Senior Scene Jan/Feb 2013 by Tehachapi News

JAN-FEB 2013

SeniorScene Senior

Mike Todd Tehachapi man: space suits him Page 3

Baby Boomers reaching a new frontier Page 2

INSIDE

Your guide to

• Health • Travel

• Finance • Discounts • Resources & More

January-February 2013 — SENIOR SCENE

From the Editor

Baby Boomers are reaching a new frontier BY CLAUDIA ELLIOTT EDITOR

As part of the generation born between 1946 and 1964, defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the postWorld War II "baby boom," I'm used to being part of a cultural phenomenon that drove change by its sheer numbers. I remember double-sessions in elementary schools until school construction could catch up with demand in many parts of the country. Our numbers created a market that rewarded technological development and we grew up along with television. From black and white sets that showed just a few channels for part of the day, we've seen the development of color TV, recording devices, giant screens, mega-choices in programming and even on-demand movies. Blue jeans went from work wear to high-priced designer denim and back to everyone's favorites. And don't forget a shoe for every sport — to say nothing of the growth of professional sports driven by a growing fan base. Boomers have impacted every area of our society as we grew up, raised families of our own and now we are right around the corner from becoming part of the greatest number of old people to ever populate our country. We boomers face a new frontier — senior status. According to Baby Boomer Magazine, America's 78 million Baby Boomers began turning 65 last year at a rate of one every 10 seconds (3 million to 4 million per year). In Tehachapi, 45 percent of residents are seniors or approaching 55 and 38 percent are already retired. Senior Scene was created to provide this audience with information they need to tackle this new frontier — whether for themselves or their parents. This first edition is just the beginning... we’ll publish every other month this year, bringing you stories about seniors with amazing accomplishments — such as that of Tehachapi resident Mike Todd who designed the suit that made history last year.

We also hope you’ll share stories of your travels, and think you’ll enjoy the story by Tehachapi resident Denise Trone describing the Disney Dream cruise she took with friends and family last year. According to investment stategist Jeffrey Saut, Baby Boomers account for 80 percent of leisure travel; travel is just one sector of the economy that can be expected to grow as the Boomers retire and have more leisure time. Today’s older generation, growing daily as the Boomers enter the ranks, control most of the discretionary income in the country, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like discounts. We surveyed Tehachapi businesses and a good number shared the news that they are happy to provide senior discounts, with age qualification varying. You will find a list on page 7— and if your business isn’t included, just let us know and we’ll make sure we add you for the March-April edition to be published March 1. There are challenges ahead for Boomers, as well. Even if we convince ourselves that 60 is the new 40, according to a report from The Commonwealth Fund, more than 60 percent of adults between the ages of 50 to 64 who are working have been diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition, such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. And many are entering retirement without the resources they need to maintain their lifestyle. Senior Scene will offer helpful articles for seniors — and younger people who are either helping an older family member cope or might learn how to avoid such problems in the future. We hope you’ll enjoy this first issue of Senior Scene — and will appreciate your ideas for people to feature in the future and other article suggestions that will help you enjoy your senior years. CLAUDIA ELLIOTT is editor of the Tehachapi News and Senior Scene. Send email to: celliott@tehachapinews.com or call 823-6360.

SENIOR SCENE — January-February 2013

On the Cover

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RED BULL CONTENT POOL

Mike Todd, left, helping record-setting space jumper Felix Baumgartner out of the trailer where dressing and pre-breathing occurred before flight. In the middle is Dr. Andy Walshe, the mission's high-performance director who designed Baumgartner's mental and physical training programs.

Tehachapi’s Mike Todd has the right stuff BY MATTHEW MARTZ TEHACHAPI NEWS

Above 100,000 feet elevation is a near vacuum, with no oxygen and temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The odds of survival at that altitude without the proper equipment would be calculated in seconds. But even with the best gear corporate money can buy, it’s perilous, as the slightest slip-up can turn lethal. Perhaps no one knows that better than Tehachapi’s Mike Todd, who while the sun rose over the New Mexico desert on Oct. 14, 2012, faced his fears and elevated his affinity for skydiving to a whole new level — nearly 24 miles above earth. Todd was the life support engineer for the Red Bull Stratos Mission to the Edge of Space and Supersonic freefall, which made history when Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner flew approximately into the stratosphere over New Mexico in a helium balloon

