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Features 10 Moore than a soldier At 88, one of the “Top 100 Generals of All Time” has slowed down, but not much. By Bob Corley and Tim Lennox 18 must-see montgomery History, natural beauty and fun — options for entertaining your out-of-town guests, young and old. By Callie Corley
Blacksmith, Old Alabama Town
Health/Nutrition 06 news you can use News shorts on summer food for health, effects of lack of sleep on the body, breast density and cancer.
30 MOving free Prevent and help reverse effects of osteoporosis by giving your bones a workout. By Mirabai Holland
31 a question of health Valuable information helps you understand how menopause changes a woman’s nutritional needs. By Karen Collins www.primemontgomery.com | May 2010
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May
Content
Medical
20 10
32 Marci’s Medicare Answers Screenings for Alzheimer’s and dementia, and qualifying for premium-free Medicare A.
09
32 mayo clinic
32
Learn specific exercises to relieve knee discomfort by targeting the source of your pain.
Entertainment 14 Around montgomery Find this aging lion, send us your photo, get published.
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29 prime diversions
Financial 26 MOneywise With your retirement funds ravaged, keeping a cool head and planning ahead are essential. By Alan Wallace
Reviews of recently released DVDs: Pirate Radio, Crazy Heart, It’s Complicated. By Mark Glass
Lifestyles
33 Engage your brain
09 discover your past
Keep your mind in tip-top shape by crossing your words and numbering your squares. 34 community events
Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond
May 2010 FREE
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Tour outer space, join a music jam, take a hike, learn to fly cast, watch a classic American movie.
Moore than a
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Start climbing your family tree with this inaugural column about genealogy. By Nancy Dupree 15 In every life As we age, assessing lifestyles and changing behaviors are necessary to improve health. By Arlene Morris 16 A gracious plenty What’s better for summer than delicious crab cakes with some Spring Training thrown in? By Patsy Smith
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On the Cover — Lt. General (Ret.) Hal Moore. Photo by Bob Corley. Story on page 10. 4
May 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com
27 dr. marion
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Cell phone apps can connect care-givers and alert you when it’s time to take your medicine. By Marion Somers, Ph.D.
Editor’s Note I “met” retired Lt. General Hal Moore during a phone conversation in 2003, shortly before the U.S. went to war in Iraq. Working for Alabama Public TV’s For the Record news show at the time, I was looking for guests to engage in a TV discussion about the pending war. During my research I had read about a battle-tested soldier and commander living just 60 miles away, in Auburn — the protagonist played by Mel Gibson in the then-recently released film We Were Soldiers. “General, I’d like to talk with you about your thoughts on U.S. engagement in Iraq,” I said, “including where you stand on the issue.” There was a long pause. “I don’t understand what we’ll gain from a war against Iraq,” I was surprised to hear the Korean and Vietnam war veteran say. He spoke slowly, carefully choosing his words. “It’s just not clear to me, and I haven’t seen any arguments that have made it clear.” Despite my attempts to persuade Moore to address the point on television, he resisted. A more egotistical individual might have done it, given the attention-grabbing headlines such an admission might attract. But I sensed that the general felt it inappropriate, and perhaps even disloyal, to disagree in such a public way with his commander-in-chief, to say nothing of military personnel with whom he’d fought shoulder-to-shoulder during 32 years of active service. I haven’t spoken to Hal Moore since then, but I will always remember the sensitivity with which he approached the subject, and the respect he had for those with whom he disagreed. As Memorial Day approaches, I hope you enjoy our profile of this highlydecorated soldier.You’ll see that he continues to lead, even though the battlefield is now a distant memory. In addition to that story, this month’s Prime provides valuable answers to the age-old question of what to do with your summer visitors. Hang on to this handy collection of everything fascinating about our city (well, maybe not everything) that shows there’s plenty in Montgomery to keep all ages entertained. We also welcome four new local columnists this month. Genealogy expert Nancy Dupree, gerontology instructor Arlene Morris, attorney Bill Fuller, and financial advisor Alan Wallace offer their suggestions for investigating your roots, staying well, preventing elder abuse and making wise financial choices at (shall I say it?) this all-important time in our lives. Enjoy our second issue of Prime!
Sandra Polizos Editor
If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of Prime Montgomery!
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Celebrating Midlife and Beyond
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May 2010 Volume I, Issue 2 PUBLISHER Bob Corley primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Tim Lennox Jake Roberts Callie Corley Bob Corley CONTRIBUTORS Karen Collins, Nancy Dupree, Bill Fuller, Mark Glass, Mirabai Holland, Arlene Morris, Patsy Smith, Marion Somers, Alan Wallace PHOTOGRAPHERS Bob Corley 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 2010 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 medical, health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of medical, health, financial, and legal professionals. Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, health, emotional, or legal matters. We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2010
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news you can use Save on summer food, improve your health In an age where many pay a premium for health food, it’s not always easy to find foods that are healthful for both you and your bank account. With a little effort, you can assemble a smart grocery list that is both. How? Keep It Seasonal: Starting in the spring and continuing throughout summer, most produce is readily available at its freshest and cheapest.Vegetables are crisper, fruits are juicier and everyone is happier. Healthy Benefits: Fruits and vegetables are more healthful than processed foods, and there also are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substances in colorful fruits and vegetables that lower the risk of cancer. Some cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and horseradish, contain a substance that
“sponges up” reactive oxygen molecules before they form free radicals that can mutate cells Not All Organic: While organic food has become increasingly popular, not all organic fruits and vegetables are created equal. Research has shown that organic asparagus, cabbage, avocado, blueberries, watermelon, tomatoes and pineapple don’t offer the same value-added benefits as other organic produce. Other Ways To Save: Look for price specials on poultry, but buy natural for the health benefits. Grains, also, can help with your budget. Since grains double or triple when cooking them, you get more for your buck. With a huge variety of grains available — brown rice, quinoa, wild rice and many others — you won’t get bored. — StatePoint Sleep Less, Get a Cold Lack of sleep can increase your likelihood of getting a cold. Also, the more efficiently you sleep the healthier you will be, according to researchers at Carnegie Mellon University.
People who spend less than 92 percent of their time in bed asleep are five and a half times more likely to become ill than those whose efficiency is 98 percent or more. It’s just like your mother always told you: you need your rest. The results of the Carnegie Mellon study indicate that seven to eight hours of sleep per night is a reasonable target. — Statepoint Breast Density Affects Cancer Risk Women with a breast density of 75 percent or higher on a mammogram have a risk of breast cancer that is four to five times greater than women with little or no density, according to results of a new study. Mammographic density refers to the amount of white or radiodense area compared to the amount of grey or radiolucent area on a mammogram. The radiodense area is reflective of the amount of connective tissue and fluid in the breast. The radiolucent area is
Transitional Care A short-term stay providing patient and family a smooth transition from hospital to home. Transitional Care is a Crowne Health Care specialty. It encompasses a variety of treatments including, but not limited to, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, wound care and pain management. Call for more information. Crowne Health Care and Rehab 1837 Upper Wetumpka Road Montgomery, AL 36107 334-264-8416 Contact Tracy Pattillo or Ann Adams www.crownemanagement.com
reflective of the amount of fat in the breast. A lower breast density doesn’t necessarily mean a low risk of developing breast cancer. Other risk factors are at play, and mammographic density is one tool to help determine a woman’s risk. — American Association for Cancer Research
estimated six million older Americans are affected by late-life depression. The researchers say these results have important implications for broadband policy and programs that increase Internet access among this age group. — Internet Use and Depression Among the Elderly
Internet Use and Depression A 2009 research study of 7,000 retired adults over the age of 55 found that spending time online decreases the likelihood of depression by 20 percent, which could reduce medical costs as an
Where’s the best place to store your valuables? Safe Deposit Box — Keep originals of key documents in your safe deposit box, like birth certificates, property deeds, car titles and U.S. Savings Bonds
Happy 15th
Anniversary!
