August / September 2015 Vol. 41, No. 6 Published by
Senior Services of Snohomish County
What worked for The Golden Girls… an alternative model for assisted living By Marilyn Cappellino Paul Castiglione
Local vet is part of two world-changing events Page 4
Medicare
Keeping us healthy for 50 years
Page 7
History lessons
Helping grandchildren relate to the war
Page 6
oldvums.org
Organization honors the youngest warriors
Page 20
Give a few minutes of your time and you might win an iPAD Air or $50 gift certificate Page 3
Columns… BookNook....................................... 24 Elder Info......................................... 13 GetAways (Sr. Travel)..................... 14 Mr. Modem...................................... 26 Meal Times (Nutrition News)....... 22 Perspective on the Past................ 18 Pet Tails............................................ 27 Senior Spotlight............................... 4 Volunteer Connections................. 23
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June, August, October and December) as a community service by Senior Services of Snohomish County. We are committed to educating and entertaining readers with information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community.
Senior Services of Snohomish County
If I ever found myself old and alone, I’d want to live like the Golden Girls. It seems to me those four women captured an ideal form of assisted living – one far more affordable and fun then the kind you purchase with your life savings. From 1985-1992, when NBC aired the popular series, the main characters in “The Golden Girls” lived a nice life. They shared a spacious Miami ranch-style home with a large kitchen, ample dining space, a first floor laundry room, well-appointed living room, a lanai and garden. All this, at just 25 percent the cost of living similarly on one’s own. And like expenses, chores were shared as well. Each woman did about one quarter of the tasks necessary to a household: cooking, shopping, cleaning, budgeting and paying bills. This arrangement allowed all the girls a contribution big enough to maintain a sense of
purpose, but also allowed plenty of free time. Not bad. The Golden Girls’ model is similar to the way extended families used to live. Before the 1960s, America glamorized the nuclear family lifestyle, multiple generations of relatives and friends often lived under one roof. A grandparent, a sister, an uncle or cousin lived with mom, dad and kids. The arrangement The Golden Girls (L - R); Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo, cost a bit of privacy, Bea Arthur as Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak, Betty White but also helped a as Rose Nylund and Rue McClanahan as Blanche Defamily in countless vereaux captured an ideal form of assisted living by ways. Typically, ex- sharing a home, expenses and chores in this popular penses were shared. series. Theo Westenberger / NBCUniversal / Getty Images So were chores. Maybe more importantly, some- sit, organize pills, remind you one was always around to help to eat. If one was to fall, another with everyday stuff: move a chair, was there to find her. That’s how carry groceries, babysit, grannyCONTINUED ON PAGE 10
70th Anniversary: the end of WWII
Remembering those who fought for our freedom By Teri Baker Even those who fought in World War II find it hard to wrap their minds around a war so immense, so protracted, so devastating that it involved the entire world. We tend to talk about the statistics: 15 million killed in battle, 25 million wounded, 45 million civilians killed, numbers so enormous they don’t seem real. But they are. Every “statistic” was a real person. Each was a father, mother, son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew, husband or wife who suffered real pain. Among the civilians were millions of men, women and children in occupied countries and in Allied and Axis cities where armies pushed through or bombs were dropped day after day, week after week. Nearly 12 million, six million of them Jews, were murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust. As for the military, some followed megalomaniac leaders blindly or by force. Others fought for freedom from oppression or because their own and allied countries had been attacked or invaded. It was a time of kill or be killed, a time that ended only af-
ter the unthinkable destruction of the atomic bomb was unleashed. At the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II it is fitting to look back at this time in world history and remember the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom. Following is a brief summary of how the war started and progressed. Notice how many countries are mentioned. And think about those, perhaps some of your own relatives, who had to go to war.
The War in Europe
When World War II officially began, Adolf Hitler had been dictator of Germany for six years during which he formed a treaty with Italy, signed a pact with Japan against communism and forcibly annexed Austria. And Japan invaded China. On September 1, 1939 Hitler invaded Poland; two days later France and England declared war on Germany. By the end of June 1940, GerCONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Celebrating the end of WWII By Teri Baker “Anchors Aweigh” was playing at the movies and the Andrews Sisters’ “Rum and Coca Cola” topped the music charts on the U.S. home front in August 1945. The entertainment helped alleviate the stark realities of having men away at war. Service flag banners, with a blue star for every family member serving in the military and a gold star for each one who lost his or her life, hung in windows. Foods such as butter, meat and sugar were rationed and growing children were allowed
new shoes only twice a year. Rubber was rationed as was anything made of metal, including automobiles and farm equipment. People learned to make do. Children did their part for the war effort too. They collected scrap metal from tin cans to old bicycle and automobile parts so they could be used to build airplanes, ships, tanks, etc. They also collected rubber and paper, helped plant victory gardens and worked on farms. Many teens dropped out of school to get jobs to CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
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Adventure shopping; give it a try!
You never know what you will find By Nancy Van Overbeke
Opportunity Shoppe Manager
Have you ever wondered what people saw in and why they would shop at a thrift store? Here are all the reasons people love thrift stores and why you should give them a shot if you haven’t. Gone are the days when you didn’t want anyone to see you in a thrift store. “Old School” is the stigma that you were poor or homeless and had to buy secondhand. Once thought of as dusty,
smelly, dig through bins environments, the smaller stores are now very organized and clean. The standard of customer service is top notch. People brag about the terrific items and bargains they have found. At The Opportunity Shoppe, we never use the “J” (junk) word. Thanks to our wonderful donors, you will find merchandise that is interesting, unique and top quality at bargain pricing. Saving money and finding great bargains has become trendy. Peo-
Elect John SPENCER to Mayor of Lake Stevens…
ELECT EXPERIENCE John is a experienced manager who will provide quality leadership for Lake Stevens. He has lived in Lake Stevens 31 years, raised his family in the City, was co-founder of the Clean Lake Association and worked as a Boy Scout leader. He’s been on the City Council for two terms and served as president during each 2’ x 2’ Corex Signs term. Now retired, John is ready to devote his time and energy to the mayor’s job and will engage fully in the work as your mayor.
Un-paralleled qualifications: • • • • •
Two terms on City Council; Council President during each term 20 years in managing environmental and engineering consulting throughout the United States Former PUD General Manager Director of Seattle Metro wastewater Utility Former Director of WA Dept. of Ecology
John’s vision is to keep Lake Stevens the quality place it is for families to live, go to school, enjoy great recreation and have safe neighborhoods.
His priorities are:
• • • • • • •
Solve the traffic congestion at Highway 9 and 204 Construct the multi-use park planned for Cavelero Park. Engage with neighborhoods and civic groups to leverage enthusiasm to maintain a clean, beautiful and safe city. Be an advocate for and support our police officers with quality training, resources and tools to be the best in State. Increase efficiency of city government Work with builders to make t-shirt layout Lake Stevens the place to do business Keep the Lake clean small front &
John’s promise:big Government back will be open and transparent, financially prudent, professional, and efficient with no hidden agendas.
Paid for by Citizens to Elect John Spencer, Mayor
ple of all ages take pride in being individual and unique. Thrift stores promote this originality. Even if you have the money to pay full price elsewhere, why The Opportunity wouldn’t you want Shoppe. It’s not your to have more fun, average thrift store! spend much less, From furniture, home and know you are decor, collectibles, clothing, plus more… contributing to a you will find wonderful very worthy nonitems at bargain prices. profit cause? You might find something valuable for next to unique designs. nothing. You will find things you Go Green! Thrift stores keep didn’t know you absolutely need perfectly usable items out of (and you could get rich). landfills. Did you know the U.S. There is a great thrill in thrift alone generates around 25 billion shopping. Not knowing what you pounds of brand-new textiles per will find is the treasure hunt fun. year (around 85 percent of that If you haven’t experienced this, it eventually heads for landfills)? is a thrill. At first you can bare- So shop second-hand. And doly hold your excitement… “How nate your gently-used items to Senhas no one grabbed this yet?” you ior Sevices’ Opportunity Shoppe. mutter over and over to yourself. The bonus is your donation is tax And you clutch that item with deductible. your life for the rest of your time Thrift stores transport you to in that store; setting it down is another time. Rediscover grandjust not an option. And when you ma’s house and childhood memoarrive at the checkout, you feel ries, discover vintage and antique a small amount of guilt because items for a bargain. Jewelry and “they have no idea what they have collectables that are very affordhere!” able. In artwork, home décor and But that guilt is completely furniture you can purchase items, overshadowed by, “Holy moly! … which were originally very expenlook what I found!” sive, for a few dollars. It’s a great You can create your own style. way to find that perfect unique In clothing, the challenge is to gift for someone. find something special, something They’re the best place to shop if that isn’t what everyone else is you are moving into a new house wearing. Many times you will find or apartment. You can find dishes items that have never been worn, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 with tags still attached. Great deals on high-end brands and
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Published by Senior Services of Snohomish County 11627 Airport Rd., Suite B Everett WA 98204-8714
Editor Sharon Ostant 425.290.1277 Advertising Account Manager Dale Bohm 425.263.1868 Published bi-monthly with a readership of 38,000+, the Senior Focus educates and entertains readers (seniors, family caregivers, service providers, and other interested persons) with news and information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community. Signed articles are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of Senior Services or the Senior Focus. Distribution: 20,000 papers are mailed to households and senior friendly businesses in Snohomish, North King and Island counties; 3,000 papers are distributed at drop-off locations such as senior centers, retirement communities, hospitals, medical clinics, etc. Advertising: The existence of advertising in this publication is not meant as an endorsement of the individual, service, or product by anyone except the advertiser.
Senior Focus August/September, 2015
An iPAD Air? A $50 gift certificate?
Complete the survey and you might win one Senior Services likes to occasionally asks you, our readers, to share information about yourselves on topics that have a broad appeal. We know the age range of people who read the Senior Focus spans many years. What we don’t know is how people of various age groups like to get their information or stay in touch with their world. In this survey, we also want to know how you prefer to receive information about health (including Medicare) and wellness concerns. We would be delighted if you would take a few minutes to respond to our survey. Please mail the completed survey to:
OPPORTUNITY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
and cookware, décor, and linens that are totally affordable. Furniture is deeply discounted so you can use your refurbish, reuse ideas to suit your taste. Go often. If you don’t find anything one week, try again in a few weeks. Thrift stores, including The Opportunity Shoppe, are constantly receiving new merchandise so there are always new and exciting things to find. If you come across something great, don’t pass
Senior Services 11627 Airport Rd., Suite B, Everett WA 98204 The survey is also available online. Visit sssc.org and click on the “August Survey” button (right side of homepage). You can respond anonymously, or if you would like to be included in the drawing for an iPAD Air (1st prize) or a $50 gift certificate (2nd prize), please include your name and phone number. The drawing will be held on September 1, 2015. This survey is open to people of all ages. Senior Services staff are not eligible to participate in the drawing.
up the opportunity to snatch it up, because it may not be there the next day. Adventure shopping! Give it a try! The Opportunity Shoppe, a 2nd hand boutique, is supporting and operated by Senior Services of Snohomish County. The Shoppe is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are accepted during regular store hours. For more information visit the store at 6915 Evergreen Way, Everett; call 425-740-3797; or visit opportunityshoppe.com
1. What is your age? under 50 50-64 65-79 80+
2. Do you use Social Media? If so, which ones? Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram LinkedIn I don’t use social media what is social media? other: ___________________________ 3. How often do you use the Internet?
several times a day once a day several times a week once a week barely ever what is the internet? 4. If you have a smart phone, do you use these features? texting internet access I have a smart phone but don’t use its features I don’t have a smart phone what is a smart phone?
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5. How do you prefer to get news and community information? newspaper / newsletter radio online news television social groups (family/friends) other: __________________
6. How do you prefer to get health tips and wellness information? newspaper / newsletter radio online from national sources online from my healthcare provider and local sources television emailed to me from my health-care provider social groups (family/friends) other: __________________ 7. Are you eligible for Medicare? yes
no
8. Do you feel you fully understand your options with Medicare
yes
no
9. Do you know what resources are available to you to help you understand Medicare?
yes
no
10. Do you believe Senior Services and the Senior Focus provide enough information about health and wellness (including Medicare) yes no
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FOR EVERETT CITY COUNCIL Position #4
CASSIE4COUNCIL.ORG
Increasing Public Safety – safe streets equal safe families
bor,
l ounci City C community . t t e r e v tt for E broad Evere nning e we need future for u r m Ia reat believ se I dag in becau hip to buil ence experi and rs e f o d a s e l ar n, inging 20 ye tratio than , adminis sion for br e r o p m i s With s leadersh have a pa d building n I es busin nications, spectives a r u e p m com erse ships. r er div togeth nity partne vote. u your d n a comm rt suppo your r o f I ask
Neigh Dear
e Cassi
Ensuring public safety must be the primary focus of our elected officials. I want to build, stronger neighborhoods, support our first responders, create partnerships and look for new opportunities for a safer community.
Expanding Economic Opportunities – support growth and business development We need to prioritize manufacturing and professional jobs to create a strong, stable workforce. I will work with business leaders to bring new family wage jobs into Everett.
