New Horizons April 2019

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A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging

April 2019 VOL. 44 • NO. 4

ENOA 4780 South 131st Street Omaha, NE 68137-1822

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389

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New Horizons old • er 74 adul ts since 19

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Jazz After decades entertaining jazz lovers in New York City’s clubs, theaters, and cabarets, Paul Serrato returned home to Omaha where the pianist, composer, and arranger continues to delight audiences with a musical style described as “sweet, gorgeous piano.”

Leo Adam Biga profiles Serrato on pages 8 and 9.

Welcome Anselmo Gonzalez at the grand opening of the Intercultural

.

Author Clara Vugteveen (AKA Lila Dove) has written a book

Senior Center at

based on her life

5545 Center St.

titled, You Too!

See page 2.

See page 16.

.

Camelot Friendship Center

ISC, participants settle into new location

You’re invited to visit the Camelot Friendship Center inside the Camelot Community Center, 9270 Cady Ave., this month for the following: • April 1: Happy April Fool’s Day. Bring in your best prank, riddle, or joke to share with everyone.

• April 8 & 29: Word search @ 10:15 a.m.

• April 9: Music by Joyce Torchia sponsored by the Merrymakers @ 11:45 a.m.

• April 10: Birthday party.

• April 11: Book Club @ 10:15 a.m.

• April 12: Senior Council meeting @ 12:15 p.m.

• April 24: Westroads walk or journaling @ 10:15 a.m.

On May 1, attend Camelot’s annual tea. Be sure to make your reservations as soon as possible.

The center is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. A $4 contribution is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the meal you wish to enjoy.

Regular center activities include chair volleyball, Tai Chi, bingo, art classes, and card games.

For meals reservations or more information, please call 402-444-3091.

Charles E. Dorwart Govier, Katskee, Suing, & Maxell, PC, LLO 37 years of legal experience • Wills • Living Trusts • Probate • Healthcare and Financial Powers of Attorney • Medicaid Planning • In-home consultations • Free Initial consultation 10404 Essex Court • Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 Office: (402) 558-1404 or (402) 391-1697 chuck@katskee.com

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espite battling another rainy day on the heels of a seemingly never-ending winter; smiles, laughter, and a whole lot of pride filled the 22,000 square feet at the grand opening last month of the Intercultural Senior Center (ISC), 5545 Center St. The ISC is a nonprofit organization that serves older adults, many of whom are immigrants and refugees from 25 counties around the world, according to Center Manager Carolina Padilla.

The organization creates a welcome, supportive environment for these older men and women.

Supported by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, which provides the weekday meals – the ISC outgrew its previous rented location in South Omaha. The new site was built thanks to a $6.2 million capital campaign.

Financial support for the new ISC was led by Katie Weitz, PhD., and included major gifts from several private foundations and donors, as well as funds from older adults who regularly

April 2019

Susana Hernandez (left) and Francisca Trujillo were among the guests at the ISC’s grand opening.

attend the facility.

The structure – all on one level – features space for drive-in access to allow the boarding and de-boarding of participants, adequate parking, green areas, and classes in Spanish, English as a Second Language, art, basic literacy, citizenship, and health and wellness.

Other services offered at the new ISC include transportation, meals served weekdays from 11:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., support groups, a monthly food pantry, and cultural music.

For more information, please call 402-444-6529 or visit interculturalseniorcenter.org.

AARP shredding event set for May 11 at Center Mall

City of Omaha community centers

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en and women age 75 and older are encouraged to use the City of Omaha’s community recreation centers at no cost for open gym, weightlifting, open and lap swimming, aquacise, and ice skating.

For more information, please call 402444-4228.

Tai Chi classes are offered at the following locations and times:

• Adams Park 3230 John Creighton Blvd.

Mondays & Wednesdays 9:15 a.m.

• Camelot 9270 Cady Ave. Tuesdays & Fridays 10:30 a.m.

The Nebraska AARP Information Center is sponsoring a paper shredding event on Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Center Mall, 1941 S. 42nd St. Members of the community are encouraged to drop off bags or small boxes of paper documents which volunteers can lift from the cars and place into the shredding truck.

Participants – who should enter the mall’s top level 40th Street parking lot – are also asked to bring coffee, creamer, and sugar packs which will be donated to the Stephen Center.

In September 2018, AARP served more than 1,000 vehicles during its four-hour paper shredding event.

To learn more, please call 402-398-9568.

Omaha Festival of Music

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he Omaha Festival of Music, featuring the Nebraska Brass Band, pianist Dr. Denis Plutalov, the Lib• Florence erty Middle School Choir, and the Omaha 2920 Bondesson Ave. Community Adult Choir is scheduled for Mondays & Wednesdays Back to June 30 in 2020.Sunday, May 5 at 4 p.m.

10:30 a.m.

The concert will be held at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 15050 W. Maple • Montclair Rd. 2304 S. 135th Ave. While a free-will offering will be taken, Thursdays free tickets are available at 402-704-NEBB 8:30 a.m. or nebraskabrassband.com.

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Return homestead exemption applications by July 1

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 2019 forms and a household income statement must be completed and returned to the county assessor’s office by July 1, 2019.

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, 2019, the home’s owner/occupant through Aug. 15, 2019, and fall within the income guidelines shown below.

Certain homeowners who have a disability, are developmentally disabled, are totally disabled war veterans, or the widow(er) of a totally disabled war veteran – including those who have remarried after age 57 – 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.

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he Douglas County Assessor/Register of Deeds’ 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 Volunteers Assisting Seniors (see page 15) at 402-444-6617.

Here are the numbers for the local assessor’s offices: Douglas: 402-444-7060, option #2; Sarpy: 402-593-2122; Dodge: 402-727-3911; Cass: 402-296-9310; and Washington: 402-426-6800.

Household income table Over age 65 married income

Over age 65 single income

Exemption %

0 - $34,400.99 $34,401 - $36,300.99 $36,301 - $38,100.99 $38,101 - $40,000.99 $40,001 - $41,900.99 $41,901 - $43,700.99 $43,701 - $45,600.99 $45,601 - $47,400.99 $47,401 - $49,300.99 $49,301 - $51,100.99 $51,101 and over

0 to $29,300.99 $29,301 - $30,800.99 $30,801 - $32,400.99 $32,401 - $33,900.99 $33,901 - $35,400.99 $35,401 - $36,900.99 $36,901 - $38,500.99 $38,501 - $40,000.99 $40,001 - $41,500.99 $41,501 - $43,100.99 $43,101 and over

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

April 2019

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, 4780 S. 131st Street, Omaha, NE 68137-1822.

Phone 402-444-6654. FAX 402-444-3076.

E-mail: jeff.reinhardt@nebraska.gov 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 ENOA Board of Governors: Mary Ann Borgeson, Douglas County, chairperson; Lisa Kramer, Washington County, vice-chairperson; Janet McCartney, Cass County, secretary; David Saalfeld, Dodge County, & Jim Warren, Sarpy 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.

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Learn the facts about heart disease

Dora Bingel Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Dora Bingel Senior Center, 923 N. 38th St., this month for the following: • April 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29: Al-Anon meeting @ 7 p.m.

• April 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, & 26: Ceramics @ 9 a.m.

• April 3, 10, 17, & 24: Tai Chi @ 11 a.m.

• April 3: Holy Communion served @ 10 a.m.

• April 11: Book Club @ 10 a.m.

• April 17: The Merrymakers present music by Joe Taylor @11:30 a.m. Lunch is $3.

• April 24: Birthday party luncheon @ noon. Eat free if you have an April birthday.

• April 26: Hard of Hearing Support Group meeting @ 10:30 a.m.

Lunch is served on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

A $1 donation is suggested for the meals, other than $3 for Merrymakers.

Round-trip transportation is available for $3.

Reservations are required 24 hours in advance for all meals.

Other activities offered at the facility include: Tuesday: Joy Club devotions @ 10 a.m., matinee @ 12:30 p.m., and quilting @1 p.m. Wednesday: Devotions at 10:30 a.m., bingo @ 12:30 p.m., and Bible study @ 12:30 p.m. Friday: Bingo @ 12:30 p.m.

For more information, please call 402-898-5854.

Ralston Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Ralston Senior, 7301 Q St., this month for the following: • April 1: Korean Community Activity from noon to 3 p.m.

• April 9: Bus trip to WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa.

The bus leaves @ 7:30 a.m. and returns around 4 p.m. The cost is $5. Call Dorothy @ 402-553-4874 for reservations.

• April 10: Board meeting @ 10 a.m. Contact a board member if you have any questions.

• April 11 & 25: Line dancing @ 10 a.m. Bingo @ 1 p.m.

• April 24: The Merrymakers present music by John Worsham @ noon.

Other activities include exercise on Tuesday and Friday @ 10 a.m.

On May 2, volunteers will be available to help older adults file their 2019 homestead exemption applications.

Lunch is catered in on Wednesdays. A $4.50 contribution is requested. Reservations are due by noon the Tuesday before the meal you wish to enjoy. Call Diane @ 402-8858895 for reservations.

The handicapped-accessible facility can be used for weddings, memorial services, reunions, etc. on weekends.

The center will be closed on any day the Ralston Public Schools are closed due to the weather.

For more information, please call Diane West @ 402339-4926.

REHAB, RENEW AND

Return Home

While 7 out of 10 Americans acknowledge heart disease as the number one killer of men and women, a survey conducted by MDVIP and Ipsos finds people still worry more about cancer (62 percent) than a heart attack (55 percent).

A staggering 62 percent of Americans failed the Heart Attack IQ quiz, proving a concerning lack of knowledge about heart disease, the risk factors, and prevention.

“The healthcare community has made important strides in raising public awareness about heart disease, yet our research shows a significant gap in how much people understand about the disease and their own risk for a heart attack,” said Dr. Andrea Klemes, MDVIP’s chief medical officer.

“Considering at least 80 percent of cardiac events are preventable, primary care physicians are a first line of defense in helping prevent and potentially reversing the disease through more comprehensive risk assessment, better education, and health coaching that together lead to long-term lifestyle changes in patients.”

The survey reveals many Americans are uncertain, if not ill-informed, about the risk factors for a heart attack and what increases a person’s odds for having coronary disease.

Most Americans (75 percent) don’t know a heart attack happens when a blood clot forms over a plaque lesion in the arteries. Threequarters of Americans aren’t aware most heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol levels.

