New Horizons May 2016

A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging

May 2016 VOL. 41 • NO. 5

ENOA 4223 Center Street Omaha, NE 68105-2431

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

New Horizons ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Omaha’s own

John Beasley was born and still lives in Omaha. Beasley had a variety of ‘regular jobs’ before beginning a full-time acting career in his mid-40s. He’s appeared in several theatrical productions, movies, and TV shows.

Since 2012, Beasley’s played Barton Ballentine in TV Land’s ‘The Soul Man.’ Leo Adam Biga’s profile of Beasley begins on page 10.

Photo courtesy of TV Land

Bouncing back

Great vibe More than 2,300 fun lovers took part in the Omaha Color Vibe 5K Sunday, April 17 in downtown Omaha.

ENOA received part of the proceeds.

See page 20.

A different way to treat Parkinson’s disease has given Judy Johnston a new lease on life.

Meet Judy and read her remarkable story.

See page 3.

Photo by Mark Kresl/ Midwest Geriatrics

Camelot Friendship Center You’re invited to visit the Camelot Friendship Center inside the Camelot Community Center, 9270 Cady Ave., for the following: • May 4: Tea party @ 11:30 a.m. followed by a Humanities Nebraska presentation.

• May 6, 17, & 20: Movie day @ 12:15 p.m.

• May 12: Book club @ 10:15 a.m. Bingo @ 12:15 p.m.

• May 16: Field trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo. No lunch or Bingo that day at the center.

• May 19: Jackpot Bingo @ 12:15 p.m.

• May 23: Chair volleyball @ 10:15 a.m.

• May 26: Music by Billy Troy from the Merrymakers @ 11:45 a.m.

• May 27: Line dancing @ 12:15 p.m.

Other activities include Tai Chi (Tuesday and Friday @ 10:15 a.m.), Bingo, pinochle, card games, other games, crafts, candy making, and scrapbooking.

The Camelot Friendship Center is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. A $3.50 contribution is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the lunch you wish to enjoy.

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

Heartland Generations Center You’re invited to visit the Heartland Generations Center – 4318 Fort St. – for the following: • May 6: International Horse Competition at the Century Link Center @12:30 p.m. Limited to the first 14 people who sign up on the bulletin board or who call 402-5527480 for a reservation. No admission charge.

• May 9: WhyArts? painting class with Joe Broghammer from 10 to 11:15 a.m.

• May 10: Spring Fling @10 a.m. Invite your family for breakfast. The reservation deadline is May 5.

• May 12: Presentation by Detective Chris Spencer (Omaha Police Department) on street life @ 10:45 a.m.

• May 17: Birthday party with music by Paul Siebert from the Merrymakers @ 10:30 a.m. A free ice cream sundae for birthday babies who make a reservation.

• May 19: Learn how to play Bid Whist @ 11 a.m.

• May 30: The center is closed for Memorial Day. The Heartland Generations Center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is normally served at noon. A $3.50 donation is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the lunch you wish to attend.

Transportation is available within select neighborhoods for 50 cents each way.

Regular activities include Bingo (Wednesday @ 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and Friday @ 10:30 a.m.), crafts, and free Tai Chi classes (Tuesday and Thursday @ 10:45 a.m.)

For more information, please call 402-553-5300.

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New Horizons

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Fighting back against Type 2 diabetes

By Michael Pollock, CPT, CES, SFS, FMS, FNC

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ccording to the American Diabetes Association, more than 25 percent of older adults have Type 2 diabetes. It’s no secret a key to diabetes management is diet. Recent research suggests movement, specifically resistance training (or movement with an external weight or load), has also been shown to have a significant impact on the disease.

In 2015, the World Health Organization estimated 9 percent of adults worldwide have diabetes. Furthermore, 86 million Americans have an elevated risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and nearly 90 percent of them don’t know they have it. Left untreated, 15 to 30 percent of people with pre-diabetes will develop diabetes within five years.

Fortunately, pre-diabetes can often be reversed with exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes. Resistance training can improve glycemic control (blood sugar management), maintain bone mineral density, increase muscular strength, and help prevent osteoporosis.

High insulin levels, low muscle mass, and decreased strength are the strongest factors associated with the increased risk of diabetes or other metabolic syndromes.

I suggest focusing on exercises that will increase muscle mass. To optimize glucose uptake, people with Type 2 diabetes should focus on resistance exercises that engage large muscles and/or multiple joints and muscle groups.

Large, multi-joint exercises such as push-

ups, overhead presses, pull-ups, squats, and deadlifts are preferable to smaller, singlejoint exercises such as shoulder raises and biceps curls.

Ideally stay on your feet and focus on utilizing the full body to move a load. Keep it simple and use the main movement patterns like pushing, pulling, squatting, and bending. For example place some sort of weight on the ground, squat down, pick it up, and lift it overhead.

Two to three resistance training sessions per week should be optimal for improving metabolism and glycemic control. Research shows more sessions per week don’t appear to have any greater benefit so there’s no sense in risking overtraining or injury.

The key with training the muscles to aid in glucose response is the load. The data indicates heavy weights (75 percent of your maximum) and high-volume (many sets) training is optimal. Use a fairly heavy weight that’s challenging. Do four to seven different exercises per workout for full body muscle activation. Focus on a larger volume of work with approximately 25 or more repetitions per exercise.

Due to a more sedentary lifestyle and mass produced food products, we’ll continue to see a rise in the number of people with Type 2 diabetes. The good news is we can help reverse the trend through proper diet and thoughtful exercise.

To quote Robert H. Butler: “If exercise could be purchased in a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation.”

(Pollock is with Hillcrest Health Services.)

Mizzou study finds procedure to remove the prostate has shown to be more effective than radiation therapy

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pproximately 14 percent of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lifetimes, according to the National Institutes of Health. Radiation therapy traditionally has been a primary treatment for the cancer, but one-fourth of men have a recurrence of prostate cancer within five years after the therapy.

Now, a University of Missouri School of Medicine researcher has found a complex procedure to remove the prostate achieves excellent long-term survival for men after radiation therapy has failed, “Prostate cancer, unfortunately, is a common cancer, and more than 27,000 men are estimated to have died from the disease in 2015,” said Naveen Pokala, M.D., an assistant professor in the Division of Urology at the MU School of Medicine and lead author of the study.

“By studying a national database of prostate cancer cases, we found a procedure known as salvage radical

May 2016

prostatectomy can greatly increase a man’s chance of survival when traditional radiation therapy has failed to eradicate the cancer.”

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program database, Pokala and his research team studied 364 patients who underwent a salvage radical prostatectomy surgery after unsuccessful radiation treatments.

Looking at survival rates, the researchers found 88.6 percent of men were still alive 10 years later and 72.7 percent of men were still alive 20 years later.

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uring a salvage radical prostatectomy, the prostate gland and surrounding tissue are surgically removed to keep the cancer from spreading. The procedure is challenging because tissue that surrounds the prostate is scarred during radiation treatment, making it difficult for the surgeon to identify and cut out tissue that needs to be removed. If the cancer is localized, a highly skilled surgeon can remove the gland and surrounding tissue using a robotic minimally invasive technique or through an open surgery.

“Because radical prostatectomy is a complex surgery, there can be a reluctance to undergo the procedure,” Pokala said. “However, this study shows it is a viable treatment option. This can bring a renewed hope and peace of mind to men living with prostate cancer.”

(The University of Missouri provided this information.)

Johnston: I feel like a new person attached pump to deliver Duopa into her intestines up to 16 hours a day.

Duopa is a gel form Parkinson’s medication combining Carbidopa and Levodopa that’s used to treat motor fluctuations.

Johnston – who now lives at the Walnut Grove Retirement Community, 4901 S. 153rd St. – became only the second Nebraskan to receive the procedure from Dr. Hutchins.

“I was so happy to do anything that would stop these horrible feelings I had,” Judy said.

Dr. Hutchins said while G-J tube insertions are commonly performed in the United States, it’s only relatively recently that Duopa infusion was approved for use in the U.S. “This allows us to catch up with our European colleagues,” he added.

Dr. Hutchins said he, Nebraska Medicine, and several other medical Judy Johnston uses a G-J tube connected to a pump centers across the nation, to infuse medication (Duopa) into her intestines as were involved in the clinical trials before the procedure a way to treat Parkinson’s disease. received Food and Drug

By Jeff Reinhardt Managing her medicaAdministration approval.

New Horizons Editor tion became problematic for Johnston wears the pump Johnston. daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. n an otherwise “She kept messing them Each night she cleans the typical day in up,” Jamie said. “Either port and tubing, and every 2009, Judy John- she would take too much or morning inserts a new carston – a retired she’d forget to take them.” tridge filled with Duopa into derailment prevention manAt that point, Judy, Jamie, the pump. ager for the Union Pacific and Jamie’s husband, Lyle If necessary, Judy takes Railroad – was mowing the “Buzz” Johnston, asked up to three Carbidopa pills lawn when her neck became Dr. Bhatti to explore other overnight. sore and her left leg sudoptions for treating Judy’s The new Parkinson’s denly began shaking.

Parkinson’s. treatment has had amazing Physician examinations Deep brain stimulation results for Johnston. revealed Johnston, then age was ruled out, but Dr. Bhatti “She’s mobile again and 66, had the early signs of referred the Johnstons to doesn’t need to take a walkParkinson’s disease.

Grant Hutchins, MD, a er with her,” Jamie said.

Parkinson’s is a progresgastroenterologist, then with If Judy “locks up,” a prosive disorder of the nervous Nebraska Medicine. Dr. cess in which her muscles system that commonly Hutchins is now in private tense up and her speech causes muscle stiffness and/ practice with Midwest Gas- becomes difficult, she can or the slowing of movetrointestinal Associates. push a button on the pump ment.

In December 2015, Dr. and receive an extra dose of “When I received the diHutchins endoscopically in- Duopa. agnosis, I started crying and serted a Gastrojejunostomy “She still has some lock called Jamie (her daughtertube (G-J tube) into Judy’s ups occasionally, but her in-law),” Johnston said. stomach. The tube allows life is so much better now,” During the next five years, Johnston, age 73, to use an Jamie said.

Judy’s Parkinson’s symp“I feel like I’m a new pertoms were managed by son,” Johnston added. taking a medication called Dr. Hutchins said the G-J Carbidopa three times a day. tube insertion is a fairly Johnston, who has three straightforward approach, grandchildren, felt well and he hopes Johnston’s enough to get a part-time positive results become the job running an office for norm rather than the exceptwo Omaha attorneys. Then tion for persons undergoing in 2014, while getting ready the procedure. for work one morning, she Johnston is a big fan of passed out in her kitchen.

G-J tube surgery. “I’d like In response, her Nebraska people with Parkinson’s to Medicine neurologist, Danknow they can get better,” ish Bhatti, MD – increased she said.

Johnston’s prescription from For more information, three to five Carbidopa pills contact Nebraska Medicine daily. at 800-922-0000.

Dr. Grant Hutchins

May 2016

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New Horizons New Horizons is the official publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. The paper is distributed free to people over age 60 in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Washington, and Cass counties. Those living outside the 5-county region may subscribe for $5 annually.

Address all correspondence to: Jeff Reinhardt, Editor, 4223 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68105-2431.

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

E-mail: jeff.reinhardt@nebraska.gov Advertisements appearing in New Horizons do not imply endorsement of the advertiser by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. However, complaints about advertisers will be reviewed and, if warranted, their advertising discontinued. Display and insert advertising rates available on request. Open rates are commissionable, with discounts for extended runs. Circulation is 20,000 through direct mail and freehand distribution.