Revitalizing Everett – better quality of life A top priority for me will be to continue to examine innovative and cost-effective ways to address street-level social issues. I will work to reduce poverty and homelessness, making our community safer and stronger for all—while supporting vibrant downtown, riverfront and waterfront communities. Paid for by Committee to Elect Cassie Franklin, 3128 Colby, Ave., Everett, WA 98201
Email: contact@cassie4council.org
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August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
Local vet part of two world-changing events Senior Spotlight Someone We’d Like You to Meet…
By Teri Baker At age 94, Paul Castiglione is going to be on television – in Japan. A Japanese TV film crew recently came from Los Angeles to his home in Monroe to interview him for a documentary about his experiences on Guadalcanal. “They were here for three hours,” says Paul’s daughter Pat Castiglione, who is pleased to have her father living with her. “They were very respectful and asked lots of questions.” “One question they asked is why I thought America won the war,” Paul says. “I told them it’s
because of knowing how to do things to make things work. If it’s mechanical and breaks down, you modify it. It’s good old American know-how.” Until three years ago Paul would talk about his childhood, his work on the Apollo Space Program, anything but his service in World War II. “It was a gruesome time and I just wanted to forget it,” he says. “Now I wish I had talked to my family about it. People should know what happened.” Perhaps it’s easier to discuss now because after he moved in with Pat in 2011, he joined a Guadalcanal Campaign veteran’s group. Since then he has gone back to Guadalcanal through a program from College of the Ozarks that pairs a veteran with a student who helps with the trip
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and learns as much as possible from the survivors. “They’re very helpful,” Paul says. “They enjoyed it too. They got to swim and scuba dive in Iron Bottom Sound over there.” Josh Marshall, who was paired with Paul and said he wanted to become a Marine, still writes and calls. A couple of months ago he called to say he had been accepted into the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School. Paul is proud of him. Last year the Guadalcanal Veterans reunion took place in Everett. The group After years of silence, Paul Castiglione is sharing the took the ferry to lay story of his service in WWII. a commemorative their mother on the farm with the wreath on the water. Pat, who cows, chickens and pigs. They made the wreath, is grateful she also helped plant and harvest could share that moment with potatoes and corn. When he was her dad. 18, Paul graduated from Milford Their conversations aren’t High and went to work in Detroit always about Guadalcanal, of spray painting the interior walls course. Pat loves hearing about of refrigerators before getting a her father’s life before and after job with General Motors in Ponthe war. Paul was born in Detroit tiac, Michigan. A couple of years where his father worked for Ford later, knowing his draft number Motor Co. The family moved to a was coming up, he enlisted in the small farm in Milford about 40 miles away when Paul was a boy. Marines. After eight weeks of boot camp “It was the Depression. Food in San Diego, Paul was in the air was scarce,” he explains. “We corps in Hawaii training to be a went to a place where we could mechanic’s helper. From there have all the milk we could drink.” Paul and his six siblings helped
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Senior Focus August/September, 2015
CASTIGLIONE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
he went to Midway and became a ground crew chief on F4F fighter planes. When a pilot offered to take him up to take pictures, Paul jumped at the chance. “He did a lot of whirls and dives and spins,” Paul says, then deadpans, “I guess I did okay because I didn’t have to change clothes when I got out.” Soon he was sent to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, arriving 18 days after the Marines had landed determined to take the airfield the Japanese were building. “The Marines had no air support and needed a runway,” he says. “Our guys used the Japanese equipment to finish it.” Paul and his unit worked to keep the Allied planes flying. They slept on the runway apron at the edge of the jungle and endured bombing raids every night. Three times the Japanese task force shelled the runway, and three times the Marines rebuilt it. Finally, Paul’s fighter squadron was moved off the island to preserve the planes. He left Guadalcanal November 22nd, the day before his birthday, and was in San Diego in time for Christmas. A few months later he was back at Guadalcanal, then Bougainville Province maintaining aircraft under fighting conditions for several months before being transferred to a squadron
in San Diego that needed experienced mechanics. Sgt. Castiglione remained there for two years until his discharge in October 1945. “The officer who discharged me made me promise to use the GI Bill to go to college,” Paul says. “I did, and it changed my life.” While studying engineering at Michigan State he met and married Caroline, a girl who sold tickets at the local theater, and built a house on an acre of land his father gave him. After graduation in 1952 he found work at a couple of local engineering firms, then moved his family to Los Angeles, where he got a job with North American Rockwell that eventually made him a part of another of the largest events in world history – putting the first man on the moon. He and his team worked on the umbilical tower, or “arms” of the three-stage booster rocket known as Saturn V. “Saturn V is the vehicle, the rocket, that launches the capsule,” he says, referring to the lunar module. “The capsule was Apollo 11.” The umbilical arm connecting the tower before liftoff contained electrical, fuel and oxygen lines. Those were Paul’s responsibility. After that 1969 launch, the Castigliones moved to Cape Canaveral, Florida. “We could watch the launches from our back yard,” says Pat says. “It was pretty exciting.” Paul continued to work in the
Would you hire a contractor who has never swung a hammer? Probably not. Why elect an Assessor who has never appraised a house? Don’t be fooled!
space program and has several federal commendations for his design work at Rockwell International for the space shuttle. His career also included designing screens for submarines. He explains, “The screens track enemy missiles as well as our own missiles.” Having worked hard all his life, he retired in 1980 and moved into a retirement community in Laguna Beach. Then in 2008 he underwent open heart surgery. “Pat was in Wisconsin and I didn’t want to live in Wisconsin,” says Paul, who was divorced many years ago. “Then I had to have open heart surgery again so I came to Snohomish to live with my son Bob and his wife.” Pat moved to Monroe in 2011, and Paul moved in with her. “We get along great,” she says. “I love having him here.” Father and daughter have a friendly rivalry going about football. She’s a Green Bay Packers fan; Paul remains loyal to the Detroit Lions. He likes watching football, baseball and retro channels on TV, and he enjoys going to the casino. He’s glad he lives near his son and loves it when his daughter Sue visits from the San Francisco Bay area. His children’s teasing about Paul being a “television star” is mixed with pride that their dad is at last able to share what he kept buried inside for so many decades.
experience working in a government office, she has not worked as a real estate appraiser. Because of my practical experience as an appraiser I will direct the appraisal staff and work to keep your property values accurate and true to market. ”
Bob Bayman receives "Call to Service” Award Congratulations go out to Bob Bayman, a SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) volunteer with Senior ServicBob Bayman es. Bob was recently presented with the President’s “Call to Service” Lifetime Service Award. This national award is presented in recognition of volunteers who have given over 4,000 hours of documented service. Bob has been a SHIBA volunteer since 2009 advising people of their best choices for medical coverage. He also spearheaded the local Senior Medicare Patrol Program for fraud protection and complaints. Bob mentors new volunteers and is always available as a resource to help with complicated cases. Seniors appreciate the simple and concise information he provides that helps them sort through the health insurance maze. Hands down, Bob exhibits the spirit, enthusiasm and commitment that exemplifies outstanding volunteer service to his community. Senior Services is proud and grateful to have Bob as a volunteer. (See page 25 for other “Call to Service” award recipients).
Why Seniors Support Greg Tisdel for County Council (D)
1
Greg is a dedicated advocate for seniors – ensuring proper services for veterans and seniors, getting them transportation and making sure they have support, especially when they have little family support.
2
As a son who is the primary care for his two elderly parents, Greg knows firsthand that proper funding for Senior Services of Snohomish County is critical to helping seniors with housing assistance, nutritional assistance and other vital services.
3
Greg supports new public safety strategies, like treating mental health differently (as proposed by the Streets Initiative) which seeks to help people with problems before they offend.
“ While my opponent has ample
Greg Tisdel for Snohomish County Council Position 2
29 years of appraisal experience in Snohomish County
MARTY
GLASER an experienced appraiser for Snohomish County Assessor!
Learn more and make an informed decision this November Go to www.martyforassessor.com PAID FOR BY MARTY GLASER
5
Greg has worked hard for this community. Now let him work hard for you. Vote Greg Tisdel! Paid for by Greg Tisdel for County Council (D) P.O. Box 1078, Everett, WA 98206
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August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
Helping grandchildren relate to the war By Teri Baker Most young people today have no concept of what their older relatives sacrificed to keep this and several other countries free from tyranny. They may have been presented facts about World War II in school, but how much seemed real or even interesting to them? Grandparents and great-grandparents can expose youngsters to museums, books, movies and activities that fire the imagination and breathe life into a time in history that deserves to be remembered. As they share, grandparents can bring out family photos taken when grandpa served in the military and talk about things they remember growing up. Here’s a list that can help children and young adults see this global war through the eyes of those who were their own age at the time:
Activities
Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt. A deck of cards with a hidden spy message, a tabletop victory garden, a ration book and a soldier’s care package. These are some of the things children can make to recreate life in the 1940s which will help them understand aspects of the war. World War II for Kids: A History with 21 Activities by Richard Panchyk is filled with
fascinating history and creative ways to help children understand the global aspects of the war. It includes excerpts from letters written during the war to and by American and German troops as well as accounts of personal wartime experiences of people who lived in the U.S., Britain, Germany, Japan, Russia and Hungary. The activities include playing a rationing game, creating a radio adventure program, breaking a code, planning a coastal defense.
Books
On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck is historical fiction about young Davy Bowman, his family and his best friend Scooter and how their lives changed after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It gives a child’s eye view of the pride and fear of having a family member fighting overseas, how kids helped with the war effort and what school was like with its “eight-to-five orphans” and its bullies. Filled with intrigue as well as humor, the book presents a believable and authentic depiction of life on the home front during the war years. Angels of Mercy: The Army Nurses of World War II by Betsy Kuhn describes the valiant women who served at home and abroad. Risking life and limb, many endured air raids, threat of
invasion, possibility of capture, deplorable living conditions, lack of food and lack of sleep to care for the injured. Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan is a fictional story set in Norway during the winter of 1940 after the Nazis took over. Young Peter Lindstrom and his friends risked their lives by hiding their country’s treasure of $9 million in gold on their sleds and sneaking it past enemy guards so it could be sent to America. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry takes place in Denmark and is told from 10-year-old Annemarie’s point of view. Her family is hiding her best friend, a Jew, from the Nazis. Annemarie witnesses a little known part of history as the Danish Resistance manages to get most of the nation’s nearly 7,000 Jews across the Baltic Sea to safety in Sweden. The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak (also a movie) is a tale about a foster girl in Munich, Germany who learns to read and loves it so much she begins stealing books to share with neighbors during air raids and with the Jewish man hiding in her basement. Edelweiss Pirates ‘Operation Einstein’ by Mark Cooper features some German teenagers who love their country but see a horrifying event that leads them to rescue an orphaned six-yearold Jewish girl. Can they pull it
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Movies
Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front is the movie version of one of the popular American Girl historical book series. The Sound of Music may appeal to youngsters who enjoy music. Based on a true story it gives an account of a family in Austria that opposed the annexation of the nation by Germany and tells of the family’s escape on foot across the Alps. Empire of the Sun involves the struggles of a young English schoolboy separated from his wealthy parents as they flee their home in Shanghai International Settlement when Japanese occupation forces take over. The youngster manages to survive a CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
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off with the Hitler Youth and the Gestapo on their trail? Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes pits a teenage brother and his sister against occupying Nazi forces in Florence, Italy in this historical adventure. Can they use the one bicycle they have between them to help the resistance movement? The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo tells of a woman, Lily, who goes on a mysterious trip and sends an old letter and her childhood diary to her grandson. The missive harks back to a time when, with her father away at war, Lily and her mom were living on her grandfather’s farm in a coastal village in the south of England. They were forced to evacuate so British and American troops could train for the coming invasion at Normandy. When her cat Tips disappears, Lily meets Adolphus T. Madison who promises to find the beloved pet. And thereby hangs a tale. Henderson’s Boys, a series of seven spy novels for young adults by Robert Muchamore, is set in Nazi occupied France during 1940-1945. Each features children helping Charles Henderson, who has created a special agency, with war missions.
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Senior Focus August/September, 2015
Medicare: keeping us healthy for 50 years By Doug Shadel and John Hammarlund Fifty years ago, on July 30, 1965, the landscape of health care in America changed forever when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed landmark legislation giving life to the Medicare and Medicaid programs. As we commemorate Medicare’s 50th Anniversary, we celebrate the legacy of the program and commit ourselves to keep it strong for current and future generations. What is Medicare’s legacy? Before 1965, roughly half of all seniors were uninsured. That meant if a person became ill they risked not only the loss of their health, but what little savings they may have had, not to mention their dignity. Although Social Security had been in effect for almost 30
RELATE TO THE WAR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
number of harrowing situations before eventually becoming a prisoner of war in a Japanese internment camp. Will he survive the long march into the wilderness when the camp is evacuated? Will he ever see his parents again?
Visit the aircraft
Two museums at Paine Field provide opportunities to see aircraft used in WWII. Historic Flight Foundation offers a hands-on collection of aircraft built between 1927 and 1957. All have been restored and are able to fly. Included in the collection are a P-51 Mustang fighter plane, a Spitfire and a B-25 Mitchell bomber named “Grumpy.” Friendly docents are happy to explain the back story on each aircraft. For information, including admission fees and hours, visit historicflight.org or call 425348-3200. Paul Allen’s Warbirds Flying Heritage Collection features aircraft from the U.S., Britain, Russia, Germany and Japan. There’s even a Sherman Tank. For more information, including admission fees and hours, call 877-FHC3404 or visit flyingheritage.com.
And...
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton played a crucial part role during the war, operating
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years, nearly one of every three older Americans was still living in poverty. Today, Medicare provides guaranteed, affordable coverage for roughly 46 million Americans 65 and older and about 11 million people with disabilities. The program has transformed the lives of millions by helping them pay for vital health care services including hospitalizations, physician visits, prescription drugs, and preventive services. Along with Medicaid, Medicare provides Americans with access to the quality and affordable health care they need to live happy, healthy and productive lives. Over the course of five decades, Medicare and Medicaid have become the standard bearers for coverage, quality and innovation round the clock to repair battledamaged ships, including Allied vessels. Take a ferry ride to the Puget Sound Navy Museum, located in downtown Bremerton next to PSNS and the ferry terminal, and learn about the ships, the life of a sailor and more. Admission is free. For hours visit pugetsound navymuseum.org or call 360-4797447.
in American health care. Medicare remains a vital pillar of support for older Americans and those with disabilities – and will likely remain so for as long as illness and injury overtake human beings. Yes, Medicare’s golden anniversary is a cause for celebration and reflection. Yet it is also a time to think ahead about how we can ensure that the program continues to fulfill its essential role. Medicare today faces a number of challenges, including the rising cost of health care and a growing aging population. There are more than one million Medicare beneficiaries in Washington State, and every day 10,000 Boomers nationally are turning 65. By 2030, Medicare will be serving twice as many people as it did in 2000.
