Idaho Senior Independent Oct/Nov 2009

Page 1

Fall trees photo by Becky Hart

COMPLIMENTARY!

TAKE ONE!

FREE!

Jim Otey says, “Aviation is what I do!” Photo and article by Jack McNeel After spending 30 years in the banking business, Jim Otey’s big switch in careers took him to the Boeing Company where he ended his career as a test director at Experimental Flight Test for the 777 program. Jim’s love of aviation comes through loud and strong and retirement has not changed those feelings. “I’m pretty much a onedish dog,” Jim says. “Aviation is what I do.” Jim and his wife Inge moved to Lewiston after he retired from Boeing in 2000. “We had a gold wing motorcycle and came to visit a former

workmate. We liked what we saw and here we are.” Aviation has been in Jim’s blood since his teens. “When I was 18 I won a model airplane contest and the prize was an hour of flight instruction. That set the hook,” he laughs. “When I was 19 I had my own airport and my own airplane. I built the airport with some guys. It was a residential air park. In fact, I lived on a different residential airpark for 22 years. Our home was on a taxi-way and my back yard was a big hangar.” When Jim joined the Lewiston chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) soon after retiring here, the chapter was quite small, but now numbers about 50 members. Jim was surprised the group was not larger considering the heritage this region has in aviation. “Because of the ag business primarily,” he says. “Also, one of the first airlines in this part of the world started here in Lewiston – Zimmerly Airlines.” Jim and several other members were able to

negotiate a lease for five acres of ground at the Lewiston airport for $100 a year, because it was old landfill and not usable for any commercial purpose. The EAA chapter borrowed money and erected a building with volunteer workers six years ago. The building is now available free for anybody that wants to hold a public meeting. It contains a kitchen and is large enough for members to work on planes inside. The members build their own planes or restore antique airplanes and they all fly. Their backgrounds are soup to nuts Jim says. Members include a dentist, optometrist, truck driver, and shop owner, to name a few. Jim owns a 1946 Aeronca Champ that he restored after it had sat for 35 years after being wrecked in 1962. “It’s my fishing vessel. I use it to go fishing in the hills. Our mountains are full of little (landing) strips,” Jim explains. Jim’s current project is unique and likely to receive considerable press coverage next summer. He and a friend are midway through the construction of a replica of the first plane to fly in Idaho, which was on October 13, 1910. Jim’s partner, Dean Wilson, is an old ag pilot who has designed and built several planes over the years - a designer known worldwide for his aircraft designs. Jim told how the first flight was in Lewiston because it was the original capital of Idaho although Boise was also (Continued on page 17)

PAGE 2 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

Time Travel At The Six Rivers Western Festival Many among us long for a slower pace and to return to the days of the Old West and the American cowboy. Hollywood producers, notable authors, and gifted artists have portrayed life in the Old West in a highly romanticized way. But often, only the thinnest of connections exists between those portrayals and our honest-to-goodness Western heritage. It’s true - gone are the days of chasing wild horses, cattle drives, and gathering ‘round the campfire for Cooky’s baking powder biscuits and stew. Those days may be gone, but to forget the past is to lose a rich and treasured part of our Western culture. Through music and verse, organizations such as Cowboy Poets of Idaho (CPI) promote this heritage. On October 16-17, 2009, members of CPI will gather in Fruitland, Idaho for the Six Rivers Western Festival where they will highlight the very essence of the West. Humor, insight, poignant tales, and lots of toe-tappin’ music performed by

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

talented entertainers, many of whom have earned awards for their expertise. Fruitland’s Olde School Community Center will house the event. The two-day affair will feature family entertainment at a welcome change of pace. Plan to attend the Six Rivers Western Festival you will be glad you did! Day programs are free to the public beginning on Friday afternoon at 1 pm and on Saturday at

10 am. Tickets for night performances can be purchased at the door for $7 each, with price adjustments for children, seniors, and families. Tickets may also be purchased through the Fruitland Chamber of Commerce at 208-452-4350; Allan and Corean Romriell at 208-642-9610; or Bobbie Hunter at 208-365-4748. Bobbie Hunter Emmett ISI

Idaho Senior Independent A Barrett-Whitman Publication P.O. Box 3341 • Great Falls, MT 59403-3341 208-318-0310 • Toll Free: 1-866-360-5683 Fax: 406-761-8358 www.idahoseniorindependent.com email: idahoseniorind@bresnan.net The Idaho Senior Independent is published six times each year in February, April, June, August, October, and December by Barrett-Whitman Co., 415 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401 and is distributed free to readers throughout the state of Idaho. The mail subscription rate is $10.00 per year (6 issues). The Idaho Senior Independent is written to serve Idaho’s mature population of all ages. Readers are encouraged to contribute interesting material. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles, and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. All copy appearing in the Idaho Senior Independent is protected by copyright and may be reprinted only with the written permission of the publisher. Advertising copy should be received or space reserved by the 5th of the month preceding the month of publication.

For Quality Products & Services, Visit The Following Advertisers Online! Arthritis Dental Dialysis Entertainment First Aid Gifts Heating/Cooling Hospice In-Home Care Insurance Lodging

Jack W. Love, Jr., Publisher/Editor Colleen Paduano Julie Crittendon Angie Erskine Becky Hart Sherrie Smith

Office Manager Production Supervisor Advertising Sales Advertising Sales Graphic Artist Admin/Production Assistant

Contributing Writers Natalie Bartley Connie Daugherty Holly Endersby Clare Hafferman Cate Huisman Gail Jokerst Bernice Karnop Craig Larcom Liz Larcom Jack McNeel Michael McGough Dianna Troyer © 2009

Nursing

Real Estate

Retirement Living

Travel Vision

Idaho Arthritis & Osteoporosis Roberts & Hall University Health Care Dialysis Sixth Street Theater Spokane Coeur d’Alene Opera Oxarc Woodland Enterprises RDI Heating & Cooling Hearts for Hospice AtHome Care Disability Action Center NW Department of Insurance Howard Insurance Agency Grey Fox Vacation Rentals Pheasant Hill Inn & Suites Salmon River Motel Silver Lake Motel Super 8 Twin Falls Almost Home Assisted Living Kindred Healthcare Parke View Care & Rehabilitation Janice Carr - Sotheby’s Moscow Realty Post Falls Chamber of Commerce Price Right Real Estate Fairwinds at Sand Creek Quail Ridge Retirement Whitewater Creek Epic Travel Karst Stage Charles P. Lawless

www.idahoarthritis.com www.smile7.com www.utahdialysis.org www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com www.spokaneopera.com www.oxarc.com www.smokeybeargifts.com www.rdiheating.com www.heartsforhospice.com www.athome-care.com www.dacnw.org/pas www.doi.idaho.gov www.howardagency.com www.oregoncoast.com/greyfox www.pheasanthillinn.net www.salmonmotel.com www.silverlakemotel.com www.super8.com www.almosthomellc.com www.kindredhealthcare.com Phone 208-677-3073 www.tb.com www.moscowrealty.com www.visitpostfalls.org www.joycekeefer.com www.leisurecare.com www.centurypa.com www.spokane.craigslist.org/ apa/994349396.html Phone 208-324-2394 www.karststage.com Phone 208-232-4133

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

This is one of the old stories told to explain how our grandparents and great-grandparents moved across the country in a time that jobs were few and transportation was something that had to be endured and not enjoyed as it is in today’s world. Our winning Remember When submission reminds us of the hardships our ancestors had to endure to make a dollar and build the foundation for the life we live today. Thanks go to Dorothy Anderson of Genesee for her contribution, My Dad’s Alaskan Adventure…

And The Rest Of The Story. Thank you, Dorothy for helping us understand why past generations were so strong and have endured more than most of us can ever imagine. Dorothy wins this month’s $25 prize. Remember When contains our readers’ personal reflections or contributions describing fictional or non-fictional events from some time in the past. Contributions may be stories, letters, artwork, poems, essays, etc. Photos may be included.

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 3

Each issue of the Idaho Senior Independent features the contribution(s) deemed best by our staff. The contributor of the winning entry receives a $25 cash prize. We look forward to receiving your contributions for our December 2009/January 2010 issue. Mail your correspondence to Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403, email to idahoseniorind@bresnan.net, or call 1-866-3605683 or 208-318-0310.

My Dad's Alaskan Adventure - And The Rest Of The Story By Dorothy Anderson, Genesee Dad never grew tired of telling about his great adventure to Alaska in 1913. He lived to be 101 years old, and even then, he remembered the details of the story as vividly as ever. During my growing up years, I had heard the story many times. Dad was born in 1892 in the Appalachian area of East Tennessee. Both of his parents had died before he turned eighteen. In 1910, he received his inheritance of one mule, which he sold for the princely sum of $100 that was used to purchase a train ticket to Shaniko, Oregon, not too far from where a first cousin was working. At that time, Shaniko was the largest woolshipping depot in the west. Many bands of sheep pastured in this high-mountain desert terrain in central Oregon. With the help of his cousin, he was able to get a job right away with Tom Hamilton, the biggest sheep grower in those parts. Even today, Tom Hamilton is legendary in the annals of sheep history of central Oregon. After a few months, Dad grew weary of being a sheepherder and found work with a cattle rancher who was looking for year around help. The pay was thirty-dollars a month and found. Thus began Dad’s introduction to cattle ranching. He stayed for about two years. Wanderlust flowed freely in Dad’s veins, so he moved farther west - taking a job at Carsten’s Packing Company, a slaughterhouse in Tacoma, Washington. While at the packing plant, he met another young fellow, Adam, who would turn out to be a life-long friend. They would partner-up several more times in their long lives. Adam was his buddy, and they shared a very close friendship until they were parted by death decades later. The packing company wanted Dad to move cattle to Fairbanks, Alaska. They sent Dad, Adam, and Lonzo, who was the butcher who would slaughter the cattle once they reached Fairbanks. The three of them would share this exceptional

experience. They loaded thirty-two head of cattle, a saddle horse, and a team of horses and a wagon onto the boat in Seattle. The boat went up the inside channel to Ketchikan, then to Juneau and on to Cordova. There, they unloaded the cattle and horses and put them onto a train. The train took them overland 140 miles to Chitina, where they once again unloaded. Then they set out driving the cattle on the hoof 310 miles to Fairbanks. The fellows had the team and wagon and a saddle horse for riding. It was sometime the latter part of March, 1913 when they left Seattle and they were just a month on the journey from Seattle to Fairbanks. Carsten’s had arranged for hay and oats to feed the animals at the roadhouses along the trail. Just the three men moved the cattle all the way to Fairbanks. Dad explained that Fairbanks had run out of fresh meat, so the reality of fresh beef would be a welcome treat to miners and residents. The first night in Fairbanks, Lonzo dressed out nine beef by himself. At the time, beef sold for about $1.25 per pound in Alaska, about ten times what it was in the states. The men stayed in Fairbanks several days, resting from their long journey. Then, they went out looking for work in the mining camps along the creeks and rivers. Carsten’s had paid their way to Alaska. They had to earn their return fare! The men found work at one of the mines. It was the time of the spring thaw so there was plenty of mud. Dad had only worked a few days when he was trying to stomp the mud off his boots on the boards covering a mineshaft. The boards gave way

and he fell about twenty feet into the mineshaft. It broke the bones in his right leg and sprained the ankle on the other leg. Someone put Dad into the back of a wagon and hauled him back to Fairbanks to the hospital. At the hospital, a doctor set his broken leg and put a cast on it and admitted him to the hospital where Dad stayed for three weeks. But Dad was growing restless. He also knew he did not have the money to pay the hospital bill. His idea was to go back to the packinghouse in Fairbanks to recover and wait there until he could walk. A friend, Jim, who was mining in Alaska, paid the hospital bill for Dad and gave him a $20 gold piece to live on while he was incapacitated. Dad’s buddy, Adam, eventually paid Jim what was owed. Finally, Dad repaid Adam, and thus the hospital bill was finally settled. Adam also lent Dad the money for the fare back to Seattle. Dad took a boat from Fairbanks, down the Tanana River, then eventually onto the Yukon, going 1,100 miles down the Yukon River. He made his way to St. Michael. There, he caught a steamboat back to Seattle. This experience was an indelible part of Dad’s life. It taught him the value of good friends, and a lot about self-reliance, trust, and the goodness of his fellow man, especially in time of hardship and trial. He often used this story to teach his children and grandchildren the same values. And what is the “rest of the story” - as a wellknown newscaster likes to say? Seventy-one years later Dad’s grandson (my son) married the great-niece of his beneficent friend, Jim, the man who had paid the hospital bill in Alaska. ISI

PAGE 4 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

Reviewed by Connie Daugherty Damnyankee: A WWII Story of Tragedy and Survival off the West of Ireland by Thomas L. Walsh, Outskirts Press, Inc. Denver CO; 2009 “This is just one story in many, one I could not walk away from,” says author Thomas Walsh. Damnyankee is also a story that readers, once into it a ways, will have a hard time walking away from. It is a true story, but a story that was mostly forgotten except by the participants until unearthed by a single American sailor and a helpful Irish community. On a vacation in Ireland, Walsh stumbled upon the details and then he, too, was hooked. Though the story of the Damnyankee was a small drama played on the immense stage of World War II, it was by no means a trivial piece. “Early on I decided… that I would do my best to tell the story of the Damnyankee and its crew in the most forthright and simple manner I could muster,” Walsh explains. That is exactly what he has done. His succinct, honest, and direct journalist style of writing - of telling more than showing - provides interesting and lively reading. The details (“truths [that] hold up by themselves”) have obviously been well researched with personal interviews as well as collected letters and photos, which are included. Although this is a reporting of actual events, it is also a lesson-story of how one random event, decision, or relationship can lead to something unexpected. Walsh throws the reader into the center of things on the first page. The year is 1985 and an American arrives in the small town of Clifden on the west coast of Ireland. He is searching for a piece of his past and determined to find what he needs. Finally he contacts Sean Kelly, a sergeant in the local Garda, who has just returned from vacation. The American, Ed Vigeant, makes the matter seem so urgent that Sean agrees to meet Ed and his wife. “Like so many other Americans he’d met… they oozed enthusiasm and friendliness.” But Ed Vigeant was not just another tourist in love with the Irish countryside. He had a story to tell - at least the beginnings of a story, the end, it would seem, rested in Sean’s hands. Ed’s story was a true tale of the night that he and the crew of the Damnyankee, an American Navy plane ditched off the Irish coast, lost in a North Atlantic storm during World War II. It was

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

a tale of heroism, kindness, and brief friendship forged in the days that followed the tragedy. But it was a tale without an ending - at least without a complete ending because it seemed that nobody remembered the event. Ed, in 1985 an elderly veteran, is in search of proof that what he remembered actually took place and he desperately needs Sean’s help. As a Garda, Sean is experienced in ferreting out answers - solving mysteries. His natural curiosity aroused by Ed’s story, he agrees to help. He begins by telling the American’s tale to his wife. And as these things go, she mentions it to a friend who also passed it along. Eventually, the story reaches the ears of someone who remembered Ed and the Damnyankee crew. The affirmation Ed was looking for. Years later Thomas Walsh happens upon the tale of the Irish and the Americans and the story that he could not walk away from. But the book is not about solving the mystery in 1985; it is about the crew of Damnyankee in 1944 - it is the story of how they came to be off the coast of Ireland in the first place that intrigues Walsh and it is their story that needs to be told. The story actually begins in Chincoteague, Virginia. “It was the first step for select crews earmarked for training in highly classified equipment and tactics.” Select crews meant men of courage and talent. Classified equipment, in this case, meant the “brand-new ‘PB4Y-1,’ the latest, most advanced model off the line…. It was a version of a bomber popularly referred to as a ‘Liberator.’” By the time Jim Trudeau and his crew were transferred from Chincoteague to Norfolk, Navy Base, they were already well acquainted with each other and eager to be acquainted with this new plane that they would christen, the Damnyankee. “Trudeau was well aware of the reputation of the BP4Y-1 for being difficult to fly… and he fully intended to explore every flight possibility and ramification....” That is exactly what they spent the summer doing - flying and training and studying and talking and imagining all possible situations. Finally in September their orders came. They were destined for the war in Europe. “Trudeau… felt a satisfaction that his crew was solid, if not overly experienced.” They were all ready to get on with it, to put their training toward the work of winning the war.

From the very start, however, this was a Murphy’s-law-flight. Everything that could go wrong did - the weather, equipment that did not work, superior officers who were less than supportive. Still the crew was optimistic as they took off across the Atlantic. After all, they had trained hard and they had confidence in themselves and in Trudeau as their captain. In the end, their training and confidence served them well, even if their luck did not hold. “The exhausted sailors bobbed up and down off the west coast of Ireland in their new home, an eleven foot by six and a half foot rubber inflatable life raft - the only thing between them and certain death in the North Atlantic.” Not all the crew survived, but those who did would have a surprising story to tell. The story of the Damnyankee. Thomas L. Walsh graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Communications/Journalism degree in 1962. He and his wife live in Idaho’s Teton Valley where he works as a free-lance writer. He wrote a column for the Idaho Falls Post Register for almost five years, and Damnyankee is his first full-length book. ISI

How Old Were You?

By Lynne Wells Walding, Senior Wire How old were you when you found out the truth about Santa Claus? I was nine! Yes, you read right! I know, I know, there are nine-year-old college freshmen out there! I’d like to think it’s not that I was slow-witted, but rather that my family was so convincing. Every Christmas Eve, my brother, Larry, took me for a long walk. And, every year – doggone it – we would just miss Santa’s visit. Not being a total dweeb, I finally got suspicious of that routine. Perhaps I expressed those doubts to my family. Because, when I was seven, we took our usual walk. When we got home, I was sure we had just missed him – as usual – but, lo and behold, he had not come yet. Mother assured me that he was just running late. She tucked me into bed, with a promise that she would awaken me when he arrived. I made her cross her heart. True to her word, a couple of hours later she woke me. “He’s here!” she whispered. Yeah, right! I’d been warned about this little ruse. It would be Daddy, all dressed in a red suit, and wearing a fake beard. Imagine my surprise when I walked, sleepy-eyed, into the living room to see Daddy, and a rotund gentleman in red, chatting about the weather. “Oh, there you are, Sleepyhead. I’m sorry I’ve been missing you every year. My, my! You’ve grown,” the jolly, fat man said to me, as though he’d known me all my life. He sat down, motioning for me to sit on his lap. I don’t know where Daddy found him – but he was the real McCoy. No soft pillows to shift around under his red suit; which was a beautiful silky material with luxurious fur on the collar and sleeves. And, no fake beard! Everyone laughed when I put my face almost against his to pass judgment on his lustrous facial locks. One by one he took our toys from a big black bag and spread them under the tree; moving as though he had all the time in the world. Larry and I were chomping at the bit. Then, Santa apologized that he would not be leaving by the chimney.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

“Having a little back trouble,� he explained convincingly. As soon as the door closed behind him, we were on the toys like “ducks on June-bugs�. Mother brought our attention to the sound of sleigh bells in the distance. Whoa, this guy was good! And, I was hooked for another year! In those days – at least in our neighborhood – most folks bought or cut live trees and left them out for Santa to decorate - while the kids slept. We did things differently. Mother said Santa had so much to do, that it would be nice if we helped by decorating our own tree. We usually did that on December 23. How times have changed! Nowadays, most trees are store bought, and they begin appearing the day the Halloween decorations vanish. I think it all started when those pitiful-looking fake trees hit the market. Competition demanded that each merchant get his fake trees out first. Then came the aluminum trees. Oh dear, I tried that once, as a young working girl. My sophisticated phase! The next spring, it - along with the pink plastic ornaments - went for one dollar in a garage sale. As my ninth Christmas neared, I was still defending Santa’s existence. Hadn’t I met him up

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 5

close and personal? The only child in a class of 23 who believed, I approached my mother with “the� question. “Mother,� I said, “I have to know the truth. Is Santa Claus real?� “Let’s have a glass of milk, some cookies, and talk about it,� she said. My heart sank. That meant only one thing. I was, indeed, the class moron, and she was about to gently confirm it. But, after hearing her out – I didn’t feel stupid. I felt very wise and kind of grown up. “Flesh and blood, he is not,� she began. “Santa Claus is the very spirit of giving! Children keep him alive in their imaginations, and parents keep him alive in their hearts. Selfishly, perhaps, because absolutely nothing makes a mother or daddy happier than to see their child smile. We want that giving spirit to always live in your heart. And, when you are a mother, you will pass it on.� She was crying. I was crying. But, not because I was sad. Francis Pharcellus Church could not have said it better! Ms. Walding is a columnist, novelist, and clock smith, who resides in the beautiful Piney Woods of East Texas. Contact Lynne at senior.momentum@ ymail.com. ISI

Baby Boomers Pursue Encore Careers

With the economy in flux and 401-K plans losing value every day, more and more baby boomers realize that they will need to continue working much longer than they ever expected, and they’re rethinking how they want to spend those years, according to Joan Strewler-Carter and Stephen Carter, co-founders of the Life Options Institute, an organization dedicated to helping people plan for life after age 50. “During this economic downturn, boomers should take pause and reflect on what they plan to do with the rest of their lives, and ask whether it’s time to reinvent themselves by pursuing their dreams and turning their passion into ‘encore careers’,� says Ms. Strewler-Carter. According to the Merrill Lynch New Retirement Study, 71% of baby boomers say they will work after retirement. The new retirement for people 60+ won’t involve withdrawing from working life. Instead, many boomers want to find a new life balance that includes career options. “If you are going to have to or want to continue working, then why not pursue something that makes you happy - a career that you may have left behind many years ago when you met that fork in the road of life,� adds Mr. Carter. At least 5.3 million people ages 44 to 70 have encore careers according to the MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures, a national think tank. Take an Encore - The Cornell Retirement and Well-Being Study surveyed 700 individuals shortly before retirement to discover their reasons for retiring. The top response for both women (69%) and men (70%) was “to do other things.� Boomers are largely making this decision not because of a mandatory retirement age or poor health, but because they have the energy and desire to pursue other interests. Clearly, they are in search of something more. David Fouts, Kennebunkport, Maine, took early retirement from IBM, where he was an engineer, and then forged a new career as an artist. Along the way, he discovered that some habits from his first career are hard to leave behind. So, instead of fighting the past, he has carried disciplines from the office into the studio. Unlike his previous office, his studio is just outside his back door. “You need to have a separate place to work, to call your own, even if it’s a shed out back with a pot-bellied stove,� Fouts says. “It has to be your workplace. My whole life has been going to work. Now I’m still doing that even if it is just a few feet away from my home.�

