom Chrome Partial

.......

$590

Lower Custom Chrome Partial ........ $590 Root Canals (starting at) ...................... $185 Relines (upper or lower) ...................... $165 Night or Sports Guards (each arch) ... $105 Teeth Bleaching (per upper or lower arch) ......................................................... $85

Extractions (simple) ........................................ $65

Hurry WHile tHese Prices last!

Quality Dentistry at the Lowest Prices in California!

Prices for those 50 years of age and older!

Free x-ray & exam (new patients only)

3901 Tyler St. Riverside, CA 92503

For appointment, call (951) 353-9824 Same Driveway as Vista Paint

8 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

A

Although you and your sister might not see eye-to-eye on what’s best for your dad, there are alternatives you can pursue before filing a conservatorship. Of course, your dad’s expressed wishes are an important place to start. If your dad’s cognitive capacity is intact, he can tell you what he wants, and those directions should be followed. Based on your reference to memory care, it sounds like your dad’s cognition may be compromised. If that’s the case, then, looking to his written instructions would be the fallback position for understanding what the wishes are for the decision-makers to follow. However, if your dad isn’t fully aware of his care needs and their costs, or the estate planning documents aren’t definitive on the issue, then advice from a legal professional would be in order. Since the main disagreements revolve around where your dad should receive care and the costs involved, I would recommend you see if your sister would be receptive to consulting with a mutually agreed upon geriatric care manager, also known as a GCM. An experienced GCM would assess your dad’s needs and the appropriateness of caregiving in the home. The GCM will present opinions on available options and also what back-up plans are available. If finances are an issue, than it would make sense to consult with an elder law attorney to determine if there are government programs to assist with care costs. If your sister will not agree to hire a GCM, or if you do and the GCM’s assessment doesn’t result in a solution, your next step could be to propose attending a family mediation with an elder law mediator. The mediator will gather as much information as possible to bring you all closer to a workable plan. At that point, if none of those options work, a conservatorship might be the only way to secure the appropriate care for your dad. In addition, if you advance the legal fees for the conservatorship, you do have the ability to seek reimbursement from your dad’s finances once a conservatorship is put in place. I am optimistic that with professional guidance, you and your sister may find a care plan that is agreeable to all without necessitating court involvement. I wish you the best.

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”

— J. Fitzgerald, VA

Easy-to-use remotes for massage/heat and recline/lift

Complete with battery backup in case of power outage

Our Perfect Sleep Chair® is just the chair to do it all.

It’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs – but this chair is so much more! It’s designed to provide total comfort and relaxation not found in other chairs. It can’t be beat for comfortable, long-term sitting, TV viewing, relaxed reclining and – yes! – peaceful sleep. Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of positions, including the Trendelenburg position and the zero gravity position where your body experiences a minimum of internal and external stresses.

You’ll love the other benefits, too: It helps with correct spinal alignment, promotes back pressure relief, and This lift chair encourages better posture to puts you safely prevent back and muscle pain. on your feet!

And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort.

Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. The high and low heat settings along with the dozens of massage settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you might get at a spa – just imagine getting all that in a lift chair! Shipping charge includes white glove delivery. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! Includes one year service warranty and your choice of fabrics and colors. If you’re not 100% satisfied simply return the chair within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. – Call now!

The Perfect Sleep Chair® Call now toll free for our lowest price.

Please mention code 100844 when ordering.

1-888-734-0282 Long Lasting DuraLux Leather

DuraLux II Microfiber

Tan

Burgundy Cashmere

Chocolate Burgundy

Fern

© 2015 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

Chocolate Indigo

46383

We’ve e’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly, operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper right off to dreamland.

Sit up, lie down — and anywhere in between!

Cover Profile

From Happy Days to Challenging Ones

scott Baio Just keeps on running Story by David Laurell * Photos by Christopher Ameruoso, www.www.chrisaphoto.com 10 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

S

cott Baio is indelibly seared into the American conscience as Chachi Arcola, the young cousin of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on “Happy Days;” as Charles, a college student who took on the challenge of caring for three children in “Charles in Charge;” and as one of the quintessential teen idols of the 1970s. For that reason, it is, perhaps, a bit hard to believe that come this September, 55 years will have passed since Baio was born in Brooklyn, New York.

The third child of Italian immigrants, Mario and Rose Baio, Scott made a decision at the ripe old age of nine that he wanted to become an actor. With a dream wholeheartedly supported by his parents, he soon landed roles in commercials that, in his mid-teens, led to his beating out more than 2,000 other young actors for the lead role in the 1976 feature film, “Bugsy Malone.”

His appearance in that film garnered the attention of television producer Garry Marshall, who, at the time, was riding a massive wave of television success led by the hugely popular ABC sitcom, “Happy Days,” for which he cast Baio as Chachi.

Along with the success of “Happy Days,” Baio was a fixture on the big screen through the latter part of the 1970s and early 1980s in such features as “Skatetown, U.S.A.,” “Foxes” and “Zapped!” He also appeared in the shortlived “Happy Days” spinoff, “Joanie Loves Chachi,” before taking on the title role in the sitcom “Charles in Charge,” which ran on CBS and then in first-run syndication from 1987 to 1990.

Continuing to do feature film and television work as both an actor and a director since “Charles in Charge” wrapped production, Baio starred in a 2007 VH1 reality series, “Scott Baio Is 45... And Single.” At the conclusion of the first season of that show, Baio and his then-girlfriend, actress Renee Sloan, married and announced she was pregnant with twins.

Following a difficult pregnancy in which she lost one of her babies, the couple’s daughter, Bailey, was born five weeks premature on November 2, 2007. Initially believed to be suffering from glutaric acidemia type one, a rare organic metabolic disorder, extensive testing ultimately proved the diagnosis to be false and Bailey was given a clean bill of health.

With immeasurable gratefulness that their daughter was healthy, Scott and Renee took the horrific experience to heart and established the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation to raise awareness, funding and provide support for children and families dealing with metabolic disorders.

This past month, as Life After 50 magazine was working with Baio to prepare this feature, the 42-year-old Renee began suffering from strong migraine headaches and, on June 16, revealed she had received a frightening diagnosis.

“Just a few days ago, we learned my wife, Renee, has a meningioma brain tumor,” Baio wrote in a Facebook post. “Although 90 percent of these type of tumors are benign, they can cause serious problems depending on the size of the tumor and the location. We are waiting to learn the exact location to see if it’s operable. Renee has been down some rough roads in her life, yet each time, with her strong faith in God, she comes through a better and stronger person. My wife is my rock. She refuses to even shed one tear, nor will she question God’s will. Renee, Bailey and I will get through this, and along the way, maybe help educate others to get checked out as 6,500 people each year, mostly women, get these tumors.”

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 11

life After 50 (lA50): Scott, it’s been a few weeks since you learned and revealed that renee has a brain tumor. As we prepare to go to press with this issue, can you update us on how she is doing?

Scott Baio (SB): She’s very tough and she’s doing fine. Since that post, we have learned that she actually has three meningioma tumors and that they are all located in areas that make them operable. So that’s our next step – to have the surgery to remove them. lA50: We certainly had no idea when we began working with you on this feature that this would be something you would be dealing with. So, on behalf of everyone at Life After 50, please know that you and renee will be in our thoughts and prayers for a fast and full recovery.

SB: Thank you. I appreciate that. Like I said, she’s tough. She would tell you it’s me whose been doing the crying, not her. Her expression, as someone who is half-American Indian, is “Saddle up and warrior on.” That is how she has lived her entire life. It is how she dealt with the challenges we had with losing a baby and then with Bailey’s health scare, and it’s how she will handle this. lA50: As you know, before renee’s diagnosis, we reached out to you to appear on the cover of this month’s issue to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Universal Studios tour, because you worked on that lot for so many years. We want you to know that we are greatly appreciative to you for your willingness to allow us to profile you in spite of everything you and renee are dealing with.

SB: I thank you and appreciate you saying that.

12 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

lA50: if we may, let’s talk about your memories of doing “Charles in Charge” for all those years at Universal. What memories do you have of working on that lot?

SB: Oh, there are so many, I could go on forever, but I think the craziest thing I remember was the time that Willie [Aames] and I broke into the King Kong exhibit. It was right near our stage and one day, during a lunch break or something, Willie and I were walking around and we passed those big double doors that the trams go through to enter the exhibit. There was nothing going on. It was all quiet. So we went over to the doors and pushed on them and they opened. We looked at each other and then just walked in. It was crazy.

The monkey was just hanging there and it was all dark, so Willie is crazy, and he says: “Let’s hide and when the tram comes through, we’ll mess with the people.” I’m like: “Really,” and he’s saying: “Yeah, come on, it’ll be fun.” So we were roaming around and there’s a helicopter and a bridge and a building and Willie climbed up into the building and I got up on the skid pads of the helicopter, and then in comes a tram. So the thing lights up and everything starts moving and the monkey starts screaming and I didn’t know the hell was happening. I was holding on to the helicopter and it started dropping and I’m screaming: “HELP!” and I hear Willie screaming: “Help us! The gorilla is going to kill us!” And the people on the tram [laughing], they had no idea what the hell was going on. So the tram just goes through and there we were. The whole thing goes dark again and we just about wet our pants laughing.

July 5 - August 31, 2015 140 Fine Artists, Live Music, Workshops, Events + More!

LagunaFestivalofArts.org Visit website for hours and events 949.494.1145

lA50: Do you think anyone recognized you guys?

SB: I have no idea what anyone thought [laughing]. What I do know was when we got back to the stage, we started rehearsing and about 20 minutes later, the phone rings and a PA [Production Assistant] came up to the set and said there was a call for me. That was strange, that he would interrupt a rehearsal. I said I couldn’t take it right now and told him so take a message. And the PA gives me this look and says: ‘It’s Sid Sheinberg [the president of Universal], and I went: “Oh shit!” So I picked up the phone and said: [in a meek voice] “Hello.” And all I hear is screaming: “You blankin’ blanks! If you ever do anything like that again, I’ll blankin’ blank this and that.” He must have gone on for five minutes just destroying me [laughing]. Of course, it was a huge liability issue on so many levels. But, hey, it was fun. So, yes, I loved working on the Universal lot.

A R T I S T: WILLIAM R. BRION

Pageant of the Masters July 8 - August 31, 2015 A Unique Theatrical Performance

lA50: Holy cow! Tell us more:

Shows Nightly 8:30PM

SB: I think that was the topper. But I knew Robert Blake and I had always heard these wild stories about him and the tours – how he once drove a tram into the “Jaws” lake and about running a golf cart through the commissary window, and so many other wild things. These stories were legendary around the lot. So one time, I asked him about them and he looked at me and said: “They’re all true.”

But for us, the King Kong experience was our wildest. Beyond that, we used to love to go up to the Psycho house on Friday nights with some friends and some girls. Willie – oh my God, [laughing] he was a dastardly human being back then – he still is. We were on that lot for a long time, so we felt like we owned the place. We knew every nook and cranny. And remember, we were in our mid 20s, so we weren’t kids, but we were still kind of idiot guys, so we did all kinds of crazy things. I loved seeing the folks on the tours. I would jump on the tram and go around a little bit with them and would then realize I had gone so far I would have to call for a PA to come and get me in a golf cart to bring me back to the stage. We had six great years working on that lot – really good times!

Advance Tickets: $15 - $230

PageantTickets.com 800.487.3378

lA50: When you think back to working on “Happy Days” and “Joanie loves Chachi” and “Charles in Charge,” is there anything particular that stands out as a fond memory?

SB: Working on “Happy Days” was the start – the jumping off point for me. It’s where I learned everything, and the people on that show were great. I have such amazing memories of doing that show. I grew up on that show. When we started out, I was a boy. I did “Happy Days” from the time I was 15 till I was about 22 or 23. And even though I was in my mid-teens when I started, I looked like an 11-year-old boy. So much of my real life took place while I was doing “Happy Days.” Then, as far as “Joanie Loves Chachi” – I shouldn’t have done it. That was a mistake. We did that between the 10th and 11th years of “Happy Days” and then I went back to doing “Happy Days.” After that came “Charles in Charge” and, you know, it’s good to be the king, right? [laughs].

“ VOT E D O N E O F T H E TO P F I V E A R T F E S T I VA LS I N T H E N AT I O N BY U S A T O D AY R E A D E R S .”

6 5 0 L A G U N A C A N YO N R O A D , L A G U N A B E A C H , C A 9 2 6 5 1

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 13

lA50: “Happy Days” was such a legendary show. A hundred years from now, who knows what people will be watching things on, but i’m betting they will still be watching reruns of “Happy Days.”

SB: I totally agree. I have people come up to me and mention “Happy Days” all the time – kids who weren’t even born when we were doing it. That just tickles me. It was a huge show and that had a lot to do with that era – the domination of the three networks – when people eight to 80 – 30 to 40 million people watched every week. I don’t know if we’ll ever see any one show that will be able to get that kind of audience again. It was a beautiful story. It was well-written. The characters were great. And that’s the key to success in any television show. And it all goes back to Garry Marshall – his vision for the show, and how he brought all the elements together to make it work. It was a wonderful experience.

Republican candidates. I worked for Mitt Romney and have already come out in support of Scott Walker for president in 2016. I’ve attended events for Marco Rubio and just had the chance to talk to Governor Kasich of Ohio. I don’t know who the Republican nominee will be, but whoever it is, I’ll support them. I know [Jeb] Bush has a lot of money, but I think he has too much to overcome with the name. So I like Governor Walker. I like what he had done in Wisconsin. I like people who fix things. My father was a fix-it type of guy, and when I look around I see a lot of things that are broken and need fixing. lA50: Tell us what a typical day is like for you.

SB: I take Bailey to school, have breakfast with my wife, go play golf, smoke a cigar with some friends, help Bailey with her homework and we have dinner [laughs]. That’s about it.

lA50: How did you get that role?

lA50: Who cooks dinner?

