Oct. 2011 Prime Montgomery by Bob Corley

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Features

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond!

Montgomery

8 Things we ate as kids, Part 3 Eat a Smartie, Chicken Bones & Squirrel Nut Zippers: A nostalgic (and admittedly sarcastic) look at some strangelynamed candies we encountered back-in-the-day. Third and final part of a sweet trip down memory lane. By Tom Ensey

10 FOR THE BIRDS

Bird watching is the fastest-growing outdoor activity in the U.S., with an estimated 51 million participants. Alabama has its own large and growing cadreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of adherents, helped along by development of a series of Birding Trails. By Brenda Robertson Dennis

16 breast cancer awareness month Back to basics: signs and symptoms, tests and procedures, risk factors and resources.

18 Neon desert

Las Vegas remains a gamblerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise but also offers a variety of pleasant diversions once your lucky streak runs its course. By Alex Nicholson

22 LIFE HOLDS ON

Hit songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman, a breast cancer survivor, used her music and the power of song to aid her own recovery, and now offers hope and healing to others. By Bob Corley

October 2011 www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

Lifestyles 9 Yard ‘n garden You can reduce your mowing by using a variety of ground covers. By Ethel Dozier Boykin 17 a gracious plenty Fresh ingredients make for a delicious mealin-a-bowl, a hearty meat-and-vegetable soup. By Carron Morrow

Entertainment

15 around montgomery A boy and his frog; find this pair and win a Gift Certificate to a local restaurant. By Jake Roberts 27 Off the beaten path Obedience and fun are necessary and compatible elements when training a hunting dog. Part 3 of 3. By Niko Corley 31 prime diversions No-holds-barred reviews of Bridesmaids, Rio (animated), and Bride Flight, with one deserving film earning a four out of five-star rating. By Mark Glass

Financial

Medical

16 a Primer on Breast Cancer A review of risk factors, symptoms, and methods of screening.

26 Medicare Open enrollment Open Enrollment dates have changed this year. Time to review your options and make changes if necessary. By Donald Berwick, MD 30 in every life Don’t neglect the social side of positive aging and the value it has on the wellbeing of seniors. By Arlene Morris

On the Cover

21 mONEYWISE Refinancing your home could save you money, but learn the facts and the fees before you sign on the dotted line. Part 1 of 2. By Alan Wallace 15 social security A drop in income may qualify you for a reduction in your Medicare Part B premium. By Kylle’ McKinney

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Beth Nielsen Chapman. Photo by Jamie Trimble. Story page 22.

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

Montgomery

October 2011,Volume 2, Issue 7 PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Bob Corley, Brenda Robertson Dennis, Tom Ensey, Alex Nicholson CONTRIBUTORS Ethel Boykin, Tina Calligas, Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Mirabai Holland, Kylle’ McKinney, Arlene Morris, Carron Morrow, Jake Roberts, Alan Wallace PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Carter, Alex Nicholson, Jamie Trimble INTERN Meagan Ashner SALES Bob Corley, 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@gmail.com Stephanie Crompton 334-462-1240 stephaniecrompton7@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 2011 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 I first heard Beth Nielsen (she wasn’t Chapman yet) in 1973, at a summer coffeehouse sponsored by the City of Montgomery. She was only 15, still in high school, and at the beginning of a career considered exceptional by any measure. Singer/songwriters were all the vogue in the early 70s and females gutsy enough to plant their flag in that still male-dominated format were especially unique. The coffeehouse (actually the Huntingdon Student Center) was packed that night and the lineup was a mixed bag of local performers that ran the talent gamut. When Beth came to the microphone, her youth surprised me (at my ripe old age of 20) but the thought was only fleeting. When she began to sing I was mesmerized by her beautiful voice and the uncommon talent I – we all – realized she possessed. Even then. With that talent and a steadfast determination, Beth has gone from Montgomery’s “Down Funky Street Coffeehouse” stage to songwriting stardom, with celebrities in every genre of music performing her songs and numerous record albums to her credit. That said, her life has not been without challenges that would leave most of us frozen in place, unable to continue. Prime’s cover story, Life Holds On (page 22), features Beth Nielsen Chapman in a candid interview about a lifetime of survival and success. Writer and longtime Chapman friend Bob Corley shows how the transcendent nature (and nurture) of art has been a saving grace for this resilient and exceptionally talented performer. If you’ve ever found yourself captivated by visitors to a backyard bird feeder, you know there’s nothing flighty about birdwatching. In For the Birds (page 10) writer Brenda Robertson Dennis profiles local ornithologists who explain their love for birding and the discoveries they’ve made after hours, days and years of watching and studying our fascinating, feathered friends. Though it’s not exactly an uncommon vacation getaway, Las Vegas is still a remarkable destination, no matter how many times you’ve been. Whatever your pleasure, it’s there and in great quantities. Gambling, glitz, gorging or gazing, our feature Neon Desert (page 18) shows that America’s playground still has it all. Prime’s recipe column A Gracious Plenty (page 17) changes hands this month as local caterer Carron Morrow takes the helm, or more appropriately, the pen. Carron is a Montgomery treasure, well-known for the personal touch she and her mother and business partner Lela Foshee provide in every dish that comes from their kitchen. From heirloom recipes to perfected presentation, Carron’s insights and kitchen wizardry are a delightful monthly addition. Whether you relish reading about art, hobbies, health, travel, or challenging your mind to a crossword puzzle or Sudoku, our October issue is a great read. Sit back, enjoy the changing season and your latest issue of Prime.

Sandra Polizos Editor

If you’re at midlife or beyond and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery! www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

news you can use Researchers Develop Reliable Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Scientists from Durin Technologies, Inc., and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)-School of Osteopathic Medicine have developed a blood test that detects the presence of specific antibodies in the blood that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease with unprecedented accuracy. The test has potential to spot Alzheimer’s in its earliest stages, years before symptoms such as memory loss, poor judgment or erratic behavior appear. The same test also demonstrated the ability to distinguish Alzheimer’s from Parkinson’s disease, a closely related neurodegenerative disorder. Researchers say this discovery may have a profound clinical impact and could ultimately be suited for inclusion in routine health care.

Because this method requires only a small blood sample, it avoids the expense and patient discomfort of other proposed Alzheimer’s diagnostic tests such as those involving neuroimaging techniques, more invasive procedures and hospitalization. An early diagnostic test could also serve to rule out Alzheimer’s disease for some patients who are experiencing mild or intermittent memory loss. In about 20% of these cases, the patient’s memory problems result from another condition such as anxiety, depression or a reaction to medication. The research team’s findings appear online in PLoS ONE. New Drug Aids Gout Patients Pegloticase, a modified porcine enzyme, can produce significant and sustained clinical improvements in two out of five patients with chronic gout that is resistant to conventional therapies, researchers report in JAMA. In two controlled clinical trials, pegloticase rapidly lowered high levels of uric acid, the biochemical abnormality in

MONTGOMERY

(334) 517-2015 520 South Hull Street Montgomery, AL 36104

0Drop

gout, and kept it in the normal range for six months or more in 42% of patients receiving the drug every two weeks. Forty percent of patients had complete resolution of at least one of the painful swollen joint nodules, known as tophi, a hallmark of severe gout. High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Smoking and Obesity May Damage Thinking A new study suggests smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and being overweight in middle age may cause brain shrinkage and lead to cognitive problems up to a decade later. The study is published in Neurology®. These factors appeared to cause the brain to lose volume and appeared to affect its ability to plan and make decisions as quickly as 10 years later. Researchers suggest that identifying

• Stroke Recovery Rehabilitation • Orthopedic Center of Excellence • Orthopedic Surgeon Director • In-House Pharmacy Consultant • Internal Medicine Physician • Registered Dietitian • Physical Therapy • Specialized Nursing Care • Speech and Occupational Therapy • Private rooms available Medicaid · Medicare · VA Contract Private Pay · Private Insurance Medicare Advantage Programs

In For A Visit Today0

Patient Referral: (334) 517-2007 6

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

these risk factors early in people of middle age could be useful in screening people at risk for dementia and encouraging people to make changes to their lifestyle before it’s too late.

The vitamin used in the study is plant-derived vitamin D2. Since vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, too much of it can cause high levels of calcium in the urine, which may increase the risk of kidney stones. Such possible side effects emphasize the importance of tracking patients’ urine calcium levels while taking high-dose vitamin D, but overall it appears to be very safe.

Blueberries: A Cup a Day May Keep Cancer Away Blueberries are among the nutrientrich foods being studied by UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center investigators exploring the link between disease and nutrition. Dieticians there say as little as a cup a day can help prevent cell damage linked to cancer. Why are blueberries considered healthful? They're full of antioxidants, flavonoids and other vitamins that help prevent cell damage. Studies suggest that antioxidants may help prevent the free-radical damage associated with cancer. Blueberries also are rich in vitamin C, which aids the immune system and can help the body to absorb iron.

is your

company searching for the

cream of the crop? Professional searches and placement for positions in: Medical, Restaurant Managers, Information Technology, Sales, Accounting, Executives and Administrative.

0000084092 0000096039

We can be the eyes and ears of your company in locating top career-minded people to ﬁll your available positions.

