August 2014 by Minnesota Good Age

AUGUST 2014

style Step up your Page 38

SAN DIEGO ON THE CHEAP Page 28

BEAUTY PRODUCTS FOR SUMMER Page 15

NEW CAR: BUY OR LEASE? Page 20

Embrace the Future

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CONTENTS

AUGUST 2014 VOLUME 33 / ISSUE 8 PUBLISHERS Janis Hall jhall@mngoodage.com Terry Gahan tgahan@mngoodage.com GENERAL MANAGER Chris Damlo 612-436-4376 cdamlo@mngoodage.com

EDITOR Sarah Dorison 612-436-4385 sdorison@mngoodage.com

SAN DIEGO ON THE CHEAP See how one Minnesota couple used their rewards for a steal of a trip!

LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD Local style gurus share simple makeover tips for stepping up your style now!

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Patrica Carlson Suzy Cohen Mary Cordell Carol Hall Vincent Francoual Skip Johnson Julie Kendrick Dave Nimmer Lynn Pribus Richard Sherman Michael Spilane CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dana Croatt dcroatt@mngoodage.com

GOOD START FROM THE EDITOR 8 Chasing memories, little things

MEMORIES 12 Elusive memories of Paris

MY TURN 10 Spiritual, intellectual learning

THIS MONTH IN MN HISTORY 12 The Beatles come to town!

GOOD HEALTH

GOOD LIVING

ASK THE PHARMACIST 14 When to take your medicine

FINANCE 20 Your new car: Lease or buy?

HOT STUFF 15 Beauty products for summer

HOUSING 22 Hardscaping vs. landscaping

HOUSE CALL 16 Diet drugs that really don’t work

TECHNOLOGY 24 Printer-spooler problems

CAREGIVING 18 Do you need a caregiver coach?

IN THE KITCHEN 26 Grilled peach and lentil salad

CAN’T MISS CALENDAR

AUGUST 2014

42 36

BRAIN TEASERS

SALES ADMINISTRATOR Kate Manson 612-436-5085 kmanson@mngoodage.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Valerie Moe Amanda Wadeson PAGE DESIGNER Kylie Beran CIRCULATION Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 distribution@mngoodage.com

50,000 copies of Minnesota Good Age are distributed to homes and businesses metro-wide. Minnesota Good Age (ISSN 2333-3197) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications. Minnesota Good Age, 1115 Hennepin Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55403 © 2014 Minnesota Premier Publications, Inc. Subscriptions are $12 per year.

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FROM THE EDITOR ////// SARAH DORISON

WE CAN’T CHOOSE OUR MEMORIES A

h, warmth! Yes, it’s high summer in Minnesota. (As I write this, we’re under a heat advisory!) Too hot? No, we must drink it in, I say. For, in a few months’ time, it will be a memory. And, really, what’ll we remember of the summer of 2014? Even the sharpest of us, even those with near-photographic memories, can recall only so much: We have such selective memories! This reality was heightened for me by Carol Hall’s Memories column in this month’s issue about her trip to Paris many years ago. Without photos to help her recall her visit, she remembered little of her adventures with three stewardess friends. “I have no recollection of The Louvre museum, the Eiffel Tower, the gardens at Versailles.” I took a trip to Paris, too, 15 years ago. And, without photos to help me redraw my trip, I also remember very little. Maybe it’s sensory overload that makes memories — especially on big, important trips — fade. Maybe it’s that we have only so much room in our brains. Whatever it is, it makes me want to live in the moment, intentionally, like the little stuff counts, too, because, surely, it does! In fact, this issue’s features are all about the little stuff — and how it can make a big impact: First, let’s talk style. As anyone over a certain age knows, looking sharp can be more challenging as we add on years. It takes more work and you have to learn new tricks, every year. But check out the before-and-after photos in this issue, and I think you’ll agree it’s worth it. “Look good, feel good,” is a powerful combination, not to be underestimated. Another one of life’s seemingly superficial facets is rewards points. If you have a credit card, you probably have them piling up. But have you ever tried to make them work for you? This month’s travel story is a three-day trip to San Diego for two for $700 (yes, including airfare), all made possible by gathering little things together to create one big trip. Memorable? Perhaps. Though we’ll never know in advance what moments will prove unforgettable, we know some will stay with us forever. This month, columnist Dave Nimmer recalls a nugget of spiritual wisdom gleaned during his college years. His professor of religion said: “There is no conflict, no contradiction in thinking yourself a child of God and being a rational human being.” “Fifty years later,” Nimmer writes, “I’m still thinking about that and believing I got my money’s worth from my ‘higher education.’” Now that’s a powerful memory! What do you remember?

Sarah Dorison, Editor

AUGUST 2014

MY TURN ////// DAVE NIMMER

SCHOOL AWAKENS PASSIONS, SPIRITUALITY I

don’t have any kids, but I have 10 years of experience in teaching other people’s kids at the University of St. Thomas. So when back-toschool time came around, I got more than a little enthused and excited. I was teaching journalism courses — writing and reporting — but the vision I had for students went well beyond the basics of the inverted pyramid lead for a news story or interviewing techniques for beginners. No, I had higher hopes for students than simply acquiring a skill set. I wanted them to leave with a purposeful passion. For the engineer, this is the moment when the circuit is completed; for the chemist, the equation is balanced; for the musician, the melody is revealed; for the journalist, a source is found and

Photo by Mike Ekern / University of St. Thomas

AUGUST 2014

the story is finished. This is when you pump your fist in the air, smile and say to yourself, “Yep, I just brought it home.” I had that feeling at the University of Wisconsin when I took a feature writing course from a tough professor, who used plenty of red ink on my stories. When I wrote one, however, about a fishing trip to northern Wisconsin, I used active verbs, colorful nouns and crisp quotes to tell about a lake at the end of a logging trail, where bass lurked under the fallen trees at the water’s edge, hit top-water plugs and danced in the air. I got an “A,” and I was on my way. I wanted my students to be on their way with a sense of history, not only for their own country but also that of the world, particularly the Middle East and Africa. I knew so little when I left Madison about the Arab culture, emerging countries and indigenous people. I’d never seen the Quran, understood European monarchies or examined ancient empires. Now the world is connected on Facebook and LinkedIn. The shirts we buy are made in Bangladesh. Our smart phones are sold in Moscow. I believe, wherever they land, college students ought to graduate with a sense of grace — an appreciation for the turn of a phrase, the delicacy of a painting, the power of a symphony. They needn’t be culture snobs. An affinity for the candor of a good country song would do. I’d challenge them to lift their prose out of the primordial muck of mediocrity. Songwriter Rodney Crowell says, “The wind blows down on Lonely Street like an ice pick through the air.” Poet e.e. cummings writes: I like my body when it is with your Body. It is so quite new a thing.

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Muscles better and nerves more. I like your body. I like what it does, I like its hows. I liked it when students began to develop a sense of themselves as spiritual human beings, too, tiny parts of creation, wondering about their relationship to a higher power. Even at Wisconsin, a university more secular than spiritual, I discovered a class that made faith sound possible, appear rational and seem sensible. I promptly ignored the lessons for the next 30 years, but recently they’ve become the philosophical foundation for a grown-up faith. That class, called Religion and the Moral Life, was taught by a white-haired, soft-spoken, studentfriendly professor — A. Campbell Garnett. He readily acknowledged the philosophically fatal flaws in the arguments of those who tried to prove the existence of God. “But I can tell you,” he said at the beginning of the semester, “there is no conflict, no contradiction in thinking yourself a child of God and being a rational human being.” He walked delicately along the border of faith and reason, holding our hands and widening our horizons. He contended that we discovered God within each of us, the part of us that demands we concern ourselves with others. Fifty years later, I’m still thinking about that and believing I got my money’s worth from my “higher education.” Dave Nimmer has had a long career as a reporter, editor and professor. Now retired, he has no business card, but plenty to do. Send comments or questions to dnimmer@‌mngoodage.com.

