February 2012

14 WAYS TO KEEP LOVE ALIVE | HORSES ‘N HEROES | FREE TAX PREPARATION

Winter Fine Art Fair p.30 p p. .30 30

Mandy M andy M Macias acias and other a nd o ther talented talented artists on a rtists o n eexhibit xhibit

FEBRUARY 2012

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INSIDE

SIX FEET UNDER

REHAB FOR REAL LIFE

Ocal Ocal ala Ac Acti tivi vist st F Fig ight htss forr Bu fo Burr rrow ow win ing g Ow Owls ls

N w Fa Ne Faci ciilility ty Off ffer es er H me Ho me-l -lik ik ke En nvi viro viro ronm nm n me en n ntt

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UF Geriatricians Make a Difference!

Henrique Kallas, M.D.

Bhanuprasad Sandesara, M.D.

Deborah HiattJensesn, A.R.N.P.

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University of Florida Senior Care Medical staff includes UF Institute on Aging-affiliated physicians who are boardcertified in internal medicine or family practice with advanced training in geriatrics.

Our services for older adults include: ä Total care for adults 65 and older ä Preventive care ä Consults and care plans for complicated conditions ä Care for memory and sleep disorders, incontinence and falls ä Care for acute and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis and hypertension

University of Florida Senior Care at Shands Medical Plaza 2000 SW Archer Road, Suite 4144 (Fourth Floor) Gainesville, FL 32608 (352) 265-0615

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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2012 • VOL. 13 ISSUE 02

ON THE COVER – Mandy Macias, 69, is just one of the many artists to be presenting their work this month at the Fifth Annual Winter Fine Art Fair at Tioga.

Born in Cuba, she came to the United States in 1960 and began painting 18 years ago, after raising four children. About 40 percent of the artists are age 50 or better.

PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY for LOTUS STUDIOS

departments 8 13 36

Tapas Senior Center Calendar of Events

44 49 50

Theatre Listings Crossword Puzzle Reading Corner

columns 18

Enjoying Act Three

by Ellis Amburn

features 14

25

Reader submitted writing

Six Feet Under An Ocala Activist Fights to Protect the Burrowing Owl

29

BY JENNIFER RIEK

20

Gift Horse

33

New Facility Offers Home-like Environment

Embracing Life

by Donna Bonnell

BY BONNIE KRETCHIK

Rehab for Real Life

Healthy Edge

by Kendra Siler-Marsiglio

Providing Girls the Experience of Riding

26

Community Voice

43

Perspectives on Aging

by Carlos Muniz

BY JANICE C. KAPLAN

30

Winter Art Fair Paintings, Food, Live Music and Fun

BY ELLIS AMBURN

34

Enrich Your Life by Living Gratefully Special Guest Column

BY RABBI RAMI SHAPIRO

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February 2012

WINNER! Congratulations to the winner from our JANUARY 2012 issue…

Mary Slade from Gainesville, Florida

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You’ve waited long enough With a home equity line of credit from SunState, there’s no better time to go on a dream vacation.

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February 2012

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FROM THE EDITOR œ ALBERT ISAAC

Happy February, loyal readers.

Ah, the month of my birth. Another year older. Seems like just yesterday I was graduating from high school. Now I’m a grandpa.

These birthdays are coming up faster and faster. But it’s still better than the alternative, so I welcome them with open arms. And I plan big parties for myself (much to my wife’s chagrin).

I just saw a TV special on the ubiquitous actress Betty White, honoring her on her 90th birthday.

Wow. How does one achieve such an accomplishment? She’s 90 years old and still working harder than most people I know — except perhaps my mom, who is 80 years old and has only now decided to retire. Mom deserves to slow down a

bit. But one thing I hear again and again from Seniors is the importance of hard work; of keeping busy. So, I’m having Mom clean my house for my birthday party. I’m KIDDING! But I do encourage her to stop in at the new Senior Recreation Center. She’ll find plenty of things there to keep her occupied.

Betty White said she can now proudly talk about her age but wasn’t sure when she had actually reached the tipping point; that point in time when you don’t want to tell people how old you are.

I work with a lot of young people.

Very young people. In fact, I’ve reached the point when I’m now older than some of the parents of these young people.

Wow. That happened fast too. But I enjoy the enthusiasm of the young, and the wisdom of my elders. I have much to learn from both.

When I was in college, I thought I knew everything. The older I get, the more I realize there is a lot more for me to learn, which makes my job all the more interesting. For instance, in this edition of Senior Times I learned about the burrowing owl. I don’t know how I’ve gotten this far in life without having heard about these owls until now. These fascinating fowl burrow under the ground like rabbits.

You can read about this and a variety of other interesting stories, ranging from art in Jonesville to horses in Ocala.

Enjoy! s

CALENDAR SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS If you would like us to publicize an event in Alachua or Marion counties, send information by the 13th day of the month prior to your event. All submissions will be reviewed and every effort will be made to run qualified submissions if page space is available.

Fax: 1-800-967-7382 Email: editor@seniortimesmagazine.com

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February 2012

Published monthly by Tower Publications, Inc.

www.seniortimesmagazine.com PUBLISHER

Charlie Delatorre charlie@towerpublications.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Albert Isaac editor@towerpublications.com Fax: 1-800-967-7382 ART DIRECTOR

Hank McAfee hank@towerpublications.com GRAPHIC DESIGN

Neil McKinney tom@towerpublications.com INTERN

Jenniefer Riek ADVERTISING SALES

Larkin Kieffer larkin@towerpublications.com ADVERTISING For more advertising information including rates, coverage area, distribution and more – call: 352-416-0212 or visit our website at: www.seniortimesmagazine.com ADVERTISING OFFICE

4400 NW 36th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32606 352-372-5468 352-373-9178 fax SUBSCRIPTION MAILING Please call 352-372-5468 to add, delete or change your address on our mailing list.

The articles printed in Senior Times Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Tower Publications, Inc. or their editorial staff. Senior Times Magazine endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we can not be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Senior Times Magazine reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. If you would like to discontinue receiving Senior Times Magazine please call 352-372-5468 for assistance. © 2012 Tower Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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STAFF œ CONTRIBUTORS

Miss the Grandkids?

clockwise from top left ELLIS AMBURN is a resident of High Springs as well as the author of biographies of Roy Orbison, Elizabeth Taylor and others. He is also a guest-lecturer at UF. ellis.amburn@gmail.com JANICE KAPLAN has been a freelance writer since 2005. In her spare time Janice loves cooking, Gator sports, Jimmy Buffett anything and spending time with her husband and kids. kaplan_janice@yahoo.com

“Flying from GNV is all commercial, jet service without the hassles of larger airport hubs.”

Choose from American Eagle, Delta or U.S. Airways with one-stop connections world-wide.

BONNIE KRETCHIK grew up in Pennsylvania, but has spent her winters in Florida for the past 10 years. Aside from writing, Bonnie has been riding horses since the age of six. She enjoys running long distance and training for triathlons. bonniek83@hotmail.com JENNIFER RIEK is a freelance writer and a student at UF’s College of Journalism. She was born and raised in Seattle, and delights in all things classy or humorous. Needless to say, she would die in the wild. screaminnocence@gmail.com

Close, Convenient and Competively Priced!

www.FlyGainesville.com February 2012

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TAPAS œ FEBRUARY

TAKE THE LEAP! WILL YOU

Marry Me?

February 29, 2012 marks the 60th day of a leap year in the Gregorian calendar.

It occurs every four years in years evenly divisible by four except for centenary years not divisible by 400.

A tradition was introduced many centuries ago to allow women to propose to men during a leap year, and a leap day was sometimes known as “Bachelors’ Day.” This privilege was restricted to leap day in some areas.

A MAN WAS EXPECTED TO PAY A PENALTY, SUCH AS A GOWN OR MONEY, IF HE REFUSED A MARRIAGE OFFER FROM A WOMAN. The tradition’s origin may stem from an old Irish tale referring to St. Bridget striking a deal with St. Patrick to allow women to propose to men every four years. This old custom probably balanced the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how the leap day balances the calendar.

It was also considered to be unlucky for someone to be born on a leap day in Scotland and for couples to marry during a leap year, including on a leap day, in Greece.

– WWW.TIMEANDDATE.COM

LOOSE LIPS… NSA banned the Furby toy from m their headquarters in 1999 In 1999, the National Security Agency officially banned Furbies in its headquarters due to concerns that it might repeat sensitive information.

Contrary to popular belief, it is a misconception that Furbies es repeated words that were said around them. In the Furbies’ three years of original production between 1998 and 2000, more than 40 million units were sold.

Furbies were the “must-have” toy in the holiday season off 1998, with continual sales until 2000. Its speaking capabilities es were translated into 24 languages.

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February 2012

40+ Million TOYS SOLD

My Goodness!

My Guiness!

According to the Guinness Book of World Records’ website, the only verified example of multiple leap day births in one family is the Keogh Family. Three consecutive generations have been born on Feb. 29: Peter Anthony, Ireland, 1940; his son, Peter Eric, UK, 1964; and his grand-daughter, Bethany Wealth, UK, 1996.

$

2.27

BILLION According the U.S. Census Bureau, merchandise jewelry stores sold well over two billion dollars during February of 2011.

Petal Power There are more than 17,000 florists nationwide that employ over 75,000 people.

Perfect Place Looking for a romanticsounding place to intensify Valentine’s Day plans? Try… • Rose City, Texas • Loveland, Okla.

• Romeo, Mich.

• Love Valley, N.C. or • Valentine, Nev.

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ADVE RTI S E M E NT

GASTROENTEROLOGY FEBRUARY

Washington’s Ferris Wheel Built to rival France’s Eiffel Tower, the first Ferris wheel was built for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. George Washington Ferris, a bridge builder and civil engineer who specialized in constructing steel frameworks for bridges and tunnels, conceived the design for a Ferris wheel after hearing the architect in charge of selecting the World’s Fair’s feature project complain about having found nothing worthy.

During dinner, Ferris was inspired and scribbled the design onto a dinner napkin for what would become known as a Ferris wheel.

According to about.com, “It was considered an engineering wonder: two 140-foot steel towers supported the wheel; they were connected by a 45-foot axle and the largest, single piece of forged steel ever made up until that time. The wheel section had a diameter of 250 feet and a circumference of 825 feet. Two 1000-horsepower reversible engines powered the ride. Thirty-six wooden cars held up to sixty riders each.

The ride cost fifty cents and made $726,805.50 during the World’s Fair.”

In 1906, the original Ferris wheel was destroyed.

Each month, our practice receives hundreds of questions about colonoscopies and what to expect. We would like to help the community by featuring a question and answer column each month based on our experience and the usual questions that arise.

Dear Dr. Reddy, My husband was diagnosed with Gastroparesis, and his doctor thinks it is linked to diabetes. How can we mange this disease and the diabetes?

— Gretchen*, Gainesville Dear Grace, The cause of gastroparesis is unknown, but it may be caused by a disruption of nerve signals to the stomach. The condition is a common complication of diabetes and can be a complication of some surgeries. Your husband should have an Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to confirm whether he has Gastroparesis.

His primary physician probably has record of these symptoms in your husband’s history: • Abdominal distention • Hypoglycemia • Nausea • Premature abdominal fullness after meals • Weight loss without trying • Vomiting People with diabetes should always control their blood sugar levels. Better control of blood sugar levels may improve symptoms of gastroparesis.

Changing your eating habits can help control gastroparesis: Your doctor or dietitian may prescribe six small meals a day instead of three large ones. If less food enters the stomach each time you eat, it may not become overly full. In more severe cases, a liquid or pureed diet may be prescribed.

The doctor may recommend that you avoid

high-fat and high-fiber foods. Fat naturally slows digestion—a problem you do not need if you have gastroparesis—and fiber is difficult to digest.

Some high-fiber foods like oranges and broccoli contain material that cannot be digested. Avoid these foods because the indigestible part will remain in the stomach too long and possibly form bezoars.

The primary treatment goals for gastroparesis related to diabetes are to improve stomach emptying and regain control of blood glucose levels. Treatment includes dietary changes, insulin, oral medications, and, in severe cases, a feeding tube and parenteral nutrition.

If you have gastroparesis & diabetes, food is being absorbed more slowly and at unpredictable times. Therefore to control blood glucose, you may need to: take insulin more often or change the type of insulin you take; take your insulin after you eat instead of before; check your blood glucose levels frequently after you eat and administer insulin whenever necessary; But please: consult with your primary physician before making any changes. *The name has been changed, and any similarity to any person, living or dead, is a coincidence.

