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March 2015
Table of Contents Editor’s Notes 4 Quick Reads 6 Yard ‘n Garden 8
Plants under glass
A Gracious Plenty 9
Cabbage & Turkey Ragout
Our History 10
Do you know these people?
MoneyWi$e 11
Inherited IRAs
Digital Grandkids 12
What you need to know
Memories of “The March” 14
Selma-to-Mtgy: Where were you?
Social Security 18
Get your tax paperwork ready
In Every Life 19
Montgomery residents offer personal recollections of the Selma-to-Montgomery march in “Memories of the March,” page 14.The march ended at the state Capitol, seen here with National Guard troops on Dexter Avenue. (Photo courtesy AL Dept. of Archives and History. Photographer unknown.)
How to sleep better
Work & Money at 50, 60 & 70 20 Where should you be?
Downsizing tips 23 San Antonio 24
More than the Alamo
Puzzles 27
Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond
FREE FOR YOU
March 2015
Money & Work
what you should know at: 70
60
50
and: Digital Tips for Grandparents
The raod toward retirement, a late-in-life career change, or continued work at a job you love, is not always smooth or clearly marked. Use the checklist starting on page 20 to help you determine how far down that road you are, or should be, at ages 50, 60 and 70.
Tinseltown Talks 28
From Patty Duke to Captain Kirk
Facts about remarrying 30
How men and women differ
Medicare 33
10 essential Medicare Fact
March DVD Releases 35 Don’t be SCAMMED by movers! 36 Calendar 37 Off the Beaten Path 38 Going Squirrelly
www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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Prime M
EDITOR’S NOTE
MONTGOMERY
March 2015 Vol. 5, Issue 11
PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Andrea Gross, Lisa Kaufman Hogan, Robyn Passante CONTRIBUTORS Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Laurice H. Goorley, Kylle’ McKinney, Bob Moos, Arlene Morris, Nick Thomas, Alan Wallace, PHOTOGRAPHERS Irv Green, Bob Corley SALES Bob Corley • 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@gmail.com Wendy McFarland, • 334-652-9080 mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com Prime Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Road, #144 Montgomery, AL 36116 • 334-202-0114 www.primemontgomery.com ISSN 2152-9035
Prime Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2015 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contributing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/ Corley Group, LLC. Prime Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Prime Montgomery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals. Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, emotional, or legal matters. We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims.
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March 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
any of us who’ve lived in Montgomery for more than 50 years remember the Selma to Montgomery march, some as foot soldiers, others in a more tangential way. I remember the marchers coming to town — but not for any laudable reason, I hasten to add. At 12, the march seemed distant to me as I pondered more “pressing” personal issues that spring: crafting my first science project, avoiding the mile in P.E. class, fretting over whether I’d ever see the Beatles in concert. Barely out of elementary school, issues of great social concern escaped me. What I learned about the march came from news reports or the fact that our family’s restaurant was situated directly on the march route. Located on the Mobile Highway, the Riviera was less than a half mile from The City of St. Jude, where protestors camped on the final night before marching to the state Capitol. Several network correspondents covering the event stopped at the restaurant for a meal in the days leading up to the march. I don’t remember the content of the conversations Dad recounted each evening, but I definitely remember the context — they said the march would be significant, remarkable, unprecedented. I wish I remembered more. How do other longtime residents remember those tense days in1965? This month’s feature Memories of the March (page14) offers observations from several Montgomerians as they look back at the historic event that occurred 50 years ago this month. Their comments add fascinating context and perspective to our general knowledge about the momentous march. Don’t miss this timely feature you’ll only find in Prime. As spring break rolls around, are your grandchildren — and their electronic devices — paying you a visit? What’s your role as digital guardian in this new online universe? From setting limits to joining them on the internet, Hosting Grandkids in the Digital Age (page 12) offers a wealth of information and handy tips on how to keep your youngest relatives savvy, safe, and satisfied in the world of digital media. Are you preparing yourself for the best retirement possible? Take a look at this month’s What to Know About Money and Work by 50, 60, and 70 (page 20) for a decade-by-decade checklist of what you should know and when you should know it. It’s never too soon to prepare for that well-deserved retirement. Do men and women feel a similar need to remarry? Maybe not, according to U.S. Census Bureau findings that reveal 52 percent of men remarry, while only 44 percent of woman take the “second-time-around” plunge. Why the difference? Check out Robyn Passante’s interesting read on page 30. Please don’t forget to keep helping State Archives identify individuals in their photo collection, as part of our ongoing “Our History” feature on page 10. Share these pictorial archives with others by copying or printing them from our website at www.primemontgomery.com. With Spring Break almost here, beautiful weather is just around the corner. Relax and enjoy the brand new season, along with your newest issue of Prime.
Sandra Polizos Editor
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QUICK READS Sweet Energy Drinks & Hyperactivity Middle-school children who consume heavily sweetened energy drinks are 66% more likely to be at risk for hyperactivity and inattention symptoms, a new study led by the Yale School of Public Health has found. Previous research has shown a strong correlation between children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and poor academic outcomes, greater difficulties with peer relationships, and increased susceptibility to injuries. The finding has implications for school success and lends support to existing recommendations to limit the amount of sweetened beverages schoolchildren drink. The authors also recommend that children avoid energy drinks, which, in addition to high levels of sugar. also often contain caffeine. The study is published in the journal Academic Pediatrics. The researchers found that boys were more likely to consume energy drinks than girls and that black and Hispanic boys were more likely to drink the beverages than their white peers. The average age of the student study participants was 12.4 years old. The study controlled for the number and type of other sugarsweetened drinks consumed. “As the total number of sugar-sweetened beverages increased, so too did risk for hyperactivity and inattention symptoms among our middle-school students,” said Professor Jeannette Ickovics, research team leader. “Importantly, it appears that energy drinks are driving this association. Our results support the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that parents should limit consumption of sweetened beverages and that children should not consume any energy drinks.”
Longer Risks for Older Heart Patients In the month following an older heart patient's hospital discharge, there is a one-in-five risk of rehospitalization or death, but little is known about how these risks change over time. A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that risks remain high for up to a year, but can be addressed with targeted care. Recently published in the British Medical Journal, the study looked at 3 million older Medicare patients aged 65 or older who survived hospitalization for heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and pneumonia from 2008 to 2010. The Yale research team defined the absolute risks of re-hospitalization and death on each day during the full year after discharge. The study found that risk of re-hospitalization and death declined slowly after discharge and remained elevated for months. The risk remains elevated for a longer period of time following hospitalization for heart failure compared with hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction and pneumonia. For all three conditions, risk of re-hospitalization remains elevated for a longer period of time than risk of death. 6
March 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
"If we can track absolute risks and their changes over time, this information will be critical in helping patients and hospitals set realistic expectations and goals for recovery, and plan for appropriate care after discharge," said lead author Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan, assistant professor of cardiology at Yale School of Medicine. "As our health system increasingly focuses on improving long-term health and personalizing care, this information can help hospitals focus their interventions during the highest risk periods for patients." "Patients should remain vigilant for deterioration in health for an extended time after hospitalization," said Dharmarajan, “This might mean checking in more often with a primary care physician or specialist.”
Facebook in the Afterlife Facebook recently rolled out a new feature called Legacy Contact, which gives people a platform for remembering and celebrating the lives of deceased loved ones. The basis for this product came from the doctoral work of Jed Brubaker, a Ph.D. candidate in informatics at the University of California, Irvine. Facebook retained Brubaker as an academic consultant in the creation, testing and release of Legacy Contact. The feature allows individuals to decide what happens to their Facebook account when they die. Through their security settings, they can assign a
“legacy contact,” or steward, to manage the account. On behalf of the deceased account holder, the legacy contact is able to post an obituary or message, update profile pictures and cover photos, respond to new friend requests, and moderate the posting of condolences and memories from existing friends. With additional permission from the account holder, the legacy contact can download an archive of profile informa-
tion and posts. Facebook will also make changes to “memorialized” accounts, adding the word “remembering” before the person’s name. “Memorialized profiles can be unsettling, particularly right after someone dies,” Brubaker says. “It’s not always clear that someone has died, and details can get buried in the flood of messages that friends post.”
Relax To Music, But Don’t Study Music may help some people relax, but it doesn’t help them remember what they’re focusing on, especially as they get older. A study from the Georgia Institute of Technology challenged younger and older people to look at faces and names while either listening to non-lyrical music or nothing at all. The college-aged participants had no problems -- the music didn’t affect their performance. But the older adults remembered 10 percent fewer names when listening to background music or musical rain as compared to silence. The study author suggests these findings could help workers in assisted living centers as they plan activities. “They should be mindful of their surroundings,” said Sarah Reaves, the graduate student who led the study. “Maybe employees should turn off music during learning activities or hold the activities in a quiet room. Similarly, older adults who struggle to concentrate while meeting with co-workers at a coffee shop, for example, should schedule meetings in quieter locations. When people get lost while driving,” added Reaves, “it’s probably best to turn off the radio.”
