Prime Montgomery

Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

October 2012 FREE

Montgomery

History’s Stage

Th e Mo ntg om ery Th ea tre (18 60- 190 7)

I N sid e

• Alabama Dove Hunt • Roadtrips with Grandkids Breast Cancer Awareness • No-Mess Pumpkin Crafts • Still Need Insurance? • Dinner In A Pouch

Dont Miss It! The 24th Annual

Holiday Market October 18-20th, 2012

Presented by The Junior League of Montgomery

Grand Investor: Premier Investor: Baptist Health

JLM Kicks-Off Montgomery’s 2012 Holiday Shopping Season!

Holiday Market begins October 18th, 2012 at an EXCITING NEW VENUE!

Montgomery’s Multiplex at Cramton Bowl!

TICKETS: Advance - $5 • Daily - $10 Military & Seniors - $5 Children 10 & under - FREE Valet Parking will be available for $5

Advance Ticket Outlets: Junior League Office, River Bank and Trust (Montgomery, Wetumpka & Prattville locations), Eastdale Mall, My Kid's Attic, and Barb's on Mulberry

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Wednesday, October 17 ~ 6-9pm Mistletoe and Martinis: Preview Party & Silent Auction - $35 Beverage tickets, hors d'oeuvres and entertainment

Thursday, October 18 Shopping Hours ~ 9am-9pm Friday, October 19 Shopping Hours ~ 9am-9pm Girls Night Out 6-9pm Saturday, October 20 Shopping Hours ~ 9am-5pm Kids! Help the Elves in Santa’s Workshop for Holiday Fun! $10 ~ 10-11:30am Santa is in Town! - Stop by and have your picture taken with Santa ~ 12-5pm

For More Information and Advance Tickets: Call 334-288-8816 or visit JLMontgomery.org

October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

October 2012

Features

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On-The-Road with Grandchildren Tips to make your travel with grandchildren an enjoyable experience for all. Plus, staying in touch if you live out-of-town.

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Clash of Cultures Conflict with Native American tribes shaped Alabama, literally and figuratively, with war the unfortunate result of a clash of cultures.

By Alan Wallace

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The Stage of History The Montgomery Theatre is deeply rooted in the city’s history, with more glory days ahead as part of the downtown renaissance. By Willie Moseley

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Puerto Rico: Beyond the Beaches

Beautiful beaches? Sure. Pina Coladas? Certainly. But you don’t want to miss a barbecue and coffee adventure.

By Andrea Gross

Columns 7 Yard n’ Garden — Ethel Dozier Boykin

23 Off The Beaten Path — Niko Corley

11 In Every Life — Arlene Morris

24 The Creative Crafter — Callie Corley

12 A Gracious Plenty — Carron Morrow

25 MoneyWi$e — Alan Wallace

13 Moving Free — Mirabai Holland

29 Medicare Q&A

17 Social Security — Kylle’ McKinney

30 Calendar

22 Tips to Avoid Fraud — Joe Borg

34 Prime Diversions — Mark Glass www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

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Editor’s Note A friend of mine recently e-mailed to say he’d read that my college alma mater will shut down its Journalism Program in 2015. Emory University’s original Journalism Program, started in the 1920s, had been closed for two decades by the time I got there in 1973.

Reborn during CNN’s heyday in the mid-1990s, the ill-fated J-Program now faces its second shut-down in less than 100 years. Emory, it seems, is as fickle as a fashion trend when it comes to educating young people in the art of journalistic writing, reporting, and critical thinking.

It’s unfortunate because now, more than ever, there’s a greater need for strong journalism skills. The huge television spectrum (can you say 900+ channels?), the pervasiveness of social media and internet blogs (pick a word, any word....), and the ease of desktop publishing (really, how many free magazines -- other than this one -- can you read?) provide us with a constant barrage of viewpoints in an endless array of forums and formats. In some ways the old ‘60s adage “Power to the People” never rang so true. And while this great flow of information can be invigorating, the lack of context often leaves me confused. What is news? What is point-of-view? What is sponsored-content? Does it even matter?

At Prime, we think it does. We believe you appreciate interesting, useful information, and you want the source of that news identified. We trust you value a “local” perspective, and you respect knowing the personal experience that gives credence to that voice. Finally, we’re old-fashioned enough to believe you want to know and support the good people and businesses who sponsor our product, but you also trust us to clearly distinguish between editorial content and advertising, and never to mix the two.

We’d love to hear your comments on these old-school rules that we see as journalism’s most basic principles. Drop us a line at primeeditor@gmail.com.

October’s issue is chock full of area history, including a new look at an old downtown building that’s spanned more than 150 years of the city’s past. In History’s Stage, (p. 18) writer Willie Moseley relates the historical significance of the Montgomery Theatre, including appearances by John Wilkes Booth, the building’s most notorious performer.

Local history buffs will be fascinated with writer (and Prime Columnist) Alan Wallace’s multi-part series on the Creek Indian Wars. This month, Prelude to War (p. 14) offers details of historic events, many occurring near Montgomery, that brought the ‘Red Stick’ Creeks to the precipice of war with the area’s early white settlers prior to Alabama’s statehood.

Long-time Prime contributor Andrea Gross takes us down to the Caribbean for Puerto Rico: Beyond the Beaches (p. 26). Tempting the taste buds with every new paragraph, Andrea goes beyond the tourist-frequented sands to feature native Puerto Rican dishes and drinks (including coffee, of course) relished by the locals.

And just in time for Halloween, Prime welcomes a new columnist who’ll focus on the art of Creative Crafting (p. 24). Also the magazine’s Art Director, Callie Corley extends her involvement, now sharing her enthusiasm and talent for hand-made decor and artistic designs. Callie’s columns promise to offer innovation and enjoyment, with topical and fun ideas suited to both experienced crafters and aspiring newbies alike. Crafts for the holidays? I’m there.

Happy October!

Sandra Polizos Editor 4

October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

Montgomery

October 2012,Volume 3, Issue 7 PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Willie Moseley, Alan Wallace CONTRIBUTORS Joe Borg, Ethel Boykin, Tina Calligas, Callie Corley, Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Andrea Gross, Mirabai Holland, Kylle’ McKinney, Arlene Morris, Carron Morrow, Alan Wallace PHOTOGRAPHERS Bob Corley, Irv Green SALES Bob Corley, 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@gmail.com Karen Day, 334-202-0727 kkday42@gmail.com Leigh Anne Potts, 334-220-8523 primemontgomery.advertise@gmail.com Prime Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Road, #144 Montgomery, AL 36116 • 334-202-0114 www.primemontgomery.com ISSN 2152-9035 Prime Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2012 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contributing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/ Corley Group, LLC. Prime Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Prime Montgomery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals.

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

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

news you can use Iced Tea May Contribute to Kidney Stones A Loyola University Medical Center urologist is warning that iced tea can contribute to kidney stones. Iced tea contains high concentrations of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that lead to the formation of kidney stones, a common disorder of the urinary tract that affects about 10% of the U.S. population.

Researchers noted that for people who have a tendency to form the most common type of kidney stones, iced tea is one of the worst things to drink. The most common cause of kidney stones is not drinking enough fluids. And during hot weather, people can become dehydrated from sweating.

Dehydration, combined with increased iced tea consumption, raises the risk of kidney stones, especially in people already at risk. People are told that in the summertime they should drink more fluids. A lot of people choose to drink iced tea, because it is low in calories and tastes better than water. About 85% of tea consumed in the United States is iced, according to the Tea Association of the USA. Breast Cancer Patients May Benefit From Radiation After Lumpectomy For the majority of older, earlystage breast cancer patients, radiation therapy following breast conserving surgery may help prevent the need for a later mastectomy, according to research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The findings, published in the journal Cancer, are contrary to current national treatment guidelines, which recommend that older women with early stage, estrogen-positive disease be treated with lumpectomy followed by estrogen blocker therapy alone -- and forgo radiation therapy post-surgery.

Within 10 years of their treatment, 6.3% of the women who did not receive radiation therapy had a mastectomy, likely because of a breast cancer recurrence, compared to 3.2% who had the additional treatment. In patients with high-grade tumors, regardless of other factors such as age and/ or tumor characteristics, radiation seemed to be highly beneficial.

Mom Was Right: Eat Your Breakfast Skipping breakfast could raise your risk of contracting Type 2 diabetes, according to a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Researchers studied the eating habits of 29,000 men over the course of 16 years.

The study concluded that the men who consistently skipped breakfast had a 21% higher chance of developing diabetes than those who ate breakfast. The study didn’t indicate why eating breakfast lowers the risk for Type 2 diabetes, however, other studies have suggested that eating a morning meal stabilizes blood sugar throughout the day.

Additionally, skipping breakfast can lead to unhealthy habits all day long.

According to a panel discussion during a symposium at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) 2012 Annual Meeting & Food Expo, compared to breakfast-eaters, breakfast-skippers tend to weigh more and have other unhealthy habits. Studies have found that breakfast-skippers consume 40% more sweets, 55% more soft drinks, 45% fewer vegetables and 30% less fruit than people who eat breakfast.