Part D

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AUGUST 2014

MEMORIES ////// CAROL HALL

RECOLLECTIONS OF PARIS M

emories can be erratic. I sat down at my computer one day planning to write about a trip I took to Paris some years ago. The photos of that adventure would bring back memories from which to draw on to compose the article. But somehow I couldn’t find them. They weren’t where they should’ve been in the special album of vacations I took as an airline stewardess. That meant I’d have to rely solely on my rear-view memory for details. The trip came about because of an inexpensive package deal a travel agency offered to airline crew members. It included lodging, meals and tours of the city on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Crew members often were offered vacation packages like this one that were just too good to pass up. What with my free airline pass for transportation, I recall thinking it’d be cheaper to go sightseeing in Paris for a weekend than stay home and go shopping. I traveled with three other stewardess friends. We were put up in a small hotel in the heart of the city. I have a vague recollection of typically French striped wallpaper and ornate furniture in our bedroom, and a peculiar-looking thing called a bidet in the bathroom. I remember, too, that the first night there, my roommate

Barbara dropped a bottle of makeup, messing up the bathroom floor, even splashing on the walls, and that she was so embarrassed, she wrote a note to the maid (in English!) saying, “I’m so sorry.” But much to my chagrin, I couldn’t recall a single detail of the tours! I have no recollection of The Louvre museum, the Eiffel Tower, the gardens at Versailles or the other sights we took in, nor of the fine restaurants in which we dined. My only memory of the great city of Paris came looking out our motor coach window and spotting a French hearse! There it was, leading a funeral procession of small European automobiles through downtown Paris. Now, this wasn’t the large lumbering Cadillac used in America to transport a coffin. It was a very tiny, very French, black Citroen, with a casket spray of flowers that covered the top of the vehicle. Why the hearse stands out in my memory — and not the

THIS MONTH IN MINNESOTA HISTORY

The Beatles came to town in 1965 More than 4,000 fans greeted the Beatles when they arrived at WoldChamberlain Airport in Bloomington on Aug. 21, 1965. The fans, mostly teenage girls, turned what’s now Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport into what one local newspaper reporter called, “Shrieksville U.S.A.”

The Beatles were at their peak of popularity in 1965. Their latest album, Help, had just come out — and the movie of the same name was

AUGUST 2014

playing in local theatres. The band started their U.S. tour by playing to a world-record crowd of more than 55,000 at New York’s Shea Stadium on Aug. 15. Six days later, they would perform at Met Stadium in Bloomington. The anticipation over their arrival in the Twin Cities got the better of the promoters. Fearing a teenage riot, Ray Colihan, a.k.a. Big Reggie, didn’t promote the concert heavily,

instead relying on word of mouth to sell tickets. As a result, turnout was

Photo by St. Paul Dispatch & Pioneer Press Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

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modest. Stadium capacity was 40,000, but the crowd that night numbered just under 26,000. It was the only concert on the tour that didn’t sell out. Still, excitement was in the air. At about 8:45 p.m. the boys came out of the Twins’ dugout and took the stage, which was set up over second base. They played for 35 minutes, singing 11 songs, including Ticket to Ride and A Hard Day’s Night. — Minnesota Historical Society Staff

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AUGUST 2014

ASK THE PHARMACIST ////// SUZY COHEN

Quiz your doctor before taking meds Q&A What does it mean when a medication label

says, “take on an empty stomach” or “take with food” because I never adhere to those warnings and I’m still alive. Does it really matter?

It matters in most cases, but not all. With antibiotics, it may be that your medicine reaches a higher blood level when you take it on an empty stomach, but over the course of therapy, it doesn’t change the outcome, meaning the pathogens are killed regardless of when you take the medicine. With other medications, such as sleeping pills, a warning to avoid alcohol is important and should be adhered to because the combination could be fatal. It’s the same thing with certain antidepressants (MAO or monoamine oxidase inhibitors inhibitors) that can’t be combined with cheese, or death could result. For your safety, let me give you the proper questions to ask your doctor and/or pharmacist: 1. What’s the name of the condition you’re treating me for? 2. What’s the brand name and generic name of the medication you’re prescribing? 3. Is there a less expensive, generic alternative? 4. Do I take it in the morning or at night, or divide the dose throughout the day? 5. It is better to take it with food or on an empty stomach? 6. About how long will it be before I begin to see results? 7. Are there any supplements that could help this medicine work better, or are there any to avoid?

AUGUST 2014

8. Is it okay to drink wine or other alcohol with my medicine? 9. Will coffee, dairy or mineral supplements inactivate my medicine? 10. How long do I stay on this medication? (Some medications are only intended for a few days or weeks, but people remain on them indefinitely. This is the most important question to ask.)

If the caution label states “on an empty stomach,” that means two hours after you eat, or one hour beforehand. If it states “take with food,” it means to take it while eating or right after. If it says “do not operate machinery or equipment” that’s a clue that your medicine can make you drowsy or clumsy. It means to avoid driving, mowing your lawn, using a chainsaw or anything else that requires you to focus. Here’s another good rule of thumb: Start low and go slow! With medications, the lowest effective dose is ideal. You don’t need to kill a fly with a shotgun and if you try, you could wind up with side effects you wouldn’t experience with a lower dose. And, finally, if you notice your medication keeps you up at night, then don’t take it too late in the day. Examples of medicines best taken in the morning include thyroid medicine, steroids like prednisone, attention-deficit drugs like Ritalin or the fatiguebuster Provigil. Examples of medicine that should be taken at night include certain antihistamines (like diphenhydramine), anxiolytics like alprazolam, pain medicines like hydrocodone and muscle relaxers. If you have any doubts, call your local pharmacist or physician. Suzy Cohen has been a licensed pharmacist for almost 25 years. Send questions to info@pharmacist.com.

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G O O D H E A LT H HOUSE CALL ////// DR. MICHAEL SPILANE

Be wary of weight-loss products T

hirty-five percent of U.S. adults over age 60 are obese, and most of them would like to shed the unwanted pounds. Unfortunately, there are lots of unscrupulous companies willing to help — unscrupulous because they sell weight-loss products that have no proven benefit. If a product is merely worthless, the loss to the customer is only the money; the bigger problem is that nutritional supplements with claims of effectiveness for losing weight can be very dangerous. In September 2013 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) linked 97 cases of liver failure to the use of OxyElite Pro, a popular over-the-counter nutritional supplement promoted as effective for weight loss and muscle strengthening. The FDA forced a product recall, but a reformulated OxyElite remains available. Because of the OxyElite cases and many other instances of serious illness and death caused by the use of weight-loss remedies and other nutritional supplements, the FDA has come under increasing pressure to regulate promotion and sale of these products. This past June, Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of The Dr. Oz Show, faced grilling by senators on Capitol Hill who were angry about the promotion of weightloss products on his show. Sen. Claire McCaskill, chairwoman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance, told him “the scientific community is almost monolithic against you in terms of the efficacy of three products you called miracles.” Were it not for scientific methodology, we would still be applying (or swallowing or inserting) snake oil, hoping the benefit exceeded the risk. Testimonials and isolated personal experiences are of no value in determining the efficacy of any medical product or treatment. Rigorous, well-controlled scientific studies are essential if beneficial outcomes are to win out over harmful ones. Using products that haven’t

AUGUST 2014

Using products that haven’t been subjected to scientific scrutiny is like playing roulette with your health.

been subjected to scientific scrutiny is like playing roulette with your health. Whether you’re considering weight-loss products, other nutritional supplements or any hyped health remedy, the following advice can help you avoid being a victim of quackery: • Be skeptical of products that sound too good to be true: A daily tablespoon of some concoction to lose weight? Magnetized or oxygenated water to relieve pain or boost energy? Foot soaks that suck out body toxins? Herbs to improve memory? Always beware if there’s a promise of a quick and easy fix. • Ignore testimonials from satisfied customers. It’s easy to find people who will say anything for pay. • Don’t believe a product is necessarily beneficial because a trusted celebrity promotes it. • Laugh if a product boasts that it is “100 percent effective.” And there are lots of other opportunities to laugh. • If you think unproven products are hard to come by, visit a health food store. On second thought, don’t even go near one of them. • A high price doesn’t mean a product is better. Or even good. Con artists commonly goose the price to make the buyer feel the product is superior. • If a health treatment isn’t widely accepted by physicians and the scientific community, it almost certainly has unproven benefits. And unknown risks. Dr. Michael Spilane, now retired, spent more than four decades practicing and teaching geriatric medicine in St. Paul. Send comments or questions to drspilane@‌mngoodage.com.

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G O O D H E A LT H CAREGIVING

Is caregiver coaching for you? BY MARY CORDELL

any caregivers must juggle the demands of a career, household and family responsibilities while caring for a family member, friend or neighbor. Just one — or a combination of such responsibilities on top of providing care — can be challenging and can lead to stress and burnout. To reduce stress and burnout in your caregiving situation, you might want to consider working with a caregiver consultant/coach. A caregiving coach is a trained professional who helps family caregivers maintain their personal health, wellbeing and a sense of balance in their lives. WHAT COACHING ENTAILS

Caregiver coaches help caregivers identify barriers that may be causing stress. They help set goals to overcome those barriers and offers on-going support and guidance, especially as caregivers’ roles and expectations change. Most caregiver coaching consist of: • A formal assessment of the caregiving situation to identify the caregiver’s strengths, challenges and stressors. The assessment also looks at the care needs of the care receiver, the caregiver’s health, existing networks for emotional and practical support and legal and financial issues. • Based on information from the

AUGUST 2014

assessment, the coach works with the caregiver to identify his/her most critical needs or areas of concern. • The caregiver, with guidance from the coach, then develops goals to resolve these concerns. The goals of each caregiver are individualized and unique. • Once the caregiver’s goals are established, action steps along with expected completion dates are developed. • The coach provides ongoing support, motivational coaching

and follow-up calls, emails or visits at intervals determined by the caregiver. This provides accountability to help the caregiver move forward on his or her goals.