Can’t Sing? Don’t give up! New research from Northwestern University suggests singing accurately is not so much a talent as a learned skill that can decline over time if not used. The ability to sing on key may have more in common with the kind of practice that goes into playing an instrument than people realize, said lead researcher Steven Demorest, a professor of music education at Northwestern's Bienen School of Music. The study was published last month in a special issue of the journal Music Perception. "No one expects a beginner on violin to sound good right away, it takes practice, But everyone is supposed to be able to sing," Demorest said. "When people are unsuccessful they take it very personally, but we think if you sing more, you'll get better.” Children who have been told they can't sing well are less likely to engage with music in the future and often vividly remember the negative experience well into adulthood. Being called "tone deaf" can have devastating effects on a child's selfimage, the researchers wrote in the study. The study suggests adults who may have performed better as children lost the ability when they stopped singing. And while singing on key is likely easier for some people than others. “…it's also a skill that can be taught and developed,” Demorest said, “and much of it has to do with using the voice regularly.” www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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YARD ‘N GARDEN
Building Glass Gardens By Laurice H. Goorley
S
ince I was a child, terrariums have always fascinated me, with their magical quality of transforming a few plants and accessories into a beautiful miniature landscape. As a youngster, I made terrariums by planting in an old glass fish tank. Terrariums are a wonderful way for people to bring nature into their homes. They are excellent for allowing one to be creative in the cold months when it is difficult for people and plants to be outside. Terrariums are also an excellent hobby for those who can no longer actively garden due to space or physical limitations, allowing them to “dig in the dirt” and continue to experience the joy of gardening. The definition of a terrarium is “a miniature landscape in a covered clear container.” That definition and terrarium types have evolved over the years. In creating terrariums, we are limited only by our imagination. Here are some specific requirements for designing a basic terrarium. n Begin with a clean, clear container large enough to hold the plants and allow room for air movement and growth. n Place small pea gravel in the bottom for drainage. n Mix in activated charcoal to “sweeten” the soil. n Fill the container with the appropriate mix specific to the plants you use (cactus mix for cacti and succulents, African violet mix, potting mix for moisture loving plants such as ferns). n Pre-arrange the appropriate plants that have similar requirements for soil, water, light, humidity and fertilizer. n Prepare a hole for placing the plant. n Remove plant from container and loosen the soil on the bottom of the plant. Place each plant in a pleasing design. n You can add small river pebbles to succulent/cacti terrariums (also called desertariums) or sheet moss to moisture loving plants to finish off. Water lightly. n Do not place a top on succulent/cacti terrariums. n Moisture loving terrariums with a lid should be checked frequently. Remove lid periodically to keep the soil appropriately moist and for air circulation. n Decide the permanent location for the terrarium. The terrarium must have sufficient sunlight but should not be placed in direct sunlight as glass acts as a magnifier. Terrariums are a wonderful way to continue gardening regardless of the weather or your physical ability. If you Google “Building a Terrarium” you will find any number of helpful websites and videos with step by step instructions, helpful hints, and lists of compatible plants. Laurice H. Goorley, a Master Gardener (2007) in the Capital City Master Gardener Association, lives in Pike Road, AL. For information on becoming a master gardener, visit the website, www.capcitymga.org of e-mail capcitymga@gmail.com. 8
March 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
Garden Help Line Have a question about gardening and can’t find the answer? The Alabama Master Gardeners have a free help line during the spring and summer growing seasons, April through August. 1-877-252-GROW (4769) You may leave a message 24 hours a day. A Master Gardener will contact you.
A GRACIOUS PLENTY
Go Green for Spring!
W
ith spring come thoughts of all things green, including cabbage and St. Patrick’s Day.You can create your own unique and healthy dish to celebrate the wearing of green by pairing cabbage with turkey to make a mouthwatering ragout. The term ragout (pronounced ra-GOO), derived from the French verb ragoûter, means “to stimulate the appetite.” It is characterized by a thick, satisfying, wellseasoned stew of meat or poultry with vegetables, which has been a favorite for years, dating back to the 1600s in France. Whether you use a food processor or chop the cabbage yourself, this cancerfighting vegetable combines perfectly with onion, garlic, carrots, celery and bell peppers to produce a mixture full of fresh garden flavor. The vinegar adds just the right amount of acidity and the red pepper adds a dash of zest. This ragout is easy to make and durable. It won’t suffer, for example, if you leave it on the stove during dinner. This can be a great feature if you are having a St. Patrick’s Day party because you can serve guests who may be arriving at different times. Be sure to prepare some extra because it makes great leftovers on the second day after the flavors have mingled and mellowed. Served over a bed of whole-grain flat noodles, this ragout makes a satisfying meal. Provide some crusty whole-grain bread or good ol’ Irish soda bread on the side and your diners will love the festive combination. Enjoy this hearty spring meal.
CABBAGE AND TURKEY RAGOUT Makes 6 servings. 1 lb. ground turkey 1 large onion, chopped 6 cloves garlic, minced 3 medium carrots, thinly sliced 2 medium stalks celery, thinly sliced 2 medium green bell peppers, diced 1 small green cabbage, chopped 1 (28 oz.) can no salt added diced tomatoes 3/4 cup reduced-fat, reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 Tbsp. vinegar 1 tsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. dried basil 1/4 tsp. cayenne or red pepper, or to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper In large pot over medium-high heat sauté turkey, onion, garlic, carrots, celery and peppers about 12-14 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover and let simmer about 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Serve hot over whole-wheat wide noodles. Courtesy:The American Institute for Cancer Research www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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OUR HISTORY Prime is partnering with the Alabama Department of Archives and History to present a group of photographs each month to help identify the individuals depicted. Most of the photos are from the collections of Montgomery-based photographers Horace Perry, John E. Scott, and Jim Peppler. In addition to identifying individuals, Archives is interested in other details about the images, including corrections to the descriptions. If you have information about these photographs contact Meredith McDonough, meredith.mcdonough@ archives.alabama.gov, or call at 334-353-5442.You can also e-mail Prime at primemontgomery@gmail.com. Above:The man reading the newspaper may be Harper Councill Trenholm. WAPX was an African American AM radio station in Montgomery. 19501959 (photo by Horace Perry)
Left: Children in a VW van in front of Southern Motor Import, 501 Montgomery St. Jack Hamel, president of the company, later started a VW dealership on W. Fairview Avenue. November 24, 1957 (photo by John Scott)
From a collection of sixteen slides, chiefly of the Selma-to-Montgomery March, owned by a Lutheran minister who may have been the photographer, but whose name is unknown. March 25, 1965. (photographer unknown) 10 March 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
MONEYWISE
Handling Inherited IRAs I
RAs are a great tool for retirement. Thanks to their popularity, you might be a beneficiary of someone’s IRA. If so, you need to know some of the rules affecting inherited IRAs. (The rules for Roth IRAs are different and this article does not apply to them.) Much of what you need to know hinges on (a) the age at death of the deceased former owner, (b) your age, and (c) whether or Alan Wallace not the former owner was your spouse. Age matters for two reasons. First, most IRA distributions prior to the owner’s age 59½ are subject to a 10% penalty. Second, IRA distributions must begin by April 1 of the year after the owner reaches age 70½ (“required beginning date”). You also need to know that “required minimum distributions” (RMDs) from the IRA are required by law at different times depending on the ownership of the IRA. To further complicate matters, the method for calculating the RMD varies depending on circumstances. The penalty for not taking the correct RMD is 50% of the required amount not taken. If you inherit an IRA, determine if the former owner had to take an RMD in his year of death. If so and it has not been taken, you must do so, based on his age, by 12/31 of his year of death. Spouse Beneficiary If you are at least 59½ or if you will not have to draw on the IRA until you reach that age, you should probably roll the inherited account into an IRA in your own name. The account will then be treated like any other IRA in your name. The obligation to take an RMD and the calculation of the amount will thereafter be based on your age. If your spouse was 59½ and you are likely to draw on the IRA before the year you reach 59½, you can leave the money in your spouse’s IRA and take withdrawals as the beneficiary without facing a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Wait until you
are 59½ before moving the IRA into your own name. Non-spouse Individual Beneficiary A non-spouse beneficiary may not move an inherited IRA into her name. It must be listed as an inherited IRA and you may choose from the two methods below to determine the RMD which you must take annually starting in the year after death. The slowest method generally provides the greatest value, so you want the highest life expectancy. The RMD is the 12/31 IRA balance the prior year divided by life expectancy in the current year. 1. Calculate a hypothetical life expectancy for the deceased owner using the IRS table to determine his life expectancy as of his birthday in the year of death. Reduce that number by 1 for each succeeding year. 2. Look up your life expectancy in the single life table (no other table is valid) published by the IRS individual. While your custodian will probably be happy to calculate this for you, it is a good idea for you to look at options 1 and 2 to decide what works best for you rather than letting someone else make the choice for you. Multiple Beneficiaries and Trust or Entity Beneficiaries If an inherited IRA names more than one beneficiary, split the account into separate IRAs in the proper amount for each beneficiary. Then proceed as outlined above. If a trust or other entity is the beneficiary, consult an expert before taking action. With inherited IRAs as in other matters, it is best to chart your course carefully before taking action. Once taken, many actions in this field are irreversible, so choose wisely. And as always, it is a good idea to consult with a qualified professional for specific advice. Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU, is a Senior Private Wealth Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, www.ronblue.com/locational. He can be reached at 334-270-5960, or by e-mail at alan. wallace@ronblue.com.