“Men who consistently skipped breakfast had a 21% higher chance of developing diabetes...”

www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

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news you can use Diabetes Drug Could Treat Alzheimer’s A drug designed for diabetes sufferers could have the potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, a study by scientists at the University of Ulster has revealed. Type II diabetes is a known risk factor for Alzheimer's and it is thought that impaired insulin signaling in the brain could damage nerve cells and contribute to the disease.

Scientists believe that drugs designed to tackle Type II diabetes could also have benefits for keeping our brain cells healthy.

"This research will help us understand the factors that keep nerve cells healthy,” said Dr Simon Ridley, Head of Research at Alzheimer's Research UK, “knowledge that could hold vital clues to tackling Alzheimer's.”

The new findings, published in September in the journal Brain Research, are part of ongoing research funded by Alzheimer's Research UK, the leading dementia research charity.

Lower Vitamin D Could Increase Risk of Dying, for Frail, Older Adults A new study concludes that among older adults – especially those who are frail – low levels of vitamin D can mean a much greater risk of death. The randomized, nationally representative study found that older adults with low vitamin D levels had a 30% greater risk of death than people who had higher levels.

Overall, people who were frail had more than double the risk of death than those who were not frail. Frail adults with low levels of vitamin D tripled their risk of death over people who were not frail and who had higher levels of vitamin D. The study was published online in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Frailty is when a person experiences a decrease in physical functioning characterized by at least three of the following five criteria: muscle weakness, slow walking, exhaustion, low physical activity, and unintentional weight loss. People are considered “prefrail” when they have one or two of the five criteria.

Obesity, Metabolic Factors Linked to Faster Cognitive Decline People who are obese and also have high blood pressure and other risk factors called metabolic abnormalities may experience a faster decline in their cognitive skills over time than others, according to a study published in Neurology®.

Metabolic abnormality was defined as having two or more of the following risk factors: high blood pressure or taking medication for it; low HDL or “good” cholesterol; high blood sugar or taking diabetes medication; and high triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood) or taking medication to lower cholesterol.

Over the 10 years of the study, people who were both obese and metabolically abnormal experienced a 22.5% faster decline on their cognitive test scores than those who were of normal weight without metabolic abnormalities.

Magnetic Stimulation of Brain May Aid Stroke Recovery Imagine waking up and being unable to see or recognize anything on the left side of your body. This condition, called hemispatial neglect, is common after a stroke that occurs on the right side of the brain.

The current treatment of attention and concentration training using computer and pencil-and-paper tasks is inadequate. A study published in the online issue of Neurology®, shows that magnetic stimulation of the nerve cells in the brain may speed up the recovery from this condition.

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October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

yard ‘n garden

Beautiful Dynamite A

teacher once told me, regarding short people, that size is not always important; remember, dynamite comes in a small package.

This comment came to mind the first time I saw a magnificent Japanese Maple, and I cannot think of a better way to describe this tree. Known for its small size, Japanese Maples can be planted on any size property because their beauty Ethel Dozier Boykin is dynamite!

One variety, acer palmatum var. atropurpureum, has a palmate leaf, shaped like an open hand. Another, acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Atropurpureum’, has a much more finely shaped leaf, much like lace.

Most people think Japanese maples are expensive, and, compared to an oak tree the same size, they are. But you can buy one for as little as $30, or you can pay thousands. Price depends on size and type, and there’s a plant to fit every need in landscaping, from extremely dwarf with tiny leaves to large upright types with large leaves. Some are planted in

containers used in Bonsai.

At maturity, Japanese maples are from three to 40 feet, with a shape that’s either upright, spreading or mounding. Once you determine the right size for your garden, decide if the tree will be in sun or shade. Dwarf cultivars work well in containers, with light requirements from partial shade to full sun, although some foliage may tip-burn under extreme heat.

This past summer I saw many with tip-burn.The lace leaf foliage trees are delicate and will not grow well in full sun.

If you want outstanding fall color, there are trees noted for that characteristic.

Some trees are popular for their dramatic foliage and or bark, including ‘Bloodgood,’ favored for its red foliage, and ‘Sango kaku,’ valued for its red stems.You can find your favorite Japanese maple the old fashion way, in a book. Japanese Maples by J. D.Vertrees is a reference most of us maple-lovers use. The new way is searching the internet.

If you want to see what mature trees look like, visit Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens. There are, however, Japanese maple growers within ten minutes of Montgomery. And speaking of botanical gardens, rumors are floating around that a seed has been planted for one here in Montgomery.

Some people complain about a Japanese maple’s slow rate of growth; they say they want to see it large before they die.

Yes, they are not a mimosa, but they’re also not as slow as Christmas to a waiting child.

When I planted a three gallon, ‘Murasaki Kiyohime’ by my pond seven years ago, its limbs spread out 20 inches. Today it’s eight feet across and 32 inches high, having grown about a foot a year in width. At maturity this dwarf will be about six feet tall. After this experience, I buy my maples small enough so I can plant them and watch them grow.

I grafted a maple in school and had it in a one-gallon container for years, shifting it as I kept moving, taking it with me in a bucket. I planted it, moved at the worst time of year to uproot a tree, dug it up and replanted it. Why this tree survived is a mystery, but it does prove they’re tough.

With football season in full swing you may have heard about a former football coach who lives up the road and grows Japanese Maples. No matter the outcome of any particular game, surrounded by Japanese maples, his fall is always a winner!

So for a little dynamite in your life, buy a Japanese Maple, and enjoy watching it grow.

Ethel Dozier Boykin, a Montgomery native, owns Art in the Garden, a landscape design and consulting company in the Capital City.

Contact her at 334-395-5949, or by email at etheldozierboykin@ yahoo.com.

www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

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feature

“Grand”

Parenting

on the Road Part two of a three-part series

T

aking a trip with your grandchildren or sharing your love of a favorite place will help you create special memories together. Whether it’s a day trip to a national park, a weekend in a nearby city, or a week-long resort vacation, such trips will be remembered by the child as a special journey with grandma or grandpa.

One of the great advantages of traveling with your grandchild is the opportunity for both of you to be away from home.

Being on the road means being free of chores, errands, the computer - any familiar routine - and opens up all kinds of possibilities for the unexpected. The chance to read a train or bus schedule, ride a ferry, stay in a motel, eat out, or have a picnic offers opportunities to discover new parts of the world, of yourself, and of your grandchildren.

Involve your grandchild in planning the trip, as well as his or her parents to be sure they're comfortable with the plans. Then hit the road!

After you’ve traveled, an album of your experiences together can be an ongoing delight for everyone in the family.

A large percentage of grandparents live more than 200 miles from their grandchildren. Children's lives can change very quickly, so long-distance grandparents 8

October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

sometimes struggle to keep up with the day-to-day details of their grandkids’ lives.

Often, it just requires special efforts to communicate with your grandchild and establish the foundation for a strong longterm relationship.

When your grandchild is a baby, toddler, or very young child, engage the parents to keep up to date on your grandchild’s progress, his or her current interests, and the type of reading or viewing material that might be appropriate.

When the child is old enough to interact, whether on the phone, via e-mail, or through regular mail, start engaging the child directly.

For the computer-savvy, the Internet can add a whole new dimension to longdistance grandparenting.

E-mail, instant messaging, and video conferencing can help shrink the miles and keep you in touch with your grandchildren.

Use the available technology to engage your grandchild in creative activities rather than simply asking, “How’s school?” For example, you can play online games with your grandchild, start an online book club or fantasy sports league with them, or share videos of you or your grandkids enjoying a favorite hobby.

Try exchanging jokes or favorite family recipes via e-mail, or have them scan or fax report cards or pictures they’ve drawn. As well as the Internet, there are ways to help long-distance grandparenting: n Discount long-distance phone plans or inexpensive phone cards (even international ones) make it possible to say in

Tips for traveling with grandchildren Don’t take all the grandkids at once. Most grandparents do best handling one grandchild each. If you are part of a couple, that means taking two grandchildren. If you’re a single grandparent, maybe take each grandchild out separately or ask a friend to help you. n Look for a destination n

with built-in babysitting. If you think you might need a break from looking after your grandkids, pick a hotel or resort with babysitting facilities or group activities for kids. n Consult the specialists.

If you’re unsure how best to plan a trip with your grandchildren, there are a number of specialist organizations

that offer packages and tours designed for grandparents and grandchildren. n Brainstorm day-trip ideas.

Even when traveling away from home, you’ll need to come up with ideas to keep kids occupied. Most children love visiting aquariums, science museums, water parks, theme parks, and special holiday events. www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

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touch regardless of the distance.

Try calling at a regular time when your grandchild is not rushed and has time to talk.

