A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
March 2014 VOL. 39 • NO. 3
ENOA 4223 Center Street Omaha, NE 68105-2431
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389
New Horizons ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Retiring After a 25-year career with the Millard Public Schools – the last 18 as the district’s superintendent - Dr. Keith Lutz is stepping down in June. Nick Schinker reviews Lutz’s career and examines his plans for the future. Page 10.
Homestead exemption Nebraskans meeting income and age guidelines may receive property tax relief by exempting all or part of their homestead’s valuation from taxation through the homestead exemption program. See page 3.
What’s inside When should you dial 911?...................................2 March 2014 calendar of events .............................4 Proper snow shoveling..........................................5 AARP’s Tax-Aide program .....................................6 Preparing mentally for retirement ..........................9 ‘Read it and eat’ .....................................................9 Growing your own healthy foods .........................14 Tips for buying a vehicle .....................................16 Jeff Corwin is coming to Omaha .........................18 Energy efficiency home repairs ...........................20
ENOA is offering a variety When your heart says it’s time to call 911 Each year, about 600,000 deaths (25 an arm that’s drifting down, and garbled of volunteer opportunities percent of the total) in the United States are speech. The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Foster Grandparent Program, Senior Companion Program, Ombudsman Advocate Program, and Senior Medicare Patrol Program are recruiting older adults to become volunteers. Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions must be age 55 or older, meet income guidelines, have a government issued identification card or a driver’s license, able to volunteer at least 15 hours a week, and must complete several background and reference checks.
Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions receive a $2.65 an hour stipend, transportation and meal reimbursement, paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave, and supplemental accident insurance. Foster Grandparents work with children who have special needs while Senior Companions work to keep older adults living independently. Ombudsman advocates work to ensure residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities enjoy the best possible quality of life. Ombudsman advocates, who must be age 18 or older, are enrolled through an application and screening process. These volunteers, who are not compensated monetarily for their time, must serve at least two hours a week. The Senior Medicare Patrol program helps Medicaid beneficiaries avoid, detect, and prevent health care fraud. These volunteers, who are enrolled through an application and screening process, are not compensated monetarily for their time, For more information, please call 402-444-6536.
from heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Of the 715,000 Americans who have a heart attack each year, about 525,000 are first-timers, says the CDC, and those individuals may not know what’s happening when the attack occurs. Sadly, many people don’t get to the hospital on time, says paramedic Dale Hemstalk. “If someone is having a heart attack, for example, they should get to the hospital without delay upon the initial onset of symptoms,” he says. He shares warning signs that it’s time dial 911. • Symptoms for a heart attack: Men and women frequently report different symptoms. Men tend to have the “classic” signs such as pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest that goes away and comes back; pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, or arms; and chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath. For women, symptoms tend to be back or jaw pain; difficulty breathing; nausea or dizziness; unexplainable anxiety or fatigue; mild flu-like symptoms; and palpitations, cold sweats, or dizziness. Triggers tend to be different between the sexes, too. In women, it’s often stress; in men, it’s physical exertion. • Symptoms for a stroke: There are clear, telltale characteristics of a stroke, including sagging on one side of the face,
But there are also more subtle signs from the onset, such as sudden numbness of one side of the body, including an arm, leg, and part of the face; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, and understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden loss of balance; and sudden headache for no apparent reason. Risk factors include diabetes, tobacco use, hypertension, heart disease, a previous stroke, irregular heartbeat, obesity, high cholesterol, and heavy alcohol use. • Symptoms for heart failure: This is not the same as a heart attack, which occurs when a vessel supplying the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients becomes completely blocked. Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart can’t pump properly, which may be due to fluid in the lungs. Warning signs include shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen ankles, chest congestion, and an limitation on activities. Having just one of these symptoms may not be cause for alarm; but more than one certainly is reason for concern. Risk factors include various heart problems, serious viral infections, drug or alcohol abuse, severe lung disease, and chemotherapy. “At no point should anyone be discouraged from calling 911. The bottom line is, if you feel it’s an emergency and you need to call 911, call 911!” Hemstalk says. “There are many reasons to seek assistance from emergency responders, and they are not limited to those I’ve mentioned.”
Senior Moving Services
“Moving services personally tailored for seniors.”
We offer a full range of moving services that we believe can reduce the stress and anxiety related to your move. We specialize in both the physical and the emotional aspects of this type of move.
Examples of Services: • Provide a complimentary in-home assessment to determine your transitional needs. • Plan, schedule, and coordinate all aspects of the move. • Prepare a floor plan. • Organize, sort, pack, and unpack household contents. • Prepare change of address for mail delivery. • Coordinate transfer of utilities, phone, and cable service. • Disconnect and reconnect electronics. • Unpack and settle your new home including hang the shower curtain, make the beds, and hang the pictures; making your new home feel familiar. • Coordinate shipment of special heirlooms to family members. • Coordinate a profitable dispersal of remaining household items through estate sale, auction, consignment, and/or donation.
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We understand the anxiety and the challenges, and we will personally see you through the entire move process; from the first phone call until the last picture is hung. There is hard work to be done and well will be with you every step of the way.
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To learn more, contact
March 2014
402-445-0996
www.seniormovingservices.com
Return homestead exemption applications by June 30
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pplicants whose names are on file in the assessor’s office in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties should have a homestead exemption form mailed to them by early March. New applicants must contact their county assessor’s office to receive the application. The 2014 forms and a household income statement must be completed and returned to the county assessor’s office by June 30, 2014. A homestead exemption provides property tax relief by exempting all or part of the homestead’s valuation from taxation. The state of Nebraska reimburses the counties and other government subdivisions for the lost tax revenue. To qualify for a homestead exemption, a Nebraska homeowner must be age 65 by Jan. 1, 2014, the home’s owner/occupant through Aug. 15, 2014, and fall within the income guidelines shown below. Certain homeowners who have a disability and totally-disabled war veterans and their widow(er)s may also be eligible for this annual tax break. When determining household income, applicants must include Social Security
and Railroad Retirement benefits plus any income for which they receive a Form 1099. The homestead exemption amount is based on the homeowner’s marital status and income level (see below). Maximum exemptions are based on the average assessed value for residential property in each Nebraska county. The Douglas County Assessor’s office (1819 Farnam St.) is sending volunteers into the community to help older adults complete the application form. The volunteers will be located at sites throughout the county. A list of these locations will be included with your application. Assistance is also available by calling the Volunteers Assisting Seniors at 402444-6617. Douglas County residents can also have their homestead exemption questions answered by calling 402-597-6659. Here are the telephone numbers for the assessor’s offices in the counties served by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging: Douglas: 402-444-7060; Sarpy: 402593-2122; Dodge: 402-727-3916; Cass: 402-296-9310; and Washington: 402426-6800.
Household income table Over age 65 Married Income
Over age 65 Single Income
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Membership includes a subscription to the New Horizons newspaper. New Horizons Club Send Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging 4223 Center Street to: Omaha, NE 68105-2431 I get the New Horizons regularly and don’t need to be put on the mailing list. I would like to start receiving the New Horizons at home. My address is below. NAME
Exemption Percentage
ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP
0 - $31,600.99 $31,601 - $33,200.99 $33,201 - $34,900.99 $34,901 - $36,600.99 $36,601 - $38,300.99 $38,301 - $40,000.99 $40,001 and over
0 to $26,900.99 $26,901 - $28,300.99 $28,301 - $29,700.99 $29,701 - $31,100.99 $31,101 - $32,500.99 $32,501 - $34,000.99 $34,001 and over
100 85 70 55 40 25 0
$5
$25
$10
$50
$15
Other _______
New Horizons New Horizons is the official publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. The paper is distributed free to people over age 60 in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Washington, and Cass counties. Those living outside the 5-county region may subscribe for $5 annually. Address all correspondence to: Jeff Reinhardt, Editor, 4223 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68105-2431. Phone 402-444-6654. FAX 402-444-3076. E-mail: jeff.reinhardt@nebraska.gov
Computer Assessments and Professional Fittings of the latest technology in Hearing Aids! We Guarantee you will Hear better!
Advertisements appearing in New Horizons do not imply endorsement of the advertiser by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. However, complaints about advertisers will be reviewed and, if warranted, their advertising discontinued. Display and insert advertising rates available on request. Open rates are commissionable, with discounts for extended runs. Circulation is 20,000 through direct mail and freehand distribution.
Editor....................................................Jeff Reinhardt Ad Mgr................Mitch Laudenback, 402-444-4148 Contributing Writers......Nick Schinker, Leo Biga, & Lois Friedman ENOA Board of Governors: Mary Ann Borgeson, Douglas County, chairperson; Jim Warren, Sarpy County, vice-chairperson; Jerry Kruse, Washington County, secretary; Gary Osborn, Dodge County, & Jim Peterson, Cass County. The New Horizons and the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging provide services without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, or age.
March 2014
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March 2014 events calendar Someday this button might save your life. For now, it sets you free. With Lifeline by Immanuel, you can enjoy an independent lifestyle in your own home—knowing that you can get help if you ever need it. In a fall or emergency, every second counts. Lifeline by Immanuel with AutoAlert is a medical alert pendent that can automatically call for help, even if you can’t push your button. Getting you connected to someone with access to your medical history, someone who can evaluate your situation and immediately send help. To learn more about the security and peace of mind provided by Lifeline, call (402) 829-3277 or toll-free at (800) 676-9449.
1 60 Days of Science Through April 30 Strategic Air and Space Museum $6 & $12 402-944-3100 Golf Consumer Show Also March 2 CenturyLink Center Omaha 402-341-1500
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Ronald K. Brown/Evidence Orpheum Theater 8 p.m. $20 to $50 402-345-0606 7 Omaha Symphony All Tchaikovsky Also March 8 8 p.m. $27 to $80 402-345-0606 TAO: Phoenix Rising Orpheum Theater 8 p.m. $20 & $40 402-345-0606
49th & Q Street • 402-731-2118 www.southviewheightsomaha.com
Are you TURNING age 65 or are you new to Medicare? Do you need HELP understanding your MEDICARE OPTIONS?
8 Leprechaun Chase Strategic Air & Space Museum 4 p.m. $30 to $40 402-944-3100 15 Christopher O’Riley Holland Performing Arts Center 8 p.m. $30 402-345-0606
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New Horizons
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March 2014
18 Sister Act Through March 23 Tuesday – Thursday @ 7:30 p.m. Friday @ 8 p.m. Saturday @ 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday @ 1:30 and 7 p.m. $30 to $80 402-345-0606 20 Phantom the Musical Through March 29 Lied Center @ Creighton University 7:30 p.m. $5, $15, $18 402-280-2636 21 ERTH’s Dinosaur Zoo Also March 22 Holland Performing Arts Center Friday @ 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday @ 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. $20 and $25 402-345-0606 27 Soweto Gospel Choir Holland Performing Arts Center 7:30 p.m. $20 to $50 402-345-0606 28 Leo Lionni’s Frederick The Rose Theater Friday @ 7 p.m. Saturday @ 2 & 8 p.m. Sunday @ 2 p.m. $18 402-345-4849 29 27th Annual Omaha Orchid Show and Sale Also March 30 Lauritzen Gardens 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $3 and $6 402-734-4112
Finish the 2013-14 snow shoveling season safely A recent study published in the Clinical Research in Cardiology revealed that shoveling snow actually does increase the risk of a having a heart attack. The study looked at 500 people and found that 7 percent of them started experiencing symptoms of heart problems while shoveling snow. The cardiologists conducting the Canadian study felt that while 7 percent is significant, there could be as many as double that number given the fact the patients may not have connected their heart problems with snow shoveling. Today as the 2013-2014 snow season winds down, the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA), the national nonprofit organization representing the snow removal industry, is suggesting seven tips for safe snow shoveling. “While heart attacks may be the most serious consequence of shoveling snow, there are other even more common health risks including dehydration, back injuries, pulled muscles, broken bones, and frostbite,” said Martin Tirado, executive director of SIMA. “The good news is there are ways to safely shovel snow.” Here are SIMA’s safe snow shoveling tips: • Stay on top of the snow. We aren’t suggesting you make snow angels but when there’s a heavy snow, the best advice is to stay ahead of the storm. SIMA recommends to prevent snow and ice from adhering to the sidewalk or street, clear the snow every few inches instead of waiting for the snow to stop falling before you head outdoors. • Wear breathable layers. Layering is typical cold winter weather advice. We suggest wearing layers of loose clothing so you can peel a layer off if you get hot as you shovel. Avoid wearing heavy wools, manmade materials, or other materials that don’t allow perspiration to evaporate. Better choices are cotton and silk.