Dr. Vishnu Reddy 7 Hill Gastroenterology, PA 316 SE 12th St, Ocala

352.401.1919 9

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Smokey Robinson FEBRUARY 19, 1940

72 Years Old

William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr. was born and raised aised in the North End neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. As an original nal member of Motown Records’ first vocal group, The Miracles, and ass a solo artist, Robinson delivered many U.S. and U.K. Top 40 hits for Motown otown between 1960 and 1987. He also served as the company’s vice president esident from 1961 to 1988.

According to Entertainment Weekly, “when he e was 6 or 7, his Uncle Claude christened him “Smokey Joe,” which the e young William, a Western-movie enthusiast, at first assumed to be e “his cowboy name for me.” Some time later, he learned the deeper signifi nificance of his nickname: It derived from smokey, a pejorative term for dark-skinned blacks. “I’m doing this,” his uncle told the light-skinned boy, “so you won’t ever forget that you’re black.” – WIKIPEDIA.ORG A FEW OTHER NOTABLE

February Birthdays Sherman Hemsley February 1, 1938

Tom Brokaw February 6, 1940

(72)

(74)

Yoko ko Ono

(79) February ruary 18, 1933

Fats ts Domino

(84) February ruary 26, 26 1928

“As a man, I’ve been representative of the values I hold dear. And the values I hold dear are carryovers from the lives of my parents.”

— SIDNEY POITIER Sidney Sidn dney ey was as b born orrn iin Miami on February, 20, 1927 to Bahamian farmers. His birth was premature was not expected to survive, but his parents remained in Miami for prematture pr e and he ew three him to health even though they earned a living by travelling t re th r e months m nths mo hs tto o nurse n to sell tomatoes and other produce from their farm on Cat Island. At the age of 15 he tomato to toes an was Bahamas to live with his brother in Miami. At 17, he moved to New wa sent se ffrom rom the eB York held a string of menial jobs before joining the United States Army.

York City and h

Best Actor

His was the first black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Le Leading Role (for “Lilies of the Field” in 1963). Poitier was criticized for fo or being typecast as over-idealized black characters who were not permitted to have any sexuality or personality faults, such as his character in “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.” While aware of this ch pattern himself, he was conflicted on the matter: he wanted more p vvaried roles, but also felt obliged to set a good example with his characters to defy racial stereotypes. – WIKIPEDIA.ORG

1963

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February Feb ebrua e ua aryy 201 20 2012 2

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February 2012

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CHUGGA

Chugga

Train Kept a Rollin’ ON FEBRUARY 14, 1861, THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE INCORPORATED THE ALACHUA COUNTY RAILROAD COMPANY AND AUTHORIZED IT TO RAISE $200,000 IN CAPITAL TO CONSTRUCT A RAILROAD FROM WALDO TO NEWNANSVILLE.

WAIT A MINUTE MAN… The Gainesville Minute Men were incorporated into the First Florida Regiment soon after Florida seceded from the Union. During the Civil War Gainesville served as a depot for food requisitioned by the Confederate government from the surrounding area. A small post on the east side of Gainesville called Fort Lee was an induction point for men entering the Confederate States Army.

Fighting on a small scale reached Gainesville on February 15, 1864 — a small Union raiding party occupied Gainesville. Elements of the Second Florida Cavalry attempted to drive the union force from the town, but were defeated in a street battle. The raiding party was associated with a larger invasion of Florida that was defeated at the Battle of Olustee five days later.

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FEBRUARY 17

1965 The Yardbirds released their 2nd album, “Having a Rave Up” – which included their hit rendition of “Train Kept a Rollin’.”

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COMMUNITY œ SENIOR RECREATION CENTER

SENIOR RECREATION CENTER CLASS

Free Tax Prep T

he Senior Recreation Center continues to grow, offering a wide variety of classes and services to the Senior population of Alachua County.

From February to April, the Center and AARP will provide free, quality tax assistance by a certified tax specialist to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, with special attention to Seniors age 60 and over. This service will be held in the Dharma Endowment Foundation Education Room and is scheduled for Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.

The AARP free tax help and preparation service, run by volunteers, answers most of the tax issues faced by low and moderate-income taxpayers and older Americans.

Because of the complexity of the U.S. Tax Code, older and low-income taxpayers may overpay their taxes or have to rely on expensive and, for many, unaffordable professional tax preparation services. They may also have especially difficult tax situations:

• An estimated 25 percent of eligible low-income workers fail to file for an Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs), either because they do not know they exist or that they qualify for the credit.

• Retirees whose previous experience with tax returns was limited to the short 1040EZ often face new provisions and complex forms to determine the taxable portion of their retirement income, different standard deduction amounts, permissible health care deductions and, if they sell their house, treatment of capital gains.

• Among many older people, the spouse who had always prepared the taxes dies or becomes incapacitated, leaving the other both grief- and knowledgestricken.

Living the Gospel in Downtown Gainesville!

The Rev. Louanne Loch, Rector Dr. John T. Lowe, Dir. of Music

Sunday Services 8:00am 10:30am 6:00pm

Wednesday Service 12:15pm

100 NE 1st Street Downtown Gainesville (352) 372-4721 www.HolyTrinityGNV.org

For questions, contact Nancy Buergelt at 352-378-2524. The Alachua County Senior Recreation Center is located at 5701 NW 34th Street in Gainesville. For more infor-

The Episcopal Church welcomes you ...and we do mean YOU!

mation, call 352-265-9040.

February 2012

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HOO’S THERE?

Six Feet Under An Ocala Activist Fights to Protect the Burrowing Owl

by Jennifer Riek

A

t 5 a.m. every morning, Betty Gilbert donned her camouflage outfit. Creeping through the grass by the pale light of dawn, she crouched behind a trashcan or a tall patch of weeds and settled into the shadows.

The cold weight of the camera rested on her palms as the baby owls tottered into the morning. They climbed from the dirt like tan dandelion puffs, wobbling on

quiet little town of Cape Coral, Fla. Soon after the move, Gilbert’s husband suffered a major heart attack that left him bedridden and in need of full-time care. As she went about her daily routine, Gilbert began to take notice of pint-sized, nineinch high owls that popped up from holes in the earth to scurry around. She started to research and study them. She learned that they were called burrowing owls, and

One of Florida’s smallest owls, burrowing owls average about nine inches in height with a wingspan of twenty-one inches unsteady legs. Raising the viewfinder to her eye, Gilbert snapped shot after shot to add to her collection of thousands. For a few hours she watched them flap their near non-existent wings and cock their heads playfully to the side. Then she crept back, sticking to the shadows, careful not to disturb the family of tiny owls.

Gilbert first discovered the feathered loves of her life in the summer of 1989.

She and her husband, Harry, had recently moved from Ocean City, Maryland to the

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February 2012

that they were the only birds in the world to make their homes underground. She learned they dug eight-foot long warrens, like rabbits, and that the parents piled trash in front to discourage predators from investigating. She learned that trash was enough to deter cats, dogs and monitor lizards, but was no match against the threat of construction workers. Gilbert was horrified to discover that burrowing owls were being killed in housing developments, their homes ripped up by the

mouths of machines used to level the land for new buildings. For the innocent babies she watched every morning, Gilbert decided to take action.

Gilbert began investigating every new construction site in the city of Cape Coral.

If a burrow was found on a developing property, a 10-ft. area was to be staked off to guarantee that no activity would occur on top of the birds. In the early 1990s, an act transformed Gilbert’s efforts from citizen activism to civil law. The act, in addition to stating that no active burrow was to be disturbed, allowed that if a property owner wished the birds to be relocated, the Fish and Wildlife Commission could begin another burrow nearby.

The birds would then migrate naturally.

The law was a major step forward in Gilbert’s crusade to ensure that never again would a story be told like that of Jack and Jill, the most famous burrowing owls in Cape Coral and the parents of nearly every burrowing owl in town. Jack and Jill were suffocated when a builder filled a seemingly empty den with concrete.

Gilbert’s efforts in the area have been so successful that February 25 is now the seniortimesmagazine.com

PHOTO BY GLENN PRICE The burrow or nest of the burrowing owl is typically six to nine feet in length and descends three to five feet before ending with a large “domed” chamber. The nest is typically lined with dried manure, possibly to absorb water to reduce flooding within the nest, but may also serve to hide the scent of the owl.

February 2012

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Protecting Burrowing Owls...

How Did We Fail?

February 16th, 7:00 p.m.

Pioneer Garden Club, Appleton Cultural Center Complex 4331 E. Silver Springs Blvd (SR 40) in Ocala

PHOTO BY GLENN PRICE The burrowing owl spends most of its time on the ground, where its sandy brown plumage provides camouflage from potential predators. Burrowing owls use burrows year-round; for roosting during the winter and for raising young during the breeding season (Feb - July).

annual Cape Coral Burrowing Owl Festival. A $500 fine is also in place to penalize anyone who disturbs a colony of burrows.

The battle moved to Ocala with Gilbert in 2004, where she has teamed up with other lovers of the owls. Last year, the Marion Audubon Society adopted the burrowing owls as the ‘species of society’ for Marion County, a title that means the owls have become the group’s primary focus. The members are working to discover the habitats of the birds and to learn about them, as well as to devise a plan for the protection of the owls in the county.

“These little creatures are being impacted [by construction],” said Judy Greenberg, president of the Audubon Society. “We need to know how to respond.

There’s nothing in Marion County’s building codes to deal with them.”

In the last year, the Society has teamed up with the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs in the hopes of bringing together all local native plant associations, Audubon societies and garden clubs.

“The government is taking away funding,” Greenberg said, “so we need

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February 2012

to step up and start doing some of the scientific work ourselves.”

The first step in their plan is to spread the awareness about the owls; startlingly few people are even aware of their existence. Between the Audubon Society and the Pioneer Garden Club, a two-part lecture series led by Gilbert and the Fish and Wildlife Commission has been planned.

On January 3, Gilbert addressed a crowd of 150 attendees and described the birds she has fought to protect for 23 years.

“They were hanging onto my voice, to every word I said,” Gilbert said. “People are so interested.”

Peggy Jones of the Pioneer Garden Club whole-heartedly agreed.

“I could have listened to her talk for hours,” she said, eagerly recounting a story Gilbert had told. Burrowing owls, Jones explained, are not afraid of people but do not want anyone staring at them.

As the story went, Gilbert once covered her car in newspapers, leaving only a twoinch gap through which to photograph the owls. Jones laughed as she quoted Gilbert, “The mother owl flew up to the car and looked in, as if to say, ‘I know you’re in there.’”

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a second meeting on February 16 in Ocala. One of the main goals of the gathering is to discuss the relocation of threatened owls on land in Southwest Ocala. Greenberg said she is looking forward to partnering with the Commission in the future to trap and transfer the owls to a more protected location. Although no exact count was taken. Gilbert is sure that there are less now, to the blame of people, animals and lack of available space in which to safely build a home. Burrowing owls prefer flat, grassy areas and sandy soils for their dens.

Developments are driving their numbers out of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa across the sea to Cuba.

Gilbert’s devotion to her cause has gone so far as to involve the very top of influential support. For Christmas 2010, Sasha and Malia Obama each received a copy of Gilbert’s book, “Buffy the Burrowing Owl” and a DVD about the birds. Gilbert in turn found in her mailbox a hand-written note from Barack and Michelle.

“They told me to ‘keep up the good work,’” Gilbert said, “and that’s exactly what I’m doing.” s seniortimesmagazine.com

You deserve it With a home equity line of credit from SunState, there’s no better time to build your dream kitchen.

Log on, call or visit us today to talk to a credit expert.

Serving residents in the Greater Gainesville area for more than 55 years

352-381-5200

www.sunstatefcu.org

QUICK TURN-AROUND TIMES • HIGH COMBINED LOAN-TO-VALUE • NO MORTGAGE INSURANCE SunState Purchase HELOC is an open-ended line of credit. Minimum initial advance of $10,000.00 and subsequent advances of $500.00. MI - Mortgage Insurance, PMI - Private Mortgage Insurance.

17

18

COLUMN œ ELLIS AMBURN

Enjoying Act Three A prophet is never honored in his own country or time.

I

would discover this when the Jack Kerouac novels I published in the 1960s were denounced by most reviewers and rejected by the public, only to be hailed as masterworks years later when it was finally realized that they had been instrumental in revolutionizing literature and society.

A bull’s-eye prophecy occurs in “The Dharma Bums,” published in 1958, a decade before Woodstock, in which Kerouac foresees a “rucksack revolution, millions of young Americans wandering around giving visions of eternal freedom to everybody.”

