Prime May 2014 by Bob Corley

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

remoDel & renovate

Dalraida:

My Old Neighborhood by Rheta Grimsley Johnson • Where to Retire (Part 3) • “Devilish” Angel Plant • Putting Bream to Bed • Veggie Spring Rolls May 2014

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Comfort and Luxury in a Gated Community

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May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

May 2014

Table of Contents Editor’s Notes

Quick Reads

Yard ‘n Garden

Devilish “Angels”

Dalraida: My Neighborhood

In Every Life

A Gracious Plenty

Medicare

Money Wi$e

Tinseltown Talks

Home Renovation

Puzzles

Social Security

Moving Free

Prime Vintage

Prime Diversion

Special to Prime

Protecting Your Skin Veggie Spring Rolls

Compare Healthcare On-line Best states for retirees: Part 3

Mr. Spock: Behind the Camera Revamp your kitchen

Nationally syndicated columnist Rheta Grimsley Johnson remembers Dalraida, her old Montgomery neighborhood.

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

remoDel & renovate

Dalraida:

My Old Neighborhood by Rheta Grimsley Johnson • Where to Retire (Part 3) • “Devilish” Angel Plant • Putting Bream to Bed • Veggie Spring Rolls May 2014

Style Before Price

Retirement Retrofit

Helping Mom

In the market to remodel and renovate your home? Whether you plan to sell, or want to improve your living environment for your own enjoyment, our Home Renovation features offer ideas that can help guide you through the process.

“Clicking” joints

Wine: Taste the Place DVD Releases for May

Calendar of Events

Off the Beaten Path

Phone calls, full moons & fishing

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2014

Prime T

Editor’s Note

Montgomery

May 2014 Vol. 5, Issue 2

PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Barbara Ballinger, Rheta Grimsley Johnson, Matthew M.F. Miller, Dan Rafter CONTRIBUTORS Tina Calligas, Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Mirabai Holland, Cathy Maddox, Kylle’ McKinney, Bob Moos, Arlene Morris, Nick Thomas, Alan Wallace, David White 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 2014 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.

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

his month, syndicated national columnist and Pulitzer Prize nominee Rheta Grimsley Johnson contributes a special story just for readers of Prime! Rheta, who grew up in Montgomery, details her memories of living in the city’s eastern Dalraida neighborhood in The Neighbor in the Neighborhood (page 10). It’s a must-read. Although we didn’t know each other as small children, I grew up right around the corner from Rheta and we both attended Dalraida Elementary School. My parents bought our house for $9,000 in April, 1952, and we lived in the sweet little home aptly situated on Honeysuckle Road for nine years. Whether it was because I spent every possible minute outside, or because children find close quarters comforting, I never once considered our 1,500 square foot home cramped – despite the fact that by the summer of 1961our family had increased to five. It was quite a trek from Dalraida to the intersection of Air Base Boulevard and Fairview, where my dad and his brother Gus established the Riviera Restaurant in 1955. Never one to suffer in silence, Dad regularly urged Mom to look for another home, across town and closer to his business. My brother and I were scared to death our parents would do the unthinkable and move us into one of those sprawling, upscale neighborhoods. Thankfully, saner heads prevailed. The Honeysuckle house was situated at the top of a hill with a road that wound down to the Three Mile Branch, where my brother and his buddies caught tadpoles each spring. I was fascinated by these cute little creatures, and spellbound by their willing transition into ugly frogs. When Mom learned I’d secretly followed Vic down to the branch one day, my obsession with tadpoles and daydreams of a career in biology ended.Very quickly. Not far from the Three Mile Branch, Eastbrook Shopping Center created quite a stir when it was built in the mid-to-late 1950s. Dalraida was still a new development with few nearby shopping opportunities. When Eastbrook brought Montgomery Fair, Woolworth’s, a grocery and a toy store, we knew we’d all died and gone to heaven. During the shopping center’s Grand Opening, promoters even held a “Little Miss Eastbrook” contest, and I participated. In those days we all watched Miss America competitions and the pageant’s lessons were not lost, even on a sixyear-old. I did my best to impress the judges by smiling and blowing kisses at them (really) and was shocked to the core when I didn’t win. Dad couldn’t bring himself to sell the house when we finally moved in 1961, so he kept it as rental property for 18 years. Lucky for me the house was empty when Bob and I married, and I asked my father if we could live there. Always sentimental, he was thrilled at the prospect of family living in the Honeysuckle property again. But walking into the house again felt strange. It had definitely shrunk over the years. The single bath stuck out like a sore thumb, and there was no dishwasher. Thinking I might withdraw my request, I walked out into the single car garage. Looking up at the unfinished wall I saw my name, along with my brother’s. It was still there, where it had been spray painted many years earlier by a young father, pulling out all the stops to entertain his children. It was good to be home again.

Sandra Polizos Editor

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quick reads Tomatoes May Lower Breast Cancer Risk A tomato-rich diet may help protect at-risk postmenopausal women from breast cancer, according to new research accepted for publication in The Endocrine Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Breast cancer risk rises in postmenopausal women as their body mass index climbs. The study found eating a diet high in tomatoes had a positive effect on the level of hormones that play a role in regulating fat and sugar metabolism.

Citrus and Stroke Risk Eating foods with vitamin C may reduce your risk of the most common type of hemorrhagic stroke, according to a study to be presented at the American Academy of Neurologyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.Vitamin C is found in fruits and vegetables such as oranges, papaya, peppers, broccoli and strawberries. Hemorrhagic stroke is less common than ischemic stroke, but is more often deadly. Participants in the study were tested for the levels of vitamin C in their blood. Forty-one percent of cases had normal levels of vitamin C, 45 percent showed depleted levels of vitamin C and 14 percent were considered deficient of the vitamin. On average, the people who had a stroke had depleted levels of vitamin C, while those who had not had a stroke had normal levels of the vitamin.

White-Coat Hypertension Not Harmless People diagnosed with "white-coat hypertension" (WCH) are often told by their healthcare providers they don't need treatment because their blood pressure is high only when measured during a visit with the doctor. This phenomenon is thought to result from tension or anxiety about seeing the doctor. However, new findings from a study of hypertension in older adults indicate WCH in people older than 80 may not be harmless after all. The study suggests it may be associated with increased risk of a cardiovascular event such as a stroke or a heart attack, and that treatment for the condition is likely beneficial. The findings are from a small sub-study of a larger, randomized clinical trial, the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial. But the takeaway message is clear. If you're over 80 and your doctor suggests WCH may be the cause of your high in-office blood pressure readings, ask whether you might benefit from drug treatment and other measures to reduce blood pressure, such as exercise, weight loss or dietary strategies. Johns Hopkins Health Alerts www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com 6

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

New Skills, Better Memory Forget crossword puzzles. Researchers are saying that to keep your memory sharp you should be doing more mentally challenging tasks like learning a new skill. A new study, published on-line in Psychological Science, had some participants (ages 60 to 90) learn digital photography, quilting, or both. Others engaged in non-demanding mental activities at home, such as solving word puzzles and listening to classical music, or in social activities like going on field trips, watching movies or playing games. Researchers told the participants to spend 15 hours a week on their “assignments.” After three months, only those participants who actively acquired new skills -photography and/or quilting -- showed improvement in memory. Overall, people who learned digital photography, which included photo editing on a computer, had the most memory improvement. The researchers attribute the memory improvement to the sustained working and long-term memories used to actively learn a new skill. The other activities were more passive, relying on existing knowledge and familiar actions. From Johns Hopkins Health Alerts

Your Eyes are

h i s tory

Fish Oil and Brain Cells People with higher levels of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may also have larger brain volumes in old age, equivalent to preserving one to two years of brain health, according to a study published in the online issue of Neurology®. Performed as part of Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study.. Shrinking brain volume is a sign of Alzheimer’s disease as well as normal aging.