Marcel McElroy’s Recruiting and Consulting Services

0000096769

Vitamin D May Relieve Joint and Muscle Pain for Breast Cancer Patients Washington University doctors have found that high-dose vitamin D helps relieve joint and muscle pain in breast cancer patients taking estrogen-lowering drugs. Known as aromatase inhibitors, the drugs are prescribed to treat breast tumors fueled by the hormone estrogen. They are less toxic than chemotherapy, but many patients experience severe musculoskeletal discomfort, including pain and stiffness in the hands, knees, hips, lower back, shoulders and feet.

Simple Test May Identify Stroke Risk A new study shows that a simple ultrasound test may help identify people at high risk of stroke who have a condition called asymptomatic carotid stenosis, which is a narrowing of the carotid artery found in the neck, in which few or no symptoms are present. (Neurology®)

feature

Things We Ate as Kids By Tom Ensey

e Baby Boomers came of age during a golden era of weirdness in the manufacture and distribution of confections, crackers and more-or-less edible doo-dads that were none too tasty and in some cases, just wrong. But we babysat and mowed lawns, saved our allowances, bought this junk and ate it. Smarties candy necklaces A clever subterfuge by which children sneaked candy into school. Here’s the formula and the diabolical plan. Dextrose, Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Artificial Flavors, Colors (Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40) were pressed into roughly quarter-inch diameter disks with a hole in the middle. The colorful disks were threaded together on an elastic string. Little girls could wear the “necklace” and sneak a bite every now and then by lifting the candy up to their mouths as they twirled their hair with their free hand and pretended to be deep in thought, perusing Dick and Jane. If teacher got too curious, all they had to do was drop the necklace and continue “reading.” It worked perfectly -- until the plot was exposed by the telltale ring of blue spit that formed around their necks. You can relive those magic moments by visiting: www.sugarstand.com Squirrel Nut Zippers, Chick-OSticks and Bit-O-Honey These distinct and different candies are grouped into a single category because of their truly weird names that have little or nothing to do with what they are. Plus, all were sticky, chewy “penny candy” that came wrapped in wax paper, much of which still clung to the candy after you unwrapped it. So you ate the paper, too. Squirrels and Bit-O-Honey were some kind of hard taffy that cemented your teeth 8 October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

(Part 3 of 3)

together when you tried to chew them. All you could do was bite, hold on and wait for body heat and saliva to do their work. Unlike other bizarre candies of yesteryear, these tasted fairly good as they slowly, slowly ate the enamel off your teeth. Chick-OSticks were a combination of toasted, chemically preserved coconut, syrup and crushed peanuts whose texture was more crumbly and grainy than chewy. Originally they were called “Chicken Bones,” a name that was later changed to the equally incomprehensible “Chick-OSticks” Why? Who knows? What did any of this stuff have to do with squirrels, chickens or honey? They’re still out there bearing the same perplexing names, so you can order a load and continue to explore these and other mysteries: www.candyfavorites. com.

Yard ‘n Garden

Try Ground Covers for Beauty & Ease “All ground covers aren’t green. Some bloom, and some you can eat!”

oon you’ll mow the grass for the last time, as summer comes to an end. Do you wish you didn’t have so much grass to mow? There is a way to reduce the grass areas in your yard and take care of those hard-to-mow places or those where grass just won’t grow. The answer is ground cover. The choice of ground covers is Ethel Dozier Boykin huge, and there’s one for any spot –shady, sunny or a combination. The selection of ground covers goes beyond ivy or Asiatic Jasmine, the two most common in our area that work well in many locations. When I evaluate an area where grass won’t grow, the cause is often a tree providing dense shade. The large oaks all over town have bare ground around the base and out to the area where the limbs stop. Large roots are showing on the ground's surface and the sight is not one of beauty. Most approach this by adding fresh soil and if possible a drip

Reader’s Choice Award

“best eye care center”

“best optical store”

FOR THE ONLY EYES YOU’LL EVER HAVE Roy T. Hager, M.D., F.A.C.S. | Charles N. Robbins, M.D. James D. Izer, M.D. | Richard M. Murphy, O.D. Montgomery 4255 Carmichael Court North Montgomery, AL | 334-277-9111 Wetumpka 8007 U. S. Highway 231 Wetumpka, AL | 334-567-9111

www.eyes-itec.com itecinfo@eyes-itec.com

irrigation system around the area being planted with ground cover. Lay pine straw over the soil and plant the ground cover through the straw,. This may seem backwards, but you’ll quickly see this is the best method. Your patience and budget will determine what size plants you use and how closely they’re planted. Small plants in four-inch pots are easiest to put in and will cover evenly and quickly with good watering and fertilizing. In a few years a solid covering will be at your feet. Another type of plant is a plug. Plugs aren’t kept at nurseries but can be ordered from nurseries that specialize in ground covers. Price out plugs if you’re doing a very large area. All ground covers aren’t green. Some bloom, and some you can eat! They can range in size from a few inches to a few feet.They’re annual or perennial, evergreen or deciduous, edible or ornamental, for sun or shade, and for wet or dry soil. When shade is your situation, choose from the large selection of ferns, many of which are evergreen.Ferns are tough and offer a light, airy, cooling look.Their textures contrast well with bolder foliage and are charming in a woodland area. The Autumn Fern provides a copper, new-growth color to an evergreen base, while the Japanese Painted Fern shows off purple and silver fronds. A large area can handle a larger plant, such as the Holly Fern.This dark green fern is evergreen and will cover a four-foot area at maturity. I have used this under magnolias that have had lower limbs removed.View the large selection of ferns in a book or on-line. Ajuga is a purple leaf ground cover with a blooming purple spike flower, a beautiful look at the edge of an area of taller plants. Using hostas to cover an area is great except they go down in winter. That’s okay if the area isn’t seen much during winter. In a sunny area try junipers, such as Blue Rug, that cling to the earth. Use day lilies*, such as the repeat bloomers, for all summer color.They will spread and look great even when only the foliage is showing. Dianthus bloom from spring to fall, sedums will take dry and hot weather, thyme spreads quickly (and you can pick it for cooking), and lantana can cover a hill or flat spot in full sun. Grow easy-care ground covers in narrow areas or steep slopes, where mowing is difficult or dangerous. Use ground cover to save mowing time and watering expense, and to add interesting textures, colors, and blooms. *See October Calendar, page 33, for information on the Montgomery Area Daylily Society. Ethel Dozier Boykin owns Art in the Garden, a landscape design and consulting company in Montgomery. Contact her at 334-395-5949, or at etheldozierboykin@yahoo.com. 9 www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

feature

Forthe

Birds

By Brenda Robertson Dennis Photos by Bryan Carter

Fred Bassett holds an immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbird.These birds nest from Nova Scotia to the Gulf Coast and south Florida.Their wings beat up to 55 times a second when hovering, 61 times a second when backing up, and up to 75 times a second in straight flight.

ird watching may be one of the most versatile pastimes an individual can flock to. From arranging a simple feeder in your backyard to attending a full-scale bird-watching expedition, there’s something for everyone. There are as many ways to enjoy birding as there are birds in the sky. It only takes a peek out your window to get started. “Birding is a hobby that can be enjoyed by almost everyone,” says Tommy Pratt, head of the River Region Birding Club. “You don't have to make a trip to ‘bird’. Some backyards make great places.” Pratt’s love for birding began with his grandmother, who made sure all her grandkids were properly equipped with compasses, binoculars, and Audubon books by the age of seven. Pratt has years of experience, but is quick to point out it’s a gradual process. “Birding skills usually start by making a list or checking off a list. As skills increase you begin identifying birds by their song or calls and soon start aging the birds from feather patterns and field marks,” he says. “Serious birders not only enjoy viewing birds but study their habitat and behavior.” Thanks to people like Pratt, we know the Bar-headed Goose has been recorded at over 33,000 feet, and the Wandering Albatross doesn't come back to land for five to seven years after it leaves the nest. Such discoveries are exciting, but also tell us a great deal about the natural world around us. Most serious birders will tell you that simple backyard birding can yield plenty of opportunity for discovery and enjoyment. However, real enthusiasts often hit the open road for more. Annabel Markle has been a serious birder since returning to Alabama 16 years ago. She 10

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Coast, is one of the top 10 birding makes at least one birding trip a “hotspots” in the country, and it year with friends, traveling to differmaintains a place on the top 30-40 ent parts of the country in search list the remainder of the year. of bird life in more diverse areas. “There are some 450 species Her trips have taken her from of birds that call Alabama home upstate Maine and Acadia National for all or part of their lives,” says Park to Glacier National Park in Pratt. “Some just briefly pass Montana. She has also journeyed to through in migration. If you are Costa Rica to view tropical bird life. interested in numbers you must “All serious birders keep ‘Life travel to where the birds are. I have Lists’ of birds that are seen for the visited a number of the "hotspots" first time,” she says. “I take trips across the country, but our Dausolely for the purpose of seeing Annabel Markle in Glacier National Park (contributed). phin Island is one of the top birding new birds, getting up at ridiculously destinations in the USA.” early hours to find a first state Another local birder who has spent a lot of time at a record bird.” Birds attracted to backyard feeders is often the first experi- Dauphin Island banding station is Fred Bassett, a hummingbird enthusiast. For ence a person the past 20 years has with birding. he has turned his “But on the interest into a extreme side,” full-time enMarkle says, “you deavor. As a Field can make trips Ornithologist anywhere in the Bassett travels world to see difaround the counferent birds.” try tracking and If you’re interbanding different ested in traveling varieties of humpast your backmingbirds. His yard to pursue research involves birding, Pratt and recording patMarkle agree you terns of migradon’t have to tion, numbers, travel far. During and how long spring and fall they live. migrations DauHe and a phin Island, on small number Alabama’s Gulf Bassett explains some of the tools he uses in the field to band hummingbirds.

