Northwest Prime Time Winter 2021

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Dr. Ruth

CELEBRATING LIFE AFTER 50

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VOL. 21 NO. 5

Edition 2021

Catching Up With Nancy Guppy …by Debbie Stone

Local comedy icon chats about her life

M

ost funny people perceive they’re funny at a young age. They know by the reactions they get from their peers and the adults around them.

For Nancy Guppy, all the signs were there. “I was always somebody who was irreverent,” she says. “I knew I could be entertaining – a kind of unexpected sprite with a quirky personality.” She continues, “I didn’t take to authority very well and would say and do things that were a bit extreme, a bit absurd. Then again, I could also be mainstream.” As evidence of the latter, Nancy mentions she was a cheerleader in high school and a member of a sorority in college.

She adds, “But I was always a goofball!”

You probably know Nancy if you’ve lived in the Seattle area for a while. For ten plus years, she has been the face of Art Zone with Nancy Guppy on The Seattle Channel. You might also be familiar with her longtime gig on KING-TV’s Almost Live!, where she Seattle native Nancy Guppy is the host of Art Zone with Nancy Guppy on The Seattle Channel and is familiar to was a staff writer and cast member. Or maybe you viewers of the longtime Seattle sketch comedy show, “Almost Live!” She has won numerous awards for her work as a saw her when the famed sketch comedy show was on writer, host, producer and cast member. Photos by Ernie Sapiro Comedy Central.

A native of Seattle, Nancy recalls her youth fondly. “The city had a real small-town vibe then,” she comments. “And as a kid, I had incredible freedom. I would bike all day on the weekends, go to movies with my friends at the old, funky theater in Magnolia and just ramble around, exploring my little world.” She remembers discovering Pike Place Market for the first time and being enamored with For 15 seasons, KING-TV’s the atmosphere. And although she was too young “Almost Live!” poked fun at the local scene. Front row (l-r): for the hippie culture, she was attracted to its Bill Stainton, John Keister, Steve Bohemian spirit.

Wilson. Back row (l-r): Tracey From Memorial Day to Labor Day, she and her Conway, Joel McHale, Nancy family – mom, dad and older sister, Anne – would Guppy, Bob Nelson, Pat Cashman (standing). (Above): Nancy and spend summers at the family’s cabin at Useless Bay on castmate Tracey Conway looking Whidbey Island. “It was idyllic up there and I realize ever so glamorous. Photos by I took it for granted,” says Nancy. “My dad and his Gary Harper friend built the place back in 1966 and it was super special.” She adds, “We would Harris, who still reside to find our own way.” rent horses and ride them on in the city. She notes Nancy’s parents the trails, go to the beach, make they are a very social expected her to be forts and rafts out of driftwood, couple with lots of polite, friendly and have lemonade stands and play friends. Her father was kind, and they served these elaborate games of a banker after serving as great role models in make believe.” Nancy a stint in the Navy, this respect. They also still visits Whidbey and mom stayed instilled a solid work regularly and always home and tended to ethic in her and a strong includes a drive to the household. “She sense of responsibility, Useless Bay to see made my breakfast as well as encouraged the old cabin. and packed my her to be open to Sometimes the visit lunch every day!” opportunities in life. is just for the day, Nancy knew she was says Nancy. “She Glimmers of the but “when we feel funny from a young and my dad are such career she’d eventually like indulging, age. She also claims positive people, and so embark upon can be we love to stay she spent most of her babyhood crying – outgoing. They were traced back to junior a night or two here she is bawling on attentive parents, high when she wrote at The Inn at Santa’s lap with her but definitely not and performed comedy Langley.” big sister, Anne.

Joe and Nancy Guppy hamming it up. When they helicopter types. They met in 1985, Joe was working for Almost Live! sketches for a talent It’s clear Nancy allowed my sister and adores her parents, He got Nancy a job with the show and changed the continued on page 14 I to have freedom, and direction of her life. Photo by Ernie Sapiro Beverly and Alden

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Dr. Ruth Westheimer …submitted by Holden of Bellevue

Do you remember Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the little grandma who embarrassed and thrilled us all by talking about sex?

Dr. Ruth was a sex therapist whose career as a media personality began when she hosted a radio show, Sexually Speaking, starting in 1980. Dr. Ruth has since hosted several series on the Lifetime Channel and is the author of 45 books— not just about sex, but about aging and caregiving too.

Dr. Ruth, who is an unbelievable 93 Dr. Ruth recently interacted with local seniors in a moderated question-and-answer webinar with Holden of Bellevue years old, is in great health and is as sharp- Retirement Living witted as you remember or the Night of Broken Glass, in her. She is still teaching classes at Columbia University and enjoys life 1938. Her grandmother handed the with her family, which includes four Nazis money and asked that he be taken care of, but he was murdered grandchildren. in Auschwitz. Her mother was also Dr. Ruth was also a holocaust survivor, the only child of Orthodox later killed.

Because of the growing violence Jews. She had an idyllic childhood and tension, her mother and in Bavaria until her father was grandmother made the decision taken from her in 1938 by the to send Ruth to Switzerland. She Nazi’s a week after Kristallnacht,

Winter Edition 2021

never saw her family again. At age 10, she arrived at the orphanage of a Jewish charity in Heiden and took on the role of mother figure to the children there.

When WWII ended, she immigrated to British-controlled Mandatory Palestine, where she joined the resistance army. Because of her small size, she was trained as a scout and sniper. She was ultimately struck by a cannonball that ripped through her legs.

“But a German Jewish surgeon fixed me so that I was able to ski all my life—I was a black-diamond skier—and to dance the whole night,” reported Dr. Ruth.

Her story is the stuff of a Hollywood movie, but it’s all true.

Dr. Ruth now has a documentary about her amazing life, Ask Dr. Ruth, that was released to HULU. Holden of Bellevue Retirement Living recently invited Dr. Ruth for a moderated question-and-answer webinar with a live audience. Her advice to seniors from this event will be featured in a two-part series on Holden of Bellevue’s website, www.holdenofbellevue.com The topic of the webinar was caregiving. “We were thrilled to have her, although all of us were concerned the topic would swiftly change from caregiving to sex, but when it happened we were having too much fun to stop her,” said Jennifer Angell, Marketing Director at Holden of Bellevue.

“We set up a podium with a computer and Dr. Ruth talked to us on a big screen. Every person in the room had a chance to ask her questions. She was mesmerizing and vibrant. Listening to her voice, you would think she was still in her 50s,” said Michelle Strazis, Executive Director at Holden of Bellevue.

“There must have been at least 20 plugs for her documentary, and our room filled with laughter,” said Colette Keogh, the community’s marketing director.

Dr. Ruth spoke to the seniors in the room about “Joie De Vivre,” or zest for life. There is no doubt that Dr. Ruth possesses this zest. She tells seniors to say something positive when you get on the phone with your relatives, and not to talk about all your aches, pains and illnesses.

“Nobody wants to hear to it,” advises Dr. Ruth. She claims that she has no time for tired people. “See a doctor or take a nap!”

The video webinar from the event in Bellevue is entertaining, but also full of good advice for seniors. Dr. Ruth tells seniors that when you have a caregiver come to your home, do not say you are fine—speak the truth about your condition and don’t be afraid to tell them you need help.

The staff at Holden of Bellevue invites you to see the webinar for yourself on their website (www. holdenofbellevue.com), or call for more information: 425-505-3441. ❖

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Winter Edition 2021

INDEX ARTFUL AGING

Catching Up With Nancy Guppy.. 1 Dr. Ruth Westheimer.................. 2 Writing & Poetry Corners......... 12 Library Corner........................ 14

COMMUNITY

Seniors Taking Action................ 4 Tsunami Shelters Save Lives........ 8

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Senior Fitness Tip...................... 5 Medical Minutes....................... 6 Managing Chronic Pain............. 7 Naturally Healthy...................... 7

HUMOR & PUZZLES

Where in the Northwest Contest... 3 The Funny Side of Life.............. 10 The Adventures of Rose & Dawn.. 10 Puzzles and Comics................ 11

LIFE PERSPECTIVES

A Time of Opportunity............... 3 Surviving Thanksgiving Day....... 4 Christmas at the Local Department Store................. 12

Monthly Circulation: 60,000 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13647 Seattle, Washington 98198 (206) 824-8600 www.northwestprimetime.com Publishers: Michelle Roedell and Chris Mitchell Advertising Manager: Chris Mitchell Editor: Michelle Roedell Production Manager: Jason Reynolds Production Coordinator: Rachel Rudd Northwest Prime Time welcomes letters and comments. Please send to: editor@northwestprimetime.com or P.O. Box 13647 Seattle, Washington 98198 Northwest Prime Time, published six times per year, is for vital men and women over 50 who are curious, passionate, and engaged with the world they live in; who know that these years are the prime time of their lives.