Editor....................................................Jeff Reinhardt Ad Mgr................Mitch Laudenback, 402-444-4148 Contributing Writers......Nick Schinker, Leo Biga, & Lois Friedman ENOA Board of Governors: Mary Ann Borgeson, Douglas County, chairperson; Jim Peterson, Cass County, vice-chairperson; Gary Osborn, Dodge County secretary; Brenda Carlisle, Sarpy County; & Lisa Kramer, Washington 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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Nebraska Senior Medicare Patrol

Ceramics store owners married for 58 years

Agostas enjoying their dirty, dusty careers

Nebraska Senior Medicare Patrol, a Nebraska Depart ment of Health and Human Services program that works to educate and empower older adults to help prevent health By Jeff Reinhardt care fraud offers 10 tips to help you avoid Medicare scams. New Horizons Editor • Don’t provide your Medicare number to anyone except your trusted health care provider. ust north of 84th and • Ask friends and neighbors to pick up your mail while Maple streets on the you’re away from home. east side of the road • Shred important documents before throwing them away. is a yellow sign with • Read Medicare summary notices carefully looking for black letters that reads: possible mistakes.

AGOSTAS • Use a calendar or health care journal to record informaCERAMICS tion from doctor visits.

WHOLESALE • Compare your calendar or health care journal with your RETAIL Medicare summary notices.

Visitors who step inside • Count your prescription pills. If the total is less than the space LaVerne and Ray expected, go back and tell the pharmacist.

Agosta’s operation has • Medicare Part D plans change annually. occupied since 1980 are im• Don’t speak to anyone claiming to be a Medicare repre- mediately greeted by rows sentative about Medicare. of tall shelves filled with • Medicare loses billions of dollars each year. It’s up to dozens of finished ceramic you to help fight fraud. pieces and hundreds of greIf you believe you may be a victim of Medicare fraud, enware samples (unfinished please call the Nebraska Senior Medicare Patrol at 800selections of shaped, unfired 942-7830. clay).

LaVerne, age 76, handles most of the work out front Dora Bingel Senior Center including teaching classes You’re invited to visit the Dora Bingel Senior Center, three nights a week and 923 N. 38th St., this month for the following: dealing with the customers.

• May 2: Book Club @ 10 a.m.

Ray, a 78-year-old former • May 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30: Al-Anon meeting @ 7 p.m.

Omaha Public Schools en• May 4, 11, 18, & 25: Grief Support Group @ 10 a.m. gineer, manages the back• May 4: Holy Communion served @ 10 a.m. room’s collection of more • May 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, & 27: Ceramics @ 9 a.m. than 20,000 molds. Every • May 18: Foot Care clinic from 9 a.m. to noon for $10. other month he makes a • May 25: The Merrymakers present music by John Wor- 180 to 190-pound supply of sham @ 11:30 a.m. Lunch is $3. slip (liquid clay), a process • May 25: Birthday party luncheon @ noon. Eat free if that entails pouring nearly you have a May birthday. three dozen 50-pound bags • May 28: Red Hats @ 11:00 a.m. of clay mix into a vat filled Lunch is served on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. with 130 gallons of water, A $1 donation is suggested for the meals other than $3 on then stirring the contents.

Merrymakers Day. “Years ago, we had to Round-trip transportation is available for $3. make two batches at a Reservations are required 24 hours in advance for all time,” he said. meals.

While some of the slip Other activities offered at the facility include: Tuesday: is sold to other stores and Free matinee movie @ 12:30 p.m. & quilting @ 1 p.m. ceramics teachers in buckWednesday: Devotions @ 10:30 a.m., Tai Chi @ 11 a.m., ets or milk jugs, Ray pours Bible study @ 1 p.m., Bingo @ 1 p.m. Friday: Joy Club @ most of the liquid clay into 9:30 a.m., Bingo @ 1 p.m. molds that are sold by the For more information, please call 402-898-5854.

Agostas as greenware. He uses a sharp knife to carve designs into the soft clay before it hardens.

Agosta’s Ceramics also sells and repairs potter’s wheels and kilns.

Wills • Trusts • Probate LaVerne and Ray – who have two grandchildren and three great-grandkids Ask A Lawyer: – haven’t taken a vacation Q — I have had my Will and other estate planning documents presince their late son, Dan,

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If your executor has access, a safety deposit box in a bank might be the solution. Sometimes it may be wise to file your Will with the Probate Court, if there is concern about the Will being given effect by family members. You’ve taken the trouble to protect your assets and loved ones by creating an estate plan. Don’t leave its discovery to chance. Ensure that your executor or trustee can easily and reliably find it when the time comes to put it into effect.

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New Horizons

LaVerne Agosta

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got married in 1990. And while the couple – who’ve been married for 58 years – haven’t had many days off either, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Working hard is what keeps us young,” LaVerne said.

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n 1969, LaVerne, then working at HinkyDinky and Ray’s sister, Marie, who was employed by a local insurance agency, were taking ceramics classes. When their teacher, Charlotte Rawlings, decided to move to California, she sold her business to the Agosta family.

For four years, LaVerne, Marie, and Ray ran the business out of the Agostas’ Florence-area home. In 1973, Marie stepped aside.

Five years later, LaVerne, Ray – who retired from OPS in 1978 – and their 5,000 molds moved from the house into a building a few doors away from their store’s present location. In 1980, Agosta’s Ceramics relocated to 2925 N. 84th St.

“With the high cost of living these days, you almost have to stay working,” LaVerne said. “If we were at home, we’d just be watching TV.” She admits, however, to taking a few shortcuts these days. “I used to dust all the shelves, but now I just hope no tall people come in.

“Every year we cut our hours back a little,” LaVerne added.

The Agostas agree there are two secrets to running a successful business long term. You have to have good customers and you need to get along with your staff. “We’re best friends,” LaVerne said as she glanced across the room at Ray. It also helps to enjoy what you’re doing. “It’s a dirty, dusty business, but we love it,” she said.

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Ray and LaVerne Agosta haven’t taken a vacation since 1990 and have missed very few days at work during the last 47 years.

May 2016

ell beyond the traditional retirement age, LaVerne – who retired from HinkyDinky in 1983 – and Ray plan to keep running their business as long they’re able.

Ray Agosta

VAS can help you file Homestead Exemption program applications

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re you aware you may be able to save money on your property taxes? The Nebraska Homestead Exemption program provides relief from property taxes to individuals age 65 and over with limited income, veterans, and individuals with certain disabilities. (See page 17 for more information.)

If you’re interested in filing for property tax relief and want help filling out the Homestead Exemption application forms, Volunteers Assisting Seniors will have trained volunteers at the LaVista Senior Center, 8116 Park View Blvd. on Wednesday, May 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. to help with the application process.

If you filed a 2015 federal income tax return, bring it with you. If not, bring your Social Security Form SSA1099, information on pensions and annuities, interest and dividends, railroad retirement information, and records of any IRA distributions. You should also bring information on any out-ofpocket medical expenses you paid during 2015.

For more information, please call Volunteers Assisting Seniors at 402-4446617.

Volunteers needed

Fremont Friendship Center You’re invited to visit the Fremont Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St. (Christensen Field) for the following: • May 3: Supper at the State Lakes at 5:30 p.m. (weather permitting). No park permit is required when eating at the restaurant. Everyone pays for his or her own meal.

• May 4: Music by The Links from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

• May 5: Talk by ENOA’s Kay Snelling @ 10 a.m.

• May 6: Traveling pitch tournament. Bring a snack to share @ 9 a.m. The tournament begins at 9:30.

• May 11: Pianist Wally @ 10:30 a.m.

• May 12: Presentation on the Nebraska Commission for the Blind @ 10 a.m. Bingo follows the talk.

• May 18: Music by Kim Eames at 10:30 a.m.

• May 23: Bring your clean, lightly used, non-clothing items for the May 26 and 27 garage sale at the center.

• May 25: Entertainment by Paul Siebert @ 10:30 a.m.

• May 26: Garage sale from 3 to 7 p.m.

• May 27: Garage sale from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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 $3.50 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.

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging is looking for volunteer drivers for its Meals on Wheels Program.

Flexible weekday schedule delivering midday meals to homebound older adults in the greater Omaha area.

Call Arlis at 402-444-6766 for more information.

Genealogy classes The Greater Omaha Genealogical Society is offering a series of free classes every month through June. Each class will run from 9:15 a.m. to noon.

To register and for more information, please contact Merrily at 402-7061453 or genclass@aol. com.

Here are the dates, topics, and locations: • May 16: Research in Books, Films W. Dale Clark Library 512 S 15th St. • June 28 Computer Research TBA VOTES WANTED PLEASE GO TO

www.lightthebridge.org 100% non-profit addressing hunger VOTES TO DATE • For: 3,141 • Please vote today to address hunger.

May 2016

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Honey among items sold by New Cassel Foundation

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he New Cassel Foundation is selling raw honey, hand-rolled beeswax taper candles, and notecards with envelopes sets as a way to raise funds for older adults without means and for men and women with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other special needs.

New Cassel Foundation President Cindy Petrich started the raw honey program in 2013. Local HyVee stores were the first to endorse and sell the product.

New Cassel raw honey is

100 percent pure Grade A white sweet clover honey.

The organic, certified kosher honey is available in 12-ounce jars for everyday use or six-pound tubs for home, bulk, or commercial use.

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he honey is prepared with high standards and blended using different varieties, colors, and flavors to achieve unique, yet uniform color and flavor profiles. The process involves a non-invasive filtering process and leaves

out any processing aids or additives that could affect the taste or consistency.

The hand-rolled beeswax taper candles come in several colors. They’re non-toxic, clean burning, hypoallergenic, and feature a subtle natural honey scent.

The set of six notecards and envelopes are based on two original paintings by Betty Goodwin, a 91-yearold resident of the New Cassel Retirement Center, 900 N. 90th St. For more information, call the New Cassel Foundation at 402-393-2277.

Retired fed employee groups meet monthly

Omaha Area Hearing Loss Association

he 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.

The Omaha Area Hearing Loss Association of America, a support group for hard of hearing adults, will next meet on Tuesday, May 10 at Dundee Presbyterian Church, 5312 Underwood Ave. Participants are asked to enter the church on the Happy Hollow Blvd. (east) side.

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

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

For more information, please contact Beth Ellsworth at ellsworth.beth@ cox.net or Verla Hamilton at 402-558-6449.

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Alzheimer’s chapter offering free classes The Midlands chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is sponsoring a monthly series of free classes through August.

The sessions will be held at the Alzheimer’s Association’s new office, 11711 Arbor St., Suite 110.

For more information, please send an email to echentland@alz.org or call 800-272-3900. Registration is requested but not required.

Here’s the schedule: May 19 Know the 10 Signs 5:30 to 7 p.m.

June 16 The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s 5:30 to 7 p.m.

July 21 Living with Alzheimer’s: For Mid-Stage Caregivers 5:30 to 8 p.m.

August 18 Living with Alzheimer’s: For Early Stage Caregivers 5:30 to 8 p.m.

VOTES WANTED PLEASE GO TO

www.lightthebridge.org 100% non-profit addressing hunger VOTES TO DATE • For: 3,141 • Please vote today to address hunger.

Page 6

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May 2016

The beauty of spring planted flower bulbs

By Melinda Myers

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ait until the danger of frost has passed to plant cannas in a full sun to partially shaded locations. Plant the canna rhizomes horizontally two to three inches deep with the growing point facing up. Take advantage of their bold foliage and use cannas as a backdrop in the flower border or screen in the landscape. Use as a vertical accent in a large container or select dwarf varieties for smaller pots.

Calla lilies are another spring planted bulb that thrives in full sun or part shade. The speckled foliage adds color to the garden all season long. Include these one to two-feettall plants in the front or middle of the flower garden or as a verti-cal accent or filler in a pot. Don’t forget to cut a few flowers to enjoy indoors. The black flowers of “Night Cap” teamed with the white blooms of “Crystal Clear” create an elegant display.

Like the other bulbs, wait for the danger of frost to pass before planting them outdoors. Plant the knobby rhizomes two to four inches deep with the growing point facing up.

Add some color and plenty of wow factor to shaded areas with the foliage of caladiums and elephant ears. These tropical beauties thrive when soil and air temperatures are warm. Wait for the danger of frost to pass and the soil to warm, 65 to 70 degrees, before planting them in the garden.

Use caladiums to brighten containers, dress up window boxes or edge a shady pathway. The colorful leaves stand out amongst the greens of shade gardens. Team variegated varieties with complimentary colored begonias, coleus, or impatiens.

Include elephant ears in the garden or containers. Their large heart shaped leaves give a tropical feel to the patio, deck, or pool area. Consider planting one, two, or more to create an impressive welcome for guests or a bold statement in the landscape. They pair nicely with caladiums, coleus, and other shade loving plants.

