Prime Montgomery

Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

Living

August 2012 FREE

(in) History

Montgomery

Alabama’s First Lady & The People’s House

INSIDE n

“Apps” for the Rest of Us n Crape Myrtles n Hot Weather Fishing n Homemade Ice Cream n Reduce Food Expenses n Military: Coming Home n Ready for Medicare?

64th Annual

Labor Day BBQ & Greek Pastry Sale __________________________________ Monday, September 3rd 9 a.m. until Sold Out _______________________

$9 Chicken or Pork Plate $9 Camp Stew Quarts $12 Lamb Plate Plates include Camp Stew, Slaw, Bread _________________

Drive-Thru, Eat In, T ake Out ____________

Greek Orthodox Church

Corner of Mt. Meigs & Capitol Parkway ________ Call 334-263-1366 for tickets/info

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August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

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August 2012

Features

11

Apps for All Ages

Delve into the wonderful - and bewildering - world of ‘apps’, mini-programs for smartphones and other devices that can maximize your productivity, fun, health and safety.

By Kelly Phelan Powell

18

The People’s House The Governor’s Mansion has character, personality and a rich history many are working to preserve and enhance.Visit with Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley as she talks about living in the People’s House.

By Jennifer Kornegay

16

A Medicare Primer

Is the Big Six-Five looming? Arm yourself with the information necessary to make informed choices about your Medicare options.

By Bob Moos

24

Back in the World: Returning Home

We review a few of the resources available to ease the transition from overseas military deployment to a return to The Real World.

Columns 8 Tips to Avoid Fraud — Joe Borg

22 Moving Free — Mirabai Holland

On the Cover

Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

Living

August 2012 FREE

(in) History

MontgoMery

Alabama’s First Lady & The People’s House

9 A Gracious Plenty — Carron Morrow

4

23 Off The Beaten Path — Niko Corley

10 In Every Life — Arlene Morris

25 MoneyWi$e — Alan Wallace

14 Social Security — Kylle’ McKinney

30 August Calendar — Staff

17 Yard n’ Garden — Ethel Dozier Boykin

34 Prime Diversions — Mark Glass

August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

INSIDE n

Apps for the Rest of Us n Crape Myrtles n Hot Weather Fishing n Homemade Ice Cream n Reduce Food Expenses n Military: Coming Home n Ready for Medicare?

Staircase, Gov’s Mansion.

Photo by Stone Images Photography. Story pg. 18.

Prime I Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

MONTGOMERY

August 2012,Volume 3, Issue 5 PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Jennifer Kornegay, Bob Moos, Kelly Phelan Powell CONTRIBUTORS Joe Borg, Ethel Boykin, Tina Calligas, Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Mirabai Holland, Kylle’ McKinney, Arlene Morris, Carron Morrow, Alan Wallace PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Carter, Bob Corley, Amanda Lee, Heath Stone SALES Bob Corley, 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@gmail.com Prime Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Road, #144 Montgomery, AL 36116 • 334-202-0114 www.primemontgomery.com ISSN 2152-9035 Prime Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2012 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contributing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/ Corley Group, LLC. Prime Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Prime Montgomery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals.

Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, emotional, or legal matters.

We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims.

EDITOR’S NOTE love the summer Olympics, and eagerly await their broadcast every four years. It stems, I’m sure, from the fact that as a child I thought the Olympics belonged to me – or at least to my family. Much like the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, my father often related how Greeks invented the games, and the passion with which he spoke reinforced my understanding that the quadrennial occurrences were indeed extraordinary events. As Dad told the stories I wondered if “Uncle” Phidippides (whose heroic run in Ancient Greece inspired the modern-day Olympic marathon race) would fare well against mid-century Olympians like Roger Bannister or Wilma Rudolph – the only runners whose names I knew.

With age, of course, I realized no Phidippides ever graced a Polizos family tree. Nonetheless, our familial pride in the Olympic games never waned.

I’ll always remember the sight of my mother crying with happiness and pride in 1996, as she watched a torch runner carrying the original Olympic flame through Montgomery on its way to the games in Atlanta. A very large crowd of area residents turned out to see the torch ceremony at Jasmine Hill Gardens that evening, against a backdrop of a reproduction of the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece. That’s when it really hit me that the Olympic games indeed were ours – all of ours.

In a similar way, we Alabamians (and even more so we Montgomerians) view the Governor’s home – the Mansion – as ours, or more specifically, as our collective home. That’s why it upset so many of us that the impressive old house on South Perry Street might one day be forsaken for newer digs out east. In this month’s Prime, writer Jennifer Kornegay interviews Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley on what it’s like to move into, and live in such a historic site, plus efforts to maintain and improve its elegance (page 18). Don’t miss this special story as well as the one-of-a-kind pictures taken by photographer Heath Stone during Jennifer’s exclusive Prime interview with Mrs. Bentley.

If you call yourself computer literate, but not necessarily computer savvy, you may not realize how apps (application software) are making daily life easier for many of us. Want to diet? Check out Lose It. Use Facebook? There’s an app for that. Like Scrabble? Try Words with Friends. Be sure to read this month’s Apps for All Ages (page 11) for an informative read on readily available (free or low-cost!) digital tools you should consider trying.

With so many River Region families connected to the Armed Forces, we hope Back in the World (page 24) provides resources to make the transition home from overseas duty just a little bit easier. The story gives useful pointers to help prepare for emotional challenges that can occur for both soldiers and the families who are so anxious for their return.

As always, summer seems to have flown by all too quickly. Enjoy what’s left of the season’s dwindling days, and with them, your newest issue of Prime.

Sandra Polizos Editor primeeditor@gmail.com

If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery! www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

5

NEWS YOU CAN USE

No High-Fat, Low-Carb Diet For Obese With Heart Attack Risk High-fat, low-carb foods are popular with dieters, but new lab research by U. of Alabama at Birmingham cardiologists indicates these may be detrimental to the health of people with ischemic cardiovascular disease or a predisposition to heart attacks.

The researchers first published in Life Sciences in 2008 that highfat, low-carb diets affect the types of fuel the heart uses to function, alter insulin-signaling following a heart attack and increase postheart-attack damage in normalweight rats. In this latest research, they found obese rats fed a highfat, low-carb diet - comparable to what humans would consume - had larger, more damaging and deadly heart attacks than rats on a control diet.

The researchers stressed the studies are not definitive enough to say high-fat, low-carb diets are harmful or beneficial, but present enough preliminary evidence of harm to warrant further investigation.

Bananas Better Than Sports Drinks Bananas have long been a favorite energy source for endurance and recreational athletes. Bananas are a rich source of potassium and other nutrients and are easy for cyclists, runners or hikers to carry.

Researchers at Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Lab wanted to see which was more beneficial when consumed during intense cycling – bananas or a carbohydrate sports drink.

The study found that not only was performance the same whether bananas or sports drinks were consumed, but bananas provided the cyclists with antioxidants not found in sports drinks as well as a greater nutritional boost, including fiber, potassium and Vitamin B6. In addition, bananas have a healthier blend of sugars than sports drinks.

Women who kept food journals consistently lost about six pounds more than non-journalers.

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August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Call For Cancer Support Cancer patients across the country have a new tool to assist in navigating difficult treatment decisions and helping them communicate better with their doctors.

“Open to Options,” a national support program developed in conjunction with the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), helps individuals frame their concerns and formulate a list of questions to share with their oncologists.

The program, launched by Cancer Support Community – a national, nonprofit network offering cancer support and education – provides professional counselors to assist patients. Open to Options is available toll free in English and Spanish at 1-888-793-9355.

Phone consultations take up to an hour depending on the number and complexity of questions. The Amgen Foundation is providing financial support.

Keep A Journal, Lose Weight Women who want to lose weight should keep a regular food journal suggests a new study from Seattle’s Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

In comparing different diets researchers also determined that restricting total calories is more important than diet composition, such as low-fat versus low-carbohydrate.

Key points of the Seattle report indicate: 1) Women who kept food journals consistently lost about six pounds more than non-journalers; 2)Women who skipped meals lost almost eight fewer pounds than those who did not; and 3) Women who ate out for lunch weekly lost an average of five fewer pounds than those who ate out less frequently (eating out at all meals was associated with less weight loss, but the strongest association was observed with lunch).

High-Risk For Stroke = Memory Problems?

A new study shows a person’s stroke risk profile, which includes high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes, may be helpful in predicting whether a person will develop memory and thinking problems later in the life.

The study found the higher a person’s score on the Stroke Risk Profile, the greater the chance of developing cognitive problems.

It appears the total Stroke Risk Profile score, initially created to predict strokes, is also useful in determining the risk of cognitive problems.

The research is published in Neurology®.

Virtual Colonoscopy Equal to Standard Colonoscopy for 65+ Computerized tomographic colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, is comparable to standard colonoscopy in its ability to accurately detect cancer and precancerous polyps in people ages 65 and older, according to a paper published online in Radiology.