that haven’t been converted into electronic securities. Other possibilities include family keepsakes, valuable collections, pictures or videos of your home’s contents for insurance purposes, and negatives for irreplaceable photos. Another option is to store digital images of important documents and photos on a secure Web site you can access over the Internet. You probably wouldn’t want to use your bank safe deposit box for something you will need to access quickly, perhaps on a night, weekend or holiday. (Cont’d on next page)
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May in Alabama History (courtesy Alabama Department of Archives and History)
May 3, 1963 African American demonstrators are beaten, hosed and attacked by police dogs in Birmingham. May 8, 1820 The Alabama Supreme Court convenes for the first time, meeting in Cahaba, the first State Capital. May 13, 1914 Joe Louis, "The Brown Bomber," is born near LaFayette. Louis successfully defended his world heavyweight boxing title a record 25 times. May 15, 1972 Gov. George Wallace is shot in Maryland while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. May 20, 1961 Freedom Riders arrive at Montgomery’s Greyhound terminal where they are attacked by an angry mob.
NEWS
(Cont’d from page 7)
This includes passports and originals of your “powers of attorney” that authorize others to transact business or make decisions about medical care on your behalf. What about your original will? Check with an attorney about what is required/recommended based on state law. You’re better off stashing your cash in a bank deposit account — savings account or certificate of deposit — than
May 21, 1861 The Confederate Congress meets for the last time in Montgomery before moving to Richmond,VA. Montgomery served as capital for three months. May 25, 1910 Montgomerians witnessed the first-ever nighttime airplane flight, made from Orville Wright's flying school located on present-day Maxwell Air Force Base. May 28, 1951 Alabama native Willie Mays, playing for the New York Giants against the Boston Braves, gets his first hit in the Major Leagues — a home run.
in a home safe or a safe deposit box. Money in a home safe or safe deposit box cannot earn interest, its purchasing power decreases and it’s not protected by FDIC insurance. If the bank fails, you’ll still have quick access to your safe deposit box. In general, the full contents of your box should be available the first business day after the bank closes. By law, FDIC insurance covers only deposit accounts. Don’t expect the bank to reimburse you for theft of or
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damage to the contents of your safe deposit box. If you want protection for the contents of your safe deposit box (or home safe valuables), talk to your insurance agent. Home Safe — A home safe isn’t a true replacement for a bank’s safe deposit box. A home safe may be good for replaceable items you may need immediate access to – such as a passport – but home safes are not as secure. Burglars can force you to open the safe, or may even haul it off. Zip-lock™ bags— No safe deposit box or home safe is completely protected from theft, fire, flood or other loss or damage. Protect valuable items against water damage by placing them in zip-lock bags.
— FDIC
discovering your past
Beginning a search for your ancestors
E
ver wonder where your great grandparents came from, or if you’re related to someone famous? A great way to answer these questions is by doing family history research, one of the fastest growing hobbies in the Nancy Dupree United States. Genealogy is not only a way to learn about your family, but also a way to bring life to history. Family history research can be exciting, but be warned, it can be very addictive. Before venturing to the Archives or your local genealogy library to do research, it’s important to gather information about your family. The best place to start is at home. Interview older family members. Look through family photographs. The family Bible, baptismal or other church records, letters, diaries and newspaper clippings are helpful resources often found at home. These sources can provide valuable information, such as dates of birth, marriage and death; parents’ names; and names of children and spouses. Once you’ve done your “home” work, it’s time to develop a plan for your research, to make a list of the questions you want to answer and then to record the information you’ve found. Beginning with yourself and working backwards, record what you know about each family member on an ancestor chart. Blank forms are available on the internet (www. wrhs.org/download.php/Documents/Pedigree). Don’t worry if you don’t have much information. All a genealogist needs is a starting point. Coming in June: the next step in your family history research journey.
Nancy Dupree is Senior Archivist at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
www.primemontgomery.com | May 2010
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We Were Soldiers movie posters, in several languages, cover a wall of Moore’s home. The chairs were used by Moore and his wife Julie during the filming.
Moore Than a Soldier By Bob Corley
H
al Moore likes country music, books that challenge his intellect and BLTs on toast. He loves his country, his family and his God. He hates airports and that “...damned big box in the room,” the television. A retired U.S. Army Lt. General, Moore is the embodiment of the ancient concept of the warrior-philosopher. “Life on earth,” he says, raising his arm, “is a snap of the fingers.” Down comes his hand. Snap! “You can’t get caught up in the temporal things of life.” Moore knows a lot about the finger snap separating life and death. He’s heard that snap more times than he cares to count (see No Man Left Behind by Tim Lennox, page 13). Pushing 90, he’s no longer young, but he’s still a soldier, in his heart, his bearing, his attitude and his philosophy. But things have changed. He used to run five miles a day. Not anymore. “You have to accept the aging process,” he says, gray hair shining in the late morning sun. “If you fight the fact that you’re getting older, you’ll lose that battle.” Reading is his self-described ‘addiction,’ history in particular, but also historical fiction, “...only if
it’s well-researched.” A New American Bible rests next to his favorite reading chair, a dog-eared volume with a frayed cover, bookmarks protruding from the pages like misplaced leaves. If anyone has earned the right to a soft couch and a sedentary life, it’s Hal Moore. But he still has a long way to go. His mother lived to be 101, residing in the same Kentucky home from birth to death, raising a family, attending church and selling Avon© products. And while he’s slowed down, Moore still finds the energy for three or four speaking engagements each month, recently with the St. Louis Cardinals and a group of international businessmen. He often speaks about leadership, offering his audience a unique perspective gained under the most brutal of conditions, the crucible of combat. Yet nothing from his combat experience, from his decades in the military, from his years at West Point, prepared him to be where he finds himself today, a place, if we’re lucky, we’ll all inhabit at some point. “It’s tough being alone. I lost my wife a few years ago,” he says, a momentary melancholy passing
A French Army bugle, captured on the battlefield during the Ia Drang campaign, stands between Moore’s combat helmet and one worn by his enemy during the battle.The North Vietnamese helmet was presented to Moore when he returned to Vietnam decades later.The bugle inscription reads “2d Lt Richard Rescorla Ia Drang Vietnam 1965.” www.primemontgomery.com | May 2010
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“If you fight the fact that you’re getting older, you’ll lose that battle.”
Mel Gibson and Hal Moore share a laugh on the set of We Were Soldiers.
over his face. “But I have my books, my memories, my church, my children.” Speaking in 2008 to an organization in Philadelphia devoted to care of the elderly, Moore was blunt and to-the-point, the common traits of an uncommon man. “... I believe we all live with fears. As I grow older,” he told his audience, “I also have fears – not of dying, but of living life in a state of loneliness. Thank God, I have my God. But, even with God, it is the honest fear of loneliness in old age that can bring one to a premature state of unhappiness, poor health and death. No longer being an important part of another life, of being forgotten and left for dead…while still breathing – even generals like to be loved.” During his speech Moore reminded his audience that Thomas Jefferson planned the University of Virginia between the ages of 86 and 92, cautioning that their goals need not be so lofty. “There is nothing so precious about life,” he told them, “than sharing it with others.” It is this temporal life, this snap of the fingers, that Moore still relishes even as he prepares for what comes next. “My purpose in life is to prepare for eternity,” he says, gesturing 12
May 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com
with his Bible — his go-to weapon in the fight against age, infirmity and grief. “I’m here on this earth to qualify to get into Heaven.” From anyone else, these words would be just so much verbal clutter in a cynical world inhabited by TV evangelists and radio preachers. But from Moore, these words are ammunition for the soul as he continues his qualifying round to get into Heaven. As his ninth decade draws to a close, Moore mashals his forces in a battle against a common enemy — time. It’s a fight we all will lose, but which few have fought so well.
