Prime Montgomery

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

May 2013

FREE

preserving a Hometown legend

The Hank Williams Museum • Adult Immunizations • Protecting Seniors • Fired? Don’t Panic • • Great Tomatoes • How Loud is It? • Grilling Time • Puppies & Children

Will O. (Trip) Walton, III

Walton Law Firm, PC

2011-2012 Alabama Super Lawyer

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

The

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Traumatic Brain Injury • Wrongful Death • Serious Personal Injury

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

May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

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Prime/May 2013 contents Editor’s Notes

5

Short Takes

6

A Gracious Plenty

8

Safe, Healthy Grilling

FEATURE - Laws of Age

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Actor and... robot?

14

Off The Beaten Path

15

Medicare Q&A

16

Medicare

17

FEATURE - Legacy & Legend

18

Money Wi$e

21

In Every Life

22

Crafty Corner

23

Social Security

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Elder Fraud

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FEATURE - Noise & You

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New elder abuse statutes “Get Smart” actor at 81 Puppies & children

What’s covered?

New insurance option Keeping the music alive

How loud is a dishwasher, a motorcycle or a lawn mower? How loud does something need to be to cause noise-induced hearing loss? Test your Noise I.Q. with our simple fill-in-the-blank quiz as we celebrate Speech and Hearing Month (page 26).

You’re fired!

Adult vaccinations Weekend garden project

on the cover

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

May 2013

FREE

preserving a Hometown legend

The Hank Williams Museum • Adult Immunizations • Protecting Seniors • Fired? Don’t Panic • • Great Tomatoes • How Loud is It? • Grilling Time • Puppies & children

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Singer/songwriter Hank Williams, with a handful of chords and a workingman’s vocabulary, set his life to music. His uncanny ability to link the common and the profound resulted in what many consider the most influential voice in country music. Read how one man’s dream helps keep Williams’ music and memory alive. (page 18) photo by Bob Corley

May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Help with prescriptions

These ‘banks’ don’t exist

Speech/hearing month

Puzzles

28, 30

Yard ‘n Garden

29

Moving Free

31

Prime Diversions

32

Puzzle Answers

34

Better tomatoes Bone health

DVD reviews

Prime

Montgomery

May 2013 Vol. 4, Issue 2

PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Brenda Robertson Dennis, Willie Moseley CONTRIBUTORS Joe Borg, Tina Calligas, Callie Corley, Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Kylle’ McKinney, Bob Moos, Arlene Morris, Christine Shoup, Nick Thomas, Alan Wallace PHOTOGRAPHER Bob Corley SALES Bob Corley • 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@gmail.com Wendy McFarland, • 334-652-9080 mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com Prime Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Road, #144 Montgomery, AL 36116 • 334-202-0114 www.primemontgomery.com ISSN 2152-9035

Prime Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2013 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contributing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/ Corley Group, LLC. Prime Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Prime Montgomery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals.

Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, emotional, or legal matters. We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims.

Editor’s Note My mother’s favorite fictional character was Scarlett O’Hara, not too surprising given her Atlanta hometown and the generation in which she was raised. I vividly remember her stories of how she, at 16, waited in line outside the Loew’s Grand Theater for 11 hours to catch a glimpse of her heartthrob Clark Gable during Gone with the Wind’s Atlanta premiere. Hollywood had come to Atlanta, and along with 300,000 of her closest friends, my mother was determined to be part of the festivities.

She was the product of two cultures, raised in Georgia of parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Greece. The combination presented an interesting mix of nurture and nature. A dutiful daughter, Mom respected old country notions of life and tradition, and carried them out with a friendly dose of sweet Southern charm.

Mom graduated high school in 1941.

Months later the U.S. was engaged in WWII, so college wasn’t on the horizon. Instead, like many others, my mother took clerical courses and got a job, helping her family meet monthly expenses by handing over an uncashed paycheck to her father at the end of each week.

My parents met during the war and married in the fall of 1946.Years later, sitting around the dinner table, they often regaled us with stories of their courtship, and how my mother turned down six suitors the night my father (whom some thought resembled Clark Gable) proposed. I loved the stories, and thrilled each time they were told.

Like so many women in her generation, my mother’s goals were based on prescribed roles for women at that time -- marry, manage a household, have children. As as result, our family was the apex of my mother’s

attention. Her devotion to us was steadfast and her love constant.

Mom’s relaxed sense of humor and fun-loving nature were valued attributes all three of her children would later try to model.

She was not a philosopher; her concerns were always tangible. I didn’t learn the answers to life’s pressing questions from her, but did learn practical life lessons. Among them: —Pamper a guest in your home by making them feel special. Clean sheets, fresh towels, a special breakfast. Lazy has no place here.

—A fun-loving spirit draws others to you.

—Speak respectfully to and about your elders. (Now, as one of those elders, I wholeheartedly agree.)

—Be an active, responsible member of your community.

—Do your best. Then quit worrying about it. (A lesson I still have trouble applying.)

Mom died in 1996, in Florence, Italy, on the day before my parents were to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Seventeen years later I still miss her kindness, warmth, and love.

Happy Mother’s Day this month as we remember all our wonderful moms and the rich and lasting memories they helped us create.

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

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shorttakes

Researchers Identify an Early Predictor for Glaucoma A new study recently published online by Ophthalmology finds that certain changes in blood vessels in the eye’s retina can be an early warning that a person is at increased risk for Open-angle glaucoma (OAG), the most common form of the disease that slowly robs people of their peripheral vision.

Using diagnostic photos and other data from the Australian Blue Mountains Eye Study, the researchers showed that patients who had abnormally narrow retinal arteries when the study began were also those who were most likely to have glaucoma at its 10-year end point. If confirmed by future research, this finding could give ophthalmologists a new way to identify and treat those who are most vulnerable to vision loss from glaucoma.

“There’s this strong perception that Mississippi and Alabama are number one and number two in obesity — fighting for last place.”

Deep Brain Stimulation To Treat Parkinson’s Disease Deep-brain stimulation (DBS) may stop uncontrollable shaking in patients with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor by imposing its own rhythm on the brain, according to two studies published by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers in the journal Movement Disorders.

DBS uses an electrode implanted beneath the skin to deliver electrical pulses into the brain more than 100 times per second.

Although this technology was approved by the Food and Drug Administration more than 15 years ago, it remains unclear how it reduces tremor and other symptoms of movement disorders.

DBS may synchronize the firing of nerve cells and break the abnormal rhythms associated with involuntary movements in Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.

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May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

South Not the Fattest After All

A recent study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) shows the southern region of the U.S. is not the fattest part of the country.

“The obesity epidemic is overwhelming the U.S., and there’s this strong perception that Mississippi and Alabama are number one and number two in obesity -- fighting for last place,” said George Howard, Dr. P.H., professor in the Dept. of Biostatistics in the UAB School of Public Health.

However, from recently published findings in the online journal Obesity, the fattest area, with 41% of its population rated as obese, is the West North Central part of the country (North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri).

“We were thinking since people living in the South are generally more hypertensive and have higher rates of diabetes and stroke, it would be the fattest region,” Howard explained. “But when we looked at our data, people in the South were really not the fattest.”

A lot rides on obesity rankings, including the amount of federal funds a region receives to fight obesity.

shorttakes

Fight Cancer with Your Fork....and iPhone

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has launched a free, easy-to-use iPhone® app that provides recipes and nutrition information that can be searched by cancer patients in accordance with their needs. The recipes are also helpful to anyone who wants to have a healthy diet. New recipes are added each month. The app is designed to help find the optimal diet for any type of cancer.

It also offers users the ability to search by common symptoms (such as nausea or mouth sores), helping to customize dietary needs while going through treatment. There also are recipes and healthy eating tips for cancer survivors. The app is available for all iPhone® users with IOS 5 or higher. It is free and can be downloaded by going to the Apple iTunes® store.

Losing Weight Lowers Body Inflammation A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine shows that when overweight or obese people lose weight, whether through a low-carb or low-fat diet, they can have a significant reduction in inflammation throughout their body, as measured by three common markers for inflammation.

Inflammation occurs naturally when the body’s immune system acts to fight off an irritant or infection or responds to an injury. However, fat cells secrete molecules that also increase inflammation, even when an immune response is not needed. Because these molecules are secreted into the bloodstream, being overweight or obese increases the risk of inflammation throughout the body. This more widespread condition is known as systemic inflammation.

According to the researchers, systemic inflammation increases the chance of a heart attack or stroke by promoting the formation of blood clots, interfering with the ability of blood vessels to contract and relax normally to control blood flow, or causing plaque to break off of vessel walls.

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

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Grill

a Gracious Plenty

safely Courtesy of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service

O

utdoor cooking was once a summer activity shared with family and friends. Now, more than half of Americans say they cook outdoors yearround. Whether the snow is blowing or the sun is shining, follow these simple food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and causing food-borne illness.