EYE

F A C T S

• Heredity plays a role in certain types of Glaucoma.

Honey Fights Antibiotic Resistance Honey could be one sweet solution to the serious problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, researchers announced at a recent meeting of the American Chemical Society in Dallas. Medical professionals sometimes use honey successfully as a topical dressing, but researchers predict it could play a larger role in fighting infections. “The unique property of honey lies in its ability to fight infection on multiple levels,” said study leader Susan M. Meschwitz, Ph.D., “making it more difficult for bacteria to develop resistance.” Honey uses hydrogen peroxide, acidity, osmotic effect, high sugar concentration and polyphenols, all of which actively kill bacterial cells. The osmotic effect, the result of the high sugar concentration in honey, draws water from the bacterial cells, dehydrating and killing them. Another advantage of honey is that unlike conventional antibiotics, it doesn’t target the essential growth processes of bacteria, which can result in the bacteria building up resistance to the drugs.

• Ask relatives, including parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, about Eye Problems within your extended family. • Discovering your Eye History will alert our doctors to a potential problem. Roy T. Hager, M.D., F.A.C.S. | James D. Izer, M.D. Jeffrey M. Healey, M.D. | Richard M. Murphy, O.D. 4255 Carmichael Court N. Montgomery • 334-277-9111

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

For a free copy of ITEC’s Viewpoint newsletter call 334-277-9111. Visit ITEC’s website at www.eyes-itec.com www.primemontgomery.com | May 2014

yard ‘n garden

“Angel” Plant with a “Devilish” Trick By Cathy Maddox

he light was so bright I had to close my eyes as I got out of my car. Inside the grocery store I welcomed the reduced lighting, but had to put my sunglasses on to shield my eyes when I left. It dawned on me that this was not my usual level of tolerance for sunlight. At home I looked in the mirror and found my pupils quite large. Thinking my eyes were irritated, I took out my contacts and put on my glasses. An hour later my eyes were still dilated. Another hour and still no change. My household medical references indicated dilated pupils could indicate a brain aneurysm, a stroke, high blood pressure, glaucoma, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, and on and on. My general condition and blood pressure led me to the conclusion I did not have other symptoms that accompany these diagnoses. I calmed down, but my pupils remained dilated, and I searched for an explanation. Was there something dangerous on the handle of my shopping cart, or in the drink I purchased at a drive-thru window, or in the change I received following a purchase? My husband came home, checked my eyes - still dilated - but also had no new idea what could be the cause of my predicament. The next morning my eyes had returned to normal. Relieved but still mystified, I went about my morning routine -- watering plants, trimming spent flowers, rearranging pots, reconnecting a vine to a trellis and other minor chores. As I approached my Brugmansia “Angel Trumpet” I noticed it was still looking unhappy and pale. I had removed a handful of yellowing leaves the day before, and there were more fading leaves this morning. Inside, at the computer, i looked up Brugmansia to see if I could find out what to do to make it healthy again. The web8

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

site indicated I may be watering it too much, and that it probably needed more fertilizer. I noticed a blog on the website and clicked on it. There it was! Several stories explained the deadly affects of ingesting any part of this plant, and that having contact with it, and then putting your hands around your eyes, will cause the pupils to dilate and the effect can last up to five days! I had held 15 to 20 leaves from my unhappy Angel Trumpet in my hand the day before while I walked around the yard picking up debris. Mystery solved! Much relieved, I’m sure my fellow gardeners will benefit from my experience. So enjoy your beautiful Angel Trumpets, but beware of their “devilish” tricks. Cathy Maddox is a Master Gardener with the Capital City Master Gardener Association. For information on becoming a master gardener, visit the website, www.capcitymga.org or e-mail capcitymga@ gmail.com.

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www.primemontgomery.com | May 2014

feature

The Neighbor

in the Neighborhood By Rheta Grimsley Johnson

Montgomery Fair photo by John E. Scott, courtesy Robert Fouts, Fouts Commercial Photography. For additional historic photos of Montgomery visit www.historicmontgomery.com. 10

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

he thing that made the Dalraida neighborhood special in the 1960’s was its absolute normality. It had its share of pleasing eccentricities and characters, but the sum of the parts strictly adhered to convention. They don’t make ‘em that way anymore. The churches looked like churches, especially the stone Methodist one. The stores had owners with names. Jake Chambers ran the nursery and toted your camellia bush to the car. The YMCA swimming pool was affordable and a short walk away. The shopping center anchor store, Montgomery Fair, let mesmerized kids go up and down, up and down, on its escalator, the first any of us had seen. The doughnut shop sold holes. The elementary school playground was available after hours. Even the gravel pit had allure, a horse stable nearby and its legendary purpose as a popular parking spot for teenage lovers. We knew our neighbors. We knew our neighbors’ dogs. Dalraida kept the neighbor in neighborhood. The dogs came to visit, just like the people. There were no leash laws, and if a garbage can got knocked over during the night its owner picked it up the next morning and fussed under his breath but took no action. It wasn’t a criminal offense. I lived in the center of this game board of a place from age 9 till 18, attending the Baptist church exactly one block away. I think but can’t say for certain that attendance at Vacation Bible School was mandatory. Might as well have been. Everyone went. The church parking lot was where in summer months I met the bookmobile, the most fascinating rolling vehicle I’ve ever known with its cramped interior and six-book limit. Dalraida Elementary might as well have been Cambridge as seen through my unsophisticated eyes, a citadel of knowledge with a well-lubed process administered by females. We frolicked as hard as we worked, tapped at entry as a Green or a Gold, a division that designated opposing teams for volley ball, kick ball and other games on a day devoted to play: Play Day. I was a

proud Green. Looking back, I think the Green-Gold deal might have been to prepare us for life in our state with its fierce Auburn-Alabama allegiances. My street had small, new ranch houses and puny trees. I thought it beautiful. If there was a nook, a cranny, a crabby elder or an unofficial bicycle path unknown, unexplored, I don’t admit it. Nobody fretted over our absolute freedom to roam the neighborhood called Dalraida. It was safe. We waded in its storm sewers, trick-or-treated its dark doors, skate-boarded its hills, all without noteworthy disaster. There were thousand of southern neighborhoods like Dalraida, truly middle-class and, for the time, fashionably modern in the bath-and-a-half sense.Yet each had its peculiar and geographical allures. Dalraida had shade trees and ample sidewalks and a few old houses with pedigree azaleas. I visit Montgomery now and find my old street looks better than 50 years ago. The trees have matured, for one thing. And today, contrasted with ubiquitous gated “neighborhoods” with houses too large for their lots and people who couldn’t name 10 others on the street with a gun at their temple, Dalraida looks nostalgically appealing. The houses were built before people wanted media rooms and bathrooms the size of Ecuador. There are carports that allow you to see automobiles, not garages that hide them. Dogs no longer roam free, but I bet they are still known by name the way they used to be. Simpler times, I know. No diversity, if you don’t count a few Northerners, I know. No exposure to ethnic foods and cultural adventures or a whole other indigenous race that lived just beyond its perimeters. I understand that well. Dalraida was a period piece. But when I think back to my growing up years, I relish the memory of neighborhood, pure and simple, with its faults and plusses, its working people and curbs and gutters. If in the natural containment we were limited, we also were formed. For better or worse.

