Lifestyles After 50 Suncoast December 2014 edition

www.lifestylesafter50.com • Suncoast • FREE

Lo IN o si k de Gi

Fo rO ur Te ch

ve aw ay !

Vol. 25 • December 2014

INSIDE THIS ISSUE • Dreaming of a White Christmas • Do It Yourself Relaxation • Tech Savvy Seniors

Introducing The new and revolutionary

Jacuzzi ® Hydrotherapy Shower.

AGING = PAIN For many, arthritis and spinal disc degeneration are the most common source of pain, along with hips, knees shoulders and the neck. In designing the Jacuzzi Hydrotherapy Shower, we worked with expert physicians to maximize its pain relieving therapy by utilizing the correct level of water pressure to provide gentle yet effective hydrotherapy.

JACUZZI® SHOWER = RELIEF Four Jacuzzi® ShowerPro™ Jets focus on the neck, back, hips and knees and may help ease the pain and discomfort of: • Arthritis • Circulation Issues • Neuropathy • Aches and pains • Sciatica • Inflammation

As we age, the occasional aches and pains of everyday life become less and less occasional. Most of us are bothered by sore muscles, creaky joints and general fatigue as we go through the day- and it’s made worse by everything from exertion and stress to arthritis and a number of other ailments.

Sure, there are pills and creams that claim to provide comfort, but there is only one 100% natural way to feel better… hydrotherapy. Now, the world leader in hydrotherapy has invented the only shower that features Jacuzzi® Jets. It’s called the Jacuzzi® Hydrotherapy Shower, and it can truly change your life.

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 2

For over 50 years, the Jacuzzi® Design Engineers have worked to bring the powerful benefits of soothing hydrotherapy into millions of homes.

Now, they’ve created a system that can fit in the space of your existing bathtub or shower and give you a lifetime of enjoyment, comfort and painrelief. They’ve thought of everything. From the high-gloss acrylic surface, slip-resistant flooring, a hand-held shower wand to a comfortable and adjustable seat, to strategically-placed grab bars and lots of storage, this shower has it all.

Why wait to experience the Jacuzzi® Hydrotherapy Shower? Call now… it’s the first step in getting relief from those aches and pains.

FRE

E

Call toll free now and find out how you can receive your FREE special report Mention promotional code 59718

1-888-623-3226

© 2014 by Aging In The Home Remodelers

82007

The Jacuzzi® Hydrotherapy Shower provides a lifetime of comfort and relief… safely and affordably.

Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding Dear Readers,

Community choirs and other music groups are busy putting on public ave you ever gone holiday concerts or touring assisted from house to living facilities and veterans hospitals house singing carols? this time of year. If you’re one of these I remember doing that kind folks, thanks for spreading joy once or twice with my and carrying on the wassail tradition.

Girl Scout troop or a Tracie Schmidt, If you long for those caroling days, Editor few of the neighborhood they might need an extra voice! kids when I was little. I Staying Connected wasn’t much of a singer, but the joy it Wassail aside; these days technology brought to others made me forget about can help us stay connected during the how nervous and out of tune I was. holidays if meeting in person is diffiNowadays if you attempt it, you’ll cult. If you end up with a gadget under most likely get a strange look or two. the tree from a well-meaning child or It seems to be one of those traditions grandchild, or you haven’t had much that is quickly fading with the times. experience with computers, video chats Go back a few centuries or so, or social media and you’d like to know however, and you’d get a pint of ale more about them, you’ll find some tips and some figgy pudding for your to help you get started inside this issue. trouble. Not a bad tradeoff for a I wanted to share with you one of our slightly off-key yet heartfelt tune. office traditions—so far, it’s our best Though the practice may seem archaic electronic answer to a traditional carol. to a generation that can just call a Grab a webcam or some headshots friend, mail a greeting card or shoot and visit jibjab.com/holidays. Follow somebody a text—caroling or wassailthe steps and let the laughter ensue! If ing were important ways of connecting you want to see our holiday greeting with one another in a time when faceto you, click the Facebook icon on to-face contact was the main method of our website: lifestylesafter50.com communication. It wasn’t always easy, Also, for those whose hearts have but it was meaningful. In the middle always harbored the question: “What ages, the tradition bridged social the heck IS figgy pudding?” Here’s a classes. Peasants were invited into the recipe for the traditional version. homes of their lords for food, drink and It appears to be a predecessor to the fellowship in exchange for their blessmuch-dreaded but oft-gifted fruitcake. ing and goodwill in the form of a song.

Bake at your own risk!

H

“Love and joy come to you, And to you your wassail too; And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year!”

Caroling caught on as a way to meet others one may not have taken the time to get to know before; to give to those in need or just spread a little holiday cheer.

Happy Holidays,

Editor’s Note: Next month’s issue is all about senior entrepreneurs. Did you start your own business later in life? We’d love to hear your story!

Email editor@lifestylesafter50.com.

Attn: Senior Business

Pinellas/Pasco Edition Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc

warning: Traditional Figgy Pudding 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup vegetable shortening 1 cup granulated sugar 3 large egg yolks 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons rum extract (or flavored extract of your choice) 2 apples, peeled, cored & finely chopped 2 lb dried figs, ground or finely chopped Grated peel of 1 lemon and 1 orange 1 cup chopped nuts 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/4 tsp ground ginger 1 1/2 cups dried bread crumbs 2 tsp baking powder 3 large egg whites, stiffly beaten 1 strip of bacon, finely crushed (optional: New England variant) 1 tsp of warm sauce, for drizzling Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 325 °F. Generously grease an oven-proof 2-quart bowl or mold; set aside.

2. Cream together butter and shortening.

3. Gradually add sugar, egg yolks, milk, extract, apple, figs, lemon & orange peel.

4. Add next 6 ingredients, mixing well.

Fold stiffly beaten egg whites into mixture.

5. Pour into prepared bowl or mold and place into large shallow pan, then place on middle rack in oven.

6. Fill the shallow pan half-full with boiling water and slowly steam pudding in oven at 325 °F for 4 hours, replacing water as needed.

President Richard Reeves richard@lifestylesafter50.com Publisher/Director of Events & Marketing Kathy J. Beck kathy@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Tracie Schmidt editor@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Emeritus Janice Doyle Office Manager Vicki Willis vicki@lifestylesafter50.com Administrative Assistant Allie Shaw allie@lifestylesafter50.com

Production Supervisor/Graphic Design Kim Burrell kim@lifestylesafter50.com Distribution Nancy Spencer: (941) 244-0500 nancy@lifestylesafter50.com

Advertising Sales

Pinellas/Pasco Gary Porter: (727) 560-2914 gary@lifestylesafter50.com Tampa Bay Dena Bingham: (813) 293-1262 dena@lifestylesafter50.com Customer Service 888-670-0040 Our other editions:

Hillsborough Edition: Hillsborough County Lake Edition: Lake/Marion Counties Sarasota Edition: Sarasota/Manatee Southwest Edition: Lee/Collier & Charlotte To learn more, call 1-888-670-0040

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

(813) 653-1988 • 1-888-670-0040 Fax: (813) 651-1989 www.lifestylesafter50.com

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 each issue is the 15th of the previous month. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 3

Tips For a Festive “After Fifty” Holiday little bit—then move on and satisfy your appetite with good conversation,” she says.

Don’t Blow a Bundle.

“W

hile these can be our best years ever, the holiday season can stress even the most laidback of baby boomers,” says Jo-Anne Lema, Founder of AfterFiftyLiving.com. Embrace these tips and turn that stress into celebration!

“Spruce” Applies to More than the Tree. “Feel tired, worn

out—maybe even ‘old?’ ‘Tis the season to do more than decorate that spruce tree sitting in the center of the room. You’re the center of your life, so spruce up! Guy or gal, go out and get a great cut, maybe even a color. Visit a department store’s cosmetics section and get a make-over (and some lessons) and splurge on a couple of cosmetics that may brighten your appearance.

Treat yourself to a new outfit. Then, when you get home, go take a brisk walk for a half hour. This’ll get your blood flowing adding natural color to those cheeks. Smile—you and your tree are both sparkling,” she says.

Moderation—Your New “Best Friend.” Baby boomers want to do

more than just survive the holidays—they want to thrive and relish the memories!

Yet, according to a 2004 study published in Circulation, there are more heart attack deaths on Dec. 25 than any other day; the second highest day is Dec. 26; and the third highest is Jan 1. So all that “thriving and relishing” isn’t going to happen if you’re hospital bound with a heart attack or are spending your hours sleeping off a hangover. “That canape and spiked eggnog may be calling to you, but you are the master. Sure, have a bit—a

Boomers may be tempted to spoil friends and family members—like those adorable grandkids. So establish a holiday spending budget. Estimate what you might spend on all gifts, travel, entertainment and personal items. Then do a reality-check. Can you really afford spending all that money?

No? Then ruthlessly cross off items that aren’t absolute “must do’s” and stick to the list that remains. “Remember, your presence is the best present of all. Bankruptcy court is no place to spend your New Year,” she says.

Censor Your Tongue. “Look,

there’s a lot of stress over the holidays.

Boomers can be thrown into situations with relatives we can barely tolerate, a boss who’s a belligerent bully, and friends of friends who may be anything but. So, if you don’t want to start (or

encourage) World War III in the midst of the mistletoe, avoid talking about politics, religion, money and your personal problems. If someone starts down that path, bite your tongue, excuse yourself and walk away. Yup, you can do that. It’s okay, really!” she says.

The Golden Rule: Do Unto Others as You’d Have Them Do Unto You. “If boomers really want to

have a festive, merry, after-fifty holiday, then start by burying the hatchets in your relationships. If ever there were a season to practice tolerance and forgiveness, this is it. This is the big chance to make amends. Do it! And if you’re one of the fortunate few with no hatchets in your life, the Golden Rule still applies. Mind your manners. Engage people in conversations about their lives, their success and their joys! Hug a kid. Pet a dog. Donate to a favorite charity. Volunteer in some way to help those less fortunate than you,” she says.

And have a very, merry holiday season, filled with good health, friendships and love! (From Newswire and AfterFiftyLiving.com)

Island In the sun

Clearwater’s PremIer 55+ CommunIty stop looking and start living... the lifestyle!

Best

Location, Prices & LifestyLe

heated Pool & spa Fitness Center Bocceball Courts Pickleball Courts shuffleboard Courts

Billiards active h.o.a. activities Committee onsite management #1 location

Cal todaly

Stop by and tour our homes, plus ask about specials!

727-796-0500

100 Hampton Rd., Clearwater EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 4

www.cal-am.com • e-mail:sales203@cal-am.com

Around Town

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

T

hrough Jan. 3 Oakdale Christmas Light Display. 37th year, over 608,000 lights, walking tour, 18 HO scale railroad trains, computerized music/light show, 70-foot tall Christmas trees and more. Free. Nightly from 6 – 10 p.m. 2719 Oakdale St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-822-5562.

9

hrough Jan. 4 Holiday Decorations in the Village. See historic homes decorated true to their time period. Holiday activities/more. Free.

Weds. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sun. 1 – 4 p.m. Pinellas County Heritage Village & Museum, Largo. 727-582-2123.

13

T

at Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo. $15. 727-518-3131.

Volunteers needed for SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) providing counseling related to Medicare, Medicaid and more. Free and transportation costs reimbursed and meals furnished. 3-day program.

Rasmussen College, Pasco County.

Call 727-570-9696 X 234 to register.

Holiday Hoopla! A celebration of arts, crafts, foods, and live music amid bright, twinkling, colorful lights. Free. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Gulfport Waterfront Art District. 727-322-5217.

Palm Harbor Community Chorus presents “We Need a Little Christmas,” a concert of your favorite holiday classics. Free, but donations accepted. 2:30 p.m. Palm Harbor Public Library. 727-786-2610.

T

13

T

13

hrough 21 “Miracle on South Division Street.” A gentle comedy where revelations that might remake a family’s sense of itself are each rolled out in service of laughter. $29.90. 4 p.m.