• Watch your feet. You need to pay attention to what’s on your feet when heading outdoors to shovel snow. SIMA suggests wearing quality outdoor winter wear such as waterproof boots with good traction. Good traction is critical to helping ensure you don’t slip and fall. • Take a few minutes to stretch. Shoveling snow is a workout so you need to stretch to warm up your muscles particularly because you’re shoveling snow in the cold weather. Stretching before you start shoveling will help prevent injury and fatigue. • Push don’t lift. If you push the snow to the side rather than trying to lift the snow to remove it, you exert less energy thereby placing less stress on your body. • Drink water when shoveling. SIMA recommends taking frequent breaks and staying hydrated. You should drink water as if you were enduring a tough workout at the gym or running five miles. • Don’t play in traffic. Sometimes people get so focused on the task at hand they don’t pay attention to their surroundings. When shoveling snow near streets, pay attention to the traffic since vehicles may not have good traction in the snow and ice. • Call and text. We’re not suggesting you make calls and text while shoveling snow, but it’s important to have your cell phone on you so you can make a call in event of an emergency. Following these seven tips will help ensure that you survive and thrive through snow-shoveling season.
Jackie Robinson’s story is told through a 10-year-old boy’s eyes in The Rose Theater’s ‘Jackie & Me’ on stage through March 16 The story of Jackie Robinson, the first AfricanAmerican to play major league baseball, is being told with a time-traveling twist in the play Jackie & Me on stage at The Rose Theater – 2001 Farnam St. – through March 16. Jackie & Me is told through the eyes of Joey Stoshack, a 10-year-old boy who is transported back in time to see the historical events first hand. The play is based on a book by Dan Gutman and adapted for the stage by Steven Dietz. When he’s assigned a research project for Black History Month, Stoshack finds a rare baseball card that becomes his ticket for time travel. Joey arrives in 1947 just in time to witness the Brooklyn Dodgers sign Jackie Robinson to a baseball contract. To his surprise, when Joey looks into the mirror in 1947, he sees his skin has darkened; offering him a startlingly personal experi-
ence similar to what Robinson endures throughout the play. In a journey that’s as much about self-discovery as it is a history lesson, Joey endures racism on a variety of levels including accidentally getting in line at a “whites only” water fountain.
Jackie Robinson The production is led by John Hardy. “John represents the gold standard for us in terms of directing and we are extraordinarily excited to have him here in town,” says the Rose’s artistic director Matthew
Gutshick. “I grew up in Newark in the 1960s when people died in riots in New York,” Hardy says. “I can remember being 10 years old and there were soldiers in the streets of New Jersey.” Dietz says the play is historically accurate and depicts things that Robinson endured such as being shouted at from the stands and receiving threatening letters aimed at himself, his wife, and their child. At the same time, the show conveys the courage of Robinson, as well as those who stood beside him. Show times for Jackie & Me – which runs for 75 minutes – are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 5 p.m., and Sundays at 2 pm. The 2 p.m. show on Saturday, March 8 will be interpreted for the hearing impaired. Tickets are $18, but discount ticket vouchers are available at all area Hy-Vee stores for $14. For reservations, please call 402-345-4849.
March 2014
Fontenelle Tours Omaha/Council Bluffs: 712-366-9596
Quoted prices are per person, double occupancy. For more information about our tours, please call Ward or Kathy Kinney at Fontenelle Tours at the number listed above.
Motorcoach Branson’s “Brother South” in Sioux City. March 31. $99. Spend a fun afternoon at the Orpheum reminiscing, singing, and swaying to rock and roll, honky tonk, and classic country performed by “Brother South” from Branson. West Side Story. May 6. $129. ($119 before 3/6/14.) Enjoy an exciting Tuesday evening at the only Broadway performance of this incredible musical at Sioux City’s Orpheum Theater. “Miracle on South Division Street” at the New Theater. May 21. $139. ($129 before 3/21/14.) Take a Wednesday trip to Kansas City to see Connie Stevens perform with her real life daughter while enjoying an awesome lunch! Daniel O’Donnell in Sioux City. June 1. Call for price and availability. See Daniel at the Orpheum in Sioux City. Daniel O’Donnell in Des Moines. June 5. Call for price and availability. See Daniel at the Civic Center in Des Moines. “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” at the New Theater. June 21. $139. ($129 before 4/21/14.) Come along on a Saturday trip to Kansas City and enjoy a rock ‘n’ roll musical revue, as well as a wonderful lunch buffet at the New Theater. Featured songs include: On Broadway, Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, Stand By Me, Spanish Harlem, Love Potion #9, Young Blood, Yakety Yak, I’m a Woman, and Kansas City. “Wizard of Oz” at the Lofte. July 20. $TBD. Spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon enjoying this classic musical production followed by a delicious dinner. Arrow Rock, Clydesdales, & Dinner Train. August 9 - 11. $459 (before 5/22/14). Shop and explore in a Missouri village that is a National Historic Landmark, enjoy dinner together followed by “Lend Me a Tenor” at the historic Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater, tour the ranch where the Budweiser Clydesdales are raised, enjoy a fourcourse dinner on the Columbia Star dinner train, tour The Candy Factory, enjoy lunch and wine tasting at Les Bourgeois Vineyards, and tour the World War I Museum in Kansas City. Mahoney Melodrama & Dinner. August 3. $99. ($89 before 6/3/14.) Enjoy a Sunday afternoon melodrama (throw popcorn at the villain) followed by dinner at the Mahoney Grille. Iowa State Fair. August 13. $99. ($89 before 6/13/14.) Come along to one of the best state fairs in the country. Enjoy mouth-watering food, free entertainment, grandstand concerts, and plenty of blue-ribbon competition. We will also arrange for (we’ll pick it up, have it on the bus, and return it) rental of a scooter for the day. Nebraska Junk Jaunt…with a Twist. September 26 – 27. $245 (before 7/26/14). Join us for this garage sale extravaganza, but with a new route and a new motel. This is truly a fun adventure, whatever you’re hunting for! Branson Christmas with Daniel O’Donnell. November 10 – 13. $709 (before 8/10/14). Besides Daniel O’Donnell, enjoy “Jonah” at the Sight & Sound Theater, a backstage tour of Sight & Sound, Patsy Cline Remembered, The Brett Family with lunch, The Rankin Brothers, and #1 Hits of the 60s. In Partnership with Collette Vacations New York City. May 15 - 19, 2014. Five days. Two Broadway shows, Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Harbor Cruise, and Ellis Island. Stay at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in the heart of New York six blocks from Central Park! Northern National Parks. July 15 - 22, 2014. Eight Days. Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful, Grand Teton National Park, and Park City. Four- night stay at the Snow King Lodge in Jackson, Wy. Reflections of Italy. Sept 10 - 19, 2014. 10 days. Rome, Coliseum, Assisi, Perugia, Siena, Florence, Chianti Winery, Venice, Murano Island, Como, Lugano, Switzerland. Spectacular South Africa. Nov 10 - 22, 2014. 13 days. Enjoy springtime in South Africa including Johannesburg, Soweto, Kruger National Park, a Safari Game Drive, a lagoon cruise in the Knysna Featherbed National Reserve, an Ostrich farm visit, Cape Winelands, Cape Town, Table Mountain, traditional African dining, and more. A trip of a lifetime! Train Train enthusiasts! Board a 1950s era passenger train for a trip of a lifetime. You will enjoy fine service, meals, and beverages from a professional and courteous staff. You will ride in comfort and sleep in your private room which will be yours for the entire trip. No hassles of checking into hotels as the trip continues. Trips being offered are: Orange Blossom Special to Miami Florida (March 21 to 31); The Cherry Blossom Special to Washington D.C. (April 7 to 14); Crescent City LTD to New Orleans (April 27 to May 5); Glacier National Park (June 15 to 23); and The Pine Tree Limited to Portland, Maine (September 16 to 28). Call us for more details! Watch New Horizons and our website www.fontenelletours.com for our trip schedule. Our address is: 2008 W. Broadway #329, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
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Family Service Senior Center
AARP Tax-Aide program open in Douglas, Sarpy counties
You’re invited to visit the Heartland Family Service Senior Center, 2101 S. 42nd St. for the following: • Thursday, March 6: Mardi Gras party with entertainment by Johnny Ray Gomez from the Merrymakers @ 10:30 a.m. • Tuesday, March 11: St. Patty’s Day crafts with Patty. • Friday, March 14: Presentation by students from Methodist College @ 10:30 a.m. • Tuesday, March 18: Learn to crochet with Patty. Call 402-553-5300 for reservations. Class limited to 8 students. • March 23: Watercolor class with the Student League from 3 to 5 p.m. Call 402-553-5300 to sign up. • Tuesday, March 27: Trip to the Durham Museum. Bus leaves the center @ 10:30 a.m. Space is limited. The Heartland Family Service Senior Center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is normally served at noon. A $3 donation is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the lunch you wish to attend.Transportation is available within specific boundaries for 50 cents each way. Regular activities include Tai Chi classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday @ 10:15 a.m., and a nurse visit Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 402-553-5300 for an appointment. For meal reservations or more information, please call Karen at 402-552-7480 or the front desk at 402-553-5300.
Programs on Alzheimer’s You’re invited to attend a free six-week series of programs titled Alzheimer’s Disease: The Bridge to Acceptance. The programs will be held on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11:30 at 1055 N. 115th St., Suite 200. The series will be offered March 8 through April 12, July 12 through Aug. 16, and Sept. 20 through Oct. 25. Here’s the schedule: • Week 1: Alzheimer’s Disease: The Road to a Diagnosis… and Beyond with Terry Johnson, a caregiver for his wife and an adjunct professor at Grace University. • Week 2: Legal Documents: What if Something Happens to Me? with Niel Nielsen from the Carlson Burnett Law Firm. • Week 3: Protecting your Assets: What to do When the Forecast Calls for Rain with representatives from Financial Visions, LLC. • Week 4: Family Dynamics: How Do We Talk With Our Kids? With Annie Dyer, administrator from the Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. • Week 5: Community Resources: Industry Bestsellers with Care Consultants for the Aging’a Michaela Williams. • Week 6: Your Plan B: A Reality Check for Caregivers with Cathy Wyatt, CSA from Financial Visions, LLC. For more information, please call 402-661-9611.