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Fortunately, there are responsible solutions that can stabilize Medicare for future generations and keep its promise for many years to come. Medicare is constantly transforming to create a health care system that delivers better care, spends health care dollars more wisely, and results in healthier people. We are committed to fostering efforts to keep Medicare strong – not only for today’s retirees but also for our children and grandchildren. How has Medicare helped your life or the life of someone you care about? You can share your Medicare story at Medicare.gov. Doug Shadel is State Director of AARP Washington, and John Hammarlund is Regional Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
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NEIL TIBBOTT
Let’s Work Together to Get Things Done! Candidate for EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL Position #7 Please Vote November 3rd 2015 Hello, my name is Neil Tibbott and I’m running for Edmonds City Council. For more than a decade, I have been actively engaged in making our community a better place to live and run a business.
MY COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF EDMONDS: * I will continue to work hard with and for all the neighborhoods to preserve and enhance our unique and special City. * I will do the homework needed and work constructively with citizens, fellow Council members, the Mayor, City staff, and business owners. * I will reach out to those who may not feel they have a voice in shaping the future of our City.
(425) 493-4791 | connect@neiltibbott.com www.facebook.com/tibbottforedmonds www.neiltibbott.com
EXPERIENCE: • • • • •
Chair, Edmonds Planning Board – 2011 to present Edmonds Transportation Committee Member – 2005 & 2011 President, Meadowdale Sports Booster Club – 2013 to 2015 Edmonds Arts Festival and church volunteer Coaching and training organizations in leadership and community building.
Endorsed by:
Fire Fighters Local 1828, State Rep. Strom Peterson • Dave Earling Mayor of Edmonds • Tom Mesaros & Diane Buckshnis Edmonds City Council Members • Gary Nelson Former Snohomish County & Edmonds City Council Member • Gary Haakenson Former Edmonds Mayor • Frank Yamamoto, Ron Wambolt & Dick Van Hollebeke Former Edmonds Councilmembers • Diana White Edmonds School Board President • Fred Gouge & David Preston Port of Edmonds Commissioners • Phil Lovell, Carreen Rubenkonig, Dan Robles Planning Bd. Members • Janice Freeman, William Ellis & Bruce Witenberg Former Planning Bd. Members
Paid for by Tibbott for Edmonds City Council P.O. Box 187 | Edmonds, WA 98020
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August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
World War II
Battles fought in the air, on land, on sea CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
many had taken control of most of Western Europe, including Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and northern France. Italy had entered the war on the German side. In July, Germany mounted an air attack on Great Britain that escalated into what is known as the London Blitz. It began at 4 p.m. on September 7 with 348
German bombers escorted by 617 fighters. Four hundred and fifty people were killed; another 1,300 were seriously injured. Relentless day and night bombing continued for 57 days. Meanwhile, Germany, Italy and Japan signed a pact creating the Axis Alliance. In June 1941 the Axis powers sent four million troops to attack Russia even though the two countries had
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signed a nonaggression pact in 1939. (The battles that ensued on what became known as the Eastern Front over the next four years cost Russia 20 million lives.) The Japanese bombed the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor on December 7. America declared war on the Axis the next day. What followed was almost four years of constant, intense battles in the air, on land and on the sea. The Allies took North Africa then invaded Sicily, Salerno and Anzio. As Allied armies pushed into Italy, planning was underway for Operation Overlord, a massive invasion of Normandy, a German stronghold on the coast of France. The Allies assembled an armada of 5,000 large vessels plus 4,000 smaller landing craft. There were also 11,000 aircraft involved.
June 6 – D-Day
D-Day, as the first day of any invasion was called, was June 6, 1944. The Allies had brought this mighty force 100 miles across the English Channel to face a fierce, well prepared, German fighting force. The Allies landed 160,000 troops from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, as well as men from Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, Czechoslovakia, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland. Historians estimate some 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded, or went missing on D-Day. A million Allied troops were in Normandy between July and August 15 when the Allies finally broke through German lines. Ten days later Allied forces liberated Paris. For the next four months Allied forces battled their way across France. On December 16 the Germans mounted a surprise attack that became known as the Battle of the Bulge in the lightly defended forest of the Ardennes in Belgium. The Germans sent in 1,000 tanks and 250,000 troops, outnumbering the Americans three to one. In the brutal battle that lasted a full month, America lost 100,000 men before gaining the victory; the Germans lost 120,000. Two months later, General George Patton and his troops crossed the Rhine into Germany. As the Allies advanced toward Berlin from the west, the Russians, who advanced from the east, arrived April 16 and over the next few days managed to surround the city. The Battle in Berlin, which ended May 2, was a bloodbath with the death of 70,000 Russian soldiers and 120,000 Germans, many of them civilians.
Hitler committed suicide on April 30 after finally realizing the Third Reich had been destroyed. The European conflict ended when Germany surrendered unconditionally at Allied headquarters in Riem, France on May 7 to take effect the next day. Consequently, V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day ) was formally May 8, 1945.
The War in the Pacific
While most of the war against Japan was fought in the South Pacific, part of it occurred in the Alaska Territory’s Aleutian Islands, which were American soil. Control of the islands meant control of Pacific transportation. Japanese victory would keep the U.S. from attacking across the Northern Pacific; American victory meant the Japanese would not be able to use the islands as a base for aerial attacks against the west coast. June 3, 1942 the Japanese bombed Dutch Harbor and subsequently the Imperial Navy invaded and occupied the islands of Kiska and Attu. Because of the area’s arctic weather and rough seas, it took over a year before American and Canadian forces were able to reclaim the Aleutians. Meanwhile, in the South Pacific the U.S. Navy won the Battle of Midway on June 4. The Japanese were determined to make the island a military base because of its proximity to the Hawaiian Islands. In the six months since the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese had taken control of the area from the Philippines to Burma to the Solomon Islands. After triumph at Midway, the Allies began a dual counter-offensive. The U.S. Navy and Marines landed on Guadalcanal and other islands in the Solomons. SimultaCONTINUED ON PAGE 9
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Senior Focus August/September, 2015
Washington... Did you know? Boeing made aircraft parts at branch plants in Everett, Bellingham, Tacoma, Chehalis and Aberdeen throughout the war. Paine Field was an active Air Force base set up as an airfield to protect Puget Sound Navy Shipyard in Bremerton and the Boeing aircraft manufacturing plant. 3,941 people from Washington State died in WWII. The USS Snohomish County (LST 542) was laid down in April 1945 and served in the Pacific Theater. More than three million cars were manufactured in the U.S. in 1941. During the rest of the war, only 139 were produced. After the attack on Pearl Harbor the government restricted car purchases to no more than $750. So President Roosevelt bought Al Capone’s bulletproof car which the Treasury Department had seized when the gangster was arrested for tax evasion. Factories in the U.S. built over 80,000 tanks, 300,000 military
WORLD WAR II CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
neously, the U.S. Army and the Australians went after the Papuan Peninsula in New Guinea. Securing Guadalcanal was crucial. The Japanese were building an airfield that would enable them to go after the supply routes between the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. The battle that lasted August 7, 1942 to February 9, 1943 was bloody and intense. The Americans took the airfield in the initial landing but had to fight seven major naval battles and three land battles before the Japanese finally evacuated the island. The Japanese Army and Navy were headquartered in Rabaul on New Britain Island in Papua, New Guinea. Because the Japanese had 100,000 troops there, the Allies chose not to attack the island directly. Instead, they captured the surrounding islands and cut off Japanese communication lines. (Although effectively isolated, the Japanese in Rabaul did not surrender until August 1945.) To put the new B-29 bombers in striking distance of Tokyo, the U.S. invaded Saipan, part of the Mariana Islands, in June 1944. Known as the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the fight for Saipan was one of the biggest carrier vs. carrier battles of the war. After two days of nonstop fighting, the Americans prevailed. The first raid on Tokyo was November 24. By year’s end the Japanese had retreated from Burma, and the Marines had landed on Leyte Island in the Philippines. In January 1945 the Americans landed on Luzon Island in the Philippines. February brought the amphibious assault on Iwo Jima, and the
planes, two million trucks, and millions of rifles and machine guns. Much of the labor was provided by women, who were collectively nicknamed Rosie the Riveter. On V-J Day the Rosies were told, “Thanks very much. Go home. We won’t be needing you anymore. The men are coming back.” Red Cross care packages sent to prisoner of war camps in Germany contained special Monopoly board games with special boxes designed to facilitate escapes. There was French, German and Italian currency among the Monopoly money, a small compass in a play piece, silk maps of the camp and its location inside the hotel pieces and a metal file inside the board itself. At Christmas all Allied POWs in Germany received a deck of playing cards from the Bicycle Card Company. Which cards went where was specific because they could be soaked in water to reveal an appropriate escape route. Allies began firebombing Japan in March. On April 1 the Allies invaded Okinawa just 30 miles from Japan. Although its air force and navy were nearly demolished and many of its cities were in flames, the Japanese on Okinawa fought the Allies ferociously for 82 days. With its “die before surrender” mindset, the Japanese refused to accept unconditional surrender in spite of Allied threats of “prompt and utter destruction.” There were still two million Japanese troops stationed in Japan guarding against invasion. With tens of millions already dead in this terrible war, President Harry Truman made the most difficult decision of his life. America had known since 1939 that the Nazis were attempting to construct an atomic bomb, so the U.S. successfully developed its own. On August 6, 1945 the atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. Despite losing more than 70,000 people the first day, the Japanese refused to surrender. Another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki August 9, instantly killing about 40,000. That was also the day the Soviet Army invaded Manchuria. Japan ordered its troops to lay down their arms on August 15 when it announced surrender to the Allies. Formal surrender took place September 2, 1945 – V-J Day (Victory in Japan Day) – aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. At last the long, bloody war that spanned the globe was officially over. Aging and Disability Resources Answers Questions – Explores Options
425.513.1900
9
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The Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett Ballroom Dance, 2nd & 4th Saturday.
August 8 & 22; September 12 & 26; October 24; and New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1-3 p.m. Dance to the music of Lauren Petrie. ($5 admission)
Invite our u s you to pc fall e oming vents .
“OCTOBERFEAST,” Sat., October 10, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
A Taste of Retirement from local businesses. FREE and open to the public.
5th Annual Ernie Dunton International Table Tennis Tournament, Sat. & Sun., November 7 & 8. Open to all players 50+. 10th Annual USO Dance, Weds., November 11, 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets available after October 22. Free to all veterans.
Annual Holiday Bazaar, Fri., December 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Handcrafted items from 50+ vendors with afghans to Zumba wear. Open to the public. For information, call 425-257-8780 or visit www.everettwa.gov/seniors
The Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett 3025 Lombard Ave., Everett
Aug. 2015
10 August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
GOLDEN GIRLS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
it was with the Golden Girls. If Dorothy was out late at night, Rose and Blanche were there to keep company with Sophia, her elder mother. In a house full of people you know and trust, scary things like sounds in the night, blizzards, earthquakes, spiking fevers, and worrisome chest pain are just easier to handle. Studies have shown that shared housing also contributes to a lightness of spirit. Some psychologists, like Harvard’s Ellen Langer, author of Mindfulness, might say that what kept the Golden Girls vital and socially engaged is a lifestyle that mimicked how they lived in younger years: maybe in a college dorm, or a sorority house, or a loving, extended family situation. Langer’s studies, particularly her early work with the elderly
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360-629-7403 Senior Stanwood 7430 276th St. N.W. Stanwood, WA 98292 www.stanwoodseniorcenter.org
that led to her now famous Counterclockwise Theory, show that reliving patterns of happier times has positive mental and physical effects. The singing, laughing, dancing and dining that the girls did together actually may have nurtured their youthful vigor. Did the Golden Girls have differences? Of course. Arguments? No question. But was their lifestyle worth it? Absolutely. Just consider a couple of alternatives. Living with one’s children is so infrequently proposed today, that it hardly merits mentioning. Most seniors find this option plagued with worry of being unwelcome, and fear of being burdensome, both of which are strains on the senior psyche. Assisted living communities can give you physical help plus some social interaction. But institutional-type living, even in charming places with relaxed restrictions, signals, for some, a loss of independence. Also, it is costly. According to AARP figures released in 2011, private room costs differ among the states and can range anywhere from $28,500$60,000 annually. Life isn’t cheap for those living alone either. Besides paying full household expenses, costly inhome care at some point is likely to be needed. The CDC website reports that one in three adults aged 65 and older falls each year,
Learn about programs and services available to seniors. Scan the QR code or visit sssc.org. Like us on Senior Services of Snohomish County
and that 20 to 30 percent of those who fall suffer an injury that will “make it hard to get around or live independently ...” Any injury or illness, in fact, generally requires some form of light help during recuperation. And then there are other risks known to threaten seniors living alone: malnourishment, unattended illness, depression and loneliness that can come from the painful silence of an empty house. Yes, the Golden Girls had it right. They didn’t rely on their kids, or others that labeled them “old.” They opted for a comfortable and active lifestyle, and chose to give one another assistance rather than pay strangers for it. And they had company. Though they sometimes bickered, the girls had a friend at the ready to talk, laugh, cry with... and that at any age is priceless. – Senior Wire©
Hands-on health care
You may save a life even if you’ve never taken any CPR lessons. While everyone should sign up for a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) class to learn how to handle a medical emergency, the American Heart Association has come up with a simpler hands-on method. Aptly enough, it's called HandsOnly CPR and gives everyone the ability to help someone who has collapsed suddenly.
Alison Sing Senior Services staff and board of directors say a fond farewell to Alison Sing, a long time board member and former board president. Alison joined Senior Services board in 2006 because “I was taught in my culture to honor and respect the elders of my community. This was a natural extension of my community service when I retired.” Alison’s long time commitment to this community is apparent in his everything he does. He currently serves as a member of the Boundary Review Board for Snohomish County and is a former Senior Economic Development Officer for Snohomish County. What you do is call 911 immediately BUT, instead of standing around helplessly while awaiting the emergency response team, you push hard and fast on the center of the victim’s chest without having to worry about mouthto-mouth breaths. These chest compressions improve the victim’s chances of recovery even without the mouth-to-mouth. The association points out this should not be used on infants or children. To learn more about this procedure, visit heart.org and search for hands-only-cpr.