Ed Fletcher’s Early Bird Dinner Theatre, Clearwater. 727-446-5898. hrough 31 Holiday Show and Sale. Works of art by Morean members for all tastes/budgets. Free admission. 12 – 5 p.m. Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg. 727-827-4527.

7

Kiwanis Holiday Arts and Crafts Show. Free. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Main Street in Downtown Safety Harbor. 727-726-4830.

7

Pearl Harbor Day Tribute. 73rd anniversary. Hawaiian blessing, wreath presentation, taps, keynote speakers and a flag presentation. 8 a.m. at Historic White Chapel, 1190 Georgia Ave., Palm Harbor. Free. 727-784-4287.

7

Music Under the Oaks. Enjoy old timey bluegrass, classic ‘70s and ‘80s rock, Christmas Jam Sing-a-Long, raffles and door prizes, local artisans and authors. Food/drink available.

Admission: donation of non-perishable food. 12 – 4:30 p.m. 17880 Cypress Creek Road, Alva. 239-728-3614.

8

and 11 Reiki. A Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.$5/ID card, $6/no card daily. 6 – 9 p.m. Hale Senior Activity Center, Dunedin. 727-298-3299.

9

Very Merry Christmas Party. Dinner, entertainment, door prizes and golf cart tours of holiday lights. 5 p.m.

and 20 Events at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, St. Petersburg.

13: Rangers lead an overnight campout with night hike, dinner, s’mores and breakfast. Bring your own tent or bunk in a cabin. $10/person ten camping; $15/person cabin dorms.4 p.m. 20: Guided nature walk. 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 727-893-7326.

14

Gift and Plant Sale with tropical plants, garden art and more. $2.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo. 727-582-2100.

19

20, 21 A Christmas Cabaret starring Dee Etta Rowe. A singing and dancing Christmas musical/comedy revue. $25. Fri/Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Jimmy Ferraro’s Studio Theater, New Port Richey. 727-409-0293.

22

– 28 “The Santaland Diaries.”

This one-man show stars local favorite Brian Shea. $19. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Raymond James Theatre, St. Petersburg. 727-823-7529 or www. americanstage.org to purchase tickets.

Send Around Town news to News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; fax 813-651-1989 or email calendar@srnewsconnection .com. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e.

December 10 for January event.)

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 5

Why We’re Still Dreaming Of a White Christmas

BY VICTOR PARACHIN

White Christmas Turns 60

The World’s Most Popular Song

W

hat do Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Beach Boys and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir have in common?

The answer: they have all sung and recorded the song White Christmas.

White Christmas is, in fact, the world’s most popular Christmas song, having sold more than 125,000,000 copies. It has been recorded in Dutch, Yiddish, Japanese and even Swahili. White Christmas’ status as the biggest selling single has been challenged only once. Interestingly, the challenge came not from the Beatles, Elvis Presley or Frank Sinatra, but

by Elton John’s Candle In The Wind tribute to Princess Diana in 1997.

White Christmas was written by Irving Berlin. It is a fascinating footnote in American cultural history that a Jewish songwriter wrote a universal best selling song about a day celebrating the birth of Christianity’s founder. Another unusual aspect about this song is the fact that Irving Berlin did not like the Christmas holiday. That time of year brought back memories of the tragic death of his infant son, Irving Berlin Jr., in December 1928.

Berlin’s inspiration may have come from a lonely and nostalgic northeastern transplant caught in Los Angeles during the holiday season. There, the palm trees and summer-like temperatures in December made him yearn for his more familiar winter cold weather and snow. Berlin’s song originally began with this introductory verse:

Songwriter Irving Berlin Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 6

“The sun is shining, The grass is green, The orange and palm trees sway.

There’s never been such a day In Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the twenty-fourth, And I’m longing to be up north…”

And then follows the line known and sung around the planet every December: “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…”

Berlin’s labors over this song took place throughout the night one January in 1940. More than a year later, in April 1941, Berlin and film director Mark Sandrich were working on a new movie, Holiday Inn, when Berlin realized it would be the perfect forum for his Christmas song.

Holiday Inn opened in New York on August 4, 1942. It featured Bing Crosby as a singer and Fred Astaire as a dancer.

While Berlin was ecstatic and enthusiastic, the reviewers barely noticed or mentioned the production. Before long, however, the song White Christmas was becoming a hit. The movie won an Oscar for Best Song in 1943 and was also nominated for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Original Story.

Even Bing Crosby, a devout Catholic who originally had reservations that the song would further secularize Christmas, was amazed at the public response.

Because the country was in the darkest days of World War II, many welcomed this sentimental reminder of home. As a result, White Christmas became the song of the decade and Crosby’s recording of it sold over 30 million records.

As a member of the USO’s traveling ensemble, Bing Crosby was asked by troops serving in World War II to sing White Christmas, no matter what time of year it was. Once while entertaining a troop unit in France, Crosby was approached by a war-hardened sergeant who asked: “Are you going to sing White Christmas?” When Crosby answered yes, the sergeant said: “Well, in that case, I guess I’ll duck out.” Crosby replied: “But I think you’ll like the other numbers. Why not stick around?” To which the sergeant explained: “I like the song all right but I’ll listen from behind the portable kitchen.

It’s not good for the men’s morale to see their sergeant crying.”

Since writing White Christmas, more than 150 different performers who run the entire musical gamut have recorded this piece. Crosby’s version alone was listed as the all-time top single

by Guinness Book of World Records.

White Christmas ushered in a golden era of other popular and secular American Christmas songs such as I’ll Be Home For Christmas; Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer; Silver Bells; Blue Christmas and many others. According to the American Society of Composers and Publishers, White Christmas remains the number one performed secular holiday song and is the most recorded one with over 500 versions in “scores of languages.” It is still recorded by new artists and continues to captivate new fans all around the world.

In 1954, another movie was developed to further promote the song. The musical comedy was called White Christmas.

The plot: ex-army friends (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) get together to put on a show to save their general’s resort hotel in Vermont. Supporting cast included Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of this classic film in 2014, Paramount has just released Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Diamond Anniversary Edition. The BluRay includes extras like classic Christmas television show appearances by Crosby and Kaye, a virtual duet between Crosby and Michael Bublé and a Christmas CD with eight never-before-released tracks. It is around $20 on amazon.com.

Some fun facts about the film:

• The movie was 1954’s largest earner by a wide margin, bringing in $12 million. It premiered at the famed Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

• The Vermont inn is the remodeled Connecticut inn set from the movie Holiday Inn (1942).

• The original concept was to reunite Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby following their success in Holiday Inn. Astaire refused, as he had “retired” at the time, so the part was reworked for Donald O’Connor.

When O’Connor pulled out due to illness, the part was reworked for Danny Kaye.

• Danny Kaye often caused retakes when his comedic antics induced impromptu fits of laughter on set.

• The “Sisters” comedy act that Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye perform was not originally in the script. They were clowning around on the set and the director thought it was so funny that it was written in.

• Sisters Betty and Judy are played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.

Clooney was a talented singer but was (even by her own admission) not very gifted in the dance department. Former Rockette Vera-Ellen was a skilled dancer (with famous legs!) but couldn’t sing.

So Clooney sang both parts for “Sisters,” while Trudy Stevens sang the rest. VeraEllen’s own voice is heard singing only in the “arrival in Pine Tree” scene at the railroad station where the quartet reprises the opening lines of “Snow.” In Clooney’s own words: “They could dub Vera’s voice, but they couldn’t dub my dancing.”

(Facts from IMDB.com and other internet sources.)

Fruit Party Pleasers Make Holiday Entertaining Easy F

or many hosts and hostesses, planning a holiday gathering involves many details and careful planning of everything from the tablecloths to the dessert plates. Free yourself from this stress, and focus your attention on creating a holiday menu that includes plenty of tasty bites, sweet eats and flavorful drinks. Focus on the food and watch all the details fall into place, making your festive celebration the most memorable event of the year.

Brie with Chilean Grape Salsa and Tortillas Servings: 4

1 1/2 cups quartered fresh Chilean red seedless grapes 1 small mild red chile pepper (jalapeno), chopped 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon honey Pomegranate seeds (optional) 4 ounces wedge Brie cheese 6 (6-inch) flour tortillas Preheat oven to 350∞F.

Apple Pie in a Glass

Servings: 2 12 ounces fresh apple cider 2 cinnamon sticks 2 thin slices fresh ginger root Freshly grated nutmeg 2 teaspoons firmly packed light brown sugar 3 ounces dry sherry 2 ounces apple brandy Put cider, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and brown sugar in small saucepan over high heat.

Bring to a simmer, then Combine quartered grapes, chile pepper, lime juice, honey reduce heat to low and and pomegranate seeds (if using). Stir well. Keep chilled. cook for 5 minutes.

Upon standing, salsa generates delicious grape “juice.”

Remove from heat Cut tortillas into triangles. Place on baking sheet and and divide between bake for 8 – 10 minutes, until brown and crispy. Bake two Irish coffee Brie until soft and melted about 5 – 8 minutes. glasses or mugs. Transfer cinnamon stick to each. Top Serve grape salsa from bowl or spoon it over top each with half the sherry and brandy. Serve hot. of warm Brie.

For more recipes, visit www.usapple.org. (Family Features) For more recipes, visit www.fruitsfromchile.com.

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 7

19th

Lifestyles After 50

Fun Fest • BACKWoods WALK

• talent & Painting Festival

Free Admission to mosi exhibit galleries

4801 e. Fowler Avenue • tampa, FL

January 15, 2015 8:30 am – 2 pm

Fill out walk registration form in Lifestyles After 50 Meet at 8goam For Walk Registration toin front publication. For more info go to MOSI for walk. lifestylesafter50.com or of call 888-670-0040 www.lifestylesafter50.com

Presented by:

A F T E R 50

• View over 200 paintings by local artists. Call 813-272-5160

to learn how to enter your artwork

LiVe entertAinment H denise Looney H Local senior talent show!

• • • •

Free Admission Free Health screenings Friendly exhibitors Free BinGo in the science room

eduCAtion • inFormAtion • entertAinment

Prize-A-Palooza Chances to Win $100 throughout the day!

Pay $2 for Parking at the Lifestyles After 50 Booth to Receive Your Parking token (value $5)

• Free Coffee & Goodies throughout the day. senior Friendly lunch available.

• enjoy Local senior talent show on stage (must be 50 plus to enter. Call 813-272-5160)

• Bring a friend and come

on out to enjoy the day.

For information call: 813-653-1988 or toll free 1-888-670-0040 Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 8

Veterans Corner

For Honor’s Sake: Wreaths Blanket Military Cemeteries in December

BY JANICE DOYLE

T

en thousand people will visit Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on December 13 to help place nearly 10,000 wreaths on the headstones of military veterans. Participants in the Wreaths Across America event will include individuals and groups of all ages.

About 2,000 motorcyclists are expected to escort trucks carrying the wreaths to the cemetery. The greenery wreaths will have been trucked from Maine and stored in Lakeland and Brooksville awaiting delivery and gravesite placement.

the community to come together to support families of veterans, some of whom gave their all for our country.”

WAA “serves to remind us that the freedoms we enjoy in this country have come at a price,” says Ronalee S. Klase, organizer of the event at Bay Pines National Cemetery.

What began in 1992 with a truck load of wreaths from Maine for graves in Arlington National Cemetery has become a national event. Wreaths are being delivered to over 800 sites in all 50 states and several foreign countries this year.

Unfortunately, it is too late to sponsor a wreath for this year, but you can participate in ceremonies this month or visit the cemeteries until early January to see the wreaths and honor the dead. (And put sponsorship on your fall calendar for next year.)

“Wreaths Across For more info: America (WAA) is Bushnell cemetery, a way for people I-75, exit 309. Into show their formation at www. patriotism and to wreathsacrossamericahonor the veterans bushnell.com. Follow who have given on Facebook. On up much to serve Dec. 13, arrive early, their country,” bring your own chair. says Randy Wreath laying 10 a.m.; Lewer, volunteer Visitors place wreaths at ceremony 11 a.m. coordinator of the Sarasota National Cemetery.

Bushnell event.

