PrimeMarch2013 by Bob Corley

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

March 2013

FREE

Montgomery

Tips for Seasonal s r e r e f f u S y g Aller

• What IS Pinterest? • St. Paddy’s Day Cupcakes • Financial Multi-Tool • • Home Crop Rotation • Camo meets Curls • 5 Wine Myths • • Crafty Use for Wine Bottles • Maui: More than Sand & Surf •

Will O. (Trip) Walton, III

Walton Law Firm, PC

2011-2012 Alabama Super Lawyer

Ph: 334-321-3000 www.waltonlaw.net

The

Fighter “Walton Law Firm Top Five”

$17,500,000.00 Insurance Fraud Verdict $8,000,000.00 Brain Injury Settlement $7,500,000.00 Spine Injury Settlement $6,750,000.00 Brain Injury Settlement $4,000,000.00 Wrongful Death Settlement As an Alabama Golden Gloves Heavy Weight Boxing Champion, Trip’s motto has always been “We Don’t Start The Fight – We Finish It!”

Traumatic Brain Injury • Wrongful Death • Serious Personal Injury

“The recoveries, verdicts, favorable outcomes, and testimonials described in this ad are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The evaluation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors. Furthermore, no representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Charles Anthony’s at the

Pub h

• Hand-cut Steaks • Fresh Seafood • Daily Specials

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

Monday-Thursday 4:30-9:30 pm Friday and Saturday 4:30-10:00 pm

10044 Chantilly Parkway www.charlesanthonysatthepub.com 334-281-3911

www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

Prime

March 2013 Contents

Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with green cupcakes and mint cream cheese frosting. (A Gracious Plenty, page 8)

on the cover If you live in Alabama long enough, you’ll probably develop seasonal allergies. Many allergy sufferers do their suffering in silence, waiting out the end of the season. In our state, however, allergy season can start at almost any time of year. Learn about the “priming effect” along with tips to alleviate your suffering. (Page 10)

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

St. Paddy’s Day Cupcakes

A Healthier Garden Crop

Tips for Allergy Sufferers

Wine Myths Busted

Social Security Basics

One Call Can Prevent Fraud

Simplified Medicare Summary

One Site, Multiple Money Tools

What IS Pinterest?

Camo & Curls

Hawaii’s Cultural Heritage

Citronella Lamps

Wise Health Consumer Part #2

Crossword/Sudoku

DVD Reviews

Crossword/Sudoku Answers

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

Montgomery

March 2013 Vol. 3, Issue 11 PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Teri Greene, Andrea Gross, David White CONTRIBUTORS Joe Borg, Tina Calligas, Callie Corley, Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Maggie Lawrence, Kylle’ McKinney, Bob Moos, Arlene Morris, Carron Morrow, Alan Wallace PHOTOGRAPHERS Bob Corley, Irv Green SALES Bob Corley, 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@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

March is an unpredictable month. How long before the stinging chill of winter gives way to those exhilarating, first fresh moments of a new season? No matter the weather, from Saint Patrick’s Day to spring break, from Lent on through to Easter, this time of the year is loaded with busy events to be celebrated as we say goodbye to the area’s dreary, albeit short, winter. For many of us in the Deep South, enthusiasm at the thought of spring is cut short by fierce seasonal allergies. With the region’s abundant light and humidity allergy season here can be intense, sometimes lasting from January into November. Not just a southern problem, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology says seasonal allergies are the cause of 12 million U.S. trips to the doctor each year! This month, board-certified Montgomery allergist Dr. John Allen Meadows provides valuable tips (page 10) for getting the best of seasonal allergies before they get the best of you. Need ideas on how to spruce up your Easter menu or fresh, new suggestions on where to take the grandkids on spring break? Take a look, online, at Pinterest – the easy social networking site that’s focused on sharing ideas. By “following” a friend you can browse pictures of their top picks for great-looking clothes, home decor, crafts, etc. -- anything they’ve taken the time to “pin.” Be sure to read Teri Greene’s Pin Away on Pinterest (page 18), an informative read about this fast-growing social network phenomenon. With a quarter of Pinterest users in the 45 -54 age bracket, Teri provides a telling headsup on why so many folks find the site inspiring and such great fun. Who said velvet cake has got to be red? Just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day, there’s no blarney to the fun recipe we’re sharing on page 8. These cupcakes are perfect for a party, or just for sharing with the little leprechauns who are turning your own

heart into gold. (Editor’s’ Note: A Gracious Plenty columnist Carron Morrow is out this month due to family illness, but expects to be back next month, sharing more recipes filled with her own as well as mom Lela Foshee’s Personal Touch.) What are little girls made of? More than sugar and spice and everything nice, according to Off the Beaten Path columnist Niko Corley’s Camo and Curls (page 21). In late January, the Corleys (Niko and Sally, chocolate labs Bella and Coco and kitty Jack) welcomed a healthy, precious baby girl (our granddaughter!) into the family. Niko’s account of first-time fatherhood, along with its inherent thrills, inspiration, hopes and challenges, warms the heart and foreshadows countless daddy/daughter days spent in the Alabama outdoors. (I’m sure Coco and Bella can’t wait!)

Sandra Polizos, Editor Prime Montgomery Email me at primeeditor@gmail.com

If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery! www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

new you can use

Can Facebook Improve Cognitive Function? Preliminary findings from the U. of Arizona suggest men and women older than 65 who learn to use Facebook could see a boost in cognitive function. Preliminary findings shared at a recent meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society show older adults new to Facebook performed about 25 percent better on a function known as “updating.” Updating is the ability to continuously monitor and quickly add or delete the contents of your working memory. Three groups of 14, all nonFacebook users, participated. One group was taught Facebook, became friends with those in their training group, and posted at least once a day. A second group learned an online diary and kept a private journal with no social sharing component. A third group was told they were on a “wait-list” for Facebook training, which they never received. Facebook users performed better than they did at the start of the study, while other participants saw no significant changes. Further analysis is needed to determine whether using Facebook made participants feel less lonely or more socially connected. Reprinted from materials provided by the U. of Arizona.

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Food Helps Older Generation Age Successfully The 60+ age group globally is expected to climb from 605 million in the year 2000 to around 2 billion people by the year 2050. In addition, the number of people worldwide age 80+ is expected to quadruple to almost 400 million. Older consumers want to live active, healthy lives as they age. Additionally more than 60% of adults ages 50-64 have been diagnosed with at least one chronic condition. Whereas in the past, many consumers turned to medicine and supplements to fight age-related illnesses, now they’re using healthy eating as a key strategy in their goal of aging successfully. Specific product categories include: Yogurt - Probiotics added to yogurt offer digestive health benefits and protein helps prevent sarcopenia, the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength often associated with aging. Yellow Fats - Margarines or spreads increasingly include plant stanols and omega-3 fatty acids, which are designed to help control cholesterol levels and maintain heart health. Breads and Cereals - Many bread products are now being fortified with whole grains, which have been shown in studies to help achieve weight loss and lower cholesterol, as well as calcium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants to address a wide range of diseases. Milk - Milks fortified with plant stanols, omega-3 fatty acids, and calcium with vitamin D can help with heart, brain and eye health. Source: The Institute of Food Technologists

Sourdough Bread Resists Mold Unlike conventionally leavened bread, sourdough bread resists mold. Researchers at the U. of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, determined that, during sourdough production, bacteria convert the linoleic acid in bread flour to a compound that has powerful anti-fungal activity. The research, which could improve the taste of bread, is published online ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. One of the major benefits from the research include better tasting bread, because, says researcher Michael Gaenzle,”preservatives can be eliminated from the recipes, and because sourdough bread has a more distinct and richer flavor compared to bread produced with yeast only.” Reprinted from materials provided by the American Society for Microbiology.

