Atlanta Senior Life - February 2019

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The Best Senior Living in Cherokee County Has Arrived

From Wood to Art

By Joe Earle

John Rudert tackled his first woodworking project decades ago, when he was a kid growing up in Pennsylvania. He and his dad, who happened to own a hardware store and had a shop full of tools, worked together to make a lamp. They gave it to his mom as a Mother’s Day present.

“It’s somewhere in a packing box,” Rudert said. “We still have it.”

When Rudert moved to Georgia with his I.T. job back in the mid-1990s, he settled in the area that would become Peachtree Corners in part because he wanted a place that provided enough room to set up a home wood shop. “I always had this idea of woodworking, that I would end up with the tools dad had,” he said.

Rudert’s two-story shop now stands next to his home. But the works in wood the 71-year-old now turns out can be a bit more, well, elaborate that that walnut lamp made for his mom. He makes all sorts of things out of wood, from toy trains to bowls to tables decorated with elaborate designs assembled from thin slices of wood. What’s the appeal? “It’s the accomplishment,” he said.

Rudert looks like a man who works with wood. He’s tall, wears wire-framed glasses, sports a long and bushy beard and was dressed one recent morning in jeans, a plaid shirt and a gray cardigan. Retired from I.T. now, he teaches a couple of woodworking classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina and serves as president of the Peach State Woodturners, one of more than a dozen clubs organized in Georgia for craftspeople who work with wood.

Woodworking clubs often organize around particular skills. There are clubs for furniture makers, clubs for those who turn wood on a lathe to make bowls or other decorative objects, and

even one for makers of decorative fountain pens. Why so many clubs? “People are different,” Rudert said.

The Peach State club claims 30 to 40 members and meets monthly at a member’s home in Oxford, Ga. Other clubs meet in homes or at a half-dozen local woodworking businesses scattered from Midtown Atlanta to various communities across the city’s northern suburbs. One group, the Georgia Association of Woodturners, a 135-member club that organized in 1987, meets at Georgia Tech.

Clubs often offer group classes during their regular meetings. Some make how-to videos during their classes and post them on YouTube to share with

SPECIAL Mike Raftis.

SPECIAL Gary Fader with a clock he crafted.

PHOTO BY JOE EARLE. John Rudert displays some of his intricate woodwork.

other woodworkers. “We have a demonstrator come and then we have ‘Show and Tell’ when different members show what they’ve done,” said Mike Raftis, who’s 74 and webmaster for the South Metro Woodturners club, which claims 35 to 40 members. And several clubs regularly work together by scheduling their meetings on consecutive days so an out-of-town expert can teach classes to several different groups during the same week.

The clubs seem to attract members from a variety of backgrounds. Gary Fader, the 72-year-old president of the 150-member Woodworkers Guild of Georgia, said that group includes retired lawyers, accountants, even a doctor or two. He’s a retired nuclear engineer himself. Now he likes spending hours making all-wooden clocks that operate with wooden gears.

“A lot of guys in the guild spend their lives pushing paper, so generally you reach a point

where you want to produce something you can hold in your hands,” Fader said. “It’s just the satisfaction of making something. … A lot of the guys pushed paper and now they like getting their hands dirty.”

Woodworkers say the hobby also gives them a way to forget what’s going on around them while they focus on the projects in front of them. Dan Simken, president of the Gwinnett Woodworkers Association, finds he can relax while working on the delicate wooden pieces he cuts with a scroll saw. “I can kind of lose myself in it,” the 66-year-old retired photographer said.

What keeps them going back? It’s simple, Raftis said. “Woodworking is kind of addictive,” he said.

Early one recent Saturday, about 28 members of the Gwinnett Woodworkers Association gathered at the Woodcraft store in Alpharetta to watch three of their club

members demonstrate how they had made a three-foot-tall Connect Four game large enough to set in a backyard for their kids or grandkids to play.

The game required a standing playing board assembled from a pair of matched sheets of plywood, each drilled with 35 holes in a 7-by-5-hole grid, and 5-inch discs to drop between the boards and fill the holes. During play, the colored discs lined up like the X’s and O’s in tic-tac-toe. Players alternated turns dropping the discs. A win required placing four discs in a row.

As Buzz Adams, Rob Austin and Larrie Wampler demonstrated how to make the pieces and assemble the board, club members in the audience members fired questions and kept up a running, good-natured commentary on their work.

After the meeting, Adams said he got interested in woodworking after retiring from a 30-something-year career in demolition. Now, instead of tearing things down, he builds things. “We’re not carpenters, we’re woodworkers,” the 68-yearold said. “A carpenter knows all about structure. Ours is more about art, or we think it is.”

Because woodworking offers a lot of variety in the kinds of projects people can make, it can comfortably fit the needs of older hobbyists, said Kim Muthersbough, the 66-yearold president of the Georgia Association of Woodturners.

“It involves you mentally and it involves you physically,” he said. “Both mind and body.”

Muthersbough, who grew up in Texas, got his introduction to working with wood when he was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout. “I’ve always been a crafty person,”

Continued on page 6

Clockwise from top left: A toy truck made by Mike Raftis. (SPECIAL)

Buzz Adams demonstrates how to build a Connect Four game at a Gwinnett Woodworkers Association workshop.

Dan Simken, president of the Gwinnett Woodworkers Association Gwinnett Woodworkers Association members watch a demonstration room in their meeting place at Peachtree Woodworking Supply Company.

PHOTOS BY PHIL MOSIER

From Wood to Art

he said. He was reintroduced to woodworking about 15 years ago, he said, when a co-worker suggested he might enjoy it. “I was really intimidated by woodworking because what I wanted to do was large projects and I was afraid I would start something and never get it finished.”

But once he realized he could take on and complete projects in a small amount of time, he was hooked. Now he makes all kinds of things in his shop, from peppermills to bowls to pens, he said, and doesn’t specialize on any particular kind of item. “I haven’t found that one thing I want to make a billion of,” he said.

For Muthersbough, woodworking also has turned into a second career. He retired after working in corporate jobs

as a supply-chain specialist, but then was hired a few years ago by Kennesaw State University to supervise the shop where architecture students make models.