Make this the best season yet with the help of spring flowering bulbs. You’ll enjoy the variety and late season color these easy care plants provide.

(Myers has more than 30 years of gardening experience and has written more than 20 gardening books.)

eeping your garden looking its best throughout the growing season and into fall is possible with the help of low maintenance spring planted bulbs. Plant them in the spring among other annuals or perennials and watch as these bulbs brighten the garden, adding new life to your late season gardens.

Whether your gardens and containers are in full sun or shade you’ll enjoy the attractive foliage and pop of color that dahlias, cannas, calla lilies, caladiums, and elephant ears will add to the landscape.

These easy care plants reward you with loads of beauty. Just plant, water, and enjoy. Quality online retailers like Longfield Gardens (longfield-gardens. com) offer the greatest variety of color, shapes, and sizes as well as planting and care instructions.

Grow dahlias in sunny areas with at least six hours of sunlight for the best floral display. Simply plant the tuberous roots four to six inches deep with the stem facing up after the danger of frost has passed.

Use dahlias in a cutting garden or as an attractive screen along fences and property lines. Use the shorter more compact border dahlias, like “Gallery Pablo” in containers on your patio, balcony, or deck where you and the hummingbirds will enjoy their blooms.

Eclectic Book Review Club

“The Music Man” at the Lofte. August 7. $105. With his fast-talking style, “Professor” Harold Hill convinces the parents of River City to buy instruments and uniforms for their youngsters, but chaos ensues as Hill’s credentials are questioned and he is called upon to prove himself to the citizens of River City. Dinner afterwards at the Main Street Café in Louisville.

The Eclectic Book Review Club’s 2016 series concludes on May 17 as Joy Johnson discusses her eighth book in The BOOB Girls Series (The Burned Out Old Broads at Table 12).

The meeting, which include lunch and a book review, will be held at noon at the Omaha Field Club, 3615 Woolworth Ave. The cost is $13 per person.

For reservations, call Rita at 402-553-3147.

Mark Twain and the Amish. August 3 – 5. $459 before 5/3. ($489 after 5/3.) Explore Hannibal, Missouri, take a dinner cruise on the Mark Twain River Boat, RockCliffe Mansion Tour, wine-tasting at the Cave Hollow West Winery, Mark Twain’s Cave, “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” play, Amish Farm Tour, shopping, and home-cooked Amish meal in Jamesport.

Dancing preacher’s book sells for $19.95

Maplewood Estates

Copies of The Dancing Preacher, the autobiography of Gil Hill, are available for $19.95.

Hill, an Omaha resident, is a former teacher, athletic coach, Navy veteran, and Presbyterian minister who still enjoys dancing at age 90.

In The Dancing Preacher, Hill illustrates how following their passions and staying active helps people maintain their spiritual, physical, and mental health.

Hill sums up his philosophy on living this way: “Following God’s will for your life is like dancing.

You need to allow Him to lead.”

To order a copy of The Dancing Preacher, go online to dancingpreacher.com.

Lifestyle • Community • Convenience • Family Values

Move-in Specials Get 6 months of FREE lot rent for moving a single wide home Amenities include: into the park, or $3,500 for • Playground • Off street parking doublewide for moving expenses. • Clubhouse • Pool • RV’s welcome Call for more information.

402.493.6000

Call: 12801 Spaulding Plaza www.maplewoodestatesonline.com Omaha, NE 68164

Stan’s Senior Services Our service offers daily, weekly, monthly, or occasional ERRAND and IN-HOME services for older adults in the Omaha area.

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Please call Stan Bartak @ 402-350-6840 HelpingSeniorsAtHome@cox.net www.StansSeniorServices.com

The Sierra Group, LLC FREE Book & CD Call Us: (800) 309-0753

Fontenelle Tours

Omaha/Council Bluffs

RIVERBOAT CRUISE

Mississippi River Cruise – Autumn Colors. September 18 – 26. Nine days from $2,149. Eight-day cruise up the Mississippi River aboard the steamboat American Queen from Alton, Illinois (near St. Louis), to Red Wing, Minnesota (near St. Paul). Includes deluxe hotel in St. Louis the night before the voyage, all cruise meals, onboard entertainment, daily lectures by The Riverlorian, and pre-arranged shore excursions in each port of call. Optional transportation to and from your residence.

(Other Mississippi River Cruise destinations available.)

MOTORCOACH “Beauty and the Beast” and “Chicago”. July 19 - 20. $335. Join us for a trip to Kansas City to see “Beauty and the Beast” at the Starlight Theater, “Chicago” at the New Theater, lunch at a “farm-to-table” restaurant, tour of The Roasterie, IKEA, and the Strawberry Hill Povitica Bakery.

Christ Our Life Catholic Regional Conference. September 23 - 25. Hear the teaching and witnessing of world-renowned Catholic speakers in Des Moines, Iowa, including Mark Hart, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Jesse Romero, Alex Jones, Archbishop Charles Chaput, Bishop Richard Pates, Fr. Tom Hagan, Fr. Michael Schmitz, Jackie Fancois Angel, and Steve Angrisano.

Golf Branson. September 28 – October 2. $949 before 6/28. ($999 after 6/28.)

Experience Branson’s golf courses on this great five-day trip! Golfers enjoy three days of golfing on three different courses in Branson. Non-golfers come along and enjoy a Paint Party, Farm to Table Lunch Experience, the Titanic Museum, and shopping.

Gather back together in the evenings to enjoy dinner and three shows---Pierce Arrow, Million Dollar Quartet, and Showboat Branson Belle. (Non-golfer price is less.)

Fall in the Carolinas. October 16 - 23. $1,699 before 6/1. ($1,779 after 6/1.) Mississippi River Cruise, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Biltmore Estate and Gardens, Antler Hill Village Winery, Blue Ridge Mountain Opry’s “Bluegrass and BBQ” Show, Magnolia Plantation, Charleston city tour, boat trip to Fort Sumter National Historic Park, North Carolina Chimney Rock State Park, “America’s Hit Parade!” Show at the Grand Majestic Theatre, Jim Beam Distillery, and much more.

Branson Christmas. November 7 - 10. $689 before 8/7. ($729 after 8/7.) Enjoy Daniel O’Donnell at the Welk Theater, Jim Stafford, Puttin’ On the Ritz (with Dino), Mel Tillis, “All Hands on Deck”, and either “Moses” at the Sight and Sound Theater or the Oak Ridge Boys, including dinner at Landry’s Seafood House. “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” at the Lofte. December 4. $95 before 9/4. ($105 after 9/4.)“…Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” But a mouse IS stirring……because Santa missed his house last year! Before you can say “Merry Christmas!”, we’re off on the wild adventures of a mouse, an elf, and a spunky little girl who just won’t take no for an answer. This journey is an exciting one for the whole family. Dinner afterwards at the Main Street Café in Louisville.

Kansas City Christmas. December 13 - 14. New Theater Restaurant, Webster House Luncheon, and more details coming.

Laughlin (There are currently no Laughlin trips available out of Omaha. Check with us for updates on these very reasonably priced charter flights to Laughlin, Nevada.

They typically sell out fast.)

In Partnership with Collette Vacations Quoted prices are per person, double occupancy, and do not include airfare.

More destinations available!

Reflections of Italy. Ten days from $2449. Visit a land rich in history, culture, art, and romance including Rome, the Colosseum, Assisi, Perugia, Siena, Florence, Chianti Winery, Venice, Murano Island, and Milan. Extend your trip in Turin.

Irish Splendor. Eight days from $1699. Return to times gone by as you experience fabulous accommodations, stunning scenery, and sumptuous food visiting Dublin, the Guiness Storehouse, Blarney Castle, Killarney, Dingle Peninsula, Cliffs of Moher, Dromoland Castle, and Tullamore Whiskey Distillery. Extend your trip in Dublin.

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

Need a hand at home? Stan can help!

May 2016

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.

11808 Mason Plaza, Omaha, NE 68154

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New Horizons

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Page 7

Paint-A-Thon Need your

serving the community for 28 years

house painted?

You could have your home painted at absolutely no cost, by volunteers from area businesses, congregations, and service clubs.

If you live in Douglas and Sarpy counties or Council Bluffs, are 60 or over, or are permanently disabled at any age, and meet financial guidelines, you could qualify.

Phone 211 for an application, or pick one up at any Wells Fargo Bank.

Time for armchair travels. These cookbooks offer global eating experiences without leaving the comfort of your own kitchen.

The Cafe Spice Cookbook

By Hari Nayak (Tuttle, $14.95) This CIA (Culinary Institute of America) student/Cafe Spice founder shares his signature spice blends used in Indian food. Techniques, ingredients, food, and drink.

Flavors of My World

By Maneet Chauhan (Favorite Recipes Press, $26.95) Starting from her Indian homeland take a culinary tour of 25 countries bite-by-bite, recipe-by-recipe. An essay precedes the food and drink recipe for each country.

!

Patsy's Italian Family Cookbook

By Sal Scognamillo (St. Martins, $29.99) Classic Neapolitan family recipes from this NYC restaurant. Everyday and holiday recipes learned from his father and grandparents. From Anise Biscotti to Zeppole.

Application Deadline May 27, 2016

Paint-A-Thon at 402-965-9169 Brush Up Nebraska is a privately funded program

Please support New Horizons advertisers

r u o y d e e n e W

! t r o p p su

I would like to become a partner with the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, and help fulfill your mission with older adults.

ENOA

Traditional funding sources are making it more difficult for ENOA to fulfill its mission. Partnership opportunities are available to businesses and individuals wanting to help us.

These opportunities include volunteering, memorials, honorariums, gift annuities, and other contributions.

Complete Chinese Cookbook

By Ken Hom (Firefly, $29.95) Chinese cooking 101. A guide to modern Chinese food, ingredients, and techniques from this recognized authority and author of 24 cookbooks.

International Night

By Mark Kurlansky (Bloomsbury, $29) This father/daughter duo spin the globe to select the theme and cuisine for 52 dinner destinations and meal plans with essays and headnotes containing history and culture.

200 Easy Mexican Recipes

By Kelley Coffeen (Robert Rose, $24.95) Enjoy a fiesta with over 200 easy, flavorful recipes, tips, and variations. Salsas, burritos, enchiladas, and more.

Frenchie By Greg Marchand (Artisan, $22.95) Recipes from his restaurant are organized seasonally and reflect his family and community. Instructions are carefully detailed. Delicious color photographs.

$30 = 7 meals or 1.75 hours of in-home homemaker services or 1 bath aide service for frail older adults.

Fire + Ice (Ten Speed, $35) Think the food history and lore of Nordiclands. Over 100 recipes from appetizers to desserts with brief instructions.

Try this sure to please potato dish from Norway.

$75 = 17 meals or 4.75 hours of in-home homemaker services or 4 bath aide services for frail older adults.

Butter-Steamed New Potatoes (Serves 4)

$150 = 35 meals or 9.5 hours of in-home homemaker services or 8 bath aide services for frail older adults. $300 = 70 meals or 19.25 hours of in-home homemaker services or 16 bath aide services for frail older adults.

Other amount (please designate)__________________________ Please contact me. I would like to learn more about how to include the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging in my estate planning.

Please ma il with thisyofour donation rm to: Eas

tern Office oNebraska n Aging Address:___________________________________ Attention : Jef Name:_____________________________________

4223 Ce f Reinhardt Omaha, nter Street NE 6810 5-2431 (402

City:______________State:_____ Zip: __________

) 444-665

Phone:____________________________________

Page 8

By Lois Friedman readitandeat@yahoo.com

A culinary trip around the globe

FREE

For more information, call

Read it & eat

•

New Horizons

4

•

May 2016

1-pound tiny new potatoes, no larger than 1-inch diameter (about 2 dozen), unpeeled 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Scrub the potatoes and drain them in a colander. Place the butter in a small gratin dish just large enough to hold the potatoes. Set the dish in the oven for the butter to melt, then add the potatoes and salt, and toss with the butter. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake until the potatoes are tender, about one hour.