new you can use Inflammation Fighter! Aspirin + Omega-3 Fatty Loneliness, Like Chronic Stress, Taxes Acids the Immune System Experts tout the health New research from benefits of low-dose aspithe Institute for Behavrin and omega-3 fatty acids ioral Medicine Research at found in foods like flax seeds Ohio State University links and salmon, but the detailed loneliness to a number mechanisms involved in their of dysfunctional immune effects are not fully known. responses, suggesting that Now researchers reporting in a recent issue of the Cell Press being lonely has the potential to harm overall health. journal Chemistry & Biology Researchers found that show aspirin helps trigger the people who were more production of molecules called lonely showed signs of elresolvins naturally made by evated latent herpes virus the body from omega-3 fatty reactivation and produced acids. These resolvins shut off, more inflammation-related or “resolve,” the inflammation that underlies destructive con- proteins in response to acute stress than did ditions such as inflammatory lung disease, heart disease, and people who felt more socially connected. arthritis. These proteins signal The researchers also conthe presence of inflammafirmed aspirin treatment tion, and chronic inflamtriggered the production of a mation is linked to numerlonger-acting form of resolvin. ous conditions, including When administered to human coronary heart disease, cells, both of these resolvins Type 2 diabetes, arthritis demonstrated potent antiand Alzheimer’s disease, inflammatory actions. When as well as the frailty and given to mice, the compounds functional decline that can also stimulated the resolution accompany aging. of inflammation in the body. “Aspirin is able to modify an inflammatory enzyme to stop forming molecules that propagate inflammation and instead produce molecules from omega-3 fatty acids, like resolvin D3, that help inflammation to end,” explains study coauthor Dr. Nicos Petasis of the U. of Southern California. With this new information, investigators will now be able to study the pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory actions of resolvin D3 in other systems. Researchers will be interested in determining which inflammation-associated diseases might be treated with this newly identified resolvin. Reprinted from materials provided by Cell Press.

“When administered to human cells, both of these resolvins demonstrated potent antiinflammatory actions.”

Support Needed for Children Losing a Parent at Early Age

A study exploring the impact of early parental death has revealed the long-term damage and suffering that can be experienced by individuals in adult life if appropriate levels of support are not provided at the time of bereavement. The new research, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine in Liverpool, U.K., describes the low self-esteem, loneliness, isolation and inability to express feelings of some individuals who lost a parent in childhood, with the effects felt for as long as 71 years after the bereavement. "It is essential that bereavement support consists of far more than counseling that is frequently available and offered to bereaved

children,” said Professor Mari Lloyd Williams of the U. of Liverpool. “Where possible they should remain in their existing social networks, live in the same area, go to the same school and maintain the same friendships." The study found separation from family and friends makes adjustment to parental death significantly more difficult and increases stress in bereaved children. “Long periods of disruption or living arrangements that do not meet the needs of the bereaved child,” said Professor Williams, “means they are more likely to experience emotional difficulties and feelings of insecurity and loneliness in adult life."

www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

gracious plenty

St. Paddy's Day Cupcakes

t. Patrick’s Day is the perfect occasion to have fun in the kitchen with the color and flavor of the holiday – vivid green and refreshing peppermint. “Food color and extract can transform an ordinary cupcake or cookie into a festive delight,” said Mary Beth Harrington of the McCormick Kitchens, “worthy of any St. Paddy’s party.” For a green twist on classic red velvet cupcakes, stir green food color into basic cake mix and add pure vanilla extract, sour cream and cocoa powder. Whip up minty green cream cheese frosting and decorate with green sprinkles or colored sugar to make them fun for kids of all ages.

Easy Green Velvet Cupcakes: Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Makes 24 servings 1 package (18 1/4 ounces) German chocolate cake mix with pudding 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 bottle (1 ounce) McCormick Green Food Color 3 eggs 2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract 1 container (16 ounces) cream cheese frosting or Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows) Green sprinkles (optional) Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat cake mix, sour cream, water, cocoa powder, oil, food color, eggs and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed just until moistened, scraping sides of bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Pour batter into 24 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire 8

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

rack. Frost with cream cheese frosting. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Minty Green Cream Cheese Frosting: Stir 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract and 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Green Food Color into canned cream cheese frosting or Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting. Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened, 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened, 2 tablespoons sour cream and 2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 box (16 ounces) confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Makes 2 1/2 cups.

yard ‘n garden

Crop Rotation: Vital in Vegetable Gardens by Maggie Lawrence, Alabama Cooperative Extension Service

ll vegetable gardeners do it. Flip through endless pages of seed catalogs and click through a huge number of web pages looking at seeds for the vegetable garden. It’s usually the first step in the garden planning process. Once we know what we will be planting, then we can design the layout of the vegetable garden. For many vegetable gardeners, the size and general layout of the garden does not change much year to year. It is simpler to keep paths and beds in the same places, allowing you to add organic matter when you need to and avoiding soil compaction. But while the overall layout may not change dramatically, it is very important to move what you plant into different locations in the garden. The importance of crop rotation Planting crops in a different location rather than planting the same crop in the same spot each year can reduce problems with insects, nematodes, and diseases. It is important to remember that disease-causing organisms and nematodes will accumulate in the soil over time. Growing the same crop in the same location year after year will allow those organisms to reach levels that can cause infection of plants or kill them outright. When deciding how to rotate plants in your garden, remember, many vegetables belong to the same family. For example, peppers, eggplants and tomatoes are all members of the nightshade family. Don’t plant peppers in the same location that you planted tomatoes last year. The key to successful crop rotation in a home garden is knowing which plant families contain the crops that you plan to grow. A good rule of thumb is not to plant anything from the same family in the same location or in the same soil two years in a row.

“... disease-causing organisms and nematodes will accumulate in the soil over time..”

This article and food group graphic provided courtesy of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, www.aces.edu. www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

feature

Warning! Allergies Ahead Tips for Seasonal Allery Sufferers

Beware of the Priming Effect When winter weather turns unexpectedly warm, pollens and molds are released into the air earlier than usual, and then die down when it gets cold again. This pattern of weather can ‘prime’ a person’s allergic reaction, so when the allergen reappears as the weather gets warm again, the allergy symptoms are worse than ever. Listen to the Weatherman Erratic temperatures, wind and rainfall can all increase allergy symptoms. If spring weather fluctuates greatly between warm and cold spells, it can result in more intense periods of pollen release during the warm spells, when plants take the cue to grow and release pollen. Rain can wash away pollen and temporarily subside symptoms, but also promote rapid plant growth. Wind can stir pollen and mold into the air. Know when Pollen Counts are Highest - Pollen tends to be highest in the mid-day and afternoon hours. Limit outdoor activity during these times and be sure to keep windows shut. If you have to do work outdoors, wear a pollen mask and gloves. Eliminate Indoor Allergens Dust mites, mold, pet dander, and other irritants cans cause allergy symptoms yearround for some sufferers. Be sure to vacuum regularly, clean visible mold and change air conditioning and furnace filters every three months. Use filters with a MERV rating of 8 to 12. Begin your Medication Early - Allergy sufferers should begin taking medication two weeks before symptoms typically appear. Treatment should begin before the first

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

sneeze and continue even after the first frost. Educate Yourself - Seasonal allergy sufferers should understand what triggers their symptoms and how to avoid these triggers. An allergist will teach patients the best way to avoid exposure to potential allergy triggers and select the most effective treatments to allow them to lead a normal, healthy life.

Opt for Allergy Shots If over-the-counter and/or prescribed medications aren’t helping alleviate symptoms, an allergist may prescribe immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots. Immunotherapy can alter the progression of allergic disease, curing patients of symptoms and preventing asthma and the development of other allergies. Get Screened, for Free Allergy and asthma can strike at any age. If people believe they may be having symptoms, they can get screened for free via the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) nationwide screening program. Beginning in May, screenings will take place at about 100 locations nationwide (see Resources link below).

