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February 2015
Table of Contents Editor’s Notes 4 Quick Reads 6 Archives 8
Help identify these people
Yard ‘n Garden 9
Growing paperwhites
A Gracious Plenty 10
Easy, tasty Valentine meal
Alabama’s Top 10 Events for 2015 11 The Heart of the Matter 12
Dr. L.L. Hill’s miraculous surgery
All You Need Is Love 14 A Valentine Story
In Every Life 18
Make Your Resolutions Work! Can you identify any of the young people in this February, 1958 photograph? It was taken at a Valentine’s Day Event at Montgomery’s Morningview Baptist Church. See page 8 for how you can help.
Social Security 19 Fraud Watch!
Educating Junior 20
How Grandparents Can Help
Travel 25
The Best of the “Ests”
Tinseltown Talks 28
The Virginian -- James Drury FREE FOR YOU
Celebrating Midlife and Beyond
February 2015
Valentine’s Roman Ritual Day tofrom Saintly Sentiment to Massive Marketing
and: $aving for your grandchild’s education
The roots of Valentine’s Day are old and deep, planted long before marketing made this a frenzied period of card and gift-giving. Its origins spring from both pagan ritual and Christian sacrifice. Learn more starting on page 14 (where else?). Plus, find out why, in 1902, Montgomery was the site of a medical first regarding matters of the heart.
Puzzles 32 Things To Do 34
River Region Goings-On
Medicare 35
What’s New in 2015?
Puzzle Answers 36 February DVD Releases 37 Off the Beaten Path 38 A Nose for Trouble
www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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Prime N
EDITOR’S NOTE
MONTGOMERY
February 2015 Vol. 5, Issue 10
PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Ralph Foster, Andrea Gross, Mary Flanders, Alan Wallace CONTRIBUTORS Niko Corley, Ginny Gaines, Mark Glass, Cheryl Hitch, Kylle’ McKinney, Bob Moos, Arlene Morris, Nick Thomas, Kittie Williams PHOTOGRAPHERS Irv Green, Bob Corley SALES Bob Corley • 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@gmail.com Wendy McFarland, • 334-652-9080 mcfarlandadvantage@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 2015 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.
ot as thrilling as Christmas, or as exciting as Halloween, I always viewed St.Valentine’s Day as a charity holiday, thrown in to keep the winter blahs at bay. What’s more, with no school vacation (even the State Fair warranted a half-day off) and little commercial build-up (from a child’s perspective, at least) it seemed a purer holiday than all the rest – a day set aside solely for telling those closest to you how very nice you thought they were. Even so,Valentine’s Day could be exhausting, forcing me to muster every creative bone in my not-so-creative young body. For weeks before the big event I stressed over the inevitable elementary school assignment to design and produce unique valentines for my family and outshine my efforts from last year. (My mother scrupulously kept all my artwork, much to my dismay.) Armed with lacy white doilies, red, pink and white construction paper, glitter, scissors, crayons and Elmer’s glue, I’d set out to create cute valentines for all my kin. But the assignment was rarely completed; the supplies ran out long before the list of relatives. Like an Old Master at work I’d dramatically toss out two or three designs as inferior, destroy a couple more for poor craftsmanship, and lose at least one-ayear to an over-zealous application of glue. Mom always got a specially crafted card from me, but, more often than not, Dad, Grandmother, and my siblings received only a folded paper heart. Thankfully, designing valentines to distribute to classmates was not required. Released from my artistic shackles I loved shopping for the mass-produced greetings and manipulated every 25-count package at the dime or grocery store to view each card. Sentiments like “Be Mine,” “Happy Valentine’s Day,” and “Just for You” passed muster, while “I Like You,” “To My Special Friend” or anything referring to “love” were out of the question. And though many of my girlfriends included messaged candy hearts along with their valentine cards, I shuddered at the seemingly exhaustive amount of extra reading – and additional scheming – required. Following the class Valentine’s Day party it was exciting to read, and re-read, the cards we received, and wonder if the boys were halfway as exacting as the girls about who got what card. The fun was in the speculation but, even then, I doubted boys put too much stock in a nickel card. On the other hand, a box of candy or a flower were another matter entirely. When my best friend unexpectedly received a gold-filled heart from a boy in fifth grade, she demanded he take it back. Dumbfounded, the innocent young man complied. Even at such a young age we knew our strict parents would never understand. We were right. I hope you receive many love-filled valentines, whether hand-crafted of construction paper, doilies and glue, or presented as a gold-filled necklace from a not-so-secret admirer. Have a wonderful, warm February, and take heart – spring’s not far away!
Sandra Polizos Editor 4
February 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
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QUICK READS Dietary Flavanols Reverse Age-Related Memory Decline Dietary cocoa flavanols (naturally occurring bioactives found in cocoa) reversed age-related memory decline in healthy older adults, according to a study led by Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) scientists. The study, published in an online issue of Nature Neuroscience, provides the first direct evidence that one component of age-related memory decline in humans is caused by changes in a specific region of the brain, and that this form of memory decline can be improved by a dietary intervention. Age-related memory decline is different from the often-devastating memory impairment that occurs with Alzheimer’s, in which a disease process damages and destroys neurons in various parts of the brain, including the memory circuits. The researchers point out that the product used in the study is not the same as chocolate, and they caution against an increase in chocolate consumption in an attempt to gain this effect.
Men Who Exercise Less Likely to Wake Up to Urinate Men who are physically active are at lower risk of nocturia (waking up at night to urinate), according to a study led by a Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine researcher. The study is published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Nocturia increases with age, and is estimated to occur in more than 50 percent of men 45 and older. Among men in the study group, those who were physically active one or more hours per week were 13 percent less likely to report nocturia and 34 percent less likely to report severe nocturia than men who reported no physical activity. (Nocturia was defined as waking two or more times during the night to urinate; severe nocturia was defined as waking three or more times to urinate.)
Nasal Spray for Migraine Pain? Researchers are developing a novel prochlorperazine nasal spray as a potential new treatment for migraines, which are manifested by severe pain and headache, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraine ranks in the top 20 of the world’s most disabling medical diseases. Venkata Yellepeddi, Ph.D., and colleagues from Roseman University of Health Sciences, developed a prochlorperazine nasal spray that could prove useful. Comparative clinical studies have shown that prochloperazine provides better pain relief than other anti-migraine drugs. Currently prochlorperazine is only available in tablet form. It is thought that a nasal spray version of prochlorperazine will not only be effective, but fast acting and have better patient compliance overall.
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February 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
Worry, Jealousy, Moodiness May Increase Alzheimer’s Risk Women who are anxious, jealous, or moody and distressed in middle age may be at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life, according to a nearly 40-year-long study published in an online issue of Neurology®. The study found that women who scored highest on the tests for neuroticism (being easily distressed and personality traits such as worrying, jealousy or moodiness) had double the risk of developing dementia compared to those who scored lowest on the tests. Being either withdrawn or outgoing did not appear to raise dementia risk alone, however, women who were both easily distressed and withdrawn had the highest risk of Alzheimer’s disease in the study.