SETTING, REACHING GOALS

Last year, I coached a woman caring for her husband with Alzheimer’s disease. Following the initial assessment, I worked with her to identify several potential goals. Her most important goal at the time was to attend her high school reunion. The primary barrier to attending the reunion was the need for 24-hour care for her husband. After brainstorming, we came up with action steps with expected completion dates. These steps included investigating the costs and availability of overnight respite care from family and friends,

out-of-home respite care facilities and in-home care agencies. Having clear action steps, along with ongoing support and coaching, insured she was making progress toward reaching her goal. The caregiver also faced emotional barriers and guilt about leaving her husband, which we addressed in the coaching sessions. After several months of work, the caregiver accomplished her goal, was able to attend her high school reunion with less guilt, and had a great time. FINDING A COACH

There are several organizations that provide caregiver coaching and consultation services. Most are provided on a sliding-scale fee system based on income. To find a caregiver consultant/coach go to minnesotahelp.info. Click on the Start a Search button. On the Search page, click on the Names tab, type in caregiver consultant and enter a location (optional). Click on the Start a Search button and scroll down to find a consultant in your area. Or call the Senior LinkAge Line at 800-333-2433 to locate caregiver-coaching services near you. Mary Cordell is a licensed social worker (LSW), an aging resource consultant at DARTS, a caregiver consultant at Eldercare Partners and a member of the Metropolitan Caregiver Service Collaborative.

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AUGUST 2014

FINANCE ////// SKIP JOHNSON

Car talk: Should you buy or lease? W

hether it’s a sporty convertible to make the most of what’s left of summer or a big SUV to carry the grandkids to Valleyfair, this is the time of year for transportation temptation. In the newspaper and on TV, images of shiny, new 2015 models catch your eye; and the advertised low monthly payments reel you in. One big question: Will you buy or lease? Leasing is growing in popularity. However, it’s certainly not for everyone. There are several factors you should consider: UPFRONT COSTS

The down payment on a lease is typically lower. In many instances, you may be able to drive that shiny new car off the lot after paying little or no money down by increasing what you pay each month. MONTHLY PAYMENTS

This is also typically lower with leasing. When you buy a car, you’re paying the entire sale price over time. When you lease, what you pay is based on how much the vehicle is expected to lose in value while it’s in your possession — a substantially lower amount. There’s one option to reduce your monthly payment when buying that’s growing in popularity: To make today’s more expensive cars more affordable to the masses, lenders are offering longer-term loans. And consumers are buying. According to Experian, 1 in 5 vehicle purchases in late 2013 involved a loan longer than six years. Yes, that lowers the monthly payment. But, because you’re financing it for a longer period, you’ll end up paying more in interest. And, you’ll likely spend more time “upside down,” owing more than what the vehicle is worth. ONGOING EXPENSES

Whether you buy or lease, many ongoing automotive expenses remain the same. You still need to pay to license it, to insure it and gas it up. You also

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still need to pay for ongoing maintenance like oil changes and tune-ups. With many leases, following a maintenance schedule is required, with penalties assessed at the end if you can’t show it was done. For those on a fixed income, or who simply want to reduce the risk of getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, a lease may be more attractive. When you lease, it’s possible to have a new car every few years. A newer car is less likely to need a major repair. And, even if it does, that major repair would be more likely to be covered under warranty. MILES

This is a big consideration. With a lease, the number of miles you can drive is typically limited to 9,000 to 15,000 per year. Many leasing companies charge 15 to 20 cents per mile over that limit. That can add up fast. Alternately, a lease may also not be a smart choice if you drive too few miles. Remember, what you pay is based on how much the vehicle drops in value. If you drive fewer miles than expected, the vehicle’s value won’t drop as much, but you’ll still be paying as if it did. TIME

As you get older, this factor becomes more important. If you become unable or unwilling to drive, at some point your vehicle will no longer be useful to you. If you own it, you can sell it. At the very least, you can pay off most, if not all, of the remaining loan balance. If you’re in the midst of a lease, your options are limited. If you can’t find someone to take over the lease, you either have to keep paying it or pay a substantial early termination penalty.

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IN THE END

When you buy and you’ve paid all your loan payments, you own the car. When you’ve paid all your lease payments, you own nothing. You do, however, have the option to buy a leased vehicle at a price set at the beginning of the lease. That price is based on what it was expected to be worth at the end of the lease. So, if a leased vehicle holds its value better than expected, it could be a bargain. Skip Johnson is a partner at Great Waters Financial in New Hope. Learn more at mygreatwaters.com.

USED: A MORE AFFORDABLE OPTION If you don’t need the absolute latest car with all the newest gadgets, but you still want the peace of mind that comes with a newer car, there’s an alternative I often recommend to my clients: Factory-certified used or factorycertified pre-owned vehicles are newer used vehicles that have passed thorough inspections.

Because such vehicles are used, their pricing is substantially lower. Because each car’s been inspected, you have some assurance that the one you buy won’t break down right after you drive it off the lot. And, because all of this was done with the manufacturer’s blessing, such cars typically come with extended versions of their original warranties.

Prairie Oaks Memorial Eco Gardens Minnesota’s first “green” cemetery

Natural burial... an option. A GREENER WAY TO GO From preparing bodies to burying them in natural settings, the green burial movement is attempting to make death more environmentally friendly and, in some ways, closer to the way it was in the past.

A Comparison

STANDARD BURIAL Burials use formaldehyde embalming and longlasting caskets. They can easily cost $10,000. A standard grave site, often landscaped and well-maintained, features a large headstone made of granite or flat bronze. Fertilizer and pesticides are used on the grass.

NATURAL BURIAL A green grave site is a natural setting, more closely resembling a forest floor.

3 ft. 4 ft. 3.5 ft. 5 ft.

Below ground, a casket made of steel, finished wood and copper rests inside a concrete vault capped by a thick concrete lid.

GREEN GRAVES DELIVER MORE VALUE Prairie Oaks offers you · A less expensive burial option · A way to become a part of the land preservation · A spiritually rewarding experience for your family members

The natural, or green, burial method starts with the body preparation, which uses no embalming fluid or a nonformaldehyde-based formula. Green burials can cost less than $2,000. If there’s a headstone, it’s a rock or a piece of rough-cut limestone that’s flat on one side to easily identify the deceased. Some methods use GPS coordinates to spot a grave’s location. Caskets are made of wood, plywood, bamboo, cardboard, cornstarch or wicker. Sometimes a shroud or quilt may be used to wrap the body.

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GOOD LIVING HOUSING ////// LYNN PRIBUS

Hardscaping can solve landscape problems W

hile landscaping is a familiar term, the increasingly common phrase “hardscaping” may be new for some people. SO WHAT EXACTLY IS HARDSCAPING?

Hardscaping consists of hard building materials that are, generally speaking, more lasting, even permanent, unlike plants, mulch, soils and other elements of landscaping. Hardscaping includes natural stone, gravel or boulders as well as manufactured pavers, edging stone, bricks, retaining-wall blocks and even stepping-stones. Treated wood and metal can be used as hardscaping elements, too. Patios, retaining walls and even large wooden pergolas or arbors for climbing plants are also forms of hardscaping. Hardscaping can make a dramatic impact on any home’s appearance as well as functionality. Curved walkways made of handsome bricks or strategically placed natural stones leading to a front door can make a home more inviting, for example. Some homeowners create extra living areas using hardscaping, such as outdoor kitchens with built-in fireplaces, barbecues and counter areas. Others opt for built-in outdoor seating areas and fire pits. TACKLING PROBLEM AREAS

Hardscaping can also be used to help with difficult landscaping situations such as steep areas affected by soil erosion, low spots where water collects or

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areas where heavy foot traffic makes it difficult to maintain a lawn. On a steep property, a retaining wall can level off a slope to provide more level, useable space for a garden or patio. In areas with poor soil, hardscaping can be used to create wooden or stack-stone raised beds that can be filled with a good gardening soils for growing flowers, vegetables and herbs. Hardscaped pathways can make it easier for people with disabilities to move and even garden, especially when using raised beds. Hardscaped borders around garden beds and borders can make lawn care and edging easier, too. DOING IT YOURSELF

Interlocking pavers are some of the most commonly used elements of hardscaping. And a reasonably handy homeowner can create a pathways or patios with them using just a few tools such as a level, tamper, wheelbarrow and shovel. Retaining walls, on the other hand, can be more

Hardscaping consists of hard building materials that are, generally speaking, more lasting, even permanent, unlike plants, mulch, soils and other elements of landscaping.

