Senior Connection Feb. 2012 Suncoast edition by Lifestyles After 50 Magazine

• Diabetes Aid For Veterans • Everything Old in London is New Again • Hang Up Your Car Keys • Tips For the Heart

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 2

Hey Seniors!

16th

SENIORS

Join us on

February 23, 2012

FREE

ainment Music & Entert ney By Denise Loo t DJ with a Twis

who attend have a chance to Win tickets to the IMAX Theater Dome at MOSI

Doors open inside 9 am – 1 pm PARKING ONLY $2 DAY OF THE EVENT

at Presented by:

4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa Call (813) 653-1988 for more information. William “Duece” Hulett

Back Woods Walk starts at 8:00 am

Free Admission to MOSI exhibit galleries

FREE BINGO

FREE COFFE E

back by popular demand.

FREE Health Screenings ~ FREE Admission to MOSI

Registration February 23, 2012 for Back Woods Walk

Method of Payment: MASTERCARD VISA AMEX Card# Signature Make Checks Payable to: MOSI Foundation, Inc.

Exp. Date

Join Us for...

Walk begins at 8 am and will meet at Main Entance at MOSI

Senior Back Woods Walk 4801 E. Fowler Ave. • Tampa, FL 33617

Phone (

)

Address City/State/Zip Affiliation or Club

rizes &t Great P inmen a t r e t n E

INFORMATION • EDUCATION • ENTERTAINMENT

Early registration from needs to be mailed in by Feb.10th, 2012 or register at 7:30 am on Feb. 23. $8 non-members FREE for Senior MOSI members (member # ) 813-987-6000 for MOSI Membership Day of Walk $12 non-members $8 for Senior MOSI members (member# ) Parking fee included for Registered walkers.

Name

Premiere Sponsor

In Consideration of your acceptance of this entry. I for myself, my heirs, devises, executor, administratora and assigns do hereby hold harmless MOSI Foundation, Inc. or their employees, representatives or successors, for any and all damages or injuries I may incur. I hereby grant permission for the free use of my name and picture in broadcast or account of this event.

16th

You Don’t Have to Walk to Enjoy FREE Event Inside Feb. 23, 2012

Starts outside the MOSI Main Entrance at 8 am. Walk Registration Includes: • Packet Pick-up: 7:30 am • Back Woods Walk T-shirt • Continental breakfast • One IMAX® film voucher for use on event day or in the future* *Vouchers not valid for special engagement films

813-987-6000 presented by Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 3

Meet Me At The Fair Dear Readers,

ebruary is my favorite time of the year! Annual festivals, celebrations and fairs will be taking place all over the state. Kathy Beck, Check your local Publisher calendar for some in your area. Many of these events are free or have a small entrance fee, and they include entertainment, education, fun and food! One of my favorites is the Florida State Fair, which has been held in Tampa since 1904. It has grown over the years, but it still holds that hometown Florida feel with the daily parade that includes high school marching bands, horses, themed floats and clowns. Artisans display their crafts, and Cracker Country’s view back into the pioneer days of Florida is a hands-on education for every age.

Pinellas/Pasco Edition

Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc.

General Manager: Dave Tarantul davet@srmagazine.com

Publisher/Director of Events & Marketing: Kathy J. Beck kathy@srmagazine.com

Editor: Janice Doyle

janice@srmagazine.com

I love to take the grandkids to see the 4-H youth (Ag) show of animals, rabbits, chicken, roosters, llamas and more…and don’t forget the moo-turnity ward and the new born piglets. I’ll never forget the surprised look on my grandson’s face when he tried to help milk a cow! This year the fair will be held from Feb. 9 – 20. The Lee County Fair takes place from Feb. 24 – March 4 and offers the theme of “Where old friends meet and fun begins!” Of course there are smaller events and local celebrations of all kinds thoughout the state. Folks come from all over to

enjoy the annual Strawberry Festival in Plant City, featuring country music stars and, of course, homemade strawberry shortcake. This year the festival will be held from March 1 – 11. Check out our feature story about Brenda Lee, who will perform at the festival on Mar. 6. While our northern friends fight snow and ice, we have the opportunity to get out there and meet new people and enjoy events happening all over the state of Florida. I’ll see you at the Fair! – Kathy J Beck, Publisher

Update from Our Corporate Headquarters T

his publication, which includes Mature Lifestyles magazines in Tennessee, has been a part of News Connection, USA, Inc. since 2005. The following is an announcement of recent developments. News Connection, USA, LLC is based in Nashville with operations in Tennessee and Florida. The company will continue providing magazine-type publications and other services to the 50+ community and recently announced that it has acquired the business operations and assets of four related Florida businesses, each of which provides similar services. The companies acquired are SR Media, Inc., D&D Events, Inc., Web Concepts, Inc., and 50+ Concepts, Inc. News Connection publishes and distributes its papers across seven counties in Middle Tennessee under the brand name Mature Lifestyles. In Florida, ﬁve editions are published in eleven counties along the west coast. The Florida papers are published under two brand names, Mature Lifestyles and Senior Connection,

Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 4

have a 20+ year history and have won numerous awards over the years for content, design and editorial features. In addition to the publications, News Connection conducts events and expos which showcase vendor products and services of interest to the 50+ community. James K. Patterson, President of News Connection, said: “The addition of these Florida businesses provides us with a tremendous opportunity to expand not only our geographic footprint but also our product and service offerings to the 50+ community. The addition of D&D Events will allow us to exponentially grow the expo segment of the business and the addition of Web Concepts and 50+ Concepts provides a quantum leap into the modern day utility of the internet and social media. Through these proprietary, web-based programs we will now be able to offer our advertising clients a lead-based utility to identify and deliver customers to their doorstep no matter where these customers may reside, domestically or abroad.”

David Tarantul, a principal in the acquired business said: “We are very pleased with this acquisition. News Connection is a much larger company with more resources and access to new markets that will enable us to expand the combined business more rapidly.” Tarantul has been employed by News Connection as General Manager of the combined Florida operations. Patterson added: “In most business acquisitions, the most important asset you get is people. We feel like we have struck gold in getting Dave Tarantul and his team to join ours. Kathy Beck, one of the founders of our Florida business, will continue in her role as Publisher but will assume the added duties of Director of Marketing and Events. We now have two veterans and real pros to lead the growth and development of our multiple business segments, freshen our image and consolidate our multiple brands under a new, uniform brand and logo. We expect to roll this out over the next two to three months.”

Accounting: Vicki Willis Production Supervisor Graphic Design: Kim Burrell Production Assistant: Tracie Schmidt Customer Service: 1-888-670-0040 customerservice@srmagazine.com Advertising Sales: Hillsborough/Pinellas 1-888-670-0040 Tampa Bay Area Dena Bingham: (813) 653-1988 Pinellas/Pasco Judy Young: (727) 430-5502 Chuck Bingham: (813) 293-1550 Sun City Center Judy Coleman: (813) 653-1988 Glenn Bornemann: (813) 500-6190 Distribution 1-888-670-0040 Corporate Advertising Ofﬁce: P.O. Box 638 Seffner, Florida 33583-0638

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

News Connection U.S.A. Inc., is also the publisher of

Lee/Collier and Charlotte Counties: Southwest Edition Sarasota/Manatee Counties: Sarasota Edition

Lake/Marion Counties: Lake Edition

888-670-0040

ATTENTION READERS: The articles printed in Senior Connection and Mature Lifestyles do not necessarily reﬂect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. The Senior Connection/ Mature Lifestyles endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Senior Connection/Mature Lifestyles reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for the March 2012 issue is February 15, 2012. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.

Around Town

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 2

uesdays Adult Organ Skate at Astro Skate, 10001 66th St. N., Pinellas Park, 10 a.m. -12:30 p.m., $6 + skate rental. No charge to watch. Call (727) 546-0018 for info.

hrough 26 “Seven Guitars” by American Stage at Raymond James Theatre, 163 3rd St. N., St. Pete. Tickets $29-$47 at (727) 823-7529.

Four Chaplins Memorial Service presented by Charles E. Murray American Legion Post 186 at St Theresa Catholic Church, 1107 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. 3 p.m. White dove release by Don’s Love Doves. (727-856-1571). Refreshments provided. (352) 683-2849. Organic Gardening Classes with Master Gardener Jim Kovaleski at the Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave. 2 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. sessions. Register online by Feb. 8. Free. pinellascountyextension.org or call (727) 582-2109.

9 9

“Social Security Planning for Boomers: What Everyone Needs to Know” seminar at the Oldsmar Library. 6:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended. (727) 799-4723.

College Fine Arts Auditorium, 2465 Drew St., Clearwater. 8 p.m. Tickets $20. Online: TampaBaySymphony.com

“Use of Mechanics” program at Bay Bouquet Garden Club at the Dunedin Library. 11 a.m. (727) 447-7805.

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 presented by The Florida Orchestra at the Mahaffey Theater. Tickets $15 to $45. 19 at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. Phone: (727) 892-3337.

– April 1 Art Classes at Dunedin Fine Art Center. Daytime, evening and weekend classes. Information and registration available at dfac.org. Call (727) 298-DFAC.

“Eleanor Roosevelt: This is My Story” portrayal by Susan Marie Frontczak at Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs. $18. 2 p.m. Call (727) 942-5605.

through March 11 Funny Girl onstage at the Largo Cultural Center. Call the Box Office for info and tickets: (727) 587-6793.

Florida West Coast Orchid Society Sale and Show. Plants and supplies. 9 a.m. to noon. 12350 Ridge Rd. Largo. (727) 475-0750.

2011–2012 SEASON PRESENTED BY HOMES BY HELEN

THE ANTON COPPOLA FOND FAREWELLS CONCERT

Feb. 18 • 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 • 2 p.m. FERGUSON HALL • TICKETS $34.50 - $54.50

An epic musical celebration! All your favorite operas and their grand finales! Join us as opera stars from around the globe gather to perform and honor Maestro Coppola’s 17 years as Opera Tampa’s founding Artistic Director and Conductor! The Opera Tampa Gala immediately follows the Fond Farewells Concert, Saturday, Feb. 18. Gala tickets are separate from concert tickets. Call 813.222.1275 for Gala tickets.

OPERA TAMPA SERIES MEDIA SPONSOR

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Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice.

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Bacchanale by the Bay, Gala fundraiser for St. Pete Opera. 7 p.m., St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Tickets $125. Call (727) 823-2040 for reservations.