Understand Allergies and Asthma - Many people who have an allergy, also experience asthma symptoms. An estimated 75 to 85 percent of asthma patients have allergies. Allergies and asthma are serious diseases and that’s “nothing to sneeze at.” Misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment can be dangerous. Resources Allergy and asthma screenings, www.acaai.org/nasp Additional allergy information, www.AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org

More Tips

Stay indoors on dry, windy days n Delegate outdoor chores n Remove clothes you wore outside n Rinse off in the shower n Wear a dust mask for outside chores n

Information provided by Montgomery physician J. Allen Meadows, MD, Board Certified Allergist & Chair, Patient Education/Outreach Committee, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

INTRODUCING

Karen Flanagan, DO Specializing in Family Medicine

Dr. Karen Flanagan joins the Jackson Clinic Family Medicine Center. She is boardcertified in family practice and osteopathic manipulative treatment. Dr. Flanagan is a graduate of Northeast Missouri State University and earned her Doctor of Osteopathy degree from The Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO. Dr. Flanagan is now accepting new patients, including Medicare patients. She has a special interest in geriatrics and offers complete care to her patients, including continuing care in the hospital. Dr. Flanagan is now located at 1801 Pine Street, Suite 301 on the Jackson Hospital campus. To schedule an appointment call 334-265-5577.

Another great reason to choose www.jackson.org/clinic www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

feature

Wine

Myths

Debunked

See page 25 for a novel craft project using old wine bottles.

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

By David White

"Red wine with fish?" muses James Bond, as he confronts the villain in From Russia with Love. "Well, that should have told me something." James Bond may be a great spy, but he wouldn't make a great sommelier. Believe it or not, fish sometimes works with red wine -- and white wine often works with meat. This is just one of the many wine myths that remain omnipresent. Here are the top five: Myth No.1 — Serve white wine with fish and red wine with meat. James Bond wasn't entirely wrong. As a general rule, it isn't a terrible idea to pair lighter foods like fish with white wine. But plenty of seafood dishes work better with red wine. If your fish is meaty or charred -- or served with tomatoes, mushrooms, or a fruity sauce -- it'll likely be complimented best by a delicate red like Pinot Noir. Similarly, plenty of meats work better with white wines. Spicy cuisines like Chinese, Thai, and Indian demand rich, high-acid wines like Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Myth No. 2 — Sparkling wines like Champagne are only for special occasions. France's big Champagne houses have spent millions trying to convince us that Champagne is best enjoyed when celebrating. That might be true. After all, wine shops see a huge spike in sales around New Year's and Valentine's Day, but sparkling wines can be enjoyed all year long. Most sparklers are characterized by vibrant acidity and freshness, so they work with a variety of dishes. Sparkling wines can cut through spicy food, complement savory food, and elevate even the simplest of dishes. Burgers and Champagne, anyone?

Myth No. 3 — Sophisticated wine drinkers avoid Chardonnay and Merlot. Among self-appointed wine experts, it's become fashionable to bash Merlot and Chardonnay. This isn't entirely without reason. When Americans started developing a taste for wine in the 1990s, Merlot became the go-to grape for red, and Chardonnay became the go-to grape for white. So the market quickly became flooded with cheap, nondescript wine devoid of varietal character. For Chardonnay, this resulted in wines that tasted mostly like butter and oak -- leading many to declare themselves members of the "ABC Club" to let people know they'd drink "Anything But Chardonnay." Meanwhile, oceans of Merlot were simply bland and boring. Thing is, both Chardonnay and Merlot are responsible for some of the greatest wines in the world. Sure, both demand the right soil, the appropriate climate, and skilled winemaking. But when those demands are met -- as they often are -- both grapes can produce remarkably delicious, complex wines. Myth No. 4 — There are no good wines for less than $20. The world is awash in affordable, greattasting wine. But many drinkers contend it's difficult to find a good wine for less than $20. They're not just wrong; they're delusional. Sure, it's difficult to find a good Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for less than $20, just as it's difficult to find affordable caviar. But there are plenty of delicious options from the world's unheralded wine regions; places

like Portugal's Douro Valley, Washington's Columbia Valley, the Languedoc-Roussillion region of France, and virtually all of South Africa. Even to seasoned oenophiles, these regions can be overwhelming., so don't hesitate to ask your local wine shop for advice. Myth No. 5 — Serve white wines chilled and red wines at room temperature. This is probably the most pervasive wine myth, and why most people -- even most restaurants -- serve red wines too warm and white wines too cold. Before the advent of thermostats, homes were much cooler than they are today. So serving red wine at "room temperature" made sense -- it still made for a refreshing beverage. Today, most Americans keep their homes at about 72 degrees -- a temperature that'll make even the finest red wine taste rough and alcoholic. Legend has it that white wines are served "cool" because historically, they came straight from the cellar. A cellar, of course, is warmer than your average refrigerator -- most of us set our fridges at around 35 degrees. Serving any wine this cold will mask its flavors. Fortunately, you don't need a fancy thermometer to serve wine at its optimal temperature. If you're drinking a red wine, pop it in the fridge for 25-30 minutes. If you're drinking a white wine, pull it out of the fridge about 25-30 minutes before you're going to drink it. David White, a wine writer, is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com. His columns are housed at Wines.com, the fastest growing wine portal on the Internet. www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

social security

Spring into Retirement W hen you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn “credits” toward Social Security benefits. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work) to qualify for Kylle’ McKinney retirement benefits. We determine the amount of your benefit by both how long you work and how much you earn. The higher your lifetime earnings, the higher your monthly benefits. If there were some years when you did not work or had low earnings, your benefit amount may be lower than if you had worked steadily or earned more. Your age at the time you start receiving Social Security retirement makes a difference in your benefit amount. The full retirement age (the age at which 100 percent of retirement benefits are payable) has been gradually rising from age 65 to age 67. You can take “early retirement” as early as age 62, but if you start collecting benefits before you reach your full retirement age, your monthly payment will be reduced.You can find out what your full retirement age is by referring to the convenient chart at www. socialsecurity.gov/retire2/retirechart.htm Just as you can choose an early retirement and get a reduced payment, you also can choose to keep working beyond your full retirement age to take advantage of a larger payment. Generally, your benefit will increase automatically by eight percent each year from the time you reach your full retirement age until you start receiving your benefits or until you reach age 70. The decision of when to retire is personal and depends on a number of factors.

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

To help you weigh the factors, we suggest you read our online fact sheet, When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits, available at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html. You may want to consider your options by using our Retirement Estimator to get instant, personalized estimates of future benefits.You can plug in different retirement ages and scenarios to help you make a more informed retirement decision. Try it out at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. You also can set up an online my Social Security account.You can use your my Social Security account to obtain a copy of your Social Security Statement to check your earnings record and see future estimates of the retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your family may receive.Visit www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. When you decide to retire, the easiest and most convenient way to do it is right from the comfort of your home or office computer. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov where you can apply for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. In most cases, there are no forms to sign or documents to send; once you submit your electronic application, that’s it! You’re done! Be sure to have your bank account information handy so you can receive your payments electronically. Electronic payment of federal benefits is now mandatory, with few exceptions. Spring is a great time to turn over a new leaf. Spring into retirement now! Learn more by reading our publication, Retirement Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10035.html. Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866-5930914, ext. 26265, or by e-mail at kylle.mckinney@ssa.gov

financial

One Call Could Make the Difference

all now. Save Big! Almost all Alabamians who become victims of investment fraud -- many of whom lost a significant amount of their life savings Joseph P. Borg -- never invested the small amount of time required to contact the Alabama Securities Commission (ASC) to determine if their financial professional, whether from Alabama or out-of-state , was registered to legally offer investments in Alabama. According to a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) survey of more than 28,000 American adults, only about 14 percent of investors who have used an investment professional in the last five years reported checking that professional’s background with a state or federal regulator. A small investment of your time spent contacting the ASC to request a free background check of a financial professional can determine if any new disciplinary or legal actions are pending against that person. This free ‘checkup’ could pay big dividends.