Sprinkle the potatoes with the dill and serve immediately, right from the gratin dish.

Dance Wednesdays at Legion Post #1

Y

ou’re invited to attend a dance each Wednesday afternoon from

1 to 4 at American Legion Post #1, 7811 Davenport St. Admission is $2.

For more information, please call 402-392-0444.

Omaha Performing Arts announces its schedule Omaha Performing Arts’ 2016-2017 season includes award-winning touring Broadway productions, performances by current and rising stars, and some returning favorites.

Among the highlights of the season are: • Oct. 11 to 16: Cabaret.

• Nov. 15 to 20: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

• Nov. 18: Black Violin.

• Dec. 2: The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Catherine Russell for Big Band Holidays.

• Jan. 24 to 29: The Sound of Music.

• April 4 to 9: Some Kind of Wonderful: The Carole King Musical.

• May 16 to 21: Broadway’s Something’s Rotten!

“The 2016-2017 season offers cutting edge performances, big names, and tomorrow’s stars throughout the year,” said Joan Squires, president of Omaha Performing Arts.

“With our Broadway, Jazz, Dance, Family, Showcase, and National Geographic Live Series, along with the 1200 Club and special performances, we are offering a diverse range of performance options that appeal to a wide range of patrons,” Squires added.

Season ticket packages to the series are available for purchase now. Single tickets to performances go on sale later.

For more information, visit omahaperformingarts.org/seasontickets or call 402345-0606 or toll-free 866-434-8587.

ENOA volunteer opportunities

T

he Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Foster Grandparent Program, Senior Companion Program, and Ombudsman Advocate Program are recruiting older adults to become volunteers.

Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions must be age 55 or older, meet income guidelines, have a government issued identification card or a driver’s license, able to volunteer at least 15 hours a week, and must complete several background and reference checks.

Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions receive a $2.65 an hour stipend, transportation and meal reimbursement, paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave, and supplemental accident insurance.

Foster Grandparents work with children who have special needs while Senior Companions work to keep older adults living independently.

Ombudsman advocates work to ensure residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities enjoy the best possible quality of life.

Ombudsman advocates, who must be age 18 or older, are enrolled through an application and screening process. These volunteers, who are not compensated monetarily for their time, must serve at least two hours a week.

For more information, please call 402-444-6536.

AARP offering driver safety course AARP is offering a new four-hour, research-based Smart Driver Course for older adults.

Participants will learn research-based driving safety strategies that can reduce the likelihood of having an accident, understand the links between the driver, the vehicle, and the road environment, and how this awareness encourages safer driving. The fee is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-AARP members.

No tests or examinations are involved, course completion certificates are provided, and auto insurance discounts may apply. Here’s this month’s schedule: May 11 @ 4 p.m.

Performance Toyota 7204 S. 124th Circle 402-210-2372

May 20 @ 9:30 a.m.

Metro Comm. College 829 N. 204th St. 402-457-5231

May 14 @ Noon AARP Information Center 1941 S. 42nd St #220 402-398-9568

May 21 @ 10 a.m.

The Premier Group, LLC 10050 Regency Cir. #509 402-557-6730

May 18 @ Noon Bloomfield Forum 9804 Nicholas St. 402-390-9991

May 25 @ 9:30 a.m.

CHI Midlands Hospital 11111 S. 84th St. 800-253-4368

Respite program changes its name, moves to UNMC campus location

T

he Respite Resource Center, which provides free assistance to allow family caregivers to take a short break from caregiving, has moved its office to the Munroe-Meyer Institute on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus.

Janet Miller Ellen Bennett Senior Farmers’ Market Its name has also changed to Respite Across the Lifespan. coupons to be offered A caregiver is a person who cares for someone who has

by ENOA during June a long-term or lifelong physical or psychological challenge

D

uring June, the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging will again be offering coupons that can be exchanged for fresh produce through the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.

Recipients must be 60 years of age or older and have an annual income of less than $21,978 for a single-person household and less than $29,637 for a two-person household. Only one set of coupons will be allowed per household.

The coupons are expected to be available for distribution in early June.

More information should be available through your ENOA senior center at the end of May. For a complete list of ENOA senior centers, please visit our website at enoa.org.

For more information, see the June New Horizons.

across the lifespan.

Both Ellen Bennett and Janet Miller are available to help family caregivers find qualified, screened respite care providers to come into the home, enabling the caregiver an opportunity to rest, refresh, and reenergize.

Respite Across the Lifespan can also help caregivers locate potential funding sources to cover some of the respite care costs.

For more information, please call Ellen at 402-559-5732 or Janet at 402-559-5735.

New Cassel Foundation to honor vets during May 4 celebration The New Cassel Foundation will salute more than 50 military veterans from the New Cassel Retirement Center and the Franciscan Centre Adult Day Service program on Wednesday, May 4 at 2 p.m. in the New Cassel Auditorium, 900 N. 90th St. Major General Roger P. Lempke (retired), the director of military and veterans affairs in U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer’s office, will be the guest speaker. American Legion Post #1 will post the colors, play Taps, and conduct a rifle salute.

The Remembering Our Fallen exhibit, honoring those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, will be on display May 2 through 6 in the New Cassel Auditorium.

Norwegian celebration scheduled for May 15 at Danish Vennelyst Park

T

he Sons of Norway Elveby Lodge 1-604 is hosting its annual Norwegian Syttende Mai celebration on Sunday, May 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Danish Vennelyst Park, 9100 N. 31st St. (near Florence Mill).

The event will feature Scandinavian dancers, music, a clown, and a bounce house for the children.

The menu will include BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, and assorted beverages. Delicious Norwegian lefse will also be served with butter and brown sugar.

Norwegian antiques will be on display and vendors will be offering craft items for sale.

Admission is $10 at the door. Children age 3 and younger will be admitted for free.

May 2016

•

THEOS THEOS, a group for older widows and widowers, meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the Presbyterian Church of the Cross, 1517 S. 114th St. The organization offers weekend activities, Wednesday night dinners, and pinochle twice a month.

For more information, call 402-399-0759, 402393-3052, or 402-393-8931.

VOTES WANTED PLEASE GO TO

www.lightthebridge.org

New Horizons

100% non-profit addressing hunger VOTES TO DATE • For: 3,141 • Please vote today to address hunger.

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Page 9

John Beasley’s living his dream as an actor, producer

Photo courtesy of Eric Antoniou

Beasley didn’t pursue an acting career sooner because he had a wife and two sons to support.

By Leo Adam Biga Contributing Writer

O

maha’s John Beasley came to film and television acting late in the game. After all, he was pushing age 50 when he broke through. But he used that late start to hone his craft on stages in Omaha, the greater Midwest, and the deep South.

Besides being a familiar face in front of the camera, John’s a producer on two feature film projects including the story of Marlin Briscoe. Before making history as the National Football League’s first black starting quarterback, Briscoe starred at Omaha South High School and at then-Omaha University, where Beasley

John performing in August Wilson’s ‘Fences’ at Boston’s Huntington Theatre.

was a teammate in the mid1960s.

The performing bug bit as a youth for Beasley. At Technical High School he won prizes for oral interpretation and acting. He didn’t pursue the acting profession for a while because he had a family to support.

“I’ve always been content and confident I could have made it as an actor years earlier. But I wasn’t ready at that time to do what it would take,” he says. “I mean, I had a young family that I was raising, and I love my family. I love the time I spent with them. And if I had started this (career) earlier I would have lost all of that. I have no regrets.”

Growing up without a father, Beasley made sure he

Beasley attended Omaha Technical High School and what was then Omaha University.

Page 10

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New Horizons

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was there for his kids.

“My father was never around. But he taught me a lot by not being around. He taught me to be the father I didn’t have.”

John’s sons, Tyrone and Michael Beasley, both actors, appreciate their dad being there for them.

“Our father taught us how to be men by showing love and always being present, always showing interest, and making sacrifices for the family,” says Michael, whose wife, Deena Beasley, is also an actress.

John Beasley’s path to stardom isn’t so different than fellow Omahan Nick Nolte. They both used regional theater as their springboard. The difference is Nolte never acted on an Omaha stage and his screen work began in his early 30s.

By contrast, Beasley did an Army hitch and then worked “regular” jobs through his mid-40s. He was a Union Pacific railroad clerk and custodian, a Vickers machine operator, a North Omaha jitney driver, and a Philadelphia waterfront laborer. Beasley always did theater on the side.

“I was content, even when I was a janitor, because I was doing what it is I love to do — the theater. There were people who looked down on me and I always said to myself, ‘Well, just wait. I know who I am, and pretty soon you will know who I am.’ I’ve just always felt I could do whatever it is I wanted to do.”

Beasley’s confidence was well founded. Royal Shakespeare Company members he trained with in Omaha

May 2016

encouraged his talent. At local theaters he broke casting barriers by winning roles not traditionally given to actors of color. He then tested his wings outside Omaha, earning parts at regional theaters.

Between his “life experience” and theater chops, John prepared himself. “I’ve paid my dues, and I know that,” he says. “The foundation was already set.”

Nothing was guaranteed though. Michael says his father didn’t let on about what a risk he was taking.

“He never let us know when there was struggle.

As an actor you never know when your next paycheck is coming. He always sheltered us from that. A lot of friends and family thought he was crazy for going after his dream as an actor.”

Michael admires John’s persistence.

“My father would drive sometimes through blizzards and sleep in the car to auditions in Minneapolis and Chicago. He asked my mother to give him three weeks to try and live his dream. He booked a job within that time period.

Now the rest is history. He is my modern day hero.”

Judy Beasley, a medical secretary, never really doubted her man. Besides, she didn’t wish to stand in the way of what she considers his “God-given talent.”

“I believed in him. We all have gifts and he obviously had that gift, and when you have a gift you should use it.”

Judy says when John did achieve fame “there were things to work through, and

we did.”

She enjoys the red carpet events but also likes the Beasleys’ life away from the spotlight doing “home stuff.” She’s not surprised her two sons followed their father as actors since “he’s in them, he’s a part of them.”

Judy is a violinist with the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Intergeneration Orchestra of Omaha. The IGO consists of musicians age 25 and younger and age 50 and older.

She views what’s happened to her and John as “a blessing,” saying, “I thank the Lord all the time.”

O

nce John finally went for a full-time acting career, he was ready. “When I went out to act I wanted to be actor. I didn’t want to be a waiter, so waiting tables was not in the cards. I wanted to be a working actor and I’ve been a working actor all my career. I mean, that’s all you can hope for. Stars come and go. I’ve been working for a long time.”

He’s been a regular cast member on the TV Land series The Soul Man starring Cedric the Entertainer and Niecy Nash from its 2012 start. Beasley earlier had a recurring role on the WB Network’s Everwood beginning in 2002. He’s appeared in scores of TV dramas including HBO’s highly praised Treme.

His cinema work ranges from blockbusters (Sum of All Fears) to action pictures (Walking Tall), to Indie projects (It Snows All the --Please turn to page 11.

Beasley draws on his life experiences to hone his craft --Continued from page 10.

Time).

While many others have come out of Nebraska to find acting success in Hollywood, Beasley stands alone for always keeping Omaha as his home.

“I live in Omaha, yet I just finished a five-season series in L.A. and I did four years on Everwood. I’ve worked on some really large films. I’ve done every CSI series.”

When Beasley made his initial splash in the early 1990s alongside Oprah Winfrey on Brewster Place and in the movie Rudy, he was past leading man age but right on time to be a wizened, gritty character player. He’s continued making his mark portraying authority figures – fathers, judges, ministers, detectives, military officers, and “everyman” types.

John came to Hollywood with something no actor can buy – rich life experience.

He’s packed a lot into his 72 years.

“Done a lot of things, man,” he says, adding he draws on “every last bit of it” for his craft.

Should the fame ever go away or the acting offers stop, he’ll be fine.

“I know it’s going to be O.K. because I’ve lived that kind of life. I was a longshoreman in Philadelphia.

I was a gypsy cabdriver in Omaha.”

G

rowing up in North Omaha, Beasley got to know local black sports legends like Bob Boozer, Bob Gibson, Gale Sayers, and Johnny Rodgers.