When talking to your grandchildren, make notes about their interests, books they've been reading, their doll's name—anything you can repeat in the next conversation so they know you've been listening. n Snail mail. Even before a child can read, he or she will be able to recognize their name on an envelope, and will love the feeling of importance implied by receiving mail. n Audio or video recordings. You can record yourself reading a few of your

The

Concert I • Monday, October 8 • 7:30pm Concert II • Monday, November 19 • 7:30pm Concert III • Monday, December 17 • 7:30pm Concert IV • Monday, February 18 • 7:30pm Concert V • Monday, April 29 • 7:30pm montgomerysymphony.org / 240-4004 10

October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

favorite children's books and send the recording along with the books, or make a tape of songs you would sing if you were together. n Family scrapbooks. Kids love to hear stories about their family. If you can’t be with them to recount family stories first hand, try writing them down. Add photos or create a scrapbook (online or off). Encourage your grandkids to add their own memories and photos.

All of these small things communicate your interest and love. Whenever possible, though, try to be present for the most important events in your grandchild’s life, such as graduations, recitals, holidays, or whatever events are important to your family.

In November’s Grandparenting Part 3, we’ll look at step-grandparenting as well as full time grandparenting.

Helpguide.org©. Used by permission.

Lawrence Robinson and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. contributed to this article.

Conductor’s Season Montgomery Symphony Orchestra

in every life

Breast Cancer

H

ow important is your health or the health of a loved one? Do your actions reflect the importance you place on good health?

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, following non-melanoma skin Arlene Morris cancers. It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among women (Centers for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/). However, both men and women can develop cancers of the breast.

Each October breast cancer awareness reminders prompt our thinking about this deadly disease, a disease that can likely be managed if discovered in its early stages.

The risk of getting breast cancer increases as a person ages and is increased in those with a family history of breast cancer, use of hormone therapy, obesity, smoking, non-childbearing or non-breast-feeding women.

Breast cancer screening refers to checking a woman’s breasts for cancer before signs or symptoms are present.

Awareness

Mammograms (x-rays of the breast tissue) are the best way to detect breast cancer early before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms and thus easier to treat. Regular mammogram screening can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer and is recommended every one or two years, depending on individual history.

Although self-breast exam may determine lumps, many conditions can cause lumps in the breast, including cancer. The two most common causes of breast lumps are fibrocystic breast disease and cysts.

Fibrocystic disease leads to noncancerous changes in the breast that can make them lumpy, tender, or sore. Cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the breast, which may be associated with fibrocystic disease or simply be fluidfilled cysts. A mammogram helps to differentiate the underlying cause of the lump.

If you have not had a recent mammogram, your insurance may cover this, or you may be eligible for assistance in screening costs through the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Arlene H. Morris is Professor of Nursing at Auburn Montgomery’s School of Nursing. She can be reached at amorris@aum.edu.

, RISTORANTE Italian & Greek Cuisine

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

Smart Phone Menu View

www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

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a gracious plenty

Wrap ‘n Cook Pork Chop W

e lead such busy lives now that school has started that sometimes a recipe comes along that just makes life simple at dinner time.

When I was in Girl Scouts, too many years ago to remember the date, to get our Campfire Badge we had to learn to build Carron Morrow a fire and prepare a meal that could be eaten easily at the camp site.

I remembered this with joy recently when my mother prepared a dish for our family.

Everybody was very busy that day. This dish was so easy to prepare and place in the oven on a baking sheet. Then, when dinner time came and the foil was unwrapped, the delicious smell permeated the house.

This quick, simple, delicious meal can also be prepared using beef, chicken or Cornish hens.

Use a meat thermometer to insure meat is fully cooked.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

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October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

WRAP ‘N COO K PORK CHOP Ingredients (individu S al meal): n two pieces of heavy duty alum inum foil (must cover the pork ch op and veggies stac ked vertically) n one large pork chop n half a larg e baking potato w ith skin n thick slice of yellow onion n slices of gr een bell pepper n carrots, qu artered n salt and pe pper to taste Preparation: n preheat ov en to 350 degrees n lightly flo ur the pork chop and sear in olive or vegetable oil n layer the pork chop and vege tables on aluminum foil and seal tightly so no juices can es cape n bake 45 m inutes n remove fr om oven and care fully unseal the foil pouch (be careful of the steam!)

moving free with mirabai

Walking from the Core I

’ve been shooting some walking sequences in the Colorado Rockies these past couple of weeks and it’s been spectacular. We planned it just right. The aspens are turnPatsy Smith ing gold, and that clean crisp flavor of Fall is in the air.

It’s a perfect time to walk, and walking is about as perfect a human exercise as we’ve got. It’s a great combination, Fall and walking: not too hot, not too cold, lots to look at. And, doctors always want us to walk when they tell us to get some exercise. I wonder if they walk themselves. So your doctor should be very pleased when you call and say “I’m starting a walking program, what do you think”?

Do check with your doctor to make sure you don’t have any issues that will keep you from brisk walking, and then if all’s good, get to it.

Besides getting a great cardiovascular workout you’ll strengthen and sculpt your legs and butt. If you swing your arms you’ll get some shoulder action, too; all this while leaf peeping, or people watching if you’re in the city, and enjoying the fall air.

There’s been plenty of buzz lately about core exercise and how a strong core - abs, back, butt, upper thigh

muscles - can keep you mobile into old age.

There’s a lot of truth to that. The core muscles hold your torso erect and promote good posture and general body strength.

If you do it right, walking can strengthen your core and improve the way you walk at the same time. A weak core makes you slouch, and walking slouched messes up your gait and can even give you back injuries.

Start by standing tall with your head over your shoulders, shoulders over your hips, hips over the feet, abs pulled in. If you’re not used to it, it’ll feel like work at first.

But, try keeping that posture while you walk, even for 5 minutes at a time. It will become more and more comfortable.

You’ll start to realize it’s the natural way for humans to stand and walk.

Your gait will improve, your core will get stronger, you’ll be less fatigued and enjoy your walks more. And won’t you look cool and snappy out there with that perfect gait.

I’ve got another week of walking in the Rockies for a living and I’m

enjoying every minute of it; being out in the open air, checking out the fall color and looking cool and snappy.

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

www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

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Prelude feature

TO WAR

By Alan Wallace

Spanish control. The adjacent states of Georgia When a large group of foreigners moves and Tennessee each had populations in excess of into a long-established society, bringing a new 250,000. Along with the Carolinas and Virginia, language, different styles of dress, and behavior these states were home to thousands of citizens that falls outside local customs and sensibilities, it can be a recipe for disaster. History has shown anxious to establish their own farmsteads in the primal forests and meadows of our future state. the result is often not merely social tension, Most of the land had been held for genbut outright warfare. Two hundred years ago erations by the Muscogees, better the land area that would become Alabama known as Creeks. They had occupied the eastern edge of the surrendered some territory in Mississippi Territory, and was previous treaty negotiations, on the verge of one of the and while the U.S. governbloodiest periods in its history. ment recognized their rights, some of its citizens did not.

The territory Many Creeks were resentful was thinly popuof additional incursions and lated by native peoples, pressures to give up even pioneer settlers, and African slaves. more land.

Following the Louisiana Inhabitants in the Purchase in 1803, the region numbered fewer than 30,000, Creeks allowed a postal road to be cut concentrated in a through their terfew dozen Indian towns and villages ritory, establishing a direct overland route plus some American settlements north of connecting the eastern states to New Orleans.

Mobile. The 100-yearBy 1811 Creek leaders old town of Mobile, and all had been forced to accept a the coastal panhandle, was under “No tribe has the right to sell, even to each other, much less to strangers.... sell a country!�Tecumseh 14

October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Present day Alabama comprised about half of the Mississippi Territory.

River and its tributaries, generally remained friendly widening of this path into what became known as the toward the Americans.

“Federal Road,” a route now used by modern highways across south Alabama.

As 1812 dawned, Benjamin Hawkins, the U.S. government’s representative to That same year, Shawnee leader Tecumseh travelled from north of the the Creeks and other southern tribes, felt tensions among the Creek facOhio River in hopes of forming a coalitions might lead to civil war. Hawkins tion with southern tribes to oppose white expansion, resist non-traditional encouraged the U.S. to steer clear of direct involvement or risk widening the customs, and return to native religious practices. The Shawnee had sought assisconflict, but a steady stream of settlers through the Creek Nation along the tance from the British in Canada against Federal Road heightened the possibility American pressures on their own territory. During his southern visit Tecumseh of armed action.

“Between October 1811 and March made a famous appeal to the Creeks at of the next year, 233 vehicles and 3,716 a council meeting in Tuckabatchee, near people had passed his Indian agency on the site of modern-day Tallassee.

Benjamin Hawkins the Flint River [in Georgia], heading west.” 1 Tecumseh’s mission had little success except among the “Upper Creeks,” those living on the Alabama River In March, 1812, near present day Pintlala south and its tributaries, who became known as “Red Sticks.” of Montgomery, revolutionary war veteran Thomas The “Lower Creeks,” residing on the Chattahoochee Meredith, Sr., was killed by Creeks. At Hawkins’ urging, www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

15

Some south Alabama highways follow the old Federal Road.

