Lovin Life After 50: East July 2020

July 2020

Voice of the West Valley

Chapter Two

Nora Ellen starts a new career

Betty Lynch leads the charge for the region

Pandemic Panic

Deep breaths, vitamin D are necessary during the quarantine, says Dr. Crystal Song

East Valley Edition Mailed toYour Home Monthly

Mark Gus Scott gives Trixter’s ‘Good’ a second chance Page 14

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10 Pandemic Panic Deep breaths, vitamin D are necessary during the quarantine

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Ask Gabby Gayle News Briefs

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A New Chapter

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Take Two

Trixter’s Mark Gus Scott turns hit into ‘power country’ song

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The Healthy Geezer

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Contributors

Fred Cicetti, Lin Sue Cooney, Gayle Lagman-Creswick, Jan D’atri, David Leibowitz, Janelle Molony, Claire Natale, Bridgette M. Redman, Nick Thomas, Annika Tomlin, Sarah Trahan, NMD

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Opinion

Leibo At Large

I miss the days of roundball with friends

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ

There was a beauty to the games, something artistic that maybe I cannot convey in words: The thud of the ball against the gym floor; the riotous squeaks and squeals of hightops on lacquered hardwood; the dim light, the frayed nets hanging from the rims.

This was the downtown Phoenix YMCA through the 1990s and the beginning of this decade, a lunchtime basketball game that I rarely missed for a dozen years running.

It was the best hour of my day for years, a time of sweat and trash talk, of hard-headed competition, and of men (and the occasional woman) of all backgrounds, all cultures and colors, all degrees of education, all walks of life, content to play five on five to 11 by ones.

I miss those days and the people that populated them the way I miss my youth.

Down to the marrow of my bones.

The old downtown Y basketball game bears mention now because I wonder if such a gathering could still exist today, in 2020, amid our time of infinite points of division. Is it possible for a gym in this Valley to draw together human beings so utterly different to play pickup basketball without an argument, a fistfight or a riot breaking out?

If there is such a game, I’d love to hear about it.

Back then, it wasn’t just possible—basketball at lunch was an absolute.

I’d plan my day around it, as would 20 or 30 other guys, men between the ages of 18 and 60-plus, guys who’d played in high school and college, guys who could drain jumpshots from 27 feet and guys who could barely make a layup.

Friday was the big day, when everyone showed up. Frank, built solid as a hunk of stone, a deadly outside shot who’d played quarterback in college. Ricky D., the TV cameraman who’d played at Grand Canyon and had unlimited range. www.LovinLife.com

Austin, whose drives to the basket ended one of two ways—with him scoring or him calling a foul because someone had breathed in his direction.

Can you tell maybe I held a grudge?

There was Adrian, slender as a tree branch, his hair often in tight cornrows, his speed and handle with the ball something few could match.

And Ralph, a 20-something, loud, profane, a baller. The last I’d heard, he’d become a boxing ring announcer, which seems like a perfect match of braggadocio and professional skill.

Reporters from the Republic would play, like John the martial artist and Craig in his Oregon Ducks T-shirts.

So would Paul the prosecutor and Bob and Pete, the defense lawyers, and Manny and Michael, a father and son team, and Danny, the Samoan NFL nose guard, and Jaime, my buddy from Hell’s Kitchen, and a guy everyone –himself included— called Fat Mike.

If it sounds like a random crowd, it was.

Which is my point exactly and the beauty of disorganized sports back in the day.

These games weren’t about making a cultural point, which is itself a cultural point: It is possible to connect with other human beings, to get to know them, to play with them and against them, and to learn respect for one another, in settings besides a classroom or work.

So much of what I know about people who look nothing like me came in these unguarded moments, when they quite literally guarded me.

We played. We won and lost. We argued. We sat on the sidelines and waited to have the next. We spoke, we learned.

I lived it myself once, for real, in a gym downtown. I wrote it down so maybe you’d believe I’m not making it up.

David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995.

Contact david@leibowitzsolo.com.

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Use your judgment when venturing out

BY GAYLE LAGMAN-CRESWICK

Q

Dear Gabby Gayle: The world is opening up, and I am not ready. I have pretty much stayed home since March, even before we had to. I am a retired health care worker, and I have kept up with all the science. I am on a chemo-therapy drug, and I know my immunity is already threatened. All my friends are ready to toss off the veil of safety and go out on the town. I tell them I am not ready. I really miss my social life too. Are you ready, Gabby? Give me some sensible advice, please!

Signed, Fraidy Cat

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Dear Cat: When is the right time to venture out? That question is being asked by many people now, especially older or immune-compromised persons. It seems to me every state is different, and every person is different. What I am doing is one-byone engaging with family members. I still do not attend large group functions because my doctor advised me not to. I practice social distancing and I wear a mask if I am going to come in contact with others. I am lunching with one person—my daughter, and we sit outside and sit on opposite sides of a big table. I cannot tell you what to do. Perhaps you can ask your doctor’s opinion. Remember, it sounds as if this virus is going to be around for quite a while. At some point we will have to venture out. My advice to myself is to move slowly and take reasonable precautions. Be well.

Signed, GG

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Dear Gabby Gayle: My husband and I have been married for 40 years this month. I don’t feel like celebrating. It has not been a grand time.

When we were both working, things went fairly well. We both took early retirement, regretfully. Once we were together everyday things began falling apart at the seams.

Then the pandemic hit, and we really had too much togetherness. I have looked deeply into my soul and said to myself, “Why did I ever stay married to this guy?”

We agree on very little...even politics! I want

to leave him. I told my best friend and she said, “Why now, after all these years?” I told her that I was a slow learner. Then she said, “Ask Gabby.” So here I am!

Signed, Enough!

A

Dear Enough: I agree with you that it is not too late to leave a bad situation. However, because you have invested 40 years into it, why don’t you try some marriage counselling? Find a good therapist for both of you and see if there is something to save. You will either learn some new ways of living together, or you will gain some knowledge on peaceable parting. Good luck.

Signed, GG

Q

Dear Gabby Gayle: I am a 55-year-old male who has no family. I have met a woman who is single but has a huge family. She has four grown children and a slew of grandchildren. I admit that I do not understand this family stuff. She is a great gal and I do love her, but I don’t know about sharing her with all this family. Her family seems to welcome me, and they always want to hug me. It makes me uncomfortable. I am not used to this stuff. Should I just shut up and make the best of it, or should I run fast in the other direction?

Signed, Hesitant

A

Dear Hesitant: This is the way I see it: Loving her is not enough. Can you love her family, too, and welcome them into your life and learn how rewarding it is to be part of a loving family? Or are you going to resent every time she wants to be with her family? If so, it will not work! It is not easy for someone who has not had close family ties to change into a family guy. Do you like children? It sounds as if her family is willing to welcome you, but they will quickly change their minds if they sense you do not want them to be a part of their mother’s life. Good luck!

Signed, GG If you have a question for Gabby Gayle, please send to: lagmancreswick@gmail.com

www.LovinLife.com

Medicines that are out of date or no longer used and are kept at home are highly susceptible to misuse, and abuse.

Keeping medications after they are no longer needed creates a health risk for children and others.

One in six older adults regularly uses a potentially dangerous combination of prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications.

Disposal of Pills and Liquid Medications Pour liquid or expired medication into a plastic bag and mix with kitty litter or used coffee grounds. Seal the container and toss it in the trash.

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News Briefs

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI AND ANNIKA TOMLIN

dispensary complex with adjoining cafe and classroom, invites the community to learn how to stay healthy in mind, body and spirit by attending its free wellness classes.

Sol Flower is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week at 13650 N. 99th Avenue in Sun City.

Open to the public, the Sol Flower classroom offers rotating educational courses covering a full spectrum of healthcare topics. Most events are free, unless otherwise noted. For more information, visit LiveWithSol.com/classes. Facemasks are strongly recommended in the classroom and space is limited to 10 registrants. Preregistration is required.