High levels of cholesterol encourage the buildup of fatty deposits called plaque in the arteries, causing them to harden and narrow. When the plaque becomes unstable and ruptures, a blood clot HorizonAD-2010:HorizonAD-08 forms which leads to a heart

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www.seidler-seidler-law.com 10050 Regency Circle, Suite 525 Omaha, NE 68114-5705

Call 402-827-6000 for more information!

402-397-3801

OMAHASENIORCARE.ORG

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attack. Inflammation in the arteries is the trigger for a cardiovascular event.

Only 14 percent of American adults have had their inflammatory markers checked within the last year, while more than half (54 percent) have had their cholesterol levels checked during the same period.

Another common misconception found in the survey is that all fat is bad. In actuality: • More than half of Americans (52 percent) falsely believe people with heart disease should eat as little fat as possible, not taking into account the value of unsaturated fats in foods like salmon and nuts that can help reduce the risk of a heart attack.

• Americans also struggle with differentiating between bad fats. When presented a list of four foods (French fries, filet mignon, a scrambled egg, or one cup of ice cream), only 9 percent correctly identified the cup of ice cream, the highest in saturated fat, as the worst for cholesterol.

Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a key role in heart disease education and prevention, yet less than half of Americans (42 percent) say they’ve discussed their heart health with their PCP. Similarly, only 42 percent have been coached by their PCP on specific lifestyle habits including diet, exercise, and meditation to help prevent or manage heart disease.

“People don’t always consider lifestyle a part of medicine, but it is a discipline today that is proven to prevent or ‘undo’ multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease,” said Dr. Dean Ornish, founder and president of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute and best-selling author. His latest book is titled Undo It! (ornish.com).

“Changes to everyday choices regarding diet, exercise, stress management, and relationships are simple, but require proper guidance and ongoing support,” he said.

“Primary care physicians like those in the MDVIP network, who make lifestyle coaching an integral part of preventive care and have more time to spend with their patients, can have a major impact on improving the heart health and overall well-being of their patients.”

Only 26 percent of women are aware females have a lower chance of surviving a first heart attack compared to males. The survey also shows women lag behind men when it comes to heart disease knowledge and prevention.

• Only 31 percent of women (53 percent of men) have asked their primary care doctor for advice on how to manage or prevent heart disease.

• Only 55 percent of women (67 percent of men) say they’re knowledgeable about the risk factors for heart disease.

• Only 43 percent of women (56 percent of men) consider themselves well-informed when it comes to the best screening methods for heart disease.

“Whether you’re male, female, in your 30s or 90s, heart disease doesn’t discriminate. This is why people need to partner with a physician who will go beyond the basics to provide a more complete picture of their risk and put together an action plan that proactively addresses it,” Dr. Klemes said.

“Our outcome data on MDVIP members is black-andwhite proof that when doctors actually have time to work closely with patients and employ more advanced testing, they can identify risk earlier, take more preventive action, 2/4/10 8:00 AM Page 1 and keep them out of the hospital,” she added.

Delivering quality legal services since 1957.

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April 2019

Millard Senior Center

Keyhole surgery offers less pain, faster recovery

By Dr. Vinod K. Goel, Ph.D.

increase the surgery length and lead to mistakes. What surgeons need is imaging that Keyhole surgery – formally known as works with the natural human perception. minimally-invasive surgery – uses small Several companies have been working incisions or a needle puncture to insert tiny on improving surgical imaging to reduce or surgical instruments and devices. Someremove reliance on dyes and radiation while times cameras are attached to devices for producing a superior image quality to help complicated surgical procedures. This surgeons. type of surgery promises less pain, fewer Centerline Biomedical has developed complications, and faster recovery time for the proprietary Intra-Operative Positioning patients.

System (IOPS), which uses mathematiThese claims haven’t all been realized as cal algorithms and a safe electromagnetic quickly as hoped. However, there are excit- field to provide 3D color visualization and ing developments which will revolutionize real-time tracking of devices in minimally surgeries and bring many benefits to painvasive vascular surgeries. tients. Here are three: IOPS uses the latest in graphics and aug• Robotic-assisted surgeries: The poten- mented reality to provide a clear image for tial for robotically-assisted surgeries was a more intuitive operation. Surgeons can aprecognized nearly two decades ago. Leadply all their skills, intuition, and experience ing the field is Intuitive Surgical with its to the patient, rather than dedicating a lot of da Vinci robot. The system’s main benefit time and attention to interpreting the image. is its ability to offer enhanced control and • Predictive modeling and Artificial precision to surgeons.

Intelligence using big data: Intuition is an In the future, robots will do the “mechan- important tool for surgeons. In human beical” setup for the surgery autonomously. ings, intuition is our brain’s way of managThis means getting the right tools into the ing overwhelming amounts of data. The correct position in the patient’s body. It’ll more experienced the surgeon, the greater also be possible to use robotic surgery detheir training and experience, leading to betvices remotely from anywhere in the world. ter surgical intuition.

This could provide access to high-quality In the age of informatics, we can collect, surgeries to millions of people. analyze, and share that data and experience I expect these technologies to continue to to help surgeons make better decisions in develop and converge to create a robotics real time. suite that will provide control and precision, In surgery, data could offer useful inautomated setup, and remote operations, sights, particularly when formed into prewhile remaining as cost-effective as tradidictive models. New technology can, with tional surgeries. a high degree of accuracy, predict what will • Enhanced, real-time imaging: The happen if, for example, a surgeon inserts a current imaging “gold standard” for miniblood vessel stent. mally-invasive surgery is fluoroscopy. This In the operating rooms of the future, uses toxic contrast dyes and harmful x-ray surgeons will be able to ask their Artifical radiation. The other option is to use tiny Intelligence assistant the most likely outcameras mounted on the end of tube devices come of a particular action or procedure and that can be inserted by hand along with the get a highly-accurate, real-time response. surgical tools.

These three technologies are all creatBoth imaging solutions suffer from poor- ing exciting development that will benefit quality images. The human eyes and brain patients and help surgeons and hospitals haven’t evolved to intuitively interpret these provide the best care possible. kinds of poor images. Not only can this (Dr. Goel, Ph.D. is president of Centerbe incredibly tiring for the surgeon, it can line Biomedical, Inc.)

NARFE

THEOS

The National Active and 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 402-292-1156.

The National Active and 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 402-342-4351.

THEOS, a social organization for singles age 60 and older, meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at New Cassel, 900 N. 90th St. Older adults meet for a fun afternoon and to sign up for other activities throughout the month.

On April 8, enjoy Elvis impersonator Bill Chrastil.

For more information, please call 402-399-0759 or 402-393-3052.

Widowed Persons Group

The Disabled American Veterans need volunteers to drive veterans one day a week to and from the VA Medical Center, 4101 Woolworth Ave. in Omaha.

For more information, please contact Command Sergeant Major (retired) Lance Fouquet at 402-5051482 or sgmman1447@gmail.com.

The Widowed Persons Group of Omaha hosts a luncheon the third Monday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at Jericho’s Restaurant, 11732 W. Dodge Rd. For more information, please call 402-278-1731 or 402-493-0452.

Drivers needed

Elder Access Line

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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, homestead exemptions, collections, powers of attorney, Medicare, Medicaid, grandparent rights, and Section 8 housing.

The telephone number for the Elder Access Line is 402-827-5656 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 legalaidofnebraska.comEAL.

April 2019

You’re invited to visit the Millard Senior Center at Montclair, 2304 S. 135th Ave., this month for the following: • April 3: National Chocolate Mousse Day. • April 3: African dressmaking @ 9 a.m.

• April 4: Play chair volleyball with the Methodist College nursing students @ 9:30 a.m.

• April 5: Technology class with Mary Beth @ 9 a.m.

• April 9: Blood pressure checks @ 9:30 a.m.

• April 10: Board meeting @ 9:45 a.m.

• April 16: VNA presentation on weight loss @ 10:45 a.m.

• April 17: P.A.W.S. @ 10 a.m. Lunch with students.

• April 19: Treat day (Easter Bunny desserts).

• April 24: Thank Alex for all he does for us on Administrative Professionals Day. • April 26: Music by Tim Javorsky @ 10 a.m.

• April 30: Attend a movie at the Westwood Theatre.

Tai Chi on Monday @ 10 a.m. and Thursday @ 8:30 a.m.

The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lunch is served @ 11:30 a.m. A $4 donation is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the meal the participant wishes to enjoy.

Other center activities include walking, card games, dominoes, quilting, needlework, chair volleyball, and bingo.

For reservations or more information, please call 402546-1270.

Corrigan Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Corrigan Senior Center, 3819 X St., this month for: • April 1: April Fools Day party @ 10:30 a.m.

• April 8: Pillow fight party @ 11 a.m.

• April 12: Scrabble Friday @ 9:30 a.m.

• April 17: Toenail clinic @ 9 a.m.

• April 18: Doo-Wop Sock Hop with Rich Patton. Party begins @ 10 a.m. and entertainment starts @ 11 a.m.

• April 22: National Jelly Bean Day @ 10 a.m.

• April 24: Travel series: Holland Tulip Fields @ 10 a.m.

• April 26: Arbor Day celebration @ 10 a.m.

Other activities include jewelry craft and social hour Wednesday @ 10:30 a.m., Tai Chi Monday & Friday @ 10 a.m.; bingo Monday and Thursday @ 1 p.m., ceramics class Wednesday @ 1 p.m., and Happy Hands crochet group Tuesday @ 10 a.m.

The Corrigan Senior Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is served at noon. A $4 contribution is normally suggested for the meal. Reservations are normally due by noon the business day prior to the meal you wish to enjoy.

For meal reservations or more information, please call 402-731-7210.

Fremont Friendship Center You’re invited to visit the Fremont Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St. (Christensen Field), for the following: • April 4: Tips on decluttering your home @ 10 a.m.

• April 5: Rich Hirshman’s presentation on Nebraska @ 10:30 a.m.

• April 9: Supper at the center @ 5:30 p.m. A $2 donation is suggested. Bring a salad or a dessert.

• April 10: Music by Bill Chrastil @ 10:30 a.m.

• April 11: Blood pressure checks @ 10 a.m.

• April 17: Music by Pam Kragt @ 10:30 a.m.

• April 18: Presentation by ENOA dietician Michaela Howard @ 10 a.m.

• April 23: Humanities of Nebraska program on The Story of Grace Snyder @ 10:30 a.m.