Come for the view, stay for the friendships
Edmonds Senior Center
NATURAL MEDICINE CLINIC WITH BASTYR UNIVERSITY
Provides naturopathic medicine to seniors and all ages. Treatments may include dietary and lifestyle counseling and education, handson physical therapies, and herbal and nutritional supplements with products offered free of charge by Bastyr University. Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call for an appt. ENHANCE WELLNESS PROGRAM
Under the guidance of a nurse and social worker, design an individual wellness plan and have your progress measured over six months. A wonderful way to take control of your health. Call for an appt. or drop in any weekday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Funded by the Verdant Health Commission. Fitness, yoga, tai chi Trips, classes, games Nutritious lunches Music groups Computer lab Coffee bar Facility rentals Great Thrift Store Stop by or call for more information about activities and services offered at the Edmonds Senior Center 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds 425-774-5555 or visit http://edmondssc.org
Senior Focus August/September, 2015
a nonprofit organization
Serving 38,000 Seniors, People with Disabilities, and Family Caregivers each year
Getting to know our
Board of Directors 2015-16 One of the most important positions in a nonprofit organization is its board of directors. These individuals have a tremendous responsibility to ensure the long-term success of the organization. Senior Services’ Board of Directors has up to19 members who are elected to serve three year terms up to nine years in total. They are the key individuals who collectively help drive our mission: To promote independence, preserve dignity and enhance the quality of life through the provision of services for older adults and people with disabilities. It’s our privilege to introduce this exceptional group of individuals who log countless hours of volunteer time to make this community a better place for seniors, people with disabilities and those who care for them. James Lee, MD. – Board President Dr. Lee is facility medical director at the Everett Clinic Mill Creek. His expertise in gerontology, care coordination, palliative care and quality of care bring a unique perspective to the board and the organization. Dr. Lee joined the board in 2013 because, “I have seen firsthand how Senior Services improves the quality of life for older adults. The agency’s mission matches the goals of the Everett Clinic in meeting the needs of our community.” He previously served on the Board of Directors at the Everett Clinic. Rick Resseguie – Board Vice-President A lifelong resident of Snohomish County, Rick brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Senior Services’ board of directors. Rick is manager of the Lynnwood Commercial Banking center for Umpqua Bank and has been in the banking industry for over 40 years. He joined Senior Services board in 2011 because he believes that everyone – from children to elders – should have the opportunity to thrive in a community that promotes growth, opportunity, quality of life and help for each other. Char Pike, RN – Board Secretary Char is Director of Nursing with Providence Hospital’s Transitional Care Services (Everett) and has worked in senior health care for over 25 years. An Everett native, Char has been involved in a variety of community services including the Lake Stevens Fire Department, Everett Kiwanis and Volunteers of America. “I feel very blessed to have been given many opportunities to help and be involved in this community.” Julie Bogue-Garza – Board Treasurer Julie joined Senior Services board in 2013. As a human resources executive, Julie has devoted her career to empowering people to maximize their talents in the areas in which they are most passionate. As an extension to this, Julie joined the board because of her passion for giving back to those who have given so greatly to all of us. The beauty of providing services that give peace of mind, independence and respect to seniors and people with disabilities is that we all thrive as a community. Marilyn Boe Marilyn is the Vice President and Branch Manager for HomeStreet Bank in Everett and joined Senior Services board in 2012. Her interest in safe and affordable housing through programs like Minor Home Repair inspired her to take a more active role in supporting and contributing to these efforts. She is also a great advocate by providing information about Senior Services’ programs to customers who need assistance. Van Dinh-Kuno (photo not available) As the executive director of Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest, Van runs the most visible and comprehensive agency serving refugees and immigrants. She also serves on numerous task forces and boards including Providence Hospital, United Way and the Diversity Advisory Board for the City of Everett. Van is a valuable resource to human service organizations, educational institutions and law enforcement. 11627 Airport Rd., Suite B, Everett WA 98204 425.355.1112 www.sssc.org
Amy Drewel Amy is the founder and owner of Mosiac Insurance. She comes from a family that is deeply rooted in human services in Snohomish County. Amy joined the board in 2011 because she feels it is her duty to make sure that this community doesn’t forget about some of the most vulnerable populations and their needs.
Dan Leach A Senior Financial Advisor with D. A. Davidson and Company in Everett, Dan’s background in business administration and finance bring great value to the board of directors. Dan joined the board in 2012 because he believes that in order to build a strong community, we must address the issues facing the growing population of vulnerable older adults and people with disabilities. Pam LeSesne Pam retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain and currently serves on the Everett School Board. She is actively involved in a variety of civic and educational activities in Snohomish County and joined Senior Services board in 2011. Pam is passionate about maintaining a community in which older adults and people with disabilities have the resources they need to live with independence and dignity. Dottie Piasecki Dottie joined Senior Services board in 2010 after retiring from Providence Regional Medical Center where she was director of public affairs and executive director of the Providence General Foundation. Dottie joined the board because Senior Services provides a wide variety of programs that enhance lives, restore hope and preserve the dignity of seniors and people with disabilities throughout the region. Reid Shockey As President of Shockey Planning Group, Reid has provided multi-disciplinary environmental and planning services throughout Washington State for nearly four decades. Reid joined the board of Senior Services in 2008 because he is proud to serve an organization that does so much for those honored seniors who, by themselves, may not have the essential resources they need in their golden years. Donnetta Walser As a former Mayor of Monroe, Donnetta has significant experience working on community issues including transportation and affordable housing. Donnetta joined the board in 2010 because she believes that uncertain economic times combined with increasing needs as “baby boomers” age will strain our resources. She can think of no better way to serve than to help meet those needs. Don Whitfield As the former President and CEO of Whitfields United Insurance, Don is now Senior Vice President of Leavitt Northwest. In addition to the Senior Services board, he serves as a member of the the YMCA of Snohomish County Board of Trustees, is president of Marysville Rotary, and is a longtime active member of the Marysville United Methodist Church. Carrie Zambrano Carrie has 17 years in the health care insurance industry and is currently the director of ASO (administrative services only) for Regence Blue Shield. Carrie joined the board in early 2015 because she believes that what we can learn from seniors and people with disabilities will enrich our lives. As the primary caregiver for her elderly parents, she understands the importance of independence, dignity and quality of life.
11
12 August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
County seeks applicants to serve on the Council on Aging Snohomish County’s Council on Aging (COA) is looking for new members to serve a threeyear term beginning in January 2016. The COA manages local, state and federal funds targeted toward seniors and people with disabilities. The 30-member COA advisory board advises not only the county’s Long Term Care and Aging office but the county’s Hu-
man Services department and the County Executive. Building an effective “Council on Aging benefits the entire community,” said COA Chair Linda Whitesell. “It’s important to provide our senior residents with services to promote positive physical and emotional wellbeing.” COA members serve as community representatives, planners for
Hawkins House Senior Apartments Subsidized 62+ Community
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funding and program issues, activists for advocacy matters, and monitors of program quality and services. The COA meets from 10 a.m. to 12 noon the fourth Wednesday of the month (except December). Smaller committee groups – such as advocacy, healthy aging, diversity and senior centers – meet as needed. In addition to attending the monthly meetings, participation on a committee is required for all members. The Council on Aging strives for a membership that represents all the areas of Snohomish County. Residents who represent the needs of ethnic and racial minority communities, older persons wishing to improve the quality of life for senior citizens, persons who represent organizations which serve people with disabilities, local elected officials and members of the general public are all encouraged to apply. Those interested in serving on the COA must complete and file
an application with Snohomish County Long Term Care and Aging by Friday, September 11. To receive an application, call Joyce Frasu at 425-388-7377 or send an email to j.frasu@snoco.org. An application may also be printed directly from the COA website at snohomishcountywa.gov/COA.
Senior Services needs you! “We have several volunteer openings including meals on wheels drivers (Edmonds, Lynnwood, Everett), thrift store clerks, senior peer counselors, SHIBA volunteers and more,” says Christina Harrison, SSSC’s volunteer coordinator. For information and an application, contact Harrison at 425-2652294 or email charrison@sssc.org. You can also visit sssc.org and click on the Volunteer tab. Aging and Disability Resources Answers Questions – Explores Options
425.513.1900
Hawkins House 9433 N. Davies Rd., Lake Stevens 98258
For information and application, call 425.377.2080
You measured twice and cut your thumb once.
Urgent care. 7 days. Extended hours. Weekend projects can be hard on your body. Ladder mishaps, back injuries, sliced digits, you name it. That’s why The Everett Clinic has nine urgent care Walk-In Clinics across Snohomish County. Most are open seven days a week with extended hours, and you never need an appointment. Plus, wait times are posted online, so you can see whic h Clinic works best for you. Learn more at everettclinic.com/urgent.
everettclinic.com/urgent
Senior Focus August/September, 2015
Safety tips to consider when buying a new car Elder Info Have a Question? We Have an Answer!
By Cynthia Nowowiejski
Senior Services of Snohomish County
Q
I am planning to purchase a new car. What factors I should consider?
Deciding what car to purchase can be quite a challenge. Some people are loyal to the car model they have driven for many years, others want to select a different car, or are influenced by a friend’s recent purchase of a great looking car. Safety should be the most important consideration when choosing a car. Both the federal government and private organizations review aspects of car safety and conduct various crash tests. You can get this information for free. It is available online and updated annually. The federal Department of Transportation provides safety tips and vehicle ratings by year, which you can obtain on their website, safecar.gov. The private, non-profit Insurance Institute of Highway Safety publishes safety ratings for the most popular vehicles annually. To check the crashworthiness of a car you are considering, go to iihs. org. There are many vehicle styles and features. Consider vehicles which: Allow the greatest visibility of the environment Are easiest to get in and out of Provide the most comfortable use of steering wheel, gas and brake Offer the greatest potential to benefit from the safety features in the event of a crash Also, different models are designed for drivers of different sizes, so you need to find one that fits you. The better the fit between you and your car, the more comfortable, in control and safe you’ll be.
Car shopping tips
When shopping for a new car, practice basic maneuvers to check the ease, comfort and fit. So, get in and out of the vehicle. Is there enough space for entering and exiting? Is there adequate headroom and compartment space while seated? Can you easily slide into position? Compare seat upholstery; some upholstery may make it easier to slide into the correct seating position. While in the driver’s seat, reach for the safety belt to buckle and unbuckle.
Is it comfortable when in place? Can you easily press the button to release the buckle? Adjust the seat height and forward/back position. Can adequate height be achieved for good visibility? Can the pedals be fully pressed to the floor without excessive reaching? Adjust the steering wheel to a comfortable position. Does it interfere with your line of sight to see the road? Is there space between the bottom of the steering wheel and thigh? Is the center of the steering wheel (housing the air bag) directed toward your torso and not face?
During the driving test
Before you begin driving, check your fit with the car. Is it easy to get in and buckle up? Can you comfortably adjust the steering wheel, seat and mirrors to achieve a good fit? Practice the typical maneuvers that involve reach or manipulation of controls and buttons. Insert and turn the key, shift into drive and reverse. Turn on the headlights, wipers and hazard flashers. Are they easy to operate? Check other common features, like the navigation system and radio. Look for a system with large, easy-to-use controls or voice activated controls. Once you begin driving, pay attention to the ease of operating the vehicle. Good visibility and steering ease are critical. Practice pulling into a parking space and parking at the curb. Be sure to back up and make both left and right turns. Practice using any backup cameras and parking assist features. Think about passengers and commonly transported items. If you typically drive another person, particularly a person with mobility challenges, consider their needs. Bring the person with you on the test drive to see if the vehicle is easy for him/her. Be sure you have enough storage locations for carrying medical equipment. Practice putting a cane or walker or loading bulky items like groceries into the trunk. Adapted from The Hartford Center for Mature Market Aging and Disability Resources is the gateway to access services for older adults and people with disabilities in Snohomish County. To speak with an ADR Specialist, who will listen to your concerns, answer questions and explore options, phone 425-513-1900 or 800-422-2024.
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14 August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
....