Poor Sleep and Dementia People who have sleep apnea or spend less time in deep sleep may be more likely to have changes in the brain that are associated with dementia, according to a new study conducted by VA Pacific Islands Health Care System and the Pacific Health Research and Education Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii and published in an online issue of Neurology®. The study found that people who don’t have as much oxygen in their blood during sleep, which occurs with sleep apnea and conditions such as emphysema, are more likely to have tiny abnormalities in brain tissue, called micro infarcts, than people with higher levels of oxygen in the blood. These abnormalities are associated with the development of dementia. In addition, people who spent less time in deep sleep, called slow wave sleep, were more likely to have loss of brain cells than people who spent more time in slow wave sleep. Slow wave sleep is important in processing new memories and remembering facts. People tend to spend less time in slow wave sleep as they age. Loss of brain cells is also associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Your Pet and Your Health The American Heart Association says pets -- especially dogs -- may be an ally in the management of blood pressure and overall cardiovascular disease prevention, according to a study published in the online journal Circulation. Specifically, pet ownership may be linked to lower blood pressure, lower levels of cholesterol and less incidence of obesity. Some scientists hypothesize pet owners may just be healthier people to begin with. Dog owners who walk their dogs may also find this activity an excellent way to stay active. Studies of the link between pet ownership and systemic blood pressure haven't always found that dogs and cats have the power to lower blood pressure, but some did note what appear to be significant benefits. www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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IDENTIFYING HISTORY
P
Do You Recognize These People?
rime is teaming up with the Alabama Department of Archives and History to present a different group of photographs each month in an effort to identify the individuals depicted. The photos are from the collections of
three Montgomery-based photographers active in the mid-twentieth century, Horace Perry, John E. Scott, and Jim Peppler. In addition to identifying individuals, Archives is interested in any other details about the images, including correc-
tions to the descriptions. If you have information about these photographs contact Meredith McDonough, meredith. mcdonough@archives.alabama.gov, or call 334-353-5442.You can also e-mail Prime at primemontgomery@gmail.com.
Above:Young people singing and clapping in the audience during an Otis Redding show at the Montgomery City Auditorium. (Feb. 21, 1967, photo by Jim Peppler) Left:Valentine’s Day event, Morningview Baptist Church, Montgomery, AL. (Feb., 1958, photo by Horace Perry) Below: Neal Posey coaching a Y.M.C.A. basketball team in the gymnasium at Cloverdale Junior High School, 1125 E. Fairview Avenue, Montgomery, AL. (Feb. 1, 1973, photo by John E. Scott)
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February 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
YARD ‘N GARDEN
F
orcing Paperwhite Narcissus bulbs to bloom indoors gives you the luxury of a garden within your home anytime of the year. Paperwhites beautify the home or can be gifted as a starter project. I usually begin after Thanksgiving with a few bulbs and add a few more the next week, and then the next. It is an easy and worthwhile project that requires just a few materials and steps, yet provides a unique experience along with fragrance and beautiful blooms. All you need are: 1) clean containers 2) marble chips 3) bulbs I shop for containers in which to grow Paperwhites all year. I prefer to see the action, so I like to use glass containers. They can be as short as 4 inches or as tall as 18 inches. To begin, put about 1½ inches of marble chips into the bottom of your container. Put bulbs root side down, about 1 inch apart. Add water to the top of thr chips. Place in sunlight for approximately two weeks. Check the water level often. If the water level is too deep, it will rot the bulbs. When greenery gets about 3 inches tall, begin rotating the container towards the sunlight so your plants will stay erect. You might need to stake or loosely tie greenery together. Growing Paperwhites allows you to enjoy the uniqueness, beauty and fragrance of these flowers for yourself. The process is educational, producing results which can be used as lovely centerpieces or wonderful gifts. You can even make a do-it-yourself kit to give as a gift and include the container, marble chips, and bulbs. When blooms are spent, toss the bulbs into the flower bed and look forward to another surprise next year. And don’t forget to wash your indoor containers and marbles to get ready for the next season of beautiful winter blooms.
Paperwhite Season By Cheryl Hitch
Cheryl Hitch, a Master Gardener in the Capital City Master Gardener Association, lives in Montgomery. For information on becoming a master gardener, visit the website, www.capcitymga.org or e-mail capcitymga@gmail.com. www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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A GRACIOUS PLENTY
Make Time for your Valentine By Kittie Williams and Ginny Gaines
V
alentine’s Day usually brings to mind a lovely bouquet of flowers and an expensive dinner at one of the restaurants you rarely visit. Here’s a different idea for a great meal that only requires a little time, and a level of difficulty so low, it’s hard to measure. It’s a great meal for you gentlemen to prepare, and you’ll get rave reviews from your Valentine. Think of dessert first, since this is Valentine’s. Either purchase or bake a small loaf pound cake, and make this delicious sauce to accompany it.You can make the sauce a couple of days in advance and store in the refrigerator. Sauce: Place the following in a saucepan: 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1 can Hershey’s chocolate syrup 1 stick butter 1 tsp vanilla Heat the saucepan containing all ingredients over low heat till the butter melts, stirring well until everything is well mixed. Remove from heat and serve immediately over the pound cake, or store in the refrigerator and heat in the microwave before serving. On Valentine’s Day, purchase a whole deli chicken. Place it in the oven at about 300 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes; just enough to get it warm or keep it warm if it’s purchased and brought straight home. Next, make rice (instant is always a choice), using
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February 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
chicken stock for part or all of the liquid, and add a squeeze of lemon. Lemon gives it a nice flavor and “kicks it up a notch”, as Emeril says. Then make the salad. Winter Salad: 6 cups of Romaine lettuce, washed and broken in bite-size pieces 3 slices cooked bacon 1 apple chopped 1pear chopped ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese Put salad ingredients together, adding feta at the last along with the dressing. Brianna’s Poppy Seed dressing is a good choice, adding balsamic vinegar to taste. Pour over salad. Serve the meal in front of a crackling fire, or with candles at the diner table Either way, use pretty dishes and stemware and have flowers at the table. This simple but delicious dinner is a winner. Food and flowers… they’re never out of style for Valentine’s! Enjoy!
FEATURE
Top Events for 2015
E
Courtesy of the Alabama Tourism Department
ach year, the Alabama Tourism Department selects the state’s top 10 events based on significant anniversaries and the uniqueness of the event. Here, in chronological order, is this year’s top 10 list.
Feb. 15-Apr. 26 — Rembrandt, Rubens, Gainsborough and the Golden Age of Painting in Europe. Celebrating the golden age of painting in Europe during the 17th and 18th century. Huntsville Museum of Art, www.hsvmuseum.org
July 13-19 — The Barbasol Championship, Opelika. A new PGA TOUR tournament sponsored by Barbasol will debut in 2015 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National in Opelika. www. rtjgolf.com Oct. 7-10 — Moundville Native American Festival, Moundville. Experience live cannon fire, the lives of Creek and Cherokee Indians, hunting camps and demonstrations of tradi-
Mar. 5-9 — 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, Selma/ Lowndes/Montgomery. Weekend of events commemorating of the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. www. dreammarcheson.com Apr. 10-12 — Eufaula Pilgrimage, Eufaula. Eufaula hosts Alabama's oldest tour of homes and has more than 700 structures listed on the National Register. Each spring the city of Eufaula opens its doors to share this historical wealth. www.eufaulapilgrimage.com
May 15-17 — Hangout Music Festival, Gulf Shores. Weekend music festival featuring an impressive lineup of bands and musicians performing on the white sand beaches of Gulf Shores. www.hangoutmusicfest.com
than three million twinkling lights in over 928 custom designed set pieces in 13 scenes. Tour the Bellingrath Home decorated in its holiday finery. www.bellingrath.org Nov. 28 — Iron Bowl, Auburn. The Southeast's biggest college football rivalry pits two SEC powerhouses, Auburn University and the University of Alabama, against each other for the next year's bragging rights. www. auburntigers.com This listing is available in the 2015 Alabama Vacation Guide and Calendar of Events, available at the eight state welcome centers, local tourism bureaus, and online at www.alabama.travel.