• April 24: Music by Wayne Miller @ 10:30 a.m.

• April 25: Program on Moving Well with Health Challenges by occupational therapist Ashley @ 10 a.m.

Walking in the main arena Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is encouraged. Keep track of your miles in our walking book.

The Fremont Friendship Center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. A $4 contribution is suggested for lunch.

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 at 402-727-2815.

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For more information, call 402-614-3331

Baxter Arena hosting Vision Resource Fair on April 6, 7 Get answers to your questions about vision loss at the free Vision Resource Fair April 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Baxter Arena, 2725 S. 67th St. This free event features more than 20 exhibitors providing information about managing eye conditions, living independently, enjoying social, cultural, and recreational activities; working or returning to work, getting around town, using digital eyewear and other new technology, as well as handling stress, change, and emotional health.

Conditions like diabetes, glaucoma, and aged-related macular degeneration are increasing the odds of severe vision loss. As their sight declines, individuals and those who support them have more questions and concerns about the effects on work, social, and daily activities.

Held in conjunction with Omaha’s Health Expo, the Vision Resource Fair provides a single location for learning about community resources to help those experiencing vision loss.

Free vision screenings for all ages will be offered courtesy of the Omaha Lions Club.

Outlook Nebraska is offering complimentary tickets, available for download at outlookne.org/resourcefair. When entering Baxter Arena’s main entrance, let the staff know you’re there for the Vision Resource Fair to receive the free admission.

Outlook Nebraska is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to positively impacting everyone who is blind and visually impaired. Those dealing with vision loss turn to Outlook Nebraska to find the resources, learn how to stay independent using technology, explore employment opportunities, and enjoy recreational and cultural activities.

Outlook Nebraska employs blind and visually impaired individuals in its paper products converting facility and its contact center.

To learn more about Outlook or to contribute to its mission, call 402-614-3331 or visit outlookne.org.

Norfolk is site of April dementia care program

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he National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG) along with the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute are presenting a program titled Dementia Capable Care of Adults with IDD and Dementia on April 24 and 25 at Northeast Community College, 801 E. Benjamin Ave. in Norfolk, Neb. The cost for the two-day workshop is $150, which is a huge savings thanks to the support of the Nebraska Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.

A three-day workshop which adds a third day for persons wishing to become an NTG affiliated trainer, will be held April 24 to 26 at Northeast Community College. The reduced rate for the three-day workshop is $250.

The workshops acknowledge the emerging need for professionals capable of screening, assessing, and managing the interventions and supports for clients with dementia and intellectual disabilities.

For more workshop information, please contact Janet Miller at janet.miller@unmc.edu or Kathleen Bishop at bisbur1@earthlink.net.

For workshop registration questions, please contact Kathryn Pears at ntgeducation@gmail.com.

Medical Reserve Corps Medical and non-medical professionals are needed to respond to emergencies and to support non-emergency community needs by joining the Medical Reserve Corps.

Participants will receive a variety of free or lowcost training and education, opportunities for free or low-cost CEUs, as well as the opportunity to make their community healthier, more resilient, and better prepared.

For more information on the Medical Reserve Corps, please call 402-717-2621, visit MRC.HHS.gov or MRCCoord@gmail.com.

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging has been providing programs and services for older adults in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties since 1974.

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April 2019

The importance of caring about the future Recently, while listening to a radio discussion about public investment in children’s welfare, I heard a caller who disturbed me.

The caller was making the point that investments in children wouldn’t increase because of the influence of Baby Boomers who only care about Medicare and Social Security. The caller believes there’s no will to invest in the future among those who have reached retirement age. My response was an audible, “You are so wrong.”

If we older adults only cared about our own welfare, it would be a clear indication there’s no maturation of wisdom as we age.

My experience with older men and women contradicts the caller’s conclusion.

Most people I talk to have developed expansive thinking and compassion that increases commitment to creating a better future for coming generations. Grandparents worry about the future of their grandchildren because of the shortsightedness of the people in power today.

Albeit, there is often a feeling of helplessness as we look at the climatic changes, the increased hostilities among racial, ethnic, and religious groups, the losses of the middle class, and so many other social ills. We ask ourselves, “What can we do?”

In response, many retirees use their time, experience, and resources to influence the world for the benefit of future generations. Their deep concern creates the impulse to become activists

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Hearing loss group

he Omaha Area Hearing Loss Association of America, a support group for hard of hearing adults, will meet next on Tuesday, April 9 at Dundee Presbyterian Church, 5312 Underwood Ave. Participants are asked to enter the church on the Happy Hollow (east) side.

The 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. meetings feature social time and a speaker.

The Omaha Area Hearing Loss Association of America meets the second Tuesday of each month from September through December and March through August.

For more information, please contact Verla Hamilton at 402-558-6449 or verlahamilton@cox.net.

who transform despair and apathy into constructive collaborative action.

A quick Google search will provide many examples of older adults who have created organizations that actively support causes of social and environmental justice.

political, social, and lifestyle changes that combat greenhouse gases in favor of renewable energy. Some elect to campaign and lobby publicly for political and policy changes. Some work on a local level to create effective recycling systems.

Others educate themselves and make personal changes in lifestyle that are consistent with conserving the earth’s limited resources.

As a result of doing small steps to address the cataby strophic threat to our Earth, Nancy Hemesath older men and women who participate are less likely to For example, the Elders suffer a feeling of helplessAction Network educates ness which causes passivity and engages older men and and despair. women about social issues Locally, there’s an annual so together they can creconference called Elders 4 ate a more just and thriving the Earth. For those who world. want to experience the enerThis is a statement of gy that comes with the gaththeir philosophy: “As elders, ering of like-minded peers we inherently know we can who want to make a lasting do much better. We have difference, visit the website the benefits of time, talent, elders4theearth.com. They experience, and know-how will be holding their conferto guide making the needed ence Oct. 13 to 15 at Platte transformations. Our vision River State Park. is to initiate a cultural shift These organizations are wherein elders reclaim our born from the long view place in providing educathat people who have lived tion, wisdom, and guidance for 60 or more years enjoy. within our communities.

Short-term thinking loses its We become catalysts of a appeal. We’re all on earth social movement in which for a brief time and we all generations collaborate know we want future genin evolving changes for our erations to enjoy their brief common betterment. In so time on earth as well. doing, we find a new and We see the wisdom in rewarding sense of meaning Carl Sagan’s words: “Anyin our lives, and we create thing else you’re interested a new elder culture in the in is not going to happen if process.” you can’t breathe the air and One initiative from the drink the water. Don’t sit Elders Action Network is this one out. Do something.” the Elders Climate Action (Hemesath owns Encore that focuses on mobilizing Coaching. You can email massive numbers to make her at nhemesath@cox.net.)

Conscious Aging

Immanuel Affordable Communities Immanuel Communities offer beautiful, affordable independent and assisted living apartment homes for seniors who are on a fixed income.

Call today to schedule a personal visit.

Assisted Living at Immanuel Courtyard 6759 Newport Avenue Omaha, NE 68152 402.829.2990

Wills • Trusts • Probate

Ask A Lawyer: Q — Should I put my child’s name on my home title?

A — Let’s look at the pros and cons of this.

Pro — It will avoid the need for probate on your home.

Con — You would make a gift of a share of the property, and your child would become an owner (joint tenancy). Your child and his/her spouse would have to sign if you ever wished to borrow against your home or sell it. If you ever need Medicaid, you would be subject to a penalty period.

Your child would also have to pay capital gain tax on the difference between your original cost and the value at the time of your death, losing the benefit of the step-up in basis at death.

You can avoid these negative factors by use of Transfer on Death Deed or a by creating a trust, which may be the best way to avoid probate, while allowing you to pass your assets to your children.

Have a question about estate planning? Give us a call!

AARP Legal Service Network • No Charge For Initial Consultation

7602 Pacific Street, Ste 200 • (402) 391-2400 http://whitmorelaw.com

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 Christmas. November 4 – 7. TBD. Enjoy The Duttons, Daniel O’Donnell, The Beach Boys California Dreamin’, Neal McCoy, the SIX Christmas Show, and your choice of either “Miracle of Christmas” at the Sight & Sound Theater or Christmas Wonderland.

Laughlin Laughlin in May. May 15 - 18. $329. Four days – three nights. Includes non-stop, round-trip airfare to Laughlin, Nevada. Three nights lodging at the Riverside Resort and Casino on the banks of the Colorado River, and shuttle transportation to and from the airport. Entertainment during this trip to be announced.

Laughlin in June. June 28 – July 1. $319. Four days – three nights. Includes non-stop, round-trip airfare to Laughlin, Nevada. Three nights lodging at the Riverside Resort and Casino on the banks of the Colorado River, and shuttle transportation to and from the airport. Entertainment during this trip to be announced.

In Partnership with Collette Vacations We started working with Collette in 2009 when we were looking for a way to offer international trips to our travelers. We wanted to find a company that shared our core values of providing quality tours, well hosted at a reasonable price. We were not looking for a low-cost alternative. Our first personal experience was when we took about 24 people on the "Shades of Ireland" tour. It was an incredibly positive experience!

Since then we have helped others to experience Collette Tours on: Historic Trains of California; New York City; Canada’s Atlantic Coast with Nova Scotia; Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes; Austrian Delight - Oberammergau (coming up again in 2020); Pasadena Rose Parade; Islands of New England; Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park; Islands of New England; Reflections of Italy; Canadian Rockies by Train; Tropical Costa Rica; Alaska Discovery Land & Cruise and others. Please call if you have one of Collette’s many destinations on your bucket list. We can help make it happen!

Income guidelines apply.

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Watch New Horizons and our website www.fontenelletours.com for our trip schedule.

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Paul’s life has been filled with music, teaching, and all that jazz

Music provided Paul Serrato with confidence and an identity when he was a sudent at Omaha Creighton Prep High School.

By Leo Adam Biga Contributing Writer

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ourneyman jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and recording artist Paul Serrato has packed much living into 83 years. The accouterments of that long, well-lived life fill to over-brimming the textured South Omaha house where he resides.

The humble dwelling is in the shadow of Vinton Street’s mural-adorned grain silos. They’re distant echoes of the skyscrapers of New York City, where for decades Serrato plied his trade gigging in clubs and cabarets, and writing-performing musical theater shows.

After all that time in Manhattan, plus spending bohemian summers in Europe, Paul returned to Omaha eight years ago upon his mother’s death.