Valentine’s Display and Sale of “An Evening with Groucho African Violets at First Lutheran (in the Afternoon)” at Tarpon Church, 1644 Nursery Rd., Clearwater. Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Repotting help, ques- Pine Street, Tarpon Springs. Tickets tions answered, sales. (727) 249-3327. $28, 2 p.m. Info at (727) 942-5605. “Night at the Oscars” presented arch 3 Southeastern Guide by The Sunsation Show Chorus. Dog 3K Walkathon. Vinoy 3 – 5 p.m. Performing Arts Center, Park. Food, walk, silent auction. 4951 78th Ave. North., Pinellas Park. 8:30 a.m. walk registration begins. $15/person. Phone: (727) 595-0815. 10 a.m. walk. Information at guidand 15 “Romantic Obsessions” edogs.org or (941) 729-5665. Winter Concert by The Tampa Send Around Town news to Senior Bay Symphony with guest conductor Connection Magazine, 1602 S. Parsons Mark Sforzini, artistic director/ Ave., Seffner, FL 33584; please fax conductor of St. Petersburg Opera (813) 651-1989. News must be received 14 at The Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. by the 10th of the month prior to event N., St. Pete. 8 p.m. 15 St. Petersburg (i.e. January 10 for February event.)

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America’s Little Miss Dynamite Will Light Up the Strawberry Festival BY JANICE DOYLE AND TRACIE SCHMIDT

Though “I’m Sorry” was not released as a country song, it was among the ﬁrst big hits to use what was to become the Nashville sound—singing with a string orchestra and smooth harmonized background vocals.

he Beatles’ own John Lennon once described Brenda Lee as “the greatest Rock and Roll voice of all.” How did he know? Simple. The Strawberry Festival Beatles toured with Appearance Brenda Lee in Europe We talked with Brenda as her opening band on Lee by phone about her a UK tour in the early show at the Strawberry 1960s. She was already Festival in Plant City a star, but they were a on Tuesday, March 6. then-little-known beat She said, “You’ll hear l of group from Liverpool. just about all of the Country Music Hal e Le Born in 1944, Brenda Fame star, Brenda oldies. Let’s see; ‘I’m Lee’s career started with Sorry,’ ‘Jambalaya,’ her big voice and a catchy song— ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,’ ”Jambalaya”—in 1955. At 4 feet 9 ‘Break It to Me Gently,’ ‘As Usual,’ inches tall, she received the nickname ‘Sweet Nothing’ and some others.” Little Miss Dynamite in 1957 after Now 67, Brenda Lee placed 37 recording the song “Dynamite,” and in songs on the American singles charts 1960 she recorded her signature song during the 1960s. In the 1970s, she ‘“I’m Sorry,” which hit No. 1 on the re-invented herself with country Billboard pop chart. It was her first music, saying, “It’s the honesty that gold single—28 more would follow as appeals to me, people relate to the well as five gold and platinum albums. feelings expressed in country songs.” The little girl from rural Georgia was Later still, Brenda Lee would find one of the earliest pop stars to have a that rock music and its “plain all-out, major contemporary international unadulterated energy” carried her following. along. She found herself with new entertainers who shared “the sheer love of music that we were all inventing at the same time, not knowing what the heck we were $10 adult admission inventing,” she Senior Day: March 1. 60+ years told one writer.

Strawberry Festival Tickets

old/$2 off gate admission. Free Jimmy Sturr Orchestra for listening and dancing, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Brenda Lee concert: 3:30 p.m., March 6. $15 and $20 tickets (in addition to regular gate admission) Phone (813) 754-1996 for tickets.

Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 6

Brenda Lee’s Successes: • On September 23, 1997, Brenda was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She was the first of the baby-boomers and the youngest person to ever be presented this prestigious honor. • She has sold over 100 million records—more records than any other woman in the history of recorded music. • Charted in more categories (including Pop/Rock, Rock, Easy Listening and Country) than any other female in the history of recorded music. • Brenda made a Royal Command Performance before Queen Elizabeth II of England on Nov. 2, 1964. She sang “All the Way.” Married to the same man, Ronnie Shacklett, since 1963, Brenda Lee continues to wow audiences, has appeared on every major TV show ever produced and has traveled the world with her music. We asked the star what has grounded her to stay vital in the music world and not lose her personal focus on family and values. She said, “I had a good mother who taught me a lot about perseverance and discipline, and those are some really great traits to have. I took those to heart, really tried to adhere to them. When you grow up really poor like I did, it will make you one of two ways – either really bitter or really happy to be alive and grateful, and I was one of the latter.” Brenda Lee has always understood audiences, and she knows older audiences appreciate her music for the memories the songs carry for them. But, she added, “An audience is the same the world over. Give them a good show, be glad they’re there and appreciative of them, and they’ll respond back to you.” The Strawberry Festival audience will most likely respond because they’ll know both her and her songs. She said, “I’m still short, I’ve still got big hair, I still look pretty much the same. I’m older though.”

Young people have often discovered Brenda Lee from listening with parents or grandparents. A new generation ﬁrst heard her sing “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in the 1990 movie Home Alone. That original 1958 Christmas song is now the No. 4 all-time Christmas radio hit, and Brenda herself sings it every year wherever her annual live Christmas tours take her. Brenda said we’d hear ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ at the Strawberry Festival. We can also tell you that when she talked about her grandchildren, she said, “My youngest grandson sometimes comes on the road with me and sings ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.’ He’ll be in Plant City, so you never know what you’ll see!” We’ll be welcoming Brenda Lee and she’s looking forward to coming to Plant City and said, “I look forward to being there and putting on a great performance, and seeing and saying hello to folks.” Brenda Lee truly is one of America’s living legends. Go to the Strawberry Festival and let her touch your memory bank and your emotions with her warm personality and high-spirited voice. You won’t regret it.

Matinee Moments BY JUNE HURLEY YOUNG

t’s a great month to find matinees in the area. H is for Hollywood, Hilarity and the Hottest matinee of the month at the Asolo Theatre production of Once in a Lifetime. The play runs through Feb. 29. It’s a spoof of the helter-skelter entertainment industry as it transitioned from silent movies to talkies. The production includes black and white minutes with Al Jolson and Bing Crosby. Call the Asolo in Sarasota at 1-800-361-8388 for reservations.

A second matinee must this month is the comedy routine of “Vicki Lawrence and Mama” for a 2 p.m.

Get your advance tickets today! • www.flstrawberryfestival.com MAR. 1 - MAR. 11, 2012 - PLANT CITY, FLORIDA

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

s e i r o m e M t e e w S g n i Grow

matinee Feb. 19 at Ruth Eckerd Hall. How I remember the skits from the Carol Burnett Show and watching Mama Harper and her dysfunctional family. Tickets start at $39. REBA

Two other Ruth Eckerd Hall matinees are the Feb. 24 concert by Debbie Boone and the Feb. 29 Irish Rovers performance. For tickets and information, call Ruth Eckerd Hall at (727) 791-7400.

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 7

For the Love of Children—Still Teaching at Age 84

Fatima believes in freedom of expression, and she encourages children lose your eyes,” Fatima Talto ask questions. She had her own bird says to her class of four school in Freeport, Long and five year olds. “Think of someIsland, where she grew thing beautiful. Really see it. See the up. It was called Kuumba colors, the shapes, the sizes. Now look House. Kuumba is the around the room. Find something you Swahili word for creativity. want to touch and go and touch it.” Fatima’s mother, who Fatima Talbird teaches at could barely read and write, Fatima Talbird (center) teaches her class. held a large book on her Sugar N’ Spice Learning Center of Clearwater. She is 84 years old. currently learning Spanish and French lap every Sunday as she Her approach to teaching is eclectic. told Bible stories. Fatima to better serve the cultural makeup She takes inspiration from many began teaching 78 years ago when of her students at Sugar N’ Spice. sources. A McGuffey Reader sits she herself was just a child. What “I love children,” she says. “Like on her desk. She writes her own she learned in school, she taught to sponges, they soak up what you give phonics lessons (a method of teaching them. I want them to be happy and her brother who was crippled with reading by sounds) and her class polio as well to her sister, always experience the joy of learning. I don’t can read simple sentences. She knowing she would be a teacher. believe there is any child you can’t uses Chisanbop, a Korean method Fatima’s heritage in slavery includes teach and bring out what is in them. of using one’s fingers to do basic a grandmother from Senegal and a I try to help them find their way.” arithmetic and counting from 0 to 99. Ghanian chieftain grandfather from She teaches character traits such Algebricks uses multicolor rods of Ghana. They were first slaves in South as sharing and caring. Her class varying length so children can “see” Carolina before moving to Long made cookies and sold them to and “feel” addition, subtraction, Island, New York where Fatima was parents. Money from the sales multiplication and division. She is born in 1928, one year before the went to an orphanage in Haiti.

BY ELYSE VAN BREEMEN

“C

Affordable Housing For Senior Citizens

Great Depression. She knew she had to do something for her people and the world, and she chose teaching. Evelyn Hoy, owner and director of Sugar N’ Spice, chose Fatima because she had the experience and ability to recognize, utilize and produce “teachable moments.” Hoy says, “Children only learn when they are interested and they learn in different ways. Fatima has various approaches that fit right in with our philosophy. We too are eclectic, and we aim to do what is best for each individual child.” How does Fatima manage to teach young children at age 84? “I tried retiring,” she says. “Next thing I knew I was volunteering. Then someone recommended me to Sugar N’ Spice and that was it. I don’t tire. I love to play and I play a lot. I take from children their positive energy and absorb it so I can deal with them and bring out in them who they are supposed to be.”

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Today’s Improved Vinyl Siding Is a Natural Choice for Home Improvement

aybe you’ve been thinking your house needs new siding, but you realize it’s a sizeable investment. There are several factors to consider when you are looking at buying new siding, including how it will make your home look, how it will perform and how much it will cost. Today’s vinyl siding gives the homeowner many options in appearances while fulfilling the need to save money and keep you more comfortable. Even if you always lived in houses made of wood or brick, vinyl is the number one siding in home building today. And, if your budget allows it, the best choice is vinyl that’s fused with foam. Not only do you get an air and moisture infiltration barrier, but you also get a thermal break that stops heat transmission. Moreover, boards can be installed straighter, so walls look better.