From the Store: Home First When shopping, buy meat and poultry right before checkout and separate them from other food in your shopping cart. To guard against cross-contamination when raw meat or poultry juices drip on other food, place raw meat and poultry in plastic bags. Drive directly home from the grocery store and refrigerate perishable food within two hours, one hour if the temperature is above 90°F. Place meat and poultry in the refrigerator immediately. Freeze poultry and ground meat that won't be used within one or two days, and freeze other meat within four or five days.

Defrost Safely Completely defrost meat and poultry before grilling. Use the refrigerator for slow, safe thawing, or thaw sealed packages in cold water. Microwave on ‘defrost’ if the food will be placed immediately on the grill.

Marinating Meat and poultry can be marinated to tenderize or add flavor. Marinate in the refrigerator, not on the counter. If the marinade is to be used as a sauce on cooked food, reserve a portion before putting raw meat and poultry in it, or boil the marinade used on raw meat or poultry before re-using.

Transporting When carrying food to another location, keep it at 40°F or below in an insulated cooler with ice or ice packs. Pack food right from the refrigerator into the cooler immediately before leaving home. Keep the cooler in the coolest part

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May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

of the car.

Keep Cold Food Cold Keep meat and poultry refrigerated until ready to use, only taking it out before placing it on the grill. Keep the cooler out of direct sunlight and avoid opening the lid too often. Pack beverages in one cooler and perishables in another.

Keep Everything Clean Be sure there are plenty of clean utensils and platters, and don't use the same platter and utensils for raw and cooked meat and poultry. Harmful bacteria in raw meat and poultry can contaminate safely cooked food. If there's no source of clean water, bring your own for prepping and cleaning. Pack clean cloths and wet towelettes for cleaning surfaces and hands.

Precooking Precooking food partially in the microwave, oven, or stove will reduce grilling time. Be sure the food goes immediately on the preheated grill to complete cooking.

Cook Thoroughly Cook food to a safe minimum internal temperature. Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often browns fast on the outside. Use a food thermometer to determine when food reaches a safe minimum internal temperature. Beef, veal, and MCA_Ad_01.13_Prime_Layout 1 1/2/13and 2:00 PM Page lamb steaks, roasts chops, can 1be cooked

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to 145°F. Hamburgers made of ground beef should reach 160°F, pork should reach 160°F, and poultry should reach 165°F. NEVER partially grill meat or poultry and finish cooking later.

Reheating When reheating fully cooked meats such as hot dogs, grill to 165°F or until steaming hot.

Keep Hot Food Hot After cooking meat and poultry on the grill, keep it at 140°F or warmer until served. Keep cooked meats hot by setting them to the side of the grill rack, not directly over the coals where they can overcook. At home, cooked meat can be kept in a warm oven (approximately 200°F), in a chafing dish or slow cooker, or on a warming tray.

Serving the Food When taking food off the grill, use a clean platter. The platter that held raw meat or poultry can contain harmful bacteria and contaminate safely cooked food.

In hot weather (above 90°F), food should never sit out for more than an hour.

Leftovers Refrigerate leftovers promptly, and discard food left out more than two hours; one hour if temperatures are above 90°F. Safe Smoking Smoking is cooking food indirectly in the presence of a fire. It’s done in a covered grill or in a specially designed "smoker." Smoking is done much more slowly than grilling, so less tender meats benefit from this method, and a natural smoke flavoring permeates the meat. Temperature in the smoker should be maintained at 250 to 300°F. Use a food thermometer to determine a safe internal temperature.

Pit Roasting Pit roasting is cooking meat in a large, level hole dug in the earth. A hardwood fire is built in the pit and allowed to burn until the wood reduces and the pit is half filled with burning coals. Cooking may require 10 to 12 hours or more and is difficult to estimate. A meat thermometer must be used to determine the meat's safety and doneness.

Does Grilling Pose a Cancer Risk?

Some studies suggest a possible cancer risk related to eating food cooked by high-heat cooking techniques such as grilling, frying and broiling. Current research finds eating moderate amounts of grilled fish, meat, and poultry, cooked without charring and to a safe temperature, does not pose a problem. To prevent charring, remove visible fat that can cause flare-ups. Precook meat in the microwave immediately before placing it on the grill to release some of the juices that can drop on coals. Cook food in the center of the grill and move coals to the side to prevent fat and juices from dripping on them. Cut charred portions off the meat.

For more information contact your County Extension Office: Montgomery County, 334-270-4133; Elmore County, 334-567-6301; Autauga County, 334-361-7273. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

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feature

Restoring Dignity

Combating Elder Abuse and Exploitation in Alabama

By Brenda Robertson Dennis e looked up to them and sometimes defied them. They nurtured us, teaching us everything from the Golden Rule to how to tie our shoes. We sought the comfort of their arms and laps, and the safe haven of their homes, when we were scared of monsters under our beds and frightened of the unkind world outside. We waited anxiously as they traveled across the sea to fight for our freedoms, praying they would return to toss the ball again or tell another bedtime story. Our parents, our grandparents, and the special people who encouraged us when we were on the right track and forgave us when we failed miserably, deserve our gratitude and undying respect for everything they did. Sadly, a growing number of our elderly do not get that respect and gratitude, and what many DO get is alarming.

According to the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS), life expectancy has grown from 59.9 in 1941 to 77.9 in 2008. In Alabama, more than 750 citizens have blown out at least 100 candles on their birthday cakes.

Senior citizens 85 and older represent not only the fastest growing segment of the population, they also present special needs that did not previously exist in our society. ADSS Commissioner Neal Morrison sites financial exploitation of our elderly as one of the fastest-growing crimes in the U.S. , and Alabama, he says, has a serious problem.

Last year the Alabama legislature passed a law creating an interagency committee made up of Morrison, DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner, Alabama Securities Commission Executive Director Joe Borg, and Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange. They brought together 27 state entities and non-profit groups to help strengthen laws in Alabama. The recently-passed legislation creates additional criminal penalties for elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

What makes this piece of legislation stand out from the previous Alabama Protective Service Act is the protection of any citizen over the

W

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May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Neal Morrison

Nancy Buckner

Joe Borg

These agencies have resources available to teach seniors how to avoid abuse and exploitation, including materials on consumer protection, telemarketer scams, Medicaid Fraud, and investment fraud. An expanded Resource Directory is scheduled for an upcoming issue of Prime.

Alabama Department of Senior Services Elder Abuse Information & Prevention 1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463) www.adss.alabama.gov Alabama Department of Human Resources Adult Abuse Hotline 1-800-458-7214 www.dhr.alabama.gov Alabama Securities Commission 1-800-222-1253 www.asc.alabama.gov Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection 1-800-392-5658 www.ago.alabama.gov

age of 60 who falls victim, not just those already in protective care.

The toughest penalties in the new law include Class A felonies for abuse, neglect, or physical injury, with a sentence of ten years to life, and Class B felonies for exploitation of money or property which could bring two to 20 years.

The ADSS provides many services for seniors, from helping find caregivers and legal assistance, to nutritional meals.

“People forget sometimes that many seniors, especially those that live alone, don’t get nutritious meals from anywhere but us,” Morrison says. “If they don’t get this meal, they end up getting sick or sicker. So what happens is they end up in the hospital or a long term care facility.”

Morrison explains that when you set aside the humanistic side of why it’s right and necessary to care for our seniors, the reality simply makes good economic sense.

“It’s smarter to spend $3.09 a day providing nutritious meals, than it is $3,000 a day for Medicare and Medicaid costs. It’s a no-brainer,” he says. “But you have to get the folks in Washington to understand that.”

It’s heartbreaking to consider so many aging individuals going without the meals they need to stay healthy and strong, but it’s almost unimaginable that any of them would suffer abuse at the hands of a trusted caregiver or family member.

Alabama Department of Human Resources Commissioner Nancy Buckner knows all too well the daily horror some seniors experience. Her office acts as the protective service division for the state and handles cases involving battery, sexual abuse, and neglect.

“Most people don’t realize that there are many elderly who don’t have children around to look after them,” says Buckner. “That’s when we step in.”

Buckner’s office investigates reports and looks for family to come in and help in these cases. If someone can’t be found, they go to court to have the individual adjudicated as an adult in need of protective services. Last year DHR responded to 5,500 reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

“Once we had a retired school teacher with no family around,” Buckner recalls. “She probably had a little bit of dementia and had allowed a drug dealer to move into her home. He was actually doing his drug deals in her home. He needed a place to stay, she lived in a nice neighborhood, and she was looking for companionship. She was also giving him her retirement check.”

Buckner points out this was a well-educated person who was lonely and put her trust in the wrong person. DHR worked with law enforcement to remove the drug dealer from her home, then worked to find her family, several states away, to come and look after her. In another case, Buckner’s office worked with a man from Mississippi who didn’t have anyone to take care of him. He was a veteran in very poor physical condition, and those around him were not giving him the care he needed. DHR was able to relocate the man to a Mississippi VA home where he could be around people familiar to him.

In cases of physical abuse, Buckner says it often occurs among families experiencing stress. However, many cases www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

11

go unreported because the abused individual is either too embarrassed or doesn’t want to cause trouble for their family member or caregiver. The cases that are reported are usually brought to light by neighbors who suspect something is wrong, or by doctors trained to look for signs of abuse or neglect.