SB: After I did “Bugsy Malone,” they screened it for the executives at Paramount and Garry was one of the executives. When he saw me, he wanted me to be in a spinoff of “Happy Days” he had created called “Pinky.” So I did the pilot for that show, but it didn’t go. Then, at the same time, Garry was doing a show called “Blansky’s Beauties” with Nancy Walker. He put me in that for a year and then I went on to do “Happy Days.”

SB: We both do. Renee is from the South, so she makes all of her Southern specialties, and I’m an Italian guy from back east, so I do the pasta and meatballs.

lA50: How did the character of Chachi come about? Was he totally Garry’s creation?

SB: There was no character. It was just me doing dialogue. I think every actor plays a version of themselves in whatever character they are doing. I didn’t give it much thought. Chachi was just me. lA50: When did it hit you just how big you were – the magnitude of how you resonated with audiences and fans?

SB: I didn’t know what the hell I was doing and what was happening when I started. I was just sort of winging it. But, I guess there were two things that I remember hitting me. After filming “Happy Days” on Friday nights, the cast would go out into the audience and sign autographs. I remember once, Henry [Winkler] was out there and the people were going crazy. While he was doing that, I walked through the set and I heard this roar and it scared me. I looked out at the audience and they were looking at me. I didn’t know what was happening and I caught eye contact with Henry and I felt bad because I felt like I was stealing his thunder. I always had great respect for him. So I was looking at Henry and he motioned for me to come out into the audience. When I did, everybody was asking me for an autograph and taking pictures and it was crazy. I did that for about 10 minutes and then Henry came up behind me and put his arm around my shoulder and said: “Things are going to be very different for you from now on.” I didn’t really know what the hell he was taking about. But then, soon after that, I was invited to some car show in the Midwest to sign autographs. It was at this huge convention center and there was a catwalk around the perimeter of the hall. I remember walking there with my dad and looking down and seeing the place just packed with human beings. And I said, “Wow! This must really be a popular car show.” And the guy who was with us said: “They don’t care about the cars. They’re all here to see you.” I was 16. And I remember looking at my father and he put his arm around me and said: “It’s all right.” It was at that moment I got it – what Henry meant. lA50: You have been very open about your political leanings, which are not exactly in line with most people who work in show business. Are there any challenges for a conservative when it comes to navigating their way through the entertainment industry?

SB: I’ve always gotten work. I will never be cast in certain roles or win an Oscar. That has nothing to do with my politics, but rather, because I have this reputation as being bubble gum in a lot of people’s minds. I’ve always talked freely about my political beliefs and have never tried to hide anything. I find there are a lot of people in the business – people just in general – who believe the same fundamental things I do, but they don’t like the word “Republican” or to be associated with the Republican Party. I totally get that. It’s why I don’t consider myself a Republican. I’m a conservative, although I have worked for

14 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

lA50: What kind of a golfer are you?

SB: I can be really good and I can be really bad. lA50: You’re in great shape.

SB: I’m in okay shape.

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”

— J. Fitzgerald, VA

Easy-to-use remotes for massage/heat and recline/lift

Complete with battery backup in case of power outage

Our Perfect Sleep Chair® is just the chair to do it all. It’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs – but this chair is so much more! It’s designed to provide total comfort and no found in other chairs. It relaxation not can’t be beat for comfortable, longterm sitting, TV viewing, relaxed reclining and – yes! – peaceful sleep.

Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of positions, including the Trendelenburg position and the zero gravity position where your body experiences a minimum of internal and external stresses. You’ll love the other benefits, too: It helps with correct spinal alignment, promotes back pressure relief, and This lift chair encourages better posture to prevent puts you safely back and muscle pain. on your feet!

And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. The high and low heat settings along with the dozens of massage settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you might get at a spa – just imagine getting all that in a lift chair! Shipping charge includes white glove delivery. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away!

Includes one year service warranty and your choice of fabrics and colors. If you’re not 100% satisfied simply return the chair within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. – Call now!

The Perfect Sleep Chair®

Call now toll free for our lowest price.

Please mention code 60351 when ordering.

1-877-748-6761 Long Lasting DuraLux Leather DuraLux II Microfiber

Burgundy

Chocolate

Tan

Cashmere

Fern

© 2015 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

46383

We’ve e’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly, operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper right off to dreamland.

Sit up, lie down — and anywhere in between!

Burgundy

Chocolate

Indigo

LA50: As we sit here in your home office, one can’t help but notice the photo of your father that is prominently displayed. Tell us a little about your parents.

SB: My dad is gone now. He died in 2007. And my mother has advanced Alzheimer’s. My dad loved my success. I mean he absolutely loved it. He got such a kick out of it. When he was a boy, his mother would tell him that Hollywood would be coming to steal him away from her.

So he got a kick out of the fact that it actually did happen to me. My father was the type of guy everyone who grew up in Brooklyn knew. An Old World Italian guy. Tough as nails. Tough physically. No B.S. – ever! I think about him a lot now that I have a daughter. I just saw her in a school play and I thought she was great. It made me think back as to how he must have felt when he would watch me. He was a special guy, and it wasn’t really until I had a daughter of my own that I understood just how special he was. He wasn’t the type of guy who always told me he loved me or that he was proud of me. But I know he was – so much – so much. That is where I am different from him. I’m always telling Bailey how much I love her and how proud I am of her. lA50: You and renee went through a parent’s worst nightmare when Bailey was incorrectly diagnosed with having a metabolic disorder. How is she doing now?

SB: She is wonderful. A genuinely happy and healthy little girl. We went through hell when we didn’t know what was happening with her. But, thank God, she is fine, and because of what we went through, we now have the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation that offers hope to parents who are not as fortunate as we were. lA50: in light of the health challenges renee is facing, i’m sure you have started to think about things differently. As we get older, we are all forced into dealing with various challenges – including health problems. Have you adopted any sort of a philosophy about getting older?

lA50: What do you do?

SB: Very little. I’m very lucky to have the metabolism of my mother. I actually have to force myself to eat to maintain weight. I’m one of those guys who can eat anything. lA50: You know that even some of your biggest fans will now hate you for revealing that.

SB: Yes [laughing]. I do know that. I’m sorry, it’s just who I am. But, I’m also active as hell. I have a very hard time sitting still. I’m always on the run. I play a lot of golf, I go to the gym two or three times a week. I use the weights, just to keep my body moving.

16 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

SB: If I have any philosophy, it would be that you have to keep moving. We hear that old expression about age being a state of mind. Well, that’s fine, but we know, in reality, age is really a state of body. So my whole thing is to keep moving. You can’t be young-minded if your body isn’t working. My mother always used to joke that her philosophy for men to stay young was to stay thin and don’t lose your hair [laughs]. But for me, I just believe in moving around, playing golf, getting out in the yard – just getting out of your chair. You have to keep moving and also keep your mind moving. You want to know my real philosophy on getting older? Never walk up a flight of stairs. Always run up a flight of stairs. Every time I come to stairs, I run up as fast as I can. For me, I know I’m okay as long as I can keep running. And I will always do that for as long as I can, no matter what age I am. So that’s it for me. Simple: As long as you are able, always run up stairs.

For more information about the Bailey Baio angel Foundation and their upcoming charity golf tournament, that will be held at the Woodland Hills country club in september to coincide with scott’s 55th birthday, call (310) 401-7363 or click on www.baileybaioangelfoundation.com.

Southern California’s Premier Lifestyle, Health and Active Aging Expo Series! Free Admission & Parking!

Ventura County

Los Angeles West

San Fernando Valley

Orange County

Sat, July 18th 2015 10am-3pm Ventura County Fairgrounds 10 W. Harbor Boulevard Ventura, CA 93001

Sat, September 19th 2015 10am-3pm Veterans Memorial Complex 4117 Overland Avenue Culver City, CA 90230

Sat, October 10th 2015 10am-3pm Airtel Plaza 7277 Valjean Ave Van Nuys, CA 91406

Sat, November 7th 2015 10am-3pm Angel Stadium 2000 Gene Autry Way Anaheim, CA 92806

Pre-Register Online & Get Your FREE Quick Pass Ticket. You Can Also Register At The Door. Open To The General Public.

Website: www.GoldenFutureSeniorExpo.com Information Line: 818-763-4197 July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 17

Great Things To Do

This Summer

In Southern California

By Marc Blaine

Have A Beastly Ball: Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara

The zoo is just two miles from the Downtown area, located on the grounds of a former private estate.

The Santa Barbara Zoo features a variety of animals including lions, giraffes, penguins, elephants, gorillas, snow leopards and California condors.

500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara, (805) 962-5339, www.sbzoo.org.

Catch An Old-School Bargain: Woolworth Museum, Oxnard

The Woolworth Building in Downtown Oxnard was built in the 1950s and is filled will items that the F.W. Woolworth Company used to sell. One of the original “five and dime” stores in the U.S., the Woolworth museum is full of nostalgia, including old vending machines and lunch counters. Some of the artifacts and pictures are from the historic civil rights lunch counter sit-in that took place in 1960 at the Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina.

210 West Fourth St., Oxnard.

(818) 980-6966, www.thewoolworthbldg.com/Museum.html.

Be Fair To Yourself: Ventura County Fair

S

ometimes it takes someone from out of state or out of the country to visit us in Southern California for us to stop and realize all the great things there are to see and do right in our own backyard. People travel thousands of miles and spend big money to visit our area, while we have the privilege of living here year round. Sure, we all need a change of scenery, but sometimes it can be achieved within a short drive from home when one considers all the staycation options Southern California has to offer.

Having presented interesting and often overlooked daytrip ideas over the past few years, we here at Life After 50 are happy to once again present 50 unique and fun things to do this summer without having to venture far from home.

So, make this the summer you enjoy and explore Southern California’s natural beauty and unique special offerings – the things in our own backyard that make our corner of the world an international tourist destination.

18 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

The West Coast’s only fair that can boast that it’s located directly on the beach. Held every August at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, fairgoers can take in cool ocean breezes while enjoying carnival rides, midway games, exhibits, a variety of live entertainment and an unending selection of fair food.

August 5-6, 2015.

10 West Harbor Blvd, Ventura, (805) 648-3376, www.venturacountyfair.org.

Do An Island Exploration: Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, Ventura

The visitor center is a resource center for the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. Visitors can see a tide pool, museum, hear lectures and talk to park rangers and volunteers about features of the five northern

Channel Islands which sit just off the coast of Ventura. Information is available to schedule boat tours and plane flights to the islands as well as how to reserve camping sites.

1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, (805) 658-5730, www.nps.gov.

Enjoy A Floral View: Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Located on 65 acres in the foothills above the city, the garden features many of the state’s native flora. The oldest botanic garden in California opened in 1926 as an educational and scientific institution. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful walk that takes them over a historic dam to a ridge top that offers a sweeping view of the Channel Islands.

1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, (805) 682-4726, www.SantaBarbaraBotanicGarden.org.

Set Up A Photo-Op: Old Mission Santa Barbara

One of the city’s most photographed landmarks, Old Mission Santa Barbara is set between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Known as the “Queen of the Missions,” it was the 10th of California’s 21 missions and is the only mission to be continually occupied by the Franciscans. A $2 admission fee gives you access to the picturesque grounds and cemetery as well as to a museum that features Chumash artifacts and art.

2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, (805) 6824713, www.santa-barbaramission.org

Marvel At A One-Stop Museum: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Located near the Old Mission, this museum is unique in that it combines history, science, nature and art. Visitors can see the Sea Center that examines marine life or see exhibits that feature birds, insects and mammals. If the cosmos is your thing, you’ll enjoy the Space Lab and Gladwin Planetarium. A stroll near Mission Photo by Tim Hauf TimHaufPhotography.com

50

Ventura/ Santa BarBara

Creek at the Museum is a nice way to get away from it all.

2559 Puesta Del Sol Road, Santa Barbara, (805) 682-4711, www.sbnature.org.

Follow Your Nose And Palate: Santa Barbara

A group of wine makers got together and came up with the idea of the Urban Wine Trail. It’s designed to allow visitors to stay in the city to sample wine produced in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley. The tasting rooms are within blocks of each other in Downtown Santa Barbara and the nearby beach area. To take the self-guided tour, go to www. santabarbaraca.com to find a map.

You can walk, rent a pedicab or a cruiser bike to cover the trail that features wines from 19 different area wineries.

birthday. Catalina Express boats depart from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. The 22-mile boat trip to Avalon takes about an hour.

Must register and book reservation online or call (800) 995-4386. ID required when departing. Birthday promotion runs through December 31, 2015. www.catalinaexpress.com.

View LA LA Land: Los Angeles City Hall

A great way to get above all the hustle and bustle of Downtown Los Angeles is to head to the 27th floor observation deck at City Hall. It’s open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but visitors are required to check in at the security desk at the Main

Do A Hollywood Hike: Griffith Park, Los Angeles

For shuttle schedule and price of tickets go to www.hollywoodsign.org. Trailhead address: 3400 N. Beachwood Drive, Griffith Park, Los Angeles.

Cruise To Catalina

If you are looking to get away and it happens to be your birthday, Catalina Express is offering a free round trip to the island to anyone traveling to the island on their

Historic Greystone Mansion and Park, Beverly Hills. You can feel the history and get a panoramic view of the city from this breathtaking site.

The mansion was built for Edward Doheny, Jr., the son of oil tycoon Edward Doheny. Construction of the mansion was completed in 1930.

The City of Beverly Hills bought the property in the mid 1960s and subsequently made it a public park. In 1976, the 18-acre estate was entered into the Registry of Historic Places. The park is open to the public daily except for holidays, filming or special events. The mansion is open only for special events.

905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills.

(310) 285-6830, www.beverlyhills.org/ attractions/greystone.

Browse Vinyl Amoeba Music, Hollywood

LoS angeLeS area Originally built in 1923 to advertise the Hollywoodland real estate development, the Hollywood Sign has become an iconic part of the Los Angeles landscape. There are several ways to hike to the sign atop Mount Lee in Griffith Park: Brush Canyon Trail, Hollyridge Trail and Wonder View Trail. If hiking isn’t your thing, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks offers a weekend shuttle through the park to views of the Hollywood sign.