In Philadelphia he worked at a TV station that broadcast a show whose guest stars – Sammy Davis Jr., Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, and Muhammad Ali among them – Beasley met. “It was very exciting for me.”

Meeting Ali was a particular thrill.

“I had two encounters with Ali. The first was at that TV station, He was banned from boxing and claimed to have a license to fight in Mississippi. He came to do an interview.

I went back stage and Ali came up to me and said, ‘I’ve seen your face someplace before, but I can’t place the cemetery.’

“I didn’t say anything and he said, ‘You must not have heard me.’ I said, ‘I heard you and you’re not going to

character.

In fact, one of the characters Ballentine’s patterned after is Old Joe from Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, a show Beasley was doing at his Omaha theater when he got the call for The Soul Man.

I

n the hands of less lifetested actors, many roles could be easily forgettable. Only Beasley makes them indelible. Think of his work as a preacher opposite Robert Duvall in the 1997 movie The Apostle. Even in scenes with the masterful Duvall, Beasley holds his own delivering a depth of character and truth seldom seen.

“I knew when I read the Photo courtesy of TV Land screenplay what he was looking for and I just knew I Beasley (second from left) plays Barton in the TV Land series ‘The Soul Man’. was the only one that could have to go to Mississippi to on his clothes and go home. of life, too, where I thought do it,” Beasley says. “My get a fight if you keep talk“That was the end of it,” maybe I might not make it ability to create a believing like that.”

Beasley says. out alive, but I always did. able character honestly is Beasley and Ali came John got close enough to It’s always turned out. But really the hallmark of what together a second time at the fracas that he could see you’ve got to stay the course I do. I try to be as honest in a black radio station in Frazier genuinely disliked and you’ve got to believe it my performance as possible Philadelphia when the boxer Ali and took his barbs perwill work out.” as opposed to trying to be goaded then heavyweight sonally. Beasley appreciated Even in a sitcom like The someone else. I look at how champion Joe Frazier down the high drama and did what Soul Man, Beasley brings would I react to this same to the station to fight him. he’s done since childhood a gravitas rooted in real situation. I’ve always gone “By the time I got down – file away the colorful life. His Barton Ballentine inside for my characters.” there the place was packed. characters and incidents for character is a retired preachBeasley felt a deep kinThere was no way I was his art. er who checks his son, a ship with Duvall. getting in,” Beasley recalls. former hit singer turned “Nobody is as believable “But then the news crew ith his facility for preacher, played by Cedric. as Bobby Duvall,” he says. from my station arrived and spinning yarns “What I do is ground the “Always in the moment. In one of the guys says, ‘Grab and assuming show in reality because fact, when we did it, he said, the sound equipment,’ and identities, Beasley bluffed that’s the way I act. It al‘Big John, don’t be afraid to we went up to the second his way into TV and radio lows the other actors to say anything, don’t hesitate, floor.” jobs and ingratiated himself be able to go over the top you’re not going to throw Ali and Frazier were talk- wherever he went, includa little bit, to play for the me.’ In other words, if I ing about taking the fight ing some tough spots along laughs. I don’t play for the improvised something he’d to a city park, but Frazier’s the way. All of it taught him laughs. I treat this character go with it in the moment. I manager, Yancey Durham, valuable survival skills. just like I would an (playthink if you’re in the mocame in and told Joe to put “I’ve seen the rough side wright) August Wilson --Please turn to page 12.

W

Your home. Your care. Your pace.

Your home is best and Immanuel Pathways’ goal is to help you continue living in your home as long as possible.

Our program provides a complete system of health care. The service is called PACE, which stands for: Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. We provide primary and hospital care as well as prescription drugs, transportation and so much more to our participants. Services are provided in the home, at the PACE Center and in the community.

For complete program details and benefits, please call 402-991-0330.

5755 Sorensen Parkway | Omaha, NE 68152

www.immanuelpathways.org

PACE participants may be fully and personally liable for the costs of unauthorized or out-of-PACE program services.

Emergency services are covered. Participants may disenroll at any time.

May 2016

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New Horizons

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Page 11

John making a film about former teammate Marlin Briscoe This labor of love has been in the works a decade. Beasley says he stuck with it because “Marlin Briscoe is a friend, first and foremost, and it’s a great story.”

The other film Beasley’s helping produce, East Texas Hot Links, tells the story of black men going missing in the South. Themes of community, loyalty, betrayal, revenge, and racism build tension until the violent purge.

“It’s quite a story. It’s a great ensemble piece,” he says. “It goes along as kind of the quiet before the storm and then everything breaks loose and eventually there’s a shootout. Eugene Lee had The Twilight Zone in mind when he wrote this.”

Thus far, Beasley adds, the cast includes Wendell Pierce (The Wire) and Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction).

Once the cast is complete, the film is slated to shoot in Omaha and Los Angeles, either late this year or early 2017.

The addition of Night Fox Entertainment – who is financing East Texas Hot Links – and other production companies in Nebraska signals a growing local film scene. Beasley does what he can to encourage this momentum.

“I like to help out the young filmmakers in the area,” he says. “Sometimes I do some things I regret doing. I’m kind of a soft touch. I should tell these people to go talk to my manager but they call me on my cellphone.”

He takes far less than scale for these projects because he knows what it’s like to be hungry.

Photo courtesy of Eric Antoniou “I know when I was coming along there weren’t many opportunities for film here and John in August Wilson’s ‘Fences’. Beasley would like to bring a Wilson play to Omaha. now that the film community has grown some and there are a lot of young people trying to do --Continued from page 11.

Omaha University, he suffered a broken neck in some things, I’ll lend my talent as much as I ment it’s always going to work for you.” a pickup basketball game that could have easily can.”

Two decades later, Duvall still enjoys recount- ended his playing days. He came back to earn There’s some self-interest at work, too. ing the answer he gave people who inquired All-America status. Over his career Briscoe set “I do want to do films that I can include my about the then-unknown Beasley.

22 school records. actors in. That was probably the main reason to “They’d say, ‘Where’d you find that non-acEarlier this year, Marlin was selected for inget into producing – to provide a vehicle for not tor?’ I’d say, ‘Well, that non-actor played Othel- duction into the College Football Hall of Fame. only myself and my boys but also the actors I’ve lo at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.’ He’s a Many believe his selection to the Pro Football developed here.” good actor, that guy.”

Hall of Fame is only a matter of time because of Actually, Beasley played other roles at the the color barrier he broke in the NFL. easley’s bread and butter projects come Goodman, just not Othello, but he did essay the A South Omaha street is named for Briscoe out of Hollywood. The Soul Man – whose Moor at Omaha’s Norton Theater. and a life-sized bronze statue of his likeness will fifth and final season ends in June – proDuvall is a big football fan who knows enough be unveiled next fall at the University of Nebrasvided steady work and further enhanced his Husker gridiron lore to describe Johnny Rodgers ka at Omaha. His life is worthy of a movie, too, as “one of the greatest college football players because it is equally historic, heart breaking, and screen image.

“Behind the scenes we always had a great set, ever.” Duvall was excited to learn Beasley’s not inspirational. a welcoming set. No tension. And that says a lot only from the same hometown as the 1972 HeisBriscoe signed with the Denver Broncos in about Cedric and who he is because the player in man Trophy winner but knows him personally.

1968 as an all-around athlete who intended to the number one position kind of sets the tone. He Beasley’s work in The Apostle got singled out play quarterback, and who had a contractual was also the co-creator and an executive producby The New York Times and other major publica- agreement to be given a tryout at the position. er, so he had a lot of say.” tions. The performance helped make his reputaIn a time rife with racial prejudice, bigotry, and Beasley is a big admirer of Niecy Nash, who tion in Hollywood. myths, many coaches and executives believed Then there’s the short but telling screen time blacks did not possess the attributes to be signal- played Cedric’s wife and Ballentine’s daughterin-law in the show. he has as a Notre Dame assistant football coach callers at the professional level.

“I’ve been saying people have got to see her, in Rudy. John’s character starts out wanting no After getting off to a 2-4 start, the Broncos part of Rudy but by the end he’s won over by the gave Briscoe the reins to its offense. He set club --Please turn to page 13. kid’s heart. rookie records with 14 touchdown passes, 1,589 passing yards, and 309 rushing yards while leadhese days, Beasley is producing a sports ing Denver to a 3-5 mark as its starter. film The Magician, which is going beIn 1969, Marlin was traded to the Buffalo Bills fore the cameras this fall. The project is where he learned to play wide receiver. He bea personal one because John goes back a long came an All-Pro before being dealt in 1971 to the way with its subject, Marlin “The Magician” Miami Dolphins where he helped the team win Briscoe. The nickname arose from Briscoe’s Super Bowls in 1972 and 1973. knack at quarterback to improvise when things Life after football began well but by the 1980s broke down. At the toughest times, he’d make a Briscoe fell deep into the spiral of a hard drug memorable pass or run and lead an improbable addiction that eventually cost him his family, his comeback. home, his money, and nearly his life.

“He’s ‘The Magician’ for a reason,” Beasley Lyriq Bent (Book of Negroes) will play Brissays. “When I played with him I saw him in difcoe on screen. The script is by Gregory Allen ficult positions, where you thought it was over.

Howard (Remember the Titans). Beasley and He’d be in a crowd on one side of the field and two Omaha partners in his West Omaha Films, the next thing you knew he’d be on the other side Terry Hanna and Dave Clark, are partnering with as if by magic. And it carried over to his life. Just producer Doug Falconer (Forsaken) on the $20 Photo courtesy of TV Land when it looks like he’s down and out, he comes million budgeted project. Some exteriors may be Beasley, far right, with the cast from back.” shot in Omaha, but most of the film is expected Between Briscoe’s junior and senior seasons at to be done in Toronto.

TV Land’s ‘The Soul Man’.

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Beasley’s comfortable in his own skin, talent --Continued from page 12. they don’t know the Niecy Nash I know, and now everybody’s discovering her.”

Seeing the show end is not easy. Beasley says at the wrap following the final episode’s taping “tears started to fall because after five years on a series you become family. You know the people behind the camera, in front of the camera. That was kind of a difficult day for us.”

He leaves with upbeat feelings. “They were always good to me and they always let me know I was an important part of what was happening.”

There were some bumps in the road during The Soul Man’s five-year run on TV Land.

“The first season the writers really understood who this character was and I got quite a bit of screen time. They always told me they loved writing for me because I always make it work.

“After the first season we lost a lot of writers because of budget cuts. The second season they brought in new show runners and I got less storyline. In the third, fourth, and fifth sessions we had different show runners altogether, and these guys really didn’t know who Barton was.

“Some things they wrote for me I didn’t particularly care for. But when we’d go through rehearsals Cedric would say, ‘Circle that,’ meaning let’s take that back to the writers.

“There was one episode where they had Barton being disrespectful to his daughter-in-law. I said, ‘I’m not going to say that line because he wouldn’t say that.’ The writers understood. They knew that I knew the character better than they did.”

Beasley stays true to his principles in whatever he does. “The thing I’ve told myself is that I will never do any character that doesn’t have dignity.

Regardless of who you are, you have to love yourself. You have to have some kind of dignity.

If a character doesn’t have dignity then I don’t usually get called for it because that’s not in my body of work.”

Having a TV series end a long run is nothing new for him. It happened with Everwood in 2006. Beasley prefers to look at things optimistically “The end of any project is the beginning of another thing.”

With the end of The Soul Man, the new beginning led to taping the CBS sitcom pilot for Real Good People. Beasley plays a denizen at a cafe.

“We shot in front of a live audience and it went really good. The producers really liked me a lot.

It’s a funny show. They’ve put some money into this one. It will probably go into production in July and air in the fall.”

Beasley was offered the role of Mr. D in the upcoming Fox event series Shots Fired starring Richard Dreyfuss. Taking its lead from racially charged police shootings that inspired Black Lives Matter, the series looks at the aftermath of such incidents in a Southern city.

“I’m in demand right now,” says Beasley, whose son, Michael, was up for a part in the same series.

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side from TV and film work, theater’s always on Beasley’s mind. “My first love is theater,” he declares.