before free falling in a pressure suit and then parachuting to Earth. Earlier in his career, Todd experienced tragedy, losing friend Nicholas Piantanida during a high-altitude space dive in 1966. But his courage to continue to carry out what Piantanida sought to do, gave Todd a second chance, landing him a role in helping to design, perfect and maintain the pressure suit, helmet and the oxygen components, which kept Baumgartner alive as fell through space at nearly 834 miles per hour. “I felt that the opportunity to work on the Stratos project would bring some closure to Nick’s death for me,” Todd said. “I wanted to see this project succeed, and when I saw the partners in this, which was Red Bull, I knew money would not be an issue as it was with Nick.” It wasn’t, as Red Bulls’ Stratos project, although shrouded in a veil of financial secrecy, has been rumored to have exceeded $40 million.

Years in the making More than eight million viewers are estimated to have watched as Baumgartner stepped into a specially built space capsule, slowly ascended to the edge of the stratosphere beneath an enormous helium balloon before freefalling and then parachuting gently back to Earth. Setting multiple world records for skydiving, as well as being the first human being to break the sound barrier without vehicular power, Baumgartner’s achievement was the culmination of seven years of engineering triumphs and setbacks. To make matters more difficult, Baumgartner’s jump required a “next generation” pressure suit. One, which would cost a quarter of a million dollars, and previously never was developed, let alone actually used. That prompted Red Bull technical project director Art Thompson, owner of aerospace engineering firm Sage

Cheshire in Lancaster, to enlist Todd, whose affinity for skydiving that began in the late 1950s, had already taken him to heights greater than he had See TODD • Page 4

Mike Todd

January-February 2013 — SENIOR SCENE

Todd: suited well Continued from Page 3

ever imagined. Once a test jumper for Pioneer Parachute Co. in South Windsor, Conn., the 71-year-old Tehachapi resident made more than 800 jumps before giving up skydiving in 1969 to work as an engineer for the next three decades. After moving to Palmdale in 1971 to work for Lockheed’s “Skunk Works” High Altitude Life Support and Pressure Suit Division, Todd retired in 2000, just six months before receiving a call from American businessman, and a record-setting adventurer Steve Fossett, who asked Todd to help him on his record-breaking Perlan glider project. The two worked side-by-side for 3-1/2 years, often swapping stories of hiking the rugged landscape of the Sierra Nevadas, where Fossett later perished in a single-engine plane crash in September of 2007. “Steve was a neat guy and I liked working for him,” Todd said. “I suspect when he was up there the day he died, he was looking at some of the very peaks we used to talk about.” It was during his time with Fossett that Todd gained recognition for his work with pressure suits. And after his meeting with Thompson, he would spend the next 5-1/2 years trying to make history.

Facing his nightmare Although Todd’s only involvement leading up to the accident that killed Paitanida was test jumping his parachute, the anxiety of helping tailor the custom-made David Clark Company suit that Baumgartner required for his leap into space, wasn’t the only thing that conjured up nightmares for Todd. His primary concern was something much more frightening — Baumgartner’s transition from supersonic to subsonic velocity. Known as transonic, it is an envelope where part of Baumgartner could be traveling at subsonic and supersonic speeds all at the same time. The supersonic wave moving down his body could result in shock waves colliding with each other, resulting in extreme instability that could comprise his suit, Todd said. The smallest tear, would likely result in ebullism, the formation of gas bubbles in bodily fluid, which would in essence boil Baumgartner’s blood, rendering him unconscious within 15 seconds. “We didn’t know what would happen because no one had ever done it,” Todd said. “That was an area we were very, very concerned about it.” However, after months of intense testing, including 60 highaltitude test jumps in California City and Taft, Todd and his team

made the decision that the suit would function as needed. “Of course, the concern of something going wrong is always on the back of your mind,” Todd said. “But you focus on what you are doing, and the free fall was all up to Felix.”