This is consistent with results of the ACRIN National CT colonography Trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which demonstrated CT colonography can serve as a primary colorectal cancer screening option for adults ages 50 and older, but did not specifically break out data for participants ages 65 and older included in the overall analysis.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has deferred coverage for CT colonography primarily citing a lack of data on the exam’s performance in Medicare-eligible recipients ages 65 and older.

Give Time to Gain Time Many people feel like they never have enough time to do what they want to do. We know the amount of time available can't be increased, but a new study suggests volunteering our limited time, essentially giving it away, may increase our sense of unhurried leisure.

Across four different experiments, researchers found people's subjective sense of having time ('time affluence’) can be increased by spending time on others compared with wasting time or spending time on oneself.

Lead researcher and psychological scientist Cassie Mogilner of the University of Pennsylvania believes this is because giving away time boosts one's sense of personal competence and efficiency, and in turn stretches out time in our minds. Ultimately, giving time makes people more willing to commit to future engagements despite their busy schedules.

www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

7

FINANCIAL

Tips to Avoid Financial Fraud

F

inancial criminals know many seniors have accumulated considerable assets throughout their working years to fund a comfortable retirement. This makes them vulnerable to investment fraud, especially if their retirement savings are used to help make ends meet, or they want to recoup investments lost during a long term recession. Con artists may tempt seniors with Joseph P. Borg the lure of “can’t miss” or “guaranteed” investment opportunities that promise to restore losses their nest eggs may have sustained. The time-honored principle that cautions, “. . . if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” is more true today than ever before.

Tips for Seniors n Never make a financial decision based on a too-goodto-be-true offer, and never decide to invest at the time you hear a sales pitch. There is no deal worth risking your financial future on that won’t wait until you’ve had a chance to check it out with the Alabama Securities Commission (ASC; see contact information below). n Learn to spot persuasion tactics used by scammers that get you to stop thinking logically and start thinking emotionally, especially promises that a particular investment will make you rich or that you must “act now,” before the offer disappears. n Develop a refusal script; be prepared to say “NO,” and stick to it! n Don’t think you’re too smart to get conned. A fast-talking salesman can make too-good-to-be-true offers sound like a sure bet. n Ask yourself, “. . . is the investment opportunity I’m considering suitable for my long-term financial needs?” Suitable investments address specific circumstances such as your accumulated assets, income stream, investment goals, financial liabilities and especially tolerance for risk.

Contact the ASC... to inquire if a person making an investment offer is registered with the Commission and legally able to offer and sell securities in Alabama; n to voice your questions, concerns or complaints about financial products or the person or company making the sales offer; n if you suspect fraud.

Call them toll-free at 1-800-222-1253. n

Suitability depends on informed decisionmaking. The best way to make informed investment decisions is to accumulate as much information as possible before handing over a dime. Information is power! n Always make sure the company, the salesman (agent) and the product are registered with the ASC, or exempt as to a particular product. This information is free just by calling.

The less you understand about a financial product or the person offering it, the more susceptible you could become to fraud. Don’t invest in something you do not understand, did not go looking for and that may not fit your financial circumstances.

Providing financial and fraud prevention education to Alabama seniors is a priority for the ASC. The goal is to enhance financial knowledge to help seniors make informed decisions about investing, and to serve as an information “clearing house” so seniors can successfully recognize and avoid investment scams used by financial criminals. n

Joseph Borg is Director of the Alabama Securities Commission.

(This article is provided by a generous grant from the Investor Protection Trust, www.investorprotection.org.)

I LOVE IT HERE. BUT THE KIDS DON’T NEED TO KNOW THAT.

334.396.1111 Assisted Living | Memory Care 1775 Halcyon Blvd. | elmcroft.com

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August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

A GRACIOUS PLENTY

Sweet Summertime Treat I

Carron Morrow

Homemade Ice Cream

n the July issue we prepared Snow’s Jager Peaches, a unique, delicious peach dessert from CS3 John Waid Snow, a young sailor stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.

But it’s not just a solo dessert, it’s also a great topping for ice cream, or a great dish on which to drop a couple of scoops.

To complement last month’s peach dessert, as well as provide some welcome relief to the on-going heat and humidity of our southern summer, this month we’re making homemade ice cream. So get the family

together and put those grandkids to work churning up this creamy treat. Or, just use the automatic variety of churn and enjoy each other’s company as electricity does the work. Either way, you’ll end up combatting the hot weather with cold, delicious homemade ice cream.

Carron Morrow owns Personal Touch Events, a 35-yearold Montgomery-based company specializing in corporate and personal catering and event planning. Contact Carron at 334-279-6279 or by e-mail at carronmorrow@bellsouth.net, or visit www.onlinepersonaltouch.com.

DE ICE CREAM

OLD FASHIONED HOMEMA Yield: Six quarts 20 eggs, well beaten 1 gallon of milk 8, 12 oz. cans evaporated milk

1 cup cornstarch 3 T vanilla flavoring 7 cups granulated sugar

heat. pour into heavy boiler over medium and er eth tog nts edie ingr all t Bea n t.) . (You can add fresh peaches at this poin n Simmer until it begins to thicken that came with your churn. er n Pour into the ice cream contain ticular brand of churn, which usually conpar r you for n Follow the directions ice cream salt around the cylinder. sists of alternating layers of ice and Or an utes, but keep an eye on the churn. min 25 ut abo is e tim n atio par Pre n you’ll be ready. ear, so when it slows down and stops, t get this treat very ous, but then again, we don’

Admittedly, the calorie count is outrage often.

www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

9

IN EVERY LIFE

“The intent is... to develop and update a plan to achieve their highest possible level of wellness.”

Getting the Most from Your Annual Wellness Visit

S

ince January 2011 Medicare Part B will reimburse 100% of the cost of an Annual Wellness Visit with a healthcare provider or team. This can include a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, physician assistant, health educator, registered dietician, or other licensed practitioner.

The goal of this visit is not “a routine physical checkup,” but rather to provide an opportunity for Personalized Prevention Plan Services (PPPS). The intent is for individuals to collaborate with their healthcare provider(s) to develop and update a plan to achieve their highest possible level of wellness, based on their individual needs and concerns. Medicare Part B will also reimburse 100% for an Annual Wellness Visit that occurs a minimum of 12 months after the first visit, in order to update the prevention plan.

At an Annual Wellness Visit you Arlene Morris can expect the following to be included: n A review of the person’s past medical history (PMH) n A review of the person’s family history n Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) measurement n Creation or updating of a complete list of all providers who currently are involved in the individual’s care n Assessment of changes in thinking, mood, functional status and safety needs n Discussion of potential risk factors as determined from the person’s family history and past medical history n Creation of a written schedule for health screenings for the next 5 to 10 years to determine frequency and dates for laboratory tests, breast cancer screening, colon cancer screening, etc. n Creation of a list of treatment options with their associated risks and benefits for any identified conditions n Personalized advice about how to reduce any identified risk or condition, with referral, if indicated, to health education or prevention services to help the person selfmanage or modify lifestyle to promote wellness.

In order to best prepare for the Annual Wellness Visit, a person and/or their caregiver should gather: n past medical records, including dates of immunizations n a list of all medications and supplements (or bring all healthcare products in their bottles in a bag) n a list of all professionals or services used for healthcare This information can be collected in a personalized health record (PHR) or in an interactive preventive health record (IPHR).

Various forms are available online, or a simple notebook can be used, to enable a person to keep information about multiple healthcare providers in one place. The personal health record can also be a method for communicating changes in health or treatments when seeing one or more providers. Adults of any age can use these strategies to become more involved in promoting personal health.

Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing. She can be reached at amorris@aum.edu..

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August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

FEATURE

r o f s p p A s e g A All

By Kelly Phelan Powell Photos by Amanda Lee and Carter Photography & Design

Y

ou may think of technology as a young person’s interest, but mid-life and senior adults in The River Region prove that’s not the case.

More and more, they’re using their smartphones and tablet computers in their daily lives, working, socializing and playing games. For Leigh Copeland, Information Technology Director at Saint James School in Montgomery, function is the name of the game.

“My generation, and more importantly those born in the 80's and 90's, like to communicate quickly,” says Copeland. “Texting is one way. My favorite is when I have a quick question for my mom. I know she is at work and calling

her is not convenient, so I text her and she can text me back without interrupting her day. “ On a different section of the technology spectrum is Mark Wilder, Digital Content Manager at WSFA-TV Montgomery, who acquired a smartphone a couple of years ago. He uses it to access the Internet and read and send e-mails. However, his adoption of technology is driven by necessity rather than a desire to stay up-to-date with the latest gadgets.

