orizons ENLIGHTEN t ENRICH t ENGAGE
Digital Readers Which brand of e-book reader would work for you? .................. 2
Is The Book Dead?
Digital Readers Look To Topple Paper Books As Premier Literary Format by Pat Hillenbrand
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You & Your Health Macular degen eration can put your sight at risk, but there is hope for some............. 3
re books going the way of the dinosaur? I recently requested a book from my local library, only to discover that I could download an e-book but not check out a physical book of that particular title. I love to sit in my reading chair and hold a physical book in my hands, crack open the spine and breath in the smell of paper and ink. So, the realization that this could be a thing of the past was a shock.
Life At The Heritage ............ 4 Crossword Puzzle ................ 4 Upcoming Events ................ 5 Sudoku . ............. 5 Messy Is Good How a mangled salami sandwich became a cherished lunch . 6
Free Subscription To GRAND Magazine . ......... 6 The Jane Austen Book Club Endearing characters form the heart of memorable novel.................. 6
Flying For Thanksgiving? Brush up on rules for carry-ons ....... 7
Discover The Heritage Full-Service Retirement Living................ 8
Management Company’s Success Built On Resident Satisfaction
E-books, of course, are digital text files — like very long word processing documents — and which replace the physical pages one typically associates with the concept of a “book.” They require the reader to own an electronic gadget to convert the file into electronic ‘pages’ that the user can read. Some formats can simply be read on one’s personal computer, while others require a dedicated device like the Kindle or iPad (see story on page 2). Book Publishing Woes Business news reports one physical book publisher downsizing after another, as the industry struggles to remain profitable. As traditional books compete with all the entertainment options of the modern consumer (think video, computer, internet, texting, etc.), it is also strug-
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gling to stave off market erosion from its digital offspring: e-books and audio downloads. Why would a library choose to only offer an electronic version of a literary selection? After all, isn’t it in the business of offering books to the public? Rita A. Renner and a team of contributors outline the many advantages for a library to begin the transition to virtual books in their white paper, “eBooks – Costs and Benefits to Academic and Research Libraries.” They report that digital versions of books allow for expanded offerSEE “E-BOOKS” ON P. 7
Furry Friends Boost Our Spirits, Ease Our Tensions, Bolster Our Health
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ome years ago, friends visiting Bruce Goldfarb and his family might have been a little puzzled when they were told that the family dog’s name was “Dog.” It seems they acquired their black lab-
rador after it was already a couple years old, and its previous owners had named him “Max.” Unfortunately, Bruce’s eldest son — then just a small child — was also named “Max,” and they needed to do something to alleviate the inevitable household confusion. Hence, Max the Dog became, simply, “Dog.” “We figured it was better than calling our son, ‘Boy,’ ” Bruce says with a grin. One wonders if every family would have chosen as wisely, because we Americans are just nuts about our pets. Dogs, cats, parakeets, fishies, ferrets, snakes … you name ’em, we love ’em! And the great thing is, they love us right back! In fact, in a 2004 survey by the American Animal Hospital Association, respondents were slightly more likely to choose their pet to be their companion if they were stranded on
ow does The Heritage of Green Hills bring consistently great service and amenities to the community? One of the key elements to this success is its management company, Life Care Services LLC (LCS). LCS has been a leading U.S. developer and manager of senior living communities for almost 40 years, providing superior planning, stability and implementation of services. The company makes a point of responding to residents’ needs and desires, eliciting high approval ratings from those served. A World of Choices Since 1971, the people and partners of LCS have touched the lives, served the needs, and fulfilled the retirement dreams of thousands of people across the nation. By creating well-designed communities where residents can benefit from convenience, companionship, celebration, service, and security, LCS continues to provide great places to really live, not just reside. “I’m very proud that more than 23,000 people are enjoying life in one of more than 80 properties we manage,” says Ed Kenny, President and CEO of LCS. Mr.
The Heritage of Green Hills 200 Tranquility Lane Reading, PA 19607
Inside
Issue 11
SEE “PETS” ON P. 3
SEE “LCS” ON P. 2
Horizons
Page 2
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November 2010
Kindle? iPad? Something Else?