His John Beasley Theater & Workshop – 3010 R St. – found a niche doing the work of August Wilson (Fences). Beasley acted-directed there and brought in guest actors. He and his son, Tyrone Beasley, who was artistic director, trained many first-time players.

“I’m thinking about doing another play in Omaha because I’ve got some players here I’ve developed that are pretty good actors and I’d just like to see them do something. I want to do August Wilson. I still think Omaha doesn’t know about August Wilson. I love his work because it’s a true reflection. I know these people.”

John Beasley is proud his two sons, Tyrone and Michael, have followed his lead into acting. John is looking for a project the trio can perform together.

The late Wilson wrote a much-heralded 10-play cycle about African-American life that Denzel Washington is adapting for HBO. Beasley is a leading interpreter of Wilson, having appeared in several productions of the artist’s work at major theaters in Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta as well as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Beasley feels forever indebted to the artist.

“I owe so much to August Wilson. He’s been a big part of my career. He wrote some roles for middle-aged black men I can do the rest of my life.”

One thing Beasley’s not prepared to do is to have his own theater again, at least not right now.

“Running a theater myself was quite a burden.

I didn’t have a strong board. They didn’t raise money and so I underwrote most of the things we did. I don’t want to go back to that. One production I can handle. I think I can find the sponsors for it and I think I can do it without it coming out of my pocket.”

Beasley feels the Omaha’s strong theater scene helps propel some people. He’s worked with some fellow Omaha talent on screen including Gabrielle Union.

He feels Nebraskans stand out in film-TV circles on the coasts because of their Midwest ethos.

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“There’s a different value here. When you’re out in L.A., it’s a whole different climate; it’s a whole different deal. I’m well liked on the sets I work out there. I’m pretty laid-back, too. I’m known for being a nice guy and very considerate and very compassionate.”

He’s comfortable in his skin and talent. “My work speaks for itself and I don’t have to impress anybody.”

John feels he’s improved with age. “My concentration’s gotten even better. I’m even more aware of my presence and I look more and more for the subtle things. I want you to maybe see what I’m thinking without beating you over the head.”

Beasley’s pleased his sons followed his lead into acting. Tyrone is respected for his stage and screen work in Omaha. He’s on the artistic staff of the Rose Theater. Michael Beasley is a busy TV-film actor based in Atlanta. Michael’s son, Malik, played basketball at Florida State University in 2015-16 and has declared for the 2016 NBA draft.

John’s actively seeking a project he and his sons can do together. “I’ll find something, even if we have to write it ourselves.”

All in all, he says, “I’ve just been blessed. It’s been quite a ride.”

Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work online at leoadambiga.com.

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ENOA orchestra hoping to raise funds through 2016 Omaha Gives campaign

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he Intergeneration Orchestra of Omaha, a special project of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, has set a goal of raising $1,000 during the 2016 Omaha Gives campaign that’s scheduled for Wednesday, May 25.

The IGO, which consists of musicians age 25 and younger and age 50 and older, is raising the money to help support its 32nd season of performances at area nursing facilities and retirement homes during 2016-17.

Omaha Gives is a one-day online fundraising program organized by the Omaha Community Foundation to support nonprofits in Douglas and Sarpy counties. The event is designed to show off the community’s spirit of giving, raise awareness about local nonprofits, and celebrate the effort required to keep the Omaha area great.

This year, donors can schedule their gifts of $10 or more ahead of time or make their donations throughout the day on May 25. The nonprofits can earn bonus dollars for drumming up the most support and through hourly drawings.

In 2015, more than 20,000 people donated $8.8 million for more than 700 local nonprofits through Omaha Gives.

To make a donation or for more information, please log on to www.omahagives24.org.

‘Heathers: The Musical’ at Blue Barn Theatre May 19 to June 19 Heathers: The Musical will be on stage at the Blue Barn Theatre, 1106 S. 10th St., Thursday, May 19 through Sunday, June 19.

Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays, June 5, 12, and 19.

With the music, lyrics, and a book written by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, Heathers: The Musical is the story of Veronica Sawyer’s efforts to join a ruthless clique at Westerberg High School called The Heathers.

Tickets, which are $30 for adults or $25 for seniors, are available online at www.bluebarn.org or by calling 402-345-1576.

Alzheimer’s support groups The Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter offers several caregiver support groups and specialty support groups each month in Cass, Dodge, Douglas, 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 (toll free) 800-272-3900.

CASS COUNTY • PLATTSMOUTH Second Tuesday @ 6 p.m.

First Lutheran Church (chapel) 1025 Ave. D DODGE COUNTY • FREMONT Last Wednesday @ 2 p.m.

Nye Square 655 W. 23rd St. Second Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m.

Shalimar Gardens (second floor community room) 749 E. 29th St. DOUGLAS COUNTY • OMAHA Second Thursday @ 10 a.m.

Country House Residences 5030 S. 155th St. FREE on site adult day services are provided.

Every other Monday @ 7 p.m.

Brighton Gardens 9220 Western Ave. Third Wednesday @ 3 p.m.

Fountain View Senior Living 5710 S 108th St. First & third Monday @ 1:30 p.m.

New Cassel’s Franciscan Centre 900 N. 90th St. FREE on-site adult day services are provided.

Third Tuesday @ 5 p.m.

Immanuel Fontenelle 6809 N 68th Plz.

Third Tuesday @ 6 p.m.

Temple Israel (media room) 13111 Sterling Ridge Dr. Early Stage Support Group Every other Tuesday (Beginning June 14 for eight sessions) @ 6 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED Call Diane @ 402-502-4301 X 8251 for locations & to register.

Caring for Your Parents Second or third Saturday @ 11 a.m.

Call Teri @ 402-393-0434 for locations Spanish Language Support Group Second Tuesday @ 4 p.m.

Intercultural Community Center 3010 R St. 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. Fourth Thursday @ 6 p.m.

Hillcrest Grand Lodge 6021 Grand Lodge Ave. Second Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m.

Heritage Ridge 1502 Fort Crook Rd. South

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

AARP Nebraska’s free shredding event is scheduled for May 7 at the Center Mall AARP Nebraska is presenting its 11th annual shredding event on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This free community event will be held in the east end of the top parking level at the Center Mall, 42nd and Center streets.

The activity is designed to allow participants – who can drive through and drop off their items with unloading assistance – to shred personal (not business) documents in on-site mobile shredders.

AARP would like to thank its volunteers, Shred It, First Star Recycling, and the Center Mall.

For more information, please call the AARP Nebraska Information Center at 402-398-9568.

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Harvard offering facts, advice about dealing with Alzheimer’s Dementia affects the man diagnosed but also raises fears for siblings and children.

Here are the facts. Alzheimer’s disease represents a personal health crisis, but it’s also a family concern. What does it mean for your children or siblings if you’re diagnosed with Alzheimer’s? What does it mean for you if a close relative develops the condition?

“People think if their dad, aunt, or uncle had Alzheimer’s disease, they are doomed. But, no, that’s not true,” says Dr. Gad Marshall, assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. “Even though family history adds to the overall risk, age still usually trumps it quite a bit. It means your risk is higher, but it’s not that much higher, if you consider the absolute numbers.”

Studies of family history say if you have a close relative who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease – the most common form of dementia in older adults – your risk increases by about 30 percent. This is a relative risk increase, meaning a 30 percent hike in your existing risk.

If you’re age 65, the risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is 2 percent per year, although this also means a 98 percent chance per year of not developing Alzheimer’s.

In absolute numbers, a 2 percent annual risk means two 65-year-olds out of 100 will develop dementia every year.

Family history raises the 2 percent annual risk by about 30 percent, to 2.6 percent per year. That means going from 20 cases in a group of 1,000 to 26 in 1,000, or six additional cases in 1,000. “So the absolute increase is relatively small,” Dr. Marshall says.

Age raises the chance of Alzheimer’s more than family history. People in their 70s have a 5 percent chance of being diagnosed—more than twice that of people in their 60s. Family history raises this by 30 percent, from 5 to 6.5 percent. Again, the absolute change is relatively small.

When a relative is diagnosed with dementia later in life, family members often wonder if they should be tested for the “Alzheimer’s gene.” The short answer is no. “It can be a quick no or a long no, with more explanation, but the answer is nearly always no,” Dr. Marshall says. “It’s not going to be helpful, since it won’t tell you whether you will develop the disease. It will only tell you if you are at a greater or lower risk.”

For Alzheimer’s disease that begins later in life. In the vast majority of cases a gene called apolipoprotein E (APOE4) is associated with greater risk for dementia. If you inherit one copy of APOE4, your risk triples. If you have two copies, your risk is 10 to 15 times higher (this is rare).

But having APOE4 doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop dementia. Among people who age normally into their 70s, about 25 percent still have one or more copies of the risk gene. Nor does the absence of APOE4 protect you.

About 35 percent of people with Alzheimer’s don’t have one of the risk genes.

This means if genetic testing reveals you have one or more copies of APOE4, it won’t tell you what you really want to know: will you definitely get Alzheimer’s disease—or will you not? Knowing you have the risk gene could instill fear and negatively influence your life decisions.

Genetic counselors discourage testing in people with close relatives who developed Alzheimer’s disease later in life. “Having the gene says you have a higher risk, but it does not mean that you will get dementia,” Dr. Marshall emphasizes.

Here is some additional advice: • Contact the Alzheimer’s Association (www/alz.org).

Find out about resources available to help you and your family.

• Plan for the future by legally designating someone to make health care and financial decisions for the affected person when he or she can’t.

• Investigate long-term care options as soon as possible.

• Take care of physical health. People with dementia who live a healthy lifestyle tend to progress more slowly to the later stages.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research

Study: Older drivers with a history of falling more likely to be involved in traffic crashes

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lder drivers with a history of falling are 40 percent more likely to be involved in traffic crashes than their peers, according to a new study released recently by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Falls limit an older drivers’ ability to function behind the wheel and can make driving risky for themselves and others on the road. These findings are important since annually a record 12 million older adults will experience a fall.

“Drivers age 60 and older are involved in more than 400,000 crashes each year, and it’s important that we find ways to keep them and others safe on the road,” said President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Peter Kissinger. “This research is critical because it shows we can now use an older driver’s fall history to identify if they are at greater risk for a crash.”

The report, Associations Between Falls and Driving Outcomes in Older Adults is the latest research released in the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers project.

Researchers from the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus along with the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicate falls can increase crash risk in two ways: • Falls can result in a loss of functional ability (i.e. wrist fractures or a broken leg), which can make it difficult for older drivers to steer or brake to avoid a crash.

• Falls can increase an individual’s fear of falling, which can lead to a decrease in physical activity that

May 2016

weakens driving skills.

“When it comes to physical health, you either use it or lose it,” said AAA’s Director of Traffic Safety and Advocacy Jake Nelson.

“Falls often scare people into being less active, but decreasing physical activity can weaken muscles and coordination and make someone more likely to be in a crash.”

The research suggests older adults and their families should view falls as a possible early indicator of declining physical fitness.

Addressing the health issues that originally led to the fall such as lower body weakness, poor balance, slow reaction time, certain medications, dizziness, or vision problems can help older drivers strengthen their functional ability and lower their risk for crashing or experiencing another fall.

“Older drivers should find activities that enhance balance, strengthen muscles, and promote flexibility,” said Nelson. “Even a low impact fitness training program or driver improvement course can help safely extend an older driver’s years on the road.”

Fall prevention is a great way for older drivers to keep themselves and others safe while on the road.

Those concerned about a parent or another older driver should help them monitor risk factors that address health concerns or household dangers. AAA recommends a series of exercises and stretches to improve neck, shoulder, trunk, back, and overall body flexibility that can help a driver who has suffered from a recent fall.

As a leading advocate for older driver safety, AAA also offers a variety of pro-

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grams and resources to help older drivers improve their driving performance and avoid crashes.

For more information on AAA resources for older drivers such as RoadWise online classroom courses or other programs that help older adults better fit their vehicles, please visit www.seniordriving.aaa.com.

211 network The 211 telephone network has been established in parts of Nebraska to give consumers a single source for information about community and human services.

By dialing 211, consumers can access information about: • Human needs resources like food banks, shelters, rent and utility assistance, etc.

• Physical and mental health resources.

• Employment support.