For others the very definition of retirement has changed. When she was first asked if she was retired after leaving her position as University of Missouri chancellor, Martha Gilliland, Kansas City resident, reacted with shock. “I hadn’t thought of myself as retired. To me, retiring had a negative connotation. Instead, I saw myself as moving from one career to the next,� says Gilliland. a Turning Your PasHeat up to 1000 sq. ft. for pennies a day with an energy saving Save Meg ur yo $$$ on Bill g n sion into a Profit - AfHeati Infrared Heating System ter years of collecting PORTABLE – 110 VOLT ENERGY EFFICIENT ‡ 7KHUPRVWDW FRQWUROOHG American folk art and ‡ 2YHU \HDUV DQG consulting on the openRemote and Fireplace +XQGUHGV RI WKRXVDQGV Models Available ing of an Americana wing RI VDWLVILHG FXVWRPHUV for a New York gallery, ‡ :LOO QRW UHGXFH KXPLGLW\ RU R[\JHQ ‡ /LIHWLPH DLU ILOWHU Frank Miele’s passion ‡ )8// <($5 %803(5 72 %803(5 caused him to leave a )$&725< :$55$17< DEALER INQUIRIES successful partnership WELCOME ‡ &DQQRW VWDUW D ILUH at a law firm and open ‡ 6DIH IRU FKLOGUHQ DQG SHWV ‡ (QHUJ\ HIILFLHQW VDIH VRIW FRPIRUWDEOH his own art gallery on KHDOWK\ KHDW Madison Avenue. ‡ 8VHV HOHFWULFLW\ QRW JDV RU RLO

“As a lawyer I had ‡ 4XDOLW\ IXUQLWXUH JUDGH ZRRG FDELQHW 127 3/$67,& 72 0(/7 25 3$57,&/( %2$5' 7+$7 pretty much scaled that &$1 '5< 83 $1' &5$&.

corporate ladder of ‡ 3XW WKH KHDW ZKHUH \RX QHHG LW success early on and I ‡ (YHQ KHDW ZDOO WR ZDOO DQG IORRU WR FHLOLQJ LISTED couldn’t see myself get‡ 9LUWXDOO\ 0DLQWHQDQFH )UHH ting much more out of INFRARED 1500 WATT HEATER COMPARISONS the profession,� notes Miele. “Through years COMPETITORS MODELS SUNHEAT CLAIMS REALITIES FACTS of collecting I had made CABINET lots of connections with All Wood Cabinet - including remote and fireplace Most major competitors cabinets are plastic Plastic & attractive or have plastic fronts where the heat exhausts models wood cabinet world-renowned folk artWARRANTY ists, so, in 1991 I just Three year bumper to bumper backed by a fifty-five Read the warranty. Most parts are limited to Three Year year old Nebraska Company one year by some competitors Warranty took that leap of faith and HEAT opened my gallery. Some have no copper at all. Others only 5.9 to 24 oz. copper acting as a heat sink produces more More heat 12 oz. therefore they cannot produce as much heat than any other 1500 watt infrared heater “Although I don’t heat or hold it as long as the SUNHEAT which generate the same inmakes competitor’s models less efficient FAN come I would have as Quiet fan with sealed ball bearings with an incredible None twice as quiet - one is 8 Fan twice as 80,000 hour life expectancy decibels quieter, most have a life quiet as an attorney, I believe expectancy of only 20,000 hours competitor that when your work is HEAT TUBES 6000 plus hours with heavy duty wiring and a three Wiring is very thin with life expectancy 20,000 hours your passion you get a approx. 5000 hours. Some heaters have only year guarantee easily replaceable by owner been on the market one year or less. lot more out of it.� QUALITY Electronics located close to heat exhaust with No electronics close to heat exhaust. All Good Quality Test the Waters light wiring. Contracted out on a low bid basis high quality heavy duty components and parts. Deto factories that do not specialize in building signed, engineered and guaranteed by a fifty-five year It may be hard to find old Nebraska Company. Built in our own factory under infrared heaters. For most, this is their first the perfect encore opwatchful eyes and every heater is inspected in the U.S. season of building infrared heaters and they are not quality controlled inspected in the U.S. by trained quality control inspectors portunity, but now it is easy to look for it. The Sold Only By SUNHEAT Certified Dealers Produced, Distributed and Guaranteed by a For Information or your 55 Year Old Family Owned Company Encore Career Finder nearest dealer LOCATION: SUNHEAT SALES at www.encore.org lists 3724 Arch Ave. Call 1-800-491-4690 Ext. 371 Grand Island, NE 68803 www.sunheat.com thousands of openings

SLASH YOUR HEAT BILL UP TO 50%

HI09105

PAGE 6 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

at nonprofit, environmental, healthcare, education, social service, and governmental organizations. “Before taking the leap into an encore career, make sure that all of your needs will be met including financial, social, and emotional,” adds Ms. Strewler-Carter. “If your pension has to be supplemented, make sure your career move is income-generating, as

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

opposed to a career move into volunteerism. And if you are a social animal who is more comfortable communing with co-workers than Mother Nature, you might want to explore leasing a small office space in an executive suite where you can enjoy the company of others,” notes Mr. Carter. “Boomers have faced challenges all of their lives. This is the ‘transformational generation’

that will change the face of retirement, just as it changed everything else,” adds Mr. Carter. For additional information, please visit www. WhatsNextinYourLife.com, a website from Life Options Institute that helps people plan for life after 50 and includes helpful information on how to remain in or re-enter the workforce. ISI

Where to Turn for Help in Hard Times By Joan Riley, Senior Wire Are you one of those people, or do you know of one, whose rosy future, fine retirement residence, promising part-time job, and fat 401(k) recently morphed into foreclosure, unemployment, and poverty - and you just don’t know what to do or where to turn? Well, there is some help available. There are still a few shreds of our woefully inadequate “social safety net” left out there, but you will have to dig to find them with states’ own poverty rising and benefits being slashed. For affordable housing, check with your state’s Area Agency on Aging office or website for referrals to subsidized rentals, and with HUD (www.hud.gov) programs like the one requiring you to pay one-third of your adjusted income for rent, or giving you a voucher to use anywhere. Get on the waiting lists of any programs or housing developments for which you qualify near home or in any area where you are willing to move. Check for any statewide programs through their local office or online. They administer numerous senior aid programs; including in-home

There are still a few shreds of our woefully inadequate “social safety net” left out there, but you will have to dig to find them with states’ own poverty rising and benefits being slashed. support services, help to pay caregivers (or you) for care of an invalid family member, payment of your part B Medicare, Medicaid programs, and others a social worker can relate to you. Check with your telephone and electric companies for income-based discounts on telephone and electricity. You may be surprised at the ways you can qualify for assistance, even if you still have a home. Each program has different requirements. In some states, for example, you can lower your income by buying a medigap policy. And if you already carry a medigap policy you cannot afford to keep, read it carefully. A clause in your policy may let you put it “on hold” while you use Medicaid for a few years. A low-priced car, ongoing medi-

cal or job expenses, furniture, or prepaid burial expenses usually do not count. Check and then check again through different sources. My neighbor was once told that she did not qualify for Medicaid programs because of her assets, chiefly an IRA and 401(k). She only learned years later that after her mandatory distributions began at age 72½, her state no longer considered the IRA/401(k) assets, even though they were still counted by SSI, the federal program which supplements low Social Security payments. Check out food stamps, and other food programs for which you might qualify. If you are conducting an online search and have some specific or complex question, www.ask.com can often be the best search engine to use. Please do not hesitate to seek the help you need. Remember, you supported these services via your taxes all your working life. Readers are invited to submit questions about 55-plus work opportunities. Questions should be addressed to Joan Riley, johall_95531@juno. com. Joan Riley is a California editor, teacher, and writer specializing in senior affairs. ISI

We are fast approaching the holiday season and with it come social events, family gatherings, and bringing in the New Year. Send us your letter today and start looking for that new companion to accompany you this holiday season. To those who wish to respond to any of these personal ads, simply mail your message, address, phone number, and/or email address to the department number listed in the particular personal ad, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. Your response, including your address, phone number, and/or email address will be forwarded to the person placing the ad. If you answer an ad in this section, there is no guarantee that you will receive a response. That is up to the person who placed the ad. Please make sure you submit your correct address plainly printed so you can promptly receive responses. Respond to the ads in this issue and also sit down now and prepare your ad for our December 2009/January 2010 issue. There is no charge for this service, and your ad may bring a breath of fresh air to your heart as well. Responses to personal ads appearing in this column can be submitted at any time. However, to place a personal ad, the deadline for the December 2009/January 2010 issue is November 10, 2009. SWF, healthy, happy, enjoys the outdoors with camping and fishing. I’m 63, have brown hair, and blue eyes. I love to travel. Looking for an old-fashioned SWM, 60 to 70 years old who likes to hold hands, go for walks, and knows how to treat a woman. Will answer all replies. Reply ISI, Dept. 5401, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. I like to fish, hike, “soft” kayak, cook, sew, and sing. I’m a non-smoker, non-drinker, and 65 years old. Many think I am in my 50s. I’ve been a widow for 13 years. Prefer gentleman 60 to early 70s. No one younger please. Also must be NS, ND, have a good sense of humor, and be taller than my 5’4” height. Reply ISI, Dept. 5402, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. Widowed male, in my 70s, 5’8”, 170 lbs, looking for an honest, healthy, sincere Christian, compatible lady, 60 to 70, long-term relationship to spend my golden years in an active country life. Plays music a plus, enjoys dancing, home, and TLC. Willing to relocate to central Idaho. No D/D/S or S/T/D. Not rich, but secure. My abode not fancy, but paid for and clean. Located in the mountains of God’s country, USA. Please include a recent photo and thanking you for your reply, but we do have all the amenities of today’s conveniences. Reply ISI, Dept. 5403, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. I am a white 70-year-old widow, looking for a caring gentleman who likes the outdoors, dancing, and animals. Also someone who enjoys music. I like having fun and I hope that I can find someone who likes fun. Reply ISI, Dept. 5404, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 7

©2009 Media Services S-8462 OF22077R-1 Advertisement

Bob Vila endorses and recommends the famous EdenPURE portable heater ®

Millions of Americans now saving up to 50% on their heating bills and raving about the “heavenly heat” Does not get hot, cannot start a fire and will not reduce humidity or oxygen The famous infrared portable heater, the EdenPURE ® , which can cut your heating bills by up to 50%, has been greatly improved. The new EdenPURE ® GEN3 heater heats better, faster, saves more on heating bills and runs almost silent. The EdenPURE ® can pay for itself in a matter of weeks and then start putting a great deal of extra money in your pocket after that. A major cause of residential fires in the United States is portable heaters. But the EdenPURE® cannot cause a fire. That is because the advanced infrared heating element never gets to a temperature that can ignite anything. The outside of the EdenPURE® only gets warm to the touch so that it will not burn children or pets. The EdenPURE ® will also keep you healthy. That is because, unlike other heating sources, it will not reduce humidity or oxygen in the room. The advanced spaceage EdenPURE® Infrared Portable Heater also heats the room evenly, wall-towall and floor-to-ceiling. And, as you know, most other portable heaters only heat an area a few feet around the heater. Unlike other heating sources, the EdenPURE ® cannot put poisonous carbon monoxide, any type of fumes or any type of harmful radiation into a room. Q. What is the origin of this amazing heating element in the EdenPURE®? A. This advanced heating element was discovered accidentally by a man named John Jones. Q. What advantages does this advanced infrared heating process have over other heating source products? A. This infrared heating

Never be cold again

How it works:

3. The soft heat rides the humidity in the room and provides moist, soft heat ceiling to floor, wall 1. Electricity ignites powerful to wall without quartz infrared lamp. reducing oxygen or humidity. 2.The infrared heat without combustion gently warms the cured copper baffles to create energized soft heat.

Heats floor to the same temperature as ceiling.

Cannot start a fire; a child or animal can touch or sit on it without harm Pictured above is Bob Vila demonstrating the famous EdenPURE® GEN3 Model 1000 heater with a family. It saves big money on your heating bill while keeping you toasty warm with “heavenly heat”.

process was designed around the three most important consumer benefits: economy, comfort, and safety. In the EdenPURE ® process, electricity is used to generate a type of infrared heat which, in turn, creates a very safe heat. Q. How can a person cut their heating bill by up to 50% with the EdenPURE®? A. The EdenPURE ® will heat a room in minutes. Therefore, you can turn the heat down in your house to as low as 50 degrees, but the room you are occupying, which has the EdenPURE®, will be warm and comfortable. The EdenPURE® is portable. When you move to another room, it will quickly heat that room also. This can drastically cut heating bills, in some instances, by up to 50%.

End of interview. The EdenPURE ® will pay for itself in weeks. It will keep a great deal of extra money in a users pocket. Because of today’s spiraling gas, oil, propane, and other energy costs, the EdenPURE ® will provide even greater savings as the time goes by. The EdenPURE® heater is now greatly improved. With no increase in price, the new EdenPURE ® has been updated with the latest technology, safety, and comfort features to provide you with even greater comfort, more savings, and years of reliability. The EdenPURE® comes with a comprehensive three year warranty along with a 60day no questions asked satisfaction guarantee – we pay the return shipping. This product has been listed by Underwriters Laboratories.

Testimonials from a few of the millions of satisfied EdenPURE® customers The EdenPURE® has cut my gas bill to a third of what it was last year. Leslie Wilson, Vancouver, WA The EdenPURE® really puts out the heat like a little solar furnace. It’s below freezing outside and cozy warm in the rather over large living room area where I’m using it. I have already noticed a 40 to 60% drop in the cost of my heating bills. George B., Triangle, N.Y.

CUTAWAY VIEW

SPECIAL READER’S DISCOUNT COUPON The price of the EdenPURE® GEN3 Model 500 is $372 plus $17 shipping for a total of $389 delivered. The GEN3 Model 1000 is $472 plus $27 shipping and handling for a total of $499 delivered. People reading this publication get a $75 discount plus free shipping and handling and pay only $297 delivered for the GEN3 Model 500 and $397 delivered for the GEN3 Model 1000 if you order within 10 days. The EdenPURE® GEN3 comes in the decorator color of black with burled wood accent which goes with any decor. There is a strict limit of 3 units at the discount price - no exceptions please. Check below which model and number you want: ■ GEN3 Model 500, number _____ ■ GEN3 Model 1000, number _____ • To order by phone, call TOLL FREE 1-800-588-5608 Authorization Code EHS1616. Place your order by using your credit card. Operators are on duty Monday - Friday 6am - 3am, Saturday 7am - 12 Midnight and Sunday 7am 11pm, EST. • To order online, visit www.edenpure.com enter Authorization Code: EHS1616 • To order by mail, by check or credit card, fill out and mail in this coupon. This product carries a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. If you are not totally satisfied return at our expense, and your purchase price will be refunded – no questions asked. There is also a three year warranty. ______________________________________________________________________________________ NAME ______________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________________ CITY STATE ZIP CODE

Check below to get discount: ■ I am ordering within 10 days of the date of this publication, therefore I get a $75 discount plus free shipping and handling and my price is only $297 for GEN3 Model 500 and $397 for GEN3 Model 1000 delivered. ■ I am ordering past 10 days of the date of this publication, therefore I pay shipping and handling and full price totaling $389 for GEN3 Model 500 and $499 for GEN3 Model 1000. Enclosed is $________ in: ■ Cash ■ Check ■ Money Order (Make check payable to BioTech Research) or charge my: ■ VISA ■ MasterCard ■ Am. Exp./Optima ■ Discover/Novus Account No. __________________________________ Exp. Date ____/____ Signature ______________________________________________________ MAIL TO: BioTech Research Authorization Code EHS1616 7800 Whipple Ave. N.W. Canton, OH 44767

PAGE 8 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Pack Light for Your Travels with Audio Books By Helen Gallagher, Senior Wire There’s a whole new world of digital technology today, including lightweight gadgets that make it easy to enjoy audio books, especially on the road. Let’s take a look at today’s audio books and the devices you use to listen to them. Audio Books - Instead of tapes or CDs, most audio books available today are in a MP3 format, which creates high-quality digital files. You can download MP3 files from the web and listen on your computer, or copy the MP3 files to your handheld device. The term pod cast has become synonymous with MP3 and both do the same - distribute and play audio files. With all audio books, you easily control the volume, pause, start, and stop with buttons on the MP3 player, whether you’re walking through the gardens of Paris, or floating along the canals of Amsterdam. Audio Players - E-book readers, such as Amazon’s Kindle, are costly devices (approx. $350) that allow you to read books on a handheld screen instead of paper. But audio books continue to attract a strong readership among those who enjoy listening to a book while traveling, or when reading is fatiguing. And MP3 players are inexpensive. You can purchase pocket-sized MP3 devices under $30 at big-box retailers and national office supply chains. Most low-priced players run on alkaline batteries and include earbuds. (A note of caution: Depending on your location, earbuds, or headsets may be prohibited while driving.) Audio Book Resources - Audible.com, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, offers audio book downloads on a monthly subscription basis. Unlimited downloads are $14.95/month. The subscription covers a wealth of magazine, newspaper, and radio pieces too, so you can keep up on the latest news and commentary featuring your favorite radio and TV personalities with your morning coffee, or anywhere you travel. Civil War Traveler - American history buffs can download audio tours of notable battles of the Civil War at www.civilwartraveler.com. Many of these rich resources are narrated and timed to accompany you on a driving or walking tour. All of their recordings are free. Here are just a few examples, as listed on their website: • Bentonville, North Carolina Battlefield where Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston saw an opportunity to at least slow down Gen. William T. Sherman’s 60,000-man Union army as it marched through North Carolina in March 1865. (driving tour) • The Wheatfield at Gettysburg, the site of some of the most intense and confusing fighting of the war on July 2, 1863. Gettysburg park historian Eric Campbell leads you through the bloody back-and-forth action. (walking tour) • Gaines’ Mill, Hanover County, Virginia, the site of Robert E. Lee’s first victory as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia and a turning point in the Seven Days battles. (walking tour) Learnoutloud.com offers thousands of audio books, many of which are free. Their travel audio books are versatile, and far more exciting than a traditional tourist guidebook. Narrated explanations of a town’s culture, history, and amenities provide colorful commentary. Their “Ride With Me” series includes narration that correlates with the freeways you’re driving. Get lost in “Culture Capsules” - their $6 one-hour introductions to popular destinations. You might listen during a long flight, or enjoy a chapter each day as you make your way through a European itinerary. Check your local public library for new books in audio formats, either on CD or as MP3 files. Most public libraries offer free downloads of audio books, which you can do from home, or during your travels, wherever you have access to an Internet connection. LibreVox.org has over 2,000 free downloads of audio books recorded by volunteers and available in multiple languages. All are from books in the public domain. The first audio recording reproductions were made in 1933, according to the Audio Publishers Association, when Anthropologist J.P. Harrington drove the length of North America to record oral histories of Native American tribes on aluminum discs using a car battery-powered turntable. Today, you have the convenience of taking all your favorite books when you leave for vacation, or when you read in bed, at the beach, or riding across the country. You can listen to your books anywhere, and drown out much of the world’s external noise with a lightweight headset or earbuds. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Wow! It’s Palau! The Crown Jewel of the Pacific By Sandra Scott, Senior Wire With snow and cold just around the corner, maybe it is time to consider a tropical getaway to warm those joints. Imagine a group of islands that look like they have been untouched by the hand of man and yet have resorts and services that are top notch. Palau, in the western Pacific Ocean and part of Micronesia, only has a population of 20,000 but offers wonderful adventures. 1. Early history: The Belau National Museum, the oldest museum in the Micronesian region,

is the perfect place to learn about Palau from the authentic full-sized men’s meeting hall (bai) to displays connecting the culture of Palau to other Pacific Island nations. 2. Mysterious past: At the northern end of the island of Babeldaob are ancient monoliths left by the early Palauans. The locals believe the monoliths may have supported a huge bai. Besides the 37 stone monoliths, Palau is home to other mysterious stonework. 3. The war: It is hard to imagine the horror that took place on the serene islands of Palau during World War II. The Palau WWII Memorial Museum recalls the Battle of Palau, called “The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific.” Palau is a memorial site for both American and Japanese troops. Many of the military installations, such as the airstrip, are still intact. 4. Riverboating: A short and informative jungle trail lined with fern trees, wild orchids, gorilla arm trees, and canon ball trees leads to Ngerdorch River and the riverboat. On the walk, learn about the Noni Tree, which can “cure anything.” On the river cruise through a mangrove forest, catch site of a Palau fruit dove, bush warbler, rusty-capped kingfisher, and even a crocodile. 5. The reefs: Learn about the reefs and its denizens at the Palau International Coral Reef Center. Their aquarium features a series of both outdoor pools and marine tanks that highlight the variety of habitats and marine life found in Palau.

