Mature Lifestyles April 2012 Lake/Marion by Lifestyles After 50 Magazine

How I Overcame Zone Denial and Changed to Avant-Gardening

I laughed the first time our lawn here sprouted clover-looking weeds (Oxalis) f you’re a Florida all a-bloom with little purple flowers. transplant, there’s I had paid $6 to have a shamrock plant a good chance like those shipped to my Kansas house you’ve suffered from one winter years ago. The shamrock some sort of Zone bloomed on my kitchen windowsill, Denial as I have. and I thought it was magnificent. Janice Doyle, I first heard of Now, I was in Florida and it was Editor “Zone Denial” in blooming all over the yard! Amazing! Texas. I was in the process of buyA few years after the Kansas shamrock ing some Antique Roses to bring plant, I paid $5 for a straggly little splitback with me when a fellow leaf philodendron plant in late summer. It traveler, an avid gardener herself, had to be re-potted twice that first winter said, “Aren’t you in Zone Denial?” as it thrived in a south-facing window. On It seems Zone Denial is rampant the move to Florida, “Philly,” as we called everywhere gardeners are found. It’s a it, rode in the back of a pickup, roughly malady for Floridians that comes about stuffed inside a wicker clothes hamper. when you live in west central Florida New neighbor Marti advised us to put and deny the fact that, for gardening Philly outside in the ground. Reverse purposes, we are in Hardiness Zones Zone Denial set in—this was a 10, 9a or 9b, but we buy something that houseplant. It couldn’t just be plopped grows best in another growing zone. in the ground and never dug up again! The Hardiness Zone Map by the But, by rough estimate, Philly is 38 USDA is a way for gardeners to years old now and has a lineup of compare their garden climates with 13 siblings across the back fence. the climate where a plant is known to grow well. The antique roses, for example, were for zones four, five and six. I had a bad case of Zone Denial! The 2012 zone map reflects a new reality: Many areas of the U.S. are designated as warmer by about five degrees. For a gardener, that means plants which in the past wouldn’t thrive here (given the 1990 map) might well survive beautifully now. Let the plant-buying begin! It’s the first time since 1990 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Janice Doyle and the “fast-growing” squash. has revised the official guide for the nation’s 80 million gardeners, Avant-gardening and much has changed. Nearly Only in the last few years have entire states, such as Ohio, Nebraska enough trees been cut from our and Texas, are in warmer zones. one-third acre yard to create sunny spots for vegetable gardening. Zone Denial history Dear Husband asked where I The first year I lived here, I was an wanted a vegetable garden. We picked avid flower and vegetable gardener a spot in summer’s full sun, and he wannabe who, in reality, needed a constructed two 8’ x 8’ garden boxes of support group to report to. “Hello, landscape timbers. Compost, top soil my name is Janice. I just planted and DH’s sweat equity—tomato and tulips.” Or English peas. Or crocuses. broccoli plants went into the ground

Dear Readers,

Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 2

in early February. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. The plants were there, but nothing happened. One day I stood and looked at the pitiful plants and realized that as the sun goes lower on the horizon for the winter (right over there behind the neighbor’s beautiful old live oaks), our garden spot never ever had full sun. Plotting more carefully, DH moved the two garden plots 100 feet across the yard where they now get full sun half the day. And we’re enjoying tomatoes, broccoli, onions and squash. DH is a compostaphile – to rot or not to rot? Rot, of course. An ordinary, overgrown corner of the yard now boasts three piles of matter in various stages of decay. Then he found a “recipe” for gardening which has produced amazing results in a short time. From the St. Pete Times (now Tampa Bay Times), July 10, 2004: “Choose an area 6 feet by 6 feet in full sun; spread a 25 pound bag of cheap dry dog food nuggets, a 20 pound bag of cheap clay cat litter and half of a 50 pound bag of alfalfa pellets. . . Once everything has been applied, use a shovel to turn the soil. Water deeply, then cover the site with overlapping layers of cardboard boxes… Mulch… ripen for two to four weeks…” (You can also find the recipe at baysoundings.com/fall08/stories/grow.asp.) We planted in February, David watered regularly and God gave the increase. Squash plants grew six inches in a week. Tomato and pepper plants shot out of the ground and are full of blooms. No more Zone Denial here. We’ll just accept Florida exactly as it is. You can see the Plant Hardiness Zone Map at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

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Red Tail Chapter of AFA Committed to Mission

VA Clinic in Gainesville. AFA members also do a tell kids today not to say they lot of work with Col. Lugo can’t go to college because at the VFW Retirement their parents don’t have the money. Home in Ft. McCoy. I encourage the kids to go in the Air AFA has a long and Force, and let the Air Force help them distinguished history. As with college,” says Michael H. Emig, WWII was coming to an president of the Red Tail Memorial end, five-star General Chapter 136 of the Air Force AssociaHenry “Hap” Arnold saw tion (AFA). Among other things, AFA the need for a civilian works with the Civil Air Patrol and Air organization, made Force JROTC units in area schools. up of Army Air Force Emig says, “We’ve helped a young Cadets from the Arnold Air Society of Detachment veterans, to advocate man we’re really quite proud of. He’s for a strong national 150 Air Force ROTC at the University of Florida with Mike Emig after he was guest speaker at in the Belleview High School JROTC. air defense. Two of the an Arnold Air Society’s Enclave for universities He plays sports there and is an Eagle twelve founding fathers in the southeastern United States. Scout. He recently got his private were Jimmy Doolittle Past and present AFA pilot’s license through the Civil Air and actor Jimmy Stewart. Veterans typically take care of Patrol. He just got appointed to Air Ronald Reagan was one of the each other, Emig says, and the many Force Academy Prep School, which charter members in 1946. will mean an Air Force Academy edu- fundraisers the Red Tail Chapter holds Today there are over 200 chapters are for that purpose. They work with cation—a very valuable scholarship.” worldwide. Emig is regional presiHank Whittier and the Vets Helping Emig works closely with University dent for the fourteen active chapters Vets program, including assisting to of Florida ROTC unit, which has an in Florida and Puerto Rico, with provide transportation service to the Arnold Air Society within the group. approximately 10,000 members. BY YVONNE CURLEY

“I

“Red Tail Memorial Chapter 136 was named in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen when five of those airmen were a part of the group,” says Emig. “Only one of them is still with us.” (The Tuskegee Airmen were referred to as “Red Tails” because they painted the tails of their P-47s and P-51s red during WWII.) Over 540 chapter members come from six central Florida counties. Once limited to Air Force veterans only, membership today is open to anyone (even businesses that want to become Community Partners) interested in helping with the AFA mission, which includes endeavoring to educate, advocate and support aerospace’s power in the defense of our nation. The Red Tail Memorial Chapter holds meetings the third Thursday of each month at the Ocala Regional Airport Administration Building, 750 SW 60th Ave., Ocala. For more information, please visit online at AFA.org or call Michael Emig at (352) 854-8328.