• Support for older Americans and persons with a disability.

• Support for children and families.

• Volunteer opportunities and donations.

The New Horizons is brought to you each month by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.

VOTES WANTED PLEASE GO TO

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Corrigan Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Corrigan Senior Center, 3819 X St., this month for: • May 2: A Cruise birthday party @ 11 a.m. with music

by Cynthia Ziesman from the Merrymakers. Wear your tropical attire and stay for lunch and Bingo.

• May 4, 11, 18, 25: Crafts & Social class with Anita @ 10 a.m. Make Kentucky Derby hats, shadow boxes, tea cup planters, and painted pots. All crafts items are supplied (except for the hats). A $2 donation is requested. Stay for lunch and a ceramics class.

• May 5: Kentucky Derby party. Celebrate the “Run For The Roses” Corrigan style by wearing hats, horse, and rose theme clothing and accessories. Prizes for the best outfits.

Chair volleyball @ 11 a.m., noon lunch, and 1 p.m. Bingo.

• May 6: Mother’s Day brunch menu with a cinnamon roll for dessert. Wear your favorite hat or outfit. Help with Homestead Exemption forms from 10 a.m. to noon. Movie and word search games after lunch.

• May 9: Cooking For One with dietitian Michaela Howard from ENOA @ 11:15 a.m. Stay for lunch and Bingo.

• May 12: Celebrate Mother’s Month with the Omaha Dancing Grannies @ 11:30 a.m. Cheeseburger lunch and Bingo to follow. Wear your fun attire and hats.

• May 17, 24, 31, & June 7, 14, 21: Cooking Matters classes @ 10:15 a.m. Join chef Corey Hall and registered dietician Mandy. Take home the groceries you use to make the day’s meal. The class size is limited, so call Lynnette @ 402-731-7210 to sign up.

• May 19: Roast beef dinner & Mega Bingo. Win part of a $75 Bingo jackpot, raffles, and more. The reservation deadline is noon on Friday, May 13.

• May 23: Walk Through the Garden video presentation

by Gabriel from Lauritzen Gardens. Stay for a tasty stuffed pepper casserole or a chicken salad croissant lunch. Bingo follows lunch.

• May 26: John Wayne’s birthday celebration. Wear your favorite western attire. Play John Wayne movie trivia and win prizes. Lunch is a chicken casserole or a deli ham and cheese on ciabatta bun sandwich. Stay for Bingo.

Play chair volleyball every Tuesday and Thursday @ 11 a.m. A noon lunch will follow.

Join us for Tai Chi Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. in our spacious gym.

Bingo, ceramics, exercise, woodcarving, and loads of fun are also available.

The Corrigan Senior Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is served at noon. A $3.50 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, call Lynnette at 402-731-7210.

Best chance for curing blood-based cancers may be treatments often thought of as being too harsh As the boomer generation ages, the number of older adults with blood-based cancers is growing. For many of these patients, the best chance for a “cure” involves intensive treatments traditionally thought to be too harsh for people over age 65.

Experts at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, and Rich J. Solove Research Institute, however, say it’s a patient’s overall “fitness” and biologic age – how their body has aged over time – that should guide treatment choices, not their age in calendar years.

Research published by Ashley Rosko, MD, Christin Burd, PhD, and others at The OSUCCC is debunking the idea that age alone should be a limiting factor to treatment.

Their team is studying the process of aging and how it impacts a person’s ability to tolerate cancer treatments.

The goal is to define objective markers of biologic age that could be measured through a simple blood test and then integrated into the patient assessment process to better inform treatment decisions.

“There are many factors that influence the process of aging. Determining how functional a person really is involves a robust assessment of global health that spans everything from physical and mental health to other medical conditions

and social support at home,” says Ashley, a hematologist and researcher at The OSUCCC. “All of these factors influence a person’s health and should be considered when determining if a chronologically ‘older’ patient can tolerate chemotherapy or stem cell transplant as part of their treatment.

“A 70-year-old who has exercised, never smoked, and has no other health conditions could be as ‘fit’ as a 55-yearold who has led a less-healthful life,” she added.

Determining a person’s biologic age versus chronological age is a complex task.

The knowledge gained, however, says Rosko, can give oncologists important information about how well a person’s body is functioning and guide care decisions based on both what the patient can tolerate and what treatment will give them the best changes for cancer eradication or control.

Rosko is recruiting patients for a prospective study to evaluate whether the use of a comprehensive geriatric assessment approach can effectively segment patients into groups for specific targeted therapies more likely to increase their survival outcomes. As part of this study, blood samples will be analyzed for elevated levels of a protein called P16. This biomarker has shown to be present at higher levels in “aged” cells.

“P16 has the potential to help us understand whether a person is aging biologically faster or slower than their chronological age would suggest,” says Burd. The test is based on Burd’s previously published laboratory discoveries on P16.

“As we age, our ability to recover from illness and injury declines so we become more susceptible to conditions like cancer. Recent scientific studies illustrate a link between increasing numbers of non-regenerating cells in the body and age-related ailments. Therefore, knowing how many of these cells are present in each patient could give us important clues about a their ability to tolerate certain treatments,” adds Burd.

In February 2016, The OSUCCC opened a geriatric hematology clinic designed to address the specific needs of older adults with cancer. The clinic features innovative aging research paired with subspecialty evaluations by a pharmacist, case manager, nutritionist, physical therapist, and audiologist all in one visit.

For appointments and information about hematology services at The OSUCCC, go to cancer.osu.edu.

Sen. Fischer’s staff hosting Senior Fair on Friday, June 3

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he office of United States Sen. Fischer of Nebraska is hosting the second annual Senior Fair on Friday, June 3 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Millard Senior Center at Montclair, 2304 S. 135th Ave. The event gives older adults an opportunity to learn more about important community resources and to meet with members of Sen. Fischer’s staff.

For more information, please call Peggy King at 402-441-4600 or Holly Baker at 402-391-3411.

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Omaha Area Bone Health Group

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he Omaha Area Bone Health Group, sponsored by the Creighton University Osteoporosis Research Center and affiliated with the National Osteoporosis Foundation Support Group program, offers free programs each month in Room 5766 at the Alegent Creighton University Medical Center, 601 N. 30th St. Here’s this month’s program:

Please see the ad on page 3

New Horizons Club gains new members $50 Bill Gaus $25 Rosemarie Prystai $20 Grace Beck $10 Rosemary Weide Richard Raur Cecilia Sawatzki

• Safe Exercises for People with Osteoporosis With Judy Gale, PT, DPT, MPH, OCS Wednesday, May 11 1 to 2:30 p.m.

To RSVP or for more information, please contact Susan Recker at 402-280-4810 or srecker@creighton.edu.

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$5 Dale Sickler Refelects donations received through April 22, 2016.

Return homestead exemption applications by June 30

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 2016 forms and a household income statement must be completed and returned to the county assessor’s office by June 30, 2016.

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, 2016, the home’s owner/occupant through Aug. 15, 2016, and fall within the income guidelines shown below.

Certain homeowners who have a disability and totally-disabled war veterans and their widow(er)s may also be eligible for this annual tax break.

When determining household income, applicants must include Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits plus any

income for which they receive a Form 1099.

The homestead exemption amount is based on the homeowner’s marital status and income level (see below). Maximum exemptions are based on the average assessed value for residential property in each Nebraska county.

The Douglas County Assessor/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 the Volunteers Assisting Seniors at 402444-6617.

Douglas County residents can also have their homestead exemption questions answered by calling 402-597-6659.

Here are the telephone numbers for the assessor’s offices in the counties served by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging: Douglas: 402-444-7060; Sarpy: 402593-2122; Dodge: 402-727-3916; Cass: 402-296-9310; and Washington: 402426-6800.

Household income table Over age 65 married income

Over age 65 single income

Exemption %

0 - $32,200.99 $32,201 - $33,900.99 $33,901 - $35,700.99 $35,701 - $37,400.99 $37,401 - $39,100.99 $39,101 - $40,900.99 $40,901 - $42,600.99 $42,601 - $44,300.99 $44,301 - $46,100.99 $46,101 - $47,800.99 $47, 801 and over

0 to $27,400.99 $27,401 - $28,800.99 $28,801 - $30,300.99 $30,301 - $31,700.99 $31,701 - $33,100.99 $33,101 - $34,500.99 $34,501 - $36,000.99 $36,001 - $37,400.99 $37,401 - $38,800.99 $38,801 - $40,300.99 $40,301 and over

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

May 2016

Projects to help people deal with their chronic conditions being developed at UNMC

T

he University of Nebraska Board of Regents recently approved plans to establish the Center for Patient, Family, and Community Engagement in Chronic Care Management. The University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Foundation are providing the funding.

The center’s focus is to build infrastructure to expand and fund pilot research projects that help Nebraskans learn to live with their chronic (long-term) conditions so they stay healthy, stay in their homes longer, and reduce health care costs.

Projects will engage caregivers, families, and communities in the effort. The center, which will be administered through UNMC’s College of Nursing, will bring together researchers, health professionals, and educators from different disciplines and organizations to improve the safety, quality, and efficiency of self-management of chronic conditions.

One of the researcher’s goals is to secure major grants.

The center also will offer education and training workshops for faculty from campus, local, and national experts related to new research designs, as well as opportunities for funding and collaboration.

“Chronic illnesses and conditions are a growing crisis,” said Lani Zimmerman, Ph.D., director of the center and a professor in the UNMC College of Nursing. “If we are going to address this problem, we will have to do more to engage and rely on patients, family caregivers, and community partners to help manage these conditions.

“We’re looking for multidisciplinary teams to be part of the center. The teams will implement strategies to promote self-management to maintain or improve the patient’s health and prevent a decline in health,” Zimmerman continued.

“Self-management support programs are one means of improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital readmissions and emergency room visits.”

Some examples of promoting self-management include goal setting, problem solving and decision making, learning to recognize red flags to avoid trips to the emergency room or unnecessary hospitalization, learning when to see a health provider, and what to take along when seeing a provider.

The center will include professionals from different health and academic units at UNMC’s colleges and centers, Nebraska Medicine – UNMC’s hospital partner – the University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of NebraskaLincoln, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Doctoral students will have the opportunity to interact and serve on research teams.

The center will have an emphasis on using mobile, wearable, and online technologies to deliver interventions and monitor outcomes in rural and urban populations where access is a concern.

(UNMC provided this information.)

Omaha Computer Users Group You’re invited to join the Omaha Computer Users Group (OCUG), an organization dedicated to helping men and women age 50 and older learn more about their computers.

Anyone can join OCUG regardless of his or her computer skills.

The organization’s 50 members meet the third Saturday of each month from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Abrahams Library, 5111 N. 90th St. Annual dues to OCUG, which has existed for 15 years, are $25.

OCUG has a projector connected to a Microsoft Windows 7 computer and a Windows 8 computer to show users how to solve their computer problems. Bring your questions concerning your computer problems to the meetings for answers.

For more information, please call OCUG’s president Phill Sherbon at 402-333-6529.

•

New Horizons

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Page 17

Manager needed for Bennington Senior Center Are you using too much sugar?

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging is looking for a manager for its Bennington Senior Center, 322 N. Molley St. The facility is open Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The center manager’s duties include

serving lunch to and planning activities for the older men and women who visit the site each week.

For more information, please call Susie Davern in ENOA’s nutrition division at 402-444-6513.

AgeWell and Immanuel Village Celebrates Senior Health and Fitness Day Come and bring a friend!

Great Wellness Booths FREE Health Screenings FREE Audiology Screening

Door Prizes FREE Massage Therapy And much more!

Wednesday, May 25, 2016 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 6803 North 68th Plaza

AgeWell is designed specifically for adults 55 and older

For More Information Call 402-829-3200

www.immanuel.com

6801 N. 67th Plaza, Suite 100

Omaha, NE 68152

You can receive your FREE copy of the New Horizons each month in any of ways!

1 2 3

3

Pick up a copy at one of the more than 100 distribution sites (grocery stores, restaurants, senior centers, libraries, etc.)

Through the United States mail New subscribers should send their name, address, and zip code to: New Horizons, 4223 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68105.