As demonstrated in the case of the retired school teacher, financial exploitation of seniors is a growing concern in Alabama. Financial fraud can occur to anyone, and when it does, it falls directly to Alabama Securities Commission (ASC) Executive Director Joe Borg and his staff.

According to the ASC, older people control 70% of the wealth in this country, making them particularly vulnerable to scam artists. As with physical abuse, there is usually a great deal of shame involving cases of fraud among seniors.

The Securities Act has been in effect for years and provides that if an individual lies and steals money from anyone, senior or otherwise, they will go to jail for a very long time. Borg’s office acts as one of the First Responders of elder financial abuse.

“We’re the local cops on the beat, so to speak,” says Borg.

“If there’s financial fraud in Alabama you call us. We are a prosecuting agency, so we don’t have to refer it out to anybody. Our lawyers prosecute the case.”

Borg recognizes that with the aging population increasing, there’s been an increase in attacking the assets of our senior

citizens, “for good reason from the crooks point of view” he states. “It’s the old Willy Sutton argument… ‘Why do you rob banks? It’s where the money is.’”

Following the housing crash, senior citizens - having owned their homes for 40 years or more - are one of the few groups who have equity in their homes. They also have savings and CD’s in the bank rather than money in the market. With CD’s paying so little, seniors may go to the markets looking for better returns, and that’s where crooks lie in wait to take advantage of those with little market savvy.

“They see something that’s ‘guaranteed and can’t lose money’,” says Borg, “that’s what they want. Trouble is, there’s no such thing as a guarantee in investments.”

While Borg’s office tackles cases like the multi-million dollar Daystar church embezzlement scandal of a few years ago, Attorney General Luther Strange’s office is also prosecuting crimes involving scamming and other fraudulent activity against seniors.

One recent case involved the theft of over $115,000 by a bookkeeper at a Wetumpka nursing home. They successfully prosecuted the bookkeeper and were able to retrieve most of the assets.

A popular saying states -- “It takes a village to raise a child.”

We must also recognize the wise and wonderful seniors in our ‘village’, and give them the respect and kindness they deserve. One day we will be where they are, hoping for the same.

Baby Boomers & Seniors

• control 70% of the disposable income

• will be 45% of the population by 2015 • read Prime Montgomery Your business can benefit from advertising to Prime’s readership, because Prime readers — • • • • • • • •

spend more per capita on groceries/over-the-counter products commissioned 27% of the past year’s landscaping account for 64% of the retail gardening market account for 89% of all dollars spent on travel account for 60% of all health care spending purchase 74% of all prescription drugs eat in restaurants an average 3X/week purchase 52% of all new cars

To advertise contact: Bob Corley (334-202-0114) or Wendy McFarland (334-652-9080) primemontgomery@gmail.com 12

May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Pr i m e and Celebrating Midlife

May 2013

FREE

Beyond

ga preservinwn Hometo d legen

The Hank Williams Museum Don’t Panic • n Seniors • Fired? ns • ProtectingGrilling Time • Puppies & childre It? • • Adult Immunizatio • How Loud is • Great Tomatoes

Mr. Gus’ Ristorante

Now Open Sunday!

10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Same great food more time to enjoy it!

M o n t g o m e r y ’s F i n e s t Italian & Greek Cuisine

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

Hearing History The London Dome Ear Trumpet/Ear Horn Circa 1900 2” diameter, 3” high Approximately $1 in period currency.

Useful for slight/moderate hearing loss.

Easily carried in the pocket, this brass device was manufactured in several sizes, with both smaller and larger versions available. The name derives from its shape, which is similar to the dome on St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England. The design is a parabolic reflector into an ear tube, which provides sound enhancement in a relatively small size.

The ear tip was made of ivory or a type of early plastic. Such devices were used well into the 20th century.

(Vintage hearing instrument courtesy of Rick Love, M.D., All Ears Hearing Centers.)

St. Paul’s Cathedral www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

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Actor, Comedian, Director, Singer, Producer, Artist,

and discovered I had a flair for entertaining. I told that story during my Get Smart audition, did those movements, and got the role of Hymie.”

Not surprisingly, laughter was not uncommon on the Get Smart set. Gautier remembered a scene where Max takes a rather drunk Hymie into a closet and scolds him because drinking and spying don’t mix.

“I had to reach over and kiss Don on the cheek,” he recalled. “But the two of us started giggling like high school girls during every take, and the crew grew impatient. I finally got through it by not looking at Don.When the scene was over, he looked at me and said ‘Are you going f all the zany sitcoms from the 1960s, Get Smart to say it or am I?’ So I told him to go ahead. He looked remains a favorite of classic TV fans.This show at the crew and said “Okay guys, we’re coming out of the had it all: crazy characters (Max, “99,” Larabee, closet!”

Hymie the humanoid In addition to actrobot), delightfully ing in hundreds of wicked villains (Siegfried, TV shows and movthe Claw, Leadside), ies, Gautier has been goofy spy gadgets (shoe a stand-up comedian, phone, cone of silence), writer, producer, direccool cars (Sunbeam tor, voice actor and Tiger), unforgettable singer. During lean catchphrases (“Missed times he even demonit by THAT much!”), a strated pogo sticks at parade of stellar guests Macy’s.

(Milton Berle, Don But his talents extend Rickles,Vincent Price), far beyond movies and unbelievable saveTV. the-world plots, and Gautier is also an artthat omnipresent 60s ist specializing in caricacanned laugh track. tures, and has written Don Adams, who numerous books played Max, passed on drawing.

He has away in 2005. A few perfectly captured the years earlier, during a “Get Smart” cast (L-R): Don Adams, Dick Gautier, Barbara Feldon.

Burt Reynold’s forehead, 75th birthday roast in his the W.C. Fields’ nose (left), the John Travolta honor, he made a very simple request: chin, and dozens of other celebrities (www.

“I don’t want a big funeral. I don’t want dickgautier.com). He makes an interesta lot of flowers; or eulogies,” Adams told ing comparison between today’s stars and the gathering. “I’d just like a few of my close those of yesteryear with their more rugged friends to get together ……. and try and features (Bogie, Gable, Connery). bring me back to life.”

“Many of today’s actors look like fashion Dick Gautier, who played Hymie the models.

Take someone like Brad Pitt who robot, wasn’t close friends with Don off has those stunning, boyish good looks. the set, but enjoyed working with him. At Some are so handsome, they just don’t 81, Gautier remains a man of many talents. have any distinguishing features to hang “He lived a very different kind of lifestyle your comic hat on, as an artist.” to me,” said Gautier. “He and his buddies Gautier’s career achievements keep were always at the racetrack, but I was mounting.

In addition to drawing and paintnever a gambler.” ing, he has completed a two-character play The Hymie character (Gautier’s father he hopes to direct. was named Hymie) appeared in just six “I’ve been around so long,” he said, “sometimes I feel like episodes during the first four seasons of Get Smart, yet he I was in the original Flintstones – the real ones the cartoon remains one of the show’s most popular and memorable was based on!” characters. Gautier based Hymie partly on a childhood

Robot...?

O

memory.

“As a kid in Canada, I saw this mannequin-like guy in a store window who moved in a very stiff manner.The deal was, if you made him smile, you could win a gift from the store. I almost got him to laugh! So I started imitating him

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May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Nick Thomas teaches at AUM and writes for magazines and newspapers across the country, including the Washington Post, LA Times and Chicago Tribune. He can be reached at his blog: http://getnickt.blogspot.com.

off the beaten path

Puppyhood & Fatherhood I

anticipated fatherhood through the prism of having raised some good hunting dogs from pups to adults. These experiences absorbed time, energy, and substantial resources. There were whining pups at night, feedings around the clock and, once food and water entered one end, cleaning up the inevitable result that presented at the other, which usually wound up all over me or the floor.

Niko Corley Training took place in the yard or at one of the Cloverdale parks before work, after work and sometimes during lunch. I worried I would misstep in the training regimen or somehow screw up with the dogs. To my surprise, I didn’t.

We often took weekend excursions to train in different conditions in order to challenge the dogs. I bought e-collars, bumpers in every color, dummy launchers, every make and manner of bird dog training paraphernalia and more pen-raised quail than I can count. It was a tedious labor of love, but it enabled me to watch my dogs mature into fine hunters and witness their hunting skills and natural talents evolve and their personalities emerge.

Before our daughter was born, my wife and I had reared a herd of a dozen puppies during the busiest time of our work year. The herd had to be fed in shifts, several times a day, not to mention cleaned up after. There was an early shift, a lunch shift and a late shift. My wife Sally is a night owl and I’m an early bird, so we fell naturally into our respective roles. The pups grew bigger and stronger, we found good homes for all, and kept one for ourselves. Having weathered this storm together successfully, I wondered; would fatherhood be a replay of our canine ver-

sion of “the dirty dozen”? In reality, it has proven to be quite different.

Most surprising to me is the common threads between rearing pups and a little girl, the latter of which I’ve just begun to scratch the surface. Parenthood is no doubt hardest on my wife, but as our daughter has gotten older, I’m able to help with some of the care our child requires. Just as we did with the puppies, we take shifts with the baby and each have designated roles. There are still some long nights, but she seems to be stretching those out more and more each week.