History is made After several postponements due to inclement weather, the Red Bull Stratos Mission to the Edge of Space mission was finally a go last October. After the skydiver had a private moment with a friend, Todd was the last one to have physical contact with Baumgartner before sealing the capsule’s hatch. As the 55-story balloon gently drifted away, climbing at a rate of 1,000 feet per minute, Todd listened closely to mission control and Baumgartner’s conversations as he raced towards a pre-planned landing point. “Once we got through 100,000 feet I knew we were a go,” said Todd who pointed out that Baumgartner had already made two prior jumps out of a balloon, including one at 97,000 feet. “There was no doubt in our minds the equipment was capable,” Todd said. “But there’s always something out there that will bite you and it always happens when you least expect it.” After a 4-minute, 22-second death-defying free fall, Baumgartner safely touched down with a picture perfect landing, punctuated by falling to his knees before being embraced by Todd. “I was the first one to reach him when he landed,” Todd said. “I can’t tell you how relieved I was that he was on the ground and safe.”

The final frontier Since the historic jump, the shy and soft-spoken Todd has been on a whirlwind media melee, which is set to conclude with a nationwide museum tour ending at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C where the 3,000-pound capsule, pressure suit and parachute will be enshrined. As for Todd, his plans are to remain in Tehachapi, spending his time hiking, camping and off-roading. “I am going to retire from retirement,” he said with a smile. “I am 71-years old and I have had enough.” However, retirement is a relative term for a man who just helped to pioneer the next generation of space suits. And it’s not likely we have heard the last of Todd, who alluded that he has been approached by an old friend who is interested in starting his own business of privatized space exploration.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE TODD

Tehachapi’s Mike Todd assists Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner into the special designed capsule that will carry him 120,000 feet before he free falls back to earth. Todd was the Life Support Engineer for the Red Bull Statos Project Mission to the Edge of Space.

SENIOR SCENE — January-February 2013

TRAVEL

Woo hoo! The Disney Dream cruise is truly magic BY DENISE TRONE

Florida, I repeatedly informed each one of them (while they were rolling their Woo hoo! eyes and mocking me), that someday This is this phrase that my late husthey would thank me for all the activiband Bret and I hollered out to the sky ties I insisted they participate in when we hurled off on our many because they would be richer for the adventures. Bret brought home a piece experience. of artwork from work one day and told To detail our voyage on the Disney me the speech bubble — “Fill your life Dream could take chapters, but to sum with experiences, not excuses” — fit it up in one word, I would use, “magic.” me to the tee, because I tend to conIt is Disney’s own blatantly advertised gest every opportunity out of life, with opinion of themselves, but I’d say it’s my family and friends dragging along also accurate. From the time my little behind me. sister, Stacy, my best friend, Tina, my So when I headed off last September great niece and nephew, Dylan and with two friends and two youngsters Stacy, and I stepped foot on the cruise to enjoy a Disney Dream cruise from bus that fetched us from Orlando to Port Canaveral, we were immersed in Tinkerbell’s “fairy dust.” I had made sure to do “pre” everything for our cruise arrangements, to speed the process along, so after we showed our passports at the check-in counter, we were quickly ushered to the concierge at the far end of the embarkation building, just adjacent to the “Hidden Mickey” entrance to the ship. Before all of us knew what was happening, we were being escorted through those ears and having our official 2012 Disney Dream picture taken. Soon, we were in our stateroom, which was gorgeous, as I had chosen a balDenise Trone saved this calendar page her huscony view, since my friend, Tina, has a band brought home back in 2009 — the words tendency to get seasick. The kids loved became her mantra, ‘Fill your life with experiences, the hidden pull-down bed that dropped not excuses.’ WooHoo! CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENISE TRONE

Denise Trone of Tehachapi, at far left, with traveling companions Stacy Hanisits, Stacy Thompson, Dylan Hanisits and Christina Schultz on a Disney Dream cruise last year. from the ceiling, and our Jamaican host Byron, a retired teacher, filled our days and nights with laughter. His stories and personal touches, such as folded animal towels and tricks for the kids, to chocolates on the beds, truly added to the great experience. Deck 11 was the happening place,

and we could be found there often, spiraling through the Aquaduck, swimming in Donald and Mickey’s pools, or sunning on the deck. Pluto’s track, on Deck 4, was an awesome place to walk off those exquisite meals we attempted to polish off every night, my favorite See Woo Hoo! • Page 6

For more information, please call Tehachapi Hospital at 661-823-3000 Flu shots will be offered to adults only, 18 years and older at a cost of $15.00 a shot, and will be given on a first come first serve basis.