tional skills of the early 1800s. www. moundville.ua.edu Nov. 5-14 — “Come Home It's Suppertime” Folklife Play, Brundidge. Alabama's Official Folklife play featuring depression-era stories of life in the rural south. The play will be celebrating its 20th season. www. piddle.org Nov. 27-Dec. 31 — Bellingrath Magic Christmas in Light, Mobile. Stroll through the gardens with more
VINTAGE
vintage apparel and accessories nnnnn “Where Mardi Gras meets Valentine’s Day.” nnnnn
Eastbrook Flea Market & Antique Mall 425 Coliseum Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36109 334-799-0709 nkynard@yahoo.com
www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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Matters of
FEATURE
I
n the early morning hours of September 15, 1902, Dr. Luther Leonidas Hill Jr. was summoned by two local Montgomery physicians who were attempting to treat Henry Myrick. Myrick, a 13-year-old African American youth, was the victim of a stab wound to the heart the previous afternoon. Six hours passed before the first physicians had been called, and another two hours passed before Hill arrived at the boy's home. Myrick's wound had been bleeding continuously, and although he was still conscious, his pulse was fading. Hill convinced the family to let him operate. Widely regarded as an authority on heart wounds, Hill had not actually operated on a living heart. Hill moved Myrick to a table, and by lantern light began the procedure, assisted by his brother and a fourth physician who had arrived to administer chloroform. Hill opened the youth's chest and discovered a great deal of internal bleeding within the pericardium, the protective tissue surrounding the heart. To relieve pressure on the injured organ, Hill opened the pericardial sack to drain the blood, then stitched the stab wound, which was in the left ventricle, with catgut thread. The procedure lasted 45 minutes. Myrick survived and within a few weeks had recovered from his injuries. With this procedure, Alabama’s Luther Leonidas Hill, Jr. became the first American physician to successfully repair a wounded heart in a surgery that the patient survived. The procedure caused a sensation in the popular media and medical journals. The story was reported in the New York Sun, and Hill published his own account of the 12
February 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
the Heart Adapted from an article by Ralph Foster
Dr. Luther Leonidas Hill, Jr. (above and right). (Photos courtesy AL Dept. of Archives and History)
surgery along with an updated list of heart suture cases in the November 1902 issue of the New York Medical Record. Yet despite his success and advocacy of such procedures, heart surgery did not advance significantly in either the United States or Europe for several decades. Hill was born January 22, 1862, in Montgomery, to Rev. Luther L. and Laura Downtown Montgomery office Hill shared with Croom Hill. The his brother. (Photo by Bob Corley) son and grandson of Methodist ministers. He planned to enter the ministry, but after completing his studies at Howard College in Marion, Perry County (now Samford University in Birmingham), he turned to medicine, graduating from the City University of New York in 1881. Hill also studied at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, New York Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital, and at King's College Hospital, London, England, where he worked under Joseph Lister, a pioneer in sterile surgical techniques. Hill returned to Montgomery to establish his medical practice, specializing in surgery, and in 1888 Hill married Lillie Lyons of Mobile. Among their five children was future Alabama U.S. Senator Lister Hill. Hill retired from practice in 1931, living to see his son Lister elected to Congress and later as senator. Perhaps as a result of his father's influence, Lister Hill became a champion for public health, sponsoring the Hill-Burton Act which significantly expanded hospital care. Luther Leonidas Hill, Jr., died in Montgomery in 1946 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. In 1959, the University of Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham dedicated the Luther Leonidas Hill Heart Center in his honor. In 2001, Hill was elected posthumously to the Alabama Health Care Hall of Fame. The downtown Montgomery office he shared with his brother Robert still stands and bears a historical marker placed by the Alabama Historical Association. Information courtesy Encyclopedia of Alabama, www.encyclopediaofalabama.org.
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www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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FEATURE
All You Need Is Love By Mary Flanders
C
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February 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
ontrary to popular belief, Valentine’s Day was not created by Hallmark or the Post Office to increase revenue. Valentine’s Day dates back to pre-Christian Rome and the feast of Lupercalia when young women put their names in a basket and were paired up with the young men who picked their names out of the basket. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honor Juno, Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. She was also the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia. In ancient Rome, the lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate except during Lupercalia. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl’s name from the jar and they would be partners for the duration of the festival. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry. No one knows exactly how Valentine’s Day began.
The surprising origins of Valentine’s Day
It is known that St. Valentine was a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. Legend has it he was a priest who married couples in secret in defiance of the Roman Emperor Claudius II’s ban on engagements and marriages. St. Valentine was captured and sent before the Prefect of Rome, where he was sentenced to be beaten to death and his head cut off. He was martyred on February 14 in about 270 AD. , the same day of the year the Romans held the “love lottery.” Another bit of St. Valentine lore says he left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter (whom he had befriended) and signed it “from your Valentine.” His name began to be linked with love and marriage. The leaders of the early Christian Church in Rome tried to eliminate the pagan element in the Lupercalia feasts by substituting the names of saints for those of young ladies. Since this festival began at about the same time as the Christian St. Valentine was killed, the early Church fathers channeled St Valentine into the Lupercalia festival and Valentine’s Day began to evolve. By 496 Pope Gelasius marked February 14 to honor St. Valentine. February 14th became the date
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to exchange love messages and St. Valentine became the patron Saint of lovers. From then on the date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. In larger communities there was often a social gathering or a ball. It wasn’t until the 1700s that sending cards began to gain popularity. The oldest existing Valentine is one written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife. He wrote it to her while imprisoned in the Tower of London, after the battle of Agincourt. In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800’s and now the date is very commercialized. Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas for the volume of cards delivered by the Post Office, with postal facilities in towns with names like Loveland, Colorado, doing a stout business around February 14. Remember when you exchanged valentines with your classmates in elementary school? School children still do that, too. For those lovers with a big budget on Valentine’s Day, the sky is the limit. There are gifts for that special someone that boggle the imagination. According to forbes.com, one of the most expensive chocolates in the world is To’ak, consisting of just two ingredients, cacao and cane sugar. Sold in individual wooden boxes, only 574 bars were produced in two years, Chocolate: The world’s most expensive each weighing 1.5 oz. and costing pure chocolate may be the 2014 $260 per bar. market newcomer To’ak at $173 If your love is on a diet, you an ounce. (forbes.com). might choose to impress her in a different way. Clive Christian offers the world’s most expensive perfume, “Imperial Majesty, No. 1,” available only in the Salon de Parfums of London’s Harrod’s department store. It is presented in a signature crystal bottle with 24 carat gold lattice-work, 2000 individually set flawless white diamonds, two yellow diamonds and a rare pink diamond. Containing 30ml of the luxury fragrance, the perfume can be hers for $215,000. If she’s allergic to perfume, or if this is the day you’ve Clive Christian No. 1 Imperial Majesty chosen to pop the question, you truly have no limits. The perfume holds the Guiness Book of engagement ring Donald Trump gave Slovenian-born model World Records title for most Melania Knauss in 2004, for example, is a 12 carat flawless expensive perfume in the world emerald cut diamond. The ring, featuring tapered diamond (16.9 oz. bottle = $215,000). baguettes on the side and set in platinum, is reportedly valued at $3 million in today’s market.
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If you want to give her the moon and stars look into the night sky at BPM 37093 in the Centaurus Constellation. You’ll find a white dwarf star, nicknamed “Lucy” after the Beatles song, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” It is composed of crystallized carbon, which makes it the biggest diamond in the entire universe, equalling a stone of 10 billion trillion trillion carats. Okay, so you’re looking for something a little more down to earth? How about flowers? Want to impress her? White flowers of any kind cost more than colors because they bruise more easily. The top 10 most expensive and generally available flowers are: Casa Blanca lilies, gardenias, hydrangeas, lillies of the valley, lisianthus, orchids, peonies, roses, stephanotis, and tulips. What’s thought to be the rarest and most expensive bloom? Many say it’s Sri Lanka’s Kadupul flower, considered priceless because it blossoms right before midnight and dies before dawn. If the romance of the written word appeals, the novels of Kathleen Woodiwiss will set a passionate pulse a-flutter for this special day. With titles like The Flame and the Flower, The Elusive Flame, and Shanna, Woodiwiss wrote the first historical fiction romance novels and began the genre almost single handedly. The “Queen of Romance Novels” was a Louisiana native, born in 1939. If you’re not ready to write a novel for your love, you can still give a truly romantic gift to touch the heart and soul of that speJewelry is a great Valentine’s gift, with cial person. For under $50 you can have a personalized romance diamonds the preferred choice novel written for you and about you. There are several online for many. sites where filling out a questionnaire enables you to purchase a personalized novel. The books are available in paperback or hard cover. For an additional fee you can even send in your own photos for the cover artwork. Give that to your fan of romance novels and you’ll let loose the fires of passion to leap and roar as her eyes flicker with….. Anyway, she’ll love it. Dinner out, dinner in, funny card or sentimental one, candy, flowers, perfume, jewelry, or however you choose to celebrate, Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year dedicated to truly focusing on that certain someone and saying “I love you.” Perhaps Robert Browning said it best when it comes to this most romantic day – “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.”