It gives an intimate firsthand look into the diverse world of the coral reef. 6. Jellyfish ballet: Join one of Sam’s Tours to Jellyfish Lake, one of the Underwater Wonders of the World. In a landlocked saltwater lake, snorkel with thousands of delicate pink stingless jellyfish that seem to be performing an underwater ballet. Getting to Jellyfish Lake requires a short but steep hike up, then down a rocky path, but it is worth it. 7. Dive in: Palau is all about diving. The Rock Islands, a collection of beautiful foliage-covered isles are surrounded with waters that are home to a diverse Technicolor paradise of fabulous drop-offs, blue holes, breathtaking reefs, and an amazing variety of fish. Few places in the world can compare to the variety and density of underwater life found in the waters around Palau. 8. Go fish: Fish ‘n Fins offers fishing trips daily with local fishermen who know the right time and place for fishing. Trolling, casting, bone fishing, bottom fishing, and spear fishing trips are available. Catch the great prizes of the ocean such as blue marlin, yellow fin tuna, sailfish, barracuda, and wahoo. 9. Sense of wonder: The eco tour starts with sipping an energizing tea that prevents heat stroke then slathering the soft white part of a sprouted coconut on exposed body parts as sun and bug protection. Kayak through the amazing mangrove stopping at a mystifying site created by the Taro Goddess. End with a lunch of locally inspired

specialties. 10. Giant money: Carp Island Resort is a sanctuary to frigate birds, white egrets, and a variety of additional birds. After kayaking, hike a jungle trail to see Yap stone money, the world’s largest money. There is so much to see and do. Take a cooking lesson at Fish ‘n Fins. Have a spa treatment at Palau Royal Resort’s Mandara Spa. Enjoy a folkloric show at Palau Pacific Resort. For more information, check www.visit-palau.com. ISI

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 9

PAGE 10 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Hurrah For The Fun By W.E. Reinka “When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.â€? That opening line from a poem in 1883 by Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley evokes autumn with a nip in the air, pumpkins ripe for carving, and corn shocks bundled for feed. But farmers will tell you that pumpkins, like other types of fruit, do not keep after they’re caught in heavy frost. Fruit? Yes, pumpkins, like tomatoes, are technically fruit because they grow from blossoms. Come Halloween we don’t care if they’re fruit or vegetable so long as they’re scary - or jolly - or whatever the mood of your jack o’lantern. They’re part of Halloween fun because as Illinois poet Carl Sandburg reminds us in Theme in Yellow, deep down everyone knows that the scary jack o’ lantern is only fooling: â€œâ€ŚChildren join hands/ And circle round me Singing ghost songs/ And love to the harvest moon; I am a jack-o-lantern/ With terrible teeth And the children know/ I am fooling.â€? Pumpkins are grown around the world. The word “pumpkinâ€? originated in the Greek word “peponâ€? which means “large melon.â€? a Heat up to 1000 sq. ft. for pennies a day with an energy saving Save Meg ur yo The French added their $$$ on Bill Heating Infrared Heating System accent and turned it PORTABLE – 110 VOLT ENERGY EFFICIENT into “pomponâ€? before ‡ 7KHUPRVWDW FRQWUROOHG it crossed the English ‡ 2YHU \HDUV DQG Remote and Fireplace Channel to become +XQGUHGV RI WKRXVDQGV Models Available RI VDWLVILHG FXVWRPHUV “pumpionâ€? and finally the

SLASH YOUR HEAT BILL UP TO 50%

‡ :LOO QRW UHGXFH KXPLGLW\ RU R[\JHQ ‡ /LIHWLPH DLU ILOWHU ‡ )8// <($5 %803(5 72 %803(5 )$&725< :$55$17< DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME ‡ &DQQRW VWDUW D ILUH ‡ 6DIH IRU FKLOGUHQ DQG SHWV ‡ (QHUJ\ HIILFLHQW VDIH VRIW FRPIRUWDEOH KHDOWK\ KHDW ‡ 8VHV HOHFWULFLW\ QRW JDV RU RLO

‡ 4XDOLW\ IXUQLWXUH JUDGH ZRRG FDELQHW 127 3/$67,& 72 0(/7 25 3$57,&/( %2$5' 7+$7 &$1 '5< 83 $1' &5$&.

‡ 3XW WKH KHDW ZKHUH \RX QHHG LW ‡ (YHQ KHDW ZDOO WR ZDOO DQG IORRU WR FHLOLQJ LISTED ‡ 9LUWXDOO\ 0DLQWHQDQFH )UHH

SUNHEAT

COMPETITORS MODELS CLAIMS

REALITIES

CABINET Plastic & attractive wood cabinet

All Wood Cabinet - including remote and fireplace Most major competitors cabinets are plastic or have plastic fronts where the heat exhausts models

WARRANTY Three Year Warranty

Read the warranty. Most parts are limited to one year by some competitors

FAN Fan twice as quiet as competitor HEAT TUBES 20,000 hours QUALITY Good Quality

FACTS

Three year bumper to bumper backed by a fifty-five year old Nebraska Company

Some have no copper at all. Others only 5.9 to 24 oz. copper acting as a heat sink produces more 12 oz. therefore they cannot produce as much heat than any other 1500 watt infrared heater heat or hold it as long as the SUNHEAT which makes competitor’s models less efficient None twice as quiet - one is 8 decibels quieter, most have a life expectancy of only 20,000 hours

Quiet fan with sealed ball bearings with an incredible 80,000 hour life expectancy

Wiring is very thin with life expectancy approx. 5000 hours. Some heaters have only been on the market one year or less.

6000 plus hours with heavy duty wiring and a three year guarantee easily replaceable by owner

Electronics located close to heat exhaust with light wiring. Contracted out on a low bid basis to factories that do not specialize in building infrared heaters. For most, this is their first season of building infrared heaters and they are not quality controlled inspected in the U.S.

No electronics close to heat exhaust. All high quality heavy duty components and parts. Designed, engineered and guaranteed by a fifty-five year old Nebraska Company. Built in our own factory under watchful eyes and every heater is inspected in the U.S. by trained quality control inspectors

Produced, Distributed and Guaranteed by a 55 Year Old Family Owned Company SUNHEAT SALES 3724 Arch Ave. Grand Island, NE 68803

My Wife Louise’s Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe 1. Thoroughly wash fresh seeds, removing all traces of pulp. 2. Spray a cookie sheet with oil 3. Spread seeds in a single layer across cookie sheet 4. Salt 5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until starting to brown 6. Stir seeds once half way through toasting ISI

An Indoor Friend

INFRARED 1500 WATT HEATER COMPARISONS

HEAT More heat

American colonist had the last word by changing it to “pumpkin.� The jack-o-lantern has Celtic roots. According to Irish legend, a wily character named “Stingy Jack� double-crossed the devil not once, but twice. When Jack died, he was too disreputable to make it into heaven. But, after being double-crossed twice by Jack, the devil wanted nothing to do with him anymore and sent him away from the gates of hell. Ever since, Jack has been wandering the night with only a burning coal placed in a carved out turnip, to light his way. Irish legend called him “Jack of the Lantern� which was abbreviated over the centuries to Jack o’ Lantern. Tradition spread to England and Scotland. People started carving scary faces into turnips, potatoes, or huge beets, to scare off evil spirits. When the American Colonists found pumpkins waiting for them on these shores, they became perfect jack-o-lanterns. Thank the American Colonists for pumpkin pie, too, which started when they cleaned the pumpkin, filled the insides with spices and honey and baked it in the hot ashes of a fire. “Hurrah for the fun Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie! Pumpkins’ orange color shows that they’re loaded with beta-carotene. Scientists theorize that beta-carotene offers protection from all kinds of diseases and helps fight the degenerative aspects of aging. The seeds are chock full of good stuff, too. Bake a sheet of seeds sprinkled with oil and salt and let the grandkids have at them.

Sold Only By SUNHEAT Certified Dealers For Information or your nearest dealer LOCATION:

Call 1-800-491-4690 Ext. 371 www.sunheat.com

HI09105

By Clare Hafferman Americans must be nuts about their dogs and cats – or Petco wouldn’t be among us with all the bells, whistles, chewy toys, scratch pads, cans of special food, back-scratchers, and flea powder. As a gardener - pet owner or not - could you imagine being really fond of a special plant that has given pleasure to the person who cares for it? There is a story here, so push back the recliner, put your feet up, and I will fill in the background. About twenty-five years ago, my husband, Bob, was working in a downtown office when a young woman came in looking for a job. Noting that his area had no living plants, she returned later with a Hoya that was just beginning to vine. When Bob left that job and went into business for himself, the Hoya followed him home. Before the land rush, we then moved from a rented part of a 100-year-old house, bought a lot on the west side of town, and as we could afford it, Bob started building the house in which we now live. One of our sons helped us and I took on a second career as a painter - which is why I have not touched a brush again in years. The Hoya came with us and hung down from a wrought-iron holder in front of a south facing window – protected from the hot sun by a shade. By this time, several years had passed, and without any special care from me, the Hoya had extended its leathery leaves on vining stems and begun to bloom. Because a Hoya takes its time in blooming, its care is like the advice you give your children, “Patience is a virtue.� Also known as the “wax plant,� the blooms are light pink circles that exude a waxy liquid and have a wonderful odor. Some people find the scent overpowering, but I have always liked flowers that announce their presence with a good smell. There are not enough houseplants that qualify. We can force narcissus, daffodils, and hyacinths for that purpose, but they do not live long. This Hoya has qualified for 25 years! When we bought this lot, there was an old garage and a junky-looking

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

one-bedroom house in the back. To get our building permit, we were told we had to connect that little house to the one we intended to build. We protested and lost, so Bob said, “To heck with it, I’ll build you a greenhouse room.” The junky house was re-fitted and became a rental, and the greenhouse room turned into one of those blessings in disguise. It has a concrete floor, windows on two sides, two skylights above, cabinets from a yard sale, and elevated benches filled with dirt where I put my flats of tomatoes in the spring, above my one florescent light. In the fall I lay bunches of whatever I am drying in the benches. There are a couple of tiled squares next to the benches that are usually crowded with seed envelopes. I had an old radio/phonograph until it quit this year. That is on my list to replace because I have a stack of vinyls I can still play and warble along with. I moved the Hoya from the front room to a window on the east side. It has twined, vined, and bloomed every year. I have repotted it three times, since this is a plant that likes to be tight potted. This may sound like a reprobate relative, but simply means it likes to be kept contained in the pot it is in.

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 11

Then four or five years ago I bought a variegated Hoya, whose leaves are green or light pink and edged with light and dark shades of pink. I looked at it early this summer and thought, “Are you going to do anything or just sit there?” I had planted it in a stoneware pot that was a gift from a dumpster diver, and hooked it on a post that helps hold up the roof. It had grown so much that I wondered if it would become too heavy and loosen the hanger, but so far, so good. Then in July, patience turned into virtue and some beautiful blossoms developed from small, dark wine-colored circles and became dark pink hanging flowers. I do not give either plant a lot of attention, which is another point in their favor. If you like house plants for decoration and the fact that they re-cycle our air, a Hoya fills that requirement. The thick leaves keep them from drying out, and a finger in the soil should let you know when to add water. I mist them occasionally and when they bloom, I add some Schultz houseplant fertilizer to water and dose them every two weeks.

If you cut off part of a vine, dip it in rooting powder and then pot it up. Be patient again, and eventually it will make you a baby plant. Incidentally, the Hoyas I have given people are the only plants that when they bloomed, the recipients called and said, “Thanks!” Later this fall I intend to get one of my hefty grandsons to hoist my 25-year-old resident Hoya, take it out to the compost pile, break the pot, separate the strands and roots, and start over with two divisions. I will give one away and hope the keeper goes on as long as I do. Even your favorite dog cannot match that record. ISI

Attention Snowbirds: It Is Important where the 2010 Census Counts You! It’s that time of year. Those lucky ramblers fondly known as “snowbirds” will be packing up and heading to warmer climates for the winter. Just around the time for their return, the 2010 Census questionnaires will be mailed. The official word from the 2010 Census is these dual-state folks should answer the questionnaire that is sent to the home where the majority of their time is spent. If you reside in two places equal parts of the year, or if you have no permanent address, you’ll be counted where you are living on April 1, 2010. Officials want to remind fair-weather fans that it is a big deal where you are counted. Over $400 billion dollars is allocated to states and communities based on Census Bureau data. Not being counted adds up to approximately a $1,000 annual loss to that area, and over the 10 years until the next census, that translates to $10,000. Communities rely on financial assistance for programs for the elderly, libraries, hospitals, youth services, and education. The Census numbers also affect state redistricting - how many seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Census Bureau reminds everybody that gone are the days of long, time-consuming forms. The new census questionnaire has been shortened to only ten questions and takes less than ten minutes to fill out. Not only is it quick, it is completely safe. “While your personal information is confidential and protected by law,” ensures Cathy Illian, the census director of the ten-state Rocky Mountain region, “It is also sealed for 72 years. After 72 years, the data is released with the primary use being that of genealogy research. This research helps to build a bridge to your children and grandchildren.” The Census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and is a civic duty, like voting or being on Do-It-Yourselvers a jury. It is your right to be counted. ISI

or Contractors Get Everything You Need for Your Electric or Plumbing Project

✔ Personalized Attention to Customers ✔ Helpful and Friendly Employees ✔ A Thoroughly Trained Staff ✔ Quality Products ✔ Competitive Pricing, Every Day Plumbing • Electrical • Lighting • Irrigation Visit any of our three locations in Idaho

PAY & PA C K

ELECTRIC AND PLUMBING SUPPLY For the store closest to you visit us at www.groverelectric.com

Proudly serving the Magic and Treasure Valleys for over 50 years NAMPA: 824 Caldwell Boulevard, (208) 466-7807 • BOISE: 5730 W Franklin Road, (208) 342-6576 TWIN FALLS: 130 Eastland Drive South • (208) 733-7304 Monday-Friday 8:00-7:00 • Saturday 8:00-5:30 • Sunday 9:00-4:30

PAGE 12 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Where Are They Now - Angie Dickenson?

By Marshall Kaplan Everybody’s favorite and sexiest policewoman has had a bittersweet year. Although she recently celebrated her 75th birthday, she mourned the loss of her daughter. Angie Dickinson was born Angeline Brown in Kulm, North Dakota on September 30, 1931. Her father was the publisher of the local newspaper. At age 11, her family moved to California. Although Angie was inspired by her father to be a writer (and even won a local essay contest), after college the only work that she found was that as a secretary for the Burbank Airport where she worked from 1950 to 1952. In 1953, recently married (to former football player, Gene Dickinson) Angie did not need to work anymore. She entered a beauty contest and won 2nd place. This prompted her to pursue an acting career – a career that was extremely quick to achieve! Television loved Angie – she was not just beautiful to look at, but she also proved to be a versatile actor, appearing in literally dozens of TV series of the 1950s and 1960s including Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, The Fugitive, and Death Valley Days. In addition to television, Dickinson also had a successful movie career. Angie did not want to be another blonde bombshell. Instead, she naturally lightened her hair (rather than go platinum). She studied the craft of acting and worked hard to be a good actor. Casting directors began to take notice of Angie – she was edgy and direct in her vocal delivery, yet soft, shapely, and sexy in her physique – a combination that studio execs could not ignore. Very quickly, Angie went from B movies to A movies, such as Rio Bravo (1959, with John Wayne). The infamous Rat Pack also took notice of Angie, not only in casting her in Oceans 11 (1960), but having her join their inner circle. Angie remained a

You’ve stayed active through i «>ÕÃi°Ê7 ÊÞ ÕÊLiÊ Ã `i i`ÊLÞÊ ÌÃÊÃÞ «toms?

close friend of Frank Sinatra until his death in 1998. As she says, “My mother was against my being an actress – until I introduced her to Frank Sinatra!” Now a full-fledged star, Angie had her pick of film roles and leading men. Although her film roles of the 1960s and early 1970s were nothing to write home about (except for Big Bad Mama, 1970), the marriage to her second husband made headlines. Angie married legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach. The union was a Hollywood fairytale and lasted from 1965 to 1981. Their daughter, Nikki, was born 3 months premature in 1967 with autism. Angie cut back on her career to care for Nikki during her early years. In 1974, Angie appeared in an episode of Police Story. Her guest appearance turned into a weekly series called Police Woman, where she played Sgt. Suzanne “Pepper” Anderson. Not only did Angie earn awards for her role, she was a pioneer in creating an over-40 sex symbol – a term coined as “cougar” today. The show lasted four seasons. Dickinson slowed her pace in the 1980s. She turned down the role of Krystle Carrington on Dynasty, but did star in the Brian DePalma thriller, Dressed to Kill (1981) – one of her only six roles during the 1980s. The 1990s and 2000s saw Angie in only a few roles – some cameo appearances (such as 2001’s Ocean 11 remake). She played Helen Hunt’s mother in Pay It Forward (2000) and Gwyneth Paltrow’s mother in Duets (2001). Although not onscreen as much as her fans may like, Angie does continue to attend film premiers. In January 2007, Angie was in the news, as Burt’s and her daughter, Nikki, committed suicide. Our thoughts are with Angie during this tragedy and let our memories be ones of smiles for her on-screen roles – that of a smart and sexy actor. As she once said, “The more powerful women are, the sexier they are.” ISI

k c u b for a or t wo

We are conducting a clinical research study to test the safety and efficacy of an investigational drug in preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis and treating menopausal symptoms while ensuring endometrial (uterine lining) safety. You may be able to participate if you: UÊ ÀiÊVÕÀÀi Ì ÞÊ{äÊÌ ÊÈ{ÊÞi>ÀÃÊ ` UÊ ÀiÊ i «>ÕÃ> Ê> `ÊiÝ«iÀ i V }Ê i «>ÕÃ> ÊÃÞ «Ì ÃÊ UÊ >ÛiÊnot had a hysterectomy UÊÊ >ÛiÊnot used oral hormonal treatments such as estrogen, progestin, androgen-, or SERM-containing products within the past 2 months -ÌÕ`ÞÊ«>ÀÌ V «>Ì Ê >ÃÌÃÊv ÀÊ>««À Ý >Ìi ÞÊ£{¤Ê Ì Ã°Ê*>ÀÌ V «> ÌÃÊ V> ÊiÝ«iVÌÊÕ«ÊÌ ÊnÊÛ Ã ÌÃÊÌ ÊÌ iÊÃÌÕ`ÞÊ` VÌ À°Ê+Õ> wi`Ê«>ÀÌ V «> ÌÃÊ >ÞÊ receive study-related office visits, medical evaluations, mammograms, }Þ iV } V> ÊiÝ> Ã]ÊL iÊ`i à ÌÞÊÃV> ÃÊ vÊi } L iÊ> `ÊÌ iÊÃÌÕ`ÞÊ`ÀÕ}Ê at no cost. For more information about this study, please contact:

866-704-5163 (toll free) or 208-377-8653 ext 102 or visit us online at acr-research.com Or visit us at www.MenopauseResearchStudy.com Advancing Medicine. Enhancing Life.

WIN BIG!

$1.00 and $2.00 play can’t wait.

www.idaholottery.com Benefiting Idaho Public Schools and the Permanent Building Fund. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY. Must play to win.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 13

On The Road With Charles Kuralt - Long-awaited debut on DVD October 27, 2009

The beloved Emmy®-winning series, On the Road with Charles Kuralt, Set 1, makes its long-awaited debut on DVD from Acorn Media on October 27, 2009. Award-winning journalist Charles Kuralt has been a household name for decades with his On the Road segments, first airing on the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, and, then as the first host of the CBS News Sunday Morning. Beginning in 1967, he and his small CBS television crew crisscrossed the nation in a motor home, avoiding the interstates to meet the ordinary people on America’s back roads. The resulting vignettes became a beloved touchstone of American culture for more than 20 years and remain deeply meaningful, touching, and truthful. This DVD 3-volume boxed set includes 18 episodes with a total of seventy-seven On the Road pieces (www.AcornOnline.com, $39.99). Warm, avuncular, and unquenchably curious, Charles Kuralt found everyone interesting. For 20 years beginning in 1967, Kuralt wandered America’s byways in search of the unusual and the overlooked. He and his small crew logged more than a million miles and wore out six motor homes. For his homespun vignettes of everyday life, Kuralt won an Emmy® and two Peabody Awards. He traveled through all 50 states, talking with horse traders, worm hunters,

singing mailmen, and sharecroppers who put nine children through college. He reported on an elderly man who fixed bicycles for local children, and a woman who talked to Canadian geese. No topic was too small, no person too insignificant. Collected into episodes by the Travel Channel in the 1990s, Kuralt’s On the Road pieces celebrate his passion for the local, the quirky, and the unsung. The pieces featured in Set 1 include: Golden Gate Bridge Workers, Super Shoe Salesman, 80-Year-Old Cook, Roadside Shangri-la, The Circus Bandleader, Whistle-Stop Ride, Toothpick Artist, All-Night Library, Life on the Bayou, Bullfighter, Shipbuilders of Maine, Interstate 80, Greek Sponge-Fisherman, Bishop of Spokane, Cadillac Ranch, Abraham Lincoln’s Hometown, One-Room Schoolhouse, Covered Bridges, Turkey Trot, Kite Man, 104Year-Old Man, Chicken Man, Man Who Waves at Traffic, Pothole Festival, Greenup H.S. Cheerleaders, Crop Artist, Bike Messenger, South Dakota: Cowboys of Deadwood, among many others. DVD 3-Vol. Boxed Set: 18 episodes (77 pieces) - Approx. 378 min. SDH subtitles. Special Features: About On the Road, Road Updates, and biography of Charles Kuralt. SRP: $39.99 ISI

The Secret Cookie Ingredient? Steady Attention.

Tickets On Sale Now!