January-February 2013 — SENIOR SCENE

Senior discounts — don’t be afraid to ask! METRO — Today's seniors might cringe at the escalating costs of necessities such as prescription medication and even higher utility bills, and understandably so. However, savvy seniors can save by taking advantage of a host of discounts exclusive to the those over the age of 65 (and sometimes even younger seniors). • Travel perks. Many seniors love to travel, and can even do so at heavily discounted prices. Larger hotel chains often offer seniors discounts as high as 10 percent. Unfortunately, many U.S. domestic airlines, facing higher fuel prices and dwindling business due the global economic downturn, ceased offering senior discounts in 2009. However, certain airlines, including Southwest Airlines, still offer discounted rates to seniors. These discounts can be as much as 10 percent. It's also common for car rental agencies to

offer senior discounts. • Transportation. Many communities provide heavily discounted, if not free, rates to seniors for public transportation. Consult with your local government to determine if you qualify for senior discounts. • Food. Grocery stores commonly offer discounts to older customers, and many times you don't even need to be a senior citizen to qualify. In general, chains offer senior discounts, including special days for seniors to shop, to anyone over the age of 55. Restaurants are also known to offer senior discounts, and often these discounts extend beyond “early bird special” discounts of yesteryear. While early bird specials still exist, many chain restaurants offer discounted prices to seniors regardless of time of day. In many cases, these discounts aren't listed on the menu, but it never hurts, and typically saves, to ask.

National Parks — only $10 for lifetime pass good at many federal facilities Did you know that seniors 62 and older can purchase a lifetime pass good for entrance to most National Parks and Federal Recreation Areas for as little as $10. And people with permanent disabilities can get a pass for free! Here are the requirements for the Senior Pass: • For U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. • May be obtained in person at a federal recreation site or through the mail using an application form available online. The cost of obtaining a Senior Pass through the mail is $20 — $10 is for the Senior Pass and $10 for processing the application. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship. The pass provides access to more than 2,000 recreation

• Arts and culture. Seniors looking to spend a day or night on the

sites managed by five federal agencies, with up to 100 percent of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services. The pass may provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. Generally the pass does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners. The Senior Pass admits pass owner/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at

town and take in some culture can typically do so at a discounted rate.

per-vehicle fee areas and pass owner + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, where perperson fees are charged. (Children under 16 are always admitted free.) Photo identification will be requested to verify pass ownership. The Forest Service, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation honor the Senior Pass at sites where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee(s) are charged. In addition, the Corps of Engineers and and Tennessee Valley Authority may honor the Senior Pass for entrance or camping discounts. For additional information online, visit: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/se nior.html

Museums and National Parks typically offer discounted admission to

seniors, as do movie theaters and even some concert halls.

Woo hoo! What a really fun adventure this was! Continued from Page 5

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENISE TRONE

The Disney Dream cruise ship is pictured in the background with Denise Trone (back row, left), and her traveling companions, Stacy Hanisits, Stacy Thompson, Dylan Hanisits and Christina Schultz. being the Butternut Truffle Ravioli at The Animator’s Palette. And, oh, the desserts! We needed to walk that track

every single night to keep up with them, or should I say, shed them! One night, at the Enchanted Garden,

our waiter, Barry, brought us every single dessert on the menu, and we walked away as bloated as Winnie the Pooh. But the best dessert of all was the Chocolate Souffle at Palo. It was an airy chocolate cloud, and our waiter, Felice, poked a hole in the top and poured warm vanilla custard and rich chocolate ganache into its center. Talk about melting in your mouth! For Dylan and Stacy, the Oceaneer’s Club and Ocean Lab was a place where they could just be kids. They hunted for Heffalumps, saved Woody and his friends from the evil Sid, with giant life-sized green Army men as their fearless leaders, washed their hands in a super new cool cleaning machine, and played with giant Monsters, Inc. sized toys, fairies and more. They also played a giant mini-golf sized game on Goofy’s sport deck, with the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop and got soaked with Nemo and his friends. And talk about the Disney characters — they were everywhere! That little boy and girl filled their autograph books with what seemed like every Disney character that existed, and those characters were true to life. I actually think they embodied their costumes, because Dylan and Stacy knew,