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ARP’s Tax-Aide program is offering free income tax preparation services including electronic filing for federal and state returns at eight area walk-in sites. The program is available primarily for low to middle income older adults, but nobody is turned away due to age or income. Service at the sites listed below, however, is available only to Nebraska residents who earned income in Nebraska or Iowa. DOUGLAS COUNTY Crossroads Mall (West corridor) 7400 Dodge St. Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Immanuel AgeWell 6801 N. 67th Plz. Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids Can Community Center 4860 Q St. Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Montclair Community Center 2304 S 135th Ave. Tuesday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
You’re invited to visit the Fremont Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St. (Christensen Field) this month for the following: • March 3: New Tai Chi class @ 9:30 a.m. • March 5: Presentation on Nye Square @ 10 a.m. followed by pianist Wally. • March 6: Talk on colon cancer prevention @ 9:45 a.m. • March 11: Chair volleyball tournament against the Arlington Senior Center team @ 10 a.m. • March 12: Music by the JRS Trio @ 10:30 a.m. followed by the March birthday party. • March 13: AARP driver safety class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonAARP members. Registration is required. • March 17: St. Patrick’s Day celebration with Jim Rathbun @ 10:30 a.m. Wear your green. • March 26: Music by the Link Duo @ 10:30 a.m. Bring your dancing shoes. The Fremont Friendship Center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Reservations must be made by noon the business day prior to the meal you wish to enjoy. For meal reservations and more information, please call Laurie Harms at 402-727-2815.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is recruiting persons age 55 and older for a variety of opportunities. For more information in Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass counties, please call 402-444-6536, ext. 224. In Dodge and Washington counties, please call 402-721-7780. The following have volunteer opportunities in Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass counties: • The Disabled American Veterans need volunteer drivers. • Good 360 is looking for respite volunteers to process donations and sort items. • The Douglas County Health Center wants volunteers for a variety of assignments. • Creighton University/Student Support Services needs volunteers to provide support services and as writing, editing, and math tutors. Alegent Creighton Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center is looking for volunteers for its gift shop, flower shop, and other areas. • The Omaha Children’s Museum needs volunteers for its train ride program. • The Omaha Home for Boys wants volunteer mentors. The following has a volunteer opportunity in Dodge County: • The Blair and Fremont Car-Go Program needs volunteer drivers. • The Fremont Friendship Program wants volunteers to serve on its board, to fundraise, and assist with other activities. • The May Museum in Fremont is looking for volunteer tour guides and to help maintain its horticulture needs.
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Fremont Friendship Center
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Recipients of these services are asked to arrive at the site no later than one hour before the scheduled closing. In addition to the walk-in sites, appointments can be made at the AARP Information Center (Center Mall) by calling 402-398-9582 or Kids Can (4860 Q St.) by calling 402-731-6988. For more information including what personal and tax information to bring to the tax preparation sites, log on the Internet to www.nebraskataxaide.org. North Christ Child Center 2111 Emmet St. Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday 4:30 to 8 p.m. Sons of Italy 1238 S 10th St. Sunday Noon to 4 p.m. (Closed April 13) SARPY COUNTY Bellevue Senior Center 109 W. 22nd Ave. Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. LaVista Community Center 8116 Park View Blvd. Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday 3 to 7 p.m.
Submissions for poetry contest are due by Wednesday, March 5 Submissions for the 2014 Poetry Across the Generations competition – sponsored jointly by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Omaha Public Library, and the Omaha Public Schools, are due by Wednesday, March 5. The annual event features separate contests for poets in grades 7 through 12 and poets age 50 and older. Participants are asked to write two poems each: one about life as a teenager and another about life as a person age 60 or older. Prizes of $100, $50, and $25 for first, second, and third places, respectively will be awarded. Seven honorable mention finishers will receive $10 each. Winning poets can collect their cash prizes at a Sunday, March 23 poet recognition reception at UNO’s Milo Bail Student Center from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The event will include poetry readings, refreshments, and intergenerational poetry dialogue All contest entrants are also invited to an Intergenerational Poetry Slam at UNO’s Milo Bail Student Center on Sunday, March 30 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Adult poetry submission may be sent to Cindy Waldo, Sigma Phi Omega, Department of Gerontology, CB 211, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, Neb. 68182-0202 or online to www. omahapoetsplace.net. Teen poets may submit their poetry to Omaha Public Library, Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch, Attn: Karen Berry, 2100 Reading Plz., Elkhorn, Neb. 68022 or online to www.omahapoetsplace.net. For more information, contact Cindy Waldo at cwaldo@unomaha.edu.
ENOA menu for March 2014
Corrigan Senior Center
You’re invited to visit the Corrigan Senior Center, 3819 X St. this month for: • March 3, 10, 17, & 24: Join instructor Deb for a painting class and more sponsored by WhyArts? @ 10:30 Wednesday, March 19 Tuesday, March 4 Honey baked a.m. Stay for lunch. Apple glazed pork patty chicken leg quarter • March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Party with Irish music by Wednesday, March 5 Paul Siebert @ 11 a.m. Wear your favorite green/orange Thursday, March 20 Ash Wednesday clothing. The noon lunch menu is roast beef, cabbage, red Creole steak Tuna macaroni w/cheese broccoli roasted potatoes, rye bread, and emerald pudding. Bingo will follow our special lunch. Friday, March 21 Thursday, March 6 • March 20: Welcome spring roast beef dinner and Crunchy Pollock Chili con carne Mega Bingo. The menu is roast beef, roasted red potatoes, cabbage with carrots, tossed salad, rye bread, emerald Monday, March 24 Friday, March 7 (or vanilla) pudding. Mega bingo will follow lunch. The Herbed pork loin Fish sandwich reservation deadline is noon on Friday, March 14. • March 24: Birthday party with music by Johnny Tuesday, March 25 Monday, March 10 Soft shell Ray Gomez from the Merrymakers @ 11 a.m. Stay for a Ham and potato casserole beef taco delicious pork loin lunch or a chicken cordon bleu salad. Tuesday, March 11 Bingo will follow lunch. Wednesday, March 26 Cheesy lasagna casserole • March 27: Coca-Cola celebration featuring Coca-Cola Ham and floats. March is the month Coke was first bottled for sale. white beans Wednesday, March 12 Order a turkey breast lunch or a deli sandwich of ham and Meatloaf Swiss cheese. Stay for bingo following lunch. Thursday, March 27 w/brown gravy • March 31: Presentation on going greener healthy Turkey breast menu changes @ 11:30 a.m. Registered dietician Michaela w/gravy Thursday, March 13 Howard will have suggestions for making your food King ranch chicken patty choices healthy and flavorful. Stay for a meatballs and Friday, March 28 rotini pasta or a chicken Caesar salad lunch and bingo. Tuna and noodles Friday, March 14 The Corrigan Senior Center is open weekdays from 8 Macaroni and cheese Monday, March 31 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is served at noon. A $3 donation is Meatballs Monday, March 17 normally suggested for the meal. Reservations are normally w/spaghetti sauce Roast beef w/gravy due by noon the business day prior to the meal you wish to enjoy. We offer chair volleyball Tuesday and Thursday @ 11 Widow offers advice for overcoming the loss of a loved one a.m., Tai Chi on Tuesday and Thursday @ 10 a.m., card games, Bingo, ceramics, exercise, woodcarving, and loads By Victoria D. Schmidt prepared to move on? Should you repeat some of the steps in stages one and two to assure you are empowered to take of fun! For meal reservations or more information, please call The death of a loved one charge of your life? Not to worry. The time it takes is difLynnette at 402-731-7210. is devastating. ferent for everyone. You have grief, pain, sad- Stage four: New Life Options … Adventures. If you are Bellevue Community Senior Center ness, and bewilderment, and ready to move on there are limitless options to consider. even with the comfort of Single? You may want to think about a new significant You’re invited to visit the Bellevue Senior Community family and friends, you may other or a different type of relationship. Unconditional Center – 109 W. 22nd Ave. – this month for: feel very much alone. But, love? Adopt a pet. Volunteer work, a new job, or your • March 4: Mardi Gras Party with music by Physha from you are not alone. There are dream job. Pleasurable pursuits, travel, new friends, or take those people you can call in the arts. Look at pursuits with a purpose and helping oth- the Merrymakers @ 11 a.m. • March 6: The 6 p.m. dinner is pancakes, scrambled on to help you through the ers. Pack up and move when the time is right. eggs, bacon, and a fruit cup. Four Stages of Life that lead Experiencing even some of the steps of these Four • March 13: The 6 p.m. dinner is meatballs and spaghetti you to peace and solace or Stages of Life is, in itself, a distraction from your loss and you may undertake them on sadness to help you move on. While you handle your grief, sauce over rotini pasta, a lettuce and tomato salad, Italian vegetables, a garlic breadstick, and dessert. your on. achieve renewal and undertake one or more of the adven• March 14: Presentation by a weather forecaster from • Stage one: The First tures. You may come to realize and accept why it is you Offutt Air Force Base @ 11 a.m. Hurdle: The Shock and the who are still here. You have happy memories to cherish, • March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Party with music by MiGrief. Grieve, cry, and talk a wonders in the world to enjoy, and rewards from reaching chael Lyon from the Merrymakers. lot. Grieve more. Grieve as out to help others. • March 19: A health fair from 10 a.m. to noon will long as it takes. Don’t pun You will find solace and peace. It is just a matter of dediinclude balance and safety screenings. ish yourself. Then, let go cation and time! • March 20: The 6 p.m. dinner will be chicken, potatoes, of your grief. Laugh, a lot. (Schmidt was a fashion editor at Woman’s Day Magalime gelatin with cottage cheese, corn, and ice cream. Evangelist Billie Graham, zine in New York City, and served as the Director of Tour• March 27: The 6 p.m. dinner is crunchy Pollock with says, “Sometimes we need ism for the State of New Jersey. After losing her husband tartar sauce, crispy cube potatoes, and green beans. to be alone with our grief to Parkinson’s disease, Schmidt wrote Finding Solitary The center is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and memories. We just need Contentment: Ways to Handle Grief and Embrace a New and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on to guard against making this Life and Remembering the Loved One You Lost. For Thursday. A $3 contribution is suggested for lunch and a our only response for its not more information, please visit: http://www.victoriad$4 contribution is suggested for dinner for anyone age 60 healthy.” schmidt.com. and older and $7 for those under age 60. Reservations are • Stage two: The Redue by noon the business day prior to the meal you wish to newal. Prepare for your life enjoy. without your lost loved one. We offer chair volleyball (Monday, Wednesday, and Identity crisis? Learn to Friday @ 10:30 a.m.); Tai Chi (Tuesday and Friday @ 1 know yourself. Go slowly. p.m.); yoga (Tuesday @ 10:45); and tap dance (Friday @ Set goals. Have a plan. If 1:45 p.m.) you are alone, enjoy the unAARP is offering free assistance filing 2013 income tax expected gains of life alone returns Mondays and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. such as exercising, meditatBring a picture identification card, your Social Security ing, relaxing, and be kind card, and all documents pertaining to your income. to yourself. Attain financial We’re collecting items for the Bellevue East High School security. and the Bellevue West High School after prom parties. • Stage three: The Bridge Please drop off chips, candy, pop, or bottled water at the ...The Passage. Have you Bellevue Senior Community Center by Friday, March 28. achieved emotional and Following the death of a loved one, it’s important For meal reservations or more information, please call physical renewal along with Regan or Brenda at 402-293-3041. financial security? Are you for survivors to realize they are not alone. Monday, March 3 Pepper beef patty
Tuesday, March 18 Western pork patty
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UNMC involved in study on lung-related ailments
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oe Sisson, M.D. a University of Nebraska Medical Center clinician and scientist, was part of an international team of researchers that has zeroed in on a protein that plays a key role in many lung-related ailments, from seasonal coughing and hacking to more serious diseases such as MRSA infections and cystic fibrosis. The finding, which was reported in a recent issue of the journal Nature, advances knowledge about this range of illnesses and may point the way to eventually being able to prevent infections such as MRSA. The key protein is called MUC5B. It’s one of two sugar-rich proteins with similar molecular structure, that are found in the mucus that normally and helpfully coats airway surfaces in the nose and lung. The other is MUC5AC. “We knew these two proteins are associated with diseases in which the body produces too much mucus, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD,” said Chris Evans, Ph.D., an associate professor in the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the lead author on the study. “We also knew that many patients with asthma or COPD have as much as 95 percent less MUC5B in their lungs than healthy individuals, so we wanted to see if one of these is the bad player in chronic lung diseases.” The researchers compared mice that lacked one or the other of the proteins. The animals without MUC5B got sick. Those that lacked MUC5AC were fine. Dr. Sisson, the Larson Professor of Medicine and chief of the UNMC pulmonary, critical care, sleep, and allergy division, has been involved in the study over the past two years. A pulmonologist and National Institute on Healthfunded cilia investigator, Dr. Sisson’s role was to determine the importance
of ciliary motility in mice lacking MUC5B. Cilia are motorized finger-like projections of the cells that line the windpipe and bronchial tubes of the lungs. Cilia create escalator-like motion producing waves that lift mucus up and out of the lung. This function is called mucociliary clearance and is critical for normal lung health.
