Primejuly2013digital by Bob Corley

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

July 2013

FREE

The Wright Stuff

Maxwell Air Force Base

• Upcoming Alabama Festivals • Why do I have wrinkles? • Icy Summer Treat • Set A Goal! Make it Happen! • Best Wine Blogs • Bloody July, 1863

Blue Jeans or

Black

e i T

Wine Tasting 1st Wednesday 5:30-7:00 pm

Great Food For Any Occasion Mon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thurs 4:30-9:30 pm Fri & Sat 4:30-10:00 pm

WIN an APPETIZER at the August Wine Tasting. Find out how by e-mailing primemontgomery@gmail.com.

10044 Chantilly Parkway 334-281-3911 www.charlesanthonysatthepub.com July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Prime/July 2013

You like frogs in your yard and don’t like mosquitoes (frogs eat mosquitoes which can carry West Nile Virus). You like the sun, but it damages your skin.You like wine, but feel like an idiot when faced with today’s dizzying array of vintage choices. Fear not the mosquito, the sun, or the wine. Read on...

on the cover Forty-six years ago this month, 1st Lt. Karl Richter was killed in Vietnam. The inscription on his statue at Maxwell Air Force Base states simply: “of the warrior breed.” From the Wright brothers to the thousands of Air Force personnel who made Montgomery home for some part of their lives, we say ‘Thanks’ for your vision, dedication, courage and sacrifice. photo by Bob Corley

EDITOR’S NOTES

SHORT TAKES

A GRACIOUS PLENTY Shaved ice treats at home

YARD ‘n GARDEN Welcome ‘critters’ to your yard.

MUST-SEE FESTIVALS Music, murder, food

VINTAGE ADVICE Wine blogging grows up

TINSELTOWN TALKS Another side of Glenn Ford

IN EVERY LIFE Tracking, and avoiding, W. Nile Virus

A WRINKLE IN TIME Be kind to your skin

FIELD OF DREAMS A short history of Maxwell AFB

MONEY WI$E Dream it, plan it, do it!

MEDICARE Q&A Hepatitis shot; home health

MEDICARE FORUM Doctors who ‘opt out’ of Medicare

SOCIAL SECURITY Q&A 460 million Social Security numbers!

DANGEROUS COMBINATION Hot weather and seniors

TURNING POINT July, 1863 -- Vicksburg, Gettysburg

SOUND FINANCES Selecting a financial advisor

Puzzles

31, 32

PRIME DIVERSION DVDs: Quartet (for us Boomers!)

OFF THE BEATEN PATH Fishing for memories

www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

NUMBER 3

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

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Prime

Montgomery

July 2013 Vol. 4, Issue 4

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, Tina Calligas, Callie Corley, Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Kylle’ McKinney, Bob Moos, Arlene Morris, Lynette Morse, Nick Thomas, Alan Wallace, David White PHOTOGRAPHER 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 2013 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contributing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/ Corley Group, LLC. Prime Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Prime Montgomery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals. Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, emotional, or legal matters. We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims.

Editor’s Note This month holds a special place in the history of our country, the fourth of July. It’s such an obvious standout we even abbreviate it, referring to it simply as “The Fourth.” This is a uniquely U.S. holiday. Unlike some we share with other countries and cultures - Christmas and New Year’s, for example - The Fourth is ours alone. There are equivalent celebrations in other countries, with the attendant pomp and ritual and public displays, but The Fourth belongs to us. (Interestingly, July also brings the anniversary of another momentous change in our country’s history, ironically, also on The Fourth. That day in 1863 General Robert E. Lee’s army retreated from Gettysburg, removing any doubt that the United States would remain united.) Much of The Fourth revolves around dazzling displays of fireworks, bunting, parades, music and food. It’s good we celebrate our Declaration of Independence this way, but we also, perhaps unknowingly, celebrate The Fourth everyday -- by simply participating in this unique form of government at all levels, including voting each time the opportunity presents itself. Prime recognizes The Fourth this month with writer Willie Moseley’s The Wright Stuff, a look at Maxwell Air Force Base and its history, starting with the impact those illustrious Wright brothers had on its creation. The Civil War battlefield disasters that were Gettysburg and Vicksburg (also in July) are highlighted in Bloody July by Alan Wallace. The military holds a special place in our culture. We greatly respect that unique segment of our population charged with protecting our country without regard for their own lives. In our family, my father, father-in-law and husband have all served in the military. They, and the tens of thousands who came before them and will come after them, appropriately deserve our deepest and most heartfelt appreciation. So do millions of others who labor unseen and unheralded. The last few words of the Declaration of Independence (“...we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, & our sacred honor...”) were agreed to by a mixed lot, including soldiers, attorneys, judges and career politicians. Scattered among them were also doctors, merchants, farmers, a college president, a cobbler, teachers, a printer, and an ‘iron master’ (he owned a forge). Translated to today, the modern equivalent of such a diverse group of individuals might include a clerk in a government office, a building inspector, taxi driver, florist, artist, a police officer, firefighter, and maybe even a blogger. It is this unique collection of individuals, representing all manner of occupations and attitudes, that makes our democracy work. They go to work each day, do their jobs competently, and abide by the laws and rules of our society. Democracy is complex, requiring the attention of all of us who live under its umbrella. While The Fourth comes only in July, what we honor - our unique origins as a country, and the past and present sacrifices made by so many on our behalf - can be celebrated 365 days a year. Lucky us! May you all have a safe and very Happy Fourth! If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery! www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

shorttakes

Fish Oil Little Help for Age-Related Macular Degeneration A large-scale National Eye Institute study has shown fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids do not alter the progression of age-related macular degeneration, says a national team of researchers at The Methodist Hospital who ran Houston’s part of the study. Another key finding of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2, or AREDS 2, is that lutein and zeaxanthin may be safer and at least as effective as betacarotene in reducing risk of disease progression. Like beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin can be converted to vitamin A in humans and can collect at the retina, where they probably limit chemical damage caused by light. Lutein is found in foods like egg yolk and animal fat deposits. Zeaxanthin is found in some berries, corn, and paprika. AREDS 2’s results agree with past studies that have shown an association between beta-carotene consumption and the development of lung cancer in current or former smokers. Macular degeneration is a disease in which retina damage causes a loss of visual acuity in the center of the eye, called the macula. AMD is a major cause of blindness in the elderly, and currently affects about 11 million Americans. National Eye Institute experts believe that number will double by 2050. The first AREDS study showed that vitamins really make a difference in decreasing the complications of AMD. Based on the AREDS 2 data, it’s now recommended that patients no longer take beta-carotene but look for a vitamin with 10 mg Lutein, 2 mg zeaxanthin, 80mg zinc, 2mg copper, 500mg vitamin C, and 400 IU vitamin E.

Brain Fitness Program Improves Memory UCLA researchers found that older adults who regularly used a brain fitness program played on a computer demonstrated significantly improved memory and language skills. The team studied participants with an average age of 84, recruited from local retirement communities in Southern California. The volunteers were split into two groups: the first group used a brain fitness program for an average of 73.5 (20 minute) sessions across a sixmonth period while a second group 6

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

played it less than 45 times during the same period. Researchers found that the first group demonstrated significantly higher improvement in memory and language skills, compared to the second group. The study’s findings add to the field exploring whether such brain fitness tools may help improve language and memory and may ultimately help protect individuals from the cognitive decline associated with aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Age-related memory decline affects

approximately 40% of older adults and is characterized by self-perception of memory loss and decline in memory performance. Previous studies have shown that engaging in mental activities can help improve memory, but little research has been done to determine whether the numerous brain fitness games and memory training programs on the market are effective in improving memory. This is one of the first studies to assess the cognitive effects of a computerized memory training program.

Salk Scientists: Drug Slows Alzheimer's in Mice A drug developed by scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, known as J147, reverses memory deficits and slows Alzheimer's disease in aged mice following short-term treatment. The findings, published in the journal Alzheimer's Research and Therapy, may pave the way to a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease in humans. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, the sixth leading cause of death in the country and the only one among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

IBD Raises Risk of Melanoma Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at higher risk of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, report researchers at Mayo Clinic. Researchers found that IBD is associated with a 37% greater risk for the disease. Based on this data, researchers are suggesting that physicians appropriately counsel IBD patients about the risk of melanoma and that sun-protective measures are very effective in preventing this cancer.

Exercise Away Depression Exercise has been shown to be an effective treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), both when used alone and in combination with other treatments. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now sufficient research data to provide specific guidance on how to prescribe exercise for depressed patients, according to a report in the Journal of Psychiatric PracticeÂŽ. Based on the available data, aerobic exercise is the preferred form of exercise for patients with MDD - although there is also support for resistance training. Researchers recommend that patients participate in three to five exercise sessions per week, for 45 to 60 minutes per session. Data suggest that patients may experience improvement in depressive symptoms as little as four weeks after starting exercise, but the exercise program should be continued for at least ten to twelve weeks to achieve the greatest antidepressant effect.