A festival for every taste, hobby, thrill or skill
URT RETIREMENT animals and art, food and fun and themes. NEXT RUN DATE: other 04/13/15 Get Aways Take that crowd of garlic lovPUBLICATION: HERALD RETAIL Adventures in Travel For 35 years, the Gilroy TAIL SIZE: 2 col X 5 in ers. Garlic Festival has been one of By Victor Block
In Gilroy, California, people line up to purchase watermelon, ice cream and chocolate, all of which are laced with fresh, pungent garlic. Underwater divers off Florida’s Looe Key are serenaded by sounds ranging from a song sung by the Beatles to the highpitched call made by humpback whales. These disparate scenes have one thing in common. They are two of countless fairs and festivals that are held throughout the year and around the country which focus on and celebrate a variety of
the largest gatherings of foodies in the United States. Like most fairs based on a theme, this one includes its share of entertainment, music, arts and crafts and other attractions. And like many, it raises money that is donated to charities and non-profit organizations. The festival provides an opportunity for those who attend to indulge in their love of garlic and their belief that it is under-used in recipes. Along with opportunities to nosh on the tasty treats, there are competitions for professional chefs, and a Great Garlic
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Cook-Off contest for amateurs. 1296825 For more information, log onto gilroygarlicfestival.com. Food, sort of, also is the focus of the somewhat grossly named Roadkill Cook-Off in Marlinton, West Virginia. Where else would you be asked how you prefer deer sausage, squirrel gravy over biscuits or teriyaki-marinated bear prepared? The entrees haven’t actually been killed on a road but they’re on the menu as a tribute to the large number of their cousins who were. For more information log onto pccocwv.com/roadkill. One can guess what the feature attraction is at the annual Great Texas Mosquito Festival in the town of Clute, about a 45-minute drive from Houston. It transforms a summer nuisance into the star attraction. When they’re not competing in mosquito calling and mosquito legs contests, participants hang out with Willie-Man-Chew, the festival mascot. Billed as the largest mosquito in the world, he (or she) stands 26 feet tall, sports an oversize cowboy hat and boots, and has a proboscis that would be the envy of any self-respecting mosquito. For more information, log onto. Larger specimens of the animal kingdom play the leading role at the annual San Fermin running of the Bulls in New Orleans, which is copied from the famous event held in Pamplona, Spain, each summer. The Spanish version is named for Saint Fermin, a priest who lived during the 3th century A.D. and became the first bishop of Pamplona. While New Orleans is best known for its French history, it also was under Spanish control at times, so a festival based upon the bull running in Spain doesn’t seem out of place. However, there is one major difference. In New Orleans, participants are chased not by four-legged animals but by women from professional roller derby teams who whack runners they catch with a foam wiffle bat. The event also includes a fourcourse gourmet dinner accompanied by Spanish wines, a sangria tasting and – because of Ernest Hemingway’s love of Spain and bullfighting – a contest to select the most realistic Hemingway
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look-a-like. For more information log onto nolabulls.com. The schedule of activities at most festivals includes music of some kind, and there are others at which dulcet sounds are a – if not the – major attraction. Those divers and snorkelers off the Florida coast are participants in the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival. Each year, hundreds of people don masks, flippers and other paraphernalia and swim over magnificent coral reefs in the National Marine Sanctuary as music and other sounds waft down from above. The play list includes melodies like the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine and the theme from The Little Mermaid. Some participants pretend to play whimsical underwater instruments made by a local sculptor. For more information log onto lowerkeyschamber.com. Even if you’re familiar with themes like the hymn Ave Maria by Franz Schubert and Over the Rainbow from the Wizard of Oz, you’re likely to hear them presented in a new way if you attend the New York City Musical Saw Festival. Saw players from around the world gather each year to perform solos, combine into saw orchestras and accompany singers. There also are workshops for players at all levels of expertise, including one that allow people to try their hand at saws of various designs, and a beginner’s lesson for people who have no musical saw experience. For more information, visit musicalsawfestival. org. There’s also a long list of events that don’t fit easily into categories. They include such disparate themes as duck tape, cow chips and UFOs. Duck tape or duct tape – both names are used – is the featured attraction at the annual Duck Tape Festival. Appreciators of CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
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Senior Focus August/September, 2015
15
F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the Anyone who’s a fan of the Game of Thrones TV series will feel at home dropping by one of the Renaissance Fairs that are held in a number of states. Many of these make-believe settings seek to replicate life during the reign of British royalty.
sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you’ll know that you need to call 9-1-1. F Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven? A Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly? T Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared. – www.strokeassociation.org
We’re here to help! We offer… Short Stay Rehabilitation Long Term Care Hospice/Respite Care
– Victor Block photo
FESTIVALS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14
this very American product descend upon Avon, Ohio, to spend three days at activities that include a duck tape fashion show, statues made of the sticky substance and a parade with duck tape floats. For more information log onto ducktapefestival.com. Taking a tip from hunters who discovered that dried “buffalo chips” could be burned as fuel, early settlers in the Plains States substituted cow dung. That fuel source became so important and valued that it was used to trade for food and other necessities. Since 1975, Sauk Prairie, Wisconsin, has hosted the State Cow Chip Throw. Contestants follow a stringent set of rules to determine who can sail chips the furthest, and if anyone can beat the current distance record of 248 feet. For more information, log onto wiscowchip.com In 1947, an object crashed at a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico, that the Air Force ever since has insisted was a weather surveillance balloon. Even so, a persistent group of people have clung to the belief that the accident involved an extraterrestrial spaceship, whose occupants were recovered by the military which has engaged in a cover-up. For years, the area has been the go-to destination for those who claim that our planet has been visited by aliens. Among activities are a costume contest, “alien chase,” and presentations by authors of books about UFOs, paranormal experiences and earthlings who recount being abducted by visitors from outer space. For more information visit ufofestival roswell.com. Anyone who’s a fan of the Game of Thrones TV series will feel at
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home dropping by one of the Renaissance Fairs that are held in a number of states. Many of these make-believe settings seek to replicate life during the reign of British royalty. The usual order of business includes an abundance of periodcostumed entertainers and fairgoers, musical and theatrical acts, and stands selling art, handicrafts and food. Efforts to persuade members of the audience to participate in the fun and frivolity are usually part of the scene. For a list of Renaissance Fairs including dates of each festival, visit Wikipedia.org and search for List of Renaissance_Fairs. If none of the fun festivals mentioned has appeal for you, fret not. Again, visit Wikipedia.org and search for List of Festivals which will bring up a virtual A-to-Z list of alternatives, including a Bigfoot festival, National Hollerin’ Contest, kinetic sculpture race and events that honor chickens, lentils, tarantulas, turpentine, dancing and much more. – Senior Wire©
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16 August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
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Finding my brother again By Saralee Perel In two hours, my brother, Michael will be visiting from his home in Virginia. We haven’t seen each other in over a year. Actually, in the past 10 years, we’ve only been together about a dozen times. Growing up, he was the innocent one. I was a brat. In our teens, I betrayed him. I called a girl he had a crush on. “Marlene,” I said, “Michael’s in love with you. He wants to kiss you!” He was always too kind to let me know how deeply I hurt him when I did rotten things. As adults, I got into the, “Mom loves you best,” thing. “Mother thinks you’re perfect,” I’d say. In spite of trying to convince him that our mother was different to him than she was to me, he never took my argument bait. When my mother and I didn’t speak for months, he tried desperately to be the peacemaker. He called me. He was crying. “Saralee, please call Mom. You could end this.” “She could call me, you know.” “But you know she won’t,” he said. “She calls me crying every day.” In foot stomping style, I said, “You don’t know what Mother is like; you can do no wrong in her book. But I’m always at fault.” “You’d make her so happy if you called. You’d make Dad happy. You’d make me happy.” Oh – how I wanted to win. “But if I call, she’ll think she’s the one who’s right.” “Does that matter all that much?” His question threw me. You see, being right did matter, and apparently it was worth destroying my family to prove a point. But the thing is – I had never been thought of as “right” before and I was never going to be. It was time to give up that incessant need. Being right is not important. “Okay,” I said, “I’ll call her.” It was because of my gentle brother that my family’s sadness came to an end. For decades, I’ve let my hostili-
Michael and Saralee
ty come between us. I’d say, “Mom was in no way the loving mother you think she was.” But I now understand she was that person – to him. Why on earth would I be so cruel as to want him to think of her differently? I’ll tell you something I’ve learned; it doesn’t matter that he sees things the way I do. I’ve wasted enough precious time. My brother is such a fine person. He’s brilliant and shy, kind and caring. He gives quietly to others, expecting nothing in return. In fact, he truly is the splendid man my mother always thought of him as being. And so, he will arrive shortly. He’ll bring luscious Virginia peanuts covered in chocolate. He’ll chat about his flight. We’ll discuss all the great things we’ll be doing together. Normally, I’d be simmering, all the while aware of our differences. But not today. He’ll be surprised when he reads this column. Perhaps, this is my way of apologizing to him. Because what I’m really saying is, “Mike, you’ve always been a wonderful brother. You’ve always been my friend.” And for the first time in 20 years, I’m saying, “Michael,” with a genuinely deep cleansing breath, “I love you.” Award-winning columnist, Saralee Perel, can be reached through her website at SaraleePerel.com.
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Senior Focus August/September, 2015
New treatments offer hope to elders with macular degeneration (BPT) – When Joan Nick, an 87-year-old retiree, was diagnosed with the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in her left eye, she was worried about going blind. Joan had already lost sight in her right eye in her 60s due to glaucoma, so the vision in her left eye was all she had – and she didn’t want to lose it. As there are no treatments for dry AMD other than supplements that slow progression in some patients, Joan’s AMD was monitored through regular eye exams to detect changes. Then, one day during an exam, Joan’s ophthalmologist asked her to read an eye chart; and to her surprise, she couldn’t read it at all. Her condition had progressed to the more severe, wet form of AMD. Joan is one of an estimated 11 million Americans who have some form of AMD, a disorder that erodes the central vision, making it difficult to read, drive or recognize faces. This vision loss can occur slowly, but in some cases like Joan’s it is sudden. While AMD is a leading cause of blindness among seniors in the United States, recent advances in treatment have made the dis-
ease more manageable than ever – great news for people like Joan.
Treatments are better than ever
Joan’s condition, wet AMD, is the form that reduces vision quickly and is responsible for 90 percent of all blindness related to AMD. Ten years ago, wet AMD was considered largely untreatable and many patients experienced severe, irreversible vision loss. But with the introduction of new treatment options, such as anti-VEGF (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) drugs, which are injected into the eye, more patients with the condition are maintaining their eyesight and avoiding permanent vision loss. Joan is one of them. With regular treatment, she is now able to read and cook and do the things she enjoys. She even shares her positive experience with other people who are considering treatment for their AMD. “The question they always ask me is, ‘Will it hurt?’ and I tell them, ‘No, it will not,’” Joan says. “It certainly isn’t as much trouble as it is to be blind – and I know that from my own experience!”
17
Schedule an eye exam today
Risk factors for AMD include increasing age, race and family history. In its earliest stages, AMD may not have any symptoms. Eye exams are critical to diagnosing AMD in its early stages and monitoring its progression. Oral nutritional supplements may be advised for some people with the dry form of the disease. If it advances to wet AMD, eye exams enable patients to know when to start treatment before their vision permanently deteriorates. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a baseline eye exam by age 40 and that older Americans get an eye exam every one to two years. Seniors who have not had a recent eye exam or for whom cost is a concern may qualify for EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that offers eye exams and care at no out-of-pocket cost for eligible seniors age 65 and older. Visit eye careamerica.org for information. “Some people put off getting an eye exam because they fear being diagnosed with an eye disease,”
says Dr. Charles P. Wilkinson, chair of EyeCare America. “But early diagnosis can be the first step toward saving your vision. Getting an eye exam can either confirm that your eyes are healthy or help you keep your vision.”
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18 August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
Recognition of centennial farms richly deserved and needed Perspective on the Past By Louise Lindgren As I knelt in the dirt this summer, digging deeply-rooted weeds out of our large vegetable garden in 90° heat, questions ran through my mind as sweat beaded on my skin. What if I’d been a farm woman of the 1890s, having to wear a long dress with high neck and long sleeves as I did this? What if I had to bake our family’s bread on a wood stove in the early morning before the day’s heat built up? Or, might this be washing day, and I had to stir heavy clothes in a copper boiler on that stove. If I were lucky, the men in the family might have moved the stove to a shelter outdoors for the summer, but if I were a widow, alone with young children, might I be doing this chore in a sweltering house? All of these imaginings brought to mind the photos of farm women viewed as I gathered information
in the year 2000 for a program I initiated while working for Snohomish County’s historic preservation office. In 1989, as part of the Washington State Centennial program, 100-year-old farms were honored. However, that was only a oneyear program, so farms in Snohomish County that were founded between 1890 and 1900 were not included. I thought why not create an annual program as part of our Heritage 2000 millennial celebration and begin it by honoring all of our 100-year-old farms? The idea was embraced not only by our county government but also by the League of Snohomish County Heritage Organizations, with its broad membership of museums, historical, and genealogical societies. League members knew the owners of those venerable farms and helped make the contacts. Since I’d been a League participant from the early 1980s, I felt it was appropriate to combine my job with that volunteer activity in order to travel to each farm, interviewing the families and photo-
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graphing their operations. I’ve never felt so welcome and honored as I was that summer of 2000 when I sat at kitchen tables from Stanwood to Monroe, Arlington to Snohomish. Historic photos were spread out, and the stories flowed freely from family members about their lives growing up on land their grandparents homesteaded. Many of the younger members of families seemed to grasp George Major doing the daily milking, pre-1920. Courtesy of the Stangeland Family for the first time the significance of what their people had accomplished by existent and horse paths through keeping those farms in continuous the woods narrow and rough. They were grateful for the skilled help operation all those years. Loren Kraetz told me that a of tribal people who used their typical day on a dairy farm in the canoes to negotiate sometimes 1890s began at 4 a.m. with hand- treacherous stretches of water. milking, breakfast at 6 o’clock, Once they got there they had then land-clearing all day. At 4 constant work just to clear the p.m. the cows were rounded up land of trees. Thus the term for milking, and after that it was “stump ranch” was coined. Farmtime to churn butter. This went ers had to be loggers, with all on seven days a week, year after the danger that entailed, working through the fall and winter year, rain or shine. Janet Stangeland said her to make space for planting in the grandmother, Eliza Major, suf- spring. fered the deaths of two children We honored 20 farms that early on. Then she had to man- first year of the program with a age the farm with her remaining large “Then and Now: Centennial four children after her husband Farms” exhibit at the Evergreen George died. They raised crops Fair. A traveling version of the exof hay and grain and milked 32 hibit became available for community venues. Each family received Guernsey cows. One can imagine the domestic digital copies of their historic phochores that were done in addition tos, a free day at the fair, and a to running the farm. Without any Certificate of Honor presented to modern conveniences she had to CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 cook, preserve food for the year, clean, sew and then constantly Life, Simplified. mend clothes. Her children would Newly renovated community and allhave been taught from an early inclusive retirement living. Call today to schedule your personalized tour! age to work right alongside her. Many families told of the tra360.653.1717 vail of early travel to the homesteads, often having to ferry all 9912 48th Drive NE | Marysville their worldly goods and livestock www.windsorsrliving.com up rivers because roads were non-
Senior Focus August/September, 2015
19
Improve Your Mental Sharpness
Bridge, other activities help boost brainpower (Family Features) Staying active physically is important as you age. But exercising the brain can also have some important health and disease-prevention benefits. In fact, a 2014 study conducted by the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center found that participants who reported playing memory games at least every other day performed better on standard memory tests compared
CENTENNIAL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
them by County Executive Bob Drewel in a ceremony on opening day. Later, more stories were shared at an ice-cream and cake reception where one could feel that common bond of hard work and ancestral heritage. In subsequent years fewer and fewer farms could fit the criteria of having been in continuous operation by the same founding family for 100 years. Only two were honored in 2004, the Hillis farm near Arlington and the Hereth’s in Snohomish. Mark Hereth, in an interview for the Herald newspaper that year, stated the problem succinctly: “It’s hard to encourage someone into the business, because it’s a tough job. Tough work.” When asked why he continued with so little in cash profit he said, “Tradition. It’s love of the farm, love of the land, and being proud of what we do.” Well, although we don’t live on a farm we are self-sufficient with fruits and vegetables, and I can tell you that is constant hard work, from planting to harvesting and preservation. Still, I’m thankful I’m not standing over a wood stove trying to can jars of fruit. I have freezers that run on electricity. Our dirty clothes go into an electric washer, not into a copper kettle. Even as I sweat through this long, dry summer I can take a break to go inside and sit by a fan to write an article for a paper, just for the kick of it. No, I’m not a farm woman, but my respect for those who are and have been is unbounded. I retired early in 2006, and since then only a few farms have been added to the county’s list. I sincerely hope there will be one more honored this year at the fair. Farm families deserve a huge round of applause from alll of us. Search “Centennial Farms” online to find an article written by Margaret Riddle for HistoryLink.org as well as “then and now” photos and short histories on Snohomish County’s website. Also, the Washington State 1989 Centennial Farms book is available for free viewing.
to those who played less frequently. The study assessed 329 older adults who were free of dementia, but at increased risk of Alzheimer’s based on family history Trumping Alzheimer’s According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the number of people with the disease may nearly triple to 16 million by 2050, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow or stop the disease. For older individuals, getting involved in social and cognitively stimulating activities, such as the game of bridge, is more important than ever. “In our study, we found that individuals who participated more frequently in activities such as card games, checkers and crossword puzzles have increased brain volume in areas that stimulate memory and affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Ozioma Okonkwo, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Bridge The card game of bridge is one of the most popular games of skill and memory, involving math and social skills as the players deal the cards, auction, play the hand and score the results.