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Around Town

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and 7 Planes, Trains & BBQ Festival. Air show, seaplane rides, train rides, BBQ competition, car show, music. Wooten Park, Tavares. (352) 742-6402.

Bluegrass in the Park, The Cracker Village. Bring a lawn chair. 5 to 9 p.m. at Silver River State Park. For more information, call (352) 236-7148 or visit thefriendsofsilverriver.org.

Sunrise Easter Services. 6:30 a.m. at Ferran Park, Lake Eustis. Bring chair. Coffee and refreshments. For more info, call (352) 978-4206.

Sunrise Easter Service. 7 a.m. Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center, 39023 County Road 452, Leesburg. Free. Coffee and donuts. Bring your own chair. (352) 817-5058.

2nd Friday Movie in the Park. Dusk. Free screening of “Hop.” Bring your lawn chair for seating. Refreshments sold. Donnelly Park, Mount Dora. (352) 735-7183.

– 14 Spring Book Sale at Friends Book Nook, Belleview, 6007 SE. Earp Rd. (old library bldg.) Great bargains. $1 bag sale. (352) 245-7412.

and 14 Dragon Boat Festival. Local teams as well as teams from around the country. Also Chinese acrobats, food vendors, more. $3/adults. Wooten Park, Tavares. (352) 343-2531.

Hands Across the Highway Fine Arts Expo. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free admission. Circle Square Cultural Center, Ocala. More info at (352) 854-3670.

“Let’s Hang On” Tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale. Call (352) 821-1201.

through June 17 Museum Exhibit: Art and the Animal.

45 works from Society of Animal Artists. Appleton Museum, Ocala. Details at (352) 291-4455.

and every Fri “I Have a Kindle, Now What Do I Do.” Appointment-only individual help. 10 a.m. Fruitland Park Library, 205 W. Berckman St., Fruitland Park. Free. Call Terry Dohrn at (352) 360-6561.

– May 30 Theatre production of Godspell. Moonlight Warehouse Theatre, Clermont. Call (352) 319-1116.

– May 13 Theatre production of Social Security. Bay Street Players at the State Theater, Eustis. More info at (352) 357-7777.

Art in the Park. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Art displays, entertainment, activities, food. Held in conjunction with Ocala Fire Department’s 125th Anniversary Celebration. Tuscawilla Park, Ocala. (352) 620-8126.

“Magical Journeys” concert by Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra. Songs like “As Time Goes By,” “Sleeping Beauty Waltz” $42/ advance, $45/ door. St. Patrick Catholic Church, Mount Dora. (352) 589-1500.

Lou Christie. Hits like “The Gypsy Cried,” “Two Faces Have I,” and “Lightning Strikes.” Tickets: $21 to $27. Circle Square Cultural Center, Ocala. Please call (352) 854-3670.

Arbor Day in the Great Outdoors Celebration. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuscawilla Park, Ocala. Details at (352) 368-5517.

Send Around Town news to Senior Connection Magazine, 1602 S. Parsons Ave., Seffner, FL 33584; please fax (813) 651-1989. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. April 10 for May event.)

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Orlando Hotels Offer Luxury with Pleasant Twists BY YVONNE CURLEY

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hen it’s time to get away for a luxury experience with some pleasant and innovative twists, make your reservations at the Grande Lakes Orlando. Two properties comprise Grande Lakes—a JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton. The two hotels are connected by an enclosed walkway and guests are free to take advantage of both properties. For example, if you enjoy art and antiques, stroll through the Ritz public areas even though you may be staying at the JW Marriott. Ritz Carlton guests can enjoy phenomenal breakfast buffets at the Marriott’s Citron restaurant.

Florida fresh twist Giving everything a nice Florida twist is the citrus theme that begins with citrus-infused water offered in the lobby. A sticky twist (though you won’t get it on your fingers) is the recent addition of honey from a new on-site apiary. The citrusy honey will be found on the restaurant menus and in offerings at the eco-friendly RitzCarlton Spa where guests can take full advantage of the natural skincare benefits of honey with the signature Grande Lakes Honey Treatment. For fine dining, look no further than the on-site Primo restaurant with its twist on offering fresh local ingredients, often from the Marriott organic garden. “What we offer is absolutely terrific food with what we call an Italian sensibility,” said Chef Kelly, a 1999 recipient of the James Beard Foundation Award. Guests can take a walk through the chef’s herb garden where each plant is identified by name. The Bodega Cafe offers organic snacks and local products for breakfast and lunch. Other restaurant offerings in the resort complex include an eclectic sushi bar, sandwich areas and several bar areas.

The twist on activities Here’s a twist for beating the Florida heat as well. The large outdoor swimming

pool flows into the Lazy River and meanders in and out of several smaller pools, all surrounded by lush gardens and waterfalls. You can grab a swimming tube and a cold drink and float down the river, stopping along the way to get out and sit awhile or refresh your drink at several available stops. It all flows right back to where you started—a lovely way to spend mornings, sunny afternoons, late moonlit evenings. If you happen to have the grandchildren along, they’ll spend hours in the area. Now here’s a new twist. The Grande Lakes Orlando offers Fly Fishing, including lessons to learn to fly fish Grande Lake for trophy largemouth bass. Another activity option is the Eco Tour, a guided canoe or kayak tour of Shingle Creek, the headwaters of the Florida Everglades. For golfers, the Ritz Carlton course winds its way through Florida’s natural surroundings, where you might even spot a gator. No worries—he’ll be sunning and can’t be disturbed by the likes of golfers. You might want to try beach volleyball, bikes or even Bocce ball on the properties as well. The rooms No twists or surprises here! The room details are elegant yet modern with soft and restful decorating tones and state-of-the-art technology. Note that although free wifi is available in the public areas, a daily fee applies in-room. Go ahead. Go online now for your reservations and be sure to check for special package rates. For more information, visit grandelakes.com.

Follow the I-75 Florida Wine Trail Winemaking is Three Centuries Old in Florida BY DAVID LALMOND

eyond the beaches and amusement parks, Florida’s vineyards and wineries open up an opportunity to learn an interesting part of the state’s agricultural history—and to taste some unique wines. Florida is home to the original American wines—native grapes were used for winemaking three centuries before California became a state. But Florida growers faced hot, humid summers which produced diseases other areas did not have to combat. In 1923 a breeding program was initiated at the University of Florida that has resulted in the development of numerous disease-resistant grape varieties suited to Florida’s soil and climate. And for winemaking. Florida wineries utilize native Muscadines and local fruits for wines. How about orange or mango or blueberry wine? Trivia: In 2009, nearly two million gallons of wine were produced in Florida. Only ﬁve states produced more than Florida.*

Travel Using I-75 as your main path, follow a wine trail through Florida this summer as the harvest season runs from May through September. Enjoy the unique sights, tastes and aromas of Florida vineyards and wines at these locations:

Dakotah Winery near Chieﬂand is a family-run business. Since 1985, the Rittgers family has been cultivating Muscadine grape vines. Today there are over 6,000 vines, including 30-plus varieties of Muscadines which begin ripening in August. Not only can you taste authentic Florida wine, you can also take a therapeutic walk over the grounds and see the vines, sheep (which keep the area mowed) and geese (which help prune the vines). (352) 493-9309.