Featured July classes include:

Cannabis for seniors Scottsdale Spencer’s TV & Appliances General Manager John Polainer, center, awards the 4 millionth transaction winners Richard Holmes, left, and Patti Everts, right. (Photo by Annika Tomlin)

Two customers win big at Spencer’s Two local Spencer’s TV & Appliance customers were awarded major shopping sprees at its original location in Mesa recently.

Patti Everts of Scottsdale and Richard Holmes of Peoria each won $10,000 to spend at the store for being its 4 millionth transaction.

John Polainer, the Scottsdale location’s general manager, gave them certificates.

He also served as the salesperson who sold Everts her appliances at the Scottsdale store.

Everts’ prize-winning trip was her first visit to Spencer’s.

“I bought a whole new kitchen,” Everts says gleefully. “I bought everything that a kitchen should be—a washer and dryer, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher, the whole kitchen.”

Everts said she never won anything like this. At first, she thought she thought the phone call from Spencer’s was a trick.

“I received a phone call in the afternoon, and I thought I was punked; I really did,” Everts says matter of factly. “I didn’t know the person calling me. I didn’t recognize the number on my cellphone. I was trying to be excited for him, but I didn’t want to be super excited and be wrong.

“Then John (Polainer), my salesperson, calls me about an hour later and congratulated me and then I knew it was real.”

Everts is not sure how she will spend her $10,000, but she’s excited to return to Spencer’s when she is ready.

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Holmes is a long-time customer of Spencer’s and was also surprised that he had won.

“One of the managers let me know,” Holmes says. “I was surprised and right after that the salesman called me.”

To enter into the competition, Holmes bought a new stove and refrigerator. He bought all of his appliances at Spencer’s in the last 15 years.

Holmes had also never won something to the magnitude of this prize.

“My first experience with them was really good and every experience since has been great so I just keep coming back,” Holmes says.

He already used most of the gift on more appliances and will finish using the winnings and continue to be “a Spencer’s customer forever.”

“We got another new stove and another new refrigerator, and a deep freezer and a TV. Now we’re just waiting to get some more stuff,” Holmes says.

After buying a new stove, Holmes sold his other one but now has three refrigerators and a freezer in his house.

Spencer’s has 10 Valleywide locations that are practicing social distancing during the pandemic and offers virtual listings of its appliances on its website.

Polainer was happy to award the winners and is hopeful that by next year the company will have reached the 5 millionth transaction mark.

Sol Flower hosts wellness classes Sol Flower of Sun City, a mixed-use

2 p.m. Mondays in July Find out what to expect when you begin your journey with this healing plant.

Learn tips on how to start using medical cannabis, methods of consumption, dosing and how to titrate your medication.

The course offers a question and answer session with a senior patient specialist and provides information specific to senior health care topics. Jane Fix, director of patient education at Sol Flower leads the classes.

Reflexology 4:40 to 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays in July Preregistration is required.

Reflexology is a hands-on technique that works mostly with feet and hands, effecting change throughout the entire body. Learn more about traditional Chinese medicine, zone therapy, meridians, feet mapping and more as the instructor focuses on different aspects of reflexology each week.

Emotional freedom technique 4 p.m. Wednesdays July 8, July 15 and July 22 10 a.m. Saturdays July 11, July 18, July 25, August 1 Emotional freedom technique (EFT) is a gentle tapping technique that resolves negative feelings, thoughts and emotions, cravings, and emotional and physical pain. In EFT/Tapping, it is not relevant how long ago something happened or how big or small of a problem it is in your life. With the correct Tapping protocol, the troubling aspects in your life can be alleviated. The American Medical Association has approved Clinical EFT as an

evidence-based modality that works on PTSD and other serious psychological disorders. Preregistration is required.

Cannabis for neurological conditions 3 p.m. Thursdays July 6, July 16 and July 30 Find out how cannabis can alleviate some of the symptoms of neurological conditions.

Alzheimer’s, dementia and cannabis 1 p.m. Fridays July 10, July 17 and July 31 Find out what role cannabis could play in healing the brain function. Come see the research in a PowerPoint presentation.

Westernaires Chorus sets fall rehearsal The 85-member mixed Westernaires Chorus will conduct its first fall rehearsal at 8 a.m. Thursday, September 3, in the “back 40” of the Stardust Theater. The Westernaires, one of the oldest chartered clubs in Sun City West, will present its winter shows at the Stardust Theater from December 4 to December 7. SCW residents interested in singing and performing with the Westernaires may contact Director Sylvia Collins at 623-214-6112 for more information.

Retirement community awarding $60K in educational grants Friendship Village Tempe will award approximately $60,000 in educational grants to its team members in 2020. The first group of recipients received their grants in mid-June.

The educational grants, facilitated by the Friendship Village Tempe Foundation, have been tradition for more than 20 years. Both part-time and full-time team members are eligible for up to $2,000 a semester. Up to $500 is also available to team members earning GEDs. Largely funded by residents, the initiative illustrates the bond they have with team members and a desire to help them achieve goals in life.

Friendship Village is a firm believer in education as a critical key to success, empowering team members both professionally and personally. The educational grants also serve as a token of appreciation for team members’ contributions, which are more vital than ever during the pandemic. www.LovinLife.com

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Dr. Crystal Song of Song of Natural Medicine in Chandler says when people feel anxious, they often take shallow breaths.

Features

(Photo by Pablo Robles)

PANDEMIC

PANIC

Deep breaths, vitamin D are necessary during the quarantine

BY ANNIKA TOMLIN Stress is a common feeling that has arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s not at all unexpected, but Chandler Naturopath Dr. Crystal Song says stress isn’t limited to events.

“Stress is not really just an event. I think stress should be defined by a person’s response to an event,” Song says, “The same event can occur, and two different people could have a different reaction. Basically, if you feel stressful or if you feel anxious about a certain event than that event is a stress for you.”

Song discussed the many ways that this pandemic can change people’s well-being and ways to consider getting some normalcy back into their lives. Song encourages her patients to maintain their normal intake of vitamins and supplements, especially vitamin D because we’re going outside far less.

Exercise Song has seen several of her patients’ vitals change during the pandemic.

Bloodwork has revealed some of them have high cholesterol now.

“They claim that they are doing the same diet and doing the same exercises and routine but on closer examination what we found when we try to identify the problem as a naturopath is that when they were going to work physically, they

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were definitely taking a lot more steps,” Song says.

The quarantine has pushed everyone away from exercise—even easier tasks like going to the mall or shopping. So we are walking less and should add more exercise to our routines.

“All of those things that you used to do would cause you to do more steps and more walking, so now you basically have to increase your exercises whatever your routine is.”

She would emphasize that exercising in open air is always better and even though it is hot outside people can go out in the evening or early mornings.

Alcohol Song has seen an increase of alcohol consumption among her patients. She attributes it to boredom and the quarantine.

“You’re not supposed to have parties,” she says. “Maybe in the past you just go to a party and drink but now you don’t have the big parties, instead you have small gatherings with family members. There is no question that people are drinking more.”

Moderate amounts of drinking are OK according to Song but she does not feel that alcohol has any benefits.

Eating Food consumption is up, too, because we’re home all the time. Song thinks the limited availability of certain foods should not be a reason to eat unhealthily.

“There’s definitely no shortage of fresh fruit and veggies,” she says. “It’s summertime so a lot of these things are on the market now—melons, peaches, nectarines, apricots and berries. Those are all really healthy and they are loaded with antioxidants so they would really help people with the immunity and their natural ability to keep the virus out of the body.”

Oxygen/Anxiety At her appointments, Song checks her patients’ oxygen level and heart rate. She found one of her patients who had normal oxygen levels and heart rate prior to the pandemic had an oxygen level of 90%.

“The normal range for oxygen saturation is 94% or more.

The closer to 100 the better it is.

That means your blood is full of oxygen.”

She says the lower oxygen level was due to anxiety because patients hold their breath more during an attack.

