Lifestyles After 50 Sarasota/Manatee edition by Lifestyles After 50 Magazine

Dion

Frankie Avalon

Bobby Rydell

Enjoy a Great American Staycation This Summer Dear Readers,

ur snowbird friends are gone. Summer heat is upon us, and we bless the inventor Janice Doyle, of air conditioning. Editor Are you the only one left on your street? It’s interesting where people go. Your neighbors may have fled to their cabin in North Carolina, a cottage at the beach or the family’s lake camp in upstate New York. Maybe they’ve gone to a villa in France, a casita in Mexico, a pensione in Rome or a condo in Colorado. If they went back to their roots, they may be spending the summer on the family homestead or in a bungalow in small-town Indiana. Many of our neighbors are in motorhomes enjoying cooler climates. Here are the rest of us, tending our Florida homes. If that describes you, consider taking one or more “staycations” this summer. What’s a staycation? Staycation: a vacation in which the vacationer stays at or near home while creating the environment of a traditional vacation. The term first became popular in 2008 when the financial crush caused everyone to take a second (and third) look at spending money. Oh, and gas soared to $3.75 per gallon. People suddenly planned closeto-home vacations to spend less on fuel. Here we go again. It’s a good idea. Let’s take a fresh look at Florida and how we can enjoy our own backyard area. I know it’s hot, but I also know it’s nice to sleep in my own bed at night. So how can we make this work? Look at the definition again. The secret seems to be this: “Create the environment of a traditional vacation.” Hmmm. I did some research and found a few tips for making that happen.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 2

Sarasota/Manatee Edition Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc General Manager Dave Tarantul dave@lifestylesafter50.com

For a really sizzling staycation:

1. Plan ahead to unplug from your regular routine. Decide whether you want to stay local only or travel across the state for a few days. 2. Adopt the feeling of splurging even though you’re saving money when compared to a vacation to a distant place. It’s all about getting out of your rut. That means no cleaning out the garage. Maybe it means eating at a more expensive restaurant than usual.

3. Enjoy the home environs, particularly local places you’ve never visited, ethnic restaurants you’ve never tried. 4. Plan only what you and your spouse/companion can handle without stress—remember it’s hot outside.

5. Think outside the box for ideas. That might mean a behind-the-scenes tour of Disney or a local TV studio, etc.

6. Play tourist in your own hometown. Think small community museums, area winery tastings, historic homes. Maybe stay in a local B&B. 7. Think simple. Go bowling; play miniature golf; explore the local and state parks.

So, don’t stalk your neighbors and suffer from vacation envy as they drive off for the mountains or airport. Pull out the Florida map—how long has it been since you visited Jacksonville? St. Augustine? Tallahassee? Google your home town places of interest. Reserve a night at a resort on the beach you’ve heard about but never visited. Getting ready for a vacation was never easier. No shutting off the water, cleaning out the fridge or finding a sitter for your plants. You’ll be home every night or two—or maybe three. Now, isn’t that easy. Take out your iPhone or iPad and try some travel-related Apps:

• Urban Spoon is a restaurant guide for major cities in North America. Search by neighborhood, cuisine or price.

• Gas Buddy finds the cheapest gas on the go—for free! In one click, locate gas stations near you and see current gas prices. • Sutro Media has travel apps for cities across the United States; You’ll be amazed at the destinations right within your neighborhood. (Sutro Media is a free app. Within it are apps for Florida Gardens at $1.99, Florida State Parks at $1.99, etc.) Have a great summer whatever you decide to do. I’ll be home following staycation advice with a week in the Adirondacks to cool off in July.

Congratulations To Our “Lifestyle After 50” Winner!

Last month, we asked readers to tell us what they love about their lifestyle after 50 in 20 words or less for a chance to win a summertime getaway package to Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee. Here is the winning submission from Mrs. Carolyn V. Salzein of Ocala, FL! Thanks to all who entered—it was tough to pick just one winner. Look for more contests in upcoming issues!

“Kids are grown Home’s our own Time to kill Find new thrills Bed by ten Adventure again TOMORROW!”

Publisher/Director of Events & Marketing Kathy J. Beck kathy@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Janice Doyle janice@lifestylesafter50.com Ofﬁce Manager Vicki Willis vicki@lifestylesafter50.com

Administrative Assistant Nancy Spencer nancy@lifestylesafter50.com Production Supervisor/Graphic Design Kim Burrell kim@lifestylesafter50.com Associate Editor/Production Assistant Tracie Schmidt tracie@lifestylesafter50.com Distribution (941) 375-6260

Advertising Sales

Sarasota/Manatee Julie Simzak: (941) 685-1676

Lee/Collier and Charlotte Nancy Kuehne: (239) 822-6150 Customer Service (941) 375-6260 dave@lifestylesafter50.com

News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638 Seffner, Florida 33583-0638

(941) 375-6260 • (877) 535-3749 Fax: (941) 375-8178 www.lifestylesafter50ﬂ.com Our other editions: Southwest Edition: Lee/Collier & Charlotte Hillsborough Edition: Hillsborough County Suncoast Edition: Pinellas/Pasco Counties Lake Edition: Lake/Marion Counties To learn more, call 1-888-670-0040

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FCOA Attention Readers: The articles printed in Lifestyles After 50 do not necessarily reﬂect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. Lifestyles After 50 endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Lifestyles After 50 reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for the July 2012 issue is June 15, 2012. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.

Arts, Crafts and Green Markets

11th Annual St. Armand’s Craft Festival. Over 175 artisans and craftpersons will display their work at this free event. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on St. Armand’s Circle. Details at (813) 962-0388.

for children and dogs alike, green market and more on Miami Avenue in downtown Venice. Starts at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.

Old Miakka Farmers Market. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, rain or shine at Crowley Museum, 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota. Free. Please contact (941) 322-1000 for more information.

20th Anniversary Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival. Paintings, stained glass, photography, personalized products

Caregiver Support This Month

Caregiver Support Group and Doctors Hospital. Are you a caregiver and not sure where to find help and support? Visit on the third Monday of the month at 10 a.m. for compassionate support and access to a wealth of information for anyone caring for a loved one. Held in the DHS classroom located off the cafeteria. Facilitated by Dr. Bill Zella, Program Director of Serenity Place

at Doctors Hospital. 5741 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota. Info: 1-888-685-1596.

Caregiver Series. Two programs every month cover a variety of topics. No pre-registration necessary. Sponsored by the Senior Friendship Centers Caregiver Resource center. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at North Port Library. 13800 S. Tamiami Trail, North Port. Info: (941) 861-1307..

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 3

Around Town

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tudies show that sunshine can both lift your mood and enhance your energy levels. But as we all know, the sun does not always shine. Now, however, there’s a solution to the problem– The Balanced Spectrum® floor lamp will change not only the way you see, but also the way you feel about your living and work spaces. It brings the benefits of natural daylight indoors, simulating the full spectrum of daylight.

Experience sunshine indoors at the touch of a switch. This amazing lamp is not only easy on the eyes, it is easy on the hands as well, featuring a special “soft-touch, flicker-free” rocker switch that is easier to use than traditional toggle or twist switches. And its flexible gooseneck design enables you to get light exactly where you need it. The hightech electronics, the user-friendly design, and a bulb that lasts 10 times Technology revolutionizes the light bulb • Save almost $61 over the life of the bulb • 8,000 hours bulb life • Energy efficient • Shows true colors

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ondays De-Stress at Venice Holistic Center with guided meditation, sound therapy and other relaxations from 4 – 5 p.m. 251 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice. For info, call Joelle at (941) 468-2673.

aturdays Adult Singles Club of Sarasota/Manatee Open Dance Party. 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Payne Park Auditorium, 2100 Laurel St., Sarasota. Cost: $10. Come with or without partner. Live music. Free snacks, BYOB. (941) 756-8303.

– 14 Savor Sarasota week. Restaurants throughout Sarasota County will be providing a three course pricefixed lunch for $15 and dinner menu for $25. Try something new! To see participating restaurants, locations and menus, visit savorsarasota.com. Reservations recommended.

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National Council of Jewish Women, 2nd Annual Summer Game Day: “All Hands on Deck 2.” Enjoy the start of summer with a day of cards and other board games and lunch at the beautiful Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club, 4800 Chase Oaks Dr., Sarasota. $25 includes lunch. (941) 706-3957..

Lunch and Learn at Shamrock Park. Join Sarasota County Parks Naturalist, Jennifer Rogers, for a “lunch and learn” nature topic talk. Bring a bag lunch and meet inside the classroom of the nature center building. 12:15 –1 p.m. 3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice. (941) 861-5000.

Sarasota Sports Festival. Free, all-day event at Payne Park, 2050 Adams Lane, Sarasota. Featuring tennis, disc golf, biking, excercise classes, live music, food and drink. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Gulf Gate Menders. Love your local libraries? This unique club meets regularly to socialize and mend library books. 1 – 3 p.m., Gulf Gate Library, Conference Room, 7112 Curtiss Avenue, Sarasota. (941) 861-1230.

Adult Knitting Group. Needles are supplied and remain with instructor. Recommended to bring your own yarn. 4 – 7 p.m. at Fruitville Library, 100 Coburn Road, Sarasota. (941) 861-2500.

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and weekly Summer Safaris at Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. Bring the grandkids and see exotic animals up close and personal. $15 / adults, $7 / child. 4:40 – 7 p.m. Wed. – Sun. 701 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota. (941) 371-6377.

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The Balanced Spectrum’s 27-watt compact bulb is brighter than a 100-watt ordinary light bulb. With the lamp’s sharp visibility, you will see with more clarity and enjoyment in close tasks such as reading, writing, sewing, and needlepoint. It is especially helpful for aging eyes.

Within A Mile Volunteer Recruitment. Volunteer info for Selby Library and nonprofit organizations in the downtown area near Selby. Located on the first floor near the Teen Center at the library every Monday, 2 to 4 p.m. 1331 First St. Sarasota, (941) 861-1156.

Father’s Day Special at Mote. Fathers recieve free admission to the aquarium with the purchase of a child’s ticket ($12). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota. (941) 388-4441. Arts & Crafts at Mixons. Homemade American products and antiques once a month at the Groveside Market. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mixon Fruit Farms, 2525 27th St. E. in Bradenton. (941) 748-5829.

uly 1 “Victory Celebrations” concert, 2 – 4 p.m. at Sun City Center Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center. Celebrate our independence with patriotic favorites. $18. (941) 364-2263.

Send Around Town news to News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638 Seffner, FL 33583; please fax (813) 651-1989. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. June 10 for July event.)