Experience 50 Shades of Greystone

Street public entrance. You can walk around the perimeter of the observation deck for unobstructed views of the downtown area. Trivia Time: L.A.’s City Hall was used as the Daily Planet Building in the classic “Superman” TV series of the 1950s. Signs on the deck let you know the locations of downtown landmarks including Union Station and Disney Concert Hall.

201 Main Street, Los Angeles.

Do A Downtown Art Walk

Held on the second Thursday of every month, this self-guided experience normally runs from 12 noon to 10 p.m. All kinds of art-related activities take place in the vicinity of the areas of the galleries. The galleries are primarily located on Spring and Main Streets between Second and Ninth Streets, but there’s plenty of other art-related activities going on in the surrounding area and nearby vicinity. It’s a great way to see how this portion of the downtown area has been reshaped into a vibrant community.

411 South Main Street, Suite M102, www.downtownartwalk.org.

If you miss the days of the record stores when you could allow the day to get away from you as you browsed through LPs, then Amoeba Music is just what the doctor ordered. This music store takes up an entire city block of Hollywood and its two floors house millions of titles on new and used vinyl, CD and DVD. The store also offers free shows on a regular basis. How big are the names? Paul McCartney played a secret show here in June of 2007. Check the website for upcoming shows and autographsigning parties.

6400 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 245-6400, www.amoeba.com.

Go Evergreen: Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles

This is L.A.’s oldest cemetery and the final resting place for a lot of people who made their mark in the early days of Los Angeles. You’ll see such names as Lankershimm, Van Nuys and Bixby on gravestones here. The cemetery dates back to the mid19th century and includes a jogging path, if you’re looking to break a sweat in a peaceful setting.

installation. Artist Simon Rodia began the project in 1921 and for 34 years, used only simple tools to build the towers. He used a variety of broken glass, seashells and ceramics to make the towers stand out. The tallest tower stands nearly 100 feet high. Check website for guided tour information.

1727 E. 107th Street, (213) 847-4646, www.wattstowers.us/

Blast Back To The Past: Electric Dusk Drive-In Theatre, Los Angeles Los Angeles’ only drive-in theatre is open year round and presents films geared for the entire family. If you remember family outings to the local drive-in from yesteryear, this is a great way to relive your youth as well as expose your children to a movie era gone by. Pet friendly, Astro-turf seating is also available near the screen. Parking for these seats is available across the street from the main gate. Enter the gate on 11th Street between San Julian and San Pedro. Purchasing tickets in advance is advised.

1000 San Julian Street, (818) 653-8591, www.electricduskdrivein.com.

Explore Zoo History: Old L.A. Zoo, Griffith Park, Los Angeles Walk through and explore what’s left of the zoo that opened in Griffith Park in 1912 when the city’s zoo was moved to the park from Lincoln Heights. The original zoo in Griffith Park initially featured only 15 animals. You can get inside old animal cages and enclosures for great picture taking and weave through rock grottos. Everything you’ll see was left behind when the zoo was abandoned in 1966 with the opening of the current zoo in Griffith Park.

4730 Crystal Springs Drive.

204 N. Evergreen Avenue, (323) 268-6714, www.evergreen-losangeles.com.

Take In An Iconic Landmark: Watts Towers, Los Angeles Seventeen sculptures of steel girders, wire mesh and concrete make up this famous artistic

Rock On To The Rocks: Vasquez Rocks, Agua Dulce

A sight to behold, located 40 minutes north of Los Angeles in the small July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 19

town of Agua Dulce. Huge precipices jut into the air at 45-degree angles.

A popular filming location. Shows or films shot here include “Star Trek,” “Power Rangers” and “Planet of the Apes.” The rocks are named after bandit Tiburcio Vasquez, known as “The Scourge of California” in the mid 1800s. He used the rocks as a hideout from the law.

10700 W. Escondido Canyon Road, Agua Dulce.

Marvel At Murals: Mural Mile, Pacoima

Some of the most impressive murals in the Los Angeles area are located on a mile stretch of Van Nuys Blvd. in Pacoima. It all started in 2012 when artist Levi Ponce began asking local business owners if he could turn their buildings into his canvas. Other artists took Ponce’s lead resulting in a multitude of colorful wallscapes featuring various subjects, including historical figures and celebrities.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley offers bi-monthly walking tours.

(818) 347-9665, www.muralmile.org.

orange County Fly Like Bond: Jetpack America, Newport Beach

You may have seen James Bond strap on a jetpack to take on an evil villain in one of the many Bond films.

Now you can play the role of 007 yourself. Learn how easy it is to get airborne with the first recreational jetpack, the Jetlev R200. Certified Flight Instructors will show you how to safely use the jetpack that culminates with a 20- to 30-minute flight over the water. Instructors communicate with students throughout the flight via walkie-talkie helmets and a remote-control throttle setup assists firsttime pilots.

Several different packages are available.

2600 Newport Blvd, Suite 122, Newport Beach, (888) 553-6471, www.jetpackamerica.com.

20 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

Beat The Heat: Knott’s Soak City Water Park, Buena Park

Think of it as a Slip ‘N Slide on a grand scale, and it’s not just for kids.

A great way for the entire family to cool off during the summer months.

The 13-acre water park features 17 tube slides and a wave pool. One of the featured attractions is the multi-person raft ride, the Pacific Spin. A 132-foot-long tunnel drops the fearless into a 75-foot funnel leading to a splashdown that will take your breath away. Adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm, park opens on May 16.

Instructors provide you with rope, gear and everything you’ll need for a successful ascent of the indoor climbing facility. It includes 12,000 square feet of sculpted climbing terrain that provides varying degrees of difficulty. The climbing can provide a low-impact way to improve body strength and endurance, not to mention a lot of fun.

1300 Logan Avenue, Costa Mesa, (714) 556-7625, www.rockcreation.com.

8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, (714) 220-5200, www.soakcityoc.com.

Shop Til You Drop: Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine

A shopper’s dream destination that features over 130 stores, including Nordstrom, Macy’s and Target to go along with an array of specialty shops. There is also no shortage of restaurant options for lunch or dinner. Over 35 different kinds of cuisine are offered here. The Irvine Spectrum Center is home to one of the nation’s largest theater complexes including an IMAX Theatre and an Improv Comedy Club. One of the center’s signature attractions is a 108-foot carousel that was made in Italy.

71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, (949) 789-9180, www.shopirvinespectrumcenter.com.

Trace The History Of Hanging Ten: International Surfing Museum, Huntington Beach

Since Huntington Beach is known as Surf City around the world, it’s fitting the city is home to a museum that traces the history of the sport.

Among the things you’ll learn as you stroll through the museum is how in 1914, George Freeth was credited as the first to surf in the U.S. when he showed what he could do on his board during the dedication of the Huntington Beach Pier. You’ll also see how the equipment has evolved over the years. The museum was founded to honor the pioneers, champions and innovators of surfing.

411 Olive Avenue, Huntington Beach, (714) 960-3483, www.surfingmuseum.org.

Rock On: Rockreation, Costa Mesa

It’s rock climbing with little risk and it’s out of the summer heat.

Fly Into The Danger Zone: Air Combat USA, Fullerton

If you enjoyed the 1986 movie “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise, then Air Combat USA is a way for you to experience what it’s like to be in the middle of a dog fight. This is not a simulator experience. You’ll take to the air in one of three different prop planes, including the Marchetti SF260, a combat-ready fighter/ trainer. No pilot’s license is required, since you’ll be flying with a licensed fighter pilot. Flights originate at Fullerton Municipal Airport. This experience doesn’t come cheap.

Check the company’s website for the different packages available. Aircraft are equipped with high-end digital cameras to record the experience to show to your friends and family what it was like to play the role of Maverick for a day.

3815 W. Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton, (800) 522-7590, www.aircombat.com.

Have A Titanic Experience: Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Buena Park

A chance to see over 250 artifacts recovered from the RMS Titanic that sank in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912. The exhibition is located alongside Bodies: The Exhibition at the Premier Exhibition Center.

(Formerly the Movieland Max Museum.) The exhibition retraces the history of the passenger liner that was billed as unsinkable, only to hit an iceberg and sink on its maiden voyage. If you’d like to experience

what it might have been like to be aboard the ship, a gala dinner event is available where you’ll run into actors playing some of the more notable passengers and crew aboard the ill-fated ship, followed by a guided tour of the exhibition.

7711 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, (657) 5297224, www.premierexhibitions.com.

Get An Anatomy Lesson: Bodies: The Exhibition, Buena Park

A look at the machine we call the body that is usually reserved for medical students and doctors. The exhibition features over 200 real full-body specimens and organs.

While this concept could make some people uncomfortable, curators of the exhibition point out all specimens are respectively displayed allowing visitors an unprecedented and unique look at how our bodies work and function.

A special preservation process is used so the specimens don’t decay. As mentioned above, this exhibition is located next to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. A comboticket rate is available to see both exhibitions.

7711 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, (657) 5297224, www.premierexhibitions.com.

Have A Presidential Experience: Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace, Yorba Linda

The library explores Nixon’s rise in politics and downfall. In the wake of Watergate, he became the only president to resign the office. Pictures, films, clothes and even a bullet-proof limousine and helicopter are among the exhibits.

The grounds also include the home Richard Nixon grew up in and is the burial site of the 37th president and his wife Pat. The library is privately supported and opened in July of

1990 with more than 50,000 people on hand including Presidents Nixon, Bush, Reagan and Ford and their First Ladies.

18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 993-5075, www.nixonfoundation.org.

Do Disney Without The Cost: Downtown Disney District, Anaheim

No E-ticket is required to visit Downtown Disney. While tickets to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park can set you and your family back hundreds of dollars, you can stroll through this area for no charge. A variety of restaurants, shops and street entertainment give this spot at the Happiest Place on Earth its vibe. Parking is free for up to three hours, five hours with validation.

Mickey and Minnie have been known to make cameo appearances.

1580 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, (714) 781-4565, http://disneyland. disney.go.com

San Diego area Get Acquainted With An Aquarium: Birch Aquarium at Scripps, UC San Diego, La Jolla

This aquarium isn’t as big as a number of others in California and isn’t on the scale of the sea-themed park down the street (Sea World), but keep in mind this aquarium was put together by the worldrenowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The aquarium features more than 3,000 fish in over 60 habitats. Also, the museum explores the results of research conducted by Scripps scientists and features 60 interactive exhibits. It’s located in a beautiful spot, perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, (858) 5343474, www.aquarium.ucsd.edu.

Get Wild: San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido The San Diego Zoo’s sister park offers visitors an alternative to the typical zoo with the opportunity to see an array of large animals in a more natural environment.

When we say big animals, we’re talking the likes of gorillas, lions, tigers, elephants, zebras, cheetahs

and rhinos. They live in large open spaces on the 1,800-acre wildlife sanctuary, located 35 miles north of San Diego in Escondido. Predators are kept away from prey, but otherwise the animals live here much as they would in the wild. For an extra charge, you can jump into a safari truck with a guide to go on an African-style safari tour.

15500 Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, (619) 231-1515, www.sdzsafaripark.org.

weeks of concerts from early July through Labor Day. This year, the symphony will be backing such performers as LeAnn Rimes, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Burt Bacharach to name a few. The open-air concerts take place at Embarcadero Marina Park South, behind the San Diego Convention Center.

(619) 235-0804, www.sandiegosymphony.org.

Rail The Day Away: San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego

If a Lionel train set was a musthave as a kid, you’ll want to head to Balboa Park where the only accredited railroad-themed museum in the United States is located. The. museum is one of the largest indoor model railroad displays in the world. It features four scale and model layouts that recreate the railways of the southwest. The museum features a Toy Train Gallery that includes an interactive Lionel layout. The model railroads are the result of train enthusiasts who volunteer their time to build and maintain the layouts.

1649 El Prado, (619) 696-0199, www.sdmrm.org.

Search For Spirits: Whaley House Museum, San Diego

Travel Channel’s “America’s Most Haunted” ranks this house as the top haunted house in the United States. A two-story brick building, located in Old Town San Diego, it was the first of its kind in San Diego. The home was built in 1857 on a former gallows. It was also where Violet Whaley, a daughter of Thomas and Anna Whaley, committed suicide. Besides being the home of the Whaley family, the structure housed the County Courthouse and the area’s first commercial theater. If you believe in ghosts, you can go on a guided ghost-hunting tour of the home and attempt to see paranormal activity firsthand.

2476 San Diego Ave., (619) 297-7511, www.whleyhouse.org.

Catch A Concert: The Ashford University Summer Pops, San Diego

The San Diego Symphony’s Summer Concert Series presents 10

See Where Champions Train: U.S. Olympic Training Center, Chula Vista

A must-see if you’ve ever dreamed about competing in the Olympic games. This 155-acre facility is one of only three official Olympic Training Centers in the country where potential Olympians are invited to train. Located next to the Lower Otay Reservoir, the center is set up to accommodate the training for athletes competing in a variety of sports, including beach volleyball, archery, rowing, cycling, BMX, tennis and track and field.

Since opening in 1995, it has been the proving ground for thousands of Olympic hopefuls. Guided tours are available or you can take a selfguided tour.

2800 Olympic Parkway, (619) 482-6220, www.teamusa.org.

Explore A Seaport Village: Seaport Village, San Diego

Segway Through San Diego: San Diego Segway Tour, San Diego

Is this how mall cop Paul Blart got his start? Learn how to ride a Segway Personal Transporter and then take a guided tour of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and Bayfront. While riding what is billed as the “Bike of the Future,” your tour guide will make sure you have a safe trip as you glide through downtown learning about the history of the area. A unique and fun way to see the city.

308 G Street, (619) 239-2111, www.anothersideofsandiegotours.com.

Hike Paradise: Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego

If you’re looking for a hike with the family, the trails offered in the Reserve are just what the doctored ordered. They’re just challenging enough, but also easily negotiable.

Located along the coast between La Jolla and Del Mar the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from the trails can be appreciated by all ages.