UAB Study: Driving and Dogs Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Mix Senior drivers who always take a pet in the car are at increased risk for being involved in a motor vehicle collision, said University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researchers. In a study published in Accident Analysis and Prevention, the research team said both overall and at-fault crash rates for drivers 70 years of age or older were higher for those whose pet habitually rode with them. Study results indicate that the crash risk for drivers who always drove with their pets was double that of drivers who never drove with a pet, while crash rates for those who sometimes or rarely drove with pets were consistent with the rates for non-pet owners. www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

a gracious plenty

Frosty Blast from the Past C

ool down this summer with a rainbow of color and flavor. Just like skipping through the sprinkler when the sun is shining bright, homemade shaved ice offers sweet relief on a hot afternoon. Plus, making this frozen favorite is a fun family activity. "Celebrate the flavors of summer with Easy Fruity Shaved Ice," said Mary Beth Harrington of the McCormick Kitchens. "The secret is in the flavorful syrups, which come together in just a few minutes with less than five ingredients, including fruit extracts and food colors." Add raspberry, orange or strawberry extract to a simple syrup and mix in a few drops of vibrant food color to create this classic frozen treat. But don't stop there. Bring the family together and let their imaginations run wild as they create their own personalized color and flavor combinations.

Ice Easy Fruity Shaved Prep Time: 5 minutes 2 cups sugar 1 cup water Blue Raspberry Syrup: Extract 2 teaspoons Raspberry Food Colors & Egg Dye d rte so As 10 drops Blue dy Syrup: Strawberry Cotton Can awberry Extract Str n tio 2 teaspoons Imita 10 drops Red Food Color Crushed Orange Syrup: Extract 1 teaspoon Pure Orange lor 8 drops Yellow Food Co lor Co od Fo d 2 drops Re Lemon Blast Syrup: Extract 1 teaspoon Pure Lemon lor Co od 10 drops Yellow Fo

meboil in small saucepan on Bring sugar and water to solve sugar. dium heat, stirring to dis m heat. For desired flavor Boil 1 minute. Remove fro food color. syrup, stir in extract and ttle for ure. Pour into squeeze bo rat Cool to room tempe ps cu 2 s ke Ma . over shaved ice easier serving. Pour syrup syrup. ice If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a shaved * Make It Snow At Home: by or er wy texture in your blend maker, crush ice to a sno ash d sm ice in a kitchen towel an wrapping a plastic bag of project mallet. This can be a fun or pin g llin ro a th wi it ing have adult supervision. for kids so long as they s ups in small squeeze bottle * Mix and Match: Store syr ers lay e eat Cr . s in each shaved ice and mix and match flavor up m the ice, and then gobble of color and flavor in the mer .Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a different sum before the creation melts treat every time.

Provided by Family Features and McCormick. For more inspiring summer ideas visit www.McCormick.com. 8

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Yard ‘n garden

Critters in the Garden

By Lynette Morse

erhaps it’s because I like excitement in my backyard, or because I like help with chores. Or maybe I was searching for a cost-free hobby. In the final analysis, I just like critters. After watching the National Wildlife Federation TV shows a few years back, I developed a wildlife habitat in my backyard. It has proved to be a source of unending joy and fascination. Excitement? How about the first sound of toads in spring? They made it through the winter, they like my garden because it’s chemical-free, and they will clean up my space throughout the summer, keeping it free of mosquitos and gnats. A broken pot is a thing of beauty in my garden, since it’s also a toad house. Help with chores? Not fretting about aphids is a luxury to gardeners. My lizards form a Small Insect Control Brigade, patrolling the premises from dawn to dusk.They like loose rocks and bricks so they can warm up in the morning, and dart underneath to avoid predators. How neat is it to watch a young skink - brilliant blue with brown markings - move slowly across your patio. A few days later that blue body sports an adult red head. Later in the summer it’s a fully grown adult several inches long. I watch them up close from my “hide” (reflecting film between two glass doors in the back room so I see them but they can’t see me). Is it cost-free? Almost. I had to replace conventional plants with natives, but the natives don’t complain about my lousy soil, nor do they have much of a problem with the heat, drought, cold and floods thrown at them. They have been a great investment. Once they’re established, they excel, and the excitement factor reappears when, for instance, the Joe Pyeweed is being

eaten by... something, which is using it as a host plant. (See local native plant information at www. abnativeplants.com/index.cfm Considering how important bees are, it’s gratifying to watch them energize over clover and redbud. If you’re into butterflies, you’ll have a butterfly bush or milkweed for them as well as all the other flowers. And, you’ll get rid of that bird feeder in the summer - or the birds will eat your butterflies. If you keep the birdbath clean and filled, you’ll have birds all summer long, just not in the large numbers a winter feeder attracts. These days I have a thrasher coming for a daily bath. She’s pretty wary, though, so she uses the water dish on the ground. We have a hawk around here, and there is a frantic flutter in the backyard when the hawk comes by to terrorize the neighborhood. For an added dimension to your garden, create a habitat. Guidelines are available at www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/Garden-forWildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspxf Lynette Morse is a member of the Capital City Master Gardener Association. For more information about the association, visit their website, www.capcitymga.org/, or e-mail capcitymga@gmail.com.

Baby Boomers & Seniors

• control 70% of the disposable income

• will be 45% of the population by 2015 • read Prime Montgomery

Pr i m e Celebrating Midlife and

Beyond

May 2013

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• • commissioned 27% of the past year’s landscaping • account for 64% of the retail gardening market • account for 89% of all dollars spent on travel • account for 60% of all health care spending • purchase 74% of all prescription drugs • eat in restaurants an average of 3X/week • purchase 52% of all new cars To advertise contact: Bob Corley (334-202-0114) or Wendy McFarland (334-652-9080) primemontgomery@gmail.com

June 2013

Beyond

k Williams Museum

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Ea tin g Ma rti nure La ke -known & obsc

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• Adult Immu • Great Tomatoesnizations • Protecting Senior s • Fired? Don’t • How Loud is Celeb It? • Grilling Panic • Midl Timerating • Puppie andn Beyond s & ife childre to dine.

Well

places

July 2013

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The Wright Stuff

• Pear Dogs • Maxwell 10 Alabama Destinations • Sr. TravelanTips River Cruise • a’s Garden • Top• Selecting a Nursing Home • Europe • Grandp AirialForc DecisioensBas • Financ

• Upcoming Alabam a Festivals • Why do I have wrinkl • Set A Goal! Make es? • Icy Summ it Happen! • Best er Treat Wine Blogs • Bloody July, 1863

www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

Top Alabama events Great Music, Good Food, A Terrible Massacre

utstanding events in Alabama continue throughout the year. July and August feature music, food, and an historical massacre from Alabama’s past. The list of the Top 10 Events, along with numerous other events in our state, was compiled by the Alabama Tourism Bureau and can be found at www.alabama.travel.

W.C. Handy Music Festival, The Shoals n July 19-28 n www.wchandymusicfestival.org Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals, Alabama make up “The Shoals,” home to a weeklong celebration honoring Florence native W.C. Handy, sometimes referred to as the “Father of the blues.” More than 200 events take place, including concerts, plays, art exhibits and picnics.

Alabama Restaurant Week, Statewide n Aug. 16-25 For the second year, restaurants around the state, including many featured in the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” brochure, invite diners to experience the state’s culinary scene. Participating restaurants will offer special fixed-priced menus for lunch and/or dinner and other specials throughout the week. For more information, go to www.alabamarestaurantweek.com. 10

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Fort Mims Massacre 200th Anniversary, Tensaw n Aug. 30-Sept. 1 n www.fortmims.org The event begins on the actual anniversary date of the attack on Fort Mims, where more than 500 pioneer settlers were killed by Creek Indians in 1813. A memorial and dedication service on Aug. 30 is scheduled to include historians, state and local dignitaries, and descendants of survivors. Visitors will experience a living history encampment with settlers, militia and Redstick Creek Indian re-enactors, arrowhead and artifact displays, demonstrations of early crafts such as basket weaving and flint napping, period music, and Indian crafts.