Sarasota cemetery, At the newer Sarasota National CemI-75, exit 205. Information at www. etery, organizers hope to lay wreaths waasarasota.com. Follow on Facebook. on all 8,000 gravesites, according to Dec 13 wreath laying at 9:30 am Candy Selby, WAA coordinator from and the ceremony at 11:30 am.

Sarasota Military Academy. “Our Bay Pines cemetery: Wreaths laid school gets very involved and we get early on Dec. 13. Ceremony at 11 a.m. the word out in any way we can to get Go to wreathsacrossamerica.org/ sponsors for the remembrance wreaths. BayPines for more.

Our cadets will be a part of the cerOther sites for ceremonies and emony and our Pipe Band will play.” wreath-laying: Collier County Freedom As individuals and groups from the Memorial, Naples; Fort Myers Memocommunity lay wreaths together, they rial Gardens, Fort Myers; Highland will be fulfilling one of the missions Memorial Park, Ocala; Lemon of WAA, which is to teach the younger generations to remember fallen soldiers Bay Cemetery, Englewood; Lone Oak Cemetery, Leesburg; Veterans and learn the meaning of why men Memorial Park & Museum, Tampa. and women fight for our country.

John Rosentrater, Director of For national level information Sarasota National Cemetery, says, or to find other cemeteries, go to “This is a tremendous opportunity for www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Take Take the the guesswork guesswork Take the guesswork out of Health out of Health Care Care out of Health Care Reform.

Reform.

Reform.

Find out what it Find out what it means forwhat you.

Find out means for you.it means for you.

Call or email us today and get the answers you need: Call or email us today and get the answers you need: Call or email us today and get the answers you need: • Can I still get health insurance?

• Can I still get health insurance?

•• What are my options? health insurance?

• Can WhatI still are get my options?

•• When is the next enrollment period? mynext options?

• What Whenare is the enrollment period?

• When is the next enrollment We are here for you. period?

We are here for you.

We are here&for you.

Insurance Benefits

Insurance & Benefits Insurance & Benefits Consultants Consultants Consultants 877-955-2130

877-955-2130

www.ibcinsurance.com 877-955-2130 www.ibcinsurance.com www.ibcinsurance.com

Florida Blue is a trade name of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Florida Blueand is aBlue tradeShield nameAssociation. of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc., an Independent Licensee of theAgt 81946-0814/80841-0414 Blue Cross 81946-0814/80841-0414 Blue Cross Florida Blueand is aBlue tradeShield nameAssociation. of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Agt 81946-0814/80841-0414 Agt Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Call us us to to help help you you prepare prepare for for Medicare, Medicare, Call Call us tobefore help you for Medicare, th birthday. yourprepare 65th birthday. before your 65 before your 65th birthday.

Insurance & Benefits Consultants has been Insurance & Benefits Consultants hashelped been a trusted source of information and has Insurance & Benefits Consultants has been a trusted source of information and has helped Floridians with their Medicare decisions since a trusted source of information and has helped Floridians with their Medicare decisions since 1978.

Floridians with their Medicare decisions since 1978.

1978.

Just give us a call and we can help Just give us a call and we can help answer questions like: Just give us a questions call and we can help answer like: answer questions like:

Call today to Callan today to schedule appointment Callan today to schedule appointment schedule an appointment

877-955-2130 877-955-2130 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET 877-955-2130 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5agent. p.m. ET to speak to a licensed

• What is Medicare? What does it cover? to speak to a licensed Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5agent. p.m. ET • What is Medicare? What does it cover?

• How do I enroll? Dates to remember?

You can reach Florida Blue Customer Service at to speak Florida to8aa.m. licensed agent.

•• What is Medicare?

Whattodoes it cover?

1-855-601-9465 - 9Customer p.m. ET, 7Service days a at week How do I enroll? Dates remember?

You can reachfrom Blue • What are my other Medicare coverage options? from Oct. 1st - Feb. 14th or 8 -a.m.

- 9 ET, p.m.

Mon. - Fri. 1-855-601-9465 from 8 a.m.

9 p.m.

7 ET, days a week •• How Dates to remember? can reach Florida Customer Service at- Fri. from 15th - Sept.

30th. users Whatdo areI enroll? my other Medicare coverage options? fromYou Oct. 1stFeb - Feb. 14th orBlue 8 a.m.

-TTY 9 p.m.

ET,call Mon. 1-855-601-9465 from -8Sept. a.m.

-30th.

9 p.m.

ET, 7 days • How can I reduce my prescription drug cost?

1-800-955-8771.

Priority Code: 5717000 from Feb 15th TTY users calla week •• What are Imy other my Medicare coverage from Oct.1-800-955-8771.

1st - Feb. 14th or 8 a.m.Code: - 9 p.m.

ET, Mon. - Fri. How can reduce prescription drugoptions? cost?

Priority 5717000 from Feb 15th - Sept. 30th. TTY users call • How can I reduce my prescription drug cost?

1-800-955-8771. Priority Code: 5717000 We offer BlueMedicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plans as We AdvantageSupplement and Prescription Drugpolicies*. plans as welloffer as aBlueMedicare variety of BlueMedicare Insurance welloffer as a BlueMedicare variety of BlueMedicare Insurance We AdvantageSupplement and Prescription Drugpolicies*. plans as well as a variety of BlueMedicare Supplement Insurance policies*.

Florida Blue is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Florida Blue is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract.

A Medicare-approve Part D sponsor.

Medicare contract.

Aor Medicare-approve Part sponsor.

Florida Blue is a with Medicare Advantage organization with a *Not connected endorsed by the U.S. D Government *Not withAor endorsed the U.S. Government Medicare contract.

Medicare-approve Part D sponsor. or theconnected Federal Medicare Program.by Policies have or theconnected Federal Program.

Policies have *Not with or endorsed by the Government exclusions andMedicare limitations.

For costs andU.S. complete exclusions andMedicare limitations.

For costs and complete or the Federal Program.

Policies have details of coverage, contact your local agent. details coverage, contact your agent. exclusions and For and complete Florida of Blue is alimitations. trade name ofcosts thelocal Blue Cross Florida Blue is a Association. trade name your of thelocal Blueagent.

Cross details of coverage, contact and Blue Shield and Blue Shield Florida Blue is a Association. trade name of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

53577MS-0213R 53577MS-0213R Y0011_53577 0213R CMS Accepted Y0011_53577 0213R CMS Accepted 53577MS-0213R Y0011_53577 0213R CMS Accepted

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 9

T he Flor ida Orchest r a

Tickets on Sale Now! Coffee Concert Series The Florida Orchestra and Tony-award winning conductor Stuart Malina take the live concert experience to new levels of comfort, intimacy, and fun. In addition to complimentary coffee and doughnuts, enjoy the Pre-Concert Conversation one hour before curtain time, as well as lively commentary about the music during the concerts.

Ruth Eckerd Hall 3-Concert Series Starts in January!

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION Wed, Jan 7, 10 am

© Thomas Bruce Studio

RHAPSODY & ROMANCE Wed, Feb 11, 10 am 2015/2016 SNEAK PEEK Wed, Apr 8, 10 am

Package Prices: $58, $70, $82 & $101 • Free Parking

Upc om ing Concert s Raymond James Pops

Home for the Holidays

Tech Talk: Sparkup Magical Reader Giveaway!

W

elcome to this month’s Tech Talk column, where we cover the latest apps, gadgets and websites that make life a little easier.

This month, we’re featuring a giveaway for the Sparkup Magical Book Reader. The Reader enables grandparents to create personalized audio recordings of any illustrated children’s book, so that their grandchildren can listen, read along and feel connected even when apart. The Reader can store up to 50 books at a time.

Designed for children ages three through eight, the Reader attaches to the top of a book and records the user’s voice while tracking each page via its built-in camera. Afterwards, anytime the device is re-attached to that book, the camera recognizes its images and plays the appropriate recording for each page. Available on amazon.com or sparkupreader.com for $59.99.

We are offering the product FREE to one lucky winner in this month’s giveaway!

Just email editor@ lifestylesafter50.com or snail mail us at:

Attn: Sparkup Reader News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583

Send us your name, address and phone number by Dec 19. The drawing will be held on Dec. 20, and the winner will be contacted and announced in the January issue of Lifestyles After 50. Look for more giveaways in upcoming editions. Good luck!

Congratulations!

To last month’s winner: Doreen Alfano of Thonotosassa, FL Who won a MedCenter System!

The EASY boArding bicycle by

Immerse yourself in the spirit of the holiday season with everyone’s favorite Christmas carols and yuletide tunes…all with the 150 voices of The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. Jeff Tyzik conducts.

Fri, Dec 12, 8 pm, Straz Center Sat, Dec 13, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater – Matinee Added Sat, Dec 13, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater

Sun, Dec 14, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall

Raymond James Pops

New Year’s

from Vienna to New York

Welcome the New Year with celebratory sounds from both Vienna and Broadway, including spirited polkas, marches and waltzes and hits from Broadway and the American songbook. Featuring soprano Lauren Snouffer, Damon Gupton conducts.

Fri, Jan 9, 8 pm, Straz Center Sat, Jan 10, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater Sun, Jan 11, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall

We Play the Bay!

727.892.3337 or 1.800.662.7286 www.FloridaOrchestr a.org T a m pa , S t. P e t e & C l e a rwa t e r Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 10 TFO-Lifestyles-December.indd 1

11/12/2014 12:36:36 PM

• Unisex step-through design engineered in Germany • Cross bar is only six inches from the ground, so you can easily step-through the bicycle • Upright seating position for less back pain and clear view of the road • Relaxed arm position for more control

For more dealers contact Biria USA:

Tel: 201-461-1980 • www.biria.com

Trail Sport 6572 Seminole Blvd.

Seminole, FL 33772

727-395-0509 Beach Cyclist Sports Ctr. 7517 Blind Pass Rd. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

727-367-5001

St. Pete Bicycle and Fitness 1205 4th Street North St. Pete Beach, FL 33701

727-367-5001

For Health and Fun: Game On!

BY TRACIE SCHMIDT

A

s a child of the ‘80s, I can’t help but remember the thrill of playing an Atari for the first time on Christmas morning. In all honesty, it was probably more of a gift for my gadget-enthusiast dad than us kids.

But we all watched in fascination as 8-bit projectiles bounced chaotically across the screen and the TV beeped and blipped. We played Pong for hours.

Those of us who never really outgrew games know that they can be much more than just a momentary diversion.

It’s a chance to make memories, friends (or bitter enemies!); a way to improve thinking, memory, vision and motor skills; and a vehicle for reintroducing an oft-neglected element into our lives: fun.

For those who think it’s child’s play, gaming may be worth another look.

Game Therapy Scientists have been slowly introducing gaming into treatments for everything from chronic pain or stroke

to memory loss and depression, and they’ve seen some encouraging results.

New Zealand resarchers developed a fantasy game called SPARX that prompts teenagers with depression to battle monsters that represent negative thoughts. Out of 168 kids, 44 percent completely recovered from their depression and two-thirds showed at least a 30 percent reduction in symptoms.

“Personal Zen,” an app game designed by Tracy Dennis, a psychology professor at the University of New York, helps users manage anxiety when played regularly and can provide a moment of calm in a stressful situation.

A 2009 study by the University of Rochester found that playing action games like first-person shooters, (think “Call of Duty”) exercises gamers’ eyes, improves reaction time and increases their contrast sensitivity—making activities like driving at night easier.

A 2013 University of Iowa study of 681 adults over 50 showed that playing brain-teasing games two hours a week can slow mental decline.

And in a survey of 19 seniors age 74 to 93, Florida State University found that when subjects regularly play Wii games that rely on physical movement, 30 percent reported increased ability to balance and 37 percent reported increased flexibility. They also enjoyed extra social interaction with their peers.

Get Your Game On The benefits of video games, computer games and apps abound, so don’t be afraid to indulge your inner child and put a few games on your list this year.

If you’re feeling nostalgic, (and like FREE stuff), try these sources:

The Internet Archive: This online digital public library just added 900 free arcade games to its collection, along with its already extensive collection of free music, movies and books. Pac Man? Galaga? Yes please! Just visit archive.org/details/internetarcade to play them right in your internet browser.