Now, in addition to his job, he spends eight to 10 hours a month on projects in his home shop. “The point is making something,” Muthersbough said. “The thing that I find engaging is I’ve always been very interested in process and woodworking is a very process-oriented type of activity. Process-type things are the things I enjoyed in school and it’s what I did as a professional. I’ve always had a very analytical and a very process-oriented type personality. A lot of woodworkers you’ll encounter are retired engineers.”

Over in Alpharetta, during a chat at the Woodcraft shop where several clubs hold their monthly meetings, Rudert, the retired I.T. professional, bought out samples of his varied types of woodwork. Pieces ranged from a brightly colored Christmas ornament to bowls assembled from several kinds of wood and turned to be smooth to the touch to elaborate marquetry pieces he’d made to create colorful designs by piecing together small slices of wood.

One marquetry piece started with a photo of a bird that was published in National Geographic magazine, he said. He made his own image of the bird by assembling pieces of wood of various shapes, sizes and colors. “It’s a bit of challenge,” he said. “It’s just being able to stick with it. But the results are incredible.” And it looked to be a long way from a wooden lamp.

Kim Muthersbough holds a bowl he turned. SPECIAL

Local Woodworking Clubs

Here are some of the many clubs for woodworkers that meet regularly in Georgia.

Apple Ridge Woodturners Ellijay appleridgewoodturners.org

Atlanta Woodturners Guild Atlanta atlantawoodturnersguild.org

Barnesville Woodturners

Barnesville barnesvillewoodturners.com

Bi-City Woodturners

Columbus bicitywoodturners.com

Chattahoochee Woodturners Gainesville chattahoocheewoodturners.org

Classic City Woodturners

Athens classiccitywoodturners.com

Dalton Area Woodturners Guild

Dalton daltonareawoodturnersguild.org

Georgia Association of Woodturners

Atlanta gawoodturner.org

Golden Isles Woodturners Brunswick giww.org

Gwinnett Woodworkers Association

Norcross gwinnettwoodworkers.com

International Association of Penturners Georgia Chapter

Alpharetta Penturners.org

(Click on ‘Forums,’ scroll to ‘Local Chapters,’ click on ‘Georgia,’ then ‘Georgia Chapter Meeting Info.’)

Low Country Turners

Savannah lowcountryturners.com

Middle Georgia Woodturners

Gray middlegeorgiawoodturners.com

Mountain Laurel Wood Turners Clarksville mountainlaurelwoodturners.com

Peach State Society of American Period Furniture Makers Alpharetta peachstatesapfm.info

Peach State Woodturners Oxford peachstatewoodturners.com

Savannah River Woodturners Evans |savannahriverwoodturners.org

South Metro Woodturners Newnan southmetrowoodturners.org

Woodworkers Guild of Georgia Alpharetta woodworkersguildofga.org

visit a georgia park for Valentine’s Day

By Kathy Dean

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has planned events throughout the state that are perfect for a Valentine’s Day celebration. There are date nights, hikes and more that offer romance and adventure. Visit gastateparks.org for more events and updated information.

Valentine’s Dinner and Dance

The drive to Fort McAllister State Park will be well worth it for this special evening. It starts with a candlelit dinner in a beautiful, historic setting. After the meal, you’ll have the opportunity to share period music, dancing and fireside chats with the park’s historical interpreters.

Valentine’s Day Couples Hike on Panola Mountain

Enjoy a guided hike through Panola Mountain’s conservation area. You’ll watch the sun set over downtown Atlanta and have an opportunity to have your photo taken. Finish up with some chocolate-covered-strawberryinspired s’mores roasted over the campfire. Be sure to bring water, a flashlight and sturdy shoes!

If you miss out on the special Valentine’s Day Hike, sign up for one of the Moonlight Mountain Hikes, offered on Saturdays, Feb. 16 and March 23.

When: Saturday, Feb. 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Panola Mountain State Park, 2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge 30281

Cost: Admission is $15, $5 for parking.

More info: Space is limited; call 770-389-7801 to reserve a place.

QUALITY HOME CARE AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.

When: Saturday, Feb. 9, 6-8 p.m. Where: Fort McAllister State Park, 3894 Fort McAllister Road, Richmond Hill 31324

Cost: $50 per person, $5 for parking. More info: Reservations are required; call 912-727-2339.

Ole Fashion Date Night on the Park

What’s more romantic than Mistletoe…State Park? In honor of Valentine’s Day, the park is offering a date night at

the campground. Food will be prepared on a cast-iron skillet and there’ll even be homemade hot cocoa at the end of the program.

When: Friday, Feb. 15, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Mistletoe State Park, 3725 Mistletoe Road, Appling 30802

Cost: $20 per couple, plus $5 parking.

More info: Save your spot by calling 706-541-0321.

Astronomy Night with Your Love

Look to the stars at Tallulah Gorge State Park for a perfect Valentine’s Night. Everyone meets in front of the Interpretive Center for an opportunity to look through the telescope and learn about the sky. This program does depend on the weather.

When: Thursday, Feb. 14, 6:30-8 p.m.

Where: Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls 30573

Cost: Admission is $5, $5 for parking. More info: Call 706-754-7981 for details.

Sunset Boat Tour of the Swamp

Maybe the thought of a swamp doesn’t ooze romance, but you may be surprised as you relax on Billy’s Lake to watch an Okefenokee sunset. The lake is surrounded by wildlife — sandhill cranes and barred owls, even alligators — and you can glimpse them before the sun drops below the horizon. The boat tour is also offered on Saturdays, March 16 and April 13.

When: Saturday, Feb. 16, 5:30-7 p.m.

Where: Stephen C. Foster State Park, 17515 Highway 177, Fargo 391631

Cost: $15 to $20, plus $5 parking. More info: To learn more, call 912-637-5274.

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One Man’s Devotion to educational Causes

By Joe Earle

Two moments changed Steve Wadley. Taken together, they convinced him to spend part of his retirement devoting his time, talents and experience to raising money for local organizations that support education in Atlanta’s inner-city schools.