feature

Wine (info) online By David White

ast week, about 250 wine bloggers gathered in Penticton, a small city in British Columbia, Canada, for the 6th Annual North American Wine Bloggers' Conference.That so many wine enthusiasts would travel to a city five hours east of Vancouver isn't surprising. Held in a different winemaking region each year, the annual conference brings together bloggers from across the world to meet one another, share tips and tricks, and learn from industry leaders.What is surprising is just how mature this group has become. What started as a small collection of amateur wine journalists embracing a new form of communication, has evolved into a group of writers virtually indistinguishable from "conventional" wine media.The blogosphere has been trending in this direction for quite some time. Tom Wark, a wine industry publicist who helped start the annual bloggers' conference -- and also runs the popular wine blog Fermentation (fermentationwineblog.com) -- wrote about this development two years ago. "The wine blog is now fully integrated into the world of wine writing," Wark explained. "If anything of significance distinguishes wine bloggers from traditional wine publishing, it is [that] wine bloggers publish in a now recognizable and predictable diarist format, and that they are largely unpaid. Beyond these two factors, little separates the blogged wine writing from the traditional or commercial wine writing." Leading wine bloggers now contribute regularly to traditional media outlets, and established print critics feel obligated to write online. Consider Alder Yarrow, founder and editor of Vinography.com, an influential wine blog that launched nearly ten years ago. He's on the editorial board for Sommelier Journal, a popular trade publication, and a columnist for Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;...learning to appreciate wine does not have to be daunting, expensive, or reserved for some strange elite with magical noses.â&#x20AC;? Or look at Joe Roberts, who founded 1WineDude.com in 2007 to make clear that "learning to appreciate wine does not have to be daunting, expensive, or reserved for some strange elite with magical noses." In 2012, he secured a regular writing gig with Playboy.com. And the list goes on. Kyle Schlachter, author of ColoradoWinePress.com, has contributed to Wine Spectator and Decanter, two of the world's most popular wine publications.Tyler Colman, a lecturer at New York University who writes DrVino.com, has been published in Food & Wine, the New York Times, and countless other outlets. Conversely, established print writers have turned to the web. Few oenophiles had heard of Steve Heimoff, the West Coast Editor for Wine Enthusiast, until he launched his eponymous blog in the spring of 2008.This past February, Antonio Galloni, a top critic for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, left his job to start an online enterprise. Wine blogs haven't replaced traditional outlets, and publications like Decanter and The World of Fine Wine remain tremendously important. Hyper-specialized outlets like Allen Meadows' Burghound and Peter Liem's Champagne Guide offer material that simply can't be found for free. Obviously, wine blogs aren't created equal.Today, there are more than 1,500 active wine blogs.While many are worth visiting, few have real reach. But the blogosphere has grown up, and more and more blogs are worth following.Those who take the craft seriously recognize that if they desire relevance, they have to create content that's interesting, engaging, and frequent. Just look at Elaine Brown's WakawakaWineReviews.com, a site that launched in the fall of 2011. Elaine generates a herculean amount of material, and everything she writes is a pleasure to read. Plus, her passion for wine comes through in all her work. This is something every writer strives for, but few actually pull off. In the newest issue of Sommelier Journal, the editor, David Vogels, surveys the blogosphere in his opening essay. "[Wine] blogging has moved well beyond its formative stage," he writes. "You have to be a particularly good writer . . . or a very funny one . . . to be relevant as a diarist to anyone beyond your immediate friends and family." Fortunately, today's blogosphere has plenty of good writers -and quite a few funny ones, as well. David White is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com, which was named "Best Overall Wine Blog" at the 2013 Wine Blog Awards. His columns are housed at Palate Press: The Online Wine Magazine (PalatePress.com). www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013 11

Tinseltown talks

Tales of Glenn Ford By Nick Thomas

f you’re a fan of old movies, you’ll recognize what these classics have in common -- “Gilda,” “Blackboard Jungle,” “Courtship of Eddie’s Father,” “Fastest Gun Alive.” The answer is Glenn Ford. Though he appeared in around 100 feature films, the first biography on Ford was only published in 2011, when his son Peter authored “Glenn Ford: A Life.” The book is an insightful Hollywood bio filled with stories of one of film’s most under appreciated actors. In addition to acting, Ford had a number of other interests including a great fondness for women, which Peter approaches with objective candor without turning the book into a trashy memoir. “He’s perceived by the public as a ‘Jimmy Stewart’ – a wholesome, allAmerican guy,” Peter said. “He was that, but he also had a lot of ‘Errol Flynn’ in him. In reviewing all my sources, I counted 146 women he had a dalliance with, including Marilyn Monroe.” Those sources included Ford’s own writings. “My father kept a diary every day of his life since 1933 and I have every one of them. So there was an enormous amount of material there,” explained Peter. “If you picked any day since then, I could tell you what he had for breakfast, where

he went, what he did, what he thought, who he talked to, etc.” Glenn Ford was also a pack rat of monumental proportions. When he died in 2006, Peter donated many of his father’s personal items to charities. Other items were sold, including a piano given to Ford by Judy Garland, a slot machine from Frank Sinatra, and a couch on which he “entertained” Ms. Monroe. The auction house hauled away two, 26-foot-long trucks filled with “stuff” – and that only touched the surface of the contents of Ford’s 9,000 square foot home in Beverly Hills. “He saved everything,” said Peter. “I have every letter he ever received and copies of letters he wrote. I have his baby teeth, the lock of hair from his first haircut, the dish he used as a baby, and every report card from school. There [were] also thousands of photographs, and thousands of books. Wherever he went, he would take scraps of paper and write his thoughts. Often, he would stick these randomly in books, along with letters, Christmas cards and even money.” Peter donated hundreds of those books to libraries, but had to check each one in case his father had left some long forgotten treasure within its pages. In one, he found letters

Top: On the set of “Heaven with a Gun” (1968) where Peter was the dialogue coach. Above: Eleanor Powell, Peter and Glenn Ford. (Photos courtesy Peter Ford). Right: Publicity still from “Gilda” with Rita Hayworth. 12

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

from singer Sophie Tucker. Another Ford “hobby” was to secretly record telephone conversations. In the late 1950s Ford, unbeknownst to his family and friends, installed a phone tap on the family's phone. After his father died, Peter discovered hundreds of reel-to-reel and cassette recordings of celebrities and politicians. “He has some of President Richard Nixon,” said Peter with a chuckle. “Isn’t that ironic? The most infamous taper himself getting taped!” Peter also recalls childhood Sunday morning walks with his dad along Santa Monica Boulevard where they would often stop under a leafy ficus tree. Ford would ask his son if he wanted some chewing gum. Adept at sleight-of-hand tricks, Ford would appear to pull chewing gum from the tree, leading young Peter to believe there really was such a thing as a “gum tree!” Peter also remembers flying in a private plane with his

dad to Cody, Wyoming, for the dedication of the Buffalo Bill Museum. The ceremony culminated with a live buffalo dangling in a harness from a helicopter, flying over the crowd. But as the pilot hovered above the assembled dignitaries, the terrified animal’s bladder and bowels proved unstable. When combined with the downward force of the chopper’s rotor blades, Peter says it was a most memorable event! Glenn Ford was a complex man, which led to difficulties and intricacies in his professional and personal life. Peter’s revelations about his dad – as well as his mom, the great dancer, Eleanor Powell – provide a fascinating glimpse into the golden age of Hollywood. Nick Thomas teaches at AUM. His features and columns have appeared in more than 300 magazines and newspapers, and he is the author of “Raised by the Stars,” published by McFarland. He can be reached at his blog: http://getnickt.blogspot.com.

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In every life

Protect Yourself from

West Nile Virus

y mid-June this year, eleven states have reported cases West Nile Virus. Four states reported cases in humans: California, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee. Two of these states border Alabama. In 1937, West Nile virus (WNV) was identified in Africa, the Middle East, and West Asia. In the Western Hemisphere, the first human and animal disease cases were reported Arlene Morris in 1999, especially in an outbreak in New York City. By 2003, reports of WNV had spread to 46 states. It is not contagious from person to person in casual contact; people or animals are infected through bites from infected mosquitoes which have acquired the infection from feeding on birds that contain high levels of WNV. An infection can occur without symptoms, or may include symptoms such as fever, head or body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, enlarged lymph glands or skin rash. Fatigue and weakness may persist for several weeks or months. However, the illness will become more severe in approximately 1% of infected people, potentially developing into meningitis or encephalitis with symptoms such as high fever, headache, neck stiffness, altered thinking, weakness, paralysis, tremors or convulsions. Individuals who develop severe illness require supportive nursing and medical care in a hospital as soon as symptoms are

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Individuals over age 60, and those who have conditions such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or have organ transplants are at increased risk.â&#x20AC;?

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Track reports of infections among mosquitoes, dead birds, and other animals. n http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov/index.html. Information about specific insect repellants can be found at the national pesticide information center. n http://npic.orst.edu/index.html n http://wwwl.cdc.gov/westnile/preventionindex.html n http://epa.gov/pesticides/insect/safe.htm identified. Individuals over age 60, and those who have conditions such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or have organ transplants are at increased risk for more serious illness. Death is estimated in less than 1 out of 1000 cases. There is no vaccination or antiviral treatment available to prevent WNV. Prevention includes avoiding contact with mosquitoes by covering skin with clothing, using insect repellant, and avoiding being outdoors during the early morning and evening. Eliminating areas of standing water in which mosquitoes breed, supporting community mosquito extermination efforts, and maintaining screened doors and windows are additional efforts to reduce contact with mosquitoes. A dead bird or animal should always be handled with a protective barrier such as gloves or double plastic bags. Dead birds or animals should be reported to the Alabama Department of Public Health for testing for presence of WNV in the area. Meat from birds and animals should always be fully cooked. Although summer is the time of year many enjoy the outdoors, awareness of potential risks, symptoms, and strategies to avoid exposure to WNV can increase personal and family safety. Have a very safe and enjoyable rest of the summer! Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing. Reach her at amorris@aum. edu.