Yahoo Games: Find other browser-based games of all varieties here, including puzzle, card and board games. Visit games.yahoo. com and search “free.”

The App Store: If you have a tablet or a smartphone and an internet connection, you have access to a bunch of free app games. Just open your app store, search for “free” and try ‘em out.

come to the expo go home with

solutions IT’S COMING

AND IT’S FREE!

THE WESTERN & CENTRAL FLORIDA COOPERATOR’S

COME to the Expo if you’re a board member, property manager or condo, HOA or co-op decision maker.

MEET more than 150+ exhibitors offering top service solutions: property management, maintenance, financial, legal, security, energy, insurance, and more.

CONDO HOA AND

CO-OP EXPO TUESDAY, DEC. 9, 2014 10:00AM TO 4:30PM

NETWORK with peers to share ideas, solutions and recommendations. Develop relationships.

LEARN & EARN valuable insight from educational seminars and industry pros. Several seminars qualify for CEU credits. Details at tampa-expo.com.

COME I MEET I NETWORK I LEARN

TAMPA CONVENTION CENTER I WWW.TAMPA-EXPO.COM Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 11 R

Staying Connected: Seniors and Technology

BY ELLE LAYNE

R

etired life can take you far from loved ones, whether you travel, live away from family and friends or can’t quite get the schedules to sync.

But staying in touch becomes more important as you age. A study of seniors age 75 or older, called the Kungsholmen Project, found that participants who were active physically, mentally and socially were most likely to live past age 90, and lived an average of 5.4 years longer than their inactive peers.

These days, technology can help us stay connected to each other during the holidays. So if you find a tablet, smartphone or computer under the tree this year, it may be the perfect opportunity to learn how to make the most of new technology, if you don’t already.

Adults and technology Older adults have been catching up to younger generations pretty fast when it comes to mastering new gadgets—especially tech-savvy boomers. In April 2012, the Pew Research Center found that more than half of adults age 65 or older were internet users. Today, 59% of seniors report they go online. 27% of seniors own a tablet, an e-book reader, or both, while 18% own a smartphone.

What about social networking? 27% of older adults use sites such as Facebook and, according to the study, those seniors are more likely to regularly socialize with friends, whether online, in person or over the telephone, than those who don’t.

Studies have shown that using technology has three main benefits: 1. Staying Connected: While technology is no substitute for human contact, email, online games, social media sites like Twitter and Facebook and video chat services like Skype can help us say in touch with absent loved ones or find new friends, increasing much needed social reserves. If you’re homebound, keeping up with technology can help you stay up to date with current events.

Find out what your kids are into; connect with younger generations or meet others who share the same interests.

2. Staying Sharp: Technology users not only gain the benefit of brain-boosting games and the wealth of information on the internet, but they also build and reinforce neural connections by learning how to use new devices or programs.

You can build your own website or start an online business—learning and

using technology can open up new avenues of personal growth and creative expression, and help stave off the cognitive decline that comes with aging.

3. Staying Healthy: Devices are getting smarter and more personalized.

Apps can track everything from your sleep pattern and heart rate to your daily calorie intake and medication schedule.

Smart watches can tell you how far you’ve jogged and help you keep track of fitness goals. Video game systems like the Wii can provide engaging ways to exercise. Utilizing technology can help you stay proactive about your personal health as well as provide helpful information to doctors or caregivers.

Because technology has become so integrated into our daily lives, we tend to assume that using it is easy and intuitive for everyone.

However, that isn’t always the case—especially for some boomers and seniors—and it may mean lost opportunities to connect with others.

The Pew Research study found a sharp drop-off in technology use in adults 75 and older. Why such a gap between that group and their younger counterparts? In many cases it comes down to physical limitations that affect vision, hearing, cognition or manual dexterity; limited finances or learning options; concerns about privacy or reservations about their ability to learn how to use new technology.

But as devices become more affordable, customizable and more seniorfriendly in design, and new low-cost learning resources become available, the landscape is starting to change.

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 12

“I just think the internet has really changed the way that we communicate.

In the past, senior citizens lived with their kids and grandkids in the same house, then they lived in the same town, now we have families who are living across the world from each other. The rest of us adapted by staying in touch through technology, but they’ve kind of been left behind and left out of that,” said Macaulee and Kascha’s older sister, Saffron Cassaday, in an interview with NBC. One of the seniors who participated in the program, Shirley, shared her view of the experience. “It’s opened up a whole new world for me. I like to go on YouTube and listen to all the wonderful singers. And if I don’t understand a CyberSeniors word, I can find it most times on the One program trying to bridge the gap internet. Also, I have Skype. I can see my and make technology more accessible to older generations is CyberSeniors. It grandchildren and they can see me. I do was started back in 2009 by two teenage encourage any seniors to ‘get with it!’” sisters—Macaulee (16) and Kascha Cas- Take a class Programs like the one started by saday (18)—as part of a school project.

CyberSeniors have been popping up at After introducing their grandparents to community centers, retirement centers, email, internet browsing and Skype to make communicating easier, they realized colleges and libraries all over the counthat other seniors might also benefit from try. For little to no cost, adults can take learning new programs. So they gathered classes that range from “How To Use a Mouse” and “Smartphone Basics” to together a team of like-minded, techfluent students and began visiting a local “Creating and Sharing a Digital Photo Album” and “Advanced Excel.” retirement home twice a week to teach If you prefer the company of a tome to interested seniors how to use the internet. a classroom, the “For Dummies” series carries guidebooks like “Facebook and Twitter For Seniors For Dummies”; “iPad for the Older and Wiser”; and other related subjects on amazon.com.

And if you already have a computer and your own internet access but aren’t sure where to start, sites like SeniorNet (seniornet.org) Skillful Senior AARP TEK workshop (skillfulsenior.com), GCF LearnFree (gcflearnfree.org) and BBC WebWise (bbc.co.uk/webwise) It wasn’t long before the residents offer everything from introductory were on Facebook, playing online information to advanced tutorials on games and using email. They even organized a contest to create a YouTube everything tech-related. Most of it is free, though a few of the services may video and see who could get the most views. If you’re interested in what they require a subscription or class fee.

AARP has developed its own site as came up with, you can find it here: well: AARP TEK (aarp.org/home-family youtube.com/user/CyberSeniors. /personal-technology/tek/) to introduce “The seniors get excited because seniors to technology. They also host they’re learning something new. It’s local workshops and have developed weird, we’ve been using the internet a tablet device called the RealPad, since we were little kids—it’s almost designed with the tech-shy in mind. second nature to us. We have to teach When it comes to technology, there’s someone who’s never seen or used a mouse before. It’s kind of hard,” the two no better time than now to learn. Get connected! It could change your world. sisters commented about the program.

Relationship Reality Check: 10 Questions that Can Transform Your Love Life

BY DR. JACQUELINE DEL ROSARIO

R

elationships often collapse because couples are not prepared to withstand the inevitable conflicts or even the humdrum and monotonous plateau period that’s nearly certain to present as the years go by. When couples do not understand these are anticipated and natural events in the course of a relationship, they may start looking for the exit door thinking that they have made a grievous mistake.

But many people don’t realize the extent that their relational health and happiness is under their control, aided by one’s ability to self-assess and foster quality communication with their partner. These ten self-assessment questions can help both partners reach their “happily ever after”: 1. Am I putting my best face forward? People dress up in their best clothes and put on makeup for the outside world. Do you put forth the same effort to impress and excite your mate?

2. Am I still growing? You must come to a relationship willing to continuously improve who you are so that your relationship can continue to

evolve. Continue to date and experience new things as a couple.

aside and experience your current partner on their own merits and actions.

3. Am I continuing to invest the time and effort to maintain a strong foundation? Are you keeping passion alive in the bedroom, or are you relegated to business as usual? Break the routine here and watch the magic ensue.

8. Do I stop, look and listen? Take the time to listen to and validate your mate. Keep the channels of communication open—chatter about the day’s events, current events, family matters and similar, and pay attention to their concerns. It bonds the heart and abates the feeling of growing apart.

4. What are the anchors in my relationship? Why are you together in the first place? Identifying and nurturing similar values, goals and expectancies in your relationship are fundamental and will help you endure the tough times.

5. How can I help improve our communication style? It is essential to learn how each party in the partnership prefers to communicate and make an effort to deliver and receive messages from your mate according to their personal style, which may differ from yours. And, during an argument, always fight fair and with respect—no name calling, no degrading one another.

6. What unmet expectations do we each have that need to be addressed?

Unmet expectations are often not shared and, instead, they can fester and result

in resentment and bitterness. It’s unfair of you to feel that your partner “should know” or be able to decipher passive aggressive cues that something is wrong.

Be honest with what you need from your partner for a real chance that those needs will be met, or even exceeded.

7. What emotional triggers might be adversely affecting my current relationship? Past traumas can hinder the way we respond to or perceive present issues. Were you lied to or cheated on in the past? It doesn’t mean you cannot trust your current mate. Put old baggage

9. Do I allow outside interference?

Your partner may be angry to find out that others are involved in your private life. Instead, go directly to your partner to resolve relationship problems.

However, if things are seemingly out of both of your control, seek professional assistance from marriage counselors.

10. Do I have a maintenance plan?

Are you still doing what you did to get your mate? Take the time to assess your virtues and ask your mate to cite favorite qualities about you. Then, make a concerted effort to foster these qualities to ensure interest remains.

Jacqueline Del Rosario is an author, speaker and certified marital counselor. www.DrJacquie.com.

“We give the best care, in a timely manner!”

Chris, RN

WE’RE EMERGENCY-READY Chris understands how important quality care is. He also knows how important it is in an emergency to deliver that care quickly. That’s what Chris and the rest of his comprehensive care team focus on. From minor emergencies to major events like a heart issue or a stroke, the entire team stands “Emergency- Ready” to give you quick and thorough care.

To learn more, visit:

YourEmergencyContact .org Tarpon Springs, FL

| (727) 942-5000

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 13

Get Your Life Back with Stem Cell Therapy ✦ Free 24 Hour Front Desk Coverage ✦ Free Scheduled Shuttle Bus Service ✦ Katz Korner Café & Mini Mart on Site

Special program Units Starting at

$499

Utilities included

Must be 55+ to qualify Other Program Available Rent based on income Must be 62+ to qualify

Stop by Mon - Fri from 8 AM - 2:30 PM and we will be glad to take you for a tour of our Beautiful Property.

Bring this ad with you and receive a free cup of coffee and a danish.

☎ 727-347-5191

250 58th Street N. • St. Petersburg, Florida 33710 www.philipbenjamintower.org

Stem cells migrate to sites of tissue injury within the body and facilitate tissue repair.

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

BY DAVID EBNER Staff Writer

W

hen you struggle to breathe it is impossible to live a normal life. Everyday activities become impossible feats when you suffer from lung disease. Jean H., a 71-yearold Houston, Texas native, suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For Jean, every day was a battle to breathe.

COPD is characterized by an inflammation in the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Most people suffering from COPD have trouble walking even short distances and are susceptible to lung infections. Jean can’t help but think about how her disease put her life on hold, “I got to where I couldn’t do little things like take a bath as often as I wanted to.”

“...after that couple of days I’m really good… before I can get home I am another person. I can help even carry the luggage...”

She researched options online and eventually sought stem cell treatment at the Lung Institute in Tampa, Fla., which has helped hundreds of people with lung disease. The Lung Institute Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 14

is led by Dr. Burton Feinerman, who has been developing stem cell therapy protocols for decades, and considered an expert in the field of regenerative medicine.

Jean received autologous stem cell therapy, meaning her stem cells were extracted from her own body and then reintroduced back into her system. Because the stem cells are her own, there is no risk of rejection and the outpatient, minimally invasive procedure is considered safe.

Jean felt the effects of her treatment quickly, “after that couple of days I’m really good…before I can get home I am another person. I can help even carry the luggage.” She added that after treatment she “can do just about everything I need to do…I can keep my house clean…which is a big issue with me. I can get out in the yard and do a little bit of gardening.”