The ASC is involved in a large number of civil and administrative actions involving infractions or noncompliance of investment professionals and the financial companies they are affiliated with. For example, a recent settlement with a company in the financial industry is returning 5,837 checks totaling more than $14.2 million to Alabamians as a result of ASC actions. For the past ten years, over 80% of criminal prosecutions for violations of Alabama securities law involved people NOT REGISTERED with the ASC to offer investment opportunities to potential Alabama investors. If you are considering investing, contact the ASC for a free checkup on the financial professional you do business with. The federal Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and state ASC regulate the sale of securities, with the ASC being your state government regulator for “Main Street” investors, whether the investment offer is made by an Alabama resident or originates from out-ofstate. If you check out a financial professional and find they are not registered, as required by law, the ASC will investigate.

To request an ASC registration and background check call 1-800-2221253 and ask for the Registration Division, or e-mail information with your postal address to asc@asc.alabama.gov. The ASC website — www.asc. state.al.us — has free educational material about investing, plus articles about prosecution and punishment for violations of securities law. You can order materials from the website, including those produced by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. The ASC Education and Public Affairs office conducts investor education seminars for social/business groups, in the workplace, and other groups upon request, anywhere in Alabama. Approximately 70 investor education events are held each year, reaching more than 5,000 Alabamians. Contact the ASC at www.asc.state. al.us/, or call 1-800-222-1253. Joe Borg is Executive Director of the Alabama Securities Commission.This article is made possible by a generous grant from the Investor Protection Trust, www.investorprotection.org.

Social Security Disability Law

Brenda L. Vann Attorney at Law, P. C.

“Practicing Social Security Disability Law for seventeen years.”

Call toto schedule schedule Call FREE aa FREE Consultation. Consultation.

The Strickland Building • 4252 Carmichael Rd. Suite 113 • Montgomery, AL 36106 334-272-6425 • 888-272-6465 (Toll Free) • E-mail brenda@brendavann.com No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

feature

Medicare (Statement) Makeover By Bob Moos, Southwest regional public affairs officer for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

edicare has redesigned and simplified the statement it mails to beneficiaries every three months to explain the claims and benefits they’ve recently received. The Medicare Summary Notice, as the statement is called, describes: n all the health care services or supplies billed to Medicare on your account, n how much of the bill Medicare paid, n how much you still may owe the n health care providers or suppliers. The Summary Notice goes to everyone enrolled in traditional Medicare -- private Medicare Advantage health plans send out their own claims reports to their members. The notice isn’t a bill, but you still should carefully review it when it comes in the mail. The Medicare statement helps you keep tabs on your medical care and your out-of-pocket expenses. It also helps you detect billing errors and possible fraud. Until now, though, checking your Summary Notice hadn’t always been easy. If you had had a number of doctor visits or medical procedures during the previous three months, the statement often ran a dozen pages or more. And the form contained many medical terms, codes and abbreviations that confused all but health care professionals. No wonder some people simply ignored the Summary Notice when it arrived. In redesigning the statement, Medicare visited with beneficiaries and asked how to make the notice clearer and more useful. Consumer advocates also weighed in with suggestions. The results of the makeover will land in your mailbox soon. If you’d prefer not to wait, the

“The best line of defense against fraud remains you.”

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

new statement is already available at Medicare’s secure online service -- www.mymedicare. gov -- where you can create a personal account and track your claims. Either way, you’ll find the new format consumer-friendly. It includes: A clear notice of how to check the form for important facts and potential fraud. A snapshot of what you’ve paid toward your annual deductible, a list of the health care providers that made claims, and whether Medicare paid those claims. n Simple descriptions, in plain English, for medical procedures. n Definitions of all terms used on the statement. n Larger type to make the notice easier to read. n Information on preventive services available to you. The improved Summary Notice is meant to empower you in a couple of ways. First, you can more easily file an appeal if a claim is denied. The new statement clearly explains what to do if you disagree with a payment decision and how to get help submitting an appeal. There’s also a form attached that you can complete and mail to the address provided. Next, you can more easily spot billing mistakes or potentially fraudulent charges. Improper payments and outright fraud cost Medicare billions of dollars each year and can lead to taxpayers and beneficiaries paying more for health care. It’s to everyone’s benefit to make sure your Summary Notice doesn’t include questionable charges. To check its accuracy, compare your

claims notice with the bills, statements and receipts you’ve received from your health care providers or suppliers during the previous three months. Be sure the dates, billing codes and descriptions of services match. If you see an entry for services or supplies you didn’t receive, get in touch with the provider and ask about it. It may be a simple billing error the hospital or doctor’s office can correct. The correction will then show up on your next Summary Notice. If you still have questions about your Medicare statement, or there’s something you and your health care provider can’t resolve, call Medicare at 1-800633-4227. Medicare has stepped up its efforts to prevent unscrupulous providers and suppliers from filing false claims, but the best line of defense against fraud remains you – the health care consumer.

moneywise

Online

Financial Multi-tool

ou know what a multitool is, don’t you? Like the Swiss army knife, Leatherman™, or similar devices that can be used Alan Wallace for a number of different operations. This month I am going to tell you a bit about a useful online financial multi-tool whose creation dates to 2005. I am referring to Mint.com. In the interest of full disclosure, let me state at the outset that I am not a Mint.com user, owner or investor, so what you read here is not derived from my personal experience using the site. Frankly, I am content right now to continue using the systems and processes to which I have grown accustomed over the past 35 years. However, I am considering whether or not to climb the Mint-com learning curve personally. Here’s why. Data aggregation & compilation: Mint.com users can enter information on various accounts that they use (checking, credit card, loan, investment, etc.) on the Mint. com website. Mint.com will then collect data from each account and compile it for your use in a consolidated group of proprietary views to make it easier for you to assess your financial situation and make informed decisions. Mint. com can automatically categorize data such as income and expenses

so that users do not have to do as much keyboard work as might be required with other tools. Managing expenses: Although few people have personal or household budgets, they are among the most useful of financial management tools and disciplines. Mint. com makes it fairly easy to establish a household budget (or personal spending plan, if you prefer), and to monitor how closely your spending matches that plan. Part of Mint. com’s budgeting and planning tool kit facilitates setting goals (college funding, retirement, mortgage payoff, etc.) and tracking progress toward them. Financial calculators: Tools are available in Mint.com to help you forecast, make projections, etc. Alerts: If you have ever paid a late fee or an overdraft charge, this feature should appeal to you. Mint. com can monitor and alert you when you are in danger of hitting a deadline. It can also keep you up-to-date on how much credit is available on any credit card, home equity line, etc. Investment tracking: Suppose that you and your spouse each have a retirement plan at work, an IRA or Roth account, a 529 or other college savings account for a child or grandchild, and some personal investments. These accounts are probably with more than one institution, making it challenging and time consuming to review in the aggregate how your assets are positioned and performing. Mint.com can import the data from those

diverse accounts and let you look at them individually and in total. Security: Mint-com uses 128-bit encryption, which is reputed to be pretty secure from hacking. It is the same level of security used by banks. In addition, Mint.com is a “read-only” site. That means that even if someone got into your records there, they could not transact on your accounts. To do that, they would have to go to a specific institution and impersonate you, either by phone, email, or in person, or they would have to get your log-in and password information for that company. While nothing is ironclad, Mint.com appears to be appropriately protecting its users. Cost: So, what is all of this going to set you back? Nothing. Mint. com users do not pay anything. Instead, as I understand it, the cost is covered by companies seeking to provide Mint.com users with ancillary products and services. Of course, there is no guarantee that this arrangement will continue forever, but it might. In the meantime, Mint.com offers a wide array of attractive features for personal financial management gratis. That price is hard to beat. If you are comfortable with other web-based solutions and have not already looked at Mint.com, you probably should. Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior FInancial Advisor for Ronald BLue & Co.’s Montgomery office, www.ronblue. com/location-al. He can be reached at 334-270-5960, or by e-mail at alan. wallace@ronblue.com.

www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

Pin Away on Pinterest H

by Teri Greene

ave you heard about Pinterest, the social media site that lets users share recipes, do-it-yourself instructions, fitness tips, pretty much everything? That strange hybrid word has crept into everyday conversations, and at this moment, millions of fans are scouring its sprawling pages. But isn’t this just another social media site taking over our lives like Facebook? Yes, and no. Pinterest is fueled by user input and sharing, like many other sites. But click on www.Pinterest.com, and the major difference is apparent: it’s all about visuals -- photos and videos that lead to valuable, often fascinating, information. Even though you can find amazing things on the Web every day, this site is different. Pinterest lets users create collections of digital information - represented by photos - that can be edited in an instant and viewed at any time. The sign-up process is simple, and it’s free. As soon as you’re a member, Pinterest will show you

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

which folks among your social media contacts, including Facebook, are also using the site. Then, you can follow them and see each new “pin” they add to their “boards” in real time. The site even suggests topics for boards, such as “For the Home.” But feel free to create your own titles. One of my friends has only one board on Pinterest. It’s titled “Things That Make Me Smile,” and is overflowing with happy, beautiful stuff.