Online on your computer* Send your email address to jeff.reinhardt@nebraska.gov

•

• May 3 @ 1 p.m.

The Great Tribute by Bill Chrastil

* Online subscribers will not receive a hard copy of the New Horizons each month.

New Horizons

•

May music at Walnut Grove You’re invited to attend a pair of free musical programs this month in the theater at the Walnut Grove Resort Lifestyle Community, 4901 S. 153rd St.

• May 24 @ 1 p.m.

Music by Billy Troy

For more information, please call 402-444-6654.

Page 18

These days, it’s incredibly easy to consume a huge daily dose of sugar. Grabbing a non-fat, grande latte before work will start your day off with 18 grams of sugar. A strawberry-on-the-bottom yogurt with an eight-ounce can of soda pop in the afternoon will add 41 grams; and a 32 ounce bottle of an energy drink and an almond and apricot bar at the gym shovels in another 65.5 grams. Consuming these common foods and beverages will bring your daily sugar intake to a total of 124.5 grams.

“Our ancestors probably consumed 20 teaspoons (100 grams) of sugar per year and we now consume that much per day,” says Dr. Sandy Seeman, a naturopathic doctor who also works at Campbell’s Nutrition in Des Moines, Iowa. “We cannot continue to consume this amount of sugar and not have it impact our systems. Something has to change.”

To avoid tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, and other ailments associated with excess sugar intake, Americans have turned to artificial sweeteners, including aspartame saccharin, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, neotame, and others. But the potential dangers of such sweeteners have been controversial since the 1970s, when saccharin was linked with bladder cancer in laboratory rats.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, more than 30 human studies have shown those results were irrelevant to humans and that saccharin is safe for human consumption.

The FDA stands by the safety of the sweeteners it approves, referring to aspartame on its website as one of the “most exhaustively studied substances in the human food supply,” with 100-plus studies supporting its safety.

The FDA also says more than 90 studies support the safety of acesulfame potassium, while 110 studies were reviewed in approving sucralose, 113 for neotame, and 37 for advantame.

“About the only way this stuff could harm you is if you were run over by a truck that was delivering it,” reports Josh Bloom, director of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the American Council on Science and Health, when discussing the recent FDA approval of advantame on his blog.

According to Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity and weight loss specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital, artificial sweeteners are far more potent than table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, and overstimulation of sugar receptors from frequent usage may limit tolerance for more complex tastes. That is, people who routinely use artificial sweeteners may start to find less intensely sweet foods (such as fruit) less appealing and unsweet foods (such as vegetables) downright unpalatable. In other words, overuse of artificial sweeteners can make you shun healthy, filling, and highly nutritious foods while consuming more artificially flavored foods with less nutritional value.

New York Times bestselling author Dr. Mark Hyman suggests that if you have a desire for something sweet, have a little sugar, but stay away from “fake” foods.

“Sugar-containing foods in their natural form, whole fruit, for example, tend to be highly nutritious—nutrientdense, high in fiber, and low in glycemic load.

On the other hand, refined, concentrated sugar consumed in large amounts rapidly increases blood glucose and insulin levels, triglycerides, inflammatory mediators, and oxygen radicals, and with them, the risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic illnesses.”

(EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of Earth Action Network.)

For more information, please call 402-861-1611.

May 2016

Selling, donating items online, on consignment may be viable options to January 25, 2016 holding a garage sale

RSVP

Brush Up Nebraska applications available at Wells Fargo Banks

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ouglas and Sarpy County residents age 60 and RSVP is recruiting perolder or who are permanently disabled, and sons age 55 and older for a who meet financial guidelines are encouraged to variety of opportunities. For apply to have their houses more information in Dougpainted this summer at no If you’re waffling on whether to devote your time to las, Sarpy, and Cass councost to the homeowner. labeling items andJudy, waking up at dawn to hold a garage ties, please call 402-444Volunteers from area sale, you may want to consider donating, selling online, 6536, ext.

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In Dodge businesses, congregations, Here’s your ad for the classified section for the February issue. Please let me or selling the items on consignment, Becky and Washington counties, and service clubs will paint know if this is okay.says If you haveJones, any changes, give me a call @ 402-444-4148. senior lecturer of Once accounting and business law in Baylor please call 402-721-7780. the homes as part of the 28th ad is approved mail your check for $24.00 to: University’s Hankamer School of Business.

• The Disabled Ameriannual Brush Up Nebraska N Those options are likely less labor-intensive, may can Veterans/VA Medical paint-a-thon in August.

New Horizons eb e make more financial sense, could give you taxReinhardt, advanCenter needs volunteer Applications this ic r a s k for c/o aJeff Editor f f a Oprogram tage, and perhaps spare you some emotional privately funded 4223 turmoil.

Center Street drivers.

Here are a few tips to consider: • The Office of Public are available by calling 211 Omaha, NE 68105 • Instead of organizGuardians is looking for or Rick, at any area Wells Fargo ing and pricing the volunteer court visitors.

Bank.

Theyour application deadHere’s ad for the classified section for the February issue items and then enlisting • The Blair and Fremont lineis isokay.

Friday, May 27.

If you have any changes, give me a call @ 402-444-4 Thanks! assistants for a garage Car-Go Program needs For pleaseorcall mailmore yourinformation, check for $32.00, call402-965-9169. in your credit card paymen sale, make it easyMitch on Laudenback volunteer drivers. yourself by taking@ New Horizons New Horizons items to a favorite charPlease c/ocall Jeff402-444-4148 Reinhardt, Editor ity. If you have a large or 402444-6654 4223 Center Street quantity or some large to place your NE ad 68105 items, some charitable organizations will pick them up Omaha, for free or a reasonable fee.

• Consider taking furniture that’s in reasonably good Ph. 402-444-6654 Lamplighter II HOUSE CLEANING Lonergan Lawns shape to a furniture consignment store or selling it onSome of the nicest, newer 1 bedroom line.

Mow, fertilize, aerate.

Need help cleaning apartments.

Elevator, w & d, heated Thanks!

“I generally only sell items I know people would want, parking garage. Small complex. By bus Trim trees & bushes. or organizing? &Mitch shopping.Laudenback No pets or smoking.

Clean gutters. such as a vacuum cleaner or outdoor furniture. I have 93rd & Maple • 402-397-6921 Call @ New Horizons Build walls. Haul junk. sold nice clothing I no longer wear at the consignment REFRESH CLEANING store as well,” Jones says.

Call Tim SERVICES, LLC • Spare yourself some anguish. @ 402-612-3576 402-885-8731 “It is very difficult for me to sell something for, say, $1

CLASSIFIEDS

A

ARP is recruiting men and women who have access to a computer to serve as volunteer instructors and coordinators for its Driver Safety Program.

To learn more about the AARP Driver Safety Program, log on to www.aarp. org/drive.

For more information about volunteering, log on

to www.aarp.org/volunteernow or please call 1-888227-7669.

VOTES WANTED PLEASE GO TO

www.lightthebridge.org 100% non-profit addressing hunger VOTES TO DATE • For: 3,141 • Please vote today to address hunger.

• Serve meals • Plan activities

Call Susie at 402-444-6513

TOP CASH PAID Best & honest prices paid for: Nice old vintage and costume jewelry, old watches, vintage toys, Fenton glassware, old postcards, advertising items, military items, pottery, and antique buttons.

Also buying estates & partial estates.

Call Bev at 402-339-2856

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

402-312-4000 May 2016

402-658-1245 rickfitzlerhomeimprovement.com

deFreese Manor

New Horizons News

402-894-9206 NH

Subsidized housing for those age 62 and over with incomes E a s t e r DOUBLE-DEPTH n N e b r a s k a a O f f i c e o n A gunder i n g •$25,500 4223 Center St (1 person) CEMETERY PLOT or $29,150 FOR SALE (two persons) N

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Located in the Hope Section of the Westlawn-Hillcrest Cemetery

Call 402-415-4843

2669 Dodge Omaha, NE 402-345-0622

REPUTABLE SERVICES, INC.

Senior Citizens (62+)

• Remodeling & Home Improvement

Accepting applications for HUD-subsidized apartments in Papillion & Bellevue. Rent determined by income and medical expenses.

• Safety Equipment Handrails Smoke and Fire Alarms • Painting Interior & Exterior

Monarch Villa West 201 Cedar Dale Road Papillion (402) 331-6882 Bellewood Courts 1002 Bellewood Court Bellevue (402) 292-3300

Johansen Brothers Call Frank

[Bonded & Insured]

Chipping & removal.

Your prunings chipped.

Experienced & insured. orizo w H Senior discount. ng

WEDNESDAYS 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tree Trimming Beat the bursting buds!

Agi

Manager needed for ENOA’s Bennington Senior Center

Big jobs or small, I’ll do them all!

on

GREAT JOB

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Ne

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

ns

AARP is recruiting volunteers for its Driver Safety Program

(before 1975)

rn

Instructors, coordinators needed

RICK’S

OLD STUFF WANTED

Easte

that has some sentimental memory for me and I remember what I paid for it,” Jones says.

A charitable organization may also sell the item for $1, but since the donor won’t know about it, the emotional consequences are less.

• Get a receipt when you make donations listing the items if the attendant doesn’t do it for you.

“I scan the receipt so I don’t have to keep up with it all year long,” Jones says. “At tax time, I go on the Internet and find websites that help value donated items.”

• Remember, you have to pay taxes on any capital gains from items you sell in a garage sale, but that’s moot, because the initial cost of the item was likely much more than the sale price, Jones says.

However, you get to take a charitable contribution deduction for the donated items.

“The disadvantage is you have to wait until tax time to get it and you have to itemize. So if you don’t itemize, a garage sale is better,” Jones says. “If you can itemize, you might get more cash from a garage sale than the value of the tax deduction, but the time and aggravation you save from not having a garage sale tips the scale for me.”

Managed by Kimball Management., Inc.

• Handyman Services • Senior Discounts • Free Estimates • References • Fully Insured Quality Professional Service

We do business in accordance with the Fair Housing Law.

•

New Horizons

Better Business Bureau Member

402-4 5 5-7 0 0 0

•

Page 19

Color Vibe 5K featured runners, walkers, dancers, vols

S

ome jogged, a few danced, some pushed baby strollers, while others took a leisurely walk through the winding course that began and ended near the Diamond Room, 605 N. 13th St. On a partly cloudy, cool Sunday morning last month, more than 2,300 men, women, boys, and girls participated in the 2016 Omaha Color Vibe 5K, a colorful fundraiser for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.

At points along the course, the participants had cornstarch-based blue, green, orange, purple, and pink powder blown and thrown on them. The cornstarch is custom made for the Color Vibe race series. It washes out from skin and hair, is non-toxic, and biodegradable.

After the participants crossed the finish line, many stayed around to dance and throw more colorful cornstarch on themselves and their friends’ clothes, hair, and skin.

“I want to thank the participants as well as the ENOA staff members who gave up part of their Sunday morning to volunteer at the Omaha Color Vibe 5K,” said Dennis Loose, ENOA’s executive director.

A special thanks to Mark Kresl from Midwest Geriatrics who photographed the event.

Photo by Mark Kresl/Midwest Geriatrics

Elder Access Line

Walnut Grove Retirement Community

Bilingual resource information

Enjoy the convenience, comfort, and luxury of

Walnut Grove

and leave all the responsibilities to us.

If you want stress-free/maintenance-free retirement living, Walnut Grove apartments provide the features you desire. Designed exclusively for adults 55 and over, we offer the comforts and conveniences of modern living without the hassle of upkeep.  One Price - All Inclusive

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402-915-0312

Page 20

•

New Horizons

WalnutGroveRetirement.net

•

May 2016

Bilingual information about hospice care, palliative care, helping loved ones with grief and loss, and caregiving is available through the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership.

The number for the Cuidando con Carino Compassionate Care HelpLine is (toll free) 1-877-658-8896.

VOTES WANTED

Walnut Grove

Call to schedule a tour of our apartment:

Legal 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 http:// www.legalaidofnebraska. com/EAL.

PLEASE GO TO

www.lightthebridge.org 100% non-profit addressing hunger VOTES TO DATE • For: 3,141 • Please vote today to address hunger.