He inherited her snug bungalow, and it’s there he displays his lifetime passion for the arts and culture. Books, magazines, albums, DVDs, VHS tapes, and CDs fill shelves and tables. Photos, prints, posters, and artworks occupy walls.

Each nook and cranny is crammed with expressions of his eclectic interests. There’s just enough space to beat a measured path through the house, and yet everything is neat and tidy.

“This is how we live in New York in our cluttered, small apartments,” he said during a recent interview in his Omaha home.

In a music room is the Yamaha keyboard Paul composes on and gigs with as well as manuscripts of completed and in-progress instrumental works. Though he’s recorded many CDs released on his own record labels, many of those tunes have never been made public.

“I couldn’t bring it all out. That’s how it is for any artist,” Serrato said.

Paul’s latest release, Gotham Nights on his Graffiti Productions label, has charted nationally since January.

Some of his catalogue is licensed for television. He finds it “exciting” to hear his music on TV or radio. Tracks from Gotham Nights have aired on the nationally syndicated Latin Perspective public radio program.

Serrato has made provisions for his musical archives to go to his alma mater – Adelphi University on Long Island – when he dies.

“They’ve been very supportive, very receptive about accepting my archives,” he said.

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is home contains reminders of his second career teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to international students, including photos and letters from former students with whom he corresponds. All these years teaching immigrants and refugees,

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combined with his many travels, gives Serrato friends in faraway places.

“It’s really wonderful,” he said.

“I’m very fortunate. We keep in touch. We send each other gifts. I have more close friends around the world than I do in Omaha.”

A friendship with a former student from Japan led to Serrato making two concert tours of the Asian nation.

He began working as an ESL instructor long ago in New York City. He earned a master’s degree in Urban Education from Adelphi. He now teaches ESL for Metropolitan Community College in Omaha.

Serrato’s always shown an aptitude for learning. Growing up, he was drawn to the big upright piano his aunt played in church. It wasn’t long before Paul gained proficiency on the keyboards.

“I can remember myself so distinctly fascinated by the piano, wanting to play it, going over and pounding on the keys. That’s how I got to playing the piano as a toddler. From an educational point of view, it’s interesting how children can gravitate to an environment or a stimulus when they see adults doing things.”

Paul wasn’t good at sports and didn’t have the advantages more well-off kids enjoyed.

“Music gave me the confidence I could do something. My early childhood was rather deprived. We moved around a lot. It wasn’t until I was 9 we got settled. My mother bought a piano and paid for classical lessons. She was a pretty remarkable woman considering what she had to go through raising a kid on her own.”

Music gave Serrato his identity at Omaha Creighton Prep High School.

“I could start to come out as a musician, and I found people liked what I did. They applauded. I was like, ‘Hey, man, I’m good, I can do this.’ That’s how I got started on the track.”

All it took for him to shine was affirmation.

“That’s how it is, that’s how it always is,” Paul said.

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errato was starved for encouragement, too, coming from a broken family of meager means. He performed in classical recitals and competed in talent shows at schools, community centers, and on Omaha radio stations KOIL and WOW. “I won a couple of first prizes on KOIL,” Paul said.

All of it made him hungry for more.

His classical training then took a backseat to the captivating new sounds on jazz programs from Chicago he heard on the family’s old Philco radio set.

“That was an eye-opener, definitely because at that point I had only studied classical piano – Chopin, Debussy. I hadn’t been exposed

April 2019

to hearing guys like Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, and Erroll Garner. Hearing that stuff opened up a big door and window into other possibilities.”

Paul began composing riffs on popular song forms, mostly big band and Broadway show tunes.

“That’s what jazz players did and still do – take standard songs and interpret them. That’s the classic jazz repertoire. I still love Cole Porter.

I still play his stuff. I have a whole Cole Porter portfolio.”

After high school, Serrato’s awakening as an aspiring jazz artist pulled him east. After a stint at Boston University he went to New York City which became home.

“There’s three kinds of New Yorkers: the native New Yorker who’s born there; the commuter who comes in from Long Island to work or play; then there are those like myself who go there for a purpose – to achieve a goal – and for personal fulfillment. New York draws in all these dynamic young people who go to feed themselves creatively.”

The sheer diversity of people and abundance of opportunity in the Big Apple is staggering, Paul said.

“You meet people of all different persuasions, professions, everything.”

Finding one’s kindred spirit circle or group, is so easy in New York.

“You don’t find it, it finds you.

I made lots of friends. I’d meet somebody in a coffee shop, and it would turn out they were producing a play and needed somebody to write music.

“For example, I ended up collaborating on many projects with Jackie Curtis, who later became an Andy Warhol superstar. We met at a Greenwich Village bookstore I managed. Totally serendipitous.”

Serrato and Curtis collaborated on O Lucky Wonderful, an off-offBroadway production on an absolute shoestring budget.

Whatever work he could find, Serrato did.

“I had different kinds of jobs. I was a bartender, a bouncer, a waiter, (and) an artist’s model. That’s how I supported myself. You have to hustle and do whatever it takes.

That’s the driving force. That’s why you’re in New York. That’s why it’s competitive and there’s that energy because you look around and you see what’s possible.

“You’re in the epicenter of the arts. All that stuff was my world – visual arts, performance arts.

There’s all this collision of cultural forces and people all interested in those things.”

Serrato believes everyone needs to find their passion the way he found his in music.

“That just happens to be my domain. I tell my (ESL) students, ‘Hopefully, you’ll find your domain – something you can feel passionate about or connected to that will drive you and give you the --Please turn to page 9.

Serrato’s ‘Gotham Nights’ CD reflects his Brazilian influences together for years. I want to record with them.”

For Gotham Nights, Serrato booked two four-hour recording sessions in Manhattan.

“It was so successful because I had everything clearly written.

I gave it to my guys and the caliber they are, they saw it, and they played it.”

Gotham Nights marks a change for Serrato in moving from artsy to mainstream.

“Gotham Nights reflects my Brazilian influences. It’s Latin jazz filtered through my own musical personality. Very melodic. It’s why it’s so accessible.”

The album is the latest of many projects Paul’s done that celebrate hat Serrato won’t do his muse, New York, and its many is compromise his notes. music. His website He was there teaching only says it all: Urban Jazz blocks from ground zero when the – Not by the Rules. He’s put out CDs on his own terms since return- twin towers came down on 9/11.

The ever searching Serrato said, ing to Omaha.

“I love other cultures and I love “I’m a producer of jazz music in education. I’m a big believer in particular. So, when I have enough bilingual education. Teaching’s been music that I think I’m ready to a natural evolution for me. All musirecord, I figure out a way to record cians are educators at heart.” it. I don’t really have the network Follow Serrato and his career at here to feel confident enough to paulserrato.com. do a project like Gotham Nights in (Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s Omaha. So, I rely on my band memwork at leoadambiga.com.) bers in New York. We’ve played out-of-town gigs.

“I’m not the first New York creative who left the city and had to make an adjustment somewhere else.”

Some local discerning listeners have supported Serrato’s music, including Omaha’s KIOS-FM. “They’ve been very good to me.”

He’s cultivated a local cadre of fellow arts nuts. He sees shows when he can at local venues like the Joslyn, Kaneko, Bemis, Holland, and Orpheum. His best buddy in town is another New York transplant, David Johnson. Their shared sensibilities find them kvetching about things.

W

The South Omaha home Serrato moved into following his mother’s death eight years ago, is filled to the brim with books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, and albums.

--Continued from page 8. energy to pursue that.’ I love to guide young people.”

Everything he experienced in NYC fed Serrato creatively.

“As an artist’s model I met all these wonderful artists and art teachers.

That’s when my passion for visual art and painters really got implanted. When it comes to artistic vocations, many are called, few are chosen.”

Paul eventually did well enough that he would take off for months in the summer and go to Europe to follow bullfights and visit Paris.

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azz eventually became Serrato’s main focus. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies and Latin American Music from Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in East Harlem.

Serrato said jazz is a truly American art form. Though its following is shrinking, the music retains plenty of vitality.

“The fact that it’s not mainstream music is probably to its benefit because that means you can be individual; you don’t have a lot of hierarchy breathing down your neck.

“It’s a personal expression. It’s not a commodity the way corporately sanctioned music can be.”

Making quality music, not fame, remains Serrato’s ambition.

What Paul misses most about New York is the cultural network lacking in Omaha.

“Like I have an idea for a musical project right now. In New York I could just pick up the phone and tell these guys, ‘Come over,’ and we’d start working on it. I can’t do that here. I don’t have that kind of musical infrastructure here.

“My studio in New York was a place where we would try out things.

It was wonderful for me as a composer. It taught me a lot of discipline in terms of being accurate and clear about what I write.”

After years away from Omaha, Serrato’s found his hometown less than inviting when it comes to jazz and the idea of him performing his music.

“I hear people say things like, ‘We love your music, but it’s very sophisticated. We never hear music like this around here. What do you call it?’ I scratch my head when they say those things. I never get this in New York.”

He turns down some jobs because, in true New Yorker fashion, Paul doesn’t drive and public transportation in Omaha can’t easily get him to

In addition to his musical career, Paul stays active teaching English as a Second Language courses at Omaha’s Metropolitan Community College.

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Notre Dame Housing/ Seven Oaks Senior Center

Czech-Slovak Festival is set for Sunday, April 14

You’re invited to visit the Notre Dame Housing/Seven Oaks Senior Center, 3439 State St. for the following: • Second, third, and fourth Friday: Community food pantry @ 1 p.m.

• Third Wednesday: Community food pantry from 8 a.m. to noon (new time).

• April 5, 12, 19, & 26: Deep diabetes self-management workshops from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

• April 17: Third annual Senior Resource and Health Expo sponsored by Methodist Health System and Notre Dame Housing from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at Notre Dame Housing. Free information on health services and community resources for older adults. Activities will include blood sugar screenings, interactive exhibits, a foot care clinic (no nail clipping), and blood pressure checks.

• April 22: Lunch & Learn @ 12:30 p.m. with a presentation from the Omaha Fire Department on tornado safety.

• April 24: Fontenelle Forest program on songbirds @ 2 p.m.

• April 26: Performance by Rays of Hope @ 11:30 a.m.

• April 29: April birthday party with music by Joe Taylor sponsored by the Merrymakers @ 1:30 p.m.