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IN EVERY LIFE
Get Real With Resolutions D
id you make a New Year’s resolution or goal? If so, what is the status at one month? Has it been achieved, still in process, or forgotten? Arlene Morris A new year prompts people to consider how to better themselves. However, a survey sponsored by Google found only 20 to 40 percent of people keep resolutions. Research shows adhering to healthy habits such as maintaining a normal weight, getting 2.5 hours a week of exercise, eating a healthy diet and not smoking can reduce a woman's chances of getting heart disease by 90 percent over 20 years (The Journal of the American College of Cardiology). Even so, the most-broken resolutions include health promotion activities — losing weight, exercising more, eating healthier, stopping smoking, managing stress, making or saving more money, or improving a relationship. Changes in behavior begin with contemplating the benefits and potential barriers to action. Recommendations from healthcare providers or evidence from studies such as the one above provide motivation to pursue an action. After beginning the action, difficulty often occurs in maintaining the change. As February begins, this may be your experience. One factor that can impede accomplishment is not setting realistic goals. Goals must be simple—one or two things that CAN be accomplished. Then, focus on making goals measurable. “I want to improve my health” is not measurable; “I will walk one mile, five days-a-week” is measurable and 18
February 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
can be evaluated as met, partially met, or not achieved. Another factor related to keeping goals involves being held accountable. One source relates success rates in accomplishing goals to a variety of accountability levels: SUCCESS 10% 25% 40% 50% 60% 95%
ACCOUNTABILITY thought “That was a good idea” thought “I will do it” thought “I will do it by a certain date” set a plan told another person their plan made scheduled progress reports to another person
A third factor linked to changing habits relates to determining the level of motivation needed to make any change. For example: On a scale of 1 to 10, how motivated are you to make the change? If you answer 7, why is it 7 rather than 5?
What would it take for you to be motivated at a level 9 instead of 7? These answers help you identify what really is your motivation. Then, on another scale of 1 to 10, how likely do you believe that you will actually accomplish and maintain the change? If the answer is 5 out of 10, why is it 5 rather than 3? This answer provides insight into forces that will help you achieve your goal. Then consider why is it 5 rather than 8? This answer will help you to identify barriers that will need to be overcome. Setting specific goals, finding a person with whom to discuss progress or barriers, and identifying levels of motivation or barriers can help revive resolutions that are becoming stagnant. I wish for you a happy and healthy 2015! Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE, is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing, and Immediate Past President of the AL State Nurses Association. Reach her at amorris@aum.edu.
EYE
F A C T S Cataracts? To see better, see ITEC.
• cataract surgery performed on an outpatient basis • 95% of patients have much improved vision* • new treatment allows quicker return to normal activities Roy T. Hager, M.D., F.A.C.S. | James D. Izer, M.D. Charles N. Robbins, M.D. | Richard M. Murphy, O.D. 4255 Carmichael Court N. 8007 U. S. Highway 231 Montgomery • 334-277-9111 Wetumpka • 334-567-9111 For a free copy of ITEC’s Viewpoint newsletter call 334-277-9111. Visit ITEC’s website at www.eyes-itec.com *American Academy of Ophthalmology
SOCIAL SECURITY
Help SOCIAL SECURITY Fight Fraud I
f you’re like most people, you protect what’s valuable to you. To protect your family financially, you buy health and life insurance. To protect your home, you get homeowner’s insurance, a security alarm, or perhaps a large dog. To protect your jewelry, you hide it in a safe place or buy insurance in case you need to replace it. To protect your Kylle’ McKinney money, you invest it, perhaps in a bank that offers FDIC coverage. Social Security is much the same. We value the people we serve, our employees who work hard to provide world-class customer service, and the integrity of our programs. We protect these by using many tools to identify, prevent, and stop fraud, and we seek the maximum punishment for those who commit it. The tools we use help us predict where fraud may occur, and, by monitoring cases closely, we identify fraud sooner rather than later. We also have stiff penalties that discourage people from committing fraud. Social Security has a zero-tolerance policy for fraud. While we cannot prevent every instance of fraud, any more than law enforcement can prevent all crime, we aggressively investigate and pursue prosecution of those who try to cheat the system. Our message to those who would defraud Social Security is clear: We will find you; we will prosecute you; we will seek the maximum punishment allowable under the law; and we will fight to restore to the American public the
money you’ve stolen. Social Security takes fraud seriously and so should you. If you suspect someone is committing Social Security fraud, report it online at http://oig.ssa.gov/report or call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866-593-0914, ext. 26265, or by e-mail at kylle.mckinney@ssa.gov.
www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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FEATURE
Educating Junior By Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU
A
recent survey by Fidelity Investments found that 53% of grandparents plan to help pay their grandchildren’s education costs. Grandparents are pitching in for numerous reasons. More families are opting for private primary and secondary education, post-secondary education costs have risen sharply in recent years, loans instead of grants comprise most financial aid, large student debt loads can be a longterm burden, and parents are often unable to shoulder the entire expense of educating their children. In this environment many grandparents are willing to play a practical role in helping the youngest members of their family. Good decisions about assisting are based on understanding the pros and cons of various choices. Having general information before considering specific options may speed up the process and help avoid unpleasant surprises. Remember, though, that your first responsibility is your own needs. Realistically assess your own requirements and resources, not only now but for the future, before committing to help. Finding yourself short of money later because you helped your grandchild might create bigger challenges for your family than the education issues. It is also important to avoid using money as a relationship management tool. If you decide to assist, the following information can help you formulate a plan.
Primary and Secondary (K-12) Education If private school for K-12 is in your grandchild’s future, the avenues for assisting are limited. The simplest way is to write the school a check. This avoids gift tax questions. If you prefer, you can give money to the child’s parents. Gifts in excess of $14,000/recipient could be subject to federal gift tax. If the child is not old enough to attend and you want to get a head start, one taxadvantaged plan is available. Called a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA), it allows for annual cash contributions of $2,000 to an account for a single beneficiary from all sources. In other words, if more than one person will be adding money to an ESA for little Johnny, all donors must coordinate their giving to avoid exceeding the $2,000 annual maximum. While ESA contributions are not deductible, income taxes are not levied on appreciation of the assets in the account. If you have a newborn granddaughter and fund the ESA at the maximum level until she starts school, you may achieve a little tax20
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sheltered growth before the money is needed. Funds withdrawn from the account to cover K-12 or post-secondary costs are generally not subject to income tax. However, given the cost of private K-12 education in our area, the benefit available from an ESA is pretty limited. Furthermore, ESAs carry other constraints: n Donors are subject to an income limitation. n You cannot establish an account until the child is born. n You cannot add to it after the child reaches age 18. n Any remaining balance must be withdrawn by the child by age 30. Post-Secondary (College, Vocational & Post-graduate) Education With few exceptions the cost of post-secondary education falls mainly on the student and his family. Advance planning and pre-funding can make the burden more manageable. Twenty years ago the options for accumulating college funds were quite limited. Among the most common was a taxable account set up for that purpose. The account would either be in the name of an adult (a parent or grandparent of the student) or in the name of the student as a UTMA/UGMA account (Uniform Transfer to Minors Act or Uniform Gift to Minors Act). Like most states, Alabama has a UTMA statute allowing assets held for the benefit of a juvenile to be controlled by a single custodian until the child reaches majority age. In Alabama, that is age 19, at which time the child gains full legal control of the assets. Since 19-year-olds do not uniformly make rational decisions, UTMA accounts carry clear risks. Fortunately, Congress created a pair of new options about 20 years ago. Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code provides for two kinds of post-secondary funding accounts or qualified tuition plans: prepaid tuition plans and savings plans. Keep in mind that neither plan guarantees a student admission to any school. One of the best sources of information about both types and the available options is www.savingforcollege.com. (A great site for comparing schools and their costs is www.collegeboard.com.) Prepaid Tuition Plans Generally offered by state governments, residency in that state may be necessary to participate. Federal law does allow individual institutions to set up a plan, but none have done so. One plan, the Private College 529 Plan, is available from a consortium of more than 270 private schools.