I quickly learned babies - like puppies - get dirty. Once you’ve cleaned them, in just a short time they get dirty again. They don’t stay in a constant state of dirtiness but it’s darn close, so the more disposable those items that tend to get dirty, the easier clean up becomes.

Children, like aspiring canine hunters, require LOTS of gear. Once I’ve loaded my truck with baby items for a day’s excursion, there’s little room for my own gear, much less additional passengers. In fact, we have more gear for the baby than I do for our two hunting dogs combined. But, while I bought almost all the dog gear myself, friends and family helped supply the numerous baby items we’ve acquired.

While dog rearing and training used to consume a good bit of my free time, our daughter takes up almost all of our time not spent working or sleeping. Truth be told, I couldn’t care less. I’ve learned from the good dogs that have spent their lives with me, the more you put into those relationships the more you get out. I will always remember Scarlett’s first squirrel, Bella’s first duck and Coco’s first point on quail, as I played a significant part in each.

Too, I’ll never forget the first time I saw Anna Robinson, purple, howling and unhappy with her new and very strange surroundings but beautiful nonetheless. Her first diaper - which took me seven diapers and a mountain of wipes to change (my average is slightly lower now) - is in the record books. As she grows into a young lady, I look forward to the memories we’ll make together, some of them with Bella and Coco. I’ll admit I sometimes worry about her training, which I certainly don’t want to screw up. With a little luck, some help, and a lot of prayer, we’ll get it right.

Niko Corley spends his free time hunting, fishing, boating and enjoying the outdoors. He can be contacted at cootfootoutfitters@ gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@cootfootoutfitters.

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

15

Marci’s Medicare Answer May 2013 Dear Marci, I suffer from bouts of depression. Does Medicare cover screenings for depression?

— Christopher Dear Christopher, Yes. Medicare covers yearly screenings for depression. These screenings are completed by a doctor or other primary care provider to ensure correct diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Medicare will cover one depression screening per year, as long as the screening takes place in a primary care setting.

Note: Hospitals, emergency rooms and skilled nursing facilities are not considered primary care settings.

The annual depression screening consists of a questionnaire you complete by yourself or with the help of a doctor. If your doctor determines you do suffer from depression, s/he may provide treatment or refer you to a mental health professional for further care.

If you have Original Medicare, you will not have to pay a deductible or coinsurance for the annual depression screening, as long as you see doctors who accept Medicare and take assignment. Doctors who accept Medicare and take assignment agree to accept the Medicare-approved amount as payment in full. Call 800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare. gov to locate doctors who accept Medicare and take assignment.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you will not have to pay anything for the screening, as long as you see in-network doctors. Contact your plan directly to locate in-network doctors.

Dear Marci, My doctor gave me an Advanced Beneficiary Notice. What is an Advanced Beneficiary Notice?

— Ali Dear Ali, An Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN), also known as a waiver of liability, is a notice that Medicare providers must give you when they know or have reason to believe that Medicare will not pay for a particular health care service or item. The ABN explains that Medicare may not pay for your health care services and allows you to choose whether you still want to receive those services.

Medicare providers will only give you an ABN if you have Original Medicare, the traditional Medicare program offered directly through the federal government.Your provider will give you an ABN for a health care service or item that Medicare may not cover, in your particular case. Bear in mind that providers do 16

May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

not have to give you an ABN for services or items that Medicare does not cover, such as hearing aids or routine dental care. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as a Medicare private health plan, you will not receive an ABN. If you have Original Medicare and you sign an ABN before you receive a health care service, you are responsible for the full cost of the service you receive if Medicare does not pay for it. If your provider does not give you an ABN to sign before you receive a health care service, you do not have to pay the full cost of the service if Medicare does not pay for it.

Remember, an ABN is not an official denial of coverage by Medicare. If Medicare does not pay for a health care service you receive, you have the right to appeal (i.e. file a formal request for review of an official decision made by Original Medicare).

Dear Marci, Does Medicare cover vision services?

— Jan Dear Jan, Medicare generally does not cover routine eye care. It will pay for some eye care services, if you have a chronic eye condition, such as cataracts or glaucoma. In these cases, Medicare will cover: n Surgical procedures to help repair the function of the eye. n Eyeglasses or contacts only if you have had cataract surgery during which an intraocular lens was placed into your eye. n An eye exam to diagnose potential vision problems.

If you have diabetes or you are at high risk for glaucoma, Medicare will pay for an eye exam once every 12 months to check for eye disease due to either condition.

Keep in mind that certain Medicare Advantage plans and Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans may offer limited vision coverage.

You may also get coverage for vision care by going to reduced-cost clinics or by purchasing vision insurance. Lastly, Medicaid may cover vision care. Contact your state Medicaid program for more information on Medicaid coverage of vision care services

Marci's Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center, the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for Medicare recipients.Visit www.medicarerights.org to subscribe to “Dear Marci’s” free educational newsletter.

medicare

New Health Insurance Option

By Bob Moos Southwest Public Affairs Officer,The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services

W

hether you’re uninsured or just want to explore your options, you’ll soon have a new way to find health care coverage that fits your needs and budget.

The Health Insurance Marketplace will give you access to affordable, comprehensive coverage.You’ll be able to go to one website to learn about available insurance plans, check on their benefits and out-ofpocket costs, and comparison shop. Most workers will still get coverage through their employer, and older people will still have Medicare. But if you’re one of the many Americans who have had difficulty buying insurance because of cost or poor health, you’ll welcome the Marketplace.

The private, individual health plans sold through the online exchange will provide a package of 10 essential benefits, including emergency services, hospital care, lab services, prescription drugs, doctor visits, preventive care, rehab services and maternity care. The benefits are similar to what’s typically covered in an employer-provided plan, yet many individual insurance plans currently don’t offer this array of services.

You’ll also choose one of four levels of coverage: bronze, silver, gold or platinum. Bronze plans will have the lowest premiums but the highest out-of-pocket costs. Platinum plans will have the highest premiums but the lowest deductibles and co-pays. With a bronze plan, for example, the insurer will pay 60 percent of the costs with you responsible for the other 40 percent. With a platinum plan, the insurer will pay 90 percent of the costs with you taking care of the remaining 10 percent. When you’re shopping at the Marketplace, everything will be clearly spelled out.You’ll see what your monthly premiums, annual deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs will be before you decide to enroll.

You’ll make apples-to-apples comparisons between

health plans.You’ll have guaranteed coverage regardless of a pre-existing medical condition. Insurers won’t be able to deny you coverage or charge you more because you have, say, cancer or diabetes. It will also be illegal to charge women more simply because they’re women.

When enrollment through the Marketplace begins October 1, you’ll use a single application to figure out whether you or your family are eligible for a low-cost plan through Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or qualify for a new kind of tax credit.

With most tax credits, you must wait until you file your income taxes to get a break. The credit available through the Marketplace, however, can be used right away to lower monthly premiums. It will be sent directly to your insurer, so you’ll pay less out of your own pocket.

Generally, the premium tax credit will be available to individuals and families with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or between $23,550 and $94,200 per year for a family of four. Depending on income, you also may qualify for other breaks on your out-of-pocket expenses. To find out more about the Marketplace visit www.healthcare. gov.

In the fall, you’ll be able to get information about all the plans in your area.You’ll enroll yourself directly through the website or, if you have questions, you can call a toll-free hotline. There will also be specially trained people in your community to give personalized help. These “navigators,” as they’ll be called, won’t be associated with any particular insurance plan, and won’t receive any sales commission from insurers, so you’ll be assured of unbiased help. The Marketplace will give you control over your health insurance options and, for many people, offer a break on costs. Coverage starts January 1.

Social Security Disability Law

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

“Practicing Social Security Disability Law for seventeen years.”

Call toto schedule schedule Call FREE aa FREE Consultation.

Consultation.

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

17

feature

Preserving a Legend

One of Hank Williams’ hats was bronzed and became part of this bust at the museum. Behind the bust is the car in which he died.

T

By Willie Moseley; photos by Hank Williams Museum, Bob Corley

he legend of country singer Hank Williams is familiar to many older Montgomery-area residents. Their memories include favorite songs or concerts, perhaps even personal encounters with the singer who died more than 60 years ago.

For the generations born after Williams’ passing, a Montgomery museum is dedicated to preserving his legacy and the legendary status he achieved around the world.

“It is a challenge,” Beth Petty, manager of Montgomery’s Hank Williams Museum, said of the task of motivating younger music fans. “It’s very rewarding to see them walk through the door, but I don’t think it’s necessarily because of anything that this museum’s doing, but maybe it’s because of Hank III (Shelton Hank Williams, son of Hank Williams Jr., who performs under the name Hank Williams III). But there are also little children who are being taught (the original) Hank’s music by their grandparents.”

Williams has been cited by some musicians as “the first rock and roll star,” referring to both his

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May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

songwriting and lifestyle. Petty noted George Thorogood & the Destroyers’ 1978 version of “Move It On Over” as a definitive example of a Williamspenned tune that was a rock hit.