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complicated. In many places, homeowners must use a certified installer or get a city permit depending on the wall’s design. The permit is less about color or materials and more about how much of the property is involved, how the wall will be reinforced and backfilled as well as how drainage will be managed. MANAGING DRAINAGE

Drainage is often an important aspect of landscaping. Hardscaped areas such as driveways or large patios can lead to problems with flooding. Permeable materials, however, such as pervious concrete or paving stones, allow water to pass through, rather than run off directly into the street. With permeable paving systems, water is allowed to percolate into ground water systems, rather than rushing into storm drains or local streams. Learn more about permeable paving — and find a certified installer of permeable paving surfaces — at icpi. org, the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute. Lynn Pribus and her husband live in Virginia, where an angled flight of timber-and-flagstone step leads to their flagstone entryway.

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GOOD LIVING TECHNOLOGY ////// MR. MODEM

photo printing issues / lost hotmail contacts / changing Start menus in Windows When I try to print certain photos, I get an error message that tells me Windows cannot connect with my printer and I need to restart the spooler. What the heck is a spooler and how do I restart it?

Q&A

Spooler alert! A print spooler is software that temporarily stores print jobs on your computer’s hard drive or in its memory (RAM) until the printer’s ready to print them — a print queue. The way a print spooler is typically restarted is to restart the computer. That clears the queue and resets it. To manually restart the spooler, be sure you are logged into your Administrator account in Windows, then go to your Control Panel and click System and Maintenance, then click Administrative Tools. Next, double-click Services. If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. Rightclick the Print Spooler service, then click Properties. On the General tab, next to Startup Type, make sure Automatic is selected. If the service isn’t already running, under Service status, click Start, then OK. If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation yet again, type the password or provide confirmation. It’s certainly possible the problem you are experiencing has to do with the source files (photos) and not your computer/printer. If that’s the case, it would be beyond your control. If your printer works fine for just about everything other than a few specific photos, chances are the photo files are the culprit. I had a Hotmail account, which then changed into Outlook.com and, in the process, all my contacts were lost. I called Microsoft, but

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they’ve done absolutely nothing to help me. Is there any way to get my contacts back?

I can’t promise the following will work, but it’s worked for some individuals who have had similarly unpleasant experiences: First, log into your Outlook.com account and click the drop-down arrow next to Outlook in the upper left-hand corner. You’ll see options to choose Outlook.com, People, Calendar or OneDrive. Select People. Click the drop-down arrow next to Manage at the top of the page and select Restore Deleted Contacts. If there are deleted contacts Outlook can restore, you can restore all of them or select individual contacts. After making your selection, choose Restore. If the cybergods are smiling upon you, your selected contacts should reappear in your Contacts list. A few months ago, I changed my Start menu in Windows XP to display the Classic Windows Start menu. I now want to change it back to the default, but I can’t remember how I changed it in the first place. Can you point me in the right direction?

Right-click the Start button and select Properties. That will display the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties screen. Select the Start Menu tab where you can then choose between the XP-style Start menu or the Classic Start menu, as well as a button to make additional customized changes, if you wish. I prefer the Classic Start menu, but try them both and use whichever one tickles your digital fancy. Richard A. Sherman, a nationally syndicated columnist, first ventured onto the Internet in 1988. Learn more at mrmodem.net.

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THE PERILS AT GREAT FALLS When you arrive at this site — a special project by The Washington Post about the most treacherous parts of the Potomac River Gorge — you’ll notice river water flowing and markers floating like buoys. Click each marker to view an interesting, educational fact. After you’ve examined all the markers, scroll down and read the article, In the Potomac’s grip: The deceptively placid waters at Great Falls, first published in August 2013. wapo.st/great-falls

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AUGUST 2014

GOOD LIVING IN THE KITCHEN

Photo by Brenda Maurseth

BY CHEF VINCENT FRANCOUAL

Grilled peach and lentil salad 4 ripe peaches, pitted and quartered 1/2 cup of uncooked black lentils, rinsed 2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced 1 yellow bell pepper, diced 1/4 cup parsley leaves, finely chopped 2 tablepoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped 3 tablespoons of pine nuts 4 tablespoons of golden raisins 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional) Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling Salt and pepper Sweet chili vinaigrette (recipe included)

Place lentils in a medium saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until lentils are tender. Drain lentils and cool. Drizzle peaches with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place peaches on grill rack, cut sides down. Grill 4 to 5 minutes or until soft and slightly browned. Combine the lentils, shallots, bell pepper, parsley, cilantro, pine nuts and raisins in a mixing bowl.Â Add 3 tablespoons of the sweet chili vinaigrette to the salad. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper (optional). Divide the lentil salad on to four plates and top with the peach quarters. Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad.Â

Serves 4

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat.

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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon water 4 ounces of sweet chili sauce 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Mix the mustard, red wine vinegar, water and sweet chili sauce in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. This recipe makes extra vinaigrette. It can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

Chef Vincent Francoual has been the chef/owner of Vincent, A Restaurant in downtown Minneapolis since its inception in 2001. In 2013, he and Brenda Maurseth welcomed a daughter to the family — their “petite fromage,” Chloe Neige. Francoual is enjoying his adventures in fatherhood and is quite sure Chloe will follow in his culinary footsteps.

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AUGUST 2014

TRAVEL

How did we visit one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spendiest cities on the cheap? We (finally) used our rewards!

$637 BY PAT R I C I A C A R L S O N

THE SAN DIEGO SKYLINE.

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f you have a credit card, chances are, you’re enrolled in some kind of free rewards program. You might be a member of a frequent flyer club. You might hit up discount websites every once in a while. You probably belong to some customer loyalty program. And, if you’re anything like me, you’ve let those points, rewards, miles, discounts, gift certificates and gift cards sit unused for years. But why? What’s so great about having all these freebies if you never use them? That’s what my husband Shawn and I asked ourselves as we approached another wedding anniversary. Here’s how we landed a three-day trip to San Diego for less than $700 — and how you can do it, too. TRATEGIC PLANNING IS KEY

You simply just can’t wing a budget vacation. It takes forethought, research and plenty of planning. Your No. 1 priority is to take stock of your rewards programs and tally how many miles or points you have to cover the cost of certain things (like air travel) or what the spread is between what you have and your estimated trip costs. If you don’t have reward or pointbased credit cards, or don’t belong to any loyalty programs, taking a holiday this stingy might not be a reality. But it’s never too late to get started. (See our sidebars for tips!) Understanding your rewards situation directly affects where you can go. If you don’t have any airline miles saved, but you have gas points, perhaps you’ll need to head somewhere within AUGUST 2014

REWARDS USED 80,000 30,000

7,700

Delta SkyMiles for two flights Capital One credit card rewards for $300 put toward the hotel Visa credit card rewards for a $50 Starbucks card

CASH USED $200.00 $72.00

$70.20

$55.02 $49.50 $37.33 $30.84 $21.00 $20.00

$13.00 $9.00

$60.00

Anniversary gift (used for the remainer of the hotel) San Diego Zoo (two passes bought on biddingforgood.com) Old Town Trolley Tour (two tickets bought in advance online) BASIC urban kitchen + bar Spike Africa’s Brian’s 24 Cafe 222 Donut Bar USS Midway (two tickets for $10 each via biddingforgood.com) Searsucker San Diego Airport Flyer ($2.25 each way, per person) Tips and gratuities

$637.89 Total TIPS • Once you make an itinerary, stick to it. You’ll stay on budget that way. • Check out tourism and visitors bureau websites for extra coupons. • Try an inexpensive restaurant for dinner. Then splurge on a nightcap at a trendy, expensive hotspot. Hit up farmers markets for free samples if you’re in need of light lunch or snack.

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driving distance. Or, if you’re like us, and had thousands of Delta SkyMiles racked up, you can fly on the cheap. We picked San Diego. Why? We had enough miles to cover the flight and rewards points to book a hotel. It was off-season: Rates are lowest October through May, and we visited the first weekend of May. We needed a walkable city with centralized fun because renting a car was beyond our budget. There is no reason you can’t find a deal for just about anything these days. Coupons, discounts and freebies are everywhere and San Diego is no exception. You just need to know where to look. Online marketplaces like Groupon, LivingSocial and Restaurant.com are good beginner sites. If you’re not familiar with these, they offer discounted prices on just about anything (in Restaurant’s case, it’s just food). You can find standalone deals for things at your destination or you can cross reference the available deals with your existing reward/loyalty program points. You may find you can buy gift cards to a variety of restaurants owned by the same company and use them at your destination. We had the best luck with a charity auction website called biddingforgood.com. This place was a gold mine of touristy stuff. We, for example, scored cheap tickets to the USS Midway Museum and the San Diego Zoo. Plus, the money we spent went to deserving charities like charter schools and police athletic leagues for kids. Cool. HISKED AWAY: DAY 1

My husband and I booked an early-morning flight to make the most of our three-day weekend. We gorged ourselves on airline snacks and coffee so we wouldn’t have to pay for breakfast later. We landed just after 9 a.m. and, after a short walk, boarded the San Diego Municipal Transit System’s Airport Flyer shuttle (Route 992) for a mere $2.25 per person. I recommend you bring exact change because neither the bus, nor its driver, will make change. The breezy ride took all of 20 minutes — San Diego International Airport is practically in the city, as you’ll see when you fly eye level with the skyscrapers upon your descent. We zoomed past the ocean on Harbor Drive and into the heart of downtown. Three stops later, we arrived at our hotel, the landmark Courtyard Marriott San Diego Downtown (530 Broadway), housed in the former San Diego Trust & Savings Bank, built in the 1920s. John, a superior concierge, welcomed us with an earnest smile and, upon mention of our anniversary, a room upgrade! Lesson learned: Always chat about your trip to anyone — concierge, waiter — who can elevate your experience. We gladly handed over $300 in Marriott gift cards (redeemed with our Capital One credit card rewards) and $200 cash (an anniversary gift). Our hotel was paid for! Room 907, a corner abode with bright purple carpeting beckoned us with views of the Gaslamp Quarter, the bay and Petco Park (where the Padres of Major League Baseball play). It wasn’t fancy, but it was clean and modern. We were refreshed!