Dr. Joe Sisson “We established that MUC5B is a really important component of the lung’s mucociliary clearance system,” Dr. Sisson said. “If you don’t have MUC5B, airway clearance fails even though airway cilia motility appears to be normal.” Although mucus serves an important role in the body, Dr. Sisson said it also can be a source of discomfort and annoyance if your body starts to produce too much of it or is not able to clear the mucus that is normally made. An overabundance of mucus may be a sign of an infection with a new virus or bacterium. Because your body is trying to fight off this infection, it begins to overproduce mucus, which leads to symptoms such as sinus pressure, congestion, or a runny nose. Although these conditions are certainly inconvenient and uncomfortable, they actually indicate your body is defending itself. Dr. Sisson said the sticky nature of lung mucus has always made it difficult to study. “Dr. Evans’ genetic knockout mouse system helped us clearly define the critical role MUC5B plays in the lung’s mucociliary
transport system independent of ciliary function,” he said. “These findings add another piece to the delicate interplay between cilia and mucus, which is crucial to protect the lungs from inhaled particles, dusts, and infectious agents.” The study also noted the immune systems of the mice without MUC5B failed over time. That made the mice more vulnerable to infections including the MRSA Staph “superbug,” a major source of infections in hospitals and the community, especially in people whose immune systems are compromised such as cancer patients. “That has interesting implications for anyone with a runny nose,” Dr. Evans said. “Getting rid of your mucus may make you more comfortable and may help patients with chronic lung diseases. But if you block it too effectively, this actually could be harmful in the long run. If a treatment gets rid of MUC5B, it may make people more vulnerable to additional infections.” An oddity of the proteins being examined is that they are encoded in a part of the human genome that is highly variable. Twenty percent of the population carries a DNA mutation that makes them produce about 30 times more MUC5B than normal. More research is needed to learn whether people with that mutation are more or less susceptible to infections, including MRSA, said Dr. Evans, who is in the University of Colorado medical school’s Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine. It’s also unclear what’s happening at a molecular level that allows MUC5B to help control certain infections. “Knowing the key role of MUC5B allows us now to focus on how the protein works and, we hope to find ways to help patients with these diseases,” Dr. Evans said. (UNMC’s Public Relations department provided this information.)
Older Nebraskans have free access to legal information
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egal Aid of Nebraska operates a free telephone access line for Nebraskans age 60 and older. Information is offered to help the state’s older men and women with questions on topics like bankruptcy,
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homestead exemptions, collections, powers of attorney, Medicare, Medicaid, grandparent rights, and Section 8 housing. The telephone number for the Elder Access Line is 402827-5656 in Omaha and 1-800-527-7249 statewide. This service is available to Nebraskans age 60 and older regardless of income, race, or ethnicity. For more information, log on the Internet to http://www.legalaidofnebraska.com/EAL.
Read it & eat By Lois Friedman readitandeat@yahoo.com
A mouthwatering global journey
Are you prepared for retirement mentally as well as financially? By Roberta Taylor
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fter 35 years in the lighting For a quick and delicious escape from the winter blahs, design business, open one of these beautiful cookbooks from different couna health crisis tries for a mouthwatering journey...and away we go! forced Sam into retirement. At first he was relieved Every Grain of Rice and looked forward to the By Fuchsia Dunlop (Norton, $35) freedom of not having to This award-winning cookbook author shares her experwork every day. But when tise and love of simple Chinese home cooking, healthy traditions, and the ability to transform “humble and largely a buyer for his business was found and all the legal and vegetarian ingredients into wonderful delicacies.” financial work was behind him, it was difficult for Bocca Cookbook Sam to let go. He felt like By Jacob Kenedy (Bloomsbury, $45) his whole identity had been Travel an exotic journey through the “gritty, glamorous, and mysterious” flavors of Italy. Share loving eating is lov- stripped away. He thought about the business every ing life. Enjoy Kenedy’s recipes for their deliciousness. day and, over time, began to wonder if selling it had been Pati’s Mexican Table a mistake. By Pati Jinich (Houghton Mifflin, $30) Sam’s experience isn’t Chef Jinich creates a guidebook to Mexican culture and uncommon. Many busiflavors, home cooking, history, conversations, and recipes ness owners and other older with Cook’s Tricks, headnotes, and sidebars. workers haven’t prepared for life after retirement. Jamie Oliver’s Great Britain They may get depressed and By Jamie Oliver (Hyperion, $35) have regrets about selling Enjoy 130 of Oliver’s favorite recipes emphasizing simtheir business or retiring. plicity and fresh ingredients. This dish “will make you so Don grew up in a family happy” comfort food at its unfussy, unpretentious best from owned business and worked this Emmy-Award winner. with small business owners. “When you own a small Greece business, it’s a lifestyle. By Diane Kochilas (Chronicle, $50) Explore the country cooking of Greece with 200 recipes, Everything evolves around essays, headnotes, and cultural guide from this award-win- the business. It’s not like ning author/chef/teacher. Sample this unique flavor combi- you punch a clock and go home. Your personal and nation. professional lives are closely linked,” he said. “In many Sauteed Spinach with Orange and Garlic cases, family-owned busi(Spanaki Sotarismeno Me Portokali Kai Skordo) ness owners aren’t prepared Serves 4 to 6 as a side dish to retire because it requires 1 large navel orange succession planning. Or 2/3 cup extra-virgin Greek olive oil they have to look at selling 1 1/2 lb spinach, trimmed, washed, and spun dry outside the family, some2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced Salt thing that took a lifetime to build.” Using a sharp knife, remove the rind of the orange and cut Dick inherited a family into one-inch strips, including some of the pith and fruit as insurance business he ran you go. for 30 years. In his late 50s, Heat the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium he was ready for a new chalheat. Add the spinach. As soon as the spinach wilts, add the garlic, season with salt, and add the orange rind. lenge. Following a “calling” Cover the frying pan, lower the heat to medium-low, and for a deeper sense of meancook the spinach for about 20 minutes, or until dark and ing in his life, he sold the completely soft. business, enrolled in a Ph.D. Serve warm in a deep dish or bowl, together with the program, and now guides cooking juices, garlic, and orange rind. family business CEOs through a smooth transition Free program on medication management and succession process. Contrary to how many scheduled for March 18, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. people feel about retirement, Dick’s experience was that he Coalition to Protect Aging Adults is spon“selling his business did soring a community educational event titled not close the book on his Medication Management and the Older Adults on Tuesday, March 18 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in life, but opened the door to a new chapter of adventhe first floor conference room ture.” His success was supat Alegent Health-Midlands Hospital, ported by clarity of purpose 11111 S. 84th St. and planning his path. Brenda Bergman-Evans will lead the We often hear about the discussion and be available to answer importance of being prequestions. pared financially for retireContinuing education units are available ment, but we don’t hear for professionals attending this event. much about how important While the event is free, pre-registration it is to have a life plan for is required. Participants can register for Medication Manwhat comes after retirement. agement and the Older Adults by sending an e-mail to Small business coaches can feelhaver@tconl.com by March 14.
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attest to the fact planning is an important prerequisite to a successful retirement. If that’s true, then what gets in the way? Here are three common barriers to retirement planning: • The fear factor. Retirement can be scary, especially when your business or job is “who you are.” It can feel safer to continue working than to think about retiring to unfamiliar territory. • Difficulty letting go. Owning a small business is a lot like raising a child, whether you’ve inherited the business, bought it, or birthed it. Small business owners tend to hang on even when it’s time to let go. • Do you own the business or does the business own you? Many small business owners feel “married” to their business. Retiring can be as traumatic as getting divorced. Instead of feeling a sense of freedom, it can feel like loss of an anchor. Retirement is a process that requires selfexploration and planning. It’s about letting go and moving on. Here are five tips that will help you transition into what’s next beyond retirement: • Do the numbers. Plan ahead financially to make sure there are no surprises when it’s time to retire. Educate yourself and work with a small business advisor and accountant if necessary. Know whether your financial resources will be able to support the kind of lifestyle you want, and if not, what kind of adjustments need to be made. • Phase in. Begin to develop an identity separate from the business or job even before you leave. For years your identity has been tied up with your career. The challenge becomes, “who are you when you’re no longer who you used to be?” Begin to spend less time at work, explore new interests, talk with friends who have retired, and start a list of goals and things you want to do in retirement. Discover new interests and find things you’re passionate about. Retirement can be the first step to becoming who you want to be in the next part of your life. • Talk it through together. Good communication is key especially when going through a major life transition. Talk with the important people in your life, particularly your spouse. When one or both partners retire, roles and responsibilities tend to shift. Don’t make assumptions about what your partner is thinking or feeling. Talking about how you envision your retirement lifestyle, expectations, interests, and goals for the future and how you want to spend time together and apart, will make for a smoother transition. • Focus on your purpose. Successful adjustment to retirement is more certain if you have a plan and goals. Stay busy and engaged in life. Structure your time and find ways to feel you’re making a contribution. Discover what gives you a sense of purpose and meaning. Balance relaxation and productivity, whatever that means for you. Volunteer your expertise and time, get together with friends, and visit your grandchildren. Do things that will give you a sense of purpose and meaning. • Build a healthy balance. The best way to stay vital is to take care of yourself; mind, body, and spirit. Eat a nutritious diet, exercise including strength training, read, play, be curious, discover, and love. Nurture your mind as well as your body. Explore your beliefs, live your values, and appreciate that life is a gift. Retirement today is no longer what it used to be years ago. It’s a journey, less about what you’re coming from and more about what you’re going towards. Our greatest satisfaction is often found when we discover other parts of ourselves in the post-retirement years. (Taylor is a board certified coach, psychotherapist, an experienced individual and group therapist, couples relationship coach, author, and speaker.)