The first moment came when Wadley was a boy. He played football then on a team based in Buckhead. His team played in a city-wide league and when he and his teammates played away games in poorer Atlanta neighborhoods, he saw that those players had nowhere near the level of support — the new equipment, the uniforms, the practices — that benefited him and his teammates.

“We would kill ‘em,” the 61-year-old said. “It’d be 56 to nothing. It just wasn’t a fair fight. It just wasn’t fair. It stuck with me.”

His second insight arrived decades later, when, as a father, he was grieving the death of his son. By then, Wadley had founded and operated a few restaurants, including Café 290 in Sandy Springs, and moved on to create an internet marketing firm. In 2012, Wadley’s son, Nick, suddenly died from respiratory failure two weeks shy of his 25th birthday.

“He died on a Friday. We buried him on a Tuesday,” Wadley recalled one recent afternoon as he sat outside a Midtown coffee shop. “On Wednesday morning, we were sitting at the breakfast table saying, ‘What the hell are we going to do now?’”

He decided he should remember his son by helping others.

Nick loved to play guitar, so Wadley looked into music-based charities. He found the Atlanta Music Project, which provided free music education to underserved Atlanta youth. Wadley joined the

organization’s board and helped raise money for it, setting up events such as a golf tournament named for his son.

Wadley’s fundraising work has made a significant difference for the group and made him one of the largest individual donors for the Atlanta Music Project, Co-founder and Executive Director Dantes Rameau said. “He works hard on behalf of our organization. He does it because of his love for the kids we serve,” Rameau said. “He’s one of our most dynamic board members.”

Through the music project, Wadley learned of another group working to improve education in Atlanta public schools, The Kindezi Schools, which operates two public charter schools and a turnaround Atlanta city school. Kindezi says it takes its name from a Bantu word describing “the act by which a community educates, loves and values every child.”

Wadley began raising funds for Kindezi, too. He said working with the two individual organizations has convinced him there could be a better way to raise money for them and similar organizations. He’s now starting a new organization he believes will create a simpler way to raise money for local charities.

He thinks his new group, called Think Local Atlanta, will broaden, and stabilize fundraising for such small, local groups.

His idea sounds a bit like a small-scale United Way: Instead of going to a few rich folks to give large chunks of cash through traditional fundraisers such as a charity golf game or auction, Wadley wants to convince large numbers of donors to pledge relatively small amounts of money so that, together, the effect will be large.

Think Local Atlanta asks donors for a dime a day — about $3-plus a month or $36.50 a year — to be distributed to the charities it supports.

“Every charity does the same thing. They try to raise a lot of money from a small number of people,” he said. “It kind of reminds me of a 6-year-old girls’ basketball team: they all were after the ball. Raising money like this means it comes in fits and starts. …. [We] try to get small amounts of money from large groups of people … 12,500 people giving 10 cents a day each is [nearly] $500,000 a year.”

As of now, Think Local Atlanta is set up to contribute to the Atlanta Music Project and The Kindezi Schools. But Wadley thinks the fundraising could expand to support additional charities.

Why shouldn’t potential donors give directly to the charities, rather than to Think Local Atlanta? Wadley argues that many people don’t give because they don’t know enough about which charities are effective and deserve support. The volunteers operating the fundraising group, he said, will do the legwork and get the word out.

“I think if people are aware of what’s going on,” Wadley said, “they’ll have the ability to support it.”

Steve Wadley has started Think Local Atlanta, an organization that works to help provide funds for small, local groups.

Atlanta Music Project offers musical education

By Grace Huseth

Atlanta Music Project empowers under-served youth to help them realize their potential through music. The project uses an immersion approach modeled after a program founded in Venezuela called El Sistema and uses music as a tool for social change.

The tuition-free program goes to neighborhoods where families either don’t have access or funds to attend music academies to build youth choirs and orchestras. Most of the kids in the orchestra program had never touched an instrument before joining Atlanta Music Project. Students first learn to play melodies and enjoy creating music before reading music and theory. Since its inception in 2010, Atlanta Music Project has remained free for all musicians, but there is a strict attendance policy.

For more information about Atlanta Music Project and upcoming concerts, visit atlantamusicproject.org.

The Kindezi Vision

Kindezi is a community of public schools in Atlanta that has a goal to provide a life-changing education that helps students thrive.

They accomplish that goal with small classes led by dedicated teachers, and a philosophy that every child has the right to reach their full potential. Kindezi currently operates three schools in Atlanta Public Schools: Kindezi West, on Wilson Mill Road; Kindezi at Gideons, on Windsor Street; and Kindezi Old Fourth Ward, on Pine Street.

In 2018, the Georgia Department of Education identified The Kindezi Schools as a High Progress Reward School and one of the top 10 percent Title I schools in the state. Visit kindezi.org to learn more the Kindezi schools and how you can support them.

Doctors Dedicated to Serving Seniors

Tiny bubbles

Where to get your milk tea fix

By Collin Kelley

Whether you call it bubble tea, milk tea or boba tea, the Taiwanesecreated comfort drink has quickly become a hit with Atlantans. A tea base of black, green, oolong or blended tea is mixed with powdered milk or fruit syrup and tiny, chewy balls of tapioca — called pearls or boba — and served over ice. The cups are then sealed with a plastic film, which you puncture with a fat straw to suck up the boba. It’s an acquired taste, but also addictive. The drink first arrived on Buford Highway, thanks to its concentration of Asian restaurants, but you can now find it in Downtown, Midtown and several places outside the Perimeter. Here’s a guide to some of the local places to get your bubble tea fix:

Tea Top ►

If you’re having dinner at Kura Revolving Sushi, save room for some bubble tea next door at Tea Top. Our favorite: Earl Grey with boba. 6035 Peachtree Road, Suite A in Doraville. facebook.com/ teatopdoraville

Tea House Formosa ▼

This Buford Highway favorite has an inviting dining area to enjoy your bubble tea (they have hot tea and fruit flavors as well) in sleek white pots and cups along with a yummy dessert. Brother-sister coowners Tao Huang and Winnie Peng are always crafting special or seasonal drinks such as the recent FrosTea, a frozen smoothie version of the milk and fruit tea. 5302 Buford Highway, #A3. facebook.com/ teahouseformosa.

