March 2011 by Bob Corley

Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

March 2011

Boomer Business Startup Tips

FREE

Montgomery

Fashion after 50

INside nCreate a Photo Memoir

Kidney Health n Riding the Rocky Mountaineer n Succulent Salmon! n DVD Reviews n

Donnie Robinson, Angelina Okafor, & Charles Kamburis

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond!

Montgomery

Features 10 The New Entrepreneurs

Older workers are the driving force behind many new business start-ups in the River Region. By Tom Ensey

30 Rocky Mountain RailWay adventure See the spectacle of the Canadian Rockies in luxury on the legendary Rocky Mountaineer. By Andrea Gross

18 STYLE AT ANY AGE Look fabulous with spring fashions that flatter your figure and fit your lifestyle. Area consultants offer advice on how women and men can look their best, regardless of age. By Lenore Reese Vickrey

26 From ShoeBox to Book Simple steps to turn a box of old photographs into a family heirloom photo book. By Bob Corley

March 2011

Lifestyles

13 Discovering your past You don’t even have to leave your house to do this detective work. By Nancy Dupree 16 a gracious plenty It’s heart-healthy, quick to prepare, and sure to be a hit with every crowd. By Patsy Smith 29 Yard ‘n garden The garden needs spring cleaning too! By Ethel Dozier Boykin

Entertainment 22 Off the beaten path If March plans for turkey hunting or crappie fishing fall through, you can still have lots of fun with “Plan C.” By Niko Corley 32

23 32

Reviews of these newly released DVDs: Conviction, You Again, and 127 Hours. By Mark Glass 33

Puzzles Sharpen your wits with these brain-challenging puzzles.

Financial

Medical

prime diversions

34 march events calendar From theatre to cafe roping to jamming with other musicians, find it in the River Region.

08 mONEYWISE Knowing the legal pitfalls and options available can reduce potential problems with a gift to a minor. By Alan Wallace

14 Cold, Flu, or sinusitis? Chart your symptoms to determine the culprit behind your “feel bad” blues.

On the Cover

Health/Nutrition

17 marci’s medicare answers If you’re on a limited budget, Medicaid Savings Programs can help.

15 Moving free with Mirabai Exercise because it’s good for you, but find a way to make it fun, too. By Mirabai Holland

25 in every life Limit future problems by controlling blood pressure levels now. By Arlene Morris

23 Be Kind to your kidneys What your kidneys do, how to keep them healthy, and when to get tested for problems.

Donnie Robinson, Angelina Okafor, and Charles Kamburis model clothes provided by The Locker Room & Eastdale Dillard’s. Photo by Bob Corley. Page 18.

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

Montgomery

March 2011 Volume I, Issue 11 PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Bob Corley, Tom Ensey, Andrea Gross, Lenore Reese Vickrey CONTRIBUTORS Ethel Boykin, Tina Calligas, Niko Corley, Nancy Dupree, Mirabai Holland, Arlene Morris, Patsy Smith, Alan Wallace PHOTOGRAPHER Bob Corley SALES Bob Corley, 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@gmail.com Erin Capilouto Sommer 334-233-2621, esommer8849@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 2011 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 My family loves to tell a story. Whether it’s through a video created for a rehearsal dinner, animated recollections of a family trip, or diaries written during youthful excursions to foreign places, we love to share memories of a specific time, or person, or place. Maybe that’s why the idea of creating a family heirloom photo book is so appealing. In November, my husband Bob created an heirloom photo book memoir for both of our families. Though the books are very sparse on text, they tell an emotional story. Captain Corley’s Camera was created from the contents of an old shoebox Bob found, crammed with black and white photos taken while his father served in Korea. Individually, they weren’t particularly impressive, but taken as a whole the pictures rendered a unique glimpse into the life of one American soldier in 1952. Feeling and touching and reading the book is a heartwarming reminder for those of us who knew my father-in-law; for the great-grands and other family members who didn’t, the volume provides an enlightening chapter of their familial history, and adds depth to their own understanding of who they are. The Art of Nick Polizos is compiled from a portfolio of my father’s paintings found in the rafters of his garage after Daddy died. My father was not Picasso, but his artist’s soul is clearly revealed in these works, completed when he was only a young man. The historical facts of Pop’s life tell the story of a hardworking man who left his home in Greece to make a better life in America. The newly created photo volume adds texture and dimension to this barebones history, reminding future generations that Dad was so much more. In this month’s From Shoebox to Book (page 26) writer Bob Corley offers encouragement and a simple outline to help you create your own family heirloom photo book, from selecting photos and having them digitized, to compiling the book using sophisticated, but easily-learned, software. He shares a Resource Guide of websites, including one with tips on preserving your old photographs. Don’t miss Style at Any Age (page18) for useful information on looking your best. Fashion consultants at Dillard’s in Eastdale Mall and The Locker Room share tips on clothes and make-up to keep you ready for the runway or a night out on the town.You can also enter our “50-Plus Fashion Makeover”(page 23) sponsored by Prime Montgomery and Eastdale Mall, where one lucky 50-plus woman will win a makeover valued at up to $1,000, including clothes, hairstyle, and make-up! News for the “midlife and beyond” crowd doesn’t stop there. Tom Ensey’s The New Entrepreneurs (page 10) reveals how enterprising 50-plus’ers are changing the face of the economy, with advice and resources for those intrepid souls willing to step out and start their own businesses. Enjoy the changing weather, and the warmer days that are priming us for spring! If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery!

Sandra Polizos, Editor

www.primemontgomery.com | March 2011

news you can use Vitamin D Might Help Cardiac Health Vitamin D is known to help the body absorb calcium and is usually acquired through sunlight or fortified dairy products such as milk with vitamin D. A study from Intermountain Medical Center in Utah shows that vitamin D might help decrease the risk of certain cardiovascular diseases. The study followed a large group of people age 50 and older who did not have previous cardiovascular issues. The participants were placed in groups based on their level of vitamin D. After one year, those with very low levels of the vitamin were more likely to develop coronary artery disease or have a stroke. The study is important because vitamin D deficiency is easily treated. The New York Times reports that another study showed that people who were further away from the equator

The

had an increased risk of coronary heart disease and hypertension. These studies show that there might be a link between vitamin D and cardiac health, but further research is certainly needed. Always consult a physician about the proper dosage of Vitamin D, as too much can be toxic. An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away Apples are packed with cancer preventing properties, thanks to the nutrient quercitin, which protects DNA in the body’s cells from damage that could lead to the development of cancer. To get the most protection against cancer from apples – eat them with the skin on and not combined with sugar and fats, as in a pie. Osteoporosis Drug Improves Healing After Rotator Cuff Surgery Tears in the shoulder’s rotator cuff, a common sports injury, are painful

PARISH

and restricting. Surgery to repair the damage is successful for pain management, but in many patients it does not result in full recovery of function due to poor healing. New research shows an approved therapy for osteoporosis, Forteo, may speed healing and improve patient outcomes. The preliminary study from Hospital for Special Surgery in New York was presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) meeting in New Orleans. Protect Yourself Against Cold Weather Icy snow, wind and frigid temperatures are frequently in nature's plans for winter. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests: wear layers of lightweight clothing, including a scarf, hat, gloves and boots; prevent falls by covering icy spots with sand or cat litter; pay attention to the wind chill when dressing; travel with an emergency kit and a cell phone; and maintain your car, keep your gas tank full and stock the vehicle with emergency supplies.

• Probate of Estates • • Guardianships • • Conservatorships • • Medicaid Planning • • Powers of Attorney • •Healthcare Directives • • Wills •

Law Firm

Specialists in PROBATE LAW 323 Adams Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104

FREE CONSULTATIONS • (334) 263-0003

Get a Good Night's Sleep Sleep is one of the most undervalued elements of our daily routines, but it is absolutely vital to good health. Lack of sleep increases your blood pressure, induces stress, increases your appetite and slows down your metabolism, dampens your mood and decreases your cognition. (Perelman Heart Institute) Laughter Really is the Best Medicine Go ahead - laugh out loud. Just 15 minutes of laughter is equivalent to about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise with respect to cardiovascular health. Laughter has also been linked to the healthy function of blood vessels, an increase of the brain hormones that improve mood, and reduction of pain and anxiety. (Perelman Heart Institute)

LOL!

Women and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) In every year since 1900 (except for 1918), cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounted for more deaths in the U.S. than any other cause and more women than men die every year of CVD (including

both heart attack and stroke). Researchers also know that: n One in four women dies from CHD, making it the #1 killer of women, regardless of race or ethnicity. n While more women today understand that CHD is the leading killer of men and women, most women fail to make the connection between risk factors and their personal risk of developing CHD. n More women (52%) than men (42%) die from a heart attack before reaching the hospital. n Two-thirds of women who suffer a heart attack never fully recover. n One in three adult females has some form of cardiovascular disease. n Women who are obese, physically inactive, older than 65 years, of certain ethnicities, and have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels all have a greater risk of developing CHD, as do women with diabetes or pre-diabetes. n Numerous medical tests can help determine whether a person has CHD, but the effectiveness of individual tests varies by sex of the participant. n The relationship of birth control and hormone therapy to CHD is not fully understood and should be discussed with your physician. (American College of

Cardiology Foundation) Diet High in Fructose May Contribute to High Blood Pressure People who eat a diet high in fructose, in the form of added sugar, are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to a study appearing in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The results suggest that cutting back on foods and beverages containing a lot of fructose (sugar) might decrease one’s risk of developing hypertension. Hypertension is the most common chronic condition in developed countries and a major risk factor for heart and kidney diseases. Eating Less Healthy Fish May Contribute to Stroke People living in the southeastern or “stroke belt” states eat more fried fish than people living in the rest of the country, which may contribute to the high rate of death from stroke in those states, according to a study published in the online issue of Neurology®.