onsumers face a wide range of choices of e-book readers which vary in price and format. In this rapidly developing market, companies are constantly improving their products. The survey below reviews a number of the most popular models. By next year most of these brands may offer color screens. The Kindle Kindle is Amazon’s dedicated e-book reader. The latest Kindle is a wireless reading device, that comes with free 3G and built in Wi-Fi, and a 6” graphite display. (”3G” refers to “third generation” high speed wireless data transmission which is available in over 100 countries and territories, enabling advanced multimedia access.) According to Julianne Pepitone of CNNMoney.com “The Kindle 3 has the same six-inch screen as previous generations, but it’s smaller, lighter, turns pages faster, has a longer battery life, holds more memory and includes more software features.” It is thin and light weight (1/3 of an inch thin, 8.7 ounces), and has the capacity to store up to 3,500 books … which can be downloaded directly to the device in under a minute via free wireless service. Amazon has a huge, low cost book selection of over 700,000 e-books and offers free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 e-books (over 1.8 million). Amazon also provides free first chapter downloads to sample prior to purchase. Kindle books can be read on various devices
How Digital Readers Stack Up
(Kindle, iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac, Android device, trait orientation. and BlackBerry). Non-Kindle formats can be Instead of using read on a Kindle, but it requires the annoying a cursor, the user extra steps of connecting the Kindle to a commanipulates the screen with just touch of her puter and reformatting the title to the Kindle finger tip. format. Both the Kindle and the iPad allow for alterWith the Text-to-Speech feature, the Kindle ing the type size. The Kindle’s high-contrast E can read English-language content out loud (in a Ink screen has clear text and sharp images. E Ink mechanical sounding voice). It can look up dicreflects ambient light to illuminate the screen, tionary entries, notes and highlights, and offers which saves battery life. As recent television support for password protected PDFs, enabling ads have asserted, one of Kindle’s major advansecure and straightforward document transport. tages over competitors is its screen, which the The long lasting battery allows continuous wire- company touts as appearing more like real paper less use for up to 10 days without recharging. and being easier to use in bright sunlight. On Kindle includes free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotthe other hand, it is more difficult to read in dim spots across the U.S. All features are user ready light compared to the back lit iPad. If you are on (no set up required). the computer a lot, the Kindles screen may be a The Kindle 3G is $189, while the Kindle is nice break for your eyes. Paul Reynolds of Con$139. Unlike the iPad, the Kindle lacks a color sumer Reports concurs that the Kindle has the display or touchscreen. most readable type, and recommends it if “you want only a device for reading e-books.” A Pleasure To Read Versatility, on the other hand, is the iPad’s “Reading on the lightweight readers is a joy, strong suit. It has an onscreen keyboard, which and there’s no comparison,” said senior anais almost as large as a laptop keyboard. The lyst Michael Norris of Simba Information, a research firm that covers the media and publish- screen is a natural for watching videos and movies. The device is good ing industries, according for taking notes, and to CNNMoney.com. “The If you are on your computer includes a calendar. iPad is used to surf the Special features enable Web, watch video and listen a lot, the Kindle’s screen people who have vision to music — reading books may be a nice break for impairment, a physical falls way down the list.” or learning disability, or Apple’s iPad is a your eyes. are deaf or hard of hearhybrid of a tablet coming to use the iPad. puter, an iPod and an Its screen reader, and support for playback iPhone. It is more versatile than the Kindle. of closed-captioned content, are included and With a 9.7 inch screen (measured diagoenabled (right off the shelf). The iPad has a batnally), its size is comparable to a small laptop. It weighs 1.5 pounds and is a half tery that lasts up to ten hours, comes with builtinch thick. The large Multi-Touch screen in wireless and 16gb of memory. The price is $499. allows for vibrant, sharp web pages to The iPad lacks access to magazines and newsbe viewed in their entirety. papers (which the Kindle has). Another drawReadability Varies With Lighting back is its dependence on AT&T’s 3G service, Its iBooks app allows users to buy which also costs extra. and read online books from Kindle, When looking to purchase an e-book reader Barnes and Noble, and others. Its consider the screen size. A 6-inch screen is screen automatically adjusts to how the conveniently small and light, yet big enough to device is held — either in a landscape or porcomfortably read from for the average reader. An important quality is readability (the clarity of type on the screens), and the contrast of type to the background screen. Touch screens can be easy to use, but sometimes sacrifice clarity. Other Readers Most multipurpose mobile devices with FROM “LCS” ON P. 1 e-book capability offer color screens, while ingful activity, strong social and community success. The the dedicated e-book readers generally do not. Kenny continues, “There’s a enrichment, comprehensive importance of resident particiWhile currently not important for viewing most good reason we’ve been in health services, and daily dedi- pation is reflected in the sere-books, downloaded magazine articles may business so long and why we cation to wellness with such vices offered and lifestyle of suffer in black and white. Forecasted future have been so successful at innovative programs as Well By the community. “enhanced” e-books are becoming more color what we do. It’s because of the Design and Super Noggin. The Good management is dependent as they incorporate videos, maps, etc., exceptionally high standards Heritage also provides a choice essential to creating a thriving so if you are unlikely to trade in your model for we maintain throughout the of financial plans to satisfy spe- community, and LCS remains years to come, consider getting an e-book reader development and management cific needs and budgets. focused on performance and with color capacity even if it seems unimportant of our communities. Our core improvement, regularly meaA Management Team With now. philosophy emphasizes that suring every aspect of service, Heart Other multipurpose e-book readers offer a every LCS community offers Life Care Services’ empha- at every level of the commua wide array of choices in the nity. The result is an interactive, monochromatic