Notre Dame Housing/Seven Oaks Senior Center is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch is served at noon. A $4 contribution is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by 11 a.m. the business day prior to the lunch you wish to enjoy.

For meals reservations and more information, please call Brenda at 402-451-4477, ext. 126.

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he 2019 Omaha Czech-Slovak Festival is scheduled for Sunday, April 14 at the St. Nicholas Community Center, 5050 Harrison St. The free event – which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – features a program and Czech dinners from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu is roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut or a hot dog plate for children. Takeout meals are available.

Vendors selling gifts from the Czech/Slovak Republics, Czech beer, ethnic foods, baked goods, children’s activities, raffles, the coronation of a festival queen, and dancing to the Mark Vyhlidal Band from 2 to 4 p.m. will also be included.

For more information, go to omahaczechclub.com.

Know where to turn

A variety of care options for you to consider before the need arises At some point, we may all need a little help. Knowing where to turn and what our options are will help make the request for that help less difficult. Here are some care options to consider: • Adult day care encompasses a variety of medical and personal services provided at home for a partially or fully independent adult. The objective is to make it possible for a person to remain at home or living with a relative, rather than entering a care community for an extended recovery or long-term care.

Services may include non-licensed chore services only or licensed, home healthcare services, personal care, nutrition, and homemaker.

• Independent living communities provide a secure place for older adults capable of handling their own needs to reside. The criteria for individuals considering independent living includes mobility, the ability to be orientated to an environment and routine, and independence with the activities of daily living.

• Adult day services are community-based group programs designed to meet the needs of functionally and/or cognitively impaired older dults through an individual plan of care. These structured, comprehensive programs provide a variety of health, social, and other related support services in a protective setting.

Services may include a variety of activities, medication management, meals, socialization, bathing, incontinence management, rehabilitation, respite stays, and transportation.

• Assisted living communities promote independence and dignity in a home-like environment while providing residents with assistance in performing the activities of daily living.

The cost generally includes three meals a day, laundry and housekeeping services, medication management, transportation, and an activities program.

• Specialized Alzheimer’s memory care communities are specifically designed for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementia. Staff must receive special training to work with individuals who have Alzheimer’s or other related dementias.

• Nursing home communities provide 24-hour services to individuals with mental and/or physical disabilities including skilled nursing and rehabilitation such as speech, occupational, or physical therapy, and clinically complex nursing care.

• Hospice care is designed to relieve or soothe the symptoms of a terminal disease or illness and, like everything else we’ve mentioned, improve the quality of a person’s life, especially during the final stages.

(Midwest Geriatrics provided this information.)

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April 2019

April is National Volunteer Month Thanks to these individuals who make Eastern Nebraska a better place to live!

OMBUDSMAN Tay Bledsoe Jr. Michelene Bowyer Evie Christian Jean Cline Jane Condon Eileen Davis Mary Evans Alpha Gans Kitty Hardesty Frank Herzog Lavern Holdeman Pat Holstein Cindy Jones John Kaspar Dan Kauble Nancy Kenny Suzanne Kolesik Tom Lund June Mourgis Peter Nash Carmen Ochoa John Oltman Daniele Reichert Debra Richardson Nate Seitelbach Fred Suarez Shirley Tingley Selaba Travis Karen Weires Addie Whitemore SENIORHELP Bob Abel Katie Adams Colin Andersen Claire Anderson Greg Andrade Jenn Andrade Annette Andres Dawn Bailey Kim Baird Kristen Bangtson Patti Banks Rick Bell Judy Benjamin Jim Betts Janice Black Park Blaine Michelle Blazauskas Yuri Blazauskas Rhonda Boger Jon Bolkema Nate Bonacci Becky Bonacci Mark Booker Ronald Bousquet Alexis Boyd Jim Buckler Nikki Burrell Geoff Burt Jim Busse Barb Cabrera William Cadwalader Kathy Campbell Dave Carl Sue Carl Kim Castor Leigh Chaves Dave Ciaccio Rebekah Clausing Steph Cleary Jared Cloudt Dwight Cole Dusty Cook Nancy Cooke Connie Cordell Jason Cosgrove Bill Coufal Jacob Crnkovich Jeff Crnkovich Reggie Croom Carol Crosland Jennifer Crouch Gerry Curren Jeanne Dale Jim Dale Alicia Dau Mutke Shannon Davis Mary Dinslage Joseph Doherty David Dow Dee Doyle Patrick Elias Andrew Ervin Michelle Ethington June Faulkner Bob Fields

Roger Filter Heidi Fostvedt Joyce France Mary Gawecki Raymond Griggs Pat Gromak David Haggart Barbara Haggart Doug Halbur John Hancock Catherine Hanson Kathy Hardenbergh Rod Hardenbergh Jimmy Harding Bob Hautzinger Larry Heck Steve Helinski Tom Heller Diane Heller Everett Henry Doug Henry Vikki Henry Laura Herron Brandon Heuermann Sherri Hinkel Mary Hoffman Robert Hoffman Geri Howell James Hubbard Rosalie Hunter Mark Iverson Janice Jensen Cindy Jones Sue Jones Kari Jorth Mike Kaipust Debby Kaipust Karl Kanne Barb Kash Al Kash Brad Kearney Dave Keller Mary Kelly Laura Kenny Michael Klapperich Rachel Kolb Bonnie Kratina Jaclyn Kreikemeier James Krueger Amanda Kubicek Shirley Kucirek Dave Kucirek Joan Kunes Paul Kunes Antoniette Laguzza Bill Larsen Ruth Larsen Nancy Lech Christian Ledward Pam Lewis Shelley Lidolph Sarah Lindau Arlene Logan Ellen Long Ken Long Melanie Lusk Mary Lykke Bob Lykke Kobey Lyons Kara Martin Lawrence Marvin Jordan Masten Bonnie McCormick Eliana Mcfeters Alex Mcfeters Barb Mckenna Rebecca Mclaughlin Anne Mcnamee Brendan McNamee Cherie Mertz Alyce Miller Dann Miller Nancy Montera Laura Moore Page Moore Cathleen Morrison Lauren Mott Kristina Mott Melissa Newkirk Lonnie Newkirk Frank Oldenhuis Vicki Ostrander John Otto Barbara Parolek Terry Parolek Cortney Pasek John Pavalis Bart Pawlenty

Thesa Pelham Blair Dave Persing Brian Peters Jeri Petersen Carol Petersen Marie Pletka Meg Pribil John Prohaska Andy Quick Jerri Rabadue Kim Remus Gene Rhodman Kris Rhodman Sue Rice Sarah Riedler Linda Rogge Kelli Ryan Sherry Rydberg Linda Safranek Curt Safranek Larry Sand Bob Sanders Fatoumata Sawadogo Carrie Schaffart Jeffery Schaffart Susan Scholl Jim Schulte Rich Schwartz Samantha Scott Bob Sebby Jan Sebby Jamie Sharp Cindy Shimerda Kathy Shudak Joe Siracusano Ryan Smith Jeanne Smith Shannon Smithson Donna Solberg Rebecca South Connie Souza Karla Starman Sheradan Steffen Raef Steffen Randy Steffen Susan Stensland Joey Swafford Tammy Thomas Katie Thompson Susan Thomsen Jane Thurston Rob Tiedgen Bethany Tillman Jake Tillman Cheryl Vacek Thomas Walsh Kate Waters Bill Waters Katie Weinert Tom Welch Jennifer Wellendorf Cory Wernimont Casey Wheeler Lisa Wheelock Kathy Widman Kevin Wills Austin Wilson Mandy Winterstien Kelley Wirges Daniel Witt Laura Witt Shawnda Woods Mark Young David Zapata Brenda Zapata Mike Zimmerman Creighton Nursing A Place At Home Hanscom Park Church St Matthew Lutheran Hummana Integrated Life Choices Great Adventures Ministry Farm Credit Services Lutz Financial FGP Patricia Bass Rosa Benson Dorothy Blankenship Aloma Bowman Uester Briggs Edna Brooks-Pittman Phyllis Brown Aurora Bryant Lelia Bryant Betty Burton

Mary Cain Jo Carman Juanita Cribbs Cassie English Joann Fairs Margaret Franklin Bonnie Gipson Gloria Gordon Marina Grados Johnnie Hawkins Debra Highshaw Debra Holloway Yvonne Jackson George King Gloria Matthews Joe Mattox Patricia McCormick Michael Micek Mary Mires Dianna Moore Jean Moore Louise Neal Lula Porter Tonia Reese Lois Russell Virginia Ryan Sue Schnepel Lillian Scott Bill Smith Zailya Snyder Mildred Spoon Dollie Thomas Jerome Thomas Otto Toney Sue Trisler Frances Tyler Mary Valentine Andrew Washington Evelyn Weathersby Michael Webster Lois Wells Sedell Wells Betty White Essie White Edna Wilson Emma Woodfork RSVP Bernard Anderson Carol Anderson Joyce Anderson Sherri Anderson Sarah Andrade Marjorie Arauza Fred Baedke Nancy Ballard Lois Barnes Armond Bartsch Karen Bartsch Dennis Behrens Sheila Bell Marie Belsky Mary Benak Patricia Bentsen Allyn Bergman Lowell Bloemker Deborah Bobbitt Gary Lee Bobbitt Darrel Boesiger Doris Boettner Anna Bohnet Barbara Branco Charles Brau Mary Ann Breister Bonnie Brown Janice Brown Marie Antoinette Bryson Bernie Buckley Curtis Buechler Cecilia Buettner Bonnie Buhl Connie Buller John Buller Izitta Burgan Antoinette Burk Rene Campbell Marcia Carlson Wayman Caron Helene Cartwright Carolyn Caywood Jan Chase-Nelson Jimmy Chloupek Cynthia Christensen Rita Christianson Marguerite Church Gene Clark Jean Coburn Donald Cook