Birding takes flight in Alabama... Events Alabama Coastal BirdFest, Oct. 6-8. Call 251-621-1902, visit www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com. Birding Trails Ala. Black Belt Nature & Heritage Trail, 205-532-9582, wimberly.r.comer@accenture.com Ala. Coastal Birding Trail, 800-7457263, cboehm@gulfshores.com North Alabama Birding Trail, 256350-3500, danalee@northalabama.org

Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail, 256234-3461, receptionac@charterinternet.com (Opens Nov. 17) Pineywoods Birding Trail, 334-7159653, linda.tourism@yahoo.com Trails in development Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail, 205-822-6167, amiller_1@bellsouth. net

West Alabama Birding Trail, 205469-2182, lynette@tcvb.org

Wiregrass Birding Trail, 334-6876664, ckirkland@eufaulachamber.com On-line resources Ala. Dept of Conservation, www. outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/birding-trails/ Ala. Ornithological Society, www. aosbirds.org River Region Birding Club, www. bamabirds.com There are also free smart-phone apps Central Park Birds (which includes varieties found in Alabama.) including iBird and Audubon

www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

of other Hummingbird Trackers record this information for the National Bird Banding Laboratory in an effort to better understand this mysterious creature. Among Bassett’s many discoveries is that there are more varieties of hummingbirds than previously believed. “When I started doing this, any book told you that there was only one hummingbird in the Eastern United States and that was the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and that they all left in the wintertime,” he says. “Well, now we’ve banded 15 different kinds of hummingbirds in the Eastern U.S.” This past winter in Enterprise, Alabama, Bassett captured a female Rufous he had tagged nine years before, proving these birds return year after year and are not “lost wanderers” as once thought. A retired Air Force pilot, Bassett has written papers about his discoveries, but like many birders he did not start out with a plan to become an expert on the topic. “I started working with them with no intention of banding. I was just glad to be with the birds,” he says. “It’s almost as though everything I did before that was training for what I do now.” Bassett would not call himself an expert, however. “There are no experts,” he says. “I tell anyone if you find an expert, I have a whole loose-leaf binder full of questions I need answered.” Birding can provide hours of relaxation and tranquil enjoyment, and can be inexpensive, requiring nothing more than a field guide, binoculars and a healthy dose of enthusiasm. But, as Markle reminds us, “one of the real advantages [to birding] is getting people outside and involved in an interest that also promotes conservation. It provides a method of being able to see some of the most beautiful and fascinating creations in the world.” Alabama Bird Facts The Yellowhammer was named Alabama’s State Bird in 1927. It’s the only woodpecker that feeds primarily on the ground. It has a black, crescent-shaped mark on the chest and a red,V-shaped mark on the back of the neck. Alabama is the only state with a woodpecker as a state bird. Above: Bluebird numbers have declined 90% over the last 60 years. (photo: James Hybart.) Below: Bassett measures the tail of a Rubythroated Hummingbird. Other data recorded are weight, and wing and bill length.

Vaughn Road CENTER

9350 Vaughn Road Pike Road, AL 36064 (East of Chantilly Parkway)

•BIRD HOUSES, poles and yard flags •Regular & special order plants.

334-272-8180 • vaughnroadgardencenter.com • vrngardencenter@bellsouth.net

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

social security

Income Reduction Could Lower Medicare Part B Premium

f you have Medicare coverage and you pay a higher Part B premium due to your higher income, here’s some news that may be comforting during these troubling economic Kylle’ McKinney times. If you have experienced a significant reduction in your overall income, Social Security might be able to reduce the amount of your Medicare Part B premium as well. The significant reduction in income can be as a result of a number of changes: marriage, divorce or annulment, death of a spouse, work reduction, work stoppage, reduction of income due to a loss of income-producing property, and loss or reduction of certain forms of pension income.

If any of these events have happened, provide Social Security evidence of the event and tell us how it has reduced your income. Evidence could be a death certificate, letter from your employer about your loss of work, or something of that nature. If you filed a federal income tax return for the year in question, we’ll need to see your signed copy of the tax return. If your income will not change until the following year, you can give us an estimate of what you think it will be. Once you show us evidence of the event and provide proof or an estimate of your reduced income, Social Security will update the records and, if appropriate, adjust your Medicare Part B premium.You can request a new decision and ask that we use more accurate tax return information if: n You amended your tax return for the year we used to determine your premium and it changes the income we count.

n You provide proof from the IRS of an error in the tax return information we used to make our decision. n Your tax filing status for the year we used to determine your premium was “married filing separately” and you did not live with your spouse at any time during that year. If you wish to report a significant reduction in your income so we can adjust your Medicare Part B premium, visit the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov/mediinfo.htm, or call toll-free, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office. To learn more about Medicare Part B coverage, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866593-0914 ext. 26265, or kylle.mckinney@ ssa.gov.

Like Father, Like Son The Polizos Family Restaurant Tradition Continues

Ristorante •Private Banquet Rooms •Full-Service Catering

Montgomery’s Finest Greek & Italian Cuisine

6268 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, AL 36117 • 334-356-4662

Smart Phone Menu View

Saturday breakfast • 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

moneywise

The Cost of Refinancing Y

ou will not be shocked if I say that many folks are in worse financial shape today than they were five years ago. However, there is one bright spot that might help you if you have not already taken advantage of the opportunity. With interest rates at historic lows, if you have a home mortgage that has been in place for more than a few years, refinancing now could save Alan Wallace you some serious dollars. This article is the first of two dealing with the subject of refinancing. This month we look at the costs typically associated with refinancing and how to keep them to a minimum. In the next issue we will consider guidelines for when refinancing makes sense. Homebuyers typically pay a lot of fees and other charges when they buy a house. Many of these are unavoidable on a purchase, although it is always a wise practice to comparison shop on major outlays when you can take the time to do so. All lenders are not created equal and they do not all have the same financing charges, and when refinancing, you may be able to escape some costs that you paid when you bought your home. Like the line in the Miracles’ hit from 1960 says, “You better shop around.” Closing costs that are probably unavoidable include: n Checking your credit history and rating n Escrow payments for part of your property taxes and homeowners insurance n Fees for recording the new mortgage n Research to confirm your title to the property is not in question n The closing attorney’s fee, including document prepara tion Depending on the lender you deal with, you may be able to avoid some or all of the following: n Loan origination fee n Loan processing fee n Loan underwriting fee n Points (probably not an issue in the current low rate environment) n Property appraisal (if you are dealing with the same lender) n Survey (if you are dealing with the same lender or can provide a copy) 14

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Of the “avoidable” fees, loan origination is often the highest. Typically 1% of the mortgage balance, this item could cost you $100 for every $10,000 you refinance. The final closing cost I want to talk about, the title insurance premium, may be partially avoidable. Title insurance protects the lender if someone unexpectedly shows up with a credible claim of ownership to the house you are financing. Since the property is your lender’s collateral, they want to make sure they get repaid if someone other than you turns out to own the house. While this scenario seems far-fetched, because title claims are expensive to defend and may result in the loss of the collateral, lenders require title insurance. The good news is that many title companies will reissue your current policy at a much lower cost than you would incur for a new title policy. However, in my experience you will only get this consideration if you ask for it. The difference may be a few hundred dollars, so it is a worthwhile point to raise. HUD (the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) requires lenders to provide potential mortgage borrowers what is known as a “good faith estimate” of closing costs. In addition to getting one of these from each lender you consider, you should have a conversation with someone at each institution to see what else you can learn from the data you get on paper. Some lenders may use estimates at the low end of a reasonable range and others may be more accurate. It also does not hurt to Google the lender to research the experience of other borrowers. In some cases you can shop for your own closing attorney instead of using someone connected to the lender. If you choose to go this route, try to find a person who specializes in real estate and has a good reputation. If an attorney knows that you will use him/her for your closing, he/she might be able to guide you a bit on the front end, saving you time, aggravation, money, or all three. Next month we will talk about whether or not a lower rate will save you enough to justify the closing costs required for a new loan. Between now and then, you can start shopping to see what lenders have available.

Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior Financial Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, 334-270-5960, alan.wallace@ ronblue.com.

around Montgomery

October Mystery

young man, shirtless in the sizzling southern summer, gazes into the bulging marble-like eyes of his championship jumping frog. Is he anticipating an upcoming event, or hoisting his cool-skinned victor high in celebration of another win over lesser toads and croakers? We advise him to hold tight. A wayward leap in the wrong direction from where they stand and our Calaveras cavalier could find himself sauteed and served up in gourmet fashion on a welltrimmed dinner plate. September FOUND! Find the frog, take your photo there, and send it to me by October 15 and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a gift certificate from Mr. G’s Ristorante.You’ll also get your photo in the next issue of Prime. And while you’re at it, let’s give the little jumper an appropriate name. The September Mystery location, a tiny village safe and secure in the Dept. of Archives and E-mail your photo and History, is in the newly-opened First Alabamians contact information to section.Thanks to Marc Chapman for locatjakebroberts1@gmail. ing the village and posing, Gulliver-like, for this com. photo. Marc wins a gift certificate from Mr. G’s.