Your own space

Create as many boards as you want on the site. Think of them as “vision walls” on which you gather scraps and clippings for inspiration or reference, without the scissors, the mess, the time required in the physical world. Then, “pin” your finds to the boards. It can be recipes, craft ideas, art and photos, favorite quotes, fitness tips, DIY projects, home design concepts, antiques -- anything that draws you in.

Creating a ‘Pin’

Many popular business websites, including Lowe’s, Zales, Pillsbury, HGTV and CBS, carry the Pinterest logo at the top of their pages. Just click it and pin it. Or, you can cut and paste the web address of the site onto Pinterest’s “Pin” option, and it will soon appear on your board. Pinterest has apps for mobile devices such as iPads and smart phones that make the process even simpler. Pin away, then share them with friends and family (your “followers”). From there, your contacts can re-pin your pins they find interesting. Then, their followers can re-pin that pin. It can - and does - go on, and on, and on. You can re-pin other pinners’ finds to your board as well. Statistics show about 80 percent of new pins are re-pins that users find on the site. Once you get on the site, it’s easy to see why. Stay within your circle of friends and family, and you’ll get a diverse but limited taste of what’s out there. Click the “Everything” or “Popular” tabs at the top of the page, and you never know what you’ll find.

Pinterest is most popular among 25- to 44-year-olds. But internet data changes at lightning speed. Look at the stats from social media gauging sites and one thing becomes obvious -most don’t even take into account users older than 54. Those experts apparently don’t know Virginia Harris. Harris, a 62-year-old south Alabama kitchen designer, has been pinning away since the site’s launch in 2010. She now boasts 20 Pinterest boards, and as of this writing, 1,776 pins. Her three sisters, all in their late 50’s, are as excited about pinning as Virginia.

Take that, statisticians!

From knowledge gleaned on Pinterest, Harris built a table made of wood pallets, then created a board called “pallet fever.” Her most unusual board, “roosters,” is a collection of rooster-themed home decor and has found followers from Italy, Germany and the U.K. “Who knew so many people in the world share so many specific interests?” said Harris. “And isn’t that wonderful?” She recently donated dozens of old cookbooks to a thrift store. It can be overwhelming She doesn’t need them anymore. She has Pinterest. One day, I reviewed the “Popular” page and found hundreds Harris said her generation has adapted to so many techof pins posted just moments before. Among them: a fluffy conological advances over the decades – television, electronic conut pie, head-to-toe outfits from the fashion site Polyvore typewriters, computers, the Internet -- that it’s only natural (as with the crafts site Etsy, it’s a favorite among pinners), a that 50- and 60-somethings take to Pinterest so effortlessly, flight of stairs carpeted in emerald (712 re-pins), instructions something marketers and researchers probably did not forefor building a small chicken coop (more than 2,000 re-pins), see. And the longer you’ve been around, the more interest a kettle ball workout, Crock Pot chicken teriyaki (crocks are you’re likely to have. everywhere), a chandelier crafted from Mason jars (ditto that Recently, I found an online cartoon labeling Pinterest users for Mason jars), a hairstyle tutorial, a list of “extraordinary “the ‘hoarders’ of the internet.” Maybe that’s true. Like most uses of 18 household items,” a vintage Audrey Hepburn movie hoarders, pinners know the exact location of everything they poster.... and it went on, and on, and on. have. But there’s an important difference: we -- and yes, I’m Skimming pins can be distracting, but in a good way, a “sparproudly proclaiming myself a Pinterest addict here -- don’t kly-object-in-the-corner-of-my-eye-that-I-must-look-at, now” need to create a path through mounds of junk to get from way. You’ll likely discover interests you never knew you had. the bedroom to the kitchen. Everything is tucked onto neat Who’s pinning? little digital walls on our electronic devices. Just where they Experts at Search Engine Journal and elsewhere report that belong. est you. g, is a great way to find ‘pins’ that inter Searching by categories, such as gardenin

www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

medical

Marci’s Medicare Answers March 2013

Dear Marci, I am eligible for Medicare, because I have End Stage Renal Disease. Can I join a Medicare Advantage plan? — Athena Dear Athena, Most people who are eligible for Medicare due to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) cannot join Medicare private health plans, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, and must stick with Original Medicare, the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program offered directly through the federal government. However, there are a few exceptions. If you have ESRD, you can join a Special Needs Plan (SNP) that specifically accepts people who have ESRD, if there is one in your area. A Special Needs Plan is a type of Medicare Advantage plan that exclusively or primarily serves members who have a particular special need such as a chronic illness. Alternatively, if you have employer health coverage through the same insurance company that offers a Medicare Advantage plan, you are eligible to enroll in that company’s Medicare Advantage plan. Keep in mind that if you developed ESRD after you joined a Medicare Advantage plan, your Medicare Advantage plan cannot disenroll you. Also, if your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare and is no longer available, you have a Special Enrollment Period to join another plan in your area. Contact 800-MEDICARE or visit the Medicare Plan Finder online at www.medicare.gov to learn more about Special Needs Plans and Medicare Advantage plans within your area. Remember, if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will typically have to see doctors, hospitals and dialysis facilities that are in your plan’s network in order for your services to be covered by your plan. Make sure you’re aware of the plan’s rules and costs before making any decisions about your health care coverage. Dear Marci, My pharmacist told me that my Medicare prescription drug plan will cover my drug, only if I undergo step therapy. What is step therapy? — Bria Dear Bria, Step therapy is a type of coverage restriction that Medicare prescription drug plans, also known as Part D plans, place on certain drugs. If your Part D plan requires you to try step therapy, this means that you must try a similar, less expensive drug to treat your condition before the plan will cover the drug that was originally prescribed to you. If your doctor feels that step therapy may be harmful to your health or that the cheaper drug may not be as effective as the prescribed drug, ask your doctor to help you request an exception to the plan’s coverage rules. Step therapy is one type of coverage rule that Medicare prescription drug plans impose on certain prescription drugs. The 20

February 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

two other types of coverage restrictions include prior authorization, which is when the plan requires you to get permission from the plan before they cover your drug, and quantity limits, which is when the plan limits the amount of a drug that will be covered over a specified period of time. Keep in mind that coverage rules vary, depending on your plan. For more information on coverage rules and drug costs, you should contact your prescription drug plan, directly. Dear Marci, I was told that I have the QMB Medicare Savings Program and that I wouldn’t have to pay anything for doctors’ office visits. Is this true? —Sofia Dear Sofia, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) is one type of Medicare Savings Program that pays for your Medicare premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Medicare Savings Programs, like QMB, help pay your Medicare costs if you have limited income. If you have QMB, try to find a doctor who accepts both Medicare and Medicaid. These doctors are more likely to know that people with QMB cannot be billed for Medicare costs. If you have QMB and you are still charged a coinsurance or copay, let your doctor know that you have QMB. If your doctor still charges you a coinsurance or copay, click here for information that explains why charging these amounts are prohibited for individuals with QMB. It may be helpful to share this information with your doctor. Bear in mind that Medicare Savings Program eligibility requirements vary by state. Check with your state Medicaid program or contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to learn whether or not you qualify for these programs. Marci's Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare.