“It was similar to ‘Rock Around the Clock’, which was done in ’54, and Hank’s song was done in ’47,” she said. “And Hank was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Eighties.”

One challenge for the museum is to maintain the legacy of founder Cecil Jackson, Petty’s father, who died unexpectedly in March, 2010. Jackson opened the museum in the nearby Montgomery railroad station in 1999, moving the inventory to its current facility on Commerce Street the following year.

“He loved Hank from the time he was eight years old,” Petty recounted, “when Hank bought him a soft drink in 1944 at a store in the Lightwood community in Elmore County. This was his ‘baby’, and when it opened, he was like a kid at Christmas.

When someone dies and you haven’t had time to prepare for it, it can be even tougher, so I’m thankful I was working with this business from day one.”

(Above left) Rare Williams songbook with the museum founder’s name. (Above right) Williams’ autograph (lower right) on an Opry program. Other signatures include Roy Acuff and Red Foley. (Bottom left) A few of Williams’ ties.

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

19

(Above right) Museum founder Cecil Jackson with Hank, Jr. dedicating the I-65 “Lost Highway”. (Right) Museum Manager Beth Petty with a collection of her father’s memorabilia. (Below) Custom-made shirts worn by Williams when he performed.

The facility averages 20,000-30,000 visitors a year, including fans from more than 56 countries.

“We’ve even had repeat visitors from overseas,” said Petty.

“Every day, our sign-in book has a signature from someone from another country.”

The museum is constantly on the lookout for new inventory, and rotates items on and off the display area. Items that get recycled from the display area include Williams’ overcoats, smoking jacket, and eight suits. To keep the public viewing area refreshed, clothing items from Williams’ first wife Audrey are also rotated.

“You don’t want to stick everything out there at once, because it might get cluttered, or out of the sequence of the time line,” Petty explained.

Items on display at the museum have been authenticated by Williams family members. Every once in a while she receives an inquiry from someone with an item that seems suspicious, and Petty consults other collectors of Hank Williams memorabilia to ensure such items are authentic. The museum’s centerpiece is the 1952 Cadillac in which Williams died, but Petty list other items of significant value.

“There are the suits, boots, tie collection, horse saddle, the guitars, and furniture,” she said. “We even have Hank’s AAA card, which listed two Cadillacs on it.”

After Petty’s father died, she found many items in his office that had never been displayed.

“One of Daddy’s items that was on display before he died is a little blue book of lyrics that had been published; it sold for 35 cents, said Petty. “People used to ask him what the most important artifact in the museum was, after the car, and he’d always say ‘That little songbook’, because that was the first thing he used to play Hank Williams’ songs.”

20 May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

According to Petty, there are only four such songbooks in existence. The museum has three, and she’s never found anyone with a blue songbook like her father’s. With more than a thousand items in the museum, everything is catalogued.

There’s also a small, shrine-like tribute to Jackson in the foyer with its own set of historical photographs and documents.

“Even if the car wasn’t here, we’d still have a great museum,” Petty summarized. “The older generation of Hank’s era is passing away, so we have to look at the younger generations to keep it going.”

Among events hosted at the museum are a Hank Williams birthday tribute (September 17th, celebrated on the 14th), and memorial events on New Year’s Day. The location of the museum offers a unique opportunity to showcase Williams’ music and legacy while contributing to the on-going revitalization of downtown Montgomery.

“Our pockets are not that deep, but networking is a possible way to reach others,” said Petty. “If you listen to Hank Williams’ music, I don’t care how old you are—you’re hooked, and it just keeps getting better.”

Author/columnist/lecturer Willie G. Moseley’s tenth book will be released in 2013. He may be reached at willie@vintageguitar.com.

moneywise

La id O ff? What Now? Y

ou just got a pink slip.You are shocked, stunned. What do you do now?

1. Stay as calm as you can and arrange for some time to yourself or with your spouse and closest confidantes. If you safely vent and reset your emotional thermostat with them, you can be more rational in discussing the situation and negotiating your exit with HR at work.

2. Calmly investigate your options with HR Alan Wallace and possibly negotiate on key matters. Do not burn bridges. Ask questions and take notes. If appropriate, briefly explain your circumstances, situation or predicament with regard to family responsibilities, etc. Do not make accusations, assertions, or threats. n How long will your health insurance last? n What is the cost of COBRA medical coverage after that? n How long will other benefits last (life or disability insurance, for instance)? n Do you have an unused balance in your flexible benefits account? If so, how do you use it? n Do you have any stock options you can take advantage of? n Has everything been contributed to your retirement plan that you are entitled to? n Are you fully vested in your retirement plan? n How do you roll-over your retirement account and what are the consequences if you do? n How can you collect for your accumulated vacation, sick time or other paid days off? n Are you entitled to any reimbursement for business expenses that you have yet to claim? n Can you take advantage of any outplacement counseling or other services? n Are there opportunities for part-time, temporary or consulting work if your full-time position is being phased out? n Can you and HR agree on a consistent exit story? n What can you expect in the way of recommendations or feedback to possible future employers?

3. File for unemployment and seek assistance from the Alabama Employment Office. Contact your college or university placement office for possible help.

4. Retool your budget, minimizing and prioritizing expenses. Determine what income sources you have or what savings and other resources you can draw on to

cover expenses. Avoid burning through your retirement account.

5. Proactively protect your credit. Contact lenders and credit card companies to make them aware of your situation and see what accommodations they can make.

Talk to a supervisor if the front-line person cannot or will not help you.

6. Decide what you CAN do and WANT to do vocationally. Try to focus your thinking rather than casting a wide net to do “anything.” You may temporarily have to do something just to make money, but you also need to know what it is that best suits and fulfills you, and shoot for a suitable position.

7. Update your resume. Do research on appropriate styling and/or have knowledgeable friends give you constructive feedback before you distribute it.

8. Network. Let anyone and everyone know that you are available and what you are looking for. Give your resume to anyone and everyone and ask them to help you. Many of them will, not least of all because they could be in the same situation down the road. In addition to helping you find a position, your network can support your mental and emotional wellbeing. Use social media to get the word out and involve others in your search. Thank and acknowledge those who help you.

9. Consider working with an outplacement specialist or placement service.

10. Consider temporary, part-time or alternate work as a stopgap to produce income.Volunteer to make new relationships and to build or hone skills.

11. Consider starting a business on the side.

12. Take a class or update your skills in some other way.

13. Roll your retirement account into an IRA and allocate your investments appropriately for your situation.

Now may not be the best time to pursue a risky investment strategy.

No one likes losing a job, but it happens. If you see it as an opportunity and face the future with hope and confidence, your chance of success improves.

If you or someone you know ever needs this information, I hope it helps with a fairly quick and beneficial transition to satisfying employment.

Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior Financial Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, www.ronblue.com/ location-al. He can be reached at 334-270-5960, or by e-mail at alan.wallace@ronblue.com. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013 21

in every life

Do Adults Need Shots?

T

he answer is YES! Many serious diseases can be prevented with vaccines. Although most adults in the U.S. were immunized as children for contagious diseases, immunity decreases with time.

With aging there may be risk for new or different diseases. Revaccinations (“boosters”) help our bodies increase immunity against certain diseases. It is very important to discuss vaccinations Arlene Morris with your healthcare provider because some preventable diseases can cause serious effects in adults with particular chronic conditions. Individuals with certain conditions might be advised to wait or avoid particular vaccinations. The goal is to make informed decisions about the best protection for your health and that of your family.

This past February the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the recommended vaccination schedule for adults. It can be accessed on the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/. Click on Adults 19 and Older. You can also take a three-minute interactive quiz to prepare you to discuss immunizations with your healthcare provider. It can be found at www2a.cdc.gov/nip.

Tdap One particular revision to recommended vaccinations for adults concerns the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination. It is now recommended as a one-time vaccine, irrespective of the last date of tetanus immunization. This is for all adults over the age of 19 and all pregnant women during the last trimester. The revision is based on findings that immunity for pertussis (whooping cough) decreases over time, and adults may be contagious to infants too young to be fully vaccinated. Following the Tdap vaccination, a Tetanus/diphtheria (Td) booster is recommended

every 10 years or at a time of specific need.

Flu A flu vaccine is recommended each year, specific for anticipated strains.

Shingles After the age of 60, a Zoster vaccination for shingles is recommended.

Pneumonia After age 65, one of two types of pneumococcal vaccinations are suggested.

Other immunizations are recommended for adults with special health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, other cardiovascular disease, lung disease including asthma, kidney disease, liver disease, HIV infection, or weakened immune system.

Although the incidence of some of these diseases has decreased, they can again become epidemic without immunizations.Vaccinations benefit not only the person receiving them, but future generations as well when disease prevalence is reduced or eliminated.

Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing. Reach her at amorris@aum.edu..

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May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

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By William Shakespeare May 10 & 18 To Kill a Mockingbird

By Christopher Sergel Adapted from the novel by Harper Lee

March 8–24; May 12–18 Twelfth Night

By William Shakespeare

March 28–30; April 23 & 30; May 9 Around the World in 80 Days

By Mark Brown Based on the novel

by Jules Verne

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By Yazmina Reza

April 18–May 19

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Watchin ‘Em Grow

crafty corner

F

1.