By Gail Jokerst Until recently, I would have described myself as a multi-tasking cookie baker. I’d wedge the phone between my ear and shoulder, and chat away, as I washed dishes or sorted laundry while mounds of chocolate chip dough melted in the oven. My attempts at efficiency ruined more cookies than I care to think about, but the occasional burned bottom wasn’t enough to reform me. Thanks to a new picture hanging in my kitchen, this scenario did not replay itself the last time I baked cookies. When the urge to be efficient beckoned, I quickly reminded myself, “Mrs. Brenner wouldn’t approve.” And the dirty plates and socks waited until all the crispy pepparkokers lay cooling on racks. As I turned from the sink, I understood how much that whimsical image had changed my cooking habits since it entered my home. You might expect the frame to hold a likeness of Mrs. Brenner, my conscience in the kitchen. But, it doesn’t. The picture merely portrays an empty wooden chair facing an old-fashioned white stove. Although that vignette might seem odd to some, to me it represents a valued cooking lesson. Years ago, my aunt Sylvia mentioned that her mother-in-law, Mrs. Brenner, was the best cookie baker she’d ever known. The memory of her orangePERSONALIZED SUPPORT

October 13 Morrison Center “Lily Tomlin just may be the eighth wonder of the world.”

Lily Tomlin USA Today

Personalized Assisted Living... with an emphasis on Living.

Imagine watching your loved one regain an enthusiasm for

life

with

personalized

in

a

support

friendly,

encouraging environment. A little

help

enormous

can

make

difference

an with

activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing. Call to schedule a getWYNWOOD® TWIN FALLS Personalized Assisted Living Respect for Individual PreferencesSM

acquainted visit, or tour our website today and discover how

November 7 Morrison Center

1367 Locust Street North Twin Falls, Idaho 83301

we provide our residents with

Senior Discount available

(208) 735-0700

the

highest

standards

of

Personalized Assisted Living. WWW.BROOKDALELIVING.COM

Respect for Individual Preferences is a Service Mark of Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Nashville, TN, USA. ® Reg. U.S. Patent and TM Office 07280-RES01-0909

ALSO ON

SALE

November 17 Morrison Center

A Christmas Carol December 18 & 19 The Wedding Singer January 9 & 10 Avenue Q February 8–10 Rain May 11 Tickets at www.IdahoTickets.com • Select-a-Seat • (208) 426-1110 Morrison Center box office • Info: BroadwayInBoise.com

PAGE 14 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

scented poppy seed cookies lingered long after my aunt had last sampled one. “What was her secret?” I eagerly asked my aunt. I expected a response like, “She always sifted her flour four times,” or “She used only unsalted butter.” But, I was surprised by the reply. Although 40 years had passed since my aunt had witnessed the secret, she recalled it clearly. “Mrs. Brenner always pulled up a chair in front of the stove and sat there while her cookies baked. Since her oven didn’t have a window, she’d peek inside to know when the cookies were ready. She never did anything else when she baked,” my aunt said. “She just sat there.” I have to admit I just sat there, too, as I quietly digested this unwelcome information. No more phone calls while I waited for macaroon tops to brown? Forsake laundry as molasses crinkles puffed and dropped into chewy treats? It didn’t take the culinary skill of a Julia Child to figure out the answers. Soon after, I shared the conversation with my friend Patti. We never re-

visited the topic, but I recently discovered the secret had touched her as well. Last month, Patti handed me a gift-wrapped package and said, “I couldn’t resist buying this for you.” From the shape and weight of the present, I realized it was a framed picture. Because of that image, I now hover by the oven when I bake so I can finger-test cookies for firmness, see when they look done, and sniff the aroma for perfection. I remember to rotate pans of spritz halfway through baking and to check on shortbread before the recipe suggests sliding it from the oven. If I consider abandoning cookies in progress for just a minute, a glance at the wall prompts a silent voice that stops me with, “What would Mrs. Brenner think?” Whenever I glimpse the picture hanging above my stove, I am reminded that anything worth doing needs my complete attention. Occasionally, it even inspires me to pull up a chair and sit facing the warm oven. After all, time and cookies wait for no one. ISI

The Laws of Ultimate Reality Submitted by Jim Meade The sun comes up every morning and it sets every evening. Doesn’t it seem that patterns exist in the way the world works that are as predictable as the sun? Following are some of these Laws of Ultimate Reality. Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you will have to pee. Law of Gravity - Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. Law of Probability - The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers. Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire. Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you changed to (works every time). Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings. Law of Close Encounters - The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you do not want to be

seen with. Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine will not work, it will. Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach. Law of the Theatre - At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last. The Starbucks Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something that will last until the coffee is cold. Murphy’s Law of Lockers - If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers. Law of Physical Surfaces - The chances of an open-faced jam sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly proportional to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug. Brown’s Law of Physical Appearance - If the shoe fits, it is ugly. Wilson’s Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy - As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it. Doctors’ Law - If you do not feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor. By the time you get there, you will feel better. Do not make an appointment and you will stay sick. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Keeping the Culture Alive Bessie and Wilfred Scott Article & Photo by Jack McNeel Bessie and Wilfred Scott are elders of the Nez Perce Tribe and each devotes countless hours to keeping the Nez Perce culture alive. “We’re pushing 80,” he says laughing and avoiding telling Bessie’s age. Scotty turned 78 last January and let’s just say that Bessie is younger. “We have an unwritten policy between Bessie and me. If somebody asks for something, to do this or do that, we won’t turn them down. So a lot of times we are doing things on the spur of the moment,” Scotty explains. His name is Wilfred but locally he is better known as Scotty. “Maybe that’s why we get such a crowded agenda. That crowded agenda would wear out people half their age. “We just got back from a culture camp at Joseph, Oregon with a youth group. We spent three nights there. We came home for a night and then went up to Big Hole in Montana because that’s part of the war and we do that every year,” Scotty states. “We were just there a couple of weeks ago. The Appaloosa Horse Club rode in and wanted us to come and do a little ceremony.” The culture camp was for high school youths and both Bessie and Scotty were planning to leave again for three more days at a culture camp for elementary students in Joseph. Scotty had also served as master of ceremonies at the Joseph Days Powwow earlier in the summer. Nearly every time the tribe holds a memorial service, blessing, or similar event, there is an excellent chance that Scotty will be involved. Maya Lin, the artist renowned for creating the Viet Nam Memorial in Washington D.C., was in Lewiston about three years ago preparing for the Confluence Project that has seven sites along 470 miles of the Columbia River. One of the sites will be at Chief Timothy State Park, downstream from Lewiston. Scotty and his close friend Horace Axtell performed the blessing ceremony. The two of them work closely on many events. Annually, the tribe holds four especially significant ceremonials relating to the Nez Perce War of 1877. Each memorial honors the many ancestors that were lost and the cultural upheaval that occurred during that time. Scotty and Horace lead the memorial services at each of these locations each year. “We go to Vancouver in April, Whitebird in June, Big Hole in August, and Bear Paw in October,” Scotty explains. Bessie’s role in cultural work focuses on the Sahaptin, or Nez Perce language. She works with the language program through the Cultural Affairs Department of the tribe. “I grew up in a household that spoke the language daily. When we turned 18 we left home.” Leaving home and the daily use of the language caused her to lose some of that fluency. “I know the language better than most of the younger people and sometimes better than our age group but I don’t consider myself fluent. I can read pretty good and write pretty good but to hold a conversation is hard.” Scotty adds, “She tries to tell you she’s not that fluent but she’s more fluent than she’ll let on. She knows a lot.” That knowledge takes her to the schools at least two days a week to work with students learning the native language. Sometimes it is almost a daily event. “I’d like to be involved with the language program as much as possible but I wasn’t going to be

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 15

PAGE 16 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

tied down to it. We are up in age and it’s getting to the point we can’t hardly get around anymore. I want to take advantage of the time we have to get up and go so that’s what we’ve been doing.” “None of the kids speak fluent Nez Perce. In fact, it’s at a crucial point, as we don’t have that many fluent speakers left. We don’t have that many teachers.” “I’ve been working with Indian stories,” Bessie explains. “All the old stories have been done phonetically and we’re going over them and are doing them linguistically. But not all of them, as it takes time and is really hard to do. I get paid for it but I do volunteer a lot of it.” Bessie had the opportunity to work with Haruo Aoki, the man who wrote the Nez Perce dictionary. “I went fishing with him and then started taking classes and got involved with the language so maybe I could become fluent. You don’t do that by taking classes once or twice a week and not working with it except for that time.” A close friendship with a former Lapwai (nonIndian) teacher led to another cultural exchange. When this teacher transferred to Clarkston, she asked Scotty if he would come down and talk with two 4th grade classes about anything he cared to discuss. “I’d spend an hour with them just once a month and talk about powwows, about the Nez Perce war, about the guardian spirit, talk about pipe ceremonies, different things like that. Then the second year Bessie came down with me. I’d take up about half an hour with my part and she’d take the other half and go through the language part. We did that for about four years.”

“When I used to start the class and tell them who I was I’d say that my friends call me Scotty and all the kids around Lapwai call me grandpa, so you can call me either one. Most of them would call me grandpa.” “I used to run into them. I’d be down in WalMart and the kids would be dragging their dad or mother up. I had one little boy tell his dad, ‘I’ve got a new grandpa and his name’s Scotty.’” Scotty entered military service in 1951 and served until 1972 so has both a Korean Service Medal and a Viet Nam Service Medal. That history keeps him active in military affairs. He served 13 or 14 years as Post Commander of the Lapwai VFW and still takes the lead in different issues like funerals or military graveside. He is also active in things on the reservation such as powwows, general council, and conferences hosted by the tribe where color guards are involved. Scotty formerly spent time working in tribal government but retired from that in 2005. At the time, he told the tribal council he would be glad to volunteer on projects concerning memorials and veterans’ issues. He works on a volunteer basis but the tribe provides office space with desk, computer, and phone privileges. “That same year I accepted nomination for the tribal Fish and Wildlife Commission so I’ve been serving on that for four years and have been chairman for the past year.” Bessie and Scotty may have passed the 70-year mark and slowed down a mite, but their involvement with youth, culture, and language has not slowed at all and provides immeasurable value to their community. ISI

From Travel to Lace – Joy Irving Article & Photo by Jack McNeel Joy Irving was raised in Moscow, educated at the University of Idaho, called Moscow home base for another 20 years, and has lived here full time for the past two years. But in between, she and her husband, George have seen a lot of the world. Joy and George were married while they were in college but when he finished school and got involved with liquefied natural gas, the relocation from town to town and country to country became a way of life. “We were in Baytown, Texas for three years then New Jersey for another three years,” Joy recalls. “It was then Libya for five years, Algeria for five years, Indonesia for 13 years, Sultanate of Oman for two years, and London for about 18 months.” Going on vacation usually meant a trip to Switzerland or some other European country. And on the way home to the United States, Joy says, “We’d usually go around the world visiting other countries.”

And although Joy is not sure exactly how many countries she has visited, the number is substantial. Joy has a bachelor’s degree in home economics and concentrated primarily on food and nutrition classes. She also had interest in textiles and that area has dominated much of her spare time in the years since. “I started out crocheting. I found knitting more difficult but I do knit now and do a little bit of lace knitting but with that I really have to concentrate,

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

so there’s no way I could do anything else. I do some tatting but at this point, I do bob and lace more than anything else.” Joy’s interest in bob and lace dates to their time in the Sultanate of Oman in 1995-1997. “I was taught by a Greek Cypriot. I knew I was not going to be there very long so I tried to work fast and learn enough to get along on my own. When I got back to Moscow I found out there was a woman here qualified to do instruction, Ronna Robertson.” This interest has led to Joy’s attending the International Lace Organization’s yearly conventions the past two years in Rockford, Illinois and Los Angeles. She is already looking forward to next year’s get-together in Portland, Oregon. This convention lasts a week with many opportunities to take various classes. Joy took tatting lessons, a needle lace class, and also did some knitting this year, but she says bob and lace is her top priority. “I really enjoy bob and lace. I can do that in the evening and watch TV,” she laughs. Joy explains that bob and lace is really just a form of weaving, which is something else she does. “You’re always working with just two pairs so you weave them across and end up with a cloth, or it looks like cloth. It’s just a variation of how many times you cross and twist threads as to what effect you get. I find it relaxing,” she declares. Unlike weaving, Joy can carry her bob and lace gear on a pillow in a large handbag. The bobbins are small, perhaps four to five inches long, and only large enough to contain thread. She uses spangled bobbins with colorful glass beads at their ends. Looking at examples of her creations it is hard to believe anyone could do such fine work with any distractions, let alone watching TV. The attention to detail is remarkable. Asked about the length of time involved she shows a small bookmark she created, all in white, and said it took about eight hours. Although this work is very fine, Joy has taken a class in a still finer form of bob and lace. “It’s done with thread, about sewing size thread, and tatting size (larger thread) for the gimp. I did a sampler piece for learning and worked 12 hours on just a little flower and a couple of leaves.” Joy is secretary-treasurer for the Appaloosa Lace Guild in Moscow, which has existed since the late 1980s and presently has 23 members. We’d like to have new members. I think it’s good you can create some really nice things.

Jim Otey And Experimental Aircraft - Continued from front cover competing for the flight. Local residents contacted Glen Curtis in Hammondsport, New York to have one of his demonstration pilots bring one of their planes out on the train. It was actually assembled in Clarkston then successfully flown over the Lewiston area on October 13 for Idaho’s first flight. The next day was not as successful as they had an accident after takeoff. “I don’t think anyone was killed,” Jim adds. “J.J. Ward was the name of the pilot.” A book entitled Wings over Idaho tells of that flight with photos taken at that time. The 100th anniversary of that flight is coming up and has inspired the two of them to build a replica of that 1909 plane, a Glenn Curtiss Model D Pusher. In one of those freakish coincidences, just a couple of weeks after they first talked about it, a man they did not know by the name of Roy Daniels called the EAA phone line. He had been helping his sister move out of her old house and in the attic, he had found a roll of airplane plans and wondered if EAA folks could use them. Jim reports, “I rolled them out and there’s the airplane. Incredible!” They have now been working on the plane for about a year and estimate that between them, they have logged about 2,000 hours – and are roughly half done. “It’s been a long deal because finding materials we needed was not an easy task and very expensive wood.” Jim described one piece of spruce. “It was absolutely clear, 24 feet long, an inch thick, and six inches wide. It cost $800! You turn most of it into sawdust. You cut it into ¼ inch strips and then glue it all back together.” All the wooden structure is now complete. Solid pieces are spruce and laminated pieces are spruce and sycamore. It has required a lot of engineering to accommodate the new materials. Sycamore is used in place of ash, a

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 17

It would be nice if more people would get involved with it.” Joy’s time working textiles in the summer declines, as she is busy with yard work. She leases much of the acreage she owns to a nearby farmer, but she still has two acres to mow along with flower and vegetable gardens to maintain. Joy lost her husband, George, two years ago so work formerly shared between them now falls on her. “I had to learn how to run tractors and plow snow and all that,” she says. This also cuts into her time for volunteer work. “I volunteer at the University of Idaho in the Leila Old Historic Costume Collection one afternoon a week. That’s the only volunteering I have time for,” she laughs. Leila Old started a collection of textiles and clothing in 1967, which became a valuable collection that is used as a teaching resource. One of Joy’s jobs is putting up displays from this collection in the Niccolls Building that houses the school of home economics, now called family and consumer science. “One was a lace display. We just did another on formal wear for men from about 1900 to the present and we’re ready to do a display of Margaret Ritchie items. She was head of home economics here for several years,” Joy adds. With the landscaping, mowing, and gardening season at an end, Joy is continuing with her volunteering at the University of Idaho and perfecting her bob and lace and other textile skills. ISI

PAGE 18 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

year we’ll have a flyable airplane. That will give us all summertime to play with it, make sure it is safe and not going to kill somebody, and then possibly encourage people to come take a ride for a donation. We’ll try to make back a couple of the dollars we’ve got in this thing.” “The culmination is the commemorative flight of the 100th anniversary of flight in the state. If the airplane’s still in one big piece, which would be good,” Jim laughs, “we’ll hopefully find a home for it. There is a nice aviation museum in Nampa, the

a new type of engine will be installed, and motorcycle wheels will replace the original bicycle wheels that were a weak link in the original. Better steel and welding will replace the early 1900s steel which had to be braised together. The parts require that a jig be used for precision and to maintain straightness and rigidity. A jig might require a week to make for just one part. This all adds to the mounting number of hours of construction. The FAA must take a look at the completed plane as it has final say on whether it can be flown or not. “We hope that by about the first of June next

Warhawk Museum. We would love to sell him the plane. We would like to get enough to pay off this building. Anything we get back we will put into the mortgage. It will be done as a donation.” Jim Otey and his wife have a large landscaped lawn that takes time but the bulk of his time is aviation. “I’ve been a flight instructor. I have taught 250 people to fly. I worked at Boeing in Flight Test as a test director. I have an aircraft mechanic license. I have rebuilt airplanes. That’s pretty much what I do.” ISI

Get close to history and nature at Lewiston area attractions Article and photo by Natalie Bartley Make the most of your next visit to the Lewiston area. Experience local history, absorb awe-inspiring scenery, and observe wildlife in action. Hells Gate State Park Two miles south of downtown Lewiston - 208-799-5015 $4 per vehicle entry day-use fee plus camping or cabin rental fee www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks Situated along the Snake River, this yearround park offers camping, the Lewis and Clark Discovery Center, a swimming beach, and a fullservice marina. An extensive trail system provides horse riding and mountain biking opportunities. The on-site Jack O’Connor Hunting Heritage and Education Center, named after the famous hunter, conservationist, and outdoor writer Jack O’Connor, serves as a memorial, museum, and hunting education center.

Washington just across the bridge from Lewiston. Beamers’ jet boat captains drive the official U.S. Mail Boats 100 miles upstream, delivering mail to the Snake River canyon residents year-round. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, guests join the two-day boat ride combined with an overnight stay and meals at the Copper Creek Lodge. In October, the steelhead fishing option is added. Riding on the mail boat is a comfortable and informative way to see and learn about the canyon. Passengers take turns delivering the mail by walking the goods up the sandy beach and over rough rocks to the owners’ mailboxes. Over the centuries, Native Americans, early explorers, US military personnel, expectant miners, Beamers Hells Canyon Tours Chinese laborers, homesteaders, and ranchers Historic U.S. Mail Tour - 1-800-522-6966 roamed Hells Canyon. In the early 1900s, over 300 Cost: $347 or $364 for steelhead fishing option people lived in the canyon. Now there are only 19 www.hellscanyontours.com For a water-based excursion loaded with mail stops at the remaining ranches and the vacahistoric information and wildlife viewing, ride the tion homes. The mail boat is a valued connection historic U.S. Mail Tour on a jet boat with Beam- to the outside world. Hells Canyon is the deepest gorge in the ers Hells Canyon Tours. You start in Clarkston, country at 7,800 feet. Volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, and floods such as the Bonneville flood 15,000 years ago, define Hells Canyon’s geology. “Sales • Installation • Service” During the trip watch for the big horn If you’re one of those people who have put off doing business sheep, mule deer, and elk commonly at OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY OF LEWISTONsighted on a jet boat ride. River otter, CLARKSTON, then you’re missing out on a comfortable sturgeon, and salmon live in the river experience. while rattlesnakes, canyon wrens, and OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY OF LEWISTONCLARKSTON is located at 422 20th Street North in Lewiston, chukars make use of the shoreline and phone 743-8485 or 1-800-950-8485. We understand how very, rugged terrain. very important repeat customers are. That’s why you will notice Captains provide a constant narrathe extra personal attention that’s given such a high priority here to tive of the history of the various ranches every person who comes to us. We specialize in offering Overhead and historic sites. Deck hands suggest door sales, installations and service. We offer manual, electrically exactly where to look for geology, wildlife, operated and remote control systems with a model for every conceivable application. Repeat customers are a long tradition and and archeological points of interest along a way of life. Let us have an opportunity to earn your trust. the river. (Continued on page 38)

OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY OF LEWISTON-CLARKSTON

Royal Plaza North Central Idaho’s Premier Retirement Community featuring our new Transitional Care Unit Long Term Care & Transitional Care

Private Apartments

• 24 Hour Nursing • Spacious Private Rooms • Physical Therapy • Speech Therapy • Occupational Therapy

• Elegant Dining • Emergency Call Systems • Professional, Courteous Staff • Assisted Living Services Available • Weekly Housekeeping