When Jean was asked what she would say to someone thinking about treatment at the Lung Institute, she said, “I would recommend them to anybody. The doctor is great and the staff is good. It’s just wonderful here.”

If you or someone you love is suffering from the life-altering symptoms of lung disease, stem cell therapy could help.

For more information about the Lung Institute and to view Jean’s testimonial video, visit LungInstitute. com/Jean or call 855-313-1150.

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 15

Still have Pain? Headaches?

Numbness in Arms or Legs?

Ask your doctor to order an MRI

6101 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL

Call: 727-381-4674

Ask about our Life Saving Screenings • Ultrasound 4D Ultrasound Special $99.00 • MRI • Bone Density • Digital X-Ray

FREE

Body Mass Index with any Bone Density Scan

Free

Transportation for MrI Walk Ins Welcome

Blood Pressure Breakthrough W hat if there were safer, more effective ways to treat high blood pressure? New research by scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM) and the Ottawa Heart Institute has uncovered that the brain uses an unusual steroid to control blood pressure.

For decades, researchers have known that the brain controls how peripheral arteries constrict and relax by sending electrical impulses through the sympathetic nervous system. When arteries constrict, blood pressure goes up.

This system is essential for daily life, but is often chronically overactive in patients with high blood pressure and heart failure. In fact, many drugs that help with hypertension and heart failure work by decreasing activity in the sympathetic nervous system.

However, these drugs often have serious side effects, such as fatigue, dizziness and erectile dysfunction.

“These drawbacks have led to the search for novel ways to inhibit the sympathetic nervous system while causing fewer problems for hypertension and heart failure patients,” says

Dr. Frans Leenen, director of hypertension at the Ottawa Heart Institute, and a principal author of the study.

Working with an animal model of hypertension, Dr. Hamlyn and Dr. Mordecai Blaustein, professor of physiology and medicine at the UM SOM, and their research partner, Dr. Leenen, found a new link between the brain and increased blood pressure, namely, a little-known steroid called ouabain (pronounced WAH-bane). Ouabain was discovered in human blood more than 20 years ago. They recently found that ouabain makes arteries more sensitive to sympathetic stimulation, and as a result the enhanced artery constriction promotes chronic hypertension.

This could mean that medications that block ouabain’s effects might improve the lives of people with hypertension and heart failure without the debilitating side effects of current medications.

“It opens a new and exciting way for us to work on innovative treatment approaches that could one day help patients,” says Dr. Hamlyn.

(From Newswire and University of Maryland Medical Center)

Medication Safety Tips Are you or a loved one HURRY! Don’t lose For Cold and Flu Season your 2014 diabetic with benefit Medicare Part B?* The Diabetic Therapeutic Shoe Benefit may provide those with Medicare Part B* one pair of approved extra-depth shoes and three pairs of arch supports per calendar year.

We have the forms for your doctor to complete.

Call 727-474-8289 or visit www.FootSolutions.com/Largo for more information.

LARGO MALL

10500 Ulmerton Road

(between Michaels and LensCrafters)

Open Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. *Insurance Plans and Medicare may provide coverage for select therapeutic shoes and arch supports (inserts) for diabetics, subject to the terms of the Insurance Plan or Medicare coverage guidelines.

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 16

D

uring cold and flu season, misuse of OTC medicine can be common because people may be treating multiple symptoms—especially people taking medicines for chronic pain. Every year, more than 126,000 hospitalizations and 17,000 deaths in the U.S. are due to overdose or overuse of acetaminophen and NSAIDs, which are present in many prescription or over-the-counter pain medications.

Acetaminophen, an active ingredient in brands such as Tylenol® and NyQuil®, is safe when taken as recommended, but can lead to liver damage if taken in excess. NSAIDs—a class of painrelieving drugs that include brands such as Advil®, Motrin® and aspirin—can

cause stomach damage when overused.

It is important that you read medicine labels and only take one product at a time that contains the same active ingredient, even if it is for different ailments. For example, if you take Tylenol® for a headache and at the same time take Theraflu® for a cold, you are actually doubling up on acetaminophen, which can be harmful.

Do not drink alcohol when taking medicines, unless your doctor says it is okay. Some medicines may magnify the alcohol’s effect or make you sick when mixed with alcohol.

Be careful when mixing medicines.

Make sure your health care provider or pharmacist knows and approves of all the medicines you take (including OTC medication and herbal remedies).

Certain drugs may interact with one another, making you sick or making the medicines less effective.

Gut Check: Know Your Medicine, a campaign from the American Gastroenterological Association, educates consumers about medication safety. Learn more: GutCheckFacts.org. (NAPSI)

Medicare Answers D

ear Marci, I have Original Medicare. What requirements do I have to meet in order for Medicare to cover home health care?—Rachel Dear Rachel, Medicare will pay for home health care if you meet all of the following requirements: 1. You must be homebound. Medicare considers you to be homebound if you need the help of another person or special equipment to leave your home or your doctor believes that leaving your home would be harmful to your health. In addition, it must be difficult for you to leave your home.

2. You must need skilled nursing care on an intermittent basis or skilled therapy services. This means that you must need care as a little as once every 60 days to as much as once a day for three weeks. Note that skilled care is care that can only be safely administered by a licensed nurse or therapist.

Also note that you will not qualify for Medicare coverage of home health care if you only need occupational therapy.

3. You must have a face-to-face visit with a health care professional within 90 days of starting to receive home health care or 30 days after you have started to receive care. Your doctor must sign a home health certification verifying that you have had this visit and that you qualify for home care because you are homebound and need skilled care.

4. You must receive certified care from a Medicare-certified home health agency (HHA).

Keep in mind that your doctor will need to approve your plan of care every 60 days. As long as you continue to meet Medicare coverage rules, Medicare should continue to cover your home health care. If you have Original Medicare, the traditional Medicare program administered directly through the federal government, and you have questions about Medicare coverage of home health care, you can contact 800-MEDICARE or go online and visit www.medicare.gov. —Marci

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 17

15

Do-It-Yourself Relaxation:

Ways to De-Stress

W

ith the added pressure of shopping, travel and family gatherings, stress and the holidays often go hand in hand. But if stress is left unmanaged, it can do much more than dampen your spirits. Accumulated stress can lead to physical and psychological illnesses including depression, overeating, sleeplessness and irritability. While it is impossible to avoid stress completely, it is possible to manage it. Here are a few easy do-it-yourself treatments for instant stress relief:

your immediate surroundings.

Escaping technology can be a very relaxing experience.

Health

5. Laugh. Going to a comedy show or watching a funny movie will help manage your stress. One study showed lower levels of the salivary endocrinological stress marker chromogranin A (CgA) in those who watched a humorous movie. Along with less stress, these subjects also reported a feeling of being uplifted and fulfilled.

1. Breathe. By taking deep, slow

breaths, your blood pressure and heart rate slow down, counteracting the effects of stress. Focusing on deep breathing allows you to relax and clear your mind, and it is often used in meditation.

Practicing deep breathing has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.

2. Work out or go for a walk.

This allows your body and mind to focus on something healthy. While physical activity distracts you from the cause of your stress, it also increases endorphins and decreases your levels of cortisol. Endorphins are natural “feel good” hormones that are released when you exercise.

3. Turn your phone off. Your smartphone allows you to access the rest of the world. By turning off your phone, you shut out external stress and allow yourself to focus on you and

4. Listen to music. Music can

influence certain moods or thoughts. A study has shown that patients in post surgery who listened to music had lower stress levels than those who did not.

Another study shows that people from different cultural backgrounds prefer different types of music for pain and stress relief. Experiment to find the type of music that is most soothing for you.

6. Enjoy a hot bath. A nice

soak can help relieve muscle tension, lessen pain, promote blood circulation and calm the nervous system. Infuse water with soothing minerals and other products such as scented salts or oils for the added benefit of aromatherapy.

7. Aromatherapy. Certain

plant oils, such as lavender, have been found to relieve nervous tension or anxiety. Familiar scents may also bring back memories or thoughts associated with the smell.

Aromatherapy is often used with massages, meditations and hot baths.

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 18

8. Get a massage. In one study

in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, massage helped lessen stress and pain in patients with chronic pain.

Another study in the Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing suggested that 15 minute massages helped reduce psychological stress. Massage lowers the level of cortisol, a stress hormone, and increases serotonin and dopamine.

9. Avoid caffeine. Try to avoid

coffee, energy drinks and other heavily caffeinated beverages. Caffeine increases catecholamines and cortisol —both stress hormones—while also increasing dopamine for a quick “feel good” response that will wear off quickly and make you feel low.

Drink green tea instead. Green tea lowers your blood pressure and is full of beneficial antioxidants.

Yoga is an excellent weight and stress management exercise that helps your balance and flexibility and strengthens your core.

13. Write down your thoughts.

Keeping a journal or diary allows you to express yourself, organize your thoughts and reflect on your choices. Your journal is also a place for you to let emotions out that you wouldn’t express otherwise.

Write down your negative emotions so you can move on to positive ones.

14. Try a craft. Finding a hobby and keeping your hands busy can distract your mind from stress and let you express yourself in an artistic way.

Studies have shown that participating in a craft enhances relaxation, especially for children and seniors. It is used quite often as a therapeutic healing method.

15. Stress relief with a pet.

10. Get proper sleep. After restful, Studies have shown that pet high-quality sleep or an undisturbed nap, one’s cortisol levels will decrease.

11. Use guided visualizations.

This technique of picturing a soothing environment or positive scenario can be used to help one relax, control stress and achieve certain goals.

12. Try meditation or yoga.

Meditation has been used for thousands of years as a way to focus thoughts or get in touch with one’s spiritual side. This inexpensive technique can release stress and help clear your mind. Pairing it with breathing exercises can further lower your heart rate and blood pressure.

therapy helps reduce anxiety and stress for many people. Having an animal around not only distracts one from worries, it also lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels.

Stress may be a necessary survival mechanism, but if left unmanaged, it can build up and cause psychological and physical harm. Because stress affects everyone differently, one treatment may be more effective for you than another. Explore and combine these relaxation techniques for a stress-free holiday season.

Tips from LabDoor.com, a health and supplement resource.

World Class Medicine.

Hometown Care.

Recognized nationally. tRusted locally.

Caring for patients at 14 Pasco and Pinellas County Locations Pasco & Pinellas County Physicians Jose Alemar, MD

Mamta T. Choksi, MD

Vu Tran Ho, MD

Joseph R. Mace, MD

Raju Rao, MD

Thyag Ananthakrishnan, MD

Michael Diaz, MD

Nuruddin Jooma, MD, MPH

Idelfia A. Marte, MD

Joseph Sennabaum, MD

Jorge Ayub, MD

Robert L. Drapkin, MD

Geetha J. Kamath, MD

Arthur J. Matzkowitz, MD

Gerald H. Sokol, MD

Jennifer L. Ball, DO

Ramana Dutt, MD

Richard A. Knipe, MD

Edgar G. Miranda, MD

David Wenk, MD

Gregoire Bergier, MD

Larry Gandle, MD

Gajanan A. Kulkarni, MD

Jeffrey L. Paonessa, MD

Gail Lynn Shaw Wright, MD

Sawsan G. Bishay, MD

Vivian Griffin, MD

K.S. Kumar, MD

Hitesh Patel, MD

Lane D. Ziegler, DO

Kerry E. Chamberlain, DO

Andrew E. Hano, DO

Don D. Luong, MD

J. Andrew Peterson, MD

855.550.LIFE (5433)

•

FLCancer.com Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 19

Enjoy a Simple, Old Fashioned Colonial Williamsburg Visit

BY JANICE DOYLE

I

f simpler times and homespun goodness appeal to you, it’s time to plan a trip to Colonial Williamsburg. With over a million visitors a year—many of them school groups—the entire month of December is a good time for a surprisingly uncrowded visit.

Located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., Colonial Williamsburg is the nation’s largest living history museum, made up of 500 restored and reconstructed historic buildings spread across 301 acres of land and staffed with 3,500 archeologists, researchers, historians and historical interpreters.