By the time I became Jack’s editor in the Sixties, he was in critical disgrace, and drinking himself to death in Florida.

Without his wife Stella’s help, I couldn’t have got those last two novels out of him. One day his agent called and told me he was dead.

At his funeral in Lowell, Massachusetts, Father Armand “Spike” Morissette said Jack’s “On the Road” reminded him of the Biblical story of the two disciples who encountered Jesus, three days after His crucifixion, on the road to Emmaus, but did not recognize Him. They confided their disappointment that Jesus hadn’t turned out to be “the one who was going to redeem Israel [Luke 24: 21].”

Jesus proceeded to explain how He had fulfilled every prediction the Old

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Testament prophets had made about Him, and at last the disciples’ eyes were opened and they recognized Him. Their blindness was utterly human.

Lack of faith makes us miss miracles even when they stare us in the face.

At St. Jean Baptiste, described in Kerouac’s “Maggie Cassidy” as the “Ponderous Chartres Cathedral of the slums,” Father Spike stood over

God needs us and what He wants us to do. We are to (1) love God and (2) help each other. Do those, and we get happiness and eternal life.

The Biblical account coincides with what Kerouac tells us in his childhood novel “Visions of Gerard,” named after his brother. The Virgin Mary appeared to Gerard shortly before his death at the age of nine, her robes billowing behind her, held aloft by thousands of bluebirds.

Gerard saw himself ascending to heaven in a white wagon pulled by snowy lambs.

Coming out of his trance, he told a startled nun that she should never again be afraid of anything, because everyone was already in heaven, though no one knew it.

“All is well,” he said. “Practice kindness. Heaven is nigh.”

Gerard’s dying words addressed “the unreality of death (and life too)... the calm hand of God everywhere slowly benedicting,” Jack wrote. His brother’s life and words formed the bedrock of

By the time I became Jack’s editor in the Sixties, he was in critical disgrace, and drinking himself to death in Florida.

Kerouac’s casket and quoted Luke 24: 32: “They asked each other [after Jesus vanished from their sight], ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’”

In the same spirit, Kerouac’s “On the Road” opened a new and freer life for us.

“All about Jack is the aura of a mystique,” said Father Spike.

We ignored this aura while Jack was alive, just as so often we ignore the presence of God. If we want to see God, we need to look and listen with the heart, not like His disciples who, despite “hearts burning within us,” were blinded by doubting minds that told them no one could come back from the grave.

He came back to prove the fact of immortality, and to tell us exactly why

Kerouac’s philosophy: that one should be totally present in the here and now, because eternity and the present moment are one and the same — in effect, heaven.

Only by being fully invested in the present, 100 percent alive in the moment, can we recognize God when He comes to us. We miss Him when we’re on the road to Emmaus, a euphemism for escaping to the movies or a bar or a relationship to blank out the very issues that may contain answers from God. s High Springs resident Ellis Amburn is the author of biographies of Roy Orbison, Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Kerouac and others.

He is working on a memoir, and can be reached at ellis.amburn@gmail.com.

seniortimesmagazine.com

INFORMATION œ SPOTLIGHT

Social Security Answers Is it illegal for me to laminate my Social Security card?

No, it is not illegal, but we discourage it.

It’s best not to laminate your card. Laminated cards make it difficult, sometimes even impossible, to detect important security features and an employer may refuse to accept them. The Social Security Act requires the Commissioner of Social Security to issue cards that cannot be counterfeited. We incorporate many features that protect the card’s integrity. They include highly specialized paper and printing techniques — some visible to the naked eye and some not.

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Can I delay my retirement benefits and receive benefits as a spouse only?

How does that affect me?

It depends on your age. If you are full retirement age and your spouse is receiving Social Security benefits, you can choose to file and receive benefits on just your spouse’s Social Security record and delay filing for benefits on

your own record up until age 70. By filing for just benefits as a spouse, you may receive a higher retirement benefit on your own record later based on the effect of delayed retirement credits. You can earn delayed retirement credits up to age 70 as long as you do not collect your own benefits — and those credits can increase your benefit by as much as 8 percent for each year you delay. You can use our online Retirement Estimator to test out different scenarios. Go to www. socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

How do I apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs?

You have several options for applying. You can apply online at socialsecurity.gov, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to apply over the phone or request an application; or apply at any local Social Security office.

Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare. s

You don’t need multiple locations to serve your cancer care needs.

You just need one.

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Information provided by Kay Louder, Social Security District Manager for Gainesville, FL.

February 2012

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ENRICHMENT

Gift Horse Providing Girls the Experience of Riding

by Bonnie Kretchik photography by TJ Morrissey

W

hat little girl has not wanted a pony growing up? For some, the fascination with horses is a passing fancy after a few riding lessons fizzles into another one of the number of activities children do today. For others though, there is something magical about riding and handling horses.

For many living in Marion County, the presence of horses is something taken for granted. They can be seen grazing on any of the countless farms in the area and there is some type of equine event practically 52 weekends of the year in the vicinity. But those with a passion for this majestic animal need something more than simply watching.

Yet horseback riding is different from most sports. Owning a horse is a full-time commitment, not to mention a huge financial endeavor. Horses cannot be stored in the garage in favor of another activity, and costs add up

quickly. But once someone has horse fever, it is almost impossible to get horses off the brain.

Mindy Nolan-Morrow understands the impact horses can have on people, especially children. Growing up in Long Island and being fortunate enough to compete in the top level of the sport in the Hunter/Jumper discipline, she is also well aware of the costs.

That is why in 1992 she founded Horses N Heroes, a mentoring program that partners children and horses, and fosters that unique bond between horse and rider.

“I was lucky growing up, I had horses and competed all year long as a junior rider,” Nolan-Morrow said. After attaining her college degree she went straight to a “typical” nine-to-five job working in retail.

“Horses were in my blood, and I just missed them too much,” she said about her decision to start giving riding

Emily Hall (age 11, left) and Leah Butcher (age 14, right) compete at the hunter/jumper shows in Florida. In a competition, the girls ride their horses over a course of eight or more jumps and are judged based on their horse’s style of jumping, their ability to accurately communicate with the horse and their overall presentation in the arena.

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lessons to local children.

“I didn’t want the top-level riders though; I wanted to teach the kids who weren’t going to be fortunate enough to have the opportunities I did,” she said.

She immediately began her new career in Delray, Florida.

Word traveled quickly. Soon NolanMarrow started receiving calls from local parents who did not have money to spend on ponies and riding lessons

breaking news to Nolan-Marrow and the families who relied on her.

“We had a year to make a decision,” she said, sadly recalling the beautiful farm that now has more than 300 homes sitting on it. Ocala was not even on the radar for Nolan-Marrow as she started looking for another farm in South Florida, but her boyfriend, a blacksmith from Ocala, encouraged her to consider moving north.

Nolan-Marrow found new riding op-

“I want the people who donate their horses here to know that they are cared for like show horses and not overly used or neglected.” but offered their help around the barn as payment. The program grew so much that in 1997 Horses N Heroes officially became a not-for-profit organization.

“We were doing great in Delray. We had great support from the equestrian community and were renting a beautiful 85-acre race horse farm,” Nolan-Marrow said, fondly recalling the farm and her students. But in 2005, a developer purchased the land, which was heart-

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portunities for her students and relocated, essentially starting over in Ocala.

Soon she found herself in the same situation as when she first founded Horses N Heroes. Families struggling financially or with less than ideal home lives began calling Nolan-Marrow, and the number of students skyrocketed to over 30.

“We have 26 horses now and around 30 kids total, most of whom I see on a regular basis,” Nolan-Marrow said as

she simultaneously swept the barn aisle, helped a student adjust a saddle, and monitored the other girls brushing ponies, giving baths and picking out hooves.

She explained that the horses come from a variety of situations. Many are donated from owners who no longer have a need for the particular mount or can no longer afford the upkeep. Others are no longer capable of competing at a high level but are perfectly suited to Nolan-Marrow’s program.

Others had soundness issues and could not perform at a high level anymore but were perfectly suited to Nolan-Marrow’s program.

“We’ve got some superstars here,” she said with the pride of any horse owner.

Some came from such Olympic stars as Canadian rider Ian Millar. Steven Spielberg’s children rode Manny, a 14-year-old pony, before he found his way to Horses N Heroes.

“I’ve had some that were so unsound when they got here,” she said. “But I cared for them and treated them and the girls keep them in light work, and they heal up and become our best mounts.” Nolanseniortimesmagazine.com

The riders in Mindy’s program are responsible for exercising their horses as well as grooming and caring for them.. ek Most horses are ridden three days a week in a supervised lesson program.

Marrow treats every horse as it deserves serves dden to be treated. Each horse is only ridden once per day, three to five days per week. ir hors“I want people who donate their d for es here to know that they are cared sed or like show horses and not overly used neglected,” she said, showing off some of the older residents, such as a 35-year-old former Grand Prix horse and a 26-yearold pony from the Hamptons.

“I have an open-door policy,” she said.

“Anyone can visit their horse any time.”

And the farm she is on now, located on US Highway 441 in Citra, resembles that of any top-quality show barn. The one thing missing is the full-time staff.

And there is a reason for that. NolanMarrow’s program is first and foremost a mentoring program. There is no cost, but the girls must take care of the farm and the animals they ride.

“The girls must commit to caring for the animals and doing all the work.

Anyone who has worked with horses knows what a truly character-building experience it is,” Nolan-Marrow said.

She enlists the help of some of her older students to mentor the newer girls to ensure barn chores are completed properly and safely.

And while the students do much of the work on the farm, the recent economy has not gone unnoticed. Where she used to receive free feed and hay from area sponsors, now she has to purchase these staples, which even at a discount are not cheap.

But Nolan-Marrow is not one to

complain and understands that everyone is affected by the economy. After spending hours in the barn working with the children, she thinks of new ways to raise funding and promote her program and her girls.

“I’ll do everything I can to keep this going,” she said. “My girls here are such good girls. They don’t all come from the best situations, but they are outstanding human beings.”

She boasts about their academic achievements like a proud mother. And the girls, too, are equally passionate about their farm.

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“I come here six days a week,” said 13-year-old Angel Antonaccio, who also trained her Great Dane and began competing with him in February. “I just love being with the horses and taking care of them.”

Her mother refers to this program as a “lifeline” for all the girls whose families could never afford horses and lessons.

“Being around the horses just helps boost confidence, and it’s such a special

bond with them,” said 15-year-old Sarah Kuhns. “I want to do what Miss Mindy does when I grow up and offer this type of program to other girls.”

Sarah and Angel are two of the more experienced girls who mentor the youngsters. Eight-year-old Gabrielle Mulford began at Horses N Heroes last April and enjoys taking care of her mount, Willy, under their guidance.

Recently, Nolan-Marrow found herself in a familiar situation when the

owner of her farm hit some financial trouble and the once free occupancy now requires a rental fee.

“I’m so scared we will lose this place,” Nolan-Marrow said. She is trying to come up with the funding to buy the farm. “Buying this place is my main goal, we just can’t lose it.”

And while the financial concerns of feeding and housing her horses, preparing her students for horse shows, traveling to competitions and writing grants for funding consume practically every minute of Nolan-Marrow’s day, she would not trade it for the world.

“Even if I won the lottery I’d still do this. I’m totally content being out here with the horses and the girls,” she said.

And just as she was about to take a fiveminute rest before feeding time, the girls brought in a pony with a swollen eye that she had to tend to.

“Just another day on the farm,” she said with a smile. s

Families

Live colorfully…

Call today to schedule your family portraits — on location or at our studio.

352-332-1484 lotusphotostudios.com 24

February 2012

seniortimesmagazine.com

READER SUBMITTED œ ERCELL H. HOFFMAN

one that can be renewed over and over again through each reread.

Community Voice

10. Praise and thank you: With enough thank yous and compliments that a bouquet of flowers might just follow.

11. Learn something new together.

12. Make love often and with passion.

14 Ways to Keep Love Alive 1. Respect each other’s point of view, even though you may disagree.

2. Treat each other like good friends.

The hallmark of friendship is that each person validates and respects the other person’s feelings, and needs.

3. Agree to keep one basic rule at the beginning of your relationship/ marriage: No matter how upset you are, never launch a verbal attack.

Fighting with insults only makes problems worse and erodes the relationship.

4. No Blaming. No Shaming.

5. Listening is essential for working together and solving problems. Allow your partner to speak without interruptions and then repeat what has just been said. This reassures your partner that he or she was heard.

6. Establish clear and strong boundaries. Set boundaries that show you value your relationship and don’t let anyone or anything weaken your relationship.