Honey Bubble

You don’t have to travel far for bubble tea if you’re in the vicinity of Poncey-Highland. Try the signature honey-flavored milk tea or maybe taro or raspberry lychee. Be sure to grab a tasty macaron or other sweet treat. 798 Ponce de Leon Ave. facebook.com/honeybubbletea.

Sweet Hut

The bakery and café is mostly known for its out-of-this-world pastries, cakes and buns (have you tried the Nutella Bun? Wowsers!), but they also have milk tea including flavors like honey jasmine, caramel, strawberry and coconut. 935 Peachtree St., Suite 935 in Midtown; 3393 Peachtree Road, Suite 1006 in Buckhead; and 5160 Buford Highway, Suite A-100. sweethutbakery.com.

Quickly

As the name suggests, you can grab milk tea fast at one of the locations along with some yummy bites like spicy chicken nuggets or mozzarella sticks. We recommend the peppermint milk with boba. 5090 Buford Highway in Doraville or 3780 Old Norcross Road in Duluth. quicklyusa.com.

Sharetea

Along with traditional milk tea with boba, branch out and try the strawberry ice blended with lychee jelly and ice cream or satisfy your chocolate craving with the cocoa tea. 5975 Roswell Road, Suite B-209 in Sandy Springs. 1992sharetea.com.

Boba Mocha

Whether you want regular milk tea, a slush or a smoothie, drop by Boba Mocha in Duluth and be sure to try their green tea flavors. You can also grab a bowl of soup, light bite or dessert. 2628 Pleasant Hill Road. bobamocha. com.

Gong Cha

When the New York-based bubble tea mainstay opened its first location in Georgia a few months ago, there was nearly a mob scene. It’s much calmer now, but bubble tea fans swear by the stuff. We recommend the Earl Grey, the brown sugar ginger or

caramel. 1630 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth. gongchausa.com.

Kung Fu ▼

The long lines at the minimalistchic shops (including the newlyopened location near Georgia State University in Downtown) are a testament to just how popular bubble tea has become in Atlanta. Whether you want traditional milk tea or blended into a slush, we recommend the oolong with boba. If you want to be adventurous, try adding coffee or grass jelly. 2/4 Park

Place South in Downtown; 5280A Buford Highway in Doraville; or 3473 Old Norcross Road in Duluth. kungfutea.com.

Two more to try Tiny Bubbles Tea Bar, 21 Park

Square in Marietta and 230 Chambers St. in Woodstock. tinybubblesteabar.com

Maji Tea Bar, 5725 State Bridge Road in Johns Creek. majiteabar. com

We call it home.

“Saint Anne’s Terrace has a beautiful setting and the staff is professional, friendly, courteous, which creates a family atmosphere. I’m very happy to be a part of this community.”

• Serving Buckhead community for over 30 years

• Quiet residential neighborhood

• Minutes from OK Café

• Apartments tailored to personal needs

VELMA FARMER Resident since 2014

SCHWARTZ CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS

Friday, February 1, 8:00 p.m. ST. OLAF CHOIR

February 8–9, 8:00 p.m.

EMORY ANNUAL JAZZ FEST FEATURING VANESSA RUBIN, VOCALIST

Friday, February 15, 8:00 p.m.

CZECH NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WITH ISABEL LEONARD, MEZZO-SOPRANO CANDLER CONCERT SERIES

Friday, March 22, 8:00 p.m.

ERIC OWENS AND LAWRENCE BROWNLEE CANDLER CONCERT SERIES

Mind Over Matter

A common February problem might be keeping up your momentum with last year’s resolutions. (You know, those promises you plan to fulfill before 2019 ends.) Are they vanishing before Valentine’s Day? Need a little support?

Here are some approaches that offer alternatives to traditional medical approaches. You might want to consider trying one or two.

Help for Your Self-Help

No one knows you as well as you do, and, often, you’re the real expert on what you need. Self-help means you guide your improvement. Even so, experts rely on others for knowledge and support. People may offer to help you ‘find yourself’ this year, but guard against frauds and worthless promises. Self-help can make a difference, if you find the right mentors.

Atlanta nurse Sharon Reynolds is also a naturopath, a person who uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. She often speaks with older adults about mental health and the art of self-healing. Like most naturopaths, Reynolds embraces many therapies to treat the whole person.

“It’s much more fun for me to understand a person’s preferred behavior style than focus on disease and a physical symptom,” she said.

Reynolds also said that adults need purpose in their lives and to be able to contribute something of value at every age. She wants the person to be healthy: mind, body, and spirit; that’s the World Health Organization’s definition of health, Reynolds explained.

Following her nursing education, she became interested in, and mastered, studies including hypnotherapy, mind-body health issues and life coaching. Now semi-retired as a nurse, Reynolds is a passionate believer in life-long learning. She has produced a video on behavioral styles, and she shares mind-body information online and through speaking engagements.

Life Coaching

Reynolds agreed that hiring a life coach — someone who will counsel and encourage you — may be something to consider at any juncture in life.

The U.S. Department of Labor refers to life coaches, via the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as someone who wants to establish a “partnership” between people and their “life’s vision.”

And although you may be in your 50s, 60s or even 80s, it’s not too late to rethink your life — or your life’s plan, for that matter. However, major changes generally work best when they are thoughtfully planned with a skilled individual.

Why look for a life coach? Have you found retirement is not quite as gratifying as you first thought?

Perhaps you’ve trekked a few places in Europe and the Orient. What’s next? Australia or New Zealand? Maybe both?

Or maybe you’re ready to get back to work, with the stipulation of doing something you love?

There are no formal life-coach requirements. “The field is unregulated,” according the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, bls.gov. “There are dozens of life-coach training and certification programs in the United States.”

When looking for a life coach, do your homework. Seek

living alone is no longer an option...

Judith L. Kanne, RN, BSN, BA is a registered nurse and freelance writer who lives in Atlanta.

Czech National Symphony Orchestra

recommendations from others you trust.

