Prime Montgomery by Bob Corley

Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

September 2012 FREE

Alabama’s Vintage Harvest

Montgomery

INside • “Grand” Parenting • Safe Driving Tips • Mum’s The Word (& The Flower!) • What Shots Do You Need? • Cooking Contest Winner: Turnip Soup!

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September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Features

9 how to be a ‘Grand’ parent This 3-part series begins by looking at the role of a grandparent, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to make the most of your time together.

15 nursing home selection Improvements to Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare website offers more comprehensive details to help you select and compare facilities. By Bob Moos

18 vintage harvest Alabama vineyards offer a variety of high-quality wines from an wide assortment of grapes, several within easy driving distance of the River Region. By Ben Bartley

26 senior driving tips Tips for safer driving, and resources to help evaluate your driving skills.

Columns

7 Yard n’ Garden — Ethel Dozier Boykin 8 A Gracious Plenty — Carron Morrow 13 Social Security — Kylle’ McKinney 14 Moving Free — Mirabai Holland 16 MoneyWi$e — Alan Wallace 17 Off the Beaten Path — Niko Corley 24 Elder Investment Fraud — Joe Borg 28 In Every Life — Arlene Morris 29 Kidney Stones — Mayo Clinic

34 Prime Diversions — Mark Glass

Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

September 2012 FREE

Alabama’s Vintage Harvest

MontgoMery

INSIDE • “Grand” Parenting • Safe Driving Tips • Mum’s The Word (& The Flower!) • What Shots Do You Need? • Cooking Contest Winner: Turnip Soup!

September 2012

Cover photo by Drew Hoover. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

Editor’s Note Seemingly normal people morph into different beings when grandchildren come into their lives. I’ve seen it happen. After our babies were born I was shocked to hear my matter-offact father cooing to the newborns, reciting children’s songs and rhymes I’d never heard him utter. My sometimes impatient mother was soothing and calm with her wailing, colicky grand babies, comforting them for hours with nary a concern for time. “Yaya” and “Papou” would pop into our home at odd times, staying just a few minutes to say hello to the babies. Normally animated, they were off-the-chart with the grandchildren. Both of them routinely carried on lengthy conversations with our babies, beginning when they were only infants, days-old. It was peculiar, I thought, because, of course, the little ones were far too young to understand. When our son began to talk at an unusually early age, and likewise our daughter, four years later, I realized those silly conversations had been valuable building blocks to early communication. Our children benefitted from both sets of their grandparents. Granny and Papa, Papou and Yaya bridged gaps we parents simply couldn’t. Wearing many hats, they were simultaneously loving child care providers, life teachers, and wise confidants. They called out spelling words, toured the four corners of the state for each child’s Alabama History project, attended countless softball and baseball games, and sat on the front row for every school play. They nurtured our children and our fledgling family, guiding us by example and enriching all of our lives. My husband Bob and I just learned that we, too, will soon cross that odd threshold into grand-parenthood. As first-timers, it’s safe to say we’re both more than a little curious about the transformation. But we’re also eagerly anticipating the job, looking forward to sharing our time, love, and experiences with a brand new generation. It’s still a little far-away to imagine, but listen closely and you’ll hear me practicing my coos! As you can now tell, this month’s feature “Grand” Parenting (page 9) is no small coincidence. It’s a valuable read for current grandparents, as well as us soon-to-be’s, rich with pointers about how to make the most of your time with the young children in your life. The story also provides useful tips for supporting and complimenting the parenting styles established by your children. Who knew there were so many vineyards in Alabama? Look at a map and you’ll see they’re dotted throughout the state. This month, writer Ben Bartley features just a few of them, several in close proximity to the River Region, in our cover story Vintage Harvest (page 18).Visit one of these vineyards and buy a bottle of their home-grown Alabama wine. Many of the local varieties are derived from scuppernongs and muscadines, but you’ll also learn about other Alabama-grown grapes that provide a much broader assortment of vintages. With summer almost over, you can sense the anticipation of fall in the air. Have a wonderful month as temperatures cool. Perfect weather for reading your Prime.

Sandra Polizos Editor If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery! primeeditor@gmail.com 4 September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Prime

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

Montgomery

September 2012,Volume 3, Issue 6 PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Ben Bartley, Bob Moos CONTRIBUTORS Joe Borg, Ethel Boykin, Tina Calligas, Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Mirabai Holland, Kylle’ McKinney, Arlene Morris, Carron Morrow, Alan Wallace PHOTOGRAPHERS Bob Corley, Drew Hoover SALES Bob Corley, 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@gmail.com Prime Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Road, #144 Montgomery, AL 36116 • 334-202-0114 www.primemontgomery.com ISSN 2152-9035 Prime Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2012 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.

news you can use Pan-Fried Meat Increases Prostate Cancer Risk Research from the U. of Southern California (USC) and Cancer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC) found cooking red meats at high temperatures, especially pan-fried red meats, may increase the risk of advanced prostate cancer by as much as 40 percent. Mariana Stern, associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, led analyses for the study, available online in the journal Carcinogenesis. The study provides important new evidence on how red meat and its cooking practices may increase the risk for prostate cancer. The study shows the increased risk may be a result of potent chemical carcinogens formed when meats are cooked at high temperatures. — U. Southern California, Health Sciences.

Positive Feelings May Help Protect Your Heart Harvard University researchers reviewed more than 200 studies that addressed psychological wellbeing and heart health. They found that positive psychological traits such as optimism, life satisfaction and happiness were linked to a lower risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. In particular optimism was found in some studies to cut the risk of a first heart attack in half. Positive people tend to have healthier blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, the results showed. They’re also more likely to lead healthier lifestyles by exercising more, eating better and getting enough sleep. The study’s lead author, Julie Boehm, said more research would be needed to determine whether positive feelings lead people to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, or if those healthy habits are what make people happier.

New Vaccine for Nicotine Addiction Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have developed and successfully tested in mice an innovative vaccine to treat nicotine addiction. In the journal Science Translational Medicine, the scientists describe how a single dose of their novel vaccine protects mice, over their lifetime, against nicotine addiction. The vaccine is designed to use the animal’s liver as a factory to continuously produce antibodies that gobble up nicotine the moment it enters the bloodstream, preventing the chemical from reaching the brain and even the heart.

Sleep Debt Hikes Risk of Stroke Symptoms Getting a good night’s rest continues to be of utmost importance to your health. New data from researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham shows not getting enough sleep can increase the risk for stroke symptoms in people with a healthy body mass index who are at low risk for obstructive sleep apnea and have no history of stroke. The study found in people with a low risk for obstructive sleep apnea and a BMI of 18.5 to 24.99, which is considered optimal, there was a four-time greater risk of stroke symptoms in participants who had fewer than six hours of sleep per night, compared to participants in the same BMI range who got seven to eight hours of sleep per night. The study found no association between short sleep periods and stroke symptoms among overweight and obese participants.

“Not getting enough sleep can increase the risk for stroke symptoms in people with a healthy body mass index...” www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

news you can use Go Red Instead to Manage Pain Tart cherries may help reduce chronic inflammation, especially for the millions of Americans suffering from debilitating joint pain and arthritis, according to new research from Oregon Health & Science University presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Conference (ACSM) in San Francisco. In fact, the researchers suggest tart cherries have the “highest anti-inflammatory content of any food” and can help people with osteoarthritis manage their disease. In a study of women ages 40 to 70 with inflammatory osteoarthritis, the researchers found that drinking tart cherry juice twice daily for three weeks led to significant reductions in important inflammation markers – especially for women who had the highest inflammation levels at the start of the study. Mediterranean Diet With Olive Oil May Protect Bone A study to be published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM) shows that two years on a Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil is associated with increased serum osteocalcin concentrations, suggesting a protective effect on bone. Age-related bone mass loss and decreased bone strength affects women and men alike, and are an important determinant of osteoporosis and fracture risk. Studies have shown that the incidence of osteoporosis in Europe is lower in the Mediterranean basin. The traditional Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, with a high intake of olives and olive oil, could be one of the environmental factors underlying this difference. “The intake of olive oil has been related to the prevention of osteoporosis in experimental and invitro models,” said José Manuel Fernández-Real, MD, PhD, of Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta in Girona, Spain and lead author of the study. “This is the first randomized study which demonstrates that olive oil preserves bone, at least as inferred by circulating bone markers, in humans.” — Endocrine Society. ScienceDaily.