12600 North Torrey Pines Road, (858) 7552063, www.torreypine.org.

More than 50 shops and more than a dozen eateries and restaurants mark this scenic walk in the downtown area along the San Diego Bay. The boardwalk that runs along the bay will lead you to the USS Midway Museum. The area’s centerpiece is a vintage carousel that dates back to 1895. It costs just $2 per ride. A great way to spend an inexpensive day while taking in the beauty of “America’s Finest City.”

There is also plenty of green space next to the walkway, if you’d like to pack a lunch and picnic.

849 W. Harbor Drive, (619) 235-4014, www.seaportvillage.com.

Get Behind The Music: The Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad

Operated by the National Association of Music Merchants or NAMM to reflect on the history of music as well as to promote music in the future. Here you’ll not only get a look at over 450 vintage instruments and learn about how they were manufactured, but you’ll also have an interactive experience with the opportunity to pick up instruments and play yourself. Besides the ample amount of instrument exhibits, the museum offers hundreds of audio samples of popular music. On a regular basis, the museum offers live performances and lectures.

5790 Armada Drive, (760) 438-5996, www.museumofmakingmusic.org.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 21

inLanD empire Have A Bottle of White Or A Bottle of Red: Temecula Valley Wine Country, Temecula

You don’t have to be a wine snob to enjoy this great get-away centrally located in Riverside County. A few minutes from Interstate 15 in Temecula and you’re in a rural area that is home to 30 familyowned wineries; all members of the Temecula Valley Wine Growers Association. These wineries produce 50 different varietals of wine, and all have tasting rooms where, for a charge, you can sample the products.

Lodging is available on some of properties and some of the wineries also feature restaurants and picnic areas. For more information, contact the Temecula Wine Growers Association.

29377 Rancho California Road, (951) 699-3626, www.temeculawines.org.

Gaze At Guitar Paradise : Fender Guitars Factory Tour, Corona

You’d be hard pressed to find a music artist or band that doesn’t have a Fender guitar in their stable of instruments. This is where the legendary guitars are produced and you can get a firsthand look at how craftsman transform raw materials into beautiful instruments. This guided tour gives you a start-tofinish look at the process. The tour begins at the Fender Visitor Center, a music museum in itself that you’ll want to check out before or after the tour that makes about 60 minutes.

301 Cessna Circle, (951) 898-4040, www.fender.com

Get Above The Heat: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs During the summer months, the heat can be downright unbearable

22 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

in Palm Springs. Not a problem. Take one of the world’s largest rotating tramcars to the cool weather of Mount San Jacinto State Park. The 10-minute two-and-half mile ride up Chino Canyon will take you to the Mountain Station and an elevation of 8,516 feet. At this point, 54 miles of hiking trails and 14,000 acres of wilderness are calling. Camping sites are available as well as guided nature walks. It’s a great spot to beat the heat. Food and beverages are available at the Mountain Station.

1 Tram Way, (760) 325-1449, www.pstramway.com.

Early Road Warriors: Motte Historical Museum, Menifee

It may have the exterior of a barn and may be a former produce market, but inside the “barn,” you can see some rare automobiles. Members of the one of the oldest pioneering families in Perris Valley, the Motte brothers began restoring cars in the early ‘50s. On display in the 9,000 sqft barn are some twenty rare automobiles dating back to 1910 up until the late ‘60s. If that’s not enough nostalgia for you, the museum is also home to a replica of a 1950s malt shot and an Art Deco cinema.

28380 Highway 74 East, (951) 928-3210, www.mottemuseum.com.

Do SomeFast Sledding: The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, Big Bear Lake

There doesn’t have to be snow in the mountains to enjoy the beauty and attractions at Big Bear Lake. The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is open year round. If you’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to bobsled, this is something you have to experience. You start with a scenic chairlift ride to the top, before getting into a sled. From there, you have the option of navigating the sled down one of two quartermile cement tracks. The sleds take you through the banks and straightaways on Teflon runners and ball-bearing wheels. If water is your thing, during the summer months, the same recreation area offers a double water slide that takes riders through twists and turns in cool refreshing water before the big finish when you are dumped off into a heated pool.

800 Wildrose Lane, (909) 866-4626, www.alpineslidebigbear.com

Find Farm-Fresh Food: Tom’s Farms, Corona

A great spot if you’re in the market for fresh produce and at the same time are looking for a fun outing.

This attraction began as simple produce stand in 1974 before expanding with a wine and cheese store, a furniture store, restaurants and a duck pond. A hit with the grandkids is a vintage carousel, a miniature train ride, a tractordriving course and the chance to discover fossils and gems at Tom’s Mining Company. Tom’s Farms is located in Temescal Canyon near Lake Elsinore.

23900 Temescal Road, (951) 277-4422, shop.tomsfarms.com.

See SoCal Racing History: The Riverside International Automotive Museum, Riverside

Most of the exhibits here deal with the history of the now defunct Southern California racetracks, Riverside International Raceway and the Ontario Motor Speedway. Memorabilia from local racing champion Dan Gurney’s career is also a prominent part of this museum whose primary goal is to preserve California’s rich auto racing history. Opened in 2007 by father-son racing enthusiasts Ray and Doug Magnon, they’re proud to show off an impressive collection of Maserati road cars. Every model Maserati made available in the U.S. since 1951 is on display here.

815 Marlborough Ave., Suite 200, (224) 627-0104, www.riversideinternational.org.

Climb Mount Rubidoux: Mt. Rubidoux, Riverside

If you’re looking to peak while visiting the city of Riverside, you might want to hike to the top of Mt. Rubidoux, a granite hill that overlooks the city. The trail is a three-mile loop that is entirely paved. It’s suitable for all levels of hikers. You’ll experience a 500 ft. elevation gain during the hike, taking you to the 1,300 ft. elevation mark at its peak. During the climb, you’ll encounter several landmarks including Peace Bridge. At the peak of this designated Cultural Heritage Landmark, you will reach a cross where you have an expansive view of the city of Riverside.

Located northwest of the city, from Tequesquite Avenue, turn right on

San Andreas/Glenwood to reach the parking entrance.

(951) 683-3436, www.mt-rubidoux.org.

Peruse Pottery: American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona

One of the few museums in the nation devoted exclusively to ceramic art and the evolution of ceramic techniques. The museum is located about 40 minutes from downtown Los Angeles in the most eastern city in Los Angeles County.

The location of the museum is no coincidence. In the 1960s, Pomona became known as a center for clay artists. Besides exhibits, the museum has a ceramics studio where artists can work and where classes are available for all ages.

399 North Garey Avenue, (909) 865-3146, www.amoca.org.

Plant Yourself in Claremont: Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont

If you like to think you have a green thumb, this 86-acre garden is a mustsee. It’s devoted to the collection, cultivation, study and display of indigenous California plants. Quite a feat when you consider California has the richest flora of any state in the continental United States. While many of the 6,000 different kinds of plants here go dormant during the summer months, there is still plenty of color to enjoy. Guided walking tours are available. Also, a concert series in June and July provides the opportunity to enjoy an evening walk and great music in the Garden.

1500 N. College Avenue, (909) 625-8767, www.rsabg.org.

See our digital issue at

.com

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 23

CelebraTing 50 YearS of Touring Universal Studios Meet John Murdy – The man behind the behind-the-scenes tour Story by David Laurell * Photos courtesy Universal Studios Hollywood

A

n exploration of Israel and Egypt allows us to step back in time, thousands of years, to the cradle of civilization. A visit to Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. gives us the opportunity to trace the footsteps of our nation’s founding fathers. And, for those who journey into the TMZ – the historic “Thirty Mile Zone” or “studio zone,” a 30-mile radius centered at the intersection of West Beverly Boulevard and North La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles – we can step through the looking glass and prowl the backlots and stages where the legendary dream-makers of Hollywood applied their craft and churned out their magical product.

Of the “Big Six” major studios of Hollywood – 20th Century-Fox, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Columbia Pictures (Sony), Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures – all but Disney and Fox offer opportunities for visitors to tour their facilities.

That practice of inviting the public to take a peek behind the curtain into the world of moviemaking 24 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

began with Universal Studios, which was founded in 1912 by a German filmmaking pioneer named Carl Laemmle.

After focusing his production efforts in the Hollywood area for two years, Laemmle opened the largest motion picture production facility in March of 1915. Known as Universal City, the studio sat on 230-acres of former farmland just over the Cahuenga

Pass from Hollywood. From the very beginning, Laemmle opened his studio to curious onlookers who, for a small admission fee that included a box lunch, could sit on wooden bleachers and watch

how the company’s melodramas, Westerns and serials were actually made.

While Universal Studios has always welcomed the public to their lot, in 1964, two years after being purchased by Music Corporation of America, they upped their hospitality by establishing a theme park with various rides and attractions. By the following year, they had introduced pink and white “Glamor Trams” and hired and trained tour guides – beautiful, young, white-gloved women dressed in business suits, nylons and pumps – to take visitors behind-the-scenes of a working studio.

Today, 50 years later, the studio that brought the movie-going public such blockbusting classics as “Jaws,” “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, “Jurassic Park,” and, most recently, “Furious 7” and “Jurassic World,” has become a world-class destination for tourists from every corner of the globe.

To celebrate the tour’s 50th anniversary, the studio has recently added new rides and attractions, including the Fast and Furious – Supercharged thrill ride; Springfield, an all-new immersive experience surrounding The Simpsons Ride; and, in 2016, will open the highly anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Universal’s world-famous studio tour, offered in multiple languages and led by expert guides, is also undergoing a complete makeover to coincide with this 50-year milestone. By 2016, they will have rolled out an entirely new fleet of contemporary trams that guests will board at a new Art Decothemed entry portal.

They have also instituted a new nighttime tour that will take guests to over 20 locations showcasing an array of lighting and special effects used in nighttime production. The nocturnal tour will also allow guests to have up-close and inperson encounters with some of the studio’s greatest legends. The new nighttime tour will run every weekend throughout the summer until Labor Day. “For 50 years, Universal Studios Hollywood has given guests unprecedented access to the world’s most alluring business by inviting them to peek behind the velvet curtain and become part of the exciting moviemaking process,” says Larry Kurzweil, president of Universal Studios Hollywood. “We are reimagining over 75 percent

of our destination as we build upon our incredible success and expand our vision for the future, and we look forward to entertaining and inspiring guests for generations to come with what will ultimately be an entirely new theme park experience.”

THE MAN BEHIND IT ALL John Murdy, who serves as the creative director of entertainment at Universal Studios Hollywood, began working at the studio in 1989 as a tour guide – the perfect gig for a kid who had been enchanted by the studio for as far back as he can remember.

“I’m an L.A. kid, so I’ve been coming to Universal since I was very young,” says Murdy. “I always wanted to go to Universal for any occasion – my birthday or whatever – because I was fascinated with the place. After college, I became a tour guide, along with many other people who saw the job as a stepping stone into the business. And it really is.

Today, so many of the people I worked with as tour guides are now working in all areas of the industry.”

Murdy, who has seen a tremendous evolution of the studio’s tour over the past 40-plus years, says it is of the utmost importance that Universal tour guides are well-versed, not just in the studio’s history, but also in the art and science of moviemaking.

“The amount of knowledge we expect our tour guides to have is like the hardest course you would take in college,” he says. “The manual of information they are required to learn is like a phone book.”

Believing the tour guides of today who are following in his footsteps are goodwill ambassadors for Hollywood, Murdy says both the studio and the guides themselves take their role seriously.

“When tourists come from around the country or the world, they have what I would call the ‘Hollywood of the imagination’ – a perception that is in their head of what Hollywood is like,” he opines. “Our job is to both fulfill the fantasy and also show them the reality. We take people on a real working backlot where we are actually in the process of making television shows and movies and music videos every day. Then, along with the reality, there is also the fantasy element

– the attractions like King Kong or Fast and the Furious. Doing this is a tradition at Universal.

When this studio first opened, Carl Laemmle sent out a press release inviting people to visit the studio and 20,000 people showed up the first day. We have all sorts of archival photos of people who would come and sit in bleachers watching silent movies being made. There were people just walking around the backlot and watching them film a Western scene while they would have a picnic. So our gates have always been open to the public. Laemmle was a believer that people would want to see how movies are made – to get a peek behind the curtain – so he is the one who is responsible for people getting to come behind-the-scenes and see how the magic comes together.”

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 25

Along with the opportunity to see how movies are made, the Universal Studios Hollywood Tour, at times, gives visitors the added bonus of having an encounter with a star. Because no two tours are ever alike, the chance to interact with a famous face is a hit-or-miss occurrence, but it happens often enough that the stories of these encounters have become a part of the lot’s legend.

“The route of our tour can change daily and even hourly, depending on what production is taking place on the lot,” says Murdy. “And the tour takes on a different dynamic depending on what is in production and who is working on the lot. Like every tour guide who has ever worked here, I’ve had so many encounters with stars over the years,

and some of them have been really fun or bizarre or strange. A good example of that is Jim Carrey.

He was here doing ‘Man on the Moon,’ the film about Andy Kaufman. One day, the tram was going past the Psycho house and Mother was out in front roaming around and coming up to the tram. We later found out it was Jim. So all these people had a oneon-one encounter with Jim Carrey and didn’t even realize it. I also remember him driving an ice cream truck on the lot and handing out ice cream to people on the tram. There are so many stories and pictures of stars interacting with the tours over the years – John Wayne used to do it, and I remember Scott Baio interacting with the tours when he was here doing ‘Charles in Charge.’ I also remember when I was a kid taking the tour and seeing Grandpa Munster [Al Lewis] all the time. He was always interacting with the tours.”

Murdy says that while people from all over the world take the tour on a daily basis, he would encourage locals to do the same, especially if they have never done it or it has been many years since they last visited the legendary lot.

“I think some people from Southern California tend to take it for granted that they can visit our lot, because the film industry is all around them every day,” he reasons. “But for those who haven’t visited us in a while, they will find the joy and nostalgia of things that still exist – the flash flood and the ‘Jaws’ attractions – along with many other things

26 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

that people who took the tour 30 or 40 years ago would remember. But we also have so many new attractions. And now we are doing the nighttime tour that will give people the chance to see the studio in – no pun intended – an entirely different light. So for locals, it’s a great reason to come back to visit us.”