Take the time to choose someone with credentials who can provide the right background and teaching opportunities for you. It makes sense to find a life coach who has experience and shares an interest in a field you’d like to explore — anything from Jungian psychology to photography.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recommends [gaining] “... knowledge of a field related to life coaching, such as psychology” from your coach.

Mindfulness

“Stay in the present,” say the mindfulness experts. Focus. Originally a Buddhist concept, the ancient art of mindfulness remains somewhat experimental. Studies suggest that mindfulness practices may help people manage stress, cope better with serious illness and reduce anxiety and depression, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

According to Mayo Clinic News Network, “Mindfulness is the act of being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling at every moment — without interpretation or judgment.”

Simply put, mindfulness is the art of taking a negative thought and replacing it with something positive — or having an anchor, such as your mental vision of ocean waves or snow-covered mountains.

One of the reasons for the mindfulness buzz is that it’s readily accessible. In other words, “anyone can learn about it and anyone can practice it,” according an article in the Berkeley Science Review.

Many people who practice mindfulness report an increased ability to relax, a greater enthusiasm for life and improved self-esteem. In fact, one NIH-supported study found a link between mindfulness meditation and measurable changes in the brain where memory, learning and emotion are involved.

The hard part is finding the time for mindfulness in our fast-paced culture. The NIH suggests practicing mindfulness when sitting in traffic or waiting in line, especially when you’re in a hurry and prone to frustration.

Change the part of your mind that’s racing to the future and bring it into the present. Try deep breathing, too. You won’t change the traffic, but you can improve how you manage the situation.

Emotional Freedom Techniques or Tapping

If last year’s holidays left you feeling a bit empty (e.g., Christmas wasn’t merry and Thanksgiving just left you thankful it was over), then you should know about another self-help strategy that has been gaining in popularity.

Its formal name is ‘emotional freedom technique’ or EFT. It’s a mind-body-spirit approach to self-care. This technique involves a specific movement — physically tapping on 12 acupuncture points of your body — while repeating emotionally charged statements that relate to specific health issues.

According to the EFT Universe website, “there are no exact words, phrases or statements, as tapping is an individualized process.” However, some suggested tapping statements are listed on the site. One example is: “Even though I have a problem, I deeply and completely accept myself.”

Some experts may refer to this as “acupressure for the emotions,” according to Duke Integrative Medicine, part of Duke University. EFT can help people with anxiety, weight loss and food cravings, depression, PTSD, phobias, pain and other physical symptoms.

Following many scientific studies of EFT, research suggests even veterans have improved —and remain better over time — using this treatment for specific types of stressors.

Be Open, Not Gullible

The list of self-help methods is long but, remember, the State of Georgia does not license practitioners of life coaching, mindfulness or EFT. It’s a good idea to stay skeptical of two-week courses and people who have “expert” printed on their business cards.

“If you feel overwhelmed or are unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking professional help,” says the American Psychological Association.

In fact, psychologists are uniquely trained to help. In addition, nurses and other medical professionals receive training in goal setting with their patients. After all, it takes years of training to understand the connection between the mind and body.

As always, check in with your physician before starting any new self-care regimen. As a rule, healthcare professionals are supportive to their patients who want to improve their lives and are happy to offer helpful direction.

Penny!! Breaking news!!

Georgia Banking Company

Georgia Banking Company

penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Money Market Disclosure: Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 10/12/18. No minimum balance to earn the stated APY. $100 minimum deposit required to open. Rate may change after the account is opened. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Kasasa Disclosure: Qualification Information: Account transactions and activities may take one or more days to post and settle to the account and all must do so during the Monthly Qualification Cycle in order to qualify for the account’s rewards. The following activities do not count toward earning account rewards: ATM-processed transactions, transfers between accounts, debit card purchases processed by merchants and received by our bank as ATM transactions, non-retail payment transactions and purchases made with debit cards not issued by our bank. “Monthly Qualification Cycle” means a period beginning one (1) business day prior to the first day of the current statement cycle through one (1) business day prior to the close of the current statement cycle. Reward Information: When your Kasasa Cash account qualifications are met during a Monthly Qualification Cycle, the following rewards will be distributed to your account(s): (1) Balances up to $25,000 receive an APY of 2.95%; and balances over $25,000 earn 1.00% interest rate on the portion of balance over $25,000, resulting in a range from 2.95% to 1.39% APY depending on the account’s balance and (2) ATM Fee Reimbursements: You will

(1)

CD Disclosure: Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are accurate as of 10/12/18. The minimum deposit to earn the stated APY is $500. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Money Market Disclosure: Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 10/12/18. No minimum balance to earn the stated APY. $100 minimum deposit required to open. Rate may change after the account is opened. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Kasasa Disclosure: Qualification Information: Account transactions and activities may take one or more days to post and settle to the account and all must do so during the Monthly Qualification Cycle in order to qualify for the account’s rewards. The following activities do not count toward earning account rewards: ATM-processed transactions, transfers between accounts, debit card purchases processed by merchants and received by our bank as ATM transactions, non-retail payment transactions and purchases made with debit cards not issued by our bank. “Monthly Qualification Cycle” means a period beginning one (1) business day prior to the first day of the current statement cycle through one (1) business day prior to the close of the current statement cycle. Reward Information: When your Kasasa Cash account qualifications are met during a Monthly Qualification Cycle, the following rewards will be distributed to your account(s):

Balances up to $25,000 receive an APY of 2.95%; and balances over $25,000 earn 1.00% interest rate on the portion of balance over $25,000, resulting in a range from 2.95% to 1.39% APY depending on the account’s balance and (2) ATM Fee Reimbursements: You will receive reimbursements for nationwide ATM fees incurred during the Monthly Qualification Cycle in which you met your Kasasa Cash qualifications. An ATM receipt must be presented within sixty (60) calendar days of transaction for reimbursements of individual ATM fees of $5.00 or higher. When Kasasa Cash qualifications are not met ATM fees are not refunded, all balances in your Kasasa Cash account earns an APY of 0.02%. Rewards are credited on the last day of the current statement cycle. APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APYs are accurate as of 10/12/18. Rates and rewards are variable and may change after account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional Information: Account approval, conditions, qualifications, limits, timeframes, enrollments, and other requirements apply. $100 minimum deposit is required to open this account. Receipt of electronic statements is a condition of this account. Enrollment in online banking is required to view your electronic statement. Limit 1 account per social security number. There are no service charges or fees to open or close this account. Contact one of our Georgia Banking Company customer service representatives for additional information, details, restrictions, processing limitations and enrollment instructions. Kasasa, Kasasa Cash and Kasasa Saver are trademarks of Kasasa, Ltd., registered in the U.S.A.