2.

4.

3.

5.

6.

or a fun, educational, and best of all for young folks - GROSS - weekend activity, make homemade seedling planters. It’ll spark your grandchild’s interest in growing things, and get them outside to enjoy the pleasant weather. It’s relatively simple, inexpensive, and easily broken down into three steps - Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

Best of all, once completed, the grandkids will insist on returning often to check on the Callie Corley growth status of their seedlings.

Materials Needed: Newspaper, blender, muffin tin, potting soil, seeds, sunshine.

If you’re like me, you have old newspapers lying around waiting to be used for...something.Your Friday night segment starts with destruction, always a fun activity for young ones.

Tear several pages of newspaper into strips or squares. Nothing too big, and there doesn’t have to be a pattern. It takes roughly one newspaper page for each seedling planter (muffin cup). Once you’ve torn enough paper for the number of ‘planters’ in your muffin tin, place the paper in a bowl of water and soak overnight.

Your Saturday segment starts with putting the soaked newspaper into a blender with enough water to cover the paper. You’ll have to find a good rhythm to blend the pulp, but when done, it should feel like the bottom of the lake between your toes - gross and unappealing to adults, but a wonderful sensory opportunity for the kids. (Note: Wash the blender thoroughly when finished to avoid pulp residue in your morning smoothie!)

Take the pulp out of the blender, place it in a strainer/colander, and squeeze out some of the water. Don’t get all the water out. The pulp needs to be moldable. If it’s too dry it won’t stick together.

Take a palm of pulp and press it into the bottom of the tin, then do the same with the sides to form ‘pulp cups’. Once the pulp is pressed into the muffin tin, use a paper towel and carefully soaked up as much water as you can.You can’t get it all, but you’ll be surprised what a little pressure will produce.Your next ingredient is outside - sunshine.

Place the muffin tin/pulp planters in the sun. Depending on the amount of sunlight, the temperature and humidity, it can take all day for the planters to dry. An overcast, humid day is not the best for this outdoor step. Don’t remove the planters until they’re completely dry or they might fall apart. The final day of your three-day adventure is Sunday, planting day!

With your planters are completely dry, fill them with soil, poke in a seed of two of your favorite growing thing, add a little water, and let Nature take over. A wonderfully protective environment for your planters is a window sill with a bowl underneath to catch excess water. After the seedlings sprout, you’ll have another fun weekend when the little ones return to plant the whole thing - homemade planters, soil, and sprouting seeds - in your backyard.

Callie Corley began crafting when she was old enough to hold a pencil, squeeze a glue bottle, and use a pair of scissors. Send pictures and a description of this project, or any of your craft projects, to primemagdesign@gmail.com. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

23

social security

“Extra Help” for Your Mom

T

hink of all the times and ways Mom has helped you over the years — when you were a child, and after you became an adult.

With Mother’s Kylle’ McKinney Day upon us, now is a good time to pay Mom back with a little Extra Help — with her Medicare prescription drug costs.

If your mother is covered by Medicare and has limited income and resources, she may be eligible for Extra Help — available through Social Security — to pay part of her monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments.

The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year.

That means putting $4,000 in Mom’s pocket without having to spend a dime!

To figure out whether your mother is eligible, Social Security needs to know her income and the value of her savings, investments and real estate (other than the home in which she lives). To qualify for the Extra Help, she must be receiving Medicare and have: n Income limited to $17,235 for an individual or $23,265 for a married couple living together.

Even if her annual income is higher, she still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments.

Some examples where income may be higher include if she and, if married, her spouse: m Support other family mem-

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May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

bers who live with them; m Have earnings from work; or m Live in Alaska or Hawaii. n Resources limited to $13,300 for an individual or $26,580 for a married couple living together.

Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds.

We do not count her house or car as a resource.

Social Security has an easy-to-use online application that you can help complete for your mom.You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp. To apply by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA1020). Or go to the nearest Social Security office.

Find the Social Security office nearest you by using our online office locator.You’ll find it at the bottom of the “Popular Services” section at www.socialsecurity.gov.

To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Mom has always been there to help you. She’s sure to appreciate a little Extra Help this Mother’s Day — especially if you can show her how to put $4,000 in her pocket. Keep in mind as Father’s Day approaches, you can get the same “free gift” of Extra Help for Dad, too! Learn more by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.

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.

elder fraud

Fraud of the Century T

he slow economic recovery and volatile stock markets are making ‘investing’ through the supposedly secretive portfolios of ‘prime banks’ seem more appealing. Promoters claim prime bank trading programs Joseph Borg can yield huge returns with NO risk. In reality, ‘prime banks’ do not exist, nor do the instruments in which they claim to trade.

In a typical pitch, increasingly made over the Internet, investors are promised access to secret, high-yield investments made through trades among the world’s top, or ‘prime,’ banks. Prime bank promoters falsely claim their investments are guaranteed or secured by various types of collateral or insurance.

So many prime bank scams succeed in stealing investors’ money, that the Commercial Crime Bureau of the International Chamber of Commerce calls them the “fraud of the century.”

State securities regulators find that many victims of prime bank scams fail to report their losses because they don’t want to appear foolish. Others simply

“My dress and gloves?

Kynard Korner, of course.”

Eastbrook Flea Market & Antique Mall 425 Coliseum Blvd.

Montgomery • 334-277-4027

KynardKornerReinVintageBoutique

can’t believe close friends, trusted business associates, or people they met at church ripped them off. Over the past decade, federal and state regulators have brought actions on behalf of thousands of people nationwide who have invested billions of dollars in prime bank scams.

Very little is ever recovered and the criminals are usually long gone.

Prime bank scam artists come from all backgrounds. In Alabama, a real estate broker, a community college professor and a licensed stockbroker joined forces to scam more than $2,000,000. Investors, including some of the professor’s students, were promised 40 percent to 50 percent annual returns through “the systemic purchase and resale of prime bank instruments with major world banks.” In reality, investor funds were used to make mortgage payments, buy furniture, purchase expensive cars and pay for vacations to Europe.

One reason 'prime bank' scam artists are able to mislead people is because the instruments they claim to be using – standby letters of credit, bank debentures and bank-secured trading programs, to name a few – mimic legitimate financial instruments closely enough to deceive people outside the specialized world of international banking.

Before making any investment, the Alabama Securities Commission urges

investors to ask the following questions: •Are the seller and investment licensed and registered in Alabama? If not, they may be operating illegally.

•Has the seller provided written information that fully explains the investment?

Jargon that sounds sophisticated, but makes no sense, is a red flag for fraud.

•Are claims made for the investment realistic? Pie-in-the-sky promises often signal investment fraud.

•Does the investment meet your personal investment goals? Whether you’re investing for long-term growth, investment income, or other reasons, an investment should match your own investment goals.

Contact ASC regarding securities broker-dealers, agents, investment advisors, investment advisor representatives, financial planners, the registration status of securities, to report suspected fraud or to obtain consumer information.

Joseph Borg is Director of the Alabama Securities Commission. Schedule a Wise & Safe Investing seminar in your community by calling ASC’s Education and Public Affairs Division, 334-353-4858, or visit www.asc. alabama.gov for free information and educational materials. This article is provided by a generous grant from the Investor Protection Trust, www.investorprotection.org. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

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feature

Better Speech and Hearing Month Excessive noise is the No. #1 cause of hearing loss.

Ear Facts Cicadas have hearing organs in their stomachs. n Crickets have hearing organs in their knees. n Male mosquitoes hear with thousands of tiny hairs growing on their antennae. n Fish don’t have ears; they hear through pressure changes along ridges on their bodies.

• Snakes don’t have ears; their tongues are sensitive to sound vibrations. n The human ear has more than 25,000 tiny hair cells to help you hear the nuances of sound. n Parrots were kept on the Eiffel Tower in Paris during World War I. Their remarkable sense of hearing allowed them to hear enemy aircraft long before a human ear could detect an approaching plane. n

By the Numbers

n 85 — percentage of children who will experience at least one ear infection n 25 — percentage of workers exposed to high noise levels who will experience hearing loss n 13 — percentage of physicians who screen for hearing loss

What’s in a name?

Otitis Media

Infection or inflammation of the middle ear, primarily affecting children due to the shape of the young Eustachian tube, and the most common cause of hearing loss in children. If treated appropriately, hearing loss related to otitis media can be alleviated.

Tinnitus “Ringing in the ears” ranging from loud roaring to clicking, humming, or buzzing, most often caused by damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Medical treatments and assistive devices may provide some relief.

Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) Infection of the outer ear structures caused when water is trapped in the ear canal leading to a collection of trapped bacteria. In severe cases, the ear canal may swell shut, leading to temporary hearing loss and making administration of medications difficult.

Earwax (Cerumen) Produced by special glands in the outer part of the ear canal, designed to trap dust and dirt particles to keep them from reaching the eardrum. Its accumulation is a common and treatable cause of hearing loss.