and so did we, that we were meeting the “real deal.” This cruise is the stuff of kids’ dreams, people! We watched “Believe,” a play that made you dream it was possible to be a child again and have faith that magic still really exists, we fenced with pirates and saw them battle it out with each other in a sea and sky full of fireworks, we hugged and fed and swam with the dolphins and the stingrays, we snorkeled and flipped inner tubes and lay flat on rafts, with the sun kissing our skin on the Caribbean Sea, we built a sorry looking sandcastle for Mickey in the white powdery sand of Castaway Cay, and lunched on BBQ with birds we had never before witnessed. We lived, we laughed, we loved, we made memories of a lifetime, but most of all we treasured the one thing that is most important in all the world, and beyond... our relationships! And so it is with much gratitude that I give “props” to Disney Cruise Lines from the bottom of my heart, for being the magical facilitator to our dream come true! DENISE TRONE lives in Tehachapi. In addition to air fare to Florida, a cruise like the one she describes will cost about $1,000 per person.

SENIOR SCENE — January-February 2013

DISCOUNTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE — PLEASE CONFIRM BEFORE ORDERING IF YOUR BUSINESS offers a senior discount and you would like to be included in the next Senior Scene discount guide, call 822-6828.

The following Tehachapi businesses offer senior discounts, as follows: 58 RESTAURANT, (55 yrs. +) 15% daily, 480 E. Steuber Rd., 822-9992. ALL AMERICAN TIRE, (62yrs.+) 10% daily, 787 W. Tehachapi Blvd., 822-4950. APPLE SHED, (65 yrs. +) free non-alcoholic beverage w/ purchase of food, 333 E. Tehachapi Blvd., 823-3333. BASKIN ROBBINS, (65 yrs. +) 10% daily, 785 Tucker Rd., 822-3496. BURGER SPOT, (60 yrs. +) 10%, 208 W. Tehachapi Blvd., 822-3145. CANINE CREEK, (55 yrs. +) 50% off just bathing on Wed. only, 538 E. Tehachapi Blvd., 822-0307. CITY SLICKERS, (62 yrs. +) 10% daily, 1001 W. Tehachapi Blvd., 822-4939. DENNY’S, (55 yrs. +) 20% daily, $1 coffee with AARP card, senior. menu, 9000 Magellan Dr., 823-7380. DEVAN YATES DOG GROOMING, (55 yrs. +) 10% daily, 20825 South St., 654-1712. DOMINGO’S, (55 yrs. +) senior menu daily, 20416 W. Valley Blvd., 822-7611. THE DRESSING ROOM, (62 yrs. +) 10% Wed., 20406 Brian Way Ste 3C, 822-4924. EXPRESSIONS, (65 yrs. +) $5 off any service any day, 20608 South St. Ste. D, 823-7007. GOLDEN HILLS SALON, (60 yrs. +) 10% daily, 20021 W. Valley Blvd., 823-0880. JAVA LOOP, (55 yrs. +) 10% daily, 20001 W. Valley Blvd., 822-9987. KELCY’S CAFÉ, (60 yrs. +) 10% daily, 110 W. Tehachapi Blvd., 822-4207. KELLY’S CAFÉ, (60yrs. +) 10% daily, 20424 Brian Way, 822-1608. KING OF SIAM, (55 yrs. +) 15% daily, 760 Tucker Rd., 823-9977.

10%

Discount for 55 years + for repairs In House Rentals Mark and Juanita Torres Owner/Operator

822-5997 | 20601 Santa Lucia

15% King of Siam nior Discount

Se ni

of dayy of Ev eryy da Ever eekk wee th thee w

T H A I R E S TA U R A N T

823-9977 760-B Tucker Rd.

Eat in or Take-out

Open 7 days a week 11am 11am to to 9pm 9pm Sun.-Thurs. Sun.-Thurs. 11am 11am to to 10pm 10pm Fri. Fri. && Sat. Sat.

