EVENTS
Arts & Entertainment Calendar page 10B
April 2015 Vol 29 No. 4
COMPLIMENTARY
SECTION B
JOIN US MAY 7
SPORTS How about joining a senior league page 16A
50 Plus Fest & Retirement Show
Pilot Club page 1B
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The Sounds of Baseball with Robb Edwards
POMMER:
Highway Bonding page 3A
BY JACK PEARSON
EDITORIA
NEMOVITZ: Trusting Your Agent page 6A
MONEY SENSE
STATE CAPITOL COMMENT
By Karen Ellenbecker & Julie Ellenbecker -Lipsky
By Matt Pommer
OLSON:
Compare Life Insurance Companies page 11A
TRAVEL:
St. Louis Has Visitor Appeal page 6B
Robb at his seat in the Brewers Press Box in Miller Park.
It’s that time of year again when the sun’s rays come through with gusto,IN when MOVING THE the trees and flowers begin to bloom, RIGHT whenDIRECTION all the birds come back from
Financial Fi i l Wellness W ll
TRAV
EDITORI
“Planting Tomorrow’s Capistrano and chirp their songs of joy and when you Dreams Today” don’t freeze every time you go out to pick up the mail. By Brad Olson, CFP
By Bruce Nemovitz
PEARSON continued on page 18A
SENIOR APRON Canary Wisconsin’s STRINGS in a Coal MineAnswer Man Emma
MONEY SENSE AGING By Karen Ellenbecker ISSUES & Julie Ellenbecker By Tom Frazier -Lipsky
By Aunt Emma
I have always thought that when it comes to legislation the more public participation the better and the more bi-partisan the better. Wisconsin’s Family Care
program is a great example of both participation and bi-partisanship. Family Care, Wisconsin’s unique and successful long-term FRAZIER continued on page 3A
IT MAKES ME CRABB
2A • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
MDs examine common women’s vision problems by Cheryl L. Dejewski
According to the National Eye Institute, of the 3.6 million Americans age 40-plus who suffer from visual impairment and blindness, more than two-thirds are women. Women bear a larger burden because they tend to live longer and have a biological predisposition (perhaps immunological or hormonal) to certain eye diseases, such as macular degeneration (AMD). The doctors at Eye Care Specialists, one of Wisconsin’s leading ophthalmology practices, offer insights into this topic in this and our next issue.
Decreased Vision Decreased vision in women is linked to an increased risk of falling, which leads to more serious concerns, including hip fractures, the need for canes, walkers and/or nursing home care, and complication-related death. Decreased vision also increases the risk of car accidents and can have a devastating effect on quality of life in terms of limit-
WARNING SIGNS According to Daniel Ferguson, MD, an ophthalmologist who treats thousands of patients each year, “Poor vision or changes to your sight should not be dismissed. Follow the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s guidelines for regular eye exams every two years and schedule an appointment right away if you notice concerns.” These include: ■ Foggy, fuzzy or blurred vision ■ Sensitivity to light and glare ■ “Starbursts” around lights ■ Holding items closer to view ■ Needing brighter light to read ■ Fading or yellowing of colors ■ Difficulty judging stairs or curbs ■ Difficulty seeing to drive at night ■ Vision affects ability to do tasks ■ Vertical lines appear wavy ■ Dark or blind spots in vision ■ Glasses and prescription changes don’t improve your vision
ing daily tasks, independence, social interaction, overall health, etc. “Decreased vision, however, is not a fact of life as you grow older. If your eyesight is getting worse, you need to schedule a comprehensive, dilated eye exam to rule out causes,” advises Brett Rhode, MD, Head of Ophthalmology at Aurora Sinai Medical Center and partner at Eye Care Specialists. “Upon examination, we often find that cataracts (age-related clouding of the natural lens inside the eye) are the cause of the problem and, in most cases, a 15-30 minute outpatient surgery procedure to remove and replace the cataract with a customized lens implant is a relatively easy and painless solution.” Rhode stresses, “Early detection and removal can prevent needless pain, suffering and cost. I can’t tell you how many cataract patients say that they wish they had done it sooner.”