Kay Corbin Hebert Coulter Dorothy Crawford Don Croston Sally Cvetas Ardith Daehling Barbara Daniel Phyllis Davidson Elvera Davis Patricia Davis Dolores Dirkschneider Julia Dirkschneider Peggy Dixson Donald Dostal Mildred Dostal Patsy Doughty William Duckworth Sr. Sharon Dunaway Trisha Eaton Robert Eckerman Georgia Eckert LeMara Eicke Coletta Eikmeier Judy Ellis Duane Emanuel Milton Emry Carole Enfield Mary Evans Ruth Evans Shirley Ewing Rosalie Faltin Kevon Faulhaber James Fay Carol Fennessy Nancy Ficenec John Fink Ray Fisher Thomas Fitzgerald Kathryn Forke Edna Franklin Lisa Franko Irene Franzluebbers Lillian Franzluebbers Charles Gallup Margie Gargett JoAnn Gaughen Karen Gay Kenneth Gehring Coralee Gerdts Gerald Getzfrid Jane Gibney Judy Glover Robert Godek Donna Golder Tom Goodwin Marilyn Gordon Elizabeth Gotch Joan Gradel Cindy Grefe Robert Grell Beverly Greunke Jerald Grove Mary Grovijohn Donald Grow Rose Gude Janice Hagedorn Lorraine Hamel Marilyn Hammang Josephine Hammond Mary Ann Hansen Helga Hanson Linda Hanson Verlan Hanson Bernard Harms Mary Harms Thomas Harvat Ellen Haskins William Hause Lois Heckmann Joan Heffner Arlene Heimann Joyce Hellbusch Rebecca Henige Karin Henkens George Hermone Sylvia Hermone Jordan Hettinger Pauline Hightower Jean Hill Richard Hirschman Darlene Hoffman Roger Hohensee Rosemary Holeman Annette Holtam James Holtam Darnell Hood Joy Horn Curtis Hougen

Rosemary Hroch Joanie Huetter Patty Humbert Michal Hume Patricia Hunsche Carol Iverson Patricia Jackson Judith James Lorraine Janecek Margaret Janssen Rose Jimenez Connie Johannes Carol Johnson Deborah Jones Kathleen Jones Marilyn Jones Pauline Joons Lois Justus Shirley Kamprath Marie Kampschneider Eileen Karmann Charles Karrick Connie Kaup Joseph Kaup Lorraine Kavan Cindy Kerstetter Geri Kessler Marilyn Kilbourn Dennis Klein Mary Ann Kluthe Ann Knippelmeir Eugene Koch Deborah Koertner Carol Kolb Marty Koolen Larry Koski Clarence Laaker Emily Laaker Donald Laird Doris Laird Sharon Landholm Darlene Langendorfer Carol Larimer Sharon Larsen Carol Larson Sandra Lasovich Charlene Lawless Muriel LeBreton Barb LeCrone Diane Leiker Jack Lennemann Thomas Lichliter Joan Licht William Lippincott Douglas Lorence William Love Janet Lowe Virginia Mach Norma Mackey George Madsen Janice Marstiller Edward Martin Mary Martin Herlinda Martinez Teresa McBride Barbara McGuire Chuck McLain Joseph Means Annie Meeks Walter Meier Ornitha Meiergard Janet Meyer DeEtta Miller George Miller Harold Miller Opal Miller Rudi Mitchell Jo Mitteis Joanna Mondragon Marilyn Montoya Karen Moore Mary Ann Moseke Cletus Muff Sandra Murdoch Kathleen Murphy Charlene Myers Mary Nelson Ruth Nelson Robert Nesladek Janice Newhouse Beverley Newman Janice Newman Ann Nicholson Mark Nicholson Jerry Nielsen John Nielsen John Niemoth Raymond Nohrenberg

Joseph O’Grady Bernard Oerman Joyce Oerman Gene Ohrt Crystal Olson Stanley Olson Mertin Opfer Lorraine Ortmeier Gary Overfield Beverly Pane Carole Panning Leslie Parr Larry Peek Alice Pelander Hannelore Perl Evelyn Perry James Peterson Mary (Beth) Pettit Richard Pineda Ardith Pounds Ted Pratt Jeanette Prenzlow Duane Prorok Lillian Radtke Laurence Raether LaVerne Raether Martha Rasmussen Donald Rathjen James Reardon Kathy Redwing Joyce Reed Lynn Retzlaff Robert Ridder Verena Ridder Eric Riley Mary Riley William Rizer Judith Robak Neil Rosenbaum Dona Roy Greg Ruhe Margaret Ruskamp Mary Ann Ruskamp Alta Russell Raymond Ruwe John Ryan Charleen Sager Stan Sass Edith Satterfield Tom Sauser Emilee Scheer Mary Jo Schiefelbein Clifford Schildt Joan Schlueter Frank Schumacher Cathy Schmaderer Charlotte Schmidt Sharon Schmidt Joseph Schock Mary Schumacher Phyllis Schurman Marion Sell A J Sellhorst James Shaw Dorothy Shonka Flora Shukis Barbara Sichmeller Marilyn Siebler Joyce Siems Donna Sievers Helen Silva Kathleen Simmons Ed Siudzinski Donald Skaw Sandra Skorniak Ardath Smeal George Snell Marlene Snell Vera Snide E. Louise Snyder Mildred Snyder Patricia Snyder Elaine Sohl Ardeth Sperling Pamela Spevak Kathryn Spracklin Violet Stanley Eugene Stara Liz Stawycznyj Paulette Steffensmeier Delphine Stepanek Arlene Stork Nancy Strauss Norma Stubbert Bernice Stubbs Bernard Stumpe Lorence Stumpe Vernice Stumpe

Ruth Sturgeon Nancy Suey Carmen Tabor William Taylor Wilma Taylor Sharon Thompson Delores Thorell Kevin Throne Ernest Tillotson Sandra Trehearn Bertha Troester Charles Tweedie Bob Ueberrhein Gloria Umland Robyn Vajgert Frances Van Meter Karen Vande Stowe Marlene Vecera Dorothy Vogt Lois Von Seggern Betty Vondenkamp Karen Waage Dennis Warner Mary Weberg Priscilla Wells Marlene Werner Glen Westerman Ellen Whitaker Nadine Wilcox Gary Williams Linda Williams Norma Jean Willis James Windeshausen CiCi Winningham Evelyn Winther Mary Wisnieski Wallace Wolfe Patricia Wooden Ruby York Julie Young Kathleen Zelazny Frances Zeleny Bonnie Zrust SCP Lafayette Alston Beverly Armstead Robert Bass Yvonnie Boatman Frank Booth Rosie Brooks Adell Brown Readith Brown Norma Crocker Gordon Dickey, Jr. Hattie Donaldson Harold Ehrlich Lucille Frizzell Karen Gamble Lavell Gooch Bernice Harris Louis Hernandez Carrie Holbert Andra Humphrey, Sr. Gerry Hunter Ivan Jackson Sharon Johnson Terri Jordan Sandra Kyle Valora Mapp Michele Martin Carolyn Matson Tamara McDonald Mary Miller Gloria Morrison Roseann Nebbia Doris Obilor Janice Philmon Phillip Reis Florine Rogers Rosemary Sayre Doris Shelton Lena Solomon Trish Stoudamire Barbara Strong Cheryl Thornton Galina Tsed Joann Turner Bertha Williams Willie Mae Williams Carlette Winrow Violet Wooten Betty Zollicoffer

Advice for avoiding elderly depression They’re known as the “Golden Years,” and they’re supposed be a wonderful time designated for doing whatever you want.

Why are rates of depression among older adults rising? How can persons over age 65 enjoy life to the fullest?

Reshmi Saranga M.D., a geriatric psychiatrist and founder of Saranga Psychiatry (sarangapsychiatry.com), says a big part of the high rates of depression among older men and women has to do with things like mindset, outlook, and life perspective.

A few of her tips to help older adults get in the right frame of mind and enjoy this special time include: • Continually embrace the process of aging: Developing a positive and empowering mindset about maturity and age can help decrease the risk of anxiety and depression in older adults. Instead of trying to fight the process of aging, embrace it and find meaning in it. There are so many great benefits of growing older like wisdom.

• Find the positives in your life and focus on them: There are so many joys in growing older. The problem is many people tend to dwell on the negatives like health issues, friends dying, their own mortality, etc. Find things that make you feel excited about life. Maybe it’s your kids or grandkids, a hobby, having the time to travel, or doing something you’ve always wanted to do.

• Overcome grief: Unfortunately, a major hurdle that holds many people back from aging happily is grief. As you age,

many continue to carry heartbreak. Whether from loss, betrayal, or depression, grief can prevent an older adult from developing a positive mindset that’s essential to healthy aging.

• Don’t worry about what other people are doing: At any age, and for older men and women especially, looking at what other people are doing or the things they have can bring on depression. It’s a nasty mind game of comparisons and nothing good comes from it. Be grateful for all the goodness in your life and don’t worry about anyone else.

• Be mindful. Mindfulness is about enjoying the present. If you can find this peace, you’ll thrive in life. Savor each moment and try not to dwell in the past or worry about the future. Live in the moment so life doesn’t pass you by.

• Build resilience. It’s not how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up. One of the many benefits of the Golden Years (and beyond) is that you’ve built wisdom. Don’t let the little things ruin your day. If something happens that brings you down, don’t wait until the next day or next week to start over. Start now and make every day count.

• Get help if you need it: If all else fails and you don’t find yourself feeling better, never be afraid to reach out and seek help from a trained mental health professional.

There’s no point in suffering. Medication and/or therapy can make a world of difference to relieve your depression.

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New Horizons

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April 2019

Study: Women having hormone therapy had a lower rate of knee osteoarthritis

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here’s an ongoing debate regarding the relationship between knee osteoarthritis and hormone therapy (HT), with small-scale studies providing mixed results. A new large-scale study from Korea shows women receiving HT had a significantly lower prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis compared with women who didn’t take hormones.

Study results are published online in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

Osteoarthritis, the most common musculoskeletal disorder in older persons, is the leading cause of pain and physical disability. Caused by degenerative changes in the joints, it affects more women than men, and its incidence is particularly elevated in menopause.

Because estrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect at high concentrations, it’s been hypothesized that hormone changes in women, especially decreasing estrogen levels, may lead to an increase in osteoarthritis after menopause.

Since the knee is the most commonly affected joint, knee osteoarthritis has been the focus of a number of studies relative to the effectiveness of HT. The most common treatments for knee osteoarthritis include surgery or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, both of which are associated with risks such as surgical complications or gastrointestinal disorders.

Several small studies have shown HT not only reduces histologic changes in the cartilage involved in osteoarthritis, but also reduces the chronic pain. To date, however, no large-scale studies have examined symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and HT. This latest study out of Korea is based on data from nearly 4,800 postmenopausal women. It concluded the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis was significantly lower in participants using HT than those not taking hormones.

The authors did note, however, that additional research is warranted to adjust for other variables such as age and body mass index.