“If you are at least 59½ or if you will not have to draw on the IRA until you reach that age, you should probably roll the inherited account into an IRA in your own name.” www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
11
FEATURE
Hosting Grandkids
in the Digital Age T
oday’s kids have never known a time without computers or the Internet. According to a Pew Internet Project study from 2013, 95 percent of all children ages12 to 17 are now online, and 80 percent of teens have a desktop or laptop computer. So what’s a grandparent to do when hosting electronics-savvy grandkids for a few hours or days? Here are eight tips for setting guidelines and sharing in digital media to engage and learn more about your grandkids. Find out if they will be bringing their own devices If you don’t have a computer or video game console in your home, there’s no need to get one just for your grandkids. Ask the parents if their children will be bringing their own digital devices. About 47 percent of teens own Internetaccessible smartphones, and about one in four own a tablet computer. Set time limits Grandma and grandpa’s house should be a special place where kids can have fun, and certain rules (like bedtime and allowable treats) are relaxed. However, screen time should come with specific ground rules. If parents don’t provide time limits, don’t be afraid to set your own. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends television and other media should be avoided for infants and toddlers under age 2, and no more than one to two hours a day of entertainment media 12
March 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
for children and teens. The purpose of the visit should be to enjoy time with you, not to spend it alone attached to a digital device. Grandchildren can enjoy computer games, music and movies, but when they visit, they can also have lots of other wonderful, planned activities like visiting museums, going to the zoo, swimming and taking walks. Check on Wi-Fi access If the kids bring a laptop or tablet, they may ask if you have Wi-Fi access. If you don’t have a wireless router in your home, again, there’s no need to buy one just for them. If you do have a router or live in a communal setting that provides Wi-Fi, talk with the parents about whether or not the grandkids can surf the Internet on their own devices without supervision. If they bring smartphones with 3G or 4G ac-
cess, they don’t need a Wi-Fi hotspot in order to get Internet access. Explore content filters If you allow your grandkids to surf the Internet on your computer, consider using content filters to block inappropriate websites. Popular browsers like Internet Explorer and Firefox offer content filters or add-ons. Operating systems also have built-in safeguards you can activate and some companies offer free or paid Internet filters. Articles from a variety of popular computer magazines, accessible through an online web search on the topic, can also provide good information. Watch online videos with them If the kids like watching videos online, make sure they are appropriate. Watch a few videos with your grandkids and ask them about what types of videos they enjoy and why. Be careful, however, of the comment sections, where anonymous users occasionally post rude or profane comments. Seek age-appropriate games If your grandkids like to play video games, there are plenty of free ones available for download or playable through your Internet browser. Look for age-appropriate games, especially from trusted websites like pbskids.org or www.nickjr.com. Commonsensemedia.org is a good resource for finding ageappropriate games. Some libraries offer free video games on CD ROM for checkout, and many video game stores rent them out as well. Ask parents what the kids’ favorite games are and see if you can borrow/rent some. Discourage excessive texting or messaging Many kids today text or instant message (IM) their friends constantly. Set rules for your home about when it is and isn’t appropriate (e.g., meals, outings, other group activities) to communicate electronically with friends. Ask your grandkids about what types of friends they have, where they live and what they like to do together. Learn about their social media interests Kids love to create and share content (photos, videos, commentary, etc.) online through social media. Although the popularity of Facebook seems to be waning with teens, three out of every four of them still use it. If your grandkids are on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Vine, Instagram or others, ask them what types of topics they like to post about, whom they follow, and what hobbies/interests they have. You might even be able to suggest new people or organizations to follow on social media.
For more information and resources on hosting your grandkids, visit www.aarp.org/relationships/friends-family/ or www. grandparents.com, official website of the American Grandparents Association. www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
13
FEATURE
Above: Marchers walk past Saint Margaret’s Hospital. Right: Singer Joan Baez (L) and actress Susan Sarandon joined the march.
Memories of the
Compiled by Sandra Polizos
March
For many area residents memories of the Selma-to-Montgomery March are personal. Living in and around the Capital City in March of 1965, they were in the midst of a momentous news story which led to groundbreaking changes in American society. Viewed from a variety of vantage points, current and former area residents recall their memories of both the period and the history-altering event. 14
March 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
M
y parents were very excited, but they wouldn’t let me come to the march. I wanted to be there, but they said, “Absolutely, no, it’s too dangerous.You’re not old enough.You’ll get your chance.” I shouldn’t say I’m disappointed. I think it was a great opportunity to be a part of that history, but I was in my own way, in terms of supporting the ideology of what we were trying to do in that march. I remember vividly a busload of college students and some high school students coming down to Montgomery from Tuskegee to participate. And we had rallies on the campus in preparation for it. Tuskegee, at that time, was the black educational mecca of the South, at the University and the high school. My teachers were telling us it was a pivotal time in history. They were very dear mentors in teaching you what was going on not only in Tuskegee but in the whole world, and they were saying, “It’s pivotal. This is monumental in terms of your rights and these people — you’re going to be
standing on the shoulders of these people who are making a difference.” The whole world was watching on tv, including myself, and we all had the same feelings — about the civil rights struggle, the right to vote, and the right for equality. It was a big deal. We lived through it. It was an important step. I plan to be in the march this year. I will be marching from St. Jude all the way to the Capitol. This will be the first time. — Harold Boone, a Tuskegee high school sophomore in1965, is Vice President for Minority Business Development & Leadership Programs for the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce.
I
didn’t march all the way from Selma to Montgomery, but I did join the protesters at the end of Dexter Ave. I was a young college student at Tuskegee at the time and gained the courage to walk from the strength I felt from all the others around me. As I strutted pass Kress and H. & L. Green stores, I noticed the whites who were staring and mocking us from the sidewalk....but I kept looking forward. But, when we reached the Capitol steps, I saw nothing but billy clubs. I knew the state troopers were there to protect us, but I also feared they were there to harm us. The speeches and the singing though went on uninterrupted. As a TV news reporter, I have looked out of the window in the Governor’s office several times and realized there is a clear view from there of the front of the Capitol. I wondered, did Governor George Wallace see us there? What on earth was he thinking at the time? And, did he not understand then the passions of people who just wanted to be respected and treated fairly? I won’t go to see movies like “The Butler,” “12 Years a Slave,” and “The Rosa Parks Story” because they touch on wounds that still have never healed. I did see “The Help” but I was not laughing like others in the theater. I was aching. I kept delaying my move back home to Montgomery, even though my parents were ill, because I was uncomfortable facing the pain that would be around every corner. However, I’m back now and have been surprised to find out that the memories of the uplifting times have been resurrected too. — Eileen Joyce Jones, a political reporter for WSFA-12 News for 18 years, is retired.
A
black seamstress walked from her job at Montgomery Fair to catch a bus in front of the Empire Theater on a cold December evening in 1955 to go home. Instead she went to jail. The die had been cast and history was in motion in this sleepy little southern city. High school, band, work at the Empire Theater after school, and hanging out with friends took up most of my time as a teenager. Most of us did not know exactly what to make of the unrest, and listened with interest to reports on WSFA, and in the Montgomery Advertiser. To us separate but equal seemed to be reasonable.Yet, there was something about seeing mounted state troopers riding through black protesters with clubs flying, freedom riders beaten at the bus station, and seeing a group of grown white men surround a church, turning over cars, and setting them ablaze which made me question the system in place in Alabama, and the south — where people were denied the right to a good education, and denied the same public water fountains, restrooms, or the
ability to use a city-owned park for their family. Vietnam was starting up, and young men, both black and white were joining the service, or being drafted. I was in San Diego enrolled in a school training to be a navy radioman when news came about Bloody Sunday in Selma. My instructor, a black chief petty officer, brought it up in the class on Monday after Martin Luther King finally led the march successfully to Montgomery. Looking me in the eye he asked, “Manos, have you crossed that bridge?” At the time I did not know how to answer his question. “Yes, Chief Polite, I have crossed that bridge.” — Mike Manos, born and raised in Montgomery, lives in Anniston and works in the corporate office of an Anniston retailer. www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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National Guardsmen stand along the final stretch of the Selma-to-Montgomery march, which terminated on the steps of the State Capitol. (Photo courtesy AL Dept. of Archives and History. Photographer unknown.)