Hearing History

The Conversation Tube

Made in the latter half of the 19th Century, Conversation Tubes were manufactured and marketed into the 20th Century. Sears Roebuck catalogues through 1908 list Conversation Tubes for sale from $1.30 to $1.89, $33-$48 in today’s money. The flexible metal tube is an improvement over the all-cloth model, offering greater protection from damage to the rubber tube inside, with little chance for air leakage which would result in reduced effectiveness. The bell is of metal, 3” in diameter, with a 30” tube and Bakelite earpiece. (Vintage hearing instrument courtesy of Rick Love, M.D., All Ears Hearing Centers.)

www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

feature

A Wrinkle in Time: Our Aging Skin Y

our skin changes with age, becoming thinner, losing fat, and no longer looking as plump and smooth as it once did.Veins and bones can be seen more easily, and scratches, cuts, bumps and bruises can take longer to heal.Years of tanning or extended exposure to the sun may lead to wrinkles, dryness, age spots, and even cancer. But there are things you can do to protect your skin and to make it feel and look better. Dry Skin and Itching Dry skin feels rough and scaly and is often on the lower legs, elbows, and lower arms. Reasons for dry skin include: n Not drinking enough liquids n Staying out in the sun n Being in very dry air n Smoking n Feeling stress n Losing sweat and oil glands (common with age) n Health problems (diabetes, kidney disease) n Using too much (or too harsh) soap, antiperspirant or perfume n Taking hot baths (warm water is less drying than hot)

Moisturizers (lotions, creams, ointments) can soothe dry, itchy skin, and should be used every day. Humidifiers help some people. Bruising Some illnesses may cause bruising, as well as some medications such as bloodthinning drugs and corticosteroids used to treat allergies, asthma and eczema. Wrinkles Wrinkles have environmental causes, like ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun that makes the skin less elastic. Gravity can cause sagging and wrinkling, along with certain habits such as smoking. Many claims are made about how to make wrinkles go away. Not all of them work. Some can be painful or dangerous, and many must be done by a doctor. If you are worried about wrinkles, talk with your regular doctor or one specially trained in skin problems (a dermatologist). 16 July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Age Spots And Skin Tags Age spots, once called "liver spots," are flat, brown spots often caused by sun exposure. They are bigger than freckles and often show up on the face, hands, arms, back and feet. They’re harmless, but if they bother you, talk to a dermatologist about removing them. Sunscreen/block may prevent more sun damage. Skin tags are small, usually flesh-colored growths of skin with a raised surface, a common occurrence as we age (especially women). They are most often found on the eyelids, neck, and body folds such as the arm pit, chest, and groin. They’re harmless, but can become irritated. A doctor can remove them if they bother you. Skin Cancer Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., the primary cause being sun exposure. Sunlamps and tanning booths can also cause skin cancer, and anyone can get it. However, people with fair skin that freckles easily are at greatest risk. Skin cancer may be cured if found before it spreads to other parts of the body. Check your skin once a month for things that may be cancer. Look for changes such as a new growth, a sore that doesn't heal, or a bleeding mole. Check moles, birthmarks, or other parts of the skin for the "ABCDE's:" A = Asymmetry (one half of the growth looks different from the other half) B = Borders that are irregular C = Color changes or more than one color D = Diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser E = Evolving; this means the growth changes in size, shape, symptoms (itching, tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or shades of color See your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Keeping Skin Healthy Some sun can be good, but to keep your skin healthy, be careful.

Limit time in the sun, especially 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are strongest. Cloudy skies are no protection, nor is being in the water. n Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Choose one with "broad spectrum" on the label, and apply it 15-30 minutes before you go outside. Reapply every two hours, more often if you’re swimming, sweating, or rubbing your skin with a towel. n Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide brim can shade your neck, ears, eyes, and head. Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun's rays. If you have to be in the sun, wear loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts. n Avoid tanning. Don't use sunlamps or tanning beds. Tanning pills are not approved by the FDA and might not be safe. Your skin changes as you age, but there are things you can do to help. Check your skin often, and if you find changes that worry you, see your doctor. n

Information provided by the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Resources American Academy of Dermatology www.aad.org National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse www.niams.nih.gov National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus www.medlineplus.gov U.S. Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov National Institute on Aging Information Center www.nia.nih.gov

Skin Facts You skin weighs about six pounds (about the weight of a standard brick). n Skin thickness varies from about .3 mm on the eyelids (/100 of an inch; the thinnest) to approximately 3 mm on the back (three credit cards stacked). n Skin is the body’s largest organ, with the average adult having more than 20 square feet n

(slightly larger than a standard interior door in your home). n 1 square inch of human skin can contain 19,000,000 cells (the population of Romania.) n Skin provides a protective barrier against heat, injury, light and infection, and helps regulate body temperature. n Goose Bumps are raised skin at the base of body hair. This occurs involuntarily due to cold temperatures or

emotions such as fear. Other mammals experience this, the best example being porcupines which raise their quills when threatened. In cold weather, goose bumps help trap air to provide additional insulation. Information compiled from the National Institutes of Health (www. nih.gov), and Most Interesting Facts (www. mostinterestingfacts. net).

www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

feature

Wright Stuff the

A Brief History of Maxwell Air Force Base By Willie Moseley

C-130s on the flight line sporting the recently-approved Alabama state flag logo on the tail. 18

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

other facilities, the first class opened in September, 1931. he history of Montgomery’s Maxwell Air Force Base is “The Air Service Tactical School was, essentially, the officer as much about people as aircraft. The upcoming display professional military education school of that period,” said of a full-size steel replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer in Kane. “Company-grade officers were taught air force docWright Brothers Park downtown underlines how that faciltrine and tactics. In addition, the school produced air power ity owes its existence to those eccentric and determined doctrine itself, so it had a dual brothers from Dayton, Ohio, mission.” and the radical invention they The first 1931 class was the debuted at Kitty Hawk, North progenitor of the permanent Carolina in 1903. Interest in education facilities at Maxwell, Wilbur and Orville Wrights’ which continue to this day in invention grew rapidly after numerous facets that involve that first flight, as America’s thousands of military personmilitary as well as civilians nel and civilian employees. began to realize the potential In 1940, however, the adof flight. vent of World War II man“By early 1910, the brothers dated that Maxwell’s mission were seeking to establish an would change from education exhibition company for their to training, as a flight school airplanes, and needed pilots,” opened at the said Dr. Robfacility. The U.S. ert Kane, base Army Air Corps historian at conducted Maxwell. “They several phases also wanted of pilot training to establish a at Maxwell, as training facilwell as at the ity in an area city’s airport on with better the northeast weather than side of town, Dayton. Wilbur which the had gone to military leased Jacksonville, and ultimately Florida, and The newly installed Wright Flyer sculpture (top) overlooks the Alabama River and I-65. Dr. Robert Kane purchased. The while he was second facilthere, someone (above L), Maxwell Historian. The Wright Brothers flying school (above R) displays sponsors’ names. ity was named told him to Gunter Field, after deceased Montgomery mayor William check out Montgomery. They liked what they saw here, and Gunter. Thousands of pilots from England, France and other opened the first civilian flight school in the U.S. in a flat area nations trained in Montgomery during the Second World War. of a former cotton plantation owned by Frank Kohn.” The Air Force became a separate branch of service in SepIt’s fair to say the Air Force’s association with education tember, 1947, and Maxwell became a center for education. at Maxwell was established by the men who invented the “Even before the war ended, it was expected that the airplane. While the civilian school was short-lived, the connecAir Force would become independent from the Army, and tion between the military and the original facility remained. one of the things the leadership envisioned was a post-war The acreage was leased by the U.S. Army for use with its educational system for Air Force officers,” the historian said. rapidly-expanding Air Service Program, opening engine and repair depots. The land was purchased by the military in 1921 “When the war ended, the decision was made to move what was known as the Army Air Force School, which was and named Maxwell Field, after Alabama native William Maxnear Orlando (Florida) to Maxwell, and in 1946, it was well, an Army pilot killed in renamed ‘Air University’, with the primary mission of a a crash in the Philippines in professional military education for officers.” 1920. For decades, the traditional “Big Three” of the Air In 1928, the Air Service University schools have been Squadron Officer School Field Tactical School was (company grade officers), Air Command and Staff Colrelocated from Langley Field, lege (field grade officers), and Air War College (lieutenVirginia to Maxwell Field, ant colonels, colonels, and civilian equivalents). due to the lobbying efforts “The Air Force is the only one of the three services of Alabama Congressman that has professional military education for officers at Lister Hill. Following the l, center. one installation,” said Kane. construction of housing and AL Congressman Lister Hil www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013 19

Aerial Hero William Calvin Maxwell of Atmore Alabama, enlisted in the Army in 1917, attended flight school at Kelly Field, Texas and graduated in 1918. He served in the U.S. during World War I and transferred to the Philippines after the war. While stationed at Camp Stotsenburg in Luzon, Lt. Maxwell and Pvt. Jorge Chase were on a routine flight to Manila when their DH-4 experienced engine problems. Maxwell selected an emergency landing site at a sugar plantation, but as he neared the ground saw a group of children playing in the path of his plane. Maneuvering to avoid the children, the plane’s right wing struck a flagpole hidden from view by the sugar cane. The crash killed Maxwell and seriously injured Chase. Following a memorial ceremony, Maxwell’s body was returned to Atmore and buried.