According to Murdy, the new nighttime tour will be very different then the regular daytime tour. “We will be using live actors to recreate classic movie moments in the environments – on the actual sets – where those movies were originally made. An example would be ‘Psycho.’

When a tour rolls up on the Bates Motel by the Psycho house, they will get to see a recreation of that classic moment when Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates is

coming down to Cabin One and screaming: ‘Mother! Blood! Blood!’ and then they’ll see the silhouette of Mother moving around inside the house. We’ll also recreate classic Marilyn Monroe moments, and this studio is, of course, the home of the Universal monsters – Dracula, the Frankenstein monster, the Mummy, the Wolf Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. We have had the European sets for decades, where those classic monster films were shot. So at night when the tours drive through those sets, they’ll see the Frankenstein monster emerge from the fog. It will bring these classic movie moments to life on the actual sets where they were filmed.”

Murdy’s exuberance in talking about the Universal lot and tour is so passion-filled, one may wonder how, after all these years, he still finds it all so exciting.

“It never gets old,” he snaps back without hesitation. “I have walked past the Psycho house thousands of times throughout my career and there hasn’t ever been a time I haven’t stopped in my tracks to appreciate the sense of wonder that comes with being there. When you think of the history of this lot – Robert Redford and Paul Newman filming scenes from ‘The Sting,’ and Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi doing ‘The Blues

Brothers,’ and Elvis doing one of his last films here – it’s just amazing. It never gets old for me to walk through our backlot streets and stages, or through Courthouse Square, that is most associated with ‘Back to the Future,’ and was used in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and in ‘Bruce Almighty,’ and not have a tremendous appreciation for the giants of the industry who have worked here. This lot goes back so long – in the same location – to the earliest days of cinema. Today, there are not a lot of the grand old studio backlots left, and yet, this one has always remained as big as it ever was and some parts of it still look very much the same as they did back when the studio began.”

Murdy pauses for just a moment and reflects on what he has just said. “Yeah,” he repeats with a laugh. “It just never gets old.”

For more information on visiting Universal Studios Hollywood and all the tours they offer, click on www.universalstudioshollywood.com.

~ ADVERTISMENT ~

What If You Run Out of Money

A

s a wealth manager and financial advisor to those in or soon to enter retirement, the question “What will happen if I run out of money?” is posed to me as often as any other. It is the first and most-significant issue to address.

The questions “Could I run out of money?” or “How much can I spend without running out of money?” are at the heart of financial planning. Spend too much too soon and a bad year such as 2008 can jeopardize your entire retirement. Spend too little for too long, and you will wake up one day realizing you sacrificed your lifestyle needlessly and are now sitting on a pile of money you could not possibly spend.

Given this dilemma, I say, without hesitation, that most people who have actively saved for retirement work longer than they need to, retire later than they could, and spend less money in the first 10 years of retirement than they should.

If you hope to retire sooner or are already retired and would enjoy a higher level of income right now, read on.

How much can I spend?

In general, most financial advisors will use an annual income number between 4.1 and 4.7 percent of your investment portfolio. This means with a milliondollar portfolio, you are looking at between $41,000 and $47,000 of income.

I believe we can do better.

Depending on the client’s situation, I have found that annual incomes of 5.2 to 5.7 percent are possible with no risk to principal, and incomes of 6.3 to as high as 7.2 percent are possible with some risk. The bottom line: someone with a million dollars could be receiving anywhere from $11,000 to $31,000 more income each year with the proper planning.

The first key factor is your safe-money rate of return. I have often written and spoken about how investors can earn seven percent on their safe money even in today’s environment, so I won’t elaborate on that point. However, if you have missed those articles, contact our office for a free copy of my book, “The Seven Percent Solution.”

The second key factor is your willingness to take any principal risk with your investments. Some clients prefer to have a plan giving them less income, but with no possible risk of running out of money. For some, knowing there is no way they could ever run out of money is well worth taking a lower annual distribution. For others, they are willing to leave some of their money in the stock market or other somewhat risk-oriented investments, because it will give them a higher income over their retirement. Regardless of your comfort with risk, odds are you are receiving less income from your investments than you should.

Ironically, some of those who come into my office looking for more income are taking less because they have too much risk in their portfolio, not because they don’t have enough. If you have too great a percentage of your assets in risky investments (stocks, for example), it forces you to be overly cautious with your spending. After all, if there is the chance you could lose half of your investments, as happened to many in 2008, you have to take as little income as possible to protect yourself against that worst-case scenario.

Without reviewing a specific portfolio, I can’t completely speak to the issues of spending principal versus spending only interest. For that reason, I welcome you to contact our office and request a complimentary maximumincome analysis.

By William Jordan, financial advisor William Jordan is a nationally recognized wealth manager and well known speaker on financial and investment topics. For a free copy of William’s Seven Percent Solution, contact his office at (949) 916-8000 or online at www.WJIca.com.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. William Jordan Investments is a Registered Investment Advisor with the state of California.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 27

Wine-ing Your Way Through Superb Summer Selections Get the most out of summer with the perfect bottle of vino

By Alicia Bien

S

ummer in Southern California; a time for spending time with friends, picnics, outdoor concerts and wine. Or as I see it: wine, wine and more wine. Whether it be exploring in the mountains, desert or seaside communities, or taking in an evening of entertainment at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, the Hollywood Bowl, the Ford Amphitheater, The Greek Theatre, or a movie night at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Southern California offers plenty of ways to get out and enjoy beautiful temperate summer nights with delicious wines.

Here are some of my favorite vino suggestions for getting the most out of this beautiful time of year:

Brunch Mimosas and brunch go together like bacon and eggs. Mimosas are simple to make: just use equal parts sparkling wine with orange juice. To make a refreshing summer brunch Mimosa, use black label M. Chevallier Carte Noire Cava (Trader Joe’s $6). If you want less citrus in your wine, go for a 28 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

straight-up champagne brunch with a bubbly sparkling wine. Bring home a bottle of Mumm Napa Brut Prestige; it’s crisp with notes of melon and vanilla (BevMo! $16).

PooLside After swimming laps, doing cannonballs or just drifting on a raft, unwind poolside with a glass of Pinot Gris. Known as “Pinot Gris” in France where the grape originated and “Pinot Grigio” in Italy where it grows well, both names refer to the wine varietal made with the white grape with a grayish skin. Gris (in French) and grigio (in Italian) both mean “gray.” Try a bottle of King Estate Pinot Gris from Oregon 2014 (BevMo! $16). With its citrus flavors, it’s a true taste of summer in a glass.

Picnic Pack a picnic and hit the road for your favorite getaway destination or concert venue, but don’t forget to bring a bottle or two of Sauvignon

Blanc. Currently New Zealand is making some really good Sauvignon Blancs. Its success with this varietal may be related to the fertile, stony soils of areas such as Marlborough and the Wairau Valley. Try the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2014, which has hints of cut grass and gooseberries ($15). If you’re on a budget, go for Sauvignon Republic Cellars’ Sauvignon Blanc 2013, which has tropical fruit and citrus flavors (Trader Joe’s $8). Both of these bottles have screw-top caps, which means there is no need to pack the corkscrew.

Lunch A wide variety of grapes can be used to make a Rosé table wine, but what makes a wine a Rosé is the brief contact it has with the grapes’ skins; which is more than white wine (which has none) but not as much as with red wine. Pink-colored Rosé is the ultimate refreshing summer wine. If you are a Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie fan, try their Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé 2012. A joint venture between the Hollywood

A-listers and the Famille Perrin, this delicious wine has strawberry and raspberry flavors (BevMo! $22). If you like less celebrity in your wine, uncork D’Esclans’ Whispering Angel 2013 with its delicate pink hue and tasty strawberry flavors (BevMo! $20).

dessert Need to cool down at the end of a hot day or serve a dessert without turning on the oven? Pour a sweet Sherry over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sherry is a fortified wine, meaning that it is sweeter and has a higher alcohol content than its table wine cousins.

Made from the Palomino grape into Sherry’s dry varieties ranging from fino and amontillado to palo cortado, these are meant to be drunk as an aperitif before a meal. However Sherry can also be made from Spain’s sweet Pedro Ximénez (PX) grape, which makes a perfect choice for dessert.

Try a bottle of Sanchez Romate NV Cardenal Cisneros Reservas Pedro Ximénez. Made with the Pedro Ximénez grape, this Sherry adds rich fig and chocolate notes to any bowl of humble French vanilla ice cream. Or skip the ice cream and just drink this sweet PX Sherry all by itself.

Whatever you do, or wherever you go this summer, don’t forget to make time for wine. Cheers!

Evolve Into Wine

Do you like wine but don’t know anything about it except that it’s alcoholic and wet?

Well, Alicia Bien is here to remedy that. Pronto!

Bien is the author of “Evolution of a Wine Drinker” (Bien Entertainment, Inc., 2013) a funny collection of self-deprecating wine stories depicting the highs – and lows – of her own evolution as a wine drinker, from novice to (many bottles later) an expert. The book contains an alphabet’s worth of wine stories from “Drinking Alone” and “How the Army Changed My Life,” to “Ullage, Uvula, U Know” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-A-Dee-Ay, My Oh My What a Zinfandel Day”.

So grab a copy of “Evolution of a Wine Drinker,” available at www.amazon.com, and a good bottle of whatever suits your mood, sit back and start evolving!

SAFE, SECURE & GUARANTEED!

• Limited Time Only • No Gimmicks or Bonus from Broker

• No Fees or Charges • $5,000 Minimum Deposit

Act Now - These Rates Won’t Last!

3.19

% 1.65% 3.00 % APY % % 2.40 4.04 * Call for details APY

One Year Certificate

APY

3 Year Certificate

APY

5 Year Certificate

APY*

8 Year Certificate (Compound Yield)

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT (877) 322-0407 • Principal is 100% Protected • No Fees or Charges • Safe and Secure

www.sfsinvest.com

• Monthly Interest Available • $5000 Minimum Deposit • Guaranteed Rates

CA LIC #0G76413

Carlsbad • Del Mar • Rancho Bernardo Temecula • Los Angeles • Orange County Mission Viejo • Pasadena • Woodland Hills Palm Springs • Beverly Hills • Torrance Anaheim Hills • Rancho Cucamonga Now Open!

Call For Details.

Shoreline Financial Services dba SFS Insurance Marketing is a deposit broker offering Bank, Credit Union and Insurance Certificates/Short term fixed Annuities. $5000 minimum deposit required. Shoreline Financial will beat or match any advertised rate.

Certain restrictions apply. Other products and services also available.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 29

deh za Ryan Azim Photo by

Williams In Wonderland Cindy Williams, best-known for her roles in “American Graffiti” and “Laverne & Shirley,” living the adventurous fun ride of life

W

By David Laurell * Photo courtesy of CBS Television Studios

hile the movie-going public was first introduced to her as Laurie Henderson in the George Lucas-directed, 1973 coming-of-age dramedy, “American Graffiti,” Cindy Williams secured her place in pop culture history two years later when she was cast as Shirley Feeney in the ABC smash sitcom, “Laverne & Shirley.”

A Southern California native who honed her skills at The Actors Studio West, Williams began her career by appearing in commercials and playing small roles in classic television programs of the early 1970s such as “Room 222,” “Nanny and the Professor” and “Love, American Style.”

After appearing in “American Graffiti,” she caught the attention of director Francis Ford Coppola, who cast her in his 1974 psychological thriller, “The Conversation.” She then auditioned for a role in a scifi space film called “Star Wars,” as a character known as Princess Leia.

While she never got the call to put her hair up in side buns and travel back in time to that “galaxy far far away,” she did get a call from producer Garry Marshall the following year to appear alongside his sister, Penny, as a fun-loving brewery worker in an episode of “Happy Days.”

Introduced as friends of Fonzie’s, the characters of Laverne De Fazio, played by Marshall and Feeney, played by Williams, were such a hit with fans, Marshall decided to do a spinoff show with the girls as the leads.

“Laverne & Shirley” debuted on ABC in 1976 and ran until 1982, after which Williams and her thenhusband, singer and musician Bill Hudson of The Hudson Brothers, welcomed their daughter, Emily,

30 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

and, four years later, a son, Zachary.

Continuing to work in television, feature films and theater on a regular basis, along with doing a 2007 Broadway appearance as Mrs. Tottendale in “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Williams recently turned to a project she has been thinking of doing for a long time – writing an autobiography.

THE STORY OF A STORIED LIFE

Released this past May, “Shirley, I Jest” (Taylor Trade Publishing, 2015), is the tale of what Williams describes as “her storied life.” From the struggles of growing up with an alcoholic father and a hardworking mother in a home where money was always tight, to her work as a waitress at the Whisky A Go Go, and then on to television stardom, Williams recollects on her life and times in a series of touching and humorous vignettes.

“I never really intended for this book to be anything more than little stories and anecdotes about my life and career,” Williams reveals. “But my agent and publisher really encouraged me to write a more in-depth book about my life, so I agreed, but I wanted it to be fun and buoyant. I wanted readers to smile when they read things and then put it down feeling good. But I also wanted it to be truthful. The chapters about my dad’s alcoholism are completely truthful. And so, while it is a story that the children of alcoholics will immediately relate to, I wanted to do it in a loving way. I wanted to get the pain across, but to do it in a loving manner, because I love my father.”

Williams reveals that while the book will give readers the opportunity to learn a lot more about her

than they have ever known, it actually did much the same for her.

“I learned a lot about things I hadn’t dealt with from my childhood by writing this book – things I never really examined,” she says. “Socrates said: ‘The unexamined life is not worth living,’ and that was what I discovered during the process. When you write a book about your life, you look back and realize there are things you have been holding on to that you have to let go. I learned to get rid of the anger and the resentment I had been harboring for many years. That was really kind of a surprise – to realize I did have to get rid of those things – because I always thought of myself as being upbeat and kind and loving and generous in spirt. But by writing this book, I discovered there were things I needed to resolve. My father was an alcoholic. That was a fact. I always loved him and still love him, but he caused me a lot of suffering and pain and I had to let that go and forgive him. I discovered that the bottom line to everything in life is love – unconditional love. And, that in the end, that is really all there is, which is what some other great philosophers – The Beatles – said.”