No Man Left Behind
A
By Tim Lennox
short drive from Montgomery, near the university town of Auburn, lives a retiree whose walls echo a military career filled with extraordinary leadership and bravery. The centerpiece of that long career came in November, 1965, when then-U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Hal Moore commanded a battalion of soldiers in the first large scale battle between U.S. and North Vietnamese regular forces. It happened in the Ia Drang Valley, in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. The story was told in the Mel Gibson movie We Were Soldiers, based on the book Moore and journalist Joe Galloway wrote about the three-day struggle, We Were Soldiers Once, and Young. At 88, retired Lt. General Moore is the only living member on a highly-respected list of the “Top 100 Generals of All Time.” Call him a hero and he’ll brush aside the compliment. “I just did the best I could in two wars, in Korea and in Vietnam. I tried to save as many soldiers’ lives as possible,” he says softly. Moore promised his troops he would never leave a man behind, dead or alive. He promised he would be the first person off the first helicopter and the last person to board the final flight. When fighting ended in the Ia Drang Valley, and he stepped aboard the last chopper carrying his soldiers from the battlefield, Moore told the pilot (later awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the battle) to circle the area so he could memorize the scene. Below him lay many hundreds of enemy bodies. Moore’s own battalion suffered 79 killed and 121 wounded. True to his word, not one of his soldiers was left behind. General Moore’s life is not without its ironies. While working toward a West Point appointment in 1945 he was also contemplating a very different
Moore and Sgt. Major Basil Plumley following the Ia Drang battle
Moore in Vietnam after his promotion to Colonel
future. His father had taken him to a Trappist monastery near his home in Kentucky, a visit which left Moore with thoughts of becoming a monk. West Point won out over the monastery, but his sense of spirituality remained a lifelong companion, influencing his late-life perspective on current events. Nations must find a way to solve their differences, he says, without sending their sons and daughters off to kill each other. Although his son served as a U.S. Army Colonel in Afghanistan, Moore sees no reason for that war, “unless it is oil.” Moore’s approach to his last years is, in many ways, an extension of the battleground philosophy he used in Korea and Vietnam and, later, in business: n There is no “three strikes and you’re out.” There is always something else you can do to impact a situation. n No matter what the situation is, pause a moment and ask, “What am I doing that I should not be doing, and what am I not doing that I should be doing?” Tim Lennox is a morning anchor at WAKA-TV, CBS-8 in Montgomery, and creator and host of On The Record, a weekly public affairs series. He interviewed Lt. General Moore for a two-part report that aired on WAKA. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2010
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around montgomery
Where Is It? By Jake Roberts
T
wo years ago this hilltop neighborhood, currently protected by a pair of white-washed lions, celebrated its centennial anniversary commemorating the incorporation of the then outside-the-city-limits location into the town of Montgomery. Stylish homes had been erected here many years before the area became part of the spreading boundaries of the city. The same year Montgomery expanded east and embraced this neighborhood, a statue of the South’s most famous Civil War general was unveiled. It stood in an area then known as Lee Circle, not far from where these stately lions now reside. Research didn’t turn-up adequate evidence to precisely determine the age of these majestic creatures, but their stoic gaze has guarded the lanes that pass in front of them for a considerable period of time. There is deterioration of oncepowerful paws, a missing lower jaw, and a noticeable absence of mane on one of the pair, an adornment essential to male lion dominance. Despite their age-inflicted infirmities, if you pause a moment to ponder their frozen splendor you’ll find these noble beasts still command respect. They are every bit as regal as when they first climbed upon their perches and settled into a long and history-laden tenure keeping watch over the sleeping residents within their Bungalows, Colonial Revival and Craftsman homes of this Montgomery neighborhood. Rest well, my friend, for the lion doesn’t sleep tonight. **Editor’s Note: Congratulations to Amy Morris, who discovered the location of our pride of tawny cats displayed in the April issue. Amy, jubilant at her discovery, stands in front of the lions’ lair on Court Square, next to the fountain in the historic heart of the city.
Send us a photo of you in front of our mystery lion! We’ll select some to print in a future issue of Prime Montgomery. E-mail your photo to primeeditor@gmail.com, or send via snail mail to Prime Montgomery, 7956 Vaughn Rd. #144, Montgomery, AL 36116.
in every life
Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses As We Age
T
he prime of life is an opportunity to take stock of our health, to focus on those things we need to improve or maintain our well-being. Doing so may require the adoption of new behaviors previously unimportant to us. Creating an appropriate, strategic approach to improving health Arlene H. Morris requires a lifestyle assessment that looks at diet, exercise and behaviors that promote healthy living, such as using sunscreen, wearing a seat belt and maintaining balance in work, recreation and rest. Other considerations include coping with stress, giving and receiving social support, and realizing spiritual health and fulfillment. To develop a personal health status inventory, consider the following approach: Look back to your family and ask questions. - What was the health status of prior generations? - What illnesses did your parents or grandparents experience? - How long did they live and what was the cause of their deaths? - How did they relate to each other and to those in their community? - Are there insights you can glean from reflecting on their lives that can help you make choices to prevent or delay repeating detrimental expe- riences in your life? - Did they engage in positive health behaviors or coping strategies that you want to integrate into your own life? Look inside to yourself. - What are your strengths related to the health of your body, mind, spirit and relationships? - Are these strengths inherited, or did you do something to promote the creation of these strengths? - Will maintaining these strengths become more important as you age? - What areas need improving? - Should healthcare providers be consulted for needs in any of these areas? - Can you develop a strategy to maximize strengths and lengthen the time before areas of concern worsen?
Look beyond your immediate needs. - What do you enjoy most about life? - How can you strategically maintain involvement in activities you enjoy, or plan for adjustments/ modifications for aging? - What resources are available, or can be developed, to assist in planning for current and future needs? - What resources can you provide to help others? The change from one season to another reminds us of the need to change personal behaviors and activities to improve our physical, mental and spiritual health. An assessment of health strengths and weaknesses is a useful tool in helping us live and enjoy all of our days as much as we possibly can. Arlene H. Morris, RN, EdD is an assistant professor at Auburn University-Montgomery, School of Nursing, where she enjoys teaching content regarding gerontology and professional nursing issues.
www.primemontgomery.com | May 2010
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A Gracious Plenty
Spring Training and Crab Cakes
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Photos by Margaret Ann McGregor
eraldine Porter, my 82-year-old mother, recently enlisted my help to realize a dream. Though a gracious southern lady, she has long been a fan of Atlanta Braves baseball and can talk it with the best of men. She has seen them in Atlanta, and she rarely misses Patsy Smith a televised game. Aaah…but it was spring training in Orlando that she wanted! My brother secured tickets for Mother and my Aunt Juanita to sit five rows behind the dugout. It was up to me to get them there. They wanted to go by car. To Orlando. Eleven hours one-way for three women who couldn’t pass up an exit. We stayed with another favorite aunt, and the trip turned into a happy reunion for us all and a fun food excursion for me. While the “Brave Belles” watched Chipper play the Yankees the next day, my Aunt Dot and I took a stroll along Main Street Disney, gazing at the menus posted at notable eateries along the way. We had lunch at Wolfgang Puck’s, and I tried the crab cakes topped with tiny greens, served with a great aioli.