Strong Tower Vineyard & Winery in Spring Hill is Florida’s newest certiﬁed “Florida Farm Winery.” Here you’ll ﬁnd traditional oak-fermented red wines as well as characteristically Southern wines. They offer tours of the vineyard and processing areas plus tastings. (352) 799-7612.

Tangled Oaks Vineyard in Grandin is just east of Gainesville. Think Italian wine here—the vineyard was started by the DaCasto family with roots in Italian winemaking country. (386) 659-1707. Trivia: Muscadines are a Southern specialty, not found anywhere else in the world. Their tough skins make them wonderful for children to squish with their feet, which they can do on special weekends at Lakeridge Winery. Just 25 miles east of I-75 near Clermont is Lakeridge Winery, Florida’s largest. Its buildings and setting make it look for all the world like a small winery in the south of France or California’s Napa Valley. The winery is popular for its tours, which reveal 5,000-gallon stainless steel tanks, crushers, state of the art harvesters, a large tasting room and much more. Lakeridge Winery is a destination for weekend events, specials on wine, daily complimentary tours and wine tasting. 1-800-768-9463.

Florida Orange Groves Winery in St. Pete began with packing and shipping citrus and evolved into Florida’s original tropical fruit winery (garnering numerous awards along the way). If you think you can’t make wine out of oranges, think again! These are not fusion or blended grape wines, but 43 varieties of 100% pure tropical fruit wines. (It can take upwards of nine pounds of fruit to produce enough juice for just one bottle of wine.) Try their Mango Mama, which just won “Best of Show Florida Fruit” contest at the 2012 Florida State Fair. 1-800-338-7923.

Lakeridge Winery

Keel and Curley Winery

Trivia: Florida Orange Groves Winery has been invited to the EPCOT Wine Festival nine continuous years. Eden Vineyards Keel and Curley and Winery, Winery near Plant City 10 miles east (10 miles east of I-75 Eden Vineyards and Winery of Fort Myers on I-4) began when near Alva, was the owner needed to planted in the ‘70s with cuttings from ﬁnd new ways to use an oversupply the original hybrid vines at University of fresh blueberries. The winery now of Florida research sites. Since 1986 produces three types of blueberry they have produced six wines on wines as well as fusion wines, made this, the furthest south winery on the by blending grapes with fruit juices. west coast of Florida. Tastings are Try their Peach Chardonnay or Key held every day. (239) 728-9463. West Key Lime, for example. (TastTrivia: Eden Winery is the oldest ings: 11 Wines for $6. Weekend vineoperating Florida Farm Winery in yard tours: $5/ person or $10 comthe state. Their wines have been bined with tasting.) (813) 752-9100. featured at Disney’s Grand Floridian, Located near Bradenton, the Rosa the Palm Beach Breakers Hotel and Fiorelli Winery is based on expertise the Ritz Carlton. the family brought with them from For more information and other Sicily. They pride themselves on wineries, see Florida Grape Growers their ten acres of grapes and with Association at fgga.org or individual over 100 awards under their belts, vineyard and winery websites. it’s still a small, friendly family place *(Information from Alcohol & for a vineyard and winery tour and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.) tasting ($10). (941) 322-0976.

Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 7

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What Is The Radiologist’s Role In Your Care? Y

our radiologist is often behind the disposal include CT, MRI, nuclear mediscenes working closely with your cine/PET, ultrasound, diagnostic “x-ray/ primary care physician and/or specialist fluoroscopy. The specialty has grown to aid in the diagnosis, and sometimes by leaps and bounds with both exciting the treatment, of the entire spectrum of discoveries in new technology as well as disease. There is often confusion in the steady, significant improvements in techgeneral population with what role your nology that has been around for 100 years. radiologist plays in your medical care. One common misconception is that the The term radiologist is used to refer to newest, most technologically advanced a physician with residency training and modalities will always be the “best” board certification in diagnostic radiology. for any given situation. For example A radiologist is also trained to provide MRI does NOT have the highest spatial imaging guided biopsies and directed ther- resolution (the ability to distinguish two apies such as steroid injections for pain points as distinct) of all the available management, as well as the diagnosis and modalities. That honor in fact belongs to treatment of vascular disease. This is not digital mammography. The strength of to be confused with a radiation oncologist, MRI lies in its very high contrast resoluwho is a physician primarily trained in in- tion. This means it can often distinguish ternal medicine with further specialization cancer from noncancerous tissue that may in the treatment of cancers through the use have the same density, but will typically of focused radiation therapy. While there have different cellular makeup that can is some “sharing” of the same technolobe highlighted and contrasted by MRI. gies (CT, nuclear medicine), they are two An example of a recent breakthrough would be the use of newer injected distinct and separate fields of medicine. contrast agents such as Eovist that are The radiologist uses many forms of imused for MRI imaging of the liver. A aging to diagnose disease and pathology. RAO PETCT Mature Lifestyles.pdf 1:44:24 in PM the liver may be cancerous, The primary modalities at a radiologist’s3/5/12 “lesion”

benign, or somewhere in between. Now more than ever we can make the appropriate decision on whether to biopsy/ treat a lesion in the liver versus, with more confidence, dismiss it as benign. CT uses x-rays and, with the aid of powerful computer processing, reconstructs the internal anatomy of the human body in striking detail. Recent advances include much lower radiation doses per exam and much faster imaging time. Imaging time with CT may be only a few seconds where as a complete MRI can take as much as 45 minutes or longer. This increase in imaging speed allows us to image structures never before possible, such as the coronary arteries. A “multislice” scanner of 48 or higher can “freeze” an image from a single heart beat to produce a clear image of the coronary arteries similar to that provided with a conventional invasive angiogram. Another use of CT in the evaluation of the heart includes coronary artery calcium scoring. This specialized exam uses additional computer programming to calculate the amount of calcium deposited in the wall of the coronary

arteries. Calcium in the wall of arteries is an indicator of atherosclerosis but, by itself, is not an accurate predictor of who will have a cardiac event. Therefore it is NOT a replacement for angiography, but aids in risk stratification and guides management decisions. A person with “intermediate” risk factors for heart disease with no calcium deposits will have similar rates of future cardiac events as patients with low risk factors. High calcium deposits combined with intermediate risk factors are associated with a much higher rate of future cardiac events. Patients may benefit from more aggressive medical management similar to what would be recommended if they had high risk factors. At this time it is not recommended for all patients, but its use in guiding treatment recommendations has been shown recently in medical literature to be increasingly valuable. Your local radiologist can help answer questions about other advances in radiology, and help you and your doctor decide what test or tests are right for you. Call (352) 671-4300 for more info.

Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 9

How Do Flea Markets Do in This Economy? Quite Well!

Don Esbenshade (79) has been a vendor at Wagon Wheel Flea Market for 35 years. His specialty now is colorful Murano glassware although, like many long-time flea market vendors, over the years he has followed several trends in products.

flea market fan could make an entire vacation—summer or winter—right here in west central Florida flea markets and probably never visit the same booth twice. In fact, the combination of the weak economy and television programs that showcase auctions, pickers and re-sellers have driven the public’s interest in flea markets to their highest level ever as people look for both great deals and hidden treasures. Whether it’s a roadside table full of a family’s castoffs or a covered building with lighting and concrete floors; whether it’s a man’s second job to feed the family or the retiree’s hobby, flea market outings can provide unlimited wandering and maybe, just maybe, the big “find.”

Webster—an early tourist attraction Flea markets—”swap meets” they’re called out west—actually have a long history in Florida. In the ‘70s, before Disney and Busch Gardenstype attractions, Sumter Farmer’s Market, or Webster Flea Market as it is commonly called, was the 8th biggest tourist attraction in Florida. Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 10

According to Webster Flea Market’s General Manager, Mark Harrell, the original farmers market started in 1937 when local farmers needed a place to sell their surplus produce. And it’s done nothing but grow ever since. During the winter months, as many as 50,000 people make their way through the flea market every Monday. Bus groups come from as far away as Orlando to check out the merchandise. Besides being so huge, Webster Flea Market has made a name for itself because it’s only open on Mondays, while most flea markets are weekends only. New merchandise, used items, an entire wholesale area and every specialty market imaginable fill building after building of stalls. One entire building is for produce. Across the street from the flea and farmers market area is Webster WestSide which showcases antique and collectible dealers. Want a 1920’s Lone Ranger lunch box? Coke collectibles? Militaria? All the many other things your mom threw away? They’re there! Many vendors have spent decades selling at Webster on Mondays, changing their merchandise to meet new needs. Harrell said one mistake novice vendors make is not finding a “niche” market. “If you sell what too many others are selling you won’t last long.”

Wagon Wheel Flea Market Harold Huntley started the Wagon Wheel Flea Market in Pinellas Park 43 years ago and has over 2,000 vendors in winter and 1,000 in summer. Huntley understands both his vendors and his customers. “A good vendor has to use common sense, have a good product and be friendly with the customers.” Internet sites and trade magazines also help vendors know what’s hot and what’s not. “When I started 43 years ago, most everything people brought to sell was used,” Huntley said. “Gradually there was less and less used stuff out there and more new, overstock merchandise. Our customers didn’t like it. They wanted to see the used stuff, so for a few years in the ‘70s or ‘80s, I gave free space to people who would sell used items.”

He continued, “It’s funny because if there’s a table that has disorganized used stuff on it, people will buy because they think it’s a bargain.” Do flea market owners become shoppers? “I love the shopping part of being here,” admitted Huntley who has turned most of the management of Wagon Wheel over to his son. Babe Wright has been a part of the Oldsmar Flea Market since 1980. Have flea markets lost their popularity, I asked. “We have been busy, very busy, all winter. I don’t know if it has anything to do with the economy, but I’m glad.” She helped get it started, she said, “Because a lot of people in this area like to have a little business, something to do, but if they pay big rent they don’t have much left. Here they don’t have utilities or upkeep to worry about either.” She encourages people to visit Oldsmar Flea Market. “Here you can have a beer and look around until you find what you want.” Some area flea markets:

Belleview: The Market of Marion, 12888 SE. U.S. Hwy 441 (352) 245-6766 Belleview: Flea City USA, 12180 Hwy. 441 (352) 245-3532 Bonita Springs: Flamingo Island Flea Market, 1902 Bonita Beach Rd. (941) 948-7799 Bradenton: Red Barn Flea Market, 1707 First St. E. (941) 747-3794 Bradenton: Roma Flea Market, 5715 15th St. E. (941) 756-9036 Clearwater: Forty Niner Flea Market. 10525 – 49th St. N. (813) 473-3367 Dade City: Old Timers Flea Market. N. Hwy. 301 (352) 567-5085 Fort Myers: Fleamasters, MLK Hwy., exit 138 (239) 334-7001 Ft. Myers: Ortiz Avenue Flea Market, I-75 mile marker #24 (941) 694-5019 Oldsmar Flea Market, 180 N. Racetrack Rd. (813) 855-5306 Palmetto: The Country Market, Hwy. 301 & 41 (941) 723-6000 Pinellas Park: Wagon Wheel Flea Market, 7801 Park Blvd. (727) 544-5319 Port Charlotte: Sun Flea Market, U.S. Hwy. 41 & 776 (941) 255-3532 Tampa: Big Top Flea Market, 9250 E. Fowler Ave. (813) 986-4004 Webster Farmers Flea Market, Hwy. 47 N. (352) 793-2021

How to shop at a ﬂea market: If you know what you want, locate the office and ask the staff. They’ll know who sells what you want, from canvas awnings to wooden zebras. No specific item on your radar? Wander and enjoy!

5 Financial Tips Every To Use Generics or Baby Boomer Should Know Not to Use Generics T Q

oday, 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65, and “hoping for the best” in retirement financial planning is not a strategy. Here are five financial tips every baby boomer should know: 1. It’s never too late. Just because someone has reached retirement age, or is nearing it, doesn’t mean that it is too late to make sound financial plans. It’s never too late to create a plan to successfully navigate the rough financial waters. 2. Re-examine your investment strategy. As the focus shifts from growth to income, one may need to reevaluate their current investment strategy to one that may be more appropriate for retirement. 3. Review your risk management plan. It’s important to have proper insurance and legal allocations in place

to help protect any assets that have been acquired. 4. Review your budget. The budgets we have while we are working may be very different from the budgets we have during retirement. While many save on work related expenses, medical costs and travel expenses may rise after retirement. It’s important to have a handle on the types of adjustments. 5. Get professional help. Working with a financial planner can help make the difference in having a financial plan that leaves one feeling confident. A financial planner assesses, makes sound recommendations and helps create an educated and well-thought-out plan designed to help you achieve your retirement goals. It’s never too late to make a realistic plan to live by.

. My doctor says I should switch to the generic version of Lipitor, but is it really the same as Lipitor?

A. Many of my patients

are asking the same question. My answer to them and to you is pretty much the standard advice: the generic version of Lipitor, called atorvastatin, is highly likely to be just as safe and effective as Lipitor, and also cheaper for you, because of lower co-pays, not just for the insurance company. A generic drug contains the same chemical as the corresponding brand-name drug. The FDA is legally required to determine that generics are “bioequivalent” to brand-name drugs, which means they produce similar blood concentrations of the same chemical. Independent researchers

have also concluded that generics are just as safe and effective. A Harvard colleague of mine, Dr. Aaron Kesselheim, came to that conclusion after analyzing 47 studies of various heart medicines, including statins. Many generics are produced in other countries, and overseas manufacturers do make mistakes, but that’s also true of U.S.-based manufacturers. The FDA does regulate the manufacture of all drugs sold in the United States, which is reassuring. So I can’t give you an absolute guarantee that generic atorvastatin will be equal to brand-name Lipitor. But I can tell you this: I take Lipitor, and I’ll be switching to generic atorvastatin, so I will be following my own advice (something my wife has suggested that I should do more often). — Anthony Komaroff, M.D.