Rheta Grimsley Johnson, who grew up in Montgomery, is a syndicated columnist whose essays appear in newspapers across the country. One of three finalists for the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary, Rheta shares these memories exclusively with readers of Prime Montgomery. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2014

In every life

Protecting Against Skin Cancer

e are delighted spring weather is finally here, but it reminds us that May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection/Prevention Month. Anyone of any race can develop skin cancer at any age. Three types of skin cancer are: 1) melanoma; 2) basal cell skin cancer; 3) squamous cell skin cancer. Of these, melanoma is most aggressive and can occur on the skin, in the eye, or on mucous membranes. Arlene Morris Symptoms to look for include: n development of a new/pigmented area on skin, mucus membrane, eye; n changes in a current mole or birthmark; n unusual lump or blemish; n change in the way an area of skin feels. As with other cancers, when melanoma spreads it often goes to nearby lymph nodes. Early diagnosis is vital. Routine examinations by an ophthalmologist to screen for ocular or intraocular melanoma is important, as are routine screenings by dentists and primary healthcare providers to assess for changes in mucus membranes and skin. Prevention is key. One modifiable risk factor is past lengthy exposure to sunlight or light from tanning beds. An additional risk factor is a history of blistering sunburns, especially during childhood and teenage years. Avoiding these risks involve individual or parent choices about behaviors. If you must be outside during the middle of the day, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and loosely woven fabrics that cover the arms and legs can be worn to help block the ultraviolet light rays. Another modifiable risk factor for melanoma that can be limited is environmental exposure to radiation (including from X-rays), or chemicals such as solvents or vinyl chloride. Although not always modifiable, a weakened immune system has been associated with melanoma. Efforts to maintain health and immunity are important to limit risk of melanoma formation. Non-modifiable risk factors include: n a fair complexion that burns easily/tans poorly; n light-colored eyes, red or blond hair; n several moles; n family history of unusual moles, family/personal history of melanoma; n genes associated with melanoma. Although we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change heredity or personal history, awareness that these characteristics are linked to higher risk should make those of us with these characteristics more observant. Early identification can mean prompt treatment and a higher likelihood of cure. As sunshine increases be aware of skin cancer risks, use preventive behaviors, and have screenings for early identification of possible problems. Enjoy your spring! Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing. Reach her at amorris@aum.edu. 12 May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

Resources (search melanoma) American Academy of Dermatology http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/ American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-melanoma/ National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/

gracious plenty

Fresh Avocado and Vegetable Spring Rolls

ou don’t have to dine at Asian restaurants to enjoy fresh spring rolls. Easy to make, fresh veggie spring rolls can be a snack, part of a meal or great appetizer. Brightly colored and crunchy with a fresh taste, spring rolls are packed with cancer-preventive phytonutrients. Thinly julienne sliced vegetables and layered leaves of herbs guarantee a pleasant crunchiness and fresh garden taste. Mint and basil leaves are included in this recipe, but cilantro leaves may be used too. Add a spicy, peppermint flavor with purple-green colored Thai basil (also known as holy basil), common in ethnic markets. Or use sweet basil with its hints of licorice, tarragon and a little sweetness. You might even see a Thai version of sweet basil. Use any basil you prefer or can find. Peanuts add to the crunchiness, while

avocado offers a layer of contrasting creaminess. Both peanuts and avocado provide satiating healthy fat. One secret to great rolls is to lay out all ingredients in an assembly line for easy preparation. Carrots are layered first and the herb leaves last so their pretty colors and patterns will show through the transparent rice paper wrappers. Fresh spring rolls are made complete with a delicious dipping sauce. While there are many great sauces, this recipe combines garlic, fresh lime juice, soy

Spring Rolls Yields: 8 servings n n n n n

1 medium carrot, cut in half crosswise, cut into thin julienne slices 4-5-inches 1 medium cucumber, peeled, cut in half crosswise, cut flesh only into thin julienne slices 4-5-inches 1 medium red pepper, seeded, cut into thin julienne slices 4-5-inches 8 green onions, cut in half lengthwise 4-5-inches 1 medium avocado, cut into 8 lengthwise thin slices

n n n n

sauce, spicy red pepper and a bit of sugar to balance the lime juice. Using reducedsodium soy sauce instead of fish sauce or regular soy sauce reduces the sodium content. You can make spring rolls early in the day and refrigerate to serve later. For a party, cut them in half diagonally to showcase the colorful vegetables and to create more bite size servings, or serve them as a side dish for lunch or dinner. These rolls are a delicious complement to a stir-fry.

1/4 cup finely chopped unsalted dry roasted peanuts 1 bunch fresh sweet basil or Thai basil (about 40 small to medium size leaves) 1 bunch fresh mint (about 40 small to medium size leaves) 8 (about 8-inches) rice paper wrappers or brown rice paper wrappers

Line up all ingredients, except wrappers, in assembly line fashion. In wide, shallow microwave safe dish or pie plate, dunk one wrapper in very warm water until pliable (15-20 secs) or according to package directions. Lay rough side of wrapper face up on workstation in front of ingredients. On center, bottom third of wrapper, layer an eighth of each vegetable and 1 slice avocado in 4-5-inch line. Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon peanuts over top. Line 5 leaves each of basil and mint in a row. Gently lift up bottom of wrapper and fold over filling while pulling filling back with curled fingers to tighten. Roll one more turn and then fold wrapper sides inward over filling, like a burrito. Gently finish rolling and place roll seam side down on platter. Repeat. If water cools, reheat in microwave. Serve rolls whole or cut diagonally in half to showcase filling with dipping sauce. If serving later in day, cover with moist paper towel and plastic wrap. Per roll: 111 calories, 6 g total fat (<1 g saturated fat), 13 g carbohydrate, 3 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 21 mg sodium. On our website, we’ve put a the recipe for a great dipping sauce that compliments these Spring Rolls. Find it under the Gracious Plenty tab of PrimeMontgomery.com.

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2014

medicare

Compare Healthcare Providers T

he Internet can help answer life’s little questions, from movie rating to restaurant recommendations. It can also be used for more important tasks, including comparing nursing homes, hospitals, doctors and home health providers. Four in five Internet users already search the web for information about diseases or medical problems. Using the Internet to compare health care providers is perfectly reasonable, as long as you can trust the websites you’re visiting. Medicare’s “Compare” website fills the bill, and is a good place to begin your research. Nursing Home Compare (medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare) gives you detailed information on 17,000 nursing homes nationwide.You can find a facility’s recent health and safety inspections, staffing levels and how well it prevents problems like urinary tract infections and pressure ulcers. The website uses a star-rating system to point out the differences in quality between nursing homes. The best homes score five stars; the worst receive one. Hospital Compare (medicare.gov/hospitalcompare) puts 4,700 hospitals under the magnifying glass, allowing you to see how facilities fare on many indicators of quality care. For example, you can learn how often patients admitted to a hospital because of heart attacks return within a month of discharge. An unusually low, or high, percentage could say something about how well, or poorly, the hospital treated the problem during the first stay. In an emergency, you need to go to the nearest hospital. But when you do have time, it’s worth discussing with your doctor which hospital best meets your needs. If you’re considering one facility, you may want to know what recent patients thought of their care. Hospital Compare measures customer satisfaction using survey responses from patients.You can find out, for instance, how well a hospital’s patients thought the doctors and nurses keep them informed or managed their pain. Home Health Compare (medicare.gov/homehealthcompare) lets you locate home health care agencies in your area and check on the types of services they offer and the quality of their care.Your doctor, hospital discharge planner or social worker can make some recommendations. But the statistics on Home Health Compare will help you follow up and confirm how well an agency’s patients recover from illnesses or injuries and resume their everyday activities. Dialysis Facility Compare (medicare.gov/dialysisfacilitycompare) describes all Medicare-certified dialysis facilities. Convenience is important, so look at facilities near your home. Pay close attention to the quality-of-care measures. Some facilities will have higher ratings because of the type of patients they serve. Make sure you understand what the 14