moneywise

Make Your Gift to a Minor

Trouble-free

ou want to give a valuable asset to your child, grandchild, niece or nephew or include them in your will. While that is certainly a generous thing to do, if the recipient is a juvenile, you need to take extra care. Otherwise you may create considerable complications. Every state has an age at Alan Wallace which a person may legally control property. This age, known as the “age of majority,” ranges from 18-21. In Alabama it is age 19. Before that, the law deems a child unqualified to make management decisions about most property. So if the asset is titled in the child’s name and any action is required, the probate court must authorize whatever action is to be taken.You may rest assured that there are considerable costs and hassles associated with resolving such matters. I have seen these problems when an interest in real estate was given to a minor during the donor’s lifetime and when a child was the beneficiary of an insurance policy. In both cases the expense and time expended were significant. To make matters worse, they were avoidable. If a juvenile is named as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, annuity or retirement account, the financial institution making the payment will often require that a conservatorship be set up to receive and manage the asset on the minor’s behalf. A conservatorship is a bit like a trust, except that the probate court will be involved at several stages during its existence. In addition to the direct expense of court involvement and the extra administrative effort, like most states, Alabama has laws that restrict how property in a conservatorship may be invested. Regrettably, this law was last updated years ago and places the conservator under profound constraints. Assets offering a reasonable prospect of growth are excluded from the “approved list.” This

March 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

means that, after court and administrative costs are taken into consideration, the value of the assets will very likely be less when the beneficiary takes control of them at majority age than it was when they entered the conservatorship. One way to avoid difficulties when giving something to a juvenile is to use UTMA titling. UTMA stands for “Uniform Transfer to Minors Act,” a state law that governs assets held for a juvenile by a custodian. (All states have laws with similar provisions.) The custodian can act on behalf of the beneficial owner, the juvenile, to manage the property until the minor reaches majority age. Another possibility when a juvenile receives property is to give or leave it outright to a responsible adult with instructions to manage and use it for the benefit of the minor. This approach works best when the value of the gift or bequest is modest and the designated manager is a person of high integrity. The third option, establishment of a trust, makes sense if the value of the property is significant. It also holds appeal if you want experienced management to continue beyond the point when the child reaches majority age. For fairly modest amounts, however, a trust is rarely justified. If you want your gift or bequest to be used to help fund college costs, putting money into a 529 account is a good solution. This is somewhat similar to the UTMA approach in that a custodian manages the account for the child. However, a 529 account has income tax advantages if the money is used for college costs and penalties if it is not. In conclusion, tangible generosity toward young people, especially members of our family, appeals to many adults. Attention to the legal technicalities in making your gift may not enhance its value or the recipient’s appreciation, but a failure to do so is sure to diminish both. Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior FInancial Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, 334-270-5960, alan.wallace@ronblue.com

feature

Barb Grimes enjoys teaching people of all ages to paint. Her Mulberry Street studio is decorated wall-to-wall with the works of her students.

By Tom Ensey

re you anxious about the “... in the past decade or so, people aged gomery has many of the agencies you’ll need to work future, wondering if you’ll be able to survive your golden 55-64 have started more businesses than with, plus valuable information to review before you years on your 401k and Social Se- any other age group.” take the plunge. curity -- if it’s even there? Are you The key to starting a business is knowing what you’re getting among the millions of middle-aged, unemployed victims of the sour economy? Are you tired of your job and ready to follow your bliss? into, understanding the market, and having a plan.With no plan, you’re inviting failure. Congratulations.You’re America’s next great economic hope. “You have to look at the reasons you want to go into business,” Aging Baby Boomers, experts say, are poised to spur a boom in said Joe Borg, Director of the Alabama Securities Commission. He’s the nation’s business startups and reignite the economy. started a number of businesses himself. Entrepreneurs drive growth. In the past decade or so, people “Having a business plan is the key,” he said. aged 55-64 have started more businesses than any other age group. “Marketing is the first step,” he said. “Identify your customers, The 20-24 age group, perceived as society’s risk-takers, have the know what they want and how to reach them. Know your compelowest rate. tition. Know how to inform customers what you’re offering, why “Those entrepreneurial 60-year-olds could be 2020’s entrepreyour product or service is what they want, and how to find you.” neurial 70-year-olds,” writes Dane Stangler for the Ewing Marion The right location is imperative, physically or on the Web. Kauffman Foundation, a think tank devoted strictly to entrepre“A bad location can ruin a well-conceived business,” Borg said. neurship. It’s a natural trend, with more middle-aged Americans One top reason businesses fail is insufficient cash flow. Startups than ever and people living and staying healthy longer. underestimate the capital needed to get up and running and to sushometown resources The River Region offers a helpful environment to people planning tain themselves. It sounds obvious, but is often misunderstood. “You need enough money to pay all costs until sales start to to start a business. One of the best -- and most economical -- supcover them,” Borg added.The best plan: have more on-hand than port mechanisms is the Small Business Resource Center (SBRC), you think you need. And look ahead. Plan for dips and swings. Just part of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. because you made it through the first six months doesn’t mean The SBRC offers low-cost training, guidance and mentoring to everything’s OK.” would-be entrepreneurs (see sidebar). As the state capital, Mont-

On average, it takes two years before a business starts making money on a consistent basis, Borg said. And when you do start making money, don’t expect to get rich. barb’s on mulberry Barb Grimes started Barb’s on Mulberry Street in a little house about 15 years ago, selling seasonal gifts, children’s fashions, art, gifts and toys. Several years ago she moved into the house next door where she gives art lessons and conducts birthday and special theme parties.This flexibility is a key ingredient to success. The store constitutes 70-to-80 percent of her business, but the revenue the lessons bring in is steady and helps keep her afloat. Barb was a well-known local artist before she started her store. While employed in public relations she sold her work in consignment shops and arts and crafts shows. She had connections, a well-known name, and a solid customer base. The same qualifications that would have made her a good choice for a prospective employer made her a good choice to succeed as her own boss – she had experience, a proven track record, and loved what she was doing. Now, she has loyal customers. “There are people I taught art, or sold stuff to years ago, and now their children are taking lessons or are customers,” she said. Her advice: keep overhead low. Don’t pay for anything you can do yourself. In a retail business, don’t overstock. It’s better to run out of something than to have unsold merchandise on your shelves. pigg enterprises John Pigg started selling cars much the same way Barb started selling artwork. He built a reputation, started small and expanded. He was a sergeant in the United States Air Force stationed at Maxwell who liked to keep plenty of irons in the fire. “Forty or 50 hours a week never seemed to be enough for me,” he said. He and his wife, Carole, bought up a number of properties and rented them. He also liked to buy cars, fix them up, and sell them. Eventually the rental business took a backseat to the used car business. “We went from two cars sitting on the side of the road to 70

John Pigg with reminders of his career with the United States Air Force, including time as an instructor at the NCO Academy, Gunter Air Base.

to 100 vehicles,” he said of Pigg Enterprises on Memorial Drive in Prattville.They began by selling cars that ranged from $2,000 to $7,000.They now sell cars from $10,000 to $25,000, what he calls “new car alternatives.” His wife, two sons and two other employees comprise the staff. His advice to people interested in starting a business selling ve-

One hundred fifty years ago in

Montgomery, Alabama a store owner with a secret, a slave guided by love, a fiery politician, and a divided family took sides and took a stand.

Their story is your story.

Now – March 19

Now – March 20

World premiere plays based on real people and events.

Coming in april

Al AbAm A ShAk eSpe Are FeStivAl

montgomery, Alabama 1.800.841.4273 www.ASF.net

twitter.com/alabamashakes www.facebook.com/alabamashakes

Joe Borg directs the Alabama Securities Commission and has owned several successful businesses.

hicles is to wait.The market is soft right now.Timing has a great deal to do with success, he said.That, and patience. If you can, start your business without financing.The less debt you carry the better your chance of success. Start small with low overhead, and don’t incur debt along the way if you can avoid it. “We had the advantage that we had income coming in from my Air Force salary when we were getting started,” he said. “We could put all our profit back into the business.” Pigg was doing something he knew something about. He had a degree in business acquired while in the Air Force, where he also taught leadership and management classes. And the stars lined up right. He was stationed here long enough for the business to take hold. “If I’d been deployed, it probably wouldn’t have worked out,” he said. KNOW YOURSELF Borg believes the most important element may be knowing what you want out of your business and what you can offer your customers. “Don’t start a business for the wrong reasons,” he said. “Think about what you want to accomplish. If you just want to make a lot of money…that’s not the right reason.There’s a good chance you won’t.” If you want to have more time for your family, he said, that might be a good reason.You may be able to work at home and see them more. But there’s a good chance your business will take more time away from them. “If you don’t want to answer to anyone else…that’s not a very good reason,” he said.There’s a lot of mental and physical demand associated with running your own business. “If you don’t like people and want to be able to work off in a corner somewhere and not be bothered…that’s a really bad reason. You’d better like people.You’d better have a positive attitude.”