2nd Lt. William Calvin Maxwell 20

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Other schools for officers have been introduced at Maxwell or relocated to the base over the years, including Officer Training School, by which new Air Force recruits that qualify to be officers earn their commissions. That school was transferred from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to Maxwell in 1993. In 2009, the Air National Guard’s Officer Training School was relocated to Maxwell from McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, Tennessee. Headquarters for another officer accession program, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC, conducted on college campuses), is also located at the Montgomery base. The only other option for education of a potential Air Force officer is at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. The International Officers School, established in 1954, is the most diverse educational option for officers at Maxwell. Over the years the school has endeavored to educate all attendees about cultural differences, language issues, etc. to the point that even nations that were former adversaries a quarter-century ago now send officers to the sprawling military complex in central Alabama. “I came here in 1996, and one of the first observations I had was when I walked

down a hall at the Air War College, and noted a Russian officer, a Polish officer, and a Hungarian officer,” Kane recalled with a smile. “I remember thinking to myself ‘It’s hard to believe that five years ago we were trained to kill each other, and here we are now, benefiting from each other.” Non-commissioned officers also benefit from schools at Maxwell, now known as Gunter Annex. Education opportunities for noncoms include the U.S. Air Force Senior NCO Academy. Maxwell Air Force Base does have a flying organization as well. The 908th Airlift Wing is a reserve unit flying C-130 aircraft with a long history of active duty tours. For decades, the educational opportunities for military personnel at Maxwell Air Force Base have been enabling members of the U.S. military as well as officers from other nations to develop their leadership skills, and such education continues to evolve. The facility and its thousands of assigned personnel and civilian employees are an integral and indispensable part of the economic and social systems of Montgomery and surrounding areas. Author/columnist/lecturer Willie G. Moseley’s tenth book will be released in 2013. He may be reached at willie@vintageguitar.com.

moneywise

Four Steps to Help You 2 Succeed

o you want to get out of debt, take a special vacation, improve your home, or make a sizable purchase? You may be like many others who have a general notion of a way they would like to Alan Wallace improve their life. The challenge is in making that positive change a reality. A fairly straightforward process can help you achieve most reasonable “lifeimprovement projects.” (You can easily identify loads of unreasonable projects which are beyond your ability; this process is not designed to perform magic.) Step One: Define your objective The goal should be specific and measurable, and you need to establish a timeframe for completion. Suppose your goal is to take an Alaskan cruise (this is on my personal list). Investigate the cost,

schedule and options. Do you prefer the inner passage or outer passage, what cruise length is most appealing, which accommodations and cruise line looks most appropriate? What month of the year do you want to take the cruise (shoulder periods are less expensive, but the weather is less reliable.) Once you narrow your choices, what do you estimate the cost will be? How long will it take you to save the money to pay for it? After you have done this research, firm up your goal by settling on the cruise line, month and year, route and berth you want to use. Step Two: Plan While the preplanning step of goalsetting will give you a lot of information, it is not a plan. The plan involves calculating just how much the trip will cost, deciding what travel arrangements are necessary, including scheduling vacation time at work, taking care of your house, pets, etc. while you are away, etc. If the biggest issue is the financial piece,

Seasonal Allergi e s &

Contact Lenses

‘ n

• Airborne allergens can get into contacts causing blurry vision. • Eye drops may help relieve symptoms and keep contacts clean. • Certain eye drops can damage contacts, so check with your doctor. • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug eye drops can decrease symptoms. • Daily disposable contacts are effective in reducing allergy symptoms.

‘ n

Roy T. Hager, M.D., F.A.C.S. | James D. Izer, M.D. Jeffrey M. Healey, M.D. | Richard M. Murphy, O.D. 4255 Carmichael Court N. Montgomery • 334-277-9111

8007 U. S. Highway 231 Wetumpka • 334-567-9111

S a v e

C l i p

F A C T S

C l i p

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About 75% of allergy sufferers experience eye symptoms.

EYE

1 3 4

how much do you need to save monthly or weekly to pay for the trip? Will you prepay for everything or use debt for part of it? (Interest on debt will cost you more in the long run.) Can you get discounts by scheduling and paying early for certain parts of the trip? How will you cut costs now to increase the pace of savings? Should you buy trip insurance? Step Three: Implement Having set your goal and formulated your plan, it is now time to pull the trigger.You start saving.You schedule vacation time.You book the cruise.You make sure everything you can control which will make the trip a success has been handled. Step Four: Adjust This may seem anticlimactic, but you need to include this step in your thought process. Suppose weather or a health situation or a terrorist attack or a fuel embargo or an economic downturn forces you to alter your plan. This is where you resolve any issues by rescheduling or other actions. To paraphrase a line from Robert Burns’ poem To a Mouse, “The best laid plans of mice and men go oft astray.” Pre-thinking such possibilities will help you adapt more readily, with less emotional pain and financial cost. Whatever your life-improvement goals, following this simple process will help them become a reality and not just a dream. Happy planning. 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 334-2705960, or by e-mail at alan.wallace@ronblue. com.

*For a free copy of ITEC’s Viewpoint newsletter call 334-277-9111. www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

health

Marci’s Medicare Answers July 2013 Dear Marci, Does Medicare cover hepatitis B shots? — Igor Dear Igor, Yes. Medicare Part B covers the hepatitis B vaccine if you have a high or medium risk for hepatitis B. People who are considered to have a high or medium risk for hepatitis B may include: n Those with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or kidney failure n Hemophiliacs n Clients and staff at institutions for the developmentally disabled n Health care professionals who have frequent contact with blood or bodily fluids during work Original Medicare, the traditional Medicare program offered directly through the federal government, covers 100 percent of its approved amount for the hepatitis B vaccine, even before you meet the Part B deductible. A deductible is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance begins to cover your health care services.You will not have to pay anything for the hepatitis B vaccine if you see doctors or other health care providers who accept Medicare and take assignment. Doctors who accept Medicare and take assignment cannot charge you more than the Medicare approved amount. Call 800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov to locate doctors who accept Medicare and take assignment. Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare private health plans, may cover the hepatitis B vaccine; however, they may do so with different costs and rules. Contact your plan to see what costs and rules apply. Keep in mind that Medicare Part D, the Medicare prescription drug benefit, covers the hepatitis B vaccine if you are at low risk for hepatitis B. Contact your Part D plan to see what costs and rules apply. Dear Marci, My mother has difficulty leaving her home and needs skilled care. What types of home health care does Medicare cover? — Gretchen Dear Gretchen, If your mother meets certain requirements, Medicare may cover the following home health services: n Skilled nursing services, such as tube feedings and wound care n Skilled therapy services, such as physical therapy and speech therapy n Home health aide services, such as help bathing or dressing n Medical social services ordered by a doctor to help with social and emotional concerns related to an illness 22

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

n Medical supplies, such as wound dressings n Durable medical equipment Medicare will only pay for the home health services listed above, if your mother is homebound (i.e. it is extremely difficult for her to leave her home and she requires help to do so) and has a need for skilled nursing care or skilled therapy services. Skilled care is when the care can only be provided by a licensed nurse or therapist. Your mother must also have a face-to-face visit with a health care professional within 60 days before she gets home care or 30 days after she receives care. Her doctor must sign a home health certification confirming that she has had this visit and that she qualifies for home care because she is homebound and needs skilled care. Keep in mind that her doctor will need to approve her plan of care every 60 days. Lastly, Medicare will cover home health care if your mother receives certified care from a Medicare-certified home health agency (HHA). Call 800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov to locate Medicare-certified home health agencies. Dear Marci, I recently received a letter saying that I have Extra Help. I went to the pharmacy, and they told me they could not tell whether I had Extra Help or not. Is there any way I can pick up my medications at the pharmacy and pay Extra Help copays? — Beza Dear Beza, If you have Extra Help, the federal assistance program that helps people with limited incomes pay for their Medicare drug costs, you will pay lower copays at the pharmacy for your medications.Your Extra Help status should be documented in the system. However, in some instances, a person’s Extra Help status may be incorrectly documented in the system, and your pharmacist may not know that you have Extra Help. If you do have Extra Help, you can use what’s called “Best Available Evidence” to show your pharmacist that you have Extra Help. Examples of Best Available Evidence may include: n Your Medicaid card n Your Medicare Savings Program award letter n Your Extra Help award letter If you present this information to your pharmacist, he/she should update the system to reflect that you have Extra Help. You should also be able to pick up your medications and pay Extra Help copays at the pharmacy. Marci's Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center, the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for Medicare recipients. Visit www.medicarerights.org to subscribe to “Dear Marci’s” free educational newsletter.