E Ink screen in addition to a sis on lifestyle enables new color screen. E-book readers in this class gencourse of our residents’ daily prospering retirement comHeritage residents to feel right erally have a full web browser; whereas many lives. The importance placed on at home from the day they munity served by dedicated, dedicated readers do not, or only have a limited choice and flexibility is evident move in, facilitating personal friendly staff. web browser. in nearly every facet of comSome readers, such as the Barnes & Noble munity operations, from menu Nook, can import e-books from multiple sources and dining options to activities without having to convert formating, and can and programs … even regardsupport other documents forms, such as Word ing how services like housedocuments. The Nook permits books to be keeping and maintenance are loaned out. Some Sony models employ a stylus delivered. These high standards for handwritten notes and drawing. The speed of are reflected in the level of page turning, wake up and boot up time are all quality we maintain at all LCS worth comparing. Common to almost all readers communities.” is basic MP3 capabilities and monochromatic Like most of the commudigital photo display. nities managed by LCS, The The best shopping tactic is to narrow your Heritage offers the vibrant, choice based on what features are a priority, and healthy lifestyle that today’s then actually try each reader being considered active senior wants, along with in-store to see which is most comfortable and the on-site health care that easy to use. Test it in different lights if possible. they might someday need. This includes good nutrition, mean-
LCS Team Takes Pride In Running Vibrant, Healthy Communities
Horizons
November 2010
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ge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common, painless eye disease that can eventually cause low vision or blindness. AMD slowly takes away sharp, clear central vision, replacing it with haziness, grayness, or blank spots in the center of the field of vision. Increased difficulty with reading, driving or doing close work may also become evident. Visual distortion can occur, with straight lines appearing bent, or objects seeming smaller than they actually are. There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration, wet (neovascular or exudative) and dry (nonneovascular, nonexudative, or atrophicy). Ninety percent of all people with AMD have the dry form. Its early sign is blurred vision. Details become fuzzy, especially in dim light. As the disease progresses the patient may see a blind spot in the middle of the vision field. Again, there may be a central blind spot. If you have any of these symptoms, you should consult an ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam. After dilating the pupils, the doctor examines the back of the eye with a special magnifying lens, checking the retina and optic nerve. A visual acuity test measures how well the patient can see from various distances. The doctor may also check eye pressure and run some other tests. An Amsler grid (which looks similar to a checkerboard) is used to determine if lines look wavy to the patient. To confirm the presence of wet AMD, a fluorescein angiogram may be ordered. Special dye is injected into the body which helps reveal if any blood vessels in the eye are leaking. Causes Of AMD Macular degeneration is caused by a number of factors. It can occur in one or (more commonly) both eyes. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. These nerves send images to the brain. The macula is in the center of the retina. In wet or advanced AMD, the blood vessels enlarge under the macula, often leaking blood and fluid. This displaces and damages the macula, quickly resulting in central vision loss. One of the first signs of wet AMD is that straight lines appear wavy. Wet AMD does not have stages, though it’s generally preceded by the dry form. Dry AMD is caused by a slow break down of light-sensitive cells in the macula, blurring central vision. Not easily recognizing a face, or requiring more light to read, etc., is often an early sign of the disease. Another sign is yellow deposits under the retina, called “drusen.” There are three stages of dry AMD. The first is the appearance of drusen without other symptoms. As AMD advances, the drusen increase
Early Detection, New Treatments Help Fend Off Macular Degeneration by Pat Hillenbrand
and some blurriness may be detected. In the advanced stage, the breakdown of light-sensitive cells may cause the blurred spot to increase in size and darkness, making reading and facial recognitione increasingly difficult. The dry form of AMD can turn into the wet form, but it can cause vision loss without doing so. Risk Factors While age is the greatest risk factor for getting age-related macular degeneration, lifestyle and genetics also play a role. Being white (the lighter the iris color the higher the incidence), farsighted, female or having a family history of the disease are all risk factors that cannot be improved. Conversely, protecting your eyes with sunglasses and visors when outdoors, eating a diet high in green leafy vegetables and omega-rich fish, maintaining healthy weight, blood pressure and an active and smoke-free lifestyle can all help prevent AMD. In fact, Johns Hopkins University reports on research from the University of Sydney Eye Clinic in Australia which finds “Those who ate fish once a week had a 40% reduced risk of early age-related macular degeneration compared with those who ate fish
only once a month; those who ate fish three times a week had a reduced risk of late age-related macular degeneration.” Current treatment for wet AMD incorporates laser surgery, photodynamic therapy or injections; all three may lessen symptoms, but are not cures. Hope For Dry AMD Sufferers Although there is currently no effective treatment for advanced dry AMD, there are treatments that delay and stop intermediate AMD’s progression. According to the National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), patients with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, and those with advanced AMD (dry or wet) in only one eye, can help save their vision by taking a specific high-dose formulation of zinc and antioxidants (higher than a normal diet can provide). While this treatment will not restore vision, it may delay the onset of advanced AMD. It was not beneficial to those with early stage AMD. Ongoing treatment for AMD should include a yearly comprehensive dilated eye exam, and frequent eye exams after photodynamic therapy SEE “EYES” ON P. 7
Early detection can often keep a minor physical problem from turning into a serious medical issue … which is why Dr. Roland Newman and his associates at Green Hills Family Medicine hold regular hours on-site for the residents of The Heritage of Green Hills.