“It’s a habit that a lot of people don’t know, and I think I catch myself doing that sometimes when I’m concentrating or something more when I’m nervous. I’m not taking deep breaths; I’m just holding my breath or doing shallow breathing.”

Holding in breath can cause fatigue and more anxiety.

“I think it would be a really good idea for people to exercise their breathing kind of purposely as an exercise taking deep breaths and also consider a pulse oximeter.”

A pulse oximeter is the small device that goes on your index finger for nurses and doctors to use to measure pulse and oxygen level. For people who do not have COPD or other chronic respiratory illnesses, oxygen levels should be within the 97 or 98 percentiles, according to Song.

She suggests people buy pulse oximeters, which are relatively inexpensive. The virus can cause a serious drop in oxygen levels.

“A lot of people don’t know this because they don’t have a device to measure their oxygen. They do not know that their oxygen is dropping but they could have symptoms like shortness of breath.

Without taking the measurement you just don’t know when or if you should go to the hospital to get the oxygen and be on a ventilator.”

Song tells all of her patients to get a baseline oxygen level while they are well, so they have something to compare it to when they don’t feel well.

Lifestyle change It is unclear as to when the pandemic will end, and Song hopes people adapt to the “new normal.”

“There is always that mind-body relationship. When your mind is not healthy or not happy it is going to affect the body.”

Panic...continues on page 11 www.LovinLife.com

Facial Massage The Ancient Art of Gua Sha: Try It at Home

BY SARAH TRAHAN, NMD

Panic...continued from page 10 Song predicted the pandemic would end when summertime hit. She was wrong.

“I’m not ashamed of saying that. One of the things I always said was when the heat comes on the virus will die off same as the flu; but that just doesn’t seem to be happening.”

Even with the quarantine, she encourages people to go out in the open air to walk or bike.

“We can’t just say, ‘I’ll wait until everything just ends and then I’ll go back to normal life.’ We don’t know when that is going to come so what I have been telling patients is that they have to be creative and come up with new ways of doing things.”

Song is all for social distancing. She told one of her patients to have online lunch dates instead of in person.

“Kind of make it a point to talking to people. We are social animals. We do have to talk to people even if it’s just talking and we’re not seeing people in person.

Even just make a point of talking to people it will help a lot because otherwise we are going to see a surge of or aggravation of a lot of mental illnesses coming out of this pandemic.”

Song of Natural Medicine Song’s practice, Song of Natural Medicine, is still seeing patients in person, but has offered telemedicine to help minimize the traffic in her office. She sees acupuncture patients who are willing to come in person. One person is allowed into the facility at a time with maybe a single family member as well.

“We wipe down everything after every patient. For people who are sick and have symptoms, we asked them to stay home and ask them to do the telemedicine. We treat that way to keep it safe for the people who do come in.”

Song of Natural Medicine 2979 E. Elliot Road, Suite 3, Chandler, 480-388-0099, songofnaturalmedicine.com www.LovinLife.com

Gua Sha (gwa-sah) is an ancient Asian medical practice that involves gliding a smooth surfaced tool along the connective tissue (i.e. muscles and tendons) to help relieve tension, regenerate tissue and enhance the immune system.

The word is derived from Mandarin Chinese—“gua” means to scrape or rub; “sha” is petechiae, or broken blood vessels, and bruising as well as the feeling of satisfaction.

The main physiological mechanism behind Gua Sha’s effects is its ability to move fluid through facial tissue. The improvements in tissue health are most noticeable in a brighter and clearer complexion, increased skin contour, wrinkle reduction and decreased puffiness.

Chronically dry and aging skin can benefit from weekly at home Gua Sha treatments in addition to young and tired skin. Gua Sha can help improve current acne regimens by giving the immune system a boost and relieving congestion often seen with chronic acne. Care must be taken to use clean tools and avoid further aggravating facial acne. Consult with a healthcare provider to find out the best way to use the therapy safely and effectively.

Gua Sha has demonstrated beneficial and health promoting effects on the nervous system. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of parasympathetic tone and has been studied before and after Gua Sha therapy. Researchers found that greater HRV is found post therapy as oppose to controls. The more HRV, the more the parasympathetic activity, and this is when healing happens. Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system causes blood vessels to relax and expand, which increases nutrient delivery to tissue, decreases inflammation and allows cells to restore their energy supplies.

The effects of Gua Sha on the immune system are demonstrated by the increase

in white blood cells to the treatment area in addition to an increase in an enzyme known to provide cellular support to oxidative damage, which is common as we age and experience UV damage. Inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a protein that causes inflammation, have been shown to decrease following treatment and this effect can last for up to a week.

Naturopathic medicine aims at aiding in the healing power of nature and

Gua Sha is just one of the many ways to stimulate your natural ability to sustain health for the long haul. It has shown to significantly increase resident stem cells to help promote new extracellular matrix proteins (i.e., collagen). In a study that investigates mesenchymal stem cells post instrument assisted soft tissue therapy (i.e., Gua Sha), there was a three-fold increase in circulating stem cells. This is greater support that Gua Sha therapy can help keep your face looking and feeling younger naturally.

How can you perform this therapy at home to get these benefits? There are two things to think about regarding Gua

Sha technique. One, the lymphatic system, and two, the aesthetics of the skin.

Proper lymphatic drainage assists the body in getting rid of cellular debris, aka garbage. The lymphatic system of the face is largely the same for everyone.

Lymph drains from under the eyes to the check bone and then down to the neck as well as from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jawbone and again down the neck. There should be about equal amounts of strokes aiding the lymphatic system but also promoting a lifted skin contour.

Wash your face so you start with a clean slate.

You can apply a warm, damp towel to face for a few minutes to help open your pores and blood vessels Apply face oil onto your face and neck. Vitamin E or jojoba oil are great options.

Using a Gua Sha tool (jade stone or rose quartz are affordable and easily found online), start just beside your nose with the thicker part of the rounded tool against your skin, use light pressure and create long gentle strokes towards your ear. Repeat this stroke from your nose to ear twice more until you see your skin turn pink or red. Then use the tool from the corner of your lips, along your jaw line, and then to the outer edge of your brow. Repeat this step a few more times. Finally, start between your brows and stroke up to your hairline down the side of your face and then along your neck to your collar bone. Repeat a few more times until the entire forehead is covered.

You can finish with a jade roller using similar strokes as you did the Gua Sha tool.

If your face tends to be red or inflamed, you can place the tools in the fridge or freezer before use to reduce inflammation even more.

Dr. Sarah Trahan is a resident at the Neil Riordan Center for Regenerative Medicine at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. Her primary focus is to improve her patients’ quality of life by helping them to find relief from both acute and chronic pain. For more information, visit patients.scnm.edu.

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‘Voice for the West Valley’ Betty Lynch rises from tragedy to serve the community

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Betty Lynch is considered a “voice for the West Valley.”

The former Avondale city councilwoman and vice mayor hasn’t let anyone stop her legacy of improving lives around the Valley.

“I brought sensitivity, compassion and love for people and understanding of people and their needs,” Lynch recalls about her time with the city. “I was able to give them a great deal.”

Lynch, who moved to Arizona in 1997, continues to give. She supports the fight against domestic violence, serving on the financial committee for A New Leaf.

The effervescent Lynch is active at her home, La Loma Village in Litchfield Park.

The pandemic has brought a change to her work. She spends her days partaking in Zoom meetings and teleconferences.

“Because of my background, people were saying I should run for City Council in Litchfield Park,” she says. “I’m a Sun Health person. I wouldn’t be able to represent Sun Health if I did that. Representing Sun Health is very, very important to me. I want to be able to continue to do that. I can’t do that if I’m on something like Planning and Zoning or City Council.”

La Loma Village is a Sun Health Community. In terms of her residence, Lynch is supporting the construction of a 20,000-square-foot community center there. It’s been approved by the design review committee and waiting for planning and zoning to take it up.