“I’m no evangelist for technology,” he says. “I believe that people should adapt technology only as much as is necessary for their work or as desirable for www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

11

as large, easy-to-tap their joy.” thumbnails, and typing Wilder’s no-frills apand saving new notes is proach to smartphones a breeze. and similar devices Smartphones and lines up squarely with tablet computers aren’t that of many new just entertainment technology adoptees devices, but powerful 50 and older — show tools to help get work me how it can help, and done faster, easier and, I’ll use it. most importantly, bet“In many ways the ter. Copeland uses an smartphones are easier iPad to read E-books, to operate than nonmagazines and newspasmart phones,” Wilder pers and browse catasays. “Mainly because logs formally received of the intuitiveness of as printed documents them. There are generin the mail. ally fewer steps to take ‘You have all the to get what you want latest catalogs at your on a smartphone.” fingertips and you save Copeland says pickLeigh Copeland’s first smartphone was a Blackberry.

She converted to a touch screen trees too!” she says. “My ing up and using a hightwo years ago and now can’t imagine using anything else. mother-in-law loves to tech devices is the best keep her recipes on her way to learn, and getting iPad.” a family member to help brings an added benefit.

App users can rate apps, and tech magazines and Web sites “Ask your son, daughter or grand-child to show you how the often feature reviews, so buyers have some idea what they’re iPhone or iPad works,” she says. “ They love showing off their getting before turning over their hard-earned cash. knowledge, and you get quality time with a family member.”

Mature adults have different expectations and needs than Smartphones and tablet computers use application software, other segments of the population, so it makes sense that their “apps” as they’re more commonly known, to perform spefavorite apps are different, too. cific tasks. For the most part, different devices (Apple iPhone, We researched and consulted some of the foremost authoriMotorola Droid X) have their own set of available apps. These ties on not only apps but also lifestyle enhancements for this number in the hundreds of thousands, and some can operate specific age group, and compiled a list of apps that are useful, on multiple brands of devices. Many apps are free, others are affordable and fun. available for purchase. Costs vary from Facebook — The most popular so99 cents to $20 and more, with a handful cial networking app is used by an estimatof iPhone apps priced at $999.99! ed one in 13 people on Earth. Available for Wilder doesn’t pay for apps on iPhone, iPad and Android. Free. his phone, his favorite free app being Twitterrific — Named Twitter Client Voxer. of the Year by Macworld.

Free.

“It lets my daughters and me exGoodReader — Mashable.com calls change short voice messages instead of this “...the best document reader/file mantexts,” he says, which makes the comager out there. Period.” It can read a variety munication more personal. of different file types, including PDF, and can Dropbox, one of Copeland’s open documents inside other apps for editfavorite free apps, incorporates a sering.

Available for iPhone and iPad. $4.99. vice that allow users to access their Things — Wired.com named this one of photos, documents and videos almost the 15 iPad Apps You Should Download Today. anywhere and easily share them; It’s a to-do list app for organizing errands, no more e-mailing files to yourself. work projects and household chores where Copeland’s favorite paid app is the you can check off tasks as they’re completed.

Bible.

You can sync all your to-do list items to this “I enjoy taking it to church and app for Mac and iPhone.

The iPhone version is highlighting and making notes for lat$9.99, the iPad app costs $19.99. er,” she says. “I can look up referencAir Sharing — Currently, there’s no way es without having to use a separate to print from the iPad or iPhone. This app book or flip back and forth.” offers a solution by wirelessly mounting your Another of Copeland’s favorite free apps is Eversmartphone or iPad as a drive on your computer so you can note, a note-taking service that stores the user’s notes so print to a wireless printer.

Works on the iPad, iPhone and iPod they can be accessed anywhere. The iPad app displays notes 12 August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Touch. $4.99.

Dragon Speech — Speech recognition app to convert speech to text. This was given a positive review by both The New York Times and Business Week. Free.

Mark Wilder at WSFA-TV uses a different speech-to-text apps and finds it invaluable.

“I love it,” he says. “My Droid has Google’s Talk to Text feature on all applications that require text. I almost never type on my Droid anymore.”

But as convenient as it is, there’s an important caveat.

“You do have to be careful and edit words that get mistranslated,” he warns. “You can end up saying some pretty bizarre things to folks otherwise.”

AIM — (formerly AOL Instant Messenger) Social networking apps that allow users to chat for free in real time (users incur air time charges but not texting charges, making this a good option for those who need to text only occasionally and don’t want to add text messaging to their data plans). The iPhone version is $2.99, the iPad and Android apps are free.

Skype — Call, video call and instant message other Skype users for free, and call or text your other contacts at very low rates. For iPhone, iPad and Android. Free.

Words With Friends — Seems like everyone’s a Scrabble® champ these days due to this app’s popularity. It

Mark Wilder’s pragmatic approach to high-tech gadgetry is a common one among today’s mid-life technology users.

allows wordsmiths to play Scrabble® and chat with friends. The iPhone and Android versions are free, the iPad app costs $0.99.

Real Racing HD — The entire iPad becomes a steering wheel. No complicated button-pushing sequences make this game fun for adults and children. The iPhone app is $2.99, the iPad app $4.99.

Flight Control HD — Twirl your fingers to land as many aircraft as you can while avoiding collisions. A sure hit with pilots, air traffic controllers, and chaos-lovers of all kinds. For iPhone it’s $0.99, for iPad $4.99.

Kindle — A great content selection app, making it easy to browse, purchase and read books on the go. For iPhone, iPad and Android. Free.

Epicurious — Foodies rejoice! This app has recipes, ideas and gorgeous photos to inspire your inner gourmand along with a shopping list function to consult while you cruise the grocery store. Free.

SketchBook Pro — Wired.com describes this app as “...a drop-dead–beautiful app for digital artists.” This professionalgrade paint and drawing app gives users a complete set of sketching and painting tools, but it’s streamlined and intuitive enough for even the daydreaming doodler. The iPad and Android versions are $4.99.

NewsRack — Syncs with Google Reader so if you add or remove a feed on one, it’s automatically added or removed on the other, or you can selectively sync only certain feeds or categories. For iPhone and iPad. $4.99.

NPR News -— Listen to your favorite NPR station no matter where you are, creating playlists of stories to hear later in any order you wish, or download stories for offline reading any time. For iPhone, iPad and Android. Free.

Healthful Apps — A series of apps from the Web site AppsforAll.net, designed to help people find apps that enhance the quality of life for themselves and their families. Apps are divided into categories such as relaxation, diabetes or memory.

Learn more at www.appsforall.net. From 99 cents to $2.99.

Lose It! — A highly-rated weight loss app that helps you set goals and keep track of your daily calorie and nutrient intake and exercise. It comes with many foods already listed, but it’s also easy to add foods or recipes. For iPhone and Android. Free.

Instant Heart Rate — Place your finger over the LED camera, and in 10 seconds, it tells your heart rate.You can customize an exercise routine and track your progress using the included target heart rate zone calculator. For iPhone it’s $0.99, for Android it’s $2.99.

If you’re new to tablet computing, keep in mind that in order to access the internet, you must have either a data plan (as with the 3G version of the iPad) or wireless internet access (WiFi). Many locations across the River Region offer free WiFi to their customers, from downtown ‘hotspots’ to restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and even some medical facilities.

As a technology professional, Copeland advises updating the operating system in your phone or tablet device when new versions are released.

“It is not necessarily important to update your apps immediately,” she says. “The app updates are to fix 'bugs' that other users have found or to add features.”

Considering the myriad capabilities these technological marvels possess, it doesn’t take long for new smartphone and tablet users to wonder how they ever lived without these devices. www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

13

FINANCIAL

What Women [Should] Know

W

about Social Security

hile the Social Security program treats all workers — men and women — exactly the same in terms of the benefits they can receive, women need to know what the program means to them in their particular circumstances.

Understanding the benefits to which they may be entitled may mean the difference between living more comfortably versus just getting by in their later retirement years.

One of the most significant things women Kylle’ McKinney need to remember in terms of Social Security is the importance of promptly reporting a name change.

If you haven’t told us of a name change, your earnings may not be recorded properly and you may not receive all the Social Security benefits you are due. Not changing your name with Social Security also can delay your Federal income tax refund. To report a name change, fill out an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5).You can get the form by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov, visiting any Social Security office or card center, or by calling Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).You must show us a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change.

If building a family is in your plans, it’s a good idea to apply for a Social Security number for your baby in the hospital, at the same time that you apply for your baby’s birth certificate.

Social Security will mail the card to you. Or, you can elect to wait and apply in person at any Social Security office. However, if you wait, you must provide evidence of your child’s age, identity and U.S. citizenship status, as well as proof of your identity. Then, we must verify your child’s birth record, which can add 12 weeks to the time it takes to issue a card.