The New Siding From its beginnings in 1957 until recently, vinyl siding didn’t really look like wood and was vulnerable to “impact damage” from hail, baseballs, golf balls, etc. Today’s siding has a foam core which increases impact resistance by 300 percent. What happens fifteen years after installation? It will look very much like it does the day of installation. Traditional vinyl siding had an R-value (measurement of resistance to heat loss or heat gain—the higher the value, the more energy you save) of less than 1.0. New foam-core vinyl siding has an R-value of as much as 4.0. In fact, some brands are so energy efficient, they carry the Energy Star label.

Because the siding interlocks, it creates a barrier which slows air infiltration and serves as a sound deadening material.

Environmental Impact Described by developers as “green building,” insulated siding may be used by homeowners to make homes more environmentally friendly in these ways: • Reduces energy consumption. • Breathes, allowing water vapor to escape to help prevent rot, mold and mildew and help maintain healthy indoor air quality. Some products also include an organic, non-toxic termite and insect repellant. • Reduces heating and cooling costs year round. A New Look Vinyl siding choices in color give homeowners the ability to either blend into the neighborhood or stand out and give a unique look—“If you can dream it, you can do it.” For curb appeal, consider that the siding’s contoured insulation strengthens the vinyl providing straighter lines, tighter seams and a better appearance whether close up or from the curb. Lifestyle Impact Forget the scraping and painting of younger years! With today’s vinyl siding, maintenance is pretty much a thing of the past. You can also look for more comfortable indoor temperatures without higher utility bills. And if it’s time to move, your home resale preparation cost and time is reduced because of low maintenance.

Next month: Cost factors in vinyl siding. Information from vinylsiding.org and Askthebuilder.com.

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Top 10 Movies Guaranteed to Inspire You to Better Heart Health

here comes a point in everybody’s life where a gentle push is all that’s needed to help get us back on track. Movies are one of the most powerful art forms that frequently inspire us to be better and to do better. If you’re needing a swift kick in the posterior and are looking for that inspiration on the silver screen, look no further than the following cinematic works of art: 1. Rocky Balboa. At a spry 60, Sylvester Stallone was no spring chicken when he decided to revive the main character of his Rocky movies for one last go. This inspiring tour de force that shows us that heart and determination can overcome the limitations of age. 2. Pumping Iron. Bodybuilding was a fringe sport when this documentary came out in 1977, but afterwards, the sport exploded in popularity. If you’re

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looking motivation to pick up those dumbbells and pack on a few pounds of muscle, this is the movie to watch. 3. Harold and Maude. This classic, often overlooked gem is evidence that you don’t have to work your muscles to the bone to lead a rich, fulfilling life as a senior. Ruth Gordon’s performance as the octogenarian Maude shows that finding adventure at a ripe old age is simply a matter of having the nerve to look for it. 4. Space Cowboys. There’s nothing quite like a troupe of “old timers” showing the younger generation how it’s done to emphasize the virtues of experience over physical ability. Starring the fit-as-a-fiddle Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner. Continued on pg. 25...

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For adults with Dupuytren’s contracture when a cord can be felt, a nonsurgical alternative is at hand.

Your hand is an important tool. If you have Dupuytren’s contracture, prescription XIAFLEX® may be able to help.

Co-pay Program

For more information,

call1-877- XIAFLEX or visit XIAFLEX.com To sign up for additional information and updates, register online at XIAFLEX.com XIAFLEX® (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with Dupuytren’s contracture when a “cord” can be felt. Over time, the thickening of this cord in your hand can cause one or more fingers to bend toward your palm, so that you cannot straighten them. XIAFLEX® helps to break down the cord that is causing the finger to be bent. XIAFLEX® should be injected into the cord by a healthcare provider who is experienced in injection procedures of the hand and treating people with Dupuytren’s contracture. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION XIAFLEX® can cause serious side effects, including: • Tendon or ligament damage. Receiving an injection of XIAFLEX® may cause damage to a tendon or ligament in your hand and cause it to break or weaken. This could require surgery to fix the damaged tendon or ligament. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble bending your injected finger (towards the wrist) after the swelling goes down or you have problems using your treated hand after your follow-up visit.

• Nerve injury or other serious injury of the hand. Call your healthcare provider if you get numbness, tingling, or increased pain in your treated finger or hand after your injection or after your follow-up visit. • Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can happen in people who have received an injection of XIAFLEX® because it contains foreign proteins. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction after an injection of XIAFLEX®: hives; swollen face; breathing trouble; or chest pain. Before receiving XIAFLEX®, tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to a previous XIAFLEX® injection, or have a bleeding problem or any other medical conditions. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Be sure to tell them if you use blood thinners such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix®), prasugrel hydrochloride (Effient®), or warfarin sodium (Coumadin®).

Common side effects with XIAFLEX® include: swelling of the injection site or the hand, bleeding or bruising at the injection site; and pain or tenderness of the injection site or the hand, swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the elbow or underarm, itching, breaks in the skin, redness or warmth of the skin, and pain in the underarm. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see Brief Summary of the Full Prescribing Information on adjacent page. XIAFLEX® is a registered trademark of Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Plavix® is a registered trademark of Sanofi Aventis/Bristol-Myers Squibb. Effient® is a registered trademark of Daiichi-Sankyo/Eli Lilly and Company. Coumadin® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb. © 2011 Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All rights reserved. 0112-064.a

Within reach

Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 11

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Important Product Information XIAFLEX® (Zï a flex) (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) What is the most important information I should know about XIAFLEX? XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects, including: • Tendon or ligament damage. Receiving an injection of XIAFLEX may cause damage to a tendon or ligament in your hand and cause it to break or weaken. This could require surgery to fix the damaged tendon or ligament. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble bending your injected finger (towards the wrist) after the swelling goes down or you have problems using your treated hand after your follow-up visit. • Nerve injury or other serious injury of the hand. Call your healthcare provider if you get numbness, tingling, or increased pain in your treated finger or hand after your injection or after your follow-up visit. • Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions can happen in people who take XIAFLEX because it contains foreign proteins.

• hives • swollen face • breathing trouble • chest pain What is XIAFLEX? XIAFLEX is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with Dupuytren’s contracture when a “cord” can be felt. In people with Dupuytren’s contracture, there is thickening of the skin and tissue in the palm of your hand that is not normal. Overtime, this thickened tissue can form a cord in your palm. This causes one or more of your ﬁngers to bend toward the palm, so you cannot straighten them. XIAFLEX should be injected into a cord by a healthcare provider who is skilled in injection procedures of the hand and treating people with Dupuytren’s contracture. The proteins in XIAFLEX help to “break” the cord of tissue that is causing the ﬁnger to be bent. It is not known if XIAFLEX is safe and effective in children under the age of 18. What should I tell my healthcare provider before starting treatment with XIAFLEX? XIAFLEX may not be right for you. Before receiving XIAFLEX, tell your healthcare provider if you:

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 12

What are the possible side effects of XIAFLEX? XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about XIAFLEX?”. Common side effects with XIAFLEX include: • swelling of the injection site or the hand • bleeding or bruising at the injection site • pain or tenderness of the injection site or the hand • swelling of the lymphnodes (glands) in the elbow or underarm • itching • breaks in the skin • redness or warmth of the skin • pain in the underarm These are not all of the possible side effects with XIAFLEX. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. General information about XIAFLEX Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed here. This is a summary of the most important information about XIAFLEX. If you would like more information, talk to your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider for information about XIAFLEX that is written for health professionals.

T:9.8125 in

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction after an injection of XIAFLEX:

• have had an allergic reaction to a previous XIAFLEX injection. • have a bleeding problem. • have any other medical conditions. • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XIAFLEX will harm your unborn baby. • are breastfeeding. It is not known if XIAFLEX passes into your breast-milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive XIAFLEX. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you use: a blood thinner medicine such as aspirin, clopidogrel (PLAVIX®), prasugrel hydrochloride (EFFIENT®), or warfarin sodium (COUMADIN®). If you are told to stop taking a blood thinner before your XIAFLEX injection, your healthcare provider should tell you when to restart the blood thinner. How will I receive XIAFLEX? Your healthcare provider will inject XIAFLEX into the cord that is causing your finger to bend. After an injection of XIAFLEX, your affected hand will be wrapped with a bandage. You should limit moving and using the treated finger after the injection. Do not bend or straighten the fingers of the injected hand until your healthcare provider says it is okay. This will help prevent the medicine from leaking out of the cord. Do not try to straighten the treated finger yourself. Keep the injected hand elevated until bedtime. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have: • signs of infection after your injection, such as fever, chills, increased redness, or swelling • numbness or tingling in the treated finger • trouble bending the injected finger after the swelling goes down Return to your healthcare provider’s office as directed on the day after your injection. During this first follow-up visit, if you still have the cord, your healthcare provider may try to extend the treated finger to “break” the cord and try to straighten your finger. Your healthcare provider will provide you with a splint to wear on the treated finger. Wear the splint as instructed by your healthcare provider at bedtime to keep your finger straight. Do finger exercises each day, as instructed by your healthcare provider. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about when you can start doing your normal activities with the injected hand.

1/25/12 8:18 PM

Older Americans Want to be Like Betty White P

eople chose Betty White as the notable personality over the age of 60 that they most want to be like in retirement— because she knows how to laugh. Betty beats out Jimmy Carter, Martha Stewart, Helen Mirren, Steven Tyler, Jack Welch and George Foreman, according to those who responded to a new survey gauging attitudes, opinions, reflections and projections of people who are within 10 years of retiring versus those who have retired within the last 10 years. Here are some of the survey results: • The retirement experience may be better than expected. • Remaining healthy in retirement is top-of-mind.

• Most often, it’s a milestone birthday that triggers serious financial planning. • Retirees are willing to give up some “extras” to make ends meet (moving to a more modest home or driving a less-expensive car is easier for them than to give up dining out, entertainment and recreation, however). • If they could change one aspect of retirement, retirees say they would have saved more money or been better prepared financially. • When asked how long they would like to live, most said “as long as I am healthy.”

• When asked what song they’d use to describe the retirement they have, or the one they hope to have, the song most often chosen was (I Did It) “My Way.”

For more information, visit TheHartford.com/retirementstudy.

Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 13

Come Discover One of Florida’s Premier Age 50 & Up Independent/ Active Apartment Community Homes.