is accurate as of 10/12/18. No minimum balance to earn the stated APY. $100 minimum deposit required to open. Rate may change after the account is opened. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Kasasa Disclosure: Qualification Information: Account transactions and activities may take one or more days to post and settle to the account and all must do so during the Monthly Qualification Cycle in order to qualify for the account’s rewards. The following activities do not count toward earning account rewards: ATM-processed transactions, transfers between accounts, debit card purchases processed by merchants and received by our bank as ATM transactions, non-retail payment transactions and purchases made with debit cards not issued by our bank. “Monthly Qualification Cycle” means a period beginning

CD Disclosure: Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are accurate as of 10/12/18. The minimum deposit to earn the stated APY is $500. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Money Market Disclosure: Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 10/12/18. No minimum balance to earn the stated APY. $100 minimum deposit required to open. Rate may change after the account is opened. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Kasasa Disclosure: Qualification Information: Account transactions and activities may take one or more days to post and settle to the account and all must do so during the Monthly Qualification Cycle in order to qualify for the account’s rewards. The following activities do not count toward earning account rewards: ATM-processed transactions, transfers between accounts, debit card purchases processed by merchants and received by our bank as ATM transactions, non-retail payment transactions and purchases made with debit cards not issued by our bank. “Monthly Qualification Cycle” means a period beginning one (1) business day prior to the first day of the current statement cycle through one (1) business day prior to the close of the current statement cycle. Reward Information: When your Kasasa Cash account qualifications are met during a Monthly Qualification Cycle, the following rewards will be distributed to your account(s): (1) Balances up to $25,000 receive an APY of 2.95%; and balances over $25,000 earn 1.00% interest rate on the portion of balance over $25,000, resulting in a range from 2.95% to 1.39% APY depending on the account’s balance and (2) ATM Fee Reimbursements: You will receive reimbursements for nationwide ATM fees incurred during the Monthly Qualification Cycle in which you met your Kasasa Cash qualifications. An ATM receipt must be presented within sixty (60) calendar days of transaction for reimbursements of individual ATM fees of $5.00 or higher. When Kasasa Cash qualifications are not met ATM fees are not refunded, all balances in your Kasasa Cash account earns an APY of 0.02%. Rewards are credited on the last day of the current statement cycle. APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APYs are accurate as of 10/12/18. Rates and rewards are variable and may change after account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings.

Georgia Banking Company

GBC has raised their doggone rates again!!

PIXABAY

How to Move Your Tech to Your New Home

Moving your technology to your new home doesn’t have to be as stressful as you fear. If you keep the process organized and do a little “newhome homework” before you move, you can get yourself set up relatively efficiently. Here’s a suggested checklist to follow:

1. What TV/internet service is available?

see how their locations will affect your furniture arrangements. Personally, it’s not something I worry about very much, but it may be important to you.

Gene Rubel

the Digital Device Doctor, cures digital anxiety for seniors and home/home-office users. A graduate of Harvard Business School, “Doctor Gene” spent more than 30 years in international business. He can be reached at generubel@gmail.com.

Some apartment or condominium communities allow you to contract with your own provider, such as Comcast, AT&T, Charter, Google, DirecTV, etc. to deliver TV and internet service. Your choices likely would be no different than they are where you live now.

Other communities and senior residences may have arrangements with a carrier to deliver TV and internet. If that’s the case, your choices may be limited — but you shouldn’t face an overwhelming array of decisions. Still, you should find out if the “house provider” has already installed hookups for your TVs and hardwired access for a computer and a Wi-Fi network. Also make sure that those access points can be activated without any additional installation work, and you might want to

You should also find out if a Wi-Fi network is available within your living space and what its capacity is. In my experience, many networks are not capable of supporting streaming and other functions on TVs, laptop computers, mobile devices and other internet-based devices. You may need to have your internet service upgraded to support everything you want or need to use — which brings us to the next item on the checklist.

2. What are your priorities for using your TV/internet service?

These will determine how much service — or the service speed — you’ll need to have. Everything will come in through the same connection. It’s just a matter of getting the service level you need. The most common uses for TV/internet service are:

■ Watching TV (obviously)

■ Connecting your computer (or multiple computers) to the internet for entertainment, transactions such as shopping and banking, and checking email

■ Using mobile devices such as phones, tablets and e-book readers on Wi-Fi networks instead of cellular service

Beyond these basics, you might be one of the growing number of people using smart speakers — like Amazon Echo (sometimes known as Alexa), Google Home and others — or a device that alerts others

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if you have a fall or an emergency. You may also be using a Wi-Fi network to replace or supplement cable TV, and you may be using that network with several devices, all at the same time. This leads to your next — and final — checklist item.

3. How powerful a Wi-Fi network will you need?

The answer depends on what you’ll be using your network for. Here are some guidelines:

■ Check email and browse the web: 1-5 Mbps (megabits per second) minimum

■ Stream HD content: 15-25 Mbps minimum

■ Stream 4K content and play competitive online games: 40-100 Mbps minimum

■ Stream 4K content, play online games and download very large files: 200+ Mbps minimum

■ How many devices are active simultaneously also affect what you need.

To put this in perspective, unless you’re an online gamer or have a frequent visitor who is, you won’t need 200 Mbps service. If you do have one or more smart TVs with 4K picture quality that you use to stream TV content, you might want to look at 100 Mbps service as a minimum. With one TV, you can go lower.

If you use your cable TV service for delivering Netflix, Amazon or another source of content associated with the internet, you can back off the Wi-Fi capacity and take advantage of the cable capacity. For email and web browsing plus some HD streaming to a laptop or mobile device, 10-25 Mbps might be a good level.