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May 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com
I was inspired to make them again when I came home, and as a remembrance of this trip I created my own fresh basil aioli (flavored mayonnaise) to use as an accompaniment. If you are like me and keep basil growing in your herb pots, this is a fantastic way to use it. Enjoy the crab cakes as a spring luncheon dish along with chilled soup and mixed salad greens. Add a nice white wine and crusty bread for company dinner or a quiet night at home. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s delightful! And I encourage you: if you get the chance to help your mom or another senior relative enjoy time in a special way this month, take it! There’s joy that comes from being able to do that for them and from sharing the experience with them. Ours was a contented ride home. Patsy Smith, a Montgomery native, lived here for 47 years before moving to Birmingham. She is the author of two cookbooks: A Cookbook For My Southern Daughter and A Southern Daughter Entertains. These books 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.
Crab Cakes crab cakes Yield: 12 small l: rge mixing bow ted for shells ned, and inspec Combine in a la ai dr t, ea m ab cr ab meat.) 1 lb. fresh lump can of fancy cr l al sm a d ad so (I sometimes al beaten ly ht ig sl g, 1 large eg on, chopped 1/4 c. green oni pped leaf parsley, cho ¼ c. fresh flat an’s Light®.) lm el (I use H se ai nn o ay m c. 1/4 rd o crumbs.) 1 T. Dijon musta bs (I prefer pank m ru dc ea br y 3 T. dr seasoning 1 t. Old Bay® p and chill 1/8 t. pepper with plastic wra r ve co e, m ti cream scoop, s. If you have y. Using an ice rk or with hand nc fo te a is h ould ns it w co ly d nt an s. The cakes sh e flavor ck th pu s l lp al Mix together ge he sm is to th in ly and shape veral hours, as e pan so that it mixture for se c.). Flatten slight e bottom of th /4 th (1 at ns co io to rt et po Place crab skill oz. rise from pan. measure out 2 to live oil in heavy o ns le gi zz be ri D ke o k. ic til sm d brown on 4” th edium heat un ith a spatula an m be about 1/2-3/ w er rn ov tu ; et ng ill bi sk ur ntaining st ly. Place side without di ing the skillet co ne ac o is greased light pl n o en n th w by ro B e m t skillet. onal cooking ti cakes in the ho e to add additi lik es. ay ut m in u m Yo . r 5-10 the other side d 350° oven fo te ea eh pr a in the crab cakes
Fresh Basil Aio li 20 large leaves of fresh sweet basil, chopped 1/2 t. minced ga fine rlic (I use the m inced garlic in 1 t. lemon juice the jar) 1 c. Hellman’s Light® mayonn aise Place all ingred ients into blen der or food pr until basil is just ocessor and pr visible as tiny sp ocess ecks, mayonnai ingredients are se is green and well incorpora all ted. (I have also blender is grea found that my t for this.) Chi stick ll until ready fo r use. When serving with crab cake s, place a dollo ful) onto plate p (a generous for each crab ca teaspoonke and place a each dollop. crab cake on to p of
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Must-See Montgomery Prattville and Wetumpka, too
You have out-of-town guests coming to visit, possibly with children or grandchildren in tow. How will you make their visit a memorable experience? Look no further than your River Region backyard. Indoors or out, museums or sports, history or theater, animals or plants, our backyard overflows with must-see attractions for adults and children. Keep this list handy — numbered and written in no specific order — when those guests come a’callin’, and show them what Southern Hospitality is all about. Compiled by Callie Corley
“The polarity in the historical background of the First White House and the King Memorial Baptist Church seems to demonstrate our city’s ability to evolve.” — David Robertson, Sr. Photography by the Robertsons 18
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“For me it is very personal as I grew up in these troubled times. One of my class mates is listed on the Civil Rights Memorial.” — Harold Boone, Sr. V.P., Minority Business Development, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Capitol Complex 1) The Alabama State Capitol, a Greek revival style building, was completed in 1851. A star on the Capitol’s front steps marks the spot where Jefferson Davis took his oath of office as President of the Confederate States of America. Tours are available free of charge, however guided tours must be pre-arranged. Call 334242-3935 to schedule a tour. 2) The Alabama Department of Archives and History, across the street from the Capitol, houses important artifacts and records for the State and the people of Alabama. You can register for a guided tour of the Archives Museum or print out a gallery guide for yourself and see Alabama history come alive. Call (334) 242-4435 for more information. 3) The First White House of the Confederacy, next door to the Archives and History building, was the exclusive residence of Jefferson Davis and family while Montgomery served as the Capitol of the Confederate States of America from February to May of 1861. The house still contains period furnishings and some of Davis’ personal belongings. For more information, call 334-242-1861. 4) The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, located a block from the Capitol, is the church from which Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. preached during 1954-60 and began his civil rights campaign. In 1980, a mural showcasing Dr. King’s journey from Montgomery to Memphis was painted in the church by artist and deacon John W. Feagin. Guided tours are available. Go online to submit a tour inquiry at www.dexterkingmemorial.org or call 334-263-3970 for more information. 5) The Civil Rights Memorial, located on Washington Avenue across the street from the Southern Poverty Law Center, celebrates the achievements and memory of those who died during the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Memorial Center, adjacent to the memorial, houses exhibits about the movement’s martyrs and the Wall of Tolerance. The memorial is accessible 24-hours a day, free of charge. For information about The Civil Rights Memorial Center, call 334-956-8200. 6) The Alabama War Memorial, located at 120 N. Jackson Street, honors Alabama’s war veterans. Dedicated by the American Legion, the memorial highlights 27 Alabamians awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. For more information, call 334-262-6638.
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“Biscuits Stadium is probably one of the finest minor league facilities in the country.” — Rich Thomas Chief Meteorologist, WSFA-TV 20
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Downtown — Montgomery’s downtown area is bursting with historic and cultural sites, ready for the visiting. 7) The Hank Williams Museum is a great stop for country music fans to step into the World of Williams. They’ll see clothing, albums and the actual 1952 Cadillac in which Hank took his last ride. For museum information, call 334-262-3600. 8) The Rosa Parks Library and Museum commemorates the heroic defiance of Rosa Parks and the part she played in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The museum is built on the spot where Parks took her stand, or seat, in 1955. The museum also has a children’s wing tailored to the understanding and mindset of younger history lovers. For more information, call 334-241-8615. 9) You can’t bring guests downtown without catching a Montgomery Biscuits game, the city’s AA baseball team and affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. Who knows, maybe you’ll also catch a tin-foil wrapped biscuit as it’s shot into the crowd via air cannon during the seventh inning stretch! Fun for kids and adults alike, go see a game at Biscuits Stadium. For ticket information, call 334-323-2255. 10) Just blocks from Biscuits Stadium, you can step back in time and see history come alive at Old Alabama Town. Surround yourself with authentically restored 19th and early 20th century buildings and see how your Central Alabama ancestors really lived. Also, every other Saturday morning throughout the summer (starting at 9 a.m.), hear local musicians play as you visit OAT. For more information, call 334-240-4500.