‘Tis the Month for Thoughts of Love I claim there ain’t Another Saint As great as Valentine. ~Ogden Nash

Trip over love, you can get up. Fall in love and you fall forever. ~Author Unknown

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ebruary and time to think about love—maybe serious, maybe funny. Enjoy!

I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Author Unknown Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end. ~Author Unknown If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? ~Author Unknown

Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker. ~Author Unknown Without love, what are we worth? Eighty-nine cents! Eighty-nine cents worth of chemicals walking around lonely. ~M*A*S*H, Hawkeye

We loved with a love that was more than love. ~Edgar Allan Poe Love is the magician that pulls man out of his own hat. ~Ben Hecht

Love is much nicer to be in than an automobile accident, a tight girdle, a higher tax bracket or a holding pattern over Philadelphia. ~Judith Viorst, Redbook, 1975 Love me and the world is mine. ~David Reed

Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired. ~Robert Frost Love is the poetry of the senses. ~Honoré de Balzac

Come live in my heart and pay no rent. ~Samuel Lover

True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked. ~Erich Segal

February at the Palladium

rom the Broadway Cabaret Series to chamber music series, and from Boogie Woogie to the Side Door Cabaret, the Palladium is the place to be.

8 Florida Orchestra Wind Quintet with Teddy Abrams.

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 14

We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love. ~Robert Fulghum, True Love

Door Celtic.”

kovsky and Rachmaninoff, Classical Piano.”

11 “Can’t Help Falling in Love – Memories of Elvis.”

14 “Romantic Obsessions,”

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18 An Evening with Noel Paul

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Nostalgia and Emotional Well-Being

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esearch has shown that nostalgia can be a very positive emotion and is even linked to higher self-esteem. Why is that? Krystine Batcho, Ph.D., a nostalgia expert says that nostalgia can be associated with a number of psychological benefits. For seniors, nostalgic reminiscence helps maintain a sense of continuity despite the constant flow of change over time. We see how rich our lives have been—how much joy, hard work, success and excitement we have experienced. During difficult times,

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attention to our past can strengthen us by reminding us of how we survived challenges, loss, injury, failure or misfortune in the past. When we are sad or discouraged, it can be uplifting to remember that we are still the person who had been happy, strong and productive at times in our past. Our sense of who we are is closely related to how we see ourselves in relation to others. Research has shown that nostalgia can strengthen a sense of social connectedness by helping us appreciate what we have meant to others as well as what others have meant to us. Nostalgia can help a person cope with loneliness by enhancing the sense of social support that comes from knowing that each of us is someone’s daughter or son, mother or father, sister or brother. Nostalgic memories can help someone who is mourning the death of a family member by reminding us that the bonds we share with those we love survive physical separation. (Newswise)

THE KEY TO BECOMING A GREAT CAREGIVER IS EDUCATION Thursday, February 9th

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. “Ask the Doctor about Vascular Dementia” Presented by: Michael Schoenberg, Ph.D., A.B.P.P.-C.N. Learn about: • Background information and risk factors • Signs and symptoms • Treatment options 9300 Antilles Drive • Seminole, FL 33776

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3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. “The Real Cost of Caregiving” Presented by: Candy Goodwin, CLTC Certified Long-Term Care Consultant Registered Representative, Vernick Financial Planning Learn about: • The hidden costs of caregiving • Possible projected costs of caregiving as dementia progresses • How you can prepare for the costs of caregiving • Resources to help defray the cost of caregiving

To RSVP for this event, call 727-517-7800. 300 Highland Avenue NE • Largo, FL 33770

To RSVP for this event, call 727-559-8411. Make your reservations today. Adult day care will be provided at all events by qualified staff. Please ask for this service when making your reservation. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 16 6620_FLClust_10x4.8056_1.indd 1

Thursday, February 23rd

1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Seminar “Decisions and Dilemmas Faced by Alzheimer’s Family Caregivers” Presented by: Eileen Poiley, MS, Director of Education University of South Florida Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute Learn practical information and strategies for dealing with difficult questions, problems and issues faced by caregivers such as: • Do I tell him that he has Alzheimer’s? • Can I leave her home alone? • Do I keep correcting him so he knows the truth? • Should I let him drive? • How do I know if I should place him in a facility? 2895 Tampa Road • Palm Harbor, FL 34684

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10 Tell-Tale Signs Your Aging Parents Can’t Live Alone with quickly and easily when younger, but that are now falling by the wayside, are signs that your older parent could be getting overwhelmed and not able to manage daily affairs.

BY CAROLYN BRENT

ith an estimated 13 million baby boomers throughout the U.S. caring for elderly parents, throngs of adult caregivers struggle with determining if their parent is fit to remain living alone. Here are 10 tell-tale signs that can give you peace of mind making this all-important decision:

3. The checking account balance is wrong and bills are going unpaid: You may also discover amongst mail issues that your parent’s checking account ledger balance is wrong or in arrears. These are also signs that your parent is having memory issues or difficulty with simple math cognition.

1. Mom or Dad has always been a great housekeeper, but the house just doesn’t look like it used to: Ask your parent if help is needed with the clutter, but do it in a nonchalant way that could prompt a conversation indicating assistance is needed here.

4. Your parent is losing a lot of weight: A parent who may have lost their partner or who is generally depressed often loses interest in eating due to a reduced appetite.

2. The bills and other mail are piling up: Basic tasks that were often dealt

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5. They have forgotten the basics of hygiene: If you notice that your parents are wearing the same clothing day in and day out or that their hair or skin appears dirty on a fairly regular basis, they may have lost the motivation, ability and/or forethought to look after themselves.

6. They appear in inappropriate clothing: There is cause for concern if your parent dons summer clothing in the dead of winter or leaves the house in a nightgown and slippers. 7. There are signs of forgetfulness in the home: All too often there are stories of older people who accidentally burned their houses down or have flooded the home due to forgetting.

8. Your parent regularly misses appointments and other important items: Forgetfulness, absentmindedness and memory issues may also show up when it comes to keeping certain appointments, recognizing key dates or taking meds. 9. They are just acting plain weird: If you see signs of paranoia, fear, strange phone calls and conversations and nervousness, these should not be overlooked.

10. They exhibit signs of depression: A loss of interest in caring for oneself as well as a lack of participation in socialization and in once-loved hobbies can mean that your parent needs treatment or should reside in an environment where they can be around other people. Carolyn A. Brent is the author of Why Wait? The Baby Boomers’ Guide to Preparing Emotionally, Financially & Legally for a Parents’ Death. She may be reached at CareGiverStory.com.

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Admission Qualifications • At least one person 62 or older • Or disabled under 62 Must be capable of caring for your apartment.

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Non-Profit housing for the elderly. • Close to beaches • Grocery store within walking distance • On the busline • Close to medical facilities Visit: http://prospect.presidioproperty.com • On Site Wellness Center • Heat lamps and grab bars in tubs and showers • Maintenance work orders completed within 24 to 48 hours • Lighted parking on site • Exterior windows open for fresh air • Small pets welcome (15 lbs. limit) • Subsidized TV cable.

Veterans Corner

Vietnam Veterans and the Diabetes Mellitis Connection

eterans who develop type 2 diabetes mellitus and were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service do not have to prove a connection between their disease and military service to be eligible to receive VA disability compensation and health care benefits. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body’s ability to use blood sugar for energy. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the body does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells ignore the insulin. Signs and symptoms of diabetes type 2 (untreated) are: blurry vision, excessive thirst, fatigue, hunger, frequent urination and weight loss.

Some questions and answers: 1. What veterans will be affected when this condition is added as a presumptive condition for those exposed to herbicides/dioxins? Honorably discharged veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period January 9, 1962 through May 7, 1975 and have “adult onset diabetes mellitus” will be affected. This does not include veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam before January 9, 1962. 2. What does “presumptive condition” mean? Normally, the claimant must show proof of relationship between service and the condition being claimed. Under presumption of service connection, VA presumes the service-connected relationship exists based on the other qualifying criteria, such as dates and location of service and that the condition being claimed, in this case, is associated with exposure to Agent Orange.

3. Must I have served “in-country” Vietnam to be eligible? To have presumptive service connection granted for diabetes mellitus-based on Vietnam service, the claimant must have served in-country. 4. What does “in-country” mean? What if I served in support of operations in Vietnam, for example, on board a ship in the Gulf of Tonkin? During the period 1/9/62 through 5/7/75, you must have physically served or visited in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN), including service in the waters offshore if the conditions of service involved duty or visitation in Vietnam. This means the ship must have come to port in the RVN and you disembarked.

Did you know?

You can move into Grand Villa Senior Living from your current assisted living community without interrupting your Veteran, Diversion or Private Pay Benefits. Call 727-493-2723 to learn how.

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5. I applied for service-connection for my diabetes and was denied. The condition was, however, rated as non-service connected. Will I need to reapply for service connection? Vietnam veterans who were previously denied service connection for diabetes should reapply by contacting his or her local VA office at 1-800-827-1000 or by email through the VA webpage. 6. If I am already service connected for diabetes, will I be eligible for medical treatment? Even if you decide not to file a claim based on exposure to herbicide, you can still get a free physical examination at the nearest VA Medial Center. You may also be entitled to free ongoing medical treatment at a VA medical facility. You should contact the nearest VA medical facility or you can obtain information and an application for health benefits at the Veterans Health Administration website at va.gov/vbs/health/index. htm or by calling 1-877-222-8387. Info from the Department of Veterans Affairs website: publichealth.va.gov. Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 19

Medicare Answers

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Welcome to The Springs at Boca Ciega Bay, located in beautiful South Pasadena on the campus of The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay. We’re not your typical skilled nursing facility. We are a 109 bed Medicare certified Rehab Center offering a variety of health care services: • Skilled Nursing • Wound Care • Social Services • Full scale beauty salon • Individualized activities • State-of-the-art Rehab. We offer Customized Rehab programs 7 days a week both in-patient and out-patient including Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy. We specialize in:

SNPs provide Medicare-covered health care and services that are designed to meet the special needs of people in the groups they Dear Wind, serve. In your case, you Yes, there are Medicare Advantage would choose a SNP (MA) plans called Special Needs that is designed for individuals with Plans (SNPs). A SNP is a Medicare COPD. Be sure to call the plan and Advantage plan (private health ask about the additional services plan) that exclusively serves at they will provide to help you manage least one of the following groups: your condition. You should also • People who live in a nursing home or compare the costs of the SNP plan Intermediate Care Facility for the Men- to your Original Medicare costs to see what works best for you. tally Retarded (either specific nursing SNPs must include drug coverage homes or those in a certain area) and people who live in the community but (Medicare Part D) as part of their benefits packages. —Marci require an institutional level of care. ear Marci, I was recently diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Are there any plans that can help with my specific needs? —Wind

• People who have both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles).