CAPITOL HILL H E A LT H C A R E C E N T E R Alzheimer’s / Dementia Unit • Neuro-Rehab and Prosthetic Training Hospice • Respite Care • IV Therapy • Skilled Nursing Unit Medicaid · Medicare · VA Contract · Private Pay · Private Insurance Medicare Advantage Programs · Workmen’s Compensation

0 DROP IN FOR A VISIT TODAY 0

334-834-2920

520 South Hull Street wecare@capitolhillteam.com Montgomery, AL 36104 www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

feature

Breast Cancer Basics

(Information courtesy of the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health) Breast cancer forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts can help find cancer at an early (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that stage. When abnormal tissue or make milk). Although male breast cancer is rare, it does occur. cancer is found early, it may be easThis year the number of new ier to Signs/Symptoms cases in the U.S. is expected to treat. By be more than 232,000 (including Non-breast cancer conditions may also cause these symp- the time more than 2,000 males) resulting symptoms aptoms. Check with your doctor if any of these occur – in almost 40,000 deaths. pear, cancer may - A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the Anything that increases your have underarm area chance of getting a disease is begun to spread. - A change in the size or shape of the breast called a risk factor. Having a risk It is important to remem- A dimple or puckering in the skin of the breast factor does not mean that you ber that your doctor does will get cancer; not having risk not necessarily think you have - A nipple turned inward into the breast factors doesn’t mean that you will cancer if he or she suggests - Fluid, other than breast milk, from the nipple, especially not get cancer. People who think a screening test. Screening if it’s bloody they may be at risk should discuss tests are given even when you - Scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or this with their doctor. Risk fachave no cancer symptoms. If areola (the dark area of skin that is around the nipple) tors for breast cancer include the a screening test result is ab- Dimples in the breast that look like the skin of an following: normal, you may need to have - Older age. more tests done to find out if orange, called peau d’orange - Menstruating at an early age. you have cancer. - Older age at first birth or never Breast cancer is sometimes caused by inherited gene mutahaving given birth. tions. The genes in cells carry hereditary information received - A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) from a person’s parents. Hereditary breast cancer makes up apbreast disease. proximately 5% to 10% of all breast cancer. Some altered genes - A mother or sister with breast related to breast cancer are Tests/Procedures cancer. more common in certain These may be used to detect cancer and include – - Treatment with radiation ethnic groups. - Physical exam, including patient health history and therapy to the breast/chest. Women who have an alhabits - Breast tissue that is dense on a tered gene related to breast - Ultrasound exam that forms a picture of body tissues mammogram. cancer and who have had - MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) that produces de- Taking hormones such as estro breast cancer in one breast tailed pictures of areas inside the body (also called gen and progesterone. have an increased risk of denuclear magnetic resonance imaging or NMRI) - Drinking alcoholic beverages. veloping breast cancer in the - Blood chemistry studies to measure the amounts of - Being white. other breast. These women certain substances released into the blood Scientists are trying to better also have an increased risk - Biopsy, or removal of cells or tissues to check for signs understand which people are more of developing ovarian cancer, of cancer likely to get certain types of cancer and may have an increased by studying the things we do and risk of developing other canthe things around us to see if there is a link. This information cers. Men who have an altered gene related to breast cancer helps doctors recommend who should be screened for cancer, also have an increased risk of developing this disease. which screening tests should be used, and how often the tests Tests have been developed that can detect altered genes. should be done. These genetic tests are sometimes done for members of famiScreening looks for cancer before there are symptoms and lies with a high risk of cancer. Resources American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, 1-800-227-2345, or local 334-288-3432. Programs include Cancer Survivors Network (virtual community connecting suvivors at http://csn.cancer.org/), Reach to Recovery (visitation), Gift Shop (free wigs, prothesis,), I Can Cope (helping patients/loved ones deal with their experience), Look Good…Feel Better (monthly classes to help patients with beauty techniques to offset the side effects of treatment; reserve space by calling Tisha Ward, 334-612-8179.) Bosom Buddies. Meets 7 pm, 3rd Tues. Frazer UMC, Rm. 7206. For info. call American Cancer Society, 334-288-3432. Breast Cancer TV, www.breastcancertv.ne National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov/. Women of Hope. Meets 5:30 pm, 2nd Tues. Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Rm 8114. Guest speakers, support, refreshments. For info. call 334-220-4599, or visit www.thewomenofhope.com. 16

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

a gracious plenty

! n O s ’ p Sou I

was excited when I got a call from my friend, Sandra Polizos, to consider writing the food column for Prime Montgomery. Carron Morrow Writing has always been my secret ambition, and now I’m being given the opportunity. I have big shoes to fill because I loved reading Patsy Smith! A favorite family recipe, handed down to us by my maternal grandmother, is homemade soup, a real comfort food and perfect for fall football. We make this recipe in five gallon quantities and freeze it in small servings suitable for friends and shut-ins, so we’re ready when the temperature takes a dive. The recipe feeds ten. 1 1/2 lb. of lean hamburger meat 1 medium onion 1 large green bell pepper, diced 3 cans of inexpensive Mexican stewed tomatoes

1 small bottle of catsup 1 can kernel corn with liquid 1 can of tiny English peas with liquid 10 red new potatoes, quartered Small bag of large elbow macaroni Salt and pepper to taste Start with a large boiler. Saute’ meat, onions and bell peppers until done, then pour in tomatoes, peas, corn and catsup. Add quartered, peeled potatoes and

enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch. Turn heat to boil. As soon as it boils, cut heat to simmer and cover. When potatoes are cooked, add macaroni until it’s done. You can add more water and catsup for more broth. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy! If you find yourself with much excess in food preparation, remember to help feed the homeless in our city. For November – In the catering

world, the holidays are here. The thought of mama’s homemade dressing, giblet gravy, squash casserole and sweet potato yams with orange glaze gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. I’m ready for family get-togethers and lots of hugging! Carron Morrow owns Personal Touch Events, a 35-year-old Montgomery-based company specializing in corporate and personal catering and event planning. Contact Carron at 334-279-6279 or by e-mail at carronmorrow@ bellsouth.net, or visit www.onlinepersonaltouch.com. www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

Neon Desert Story and photos by Alex Nicholson

oasis. Even losing at the penny slots has its value. as Vegas was built on gambling, and gambling remains A mixed drink (you call it: gin & tonic? Scotch & soda?) can at the core of this unique American city. As additional set you back $6 to $10 bucks. Six to ten methods of separating people bucks in a penny slot machine, with just from their money have sprung up in a bit of luck (a word you hear a lot in other parts of the country — bingo Las Vegas), can net 45 minutes of right parlors, state lotteries — Las Vegas arm (or index finger) exercise while has morphed into what may be best sipping complimentary drinks. A couple described as an amusement park for of free drinks during your $6-to-$10 adults. Or, as one fellow slot machine 45-minute battle at the penny slots puts aficionado put it, Disney World, with you ahead of the game. gambling. And really good food. And Accommodations run the gamut, from more entertainment than you can shake several hundred dollars a night, to $43 a stick at. a night. But you can also stroll through a The later is available at, among other French village, amble through Manhattan, places, Bally’s, not the newest but not listen to soaring arias sung by polethe oldest hotel/casino combo. The pushing gondoliers along Italian canals, rooms are clean and reasonably large. watch a pirate battle, and ride to the Ask for one that’s been recently-renotop of the Eiffel Tower. vated. Treasure Island and others have If you buy into the Disney World-othsimilar prices. A web search followed by er-world fantasy, you can have a grand an old-fashion phone call will uncover time, whether you gamble or not. If you Escher-like floor of the Venetian Hotel/Casino. the best bargains. buy into the other fantasy, that winning One advantage of Bally’s is that it adin Vegas is possible (the fantasy they joins the much newer Paris hotel with its Eiffel Tower, French really want you to believe), you’re a perfect fit for this desert 18

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

village and gut-busting buffet. Be warned: check-in time almost anywhere means standing in line for a very, very long time. Las Vegas dining can be expensive.You can eat more cheaply by patronizing the fast-food establishments we have come to know and love - subs, hamburgers, hotdogs, etc. - or by taking advantage of casino meal-deals. After all, they want you there to gamble; eating’s just a byproduct and in some cases, probably a loss-leader. My favorite visual juxtaposition of fast-food and gambling is the McDonald’s next to the venerable Harrah’s Hotel and Casino. Whoever invented penny slot machines should be Fast food and fast money coexist knighted. Or beheaded, depending on your luck on any given night. There are also quarter machines, dollar machines, video game-like machines, theme machines, plus poker, craps, roulette, baccarat, and other unrecognizable forms of parting you from your funds.