State-sponsored prepaid tuition plans are intended to keep pace with the cost of tuition, usually based on an average of the state’s public colleges and universities. Benefits include favorable tax treatment. If the student attends an out-ofstate or private school, the plan will generally pay out based on the average of in-state public school costs at the time the student is enrolled. These plans usually cover just tuition and basic fees, not room and board, books, etc. The plan is controlled by the owner, not the child, and is transferable to another member of the family if the child does not use the plan. A prepaid plan falls into one of two classifications: a prepaid contract plan (prepay for 1-5 years of tuition) and a prepaid unit plan (prepay for units that equate to credits or hours of instruction). If this program sounds familiar, it may be because the Alabama PACT (Prepaid Affordable College Tuition) program was a prepaid tuition plan. This program has been closed to new accounts since 2008. One lesson from the demise of AlaPACT that could extend to other prepaid tuition plans is that disappointing investment results and rising tuition costs might prevent them from meeting enrollees’ expectations. Section 529 College Savings Plans Now holding more than $200 billion, 529 savings plans have become the preferred method for accumulating funds over the past decade for post-secondary education. Most plans are offered by individual states and may be purchased directly or through a licensed broker who may be paid a commission. Here is a brief summary of the main www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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features and benefits of these plans. Tax benefits – Although contributions are not deductible for federal purposes, investment gains inside the plan and withdrawals used for qualified expenses are not subject to federal income tax. Most states afford similar treatment. If the student qualifies for a scholarship, funds withdrawn are not subject to the penalty which usually applies to a non-educational withdrawal. Covered costs – Qualified expenses include books, room and board, in addition to tuition and fees. Control – The account is controlled by the adult custodian, designated by the donor, not by the child. Transferability – The beneficiary (student) may be changed to another member of the family, with fairly wide latitude. No age-related deadline forces funds to be withdrawn; a remaining balance could benefit a later generation. Deposit and balance limits – There is no income cap for funding a 529 savings plan. The amount you contribute is more likely to be limited by your circumstances than by tax law or the rules of the particular program you select. If you plan to make large contributions, consult with your tax advisor about possible gift tax consequences and appropriate planning, and check the rules for the plan you want to use. Flexibility – You may use a plan sponsored by any state (or multiple plans in multiple states). Funds may be moved from one 529 program to another without federal taxation, although state taxes or
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benefits may apply in some instances.You may choose from any of the investment choices offered by the plan(s) where you open an account. Your choice of a particular plan, of which there are dozens, should be based in part on these important considerations: Contribution and balance caps – Plans set limits on contributions or plan balances. Choose one that fits your needs and goals. Expenses – Compare plan expenses. Lower costs can help your money deliver more education. Investment choices – Each plan offers its own investment options. In some cases the choices are those of a single investment organization; in others the plan “cherry picks” options from an array of managers. State tax benefits – Some states offer tax benefits to in-state residents using their plan. For instance, Alabama residents may deduct up to $5,000 per taxpayer annually for contributions to the Alabama CollegeCounts 529. A couple filing jointly can deduct $10,000/year and save up to $500. In fact, Alabamians can get this benefit on a transfer from another state’s plan. (continued on pg. 24)
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SURROUNDED BY FACES SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS Don’t want to be a face in the crowd at one of those giant universities? At Auburn Montgomery you’ll find an easy campus vibe that promotes friendship and getting to know one another. And smaller classes with hands-on learning mean you’ll get to know your professors better too. So why compete for attention when you don’t have to? Call us today and plan your campus visit to see why AUM is a better choice.
WHERE LEARNING
MATTERS MOST
APPLY NOW 334-244-3615
www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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According to Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer, “The Alabama CollegeCounts 529 is the best way to save for your grandchild’s college education. No doubt about it. The program has grown dramatically over the past four years. We now have $1.2 billion of assets under management and accounts have increased to 71,000. We encourage account holders that have 529s from other states to rollover their accounts to CollegeCounts for the tax benefits available to Alabama taxpayers.” Final Thoughts If you decide to help with educational costs, here are five final items to keep in mind.
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1) Have a conversation with the parents of Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer the child(ren) you plan to help. Coordination generally improves the outcome. The potential benefits of consulting with your child and her spouse include improved relationships, better choices about what plan(s) and investment option(s) to use, and a seamless transition if something happens to you. 2) If you plan to assist multiple grandchildren, opening a single aggregated account may have benefits. Maintaining separate accounts for each child may do nothing but complicate your life and increase fees, until you need to segregate money for a child enrolling in college or the account balance reaches the program’s maximum.
• Customized exercise programs for ALL fitness levels • Blood pressure checks before & after exercise • Indoor walking track • Convenient parking
3) If you use a single account for the benefit of grandchildren by more than one of your children, retain control and make sure that your will prescribes how the account is to be divided if something happens to you. 4) If you use a single account, name the youngest grandchild the beneficiary until the older ones have applied for financial aid. This reduces the risk of having assistance withheld from the older ones because they appear to have a big 529 balance. 5) Do not vastly overfund a 529 account since a 10% penalty applies to earnings (not principal) withdrawn for nonqualified expenses. Post-secondary education provides many benefits, including improved employment prospects and higher income potential. If you choose to help your grandchildren reap these rewards, a well-designed plan can leverage your investment in their future. 24
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PLUS... • Full line of cardiovascular & strength training equipment • Friendly atmosphere • Flexible hours Monday-Friday 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 2119 East S. Blvd. 334-280-1409
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The “Ests” Quest
FEATURE
Extremes in the U.S. By Andrea Gross; photos by Irv Green
I
’m a sucker for superlatives — highest, hottest, etc. My personal bucket list demands I visit as many “ests” as possible, places that hold the record for being, in some way, the very best of their category. I thought compiling the list would be simple, especially after I limited it to the U.S., but of course it wasn’t. I ran into myriad problems of measurement and definition. Eventually I came up with my own criteria, based as much on practicality and desirability as on quantifiable data. Here are my recommendations for the Best of the Ests:
highest parking lot, walk a mere quarter mile to the summit and voila’, you’re standing atop the highest reasonably accessible peak in the U.S. The highway was built between 1917 and 1927 as a means of drawing tourists. It worked. Today the scenic drive—a two-lane ribbon that winds between towering evergreens, open meadows and lovely alpine lakes—is one of Colorado’s top attractions. But be forewarned, the road is closed during winter, usually starting in September.You can still hike or bike to the top, but you can’t drive.
Highest I have no intention of actually climbing the tallest peak, which rules out Alaska’s Mt. McKinley (20,237 feet), yet I want to do more than peer toward the heavens. Thus, I head for Colorado’s Mount Evans. At 14,265 feet, Mount Evans is a pigmy among giants, but—and this is important— it’s home to the highest paved road. This means you can drive almost all the way to the country’s
Lowest Choosing the lowest spot is easy. Since I quickly rule out deep-sea diving and descending into a mine, I’m left with Death Valley, California, which is the lowest point of dry land that was formed by nature as opposed to created by man-and-shovel. The Valley’s precise lowest point (282 feet below sea level) is near Badwater Basin, which sits amidst nearly 200 square miles of salt flats.
Highest parking lot in the U.S. -- Mt. Evans, Colorado.
Lowest spot in the U.S. -- Death Valley, California. www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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For resources to plan your own “Ests” Quest, check out this article on our website, PrimeMontgomery.com.
TOP:Visitors to Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, bring boogie boards to sand-surf the dunes. RIGHT: A pair of hikers, dwarfed by the park’s dunes.