• People who have a specific chronic, severe or disabling condition defined by the plan (such as diabetes or heart disease).

• Orthopedic • Stroke/Neuro • Cardiac programs by utilizing state-of-the-art equipment including Anodyne therapy and Natilus equipment, just to name a few.

How come some folks in nursing homes pay almost nothing? What do they know that you don't?

We make admissions easy! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our experienced and licensed Nurse Liaison, will meet you at hospital bedside or in your home. If you have a surgery planned, why not come in for a tour and take the mystery out of the admission process. Call (727) 599-1390.

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 20

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

Call 727.322.6400 3663 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL 33713

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Tips for Saving Money on Health Care

ngel Garcia, M.D. offers these simple ways patients can save money and ensure their money is well spent:

• For minor illnesses, try over-the-counter medications: Some illnesses might be resolved with non-prescription drugs. Caution: If symptoms aren’t resolved in three to five days, or if they go away but keep returning, you must see a doctor. • Talk to your doctor—if you can’t, change doctors: It doesn’t matter whether your physician is nationally renowned or a Harvard graduate; if he or she doesn’t have time to listen to you, or doesn’t seem interested, find a new doctor. Ask friends for references but be sure to ask whether they’re happy with their doctor’s bedside manner. “Arrogant but good” is not what you want.

• Be prepared so you get the most out of your visit: The doctor will want to know your chief complaint: when the problem began, how it progressed, what makes it better or worse and any associated symptoms, such as fever. He or she will also need to know what medications you are taking by drug name, dosage, how it’s administered, and frequency. Make a list and keep this information in your wallet.

• Don’t skip the follow-up visit: When a patient sees a doctor for a medical complaint, a follow-up visit usually is scheduled. The follow-up is worth the money to ensure the problem is resolved and no abnormalities remain.

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What Happens When You Hang Up Your Car Keys?

riving off into the sunset—many older drivers have no plan in place after they hang up their car keys. Florida is home to one of the highest percentages of residents ages 65 and older in the United States, but very few of them have thought ahead to a time when they will no longer be able to drive a vehicle safely or considered how they will get around without a car, according to a new survey developed by Florida State University and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Retirement Living In fact, 13 percent of survey respondents indicated they would not stop driving at all, with three percent expressing the opinion that they would die before they would stop driving. The findings reflect a serious issue in Florida—and across the nation—that older drivers are at a disproportionate risk for being involved in a fatal vehicular crash, according to John Reynolds, director of the university’s Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy. To address the problem, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) awarded the Pepper Institute grants totaling $475,000 to assist it in establishing and implementing a statewide coalition to create a statewide Aging Road User Strategic Safety Plan.

Many aging road users see no alternatives to driving in their communities. When asked about ways they get around besides driving a car, riding with family or friends or walking were options, and 15 percent said there was no other way to get around other than driving. Responses revealed that overall, older drivers consider roads in the state to be fairly safe. “Though many aging drivers in Florida view our roads as very or somewhat safe, we found a lot of concern about the other drivers who are on them,” Reynolds said. “People responding

Recent findings: Most older drivers don’t plan for a future day when they may be unable to drive safely. Eighty-three percent of survey respondents ages 65 and older, and 92 percent of 50- to 64-year-olds, reported that they have no “transportation retirement plan.” When asked to describe how they might transition from driving in the future, many indicated they would rely on family, friends or neighbors, but many more replied that they did not know or had not ever thought about it. Very few stated that they planned to use a community driver program or paratransit service such as Dial-A-Ride. Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 22

to the survey voiced frustration, and sometimes anger, at other drivers who are talking on their phones, texting or are otherwise being careless while they drive. This concern is being heard all around the country.” Residents ages 65 and older make up almost 18 percent of the Sunshine State’s population. In 2008, 447 older adults were killed in automobile crashes on Florida

roads, making up about 15 percent of all crash fatalities in the state. “There are so many groups and agencies throughout the state that are committed to making our roads and communities safer for older adults,” Reynolds said. “The coalition brings these groups together to work as a team on the objectives and goals identified in the strategic safety plan.” (Newswise)

Personalized Computer Training In the Security of your Home

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heck out this calendar of events at Barrington Terrace Assisted Living & Memory Care Community:

– Free Presentation: “Rehab Options Following A Stroke” at 2 p.m. Rehabilation Hospital / Skilled Health Center / Outpatient Therapy.

– Free Caregiver Support Group at 10 a.m.

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The Healthy Geezer

The donor’s body replenishes the fluid lost from donation in about 24 hours. The red blood cells that . I’m a geezer planning to have surgery in a few months. are lost are generally replaced in a few weeks. Whole blood can be I was wondering if I can I donate donated once every eight weeks. blood to myself in advance? What is the most common blood type? A: Yes you can. This is called The approximate distribution of “autologous” blood donation. It’s done blood types in the U.S. population in the weeks before non-emergency is as follows. Distribution may be surgery. The blood is stored until different for specific racial and the operation. Autologous donation ethnic groups: is most often employed in surgery O Rh-positive – 38 percent on bones, blood vessels, the urinary tract and the heart, when the likeliO Rh-negative – 7 percent hood of transfusion is high. A Rh-positive – 34 percent This form of blood donation A Rh-negative – 6 percent is good for the patient, but it’s B Rh-positive – 9 percent beneficial to society, too. People over the age of 69 require B Rh-negative – 2 percent half of all whole blood and red blood AB Rh-positive – 3 percent cells transfused, according to the National Blood Data Resource Center AB Rh-negative – 1 percent In an emergency, anyone can (NBDRC). Giving blood to yourself receive type O red blood cells, and cuts down on the demand for blood. Typically, each donated unit of blood, type AB individuals can receive referred to as whole blood, is separated red blood cells of any ABO type. Therefore, people with type O blood into multiple components, such as are known as “universal donors,” red blood cells, plasma, platelets and and those with type AB blood are antihemophilic factor, for transfusion known as “universal recipients.” to individuals with different needs. With an aging population and If you would like to read more advances in medical treatments columns, you can order a copy of requiring blood transfusions, the “How to be a Healthy Geezer” demand for blood is increasing. On at healthygeezer.com. All Rights any given day, an average of 38,000 Reserved © 2011 by Fred Cicetti. units of red blood cells are needed. Volunteers donate almost all the blood transfused in the United States. Using current screening and donation procedures, a growing number of blood banks have found blood donation by seniors to be safe and practical; if you’re a geezer, you probably can help the cause. To be eligible to donate blood, a person must be in good health. In general, donors must weigh at least 110 pounds. Most blood banks have no upper age limit. Donors are screened for AIDS, hepatitis, other diseases and other possible problems. Adult males have about 12 pints of blood in their circulation and adult females have about nine pints. BY FRED CICETTI

Often sip liquids? Hard to swallow dry foods? Aging, medications, and medical conditions can cause a decrease in saliva resulting in a persistently dry mouth. A Hill Top Research study seeks adults

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Artificial Sweeteners vs. Sugar I s switching from sugar to artificial sweeteners a good trade? Most people consume artificial sweeteners to help them lose weight, but research raises concerns that artificial sweeteners actually promote weight gain. These sugar substitutes are extremely sweet, according to Harvard Health Letter. They may desensitize people to sweetness. As a result, nutritious, filling foods

that aren’t as sweet—such as fruits and vegetables—may lose their appeal. Calories that were subtracted from the diet in the sweetener-for-sugar swap may sneak back in, in the form of refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. New studies are also looking at whether artificial sweeteners could cause weight gain by directly stimulating the development of new fat cells.

Don’t Worry—Be Happy W

orrying is one behavior shared by just about everybody. Yet we all know that worrying never landed a job, got a project done or solved a personal problem. The following is timeless, practical advice on handling problems in a high pressure world.

Rely on a productive problem solving approach by asking these four simple questions:

a. What is the problem? b. What is the cause of the problem? c. What are all possible solutions to the problem? d. What is the best solution? Information from dalecarnegie.com. Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 23

Change Your Life by Changing Your Shoes Remember walks on the beach, shopping with friends, dancing with your spouse? Enjoy those things again after a visit to Foot Solutions. Our trained consultants will fit you properly in stylish top-quality shoes for dress, work and play, and then will digitally scan your feet to create custom arch supports that can help ease foot, back and knee pain.

Have Healthy Feet

everal things can cause foot pain. Wearing slippers with little or not enough foot support is one. Standing for long periods of time on hard surfaces without proper support can lead to pain. Heel spurs or planter’s fasciitis can cause days to seem long as well. Podiatrist Phil Vasyli of Orthaheel (orthaheelusa.com) advises that we pay as much attention to our indoor shoes as our outdoor ones, and offers these tips and recommended slippers from his Orthaheel collection to improve your foot health: • Get out of bed slowly and easily.

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 24

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• If you put on slippers, be sure they also have hard soles and adequate arch support.

• Look for slippers with a deep heel cup to stabilize, support and realign the feet, which helps to improve posture and balance.

• Should you stand for long periods of time, take time to do recommended toe, heel, calf and achilles stretches. • Roll feet in both directions to warm up your ankles. • Flex and point toes.

• Stretch achilles by flexing foot against a wall and lean forward.

• Stand facing a wall with your feet two feet apart and heels firmly planted on the ground to stretch your calves. For more information, visit their website at orthaheeluse.com.

Top 10 Movies Guaranteed to Inspire You to Better Heart Health

Part 2, continued from pg. 10...

5. The Natural. Robert Redford’s touching and inspiring performance as an aging baseball player shows that sometimes, physical ability can outlast the expectations of even the most optimistic. 6. The Rookie. With a tag line like “It’s never too late to believe in your dreams,” you know going into this movie that you’re in for something special. Dennis Quaid plays an aging baseball coach who decides to give his dream of being a pro baseball player a shot. 7. Never Say Never Again. At 53, Sean Connery returned to the role he made famous as James Bond, showing that age is no encumbrance to attractiveness, mobility and general on-screen heroics. He’s also an inspiration to those who feel that their best years may be behind them. 8. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. If there’s any sixty-something actor in Hollywood that

can make growing old look good, it’s Harrison Ford. His superior physical shape in the last of the Indiana Jones movies may not inspire you to take on the world with a bullwhip in hand, but it’ll certainly show you that being over 60 doesn’t have to be an invitation to the old folks’ home.