AMD & Central Vision Loss Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is another leading cause of vision impairment in Americans over age 50. Although the exact cause is unknown, AMD affects more women than men—leading to a loss of central or straight-ahead vision that impacts
T EYE
the ability to drive, read, see faces, etc. “If significant dry-type AMD is diagnosed (the more common but less severe form), we usually recommend vitamin supplements, sun protection, and not smoking, to prevent or slow progression. If wet AMD is diagnosed (the less common but much more severe form), we review the risks, benefits and candidacy for injections of special medications, such as Avastin and Eylea, which inhibit the growth of the abnormal blood vessels that cause wet AMD,” explains Mark Freedman, MD, a leading ophthalmologist who has treated thousands of AMD patients since 1988. Freedman adds, “In the past, there was nothing we could do, but now we are seeing remarkable results with these injections, including stopping the progression of wet AMD in 90 percent Normal Vision of patients, and having up to 30 percent gain improvement in vision." Macular Degeneration
Wearing sunglasses and hats with brims can help reduce the risk of developing certain eye conditions, such as cataracts and macular degeneration (AMD).
In our next issue . . . The doctors at Eye Care Specialists will review dry eye disease, hormonal fluctuations that can affect the eyes, and hidden vision dangers related to cosmetics use. Free Info Call 414-321-7035 for a FREE booklet on AMD, glaucoma, diabetes or cataracts. If you don’t have an eye care specialist, you are invited to call the offices below to schedule a comprehensive exam, which is typically covered by insurance.
CARE SPECIALISTS
World-class care. Local convenience.
Medical, surgical & laser services for every age and every need. ■ ■ ■ ■
Glaucoma, Diabetes and Macular Degeneration Care (with advanced medication injection and laser treatments) No-Stitch, No-Shot Ultrasonic Cataract Surgery (with options for standard, multi-focal or toric lens implants) Corneal Transplants, Lid Repair and Retinal Cases Customized Laser Vision Correction (LASIK & PRK)
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Wisconsin’s leading ophthalmology practice. Trusted by more than 125,000 doctors & patients since 1985
Mark Freedman, MD
Brett Rhode, MD
Daniel Ferguson, MD
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Michael Raciti, MD
www.eyecarespecialists.net
West Allis
10150 W. National Ave.
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APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
Will the Governor veto highway bonding? Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb put it bluntly – Gov. Scott Walker doesn’t want to raise gasoline taxes or truck and car registration fees. To Capitol veterans, that sounded close to a veto threat. Gottlieb was before the Legislature’s budget committee defending the governor’s plan to borrow another $1.3 billion for highways and bridges. Late last year, Gottlieb had sent Walker a smorgasbord of $751 million of tax and fee-raising ideas for the state’s transportation needs. Republicans, who control the Legislature, were annoyed with Walker’s approach. On the campaign trail, they had denounced former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle as some sort of government sinner because he had approved large-scale road borrowing. Now their own Republican governor was kicking the financing issue down the street, sending it off into some other biennium. “We are in a crisis,” said Sen Luther Olsen, R-Ripon. “We are getting ourselves in a corner where we won’t be able to afford anything.” Roads and FRAZIER continued from page 1A care reform program, was introduced by Governor Tommy Thompson in his 1999-2001 budget after four years of planning by consumers, advocates, providers, legislators, Department of Health Services (DHS) staff, and others. Even after it was introduced in the budget there was some minor amendments added to gain consensus, and it was then approved by members of the Joint Committee on Finance by a 16-0 vote. This was at a time when there were eight Republicans and eight Democrats on the Committee so, obviously, a strong bi-partisan vote. Five Family Care pilot projects began in 2000 and operated for five years before a detailed independent assessment convinced Governor Doyle to expand the program statewide. In 2011, after the program was in 53 counties, the Legislature asked its Legislative Audit Bureau to do a program audit of Family Care. This also was very positive. In 2013, under pressure to add seven more counties, the Joint Com-
STATE CAPITOL COMMENT By Matt Pommer