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Who We Are Now

A Time of Opportunity Where in the Northwest? …by Margaret Larson

Northwest Prime Time is proud to present a new column by Margaret Larson, the longtime host of KING‘s New Day Northwest. Her impressive 35-year career included stints as a London-based foreign correspondent for NBC News and as a news anchor for the Today show, as well as a reporter for Dateline NBC and anchor at KING 5. She retired last year, but now Margaret will regularly bring Northwest Prime Time readers her thoughts about life in retirement and other musings.

Can you identify this photo?

Do you remember what you thought about life after 50 or 60 and beyond when you were a kid? I do, and it makes me cringe a little bit. My Photos are taken from or adjacent to Washington primary impression was that life in your later State highways in our readership area: King, Pierce years represented a struggle against dwindling and Snohomish Counties—or they may be a notable opportunities, health and resources. A fight for landmark. Mail your answer to Northwest Prime Time, ‘enough.’ And indeed, vulnerability is part of PO Box 13647, Seattle WA 98198 or email editor@ this stage of life. But it is so, so much more. northwestprimetime.com. Answers should include Just over a year ago, I decided to retire, Margaret Larson enough of a description so that it is clear you know bought a house over the internet and moved the spot. across the country during a pandemic to attend to family needs.

The winner will be drawn at random from the I watched friends, neighbors and strangers make hard decisions correct answers submitted by the deadline (December because of COVID, devastation to businesses, unexpected job loss.

1st). If no correct answer is received, the $25 prize Parents wrestled with job responsibilities, childcare and distance will transfer to the following contest. Submissions for learning, all under one roof. Young adults dealt with delays in the current contest must be postmarked December education and employment, amid increasing levels of depression 1st or received via email by the same date: editor@ and anxiety. And most importantly, millions of people faced northwestprimetime.com. illness and death. If ever there was a time to reassess one’s life and Congratulations to Tek of Kent, winner of circumstances, this was it.

Northwest Prime Time’s September/October photo But out of 2020, the year we couldn’t get rid of fast enough, contest. The winning entry was drawn at random grew green shoots of common goodness. In my own circle of friends from the list of correct answers. Last edition’s photo and among people I covered on KING’s New Day Northwest and was of the fish ladder at the Hiram M. Chittendom elsewhere, the helpers emerged. People sewing masks to donate, Ballard Locks in Seattle. ❖ innovators helping businesses change to meet new needs, groups of friends bringing meals and letters of thanks to exhausted health Win $100! Where in Washington? professionals. And particularly, I noticed elders stepping forward with their own stories of survival and resilience, drawing from a life A second photo contest will be resource that was not merely ‘enough’ in later years, but plentiful: presented online each time a hope, born not of fairy dust but of hard-earned, real-life experience. new print edition is published.

It’s difficult to imagine anyone reaching their later years This second contest is only without enduring some of the toughest experiences life can open to readers who sign up dish out. We’ve all demonstrated the grit to make it through for our email subscription and learned lessons that only time can teach. And if we can sift service. The answer to the last through those lessons and blend in compassion and kindness, we online puzzle is the Quarry can find our own unique reservoir of hope to sustain ourselves and Pool in Tenino. The public pool was originally a those coming up behind us. working sandstone quarry. Johna of South Bend is the Yes, (eyeroll) I now know I should have worn sunscreen and winner of our first $100 contest. To learn more about eaten fewer cinnamon rolls, but that’s not what’s unique. Each of us this new contest, email editor@northwestprimetime. has learned to survive setbacks and recover from tragedy and loss, com, with “Where in Washington” in the subject line. in our own ways. We know that difficult times are not forever. We recognize that our human connections, the love we feel, the vast expanse of a parent’s heart are the places of sanctuary and resilience.

Those are the places of plentitude. That is what we can share and nurture in our mission , guided our caring ffsta Northaven Independent and Northaven Assisted others. and shapedaffordable our friend ly community Living is a vibrant, non-profit, housing Maybe that is our calling at this time for over 40 years. of life. Our bodies might not be as strong community located in the heart of Seattle’s Northgate as they were decades ago, but our souls neighborhood.

Come live with us. certainly are. It costs nothing to offer a word of encouragement, to be kind or Dignity, respect, compassion, generosity ... values to listen and help, and yet the dividends Dignity, respect,guided compassion, that have inspired our mission, our generosity...values caring Dignity, respect, compassion, generosity...values thatstaff have that have are huge and will outlast us in the end. inspired our mission, guided caring sta and shaped and shaped our friendly community for over 40 years. inspired our mission, guided our caring staourand shaped So, please know that this time of life is a our friendlyfor community our friendly community 40 years. for 40 years. time of opportunity. All that you’ve been through, all that you’ve seen and felt, Come has brought you here to offer kindness Come live with us. live with us. and reflection in the world. You are not merely enough. You are plenty. ❖

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Life Perspectives

Surviving Thanksgiving Day …by Lynn Gendusa

Have you ever noticed that most of us remember our worst Thanksgivings? The time the turkey burned, or the time when we were so ill on Turkey Day, we could only stomach a cracker? The truth is, some folks will experience their worst Thanksgiving this year, or perhaps it was last year. Somewhere, someone will have a tough time enjoying the holiday. Keep heart because there is a secret hidden amid difficulty or pain.

Years ago, just before a Thanksgiving Day in the early 1980s, I was admitted to the hospital for extreme exhaustion. It was a terrible time when distress and sadness enveloped me.

At the time, I was newly divorced with three small children who were looking forward to Thanksgiving Day. The dog had given birth to puppies, the turkey was thawing in the fridge, and my recipes were scattered among work papers and laundry. Yet here it was the night before Thanksgiving, and I was staring at the ceiling of a hospital room.

Thankfully, my children were safely in their father’s care and traveling to their grandparents’ home miles away to celebrate the day. No other family members lived nearby and for the first time, I faced Thanksgiving alone.

Tears began to stream down my face turning into downpours. A nurse came into my room and sat on the edge of my bed. She said little but took my hand and held it tightly until the tears dried, and I fell into a deep sleep.

When morning ushered in the dreaded Thanksgiving, I wanted the day to speed up and it would be over. However, every minute seemed like an hour, and the only thing that was speeding was my racing heart.

When it was time for lunch, the nurse came into my room with a wheelchair. “Hop in, girl, we are going to have Thanksgiving dinner!” she cheerfully commanded.

“I don’t feel like it.” I quietly responded.

She was somewhat intimidating with a stern

demeanor. When she said, “You don’t have a choice!” I knew I didn’t. With a scowl on my face and tears beginning to pool, she took me into a room where several round tables were covered in white tablecloths. Each table was decorated with turkeys formed from construction paper in various colors, and a tiny vase holding a single flower. Most of the patients had families who joined them with small children in tow. Around my table, with its purple paper turkey centerpiece, sat those of us who were without family, plus the nurse.

When we thanked God for our blessings, I didn’t feel very blessed at all. And by the look on their faces, neither did anyone else who was sitting with me.

As I tried to eat the cafeteria turkey and dressing, I studied the folks who were beside me. We were an assembly of strangers with individual stories, of various ages and ethnicities, and each living different lives. Yet, we were holding hands and giving thanks together.

Out of the blue – and to this day, I have no idea why – I remember suddenly sensing it was my responsibility to spread cheer to this abandonedlooking group. To my utter surprise, by the time the tasteless pecan pie was served, our wheelchairs were shaking with laughter.

After two weeks, I returned home, life resumed, and Thanksgivings were never the same again. Every year when that special Thursday rolls around in November, as I decorate my table with candles and a cornucopia, I always recall the purple paper turkey on the hospital dining table.

Each year I remember that Evergreen Speech laughter. and Hearing Clinic When I view my family gathered around Hearing Is the Key to Connection our Thanksgiving table, I give thanks and recall Take control of your hearing health and the strangers who once reconnect with loved ones, today. held my hands to say grace. Our pain was eased, and strangers turned into friends.

This Thanksgiving and every Thanksgiving or holiday, when remembering our blessings, let us also offer a passionate prayer for those suffering from illness, homelessness or grief. My worst Thanksgiving made Virtual and in-office appointments available. me more appreciative for all the holidays that would Bellevue | Kirkland | Redmond follow. I am incredibly everhear.com | (425) 242-4110 thankful. ❖

Winter Edition 2021

Seniors Taking Action …by Annie Phillips

These Puget Sound area seniors hope to inspire you with their stories of activism against climate change. Perhaps, like them, you are charging ahead to do all you can. Some may follow Jane Goodall’s advice, who—at age 87— continues to work for a more sustainable future. She says if you care about your kids and grandkids, you will act.

“You don’t have to do it all at once…take one thing…just do something.”

The climate crisis is on most people’s radar these days – especially young people who will be most impacted by it.

I have seven grandchildren, and sometimes I feel so guilty because I’ve only recently turned my activism toward slowing down climate change. Twelve years ago, Annie Phillips I converted my oil furnace to an electric heat pump, weatherized my home, bought an electric car and put solar panels on the roof. Then, inspired by then-teen Greta Thunberg, I turned to grassroots politics, lobbying lawmakers to speed up and fund climate action, and donating to nonprofits like Environmental Defense Fund, Sierra Club and 350. org (350 parts per million is the safe concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere). Doing things, instead of sitting home worrying, helps me feel better about our chances of surviving as a planet and a species.