Perforated Eardrum A hole or rupture in the eardrum, a thin membrane separating the ear canal and the middle ear. Often accompanied by decreased hearing, occasional discharge and possible pain. Serious problems can occur if water or bacteria enter the middle ear through the hole.

Information provided by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (www.entnet.org), Better Hearing Institute (www.betterhearing. org), and Rick Love, M.D., All Ears Hearing Centers, Montgomery (www.allearscenters.com).

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May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Age, Speech and Hearing

Tips for preventing communication disorders n reduce stroke risk (stop smoking, control blood pressure, exercise regularly) n use helmets and seat belts to prevent brain injury n get regular checkups, including hearing tests n protect your voice (don’t yell or talk in noisy places, drink plenty of water, avoid smoking) n turn down the TV/ radio when talking with others (you’ll hear better and avoid having to raise your voice) n keep your mind sharp (do puzzles, read, keep up with current events) n stay active and social (meet regularly with friends, get involved in your community, volunteer)

Careers associated with increased risk of hearing loss include: n firefighter n police officer n factory/construction worker n farmer n military personnel n musician/entertainment industry professional

What’s a decibel?

Sound is measured in decibels, written dBs, with near total silence being 0 (zero) dB. For example, a dishwasher is 75dBs. Continued exposure over time to sounds 85 dBs or greater will result in some degree of hearing loss.

How do you know what’s too loud? Fill in the blanks below to test your knowledge of just how loud things are in your daily life. Answers are below (upside down, of course). whisper

______ dB normal conversation

______ dB dishwasher

______ dB motorcycle

______ dB lawn mower

______ dB personal stereo at max volume ______ dB movie theatre

______ dB rock concert, jet engine, siren ______ dB gunshot, firecracker

______ dB

Activities that increase risk of hearing damage include: n playing with noisy toys or video games n listening to personal music players/stereos at high volumes n attending concerts and movies n operating lawn mowers, leaf blowers, power tools n riding off-road vehicles and snowmobiles ANSWERS: whisper 15-30 dB; normal conversation 60 dB; dishwasher 75 dB; motorcycle 85-115 dB; lawn mower 90 dB; personal stereo at max volume 105 dB; movie theatre 118 dB; rock concert, jet engine, siren 120 dB; gunshot, firecracker 140 dB

As people age, normal changes occur in hearing, speech, language, memory and swallowing. After the age of 55 there is an increased risk of hearing loss, stroke, dementia and Parkinson's disease, all of which can lead to a related communication disorder. Warning signs of speech, language, and hearing problems include: n sudden trouble talking, thinking, or moving parts of your body n turning the TV louder or asking people to repeat themselves n trouble remembering appointments or how to do familiar tasks n a hoarse voice or easily losing your voice n trouble speaking clearly that gets worse over time

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

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Games Across 1 *Rock conqueror?

6 Ilk 10 *Soy milk brand 14 Diminish, as trust 15 Court target 16 Singer with the platinum 1992 album "The Celts" 17 *Dental checkup freebie 19 Hungarian spa city 20 "30 Rock" is loosely based on it, briefly 21 Georgia campus 22 Transparent personality?

23 Webber's partner 24 Stink ending 25 Are proper for 28 *Wile E. Coyote buy 32 Napoleon, before seeing Elba?

33 Its symbol is "$" 34 West Bank initials 35 *Gets creative 39 *Extent 41 "Alice" spinoff 42 Gives goose bumps, maybe 44 Pennsylvania port 45 *Flashy display 48 Umbrella brand 49 Idiot 50 Finalize, as a comic strip

52 Pub drinks 54 Sudden outpouring 55 Sch. with a Phoenix campus 58 Comic book buyer of old?

59 *Beginner's piano piece 61 Analogous 62 Forceful takeover 63 John who played Gomez Addams 64 *Forged check 65 Maker of Kate Moss fragrances 66 It celebrates National Day on October 1 (and it's where the answers to starred clues were invented) Down 1 Bo and Barney, e.g.

2 Mountain climber Ralston, subject of "127 Hours" 3 Hustler's game 4 Atlanta summer hrs.

5 Warm up 6 Crowd 7 Words to one on deck 8 Nosegay 9 Bk. before Philippians 10 Envision a way

11 To a great extent 12 Caustic fluids 13 Go-__ 18 ASCAP rival 22 Union member?

23 Like pintos 24 Lhasa __ 25 Alberta national park 26 "Christ Stopped at __" 27 Amount requiring a credit card authorization 29 Japanese chip maker 30 Borden mascot 31 Derby prize 36 Some green acres 37 "Star Wars" tree-dweller 38 Sun. talk 40 Drudge 43 Abandon, with "on" 46 Oregon Ducks' home 47 Irritable 48 Pin in a shirt 51 Gold units: Abbr.

52 Mt. Rushmore's state 53 Joint Web project 54 "Buzz off!"

55 When Emile sings "Some Enchanted Evening" 56 Word with care or cream 57 Oliver North's alma mater: Abbr.

59 V x LX 60 -like relative (c)2013 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

(Answers on page 34.)

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yard ‘n garden

Grow Better ‘Maters M

y gardening friends wonder why I'm so successful growing tomatoes in Montgomery. It’s certainly not the soil or any special chemical/fertilizer. I believe the trick is simply planting early. I’ll briefly explain the science, then discuss my hands-on approach to tomato-growing success.

Fact: Tomatoes normally will not fruit with night temperatures consistently above 72 degrees. It’s not the high 95 degree days that limit tomato production, it's the minimum temperatures of 73 and above that occur here in late July through early September. When temperatures drop, the air can hold more water, thus humidity increases.

In Alabama, our average summer humidity during the day is 50-60%. At night it jumps to 70-100% causing some plants to stress out. With the high nighttime temperatures, they simply can't recover enough to deal with the scorching daytime heat. The longer tomato plants are exposed to high night temperatures, the more detrimental it is to flowering. This is also the science behind the term Blossom Drop.

That’s why I stress planting tomatoes early even at the risk of a few late-frost days. The average last freeze day in Montgomery is mid- March (also the time to pay attention to your hummingbird feeder), so planting how shouldn’t be an issue.

California, the capital of tomato production, has high daytime temps, but at night the temps drop significantly, similar to desert conditions. In addition to tomatoes, high nighttime temperatures are also detrimental to numerous types of flowers such as petunias and marigolds.

Depending on my soil's moisture content, I transplant tomatoes (approximately 10 inches) as soon as I can in March, covering the plants if temperatures hover near 32 degrees.

More threatening to my tender young tomato plants are the strong winds that often occur in spring with frontal passages.

Consequently, I purchased teepee insulators. These have water-filled walls which warm up under the sun’s rays, protecting plants from frost, strong winds and the occasional hail storm.You can find these tepees in many garden catalogues. Most gardeners have extra plant pots which can also be used to shield plants from harsh conditions. The drawback with pots is that you have to remove them at some point during the day, and you may not be available to do so.

Other props that provide a jump start in the garden are black landscape fabric and chipped leaves. I use them in my squash and cucumber beds to warm up the soil. All this takes more effort, but it’s worth it when I bite into my first harvested tomato.

So on a typical 95-degree day in August, with your tomato plants stressed and you wondering why they’re not producing, remember - you can't fight the weather. Plant early, so tomatoes fruit before the night temps are consistently above 72 degrees.

Happy gardening!

Christine Shoup is a member of the Capital City Master Gardener Association. For more information visit their website, www.capcitymga.org, or e-mail capcitymga@gmail.com. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

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MONTGOMERY

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

Summer Camp Fairytale Ballet Camp June 10-28

Summer Camp

Ages 8 and Older M-F, 9:30-4:00 Pointe, Pre-Pointe, Men’s Class, Variations, Repertory, Modern, Jazz.

Fairytale Camp

Ages 3 to 8 M-F, 9:00-Noon Age 3-5, June 10-14 Age 5-7, June 17-21 Age 6-8, June 24-28 (Daily snack) For information/registration • 334-409-0522 • www.montgomeryballet.org 30

May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

Moving free with mirabai

The Eiffel Tower & Thigh Bones

I

first became interested in bones as a young dancer (about 200,000 years ago, in the Mid Paleolithic era). I was studying body alignment, fascinated with the skeleton and the remarkable living tissue that makes up Mirabai Holland our bones, intrigued by the intricate architectural structure of bone. There’s the smooth, hard shell on the outside called cortical bone, and the amazing crisscrossed, honeycomb-like structure on the inside called trabecular bone. The combination of cortical and trabecular bone make our skeletons strong, light, flexible and efficient. The structure of trabecular bone is the secret ingredient.

The trabecular bracing structure is located at precisely the correct angles to absorb the maximum force. When you jump over a puddle or run for a bus, it’s the trabecular bracing that directs the force to the strongest part of your skeleton and prevents a bone from breaking.

Most of us aren’t aware of our beautiful bone structure, but it hasn’t gone unnoticed or unutilized.

The structure of trabecular bone was copied by the French bridge builder Gustave Eiffel, who wanted to build the tallest man-made structure in the world. When he built the Eiffel Tower in 1889, he calculated the positioning of the braces in the curves of the legs to direct any force on the structure, like high winds, to the strongest area; the four legs.