The Sounds of Freedom

BY PATRICK M. KENNEDY

am, bang, hiss, sizzle! “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Fireworks, parades, barbeques, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family and friends’ reunions—all celebrating the history and traditions of the U.S.A. What a day! Make plans to enjoy the 4th of July. Remember back when the family went together to the local amusement park, probably called Playland, and watched a fireworks display being shot over a small lake? That can happen again for us with a family of old friends gathering on a local hill, watching the sky light up with joyful celebration. We can be kids again by lighting a few sparklers and setting off a string or two of miniature or ladybug firecrackers in the backyard during the barbeque. Just do it outside because they can make the indoors a mess. Ooh!! Ahh!!

“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better,” said Albert Camus, the French writer. “The basis of a democratic state is liberty,” said Aristotle the Greek philosopher. So you see, this thing called freedom is older than you and is international. That’s what we celebrate—our peace of mind and the battles it took to get there here in the good old U.S.A. And Mr. Webster defines freedom as “the quality or state of being free as the absence of necessity, coercion or constraint in choice or action.” Now that doesn’t mean you can become that grumpy old person everyone dislikes and exercise your freedom of speech and say everything that comes to your mind just because you can. But it means you have the freedom to just think it. And then there is the sitting around back home after the food or fireworks display. “Do you recall when? … Remember where we used to? … Then there’s the time. … Did you know?

… Can you recall? … Do you think we’ll ever . . ?” The warm radiance of a slight beverage buzz—or it could be the ambiance of old friends calling to mind memories—fills the room along with the faded sun. Old friends who hadn’t gathered for a while, some for a year, slow down, take the weight off their feet and relax in a comfort zone built by years of experiences together. The distractions of the present are left at the door like muddy boots. The 4th of July is more than just about the past, it is enjoying the good times and friends of the present. You probably aren’t going to spend the day talking about Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, John Adams or Thomas Jefferson, although they were a big part of the original festivity. More than likely you will be talking about Pete the barber, or Joe the bartender, or even Gigi the checkout

lady at the market—people of your generation and an important part of the celebration of life all year long. That’s the real wham bam of freedom’s sound. (SENIOR WIRE)

It’s All About Boating

Happy Father’s Day!

arasota’s the place to be for boating this month, whether you’re a race fan, recreational boater or just starting out. First time boaters can get basic information from the experts at “Boating—The Joys, The Problems, The Safety” seminar on June 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice. Patrick Wheeler of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 86 will tell you how to enjoy boating safely. Register online at www. sclibs.net Calendar/Programs. From June 23 – July 1, racing fans are in for a treat as the annual Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival returns for 2012. Events leading up to the big race include a golf tournament, car show, charity poker tournament, a “High Heel Hike” for autism, fishing tournament, a boat parade and more.

June 17 from

The Super Boat Grand Prix Race starts at 11 p.m. on July 1, with viewing on Lido Beach. For a full event listing or more information, visit suncoastoffshore.org or call (941) 371-8820 ext. 1800. The 10th Annual St. Armands Boat Show kicks off on June 30 and will be held every day through July 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Browse new and used boats and accessories at this free event, located at 411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. For details, please call (941) 388-1554.

Enjoy a Guided Nature Walk

oin a Sarasota County Parks naturalist Jennifer Rogers on these guided hikes. To register, call (941) 861-5000 and ask for Jennifer Rogers.

Hardwood Hammock Hike at Rothenbach Park. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the majestic oaks in the natural area of this mutli-use park and have a chance to white-tailed deer while learning about the hardwood

hammock habitat and its residents. 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Rothenbach Park, 8650 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota.

Know Your Niche Nature Walk.Stroll along the shoreline and venture into the coastal hammock to learn about mangroves, epiphytes and the effects of exotic plants on native ecosystems. 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 5

Get Ready for Sock Hops, Prom Night and Beach Parties “A

ll the singers on the Malt Shop Memories Cruise are not just going to be on the stage,” said Frankie Avalon. “You’re going to be rubbing elbows with them. It’s a very unique kind of cruise where you can talk to them and take photos with the performers out and about on the ship.” Legendary singer Frankie Avalon will return for his second Malt Shop Memories cruise when the ship sets sail October 27. The luxury liner, Holland America’s luxurious m/s Eurodam, will travel from Fort Lauderdale to Turks & Caicos, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay before it returns on November 3. Avalon, along with many other icons from the ‘50s and ‘60s, will perform and make special appearances throughout the journey. One of the talented members of the “Philadelphia school” of rock-n-rollers, Frankie Avalon was the reigning teen singing idol from 1958 through 1960. Devotees of American Bandstand hold affectionate memories of such Avalon top-tenners as “Gingerbread” and “Venus” and his later Beach Blanket movies. In an interview with Cinestar’s Brittany Umar, Avalon said that what is so special about the cruise is that the theme—‘50s and ‘60s music—has to do with a part of his life and that of many others who want to “reminisce, have a good time and hear some great performers.” Mention “Lifestyles After 50” when booking and receive $100 onboard credit! He remembered the first Malt Shop Memories cruise as a time when people talked to him about their memories. “They came and told me when they saw the movies I was in or heard me sing,” he said. “It’s unique to work with some of the singers I started out with, like Bobby Rydell and Dion.” Avalon considers this cruise an extension of all those years gone by, a time for the singers “to get together and have fun.”

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 6

Inspired by Time Life’s popular Malt Shop Memories CD series, the voyage “The reviews are will be highlighted by performances in and MSMC (Malt by some of the biggest artists of the Shop Memories Cruise) era. Look for Ronnie Spector and 2011 was the “pick hit” of the Drifters Darlene Love, The Original Drifters, week and has gone platinum.” The Duprees and many, many more. —Yahoo Group: doowopcafe.com

y l m i f f e ...” o k c a r t “It was the sound “. . . Frankie Avalon made an appearance at the Sail Away Beach Party and the memories had begun to accumulate by the time the ship sailed under the bridge.” — Linda Coffman, CruiseDiva.com This 2012 cruise will also celebrate the memory of the King of Rock ‘n Roll, Elvis Presley. The Malt Shop Memories Cruise will host the richest Elvis contest at sea featuring some of the most well-known and talented tribute artists in the world competing for a cash prize of $5,000. So, ladies, get out the poodle skirt and crinoline and get ready for an incredi“The legendary ble line-up of concerts, parties and ‘50s era of the late 1950s to and ‘60s-themed activities throughout early 1960s boasts some of the ship for the entire length of the the most romantic lyrics and cruise. You’ll grab your blanket for engaging harmonies popular the beach party, kick off your shoes music has ever embraced.” for the sock hop, spin the hula hoop, —Lisa Torem, dress in your finest for Prom Night. 2010 cruise Tickets for the cruise are available at MaltShopCruise.com or call (877) 700-6258 (MALT). The cruise is nearly 80 percent sold but great verandah cabins are still available. Florida residents who book between now and July 15 will enjoy free deluxe motorcoach transportation between the port in Fort Lauderdale Passenger photos by Rhonda Lane and seven Florida locations..

“No bonding required; we were all of the same mindset and were soulmates before the first doowop note rang out. The fun, the dancin’, singin’, strollin’, twistin’, hoppin’ and boppin’ never stopped.” —Gay Nagle Myers for Travel Weekly, 2011 cruise

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 7

How Are Baby Boomers Doing as Parents? They hover: Parents Weigh in on Children’s Job Hunt oomer helicopter parents’ intrusions in their children’s outside-the-home lives now extend to the workplace, according to a Michigan State University survey of employers who were hiring brecent college graduates. Almost a third of the employers said that parents had handed in their children’s resumes, sometimes without their children’s knowledge. A quarter of the employers said that parents had been in touch with them to plead their children’s cause. In some cases, parents sat in on their children’s job interviews. Enterprise, the car rental company, has adapted to the trend by mailing parents the same recruitment

materials it sends their children and inviting parents to hear their children present their final projects as Enterprise interns. —Jennifer Ludden, “Helicopter Parents Hover in the Workplace” NPR, March 1, 2012 They support: Many boomers are helping to financially support both their parents and their adult children. Almost a third (31 percent) of relatively wealthy Americans are supporting older and younger immediate family members at the same time, according to a new Merrill Lynch Wealth Management survey of 1,000 people with investable assets of $250,000 or more. They question: “As boomers we raised our kids to have the things we didn’t. Our parents came from the World War era and they wanted us to have the life they didn’t have. We in turn gave just

about everything to our children and I think this made a lot of them lazy and added to the “entitled” generation we see today. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Is it our job to keep supporting our adult children no matter where the economy is? Every family has to decide this question. —From the blog sweetiesreviews.com “Supporting their Adult Children.” They spend: According to a Vibrant Nation survey, a dramatic 84 percent of boomer women are paying more of their

over-18-year-old children’s expenses than their parents did for them: • 59 percent pay for an adult child’s cell phone. • 53 percent pay for insurance • Over 1/3 are paying for everyday expenses like rent, clothes, cars and computers. And these expenses add up quickly. 56 percent of boomer women respondents report that they pay more than $5,000 in annual expenses, not including tuition/education expenses, for each adult child, and 17 percent spend more than $10,000. They advise: Over 40 percent of boomer mom respondents report that their children consult them about financial services (including loans and banking relationships) and insurance. Over 1/3 influence their children’s purchase decision for car buying, small/large appliances and food.

Grandpa’s Boy: How One Grandfather Learned to Connect with His Autistic Grandson BY SHARON FUENTES

recently went back home to celebrate my parents’ anniversary. I love my parents but I must admit I was nervous to go back. I was concerned about how they would handle having my kids in their home for over a week, especially when one of those kids happens to have Asperger’s Syndrome-High Functioning Autism. Asperger’s is a neurological disorder. My 11-year-old son is very verbal and extremely smart. Looking at him, you might not know there is anything different about him. There is a reason, though, that Autism is called the “invisible disability!” What you cannot see is that Jay’s senses work, but the information they send to his brain can get misfiled or come in on the wrong pathways. Imagine having a million radio stations playing at the same time and

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 8

you don’t know how to filter out the unnecessary to hear what’s important. This is what my boy faces every day. Understanding other people’s body and indirect language or even intonation is a challenge for Jay. What can seem like common sense does not come naturally; it must be taught. He is anxious, frustrates easily and is prone to meltdowns if things change or he just feels overstimulated. He is also brilliant, loving and funny. You might have to look a little harder to see all that. But, when you find a way to connect, what happens is almost magical. This last trip home, I sat down and for the first time since my son was diagnosed really spoke with my father. We shed many tears and laughed so hard that my side ached. The result of that conversation was a mutual understanding that my father did not need to fix my son; there was

nothing wrong with him to fix. He just needed to find a way to connect with him, to accept him for the wonderful person he is now. He doesn’t need to feel sorry for him but he does need to recognize when he becomes frustrated and what to do when that happens (because it will happen). It wasn’t easy at first as Jay had no interest in watching a basketball game together or passing a football back and forth. What did pique his interest was the chess board he found in my father’s closet. When he asked my father if he would teach him how to play my dad knew he had

found his “in.” Dad doesn’t let Jay win, but I have seen him make a bad move on purpose from time to time when he sees him starting to get frustrated. They even play chess via Skype now… their way to connect with one another even though we are 1,000 miles away. According to the CDC, one out of 88 children in the United States has a disorder on the autistic spectrum. Autism can be an isolating disorder... but it doesn’t have to be, especially if Grandpa and Grandma are around! Check out Sharon’s blog at www.blog.mamasturnnow.com.