Many seniors wish they had more time to do something about it. Here are some thoughts from three Northwest seniors.

Kate Richardson: “It all boils down to love and compassion. Ours is an amazing planet; visually stunning, complex in arrangement and function, with remarkably intricate lifeforms, and always a challenge to curiosity and Kate Richardson examination. I hate to think that humanity, with all our ability to discover, examine, understand and invent, can't come together to make the changes necessary to draw back from the edge of disaster, reverse the warming and save enough of the natural world to keep this planet livable. What can I do? Keep learning and enjoying what we have, prod elected representatives to take urgent action to reduce warming, and find citizen groups whose interests and actions you can work with.”

Susan Oxley: “We face a grim future of compromised agriculture, drying rivers, loss of habitat and species extinction.

My grandkids face an energy-poor lifestyle, scarce resources, decreased opportunities and increased weather crises. For seniors Susan Oxley like me, it means costly food, increased insurance premiums and greater risk of heatstroke, lung damage and stress diseases. Seniors can help mitigate the effects by investing in clean energy, insulating better, switching to more energy-efficient appliances, and decreasing cruises and sightseeing. Eat less meat, garden more, choose green, decrease spending, refuse plastic bags. Plant trees. Advocate for green policies.

Be grateful for what we have and let it be sufficient.

Live gratitude, not consumption!” continued on page 14

Winter Edition 2021

F.Y.I. First-of-its-Kind Study Looks at Link Between Genes and Prostate Cancer In the United States, one in nine men will get prostate cancer and more than 4 million men are currently living with the disease.

Researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University are collaborating on a first-of-its-kind longterm observational study to learn how genetic differences can affect patient outcomes. The new study is dubbed PROMISE (Prostate Cancer Registry of Outcomes and Germline Mutations for Improved Survival and Treatment Effectiveness). This research will examine how particular genetic profiles can influence the susceptibility of men to prostate cancer, impact the effectiveness of existing treatments, improve guidance for existing and new treatment options, and suggest precise areas to explore for new discoveries.

While genetic information has contributed to advances in treatment of diseases such as breast cancer, it has not been widely used in prostate cancer.

The PROMISE study will examine how genetic profiles can influence the

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 5 susceptibility of men to prostate cancer, improve existing treatment options, and lead to important new discoveries and therapies.

PROMISE researchers are seeking prostate cancer patients nationwide.

Participating in the study is free. Participants continue with their current healthcare provider and do not need to leave home to participate. Registration can be done online and PROMISE will send a simple, home-based DNA test kit. Participants provide a saliva sample and return it via pre-paid U.S. mail.

The kit will screen for 30 cancer risk genes. PROMISE will send the results and will provide a licensed genetic counselor to help participants understand their results. Participants will learn if they have any gene mutations that might affect their care plan, and they will receive the most current information about new research, clinical trial opportunities and treatments approved by the FDA. The results may inform patients of available treatment options and previously unknown risks of family members developing cancer.

Participants will also make an important contribution to advancing research and understanding of prostate cancer by providing essential genetic information and long-term outcomes.

PROMISE is supported by nonprofit organizations. No pharmaceutical firms or any commercial interests are supporting this research. To learn more, visit prostatecancerPROMISE.org or call 646-449-3363. ❖

Senior Fitness Tip

Breathing Exercises ...by Mark Bryant

Breathing is a very important part of health, but many people don’t know how to breathe correctly. Practicing breathing exercises is very beneficial if done right. Breathing helps you relax, keeps you calm, reduces stress, and it also allows you to think clearly.

Here’s how to breathe properly during your session. Slowly inhale (breath in) through Mark Bryant your nose until you can’t inhale anymore, then slowly exhale (breath out) of your mouth until you can’t exhale anymore. When you inhale and exhale it should be one continuous cycle of breathing. Don’t hold your breath!

In the beginning, it may seem hard but with practice it will become easier. You don’t have to lift your arms up and down during breathing exercises like people do in exercise class. Sit in a chair with a good, upright form, nice and tall, arms either hanging down by your side or on your lap.

Keep shoulders down and your body relaxed. Have your feet flat down on the floor.

Some ideas to help you relax while practicing your breathing exercises: Imagine a calm, cool breeze blowing; imagine yourself in a peaceful setting; listen to soft, relaxing music or listen to the sounds of nature. Try to practice your breathing a few minutes each day. Before you stand, make sure you are not lightheaded. If you have any medically-related breathing problems, please consult with your doctor before starting this breathing exercise. ❖ Mark Bryant knows the science behind his fitness tips but works to keep it simple in his columns. His latest certification is from the National Academy of Sports Medicine so he is now a NASM Certified Professional (SFS) as well as a Certified Senior Fitness Instructor

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Health Matters

Medical Minutes ...by John Schieszer

Cranberries Pack Powerful Nutritional Punch Loaded with vitamin C and fiber, cranberries are much more than a holiday John Schieszer favorite. Studies show that eating cranberries on a regular basis may improve cardiovascular health by improving blood cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure levels and lowering inflammation. These benefits may help improve blood vessel function and slow plaque formation, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

“Cranberries can be a great source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. [However], it is important to look out for added sugar when consuming them in the form of sauces, juices, dried fruit and desserts,” said Jessica Bennett, a dietitian at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

In 2001, a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry investigated the quantity and quality of antioxidants in fruits

and found that cranberries came out on top. The cranberry is one of North America’s three native fruits commercially harvested. Its history can be traced back to this country’s infancy when it was used by the Native Americans to relieve pain. Today, studies suggest that cranberries may reduce the risk of gum disease, stomach ulcers and cancer. A new study concluded that cranberries may help improve the gut microbiome, which is a key protector for human health. An imbalance in the gut microbiota can increase the risk for several chronic diseases.

In general, processing, storage and heating reduces the antioxidant levels in cranberries, therefore, said one researcher, uncooked fruit is the best. On the basis of serving size, 100% pure cranberry juice was found to have the highest antioxidant content. However, most people don’t drink it in this form due to its sour taste. Fresh and dried cranberries have the next highest antioxidant content based on serving size, followed by cranberry sauce. Bennett recommends adding cranberries to smoothies, oatmeal,

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trail mix, and even popcorn.

Cranberries have a potential drug interaction with warfarin, which is used to control blood clots. It is always best to first talk to your physician about any supplements, including cranberry powders or capsules, because they may interact with other medications.

Sonic Waves for Clearing Coronary Arteries Some heart centers around the country now are using a novel lithotripsy technology to treat coronary blockages. This new technology is known as intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) and it’s based on the lithotripsy technology used to break up kidney stones. Shockwave technology delivers sonic waves to break-up problematic calcium allowing the blocked artery to safely expand while restoring blood flow through a stent implant.

As coronary artery disease progresses, plaque in the arterial wall often evolves into calcium deposits. These calcium deposits narrow the artery and restrict blood flow. These bone-like structures make the artery rigid and more difficult to reopen with conventional treatments including balloons. IVL uses sonic pressure waves that pass through soft arterial tissue and disrupt calcified plaque by creating a series of micro-fractures. After the calcium has been cracked, the artery can be expanded at low pressure and a stent safely implanted to improve blood flow.

This new coronary technology is becoming more widely available.

Interventional cardiologist and structural heart specialist Dr. Rajiv Tayal said the procedure is fairly simple and only involves one night in the hospital. “After 30 years of using the same tools to treat heart disease, Shockwave IVL technology advances our treatment offerings for some of our most complex patient cases. This novel application of lithotripsy reduces the patient’s risk of procedural complications and damage to surrounding tissue in the artery,” said Dr. Tayal, Director of The Valley Hospital’s Cardiac Catherization Laboratory in New Jersey.

High Protein and Low-Calorie Egg White Noodles Researchers from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University in Thailand are pleasing noodle lovers with udon and vermicelli products made from 100% egg whites. These noodles are high in protein, low in fat, gluten-free, and may be suitable for those who wish to control their weight, for older adults, and people with certain diseases, including cancer patients.

Egg white is an excellent source of protein, rich in amino acids that are essential to the body, with no cholesterol. It is also easy

Winter Edition 2021 to digest. The body can use it to to build muscles and strengthen the immune system. Boiled egg whites are recommended for older adults and individuals with health problems who require high protein, low-fat diets—such as those with kidney disease, diabetes or those wanting to control their weight. However, eating boiled egg whites every day can be boring, and people may stop eating them altogether. Dr. Sathaporn Ngamukos, the co-founder of Thandee Innofood Company, said these noodles are made with no flour, no gluten, and no preservatives.

“More importantly, the noodles don’t taste like boiled eggs because of the technology to coat the egg white with plant-based protein,” said Dr. Ngam-ukos.