Get Something Started If you are serious about starting your own business, become an expert. Not just on your product or service, but on the business of starting a business. The Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) in Montgomery is a valuable source for existing and would-be entrepreneurs. It provides training, development and a lowcost incubation program where startups can rent space and use the facilities of the sprawling center on South Court Street in Montgomery. The program, connected to the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, works with Chamber members who offer mentoring, advice, training and learning opportunities to business start-ups.The SBRC also offers a 13-week training course in entrepreneurial development originated by the University of Colorado. “It’s the only course of its kind approved by the department of post-secondary education for accreditation under the GI Bill,” said Lisa McGinty, a staff member and certified instructor at the center. “The course shows students how to make a business plan, how businesses work, how to devise a marketing plan, and five weeks of financial training.” The cost is $200, indicative of the not-for-profit organization’s efforts to keep its services affordable. Among programs offered by the SBRC are loan workshops, business taxation seminars, and a lunchtime business training series on a variety of topics.They also point business owners toward other resources including the Service Core of Resource Executives (SCORE). SCORE recruits volunteers who have been successful in business.They offer free counseling to startups, from writing business plans to cash flow management.Workshops are $20 to $75. SCORE also works with the Small Business Administration to educate entrepreneurs about loans, financial options, business planning, marketing strategies and product development. The SBRC’s Court Street facility offers new businesses office space below market value. Occupants are selected by application and share resources - receptionist, utilities, equipment, meeting rooms - to reduce overhead. “If you are the owner of a business, you may not have a peer to share things with, to ask advice and direction, to bounce ideas off of,” McGinty said. “The bottom line, the intent behind the program is just this simple - to help people connect with others you can talk to about what’s going on.” (Above, Lisa McGinty counsels business owner David Cooper of Cooper Structural Engineers.) Resources www.montgomerychamber.com - Click on the link for the Small Business (SBRC) www.score.org - Contact: Earl Heath, Counselor, 334240-6868 score598@att.net - Both are located at 600 S. Court Street, Montgomery www.sba.gov - Small Business Administration, 205-2907101

discovering your past

Finding Yourself Online

ver the past decade, the growth in the popularity of genealogy, together with the expansion of the internet, produced the perfect stimulus for numerous online research sites. Some sites offer records, indexes, and information free of charge, while others are subscription-based, but entice exploration by providing access to some records at no cost. Many state archives now offer digital records and indexes on Nancy Dupree their web sites; other sites, created solely by volunteers, offer family history information for every state in the United States. One place to begin your online research is the Genealogical Society of Utah’s web site - www.familysearch.org. The GSU is responsible for microfilming, and now digitizing, many records from courthouses and numerous organizations across the United States and around the world. It also is making the records available free of charge on the web site. Explore the “Records Search Pilot”. Other free sites offering genealogical information include the USGenWeb Project – www.usgenweb.org; RootsWeb – www.rootsweb. com; and, one of my favorites, FindAGrave.com . This great

g n i t celebra

site offers millions of cemetery records. Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, and Footnote.com are three of the most popular subscription-based web sites. All offer digital images of millions of historical records, some free of charge. Family tree information is also accessible and provides opportunities to connect with others researching the same families. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has a partnership with Ancestry.com. Ancestry is digitizing and indexing a number of the Archives’ most popular records collections, images of which will be on the Ancestry.com web site. Records already available are the 1820-1866 Alabama State Censuses and the Alabama Civil War Muster Rolls. ADAH provides access to Ancestry.com free of charge in the Research Room. The ADAH web site – www.archives.alabama.gov – offers several searchable databases, including the Civil War Soldiers database and the 1867 Voter Registration database, and many historical records, photographs, newspapers, and books in the Digital Archives. Nancy Dupree is Senior Archivist at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. If you have a question for Nancy, email us at primeeditor@gmail.com

years benefiting the Joy to Life Foundation

win a 2011 Hyundai Elantra

from Hyundai of Auburn and The Joy to Life Foundation!* *Walk application and fees must be received by Joy to Life Foundation on March 31, 2011 – paper registration via mail on 3/31/11 or online at joytolife.org by midnight on 3/31/11. Must be 19 or older to enter. Winner does not have to be present to win. Winner is responsible for all taxes and title fees. See joytolife.org for full details.

Fun for the whole family including music, food & drinks!

} Saturday, April 16, 2011 } Day of registration begins at 6:30am

Race begins at

8:30am • Tallapoosa St. between

Renaissance Hotel & Embassy Suites Hotel Register or Volunteer Now! is a

proud 2011 sponsor of the J oy to Life Foundation

Online at

joytolife.org

Call for more information

334.284.LIFE

medical

A-a-a-choo! (Cold, Allergy, or Sinusitis?)

Have you ever had a cold or allergy attack that wouldn’t go away? If so, there’s a good chance you actually had sinusitis. Experts estimate that 37 million people are afflicted with sinusitis each year, making it one of the most common health conditions in America. That number may be significantly higher, since the symptoms of bacterial sinusitis often mimic those of colds or allergies, and many sufferers never see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Which condition matches your symptoms?

Sign/Symptom

Sinusitis

Allergy

Cold

Nasal Discharge

Cloudy or colored

Clear, thin, watery

Thick, whitish

Nasal Congestion

Often

Sometimes

Yes

Facial Pressure/Pain/ Fullness

Often

Sometimes

Duration of Illness

10 days or longer

Varies

Under 10 days

Double-worsening*

Sometimes

Fever

Sometimes

Pain in Upper Teeth

Sometimes

Bad Breath

Sometimes

Coughing

Sometimes

Yes

Sneezing

Sometimes

Yes

*Initial improvement followed by worsening within the first 10 days.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology

River Region residents 50 & OLDER have MORE PURCHASING POWER than almost any group in U.S. history. Earn their TRUST and their BUSINESS. ADVERTISE in Prime Montgomery.

CONTACT Bob • 334-202-0114 primemontgomery@gmail.com Erin • 334-233-2621 esommer8849@gmail.com

Visit our website

www.primemontgomery.com

moving free ® with mirabai

Start by Exercising Smart

ave you started that exercise program that you promised yourself? If not, you’re not alone. Only about 8 percent of Americans keep their New Year’s resolutions, and starting an exercise program is a particularly tough one. The very thought of knocking yourself out with exercise every day makes you cringe. Me too. Mirabai Holland It reminds me of the old story of the guy who beats his head against the wall. When his friend asks, “ Why on earth are you doing that?” the guy replies, “Cause it feels so good when I stop.” Crazy? Maybe. But that’s what’s going on with fitness today. We’re told we have to push ourselves beyond all reason to get fit and then maintain with some austere, joyless regimen forever. Yea, can’t wait. Well, that’s just nonsense. Exercise should be something you look forward to instead of dread.You can get every bit as fit without the drudgery. I’m not saying that you should never do vigorous exercise. I’m saying don’t do it until your body is ready to enjoy and benefit from it. It’s not exercise light; it’s exercise SMART. So here’s the plan. The first step is get up and move. Start today and spend five minutes doing something really easy like putting some favorite music on and dancing around. Or take a five-minute walk. Try to do something like this at the same time every day, the earlier the better. n Pick something fun, something you can look forward to doing again tomorrow. n Do five minutes a day until it gets too easy. Then add another five minutes. n The idea is to ease up to 30 minutes of moderate movement a day. n This may take weeks or months. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. n Trying to go too fast is what makes people quit. Remember the tortoise and the hare! n If you have already started apply this gradual method to any program you’re on. It will help you stay on track. Let me know how you’re doing. If you have any questions or comments my email is at the bottom of this article. Of course, always consult your doctor before beginning this or any exercise program. 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 for women. Her Moving Free™ approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work. Send your Ask Mirabai questions to: askmirabai@movingfree. com. Visit her website at www.movingfree.com (c)2011.

When starting a new exercise routine, start slowly and build your regime gradually to 30 minutes of moderate activity a day.

a gracious plenty

Try Your Luck With Salmon

Photos by Margaret Ann McGregor s I was walking into the grocery store this morning thinking about the salmon we would have for supper, a laugh burst forth. I remembered the time my husband Bill and I decided to charter a boat and go salmon fishing in Alaska. Ours was not a private charter.Two gentlemen from Chicago were to enjoy the excursion with us. As we boarded, I overheard a conversaPatsy Smith tion.The one with the jacket emblazoned with “Bass Anglers Society” was saying to the captain, “I’ll bet you just love having all those tourists on board who have never fished from a boat before.” The captain winked at me as I confessed that I was indeed one of those tourists. He gave me a quick lesson. The first cast I snagged two fish! Chicago Bass Anglers mumbled, “Beginner’s luck!” I cast again and caught another. BA told me it was because of my position on the boat, so I offered him my spot. Sheepishly, he suggested that Bill take a turn there instead. My husband was really enjoying the exchange as I moved to the back of the boat. I quietly threw my line back out and WHAM! I had another! By that time BA was steaming, and I was getting a little chippy. I went over, rubbed his fishing pole, and as “luck” would have it, he got a strike. The rest of the fish that day were caught on my Salmon for pole. As the late, great Billy Ray Gann used to say, “There’s no such Everyday Cooking thing as luck. Sometimes you are just blessed.” Per serving: calories 462; fat 31g (sat 7g, trans fat 0); Enjoy our quick, easy recipe for delicious salmon. Four minprotein 41g; carb 3g; fiber 0; utes of cooking and you have a world class meal. It’s perfect for a week night, and so good for your heart. chol 109 mg; sodium 195 mg;

sugar 1g

Patsy Smith, a Montgomery native, is the author of two cookbooks, A Cookbook for My Southern Daughter and A Southern Daughter Entertains. They may be purchased at Capitol Book and News, Rosemont Gardens, Southern Homes and Gardens, Jo’s Hallmark, Richardson’s Pharmacy, and other fine book and gift stores, or through her website at southerndaughtercookbooks.com

2 (4 oz.) salmon filets, skin off 1/4 stick of margarine or a drizzle of olive oil 1 lemon, cut into quarters for squeezing 1 t. capers 1 t. dried dill Dash of paprika Melt margarine in a saute’ pan over medium heat. Place salmon in pan. Drizzle with the juice of half the lemon. Cover

and cook for a couple of minutes on one side. Take off cover and turn fish over. Sprinkle with remaining lemon juice and dill and spoon capers over fish. Replace cover and cook for an additional two minutes. Remove cover . Sprinkle with a dash of paprika. Continue cooking until fish browns slightly around edges and flakes easily. Remove carefully from pan to plates.

medical

Marci’s Medicare Answer March 2011 Dear Marci, How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program? — Eleanor Dear Eleanor, Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help pay your Medicare costs if you have limited finances. There are three main programs, and each has different income eligibility limits. Not all states have all programs. You will need to call your local Medicaid office for exact rules on how to apply for an MSP in your state. Many states allow you to submit your application online, through the mail, or through community health centers or other organizations. Some states still require that you schedule an appointment and go in person to the Medicaid office to apply. The list of documents that you will need to have for your application varies by state. Some states do not require that you submit documentation of your income or assets. Contact your local Medicaid office to find out

the boomerheads By K.D. Senior

what documents you need. Examples of documentation that may be required for your MSP application include: n your Social Security card n your Medicare card n your birth certificate, passport or green card n proof of your address, such as an electric bill or phone bill n proof of your income, such as a Social Security Administration award letter, income tax return or pay stub n information about your assets, such as bank statements, stock certificates or life insurance policies 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.

strength.