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lder Options, the E Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging

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nited Way 211 United Way 211 helps seniors easily access services such as where to get help with in-home services, financial help, prescriptions, transportation, medical questions and more. (352) 787-7530 or https://uwls.org/2-1-1.html.

ldercare Locator Connections to resources that enable older persons to live independently in their communities. Info at 1-800-677-1116 or www.eldercare.gov/.

ment services are personal residence, farm, vacation home, commercial property, available to anyone the been thinking If youinhave about making a substantial or parcel of undeveloped land might be more suitable. community experiencing gift to Cornerstone Hospice – formerly Hospice of present or future gift offers you the opportunity for valuable grief. Cornerstone Hospice, 2445Sumter –Aperhaps Lake and you should consider Real income tax and estate tax savings. You Lane Park Road, Tavares.Estate. Info: A gift of cash or securities at this time may not also can free yourself of burdensome management and problems involved in selling (352) 742-6812 or (352) 742-6898. be practical. Your personal residence, farm, vacation the property or leaving it to estate liquidation. home, time share, commercial property, or parcel hird Thursdays Caregiver Support of undeveloped land besell more Whether wemight keep or the suitable. property, you will make a satisfying and Group, primarily for those caring enduring contribution to Cornerstone Hospice to benefit for persons with Alzheimer’s and A present or future gift offers you the patients during their final journey of life. dementia. 2 p.m. at Cooper Memorial opportunity for valuable income tax and estate tax Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive, For information on savings. You also can free yourself ofmore burdensome Clermont. Room 108B, 2 p.m. Contact “How to Give Real Estate,” contact management and problems involved in selling Deborah Snow: (352) 406-8465. Buchholz at Cornerstone Hospice: the property or leaving itNick to estate liquidation. (352) 742-6800 or e-mail: nbuchholz@cornerstonehospice.org hird Tuesdays, Parkinson’s Support Group for patients, caregivWhether we keep or sell the property, you will Hope makeChest are currently looking Cornerstone Hospice & the Hospice ers and families. 3 p.m. ataCooper Me- andfor satisfying enduring contribution to Cornerstone gently used furniture donations. For information on how you can morial Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Hospice to beneﬁt patientshelp, during their ﬁnal journey please contact Chandraofatlife. 352.742.6819 or Drive, Clermont. Room 108 A. Conchandra@cornerstonehospice.org tact Deborah Snow: (352) 406-8465 For more information on

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Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 11

Getting Pious with a Little Help from Social Network and Church

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riendships forged at church seem to play a major role in people’s religious activities and beliefs—even when it comes to their views about how exclusive heaven is, according to a national study from Baylor University. “Although church-based friendship networks seem to bolster religiosity across the board, the effect of how enmeshed people are in congregational friendships is stronger on their religious behavior than on their beliefs. “This makes sense—church-goers may not necessarily chat about the finer points of theological beliefs, such as the existence of demons, but they do seem to talk about things like prayer requests or upcoming church events, things that

more directly lead to an effect on religious behavior,” said Samuel Stroope at Baylor. “Also, friends at church can see behavior. Beliefs are harder to monitor.” The study also found a weaker but consistent link between church friends and various religious beliefs. People with no friends at church held fewer supernatural beliefs than people who reported that some or more of their friends attended their church. Meanwhile, when it came to the view of the Bible, drawing a greater proportion of one’s friends from church was associated with increased odds of affirming that the Bible “should be taken literally, word for word on all subjects,” Stroope said. (Newswise)

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Boomer Women Have Focus on Self-Reliance • As women get older, they indicate they’ve contributed significantly to their children and that the time has come to focus on their own needs for both enjoyment and independence.

others have always been known for their willingness to sacrifice financially if it meant their children could have what they needed. Now, a MetLife Mature Market Institute study shows that boomer women are also placing a strong emphasis on self-reliance and providing for themselves. Here are some results of the study: • Boomer women (in fact women across all generations) desire to be able to give more financially to children or grandchildren. • Boomer women agree that they need to prepare for retirement to avoid depending on family members later in life.

• Boomer women generally would be reluctant to accept financial help from their children. • Boomers feel that they are more financially secure than the other generations of women today. • If given the choice between spending money to enjoy retirement versus saving with the intent to leave an inheritance, boomer women feel it is important to stay focused on enjoying retirement and giving small gifts to children.

• Although they felt they would give financial help to parents and/or inlaws in times of financial difficulty, most boomer women wouldn’t want to accept financial help from their adult children, even if they needed it. • Among women, life insurance is viewed as a key component to

ensuring their family’s financial security. As one respondent to the study said, “I couldn’t imagine not having life insurance. I just can’t imagine there being that added stress for my family.”

• Over half of boomer women said life insurance is to support their spouse if they die prematurely, followed by having money to cover funeral costs. • Few boomer women feel a responsibility to support a grandchild’s education. “What’s apparent from this study is that having a plan for independence is important for family financial security, especially for women as they age; many clearly don’t want to rely on their families,” said Sandra Timmermann, Ed.D., director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute.

Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 13

In the Mouth, Smoking Zaps Healthy Bacteria

“The smoker’s mouth kicks out the good ccording to a February 2012 study bacteria, and the by Ohio State University, smokpathogens are called in,” ing causes the body to turn against its said Kumar. “So they’re own helpful bacteria, leaving smokallowed to proliferate ers more vulnerable to disease. much more quickly than Despite the daily disturbance of they would in a nonbrushing and flossing, the mouth of smoking environment.” a healthy person contains a stable The results suggest that ecosystem of healthy bacteria. New dentists may have to offer research shows that the mouth of a more aggressive treatment smoker is a much more chaotic, diverse for smokers and would have good reason ecosystem—and is much more suscep- to suggest quitting smoking, Kumar said. tible to invasion by harmful bacteria. She likens a healthy biofilm to a lush, green lawn of grass. “When you change the dynamics of what goes into the lawn, like too much water or too little fertilizer,” she said, “you get some of As a group, smokers suffer from the grass dying, and weeds moving in.” higher rates of oral diseases— For smokers, the “weeds” are problem especially gum disease—than do bacteria known to cause disease. nonsmokers, which is a challenge for “When you compare a smoker and dentists, according to Purnima Kumar, nonsmoker, there’s a distinct differassistant professor of periodontology ence,” said Kumar. “The first thing you at Ohio State University. notice is that the basic ‘lawn,’ which

would normally contain thriving populations made of just a few types of helpful bacteria, is absent in smokers.” The team found that for nonsmokers, bacterial communities regain a similar balance of species to the communities that were scraped away during cleaning. Disease-associated bacteria are largely absent, and low levels of cytokines show that the body is not treating the helpful biofilms as a threat. “By contrast,” said Kumar, “smokers start getting colonized by pathogens—bacteria that we know are harmful—within 24 hours. It takes longer for smokers to form a stable microbial community, and when they do, it’s a pathogen-rich community.” Smokers also have higher levels of cytokines, indicating that the body is mounting defenses against infection.