She said Luke Air Force Base—another organization Lynch vehemently supports—is excited about the center.

“They’ll be able to use this center for parties and meetings,” says Lynch, who was on the Luke Advisory Committee for eight years. “I just loved being there so much. It was an exceptional opportunity for me and I’m still in touch with them.”

Tragedy Lynch has faced her fair share of tragedies. She lost her daughter, Cynthia, in 2005 to complications from Crohn’s Disease and her husband a year later.

“He chose to take his life in 2006,” Lynch says. “That’s how I heal, by saying it that way.

“I have grown so much from all of the

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ber sitting in her lap and talking with her, but I don’t remember a lot. My dad just had an incredible love of people. He never wanted anything for himself. He just always wanted things for my mother and the three of us.”

She and her husband adopted their “beautiful” daughter when she was 12 weeks old. She was born in a Long Island hospital, where her mother was born on her grandfather’s birthday.

“I get goose pimples just talking about it,” she says.

“She was a spitting image of me. One Betty Lynch, who lives in La Loma Village in Litchfield Park, has been frequently man in a cheese honored throughout her life, but nothing touched her more than the Bishop Curtis Legacy Award from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, her alma mastore said you could ter. (LLAF photos by Chris Mortenson) never deny that things that have happened in my life,” child—a few weeks after we adopted she says. “I do a lot of domestic violence her. One day, she said to me, ‘I don’t think work for that reason. I’m a survivor. If I I’ll make 40. She made 39 and a half. She can help just one woman at any point, had a nomination to the Naval Academy, and she had almost that’s what I want to perfect SATs. She was do.” the joy of my life.”

Lynch believes she To better her life, inherited her need Lynch attended colto give back from lege in her mid-30s her father, Fred Steto increase her techvens. She grew up nical knowledge “very, very poor” on about being a bank a farm and didn’t teller, her occupation know until she was at the time. She was older that her father the first in her family was a “great giver.” To to attend college. make extra money, “After I got my first he drove a milk truck degree, my underand supplied peograd, I went to work ple with things they for a major bank and needed. the present there “One time, when I was 4 years old, he had to deliver ap- said, ‘I’ve never seen anyone your age ples to a lady whom I didn’t know,” she come out with straight As.’ A few years later, I went back and got my master’s recalls.

“I sat in her lap while he delivered his and that was also in finance and I stayed apples. It was Helen Keller. I just remem- in banking.”

At home, she sits on the Committee for Lifelong Learning and Understanding (LLU) where she resides. She also is the chairwoman of its scholarship committee that awards scholarships for the staff because residents cannot tip staff. Residents annually raise the dollars to fund the scholarships to various programs and universities.

Great accomplishment Lynch calls her greatest accomplishment winning the Bishop Curtis Legacy Award from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the university with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a minor in business administration.

She also earned an MBA with a major in finance and a minor in controllership, Summa Cum Laude, and again with an MBA in finance and a minor in controllership.

Both degrees were dual majors earned in three years while working full time and raising her young daughter.

“The award blew me away because this is the first award,” says Lynch, the former Peoria Chamber of Commerce executive director. “I admire Bishop Curtis and all the community work he did. I read about him before I ever went to school there.

The president, the alumni association and the board of trustees felt I most emulated what he did in his life.”

She’s also proud of her time as the Peoria Chamber of Commerce executive director.

“One of the first things I had to do was sit on the committee that was going to build the Challenger Center,” she says. “I felt my life had come full circle. It’s the only free-standing Challenger Center in the nation, as far as I know.”

Her lifetime motto is one of simplicity and significance: “Give to the world the best you can, and the world will give back to you.”

“I’m proud of the work I’ve done and very grateful,” says Lynch, who received the 2016 Glendale Ethics in Action Award.

“I still have people in Avondale who call me for things. I’ve spoken at a couple City Council meetings. Being so respected in doing those things is a great honor for me.” www.LovinLife.com

Luxury Club Serves Pickleball Desert Highlands adds two courts for fast-growing sport

BY BRIDGETTE M. REDMAN Whether you are 8 or 88, the game is on at Desert Highlands.

The luxury golf club and community in North Scottsdale christened two pickleball courts last month, adding the fast-growing sport to its racquet club.

The sport, especially popular among the 55-and-older set, is hailed for being a social game that is low-impact and easy to learn.

The club hired Brandon Hearn as a racquet sports pro, spending his time focused on pickleball, a sport that turns 55 this year. Invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island near Seattle, the game is played with rectangular paddles and a plastic ball with holes.

It’s a game Hearn has played since his childhood in the 1980s.

“In my backyard, we had a sport court and it was the official game of the sport court,” Hearn says. “This is 20 to 25 years before it picked up in popularity.”

Fast forward to a few years ago, when a childhood friend contacted him about getting involved in pickleball. Hearn was matched against a professional East Valley player and once again found himself immersed in the sport.

He soon became certified to teach it, played it professionally and then found himself presented with the Desert Highlands opportunity.

“When I first applied, I didn’t know pickleball was coming to Desert Highlands,” says Hearn, who applied as a tennis professional.

Desert Highlands tennis director Eric Anderson says he knew immediately that Hearn would be “a perfect fit to take us through this new opportunity with our new facility.”

Popular game According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s 2019 Pickleball Participant Report, 3.3 million people play pickleball in the United States. The game, which can be played as doubles or singles, has grown by 29.1% over the past three years. Most core players (64%), defined as those who play eight or more times per year, are 55 or older.

As for its name? Legend has it that the game’s inventors had a dog named Pickwww.LovinLife.com

Desert Highlands presold 60 paddles and 80% of those buying them were not tennis players.

(Photos courtesy Desert Highlands)

les, who ran off with the balls.

Gordon describes pickleball as a drop-in game where you can just show up and mix with whomever is there.

“You play an intense 20-minute game, sit for 20 minutes and then play again with new players,” Gordon says. “You’ll be meeting members you haven’t met, and we’ll be bringing back people who can no longer play tennis and no longer play golf but want to play a sport that is relatively easy to be competent at.

We’ll probably have couples events in the evening with some wine and cheese type of things or maybe some beer and pizza.

It’s a really good social gathering place.”

Monty Becton, Desert Highlands’ general manager and chief operating officer, says the sport is definitely picking up.

“We are excited about the tournaments and other fun events our residents will enjoy at these courts,” Becton says.

As part of the construction, they installed a state-of-the-art ball machine for complimentary use. Members can book the court and use the machine any time the court is available.

Desert Highlands’ two courts are outdoors with a 6-foot fence around them and a 4-foot fence between the two.

There are waiting and seating areas next to the entry gates with the Racquet Club’s locker rooms and amenities easily accessible from the courts.

Desert Highlands member Rob Gordon is thrilled his sport is coming to the club.

He is a former tennis player who gave up the game after a right shoulder injury. Be-

cause pickleball requires an underhand serve, he can still play the game. He also appreciates the friendliness of the players.

“You are on a small court, so you are not as far away as tennis,” Gordon says. “With (tennis) doubles, if you yell, you disturb people on other courts. You’re restricted to ‘Good shot.’ In pickleball, you can have a whole conversation without disturbing others. It’s a very social, fun game with a lot of banter.”

Hearn agrees with Gordon, pointing out that compared to tennis, pickleball is lower impact and there is less court to cover.

“People over 50 are over and done with cut-throat competition,” Hearn adds.

“They are looking for something active where they can go out and compete but have a good time together.”

Even before the courts opened at Desert Highlands, the interest level was high.

They presold 60 paddles, according to Anderson, and 80% of those purchasing them were not tennis players. The club expects to see new people coming into the racquet club.

“We will have more activity with these new players,” Anderson says. “It will be an opportunity for both sports to prosper. The relationships that are going to be built will be really great here.”

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Entertainment Take Two

Mark Gus Scott markgusscott.com

Trixter’s Mark Gus Scott turns hit into ‘power country’ song

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Music fans worldwide have heard songs by the ’80s hair metal band Trixter. The “One in a Million” act’s drummer, Mark Gus Scott, hopes those listeners migrate to his songs.