The noodles are ready to eat without having to blanch or boil first. They can be eaten right out of the package, or used in either savory or sweet dishes as your creativity could dream up. Apart from rice vermicelli and udon noodles, the team is working on developing more variety of noodle products, as well as other forms of ready-to-eat health foods such as egg white digestive beverages.

Replacing Shots with a 3D-Printed Vaccine Patch Scientists at Stanford University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have created a 3D-printed vaccine patch that provides greater protection than a typical vaccine shot. The trick is applying the vaccine patch directly to the skin, which is full of immune cells that vaccines target. The resulting immune response from the vaccine patch was 10 times greater than vaccine delivered into an arm muscle with a needle jab, according to a study published by the team of scientists in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“In developing this technology, we hope to set the foundation for even more rapid global development of vaccines, at lower doses, in a pain-free and anxiety-free manner,” said lead study author and entrepreneur in 3D print technology Joseph M. DeSimone, who is a professor of translational medicine and chemical engineering at Stanford University in California.

While microneedle patches have been studied for decades, the work by Carolina and Stanford overcomes some past challenges, because 3D printing allows the microneedles to be easily customized for various vaccine patches, including flu, measles, hepatitis or COVID-19 vaccines. ❖ John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute. He can be reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com.

Winter Edition 2021

Healthy Aging

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 7

Naturally Healthy

Managing Chronic Pain

Folate Helps with Brain and Personality

…by Paige Bartlett, de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging

…by Suzy Cohen

According to the CDC, one in five adults has chronic pain. Chronic pain becomes increasingly common as we age. For some, chronic pain can make it hard to function and complete basic daily tasks.

“Think of pain like an alarm system,” a group of UW Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing students wrote in a chronic pain information sheet. “When you are hurt, the alarm system activates and sends a message to the brain that you need to take action. In approximately one in four people, the alarm system does not calm down and stays extra sensitive. This is when pain becomes chronic.”

The students, Maria Cosgrove, Peter Lam and Val Tyler, created the information sheet as a part of their project with Full Life with the aim of helping clients tackle chronic pain. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges to the students’ project.

“We never got to actually see our clients,” said Lam. “[So] we wanted to work with the people who were with the clients the most. And that was the care coordination team.”

Health home care coordinators at Full Life work with their clients to connect them with services, plan their care and treatment, and provide health education.

During COVID-19, the care coordinators have been meeting with their clients through virtual telehealth appointments.

The students put together a chronic pain fact sheet that care coordinators could share with clients.

They also developed an information packet for the care coordinators and a guide for having pain management conversations with their clients. Overall, the project was well received by the coordinators. They were interested in having similar resource materials for other conditions.

The students tailored the content to different levels of readers, as clients may have different first languages and levels of education. The sheet listed different pain management strategies such as exercise, repositioning, physical therapy, breathing exercises and clinical psychology, as well as common myths about chronic pain.

One myth was “it’s best to tough it out” when, in fact, pain management can be an important part of being able to complete daily tasks. Another myth was that pain just a part of growing older. “You get some degeneration in your joints and there is natural aging that happens,” said Cosgrove. “But being in consistent chronic pain that is affecting your daily life and your activities is not normal.”

The information packet for the care coordinators included resources on how to access non-pharmacological treatments, such as a free mindfulness-based stress reduction course at palousemindfulness.com, and free acupuncture for veterans at Seattle Acupuncture for Veterans. The packet also had information on local buprenorphine or methadone clinics and how clients can access them.

“We included the Suboxone or Methadone because there’s a lot of evidence to support that long term use of opioids is not a very effective way to deal with chronic pain, and it comes with a lot of risks,” said Tyler. “Instead of taking opioids for a long time, clients can consider Suboxone because it’s a safer option than long-term opioids.”

Many pain management strategies instead of, or in addition to, medication can be effective and safe – although individuals with chronic pain should talk to their health care provider before changing their pain treatment plan.

“It was a little eye opening, the extent of the non-pharmacological interventions [available],” said Cosgrove. ❖

Most people know how on Amazon). A folate important B vitamins are, deficiency can change your especially for energy and personality. nerve health. One of the As for folate versus folic most famous vitamins is acid, the choice is clear B9, or what you see on to me. My advice is don’t store shelves as “folic acid.” believe people who tell you This is a nutrient that’s that your body will convert required for proper spinal the folic acid to folate. Take development in fetuses, and the biologically active form very commonly suggested of folate (folate which is by obstetricians. Folic acid is a synthetic also called 5-MTHF) and spend the extra precursor to natural folate, or 5-MTHF, money to buy the body-ready form of it, which your body manufactures in a very otherwise you won’t get optimal effects. complex biochemical process.

If you are short on riboflavin for Now there’s a new scientific paper example, the pathway comes to a screeching that shows folate can help your brain. halt. To see what I mean, visit my website Researchers examined a bunch of clinical and read the longer version of this article studies in what’s called a meta-analysis where I have posted a graphic to show you and discerned from all the data (across all how difficult this process actually is.

60 studies/publications) that folate can Most people are not short on help with Alzheimer’s disease. The article folate. But if you are, then you should be is published in Frontiers in Neuroscience. supplementing with the very best, and More specifically, they found that folate eating foods rich in folate like salads, leafy levels (tested via blood) were reduced in greens, peas, broccoli and hummus.

Alzheimer’s patients compared with healthy If you would like to read the longer controls. version of this article and find out more Alzheimer’s is a memory disorder that about other herbs that can support your affects more than 6 million Americans, brain function and cognition, please sign up according to the Alzheimer’s Association. for my free newsletter at suzycohen.com. ❖ On an interesting side note, I can’t help but question how any people with memory disorders are suffering from the “drug mugging” effect of other medications they started a few years ago.

Did you know that certain drugs impact your ability to absorb folate, as well as other nutrients needed to make No matter where you’re at in life, Powell Senior Communities has housing for all stages. acetylcholine— In fact, the Powell family has been building our community for 112 years. your memory The tremendous natural beauty, active lifestyle and caring staff are just a few of the chemical? reasons so many people call a Powell Community home.

Folate is Choose from optimal senior living choices. mugged by Independent living • Assisted living • Cottage Homes • Parkview 62+ apartments at least 178 We’re family owned and operated, and provide compassionate care in a safe different environment. You will also enjoy peace of mind knowing if the need should ever drugs, and arise, award-winning Assisted Living care is available right on campus. probably more.

This is well documented in my world because I’ve studied and Quality care is just a click away. written a book about it called To learn more visit us on the web today at Drug Muggers www.powellseniorcommunities.com. (available

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The Great Outdoors

F.Y.I.

Tsunami Shelters Save Lives …by Roger Urbaniak

Scientists have been predicting that a significant tsunami wave will strike the Washington coast.

Research shows that Roger Urbaniak the frequency of previous tsunamis means that Washington is overdue for another one, with a 10-15% chance that it will occur sometime during the next 50 years – or sooner.

When a strong earthquake occurs along the Pacific plate located off our coast, the resulting tsunami wave is expected to reach cities like Westport or Ocean Shores in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. An earthquake of 9.0 would also be expected to destroy local roads, forcing those near the water to scramble on foot to reach shelter above the height of the wave—or be caught up in the deadly debris-filled tsunami wave. Science cannot predict exactly when this event will occur.

Construction of tsunami shelters becomes a choice of between building a few expensive shelters with a good chance of providing shelter during a worst-case tsunami wave, or building several more affordable, practical shelters that have a high probability of providing shelter during most events that might occur— or building nothing.

On foot, an average person might travel up to two miles during their 20-to-30-minute warning time.

Based on this information, Westport would need eight well located shelters (roughly two miles apart), Ocean Shores would need another 12 shelters and Long Beach would require 27 well located shelters. Building even a few structures capable of withstanding 20or 30-foot tsunami waves in these areas

would likely save lives. Because of the distance to higher ground, some studies have predicted that the Westport area might see 80-90% mortality from a 30foot tsunami wave.

To date, only two shelters have been built in Washington, one at Westport and one at Tokeland, leaving lives at risk.

Four years ago, I began forming a startup non-profit company to address the tsunami shelter issue. After much study, including FEMA predictions at that time and various designs implemented in Japan, we decided to design a multipurpose building that could generate revenue, plus act as shelter in a tsunami event. We met with mayors, chamber of commerce committees, emergency management personnel, architects and state geologists. We joined a tsunami shelter study committee, and had preliminary plans drawn by an engineer. Our idea is that income from renting out useable space in the shelter would help make the structure more affordable. Our website, www.solidhighground.com, showcases our building design.

Unexpected setbacks to our efforts surprised us. Our initial design targeted withstanding 30-foot tsunami waves, sch

C t ed oda all ule y t at o ou r!

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Winter Edition 2021

which was a FEMA standard at the time, based on results of a worst case 1000-year storm. Then new building requirements changed to require withstanding a worst-case 2500-year storm with possible 60-foot waves.

Some studies show that this wave could even exceed 100 feet in some locations.