The important thing to remember is that you can always change

your service level — providers are always happy to increase it — because you’ll use the same pipeline to bring it in.

Once you’ve determined your TV/internet service needs and you know what’s available to meet them, arrange to have everything set up before you move in or within a few days of moving. You should also consider getting professional help to set up your network and make sure all your devices connect to it properly for full security and fastest possible speed. It will help you settle in more

Millimeters matter when an interventional cardiologist is opening blockages in your coronary arteries. The new CorPath Robotic Angioplasty puts the precision of a robot in the hands of your physician, often resulting in a quicker recovery. We are the only hospital in metro Atlanta offering this technology — it’s part of our commitment to offer the latest in cardiac advances to help you return to the people that matter most in your life.

Our assisted living communities offer an environment with every detail and service thoughtfully designed to improve the health and lives of our residents so they can spend their time doing what they love. Call

Pet Pick

Meet Elvis, a.k.a. “The King.” True to his name, Elvis is looking for a home where he can be the king of your heart, and he’d do best in a home without young children or other cats. At 6 1/2-years-old, Elvis is playful but also enjoys relaxing on the couch and enjoying the finer things in life.

He came to the Atlanta Humane Society already declawed, so if you’re looking for a declawed pet, Elvis could be the perfect guy for you. If his bright green eyes don’t win you over immediately, his charming personality is sure to! He’s curious, playful, and loves human affection.

Elvis is neutered, microchipped, up-to-date on vaccinations and ready to spend forever with you! For more information about Elvis, please email adoptions@atlantahumane.org or stop by Atlanta Humane Society's Howell Mill location, 981 Howell Mill Road in Atlanta, to meet him.

Dunwoody � Decatur � Grayson � Acworth

Longer Lasting Flowers

With Valentine’s Day comes candy, cards and flowers. Flowers arrangements are quite pricey this time of year, but a beautiful bouquet of fresh cut roses always says “I love you” to that special someone.

If you’ve received a gift of fresh flowers, you’ll want to get the most enjoyment out of your arrangement for the longest amount of time. Here are some helpful tips to keep the flowers around for more than just a few days:

For flowers not already in a vase:

► Cut of ½ to 1 inch from the bottoms of the stems.

► Place the flowers in warm water.

► Add a couple drops of 7-UP and a couple drops of chlorine bleach to the water.

For already-prepared bouquets:

► Place the arrangement out of direct sunlight, away from heat sources, such as appliances and lights, and make sure it’s not under an air vent.

► If possible, place the bouquet in the refrigerator at night.

► Recut the stems every 3 days, change the water and add a preservative mixture of 7-UP and chlorine bleach.

With proper care, you should be able to extend the life of your bouquet.

If you like the idea of a fresh bouquet or arrangement, but don’t like short-lived cut flowers, ask your special someone to give you something that blooms, like a plant for your flower bed. Several landscape plants have pretty blooms that last for a month or longer. Some good options are hydrangeas, camellias, flowering bulbs and gardenias.

You might have to wait for the blossoms, but spring is right around the corner. Every season that the plant blooms, you’ll be reminded of this special Valentine’s Day gift from your loved one.

Sarah E. Brodd

is an Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent for UGA Extension in DeKalb County. She enjoys educating the community about horticulture and working with her great group of DeKalb Master Gardeners.

Trusted Senior Care

Ask Rusty: FILE & SUSPEND? RESTRICTED APPLICATION? OR JUST WAIT?

By AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty:

My wife and I were both born in 1953. My wife will reach her full retirement age in March 2019 and I will reach mine in June 2019. My wife's benefit will be roughly $2,200/month and mine will be about $2,700/month if we were to file for payments. An option I have considered is spousal benefits only. In June 2019, can my wife or I file and suspend our benefits and the other file for spousal benefits and receive half of the others benefits while both our benefits continue to earn credit (8 percent per year) until we both hit 70?

Signed: Looking to Maximize

Dear Looking:

Well, you can’t do things quite the way you suggest, but you do have a different option known as the “restricted application for spousal benefits only” which either of you can exercise because you were both born before the cutoff date in the 2015 law which changed the File and Suspend option. You can’t both “file and suspend” benefits as you asked but using the Restricted Application (RA) allows one of you to file for benefits and the other to file the Restricted Application to collect half of the other spouse’s benefit while allowing their own benefit to grow. To use the restricted application, I usually suggest that the lower-earning spouse apply for their retirement benefits first, allowing the higher-earning spouse to file the Restricted Application and collect half of the lower-earning spouse’s benefit while their own retirement benefit grows at a rate of 8 percent per year of delay (actually 2/3rds of 1 percent per month of delay). You can delay up until age 70 when you’ll get 32 percent more than you will get at age 66.

So if your wife applies in March 2019 and collects her full benefit, you could file the Restricted Application when you reach age 66 in June 2019 and get half of your wife’s benefit (about $1,100/month) for 4 years until you reach 70, at which point you can switch to your own retirement benefit which would be about

$3,564/month (using the numbers you provided). Since your wife’s retirement benefit would always be more than her spousal benefit (half of your Full Retirement Age benefit), she would continue receiving her own full retirement benefit, unless you should predecease her, in which case she would get 100 percent of the increased benefit you are receiving instead of her normal retirement benefit.

But there is another alternative: You could both simply wait until you are 70 to apply and both get the 32 percent benefit increase, which for your wife would mean about $700 more per month. Which is the better alternative? Only you can decide, while comparing expected longevity against your wife collecting an additional $700 per month starting at age 70. In a little over 6 years, your wife’s additional monthly benefit would offset what you would have received in spousal benefits from the Restricted Application, and she’d get the higher benefit for the rest of her life. In the end, it always comes down to how badly you need the money now, your health and your expected longevity.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question or learn more, visit amacfoundation.org/programs/ social-security-advisory).