Tail Wags And Purrs Let Pet Owners Know They’re Appreciated FROM “PETS” ON P. 1
a deserted island than they were to choose a human. Furry Comfort When You’re Down Pet ownership
can be beneficial for your health. A study for the Journal of Social Psychology found that dog owners were twice as likely to take daily walks as non-owners, and less likely to be dissatisfied with their
social, physical and emotional states. Other studies indicate that pet owners have lower blood pressure, lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, fewer minor health problems and better psychological well-being than those who don’t own pets. “They’re very comforting when you don’t feel good,” says retired administrative assistant Miriam Meisel, who received her first pet cat
in the late 1950s and has shared her family’s home with at least one ever since. Like many pets, her current feline companions, Lilly and Sam, seem to have a keen sense of how she’s feeling. When she had to go to bed to try to sleep off some painful dental work, her normally rambuctious cats “just sat very quietly, one at each end of the bed.” Getting Stuck With A Pup Retired carpenter Bob Lowman and his family had always had dogs, but when the last of his three beagles passed on a decade ago, he wasn’t looking for another dog. His daughter brought him her mother-in-law’s puppy, Rebel, to care for
while her mother-in-law was in the hospital with cancer. When the mother-in-law didn’t survive, Bob tried to find another home for Rebel but wasn’t able to. “So I was stuck with Rebel, but I ended up being very happy that I was,” says Bob. “A lot of times things happen for a purpose. He’s really been a perfect companion. “He’s a lousy watchdog,” Bob adds, smiling. “He’ll let anybody come in the house. He just loves people. When I have people in to repair something, he’s right there with them to help them out.”
Horizons
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November 2010
When The Heritage of Green Hills recently commemorated Grandparents Day, it was a party for everyone. Pictured here are just a few of the generations that joined in the fun. Some of the residents whose families turned out that day include Pat’s (left), Walter and Martha’s (above), Hal & Heather’s (below right), and Witold and Fran’s (lower left). (Photos couresy of Bob Rasbridge.)
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CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Son of Abijah 4 Portion 8 Female 12 Own (Scot.) 13 Hindu stringed instrument 14 Toward shelter 15 Sheep disease 16 Sprit (2 words) 18 Camelot lady 20 Varnish ingredient 21 Straw braid 25 Confusion 29 Occasional 32 Counsel
33 Rocket fuel 34 Friend of Pythias 36 Turk. title 37 Galatea’s beloved 39 Redo 41 Pleasantsmelling bean 43 Tooth pulp 44 Mountain on Crete 46 Spoken 49 Aura 55 Tumor (suf.) 56 Lank 57 Very (Ger.) 58 Pronoun contraction
59 Consecrated 60 Door part 61 Indo-Chin. people DOWN 1 Rhine tributary 2 Condition (suf.) 3 Serum 4 Television channel 5 Objective 6 Genetic letters 7 Lofty 8 Chilean volcano 9 Peak 10 Body of water
11 Serum (pref.) 17 Science class 19 Daughters of the American Revolution (abbr.) 22 Son of Zilpah 23 “Cantique de Noel” composer 24 Marsh 26 Castor (2 words) 27 Restive 28 Shak. king 29 Lath 30 Little: music 31 Industrial fuel 35 Grandfather of Saul 38 Gaunt 40 Egg (pref.)
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42 Amer. Dental Assn. (abbr.) 45 Sweetsop 47 E. Indian tanning tree 48 New sugarcane shoot 49 Number (suf.) 50 Electric unit 51 Trouble 52 Amazon tributary 53 Exclamations of delight 54 Ultimate degree
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Horizons
November 2010
Page 5
Have You Visited The Heritage At Green Hills Yet?
If you haven’t, you owe it to yourself to stop by and see the beautiful apartment homes and villas at the area’s premier active 55+ retirement community. You’ll enjoy envisioning the many floor layout possibilities that await you at The Heritage as you stroll through our gorgeous model apartment home, tastefully appointed with furnishings from David’s FurniThe Heritage of Green Hills ture. Fall is an Sales Office Hours excellent time to appreciate The Monday through Friday Heritage’s lovely 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. wooded campus. Call Laura Saturday Zartman at 48410 a.m. to 2 p.m. 269-5090 today Sunday for a personal appointment 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with one of Appointments Recommended. our retirement specialists.
Here are some highlights of recent or upcoming activities at The Heritage of Green Hills.. For more information, contact us at 484-269-5143.