“Opting Out” of Medicare By Bob Moos Southwest Public Affairs Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services

hen a doctor says he has “opted out,” it means he doesn’t accept Medicare. The chances are slim you’ll find yourself in this situation, since more than 1 million health care providers throughout the country – the vast majority of them doctors – take Medicare as payment.You’ll occasionally read of a physician who’s thinking about opting out of Medicare, but that’s rare. Still, it’s good to know what to expect if you do visit a doctor who has opted out of the Medicare program. Doctors who don’t take Medicare can charge what they wish. They don’t submit health care claims to Medicare nor are they subject to laws that limit the amount they can charge Medicare patients. Medicare generally doesn’t pay for services you receive from an opt-out doctor. So unless it’s an emergency or you need urgent care, you’ll be responsible for the entire cost of your health care. A doctor who formally opts out of Medicare must have you sign a private1contract before nonMCA_Ad_06.13_Prime_Layout 6/18/13 9:52 AM receiving Page 1 emergency care. It basically says you agree to be treated

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“... you can’t be asked to sign a private contract for emergency or urgent care.” by someone who doesn’t take Medicare patients.You don’t have to agree to a private contract, of course, and you always have the option to go to another doctor who does take Medicare. But if you sign the agreement, be aware of its meaning: n the contract applies only to that particular doctor; n Medicare won’t pay any amount for the care you get from the doctor, even if they’re services Medicare typically covers; n you’ll have to pay the full amount the doctor charges for the services you get, which could be higher than the Medicare-approved amount; n if you have supplemental health insurance (sometimes known as a Medigap policy), it won’t pay anything, either. A physician must tell you if Medicare would pay for the service if you were to get it from a provider who accepts Medicare. Keep in mind you can’t be asked to sign a private contract for emergency or urgent care. Just to be safe, contact Alabama’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program to get help before signing a private contract with any doctor or health care provider (1-800-243-5463). Most doctors, providers and suppliers accept Medicare, but check to make sure yours does. A customer service representative can assist you at Medicare’s 24-7 helpline (1-800-633-4227). Providers who participate in Medicare have almost always signed an agreement to accept the Medicare-approved payment for Medicare-covered services. In other words, they “accept assignment.” That means: n your out-of-pocket cost may be less; n your provider agrees to charge you only the Medicare deductible and co-insurance amount and usually wait for Medicare to pay its share before asking you to pay your share; n your provider has to submit your claim directly to Medicare and can't charge you for submitting the claim. Finally, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as a Medicare private health plan, you should see doctors within your plan’s network.You typically pay the least if you go to a doctor who’s in the plan network. Check with your plan to see what rules apply. www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

Social Security

Your

Questions, Answered

ver the next couple of months we’ll answer some of the numerous questions received at the Social Security office. Q: How many Social Security Kylle’ McKinney numbers have been issued since the program started? A: Since numbers were first issued in November 1936, we have assigned about 460 million numbers. There are about one billion possible combinations of the 9-digit Social Security number.Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/history/ssn/ssncards. html for a complete history of the Social Security number. Q: How do I change my citizenship status on Social Security’s records? A: To change your citizenship status shown in Social Security records: Complete an application for a Social Security card (Form SS-5), which you can find online at www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ ss-5.html; and Provide documents proving your: New or revised citizenship status (We can only accept certain documents as proof of citizenship. These include your U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your current immigration documents); Age; and Identity. Next, Take (or mail) your completed application and documents to your local

Social Security office. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ ssnumber. Q: My spouse and I are both entitled to our own Social Security benefits. Will Social Security reduce our combined benefits because we are married? A: No. When each member of a married couple works in employment covered under Social Security and both meet all other eligibility requirements to receive retirement benefits, we calculate their lifetime earnings independently to determine their benefit amounts. Therefore, each spouse receives a monthly benefit amount based on his or her own earnings. If one spouse earned low wages or did not earn enough Social Security credits (40) to be insured for retirement benefits, he or she may be eligible to receive benefits as a spouse. To learn more about retirement, visit www.socialsecurity. gov/retirement. Q: I have never worked but my spouse has. What will my benefits be? A:You can be entitled to as much as one-half of your spouse's benefit amount when you reach full retirement age. If you want to get Social Security retirement benefits before you reach full retirement age, the amount of your benefit is reduced. The amount of reduction depends on when you will reach full retirement age. For example, if your full retirement

age is 66, you can get 35 percent of your spouse's unreduced benefit at age 62 (a permanent reduction); if your full retirement age is 67, you can get 32.5 percent of your spouse's unreduced benefit at age 62 (a permanent reduction). The amount of your benefit increases if your entitlement begins at a later age, up to the maximum of 50 percent at full retirement age. However, if you are taking care of a child who is under age 16 or who gets Social Security disability benefits on your spouse’s record, you get the full spouse’s benefits, regardless of your age. Learn more about retirement benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement. Q: Can I receive Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits at the same time? A:You may be able to receive SSI in addition to monthly Social Security benefits if your Social Security benefit is low enough for you to qualify for SSI. Whether you can get SSI depends on your income and resources (the things you own). If you have low income and few resources, you may be able to supplement your Social Security benefit with an SSI payment.You can find out more about SSI by going to www.socialsecurity.gov and selecting the “SSI” tab at the top of the page. 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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July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

health

dangerous Combo:

Seniors & Hot weather O

ne of the best definitions that Andy Duxbury has ever heard about what it means to age is this: Aging is a loss in ability to adapt to change. Duxbury, a physician in the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), says it’s more than an inability to understand Twitter, distaste for modern music or even a desire for the good old days. It also means that seniors can’t physically adapt to changing environmental conditions — and that means the heat of summer can be dangerous for them. “Seniors are among the most vulnerable groups in the population to heat stress,” Duxbury said. “Heat waves often kill a disproportionate number.” A rare 2003 heat wave in Europe killed nearly 15,000 people in France, most of them elderly. A 1995 heat wave in Chicago killed 750 people, again most of them seniors. Duxbury says the reasons that seniors are vulnerable to heat stress run a gamut from the physical inability to regulate body temperature to economic, medical and social factors: n Seniors don’t perspire as easily they did when they were younger, so they don’t selfcool. They also are less likely to feel discomfort from extreme heat and act to cool themselves until it’s too late. “Most seniors have a couple of underlying, chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease or hypertension,” Duxbury said. “Heat puts additional stress on the body of an older person coping with multiple medical issues. n Seniors are less like to stay hydrated. Their thirst mechanism no longer responds

as it did in younger days. And for seniors with continence issues, drinking a lot of water is often the last thing they want to do. “It’s a social issue,” said Duxbury. “If you have trouble getting to the bathroom or difficulties relieving yourself, you will refrain from drinking too much water to avoid the potential embarrassment and hassle of having to go.” n Seniors on fixed incomes may not be able to pay a high power bill. They might not want to open the door and windows if they are worried about crime. And they may lack the mobility of younger folks who can head to the mall or movie theatre to get some relief from high temperatures. Duxbury says younger family and friends need to keep a sharp eye on seniors when the temperature rises. He suggests checking on the environment that senior lives in. Is the house or apartment cool enough? “If you are checking in from out of town, don’t accept Grandma saying ‘No, dearie, I’m fine’ on the phone,” Duxbury said. “Listen for signs of confusion, which is often the first indication of heat illness.” Treatment for heat-related illness for seniors is the same for everyone. Give fluids and get the individual to a cool environment. Seek medical treatment if the individual shows signs of confusion, has a rapid pulse or passes out. “Prevention is far and away the best treatment for heat-related illness in the elderly,” said Duxbury. “Be aware and alert for older neighbors and family members as summer progresses.” Information provided by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB, www.uab.edu.), a research university and academic medical center.

www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

bloody july

feature

1863 By Alan Wallace

Gen. Robert E. Lee

n July of 1863 the leading citizens of Montgomery received a double dose of bad news. Twenty-seven months earlier the nascent Confederate government in Montgomery had authorized the bombardment of Union forces at Ft. Sumter, initiating hostilities between the upstart Confederates and the national government. A few weeks later the Confederate capital had moved to Richmond, and Montgomery had relinquished its place in the national spotlight. Despite Confederate victories the previous two years, and Lee’s success at Chancellorsville (April 30-May 6), the war of attrition was taking its toll on the South. Gen. T. J. “Stonewall” Jackson had died in early May from wounds inflicted accidentally by his own men at Chancellorsville. By spring of 1863 an estimated 5,000 Alabama soldiers were in or near Vicksburg, MS, making up 16% of the total Confederate forces in the area. The last

Alabama Units at Vicksburg 2nd Alabama Artillery Battalion, Company C, Sengstak’s Artillery Battery n Infantry Regiments: 20th, 23rd, 30th, 31st, 37th, 40th, 42nd, 46th n Detachment of the 54th Infantry Regiment n

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant

Alabama Units at Gettysburg Jeff Davis Artillery n Infantry Regiments: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 26th, 44th, 47th, 48th n 5th Infantry Battalion n

Confederate bastion on the Mississippi River,Vicksburg was under siege by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s well-supplied army, more than double the size of his Confederate opponent, Gen. John Pemberton. Grant’s strategy consisted mainly of bombarding the town and everyone in it with artillery until the Confederate force surrendered. By early June, Gen. Robert E. Lee had initiated the preliminary stages of his advance into Pennsylvania, which would culminate in the unintended collision of his army with that of Union Gen. George Meade near the small town of Gettysburg. The forces which collided at Gettysburg were more evenly matched than those at Vicksburg, with approximately 5,700 Alabama soldiers taking part, making up 8% of Lee’s army. The resulting battle, which lasted three days (July 1-3, 1863), concluded with the unsuccessful Confederate assault known as Pickett’s Charge. After remaining on the field July 4, hoping for

a Union counterattack which did not come, Lee’s army began its retreat toward Virginia late on the 4th. Earlier that same day Pemberton had surrendered Vicksburg and his army to Grant. Both Vicksburg and Gettysburg have good visitor centers and battlefield areas for touring. The USS Cairo is on display at Vicksburg, having been raised from the river bottom in 1964, almost 102 years after it was sunk, the victim of the first-ever electrically detonated mine. The Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center opened in 2008 and provides excellent interpretive exhibits.You can walk and ride through much of the battle field, including the route of the Confederate assault on the 3rd day which marked the “high water mark of the Confederacy.” Both locations have special events scheduled during this sesquicentennial anniversary of the battles. Information about special events in Vicksburg and Gettysburg n www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm n www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/ visitorcenters.htm

Above: Civil War canon line a Vicksburg street. Below and left: The fields and lanes of Gettysburg witnessed some of the deadliest fighting of the war.