Getty Images Photo
According to the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), an estimated 25 million people in the U.S. play the game socially in clubs or homes, competitively at tournaments, or online. Many ACBL members are seniors who have been playing at local bridge clubs for most of their lives, such as 103-year-old Lily Hansen of Ludington, Mich. Hansen, who serves as a director of her club, recently told AARP Bulletin that playing twice a week helps her stay sharp and active. She has been playing bridge for nearly nine decades. “Duplicate is competitive. It keeps your brain working. I honestly believe that.” With more than 167,000 members and 3,200 clubs nationwide, the ACBL offers a number of programs developed to make learning the game simple. Visit learn. ACBL.org for sessions on how to play or to find a club in your area. The game also attracts business-oriented minds, including
two of the smartest men in America – Warren Buffet, 84, and Bill Gates, 59. The duo has been particularly supportive of promoting bridge among youth, given the game’s competiveness and unlimited series of complex calculations. Other mind-sharpening activities In addition to card games, research shows there are a number of other activities that help boost brainpower. For example, a game of checkers or a crossword puzzle can offer plenty of mental exercise, forcing the brain to be curious and engaged. Remember to mix up these mental exercises often, which will call on different parts of the brain. Whether you prefer a rousing game of cards with friends or a peaceful crossword puzzle alone, engaging in such activities can help sharpen your mind, which can help you to better enjoy life for many years.
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20 August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
Veterans of Underage Military Service
Organization honors America’s youngest warriors By Teri Baker What they did was extraordinary, patriotic, heroic. And illegal. A fellow had to be 17 years old to enlist in the military during World War II. A woman could join at age 20 – as long as she had parental consent. But the desire to defend their country burned so brightly in the hearts of those who were even younger that they altered birth certificates and affidavits so they could join up. For some, just plain lying sufficed to let them enlist, especially if they were big and strong beyond their years. They were ages 12-16 when they began to serve. They were in every branch of the United States military. The girls served as drivers, secretaries and aides. Most of the boys were in combat and most made it through. Some survived the Bataan
Death March, another the infamous German prison camp Stalag 17. They all proved their worth alongside grown men. They landed on the beaches of Normandy, fought in the South Pacific, patrolled the jungles of Korea and Vietnam. Few today can even imagine being at war at such a young age. Those who were merely boys and girls when they went to war have a special bond. That’s why, in 1991, Allen C. Stover, who was 14 when he joined the Coast Guard, established Veterans of Underage Military Service (VUMS), a national organization that allows the young warriors to reach out to each other and share their experiences with those who can truly understand. “Our purpose is to establish and maintain contact with the young
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warriors all across the country who served when it was a crime to do so,” says retired Marine Sgt. Joseph J. Champagne of Gold Bar. “We want every underage veteran to know that there will be no government retribution for their fraudulent enlistment.” That’s important because it wasn’t until President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1978 that medals and disability benefits could be restored and underage veterans’ “crimes” pardoned. Among the stories VUMS has collected is one that illustrates how significant that pardon is. Calvin L. Graham, who was sworn into the Navy in August 1942, was the youngest person known to enlist in the U.S. military since the Civil War. Serving aboard the USS South Dakota at Guadalcanal in the South Pacific, he suffered severe injuries as shrapnel ripped through his jaw and mouth. Even though the explosion that caused his wounds hurled him down three decks of stairs, he helped pull shipmates to safety. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Navy Unit Commendation medal. Then the ship’s captain got a letter from Calvin’s mother re-
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vealing the boy age. Calvin’s valor counted for nothing. He was thrown in the brig, stripped of his medals and kicked out without any veteran’s disability benefits. (For Calvin’s story about how he was treated by the government over the years, visit oldvums.org.) Each underage vet has a story. Champagne was 16 and living in Kennewick when he mulled over his options. “It crossed my mind that the Marines wouldn’t take me,” he recalls. “The Navy was out since I thought I could crawl farther than I could swim. I was sure the Army Air Force wouldn’t want me, although I did know what an airplane was. So I decided to check out the Army.” Falsified affidavit in hand, Champagne signed up. “They needed warm bodies, also known as gun fodder, so I definitely qualified,” he says. “Next thing I knew, I was in Fort Lewis being fitted out in Army brown and sent to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for boot camp.” Champagne joined up a few months before the war ended. He served during the occupation of Japan before leaving the Army to help care for his family. He reenlisted in the Army for a second time with his brother and was discharged, again to help his ailing mother. Two years later his father, who had served in the Marines in World War I, remarried Joe’s mother and took over her care. He also told Joe that he could never make it as a Marine. The moxie that enabled him to enlist at age 16 kicked into high gear and in no time, Joe Champagne was a U.S. Marine working his way up to the rank of sergeant. The Marines taught him electronics, making him a prime candidate for the Air Force, so his next hitch was in that branch of the service. In all, Champagne was on active duty for 16 years. He has a stack of medals, his truck boasts veteran’s decals for the three branches of the military he served, and every day he flies separate flags of the Army, Marines and Air Force beneath Old Glory. So what does that make him? He answers instantly, “I’m 100 percent Marine all the way.” Like Champagne, kids all over the country made their own plans and served their nation well. Champagne met several of them through VUMS. Among them was Jacklyn H. Lucas, a Marine at 14, who was awarded the Medal of Honor less than a week after he would have been legally eligible for enlistment for his actions on Iwo Jima. He later served as a captain in the Army in Vietnam. Jeremy Michael Boorda enlisted in the Navy in 1956 at the age of 16 and rose from seaman to a highly decorated four-star admiral who become Chief of Naval Operations. He served in Vietnam and Bosnia. Robert Brown joined the Army CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
Senior Focus August/September, 2015
V-J Day – a day of rejoicing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
support their families and to buy war bonds. Because the men were away fighting, women went to work doing “men’s jobs” in factories, where they were known as Rosie the Riveters, building ships, tanks, vehicles, airplanes and arms. They knew their counterparts in Britain were working in factories and building bridges and enduring even more strict rationing. Men, women and children everywhere yearned for the fighting to end. News of Victory in Europe, – V-E Day, May 8 – had been a day of rejoicing, but the South Pacific was not yet secured. Would this war ever be over? And finally, September 2, 1945, it was. Here are some Snohomish County folks who share their V-J Day (Victory in Japan Day) memories: Vern Anderson’s first memory is of the day the war ended, although he had no idea what that meant. He wasn’t quite three years old, but, he says, “I remember very clearly exactly where I was. It was a two-story building with lots of decorations out front. I was at the top of the stairs waiting for somebody named Daddy to come home.” The Andersons lived in Ontario, Canada. Vern’s father had been away in the war, and the little fellow didn’t remember him. Since other children’s fathers were also away in Europe, Vern never thought about having his own dad. But his mommy’s excitement was catching, and when her husband arrived, Vern ran down the stairs and was gathered into his father’s arms. Daddy was home. Jeannette Runnels was 16 living in Minnesota and engaged to
YOUNGEST WARRIORS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20
Air Corps at 16 and was assigned as a medical technician. The youngest survivor of the infamous Bataan Death March, he weighed only 80 pounds when he arrived at a Japanese prison camp in China. Brown learned Japanese so he could be an interpreter and help tend to ill and wounded prisoners. After the war he remained in the Air Corps and quickly rose to the rank of chief master sergeant. Most underage veterans were never caught, but for decades
marry Ralph Martini when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. “Ralph joined up right away and all I knew was that he was in Japan,” she recalls. “I didn’t know where he was or what he was doing.”
The war was over! I remember there was quite a commotion... There was a lot of dancing in the streets. – Jeannette Runnels
At home Jeanette’s family had tried to live as normally as possible. Jeanette had two brothers in the war. One, who was in a tank corps in Europe, had been injured; the other fought all over the Pacific, including at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Jeanette missed her brothers and Ralph, but admits, “When you’re young you didn’t think about those things as much as you should.” She didn’t know how much tension she was carrying until she heard on the radio that it was V-J Day. The war was over! I remember there was quite a commotion,” she says. “There was a lot of dancing in the streets. I knew he would be coming home.” The reality of combat became more real to her when Ralph arrived at Pier 91 in Seattle and told her he had been on the second USS Yorktown in the South Pacific in April 1945 when the ship was hit by a kamikaze. “He didn’t see it, but when it hit, he was thrown into the water,” Jeanette says. “He was picked up and was all right.” Ralph was stationed in Bremerton. He and Jeanette married August 19, 1946. Ernie Arnold and his brother were in a downtown barbershop in Everett when the news broke. dared not tell anyone of their fraudulent enlistments for fear of repercussions. Found out or not, those who have joined VUMS are happy they can now say they are proud to have served the country they still love. “I’ve never regretted my time in the military,” Champagne says. “I wear stuff so people will know I was in the military. I like to keep it in front of them to remind people that we fought for the freedoms they have.” To learn more about Veterans of Underage Military Service call 888-653-8867 or visit oldvums.org.
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“We heard all kinds of noise outside,” Ernie says. “I rushed out onto the street with only half a haircut and everyone was jumping up and down with great big grins on their faces.” Ernie had only been back in the States a few weeks and was stationed at Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle. There was nothing abstract about the war for the aviation engineer who had endured nightly bombings at Guadalcanal, been continually shelled at Bougainville and been in the Okinawa invasion where he saw whole ships taken out by Japanese kamikaze planes filled with explosives. His brother also served, but a childhood hip injury prevented him from going overseas. He was stationed in New Orleans where the urgency of the war permeated the very atmosphere as hundreds of Higgins boats, the small craft urgently needed to land troops during invasions, were being built at record pace. “His reaction to V-J Day was the same as mine,” Ernie reports. “We were beyond happy!” James D. Grisham’s memory of V-J Day is crystal clear. He was a school-age boy living in Chickasha, Oklahoma, where, like the rest of the country, news of the war was on the radio constantly. James heard the news on V-J Day,
21
but it wasn’t real to him until his father burst into the house.
“We’re all going downtown," said James Grisham’s father. ‘’I want you to remember this day the rest of your life.” “My dad came home and said, ‘We’re all going downtown,’” the retired Air Force master sergeant explains. “We got in our 1936 Chevy and I stood behind the driver’s seat and my father told me, ‘I want you to remember this day the rest of your life.’” James can still see that day in his mind. “There was a big parade and I finally understood what that (the end of the war) meant. We walked the streets for a little while. I was in awe of the number of people there and the things going on.” Remembering V-J Day brought another memory from a few months earlier into focus. It was April 12, 1945. “Mom gave me 12 cents and sent me to the store to get a loaf of Wonder bread,” James recalls. “I heard on the radio that President Roosevelt was dead. I ran all the way home and asked mom, ‘What are we gonna do?’” V-J Day would answer his question. “It was fortunate my dad didn’t have to go,” James says, “but seven of my uncles were in the service and they all came back.”
Snohomish Senior Center is keeping seniors active … Offering over 75 programs and services so plan to join the fun … Bingo and social card games Computer classes Creative crafters (knit/crochet) Special events and trips Nutritious lunches
Massage and acupuncture Foot, blood pressure and hearing clinics Alzheimer’s support group about event Exercise and dance classes Ask hall rentals for Plus a whole lot more celebrations,
And... stop by the first Saturday of the month for our Community Breakfast, 8:30-11:30 a.m. and Bingo Bash, 5:30-9 p.m.
parties, meetings, fundraisers, etc.
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22 August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
Organic vs. non-organic: what’s the difference? Meal Times All the Nutrition News You can Use
By Lilly (Ling-Yun) Kuo, MS, RDN Senior Services of Snohomish County
Organic foods and food products are popping up at pretty much every grocery store around the country. While organic foods are not new, they may be new to you. Understanding organic foods does not have to be difficult or confusing. Here are some definitions and terms to help you navigate your next shopping trip.
What are organic foods?