Royal Plaza Retirement & Care Center

2870 Juniper Drive Lewiston, ID 83501

www.RoyalPlazaLewiston.com

(208) 746-2800

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 19

Yoga for Healthy Living By Natalie Bartley Are you curious about Yoga? In urban areas, Yoga studios seem to appear on streets almost as fast as gourmet coffee shops. Numerous universities, YMCAs, senior centers, and hospitals offer classes. The options are almost overwhelming. At first, I thought Yoga was just one type and only about stretching and strengthening my body. I became aware that I enjoyed some instructors and Yoga classes more than I enjoyed others. Then I used Yoga to improve my athletic performance on a national kayak team. The flexibility Yoga provided was important for my aging body and the breathing techniques helped focus my mind for the fast-paced competitions. Eventually I decided I wanted to train to be a Yoga instructor working in the hospital setting. Taking the advice of an occupational therapist who teaches Yoga to children, I am trying different teachers and styles. My journey is leading me to numerous forms of yoga, including Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Bikram, SvaroopaŽ, and YogaFitŽ. Many Yoga classes are combinations of various styles. Some classes are vigorous and energizing, while others are restive and recuperative. The variety is understandable, since Yoga has been around for thousands of years. Originally developed in India, Yoga migrated to various countries. The term “Yoga� developed from the Sanskrit language root word “yuj.� It means to join, yoke, or unite. Yuj refers to the joining of the individual self and universal self. As used in Western views, it refers to the union of the body, mind, and spirit. Yoga class participants typically practice breathing techniques along with Yoga poses, resulting in increased flexibility, strength, and endurance. Yoga sessions increase awareness of the present. It teaches you how your mind and body experiences the present. John Heimer, 67, is a retired Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologist and a retired river outfitter. His river running hobby requires that he lift and carry the heavy gear necessary to support week-long trips exploring Idaho’s remote rivers, row loaded rafts, and camp along the river’s bank each night. He has practiced Yoga at the downtown Boise YMCA three times per week, for the past ten years. John says, “I can tell when I have been to Yoga because my body feels stronger, more flexible, and I have less body pain.� Regular Yoga sessions can benefit a wide range of people. Ann Johnson, a Yoga instructor at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) through the Yoga Alliance. “Falls are a big concern with some people,� she says. The weight bearing activities in a Yoga class develop strength, balance, and flexibility, and help prevent falls. Ann found the main benefit of Yoga is the breathing, which focuses one’s attention on the present moment. Other Yoga benefits include the social aspect of the classes and maintaining overall health. Ann describes a patient whose hip pain interfered with her ability to do any of her regular walks or shop for herself. After six months of weekly Yoga classes, Ann noticed an increase in the patient’s confidence, balance, and strength. The patient returned to her regular walking routines. Other patients dealing with medical treatments for cancer have told Ann that Yoga breathing techniques have helped them manage their stress, and anxiety. Her patients using Yoga breathing, relaxation, and body-scanning techniques for their insomnia, have reported being able to get back to sleep at night. During her work the past eight years as a hospital Yoga instructor, Ann has taught Yoga to bedridden patients, using breathing techniques, eye exercises, and pose adaptations. “It is really for anybody - as long as you are breathing and alive you can do it,� says Ann. Ann suggests trying a variety of classes to find a good match. “A good instructor should be able to modify the poses for each individual.� If you cannot get on the floor during your first class, instructors adapt the position by teaching you how to use a chair for support. They can provide a lightweight block, pillows, and blankets to increase comfort during poses. Come prepared for class in comfortable clothing 8, (OSPICE )$3R)ND PDF !to move freely. Avoid baggy clothes because they

make it difficult for the instructor to see your body alignment for safe positioning. Most Yoga instructors ask students to remove their shoes. You use all parts of your feet as a base of support during standing Yoga poses. Special non-skid Yoga mats are often provided in class, though you may want to purchase one. Having your own mat also means more opportunities to practice at home. Mainstream stores like Fred Meyer and Target stock Yoga mats and blocks at a reasonable price. “Yoga isn’t supposed to be stressful. That’s how you know you are in a good class for you,� Ann says. For a list of teachers in your area, check the Yoga Alliance Teacher Registry at www.yogaalliance. org. Learn more about Yoga at www.yogajournal.com. Natalie Bartley is a Boise-based writer currently studying for the 200-hour Yoga Alliance’s RYT designation. ISI

PAGE 20 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Planning for the end of life can be both rewarding and difficult Provided by National Cancer Institute Thinking about and planning for the end-of-life can be a difficult time for patients and their families. Each person will have unique needs and will cope in different ways. This time is easier when patients, families, and healthcare providers talk openly about end-of-life plans. For many patients and their families, this can be a time of personal growth. These events often give people the chance to find out more about themselves and appreciate what is most important to them. This article discusses care during the last days and last hours of life, including treatment of common symptoms and ethical questions that may come up. It may help patients and their families prepare for the kinds of decisions that may be needed during this time. Making end-of-life plans can lower the stress on both the patient and the family. When treatment choices and plans are discussed before the last days of life, it can lower the stress on both the patient and the family. Knowing the patient’s wishes can help make it easier for family members to make major decisions for the patient during a very emotional time. It is most helpful if end-of life planning and decision-making begin soon after diagnosis and continue during the course of the disease. Having these decisions in writing can make the patient’s wishes clear to both the family and the healthcare team. End-of-life planning usually includes making choices about the following: • The goals of care (for example, whether to use certain medicines during the last days of life). • Where the patient wants to spend his or her final days. • Which treatments for end-of-life care the patient wishes to receive. • What type of palliative care and hospice

care the patient wishes to receive. Palliative care relieves symptoms and can improve the quality of life for patients and their families. The goal of palliative care is to improve the patient’s and the family’s quality of life by preventing and relieving suffering. This includes treating physical symptoms such as pain, and dealing with emotional, social, and spiritual concerns. When palliative treatment is given at the end of life, care is taken to make sure the patient’s wishes about treatments he or she wants to receive are followed. Choices about care and treatment at the end of life should be made while the patient is able to make them. In addition to decisions about treating symptoms at the end-of-life, it is also helpful for patients to decide if and when they want this treatment to stop. A patient may wish to receive all possible treatments, only some treatments, or no treatment at all. These decisions may be written down ahead of time in an advance directive, such as a living will. Advance directive is the general term for different types of legal documents that describe the treatment or care a patient wishes to receive or not receive when he or she is no longer able to communicate their wishes. The patient may also name a healthcare proxy to make these decisions when he or she becomes unable to do so. Having advance directives in place makes it easier for family members and caregivers when very important decisions have to be made in the last days, such as whether to give nutrition support, restart the heart, help with breathing, or give sedatives. When the patient does not make choices about end-of-life care, or does not share his choices with family members, healthcare proxies, or the healthcare team, treatment may be given near death against the patient’s wishes. As a result, studies show that the patient’s quality of life may be worse and the family’s grieving process may be more difficult. Hospice programs provide care given by experts on end-of-life issues. Hospice is a program that gives care to people who are near the end of life and have stopped treatment to cure or control their cancer. Hospice care is usually meant for patients who are not expected to live longer than six months. Hospice care focuses on quality of life rather than length of life. The goal of hospice is to help patients live each day to the fullest by making them comfortable and relieving their symptoms. This may include palliative care to control pain and other symptoms so the patient can be as alert and comfortable as possible. Services to help and support the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

their families are also an important part of hospice care. Hospice programs are designed to keep a patient at home with family and friends, but hospice programs also provide services in hospice centers and in some hospitals and nursing home facilities. The hospice team includes doc-

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 21

tors, nurses, spiritual advisors, social workers, nutritionists, and volunteers. Team members are specially trained on issues that occur at the end-of-life. After the patient’s death, the hospice program continues to offer support, including grief or bereavement counseling for family members. ISI

Answers to Your Questions about Diabetes By Tait Trussell, Senior Wire While the world focuses on diabetes in November, here’s what the experts say. About 20 percent of the 24 million Americans with diabetes are age 60 or older. The number affected has increased by 3 million in the past two years, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Diabetes, however, “can be prevented with a lifestyle that includes optimal nutrition, physical activity, and weight management,” said James Hill, PhD, president of the American Society for Nutrition. “We recommend higher intakes of fruits and vegetables, healthy dietary fats, and plant foods to improve blood chemistry and reduce body weight.” The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has made an important discovery: An intensive lifestyle intervention that includes medical nutrition therapy, weight loss of five to seven percent, and exercise is more effective in preventing the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes than drug therapy alone. Here are some questions and answers regarding the Diabetes Prevention Program: Q: What is Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)? A: People with IGT have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet diabetic. The condition is diagnosed using the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) consisting of fasting and drinking a special solution. Q: For a person with IGT, what is the risk of developing type 2 diabetes? This is the most common kind. It occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. A: As many as ten of every 100 persons with IGT will develop diabetes each year. Q: How many people have IGT? A: About 16 million people in the U. S. have IGT, according to a national health survey. Q: How do diet and physical exercise work to prevent diabetes? A: Obesity and a couch potato lifestyle increase the risk of both insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is a disorder that targets tissues - muscle, fat, and liver cells - so they fail to use insulin effectively. The pancreas tries to produce more insulin. But gradually it fails. Q: What are the goals of the Diabetes Prevention Program’s intervention? A: To achieve and maintain a weight loss of seven percent with healthy eating and to maintain physical activity at least 150 minutes a week with moderate exercise, such as walking or bicycling. Q: What dietary advice did participants get in the studies of the effects of diet and exercise? A: They were asked to lower fat to less than 25 percent of their intake of calories. Lifestyle changes more effectively reduced diabetes risk than did

metformin (a drug used to treat high blood sugar). Lifestyle changes worked particularly well in people aged 60 and over. Q: Do the DPP interventions affect the risk of cardiovascular disease, an important cause of death in people with type 2 diabetes? A: DPP researchers are still analyzing data and conducting more studies to determine whether the interventions affected the atherosclerosis, which causes heart disease. Q: What plans are there to get the information about the DPP to the public and healthcare professionals? A: The American Diabetes Association is developing clinical recommendations for healthcare professionals and will provide guidance on how the results of the DPP can be applied to individual patients. The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), a jointly sponsored initiative of the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and more than 200 private and public organizations, has

Diabetes Education for a Long, Healthy Life We have 3 offices and 13 diabetes educators to help you manage your diabetes. Call today.

Boise

Meridian

Nampa

208-331-1155

208-884-4220

208-884-4220

hdiabetescenter.org HDC is a community program affiliated with Saint Alphonsus & St. Luke’s Regional Medical Centers.

PAGE 22 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

begun a program to disseminate material and intervention strategies derived from the DPP. This work is initially focused on developing tools that healthcare providers and people at risk for the disease can use to make the “modest lifestyle changes that have proven successful in preventing the onset of the disease,” the report said. Q: Were there any deaths or serious inju-

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

ries in the study resulting from the metformin treatment or the lifestyle changes? A: A total of 14 DPP participants died during the study. The rate of deaths was lower than expected based on the overall U.S. population, the researchers said. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the number of deaths in the placebo group. Q: Are diet and exercise beneficial even

after diabetes develops? A: Research has clearly shown that diet and exercise help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids in the short term. They should also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. A recently launched clinical trial will assess how they affect heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular-related death in people with type 2 diabetes. ISI

Help Your Arthritis - Get Out And Walk Arthritis, the most common cause of disability in the United States, affects one in five adults. It is predicted that by the year 2030, 67 million people will be affected by arthritis, up from current estimates of 46 million people. What is particularly disturbing is that the prevalence of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, continues to rise even though it can often be prevented by staying active.

Patience White, M.D., chief public health officer for the Arthritis Foundation, is not surprised that these numbers continue to rise. “Americans continue to become more sedentary despite overwhelming evidence that there are tremendous benefits from walking as little as 10 minutes, three times a day. If we continue to ignore the importance of movement, as the nation’s baby boomer population ages, the prevalence of arthritis will become staggering.” Fortunately, starting a walking program is easier than you might think. Dr. White’s recommendations include: • Walk Three Times a Day - Walking for exercise should take low-to-moderate exertion. When you first start your program, your goal may be walking 10 minutes every day. Once this no longer requires much effort, consider increasing your goal to 10 minutes three times a day or 30 minutes several times each week. As you reach this goal, change your route to include a slight incline. While it is important to consult your physician about your personal exercise plan and goals, also listen to your body! Consider keeping a journal to document your goals and the path to getting there. • Stretch - It is important to stretch before and after walking. Remember that walking involves more than just your legs, so also be sure to stretch your lower back, chest, and arms as well. • Bring a Friend - Having a walking partner

is a great way to stay motivated! Not only can you encourage each other to stay active, but talking as you walk is a great way to pass the time. Whether a neighbor, co-worker, or even man’s best friend, find someone to walk with and make a schedule that you can both stick to. • Maintain Your Ideal Weight - As people gain weight, they increase the stress placed on their joints, particularly their knees. Not to mention that being overweight may cause a person to become tired quickly and not able to follow a healthy exercise regimen. Before beginning a walking program, work with a healthcare professional to determine your ideal weight and the best plan for getting there. • Celebrate Your Success - While the best reward for your efforts is better health, it is okay to treat yourself as well. Reward yourself as you reach each new goal. Celebrate by buying a new pair of walking shoes, new workout clothes, or an MP3 player loaded with your favorite walking soundtrack. The Arthritis Foundation is the only nationwide, non-profit health organization helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to prevent, control, and cure arthritis and related diseases – the nation’s most common cause of disability. For more information, contact the Rocky Mountain Chapter at 800-475-6447 or online at www.rockymountainarthritis.org. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Answers to your questions about the 2009 flu season and swine flu Provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) When is it expected that the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine will be available? The 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine is expected to be available in the fall. More specific dates cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu? The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu. Can the seasonal vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time? It is anticipated that seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccines may be administered on the same day. However, we expect the seasonal vaccine to be available earlier than the H1N1 vaccine. The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available. Who will be recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine? CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. We do not expect that there will be a shortage of 2009 H1N1 swine flue vaccine, but availability and demand can be unpredictable. There is some possibility that initially the vaccine will be available in limited quantities. In this setting, the committee recommended that the following groups receive the vaccine before others: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency

medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children 6 months through 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions. The committee recognized the need to assess supply and demand issues at the local level. The committee further recommended that once the demand for vaccine for these target groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should begin vaccinating everyone from ages 25 through 64 years. One thing that appears to be different from seasonal influenza is that adults older than 64 years do not yet appear to be at increased risk of 2009 H1N1-related complications thus far. CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to 2009 H1N1 flu virus; however, about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is unknown how much, if any, protection may be afforded against 2009 H1N1 flu by any existing antibody. Therefore, as vaccine supply and demand for vaccine among younger age groups is being met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people over the age of 65. Do those that have been previously vaccinated against the 1976 swine influenza need to be vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 influenza? The 1976 swine flu virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus are different enough that it is unlikely a person vaccinated in 1976 will have full protection from the 2009 H1N1. People vaccinated in 1976 should still be given the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Where will the vaccine be available? Every state is developing a vaccine delivery plan. Vaccine will be available in a combination of settings such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments, healthcare provider offices, schools, and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces. Are there other ways to prevent the spread of illness? Take everyday actions to stay healthy. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue

Thoughts to ponder Submitted by Julie Hollar Working as a pediatric nurse, I had the difficult assignment of giving immunization shots to children. One day I entered the examining room to give four-year-old Lizzie her needle. “No, no, no!” she screamed. “Lizzie,” scolded her mother, “That’s not polite behavior.” With that, the girl yelled even louder, “No, thank you! No, thank you! No, thank you!”

N.S. Burbank, M.D. • C.J. Fatz, M.D. • K.C. Hewel, M.D. C.E. Ley, M.D. • A.J. Martinez, M.D. • K.P. McKlendin, M.D. B.J. McNamee, M.D. • A.E. Michalson, M.D. L.S. Michalson, M.D. • D.E. Moody, M.D. R.L. Opp, M.D. • T.F. Reichel, M.D. • R.S. Thornton, M.D. Diplomats of the American Board of Radiology 700 Ironwood Drive, Suite 110 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 208.666.3200 • Fax 208.666.3217

1300 E. Mullan Post Falls, ID 83854 208.777.1305 • Fax 208.777.1313

kootenaihealth.org/imaging

165504_0927

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 23

when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcoholbased hand cleaners are also effective. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way. • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. These measures will continue to be important after a 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine is available because they can prevent the spread of other viruses that cause respiratory infections. ISI

PAGE 24 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Congress is Not Working on Hospice Death Panels and Euthanasia for the Disabled - What Congress is Trying to Accomplish

By David V. Wold, D.A. During the past several months, we have heard a lot of rhetoric about healthcare reform, much of it blatantly false and irrational if not hysterical. Because of the misinformation, I want to explain what I believe is happening in the healthcare reform process and dispel some falsehoods such as “Hospice Death Panels.” First, the most important thing to remember is that healthcare reform is far from finished. The legislative process is designed to make passing new laws difficult, especially complex controversial legislation such as healthcare reform. Some argue that we should use an incremental rather than comprehensive approach to reform. However, private health insurance, Medicare, and the healthcare delivery system are so intertwined that attempting to change only one is like trying to do family counseling without all the members of the family present. The legislative process brings out the best and the worst in us. Politicians and media superstars make exaggerated and distorted statements to help their side, hurt the other side, and to keep their names in the news and their ratings high. Extremists come out of the woodwork working to get publicity for their views. However, out of all the controversy, namecalling, shouting at town hall meetings, political

grandstanding, and negotiations, a bill will emerge that most of us can support. In the five bills at the committee stage, 80% of the provisions are very similar. While we do not have a clear idea yet what will be in a final bill, we can be sure what will not be in it: • There will be no “death panels” requiring medical professionals to kill their patients. How plausible is it that medical professionals would be put in the position of killing their neighbors, friends, colleagues, and family members? Under consideration is a “comparative effectiveness” board that evaluates treatments, not patients. And the board’s conclusions are not binding. One version of the bill allows Medicare to pay for counseling sessions on living wills and other end-of-life issues. These services are optional and supported by AARP. • There will not be a full-scale implementation of “socialism.” Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans and military health systems are already government directed programs that work very well and are more cost effective than private insurance. • There will not be radical changes in the employer based private health insurance system where most people get their health insurance. The worst possible result of this process would be if Congress failed to pass anything. Most of us know people who cannot get medical care, nec-

essary medications, or who have gone bankrupt from the medical bills their illnesses or accidents have generated. As a nation, we must control the increases in medical costs. As Americans, we have always risen to the challenges regardless of how difficult they appear. I believe that by working together - even by arguing - that we will also rise to overcome these problems too. Currently the House of Representatives has three separate bills that must be brought together into a single piece of legislation through negotiation and then passed by a majority of the House. In the Senate, one bill has been reported out of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and hearings by the full Senate Finance Committee have commenced. The two bills will be negotiated into a single bill that will require a majority vote of the Senate for passage. Then the House and Senate bills will have to be reconciled into a single bill that must pass both the House and the Senate. Only then does the bill go to the President for his signature or veto. As you can see, the process is a long way from complete. If you have questions please email me at wolddavi@aol.com or write to me at Alliance Homecare, 353 North 4th Avenue Suite 205, Pocatello, Idaho 83201. ISI

Experience the DaVita difference. Table Rock Dialysis 5610 W. Gage St. Ste. B Boise, ID 83706

Services: ŏŏđŏ !.%0+*! (ŏ % (5/%/ŏ ŏŏđŏ +)!ŏ$!)+ % (5/%/ ŏŏđŏ *ġ !*0!.ŏ$!)+ % (5/%/ŏ

1-888-DaVita-8 | DaVita.com įŏĂĀĀĊŏ %0 ŏ * ċŏ ((ŏ.%#$0/ŏ.!/!.2! ċŏ ġĉĉĈĉ

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Take A Break And Do It Often Make Regular Respite A Priority By Lisa M. Petsche If you are providing care to a chronically ill family member, you may be aware of the importance of taking a break from caregiving duties and having arrangements in place that allow you some relief. If not, though, this article is for you. Although caregiving can be very rewarding, it can also be stressful over time because of the physical toll of hands-on helping and the emotional strain of dealing with the illness of a loved one. That is why it is so important for caregivers to have respite on a regular basis. Healthcare professionals encourage caregivers to take breaks in order to attend to things on their to-do list they have been putting off, but especially to take care of their personal needs and to maintain their individuality. This break time can involve a wide variety of activities, from performing necessary household tasks, to running errands, to engaging in self-care (sleeping, exercising, getting a haircut, attending a support group), to enjoying some recreation and leisure time. Benefits - When practiced regularly, respite helps keep the stresses of caregiving manageable, preventing burnout. The benefits of respite extend to care recipients as well: they receive a fresh approach to care and perhaps more individualized attention from the alternate caregiver. If respite takes place in the community, it provides a stimulating change of environment and a chance to socialize as well as participate in new or previously enjoyed activities. In addition, regular breaks can serve to reduce any tension that might exist between caregiver and care recipient because of constant togetherness and perhaps personality differences. Care options - In-home respite may be provided by: a personal support worker employed by a government-sponsored program or hired by the caregiver through a home health care agency; an individual with or without formal training, hired under a private arrangement (most often located through word of mouth or newspaper classified advertising); a trained volunteer (for example, from the Alzheimer’s Association); or a relative or friend.

Community-based respite options include: caregiver support groups that offer concurrent care; adult day care centers that provide social and recreational programming and often include a mid-day meal; and residential care facilities that have a short-stay program. Selection factors - Some caregivers are fortunate to have friends or relatives nearby who are able and willing to provide respite. Others, however, may not have anyone in the area in a position to help, and must rely on formal help instead. The following are factors to consider when choosing a respite service: • Type of assistance needed - companionship, supervision, housekeeping, personal care, or medical monitoring and intervention. • Special medical or behavioral needs, communication challenges, or eccentricities of your relative. • Time involved - length and frequency of desired breaks. • Setting - consider transportation issues as well as your relative’s energy level, personality, and any preferences he or she might have. • Cost, including whether a subsidy is available. If you decide to seek private in-home help, arrange to meet with a potential helper in your home after performing a telephone screening. Prepare a list of questions in advance, to help you determine his/her qualifications and suitability, and provide a comprehensive description of your relative’s needs and your own expectations. Pay close attention to how the candidate interacts with your relative. Ask for and check references (both educational and employment-related), and do a police check before hiring someone. If you wish to pursue care in an adult day care program or residential care facility, take some tours and talk with staff and clients. Involve your relative in this process as well, if feasible. Otherwise, bring along a family member or friend for a second opinion. Lisa M. Petsche is a clinical social worker and freelance writer specializing in eldercare issues. ISI

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 25

PAGE 26 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

When Caregiving Ends: Adjustment Tips By Lisa M. Petsche It is easy for caregivers to become isolated because of their relative’s need for continual care, whether it is practical help or supervision. For instance, they may have to give up a career or volunteer work in order to provide full-time care. Over time, caregivers may lose touch with friends because the heavy demands of caregiving limit their time and energy for nurturing relationships and their ability to get out of the house. All too easily, they become disengaged from supportive social networks and stress-relieving leisure activities. When the person they have been caring for dies, caregivers are challenged with finding a new sense of purpose and new activities. They may also face the challenge of learning to live alone - some for the first time. Loneliness and feelings of emptiness may be difficult to overcome. If you are in this situation, the following are some tips that may help. Be kind to yourself - Give yourself permission to feel all the emotions that surface, including resentment, relief, and guilt. Recognize that there will be good days and bad days. Prepare a list of things to do on the bad days — small indulgences to give you a lift as well as tasks or projects that will give you a sense of satisfaction. Look after your physical health. Eat nutritious meals, get adequate rest, and exercise regularly. In addition to safeguarding your overall health, these measures will also help ward off depression. Take things one day at a time so you do not get overwhelmed. Nurture your spirit - Write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a journal, chronicling your journey of self-discovery and growth. Nurture your spirit by doing things that bring inner peace, such as meditating, praying, reading something uplifting, listening to music, or spending time in nature. Get a pet. Cats and dogs provide companionship and affection and give you a sense of purpose. Get busy - Get out of the house every day. For example, go out to buy the newspaper rather than have it delivered to your home. Enjoy a cup of java or tea at a local coffee shop while you read. Space out errands over the week. Do banking in person rather than online. You never know whom you might meet when you are out. To further combat isolation, consider joining a dinner club, fitness center, or exercise class.