Upcoming Events
Sharon Wells Wagner, author of several WWII Books will host this War Hero Event. Noon. Veterans FREE, others $6 off meal plan. Friday, November 12 Baby Grand in Tavern: ON CAMPUS Join your friends for a Friday Monday in the Art Studio: afternoon lunch with music Mondays at 1 p.m. by Jack the Piano Man. November 1: Simple Noon. Smocking with Kathy. Proprioception by Dr. November 8: Centerpieces Kulp: Learn how strengthenwith Gene. $5 ing your core is important November 15: Holiday to lead an active lifestyle Crafts with Kathy. and enhance your workout. November 15 at 3 p.m.: 2 p.m. Watercolor with Jodi November 22: Fresh flowers Tuesday, November 16 Health Series: Michelle with Gene. $5 TUESDAY, November 23 at Hollister, RN from Covenant Home Health leads a 3:30 p.m.: Creative Writdiscussion and Q & A about ing Class with Katie stress management around November 29: Making the holidays. 11 a.m. Tussy Mussys Thursday, November 18 Eagles Games in The Granuaile, Ireland’s Tavern: Check team schedPirate Queen: Resident ule for exact times. Peggy takes on a fascinating journey of this 16th Century Pirate Queen’s folklore. Wednesday, November 3 1 p.m. Alvernia Breakfast: Waddell & Reed: Greg Schweitzer revisits us Discussion on the changing with his program on Stress market. 2 p.m. Reduction & Meditation Tuesday, November 30 for use in Super Noggin. Holiday Potluck Party: 8:30 a.m. Share one of your favorite Comedy with Linda: holiday leftover recipes with Victor Borge the world your friends in The Tavern. famous Dutch entertainer 4:30 p.m. and humorist on the screen. 1:30 p.m. ONGOING ON CAMPUS Thursday, November 4 “Older & Bolder” Mondays: Art 1 p.m., Lunch/Lecture/Book Wii Bowling 1 p.m., Signing: The Golden Years” Needlework 3:30 p.m. in truth will be golden only Tuesdays: Bridge 1 p.m., if we make them that way Dancing 2 p.m. Become Older & Bolder by Rabbi Alan Weitzman. Noon, Wednesdays: Needlework 3:30 p.m., LCR Dice $6 off meal plan. 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 9 Fridays: Wii Bowling Heritage Literary 2 p.m. Dinner Club: Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton. 5 p.m. Saturdays: Movies 7 p.m. Thursday, November 11 Sundays: Movies 7 p.m., Thank You, Veterans: LCR Dice 7 p.m. Join your friends and neighbors to honor The OFF CAMPUS Heritage Veterans at a special Alvernia Lunch Bunch lunch in the Brandywine.
Series: Mondays at 11:15 a.m., $6 November 1: “Surviving the Golden Years.” November 8: “Photography of 18th Century Pa-German Tombstone Carvings: Secrets & Symbols.” November 15: “The Changing World of Antiques & Collectibles.” The Art of Louis C. Tiffany Lecture Series: Fridays at 5:30 p.m., $5 members, $10 non-members November 5: “Reflections of the East” Learn of his travels to exotic lands and love of Eastern art. November 12: “Say It With Cardboard” Working in to the 20th Century, the art world was rapidly changing around him. Tuesday, November 2 Ethics, Leadership & Atticus Finch: Hero of To Kill a Mockingbird … what can lawyers learn from a fictional icon 50 years later and would today’s community be more accepting of him? Panel Discussion held at Alvernia. 3:30 p.m. Thursday, November 4 Sunset at the Pagoda: Have dessert, coffee, and watch the sunset over the city. Bring a chair and listen to the music of Five Knuckle Shuffle. 5:30 p.m. Saturday, November 6 Philadelphia Miniaturia 2010: Don’t miss the mini fun at the 42nd annual event in Cherry Hill. 9 a.m., $8. Conrad Weiser Remembrance Day: 250th Observance of Conrad Weiser’s death. 1 p.m. Wedensday, November 10 State of the
Environment: Amazing examples of making a difference. Buffet incl. 7 p.m., $20 Black Dog Cafe: Hop on the bus for an enjoyable dinner in Stouchsburg at resident Dolores’s son’s restaurant. 5 p.m. Saturday, November 13 Celebrate Veterans Day: 2nd Annual event. Held at West Lawn United Methodist Church to honor our Veterans telling their stories. Veterans eat free with food available for sale. 9:30 a.m. Music in the Making: Reflections” Meet a performer, learn their instrument and watch the full rehearsal of the Reading Symphony. Music by Williams, Strauss and Mussorgsky. 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 17 Art Ability @ Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital: An international juried exhibition and sale of art and fine crafts by artists with physical, cognitive, hearing and visual disabilities. Artists receive 80% of purchase price. 5:15 p.m.
Discovery Channel’s Storm Chaser: Reed Timmer is known as one of the most successful and extreme storm chasers in the world. 5:15 p.m. Thursday, November 19 Hershey Trip & Trolley: Journey through the sweetest town on earth by trolley. 11 a.m., $12. Saturday, November 20 2010 Reading Holiday Parade: Berks’ most exciting annual event. Take a chair, line the street or stay warm and watch it in the Peanut Bar p.m. Spiritual & Holistic Faire 2010: Healing ourselves by learning to integrate Mind-Body Spirit and bring harmony into our lives. 10 a.m., $5 Sunday, November 28 Deer Creek Holiday Open House: Prepare for the season ahead. Find the perfect gift for someone special. Live music and herbal refreshments. 1 p.m.