You have the power to do great things.

join the club 24 Hour •• Secure Co-ed • Secure • Access over 1000 clubs1000 clubs 24 Hour • Co-ed • Access totomore than

Two Memberships for the Price of One 8880 Minnie Brown Road 8880 Minnie Brown Road Montgomery, AL 36117 Montgomery, AL 36117 www.anytimefitness.com

334-239-7396 334-239-7396

feature

Style

at Any Age

Looking your best is a great start to helping you feel your best.These models, wearing outfits from Dillard’s at Eastdale Mall and The Locker Room, show you how to embrace and flaunt fashions that flatter your best features. (l-r) Lynn Barnes, Donnie Robinson, Angelina Okafor, Grace Brown,Tina Pruitt, and Charles Kamburis wear spring styles that pop with color and pizazz. (Studio courtesy of David Robertson.)

By Lenore Reese Vickrey

armer temperatures make us want to get outside, start clearing out the dormant flower beds, do a little painting, and tackle home projects you’ve been putting off. But inside, it also means it’s time to do our seasonal closet swap-out, moving out the darker, heavier clothes that kept us warm in winter and trading them for lighter fabrics and brighter colors. It’s also a great excuse to go shopping for some new looks to enliven your wardrobe. And bright is the name of the game in both men’s and women’s fashions this season, the experts say. “We’re seeing a lot of brighter colors,” says Hunter McDonald, manager at The Locker Room in Montgomery. With the recession officially over and the economy showing positive signs of picking up, “people want to be happier. They want to feel better.” The brighter colors and pastels on the racks in local stores are an indication of that. “We’re seeing a lot of pinks and corals,” agrees Frances Perdue, ready to wear sales manager at Dillard’s Eastdale Mall. “We’re also seeing a lot of blue in all different shades, from pale to 18

March 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

turquoise to navy. Greens are also important, including the popular lime green and sage.” Even better news is that those bright pinks, peaches, mint greens and brilliant blues in easy-care, light fabrics have no age boundaries. The over-50 shopper may no longer need the types of outfits they needed in their 30s and 40s, but the differences in choices are not as defined as you might think. “A lot of it is the same,” says Perdue. “You can still wear the bright colors, but it’s the cut of the clothing that changes. Once you get the right cut, it works. “As I’ve gotten older myself, I’ve come to realize age is not that important,” she adds. “It’s how you wear it.” You don’t have to look like the old grandma. Still, most of the older female shoppers that Lisa Jackson, sales associate at Dillard’s, sees definitely don’t want to look old. “They don’t want to look like the old grandma!” she says. “They don’t want florals, but they like embellishments (beading and jewels embedded in the fabric). They want figure fitting clothes and they want to look good.”

With that in mind, spring fashion for the 50-plus woman offers some fun choices, with caveats to consider. According to the experts we talked to: n Mix and match separates are always popular. The line Ruby Rd. offers bright-colored jackets and tops with embellishments, which can be paired with black or white pants. n Today’s coordinates come in easy-care fabrics that can go in a suitcase and come out without needing ironing. n Shoulder pads are still found in some dresses and jackets, but nothing like the 80s-era padding. “These are just enough to add a little definition,” says Perdue. n Wider-leg pants are being seen more, but these may not be appropriate for all shapes and sizes. “Wear what looks best on you,” says Perdue. “Most women now want a bootcut with just a little flair and more relaxed around the thigh.” n For jeans, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans is a popular line, according to Perdue, and come in several different styles of leg shape. “They pull in the tummy and lift the rear,” she says, both features appreciated by the over-50 lady. n Denim is still big, and not just for One dress, three different looks: This Jessica Howard, basic black dress gets you ready for a special dinner, a fun day out, or Sunday morning church. Update with accessories.

jeans but in jean skirts and jackets. “Pair a jean skirt with a tank top and a short jacket and you’ve got a great outfit,” says Dillard’s Jackson. If temps are still a bit cool, wear the skirt with tights and boots. n Longer skirts are coming back. “We call it the riding skirt,” says Lynn Barnes, a specialist for Nygard, a line exclusive to Dillard’s. “A lot of women like them for church, and they can be interchanged with different tops.” n Try a “swacket,” a combination sweater/ jacket, with stretchy fabric in the sleeves and back, and a jacket-like look with pockets and flaps in the front. Great for chilly mornings and evenings, and combined with a tank and skirt, it’s a complete outfit. n Reversible jackets are a great way to get two looks from one item. Chico’s offers several different types, from jungle prints reversing to solids. n Instead of shorts, cropped pants are still a mainstay. Cargo pants styling is also popular, and can be paired with a contrasting silk shirt, scarf and jacket for a complete look. n Make sure tops, especially clingy knits, are not too tight. Instead of your regular bra, try wearing all-in-one shapewear to eliminate “bra bulge”

Want a makeup tip? Take care of your skin By Lenore Reese Vickrey

Just as spring clothing has its new colors and designs, so does makeup. With multiple makeup counters at department stores, retail one-brand cosmetic stores, and larger stores devoted solely to cosmetic products, the choices can seem mind-boggling. The experts we talked to all agreed that before any makeup is applied, the older woman needs to make sure she’s properly cared for her skin first. “Basic skin care is first and foremost,” says Rebecca Borders, counter manager for Estee Lauder cosmetics at Dillard’s in Eastdale Mall. “Make sure you clean your skin at bedtime,” she says. “If you don’t take five minutes for yourself, no one else will.” “The main concerns for older women are age spots, fine lines and uneven skin tone,” says Peggy Perdue, owner of the Merle Norman studio at Eastchase. She recommends using a foundation primer, which contains polymers and optical diffusers, to allow foundation to go on more easily and create a smoother look. “Primer is the name of the game.” For age spots, she recommends dotting with a cool-tone concealer. For a smoother application, use a synthetic brush instead of your fingers, then blend in your foundation. Conceal dark circles with a warm-tone concealer and stippling under the eye to the outer edge. For lips, use a neutral color liner instead of the dark liner, which you may have used ten years ago. Minimize fine lines with a primer. Borders agrees. “There are so many new techniques out there now,” she says, “and I can show you how to do them.” For spring, the hot color is pink. “We’re seeing pinks and purples for the eyes,” Perdue says, “and pink and peach blush for the cheeks. Eyes are still neutral colors, with a pop of color.” In the Estee Lauder line, eye shadows come in matte, satin, shimmer and metallic finishes and in exotic colors like gold, copper, and bronze along with such spring-like hues as periwinkle, glacial blue, summer linen and wild violet. For lips, colors in long-lasting gels like “electric” coral, pink and cherry are popular for spring. To ensure your shadow doesn’t fade away, Borders recommends using a shadow base cream first. “It will stay on 15 hours,” she www.primemontgomery.com | March 2011

Sport coats are full of color this season, with bolder patterns and plaids. Wear a shirt that contrasts with the jacket, yet still blends enough to tie the entire look together.

and create a smooth fit. n The same goes for pants. Spanx, Flexies, Sassybax and other underwear brands are ideal for eliminating the detested VPL (visible panty line) and helping minimize “muffin tops” (the bulge overhanging pants at the waistline). n Realize you can be sexy without wearing low-cut necklines. A silk or silk-like blouse can be just as sexy as a plunging V-neck top. n Uncomfortable showing your arms in a sleeveless dress? Toss on a bright colored shrug or light cardigan. n Don’t forget to accessorize with scarves and jewelry.Try pearls in taupe, copper and pewter tones; chunky necklaces; wispy scarves in different patterns and fabrics from shimmery to tasseled. Sales clerks can help you learn how to tie them, or you can easily find videos online.Wear scarves in a variety of ways, including as a belt. The main thing for the older lady to remember, Perdue says, is, “You don’t have to look dowdy! It’s all about attitude.” For men, contrast is key. Like women, men are also looking for clothes that make them look good, travel well and are easy to care for. And skin and hair color are important factors in making clothing choices, The Locker Room’s McDonald says. “For men, contrast is better. The older we get, a lot of colors don’t work as well,” he says.“If you have gray hair, for example, the same colors you wore when you were in your 40s won’t look as good on you now. But a man with gray hair and tanned complexion can wear bright colors, like pink, and it will look striking. The same shirt on a man with fair skin and light hair might give him a washed-out look.”

Men will have lots to choose from in contrasting colors for spring, from purples to pinks, a variety of patterns in blue, seafoam or mint green and peach, both in knit shirts and dress shirts. Sport shirts in bright plaids pair well with lighter weight denim-linen blend, five-pocket jeans. “You can also layer a T-shirt in a bright or contrasting color under the sports shirt,” McDonald says. He’s especially glad to see spring sport coats “starting to look like sport coats again,” with bolder patterns and plaids. “A guy who wears a navy suit during the week wants a sport coat on the weekend. The older you get, you have a license to do more than the young guy climbing the ladder,” he adds. The traditional look is also making a return, with classic patterns in shirts and trousers. “Blazers are hugely important,” McDonald says, especially those in lightweight Merino wool that feels like silk. Some tips for the older male shopper: n Buy shorts appropriate for your height. Shorts should come to the top of the knee, so if you’re short, you may need them shortened. n If you don’t like your neck, wear knit shirts with a band.You can also have custom shirts made to camouflage neck imperfections. n While you may have worn pleated pants for the last ten or more years, flat-front pants are coming back and actually “make you look a lot sleeker.” n Have more than one set of clothes for winter, for transition, and for summer weather. n For your changing shape, you need a consultant, someone other than your spouse, to help you determine what fits best. Men need to make sure their pants fit in the seat first, then the waist. n Be aware that as you age, not only does your shape change, but your feet do as well.You may not wear the same size shoe as you’ve been used to, so to ensure proper fit, have your foot remeasured before buying a new pair. n Dress for your needs, based on your lifestyle. A few good pieces will go a long way. “You don’t need a lot,” says McDonald. “You just need good stuff.”

off $10 any $50 purchase

(With ad. One per customer, please.)