Offer to chauffeur grandchildren, nieces, or nephews to extracurricular activities. Find out their sports schedules and attend as many games as possible. Sign up for an adult education course or lessons that interest you - for example, gourmet cooking, pottery, or modern jazz. Be sure to check out available programs at the local senior center or recreation center as well as those offered by educational institutions. Learning something new is energizing and boosts your self-confidence. And you might make new friends in the process. Get involved in your community. Volunteer for a neighborhood association, charitable or environmental cause, animal shelter, or political campaign. Some former caregivers like to give back in some way to an organization that helped them and their relative, such as the Alzheimer’s Association or Cancer Society. Look for a job if your health is good, especially if you are concerned about finances. Cultivate some solitary pastimes. Take up crossword puzzles, woodworking, scrapbooking, writing, or sketching. Learn to enjoy your own company. Reach out - Take the initiative in calling friends and relatives to talk or get together. Instead of waiting for invitations, extend them. Suggest a regular time to get together for coffee or lunch. Plan a trip to visit loved ones who live far away. Do nice things for others, especially those who are also going through a difficult time. This takes your mind off your own situation, boosts your selfesteem, and strengthens relationships. Find at least one person you can talk to openly and who will listen and empathize with your situation, such as a close friend, spiritual leader, or mental health worker. Join a bereavement support group. If it is hard to get out or you prefer anonymity, try an Internet forum instead. If feelings of isolation persist, you might take in a boarder, share accommodations with a relative or friend, move to a senior living community, or relocate closer to loved ones. Don’t make such a major decision hastily, though - give yourself plenty of time. Lisa M. Petsche is a clinical social worker and freelance writer specializing in eldercare issues. ISI

Soft Landing By Nancy Rush, Boise My Mom, Lorine, died at age 96 on August 29, 2009. With her wishes known, plans made, good communication with her five daughters, and the support of valued health professionals, her death was a soft landing. Thirty years ago the plans began. Lorine and my Dad, George, who both enjoyed foreign travel, had decided to purchase portable cremation insurance - just in case. Then, as a new retirement community was being developed in their neighborhood, they put their names on a two-bedroom, twobath apartment with a reserved covered parking space. This housing

choice required long-term care insurance, so they had physicals and were approved for it. Dad lived to the age of 72. Then the cremation insurance was used, and our family spread his ashes in the mountains where my parents liked to camp. Mom moved into the completed retirement apartment where she resided for 14 years. For the next two years, she lived there in assisted living. Last year, Mom moved to be near my older sister, first in an assisted living facility and then in a nursing home for 6 months. Her long-term care insurance and her retirement income covered her expenses. Mom had rehabilitation services in the nursing home. Until a few days before her death, she did physical therapy. She also was working with a speech therapist who alerted the family to the likeli-

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

hood of aspiration pneumonia only four days before Mom died. Telephone discussions confirmed to us that she preferred no further hospitalization, so the nurses and her doctor shifted her treatment to comfort care. Three of my sisters were with Mom on her final day. The nurse described the signs of death and they decided to sit in shifts with mom. It was not long until the nurse observed signs of impending death and confirmed the end was near. Two of my sisters held Mom’s hands and prayed together as her life ended. We had made prior arrangements with a local mortuary, and the local coroner certified Mom’s passing. Everyone was gentle with Mom and supportive of our family.

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 27

We five sisters and other family members gathered for a memorial service, and with legal permission from the county, we spread Mom’s ashes September 11, 2009 at the same place where we had spread Dad’s ashes - in the mountains they loved. This was a special date for both my parents. Dad was born September 11, 1911, and Mom and Dad were married September 11, 1943. Careful planning, good communication, family cohesiveness, and supportive professionals are a good formula for death to be a soft landing. Nancy Rush RD, is Program Manager for Community Health Education in the Central District Health Department, Boise. ISI

Geriatricians in Short Supply and Dwindling Daily. Low Pay, High Demands Holding Back Interest in the Specialty year residency program in psychiatry before going By Tait Trussell, Senior Wire There is a drastic shortage of doctors who into a fellowship program in geriatric psychiatry. In the 2007 academic year, there were 468 specialize in the illnesses of the elderly. And the geriatric medicine first-year training slots and only future looks even bleaker. Look at the statistics. There is one geriatrician half were filled. For the same year, 136 geriatric for every 2,546 Americans age 75 and older, ac- psychiatric fellowship training slots were available cording to the American Geriatrics Society, which and again only half were filled. The problem is that the number of doctors is dedicated to the health of older Americans. While there were 7,128 board certified geri- entering geriatric fellowship programs fell from 167 in 2003 to only 91 atricians in the U.S. last Because of the projected increase in 2007. The majority of year, the country has even in older Americans, the ratio of physicians who go into gefewer board certified gegeriatricians to the elderly is expected riatrics have attended mediriatric psychiatrists, only to fall to one such doctor for every 4,254 cal schools outside of the 1,596. older Americans by the year 2030, United States. The same A geriatrician, as you trend held for psychiatric when baby boomers join the may well know, is a medifellowship programs. cal doctor who is specially contingent of old folks. Add to this the fact that trained to meet the unique health needs of seniors. Illnesses, diseases, and geriatricians’ compensation is much lower than medications can affect older people differently that of most other medical and surgical specialfrom younger adults. Compounding the problems, ists. What are the reasons for the continuing of course, is the fact that older patients typically have multiple health problems and take several shortage of doctors who specialize in treating seniors? medications. First, in recent years A gerontologist, on the other hand, is a social a declining number of scientist with a PhD in gerontology and works in the academic study of aging and the social problems U.S. medical graduates have been going into of older adults. Because of the projected increase in older internal medicine and Americans, the ratio of geriatricians to the elderly family medicine, the two is expected to fall to one such doctor for every fields that are the source 4,254 older Americans by the year 2030, when of applicants for geriatric fellowship programs. baby boomers join the contingent of old folks. Second, not only do Geriatricians, after earning their medical degrees, complete a three-year residency program in geriatricians generally either internal medicine or family medicine before earn less money, but entering a geriatric medicine fellowship program. they also have less preThis training gives them clinical competence dictable work schedules in the physiology of aging: illnesses common to than those in other medithe elderly, atypical cases of illness in seniors, the cal specialties, such as functional assessment of these patients, the treat- dermatology, plastic surment and management of seniors in acute care, gery, radiation oncology, long-term care, community-based and home-care and emergency room settings, and the assessment of cognitive condi- medicine. Third, in many areas tions of the elderly. of the country, MediGeriatric psychiatrists must complete a four-

OUR NEW BRAIN FITNESS PROGRAM WILL IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY.

Until then, maybe you should cut out this ad and save it.

You’ve gotta check out this exciting new addition to our comprehensive Health & Wellness Program. Fairwinds - Sand Creek Retirement Community is a preferred provider of the Brain Fitness Program by Posit Science.TM It’s a fun and scientifically proven way to help you think more quickly and improve your memory. Call now for more info or to schedule your complimentary lunch and tour.

It’s More Than Retirement. It’s Five-Star Fun. 3310 Valencia Drive • Idaho Falls (208) 542-6200 www.leisurecare.com

PAGE 28 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

care payment rates for doctors are lower than reimbursement rates from commercial insurance companies. And Medicare reimbursement for mental health services are discounted even more. Medicare, of course, is the major source of reimbursement for those in geriatrics. Fourth, Medicare fees to doctors are based on an “average” visit. But since geriatricians deal mainly with the oldest seniors, they spend more time with their patients than other doctors do with younger seniors. Since time is money, geriatric physicians are not as

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

fairly reimbursed as are other doctors. Dr. Sharon Brangman, a member of the American Geriatrics Society, explained that to relieve the shortage of geriatricians, “Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers need to provide higher compensation for physicians who have certification in geriatrics and specialize in elder care. For the short term there should be incentive programs for medical students to go into geriatrics... such as loan forgiveness.” She also said, “Medicare needs to shift from a solely acute medical care model to one that also includes coverage for chronic medical care and

coordination because people are living longer with more chronic illness.” As for caretakers of frail seniors, Dr. Brangman called for coordination with the U.S. Administration on Aging and local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association “to help create training programs for senior care... with funding from the state or national level to help create curriculum.” Roughly three million people work in directcare jobs, mainly with the elderly, as nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal care aides. Experts project a demand for one million more caretakers in the next decade. ISI

Searching Beyond Neurons for Alzheimer’s Clues By Tait Trussell, Senior Wire Apprehension grows as we grow older. What if I get Alzheimer’s? It is on many people’s minds as the years tick by. Meanwhile, we hope quickly enough, scientists are developing new theories in a race against the dreaded disease that kills 5 million people a year and is expected to quadruple in the next 20 years, unless a cure is found. As you know, Alzheimer’s erases memories, erodes one’s capacity to do normal activities, and eventually kills those afflicted. Scientists, in their research, long have concentrated on neurons in the brain. These are cells that send out electrical signals, enabling us to think. So, science has pinpointed neurons for most of their studies. But other brain cells, called glia, make up 90 percent of the cells in the brain. They may be even more important in treating Alzheimer’s - as well as stroke and other neurological diseases, some scientists now believe. A pioneer in glial research, Ben Barres, chair of the neurobiology department at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, believes too much attention has been focused on the wrong brain cells. He says that astrocytes, cells that are the most common type of glia can save dying neurons. Glia cells have a bad reputation though. They can turn cancerous and form brain tumors, called gliomas. But 25 years of study have convinced Barres that glial cells control all-important activities of our brain, including the function of

synapses, which neurons use for making signals. Dr. Barres has found that neurons, by themselves, cannot make synapses. They need glia because with glia, neurons have 100 times more capacity to make electric signals travel from one neuron to another. A few drug companies, such as Wyeth, which is being acquired by the giant Pfizer drug company, are developing drugs that involve glial cells. Wyeth said in an annual report it has made “the search for innovative treatments to fight Alzheimer’s top priority, investing over $800 million to develop more effective medications that potentially could improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s. “As a result, numerous therapies are in active development, including biologicals (products used in medicine), vaccines, and small molecules, seeking to slow the disease and moderate its symptoms.” The company report said, “Along with passive immunization using biologicals, a vaccine approach is in development.... Wyeth is also pursuing a number of small molecule disease modifiers, targeting pathways that may play a role in disease progression. Dr. Michael Ryan, a geriatric psychiatrist with Wyeth, said. “We are focusing on cognition-related neurotransmitters that are not targeted by the modestly beneficial medications now available to patients. Future symtomatics (having the characteristics of a particular disease) will need to show more robust efficacy to address currently unmet medical needs.” One of the symtomatics that Wyeth said it is developing elevates neurotransmitter levels. It is in clinical trials currently. “Alzheimer’s disease is a problem that involves multiple neurotransmitter deficits. So, attacking two or three at once could benefit many areas of cognitive function,” said Steve Leventer, PhD. “Our goal right now,” he added, “is to show that these investigational drugs are well tolerated and provide more efficacy than what is out there.” Dr. Ryan’s grandmother died of Alzheimer’s. “I observed first hand how the mind of this very bright person - good with numbers and sharp-witted - deteriorated over the course of six or seven years. Watching the matriarch of the family lose her entire repository of memory and knowledge was a very humbling experience,” Ryan said, “giving me further personal motivation to help develop more effective treatments.” Wyeth research is still at an early stage. So, concocting truly effective treatments is still in the future. But if research pays off, it will be a dramatic and welcome development. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Bill Mullins’ has been a wild life of photography

[Photo by Bill Vieth]

By Holly Endersby As Bill Mullins scrambled to the bow of the small skiff bobbing in the Peruvian river his racing mind asked, “What am I doing here?” Guided by a herpetologist the eco-tour group was on its way back to camp after another nighttime hike when a large brown snake on the muddy riverbank riveted their attention. “All I had was a close-up lens so I had to get right up to the end of the boat to even attempt to take a photo of the snake,” Bill recalls. While his friends cheered him on from the safety of the stern, Bill balanced carefully on the unstable craft and took a series of up-close shots of the native fer-de-lance snake, one of the most poisonous vipers on the planet. “The whole time I’m thinking we’re a hundred and fifty miles from anywhere and one bite from this snake is lethal. Somehow the notion of trying to take a close-up of an extremely toxic and by now, extremely agitated snake, was both scary and comical,” the noted Boise wildlife photographer recalls. “Especially with my friends all huddled in the back of the boat!” Like most wildlife photographers, Mullins is used to taking a chance to get a good shot. And he’s been doing it for a long time. “I got interested in photography in the fourth grade when my parents gave me a Brownie camera,” he says. “Typical of kids that age, I ran around trying to take artistic shots with a completely inadequate camera.” But despite the limited equipment, Bill was sold on photography. “By junior high I made a primitive enlarger using an old bellows camera my dad had, a large tomato juice can and a square metal Saltine cracker can.” In high school, the third generation Idahoan moved squarely into the wildlife photography camp. Encouraged by time spent with his father hunting and fishing as well as days alone spent exploring the Boise foothills, Bill knew the outdoors was where he belonged. “By this time I lusted after big lenses that I couldn’t possibly afford,” he recalls with a laugh. “But I also figured I’d better prepare for a career with steady pay so I decided on becoming a wildlife biologist.” Bill headed to Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon eventually emerging with a degree in wildlife biology as he’d planned. But along the way, he got another education in photography. “The clerk in the OSU bookstore camera department was Bob Smith, a premier Northwest wildlife photographer,” Bill explains. “He took an interest in me and helped me sell my first photograph to National Wildlife magazine. His interest underscores the importance of mentors for young people.” Returning to Idaho for graduate work, Bill headed to Moscow where he met Bob Beatty who was putting together the first coffee table book on Idaho. “I ended up having more photos in the book

than any other photographer,” Bill says. “And Bob signed me up for the next book he did on Nevada. So by the time I got my Master’s degree I had two big projects under my belt.” But two books was a far cry from a steady job, so Bill began a series of government wildlife positions, first in a temporary job with the Bureau of Reclamation in Boise, then as a wilderness ranger in the Sawtooths and a short stay with the Bureau of Land Management at the Snake River Birds of Prey Natural Area. A permanent position with the Bureau of Reclamation in Salem, Oregon morphed in a year to a post back in Bill’s hometown of Boise. “But in 1980,” he recalls, “I made a New Year’s resolution to ramp up my photography efforts to I would be ready to go pro some day.” Each year, Bill slowly built both his skills and his professional portfolio. “It was a slow process, especially building up my stock photo files,” he shares. “But eventually it paid off.” In 1980, Bill also met his future wife, Colleen, on a float trip on the Salmon River. The two wed in 1982 and have continued to make Boise their home. Along the way, Bill worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geographical Service in the area of environmental impact assessment and monitoring. But as the years went by Bill found he yearned to return to his first love of wildlife photography. So, in 1999, the long awaited retirement from government service came and a full-time wildlife photographer was born. Since then this intrepid photographer has done work in Alaska, Uruguay, the Northwest Territories, Africa, South America, Australia, the Galapagos Islands, and Baja California. Asked about special moments he’s had while shooting photos, Bill tells about the sow brown bear he encountered just outside Katmai National Park in Alaska. “In late May of 2000 I went to Katmai to photo-

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 29

PAGE 30 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

graph bears and one morning we came across a sow that had been badly mauled, probably by a big male. She was muddy, wet, had bite marks on her back and was totally exhausted. The battered sow laid down in a sedge meadow to rest. Finally, she got up and started feeding on the sedge, always moving closer to us. When she laid down again to rest she was only about sixteen meters away.” Bill says while the sow rested the sheer wonder of being near such a magnificent animal became almost a religious experience. “I ended up spending three days with that bear,” he says softly. “She was remarkably tolerant.” On another trip to Alaska, again to photograph bears, Bill found himself surrounded by eighteen bears, all paired up as sows and cubs. “They were in a big sedge meadow and every single pair was play fighting,” he says with a trace of wonder in his voice. “There was so much going on I didn’t know what direction to point my camera in. I got some phenomenal shots that day.” Then there was the spider. “Once again I was on a trip when I saw this cool spider. It was guarding a white egg sack and it reared back on its legs while holding the two

front ones up like a referee calling a touchdown. I got as close as possible for a good shot only to find out later it was one of the fastest and most toxic spiders in the world. Sometimes it’s good to know those things only after you have the photo,” Bill says sheepishly. But despite the exotic places he’s visited, Bill still finds Idaho fascinating. His photo essay book on his native state, Idaho Wildlife Impressions, is carried in all bookstores. In addition, his photos have appeared in Compass American Guides, on calendars, in national and regional magazines and in informational publications for such groups as The Nature Conservancy. “I guess I do have the travel bug, though,” he admits. “And there are still places I want to go. In fact, I really want to get to Borneo in the next few years.” After all, there are still wildlife species Bill has yet to photograph and that, in itself, is reason enough for Mullins to pack his bags, grab his camera, and head into the unknown. You can see samples of Bill’s work on agpix. com/mullins. ISI

Heart and Soul

Article and Photo by Holly Endersby Some of us search our whole lives for our passion. But Boise artist Judy Deam knew early on what would be the driving force of her life. “I really knew I would be an artist when I was five years old,” Judy recalls. “I had an uncle who was an artist and I would sit on his lap and thumb through magazines and pick out something for him to sketch. I just loved coloring and drawing from a very young age.” Deam was born in California but moved to Gunnison, Colorado before she started school. “Gunnison is way up in the mountains at 8,000 feet elevation with lots of wildlife to watch. It’s really where it all began for me.” Judy is best known for her animal watercolor paintings and she credits her early life and the abundant wildlife to her success. “I won my first art contest in 3rd grade,” she recalls. “The prize was a camera which was a big deal in those days.” Unlike many artists, Judy is almost entirely self-taught. “I did attend a few classes and took workshops over the years but knowing how to paint has just been a part of me forever.” Judy met her husband Dick, who is also an artist, in Colorado. “We lived in Colorado for a while then

decided to travel for a couple months. We ended up in Southern California and stayed there a few years.” But after a while wanderlust struck the couple again. “We decided to sell everything we owned, buy an old 1950 school bus, and paint signs across America to pay for our travel,” Judy explains. “We traveled in that old bus for about three months and finally ended up back in Colorado.” But dear friends who had moved from California to Sandpoint encouraged the young couple to come to the area. “The artist community was very active in Sandpoint and we thoroughly enjoyed our twenty years there,” Judy states. During this time the couple supported one another’s passion for art. “We worked seasonal jobs so we could each have a significant amount of time to concentrate on our art.” Judy worked summers and Dick worked winters often at a ski resort, each spending about six months a year totally devoted to art. “We feel so lucky to have found each other and to have supported each other through the years,” Judy says. “I just couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I was born with a natural gift and feel so lucky that people buy my art.” Judy is best known for her animal portraits and she does a lot of commission work for pet owners. “My work is vivid, very bright with vibrant and whimsical color,” she explains. “I might paint a dog pink or a cow purple.” Today, she is also experimenting with painting vintage toys in vintage settings. As a well-known artist, galleries in Newport, Oregon; Tahoe, California; and The Art Source Gallery both in downtown

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Boise and the gallery at the airport represent Judy. “I also travel during the summer to outdoor venues like the Best of the Northwest in Seattle and a well-attended show in Bend, Oregon. I’ve also been at the Boise Saturday Market for the past seven years, which has a very large artisan section.” Judy says her art prints, note cards, and originals sell very well at the Boise Saturday Market. “As many as eight thousand people have come to the Market in Boise,” she adds. “That’s incredible exposure for an artist.” Attending the Market is easy for Judy now that she and Dick live in Boise. “Dick was in the Idaho National Guard for years and ten years ago accepted a position with the Guard in Boise. It’s only been these past ten years that I have been able to paint full time,” Judy says. The artist has a studio in her back yard where she lives “a simple, happy life as an artist.” According to Judy, people who buy her work always comment on how the bright, colorful pictures make them smile. “I’m a very happy person and it comes out in my work,” she explains. Judy says people love having a portrait of their pet and that they are usually overjoyed by the piece even with the unrealistic colors. The personality of the animal always shines through. “The animals I paint are all so adorable,” Judy insists. “I can’t think of any dog that I have not fallen in love with its face.” Judy says she cherishes the support and understanding she’s had from Dick these many years; years that have been happy and productive for the

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 31

artist and wife. “It’s so great to be married to someone for thirty-five years who understands the heart and soul of an artist,” she explains. “He allows me to be who I am. And if we had to move back into a bus and paint signs across America to pay our way, I’d still think life is good.” www.judydeanart.com ISI

Visit the tasting room at Sawtooth Winery near Nampa By Holly Endersby I enjoyed the wine at Sawtooth Winery and the trip from Nampa to the tasting room was a mild adventure. This is not one of those close-to-town vineyards, so be sure to call ahead for directions and be meticulous about following the signs. Fortunately, they are legible and large. The tasting room is set on a knoll above the vineyard and is a popular place for weddings and receptions. The grounds are lovely and the mountains in the distance make a gorgeous backdrop. With a total of 437 acres in vines, Sawtooth is a medium-sized vineyard whose wines can be found at Albertson’s, Costco, and independent grocery stores. I began by tasting the 2005 Chardonnay and found it pleasant but a bit lacking in character. It’s mild taste would go well with seafood fettuccini since the wine would not overpower the dish. This mild-mannered white would also be fine with grilled chicken. The next white was a different story. I was delighted by the lovely aroma of the Vigioner. Smooth, not edgy at all, this wine would be fabulous with appetizers such as cold shrimp, hot grilled oysters, or with a very good, sharp cheese. This is a wine I would definitely buy and one I am sure my dinner guests would enjoy. Next on the tasting list was a 2005 Pinot Gris. This is an excellent summer sipping wine with a nice, light yeasty aroma with fruit overtones. It is a very smooth wine with absolutely no COM M IT ME NT | PE A CE OF MI ND | CHOIC E S | AC TI V I TI E S | F RE E D O M harshness and I loved the taste of grape in the finish. Sawtooth’s At Valley View, giving you choices is just one of our goals! From Pinot Gris would be perfect with shopping excursions to cultural events, you can plan your schedule grilled fish and I plan to have around your individual interests, allowing you to maintain an plenty on hand during salmon active, vibrant lifestyle. season. Another delightful white was Come see for yourself! Call to schedule lunch and a personal tour the 2005 Muscat Blanc. My and discover the many services and amenities included in your monthly tasting notes say “YUMMY” lease – with no buy-in! in capitol letters. I adored the warm grape smell as my nose entered the glass. It was lovely on the tongue, with just the right amount of residual sugar making it not too sweet or cloying. This is a very versatile white wine and would pair beautifully with a robust salad along with grilled 1130 N. Allumbaugh St. • Boise, ID 83704 eggplant and chicken breasts. www.centurypa.com Unlike some of the overly sweet 9.09 Rieslings winemakers in our INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | SKILLED NURSING | REHABILITATION state lean toward, the Muscat

What makes Valley View better than ever?