7. Give each other pleasure. Learn how your spouse/partner prefers to be given to — whether it’s physical affection, receiving gifts, acts of service (like helping out in the house, running errands) or spending quality

time — and get in the daily habit of doing it.

13. Strengthen your art of conversation, making sharing your day a pleasure event not a dreaded one.

8. Date often. Make dates and anticipate them with excitement.

14. Always try to understand the other person perfectly. s

9. Write old-fashioned love letters.

There’s nothing like the power of the written word. The idea that a person would sit and attempt to convey their feelings through words is not only a heart-warming gesture, but

Ercell H. Hoffman is an author, poet and practicing licensed marriage family therapist. She is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother and currently resides in Compton, California where she continues to write poetry.

One-Bedroom Apartments with Utilities We do Business in Accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Act The Gainesville Housing Authority (GHA) is accepting housing applications at The 400 Building (accessible units available). These one-bedroom units are located at 400 NW 1st Avenue and utilities are provided. Applicants must meet eligibility screening criteria (income and security background check). Rents are subsidized and are based on family income. The 400 Building is convenient to shopping, downtown, and transportation.

Contact Becky or Kathy @ (352) 872-5500 TDD (352) 872-5503 February 2012

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THERAPY

Rehab for Real Life New Facility Offers Home-like Environment

by Janice C. Kaplan photos by TJ Morrissey

U

pon walking through the door at Hibiscus House Rehab, one becomes aware that this is a therapy facility unlike any other in Gainesville. Influenced by the designs of Kim Parker, the interior is awash in warm, vibrant colors and golden wood floors. The furniture is comfortable, yet easy to sit in and stand from, and the slightest hint of freshly baked cookies wafts through the air.

“We want it to be friendly for people,” said Deborah Hill, OTR, co-owner and community relations director for Hibiscus House. “It’s not very sterilelooking. We want it bright, vibrant and a tad bit whimsical, so people heal just by being in the space.”

Despite to the homelike atmosphere, however, Hibiscus House offers highly clinical treatments for stroke recovery, low vision, lymphedema, orthopedic issues and other debilitating conditions.

These ailments often lead to issues such as back and neck pain, arthritis, swelling, mobility impairment and incontinence. Through occupational and physical therapy, Hibiscus House

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staff members help clients rehabilitate or adapt so that they can once again perform everyday tasks and live their lives as independently as possible.

After spending many years in the home healthcare field, Hill saw a need in Gainesville for help with issues not often considered by existing facilities. For ex-

The specific needs of elderly patients are subtle, yet significant, and are often overlooked, even when it comes to the basics such as simple physical contact.

“A lot of the elderly don’t ever get touched,” said Sunshine Plants, OTR, CLT and co-owner and director. She explained that treatment for certain

“It’s not very sterile-looking. We want it bright, vibrant and a tad bit whimsical, so people heal just by being in the space.” ample, Hill explained that sometimes patients with lymphedema (when parts of the body swell due to blockage of lymph passages) go untreated if the disease is not cancer-related. One such patient came to Hibiscus House after suffering from symptoms without appropriate care for 27 years. Recognizing such cases early in a patient’s medical history can help him or her find relief sooner, and drastically improve quality of life.

While Hibiscus House serves patients of all ages, Hill and her staff have a particular fondness for treating area Seniors.

disorders sometimes involves massage techniques. “When I ask if they’ve ever had a massage, most Seniors say they have not. To have never had that kind of care at that age is sad. Once they have that therapy, they often ask if they can keep coming to have the massage.”

As with similar facilities, Hibiscus House includes a consultation area, private treatment rooms and a group therapy area that doubles as a classroom for seminars. Ramps, steps and the yard offer a variety of environments for physical therapy involving free movement, wheelseniortimesmagazine.com

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PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY for LOTUS STUDIOS

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chairs, walkers and other equipment.

The facility also has a working kitchen, a laundry area and space outdoors for raised garden beds that they are planning for the spring. All of

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these serve not only to keep the house running, but to provide practical and unique ways to treat patients, as well.

“People come in and say, ‘I can’t unload my dryer, I can’t put dishes in

the dishwasher,’” Plants said. “We can simulate those things and do all of that here with them.”

“The tagline of the American Occupational Therapy Association is ‘Living Life to the Fullest,’” Hill added, “and we can emulate that in a homelike setting.”

Hill and Plants have seen that by making the center comfortable and convenient, clients are more at ease and seem to heal faster. They chose the NW 13 Street location to make the trip easier for residents who do not live near hospitals. They toured many facilities before opening Hibiscus House in 2011, and in many cases saw rows of exercise bikes and high, warehouse-style ceilings — all of which can be intimidating to even the most able-bodied of people.

“Treatment can be threatening,” Plants said. “A lot of people who come here are self conscious about swollen limbs and other visible symptoms. For them to come in here and feel accepted, like they’re part of the Hibiscus House family, it’s really nice. I see an immediate change by the second time they’re here.”

There are many plans on the horizon for Hibiscus House Rehab, including efforts to educate the public about disease management and overall health.

Currently the facility teaches patients and their families about their particular health issues. But Hill hopes to eventually have seminars for the general public — as well as for doctors and other healthcare professionals — about topics such as non-cancer lymphedema and other diseases that require lifelong maintenance. “[These conditions] are lifelong and you have to manage them, so we teach techniques, give equipment options and modify everything,” Hill said. “What a great place to come when you think that everything is lost. Patients think that’s the way it has to be, but in this environment they improve dramatically.

This is real-life therapy.” s seniortimesmagazine.com

COLUMN œ KENDRA SILER-MARSIGLIO

Healthy Edge Should You Re-craft Your New Year’s Resolution?

A

re you one of the 48 percent of Americans who made a 2012 New Year resolution? If so, how’s that working out for you so far?

New Year’s resolutions are typically intense tests of willpower that oftentimes add to our lists of un-kept promises, leading to feelings of guilt and anxiety. Although declarations like: “I’m dropping 15 pounds this year” or “I’m sticking to a tighter budget” are commendable, maybe we should rethink how we start off our year-under the gun.

Maybe we should consider altering our resolutions so that they support us as we make the bigger changes in our lives. That’s what Gretchen Rubin, author of the New York Times bestseller “The Happiness Project” suggests.

As you consider re-crafting your goals for the year, Gretchen wants you to think about the following: 1. Consider what makes you feel happier. Think about what brings you joy (e.g., more time with friends and family, doing something you’ve always wanted to do). Maybe you want to do more for others, such as volunteering. Or, you may need to give yourself space for personal growth, such as learning something new or becoming

your own number one fan.

2. Identify a concrete action that would bring change, and then hold yourself accountable. Many of us commonly make abstract resolutions that are hard to measure. Have you ever come up with goals like “Be more optimistic,” “Find more joy in life,” or “Enjoy now”? I certainly have. Instead, Gretchen suggests that we opt for resolutions such as the following: “Distract myself with fun music when I’m feeling gloomy,” “Watch at least one movie each week,” or “Buy a plant for my desk.”

3. Start small enough. Here’s where many of us trip up before the end of January! Why do we over-estimate what we can do in the short-term and under-estimate what we can do (with a little persistence) in the long-term?

For instance, if you want to start exercising, go for 10-minute walks once a day or march in place when you have a moment. You don’t need to commit immediately to going to the gym for an hour each day. It’s the little accomplishments that nourish us for the bigger challenges. In her Forbes magazine article, Gretchen writes,

“The humble resolution you actually follow is more helpful than the ambitious resolution you abandon.”

4. Make resolutions about those small, nagging issues that weigh down your happiness. Gretchen calls these the Pigeons of Discontent. Even though they aren’t major challenges to our joy and happiness, they can slow our progress and zap our energy.

Examples: you never make it to the gym; you bicker with your spouse; or, your closet’s a mess. What are your Pigeons of Discontent? Shoo some of them away this year.

5. Consider joining a group. One of the most rewarding and fun things to do is joining or starting a group. You can make valuable new friends and deepen your existing friendships while you focus on subjects that interest you. My friend Alexandra developed a cool, eclectic women’s group that meets monthly, and several of the participants have high-powered jobs.

The group meets to discuss challenges to their personal development and celebrate each other’s accomplishments — mainly those outside of work. Meetings have become a staple in participants’ lives.

If you want to learn about how to launch a Happiness Project group by emailing Gretchen Rubin at gretchenrubin1@gretchenrubin.com; she’ll send you a Happiness Project group starter kit. There’s not one in Gainesville... yet.

Finally, if you’d like ideas on how to hold yourself more accountable for resolutions, Gretchen will share her Resolutions Chart that keeps her on task. All you have to do is email her. s Kendra Siler-Marsiglio, Ph.D. is the Director of the Rural Health Partnership at WellFlorida Council.

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TIOGA PARTY

Winter Art Fair Paintings, Food, Live Music and Fun for All at Tioga’s Annual Fair

by Ellis Amburn

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pproximately 40 per cent of the 120 participants in the 5th Winter Fine Art Fair at Tioga are age 50-plus. Most hail from North Florida, though some are coming from New York, Texas, Ohio and Georgia.

Their works will be on display at Tioga Town Center in Jonesville, located off of Newberry Road, three-and-one-half miles west of I-75.

Helen Rucarean, director of the annual fair, said it began in 2007, produced by the Gainesville Fine Arts Association and the Tioga Merchants Association. Sixty artists participated, each manning a booth.

“Since 2007 was a Leap Year, we celebrated by launching the first night-time art fair in Gainesville, and it was a huge success,” Rucarean said. “Tioga asked

that we become their permanent art fair, and we were happy to find our home.”

In 2012, another Leap Year, “we will have a few surprises,” Rucarean promised.

At Friday evening’s “art-under-thelights” event, visitors can shop at artists’ booths, listen to live music, and buy food from vendors and Tioga Square merchants. The entertainment begins at 3:30 p.m. Friday with Debbie Hillburn and continues throughout the evening with Hartley Leacock, fire dancers, and Gruv Therapy. The St. Francis Band kicks off Saturday’s festivities at 10 a.m. followed by Anne Marie and Friends and the Chrome Group.

Children will find a variety of planned activities, the goal being to introduce them to art beyond crayons and finger painting. Fun and games for all ages

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1 Artist Mandy Macias in her studio in Gainesville. Her work introduces an array of natural fibers to acrylic paint, giving them an intriguing three-dimensional look. photo by TJ Morrissey 2 Pottery sculptor Ruth Lehman exhibits everything from vases and pitchers to figurines and home decor items. photo by Chris Wilson 3 Glass artist James Stanford displays his creations during a previous art show. Stanford also gave a glass-blowing demonstration. photo by Chris Wilson 4 Clay sculptor Sharon Bartz demonstrates some of her finishing techniques on one of her nearly-complete sculptures. photo by Chris Wilson

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PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY for LOTUS STUDIOS

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Winter Art Fair AT TIOGA TOWN CENTER Southwest 128 St. and W. Newberry Rd., across from the West End Golf Course.

Friday, February 24 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday, Feb 25 & 26 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

PHOTO BY CHRIS WILSON Painter Laurilyn McDonald Fortner treats one art show patron to a portrait.

include face painting, karate, kick boxing, Zumba demonstrations, and Salsa dancing. A perennial at the fair, Jazz Station 100.9 will broadcast live from Tioga Friday night.

This is a judged art fair, and ribbons are awarded for the best work. Categories include oil painting, watercolor, acrylics, sculpture, photography, fiber/textiles, wood, graphics/drawing, glass, mixed media, ceramics, clay art in various forms and jewelry. As to price range, the fair’s public relations chair, Roz Miller, said, “Artists are realists; most will have works ranging from the least expensive [note-card reproductions] to the lower hundreds of dollars and up.”

Director Helen Rucarean issues invitations after she and her volunteers scout around to discover the artists who measure up to the fair’s standards and rate a booth at Tioga.

“This year we invited many artists who have not been in our show before,” she said. “What I have heard is that the word is out that this is one of the ‘artist friendly’ art fairs in Gainesville.”

She explained that the entry fee is affordable “and the perks that the artists receive are many.”

One of the artists, Mandy Macias,

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proudly said she was 69 when asked her age. Born in the Havana suburb of Marianao, she came to the U.S. in 1960. After raising four children, she went back to school, taking a drawing class at Santa Fe Community College, followed by a workshop in Florence, Italy. Eighteen years ago she started painting, her interest in texture leading to experimentation with different types of media and techniques.