When women start receiving Social Security retirement

or disability benefits, other family members may be eligible for payments as well. For example, benefits can be paid to a husband: n If he is age 62 or older; or n At any age if he is caring for your child (the child must be younger than 16 or disabled and receiving Social Security benefits on your record).

Benefits also can be paid to unmarried children if they are: n Younger than 18; n Between 18 and 19 years old, but in elementary or secondary school as full-time students; or n Age 18 or older and severely disabled (the disability must have started before age 22).

The family of a woman who dies may be eligible for survivors benefits based on her work.

For more information about women and Social Security, ask for the publication, What Every Woman Should Know (SSA Publication No. 05-10127) or visit our special Women’s page online at www.socialsecurity.gov/women.

Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866-593-0914, ext. 26265, or by e-mail at kylle. mckinney@ssa.gov.

Can I Do Tai Chi If I Have: •Parkinson’s or MS? •Arthritis/Fibromyalgia?

•Knee, hip, or back problems?

•Diabetes/neuropathy?

•Cardiovascular problems?

•Poor balance, weak muscles?

YES! YO U C A N !

832-1907

www.taoist.org Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA, Alabama Branch 14

August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

“the funniest thing in seven consonants” -the Washington post

Book by Rachel Sheinkin Music and lyrics by William Finn Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

Aug. 10–Sept. 2 “it’s spelled W-O-N-D-e-r-F-U-l!” -the Wall Street Journal

BEE part of the show!

Think you’re an awesome speller? Always wanted to be on stage? Arrive early for your chance to be a contestant in the spelling bee! Winners receive a special prize.

Spelling Contestants are chosen one hour before the performance in the Grand lobby.

AlAbAmA ShAkeSpeAre FeStivAl montgomery, Alabama 1.800.841.4273 www.ASF.net

www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

15

Turning 65?

FEATURE

A Medicare Primer

By Bob Moos, Southwest Public Affairs Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

E

very day another 10,000 baby boomers turn 65. Most know they’ll be qualifying for Medicare, but many don’t realize they’ll have two ways to get their new health care coverage. One decision will be whether to join the traditional feefor-service program run by the federal government or sign up for a Medicare Advantage health plan sold by a private insurer.

About three in four beneficiaries opt for Original Medicare, which has existed since the 1960s.

With this kind of coverage, you can go to any doctor, hospital or other provider that accepts Medicare patients.

Medicare pays the doctor or hospital a fee for the service you receive.

That fee generally covers 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for the care, after you meet your annual deductible.

You have a few choices for covering the other 20 percent: n You may use your retiree health plan from your former employer, if you have such a policy. Some employers assume at least part of the cost, so retiree plans may be less expensive or more generous than other supplemental coverage. n You may qualify for Medicaid, if you have limited income and savings. Besides helping you with your out-of-pocket costs like co-insurance and deductibles, the state-and-federal Medicaid program may pay for your monthly Medicare premiums, too. n If neither of those two options applies, you may buy a “Medigap” policy from a private insurer to cover deductibles and co-insurance costs. There are 10 kinds of Medigap plans, with different benefits, so you’ll have to decide which best fits your needs.

Though Original Medicare’s Parts A and B cover most of your hospital and doctor bills, you’ll also want to think about adding the Medicare drug

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August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

benefit by enrolling in a Part D plan from a private insurer. Even if you don’t take a lot of prescriptions, it’s still smart to consider the coverage when you first become eligible for Medicare. Otherwise, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty later.

Original Medicare remains the favorite among people who want the broadest possible access to medical providers. When coupled with a supplemental plan, it makes health care costs relatively predictable. Still, one in four beneficiaries now prefers to receive care through a private health plan.

Instead of choosing Medicare’s traditional fee-for-service program, you can buy a Medicare Advantage plan.

With Medicare Advantage, insurance companies contract with the government to provide care. The private insurers set their own premiums, deductibles and co-payments for their clients. The health plans may offer cost advantages over Original Medicare and some added benefits, but, depending on the particular plan, they may also restrict your choice of hospitals and doctors.

Many Medicare Advantage plans charge a premium on top of your Part B monthly premium, but, unlike with Original Medicare, there’s no need for you to buy supplemental “Medigap” insurance. As for drug coverage, you’ll generally need to get it through your Advantage plan. Most plans, in fact, include prescription drugs with their other benefits and charge a single premium.

Medicare Advantage enrollment has grown by 10 percent in 2012 and exceeds 13 million nationwide, or 27 percent of Medicare beneficiaries.

In Alabama, it has increased 8 percent and totals 186,118, or 21 percent of beneficiaries.

The private health plans have been especially popular among people with low to moderate incomes. They provide relatively affordable supplemental coverage, with lower premiums that those for Medigap policies.

So what’s the better choice: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage? There’s no single correct answer. It depends on your individual circumstances and preferences. Familiarize yourself with your options by visiting www.medicare.gov and browse through the “Medicare and You” handbook.

It provides an excellent overview of the Medicare program.

Becoming informed will help you choose the health care option that’s best for you. It’ll also help you avoid mistakes that may cost you money.

YARD ‘N GARDEN

The

Lagerstromeia Summer S

ummer is pounding down on us each day, and while we feel overwhelmed with the heat, the Lagerstromeia, or Crape Myrtle, seem to be very happy in this season. What a incredible plant to give us such beauty in the midst of sun and drought. All over town I see blooming crapes in a wide range of shapes and heights, with colors ranging from reds and pinks and white, to every now and then a purple one.

The height of the plant is not always based on Ethel Dozier Boykin sawing or pruning. There are Crape Myrtle varieties that grow no higher than three feet, and those that grow four-to-six feet, six-to-eight feet, eight-to-nine feet, 14-to-16 feet, and up to 25 feet. Buying the correct plant can help you with size restrictions for your yard and keep you from having to prune each winter to maintain the height.

When you want a certain color and size, ask your nursery for a plant that fits your needs. They can refer to crape charts to fill your request. For example, the "Acoma", a white bloomer, is a four-to-six-foot plant, while the "Natchez," also a white crape, is over 18 feet at maturity. Crape Myrtles never need to be pruned, though there’s no problem trimming a little off with hand pruners. Hand saws and chain saws, however, need to stay in the tool shed. In the landscape world we call this Crape Murder. It’s not only unnecessary work, it does more than aesthetic damage to the plant. So stop this habit and allow the plant to grow as God intended. Many plants have Native American names and are mildew resistant. Many older crapes in town have mildew issues and are very undesirable. Their seedlings should be avoided.

Most Crape Myrtles are sold in multi-trunks, but they can be purchased as singles. These are trained by the tree farm early on to grow as one trunk, which gives a totally different look, more like a tree.

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An often overlooked bonus of many crapes is their excellent fall foliage.Your nursery can advise you which are the best for this. For a different look, the "Natchez" has copper bark that exfoliates in winter.

Not all crapes bloom at the same time. Some start early in the season while some wait until mid- to late summer. Again, your nursery will tell you the blooming period for different plants.

To achieve large blooms use triple phosphate fertilizer in February. For overall health, in the spring use a shrub fertilizer. Water helps produce fuller blooms and is always beneficial. However, we must give the Crape Myrtle an A+ for blooming in the middle of the highway with no extra water. Alabama has much to offer during our hottest season, so buy a watermelon from a local farmers market, find a flowering Crape Myrtle to sit under, and savor the sweetness while admiring the blooms.

Ethel Dozier Boykin, a Montgomery native, owns Art in the Garden, a landscape design and consulting company in the Capital City. Contact her at 334-395-5949, or by email at etheldozierboykin@yahoo.com. www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

17

T he Peop l e FEATURE

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August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

e ’ s House

By Jennifer Kornegay Photos by Heath Stone, Stone Images Photography

F

or most of us, home means more than the walls, floors and roof that compose our house. Home is our sanctuary, our private oasis into which we can retreat with our loved ones, away from the hectic world just outside the door.

For Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley, the concept is a bit more complicated.

Following the campaign that elected her husband Alabama’s 53rd governor, the new First Lady faced several daunting tasks, not the least of which was moving into her new accommodations, a house that is not really hers, but instead belongs to every citizen of the state.

“I had not seen much of the Governor’s Mansion at all,” she said. “I grew up in Montgomery and all fourth graders toured the mansion, but somehow I missed that field trip.

When Robert was in the legislature, I came to maybe two events, but we never went beyond the foyer and parlor areas.”

The first time she saw the others areas was when then First Lady Patsy Riley invited her for a tour after the election.

“I love the gardens,” she said, entranced by the grounds.

“Every month you see something different in bloom. The landscaping is brilliant.”

And she fell in love with the house itself, although it has its share of quirks.

“I often refer to the mansion as a grand old lady,” she said.

“She’s tall, stately and beautiful, but she’s also 105 years old.”

But the Bentleys received a surprise when they actually moved in and found the second floor living quarters bare no shades on the windows, no tables, no chairs.