►Out & about

The Arts

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Feb. 6-26. This 21-day event offers a broad selection of genres and themes to moviegoers. Highlights include: “Shoelaces,” a tender family story nominated for eight Israeli Academy Awards; “Leona,” a delicate romance about a young woman torn between her Syrian-Jewish family and a forbidden love; and “Chewdaism: A Taste of Montreal,” a nosh-umentary in which two best friends eat their way across the city. Festival venues include Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Regal Atlantic Station, Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs and Rich Auditorium at Woodruff Arts Center. Visit AJFF.org for details.

Eddie Owen Presents: Standards and Classics of Love

Friday, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with all the elegance of yesteryear. Duluth vocalist Allan Wiltshire premieres Standards and Classics of Love. Reserve seating is $20, $23 the day of the show; Premium seating is $25, $28 the day of the show. Red Clay Music Foundry, 3116 Main Street, Duluth 30096. Call 678-892-6373 or visit eddieowenpresents.com for info and tickets.

Gina’s Journey: A Film Exploration on the First Official Slave Narrative

Thursday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m. In 1825, William Grimes wrote and published

the story of his life as a slave and his escape to freedom. Two centuries later, his great-great-great-granddaughter, Regina Mason, picks up where her ancestor left off, with a book, a documentary and her own story of self-discovery. Gwinnett County Public Library, Lilburn Branch, 4817 Church Street, Lilburn 30047. Visit gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154 for info on this and more GCPL events.

The Adult Spelling Bee

Friday, March 1, 7-9:30 p.m.; VIP event at 5:30 p.m. There’ll be laughs, unusual-on-stage antics and truly funny attempts at spelling difficult words. This isn’t your average spelling bee. Adults are the ones spelling, they wear costumes and the audience gets to participate! Cobb EMC Community Foundation, The Marietta Daily Journal and S.A. White Oil present this grown-up evening of comedy benefitting Communities In Schools Georgia in Marietta/Cobb County. The students and family-friendly event is $15 for students, $20 for adults and $60 for VIP tickets. Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, 117 North Park Square, Marietta 30060. Call the box office at 770-293-0080 or visit earlsmithstrand.org for tickets and additional info.

Learn Something

North Fulton Master Gardeners Series of Classes for Homeowners

Mondays, Feb. 18 & 25, 7-8:30 p.m. The Recreation & Parks Department and Friends of the Lost Corner host the North Fulton Master Gardeners series of classes for homeowners. The Lawn Care class on Feb. 18 will cover: how cool and warm-season grasses differ and what they require: soil testing, fertilizing, weed control, aerating and watering. The Good Soil and Composting class on Feb. 25 is the foundation for spring

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"SHOELACES"

classes on growing and maintaining vegetables, perennials, shrubs and roses. It provides an understanding of the science of soil and covers the use of compost and mulch to improve and protect your soil. Cost for the classes are $10 each or $60 for the entire series. Pre-registration is requested, but walk-ins are welcome. Lost Corner Preserve Cottage, 7300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs 30350. For additional info or to register, visit friendsoflostcorner.org.

The Natural History of Sandy Springs – History and Ecology Series

Thursday, Feb. 21, 7-8:30 p.m. Learn about the ecology of this area before and after the European settlers arrived. Instructor Alan Toney, FOLC Board Member and Master Naturalist, gives a non-human perspective of which species disappeared, which ones benefited and what was introduced as the forest was replaced by agriculture. Cost for the class is a suggested $5 donation to the Friends of the Lost Corner. Lost Corner Preserve Cottage, 7300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs 30350.Cost: Suggested $5 donation to the Friends of the Lost Corner. Find out more and register at friendsoflostcorner.org.

Afrocentric Fabric History and Design

Sunday, Feb. 24, 3 p.m. Presented by Gwinnett County Public Library in partnership with the United Ebony Society. The bright colors, distinctive designs and quality of African fabrics are rich with cultural meaning. Learn the history of African fabrics and how they can enhance your wardrobe. Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville Branch, 1001 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville 30046. Call 770978-5154 or go to gwinnettpl.org to get details on this and more events at Gwinnett County libraries.

Health & Wellness

Heart Health

Monday, Feb. 18, 10:15-11:15 a.m. What do the numbers mean? Learn about cholesterol, its components, health effects and ways to improve your cholesterol to reduce your risk of a heart attack. North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 S. Main St., Acworth 30101. Call 770-975-7740 or visit cobbcounty.org for more info.

Family Education Series on Dementia

Wednesdays, Feb. 20, March 20, April 17 and May 15, 7-8:30 p.m. This dementia skills education series, begun in December, is still open to family members and caregivers of people with brain change. It offers invaluable knowledge while providing guidance and a forum for questions and discussion. Free; registration is required. Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur 30033. Register by emailing wecare@ orchardseniorliving or calling 404-775-0488. Find out more at orchardseniorliving.com/brookhaven.

Are you about to retire?

We are currently looking for English-speaking volunteers over the age of 65 who are transitioning to retirement to take part in a 5-week Everyday Memory and Metacognitive Intervention study. We are interested in whether our program can help people improve their everyday memory.

Georgia Tech’s Adult Cognition Lab

Please call 404-894-7450 to participate in the study. Leave your name and phone number.

You can also email Principal Investigator, Dr. Ann Pearman at ann.pearman@psych.gatech.edu to express your interest.

The Wait Is Over:

The New Signature of Senior Living has arrived in East Cobb!

The Solana at East Cobb sets an impressive standard for assisted living and dementia care. Our beautiful senior living community brings the highest commitment to care to each resident we are privileged to serve. But we aren’t just service and care; The Solana at East Cobb delivers luxury you might otherwise expect from a five-star resort.

Don’t take our word for it—meet our great team, tour our community, and see for yourself.

Call 770-659-7753 or visit www.SolanaEastCobb.com/Jan to schedule a tour. But don’t delay; space at The Solana at East Cobb is filling fast!

Our amenities and services include:

Spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments

Restaurant-style dining featuring outstanding chefs

Emergency call system with 24-hour response

Access to our wellness program, supervised by a licensed nurse

Award-winning dementia care neighborhood

Round-the-clock trained, professional sta

Bistro

Theater

Art studio

Fitness/rehab center

Patio and courtyard

Exercise classes and fitness program

Housekeeping services