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Lutz reflects on a quarter century with the Millard Public Schools By Nick Schinker Contributing Writer
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s a young boy in North Dakota, growing up in a town of less than 300 people, Keith Lutz, Ed.D. never dreamed of being a school administrator, much less the superintendent of a school district. “I decided in eighth grade I wanted to be a coach,” Dr. Lutz recalls. “I wanted to be a basketball coach and a football coach. Being a school administrator was the furthest thing from my mind.” One thing stood in his way. “They told me I had to teach to be able to coach,” he says. “Well, I’ve always felt coaching is the purest form of teaching there is. You put it on the floor three nights a week so everyone can see if I made progress.” Dr. Lutz did get to coach. And teach. And be a school administrator and a superintendent. For the past 25 years, he has “put it on the floor” every day for the Millard Public Schools. Soon, it will be time to pass the helm to a new school superintendent. The shoes that man or woman will fill are huge. “I don’t even know the number of new school buildings I’ve been involved in,” Dr. Lutz says. “It’s safe to say everything west of 168th Street.” He has watched closely as each of those buildings filled with good teachers and bright students. “When I came here in 1989, we had right around 15,000 students,” he says. “We’ve added 8,000 since then. That’s almost the size of the Papillion and Bellevue (school) districts right now.” The students aren’t the only ones who have faced some tough lessons in that time. Ask Dr. Lutz what he’s learned in 25 years and a big smile precedes his answer. “A lot,” he says.
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eith Lutz was born in Reeder, N.D. His father, William was a farmer, a farm implement dealer, and a saloon keeper. After his
Growing up in a North Dakota town with fewer than 300 residents, Keith Lutz never dreamed that one day he would head a Nebraska school district with more than 23,000 students. parents divorced, Lutz grew up with his mother, Vera, and stepfather Gene Duppond, in Scranton, N.D., about 13 miles from where his father lived. It was a full house. Keith had a brother, now deceased; a stepbrother, a stepsister, and two half-brothers. As of the 2010 census, Scranton had 281 people – about the same as it did in the 1960s and ‘70s. Dr. Lutz says Scranton was “a quiet sleepy farm town,” much like the fictional Mayberry that Andy Griffith made famous in a television series. “In a small town, if you were involved at all, you were involved with everyone,” he recalls. “It was a great place to grow up. We’d organize baseball games, raft out on the creek – Buffalo Creek, ran right behind our house – and build motor scooters. And work on cars.” His favorite was a 1956 Ford. It wasn’t his first car, “I had a 1954
Plymouth, but I don’t claim that.” He does proudly claim the Ford, a classic with “a big engine.” Work began on the farm, driving a tractor in the wheatfields. His summer jobs included a stint with the state highway department, and two summers with the Milwaukee Road railroad. “We worked on a section crew, maintaining the rail beds one year,” he says. “The next summer, we were out in Montana building a new rail line. We were gandy dancers. It was hard work. We’d use hooks to lift the railroad ties as high as our heads. We slept extremely well those nights.” Lutz attended Scranton High School, marking the seasons by the sport he played. “Football in the fall, basketball in the winter, track in the spring, and baseball in the summer.” There were 28 students in his graduating class. He went to Dickinson State University in North Dakota, where he
played baseball and football. “I was a physical education major, so I had to play two sports,” he says. He met his wife, JoAnn, there and they were married a week after his graduation in 1969. They will be married 45 years on June 7. Lutz’s career in education began as a science teacher and coach in Taylor, N.D. “It was a small school so I coached everything,” he recalls. “We had boys’ basketball and boys’ and girls’ track. I started the softball program, the cross country team, and the volleyball program.” He earned his master of science in education from North Dakota State University and promotions soon followed. “My fourth year in Taylor I was named the principal. My sixth year, I was superintendent.” He left Taylor after seven years for nearby Elgin, where he again served as superintendent for a dis--Please turn to page 11.
It’s all about family! Have you protected them? Hickory Villa and Etrustee Counselor attorney Rod Halstead are hosting an informational workshop on proper planning to ensure you maintain control of your assets, remain at home for long term care, and give control to those you trust most when you become unable. Plan to attend, RSVP @ 402-392-0767.
March 20, 2014
2:00-3:00 p.m. & 6:30-7:30 p.m. Hickory Villa Assisted Living 7315 Hickory St., Omaha, NE
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Retiring educator to coordinate superintendent academy at UNO --Continued from page 10. trict of 400 children. Dr. Lutz stayed in Elgin for 10 years. By this time, he and JoAnn were the parents of two boys, David and Kevin. They had grown weary of the small town life and wanted something different. With the promise of a graduate assistant position at Texas A&M University, the family moved to Commerce, Texas. “We’ve been risk-takers for a long time,” he says. “It was a large, diverse community and we loved it. It showed I’d grown up in a vacuum.” Mrs. Lutz began teaching there, and in 1988 Dr. Lutz earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Administration degree. “My advisor told me not to go back to schools,” Dr. Lutz says. “He said I should teach at a university – that I’d live 10 years longer.” So he accepted a position at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. It lasted precisely one year and a summer. “I loved the teaching,” he says, “but we’d moved back to the boondocks.” He began exploring his opportunities, and came across the position of assistant superintendent for human resources at the Millard Public Schools. Dr. Lutz was familiar with Omaha. He had a friend here, and the two had served as each other’s best man at their weddings. “My goal at the time was to try for a job in a larger district,” he says. “I wanted to get the small school label off my back. I figured if I made it three years, I’d do just that.” That was 1989.
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r. Lutz went on from his original position to serve as interim superintendent before being named Millard Public Schools’ superintendent in 1996. His vision has always been to involve students, staff, and the community in the leadership process. But there have been surprises along the way. “It was quite a culture change when I got here,” he says. “I’d
During his career with the Millard Public Schools, Dr. Lutz was assistant superintendent for human resources and interim superintendent before being named superintendent in 1996. never presided at a school board meeting with 200 people in attendance. In a small town, if one person shows up, everyone turns around and says, ‘What are you doing here?’” Another shock was learning how people in a metropolitan area react to snow – and the “will they/won’t they” anticipation regarding cancelling school. “Nothing stirs people up like the weather, the school calendar, and school boundaries,” he says. The latter is an issue that he most recently helped to resolve. And while the end result isn’t to every parent’s liking, “It had to be done,” Dr. Lutz says. “We’d had it on our books for almost three years. We had to do something with it.” There have been many good days, Dr. Lutz says. In 2009, he was named Nebraska Superintendent of the Year. Under his leadership, the Millard district has become a national leader in the areas of curriculum, student achievement, technology, strategic planning, and facility
Lutz says graduation is the time administrators can tell parents and students they’re delivering on a promise made 13 years ago.
management. “I have had the pleasure of working with many, many great people,” he says.
Days like that are challenges few superintendents expect to face. But they are the experiences that Dr. Lutz will pass along to others when he takes on the role of coordinator of the Midlands Superintendents Academy at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The academy, which brings together 15 participants who meet one full day each month for nine months, is designed to provide current and aspiring school superintendents with skills and knowledge that will help them successfully manage school districts. Dr. Lutz says the academy will fill in the gaps not covered by other administrative classes, such as how technology has changed education, along with safety planning and But there have also been bad school security. days. He cites the two-year period “We cover things not covered in where the Omaha Public Schools graduate programs,” he says, “like pushed its “One City One District” public speaking in front of 5,000 attempt to take over the Millard, people at graduation.” Ralston, and Westside districts. That event, while daunting for “I was out nearly every night some, is Dr. Lutz’s favorite of the making presentations, laying our year. “It’s our time to tell parents case as to why making OPS twice as and kids we’re delivering on a large wouldn’t be a good idea,” he promise we made 13 years ago.” says. “I probably did 200 presentaIt’s one of the highlights he plans tions in one year.” to share with whoever is selected to The point was made. Millard, be his successor, along with a few Ralston, and Westside stayed indechallenges he believes lie ahead. pendent school districts. “They have to be ready to take And there was Jan. 5, 2011, when us to the next level. We are a very a student who’d only been in the good school district. We have outdistrict for 30 days brought a hand- standing teachers and our kids get gun to Millard South High School. very good grades. It’s hard when The boy fatally wounded Assistant you get to the top to continue to Principal Vicki Kaspar and wound- move the needle on the meter.” ed Principal Curtis Case before Managing finances will also be driving off to a side street about a a concern, he says. “When I took mile away, where he killed himself over, we were financially chalwith the same gun. lenged. Today, we are not. And I “That was a tough day,” Dr. Lutz have to give credit to Ken Fossen, says, “and a tough year right up to our associate superintendent for the one-year anniversary. The kids general administration, for all his who were freshmen that day are se- hard work in that regard.” niors now. They haven’t forgotten.” --Please turn to page 12.
“Nothing stirs people up like the weather, the school calendar, and school boundaries.”
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Only half of those affected know they have glaucoma
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ore than 2.7 million Americans age 40 and older are affected by glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, yet only half of those affected know they have the disease. Often referred to as the “sneak thief of sight,” glaucoma has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, and vision loss progresses at such a gradual rate people affected by the condition are often unaware of it until their sight has already been compromised. The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises the public the best defense against developing glaucoma-related blindness is by having routine, comprehensive eye exams. Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, occurs when tissue in the eye gradually becomes less efficient at draining fluid. As this happens, eye pressure (called intraocular pressure), rises, causing irreparable damage to the optic nerve. Without proper treatment to halt the nerve damage, open-angle glaucoma patients usually lose peripheral vision first, and then they may eventually go blind. Fortunately, most vision loss from glaucoma can be prevented with early detection and medical interven-
tion. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends all adults have a baseline, comprehensive dilated eye exam at least by age 40 – the time when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to happen. The exam, which includes an eye pressure check, may also require a visual field examination as determined by an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis, medical, and surgical treatment of eye diseases and conditions.
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or persons age 65 and older, the Academy recommends having a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, or as directed by an ophthalmologist. Some people are at greater risk for developing glaucoma and may need to see their ophthalmologist on a more frequent basis, specifically for glaucoma testing. Risk factors for glaucoma include: • Eye pressure level. • Older age. • A family history of glaucoma. • African ancestry or Latino/Hispanic ethnicity. • Thinner central cornea (the clear, front part of the eye covering the pupil and
colored iris). • Low blood pressure. • Type 2 diabetes. • Myopia. • Genetic mutations. “Over the years, I’ve seen so many patients who had clear risk factors for glaucoma, but didn’t know of their risks until it was too late,” said Andrew Iwach, M.D., a glaucoma specialist and clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “It’s truly a shame to think how different their lives would be if they had only known of these risks and taken action to have a comprehensive eye exam sooner. It’s crucial that people remember that once vision is lost to glaucoma, it cannot be restored.” Older adults who have not had a recent eye exam or for whom cost is a concern may qualify for EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that offers eye exams and care at no out-of-pocket cost for eligible men and women age 65 and older. Visit www.eyecareamerica.org. to see if you are eligible for an exam. For more information about glaucoma, visit the Academy’s public education website at www.geteyesmart.com.
United Way’s 211 phone network marks 11th annivesary
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he United Way of the Midlands’ 211 telephone call center recently marked its 11th anniversary of service in Nebraska. The milestone is punctuated by a sharp rise in caller requests for utility assistance in early 2014. The number of people calling 211 for help with their utility bills in January 2014 – 1,592 requests – was 43 percent higher than the same time period last year. Of those who called in January, 81 percent either had received a utility shutoff notice or had already been shut off. A free, confidential call to 211 provides consumers with valuable referrals to a wide variety of public and nonprofit programs. Information and referral specialists from 211 identify the agencies and services best suited to each caller based on his or her situation and location. Requests for help with housing and utility bills accounted for half the calls received in the 211 call center during 2013, but this category also includes calls about emergency shelter and other available housing. The other main areas of 211 caller interest in 2013 were for: • Food and meals (9 percent of total calls) including pantries and congregate meal centers. • Family and individual support (5 percent) which includes adult and child day care, holiday assistance, home repairs, parenting classes, and support groups.