off the beaten path

Cam & Curls M

y wife and I did not find out whether our baby was a boy or a girl until the moment our child entered the world. Don't misunderstand; we very much wanted to know whether we were having a "pink or blue." But, did we really have to know before that moment when we inevitably would? In short, no. Along the road of life, the joyful surprises of youth are gradually replaced with the unexpected realities of an adult world. We grow older, and flat tires, leaky roofs and tax increases - all surprises, mind you - replace Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. It was at this crossroads, during the appointment with the ultrasound tech, that we decided to wait, to savor one of the remaining great surprises of adulthood. Waiting for the birth of our child, I was again a kid at Christmas - having no idea what to expect, knowing only that I was getting a gift, a really great gift. As a new father to a beautiful, healthy baby girl, I daydream of our future with her. I want my little girl to be as comfortable in the woods or on the water as she will no doubt be when she’s doing "girlier" things. I want her to wear pretty dresses and bows as well as know how to dress for the field and shoot a bow. But how would I go about incorporating pink into my very much camo world?

Niko Corley

I've seen little girls whom you'd have mistaken for little boys. I don't want that. At the same time, I don't want my little girl to run at the sight of a little blood. I don't mind baiting a hook for her during her early years, but at some point, many years from now, she'll need to bait my hooks for me. If she doesn't learn now, how will I fish when I'm old? The skills I learned in the outdoors from my father, grandfathers and grandmother taught me valuable life lessons about hard work, self-reliance and life and death. They also taught me respect for my elders and the fish and game we sought. As I think back on the lessons learned, I try to identify the methods, approaches and tactics that worked best on me so that I may duplicate them with my daughter. What I've realized, however, is it wasn't about the fishing or the hunting or even the sleeping under the stars; it was about quality time together. Initially, the challenge of incorporating pink into my camo world seemed daunting. Now, like fatherhood, it seems second nature. After thinking it over, I’m confident camo and curls will go together just fine. Niko Corley spends his free time hunting, fishing, boating, and generally enjoying outdoor activities. He can be contacted at cootfootoutfitters@gmail. com or follow him on Twitter@cootfootoutfitters.

www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

feature

Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii

by Andrea Gross photos by Irv Green

Maui :

t's 5:30 in the morning, and I'm shivering on a Maui beach. The wind is gusting, and the waves are crashing onto the shore, showering us with fine particles of mist and sand. I'm one of about fifty people, most in swimsuits, wrapped in towels and looking either supremely serene or vaguely apprehensive. The serene folks are the Kanaka Maoli [Native Hawaiians] or at least kama'aina [non-Hawaiian islanders]. The apprehensive, like me, are visitors. We're here to experience Hi'uwai, a traditional Hawaiian purification ceremony. It's the opening event of Maui's Celebration of the Arts, an annual festival that honors Hawaiian culture, from music to crafts, from rituals to herbs. This year the Celebration is March 29-31. Clifford Nae'ole, the Hawaiian Cultural 22

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

More than Sun and Surf

Advisor to The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Kapalua, which is hosting the event, begins speaking. "Now it is time for silence," he says. "When you go into the water, think about what you've done, good and bad. When you get out, you'll leave the dirt behind." He calls us to move closer to each other as he intones a chant that I can't understand. Then he waves us towards the water. I surprise myself by going in, letting the water wash over me. The wind whips my face, blows my hair, and I almost stumble as the waves come in with a roar. As I regain my balance, I sense new possibilities. Maybe there's something to this. Within about ten minutes, the last few people leave the water, and Nae'ole has us face the east where the sky is getting lighter,

a glimmer of pink peaking through the trees. A woman leads us in a chant to awaken the sun. "A new day has begun," says Nae'ole, and he encourages us each to hug the person closest to us. I'm standing near three people; I hug them all. After I dry off and fill my stomach with coffee harvested on the nearby island of Mololkai and toast smeared with roasted pineapple jam, I go to the lobby where a large man in native dress is beating on a four-foot-tall drum and intoning a chant even more haunting than the one on the beach. This, I learn, is the Wehe I Ka Above: An innovative use of surfboards produces an attractive fence. 'lpuka, the opening protocol that honors the elders. Nae'ole bristles when I ask him if the morning dip and subsequent drum ceremony were just the opening shots in a faux festival, designed to capitalize on the current interest in cultural travel. "These are as real as it gets," he says firmly. "I would not dare create, invent or dilute our culture. My ancestors would not allow it. What you are experiencing is authentic and perpetuates all things Hawaiian." The days whirl by, a threering circus of demonstrations, performances and workshops. I create a necklace from shells and flowers, my husband Above: Local children demonstrate the hula. learns to blow a nose flute, Below:The road to Hana, one of the curviest in the nation. (Photo by Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority.) and we attend a lecture on Hawaiian herbal healing. In between, we watch dancers perform different styles of hula, some accompanied by percussion instruments, others by guitars and ‘ukuleles. The next day we head for Hána, where life ambles on much as it did years ago. The first part of the drive goes quickly. It’s not until we reach Kahului, the western terminus of the famed Hána Highway, www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

Above Left: A chant, accompanied by rhythmic drumbeats, honors the elders. Right:The festival showcases different types of music.

that the challenge begins. The 52-mile road consists of 59 bridges, most of which are single lane, and 620 curves. That’s right—620 curves in 52 miles or, to put it another way, 12 swerves per mile! But the scenery, a tropical rainforest replete with rushing water and fruit-laden trees, is worth every gut-wrenching turn. After about three hours the road straightens, and we’re in the small community of Hána, where the loudest sounds come from the waves and waterfalls. There’s plenty to do— from hiking in Haleakala National Park to examining quilts and poi boards at a small museum—but the ambience is so gentle, so orgtranquil, that we feel the tensions drain away and for two

days do little more than munch on mango, walk on the beach and admire the falls. On our way back we peruse the art galleries in the historic whaling town of Láhaina and treat ourselves to an evening at the Old Láhaina Lu’au. There, sitting cross-legged on a woven mat, we have a final feast where we dine on traditional Hawaiian food and enjoy a musical journey through Hawaiian history. A hula dancer stops us as we leave. “A hui hou kákou,” she says, handing us each a flower. “Until we meet again.” I nod my thanks and begin plotting our return. For more info, visit www.gohawaii.com/maui — www.celebrationofthearts.

No retirement plan? It’s not too late. Your CPA can help plot a path to retirement and manage your assets, no matter what they are.

Alabama Society of CPAs Free on-line referral service www.ascpa.org/public 24

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

“America Counts on CPAs™”

Crafter’s COrner

Keep the Bugs at Bay A

s we get ready to welcome back those warm summer nights, we don’t want to see the mosquitoes that usually accompany them. These wine bottle citronella torches are perfect for any outdoor event. (Special thanks go to Beth Edwards and Donnie Robinson for the idea and design.) Just one bottle will last a long time, Callie Corley and cover a sizeable area.You can put one on each side of your pool during an event dip, or use them as a centerpiece the next time you entertain outdoors. Materials You’ll Need: Wine bottles, Tiki Torch wicks, threaded lamp tubing (comes with nuts and washers, which you’ll need), hack saw, Exacto™ knife or box cutter, small funnel, citronella oil. The wicks and tubing you can buy in individual packages at Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc., and both need altering before they’re ready to use. Eyeball the center of the threaded tubing and cut in half (hence the hack saw). Flatten the wick on a cutting surface, cut it down the middle, and pull out about half the fibers in the center. Roll the fibers very tightly and gently push them through the tubing you just cut.You want the wick to stick out about half an inch at the top. The rest will soak up the oil in the bottle. Take a nut and screw it on at the top of the tubing. Place a washer atop that nut and screw another nut on top of that. Use the funnel to pour the oil in the bottle. Fill up the bottle between the top of the label and the neck. Place your completed tubing into the bottle and let it soak for a day or two to absorb the oil. Then, at your next outdoor event, enjoy these attractive, sweet-scented mosquito repelling torches. Callie Corley began crafting when she was old enough to hold a pencil, squeeze a glue bottle, and use a pair of scissors. If you have craft ideas to share, send instructions and photos to primemagdesign@gmail.com.