We tentatively offered communities free structures valued at roughly $1.5 million if they donated land, utilities and the funding needed to meet their local requirements to finish our versatile shell. Communities would be able to keep the revenue generated. Most declined because they were afraid of liability if structures were not certified as meeting the new FEMA requirements, even though the structures would likely save lives during a major Cascadia event. Good Samaritan laws could be written to address this problem.

The best time to build a tsunami shelter is before a tsunami occurs.

Planning, permits and construction can take a few years. Scientific predictions urge us to start this process soon if we are to have some shelters ready in time.

Do your own research, or feel free to visit my website, solidhighground.com and review our proposed solutions to the tsunami issue. Shelters capable of withstanding a tsunami wave will not be built without our public support.

With public interest in saving lives by building tsunami shelters, perhaps our government will act.

Your thoughts? I can be reached at roger@solidhighground.com. ❖

Medicare Reminder Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7. This is your chance to switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa.

Those with Original Medicare can join, drop or switch a Part D prescription drug plan during this time, and those with a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different plan. Your new coverage will start January 1, 2022.

Before you make your decision, consider the following tips: • Review all letters and notices from your current plan as costs and coverage can change every year. Does your plan still cover your prescription medications, your doctor and pharmacy?

• Make a list of all current prescription drugs you take, the doses, and how often. Then, use the Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov to compare Part D plans.

• Review the 2022 Medicare & You handbook. You should have received it by mid-October.

For help with your Medicare questions before you sign up: • Consider calling the Insurance Consumer Hotline: 1-800-562-6900 and ask to speak with a SHIBA volunteer in your local county: King, Pierce or Snohomish.

• You can also check out SHIBA resources at www.insurance.wa.gov/ medicare.

• Another resource to check is www.medicare.gov.

Fiction met reality when William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk on the iconic Star Trek television series, blasted into space in October at the age of 90. Some cheered to see their fictional captain go into space in real life, but author and workplace educator Carrie Root sees it from another angle: She hopes that seeing a nonagenarian launched into space can help fight the generational divide and age discrimination that causes so much trouble in the workplace. She added that understanding the differences between the generations, and appreciating what each can offer the other, is helpful when addressing multigenerational issues. Photo courtesy Blue Origin

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The ongoing life-affirming adventures of Rose and Dawn

The Funny Side of Life

Money, Lies, Drapes and Nazis …by Sy Rosen

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve changed my attitude towards money – okay I’ve become cheaper.

However, I’m a spendthrift compared to Sy Rosen my 89-year-old Aunt Emma. I don’t know if you have a relative like this, but Aunt Emma actually believes things now cost what they did in 1950. For example, a few weeks ago I was taking her to the movies. She insisted on treating as she handed the cashier a dollar bill and waited for change.

When Aunt Emma wasn’t looking, I slipped the cashier the rest of the money. I didn’t have the heart to tell Emma that these days you have to take out a bank loan to go to the movies.

As Aunt Emma got older, her eyesight worsened and this once tireless cleaner (you could see your reflection in her carpet) now couldn’t spot all the dust in her apartment. Her drapes were getting very dirty, and I told her I could get them dry-cleaned. She insisted on paying for it. I knew it would cost about $90 but lied and said there was a special for $10. She thought the price was a little high but allowed me to take them to the cleaners.

I was very proud of myself when I returned to her apartment about a week later with the drapes. However, waiting for me in the lobby was my Aunt Emma and seven of her friends. All her friends were holding drapes. Aunt Emma had told them about the $10 special, and they wanted in!

The cheapness part of my brain immediately panicked. My good deed could cost me an additional $560. I had no choice. I had to lie again. “I’m sorry,” I said, “but the dry cleaners burned down.” It was a pretty good lie except for the fact that I was holding Emma’s drapes in my arms.

“How’d did you get the drapes out?” asked Carl, a retired accountant who suddenly took on

Plan your day, your way.

Winter Edition 2021

Lettuce Give Thanks …by Diana Couture

Dawn smiled at the growing pile of chopped the tone of a federal prosecutor.

“Oh,” I said, “I uh, I got the drapes walnuts on her kitchen counter. She was making her world-famous Waldorf Salad a couple of days ago and have been for the Senior Center Holiday potluck keeping them at my house.” dinner and dance.

Carl then sniffed Aunt Emma’s This was a big occasion since it drapes. “They smell smoky,” he said. was the only celebration held after dark The others sniffed and agreed. throughout the entire year. Many of the I explained they couldn’t smell smoky because the fire didn’t start until seniors made special arrangements for drop-off and pick-up because few were today and I already had the drapes. very adept at night driving.

Carl retorted, “It was probably a Dawn folded the walnuts into slow burning fire and started days ago.” the already cut up grapes, apples and He then turned to Aunt Emma and said, “You should sue.” “She, she, can’t celery. Rose, of course will be envious sue,” I stammered. “Why not?” pressed because her Waldorf never has the ‘zing’ Carl. I felt like he was shining a bright that Dawn’s has. There was a secret ingredient in the dressing that Dawn has light in my face.

“Because, because, the dry cleaners kept secret even from Rose for all these years. She smiled smugly, thinking of set the fire for the insurance and skipped the country. The police found this.

Salad ready. Check. Dressy black a partially burnt ticket stub to Bolivia.”

“Bolivia?! That’s where a lot of old slacks and black lace trimmed top.

Check. Dawn was ready.

Nazis are hiding,” Carl quickly said.

Rose had ordered a car service “That’s right,” I agreed. “They think and they would be picking her up any the dry cleaners are hiding out with minute. Dawn checked the mirror the Nazis.” Whenever you’re telling and wished her eyebrows were a little an outrageous lie it’s good to include thicker. Why do things like that seem to Nazis. disappear as we grow older? Sigh. “Oh They all nodded and took their well, off I go for a lovely evening…with drapes back to their apartments. The or without eyebrows.” crisis was over. Except I noticed that The nice driver from the car service Emma was looking at me very oddly. came to the garden door to escort Dawn During my next weekly visit, she to the car. What a nice extra service confronted me... “That Nazi story that’s normally not offered by your Uber wasn’t true, was it? Everybody knows driver. Rose was already in the back seat the Nazis are in Panama.”

I was cornered and had to explain, in her navy-blue velvet jacket and black slacks. “Well, aren’t we adorable,” Rose “I, uh, was undercharging you for the drapes. I thought you might feel bad if offered, and the girls gave a little hug hello. Nothing I told you.” too involved so “How much as not to mess up did it really cost?” the recently done she asked. hairdos. “$12,” I The Senior replied, lying one Center was last time lighted with tiny, She stared at sparkling orbs. me for a minute It really looked and then said, like an expensive “You’re a good boy. dance club. All You got cheated the potluck but you’re a good dishes were set boy. Now let’s go to on a table on lunch.” She then the side of the happily put 50 dinner/dance cents in her purse “Everything’s starting to click for me! floor. Tables and as she said, “And My knees, my elbows, my neck… “ chairs would be it’s my treat.” ❖

moved after the dinner service to facilitate dancing. Rose spotted Ben and Jerry – two bachelors who were always good for a few dances. She waved and blew a kiss.

Ben and Jerry responded in kind and came over to book a few spins on the dance floor with the girls.

Just then, both men dashed away and ducked quickly behind one of the decorative screens separating the food from the tables. “What on earth?” Rose questioned. “What’s up with you two?

Did you see a ghost?” Jerry’s head peaked tentatively from behind the screen.

“It’s Lettuce Joyce,” he whispered.

“We’ve been avoiding her all summer.

It’s a long story but suffice it to say that we can eat NO more lettuce.”

Dawn tsk’d at their reluctance to face Joyce. “She’s a very generous soul and has a large garden every summer.

You should be glad that she includes you in the sharing of her bounty.” Ben boldly came out from behind the screen to counterattack.

“Have you ever been on the receiving end of bags full of heads of lettuce? Have you had them delivered to your home on a daily basis? To the point that you have the first bag of lettuce rotting in the bag that you hadn’t even brought in from the porch yet, while three other bags are lined up behind the rotter? It’s exhausting.” Jerry piped in with a chorus of thoughts: “We had so many heads of lettuce that our friends and family were beginning to lock doors and close curtains if they saw us coming with anything round and green. That’s when we decided to tell Lettuce Joyce that we were going on a European holiday and wouldn’t be back until the Fall. It had to come to lies to stop her.”

Jerry added, “Since we weren’t really on holiday, we’ve had to dodge her all summer. If we saw her at the grocery store, we had to run to the next aisle or hide behind a seasonal display. I guess we overreacted when we saw her tonight since it is now Fall and we are supposed to be here. Ben, we need to take a deep breath and relax. There’s no more lettuce from her garden this season.”

Joyce hustled over to the group of four to say a quick hello to all. “What a delightful surprise to see you two boys here tonight. Did you have an enjoyable time across the pond?” She smiled with a slightly evil tilt and said, “I’ve brought a fresh lettuce salad for our potluck dinner.