Organic foods are produced without the use of synthetic (manmade) pesticides, fertilizers, irradiation, or food additives. To be considered organic, food growers, harvesters, handlers, and manufacturers must meet certain requirements that are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Organic Program. The USDA requirements for organic products are: Produced without the use of genetic engineering, irradiation, or sewage sludge. Produced according to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. This list is comprised of chemicals and other substances that are allowed or not allowed to be used in organic Lilly Kuo is a dietitian with Senior Services Nutrition Program. For information about Senior Nutrition, call 425-347-1229 or 800-824-2183.
farming and production. Animals used for organic food products must have access to outdoor space, fed with 100 percent organic feed and free of antibiotics or growth hormones. Agents from the National Organic Program oversee these requirements. Once these agents have made sure that requirements are met, a farm or processing plant can then be considered certified, allowing them to sell and label their products as certified organic. According to the USDA there are approximately 30,000 certified organic farms and processing facilities worldwide.
due to health and safety concerns such as:
Organic vs. conventional food
Genetically modified organisms are foods that have been altered with genetic engineering techniques. They are sometimes known as “frankenfoods” or genetically engineered (GE) foods. The purposes of alterations are for insect or disease resistance; and enhancing size, flavor, and color. The technique has been around since 1972. When buying organic foods, you can be certain that you are buying products without the use of GMOs. It is not mandatory to label products when they are genetically engineered, which is a concern for many people who prefer GMO-free items.
There is a lot of debate surrounding whether or not organic foods are better than conventional foods. Supporters of organic foods argue that the food is more nutritious, better tasting, environmentally friendly, and healthier for you than conventional food/food products. Those who support conventional foods argue that they are less expensive, do not spoil as quickly, are more appealing to the eye, and have a faster and more fruitful yield than organic foods. Although there are plenty of claims from both sides, there is not enough substantial evidence between the two to say that one or the other is a better choice. However, there is plenty of ongoing research being done and a number of different factors that may influence an individual’s decision to choose organic products. Some people choose to purchase organic over conventional foods
Environment
Organic farming methods are based around helping the environment. They use little to no chemicals to help reduce pollution, and they preserve soil and water quality by slowing down soil erosion and contamination. Organic farming preserves the diversity of farming. Most conventional farms grow just one crop rather an array of crops. Organic farms grow many different types of crops which, in turn, keeps the soil healthy. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
Pesticides
Pesticides are used in conventional farming to protect crops from insects and disease. These pesticides can leave chemical residues on produce that are then ingested by consumers. In laboraCONTINUED ON PAGE 23
Mon: Sliced tomato salad, vegetable quiche, roasted potato medley, citrus sections. Tues: Grown in Washington. Weds: Southwestern salad w/chicken, romaine, cheese, beans, corn & tomatoes in tortilla bowl w/fiesta dressing, fresh fruit, lemon pudding. Thurs: Coleslaw, fish & chips w/tartar sauce & ketchup, fresh fruit. Fri: Tossed salad, dijon chicken, orzo w/peas, broccoli, fresh fruit.
August 10 – 14 Mon: Tossed salad, macaroni & cheese, green peas, fresh fruit. Tues: Pickled beet salad, french dip, potato wedges, tropical fruit. Weds: Meatloaf w/gravy, baked potato w/sour cream, dilled carrots, fruit. Thurs: Shrimp louie w/romaine, egg, cucumber & tomatoes, roll, fruit crisp. Fri: Chicken salad on croissant, raw veggies w/dip, fresh fruit.
August 17 – 21
Tues: Pea salad, grilled turkey & cheese sandwich, applesauce, cookie. Weds: Tossed salad, baked fish w/dill sauce, roasted potatoes, vegetable, fresh fruit. Thurs: Chef salad w/ham, turkey, cheese, egg, croutons & dressing, muffin, tropical fruit. Fri: Tossed salad, hot roast beef sandwish w/mashed potato & gravy, peas & carrots, fresh fruit.
August 24 – 28 Mon: Vegetable soup, egg salad on wheat bread w/lettuce, pineapple chunks, brownie. Tues: Tossed salad, spaghetti & meatballs, garlic bread, vegetable, sherbet. Weds: Chicken caesar salad, bread stick, apricots, cookie. Thurs: Spinach salad, hot seafood sandwich, potato wedges, fresh fruit. Fri: Sunshine gelatin salad, baked chicken, rice pilaf, green beans, fresh fruit.
August 31
Mon: Tossed salad, manicotti w/three Mon: Tossed salad, pizza w/veggies, cheeses & marinara sauce, vegetable, fresh fruit, oatmeal fruit bar. fresh fruit.
4 servings
2 tablespoons olive oil 16 to 24 asparagus spears, tough end removed, cut into 2-inch pieces 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts 6 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups cooked white beans 1/2 cup coarsely chopped basil leaves 1/2 lemon, juiced Salt and pepper to taste In a large, heavy sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until the surface begins to move. Stir-fry the asparagus and hazelnuts 4 to 6 minutes, or until the asparagus is crisp-tender and jade green. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the white beans, basil, salt and pepper and heat through. Squeeze in the lemon juice and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. If desired, garnish with grated Parmesan and whole, fresh basil leaves. Nutrition Information: Per serving: 225 cal, 11g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 200mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate, 10g fiber, 10g protein
– Recipe courtesy of PCC Natural Market Meet old friends and make new ones. Enjoy a freshly-prepared meal at one of 13 meal sites in Snohomish County. All adults, age 60+, and their spouses (any age) are welcome.
Meal site menu – what you need to know Meal includes 1% milk, roll or bread and margarine. Fresh produce is subject to availability. Substitutions may be made without notice. Suggested meal donation is $3 ($6 for non-eligible person). For information, call Senior Nutrition, 425-347-1229 or 800-824-2183.
SEPTEMBER MENU
AUGUST MENU August 3 - 7
Asparagus with White Beans and Hazelnuts
September 1 - 4
Weds: Southwestern salad w/chicken, romaine, cheese, beans, corn & tomatoes in tortilla bowl w/fiesta dressing, fresh fruit, lemon pudding. Thurs: Coleslaw, fish & chips w/tartar sauce & ketchup, fresh fruit. Fri: Tossed salad, dijon chicken, orzo w/peas, broccoli, fresh fruit.
Tues: Turkey sausage, pancakes, scrambled eggs, broiled tomato half, apple bake. Weds: Taco salad w/beef, cheese & rancho beans on chips w/salsa & sour cream, mandarin oranges, flan. Thurs: Broccoli salad, turkey & cranberry wrap, chips, fresh fruit. September 21 – 25 Fri: Tossed salad, BBQ pork sandMon: Tossed salad, macaroni & wich, sweet potato fries, fresh fruit. cheese, green peas, fresh fruit. Tues: Pickled beet salad, french dip, September 7 - 11 potato wedges, tropical fruit. Mon: Closed for Labor Day. Weds: Meatloaf, baked potato w/sour Tues: Salisbury steak, mashed potato cream, dilled carrots, fresh fruit. w/gravy, zucchini, apricots. Thurs: Shrimp louie w/romaine letWeds: Dilled cucumber salad, tuna tuce, cucumbers, tomatoes & egg, melt, potato salad, fresh fruit. roll, fruit crisp. Thurs: Tossed salad, baked pasta w/ Fri: Chicken salad on croissant, raw meat sauce, broccoli, fruit cocktail. veggies w/dip, fresh fruit. Fri: Grandparents Day. Tossed salad, meatloaf, mashed potato w/gravy, September 28 – 30 green beans, fruit crisp. Mon: Tossed salad, manicotti w/three cheeses & marinara sauce, vegetable, September 14 – 18 fresh fruit. Mon: Sliced tomato salad, vegetable Tues: Pea salad, grilled turkey & quiche, roasted potato medley, citrus cheese sandwich, applesauce, cookie. sections. Weds: Tossed salad, baked fish w/dill Tues: Campfire Meal. sauce, roasted potatoes, vegetable, fresh fruit.
Senior Focus August/September, 2015
Volunteers wanted…
Opportunities exist throughout the County Volunteer Connections By John McAlpine
RSVP Program Recruiter
RSVP exists to help adults 55+ find fulfillment in volunteer work and will match your lifetime of skills and experience to the organization of your choice. Sponsored by Catholic Community Services, RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for persons over 55 and the only agency where the collective contribution of the senior volunteer is recorded. Volunteer opportunities exist
ORGANICS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
tory testing, these chemicals have been linked to health problems such as birth defects, nerve damage, some forms of cancer, and other long-term health effects. Organic farming only uses naturally derived pesticides and can be an alternative to those trying to avoid exposure to chemical pesticides. Food Additives
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isn’t always an option. We match you with a person in your general area, and you help him/her get to and from an appointment. Drive as often or as little as you like. Mileage reimbursement is provided. We especially need drivers in the Monroe and Gold Bar area.
Peer to Peer Counseling –
Lending an ear to fellow seniors who are experiencing tough times in life is a great way to connect with other people. Training and support are provided as you work with clients over an extended period of time on a weekly basis. Some report writing and supplemental trainings are required.
Food Banks –
Food banks all over the county can use your help. There are openings in every food bank we work with. You can help clients, pick up food, work in the back or provide other support. The food banks are located in Stanwood, Arlington, Marysville, Lake Stevens, Everett, Lynnwood, Snohomish and Mountlake Terrace.
Volunteer Transportation –
If you have a few hours a week to spare and a vehicle with working lights, brakes and horn, this is a job for you. Clients need rides to the doctor, dentist and other essential errands. Taking the bus
Food labels and claims
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Tutors/Mentors –
Even though school has just begun, there are opportunities to help children with their reading now. You can be of assistance all over the county. Help out for an hour or two a week or every day. Work during or after school. Call me to find out where.
Tax Preparers –
Before you know it, tax time will be upon us. I’d like to ask you to call and let me know if you can help. Both the United Way and AARP offer a tax preparation service designed to help low income families and individuals. Training is provided. In addition to tax preparers, there are jobs behind the scenes and at sites all around Snohomish County.
Red Barn Community Farm –
own decision on which products to buy. There are a lot of food labels and claims out there, so it is important you understand what they mean. Here are three claims to look for when buying organic. 100 percent organic. Only contains organic ingredients and will be labeled with the USDA Organic seal. Organic. These products must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients and can also be labeled with the USDA Organic seal. Made with Organic Ingredients. Products must contain at least 70 percent certified organic ingredients. They can have a ”made with organic ingredients” claim on the label. Another term commonly used is “natural.” These products must have no artificial ingredients and be minimally processed, but this claim is only regulated if the term is applied to meat or egg products. A natural food claim can be placed on the products label. For more information on organic foods and USDA standards visit these websites: usda.gov, centerforfoodsafety.org, eatright.org or ewg.org.
ic produce to local food banks. If you like being outdoors and in the fresh air, this is for you.
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The harvest season is upon us, If you have questions about RSVP, and the Red Barn Community volunteering or any of the agencies Farm can use help. Work parties you see listed above, contact John are every Saturday starting at McAlpine at 425-374-6374 or send an e-mail to johnm@ccsww.org. 10 a.m. (excluding holiday weekends). There are opportunities for groups to help as well. Located Senior Day at the Evergreen State in the Ad#:0001749807-01 Lowell section of Everett Fair is Monday, August 31. Free gate Date:09/13/11 Day:TUE Size:3X5 Cust:ERICKSON the FURNITURE RBCF provides fresh, organSalesperson:TIM JARBOE Last Edited By:JESPARZA admission for personsPub:HERALD 62+. +
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Organic regulations limit or eliminate the amount of food additives that can be used in processing. Food additives are used to preserve foods and increase shelf life, as well as enhance flavor and appearance of products. While these benefits may seem appealing, research has linked many food additives to an increased risk of cancer, diabetes, and other health concerns. Although there are several factors that influence individuals to purchase organic products there are also some key factors that may deter some consumers. Organic products are typically more expensive than conventionally grown foods, due to more costly and smaller yielding farming practices. Also, organic products are not treated with preservatives and tend to spoil more quickly and may have a slightly different appearance. These are things to keep in mind when making your
all over Snohomish County. No matter where you live, we can probably match you with a job.
23
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24 August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
Missing Downton Abbey? Beware of ‘tech support’ scammers The BookNook Settle in and Enjoy
By Bonnie Gerken Only a few more months until the last season of “Downton Abbey!” To ease your sorrow or to get back into the mood, here are some stories set in England in the early 1900s world of upstairs and downstairs. In 1898, my 13-year-old grandmother went into service as a scullery maid in an English manor house, so when I watch “Downton Abbey,” I’m reminded of her early life. And I always root for the cook, which she became before leaving England. You can find many newly written books about life in English manor houses in the Edwardian era, as well as about the architecture, cookbooks, gardens and other aspects of social history. Checking out books written during that time period is another option. For mystery lovers, try Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy Sayer or Agatha Christie. For humor, you can’t beat P.G. Wodehouse. For family stories, there are multiple books/series by John Galsworthy and E.M. Forster. For thrills and chills, read John Buchan’s The Thirty-Nine Steps or Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. So have a scone and a cup of tea and enjoy stories of a bygone era.
Below Stairs by Margaret Powell
The book that inspired Upstairs Downstairs is the warm and funny memoir of a former kitchen maid who became cook in a great house. Her stories continue in Servant’s Hall which tells of Rose, the maid who elopes with the family’s son and must learn to live “upstairs.”
Netherwood by Jane Sanderson
Eve Williams, wife of a coal miner, has a special talent for pastry. After a tragic accident she uses that talent to support herself and her children. From life in the coal towns to below stairs in the coal mine owner’s country house, Eve finds the strength to survive. First in a series.
Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey
The story of John, 9th Duke of Rutland, born in 1886 and one of the richest men in Britain. What family secrets are hidden in the forbidden rooms in Belvoir Castle, his ancestral home? For those interested in WWI military history, family dynamics, and mysteries. Biography.
Cavendon Hall
by Barbara Taylor Bradford
Romance and drama unfold in this story of two families, one upstairs and one downstairs. As the Earl and his wife prepare their daughters to enter proper society, the Swann family toil downstairs to keep them safe and above scandal. The story continues in The Cavendon Women.