It provides a snapshot of lives in the time leading up to the Revolutionary War.

Brown Bess muskets and set off a historic cannon.

It’s followed by the community tree lighting.

What to expect A man makes shoes in the cobbler shop and talks about Thomas Jefferson’s writings. The girl working in the ladies wear shop explains how the dress she is making is put together to allow for size changes. A dissident speaks his mind after a boring sermon at Bruton Parish Church.

Travel There are tree-lined streets, authentically built homes, trade shops, dining taverns and exhibition buildings.

Find stages where storytellers, musicians and craftsman entertain.

Oh, and clear the way for the Fifes and Drums parade. The group is a 98-person troupe of period-dressed, music-making 10- to 18-year-olds, ongoing for over 50 years. They perform year round.

No month is so special for a visit as December when the schedule is full of holiday teas and wassail parties, musical evenings, caroling, classic toy train and doll house exhibits.

With more than 120 recitals and concerts on tap during the Candlelight Concert series, from 18th-century-style organ recitals to performances by choral groups from all over the country, you’re bound to find something to fit your taste.

You’ll be sitting where famous patriots such as George Washington and Patrick Henry once sat.

And if you’re there for Christmas Eve, at 5 p.m., there’s the special firing of the Christmas Guns, when re-enactors fire rounds from 18th-century

It may be difficult to comprehend their very proper English, but that’s the authenticity and attention to detail that makes Williamsburg such a special experience. Ask a modern question and you’ll find that the cobbler “hasn’t heard of shoe laces” or whatever. (But Bruton Parish Church in reality has over 2,000 members and five Sunday services.)

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 20

Williamsburg-style decorations Workers deck the halls and walls, the tables and trinkets within Williamsburg’s strict guidelines for authenticity to the times. No electric lights but rather 1,200 flickering candles glow in buildings where carolers sing wrapped in woolen cloaks and mufflers.

I took one of the many guided tours to look specifically at the outdoor decorations, referred to in decorating circles now as “Colonial Williamsburg door decorations.”

Our guide had lived in one of the houses in Colonial Williamsburg for ten years and commented personally on the annual job each resident has of creating house decorations within the strict guidelines. Everything used must be natural and obtainable during the colonial period, such as magnolia leaves, oranges, pomegranates, pinecones, holly, etc. Workshops are available for visitors.

Dining Candlelit dinners in one of the four Historic Dining Taverns take you back to the foods of the colonists.

Expect such dishes as duck, ham, Welsh rarebit, Brunswick stew, peanut soup and game pie. And remember to come hungry. There’s no such thing as a light meal, but it’s worth it.

It is interesting to note that state-of-the-art food service makes these meals possible from gigantic underground restaurant kitchens.

Unbeknownst to most visitors as they stroll the grounds are the dozens of workers scurrying about in these facilities under their feet.

Where to stay Colonial Williamsburg has five hotels: The Williamsburg Lodge, the Williamsburg Inn (where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and other world leaders have stayed), the Colonial Houses (28 guest houses in the Historic Area), the Williamsburg Woodlands and the Governor’s Inn. Thousands of motel rooms are convenient in the area as well.

Plan your visit or learn more at www.colonialwilliamsburg.com.

Holiday Gift Guide

F

ind the perfect gift for the senior in your life. Here are a few ideas:

Pedego Bike This electric bike comes in a variety of styles, colors and miles per charge.

Pedal it like a regular bike or twist the throttle and ride! $2,095 and up at pedegoelectricbikes.com T-fal OptiGrill This indoor grill fits on your countertop and features a cooking sensor that adapts to the thickness of your food. Just place the food on the grill and select your doneness preference—from rare to well-done—for six different programs including burgers, poultry, sandwiches, sausage, red meat and fish. Angled plates allow fat to drip into a dishwasher-safe drip tray. $179.99 at BedBathandBeyond.com Klogs Shoes for men and women that offer fashion, function and comfort.

Maxum Polyurethane outsoles and Ultron Lite Polyurethane insoles provide instant comfort and eliminate a “break-in” period. Klogs also provide exceptional shock absorption and energy return for protection of the feet, legs and back during long hours of standing or walking. Avg. price: $45 and up. wowkomfort.com Cool Jams These pajamas and nightgowns are made from cottony lightweight fabrics that pull moisture away from the skin to the fabric’s surface, where it rapidly evaporates, providing relief for night sweats or hot flashes associated

with menopause. Cool-jams also has a collection of cooling bed sheets and pillowcases. $19 and up. cool-jams.com

Flip a Grip This easy-grip handle can be installed in your doorway or other areas of the home where mobility assistance is needed, but there is not enough space for a large grab bar. It folds out of the way when not needed and glows in the dark for night visibility. Starting at $39.99. flipagrip.com Sashi Socks These jazzy looking socks are breathable and cozy.

Slip resistant grippers on the bottom add stability and traction. Available in regular and splittoe. Starts at $15/pair. sashionline.com Lively With this stylish and easy-to-use waterproof safety watch, 24/7 emergency response is just a single button push away. The watch also offers medication reminders, daily activity sharing, family messaging and a step counter. Monthly/annual subscriptions start at $27.95/mo. mylively.com The Tower No more bending down to power your devices and power your appliances.

The Tower features four standard power outlets and two USB charging ports, allowing for the powering of up to six devices simultaneously. It also includes a holder for both phones and tablets, a cord management feature and surge protection. $99. theartofpower.com

sz

Free InFormatIon ServIce Lifestyles After 50

for information please return completed form to:

News Connection USA, Inc. • P.O. Box 638 • Seffner, FL 33584

Name: Address: City: Phone:

State: Age:

Zip: Date:

E-mail: o Single o Married o Are you a Group Leader?

Please contact me by: o Mail o Phone o E-mail SEND INFORMATION ON AREA(S) CHECKED BELOW HOUSING OPTIONS AUTOMOBILES: o Independent Living o Automobile Sales o Assisted Living o Maintenance and Repairs o Senior Apartment o Recreational Vehicles o In-Home Care TRAVEL: o Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care o Cruises HOME IMPROVEMENTS: o Land Tours o Sunrooms/Home Improvement o Hotels/ Resorts o Local Attractions o Pools/spas o A-C Repair/Plumbing/Electrical INSURANCE: o Medicare LEISURE TIME: o Health o Life o Golf o Pets o Long-term care o Gambling o Boating PERSONAL HEALTHCARE o Theater o Rehab Hospital o Dining In/Out o Physicians o Fitness/Gyms/Spas o Dentists RESIDENTIAL LIVING: o Eye Care o Mfd/FactoryBuilt Homes o Hearing o RV Resort o Foot Care/Arch Supports o Senior Apartments o Weight Loss o Villa/Condo/Single Family o Supplements o Golf Community o Home Health o Prescription Drugs FINANCIAL/ LAW: o Medical Supplies o Funeral Planning o Retirement/Estate planning CAREGIVER RESOURCES o Trusts/Wills o Family Counseling o Medicare/Medicaid Assistance o Caregiver Support o Elder Law/Guardianships o Dementia Care OTHER:

Sun

Entries will be collected by News Connection U.S.A. for future promotions, special offers, and marketing.

Win a $25 Gift certificate to Home Depot!

When you complete this form and mail it back, your name will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Home Depot.

(Drawing held the 20th of each month.)

P Last Month’s Winner Was: P

P Joseph Howley— Congratulations! P Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 21

How I Pack My Family with Me

When I Travel

BY AKAISHA KADERLI

W

hen I began traveling the world 24 years ago, none of my family or friends understood why I chose this vagabond lifestyle.

Other than my father, who wished he could have gone with me, most everyone else wanted a stay-in-one-place manner of living that focused on barbeques, Super Bowl parties, pets and gardens.

I, on the other hand, wanted to visit exotic cultures, dream down dusty trails and witness firsthand the wild variety that is humanity round the world.

Initially on my journeys, especially since we began them long before internet, Skype or Magic Jack, there was this seeming disconnect.

I was “long distance” and everyone else was together “back home.”

Kaderli: “This shawl is a favored gift!”

Retirement Living Real Time Communication

These days, things are different.

Billy and I normally travel a year between our visits to the States to see our loved ones. That’s a long time and lots of celebrations between seeing our family and friends face to face. To bridge that distance in time, I call their homes several times a month using Skype and video.

In this way, no one forgets what I look like, including my grandniece and nephew.

I watch as the decorations in their homes change, their gardens grow—and I’m there singing “Happy Birthday” or shouting Merry Christmas or Happy Anniversary as the pages on my calendar turn over.

there could relate to the perspective I had been nurturing for decades in my world travels. The U.S. is a developed nation so there were no donkeys in the streets, no indigenous walking the neighborhoods with their hair wrapped in hand-woven textiles selling their wares. And there were no food carts where I could purchase fresh fruit or grilled shrimp on a whim.

So I gathered about 300 photos of my wanderings, put them on a chip and purchased digital photo frames to display them. My family was amazed—or maybe speechless is a better word.

Not everyone enjoys writing letters, emails or sending postcards.

However, every person I know likes to receive them. Since I am a writer—and always have been since I was a grade school child wishing I could find a pen pal—I have taken this responsibility on. And, it is one of the ways I keep in touch. Any chance I get, I write an email and tell a story about my life, and of course, I ask about theirs. Or I send a postcard giving a full-and-in-color snapshot of where I have been.

“Our trusty packs were a Christmas Present.”

Digital Diary

When I visited the States a couple of years ago, I realized that no one

Not Everyone Writes

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 22

Gifts

Since I carry everything with me when I travel, in the old days, my family was initially stumped as to what to give me for gifts. Before I carry anything around the world with me, I must consider it in terms of value versus its weight and the room it takes.

Today, digital downloads for music or

reading material delight me because I can carry them online instead of packing the heavy book or CD plus case in my rucksack.

I have also been gifted great walking shoes, washable and lightweight clothing, scarves, a beach wrap, earrings, socks and even nail polish. When I dress myself in the mornings I have all these reminders of the love we share and I take them with me into my lifestyle of skipping from one country to the next.

While nothing replaces being there in person for each occasion, I am psychologically built to enjoy my life of movement.

My friends and family are constructed for a lifestyle that I would find constricting. So by wearing and using these gifts, I am able to carry my loved ones with me everywhere.

After all, there is no distance in the heart.

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are retirement experts and authors of “The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible.”

Discover Florence, SC

Tampa Airport to Atlantic City St.Pete/Clearwater to Atlantic City

Flights Depart & Return to St. Pete/Clearwater Airport

F

The beautiful Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library is about two blocks from the Florence Hotel and Florence Little Theater.

lorence, South Carolina is the place to stop when driving I-95.

But look further—Florence has become a southern belle of a city offering quality hotels, shopping and fine restaurants.

Downtown Florence offers a little bit of something for everyone. The newly renovated Hotel Florence, located in the historic district, offers guests a unique boutique experience with an uptown flair. Enjoy a night of delicious cocktails and tapas or a beautiful steak dinner at the hotel’s elegant Victor’s Bistro.

After dinner, stroll down the street to the Florence Little theater and FMU Performing Arts Center for some top-notch entertainment.

Not far from the theater, you can discover Dolce Vita Chocolate and Wine Tasting room. Their high-tech dispensers allow guests to try several wines and enjoy delicious desserts.

After a restful night, start the morning at the Clay Pot Coffee Shop, a local meeting spot for young and old to catch up with each other. Enjoy homemade breakfast and lunches with local freshfrom-the-farm ingredients. Be sure to get a couple of cookies before you leave.

Plan on staying a little longer next time you go through Florence off I-95. See what you can discover.

Call the Florence CVB for vacation ideas at 1-800-325-9005 or visitflo.com.

Jan. 20 – Jan. 23 St.Pete/Clearwater to Atlantic City

**This offer is subject to availability and management reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time without notice. Must be 21 or older to gamble and enter and remain in a NJ casino and participate in any Harrah’s Resort promotions. Hotel taxes of $13 per night not included. Flights departing from Tampa Airport operated by Republic Airlines are DOT approved and a $30pp air service fee will be applied upon hotel departure. Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No ST39092. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.