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

numbers mean before you make a decision. Ask the dialysis facilities about their quality rating when you visit. And talk to your physician. Physician Compare (medicare.gov/ physiciancompare) allows you to search for doctors who provide Medicare-covered services.You can find basic information about individuals and group practices, such as their business addresses, medical specialties, clinical training and hospital affiliations.You can also check how well certain group practices perform specific tasks, like controlling blood sugar in patients with diabetes. More performance data on doctors will be posted over time. As helpful as the “Compare” website is, it isn’t meant to be the final word on a nursing home or a hospital or a physician’s quality of care. It’s simply a screening tool that lets you focus on a few providers that interest you, so that you can make an informed decision about your care. Bob Moos is Southwest regional public affairs officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid1Services. MCA Ad_Prime Qtr_12.13_Layout 12/10/13 8:59 PM Page 1

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moneywise

Where to Settle O

ne of the great things about retirement is you are not compelled by work to live in a particular place.You get to choose on the basis of your own Alan Wallace values and preferences. While this sounds great, it is a fact that having more choices often makes reaching a decision harder than it would be if fewer options were available. How do you narrow the field of possibilities to a manageable number? Clearly, using cost information (see the March & April columns) is a good starting point unless money is no object for you. But what other factors should you consider? One that is foremost in the minds of many is proximity to their children (and grandchildren). If you have a good relationship with your children and they are in stable work situations, it makes sense to be within a reasonable distance of them. Moving in next door, however, may not be a good idea, and talking with your child about how close is too close might be worthwhile. Some parents move close to adult children in hopes of forming or restoring a close relationship only to be disappointed.Your child, your child’s spouse, and your grandchildren may be less interested in that relationship than you are, and moving near them may trigger frustration and regret. In addition, what will you do if the child you move near relocates for work reasons? A fully informed decision that is not based solely on emotion will likely work out better in the long run. A second issue is non-family social interaction and recreational activities. Moving away from a place you have lived in for many years may make it difficult to maintain local friendships. Do you make new friends easily? How much will the loss of old relationships affect your quality of life? How will you replace the lost relationships in a new place? If you are interested in doing volunteer work or pursuing special hobbies, verify that places you may move to offer the type of opportunities that will be satisfying to you. Third is access to medical care at a cost you can manage. The cost of care is not flat across the country, and some communities have much better medical resources than others. As we age, we face an increased probability of needing an array of quality medical services. If you have particular medical care needs, you certainly should check into the quality of that type of care in any new place that you

consider. A fourth factor has to do with the legal environment in places you consider. The first aspect of this is the crime rate.You likely do not want to find yourself in an area with high rates of illicit activity or where law enforcement is ineffective. Another aspect is a legal environment is dramatically different than what you are familiar with. Examples include Louisiana’s legal roots in the Napoleonic code instead of British common law and a change to a community property state. These are issues you should inquire about ahead of time. Fifth, how will you feel about the geography, weather, and general environment of the place? If you’re a beachcomber, is it really a good idea to move to Iowa? How will you like the winters (or summers) in the place you are considering? If you have allergies, will you be subjected to unbearable pollen conditions there? Once you have investigated each of these, it is a very good idea to visit the areas that you are seriously considering, perhaps at different times of the year, before making a final decision. Places may sound great on paper or in conversation with others, but for reasons you could not anticipate, could be totally unacceptable once you spend a little time there. Be sure to spend some time on site kicking the tires before you go too far. 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 2014

tinseltown talks

Spock: Behind the Camera

s Star Trek’s Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy created one of the most iconic characters in television history. But for the past two decades, Nimoy has transported his career to the other side of the camera and is now regarded as a leading contemporary American photographer. Early in his acting career, he recognized photography could be more than just snapshots on location. “I carried a camera with me wherever I went and began to realize I was missing the place I was in because my eye was behind the camera so much,” Nimoy recalled from his home in Los Angeles. “I had the photographs, but I hadn’t had the experience. So I began using the camera when I was on a specific thematic quest.” The photography bug eventually bit him hard at the pinnacle of his career. “I had finished three seasons of ‘Star Trek’ and two seasons of ‘Mission: Impossible,’ and I actually considered changing careers,” Nimoy explained. “I went to school at UCLA to study photography under master art photography Robert Heineken and became very excited about the prospect.” But with no enthusiasm for commercial photography, he realized a career in fine art photography would be difficult at the time. “So I decided to stay with my acting and directing, although I continued to study photography and work at it.” Around 1994, he became a full-time photographer (while continuing to tackle some film and TV projects of interest), producing work that was largely concept driven – themes that told a story, rather than random, individual photos. His diverse subjects include hands, eggs, landscapes, nudes and dancers, all shot with black and white film cameras. “I have two darkrooms and do my own printing up to a 16" x 20" image,” he said. “I like to be in touch with the whole process.” His provocative Full Body project, published in book form in 2007, featured mostly naked full-figured women. “My original idea was to replicate some rather famous images shot by other photographers who had used fashion models,” said 16

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Courtesy Seth Kaye Photography

do for our grandchildren!” In February, reports surfaced that Nimoy was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a lung ailment that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, affects 13 million Americans and is caused primarily by smoking. “Before I stopped smoking 30 years ago, I was deeply addicted,” he said. “I had to go through various programs before I quit. But by then, the damage was done. In my late 70s and early 80s, I recognized that I did not have great breathing capacity, so wasn’t surprised by the COPD diagnosis.” “I use medication daily and give myself a jolt of oxygen when I need it,” he said. “The main difficulty is high altitudes. We’ve exhibitions in the Boston area (see www.RMichelhad a house in son.com). Lake Tahoe for “The exhibits cover about 20 years of my career, 20 years, which so it’s quite comprehensive.” is a beautiful Although Nimoy’s works can be pricey (up to Nimoy with subject and her life-sized secret self photo. retreat. But at Courtesy Seth Kaye Photography $18,000), more affordable images with a Spock 6,000 ft, I just theme (e.g. the Vulcan hand salute) are sold through can’t go there anymore. Other than that, I’m still very a site managed by his granddaughter (www.shopllap. active and not ready to cash it in yet!” com). Despite rumors throughout his acting career that “She’s quite the entrepreneur and operates it like a classy boutique,” said Nimoy. “There are T-shirts, tote he resented being typecast as Spock, Nimoy says he regards the character with fondness. bags, and photographs signed by me. The things we “I’ve always been proud to be identified with Spock.” And what if J.J. Abrams, the producer/director of the new Star Trek films, approached Lake Martin’s BEST Marina! him for another film role? “I’d take his call, but doubt • Crest Pontoons, Four Winns plus I’d do any acting,” he said. “I other brands of quality boats don’t want to go off on location again. I’m enjoying life • Boat Sales & Service with my family too much.” • Wet & Dry Storage Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn • Ship Store University at Montgomery, Ala. His features and columns have appeared in over 400 newspapers and magazines and can 397 Marina Point Rd. be reached at his blog: http:// Dadeville, AL 36853 • 256-825-0600 getnickt.blogspot.com

Nimoy, “and to use these women in those same poses.” More recently, for his Secret Selves project - his first to be shot in color - he photographed 100 people from all walks of life, each acting out a fantasy identity. Nimoy, 83, is represented by R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, Mass., and has three concurrent From the Shekhina Series, Nimoy’s early work.

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feature

Dream Kitchen Have a clear plan, thoughtful design By Matthew M. F. Miller

he kitchen is high on the list of favorite rooms to remodel, but a full-fledged makeover is fraught with peril. These 12 steps from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Des Plaines, Ill., can help you avoid trouble spots and end up with the kitchen of your dreams.

ways you prepare food now, or how you might in the future. Will you have more than one cook preparing meals at one time? Do you prefer cooking a special type of cuisine that requires more counter or storage space? The most effective design accommodates the way you actually work and live in the kitchen.