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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Oct. 6–20 A Christmas Carol Nov. 23–Dec. 23 Macbeth Jan. 25–Feb. 9; May 10 & 18 Ethel Feb. 8–March 3

To Kill a Mockingbird March 8–24; May 12–18 Twelfth Night March 28–30; April 23 & 30; May 9 Around the World in 80 Days April 19–May 19 God of Carnage April 18–May 19 Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash July 11–Aug. 4

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September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

yard ‘n garden

Mum’s the Word

opefully by the time you read this Fall will be flirting with us. There are still hot and dry days to come, and summer annuals are looking sad and need to be pulled out. This is a good time to rake out the old straw and add a bag of fresh soil to be ready to plant pansies. Go ahead and put fresh pine straw in the bed. When it’s time, just plant through the straw. It’s much easier and the straw will not end up on top of the small plants. While you’re cleaning up, clean out pots that have been around the patio or doorways.Change the way they’ve been displayed and use them in groupings. I suggest a large, medium and small pot together.They don’t need to match, and if they are looking old you can spray paint them for a new look. Evergreens could be planted that will look good for the next six months. Plant a small shrub in the large pot, in the medium pot plant some Liriope (a low, grass-like, flowering plant), and finish with ivy in the small pot. These must be watered several times a week. Winter dries out plants and they must be full

of moisture to avoid drying out and burning on cold nights. The favorite Fall flower for many is the mum, Chrysanthemum to be exact.The word means "golden Ethel Dozier Boykin flower" in Greek. Used in many art forms as well as a calming medicinal tea, these lovely flowers come in yellow, gold, purple, pink and white. They have various shapes and sizes of blooms, growing one to three inches in height and width. The mum has been described as "... the last smile of the departing year," since frosts will not discourage them. Some types bloom early and others later. Using the different cultivars can have you blooming for two months. For the mum to be dense and have a mounding growth habit, it should be pinched back in mid-summer, but not after August 1st or you’ll loose the blooms.

Purchase your plants prior to blooming to get them established and ready to enjoy from open to finish. After the blooms fade, prune back and continue to water. Next year they’ll come back in the spring and you’ll be ready for Fall 2013. Ryan's Pink is a wonderful daisyshaped pink flower that does well in our area, and one you may have seen in your Grandmother's garden. If you find it, buy it! A nice late-season bloomer is Nippon Daisy. Have a fabulous Fall. Ethel Dozier Boykin, a Montgomery native, owns Art in the Garden, a landscape design and consulting company in the Capital City. Contact her at 334-395-5949, or by email at etheldozierboykin@yahoo.com.

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a gracious plenty

Dish it all for fall up

Turnip Green So

e links, sliced, 1 pound Conecuh sausag browned, drained en stock n 1 quart chick and it matoes (I used one can n 2 cans Rotel To ) was spicy enough for me s an ern be n 2 cans North orr Vegetable Soup Mix turKn e ag ck n 1 pa turnip greens (without sh n 2 bags frozen on (we used fre nips) for the quick versi turnips) er to taste n Salt and pepp and bring to a boil. Combine all ingredients simmer thirty minutes. Reduce heat to low and Serve with cornbread.

scribed as it can truly be de

This is so easy to prepare r yourself. Simply Delicious! Judge fo

ean Kocher, Bobbie Cooper and Gale Dunlap are cochairs of The Taste of Frazer (Frazer United Methodist Church), and invited my mother Lela Foshee and me, along with several other local food connoisseurs, to judge their annual food

Carron Morrow competition. The contest benefits their Community Ministries United Appeal Fund, and

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

we were delighted to say “yes” to their invitation. When we opened the door of the atrium outside Wesley Hall, the aromas coming from a room full of food competition entries had me ready to participate. The tables in the room were lined with row after row of food, and more than 700 guests paid a small fee to not only taste great food, but to do good for the less fortunate. The combination made us very happy to be part of the event. My judging abilities were focused on

Entrees’. After looking over thirty dishes to taste, I knew I would not be eating dinner out that night. One entry had all of the judges wanting to pull up a chair, grab a bowl and a cornbread muffin, and dig in. It was Susan Moss’ Turnip Green Soup, a delicious First Place winner! 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.

feature

Grand

Parenting

“...you get to interact with your grandchildren without the daily pressures of a parent.” (Editor’s Note:This month we begin the first of a three-part series on grandparenting.) s grandparents we want to make the most of the precious family time we get to spend with our grandchildren.You can create deep, loving relationships with your grandchildren by sharing the things you love and by learning about what excites them.Whether you’re a full-time grandparent, a step-grandparent, or a long distance grandparent living thousands of miles away, you can find new ways to strengthen family ties and provide your grandchildren with joyful memories and valuable life lessons.

What's so grand about grandparenting? In no particular order, grandparenting is an opportunity to play, to love someone new, to appreciate the magic of a developing

mind, and to be needed by someone again. Grandparents can: n Share the things they're passionate about with a new audience. n See the world in a new way through younger eyes. n Experience games, music, nature, reading, and other interests in conjunction with a curious young mind. n Provide expanded support and encouragement to their grandchildren. n Use their breadth of experience to avoid the pitfalls they may have encountered as parents the first time around. n Watch children develop through all stages of growth. n Learn about their grandkids' music and passions. n Provide input that parents cannot. Usually, grandparents have the benefit of interacting on a level that is once removed from the day-to-day responsibilities of www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

n n

child's life. How often you want to babysit, for example, or whether you’d like to be included in events such as school functions. Talk with parents about their rules. Consistency is important for kids, so know the behavior limits your grandchild has to follow at home and maintain the rules when he or she is with you. Enforce any agreed upon punishment for bad behavior, whether it’s a “time out” or loss of privileges, for example. Baby proof your home, to ensure safety for infants and toddlers. It may have been a number of years since you had young children in your home, so it’s important to check with your grandchild’s parents about ways to baby proof your home to ensure they’re comfortable leaving the child with you.

Common grandparenting pitfalls to avoid

parents.This can make it easier to develop a close bond with grandchildren. From near or far, grandparenting can provide continuity in a child's life. Grandparents are often the family historians, and can add a rich sense of family tradition to a child's life. Additionally, contact with grandparents can teach children positive attitudes towards aging and help them develop skills to enhance their own lifelong learning. Of course, not everything about being a grandparent is great all of the time. Becoming a grandparent at a young age can make some people feel prematurely old and, just as parents do, grandparents sometimes have to deal with colicky babies and moody teenagers. For most though, the benefits of being a grandparent far outweigh the drawbacks. The role of a grandparent in a child's life There are as many different roles for grandparents as there are different family configurations and needs. Some grandparenting requires a full-time commitment. For others, grandparenting is a weekend together, an afternoon play date, a summer vacation, a chat on the phone, or an email exchange every now and then. A good first step to a long and successful relationship with your grandchild is to establish some ground rules with your son or daughter: n Be clear about what role you want to have in your grand10 September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Whatever your specific circumstances, by expressing love, showing concern for your grandchild's safety and wellbeing, and being consistent in your behavior, you are already doing a good job of grandparenting. To avoid potential conflict within your family, try to avoid these common grandparenting pitfalls: n Trying to be the parent. As much as you might want to tell your children how to raise your grandkids, it’s not your role. Respect the parenting decisions your children make for your grandkids. n Buying your grandkids’ affection. It’s tempting for grandparents to shower their grandkids with gifts, but check with the child's parents before you buy more toys. Maybe substitute some of your gift giving with activities instead. Do something with your grandchild that you both love and will build memories. n Overindulging the first few grandchildren and then not being able to repeat it as additional grandchildren come along. This can cause resentment from your own children who have kids later in life. Remember that whatever you do for your first grandchild (college fund, beach vacations, trips to the zoo) will set a precedent that you’ll

need to repeat for every other grandchild. Ignoring boundaries. A grandparent who won’t enforce limits and gives in to their grandchild’s every whim can infuriate parents. By allowing your grandkids to misbehave, overindulge in candy and junk food, or ignore bedtimes, for example, you’re only encouraging unhealthy behavior and making their parents’ job even harder. Tips for spending quality time with your grandkids