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IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. All rate plans and services require the purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time set up fee of $35. Coverage and service is not available everywhere. Other charges and restrictions may apply. Screen images simulated. There are no additional fees to call Jitterbug’s 24-hour U.S. Based Customer Service. However, for calls to an Operator in which a service is completed, minutes will be deducted from your monthly balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator, plus an additional 5 minutes. Monthly rate plans do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges. Prices and fees subject to change. 1We will refund the full price of the Jitterbug phone if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will apply for each minute over 30 minutes. The activation fee and shipping charges are not refundable. Jitterbug is a registered trademark of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and/or its related entities. Copyright © 2012 GreatCall, Inc. Copyright © 2012 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 9

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ant a brand new gaming experience designed by gamers? The Lucky Dolphin in Sarasota offers 3500 square feet of gaming with over 60 machines and 26 games to choose from. “We’re a family business,” says owner Michael Beaumont. “My wife Judy and I enjoy gaming but we don’t like feeling packed in like tuna, so when we put the Lucky Dolphin together we made it very spacious.” The Lucky Dolphin offers a food court with free beer and wine. Guests can relax in the lounge area or the bar, and on the gaming floor, they play at 3 ft. tables. “We pride ourselves on offering a clean, friendly environment where friends can come meet and have a good time gaming,” he says. “We get personal with our customers. If you like a certain soda or wine, we make sure to have it for you. We go out of our way to make your visit with us as enjoyable as we can.”

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Fun and Fireworks on the 4th! Fresh Summer Produce and Savings at Detwiler’s Farm Market C “E

elebrate Independence Day the Tarpon Center Dr., Venice. old fashioned way. Check out Best viewing: anywhere these community events on July 4: along Venice Beach, Nokomis Beach, or by boat on the Gulf Sarasota / Intracoastal Waterway. Free. • “Sounds of Freedom,” Gloria Musicae Concert, featuring classic Siesta Key Americana and “The Midnight • 22nd Annual Siesta Key 4th of July Ride of Paul Revere.” 4 – 6 p.m. at Fireworks Display and Party. 9:15 to Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay 10 p.m. Best viewing: Siesta Key PubShore Rd. $35. (941) 359-5700. lic Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota; or by boat on the Gulf / Intracoastal • Fireworks Spectacular over Waterway. Free. (941) 349-3800. Sarasota Bay. 9 – 10 p.m. Best viewing: along the Sarasota Bayfront Bradenton / Island Park, 1700 Ken Thompson • Downtown Independence Day Pkwy. Free. (800) 800-3906. Party on Old Main Street. 4 - 10 p.m. Closed to vehicles at 2:30 p.m. Live North Port • 9th Annual Freedom Festival. Games, music and vendors, Fireworks display over the Manatee River at dark. food, entertainment, refreshments and family fun. Event at 6 p.m., fireworks Palmetto at 9 p.m. North Port High School • 4th Of July Concert and Fireworks. Stadium. 6400 West Price Blvd. Starts 5 p.m. at Lamb & Sutton Park, North Port. Free. (941) 429-3565. 700 Tenth Avenue W. Free concert Venice by Three Dog Night, fireworks 3:32 PM Page 1 •ATW_50069_44230_10x4.75:ATW-50069_10x4.75 Venice Fireworks 2012. 9 - 10 p.m., around5/21/12 9:30. Food vendors and more. fired from the south Venice Jetty, Free admission. (941) 723-4988.

at fresh for less” is the motto at Detwiler’s Farm Market in Sarasota; this family-run business has been a community favorite for over 10 years. Henry Detwiler and sons drive to local farms and produce markets in Florida to bring you the freshest produce every day—supporting local growers and providing savings you won’t find at any grocery store. “Affordable quality is a given at our place,” says Henry Detwiler. “We’ve got the best prices in town.” Where else can you buy a fresh cantaloupe for $1.99, a whole pound of vine-ripened tomatoes for only 99 cents, or two-for-the-price-of-one watermelons on Wednesdays? At Detwiler’s, you’ll find a large selection of deli meats, cheeses and homemade preserves from Amish farms in Ohio and Pennsylvania, local honey and milk, ice cream, soft serve yogurt and milkshakes.

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The produce featured at the market right now is summer’s finest: ripe watermelon, plump strawberries, Georgia peaches and crunchy sweet corn, perfect for picnics and 4th of July cookouts. “The produce is what we’re passionate about—that’s where we got our start,” Detwiler says. Great customer service and a family atmosphere are also what make Detwiler’s Farm Market special. “I love it when I hear people say, ‘It tastes so fresh, just like I remember it tasting right out of the garden,’ or ‘Wow, what a great price!’” says Detwiler. “We’re a family market, and we try to treat everyone like family. We want to be everybody’s place to shop for fresh produce.” Detwiler’s Farm Market is located at 6000 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota. (941) 378-2727. They’re open Mon. – Sat., 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For great deals and coupons, see their ad in this paper.

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“I bought the Atomic Talking Watch for my father, who is 95 years old and can barely see. The "talking" feature was the main reason I got it for him, since he can no longer "see" a regular watch. I was attracted to the "atomic" feature because all my father has to do is to place it in a window to update, if necessary. He uses the watch all of the time and shows it off to all of his friends - more than once... and has come to heavily rely upon it. So much so, that I bought him a "backup" talking watch just in case it would happen to fail. However, it has been running strong for the past 2 years.” R. Humphreys Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 12

analog display that you won’t need reading glasses to see. Best of all, you can press a button and it will tell you the time in a clear, easy-to-understand voice. So whether you’re driving to an appointment or dining in a candlelit restaurant… you are sure to know the exact time. Press the button again and it will even tell you the day and date if you want. There’s even an automatic hourly chime. Try it for yourself… it’s risk-free. The US Atomic Clock cost billions to build and maintain, but you can have the next best thing for less than one hundred dollars. Thanks to a special arrangement with the manufacturer, we can offer you this watch at a special price with our exclusive home trial. If you are not completely

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 13

Veterans Corner

Veterans Benefits Questions and Answers

he following questions and answers may help readers in dealing with veterans benefits.

Q: How much are a VA widow’s survivors benefits reduced by any earned income?

Spotlight on Veterans R

ichard Swier is a the Board of Directors of 23-year Army veteran the Community Foundation who retired as a Lieutenof Sarasota County from ant Colonel in 1990. He 2000-2009. He served was awarded the Legion from 2006-2011 on the of Merit for his years of Sponsorship Advisory service. Additionally, he Committee to the Sarasota was awarded two Bronze County School Board. Stars with “V” for HeroHe is President of ism in ground combat, the the Sarasota County Presidential Unit Citation, Veterans Commission, Dr. Richard M. Swier, and the Vietnamese Cross an honorary member of Ed. D., LTC, of Gallantry while serving the BRAIVE Fund, and U.S. Army (Ret.) with the 101st Airborne Dihas been elected Chairvision in Vietnam. He is a graduate of man of the Sarasota National the Field Artillery Officers Basic and Cemetery Advisory Committee. Advanced Courses, and U.S. Army Rich is also the editor of Red Command and General Staff College. County – Sarasota (redcounty.com), Richard was the Founder/CEO of an internationally read website Sarasota Online and helped start dedicated to center right grassroots Backsoft Corporation, an enterprise commentary, news and local politics. software development company. He is host of the Dr. Rich Show on Richard twice chaired the Sarasota the Talk Suncoast network, WWPR Better Business Council and sat on AM 1490 (TalkSuncoast.com). the Board of the Greater Sarasota Veterans Funeral Service and Chamber of Commerce. He served on Cremation, (941) 377-1060.

A: Widow’s dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits are not reduced by any other income. Widow’s pension, however, is need-based, so it is reduced dollar-for-dollar against any

Social Security or other income. Q: My mother is experiencing some early cognitive issues that make her unable to live on her own. She is now living with me in another state. My question is this: Does she have veteran military benefits from my dad being in the military for over 30 years (he is now deceased but she is receiving his Army pension.) If so, who would I contact to confirm or process? Also, would benefits vary by state?

A: VA Benefits do not vary based on state residence. However, each state has an office of Veterans Services that may provide benefits separately. If your father was receiving or entitled to VA Benefits, dependent on his status, your mother may be eligible for DIC. Q: How can I force the VA to give

me a disability rating? The VA has been delaying my claim for asinine excuses for more than 454 days. Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 14

A: You cannot “force” the VA to give you a disability rating, like it’s your right to have one! They have people that review your medical records to determine if you should have any disability rating; then, if you’re found to be disabled, they will assign a percentage rating to your disability. Once you have the percent that you’re disabled, then your payment is according to that percentage rating. Tables of such disability benefit payments can be found at the VA website. You might talk with a veteran service office or call/write the regional office to find out what the delay is. Have they told you they were going to schedule you for exams? However, I would NOT, if I were you, cop an attitude with the VA. Q: My dad was a veteran and passed away 10 years ago. My mom has never filed a claim for veterans benefits. Now she needs surgery and after care. Might she be qualified for some benefits? A: Anyone at the VA helping your

mother will need more information. Be prepared to furnish the following: What were the dates of your father’s service, branch and type of discharge. Did your father ever apply for Benefits from the Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs?

Q: I am receiving DIC (dependency

and indemnity compensation) payments right now. Will it continue after I file for social security? Do I pay taxes on this?

A: DIC should not affect your SSI. VA benefits are non-taxable, and your DIC will continue unless you re-marry. It also should not be affected by any other SS income you may be eligible for. Questions and answers taken from lawguru.com/answers and caring.com

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by a sophisticated 24/7 Response Center that provides a prompt response to summon help quickly. All you do is plug the base unit into an electric outlet and your phone line. Then, you simply wear the transmitter as a pendant or around your wrist. Just press the button and the unit will automatically call the Philips Lifeline

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 15

The Healthy Geezer

BY FRED CICETTI

I live with my 40-year-old son and he smokes like the proverbial chimney around the house. I’m afraid of what it’s doing to his health. What can I do to get him to quit?