“There was no furniture. What I had seen up there actually all belonged to the Rileys,” said Mrs. Bentley, “so when they moved out, they, of course, took it with them.”

Furnishing the space and making it comfortable and homey was no easy task on a short time line and a small budget (Governor Bentley has kept his campaign promise to not take a salary until Alabama reaches full employment). The extra stress this added to the transition is something Mrs. Bentley wants to take off the table for the next First Family.

“That’s a goal of mine, to leave the space furnished for the next family,” she said.

There are other challenges, too, some courtesy of the home’s age, others inherent in its dual role as private home and public building. www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

19

Mrs. Bentley in the parlor (above) surrounded by portraits of former First Ladies. Below, the mansion’s ‘infinity mirrors.’

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August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

“On the weekends, there’s no staff here, so I can cook, which I enjoy, but all we have is the large commercial kitchen,” she said.

“It’s hard to cook in someone else’s kitchen and harder when the enormous gas oven has a hinge broken.”

The First Lady has adapted to the lack of privacy, but it was tough in the beginning.

“The entire front area of the house is public, so I learned quickly not to come down the front stairs until fully dressed and prepared to meet and greet people,” she said. “And there are many, many people in the house all day, but that’s necessary. We’ve had some threats, so that woke me up to how secure this house and its grounds are.”

Built in 1907, the Governor’s Mansion requires ongoing maintenance. Last October water from an air conditioning system leaked through the ceiling in the foyer, flowing over and dripping down the exquisite chandelier, ruining part of the plaster ceiling and the chandelier’s medallion.

Repairs were made just in time for the annual Christmas tours.

Such repairs are something Mrs. Bentley wants to see done in keeping with the character of the house and its heritage. She’s also working to make the mansion even more like a mini-museum of Alabama.

“I’d like to have some historical pieces out for the tours, pieces that are part of Alabama’s history.

I want the tour to be even more educational than just the past of the mansion itself, so I’m working with Friends of the Mansion on that,” she said.

An antique parlor set found by the Friends of the Mansion will soon be added to the furnishings.

“I’m so excited to have them around,” said Mrs. Bentley, “because they are as interested as I am in the mansion and preserving it and keeping it historically accurate.” (See ‘Friends’ sidebar) In 2011, legislation was passed creating a body responsible for maintaining and restoring the

mansion in its proper historical state. For her support, the bill was titled the "First Lady Dianne Bentley Governor's Mansion Preservation Act." “Thanks to this legislation, people can give things like furniture and know that they will stay in the mansion’s permanent collection,” Mrs. Bentley said.

Mrs. Bentley was also instrumental in having the mansion declared an Historic House. Prior to that it had no official historic designation. Despite lifestyle adjustments and the ever-present creaks and groans, Mrs. Bentley and the governor feel quite at home in their historic, if temporary, quarters. The First Lady has added family photos along with framed headlines of the Governor’s election.

“The pictures of my grandchildren especially give the area a feeling of home,” she said.

While she adores the grounds, the sun room is Mrs. Bentley’s favorite. From there you can see the sun room of the John Bull House next door, which belonged to the sister of the mansion’s original owner.

“I love to stand here and imagine the two sisters waving to each other across the lawn and saying ‘Good Morning,’” she said.

The back patio is a spot the Bentley’s also enjoy. The Governor likes grilling hotdogs on Sunday nights, and can sometimes be found playing the grand piano in the music room. But no matter how “at home” they make it, the mansion is not their home.

“Sometimes, when I meet children visiting, they say, ‘Wow! You live in a mansion.’ I say, ‘Yes. I live here, but this is your house.’ This is the people’s home,” she said.

“It belongs to all Alabamians.”

Guests to the mansion enter the imposing foyer and are greeted by a massive staircase with graceful curved banisters.

“The staircase is the most photographed spot in the mansion,” Mrs. Bentley said.

The Music Room off the foyer to the right houses the grand

The Mansion’s Friends

Portraits of French explorers D’Urbervilles and Bienville leMonyne hang above a tea set commissioned to sail on the USS Alabama in 1942, but which was never taken aboard.

piano the Governor sometimes plays, as well as two gold-framed “infinity mirrors” that face each other on opposite walls. When you look in one, you can see multiple images of yourself in the other.

“Kids get a kick out of these,” Mrs. Bentley said of the mirrors. “They are original to the mansion.”

Non-public areas include an intimate private dining room, an elevator added to the mansion after Governor George Wallace was shot, and the kitchen, usually occupied by the mansion’s executive chef, Jim Smith. Smith whips up dishes for the First Couple using veggies and

herbs from a garden the governor planted.

“He wanted to grow tomatoes,” said Mrs. Bentley, “and now has them in addition to watermelon, okra and more.”

Are there any mansion ‘secrets’ the First Lady can share?

“We’ve been told that there was once an underground tunnel linking this house with the Hill House next door,” she said.

“In the mansion’s basement, there is the beginning of a dirt tunnel. It goes about 20 feet and just ends, but we’ve never found an opening in the Hill House, so we’re not sure if this is true.”

The non-profit Friends of the Alabama Governor’s Mansion was formed in 1999 to promote awareness of the Mansion and solicit financial and other support for its educational and historical activities. The group seeks grant money, contributions, and hosts fund-raising events for its work. In January the Friends of the Mansion kicked off a statewide campaign to raise money to properly equip the mansion complex for its functional and educational role.

Two major accomplishments are the purchase of the Mansion’s “sister” house next door (the Farley Hill House, given to the State of Alabama), and passage of legislation establishing the Governor’s Mansion Authority.

Current projects include researching items in the Mansion’s permanent collection to establish provenance and identify those needing restoration, and assisting with the interpretation of historic public rooms.

The Friends Board meets at 7 p.m. at the Farley Hill House the second Tuesday of the month. For information contact: Pres. Scott Moreland jsmexec@hotmail.com 205-307-9426 or Vice Pres. Ward Beeson wbeeson@ago.state.al.us, 334-2424287

www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

21

MOVING FREE WITH MIRABAI

Aqua Ballet: Lower Body Toner

1

2

3

4

W

e are filming for several hours a day starting at the crack of dawn.

The weather is cooler but not for long. My only relief has been to strip off my workout clothes, which are almost pasted to my body, jump into of a swimsuit and plunge into the pool.

After about 45 minutes of laps back and forth (I’m so motivated from watching all these Olympic swimming trials on TV) I get an idea. What if I try some ballet barre exercises in the water, holding on to the side of the pool?

Aqua Ballet Barre, not such a bad idea I’m thinking. So I try one of my on-land favorites for my legs and butt. I like it! I can really feel it working. It may be even more effective with the water for added resistance. Try it yourself.

1) Stand facing front, heels together, feet turned out. Hold on to the edge of the pool with your right hand.

2) Slowly bend left knee, bringing foot up to right knee forming a triangle.

3) Slowly stretch leg in front of body.

4) Bring foot back to the knee of the standing leg.

5) Return to the starting position. Repeat 4 times to the Front, Side, and Back.

Turn around and repeat exercise on the other leg holding on with your left hand.

5

Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is a leading authority in the Health & Fitness industry and a public health activist specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work (www.mirabaiholland.com).

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August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Lighten Up & Liven Up H

ad you any doubts, let me assure you; the heat of summer is here. Just a few months back you could not keep yourself inside the house, the weather was too nice to be anywhere except outside. With the oppressive Alabama summer heat upon us, your fishing may have hit a slump and you may be spendNIko Corley ing more time indoors than out, keeping mostly still in the cool of your home and trying not to exert yourself too much.

You may even eat smaller meals because being hot and full is very uncomfortable.

Funny thing is, fish are the same way. While all fish are different, most will accept almost any bait, live or artificial, when the water temperature is in their comfort zone. On these days you can fill the cooler with slab bream or crappie, or fill the stringer with 2-3 pound bass plump from gorging on shad.

But those days are months behind us. Like you, when temperature climbs ever higher in mid/late summer, fish become much more conservative of the energy they expend chasing food. In lakes and some ponds with little or no current, fish seem most concerned with staying in that shrinking band of cooler oxygenated water known as the thermocline.

A good rule to fish by is the hotter it is, the deeper you need to go to find fish. And since fish are less likely to expend energy chasing the big baits they were

hammering a few months back, now is the time to put aside those big jigs and spinnerbaits for lighter jigs; plastic worms and smaller spinner lures. If you've been fishing with a half-ounce jig, go down to a quarterounce. With plastic worms, now’s the time to employ a drop shot rig and small spinners such as Roadrunners. Even feathered crappie jigs with spinners added can work in the heat of summer for bass, bream and crappie.

Lightening up your lure selection will also necessitate going with lighter reels, rods and line. Not ultralight, but definitely a step or two down from your customary rods and reels. If you normally fish bait casters with 12-pound line, switch to spinning reels wound with 10-pound line. In especially clear water, the multitude of nearly invisible fluorocarbon lines can set a finicky fish at ease to strike your lure.