9. Red. Helen Mirren delivers a rocking, rolling performance as a gun-toting, sexy sixty-something that proves just because a woman is verging on her seventh decade doesn’t mean she can’t take care of herself and look fabulous in the process. Ladies, take note. 10. Machete. This movie may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s no denying that seeing 66-year-old Danny Trejo lay waste to his mortal enemies with a physique that would shame most twenty-somethings could inspire anyone to better physical health, regardless of age. Article provided by spot55.com.

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 25

FREE INFORMATION SERVICE Senior Connection & Mature Lifestyles for information please return completed form to:

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E-mail: ❏ Single ❏ Married ❏ Are you a Group Leader? Please contact me by: ❏ Mail ❏ Phone ❏ E-mail Counties of interest: ❏ Lee ❏ Charlotte ❏ Collier ❏ Hillsborough ❏ Pinellas ❏ Pasco ❏ Lake ❏ Marion ❏ Sarasota ❏ Manatee SEND INFORMATION ON AREAS(S) CHECKED BELOW AUTOMOBILES: TRAVEL: ❏ Automobile Sales ❏ Cruises ❏ Land Tours ❏ Maintenance and Repairs ❏ Hotels/ Resorts ❏ Recreational Vehicles ❏ Local Attractions ❏ Getaway Packages RESIDENTIAL LIVING: ❏ Mfd/FactoryBuilt Homes HOUSING OPTIONS ❏ RV Resort ❏ Independent ❏ Apartments ❏ Assisted Living ❏ Villa/Condo/Single Family ❏ Senior Apartment ❏ Golf Community ❏ Continuing Care/LifeCare PERSONAL HEALTH: FINANCIAL/ LAW: ❏ Physicians ❏ Reverse Mortgages ❏ Dentists ❏ Retirement planning ❏ Eye Care ❏ Trusts/Wills ❏ Foot Care/Arch Supports ❏ Estate planning ❏ Weight Loss ❏ Guardianships ❏ Supplements ❏ Elder Law ❏ Home Health LEISURE TIME: ❏ Prescription Drugs ❏ Golf ❏ Hearing ❏ Gambling ❏ Spas/Gym ❏ Boating ❏ Medical Supplies ❏ Theater INSURANCE: ❏ Dining In/Out Gloria Lenhardt ❏ Medicare HOME IMPROVEMENTS: Won a $25 Gift ❏ Health Certiﬁcate to ❏ Long-term care ❏ Sunrooms ❏ Pools/spas Home Depot! ❏ Auto ❏ Contractor ❏ Life ❏ Home Modiﬁcations ❏ Home OTHER: All entries will be collected by News Connection U.S.A. for future promotions, special offers, and marketing.

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 26

50, 60, 70 or Over: Jump Start to General Fitness and Good Health BY WALTER URBAN

emember no one is born strong, fit, a fitness expert or a Guinness World Record holder. Everyone starts at the same base and develops from there. Some begin at an early age in organized sports, some through mid-life hobbies or health-related scares, some in their senior years and many because they just enjoy the activity and realize it helps reduce stress, increase energy and improve general health. The key point is, they started. Taking the first step is intimidating, time consuming and downright hard, but that’s why they call it exercise. On the bright side, exercise provides for more energy, improved or good health and improved performance in physically based hobbies. It can be a social boost and, over time, can become out and out fun! If you are going to a health club, hire a professional for at least one or two lessons. Avoid going with friends or relatives because they may try to help but be overly aggressive. They may show you the wrong techniques or be intimidating, and will often be the first step in your not returning to the gym. If you are venturing into new activities outside of the gym, I highly recommend you find experts in those areas and ask them for help. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Visit your doctor for a check up or physical to ensure there are no health risks. 2. Find something you like—make it your passion. 3. Ask professionals for help— avoid friends or relatives unless they are professionals. 4. Start small and build slowly. 5. Try to make it fun. 6. Walk, run, bike, swim, enroll in fitness classes, lift weights, do something and anything. 7. Do not be intimidated by others— we all started in the same place. In closing, remember it’s exercise; you decide when, where, how long and what. And to coin the phrase, “just DO IT!” Get up, get started and don’t give up! For more information, please visit walterurban.com.

After 15 years of powerlifting, 53-year-old Walter Urban (above) broke the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest amount of weight lifted squatting in one hour—drug free and live on Live with Regis and Kelly. The past record was 125,065 lbs. set in 2009 by 32-year-old Six Pack Lapadat. Walter’s record weight was 127,245 lbs. which was accomplished by completing 904 squats in one hour or 15 squats per minute at an average weight of 140 lbs. for 60 minutes.

Firearms Safety Classes

firearms safety class is being offered on Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hernando Sportsman’s Club, 16121 Commercial Way, Brooksville. The course covers the basics of firearms safety around the home and the fundamentals of pistol shooting, and includes practice time on the range. Successful completion of the class also provides required documentation to apply for a Florida concealed carry permit.

Pre-registration is required. $60. On Feb. 18 and 19, a two-day NRA Muzzleloading Pistol Course will be held at the same location from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The course includes time on a range. Students will receive the NRA’s Muzzleloading Pistol Handbook and a course completion certificate. Pre-registration required. $100. Please call (352) 597-9931 to pre-register for all classes.

BY HENRY ADAMS

njoy complimentary coffee and Krispy Kreme doughnuts at the next morning Coffee Concert with guest conductor Teddy Abrams leading The Florida Orchestra in a program of favorite movements from such “Best-Loved Symphonies” as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 and Haydn’s Symphony No. 94, Surprise, among other works. This concert is Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. At the next Raymond James Pops concert, it’s a night with trumpeter extraordinaire Charles Lazarus showcasing sambas, boleros, mambos and sizzling hot trumpet solos from Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Hawaii and other exotic locales. Guest conductor Sarah Hicks also offers some favorites by Gershwin, Ellington

and others at these concerts on Feb. 10 and 11 in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa performs Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 at the next Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concerts on a program with Nielsen’s Helios Overture and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1. Stefan Sanderling conducts these concerts on Feb.17, 18 and 19 in Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater. The Florida Orchestra will be joined by lead singer and founding member of Styx, Dennis DeYoung, in a symphonic rock tribute of such classic hits as Lady, Babe, Come Sail Away, Best of Times and more. Sponsored by The Eagle 107.3 FM, ticket prices are $45, $65 and $85 for this special concert on Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Tickets and info: ﬂoridaorchestra.org or 1-800-662-7286.

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Coffee Concerts

Best-Loved Symphonies

Teddy Abrams conducts this morning Coffee Concert featuring select movements from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, and Haydn’s Symphony No. 94 (Surprise). Enjoy complimentary coffee and doughnuts as well as a pre-concert conversation one hour before the concert.

Thu, Feb 9, 11am

Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater

Viennese Delights

Stuart Malina conducts this matinee concert that features Strauss Jr’s TritschTratsch Polka, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro Overture, Lehar’s The Merry Widow Overture. Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be served.

Thur, Mar 8, 11 am

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TFO-Senior Connection-Feb.indd 1

Senior Connection • February1/9/2012 2012 11:36:18 • page AM27

Ways to Show Your Love Every Day

ere are some tips to keep your love healthy on Valentine’s Day and every day, according to Todd Patkin, author of the new book Finding Happiness: One Man’s Quest to Beat Depression and Anxiety and—Finally—Let the Sunshine In. 1. Recommit yourself to your marriage every single day.

2. Evaluate where your self-worth comes from. NEED SERVICE, SALES OR MAINTENANCE? WE SERVICE ALL MAKES & MODELS

3. Verbalize to your spouse the things you love and appreciate about him or her all of the time.

4. Acknowledge the little things your spouse does, and return the favor. 5. Learn—and then do—what makes your spouse feel most loved. 6. Don’t let resentment build.

7. Take responsibility and stop trying to fix your partner. 8. Figure out what your strengths are and play to them. 9. Date your spouse again.

The author says, “It’s true: Everything—and especially our own happiness—really is, to a huge extent, about our relationships with other people. And I think Cupid would agree!”

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Florida Strawberry Mania Time!

“Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did.” —Dr. William Butler, 17th Century English Writer

Combine and add poppy seed dressing just before serving. From cookingnook.com.

part from tasting simply delicious, strawberries have beneficial effects on your health. They are low in fat and calories, naturally high in fiber, vitamin C, folate, potassium and antioxidants.

2 cups strawberries 2 tbsp. mint (ground) 1 cup whipping cream 2 egg whites 1 1/2 cups yogurt 2 tbsp. powdered sugar

Strawberry Mint Cream

Recipe Compared to fruits like apples, oranges or bananas, they score highest in most of the nutrients. So, enjoy the season’s bounty of berries.

Strawberry Vegetable Salad 8 oz. lettuce 8 oz. fresh spinach 1 avocado, peeled and chopped 1/2 pint strawberries, halved 1/2 cantaloupe, scooped into balls 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced 4 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced

Word Search

The strawberry mint cream should be eaten immediately. It is not recommended to keep leftovers. Serves: 4. Recipe from strawberry-recipes.com.

Directions: Whip cream and egg whites. Carefully mix in the yogurt. Add sugar till you like it. Cut strawberries in quarters and add gently to the mixture. Pour into glass bowls and decorate with the ground mint.

Word Search Feb. 2012

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

Answers From

January 2012

Hilda Santiago is last month’s winner! Congratulations!

Florida’s Award Winning Senior Magazine

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

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on February 21 will win.

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 29

Travel Tips For The Heart Smart Among Us F

An Active 55+ Adult Community Spacious 1 and 2 bedroom homes with large screened lanais Variable lease terms available to meet your individual needs FREE cable television, water, pest control and rubbish collection included in your rent FREE daily transportation to local grocery stores, pharmacies, library, area shopping malls and the new Largo Community Center FREE membership to the Bonsai Holistic Spa & Fitness Center Two recreational clubhouses that include computers with Internet access, billiards and heated outdoor swimming pools An active social calendar including resident parties, travel excursions, health expos, group classes and activities galore Optional concierge services available: dinner meal delivery, housekeeping and laundry Pet friendly up to 25 lbs. Located next door to Largo’s New Community Center!