Evening Bags • Handbags Jewelry • Gifts Accessories Monogramming • Invitations 2101 Eastern Blvd • Suite 411 • The Courtyard 334-239-0655 • www.boucou.net

Ladies! Welcome SPRING with a FREE 50 Plus Fashion Makeover! vWardrobe v Hair Styling v Makeupv One lucky winner will be selected in a random drawing for a FREE FASHION MAKEOVER courtesy of Dillard’s, Belk’s, Regis Salon, Eastdale Mall, and Prime Montgomery. You do not have to be present to win, but you DO need to be 50 years old or older. Use entry form below or pick one up at Eastdale Mall. Deposit forms in the Contest Entry Drum at the Information Desk. Drawing to be held at Eastdale Mall at noon 3/31/2011. Fashion Makeover must be completed by 4/16/2011. 50 Plus Fashion Makeover sponsored by Prime Montgomery & Eastdale Mall

Prime

FREE 50 Plus Fashion Makeover

Sponsored by Prime Montgomery Magazine & Eastdale Mall

MONTGOMERY

One winner will be selected by random drawing noon, March 31 at Eastdale Mall, for a 50 Plus Fashion Makeover from Dilliard’s, Belk’s, and Regis Salon. You do not have to be present to win. Makeover must be completed by 4/16/2011. (Must be 50 or older to enter.) Name: ______________________________________ Address: __________________________ City:

___________________ St: ___ Zip: _________ E-mail: ___________________________

Phone #: (Day) ____________ Evening: ____________ Signature: ___________________________________

off the beaten path

Always Have a “Plan C” M arch is a confusing month for many sportsmen and women. Should they take to the woods to chase Tom Turkey or head to the lake with a bucket of minnows to catch slab crappie? Me, I’ve never been too torn between them as I dislike snakes a whole lot more than I like the taste of turkey and it’s harder to get snake bitten in a boat out in NIko Corley & Bella the middle of the lake than it is kicking around the woods this time of year. Plus, I’m usually shooting the last of the season’s quail and trying to get in a few more retrieves for Bella. But with Bella potentially pregnant and temporarily out of commission for flushing quail this month, it looks like March will find me spending more time in the boat than usual. I’m a believer in making the most of any time spent outdoors. Just about anytime I hit the water after a specific fish species, I learned a while ago to throw a few dozen catfish jugs or a couple of rods set up for tight-lining in the boat, even in early spring. One March Saturday, a friend and I went to the river to crappie fish and exhausted every method we knew of to find crappie this time of year. We spider rigged along old creek channels, danced jigs in and around woody structure, slow trolled lures and even fished minnows near the bank in case the paper mouths had moved shallow. We didn’t get a single bite that afternoon and my fishing partner was about to call it quits when I offered up that perhaps we should try “Plan C,” a proposal about which he seemed quite confused. We had not attempted a “Plan B” but since “catfish” starts with a “c” I thought Plan C was a fitting name (it could also be “Plan Corley”). We baited the two dozen jugs I had stored in the boat, motored to the edge of a shallow flat bordering a deep creek channel and dropped the jugs at the edge of the channel to drift with the wind across the flat. I figured with the week of unseasonably warm weather

March 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

we’d had, the catfish might have followed the baitfish to waters slightly warmer than the deep holes where they spend the winter. Within a short while and to our delight, Plan C had paid off. That night, although we thought we’d be eating crappie, we dined on a fine catfish supper thanks to Plan C. Since that fishing trip I’ve executed Plan C many times, both as a backup but also as an integral part of the day’s (or night’s) fishing plan. Whether bass, bream or crappie fishing a small pond, large lake or the river, I usually throw out a few jugs in a likely catfish-holding location before concentrating on the specific species for which I planned to fish. Jugs are not the only effective means of executing Plan C either. Though you’ll have fewer lines in the water, tight lining for catfish by placing baits in specific fish-holding spots can also be effective, especially in the dead of winter or the heat of summer. Speaking of summer, whether you’re at the lake or river, it seems that someone in the party always wants to work on their tan but may not want to go fishing. Offer to take them out to a sunny spot, pass them the tanning oil and turn on the stereo. Cast the anchor, slip off to the back of the boat and spread a couple lines around that scour hole you marked with your depth finder or that sunken tree. Before long, Plan C might just have your fishing poles dancing a jig. So, if you hit the water and happen to see a few jugs floating along, please leave them alone. Don’t check them, remove the fish for yourself or steal them, all of which I’ve seen done or had happen to me. Those jugs are somebody’s Plan C (probably mine) and they may be counting on them for dinner. Likewise, the guy anchored in the middle of the river channel with his wife or girlfriend sunbathing on the front deck isn’t trying to block water skiers from cutting across – he’s just working Plan C. Niko Corley is an avid sportsman, spending his free time hunting, fishing and enjoying other outdoor activities. In this column, he covers a wide range of outdoor recreation activities in Central Alabama and beyond.

health

Be Kind to Your Kidneys March is National Kidney Month.

ou have two kidneys. They are bean-shaped, and about the size of a fist. They are located in the middle of your back, on the left and right sides of your spine, just below your rib cage. Their main job is to filter extra water and wastes out of your blood and make urine. They also help control blood pressure and make hormones that your body needs to stay healthy. Chronic kidney disease—called kidney disease here for short—is a condition in which the small blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, making the kidneys unable to do their job. Waste then builds up in the blood, harming the body. Kidney disease is most often caused by diabetes or high blood pressure. Diabetes and high blood pressure damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, so the kidneys are not able to filter the blood as well as they used to. Usually this damage happens slowly, over many years. As more and more

blood vessels are damaged, the kidneys eventually stop working. Other risk factors for kidney disease are cardiovascular (heart) disease and a family history of kidney failure. If you have any of these risk factors, you should get tested for kidney disease. Early kidney disease has no symptoms. That means you can’t feel that you have it. In fact, you might feel just fine until your kidneys have almost stopped working. Don’t wait for symptoms. Blood and urine tests are the only way to know if you have kidney disease. A blood test measures your GFR and a urine test checks for protein. (See sidebar for more about testing.) Kidney disease can be treated if detected early. The right treatment can help prevent further kidney damage and slow down kidney disease. The earlier kidney disease is found, the sooner you can take medications, called ACE inhibitors or ARBs, and other steps that can keep your kidneys healthy longer. Kidney disease is progressive. Kidney disease does not go A Memory Care Community away. Instead, it usually gets at Elmcroft Assisted Living worse over time. Kidney disease can turn into kidney failure, at which point dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed. Kidney disease can also lead o c m l e We Home to heart disease. Take the first step. If you are at risk, get your blood and urine checked for Home is kidney disease.

Heartland Village

Call for your personal visit.

Where the Heart Is

334396-1111

ELMCROFT OF HALCYON Assisted Living & Memory Care 1775 Halcyon Blvd., Montgomery www.ElmcroftAL.com

Provided by an initiative undertaken by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). Used by permission.

Testing for Kidney Disease Blood test Helps measure your GFR, or Glomerular (glow-MAIR-youlure) Filtration Rate. GFR measures how much blood your kidneys filter each minute. GFR is reported as a number. n A GFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range. n A GFR below 60 may mean you have kidney disease. n A GFR of 15 or lower may mean kidney failure. You can’t raise your GFR, but you can try to keep it from going lower. Talk to your health professional about your options. Urine test Looks for high amounts of protein or albumin, a specific type of protein. Albumin is too big to pass through a healthy kidney. If your kidneys are damaged, albumin can pass into the urine. You can’t see or feel albumin in your urine. So, a urine albumin test is important. In general, the less albumin in your urine, the better. Your health provider may give you medicines to lower the amount of albumin in your urine and to keep your kidneys healthy. When to Get Tested n If you have Type 1 Diabetes, get tested every year starting five years after diabetes diagnosis. n If you have Type 2 Diabetes, get tested very year If you have other risk factors such as cardiovascular disease or a family history of cardiovascular disease, get your kidney’s checked regularly. Your health provider can determine how often.

ome say that passing a kidney stone is like delivering a baby made of razor blades.The good news is that, although they can be excruciatingly painful, kidney stones rarely cause permanent damage, and you may be able to prevent them. Back or side pain that won’t go away is the primary symptom of a kidney stone.You may also have pinkish or foul-smelling urine, fever or painful urination. Experts say that the incidence of kidney stones is on the rise, although no one knows why. Caucasians are more prone to kidney stones than African Americans, and men are more prone than women. Age is also a factor.The chance of getting a kidney stone rises as men enter their 40s and continues to rise into their 70s. For women, the risk peaks in their 50s. Each day, about 50 gallons of blood flows through your kidneys. The kidneys remove waste products from the blood, including various minerals and other substances, and transfers them into urine so your body can get rid of them. In people who get stones, certain minerals in the urine combine with other waste products and start to form a stone. Kidney stones aren’t all the same.The most common type is made of the mineral calcium, combined with either oxalate or phosphate. Less common types of stones are made of uric acid or other chemicals, all of which are naturally found in the body. No one knows why these substances form kidney stones in some people not in others, since we all have them in our urine. Stone forutdoor Popsbut Concert mation may be related to the levels of these substances in urine adway Underorthe Starscurrently to other unknown factors that encourage or inhibit formation. ptember 16 • stone 7:30pm/ Blount Cultural Park Most kidney stones eventually pass out of the body during

urination. But some can grow large enough to begin blocking the flow of urine.That causes intense pain and may also put you at risk for infection. Most kidney stones that don’t pass on their own are treated in an outpatient setting. The most common procedure is called lithotripsy. Greek for “stone crushing,” this technique uses shock waves to reduce kidney stones into small fragments, which then easily flow away in urine. If you’ve had more than one kidney stone, you’re at higher risk for forming another. But there are ways to help prevent most types of kidney stones. First, your doctor needs to know what type of stone it is. If you pass a stone, try to catch it in a strainer. A laboratory analysis can help your doctor plan a strategy to prevent more stones. Other tests, which may include urine and blood tests, can help your doctor figure out why you had a kidney stone. Your medical history, occupation and eating and drinking habits can also hold clues. Drinking more water may help prevent kidney stones. Depending on the type of stone you’re at risk for, your doctor may also advise you to avoid certain foods or drinks. For example, people prone to forming calcium oxalate stones should avoid spinach, peanuts and chocolate. People prone to uric acid stones should cut back on meat. Doctors can also prescribe certain medications to help prevent these types of stones. See a doctor if you think you have a kidney stone.While most pass out of the body on their own, some just won’t go away by themselves. Provided by the National Institutes of Health, nihnewsinhealth@od.nih.gov. Used by permission.