Ultimately Macias developed a new type of painting that “introduces an array of natural fibers to acrylic paint,” she explained. The result is a three-dimensional look in her latest work, including representational floral still life that demonstrate how “acrylic, charcoal, and natural fibers give texture to my work.”

This year, since Tioga Town Center and the Winter Fine Art Fair are observing their fifth year together, “the fair will be the best one yet,” Rucarean said. “Our committee depends on wonderful, caring volunteers.”

Singling out Freddie Wehbe of Domino’s Pizza, Rucarean said, “Freddie’s been our corporate sponsor since the beginning. He is our mentor who helps us ‘think out of the box.’”

A Gainesville resident for the past

nine years, Rucarean has organized seven fairs; her first was in Haile Plantation, her second at Oak Hall Schools, and the rest at Tioga. She has served on the GFAA for almost eight years.

Gil Levy, CEO of Tioga Town Center, which hosts the event, said the center contributes financial support, manpower, and logistics.

“Partnering with GFAA gives us an opportunity to bring art to the community,” Levy said.

Senior artist Roz Miller, who has participated in the fair since its inception, will display her mixed-media paintings at her booth.

“It’s important to have art in our lives, giving satisfaction and enjoyment when we see something we like every day at home and at work,” she said. “The artist takes basic materials and turns them into something irresistibly beautiful.

The wide range of work means most fair-goers will experience an aha moment and see something they can’t live without.”

The fair also provides a unique opportunity for buyer and creator to mix and mingle.

“Artists like to meet people who buy their works, and people like to meet the artists,” Miller said. “Over the years many develop friendships. Gainesville is a culturally rich community.”

So come to the fair, she urged, and “feed the soul with beautiful art and the body with delicious food.” s seniortimesmagazine.com

COLUMN œ DONNA BONNELL

Embracing Life Happy Valentine’s Day to My Roots

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alentine’s Day is a time to rejoice in Cupid’s romantic love. Perhaps, it is also the ideal time to remember our roots.

The note inscribed on the inside of the wrapper of the bite-sized candy was “Friendship is a gift in itself.” Like most of life’s important messages, it was a buried treasure — one easily overlooked.

Covered by other things that required more care, the sweet treat waited at the bottom of a bag. Tissue paper protected glass gifts, including a bottle of fine wine. As I slowly unwrapped and savored their beauty, the inanimate objects seemed to soak up the attention. The genuine gem sat silently, not requiring any special consideration.

When I finished unfolding the generous gifts, I noticed the miniature peppermint patty surrounded in silver packaging. Quickly peeling off its cover, I popped the luscious dark chocolate morsel in my mouth. The decadent delight exploded on my taste buds. I was temporarily in heaven (or maybe on a sugar high).

As I began to crumble its shiny foil, robotically preparing to throw it away, I remembered to check for what might be an insightful comment. The nearly forgotten wrinkled wrapper patiently waited. Just like a true friend, when I finally paid attention to the scrunched packaging, it was happy to share. Was it a coincidence the message came from a root?

We all talk about having friends. Poet-

ry, songs and even sitcoms focus on the concept. Being and having a best friend is a goal fantasized about by most of us beginning at an early age. Adolescents seem to have a new best friend almost daily. As a mature adult (yes, admittedly a Senior), I know those special beings are my angels, or perhaps my roots.

es. They come in all different shapes and sizes and pretend to be good friends. Sadly, when we lean on them for support, they break. Proceed with caution when you meet a branch — they are professionals at fooling others.

• Then there are people who are like roots. Roots do not care about being seen or recognized; they are there to do is hold us up. We need individuals who want to be a part of our lives for the right reasons. Having a few strong roots in our entire lifetime is a blessing.

Do you have roots in your life? Like Perry, I have those much-cherished cherubs. Together we have sobbed and soared; failed and flourished; reeked and radiated. We may not always agree, but we respect each other’s opinions.

If you are fortunate enough to share this journey with a true friend, daily communication is definitely not necessary.

This little lesson reminded me of how Tyler Perry classified people in his movie, “Media Goes to Jail.” Perry shared this philosophy: “Some people are meant to come into your life for a lifetime, some only a season, and you got to know which is which.”

Perry puts everyone that comes into his life into three categories of a tree — leaves, branches, roots. The following are not direct quotes, but summarizations of his humorous (yet thought-provoking) hypotheses: • Most people are as leaves on a tree and go whichever way the wind blows. They are unstable, unreliable and good at taking — not giving. Do not count on those seasonal people for lifetime expectations.

If you are fortunate enough to share this journey with a true friend, daily communication is definitely not necessary. Weeks, months or even years have gone by and without explanation, I simply must contact a root. The urge always occurs at just the right time.

A quote from an anonymous angel resonates the truth about the gift of friendship: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts.

And we are never, ever the same.”

During this month dedicated to the celebration of love, happy Valentine’s Day to my roots! There is no need to list your names. You know who you are! s Donna Bonnell is a freelance writer who moved to Newberry in 1983. She enjoys living and working in the town she now calls

• There are people who are like branch-

home. donna@towerpublications.com

February 2012

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GUEST COLUMN œ RABBI RAMI

Community Voice Enrich Your Life by Living Gratefully!

W

hat are you grateful for? Try not to cough up the usual suspects: sunsets, daisies, puppies, babies, and babies playing with puppies among the daisies at sunset. True, I’m grateful that the earth orbits the sun, and I love dogs and babies, but being grateful for these things is too easy. Being grateful requires more than warm fuzzy feelings; it requires clear seeing and right action.

Not long ago a woman shared with me her experience as a lung transplant recipient. She was grateful to the organ donor, and the doctors and nurses who performed the operation. What about the drunk driver who killed the woman whose lung saved her life, I asked; was she grateful to him as well?

She just stared at me. No one had asked her that before. To her credit, she closed her eyes, took a moment to see what was true for her, and said, yes she was grateful to the man who killed her donor and thus saved her life. Then her eyes filled with tears, and said, “And I hate myself for that.”

As we talked she realized that it wasn’t self-hate she was feeling but extreme humility. After all, she neither wished the death of her donor nor did anything to cause it; she simply benefited from this tragedy. But that realization was huge.

What if the deceased woman had a family, she mused. What if she had little children who would grow up without a mom?

What if she was caring for her parents? A single death can have so many ramifications. How do I live with this, she sobbed.

Your situation may not be this extreme, but the question she asked is your question as well. You are being gifted by

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people and things all the time. How do you live with this? This is what gratitude is really all about: not feeling grateful, but living gratefully.

Chances are you too have lungs, and don’t need a transplant to be grateful for them. But what about the Brazilian rainforest? Are you grateful for that? After all, your lungs are useless without oxygen, yet neither they nor any other organ in your body produces oxygen. Trees and plants in partnership with the sun do that, and the Brazilian rainforest processes 28 percent of the world’s oxygen, so the forest is a vital part of your body as well. If you are grateful to your lungs, you must be grateful to trees and plants as well. How do you express your gratitude?

What do you do to help secure clean air for your lungs to breathe?

Despite clichés to the contrary, it isn’t the thought that counts; it is the deed that counts. Gratitude that is merely attitude is cheap and meaningless. If you are grateful to your lungs, don’t poison them with carcinogens. If you are grateful for oxygen, protect the living system that produces it.

Or, if you don’t, at least have the courage to stop claiming you are grateful for lungs and oxygen.

I wear Rockport shoes and return them to the company for resoling. The first time I did this the shoes came back in near mint condition accompanied by a hand-written note from the person who restored them.

He explained how very disappointed he was that I disrespected the shoes he works so hard to make: the leather was scuffed and unpolished; the shoe backs were broken; and the toe box was misshapen

because I didn’t keep my shoes on a shoetree. He concluded by asking me to treat his work with more respect.

That was 30 years ago, and I have never treated my shoes the same since.

What about you? You would be lost without your shoes. They support your arches, protect your feet, and (along with your shirt) allow you to eat in restaurants. So how do you show your gratitude? Look at your shoes and see.

What about the rest of your clothes?

Do you keep them clean, neatly folded or hanging properly? When you no longer need them, do you toss them out or do you donate them where someone else can benefit from them?

What is true of shoes and clothes is true of everything. It is easy to assess the quality of gratitude in your life by examining how well you treat the people and things in your life. You are being gifted by people and things — seen and unseen, known and unknown — all day, every day. That should make you feel grateful, but more importantly it should cause you to live gratefully.

Living gratefully means taking nothing and no one for granted. It means treating salespeople, stock clerks, bank tellers and cashiers kindly. It means not polluting your body with excess sugar, fat, and salt. It means not polluting your community with bigotry, fear, anger, gossip, and ill-will. It means saying thank-you to everyone and everything by treating them all with utmost respect.

Be grateful for babies and puppies, just don’t stop there. Join with others to offer a scholarship at a local daycare center, adopt or rescue an animal companion, or support a local animal shelter. Gratitude is not a way of feeling, it is a way of doing. If you aren’t living gratefully, feeling grateful means nothing at all. s Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Ph.D. teaches religious studies at Middle Tennessee State University and is the director of Wisdom House Center for Interfaith Studies in Nashville.

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What can 867 pairs of hands do? During 2011, when working as part of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Marion County, these hands have contributed 118,776 hours of service to make a difference in our area.

Opportunities for service abound through RSVP, which is sponsored by the College of Central Florida. RSVP partners with local nonprofit agencies to pair adults, age 55 and better, with numerous projects.

During 2012, RSVP will focus its volunteer recruitment efforts in the areas of health services; services to veterans and military families; improvement of reading readiness for preelementary, economically disadvantaged children; education on conservation of energy and natural resources; and improving access to services and benefits for homeless individuals in Marion County.

There is an immediate need for volunteers to serve as reading partners for 3- and 4-year-olds and as peer partners/mentors for residents in transitional housing settings. These opportunities require just a two- to four-hour commitment per month.

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Additional fees may be incurred depending on individual cases. We gladly accept Cash, Checks with ID,Visa, MasterCard, and Discover as payment for our services. These are minimum fees and charges may increase depending on the treatment required. The Patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination or treatment.

February 2012

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CALENDAR UPCOMING EVENTS IN ALACHUA & MARION DANCE FOR SEASONED CITIZENS

PLOW DAY AT THE FARM

Tuesdays

10:00am - 2:00pm DUDLEY FARM HISTORIC STATE PARK - Mule teams and draft horses demonstrate old-time farming before the days of tractors. School groups should make reservations at least two months in advance. 352-472-1142.

2:00 - 3:00pm SHANDS CANCER HOSPITAL - Family Room.

Weekly dance workshops designed to address the needs of those 60 and over. Each week the group will learn a new, never before seen dance, using movements inspired by jazz, modern, social dance, or various national styles, for a “JoyMo” — joyful motion — experience.

352-733-0880. www.shands.org/aim

AARP TAX AID Wednesdays 10:00am - 2:00pm SENIOR RECREATION CENTER. 5701 NW 34 St. Providing free, quality tax assistance to low- and moderate-income taxpayers with special attention to ages 60 and better by certified tax specialist. 352-378-2524.

INTRO TO COMPUTERS Thursdays 8:30am - 10:00am SENIOR RECREATION CENTER. 5701 NW 34 St. Signature HealthCare of Gainesville Computer Lab. Pre-registration required. Space is limited to 12 participants. 352-265-9040.

SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR Friday, February 3 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - The joy of faith through music defines the Soweto Gospel Choir, whose soulful performances are characterized by exuberant song, lively dancing and vibrant costuming.

Blending tribal, traditional and popular African and Western gospel music. 352-392-ARTS.

Feb. 3 - Feb. 4

AFRICAN-AMERICAN READ-IN Saturday, February 4 11:00am - 2:00pm FREEDOM PUBLIC LIBRARY - Join over a million readers and celebrate AfricanAmerican heritage in literature, film, music, art and sweet-potato pie. 352-438-2580.

ZUMBATHON CHARITY FUNDRAISER Saturday, February 4 7:00pm - 9:00pm GAINESVILLE HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER - Two hours of Zumba fitness, fun, sweat, prizes, silent auction, friends, community and more, to raise funds and awareness for Traveler’s Philanthropy, helping a hospital in Guatemala for disabled kids.

HOGGETOWNE MEDIEVAL FAIRE

JOSHUA BELL & SAM HARDWOOD

Feb. 3 - Feb. 5

Saturday, February 4

10:00am - 6:00pm Saturdays and Sundays 9:30am - 3:00pm on Friday, Feb. 3 ALACHUA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS - Join the crowd and cheer for your favorite contender as mounted knights joust in full-plate armor on the tournament field.