The best grandparenting activities flow naturally from the interests of both the grandparents and the grandchildren.You can create a deep, loving relationship with your grandchildren by sharing the things you love with them, and by being available to learn about the ideas and activities that excite them. Take it easy together Make an effort to enjoy leisure time with your grandchildren. As a grandparent, you get to interact with your grandchildren without the same daily pressures of a parent—you don't have to worry about driving carpool or juggling making dinner for the family with soccer practice and grocery shopping. Allow yourself to slow down and become really absorbed in an activity. Moving at a slower pace than usual can give children a sense that time can be 'stretched'—that you don't need to hurry through activities. And, as with adults, it gives them the psychic space to feel, reflect, and express emotions without feeling rushed. Go outside Children love the outdoors, and trips to the park or the beach can be a great jumping-off point for some wonderful adventures www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

and happy memories. Nature walks and day hikes can provide lots of interesting things to talk about, and water activities can be especially fun.Throwing stones into the water or watching the current play with sticks are simple activities that can be fascinating to children.You can start these activities when kids are toddlers, and expand the games as they get older. Share your interests or your work Engaging in hobbies and activities that you love or your grandchild loves can be a great way to spend time together and learn about each other. Sometimes, activities that you might not expect your grandchildren to be interested in, like knitting or gardening, might turn out to provide an important point of connection for you. Similarly, if you take an interest in something they are passionate about, like trading cards or the Harry Potter books, they get to share their special area of knowledge and may open up in new ways. If you are still working, a visit to your place of work can add a dimension to your grandchild's perception of you. If you are retired, pictures and stories about what your working days were like can do the same. 12

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Making the most of your grandparenting time: Carve out one-on-one time. On occasion, spend time with individual grandchildren. It will give you an opportunity to bond, without competition, with one grandchild at a time. n See the sights. Concerts and plays, movies, science centers and museums, parks or walks in the neighborhood provide opportunities to be together and to exchange ideas and opinions. n Play games. Board and card games are a unique opportunity to watch kids in action and to see how they operate in the world. Games also allow you to help your grandchild learn to be a good sport and play fairly. n Communicate family history.Tell stories about games or trips you shared when the grandchild's parents were young.This is a great way to weave a 'tapestry' of shared experiences for the whole family. In Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grandparenting: Part 2, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll look at traveling with grandchildren, long-distance grandparenting, and grandparenting in the digital age. ÂŠ Helpguide.org. Used by permission. Lawrence Robinson and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. contributed to this article. n

financial

S peaking

s the nation’s most successful domestic program, Social Security is something worth learning more about. Representatives at Social Security are available to share news and Kylle’ McKinney information about the programs and how they work. Whether you are representing a club or an employer’s human resources department, an advocacy organization or a community association, if you have a large meeting or event coming up and you’d like to have a representative speak, please submit your request to us online

S ocial S ecurity ...

at www.socialsecurity.gov/organizations. Our representatives can speak on an array of topics, such as: n retirement, and how to prepare; n pre-retirement, and how to get an estimate of future retirement benefits; n disability, how it can help, who is eligible, and how to apply; n wage reporting for small businesses and employers; n work incentives for people with disabilities who want to work; n how Social Security can provide extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs; and n what Social Security means to every American. At www.socialsecurity.gov/organizations,

you’ll find an easy-to-complete form you can submit online. It will ask you about the type of talk you would like, and more information about the event. Whether you would like a speaker to talk to your employees about preparing for retirement, or teach your students what Social Security has to do with them, we can help. And there is no fee for this service. To learn more about Social Security without the aid of a speaker, visit our vast wealth of information at www. socialsecurity.gov. Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866-593-0914, ext. 26265, or by e-mail at kylle.mckinney@ssa.gov.

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Sleep and weight gain E

moving free

ating fewer calories, exercising more and still having a hard time getting those extra pounds off? Here’s a question for you: How’s your sleep? When I travel I seem to gain a couple of pounds Mirabai Holland just when I want to look my best. I also sleep less, and intermittently, when I am on the road. Once I settle again in a place, my sleep gets more regulated and I am able to drop those pounds. I’ve adjusted my sleep pattern as I have gotten older to help myself sleep better. The earlier I get up in the morning the better chance I have of getting to sleep that night and staying asleep for a longer period of time. I’m more energized, and when I eat, I eat less and feel more filled. Studies indicate sleeping less then seven hours can increase body weight. One recent study with several pairs of twins, found that the twin who slept more than nine hours was about half as likely to gain weight as the one that slept only seven. Sleep deprivation affects your hunger urge. If you sleep less, you feel like eating more and you probably do. That’s because not sleeping increases your body’s level of gherlin, the hunger hormone, and decreases leptin, the “I’m full” hormone.

A sleep study in Finland with middleaged adults who had sleep problems found that women had greater sleeprelated weight gains than men, though men were also affected. The study indicated the fewer hours you sleep, the more calories you tend to eat the next day. If you want a good night sleep here’s are some things to consider: n Exercise: Don’t exercise too late in the day. So many of us go to the gym after work but it can keep you up at night.

Late exercise can prevent the body from making sleep-inducing melatonin for several hours. n Caffeine: It can take 6 or more hours to wear off. Having that cup of coffee after dinner, even with a low fat dessert, may not be such a good idea. n Alcohol: A couple of drinks with dinner can wake you up in the middle of the night and make it hard to get back to sleep. I have a friend who swears by a glass or two of wine at lunch but never alcohol after 2 p.m. She says she sleeps like a baby at night. I think if I had a glass or two at lunch, I’d sleep like a baby at 2 p.m. and be up for the night at 5. n Stress: And then there is our old buddy stress. We all have some level of stress, and how we deal with it can keep us up at night. Getting yourself relaxed in a quiet, dark, temperature-controlled environment can relieve stress and induce a desire and ability to sleep. So what’s it going to be, wide awake at 3a.m. or getting that beauty sleep and waking up lighter and brighter on your toes? Learning to get a good night’s sleep is a process. Don’t stress over it, it may keep you up at night. Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is a leading authority in the Health & Fitness industry and a public health activist specializing in preventive and rehabilitative exercise. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work (www. mirabaiholland.com).

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September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

feature

Find the Right Nursing Home By Bob Moos, Southwest Public Affairs Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

inding the right nursing home for yourself or a loved one just got easier. Medicare recently improved its Nursing Home Compare website, adding more detailed information about the nation’s 17,000 nursing homes and making it simpler to use. Families often must search for a nursing home for a spouse or parent at a moment’s notice, after a crisis or emergency. With no time to spare, many have turned to Nursing Home Compare to begin their research. More than a half-million visited the site in the first half of 2012. Nursing Home Compare provides data on recent health and safety inspections, nursing homes’ staffing and such quality measures as whether residents are in pain or losing weight. The website uses a five-star rating system to help families understand the differences between nursing homes. Each facility receives a star rating for its overall performance and separate star ratings for its recent inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. The health and safety inspections are from the last three years and include any substantiated findings from complaint investigations. Nursing homes must meet more than 180 standards, such as safely managing medications, protecting residents from abuse and properly preparing food. When inspectors find deficiencies, Medicare may assess penalties. Nursing Home Compare lists those fines and payment denials. As one of its recent improvements, the website now provides the full text of the inspection reports on individual nursing homes, including descriptions of any problems detected. Though nursing homes have been required to make their most recent inspection results available to the public, the fact that such information is now accessible with a few clicks on a computer mouse will help families pressed for time and trying to compare facilities. Besides inspection results, Nursing Home Compare gives visitors a snapshot of nursing homes’ staffing levels, which can have a big impact on their quality of care.

The website shows the number of staff hours per resident per day at each nursing home. It reports the overall nursing level and breaks down the number according to the type of staff, such as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants and physical therapists. Next, Nursing Home Compare reports on how well individual nursing homes do on 18 measures of quality, including the percentage of a facility’s residents with urinary tract infections, the percentage suffering from incontinence and the prevalence of pressure ulcers. Medicare just added two new measures on the use of anti-psychotic medications as part of a broader effort to improve dementia care and curb the over-drugging of nursing home patients. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the redesigned Nursing Home Compare also now provides information about those responsible for each nursing home’s operation, listing the names of individuals and organizations with ownership or managerial control of the facility. By far, though, the website’s star ratings remain the most popular feature. The top-performing 10 percent of the nursing homes in each state score five stars, while the worst-performing 20 percent rate a single star. The middle 70 percent receive two, three or four stars. As helpful as the star ratings are, they aren’t meant to be the final word on a nursing home’s quality of care. They’re simply a screening tool that lets families focus on a few facilities that interest them. The families can then have an informed conversation with a nursing home’s staff when they visit. Medicare hopes the more detailed website and the increased public scrutiny will help nursing home leaders pinpoint problems in their facilities and promptly correct them. Owners who don’t will be left to explain to a prospective resident why their nursing home compares poorly against other facilities. Check out Nursing Home Compare’s new features at www. medicare.gov/nhcompare. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

money wi $ e

Desperately Seeking Returns T

he common places people put “extra” money (aka, “discretionary income”) to earn a little interest—savings accounts, money market funds and CDs—have been paying nothing, or Alan Wallace next to nothing, for the past few years. So, what’s a body to do? If you are fortunate enough to have spare funds these days, what should you do with them? Where can you get a bit of return without taking inappropriate risk? First, it makes sense to have some ready cash, even if you cannot earn any interest on it. Having an emergency reserve is a prudent step to prevent having to borrow in the event of an unexpected expense. How much do you need? The common advice is 4-6 months of your regular expenses. If you have that base covered, use available cash to reduce debt.