Answers on page 6
Horizons
Page 6
November 2010
GRANDparents Corner
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ne rainy day my three young granddaughters, Bailey, 5; Kaylee, 4; and Eloise, 2, were dropped off for an impromptu visit. Before I was free to spend time with them, however, I had office work to do. “You’ll need to entertain yourselves for a bit,” I told them. Within a few minutes the girls popped into my office. “Are you done yet?” “No, not yet.” This scene repeated itself several more times until, just before noon, Bailey and Kaylee came in with an offer: “We’re going to make lunch so you can work!” announced in the high pitch that only excited little girls can reach. Taking The Order I agreed, thinking it would buy me a few uninterrupted minutes. “What can we make?” “How about sandwiches?” I suggested, thinking that would be simple enough for their 4and 5-year-old hands to handle. “There’s salami, bologna, cheese and jelly in the fridge and peanut butter in the cupboard.” Their eyes lit up. They looked at each other. They squealed. I panicked. Maybe I should have just suggested cheese. Or bologna. Bailey grabbed the notepad I keep next to the computer. In true waitress fashion, she scribbled down the lunch orders. Mine was: “Do you want your sandwich whole or cut in half?” Bailey asked, pencil poised above the notepad. “Half,” I mumbled absent-mindedly. They disappeared down the hall. “I’ll make the salami and bologna,” Bailey decided. “I’ll make Eloise a peanut butter and jelly,” Kaylee said. I tried to concentrate as I heard chairs scrape across the kitchen floor, drawers pulled open, utensils rattling and the refrigerator door open and close. And open and close. And open and close.
Love Is Messy Hold The Mustard by Judyann Ackerman Grant
Not wanting to spoil the surprise, I stayed in the office. About 20 minutes later the girls charged in. “Lunch!” Lunch Is Served My prized hand-knit afghan, stitches stretched to the breaking point, lay across one end of the living room floor. Heavy dinner plates, adorned with an array of misshapen sandwiches, anchored each corner. Forks, spoons, napkins and opened bags of pretzels and party mix were piled in the middle. I spied what must have been my sandwich. “It’s hard to rip salami,” Bailey said. Without the benefit of a sharp knife, she had torn the salami in half. Thick mustard oozed out every side of the tattered bread. When I saw the mangled mess, complete with embedded fingerprints, I prayed that she had remembered to wash her hands first. After I settled on my corner of the afghan, the girls bounded into
their respective places. They watched in rapt attention as I picked up half of the smashed salami and, with a weak smile, began eating. Thoughts raced through my mind…. Had any part of my sandwich been on the floor? Had the girls coughed or sneezed on it? What was that lump I just chewed? Two-year-old Eloise, normally confined to a high chair at mealtime, loved the freedom to forage. She held the pretzel bag upside down, dumping sticks and salt all over the afghan that I had never used on the floor. Her trail of sticky breadcrumbs stretched across the room. She sauntered to the television and pressed jelly-covered fingers against
the screen. After lunch I ventured into the kitchen with my plate—and saw the real mess. The girls had pawed through the bread bag looking for perfect slices. Hunks of bread, cheese wrappers, butter smears, jelly globs and pieces of bologna— riddled with bite marks—littered the table. On the floor, smashed party mix mingled with chunks of cheese. More Than A Meal While I cleaned up the kitchen, the girls lingered over their lunches, their voices filling the living room with happy chatter. Back in the living room, I picked up the pretzel sticks that Eloise hadn’t yet ground into oblivion. Twenty years earlier, when I was the mother of two girls, the floor picnic—and its king-sized mess from pint-sized princesses—would have sent me into a tizzy. No longer. “Nice lunch,” I told my granddaughters, as I hauled out the vacuum. “Thank you,” they chorused. “Thank you for making it,” I said, without the least hint of sarcasm, overwhelmed with the feeling of being loved. Judyann Ackerman Grant is the author of CHICKEN SAID, “CLUCK,” a Dr. Seuss Honor Book. This article originally appeared in the August 2009 issue of GRAND Magazine. Reprinted with permission of GRAND Media, LLC, copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.