Listen to minstrels playing period music and enjoy continuous live entertainment. 352334-ARTS. www.gvlculturalaffairs.org.

7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - This engagement, which includes works by Brahms, Schubert and Grieg, is part of Bell’s (violin) 21-city tour with Haywood, a British pianist whose career is rapidly on the rise. 352-392-1900.

CRUISIN’ THE FOSSIL FREEWAY Saturday, February 4 10:00am - 5:00pm FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Presented by the Toomey Foundation for the Natural Sciences, this exhibit combines some of the museum’s paleontology specimens and the fossil-inspired artwork of celebrated artist Ray Troll to explore questions about evolution, extinction and early life on Earth.

Troll’s whimsical illustrations of imagined scenes from prehistoric times help bring to life real fossils. 352-846-2000.

FRIENDS OF OCALA LIBRARY Saturday, Feb. 4 10:00am - 4:00pm OCALA HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY - Silver Springs Boulevard. Hardcover books cost 50 cents and paperbacks cost 25 cents. The Friends support the library with proceeds from this sale and the sale of books at their Book Market in the foyer of the library. 352-3684591. www.friendsoftheocalalibrary.org.

AN AFTERNOON AT CAPONE’S Saturday, February 4 9:00am - 6:00pm FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST - 7171 SW State Road 200, Ocala.

Annual Spirit of Charity Gala

FACULTY ORGAN RECITAL Friday, February 3 7:30pm UNIVERSITY MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM University of Florida. Laura Ellis, associate professor of music at UF, presents her annual faculty organ recital on the Andrew Anderson Memorial Pipe Organ at the University Auditorium. Free and open to the public. www.arts.ufl.edu/organ/. 352-273-3181.

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February 2012

Saturday, February 4 6:00pm UF TOUCHDOWN TERRACE - Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Catholic Charities of Gainesville will be holding their annual Spirit of Charity Gala at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. catholiccharitiesgainesville.org 352-224-6424

seniortimesmagazine.com

Join members for lunch and show at Capone’s of Kissimmee, Florida. Price includes bus transportation, buffet lunch, gratuities, and a Broadway-style song, dance and comedy revue, set in 1930s Chicago. 352-873-3377.

Take care of your skin… with a board certified specialist

JANE AUSTEN DISCUSSION GROUP

COMPREHENSIVE SKIN CARE WITH COMPASSION AND PROFESSIONALISM

Sunday, February 5 2:00pm - 4:00pm TOWER ROAD LIBRARY BRANCH - Discussion led by Christine Gibbs and will focus on the father-daughter and mother-daughter relationships of the primary female character in each of Jane Austen’s six major novels.

SKIN CANCERS GENERAL SCREENING

AARP MEETING Monday, February 6 9:00am - Noon SENIOR RECREATION CENTER - 5701 NW 34th St. Monthly AARP Chapter Meeting. Contact Dr. Gary LeGrow at 352-333-3036 for questions.

THE HELTON-THOMAS SAXOPHONE AND CELLO DUO Tuesday, February 7 7:30pm ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH - 1738 W. University Ave. The Helton-Thomas Saxophone & Cello Duo will perform exciting, rarely heard music as part of the 2012 Jubilus Festival. 352-372-3533.

NEAR ANDERSONVILLE: WINSLOW HOMER’S CIVIL WAR

Robert A. Skidmore, Jr. MD Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Skidmore received his medical training at the University of Florida, College of Medicine, completed a surgery internship at Bethesda Naval Hospital and his residency at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Dr. Skidmore specializes in mohs skin cancer surgery.

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Tuesday, February 7 6:00pm HARN MUSEUM OF ART - Noted historian, Peter Wood, will discuss his most recent book, which is based on his Nathan Huggins lectures at Harvard University. 352-392-9826.

BLACK HISTORY IN NEWBERRY Wednesday, February 8

“We switched for reliability and great customer service.”

— Sally Dahlem, John Markham Owners, Home By Choice

6:00pm - 7:00pm NEWBERRY BRANCH LIBRARY - Come celebrate local African American history. 352-354-5086.

Bundle Business Phone & Internet for as low as $79.99/mo.*

UF AUTHOR SERIES: CARLA FEHR Wednesday, February 8 7:00pm - 8:00pm MILLHOPPER BRANCH LIBRARY - “What Evolution Can’t Tell Us about Women’s Sex and Work.” Carla Fehr, a professor of philosophy, science, and technology, will use her research on feminism and evolutionary theory to debunk commonly held popular and scientific accounts of sex and work. 352-392-0796.

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*Valid until 4/2/12 to new commercial subscribers of Cox Business VoiceManagerSM and Cox Business InternetSM in Cox serviceable locations. Minimum 3-year service agreement required. Offer includes one standard Cox Business Basic VoiceManager Package phone line and 5.0Mbps/1.0Mbps Internet. Additional charges for installation, construction, inside wiring, equipment and additional outlet service may apply. Offer excludes applicable taxes, usage, features, long distance charges, surcharges or fees. Discounts are not valid in combination with or in addition to other promotions, and cannot be applied to any other Cox account. Subscription to Cox for local, instate and state-to-state calling required. Telephone modem equipment may be required. Modem uses electrical power to operate and has backup battery power provided by Cox if electricity is interrupted. Telephone service, including access to e911 service, will not be available during an extended power outage or if modem is moved or inoperable. Cox cannot guarantee uninterrupted or error-free Internet service or the speed of your service. Rates and bandwidth options vary and are subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Other restrictions apply. Telephone services are provided by an affiliated Cox entity. ©2012 CoxCom, Inc. All rights reserved.

February 2012

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AHN TRIO WITH THE NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY Thursday, February 9

Official Blues Brothers Revue

7:30pm PHILIPS CENTER - Known for dissolving the barriers between art forms, the Ahn Trio’s three sisters are leading proponents of contemporary classical music. Meanwhile, the dances of Nai-Ni Chen fuse the freedom of American modern dance with the grace of Asian art. 352-392-1900.

Friday, February 10 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - The official Blues Brothers Revue and their ten-piece intercontinental rhythm and blues revue band, pay homage to the humor, music and mayhem of the Blues Brothers, as well as the rich history of blues, gospel and soul music. 352-392-1900.

IGNORANCE, WOMEN AND EXCELLENT SCIENCE Thursday, February 9 7:30pm - 9:00pm USTLER HALL - UF. The UF Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere invites you to a public lecture by Carla Fehr (University of Waterloo), who will examine why women are underrepresented in academic science and engineering careers in the United States and how this hinders scientific research. 352-392-0796.

RONALD BURRICHTER, BRENDA SMITH AND LURRAY MYERS

Hipp Cinema 30th Anniversary Saturday, February 11

Friday, February 10 7:30pm HOLY FAITH CHURCH - 747 NW 43rd St. Ronald Burrichter and Brenda Smith, with pianist Lurray Myers perform Hugo Wolfs’ Italian Songbook at Holy Faith Church, as part of the 2012 Jubilus Festival. www. holyfaithchurch.org. 352-376-5405.

6:00pm THE HIPPODROME STATE THEATER - Celebrate with an elegant and fun evening of wine tasting, delicious food, live music and good friends. Proceeds will fund improvements to the cinema sound system, including upgrades to provide assistance to the hearing impaired. $25 in advance; $35 at the door.

352-375-4477.

RACE FOR THE KIDS Saturday, February 11 8:00am SPRUCE CREEK PRESERVE - 5K race, 1-mile walk and kids fun run, benefiting Covenant Children’s Home of Dunnellon. Race held at Spruce Creek Preserve on SR 200. All pre-registered runners and walkers are guaranteed a t-shirt and gift bag. Register at cchfl.org or drcsports.com.

DALA Saturday, February 11 2:00pm and 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Amanda Walther and Shelia Carabine are an acoustic pop duo from Canada who will remind you of singer/songwriters of an earlier era. From Horses to Girls from the North Country and Everyone is Someone, their songs will continue to haunt you long after the concert is over. 352-392-1900.

FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS GALA Saturday, February 11 7:00pm - 10:00pm SILVER SPRINGS SHORES COMMUNITY CENTER - 590 Silver Road, Silver Springs Shores. Have A Heart for Companion Animals

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February 2012

Inc. has planned a “For The Love of Animals Gala” fundraising event, featuring The Johnny Mello Show and Adult Magic Demonstrations by “Magic Mark”, Beasley, a high-energy interactive magician. 352-687-3553.

GATORSAVERS: A LIFESAVING EVENT

FASHION SHOW Saturday, February 11 11:00am - 3:00pm ST. JOSEPH OF THE FOREST CATHOLIC MISSION - 17301 E. Highway 40, Silver Springs.

The event includes lunch, entertainment, door prizes and raffles. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. 352-625-3800.

Saturday, February 11 9:00am - 5:00pm REITZ UNION - A one-day event whereby UF students and the surrounding community come together to saves lives. This event is scheduled to host CPR with AED certification for only $5.00, a blood drive and an opportunity to sign up for bone marrow, organ and tissue registries. www. gatorsavers.org. 352-334-1000, ext. 41026.

THOMPSON SQUARE Saturday, February 11 3:00pm SILVER SPRINGS NATURE’S THEMEPARK Thompson Square isn’t a real place, exactly.

It’s the musical territory staked out by the husband-and-wife duo of Keifer and Shawna Thompson, an exciting and unpredictable

seniortimesmagazine.com

area where country meets rock. Keifer and Shawna have been learning their craft in Nashville for a decade. 352-236-2121.

STRINGFEVER Feb. 11, 2:00pm and 7:30pm Feb. 12, 2:00pm PAUL P. WILLIAMS FINE ARTS AUDITORIUM Leesburg Campus of Lake-Sumter Community College. They’re a little bit classical, they’re a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. The world-class musicians play familiar American favorites with their brightly colored electric string instruments, including blue, navy, red and sunburst yellow electric violins. Tickets are $20 for adults for reserved seating. 352-365-3506.

Florida Eye Specialist Institute

Dr. Latif Hamed, M.D. FAAO AMERICAN BOARD OF OPHTHALMOLOGY VOTED IN

Best Doctors America

10:00am GAINESVILLE RACEWAY - Known for being the most innovative Import series in the U.S. with event activities that follow current market trends. Series activities include: car/truck/ bike show, 1/4-mile drag racing, Usaci stereo crank it up contest, model expo, bikini contest, burnout contest, DJs, live concerts, breakdance battles and more! 352-377-0046.

WROCLAW PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

BLACK HISTORY: OUTSIDE THE BOOK Sunday, February 12 1:30pm - 4:00pm HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY GAINESVILLE Celebrate African-American culture with dancing, singing, storytelling and other reflections of a rich and diverse heritage. 352-334-0720.

JOHN LOWE ORGAN CONCERT

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•

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®

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Sunday, February 12 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Founded in 1954, the Wroclaw Philharmonic has evolved into an exceptional provincial orchestra with a varied repertoire and more than 100 programs presented annually.

The players are not only professional musicians but also passionate aficionados of music, representing several generations who form a truly authentic ensemble. 352-392-1900.

ROUTINE EYE EXAMS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

ARE YOU TIRED OF GLASSES? CATARACTS SLOWING YOU DOWN?

IMPORT FACE-OFF Sunday, February 12

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME!

•

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Routine Eye Examinations Laser Surgery Diabetic Retinopathy Flashers and Floaters Botox Injections Second Opinions

ABOUT DR. HAMED

Former professor and Chief of Division at UF Shands Recipient of the HEED Fellowship Award Honor Award recipient from the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Fellowships at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and at John Hopkins Personally trained dozens of eye surgeons practicing worldwide Authored several widely used ophthalmic reference texts

“Now whether I’m reading a putt, reading an email or reading to my granddaughter I’ve got my Zoom back. I don’t have to depend on glasses all the time.”

Gary Player, GRAND SLAM GOLF CHAMPION AND MULTIFOCAL IMPLANT PATIENT

Sunday, February 12 3:00pm HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH - Hear Holy Trinty Church’s own John T. Lowe Jr. in concert at the Visser-Rowland organ. Music of J.S. Bach, Herbert Howells, Jehan Alain, Seth Bingham and more. 352-372-4721.

ADVANCED LASER SURGICAL & MEDICAL EYE CARE Accepting all new Medicare Plans!

Most insurance plans accepted and filed for you.

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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY Sunday, February 12 3:30pm ARCHER BRANCH LIBRARY - Jordan Glen Spirit Dancers will perform dances, songs and music that represent the African Diaspora that will inspire and heal your spirit. 352-495-3367.