Creek leaders captured and executed those responsible for the murder. In May, seven settlers were killed by Creeks in western Tennessee and a female captive spirited away to Alabama. That same month a prominent Georgian traveling west along the Federal Road was killed by Creeks at Warrior Stand, in what is now Macon County.

To avenge these killings Hawkins urged the Creek National Council to take the lead, rather than relying on the traditional clans within the Creek nation to dispense justice as had been done in the past. The National Council directed the capture and execution of the guilty parties, a sharp departure from long-established Creek customs. Adding to the other disruptive social and economic changes prompted by white influence, this incident may have been the final wedge that divided the Creek people into the hostile Red Sticks and those who wished to accommodate the settlers.

After a U.S. declaration of war against Great Britain in June, 1812, there were more executions of Creeks for attacks against whites, and some farmsteads were converted into stockades in anticipation of increased hostilities. U.S. forces had already seized control of Mobile from the Spanish, who moved their garrison to Pensacola. As tensions simmered, likely opponents mostly avoided each other, each side seeking alliances to strengthen their forces in preparations for the open warfare that seemed inevitable.

(Next month: War...)

1 Henry deLeon Southerland and Jerry Elijah Brown, The Federal Road through Georgia, the Creek Nation, and Alabama, 1806–1836 (Tuscaloosa, 1989), 39

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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Oct. 6–20 A Christmas Carol Nov. 23–Dec. 23 Macbeth Jan. 25–Feb. 9; May 10 & 18 Ethel Feb. 8–March 3

To Kill a Mockingbird March 8–24; May 12–18 Twelfth Night March 28–30; April 23 & 30; May 9 Around the World in 80 Days April 19–May 19 God of Carnage April 18–May 19 Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash July 11–Aug. 4

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October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

financial

Social Security:

Don’t be Fooled!

W

hen you go on a road trip, you need to follow the signs to arrive at the right place. Going online can be very much the same. Look for the “.gov” at the Kylle McKinney end of the web address — if it isn’t .gov, it isn’t the real Social Security website — www.socialsecurity.gov.

Each year countless consumers nationwide are victimized by misleading advertisers who use "Social Security" or "Medicare" to entice the public to use their services. In many cases, these companies offer Social Security services for a fee, even though the same services are available directly from Social Security, free of charge. These services include: n updating a Social Security card to

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show a bride's married name; replacing a Social Security card; and n getting a Social Security number for a child.

These for-profit businesses cleverly design their websites so when people use Internet search engines, their advertisement pops up. They may even make their advertisement look similar to the real Social Security website. Some of these sites, at first glance, appear to be affiliated with Social Security. But upon closer examination, these are for-profit companies charging individuals for a service that is provided free by Social Security.

For instance, a quick Google search on “replacing a Social Security card” brings up paid advertisements for websites that charge a fee just to get an application for a new card. That service is absolutely free from Social Security.

The law that deals specifically with misleading Social Security and Medicare n

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advertising prohibits people or nongovernment organizations, like for-profit businesses, from using words or emblems that mislead others. Their advertising cannot lead people to believe that they represent or are somehow affiliated with or endorsed or approved

by Social Security or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare). But that doesn’t stop advertisers from trying.

For more information, read What You Need to Know about Misleading Advertising at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10005.html.

Don’t be tricked into paying a fee for a service that’s free. When you go to www.socialsecurity.gov, look for the “.gov” sign. If it isn’t .gov, it isn’t Social Security.

Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866593-0914, ext. 26265, or by e-mail at kylle. mckinney@ssa.gov.

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October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

feature

The Montgomery Theatre John Wilkes Booth, “Dixie”, Civil Rights & a Modern Reconstruction

By Willie Moseley Photos by Payne Lee Architects, and Bob Corley

B

y the beginning of the 1960s, downtown as local entertainment during its existence of less Montgomery was in a downward spiral regard- than a half-century. ing retail business. Suburban shopping centers Commissioned by railroad magnate Charles Pollard such as Normandale and Eastbrook were inexoraand designed by architect Daniel Cram, the Montbly siphoning off customers to closer and gomery Theatre was completed more-modern stores… in 1860, having been built in and those new shopa modified “Italianate” style, ping centers also offered which was popular in the U.S. in gigantic parking lots. the 19th Century (Cram’s resiNevertheless, some dence, the Lakin House, was downtown stores, paralso an Italianate design, and is ticularly clothiers, would located in Old Town Alabama press on. Such deterin downtown Montgomery). mined—or stubborn—reExemplary of the style were tailers included Webber’s, the ornate window frames, located at the corner of which had decorations in the North Perry Street and top center that appeared to Monroe Street, across be carved, but were cast iron. from City Hall.

The Perry Street side had And one might wonder not only the entrance to the if young Baby Boomers theatre, but several ground whose parents still took floor shops including a post them downtown to shop office and a bar. for clothes might have The theatre itself was glanced upwards when they accessed by walking up a were standing outside of grand staircase to a peWebber’s, noting that the rimeter walkway to access building housing the cloththe appropriate level—the ing store was actually three orchestra level could be stories, and that the top two reached by a few downtre ea Th stories were built of brick ward steps, while another on the Montgomer y One of Booth’s roles ic ruler ot sp de in a definitive and attractive staircase led to upper a , III d ar ch are’s Ri stage was Shakespe d. re de architectural style (Webber’s levels. ur m d an wn er thro who is eventually ov was framed in aluminum sidTwo balconies were ing). originally built, and were comprised of Moreover, those Boomers—through the balance of a complete horseshoe known as the Dress Circle, their lives—may not have been aware that the buildand a tiny second balcony that had two segregated ing once housed the Montgomery Theatre, which was sections—one for blacks, and one for prostitutes a focal point for numerous historical events as well from nearby brothels. Later, the seating capacity was

www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

19

The neglected interior (left) - crumbling plaster, exposed wiring and brick, rusting metal - offers the visitor few hints of the former glory of this once proud structure. An architectural rendering (right), depicting a restaurant interior, provides a glimpse of what may be in store when the building undergoes its 21st century transformation. (Images courtesy Payne Lee Architects, Montgomery.)

increased when the second balcony also became a complete horseshoe.

The ceiling of the theatre was very ornate, featuring 75foot beam spans and a chandelier. The stage was originally lit by kerosene lamps with reflectors. Later, gas lighting, then electrical lighting would be added to the facility.

A basement housed theatrical props and supplies.

The storm clouds of secession and war were gathering when the Montgomery Theatre opened in the fall of 1860, and some of its most historical events occurred during the first year of its existence.

John Wilkes Booth, a member of one of America’s most celebrated acting families, was slated to perform at the grand opening, but was unable to do so, according to Col. Bob Bonn. Bonn, along with fellow Montgomery historian Mary Ann Neeley, has written extensively about the Mont20

October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

gomery Theatre.

“He was invited and booked for the theater’s first opening, but had wounded himself in Columbus, Georgia, at his prior engagement,” said Bonn. “He was on a theatrical tour of the South, and witnessed all the excitement of secession rallies in Montgomery. His injury involved a pistol or a knife, and probably lots of alcohol and carousing with a friend.

The accounts are vaguely worded; in any event, he was in no physical shape to perform any action plays by Shakespeare.”

But Booth did follow through with his Montgomery obligation some days later, performing there several times through early November.

“He did excerpts from Richard III, Hamlet, and Julius Caesar, and two period pieces on that first night,” said Neeley.

“He was traveling under the name of John Wilkes, because he didn’t want to depend entirely on his family’s name; he

wanted to make it on his own.”

Another historic occasion in the early months of the theater was a performance by Bryant’s Minstrels, a northern entertainment troupe led by Dan Emmett. One tune the group performed, “Dixie’s Land,” had been written by Emmett in Ohio in 1859. The upbeat song impressed Herman Arnold, the leader of the Montgomery Brass Band, who conversed with Emmett, and wrote the music and lyrics in charcoal on a backstage wall, later transcribing them for his own band.

The song would become known as “Dixie,” and be played during the celebration of the inauguration of Jefferson Davis, elected President of the Confederate States of America following the secession.

Secession also figured into the early days of the Montgomery Theatre, as orators such as William Lowndes Yancey and future C.S.A. Vice-President Alexander Stephens took to the stage in front of huge crowds to advocate separation from the United States.

During the Civil War, traveling actors and musicians did not perform at the theater, but local entertainers utilized the venue, which was ultimately closed.

Pollard re-opened the theater in September of 1865, but it witnessed some hostile confrontations between occupying Union troops and local citizens.

In 1875, the Montgomery Theatre was the scene of what may have been the first attempt at desegregation in the Deep South, preceding the action of Rose Parks onboard a city bus by eight decades.