I
remember the news reports saying history was being made right outside my doorstep, but in my own daily life I saw and heard nothing about what was happening. I was a thirteen-year-old student, attending a jr. high school located less than five miles away from the state Capitol. Those days during March, 1965 were uneventful at my school — just regular, boring school days as far as I was concerned. When I got home from school and watched the national news, I was presented with a totally different picture of life in my hometown. I was very confused as to how so many chaotic, but seemingly invisible things could be happening in Montgomery. Was this stuff about the march being made up? I believed it was happening, and felt I understood why it was happening. I remember the separateness of the races—segregated schools, no mixing of races at restaurants, movie theaters, and swimming pools, water fountains marked white and colored, etc. And I knew things were changing. The 1960s was the decade of change and cultural revolution. It was evident everywhere.Voices were being raised, songs were being sung, blood was spilled, and rules that seemed to have been written in stone for centuries now seemed to be crumbling. I just didn’t understand how such a monumental historical moment could be happening where I lived and I couldn’t see it or hear it in my everyday life. — Kiki Mitchell, a kindergarten teacher, is a Montgomery native. 16
March 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
M
y family and I watched the television on March 7 and were horrified at what we saw. We soon learned that the nationwide coverage showed the terrible events of what was later known as “Bloody Sunday.” The national news continued to cover events until March 25 when the march culminated at the state Capitol. Many of our neighbors and some friends became alarmed. Rumors of indecent behavior of the marchers were heard every place. One neighbor, a pediatrician, was to visit patients in local hospitals. His wife came to us begging us to plead with him not to go out at night. Little did she know of our involvement. On March 25 when the large number of supporters arrived at the state Capitol, Martin Luther King stated that “clergymen and laymen” were participating. As a Presbyterian I was so very pleased that the entire senior staff of the national office of the Presbyterian Church was participating. A faithful church member provided the staff with her very large house in south Montgomery. My closest friends and I arrived each day bringing them food. We were glad to be supporters of their efforts and participation. I did not march nor attend the events. I believed then that those participating were standing for us who shared their beliefs but were fearful of economic reprisals and possible physical and/or emotional harm for my family, including my children. — Dot Moore, a former school teacher and activist in the Presbyterian Church, is retired and volunteers for a local hearing loss support group.
I
remember the march but I did not take pictures of the march. I had taken pictures for seven years, for Life Magazine and for newspapers all over the United States, but by then I was out of the newspaper business. I was standing on the balcony of the Jefferson Davis Hotel at a Lions Club meeting when we heard some commotion and the Lions went out on the balcony. And here, coming down the road, it looked like 10,000 black people. It was the march. We watched it come down and go on down towards the Capitol. Later, when the magazine Freedom came out, there was a picture of the Lions Club members standing out on the balcony of the Jefferson Davis Hotel. Somebody in the march had taken a picture. When the meeting was over I got in my car and drove up towards the Capitol but it was too crowded and I just drove back to the studio. I thought, where in the world did these thousands, and I mean thousands, of people come from? The lines were 7, 8, 10, 12 folks wide, and the closer the march got to Montgomery, the more folks joined it. By the time they got to the Capitol, I don’t know, there were 25-30,000 probably there. It was impressive.
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— Paul Robertson, Sr., is a retired news and studio photographer in Montgomery.
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he Selma to Montgomery March gave me a sense of liberation, of accomplishment, of having overcome a great hurdle. There was no use in trying to hold classes when the marchers came up Dexter Avenue. In fact, along with other faculty members I was there myself, sitting, waiting for the marchers and feeling the elation that all of us felt. It was not a holiday, of course. Perhaps some of the folks thought we should go on and have classes, but that was just an idle thought because the students were having nothing to do with that. A number of us, including myself, said there’s no sense in taking roll today. We were there to join the throng in the area between Dexter and the Capitol as the march culminated at that point. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing James Baldwin sitting on one of the buttresses at the entrance to the state Capitol. Having taught and discussed his essays about segregation and civil rights, it gave me a sense of satisfaction and I’m sure that’s the same kind of feeling that James Baldwin himself had. I did not have a chance to have a conversation with him but that is an image I recall vividly. Nina Simone and Harry Belafonte were at St. Jude’s for the culmination of the march the evening before and I always think of Nina Simone and some of her songs that I remember from that time. — Dr. Ralph Bryson was an English professor at Alabama State University for 59 years, where he retired as head of the English Department.
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taxes as an individual. Married couples filing joint returns need to pay federal taxes on income of $32,000 or more. To get an instant replacement SSA-1099/1042S go online to My Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and select “Replacement Documents.” You can view, print, and save the forms immediately! If you don’t already have a My Social Security account, opening one is quick, safe and easy. It only takes a few minutes. In addition to getting an instant replacement SSA1099/1042S, you can get a benefit verification letter, change your address, telephone number, start or change direct deposit information, and get your Social Security earnings record from the convenience of your home. Simply go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866-593-0914, ext. 26265, or by e-mail at kylle. mckinney@ssa.gov.
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IN EVERY LIFE
Suggestions for Sleep T
he arrival of March signals increases of blooms and birds to our area, but also brings Daylight Saving Time changes. The need to “Spring Forward” to be congruent with others can actually alter our sleep patterns. Many people find it difficult to awaken for a week or more after the time change. Several types of cardiac or respiratory changes impact sleep. If you experience frequent awakenings or awaken with Arlene Morris a headache, it may indicate issues such as sleep apnea. Other conditions that commonly interfere with sleep include gastric reflux, restless leg syndrome, pain from degenerating peripheral nerves, joints, or muscle strains. Endocrine and hormonal changes and their effects alter sleep patterns, as can emotional or cognitive changes. Emotional changes and depression alter sleep, often the deep rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The key is to have an accurate diagnosis and treatment of any underlying issue. However, many medications have side effects of sleep alterations, so discuss all medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) or herbal preparations with your health care provider. Corticosteroids and bronchodilators are examples of medications that prevent can prevent sleep. Some individuals attempt to self-medicate with over the counter preparations such as antihistamines, decongestants, or cough suppressants. Recent research is evaluating links between some OTC medications (specifically Benadryl and dextromethorphan) with risks for cognitive changes or falls. Medications for sleep may help a person fall asleep but not address the issue of remaining asleep that is more frequently experienced by older adults. Additionally, use of sleep aids should be evaluated at each visit for risks vs. benefits, as effectiveness may wane after a few weeks. Non-pharmacological suggestions for improving sleep
patterns include: 1. Establish regular sleep and wake patterns each day of the week. 2. Avoid daytime naps that can interfere with your sleep patterns. 3. Create a “wind-down” ritual, sometimes termed sleep hygiene. 4. Keep the room in which you sleep free of clutter and distractions. 5. Assure your mattress is conducive to your rest and sleep. 6. Keeping the bedroom calm can help condition you for sleep. Consider if watching action-packed or upsetting TV or movies, or using the area for work is helping or hindering your sleep. 7. Exercise earlier in the day than prior to sleep to avoid increasing your metabolism at the time you wish to wind down. 8. Avoid nicotine and caffeine. Check prescription and over the counter medications for any caffeine content. 9. Avoid alcohol for four to six hours before bed. It may hasten falling asleep, but impedes the quality and depth of sleep. 10. Avoid eating heavy meals prior to sleeping, especially foods high in protein, fat or spices that may be more difficult to digest. 11. A small bedtime snack of foods high in tryptophan (milk, nuts, bananas, eggs, honey) or carbohydrates may help prevent hunger from causing awakenings. 12. Avoid fluid intake two to four hours prior to bedtime. Many factors influence sleep patterns, yet some alterations in activities may have significant impact on your sleep. Consider these as you adapt to Daylight Savings Time. Sleep well and have a Happy Spring! (For more information, visit http://www.emedicinehealth.com/slideshow_10_tips_avoid_insomnia/article_em.htm) Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE, is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing, and Immediate Past President of the AL State Nurses Association. Reach her at amorris@aum.edu. www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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FEATURE
Money & Work at 50, 60 and 70 By Liza Kaufman Hogan, www.nextavenue.com
the first in a two-part series on valuable knowledge and skills for various stages of life
S
taying on track with your finances and career requires checking in every so often to be sure you're meeting your goals and anticipating your needs at each life stage. Although you may have been saving for retirement and enjoying success at work for years, there are still some things to learn.You may have gaps in expertise you'd like to fill or you may be ready to plunge into a new career. Whatever your goals, here’s a checklist of basic money and career management knowledge it's good to have by age 50, 60 and 70:
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Money & Security at 50 By 50, hopefully, you are saving seriously for retirement with a good sense of how much you'll need to retire comfortably. Think creatively about the ways you'll want to lead the next 30 to 40 years and how you'll do it. 1. Make a plan. There's more to preparing for retirement or financial independence than just socking away the maximum allowed contribution in your 401(k) — which happens to be $24,000 in 2015 for people 50 and older. Take steps to consolidate your
finances and pay off debt as well as to begin thinking about where you'll want to live. 2. Estimate how much money you’ll need to retire. There are many useful retirement calculators online to help you rough this out. It’s good to have a ballpark figure to help stay on track with savings and investments. But beware, calculators can be misleading (http://www.nextavenue.org/ article/2014-06/retirement-calculators-can-be-bad-yourwealth) 3. Catch up on your savings. If you were hit by the recession or experienced a financial setback in your 40s — such as a divorce or an extended illness — you may have some catching up to do. Fortunately, federal law allows people 50 and older to sock away more in their employer-sponsored retirement plans than younger people. Money & Security at 60 By the time you're 60, you likely have your retirement plan in place and your goal is staying on track. In the next decade, you will be eligible for Medicare and Social Security, so you'll need to understand your choices. And if you haven't decided how you will pay for long-term care if necessary, this is an excellent time to consider that. 1. Anticipate potential long-term care and health care costs. Both are the big wildcards in retirement planning. It's hard to know exactly how much you'll need, but you can take a stab at it. And you'll need to decide, if you haven't already, whether you'll purchase long-term care insurance (or perhaps a hybrid of long-term care insurance and life insurance) or save separately for this expense. Keep in
“… the number of people working past age 70 has been increasing dramatically and shows no sign of slowing. “
mind that, generally speaking, the older you are, the more expensive a long-term care policy will be. 2. Maximize your Social Security retirement benefits. One of the most important decisions you'll make in your 60s is when to begin receiving Social Security — right away at age 62, waiting until age 70 (the latest you can start claiming) or somewhere in between. With thousands of dollars and future monthly income at stake, you'll want to weigh your options carefully. 3. Get familiar with Medicare. At age 65, you can start getting health coverage through Medicare with or without a supplemental private plan. Get ready by learning what Medicare covers and how to avoid mistakes when enrolling. Money & Security at 70 For those turning 70, it's wise to review your investments, income and savings and make sure they are adequate to pay for your lifestyle. This is also the time to be sure you check your living will and make sure your key financial documents reflect your end-of-life and inheritance wishes. 1. Stay within your budget. Even as you are saving, you need to be sure you are spending wisely — especially if you have reduced your income or plan to do so in the next few years. 2. Plan how you'll withdraw your retirement income. Maybe you thought you'd just move your funds to a bank account and withdraw what you need monthly. But your money will last longer if you are strategic about which funds to tap and when. It's also a good idea to have a retirement income strategy in place ensuring that your investments keep growing even as you tap into them. 3. Put your papers in order. By age 70, you should have a living will and estate planning documents such as a will and perhaps a trust in place. It's important to review these periodically to be sure that your beneficiaries, trustees and healthcare agents are up to date and reflect your wishes, especially if those have changed.