If hanging around a casino or strolling through Italy or France or New York City isn’t sufficient, there are The Shows. During any week a couple of incarnations of the long-lived Cirque de Soleil are in town. This includes Love (Beatles music, unfortunately not playing when we were there), Elvis, and one titled Mystere’. Mystere’ was very interesting but a bit repetitive after the first hour. In addition, the Master of Ceremonies was difficult to understand, sporting a thick French accent, authentic or imitation (hard to tell.) During the performance there were moments of gymnastic brilliance and daring, though these tended to be in the glitter capital of the U.S. the same acts that brought us to circuses in the past — trapeze artists, tumblers, trampolinists. Unlike circuses from our childhoods, however, there were no animals. Not even a monkey. For sheer wattage-wasting brilliance there’s nothing like the www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

Above:The venerable Bally’s and newer Eiffel Tower-sprouting Paris Las Vegas have connecting lobbies. Left:The French village motif buffet at the Paris Las Vegas. Bottom: Gambling parlors look pretty much the same from casino to casino. Only during a few hours of the day are they void of players. They may not have invented it, but Las Vegas casinos certainly know how to capitalize on the modern 24/7 lifestyle.

color pallet-defying spectacle of Las Vegas. These incredible light displays are a show by themselves, but perhaps the best show is that of people-watching. All manner of individuals inhabit the neon-lit streets and semi-smoky interiors of the casinos (smoking is allowed.) From tuxedos to blue jeans to Bermuda shorts, from spitshined wingtips to tennis shoes to flip-flops, you see it all. Some patrons are wide-eyed and animated, others sit rock still, eyes glazed over, their only movement the monotonous, repetitive pull of the lever or push of the button. That is until the bell goes off and people gather ‘round and everyone cheers. Then, with renewed determination, onlookers turn back to the slots or poker tables or roulette wheels with renewed confidence that they, too, are just a few dollars away from hitting The Streak. Everyone should visit Las Vegas at least once, if for nothing more than to witness the accumulated excesses of our selfindulgent, money-driven society. Then maybe go back a second time, because maybe, just MAYBE, there’s a lucky slot machine tucked away in a seldom-visited corner of some nondescript casino waiting for your dollar. Or your quarter. Or your penny. Good luck. 20

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

For sheer spectacle it’s hard to top the Venetian with its columns, statues, gondolas, and canal that runs inside and outside the hotel.

Kynard Korner’s Reinvintage Boutique

vintage apparel & accessories for every occasion Mardi Gras • costume parties • films plays • proms • balls • cotillions Eastbrook Flea Market & Antique Mall 425 Coliseum Blvd. • Montgomery, AL 36109 334-799-0709 • nkynard@yahoo.com

Bou Cou

dancewear & a whole lot more!

Jewelry Accessories Gifts Invitations Monogramming

In The Courtyard 2101 Eastern Blvd. (behind Starbucks)

(334) 239-0655 www.boucou.net www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

feature

Life Holds On Story by Bob Corley Photos Contributed

ward-winning singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman man, “...the number one healing activity that anyone can do.” first wrapped her pre-teenage hand around the neck of From the time her family moved to Montgomery and she a guitar while sitting in a closet, flashlight tucked under enrolled in the eighth grade at Cloverdale Jr. High, through her her chin, struggling to read a chord book written in German. high school years at Jeff Davis, music has been the dominant “There were no books in English,” she creative activity in Chapman’s life. says, referring to her time in Germany “I would have been much more with her Air Force family. miserable (without music). It gave me But Chapman persevered, learned to a channel,” says Chapman. “It was me, play guitar and piano by ear, and over awakening as a person. I started writing the next 40+ years wrote Number One songs and poems.” songs for a who’s-who of performers, She sang in the school choir and while her own recordings cracked the competed as a soloist at All State. But Top Ten several times. But this same not all her performances were positively period also brought two battles with received, such as playing guitar in the cancer, her husband’s, and her own. girl’s restroom. “We will all go through being cracked “We’d be singing Judy Collins’ songs. Every songwriter’s home has a writing room. I remember someone coming in and open by life in some way,” she says. In that process of loss and recovery, Chapsaying they were going to confiscate my man discovered a universal healing element that both unites us, guitar,” she says, laughing, “because I was upsetting the typing and makes us uniquely individual – creativity. It is, says Chapclasses because all the girls were singing (launching into song) 22

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

‘Who knows where the time goes, who knows where the time, In 1993 her husband Ernest was diagnosed with a rare form goes...’” of lymphoma. He died a year later. Church performances were part of her early musical ex“We had hope all through it,” she says quietly. perience, as were weddings and coffee houses that sprang up In the depths of her pain and despair, music was a constant in Montgomery in the companion, even if Chap1970s. Among them, the man didn’t fully underUnitarian Fellowship on stand its meaning or Vaughn Road, and the power. Not long after her Down Funky Street Cofhusband’s death, longtime fee House at Huntingdon family friend and felCollege, where Chapman low songwriter Rodney first performed her own Crowell called to say he songs. was coming over to write. “I was just about 15,” Chapman panicked. she recalls. “It was three “I felt like I had a gun to songs, one of them was my head,” she says, point(singing) ‘There are tiny ing her index finger at her open spaces, in our convertemple. sation...’ I just remember Crowell had written feeling like it went over Number One songs for real well. It was that thing other artists, and one where the spark was of his own albums had ignited.” yielded five Number One A spark, indeed. That hits. song, When Love is New, “When he came would later be recorded through the door,” recalls by country music superChapman, “I was telling With her dad Bob Nielsen in the early 1980s. His deep, rich bass and her star Crystal Gayle. him, ‘Look, I got this thing lilting falsetto were an ideal combo for a novelty song about Ann Boleyn. Soon after high started, and we’ve got to school Chapman signed fix it, it’s not done.’” a recording contract and had a solo album produced. She Chapman played the song for Crowell, recalling his reaction performed a few years in Montgomery with the popular group as if it were yesterday. Harmony. A move to Mobile, marriage, and the birth of her son “He said, ‘If you change one word of that you’re crazy. It’s occupied much of her time over the next few years, but she perfect. It’s so done.’” continued performing and writing. Chapman, unconvinced, disagreed with the Grammy AwardAmong songs penned winning artist. during her time in Mobile “It’s got that line about was Five Minutes, which solid stone is just sand became a Number One and water and a million hit for Lorrie Morgan. years gone by,” she arAfter moving to Nashville gued. “That doesn’t make in 1985 Chapman’s career any sense.” took a huge leap forward. Lowering her voice, Over the next few years adding a bit more her songs would be persouthern twang, Chapformed by a stellar line-up man mimics Crowell’s of artists. response. In 1988, Tanya Tucker “You’re such a grievin’ had a Number One hit widder woman, you with Strong Enough To don’t even know what Bend. The following year you just wrote.” Chapman’s Nothing I Can Crowell was right. Do About It Now was a Sand and Water was Number One hit for Wilcomplete. lie Nelson. A year later “I consider it one of Chapman’s own album the best songs I’ve ever With This Kiss co-writer Annie Roboff (L) and recording artist Faith Hill. yielded three singles that written,” she concedes. climbed into the Top Ten, and her1993 album placed two more “I wrote that whole song in such a state of grace and grief. I songs in the Top Ten. But that year, on the heels of success and think what happens is when you’re really in that vulnerable triumph, her life was ripped apart. place, where feeling and art meet, if you can just stay out of www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

the way of the creative spirit...it will flow and heal as it leaves behind beautiful things that help others to heal.” After the release of Sand and Water in 1997, Sir Elton John added the title track to his concert tour as a tribute to the late Princess Diana. The next few years yielded Chapman’s greatest hit so far. This Kiss, cowritten with Annie Roboff and Robin Lerner, became a Number One song for Faith Hill. This Kiss also won ASCAP’s Song Of The Year Award and was nominated for a Grammy. Chapman was on a creative roll. But in 2000, her life was once again thrown into turmoil. That year she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “In the middle of it I thought, ‘I’m not going to be able to do this. I’m not doing this very good. I don’t know if I’m going to get through this.’” Chapman, losing her strength along with her hair, drew inspiration from those who had gone through similar trials. “I’d talk to someone and their hair would be grown out and they’d say ‘Ah, you’re doing great! You’re right With Elton John (C), who adopted Sand and Water for his live tour. where you’re supposed to be.’” During chemotherapy Chapman’s writing muse was needed!” nowhere to be found, yet she didn’t abandon creative pursuits. Her most recent reminder of our tentative hold on life was “I started painting. Many of them are women with no hair. in 2009, with the removal of a non-malignant brain tumor that And I did a lot of angels.” turned out to be impeding her writing. Today, Chapman is a strong voice for early detection of “You can look at me and say ‘you’ve been through all this,’” breast cancer, often interrupting a concert for what she terms she says. ‘You must really feel unlucky!’” a “public service announcement.” Just the opposite. Chapman considers herself quite lucky, this “Ladies,” she tells concert goers, “it’s a really good idea to year in particular. have someone feel you In January, after a decade-long courtship, up at least once a month. she married Bob Sherman, a psychologist and But if you’d rather do it photographer. Add to that a just-completed yourself, that’s fine, too.” CD (chants sung in Sanskrit), a soon-to-beShe grins. “And they’re finished collection of songs about astronomy going ‘Oh, my God I can’t aimed a school-age children, and a September believe she said that!’” performance and panel discussion on peace “Here’s the deal,” she’ll at the U.N. (including meeting U.N. Secretary continue, amid twitGeneral Ban Ki-moon), and 2011 ranks high ters of laughter in the on her list of good years. concert hall. “If you find “I feel like the luckiest person in the world anything, you have to go to have come through this,” she says,referring and have it checked out, to the many obstacles that have obstructed not by a regular doctor, her journey to this point. not by your dentist, not “I’ve come to believe in my own resilience, by your foot doctor, but and that resilience is what I find so comforting by a breast surgeon!’ to see in other people.” Chapman grins. “I try This resilience, along with perseverance in to bring humor into my the face of great odds is, as you might expect, very serious message.” the subject of a Beth Nielsen Chapman song, Recently, a young Life Holds On. woman in England approached her at the end With Vince Gill, with whom she wrote Here We Are, a of a concert and credited Number One hit for the group Alabama in 1991. Life holds on Chapman with saving her Given the slightest chance life. A year before, the For the weak and the strong 31-year-old had found a lump, but her doctor dismissed it since Life holds on. she didn’t have a history of cancer in her family. After attending one of Chapman’s U.K. concerts she returned to her doctor And herein lies one of the mysteries of the creative spirit, and insisted on additional tests. Those tests revealed an aggresand the gifts it bestows on those who take the time to listen sive cancer in its early stages and she began treatment. and act on its behalf – Chapman penned the resilent, uplifting “She’s going to live,” Chapman says, beaming. “That’s all I message of Life Holds On more than 30 years ago. 24 October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