XPLORING ON FOOT

We knew we wanted to spend our first morning walking, taking in the (free) sights, sounds and smells of San Diego. John suggested we head to Seaport Village (849 W. Harbor Drive), a Disney-built tourist mecca for cruise ship passengers disembarking for the day. Tiny bungalows line a winding path along the ocean and house more than 50 shops and nearly 20 eateries. Their merchandise is pretty standard tourist fare, but there are a couple gems like Apple Box Toys — which stocks wooden toys and other battery-free kid gifts — and Hot Licks, home of a huge array of hot sauces. Take a moment to watch wee ones on the circa-1890 Coney Island carousel, too. Even if you don’t have grandchildren (yet), you’ll feel like a kid again watching their beaming smiles. We wove our way through Seaport Village and headed onto the large walking path lining San Diego Bay, sometimes called The Big Bay. San Diego Bay is 34 miles of scenic waterfront divided into seven districts. The Embarcadero, where we were, is dotted with marinas, hotels, parks, the San Diego Convention Center and cruise terminals, among other attractions. We dreamed of owning one of the yachts nestled in their slips, wondered what the tarot card readers set up on the grass would say about us and watched a group of kite flyers show off their aerial skills. We rested our feet for a bit and caught a cool ocean breeze before beginning the second part of the day’s journey. ARVELING AT MASTERPIECES

appearances crackles in the background. Hearing the comedian’s words from beyond the grave gives the art an eerie vibe — the hair on your arms will stand up — but the looks on the veterans’ faces show how meaningful Hope’s appearances must have been to those war-weary souls. IRCRAFT-CARRIER AWE

Five hours after starting our walking tour of the bay, we finally made our way to the USS Midway Museum (910 N. Harbor Drive), housed on and within one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers. We bypassed the ticket line (because we’d already bought our passes at half price from biddingforgood.com) and headed inside the main holding deck. We quickly realized we should’ve come here first. It was huge. We didn’t know where to start, so we headed for the docents. It was a good move. Jerry, Kenneth and Bob — all veterans — told us most people stay on board a minimum of three hours. We headed straight for the flight deck with its 29 restored aircraft and

A 3-minute walk later, we were standing, dwarfed, under a 25-foot bronze statue of one of the most iconic World War II photographs ever taken. Unconditional Surrender depicts a sailor kissing a nurse on V-J Day, a scene captured on film by a couple of photographers, most notably Alfred Eisenstaedt. This awe-inspiring massive structure in the shadow of the USS Midway Museum became a permanent fixture a year ago after a fundraising campaign drew more than a $1 million in less than two months. While taking in the sculpture’s impeccable details (look for the lines down the back of her stockings), we couldn’t help but hear the strains of what sounded like a stand-up comedy routine. Turns out it was coming from a work of art featuring another famous American: A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military is a collection of bronze figures representing men and women from all five branches of the military who form an eternal audience for the installations’ centerpiece — Hope himself — who stands before a microBALBOA PARK BOTANICAL BUILDING phone as audio clips from his many USO AUGUST 2014

listened as another veteran/docent told us how the Midway’s crew got planes on and off safely. We made our way up four stories of narrow staircases into The Island, the ship’s command center. What a view! Then we descended into the belly of the beast to inspect the ship’s jail, machine shops and our personal favorite, the engine room. We left the Midway intellectually energized but physically exhausted. Instead of shelling out money for a dinner we’d probably sleep through, we agreed to hit up Starbucks for sandwiches and smoothies. Then we fell asleep — at 7:30 p.m.

ROLLEY TOURING: DAY 2

We woke early the next morning, famished. Since we’d all but blown off dinner the night before, we walked down the block to splurge at Brian’s 24 (828 6th Ave.), open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The glamorous mahogany bar (inherited from actress Joan Crawford’s estate) and spectacular chandelier kept our eyes busy until our food arrived. My huevos rancheros were deliciously soupy and spicy and my husband’s egg dish, featuring fresh spinach and bacon, was aptly named Popeye’s Favorite Omelette. Eager to give our sore feet a break, we agreed to cash in our Old Town Trolley Tour tickets (bought at an advanced discount rate online) and see San Diego from behind the wheel. This hop on/hop off tour would help us cover more ground than we could on foot. We boarded two blocks from our hotel at Westfield Horton Plaza Mall (324 Horton Plaza) and enjoyed a ride through the Gaslamp Quarter, 16 square blocks of dining, shopping and entertainment in the heart of downtown San Diego. Our conductor Richard did a fine job of pointing out the Victorian architecture, something we would’ve missed if left to our own devices. The tour really sped up as we spiraled up onto the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, one of the most recog-

Make them work for you (eventually)! You can accrue some nifty rewards when signing up for credit card companies’ rewards programs. In most cases, however, it can take a long time to earn enough miles/points/rewards to make it worthwhile. One of the easiest ways to bypass the wait is to sign up for a rewards credit card or loyalty program when you have a large purchase to make, such as buying furniture or making home improvements. If time is on your side, you can even shop around for the best promotion credit companies are offering to new customers. Here are some programs to check out now:

NerdWallet.com: This site offers free, independent advice

e-Rewards Opinion Panel: This invitation-only site gives you

about money, including credit cards with benefits, mortgages and more. You can compare more than 1,700 credit cards and, in the process, even specify what type of reward card you’re looking for — miles, gas, hotel stays, cash back or all of the above.

reward points for every survey you take. You can earn gift cards to retailers such as Amazon.com or you can earn miles from major carriers like United or American Airlines, or boutique lines like JetBlue and AirTran Airways. See e-rewards.com.

Plink.com: No more loyalty cards, no more coupons. This ThePointsGuy.com: This blog’s homepage is so busy-looking you might be a bit overwhelmed at first glance. Note the Hot Deals section in the top right corner of the page, which is updated daily with the best bonus offers from credit card companies. Click on the Wallet Maximizer, which analyzes your current crop of credit cards and suggests better reward-based cards based on your buying history. This site promotes cards from its advertisers, so we don’t recommend using this site exclusively.

e-Miles.com: You can earn handfuls of miles with your favorite airline (most carriers are represented) for your opinion. Simply watch a video or look at an ad campaign and answer a few questions. I earned about 2,500 miles over three years on this site. It takes about five minutes to sign up.

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site links your debit and credit cards with one type of reward system — Plink Points — all compiled and stored in one place. When you want to redeem, simply head to Plink.com instead of individual websites. The only catch is that Plink seems to carry a lot of fast food brands, so if that isn’t your thing, you may want to skip it.

Group loyalty cards: Your favorite restaurant may be a part of a larger ownership group. If it is, ask them if they have a loyalty card. You’ll get points for purchases and those points can often be used at any restaurant within the ownership group. Levy’s Restaurants, Garces Group, Fifth Group Restaurants offer group programs.

nizable landmarks in all of Southern California. The bridge connects mainland San Diego to Coronado Island. The view from the bridge alone is worth the price of the trolley tour ticket; on one side you have the natural beauty of San Diego Bay; the other displays the 13 piers and accompanying ships that comprise Naval Base San Diego, a beautiful sight in its own right. We hopped off the trolley at the Coronado Ferry Landing and strolled onto the municipal pier to check out the anglers. There are seven municipal piers in San Diego from which you can fish — and you don’t need a license. The guys at Coronado were catching mackerel and bonito. We again boarded the trolley at the landing and made our way through the center of Coronado, which is every bit as charming as you’d expect from a seaside California town. We passed the Hotel del Coronado and the breathtaking Coronado Beach, figuring we’d save these landmarks for another trip. ALBOA PARK ON A DIME