TFO: Great Classics, Holiday Pops, a New Holiday CD and More!

BY HENRY ADAMS

D

uring December, The Florida Orchestra (TFO) has a wonderful mix of classical favorites at both the Masterworks and the morning Coffee concerts, along with its annual Christmas pops, “Home for the Holidays,” with everyone’s favorite carols and Yuletide tunes.

The orchestra also offers some great stocking stuffers, which include tickets to specific concerts, gift certificates to redeem for the concerts of one’s choice and the orchestra’s new CD “Holiday Pops Live!” with The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, the last of which is only $10.

At the next Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concert, TFO Principal Horn Robert Rearden is the soloist in Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 2. TFO Principal Guest Conductor Stuart Malina leads the orchestra in this program that includes Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” Concerts are Dec. 5, 6 and 7 in Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater.

Enjoy complimentary coffee and

doughnuts at the next Coffee Concert with Stuart Malina leading The Florida Orchestra in a program called “Symphony a la Carte.” Vote for works you wish to hear from a selection by Brahms, Dvorak, Pachelbel, Mozart, Grieg and Bizet, among others. The conductor talks to the audience about the music and the composers during the performance, which is Thurs., Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Mahaffey Theater.

At the Raymond James Pops annual holiday concert, The Florida Orchestra teams up with 150 voices of The Master Chorale for such festive carols as Winter Wonderland, Carol of the Bells and Deck the Halls, along with a Chanukah Suite, Twas the Night Before Christmas and more. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik leads three evening concerts on Dec. 12, 13 and 14 in Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater, as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on Sat. in St. Pete.

Concert tickets, holiday gift certificates and the new “Holiday Pops Live!” CD are all available at floridaorchestra.org or by calling 1-800-662-7286.

n Brand New Renovated Building n Large One Bedroom Apartments n 540 Café with Restaurant Style Dining n Pet Friendly n Wellness Center n Outside Covered Dining Patio n Large Entertainment Room with Computers, Internet Access and a Flat Screen TV n 24 Hour Front Desk Staff

n 24 Hour Front Desk Staff n Keyless Entry System n Assigned Parking n Laundry Room n Water, Sewer and Trash Service Included n Maintenance Staff available n Housekeeping Service at nominal cost n Active Resident Council & Activities

Are you 62 years old or mobility impaired on a limited income?

Find your new home at 540 Town Center Rent based on income

Call (727) 823-1575 FLA Relay Service 1-800-955-8771 Let us give you a tour of our wonderful community.

540 Second Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 23

Florida Travel: Winter Festival Day Trips S

tart a new holiday tradition with family and friends at these festivals:

“ICE” at Gaylord Palms, Orlando

Gaylord Palms’ ICE and SNOW Stroll through a wintery wonderland of ice sculptures or go snow tubing.

Family activities and more. Tickets: $15 to $44. Through Jan. 4 at Gaylord Palms Resort, 1-407-586-0000 Holidays At Disney Join Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party from 7 p.m. until midnight on select nights in the Magic Kingdom for treats, parades, fireworks and family fun.

Or see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at dusk at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

On select nights, Epcot will also host is annual Candlelight Processional—a joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

Tickets/info: disneyworld.disney.go.com The Polar Express Experience and Holidays at SeaWorld Jump aboard The Polar Express Experience for a journey to the North Pole and get up close and personal with arctic

wildlife. Through Dec. 31, SeaWorld, Orlando. Tickets $65 and up. One kid free per paid adult. seaworldparks.com Holidays at Busch Gardens Celebrate the spirit of the season with Christmas Town through Dec. 31. Tickets: $95 and up. seaworldparks.com Macy’s Holiday Parade and Grinchmas Enjoy the Macy’s parade daily; the “Grinchmas” live stage show; the all-new Holiday Village and concerts

by Mannheim Steamroller at Universal Studios in Orlando through Jan. 4. $96 and up. universalorlando.com/holidays

Affordable Housing For Senior Citizens

Bok Tower Gardens Enjoy festive events at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales through Jan. 4, including the 20th Anniversary Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate, special carillon concerts, winter garden tours, workshops and more. Lake Wales. Tickets start at $12. boktowergardens.org

Winterville Enjoy Christmas characters, hot cider and cookies, caroling, gifts, crafts and a gingerbread house competition. 12 to 9:30 p.m., Dec. 6 and 7 at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa.

Tickets/info: wintervillefestival.com Snowfest St. Petersburg’s North Straub Park transforms into an oasis of powdery snow with a toboggan slide, a climbing wall, “ice” skating, reindeer races and family activities. Kids can also see Santa in a parade and up close. Dec. 6. stpeteparksrec.org/snowfest.html Tavares Christmas Celebration Dec. 6, 4 to 9:30 p.m. at Wooten Park, Tavares. See Santa arrive by seaplane

For appointment

Call (727) 441-8400 TDD: 727-447-3018 TOTAL INCOME LIMIT One person $20,100 u Two persons $23,000 YOUR MONTHLY RENT IS NO MORE THAN 30% OF YOUR ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME. 1318 Franklin Street u Clearwater, Fla. Office Hrs. Mon.–Fri. 8–12 & 1–4 Closed Saturday & Sunday Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 24

Annual lighted boat parade Dec. 15 at dusk. Free admission/parking. Also enjoy a New Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec. 31 from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Live music, dancing, family fun.

Punta Gorda. fishville.com Lights In Bloom Sip on hot chocolate and munch on tasty treats while strolling through a million botanically-themed holiday lights. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Dec. 19 – 23; 26 – 29 at Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota. selby.org Light It Up Clearwater Beach Enjoy free fireworks at midnight on New Year’s Eve at Clearwater Beach. lightitupclearwater.com Fort Myers Beach New Year’s Eve Party from 1 to 3 p.m. with live music and treats. New Year’s celebration starts at 7 p.m. and culminates with the ball drop and fireworks from the pier. Free. Fort Myers Beach, 1031 Estero Blvd. fortmyers-sanibel.com

ExcitEmEnt

SINGING TELEGRAM

Featuring

Creekside Manor I & II

Holidays at Fishermen’s Village

Add to your HoLIdAy or SPECIAL oCCASIon

With a

are federally subsidized apartments for persons 62 and above.

Special access apartments are also available.

Studio & 1 Bdrm. Apartments.

Rent is based on income.

Located in a quiet Clearwater neighborhood

with fireworks display. Kids activities, entertainment, food vendors, parade on Main Street at 5 p.m. Free. tavares.org

ELViS

For A LImItEd tImE onLy Your Singing Telegram is

Only $75 (REG. $150)

Includes: Four Songs, autographed scarf and your choice of rose or teddy bear (Additional $25 for out of the local area)

GREAT GIFT

For Your Sweetheart, Loved One or Just For Fun! BIrtHdAyS - AnnIVErSArIES WEddInGS - CorPorAtE EVEntS BooK A SHoW For your nEXt oCCASIon or EVEnt!

Call: 727-785-7947 or 727- 455-1237 e-mail: russell.Elvis@yahoo.com website: www.russellelvis.com

Like me on

Word Search December

Word Search

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 November

Gino Pulido is last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: News CoNNeCtioN UsA, iNC. P.o. BoX 638, seFFNeR, FL 33583

Last Month’s Answers

November Sudoku

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on December 19 will win.

Mystery Prize!

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

Mystery Prize!

(Puzzles must be received by December 19, 2014.)

December 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.

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on Dec. 19 will win. Good luck!

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to:

M. A. Tucker is last month’s winner! Congratulations!

NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583 WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES! (Sudoku must be received by December 19, 2014.)

Mystery Prize!

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 25

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 26

Thrifty Meds Now Last Month’s Answers

Stop paying so much for your prescription drugs!

Enter to Win!

Get a free price quote today on any of your medications.

Enter To Win!

This month’s Last Month’s Winner Is David Cartelli winner is Congratulations!

Strength

Viagra

100mg

Congratulations !!!

200 Dose $52

Spiriva

18mcg

30 Dose

0.625mg

100 Tabs

Send your answers for a drawing. First correct answers selected from the drawing on Dec. 19 will receive $20 cash!

Send to: News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583 Personal Health & Fitness Home Improvements Automobiles

Name Address City

Age

Phone

E-mail

$75

N/A

$131

Diovan

300/25mg 28Tabs

$113

$42

$18

Asacol

400mg

100 Tabs

$252

$65

$46

Singulair

10mg

30 Tabs

$21

$80

$27

Celebrex

200mg

100 Tabs

$396

$158

N/A

Atrovent

Travatan Z

12.9gm

0.004% 100mcg

1Ihn 5 ml

100 Tabs

$343 $404

$289 $260

$55

$47

$45

$28 $75

$15

$32

N/A

N/A N/A

N/A

all of the medications we carry are approved by canada’s Health protection Branch (canada’s regulatory body, similar to the united states usda)

Holiday Parades 13

Pinellas Park Holiday Parade.

Starts 6 p.m. at 58th Street and proceeds eastbound on Park Blvd. to The Shoppes at Park Place. 727-547-8050.

13

State Zip

$12

Call us Toll free 1-866-999-7928 www.thriftymedsnow.com

FILL IN ANSWERS & WIN MONEY!

Insurance Elder Law / Financial Housing Options Reverse Mortgages

$17

fill your prescription with our trusted licensed canadian pharmacy today

Last Month’s Answers

I want information on: Travel / Cruises Recreation / Leisure Entertainment / Events

Canada Generic

4 Tabs

Synthroid

US

Albuteral Inh 90mcg

Premarin

Myron L. Guisewite

Size

Sun

Dunedin Holiday Parade and Old Fashioned Christmas. Begins 4 p.m. in downtown Dunedin in front of the library and heads north to Skinner Blvd.

Festival afterwards with carriage and train rides, live music, family activities and snow mountain. Free. 727-812-4530.

13

St. Pete Illuminated Boat Parade. Best viewing along the Vinoy Basin sea wall, Demens Landing and the Pier. 6 p.m. at Vinoy Park, 501 Fifth Ave., NE, St. Petersburg. Free.

727-822-3277. stpeteboatparade.org.

14

St. Pete Holiday Land Parade.

Starts 4 p.m. at McDonald’s, 6855 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Followed by visits with Santa, train rides, carolers, crafts and more. Free. 727-363-9245.

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 27

Seniors Getting Together WOMEN SEEKING MEN

MEN SEEKING WOMEN

4119 – SEEKING CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN Former airline stewardess and model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., widow, slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare.

Fulbright scholar, eats healthy & exercises.

Likes sports and animals. Loves the Lord.

4416 COULD WE BE SOULMATES? R, NS, SD, W, C, F, NDrg, ISO W, C, M, 70’s, NS, SD, NDrg. Enjoy dance, travel, parks, Busch Gardens, church and the beach. Largo area.

4400 SLENDER, HEALTHY, ATTRACTIVE, ACTIVE lady seeks gentleman for friendship, dating, possible romance.

Enjoy dining out, flea markets, concerts, togetherness, various activities. Age open.

4388 LITTLE BLONDE, GREEN EYES F, W, SOH, would like companion. Love animals. I am very fair with people and fun loving. Please write and have a great day. Holiday area.

4415 SLENDER, PETITE REDHEAD, HWP, Army brat, NE PA and KW native. Enjoy cooking, swimming, country music, classic rock, yard sales. FF. ISO M, 58 – 68 YY. Seminole/St. Pete.

4406 ANSWER TO YOUR LONELINESS Youthful Italian SWF, 67YY, SOH, NDrg, 5’2”, eye-catching blue eyes, HWP, size 10, NS, considerate, respectful, likes outdoors, walking, exercise, animals, music (50’s, classic country), sports, dancing, cuddling, togetherness, TLC. ISO healthy, youthful, truthful, country-ish SWM. Zephyrhills area.

4396 MEN SEEKING WOMEN SWM 6’2”, 190 lbs., 60 YO professional RN, active, athletic build, exercise daily, enjoy day trips, concerts, museums, flea markets, fine dining, etc. New to Tampa Bay, described as good looking and classic nice guy. ISO very slender same values/interests.