bridges are valuable state assets, Olsen said at a meeting of the Joint Finance Committee. Gottlieb was asked what would happen if the $1.3-billion bonding were trimmed to $500 million. He replied that only the huge Interstate 94 MOVING IN THE Zoo Interchange Project in Milwaukee RIGHT DIRECTION would be finished By onBruce time.Nemovitz Other major projects would be delayed one or two years. The people who build bridges and highways seem to agree with Olsen’s assessment that a crisis is at hand. The Wisconsin Transportation Association says it might be preferable to delay projects if a permanentAGING funding plan ISSUES isn’t found. By Tom Frazier It’s also a property tax issue because municipal governments rely on mittee on Finance required DHS to do yet another report on the pros and cons of expansion. As a result of this report, the Joint Committee on Finance voted PLANTING 13-0 (three absent) to approve the sevTOMORROW’S en county expansion,DREAMS again,TODAY a strong By Brad bi-partisan vote. With the Olson addition of these seven new counties in 2015, there will be 64 counties included in Family Care, leaving only eight counties to go to make it available statewide. The results of this 15 year deliberative process have been spectacular. Waiting lists for care inSPORTS the 57 counBy Jack Pearson ties have been eliminated; the Medicaid spending on long-term care has decreased from 53% to 43% of the total Medicaid budget; there are 11,000 fewer people in nursing homes, 9,000 of them older persons; Medicaid paid nursing home days have declined by 35%; and spending on institutional care has gone from 62% to 31%. And, older people and people with disabilities are largely satisfied by the supports and services they receive to allow them to remain in their own homes and participate in community
state funds to help repair the 103,000 miles of road they supervise. Local property taxes are used when the state cuts back. Walker’s efforts to gain the Republican presidential nomination in MONEY SENSE 2016 play an important part in his disBy Karen Ellenbecker taste for tax and fee increases this year. & Julie Ellenbecker -Lipsky He has been staking out positions that could help him in Iowa, the first state that will be selecting delegates to the GOP national nominating convention. Democrats are calling Walker’s proposed Wisconsin budget for the 2015-2017 biennium ani “Iowa-caucus Financial Fi lW Wellness ll “Planting Tomorrow’s budget.” Dreams Today” Wisconsin governors are the By Brad Olson, CFPmost powerful in the nation because they have the constitutional power to “partially” veto material in appropriation bills. A Wisconsin governor can elimAPRON inate or reduce the amounts in budget Emma STRINGS bills. Aunt Emma borBut imposing a By $1.3-billion rowing plan cannot be done unilaterally with those veto powers. On the other hand, Walker might gain some political advantage among Republican presidential hopefuls if he
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was to veto a gasoline tax and automotive fee-increase package. His backers could argue he is vetoing something even his own party had passed. Some would suggest Walker’s opposition to transportation funding ideas shows he is ready for Washington. Efforts to permanently fund increases in the federal highway transportation fund have died on the political vine. The last president to approve an increase in the federal gas tax was Ronald Reagan. On the stump he correctly labeled it a “user fee.” Reagan is among Walker’s favorite historical figures. The governor notes that he and Reagan took on public employee unions. Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers and Walker gutted public employee unions in Wisconsin. Unlike the air traffic controllers, there was no strike situation in Walker’s move. Walker contends that his anti-union efforts will convince foreign leaders that he is tough and decisive like Reagan.
EDITORIALS
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SENIOR Answer Man
IT MAKES ME CRABBY
life.
In stark contrast to this deliberative and bi-partisan process, Governor Walker has proposed a budget without any public input (even from his own Secretary of DHS) that would dismantle the entire existing system, and start all over with a private insurance model. Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) would be privatized; Family Care Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) would be dissolved; IRIS, a self-directed care program, would be eliminated; and, in general, choices that people have already made would be denied to over 50,000 frail older people and people with disabili-
ties in Family Care and IRIS. The saying “canary in a coal mine” came from coal miners taking a canary into the mine to warn them of bad air. If the canary died it was a warning for the miners to get out as quickly as possible. The proposed budget is “Wisconsin’s canary,” but it is not warning us about bad air, it is warning us about a threat to our democratic process. Unless the legislature, especially the Joint Committee on Finance, acts to exercise its responsibility as one of three equal partners in our democratic system, that system will be gasping for air.