A: Tell him he may be killing you

with his secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke—also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)—is made up of the “sidestream” smoke from the end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, and the “mainstream” smoke that is exhaled.

Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke absorb the same 4,000 chemical compounds that smokers do. More than 60 of these compounds are known or suspected to cause cancer. About one in a hundred deaths worldwide is caused by secondhand smoke, which kills an estimated 600,000 people a year, according to World Health Organization (WHO) researchers. Each year, in the United States alone, secondhand smoke is responsible for about 40,000 deaths from heart disease, and about 3,000 lung-cancer deaths. Secondhand smoke causes increased cardiovascular risks by damaging blood vessels, decreasing your ability to exercise and altering blood cholesterol levels. Some research indicates that people exposed to a spouse’s cigarette smoke for several decades are about 20 percent more likely to have lung cancer. Those who are exposed long-term to secondhand smoke in the workplace or social settings may increase their risk of lung cancer by about 25 percent. Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 16

Some of the components found in tobacco smoke that are known to cause cancer or are suspected to be carcinogenic include: formaldehyde, arsenic, cadmium, benzene and ethylene oxide. Here are a few other chemicals in tobacco smoke along with their effects: ammonia (irritates lungs), carbon monoxide (hampers breathing), methanol (toxic when inhaled) and hydrogen cyanide (interferes with respiration). Throughout the world, governments are taking action against smoking in public places, both indoors and outdoors. Smoking is either banned or restricted in public transportation. Several local communities have enacted nonsmokers’ rights laws, most of which are stricter than state laws. Although air-conditioning may remove the visible smoke in your home, it can’t remove the particles that continue to circulate and are hazardous to your health, so don’t delude yourself that running the AC is the answer to secondhand smoke dangers. To solve your problem, you should try to get your son to seek help in fighting his addiction to nicotine. There are many programs available. Call your doctor for some recommendations. Meanwhile, for your own health, you should insist that he not smoke in your house. If you would like to read more columns, you can order a copy of “How To Be A Healthy Geezer” at www.healthygeezer.com. All Rights Reserved © 2012 by Fred Cicetti.

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www.freedomhealth.com Freedom Health is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare Advantage contract and a contract with the Florida Medicaid program. The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of available benefits. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or co-payments/ co-insurance may change on January 1, 2013. (1) You must continue to pay your part B premium, even on plans with Part B reimbursement. (2) Amount varies by plan and county. (3) Limitations and restrictions may apply. H5427_SNPV4Ad_FileandUse_04012012 Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 17

Organ Donation: Don’t Let These Myths Confuse You BY MAYO CLINIC STAFF

nough people to populate a small city—over 100,000—are waiting for an organ donation in the United States. It can be hard to think about what’s going to happen to your body after you die, let alone donating your organs and tissue. But being an organ donor is a generous and worthwhile decision that can be a lifesaver. Myth: If I agree to donate my organs, the hospital staff won’t work as hard to save my life. Fact: When you go to the hospital for treatment, doctors focus on saving your life—not somebody else’s. You’ll be seen by a doctor whose specialty most closely matches your particular emergency. The doctor in charge of your care has nothing to do with transplantation. Myth: Maybe I won’t really be dead when they sign my death certificate.

Fact: Although it’s a popular topic in the tabloids, in reality, people don’t start to wiggle their toes after they’re declared dead. In fact, people who have agreed to organ donation are given more tests (at no charge to their families) to determine that they’re truly dead than are those who haven’t agreed to organ donation. Myth: Organ donation is against my religion.

Fact: Organ donation is consistent with the beliefs of most religions. This includes Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam and most branches of Judaism. You can check the federal site OrganDonor.gov, which provides religious views on organ donation and transplantation by denomination. Myth: An open-casket funeral isn’t an option for people who have donated organs or tissues. Fact: Organ and tissue donation doesn’t interfere with having an

open-casket funeral. The donor’s body is clothed for burial, so there are no visible signs of organ or tissue donation. For bone donation, a rod is inserted where bone is removed. With skin donation, a very thin layer of skin similar to a sunburn peel is taken from the donor’s back. Because the donor is clothed and lying on his or her back in the casket, no one can see any difference. Myth: I’m too old to donate. Nobody would want my organs.

Fact: There’s no defined cutoff age for donating organs. Organs have been successfully transplanted from donors in their 70s and 80s. The decision is based strictly on medical criteria, not age.

Myth: I’m not in the best of health. Nobody would want my organs or tissues. Fact: Very few medical conditions automatically disqualify you from donating organs. The decision to use an organ is based on strict medical crite-

ria. It may turn out that certain organs are not suitable for transplantation, but other organs and tissues may be fine. Myth: My family will be charged if I donate my organs.

Fact: The organ donor’s family is never charged for donating. The family is charged for the cost of all final efforts to save your life, and those costs are sometimes misinterpreted as costs related to organ donation. Costs for organ removal go to the transplant recipient.

Additional information: • By donating your organs after you die, you can save or improve as many as 50 lives. • It’s especially important to consider becoming an organ donor if you belong to an ethnic minority. Minorities are more likely than whites to have certain chronic conditions that affect the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver. Info from Mayoclinic.org.

Information Sources for Seniors Inner Peace, Better Health

Disaster Preparedness Guide for Seniors (850) 414-2046 or (800) 963-5337 Home Repair Basics – AARP (888) 687-2277 Price Gouging During Disasters (800) 435-7352

Investing for Seniors [929K PDF] (800) 342-2762 Gift Giver’s Guide to all registered charities) (800) 435-7352 Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Department of Elder Affairs (888) 831-0404

Florida Department of Elder Affairs (850) 414-2000 Florida Do Not Call List (800) 435-7352 Recognize and Avoid Telemarketing Fraud (800) 435-7352 Florida Senior Safety Resource Center (transportation options) (850) 414-4100 National Center on Senior Transportation (866) 528-6278

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Options for Housing (202) 708-1112 Out AARP (888) 687-2277

and Cut ! Keep Handy

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 18

oga, tai chi and meditation can have significant health benefits, according to Harvard researchers. Practicing yoga regularly can help you develop stronger muscles, better balance and flexibility, and tai chi has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve joint movement and reduce pain in arthritis sufferers. Peter M. Wayne, director of the Tai Chi and Mind-Body Research Program at Osher Research Center, says, “A growing body of carefully conducted research is building a compelling case for tai chi as an adjunct to standard medical treatment for the prevention and rehabilitation of many conditions commonly associated with age.” Regular meditation can also lower blood pressure and has been used to help treat anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. (Info from health.harvard.edu.) If you’re interested in trying them out, there are classes available nearby for all ages and abilities:

Venice Holistic Center: (941) 323-8033 Exploring Meditation: June 13, 3 – 4:30 p.m. Learn about the benefits of mindfulness meditation. Instruction, practice, class, tea and snacks. Gentle Yoga For Everyone: Thurs. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Tai Chi for Beginners: Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Master 20 flowing movements in an easy-to-learn form of Tai Chi. Can be done standing or from a chair or wheelchair. (941) 366-4851.

Senior Friendship Centers (941) 955-2122 Yoga: Tues. and Thurs., 2 –3:30 p.m. Tai Chi: Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Qigong /Tao of Wellbeing: Fridays, 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Learn soft and easy exercises for the body and mind with John Orsborn. A.P.D.O.M.

Long-Term Care Protection—Three Different Ideas 55+ From $430 Per Month to you should you choose to cancel BY ROSEMARIE HURLEY, CSA Long-Term Care Specialist

raditional Long-Term Care products are more flexible than ever. But in addition to the traditional products, there are other products in the marketplace that accomplish the same goal—future asset protection—in a unique way. These products have also been around for a long time and they, too, have evolved. Because people are different, so too are their needs and interests. Sometimes people approach their future asset protection differently as well. Rather than commit to a monthly or annual premium for Long-Term Care insurance without knowing how much you will eventually pay into the policy before you access benefits by going on claim, it is possible to make a lump sum payment and purchase a paid up policy. Same goal, accomplished a different way. And oftentimes when I am contacted to explain the “ins and outs” of LongTerm Care insurance, people ask: “But what if I am not in the percentage of those people who will eventually go on claim, and I don’t use my policy? What then?” My answer is always the same…consider yourself blessed. There are lots of types of insurance that protect but do not benefit you unless you go on claim. That’s traditional. The lump sum payment type plans have many very attractive features. One of them is a death benefit. That means that when you die, if you haven’t used up your Long-Term Care benefits, a sum larger than the deposit you made goes to your beneficiary, and it is income tax FREE. Another interesting feature is that anytime, your money can be returned

the policy. No questions asked and no complicated forms to complete. These policies operate the same as traditional LTC in that they offer Home Health Care, Assisted Living and Nursing Home Benefits. The pay a daily benefit as usual for these services, and can have inflation protection, or not, as your choice. One of the main reasons this configuration is more popular is that your children will receive a larger sum than the original deposit as a death benefit if you never used the policy. Children understand the value of that. But remember, it is still necessary to qualify for the policy. There are very similar health parameters used to determine eligibility as with other forms of LTC insurance. And this article is meant to educate you a bit about the concept. There is more to learn. As always, I offer a complimentary consultation to help you to decide if this is right for you. Our meeting is at your convenience and can be in your home. To be educated is freeing and benefits you and your family. Questions? Please contact me. Rosemarie Hurley, President of Senior Insurance Solutions, has been a Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist for over 18 years, brokers with only the finest insurance companies in the industry and is contracted with EVERY company offering a product. She is a Certified Senior Advisor and Past President of the local chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters. She is a member of the Bonita and the Estero Chambers, and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Estero. She can be reached at (239) 274-6678 or at her website: longtermcareinsurance-online.com.