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• Health care (5 percent). Other common requests to the information and referral center included physical and mental health services and transportation. “Every day, our neighbors in need face difficult situations,” said Karen Bricklemyer, president and CEO of United Way of the Midlands. “Just knowing where to turn for advice is a big hurdle, but 211 is always ready to connect people with services most likely to help them stabilize their situation.” Last year, consumers contacted the 211 center in Omaha 146,127 times by phone or on the center’s Nebraska website, www.ne211.org. That’s a 16 percent increase over 2012. Like the phone service, the 211 online site is free and provides visitors with several ways to search for programs. Today, 90 percent of U.S. residents can dial 211 to reach information and referral specialists in their area 24 hours a day. Most calls last three to five minutes. They’re answered by a trained “information and referral” specialist who assesses the caller’s situation; identifies appropriate community-based resources such as food pantries, counseling services, senior day programs, and more; and provides advocacy for those needing extra support to access services. (The United Way of the Midlands provided this information.)
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March 2014
Dr. Keith Lutz...
Dr. Lutz reads to the students at Harvey Oaks Elementary School, 15228 Shirley St. --Continued from page 11. When he does officially retire, Dr. Lutz is looking forward to playing more golf, and spending more time with his wife, their sons in Omaha and Oregon, and their four grandchildren. But he’ll be happy to set aside time to share what he has learned with aspiring superintendents. “Probably the biggest thing – the secret to my success,” he says, “was learning to be myself, learning to build relationships, especially with the board of education. “I learned that being direct is probably the best policy. We call it ‘fierce leadership.’ It isn’t being mean. It’s not beating around the bush. “We’re pretty good at that,” he says, smiling. “A lot of educators aren’t.” And he’ll tell them to welcome the surprises and look forward to opportunities they might not have otherwise considered. Even if they believe they had made their career choice way back in eighth grade. “Sometimes I sit here and wonder,” he says, “how’d I get from my little town to here?”
National Women’s History celebration
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o celebrate National Women’s History Month, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Omaha Public Library are hosting a 2 to 4 p.m. reception on Sunday, March 9 at the W. Dale Clark Library, 215 S. 15th St. Dr. Eileen Wirth from Creighton University’s Department of Journalism, Media, and Computing
will discuss her book From Society Page to the Front Page: Nebraska Women in Journalism. Selected poets from Celebrate XVIII, a publication by and about local women whose 18th edition was published by UNO, will also present their work at the reception. For more information, please contact Jane Meehan at 402-556-9452.
Please see the ad on page 3
New Horizons Club membership total rises $50 Judy Nekonchuk $10 Ron Nevrivy $5 Phyllis Kroeger Margo Juarez Melvin Stanislaus Reflects donations received through February 21, 2014.
Call 345-1576 for tix
‘GNIT’ at Blue Barn through March 16
Bill and Louise Mock honored at the Fremont Friendship Center
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ill Eno’s GNIT will be on stage through March 16 at the Blue Barn Theatre, 614 S. 11th St. GNIT is a willfully American misreading of Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, a 19th Century Norwegian play. Audience members will watch as Peter Gnit makes a lifetime of bad decisions in the search for his true self. Show times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. (no shows on March 13, 14, and 15); Sundays, March 2, 9, & 16 at 6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 16 also at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for persons age 65 and older, TAG members, and groups of 10 or more. For reservations, please call 402-345-1576.
AARP offering driving course AARP is also offering a new four-hour, research-based Smart Driver Course for older adults. By completing the course, participants will learn research-based driving safety strategies that can reduce the likelihood of having an accident; understand the links between the driver, the vehicle, and the road environment, and how this awareness encourages safer driving; learn how aging, medications, alcohol, and health-related issues affect driving ability and ways to allow for these changes; increase confidence; know how to share the road safely with other drivers, and learn the newest safety and advance features in vehicles. The fee is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonAARP members. No tests or examinations are involved, course completion certificates are provided, and auto insurance discounts may apply. Here’s this month’s schedule:
The participants at the Fremont Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St. (Christensen Field), recently crowned Bill and Louise Mock as its 2014 King and Queen. “Bill and Louise are a big part of the center through their attendance, Tai Chi class participation, and their sweet and kind personalities,” said Laurie Harms, manager of the Dodge County facility. For more information on what’s going on at the Fremont Friendship Center in March, please see page 6.
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Saturday, March 8 Noon to 4 p.m. AARP Info Center 1941 S. 42nd St. Call 402-398-9568 to register
Friday, March 21 Noon to 4 p.m. Metro Comm. College 2909 Babe Gomez Ave. Class # AUAV-004N-71 Call 402-457-5231 to register
Tuesday, March 11 9 a.m.. to 1 p.m. Midlands Hospital 11111 S. 84th St. Call 1-800-253-4368 to register
Friday, March 28 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Metro Comm. College 829 N. 204th St. Class #: AUAV-004N-72 Call 402-457-5231 to register
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BBB warns consumers about new wireless telephone scam
Nature programs are aimed at older adults
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he Better Business Bureau is warning cell phone users about a new scam that can result in unauthorized charges appearing on their monthly wireless state-
ment. Consumers across the country report getting calls on their mobile phones during which the caller hangs up. This is being called the “one ring” scam because the perpetrators program their computers to blast out thousands of calls to random cell phone numbers, ring once, and then disconnect. “The objective is to make you curious about a call you missed and return it right away. When you call back the number missed, you are connected to a paid international adult entertainment service or chat line located outside the country,” said local BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty. Victims are subsequently billed not only for the incoming international call if they answer, but also the unwanted “premium service” which typically appears as a $19.95 charge. In some cases, the scammers may only put a small charge of several dollars so as not to arouse suspicion. The area codes that appear on the caller ID often originate from the Dominican Republic (809), Jamaica (876), British Virgin Islands (284), and Grenada (473). The practice of third parties placing unauthorized charges on wireless accounts is called “cramming.” The Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission have reviewed thousands of complaints about the practice and expect the problem to grow. The Better Business Bureau recommends if you don’t recognize an out-of-state telephone number on your caller ID, ignore it, and if you do answer, do not call back. Check your wireless bills carefully and inform your carrier if you spot any unauthorized charges. For more information, contact Hegarty at 402-968-7030.
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he Fontenelle Nature Association’s SUN (Seniors Understanding Nature) program offers activities for older adults the second Tuesday of each month at the Fontenelle Nature Center, 1111 Bellevue Blvd North. The programs, held from 9:45 to 11 a.m., feature an indoor program, an optional nature walk, and refreshments. The cost is $6 per person each month. For more information, please call Catherine Kuper at 402-731-3140, ext. 1019. Here are the programs: • March 11: Park ranger Blake Bell will share his insights on The Homestead Act & Immigration. • April 8: Retired meteorologist John Pollack on climate change. • May 20 (special date): Fontenelle Forest educator and geologist Debra Beck will discuss Nebraska geology. The schedule of programs will resume in September.
Traditional funding sources are making it more difficult for ENOA to fulfill its mission. Partnership opportunities are available to businesses and individuals wanting to help us. These opportunities include volunteering, memorials, honorariums, gift annuities, and other contributions.
I would like to become a partner with the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, and help fulfill your mission with older adults.
ENOA
$30 = 7 meals or 1.75 hours of in-home homemaker services or 1 bath aide service for frail older adults. $75 = 17 meals or 4.75 hours of in-home homemaker services or 4 bath aide services for frail older adults. $150 = 35 meals or 9.5 hours of in-home homemaker services or 8 bath aide services for frail older adults. $300 = 70 meals or 19.25 hours of in-home homemaker services or 16 bath aide services for frail older adults. Other amount (please designate)__________________________ Please contact me. I would like to learn more about how to include the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging in my estate planning. Please ma il with thisyofour donation rm to: Eas
tern Office oNebraska n Aging Address:___________________________________ Attention : Jef Name:_____________________________________
City:______________State:_____ Zip: __________ Phone:____________________________________
4223 Ce f Reinhardt Omaha, nter Street NE 6810 5-2431 (402
) 444-665
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Expert has advice for gardening your way to a healthier lifestyle By Melinda Myers
D kitchen door.
on’t let a lack of time or space get in the way of gardening your way to a healthier lifestyle. Plant a container of nutritious vegetables and herbs. Include a few planters on the front porch, back patio, or right outside the
All that’s needed is some potting mix, fertilizer, plants, and a container with drainage holes. A 15 to 24-inch diameter pot or 24 to 36-inch long window box is a good starting size. Bigger containers hold more plants and moisture longer, so they can be watered less frequently. Check containers daily and water thoroughly as needed. Self-watering pots need less frequent watering, allowing busy gardeners and travelers the opportunity to grow plants in pots with minimal care. Fill the container with a well-drained potting mix. Read the label on the container mix bag. Add a slow release organic nitrogen fertilizer at planting for better results with less effort. It provides small amounts of nutrients throughout most of the season and eliminates the need to mix and water in fertilizer throughout the growing season. Sprinkle a bit more on the soil surface midseason or when changing your plantings. Mix colorful flowers with nutritious vegetables for attractive, healthy results. Bright Lights Swiss Chard, pansies (their flowers are edible), colorful leaf lettuce, spinach, radishes, and trailing ivy make a great cool season combination. Fresh-from-the-container-garden vegetables make the best tasting salads and the greens provide Vitamins A and C as well as calcium. Use the pansy flowers to dress up a salad or frozen in ice cubes for an added gourmet touch to beverages. For summer use a tomato, pepper, eggplant, peas, beans, and cucumbers trained on a trellis. All are packed full of nutrients and make a great vertical accent. Surround the towering vegetables with purple basil, tri-color sage, carrots, beets, and a colorful trailing annual like verbena, lantana, or bidens. Don’t forget to squeeze in a few onions or garlic. The fragrant foliage can be decorative and these vegetables help lower blood sugar and cholesterol, while aiding in digestion. So be creative and add a few small-scale, attractive vegetables high in nutritional value to a variety of containers this season. (Myers is gardening expert, TV/radio host, author, and columnist.)