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“A must-see and experience attraction. I look forward to taking family and friends on the Riverboat. ” — Tommie “Tonea” Stewart, Actor; Director of Theater Arts, Alabama State University
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15 11) If relaxing is more your style, head down to the Riverwalk Amphitheater with a picnic lunch and watch the Alabama River pass lazily by on its way to the Gulf. Also hitch a ride on the Harriott II, Montgomery’s own riverboat queen. To purchase riverboat tickets, call 334241-2100. 12) The Montgomery Visitor Center, your one-stop shop for all things Montgomery, is housed in Historic Union Station, downtown.Visit the gift shop, hop on a trolley ride around the city or take a self-guided audio tour of Montgomery’s Civil Rights locations. The Visitor Center has it all. For more information, call 334-261-1100. 13) A different take on beef, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association’s “Moo”seum offers visitors of all ages an interactive way to learn about the state’s $2 billion beef industry. For more information, call 334- 265-1867. 14) Oakwood Cemetery and Annex — Just a little way from downtown rests Montgomery’s oldest, and
same say most famous, cemetery. Oakwood Cemetery and Annex holds the remains of more than 100,000 people, including five Alabama Governors, Hank Williams, Sr., numerous Civil War Soldiers and French pilots who were training at Maxwell Air Force Base during WWII. The cemetery is located at 829 Columbus Street. 15) Montgomery Zoo — Experience where the wild things are. The Montgomery Zoo boasts more than 700 animals representing more than 100 species. With its emphasis on “barrier-free” enclosures, the zoo really makes you feel like you’re on the plains of Africa or in the rainforest of South America. Get up-close and personal with wildlife at The Mann Wildlife and Learning Museum, where you can touch the real fur of a wolf or bear. The 28,000 square-foot natural history museum focuses on conservation through education, and covers almost every wild creature in North America. For more information, call 334-240-4900.
16) W.A. Gayle Planetarium — Nestled in beautiful Oak Park, the W.A. Gayle Planetarium is a great place to escape the mid-day summer heat. Recent renovations to the planetarium added 21 slide projectors, laser disk video projection and laser lights to an already out-ofthis-world show. For more information, call 334-241-4799. 17) Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum — Acclaimed literary couple F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald lived in this Montgomery home from 1931-32. It was saved from demolition in 1986, and is the only remaining residence of the famous couple who defined the Roaring ‘20s. For visitor information, call 334-264-4222. 18) Hyundai Manufacturing Plant — Tour Central Alabama’s only car manufacturing plant and see how vehicles are made.You must have reservations, and some restrictions apply. For more information, call 334-3878019 or book a tour online at www.hmmausa.com. 19) Montgomery Ballet — Established in 1958, the Montgomery Ballet has both professional and apprentice dancers. The regular season runs from October to April. However, the Ballet also has special performances, including its free Performance on the Green in July at the Blount Cultural Park. For information call 334-409-0522. 20) Montgomery Symphony Orchestra — For more than 30 years, musicians with the MSO have brought the gift of classical music to Montgomery. Although the regular season runs from October to April, Special Pops concerts occur during/outside the regular season. For information, call 334-240-4004.
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Blount Cultural Park —This “English countryside” inspired landscape houses two of Montgomery’s most popular destinations: the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) and Shakespeare Gardens, and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA). 21) The world’s sixth largest Shakespearean festival, ASF houses two theatres and sees more than 300,000 visitors each year. For ticket information, call the box office at 334-271-5353. 22) The Shakespeare Gardens, adjacent to the theatre, feature shrubbery and plants mentioned by the Bard throughout his literary career, from rosemary in Hamlet to marigolds in The Winter’s Tale. For tour information, call 334-271-5300. 23) The MMFA houses a wide collection of paintings by Southern artists, American masters and world-renowned painters. ArtWorks is the Museum’s hands-on gallery for all-aged children. Call 334-240-4333 for more information. Prattville 24) Prattaugan Museum/Heritage Center — Marvel at the history of Prattville’s founding family, the Pratts, at the Prattaugan Museum, which houses artifacts from the Pratts and other historic families. The Heritage Center contain newspapers, books and other records of the city’s history. For more information, call 334-361-0961.
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Blount Cultural Park “A valuable resource on many levels, such as tourism and economic development. The arts [are] unique to a city this size.” — Lynn Beshear, Executive Director, Envision 2020 24
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25) Artesian Wells — Prattville was once known as “The Fountain City” for its numerous free-flowing artesian wells.Visitors today can still take a drink of the sweet, fresh water from the remaining wells.Visit the tin-roofed well shed on Doster Road, the well behind the Prattaugan Museum/Heritage Center or Heritage Park, overlooking Autauga Creek. Old Prattvillage (not pictured) — Preservation efforts led to creation of this historic “village” on First Street. Both the Mims Hotel and Slaton House were relocated to the area, and other structures were remodeled. Now the buildings house businesses and offices. Wetumpka 26) Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson — Located where the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers meet, this 165-acre park offers something for all ages. The forts, recreations of French and American encampments, respectively, allow visitors to step back in time and surround themselves in history. Or, take a walk down the William Bartram Nature Trail. The park also has camp grounds, picnic areas and a boat launch. For more information, call 334-567-3002. 27) Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum — Known as Alabama’s “Little Corner of Greece,” Jasmine Hill has more than 20 acres of year-round blooming beauty and classical sculptures. Take a tour through the gardens, accessible to visitors with disabilities, or visit the Olympian Center. For more information, call 334-2635713.
medical
Marci’s Medicare Answers Dear Marci, Does Medicare cover screenings for Alzheimer’s and dementia? —Sun Dear Sun, Yes. Medicare will cover medically necessary doctor visits and laboratory tests needed to diagnose any suspected disease or condition, including dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Some methods to diagnose dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may include: n Consultations with a primary care physician and possibly other specialists n A mental status evaluation to assess your cognitive capabilities n A physical examination n A brain scan to detect other causes of dementia such as stroke n A psychiatric evaluation n A positron emission tomography (PET) scan to evaluate the cause of memory disorders that can not be determined from any other diagnostic test Medicare will cover 80 percent for your initial mental health visit, 80 percent for medication management and 55 percent for ongoing mental health treatment, such as psychotherapy. — Marci Dear Marci, I have not worked long enough to get Social Security benefits, but my wife has. Does her work history qualify me for premium-free Medicare Part A? —Theodore Dear Theodore, It depends on your situation. If you develop a disability before the age of 65, and do not have enough work history, you cannot qualify for Social Security Disability (SSDI) based on your spouse's work history. When you turn 65, you may be eligible for free Medicare Part A based on your spouse's work history if: n You are currently married and your spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits (either re tirement or disability).You must have been mar ried for at least one year before applying. n You are divorced and your former spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits (either retire ment or disability).You must have been married for at least 10 years and you must be single. n You are widowed and you were married for at least nine months before your spouse died.You must be single. To date the federal government does not recognize domestic partners (neither opposite-gender nor same-gender) as spouses. Therefore, you cannot be eligible for Medicare based on the work history of a domestic partner. Because Social Security and Medicare eligibility rules are
complex, and there are some exceptions to the rules listed above, you should call Social Security at 800-7721213 or, if you are a railroad worker, contact your local Railroad Retirement Board field office to get the most accurate information regarding your particular situation. —Marci ** Editor’s Note: An alert Prime reader, Barbara Cardinal of Montgomery Eye Physicians, brought to our attention what appeared to be an error in the April issue of Marci’s Medicare Answers.We checked it out with the Medicare Rights Center, the authors of this national column. Here’s what we learned: in the answer to last month’s first question (about Medicare’s coverage of cataract surgery), the Medicare Rights Center incorrectly stated that Medicare will cover the dark glasses you must wear immediately after surgery to protect your eyes. In fact, Medicare will NOT cover these dark glasses.Thanks to Barbara, the Medicare Rights Center corrected their answer for their readers all over the country! The corrected answer to the question appears below. Dear Marci, I just had cataract surgery. Will Medicare cover it? —Jack Yes. Although Medicare will not generally pay for routine eye care, it will pay for some eye care services if you have a chronic eye condition, such as cataracts. Medicare will cover: Surgical procedures to help repair the function of the eye due to cataracts. For example, Medicare will cover surgery to remove the cataract and replace your eye’s lens with a synthetic intraocular lens. Eye glasses or contacts, but only if you have had cataract surgery, during which an intraocular lens was placed into your eye. Medicare will cover a standard pair of untinted prescription eyeglasses or contacts if you need them after surgery. If it is medically necessary, Medicare may pay for customized eyeglass or contact lenses. An eye exam to diagnose potential vision problems. If you are having vision problems that indicate a serious eye condition, Medicare will pay for an exam to see what is wrong, even if it turns out there is nothing wrong with your sight. 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. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2010
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Moneywise
I
Ravaged Retirement
f the economic events of the past few years have traumatized your retirement assets, you certainly are not alone. Having sustained a sizable loss to your accumulated resources, you may be asking, “What do I do now?” A large economic loss has emotional as well as financial repercussions. If it forces us to reduce our dreams and Alan Wallace future plans, it is not unlike the death of a loved one. Both require time to process and grieve over the loss. While such a response is entirely normal, it is unwise to prolong the process unnecessarily. Life does go on and those who respond to the new realities most effectively will suffer less than those who live in the pain of a vanished past. While it is often emotionally therapeutic to take some measured action to reinforce one’s sense of partial control over his life, the key is that the action be prudent and proportional. To impulsively do something huge and irreversible out of fear or a sense of loss is extremely hazardous, especially in the midst of a depressed emotional state. An example would be to take all of your investments and put them into a low-interest fixed annuity out of a fear of further losses in the market. At the opposite extreme is to take on significantly more risk than you should in an attempt to recover losses that have already been incurred. Such a course of action rarely turns out well.