www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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Work & Purpose at 50 At this age, after decades of working in one field — perhaps even at one employer — you may be ready for a change, whether that's becoming an entrepreneur or looking for a different job. This is also a time to give back by sharing your knowledge and expertise with younger people who could profit by learning from you. 1. Consider starting a business. Running your own company may be a longtime dream or the alternative after a layoff. The fact is, older entrepreneurs represent the fastest-growing segment of business startups. 2. Become a mentor. After many years in your field, you may find it gratifying to share your knowledge with colleagues who are just starting out. But the benefits can run both ways through reverse mentoring; your younger co-workers may teach you a thing or two as well. 3. Update your resumé. Refreshing your resumé means more than just adding your most recent job and skills. At 50, it also means reworking it in a way to prevent hiring managers from seeing your age as a liability, in effect “age proofing” your resumé to land more interviews. Work & Purpose at 60 A MetLife Foundation study found that four out of five boomers plan to keep working well past traditional retirement age. If this is your plan, then you'll want to take steps now to stay sharp in your career.You may also want to use this stage of your life to try something entirely different and switch fields, perhaps going from a corporate job to a nonprofit. Changing course may add meaning to your career. 1. Fall in love again with the job you’ve been doing for a
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while, and find new meaning in your work. 2. Launch an encore career. If a total change in direction sounds appealing, try finding work with purpose through a career matchmaking service. If you'd like to use your existing skills in more meaningful ways without needing to retrain for a new field, follow the lead of others who have successfully taken that path. 3. Know when to ask for help. Switching fields isn't easy; don't go it alone. Ask others who have completed a successful career shift for their help. Talk to people in the field you want to enter to find out what you need to know and how to break in. Work & Purpose at 70 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people working past age 70 has been increasing dramatically and shows no sign of slowing. Here are ways to stay in the workforce, either full-time or part-time: 1. Keep working fulltime if you want and are able to do so. 2. Look for part-time work. 3. Balance leisure and work. Working after 70 doesn't have to mean all work and no play. A wealth of information related to this story exists online. For links to additional information visit www. primemontgomery.com Next month: What to Know About Health By 50, 60 ,70 Liza Kaufman Hogan, who grew up in Montgomery, is a Next Avenue senior editor. She is a founding writer and former senior producer for CNN.com and a former lecturer at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.
Tips for Downsizing
D
ownsizing can be a daunting task for seniors, especially when moving to a retirement community. It requires not only packing and relocating, but the possibility of separating from sentimental items. However, if the right steps are taken to downsize, it can be a smooth transition with less stress once completed. Here are some tips to follow: • Get a head start. Don’t wait ’til the last minute to start packing. The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), a leading organization with more than 800 senior moving companies, reported that more than 50 percent of the move managers were contacted two to four weeks prior to a move, with only 37 percent contacted one to six months prior. The earlier the start, the more effective the process will be. An earlier start allows less stress, more time to consider what to discard or keep, and more time to hire additional help if needed. • Know the new space/floor plan. This is extremely important. This allows you to plan what can realistically fit into the space you’re moving into. If the retirement community provides bed linens, kitchenware, etc. , it makes it that much easier. • Get help. Older adults should consider family first, which can make the experience more personable and affordable. However, if family is not nearby or not available, research senior moving companies, specialized businesses that cater to older adults’ needs through understanding and patience. • Downsize step-by-step. Go room-by-room or space-by-space, beginning in the least used areas. Start with large items and work toward smaller ones. This establishes a sorting system. • Decrease junk. This can be hard. Separating from sentimental items is difficult, but there must be a realistic perspective on what can or can’t be taken to the new home. Here are some questions older adults should ask themselves when deciding whether or not to discard or keep an item: • When was the item last used? • Does it have sentimental value? • What purpose does it serve, and will it serve a purpose in my new home? • Is it in good shape? With these tips, seniors can have a smooth transition. Downsizing still requires time, but if they plan accordingly, the move will not be half as exhausting as previously thought. Morgan Lamphere is director of sales and marketing at SearStone, a continuing care retirement community in Cary, N.C. Contact her at mlamphere@searstone.com
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The View! www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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TRAVEL
San Antonio’s Grand Fiesta By Andrea Gross, photos by Irv Green
From April 16-26, eleven days of parties cover three centuries of the city’s rich history.
I
t’s seven o’clock in the morning, and the San Antonio River Walk is almost empty. This is a stark contrast to last night when an estimated 200,000 folks crowded the area, cheering and waving as 40 boats — each festooned in hot, bright colors and glittering lights — cruised down the meandering waterway that bisects the city’s downtown area. People sat along the walkways that border the river, stood three deep on the arched bridges that span it, and applauded from the balconies of the luxury hotels that line it. After all, this was the Texas Cavaliers’ River Parade, one of the premier events of Fiesta® San Antonio, the city’s annual spring extravaganza. But now, as my husband and I board an open-
air boat for a 45-minute narrated breakfast cruise, there are only three boats on the river — two breakfast boats and one containing workers who are cleaning up the debris from the parade. We enjoy the relative quiet as our guide gives us an overview of the city’s history and Fiesta activities. “Fiesta is a major part of San Antonio,” she says, as the boat passes La Villita, the site of Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), one of the myriad events that take place during the elevenday party. There’s a pooch parade, a jazz band festival and a “fun run” for costumed minimarathoners. There’s food, a coronation and Friday’s Battle of Flowers Parade. This event is so popular that the city literally shuts down for
www.visitsanantonio.com 24
March 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
the day so that locals as well as visitors can watch as floats, overwhelming forces of Mexican General Antonio López bands and smiling children make their way through the city de Santa Anna. A little over a month later, on April 21, 1836, center. Finally, on Saturday other settlers, inspired by night, there’s the Fiesta their compatriots’ bravery, Flambeau Parade, reputedly defeated the Mexican army the largest illuminated night at the Battle of San Jacinto, parade in the world, replete thus paving the way for the with a jewel-bedecked queen establishment of the Repuband stately king, who reign lic of Texas and its eventual over the festivities. annexation to the United We’re not privy to the States. private parties where we Today the Alamo is a could see the royal gowns museum, housing exhibits up close, so we go to the that are related to its days of Witte Museum for their anglory. On the first Saturday nual exhibit that showcases of every month costumed past coronation gowns. I ask actors roam the grounds, the curator how much an depicting life during the early “average” gown costs. “Let’s days of Texas. just say they cost as much as In addition to the Alamo, a high-end luxury car,” she the Spaniards constructed says. four other missions, all of In between attending which still operate as funcFiesta events, we explore San Left:The Texas Cavaliers’ River Parade is a highlight of the Fiesta. tioning parishes and hold Antonio, beginning with its regular Sunday masses in Above: Children prepare for the popular Battle of Flowers parade. most famous attraction, the both English and Spanish. The Bottom: Mural at La Tierra restaurant in El Mercado depicts ordinary Alamo. largest and most well known people interspersed with community leaders and historic figures. The Alamo began as a is Mission San José, which mission in 1700, but it’s most has been restored to its often remembered as a fortress, the place where Texas seteighteenth century splendor and houses an excellent visitor tlers chose certain death rather than surrendering to the center.