When all else fails, stick to the same lighter tactics but switch out the artificials for live bait. Although it’s slightly more effort (especially if using live shiners or shad), live bait is still king in my book. All the lure research and development in the world still can't mimic a panicky bait fish or a wiggler writhing on a hook.

So, if your summertime fishing has hit a slump, lighten up your lure selection. If that doesn't work, liven up your offering with live bait and start catching fish sooner.

Niko Corley spends his free time hunting, fishing and enjoying other outdoor activities. He can be contacted at cootfootoutfitters@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @ cootfootoutfitters.

www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

23

W

FEATURE

Back

World

Returning From Deployment

WEB EXTRA

www.primemontgomery.com

Tools, tips and resources for military families: n Real Warriors Campaign — www.realwarriors.net n Defense Centers of Excellence — www.dcoe.health.mil w Outreach Center manned by trained health resource consultants, 24/7 — 866-966-1020 n National Center for PTSD — www.ptsd.va.gov n Wound Warrior Project — www.woundedwarriorproject.org n Afterdeployment.org — an on-line community forum for servicemen and women returning home. Partners include behavioral health experts from the Department of Defense,Veterans Affairs and civilian agencies.

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August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

ith the ongoing drawdown of service members from Afghanistan, military families are preparing for the return of loved ones. The homecoming of a service member can be very exciting, but it is also a significant transition that affects the entire family - especially children.

Fortunately, military families don't have to face this transition alone. The Real Warriors Campaign (www.realwarriors.net) offers support for families throughout the deployment cycle. The campaign, an initiative of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), promotes the processes of building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration for returning service members, veterans and their families.

With tips from the Real Warriors Campaign, families can prepare for the excitement and potential challenges of a parent’s return home.

COMMUNICATE: Prior to a homecoming, it is important for parents or caregivers to communicate with their children and remind them that, just as they have grown and changed during the course of a deployment, it is likely that their parent has also had new experiences.

By talking about some of these changes before the reunion, families can reduce the anxieties of a homecoming.

Real Warriors Campaign volunteer Sheri Hall experienced the challenges of reintegration firsthand when her husband, Army Maj. Jeff Hall, returned from his second deployment. She advises military families to communicate as openly as possible.

"Encourage children to be vocal - to tell their families what's bothering them," Hall said.

As children open up, be prepared for a range of emotions. It is important for parents to remain calm and understanding while listening to their children's concerns.

BE PATIENT: Military families experience a natural adjustment period after deployment, during which children may experience excitement, as well as nervousness and anxiety. Families can ease concerns by taking time to get to know each other and their individual routines again. Maj. Hall advises returning service members to be open to change during this transition.

"Returning from deployment can be challenging. It's important to be patient and remember some things may have changed while you were gone,” says Maj. Hall. “Take time to get to know your family again."

ANTICIPATE CHANGE: During the course of a deployment, new family schedules and routines may have developed. For returning parents, it is important to remain open and flexible and learn the family's new dynamic. It is also important for the entire family to help the returning service member adjust to changes that have occurred.

Homecomings are an important time for all military families, and communication, patience and flexibility help pave the way for a positive transition to reconnect with loved ones.

Source: Family Features

MONEYWISE

FOOD

Convenience vs. Quality

O

ver the years, I have grown accustomed to eating, and find that I would like to continue the habit. Regrettably, the cost of food continues to rise, although I do Alan Wallace not perceive that farmers are becoming wealthy in the process. Modern grocery stores are certainly a great convenience, yet the cost and quality of some items leaves me wondering how to get better food at a lower price, at least part of the time. If you find yourself in the same quandary, here are some options to consider.

If you have space, time and energy, you might consider growing some of your own food.Vegetable gardening does not have to take a ton of space, depending on what you grow. A vegetable garden or some fruit trees can provide you with hundreds of dollars worth of fresh produce a year. Here in

the realm of prairie gumbo, additional planning and prep work may be necessary to make that a reality. For those not in prairie soil (basically, north of I-85 in the Montgomery area), gardening is a good bit easier.

A second option is a longstanding practice for many southerners — collecting wild fruit (blackberries, plums, etc.) on your own property, along public roadways or un-posted areas to make jelly and other items. I have never compared the cost of picking and putting up your own with buying similar items in the store, but aside from scratches and chigger bites, the price is right. And the quality of home-canned goods is hard to beat.

A third popular choice is to buy fresh produce and certain other items at a farmers’ market or local produce stand.

The cost may be lower here, although comparison shopping is always a good idea. There is a strong likelihood of getting better products this way. Produce is likely to have been picked more recently, at a riper stage, and shipped a shorter distance, all of which results in better flavor.

Fourth, pick some of your own produce at a “U-pick” farm or orchard. This option can be fun and educational, especially if you take along younger family members.

A number of U-pick establishments exist within an hour’s drive of Montgomery.

Check out www.pickyourown.org for some particulars. It is a good idea to call ahead before visiting a U-pick establishment to verify conditions before you go.

Two less common options are worth mentioning. The first is called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Participants in CSA usually pay a set amount of money to participate with a group of consumers and one or more suppliers (farmers). The farmers use the consumers’ money to help fund their operation. Every week or so during the growing season, the consumers receive a share of whatever the farmer harvests.

I know two consumer couples involved in CSA who seem to like the results. One source for more information is www.nal.usda.gov/ afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml.

A final idea is a food co-op (cooperative). A co-op is a buying group that pools resources to get better deals by buying in bulk. Someone in the co-op has to handle administrative details, make purchases, bring the food to a central location, and oversee parceling it out. Co-ops seem to be more personal than public, so finding an existing one that will welcome you as a member may be difficult. However, if you can identify a handful of folks with similar tastes and attitudes, you might organize one. Check out www.sustainweb.org/foodcoops/ and www.prepper.org/Food_Co-op_Directory. asp for more information.

An additional site, www.localharvest.org, has information that touches on several of these ideas.

Regardless of where you get your food, I hope your eating will be happy, healthy, and not overly expensive.

Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior FInancial Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, www.ronblue.com/location-al. He can be reached at 334-270-5960, or by e-mail at alan.wallace@ronblue.com. www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012 25

HEALTH

Marci’s Medicare Answers August 2012 Dear Marci, My doctor told me that I need to get the shingles vaccine and that my Medicare Part D plan should cover it. If that’s true, what will I pay for it?

— Walter Dear Walter, If you have a Medicare Part D plan, it must cover your shingles shot. How much you pay will depend on where you get the shot.You will typically pay the least for your shingles shot if you are vaccinated at: n a pharmacy that is in your drug plan’s network (an “innetwork” pharmacy); or n a doctor’s office that p can work with a pharmacy that will bill your Part D plan for the entire cost of the vaccination process; or p can bill your plan for the vaccine directly using a special computer billing system called Dispensing Solutions.

If you receive the shot from an in-network pharmacy or from a doctor that can bill your Part D plan, you should only need to pay the plan’s approved copay at the time you get vaccinated.

However, you will typically need to pay more for the shingles vaccine if you get it from a doctor who cannot bill your plan for it. In this case, you will have to pay the entire cost of the vaccination up front and then follow your Part D plan's rules to get a refund. When you are reimbursed by the plan, you will only be reimbursed for your Part D plan’s approved payment. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for the difference between the doctor’s charge and the plan’s approved payment.

If you have Extra Help, the program that helps pay for your prescription drugs, you can go to any doctor or in-network pharmacy.Your vaccination will be covered and you will only be responsible for the Extra Help copay. Keep in mind that you may need to pay the entire bill up front and then be reimbursed by your Part D plan, if you get vaccinated by a provider who does not directly bill your Part D plan.

Don’t forget that it’s important for you to check with your Part D plan before you get the shingles shot, so that you can find out how to get it covered at the lowest cost.

Dear Marci, I was told by my doctor that I might be considered a hospital outpatient, as opposed to a hospital inpatient. What’s the difference, and what does this have to do with Medicare?

— Norman Dear Norman, Generally, an outpatient hospital service is any type of med26

August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

ical care you receive at a hospital that your doctor does not expect will require an overnight stay. However, in some cases, you might stay overnight at a hospital and still be considered an outpatient. To be considered a hospital inpatient, you need to be formally admitted to the hospital.

The difference in your hospital status can affect your Medicare coverage for other services. For example, Medicare will only cover your stay in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) if you have spent at least three consecutive days as a hospital inpatient. Inpatient hospital services, like SNF stays, are generally covered under Medicare Part A, while outpatient services are usually covered under Medicare Part B. Emergency room services or outpatient clinic services, such as same-day surgery, are generally considered outpatient services. Check with your doctor to see if you are an outpatient or inpatient, since this difference can affect the way Medicare covers the health care services you receive.