A boardwalk lets visitors walk part way into the basin, but most folks step down onto the actual flats. The landscape is bizarre but beautiful, a pattern of interlocking shapes created by the valley’s unique combination of extreme heat, minimal rainfall and low elevation. Driest Here I run into trouble. Calexico, a small town on the California-Mexico border, has the lowest annual rainfall, but Death Valley has the most consecutive days with no rainfall. In the end I opt for neither. In my mind, “dry” suggests a place where I can mount a camel and ride endless miles across towering sand dunes. Calexico is dune-less, and while Death Valley has dunes, they aren’t record-setters. For that I have to go to Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, which although devoid of camels has 750-foot tall sand piles, the highest in North America. Later I learn that the dunes aren’t really dry. In fact, it’s the moist layer of sand right under the surface that holds the upper dry sand in place. But that’s okay. At this point in my Quest-Est, I’m more concerned with imagery than scientific accuracy.
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Wettest As for the wettest place, I must choose between the soggiest land or the drippiest sky. Since I don’t have a pair of wet boots but own several umbrellas, I decide on Hawaii’s Mount Waleleale. Then I learn that the mountain’s average rainfall exceeds 38 feet a year — a fact that greatly dampens my enthusiasm (pardon the pun) — so I restrict my search to the contiguous U.S. and end up on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. While the Aberdeen Reservoir is the rainiest place with 130.6 inches a year, Forks, Washington, is the rainiest town with 120 inches a Forks,Washington, setting for the “Twilight” year. More important, book series. it’s given this accolade not only by the National Climatic Data Center, but also by Stephenie Meyer, who used it as a setting for her Twilight book series. Why, I may even spot a vampire along the shore or amidst the trees. This makes Forks a double superlative—winner of both the wettest and the weirdest categories. Coldest Once I exclude non-contiguous Alaska, Rogers Pass, Montana,
holds the record for a one-day temperature low (-70ºF). However, the peak of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington wins the title for all-time year-around cold (annual average temperature of 27º). In addition, with wind gusts that sometimes reach more than 230 mph, it’s also considered the windiest place in the United States. Therefore, with masochistic determination, I head to the summit. The road is steep, narrow and bordered with deadly drop-offs, but the view on top is spectacular. What’s more, at the Weather Discovery Center in nearby North Conway, I learn Mount Washington holds bragging rights to the best Est of all: Home of the World’s Worst Weather. It’s a perfect way to end my search. The title of “Worst” makes Mount Washington the “Best.”
For bad weather, visit Mt.Washington in New Hampshire.
New Courtyard location!
Bou Cou dancewear & costumes!
More space! More inventory! More sizes!
[ Shoes [ Tights
[ Leotards [ Dance Bags
= Praisewear
The Courtyard • 2101 Eastern Blvd. (behind Starbucks) • (334) 239-0655 • www.boucou.net www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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TINSELTOWN TALKS
James Drury Introducing “The Virginian” to New Audiences By Nick Thomas Photos courtesy of James Drury
W
hile today’s television landscape is littered with so-called reality programming, westerns dominated the airways in the 1960s. One of the most popular was The Virginian, which ran for nine seasons on NBC from 1962-1971. It starred James Drury as the unnamed, mystery foreman of the Shiloh ranch, set in Medicine Bow, Wy. Drury celebrated his 80th birthday in April and, far from retiring, continues to travel the country greeting fans at western festivals (www.thevirginian.net). He is also resurrecting his tough but honorable cowboy character in a new show for kids that combines liveaction and animation. “It’s called Billy and the Bandit aimed at 8 to10year-olds, but adults can enjoy it, too,” said Drury from his home in Houston. “Billy is the great, great, grandson of ‘The Virginian’ and confined to a wheelchair. He is told tales of the old West by his grandfather, played by me, and fantasizes about western adventures as he falls asleep. All kinds of stories come out of that.” Drury as “The Virginian” then, (above and opposite, bottom right), and now, (opposite, top, and bottom left) sporting his signature black hat. 28
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With the pilot script now completed and cast and crew filming, Drury reunites in the new series with his old “Virginian” costars, Roberta Shore and Gary Clarke. “It’s an exciting project,” Drury said. “We’re looking forward to telling some great stories for families every week.” Currently broadcast on cable’s INSP TV, Drury isn’t surprised The Virginian has remained popular with audiences for more than 50 years. “It was the first 90-minute western on TV and that gave our writers an opportunity to explore detailed stories,” he explained. “It was like doing a movie every week. We also had a wonderful cast of continuing characters, and with the great writing, the finest actors in Hollywood wanted guest starring roles – George C. Scott, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Robert Redford come to mind. Every day I’d go off to the set excited about the wonderful actors I’d be working with.” But starring in a weekly 90-minute series was demanding. “Some days we would be filming parts of five different episodes, so it required a lot of mental concentration,” said Drury. “I had a strong work ethic, so I didn’t mind. I did the show for nine years, but would have been delighted to continue for another ten!” With his rugged good looks and wrangling experience,
Drury was a natural TV cowboy. “I’ve been riding horses since I was in diapers!” said Drury. “My grandfather put me on his Belgian plow horse when I was just a toddler. The animal was so broad, my legs stuck straight out on both sides like I was doing the splits. It’s one of my earliest memories.” Born in New York City, Drury spent time growing up on his parents’ Oregon ranch and developed an interest in acting after performing in a Christmas play as a child. He later returned to New York for stage work before moving to Hollywood. Along with wife Carl Ann, Drury has lived in Houston for 35 years, and off-screen has competed in cutting horse competitions, polo, and dressage. “Texas has been good to me,” said Drury. “I’ve worked with many great horse trainers here and up through Oklahoma. I love it all – the dust, the sweat, the sunshine, and the smell of the horses.” As he did in The Virginian, Drury plans to bring his love of the old West to Billy and the Bandit and is confident audiences will embrace the show. “There are so many cable channels now looking for new content,” he said. “Westerns were morality plays where good always triumphed over evil and people respond to that. Our show retains those values of the old West. Parents and grandparents can watch it with the kids, and that’s a valuable family experience these days.” Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 450 magazines and newspapers. www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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Montgomery Red Dress Dash sponsored by:
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 8:00-10:00 AM Begins and ends at Baptist Medical Center East 301 Brown Springs Road Join us for the 2nd Annual Montgomery Red Dress Dash 5k. Put on your favorite–or not so favorite– red dress and help us dash the myths about Heart Disease in women! It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a women, we need your help to fight the No. 1 killer of women, heart disease. REGISTER online today! Nationally sponsored by:
www.active.com
Search: Red Dress Dash, Montgomery, AL
Locally sponsored by:
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For more information: American Heart Association Local Office Margaret.awokoya@heart.org (205) 510-1523 Register online at www.active.com
,
h t i w e t a r b Cele ! e n i t n e l a V Your ve your table at Reser torante M r. G u s ’ R is io u s fo r a d e li c y D in n e r a D ’s e in t n V a le ee’ Appetizer • Entr Dessert
Ristorante Tue 11:00 a sday-Friday .m. 4:30 - 9 - 2:30 p.m. :00 p.m . S 6:00 a. aturday m. 4:30 - 9 - 2:00 p.m. :00 p.m .