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In broad terms, if you have seen your 401(k) account become a “201(k)” account, the rational responses as you approach retirement are: 1. Stay in your current job longer than you had planned; 2. Reduce your expectations for the standard of living that you will experience during retirement; 3. Follow a phased retirement approach in which you continue to work part-time to supplement your diminished retirement resources. Each additional year that you work, even part-time, is one less year that you are entirely dependent on your accumulated resources. It also provides an additional year to contribute to your savings, and gives your assets another year to recover some of their value. If you can cut expenses while you are still working, allowing you to increase the amount that you save, so much the better. Reducing your expenses by a dollar actually is more beneficial than earning an extra dollar since a dollar in reduced spending does not carry the tax cost of a dollar in additional income. Regardless of what course you choose, you should try to clear your mind of emotional distractions, realistically assess your situation, make a decision about what course of action to take and then pursue that course with diligence and hope. Things may turn out better than they seem, and there is nothing to be gained by worrying about what you cannot change. Alan Wallace,CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior Financial Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.'s Montgomery office, 334-270-5960, alan. wallace@ronblue.com.
lifestyles
Dr.
Marion
Tech Tools Make Life Easier for Seniors, Caregivers I’m a busy working mom whose own mother is getting older - in fact, she just moved in with us. I use my iPhone all the time and have found a ton of apps that make my hectic life easier...what about some apps that can make it easier for me to care for my mom? – Cynthia, 45 Juggling your family and career is never easy, and caring for an aging parent can make things extra tough. But in this modern age, there are definitely some technological tools that can help. Since you have an iPhone, you already know that there are hundreds of thousands of downloadable applications available and now, some of those have been designed specifically with the caregiver in mind. Here are a few of the ones I like best: Personal Caregiver: Make sure that medications are taken at the right time by sending alerts and reminders. Also, this app includes a comprehensive database of important drug information such as precautions and interactions. (www.personalcaregiver.com) Care.com: Easily search for local caregivers, including job posting functions to help caregivers locate senior and in-home health aides as well as nannies, babysitters and more. (www.care.com/press-release-iphone-app-p1186q58700.html)
Polka, AllOneMobile: Both of these apps store, track and share important medical information (like diet, prescriptions, fitness regimens and Marion Somers blood pressure levels) with doctors or family members, which can be helpful for any caregiver needing to coordinate care for an older loved one. (www. polka.com) (www.allonemobile.com) Care Connector: Created by Johnson & Johnson, this adds a community/support component to the information tracking process – connecting caregivers with others like them through message boards, video stories and more. (www.strengthforcaring.com/util/about.html) Elder 411/Elder 911: These are my apps, designed to "put an elder care expert in your pocket" with quick access to caregiving insights, checklists and support for everything from how to deal with financial and housing concerns, to what to do in an emergency or crisis situation. (www.elder411.net) Marion Somers, Ph.D., has worked with thousands of seniors and their caregivers as a geriatric care manager and elder care expert. For more information, visit www.DrMarion.com
AT T H E A L A B A M A S H A K E S P E A R E F E S T I VA L
Lettice & Lovage
Great for BBC fans!
by Peter Shaffer April 9 – May 23, 2010
Hamlet
by William Shakespeare April 16 – May 22, 2010
All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare April 23 – May 22, 2010
T R AV E L PA C K A G E S A N D G R O U P R AT E S A R E AVA I L A B L E . 800.841.4273 | WWW.ASF.NET | MONTGOMERY, AL 36117
Kelley Curran as Ophelia Nathan Hosner as Hamlet
Elder justice
“In Alabama...30,000 to 75,000 cases of elder abuse go unreported each year.�
Elder Abuse in Alabama: Crisis and Opportunity
A
n 88-year-old retired professor with mild dementia was "befriended" by a predator who visited him almost daily, slowly gaining the professor’s trust. Together they visited the professor’s bank more than 40 times in a year, withdrawing, in small increments, almost $300,000. A member of the professor’s Sunday School class alerted authorities to this pattern of Bill Fuller exploitation. This is just one example of approximately 6,000 cases of elder abuse reported in Alabama each year through the Departments of Human Resources, Public Health, Mental Health and Senior Services. National research by the American Bar Association, the AARP Foundation, and other respected groups reveals that in every state the number of unreported elder abuse cases is six to fifteen times the number of reported cases. In Alabama, this means 30,000 to 75,000 cases of elder
abuse go unreported each year. The recent inclusion of a special "Elder Justice Act" in the new federal healthcare reform law is encouraging for those involved in this area. The provision offers federal grants to communities and states to publicize elder abuse as well as add social work case investigators, specially trained prosecutors, and law enforcement officers. The key to elder abuse prevention and prosecution lies first in building stronger public awareness across the state. Sadly, more than 70 percent of severe elder abuse cases occur within families or through "trusted" caregivers. Only a small fraction occur in group homes, assisted living, or nursing homes. Bill Fuller is an attorney, former member of the Alabama House of Representatives, past Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, and the Founding Director of the Alabama Elder Justice Project. He can be reached at 334-414-1941, or at billfuller@ freshsprings.org.Â
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prime diversions
Recent DVD Releases Pirate Radio, Crazy Heart and It’s Complicated
PIRATE RADIO (R) In the 1960s, The Beatles, Rolling Stones and other British rockers started a vast worldwide cultural shift in not only music, but clothing styles, recreation options (chemical, sexual and otherwise), and attitudes towards governments and most other institutions of authority. Despite a groundswell of youthful demands, the BBC refused to play any of that rabble-rousing fare on their monopolized radio waves. So "pirate" stations broadcast from offshore to the delight of millions, and the consternation of the prigs in power. Making the songs forbidden fruit only added to the thrill levels for both listeners and players. This fictionalized dramedy based on the era, written and directed by Richard Curtis, gives Boomers a zany nostalgia trip, while sending up social attitudes that are uncomfortably, and unfortunately, similar to many of today's hot-button issues. Subjects change, but smug and pompous seem eternal. A terrific cast crews the ship of station, with Bill Nighy at the helm; Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Nick Frost and Rhys Ifans among the deejays cut from a Wolfman Jack cloth; Kenneth Branagh plays the martinet whose duty to find a way to shut them down becomes an obsession. He's the Ahab to this wailing whale. The plot aligns us with an innocent lad who comes aboard as a gopher, allowing a normal-eye view of the wackos around him. That grounding sets up plenty of gags, as well. Those who love the music of that era will find the soundtrack enough to justify the ticket price.Younger viewers may enjoy seeing what their older relatives either lived through, claimed they did, or wish they had. (4/13/10)