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Start with any consumer debt that has an interest rate higher than your mortgage rate. If you have more than one such debt, use your spare funds to pay down the highest-rate account first. Once that is paid off, go after the next highest rate account, and so on. Your rate of return on these debt payments will be the rate of interest that the lender charges you for that account. Odds are that rate will be higher than you can earn at the bank right now! And each time you pay something off, you get even more flexibility in your cash flow. The same principle applies with any debt, even if it is just a low-rate first mortgage on your house. Many people with mortgages issued in the past 5 years have a rate below 5%, which is great, historically speaking. That interest is deductible, which may save you 1.5% of that rate in income tax savings. But even then, the net cost of borrowing is 3.5%, and that rate of return is not available today on low-risk cash accounts. Making accelerated principal payments on your mortgage will earn you a decent rate of return and get you to “mortgagefreedom day” sooner. “But,” you say, “I am completely debt free. I have no credit card balances, car loan, or home mortgage. What should I do?” That is really a great situation to be in even if the decision about how to apply discretionary income is more challenging. Your

choice will depend upon your particular financial circumstances. Consider these ideas that might allow you to save and earn a return on your money: If you are working and have a company retirement plan that provides an employer matching contribution based on your contribution to the plan, are you contributing enough into it to maximize the contribution by your employer? If not, contributing more will get you additional employer matching funds, providing an immediate return on your dollars. Are there cost-saving or energy saving repairs or improvements that you could make to your car or home? If so, these expenses will pay a return over time by cutting your future expenses. Are you paying car, life or other insurance premiums on a basis other than annually? Insurance companies usually charge somewhat more for handling more frequent premium processing. If you can switch to annual premiums, you may be able to reduce your cost by 5-10%/year. That is a pretty good rate of return on parting with your money sooner instead of hanging on to it. The same may be true for service providers such as pest control, lawn care, and home security companies. In conclusion, for most folks there are still ways to apply available cash to generate a return on their dollars; they just may not be limited to finding the right investment. But with the Federal Reserve committing to keep interest rates low for another two years or more, we better get used to not earning much on cash savings at banks and credit unions. The situation is not likely to change anytime soon. 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 334270-5960, or by e-mail at alan.wallace@ ronblue.com.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Plot a Course to Safer Boating

wo vessels are crossing in sight, within one half-mile visibility. If each vessel remains on course, collision is likely. As the pilot of the starboard vessel, what do you do? Firstly, it depends on where you are boating. In waters governed by the Inland Rules of the Road, if you intend to pass the other vessel on your port side you Niko Corley would sound a short blast of the horn or whistle signaling such. The other vessel, if it agrees, would answer with one short blast. Each vessel, now knowing the other’s intent, would pass one another safely and go on their way. The procedure, though similar, would be slightly different in international waters. How do I know? I just took – and passed – a sixday U.S. Coast Guard-approved OUPV course. This license (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) is a requirement for charter boat captains and anyone carrying passengers for-hire on international and/ or inland navigable waterways. No, I’m not quitting my day job to chase fish for a living, but getting my “captain’s license” has always been high on my personal to-do list. Along with the feeling of personal accomplishment has come an expanded knowledge of marine navigation, general boating and seamanship, and a heightened sensitivity to accident avoidance from studying the International and Inland Rules of the Road. The course was held on Lake Martin, and as I drove to Alex City from Montgomery each day on Highway 63, I passed over the lake and saw dozens of boats each time, many of which were operating in an unsafe

manner. I never saw a collision, but my education from the captain’s course had made me more aware and taught me the potential certainly existed. Anyone who’s been on the water at night knows safe navigation becomes even more difficult and the potential for accidents increases greatly after nightfall. Alabama’s Marine Police, a division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, estimate more than one million boaters enjoy Alabama’s one million acres of lakes, 1,600 miles of rivers and 50 miles of coastline each year. While recreational boaters in Alabama don’t have to get their captain’s license to enjoy their vessel(s), anyone 12 years of age or older must pass the Alabama Boater Safety Education Course exam to get a boating license to legally operate a power-driven vessel on Alabama waters. While you are not required by law to take the boater course if you were born before April 28, 1954, I would encourage everyone who will be out on the water to take the course and familiarize yourself with Alabama’s boating laws. Most fatalities on the water occur from drowning, and most accidents occur from vessel collisions. Getting your boating license, even if not required to do so, and refreshing your knowledge of Alabama’s boating laws, are not only a good idea, they may save your life or the life of someone else. Practice safe boating and enjoy the rich water resources with which Alabama is so blessed. See you on the water.

Boating and boating laws in Alabama http://www.dcnr.state.al.us/boating/

Alabama’s Boater Education Safety Course http://www.boat-ed.com/alabama/

Niko Corley spends his free time hunting, fishing, boating and generally enjoying outdoor activities. He can be contacted at cootfootoutfitters@gmail.com.You can also follow him on Twitter @cootfootoutfitters.

For more information

Find Your Ancestors in

Cyberspace

Alabama Department of Archives & History Workshop Monday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. $40 ($30 for Friends of the Archives) Research Archivist Nancy Dupree demonstrates: • web sites and other on-line resources • effective on-line search strategies • Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, ADAH digital archives (Workshop includes materials, refreshments, box lunch.)

Register on-line at www.archives.alabama.gov. For information call 334-353-4693. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

Vintage Harvest feature

By Ben Bartley Photos by Drew Hoover, Bob Corley

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

orty years ago Jim Eddins of Perdido, Alabama began growing muscadine grapes on his 50-acre vineyard, under contract to a Florida winery. When the winery owner died the business closed. Eddins, a professional engineer, decided to open his own winery. It was 1978, and regulations permitted him to grow all the grapes and make all the wine he wanted. Selling directly to stores, however, was illegal. “It’s a well known fact that Alabama is a so-called controlled state,” Eddins says. “That means a state monopoly, which was established after the repeal of Prohibition back in ’37. “ After Prohibition, beer could be distributed by the private sector, but wines and spirits remained under the control of Alabama’s Alcoholic Bever-

age Control (ABC) Board. In 1979, passage of the Alabama Native Farm Winery Act brought sweeping changes, including a new tax and a requirement for wineries to grow 75 percent of their own fruit. However, they were allowed to sell to retail stores and restaurants, a big boost to a fledging industry that contributed to diversifying Alabama’s agricultural base. In September of that year Jim and Marianne Eddins opened Perdido Vineyards, the first winery in the state since before Prohibition. Its official designation is BW-AL-1, for Bonded Winery-AlabamaNo. 1. Today, Alabama boasts almost 20 wineries, among them, more than a dozen vineyards where owners grow, harvest, produce and bottle their own vintages.

Alabama’s commercial vineyards grow and process grapes, and bottle their own wine, such as Whippoorwill Vineyard shown here.When the season is right,Whippoorwill owners, family and friends gather to lend a hand with the harvest (inset). www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

Workers at Morgan Creek offload grapes during the harvest.

The third winery in the state, Morgan Creek Vineyards, began in 2000, after Charles Brammer, Sr.’s “semi-retirement” from insurance sales. “We kind of went into it with both feet and bought all kinds of equipment,” says Brammer. “A bottling line, larger presses, and all that stuff.” His son joined the team after graduating from Birmingham Southern with a degree in accounting. “When people ask, ‘What do you do?’,” the younger Brammer says, “I say I’m here protecting my inheritance, because it’s kind of all-in on this.” Each Alabama winery produces its own assortment of wines. The majority focus on grapes and other fruits native to the state. For most, this means muscadine wines and sweet, fruitbased dessert wines. Some, like Perdido, offer multiple muscadine wines as well as blueberry, blackberry, and cherry dessert wines, plus a Bodega Mauvilla, which Eddins describes as a “tawny port.” Morgan Creek focuses on muscadines and fruit wines. “It’s a cliché, but grits don’t come from New York, and Chardonnay doesn’t come from Alabama,” Brammer, Jr. says. “We’re better doing our own thing.” Whippoorwill Vineyards of Notasulga only uses the fruit it grows for its wines. Tim Watkins and Chad Ledbetter started the vineyard in 2006 and the winery in 2009. Watkins’ grandfather was a farmer, and farming is in his blood, too. He started making wine as a hobby with his dad when he was in high school, and it turned into a competition. They had ten vines between them, and the younger Watkins realized he had to use the four best vines to get the best grapes. Over the years, both the rewards and the workload have changed significantly. 20