Call Today for More Information (727) 585-3723 101 Imperial Palm Drive • Largo, Florida 33771 • www.imperialpalms.com Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 30

ar too many people see taking vacations as a free pass to eat whatever they want and worry about the consequences afterwards. How many times have you yourself promised to go on a diet as soon as you returned from that luxury cruise or holiday visit to see the family? We’re all guilty of that. But for those of us who are at elevated risk for heart disease, there’s no such thing as taking a vacation from a healthy lifestyle. Here are some of the most helpful heart healthy travel tips to help keep you on track while you vacation.

Plan heart healthy travel activities. Wherever you go, there will be plenty of opportunities to get your exercise, even if you’re on vacation mode. Hopping aboard a cruise ship? There’s plenty of room to walk around each day to keep your heart and muscles pumping. Cloistering up in a romantic hotel for a few days? Seek out nearby health clubs where you can get a day pass, or find out if the hotel you’ll be staying at offers gym services. Create a daily agenda and stick to it. There’s nothing easier to do than to fall into relaxation mode because you’ve got nothing special planned and are in no rush to do it. But if you make sure to plan out your activities in advance, you won’t have the opportunity to let last night’s dinner go to work on your waistline—you’ll be too busy being on the move, which is one of the best possible heart healthy travel tips.

Eat smart. Heart healthy travel is only an impossibility if you’ve convinced yourself that there’s no way in the world to eat healthy when you’re on vacation. Fortunately, as long as you recognize that’s just an excuse to enable you to ignore your heart health, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to eat smart wherever you are. Opt for heart healthy or vegetarian dishes when you’re dining in restaurants and choose fruit desserts instead of cardiovascular no-no’s.

Be aware of your surroundings. Vacation destinations that experience extreme climates (whether hot or cold) can be unhealthy for those with existing heart issues. Plan ahead by researching the climate of your destination and by finding out what the expected forecast will be when you’re there. Pack vacation attire that matches up well with the expected climate. Over-exerting yourself in hot or humid weather is bad for you, but so is overdoing it in cold weather. Altitude is another important consideration, because the higher the altitude, the less oxygen your body gets—making your heart work harder even when resting. You don’t have to avoid vacation destinations with high altitudes, but it’s a smart idea to hold off on any high energy activities until you’ve had a couple of days to acclimate. There are many ways to achieve heart healthy travel that won’t cause you any major health setbacks, but in the end it’s entirely up to you to ensure you make those smart choices. Article provided by spot55.com.

Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 31

BY CHUCK AND DENA BINGHAM Jubilee (joo´ be-le´) n.: 1. A special anniversary e.g. a 60th anniversary. 2. A season or occasion of joyful celebration.

Olympics (o-lim´piks) pl.n.: In ancient Greece, a Pan-Hellenic festival of athletic games and contests.

f ever you considered traveling to Merry Olde England, or if it has been some while since you’ve been, pack your bags and head to the British Isles this summer. To kick off the summer season, Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, her 60th anniversary as Reigning Monarch. The festivities will extend from June 2 to June 5. With a queen-sized array of special events and functions, this promises to be a truly royal experience.

Travel But, if that’s not enough to get you to cross “the pond,” consider this: London will host the XXX Olympiad—the 30th modern-day Olympics from July 27 to August 12. Athletes from every corner of the world will compete in 26 sports. In London, everywhere you look you see signs of preparation activities for these two monumental occasions. Buildings are being cleaned and pressure-washed, revealing beautiful architecture hidden by

Buckingham Palace – Each room is more resplendent than the last. Make sure you see the Changing of the Guard. Go online for timing, which varies throughout the year. Remember it’s Jubilee; prepare for long lines. royalcollection.org.uk

time and circumstance. Multilingual signs and icons are in place to guide visitors to their destinations. If you should need assistance, however, you can count on an affable Brit to help you find your way. And here was an unexpected treat—the cabbies were friendly, knowledgeable, and… they spoke English! My California brother and wife met my Florida wife and me in London. We started our tour of London from our hotel—Marriott’s Grosvenor House on Park Lane in historic Mayfair. This iconic hotel, built in 1929, is directly across from the 350-acre Hyde Park. A two-day Hop On / Hop Off bus pass from Golden Tours allowed us unlimited off and on opportunities at any of their 44 different stops. For our first outing, we stayed on board, hopping off only to enjoy a hearty lunch near Trafalgar Square. Buses run continuously throughout the day, so it was only a few minutes’ wait until we hopped on the next bus and continued our journey. We traversed the city in about five hours, making notes on our bus schedule of the major points of interest for future reference. Each bus has a tour guide on board who points out rich historical events along the way. Next day, we emerged from our hotel and hailed a taxi (unless you have a death wish, you’ll want to take taxis everywhere—remember there are 7 million people driving on the “wrong”

Lancaster London Hotel – With state-ofthe-art meeting facilities and superior room accommodations, the Lancaster London caters to the well-heeled business traveler and has all you need to make your stay a memorable one. lancasterlondon.com

Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 32

London Eye & River Cruise – Whether you are on the open water of the Thames River or soaring 440 feet above the ground, the River Cruise and The Eye are not to be missed. Day or night, the views are spectacular. londoneye.com

Warwick Castle – Just outside of Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, is Warwick Castle. The castle has year-round activities for all ages. Plan to spend the entire day. For more info, visit warwick-castle.com.

side of the road, sitting in the “wrong” side of the front seat!). We took a taxi to the Tower of London—really a castle. There are over a dozen “towers” within the two concentric walls of the fortress. Started in 1066, it has been an armed fortress, a royal residence and a prison. It currently houses the Crown Jewels and serves as a working museum of almost 1,000 years of English history. Spend the day, it’s worth it. That evening we made our way to the West End theater district, which is like New York’s Broadway but with a posh British flair. All the world-class stage shows are here, as well as eateries and pubs for every palate and pocketbook. We started our third morning with a hotel change to the Lancaster London, which offered a panoramic view of Hyde Park, Knightsbridge and Oxford Street from our 18th floor room. After breakfast we headed to Buckingham Palace, where we were treated like—you guessed

it—royalty. It is difficult to illustrate the opulence that surrounds you. You can take a guided tour or rent a headset that explains the origin of the contents of each room. This is a must-see venue while you are here. Then it was back to our hotel where the ladies enjoyed afternoon tea, complete with finger sandwiches, scones and sweets. That evening we had reservations for the London Eye River Cruise at dusk and the London Eye at night—think huge Ferris wheel which tops out at 440 feet. The enclosed gondolas give you a spectacular view of London by night. Awesome. Our fourth day in the city allowed us time to explore the shops from Hyde Park to Knightsbridge, including Harrod’s. A trip to London is not complete without a visit to this must-see shopping mecca. That evening, we found a delightful backstreet neighborhood pub for dinner. We raised our glasses and toasted family reunions. It was a perfect ending to a perfect visit.

Grosvenor House – This quintessentially British hotel caters to the discerning worldwide traveler. Service is impeccable, as are the accommodations. The award-winning menus are a must to be experienced. londongrosvenorhouse.co.uk

Tower of London – The famous landmark is rich in history; you’ll want spend an entire day here. This double–walled castle fortress actually has over a dozen “towers” and is steeped in the folklore of “Olde England.” hrp.org.uk

Entertainment Lineup 24 E 25

njoy some of the following at Ruth Eckerd Hall in February: 7 – 12 Memphis 14 Barbra & Frank Concert 14 Diana Krall Valentine’s Concert 17 Paul Anka 18 Michael Amante (Italian American Festival Concert) 19 Vicki Lawrence and Mama

Debby Boone: Swing This! Verdi’s Rigoletto 28 The Irish Rovers Concert 29 Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, presented by Moscow Festival Ballet Mar. 1 Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Mar. 4 Rohan De Silva, piano Tickets and info: (727) 791-7400.

Trashy Treasures Art Sale

rt-related Trashy Treasures have been collected by the Dunedin Fine Art Center and it’s time for an art garage sale! The best of the Trashy Treasures will be featured Friday, Feb. 10 at the Trashy Treasures Preview Party in the Dunedin Fine Art Center. A $5 admis-

sion beginning at 6 p.m. includes the EAT THIS! mini food truck rally. Saturday, Feb 11 is the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Trashy Treasures Art Sale, an Art Garage Sale. The Center is at 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. For information, call (727) 298-3322 ext. 236 or email meg@dfac.org.

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 33

Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You? T

oday’s financial world can be confusing. A new government bulletin gives the following advice about what to consider when thinking about a reverse mortgage. Understand the pros, cons and costs before borrowing money with a reverse mortgage.

Finance What it is: This is a type of home equity loan—a way to get cash by borrowing money using your home as collateral. But there are some important differences between a reverse mortgage and the traditional home equity loan. The Pros: First, a reverse mortgage is available to homeowners age 62 or older. Second, you don’t need an income to obtain a reverse mortgage. And third, you don’t need to pay back

what you owe until you move out of the house, sell the property or die. The Cons: While there are potential benefits to reverse mortgages, they don’t make sense for everyone. They generally are not advisable if you plan to stay in your home for less than five years or need extra monthly income for relatively small expenses. Among the reasons: The fees associated with reverse mortgage loans can be high. You still will be responsible for maintaining the house and paying property taxes. And, your beneficiaries won’t inherit the full value of the house. They will have to pay off the loan either by refinancing or selling the house. Also be aware that some unscrupulous individuals or companies have promoted reverse mortgages that were not in the consumers’ best interest or that involved extra payments for unnecessary services.

For example, there have been reports of companies attempting to sell questionable home repairs or investments in connection with a reverse mortgage, or they charged a fee for information about reverse mortgages that is available for free from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or other sources. One problem with using any loan product to fund an investment is that you could lose money on the investment and still owe on the loan.

A constant reminder: Be cautious when borrowing against the “equity” in your home.

How to protect yourself? As with any loan you’re considering, do some research using information from neutral, unbiased sources, such as HUD. If you later decide that a reverse mortgage is right for you, contact several reputable lenders and read and understand all documents and contracts, perhaps with the help of an attorney you trust, before you agree to anything.