S e l l Yo u r H o u s e “As Is,” At a Fair Price, On the Date of Your Choice !!!! • We use private funds so we can close fast. • You don’t have to do any repairs. • Move when you want. • Leave any or all of your stuff. • No Commissions or Fees. We pay Closing Costs. Call Today for a Free Report: (402)-291-5005 or www.7DaysCash.com The Sierra Group LLC / We are a Professional Home Buying Company BBB Member Member of The Sierra Group LLC is a licensed real estate agent
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Tips to help you achieve financial independence
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By Rick Rodgers ow’s a great time to make some positive changes in your financial life. While Americans are good at creating resolutions, we often find them difficult to keep. We resolve to lose weight, save money, or end bad habits, but few of us stick with those plans for long. If your goal is to be financially independent, and it should be, you need to make some changes in 2014 that you’ll stick with for the rest of your life. Here are a few suggestions for small resolutions that can have a significant impact on your financial future: • Spend less than you earn. If you take home $1,000 per week, you cannot spend more than $1,000 per week. That seems simple, but a survey released by Bankrate. com in 2013 found 76 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Resolve to live on a budget that’s below your means. You’ll never be able to out-earn your capacity to spend, so get your spending under control this year. • Credit cards are a last resort. Spending less than you earn will cause your savings to grow. The savings account will be there when the car breaks down or the washing machine goes out, so you don’t have to turn to credit to handle the emergency. Most Americans aren’t prepared financially for any type of unexpected financial burden. Your goal should be to have three to six months of living expenses set aside in a liquid account for emergencies. • Invest for financial independence. This isn’t the same as saving for retirement. The goal here is to get to the point financially where you no longer have to work to support yourself. Set aside some of the money you’ve worked for today. Allow it to accumulate and grow so one day that money will be working for you. Start by controlling spending so you have money to save and invest. Continue the process until the return on your investments exceeds what you earn by working. Financial independence gives you the
freedom to choose to continue working, change jobs, work part-time, or not at all. It’s the ultimate financial goal. • Pay less in taxes. Anyone looking for a place to cut expenses might start with their own tax return. Too many Americans pay more taxes than they should. Take advantage of tax retirement accounts through work and health savings accounts if they’re offered. There are tax credits available for children, higher education, dependent care, and retirement savings. Many of these credits go unclaimed each year. Resolve to minimize your income taxes this year and put the savings into your new financial plan. • Make a plan. Baseball great Yogi Berra said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you wind up someplace else.” This is especially true if you want to be financially independent. You need a short-term financial plan for controlling spending -- a budget. You also need a long-term plan that establishes the level of savings you maintain, a plan to get out of debt, and an investment plan that will take you to financial independence. The plan becomes your road map. There will be detours along the way; your goals and plan will need adjusting as you progress in life. Keep working at it. Don’t be distracted by outside influences you can’t control. You don’t want to get to the end of your working career only to find you haven’t saved enough money to maintain your lifestyle and you still have a mortgage on your home. Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Financial independence may seem like a thousand miles now, but starting the journey in 2014 is taking the first step. Resolve to save something from every paycheck this year. Keep increasing it until you’re saving at least 10 percent of your pay. (Rodgers is a Certified Financial Planner and president of Rodgers & Associates in Lancaster, Pa.)
Retired fed employees meet at Omaha eatery
Older adults needed to help UNO grad student
The National Association of Retired Federal Employees’ Chapter 144 meets the first Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Amazing Pizza Machine, 13955 S Plz. For more information, please call 402-333-6460.
incent Marasco, a master’s graduate research assistant in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, is looking for older adults to assist him with his master’s thesis research project. Participants will be compensated for their time. The study will examine how men and women over age 65 enter into intimate relationships with other people. The in-person interviews, which will be audio recorded, will take approximately 20 minutes. For more information, please contact Marasco at 402-554-3223 or vmarasco@unomaha.edu.
The National Association of Retired Federal Employees’ Aksarben Chapter 1370 meets the second Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Amazing Pizza Machine, 13955 S Plz. For more information, please call 402-392-0624.
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Omaha FD can install free smoke, carbon monoxide detectors
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he Omaha Fire Department’s Public Education and Affairs Department is available to install free smoke and/ or carbon monoxide detectors inside the residences of area homeowners. To have a free smoke and/ or carbon monoxide detector installed inside your home, send your name, address, and telephone number to: Omaha Fire Department Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Requests 10245 Weisman Dr. Omaha, NE 68134 For more information, please call 402-444-3560.
March 2014
Powerful Tools for Caregivers Partnerships in Aging – in collaboration with the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging – will offer a free class series this spring developed at Stanford University’s Patient Education Center. This class series titled Powerful Tools for Caregivers is devoted to teaching the art of self-care to caregivers of individuals with chronic health concerns and/or disabilities. During the six-week course, participants discover how to thrive as individuals while managing caregiving responsibilities. Data from evaluations taken by caregivers who have completed the class series indicates significant improvement in behaviors; increased exercise, use of relaxation techniques and health self-care; improved emotions including reduced anger, guilt, and depression; increased selfefficacy; and increased use of community services. This program is being offered to family caregivers of persons age 55 and older living with a chronic health concern and/or disability. It’s recommended that participants attend all six sessions, as the sessions build on one another. The series of classes will be held on Wednesdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23, and April 30 at a Benson-area location to be determined. Financial assistance for cost of respite care and/or the cost of transportation to and from the meetings will be offered on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate. Please register by March 12 by calling Janet Miller or Elizabeth Chentland at 402-996-8444 or by sending an e-mail to echentland@gmail.com.
Book reviews The Eclectic Book Review Club will continue its next series of book reviews at noon on Tuesday, March 18. The monthly series is held at noon at the Omaha Field Club, 3915 Pacific St. Here’s the remaining spring 2014 schedule: • March 18: The Omaha World-Herald’s Steve Jordon on The Oracle & Omaha. • April 15: UN-Lincoln English professor Mary Stillwell on The Life and Poetry of Ted Kooser. • May 20: Omaha South High School principal Cara Riggs on Hope in Urban Schools: Love Stories. The cost for the review and lunch is $13 per month. For reservations – which must be made by the Monday prior to the event – please call 402-553-3147. Law Offices of Charles E. Dorwart 31 years of legal experience • Wills • Living Trusts • Probate • Healthcare and Financial Powers of Attorney • In Home Consultations • Free Initial Consultation 440 Regency Parkway Drive • Suite 139 Omaha, NE 68114 Office: (402) 558-1404 • Fax: (402) 779-7498 Cdorwartjd@aol.com
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Do your homework before buying a new vehicle Eating well can be a major factor in improving your heart’s health
By Jen Vogt While we can’t help but think of keeping our heart emotionally healthy, it’s also important to keep our heart physically healthy. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news is that cardiovascular health is largely in our control. Eating well plays a large role in improving heart health.
Some experts suggest capping your new vehicle payment at no more than 20 percent of your monthly take home pay.
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pring is one of the busiest times of the year to purchase a new car. While driving your vehicle off the lot can be exhilarating, many consumers wonder if they bought the right car at the best price. For those looking to add a new automobile, there are a few factors to consider.
Car buying is fun when you know exactly what you want, how much it will cost, and how you’re going to pay for it. The best way to make sure you’re getting the most for your money is by conducting a little research before starting the buying process. After all, car buying is fun when you know exactly what you want, how much it will cost, and how you’re going to pay for it. Here are a few things to consider before you step on to a car lot. • Figure out what you can afford: Buying a new car can be one of the biggest purchases most people ever make. Some experts suggest capping your car payment at no more than 20 percent of your monthly take home pay. • Narrow your choices: Although a
sporty two-seater might be the perfect choice for a single driver, families might be equally thrilled with a brand new crossover or sedan. When looking for a car, write down what’s important to you. Consider such things as seating capacity, gas mileage, safety, and performance. Armed with this list, you’ll be able to narrow down your choice to that perfect set of new wheels. • Get the best deal: Any major purchase requires keeping an eye on the bottom line. Follow the automotive section of your local newspaper or get on the Internet to find the best sales. You should also look for incentives and rebates to lower the car’s cost. • Explore your options: Few aspects of the car buying process are more fun than looking at all the bells and whistles. Luxurious upholstery, power locks, remote keyless entry, and heated mirrors are some conveniences many new car owners wouldn’t want to live without. Others may covet DVD systems, high-tech audio equipment, satellite radio, hands-free phones, or navigation systems built into the dash. Make a list of your must-haves. Before you step onto the showroom floor, it’s important to know exactly what kind of car you need, how much you want to spend, and what options you consider necessities. Armed with this knowledge, you can then negotiate the best price and ride off in the car or truck of your dreams. (Family Features provided this information.)
When it rains, snows, or the weather is freezing, what happens to your social life?
New Cassel Retirement Center It’s Truly a Place to Call Home!
§ 3 Delicious Meals Daily § § Transportation Available § § Wellness, Recreation & Activities § § 24-Hour Health Services § § Free Wi-Fi / Computer Lab §
Daily Mass & Rosary Weekly Inter-Faith Service Weekly Housekeeping Safe & Secure Environment Gift Shop / Beauty Salon
Call (402) 393-2277/ 900 North 90th Street Omaha, NE 68114 / www.newcassel.org Sponsored by the School Sisters of Saint Francis
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March 2014
Use these simple steps next time you shop to fill your grocery cart with foods that will help keep you healthy and vital for as long as possible: • Buy colorful fruits and vegetables: They’re low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Check your basket before you check out to make sure you have fruits and vegetables in every color of the rainbow. • Avoid high fat dairy or meat: Look for skinless cuts of meat with the least amount of visible fat. Any ground meat should have less than 20 percent fat. Your dairy products should also be 2 percent reduced fat or less. The one fatty food you should buy more of (at least two servings per week) is fatty fish such as salmon or trout. • Pick up plenty of nuts and high fiber foods: Fiber can help lower cholesterol and keep you feeling full. You can find fiber in fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grain breads, cereals, and nuts. • Read nutrition labels: When making healthy food and drink changes, it’s important to see what you’ll be putting into your body. Research has shown that people who read nutrition labels tend to be slimmer than those who don’t. • Don’t overlook frozen or canned fruits and vegetables: The most important thing is to have healthy foods readily available when you’re hungry. Frozen produce has the same health benefits as fresh and is often a great way to cut costs at the grocery store. Canned products can offer similar benefits, as long as you’re selecting ones that are unsweetened or unsalted. Eating for heart health can seem overwhelming, but don’t get discouraged. Talk with your doctor for more information and to get his or her suggestions. Make it a point to incorporate small changes, a little at a time, and soon the whole family will be eating better and significantly reducing their risk for heart disease. (Vogt is with Midwest Geriatrics, Inc. in Omaha.)
Omaha World Adventurers’ film will take viewers on a scenic tour of Russia on Tuesday, March 25 Experience a spectacular voyage through the heart of Russia along its scenic and historic waterways on Tuesday, March 25 as filmmaker Clint Denn presents Cruising Russia – St. Petersburg to Moscow as part of the Omaha World Adventurers’ film series. Show times for the 80-minutes long Cruising Russia – St. Petersburg to Moscow are 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Village Point Theaters, 304 N. 174th St. Denn – winner of a Travel Adventure Cinema Society Hall of Fame award – will take armchair travelers along the Neva River, across two of Europe’s largest lakes, Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega, down the Volga-Baltic Waterway, and on the exciting Volga River. St. Petersburg holds the fascination of a time past. Created by Peter the Great to be his “window on Europe,” it’s considered to be the cultural heart of modern Russia. Cruise the canals and visit Peterhof. Visits to small towns and the enchanting Golden Ring cities of Yaroslavl, Kostroma, and Uglich provide unique opportunities to delve into Russian culture. In Yaroslavl, visit the
Do
you
about
Viewers can “travel” on Russia’s waterways March 25 at the Village Point Theaters, 304 N. 174th St. Transfiguration Monastery Church of Elyjah the Prophet. In Kostroma, explore the delightful Museum of Wooden Architecture. In picturesque Uglich, the Transfiguration Cathedral is a reverent and historic stop. A stop in Moscow brings a chance to experience the grandeur of Red Square and the Kremlin. It’s a city of contrasts, with modern skyscrapers alongside
ancient monasteries. Beautiful churches and historic buildings are being restored to their former glory. The changing economy is bustling and offers exciting shops and street markets to explore. Tickets to the film, which can be purchased at the door, are $13. For more information, please call RJ Enterprises at 866-385-3824.
?
have questions
aging services
in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, or Washington counties? Log on to
Diabetic foot care, healthcare screenings are available to residents of Cass, Sarpy counties The Sarpy/Cass Department of Health & Wellness is offering low-cost diabetic foot care and basic healthcare screenings for residents of Sarpy and Cass counties. For $5, individuals can receive a blood pressure check, weight screening, diabetic foot care, toenail trimming, and health information from a registered nurse. Here’s the clinic schedule: • Bellevue Senior Center: Fourth Thursday, 1 to 3 p.m. • Eagle Senior Center: Second Tuesday, 10 a.m. to noon. • Louisville Senior Center: First Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon. • Papillion Senior Center: Third Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon. • Plattsmouth Community Center: Third Monday, 9 to 11 a.m. • The Sarpy/Cass Department of Health & Wellness: Third Friday, 8 to 10 a.m. To make an appointment, please call Nicole Evans at 402-339-4334, ext. 209.