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

“It’s real rewarding dealing with the customers,” Watkins says. “But it’s time-consuming and a lot of work. It’s hard to turn a profit. We’ve come to a fork in the road. We either have to expand or shut down.” In 2001 the Alabama Native Farm Winery Act was repealed and new regulations introduced. Alabama wineries were no longer required to grow 75 percent of their own product, meaning more fruit could be imported from other sources. There was also an increase in taxes and licensing fees, and wineries were no longer allowed to sell directly to retails outlets. Except for selling on-premises, vineyards had to market their products through a distributor. “If you cannot sell the wine, then why produce it?” says Eddins. “This killed the jobs and economic impact of in-state manufacturers expanding their businesses. I began converting wine into wine vinegars. At this time,” he says, “an estimated 99.6% of wine consumed in Alabama is imported.” Morgan Creek deals with the distributor issue differently. After college, the younger Brammer got a wholesale distributor license and spent a few years delivering Morgan Creek wine around Alabama. They now distribute about 15,000 cases a year to approximately 400 stores across the state. Most wineries, however, don’t have this option. Burt Patrick of Ozan Vineyards & Cellars in Calera, says it’s a matter of small versus big business. “We basically just want the same laws that every other state in the Union has,” Patrick says. “The big guys, they keep the small wholesalers out. We’re all little niche players at the end of the day. The greater opportunity is to sell our wine outside the state of Alabama, quite frankly.” Despite these handicaps, the wine and vineyard industry in Alabama has more than tripled in the last three decades, and Alabama how boosts its own Wine Trail. With all the obstacles to wine production, from the fickleness of the weather to the restraints of state regulations, why do it? “I think about it as our contribution to gracious living in the South,” says Perdido’s Jim Eddins, laughing. “What you might call education and entertainment farming.”

Happy Wine Trails, to You!

everal vineyards are within relatively easy driving distance of the River Region. A leisurely Saturday can be spent visiting one or two, but don’t plan to visit too many in one day. That defeats the casual nature of the trip. As always, drinking and driving is a no-no. Depending on now many vineyards you plan to visit, you may wish to include a non-tasting driver. Wine tasting, however, is just that - a taste, a very small taste, of a variety of vintages to determine which best suits your palette. When sampling wine you’ll have a

check list to make notes about your preferences. The list is critical to help decide which wines to purchase. It doesn’t hurt their feelings if you don’t like one of their wines. No two tastes are the same.You may be sampling alongside two, or ten, other people. Each has their own take on the flavors, and interesting conversations arise about why you and your companions like, or dislike, a particular vintage. After tasting a particular wine, crackers or other snacks are provided to remove the flavor of the previous wine.

Tasting is just part of the enjoyment. Talking with the staff about their operation enhances the value of your visit.You’ll discover the vineyard’s history, what grapes are grown, when they harvest, how much wine they produce, etc. It’s a learning opportunity many may be experiencing for the first time, so don’t be shy about asking questions. If all you know about wine is which ones you like, the staff in the tasting rooms are more than happy to explain which flavors are caused by what elements in the wine.

Prime Wine Mini-Trail No. #1 Whipporwill Vineyard, Notasulga I-85 N. to Exit 32 (Tuskegee/Franklin). Take a left on 49. After about 15 miles take a right on Highway 14. After about five miles turn right onto Co. Rd. 31. Vineyard is about a mile on your left (black fence, horses). After a mid-morning visit to Whippoorwill, take Highway 14 to Auburn/Opelika for a leisurely lunch, then head to Hodges Vineyard. Hodges Vineyard, Camp Hill Highway 280 W. Turn left at highway marker 94 (Farmville Rd.). After 4 1/2 miles you’ll reach the intersection of Highway 71 and 72. Turn onto 71. The winery is on your right. Prime Wine Mini-Trail No. #2 Hidden Meadow Vineyard, Jemison I-65 N. to Exit 219 and drive into Jemison. Turn right on Highway 31, then left at the next light (Highway 191). Go two miles and turn right on Co. Rd. 25. After about 1/4 mile turn right on Co. Rd. 606. Winery is on the left. Lunch in Jemison and you’re off to Ozan Vineyards and Vizzini Farms. Ozan, Calera I-65 N. to Exit 228. Turn right on Highway 25. After 4/10 of a mile take a right on Co. Rd. 306. After 6/10 of a mile take a right on Co. Rd. 301. Pass over the Dixie Railroad track. Winery is on the left. Vizzini Farms, Calera I-65 N. to Exit 234 (Shelby Co. Airport). Take a right on Co. Rd. 87. Less than 1/4 mile is the vineyard.

Visitors sample a variety of wines in vineyard tasting rooms:Whiippoorwill (above L), Hodges (above R), and Ozan (below).

www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

Prime Wine Mini-Trail No. #3: Morgan Creek, Harpersville This is the furtherest from Montgomery that’s on our daytrip list, so we suggest doing it solo. However, if you’re ambitious, you could combine it with either of the other Prime Wine Mini-Trails. But it will be a long day. I-65 N. Exit 212 (Clanton Lay Dam). Right onto Highway 145. After 25 miles, right onto Highway 25. After nine miles, left onto Co. Rd. 44. After 1/4 mile, left onto Dead Hollow Rd.

Tasting room/gift shop at Morgan Creek (above) and Perdido Vineyards (right).

Drew Hoover Photography wedding • portrait • event www.drewhoover.com • 334.201.8066 facebook.com/drewhooverphotography

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Where The Wine Things Are

tand-alone wineries have no associated vineyard. This list, which includes those in the previous story, features wineries which are part of a vineyard, as theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the most interesting to visit. Bryant Vineyard, Talledega Thur-Sat, 10 am-6 pm, 256-268-2638

Fruithurst Winery Co., Fruithurst Mon-Fri, noon-6 pm, Sat, 10 am-6 pm, 256-463-1003 www.thefruithurstwineryco.com Hidden Meadow Vineyard, Jemison Fri & Sat, 11 am-6 pm, 205-688-4648 www.hiddenmeadowvineyard.com Hodges Vineyards & Winery, Camp Hill Fri-Sat, 10 am-5 pm; Sun, 1 pm-5 pm, 256-896-4036 www.hodgesvineyards.com

Jules J. Berta Vineyards, Albertville Mon-Sat, 10 am-7 pm, 256-891-5115 www.julesjbertavineyards.com Maraella Winery, Hokes Bluff 256-504-8225 Morgan Creek Vineyards, Harpersville Mon-Sat, 10 am-6 pm, 205-672-2053 www.morgancreekwinery.com. Ozan Vineyard & Cellars, Calera Fri-Sat, 11 am-6 pm, 205-668-6926 www.ozanwine.com Perdido Vineyards, Perdido Mon-Sat, 10 am-5 pm, 251-937-9463 www.perdidovineyards.net. Vizzini Farms Winery, Calera Mon-Sat, 10 am-5:30 pm, 877-780-9463 www.vizzinifarmswinery.com Whippoorwill Vineyards, Notasulga Mon & Thur-Sat, 10 am-6 pm, 334-257-2711 www.whippoorwillvineyards.com White Oak Vineyards, Anniston Fri, 1 pm-6 pm; Sat, 10 am-6 pm, 256-231-7998 www.southernoakwines.com Wills Creek Vineyards, Attalla Mon-Sat, 10 am-6 pm, 256-538-6451 www.willscreekvineyards.com The official Alabama Wine Trail is available at www.alabamawinetour.com. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

defense against fraud

Bogus Promissory Notes Increase T

he Commission has investigated and prosecuted a number of cases where con artists steal Alabamians’ money through the offer and sale of bogus promissory notes. These instruments are often sold Joseph P. Borg to purportedly raise capital, to promote growth of an existing company, help finance a new construction project or many other types of investment opportunities. Promissory notes are written promises committing the issuer to pay an investor a specified sum of money, either on-demand or at a fixed or determinable future date, with or without interest. They are often used by legitimate businesses in order to raise capital, but can be highly-speculative and unsuitable for many “main street” investors. Promissory notes are often promoted as a safe and secure means for investors to earn reasonable returns, whereas stocks require higher risks, and traditional financial instruments like certificates of deposit or money market funds, are presently paying historically low returns. Experienced and rookie investors should be aware that promissory notes carry risk should the issuer not be able to meet their obligations. Some recent illegal investment schemes involving the illegal offer and sale of promissory notes are: n A Madison County man was sentenced to 20 years in state prison and ordered to pay more than $512,000 in restitution to several investors, plus an additional $179,000 to another victim after he was found guilty of offering and selling unregistered promissory notes on behalf of his automobile title pawn business. Instead of paying double-digit returns as promised, the man used investors’ money for his personal use and to repay prior investors in a Ponzi-type investment scheme. 24