www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

in every life

Understanding Medical “Alphabet Soup”

s a wise health consumer, you need to understand the credentials of your healthcare providers, indicated by various letter designations. These letters can be a confusing alphabet soup of initials. Most people are familiar with M.D., indicating a Medical Doctor, likely from their primary care physician or specialist for treatment of a particular disease or body system. A Doctor of Osteopathy carries the Arlene Morris initials D.O. Either an M.D. or D.O. can obtain Board Certification (B.C.), after fulfilling requirements to take, and pass, a board examination through a private organization beyond state licensure, which indicates proficiency in one area of medicine. Beyond this, there are numerous other healthcare providers you are likely to encounter. Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) are legal in every U.S. state and territory and complete their education in an accredited program at a master’s (Master of Science in Nursing —MSN) or doctoral level (Doctor of Nursing Practice — DNP). This education includes clinical practicums and intensive certification examinations. Licensure as an APN is granted by each state. Laws in various states allow APNs to care for individuals, families, or population groups either independently or in a required collaborative agreement with a physician, within an interdependent healthcare system. APNs provide care across settings in the healthcare delivery system such as in primary care clinics, hospitals, public/community health, home health, rehabilitation, emergency rooms, hospice or long-term care. The following overview of various APN roles can clarify their specific focus: The Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) role has developed in the U.S. since the 1960s to provide holistic assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of chronic or acute conditions as well as health promotion needs, including authority to write prescriptions. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM), were first recruited from England in 1925 then educated in the U.S. since the early 1930’s. CNMs provide primary care to women of all ages and for newborns up to one year of age. CNMs are licensed in all states in the U.S., and are authorized to write prescriptions. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) have been educated in the U.S. since 1909 and are authorized to provide anesthesia and pain management. Since the 1960s, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) have provided leadership and clinical expertise for specific clinical areas or for specific populations (e.g., oncology CNS or gerontologic CNS). They may write prescriptions in some states. Although not an Advanced Practice Nurse role, Physician’s Assistants (PAs) complete an accredited program of study, often at a master’s level, and a certifying examination. PAs work with a physician or group to examine and treat patients of the physician(s), and may also write prescriptions. Clarification of more initials can help consumers understand other levels of nursing education. 26

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) requires completion of four to five years of education at a university. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) requires completion of two to three years of education, usually at a community college. Although the focus of education differs, both BSN and ADN education includes clinical experiences and examinations, and currently graduates from both levels take an examination to be licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) by each state. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) complete 12 to 24 months of education usually at a technical college, including clinical experiences, and must pass a different licensure examination provided by each state. Most states require annual continuing education for retaining licensure at all levels of nursing and medicine. Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) are often educated for the specific tasks they provide within facilities in which they work, with programs varying from 21 to 40 days. All healthcare providers should wear a name tag with their credentials listed. If you are unsure what the letters stand for, ask for an explanation and a description of their role and scope of practice in the particular setting. Understanding the ‘alphabet soup’ of medical designations can help you become a wise health consumer. MCA_Ad_01.13_Prime_Layout 2:00atPM PageMontgomery’s 1 Arlene H. Morris is Professor1of1/2/13 Nursing Auburn School of Nursing. She can be reached at amorris@aum.edu.

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The Conductor’s Season Montgomery Symphony Orchestra

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More puzzles to test your skills!

If you like Scrabble™ Let us know and we’ll add it to the puzzle mix. (answers on page 34.)

Saint Patrick & the 1st Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

aint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well known legend is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock. Since around the ninth or 10th century, people in Ireland have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick on March 17. Interestingly, however, the first parade held to honor St. Patrick’s Day took place not in Ireland but in the U.S. On March 17, 1762, Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as with fellow Irishmen serving in the 28

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

English army. Growth of St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Over the next 35 years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called “Irish Aid” societies like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums. In 1848, several New York Irish Aid societies decided to unite their parades to form one official New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Today, that parade is the world ‘s oldest civilian parade and the largest in the United States, with over 150,000 participants. Each year, nearly 3 million people line the 1.5-mile parade route to watch the procession, which takes more than five hours. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Savannah also celebrate the day with parades involving between 10,000 and 20,000 participants each. Information courtesy A&E Televisions Networks, LLC. © 2012.

moving free with mirabai

March 8–24; May 12–18

Keeping an Eye on Falls I

s your vision putting you at risk for a deadly fall? The answer may surprise Mirabai Holland you. Falls are a leading cause of death in older adults. Do you really want to go out with that kind of a bang? Not being able to notice a hazard that causes a fall is a problem that sneaks up on you. The quality of our vision diminishes slowly with age and often goes unnoticed. Or, we may just rationalize our symptoms away. Starting at around 40 years old, the lenses in our eyes become less elastic, making it difficult to focus up close. We eventually admit it and fix the problem with reading glasses. But that’s just the beginning. Around 50 we may think there’s not enough light in a room, or daylight conditions are immediately too bright when we go outside. In fact, our pupils have gotten smaller, and our ability to adjust to changing light has diminished with age. So we require more light indoors, and transitions from dim to

bright conditions become more difficult. We don’t usually think of aging eyesight as the cause, so it’s easy to shrug off. As we get older contrast perception also diminishes, making it harder to perceive stairs, curbs and other dangers. We blame shadows or glare. And worsening vision throws off our balance and proprioception (knowing where our bodies are in space). Combine imperfect vision with age-related orthopedic issues and we’re set up for a life-altering, or life-ending, event. Most of the time the vision problem is easily corrected with a visit to an ophthalmologist and prescription for glasses. And if you do have a more serious issue, it can be detected and treated before vision loss occurs or gets worse. But remember, it sneaks up on you. So get a checkup even if you don’t think you need one. Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is a leading authority in the Health & Fitness industry and a public health activist specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work (www. mirabaiholland.com).

By Christopher Sergel, Adapted from the novel by Harper Lee

An American Classic The play that Alabama is most proud to call its own comes to inspired life on ASF’s stage. Set in Depression-era Monroeville, and told through the voice of the beloved tomboy Scout, this Pulitzer Prize-winning tale embodies the life-long lessons of childhood, fairness and the courage to stand up for what is right, no matter the cost.

@ ALABAmA SHAkeSpeAre FeStivAL 1-800-841-4273

www.ASF.net

/alabamashakes

www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

games & puzzles

Across 1 Word on a red octagon 5 Tree-trunk greenery 9 Channel covering Capitol Hill 14 Coif makeup 15 Queen Boleyn 16 Partner of well 17 Partner of willing 18 Like tilted ltrs. 19 Moderated, with "down" 20 Hullabaloo over a sudden policy reversal? 23 Ball supporter 24 Little mischiefmakers 25 Legendary Chicago cow owner 29 Attack from above 31 __ Grande 32 Co. bigwig 33 Sign of table tennis tendonitis?