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Safe identity American consumers reportedly lost over $1.6 billion to fraud in 2013. Much of this was a result of what’s known among the crooks as dumpster diving. You can keep yourTRAVEL personal records safe by shredding all sensitive documents and protecting your So-
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cial Security numbers and passwords. Never give out personal information over the telephone to unknown callers. Check your bank and credit card transactions for fraudulent or questionable use. Steer clear of suspicious emails and links. Do check your credit reports about once a year.
automobiles in 1902. The owner was Thomas Jeffrey and he previously had been into bicycle manufacturing. HenAnswer Man ry Ford had already manufactured the DEAR SAM: This is a dumb ques- Model T and his next car, the Model A, tion to ask you. I probably should go made its first appearance in 1903. For further information, Jeffrey’s to the library to look it up. A buddy car really had a clever name, Rambler. lives in Kenosha and he claims that his MONEY SENSE great-grandfather was “Ramblering” He put 1,500 of these Ramblers on the By Karen Ellenbecker & Julie Ellenbecker about in Kenosha at-Lipsky the beginning of road the first year. His Kenosha facthe 20th century. I told him, “No way.” tory was a busy one. Each year until the company was sold to Nash, sales Who is right? increased. I would guess about 15,000 QUESTIONINGLY, TRAVEL new Ramblers were hitting the roads ERNIE FONENALE yearly before Nash took over the facFinancial Fi i l Wellness W ll “Planting Tomorrow’s Dreams DEAR ERNIE: I Today” suspect that your tory. By Brad Olson, CFP Also, the short-lived, but beautifriend is a bit more of a car buff than fully built Kissel Kar, manufactured in you obviously are. You perhaps are thinking of the Nash Auto Compa- Hartford, made its debut in 1906. SOMETIMES MY ANSWERS APRON ny that didn’t begin in Kenosha until Emma AREN’T APPRECIATED, STRINGS Answer 1916. However, Nash took over the Man By Aunt Emma the WRIGHT SAM Rambler factory that made its first
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Emma
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IT MAKES ME CRABBY calendar By Enis Wright
azier
I often stay away from things that smell McLoone politically. This subject is a bit political, but also environmental and of economic concern. It seems the NG OW’S National Resources Defense Council, ODAY Wright located By in Enis New York City, is all hot Olson and bothered by a Canadian mining company’s plans to open pit mines for gold and copper in Alaska’s Bristol Bay area. If it is true that 80 percent of the people in the Bristol Bay area oppose the mine, perhaps it does need TS
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the action of President Obama to stop its shovels before they begin digging. What bothers me most is the fact that the explanatory letter signed by a very wealthy movie star as a NRDC board member, requests $25 or more to help galvanize the effort to stop the Pebble mine. If it could be as disastrous as said to possibly be, why would not the EPA and President Obama just stop it in its tracks? Whose pocket would my $25 go into?
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the WRIGHT HERMAN SIDE of
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the WRIGHT SIDE of By Enis Wright
EDITORIALS
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& Julie Ell -Lip
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“Planting Tom We reside in a condominium sub- tives from the conversations and we division quite near the railroad tracks. to this day still wonder what was the Dreams To MOVING IN THE On average, we hear the trains going after golf beverage of choice thatByheBrad Ols RIGHT by perhaps 20 or more timesDIRECTION daily. and the bartender knew as his special By Bruce Nemovitz There was a time when we heard the lemonade. clackety-clack of the rails and then aaaaa knew our newspapers would be in Take time to laugh. It is the music the next day’s mails. Where are the of the soul. No, those are not words “Knights of the Road” who rode the first out of my mind. Emma rails forty years ago? aaaaa aaaaa Be quiet. No, you still will notBy Aunt E While we never plan on flying hear any sounds of spring’s arrival. high into the sky via solar power, just The flowers bloom, tree buds extake a moment to appreciate how far plode, seeds burst forth from the soil AGING we have come in techniques and tech- in growth mode, grass growth happens ISSUES nical learning since the time of World while you watch it and still there’s not By Tom Frazier War II. Had not the Japanese attacked a sound. Would not it be nice if each of us, would we have gotten so smart so us could go through life experiencing quickly? the wonderful sounds of silence? aaaaa aaaaa I guess having reached age 86, it Years ago, we planted our potais only right that I call many I know as toes on St. Patrick’s Day, which was “old friends.” said to be a great day for planting poaaaaa tatoes that would grow large and firm. We learned long ago that it re- By fall, I don’t recall any of our spuds quires April’s ample showersPLANTING to bring being any larger than the neighbor’s. TOMORROW’S forth an abundance of May flowers. Was that an Irish tale just to keep the aaaaa DREAMS TODAY Irish men busy in the fields on what Bywhen Brad we Olsonotherwise might have been a drinking While the day may arrive hope for angel’s wings, most of us are day? contented now with a faithful, friendly aaaaa dog at our side. The trust and friendWe honor forward thinking peoship that grows over the years between ple. We appreciate work well done. We a man and his dog often is greater than like this sentence by Charles Browne, between humans. See, I can write this who died much before his time had as I don’t have a dog. really come in 1867. “Let us all be aaaaa happy and live within our means, even A recently deceased golfing part- if we have to borrow money to do it.” SPORTS How did he have foresight enough to ner over the years was a Methodist minister. He had a great By sense ofPearson hu- know the credit card era was just less Jack mor. His just being there kept exple- than a century away?