(208) 322-0311

r e t t Be han t er! ev

PAGE 32 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Blanc has the perfect amount sugar to appeal to a wide array of wine drinkers. This wine is exceptional and deserves to be served frequently. But with only 150 cases produced, your best bet is to visit the winery and purchase a full case, if you can. My first taste of the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon was truly satisfying. It ages for twenty-one months in small oak barrels and is actually a blend of 81% Cabernet, 9% Merlot, 6% Petite Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec. The ripe cherry aroma is entrancing and the deep red color is exquisite. This is a very smooth red with a lovely lingering taste on the tongue that would pair beautifully with wild game such as elk, venison, and duck. If you find it, buy it! Next on the list was a 2003 Merlot. A blend of 85% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petite Verdot, I found this wine to have a bit of an edge but with a nice lingering taste in the mouth. I was disappointed

in the lack of aroma, a part of wine drinking I enjoy, but it was a smooth wine that would go well with a wide range of foods. The 2004 Syrah is also a blend of 86% Syrah, 7% Mourvedre, and 7% Cinsault. This particular blend produced an almost musty, earthy, mushroom aroma. Its color is a light red and it is much stronger than the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine should be paired with rich, spicy foods to balance its assertive character. My top picks from Sawtooth Winery are the delightful 2005 Muscat Blanc and the rich, satisfying 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. You cannot go wrong serving either of them. Visit Sawtooth Winery for its Thanksgiving open house and barrel tasting - Nov 27 & 28 from 12-5 pm. The tasting room is open 12-5 pm Friday-Sunday at 13750 Surrey Lane, Nampa. Call ahead at 208-467-1200 for directions. ISI

Buddy Finds a Home By Holly Endersby Maybe it was the beautiful gold-flecked brown eyes. Or the way he waited patiently to be noticed in the pen with the other, more dominant dog. But I think it was the way he paid attention to my husband and me as we walked him outside in the play area that sealed the deal. Now Buddy, a stray brought into the Boise Humane Society Shelter, is a permanent fixture in our home. When our beloved dog Annie died last May we decided to wait until winter to find a new canine companion. Because we go on pack trips all summer and fall in Idaho’s backcountry, we needed time to bond with a dog and get him used to the horses and mules before hitting the trail. Winter seemed a perfect time to find another dog we could love. We began by checking the websites of local shelters. Unfortunately, there was no lack of dogs to consider. Being able to look at available dogs online was a huge help. It allowed us to consider each animal before the heart wrenching trip to the shelter where every dog and cat deserves to be taken home. Unbeknownst to us, the week we got Buddy the Boise Humane Society sent out a plea for the public to adopt dogs as their kennels were overcrowded. While some dogs did have to be put down, sixty other lucky dogs found new homes that week. Buddy was one of those. If you’ve never visited an animal shelter before, it can be a sad experience.

There are usually dozens of animals, even in small shelters, and you simply can’t take them all home. So before you go, think about the kind of animal that would fit your lifestyle. We decided ahead of time we wanted a young dog with either Border Collie or Australian Shepherd in him. These dogs are usually comfortable around stock, a prerequisite since we have three horses and six mules. We also wanted a dog with a thick enough hair coat to stay warm in cold weather as our home at 4,200 feet frequently gets blasted in winter with high winds and plenty of snow. And, our high country hunting camps are often cold and snowy as well. If you are getting on in years and have difficulty walking a dog, a fenced yard is not a good substitute for the regular exercise a dog needs. Canines are predisposed to travel and a dog that does not get a good dose of daily exercise is not a happy camper, especially if it is a young animal. Since I walk several miles twice a day, I was used to putting in the outdoor time a young dog needs. But while I was at the Boise shelter filling out the papers on Buddy, an older couple, both physically impaired to the point they could barely walk, came in to look for a dog. Much to the dismay of the Animal Control Officer at the desk, they retuned from the kennels with a small, young, and very active dog. The officer did her best to let the couple know just how much exercise this dog needed, but these folks were adamant they wanted that animal. I know the couple had love in their hearts, but they just were not being fair to the animal they ended up adopting by not matching their choice to their physical abilities. If you have limited strength and mobility, think about adopting an older pet. Not only will he or she be house trained, you will not have to deal with

Bring in this ad and Save

$150.00 Off Regular Price

Customize your chair to fit your needs & your style

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

the need for physical activity a puppy demands. But, even an older dog of the working breeds such as Labrador retrievers, Shepherds, Border Collies, German Shorthairs, Jack Russell Terriers, and others need daily, vigorous exercise to remain fit and healthy. Before you go for a visit, check with the shelter and find out what breeds they would recommend if you were unable to walk your dog. They can keep your request on file and call you when a dog that might fit your lifestyle comes in. Recently, my 72-year-old neighbor got a four-year-old female Labrador retriever from McPaws, the McCall animal shelter. Phil had described the kind of dog he wanted and within a month, Joy was his. Phil is perfectly capable of walking Joy, but he still works and wanted a dog that could stay in the house while he is gone. Of course, Joy has a doggy-door that leads to the yard so she can relieve herself during the day, but she is past the chewing and digging stage so the house and yard are safe. Phil walks her before he leaves for work then Joy waits patiently for Phil to return and take her for her evening walk. It’s a match made in Heaven. Before you decide on a dog, take it for a walk in the outdoor enclosure. One handsome young dog that looked good to us dragged me down the hallway in a show of power and strength that I was simply unwilling to deal with. Another young dog was so frightened by the outside world we felt he wouldn’t handle the pressure of being around our stock. Buddy seemed to have a good combination of alertness, agility, caution, and trust in humans that helped us make our decision. But we still didn’t take him home that first

Thoughts to ponder Submitted by Julie Hollar While I sat in the reception area of my doctor’s office, a woman rolled an elderly man in a wheelchair into the room. As she went to the receptionist’s desk, the man sat there, alone and silent. Just as I was thinking I should make small talk with him, a little boy slipped off his mother’s lap and walked over to the wheelchair. Placing his hand on the man’s, he said, “I know how you feel. My mom makes me ride in the stroller too.” As I was nursing my baby, my cousin’s six-year-old daughter, Krissy, came into the room. Never having seen anyone breastfeed before, she was intrigued and full of all kinds of questions about what I was doing. After mulling over my answers, she remarked, “My mom has some of those, but I don’t think she knows how to use them.” Out bicycling one day with my eight-year-old granddaughter, Carolyn, I got a little wistful. “In ten years,” I said, “you’ll want to be with your friends and you won’t go walking, biking, and swimming with me like you do now.” Carolyn shrugged, and said, “In ten years you’ll be too old to do all those things anyway.” ISI

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 33

day. We talked about him that evening and I went back the next morning to see him one more time before he became part of our family. We wanted to be sure that Buddy would have a “forever” home so taking time to make our decision was important, for both Buddy and us. The Boise Humane Society has several unique programs. IDAPI or Inmate Dog Alliance Project of Idaho places dogs which need training and socialization with prisoners in the Idaho Correctional Center. Prisoners work with a professional dog trainer to teach the shelter dogs basic obedience training. Dogs that have successfully completed the program get their Canine Good Citizen certification at the end of training. Anyone interested in adopting a dog that has gone through the IDAPI program must fill out an application form at the Humane Society. Another Boise program, the Pets for People Senior Citizen Program, offers a no-fee adoption of adult animals for seniors who would otherwise be unable to afford a pet. Adoption fees vary at the Boise Humane Society from a low of $25 to more than $300 for purebred, popular breeds. Buddy’s fee was $75 plus the cost of a rabies vaccine and tax. You can contact the Boise Humane Society customer service desk at 208-342-3508 extension 2739. And, you can look at animals available for adoption on their website by going to www.idahohumanesociety.com If you’re lucky, you’ll get a Buddy, too. ISI

PAGE 34 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Foreign Food Words And Phrases Submitted by Marie Fish, Post Falls Below is a list of foreign words and phrases that are related to food and dining. We also have their English meanings. Your task is to match the letter of the correct translation to the numbered foreign language phrase. Use whatever resources you need. We hope you enjoy a new way to make another part of your brain grow. 1. Café du lait A. pancake 2. Alfresco B. to brown 3. Antipasto C. cake 4. Petit fours D. coffee with milk 5. Smorgasbord E. outside of work 6. Potage F. sandwich table 7. A la carte G. potato (apple from 8. Dejeuner a la fourthe earth) chette H. on the menu 9. Waeffel I. before the meal 10. Blintz J. paste 11. Crepes K. boils and simmers 12. Flote vafler L. sour cream waffle 13. Sauerkraut M. small cake 14. Blancmange N. dutch 15. Au gratin O. wrap or coat in 16. Foie gras bread 17. Pomme de terre P. out of doors 18. Empanada Q. waffle 19. Pasta R. rotten cabbage 20. Pomodoro S. tomato 21. Kuchen T. burned cream 22. Souffle U. soup or broth 23. Crème brulee V. pancake 24. Bouillabaisse W. white pudding 25. Pain aux olives X. goose liver 26. Hollandaise Y. puff up 27. Hors d’oeuvre Z. olive bread AA. breakfast with a fork

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 35

This month we’re going back to some of those foreign language classes you may have taken in high school or college. If that doesn’t work, use your morning coffee group or the dictionary to find the answers. Thank you and congratulations to Marie Fish of Post Falls, the winner of this month’s $25 prize for providing the best quiz, Foreign Food Words And Phrases. The winning correct answers to the How Times Have Changed? trivia quiz that appeared in our August/September 2009 edition were submitted by Patty Brizee of Boise who wins the $25 prize. Congratulations, Patty! Two $25 cash prizes are awarded from the “Contest Corner” in each issue of the Idaho Senior Independent. One prize goes to the person

who submits the entry selected by our staff as the featured quiz or puzzle in the “Contest Corner” for that issue. Turn your creativity loose and send us some good, interesting puzzles! The second $25 prize goes to the person who submits the most correct answers to the featured quiz or puzzle from the previous issue. When there is a tie, the winner is determined by a drawing. Please mail your entries to the Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403 by November 10, 2009 for our December 2009/January 2010 edition. Remember to work the crossword puzzle in this issue and on our website www.idahoseniorindependent.com. ISI

Quality Care

You Can Count On

Answers to “How Times Have Changed”

Submitted by Julie Hollar 1. b. On the floor, to the left of the clutch. Hand controls popular in Europe took until the late ‘60s to catch on. 2. b. To sprinkle clothes before ironing. Who had a steam iron? 3. c. Cold weather caused the milk to freeze and expand, popping the bottle top. 4. a. Blackjack Gum. 5. b. Special makeup was applied, followed by drawing a seam down the back of the leg with eyebrow pencil. 6. a. 1946 Studebaker. 7. c. Wax coke bottles containing super-sweet colored water. 8. a. Wax for your flattop haircut. 9. a. With clamps, tightened by a skate key, which you wore on a shoestring around your neck. 10. c. Eeny-meeny-miney-mo. 11. c. Polio. In beginning of August, swimming pools, movies, and other public gathering places were closed to prevent spread of the disease. 12. b. Taxi. “Better be ready by half-past eight!” 13. c. Macaroni. 14. c. Getting under your desk and covering your head with your arms. 15. a. Princess Summerfallwinterspring. She was another puppet. 16. a. Immediately sniffed the purple ink to get a high. 17. b. Put in a special stamp book; they could be traded for household items at the Green Stamp Store. 18. c. Ammunition. “…and we’ll all be free.” 19. a. The wildly famous ‘50s group, The Inkspots. 20. a. Tony Bennett - and he sounds just as good today.

A

t SunBridge, we see more than the needs of our residents. We see the person behind the needs. A loving mother, a dear friend, a real person. We offer 24-hour supervision, rehabilitation therapies, nutritious meals, numerous activities and social opportunities, all under the caring attention of skilled professionals who treat your loved one with kindness, dignity and respect. For more information about the center in your community please call... BoiseÊUÊ >« Ì Ê >ÀiÊ> `Ê,i >L Ì>Ì Ê i ÌiÀÊUÊ­Óän®ÊÎÇx ÎÇää EmmettÊUÊ iÀÀÞÊ, `}iÊ>ÌÊ iÌÌÊ >ÀiÊ> `Ê,i >L Ì>Ì Ê i ÌiÀÊUÊ­Óän®ÊÎÈx Îx Ç Idaho FallsÊUÊ `> Ê > ÃÊ >ÀiÊ> `Ê,i >L Ì>Ì Ê i ÌiÀÊUÊ­Óän®ÊxÓ ääÈÇ MeridianÊUÊ iÀ ` > Ê >ÀiÊ> `Ê,i >L Ì>Ì Ê i ÌiÀÊUÊ­Óän®Ênnn Çä{ NampaÊUÊ-Õ ÞÊ, `}iÊ,i >L Ì>Ì Ê> `Ê,iÌ Ài i ÌÊ i ÌiÀÊUÊ­Óän®Ê{ÈÇ ÇÓ n PayetteÊUÊ*>ÞiÌÌiÊ >ÀiÊ> `Ê,i >L Ì>Ì Ê i ÌiÀÊUÊ­Óän®ÊÈ{Ó {{xx Twin FallsÊUÊ, ÛiÀÊ, `}iÊ >ÀiÊ> `Ê,i >L Ì>Ì Ê i ÌiÀÊUÊ­Óän®ÊÇÎ{ nÈ{x Twin FallsÊUÊ/Ü Ê > ÃÊ >ÀiÊ> `Ê,i >L Ì>Ì Ê i ÌiÀÊUÊ­Óän®ÊÇÎ{ {ÓÈ{ RexburgÊUÊ,iÝLÕÀ}Ê >ÀiÊ> `Ê,i >L Ì>Ì Ê i ÌiÀUÊ­Óän®ÊÎxÈ äÓÓä

www.sunbridgehealthcare.com

PAGE 36 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Affairs of the Heart

character 67. What everyone is looking for, with the

By Myles Mellor

Down

1. Wedding partner 2. Maggie May singer, first name 3. Back to Black singer, first name 4. Love and Kisses singer, first name 5. ___ your heart out! 6. Most well-known Shakespeare lover of all time 8. Essential to a long and happy life (2 words) 9. Is unfaithful (2 words) 11. Romantic couple 13. “__ Lady __,” Bob Dylan 15. Recede 16. U.S. southeast state, for short 18. Words wisdom 22. Fruit, sometimes 23. __ __ dollar? (2 words) 25. “Bed-in” lady of Lennon

fame 28. Colony insect 29. Engineering Corps, abbr. 30. 1979 Cars tune (2 words) 31. “Wild ___, you make my heart sing,” The Troggs 32. Rhymes with heart 33. Bring into agreement in feeling or second part melody 34. Never to be forgotten princess 39. Ten __ (band) 40. Goals essential to living 41. You and me 44. Natural cholesterol reducer 46. Diamonds, slang 48. Unwanted conflict 50. Symbol, like a ring at a wedding 52. Dollar 54. Fashionable 56. Sexy 57. ___so, Dustin Hoffman character 58. Black or neck? 59. Cocktail mix ingredient 60. ID number, abbr. 64. Goes with behold

Answers to “Summer Clues” August/September 2008 - Page 6

Across

33. Wife’s favorite list (2 words) 1. Mel Gibson movie set in 35. Card game Scotland 36. Can’t be too rich or too ___ 7. Stylish 37. Hacker’s target 10. CD’s partner 38. Physical activity good for heart 12. Romantic affair health 14. Do something risqué… 42. Event controller (2 words) 43. Atlanta locale 17. U.S. equivalent of the AA 45. Chased by boys 19. Hamlet’s verb 47. Best number for tea? 20. Building addition 49. Main artery to the heart 21. Trendy 51. This in Paris 24. “My heart went ___, when 53. Bird with bladelike bill I crossed that room,” Beatles 55. Small child 26. Queen Ankhesenamon’s king 56. Deepest feelings, as to pull on 27. Read only, for short 61. Topeka locale 28. ___ Maria 62. Marion, of Sherwood Forest 30. Left hand, for short 63. Tropical vacation destination 31. The most heart-felt movie of all 65. Sense of fashion time starring Leonardo DiCaprio 66. Alice in Wonderland’s hearts

Thoughts to ponder Submitted by Julie Hollar

On the way back from a Cub Scout meeting, my grandson asked my son, the question. “Dad, I know that babies come from mommies’ tummies, but how do they get there in the first place?” he asked innocently. After my son hemmed and hawed awhile, my grandson finally spoke up in disgust. “You don’t have to make something up, Dad. It’s okay if you

don’t know the answer.” At the cemetery, a man’s wife’s graveside service was just barely finished, when there was a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance. The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, “Well, she’s there.” ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 37

PAGE 38 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Concentration and Relaxation Lost and Found By Jim Brown, Senior Wire “Mindfulness is the solution to poor concentration,” says Roanoke, Virginia, sports psychologist Dr. John Heil. “The idea is to have a mind full of what you are doing at the moment.” Like children playing a game, a golfer needs to become completely absorbed in the task. For the moment, the goal is to reach a frame of mind in which thoughts that distract most adults don’t even exist. How do you get there? • Play a lot of golf. The first way is by playing golf as much as is reasonable. It is hard to simply turn the concentration switch on and off at will. The

more you are in competitive situations, the better your concentration skills become. Better concentration breeds confidence and confidence removes self-doubt. Both come with playing time. • Practice mental skills. The second path to concentration is by practicing mental skills. You don’t have to get too cerebral here, but there is something to be said for imagining yourself in pressure situations even if you are just playing a practice round. Then you’ll have the benefit of virtual experience during tournament competition. What Happens When You Lose It? - Just because golfers learn to block out distractions and focus on the moment, doesn’t mean they can concentrate for extended periods of time. In fact, it’s unrealistic. One technique for regaining concentration is to return to the basics of executing skills. Instead of trying to make up for a mistake caused by poor concentration, make the best possible decision about what to do next. Play the ball, not the opponent, the course, or the score. Think about what you want to do, not what you think might go wrong. If you are going to worry, worry about things you can correct and let go of everything else. Heil has a three-part plan for re-focusing when you become distracted. 1. Stop what you are doing and will yourself into not thinking about other things. If you have to talk to yourself, do it. 2. Take a deep breath and compose yourself. Call a 20-second time out. 3. Focus on a “performance cue” such as the ball, your swing, or a target. Ignore the bigger picture. “By removing distractions,” concludes Heil, “you are training yourself to think less. The ultimate goal is for technique, intensity, and focus to happen unconsciously. If you have to think about it, you haven’t reached that goal. But keep working on it.”