4411 ELLAN 69 OF PORT RICHEY, you answered my ad but forgot to leave contact number in letter.

Please write to Ad # 4389 again and leave a number to call.

4412 LOOKING FOR COMPANION I am a white, single gentleman. I live in Kings Point, Sun City Center, Florida. 84 YY, 5’8”, SOH, NS, SD. Like dancing, singing, playing cards and golf. Age open.

4413 MEN SEEKING WOMEN Christian Man Seeking Christian Lady. W/NS/ND/NDrg/R/FF/ SOH/WW seeking W/LTR. Lives in New Port Richey.

4391 RWM 73YY Enjoys some traveling, fishing, seashell collecting and relaxing by the pool. ISO WF, close in age, similar interests, cheerful and easygoing for FF. Brandon.

RUN YOUR AD FOR ONLY $6 A MONTH

SENIORS GETTING TOGETHER Personal Ad Placement

Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month prior to placement.

Only $6 to place an ad!

Mark The Edition(s) You Would Like To Run Your Ad In: Hillsborough & Suncoast (Pinellas/Pasco) Lake/Marion Counties Southwest/Charlotte (Fort Myers/Port Charlotte)

Ad Copy • Please Print Neatly • 30 Word Limit Title (First 4 Words):

City (No Charge):

If more room is needed, please use separate sheet. Mail this form along with $6 for each ad per month (add $4 for each additional edition/market in the same month).

We cannot accept your ad without it. This information is confidential.

Name: Address: City: Phone:

State:

Zip:

E-mail:

MAIL TO: ATTN. / SENIORS GETTING TOGETHER, NEWS CONNECTION, USA, INC. • P.O. BOX 638., SEFFNER, FL 33583 Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 28

4421 ATTRACTIVE, IN SHAPE, 57YO Athletic build, good values, good listener, financially secure, conscientious and considerate. I enjoy travel, adventure, sports, movies, music and fun. ISO lady with similar interests.

4422 RWM 5’10’ YOUTHFUL 73 ISO slender lady, any age up to 70, to share enjoyment of art, music and adventure.

Background unimportant, but kindness, warmth and sincerity are. Tampa area.

LOOKING FOR PEOPLE 4414 C, F, S, SEEKING FRIEND for senior adventure. Enjoy short bike trips, exploration, overnight or day trips, short hikes, state parks, outdoors, nature, lunch or whatever.

Have Condo Kings Point. Female/Male OK.

Commonly Used Abbreviations: F-Female, M-Male, S-Single, D-Divorced, WWWidow, A-Asian, B-Black, H-Hispanic, I-Indian, W-White, C-Christian, J-Jewish, YO-Years Old, YY-Years Young, ISO-In Search Of, SOH-Sense Of Humor, SM-Smokes, S-Light Smoker, NS-Non Smoker, ND-Non Drinker, SD-Social (Light) Drinker, DR-Drinks, NDrg- No Drugs, LTR-Long Term Relationship, HWP-Height & Weight Proportional, R-Retired, P-Professional, FF-Friendship First, TLC-Tender Loving Care.

TO PLACE AN AD

Send your ad, stating what category you would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the address listed below.

Make any checks out to News Connection USA, Inc. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue.

No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right to edit any ads for space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City or area included at no charge.

TO RESPOND TO AN AD

Write a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped envelope and write the ad number on the bottom left hand side of the envelope. Place your stamped, numbered envelope(s), along with $2 for each letter enclosed, into another envelope and address it to: News Connection USA, Inc. Seniors Getting Together P.O. Box 638,Seffner, FL 33584

Holiday Humor

Three Stages here are three stages of man: He believes in Santa Claus; he doesn’t believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus.

T

Denominations A woman goes to the post office and asks for 50 Hanukkah stamps.

“What denomination?” asks the clerk.

The woman says, “Six Orthodox, 12 Conservative, and 32 Reform.”

Santa Knows As we were putting out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, I accidentally dropped one. “No problem,” I said, picking it up and dusting it off before placing it back on the plate.

“You can’t do that,” argued my four-year-old.

“Don’t worry. Santa will never know.”

He shot me a look. “So he knows if I’ve been bad or good, but he doesn’t know the cookie fell on the floor?”

The Shopping Criminal It was Christmas and the judge was in a merry mood as he asked the prisoner, “What are you charged with?”

“Doing my Christmas shopping

early,” replied the defendant.

“That’s no offense,” said the judge. “How early were you doing this shopping?”

“Before the store opened.”

Resolutions A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.

Letter To Santa Dear Santa: This year, I’m requesting a fat bank account and a small body.

P.S. Please don’t mix them up, like you did last year!

Puns and More Q: What motorcycle does Santa ride?

A: A Holly Davidson.

Q: How do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas?

A: Fleece Navidad!

Q: What nationality is Santa Claus?

A: North Polish.

Q: If Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus had a child, what would he be called?

A: A subordinate claus.

remember our heroes

pearl harbor

Walgreens now offers the Zostavax vaccine for shingles at all of its locations!

dec. 7 2014

If you’ve ever had Chicken Pox, ask your Walgreens Pharmacist about the Zostavax vaccine recommended for those 50 years and older to help prevent shingles.

Our Pharmacies Offer Services and Programs that Save You Time and Money! Inquire About:

remember our heroes

•

pearl harbor

•

dec. 7

• • •

Our “Go 90” Program - 3 prescription refills in one and for 3 months you’re done!

Our Prescriptions Savings Club - Members get special discounts off the cash price of thousands of brand-name and generic medications as well as numerous other benefits when they use their card throughout the store.

Our Exclusive savings for AARP members Our Prescription “Auto Fill” Program - Automatically refill your prescriptions from your online pharmacy account and pick up your prescriptions at your local pharmacy or have them shipped for free!

Our Durable Medical Equipment - Such As Lift Chairs, Wheelchairs, Walkers and more…

Walgreens accepts most major prescription plans,

Walgreens accepts most major prescription plans, including: including: CVS Caremark, United Healthcare Blue CVS Caremark, United Healthcare, Expressand Scripts, Crossand BlueFlorida ShieldBlue!

Florida!

For the Walgreens Store Nearest You Call

1-800-WALGREENS

(1-800-925-4733) or visit us on-line at: www.walgreens.com

The Lifestyles After 50 Fun Fest In Largo Was A Blast!

Congratulations Walk Winners!

Warming up for the walk...

Playing games!

Everyone came out to the Largo Cultural Center last month for a day full of music and dancing, free bingo and great games, friendly exhibitors, prizes, goodies and more. Check out these pictures, as well as our Fun Walk Winners on the right!

Women 1st: Catherine Thornton, 2nd: Anna Paun, 3rd: Claudia Assini Men 1st: Jack Grim, 2nd: Mick Pawn 3rd: Herb Smithson Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 29

Pinellas 2015 Auditions: January 14, 2015 – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Japanese Garden Mobile Estates 19709 US Highway 19 North Clearwater, FL 33764-1006 Info call: 727-329-2618 Pinellas Show: February 18, 2015 – 7:00 pm Largo Cultural Center 105 Central Park Drive Largo, FL 33779 Tickets: $8 individual/$7.50 groups of 10 or more Info call: 727-587-6751

Hillsborough 2015 Auditions: January 14, 2015 – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Brandon Community Center 502 E Sadie St. Brandon, FL 33510 Info call: 813-684-6400, ext. 32114

Pasco 2015 Auditions: January 23, 2015 – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm CARES Elfers Center 4136 Barker Drive New Port Richey, FL 34652 Info call: 727-326-1255

Hillsborough Show: February 21, 2015 – 3:00 pm Spoto High School 8538 Eagle Palm Drive Riverview, FL 33578 Tickets: $6.00 Info call: 813-635-8179

Pasco Show: February 21, 2015 – 2:00 pm Center for the Arts, River Ridge High School 11646 Town Center Road New Port Richey, FL 34654 Tickets: $6

Participants must be at least 55 years young. Only solo & duet acts, no groups please. Please bring your own instruments and your own tape/cd or accompanist to the audition. A piano will be available. Audition on first-come first-serve basis. No Entry Fee to audition.

Ten Acts will be chosen from the auditions to perform at the show!

For Information call: Pinellas: 727-329-2618 – Susan Juhl and Nicole Woodring, Pasco: 727-326-1255, Vicki Chansler, Hillsborough: 813-436-2296/813-436-2114 – Andrea White and Chrissy Crumpton

A F T E R 50

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 30

BRIDGE BITES

From The American Contract Bridge League

BY BRIAN GUNNELL

A

s can be seen, 6♣ (played from the North side) is down one in a hurry after East’s opening Spade lead. So South sensibly bid 6NT to “right-side” the contract, putting West on lead and protecting the ♠K. Against 6NT, West leads the ♥J. Can you make 12 tricks?

Declarer can count only 11 top tricks and can be sure (from the bidding) that the ♦K and ♠A are both with West.

Does that mean that 6NT is destined to fail? Actually, no, because Declarer can organize an end-play. Declarer wins the

Right-Siding The Contract

opening Heart lead, cashes the other Heart winners and rattles off 7 Clubs.

West’s last three cards will presumably be ♠A and ♦K5, and Declarer will come down to ♠K and ♦AQ. Now, West is thrown in with a Spade and must lead a Diamond, giving Declarer her 12th trick. That pretty ending is known as a Strip Squeeze.

Post Script: West might have thwarted the squeeze by coming down to ♠AQ and ♦K, but an astute Declarer will suspect that West has the ♠Q for his opening bid and will play to drop the ♦K instead of trying the Spade throw-in. A more thoughtful West will bare the ♦K early in his discards, and will also pitch away the ♠Q and ♠J, coming down to the fiendishly devious ♠A6 and ♦K! Nobody would fault Declarer for now assuming that West started life with 5=3=5=0 distribution, and for misguessing the end-game as a result. Wicked defense, Mr West!

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: stpetebridge.org.

dade City Reliance Auto Center ....... 352-567-5281 Brandon Auto Clinic of Brandon ...... 813-654-8686 Xtreme Powersports ......... 813-626-6060 Brooksville Sunrunner Automotive ...... 352-596-2314 Master Auto/Air ................. 352-799-6444 Halo Autosports ................ 352-437-1999 Brooksville Transmission.. 352-796-6544 General Auto Parts ........... 352-796-2522 BUsHnell NAPA Auto Parts .............. 352-568-2073 Clearwater LeSS of Tampa Bay..............727-873-6929 Steve’s Cycle Shop ........... 727-827-2994 M & M Ultrasports ...........727-412-8020 Stouts Auto Service .......... 727-400-6955

Holiday NAPA Auto Parts .............. 727-934-4651 inverness NAPA Auto Parts .............. 352-726-1041 Palm HarBor K & K Custom Cycles........ 727-773-1095 Pinellas Park George’s Performance ..... 727- 521-2206 Port riCHey Napa Auto Parts ............... 727-848-2509 rUskin Thompson’s Auto Parts .... 813-645-3204 st. Pete Park Auto Service ............727-521-2910 Royal edger ......................727-573-1700

Bob Lee’s Tires.................727-822-3981 Complete Auto Parts ........727-895-3821 Miles Automotive ..............727-323-0180 J.C. Automotive ................727-866-0044 St. Pete Power Sports ......727-456-6088 Suncoast Auto & Tire .......727-520-1148 seffner Schembries Auto Serv...... 813-685-5654 sUn City Killingsworth Automotive .. 813-645-7220 tamPa John erb’s ......................... 813-908-3333 Storm Automotive ............. 813-469-0055 Atlantic Automotive ........... 813-936-1510 BNB Automotive ............... 813-416-8711 Franklin Car Care ............. 813-882-4230 Tony’s RamTech................ 813-877-6642 Xtreme Powersports ......... 813-626-6060 Mobile Auto Serv. ............. 813-892-3603

If you or your business would like to get AMSOIL products at Wholesale CALL 941-586-3853

Lifestyles After 50 • December 2014 • page 31