The North Phoenix resident recently re-recorded the 1991 Trixter hit “Give It to Me Good” as a “power country” song— with him on vocals—in honor its 30th anniversary.

“I just want people to hear it,” Scott says.

“Whenever I have something come out, I want fans to go to my website and check it out. The whole industry is upside down.

If you want to buy it, I’m not going to stop you. God bless you. I just wanted to do this song so bad. I hope people like it and then share it. That’s what I think this is really about.”

“Give It to Me Good” is important to Scott, as the song changed his life. It was a Top 50 hit on Billboard’s Top 100 singles chart, No. 1 on MTV and led to a five-month North American tour with the Scorpions.

“Not sharing it is a crime,” he says about the song. “I’m bringing it to new markets—‘power country.’ It’s got a country twist and transcends generations. My son is sharing it with his friends and they’re going crazy.

“The idea that it’s carrying on and people are embracing it is great.”

Scott says he coined the term “power country” after attending several country shows and seeing a tie between that genre and metal.

“I’ve gone to several country show—Eric Church, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley,” he says.

“All these guys come out playing heavy metal. The crowds are going crazy. There’s a connection between today’s country and heavy metal rock.

“I would love for those audiences to bridge the gap. That’s where I came up with ‘power country.’ It’s basically country with a kick in the (butt). When you come from New Jersey, you think country music is ‘down south’ and old people listen to it.

In the Southwest, there’s a different flavor to it. It’s a little more aggressive.”

The demographic is younger, he says.

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“They still have life,” Scott adds. “Country needs a kick in the butt, and I want to give it to them.”

His musical ally, Lou Piccadaci, co-produced the song, which takes the listener on a musical journey from country sixstring acoustic to a rockin’ powerhouse hoedown. Piccadaci, who lives in Surprise, defines his value not only as an engineer, but with his superior guitar performance throughout the track.

“For the past few years, I got away from rock ‘n roll and made a lot of music that touched my heart,” Scott says. “But one thing is for sure, I miss rocking and nothing is better than playing music that truly drives you and an audience to throw your hands in the air and dance.”

Scott adds Piccadaci has more talent than that. He’s a stellar pizza maker.

“He has a pizza oven in his back yard and I was totally locked in when I heard that,” Scott says with a laugh. “He bribed me with pizza. He has that East Coast mentality with the pizza. He knows what he’s doing. It’s thin crust.”

Scott first dabbled with vocals on “With You,” which combines an ’80s-style power ballad piano riff, symphonic orchestration and powerful melodic hooks—a big surprise for one of rock’s most well-known drummers.

“I’ve never sang before,” he says. “I’m not playing just drums. I play all the instruments on the cut, except guitar. I’m a horrible guitar player.

“I wanted it done right and I wanted what’s best for the song. That’s more important than me playing all the instruments. I’ve never felt so strongly about putting words down on paper. I was trying to be emotional. I always thought I sucked as a songwriter, but something clicked, and I felt passionate about it. This one’s right on target.”

Both songs are available through Apple iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Music and CD Baby. Autographed CDs can be purchased at MarkGusScott.com.

He previously released “Christmas Miracle,” a holiday album that included his version of “Ave Maria.” The video features

Mark Gus Scott is streaming his new single, a “power country” rendition of Trixter’s “Give It to Me Good,” on his website.

(Photo by Pablo Robles)

Scott performing among iconic Washington, D.C., landmarks like the World War II Memorial.

He frequently supports veterans by playing taps at cemeteries in New York City and the Valley to honor fallen heroes during Veterans Day and Memorial Day. “The Christmas album was a real deal, adult contemporary Christmas record,” he says. “I thought I should be opening for Bing Crosby. The band was doing ancillary projects. Now I had a focus and I knocked it out of the park. I love the way it came out.”

“I’ve done a lot of music, but this power country is sticking with me,” he says. “‘Give It to Me Good’ is the perfect song to show people what I’m really all about. I feel this is going to define the direction I’m going to go on. It’s kind of old gospel or bluegrass with a heavy metal kick to it. I’m bringing it somewhere it hasn’t gone before.”

The parade drum Scott’s family knew he would be a musician when he was about 7, after his grandmother bought a “big parade drum.” At the same time, his mother gave him his first album, “Elvis’ Golden Hits.”

“I turned ‘Hound Dog’ on and I beat the living crap out of that parade drum,” he says with a laugh. “It made me feel wonderful. I broke the drumhead, and I thought, ‘What am I going to do?’ So, I flipped it over and started pounding the other side.”

His first concert was Foreigner on its “Foreigner 4” tour in 1981 at age 13. Immediately, he knew his calling.

“When that bass drum busted the waves of the room, I said, ‘OK. I know exactly what

I want to do in life.’”

As a sophomore in high school, Scott received the NAJE Special Citation for Musical Excellence and was granted admission to the University of Hartford Hartt School of Music. He attended three summers studying piano, drums, trumpet and a curriculum that included jazz, classical, chamber music, rock, music theory and composition.

He also put his knowledge to use as a musician/songwriter, and toured high schools and colleges throughout the country as a guest lecturer, teaching and promoting music, DARE and his drum instructional video/teaching method, “Rock Solid.”

With Trixter, Scott sold more than 3 million albums worldwide, had three No. 1 videos on MTV, four Top 20 adult-oriented rock hits and hit No. 26 on Billboard album charts.

Trixter toured extensively in the United States, Canada and Japan in support of its five major-label releases. They shared stages with Kiss, The Scorpions, Bret Michaels, Poison, Ted Nugent, Night Ranger, Cinderella, Twisted Sister, Dokken, Warrant, Great White and Firehouse.

Trixter is on hiatus, which is why this was the perfect time for Scott’s singles.

“Some people don’t make the band a priority any longer,” he said. “In any business with four guys, if you all don’t agree on what you’re going to do with the business, the business suffers.”

Perhaps Trixter’s most well-known tour was 1991’s “Blood, Sweat and Beers” with Scott...continues on page 15 www.LovinLife.com

Scott...continued from page 14 Warrant and Firehouse. Next year is the 30th anniversary and Scott is hoping Trixter reunites for it.

“It was more successful than we ever thought it would be,” he says.

“Warrant had ‘Cherry Pie.’ We had three No. 1 videos on MTV. Firehouse’s ‘Love of a Lifetime’ was just about to break. We just packed them in. Why shouldn’t we celebrate the 30th anniversary? We’re all here.

What the hell? Fans ask about it. To not celebrate that, that would be a crime.”

Moving to Arizona Scott considers Arizona his home, after living throughout the United States in and out of suitcases on tour.

“I was going through a divorce and was very unhappy,” he says.

A friend asked him to consider moving to the Valley.

“My first day of exploration, I was sold before lunchtime,” Scott explains. “I literally went to breakfast, saw mountains, went over there and knew I was sold. I’ve been here four years and I can’t tell you how much I truly embrace the area.

“I can get anywhere in 20 minutes. I’m outside the circle of the 101. It’s more rural. I’m not in the thick of the madness of Phoenix. I look outside every morning and I can breathe. Everything comes alive. It’s quiet—until I make some fricking noise (with music).”

Scott has friends in the area, including rock drummer “Wild” Mick Brown, who played with Dokken and Ted Nugent. They and three other friends spend their weekends riding motorcycles in Cave Creek.

“There’s something very comfortable about doing that just about every weekend,” Scott said.

“We do it 52 weeks. It may sound repetitive, but there’s something comfortable about it. We have a special gang of five members. We’re a tight-knit group. It’s a wonderful brotherhood and the motorcycle riding here is the best in the country— there are no potholes.”

Scott and Trixter singer Pete Loran record music for video games and movies.

“The whole thing started when we were doing sound effects for a video game and I started getting punchy,” Scott says with a laugh. “I pulled out the trumpet from the back of my car and it sounded really good.”