The Tunnel at the Georgia Aquarium www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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Two years ago ise food that’s both the simplest way to traditional and tasty. reach these missions We’re not disapwas by automobile, pointed. Guenther but now, due to a House, built in 1859 multi-year revitalizaby the founder of tion project, they’re Pioneer Flour Mills also easily accessible is as notable for its by foot or bicycle. museum of millhouse Mission Reach, an memorabilia as its eight-mile southern buttermilk biscuits. extension of the San At Viola’s Ventanas Antonio River Walk, we hear tales of the winds through a owner’s mother, semi-wilderness area whose homestyle filled with hiking and cooking is featured biking trails as well in the restaurant, and as portals to each at El Machito, which of the missions that reputedly has the make up San Antobiggest grill in Texas, nio National Historic El Mercado, a large outdoor market, is a favorite city attraction, especially during Fiesta. we happily gorge on Park. a mixed platter of A three-mile grilled cholesterol. northern expansion of the River Walk, aptly named Museum Chef Johnny Hernandez urges us to try one of his drinks, Reach, leads through urban areas to a newly-restored area which are as Texas-sized as his grill. Why not? We lift our filled with trendy shops and restaurants as well as the San glasses and toast San Antonio, a city that knows how to Antonio Museum of Art and the Witte Museum. party as it preserves its past and embraces its future. Of course, in order to explore these areas, we have to fortify ourselves. We choose three restaurants that prom-
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GAMES Across 1 Holiday portmanteau 10 Turned up 15 Hoops situation involving a bonus free throw 16 Odds, essentially 17 Tennessee's state reptile 18 Pointless 19 Mental health org. 20 Longest-serving Dodger coach Manny 21 Puts forth 22 Bucks 24 Like some sins 26 Holiday serving 27 Dental crown alternative 29 People magazine Sexiest Man Alive of 1999 30 Harmonia's daughter, in Greek myth 31 Vituperate 34 Menu option 35 Program, perhaps 38 Chaac, to Mayans 40 Looking frightened 41 Pretend, in a way 43 NCAA year-end games system 44 Word with sugar or
spice 45 Put in 49 Slangy agreement 50 Common hand span 53 Catch in pots 54 Receives 56 Shakespearean "over there" 58 Go on 59 Doddering 60 Cut 62 Sign of emptiness 63 Stud revelations 64 Toponymic dairy items 65 Summer TV offering with a "Jaws of Steel Collection" DVD Down 1 Lesser Antilles island 2 Sealed 3 Old drugstore chain 4 "Can't Help Lovin' __ Man" 5 Word on a bill 6 Storage medium 7 Actor Yaphet __ of "Midnight Run" 8 Swell
9 Formerly 10 Yankee foe 11 Some flatbreads 12 Selling using servers 13 Kyoto-based entertainment company 14 Acts altruistically 21 Bash, affectedly 23 Tasteless 25 Rushes 28 Co-star of Steve in "The Magnificent Seven" 32 They may be dug up 33 Circus elevator 34 Godfather, sometimes 35 Minor obstacle? 36 Academy affirmation 37 1985 #1 hit for Ready for the World 39 Like Vivaldi's "Spring" 42 "Imagination Taking Shape" sloganeer 44 Church compositions 46 Kiddie lit character with a detachable tail 47 Composer Debussy 48 Reproachful warning 51 "There!" 52 Join 55 He or I, e.g. 57 Sea level? 60 Half-hearted responses 61 Crow cousin Š 2015 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
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TINSELTOWN TALKS
William Schallert From Patty Duke to Tribbles By Nick Thomas
I
f you have watched television since the 1950s, there’s no avoiding William Schallert. His distinctive, mellow voice and comfortingly familiar face have appeared on series ranging from “Father Knows Best” to “Desperate Housewives” and everything in between (see www.williamschallert.com). “I’ve never added up the total, but I did work a lot!” said Schallert from his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif. The tally of
his TV appearances is close to 300, with another 100 feature films, the first being an uncredited role in “The Foxes of Harrow” in 1947 which Schallert still vividly recalls. “I had one line as a banker delivering a message to the New Orleans stock exchange: ‘Gentlemen, gentlemen, the bank of the United States in Philadelphia has closed its doors!’” Schallert says the scene was memo-
Schallert on The Patty Duke Show.
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rable because it called for Schallert has been another actor to shoot invited to sci-fi convenhimself, but was unable to tions due to roles in ’50s coordinate firing the gun film classics such as “The with the gunshot sound Man from Planet X,” produced by crew back“Them,” and “The Incredstage. ible Shrinking Man.” He “They couldn’t see each also guest starred in ‘The other, so the shot would Trouble with Tribbles,’ one go off sometimes before of the most popular “Star or sometimes after the Trek” episodes. trigger was pulled. It got One of his favorite TV to be hysterical,” laughed guest roles was in “Get Schallert. “But they kept Smart,” where he apme over and I ended up peared in several episodes getting three day’s pay for as the very elderly and one. So I figured this was unsteady Admiral Hara great way to make a grade who would fall over Above: Screen shot with Don Adams on “Get Smart.” living!” at the slightest touch – Below: Schallert at ‘Monsterpaloosa,’ 2010. (photo courtesy Carol Summers) an irony not lost on the In the beginning, Schallert says roles came 92-year-old Schallert, now slowly, but by 1959 he was hot. coincidentally the exact age as his “I worked 57 times that year, character during the 1968 season. then got a recurring role on “The admiral was a charming ‘Dobie Gillis,’ and of course as the character and looking back as an father on ‘The Patty Duke Show’ actor, I still think the ways I made in 1963,” he said. However, the him tumble over were funny,” he uncertainty of series work could said. be unsettling. “But now I am the age his char“I knew the show (Patty Duke) acter was supposed to be, and the was coming to an end, and was actual falling down part isn’t funny concerned what would happen,” anymore! Falls can become serihe said. “Fortunately I started ous health issues for seniors.” doing voiceover work in commerWhile Schallert says he has cials and that really paid the bills experienced some falls, his main for the next 20 years.” health issue is his legs. “I have peripheral neuropathy and wear braces,” he said. “They help me stay balanced if I use a walker, but it’s just easier to get around in a wheelchair.” Despite the physical limitation, Schallert doesn’t entirely rule out working in the future. “Although I’m more or less retired, Cataracts? To see better, see ITEC. if someone offered me a stage role and • cataract surgery performed on an outpatient basis it was something I could manage, I’d probably do it,” he says. “But working in • 95% of patients have much improved vision* film or TV would be too difficult now. • new treatment allows quicker return to normal activities Besides, I did my share!” Roy T. Hager, M.D., F.A.C.S. | James D. Izer, M.D. Charles N. Robbins, M.D. | Richard M. Murphy, O.D. Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written fea4255 Carmichael Court N. 8007 U. S. Highway 231 tures, columns, and interviews for more than Montgomery • 334-277-9111 Wetumpka • 334-567-9111 500 magazines and newspapers. For a free copy of ITEC’s Viewpoint newsletter call 334-277-9111.
EYE
F A C T S
Visit ITEC’s website at www.eyes-itec.com *American Academy of Ophthalmology www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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FEATURE
Remarriage
The Difference in Men & Women By Robyn Passante
M
ary White’s husband, Devon, suffered from early Alzheimer’s disease and died when he was 51. They were married for 30 years, the last five of which Devon didn’t say a word—until his final day, when he called her name. Mary was widowed for 20 years before she found love again. “I guess it took me quite awhile,” says White, 70, a retired preschool teacher. “I never saw anybody else I wanted to spend my life with.” That is, until her new husband, Robert, came along. He, too, had lost his spouse—just two years before he met and married Mary. “I knew right away,” Mary says of Robert, 83, who is a semi-retired pastor. “We just hit it off. I met him in May, and we got married in September.” Though two decades is a long time to wait for love again, the fact that it took Mary much longer than Robert to remarry is illustrative of a national trend when it comes to re-coupling. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 study, 52 percent of men remarry, while only 44 percent of women do.
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Paul Peluso, Ph.D., a licensed marriage & family therapist and member of the American Counseling Association, says he isn’t surprised. Peluso says men might seek a new relationship sooner because they find themselves lacking the kind of social support women have in spades outside marriage. “Women have greater support networks; they’ve usually invested more in friends and children and family, and as a result have more connections socially. So that can translate into wanting to take care of themselves better after the loss of a marriage,” he says, “whereas men who maybe have not invested in those relationships tend to be more stressed. They don’t have the emotional support around them.” And that kind of support doesn’t just make men happier, it makes them healthier. “There are a lot of health benefits for men to be in marriage or partnered," Dr. Peluso says. A study by Harvard Medical School found that married men live longer, and a Japanese study found that men who are married are at less risk for heart disease. The effect is not so good for women. Women in unhappy relationships tend to suffer more health problems than their single counterparts. Remarriage for both men and women at any age is tough. “Fifty percent of first-time marriages end in divorce, and for second and third marriages, that goes up to almost 60-75 percent,” Dr. Peluso says. But psychotherapist Pandora MacLean-Hoover says remarrying, particularly after divorce, can be a positive, lifefulfilling experience if undertaken in the right frame of mind. “I ran into a gentleman getting married for the third time, and he was so excited about it. I said, ‘This is the exception to the rule, you exude this enthusiasm and it’s very rare. What’s your secret?’ And he said, ‘I believe that marriage has nothing to do with divorce.’” Maclean-Hoover advises men and women to enter into a
second (or third) marriage with the same positivity they had on their first wedding day. “Most people get married with a level of enthusiasm and a hope that it’s going to work,” she says. “Divorce is something completely separate and has to do with whether or not it did. So why not celebrate and give yourselves the best chance at giving this commitment and life together the best chance?” How should you approach remarriage to up your odds of success? Our experts have some tips. 1.Know thyself. “Really understand who you are first, what your values are, what you liked about being married, what didn’t you like,” Dr. Peluso says. 2.Figure out what you want in a partner. Do you want a partner who’s going to be comforting and dependable? Someone who’s more funloving and playful? Sexually open? Likes to travel? 3.Negotiate the kind of relationship you both desire. Don’t be afraid to ask a potential partner for what you want, and be willing to give a little bit as well. That is, after all, what marriage is about. 4.Don’t settle. Be firm about what you are willing to tolerate, and what are you not willing to tolerate in a relationship. “A lot of times in a marriage you build up a tolerance for things you really don’t want to have to tolerate, but because you’re already in it, it comes with the territory,” Dr. Peluso says. Don’t slip back into old habits; this is your fresh start! Courtesy: grandparents.com. Grandparents.com is a lifestyle site that celebrates the grandparent community by providing trusted information about family & relationships, health & wellbeing, travel & retirement, and more. Follow the site on Twitter (@grandparentscom) and on Facebook (facebook.com/ grandparentscom). www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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Season
Montgomery Symphony Orchestra
2014-15
Classical Season Concert I • Monday, October 13 • 7:30pm Concert II • Monday, November 24 • 7:30pm Concert III • Monday, December 15 • 7:30pm Concert IV • Monday, February 16 • 7:30pm Concert V • Monday, April 27 • 7:30pm
Fellowship Series Cello, November 13 • 7:30pm Violin, December 4 • 7:30pm Cello, January 13 • 7:30pm Violin, February 10 • 7:30pm Cello, March 29 • 2:30pm Violin, April 16 • 7:30pm montgomerysymphony.org / 240-4004
April 11 Gates Open 9 a.m.