“Past and current users of hormone therapy had a lower prevalence of knee joint osteoarthritis, suggesting that hormone therapy may be protective against knee osteoarthritis,” says Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, NAMS executive director.

“This study suggests that estrogen taken at menopause may inhibit cartilage damage and reduce knee deterioration seen on x-rays.”

For more information about menopause and healthy aging, visit menopause.org.

New Alzheimer’s treatment may reverse memory loss

R

esearch published recently in the journal Brain reveals a new approach to Alzheimer’s disease that may eventually make it possible to reverse memory loss, a hallmark of the disease in its late stages.

The team, led by University at Buffalo (UB) scientists, found by focusing on gene changes caused by influences other than DNA sequences – called epigenetics – it was possible to reverse memory decline in an animal model of AD. “In this paper, we have not only identified the epigenetic factors that contribute to the memory loss, we also found ways to temporarily reverse them in an animal model of AD,” said senior author Zhen Yan, PhD, a SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics Sciences at UB. AD results from both genetic and environmental risk factors such as aging, which combine to result in epigenetic changes, leading

to gene expression changes, but little is known about how that occurs.

The epigenetic changes in AD happen primarily in the later stages, when patients are unable to retain recently learned information and exhibit the most dramatic cognitive decline, Yan said.

The researchers found the loss of glutamate receptors is the result of an epigenetic process known as repressive histone modification, which is elevated in AD. They saw this both in the animal models they studied and in post-mortem tissue of AD patients.

“Our study not only reveals the correlation between epigenetic changes and AD, we also found we can correct the cognitive dysfunction by targeting the epigenetic enzymes to restore glutamate receptors,” Yan said.

“When we gave the AD animals this enzyme inhibitor, we saw the rescue of cognitive function confirmed through evaluations of recognition memory, spatial memory, and working memory. We were quite surprised to see such dramatic cognitive improvement,” Yan said.

The improvements lasted for one week. Future studies will focus on developing compounds that penetrate the brain more effectively and are thus longer-lasting.

Brain disorders, such as AD, are often polygenetic diseases, Yan explained, where many genes are involved, and each gene has a modest impact. An epigenetic approach is advantageous, she said, because epigenetic processes control not just one gene but many genes.

“An epigenetic approach can correct a network of genes, which will collectively restore cells to their normal state and restore the complex brain function,” she explained.

“If many of the dysregulated genes in AD are normalized by targeting specific epigenetic enzymes, it will be possible to restore cognitive function and behavior.”

(The U. of Buffalo provided this information.)

Alzheimer’s support groups The Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter offers several caregiver support groups and specialty support groups in Cass, Douglas, Washington, Dodge, and Sarpy counties. These support groups offer valuable space and educational opportunities for families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia to engage and learn. For more information about any of the groups listed below, please call 800-272-3900.

DODGE COUNTY • FREMONT Second Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m.

The Heritage at Shalimar Gardens 749 E. 29th St. DOUGLAS COUNTY

N

lets and portable screens allow you to send photos, videos, and have live chats with family and friends.

• Install an automatic stove shutoff device to provide peace of mind and protection when cooking is forgotten or left unattended. It’s an easy way to prevent a possible fire and save dinner, too.

• Make flooring safe. Make sure there are rugs on polished floor surfaces.

Invest in anti-slip tiles for bathrooms and kitchens to avoid sliding on water spills.

Rugs should have anti-slip fixtures underneath to avoid slipping.

Consider a contrasting color for steps and rails to make them easier to see. And, since your feet spend so much time on the floor, wear well-fitting shoes and slippers. Avoid flip-flops as they lead to trips.

• Keep things within reach. Stretching and balancing on step ladders to get things on high shelves or in awkward places leads to falls. Keep things you use frequently in an easy-to-reach place. Place a phone within easy reach for an emergency and set up speed-dial for favorite contacts.

• Make the garden safe. Clear moss and old leaves from the paths to minimize the risk of slipping. When it’s icy, make sure you have some grit and someone to clear your paths. Avoid too many pots and ornaments, as they are easy to trip over.

Install lighting so you can see your way along paths in the dark. Remember you don’t have to do all the work in the garden or house; you can get help from others to do the heavier jobs, which lessens your risk of falling.

April 2019

Third Tuesday @ 6 p.m.

Temple Israel 13111 Sterling Ridge Dr.

• OMAHA Second Thursday @ 10 a.m.

Second Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.

Country House Residences 5030 S. 155th St. Call Christina @ 402-980-4995 for free adult day services.

Every other Monday @ 7 p.m.

Brighton Gardens 9220 Western Ave. First & third Monday @ 1:30 p.m.

New Cassel’s Franciscan Centre 900 N. 90th St. Call Melanie @ 402-393-2113 for free adult day services.

SARPY COUNTY • BELLEVUE Third Monday @ 7 p.m.

Bellevue Senior Center 109 W. 22nd Ave. First Wednesday @ 1 p.m.

Eastern Nebraska Vets Home (Vets and non-vets welcome) 12505 S. 40th St.

Third Tuesday @ 5 p.m.

Immanuel Fontenelle First floor classroom 6809 N 68th Plz.

Tips to help you stay living in your home

early 90 percent of persons age 65+ prefer to live at home before considering a retirement or assisted living community for reasons including economics, the stress of moving, the fear of losing independence, emotional ties to the family home, and fear of the unknown.

Aging expert Lisa Cini provides tips to live not only independently, but energetically with increased safety, including aids to mobility, lighting effectiveness, cooking safety, bathroom safety, and more.

“Thanks to medical advancements, exercise, and healthy eating, seniors are far healthier and living longer and more independently,” Cini said. “Small, simple, and cost-effective modifications can make a big difference in improved safety, hearing, mobility, sight, and memory.”

Independent living updates include: • Adjust the heights of sinks, stoves, washers & dryers, showers, shelving, and cabinets.

• Declutter and organize trailing electrical wires to avoid slips and trips.

• Add banisters and check for looseness on stairs, railings, and decks.

• Light up dark hallways and closets with motion-sensor lights to prevent falls.

• Install handrails/grab bars by the toilet and in the shower to stay steady.

• Get tech. There’s a bevy of wearable technology for improved mobility, heart monitoring with the touch of a finger, memory assistance, companionship, fitness and mobility; and new, unobtrusive vision and hearing aids that can translate 27 languages, detect falls, connect to your phone, and can even be found by GPS tracking when you can’t remember where it’s located.

Home security systems can protect against theft and property damage, provide motion sensing lights to detect intruders, and provide welcome hallway lighting. Tab-

First Thursday @ 6:45 p.m.

King of Kings Lutheran Church CORE Conference Room 11615 I St. Call Karen @ 402-584-9088 to arrange for adult day services.

Second Tuesday @ 6:45 p.m.

For caregivers of individuals with an intellectual disabilty/dementia.

Barbara Weitz Center 6001 Dodge St. (UNO campus)

• PAPILLION Fourth Thursday @ 6 p.m.

Hillcrest Grand Lodge 6021 Grand Lodge Ave. WASHINGTON COUNTY • BLAIR Third Wednesday @ 6 p.m.

Memorial Community Hospital Howard Conference Room 810 N. 22nd St.

Research study participants needed Researchers at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Nebraska Medical Center are looking for healthy adults and caregivers for an older adult with a chronic disease (e.g., dementia, cancer, or cardiovascular disease) to participate in a research study. The experiment involves completing questionnaires and computer tasks, taking samples of saliva for hormone analyses, and undergoing brain imaging.

Participants must be 19 to 75 years of age, have comprehension of written and spoken English, the mobility to travel to the UNO campus, and have completed a minimum of two years of high school or higher.

You’re not eligible for the study if you have a diagnosis of a neurological or psychiatric disease (e.g., stroke, schizophrenia), vision, hearing or motor difficulties, or if you are pregnant, have metal implanted in your body, or are taking an antidepressant medication or glucocorticoid-based oral medication or cream.

For more information, please contact Janelle Beadle, Ph.D. at 402-554-5961 or ABELabUNO@gmail.com.

TRAVEL CAT TOURS, LLC. • 2019 TOURS • Religions of the World Tour – July 30 • Old West & Scenic Flint Hills – August 15-17 • Iowa Wine & French Icarian Village – August 28 • Elk & Buffalo Ranch Tour - September 10 • Wine & Bridges in Madison County - Sept. 18 • Buffalo Round-up in South Dakota - Sept. 24-28

We are an Omaha-based company MORE TOURS ARE LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE For reservations, call 531-777-2124 or register online at travelcattours.com • email: info@travelcattours.com

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New Horizons

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Page 13

Heartland Generations Center

VAS offering course

Volunteer opportunities

You’re invited to visit the Heartland Generations Center – 4318 Fort St. – for the following: • April 3 & 17: Methodist students visit.

• April 4: Krafts with Kina.

• April 8: WhyArt. • April 9: Bingo.

• April 10: Health maintenance clinic.

• April 11 & 25: Manicures by Wanda.

• April 11: Senior Education Group.

• April 16: AARP driver safety class.

• April 23: Natural healing meeting.

• April 28: Senior prom.

• April 30: Merrymakers birthday celebration.

Play bingo on Wednesdays @ 1 p.m. and Fridays @ 10:30 a.m. Tai Chi Tuesday @ 10:45 a.m. and Friday @ 12:45 p.m.

The Heartland Generations Center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is normally served at noon.

A $4 donation is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the lunch you wish to attend.

Bus transportation is available within select neighborhoods for 50 cents each way.

For meal reservations and more, call 402-553-5300.

Volunteers Assisting Seniors (VAS) is committed to helping older adults make good life decisions. Through a network of trained and certified volunteers, VAS provides Medicare counseling and Homestead Exemption filing assistance.

VAS is offering a free Basic Estate Planning class developed and presented by volunteer attorneys on Thursday, April 25 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the VAS office, 1941 S. 42nd St. (Center Mall), Suite 312.

The workshop provides an opportunity to learn in a classroom environment using simple language. The goal is to develop a better understanding of estate planning so you’ll have an easier time making the important personal decisions.

The workshop will cover financial and medical powers of attorney, living wills, wills, living or revocable trusts, alternatives and supplements to wills, taxes related to death, and mistakes to avoid.

To reserve a spot, please call VAS at 402444-6617.

RSVP is recruiting men and women age 55 and older for a variety of volunteer opportunities. For more information in Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass counties, please call 402-444-6536, ext. 1024. In Dodge and Washington counties, please call 402-7217780.