Horses for Hospice Trail Ride Saturday, February 18 8:00am

JUBILUS FESTIVAL

FLORIDA HORSE PARK Central Florida Greenway, Ocala. In memory of Wayne Vaught. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the first ride leaves at 9:15 a.m. Following the ride, participants can enjoy lunch by Tommy’s BBQ, live entertainment by Bordertown, and door prizes to benefit Patient Care Programs. The minimum donation to ride is $30. Wagons are welcome. $30 for driver and $10 per passenger. Horse lovers unable to ride may purchase a $10 ticket to enjoy lunch and entertainment. 352-854-5218.

Tuesday, February 14 7:30pm BAUGHMAN CENTER - UF Campus.

Hildegard von Bingen, Monteverdi and Post-Haste Duo perform. 352-294-0049.

WILD BUFFALOS, WILD WHEELS Thursday, February 16 5:00pm - 6:00pm THE LIBRARY PARTNERSHIP - 1130 NE 16th Ave., Gainesville. Celebrate Black History at the Library Partnership with members of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club. Come learn about the legacy of the Jacksonville Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club and hear stories about these honorable military men, the role they played in American history, and how the motorcycle club keeps their memory alive. 352-334-0165.

CELTIC WOMAN Thursday, Feb. 16 7:30pm - 9:00pm O’CONNELL CENTER - Performing classic Irish tunes, such as The Water is Wide, Green Grow the Rushes, A Woman’s Heart and The Parting Glass; timeless pop anthems such as Bridge Over Troubled Water and Sailing; and inspirational songs including You’ll Never Walk Alone and Ave Maria, Celtic Woman is backed by their dazzling six-piece band, the Aontas Choir and a renowned championship Irish dancer. 352-392-ARTS.

LIFE INSURANCE

Florida Wildlife Commission will help us learn about how to protect these owls, as well as other birds. 352-546-5718.

INTIMATE VIOLENCE: ANTI-JEWISH POGROM AS PRELUDE TO HOLOCAUST Friday, February 17 7:00pm UF HILLEL - Jeffrey Kopstein is Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto and Acting Director of its Centre for Jewish Studies. Professor Kopstein is currently coauthoring a book on pogrom violence at the beginning of World War II. 352-392-8902.

PROTECTING BURROWING OWLS Thursday, February 16 7:00pm - 9:00pm THE PIONEER GARDEN CLUB OF OCALA - 4331 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Protecting Burrowing Owl ... how did this fail? A special project of the Marion Audubon Society.

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Feb. 17 - Feb. 18 7:30pm - 9:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Dance Alive National Ballet joins the UF Symphony Orchestra and Chorus along with the Gainesville Civic Chorus and guest artists from the world of opera in the brilliant production of Carmina Burana. A dynamic, breathtaking and utterly moving journey from Adam and Eve to Armageddon. www.dancealive.org.

NOEL PAUL STOOKEY Friday, February 17

Thursday, February 16 2:00pm - 3:00pm SENIOR RECREATION CENTER - 5701 NW 34th St., Gainesville. Dharma Endowment Foundation Education Room. Limited to 24 participants; call 352-265-9040 to reserve seat. Come to an informative presentation to discuss Life Insurance and the many ways it can help provide for your family. For further information contact Kevin Heiser at 352-373-2365.

CARMINA BURANA

PALATKA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Feb. 16 - Feb. 18 Times vary RODEHEAVER BOYS’ RANCH - Three-day event, featuring top names in bluegrass entertainment. 386-325-5646.

LUCALS OIL DRAG RACING Feb. 16 - Feb. 19 Times vary GAINESVILLE RACEWAY - In its 11th year, this Series includes the addition of a newly created Regional level of events that will feature the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car categories. Other categories that compete in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series are Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. www. gainesvilleraceway.com. 352-377-0046.

7:30pm UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM - Noel Paul Stookey has been altering both the musical and ethical landscape of this country and the world for decades — both as the “Paul” of the legendary Peter, Paul and Mary, and as an independent musician who brings the spiritual into the practice of daily life. 352-392-2346.

JOHN SIKORSKI Friday, February 17 1:00pm HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY OCALA - Wondering about Aunt Mabel’s ugly doorstop? Bring in your treasures for a quick examination by John Sikorski, local antique and collectible expert.

Limit one item per person. 352-671-8551.

seniortimesmagazine.com

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH AND MICHAEL JOHANSON

FAMILY PET EXPO

WINE TASTING AND AUCTION

Saturday, February 18

Sunday, February 19

Friday, February 17

2:00pm HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY OCALA - Spend time with the experts on feeding, training and raising your animal friends. Enjoy displays and presentations by local agencies and businesses. Animal lovers of all ages are welcome. 352-671-8551.

1:00pm - 4:00pm REITZ UNION - Grand ballroom. Join the celebration for public radio station Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM at the 23rd Annual A Celebration of Wine event. This year’s “Grape Gatsby,” is an annual wine tasting and auction. Tickets are $55 in advance and $60 at the door. www. celebrationofwine.org. 352-392-5200.

FLORIDA INVITATIONAL STEP SHOW

PRAISE BAND

Saturday, February 18

6:30pm FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 1126 East Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Led by Jeff Rogers, the band will present a concert of contemporary Christian music. Admission is free but an offering will be taken. Childcare for nursery to pre-k provided. 352-537-0207. www.fumcocala.org.

7:30pm HOLY FAITH CHURCH - 747 NW 43rd St. 2012 Jubilus Festival. www. holyfaithchurch.org. 352-376-5405.

PLEASURE DRIVING COMPETITION Feb. 17 - Feb. 19 8:00am - 5:00pm GRAND OAKS RESORT - 300 Marion County Road. The Grand Oaks Classic is an “Approved Pleasure Driving Competition” and will be held in accordance with the A.D.S. rules. We recommend that all competitors familiarize themselves with the current A.D.S. Rule Book. www.thegrandoaks.com. 352-750-5500.

DANCE 2012 Feb. 17 - Feb. 26 Times vary CONSTANS THEATRE - Incorporating a variety of classical and contemporary dance works, this performance has a mixture of dances differing in tone, including serious, emotionally moving, thought provoking, celebratory and comedic. Feb. 17-18 and Feb. 21-24 at 7:30pm; Feb. 19 and 26 at 2:00pm. 352-392-1653.

7:00pm - 11:00pm STEPHEN C. O’CONNELL CENTER - The 23rd annual Step Show presented by BSU. Event is general admission.

THE BLACK LIST: INTIMATE PORTRAITS OF BLACK AMERICA

Sunday, February 19

Sunday, February 19

ALACHUA LIBRARY’S 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

1:30pm - 4:00pm MILLHOPPER BRANCH LIBRARY - A 2-part film, which first aired on HBO as a series in 2008 and 2009. Interviews with prominent politicians, writers, thinkers and performers of color present a picture of African-American life in the 21st century. 352-334-1270.

2:00pm - 4:00pm ALACHUA BRANCH LIBRARY - The Alachua community and others are invited to share the memories of the 30 years the library has been in existence — from trailer to the present beautiful building. Come mingle over punch and cake. 386-462-2592.

Sunday, February 19

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Thursday, February 23

The Pink Floyd Experience

5:00pm - 7:30pm ARC MARION - 2800 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala. Find out who will “dethrone” Mojo Bar and Grill at the 2012 King of the Wing(tm) competition! Sample wings and pizza from some of the best restaurants found in Marion County, enjoy great music and have a great time. 352-694-4133. operations@mcbia.org.

PASSPORT TO DISCOVERY Friday, February 24 7:00pm - 11:00pm FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY - Join in the annual fundraiser, “Passport to Discovery: A Night at the Museum” and help create a permanent and expanded Discovery Room. Enjoy dinner, live music and dancing while the Museum comes to life. Proceeds from the event will support the planning and construction of the exhibit. www. flmnh.ufl.edu/passport/. 352-273-2086.

GAME DAY LUNCHEON BENEFIT Friday, February 24

Tuesday, February 29

7:30pm

PHILLIPS CENTER - The Pink Floyd Experience will present the English rock band’s 1977 legendary concept album, “Animals,” live and in its entirety. 352-392-ARTS.

CHAMBER ENSEMBLE Tuesday, February 21 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra will be represented by a 20-piece chamber ensemble, which will present a concert with music from their Elegant Music Series, including Relic, Drum Fantasia, Moon’s Reflection on Er-Quan and more. 352-392-ARTS.

CHIHULY GLASS MUSEUM Tuesday, February 21 9:00am - 6:00pm TEMPLE B’NAI DAROM - 49 Banyan Course, Ocala. Take a day trip to the Chihuly Glass Museum. Transportation and admission included, limited seating. Sponsored by Temple B’nai Darom. 352-694-3655.

ROCK YOUR GARDEN Wednesday, February 22 10:30am DUNNELLON PUBLIC LIBRARY - Use your painting skills to turn an

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February 2012

ordinary rock into a miniature masterpiece.

Registration required. 352-438-2520.

ARLO GUTHRIE Wednesday, February 23 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Arlo Guthrie is a naturalborn storyteller, whose offbeat anecdotes and personal tales weave seamlessly into his performances. Arlo Guthrie artfully crafts political commentary and spiritual musings into lively, thoughtful folk music. 352-392-ARTS.

GROWING FRUIT IN YOUR BACKYARD

Noon GAINESVILLE WOMAN’S CLUB - The Game Day Luncheon Benefit and help the Gainesville Fisher House provide a place for families whose loved ones are receiving medical attention at the Malcolm Randall VA medical Center.

Come play bridge, hand and foot, Mah Jongg, bunko or other table games. 352-376-3901.

BUTTERFLY GARDENING Feb. 24 - Feb. 25 Times vary GREATHOUSE BUTTERFLY FARM - 20329 NE Stat Road 26, Alachua. Featuring Dr. Marc Minno author of “Florida Butterfly Gardening.”

Feb 24 — an all-day educational workshop for serious butterfly gardeners. Feb 25 - Open to all butterfly enthusiasts. Kids activity program. Local food. 866-475-2088.

WINTER FINE ARTS FAIR Feb. 24 - Feb. 26 10:00am TIOGA TOWN CENTER - Presented by the Gainesville Fine Arts Association.

Enjoy artists, wine tasting, fireworks, jazz and children’s activities.

Thursday, February 23

DANCE COMPANY

6:30pm - 8:00pm MILLHOPPER BRANCH LIBRARY - Wendy Wilber, Horticultural Extension Agent with UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension Service, will discuss selection and optimum growing conditions for Alachua County. 352-955-2402.

Friday, February 25

KING OF THE WING

7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Through the blending of African, modern ballet and social-dance movements, Artistic Director Ronald K. Brown choreographs a masterpiece dance vision of African culture. Evidence, a Brooklyn-based dance company, focuses on the human

seniortimesmagazine.com

experience in the African Diaspora, connecting history and traditions into a storybook of music, movement and spoken word. 352-392-ARTS.

COLUMN œ CARLOS MUNIZ

Perspectives on Aging

AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN Saturday, February 25 2:00pm - 4:00pm HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY OCALA - Join the community in the celebration of AfricanAmerican heritage in literature, film, music and art. Volunteer readers and performers of all ages are welcome. 352-671-8551.

ARIEL STRING QUARTET

Life in a University Town in the U.S.A.

Saturday, February 26 2:00pm UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM - Formed in Israel, the Ariel String Quartet moved to the United States in 2004 to continue their professional studies. Among their many achievements, the quartet was awarded third prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition and first prize at the International Franz Schubert and The Music of Modernity competition in Graz, Austria. 352-392-2346.

BOSTON BRASS Monday, February 28 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - In collaboration between the Boston Brass and UF’s Paul Richards, the ensemble celebrates its 25th anniversary through thrilling classical arrangements to renowned jazz standards, along with the best of the original brassquintet repertoire. 352-392-ARTS.

SCIENCE CAFE SERIES Monday, February 28 Time T.B.A. WAREHOUSE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE 502 S. Main St. Engage in lively discussion with University of Florida experts during the Florida Museum of Natural History’s spring Science Cafe series. Each Café includes a short presentation and is designed to allow community members to ask questions and engage in lively discussions with each other and guest speakers. RSVP at least one week in advance: skelly@flmnh.ufl.edu. 352-273-2085.

If you would like us to publicize an event in Alachua or Marion counties, send information by the 13th day of the month prior.

All submissions will be reviewed and every effort will be made to run qualified submissions if page space is available.

1-800-967-7382 (fax) editor@seniortimesmagazine.com

W

hen I came to live in this country in September of the year 1961, I lived in the small university town of Columbia, Missouri. This town was the home of the state university, the Missouri University, well known in those days for its College of Journalism — one of the best in the country — its College of Medicine, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, etc.