Seattle – The calls are often along the same lines: A “technician” claiming to be from a wellknown company, like Microsoft, tells you your computer is infected with a virus. He throws around some technical jargon, often walking you through some benign activities like opening a web browser or some computer utility. He may ask you to perform a series of tasks that causes you to unknowingly allow the cyber criminal remote access to your computer and the personal data stored on it. You may also be tricked into installing malware (malicious software) that could steal your personal information. Then he claims to have identified the problem and demands payment to fix it with software updates, service contracts, specialized PC cleaning software and other solutions. He offers to accept a credit card payment over the phone, may request payment via Western Union or Money Gram, or direct you to a fraudulent website set up to collect personal and financial information. Scammers have updated ageold scare tactics for modern consumers. And this particular type of scam, which the Federal Trade Commission and Microsoft issued warnings about, is still making the rounds. “These scammers may sound credible at first, but what they really want is access to your computer and, ultimately, your money,” Washington State
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Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. “Never give a caller access to your computer or any financial information before verifying they are legitimate.”
How to avoid the scam
The Attorney General’s Office offers tips on how to avoid this and other scams: Never give control of your computer to someone who calls you out of the blue; Be vigilant in safeguarding personal information; Do not provide Social Security numbers, banking, credit card or other financial information to anyone who calls, no matter who they say they are; Never give out passwords; Protect personal computers with legitimate and updated security software; and Have a reputable computer technician remove any software that may have been added by the scammers; Change passwords; Contact your financial institution; Monitor bank and credit card account activity; and File a consumer complaint with the Attorney General’s Office. For additional internet safety tips, advice and information visit the Attorney General's website at atg.wa.gov and click on the Protecting Seniors tab. AARP has produced a video on the this topic. Visit youtube.com and search for Fraud Watch Network: The Microsoft Tech Scam.
Other scams
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Medicare, Social Security and other government agencies WILL NOT call you on the phone or send you an email asking for personal information (SS number, bank account information, etc.) And neither will financial institutions (banks, credit unions, etc.) and other legitimate businesses. It’s time to just start saying NO and hang up the phone. Or better yet, check your caller ID and don’t answer phone calls from people you do not know. If you receive an email, DO NOT respond. Instead simply delete it. A response lets the scammer know he/she has your correct email address. Relative in Need Scam. And, if you receive a phone call from your “supposed” grandson, granddaughter, or other loved one that he/she has been involved in an accident or has been arrested, or ????, never send money until you have confirmed the call is legitimate. Scammers find older adults to be easy targets when it comes to helping their loved ones. If you have been a victim of a scam and need help, call Senior Services Information and Assistance, 425-5131900 or 800-422-2024.
Senior Focus August/September, 2015
25
RSVP honors volunteers The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) sponsored by Catholic Community Services recently celebrated and thanked 175 volunteers from Snohomish County with a breakfast and program at its 43rd Annual Volunteer Recognition event. Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring and Snohomish County Parks Director Tom Teigen thanked the volunteers for their many hours of service and talked about the value of volunteering to our communities. RSVP Advisory Council member Dean Rappleye “Deano” played the guitar and sang songs the volunteers know and love. Program Director, Paulette Jacobson presented the President’s “Call to Service” Lifetime Service Award to 14 RSVP volunteers. This award is reserved for volunteers with over 4,000 hours of documented service. The Service Award is presented by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in recognition and appreciation of commitment to strengthening our nation and for making a difference through volunteer service. The award also includes a “Call to Service” pin and a letter from President Obama thanking the volunteers for their service.
Fourteen volunteers received the President‘s ”Call to Service” award at the annual RSVP recognition event. They are (front row, left to right) Bob Bayman, Jean Nielsen, Jan Link, Cherie Estok and Daryl Moses; (middle row) Pat Westfall, Claudette Martinez, Ella Krull and Jiggs Franchi; (back row) Paul Jaenicke, Toki Tonooka, Sharon Cordisco, Bonnie Drake, Linda McCullough and RSVP Director Paulette Jacobson.
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26 August/September, 2015 Senior Focus
Create foreign language characters Ask Mr. Modem Helpful Advice for Computer Users
By Richard Sherman
Q
My keyboard has several diacritic marks, including the tilde and circumflex accent. How does one place such a mark over a letter?
Diacritic marks? Circumflex accents? Pulleeeze! Around here we refer to those as doohickies and squiggly things, so kindly refrain from using such high-falootin’ technical jargon in the future. I do have a reputation to protect, you know. Turning to the squiggly thing that is also known as a tilde. On the keyboard it’s a single character. But since you cannot press two keys at the same time – and Lord knows I’ve tried – you cannot force the keyboard tilde to appear above another letter by brute strength. ALT Codes are required to cre-
ate special characters such as ¿ © « ¤. ALT Codes are deployed by using the ALT key in concert with the numeric keypad located on the right side of most keyboards – not the numbers at the top of your keyboard. Make sure the NUM LOCK is toggled on in order to use ALT Codes. To view a list of most ALT Codes and the special characters they create, take a look at Washington State University’s list of Doohickies and Squiggly Things at http://tinyurl.com/9ylga.
Q
How can I convert a bookmark into a Desktop icon for faster access? Thanks, Mr. M.
The easiest thing to do is go to the website that you want to create a shortcut to, then drag it to the Windows Desktop. To do this, place your cursor on the little icon to the left of its address as it appears in your browser and drag that to the Desktop. It will instantly create a shortcut to the site. Press F2 to rename the shortcut, if you wish. Depending on the browser you’re using, you might
be able to drag it from the list of bookmarks itself. Then again, you might not. As an alternative, if you don’t mind a little work, you can roll up your sleeves and create it manually: First, note the address of the web page so you have that at hand or in mind, whichever is the most reliable. Let’s use Google as an example. Visit google.com. Right-click anywhere on the Desktop and select New > Shortcut. In the Location field type Google’s address, then click Next and give the shortcut a name – something clever like “Google” will work – then click Finish. That’s all there is to it.
Q
The sound system in my new car will allow me to plug in a USB drive and play songs. I have quite a few, so how large of a drive should I buy to copy my songs to?
Assuming your songs are in MP3 format and each song is approximately three minutes in length, every 2GB can accommo-
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Lynnwood Lynn Crest
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Hawkins House 425.377.2080
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date approximately 500 songs. So a 4GB drive can hold 1,000 songs, a 32GB drive 8,000 songs and a 64GB drive a whopping 16,000 songs. Converting all those tunes into listening time breaks down as follows: 500 songs, without allowing for time between songs, will play for 25 hours; 1,000 songs will play for 50 hours (more than two days of 24/7 tunes); 8,000 songs, 5.5 days; 16,000 songs, more than 11 24-hour days. Yikes!
Mr. M’s DME (Don’t Miss ’Em) Sites of the Month Episode Guides Here you will find lists and links containing episode titles and air dates for more than 6,900 TV shows. Type in the name of a show, old or new, use the “Current Shows” link or the alphabetical listing. Also included are links to TV-related retailers, schedules and UK-based radio shows. epguides.com The Body Explained Hosted by Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, this portion of the “Bio Ed” site uses original video clips to answer common questions about the functioning of the human body. Browse the site’s list of delightfully lighthearted yet informative video explanations. Make your selections, then sit back, watch and discover the answers to such life-altering questions as, “What causes an ice cream headache?” and “Why do our ears pop?” http://tinyurl.com/o57gltg Where’s George? This entertaining and quasiinformative site can track where a U.S. dollar goes – not in a budgeting sense, but geographically. Enter the serial number of a bill and include a comment explaining where you obtained it, what condition the bill is in, or if you made any special markings on the bill (which you’re not supposed to do). As other people check their serial numbers, if someone receives one of your bills, they will presumably note the same information so you can track the meanderings of your dollars. Registration (first name and email address) is required to check the whereabouts of any bill(s) you enter. wheresgeorge.com The same service is available for tracking Canadian currency. Visit whereswilly.com To subscribe to Mr. Modem’s awardwinning weekly computer-help newsletter and receive personal responses to your questions, visit MrModem.com
– Senior Wire©
Aging and Disability Resources Answers Questions – Explores Options 425.513.1900 or 800.422.2024 www.sssc.org
a nonprofit organization
Senior Focus August/September, 2015
Five cats? One love story at a time Pet Tails … The ‘Paws-itive’ Approach
By Laura Boro Question: How does one person end up with five cats? Answer: One love story at a time. People who know I’m a dog trainer are surprised when I tell them I only have one dog. “I get to train hundreds of dogs each year,” I explain, “so one dog at home is enough.” “But I do have five cats at home,” I say in the next breath, and then I watch their jaw drop and their eyes bulge. “FIVE CATS!?” they gasp in disbelief. You have FIVE CATS?” How does anyone end up with FIVE CATS??!!! It’s a fair question. I can tell you that it didn’t happen all at once. For me, it started as it always starts – with one lonely cat, sitting by itself in a wire cage, unwanted and unloved. I stared into her little eyes one day, heard her hopeful purr, and felt her loneliness. Yep, that’s the cat for me. Sadly, after adopting and falling in love with her, I soon learned she had feline leukemia. Her illness required weeks of expensive medication and constant care, but that was a burden I totally embraced. I loved that troubled little kitty to the very end of her life. Heartbroken at her passing, I set out to ease my pain. While working at an animal rescue center, I fell in love with a fluffy gray kitten who had just had kittens herself and lost an eye protecting them. I named this one-eyed little hero “Una” and, of course, she went home with me. That was the start of a a wonderful adventure that would eventually turn my quiet, normal home into a bustling “kitty city.” Meet Sparky and Momma Soon after that I ran across Sparky, a gorgeous purebred Ragdoll. A former show champion and stud cat, Sparky was one of the most beautiful animals I had ever seen – but he was 16 years old. No one wants to adopt a 16-year-old cat, right? So, of course, I quickly signed the adoption papers and took the proud old champion home to meet Una. Time passed. One day I heard some crying in the bushes by my house and discovered a very hungry (and pregnant) calico kitty. I vowed that I would only provide a little food for her each day. But Momma (as I named her)
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Monday, August 31. Free admission for seniors 62+.
soon captured my heart. After her kittens had been placed and Momma kitty had been spayed, she officially joined “The Laura Boro Home for Wayward Cats.” Now I was up to three cats – but three doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
Then came Minka and Scooter
A year or so later, while training dogs with another rescue facility, I watched as lots of kittens got adopted to loving homes. There were two comical little cats, however, that just kept getting passed over, and they finally wore me down. Minka and Scooter joined my home. Sparky, my old champion, seemed to enjoy all the activity, but he finally died at the ripe old age of 25. This left me with four quirky but wonderful, cats. Still, the question remained: How many cats are “too many?” Is four enough? Is five too many? I actually had a dream once in which someone kept saying, “Five is not too many.” I was sure that person was talking about cats.
It’s amazing how all these lost, broken and abandoned cats get along so well with each other. I am able to keep my house (and theirs) clean and odor-free. People seldom realize that there are five cats in the house, and I seldom bring up the topic. Should you have more than one cat? Is three or four too many? How about five? All I can tell you is that I dearly love each of them,
and every day they return that love to me many times over. By the way, I’m pretty sure now that the person in my dream who kept saying “Five is not too many” was probably talking about cookies rather than cats. Laura Boro is a Certified Humane Educator and Dog Behavior Specialist with 15+ years experience. Visit gooddogwalkin.com to learn more.
Aging and Disability Resources Answers Questions – Explores Options
425.513.1900
Big Stars, Bright Nights at Aegis of Shoreline
Grab your family/friends and join us (4:30-6 p.m) for Summer nights of LIVE entertainment, delectable food and beverages. June 5 Fidgety Feet Band (Jazz/Big Band) June 12 Ian Dobson/Steel Drums (Caribbean) June 19 Burley Mountain (Country Rock) June 26 Los Flacos (Latin American) July 3 Brian Lee and the Orbiters (Blues) July 10 Bradford Loomis (Soul) July 17 Market Street Dixieland Jazz Band July 24 Jazzbestos (Jazz) July 31 Dynamite Limbo (’50s-’80s rockish) August 7 Uptown Lowdown Jazz (Dixieland/Swing) August 14 Elias and Dancers (Hawaiian) August 21 Jazz Hands (Standard/Gypsy Jazz) August 28 Swingnuts (Classical Jazz/Swing)
And now Not My Kitty
Not long after, a very young cat (maybe 5 months old) started showing up around my house. She was skinny, scared, skittish and alone. Someone had to reach out to her. Not me, of course, because I already had four cats. But maybe it wouldn’t hurt to just put a little food out for her now and then. At first, she wouldn’t eat the food if I was nearby. Finally, I made a deal with her: I would only let her eat the food if she would let me pet her. When people saw her outside, they would always ask about the new cat, to which I would quickly respond, “Oh, that’s not my kitty.” They would breathe a sigh of relief, often followed with an underthe-breath, “thank goodness.” Well, needless to say, she eventually became my latest addition, and I officially named kitty number five, “Not My Kitty.”
Please RSVP to (206) 367-6700
14900 First Ave. N.E., Shoreline WA 98155 (206) 367 6700
Need Help?
At Heritage Court, we care for those with Alzheimer’s and Memory Loss Our community provides a secure, warm and comfortable environment, allowing our residents and their families to have peace of mind. Our experienced and loving staff works hard to promote dignity, independence and choice. Licensed staff and certified aides are on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With wonderful food, great activities, excellent coordination between doctors, families and caregivers, Heritage Court is dedicated to providing the best care possible for the residents we serve. Please call.
425-259-7200 or 1-888-259-7200 4230 Colby Avenue, Everett, WA 98203 E-mail: office@heritagecourt.org; visit us at www.heritagecourt.org
27
28 August/September, 2015  Senior Focus
Welcome to Senior Living Done Right
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Studios, 1 & 2 bedroom homes available. Rents starting at $795* The Reserve at Everett combines affordability and exceptional amenities to deliver you a home that is comfortable and convenient. We have delightful studio and one or two bedroom homes to suit all your living needs.
Located on Evergreen Way, The Reserve is truly in the middle of everything. Shopping, dining and transportation are within steps of your home, while professional and accommodating on-site staff are here to assist you with anything you may need.
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425.353.3479
www.reserveateverett.com No. of Occupants
1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5 Person
Income Limit ($)
37,680 43,020 48,420 53,760 58,080
*Rent subject to change Must make no more than income limit. Age restriction is 55+
8920 Evergreen Way Everett WA 98208