We want to hear from
you!
• Do you have questions about the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, its programs or services? • Do you have a comment about the agency and how it serves older adults in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties? • Maybe you have a story idea for the New Horizons?
Send your questions,comments, story ideas, etc. to
DHHS.ENOA@nebraska.gov We appreciate your interest in ENOA and the New Horizons.
enoa.org
The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Web site includes information about: • • • • • • • • • • •
Bath aides Care management Chore services Community education Durable medical equipment Emergency food pantry Emergency response systems ENOA facts and figures ENOA Library ENOA senior centers Grandparent Resource Center
24 hours a day, • Homemakers 7 days a week! • Information & assistance telephone lines • Intergeneration Orchestra of Omaha • Legal services • Meals on Wheels • Medicaid Waiver • New Horizons • Nutrition counseling
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Ombudsman advocates Respite care Respite Resource Center Rural transportation Senior Care Options Senior employment Support of adult day facilities • Volunteer opportunities
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Free income tax preparation offered at five VITA sites in the Omaha area
Assistive technology
Conservationist Corwin’s presentation to highlight Nebraska Science Festival
Free income tax preparation by highly trained local volunteers and a free online site that provides self-filers a safe and easy way to do it themselves will be available in the Omaha area this year. The Omaha Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition will oversee five Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) preparation centers, administered by Family Housing Advisory Services and funded through United Way of the Midlands and the Walmart Foundation. Certain VITA neighborhood filing centers will also offer a full range of additional services and opportunities, including screenings for public benefits and prescription drug savings and free financial education seminars. More information can be found by dialing 211 or by visiting www.uwmidlands.org/taxes or www.fhasinc.org. Most Omaha area residents who earn $58,000 or less will also have the opportunity to prepare their own taxes using an online program offered through a collaboration of United Way and the Walmart Foundation. The site, www.MyFreeTaxes.com/uwmomaha, can be accessed from any Internet-enabled computer. Most of the local VITA preparation sites will have computers set up for those who prefer to file their own taxes but want the extra support.
Older adults may notice gradual changes in their hearing, memory, vision, and mobility that could create the need for assistive technology. Some of these older men and women may need a cane, a scooter, a listening device, or a lighted magnifier. One way to learn more about obtaining assistive technology equipment is by logging on to at4all.com, a free online service that lists and can help you find these devices in Nebraska. The service can help consumers: • Borrow and try the equipment before buying. • Buy used and/or free equipment. • List items they want to share or sell. For more information, please call Assistive Technology Partnerships at (toll free) 1-888-806-6287.
Animal Planet host and leading conservationist Jeff Corwin will headline the 2014 Nebraska Science Festival on April 25. The Nebraska Science Festival – scheduled for April 24 to 27 at a variety of sites in Omaha and Lincoln – will feature an array of science and technology-related activities. Presented by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska Science Festival is a collaboration of organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy. The Science Festival is designed to make science accessible and fun for kids and adults alike.
A biologist and award-winning television host, Jeff Corwin will be in Omaha on April 25. Corwin’s April 25 appearance will be held at the Witherspoon Concert Hall at the Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. His 7:30 p.m. presentation is free to the public (although it requires a ticket for admission) and is suitable for persons ages 12 and older. While tickets for the general admission seating to Corwin’s presentation were released on Feb. 22 on a firstcome, first-served basis, any remaining tickets will be distributed on Saturday, March 1 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the museum. Check nescifest.com and the NE SciFest Facebook page to see if any tickets remain. An Emmy-winning television host, author, and biologist, Corwin has worked for the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems around the globe. For nearly 20 years, Corwin has produced and hosted a variety of popular television series broadcasts. He is also the executive producer and host of the award-winning weekly series, Ocean Mysteries airing weekends on ABC. Each week on Ocean Mysteries, Corwin opens viewers’ eyes to stories beneath our oceans. Corwin has launched Jeff Corwin’s Explorer Series, which consists of interactive, multi-media e-books focusing on wildlife. He also is the author of Living on the Edge: Amazing Relationships in the Natural World. (The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Public Relations Department provided this information.)
Maplewood Estates
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Call: 12801 Spaulding Plaza www.maplewoodestatesonline.com Omaha, NE 68164
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Knowing the differences between climate, weather
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t’s tempting to think the cold air and snow outside indicate the end of global warming, but don’t rejoice yet. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, weather and climate are two very different beasts. Weather is what’s happening outside the door right now; today a snowstorm or a thunderstorm may be approaching. Climate, on the other hand, is the pattern of weather measured over several
average temperatures have risen by 1.4 degrees overall since the early 20th century. According to Becky Oskin of LiveScience.com, shrinking polar ice caps as a result of global warming in recent decades are one factor that may be contributing to the cold weather in North America this winter. “One way the shrinking ice changes weather is by pushing winter air south,” she reports. “When the stored ocean heat gradually
Hotter air around the globe causes more moisture to be present and leads to heavier snowfall totals. decades. Isolated weather events and even seasonal trends are not an indication of global warming’s existence one way or another, and most climatologists agree the carbon pollution we have been spewing into the atmosphere for the past century is leading to more frequent and intense storms of every kind and causing greater temperature swings all around the planet. In short, a harsh winter shouldn’t be viewed as a refutation of global warming, but rather as further evidence of a growing problem. “There is a clear longterm global warming trend. Each year does not always show a temperature increase relative to the previous year, and some years show greater changes than others,” reports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency chalks up these year-to-year fluctuations to natural processes such as El Niño or volcanic eruptions, but points out that, regardless, the 20 warmest years on record have occurred since 1981, while the 10 warmest were in the past 12 years. Global
escapes in autumn, it changes the pattern of an atmospheric wind called the polar vortex, streaming frigid Arctic air into North America and Europe.” Meanwhile, a 2012 study by researchers Jennifer Francis and Stephen Vavrus concluded that intense warming in the Arctic has caused changes to the jet stream that regulates air circulation around the planet, potentially leading to stronger winter storms hitting the eastern seaboard of the U.S. And what about all that snow? “Hotter air around the globe causes more moisture to be held in the air than in prior seasons,” reports the Union of Concerned Scientists. “When storms occur, this added moisture can fuel heavier precipitation in the form of more intense rain or snow,” the report reads. The U.S. is already enduring more intense rain and snowstorms, says this group of scientists. “The amount of rain or snow falling in the heaviest 1 percent of storms has risen nearly 20 percent, averaged nationally—almost three times the rate of increase in total precipitation between 1958 and 2007.”
The New Horizons is brought to you each month by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.
Some regions of the country have seen as much as a 67 percent increase in the amount of rain or snow falling in the heaviest storms. Oskin points out that while we may be bundling up and shoveling out in the United States, there has been another scorcher of a summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Looking back, 2013 was Australia’s hottest year on record, and 2014 has started off even hotter, with temperatures soaring to 125 degrees and severe fire warnings issued in at least two states. (EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E The Environmental Magazine.
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Moving, refelting, assemble, repair, tear down. Used slate tables. We pay CASH for slate pool tables.
Buying or selling? Use the New Horizons CLASSIFIEDS!
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Best & honest prices paid for: Old jewelry, furniture, glassware, Hummels, knick-knacks, old hats & Februar purses, dolls, old toys, quilts, linens, buttons, pottery, etc. Also buying estates & partial estates. Call Bev at 402-339-2856
PAID THRO March 2013
402-996-8444 or echentland@gmail.com Thelma,Tree Trimming deFreese Here’s your ad for the classified section for the March issue. Since we wa Senior Citizens (62+) Manor Beat the find a good home for Brutus, there will be no charge for this ad. My co-w Accepting applications for Subsidized housing for falling andflakes! she recommends http://rottweiler.rescueme.org/Ne HUD-subsidized apartments incues grey hounds age 62 and over Papillion & Bellevue. Rent determined If you have any questions, please call methose @ 402-444-4148. Chipping & removal. with incomes under $25,550 (1 person) or $29,200 (two persons)
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2669 Dodge Omaha, NE 402-345-0622
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Rottweiler to good rural home Unable to keep my 2 1/2 yr. old neutered male due to change of living arrangement. House broken, sleeps by my bed, rides in my vehicle. Likes adults, too playful for little children. Not good with other dogs. All shots and license are current. He needs space to run and play. Call Brutus at 402-359-1254! I would also like to be informed of his well being from time to time.
Please call 402-359-1254
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A few simple things you can do around the house to lower your monthly energy bills
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veryone wants to save money these days, and homeowners are no exception. To reduce the cost of monthly energy bills, many are taking on small, budget friendly, do-it-yourself projects that provide big savings down the road. With a few simple tips, you can easily make a home comfortable regardless of the season while also greatly reducing utility costs. In
fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, homeowners can typically save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs, or up to 10 percent of their total energy costs just by properly air sealing their homes and adding insulation. Here are a few tips to get your home properly sealed so you can see the energy savings as soon as possible: • Seal your ducts, both
• Quality living at an affordable price • Licensed nurse and certified staff on duty 24 hours a day • Located in scenic downtown Omaha
supply and return. In most homes, about 20 percent of the air moving through the duct system is lost because of poorly connected ducts, holes, and leaks. Signs include rooms that are tough to cool or heat; ducts are located in an unfinished basement, garage, or crawl area; or you have high energy bills. The use of a sealant, such as the DAP 3.0 Window, Door, Trim, & Side High
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Using a sealant is a simple and cost-effective way to fix leaky ducts and windows in your home. Performance Sealant, is a cost-effective solution for fixing leaky ducts in your home. • Inspect your roof. Be sure to give your roof a thorough inspection. Check for loose shingles that can lead to water damage and rot. Also, be sure to seal any gaps around gables, flashing, and chimneys. • Foam seal exterior wall penetrations. Check to see that all exterior wall penetrations such as lights, doorbells, hose spigots, and dryer vents are properly
Your home.Your care.Your pace.
Your home is best and Immanuel Pathways’ goal is to help you continue living in your home as long as possible. Our program provides a complete system of health care. The service is called PACE, which stands for: Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. We provide primary and hospital care as well as prescription drugs, adult day services, transportation and so much more to our participants. Services are provided in the home, at the PACE Center and in the community. For complete program details and benefits, please call 402-991-0330.
5755 Sorensen Parkway | Omaha, NE 68152 | www.immanuelpathways.org PACE participants may be fully and personally liable for the costs of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program services. Emergency services are covered. Participants may disenroll at any time.
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March 2014
sealed to ensure maximum energy efficiency. • Seal attic penetrations. Gaps around house fans, attic access doors, exhaust fans, and light fixtures send warm air right up into your cold attic, so make sure these areas are properly sealed. • Seal rim joists in the basement. If you have a basement, using an elastomeric sealant or foam sealant around the rim joist is one of the best ways to weather seal your home. A foam sealant such as the DAPtex Plus Multi-Purpose Foam Sealant, will fill and seal any large cracks, gaps, or voids. For more information, visit www.dap.com. • Fill gaps between the basement and living spaces. This can be checked by going into the basement and looking up at where the bathtub is on the floor above. If you can see the bottom of the tub, you’re paying good money just to condition the air on the bottom of your bathtub. Seal it up with foamboard and a recommended foamboard sealant. Investing a little time and money on properly sealing your home now can mean a big return on your heating and cooling bills down the line. (Family Features provided this information.)