First and foremost, Scott is excited for the world to hear his music.

“I’ve never felt so strongly about my music,” he says. “I hope fans enjoy it as well.” www.LovinLife.com

Tinseltown Talks

Fran Drescher and ‘The Nanny’ reunion

BY NICK THOMAS Reassembling a dozen cast members from a popular ’90s TV sitcom could pose a challenge for any network, much less an individual. But it was a task Fran Drescher relished. As the nasal voiced star of the hit CBS series “The Nanny,” Drescher co-created and co-produced the show along with then-husband Peter Marc Jacobson.

“Peter came up with the reunion idea for fans stuck at home Screenshot of the April reunion of ‘The Nanny’ during isolation and I said right cast. (Photo courtesy of away let’s do it if everyone in the Sony Pictures Television) cast is available,” says Drescher rated the reading while Ann Hampton from her home in Malibu.

Unable to meet collectively in a studio Callaway—composer and performer of due to quarantine restrictions, all 12 cred- the show’s catchy theme—opened with a ited actors who appeared in the 1993 pi- lively rendition on piano.

Drescher admits the reunion brought lot agreed to participate from their home in April in a “Pandemic Table Read” via a memories flooding back. “To see everyZoom split-screen reading of that first body and to hear the words again made episode, interspersed with cuts from the me miss the show and everyone in it so much. It gave me a lift during this terrible original broadcast.

In addition to the cast, Jacobson nar- period. Hopefully, it did the same for fans.”

Although nearly 20 years have passed since “The Nanny” first aired, Drescher says she still remembers the pilot and the live studio audience.

“They didn’t know the characters or what to expect from us,” she recalls. “But they quickly got it and were soon anticipating laughing almost before we said the lines. They had never really experienced an outrageous character like Nanny Fran Fine that incorporated elements of Cinderella, Mary Poppins and Maria from ‘The Sound of Music.’”

Several years after “The Nanny” ended production, Drescher was diagnosed with uterine cancer.

She completely recovered, but the experience steered her toward a second career to promote a “whole-body approach to wellness” and form Fran Drescher as ‘The Nanny’.

(Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Television)

the Cancer Schmancer Movement in 2007 (see cancerschmancer.org). More recently, Drescher produced a series of videos called “Corona Care 4 You” featuring interviews with health experts during the pandemic.

A longtime advocate of natural foods and products, Drescher was isolated at home for weeks during the spring like much of the country and used the time to catch up on TV shows, writing, and cleaning. As Nanny Fine, her famous TV character might not have scolded Niles the Butler for using corrosive cleaning products to sanitize the Sheffield’s home in which the ’90s Nanny series was set, but today she probably would.

“I use 65% alcohol in a spray bottle with a little water and some peppermint oil, which smells nice and has some antimicrobial properties,” she says.

Despite the forced home confinement, Drescher took it largely in her stride.

“I happen to like staying at home, so I don’t get cabin fever easily,” says Drescher who stars in the NBC comedy “Indebted.” But for the actress and her former husband with whom she remains close friends, their collaboration on “The Nanny” remains a career milestone. “This was our baby and we remember everything about it.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama and has written features, columns and interviews for over 800 newspapers and magazines.

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A New Chapter Former Chandler councilwoman launches new career

BY JANELLE MOLONY Former Chandler Vice Mayor Nora Ellen has officially declared her retirement from politics to pursue a new career path in podcasting.

Her show, titled “Women Starting Over,” features women who have overcome major financial setbacks and achieved success.

“It’s intended to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit,” says Ellen, the mother of state Sen. J.D. Mesnard, a Republican and longtime lawmaker who represents South Chandler and a portion of western Gilbert.

“I want all women to know they can be empowered when it comes to income,

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money and finances, no matter what their current situation is,” Ellen says. “Just turn it around.”

Even before her withdrawal from the 2020 re-election—in which she initially had intended a second run at one of two House seats in Legislative District 17—Ellen began recording success story interviews with women from around the country in a local studio.

She admits, there are several types of “starting over” that her guests touch on, including marriage and divorce, career changes, relocations, and even re-defining one’s social sphere due to a serious life change.

There are women in a corporate job who want to launch their own business. For others, starting over was not by their own choice.”

Some of the women interviewed found themselves asking: “How did I get here?” “What do I do to begin?” and “Why didn’t I do something sooner?”

Ellen can relate to her guests because she’s been through a gamut of life changes where she’s had to learn to regroup instead of rebound.

“When you’re starting over doing something else, you have to become someone else. It’s uncomfortable!” she explains. “If not, you’ll end up in the same place you were before.”

Her first episode launched on Apple Podcasts in March with a warm welcome to her inaugural audience.

The stories shared are positive and uplifting, but have nothing to do with

her political past.

This venture is yet another example of how the award-winning Realtor-turned-councilwoman has “started over” herself.

Wishing she had a show like “Women Starting Over” when she went through a divorce, she said she would have appreciated a guide to affirm her strengths and encourage her to develop them into a financial asset.

Ellen says her biggest learning curve as a new podcaster in her sixties has been to navigate the technology required to record, edit and process the audio files.

“It’s easy for me to connect with women and give them hope, encouragement, and inspiration. I want them to hear ‘If she can do it, so can I.’” But to reach a broad audience, she’ll need to become more savvier to Twitter and Instagram.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the closure of studios, Ellen had to outfit a quiet space in her home to continue recording.

As for her competition in this field, Ellen says. “I haven’t found anybody who is empowering women who have had to start over, like I am.”

Other shows are “usually about relationships,” she added, but hers will hinge on the financial factors involved in the individual’s stories.

Women are driven both into and out of

relationships due to matters of financial security and a couple’s spending or investing habits.

Ellen’s desire is to shine a light on finding financial freedom whether the woman is in a relationship or not.

New episodes of “Women Starting Over” are released each Wednesday.

Ellen is also writing a book by the same title which will expand on the conversations heard on the podcast. Each podcast guest she interviews has a different backstory or direction they have taken, but “the book is more step-by-step, instead of a soundbite, and it’ll be more geared towards the individual reading the material.”

Ellen remains open on whether she will ever run again for a position in local or state government.

But she adds that she is quite satisfied with her current endeavor and the time it allows for her to enjoy being a grandmother.

Nevertheless, she’ll still be vying for listener “votes” and ratings on her new platform. Those who are interested in participating in a guest interview can reach Ellen at Nora@NoraEllen.com.

www.LovinLife.com

Puzzles

GOby FIGURE! Linda Thistle

ANSWERS ON PAGE 20

King Crossword ACROSS 1 -- and call 5 Promptly 8 Despot 12 Verve 13 Rd. 14 Regulation 15 Not yet final, in law 16 -- -relief 17 Blind as -18 Body art 20 Pack down 22 Half a fluid ounce 26 Short 29 Swiss canton 30 Tokyo, once 31 Bergman, in “Casablanca” 32 Action star Diesel 33 One 34 Mel of Cooperstown 35 Programmer’s woe 36 Foolish 37 Skiers’ carriages 40 Summertime pest

41 Starry 45 Honeycomb compartment 47 Web address 49 Wander 50 Met melody 51 Dos’ neighbors 52 Yemeni port 53 Helen’s home 54 Previous night 55 Saucy DOWN 1 Crooked 2 Director Kazan 3 Group of actors 4 Made a sweater, maybe 5 Biz big shot 6 Eggs 7 Oater 8 Chaplin persona 9 Court summons 10 -- carte 11 Pensioned (Abbr.)

19 Lummox 21 “-- was saying ...”

23 Playwright Pirandello 24 Valhalla VIP 25 Memo 26 United nations 27 Naomi’s daughter-inlaw 28 Incised printing method 32 Predatory sort 33 Remove a seat belt 35 Underwear with underwire 36 “Monty Python” opener 38 Dental filling 39 Untrue 42 Took the bus 43 State with certainty 44 Gave temporarily 45 Garfield or Heathcliff 46 Blunder 48 Gun the engine

SUDOKU TIME

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK H H

H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY!