In the field of athletics, the basketball team was excellent, as was the baseball and swimming teams, but the softball team was mediocre and always second to Nebraska. The weather, with the cold and the snow in winter and the excessive heat in the summer, became a burden after just a few years of living there. The fall season, though, was beautiful, something I had never seen before, with the multiplicity of colors caused by the fading leaves on the numerous trees, finally falling in the winter, leaving the trees bare until they became covered with snow and looking like beautiful Christmas trees ready to be decorated by human hands. That beautiful winter scenery, never seen before by us people who had lived all of our lives in the unchanging summer season of a tropical island like Cuba, never ceased to impress us with its beauty, making the freezing temperature a secondary issue. After all, even the freezing temperature was something new, never before experienced by us.

So it was that surrounded by this beautiful winter scenery only seen by us in postcards before, and surrounded by the blond and very white people also

Columbia, Missouri

alien to us accustomed to the dark skin and hair, that we were welcomed to this very different but great country.

In the month of September, many, many years ago when I was a young man of 37 with a family — a wife and four kids — and no money whatsoever, that I had to begin again the business of restarting a life. It was a big challenge, but we were ready for it. Our faith in God and our optimistic personalities made it not only possible but also enjoyable. In this new beginning of a life at an age when most people start taking it easy, we were going to be climbing a steep mountain that looked enormous and imposing. But we were ready for the challenge and took it as a new adventure with the energy and optimism of the young. s Dr. Carlos Muniz is a retired psychiatrist from Gainesville. He may be contacted through the editor, Albert Isaac.

February 2012

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THEATRE Acrosstown Repertory Theatre.....................619 S. Main Street, Gainesville Curtis M. Phillips Center ........................................... 315 Hull Road, Gainesville Gainesville Community Playhouse ....... 4039 N.W. 16th Blvd., Gainesville Hippodrome State Theatre................................. 25 SE 2nd Place, Gainesville UF Constans Theatre ................................................. Museum Road, Gainesville Nadine McGuire Blackbox Theatre ................... Museum Road, Gainesville Insomniac Theatre Company ............................E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Ocala Civic Theatre ..................................4337 East Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala High Springs Community Theater .......... 130 NE 1st Avenue, High Springs

352-371-1234 352-392-ARTS 352-376-4949 352-375-4477 352-273-0526 352-392-1653 352-897-0477 352-236-2274 386-454-3525

The Doorman Feb. 24 - Feb. 26 The Doorman, a provocative look into race and socioeconomic relations in New York City during the dawning of the national civil rights movement, is a one-act play set in Midtown New York City circa early 1960s. It is about the interactions in a day of the life of a New York City doorman. This will be a special, one-weekend showing.

INSOMNIAC THEATER

Don Juan in Chicago Through February 12 HIPPODROME STATE THEATRE

CURTIS M. PHILLIPS CENTER

Sirens Through Feb. 5

Monty Python’s Spamalot February 20, 7:30pm

By the playwright of last season’s hit, “End Days,” Sirens is a clever comedy about finding one’s muse. Sam and Rose have been married for twentyfive years and living off the royalties of a hit song that Sam wrote in the early days of their courtship. After Rose discovers Sam’s all-female Facebook friend list, they decide to rekindle their passion with a romantic cruise to the mythical Greek Isles. All goes well until Sam leaps overboard after falling under the spell of a Siren’s song.

Through the healing power of laughter, Sirens is the perfect post-holiday pick-me-up.

Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot is the outrageous new musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic, Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Based on the Tony awardwinning direction of Mike Nichols, with a book by Eric Idle, and music and lyrics by the Grammy award-winning team of Idle and John Du Prez, Spamalot tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences everywhere are eating up Spamalot.

Over the Tavern Feb. 22 - March 18 Faith, family, and Ed Sullivan fight for space in the Pazinski’s cramped upstate New York apartment. The youngest of the bunch, 12-year-old Rudy, is a smart, precocious kid who’s starting to question his family’s values and the Roman Catholic Church. When he announces to the ruler-wielding Sister Clarissa that instead of being confirmed he’d rather shop around for a more “fun” religion, all hell breaks loose. A warm and hilarious look at growing up in the 1950s, and a comedy for anyone who ever had a family...or survived one!

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February 2012

ACROSSTOWN REPERTORY THEATRE

Love Letters Feb. 3 - Feb. 19 The play centers on just two characters, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. Using the epistolary form sometimes found in novels, they sit side-by-side at tables and read the notes, letters and cards, covering more than 50 years, from their meeting in the second grade until one of them dies. They discuss the hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats that have passed between them throughout their separated lives.

“Don Juan in Chicago” combines the elements of the familiar Don Juan tale with the legend of Faust.

Don Juan, presented here as more scholarly than sexual, strikes a deal with the Devil for eternal life - but there’s a catch. Between 400 years of promiscuity; avoiding spurned lovers, as well as repeat lovers; deals with the devil; and a wise-cracking servant along for the ride, “Don Juan in Chicago” explores the consequences of rashly made deals and whether love can indeed conquer all.

The Vagina Monologues Feb. 24 - Feb. 26 Hailed by The New York Times as “funny” and “poignant” and by the Daily News as “intelligent” and “courageous,” The Vagina Monologues, which was first performed off-Broadway by Ms. Ensler, dives into the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage and excitement buried in women’s experiences. Ms. Ensler has performed the play to great acclaim throughout the world — from Zagreb to Santa Barbara, from London to Seattle, from Jerusalem to Oklahoma City. Villard Books/ Random House first published The Vagina Monologues, which includes a foreword by Gloria Steinem, in February 1998. seniortimesmagazine.com

GAINESVILLE COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE

Intimate Apparel Through February 12 Immerse yourselves in the bustling world of turn-of-the-century city life with Esther, an unmarried AfricanAmerican lingerie seamstress. While working, she hears the secrets of high society from the socialites and gets the lowdown on life from a pianoplaying prostitute. Using threads of gender, racial, class and religious issues, this award-winning play results in a rich drama, embroidered with romance. This production is suitable for older teens and up.

OCALA CIVIC THEATRE

Nunsense II Feb. 2 - Feb. 26 We’re back in the gymnasium of Mount Saint Helen’s School with all our favorite Little Sisters of Hoboken (and puppet Sister Mary Annette).

The show takes place about six weeks after the Sister’s first benefit performance. Having had great success with their first talent show, the nuns pull out all the stops to entertain the audience with songs, dancing, a little bingo, roller skating, impressions, a dash of Elvis, a bit of circus and a lot of comedy, all the while trying to keep the Franciscans from kidnapping Sister Mary Paul (and her lottery winnings).

HIGH SPRINGS COMMUNITY THEATER

Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple Feb. 10 - March 4 An enormously successful comedy, “The Odd Couple” concerns two mismatched roommates, Felix Ungar, an uptight writer, pitted against Oscar Madison, an easygoing, slovenly sportswriter. Running for 966 performances, the show won several Tony awards.

February 2012

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February 2012

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BOOK REVIEW BY

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

Healing at the Speed of Sound DON CAMPBELL & ALEX DOMAN FOREWORD BY JULIA CAMERON

c.2011, Hudson Street Press $25.95 / $30.00 Canada 263 pages, includes index

F

or about four days now, you’ve been carrying a happy tune.

And you’re not happy about it.

The song you’ve whistled, hummed and sung could’ve been something you heard while on hold, on TV, or on a speaker — you don’t remember and you don’t care. You fall asleep with it and wake with it. You don’t know the title or who performed it and you don’t know all the words, which is driving you crazy.

That, and you can’t get the blasted

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February 2012

thing out of your head.

It’s called an “earworm” and though it’s maddening, it’s actually good for your brain. Learn why and more in the new book “Healing at the Speed of Sound” by Don Campbell and Alex Doman.

So you woke up this morning grumpy, feeling like you just couldn’t get going?

Chances are, Campbell and Doman say, you need to change your first-thing-inthe-morning sound. If you wake to an alarm, for instance, soothing chimes or bird sounds might be gentler. If you need energy to face your day, Calypso music might be the wake-up ticket.

That’s because your gray matter “mirrors what it has perceived.”

Sound, tone and pitch cause different parts of your brain to interact in a “more intense” way, which affects mood, wakefulness and health: studies show that music played in pediatric ICUs enhances the growth rate of preemies. Research indicates that exercise can be improved with music, enhancing performance and challenging athletes. Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers have noticed that music and movement boosts their patients’ well-being. Even pets’ moods are lifted by song.

But, of course, not all sound is good.

Exposure to loud music can weaken muscles, worsen some health issues, and cause hearing loss. Annoying noises cause productivity to plummet in business, and it can drive away clients.

So what can you do to best utilize sound?

Start by making your home a haven, and use music to match your needs.

Know what kind of listener you are, put yourself on a “sound diet,” and ask your family to respect that. Tactfully approach neighbors for a “sound curfew” and look for support within your community’s noise laws.

Oh, and those earworms? Keep them.

You may need them someday...

With contagious enthusiasm, some personal anecdotes, and a wealth of study results, authors Don Campbell and Alex Doman prove that pleasant sound —particularly music — isn’t just something in the background.

That’s fascinating information, with implications not only for physicians, but also for parents, caregivers, business owners, athletes and casual readers. I was also glad to see research on the disadvantages of cacophony; without those results, this book would have been incomplete.

Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers have noticed that music and movement boosts their patients’ well-being.

For best results, this book requires patience (because there’s plenty to absorb here), a nearby computer (to utilize interactive website links, see demonstrations, and hear recordings), and a desire to take easy steps to maximize your well-being. Whether you love or hate music, welcome noise or abhor it, if you care what goes into your ears, “Healing at the Speed of Sound” could be music to your eyes. s Terri Schlichenmeyer has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives with her two dogs and 11,000 books.

seniortimesmagazine.com

ADVE RTI S E M E NT

Get Heart Healthy CARETENDERS OFFERS PEACE OF MIND THROUGH TELEHEALTH PROGRAM

A

bout every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability.

The American Hearth Association has designated the month of February as “Healthy Heart Month.” Now is a good time to evaluate your lifestyle to make sure you are doing everything possible to ensure your heart is as healthy as possible!

A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight heart disease. It is important to remember that it is the overall pattern of the choices you make that counts. As you make daily food choices, read nutrition labels and base your eating pattern on these recommendations: • • • • • • •

Choose lean meats and poultry and prepare them without added fat.

Select fat-free, 1% fat, and low-fat dairy products.

Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.

Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.

Select and purchase foods lower in salt/sodium.

Keep an eye on your portion sizes.

The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2010, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack.

To help identify, monitor, and prevent future attacks Mederi Caretenders has developed a Telehealth program. Patients

are provided with the highest level of care both while health professionals are in the home and in between visits utilizing Telemonitoring and Telehealth.

Home monitoring signals the onset of potential adverse events – alerting us to the need for intervention, ideally, preventing the need for emergency room visits and hospital readmissions.

Our Telehealth program supports active involvement of patients with their own care through education and responding to early signs and symptoms. Every day, patients enrolled in the program may take one or more of their own vital measurements – weight, blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, or glucose levels using a wireless device in their homes. These measurements are automatically transferred to a computer monitored by a dedicated nurse who will assess the survey questions and make a decision on whether the patient needs to be seen immediately by a member of our clinical team. All care decisions are made in conjunction with and under the supervision of your individual physician.

The Telehealth program is for any patients who have: •

Congestive Heart Failure

•

Heart Failure

•

Coronary Artery Disease

•

Atrial Fibrillation

•

Hypertension

•

Diabetes Mellitus

Call Caretenders today if you or someone you love could benefit from this high touch, high tech program. We would love to provide you with better health and peace of mind!

“I wondered if my family could manage all the care I needed after leaving the hospital.”

A Special Kind of Caring...

That’s The Caretenders Tradition A dedicated team of compassionate, highly skilled healthcare professionals who treat their patients like family is our hallmark.

• SKILLED NURSING • PHYSICAL THERAPY • OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY • CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AID • CARDIAC CARE • DIABETIC CARE • ORTHOPEDIC REHAB • UROLOGY CARE • SPEECH THERAPY • OUTPATIENT RECOVERY

Committed To The Highest Quality Home Care Services.

SERVING ALACHUA COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS

4923 NW 43rd Street, Suite A Gainesville, Florida 32606

352-379-6217 Call For More Information About How Caretenders Can Help You.

LIC# HHA299991306

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