35th

Anniversary Season

MSO • Opening Night

Monday, October 10th • 7:30pm Davis Theatre 240-4004 • montgomery symphony.org

“[It’s]…jump out of your seat, grab the stranger next to you and hang on for dear life fun!”

-Louisville.com

October 7–30

Adapted by William McNulty Originally dramatized by John L. Balderson and Hamilton Deane from Bram Stoker’s Dracula

AlAbAmA ShAkeSpeAre FeStivAl

montgomery, Alabama 1.800.841.4273 www.ASF.net www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

Medicare

Medicare Open Enrollment: Better Choices, Sooner by Donald Berwick, MD, Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services

very year during Open Enrollment, Medicare recipients can explore new choices and pick the plans that work best for them. This year Open Enrollment starts early – October 15 – and ends sooner – December 7. As health plans start marketing and advertising activities we want consumers to know the Medicare program is strong and, in 2012, has a broad array of choices. There are also new benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Every person with Medicare will have to choose a “Part D” plan to help them pay for prescription drugs. People who have chosen to enroll in a “Part C” Medicare Advantage plan for their basic health care services have the option of staying in that plan, choosing a different plan, or going back to the Original Medicare program. These are important choices that should be made with great care. Consumer protections have been strengthened, and Medicare plan choices improved, making it simpler to choose a new health or drug plan by reducing the number of duplicate plans. Work was also done to reduce cost-sharing on important benefits like inpatient hospitalization and mental health services. Thanks to enhanced bargaining power, the average premiums for a Part D plan will be the same in 2012 as in 2011. The

average premium for Part C plans will decrease by 4 percent. All of this is good news for those on Medicare with a fixed income. Like last year, Medicare recipients will have a variety of Medicare Advantage plan choices, along with a variety of Part D plan choices in 2012. Many plans have zero deductibles, and there are plans with some form of generic gap coverage. Medicare recipients are also experiencing new benefits, including an Annual Wellness Visit with their doctor to discuss their health and health care needs. Prevention services like mammograms and other cancer screenings are now available with no cost-sharing. People who reach the donut hole in their drug costs will get a 50 percent discount on covered brand name drugs and a 14 percent discount on generics. Marketplace performance will be closely monitored to protect consumers from misleading information or prohibited tactics, putting Medicare plans on notice that quick action will be taken against those found violating marketing rules. For information and assistance with your Medicare choices visit www.medicare.gov, call the hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE, or consult a local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for assistance in helping you identify and enroll in the coverage option that best suits your needs in 2012.

SELF-MANAGE CHRONIC DISEASE Free classes are available from Living Well Alabama for those suffering from, or caring for those suffering from, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic pain, arthritis, anxiety, depression, or other chronic conditions. Classes are two hours once a week for six weeks, and include practical ways to deal with pain and fatigue, better nutrition, exercise choices, treatment choices, and how to communicate better with medical personnel and family members about health concerns and conditions. Chronic Disease Self-Management Program classes are offered not only for individuals 60+ with an ongoing health condition, but for anyone of any age living with or taking care of someone with a chronic disease or condition. CLASS SESSIONS Oct. 6-Nov. 10, Thurs. 9-11:30 am. Tallassee. Community Home Health & Hospice. Oct. 6-Nov. 10, Thurs. 1:30-4 pm. Mtgy. Archibald Center at MACOA Oct. 12-Nov. 16, Wed. 1:30-4 pm. Mtgy. Health South Rehabilitation Hospital. Registration required. Call Jane Mitchel or Myrtle Scott, 334-240-4666. 26

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Physical Therapy • Wellness/Personal Training

off the beaten path

Backyard Bird Dog Training (Part 3 of 3)

bedience. Obedience. Obedience. Obedience is where dog training starts and it lays the foundation for every aspect of hunting dog training that follows. An obedient dog in the yard will be an obedient dog in the field, and I always build some kind of obedience training into every training session. It’s strange to think that once a dog is doing multiple Niko & Bella long marks and retrieves it might need a refresher on manners. Most hunting dogs spend 10 percent of their time in the field training or hunting and 90 percent at home, so it goes without saying that while the hunting is what you and the dog enjoy most, on a day-to-day basis basic obedience will be called upon more frequently than long distance handling. Be Innovative and Adaptive in Training One of the biggest fallacies regarding training a hunting dog is that one needs great expanses of land, water and equipment. Luckily for many backyard trainers like me, that’s not the case. While it is important to expose a hunting dog in training to a multitude of different training environments as often as possible, all basic training and some advanced work can be done from your backyard. I like to duplicate as closely as I can the hunting scenarios my dogs will encounter afield. While there are several open fields, ponds and wooded areas close to home that I routinely use for training, during the work week it’s difficult to get away to these spots on a daily basis. This conundrum helped me reevaluate my own backyard as an effective training ground. Since I often hunt my dogs in cut grain fields, I found a bed of creeping vinca a great place to plant dead birds or scented dummies for nose work, same as working a privet hedge can help prepare a dog for hunting overgrown fencerows. I like to use live birds as much as possible, but have found that dead ones kept in the freezer can last for some time. Old tennis balls dipped in bird scent works like a charm in the absence of real birds. They also seem to help puppies pick up on retrieving quickly. Make It Fun

While training is technically work, there should also be an element of fun involved. I like to end a training session on a high note, even if it means quitting earlier than I prefer if the dog has just done something spectacular. But if the training session is heading south I usually try to pick up the tempo with a “freebie” where I tease the dog with the dummy or bird and release the dog to retrieve it immediately after throwing. The dog comes back excited from the retrieve and ready for another and I, having set the dog up for success, end the session on a positive note. A hunter and his dog are a team, and training your own dog is a great way to build trust. By being consistent, staying focused on the overall objective, building confidence in the dog, not forgetting the basics, being flexible in methodology and keeping it fun, over time I believe you can train your dog to be the perfect hunting partner. Niko Corley spends his free time hunting, fishing and enjoying other outdoor activities. He can be contacted at cootfootoutfitters@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @cootfootoutfitters.

QR Codes, such as the one here and on a couple of ads in this issue, are black-and-white blocks in a square readable by a Smart Phone using a free application. It can link to a website or Facebook page, or instantly provide your contact information. Prime Montgomery can provide this service to any of our advertisers and advise them on how best to use it. There are many sites from which you can download a free QR Code-reading app. If you’re an advertiser looking to enhance your print advertising, Prime Montgomery can help you do that. Contact: •Bob Corley, 334-202-0114 primemontgomery@gmail.com •Stephanie Crompton, 334-462-1240 stephaniecrompton7@gmail.com www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

moving free with Mirabai

The Wellness Mandala O

ctober: leaves are turning, frost is on the pumpkin and flu season is knocking at our door. I’ve got no excuse. Even my neighborhood drugstore is giving out flu shots these days. Thinking about avoiding the flu always makes me wax philosophic. So I started thinking about wellness. What is Mirabai Holland wellness anyway? It’s the absence of disease. If you are not sick you are well. But it’s more than that isn’t it? It’s quality of life and for some it’s the balance of all things. I like this balance concept so I dug out one of my favorite balance tools: The Mandala or wheel of life. I wrote down all the types of wellness I could think of and ended up with 6 categories that I stuck on my Mandala. Here they are: Physical Wellness n Taking care of your body, eat right, exercise n Visit your doctor regularly Mental Wellness n Keeping an open mind and trying to see other’s point of view n Allowing your curiosity to take you to new places and learn new things. Emotional Wellness n Trying to keep a positive state of mind n Cultivating self esteem n Reaching out to others for support Spiritual Wellness n Recognizing your beliefs. n Allowing your core values to direct your actions.