The Civil Rights Law of 1875 had mandated desegregation of public facilities. It would be disallowed by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1883, but the year the law was passed, several prominent blacks tried to integrate the “Dress Circle”. Though historically significant, the confrontation was ultimately unsuccessful.

The Montgomery Theatre would succumb to entertainment trends in the early 20th Century, closing in 1907.

“Vaudeville killed it when a large theatre was built across from where the Davis Theatre is presently located,” said

Ornate, cast iron centerpieces crown the exterior windows.

Bonn.

The building ultimately became a department store, with the upper stories used for storage. Some images still remain on the walls where structural elements of the theater’s interior were installed, as do scraps of wallpaper in certain areas.

But the building at the corner of North Perry and Monroe may ultimately become a part of the present-day renaissance of downtown Montgomery. It is owned by the Riverfront Development Authority, but a purchase agreement for its sale to an architectural and construction company is pending as of this writing. The renovated interior will house apartments, office space, and food venues, and tenants are already being lined up.

“It’s still ‘hanging in the wind’ a bit,” said Neeley, “but everybody’s very upbeat about it.”

Bonn also advocated the preservation of the building.

“The Montgomery Theatre has a grand history,” Bonn said.

“It saw much in its forty-seven year operational history. The fact that it has survived at all is a miracle!” www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012 21

ELDER FRAUD

Choosing a Financial Professional

W

hether you’re a seasoned investor or a novice, you could benefit by working with a professional financial planner or investment adviser whose specialties fit your particular situation.

However, selecting the Joseph P. Borg right professional knowledgeable about the specific issues affecting you, who is affordable, trustworthy and who can successfully counsel you on building a secure financial future, demands you do your homework before handing over your hard-earned money.

Before committing to a working relationship with any financial professional, contact the Alabama Securities Commission (ASC) to determine the individual’s professional credentials, areas of specialization, education, previous investment experience, enforcement history and, especially, to verify that they are licensed and registered with the ASC to conduct securities business in Alabama.

Only want to buy or sell stocks? A Registered Representative may be the way to go. Representatives work for financial firms, called broker-dealers, and must pass basic broker exams and meet minimum standards of personal conduct to be able to sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investments to the general public, offered by

the firms they work for.

Do your financial needs require more planning and oversight? A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) may be the answer. CFPs must pass more rigorous training covering principles of finance, insurance, investments, taxes, and estate and retirement planning and must also meet exacting education, ethics and experience requirements in order to gain certification.

Many CFPs specialize in serving a particular group of clients, such as retirees, small business owners and military personnel. CFPs may also be CPAs, Registered Investment Advisers and Registered Representatives.

A Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) actually manages or invests money on behalf of their clients and, depending on the amount of assets they have under management, must be registered either with the ASC or with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Those authorities enforce RIA rules concerning disclosures, ethics, privacy, trading and record-keeping. These professionals act with the investor’s consent to decide how their investments are managed and to trade without the investor’s prior authorization. RIAs may charge based on assets under management, set fee schedules or some combination. There are also fee-only investment advisers who only give advice and charge only for their time.

Similar to CFPs are Chartered Financial Consultants (ChFC). These financial professionals typically have more extensive training in insurance and estate planning issues and may also be CFPs or Registered Representatives.

Certifies Public Accountants (CPA) are generally known for providing tax services to business owners and individual clients with more complicated financial circumstances and may also offer personal financial planning services. A number of CPAs also may hold an Investment Adviser Representative license from the ASC or the SEC. Historically, the vast majority of those prosecuted for white-collar financial crimes in Alabama are not registered with the ASC or the SEC as required by state and federal law.

Once you have decided what kind of financial service you will need to help protect and grow your nest egg, your first step should be to check with the ASC before agreeing to let anyone, whether state or federally-registered, handle your money!

ASC will provide a free background check on anyone offering an investment opportunity or investment advice. Call 1-800-222-1253 or visit the ASC online at www.asc.alabama. gov to learn more.

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

Social Security Disability Law

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“Practicing Social Security Disability Law for seventeen years.”

Call toto schedule schedule Call FREE aa FREE Consultation.

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The Strickland Building • 4252 Carmichael Rd. Suite 113 • Montgomery, AL 36106 334-272-6425 • 888-272-6465 (Toll Free) • E-mail brenda@brendavann.com No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

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October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

off the beaten path

For the Love of Dove N

o opening day “An in the South is as celebrated as much as the first dove shoot of the season. It’s a sight to behold, and invitations to good shoots are coveted by old and young alike. With much regalia, pomp and circumstance, fields are plowed and planted, and great mounds of food are prepared for the pre- or post-hunt meal. These Niko Corley annual events come in varying degrees of pageantry, as low-key as sardines, cheese and crackers and cold beer, or as high-brow as white tablecloths, silver and fine wine. Some are held in pole barns, others under rented wedding tents, but accommodations are rarely an indication of the caliber of a hunt.

Regardless of the menu and surroundings, if the host has done their part, the shooting will be fast and furious. A great deal of work goes into an opening day dove hunt, and most hosts take seriously the task of providing their guests good food and good shooting. Whether for paying clients or family and friends, the work starts weeks, sometimes months, before the hunt. Fields are mowed, disced, sometimes burned or sprayed and then planted. They’re later scouted to determine bird flight patterns so hunters can be placed along flight routes and spaced out to keep the birds moving. Dove have a knack for finding holes in the lines and utilizing those as escape routes.

A good host will know the laws regarding planting dates and accepted agricultural practices and abide by them. The best hosts have fields pre-cleared by game wardens before the hunt takes place so huntReinVintage ers can rest assured they’re on a legal Boutique field. Dove being a migratory species, they are subject vintage apparel to both federal & accessories and state laws, and for every occasion — penalties for violaHalloween • costume parties tions can be severe. balls • weddings • plays Hunts where hunters are advised to “wear their tennis Eastbrook Flea Market shoes” in case the game warden shows & Antique Mall up may provide excellent shooting, 425 Coliseum Blvd. but the risk is not Montgomery, AL 36109 worth the reward.

334-799-0709 • nkynard@yahoo.com Most hosts will not

Kynard Korner’s

opening day dove shoot in the South is... part sport and part social event.” put guests in such a position, but when the game warden shows up, the burden is always on the individual hunter.

The opening day dove hunt is like the first football game of the season. Excitement is at its peak, and like any good tailgate, fans will be dressed for the occasion, some donning camouflage head to toe and others in duds from the finest outdoor retailers. Shotgun choice also runs the gamut, but on the dove field, autoloaders - with their third-shot capability - rule the day. Dove, while not a particularly hardy bird, are extremely agile and can shame even the best wingshot. That third shot often comes in handy after the first two shells have only urged the bird to climb to the stratosphere.

No bird hunt is complete without good dog work. Breeds most often seen on the dove field are various reBella and birds. trievers and sometimes spaniels or other bird dogs, but dove-fetching Jack Russells are not unheard of, especially on opening day. Depending on the weather and a dog’s level of fitness, an opening day dove hunt can be dangerous due to overheating or dehydration.

Hosts who own hunting dogs will often make accommodations for canine companions in the form of a cool-down tank or water buckets under trees throughout the field.

Between hunters’ shooting skill and their dogs’ abilities, a dove shoot is usually full of competition, most of it friendly. It’s the first hunt of the year so hunters and dogs are always a bit rusty. After the hunt, excuses abound for missing this shot or a dog losing that bird. That’s part of the fun of the hunt.

An opening day dove shoot in the South is a sight to behold, part sport and part social event. It’s an annual milestone to remind us that hunting season is fast approaching. We do it for the love of dove, as they are quite tasty. But it’s also for the fellowship of family and friends, and the company of good dogs.

Niko Corley spends his free time hunting, fishing, boating and generally enjoying outdoor activities. He can be contacted at cootfootoutfitters@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @cootfootoutfitters. www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

23

The creative crafter

No Carve octOber H

alloween, in my opinion, kicks off the holiday season. From October until December it’s a celebration every month!

And no party is complete without the proper decorations. I can still remember the anticipation each fall as I eagerly waited to pick out a pumpkin to carve with my parents. From one year to the next, I would inevitably forget how gross Callie Corley the inside of a pumpkin actually feels, and how much of a mess carving makes.

To avoid that uncomfortable mess I’ve found some great, inexpensive pumpkin ideas that involve no carving what-soever, and you’ll still get compliments on your fabulous holiday decor. And one of the best things about these designs is they’re done on artificial pumpkins -- so they’ll keep until the season rolls around again next year!

Callie Corley began crafting when she was old enough to hold a pencil, squeeze a glue bottle, and use a pair of scissors. If you have craft ideas to share, send instructions and photos to primemagdesign@gmail.com.

Safari Pumpkin: Give your guests a taste of the savannah with these animal print pumpkins.