Season of Discovery MSO MONTGOMERY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Classical Series

October 11, 2010 November 22, 2010 December 14, 2010 February 14, 2011 May 2, 2011

Fellowship Series November 2010 to May 2011

www.montgomerysymphony.org

•

334/240-4004

David Campbell/ASU

g n i Kidney Stones k c i K

in every life

A Delicate Balance

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the blood vessels are stretched to the point of breaking, while occlusive stroke occurs when there is a blockage in the vessel that prevents blood flow to an area.

everal comments received regarding February’s article about heart health prompt this month’s comments regarding blood pressure. Blood exerts pressure as it flows through arteries and veins. This is impacted by various factors such as the volume of blood within the blood vessels. Blood vessels can be described by an analogy of a water hose: The sides of the hose are not stretched for a small or usual amount of water Arlene Morris flow. However, if the volume of water is increased or the outflow is narrowed, water pressure inside the hose causes the walls of the hose to stretch or break. Dietary salt intake causes retention of fluid in the blood vessels and limiting salt intake can be a health promotion strategy. U.S. dietary guidelines have recently decreased daily salt intake to approximately 2 grams per day. Salt is present in most processed foods, and additional salting at the table will likely exceed the recommendations, contributing to increased fluid volume. Kidney management of fluid outflow is regulated by hormones, electrolyte balance, and adequate circulation to the kidney itself. Thus, kidney function, fluid and electrolyte balance, circulation and blood pressure are inter-related! Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the blood vessels are stretched to the point of breaking, while occlusive stroke occurs when there is a blockage in the vessel that prevents blood

flow to an area. Hypertension is the increase of blood pressure, usually considered over 120/80. Hypotension is a decrease in blood pressure that causes symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or blurred vision. With aging, muscles and valves in blood vessels may weaken. Gravity may be a greater force on blood than the strength of the vessel valves, causing decreased blood flow back to the heart and brain with sudden changes in position. This is called orthostatic hypotension. Maintaining hydration and gradual position changes may help prevent falls from the dizziness that occurs when blood pools for a brief time in the lower extremities. Another often overlooked risk occurs after eating. Blood flow is increased to the abdominal area to process the food. This can contribute to post-prandial (after eating) hypotension. This risk may be decreased by sitting or reclining for 30-60 minutes following meals, or being aware of the possible risk and changing positions very gradually to decrease possible falls. Awareness of risks to prevent problems is better than having to deal with results of either hyper or hypotension. Knowing your own blood pressure readings, maintaining fluid, minimizing salt intake, gradually changing positions, adhering to medications if prescribed and as scheduled, and keeping scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider can empower you to maintain this delicate balance. Arlene H. Morris, RN, Ed.D. is a Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor in the Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing, where she enjoys teaching content regarding gerontology and professional nursing issues. Email her at amorris@aum.edu.

Ristorante

Montgomery’s Finest Homemade Greek & Italian Cuisine

6268 Atlanta Highway • Montgomery, AL 36117 334-365-4662

N O W S E R V I N G S AT U R D AY B R E A K FA S T ! 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.

feature

From Shoebox to Book

Creating a Family Treasure Story and photos by Bob Corley

t’s easier than you might think to turn a shoebox of disorganized pictures into a photo book you and your family will cherish for years. It takes a bit of planning, but is well within the capabilities of almost everyone. You can do some of the work yourself, or use professional services that specialize in all aspects of photo book creation.

step 1 - select photos

Selecting photos is THE most important step in the process. This determines the theme of your book (if it has one), and the amount of text required to label and explain the photographs. It’s best for one person to be the undisputed decision maker. Enlist siblings, parents, cousins and friends to help if you wish, but one person making the final decision to include or exclude a photo is imperative. If not, you’ll spend more time trying to select photos than you will producing the book. You can always make another book with other photos. The important thing is to get one done and into the hands of those who will cherish it. Besides, it’s your book. Most on-line book creation programs have a 20-page minimum. Each page can hold more than one photo, and not all pages have to have the same number. You can have a large photo on one page with the facing page holding four or more. Adding pages increases the price somewhat, but is easily done. If this is your first photo book stay with 20 pages, or close to it, so you’re not intimidated by the photo selection, layout, and captioning processes. Unless you

Not only photographs but any paper document can be included, as was the case with this book about my late father-in-law’s artwork. 26

March 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

It was, quite literally, a shoebox of curled and faded photographs that led me to create a book about my father’s service in the Korean War.

intend to put one photo on each page, you’ll need 40 to 60 images for a 20-page book. While selecting photos, consider a theme for the book. In the two books illustrated here, one is my father-in-law’s artwork discovered after he died, the other is photographs from the Korean War taken by my father in 1952. The art book was thematically built around a progression from simple to complex works, from black-and-white sketches to color paintings. The book of Korean War photos was designed to show the most interesting photos of my father coupled with the harsh living conditions and inhospitable terrain. Selecting photos and finding a theme go hand-inhand, but don’t despair if a theme doesn’t emerge from your initial photo selection, or even once you start arranging photos in your virtual book prior to printing. Each of the photo book resources listed allow re-arranging of photos ad infinitum. Laying them out in any thematic fashion is really just a first draft you can then modify to your heart’s content. step 2 - convert photos to digital images

Photographs taken with a digital camera can be used as-is to create your photo book. Physical photographs

(plus letters, birth certificates, etc.) must be digitized, which is merely converting them into a form a computer can understand and manipulate. Acceptable results can be obtained with a consumer-grade scanner at home if you know what you’re doing and your scanner is up to the task. It’s beyond the scope of this article to detail the steps involved or scanners adequate for the conversion. The Resource Guide contains a link to scanning tips. A business that does professional scanning (see Resource Guide) will, in most cases, produce far superior results to what you can get at home, and the prices are reasonable. Not too many years ago a single digital scan of a photograph, negative or slide was $1.00 or more. Today, scans range from $0.07 to $0.30 each. Almost all services offer scans on a one-to-one ratio, meaning your 4x6 inch photo will be scanned to reproduce well in print at that same size. These are usually done at 300 dpi (a measure of the resolution of the image), which reproduces well in print. This is more than adequate for most needs and isn’t a problem unless you want to significantly enlarge a small detail from the original photograph. In this case, you may want to have your images scanned at a higher resolution. Some services offer 600 dpi (and even larger) scans. However, don’t pay for higher resolution scans just to have a

higher resolution scan. A 4x6 inch photo scanned at 300 dpi can be enlarged to a limited degree without much loss of detail. If your book pages are 8 1/2 x 11 inches, a 4x6 inch print takes up about half of that space, a significant amount when considering you may have more than one photo on a page. Another method of digitizing paper photographs is to take a picture of the photograph with a digital camera. That image can then be read by a computer and incorporated into your photo book. An advanced amateur photographer with a good digital single-lens-reflex camera should be up to the task. Be warned, however, it, too, is a lengthy process of trial-and-error to obtain good results. I used a Nikon D90 and a jury-rigged photo holder with a remote flash (not attached to the camera) to take the photos for the two books illustrating this article. If your camera only has a built-in flash you’ll get glare on the photograph. Angling the photo slightly can reduce the glare, but this results in a portion of the photo being out-of-focus. The only alternative to no remote flash is to work in a room brightly lit by indirect sunlight, or outside in the shade. Like I said, it’s very time consuming, and taking the cost and results of professional scanning into account, may not be worth your time. Correcting the color and contrast in a photograph can be done at many of the facilities listed here. You could pay a little

book and are ready to upload it for printing. There’s no noticable quality difference between these two methods. Usually the title of your book is much larger than the body text on the inside. For inside text stick with an easily read font of sufficient size, in the range of 10 to 12 point type in a Times Roman, Arial, Helvetica, or other common font. Getting too creative with fonts can detract from the images and text you worked so hard to prepare. Keep it simple. Your best training is to review a variety of photo books, from amateurs and professionals alike, and get ideas about type faces, layout, and design. one important final step

more for this, though some offer color-correction as part of the scanning process. Once the photos are selected and digitized, it’s book-making time. step 3 - create your book

On-line photo book services allow you to create your book by placing photos in pre-formatted templates with a variety of page layout options. Tutorials show you the process, and step-by-step instructions guide you through the placement of photos and captions on the pages. Most of the services in the Resource Section require you to upload photos to their website before beginning the layout process. Don’t be intimidated, just follow the instructions for uploading photos, which will then be ‘stored’ in an album you named, and available for you to use. Some services, including Apple’s iPhoto, create books using images and software residing on your own computer. The only time you transfer photos is when you’ve finished your

Before you send your book off to be printed, proof read the text. Once you hit the ‘Send’ key you can’t take it back. After you proof it, have someone else proof it who was not involved in writing the text. An almost foolproof method of proofing is reading each sentence backward word by word. Laborious, intensive, and time-consuming, it nonetheless prevents your brain from auto-correcting misspellings and syntax errors, as its prone to do when reading normally. There are many options in book types; softcover, hardcover, cloth bound, leather bound, square, rectangle, small, large, and prices vary depending on your selected options. A 20-page, hardback book costs $25 to $40. While this isn’t chump change, you may want to ‘test‘ your first book by ordering just one to see if it’s what you had in mind, as there’s usually no substantive discount for ordering in quantity. Don’t like the cover or the layout? These sites, as well as the iPhoto program with Apple computers, allow you to rearrange your photos using different cover styles and layout formats. The reward for the hours spent creating your photo book is the look on the faces of those who receive your gift. So select some photos, have them digitized, find yourself a photo book creation program you’re comfortable with, and get to work making family history.