Under new Ownership and Management 20936 Sage Lane 823-8205 Senior Class Schedule SENIOR FIT - a low impact class designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen heart & muscles, increase flexibility and balance. JAZZERCISE - Dance exercise! GO-minute workouts are a fusion of Dance & Muscle Toning choreographed to a Mix of today's hottest music! PILATES - Tone up that wobbly middle! Designed to strengthen your core. YOGA - Iyengar Yoga, created by BKS Iyengar of India, characterized by a focus on precision of physical alignment, as well as by its use of props & holding poses over long periods versus moving quickly from one pose to the next. ZUMBA® - Party yourself into shape? Exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitnessparty!

10% Senior

Discount

Tim Williams 661-703-1998 27 years of experience Specializing in Bathrooms - meeting Medical and Handicapable Needs

Decks • Additions • Kitchen

Senior and Military Discounts Available

LAS PALMAS, (55 yrs. +) Sr. menu, 108 S. Green St., 822-5506. LINDA’S CAKES N’ THINGS (55 yrs. +) 10% on cakes and goodies (not including wedding cakes), 822-1122. M&M FISH AND CHIPS, (60 yrs. +) 10% on Tues., 640 W. Tehachapi Blvd., 822-3411. McDONALD’S, (55 yrs. +) 75 cent beverages, 2000 E. Tehachapi Blvd., 823-8300. OLD TOWNE PIZZA, (55 yrs. +) 10% daily, 20430 Brian Way, 822-3558. P-DUBS GRILLE & BAR, (55 yrs. +) 10% on Wed., 27725 Stallion Springs Dr., 823-7777. PACINO’S SPAGHETTI FACTORY, (62 yrs. +) 10% daily, 1100 W. Tehachapi Blvd., 8229400. PETRA MEDITERRANEAN DELI, (65 yrs. +) 10% daily, 200 S. Green St., 822-1900. PRIMO BURGER, (55 yrs. +) 10% daily, 118 East F St., 823-7202. QUIZNO’S, (62 yrs. +) 10% daily, 1001 W. Tehachapi Blvd., 823-9886. RAVEN’S NEST RESTAURANT, (62 yrs. +) 10% daily, 16332 Harris Rd., 822-5267. RED CARPET GROOMING, (60 yrs. +) 5% daily, 20608 South St. #C, 823-1119. RED HOUSE BBQ, (60 yrs. +) 10% daily, 426 E. Tehachapi Blvd., 822-0772. SAVE MART (55 yrs. +) 5% Wed. only, 841 Tucker Rd., 822-6849. STUDIO J ask for LINDA, (55 yrs. +) $5 off cut/style, 114 East F St., 822-3669 ext. 227. THAI PALMS RESTAURANT (60 yrs. +) 10% daily, 20909 South St. #3, 822-8121. TEHACHAPI COLLISION CENTER, 10%, 2601 Santa Lucia, 822-5997. TEHACHAPI FITNESS CENTER, 20936 Sage Lane, 823.8205. TKO REMODELING, 15%, 822-0703-1998. VILLAGE GRILL, (55 yrs. +) 10% daily, 410 E. Tehachapi Blvd., 822-1128.

January-February 2013 — SENIOR SCENE

HEALTH

How to eliminate the empty nest blues METRO — While some empty nesters bid farewell to their children and return home giddy with plans for that hobby room that has been desired, a fair share feel as empty as their nowvacant house. It is possible to banish the blues that come from saying goodbye to grown children who are going off to college, getting married or leaving for military duty. Here are some ways to put a smile on your face. • Look ahead. Don't spend days looking at old photo albums reliving the past. Yes your baby boy grew quickly; now he's a 6-foot-tall certified public accountant. Plan for your future with your spouse. Make a list of all the

things you've wanted to accomplish that were always shelved due to familial responsibilities. Now that you have the time, do these things. • Set sparks ablaze. Too often cou-

ples put their own needs aside for the needs of their children. This can take a toll on the relationship and intimacy. Now that the kids have flown the coop, get to know your spouse again. Go on dates, be daring around the house. Live like you did when you were newlyweds. • Foster relationships with friends. Just because you've traded in carpools and soccer practice for invitations to each other's children's weddings, that doesn't mean you have to lose touch with friends. Take the time to schedule "Empty Nest" parties, where parents in similar situations can enjoy companionship. • Renovate the house. Don't feel