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 19

Fun, Food & Fido at Ophelia’s Pasta House

f you own a dog, you know all about the “dog face”– that forlorn, droopy-eyed expression you get when you head out for a nice dinner, leaving your four-legged friend at home with his usual bowl of kibble. But even dogs need a night out now and then, and now you can take him with you. Ophelia’s Pasta House isn’t your typical restaurant. In 2008, Nancy and James Champlin, former Rhode Island restauranteurs and dedicated animal lovers, took their enthusiasm for international cuisine and transformed a small Sarasota restaurant into a bustling eatery that welcomes both human and canine guests. “Three years ago, one of our regular customers said to us, ‘I just can’t enjoy my beer at the bar when I know Fido is sitting at home alone,” Nancy says. “James and I always have been dog lovers ourselves, so we decided to apply for the appropriate license and invite area residents to come to Ophelia’s and dine with their dogs.” Inside, you’ll find an elegant dining room with a wood and marble mirror bar

that is a popular after-work gathering spot. Outdoors on their patio, you can dine al fresco with your favorite pet. Bowls of spring water are brought out with beverages and dogs can enjoy entrees like grilled chicken breast, a “Bow Wow Burger” or grilled flat iron steak with rice. While keeping canine customers happy is important, providing exceptional service and cuisine for human guests are top priorities at Ophelia’s. At breakfast, you’ll find traditional fare like eggs, bacon and pancakes, and also specialty dishes like the Lobster Omelet or Crunchy French Toast. Lunch offers up various homemade soups, salads and pasta bowls, panini sandwiches, wraps, burgers and house specials. Pasta and seafood are Ophelia’s specialties, and at dinner you can enjoy a variety of flavorful international dishes from Sweet Italian Sausage Ziti and Linguine with Clam Sauce to Key Largo Grouper and Shrimp Quesadillas. So go ahead; treat your dog (and yourself!) to a fun night out at Ophelia’s Pasta House, located at 1097 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. (941) 485-6868.

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All-In-One Doggy Day Care Center Gets Four Paws Up

f you want a doggy day care, grooming center and boutique that has it all, look no further than Poochie’s Pampered Pups, voted “the happiest doggy day care Sarasota has to offer.” “At Poochies, we provide a totally cage-free environment that encourages dogs to roam and play throughout the day,” says Rhonda Norden, owner. The facility offers 3,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space for four-legged guests to romp around in, complete with painted murals, climb and slide equipment, plush toys and beds for afternoon naps. White fence partitions with safety closures divide the space into separate rooms for small, medium and large dogs. Their spacious outdoor play yard offers toys and play equipment as well as plenty of shade, fans and pools for keeping cool in. As an added bonus, parents can keep an eye on their pets while they are away via Poochie’s playroom

webcams. “We actively play with the dogs in our care all day, which makes our doggy day care facility far different from the rest,” Norden says. Poochie’s also offers a full grooming spa with treatments that include full grooms or hydro-massage baths, teeth brushing, nail trimming and anal gland care. All grooming is done without restraints, making it a stress-free experience for your pet. Poochie’s Pampered Pups is located at 7672 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. through Fri., and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sat. Doggy Play Dates are held every Sat. at 10 a.m., complete with coffee and donuts, for only $5 per dog. All proceeds are donated to local animal groups. Taxi services are available for day care or grooming appointments. For info and tours, call (941) 313-4969 or visit PoochiesPamperedPups.com.

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 21

The Toughest Element in Fitness

BY WALTER URBAN

f you are over 50, you probably have your hands full with life’s daily routines and, frequently, that routine does not include fitness! If that’s the case, trust me—it’s not limited to you! Training or exercise is time consuming, takes me away from other pleasures and it’s hard, but remember—that’s why they call it exercise or fitness! In reality, motivation affects us all and is the key element in every fitness program. Whether you are just starting out or already exercising but need help with motivation, the following suggestions will help:

Health • Set a goal. Any project or plan without goal will be a struggle.

Twenty Ways to Go A

ttention Earthlings: Its never too late to help save our natural resources, time and money. Start here: 1. Sign up for the “no solicitation” registry.

2. Shop online to reduce your carbon footprint and save money.

3. Get out of the gym and exercise outdoors. 4. Save on utility bills – close blinds on hot days. 5. Send an e-gift certificate for special occasions. 6. Eliminate paper invites and digitize your event announcement. 7. Use an irrigation controller to manage watering. 8. Swap your stuff on Swap.com. 9. Walk or bike to save on fuel. 10. Wash clothes with cold water if possible. Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 22

Green

11. Use mobile coupons to cut paper clutter (Coupon Sherpa app). 12. Go paperless wherever possible.

13. Hang-dry your clothes.

14. Shop garage and estate sales for clothes and home goods. 15. Put the blow dryer down. 16. Take short showers.

17. Wash dishes the old fashioned way in a sink full of water instead of with the tap on. . 18. Get a water filter and reusable water bottle.

19. Plant native shrubs and plants.

20. Use an eco-friendly shower head. (For example, an Oxygenics PowerMassage Handheld Shower Head can save up to 70 percent in water and energy consumption.)

• Develop a plan to reach your goal. This is a must no matter what activity you enjoy.

• Start small. If you are just starting, set realistic goals. • Set interval goals and reward small short term accomplishments.

• Create rewards that are pleasurable and away from your exercise. • Change routines and change often.

• Develop a competition with yourself or a partner and relate back to rewards. • Chart progress so you can monitor and remember successes.

If you are already exercising or have started:

• Remember good days. • Remember the feeling of success and your pleasure rewards. • Focus on the big picture. • Withdraw during your routine. • Stay grounded but dream big. • Join a team or league if you are motivated by others and are in a team or league sport. • Know what your urges are to quit and be aware of them. • Continue to mix things up. • Visualize your success. • If you get lost with mixing it up, get a coach.

Forget but expect bad days. Remember, no matter how poorly you perform or how bad your workout is, do not quit—it is not an option. Just walk away and think about a past success. Most of all, remember: if it was easy, everyone would do it! To find more information on Walter Urban and his World and National records, please visit walterurban.com.

Your Skills Can Give Others an Edge

re you a retired professional with some free time on your hands? You could help make a difference by joining CareerEdge and becoming a mentor. CareerEdge promotes empowerment of people through academic career services, support and guidance. Its mission is to connect people who are trying to find their way to better employment with positive adult role models to help them achieve

personal, professional and academic success. CareerEdge/RSVP mentors work individually or as part of a team, bringing all the skills, talents and experience they have achieved in their working lifetimes to help others in their journey. Mentors fill assignments throughout Manatee and Sarasota. Sign up now and be ready to jump right in to help! Please call (941) 556-3210 to register or for more information.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 23

A Coordinated Effort

eres m m eri

Su ler S

ws o h S ur $45! Sizz o F All Only e e S For

title, as Morris is far from dormant! She t the heart of every currently works as non-profit organizaan adjunct Professor tion are its volunteers. for State College of You can imagine that with Florida and serves more than 700 volunteers as the director of at The Players Theatre, it the Youth Arts Fest. is a daunting task. OverShe is a staple in seeing this monumental the arts community, duty is Volunteer Cooroften serving on dinator Betty Morris. For boards and commitmore than five years, she tees, and ushering at has personally welcomed, neighboring venues. trained and managed the “Betty Morris volunteers at The Players. didn’t just create Players volunteers the volunteer Betty Morris, do everything from system, she is Volunteer Coordinator usher a show to work the system!” said in the box office. Others help build Managing Director, Michelle Bianchi sets, paint props, make costumes, Pingel. “She plays such a vital role in answer phones and hang posters. our organization, keeping more than Morris and her husband Bert moved 700 volunteers straight; I don’t know to Sarasota more than ten years ago what we would do without her!” after she retired from San Francisco To learn more about The Players State University. Retired is merely a theatre, call (941) 365-2494. BY MICHELLE RINACA

Baked Goods and Senior Specials at Your Family-Friendly Perkins

Enjoy Strawberry and Strawberry Cheesecake Pies

$500 OFF the purchase of 2 adult entrees and two beverages

Coupon expires 7-4-12. May not be used with “kids”, early birds, breakfast or lunch specials. Valid only at participating Perkins® Restaurant & Bakery locations. One coupon per person per visit at participating Perkins® Restaurant & Bakery locations. Not valid with any other discount or offer. Coupon void if purchased, sold or bartered for cash. Only original coupons accepted. Mutilated, tampered, forged or photocopied coupons are not accepted. Sales tax, if applicable, must be paid by customer. Please present coupon when ordering. Prices may vary in Canada. Printed in the U.S.A. © 2010 Perkins® & Marie Callender’s, Inc.

May Not Combine Offers SARASOTA ONLY

Chunks of tender all-white chicken with carrots, onions, celery and peas in a rich cream sauce. Served with a side salad. 9.99 Baked fresh daily, so we may run out! Enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, early bird dinner, supper & even late night lite fare. • Full menu available 24 hours! • Delicious bakery - remember us for our pies & Mammoth Muffins®

5921 Fruitville Rd. • Sarasota • 941-342-6655

(at Cattleman-East of Sam’s Club) Open 24 hours all day, every day! Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 24

1/2 PRICE APPETIZERS after 10PM with the purchase of a beverage Coupon expires 7-4-12. May not be used with “kids”, early birds, breakfast or lunch specials. Valid only at participating Perkins® Restaurant & Bakery locations. One coupon per person per visit at participating Perkins® Restaurant & Bakery locations. Not valid with any other discount or offer. Coupon void if purchased, sold or bartered for cash. Only original coupons accepted. Mutilated, tampered, forged or photocopied coupons are not accepted. Sales tax, if applicable, must be paid by customer. Please present coupon when ordering. Prices may vary in Canada. Printed in the U.S.A. © 2010 Perkins® & Marie Callender’s, Inc.

aybe you’ve enjoyed some of the fresh muffins at our Fun Fests. It’s all thanks to our friendly neighborhood Perkins. Maureen Runkle, general manager at Perkins in Sarasota, says that baked goods are their specialty. “We have the best muffins—big muffins—made fresh every day, and every month or so we feature a different pie,” Runkle said. “Ivan Perkins, who founded Perkins, started it with pancakes, which are delicious and made from scratch.” It’s no surprise that breakfast is the most popular meal of the day at the restaurant. “We have people that come for dinner and have breakfast,” Runkle smiled. “We’re open 24 hours; so some of them come late at night for breakfast.” The rest of the menu features a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, harvest salads and homestyle entrees. For the Complete Meal deal, you

can get a dinner, beverage and slice of pie for only $11.99. There’s also a Senior Menu with reduced prices for guests 55+. Through the end of June, Perkins will be featuring Summer Breeze salads like Strawberry and Pecan, as well as new omelets: Mediterranean-style and Spinach and Avocado. Coming soon for breakfast: Brioche French Toast. The best part of Perkins is the family atmosphere. The Sarasota restaurant is a franchise, rather than a corporate location, so it’s all about community, quality and customer service. “Our customers are like family,” said Runkle. “We have people that come in every day and you really get to know them. They tell you about their families and bring their grandchildren when they come to town.” Visit Perkins at 5921 Fruitville Rd. in Sarasota and see what they have to offer. For details, call (941) 342-6655. or visit perkinsrestaurants.com.