Resource Guide

Check out these websites for more information about scanning photos and creating your own books. Also, go to www.primemontgomery.com for a Top Photo Enemies list.

n n n n

Photo Books Apple (www.apple.com/ilife/ iphoto/#book-building) Must have Apple computer and iPhoto software 20 pg min ($.99 per additional page), 100 pg max 8 1/2 x 11 hardbound $29.99 manual and automated book creation options Capitol Filmworks (www.gocfw.com/product-page-2) 20 pg min ($0.75 per additional page) 8 x 10 hardbound $39.99 manual and automated book creation options scanning services for digitizing photographs

n n n

March 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Kodak Gallery (www.kodakgallery.com) 20 pgs ($1.29 per additional page), 80 pg max 9 x 10 1/4 hardbound $34.99 manual and automated book creation options. Photoworks (www.photoworks.com) 20 pg min ($0.99 per additional page), 80 pg max 8 1/2 x 11 hardbound $39.95 manual and automated book creation options. Shutterfly (www.shutterfly.com) 20 pg min ($1.00 per additional page), 100 pg max 8 1/2 x 11 hardbound $29.99 manual and automated book creation options.

Scanning Services Capitol Filmworks www.gocfw.com/services/services/sub-product-page-again Fotobridge www.fotobridge.com/index.php Scan Cafe www.scancafe.com/services Scan My Photos, International http://www.scanmyphotos.com/ Scanning tips www.genealogy.about.com/cs/digitalphoto/a/ digital_photos.htm Tips to preserve/store old photographs www.genealogy.about.com/library/weekly/ aa121000b.htm

yard ‘n garden

“...get the duct tape and cut!”

It’s Time to Spring Clean Your Garden

ith the passing of Valentine’s Day, I hope you are now going out to your garden to see the bulbs you planted last fall and winter popping up. What a great announcement that spring is coming! Despite the dreadful winter that just passed, we’ve recently been treated to some weather more typical of spring. Everyone is rushing outside to enjoy the gift Ethel Dozier Boykin of lovely weather, but once outside, they’re greeted by a brown yard, with dead foliage everywhere. Spring cleaning applies to more than window washing; it also applies to the garden. Ornamental grasses stand out, with dead clumps of beige cascading to the ground. So much to cut, and so messy too! Try this tip, and enjoy the ease of the task from start to finish. Start with DUCT tape. (Every home should have a roll of this, sitting next to the can of WD-40.) Start about 10" from the ground, and wrap the tape around several times, as if you were gathering a girl’s hair to make a ponytail.You will have a tight bundle. Cut below the tape. A chain saw may be needed for large, old Pampas grass. Now all you do is pick up this bundle and take it to the curb. Smaller grasses also need attention. Liriope (or Monkey Grass, as many call it) needs a haircut every once in a while. Its leaves get brown tips in winter, which spoils the look of this great plant. Just take your hand, hold the clump together, and cut across with scissors. (If you spot new growth, be careful not to cut those tips.) If you’re reducing the size of a large area use a mower, with sharp blades. After cutting, rake out fallen debris, then fertilize with a timerelease granular fertilizer. Straw or mulch over the soil. In the spring new leaves will emerge, giving a great, fresh look.

Now, let’s move on to other plants. If you let your Lantana die back during the winter the stalks are now ready to be cut off. Cut them almost to the ground. You may see tiny green leaves, but don’t worry if you don't; they will show up in warmer weather. Be sure to cover the base by adding straw to protect your plantings, just in case we get a late freeze. Roses should have already been trimmed by now, but if you just haven't gotten around to it, go ahead and cut them back now. I’ve mentioned this before but it bears repeating: Knock Outs should be reduced in size to get a overall dense shrub and more blooms. One green that stands out in the garden is the Winter Weed. Get rid of it quickly now before it sets seed and creates a multitude.To be earth friendly, you could use Corn Gluten. Put it down in the spring, using 10 to 20 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft., to prevent seeds from germinating. But, like any preemergent herbicide, if you break the barrier it forms, seeds will sprout. Vinegar is another approach to preventing spring weeds; be sure to add some dishwashing detergent to make the mixture thick enough to stick to the plant before applying it in full sun.You may need to do this twice. A tried and true method at eradicating unwanted garden weeds is to use some muscle to dig and pull the weeds up. But you must get the roots, or back they will come. After all this work, maybe a little fun is in order. Walk the garden and pick the spots where you’ll plant seeds after the last frost. Go out, buy your seeds, and look forward to some fun “seed-planting” time soon. But first go get the duct tape and cut!! 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.

feature

Rocky Mountain

Railway Adventure

Story by Andrea Gross Photos by Irv Green

n Day One we see bald eagle, osprey, beaver and the round, white rear ends of bighorn sheep. On Day Two we see salmon, hundreds of them, and our guide gives us a quick science lesson: where they live, how they spawn, why some are deep red and others pale pink. All the while, I sit in supreme comfort on the Rocky Mountaineer, a luxury train known for giving its guests the best in both scenery and service. This is a trip I've wanted to take since my parents took it 18 years ago, not long after the train was inaugurated. The attendant brings scones and a cup of tea. “This is your before-breakfast snack,” he tells me, and I start to giggle. I'm not used to being pampered, much less being served a prebreakfast cup of tea in a white china cup. As the train rumbles its way along its signature route — a 594-mile journey from Vancouver to Banff in the Canadian Rockies — I feel deliciously, delightfully decadent. In a splurge we’ll never regret, my husband and I have chosen to travel in Gold Leaf Service, which means we're riding at tree-top level in a two-story coach with huge windows that curve around to the roof, giving us a panoramic view. From our seats, which are wide and comfortable with plenty of legroom, we can peer down at the rivers and up at the

mountains. Later we walk back to investigate the less costly Red Leaf seating. The seats are fine, but without dome windows, the view is less expansive and the feel claustrophobic. Soon it’s time to walk downstairs to the first level for a white-tablecloth meal. I choose a cheese omelet with asparagus and Canadian smoked ham; my husband opts for scrambled egg with smoked salmon and lemon chive crème fraiche. At our server's suggestion, we also get a vanilla yogurt parfait topped with granola and fresh field berries. Oh yes, and don't forget the warm croissants. Lunch is even more elegant. We have our choice of steak, prawns, or chicken one day; salmon, pork or chicken the next. Dessert is always chocolate — one day chocolate accompanied by vanilla ice cream, the next chocolate with apple tart. I think I'm in heaven. Back upstairs, I watch lazily as the train takes us past fertile farmlands, through the beige and brown desert of the Fraser Valley, around pine-bordered lakes, and into the dense, forested mountains of eastern British Columbia and western Alberta. Meanwhile, an attendant attends to our every need. Water? At your service. Cola, juice, wine, beer... How about a mixed

A legendary train, the Rocky Mountaineer, takes people on a two-day journey from Vancouver to Banff in the Canadian Rockies.The scenery is breathtaking, the service outstanding, the experience glorious – which is why it’s often called “the trip of a lifetime.”

drink? Someone on our coach asks for a Baileys on ice and the idea catches on. Pretty soon we're clinking glasses with the other passengers, lifting our Baileys to toast the mountains. After an overnight in Kamloops – where some passengers go to a buffet-cummusical show, but we choose a quick meal at the nearby Frick and Frack Taphouse – we get back on the train for the highlight of the trip: our journey through the Canadian Rockies. By early afternoon we’ve begun a steep climb — gaining 2,500 feet in 130 miles — and the scenery changes again. The mountain peaks, which had been playing hide-and-seek with the clouds, are now tinged with snow. By this afternoon, says our guide, we'll be at the highest point of our trip, crossing the Continental Divide at 5,332 feet above sea level. This is the apex of this part of the world, where the water to the west flows into the Pacific and that to the east makes a longer journey over to the Atlantic. A bit later we enter relative flatlands, and someone in the back of our coach shouts that he sees a "bear or something" off in the distance. We rush to the windows on the right side of the train. A few of the hardier passengers run to the outdoor standing area between cars, where the temperature on this fall day has dropped to a breezy cold. Cameras flash. The bear, if indeed there was a bear, disappears. But wait, maybe he'll reappear. Cameras keep flashing. We’re glad we have digital. It’s past 7 p.m when we arrive at the Banff station, where we're greeted by an elk, who nods his head in a stately manner. His friends are cavorting on the lawn of a nearby house.

Welcome to the Canadian Rockies. (www.rockymountaineer. com) Note: The Rocky Mountaineer offers four routes, from the three-hour Sea to Sky Climb between Vancouver and Whistler to the two-day trips that go between Vancouver and Jasper, Banff or Calgary. Andrea Gross is a former contributing editor for Ladies’ Home Journal. She and husband Irv Green now split their time between travel writing and helping people write their personal and family stories. Gross and Green can be reached through their website: www.andreagross.com. drink? Someone on our coach asks for a Baileys on ice and the idea catches on. Pretty soon we're clinking glasses with the other passengers, lifting our Baileys to toast the mountains. After an overnight in Kamloops – where some passengers go to a buffet-cum-musical show, but we choose a quick meal at the nearby Frick and Frack Taphouse – we get back on the train for the highlight of the trip: our journey through the Canadian Rockies. By early afternoon we’ve begun a steep climb — gaining 2,500 feet in 130 miles — and the scenery changes again. The mountain peaks, which had been playing hide-and-seek with the clouds, are now tinged with snow. By this afternoon, says our guide, we'll be at the highest point of our trip, crossing the Continental Divide at 5,332 feet above sea level. This is the apex of this part of the world, where the water to the west flows into the Pacific and that to the east makes a longer journey over to the Atlantic. A bit later we enter relative flatlands, and someone in the back of our coach shouts that he sees a "bear or something" off in the distance. We rush to the windows on the right side of the train. A few of the hardier passengers run to the outdoor standing area between cars, where the temperature on this fall day has dropped to a breezy cold. Cameras flash. The bear, if indeed there was a bear, disappears. But wait, maybe he'll reappear. Cameras keep flashing. We’re glad we have digital. It’s past 7 p.m when we arrive at the Banff station, where we're greeted by an elk, who nods his head in a stately manner. His friends are cavorting in the lawn of a nearby house. Welcome to the Canadian Rockies.(www.rockymountaineer.com) Note: The Rocky Mountaineer offers four routes, from the three-hour Sea to Sky Climb between Vancouver and Whistler to the two-day trips that go between Vancouver and Jasper,

prime diversions

Recent DVD releases Conviction,You Again, and 127 Hours

Conviction (R) If this weren’t based on a true story, it would be too farfetched for a movie. Hilary Swank stars as the rural Massachusetts version of a Redneck, whose big brother (Sam Rockwell) is sentenced to life without parole in 1980 for a brutal murder she firmly believes he didn’t commit. He’d been a typical small town troublemaker, drinking and making a nuisance of himself in the eyes of the local cops, but his antics remained well short of serious crime. Both siblings were married with small children at the time, at the bottom of the economic ladder, unable to afford private counsel. When the jury convicts him on scanty evidence, Hillary starts a lengthy process of getting her GED, graduating from college and law school - just to reopen her brother’s case. All the while raising two boys and tending bar. The ordeal costs her a marriage and estranges her from her sons. Rockwell’s character remains somewhat ambiguous. Is he worth 18 years of her single-minded devotion to reversing his conviction? By the time she’s a law student, hope arrives in the form of DNA technology that didn’t exist when he was tried. That may offer a swift path to acquittal. But other problems arise, calling for even more determination. By the time the film ends, Erin Brockovich looks like a relative dilettante. Apart from some soap-opera tendencies, the result is an inspirational story, with social relevance far beyond the lives affected by this example of our justice system in action. (2/1/11)