Nervous Is Normal - One of the great myths of professional golf is that elite players don’t get nervous. Let’s make it official. They do. Hale Irwin gets nervous. Tom Watson gets nervous. Tiger Woods gets nervous. The difference between these great players and some of us is that they have learned how to manage their nerves in ways that don’t run their scores up. Some of them even use what sports psychologists call “performance anxiety” to get an advantage over their opponents. According to Dr. Shane Murphy, author of The Achievement Zone, many golfers either avoid stressful competition or panic when they are in the middle of it. The ones who pass on tournament competition tend to be good on the practice tee and in low-pressure situations, but terrible when their play counts for something more. Others compete, but not as well as they could if they would work on managing their emotions. Six Ways to Relax - There are at least six ways to relax under pressure. Although all are more complex than we have room to describe in detail, here are Murphy’s basic strategies: • Take regular, deep breaths during a round and before a shot when you feel a case of the jitters coming on. • Try relaxing your muscles by contracting them, then exhaling and letting them go back to normal. • When you get nervous, stop or at least change the pace of your play, re-focus, and calm down. • Get a mental picture of how you want to swing the club on your next shot. • Practice getting your body to respond to suggestions or cues you give it (swing through the ball, take a controlled backswing, rotate the shoulders). • Talk yourself through situations on the course. Be positive and confident. Murphy’s message is to expect to get nervous at times.Select one or more of the relaxation strategies listed above and practice them. You’ll find that your nervousness can be channeled into productive energy and sharpened concentration. ISI

Get close to history and nature in Lewiston area - Continued from page 18 The mail boat stops at Cache Creek, Gateway to Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, and at the Kirkwood Historic Ranch. There is plenty of time to visit the museums, interpretive displays, and historical building. Nez Perce National Historical Park-Spalding Site 12 miles east of Lewiston – 208-843-7001 www.nps.gov/nepe The Spalding Site, along US Highway 95, features the history of the Nez Perce tribe and their interactions with other cultures. A large Visitor Center

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

houses exhibits, a movie theater, and a Nez Perce Village site. Walk or drive down the hill from the Center to the old buildings and Lapwai Mission Cemetery near the bank of the Clearwater River. Christian missionaries developed a Nez Perce mission at the site in 1836. The town of Spalding hosted the Bureau of Indian Affair’s Nez Perce Agency in 1861. In 1935, the Spalding Memorial State Park was created, followed by its designation as a National Historical Park in 1965. The 99-acre park is free and open to the public year-round. Winchester Lake State Park 40 minutes south of Lewiston near the town of Winchester – 208-924-7563 www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks $4 per vehicle Day-use entry fee, plus camping or yurt fees The 211-acre park offers campsites, yurt rentals, canoe rentals, nature trails, and special events. Bear, elk, deer, and squirrels inhabit the area. One hundred bird species visit the park on a year-round basis, making it a great place for bird watching. Take advantage of fishing for rainbow trout,

sunfish, muskie, bass, and other species in the 104-acre Winchester Lake. In the past, the lake was used as a log storage pond for the Craig Mountain Lumber Company sawmill. Wolf Education and Research Center One mile beyond Winchester Lake State Park – 208-924-6960 www.wolfcenter.org Opened in 1996, the Center serves as home to members of two packs. The 20-acre and 2-acre enclosures serve as one of the largest in North America for a captive pack of wolves. Visitors learn about, and with luck, observe the gray wolves. Two observation decks over the fenced enclosures enable sightings of the members of the pack. Views of the wolves are more likely on the early morning and late evening guided tour. Contact the Center for current times and fees for self-guided and guided tours. Keep track of the wolves from the comfort of your home via monthly reports on the Center’s website. Natalie Bartley is an Idaho-based writer. ISI

Bicycling is Back By Tait Trussell, Senior Wire When he was 81, Bill Anderson of Yuma, Arizona, peddled his bike 2,000 miles around the perimeter of his state. He did not do it just for the thrill of the accomplishment. He did it to raise money for Yuma’s Crossroads Mission, which provides food, shelter, and clothing for the homeless in the area. And the ride was not even his longest. He previously had bicycled from San Diego to Atlantic Beach, Florida. Another senior biker, Herb Schon, gave himself an unusual 75th birthday present – a 3,900-mile ride on one of his five bikes from sea to shining sea last summer. This treat of endurance on his racing bike took 52 days. Schon tells me, “I may only be one of the expanding number of fogies who have taken up the bicycling sport.” He was part of an America by Bicycle tour. “In biking, it’s most important that you get a good piece of equipment that fits you. And wear a bike mirror on your handle bars so you can see what’s approaching from behind,” he advises. Another senior, Catherine McCormick, 81, clad in Lycra, hops on her custom-made racing bike practically every morning. “I could just do it all day - and sometimes I do,” she says with a smile in her voice. The retired schoolteacher lives in Rancho Cordova, California, near the American River Bike Trail. She has competed in several national races. Dr. Wesley Norman, a 79-year old Georgetown University anatomy professor, last year rode a four-day, 180-mile trip along the Great Allegheny Passage between Columbia, Maryland and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “It’s a great way to see the country and take pictures. And it’s great for your anatomy,” he says enthusiastically. Norman’s first long ride was in 2001, run by Senior Cycling, Inc. a Virginia firm, nicknamed “Old Folks on Spokes.” Not long ago, Norman bought a RANS Fusion, a hybrid between a road bike and a recumbent - on which the cyclist is nearly lying on his back while traveling. On his ranch in Crawford, Texas, former President George Bush told reporters as they boarded their bicycles, “This is not a race. This is a chance for me to show you a little slice of heaven.... You know some guys go on their ranch and ride horses, I like to ride my ranch on a mountain bike,” he was

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 39

quoted as saying. Bush, aged 62 in 2008, “is a shining example of the benefits of an active lifestyle,” comments Chris Carmichael, who coached Lance Armstrong to his multiple Tour de France victories. Cycling is widely accepted as a superb exercise for seniors, and is a sport engaged in worldwide. “It offers aerobic fitness benefits that can help reverse symptoms associated with arthritis, hypertension, and depression, and can also prevent heart disease when coupled with a diet low in fat, salt, and sugar,” says a fact sheet on cycling published by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure in Western Australia. In Mount Dora, Florida, a bicycle festival has been held each October for 34 years. Last year, more than 100 participants were seniors. The Chamber sponsors the event, which draws bikers from all over the south. Bicycling removes cars from the road, noise from the background, and with no gasoline, oil, or exhaust bicycling does no environmental harm. Portland, Oregon, known as a biking Mecca, offers bicycling programs especially for seniors: a series of three-wheeled bicycle rides, and a class on cycling safety. There are hundreds of paved, car-free paths in the city. Because my grandmother’s name was Daisy, it was natural that my grandfather would serenade her with that old song that began, “Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true” and ended with “And you’d look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two.” They often rode their bicycle-builtfor-two, even in their later years. My great-grandfather, in his late 70s, as a surprise, bought bicycles for every member of the family, including himself. He rode his two-wheeler in downtown Washington, D.C. in an era of more bicycles than automobiles on the streets. ISI

&/2$ -%2#529

m o s c o w

Good for

$10. in the service and

00

parts department

Call to schedule an appointment today...

1401 S. Blaine St. - Moscow

208.882.2563

www.paradisefordmercury.com

PAGE 40 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

2010 Open Enrollment For Medicare Prescription Drug And Medicare Advantage Plans Begins November 15th - Medicare Encourages Beneficiaries To Review And Compare Their Current Coverage

Since 1865

Do You Need More Money for Retirement?

In today’s economic environment, consider the benefits of a Salvation Army charitable gift annuity. Lock in a secure stream of income with one of America’s most trusted charities. ✔ Fixed income for life ✔ Attractive rates ✔ Partial tax-free income

✔ Bypass capital gain ✔ Income tax deduction ✔ Current or deferred income

One-Life Rates Age Rate

Age Rate

Age Rate

Age Rate

65 66 67 68 69 70 71

72 73 74 75 76 77 78

79 80 81 82 83 84 85

86 87 88 89 90+

5.7% 5.8% 5.9% 6.0% 6.0% 6.1% 6.2%

6.3% 6.5% 6.6% 6.7% 6.9% 7.0% 7.2%

7.4% 7.6% 7.8% 8.0% 8.3% 8.6% 8.9%

9.2% 9.5% 9.8% 10.1% 10.5%

Two-life rates available. Rates subject to change.

For free information call

800-481-3280 or return coupon.

Name(s) Address City, State, Zip Birth Date(s) Phone ( ) E-mail: The Salvation Army Bill Olson, Planned Giving Director 8495 SE Monterey Ave., Box 8 Happy Valley, OR 97086 Toll Free: (800) 481-3280 E-mail: plannedgiving@usw.salvationarmy.org Visit: www.sacascadelegacy.org

ISI 10/09 R ©2009 The Salvation Army

Provided by the Medicare Rights Center The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today is reminding people with Medicare that from November 15 through December 31, 2009 they will be able to make changes in their health and prescription drug coverage for 2010. Because some beneficiaries will see changes in their plans’ costs and coverage, it’s important that people with Medicare review the coverage and costs of their health or drug plans for next year. Beneficiaries can go to www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, with or without drug coverage, or a Medicare prescription drug plan. Those beneficiaries who are satisfied with their current plan do not need to do anything to remain in that plan in 2010.” For beneficiaries enrolling into Medicare Advantage (MA) plans only, they can make one change in enrollment - enrolling in a new plan, changing plans, or disenrolling from a plan - between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2010. However, the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period cannot be used to start or stop Medicare drug coverage, or to enroll or disenroll in a Medicare Medical Savings Account Plan. Everyone who has Medicare drug coverage under Part D or the Medicare Advantage should review their drug plan options for 2010, advises the Medicare Rights Center, to ensure that they will have drug coverage that best meets their needs next year. Even people who are currently happy with their plan need to review their options. They should not assume their plans will remain the same in 2010, as most plans change their costs and benefits every year. Medicare drug coverage is available only through private insurance companies. People who have Original Medicare can enroll in a “standalone” plan, which offers only drug coverage. Most people who get their Medicare benefits through a Medicare private health plan - such as an HMO or PPO - must get their drug coverage as part of the health plan’s benefit package. Premiums, annual deductibles, co-payments, covered drugs (formulary) and participating pharmacies vary from plan to plan. In early November, those who currently have Medicare drug coverage (Part D) should receive materials that show how their plan’s costs and benefits will change in 2010. Plans are required to send out the materials, called an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), by October 31, 2009. People who have not received their ANOC packet by November 15, 2009 should call their plan and ask them to send it immediately. First, make a list of the medicines you take, the dosages and how much you currently pay. You should also note which pharmacies you use regularly.

Then find out whether or not your plan will cover the drugs you take next year. Check your ANOC, but plans are required to send you only a shortened list of covered drugs (formulary). It is important that you call your plan and ask them to confirm the information you have. Be sure to ask them if they will cover your drugs at the doses you need, and whether there will be any coverage restrictions (quantity limits, step therapy, or prior authorization). Also find out if your co-pays will change. If your doctor had to make a special request to your plan to cover a drug this year (such as a prior authorization or exception request), and you will need the same medication in 2010, ask your plan what you must do to make sure your plan keeps covering your drug. Your doctor may have to make a new request, and she may be able to do so before the end of this year to ensure your drug will still be covered next year. If your plan will no longer cover a drug you are taking or is imposing a new restriction, you have the right to appeal. Ask your plan if you can receive approval to have the drug covered for 2009 before the end of this year. Plans are required to do one of two things for their members whose drugs will not be covered in 2010. (1) They must provide a temporary supply of the drug at the beginning of the year, and notify you that you must either switch to another medicine that is on the formulary or get an exception to continue taking the drug, or (2) They must, before January 1, 2010 work with you and your doctor to (a) switch you to an alternative drug that is covered by the plan, and (b) process your request for an exception should that alternative not work for you. Ask your plan which option they follow (they must follow one option for all of their members), and ask them to explain their transition policy to you. Once you have reviewed your current plan, review other options that are available in your area. If there is a cheaper or better plan available, now is the time to switch. The Medicare Drug Plan Finder tool at www.medicare.gov will list your options. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to review options and get details about the plans in your area. Some questions to ask are: • Does the plan cover all my medications? • Does the plan require that I get special permission before it will cover the medication I need (such as prior authorization or step therapy)? • How much will I pay at the pharmacy (co-payments or coinsurance) for each drug? Be aware that certain drugs may cost a lot even if they are covered, so check prices carefully. • How much will I pay in monthly premiums and annual deductible? • Can I fill my prescriptions at the pharmacies I use regularly? • What happens if I go to pharmacies that are not in the network? • Can I get prescriptions by mail order? For more information call the Medicare Rights Center’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-333-4114. ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 41

How to Choose a Charity By Jim Miller It can be a challenge deciding which charity to choose. But today, thanks to the Internet, finding and researching charities that interest you has never been easier. Here is what you should know. To find the right charitable organization that is financially efficient and supports a cause you find important requires a little homework. A good starting point is the charity’s own website, which should include details about programs and how gifts are spent, as well as financial information such as an annual report. Here are some other tips to help you look a little closer. Check Legitimacy - There are many charity scams out there! So, if you are interested in, but not familiar with a particular charity, or if you have been contacted by phone or letter asking for money for a cause, your first step is to see if they are legitimate. The Internal Revenue Service maintains a list of all organizations registered as charities. Also check with your state’s attorney general or charities bureau, which is responsible for policing charities within the state and can provide a wealth of information about them. Go to www.nasconet.org to find your state’s charity regulator. Check Efficiency - To make sure your money is spent wisely you need to research the charity’s finances. You can look this up at www.charitynavigator.org or by looking over the IRS form 990 that the charity files (available at www.guidestar.org or on the charity’s site). Generally, an efficient charity should keep administrative and fund-raising expenses to less than 25 percent of its budget. Most good charities are well below that number. If a charity you want to support spends more than 25 cents on the dollar for administration and fund-raising, you need to find out why. Another good resource is the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, which offers free analysis of national charities on its website at www.give.org. Note that many religious organizations are exempt from filing with the IRS, but reputable organizations will gladly provide you with their financial information. To help you research Christian charities, see Ministry Watch (www.ministrywatch.com) or the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (www.ecfa.org), which provides information on more than 2,000 Christian charity groups. Compare Fairly - Many people like to compare charity efficiency ratings head-to-head. If you do this, be sure to compare charities that have similar missions. For example, a soup kitchen might spend 95 cents of every dollar on its programs because there are little or no administrative costs. Yet it is rare to find a museum that spends more than 75 cents on the dollar because museums need guards, insurance, and big buildings. Ask Questions - Contact the charity directly and ask lots of questions to be sure you are clear on what they do and how they do it. Well-run organizations will welcome your questions. If they do not, go elsewhere. Some questions to start with should include: • How will your gift be spent? • How many people did they help last year? • In what way? Tax-Deductible - Before giving a donation to any organization, make

Income Producing And Year-End Giving Ideas From The Salvation Army As we approach the season of giving, it is not too early to talk with your tax advisor in order to meet the December 31 deadline for 2009 year-end gift and tax planning. Here are a few tips that will help you. • Gifts by cash, check, or credit card are considered completed when the check is mailed and postmarked or when the charge is made to your credit card. This must occur by December 31. Note: check whether your employer offers gift matching as you might greatly increase the amount of your gift. • Deliver Gifts of stock or mutual funds by electronic transfer or delivery of actual certificates to the charity. The ownership of the gift must be changed to the charity on the books of the issuing corporation. Be sure the issuing corporation can complete this before December 31. • Gifts of long-term, appreciated properties – properties held for more than one year – such as stocks, mutual funds, and real estate – generally produce the greatest tax savings to the donor. Their full fair market value may be deducted against income taxes owed. Capital gains taxes can be avoided. • Gift annuities and charitable trusts can provide lifetime incomes to donors, future incomes to loved ones, as well as provide significant tax savings. For more information, contact Bill Olson, Planned Giving Director at 800-481-3280 or visit www.sacascadelegacy.org. ISI

sure it is a 501(c)(3) charity. That means the group has filed paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service, registering it as a U.S. nonprofit and enabling you to get a tax-deduction for your donation at tax time. Savvy Tips: When it comes to giving money, avoid donating over the phone. Nine out of 10 times, the phone solicitor is a for-profit telemarketer who is working on behalf of the nonprofit for a percentage of the take, which can range from 50 cents to 90 cents on the dollar. Send your donation directly to the charity, and be sure to get a receipt of your donation for tax purposes. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ISI

PAGE 42 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Walking on water... Submitted by Julie Hollar Bubba had long heard the stories of an amazing family tradition. It seems that his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had all been able to walk on water on their 21st birthday. On that special day, they had each walked across the lake to the bar on the far side for their first legal drink. So when Bubba’s 21st birthday came around, he and his pal Jim Bob

took a boat out to the middle of the lake, Bubba stepped out of the boat... and nearly drowned! Jim Bob just barely managed to pull Bubba to safety. Furious and confused, Bubba went to see his grandmother. “Grandma,” he asked, “It’s my 21st birthday, so why can’t I walk ‘cross the lake like my pappy, his father, and his father before him?” Granny looked deeply into Bubba’s troubled eyes and said, “Because your father, your grandfather, and your great grandfather were born in January when the lake is frozen, and you were born in July.” ISI

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

Landscaping Means $$$ in your Pocket By Trina White Attractive landscaping is a great way to add curb appeal and value to any home. Whether you are preparing your home to sell or just want to increase your curb appeal and plan to stay for years to come, landscaping can transform your home. For people who are thinking of selling this spring and want to put some dollars in their pockets, working on landscaping will certainly help. Simple, low cost chores can add to your bottom line and speed the sale along as well. As with the inside of your home, the first thing to do is clear away clutter. Simply removing old Christmas decorations, children’s toys, and unused flower pots will go along way in improving the curb appeal. Other low cost fix-ups include: adding fresh mulch to flower beds, painting/staining decking and replacing rotting wood. You can add a touch of color to the exterior with a few pots of tulips in March. Red and white colors add the most punch - think red geraniums this summer. In addition, homeowners will want to trim trees and bushes. Freshly trimmed landscape will allow better views from the windows inside as well as allow buyers better views from the street.

If you are thinking of updating your landscaping for your enjoyment, there are a lot of new ideas to check out. Water features are very popular with today’s homeowners, but keep in mind the maintenance and budget such features may require. A landscape designer can be hired for the homeowner wanting extensive exterior upgrades. Many charge between $75 and $150 per hour, but will make recommendations for soil conditions, insects, drainage, sprinklers, and what plants to mix and match for color and variety. When budgeting for a landscaping overhaul, homeowners should plan on 10% of the value of the home. The USDA Forest Service recommends planting trees, citing they cut down on heating and cooling costs. The Department of Energy says that three properly placed trees can save you between $100 and $250 a year in annual energy bills. Making your yard more livable will increase your home’s square footage. Many of today’s projects include adding outdoor rooms, with well-equipped kitchens and relaxing comfortable outdoor furniture. Again, adding color will transform your space. A popular feature which can be relatively inexpensive is a Pergola and will add livable outdoor space. ISI

Downsizing for Dollars: How to make money on your unwanted stuff By Jim Miller Selling off old items that you do not want or need anymore is a great way to downsize, de-clutter, and pad your pocketbook. Here are some top options to help you pedal your stuff. Online Selling - If you have the time and access to the Internet, the best way to get top dollar for your old unwanted possessions is to sell them on the World Wide Web. The two biggest sites who draw the most visitors are Craigslist and eBay. Craigslist - Craigslist.org is a huge classified ads site that serves more than 550 cities and attracts some 50 million visitors each month, and it is free to use. It works just like putting an ad in your local newspaper. You list the item you want to sell including a brief description (pictures too) for the price you want. Interested buyers will then contact you directly via email, and the rest is up to you. Larger items that are difficult to ship sell well on Craigslist like furniture, appliances, etc. eBay - With around 85 million active members, eBay.com is by far the biggest selling site on the Web. Almost anything can be sold on eBay. The downside however is the fee they charge. eBay charges a non-refundable listing fee between 10 cents and $4 per item. A closing fee of 8.75 percent of the sale price up to $25, with a declining percentage paid on larger sells. eBay can also help if you do not have the time, or do not want to do the selling yourself. Just go to ebaytradingassistant.com where you can find a trading assistant in your area who will do everything for you. They typically charge between 15 and 40 percent of the selling price. Another large selling site you should check out is Amazon.com. Easy To Use - If you have concerns about learning how to maneuver these selling sites, you will be happy to know that they are all pretty userfriendly and offer step-by-step instructions. Once you sell a few items, you will feel like an old pro. You also need to know that if you are planning

to sell a lot of items, a digital camera is a must. Pictures are essential to selling on the Web, and a digital camera makes it easy to upload your photographs. Price Setting - When it comes to figuring out how much to charge for your stuff, you can get a ballpark idea by doing a search for items that are similar to yours on the sales site you are planning to use. If however, you suspect you have a rare or extremely valuable item, you should get it appraised. Check with a local auction house to see if it offers free appraisals. Other Options - If online selling does not appeal to you, have a garage sale (see www. yardsalequeen.com for tips), or see what your nearby consignment store will sell for you. While neither of these options will make you as much money as the Web, they are still great ways to get rid of old stuff and make a few bucks in the process. And the stuff that does not sell can always be donated to a charity. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. ISI

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 43

PAGE 44 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

l. You can u f p l e h y r can be ve brush larger by h s u r b h t h d too your toot ping the handle f o e A powere l d n dle e the ha it, wrap also mak icycle grip onto or sliding the han b , sliding a le wrap and tape all. b b with bub ll slit in a tennis a into a sm

Make Brushing and Flossing

Easier

There are a variety of flosses and picks to help clean germs from between yo ur and find what makes it easie teeth. Experiment st to floss for you.

uld often as you wo s a t s ju ls ia rt a and p the job easier. e Brush dentures k a m n a c h s nture bru your teeth. A de

For more inform ation, visit our w ebsite, www.deltadenta lid.com and clic k on “Oral Health an d Wellness”, or call us at (208) 489-3550, or toll free, 1-86 6-894-3563 This dental health message brought to you by Delta Dental of Idaho’s Community Outreach program. Going beyond benefits to help all Idahoans enjoy good dental health.

Do what you love...

again.

Call now, and learn how physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation from Life Care Centers of America can get you back to the life you love, sooner. n Inpatient and outpatient rehab services n Physical, occupational and speech therapy n Advanced rehab-to-home program, Ready…Set…Go! Bridgeview Estates in Twin Falls 208.736.3933

Life Care Center of Sandpoint 208.265.9299

Valley View in Boise 208.672.3143

Life Care Center of Treasure Valley 208.672.3143

Life Care Center of Boise 208.672.3143 Life Care Center of Idaho Falls 208.529.4567 Life Care Center of Post Falls 208.777.0318

Joint Commission accredited www.LCCA.com 8979

www.deltadentalid.com

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.