For Reservations Call 334-356-4662 6268 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery
Season
Montgomery Symphony Orchestra
2014-15
Classical Season Concert I • Monday, October 13 • 7:30pm Concert II • Monday, November 24 • 7:30pm Concert III • Monday, December 15 • 7:30pm Concert IV • Monday, February 16 • 7:30pm Concert V • Monday, April 27 • 7:30pm
Fellowship Series Cello, November 13 • 7:30pm Violin, December 4 • 7:30pm Cello, January 13 • 7:30pm Violin, February 10 • 7:30pm Cello, March 29 • 2:30pm Violin, April 16 • 7:30pm montgomerysymphony.org / 240-4004
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GAMES Across 1 Elevates 6 Nearly 15 Reaction to flatness 16 Not predestined 17 1975 Pulitzer winner for criticism 18 Early German fliers 19 Whiskey purchase 20 Jolts 21 Substantive part 22 Sanskrit term of respect 23 Old Spanish bread 25 Safe investment choices 28 Bad mark 33 "Monster" Oscar winner 34 Court service 35 Accessory 36 "Shirt Front and Fork" artist 37 Drum accompanying a fife 38 Team nicknamed the Halos, briefly 40 Risk 41 Five-time 30-game winner of early baseball 42 Got tight 43 Moisture overload results, in plants
45 Manhattan part 47 Door support 51 Source of a cc 52 "Lolita" co-star, 1962 54 Side unit 56 One way to think 57 Court expert 58 "The Liberty Bell" composer 59 Made more attractive, as a deal 60 Serf Down 1 Gripes 2 Event celebrated in "Through the LookingGlass" 3 When "you're gonna want me for your girl," in a 1963 hit 4 Mongolian dwelling 5 Jedi foes 6 Spices (up) 7 Eye parts 8 Absorbed 9 Adviser of a sort 10 Cannon attachment 11 Soother 12 Drama Desk relative
13 Prismatic bone 14 Lab work 23 Parker product 24 "The Joy Luck Club" author 26 Campus town near Bangor 27 Shoe part 29 Semi-hard cheeses 30 Album that includes "Michelle" 31 Disbeliever's comeuppance 32 London flat? 33 It's 1 on the Mohs scale 34 Some coll. students 36 Constantine native 39 Back 40 Some microwaves 42 Caught stealing, say 44 Chop up 46 Stop by 47 Little bits 48 Fresh 49 Place for a rock group? 50 Something to pick? 52 Plymouth potato dish 53 11-Down substance 55 Young louse 2015 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.Š
Crossword and Sudoku answers on page 36. 32
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Theatre, Art, Wine, Health, Estates, Ballet, Bunco Wetumpka Depot Players “I Love You,You’re Perfect, Now Change” Feb. 5-7, 12-14, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 8 2 p.m. For tickets call 334-868-1440 or visit wetumpkadepot.com. Box office open Wed.-Fri., 9a-3p. 300 S. Main St., Wetumpka.
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Winter Season. Free -- Rewind: Art of the 1980s, through Mar. 1 -- Canaletto’s Vedute Prints: An Exhibition in Honor of Adolph Weil, Jr. , through Mar. 8 -- An Invitation to the Ball: Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Fancy Dress Costumes, through Mar. 18 -- Reflections: African- American Life from the Myrna Colley-Lee Collection, through Mar. 8 Open Tues.-Sat., 10a-5p.; Thur., 10a-9p; Sun. noon-5 p. Night of Discovery: A Tour of West Coast Wine Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Feb. 12, 6-8:30p. Live music by the LoFi Loungers. Six signature red and white wines paired with tapas-style food. Food and wine experts on hand. Space limited, reservations required. Tickets $50/person MMFA member, $60/person nonmembers. Buy online at https://secure. qgiv.com/for/montgomery/event/449496/ or call 334. 240.4350 or email brosen@ mmfa.org by Mon., Feb. 2, 2015.
Senior Health and Wellness Expo. Free Eastdale Mall. Sat., Feb. 18, 10a-2p. Health screenings, wellness advice for seniors door prizes. Visit Prime advertiser Wesley Gardens’ booth while at the Expo.
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Estate Planning/Asset Protection Workshop. Free Archibald Senior Center 115 East Jefferson St., Montgomery, AL. Wed., Feb.18,1:30-3:30p. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, more. Registration required. Call 334-625-6774 or register online, www.redoaklegalpc.com. Conducted by Red Oak Legal, PC.
Ballet “Cinderella” Alabama Dance Theatre Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts Feb. 27, 7:30p., Sat. Feb. 28 2:30p., Sun. Mar. 1, 2:30p. Tickets $15-$30. On-sale Feb. 9. For information or tickets call 334-2412590 or visit alabamadancetheatre. com. Following Sat. and Sun. matinées children can attend Cinderella’s ball and meet Cinderella and friends in the palace (additional $10).
Scholarship Fundraiser, “Bunco” Night Door prizes, cash prizes, raffle. American Business Women’s Association, River Region Chapter. Tues., Mar. 10, 6:30p. AllSouth Appliance 508 N.E. Blvd, Montgomery Tickets $25 (advanced) $30 (door). For information contact Tracy Raybon, 334-294-2752.
Way Off Broadway Theater, Prattville “Odd Couple” (female version!) March 12, 7:30p. (Opening Night) Mar. 13-29 (Fri. & Sat.) 7:30p. Sun. 2 p. For advance tickets call 334-595-0854.
MEDICARE
Medicare Changes for 2015 By Bob Moos
T
here are some changes to Medicare in 2015, and we’ll outline those here. The best news, however, is that there are no changes in Medicare’s Part B premium and deductible. The standard premium for the part of Medicare that covers doctor visits and outpatient care will remain at $104.90 per month in 2015, which means more of your Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will stay in your pocket. A small number of people with Medicare – about 4 percent – pay surcharges on their Part B premiums because their annual incomes exceed $85,000. They, too, will see no increase in their premiums for physician visits and outpatient services. The Part B deductible for 2015 will also remain the same as in 2014 – $147. That’s what you pay out of pocket for doctor appointments and outpatient care at the beginning of each year before your Medicare coverage kicks in and helps to cover costs. Bigger discounts on drugs in the “doughnut hole” If you have a Medicare drug plan, the health care law is shrinking the coverage gap, or “doughnut hole,” and what you pay out of pocket when you’re in it. For 2015, the gap begins once you and your drug plan together have spent $2,960. When you reach the doughnut hole, you’ll receive bigger discounts on brandname drugs – 55 percent in 2015, instead of 53 percent this past year – and larger price breaks on generics – 35 percent in 2015, instead of 28 percent previously. The discounts will continue to grow, year by year, until 2020. “Dis-enrollment” from Medicare Advantage plans If you’re unhappy with your private Medicare Advantage health plan, an annual “dis-enrollment” period allows you to return to the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program until Feb. 14.You can also pick a drug plan to go with your new coverage. A word of caution here: There are a few things you can’t do during the six-week “dis-enrollment” period.You can’t switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. Nor can you switch from the traditional Medicare program to an Advantage plan. Most people will need to wait until the annual enrollment period in the fall to make either of those changes.