CRAZY HEART (R) When actors we admire showcase a new dimension of talent, it's usually a treat. That's especially true when veteran dramatic performers surprisingly portray singers, including the singing, and nail it. Who knew what gifts had lain dormant inside the stars of films like Ray,Walk the Line, Nashville, or A Prairie Home Companion
until they strutted their stuff on those Mark Glass stages, without having to lip synch over voice doubles? In the latest, and one of the best examples, Jeff Bridges surely earned his Best Actor Golden Globe and Oscar as a down-and-out country singer, struggling to get his life in order and regain his place in the spotlights. The story isn't exactly unique, including an iffy romance with single-mom Maggie Gyllenhaal (whose presence consistently enhances any film), and a bit of rivalry with a former protege, Colin Farrell, in arguably a bigger artistic stretch, since his also spans an ocean and brogue. But Bridges makes it all work as he imbues his character with a charismatic world-weary presence that pervades his songs as convincingly as his dialogue. Sometimes even more so. (4/20/10)
IT’S COMPLICATED (R) The line is used so often in contemporary tales in movies and on TV, it had to become a title - in this case a romantic comedy with a knockout cast (Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and a slew of gifted allies) and credible writer/director (Nancy Meyers) that falls short of pedigree. Since their divorce, Streep has thrived in everything but romance, while Baldwin married a young hottie (Lake Bell). There's still a bit of spark between them. He ardently pursues her; she resists before yielding. Meanwhile, Martin is too nice for her to notice, even though he might be a better choice. The idea is fine; several moments work well in both comedy and sentiment. But the film drags. Their nearly-grown children are annoying caricatures of nascent adults. Streep's vacillations and Baldwin's questionable motives wear thin before we're granted the mercy of closure on this mid-life triangle. Meyers delivered better products plumbing the hearts of this age group in Something's Gotta Give and What Women Want. This time, she seems so enamored of her stars and upscale California locations that she forgot the "brevity is the soul of wit" part of the equation. Still good, but not up to the standards all the principals' fans will be expecting. (4/27/10)
Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association.
Moving free ® with mirabai
Best Exercises for
O
Skeletal Fitness
steoporosis, a silent disease, can creep up on you before you know you have it. To combat osteoporosis, it’s important to increase your skeletal fitness. Over time, osteoporosis causes bones to become thinner, more porous and less able to support the body, with little pain in the early stages. Forty-four million of us are at risk for osteoporosis. Women comprise the vast majority of sufferers and often develop osteopenia (low bone mass that can lead to osteoporosis) in the first few years after menopause because they lose boneprotecting estrogen. We can prevent and help reverse the effects of osteoporosis by working-out our bones. By young adulthood, our bones have grown to their full size and density, but activity in our bones is far from over. In a cycle called remodeling, old and weakened areas of our skeletons are broken down and replaced with new well-formed tissue. Adults have about 10 to 15 percent of their bone replaced each year. In bones with osteoporosis, the remodeling cycle is out of balance. Bone is broken down but little or nothing takes its place. The outside layer gets thinner, and the bone’s inside becomes more porous. Most people don't discover they have osteoporosis until a fracture occurs. Fractures occur most often at the spine, at the hip and at the wrist. The good news is since bones are living tissue they can 30
become denser with weight-bearing exercise called bone loading. When working out your bones, it’s important to load the areas most at risk for fracture: the spine, the hip and Mirabai Holland the wrist. Try these Do’s to help load the three areas most at risk: n Carrying a backpack instead of a purse to help load your spine. n Load your hips by taking stairs instead of the elevator. n Grab some soup cans and do 8-16 reps of wrist curls. When that gets too light invest in hand weights. (Remember: always exhale on exertion when you're lifting a weight.) Start with a comfortable weight and add one pound every couple of weeks or when it feels too easy. n As you get stronger, add a full body weight-training program with special emphasis on the areas at risk for osteoporosis. n Weight train every other day, because your body needs time to recover and grow stronger. Here are some Don’ts: n As a general rule, don't do anything that requires you to bend forward from the waist with the back rounded. This is called spinal flexion and increases the risk of collapsed vertebra — so no toe touches. n Avoid sit-ups and crunches. Instead, you can strengthen your abdominals by keeping them pulled in, navel back to your spine during daily activity. Mirabai Holland, M.F.A., is a public health activist specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work. Visit her website at www. movingfree.com. ©2010
Kynard Korner’s
Reinvintage Boutique Vintage apparel and accessories
Eastbrook Flea Market & Antique Mall 425 Coliseum Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36109 334-799-0709 nkynard@yahoo.com l
May 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com
nutrition/Health
A Question of Health:
Nutritional needs after menopause
By Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN Q: Do nutritional needs change after menopause? A: Key nutrients to increase after menopause are calcium, vitamins B-12 and D; nutrients to decrease are iron, sodium and calories. There are lowered iron requirements once the losses of iron in menstruation are no longer in effect. There is also an apparent need for more calcium to protect bone health when the protective effect of estrogen is reduced. In practical terms that means less need for red meat or other high-iron foods, and an extra daily serving of a calcium-rich food (for example, milk or other calciumfortified foods such as juice, soy milk or soy yogurt). Other changes in nutrient recommendations when a woman passes age 50 are simply age-related: Some women and men over age 50 are less able to absorb the vitamin B-12 as it naturally occurs in poultry, seafood, meat and dairy products, so recommendations call for them to include a daily fortified food or supplement that meets B-12 needs. Research also shows that as we get older, we become more sensitive to the blood pressureraising effects of sodium, so recommended maximum sodium intake goes down from 2300 milligrams (mg) to
1500 mg per day, which requires significant limitation of processed foods as well as salt itself. Current recommendations for vitamin D increase after age 50, and research is still underway to better identify optimal intake at all ages. Calorie needs may decrease after age 50, but research shows that much of that drop may be related to decreased physical activity (both scattered throughout the day and as blocks of leisure activity) and the impact of gradual muscle loss resulting in decreased metabolic rate. With daily physical activity and strength-training two to three times a week, calorie needs may not need to drop as much in order to maintain a healthy weight. That’s important, because excess weight and weight gain are linked to increased risk of several cancers, including post-menopausal breast cancer. Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, writes this column for The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), the cancer charity that fosters research on the relationship of nutrition, physical activity and weight management to cancer risk.
Swimming is a great, low-impact activity to help burn calories and build muscle.
www.primemontgomery.com | May 2010
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Mayo clinic/medical
Knee Pain Exercises Depend on the Cause of the Pain Q: A:
What are the best exercises for knee pain?