WAITRESSING AND LOST ROLES Among the tastiest of stories Williams recounts in her book is waitressing at Hollywood’s legendary Whisky A Go Go, having Jim Morrison demand a bottle of Jack Daniel’s be brought to his table, and then being taunted by The Doors’ lead singer when she told him she wasn’t allowed to do that. “I had to include that story, because it all turned out to be a prank he was pulling on me,” she laughs. “I was punked by Jim

THE SCOOP ON SHIRLEY As for the big role she did get, Williams says the persona of Shirley Feeney was primarily based on Cindy Williams.

“The only direction Penny and I got from Garry was that these were two girls who date the fleet,” Williams laughs. “But when it comes to sitcoms, they are such personality plays, and I think every actor’s personality weaves its way into their character and then the writers pick up on those traits and run with it. Garry was very trusting of what Penny and I brought to our characters and the writers worked with what we gave them.”

HAVING A FUN RIDE Today, living in a desert community outside of Los Angeles, Williams says that along with trying to find the right vitamins to give her energy, she still enjoys working, especially doing live theater and spending time with her kids.

“My kids are adults, but they’ll always be kids to me,” she laughs. “My daughter is a songwriter and singer and my son is a drummer and a bass player.

They are working together on a project, which is a rough way to pay the bills, but my parents were supportive of me wanting to be an actress, so I’m supportive of them.”

With her 68th birthday coming up next month, Williams says the way she has approached getting older is to embrace it.

“Someone recently asked Penny and me to play in a celebrity dodgeball tournament,” she says. “I wanted to do it, but Penny said: ‘We can’t move!’ and I said: ‘I know. But that will be the fun of it!’ To me, having fun is what life should always be about. In the end, no matter what your story has been, it should have been a fun ride. I’ve had challenging times, like everyone, but I’ve also had a blessed life with so many marvelous adventures.

There’s no escaping old age and death, so I think of it all as an adventure. I think we should be like Alice and our lives should be our Wonderland. We never know what may happen along the way, but we should just embrace the adventure and have fun as it gets curiouser and curiouser. When I come to my last day, I want my final words to For more information on be: “It was really a fun ride. Good Cindy Williams and to order night!”

“Shirley, I Jest!” click on www.thisiscindywilliams.com.

Take the first step

to Living a Better Life with Low Vision.

Unique Glasses Helped Karen And Her Twin Sister Sharon

Photob By Hayley Sparks

Morrison! How many people can say that? So I felt it was an honor, even though it was humiliating at the time.”

Williams says that along with her encounter with Morrison, another reason for including stories about her time working at The Whisky in the book is because she was very proud of being a part of that profession.

“I loved being a waitress,” she proclaims proudly. “My mother had been a waitress her entire working life, almost right up until she died. She was an excellent waitress and she was always very proud of what she did. I also fancied myself as an excellent waitress. To me, I loved waiting on people. Every table was like its own little piece of theater – a mini play with all these different characters and its own little story and dialogue. In Hollywood, most waitresses pride themselves on being a great actress. I’m an actress who is proud to say I was a great waitress,” she adds with a laugh.”

Asked about her feelings on the roles that got away – most notably those of Princess Leia and Janet Weiss in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” – Williams says she has not even the slightest of regrets.

“No one will ever be able to imagine anyone other than Susan Sarandon as Janet and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. They were each perfect,” she opines.

“Yes, I was up for those roles, as were many other actresses. And with ‘Rocky,’ it came down to just me and Susan. But when I saw those films, I was totally removed from the roles – totally disconnected – and have never given thought that I could have had those parts. Never!” She pauses. “The only thing I may have thought about is what I could have done better in my auditions.”

An eye specialist diagnosed Karen and Sharon with juvenile macular degeneration and said “There’s not much to be done.” Our mom was heartbroken.

Years later, mom read an article about an International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS) doctor who designed special glasses that helped people with macular degeneration.

“More curious than skeptical, we went. And it changed everything! For the first time in thirty years we could read! He held up a piece of paper and I could make out every word.”

Call today to schedule a Low Vision Evaluation.

Richard J. Shuldiner, OD, FAAO Low Vision Optometrist Founder, IALVS

Call Toll Free: 888-610-2020 www.LowVisionCare.com July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 31

The Hallowed Hall of Must-Knowtables

By David Laurell Illustration by Mark Hammermeister

Alfred Hitchcock “The Master of Suspense,” Alfred Hitchcock, or “Hitch” as he was known, was intrigued by the macabre and the mysterious, both of which become trademarks of the films he made, as well as his own persona. Over a career that spanned six decades, he pioneered many film techniques, became an icon of the suspense and psychological-thriller genre, and departed this Earth, firmly established as one of the world’s most influential filmmakers.

B

orn in Leytonstone, Essex, England on August 13, 1899, Hitchcock showed a prodigious talent for drawing at an early age. By his early 20s, he had begun working in the British film industry doing set drawings and designing title cards for the “dialogue” in silent films. Fascinated by filmmaking, he rose from the art department to directing films in five years, serving as a screenwriter, art director and assistant director along the way.

In 1940, having made his mark in British cinema for 20 years, Hitchcock, his wife, Alma, a talented film editor, and their daughter, Patricia, left the U.K. for the U.S. – specifically, for Hollywood. Hired by renowned producer David O. Selznick to direct an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca,” Hitchcock went on to give movie-goers a treasure trove of hugely successful suspense thrillers that have gone on to become classics, including “Suspicion,” “Spellbound,” “Notorious,” “Rear Window,” “Vertigo,” “North By Northwest,” “Psycho” and “The Birds.”

Having carved out a highly distinctive and recognizable directorial style, Hitchcock pioneered never-before-used point-of-view shots and other visually innovative camera movement techniques. He would maximize a scene’s anxiety or empathy by the use of unique framing, and instituted concepts of film editing that inspired a galaxy of directors including Steven Spielberg, Brian De Palma,

M. Night Shyamalan, Martin Scorsese, Peter Bogdanovich, William Friedkin and Quentin Tarantino.

The tales Hitchcock brought to the screen often featured fugitives on the run and “icy blonde” females who found themselves in thrilling plots laced with violence, murder, mystery, psychological and sexual overtones, and twisted endings. He became notorious for focusing on a story’s narrative and withholding crucial information from his characters as well as his viewers, almost to the point of cruelty. “Always make the audience suffer as much as possible,” he once told an interviewer who questioned his malevolent storytelling style.

Hitchcock also employed the use of decoys, or “MacGuffins” as he called them, which were objects, places, characters or, at times, more abstract driving forces such as emotions that he included in a film for no reason other than to motivate a character or to drive the film’s narrative.

Another signature of a Hitchcock’s was to make an on-screen cameo somewhere in the film. Among the most interesting ones are in 1944’s “Lifeboat,” in which he appears in “Before” and “After” pictures in a newspaper ad for a product called “Reduco Obesity Slayer,” and in 1964’s “Marnie,” in which he passes the film’s star, Tippi Hedren, in a hotel corridor and breaks the fourth wall

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

32 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

by looking straight into the camera. Hitchcock fans became so obsessed with finding him in each film, he began including his cameo in early scenes so they could concentrate on the film and not on spotting him.

While directors of Hitchcock’s era were not typically recognizable, he was the exception. Along with his cameos, he appeared in many televised interviews, film trailers, and as the host of the television anthology series, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” (known as “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour” after 1962) which ran on NBC and then CBS from 1955 to 1965.

Hitchcock served as both producer and host of the series, which became iconic for its opening. In each episode, a simple caricature of Hitchcock’s profile (which he himself drew) would appear and, as the program’s theme music – Charles Gounod’s “Funeral March of a Marionette” – played, Hitchcock would walk into the silhouette before intoning “Good evening,” in his signature droll delivery.

His introductions of each episode always included a setup for what was to come, dripping like blood off a knife’s blade, with his wry, gallows humor.

Hitchcock’s work earned him multiple nominations and prestigious awards, among them, two Golden Globes, the first British Academy of Film and Television Art’s Fellowship Award, the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, and five Academy Award nominations for Best Director, none of which resulted in a win, although his film, “Rebecca,” did win the Best Picture Oscar in 1941.

In 1979, suffering from poor health due to angina and renal failure, Hitchcock was awarded the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award. That year also saw Queen Elizabeth confer knighthood upon her famous subject, giving him the title of Sir Alfred Hitchcock.

On the morning of April 29, 1980, Hitchcock took his final breath at the age of 80 at his Bel Aire home. His funeral was held the following day at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, after which his body was cremated and his ashes scattered over the Pacific Ocean.

Hitchcock shuffled off this mortal coil having directed more than 50 feature films. His body of work earned him a place in the hierarchy of cinema as one of the all-time greatest filmmakers – a director who ranks within the top tier of those who shaped modern cinema.

Hitchcock and is based on Donald Spoto’s book, “Spellbound by Beauty: Alfred Hitchcock and His Leading Ladies” (Three Rivers Press, 2009).

• “Hitchcock,” a 2012 Fox Searchlight Pictures drama based on Stephen Rebello’s book “Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho” (Soft Skull Press, 2013), in which Hitchcock is portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins.

LEARN MORE There are numerous book on Hitchcock.

Among the best are: • “Hitchcock/ Truffaut” (Simon & Schuster, 1967), by Alfred Hitchcock and Francois Truffaut.

• “Hitchcock on Hitchcock: Selected Writings and Interviews” (University of California Press, 1997), by Alfred Hitchcock and Sidney Gottlieb.

• “The Dark Side Of Genius: The Life Of Alfred Hitchcock” (Da Capo Press, 1999) by Donald Spoto.

• “Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light” (It Books, 2004) by Patrick McGilligan There are also two Hitchcock biopics: • “The Girl,” a 2012 BBC and HBO Films production that stars Toby Jones as

Mark Hammermeister is an award-winning artist. His work is available for purchase at www.markdraws.com July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 33

MY GENERATION YOUNG CHINESE ARTISTS

“Superbly crafted, gratifyingly intelligent, richly observant, and immensely enjoyable

THIS IS MUSICAL THEATRE AT ITS FINEST.” – Backstage

A VIETNAM ERA MUSICAL LOVE STORY

DOGFIGHT

ON VIEW THROUGH OCTOBER 11 WWW.OCMA.NET My Generation: Young Chinese Artists has been organized by the Tampa Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg and curated by Barbara Pollack.

Huang Ran, Disruptive Desires, Tranquility and the Loss of Lucidity, 2012 (detail); courtesy of Long March Space, Beijing.

MUSIC & LYRICS BY BENJ PASEK & JUSTIN PAUL BOOK BY PETER DUCHAN

OCMA

BASED ON THE WARNER BROS. FILM AND SCREENPLAY BY BOB COMFORT

SAN DIEGO PREMIERE DIRECTED BY

SEAN MURRAY

ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART | NEWPORT BEACH Funding for the exhibition is provided by The Segerstrom Foundation, and Visionaries

SAN DIEGO | OLD TOWN

,

MUSIC DIRECTION BY

CHOREOGRAPHY BY

TERRY O’DONNELL

DAVID BRANNEN

Previews 7/16-7/24

619.337.1525 • CYGNETTHEATRE.COM 6/27/15 7:47 AM

See the sun up close, and safely.

ee T Fr en ev

11Th AnnuAl SOuThern CAliFOrniA AsTrOnOMy ExPO!

smaller ad_4.625" x 5.75"_OCMA.indd 1

JUL 16 AUG 23

July 25th, 2015 | 10am – 6pm At OPT: 918 Mission Avenue Oceanside, California • have your questions answered by the experts from dozens of exhibitors • More than $35,000 in raffles and Free Giveaways • Fun activities for kids of all ages Last year’s non-profit beneficiary.

• special one day only pricing • This year’s charity raffle will benefit PAri’s 3D Planets project, help us help them promote sTeM! Bring This Ad

For more information 800.483.6287 • optscae.com

A winning smile from an OPT winner.

With You to Our Event for a Free Tote Bag!* *12 Value / LA50TOTE

34 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

Let’s Get OUt

San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire

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

eNteRtAINMeNt WEDNESDAY, JULY 15

DANCING WITH THE STARS: LIVE! PERFECT TEN TOUR Hosted by “Dancing with the Stars” champion Melissa Rycroft dancing alongside Witney Carson, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Artem Chigvintsev, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd and Emma Slater. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. $49-plus.

(714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

MURDER AT MIDNIGHT Murder mystery dinner party. San Dimas Community Center, 245 E. Bonita Ave., San Dimas. $15. (909) 394-6290.

gratification of the computer age. The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters, Irvine Bowl, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Through Aug. 31. $25-plus. (800) 4873378. (949) 497-6852. foapom.com.

TWELFTH NIGHT Shipwrecked and alone in foreign Illyria, young Viola masquerades as a boy and becomes the go-between for the lovesick Duke Orsino and the beautiful Countess Olivia. Soon Viola finds herself in the middle of a topsy-turvy love triangle with lunacy on every side. The Old Globe, Lowell Davies Festival Theatre (outdoors), 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $29-plus. Through July 26. (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.org.

OPENING DAY AT DEL MAR Del Mar first opened its gates in 1937 and this summer the legendary racetrack once again welcome the nation’s fastest horses and Southern California’s most spirited party-goers. Besides world-class Thoroughbred racing, Del Mar is known for its incredible lineup of entertainment, hosting big name musical acts on the Seaside Stage for its Summer Concert Series. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar. Racing Wed.-Sun. through Sept. 7. (858) 755-1141. delmarscene.com.

July/August 2015

FRIDAY, JULY 17 KISS ME, KATE One of the greatest romantic musical comedies of all time. Cole Porter’s witty and high-spirited songs transport you into the wings as a touring company gets ready to open a musical version of “The Taming of the Shrew,” starring a divorced couple whose offstage battles threaten to bring down the curtain. This beloved classic features showstopping dance numbers, Shakespearequoting mobsters, and a knockout score including “Another Op’nin’, Another Show,” “So In Love” and “Brush Up Your Shakespeare.” The Old Globe, Lowell Davies Festival Theatre (outdoors), 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $29-plus. Through Aug. 2. (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.org.