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For information visit www.alabamabookfestival.org.
March 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com
Family friendly, book-related activities for children & adults.
MEDICARE
10 Essential Medicare Facts By Bob moos
T
he day you thought would never come is almost here.Your 65th birthday approaches. Wasn’t it just yesterday you were listening to your transistor radio and wondering what to do with your life? But this is no time for reminiscing. For the moment, you need to focus on your future. In particular, you need to think about your health care and how you’ll pay for it. You’re probably aware that you qualify for Medicare at 65, but to be honest, you have questions about how it works. Let’s start by going over 10 essential facts about Medicare. If you don’t already get Social Security, you’ll have to apply for Medicare benefits.You can sign up from about three months before you turn 65 until about three months after. Social Security will help you enroll – including online, if you’d like.Visit socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. Meet your enrollment deadline or pay a penalty. Sign up at 65 if you don’t have insurance from your or your spouse’s current employer. After 65, you should enroll within eight months of quitting work. Otherwise, you could be penalized in the form of permanently higher premiums when you do sign up. Medicare isn’t free; it comes with costs. Like other insurance, you pay premiums each month and then a deductible, plus co-payments or coinsurance, when you receive care.You may be able to avoid some of those costs if you qualify for a lowincome program or purchase supplemental insurance. Medicare doesn’t cover everything. There are some services Medicare won’t pay for, such as routine dental or eye care, dentures and hearing aids. Also, some people mistakenly believe Medicare covers long-term custodial care in a nursing home or assisted-living center. It doesn’t. Poor health won’t affect your Medicare coverage. You can’t be denied health care coverage or charged higher premiums because of a current or previous health condition. If you’re eligible for Medicare, you receive full benefits regardless of any medical problems, and at the same cost as everyone else. You may qualify for help with your drug expenses. If you’re on a tight budget, you may get help paying for the premiums, deductible and co-payments in your Medicare drug plan.Visit socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. Also, ask whether you qualify for help with other Medicare costs. You can buy private insurance to bolster your Medicare coverage. Because Medicare usually pays for most,
but not all, of your health care costs, you may want to shop for additional coverage sold by private insurers.You can join a Medicare Advantage plan or buy supplemental “Medigap” coverage. Higher-income Americans pay higher Medicare premiums. Most people with Medicare pay $104.90 per month for their Part B medical insurance, but individuals with annual incomes higher than $85,000 (and married couples with yearly incomes above $170,000) will pay a surcharge on top of that amount. Medicare is emphasizing preventive care. Medicare now covers a number of screenings and preventive services,
like mammograms and colonoscopies, at no cost.You’re also entitled to a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit your first year and an annual wellness visit after that, again, at no cost. You have a right to appeal. If you disagree with a coverage or payment decision made by Medicare or a Medicare health plan, you can file an appeal. If you think your health may be hurt by waiting for a ruling, you can ask for a fast decision. To learn more about the process, visit medicare. gov/appeals. These 10 Essential Medicare Facts are described in more detail in the “Medicare and You 2105” handbook. You can download a free copy at medicare.gov or request one by calling 1-800-633-4227. And, by the way, happy 65th! Bob Moos is Southwest public affairs officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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You found the shamrock! You have the Luck of the Irish! E-mail primemontgomery@gmail.com and put Shamrock and this page number in the subject line. You’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Gift Certificate from Mr. Gus’ Ristorante. Drawing to be held April 3. Good luck!
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PRIME DIVERSIONS
Recent dvd releases The Theory of Everything, Birdman and Big Hero 6
The Theory of Everything (PG-13) After successfully avoiding most math and science courses throughout the discretionary years of my education, I’m not the most likely candidate for grasping the academic content of this fine biopic of megamind Stephen Hawking, covering the years from his graduate studies at Cambridge just before the onset of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) that eventually left him almost completely paralyzed and speechless to the present. His personality and journey are presented in a surprisingly engaging and accessible package, thanks mainly to the brilliant screenplay based on My Life with Stephen, by his wife, Jane, whom he met at school shortly before the symptoms began. Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones deliver award-worthy performances as the couple. Hawking’s dire 1963 prognosis of a two-year life expectancy has been wrong for 50 years, and counting. What may surprise many who only know Hawking as the wheelchair-bound genius who can only speak electronically is the wit and charm that beat the tar out of standard physics-geek stereotyping. His scholastic purity and zeal are established by the fact that worldwide acclaim for his breakthrough calculations on black holes didn’t keep him from debunking that work as soon as he peeled back the next layer of understanding the nature of existence.We see the purity of his process contrasted with intellectual doubters and religious leaders who saw science as a potential either/or with their concept of God. Even while appreciating how the math and science were easier to follow than in the latest hot space epic, Interstellar, the personal level of Stephen and Jane’s lives is even more compelling. Don’t let the brainiac subject deter those who appreciate fine tales well told. If you were moved by The King’s Speech, you’re likely to appreciate this one.
Birdman (R) If the title looks a bit off, it does double duty, setting the table for the disorienting dramedy that follows. Michael Keaton, famous largely for two epic turns as Batman, plays an aging movie star, fallen on hard times after his glory days as big-screen superhero, Birdman. Now he’s struggling to revive his career, scratch his way back to solvency, and finally gain respect as a legitimate actor by launching a rather turgid Broadway drama.The film covers the chaotic week of final preparations for opening night, in the face of a torrent of personal and professional clashes. A key co-star craps out, causing a seemingly lucky upgrade in his replacement (Edward Norton), before he turns into a mixed blessing. Keaton’s far-from-loving daughter (Emma Stone) is hanging around as a production assistant, while working out plenty of her own issues. Stars notwithstanding, the viewing experience is dominated
by pace and staging, as cameras follow the players through a maze of backstage passageways and rooms, and one conflict morphs into another.There’s sort of a cinema verite feel to the proceedings, as we struggle to keep track of the rises, falls, gains and losses swirling around the theater.The tale unfolds Mark Glass so weirdly that Zach Galifianakis, as Keaton’s staunchest ally and producer, plays the sanest one in the bunch! How’s that for a sentence his legions of fans never expected to read? As problems pile up, Keaton seems constantly on the verge of losing his sanity, his investment, and maybe more. Moments of dark comedy keep us off balance with the ceaseless waves of petty spats, old grudges and major clashes that plague the production, and may exhaust many among its audience. Despite some shortcomings in the script, exceptional ensemble performances and deft direction in claustrophobic settings by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritub (who also shares credit for the screenplay) make this a unique experience that rewards those who make the effort to follow the travails of these troupers.