FINANCE

RESOURCES

Understanding estate planning basics METRO — Estate planning is the process of arranging for the disposal of an estate and is done to help minimize uncertainty upon an individual's death. This planning also reduce taxes and additional expenses that might arise if a person passes away without having left a will or another means of disposing of his or her estate. Regardless of the size of an individual's estate, there's no reason not to have an estate plan in place. The following are some of the basics of estate planning. More than just a will An estate plan is more than just a will. Though an up-to-date and specific will is an important element of a good estate plan, there are other elements as well. In addition to a will, an estate plan should assign power of attorney, which gives a person of an individual's choosing the right to manage that individual's financial affairs if they are unable to do so themselves. Power of attorney should be assigned in the case of a person's death, but also if an unforeseen medical issue arises and a person is no longer capable of managing their affairs. There are two types of power of attorney that are essential to know when estate planning. Springing power of attorney goes into effect when circum-

guilty about turning your son or daughter's former room into a space that caters to your interests. Or maybe you have been waiting for him or her to move out so you can finally have your own room again! Whatever the case, make your plans to change the house to meet your needs instead of the whole family's needs. • Plan family reunions. If the thought of having all the kids under the same roof again makes you smile, schedule plenty of family get-togethers so everyone can catch up in person. Whether it's cake and coffee or a big backyard barbecue, savor the moments with your family.

stances that the individual specified, such as incapacitation, occur. In order for this to go into effect, the agent designated must typically produce proof of an individual's incapacitation. Durable power of attorney goes into effect immediately and the agent does not need to prove incapacitation. When choosing an agent to assume power of attorney, individuals need to make this decision wisely, choosing someone they trust who can competently manage their affairs. Assessing your assets Assets include a host of things, from investment accounts to real estate to retirement savings. Individuals must take careful inventory of all of their assets and determine to whom these assets should go if they die or who should gain control of them if individuals become incapacitated. This means leaving no stone unturned. If there are any questions about specific assets, then legal wrangling or even government taxation upon these assets is likely to take place. Understanding trusts Many people hear the word trust associated with financial dealings and immediately assume it only applies to the wealthy. Nothing could be further from the truth. A trust enables men and

women to put conditions on the distribution of their assets upon their death, including when and how these assets will be distributed. In addition, a trust might just protect these assets from creditors or lawsuits and help heirs avoid probate court, which can be costly and tedious. Though trusts aren't necessarily for everyone, they also aren't exclusive to the very wealthy. Allocation of assets Many people make the mistake of leaving all of their assets to their spouses upon their deaths. While this is wellintentioned, it doesn't always work out best. Individuals can leave an unlimited amount of money to their spouse upon their death, and that money cannot be taxed. However, when the surviving spouse dies, if he or she leaves that money to their surviving children, then they are likely going to pay significantly more in estate tax. In addition, when deciding to simply leave all assets to a surviving spouse, this is, in a sense, leaving the difficult decision of asset allocation to the surviving spouse. What's more, should both husband and wife pass away in an accident at the same time and all assets were left to a spouse, this can make it very difficult, for surviving family members to divide up any assets left behind.

For Seniors & Their Families • Tehachapi & Southeastern Kern County

SeniorScene Published by the Tehachapi News For Advertising Information Contact Your Tehachapi News Advertising Representative or call 822-6828

Local and Kern County resources for seniors include: Aging & Adult Services 868-1000 / (800) 277-7866 Elder Abuse/Adult Protective Services 868-1006 / (800) 277-7866 In-Home Supportive Services 868-1000 / (800) 510-2020 Meals on Wheels 822-6255 / 256-0557 (Rosamond) Part of the Tehachapi Senior Nutrition Program, providing hot, nutritious meals to area seniors. Call for more information. Multipurpose Senior Services Program (800) 510-2020 Probate Conservatorship/ Public Guardian (800) 277-7866 Senior Center 500 E. “F” St., Tehachapi 822-5412 Senior Nutrition 822-6255 / (800) 277-7866 Senior Outreach Assessment Response (SOAR) (800) 277-7866 Social Security Administration, Bakersfield Information 661-861-4242 To make an appointment 1-800-772-1213 www.ssa.gov

2013 Publication Schedule EDITION March-April May-June July-August Sept.-Oct. Nov.-Dec.

Publication Date March 1 May 3 July 5 Sept. 6 Nov. 1

Advertising Deadline Feb. 13 April 17 June 19 Aug. 21 Oct. 16