Materials: Tissue paper, Modge Podge, paint brush n Cut your tissue paper into squares. n Brush Modge Podge directly onto your pumpkin in sections. Just enough for a thin layer of glue. This way, you're not rushing to paper the whole pumpkin before it dries. n Depending on the thickness of your paper, you may need to do multiple layers. If so, wait until your first layer dries. If not, you could end up tearing the paper that’s still wet with glue. n Once your pumpkin is finished, brush a thin layer of Modge Podge over the entire thing to give it a little sheen.

Extra: I painted my stems black.You could also brush them with Modge Podge and dip them in glitter.

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October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

The Monogram: Paint your initials on pumpkins to welcome trick-or-treaters Halloween night.

Materials: Pencil, black paint and small paint brush n Choose a monogram design for your pumpkin. You can cut out computer-printed letters and trace them, or skip the printout and draw the monogram free-hand. Pencil marks are light, and you can erase any big mess ups. n Once you get the monogram drawn on the pumpkin, paint away. Remember — you can always wipe the paint off, so don’t be afraid to mess up!

Extra:You can mix glow-in-the dark paint into the black paint to make your monogram glow at night.

moneywise

Do You Still Need Life Insurance?

W

hile younger people typically need more life insurance than older individuals, the benefits of life insurance may never go away entirely, regardless of one’s age. So, do you still need life insurance?

The answer depends on your particular situation, including your goals and aspirations. Among the reasons Alan Wallace you might need life insurance are: 1. To pay for final expenses, including funeral costs, if you have not made advance arrangements; 2. To pay off debts that would otherwise be a burden to your surviving spouse or heirs; 3. To provide capital to protect your dependents’ standard of living, especially if your retirement accounts and other investments have suffered in recent years; 4. To replace assets that might be spent for your longterm care, whether at home or in a nursing facility; 5. To provide a larger legacy for your children, preferred charities, or other heirs; 6. To cover estate administration costs, including taxes, if your wealth is sizable and your financial situation is complex.

If one or more of these circumstances applies to you, there are two immediate follow-up questions to consider: 1. How much do I need to cover each goal that applies to me?

2. How long will I continue to have the need?

As an example for the first question, if you need $5,000 for final expenses, $20,000 to pay off debt, and $70,000 to assist your surviving spouse and provide a legacy, you have a total current need of $95,000.

For the second question, if you are still working and building your net worth, you may expect to accumulate enough future resources to reach a point in your life where life insurance is no longer necessary. If so, you only need coverage until you amass the extra resources.

On the other hand, if you are retired, or nearing retirement, and you are always likely to have a net worth shortfall that life insurance could cover, your need for coverage may continue until the day you die.

The answer to question 2 will either point you in the direction of term insurance, if you expect to accumulate enough to make insurance unnecessary, or some form of permanent coverage if you do not expect that to happen and you need insurance until your death.

With these two questions answered, you are ready to see how well your current coverage matches your needs.

You are likely to find one or more of the following: 1. Your insurance exceeds your need, suggesting that you reduce your current coverage. (Note: There are important considerations to be weighed before taking action, especially if you own permanent coverage.)

2. You do not have enough, suggesting that you investigate buying more.

3. What you have is not the proper type of coverage— you have term and need permanent insurance or vice versa—you need to decide how to get from where you are to where you ought to be.

Next month we will look at some of the considerations in deciding how to get from where you are to where you need to be with your life insurance coverage.

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

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

•Knee, hip, or back problems?

•Diabetes/neuropathy?

•Cardiovascular problems?

•Poor balance, weak muscles?

YES! YO U C A N !

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www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

25

feature

Puerto Rico:

Beyond the Beaches

I

By Andrea Gross Photos by Irv Green

t's Sunday afternoon, and I'm in the mountains of central Puerto Rico, munching barbecued pork under a tin roof.

"This reminds me of Sundays when I was a child," says our guide. "Except instead of eating in a lechonera [restaurant specializing in pork], we ate in my grandmother's kitchen."

She heaps some arroz on my plate. The rice is seasoned with sofrito [onions, garlic and peppers] and has a yellow color and nutty flavor from annatto seeds. It’s a plain, hearty meal, the kind the grandmothers of Puerto Rico have been serving for generations.

Puerto Rican meals are a unique blend of European, African and Latin American flavors. While the early inhabitants of the Island survived on corn, fruit and fish,

26

October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

their diet expanded when the Spaniards came in the early 1500s, bringing with them pigs and cattle as well as wheat, rice and olive oil. Later when the Africans arrived, people learned to combine these foods into exotic dishes, such as pasteles [meat, green banana and spices wrapped in plantain leaves] and mofongo [fried plantain stuffed with pork or seafood]. The grandmothers suddenly had more options.

I take second helpings of pork and arroz, all the while tapping my feet in rhythm with the high-energy salsa music that drifts in from outside. I feel as if I’m at a neighborhood party as children play in the street, adults gossip with friends and almost everybody over a certain age sips frosty piña coladas, the deceptively innocent drink that was dubbed the official beverage of Puerto Rico in 1978.

Like most visitors to the island, we had whiled away our first days in Puerto Rico strolling on the beach, wiggling our toes in the warm sand and taking occasional dips into the water. But we knew that Puerto Rico is more than the sun, rum and grand hotels that line the coast. It also has a vibrant culture in the interior, one that is most easily experienced through a relatively new series of “epicurean pilgrimages” or “themed trails.”

Therefore, thoroughly stuffed by our pig-feast on La Ruta del Lechón [The Trail of the Pig], which had taken us into the high country south of San Juan, we opt for a caffeinated high by going on La Ruta del Café. This brings us to Ciales, a small town in the mountains west of San Juan. Coffee has been produced in this area since the early 1700s.

Don Pello Maldonado, the third-generation coffee roaster at Café Don Pello, teaches us how to curl our hands around a cup of steaming brew, sniff deeply and sip slowly in order to detect subtle differences in aroma and taste. Then he tests our newfound knowledge by serving us cups of several top-ranked coffees.

Without prodding, each person on the tour chooses his or her favorite. The winner: Puerto Rico’s Alto

Roadside lechonaras (above) offer roast pork, which can take six or more hours to cook (below).

www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

27

Beaches and flowers compliment the architectural beauty of San Juan (above right). Pina Colatas, the national drink, are abundant and delicious (bottom right). At Café Don Pello (left) visitors can taste-test coffees, including the island’s own ‘super-premium’ brand.

Grande, one of only three coffees in the world to be designated as “super-premium.” It’s so rarefied that it’s been served in the Vatican for more than 200 years.

The next day we return to San Juan and, having become enamored of Puerto Rican flavors, start our day at the centuryold La Bombonera Restaurant. There we treat ourselves to some traditional mallorcas [a sugar-coated pastry, eaten plain, with butter or, more frequently, filled with a combination of meat, egg and cheese]. We accompany the pastries with acerola juice, which comes from a tropical berry known for being rich in vitamins. I trust the health benefits of acerola will compensate for the indulgences of mallorcas!

Afterwards we walk through the old parts of town, where the colors of the Caribbean overwhelm the senses. The buildings, painted in hues of turquoise, gold and salmon, have arched doors and handsome grillwork and are often adorned 28

October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

with bougainvillea. We pass the historic Fort El Morro and there, across the bay, is the Bacardi Rum Distillery.

While Ponce de Leon never found the fabled Fountain of Youth, he brought a fountain of rum to the Island, and that may have been equally appreciated. In the 600 years since he governed Puerto Rico, rum has become central to its economy.

Over the next few days we try rum with mint and lime [a mojito], with cola and lime [a Cuba libre] and with pineapple and coconut [a piña colada].

We even convince a bartender to make us a coquito, which is a creamy coconut-and-rum concoction that’s generally only served during Christmas and New Year’s.

But with its bright colors, good food, coffee and rum, every day in Puerto Rico is like a holiday. www.seepuertorico.com

health

Marci’s Medicare Answers October 2012 Dear Marci, I just signed up for Original Medicare and I need to get physical therapy. Does Medicare cover outpatient physical therapy?

— Nick Dear Nick, Yes, Medicare will help pay for outpatient physical therapy as long as the following requirements are met: n The service is medically necessary; n Your doctor/therapist sets up a plan of treatment; and n Your doctor periodically reviews the plan to see how long you’ll get therapy.

Generally, Medicare will only cover physical therapy if your condition can improve or if your condition will get worse without therapy.

You may be able to get physical therapy as an outpatient of a participating Medicare hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health agency, outpatient rehabilitation facility, or public health agency. Also, you may be able to get physical therapy from a privately practicing, Medicare-approved physical therapist in the therapist’s office or in your home.

Keep in mind that in 2012, Medicare will cover up to $1,880 for physical and speech therapy costs combined. After you pay the annual Medicare Part B deductible ($140 in 2012), Medicare will pay up to 80% of the approved amount for each service.You will be responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance. After the $1,880 limit has been reached, you will have to pay the full cost of any physical therapy you receive.

However, you may be able to get Medicare to cover additional physical therapy.