1. Take Time to Plan Planning is a critical step in any remodeling project, and never more important than in the kitchen. The first step starts with a critique of your current setup. What works? What doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t? Think about

2. Think Task, Think FootFriendly The floor plan is key to great kitchen design. The most efficient layout of elements allows you and your family to cook and use the room with ease and

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

comfort. Traditionally, designers group common elements in a work triangle or station.You could have a preparation/ cooking station with a separate clean-up area. The clean-up work triangle could include a dishwasher, sink, counter space and recycling center. These elements would be close to one another for maximum efficiency. The goal is to minimize the number of steps between various tasks and to avoid unnecessarily crossing the kitchen. Keep in mind how traffic flows through the room. Kids and family members traipsing through your work triangle reduce the efficiency of the space. 3. Get Beyond the Blueprints Refuse to join the “I-Didn’t-Know-It-Would-Look-Like-That” club. It is imperative you understand what your plans will look like when constructed. Most homeowners have trouble envisioning what a room will look like based on a flat line drawing. A three- dimensional design plan generated on a computer can help, but there’s no substitute for real-life examples.Visit a showroom with life-sized models of various rooms and products. Sketch out a full-scale outline of your kitchen plan in chalk on your garage or basement floor. For colored items, ask to see a large section of the available hues before ordering. Bold colors can look great on a small scale, but they can quickly overwhelm you when covering a large surface. Don’t rely on your imagination for these important decisions. 4. Collect Ideas and Options There’s nothing worse than finishing a remodeling project only to discover the perfect detail you wished you had added. Take the time to research all of your options. Make it your business to know what’s on the market and what’s coming soon. Investigate products. Find out the pros and cons of various options. Clip photos of layouts that inspire or excite you. Allow yourself the luxury of considering a number of design possibilities. You’ll live with your decisions a long time. 5. Don’t Skimp on Storage Is your good china stored in a bedroom closet? Are you tired of stuffing those extra plastic containers in odd nooks and corners? This is the time to inventory the types of items you want to store in the kitchen, including those items you’ve “temporarily” stashed in the attic and basement. Decide what

Decide what elements you absolutely need in your kitchen, which you would like to have, and which ones are, well, a daydream. In most cases, not everything you wish for will fit. you want to store and where you want to store it. There are many innovative new cabinet accessories designed with efficient storage in mind. For maximum efficiency, link storage with your work stations, placing spice containers, for example, within easy reach of the cooktop. 6. Safety Matters Safety should be a primary concern in the kitchen. Carefully consider the potential hazards in your kitchen design. An oven next to a hallway, for example, puts someone at risk for stumbling into an open oven door. Investigate some of the new “smart home” technology, such as ovens with lockout features and “universal design” products that are user-friendly across generations and for a range of physical abilities. 7. Light Up Your Life Don’t wait until the project is over to determine that your kitchen is too dark. While you may consider lighting to be the finishing touch for your room, it’s among the earliest decisions you must make, since the wiring needs to be installed in the walls, behind the cabinets. Plan to use three forms of lighting in your kitchen: ambient, task and accent. Ambient lighting illuminates the entire room. Task lighting illuminates only one area for a specific task – such as undercabinet lighting over a countertop. Accent lights highlight an interesting feature or item, such as a prized china collection. Decide on the moods you want to create in your kitchen – romantic, functional, fun – and create a lighting design that matches those moods. 8. Set Priorities Even dream kitchens can’t have everything.You must set pri www.primemontgomery.com | May 2014

orities for your project based on the size of your kitchen and the size of your budget. Decide what elements you absolutely need in your kitchen, which you would like to have, and which ones are, well, a daydream. In most cases, not everything you wish for will fit. In a small kitchen it may be impossible to install an island and maintain proper clearances. Should you expand the room in order to accommodate your dream? List your wishes, wants and needs, then prioritize each item.You may find that a bump out is necessary to meet your needs, or you may find that you can live without the island or second cooktop. 9. Know When to Say ‘When’ It’s easy to blow your budget in the thick of remodeling. Decide what you can afford before you start designing. Always refer to the cold, hard numbers of your budget before making a product or design decision. Remember, no matter what you decide to spend, you’ll be tempted by a higher-end, more costly option somewhere along the line. Beware the phrases, “While we’re at it, why don’t we…” or “A little more on this faucet won’t make any difference,” or, “It’s only $20 more.” Seek out designers, suppliers and contractors who are willing to work with your budget, not against it. 10. Don’t Work Against the Clock Remodeling contractors say the No. 1 question they’re asked is: “How long will it take?” Ask your contractor for a specific 20 May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

date for the start and substantial completion of the project, but don’t turn target dates into rigid deadlines. Remain flexible.Your renovation may be affected by changes, unexpected occurrences or material delays. Never launch a project before a major event in the home, such as a wedding or holiday gathering. 11. Beware of Change When you ask for something to be changed, there will be a delay and a cost. The same holds true for unexpected events, such as newly discovered termites. You should control the number of changes that you initiate during a project. If you want to make a change, ensure that the change is made in writing and that it is signed by both parties before work begins. Ask for a revised timetable and budget in the event of any changes or unexpected occurrences. 12. Take Time to Prepare You need to prepare for two things during a kitchen remodeling: the construction phase and the inconvenience of being without a kitchen for a period of time. Pack your kitchen items in clearly labeled boxes that can be moved to another part of the home during the project. Set aside items you will need every day, such as your coffeemaker, filters and mugs. Remove fragile items from the walls in neighboring rooms. © CTW Features

feature

Style Before Sale Price By Barbara Ballinger

s fewer homeowners plan to sell, remodeling focuses on personal preference, not return on investment. Before real estate prices plummeted in many markets, homeowners typically remodeled to increase house value. Improving aesthetics and livability was important, but not the top priority. Now, two reports – the National Association of Home Builders’ “Remodeling Market Index” and home design website Houzz.com’s “Houzz and Home Survey” – each indicate that more homeowners plan to tackle remodeling projects for their own enjoyment, not resale value. This is a result of more people staying in their current homes, due to the slow housing market and plunge in home values. Liza Hausman, vice president of marketing at Houzz, is surprised by the changed focus. “What people realize is that they’ll be in their homes for a while and can’t expect a quick profit, so their expectations

are different,” she says. “They’re making their homes nice and more functional for themselves. At the same time, they’re not going off the deep end and taking out loans, but saving up money or delaying other purchases to afford changes.” The NAHB and Houzz surveys put kitchens and bathrooms at the top of the to-do list; NAHB also cited window and door replacements, fixing property damage and whole-house remodeling. Houzz’s Hausman named flooring, family room and landscaping changes as highly popular. Chris Berry, design director of brooksBerry Kitchens & Baths in suburban St. Louis, has seen evidence of this in her own business. Berry has seen kitchen improvements include pizza ovens, high-end cabinetry in novel colors (once a no-no in the seller’s market) and counter heights in scale with an owner’s height rather than the typical 36 inches. © CTW Features

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feature

Retirement Retrofit Balance comfort, safety, resale value By Dan Rafter

he American dream of owning a house is rooted in the ideas of financial success and independence. As more Americans hit retirement age and worry about accessibility of their homes, the concept of independence is taking center stage. Remodeling for aging homeowners has become an important industry, and contractors and designers are helping the elderly envision homes that are both comfortable and feasible for the future. According to MetLifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2010 Aging in Place 2.0 report, 80 percent of U.S. residents over the age of 45 want to remain in their existing homes even if they need medical assistance. The report also cites a 2007 study saying 26 percent of older people fear losing their independence as they age. These homeowners face a difficult challenge in balancing the need to remodel their homes for safety without creating residences that will alienate future buyers.