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

Social Wellness n Developing positive inter-personal relationships at home and work n Allowing yourself to give and receive love: to and from everyone who means much to you, including animals n Participate in social situations; try not to stay on the sidelines. Environmental Wellness n Making your home environment peaceful, pleasant, safe and comfortable. n Choosing an occupation and a workplace that doesn’t drive you nuts. n Try to have a positive impact on our natural environment. Recycle more, pollute less. When the wheel is in balance it spins evenly. When even one of these categories is out of whack, the whole wheel starts to wobble. So as a wellness professional I respectfully suggest you get rolling! Mirabai Holland, M.F.A., is a leading authority in the Health & Fitness industry specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work. Send questions to: askmirabai@movingfree.com.

Authentic Greek Food & Pastries

Thur., Fri., Sat. Oct. 27, 28, 29 Lunch 11am - 2pm; Dinner 5-8pm Take-out, Eat-in, Drive-thru (lunch only) Plates: $12 and $14 Greek Orthodox Church â&#x20AC;˘1721 Mt. Meigs Rd. 334-263-1366 (Gift shop with Greek food items and gifts.)

www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

in every life

Socialization is Key t o Successful Aging T

hroughout history, observers have reflected about how to “successfully age.” Most have concluded that what is “successful” depends on the judgment of the person and the context. The elder’s own thoughts can prompt consideration of how to best help them and to plan ways to maintain satisfying social activities during personal aging. Society depends on older adults for roles such as history keeper and provider of wisdom, integrating the past and presArlene Morris ent for use in the future. Seniors in the same age group – who have experienced similar life experiences (Great Depression, WWII , Korean War or Vietnam War, etc.) – have perspectives based on specific events of their lives. The risk is that society will lose those perspectives if they are not effectively passed on. Older adults can leave a legacy of their memories and the wisdom gleaned from personal experiences in audio or videotaped format, journals, photo scrapbooks, art or other media, or by special one-to-one discussions. Choices for activities that are available/desired are influenced by culture, health, economic and social status, lifestyle, geographic location and accessibility of family and friends. Choices require a balance between cost (energy, time, money, or other resources) and potential benefits. The challenge is to select what is most important and find creative ways to pursue desired activities, modifying as needed. Changes in physical function may require shorter activity periods or adaptations such as sitting or using assistive devices. Those who experience cognitive changes can continue to enjoy music, readings, gardening, or other hobbies in shorter incre-

ments with assistance from those who understand the person’s lifelong patterns. Daily phoning of a friend to “check in” can be a very satisfying way to maintain meaningful contact and to address safety needs. Interactions with others of the same age or with those of other ages, such as through church groups, senior resource centers, or arts or hobby activities, allows for enjoyment and development of wisdom. Spiritual growth can occur through personal reflection and meaningful relationships with God and others. Support groups for those who have specific health concerns provide a forum for members to discuss creative adaptations and management strategies. Caregivers can also share concern and insights, through programs such as Alabama Cares, sponsored by the Central Alabama Aging Consortium or other community resources. Sharing interests and insights promotes personal growth and opportunity to mentor and share wisdom. Risk for social isolation can be decreased by creatively planning how to best blend personal, family, and community resources and interactions. Arlene H. Morris, RN, Ed.D. is a Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor in the Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing, where she enjoys teaching content regarding gerontology and professional nursing issues. E-mail her at amorris@aum.edu.

FREE PRESCRIPTION CARD If you or someone you know is one of millions without prescription coverage, the ProvisionRx prescription card can help! (Cut out card below, fold, and carry with you.)

60,000

STEP 2 CALL ME:

PHARM1975, LLC Phone: 334-467-1388

www.pharm1975.provisionrx.com

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

prime diversions

Recent dvd releases Bridesmaids, Rio, and Bride Flight

Bridesmaids (R) If only someone had committed to one goal for this project, we might have had a winner, instead of a near-miss combo platter. The protagonist is Annie (Kristin Wiig), whose life is falling apart as her best friend (Maya Rudolph) is not only getting married, but moving from Milwaukee to Chicago, and into a much higher tax bracket. As Maid of Honor, Annie not only finds herself pushed financially to oversee all the festivities, but in a struggle for the bride’s approval with Helen (Rose Byrne), who not only projects the image of Miss Perfect, but backs it up with wealth, charm and a full-tilt strategy of undermining Annie at every turn. There are plenty of slapstick, lowbrow and even grossout moments, seeming to aim for a distaff version of manic buddy romps like Hangover or Hot Tub Time Machine. Melissa McCarthy, as the groom’s rugged sister, may look like a thorn among the lovelier roses, but she nearly steals the movie from the other bridesmaids, delivering a wealth of comedy and breadth of character in relatively little screen time. But director Paul Feig couldn’t decide how much of the script to use, dragging us through Annie’s financial, familial and romantic woes for so long that it dilutes the punch of the comedy. Between rounds of her battle with Helen, we watch her suffer through booty calls, roomie troubles, career fizzles and an excessively slow uptake on learning who she could become, and where she might find true love. Since Wiig co-wrote the script, it would likely be hard for anyone to trim the fat from the star’s pages, at the expense of her face time - especially a director whose resume is long on TV series, and short on feature films. Too bad. With some prudent editing, this one could have rivaled the breakout film of another Saturday Night Live colleague - Tina Fey’s Mean Girls. (9/20/11)

Rio (PG) There’s nothing new about the plot in this animated feature, available in 3-D options. A tropical nestling bird is poached from the Amazon jungle,

but luckily winds up in the loving care of a nerdy Minnesota girl, to whom he’s Mark Glass not only a pet, but a best friend. Fifteen years later, an ornithologist tells the lass that her bird is the last male of his species, and he’s needed in Brazil to mate with what may be the last female they’d just captured. They go. More poachers. Adventure follows. Since it occurs in Rio, music and colorful characters and settings abound. Our guy can’t fly or function in the wild, having only known domesticity. His intended is the sort of free spirit one would expect from growing up in nature - a whole lot tougher than he. The laughs come mostly from comic sidekicks, trying to scatter bits of amusement across the age spectrum. It’s most likely to appeal to younger viewers, with a plot that varies little from recent fare like Rango or How to Train Your Dragon. The songs are competent, but hardly memorable. 3-D effects help, but will still fall short of wowing most viewers. (8/9/11)

Bride Flight (R) After WW II, most of Europe was faced with rampant devastation and displacement of large segments of its population. One of the options for moving forward was emigration to undamaged, underpopulated places like Australia and New Zealand - the late 1940s equivalent of our Wild West. The title refers to a planeload of young adults from Holland, seeking a new life in New Zealand. We focus on three women crossing half the globe for arranged marriages, and handsome, charismatic Frank, who befriends them on the journey. The rest is epic-scale soap opera, as their intertwined lives vary from expectations over the next 50 years. The less you know about the details of this multi-faceted romantic drama, the better. It opens in the present with a death, and several people traveling to the funeral. That’s a wraparound for the decades in between. Fine acting, superb production values and a few elements of suspense elevate this one above many of the hankie-wringers that hit the theaters or cable TV. Most viewers will find themselves caring about the cast, and how their fates compare to their hopes and dreams. (9/20/11) Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

out & about

1) Recent activity at the Mtgy. Bridge Club included (l) Lenita Bond (Wetumpka), Margaret Clout (Mtgy), Mary Ann Klatt (Wetumpka) and Mary Barwick (Wetumpka.) 2) During the grand re-opening of Piedmont National Corp.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Montgomery facility, Asst. Fire Chief (Suppression) Kenneth Bolling described the fire that swept through Piedmont facilities in 2010 with Mayor Todd Strange and PSC Commissioner Twinkle Andress on-hand. 3) Montgomery Chief Deputy Sheriff Derrick Cunningham at the Senior Fishing Rodeo he helped organize. 4) Dot Moore autographs her new book, No Remorse:The Rise and Fall of John Wallace, for Frank Powell at New South Books. 2 5) Particpants in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer kick-off breakfast included (l)Melody Kitchen (American Cancer Society), Angier Johnson (WVAS-FM radio host), Tommy McKinnon (Baptist Health), Dr. Mary Karst, Pam Mashburn (publisher, cancer survivor), Shirley Laurent (Baptist Health), and Pam King (Making Strides Chairperson).