For help or guidance regarding reverse mortgages, go online at hud.gov/buying/rvrsmort.cfm or contact a HUD-approved housing counselor by calling toll-free 1-800-569-4287. Also, to receive a reverse mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), you must first speak with a HUD-approved counselor, who can help you determine if the program meets your needs.

More Activities Go Tripping! Take a trip with the City of Seminole Seniors. Chow Crowd to SeaSea Riders Restaurant. 10:30 a.m. $5 fee.

10 15 23

Mixon Fruit Farm. 9 a.m. departure. Cost: $24.

Seminole Hard Rock Casino. 9 a.m. departure, $5 transportation fee. Info at (727) 391-8345.

arch 8 Get tickets before Feb. 27 for the Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show by Newcomers Club of Greater Dunedin. 11 a.m. Dunedin Golf Club, 1050 Palm Boulevard, Dunedin. $25/ person. Club info at (727) 733-0303.

Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 34

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Skill Is Still the Insurance Discounts Undisputed Champ For Mature Drivers

BY MARK PILARSKI

ear Mark: When I play BJ in Vegas at a double-deck table, I always seem to win much more when there are just two people playing. Any logic to this? —Ruth F.

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• The fewer decks, the better. • Surrender, both early and late. • Double down allowed on any two cards. • Double down allowed after splitting pairs. • Multiple pair splitting allowed, plus re-splitting aces. • Dealer stands on a soft 17. To this point, Ruth, your gaming time line has been relatively short, and with just a couple of players on the game, the Gambling Gods have looked favorably on your play, so far. Nevertheless, skill and favorable rules will outweigh the effect of the number of players on the game, every time.

If you base your line of reasoning on math, Ruth, yes as to the number of decks used, but no as to the number of players sitting tableside. It is always to your advantage to play on a game that offers the fewest decks. Compared to the single-deck game, your two-deck game handicaps your play -0.35%, but as you climb the ladder to four decks, the handicap clambers up to -0.48%. At six decks, Dear Mark: To relax at the casino, it’s a heady -0.54% and at eight I play either Let It Ride or Three decks, it is -0.58%. Even though the Card Poker. Which of these games house edge goes up considerably is a better bet? —Dave B. when you go from one deck to two, youTake do get Your some kickback, becoming Class Online! Three Card Poker with the right less dramatic as you add more decks. pay table is a fast and exciting poker • Study at your Round one goes to you,leisure, Ruth. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. game that offers two ways to play My that with two players • concern Simplyisread thejust course materials online andways thentoanswer and four different win. The on theagame, you will be dealt far more few quiz questions. three-card format makes the game hands per hour, which allows the casino quick,classes and easy or to learn • There is no need to attend boring listenandtoplay. edge to eat away at your bankroll at a As for a betting strategy, most muchlong faster lectures. clip. Let’s run some numbers. experts believe you should not make For instance, assume you are a basic we will issue a state-certiﬁed • After completion, of course the “play” wager unless you have at strategy player and your average certiﬁcate for you to turn intoleast youra queen, insurance company to six, and a four in your bet is $10 per hand. When you’re hand.year Usingperiod. this approach, the house receive your discount for a three playing with just one other player on edge on the “ante” wager is about a double-deck game you can expect 2.1%, with the “pair plus” slightly Take Your Driver Course On The Internet! to average at least Mature 300 decisions per higher at 2.3%. Yes, Dave, easily a hour, with you seeing half, or 150, of very tolerable casino If you have Florida Driver’s License and are 55 advantage. years of them. Betting $10aper round means As for Let it Ride, even this you are of now eligible to complete motorwhen vehicle youage will or be older, wagering a total $1,500 game is played flawlessly, the casino’s over the courseprevention of an hour. With the that will allow you to receive a accident course edge is 3.51%, which is almost casino having a 0.5% edge against the insurance rate for three years. mandatory reduction on your double that of Three Card Poker. If basic strategy player, your expected it were close, I would recommend hourly loss is $7.50. By increasing Florida Department of Highway Safety playing the game that you enjoy the number of players to four and the most, but in concert with my & Motor Vehicle decreasing your decisions per hour to Approved Course advice of “Never make a casino 75, that hourly cost would be cut in wager that has higher than a 2% half. Round two goes to the casino. house edge,” the better bet is clearly If you really want to improve your Three Card Poker. (SENIOR WIRE) chances of winning, become a proGambling Wisdom of the Week: ficient basic strategy player. Correspondingly, play at a casino that offers “Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and the following combination of rules effect.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson that are advantageous to the player:

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Seniors Getting Together WOMEN SEEKING MEN 4080 SEEKING NICE GENTLEMAN Hispanic, kind and loving, white, Christian female, never smoke, wine with my dinner (a glass). Honest, healthy, music, exercises, travel, etc. Please send a recent photo. 4089 HONEST, KIND, PRETTY, FUN young 75 WWF looking for kind, intelligent, healthy, gentleman open to love and true togetherness, friendship and more. Good music, conversation, reading, going out, all pleasantries. 4091 ATTRACTIVE DBF, 71, 5’5” full figure, healthy, BS degree, good values and morals, NS, SD, sincere. Enjoys God-given pleasures of life. Seeks same qualities in tall SBM, 70-plus for friendship. Will exchange photographs. 4093 CHRISTIAN WWBF, 63, ATTRACTIVE, honest, sincere, who loves the Lord. ISO a true Christian black gentleman who believes in the same. Love good home cooking, sports, fishing. A good SOH. 55 – 72. FF, write. Tampa. 4103 TALL GERMAN WOMAN Heart of gold, loyal, fun, likes travel, nature, arts and museums. Looking for same

cultured men. Military or Fed. retiree. Picture please. NS, NDrg, TLC. Tampa. 4105 ISO LIVELY GENT TO SHARE events, swims and beach, etc. R, WW, NS, ND, W, C, F, 70s. 4106 SEEKING CUTE 59 – 65 YO HONEST, one-woman man. IQ, “Patriotic,” conservative with SOH. Love travel? Rent RV? Love Ford Mustangs (rear-drive), beaches, sm dogs! NS/SD/NDrg. I’m 5-5”, HWP, pretty w/blonde hair. Let’s dance—make bucket list! Bay area.

MEN SEEKING WOMEN 4086 W, WW, 71 YRS, 5’7”, 160 lbs., smoker, likes dining out, walks, flea market, etc. Seeks lady 60 – 75 yrs. for LTR. Tarpon Springs. 4090 ISO PHYSICALLY FIT CHRISTIAN LADY, willing to relocate to my new home on SE side of Plant City, FL. I’m retired and tired of being alone. Plant City. 4094 SEEKING A LOVING LADY, 70+ YY, enjoys movies, dining out, travel, dancing and more. I’m W, M, WW, 5’8”, 175 lbs., NS, SD, Zephyrhills. 4096 SEEKS LADY 60 – 75 YRS WM, 71 yrs, 5 ft. 7 in, original from New York. Enjoy flea markets, walks, dining out, etc. ISO someone for companionship.

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Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 36

4100 VET WANTS TO FLY WW, W, 68, 6’, 180 lbs., NS with the occasional cigar with good scotch. I spend my summers in Colorado and winters in Florida. I’ve been told, “If you don’t look, you won’t be found.” Brandon. 4102 W, WW, 5’9”, 185 LB., 74+ OLD ISO lady who likes to dine out, cuddle, visit thrift stores and anything that will make her happy? NS, SD. New Port Richey. 4104 HEALTHY, YOUTHFUL MILITARY VETERAN 56, BM, 5’8”, non-smoking, nondrinking. North Tampa resident, college degrees. Easy-going, sense of humor. Newly separated, divorce pending. Seeks senior lady for romance (older lady, welcome).

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, SOHSense 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.

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

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

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Senior Talent Show

February 11, 2012 - 2:00 p.m. Largo Cultural Center 105 Central Park Drive Largo, FL 33779

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For Information call: Pinellas: 727-329-2618 – Susan Juhl and Nicole Woodring Hillsborough: 813-436-2296 – Andrea White and Chrissy Crumpton Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 38

BRIDGE BITES

From The American Contract Bridge League

BY BRIAN GUNNELL

ast month, we were trying to avoid finesses in favor of better alternatives. But this week, we are actually going to take a finesse. Eventually.

N-S take the express lane to 6♥ and West leads the ♣Q. You will win that and draw trumps in two rounds, but then what? You have 11 tricks, can you find the 12th? This hand appears to depend on a successful Spade finesse and, if the

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No Safe Exit ♠K is with West, then 6♥ makes. But that King is with East on the actual lie of the cards. Does that mean it’s down one? Not at all! Having drawn trumps, Declarer cashes those minor suit winners, and leads a Spade to the Ace. Then he crosses back to hand with a trump and leads a Spade towards the Queen. East wins the King but has no safe exit. With nothing left but minor suit cards, whatever he plays will give Declarer a ruff and sluff. Declarer will pitch the Spade loser from his hand and ruff on the board. Making 12 tricks. Taking the delayed finesse gave Declarer a second way to win. He would still make his slam whenever West had the ♠K, and he would also succeed when the King was doubleton with East. But only if Declarer cashes his minor suit winners first, forcing East to concede that ruff and sluff after winning the doubleton King. 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.

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Presents...

Enter Now!

Nothing Captures the love of a grandparent for a grandchild more than a great photo!

Could Your Grandchild’s Photo be a Winner?

Selected photos will be published in upcoming issues of Senior Connection magazine. Photos will be on display at the Senior Fun Fest, March 27, 2012 at the St. Petersburg Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 X 1st Place Winner $75 X 2nd Place Winner $50 X 3rd Place - Tickets to the Clearwater Aquarium X Grand Prize Winner Two Tickets to Busch Gardens

RULES:

Photos can be: 3” x 5” up to maximum size 8 1/2” x 11”, printed on photo paper only. Maximum 3 entries per person. NO professional photos. Please no photos by e-mail.

Please enclose this form with your entry. (make sure to sign the bottom) Mail to: News Connection USA, P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583-0638

Grandparent Name Address City Phone

State

Zip

E-mail

Photo Title Sender’s Age(s)

Subject’s Age(s)

Subject’s Name Photo release signature Entries must be received by Mar. 20, 2012 to be entered in the Photo Contest. (Send your photos in early so we can share them with our readers). Photos will be returned within 45 days after contest ends, if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope (large enough to fit your photo) and name and address on the back of the photo.

SPC

Senior Connection • February 2012 • page 39

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