The most beneficial regimen will depend on the cause of the knee pain. Work with your doctor for a definitive diagnosis. Once you know the cause, see a physical therapist to learn how to do the recommended exercises. Learning proper technique from a handout alone can be very difficult. Two of the most common causes of knee pain are osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. Osteoarthritis: This is associated with aging, occurring when the cartilage in the knee joint wears down over time. In addition to pain, the knee may feel stiff and tender. Osteoarthritis may limit the range of motion. Inactivity seems to increase pain. Mild activity usually helps, while overdoing it can cause more pain. Considerable research has found that exercises focused on strengthening the quadriceps (front thigh muscles) and hamstrings (muscles in the back of the thigh) help reduce knee pain from osteoarthritis. Patients need to find the middle ground in exercises that help but don't hurt. Effective exercises include leg lifts and squats. Leg lifts are done by lying on your back and then lifting your leg a few inches off the ground while keeping it straight and holding it for a count of five to ten. Squats can be done with your back against the wall, feet shoulder-width apart, and then bending your knees 30 degrees. Hold this position for a count of five to ten. Doing exercises in the swimming pool can be beneficial, as buoyancy reduces stress on the knee. Holding on to the side of the pool and kicking your legs will exercise some of the same muscles as leg lifts and squats. Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Caused by abnormal tracking of the knee, pain is concentrated at the front
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May 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com
of the knee. Underlying causes can be overuse, an injury, loss of cartilage on the underside of the patella (chondromalacia) or osteoarthritis changes behind the kneecap. Typically aggravated by walking up and down stairs and by sitting for long periods, strengthening the muscles along the inner thigh can help decrease pain and realign the knee. Examples include leg lifts that can be done lying on your side or back. Regardless of the underlying cause of pain, strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee can help. For patients with high levels of pain, the initial focus might be isometric exercises -— repetitions of muscle contractions and relaxation done without bending the knee. Overall, walking helps strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee, as long as the knee pain isn't causing a limp or changes in the person's gait. In that case, walking for exercise could worsen the situation. Squats are another great overall exercise — if they don't hurt. Squats strengthen the entire leg and move the body in a way that makes it easier to do daily activities. However, some people might not be able to tolerate squats. And, it's important to get advice on proper technique. Doing squats incorrectly can cause problems in the hips, ankles and low back. Because each individual's pain level, fitness level and underlying medical condition are different, there's no "best of" list of knee exercises. The best advice is to not engage in activities that make the pain worse, and seek medical guidance on muscle strengthening exercises tailored to your situation. Matthew Butters is an M.D. in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org. (c) 2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Distributed by Tribune Media Services Inc. All Rights Reserved.
By Robert Zimmerman | San Diego, CA
TMSPuzzles@aol.com
ACROSS 1 Fellow 5 Frolic 9 Model wood 14 Fling 15 Kuwaiti leader 16 Expect 17 Hidden, CA 19 Artist’s undercoat 20 Cut stubble 21 Pianist Art 23 Brio 24 Mechanic’s task 26 Bun seed 28 Edith Piaf’s bird? 30 Supervises 33 Alternative energy 35 Kevin Kline movie 36 Physicians’ org. 39 Walnut Trees, AZ 43 Made a lap 44 “La Boheme” role 46 Customs 48 Inactive medication 52 Considerate and discreet 56 Win back 58 Geological layers 59 Geisha’s sash 61 Despiser 63 Tobacco kilns 64 Conversation starter
66 The Crosses, NM 68 Donnybrook 69 Thomas __ Edison 70 Paddock papa 71 Tracker’s trail 72 Shed tears 73 Be mouthy DOWN 1 Treasure holders 2 Quiet! 3 Deep secrets 4 Wading birds 5 Highest alert 6 Skip over 7 King with a golden touch 8 For the time being, briefly 9 Underworld collector 10 Wonder 11 The Meadows, NV 12 Yes indeed, Jose 13 Minute particle 18 Nerve cell 22 NATO member 25 Riding game 27 Loony 29 Rascal 31 One Gabor 32 Tennis group 34 Lamb’s father 36 Current unit, for short 37 Wire measure 38 Yellow, TX
Answers on page 8.
CROSSWORD CLUES
40 Used-car site 41 Times 42 Division 45 Curling surface 47 Composer Johann 49 Repeater 50 Feathered neckwear 51 Western bad guy 53 Connective tissue
54 Verbalizes 55 Stirling girls 57 U.S. family of artists 59 Resistance units 60 Brief horn sound 62 Invitation letters 65 Lion’s name 67 Jazz devotee (Answers on page 34)
Senior Discounts in the River Region Check out new Prime listings each month: Sun./Wed.: Choose one of ten meals for $4.49 w/ drink, 62+
10% off on Tuesdays, 55+
Eastdale 8 & Promenade 12: Up to 25% off adult tickets, 65+
10% off ticket prices, 65+
www.primemontgomery.com | May 2010
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May Community Doings May 1 Flimp Festival Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Art activities, music, entertainment. May 1 Greek Food Festival Greek Orthodox Church, Mt. Meigs and Capitol Parkway. Food, gift shop, live bouzouki music. Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dinner 5 - 8 p.m. May 1-30 Jasmine Hill, Wetumpka. Walking tours conducted amid reproductions of Greek and Roman statuary. May 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 27, 30 W.A. Gayle Planetarium, Oak Park. Shows at 3 p.m. weekdays, Sunday 2 p.m. Admission. May 7 Arthritis Walk, Montgomery Zoo. Registration 4:00 p.m. Walk begins at 6:15 p.m. May 8 Herb Day & Music Jam Old Alabama Town. 8 a.m., Herb Day. 9 a.m., Music Jam. Bring your instrument or just sit and listen. May 8 Basic Fly Tying Lessons Bass Pro Shop, Prattville. 10 a.m. to noon. Free. Limited to six people. Call George Williams to pre-register, 334-290-6400 ext. 4043. May 15 Dino Dig Montgomery Zoo. Children and adults dig and learn about prehistoric creatures.10 a.m. Admission. May 15, 16 Beginning Fly Casting Bass Pro Shop, Prattville. One hour sessions 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. Free. Limited to six people. Rods available or bring your own. Call George Williams to pre-register, 334-290-6400 ext. 4043. May 15, 16 General Public Weekend Alabama Wildlife Federation, Millbrook. (3050 Lanark Road). Guided and selfguided hikes explore the natural history of 34
May 2010 | www.primemontgomery.com
central Alabama. For information call 334-285-4550. Admission. May 19 Mothers Day Montgomery Zoo. Moms admitted free to zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum. May 22 Music Jam & Front Porch Festival Old Alabama Town. 9 a.m., Music Jam. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Front Porch Fair. Bluegrass music, storytelling, craft demonstrations by blacksmiths, woodcarvers, potters, chair caners, spinners and weavers, butter making, children’s activities. Admission. The following events are hosted and funded by the Alabama Humanities Foundation, as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the publishing of To Kill a Mockingbird. May 18–21 Art inspired by the book. Stonehenge Gallery. Call 334262-8256 for hours. May 20 To Kill a Mockingbird. Capri Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Admission. May 22 Art auction, live music, Our Mockingbird documentary. Wynfield Estates. 6-9 p.m. Tickets required. For information visit www.ahf.net/mockingbird.
Eastdale Estates
Big Bopper Bash May 22, 2-5 p.m. Welcome to the 1950s!
Eastdale Estates w 5801 Eastdale Drive w Montgomery, AL 36117
Door prizes Fashion and Dance Contests DJ Dwain Smith Register to win a 3-day stay or Free Rent for Life!
Contact Larry or Judy at 334-260-8911
WGNewMagAdMar2010:Layout 1 3/11/2010 3:02 PM Page 1
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