Medicare Answers

Medications Help Only if You Take Them

BY MAUREEN LANGLOIS

Health

Dear Marci, I have been an inpatient in a hospital for a week and am being transferred to a skilled nursing facility for admission. Will Medicare cover the cost of my ambulance transport? —Larry

ear Larry, Medicare will pay for ambulance transport only if you are confined to your bed or your health requires transport by an ambulance. Your trip from the hospital to the skilled nursing facility (SNF) is considered a non-emergency ambulance service because your health is not in immediate danger. Medicare Part B covers emergency and non-emergent ambulance services differently. An emergency is when your health is in serious danger and every second counts to prevent your health from getting worse. Medicare will generally cover emergency transport because, during most emergencies, an ambulance is the only safe way to transport you. Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 14

Clinically, this immune response takes the form of red, swollen gums—called gingivitis—that can lead to the irreversible bone loss of periodontitis. In smokers, however, the body is not just trying to fight off harmful bacteria. The types of cytokines in smokers’ gum swabs showed the researchers that smokers’ bodies were treating even healthy bacteria as threatening. Although they do not yet understand the mechanisms behind these results, Kumar and her team suspect that smoking is confusing the normal communication that goes on between healthy bacterial communities and their human hosts. Practically speaking, these findings have clear implications for patient care, according to Kumar. “It has to drive how we treat the smoking population,” she said. “They need a more aggressive form of treatment, because even after a professional cleaning, they’re still at a very high risk for getting these pathogens back in their mouths right away.” (From Newswise)

Also, take advantage of free medication programs sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and the discount plans at large retailers and pharmacies.

Medicare may cover non-emergency ambulance services if:

• You are confined to your bed (unable to get up from bed without help, unable to walk and unable to sit in a chair or wheelchair). • You need vital medical services during your trip that are available only in an ambulance, such as administration of medications or monitoring of vital functions. For all information about Medicare and ambulance service, log on to medicareinteractive.org

Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (medicarerights.org). To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114.

eople with heart disease and other chronic conditions are usually prescribed one or more medications. But most take them only about half the time. Each year, this high rate of “nonadherence” leads to an estimated 125,000 deaths in the United States and costs the health care system between $100 billion and $300 billion. Here are practical tips to help people take the medications they need.

Cost. When you get a new prescrip-

tion, check with your health plan to make sure it’s the lowest-cost option available. If not, talk with your doctor.

Complexity. If you take several medications with different dosing schedules, talk with your doctor about how to streamline your medication regimen. Also, recent studies have shown that using mail-order pharmacies can improve medication adherence, presumably through convenience and cost advantages. Side effects. Heart medications

come with non-life-threatening but bothersome side effects, including fatigue, nausea, coughing and muscle pain. Both doctors and pharmacists can offer effective strategies to ease side effects, but only if you talk with them about it. From the Feb. 2012 Harvard Heart Letter.

Veterans Corner

Volunteer Opportunity Questions about Veterans Care F BY JANICE DOYLE

: Is there extra V.A. Help for veterans who are housebound or can’t care for themselves?

A: A low-income veteran with war-

time service who is unable to care for himself or is disabled and housebound might be eligible for V.A. Aid & Attendance (A&A) or Housebound benefits, which can be paid in addition to a low-income, wartime veteran’s basic pension. A veteran must qualify for a low-income veteran’s basic pension in order to also get either A&A or Housebound benefits. A veteran can receive either A&A benefits or Housebound benefits, but not both at the same time. How to determine eligibility: A veteran eligible for a low-income pension may also be eligible for A&A benefits if at least one of the following conditions applies: • The veteran requires assistance from another person to perform activities of daily living (ADLs): bathing, eating, dressing, using the toilet, getting in and out of a bed or chair, walking, taking medication. • The veteran is bedridden, meaning that his condition requires that he remain in bed other than during prescribed convalescence or treatment. • The veteran resides in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity. • The veteran is blind (corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes). A veteran eligible for a low-income pension may also be eligible for Housebound benefits if at least one of the following conditions applies: • The veteran has a single, permanent 100 percent disability (as determined by V.A. disability rules) and is therefore substantially and permanently confined to his residence. • The veteran has a single, permanent 100 percent disability, plus another disability or disabilities evaluated by the V.A. as 60 percent or more disabling.

How to apply: A veteran applies for A&A or Housebound benefits at the regional office that processes the veteran’s pension benefits. If the veteran is just beginning the lowincome pension application process, he can apply for the basic pension as well as A&A or Housebound benefits at any V.A. regional office. For more information on applying for low-income V.A. pension benefits, see “Does the V.A. have a pension for senior or disabled low-income veterans?”

lorida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteers to join its corps of dedicated advocates who protect the rights of elders who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes. The program’s local councils are seeking additional volunteers to identify, investigate and resolve residents’

concerns. Special training and certification is provided. All interested individuals who care about protecting the health, safety, welfare and rights of long-term care facility residents—who often have no one else to advocate for them—are encouraged to call toll-free 1-888-831-0404 or visit the program’s website at ombudsman.myflorida.com.

Q: Does the V.A. pay for family as

a caregiver when they take care of a veteran’s that is in need of care?

A: The Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit can be used as a source of money to pay family caregivers to provide care at home. This benefit, under the right circumstances, can provide up to $1,949 a month in additional income to pay family members to provide care at home. Getting veterans benefits for paid family caregivers is not an easy task. There must be a caregiver contract in place and services for care must be initiated and thoroughly documented before application can be made. In addition, state and federal tax requirements must be met. Getting these applications approved requires an understanding of the documentation requirements. You can visit the National Care Planning Council website for more information. Questions and answers taken from lawguru.com/answers and caring.com. Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 15

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New Product For Sitting Taller L

ike a lot of women, Pam Starobin was petite to begin with. When she realized she was aging and getting shorter, she took matters into her own hands and created the SittingTaller Handbag. It’s basically an unobtrusive adult booster seat in a handbag which adds three inches to your seated height. “Carry your height in your handbag” is the motto for the product which can be discreetly tucked under you when you sit down. “People think I’m just reaching down to put my bag on the floor,” says Starobin. “They don’t notice that I’m sitting on it.” It works in theaters, restaurants, etc. It doesn’t make you ridiculously tall when you sit, says the creator, it just makes you a “standard” height, like everyone around you. Grandchildren will love it too. For photos and order information, visit online at sittingtaller.com or call (914) 582-8027.

Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 16

Front Door Improvements for Aging in Place

good place to start making your house comfortable for aging in place is the front door. Here are four tips:

• Lighting: Increase lighting along pathways and entryways. Motion sensors and timers light the way without the hassle of remembering to flip the switch. • Pathways: Make sure walking surfaces are kept smooth and obstacle-free. If stairs are the only option, be sure to include handrails on both sides. Make the transition at the door threshold as smooth and even as possible to avoid trips and falls. • Resting place: Install a small bench or shelf next to the front door to hold packages or supplies to free up hands when opening the door.

• Keys: Use Kwikset’s SmartCode deadbolts and handle sets which allow for easy, keyless entry with the touch of a button. SmartCode allows for several codes to be programmed and changed easily, a convenience to allow neighbors and caregivers access without duplicating keys. Kwikset also offers handle sets and levers that make it easier to open and close doors no matter your dexterity. Planning ahead can mean the difference between staying in your own home for years to come.

Take Blood Pressure Pills at Bedtime

BY HOWARD LEWINE, M.D., Harvard Health Publications

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” hat oft-quoted Bible passage doesn’t apply just to rending and sewing, weeping and laughing or gathering stones together. Your body has its own set of “seasons,” many of them following the turn of a complete day. Taking some medications at specific times of the day can help them work better. A new study suggests that blood pressure drugs taken at night might improve blood pressure and prevent more heart attacks and strokes than taking the same medications during the day. In one study, after an average of 5½ years, study participants who took at least one blood pressure medicine at night had better blood pressure control. They also were about one-third as likely to have a heart attack or stroke, or to develop heart failure, as those who took morning pills. In most people, blood pressure begins to rise just before getting out of bed

in the morning and reaches its peak around mid-day. It falls during sleep, reaching its lowest point of day between midnight and 3 or 4 a.m. This drop is sometimes called “dipping.” But people with high blood pressure often have little or no decrease in their blood pressure at night. One possible reason for this is blood pressure medicines taken around breakfast time have worn off. When to take the pills In deciding when to take your blood pressure pills, the most important thing is to pick a time that ensures you will take your medicine every day. If you take only one pill, ask your doctor whether taking it at night might be better for you. If you take more than one drug, then taking at least one of them at night before bed makes sense. Don’t start doing this on your own. There might be specific reasons why your doctor prefers you take your medicine in the morning. For example, older people need to be careful about taking blood pressure pills at night. Standing up too quickly in the middle of the night can lead to a sudden blood pressure drop and a fall.

The Many Faces of Depression epression isn’t a one-size-fits-all about taking medication or keeping Dillness. Just like a rash or heart therapy appointments. Don’t ignore disease, depression can take many comments about suicide. If you forms. As you’ll see, there’s a cluster of symptoms that are typically present, but one person’s experience of depression often differs from another’s. Definitions of depression—and the therapies designed to ease this disease’s grip—also continue to evolve. What is major depression? Major depression may make you feel as though work, school, relationships and other aspects of your life have been derailed or put on hold indefinitely. You feel constantly sad or burdened, or you lose interest in all activities, even those you previously enjoyed. This holds true nearly all day, on most days, and lasts at least two weeks. Signs of depression include changes in appetite and/ or sleep, slowdown in activities or heightened restlessness, feeling tired and/or worthless, feelings of guilt and thoughts of suicide.

What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder always includes one or more episodes of mania, characterized by high mood, grandiose thoughts and erratic behavior. It also often includes episodes of depression. During a typical manic episode, you would feel terrifically elated, expansive, or irritated over the course of a week or longer. Symptoms may include grandiose ideas or pumped-up self-esteem, urgent desire to talk and great distractibility. It can include a pleasure-seeking urge that might get funneled into sexual sprees, overspending or a variety of schemes, often with disastrous consequences. Coping with a Loved One Like a pebble thrown into a pond, depression, dysthymia and bipolar disorder create ripples that spread far from their immediate point of impact. Those closest to people who have these illnesses often suffer alongside them. But you can do a lot to help a loved one and yourself handle this difficult period. Encourage him or her to get treatment and stick with it. Remind the person

believe your loved one is suicidal, call his or her doctor or therapist. If neither is available, call a local crisis center or emergency room.

• Care for yourself. Being a caretaker is a difficult job. You may want to seek individual therapy or join a support group. Numerous mental health organizations can provide you with information on the illness and treatments.

• Offer emotional support. Your patience and love can make a huge difference. Ask questions and listen carefully to the answers. Try not to brush off or judge the other person’s feelings, but do offer hope. Suggest activities that you can do together, and keep in mind that it takes time to get better. Remind yourself that a disease is causing your loved one to act differently or perhaps be difficult. Do not blame him or her, just like you wouldn’t if it were chronic physical pain that caused the person to change in certain ways. • Try to prevent reckless acts during manic episodes. It’s all too common for a person to make poor decisions when manic, so it’s a good idea to try to prevent this problem by limiting access to cars, credit cards and bank accounts. Watch for signs that a manic episode is emerging. Disruption of sleep patterns can trigger an episode, so support your loved one in keeping a regular sleep schedule. Consistent patterns for other activities such as eating, exercising, and socializing may also help. Information from Harvard Health Letter

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Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 18

�� Change Gmail Default and Other Hot Tips Insurance Discounts ForFont Mature Drivers Mr. &