Fanny Brice, America’s Funny Girl Brings Down the House

solo Repertory Merman. That’s with Theatre’s summer a little Patti LuPone production of Fanny and the emotional Brice, America’s Funny singing delivery á la Girl opened in Sarasota Judy Garland tossed on May 23, and the in for good measure.” cast has been leaving WJTW FM said audiences begging for “what really brought more! Fanny Brice, the audience to its played by actress feet for a standing Marya Grandy, stunned ovation, however, audiences in Maltz was the finale…it Jupiter Theatre’s doesn’t get any 2009 hit production better than that.” Fanny Brice: The Real Fanny Brice, Funny Girl. Writer America’s Funny and Director David Girl runs through H. Bell modified the Marya Grandy as Fanny Brice. June 17. Tickets are script and is bringing available through Photo by Michael Brosilow, the Asolo Repertory Asolo Rep the most courtesy Maltz Jupiter Theatre. inspiring version yet. Theatre box office by TCPalm raved, “Marya Grandy may calling (941) 351-8000 or toll-free, not be the real Fanny Brice…but she (800) 361-8388. Tickets are also just might be a new version of Ethel available online at www.asolorep.org.

SPONSORED BY

DEVELOPED BY THE MALTZ JUPITER THEATRE, JUPITER, FL; ANDREW KATO, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR; TRICIA TRIMBLE, MANAGING DIRECTOR MARYA GRANDY, COURTESY OF THE MALTZ JUPITER THEATRE, PHOTO/ ALICIA DONELAN

It’s Not Too Late To Sign Up For Summer Theatre Camp

hat are the are offered for adults young people as well. All experience in your family doing levels are welcome. this summer? Venice The theatre guarantees Theatre invites them the best prices in the to sign up for theatre area, with tuition rangcamp, where they’ll ing from $210 – $450. learn the ins and Charlie and Joan outs of acting, singMangold of Venice Venice Theatre students on stage ing, dancing and encourage new in last season’s “The Somewhat technical theatre. families to give True Tale of Robin Hood” They’ll be taught Venice Theatre a by a cadre of professional instructors try. They say, “Our grandchildren and will get the chance to perform in have been given the ultimate gift of a show on the theatre’s MainStage. learning from a variety of instructors, This year’s original play—written dancers, musicians and directors so especially for the 6-week campers—is they are now able to understand that “CSI: The Pie Wars,” a fast-paced there are many approaches in life.” musical romp for anyone who loves First sessions begin June 5 at Venice dessert! Camp sessions range from Theatre. To find out more informatwo to six weeks and are open to tion, or to register now, call Venice students who’ve graduated from kinTheatre’s Education and Outreach dergarten through grade 12. Summer Department at (941) 486-8679 or classes in directing, acting and singing go to www.venicestage.com. Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 25

Social Security Numbers Down

hree-quarters of eligible adults 62+ postponed Social Security in 2011. The Social Security retirement benefit take-up rate was lower in 2011 than any year since 1976. It has declined to 26.9 percent in 2011, from 30.8 percent in 2009,

according to a 2012 Urban Institute analysis of Social Security data. The take-up rate is defined as the number of new retirement awards in the year divided by the number of adults age 62 and older who had not yet begun collecting benefits at the start of the year.

Check Us Out Online!

Lifestyles After 50 Is On and

Cheap Wills Cost a Lot A Cheap Will or an Expensive Trust?

. Why do trusts cost more than wills, and why are wills so inexpensive?

A. Thank you for asking! I often

joke with my colleagues that I am going to start advertising wills for $10 each and give away a free toaster if I’m assured the probate fee. Fees charged for wills are low in lieu of anticipated probate fees which an attorney hopes to receive in the future. But a client needs to know his options. If a client chooses a will, he should be informed of the probate costs and time delays of administration. A guardianship plan should be discussed since wills only deal with death. If the client chooses a living trust, he should be given instructions on how to maximize the use of the trust by registering assets to the trust. Trusts are more expensive than wills initially, but not nearly as expensive

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 26

igher fuel prices affect a lot of other expenses in the family budget, from heating to food. The government estimates the average household is spending $150 per month more this year because of higher oil prices.

Finance

Visit www.twitter.com/MaturLifeStyles or click the Facebook icon on lifestylesafter50fl.com for the latest news, contests and fun events in your area. Share your comments with us!

BY JOE PIPPIN, Ask an Attorney

Can You Cut Your Insurance Costs?

as probate. Registration of assets is very important in the trust process, and problems will be prevented if the client follows the attorney’s instructions. Trusts are simple to comprehend if the attorney communicates to the client in an easy-to-understand format. In my opinion, the advantages of the living trust far outweigh planning your estate with a will. According to recent statistics, the average probate fee is four percent of a person’s gross estate. Recommendation: Review your estate plan and discuss with your attorney what is best for you and your current situation.

You can try to ease the pain at the pump by using your car less, but you should also look for other places to offset that extra $150. Car insurance is a good place to start. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the national average auto insurance premium is $850 per year. Can you reduce that? Here are six ways:

• Shop around regularly. Your insurance agent doesn’t have a lot of incentive to reduce your premiums. The internet makes it easy compare costs for the same coverage, or you can get an independent insurance agent to shop for you.

• Bundle your coverage. Bundling is combining different types of policies (auto, homeowners, liability, etc.) with the same company. The theory is that the company will discount the premiums if they have all of your business.

Bundled packages usually result in a 10 to 15 percent savings. • Ask for discounts. You may qualify for discounts, but you won’t know until you ask. They’re commonly offered for good driving records, anti-theft devices, vehicle safety features (anti-lock brakes, air bags, automatic seatbelts), low annual mileage and insuring more than one car. • Take a defensive driving class. The amount of discount varies by insurance company and from state to state, although most insurers offer a 10 percent discount on your premium for three years. AARP offers a driver safety program for those over age 50, and it’s available online. • Increase your deductible. Do your auto and homeowners policies have low deductibles? If so, you may be able to reduce your premiums 15 to 30 percent by raising the deductible on your collision and comprehensive coverage. Be sure to check with your mortgage holder first; some specify maximums. • Change Cars. This is probably the most difficult savings tip to implement but may have the largest impact on your premium. Insure.com surveyed 900 vehicles in the 2012 model year and lists the rankings from the most expensive to least expensive on their website. Six of the 10 cheapest were minivans.

Tech Boot Camp for Beginners L

earn computers, digital cameras, smart phones, iPads and more in classes taught by the pros, with one-on-one mentoring by tech savvy students in the fifth annual Tech Bootcamp for Beginners. Save the date: July 9 – 20. Classes will be offered at Senior Friendship Centers in Sarasota (1888 Brother Geenen Way) and Venice (2350 Scenic Drive). To register, or for more information, please call Sarasota at (941) 556-3273 or Venice at (941) 584-0052.

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You Ready for Swimsuit Season? All New Fun Fest and Jamboree! Are Shopping Tips and Styles that Flatter Your Curves ey Seniors! H S

Join us for the 5th annual Fun Fest and Jamboree, June 28, 2012 at the Strawberry Festival Grounds in Plant City. This event will bring all the great things that our Fun Fests are known for, plus more!

Free Admission! Free Parking! Over 80 Senior Friendly exhibitors will provide information on services and programs in the area. Free health screenings will include bone density, blood pressure, glucose, video otoscope ear checks, eye checks and free memory screenings provided by the Alzheimer’s Association. Important health seminars will also be going on throughout the day. Great Prizes and Giveaways! There will be free coffee and goodies and $1,000s in giveaways at the event, including two round trip tickets to Biloxi for a two night stay at the Beau Rivage resort and casino! All new this year is “WinA-Palooza!”— a chance to win $100 every hour!

Enjoy a delicious Senior Friendly lunch for only $4.50 from “Mr. Bills Fine Foods.”

Great Entertainment Entertainment will include the popular Denise Looney, the “The Knockouts” “DJ with a Twist,” Singing Sensation! Fritzy the “One Man Circus,” Richie Merritt of the Marcels, Ken Brady of the Casinos, William “Duece” Hulett and a special appearance by The Knock-Outs. Of course, there will be free Bingo and a fun sports area with a putting green and beanbag toss for prizes. Come on out, bring a friend and enjoy the day inside the air conditioned Strawberry Festival Expo building located off Reynolds St. in Plant City. Doors open at 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call (813) 653-1988 or 1-888-670-0040 for information. Call (813) 752-9194 for directions. Visit our website at lifestylesafter50fl.com.

See you there!

Our Flag

There are many flags in many lands, There are flags of every hue; But there is no flag, however grand, Like our own Red, White, and Blue. ~ Mary Howliston Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 28

Happy Flag Day June 14

ummer’s here again, ladies, and you know what that means—new swimsuits! Don’t hide your curves this year, flaunt them. Jeanne Grasso from Always For Me, an online retailer that designs swimwear, active wear and lingerie exclusively for plussized ladies, shares her swimsuit knowledge and offers shopping tips to help you find the suit that’s perfect for you.

on your body shape. Always For Me has a wonderful Shop by Body Type feature that lets you pick the most flattering styles to enhance your curves with the perfect swimsuit. You can find this online at alwaysforme. com/swimshopbybodytype.html.

Q. What types of bathing suits does Always for Me offer, and what is your most popular style?

Grasso: Always For Me has something for suit styles changed everyone. Almost all our over the years? swimwear has hidden Grasso: The 1920s and features to support, slim 30s gave rise to bathing and ensure that women beauties like Dorothy look their best and feel Lamour and Esther confident. From one Williams in alluring but piece bathing suits and modest one piece swimswim dresses to tankinis suits—a style that continand mix-and-match The Miraclesuit ues to be trendy today. Ambassadress in Fuschia swimsuit separates, The modern bikini came Always For Me has into fashion in the 1940s. Once a racy you covered when it comes to and controversial fashion choice, the plus size swimsuit collections. bikini revolution gained One of Always For Me’s much popularity and acmost requested plus-size ceptance in the 1960s and swimsuits is the Illusion continues today. The ‘70s suit in black, brown, turbrought improvements in quoise, lilac, plum or red. fabrics and manufacturing Sexy and supportive, it that introduced nylon features a drop waist skirt, and lycra. These allowed shirred fabric, V-neck, fabrics to contour more gold ring bodice detail and easily to a women’s body. criss-crossable lingerie Today, swimwear style support straps. manufacturers use the Grasso adds: Through the latest trends in fabrics, years, most women who stretch control tummy have enjoyed swimsuits panels and better bust in their youth soon dread designs combined with the thought of wearing clever cutting to create a The Illusion suit in Plum a swimsuit and are now figure flattering silhouette. wishing to hide particular Q. What should a savvy shopper look body parts. We would love to banish for when buying a bathing suit? this thought and bring back the joy of summer. We want people to find styles Grasso: The right swimsuit is one that that they feel beautiful and confident is comfortable, flatters your body and in—to enjoy the water and all of the accentuates your positive features. The comfort and refreshment it offers. most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a swimsuit is fit. Don’t Always For Me sells swimsuits be a slave to the size on the tag. The online year round. To shop or learn most flattering swimsuit style depends more, visit alwaysforme.com.