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

Forward Thinking Half the battle is knowing the perils of resale value before planning a remodel. Anita Lang, a principal with IMI Design in popular retirement town Scottsdale, Ariz., has problem-solved for clients stuck in this position. Lang recently designed a huge walk-in shower in the master bathroom that would make life easier for her clients as they aged. But the shower’s size left no room for a bathtub, something that could hurt resale when it came time to sell. To skirt that problem, Lang made sure the shower design would make it easy for future owners to modify it to create space for a bathtub. “It’s important to do what you can to make your home safe and friendly as you get older,” Land says. “But you don’t want to go to such extreme lengths that it makes it hard to resell your home. You don’t want to over-customize your home.” Changes, Big and Small Architect Duo Dickson, author of “Staying Put: Remodeling Your House to Get the Home you Want” (Taunton Press, 2011), says homeowners look at the process in different levels, from easy and inexpensive to time-consuming and pricey. The first steps are the easiest ones, and will have the smallest impact on resale value. These include widening interior doorways, adding small ramps

Embark of

on a

journey

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Comfort First between rooms that rise or fall, and Dickinson observes that more ownmaking sure bathrooms, kitchens and ers are siding with hallways are the “comfortable wide enough and safe” factor tofor wheelchair day and agreeing to access. worry about resale Homeownlater. ers can take a “People are viewbigger step by ing their homes as creating an enpermanent assets, tire suite that versus just stepping is handicapped stones for someaccessible, thing better,” DickinDickinson says. son says. “People are This involves also acknowledging enlarging baththe fact that they rooms, kitchare living so much ens and bedlonger. They want rooms. It also their homes to be means installcomfortable as they ing grab bars, age.” bumping out Best of Both walls to add Worlds more space Not all major reto rooms, and models will be doueven installing The Great Expansion: Open spaces and wider doorways are essential for seniors who navigate ble-edged swords. elevators in those homes in their homes with walkers or wheelchairs.Widen Dickinson worked entry ways and increase the space between the with a couple in which firsttheir 50s, who spent floor bedrooms counters and islands. thousands of dollars aren’t an option. to convert an old two-level kitchen These changes, though, can make into a modern one-level version. It was future buyers hesitate, especially when a costly project, but one that will keep they calculate the cost of removing their home functional as they age and elevator shafts or relocating master make the home more attractive to bedrooms to a home’s second floor. future buyers. Bill Golden, a real estate agent in Atlanta, added that retirees should make sure any home remodel will not only make their homes safer, but more enjoyable, too. He recommends, for inVIKING RIVER CRUISES offers the best itineraries stance, that owners with grandchildren on the rivers of Europe, Russia and China. Enjoy include a kid-friendly space for when exciting cities, rich cultural experiences, fine dining and deluxe accommodations onboard the most their grandkids visit. modern ships —with everything from meals to shore “Consider the type of living you do excursions included in your fare. now and what you expect to do in the future,” Golden says. “If you know that Ask for Viking’s 2015 Early Booking Discount: Up to 2-FOR-1 cruise plus international air discounts. you’ll want to enjoy being outdoors as much as possible, concentrate on For details, contact Carol’s Excursions at 334-215-0345 or email carols_excursions@att.net usable outdoor space such as a screen porch. If you have a particular hobby that you enjoy, make sure the space will accommodate whatever needs that may THE WORLD’S LEADING RIVER CRUISE LINE...BY FAR® require.”

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prime diversions Across 1 Cried one's eyes out 5 Facial expression 11 Hang down 14 Pre-migraine phenomenon, for some 15 Hot wings did him in 16 It may need a boost 17 *Shopper's aid 19 Barracks bed 20 Scattering seed 21 Raid the fridge 22 Songwriter Bacharach 23 Small combo 25 Katana-wielding warrior 27 Barking sound 30 Responsibility 32 Choice in a booth 33 Evening for trivia buffs 36 Disney lioness 38 "That __ last year!" 39 In the future, or, when spoken with a long starting vowel, what the last word of the answers to starred clues can have 41 1492 vessel 43 Hoodlum

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13 Mob boss John 6 More than unfriendly 18 Subject of the 2003 TV 7 Word after fire or bake film "The Crooked E" 8 Met program details 22 Zippo filler 9 Austrian painter Klimt 24 Should, with "to" 10 Superlative suffix 26 Work-wk. start 11 *Phone that can't be 27 Pollution meas. tapped 28 Tin Woodman's trouble 12 Ancient Greek market 29 *Angler's equipment 31 Fitted bedding item 34 "Gadzooks!" 35 Patty Hearst, in the SLA 37 Kitty builder 40 Inhabitants 42 Pose 44 Miracle Mets manager Hodges 46 Recurring theme 48 Mideast capital 51 Hunks 52 Like gymnasts 53 Shorthand expert 55 Fat-shunning fellow 58 Email button 60 Storm wind 61 Calls the game 62 Brooding place 64 Govt. Rx watchdog 65 Actress Caldwell ÂŠ 2014 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, INC.

Sudoku and Crossword puzzle answers on page 30. 24

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

social security

“Extra Help” for Mom

other’s Day is right around the corner. It’s always nice to give Mom a card, flowers or candy, but this year, people all over the country are helping their moms save an estimated $4,000 annually on the cost of Medicare prescription drugs.You can help your mom, too—and it won’t cost you a dime. If your mother has Medicare coverage and has limited income and resources, she may be eligible for Extra Help—available through Kylle’ McKinney Social Security—to pay part of her monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. 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 she lives in). To qualify for the Extra Help, she must receive Medicare and have: n Income limited to $17,505 for an individual or $23,595 for a married couple living together. If your mom’s annual income is higher, she still may be able to get some help. Examples where income may be higher include if she and, if married, her spouse: n support other family members who live with them;

have earnings from work; or live in Alaska or Hawaii. n Resources limited to $13,440 for an individual or $26,860 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 resources. We have an easy-to-use online application you can help Mom complete. 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 1-800-3250778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020). To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). Flowers wither and candy won’t last long, but the Extra Help through Social Security will keep on giving throughout the year. Keep in mind as Father’s Day approaches, you can get the same “free gift” of Extra Help for Dad! 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. n n

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May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

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

Clicking Joints W

hat are those clicking, popping and crackling sounds in my joints? Is it arthritis? Have I overdosed on breakfast cereal? No, it’s probably Crepitus. Sounds like a precursor to decrepitude, but it’s not. Crepitus is the word Mirabai Holland used to describe the clicking sounds. In fact, in most cases, if there’s no pain associated with those sounds, it’s nothing to worry about. Many people live their whole lives with some clicking and popping without any ill effects. Joints that click and pop have closed bags of synovial fluid, called bursa, between them. They cushion

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joint movement so we can walk and work painlessly. That fluid has a little bit of air or gas dissolved in it. Through our daily movement, that gas can form a bubble or cavity in the bag. The fancy term is Cavitation. When you move your knee, elbow or shoulder, the bubble bursts and makes a click or popping sound. Cracking your knuckles is an example of breaking those bubbles on purpose. So, the rule of thumb is: no pain, no problem. Snapping, however is another story. That rubber band-like sound is often accompanied by pain. It’s a sign you have an injury, or that some muscle, nerve or connective tissue is out of place. In this case you should see your doctor. A good way to promote healthy joints in general is to strengthen the muscles around them. Regular strength training can make a difference at any age. If you haven’t been exercising in a while, start slowly and build up. Last thing you want to do is hurt the joints you’re trying to strengthen. Next time your friends have clicks and pops in their joints, you can tell them they probably have Crepitus! Mirabai Holland, M.F.A., is a public health activist and leading authority in the Health & Fitness industry. She 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