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

not used as represented, but instead n Two California men were senwas used for the man’s personal benefit. tenced in Montgomery County to a Before you invest in any offer to year each in prison and required to pay include promissory notes, contact the $20,000 in restitution, plus additional court-imposed fines. The men conspired ASC to verify the proper registration to offer and sell unregistered promisso- of the product offered and the financial ry notes and investment contracts to an professional making an offer or recomAlabama investor in an attempt to raise mendation for a fee. Report suspected fraud as well as obtain consumer inforcapital for a company the men claimed mation by calling the ASC’s Education would take used automobile tires in and Public Affairs Division, 334-353the U.S. and manufacture rubberized 4858, or by visiting the ASC website, railroad ties and other structures to be www.asc.alabama.gov. marketed and sold in China. Neither of the men, their company, nor the promJoseph Borg is Director of the Alabama issory notes and investment contracts Securities Commission. (This article is prothey offered and sold were registered vided by a generous grant from the Investor with the Alabama Securities Commission (ASC). A third co-conspirator who Protection Trust: www.investorprotection. org.) issued a promissory note for $650,000 to another investor has fled to Mexico and is currently a fugitive from justice in the same scheme. n The offer and sale of illegal and unregistered promissory notes to Alabama investors garnered a Missis•Parkinson’s or MS? sippi man a 15-year prison sentence in •Arthritis/Fibromyalgia? Baldwin County. The man pled guilty •Knee, hip, or back problems? to Conspiracy to Commit Theft by •Diabetes/neuropathy? Deception, 1st degree, after an •Cardiovascular problems? ASC investigation revealed he had •Poor balance, weak muscles? offered and sold the notes, valued at more than $2.3 million, to Alabama investors for the proposed site development of a commercial enterprise involving business offices and condominiums. The investigation also Taoist Tai Chi Society revealed that invesof the USA, Alabama Branch tors’ money was

Can I Do Tai Chi If I Have:

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www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

feature

Helping Seniors

Drive Safer, Longer

ince January 2011, nearly 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day, joining the fastest growing age group in the nation. A recent survey showed almost half of seniors worry about losing their freedom and mobility when the time comes for them to transition from driver to passenger. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to get the facts, from understanding how vision changes can affect your ability to drive at night, to researching the effects medications can have on your driving ability. Use these tips to ensure you and your family are driving safely. Evaluate your driving. Most seniors are experienced drivers, but it's important to re-consider driving "health" and habits. How frequently do you wear a seatbelt, use your turn signal, check for nearby traffic before changing lanes? Does traffic make you anxious? When was your last 26

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

eye exam? You can take a Driver 65 Plus self-assessment at www.SeniorDriving.AAA.com to get picture of your driving skills and suggestions for improving. Be aware of how aging affects driving habits. From hearing and vision loss, to mental fitness and reaction time, seniors may not notice the gradual differences that can impact their driving ability. By age 60, your eyes need three times more light to see properly than does a 20 year old. Also, one-third of Americans suffer from hearing loss by age 65. This can pose a problem if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re unable to hear high-pitched noises such as emergency vehicles. Reaction times can be slower as well. Increasing the distance between you and the car in front of you will offer more reaction time, and eliminating distractions in the vehicle and avoiding heavy traffic can also help.

Top 5 driving tips for seniors

1. Prepare for a drive by adjusting your mirrors and seat to ensure you can see properly. Always wear a seatbelt. 2. Eliminate distractions, such as the car radio, which can interfere with your ability to hear emergency response vehicle sirens and other important sounds. 3. Avoid driving in bad weather, heavy traffic or at night. 4. Making left-hand turns can be difficult for people with limited vision. Avoid left-hand turns at intersections with signals by making three right hand turns around the block when possible. 5. Manage slower reaction times by increasing the amount of space between your vehicle and the car in front of you, allowing for more time to react to sudden braking.

Find the right fit. With the wide array of vehicles offering all sorts of convenience features, seniors may not realize that their car may not be optimally adjusted for them. Sitting too close to the steering wheel can interfere with steering and cause fatigue, as well as injury should the airbag deploy during a collision.You should have 10 to 12 inches between your chest and the steering wheel, and when seated properly, be able to see 12 to 15 feet of ground in front of your car, plus 1 1/2 car widths left and right.Visit www.car-fit.org to assess the safety of your vehicle, find the proper seat and mirror adjustments and more. Take a refresher course. A refresher course can help reinforce the basics such as identifying road signs, as well as provide information on updated driving rules and new vehicle technologies. Talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Ensure that the medications you take - prescription and over-the-counter - will not impair your ability to drive safely. And make sure all your medications go through one pharmacy, so pharmacists on staff can better assess potential drug interactions. AAA has a new website to help older drivers and their families deal with driving and mobility challenges related to aging (www. SeniorDriving. AAA.com). All features are free to site visitors, including where to find alternative transportation once the keys are gone. If you or a family member have received two traffic citations, warnings or been involved in two collisions or "near misses" within a two year period, it may be time to look for other forms of transportation. One options is to talk with family members, friends and neighbors about organizing a car pool to help seniors who need transportation. Published by permission of Family Features.

How Aging Affects Driving As people get older, their driving patterns change. Retirement, different schedules, and new activities affect when and where they drive. Most older adults drive safely because they have a lot of experience behind the wheel. But when they are involved in crashes, they are often hurt more seriously than younger drivers. Age-related declines in vision, hearing, and other abilities, as well as certain health conditions and medications, can affect driving skills. Changes in Driving Habits When people retire, they no longer drive to work.With more leisure time, they may start new activities, visit friends and family more often, or take more vacations. Like drivers of any age, they use their vehicles to go shopping, do errands, and visit the doctor. Driving is an important part of staying independent. Most people 70 and older have drivers’ licenses.They tend to drive fewer miles than younger drivers. But, they are also keeping their licenses longer and driving more miles than in the past, often favoring local roads over highways. As the overall population ages, there will be more older drivers — especially women drivers — on the road. A Complex Task Driving is a complicated task. It requires people to see and hear clearly; pay close attention to other cars, traffic signs and signals, and pedestrians; and react quickly to events. Drivers must be able to accurately judge distances and speeds and monitor movement on both sides as well in front of them. It’s common for people to have declines in visual, thinking, or physical abilities as they get older. As a result, older drivers are more likely than younger ones to have trouble in certain situations, including making left turns, changing lanes, and navigating through intersections. Common Mistakes n failing to yield the right of way n failing to stay in lane n misjudging the time or distance needed to turn in front of traffic n failing to stop completely at a stop sign n speeding or driving too slowly. Older Drivers and Crashes Driving errors can lead to traffic accidents, injuries, and death.The risk of crashes rises with age, especially after age 75. Studies show that older drivers are more, and less, likely to be involved in certain types of crashes than other drivers. Older drivers are less likely to be involved in crashes related to alcohol use, speeding, and driving at night. But they are more likely to get into crashes n at intersections (usually in the vehicle that is struck) n in which the front of one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle n where the older driver is merging and the other vehicle is traveling faster or is in the older driver’s blind spot Crashes Down Among Older Drivers Fortunately, the rate of crashes among adults 65 and over has decreased in recent years. Research suggests that this decline is due to a number of factors, including older adults’ better health, safer cars, and safer roads. In addition, older drivers’ ability to “police” themselves — like not driving at night – and stricter state laws for renewal of driver’s licenses may help. Most traffic deaths of older drivers occur during the daytime, on weekdays, and involve other vehicles. Older adults are more susceptible to death or serious injury in a crash if they are physically frail, but the good news is that older people are more likely to survive crashes than in the past. Information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Institutes of Health Senior Health, National Library of Medicine, http://nihseniorhealth.gov/index.html. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