Q: How have bathing

Boomers Set to Inherit Trillions of Dollars

aby boomers stand to inherit $10 trillion in the next few years and women will get the bulk of it, according to a Cornell University study, because they outlive men an average of seven years. “Women already control 60 percent of the nation’s personal wealth. They outnumber men and they are traditionally the shoppers,” says financial expert Scott T. Schultz, author of Scott Schultz’s Guide to Closed-End Funds.

“It’s sad that, despite the fact that nearly a third make more money than their husbands and they’re starting businesses at twice the rate men are, 38 percent of women ages 30 to 55 worry they’ll eventually live in poverty because they can’t adequately save for retirement,” he says. With boomers hitting 65 at a steady pace, the nation will see an even greater number of retirement-aged women holding the country’s purse strings. “Many will inherit money and property from their parents and/or their husbands, and many will live another 30 to 40 years,” Schultz says, citing the Cornell study. “They’ll need to invest their money to ensure they have enough to avoid that impoverished retirement they fear.”

Word Search

Last Month’s Answers

May Sudoku

Charlotte Paollo is last month’s winner! Congratulations!

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June Sudoku

Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well. Good luck! The first correct answers selected from the drawing on June 21 will win. Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC. P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583

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Word Search June 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?

Answers From

May 2012

Marion McClain is last month’s winner! Congratulations!

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The Healthy Pleasure of Their Company—the Pets Among Us BY JANICE DOYLE

udy Elliott spends her afternoons at the Pinellas County Animal Services facility matching senior pets (over age 6) with senior citizens who want to adopt a pet. She says most of the seniors who adopt senior pets have had pets before and know the benefits of pets in the house. Life occurs in stages, and as we move from infancy to adulthood—and eventually into our senior years—our needs and wants change. A 50-year-old may choose a different breed of dog than he got when his children were small. An 88-year-old woman won’t want to worry with having to step carefully because of a Labrador dog that ﬂops down in the middle of the ﬂoor or a kitten darting out from behind the chair.

Why get a pet in the first place? While the primary benefits to animals are obvious—to place them in loving homes and keep them from being destroyed—the benefits to seniors of all ages are ten-fold (versus non-pet owners). A person who has a pet usually has: • Lower blood pressure and pulse rate • 21 percent fewer visits to the doctor • Less depression • Enhanced ease in making friends • More active lifestyle with something to nurture and care for • Affection and unconditional love • Ease in the loss of a loved one • Less feeling of loneliness • Higher level of taking care of themselves • Sense of security

Why get an older pet? Puppies and kittens may be cute, but they also have high energy levels and can require almost constant attention. Adopting an older pet may be the best idea. Think about an older pet because: • Older animals love to sleep and cuddle. They are happy for you to join them in a nap.

What to consider before getting a pet Beware of making a decision based on “going down memory lane.” Just because you once loved a German shepherd doesn’t mean that breed is best for you at this point in life. If well trained, of course, it might be, but it might be too big for your surroundings or for the care you are able to give it. Go for your present comfort level so it’s a good ﬁt for both you and the pet. Maybe, instead of adopting a pet, yours would make a good foster home for a pet. Sometimes animals need transition time and space (such as when they’re taking a round of heart worm medicine) and rescue facilities need temporary spaces.

You might also work with pet therapy dogs which are specially trained to be taken into nursing homes and schools. Many financial accommodations can be made if having a pet is beyond your means. Most local agencies have ways to help. (For example, Purina®Pets for People in Sarasota County qualifies anyone 60 years and over for reimbursement of adoption fees.) Besides county-run facilities, also look for smaller groups that adopt out pets. Adopting a senior pet can often open a new world for seniors. To find out how to adopt senior animals in our area, contact your local animal shelter. Adoption information by county: Charlotte (941) 833-5690 Hillsborough (813) 744-5660 Lee County (239) 533-7387 Lake County (352) 343-9688 Manatee County (941) 742-5933 Pasco (813) 929-1212 Pinellas (727) 595-5822 Sarasota (941) 955-4131

• Adult dogs have learned many life lessons. They know “shoes are for walking and bones are for chewing.” • They are mostly housebroken or litter box trained.

• Adult pets require less time than a puppy or kitten. • What you see is what you get; senior pets tend to settle into the household more easily.

In Sarasota County, Kristi Dorman, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Sarasota County, says a staff behaviorist assesses all incoming dogs “for temperament, likes and dislikes, how the animal responds to children. Do they play well with others? Are they aggressive or not?” Volunteers also walk the dogs and note behaviors, making matchmaking easier when a senior comes looking for a pet.

Macy Lives to be Petted B

ig dogs are hardest to find homes for. John Diehl walks his Great Danes Macy, 8, and Simon, 3, through his neighborhood. He and his wife, Michelle, found both dogs through Big Dog Rescue Ranch (BDRR) two years ago. John says, “Having the two of them is amazing. They are very affectionate dogs. Macy lives to be petted.” They “foster” Macy, which means BDRR covers all her medical bills including routine care. John and Michelle adopted Simon, who is still somewhat skittish from previous abuse, and fully expect to have him around for many years to come. BDRR is at (561) 791-6465 or online at bdrr.org. Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 31

Awesome, Don’t Garfunkel Dog Insurance But Discounts For MatureYour Drivers

consisted entirely of consonants, for you today and you come home Go back another century and you’d when a simple “awesome” would exhausted, you’re “catterwacked” be paying your best friend the highest ou know that I love language, have then appropriately sufficed. (not a big reach, if you were wack to compliment by calling him a “regular but the next person who says I’m also now hearing from begin with). If no one knows where brick.” Or, it was possible to be a “awesome” to me, referring to Slangville that the word “cool,” you went, and no one knows why “hugger-mugging hobadehoy talking Take Your Class Online! anything less than being trapped in as in “These Cheez Doodles are you’re gone, you’re “garfunkeled.” fimble-famble,” especially if you Study at your 24 hours day,time 7 days their car and caught in the crest of a cool, dude,” has•also devolved into leisure, Spending too a much on thea week. brought your prom date home late and lava tsunami during a frog hailstorm, the word “dope,” that the newthe course computer? You’re online a “mouse potato,” carriage was around in 1855. • and Simply read materials and then answer a bingo few quiz questions. gets a pie in the face. For the record, word for “dude”•isThere now “dog.” but that’s crisp if you’re a tool. All oflectures. this rant and frustration and is no need to attend boring classes or listen to long the fact that I was able to give a Thus, we’re sure to hear the followJargonizing (hey, my column, my my sense of going down in this • After completion, course weiswill issue a It’s state-certiﬁ ed certiﬁ cate for you to department store clerk the correct ing in today’s lazy language: “These ofword license) nothing new. modern upward futility of slangishcompany to receive your discount three period. change today is not “AWESOME!” Doodles are reallyturn dope,into dog.”your If insurance a time-honored tradition. ness, isfor no adoubt myyear payback for that doesn’t put a visegrip on your We could go back driving Mother Pauline crazy vernacular, otherTake terms that are edging to the 1950s: Your Mature Driver Course On The Internet! at supper many years ago out “cool” are “tight,” “fresh,” “crisp” Ladies, if your slip was showby calling her stuffed you havealla that Florida ing Driver’s License are 55 years of age or older, you are or “sick,” and if Ifyou survive in 1955, someoneand might’ve pork chops “Wow, these When the cashier praised my and someone thinks you aretostill told you that “your pinky’s out prevention course are that far out, Mom.” nowthat eligible complete motor vehicle accident will allow ability to subtract 38 cents from 100 what’s heretofore been labeled “unof jail.” Gentlemen, if you found In fact, they weren’t far you to receive a mandatory reduction on your insurance rate for three years. out, and arrive at 62 as being an “awecool,” you’re now “lame” or “wack.” yourself stuck with the famthey were right there. And, some!” achievement, I wondered Okay … so if I’m lame after ily station wagon on prom they were awesome. what word she’d use should she breaking my leg, my lame limp may night, you had to transport Syndicated humor columnist leave work in her Toyota pelted by be wack, but I’m still sick. If that’s your date in a “tank,” B. Elwin Sherman writes plummeting amphibians and floating fresh with you, I’m tight with it. but that might’ve from Bethlehem, N.H. All Florida Department of Highway Safety away atop a volcanic tidal wave. In today’s devolving idioms, if increased your chances rights reserved. You may con& Motor Vehicle Approved Course Something told me it would’ve you’re annoying me, you’re “basting of playing a game of tact him via his website/blog at been 50 characters long and my wheels.” If nothing went right “backseat bingo.” Witbones.com. (SENIOR WIRE) BY B. ELWIN SHERMAN

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The Old Ways Often Cloud Our Judgment BY JOHN C. LIBURDI

always enjoy the occasional visit from my son who lives way out in San Francisco. During his last visit, he announced that he was going to get my digital life in order. He said, “Dad, I’m going to establish a wireless cloud in this house and bundle all your communications services.”

“Dad, I’m going to establish a wireless cloud...”

His plan was laced with other techno-jargon like: Thunderbolt, Firefox and Bluetooth. All I got out of it was that his cloud project is going to cost me a bundle of money. I was probably in a mild state of shock as I began reminiscing about how simple communications used to be until the 1980s. My old telephone was a massive black instrument, with a large ten-hole rotary disk for dialing numbers. Yes, Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 32

the handset cord had me tethered to the phone and it always got tangled up, but I felt a sense of security as I was using that stationary phone. Back then, all telephone lines were up on poles rather than buried underground. I’m sure birds resting high up on the wires used to eavesdrop on my conversations. That prompted me to weigh my words very carefully as I spoke, especially when I was flirting with those sweet long-distance operators of yesteryear. Then there was my one and only AM radio. Two Civil Defense triangles were prominently displayed on the tuning dial; so I was definitely ready in case the Soviets tried to nuke us. Whenever I found myself worrying about that at night, I’d peek into the back of the radio case to savor the calming orange glow of glass vacuum tubes. What pleasure it gave me, listening to shows like “The Lone Ranger” on my AM radio in the early 1950s.