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prime vintage

Great Wines, Honest Story S

pring has finally arrived. Lemonade stands are popping up soon, and when the mercury rises it's nearly impossible to pass one without making a purchase. Of course, neighborhood kids would never dare charge more than a dollar or two for a cup, but what if a budding entrepreneur asked for $20? Would you still make the purchase? Probably not. But if offered a glass of great wine, few oenophiles would hesitate to spend such a sum. Many would be willing to pay $20 for just a two-ounce pour. Obviously, wine is different from lemonade. But what makes it so special? Michael Madrigale, one of the nation's top sommeliers, recently suggested two answers to that question. He was visiting San Francisco from New York, where he directs the wine program at several of Daniel Boulud's restaurants. Madrigale was speaking at 18 Reasons, a nonprofit that focuses on the relationship between food and community. The topic? What sommeliers drink when spending their own money. Many wine enthusiasts envy sommeliers, since they routinely open and taste bottles most of us could never afford. And they get to hang out with fascinating winemakers from across the world. But when they're home, sommeliers are just like the rest of us -- fully aware of budgets and priorities but still looking for something great. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A great wine," Madrigale contended, "offers an honest reflection of where it came from." Madrigale's words were spot on. In part, wine is special because it's able to translate time and place. Great ones achieve that higher purpose. This concept certainly isn't original. Fans of Burgundy and Mosel often battle over which region's wines better express the characteristics of their vintage and the soils and climate in which they're grown. Ted Lemon, one of America's leading Pinot Noir producers, has even gone so far as to urge his colleagues to "give up being a winemaker" 28

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

and instead "have the confidence to listen [to the vineyard] and allow the site to speak." Lemon was addressing the 2013 Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration, a major event in Australia. "Your job is to craft wines which are the most honest, crystalline expression of their place,â&#x20AC;? said Lemon, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and then let others decide if they feel that your efforts are worthy." So when picking up their own tab, sommeliers seek wines that are truthful and transparent. Madrigale's second answer to what makes wine so special is just as important. "Wine is not just a beverage," he said. "It's a story." This concept, too, has been around for quite some time. Consider older wines. They're a connection to the past and each bottle has a story to tell. I'll never

forget the evening a friend shared a 1961 Château Ausone. The estate is one of Bordeaux's most celebrated, and 1961 was a legendary vintage. The wine was stunning -- still fresh and vibrant -- but that was almost beside the point. In 1961, John F. Kennedy was inaugurated and France was still at war with Algeria. So while tasting the wine, much of my focus was on those who made it and the world they inhabited.Young wines are just as capable of telling great stories. This past weekend, I opened a Pinot Noir from Forge Cellars, a producer in New York's Finger

EK E R G IC S U M

Lakes. Those of us who obsess over Pinot Noir like to think we can identify a wine's origin by simply putting our noses in a glass. But this wine was unlike anything I'd ever had. It stopped me in my tracks, as it had obviously captured the essence of Finger Lakes Pinot Noir. Lemonade simply can't offer a window to other places and cultures. Few would ever discuss lemonade's honesty. But wine? Great ones always tell an honest story. David White is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com, which was named "Best Overall Wine Blog" at the 2013 Wine Blog Awards. His columns are housed at Grape Collective.

ANNUAL

Authentic Greek Food & Pastries

Thurs.-Sat. • May 15-17 Lunch & Dinner, 11am - 8pm Plates: $12 and $14

Greek Orthodox Church •1721 Mt. Meigs Rd. 334-263-1366 (Gift shop with Greek food items and gifts.) www.primemontgomery.com | May 2014

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month

Prime urges everyone, regardless of age, to get checked THIS MONTH.

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

prime diversions

Recent dvd releases Her;The Monuments Men

Her (R) This quietly unsettling romantic dramedy might be more of a portent for the future than some would like to believe. It may presage the next level of virtual intimacy beyond whatever people are already doing with their laptops, tablets and phones. Joaquin Phoenix plays a lonely, nerdy guy who buys a very personal new operating system that gives him voice and text contact with a “partner” (voice of Scarlett Johannson) programmed to develop a unique personality suited to the customer derived from their interactions. Ironically, his job is writing letters for others who can’t adequately express themselves. This purchase aligns him with those clients who can’t, or won’t, handle all the risks and enigmas of flesh-and-blood relationships. We get a light, sentimental account of how he bonds with “her”; initially as a guilty secret, but then as an open almostcouple spending time with others. It’s everything ship computer HAL hoped to achieve with astronaut Dave in 2001: A Space Odyssey. What seemed amusingly bizarre when that film opened in the late 1960s now comes across as an imminent option for the fragile and fearful among us. How far away can those applications be? How will we handle the temptations, or compete with the benefits a companion can offer who is perfectly synched with every user in all but one respect? Versatile director Spike Jonze gives us a lyrical pace and setting for the course of his subject couple, showing how this sort of pairing might evolve in the context of the rest of one’s work and social life, with a few intriguing developments along the way. A key perspective posed by the script is that “the past is just a story we tell ourselves.” If so, other than reproduction, how much difference does it make in the long run if the love of one’s life is a person or a program? Johannson’s voice keeps her end of the relationship surprisingly engaging for viewers, as well as the pleasures she/it provides the end user. Phoenix excels in making his guy relatable as an everyman, rather than a stereotypic loner...or even less-sympathetic creep. This may not be much of a date movie, since excessive zeal for owning such a package by one would surely be interpreted as an insult or threat to the other half of the couple. Otherwise, the debate over just how isolated we may (or should) become in our progressively web-based existences can find plenty of talking points in this entertaining, yet cautionary, tale.

The Monuments Men (PG-13) Does anyone have a richer, more Mark Glass enjoyable life than George Clooney? He’s not only thrived as an actor, but parlayed his success into directing and/or producing any project he sets his sights upon. Then he admirably uses that clout to tell exceptional, worthy stories, rather than settle for the easy money of blockbusters (Argo; Good Night, and Good Luck, for example). His eye for quality attracts other luminaries to pet projects like this - a fact-based account of a group of artists, too old or unfit for duty in WW II, who volunteered to enter the war zone to recover and preserve the overwhelming amount of artworks the Nazis had been plundering from all the countries they occupied. The tale is well told, with Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin (the star of The Artist), Cate Blanchett and others drawn to the fine script Clooney wrote with Grant Heslov and others. As director, Clooney generously shines the spotlight on all his cast, not just his handsome leading man of the same name. The unlikely septet Clooney’s character assembled received a quick dose of Army boot camp, before deployment to Normandy a month after D-Day. Theirs was a low-priority mission as far as field officers were concerned, forcing them to improvise for transport and logistics. Besides the hassles with red tape, they were rushed to recapture works of cultural, historic or religious import before the Nazis got them out of reach; or even worse, destroyed them. They even had to move faster than the Russians, who were closing in from the East, and perceived as less likely to return any treasures they might find to the rightful owners. The screenplay deftly mixes comic relief, suspense and emotional high points with the serious subject of the adventure. It honors the real men and their mission by portraying them at a realistic human scale, rather than hyperbolizing this handful of architects and art scholars into a version of The Dirty Dozen. Bob Balaban ain’t going Rambo on nobody. Expectations may well run low when a film with such a strong cast comes out in February, without the Oscar-qualifying ploy of December openings in Los Angeles and New York. This may not have contended for those honors, but it’s a highly satisfying telling of a wonderful story, and a tribute to all who helped to save more than five million pieces of art for posterity. Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2014

Calendar

Submit events/activities one month prior to publication.