Big Hero 6 (PG) This animated sci-fi comic adventure is a lot more fun and energetic that Frozen, but probably will not bring in anywhere near the huge box office of last year’s hit. It’s smarter and more socially hip, and that rarely outdraws princesses and Oscar-level songs, however derivative they may be. C’mon. Didn’t Let It Go and First Time in Forever sound a whole lot like a handful of ballads from previous Disney features? This clash between good and evil features a brilliant young inventor who continues his brother’s work after a tragic event to save the day. His main asset is a gentle giant in the form of a fluffy white robot, built for medical and protective purposes, but adaptable to more arduous tasks in an emergency. One promptly arises.The plucky lad is joined by a few other young whizzes, who chip in with their own creations to form an ad hoc Marvel Comics’ Shield-type protective force using super brains, rather than superpowers. How nice that none of them needed a genetic mutation, radioactive spider bite, etc. to become exceptional. The result is a high-octane adventure that deftly balances comedy and character development with the Valuable Lessons such films must convey. Disney’s animation is first-rate, as one expects, serving up plenty of colorful action, establishing marketable protagonists (also as one expects), and generating welcome prospects for sequels.That’s covering all the artistic and financial bases in style. Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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Avoid Moving Scams F or seniors, selling their home and moving to a new retirement community can be physically and emotionally exhausting. On top of all the tasks associated with deciding what to keep or discard and relocating to a new home, the last thing they want to deal with is a potential moving scam. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that seniors are often targets of scams because they are considered to have accumulated savings over their lifetime, even though low-income older adults are also at risk. From August 2012 to August 2013, the Better Business Bureau had 1.4 million inquiries and 9,000 complaints about moving companies. “Complaints to BBB about movers are primarily about damaged or lost goods, and final prices in excess of original estimates,” said Mallory Wojciechowski, spokesperson for BBB of Eastern North Carolina. How can seniors avoid moving scams? The following tips should help. • Step away from the Internet. Seniors are more susceptible to Internet fraud because they are slower to adopt new technology. Instead of relying on websites, ask around for suggestions. Chances are your neighbors may have used a reputable company that they can recommend. • Ask local real estate agents. They know local movers, and will most likely know which ones have the best reputations. • Vet the companies or have someone else vet them. Look at companies that have a physical location in your area and that have been in business for 10 years or more. According to Morgan Lamphere, director of sales and marketing at the SearStone continuing care retirement community in Cary, N.C., their future residents have access to the Moving Made Easy® program from Moving Station. “Moving Station prescreens van lines and only recommends respected companies, easing the minds of our future residents,” she said. • Ask for an in-home estimate. Move estimates are usually based on not only distance, but also the weight of the items being moved. Never accept estimates over the phone from companies that will not send a representative to your home. Seniors are often targeted for telephone scams because they make twice as many purchases over the phone as average Americans. • Get in-home estimates from three different companies, and be suspicious of extremely low quotes. Disreputable movers often lowball the estimate but then tack on unreasonable charges at the end.
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• If your move is interstate, ask the company for its U.S. Department of Transportation license and Motor Carrier number, and then verify it at www.protectyourmove.gov. • Ask for references and take the time to call them. That way you can get a true evaluation from past customers. • Don’t pay up front, and don’t pay cash. “Seniors are often perceived as easier to persuade, and are often asked to pay cash upfront for these types of services,” added Wojciechowski. • Ask for pickup and delivery dates in writing. • Ask for a bill of lading. This is a written contract that sets forth terms and conditions of your move, and is required for all intrastate and interstate moves. Read it carefully and keep a copy until the move is completed to your satisfaction. • Take inventory of your items to be moved. Ask the movers to prepare a written inventory, or prepare your own. Take photos or video of your valuable property prior to the move so you will be better able to note any damage after shipment. • Ask for the truck to be weighed. The company may trick you into thinking the truck is heavier than it is, and raise the price. Make sure you are only paying for what you need. • Consider getting full-value protection. Investing in full-value protection means any lost or damaged articles will be repaired or replaced, or a cash settlement will be made to repair the item or replace it at current market value. • Ask, ask, and ask. Don’t be afraid of bothering the workers.You have a right to know everything.You are paying good money for your belongings to be transferred and should ask as many questions as you need. If you are not satisfied with the service you received after the move, let the company know as soon as possible. If needed, file a written complaint with the company no later than nine months after delivery. For interstate moves, contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at 1-888-368-7238 or http:// nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov. Note, however, that FMCSA cannot resolve claims. For complaints about intrastate moves, contact your state Attorney General’s office and lodge a complaint.
Things to Do in March March 12 - Estate Planning/Asset Protection Workshop. Free. 1:30-2:30 pm. CaraVita Village, 4000 Fieldcrest Dr., Montgomery. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, more. Contact Elizabeth Haupt-Johnson, Community Director, Cara Vita Village for details: (334) 284-0370. Free
March 12 — Hearing Loss Support Group. Feww. 4 pm. United Methodist Church, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Montgomery (Wesley Hall, Park Ave. entrance) Refreshments, speaker, discussions on hearing problems.
March 20 — Nomination deadline for the Alabama Academy of Honor. AL. Dept. of Archives & History, Box 300100, Montgomery, AL 36130-0100. For information call 334-242-4441. Nomination forms available online at www.archives. alabama.gov/famous/ academy/ahome. html. Established in 1965 to honor living Alabamians for outstanding accomplishments and service benefiting the state. Recent inductees include Tim Cook, Nick Saban, Hank Aaron, Rosa Parks, Condoleezza Rice. Induction ceremony takes place Oct. 26 at the State Capitol.
March 12 — Annual Tennis tournament, “Hittin’ for Hospice.” Hospice of Montgomery 8:30am-noon. Montgomery Country Club. $100/team of 2; $50/ individual continental breakfast, lunch Reservations required, www.hos- March 20 — Veterans Education Seminar (Free) piceofmontgomery.org or at 1 pm. CaraVita Village, 4000 Montgomery Country Club Fieldcrest Drive, Montgomery 334-263-3213. Non-Service Connected Pension, Aid and Attendance, Veteran, Widowed Spouse and March 16 — Dependents. For information call “Soylent Green” (334) 284-0370. (film) 1973 sci-fi classic starring Charleston Heston. Capri Theatre, 1045 March 28 — Spring Block Party E Fairview Ave in (Free) 11am -2pm. CaraVita Village, 4000 Montgomery, ShowFieldcrest Drive, Montgomery. Live entertime 7:30. Preceded tainment, Face Painting, Games, Inflatable with a presentation for the kids, Art Show by CaraVita resiby Dr. Maureen dents. For information call 334-284-0370. Murphy, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry Chair, Huntingdon College, on "The Nutritional Value of People.” Tickets: $7/members, $9/non-members. Owned and operated by the non-profit Capri ComApril 4 — 11th Annual Autism Crawfish Boil, Easter Seals of munity Film Society. For more info. visit www. Central Alabama (ESCA). Noon-5 pm. Rock Bottom American Pub, Montcapritheatre.org/. gomery. ESCA programs assist individuals with disabilities. 4,000+ pounds of all-you-can-eat crawfish, sides, cold beverages, live music. Tickets: $25 prior to March 20; $35 at door; $50 VIP; $10 children. Available at Easter Seals Central Alabama, Rock Bottom American Pub, Seafood Bistro, online www.eastersealsca.org. www.primemontgomery.com | March 2015
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OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Gone Squirrelly I
n the ground were nearly 150 feet of seed potatoes, freshly planted before most of my neighbors had their first cup of morning coffee. I'd finally found time to prep the soil, get the chitted chunks of spud in the ground, and mulch them sufficiently to both protect them from frost and keep moisture levels as consistent as possible. The next morning, while gazing out at the garden and thinking of the certain joy my daughter would discover in digging those potatoes come early summer, I saw much of my mulch strewn about and small hole after small hole dug along the planted rows. It looked as if a mini carpet-bombing campaign had taken place in my garden. The brief flitter of a gray and bushy tail escaping through a hole in the fence - potato in-mouth - revealed the parties responsible. "Squirrels," I bristled. Recalling the recent bill for trim and facia repair courtesy of the same creatures, this latest affront was the last straw. They'd chewed too many holes in my siding, stolen too many almost-ripe strawberries, plums and pears from the garden, and eaten (yes, eaten) too many chain link fence wire ties, causing the fence to sag in places and allowing the dogs to get out. On my property, coexistence between man and squirrel was no longer feasible. I reviewed my options. The dogs wrought havoc on the squirrels, but if I let them into the garden to patrol I'd have bigger problems since they would eat almost anything. Shooting was the most immediate solution but came with another set of concerns. Poisoning wasn't an option for various reasons. Trapping was the only realistic solution. Like spraying for bugs, I knew I could never be completely rid of squirrels, but also knew from past experience I could put enough of a dent in the population to give my home and crops relief. I would become a student of the squirrel; learn his habits, his travels, his preferences. For several mornings and evenings, I surveyed my 38
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property to learn when and from where the squirrels came. Certain limbs hanging over the roof, large limbs touching other trees that made travel between trees easy, even the 2x4 bracing on the privacy fence were all high traffic areas. Pole saw in hand, I went to work to make it as hard as possible for a squirrel to travel off the ground between locations in hopes my efforts would result in fewer holes in my siding and less stolen produce. Knowing my pruning would force the squirrels to spend more time on the ground, I set trap after trap and was rewarded with oftentimes several catches in a day. The dogs got into it as well, helping further whittle down the population with a few catches of their own. While lately I've seen fewer holes dug in the garden, and no new chew marks on the siding, I'm still a long way from being squirrel-free. There are definitely fewer now than when I started, but whether it's because I've trapped most of them (doubtful) or because word has spread in the squirrel community of my general inhospitableness toward rodents, it really doesn't matter. Despite the inconvenience of time spent trying to mitigate the negative effects of the tree rat population on my property, part of me has enjoyed the challenge. What started out as purely an exercise in damage control has become part of my daily routine. That's a good thing probably, because I'll have my summer crops in the ground in a month or so, the pears, plums and strawberries are plumping up, and we'll start this whole thing over again. Niko Corley, a licensed charter boat captain, spends as much of his free time as possible on the water or in the woods. He can be contacted at niko.corley@gmail.com.
Niko Corley
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Take some of the Madness out of March.
(Improve your hearing.)
6912 Winton Blount Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36117 334-281-8400
all
EARS
Hearing Centers www.allearscenters.com
300 Medical Ave., Suite 2 Andalusia, AL 36420 334-427-2476