I hope you enjoy.” ❖

Winter Edition 2021

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Just Four *Kicks ...by Len Elliott

Across 1. Tranquil 5. Skeptical sort 10. Ford and Lincoln, e.g.

14. Provo neighbor 15. Alley Oop’s love 16. Bullring bellows 17. *”Lost money” scam 19. Horse of a different color 20. Pretty ____ picture: 2 wds.

21. School support group: abbr.

22. John Hancock and others re Declaration of Independence 24. Certain online food critic 26. Set the golf ball again for a drive 27. Make very happy 29. Attain success, in a way 33. Sob 35. Sheep shelter 37. Lauder of beauty items 38. Capricorn animal 39. Rips 41. Armored war vehicle 42. “Hammerin’ Hank” of baseball 44. The D in CD-ROM 45. “Grumpy ____ Men” (1993 film) 46. George who played in 26 NFL seasons 48. Franz who composed “The Merry Widow” 50. California’s ____ Verdes Peninsula 52. Letter-shaped girders: hyph.

56. Followed, as a game animal 59. QB Manning 60. W.C.’s “chickadee” 61. Killer whale 62. *Hockey’s “sin bin” 65. Artist Chagall 66. Self-composure 67. Suffix for million or billion 68. Dueling sword 69. “____ Majesty’s Secret Service” (Bond film): 2 wds.

70. Spunkmeyer of baked goods Down 1. Fee for many a doctor’s visit 2. Get up 3. ____ eagle (nickname for a lawyer) 4. Mrs. in Marseille: abbr.

5. Get smaller 6. “Star Wars” mystic 7. Neither’s partner 8. “You win; ____.”: 2 wds.

9. Per ____ (for each person) 10. *Neighborhood market, often 11. Soothing substance 12. Raise up, like a horse 13. Nine-digit tax ID numbers: abbr.

18. German car 23. “Pretty Woman” actor Richard 25. *Grace Metalious’ 1956 controversial novel 26. Sells directly to consumers 28. Three-____ sloth 30. Slanting font: abbr.

31. Sell 32. Frightened yell 33. Anthracite, e.g.

34. ____ avis (uncommon thing) 36. Gaelic language 38. Chew the fat 40. Friedrich ____ (German poet) 43. Its capital is Bismarck: abbr.

47. War-torn Syrian city 49. Just ____ (tiny amount): 2 wds.

51. “____ a Grecian Urn”: 2 wds.

A Flurry of Flakes – White Ones ...by Len Elliott

The answer to each clue contains a form of the word “snow.” For, example, Motion picture blizzard may be answered, “Snow foolin’.”

Hope you get the drift of this word game. (No puns in answers to the following clues!)

Though gravity, sadly, has taken its toll,

answers on page 14

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53. Scope of action 54. An official language in Australia 55. Male and female, e.g.

56. Unspecified amount 57. Snare 58. Farmland unit 59. Nice, comfy feeling 63. Dr. Fauci’s employer: abbr.

64. ____ Ming (NBA star center from Shanghai) SUM OF THE PARTS

1. Short story by Ernest Hemingway featuring an African mountain.

2. Singer Anne Murray’s signature song.

3. “Stopping by Woods on a _________ (Robert Frost poem) 4. White, night-flying hunter.

5. “Sleigh bells ring/Are you listening?/In the lane/_________ 6. Late songstress whose first name is that of a bird.

7. “But as long as you love me so, _________.”

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

solution on page 14

The gift of old age we will always extoll.

Nothing has changed in our minds and our hearts But I’m guessing we all miss our perkier parts.

-- Pat D’Amico

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Scenes from Childhood

Writing Corner

Christmas at the Department Store …by Wynne Crombie

Christmas at our local department store, Rhodes in Tacoma, was something else.

The store would be open late, and after dinner we would troop into the car and head off for our department store Christmas odyssey.

An electric train whizzed above us on a monorail. Toys would be divided into two camps: cars/truck/trains for the boys; dolls/dollhouses/play stoves for the girls. Games and puzzles would sort of overlap into both sexes. And Santa would be there clucking over all of us and asking if we had been good. But just to be sure, we always pointed out to our parents what we wanted.

For the World War II era child, the downtown department store was a magical place. It had departments that no longer exist. I used to love to wander into Rhodes’ book department where a Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys could be had for 75 cents.

I remember the X-ray machine in the shoe department. I peered down through the murky green to my feet and saw only foot bones. The shoe salesman explained to my mother that, yes, there was lots of room for growth.

This was by far the most fascinating department for me.

The notions department was hidden away in a back corner of the first floor. My mother shopped here for dress shields (do they sell those anymore?). You could also pick up pins, assorted buttons, tape measures and scissors. In a child’s eyes, it did not spell excitement. In cahoots with the notions, but for some odd reason on a different floor, was the fabric department.

Then, as now, the men’s department was on the first floor.

There wasn’t much variety. Everything seemed to be in white…handkerchiefs, shirts and boxer shorts. Ties were in

sensible colors.

Womenswear tended to be more elaborate, but sensible.

Woe to the tall or petite; there were no special sizes.

Rhodes had a music department where, for one dollar, you could buy a record album. Sheet music was a big item; a willing clerk would even bang out the melody for prospective buyers on an old upright.

Paying for your purchases was an exacting process. My mother would hand over her Rhodes card or cash to the clerk. The bundle was placed in a drive-in-bank-like cylinder. A button was pushed, and the cylinder whooshed upwards to some hinter location. The reverse process…with the receipt inside…happened a few minutes later.

The revolving front door didn’t come to Rhodes until the Fifties.

When it did, we kids would go 'round and 'round until some adult came along to show us the error of our ways. There was a big ta-do when Rhodes finally ripped out the stairs and behold…moving stairs… an escalator was installed. There was a little shaky hopping-on at first until we got the hang of it.

We made it to the top hoping that our feet didn’t disappear into the mechanism.

The white-gloved elevator operator moved us from floor to floor by turning a big golden wheel. Most notable was her trill, “Up car, gooooing up.” When she overshot a floor, she would say, “oops,” and get us back on track. She always knew everything about every floor and dutifully recited their contents.

Rhodes had a soda fountain on the mezzanine where you could get the best hot fudge sundae…ever. There was only one Rhodes department store.

Long gone, it is only a distant memory, but a happy one. ❖

Bellevue ChamBer Chorus Join us for our 2021-2022 Concert Season!

Ben Luedcke, Artistic Director

How Can I Keep From (live) Singing?

Every single piece was selected by our members and marks our hopeful return to live singing... everything from Mendelssohn, Barber, and Lauridsen, to jazz standards with bass and percussion!

Bellevue Chamber Chorus is supported in part by:

Winter Edition 2021

Live Concert: Sunday Nov. 14, 2021, 4:00 pm  (venue pending)  Online Broadcast: Saturday Nov. 20 through Sunday Nov. 28, 2021 

Finding Home: The Sense of Belonging  March 2022 

International Poetry Extravaganza!  May 2022 

Senior Prices available. Programming subject to change. Masks and proof of vaccination required for live concerts. Other safety measures may apply.

For up-to-date schedule, safety information and ticket sales, call the Chorus office at 425.522.3436, or visit www.bellevuechamberchorus.org.

What Do Readers Want? …by Ariele M. Huff

I always tell writers that readers “vant to drink your blood.”

That means, readers want writers to share themselves more Ariele M. Huff deeply than many writers want to share. Step aside, scaredy cats, and let the risk takers face the hazards to reach that goal—satisfying spectators.

Now, we’ve all heard the rather Victorian cliché of authors living in cold attics, probably drinking or drugging to quell the pain of opening their secrets to others.

Cliché, yes. But can be true. There is an emotional cost to revealing flaws and mistakes, which – not coincidentally – are favorite things other people like to hear. (But it’s hard not to sound needy and whiney.) It’s even riskier to confide about your own strengths, successes and luck. (So hard not to sound conceited or deceitful.)

Aside from the ghoulish desire to consume your soul, readers want absolute consistency…even when a piece is based on inconsistencies.

Ha! You are beginning to see the difficulties, I’m sure. We’re talking about “the contract with the reader.” Foreshadowings must be consistently followed by the hints they give. Or, if you introduce a compelling character, woe be it unto you, dear wordsmith, if you then abandon that intriguing person. Ditto for giving a peek into a car to see the parking brake slipping out and then refusing to complete the scenario.

A universal, ubiquitous truth: people want to feel heard.

Journalists, novelists, poets, scriptwriters, etc. strive for this goal by erecting an intriguingly

Poetry Corner “Steady Hands” Troubles rarely mean life or death no matter how much we fear.

We’re pulled by our own short-sighted strings and forget the Puppeteer.

clean and powerful play, documentary, poem, article that allures bookworms the way spider webs call to small things with wings.

The worms “want to be heard” too. Sometimes, that can happen for them through other people’s work. A good author or newspaper wo/man can satisfy others in this way with dynamic, compelling messages. The “being heard” can arise from a single brain, but represent hundreds, thousands… millions.