Next, click the Start button, then > Printers or Start > Printers and but XP users can check by rightclick your username. A window Faxes, depending on the version of clicking My Computer > Properties > Windows that you’re using. Right-click will open that contains your user Hardware > Device Manager button, folders, including your Favorites. your printer and select Properties > then scroll down to Universal Serial by Richard Sherman Position this second window so that General tab > Printing Preferences. Bus Controllers and click the little YourVista Class Online! you can see the content of both open Click the Features tab and look for plus (+) sign. IfTake you’re using the “Start printing from last page” to Start > Search When I compose a Gmail message, or Windows 7, go • Study at your leisure, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. windows on screen. (Note: You can manually drag them into position or option. Click to remove the check and look for “Device Manager.” Type I have a choice of colors, fonts and • Simply read the course materials online and then answer a few questions. press and holdquiz the CTRL key, and mark from that selection and click OK “Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host other formatting for that one message. There is nomay need to twice attend boring or exit. listen to click longthe lectures. two open windows icons on to save yourclasses changes and Controller.” The•exact wording I’d like to make Verdana my default font theed Taskbar. the you CTRL vary, but the key• isAfter the word Enhanced. of course we will issue a state-certiﬁ for all messages. How can I do that? completion, certiﬁRelease cate for tokey, I’m a recent subscriber to your right-click and select “Show Windows If it’s Enhanced, it’s USB 2.0. turn into your insurance weekly company to receive your discount for a three year period. In Gmail, go to Settings > Labs computer-help newsletter, Side-by-Side” or “Tile Vertically.”) (or select Labs under Quick which I really appreciate. Thank you My HP printer always prints the Drag the Favorites folder from your Links) and enable Default Type Your Driver Course On The Internet! such a valuable service. Can you last page Take first. How can IMature change for user window to the flash-drive winStyling. Be sure to click Save at the tell me how I can save my Favorites that so it prints the first page first? dow. When the copying is completed, If you have a Florida Driver’s License 55 years of age or older, you are bottom. Next, return to the General to a jump drive? I’mand usingare Vista. close both windows. Before you tab on the Settings page and use the now eligible to complete motor vehicle accident prevention course that will allow Many users, myself included, remove the flash drive, make sure you font drop-down menu to change to Start by inserting your jump have theiryou printers configured to “Safely to receive a mandatory reduction on your insuranceclick ratethefor threeremove years.hardware” your desired font type, style and size drive, which is also called a flash, icon in the System Tray, near the time print in last-page-first mode because from the list of available fonts. thumb or USB drive, into a USB port it avoids having to manually sort display on your Taskbar. This will on your computer. When the AutoRun multi-page documents. If you prefer prevent any damage to your data. How can I tell if I have a USB menu appears, select “Open folder to first-page-first printing, there is a 2.0 port? I need that for a For answers to your questions view files,” then drag that window to the within some (not all) printer new external I purchased? Floridadrive Department of Highway setting Safety by e-mail, or to subscribe to Mr. side of the screen for the moment. (If software that allows you to change & Motor Vehicle Approved Modem’s award-winning weekly AutoRun doesn’t appear, use Windows this. The precise steps will vary, Any computer purchased after Course newsletter, visit www.MrModem.com. Explorer to access the drive’s content.) but generally click Start > Settings 2005 is going to have USB 2.0,

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Even Eggs Have Changed Over the Years

“bad egg” is not necessarily a bad egg any more. Twenty years ago, we were told to avoid eggs if keeping our cholesterol in check was a health concern. Guess what? Read this statement: Recent nutritional data from USDA researchers indicates the yolk of a large egg contains 41 IU of Vitamin D which is 64 percent more than in 2002. Cholesterol is down 14 percent to 185 milligrams from a previous level of 220 milligrams.

Recipe It really does say that eggs have changed over the years. And here’s the latest from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Independent of other dietary factors, evidence suggests that one egg (i.e., egg yolk) per day does not result in increased blood cholesterol levels, nor does it increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy people. Consuming less than

300 mg per day of cholesterol can help maintain normal blood cholesterol levels. Consuming less than 200 mg per day can further help individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease. All said, watch what you eat in general and enjoy the occasional egg. Here are some ways:

Baked Eggs and Spinach

Skinny Omelet Wrap

1 10 oz. pkg frozen, chopped spinach, defrosted, squeezed dry 4 eggs ¼ cup chunky salsa ¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

2 large eggs Salt, pepper Chopped chives Dollop of pesto Goat cheese or feta Handful of mixed salad greens

Divide spinach evenly among four greased 6-oz. ramekins or custard cups. Press an indentation (about 2-inch diameter) into center of spinach with back of spoon. Break and slip an egg into each indentation. Top evenly with salsa, then cheese. Bake in 325°F oven until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 20 to 25 minutes. From incredibleegg.com

Beat the eggs and pour in a thin layer in largest skillet. Sprinkle with chives. Let eggs set—15 seconds to one minute. Remove to cutting board, spread with pesto; sprinkle on cheese and salad greens. Roll up and enjoy. (This lends itself to many additions besides the greens—asparagus, mushrooms, etc.) From 101cookbooks.com Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 19

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Word Search Apr. 2012

In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions – forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

Top Identity Theft Scam This one has gotten so prevalent that many hotels are posting warnings in their lobby. Here’s how it works: You get a call in your hotel room in the middle of the night. The desk clerk, very apologetic, says their computer has crashed and they need to get your credit card number again, or they must have gotten the number wrong because the transaction won’t go through, and could you please read the number back so they

Word Search

can fix the problem? Scammers are counting on you being too sleepy to catch on that the call isn’t from the hotel at all, but from someone outside who knows the direct-dial numbers for the guest rooms. By the time morning rolls around and you are clearheaded, your credit card has been on a major shopping spree. For more information on these and other scams, go to BBB Scam Source online at (bbb.org/scam). Sign up for Scam Alerts and learn about new scams as soon as we do. To contact BBB serving West Florida about this release, please call (727) 535-5609 ext. 3317 or jzajac@bbbwestflorida.org.

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1/16th horizontal ad

How Much Do You Love That Doggie in the Window?

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nough with the road less traveled. “The Europe no one knows about” has become a tediously familiar destination in modern travel writing. Europe On Five Wrong Turns A Day: One Man, Eight Countries, One Vintage Travel Guide by Doug Mack is straight-up, cliché-ridden tourism. It’s a journey firmly on the beaten path and an exploration of how the path got so beaten in the first place. Mack stumbles on an inspired idea when he picks up a 47-year-old edition of Arthur Frommer’s classic travel guide Europe on Five Dollars a Day.

Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 22

He decides to go where millions have gone before but with a hopelessly outdated guidebook nearly a half a century old. The result is a funny and fascinating journey into a new (old) world and a disarming reflection on the ways this experience has and hasn’t changed in the last generation. Spanning eight countries and spending far more than five dollars a day, Mack delivers a unique version of armchair time travel with Frommer—who is much like a character out of Mad Men—in tow. It’s travel, it’s history and it’s funny. Doug Mack is based in Minneapolis with a digital home at douglasmack.net.

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TO RESPOND TO AN AD

Write a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped envelope and write the ad number on the bottom left hand side of the envelope. Place your stamped, numbered envelope(s), along with $2 for each letter enclosed, into another envelope and address it to: News Connection USA, Inc. Seniors Getting Together 1602 S. Parsons Ave.,Seffner, FL. 33584 TO PLACE AN AD

Send your ad, stating what category you would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the News Connection USA, Inc. address listed above. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue. No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right to edit any ads for space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City or area included at no charge.

DCSD

Debt Counsel for Seniors & the Disabled Representing Seniors And The Disabled Who Are Living On Social Security, Disability, Pensions Or Federal Benefits And Who Can No Longer Pay Their Credit Card Debt In The Following Practice Areas: • Debt collection abuse • Harassing phone calls • Threats of arrest • Unlawful garnishment of federally protected funds

800-992-3275 ext. 1304 Attorney James S. Giardina Offices: Tampa, FL Mature Lifestyles • April 2012 • page 23

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*You must continue to pay the Medicare Part B Premium unless paid by Medicaid or another third party. ** In select counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) and Health Options, Inc. (HOI) is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and Medicare approved Part D sponsor. These contracts are renewed annually and availability beyond the end of the current contract year is not guaranteed. Exclusions and limitations may apply. The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of benefits. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Y0011_31372 0112 File & Use 01252012 BMRPPO, BMHMO, BMPDP