Spirit Of Jane Austen Imbues Charm To Modern Tale Of California Readers
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efore I begin my review, I have a terrible confession: I have never read a book by Jane Austen. I have, however, seen (and enjoyed) the Pride and Prejudice remake with Keira Knightley, and the somewhat earlier Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins. But claiming familiarity with Austen via film would no doubt strike most
of the main characters in Karen Joy Fowler’s The Jane Austen Book Club as a more than a little offensive … perhaps even sacrilegious. New Lives And Old Friendships Fortunately, it proved to be little impediment to enjoying Karen’s Austenlike story, which interweaves the hopes and heartaches of a multi-generational cast living in present day Northern California. Much of the book is written in flashback, giving us glimpses into the psychic scars and deep friendships which underlay the occasionally mundane-appearing interactions between the club’s members. Karen centers her story on
Sylvia and Jocelyn, 50-ish women who have been best friends for decades. In flashback, we learn of Sylvia’s spirited Hispanic heritage, and the origins of her early romance with Daniel, her husband of 32 years who has just left her when The Jane Austen Book Club begins. We get a similar look at Jocelyn, with her passion for raising puppies and her endearingly meddlesome penchant for matchmaking (a la Austen’s Emma). Karen also charms us with the 60-ish Bernadette, a slightly askew yet resolutely cheerful and observant woman who has somehow managed to marry both well and often. Sylvia’s daughter, Allegra, and the young Prudie round out the female members, while science fiction fan Grigg — invited by Jocelyn for her own mysterious purposes — is the club’s lone male.
All of these characters are smartly drawn, and Karen displays a gift for making ordinary triumphs and trials compelling. Like Anne Tyler, Karen presents her characters’ eccentricities as endearing, not as punchlines to some harsh literary judgment. I was most moved by the story of Prudie, a teacher with a wonderful husband and a superficially happy life who nonetheless remains haunted by the slightly surreal emotional cruelties inflicted by her mother
during Prudie’s childhood. As should be clear, I very much enjoyed The Jane Austen Book Club despite my relative inexperience with the Austen oeuvre. (It’s even inspired me to take a stab at reading Emma.) Austen fans will no doubt enjoy it even more. —Bert Meisel
Horizons
November 2010
Page 7
Flying Away For Thanksgiving? Remember The New Carry On Rules Will you be flying this Thanksgiving? Has it been a while since you’ve traveled by plane? You might want to remember that there are quite a few items which the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not permit you to carry on board. These include: Most sharp objects, with the following permitted exceptions: Plastic knives, round bladed butter knives, disposable razors and their cartridges, scissors with blades less than four inches. Most sporting goods that could be wielded like a club (baseball
bats, pool cues, etc.), bow and arrows. Guns, firearms, and ammunition. Tools longer than seven inches. (Some tools shorter than seven inches are permitted.) Martial arts & self defense items (brass knuckles, nunchakus, self defense sprays, etc.). Explosive or flammable items. One book of safety matches and common lighters are permitted. Disabling chemicals and other dangerous items, except up to two compressed gas cartridges (such as those used to fill tires, etc.).
Snow globes and similar items. Many (but not all) of the above items are permitted in checked baggage; please visit the TSA website or contact your airline for information about those restrictions. The TSA provides the following instructions regarding other aspects of carry-ons and preboarding security procedures: While packing: Pack liquids/gels in your checked baggage. For a short trip you are permitted to carry-on 1 quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag holding 3 ounce or smaller containers of liquids or gels. Limited to one bag per traveler.
Avoid wearing accessories that contain metal, which will set off the metal detector. Put all undeveloped film in your carryon bag. Checked baggage screening equipment may damage film. If carrying a firearm, please check with your airline for appropriate procedures. At the airport: Take your 3-1-1 bag out of your carry-on and place separately in bin. Declare all permitted liquid exceptions to a security officer in front of the checkpoint.
Take your laptop and video cameras with cassettes out of their Medications and breast milk/baby cases for screening. formula are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding 3 Remove your footwear and outer ounces and are not required to coat, suit coat, jacket or blazer be in a zip-top bag. These items to place in the bin for X-ray. must be declared to a security Place the following items in officer at the checkpoint. your carry-on before enterAll footwear must be removed for x-ray screening. Wearing footwear that can be easily removed is helpful.
Pack valuables such as jewelry, cash and electronics, as well as fragile items, in your carry-on.
ing the screening checkpoint: cell phones and personal data assistants, keys, loose change, jewelry and large metal items. Source: TSA’s “3-1-1 For Carryons” brochure.