WEST SIDE STORY Enjoy this enduring classic famous for songs like “Somewhere,” Tonight” and “Maria.” Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $52plus. Through July 26. (619) 437-6000. lambsplayers.org.

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY San Diego Symphony Summer Pops Concert. Embarcadero Marina Park, behind Convention Center, San Diego.

Prices vary. Also July 18. (619) 235-0804. sandiegosymphony.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 18 SLEEPING BEAUTY In this colorful retelling of the classic tale

by Charles Perrault, unpredictable mischief erupts when a spunky princess and a stable boy mix with evil fairies, phobias and sleep deprivation. LifeHouse Theater, 1135 N. Church St., Redlands. Weekends through Aug. 9. $14-$18. (909) 335-3037 ext. 21. lifehousetheater.com.

TARZAN: THE STAGE MUSICAL This age-old moving story of a fearless young boy raised among wild apes who grows up to become an openhearted, accomplished, intelligent young man. Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton. Through July 26. Ticket prices vary. (714) 589-2770.

3dtshows.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 16 PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS: THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS Enjoy tableaux vivants (living pictures), incredibly faithful re-creations of classical and contemporary works of art using real people posed to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. Is there anything more personal, more elusive than what it is to be happy? Go on a sentimental journey through depictions of pastimes and activities that gave people joy long before the instant

THURSDAY, JULY 16

CABARET

The scene is the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy night club in Berlin, as the 1920s draw to a close. Cliff, a young American writer, meets Ernst, a German who puts his briefcase among Cliff’s luggage at the German border. “Cabaret” reminds us of the insidious reign of the Nazi regime and the lengths that the characters go to in order to “leave their troubles at the door.” Welk Resorts Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr., Escondido. Dates vary through July 26. $45-$75. (888) 802-7469. welktheatre.com.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 35

CALeNDAR SUN AND SEA FESTIVAL The original Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition headlines the festival featuring world-class, award-winning sandcastle builders fashioning sand creations in a fast-paced, five-hour build. The festival also includes a community parade, pancake breakfast, live music, children’s activities, the annual Kids ‘n Kastles competition, a farmers market and an international food fair. Imperial Beach, Portwood Pier Plaza and along Seacoast Drive. Imperial Beach. sunandseafestival.com.

WRITE ON, OCEANSIDE This Literary Festival celebrates San Diego’s North County authors. Live music, educational workshops and activities for families and children. Talk with writers and meet new local authors. Oceanside Civic Center Plaza, 300 N. Coast Hwy., Oceanside. Free. ocaf.info/woo. woo@ocaf.info.

COUNTRY LIVE! Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula. $15. (866) 6538696. temeculatheater.org.

July/August 2015 San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire Aug. 31. $7-$10. (800) 487-3378. (949) 4976852. foapom.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 24 BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY A wildly inventive adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mystery by one of America’s great comic playwrights. Ken Ludwig brings to life literature’s most famous detective—the inimitable Sherlock Holmes.

Five fearless actors conjure the world of Victorian England as Holmes and Watson take on one of the most diabolical cases of their careers. This witty and clever romp delivers chills, laughter and a great evening of theatre.

The Old Globe Theatre, Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $29-plus. Through Aug. 23. (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.org.

SATURDAY, JULY 25

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

SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL Experience the creative wonders of nearly 200 Laguna Beach artists in an enchanting outdoor canyon paradise adorned with waterfalls, eucalyptus trees and the best hand crafted art in California. Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Through Aug. 30. $8-plus. (949) 494-3030. sawdustartfestival.org.

MOVIE MONDAYS The alfresco movie nights return for a ninth season on the inviting 46,000-square-foot Arts Plaza, where popular films are projected on the side of Segerstrom Hall. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Arts Plaza, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa.

Mondays through Aug. 10. Free.

(714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 21 TWILIGHT IN THE PARK San Diego Youth Symphony. Concert series features music ranging from military bands and Dixieland jazz to big band swing and Latin salsa. Balboa Park, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, San Diego. Tues.-Thurs. through Aug. 27.

Free. (619) 239-0512. balboapark.org./visit/ summer-events.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 FESTIVAL OF ARTS FINE ART SHOW Explore this juried fine art show featuring 140 of Southern Orange County’s top artists in an open-air gallery setting. The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters, Irvine Bowl, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Through

36 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE

Set in Vienna in 1938 and in London during the Blitzkrieg, this is the true story of Lisa Jura, a young Jewish musician whose dreams are interrupted by the Nazi regime. San Diego Repertory Theatre at the Lyceum Space, Lyceum Stage, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego. Dates vary through July 26. $20-$70. (619) 544-1000. sdrep.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 19

MONDAY, JULY 20

FRIDAY, JULY 17

OBON FESTIVAL This event features Japanese food, taiko drumming by local groups, cultural demonstrations and performances, boutique items and game booths for children Vista Buddhist Temple, 150 Cedar Road, Vista. Also July 26. (760) 941-8800. vbtemple.org.

with outgoing t-shirt designer Lindsay, his attempts at a relationship are thwarted by the Technicolor world in his head. La Jolla Playhouse, UCSD Campus, Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla.

Through Aug. 30. Prices vary. (858) 550-1010. lajollaplayhouse.org.

WEDENSDAY, JULY 29

CHAMPAGNE JAZZ Featuring Jeffrey Osborne and Gerald Albright.

Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Rd., Temecula. $85. (951) 699-0099. thorntonwine. com/champagne-jazz-series.

JAZZ WEDNESDAYS Barbara Morrison and the Boo Crew. Laguna Beach Live, The Ranch at Laguna Beach, 31106 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach. $22.

(949) 715-9713. lagunabeachlive.org.

COMEDY AT THE TCC PseudoRandomNoise offers their unique style of audience-participatory improvised comedy where you play too by helping to write, direct and even star onstage with some of the region’s most talented comedic actors. Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula. $12. (866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 30

SUNDAY, JULY 26 JIM GAFFIGAN: CONTAGIOUS Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego. $55. (800) 745-3000. humphreysconcerts.com.

CLASSICS AT THE TCC Mark Valenti, piano. Chamber performances by the region’s best professional musicians.

Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula. Sundays. $12.

(866) 653-8696. temeculatheater.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 28 UP HERE When introverted 30-something computer repairman Dan finds a potential spark

SPANDAU BALLET Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego. $55. (800) 745-3000. humphreysconcerts.com.

BEN FOLDS LIVE San Diego Symphony Summer Pops Concert.

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

JAZZ AT THE TCC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula. $15. (866) 6538696. temeculatheater.org.

AUGUST SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 CHAMPAGNE JAZZ Michael McDonald. Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Rd., Temecula. $895. (951) 699-0099. thorntonwine.com/champagnejazz-series.

COUNTRY LIVE! Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula. $15. (866) 6538696. temeculatheater.org.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 BILL MAHER Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego. $80. (800) 745-3000. humphreysconcerts.com.

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

CLASSICS AT THE TCC Mark Valenti, piano. Chamber performances by the region’s best professional musicians. Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula. Sundays. $12. (866) 6538696. temeculatheater.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA The production boasts many exciting special effects including the show’s legendary chandelier. The beloved story and thrilling score – with songs such as “Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” and “Masquerade”

CALeNDAR

July/August 2015 San Diego/Orange County/Inland Empire – will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this show one of the largest productions now on tour. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Through Aug. 16. $39-plus.

(714) 556-2787. scfta.org.

JAZZ AT THE TCC Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula. $15. (866) 6538696. temeculatheater.org.

paintings (one dating as old at 1890) alongside contemporary plein air works (some as recent as 2015). Featured historic California Impressionist artists include Anna Hills, John Gamble, Guy Rose, Louis Betts, Hansen Puthuff and Benjamin Brown.

Contemporary artists include Peter Adams, Saim Caglayan, John Cosby, Dennis Doheny, Jeff Horn, Gregory Hull, Mark Kerchhoff, Kevin MacPherson, Mian Situ and Jeff Yeomans.

The Irvine Museum, 18881 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. Tues-Sat. through Sept. 24. Free. (949) 476-2565. irvinemuseum.org.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5

CHAMPAGNE JAZZ Melissa Etheridge. Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Rd., Temecula. $105. (951) 699-0099. thorntonwine.com/champagnejazz-series.

TIP OF THE HAT 50 Years of the Cowboy Artists Association. A rare show for cowboy art lovers, showcasing rare works by Tom Ryan, Martin Grelle, John Coleman, Jim Norton, Frank McCarthy, Joe Beeler and Bill Owen. Bonita Museum and Cultural Center, 4355 Bonita Rd., Bonita.

Wed.-Sat. through Sept. 12. (619) 267-5141. bonitahistoricalsociety.org.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6

CELEBRITY READINGS: In conjunction with its “Ingenious! The World of Dr. Seuss” exhibition in Balboa Park, local celebrities read from their favorite Dr. Seuss books. San Diego History Center, Casa De Balboa, Balboa Park, 1649 El Prado, San Diego. $6-$8. (619) 232- 6203. sandiegohistory.org/seusscelebrityreadings.

MARCIA HAFIF: FROM THE INVENTORY Well-versed in a variety of media over her 50-year-career including photography, film, performance, writing and installations, this exhibition showcases Hafif’s austere monochrome works created since 1999.

Although she also maintains a studio in New York, most of the works in this exhibition were created at her studio in Laguna Beach.

Now in her mid-80s, Hafif continues to produce work. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach. Through Sept. 27.

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

SELF-TAUGHT GENIUS Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum. This exhibition features more than 100 iconic pieces of folk art and outsider art in a variety of forms, including textiles and needlework, ceramics, sculptural and carved figures, drawings, paintings and furniture, dating from the 18th century to the present.

This new exhibition reveals the challenges and triumphs of America as it emerged and enhances an understanding of our evolving national identity. Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park, 1439 El Prado, San Diego.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 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.

Through Aug. 16. $7-$10. (619) 239-0003. mingei.org.

MODERN MASTERS From Edouard Manet to Edward Ruscha, these works explore the potential of oil painting in the hands of some of the world’s most influential artists. Additional artists represented include Vincent Van Gogh, Auguste Renoir, Joan Mitchell, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning. Palm Springs Art Museum, Annenberg Wing, 101 Museum Dr., Palm Springs. Through July 31. $11-$13. 760322-4800. psmuseum.org.

SEVEN BILLION OTHERS This ground breaking, multimedia exhibition, brings voices and compelling video portraits from more than 6,000 individual interviews filmed in 84 countries by nearly 20 directors.

The 30-week presentation will allow visitors to identify what separates and unites us by giving direct access to individuals as diverse as a Brazilian fisherman, a Chinese shopkeeper, a German performer and an Afghan farmer. These interviews touch on our most visceral emotions and pose many thought-provoking questions and answers that speak to the human condition. Museum of Photographic Arts, Balboa Park, 1649 El Prado, San Diego. Through Sept. 13. $7-$8.

(619) 238-7559. mopa.org.

Get the Word Out. E-mail your announcements to Claire Fadden, cfadden@lifeafter50.com. Include a brief description, location, date, time, cost, phone and website. Submission does not guarantee publication. Deadline for the August/September calendar is July 1.

MONDAY, AUGUST 10 CHRIS ISAAK Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego. $85. (800) 745-3000. humphreysconcerts.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12 JAZZ WEDNESDAYS The Francisco Torres Sextet. Laguna Beach Live, The Ranch at Laguna Beach, 31106 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach. $22. (949) 7159713. lagunabeachlive.org.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 THE NERD Larry Shue’s comic masterpiece about an architect stuck in a rut whose life is suddenly upended by an old army buddy. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $52-plus. Through July 26. (619) 437-6000. lambsplayers.org.

eXHIBItIONs WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW: THE TRADITION OF PLEIN AIR PAINTING This exhibition features a selection of the museum’s celebrated historic landscape

THE PRIVATE WORLD OF VERMEER Luminous and exquisitely rendered, “Woman in Blue Reading a Letter” (about 16631664) is one of Vermeer’s most captivating portrayals of a young woman’s private world.

This special installation highlights one of the most celebrated painters of the Dutch Golden Age. Praised as one of Vermeer’s most beautiful paintings, “Woman in Blue Reading a Letter” demonstrates the artist’s exceptional command of color, light and perspective.

Timken Museum of Art, Balboa Park, Plaza de Panama, San Diego. Tues.-Sun. through Sept.

11. Free. (619) 239-5548. timkenmuseum.org.

MY GENERATION: YOUNG CHINESE ARTISTS This exhibition is an extended look at the new generation of artists emerging in mainland China since 2000, the year that China opened wide its doors to international artists and that Chinese artists began to command attention in the global arena. All artists represented in this exhibit were born after 1976—the end of the Cultural Revolution. Almost all of them are products of the One Child Policy and have grown up in a country with a high-powered market economy. Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach.

Wed.-Sun. through Oct. 11. $10. (949) 75911122. ocma.net.

ADAMS, CURTIS AND WESTON

Photographers of the American West. This exhibition documents the changing landscape of the west and the art of photography through time as well as through the lenses of three of the most celebrated 20th century American photographers: Ansel Adams, Edward S. Curtis and Edward Weston. The photos range in date from 1905 to 1967 and depict a variety of subjects, including landscapes and portraits.

Bowers Museum, Mary Muth Wing 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Through Nov. 29. $12. (714) 567-3679. bowers.org.

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 37

S E N I O R R E W A R D S P RO G R A M Entertainment Enjoy free shows at Infinity with one guest every Tuesday at 1 pm with your Privileges Card with 60+ Club sticker.

STUDIO PRODUCTION

Job #: PAL 002006_01

Title: 7/6 Senior Print

Element: Life After 50 Magazine

Date In: 06-04-15

ROUND: R2

Due Date: 06-29-15

Rebecca Clark

Surfin’

A Tribute to Barbra Streisand

The Ultimate Tribute to The Beach Boys

July 7

as Nat King Cole

July 14 Rob Ely’s Rockin’ 50’s Review!