Dear Marci, I went to pick up my medications at the pharmacy the other day, but I couldn’t afford the expensive co-payments. I was told I have Extra Help, but my pharmacist is telling me I owe a lot of money for my medications. What can I do to get my drugs?

— Rob Dear Rob, If you have Extra Help and a Part D plan, you can present Best Available Evidence (BAE) to your pharmacist to get your medications at the co-payments offered under Extra Help.

Your Extra Help status may be incorrectly reflected in either your plan or pharmacy’s system. If you show your pharmacist your Medicaid card, Social Security Administration award letter indicating your Extra Help status, or Medicare Savings Program Notice of Award letter, the pharmacy should only charge you the Extra Help co-payments for your medications.

Your plan should update your Extra Help status in its system within 48 to 72 hours so you can access your medications with Extra Help co-payments the next time you fill a prescription. If you cannot find proof that you have Extra Help, your plan must work with Medicare to investigate whether you have the Extra Help benefit.

Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” the Medicare Rights Center’s free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail dearmarci@medicarerights.org. To learn more about the services that Medicare will cover and how to change plans, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www.medicareinteractive.org.

Support the Businesses that Support Prime Montgomery When you visit any of the businesses below, let them know you’re a Prime Montgomery reader, and you appreciate their support of the River Region’s premiere monthly magazine focusing on those of us 50+.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival Alabama Tourism Dept.

All Ears Hearing Centers Bou Cou Boutique Brenda L. Vann, Attorney-at-Law Carter Photo Design Elmcroft of Halcyon

MCA Fitness Center Montgomery Eye Physicians Montgomery Symphony Mr. Gus’s Ristorante SafeStep Walk-in Tub Stone Images Photography Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA

ffffffffff

Celebrating 20 Years of Tai Chi

rest well at night.”

Judith Rogers began takLike Judith Rogers and Elaine Ward, Robert Varley is a ing Tai Chi twenty years ago, volunteer Tai Chi instructor. when the Montgomery Branch “I’m almost 64 years old, in excellent health, and don’t started its first class. Prior to have any mobility issues,” he said. “I credit Tai Chi not only that she had spent a decade living with a bad back, painful sciatica and limited activities. for keeping me healthy and happy, but for keeping me mobile.”

“I could barely turn over in bed at night,” she said. “I had “Tai Chi is such a gentle form of exercise,” says Varley, to unload groceries a few items at a time.” “and so much fun After a year of Tai to do, that it’s easy Chi she noticed the to keep it up as you pain would go way for grow older. It is the a few days, then a few perfect exercise for weeks at a time. After life.”

18 months she could Those interested turn over in bed at night in learning this without pain. ancient Chinese ex“I had no more pain ercise are encourrunning down my leg, aged to attend one could lift a bag of grocerof the many classes ies, and could bend down “Tai chi appears to be a safe alternative to low-to-moderate offered in Montand touch my toes.” intensity conventional exercise training in patients with heart gomery, Tuskegee, Now 61, Rogers has good failure.” Gloria Yeh, MD, Harvard U. Medical School study, 2011.

Eclectic or Enterprise. mobility, excellent range of The Taoist Tai Chi motion, and very little back Society of the USA is part of the International Taoist Tai Chi pain.

Elaine Ward’s story is much the same. She was living with Society. There are in excess of 40,000 members worldwide in more than 25 countries. For information about the Montchronic pain from fibromyalgia, scoliosis and osteoarthritis. gomery Branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA, As she practiced Tai Chi, she noticed her body adapting use the contact information below. to the moves and being able to stretch and strengthen her 334-832-1907, www.alabama.usa.taoist.org bones, muscles and joints.

3666-A Debby Dr., Montgomery 36111 “It is helpful in relaxing my body,” she said, “so that I can

Business Profile Montgomery Branch Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA

www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

27

NUMBER 3

A road trip to Mobile’s Battle House Renaissance Hotel & Spa is the perfect romantic getaway. In this legendary AAA Four Diamond Hotel, you can celebrate The Year of Alabama Food with a gourmet supper at the award-winning Trellis Room. Or relax at The Spa at The Battle House, a spectacular 10,000-square-foot Zen-like oasis. When you’re ready to explore Alabama’s 300-year-old port city, you’re just steps away from the entertainment district, the Carnival Museum and the History Museum of Mobile. Be sure to take time to savor the scented blooms at Bellingrath Gardens and Home, one of the South’s most storied estates. Whether you pack jeans or jewelry, your romantic memories will linger long after Mobile disappears in the rearview mirror.

28

August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

A HEALTHY LIFE

10

y s a e

1 TRIM Your Plate

When preparing meals, consider proper portion sizes for vegetables, lean proteins, grains and dairy. Using a smaller salad plate will help you keep portions in control, while providing the visual cue that you have eaten enough food to feel satisfied. To learn more about portions,visit www.ChooseMyPlate.gov.

Weight-Loss Tips

2

GRAB Your Toes, Not a Fork When you’re feeling tired or stressed out your first instinct may be to grab a snack. But before snacking, consider stretching. Stretching can help you feel rejuvenated, provide you with longer lasting energy, as well as help clear your mind.

3

When Dining Out, GO DUTCH When you’re out on the town try splitting a meal with a friend. Most restaurants serve portions that far exceed our dietary requirements for a single meal. Sharing food minimizes the chance you’ll overeat.

5

DRINK More Water Thirst is often mistaken for hunger. According to the Mayo Clinic, men should drink roughly 3 liters of water each day (13 cups) and women should drink 2.2 liters (9 cups). Create the habit of drinking a glass of water before each meal to avoid over-eating. Learn more at www.MayoClinic.com.

6

Go GREEN Make a sincere effort to add something green to all of your meals. Dark, leafy greens are full of fiber, which is proven to help you feel fuller longer. Greens such as spinach and kale are also packed with important vitamins, minerals and diseasefighting phytochemicals.

9

Don’t SUBTRACT, Just ADD Instead of focusing on foods you have to subtract from your diet, focus on the foods that can always be added, like fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. Try new combinations of wholesome foods.You may be surprised by how much you enjoy flavorful, seasonal produce in some of your favorite dishes, such as vegetarian lasagna.

7

Don’t Call it a Workout, Call it FUN Instead of associating your workout with “work,” channel your positive energy and make your exercise time pleasurable. Work out to your favorite tunes and try fun, non-conventional ways to burn calories like dancing, jumping rope or doing squats while brushing your teeth in the morning.

For more tips on creative ways to workout, visit www.LiveStrong.com.

4

Wake & WEIGH Set a goal to step on the scale at the same time each week. Sticking to a routine will help keep you accountable, making it easier to track your progress. One option is the iHealth Wireless Scale which allows you to track your weight over time and compare results to daily activities such as diet and exercise regimens.

Results can be shared with your doctor, personal trainer, family members or fitness partners via the free companion iHealth Scale app. Learn more at www.ihealth99.com.

8

Slip into Something LESS COMFORTABLE Ditch the sweatpants and opt for something that makes you feel amazing.

Studies show that you’re less likely to overeat if you feel confident.

10

Early to BED, Early to RISE According to the National Sleep Foundation, short sleep duration is linked with an increase in body mass index due to an increased appetite caused by sleep deprivation. Learn more about getting a good night’s sleep at www.SleepFoundation.org.

Courtesy: Family Features 29

www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

AUGUST CALENDAR RECURRING EVENTS/MEETINGS Exercise Class, Bible Study, Bingo.Various days, times, locales.

Mtgy. Area Council on Aging, www.macoa.org, 334-263- 0532.

Bluegrass Jam. 1st. Sat. 9 am-Noon. AL River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All levels welcome. 334-578-8594. FREE

Disabled American Veterans -- Last Thurs., 5:30 pm. 906 Maxwell Blvd.Vets of all conflicts. For info. call 334-294-1551.

Vietnam Veterans of America -- 1st. Mon., 6:30 pm. Crazy Buffet, Atlanta Hwy.

Jam Sessions. 2nd & 4th Sat., 9 am-noon, Old Alabama Town, www.oldalabamatown.com. 334-240-4500. FREE

THEATRE/MUSIC/DANCE/ART Wetumpka Depot Players: Panache. July 26-Aug 11. 300 S. Main St. For info 334-868-1440, www.wetumpkadepot.com.

Bluegrass Jam. 3rd Sat. (Mar.-Sept.), 9 am-noon. Perry Hill UMC. 334-272-3174. FREE

Way Off Broadway Theatre, Prattville. Patio Porch. Aug. 3-5, 10-12. For info. 334-358-0297.

“Not Just Art”. Tues. 10 am, Perry Hill United Methodist Church, www.perryhillumc.org, 334-272- 3174. FREE

Alabama Dance Theatre “Stars on the Riverfront.” Aug. 5, 6 7:30 pm. Riverfront Amphitheater. Gates open 6:30 pm for picnicking. 334-241-2590, adtdance@aol.com. FREE.