What it comes down to: We look for the same qualities in writers that we do in lovers, spouses, friends, doctors and politicians. We want complete honesty AND openness. We want someone who is strong enough and interesting enough to make us feel safe AND entertained.

We want a stainless-steel spine accompanied by a pulsing heart… kind of a combination of the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Woodman.

Oh, and we want full and total respect. Writers, comedians, friends, lovers and spouses may all make fun of themselves for our entertainment. They can target people who are not like us, but we…the audience…only become willing spectators when we feel safety, approval and appreciation.

It’s not an impossible task, after all. But it does give the endeavoring author some understanding of those Victorians in their chilly garrets. Have another bottle of Bordeaux, you mentally offer, and a cigar and a potato, if you can find one. ❖ Ariele Huff leads a ZOOM writing group on Thursdays, from 3 pm to 4:30 pm, only $24 for a dozen two-hour classes.

Contact ariele@comcast.net.

“My Father’s 90th Birthday Haikus” Pebbles on a beach… each of them a memory: sparkling mosaic.

Triumphs and mistakes: Surviving, yes---and thriving.

What a tapestry!

There are no shortcuts through laughter, tears and wonder.

Ninety must be earned.

--Moreah Vestan

“Bread of Life” …hidden away but not forgotten, like a box of chocolates in reserve, the sweet treasures in my memory-cupboard that I return to again and again.

Will I ever have enough of this wonderful feast of life?

--Peggy Muncaster, Vancouver, BC

--Nancy Weinstein Poems maybe edited, excerpted from, or used in NorthwestPrimeTime.com’s Sharing Stories. Send poetry to ariele@comcast.net.

Winter Edition 2021

F.Y.I. Addressing Senior Isolation

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 13

LET’S GO! A Calendar of Places to Go, Do or See…

See our full calendar at northwestprimetime.com/calendar

Auburn Veteran’s Day Parade Nov 6, 11am-2pm (community breakfast 7:309:30am at Senior Center 808 Ninth St SE) Now in its 56th year, the parade has grown into one of the largest parades of its kind in the United States of America. The parade route travels along Main Street from E Street to A Street NW/SW. Spectators age 5+ required to wear a mask.

Greenwood Senior Center participants on a fieldtrip to Bainbridge Island

Spurred by statistics on the negative health impacts of social isolation, the Greenwood Senior Center launched a project to increase social connection among older adults.

The Center already offers programs designed to empower older adults to remain in their homes and connect to their community with a focus on inclusion and resource support for isolated elders including LGBTQIA+ elders, and those affected by memory loss.

The project will be holding conversations regarding social connection and wants to hear from you. Topics to be discussed will include social connection challenges and successes since the pandemic began, along with anecdotes and ideas about the role of senior centers in increasing social connection.

To be part of these conversations and to learn more about the Center’s programs, contact Teresa Tam at 206531-0061 or teresat@phinneycenter.org.

Veterans Resource Fair Nov 9, 10:30-noon, online event o learn about resources beyond the VA, for more info contact Wendy Pender, KCLS Older Adults Program Coordinator, 425-369-3285, wgpender@kcls.org Veterans Day Town Hall Nov 10, noon-1pm, Facebook live event hosted by Everyone for Veterans, listen and learn from those who have served in combat zones, https://www. facebook.com/events/390281082611098/ Aging Well Learning Community Nov 20, 10:15-12:30pm, free Zoom discussion for older adults presented by KCLS, https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/ events/5fa1b9c29853455f255e0955

Elderwise Dec 2, 1pm, “The Elderwise Way” free book talk & discussion a different approach to life for people with dementia including caregiving tips, email to register for this free Zoom event, arielb@ phinneycenter.org.

Bloedel Reserve The woods are waiting for you at Bainbridge Island’s Bloedel Reserve with 150 acres of gardens, meadows, forests, wildlife and comfortable walking paths designed for slowing down and breathing deep, advance tickets required, call 206-842-7631 or visit bloedelreserve.org.

NOTE: Many museums, arts, music & performance organizations are offering in-person events. Contact your favorite organization for schedule and Covid policies for attending.

NEST Events Events for older adults: Wednesdays 11-noon walk with others in Seattle’s Magnuson Park – meet in parking lot E4 at north end of Lake Shore Dr NE. Moving with Greater Ease Tuesdays (chair), Wednesdays (floor) learn relaxing gentle movement to increase flexibility and comfort call 206-525-6378. Fridays 1-3pm pickleball at Wedgewood Presbyterian 8008 35th Ave NE (parking lot) weather dependent – join group for a safe, fun, low-impact socially distanced recreational activity. www.nestseattle.org 206-525-6378.

KCLS Events These free live virtual events require registration—for info on all events contact 425-462-9600 or check KCLS.org events page. Nov 2, 7-8pm meet Daniel James Brown, author of “The Boys in the Boat” discusses his new book “Facing the Mountain” chronicles the stories of four Japanese-American families during WWII. Nov 3, 6-7:30pm Knit Lit Book Group “The Witch Elm”. Nov 4, 1-1:45pm beginning yoga. Nov 4, 7-8pm Meditation for Health and Happiness. Nov 6, 2-3:30pm “The River That Made Seattle” – history and future of the Duwamish. Nov 9, 6-7 online Kahoot Trivia for fans of Dancing with the Stars. Nov 16, 2-3 create a plan for what will happen to your photos, emails and online accounts if something happens to you. Nov 18, 1-1:45 Tai Chi. Nov 18, 7:30-8:30pm, author of “Braiding Sweetgrass” moderated by UW professor Dr. Charlotte Cote. Nov 19, 11am12:30pm Reading aloud for adults. Nov 22, 1-3pm Genealogy Chat. Ongoing: Tuesdays & Weds by appointment Digital Navigator to help with just about anything to do something on the computer free 30-minute phone or online appointments with KCLS will help, Daily online interactive arts activities presented by Silver Kite. Wednesdays 1-3pm Genealogy Help (register 24 hours in advance).

THE WOODS ARE WAITING FOR YOU

There’s a place a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle where you can reconnect with nature and yourself.

Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island— 150 acres of gardens, meadows, forests, water, wildlife, and comfortable walking trails designed for slowing down and breathing deep.

Advance tickets are required for entry.

Book online: bloedelreserve.org/tickets Come discover what a walk in the woods can do.

OPEN TUESDAY–SUNDAY, 10 AM–4 PM 206-842-7631 | bloedelreserve.org

Arts and Performances

Best of the Northwest Nov 13-14, in-person local artist marketplace, masks and proof of vaccination required at entry, $5-$8, Hangar 30 Magnuson Park, Seattle, https://nwartalliance.org/bnw-fall-show-2021 Bellevue Chamber Chorus Nov 14, 4pm, live concert (venue pending) – “How Can I Keep From (live) Singing?” marks a hopeful return to live singing and also includes online broadcast Nov 20-Nov 28. 2022 season includes “Finding Home” in March, and May features “International Poetry Extravaganza!”

Senior prices available. 425-522-3436 or www. bellevuechamberchorus.org.

Symphony Tacoma ‘Tis the Season—Dec 5th at 2:30pm enjoy Holiday Favorites at the Pantages Theater.

Dec 17 at 7:30pm enjoy Handel’s Messiah at St. Charles Borromeo Church. Symphony Tacoma has been inspiring audiences for 75 years and has a full schedule for its 2021-2022 Season. For tickets, call 253-272-7264 or visit symphonytacoma.org.

The Neptune Theat Turns 100 The longtime Seattle landmark turns 100 in November.

The Seattle Theatre Group (STG), which runs the theater, is celebrating in part by collecting and sharing patrons’ favorite memories at the theater. On November 16 these stories will be shared along with a lookback at the Neptune’s long history, including a short video about the life of the theatre.

Opened in 1921, the Neptune was a motion picture theater in the heart of the University District. Built during the silent film era, the venue showcased nautical décor depicting sea scenes reflecting its namesake, King Neptune.

The November 16th event is FREE with a reservation. Reserve your tickets stgpresents. org/neptune100.

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Northwest Prime Time www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com

Winter Edition 2021

Catching Up With Nancy Guppy ...continued from page 1

show. But years went by before she’d find her way back to these roots. After graduating from the UW in Speech Communications, a degree she chose because there was no science involved, she felt like a lost soul and ended up working the phones in the credit department of Nordstrom.

Looking for something to do that would tap into her creative side, Nancy took an acting class at Seattle Central Community College. “That was a turning point for me,” she notes. “I liked it and I took more classes, and then I met Joe Guppy, who changed my life.”

Joe, who is Nancy’s husband, was working with Almost Live! and he got Nancy involved— first as a performer, then a writer. Soon she was Nancy’s parents, Beverly and Alden Harris hired to be a staff writer and cast actor Tom Skerritt about his role member for the in East of the Mountains (view show. this episode at www.youtube.