This is why the Eiffel Tower continues to stand the test of time. That’s fine for an iron tower. If part of it becomes weakened you can see it and fix it. But what happens to weakened or damaged areas of our skeletons?

Our bones are pretty smart. They don’t grow

to adult size and stop, but constantly get rid of old, weakened bone tissue and replace it with new, healthy bone. It’s a process called remodeling, where weakened areas are broken down and replaced with well-formed tissue.

Our bodies replace about 10% of our bone each year. In bones with osteoporosis, this remodeling process is out of whack. Those sturdy crisscrossed structures disappear and bones get weak and start to fracture. Fractures occur most often where there is the most trabecular bone.

The spine is about 90% trabecular bone. So the vertebrae start to squash under the weight of the torso. The thighbone at the hip is about 50% trabecular bone.

So it can break just stepping off a curb.The wrist is about 25% trabecular bone and it will likely break if you put out your hands to catch yourself in a fall. There’s a lot you can do to prevent osteoporosis and maintain bone health.

Weight bearing exercise like walking, jogging, aerobic dance and weight resistance training, stimulate the remodeling process and promote bone growth.

Exercise should be site-specific.

Do weight-bearing and resistance exercises for the whole body, paying special attention to the areas most at risk; the spine, the hip, and the wrist. Calcium and Vitamin D are also important.You can learn more on the National Osteoporosis Foundation’s website at http://www.nof.org/.

Your bones are living tissue. Take care of them and they’ll take care of you.

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

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

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prime diversions

Recent dvd releases Gangster Squad, Broken City & Jack Reacher

Gangster Squad (R) Heavy on violence, and probably light on the historic basis for the script, this gritty crime drama, set in Los Angeles’ post-war boom of the late 1940s, pits some hard-nosed cops against a mobster who was trying to make the place like Capone’s Chicago in the Roaring Twenties.

As portrayed here, Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) was a vicious psychopath well on his way to building an empire, complete with crooked cops and politicians. The LAPD Chief (Nick Nolte) puts Josh Brolin in charge of a secret, off-the-books cadre of cops to break the back of Cohen’s syndicate by whatever means were required.

The premise gives us plenty of gore, and allows Penn to chew almost as much scenery as Al Pacino did playing Tony Montana in Scarface. Brolin’s an ex-GI, backed by Ryan Gosling.

His character is more focused on chasing skirts than solving crimes, which draws him to Cohen’s current arm candy (Emma Stone). The noirish theme and era evoke comparisons to one of the great films in this milieu, L.A. Confidential. But these characters and the script fall far short of that standard.

That still leaves enough room for a pretty satisfying shoot‘em-up for an adrenaline antidote to whatever ails you.

Broken City (R) This urban political/crime drama is surprisingly well-scripted, with more than its fair share of twists and turns.

Mark Wahlberg plays a hard-nosed New York cop, who is stripped of his badge early in the film over a controversy about his shooting an alleged rapist. Although the mayor (Russell Crowe) understands and approves of what he did, public outrage over what may have been excessive force compels The Brass to throw Wahlberg under the proverbial bus.

The story jumps ahead seven years. He’s been struggling to exist as a private detective. Suddenly, Hizzoner calls him in for a lucrative job - tailing his wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) to see who she’s boinking.

That results in photos of her meetings with the campaign manager of his opponent in the final week before voting in 32 May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

his neck-and-neck race for re-election.

A huge real estate deal regarding an existing housing project is the hot-button Mark Glass topic. Did the mayor save the city from bankruptcy, or lavish a bonanza on his wealthy supporters at the expense of the residents?

Brian Tucker’s script is particularly impressive for a rookie. Director Allen Hughes’ experience in the genre helps, with the pacing and mostly non-glamorous settings well-suited to the material.

The rating comes more from violence than sexual content, and is relatively restrained. Wahlberg, Crowe and Jeffrey Wright (the police chief) add solid performances. This is Crowe’s second recent role as a distinctly unlikable character, following his Inspector Javert in Les Miserables. Could he be trying to supplant Mel Gibson as everyone’s least-favorite Australian actor?

Jack Reacher (R) Tom Cruise still has the chops to play an action hero, even if this vehicle has more than its share of flaws. The lead dude is a former Army MP who has chosen to live off the grid.

But Jack turns out to be more like a Jason Bourne than most military cops.

When a former sniper seems to have killed five random citizens in a Pittsburgh shooting spree, Cruise blows into town. Initially, he wants to make sure the guy fries for it, based on something unjust that happened in Iraq, leaving unfinished business between them. But we soon learn that all may not be what it seems, forcing Cruise into supersleuth mode for a Mission Improbable on the who and the why of this tragedy.

The film is somewhat longer than needed to sustain the right levels of dramatic tension.

Even so, the script keeps us guessing on one important point until the climax.

After the inevitable Climactic Moment, the ending is unfortunately tainted with bits of Hollywood schmaltz that may be hazardous to anyone’s cinematic cholesterol levels. Caution - there may be sequels.

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

calender Capitol Showcase Consumer Art Exhibition May 1-30. Old Supreme Court Library, State Capitol Artwork by Alabamians with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders. For info contact AL Dept. of Mental Health, 334-242-3417.

First Thursday Art Shows May 2. Cool Beans at the Cafe D’Art Enjoy art and artists’ comments with hors d’ouvres and drinks. May’s art theme is Animals. For info call 334-269-3302.

Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum Fri., Sat, Sun. Wetumpka Adult $7, children 6-12 $5, under 6 free with adult. For info call 334-567-6463 or visit www.jasminehill.org/.

Flimp Festival, Quidditch Tournament May 4. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts $5 adults, $3 children under 12, free for Museum members. Artists, art making, chalk art, entertainment, food, treasure hunt. For info call 334240-4333 or visit www. mmfa.org.

Second Saturday May 11. Riverfront Park Free, family-friendly. Live entertainment, games, food vendors, face painting, magician. For info visit www.funontheriver.net Jam Sessions May 11, 25. Old Alabama Town Bring your acoustic instruments and join in. For info visit www.oldalabamatown.com Riverbend Brew Fest/River Jam May 18. Riverwalk Craft, seasonal, specialty beers/ales from local, regional, national breweries. Live music. $20.Visit www.funontheriver.net.

Songwriters-inthe-Round May 21. Cloverdale Playhouse. $10. For info call 334-262-1530.

Firebreather at the 2012 Montgomery Street Fair.

Spring Concert Series May 5, 12, 19, 26. Cloverdale-Idlewild Association, Bottom Park. Free. Leashed dogs welcome. For performers visit www. oldcloverdale.org/.

“Viva la Vida” May 7. AUM, Taylor Center, Rm 230 American Diabetes Association & Southeastern Diabetes Education Services. Information, prizes, silent auction, Latin Dance demos, Latin inspired dinner. $30. For info call 334-245-4006 or e-mail vivalavidaevent@gmail.com Taste of the Gardens May 9. Southern Homes & Gardens,Vaughn Rd. American Red Cross silent auction, wine, music, taste of area restaurants/caterers. $20. For info contact Kelly Hodges, 334260-4016, or e-mail kelly.hodges@redcross.org.

Montgomery Street Fair May 11. Court Sq. and Dexter Ave. Artists, crafts, musicians, acrobats, soapbox derby. Free. For information visit www.helicitymgm.org or www.midtownmontgomeryliving.com.

Montgomery Symphony Pops Concert May 24. Archives & History lawn. For info call 334-240-4004 or visit www.montgomerysymphony.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS VFW Post 96. Last Mon. Golden Corral, Eastern By-Pass.

For info call Malcolm Brassell, 334-272-3292.

Hearing Loss Support Group. 2nd Thurs., 4 pm,.

First United Methodist Church. Speakers, hearing screenings, refreshments. For info call 334-262-3650.

Disabled American Veterans. Last Thurs., 5:30 pm. 906 Maxwell Blvd.Vets of all conflicts. For info call 334-294-1551.

Vietnam Veterans of America. 1st. Mon., 6:30 pm.

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

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group. 1st Thurs., 11 am, Frazer Church. For info 334-272-8622.

Montgomery Area Council on Aging. Meals, transportation, outreach services, classes, bingo.Various days, times, locales. 115 E. Jefferson St. For info. 334-263-0532. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

33

Jubilee Pops Montgomery Symphony Orchestra

FREE Jubilee Pops Concert Friday, May 24 • 7pm Archives & History Lawn • Downtown montgomerysymphony.org

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May 2013 | www.primemontgomery.com

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2013

Imagine life without the annoying

hissing, whistling, ringing & buzzing of

Tinnitus.

(a condition where sounds are perceived that are not present in the environment)

In many cases Tinnitus can be reduced or eliminated. A simple, in-office evaluation, covered by many insurance carriers, can help determine your treatment options.

Schedule your Tinnitus Evaluation today.

Call 334-281-8400

6912 Winton Blount Blvd.

Montgomery, AL 36117 334-281-8400 • www.allearscenters.com