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK H H

H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY!

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

SCRAMBLERS Unscramble the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words.

Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag!

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JULY 2020

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Dining An Ancient Craft Sees a New Rise The pandemic is bringing out the bread makers

BY CLAIRE NATALE It’s a wonderous thing to take four simple ingredients and turn them into something as spectacular as a loaf of bread. As we spend more time at home, many of us are getting creative in our kitchens and looking to accomplish a new feat. One of the most satisfying and useful staples to learn is baking bread at home.

In addition to accomplishing a new cooking skill and enjoying the tastes of your efforts, psychologists say spending time in the kitchen can help relieve stress and improve your mental health. It can be a relaxing and even meditative process, providing a sense of control plus it can be a cure for boredom and fill ample time while at home.

Bread is one of the world’s most widely consumed foods. Research suggests that it dates back 30,000 years. However, it was not until the turn of the century and the industrial revolution when bread’s status in daily lives changed. Prior to this, wheat was ground by hand using stone grinders making flour harder to produce.

With the invention of iron and steel rollers, processing wheat changed dramatically. Stone grinding removed the wheat berry, which contains most of the fiber but not the germ, which contains the oils that are rich in nutrients. The new roller mill was able to remove both the wheat and the germ resulting in flour that was mostly starch with little nutrients, flavor or unique characteristics.

With this industrialization came new types of wheat. Wheat was bred to grow fast, stay stable in different weather con-

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ditions and had high yields. This allowed more farmers to grow it and for consumers to purchase and store the flour since the fat would not spoil it—making bread more common place in daily life.

This “new” wheat continued to evolve.

The modern wheat typically found on grocery store shelves is typically a cross-

bred variety, often with genetic manipulations to appeal to mass production.

This may be one reason why bread has gotten a bad rap in recent years. Many people blame modern wheat for contributing to the obesity epidemic and increased awareness of gluten intolerance as many people cannot easily digest it.

Bakers who want to produce a loaf that is of a higher quality, has a longer shelf life without the addition of preservatives, is more complex in texture and flavor want to use flour made from heritage grains.

“Heritage grains are older strains of wheat that have been passed down from generation to

generation and have not been manipulated or cross bred,” says Nick Ambeliotis, founder and owner of Mediterra Bakehouse.

Ambeliotis launched Mediterra Bakehouse in 2000 after spending 18 months traveling the world and learning from the best bakers.

Latching on to European techniques, the bakery uses cold water versus warm when proofing the bread, incorporates a levain sourdough starter, allows the bread to rise for over eight hours versus one hour or less and scrutinizes all of the ingredients used.

That is why in 2012 Ambeliotis partnered with a local Arizona farmer and planted 50-acres of heritage grains in Coolidge.

Red Fife, Sonoran White and Durham Blue Beard are the three types of heritage wheat Mediterra Bakehouse grows.

Many farmers find heritage grains difficult to grow because they take more time to mature and the economics are difficult to sustain.

These grains are also better tolerated by people who may be adversely affected by gluten. But more importantly, the flour creates a more unique, high-quality and better tasting bread.

“I don’t know of any other bakery in the country that grows their own wheat,” Ambeliotis says. “We wanted to invest in and have our hands on growing our wheat because that is how we approach everything else in the bakery. Each loaf of our bread is hand kneaded and shaped, loaves put into the oven and packaged by hand and only the best ingredients are used. Sourcing our own wheat was a simple next step to ensure our techniques matched our quality.”

Mediterra mills the wheat on its Austrian-imported stone mill and uses that

flour in its bread. The bakery recently started selling 2-pound bags of its heritage grain flour on its website mediterrabakehouse.com, allowing home cooks easier access to these hard to find flours.

Once you have the flour and a recipe from a reputable source, a few good tips for proper technique will help you pull a delicious loaf from the oven every time.

In addition to sourcing heritage grains, Mediterra uses a sourdough culture (levain in French). This may seem daunting at home and while it takes time and attention to detail to maintain, it is very artisanal and quite simple. Ambeliotis provided these steps to build a liquid levain at home that is ready for sourdough bread production in 10 days.

Day 1 A whole-rye flour is recommended to start the culture. The wheat germ and wheat bran present in these flours (not found in white flours) have more nutrients and minerals that allow for faster enzymatic activity and fermentation.

Rye flour also has more natural sugars than other flours that will speed up fermentation (more food for the bacteria to metabolize). A small amount of honey is also used in this initial feed. Honey naturally contains wild yeasts and will help jumpstart the levain.

Whole-Rye flour: 5 ounces Room temperature water: 6 ounces Honey: .2 ounces (1 tsp) For a total of 11.2 ounces

Bread...continues on page 20 www.LovinLife.com

Bread...continued from page 18 Mix ingredients well, cover with plastic. Let sit at room temp (72 degrees to 80 degrees) for 24 hours

Day 2 On day two, feed the starter two times, 12 hours apart with the same formula both times. An unbleached white flour and/or a heritage grain whole wheat flour can be used from this day on out.

Half of starter from day one 5.6 ounces Whole rye flour: 1.2 ounces Whole wheat flour: 1.2 ounces Water, 85 degrees to 90 degrees: 3 ounces For a total of 11 ounces Mix ingredients well, cover with plastic. Let sit at room temp (72 degrees to 80 degrees) for 12 hours

Days 3-10 On these days, follow the same feeding formula every day. By day 10, the levain should have enough strength and complexity of flavor to be used in bread production.

Half of starter: 5.5 ounces White flour: 1.2 ounces Whole wheat flour: 1.2 ounces Water: 3 ounces For a total of 10.9 ounces Mix ingredients well, cover with plastic. Let sit at room temp (72 degrees to 80 degrees) for 24 hours. There should be signs of bubbling signs of fermentation and aromatics coming from the starter by the day 10.

Maintaining a levain Ideally, a levain works best and is healthiest if it is fed every day with the

formula above. However, for most home bakers that can be hard to maintain. The starter can be fed, left to ferment at room temperature for 12 hours, then put into the refrigerator. The starter can be left in the fridge up to a week before it needs another feeding. However, three days before you plan on baking, it should be pulled from the fridge and fed with the day three to 10 formula daily to refresh and strengthen.

When to use a levain in bread Depending on what characteristics you are looking for in your bread determines when to use your starter. If you like bread that is very sour and tangy,

you should use a starter that has been fermenting for 18 to 24 hours. If you want a less sour bread that will showcase more of the flavor of the grains in the bread your starter should be 8 to 12 hours old. You can play with fermenta-

tion to achieve the desired results in the finished product.

Once the ingredients are sourced, the next important step is measuring. A home digital scale is highly recommended to weigh and measure ingredients. This will ensure an accuracy that measuring spoons and cups cannot.

After resting, the dough is then kneaded. The purpose of kneading the dough is to build structure, develop the gluten and incorporate air. The difference between good breads and great ones is the rise time. Most recipes typically instruct for only an hour rise but Ambeliotis recommends two-and-a-half to three hours. The longer proof will result in a better interior crumb.

Baking bread is a great activity or new hobby to take up. Whether you are digging in to your first dough or kneading out your hundredth, there are always new recipes to try, and pulling a hot loaf from your oven can be one of life’s greatest joys.

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19

Columns

Linda Muller sews hundreds of masks to keep people safe.

(Photo courtesy Hospice of the Valley)

Hospice Is Hope

Community heroes rise above coronavirus

BY LIN SUE COONEY

Director of Community Engagement, Hospice of the Valley

This year has been challenging.

COVID-19 has forever changed our lives.

But in the midst of global uncertainty and sadness over so many lives lost, I am astonished by the kindness and compassion strangers are showing one another. We truly are “in this together.” As we give thanks for all the frontline workers who are risking their lives, let’s also take a moment to praise the everyday heroes among us. People like Linda Muller, who has a heart of gold and hands of steel.