A 15-minute drive later, we found ourselves in the lush preserve that is Balboa Park (1549 El Prado). The 1,200-acre expanse is where art, culture, performance and nature coexist to form

the nation’s largest urban cultural park. Disembarking at the visitors center in the park’s House of Hospitality, we could’ve bought tickets to any of the 15 museums in Balboa. But we decided on the Timken Museum of Art, the only art museum in the park with free admission. It features a world-class collection of European, American and Russian masterpieces, including Madonna and Child by Niccolo di Buonaccorso. Don’t miss the American room with paintings of quaint Castine, Maine, Nantucket, Mass., and Yosemite National Park. Back on board the trolley, we cruised toward Little Italy to refuel at the Little Italy Mercato on Date Street. This farmer’s market is packed with fresh fruits, veggies, pastries, fish and other delicacies — a delicious and free way to enjoy a light lunch of samples. Our last stop landed us at the Marriott Marquis & Marina (333 W. Harbor Drive), a great starting point for exploring all that the Gaslamp Quarter has to offer. We hiked up and down Fourth, Fifth and Sixth avenues, snaking our way through the commercial epicenter of downtown. As sunset approached, the audience changed from families strolling home from dinner into a lively bar crowd. ASIC PIZZA, FANCY DESSERT

By this time, our stomachs were growling again. As luck would have it, we found ourselves at the corner of 10th Avenue and J Street, just outside the traditional Gaslamp limits, and stumbled upon a gem of a pizza joint: BASIC Urban Kitchen and Bar (410 10th Ave.) crafts thin-crust brick-oven pizza and no-nonsense drinks inside a converted 1912 warehouse, complete with original brick walls and exposed ducts. You can choose a ‘classic pie,’ but the way to go is build-your-own. Start with a red or white sauce and then add traditional toppings — or stretch your palate with mashed potato and fresh little-neck clams. I went with the fried eggplant and it was a winner! Since our pizza dinner didn’t break the bank, we decided to treat ourselves to a dessert nightcap at one of the Gaslamp’s trendiest restaurants, Searsucker (611 Fifth Ave.). The brainchild of Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey, this 7,000-square-foot restaurant is where the cool kids hang out. Built around simple ingredients, the food was seriously good. We devoured the brown butter cake with its vanilla-roasted strawberries and homemade honeycomb.

SKYFARI AERIAL TRAM AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO

AUGUST 2014

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER

OO DAY: DAY 3

Though the zoo in Balboa Park was our main mission for the day, we first, on the recommendation of our hotel buddies, paid a visit to Cafe 222 (222 Island Ave.), a local haunt made famous for its peanut butter and banana stuffed French toast featured on the Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate show. Next we — along with hundreds of other people — found ourselves streaming into the San Diego Zoo (2920 Zoo Drive) with our discounted tickets from biddingforgood.com. This massive 100-acre gem is home to nearly 4,000 rare and endangered animals. You can choose to walk the hilly terrain (wear comfortable shoes) or take the bus. But on the bus, you’ll be limited in the amount of time you can spend at each exhibit. Note: Don’t leave before taking a ride on the Skyfari aerial tram. You’ll skim the treetops and have an undisturbed view all the way to San Diego Bay. NTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Eager to see what else Balboa Park offered, we took a short, tree-lined walk from the zoo toward the center of the action. That’s where we discovered the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. These precious cottages represent 32 countries including Hungary, Ukraine, France, Philippines and Ireland, among others. Each cottage is decorated in a style native to its origin — the beautiful starkness of pine and Scandinavian craftsmanship at Norway, the strange mix of political material and cultural kitsch at Ukraine and the Tuscan yellow walls of Italy. Every Sunday, these cottages and their members (you have to prove ancestry at some, others allow wishful thinkers) open their doors, serve food, feature musicians and invite visitors to discover their culture. Sometimes you have to give a small donation of $1 to $2 for food, but otherwise it’s free. And, once a year, each nation hosts a lawn program with singing, costumed History Theatre GA 0814 V6.indd dancing, storytelling, food and arts and crafts. Poland took center stage while we were there and I’ve never had better pierogies or paczki (donut-like pastries). We hopped on the Old Town Trolley for a ride to town (our tickets were no longer valid, but it helps remembering the driver’s name) and regrouped at the hotel before a fresh fish dinner at Spike Africa’s Fresh Fish Grill and Bar. Try the house-made barbecue chips with onion dip and pan-seared blue crab.

7/9/14 9:50 AM

AYING GOODBYE, WITH DONUTS

Before we wrapped up our three-day trip, I made an early-morning three-block pilgrimage to score some much-hyped donuts at Donut Bar (631 B St.). I was told to get there early or risk them being sold out. I grabbed an assortment of creme brulee, Nutella, salted caramel, margarita, maple bacon and a strawberry split. I kept a couple for us and doled out the rest to our amazing hotel staff. One final excursion awaited us at our hotel: The Courtyard combines the architectural elegance of an early 1900s bank with the modernity any 21st-century hotel needs (wi-fi and a Starbucks coffee bar). We took a private tour from Ramon, who unlocked the 47,000-pound Mosler Safe Co. door from 1928 and ushered us into the Safe Deposit meeting room with walls still lined in original safety deposit boxes. Ramon snuck us into the President’s Suite and, finally, onto the building’s cupola with 360-degree views of downtown San Diego. Bidding adieu to the bay, bridge and Broadway, we promised we’d be back. • Patricia Carlson is a full-time freelance writer who divides her time between Minnesota and, increasingly, Florida.

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Step Up Your

You can’t turn back the clock. But you can age gracefully with these top tips.

BY JULIE KENDRICK PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER HOPKINS

AUGUST 2014

ometimes it’s the birthday with a zero that does it. Tammy Ortegon, a stylist and owner of The Color Wheel Gallery in southwest Minneapolis, has seen it all, but often female customers celebrating such major milestones will tell her: “I just had a big birthday — so I guess I’ll have to cut all my hair off now.” Her advice? “Only if you want to, honey.” While Ortegon acknowledges that a shorter cut can give hair more fullness and possibly make it easier to care for, she urges her customers to think about what they really like most about their looks, and then follow their own hearts to select the right haircut and color. “The goal should be to look the best you can, and be healthy, active and vibrant,” Ortegon said. “You’ll never look like you’re 18 years old again, and you shouldn’t want to, either. We’ve all seen people trying to do that, and it looks ridiculous.” So, what else can you do — male or female — to age more gracefully, or maybe even makeover a tried-and-true but boring look?

e Befor

THE BIG GREY QUESTION

When it comes to age-sensitive makeovers, Christopher Hopkins wrote the book — “Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45.” He’s the owner of the Minneapolis-based reVamp! salonspa. (He even has his own trademark registration as The Makeover Guy.) As for the age-old (and old age) “to go grey or not to go grey” question, Hopkins said: “It may be aging, but there’s nothing wrong with that if you look better, so I say: Go grey if it helps you feel confident and it looks like ‘you.’” “If you feel better with your hair colored, then by all means color it,” Hopkins said. “You just have to decide who you are now. If grey is a part of that, fantastic.” And, as Hopkins points out, hair is the ultimate changeable feature, so what you decide is temporary anyway: “It’s not permanent, either way.”

After

WHY DO WE GO GREY?

Melanin cells in the hair shafts are what make your hair brown, black, red or blonde throughout your life. As the years go by, these cells produce less pigment, leaving no color at all, and that lack of color is what looks grey. Another factor is the loss or thinning of hair as we age. “So if you’re continuing to wear it long,” Ortegon said, “it can look more straggly, because you just don’t have the same amount of hair you used to.”

e Befor

After AUGUST 2014

COLOR OPTIONS FOR MEN

Befor e

Even with a surge in salt-and-pepper celebrity role models like George Clooney, many men just aren’t ready for that grey-at-thetemple look. Many are increasingly opting for subtle dyes and cover-ups of grey. Some men’s treatments include painted lowlights, plus some individual grey hairs, for a more natural look. Ortegon said follicle cover-ups can be a touchy subject for some men. She has one male customer who calls to book a haircut and then whispers into the phone, “I’ll also need that, um, add-on treatment,” of hair color. Men worry about their looks as much as women do, Ortegon has observed. “When your hair starts to vanish from your head and start growing out of your ears, it’s not a good feeling,” she said “But it is possible to have a haircut that makes what’s left look a little thicker.” One warning: “Don’t let the sides get bushy if you’re bald on top. It makes you look balder,” Ortegon said. MEN, GROOM YOUR BROWS

“Even if you don’t want to do anything else to change your grooming, you really should get your brows professionally groomed or waxed,” Ortegon said. “It really opens up your face and makes it look fresher and cleaner.” Some of Ortegon clients, she admits, still balk at this idea. “They won’t even let me trim their eyebrows, and they’ll tell me, ‘That’s for girls.’ “But it really can make a positive difference.”

After

Biggest hair mistakes Dated hairstyle: How to know if your style is dated? When you look at a photo of yourself from 20 years ago, and your hairstyle is the same. Or if you catch a rerun of an old TV show and you see your hairstyle on one of the actresses. Befor e

Solid block of color: It’s a common mistake among home hair colorists to create monotone hair colors. “Highlights and lowlights make a difference,” Ortegon said.