If you pay a Part A premium, it’ll shrink Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice services and some home health care. Most beneficiaries, or their spouses, have worked long enough to qualify for premium-free Part A coverage. For the 1 percent who must pay, their monthly premium will drop from $426 to $407 in 2015. The Part A deductible that beneficiaries pay when admitted to the hospital will increase modestly – from $1,216 to $1,260. Once you meet your deductible, Medicare covers the full cost of your first 60 days in the hospital – there’s no copayment. Medicare’s websites make comparisons easier Medicare’s “compare” websites – found at www.medicare.gov – are good places to begin your research when looking for a nursing home, hospital, home health agency, dialysis facility or physician. This year, Medicare will make the websites even simpler to use. The nursing home compare and the physician compare websites already display star ratings and have proved especially popular with consumers. Similar star ratings will be added in 2015 to help you compare hospitals, home health agencies and dialysis facilities. Access to your personal health information Having ready access to your Medicare claims data gives you a better understanding of your health information and greater control. It also makes it easier to share your medical history with doctors, caregivers or anyone else you choose. Visit mymedicare.gov to use Medicare’s “blue button” today. You can download 12 to 36 months of claims information for Medicare Parts A and B, and 12 months of claims information for Part D, to your computer or mobile device. This overview of the noteworthy changes to Medicare are expanded on in great detail in the “Medicare and You 2015” handbook you received in the mail. You can also visit www. medicare.gov and download a free digital version of the handbook to your e-reader. Bob Moos is Southwest public affairs officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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MACOA’s 21st Annual Culinary Caper Benefitting Meals On Wheels Sun., Mar. 1, 12:30 p.m. AL Activity Center, 201 Dexter Ave. Sponsorships $1,200 & $3,500 Tickets $75/ea. Montgomery chefs prepare special dishes. Silent Auction. For reservations call Chacolby Burns-Johnson, 334-263-0532, e-mail cjohnson@macoa.org. Limited to 300 guests
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February 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
PRIME DIVERSIONS
Recent dvd releases John Wick, St.Vincent & Dumb and Dumber To
John Wick (R) Keanu Reeves stars in a rather standard-issue revenge flick, stylistically bearing more resemblance to shoot-em-up video games than to cinematic crime fare. He plays a go-to hit man for Russian mobsters who was allowed to retire from the biz for true love about five years earlier. But just after his wife dies, the son of his former boss unwittingly messes with the wrong guy, and at the worst possible time. Thus begins the ensuing bloodbath. Reeves’ eponymous character is described as being so cold-blooded and efficient at his former craft that he’s not the Boogeyman - he’s the one you send to kill the Boogeyman. It’s a natural vehicle for Reeves, since few displays of emotion, or even lines of dialog, are required. Willem Da-friend-orfoe (you’ll understand when you see it), Ian McShane, John Leguizamo and Bridget Moynihan appear in roles that are surprisingly small for such a non-prestigious piece of escapism. Directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, both having plenty of experience in flicks trading far more heavily on brawn than brains, deliver all the adrenalin rushes one might hope to find in an efficient package. Forget your cerebral functions; this one’s all visceral. In fact, I probably shouldn’t have used the term “eponymous”; it’s thematically overqualified. (DVD Release: Feb. 3)
St. Vincent (PG-13) Bill Murray shines as a curmudgeon with a gooey center in this sentimental comedy that gets surprisingly good mileage from a familiar premise. A single mom (Melissa McCarthy) with an undersized son moves into the house next to Bill’s run-down abode. He seems to hate everyone - himself included - but winds up baby-sitting for the lad while mom works many late nights to support them. Bill boozes excessively, gambles poorly and spends considerable time with a pregnant hooker (delightfully played against type by Naomi Watts). There are also some more admirable aspects of his history and nature lurking beneath the hard shell he’s so masterfully crafted. The inevitable ups and downs of such set-ups play out as they must, but the cast and some sharp dialog from writer/ director Ted Melfi (especially impressive, since this is his feature debut wearing either of those hats) make the heart and humor sides work quite nicely. Even the sillier developments
seem tolerable just because the actors do so well individually and collectively. It’s particularly gratifying to see McCarthy in Mark Glass such a relatively low-key role after so many over-the-top gigs in broad comedies like The Heat, Identity Thief and the Hangover series. Her character is arguably the sanest, calmest one in the bunch, giving her fans a fine change of pace. But it’s Murray’s superb mix of sarcasm and softness that holds it all hold together. This may be the natural progression of his persona, from the overgrown man-child of Stripes and two Ghostbusters outings, to his odd competition with a shrewd teenager in Rushmore, to the lost soul of Broken Flowers, to this surly old guy who yells at the neighbors while wishing he knew how to be friends with them. The net result is viewers who will laugh enough along the way before misting up at the end. Game, set and match. (DVD Release: Feb. 17)
Dumb and Dumber To (PG-13) If you remember anything about Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels pairing up 20 years ago to play a couple of likeable dopes who made Bill And Ted or Beavis and Butthead look like Rhodes Scholars, you know exactly what to expect from their reunion. Neither Harry nor Lloyd got any smarter, which leaves them ill-prepared for a road trip to find the previously-unknown daughter of one, who may be the True Love of the other...or something like that. The plot is no more than an excuse for a bunch of lowbrow-to-grossout gags that push the limits of its PG-13 rating, although the Farrelly Brothers and their co-conspirators manage to sneak in a touch of coherence and (arguable) cleverness to their product. The worst part about the experience is the shame one may feel immediately after gasping for breath from laughing so hard at some of its most outrageous, if not offensive, moments. Don’t watch with the kids; don’t watch with the prudes, or those easily nauseated. The rest (mostly those with arrested adolescent development) can relish a perfect example of guilty-pleasure flicks. (DVD Release: Feb.17)
Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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OFF THE BEATEN PATH
A Nose for Trouble I got the call an hour into our trip. My youngest pup - hardly a pup any longer at nearly four years - was casually roaming the neighborhood in that worry-free way only dogs who know their owners won’t be back for a few days can manage. “Do you have a dog named Bella?” the voice on the phone asked. I did indeed, but she never left the yard without me. Knowing Coco’s penchant for escape and my own thrifty tendency to reuse dog collars, I described my younger dog to the caller. It was a positive ID. A call to my father-in-law, who was in town and down the street, placed Coco back into our yard and our trip back on schedule. Except it didn’t. The trip went well but unbeknownst to me until arrival back home, four more times that weekend Coco scaled the six-foot privacy fence. Thanks to my gracious father-in-law and understanding neighbors, what was certainly an inconvenience for all of them wound up being only a minor issue. As we drove, my wife and I discussed Coco’s nose for both birds and trouble, possessing an uncanny ability to find each in places neither clearly resides. While we were thankful to have her back in the yard and appreciative she hadn’t ended our family vacation early, we knew from past experience most “fixes” with Coco were only temporary solutions. Coco was nothing if she wasn’t predictable. A creature of habit, once a new form of entertainment - be it sneaking off to chew duck decoys one by one or repeatedly scaling a newly-discovered low spot in the fence - the first shot was always but a taste of the volley to come. On more than one occasion, I’d look out into the yard to see contents of the playhouse we used as a makeshift store room strewn about the lawn. The entrance was blocked, but she somehow always found her way inside. For a week straight a year ago, our chickens lived in constant terror when Coco found a foothold in the ornamental spacing of the brick wall separating our courtyard and garden where the hens resided. I’d hear them screeching frantically and walk out back to find all of them fighting for the limited real estate of the coop’s roof while Coco stood rigid, pointing the “covey” of hens. It was laughable until she claimed one kill and another serious maiming, after which I watched Coco like a hawk. She must have known it too, playing it cool until she saw the split in blinds disappear. When I finally caught her in the act, I 38
February 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
locked her in her crate, went straight to the store, bought an invisible fence collar and kit and spent the next two hours installing it in the dark. After a few eye-opening zaps, Coco dared not go near the brick wall, and the chickens were safe once again. Before long, she found a low spot in the chain link fence between us and one of our neighbors. Though none of us save Coco knew of it, there was a limb that had fallen against the fence and nearly parallel to the ground, roughly half the distance to the fence top. I’d step out the back door to take out the trash and find Coco on the wrong side of our fence! When I finally caught her mid-escape, I watched intently as she used the limb as a step to spring over into the neighbor’s yard. She then crawled under their fence and ran back around our house to the back door. For fun, I put her back in our yard to see how long it would take to repeat. In two minutes, there was the tap-tap-tap of a dog’s tail at our back door. Out came the spool of invisible fence wire and the trenching shovel, making fully two sides of our back yard Coco-proof. But none of it should’ve surprised me. Because she loves the water so, we’d taught her as a pup to climb swimming pool ladders on the off chance that if she fell in and no one was around, she could climb out. It was a cool trick, albeit one that came with unforeseen complications. To date, she’s climbed ladders of every variety, fences of wood, metal and stone, and has scaled trees after birds, possums, squirrels and pears until there are no more limbs within reach. When we arrived home from our trip, I made a beeline for the invisible fencing kit and once again spent several headlamp-illuminated hours burying wire in hopes of keeping Coco contained. With this latest run, three-fourths of our back yard is now Coco proof. Since then however, I’ve noticed her eyeing the only remaining invisible fence-free portion of our property. If I were a betting man, that stretch would be the odds-on favorite for our Houdini hound’s next escape. I’ll keep the headlamp ready. Niko Corley, a licensed charter boat captain, spends as much of his free time as possible on the water or in the woods. He can be reached at niko.corley@gmail.com.
Niko Corley
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1555 Taylor Road, Montgomery AL 36117 www.primemontgomery.com | February 2015
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