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

OCTOBER CALENDAR

Theatre Oct. 1. Bad Year for Tomatoes. Millbrook Community Players. 334-782-7317, www.millbrooktheatre.com. $. Oct. 11 & 13. Troy. Page to Stage. Troy U. Theatre Dept. 334808-6142, www.troytheatre.org. $. Oct. 11-14 & 16. Auburn. The Marvelous Wonderettes. AU Theatre Dept. 334-844-4151, www.theatre@auburn.edu. $. Music Oct. 7, 7pm. Alabama Roots Music Society concert, Old Alabama Town. Webb Wilder. $ Oct. 8 & 22. 9 am-3 pm. Mtgy. Jam Session, Old Alabama Town. 334-240-4500, www.oldalabamatown.com. Oct. 10. 7:30 pm. Mtgy. Davis Theatre. Mtgy Symphony Opening Night. 334-240-4004, www.montgomerysymphony. org. $ Oct. 13, 7:30 pm. Mtgy. Chamber Music Organization concert, Fry Street Quartet. Mtgy. Museum of Fine Arts. For info. 334-277-3505. $ Oct. 14, 6 pm. TavernFest. Lucas Tavern Old Alabama Town. Music, beer, food. For info. 334-240-4500, www.oldalabamatown.org. $ Oct. 14, 7-9 pm. Mtgy. Chestnut Street Opry. Play, listen, sing, dance. Featuring singer/songwriter Rebecca Ivey. For info 334-313-0843, 334-531-0054, www.chestnutstreetopry.com. Oct. 15, 9 am-Noon. Bluegrass Jam. Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Rd. Pickers and listeners welcome. For info 334272-3174, www.perryhillumc.org. History Every day from 9 am-3 pm. Harvest Time at Old Alabama Town. 334-240-4500, www.oldalabamatown.com. Oct. 31, 9 am-2 pm. Dept. of Archives & History. Family History Workshop. Lunch included in registration fee. Call 334-353-4693 or e-mail debbie.pendleton@archives.alabama. gov. $ Art/Arts & Crafts Oct. 3, 10-11 am. Creative Art Center in Prattville. Mommy and Me Art Classes. 334-358-0297. Oct. 7-16. Mtgy. Alabama National Fair. Fundraiser for children’s and youth charities. Oct. 8, 9 am. Bama Brushstrokes Art Club meeting. Messiah Lutheran Church, 6670 Vaughn Rd. For info. garnet2@ bellsouth.net, 334-271-3298. Oct. 13. Stonehenge Gallery art exhibit; Anton Haardt, Clark Walker, Clair McCorkle. For info. anton3@earthlink.net, 334-414-0745. Fundraisers Oct. 1, 7 am. Mtgy. Half Marathon benefiting the Joy To Life Foundation. Oct. 14, 5 pm. Notasulga. Annual Blue Jean Ball, Pat Dye’s Crooked Oaks Hunting Lodge. Supporting scholarships, programs, faculty of AUM and AU nursing schools. For info. contact Shelley Grider, 334-244-3032, gridesw@auburn.edu. Oct. 17, 10 am-6 pm. Mtgy. Amplify Salon and Spa. Cuts For A Cure cancer fundraiser. For appt. call 334-834-4243, or visit www.cutsforacure.info Other Oct. 2, 4 pm. Mtgy. Shoppes at EastChase kick-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Music, face painting, refreshments. Oct. 3 & 17, 6:30-8 pm. Mental illness support group. Ch-

isholm Baptist Church Annex, 2938 Lower Wetumpka Rd. For info. call Becky Poole daytime, 353-4383. Oct. 6, 6:30-8 pm. Mtgy. Wills, Trusts & Probate. MAX Credit Union, Eastdale Circle. Call to register, 334-394-2150, 1-800-776-6776 ext. 2150, or online at http://www.mymax. com/learn-and-plan/member-education.html. Oct. 8, 8 am-Until. Eclectic. Cotton Fest. Music, car show, art show, kids zone, pet parade, vendors. Call 334-541-3581 or verdienummy@live.com or www.townofeclectic.com. Oct. 8, 1 pm-4 pm. Mtgy. Riverwalk Wine Festival, Riverfront. 334-625-2100, www.riverwalkwinefestival.com. Oct. 8. 4:30-6:30 pm. Mtgy. Harriott II. Wine Fest Cruise. 334-625-2100. Oct. 9, 4:30-6 pm. Mtgy. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey reads from her book inspired by photos of African-American prostitutes living in New Orleans in the early 1900s. AUM Goodwyn Hall, Rm. 109. For info. 334-2443642, www.aum.edu. Oct. 13-16, 20-23, 27-31, 6-9 pm. Mtgy. ZooBoo. For info. 334-240-4900, www.montgomeryzoo.com. Oct. 13, 4 pm. Mtgy. Hearing Loss Support Group. Cloverdale United Methodist Church. Speaker, refreshments, fellowship, information. Oct. 16, 2 pm. Mtgy. Area Daylily Society, Redland Rd. Fire Dept., 6900 Redland Rd. Wetumpka. For info., Terese Goodson, 334-288-6024, etbgoodson@aol.com. Oct. 18, 6:30-8 pm. Mtgy. New Realities of Retirement Planning. MAX Credit Union, Eastdale Circle. Speaker Alan Wallace with Ronald Blue & Co. (and Prime Montgomery columnist.) Call to register, 334-394-2150, 1-800-776-6776 ext. 2150, or online at http://www.mymax.com/learn-and-plan/ member-education.html. Oct. 23, 5 pm. Mtgy. Shoppes at EastChase Fashion Show, Dillard’s, in partnership with Joy To Life Foundation. Oct. 26, 8 am-5:30 pm. Tour Atlanta Aquarium & Coca-Cola plant with Mtgy. Area Council on Aging (MACOA). Round trip bus transport, lunch on your own. For info. 334-240-6767. $ (MACOA also provides art instruction, crafts, card games, bingo, computer center, and exercise classes.) Oct. 27, 6-7 pm. Gluten Intolerance Group (GIC). Taylor Rd. Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Speaker, information, support. For info. call 334-328-5942, e-mail dr.hetrick@charter. net, or visit http://gfmontgomery.blogspot.com. Oct. 27, 6 pm. AUM. African-American Alumni Reception. 10th floor, AUM Library Tower. For info. call 334-244-3642, or visit www.aum.edu. Oct. 29, 11 am-3 pm. Riverwalk Stadium. Lions Club Chili Cookoff. www.montgomeryal.gov Oct. 29, 6-8 pm. Mtgy. Shoppes at EastChase Trick-orTreat. Games, costume contest, breast cancer survivor fashion show. Oct. 30, 7:30 pm. AUM. Annual Ingram Lecture in Mass Communication featuring Linda Steiner. Goodwyn Hall Rm. 109. For info. call 334-244-3642, or visit www.aum.edu. Coming Up Nov. 3, 6-8:30 pm. Free 12-week course for caregivers of adults with mental illness. Mtgy. Public Library, 2590 Bell Rd. Must pre-register. Call Mary Jo Logan, 271-2280. Sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

games 42 Jenny Fields’s son, in a Crossword Clues 1978 best-seller ACROSS 44 Luv 1 Revisiting the past? 45 Talked up 11 __ shot 47 Certain dieter’s con15 “Been there” 16 Country with a green, yellow cern 51 Go (for) and red flag 52 Objects 17 Israelites, to many 53 Glassy-eyed one 18 Hone 19 The sport of shooting, in Sois- 55 Brand named for two states sons 57 __ favor 20 Took in 58 Whitman of “Arrested 21 Finn’s friend 23 Sarah McLachlan’s record label Development” 25 Chinese port also known as 59 Essex neighbor 60 Female pop trio since Xiamen 27 2012 games host country, in 1979 64 Go back, in a way Olympics code 65 Only place on Earth 28 Come to where crocodiles and 29 Like some boxers alligators co-exist 31 “Who __ we kidding?” 66 Lowly worker 32 Personification 34 Tales you can also read back- 67 Pans, and how wards? DOWN 36 Fakes 1 Popular mint 39 “To reiterate ...” 2 Mariner from Japan 41 Notable Nixon gesture

3 “The Piano” extras 4 USNA grad 5 Pay for 6 Airport offering 7 Succulent genus 8 Cargo carrier

For answers, turn to pages 28 and 30.

October 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com

9 Summer abroad 10 Good thing to learn 11 Duck in the Eurasian taiga 12 Singer known for unconventional outfits 13 Basic math course 14 Second-least populous st. capital 22 Bridge response 24 Immortal college coach 25 Santa __ 26 Illusion 30 Ready to father 33 Let it all out 35 Shepherd-protecting org. 36 KOA amenity 37 Petroleum processing byproduct 38 Pioneer in side-scrolling video games 40 Tearjerkers of a kind 43 61-Down crossers: Abbr. 46 How some stunts are done 48 Fighting force 49 Hole widener 50 One may come with wings 54 Refrain from singing? 56 “Bring __!” 57 Tudor widow 61 See 43-Down 62 Gp. for teachers 63 Emulate Sir Mix-A-Lot ©2011 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

www.primemontgomery.com | October 2011

Did you know? Untreated hearing loss can cost you $30,000 in annual income. Those with severe hearing loss have unemployment rates double that of their peers who use hearing aids. For mild hearing loss, hearing aids can reverse income loss by 90 to 100%.

Only 13% of general practitioners screen for hearing loss.

When someone in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem. LET US HELP! A medical evaluation of your hearing can best discover the cause of your hearing loss and allow us to select the proper treatment. Whether medicine, surgery or a hearing instrument is right for you, at all EARS we provide comprehensive, physician-directed hearing services. Ears ringing? Use your Smart Phone to find out why.

R.G. Love, M.D. Michael Passineau

2006 AAO-HNS BOG Practitioner of Excellence

Director of Hearing Instruments

6912 Winton Blount Blvd. • Montgomery, AL 36117

Find us on the web at www.allearscenters.com.

Call us today • (334) 281-8400 “The doctor to see is an ENT.”