Gen.George Meade

Gen. John Pemberton www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

elder security

Financial Profe$$ionals

hether you’re a novice or an experienced investor, you may benefit from working with a professional financial planner or investment adviser. Selecting an adviser knowledgeable about the particular issues you want to discuss, and who is affordable and trustworthy, is not like selecting a dentist or plumber. The consequences of making the wrong selecJoseph Borg, tion can be very costly. Typical ways financial advisors charge for services include: n product commissions based on what you buy and the quantity (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.); n assets under management (AUM) fees, typically 1% or more a year, depending on their experience and track record; n comprehensive/modular planning fees, a flat fee for the expertise, time and resources to develop a financial plan; n charging by the hour for services and annual account retainer fees. Types of financial advisers include: n Registered Representative. A point of contact to buy and sell stocks, often known as a stockbroker. n Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). If you’re looking to do more than buy or sell stocks, bonds and mutual funds, you may want to consult a financial planner. One of the best-known credentials among these generalists is the certified financial planner (CFP) designation. n Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). A registered investment adviser manages or invests money on behalf of clients. n Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). These consultants are similar to CFPs but usually have more extensive training in insurance and estate planning. Many are also CFPs or registered representatives and belong to the Society of Financial Service Professionals. n Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Generally known for providing tax services to business owners and individual clients with complicated financial situations, some CPAs also offer personal financial planning services. Before you hire an advisor there are some important questions to ask, including: n What is your training and experience? 28 July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

How long have you been in the business? n What are your degrees, certifications, etc? n What is your investment philosophy and track record? (Make sure they have an investment approach that compliments your financial objectives.) n Can I have a copy of your regulatory disclosure forms? (Paid planners and advisers must disclose details about their investment style and philosophy, training, disciplinary records, fees and charges, and more. The most common disclosure form is Form ADV, which should be posted on the Advisor’s website and also available at the SEC, FINRA websites or from the ASC upon request.) n How will our relationship work? n How often can we talk? n Will I talk with you or a member of your staff? n Are you willing to take spur-of-the-moment call? n How much do you charge? Most people convicted for crimes involving investing are NOT registered with the ASC as required by law. Protect your financial future. Contact the ASC for a free background check on anyone offering an investment opportunity or investment advice for a fee. Call 1-80022201253 or visit the ASC website, www.asc.alabama. gov. n

Joseph Borg is Director of the Alabama Securities Commission. This article is provided by a generous grant from the Investor Protection Trust: www.investorprotection.org.

things to do Montgomery Area Musicians Assn. Concert July 4, 6p, Riverside Amphitheater. Mama Piranha, Federal Expression, Confederate Hipster. Free. For information e-mail info@montgomerymusicians.org

July 11– August 4

Capri Theatre Children’s Matinee Movies Thurs, Friday, 10a & 1p $1/child. Concessions: popcorn 50 cents, small drinks 50 cents, candy $2.50. All films PG rating. Average running time 90 minutes. Pirates! Band of Misfits July 11, 12 Monsters vs Aliens July 18, 19 Hotel Transylvania July 25, 26 For information visit www. capritheatre.org. or call 334-262-4858. Cloverdale Playhouse Summer Workshops K-2nd Grade “Fundamentals and Fun” July 16-18. 3rd-5th Grade “World on a String” Puppetry Workshop July 23-25. 6th-8th Grade “Building the Character” July 30-Aug 1. 9th-Adult “Dress the Part” (costume design) July 16-18. 9th-Adult “Look the Part” (hair, stage makeup) date/time to be announced). Ages 10-14 Vocal Workshops “Breathing and Vocal Techniques” July 30 4-5 pm. Age 15-Adult Vocal Workshops “Breathing and Vocal Techniques” July 30 5:30-7:30p. For information e-mail info@ cloverdaleplayhouse.org or call 334-262-1530. Southeastern Woodcarving School and Show July 12-14, Doster Community Center, Prattville Fri 8a-5p, Sat 8a-6p, Sun 8a-2p. Live auction of donated carvings Sat. 4:30p. Raffle for hand carved Nativity follows. Show is free. There is a charge for classes. Wetumpka River and Blues Festival July 20. Juried art show, kids’ zone, art demonstrations, BBQ cook-off, music headliner Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots plus music acts throughout the day. For information visit www.riverandblues.net or call 334-567-5147.

by richard maltby, Jr.

The Music of Johnny Cash, Country Music Superstar From the songbook of Johnny Cash comes this unique musical about love, faith, struggle, success, rowdiness, redemption and home. More than two dozen classic hits—including I Walk the Line, A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues, and, of course, Ring of Fire—paint a portrait of The Man in Black that is a foot-stompin’, crowd-pleasin’ salute to a uniquely American legend!

@ AlAbAmA ShAkeSpeAre FeStivAl 1-800-841-4273

www.ASF.net

/alabamashakes

www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

things to do Jasmine Hill Gardens Saturdays 9a-5p. Admission. For info visit www.jasminehill.org, e-mail admin@jasminehill. org, or call 334-263-5713. Groups, school and tour packages available. Alabama Dance Theatre Summer Dance Seminar July 22-Aug 5. Intermediate and Advanced dancers. Classical ballet, modern, jazz. Seminar culminates with two free performances, “Stars on the Riverfront,” Aug 4 and 5, Riverwalk Amphitheater. For information visit www. alabamadancetheatre.com or call 334-241-2590.

Summer Camp at the Montgomery Zoo 5-12 years old. Full-day (7:30a-5p), half-day (7:30a-12:30p). More information visit www.montgomeryzoo.com or call 334-240-4900.

Business Profile:

The Walton Law Firm

ill O. (Trip) Walton, III, began practicing law in 1984. In 2001, after serving as Deputy DA in Montgomery County and as partner in a private law firm, he founded The Walton Law Firm. A former Golden Gloves Heavyweight Boxing Champion, his aggressiveness and success in the ring is mirrored in his determination and success in the courtroom. Due to hard work, persistence and personal commitment to each client, most of The Walton Law Firm’s cases come from referrals, the highest form of client confidence a law firm can receive. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. This is for general information only. For legal advice, contact a lawyer.

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

From personal injury to criminal defense, The Walton Law Firm offers its clients more than a hundred years combined experience in successful representation. Many of their clients never end up in court due to the settlements they receive through representation by The Walton Law Firm. A family man, Trip Walton and wife Jacki are raising three children with such varied interests as golf, football, basketball, tennis, wake boarding, cheer leading, gymnastics and dance, instilling in them the same sense of fair play, personal commitment and determination he brings to each of his cases.