You Again (PG) This romantic comedy starts with a decent framework, adds an overqualified cast, and offers a handful of fine moments, but winds up as a bit of a letdown, overall. Kristen Bell is our plucky protagonist and narrator. Her highschool geekishness that made her the butt of everyone’s jokes has proven to be the chrysalitic phase from which a beautiful, successful ad exec emerged. When she learns her beloved older brother is marrying the teen-queen who was her most venomous tormenter (Odette Yustman), she rushes home to protect him from her apparent sorcery. She finds a version of her nemesis that’s too good to be true. Now she’s a humanitarian, so loving and generous to all

that she seems more like a saint than the sinner of yore. Even worse, she claims Mark Glass no memory of their past, as if today’s swan erased any memory of yesteryear’s duckling. Mom, dad, granny, and even the family dog are completely smitten with the fiancee. Bell and Yustman square off in an uneven battle of wits, as the victim tries to unmask the pretender. Fleshing out the premise, Bell’s mom (Jamie Lee Curtis) may have a similar set of unresolved issues with Yustman’s only relative, a glamorous, successful aunt (Sigourney Weaver). Two generations of catty conflict; no waiting. The point, to the extent one exists, is that everyone has psychic scars from adolescence, and that their power over us thereafter may be wildly out of proportion with the objective reality of our adult selves. Discuss among yourselves, or with your own therapists, as you prefer. (2/8/11)

127 Hours (R) A few years ago, an adventurous young fellow named Aron Ralston became a media man-of-the-moment after surviving an ordeal in the Utah desert. He’d gone for a solo trek, not bothering to notify anyone of his plans. Due to one bit of misfortune, he wound up trapped in a canyon for five days with his arm pinned between a boulder and the wall. James Franco, in the able hands of director Danny Boyle, delivers a surprisingly compelling depiction of his experience in virtually a one-man show. By comparison, Emile Hirsch’s superb portrayal of Chris McCandless’ tragic experience alone with nature (Into the Wild) spent more time on his travels with others than his final period of isolation. After the first 10 minutes, this one is all Franco, either in his head or in his hole in the arid expanse he’d intended to master. Those who know Ralston’s story will vividly recall how he finally freed himself. Those with weak stomachs should either stay away, or leave early, since the R rating is essentially earned in a few gruesome moments near the end. If that’s not a deal-breaker, Franco, Boyle and everyone involved in the visual dimensions serve up a fine example of creative use of the medium to tell a challenging tale. (3/1/11)

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

games

By Arlan and Linda Bushman | Chicago, IL

TMSPuzzles@aol.com

CROSSWORD CLUES ACROSS 1 PC drive feed 6 Fruity confection 15 Listened to attentively 16 Slumber party 17 Two quartets together 18 Refinement 19 Luau staple 20 James of “The Godfather” 21 “I Remember Mama” character 22 Flourish 25 Answer to an accusation 27 Dandy of song 30 One of a flight 31 Having ability 35 Reef predator 36 Coffee concoction 38 River of Devon 39 Barely good enough 42 Philippines machetes 44 Hidden influence 47 Take stock of 50 Person on the lam

51 Tree trunk 52 Feathered mimic 54 El Dorado quest 55 Unnamed 58 Orderly arrangement 60 Evita or Ali, for example 61 Montana city 62 1969 Peter Fonda flick 63 Al or Bobby of auto racing DOWN 1 Rough water 2 Embellished 3 Justification 4 Raw material 5 Summer hrs. in Denver 6 Home of the Norse gods 7 Earnest request 8 Colonial notable 9 Tennis do-over 10 Cure starter? 11 Road fare collectors

12 For the birds? 13 Old as new again 14 Rendezvous 20 Mediocre grade

23 Emulate Picabo Street 24 According to 25 Unemployed 26 Draft choice 28 River romper 29 Type of bran 32 Uses the transporter 33 Free from blame 34 Warship 36 Striplings 37 Lunched 40 Majestic 41 Young followers? 42 Subscription form: abbr. 43 __ pro nobis 45 Thurible 46 Dos Passos trilogy 47 Slack off 48 Actress Braga 49 Casino staples 52 Emotional condition 53 Tree-trimming time 56 Beatles song, “__ Blues” 57 Med. procedure 58 __ Dhabi 59 Operate ©2010 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

Sudoku answers on page 25. Crossword Puzzle answers on page 14. www.primemontgomery.com | March 2011

Prime Montgomery

Business Partners

While patronizing these businesses, please take a moment to thank them for supporting Prime Montgomery.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival • All Ears Hearing Center American Association of Wartime Vets Anytime Fitness • Aronov Insurance Bou Cou (Boutique Couture) • Capital Filmworks Charlotte’s Jewelry • Eastdale Mall Elmcroft of Halcyon (Heartland Village) The Parish Law Firm • Joy to Life Foundation MCA Fitness Center • Montgomery Ballet Montgomery Symphony • Mr. G’s Ristorante Zinc Chiropractic

March Community Events Theatre March 1, Monroeville, To Kill A Mockingbird tickets go on sale. Call 251-575-7433; tokillamockingbird. com.

2800; alabamadancetheatre.com

Through March 19, The Flag Maker of Market Street, Alabama Shakespeare Festival; Through March 20, Blood Divided.

History March 3-5, Crater Days-Wetumpka Impact Crater. Reservations required. Admission. Call 334-567-5147; e-mail facilitycoord@bellsouth.net.

Music March 12 (and 26), Jam Session, Old Alabama Town, 9 a.m. to noon. Free. Call 334-240-4500; oldalabamatown. com March 18, Thrasher Brothers, Davis Theatre. Call 334-241-9567. March 19, The Fab Four, MPAC. March 29, The Belcea Quartet, Mtgy Museum of Fine Arts. Admission. Call 334-277-3505; montgomerychambermusic.org. Dance March 4-6, Little Mermaid, MPAC, Renaissance Hotel. Alabama Dance Theatre. Admission. Call 334-241-

March 8, 9, Romeo and Juliet, MPAC. Montgomery Ballet. Admission. Call 800-277-1700; ticketmaster.com.

March 17, The Civil War Pharmacy, noon, Alabama Dept. of Archives & History. Free. Bring a lunch. Call 334242-4435; archives.alabama.gov March 26, Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Alexander City/Daviston. Live cannon fire, period camps, demonstrations of 1800s traditional skills. Arts & Crafts Sunday, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, free docent-led tours. 1 p.m. March 26, Fountain City Arts Festival, Prattville, Pratt Park. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Music, food, art, outdoor movie. Bring chairs. Call 334-358-0297; prattvilleal.gov.

Fundraisers March 5, Fitzgerald Museum Annual Gala, 7-10 p.m., F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum. Admission. Call 334-264-4222; fitzgeraldmuseum.net. March 21, Dancing with Celebrities, 6 p.m. American Cancer Society. Eight local celebrities compete. Admission. Call 334-215-2217 or 334-215-1232. Other March 7, Blood Drive, Eastdale Mall, 2-7:30 p.m. American Red Cross, Jr. League of Montgomery. Must be 17 or 16 with on-site parental permission, 110 pounds, in good health. March 10, Children’s Hearing Loss, 4 p.m., First United Methodist Church. Montgomery Hearing Loss Support Group. Guest speaker. Free. Contact hearinginfo@earthlink.net. March 10-12, SE Livestock Exposition Rodeo, Garrett Coliseum. Call 888-2RODEO2; bamabeef.org. March 18, 19, Crappie Masters Alabama Championship, Lanark Pavilion, Millbrook.

Fa mily History workshop Alabama Department of Archives & History

Senior Archivist (& Prime Montgomery columnist) Nancy Dupree introduces you to records and Saturday, March 12, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. resources available at the ADAH for $35 ($25 for Friends of the Archives) researching your family history. Workshop includes materials, Call 334-353-4693 or register on-line refreshments, and a box lunch. www.archives.alabama.gov.

springtrends 2011

It’s your life. We give it style.

¸ tinted frame sunglasses

the know

the clutch for daytime

chunky jewelry

Find all the Spring Trends this season under one roof. The area’s largest selection bold geometric prints

of fashions, footwear and accessories – with values to

fit your budget. One stop shopping at Eastdale Mall saves you more.

ladylike pumps

Belk, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears and over

Region’s only Build-A-Bear Workshop ®

85 Specialty Shops including the River

Visit us online at shopmalls.com

Become a fan

*For those who qualify. See below.

Call Now!

6912 Winton Blount Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36117

334-281-8400 *WOW! INVISIBLE HEARING is not right for everyone. Only your hearing healthcare provider can decide if WOW! INVISIBLE HEARING is right for you. If your hearing professional decides WOW! INVISIBLE HEARING is right for you, your healthcare provider will fit you with WOW! INVISIBLE HEARING devices obligation-free and at no expense to you. WOW! is designed to be worn for up to 120 days at a time and then replaced. Individual replacement needs may vary. Offer available for first-time WOW! INVISIBLE HEARING users on first pair ONLY. Expires March 31, 2011.