By day, Linda works in auditing for CVS Health. By night, the Hospice of the Valley volunteer is a mask-making wizard.

At last count, she had donated 545 masks to the not-for-profit agency, so

answers

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JULY 2020

that family members can safely be with their loved ones at the bedside. From start to finish, it takes Linda 20 minutes to complete one cotton fabric mask. “I have an assembly-line kind of system,” she chuckles. She aims for 60 masks a week, all washable, reversible—and lined for an extra layer of protection.

Linda started sewing as a teenager - she used to design and create an Easter dress for her mom every year. She had no idea how to make face masks but taught herself by watching online videos posted by Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. When the pandemic hit Arizona, she began sewing like a fiend…turning out dozens and dozens of masks for friends, family and front-

line workers across the country. So far, Linda has made 800 masks - even shipping some to “chemo nurses” in South Dakota.

She never sells the masks, but if someone insists on making a donation, she uses the funds to buy more fabric and supplies.

Linda hit the sewing machine as soon as her volunteer visits with patients were suspended due to CDC safety recommendations. Never the type to sit idle, she immediately asked if Hospice of the Valley needed masks. The answer was (and still is) a resounding yes. Linda works full time, but eagerly jumped into action. “I promised to sew as many as I can… working in the evenings, on the weekends, whenever possible,” Linda recalls.

Using her own fabrics and paying for many supplies out of pocket, Linda has been on her own mission: To give back to the agency that provided beautiful, compassionate care to her father over 20 years ago.

“I’m happy to be part of it, however little contribution I can make,” the humble 66-year-old says. “It’s my way of paying it forward.”

Linda became a volunteer with Hospice of the Valley in 2016, a year after her sister, now 64, was moved into a nursing home in Indiana. Her younger sibling has been battling a fatal brain disease similar to Alzheimer’s since she was in her fifties.

“She no longer knows us,” Linda shares.

“I can’t move across the country to care for her, but as a volunteer, I can provide much-needed respite to caregivers of other dementia patients.”

Her matter-of-fact attitude is comforting to families, who are often over-

whelmed by the changes in their loved ones as their cognition declines.

“I’ve seen how dementia works. I understand it, it doesn’t upset me,” she says.

“It’s just really rewarding to help them out.”

Linda is just one of many heroes making a difference in our community.

Three elementary schools in the Deer Valley Unified School District used their 3D printers to help Hospice of the Valley care teams. They made and donated 500 surgical face mask ear guards—plus stands to hold them.

Volunteers at Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale are crocheting hearts to comfort our patients—something soft and meaningful to hold in the palm of their hands.

Artistic volunteers are making beautiful cards to cheer patients who are feeling alone and isolated right now.

Others are shopping and delivering essential groceries to our patients and families in need. They’re providing window visits, playing music on patios, making virtual pet visits, chatting by phone or Facetime - and even recording virtual bedtime stories for medically fragile kids.

Sometimes it takes a little darkness to help us appreciate the light. Our community is blessed to have so many shining heroes. Hospice of the Valley is now holding volunteer training using precautions recommended by the CDC, but patient visits will not resume until it is safe to do so. Call 602-636-6336 or email volunteeropportunities@hov.org.

Lin Sue Cooney is director of community engagement for Hospice of the Valley.

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21

What’s Cooking?

Summertime Steak Salad with Dijon Dressing

BY JAN D’ATRI

The Healthy Geezer

A question that comes from the heart

BY FRED CICETTI

Q A

If you love main dish salads for the summertime, this is one to try! The tasty fixins’ like chopped crispy bacon, hard boiled eggs and candied pecans all add to this hearty plateful of goodness, but I think it’s the dressing that really makes the meal.

The sweet and tangy mixture in this dressing is a family favorite and one that we’ve used on spinach salads for years.

I’ve changed things up a bit for this bountiful meal. I’ve added spring mix to the spinach greens, and I’ve accompanied the greens with a beautifully pan-grilled flat iron steak, cooked medium rare and sliced into strips. If you prefer grilled chicken on the side, it will be just as delicious.

There is one important tip in tossing this salad. Add the dressing at the very last minute, right before you’re ready to serve it up. Also, instead of pouring the dressing directly over the greens, spoon the dressing along the inside of the bowl and let the dressing ooze down the sides.

Then, give it a gentle toss. This is to keep the greens from getting soggy. If you decide that you don’t want to make this salad a main dish, it makes a savory side salad for just about any entrée. Make up a double or even triple batch of this liquid gold dressing, refrigerate, and then you’ll have it on hand for the next couple of few weeks.

STEAK SALAD with Dijon Dressing Salad Ingredients:

- 1 to 1 1/2 bags fresh spinach and/or spring mix (about 12 oz.) washed and dried - 1/2 pound crispy bacon, rough chopped (four to six pieces) - 2 large eggs, hardboiled and chopped - 1 cup candied pecans - 1 teaspoon salt (or more as needed) - 1 teaspoon coarse ground pepper - Steak of your choice, cooked and cut into strips

Dressing Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (important to use a good extra virgin olive oil) - 2 heaping tablespoon brown sugar - 1/2 large lemon, juiced - 1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - 1 large clove fresh garlic, minced

Watch my how-to video here: jandatri.com/recipe/steak-salad/

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Directions:

Prepare salad dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, brown sugar, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and garlic until well blended and thickened. Set aside. In a large bowl, add spinach and/or spring mix, crisp chopped bacon, chopped eggs, candied pecans, salt and pepper.

Reserve some eggs, bacon and pecans for garnish.

Drizzle dressing around the side of the bowl (so leaves don’t get soggy) then gently mix. Serve on chilled salad plates and top with bacon, eggs and pecans for garnish.

Lay slices of steak over the salad and serve immediately.

How serious is angina?

Angina pectoris—or simply angina—is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort usually caused by coronary artery disease. Angina is a sign that someone is at increased risk of heart attack, cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. If you get angina, you should get medical attention immediately.

Angina (pronounced “an-JI-nuh” or “AN-juh-nuh”) hits when the heart doesn’t get enough blood. This usually happens when there is a narrowing or blockage in one or more of the vessels that supply blood to the heart.

Angina can come from exertion. It may make you sweat or lose your breath. The pain can strike your arm or neck, too.

“Stable angina” comes on with exertion and then goes away easily. You can have this kind of angina for a long time.

When the pattern of angina changes a lot, it’s called “unstable angina.” This is a danger sign. Unstable angina may be the first sign of a heart attack.

Then there is “variant angina pectoris” or “Prinzmetal’s angina.” It usually occurs spontaneously and almost always occurs when a person is at rest. It doesn’t follow physical exertion or emotional stress, either. Variant angina is caused by transient coronary artery spasm.

Physicians have a variety of diagnostic tools.

An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) can tell a doctor if your heart has been damaged by a heart attack. If the EKG is done while you are having chest pain, it can also show if your angina is caused by a problem with your heart.

A stress test is often done while you walk on a treadmill. Your doctor will look at your EKG to see if it’s abnormal when you exercise. Your doctor may also have X-rays of the heart taken before and after you exercise. These pictures can show if an area of the heart is not getting enough blood during exercise.

A cardiac catheterization involves inserting a long, thin tube into an artery in the arm or leg and then guiding it into the heart. Dye is injected into the arteries around the heart. X-rays are taken. The X-rays will show if any of the arteries that supply the heart are blocked.

Most people diagnosed with heart disease have to take medicine. Medicines called beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and nitrates can help relieve angina.

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Angioplasty uses a tiny balloon to push open blocked arteries around the heart.

The balloon is inserted in an artery in the arm or leg. A stent (a small tube) might be put into the artery where the blockage was to hold the artery open.

In bypass surgery, the surgeon uses a healthy blood vessel taken from your leg, arm, chest or abdomen and connects it to the other arteries in your heart so that blood is bypassed around the diseased or blocked area This increases the blood flow to the heart. www.LovinLife.com

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