For Nancy, com/watch?v=PXAGzl_yV3s).

Almost Live! was They have also resumed an incredible shooting bands performing in experience. She the studio. says, “It was the In her free time, Nancy best job ever – so is an avid walker. “I walk fun and a total every day, often as a mode of blast to write transportation. Seattle is easy and perform to navigate, plus I grew up here comedy and to so I know my way around. And make money at I talk out loud to myself when it! We had tons of I walk. No doubt it makes me creative freedom, look a little kooky but it’s how and it was great to I work stuff out.” She also loves work with such to read, enjoys watching movies Nancy recently added to her creative streak when she started hunting for talented people. old paint-by-number pieces that have already been completed and then and going to art events and, collaging on top of them Everyone kept more recently, she has been their egos in check. It was an even making her own art. Her work involves chefs. “We shine a light on someone or playing field.” finding old paint-by-number pieces that some group,” explains Nancy, “and we Joe was a game changer for Nancy, tell their story.” have already been completed and then as he brought her into the creative collaging on top of them. “It’s a great When the pandemic hit, The realms of writing and acting. And most Seattle Channel had to suspend process for me,” she explains, “and uses importantly, he helped her believe my creativity in a completely different production of the show. Nancy in herself. In describing her longtime way.” simplified the show by hosting it from husband, Nancy uses words like, “kind,” her living room with Joe shooting her At 61, Nancy shares some thoughts “focused,” “imaginative,” “funny” and about getting older: “I think my drive segments using an iPhone. She says, “cerebral.” She adds, “He is also a “We called it, Art Zone Phones It In. She has mellowed some, and I don’t feel I tremendous teacher.” have to prove myself anymore,” she says. adds, “I didn’t want the show to just Nancy and Joe left Seattle for go away. Joe learned how to do iMovie “I look to see where I want to invest my L.A., where they spent three years time and energy and with who.” She editing and we’ve had a lot of fun writing for various TV shows. During feels that it’s important to continue to coming up with bits.” this time, Nancy perfected her writing expose herself to people, to the world, Art Zone resumed regular craft. It was a productive period for production this fall. “The only real nod and to be involved in life. “I will always her but, as she explains, it was also be curious and ready to learn, that’s who to the pandemic is that my interviews difficult. “I was having a controlled continue to be recorded on Zoom,” said I am,” she adds. “Curiosity has led me nervous breakdown,” she admitted. “I down so many interesting paths. And Nancy. A recent episode features an was depressed and anxious and Joe and interview with renowned Seattle-based I’m excited to see what’s next.” ❖ I were having marital issues. I really needed to be in a more stable place, so More Information we moved back to Seattle.”

They returned to the city in 1992 • Art Zone with Nancy Guppy on The Seattle Channel offers a lively and Nancy resumed work on Almost look at Seattle’s creative scene. Highlights include interviews with Live!. Things improved for her mentally local artists and performers, with reviews and previews on current and emotionally, as well as between arts and entertainment happenings. New episodes premiere Friday her and Joe. She went on to write, act, nights at 8pm, with additional playbacks throughout the week. For host and produce a number of different more information, visit www.seattlechannel.org/artZone/ projects such as KCTS Currents, Salmon • After last year’s suspension of the arts season, Nancy has her eye Exchange for University of WA TV and on some events during the 2021/2022 season, including taking in Ichabod Caine & the Waking Crew for ACT’s A Christmas Carol. She is intrigued because Amy Thone has KMPS Radio. been cast as Scrooge (alternating the roles of Scrooge and Marley It was her work as creator and with another great Seattle actor, R. Hamilton Wright). “It’s not often host of City A Go Go, an arts show for that a woman plays Scrooge!” she exclaimed. Nancy is also looking The Seattle Channel and KCTS-TV, forward to some upcoming museum exhibits and gallery shows. She that was the impetus for Art Zone with and Joe recently saw The Jelly Rollers perform in a Phinney Ridge Nancy Guppy. The weekly program, backyard. They also rented the Jewel Box Theater at the Rendezvous which first aired in 2008, highlights for two hours to watch Shine A Light, a Rollings Stones concert shot in Pacific Northwest area artists. A full 2008 (directed by Martin Scorcese) in honor of the passing of the gamut of genres is represented from late, great Charlie Watts. Nancy added, “All to say, these slightly visual artists and musicians to dancers, odd arty events are the kind of thing I’ll be doing this fall.” filmmakers, actors, authors and even

classifieds... estate planning Last Will, Power of Attorney, and Living Will. $375/person or $575/couple for complete services.

Mar tin Sjolie, Attorney at Law (Northgate office), (206)-841-1373.

PUZZLE ANSWERS Answers to questions on page 11 1. “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” 2. “Snowbird” 3. …Snowy Evening” 4. Snowy owl 5. Snow is glistening” 6. Phoebe Snow 7. let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”

Crossword Answers Solution for the puzzle on page 11

Kicks: 17A-drop; 62A-penalty; 10D-corner; 25D-place

Seniors Taking Action ...continued from page 4

Terry Jorgensen: “Until recently, as a lucky retired guy from Seattle, I’ve been impacted by many of the effects Terry Jorgensen of climate changes and the compounding effect of population, pollution and poor stewardship of our land and water. I couldn’t help but notice the obvious reduction of glaciers, increased pollution and extreme weather events during my lifetime.

I have joined a number of national, state and community climate action and sustainability groups to become more educated and advocate for change. We can all help by being involved and making thoughtful, educated choices to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on natural resources.”

Seniors who want to take action to slow down global warming can contact their local chapter of 350. org – there are chapters on every continent. Younger folks can join www.sunrisemovement.org, a youth movement to stop climate change.❖

Winter Edition 2021

Library Corner

Creative Arts ...by Wendy Pender

We’ve all had to dig deep and forge new pathways to cope with the pandemic.

The isolation and uncertainty have been so challenging.

Thankfully, Wendy Pender creative arts can provide a satisfying means of escape and self-expression, regardless of the

www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com 15 state of the world. There are so many opportunities to learn and create via your local library. Even if we can’t gather together just yet, the library still has a multitude of options for you to explore.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the King County Library System has offered free virtual arts classes in partnership with awardwinning SilverKite Community Arts, an intergenerational arts company.

SilverKite’s teaching artists engage participants in any number of creative endeavors including: Sip-n-Paint, Bollywood Dance, Writing, Drawing, Paper Sculpture, Puppet- and MaskMaking, and more!

Some classes are specifically dementia-friendly, focusing on

participants’ experiences in the moment. (Hopefully, we’ll be able to offer classes in-person again in 2022.)

No computer or just prefer print?

Of course, we have books galore! Here are a few suggestions: The Artist’s Way by author Julia Cameron has continued to coax us into meaningful engagement with our inner selves and the artistic process. Check out It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond, or her newest book, The Listening Path: The Creative Art of Attention.

As the world gets noisier and more strident in so many ways, attention is one of the most precious gifts we possess. For a new way to approach memoir, reminiscence and “life review,” how about this new title? Draw Your

World: How to Sketch and Paint Your Remarkable Life by Samantha Dion Baker. Or what about learning a skill with others, perhaps with some of the youngsters in your life? Check out Learn to Draw Disney Furry Friends Collection. It includes favorite Disney animals such as Stitch, Rajah, Lady and others. Maybe try something entirely different such as Drawing With Fire: A Beginner’s Guide to Woodburning Beautiful Hand-lettered Projects and Other Easy Artwork by Aney Carver.

I’m personally looking forward to singing with a choir when conditions permit. Until then, see you at the library—we’re here for you. ❖ Wendy Pender, Older Adults Program Coordinator, King County Library System

Fraud Prevention

Tip-Offs to Rip-Offs

The Top-5 Robocall Scams Targeting Washington State Phone Lines The numbers are in, and they’re headed in the wrong direction. According to new statistics from the Federal Trade Commission, Washington consumers lost nearly $69 million to fraud in 2020, more than double the amount lost in 2019.

The barrage of automated telephone solicitations or “robocalls” we get on our home and mobile phones seems to be never-ending. In fact, robocalls coming into the U.S. have more than doubled to nearly 50 billion calls a year. To make matters worse, experts estimate that up to half of these calls may be attempts to defraud consumers – and Washington state has been hit hard by this massive increase in unwanted scam calls.

To help consumers better spot and stop emerging robocall scams, AARP is partnering with the State Attorney General’s Office, BECU and Nomorobo to provide real-time access to the top calls flooding Washington state phone lines.

Visit aarp.org/TipOffs for early warning reports on actual calls making the rounds in your community. You’ll have an opportunity to listen to each call and better familiarize yourself with the scammers’ latest pitches before they have a chance to dial your number.

Be sure to visit aarp.org/TipOffs often as we’ll be regularly updating the material!

Please also take a moment to share the information with your family and friends.

The better we’re all able to recognize a scam pitch before we’re in the con-artist’s sights, the better we’ll be able to protect ourselves and our money.

Presented by:

aarp.org/TipOffs