Volunteers are needed at: • The VA Medical Center.

• Partnership 4 Kids is looking for volunteers to mentor Pre-K through high school students.

• Food Bank for the Heartland wants volunteers to help with the SNAP program.

• The Fremont Low-Income Ministry.

• The Blair and Fremont Car-Go Program needs volunteer to drive older adults to their appointments.

• Care Corps Family Services.

• Fremont’s Habitat for Humanity.

• Fremont Health.

• Nye Legacy Health & Rehabilitation.

• Premier Estates of Fremont wants voluteers to assist its activity director.

Florence AARP chapter The Florence AARP chapter meets monthly at Mountview Presbyterian Church, 5308 Hartman Ave. The programs begin each month with a noon lunch followed by a speaker.

For reservations, please call Gerry Goldsborough at 402-571-0971. Rides to the meeting are available by calling Ruth Kruse at 402453-4825.

Here’s the next program: April 15 Jim Dingman Transitional living for ex-convicts

Parkinson’s Foundation events You’re invited to attend two free events in April sponsored by the Parkinson’s Foundation.

A program titled, Women and Parkinson’s Disease is scheduled for April 23.

The 5 to 7 p.m. event will be held at the CHI Health Immanuel Conference Center, 6901 N. 72nd St. Resource tables will open at 4 p.m.

The event focuses on women-specific Parkinson’s issues.

For more information, please contact Kim at 913341-8828 or parkinson.org/ womenne.

On April 27, visit Stinson Park in Aksarben Village for Moving Day Omaha, A Walk for Parkinson’s at 9 a.m.

The money raised will help fund Parkinson’s research and treatment.

To learn more, contact Robyn at 913-341-8828 or movingdayomaha.org.

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New Horizons

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April 2019

Sweet Adelines style show, luncheon is scheduled for April 27 in LaVista Members of the Acappella Omaha Chorus of Sweet Adelines International will host their annual Style Show and Salad Luncheon on Saturday, April 27. The 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. festivities will be held at the Faith Presbyterian Church, 8100 Giles Rd. in LaVista.

Event highlights include a performance by the chorus, raffles, jewelry sales, a style show, and lunch.

Tickets, which are $15, are available at the door or by calling 402-320-1617 or 402-932-0155.

On April 5 to 7, the Acappella Omaha Chorus of Sweet Adelines International, under the direction of Annette Wallace, will compete in the Sweet Adelines regional competition in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 2018, the Omaha chorus took first place honors in the Small Chorus category.

The Acappella Omaha Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is always looking for new members. Rehearsals are held Mondays at Remington Heights, 12606 W. Dodge Rd. More information is available online at acappellaomaha.com.

AARP’s Tax-Aide program is offering help filing tax returns

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he AARP Tax-Aide program provides free income tax preparation assistance at 11 Omaha area locations. The program is designed to assist low and moderate-income older adults, but also serves a variety of other clients, including students. With a few exceptions, each site will be open through mid-April.

The names, locations, and open days/hours for these sites are listed below.

When coming to the tax preparation sites, clients must bring a photo identification, all documents related to their income, Social Security cards for all persons named on the tax return, and last year’s tax return.

For more information, please call 402-398-9582 or go to www.nebraskataxaide.org.

Walk-in sites No appointments necessary Arrive early to sign in Abrahams Library 5111 N. 90th St. Friday Noon to 4 p.m.

AgeWell by Immanuel 6801 N. 67th Plz. #100 Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Montclair Community Center 2304 S. 135th Ave. Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

St. Martin de Porres Center 2111 Emmet St. Monday & Tuesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Bellevue Volunteer Firefighters Hall 2108 Franklin St. Monday & Wednesday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Joseph Villa Community Room 2305 S. 10th St. Sunday (through April 7) Noon to 4 p.m.

Bellevue University Library 1000 Galvin Rd. S. Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

By appointment only sites

Crossroads Mall (east corridor) 7400 Dodge St. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Noon to 4 p.m.

Kids Can Community Center 4860 Q St. Tuesday & Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LaVista Community Center 8116 Parkview Blvd.

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday • 3 to 7 p.m.

AARP Information Center 1941 S. 42nd St. Suite 220 (Center Mall) Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Call 402-398-9582 Kids Can Community Center 4860 Q St. Thursday 5 to 7 p.m.

Call 402-731-6988 (9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)

VAS can help file your homestead exemption application The Nebraska Homestead Exemption program can provide relief from property taxes for persons who qualify by exempting all or part of their home’s valuation from taxation (see page 3 for more information).

Volunteers Assisting Seniors is avail-

able to help older Nebraskans file their 2019 homestead exemption application.

See below for the sites and dates VAS representatives are available. All appointments will be scheduled between 10 a.m. and noon. Please call 402-444-6617 to schedule an appointment.

Tuesday, April 2 Northwest Hills Church 9334 Fort St.

Thursday, May 2 Ralston Senior Center 7301 Q St. #100

Friday, May 31 VAS 1941 S, 42nd St #312

Thursday, April 4 Highlander Accelerator 2112 N. 30th St

Tuesday, May 7 DAV 4515 F St.

Tuesday, June 4 Elkhorn Eagles 20276 Wirt St.

Tuesday, April 9 DAV 4515 F St

Thursday, May 9 St. Andrews Church 15050 W. Maple Rd.

Friday, April 12 Faith Westwood Church 4814 Oaks Ln.

Tuesday, May 14 St. Cecilia’s Cathedral 701 N. 40th St.

Saturday, June 8 Sheet Metal Workers Union 3333 S. 24th St.

Thursday, April 18 Florence Rec Center 2920 Bondesson St.

Friday, May 17 Benson Baptist Church 6319 Maple St.

Thursday, April 25 Goodwill Industries 4805 N. 72d St.

Tuesday, May 21 Goodwill Industries 4805 N. 72nd St.

Thursday, April 30 IBEW 13306 Stevens St. #200

Tuesday, May 28 Northwest Hills Church 9334 Fort St.

Tuesday, June 11 Douglas-Sarpy County Extension Office 8015 W Center Rd. Tuesday, June 18 VAS 1941 S. 42nd St #312

Please call 402-444-4148 or 402-444-6654 to place your ad

CLASSIFIEDS GET RID OF IT! Haul away, garage, basement, rental clean out…

Johansen Brothers Call Frank

OLD STUFF WANTED (before 1975)

Military, political, toys, jewelry, fountain pens, pottery, kitchen ware, postcards, photos, books, and other old paper, old clothes, garden stuff, tools, old household, etc.

Call anytime 402-397-0254 or 402-250-9389

402-312-4000 TOP CASH PAID

Best & honest prices paid for: Vintage, Sterling, Turquoise, & Costume jewelry, old watches, old quilts, vintage toys, old postcards, advertising items, military items, pottery, and antique buttons.

Also buying estates & partial estates.

Call Bev at 402-339-2856

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• Daily coffee in community room.

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April 2019

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Accepting applications for HUD-subsidized apartments in Papillion & Bellevue.

Bellewood Courts

1002 Bellewood Court Bellevue (402) 292-3300 Bellewood@KimballMgmt.com

Monarch Villas

201 Cedar Dale Road Papillion (402) 331-6882 Monarch@KimballMgmt.com

Managed by Kimball Management, Inc. PO Box 460967 Papillion, NE 68046 www.kimballmgmt.com

Subsidized housing for those age 62 and over with incomes under $28,600 (1 person) or $32,650 (two persons)

We do business in accordance with the Fair Housing Law.

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New Horizons

2669 Dodge Omaha, NE 402-345-0622

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Page 15

Clara’s book is a tale of forgiveness

The Nebraska Wind Symphony

T

he Nebraska Wind Symphony will perform its Ladies Day concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 14 in the Elkhorn South High School auditorium, 20303 Blue Sage Pkwy.

The 80-piece community band’s show will feature musical selections by female composers.

Tickets – which are available at the door the day of the show – are $10 for adults and $5 for students and older adults.

For more information, please log on to nebraskawindsymphony.com.

Please see page 3

NH Club gains new member $10 Nancy Munger Reflects donations through March 22, 2019.

C

lara Vugteveen was raised by a father she feared and a mother she had trouble respecting.

Despite living in a United States Air Force family in exotic locations like Paris, France and Hawaii, Vugteveen described life with her parents and a sibling as “dysfunctional.”

“We had a lot of what we called ‘family secrets,’” Clara said during a recent interview in her Omaha home.

Vugteveen – who had her first child at age 18 – cried a lot of “silent tears” as a child and as a teenager.

Vugteveen’s book is published by WestBow Press.

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n 2016, while seated on a couch in her home, Vugteveen – who has four children and seven grandkids – heard a voice that told her to write a book about her life.

Although not overly confident about her spelling and punctuation skills, Clara knew she was ready to share her life story with others. “God allows us to remember things when we’re able to handle them,” she said.

In October 2018, WestBow Press published You Too!, Vugteveen’s 47-page paperback.

“It’s written for all those people who cry out for help and need some answers,” she said.

Not wanting her parents and certain other people involved in her life to know about the book, Clara used the pen name Lila Dove.

Writing the book has been therapeutic for Vugteveen, who today believes she’s living the life God has chosen for her.

Hard copies of You Too! sell for $9.99 through Amazon and other online booksellers. The e-book version is $3.98.

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Searching for happiness, she was married three times by age 30.

In short, as a young adult, Clara was living a troubled life and she blamed her parents in large part for the feelings of bitterness that permeated her life.

Then at age 35, Vugteveen found the Lord. “He taught me how to forgive,” she said.

While still confused by her upbringing, Clara forgave her parents. “Forgiving them was a total release for me,” she said. “Once you let go of your anger, you’ve got your whole life to live and you open yourself to goodness.”

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“Wonderful World” “Chain Gang” “Cupid” “Mr. Bojangles” Wayne Brady, the Emmy-winning singer, dancer, actor and comedian, takes center stage with the Omaha Symphony for an unforgettable tribute to two entertainment icons: Sam Cooke and Sammy Davis Jr. With his trademark humor and extraordinary talent, Brady delivers classic hits and more, in a high-energy, one-night-only event!

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rt Tickets Sta at $39!

Saturday, April 13 • 8 pm Holland Center

Concert Sponsor Media Sponsor

Thomas Wilkins, conductor

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New Horizons

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April 2019