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Guest editorial
Keep Wisconsin’s Care at Home By Tom Frazier and Lynn Breedlove Governor Walker’s proposed budget would totally dismantle one of the best long-term care systems in the country. A national survey of all longterm care programs by AARP, said Wisconsin had “clearly established a level of performance at a higher tier than other states.” It starts with an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) to provide Information and Assistance on all available programs and services. This innovative, “onestop shopping” is available to all older people and people with disabilities and their families in Wisconsin. If a person needs long-term care, the ADRC administers a functional screen to determine eligibility and provides options counseling to explain the choices available. Choices include enrollment in a Family Care Managed Care Organization (MCO); IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct), which allows participants to self-direct their own care, and, in some places like Milwaukee, the Partnership program that integrates managed long-term care and health care. Approximately 50,000 people have chosen one of these options, which unlike acute and prima-
ry health care, provide daily personal supports (such as help with bathing, dressing, and meal preparation), and transportation and support for work and community activities.. The Governor’s proposed budget would eliminate these choices and force people to get long-term care and health care from a big private insurance company HMO. IRIS would be eliminated, Family Care MCOs would be dissolved, and insurance companies would be contracted by the state to take the place of local county-based ADRCs. The state says that “IRIS will be folded into the new Family Care”, but there is no language in the budget which shows how all the elements of self-direction in IRIS will appear within the confines of a health insurance company and a managed care program. There is a mistaken perception that long term care costs in Medicaid are not controlled and that the projected increase in the aging population will overwhelm the state’s ability to pay for it. Fortunately, this is not true because these programs were designed to face this problem. Since the programs started, the spending for long-
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term care has declined from 53% to 43% of the total Medicaid budget, the number of people in nursing homes (the most expensive form of care) has decreased by 11,000 persons, Medicaid paid nursing home days have seen a 35% decrease, and the percentage spent on institutional care has gone from 62% to 31%. And, Family Care MCO administrative costs are only 4.2%. We are not saying that improvements are not possible, just that the existing system is not broken. Additional savings are possible by including the remaining eight counties in the existing system. The Governor’s proposal does not include any savings except those obtained by the already approved expansion of the existing system to seven more counties in 2015. Including all counties in the existing system would be faster, simpler, and more efficient than starting from scratch. Integrated long-term care and health care could be increased by expanding the Partnership program or developing new pilot programs to serve people with complex medical needs or behavioral health issues. Choice to enroll in these programs should remain volun-
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tary. The existing system was developed with massive public input over the last 15 years. The proposed system has had zero public input, including from legislators, and would be phasedin in less than two years. An effort to contract with a statewide private for-profit company to provide Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation has been a disaster. Long-term care is far more complex and a similar disaster would cause terrible and unnecessary suffering. Wisconsin has developed a homegrown system that works. Even the Legislature’s own agency, the Legislative Audit Bureau, stated “Our findings indicate that the program has improved access to long-term care, ensured thorough care planning, and provided choices tailored to participants’ individual needs.” Let’s build on the good system developed so far instead of blowing it up and starting over. Tom Frazier was the executive director of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups from 1983 to 2010. Lynn Breedlove was the executive director of Disability Rights Wisconsin from 1980 to 2011.