in every life

Immunity & Immunizations

a “booster” dose he immune system in the may be indicated for human body is a complex older adults every network. Its components five to seven years. function separately and together to Recent reports of protect our bodies from invasion by foreign substances and organisms. These increasing whooping cough (pertussis) components include white blood cells, outbreaks have led bone marrow, the thymus, lymphatic to revised recomsystem and spleen. With aging, the mendations for tetathymus decreases in size and lymphoArlene Morris nus, diphtheria, and cytes can lose some of their sensitivity acellular pertussis (changes which are termed immunosenescence).Vaccines (Tdap) and tetanus, are therefore especially recommended for older adults, in diphtheria (Td) vaccines. Tdap vaccine is order to prompt cells recommended specifically for persons who to develop additional are in close contact with infants younger antibodies and proVaccines are therefore than 12 months of age (e.g., parents, grandmote memory of cells parents, and child-care providers) and who that have previously especially recommended have not received Tdap previously. been sensitized by for older adults, in order to The shingles (varicella) vaccine has been exposure. approved for use for those over the age of Immunization for prompt cells to develop 50, and is recommended for those over the influenza (“flu shot”) additional antibodies age of 60. This vaccine does not prevent annually during the fall shingles, rather it helps to prevent the is intended to provide and promote memory extremely painful and sometimes prolonged time for immunity to of cells that have nerve pain that can be experienced. develop before strains As cooler weather arrives it is a reminder of influenza viruses previously been that fall is in the air. Consider this a remindmigrate to the US. Adsensitized by exposure. ditionally, during the er to immunize! winter, more people remain indoors, Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE is Professor of increasing the potenNursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing. tial for heightened exposure from inhaling air containing She can be reached at amorris@aum.edu.. droplets from coughs, sneezes. Transfer also occurs when hands contact areas - such as tabletops, doorknobs, faucets, I LOVE IT HERE. grocery carts, telephones - on which droplets have landed, BUT THE KIDS DON’T then transfer the virus to the nose, mouth, or eyes. InfluNEED TO KNOW THAT. enza is especially threatening for older adults, and research has been done regarding higher-dose influenza vaccines for older adults. Discuss the implications from these findings with your healthcare provider. Immunization for pneumonia (“pneumonia shot”) is also recommended for older adults due to the extreme high risk of death from pneumonia. Influenza often results in 334.396.1111 pneumonia, so the risk of developing pneumonia is considerably higher in the winter. Discuss the date of your last Assisted Living | Memory Care pneumonia vaccination with your healthcare provider, as 1775 Halcyon Blvd. | elmcroft.com 28

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

Medical Edge/mayo clinic

Kidney Stones: Heredity Has a Role, But Prevention is Possible Q

: Are kidney stones genetic? I’ve only had them once, but my dad had stones several times. I’m hoping I won’t follow that path. Any advice for prevention? : Heredity does play a role in the formation of kidney stones, and after you’ve developed them once, you are at an increased risk of kidney stone formation in the future. Fortunately, effective strategies are available to prevent kidney stones. Kidney stones are small, hard deposits made of minerals and acid salts that form inside the kidneys. Although the stones start in the kidneys, most people don’t know they have kidney stones until the stones move into the ureter - one of two tubes connecting the kidneys and bladder. Stones often become wedged in the ureter or in the opening of the kidney that leads to the ureter, causing urine to back up and resulting in severe pain. Kidney stones are common. About 12 percent of the United States population experience recurrent bouts of these stones. If you have a family member who’s had kidney stones, then you’re more likely to develop kidney stones. But other factors can affect your risk, too. For example, although the reason isn’t clear, people who live in warm Southern climates near large bodies of water have a higher incidence of kidney stones than people who live in the Midwest. People who eat a diet that’s high in protein or salt, or has excessive amounts of oxalate (a mineral found in some fruits and vegetables, as well as in nuts and chocolate) are also at higher risk of kidney stones. Normal intake of calcium in the diet may help prevent stones, while excessive amounts of calcium may promote stone formation. Kidney stone development often begins during a person’s 20s or 30s, and the problem may continue for many years. Nearly 80 percent of people who have had kidney stones once will develop them again if preventive steps aren’t taken. Because the reason for kidney stone formation is specific to each person, it’s important to work with your doctor to establish an individual treatment plan that fits your situation. That plan should take into consideration what kind

of kidney stones you have, possible causes for their formation, and specific steps to prevent them. There are several types of kidney stones. The most common are calcium-based stones: calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. They make up about 75 percent of kidney stones. Others include uric acid stones, struvite stones (which form in response to an infection) and cystine stones, as well as a variety of other rare types of kidney stones. Determining the type of stones you have is key to preventing them from forming in the future. After a passed stone has been captured, its makeup can usually be established through laboratory analysis. Because each type of stone forms for different reasons, blood and urine tests can also help determine what’s causing stone formation. For example, blood tests may reveal excess calcium or uric acid in your blood. Urine tests may show that you’re producing too many stone-forming minerals or too few stone-inhibiting substances. Once the type of stone and its cause have been established, your doctor can work with you to develop a plan to prevent future stones. Prevention typically involves dietary changes, adjustments in fluid intake and, in some cases, medications. By carefully following an individualized treatment plan, more than 90 percent of people can successfully prevent additional kidney stones. This is true even if you have a genetic predisposition to kidney stone development. If you haven’t already done so, talk with your doctor about prevention strategies that are right for you. William Haley, M.D., Nephrology, and Michael Wehle, M.D., Urology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. (Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to medicaledge(AT SIGN)mayo.edu , or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org.) (c) 2011 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR RECURRING EVENTS/MEETINGS Exercise Class, Bible Study, Bingo.Various days, times, locales. Mtgy. Area Council on Aging, www.macoa.org, 334-263- 0532. Jam Sessions: -- 1st. Sat. 9 am-Noon. AL River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. All levels welcome. 334-578-8594. FREE -- 2nd & 4th Sat., 9 am-noon, Old Alabama Town, www.oldalabamatown.com. 334-240-4500. FREE -- 3rd Sat. (Mar.-Sept.), 9 am-noon. Perry Hill UMC. 334-2723174. FREE “Not Just Art”. Tues. 10 am, Perry Hill United Methodist Church, www.perryhillumc.org, 334-2723174. FREE Docent lead tours. Sun., 1-2 pm. Mtgy Museum of Fine Arts. FREE Mtgy Amateur Radio Club, 3rd Mon., 7 pm. Mtgy. Chap. American Red Cross, 5015 Woods Crossing Rd. For info. visit www.w4ap.org or e-mail w4ap@aarl.net.

Visually impaired -- 2nd Thurs, 1-2:30 pm, Aldersgate United Methodist Church. For info 334-272-6152. Hearing Loss -- 2nd Thurs., 4 pm, First United Methodist Church. Speakers, hearing screenings, refreshments. For info. call 334-262-3650. Mental Illness -- 2nd. Mon., Dalraida UMC Church Annex, 3817 Atlanta Hwy. For info. 334-396-4797. Fibromyalgia -- 3rd Tues., 6-8 pm, Frazer Church. For info, 334-272-8622. Gluten Intolerance -- 2nd Thurs., 6-7 pm, Taylor Rd. Baptist Church. For info., Ruth Givens, ruthgivens5@ gmail.com, or http://gfmontgomery.blogspot.com.

Parkinson’s -- 4th Sun., 2 pm, Cloverdale School, Fairview Montgomery Ballet Artistic Director Darren McIntyre with some of Ave. For info 334-328-8702 the dancers who’ll be performing in Beauty and the Beasts at the or 334-322-6301. Montgomery Zoo, September 7. Disabled American Veterans -- Last Thurs., 5:30 pm. 906 Maxwell Blvd.Vets of all conflicts. Mtgy. Area Daylily Society. Aug. 18, noon, S.E.YMCA, 3455 For info. call 334-294-1551. Carter Hill Rd. Bring a covered dish. Speaker Bill Waldrop, Kennesaw Mtn. Daylily Gardens. For info. 334-288-6024, or Vietnam Veterans of America e-mail etbgoodson@aol.com. -- 1st. Mon., 6:30 pm. Crazy Buffet, Atlanta Hwy. Capital City Camera Club. 2nd Mon, 7 pm, Eastmont Baptist Meals, transportation, outChurch, 4505 Atlanta Hwy, reach services and much Montgomery. All skill levels. more, Montgomery Area Council on Aging, 115 E. JefToning/cardio for Seniors. Mon, ferson St. For info. 334-263Wed, Fri 9:15-10 am. Gillespie 0532. Senior Center, 332 Doster Rd., Prattvile. Call 334-361-3779. THEATRE/MUSIC/ DANCE/ART SUPPORT GROUPS/ Art Show Reception, Armory ASSISTANCE Titus Bluegrass Festival. Sept. 29, 10 am-6 pm. Music, arts/crafts, Learning Arts Center, Sept. 9. Cancer -- Tues., 10-11 am, food.Ten miles N. of Wetumpka on Hwy 231, then N. on Co. Rd. Capital City Artists paint the Mtgy Cancer Center. For info 29. More info. 334-567-9059, visit www.titusbluegrassfestival.com. Zoo! For info, jleehooks@aol. 334-279-6677. com. Cancer -- The Wellness Foundation. Help with prescriptions, Capri Theatre. Sept. 20. Age of Champions. Award-winning transportation, wigs, medical devices. For info. 334-273-2279, visit www.cancerwellnessfoundation.org. 4145 Carmichael Rd. documentary follows five competitors at the Nat’l Sr. Olympics. Film clip at http://ageofchampions.org/about-the-film. For Alzheimer’s/Dementia -- 1st Thurs., 11 am, Frazer Church. For info. 334-262-4858, or www.capritheatre.org. info 334-272-8622. Cloverdale Playhouse: Acting Classes. Sept. 11- Nov. 8. K-12th 30

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR VALS/FUNDRAISERS Golf Tourney benefiting Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders of Alabama. Oct. 5, RTJ Prattville. For info. 334-277-9446, visit www. hbda.us.

grade. For info. 334-262-1530, e-mail playhouseschool@cloverdaleplayhouse.org. Financial aid available. Millbrook Community Players. Our Town, Thornton Wilder. Starts Sept. 13. For info./tickets call 334-7827317 or info@millbrooktheatre. com.