After

Visible roots: If you’re going to color your hair, you need to commit to maintaining it. If frequent touch-ups and salon visits don’t fit into your lifestyle or budget, consider embracing your natural color.

AUGUST 2014

TAKE YOUR TIME, BUT MAKE TIME

If you feel like it’s time for a dramatic change, just be sure to take it slow — even if you feel ready to crawl out of a hairstyle rut with both guns blazing. Start with one small change, like adding layers, bangs or moving your hair to a deeper side part. Even minor style adaptations can make a big impact just by softening the lines of your look. Hopkins said it’s important for older adults to acknowledge the facts: Looking good takes extra effort as we age and that can mean investing more time than in previous years. And that’s potentially a big change — and a relatively large commitment of free time — for formerly low-maintenance adults. “We all want to maintain a healthy, vivacious look and it just takes more of everything to make that happen,” he said. “If you want to avoid fading away and quietly disappearing into the wallpaper, you’re going to have give yourself a little more time for you.” Ortegon’s biggest beauty secret comes from the heart. “Just accept that you don’t have the same hair you used to have, and that’s okay, because then you’ll be ready to embrace yourself the way you are today,” she said. “The biggest secret of being beautiful is being healthy and having a great attitude. “Getting older is going to happen anyway, so you might RESOURCES as well figure out how to do it gracefully and be true to Christopher Hopkins yourself.” revampsalonspa.com, Julie Kendrick lives in Minneapolis and blogs at kendrickworks.blogspot.com.

e Befor

After

themakeoverguy.com Tammy Ortegon colorwheelgallery.com

Using the wrong products: If your hair is fine and thin, for example, a moisturizing shampoo might weigh it down and flatten it. Using a volumizer on thick or curly hair can have the opposite of your desired effect. And, if you’ve decided to go grey, be sure to use a shampoo that will emphasize the silvery color. Too-dark hair: An all-over head of jet-black hair is one of the worst mistakes you can make, since the harsh color will definitely emphasize facial lines and wrinkles. “It actually can make you look harder and rougher,” said Tammy Ortegon, owner of The Color Wheel Gallery of Minneapolis. “When you dye your hair at home, every time you put color on, it will get darker and darker.”

e Befor

After AUGUST 2014

AUGUST CAN’T MISS

CALENDAR ONGOING

Minnesota Fringe Festival This annual performing arts festival, with an emphasis on inclusive and experimental attitudes towards theater, features a range of productions selected at random from more than 400 applicants. When: Through Aug. 10 Where: Locations throughout the Twin Cities Cost: Admission buttons, $4, are required, plus $12 admission for adults and $5 for ages 12 and younger per show Info: fringefestival.org

ONGOING

AUG. 1

Butterflies: Beauty in Flight

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

SHH! Seniors @ Hayden Heights

Explore an exhibit of live butterflies and witness their bold colors close-up. An emergence cabinet allows visitors to see the insects in the chrysalis stage of their transition to butterflies. When: On display through Aug. 17 Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska Cost: $3 in addition to $12 admission at the gate Info: arboretum.umn.edu or 952-443-1400

A 2013 Tony Award-winner, this play chronicles a raucous weekend when Vanya and Sonia’s movie star sister Masha returns home with her young boyfriend Spike in tow. When: Through Aug. 31 Where: Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $34–85 Info: 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org

Seniors are invited to work on puzzles, play cards or watch a classic movie. When: 1–3:30 p.m. Aug. 1 Where: Hayden Heights Library, St. Paul Cost: FREE. Call to register. Info: sppl.org or 612-793-3934

AUGUST 2014

AUG. 1 AND 8

Outdoor Summer Movies Part of the Writers on Screen film series, these outdoor movies feature fictional writers and their subject matter. The 2000 film Wonder Boys plays on Aug. 1 and the Oscar-winning classic Sunset Boulevard on Aug. 8. When: 9 p.m. Aug. 1 and 8 Where: Courtyard of Central Library, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: thefriends.org or 651-222-3242

AUG. 1–3

Festa Italiana MN Experience the culture of Italy and learn the story of Italian Americans in Minnesota at this multi-day event designed to preserve and celebrate Italian heritage. When: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Aug. 1; 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Aug. 2; 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Aug. 3 Where: Island Lake Park, Shoreview Cost: FREE Info: festaitalianamn.org or 651-765-1813

AUG. 1–3

Uptown Art Fair More than 350 professional artists exhibit their work at this nationally known art fair, which also features activities, entertainment, music and food. When: Noon–8 p.m. Aug. 1; 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Aug. 2; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Aug. 3 Where: Uptown, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: uptownartfair.com or 612-823-4581

AUG. 1–9

Minnesota Senior Games This annual sports competition for people “ages 50 and better” features 21 medal sports for individuals and

teams, including track and field, cycling, horseshoes, tennis, archery, billiards and a triathlon. When: Aug. 1–9 Where: Locations in Bloomington, Minneapolis and St. Paul Info: mnseniorgames.com or 952-278-8513

AUG. 1–29

Saint Anthony Park Area Seniors Free Exercise Program Led by a qualified instructor, this program offers fun and gentle exercises for seniors. When: 3–4 p.m. Aug. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 26 and 29 Where: Auditorium, Saint Anthony Park Library, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: sppl.org or 651-642-0411

AUG. 2–30

Critique of Pure Reason This exhibit examines the paintings of Benjamin Rogers — intense and striking oils rooted in the rich history of representational painting. When: Opening 6–9 p.m. Aug. 2, on display through Aug. 30 Where: Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: soovac.org or 612-871-2263

AUG. 2–30

Lovesickness with Trees This show features recent works by Sophia Heymans and Garrett Perry, which explore the physicality of process painting and an escapist rejection of adulthood. When: Opening 6–9 p.m. Aug. 2. On display through Aug. 30 Where: Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: soovac.org or 612-871-2263

AUG. 2–23

Anoka Classic Car Show Cars built in 1981 and earlier are featured at this car show, along with food and music. When: 5 p.m.–Dusk Aug. 2, 9, 16 and 23 Where: Anoka County Courthouse, Anoka Cost: $3 per car, FREE for spectators Info: anokaclassiccarshow.org

AUG. 2

Art for Art This art fair — featuring works by Redeemer Health & Rehab’s Artistsin-Residence, local artists and children from Grandma’s House Childcare — will benefit residents’ and children’s art programs at Redeemer. When: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Aug. 2 Where: Redeemer Health & Rehab Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: elimcare.org or 612-455-4150

AUG. 2

Vintage Band Festival Bands from across the U.S. and abroad showcase a variety of genres, heritage influences and period-style performances. When: 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Aug. 2 Where: Bridge Square, Northfield Cost: FREE Info: vintagebandfestival.org or 507-321-1864

AUG. 3-24

Concerts in the Park Spend an evening outside with live music from local and regional musicians four Sundays in a row. When: 7–8 p.m. Aug. 3, 10, 17 and 24 Where: Bicentennial Bandshell, George Green Park, Anoka Cost: FREE Info: ci.anoka.mn.us or 763-576-2700 AUGUST 2014

AUGUST CAN’T MISS

CALENDAR AUG. 4–10

FinnFest USA 2014 This week-long event celebrates Finnish culture in America, including musical performances, lectures and panel discussions by scholars and public leaders, a genealogy workshop and art exhibitions. When: Aug. 4–10 Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center, Minneapolis Cost: $35 per day; $60 for a 2-day pass; $80 for all seven days Info: finnfestusa2014.org

AUG. 5–26

Fiberazzi Join crocheters, knitters and fiberworkers at this social group for all levels Tuesdays in August. When: 1–3 p.m. Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26 Where: West 7th Library, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: sppl.org or 651-298-5516

AUG. 7

Music in the Gardens: Paul Cherba Cherba will improvise piano compositions throughout the evening. When: 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 7 Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska Cost: FREE with $12 admission at the gate Info: arboretum.umn.edu or 952-443-1400

AUG. 7–10

Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival National and regional bands will perform along side demonstrations, workshops, games, crafts and

AUGUST 2014

children’s shows. When: Aug. 7–10 Where: El Rancho Manana, Richmond Cost: $18–$30 for daily admission; $77 for a full pass; $10 for teens; FREE for ages 12 and younger Info: minnesotabluegrass.org or 800-635-3037

AUG. 7

Meet the MPR Newsroom Mingle with the folks you hear on Minnesota Public Radio everyday at this casual meet-and-greet happy hour. When: 5–7 p.m. Aug. 7 Where: The Freehouse, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: minnesota.publicradio.org or 651-290-1500

AUG. 8–10

Irish Fair of Minnesota Celebrate authentic Irish heritage with step dancing, Gaelic sports, a Celtic marketplace, cultural displays, food and drink, and live music. When: 3–11 p.m. Aug. 8; 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Aug. 9; 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Aug. 10 Where: Harriet Island, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: irishfair.com or 651-645-0221

AUG. 10

Music in the Gardens: Celebration Brass Enjoy a quintet of brass musicians with a wide repertoire, including jazz, show tunes and more. When: 1:30–3 p.m. Aug. 10 Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska Cost: FREE with $12 admission at the gate Info: arboretum.umn.edu or 952-443-1400

AUG. 10

Rod Stewart and Santana Two musical trailblazers join together for a night of narrative songwriting from Stewart and Latin-inspired rock guitar from Santana. When: 7 p.m. Aug. 10 Where: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul Cost: $39–$150 Info: ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000

AUG. 14

Music in the Gardens: OVation This LGBTA Chorus performs a diverse A cappella program. When: 5:30–7 p.m. Aug. 14 Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska Cost: FREE with $12 admission at the gate Info: arboretum.umn.edu or 952-443-1400

AUG. 14

The Great Gatsby Enjoy a St. Anthony Park Senior Cinema Series screening of the 2013 film adaption of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire. When: 1 p.m. Aug. 14 Where: Auditorium, Saint Anthony Park Library, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: sppl.org or 651-642-0411

AUG. 15

Rodrigo y Gabriela This guitar duo performs fast-paced and percussive songs with elements of rock and flamenco now promoting their

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if you are a fan of courage, then you are already a fan of Special Olympics.