The powerful voices and studio sound effects were mesmerizing. Admittedly, it wasn’t until later in life that I learned Silver’s galloping horse sound was made using coconut shell halves. Imagine, while I was standing in line for a burger last week, somebody’s cell phone sounded off with the show’s theme music, a hearty “Hi-Yo, Silver,” and six-shooter blasts that startled other customers. Another long-gone communications device is my console TV, with its huge antenna up on the roof. The antenna rotated when I activated a control switch; so I got the thrill of aiming it toward each of the TV station towers on the horizon. The blinking red aviation warning lights on the taller ones seemed to say, “Watch me, watch me. “ I miss all those late night movies on the black and white TV: Cooper, Bogart, Garland, Garbo, etc. Luckily, my son is fixing it so I can use my credit card to watch old films via

“pay-for-view” on one of those tiny smartphones. I also miss the national anthem at the end of the broadcast day, as well as the Indian Head Test Pattern that TV stations used to display late at night. The Chief and I always used to bid each other good night. At any rate, my son is still busy trying to thrust me into the Information Age. I told him that my head is going to bust from too many choices to make and too much information flowing at me. He tried to reassure me with more geekspeak, “Don’t worry; you’ll have filters, blockers, and tailored feeds to restrict your web content.” That must mean I’m going to be shielded from almost everything I’m paying for. Truth be known, I was getting real grumpy about all this until he explained how I’ll be able to use an internet webcam to enjoy video visits with my little grandson out on the West Coast. Evidently there’s a silver lining in every cloud, even my dreaded wireless cloud. (SENIOR WIRE)

Kale is King! A

long with broccoli, kale is being touted as the king of veggies today. In March Starbucks Corp. opened the first store in its new Evolution Fresh juice bar chain. Evolution Fresh specializes in smoothies and made-to-order from freshly-squeezed juices, including, of course, kale! Kale is a standout for being an excellent source of nutrients, especially vitamins and calcium, and because it is unusually high in fiber. Grab kale for excellent amounts of manganese which helps your body’s own antioxidant defense system.

Recipe

2 ½ lbs. russet potatoes, peeled, cooked, drained 5 tablespoons butter 3 cups lightly packed kale (or spinach or cabbage) ½ cup green onions, chopped 1 cup milk or cream 1 cup flour 1 egg 2 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons oil Melt butter in cooking pot. Add greens; cook 3-4 minutes until wilted. Add onions, cook 1 minute. Add potatoes and milk to the pot and mash until all is well mixed. Mix egg, flour and salt into mixture. Chill 30 minutes. Form into flat cakes. Heat oil in skillet and fry colcannon in hot oil. Serve with lemon or perhaps topped with a soft-cooked egg for breakfast.

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Name: Address: City: Kale Crisps Wash and dry one bunch kale leaves. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, Kosher salt and pepper. Spread in one layer on baking sheets. Bake in 300 degree oven 25 minutes or until crisp. Watch closely to get just the right degree of crispness.

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1 lb. Bob Evans® Zesty Hot Roll Sausage 1 lb. Bob Evans® Italian Roll Sausage 1 tablespoon. oil 1 ½ cup onion, chopped 3 potatoes, diced 8 cups chicken broth 1 bunch kale, chopped 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional) 12 slices baguette 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (optional) Cook onions in oil until softened. Crumble and cook sausage until browned and cooked through. Add potatoes, broth, kale and nutmeg. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer for one hour. For a creamier texture, some of the soup can be pureed in a blender. To serve: brush baguette slices with oil (and parmesan if desired) and broil until toasted. Place 2 slices in each soup bowl. Pour soup over bread and serve. Recipes from Internet sites.

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 33

Make this the anniversary to remember.

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 34

Universal’s Superstar Parade The streets of Universal Studios will transform into a theme-park-wide performance stage as today’s most beloved stories and characters bring new adventure and excitement to guests everywhere. It will feature elaborately themed floats that tower above guests, hundreds of energetic street performers and spectacular music and dance performances. Unforgettable moments include Gru, his daughters and Vector from the blockbuster animated adventure Despicable Me dancing to “Boogie Fever,” Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob arriving in his pineapple home from under the sea with his friends from Bikini Bottom, E.B. from the hit comedy Hop playing the drums and acrobatic performances by characters from

Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! Throughout the day, guests will be able to sing and dance with their favorite characters from the parade during special performances at select locations.

Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular —100 Years of Movie Memories The new show is a tribute to Universal’s 100 years of film-making history, highlighting some of the most fun, dramatic, awe-inspiring moments from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films. These moments are shown in crystal-clear clarity on huge waterfall screens within the Universal Studios Lagoon, surrounded by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics, all against an incredible musical score and a powerful narration by Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman. The show will take guests on a journey of epic cinematic moments filled with heroes, horror, laughter, good versus evil and triumph—all against a backdrop of light, sound and special effects. Everyone can remember powerful film moments such as Elliott and E.T. riding across the moon in E.T: The Extra Terrestrial, the heroic struggle of the crew from Apollo 13 or the terror of watching the famed shower scene in Psycho. Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular captures these moments—and so many more. Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular —100 Years of Movie Memories and Universal’s Superstar Parade will run year-round except during annual and special events. For more information about both experiences, visit www.universalorlando.com.

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red Beckey calls himself an alpinist/ author/media presenter/environmental specialist. At age 88, he’s still mountaineering, always looking for routes to the top that no one else has found—he’s discovered more of them than anyone in the history of the ascensionist sport.

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BRIDGE BITES

From The American Contract Bridge League

BY BRIAN GUNNELL

his deal continues the theme of counting the opponents’ HCP.

This is not the most swashbuckling auction ever to appear in Bridge Bites but the deal does provide a test for Declarer’s powers of deduction. Cover up the E-W hands if you would like to test your own powers. West leads the ♣J won by East’s Ace and it takes half a nano-second for East to find the ♥Q shift. You could duck Hearts twice, hoping that West has the doubleton ♥A, but that would give East 5 Hearts and he would be unlikely to sell out to 1♠ in that case. So, you hopefully play the ♥K, taken by West’s Ace. Two more

The Power of Deduction

Hearts are won by East’s ♥JT, then a Club which you win. The ♠A and ♠K are cashed, followed by the ♠J to East’s Queen (West following). Back comes East’s last trump, and decision time has arrived! You’ve already lost 5 tricks, and must avoid the loss of two Diamonds if you are to make your contract. A Diamond to the Jack? Or a Diamond to the King? Do you have your guessing shoes on? Guess? What guess? Let’s reflect upon East’s bidding. Oh, that’s right, he didn’t bid—which is the whole point of this hand. So far East has shown up with ♣A, ♥QJ, and ♠Q. That’s 9 High Card Points (HCP). Can East also have the ♦A? Absolutely not! He passed originally, that ♦A would give him 13 HCP and too much for said Pass. So, you lead a Diamond towards the board, West smoothly plays low, and you rise majestically with the ♦K. Making 7 tricks thanks to a little deduction. Post Script: Upon winning the ♥A, West would have done better to shift fiendishly to a low Diamond, putting Declarer to the test in that suit before all the clues had been collected! Visit acbl.org for more about the fascinating game of bridge or email marketing@acbl.org. To find a bridge club in Florida, go to district9acbl.org/D9Clubsmap.htm. Bridge article provided courtesy of St. Petersburg Bridge Club: www.stpetebridge.org.

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Alan from CMS received a call from Birgit in Kamloops, who wanted to thank sales rep Damian for the fast service he provided in setting up her father for AlarmCare. She said that they can all rest a bit easier for now because of it. CMS Rep Ahmed heard from Geoffrey in Dundas, who wanted to thank AlarmForce for the quick response to his alarm on Dec. 28. Geoffrey is now out of hospital and at home resting. Sales Rep Terry heard from Steve in Port Perry. Steve wanted to mention installer Matthew M, who set up AlarmCare for his mother Frances. Steve said that Matthew was the best service person that he has dealt with in a long time. He was so pleased that AlarmForce is looking after his mom and he said thanks from both of them. Call 1-800-267-2001 today and speak to a representative about installation of an AlarmCare system.

HOME DEPOT

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BURLINGTON

SARASOTA BRIAN’S AUTO REPAIR.............. 926-2526 SUZUKI OF SARASOTA ............. 925-0376 GULF COAST AUTO PARTS ...... 377-1199 PARTS HOUSE ........................... 924-2394 MOBILE TECH AUTO REPAIR ... 925-2446 JAY & DEAN’S AUTO REPAIR .... 924-2708 SWIFT AUTO REPAIR................. 922-3011 AMER. EUROPEAN AUTOS ....... 925-8863 SUNSET DODGE ........................ 922-0285 GJ AUTO REPAIR ....................... 924-9732 SOUTHERN CHEM. & EQUIP..... 713-6544 BURK’S TRANSMISSION ........... 365-3838 JIM-DOWELL TRANSMISSION .. 953-5155

CATTLEMEN

SUN HONDA ............................... 923-3413 HAP’S CYCLE SALES ................365-3443 CUSTOM EXHAUST ...................753-3455 V-TWIN SERVICE .......................809-9945 KESATIE MOTORSPORTS.........378-1630 BRADENTON AUTO PART INTL........................727-4121 COME SEE COME SAVE ...........748-5965 TOTAL MOTORSPORTS ............756-6500 BRADENTON LAWN & FUN .......792-1122 MIKE HAMILTON’S PREF. AUTO ....755-7035 ACTION JET SPORTS ................745-9521 ANDE’S AUTO REPAIR...............753-1182 USA TRANSMISSION .................748-6961 MANATEE SCOOTERS ..............677-2668 H3 PERFORMANCE ...................751-1949 RNR MARINE ..............................840-1767

PALMETTO NORTHSIDE AUTO PARTS .....722-4581 HHHT AUTO CARE ..................721-3888 S & S KUSTOMS......................729-2800 PARRISH PARRISH GEN SUPPLY ..........776-2141 VENICE AUTO WORX OF VENICE .......923-1438 ADVANCE AUTO PARTS .........484-6128 ADVANCE AUTO PARTS .........497-7970 BAY AUTOMOTIVE ..................484-6226 NAPA AUTO PARTS .................485-9616 AMERICAN IMPORTS .............484-1340 ENGLEWOOD STIVER’S TIRE & AUTO ..........474-7660 ADVANCE AUTO PARTS .........474-4705

Help is yours with the push of a button!

1.800.267.2001 Personal Emergency Response System Only $28/month. With No Annual Contract. FREE Live Two-Way Voice, Installation, Activation and Warranty.

myalarmcare.com

Certain conditions may apply.

If you or your business would like to get AMSOIL products at Wholesale CALL 800-411-6160

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 39