Walton Law Firm, PC 334-321-3000 www.waltonlaw.net

Crossword Clues Across 1 Prepare, as apples for pie 5 Dirt bike relatives, briefly 9 Dressed like a judge 14 "Jeopardy!" first name 15 Actress Perlman 16 Get the lead out? 17 Bossa __ 18 Blurted out 19 Full of attitude 20 "The sky is falling!" critter 23 Get the lead out 24 Visits, as a doctor 25 Cock and drake 28 Suffix with dextr29 Snapshot, for short 31 One who doesn't have much laundry to do? 33 Seven-time winner of the Daytona 500 36 Modest skirt length 39 Have a life 40 Tennis great Arthur 41 Like Chopin's "Funeral March," keywise 46 Enjoyed the rink 47 Letters before xis 48 Neg.'s opposite 51 Air France flier until 2003

52 Election Day: Abbr. 55 Stymie, as plans 57 New Orleans daily, with "The" 60 Kitchen strainer 62 "Love Songs" poet Teasdale 63 Alda or Arkin 64 Like flawed mdse. 65 Slices of history 66 Jackson 5 brother 67 Boss's privilege 68 Hawaii's state bird 69 Most affordable golf purchases Down 1 Mexican Villa 2 Hawaiian hello and goodbye 3 Edit 4 Not off by even a hair 5 "__ and Old Lace" 6 Comparative word 7 Bridal coverings 8 __ Hawkins Day 9 Gathers strength for a big day 10 Taken with a spoon 11 Singles, on a diamond 12 Tricky road bend 13 Susan of "L.A. Law"

21 Foreign Legion cap 22 Be inclined (to) 26 O.T. book named for a woman 27 Eyelid problem 30 Casual talk 32 Sugarpie 33 Break in friendship 34 Business end of a slot machine 35 Bridle strap 36 Be nostalgic for 37 Tattooist's supplies 38 Common flashlight power source 42 "Hands off!" 43 For two voices together, in scores 44 One with a screw loose 45 Fed. workplace monitor 48 Talking parrot voiced by Jay Mohr 49 Showily decorated 50 Shorthand pros 53 Krupp Works city 54 Flat replacement 56 Lawman Earp 58 Folk singer Burl 59 Persian Gulf nation 60 Bro's sib 61 Tax shelter initials (c)2013 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

Sudoku and Crossword puzzle answers on page 32. www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

prime diversions

Recent dvd releases Quartet, Ginger & Rosa and Starbuck

Quartet (PG-13) Every “mature” viewer who enjoyed last year’s The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel can confidently line up for this ticket.What you’ll get is another gentle comedy among the retirement set showcasing a fine ensemble cast of actors from Great Britain. Both include Maggie Smith.This one also features Pauline Collins, Billy Connolly, Michael Gambon and Tom Courtenay, under the direction of Dustin Hoffman.The setting is a retirement home for musicians that’s fallen on hard times.The revenue from their annual concert just might be their last hope for saving the venerable institution for its venerable occupants. Most are there because it’s all they can afford, just as the seniors in the other film saw that Indian facility as their Final Frontier, setting up their only choices - harmony or homeless. The intrigue here is whether some of the members of a once-lauded operatic quartet can get past some old wounds and newer anxieties for a reunion performance on the birthdate of Giuseppe Verdi (as Victor Borge noted, Joe Green, in English).The market value of that attraction would apparently bring in more than enough to keep the place solvent,The principals provide a nice mix of personalities and backstories for warmth, humor and pathos. Connolly’s roguish flirting is the source of most of the chuckles. Collins, perhaps best known here for Shirley Valentine, finishes second on the comedic contribution list. Smith plays a diva whose reticence presents the greatest obstacle to putting on the show the gray-haired longhairs need. The music is pleasing; the actors are still in fine fettle. Hoffman steers them at a pace that evokes empathy without milking the sentimental side.The reliable old pros on both sides of the camera deliver another first-rate product. Anglophiles and trivia buffs who recall a 1981 film with the same title starring Smith and Alan Bates should be advised that there’s no other relation between the two stories. Ginger & Rosa (PG-13) This coming-of-age drama focuses on a pair of 17-year-old British girls who’ve been lifelong best friends. But in 1962, a rift starts to form. Ginger (Elle Fanning) is the relatively naive and bookish one, riveted by the looming threat of nuclear annihilation, heightened by the Cuban Missile Crisis. Rosa (Alice Englert) gravitates to the wild side, mixing a thirst for adventure with an overlay of romanticism. Ginger’s parents (Alessandro Nivola, Christina Hendricks) are having problems, as her pre-Hippie professor dad finds growing disdain for his stay-at-home wife.They have a handful of interesting friends (Timothy Spall, Oliver Platt,Annette Bening) who

add to the intellectual side of the proceedings, along with some efforts at supplemental parenting. The film belongs to Ginger. It’s all about how she will deal with her growing fatalism, Mark Glass her parents’ conflicts and some disturbing developments with Rosa, as her lifelong anchor becomes another source of angst. Sally Potter’s script presents appealing and possibly intriguing characters, but fails to utilize their potential. Fanning again shows herself to be the Thespian equal of big sister Dakota, often conveying more with facial expressions and body language than with the words written for Ginger.That level of mastery in the subtleties of acting is especially remarkable for one who won’t even turn 15 until next month. But the film’s personal and cultural themes have been explored many times before. In both respects, the story arcs and outcomes fall short of satisfying the heart or the mind, or serving the talents of the assembled cast. Starbuck (R) Despite the title, no coffee franchises are involved in the proceedings.This feel-good Canadian dramedy (mostly in French with subtitles) is a real treat. Starbuck is the nickname for David (Patrick Huard), who donated a vast supply of sperm to a fertility clinic during his college years.Twenty years later, he’s a good-natured, underachieving slacker, delivering for his father’s butcher shop, and deep in debt to some rather nasty fellows. He’s also on the verge of fatherhood with his girlfriend, who has plenty of doubts about his readiness for parenthood. Maturity and responsibility are not in his wheelhouse...if he has one, at all. Those pressures are suddenly dwarfed by news that the clinic spread his seed so widely that he’d “fathered” 533 kids, of whom 142 were suing to void the clinic’s anonymity contracts and learn the identity of their biological progenitor. David panics. He’s too overwhelmed by the one on the way to face this horde of descendants. But he’s also curious. He starts following a few of them, trying to get acquainted without blowing his cover. He decides to keep going that way like a guardian angel tending to his flock. What ensues is off-beat character comedy that works nicely, making an absurd situation entertaining and satisfying. Starbuck’s offspring are all in their late teens, with a broad range of talents, interests and issues. Huard becomes an endearing protagonist in the lovable loser tradition. His barely-licensed lawyer friend (Antoine Bertrand) adds a comedic dimension akin to the overmatched solicitor in the superb 1997 Australian charmer,The Castle. If you enjoyed that one, your odds for liking this one are quite favorable.

www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

off the beaten path

The Fish Fry “Mama! Get the grease ready!” my grandfather said to my grandmother, whose answer I could barely hear over the static-filled cell phone connection. The purpose of the call was two-fold: one, we had caught enough fish for supper and two; we were safely off the water. Both of them have been gone for many years, but the words still echo in my mind. On our way home from fishing he always stopped to call at the same spot. Cell phones were a novelty in those days, with service as spotty as the lateral line on a largemouth. This was long before the first “Shut up and drive” sticker appeared on a bumper, and before text messaging was available. The fact that we could make a phone call from a vehicle was amazing to me. But there was another reason my grandfather pulled over before dialing home with the mobile phone he carried on our fishing trips. When plugged into the cigarette lighter, that heavy, black-bagged rascal would power down all the electronics in his Jeep. The first time he had me place a call while he drove, the power steering, headlights and dash display all died. “Shut it off!” he hollered. As soon as I did, the brownout ended. We fished ponds, the river, the lake, the ocean. Anywhere there was water, the old man could catch fish. As a child I wondered if he were part-fish, since he always knew where they were, and what they wanted to eat. Most often, it was an injured minnow plug. “Hey, boy,” he’d say to get my attention, “gimme the Rapala.” I complied with orders easily, never a difficult child, and was told I made an excellent first mate. When we first started fishing he’d run the monofilament through the rod guides and select and tie on lures for me. As his eyes grew older, these tasks became mine, for both of us, though lure selection remained an individual choice. Some days it was the white one, others the 34

July 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

golden-colored one, but he always wanted the Rapala. We fished together most Sundays, lazily casting away the afternoon. We didn’t talk much, for no other reason than we were there to fish. We practiced some catch-and-release, but mostly catch-and-keep, since the former was a strange notion to a child of the Depression who emigrated from a distant island in Greece. At day’s end we’d haul in the boat, load up rods and tackle boxes and those delicious fish last of all, wanting to keep them as fresh as possible for the drive home. The moment he placed the call to my grandmother, like clockwork, my stomach would start rumbling. I daydreamed of crispy flakes of white flesh, hot and drenched in lemon juice, alongside a heap of vinegar coleslaw hand-shredded from cabbage from his garden. Some folks think that in life, anticipation is half the enjoyment. Clearly, these folks never dined with us after a good day on the water. My grandfather no longer has a physical presence in my boat, which was his boat, but each time I land a fish I turn to show him regardless. Every time I head home with a cooler full of fish I think of those foretelling words, “Mama! Get the grease ready!” It was always spoken excitedly, in the same pitch and cadence. Though he only accompanies me now in memory, I smile when I ponder how, in this era of texting, he’d communicate that age-old message to my grandmother. “Mama – gt grs rdy.” You’ll have to excuse me. My stomach just rumbled. Niko Corley spends his free time hunting, fishing, boating, enjoying the outdoors, and eating fish prepared in every conceivable manner. He can be contacted at cootfootoutfitters@ gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@ cootfootoutfitters.

www.primemontgomery.com | July 2013

MONTGOMERY The River Region’s Professional Ballet Company Darren McIntyre, Artistic Director

presents

The River Region’s Professional Ballet Company

Don Quixote July 26, 27

The Davis Theatre

photo by Taylor Griswold

The Montgomery Ballet 2013 Season The Phantom of the Opera • Oct. 11-13 Christmas Spectacular • Dec. 6-8 The Nutcracker • Dec. 13-15

Tickets:etix.com or 1-800-514-3849 Information:334-409-0522 montgomeryballet.org