37 Bushy coif 40 Half of a double play 41 Inventor's germ 42 Bit of applause for an equestrian event? 47 Big thing at McDonalds? 48 Samaritan's offer 49 Game one 53 Meditation instruction 55 Crossword hint 57 Inventor Whitney 58 Cry of frustration about a Hostess cake? 61 Montezuma, e.g. 64 Snug ... bug in ___ 65 "Exodus" author 66 Musical pace 67 Easy pace 68 Waiter's handout 69 Cuts and pastes, say 70 Iowa State's city 71 Stage accessory

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Down 1 Great Pyramid passages 2 One of two Commandments holders 3 More greasy 4 Make ready, briefly 5 Letter carriers 6 Winning 7 Velcro alternatives 8 Note to __ 9 Book of available products 10 Hillside 11 Exemplar of neatness 12 Hail, to Maria 13 Composer Rorem 21 Fido's poodle amie 22 Pork cut 26 Military sch. 27 Actress Russo 28 Class using mats 30 For each one 31 Campus military gp. 34 __ Samaritan

35 Little Lab 36 Organ whistle 37 High point 38 Source of linen 39 Yummy but fattening 43 Parti-colored cats 44 Bank's claim 45 Sprawls, as by the pool 46 Take down __: humble 50 Less remote 51 Cause of odd weather 52 Equips for use 54 Highly capable 55 PC data disk 56 Gem grader's aid 59 Festive event 60 Trash destination 61 Ended a fast 62 Alphabet ender in England 63 1979 Pa. meltdown site

Crossword and Sudoku answers are on page 33.

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To advertise contact Bob Corley • 334-202-0114 primemontgomery@gmail.com www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

prime diversions

Recent dvd releases Sinister, Cloud Atlas, Killing Them Softly

Sinister (R) This horror flick is mostly dull for about 100 minutes, before reaching a relatively interesting conclusion in the last 10. Still interested? Ethan Hawke is a true-crime writer, whose career may have peaked. He moves his wife and two kids into the house where the latest gruesome event occurred, hoping for a comeback book. A family of five lived there. Four were found hanging from a tree in the back yard; the youngest daughter is missing. Hawke tries to keep his family from knowing where they’re now living, for reasons that never make sense to anyone on or facing the screen. He finds some 8mm films and a projector in the attic. They show several similar crimes, including the one he’s investigating. Other mysterious things occur, as their lives seem to be imperiled by something more supernatural than mortal. Far more danger is dangled than delivered, as the plot plods along. Hawke’s persona and actions generate little empathy, and we learn too little about the other characters to care much about their fates. Not good for creating the dramatic tension on which any suspense fare relies. Cloud Atlas (R) This sweeping epic is one of the year’s most ambitious films in several respects, even beyond its running time of nearly three hours. The script covers six eras (three past, one present and two in the distant future, spanning the globe as we jump rather swiftly from one subplot to the next. Intriguingly, many of the actors in this deep, distinguished cast play multiple roles - not all of the same nature. That applies to Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant and a number of others. The stories seem unrelated, but some elements overlap, as a thematic consistency eventually emerges. The budget must have been enormous; makeup and costumes alone likely cost more than most entire films. Between the scope of the production and the number of temporal switches, the film asks its viewers for an above-average amount of concentration. If you’re on Ritalin, don’t skip a dose. The effort will be rewarded with fine performances, and a number of thought-provoking perspectives on history and the nature of our species. The earliest action occurs in the South Pacific of the mid-1800s; then to 1930s England; San Francisco 32

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

in the 1970s; present-day England; Korea in 2144, and then an unspecified era beyond that. The themes run from slavery to the arts to technology. Some moments Mark Glass of humor and romance are sprinkled among the predominantly serious, and often violent, elements of these tales. By spanning so many centuries, we segue from period costume fare to futuristic and post-apocalyptic sci-fi action. In one sense, that makes this experience like a singlescreen multiplex with a repertory company for channel surfers. Expect plenty of attention during Awards Season, at least for all the technical facets. Its three directors (Tim Twyker, Andy and Lana Wachowski) deserve considerable credit for making such a lengthy film seem much shorter than it is. Alas, the opposite occurs far more frequently.

Killing Them Softly (R) Brad Pitt stars, more or less, as a contract killer in this gritty crime drama with a couple of novelty elements. A couple of slacker henchmen go for a low-level mobster’s idea to rob a poker game full of Mafiosi-types because they think the blame will fall on a certain patsy (Ray Liotta), making the hold-up’s extreme risks manageable. They pull off the job, but their secret is far from secure. A solid cast, including Richard Jenkins, Sam Shepard, James Gandolfini and some other fine lowlife-character actors, create the suspense of the chase, with plenty of realistic mayhem along the way. That means beatings and shootings without any martial-arts or high-tech weaponry enhancements. The bonuses come from the writing. The hard times of the principals are juxtaposed with TV news clips from the autumn of 2008, in which our nation’s financial crisis and election rhetoric serve as the macrocosm for tight money and short fuses on their mean streets. I’m also a sucker for the comic relief of thugs coming up with dialog surprisingly above their apparent levels of book learnin’. That worked beautifully in last year’s mostly-overlooked gem starring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle, The Guard. That anachronistic banter is not as widely deployed here, but what we get is still a nice perk. Pitts’ speech at the end is particularly worth the wait, even if for those less entertained by the gory bits.

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

calendar Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama fundraiser. “An Evening with Eli Manning,” March 15, Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center.VIP reception 6 pm, dinner 7 pm. WSFA Sports Anchor Jeff Shearer and WAKA Sports Anchor Dee Jackson lead a Q&A “chat” with Manning. Live auction. General admission tickets $100 for dinner, auction, program. Tables of eight available. Tickets can be purchased at www.cancerwellnessfoundation.org or by calling the MPAC Box Office 334-481-5100. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 96 meets on the last Monday of the month, Golden Coral, Eastern By-Pass. For information contact Malcolm Brassell, 334-272-3292. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Blount Cultural Park. Tues.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. 10 am-9 pm. Free admission; donations welcome. Free docent-lead tours. Sun., 1-2 pm. For info. 334-240-4333, www.mmfa.org. Montgomery Area Council on Aging. Meals, transportation, outreach services, exercise class, Bible study, bingo. Various days, times, locales. 115 E. Jefferson St. For info. 334263-0532. Hearing Loss Support Group. 2nd Thurs., 4 pm, First United Methodist Church. Speakers, hearing screenings, refreshments. For info. call 334-262-3650. Disabled American Veterans. Last Thurs., 5:30 pm. 906 Maxwell Blvd.Vets of all conflicts. For info. call 334-294-1551. Vietnam Veterans of America. 1st. Mon., 6:30 pm. Crazy Buffet, Atlanta Hwy.

Empty Bowls. Fundraiser benefiting the Montgomery Area Food Bank. March 14, 11 am - 1 pm, Church of the Holy Spirit, 8570 Vaughn Rd. Tickets are $24 and include soup, bread, and your choice of a handcrafted bowl donated by potters. Silent auction. Order tickets by calling 334-396-1691. For information contact Margaret Barber, www.margaretbarberpottery.com. Songwriters-in-the-Round. Cloverdale Playhouse, Joe Thomas, Jr. Guitar Pull. 3rd Tuesday, 7-9 pm. $10. For info. 334262-1530. Gluten Intolerance Support Group. 2nd Thurs., 6-7 pm, Taylor Rd. Baptist Church. For info., Ruth Givens, ruthgivens5@gmail.com, or http://gfmontgomery.blogspot.com. Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group. 1st Thurs., 11 am, Frazer Church. For info 334-272-8622.

www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

calendar

Gardening Lunch & Learn Series

Capital City Master Gardeners Assn. Montgomery Learning Arts Center 1018 Madison Ave. Feb. 6 (1st Wed. each month). Noon-1 pm. FREE Featured titles will include “Container Gardening”, “Seed Starting”, “Plant Propagation” and more. For information call 270-4133. Related handouts from the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service will be provided at each session at no cost. Montgomery Model Boat Club meets 2nd and last Saturday of each month, weather permitting, mid-morning ‘til tired. Blount Cultural Park by the stone bridge. All types of boats and levels of experience welcome. For information contact Bill Pecoul, jppom@excite. com, or visit the website, www. orgsites.com/al/montgomerymodelboatclub/.

March 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

www.primemontgomery.com | March 2013

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

presents

The River Region’s Professional Ballet Company

The Sleeping Beauty

March 15-17

The Davis Theatre

Don Quixote • July 26, 27 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