AUG. 8

Brew at the Zoo Local and domestic brews will be available for tasting, along with complimentary appetizers and live music. Proceeds from the event will benefit conservation programs at the Minnesota Zoo. When: 7 p.m. Aug. 8 Where: Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley Cost: $50 in advance, $55 at the gate; $35 for designated drivers. Children won’t be admitted to the event. Info: mnzoo.org/events/brew-zoo or 952-431-9200 fourth studio album. When: 8 p.m. Aug. 15 Where: State Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $34–$53 Info: hennepintheatretrust.org or 800-982-2787

specialolympicsminnesota.org

Special Olympics MNP 2011 12 filler.indd 1

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Cost: FREE with $12 admission at the gate Info: aboretum.umn.edu or 952-443-1400

AUG. 16–SEPT. 28 AUG. 16–17

Art Crawl Through the Gardens Returning for a second year, this event showcases art and nature with participating artists nestled among the gardens of the arboretum. Dance performances will take place throughout the event in the sculpture garden. When: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Aug. 16; Noon–4 p.m. Aug. 17 Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen

Renaissance Festival This mock 16th-century European village features musicians, magicians, jugglers and mimes, plus hundreds of artisans selling handcrafted goods throughout the grounds. When: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Aug. 16–Sept. 28 Where: Intersection of Highways 169 and 41, Shakopee Cost: $22.95; $13.95 for ages 6 to 12; free for ages 5 and younger Info: renaissancefest.com or 952-445-7361 AUGUST 2014

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AUGUST CAN’T MISS

CALENDAR AUG. 16

Music @ Franconia Bring a blanket, grab a bite or beverage from vendors and enjoy an afternoon of song and dance in the Earthen Amphitheater. When: Noon–6 p.m. Aug. 16 Where: Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer Cost: FREE, parking costs $5 per car Info: franconia.org or 651-257-6668

AUG. 18

ProAct Golf Classic This charity team-based golf event raises funds for ProAct, which serves people with disabilities in the workforce and at home. Festivities include a live auction, raffle and gourmet dinner after the game. When: 10 a.m. Aug. 18 Where: Hastings Country Club, Hastings Cost: $150 per golfer, includes lunch, dinner, golf cart and use of the facilities Info: proactinc.org or 651-289-3149

Jeff Henningsgaard Photography

AUG. 17

Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival Explore the art, music, food, martial arts and cultural traditions of Japan in this family-friendly event, which culminates in a lantern-lighting ceremony at dusk when hundreds of paper lanterns will float skyward. When: 3–9 p.m. Aug. 17 Where: Como Park Zoo, St. Paul Cost: $5; $3 for seniors and ages 3 to 12; FREE for ages 2 and younger Info: comozooconservatory.org or 651-487-8200

AUG. 20–SEPT. 14

The Book of Mormon Wildly acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, this satirical comedy musical from the creators of South Park follows two naive Mormon missionaries on their travels in Uganda. When: Aug. 20–Sept. 14 Where: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $49–$154 Info: hennepintheatretrust.org or 800-982-2787

AUG. 21–SEPT. 1

OPENING AUG. 22

Minnesota State Fair

Life Could Be A Dream

Known as one of the best state fairs in the country, the Great Minnesota Get-Together celebrates the state — and summer — with food, activities, animals, rides, games, music and shows for all ages. When: 6 a.m.–Midnight, Aug. 21–Sept. 1 Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul Cost: $13; $11 for seniors and ages 6 to 12; FREE for ages 5 and younger Info: mnstatefair.org or 651-288-4400

This 1960s doo-wop musical follows Denny and the Dreamers, who are preparing to enter a radio contest in hopes of making it big. When: Aug. 22–Jan. 3 Where: Old Log Theatre, Greenwood Cost: $16–$35 Info: oldlog.com or 952-474-5951

AUG. 23

Cultivate Festival Minneapolis This festival presented by Chipotle showcases cooking demonstrations

AUGUST 2014

by celebrity chefs, live music, local food and beverages, and other activities with an emphasis on sustainable food. When: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Aug. 23 Where: Loring Park, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: chipotlecultivate.com

AUG. 23

Monarch Open House: King of the Butterflies Monarchs will be on their way to Mexico, and participants of all ages are invited to stop by and help a naturalist tag the butterflies and learn about their journey, history and habits. When: 1–3 p.m. Aug. 23 Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: FREE Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

AUG. 24

Jeff Bridges & The Abiders Actor-musician Jeff Bridges will perform an evening of country music with his band The Abiders. When: 7 p.m. Aug. 24 Where: Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $54–$64 Info: hennepintheatretrust.org or 800-982-2787

AUG. 24

Music in the Gardens: Maple Grove Jazz Ensemble This group features 18 musicians on bass, trumpet, piano, percussion and more. When: 1:30–3 p.m. Aug. 24 Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska

Cost: FREE with $12 admission at the gate Info: arboretum.umn.edu or 952-443-1400

OPENING AUG. 29

The Mystery of Irma Vep Costume changes and quick character transformations make for a thrilling production in this satire covering several theatrical genres such as farce and Victorian melodrama. When: Aug. 29–Oct. 19 Where: Jungle Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $33 Info: jungletheater.com or 612-822-7063

AUG. 31

Jazz at the Jungle Vocalist Connie Evingson, pianist Jon Weber and bassist Gordy Johnson will perform selections from Ella Fitzgerald’s eight-volume Song Books, plus tunes from Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington and more. When: 4 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 Where: Jungle Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $25 Info: jungletheater.com or 612-822-7063

WEDNESDAYS

UCare Skyway Senior Center Walking Club This open-to-everyone walking club follows paths through the downtownMinneapolis skyways and around downtown. All fitness levels are welcome. When: 10–11 a.m. Wednesdays Where: Beginning at UCare Skyway Senior Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: minneapolismn.gov or 612-370-3869 AUGUST 2014

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WORD SEARCH HIGHER LEARNING Academia Classroom Diploma Discussion Final Freshman Graduate

CRYPTOGRAM Break the code to reveal a quote from a famous person. Each letter represents another letter. Source: Benjamin Franklin Clue: K = S

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WORD SCRAMBLE Complete the following three six-letter words using each given letter once. ___ ___ ___AFE

___ ___ ___AFE

1. Pedagogue or pedagogy 2. Columbia University 3. Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania and Yale. 4. 39.4% 5. Social Sciences/History (178,543), Health Professions (163,440), Education (105,785), Visual/Performing Arts (95,797) and Mathematics/Statistics (18,842) 6. Animal House 7. $3.4 million! 8. All four dropped out of college. 9. Sigma Omega Delta

TRIVIA

ANSWERS

AUGUST 2014

TRIVIA GIVE IT THE OLD COLLEGE TRY 1. What word associated with academia has its roots in the ancient Greek terms of “pais” and “agogus,” meaning ‘child’ and ‘leader’ respectively? 2. Dwight D. Eisenhower was president at which Ivy League university from 1948–1953?

6. The Delta Tau Chi fraternity is put on “double secret probation” in this 1978 film.

3. Speaking of Ivy League schools, can you list all eight? (Hint: They’re all in the Northeast.)

7. University of Chicago President Robert Zimmer, in 2011, was the highest-paid of all U.S. college presidents. Can you guess his total compensation?

4. The percentage of American adults with a college degree has been rising. What percentage currently holds an associate degree or higher? 5. Rank the following disciplines from highest to lowest by number of degrees presented nationwide in 2011–12: Visual/Performing Arts, Social Sciences/History, Mathematics/Statistics, Health Professions and Education.

8. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tom Hanks, Frank Lloyd Wright and Tiger Woods have what in common? 9. The Greek alphabet has 24 letters, which sororities and fraternities use for their names. How would the following be pronounced, ∑ Ω ∆?

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WORD SCRAMBLE

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