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MONEY SENSE
STATE CAPITOL COMMENT
By Karen Ellenbecker & Julie Ellenbecker -Lipsky
By Matt Pommer
A tale of two generations meeting in the real estate arena Remember when you bought your first home? Can you feel the angst and uncertainty whether or not you could afford the mortgage payment? Do you remember the decorating and the general condition of that first home? Today’s young millennial buyers (age 21-35 depending on where you look in the internet) has the same questions on their mind. Jobs can change often and quickly for this age demographic. The world has changed from when you settled into your career. Back in the day (an overused but accurate saying) when you achieved your full-time job status, most employers prided themselves in retaining their employees for their entire working career. When I interviewed my potential homeowners in 1977, it was assumed that if they were factory workers to managers they would be at that job until age 65. Stability was most common in the workplace. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on today’s millennial outlook, they will have 4-8 different employers throughout their working lifetime.
MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION By Bruce Nemovitz
They see this as a good thing as it makes life interesting and challenging. This job movement does affect their buying decision when searching for their first home. Much of their decision involves the question, “Will I have trouble selling this home in a few AGING years if I have to sell, andISSUES will its valBy TomTherefore Frazier ue support my next move?” the condition of your home is critical when deciding to enter the real estate market ready to sell. Now, when your real estate agent visits you to begin a game plan and assess your home’s value, be prepared for a discussion about staging. Try to have PLANTING an open mind becauseTOMORROW’S a little bit of DREAMS TODAY paint, flooring and positioning of furBy Brad Olson niture can reward you with thousands
of dollars when it comes to an offer. Today’s buyers do not want to paint, scrub and upgrade. In many cases they have great incomes but very little in Financial i lW Wellness ll reserves for upgrades.Fi Therefore when “Planting Tomorrow’s Today” in’ they see a home that is Dreams in ‘move By Brad Olson, CFP condition, this properly priced home will sell quickly. They will make a fabulous offer and in many cases compete with other buyers for your home. Many well prepared homes are getting APRON over-asking in a matter of days! Emma Speaking of buyers,STRINGS we are expeAunt Emma riencing a surge in lenderBypre-approvals (an approval of a buyer’s credit and purchasing power before putting in an offer) which means that there are a multitude of young purchasers just waiting for the right home. At the same time, we are experiencing a lack of inventory. Anyone who has studied economics 101 knows that more buyers and fewer sellers equal a strong seller market. It applies to the well-appointed property that has no structural defects. When I refer to defects I am talking about the condition of the roof, furnace, plumbing, electric and espe-
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HERMAN WHITE WRITES
There has never been a better time to sell! By Jack Pearson Motivated buyers have tax refunds to spend on the purchase of a new home.
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cially the basement walls and drainage systems. When I refer to ‘well appointed’, I am referring to the properties appealing to today’s 26-35 year old buyer. If you decide to do nothing cosmetically, make sure you take care of any major structural issues and present your home de-cluttered and clean. Otherwise, you will be disappointed in the lack of results when you try to sell your home. My best advice is to start with a real estate agent you trust. Have them stop over to do a walk through and give you their opinion as to what improvements are needed to achieve your price point goal. You can sell your home in any condition, but the price must reflect the structural and cosmetic condition. Remember, if you decide to sell as is, any issues that crop up will be tripled in cost by a cautious buyer as they are concerned that it may not just need a new roof but may need new wood underneath the roof. There can be a difference in sales price by as much as 50-60% from a NEMOVITZ continued on page 21A
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Clarifying widow’s benefits
Q