July 21

July 28

Chris Nolan

Cash Giveaways Win a share of $300 * in cash every Tuesday and $1,200 *

Live: visual CD: Gary Kelly

*Must be present to win.

Dining Receive a 30% discount at our award-winning Choices, The Buffet, every Tuesday and Thursday from 11AM – 3PM.

Rewards Sign up for your FREE membership at our Privileges Center and enjoy member rewards. If you already have a card, be sure to pick up your 60+ Club card sticker.

APPROVAL

AD: Patrick Garcia

CD: Nick Yen

PD: Maira Gutierrez

CW: Jason Rivanis

SM: Rosa Baer

Trim: 4.625”w x 11.5”h

Bleed: N/W

Scale: 100%

Color: CMYK

Upload:

MECHANICAL

in cash every Thursday at Infinity.

OK CHANGES

Win your share of $1,200

APPROVAL

AE: George Miranda

PM: Sam Polk

Notes: 1/2 PG 4C

FREE BINGO EVERY THURSDAY! Doors open: 11:00AM · Early Birds 12:30PM · Regular session: 1:00 PM

FREE admission packet for 60+ includes:

OK CHANGES

· 1-Early Bird 2-On · 1-3-On for all regular session games · 1-Special Pala “P”1-On

· 1- Special Blackout 3-On · 1-Cash Drawing Ticket · Pull tabs available for purchase

Extra cards and daubers are available for purchase. To participate, players just have to be a member of the Pala Privileges Club. Guests under 60 years of age can play for a buy-in of $16.

So Many Ways To Win

TM

1-877-WIN-PALA (1-877-946-7252) PalaCasino.com Located in Northern San Diego County From Orange County & Los Angeles County: Take I-5 South to Hwy 76, go east 23 miles From San Diego & Riverside County: Take I-15 to Hwy 76, go east 5 miles

38 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015 PAL_002259_01_7_6_Senior_Print_r2.indd 1

6/18/15 4:50 PM

REDISCOVER RETIREMENT

It’s finally time to punch out.

After years of routine, schedule and structure, it’s finally time to punch out. Come discover the SunRiver lifestyle first hand with a $99 2 Night Discovery Villa Stay. Call 888-674-5083 for more information.

R E S O R T- S T Y L E L I V I N G

T Ravel MaRkeT p lace | Guide

TRavel

Living the High Life...

Marketplace

antiques

G u i d e

farms

Ask for current promotions Featured tours include: 12 Day Imperial China & Yangtze River Gold Experience from $3,599* visit our website to see more options Featuring Ritz-Carlton & Shangri-La Hotels in most major cities

Ask for current promotions Featured tours include: 9 Day Dreams of the Taj C Escapade H Experience

I $1,599* N from visit our A website to see more options

Ask for current promotions Featured tours include: 6 Day Touch of Japan Escapade I Experience

N D $2,199* I from visit our A website to see more options

Ask for current promotions Featured tours include: 13 Day Argentina J & Brazil Gold A or Silver

P A from $3,599* visit our N website to see more options

S O U T H

local wineries

A M E R I C A

Just 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Tehachapi is the perfect get-away.

You’ll find our cool, clean mountain air refreshing and our historic downtown friendly and charming.

* Air-inclusive & land-only prices are based on per person, double occupancy (int’l air LAX/SFO departure - add $200 for JFK; India JFK only - ask about other gateways. Fuel surcharges, taxes and fees included in air-inclusive prices). Air-inclusive prices are subject to change only before the final payment.

Above packages are land-only. For complete list of terms & conditions, please visit www.pacificdelighttours.com. CST 2098539-20

www.pacificdelighttours.com or www.pdttours.com (800) 221-7179

life after 50 half pg.indd 1 1 LIFEAFTER50.COM FEbRuARy 2015 40 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

museums

Plan your trip at VisitTehachapi.com

6/26/15 3:00 PM

California

All-inclusive DuDe RAnch Vacations are perfect for everyone.

Horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, skeet shooting and archery await you on your Ranch Vacation. Horses, Hats, Hospitality, Heritage, Honesty and Heart they’re the foundation of every ranch.

Rick Steves’ Travels

1-866-399-2339 | www.duderanch.org The lODGe AT lAKe TAhOe Our centrally located resort boasts studio-totwo bedroom condominiums that provide the comforts of home. Our on-site resort amenities serve as the premier way to enjoy South Lake Tahoe.

866.469.8222 or visit www.8664myvacation.com

For more info call 661.333.5932 or email VisitTehachapi@gmail.com www.VisitTehachapi.com

Hawaii

AsTOn hOTels Save on your best Hawaii vacation with the Aston Hotels & Resorts “Hawaii 5-0” program. Exclusively for guests 50 years and better, you’ll enjoy preferred rates at steps-to-the-beach locations with spacious accommodations, comprehensive amenities and unparalleled island-style hospitality.

Call 866.774.2924 and ask for “50+ Rates” or visit AstonHotels.com

Utah

sunRiveR sT.GeORGe is southern Utah’s premier master-planned resort-style living community. Built in an unspoiled, rural location, SunRiver St.George provides a quiet, superbly planned community with occupancy limited to at least one resident 55 or better.

From the golf course layout and community center design to the floor plans of our sensational SunRiver St. George homes, the resortstyle living lifestyle is our central point of focus. SunRiver St.George is “building a lifestyle, not just homes.”

888.688.6556 or www.SunRiver.com

International pAciFic DeliGhT TOuRs — Air inclusive China Tours from $2,599*.

Explore all of our Asia destinations: China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and India.

For more information: Call 800.221.7179 or visit www.PacificdelightTours.com

By Rick Steves

I

f you’re in the mood to surrender to a city’s charms, let it be in Barcelona.

A stroll down Barcelona’s main pedestrian drag, the Ramblas, is a freefall into sensory overload. This grand boulevard takes you from rich (the elegant main square, Plaça de Catalunya) to rough (the port) in a onemile walk.

The Ramblas, which means “stream” in Arabic, is an endless current of people and action. At the lively La Boquería produce market, locals shop in the morning for the best and freshest selection of meat, fruit, and veggies.

East of the Ramblas is Barcelona’s Gothic quarter, the Barri Gòtic, which centers on the colossal cathedral.

The narrow streets are a tangled but inviting grab bag of undiscovered Art Nouveau storefronts, neighborhood flea markets, musty junk shops, classy antique shops, and musicians strumming the folk songs of Catalunya (the independent-minded region of northeast Spain, of which Barcelona is the capital).

A creative spirit is part of the ebb and flow of daily life in Barcelona. Modern artist Joan Miró lived in the Barri Gòtic. His designs are found all over the city, from murals to mobiles to the La Caixa bank logo. If you enjoy his childlike style, ride the funicular up to Parc de Montjuïc and peek into the Fundació Joan Miró, a showcase for his art.

The Barri Gòtic was also home to a teenaged Pablo Picasso. It was in Barcelona in the 1890s that Picasso grabbed hold of the artistic vision that rocketed him to Paris and fame. The Picasso Museum in the La Ribera district is far and away the best collection of the artist’s work in Spain.

For a refreshing break from the dense old city, head north to the modern Eixample neighborhood, with its wide sidewalks, graceful shade trees, chic shops, and Art Nouveau frills. Barcelona was busting out of its medieval walls by the 1850s, and so a new town — called the Eixample, or Expansion — was laid out in a grid pattern. The original vision was an egalitarian one: Each 20-blocksquare district was to have its own hospital and large park, markets, schools, and daycare centers.

But over time, the Eixample became a showcase for wealthy residents and their Catalan architects, who turned the flourishing Art Nouveau style into Modernisme, their own brand of decorative design. Buildings bloom with characteristically colorful, leafy, and flowing shapes in doorways, entrances, facades, and ceilings.

Barcelona’s most famous Modernista artist, Antoni Gaudí, created architectural fantasies that are a quirky quilt of galloping gables and organic curves. A quintessential example of Modernisme, La Pedrera (a.k.a. Casa Milà) has walls of wavy stone and a fanciful, undulating rooftop, where 30 chimneys reach towards the sky.

At Casa Batlló, a green-blue ceramic-speckled facade, tibia-esque pillars, and shell-like balconies are inspired by nature, while the humpback roofline suggests a cresting dragon’s back.

Gaudí’s best-known and most persistent work is the eternally unfinished Sagrada Família, with its meltingice-cream-cone spires and towers. The Nativity Facade, the only part of the church essentially completed within Gaudí’s lifetime, shows the architect’s original vision.

Mixing Christian symbolism, images from nature, and the organic flair of Modernisme, it’s an impressive example of his unmistakable style.

Climb up between the spires for a gargoyle’s-eye perspective of a living, growing, bigger-than-life building.

Local craftsmen often finish up their careers by putting in a couple of years working on the project. The church is supposed to be completed in 2026, which marks the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death.

Gaudí fans can also enjoy the artist’s magic in the colorful, freewheeling Park Güell, a 30-acre hilltop garden. Carpeted with fanciful mosaics and dotted with sculptures, this park is a great place to cap the day.

From art to food to markets, Barcelona specializes in being a visual feast.

Rick ST eveS’ T Ravel

cOme up TO TehAchApi! Just 90 minutes from L.A., Tehachapi is the perfect getaway. Located at 4,000 ft, our cool mountain breezes will give you a refreshing perspective. Come visit our historical downtown area, quaint boutiques, antique shops and award winning wineries.

Barcelona: A Visual Feast

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.

TOuRs4Fun Cruise the tropical waters of Baja, Mexico and enjoy your relaxing and fun-filled vacation aboard!

Book your 4-Nights Baja, Mexico Cruise starting as low as $169!

Call: 1-855-656-6725 or visit www.tours4fun.com/cruises

July 2015 LIFEAFTER50.COM 41

And Finally...

The Bookworm’s Best A Life After 50 book review

by Terri “The Bookworm” Schlichenmeyer

Infinite Words: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Publishing

By Zane

S

ometimes, you feel like a boiling pot.

That’s because you’ve been cooking a story up and it bubbles and rolls just below the surface of your mind, waiting to burst forth into a bestseller for an eager audience. It’s always been your dream to be a famous author – and, who knows, that could happen, but there’s work to do first. “Infinite Words” by Zane can get you started.

You’re witty. You’ve had an interesting life and friends have said that you should write a book, although “not everyone who thinks they want to will be able to write a book or become a published author,” says Zane. Even so, if you decide to walk the walk, there are lots of steps to consider.

First of all, she says, you’ll need discipline to set your writing habits, to find the right people to help you create a good product, and to finish your manuscript. Determine your writing style and “make a PIE” (Persuasion, Information, Entertainment) to hold your readers’ interest. Mixing the “six basic human needs” into your story is also important, and while you’re writing, read, read, read; you will learn from other writers.

As for characters in a novel, know what to do and what not to do. Zane warns against adding too much “fluff” in your story; it only serves as padding and might turn readers away. For a non-fiction book, remember that anything libelous or slanderous won’t be published by a reputable company. “Publishers,” says Zane, “are not going to risk a lawsuit, no matter how amazing the book may be.”

Understand that the editing process requires patience (and yes, even if you’re self-publishing, you’ll need proofreaders and an editor). Don’t ever send a sloppy manuscript out. Know the realities of being an author, keep in mind that “the literary industry is a very small, close-knit community,” and maintain professionalism at all times.

Says Zane, remember that, “A successful writing career is not going to fall into your lap.”

Oh, how I wish I could wave a magic wand and put “Infinite Words” into the hands of every new and budding writer!

With blunt truthfulness, that’s like a breath of fresh air, author-publisher Zane tells it like it is as she coaches writing readers with tough love and advice that, regretfully, might still not bring success (which she explains). Be aware this book may squash your dreams; in fact, there are many pages where her words could be hard to accept. Nevertheless, readers brave enough to be in it for the long-haul (and that includes erotica writers) will find information to instruct, becalm, and enlighten, from opening sentence to finished product.

If you’ve been told that you “should write a book,” this is the place to start. This book can keep you on-track and away from mistakes, and it can help you determine if you’ve got it in you to continue. If you’ve always dreamed of being an author, “Infinite Words” is perfect, whether you’re planning a memoir, novel, erotica, romance, or… a potboiler.

“Infinite Words: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Publishing” by Zane, 2015, Atria, $16.00, 198 pages The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer who lives on a hill with two dogs and more than 12,000 books. You can read more of her book reviews at www.lifeafter50.com. Just click on “Entertainment” and then “Book Reviews.”

A Look Back

F

ifty years ago this month, musicians Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek encountered one another while strolling on Venice Beach. The duo soon decided to from a band that, ultimately, was whittled down to themselves, drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger. The inspiration for their band’s name – The Doors – came from Aldous Huxley’s book “The Doors of Perception,” which was inspired by a line in William Blake’s “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell” that read: “If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is: infinite.” Going on to become the house band at the Whisky A Go Go, they were discovered and signed

by Elektra Records president Jac Holzman, recorded their first album, “The Doors,” in 1966, and saw “Light My Fire” reach Number One. Many believed the door would permanently shut on The Doors following Morrison’s death from a widely believed (but never officially confirmed) drug overdose in 1971 at the age of 27. The Doors, however, did go on for two more years, leaving a legacy as one of the best-selling bands of all time, being ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and being inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

42 LIFEAFTER50.COM July 2015

Just A Thought Before We Go “Long may our land be bright With freedom’s holy light.”

– Samuel Francis Smith

Explore Hawaii’s sky blue waters. Walk its soft sandy shores. Feel the rhythm of island life.

Stay at an Aston hotel or condominium resort on Oahu, Maui, Kauai or Hawaii Island and enjoy picture perfect settings, island inspired accommodations and true Aston hospitality. Let Aston welcome you with its 65-year tradition of service and aloha. Ask about special 50+ Rates* for guests 50 years and older.

866.774.2924 | AstonHotels.com *Room must be occupied by qualifying individual. Valid picture ID with proof of age required upon check-in. Subject to availability. Some restrictions may apply.