Docent lead tours. Sun., 1-2 pm. Mtgy Museum of Fine Arts.

FREE Mtgy Amateur Radio Club, 3rd Mon., 7 pm. Mtgy. Chap. American Red Cross, 5015 Woods Crossing Rd. For info. visit www. w4ap.org or e-mail w4ap@aarl.net.

Mtgy. Area Daylily Society. Aug. 18, noon, S.E.YMCA, 3455 Carter Hill Rd. Bring a covered dish. Speaker Bill Waldrop, Kennesaw Mtn. Daylily Gardens. For info. 334-288-6024, or e-mail etbgoodson@aol.com.

Mtgy. Museum of Fine Arts: -- “There’s an App for That.” Workshop. Aug. 9, 6-8 pm. Learn to edit/modify photos on the iPad. $.

-- Military Open House. Aug. 16. 5:30-7:30pm. Art-making, light dinner, exhibit tours. For info. 334-240-4333, or museuminfo@mmfa.org. FREE for active, reserve, retired military and families.

AUM Summer Concert Series. Aug. 17, 6-8 pm. On the quad.

Please bring non-perishable item for Mtgy. Food Bank. FREE

SUPPORT GROUPS Cancer -- Tues., 10-11 am, Mtgy Cancer Center. For info 334279-6677.

Cloverdale Playhouse: Auditions for OPUS. Aug. 22 & 23, 6-10 pm, 960 Cloverdale Rd. Arrange audition, call 334-262-1530 Ext. 3, or e-mail greg.thornton@cloverdaleplayhouse.org.

Alzheimer’s/Dementia -- 1st Thurs., 11 am, Frazer Church. For info 334-272-8622.

Millbrook’s Got Talent! Millbrook Theatre talent show. Aug. 25, 7 pm. 5720 Main Street. For info. 334-782-7317 or info@

Visually impaired -- 2nd Tues., 1-2:30 pm, Aldersgate United Methodist Church. For info 334-272-6152.

Hearing Loss -- 2nd Thurs., 4 pm, First United Methodist Church. Speakers, hearing screenings, refreshments. For info. call 334-262-3650.

Mental Illness -- 2nd. Mon., Dalraida UMC Church Annex, 3817 Atlanta Hwy. For info. 334-396-4797.

Fibromyalgia -- 3rd Tues., 6-8 pm, Frazer Church. For info, 334272-8622.

Gluten Intolerance -- 4th Thurs., 6-7 pm, Taylor Rd. Baptist Church. Speaker. For info 334-328-5942, http://gfmontgomery. blogspot.com.

Parkinson’s -- 4th Sun., 2 pm, Cloverdale School, Fairview Ave. For info 334-328-8702 or 334-322-6301.

30

August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

AUGUST CALENDAR millbrooktheatre.com. Entry fee, admission, prizes for winners.

FLEA MARKETS/FESTIVALS/FUNDRAISERS Maine Lobsters, Live/Steamed. Mtgy. Area Council on Aging.

Proceeds support MACOA programs/services. Order & prepay by Aug. 10. For info./place order call 334-263-0532. $25.

Titus community-wide Yard Sale. Aug. 11, 7am-noon. New Home Baptist Church, 1605 New Home Rd., Titus. Sports memorabilia, crafts/art supplies, home decor, toys, lawn/garden tools, auto parts, jewelry, hundreds of items under $5!

Chamber of Commerce, 41 Commerce St. Network with other small business owners in the River Region. For info.

334-240-6862, or www.montgomerychamber.com. FREE. AL Dept. of Archives/History. Aug. 16, noon. Author Hardy Jackson, “The Rise and Decline of the Redneck Riviera.”

Bring a sack lunch. For info. 334-353-4726, or www.archives. alabama.gov.

OTHER...

Old Alabama Town. Half-priced Saturdays throughout August.

Aug. 7, 6 pm, Tuskegee Airmen documentary Double Victory with guest authors. FREE.

Montgomery Ballet OPEN HOUSE August 1-4 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Join staff and dancers with the Montgomery Ballet at their Open House at the ballet offices, 2101 E. Blvd., Suite 223.

New Classes New classes start August 6 for ages 2 1/2 to professional in Creative Movement, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Modern Boy’s Class.

Next Performance Beauty & the Beast September 7, Montgomery Zoo, FREE!

Female & Minority-owned Small Business Mixer. Aug. 9, 5-7pm.

For Ballet information call 334-409-0522

Indoor Yard Sale. Aug. 17 & 18, 7am-1pm. Mtgy Area Square Dance Center, 2201 Chestnut St. For info. call 334-244-9052.

AUM Campus-wide Yard Sale. Aug. 25, 7 am.-noon. Taylor Center, rooms 221-223 and 230. Student clubs and organizations raising funds for projects. For info. 334-244-3642. FREE.

, Italian Italian & & Greek Greek Cuisine Cuisine

6268 Atlanta Hwy Montgomery, AL 334-356-4662 Saturday breakfast 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.

RISTORANTE

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33

PRIME DIVERSIONS

Recent dvd releases The Hunger Games,The Pirates! Band of Misfits, and Darling Companion

The Hunger Games (PG-13) The premise of this sci-fi action flick stirs and blends a handful of familiar themes.

In a dystopian, post-rebellion future, the government requires each of the 12 Districts it subdued to select a young man and woman for its annual two-week televised death match. 24 enter; only one can survive. Preliminary pageantry fuels a media frenzy among the elite, leading to wagers and sponsorships for favored competitors. We view all of this primarily though the eyes of a highly sympathetic protagonist, played by Jennifer Lawrence, whose breakout role came in the indie drama, Winter's Bone.

Stanley Tucci camps it up as a TV celebrity, whipping up enthusiasm among the viewers. Elizabeth Banks channels Helena Bonham-Carter as an absurdly overblown toady, anxiously currying favor for herself and district in the halls of power.

Woody Harrelson plays a drunken former winner of the games, mentoring Lawrence and her District 12 cohort, while coping with the guilt and shame of knowing how he earned his privileged status.

As a pure action flick, the setting and primitive weapons make for considerable excitement, though some camera work obscures what could have been more adrenaline-producing fight scenes. As to its cultural relevance, the more you ponder any parallels to current trends, the less escapist the film will feel. One might long for times when flicks like Mad Max or Blade Runner seemed too farfetched to loom as cautionary tales. (8/18/12)

The Pirates! Band of Misfits (PG) This animated romp following a feckless pirate captain (actually named Pirate Captain) and his amiably inept, but loyal, crew as they vainly try to compete with their more competent colleagues is a bit of a sneaky treat. While PC, voiced by Hugh Grant, covets the Pirate of the Year prize that's eluded him for over 20 years, and surely will again, Queen Victoria is almost rabid in her contempt for those who practice his profession.

He seems doomed to fail once more when a chance meeting with not-yet-famous Charles Darwin offers an absurdly unlikely path to the success that has eluded him for so long.

34 August 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

The film starts off slow and silly, only appealing to the youngest of viewers. But Mark Glass the script grows more satiric, the action perks up, resulting in a more broad-based, entertaining family activity than the early going promises. Science nerds become prime fodder, along with playful buffeting of Darwin's theories, and some clever deployment of nautical maps. Besides Grant (who often sounds like John Cleese, which is a definite comedic plus), the voice cast includes Salma Hayek, Jeremy Piven and Imelda Staunton. (8/28/12)

Darling Companion (PG-13) This near-miss drama is especially disappointing, since its stellar cast includes Kevin Kline, Diane Keaton, Diane Wiest, Richard Jenkins and Sam Shepard, under the previously masterful guidance of Lawrence Kasdan. Keaton is all weepy about reaching the empty-nest phase of her marriage to stoic surgeon Kline. One married daughter lives far away. When Keaton rescues a stray dog from a snow bank along the freeway, she finds a new love object for her home, but loses the second daughter to the handsome vet to whom they take their bedraggled discovery.

The wedding occurs at the parents' cabin in the Colorado Rockies. When the dog (cutely named Freeway) runs off, the humans begin a search that leads to all sorts of catharses and alterations in their relationships. That could be a viable premise for insightful character dramas- especially with such a deep, solid cast - but the material is surprisingly short on substance and originality. Keaton and Kline are middle-class caricatures. She's too emotional, he doesn't feel enough.Yadda, yadda, yadda. The caretaker for their cabin (Ayelet Zurer) who joins the search is an absurdly attractive, intelligent woman for that position. While the cast scours the woods for Freeway, viewers keep waiting for some payoff. As noted prominently in a song used in one of Kasdan's best films (The Big Chill), you can't always get what you want. (8/28/12)

Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association.

www.primemontgomery.com | August 2012

35

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