If you are approaching the $1,880 limit and need more therapy, your doctor can tell Medicare that it’s medically necessary for you to get more therapy. Remember, if Medicare denies the claim, you can always appeal.

Dear Marci, I am thinking about changing my drug coverage during the Fall Open Enrollment Period. What are some things I need to know before making any changes to my drug coverage?

— Constance Dear Constance, You can make changes to your health or drug coverage during Fall Open Enrollment, which spans from October 15 to December 7 of each year. During this time, you can make as many changes to your health or drug coverage as you’d like, and the last change you make will take effect January 1 of the following year. When you are choosing prescription drug plans, it might be helpful to ask the following questions: n Are my medications listed on the plan’s list of covered drugs (formulary)? n What are the premium, deductible and copay amounts I must pay under the plan? n Are my pharmacies in the plan’s preferred network so I pay the lowest amount? n Does the plan have any rules I need to follow in order to get my prescription drugs?

Keep in mind that if you have a Medicare private health plan that provides health and drug coverage (Medicare Advantage plan), switching drug plans will affect your health coverage.

However, if you have Original Medicare and a separate Part D plan that just covers drugs, you can switch Part D plans and keep your current health coverage.

You may also find it helpful to use Medicare’s PlanFinder tool, which can give you a comprehensive list of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, the drugs they cover, and their costs.You can access PlanFinder by calling Medicare at 800633-4227 or online at www.medicare.gov.

Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of Medicare information and assistance. Speak with a counselor at 800-333-4114, subscribe to Medicare Rights Center’s free educational e-newslette (dearmarci@medicarerights.org.). Learn more about Medicare services and how to change plans at www. medicareinteractive.org.

Bou Cou dancewear & whole lot more!

In The Courtyard 2101 Eastern Blvd. (behind Starbucks)

(334) 239-0655 www.boucou.net www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

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OCTOBER CALENDAR RECURRING EVENTS/MEETINGS

Exercise Class, Bible Study, Bingo.Various days, times, locales.

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

Jam Sessions: -- 1st. Sat. 9 am-Noon. AL River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All levels welcome. 334-578-8594. FREE -- 2nd & 4th Sat., 9 am-noon, Old Alabama Town, www.oldalabamatown.com. 334-240-4500. FREE -- 3rd Sat. (Mar.-Sept.), 9 am-noon. Perry Hill UMC. 334-272-3174. FREE “Not Just Art”. Tues. 10 am, Perry Hill United Methodist Church, www.perryhillumc. org, 334-272- 3174. FREE Docent lead tours. Sun., 1-2 pm. Mtgy Museum of Fine Arts. FREE Mtgy Amateur Radio Club, 3rd Mon., 7 pm. Mtgy. Chap.

American Red Cross, 5015 Woods Crossing Rd. For info. visit www.w4ap.org or e-mail w4ap@arrl.net.

Capital City Camera Club.

2nd Mon, 7 pm, Eastmont Baptist Church, 4505 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery. All skill levels.

Toning/cardio for Seniors.

Mon, Wed, Fri 9:15-10 am.

Gillespie Senior Center, 332 Doster Rd., Prattvile. Call 334-361-3779.

SUPPORT GROUPS/ ASSISTANCE

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

Gluten Intolerance -- 2nd Thurs., 6-7 pm, Taylor Rd. Baptist Church. For info., Ruth Givens, ruthgivens5@gmail.com, or http://gfmontgomery.blogspot.com.

Annual Holiday Market

Junior League of Montgomery

October 17-20, Cramton Bowl Multi-use Facility 1022 Madison Ave. • 120+ unique merchants from across the U.S. • holiday craft activities for children • gift wrapping booth • convenient parking • live entertainment • 72,000 sq. feet Two high school football games will be played during the Holiday Market. Shoppers can watch from the windowed wall inside the facility.

For info., 334-288-8816, or e-mail holidaymarket@jlmontgomery.org.

Since the Holiday Market began in 1988, $2.5 million has been donated to community organizations, including MANE, MACOA, Montgomery Aids Outreach, Brantwood Children’s Home, Clefworks, Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama, Montgomery Area Coalition for the Homeless and Mary Ellen’s Hearth.

Cancer -- Tues., 10-11 am, Mtgy Cancer Center. For info 334-279-6677.

Cancer -- The Wellness Foundation. Help with prescriptions, transportation, wigs, medical devices. For info. 334-273-2279, visit www.cancerwellnessfoundation.org. 4145 Carmichael Rd. Alzheimer’s/Dementia -- 1st Thurs., 11 am, Frazer Church. For info 334-272-8622.

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

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

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

October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

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

Disabled American Veterans -- Last Thurs., 5:30 pm. 906 Maxwell Blvd.Vets of all conflicts. For info. call 334294-1551.

Vietnam Veterans of America -- 1st. Mon., 6:30 pm. Crazy Buffet, Atlanta Hwy. Meals, transportation, outreach services and much more, Montgomery Area Council on Aging, 115 E. Jefferson St. For info. 334263-0532.

THEATRE/MUSIC/ DANCE/ART

Seeing Stars in Dixie, Wetumpka Depot Players. Starts Oct. 4, 300 S. Main St. in Historic Downtown Wetumpka.

For info. call 334-868-1440 Mtgy Museum of Fine Arts — Exhibit openings. Oct. 6, Psychedelic Mania: Stephen Rolfe Powell’s Dance with Glass, and Accumulations: The Art of Joelle Ford and Stephen T. Johnson. For info. 334-240-4369, or e-mail llewis@ mmfa.org.

The Pirates of Penzance — Faulkner Dinner Theatre. Begins Oct. 11. Dinner served 6:15-7 pm, show starts 7:30. For info.

334-386-7190. or e-mail boxoffice@faulkner.edu. $25 for dinner and show. Discount for military and groups of 30 or more. Reservations must be paid in advance.

Opus. Cloverdale Playhouse, 960 Cloverdale Rd., Mtgy. Opens Oct. 11. For tickets/info. call 334-262-1530, or e-mail info@ cloverdaleplayhouse.org.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. Cloverdale Playhouse, 960 Cloverdale Rd., Mtgy. Opens Oct. 26. For tickets/info. call 334262-1530, or e-mail info@cloverdaleplayhouse.org.

OCTOBER CALENDAR Dracula, A Ballet To Die For — Alabama Dance Theatre. Sat. Oct. 27, 7:30 pm, Sun. 28th, 2:30 pm. AL Shakespeare Festival.

Tickets $10-$25, on sale Oct. 8. Call ASF box office 800-8414273, on-line at asf.net. For info., 334-241-2590, or on-line at www.alabamadancetheatre.com.

FLEA MARKETS/FESTIVALS/ FUNDRAISERS/OTHER...

AL Tale Tellin’ Festival, Selma — Oct. 12, 13. With memorial tribute to Kathryn Tucker Windham.

Tai Chi Open House, Oct. 13, 10:30 am - noon. The Tai Chi Society invites you to enjoy a cup of cup of tea and a taste of tai chi, Tai Chi Center, 3666-A Debby Dr., LeCroy Village across from Mtgy Mall . Learn a few moves to experience relaxation and many health benefits. For info. call 334 832-1907 or visit t-a-o-i-s-t.org

Women of Hope Signature Luncheon — Oct. 4, 11:30 am. (doors open at 11). Wesley Hall, Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Meal by CarSpinners 31st Annual rabba’s Italian Grill, fashion show. Tickets $30. For info.

Pumpkin Patch Arts & Crafts Show 334-220-4599, or on-line at October 27 & 28 www.thewomenofhope.org, Spinners Park 390 W. Sixth St. Prattville or e-mail womenofhope@ Saturday 9 am - 5 pm charter.net.

Sunday 11 am - 5 pm

12th Annual Blue Jean Ball benefiting Auburn U. and AUM schools of nursing. Oct. 5, 5 pm. Hosted by Coach Pat Dye, Crooked Oaks Hunting Lodge, Notasulga.

Mule-drawn carriage rides, live music, dancing, silent and live auctions, seafood dinner.

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities contact Shelley Grider, 334-844-6753, or email gridesw@auburn.edu.

AL National Fair, Montgomery — Oct. 5–14. Midway rides, entertainment, commercial and informational booths, kids area, livestock competitions.

Joy to Life, Women of Hope Fashion Show — Dillard’s at The Shoppes at Eastchase, Sun. Oct. 6.

FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! • artists/craftsmen throughout the Southeast • original work for sale • entertainment • food alley • homemade baked goods • children and youth activities • 5K & 8K run • antique car show & motorcycle show • door prizes • drawing for queen-sized handmade quilt • jack-o-lantern contest

Trick or Pink, The Shoppes at EastChase — Sat. Oct. 20, 6-8 pm. Family fun. Pumpkin Patch, inflatables, “Go Pink” characters and fairies, costume contest, balloon release.

Proceeds benefit Joy to Life Foundation. For info. visit percentage of the proceeds will benefit The Joy to Life Foundation.Visit The Shoppes at EastChase website at www. theshoppesateastchase.com.