MAY 03

Cake and ‘Cue Barbecue and bake sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, 2911 Woodley Road (under the water tower off the Southern Bypass). Celebrating 150th anniversary. Pre-orders welcome: whole Boston butts, quarts of camp stew, eat-in buffet plates. To reserve your order call 334-281-1337. Kentucky Derby Hospice of Montgomery Annual Benefit Silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, music, prizes, benefiting Hospice of Montgomery. 3:30-6:30 p.m. Alley Station Ballroom and Rooftop. Sponsorships available. Reserve tickets. Contact Amy Godsoe, 334-279-6677, agodsoe@hospiceofmontgomery.org, or on-line at www.hospiceofmontgmery.org. Southeastern Regional Ballet Association Festival Gala Performance Montgomery Performing Arts Center. 7 p.m. For tickets call 334-241-2590.

A Night Out: On Broadway with the Gershwins! 6:30 p.m. Alabama Activity Center. AUM School of Liberal Arts’ second annual gala. Music, silent and live auction, hors d’oeuvers, drinks. Tickets $100, benefiting students and programs in the School of Liberal Arts. For info. or to purchase tickets contact Dean Michael Burger, 334-244-3380, or e-mail mburger1@ aum.edu. Alabama Retired State Employees Assn. Taylor/Vaughn Chapter meeting, 10 a.m. Alabama Public Library Service. 6030 Monticello Drive.

Hearing Loss Support Group, First Methodist Church, Park Ave., Old Cloverdale. 4 p.m. Program, refreshments, hearing tests may be offered. Taste of the Gardens Benefit Silent auction, tastings from area restaurants, wine, music. Benefiting American Red Cross. 5-8 pm. Southern Homes and Gardens,Vaughn Rd. For tickets visit http://american.redcross.org/tasteofthegardens, or purchase as SH&G, Caffco Outlet. For info contact Kelly Hodges, 334-260-3981, or kelly.hodges@

redcross.org.

11 & 12

Auditions Wetumpka Depot Players’ summer musical, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. May 11 2 p.m., May 12 7 p.m. Prepare 16-24 measures of an upbeat country ballad; wear comfortable clothing; be prepared for script readings. For info contact Kristy Meanor, 334-868-1440 or visit wetumpkadepot.com. The show, directed by Depot Exec. Dir. Kristy Meanor, runs July 24August 9. The large, culturally diverse cast calls for actors, singers and dancers ages 16 and above. The musical swept the 1979 Tony Awards. The film adaptaVINTAGE tion starred Dolly Parton, Burt Reynolds, Jim Nabors, Eastbrook Flea Market & Antique Mall Dom DeLuise.

“My dress and gloves? Kynard Korner, of course.”

425 Coliseum Blvd. Montgomery • 334-277-4027

KynardKornerVintageBoutique 32

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

Calendar 15

Birthday Celebration, Samaritan Counseling Center 6:30-9:30 p.m.. Held at Academy Events, 17 Coosa Street. Tickets include dinner, two drinks. Live music. For information/tickets call 334-262-7787. Center is located at 2911 Zelda Rd.

Alabama Retired State Employees Assn. Central Montgomery Chapter meeting. 1:30 p.m.Cloverdale Baptist Church. 608 E. Fairview Ave.

Alabama Retired State Employees Assn. East Montgomery Chapter meeting. 10 a.m. Dalraida United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. 3817 Atlanta Hwy.

The Way We Worked; Art Walk; Much More! Wetumpka Multiple art exhibitions, multiple locations. In partnership with The Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street project. “Art Walk” in historic downtown Wetumpka will also be available for viewing at leisure. The works of art are copies of original work submitted by artists and placed in downtown storefront windows. At the same time these exhibitions are in place an extensive calendar of special events is planned, including special tours available in Tallassee and Millbrook, a night of storytelling in Wetumpka, and a series of outstanding lectures. Also discussed will be President Franklin Roosevelt’s depression era economic stimulus program, the WPA Federal Art Project. Docent tours available to the public, Wednesdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For details and information contact Phyllis Kennedy, 334300-4088, or Mark Harris, 334-328-0730.

JUNE 02-20

Alabama Dance Theatre (ADT) Session I, summer classes in classical ballet. June 23-27 ADT “Tutus and Tiaras” camp,

ages 3-8. 30 June-July 18 Session II, summer classes. All Classes held at Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Ave. For more information call 334241-2590, or visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com.

Major Changes to Scholarship Program for Dependents of Disabled Veterans The Alabama G.I. Dependents’ Scholarship program provides free tuition, textbooks and instructional fees at any state-supported institution of higher learning, college or university to qualified dependents of eligible disabled veterans. A recent rules change eliminates the requirement that a veteran must have served during a wartime period or under extra-hazardous conditions. Beginning in the fall 2014 semester, dependents of eligible peacetime veterans may now qualify to participate in the program if all other qualifications are met. Dependents previously denied education benefits based solely on the veterans’ peacetime service dates must reapply by Aug. 1, 2015, to receive the full benefit. Also beginning in the fall 2014 semester, the program will cover only undergraduate level courses at the instate tuition rate. Students presently enrolled in the program will not have any change in their benefits. Interested veterans, or their family members, should visit their county veterans’ service office, or call 334242-5077 for more information. . www.primemontgomery.com | May 2014

off the beaten path

Moon fish

he voice on the other end of the line answered on the fourth ring. “This better be good!” “Pardon?” I asked, perplexed. “Someone better be dead or be dying for you to be bothering me right now,” he said. Taken aback, I glanced at my watch; it was just four o’clock, a Tuesday in mid-May. Over the crackle of the cell phone I could make out two men talking, debating with great enthusiasm the merits of both wigglers and crickets. Without a clue as to how I should respond, I went into my pitch. Five words in I realized I had picked a very bad time to call a very powerful man whose help I needed. “Son, I hate to cut you off but there’s a full moon tomorrow,” he said. “I’ve got 200 crickets and two hours til’ dark, and my partner’s picked half a dozen titty bream off this bed since you’ve been jabbering.” “Yes, uh, yes sir,” I stammered, “I just wanted to ask whether, I mean if you could consider ...” “Get the net!” I heard before the line went dead. In politics, timing is everything. That which is possible today may not be so tomorrow, and that which may be possible tomorrow is most unlikely today. And, so it is with fishing the sunfish spawn. The dedicated watch their calendars, counting down the days until that first magical full moon of May, the official start of bream season. The bass and catfish too bide their time, innately knowing when the days get longer and both the water temperature and moon begin to rise, the table is being set for the annual summer smorgasbord in the shallows. In some of the South’s more remote locales, that first full moon is heralded like the dove opener or the first college football kickoff. And for good reason. You’d be hard pressed to find another freshwater fish that bites as well on the bed as the bream, can match its pound-for-pound strength, or that tastes as good alongside a couple hush puppies hot from the grease

and a mound of cole slaw. No other activity so captures the essence of summertime than sitting on a bream bed pulling No. 8 skillet-sized fish, one after another, from a sunken stump with the moon rising over your shoulder, the occasional breeze catching the sweetness of a honeysuckle bloom. While it will be like this every full moon through September, just a few days off those prime hours each month, even in the same spot with the same bait, you’d be swatting skeeters and tossing back fingerlings. Though we generically call them sunfish, “moon fish” seems a more fitting name, at least during the summer, since its patterns stir within these prolific fish the need to breed that drives them shallow in the first place. Like packs of scaled werewolves, they rise with the full moon from their offshore haunts, converging to fantail depressions into the sand or gravel bottom near shore to lay eggs. In these spots, with little more than a cane pole, a can of worms and an upturned bucket for a seat, a man can in short order catch a neighborhood’s worth of “titty bream,” sunfish so large the only way to hold them is to press them against, well, you get the idea. Some folks - like my friend - take their bream fishing mighty serious. Looking back on that ill-timed phone call, I should have watched the moon more closely, or better yet, offered to clean his fish. Niko Corley spends his free time on the water or in the woods, and earned his charter boat license in 2012. He can be contacted at cootfootoutfitters@gmail.com.

Niko Corley 34

May 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

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