OTHER... Pike Road Library Speaker Series: Sept. 20, 10 am. Greg Thornton, Artistic Dir., Cloverdale Playhouse. For info. call 334-244-8679.

Guitar Pull. Singer/Songwriters perform original music. Sept. 18, 7-9 pm. Cloverdale Playhouse. For info. 334-262-1530. Theatre AUM. Little Foxes By Lillian Hellman. Starts Sept. 21. For info. or reservations, contact Katie Pearson, 334-244-3632 or kpearso2@aum. Women of Hope Signature Luncheon. Oct. edu. 4, Frazer UMC,Wesley Hall. Food, fashion show, speaker. For info. and to register, visit FLEA MARKETS/FESTIwww.thewomenofhope.org.

Stamp & Coin Show, Mtgy Area Stamp Club. Sept. 8, 9 am-4 pm. Camellia Baptist Church, 201 Woodvale Rd, Prattville (off Hwy 31 North). For info. 334-272-4964. Door prizes. Free.

Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame 2012

1) Gayle Boswell,Wetumpka, Hall of Fame Inductee (and Dept. of Sr. Services Commissioner Neal Morrison). 2) Bill Richards, Montgomery, Sr. Advocacy Award. 3) Boyd Christenberry, Montgomery, Outstanding Sr. Citizen Award. 4) Henryette Bailey, Montgomery, Guardian Award. 5) James Staggers, Prattville, congratulated by Morrison having celebrated his 100th birthday. 6) Woodrow and Alice Wilson, Montgomery, recognized for being married 65 years or more. 8 7) John Bitter, Montgomery, Sentinel Award. 8) Melvin Cooper, Prattville and Theresa Gordon, Montgomery, Religion Award.

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September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

GAMES Crossword Clues Across 1 Altar constellation 4 Picked locks? 8 Where to see Goyas 13 Translating computer program 15 Had pizza delivered, say 16 Rikishi's contest 18 Vice __ 19 DFW airport home 20 Lei presenter 22 Bit for the dog bowl 23 Tapped-out character 24 Popping up all over 25 Plaintive wind, perhaps 26 First-year law student 28 City known as the political capital of Africa 30 Battlefield display 32 King's problem in "The King's Speech" 33 Polo Grounds #4 34 Place to see bull horns 35 Reorganize, and then some 39 Thrill 43 Pacific Northwest cedar monuments

45 NYC neighborhood 46 Make __ dash 47 Scandinavian saint 48 Rascal 49 Like Gen. McChrystal 50 Quite soon 52 Bearded beast 53 What a case may go to 55 The three in this grid are a hint to the starts of 16-, 28- and 43-Across 58 Gravy no-no 59 Billie Holiday's real first name 60 El primer mes 61 Houston MLBer 62 "Just kidding!" Down 1 Rm. coolers 2 Stand-up performance 3 Current contraption 4 Align the cross hairs 5 Fly in the ointment 6 Slows 7 Prom corsage 8 Work on the street 9 MapQuest output: Abbr. 10 Pilot in a show

11 Prepare for the hot tub 12 Painting the town red 14 "A __ upon thee!" 17 Oldies players 21 Gets cozy 23 [Facepalm!] 25 Lay one's hands on 27 Undid the blindfold 28 Do more than just consider 29 "The Clan of the Cave Bear" writer 31 Tabloid pair 35 Scare 36 Jeter's 3,000th hit, e.g. 37 Unit by unit, in succession 38 Coral component 39 Foreclosure cause 40 In progress 41 Author better known as Saki 42 Word with seed or banana 44 Tureen utensils 50 Besides 51 Strategic WWI river 52 Gibson need 54 Spring mo. 56 Common word on Brazilian maps 57 Watched the kids (c)2012 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

Crossword answers on page 16. Sudoku answers on page 7. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

prime diversions

Recent dvd releases

Bernie, Five-Year Engagement, Elles since his career seems more portable.Wed-

Bernie (PG-13) Zany slapstick actors usually have a shelf life. After a certain age, they need to move on or move aside. For Jim Carrey, after making a mint from his Ace Ventura-type roles, the shift to maturity began superbly with The Truman Show, leading to a fine career extension. Robin Williams did the same - perhaps far more successfully.This droll fact-based dramedy from Richard Linklater may prove to be Jack Black’s Truman Show. His Bernie is an ambiguously fey mortician who becomes the most beloved character in a small East Texas town. He’s kind and generous to all, throwing himself into all sorts of public-spirited activities, both religious and secular. His singing elevates funerals, choirs and community theater productions. He’s especially kind to widows, giving them loving attention long after he’s sent their loved ones off in grand style. He even manages to melt the heart of the town’s meanest, richest widow (Shirley McLaine), becoming her first real friend and constant companion, before everything heads South. Linklater masterfully tells the tale by interspersing the live action with comments by a slew of authentic looking and actual residents of Carthage who knew the real Bernie Tiede and Marjorie Nugent, giving the film the feel of a docudrama.Those homespun talking heads are almost worth the price of admission, exuding charm and colorful idioms galore. But Black’s performance will be a revelation for those who only know him as the round mound who can pound all our senses, bouncing maniacally around the screen in a slew of broadto-lowbrow comedies. His singing is varied and pitch-perfect for each setting. In the opening scenes, he evokes memories of Rod Steiger’s campy Mr. Joyboy from the snarky cult classic of dark humor,The Loved One, before proceeding to flesh out a subtle, complex and somewhat enigmatic protagonist that should put Black among the contenders when Awards Season rolls around. (8/21/12)

Five Year Engagement (PG-13) Jason Segel and Emily Blunt are well-cast, individually and as a duo for this romcom about a charming San Francisco couple. They decide to marry as the film opens. He’s an up-and-coming chef; she’s a psych student, hoping for a graduate position at Berkeley.When her only offer comes from the University of Michigan, the stress begins. Segel makes the sacrifice, moving with her, 34

September 2012 | www.primemontgomery.com

ding postponed. But life in Michigan is a real drag for him. His fortunes wane as hers wax, while both Mark Glass endure the climate and cultural whiplash. It’s far worse for him - especially when her two-year fellowship is extended by a three-year research grant.Will they endure the widening gap between their satisfaction levels in every aspect of life except each other? The script includes many amusing scenes and contributions from supporting players (Brian Posehn, Kevin Hart, Chris Parnell, among others), but two hours is almost always too long for the genre, and especially so for this material. The usual magic touch of producer Judd Apatow is missing from the film Nicholas Stoller directed and co-wrote with Segel.The two have collaborated more successfully before in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and last year’s Muppet Movie. As this couple’s Michigan travails drag on, with no small dosage of Heartland condescension, the film’s appeal withers. Although the production bounces back with a rousing, if far-fetched, climax, it may seem too little, too late. (9/11/12) Elles (NR) If anyone doubts that Juliette Binoche is one of the finest actresses currently performing in any language, here’s a persuasive piece of evidence in her support. Binoche stars in this subtitled drama as a journalist interviewing several college co-eds working their way through school as prostitutes.We learn with Binoche about what they do, why they do it, and how they compartmentalize such diverse facets of their lives.We mostly watch them chatting about their experiences, accentuated by scenes of them earning their livelihood, with some rather explicit moments. Meanwhile, Binoche is juggling her own set of hassles - a looming deadline, a condescending husband and a son who leaves much to be desired.The film could have easily turned out as either tawdry, or overly intellectual, but for a script that balances the elements adroitly, and even more importantly, Binoche’s persona. She projects a perfect mix of curiosity, interest in her subjects, surprise and empathy. She receives all information with an admirable absence of judgment, occasionally looking within herself, as well, finding commonality with people who happened to wind up on a different path to accomplish the same life goals as anyone else. Those choosing the “oldest profession” for their various reasons are neither simplified, sanitized nor demonized, which seems not only French, but fair by any rational standards. (9/11/12)

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

www.primemontgomery.com | September 2012

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