Hiroshima/Nagasaki: The Aftermath and Legacy. AUM — Moore Hall Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 6 pm., 106N Moore Hal. An exploration of the aftermath and legacy of the nuclear bombings of two Japanese cities. Documentary screening, panel discussion, live telecast with a Hiroshima bombing survivor. Free. For info., 334-244-3375.

Robert E. Lee High School Hall of Fame — Accepting nominations through Oct 19 for its 2013 Hall of Fame Awards. Nominees must be REL grads and have achieved true distinction in their fields.

Mail nominations to: RE Lee Hall of Fame, 4404 Florence Court, Montgomery, AL, 36109.

For info. call 334-365-7195 e-mail spinners@knology.net www.spinnersprattville.com,

Dine Pink, The Shoppes at EastChase — Tue. Oct. 8. Participating restaurants donate a percentage to Joy to Life Foundation when you mention “Go Pink.”

Find Your Ancestors in

Cyberspace

Alabama Department of Archives & History Workshop Monday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. $40 ($30 for Friends of the Archives) Research Archivist Nancy Dupree demonstrates: • web sites and other on-line resources • effective on-line search strategies • Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, ADAH digital archives (Workshop includes materials, refreshments, box lunch.)

Register on-line at www.archives.alabama.gov. For information call 334-353-4693. www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

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Are you paying too much and getting too little from your health plan?

You owe it to yourself to learn more about HealthSpring. Join us for a free informational meeting with no obligation where you can: »

»

See which benefits you get from HealthSpring but not from Original Medicare Compare plans and benefits

» » »

Know what Medicare does–and doesn’t–cover Learn about prescription drug coverage Understand Medicare’s enrollment periods

Call now to RSVP! 1-888-602-8286 (TTY 711) 7 days a week, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

www.myhealthspring.com

October 2 & 18 | 10 a.m.

Courtyard Marriott-Prattville 2620 Legends Parkway Prattville, AL

October 9 & 25 | 10 a.m.

HealthSpring Montgomery Office 427 Interstate Park Drive Montgomery, AL

October 4 & 16 | 10 a.m.

November 1 | 10 a.m.

Selma-Dallas County Public Library 1103 Selma Avenue Selma, AL

October 10 | 10 a.m.

Jeanette Barrett Civic Room 297 Wharf Street Wetumpka, AL

A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings call 1-888-602-8286 (TTY 711). HealthSpring is available in the following Alabama counties: Autauga, Baldwin, Bibb, Cherokee, Chilton, Cullman, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, Limestone, Lowndes, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Walker; the following Mississippi counties: Covington, Forrest, George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jones, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Stone; and the following Florida counties: Bay, Escambia, and Santa Rosa.

HealthSpring is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract.

Y0036_13_3608 CMS Accepted 08282012 © 2012 HealthSpring, Inc. 32

October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

prime diversions Across 1 Close-up lens 6 Jazz jobs 10 Con game 14 The American dream, e.g.

15 Colosseo city 16 "__, Can You Hear Me?": song from "Yentl" 17 Road hog 20 Pvt. driller 21 Drips in the ER 22 Arm-twisting 23 Ritzy apartment feature 26 __ mater 27 Hog heaven 32 Frank topper 34 Diddly, in Durango 35 Nietzsche's "never" 36 Bush's undergraduate classmates 37 Truth-in-advertising agcy.

38 Disconcert 39 Candy with collectible dispensers 40 Flying start?

42 I-beam, e.g.

44 Hog wild 47 River in central Germany 48 Diamond-patterned structure, as a trellis 51 Black suit

54 Hither's partner 55 Beach shade 56 Whole hog 60 GI's supply 61 Mindless learning 62 Shrink in increments 63 It's history 64 Rephrase, say 65 South-of-the-border sir Down 1 Center 2 "A watched pot never boils" is one 3 Bring under a single control 4 Dusting aid 5 __ Miss 6 Kowtow 7 Chits in the pot 8 Baseball VIPs 9 Got ready to ride 10 Slinky shape 11 Auel's "The Clan of the __ Bear" 12 King Kong's kin 13 Viking's landing place 18 Big name in copiers 19 Cuban dance

24 Baseball scoring stats 25 Shrek's sidekick Donkey, e.g.

26 Run __: postpone the bar bill 28 Take out of the carton 29 Also 30 Fitting description?

31 Nostradamus, for one 32 Auto taken back, briefly 33 Topog. map stat 37 Uncle Remus appellation 38 Stew 40 First Mayflower passenger to set foot on Plymouth Rock, so it's said 41 Neighborhood improvement target 42 Beanstalk threat 43 Hairy TV cousin 45 Sizzling 46 Room for a broom 49 "No prob!"

50 Sign up to compete 51 Trade 52 Arizona tribe 53 Bread machines, for short?

54 Hairy Himalayan legend 57 Valance holder 58 Legal thing 59 "__ you serious?" (c)2012 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

Sudoku answers on page 29.

Crossword answers on page 17. www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

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prime diversions

Recent dvd releases What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Marvel’s The Avengers and The Cabin in the Woods

What to Expect When You're Expecting (PG-13) The popular advice book for impending parenthood loosely forms the underpinnings for this sentimental ensemble comedy, featuring several couples in various stages of adding children to their lives. Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez Elizabeth Banks and Anna Kendrick are among the moms-to-be - each with a significantly different set of circumstances. Their partners are variably supportive, scared or reluctant. Chris Rock and Thomas Lennon lead a group of dads who offer perspective to those about to join their pram-pushing ranks, and many of the film's funniest moments.

The comedy seems largely forced, and awkwardly mixed with the serious aspects of the principals' set of stories, building to an even more far-fetched climax.Viewers in that particular phase of their lives will likely provide the best demographic for enjoying these proceedings. Otherwise, the amount of talent in front of the cameras greatly outweighs the nutritional value of the screenplay.

If you want a far more satisfying dose of pregnancy-related hilarity, try the book What to Expect When You're Expected

by Daily Show writer/producer David Javerbaum, spoofing the source material for this film by offering a detailed month-bymonth guide addressed to the fetus.You may as well read it, since I doubt that one can be adapted for the screen. (9/11/12)

Marvel's The Avengers (PG-13) Like the X-Men, these characters mean well, but are misunderstood by politicos and other mortals suffering from prowess envy. Iron Man is a rich industrialist, so he's more trusted than The Incredible Hulk, Thor (a Norse God from outer space? Just imagine the attack ads he'd face in this climate), Hawkeye (not the hilarious doc from M*A*S*H*; some dude with a big bow and superarrows), Black Widow (sexy, but who is really cool with spiders?), or even Captain America (a war hero, but thawed out and juiced up after 70 years on ice; that's almost zombie territory). Samuel L. Jackson heads S.H.I.E.L.D. - an effort to mold them into a cohesive unit the honchos and public will accept. Egos and irrational fears pose almost as much threat as the invaders, and the super-duper power source they're fighting over.

We've seen many of these characters from the legendary 34 October 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

mind of Stan Lee (Spielberg and Lucas for Mark Glass nerds who read comics before they're turned into movies) in recent hit films. In the early going, Robert Downey Jr.'s snarky sarcasm carries the film through the talky exposition phase of gathering the troops and setting up the premise. By the time the Big Battle arrives, the adrenaline rushes that all the geeks have been drooling over since the project was announced live up to those high hopes. If a 3-D screen is in range, go for the upgrade.

Most importantly, the producers get the tone right, mixing action, character development (valuable for embracing those just meeting some of the players) and comic relief. Films like John Carter suffer from taking themselves too seriously. This stuff should be fun, and these guys understand that. The twohour plus running time feels burdensome for a while, but by the time you leave, it will seem shorter. Enjoy this one as the group's intro, since sequels are virtually inevitable. (9/25/12)

The Cabin in the Woods (R) Disclaimer: This high rating is intended only for fans of slasher flicks. The rest of you may as well skip to the next review, 'cause you ain't got no business renting this one. For genre fans, the more of these cheesy excuses for mayhem you've devoured, the more you'll appreciate how writers Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard extend their considerable sci-fi street cred by simultaneously paying homage to all the conventions, while turning the concept upside down and inside out. If you relish the arrival of new variations on psychotic slayers, with or without any sort of preternatural or supernatural powers, you are squarely within the target demographic for these festivities.

Two babes, two hunks, and a comic-relief stoner leave college for a weekend visit to a creepy cabin in some very remote woods. All the setups of looming danger appear. Simultaneously, some sort of high-tech, super-secret event is occurring that may or may not have anything to do with what will befall our presumably ill-fated quintet. What does happen is grisly, ghastly and periodically hilarious. Beyond that, the less you know, the more fun you'll have. Do not seek further details from any bloggers or buddies before you watch. Just let it all unfold before your eyes, ears and stomach. (9/18/12)

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

www.primemontgomery.com | October 2012

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