Paper Books Face Challenge From Electronic Devices, E-books to read than print, and the study participants ings at lower costs. Currently, publishers are disliked both the Kindle’s weak contrast and the selling cost-effective electronic packages, which iPad’s weight. can be made available to the library branches, According to columnist Julianne Pepitone at a savings of three to one. So the library can of CNNMoney.com, “consumers have been purchase three times the e-book materials for the somewhat slow to adopt the fast-moving e-book same dollar amount. And since a virtually unlim- technology. Amazon has never released its total ited number of patrons can access an e-book Kindle device sales, and while it said that its simultaneously and around the clock, usage will e-book sales recently have outpaced hardcover be increased. Libraries will also save on salaries sales, that’s still a small drop compared to its (physical handling, cataloguing, maintenance, overall book sales, including paperback and used etc.) and shelving requirements. In the academic books. Data ... show only 9% of American adults world, e-books also offer easier access to finding bought at least one e-book last year, a small specific materials and the integration of research increase from 8% in 2008.” periodicals. Nevertheless, public libraries will incorporate more e-books into their collections for the same Advantages Of Paper How does this translate to the typical reader’s reasons as institutions of higher learning plan to within the next five years: cost savings and world? Some subjects, such as art, may always be more appealing as a physical book. Addition- increased electronic user demand. Just as lower costs may sway libraries to ally, as reported by Lauren Indvik of Mashable, purchase e-books, monetary considerations may a Nielsen survey found that e-books take longer influence consumers to purchase a virtual book for personal use. Eventually, there FROM “EYES” ON P. 3 ing glasses; a pocket telescope to read may come a or laser surgery to check for recurrences street signs, etc.; a mounted telescope of leaking blood vessels. Daily home for eyeglasses; and a closed-circuit testing with an Amsler grid from an television hookup that enlarges print ophthalmologist can alert the patient to up to 60 times, displaying the image any changes, and should be followed up on a television screen. According to with an eye doctor. Available low-vision researchers at Johns Hopkins up to a A optical aids include: high-power readthird of people with eye disease are unaware of it, probably because they N had not seen an ophthalmologist in S over a year. That held true for the 65 W to 84 age group. Early detection is E crucial to getting effective treatment, R so be sure to make your annual eye exam. S FROM “E-BOOKS” ON P. 1
Obesity, Smoking, Fish-less Diet All Risk Factors For Deteriorating Eyesight
Sources: National Eye Institute: http://www. nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/ armd_facts.asp Johns Hopkins: http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/marketing_ emails/vision_welcome.html
critical tipping point where it no longer makes sound business sense to print a traditional book. As long as baby boomers constitute an important segment of the market, it is unlikely that traditional printing will become entirely extinct. Growing Up Digital However, recent studies show that children prefer to read a digital book over a physical specimen. The New York Times recently reported that a Scholastic, Inc. study found children experience greater enjoyment reading for pleasure on a digital device, but most also want to keep physical books. Their parents worry that they are too distracted by texting and videos to develop a passion for reading. In the end, electronic books may dominate. “E-books are, in effect, flying off the shelves,” says Paul LeClerc, president and CEO of the New York Public Library, according to CNNMoney.com. “We now circulate more e-books than any library in America, some 350,000 last year, and that number is growing dramatically year to year. If you care about people reading, should you be picky about what sort of a format they read it in? I don’t think so.” Hopefully there will always be the classics in hardcover!
Horizons
Page 8
November 2010
How To Stay Warm This Winter
Come To The Heritage & Leave The Cold Outside
R
emember the joy and excitement you experienced as a child when it snowed? But as soon as you were old enough to shovel — and later to drive on icy roads — the joy was dampened by the hassles and dangers of inclement weather. Everybody occasionally worries about winter weather and how it will adversely affect their plans. But residents at The Heritage of Green Hills stay cozy and active inside and while still being awed by the beautiful snow outside. At The Heritage, the
excellent gym, pool, restaurants. restaurants, Connected and doctor’s to The Cluboffice are house is the connected Liberty, with via glassresidences, enclosed, woodworkclimate ing shop and controlled computer walkways. So Everything is connected at The Heritage — from dining center. The whether it’s to the pool and library, meeting places and more — so the weather will not interfere with getting around. adjacent two feet of Patriot and snow, a sumbecause all outdoor Freedom buildings also mer scorcher, or a spring maintenance is handled feature beautiful apartdownpour, you can still by The Heritage. And if ment residences. take your walk or get you need to get somearound the community No Hassle Lifestyle where but would rather and stay dry, comfortable Avoiding winter not drive, our compliand unbothered by the mentary shuttle will take weather, spring allerelements. gies, summer heat, and you around town to do There will be no autumn’s chill might turn your errands. more shoveling for you, you into a hermit living
Easy Access Ammenities
The Heritage Clubhouse includes the Welcome Center, the large all-season swimming pool, day spa, exercise studio, library, art studio and pottery kiln, bank, doctor’s office, and three
Enjoy dining, exercise, hobbies classes, and socializing all from your new home. The Heritage boasts beautiful, maintenance-free apartment homes with gorgeous year-round views — all with easy access to the community’s amenities via glass-enclosed, climatecontrolled hallways.
comfortably enjoy all of the charms of seasonal changes without the worry. Nestled on our 78 wooded acres near the Flying Hills golf course, you can relax and admire winter’s glistening ice storms, spring’s reawakening, summer’s sunshine, and autumn’s colorful foliage. Lead an active lifestyle without worrying about nature’s nuisances. At The Heritage, you’ll have plenty of time to play and live, because we take care of the yard work and driving!
in a traditional home. At The Heritage you can
Free Information Kit! Prices & Floor Plans Included!
The kit tells you everything you need to know about this incredible maintenance-free lifestyle, including details on prices, the amenities, services, and the important access to on-site health care. Send in the coupon below, or request your kit online at http//tinyurl.com/AHGHkit … or call today to receive your free, comprehensive retirement kit. (484) 269-5090
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