BY TOM MARGENAU : In past columns, you have said that if a woman is 66 or older when her husband dies, her widow’s benefit will equal what the husband was getting at the time of death. But when my husband died several months ago, I started getting slightly more than he was getting. How do you explain that? : Sometimes I tend to oversimplify Social Security rules to help my readers understand them. And this is a very good example of that. As a general rule, I am almost always safe in saying that a wife will start getting whatever her husband was getting at the time of death as her widow’s benefit -- assuming she was 66 or older when her husband dies. Here are a couple of examples. Fred took his Social Security benefits at age 66. He died when he was 78. He was getting $2,200 per month when he died. His wife, Wilma, was getting a reduced wife’s benefit of $900 before Fred died, because she started those benefits when she was 63. She was 75 when Fred died. Wilma will now start getting $2,200 in widow’s benefits. Another example: Barney took reduced retirement benefits at 64. He was getting $1,700 per month when he died at age 80. His wife, Betty, was getting her own retirement benefit of $1,200 monthly. Now that Barney has died, she will keep getting her own $1,200, but she will get an extra $500 in widow’s benefits to take her up to Barney’s monthly rate of $1,700. You will notice that in both those examples, the widow’s benefit equaled her husband’s month of death benefit. But now look at this example. Scott took his reduced Social Security retirement when he was 62. When he died at age 70, he was getting $1,500. His 69-year-old wife, Dena, was getting a spousal benefit of $700. When Scott died, based on what she read in my past columns, Dena thought she was going to start getting $1,500 per month is widow’s benefits. But she actually started getting $1,650. Why? There is a rule that says a widow will always be guaranteed an amount equal to at least 82.5 percent of her
A
husband’s full Social Security benefit. Because Scott took his benefits at age 62, he was getting a 75 percent reduced retirement rate. And again, the law says Dena must get 82.5 percent, not the 75 percent rate. So that’s why her widow’s benefit will be more than what her husband was getting at the time of death. One final quick note. You will notice that in all my examples, the widow was over age 66 when her husband died. I did that to keep my math simple. Had she been under age 66, her widow’s rate would have been reduced roughly one half of one percent for each month she was under 66 when her husband died. : About a month ago, I filed for my Social Security retirement benefits. While I was in the Social Security office, they told me I was also eligible for some extra benefits from my divorced husband’s account. So I filed for those benefits, too. I was told I would get $870 on my Social Security account and an additional $290 on my husband’s record for a total of $1,160. Yesterday, I received a letter from the Social Security Administration and all it mentioned was my own $870 benefit. What happened to the other $290? Did they decide I wasn’t due that money after all? : My hunch is a second award letter is on its way. But it is probably coming from a different part of the country. SSA maintains six program service centers around the country that process Social Security claims. They are located in New York, Philadelphia, Birmingham, Chicago, Kansas City and Richmond, California. (A seventh processing center in Baltimore handles all disability claims.) Which program center processes which non-disability claim depends on the Social Security number involved. I don’t have the exact breakdown in front of me, but for example, Social Security numbers in the 100 range (e.g., 123-45-6789) are handled in New York; whereas SSNs in the 300s are processed in Chicago; and claims for most 500 numbers are shipped to Richmond; and so on.
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11345 N Cedarburg Rd • Mequon, WI 53092 APRIL 14 Getting to Know Medicare 6:00 APRIL 20 Planning for Nursing care and Final Expenses 4:00 APRIL 20 Strategies for Social Security and Retirement Income 6:00 APRIL 22 Getting to Know Medicare 6:00
Frank L Weyenberg Memorial Library 11345 N Cedarburg Rd • Mequon, WI 53092 APRIL 14 Getting to Know Medicare 6:00 APRIL 20 Planning for Nursing care and Final Expenses 4:00 APRIL 20 Strategies for Social Security and Retirement Income 6:00 APRIL 22 Getting to Know Medicare 6:00
Germantown Community Library
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8A • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
ADRC hosts Washington County Senior Conference The Annual Washington County Senior Conference, hosted by the Washington County Aging and Disability Resource Center, is Thursday, April 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Washington County Fair Park in West Bend, 3000 Pleasant Valley Road.
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The registration fee is $15 per person and includes registration materials, workshop fees, continental breakfast, a box lunch and beverage. Registrations will be taken in order of receipt. Registration deadline is Thursday, April 23, and will not be accepted on the day of the conference.
Cancellations will be accepted until Thursday, April 22. For more information, contact the Aging & Disability Resource Center at 262.335.4497 or visit our Facebook page, Senior Conference Washington County.
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• 9A
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Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Edvest College Savings Plan. Please visit Edvest.com for a Plan Disclosure Booklet with this and more information. Read it carefully. Investments in the Plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is a risk of investment loss. TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Plan Manager. Before investing in a 529 plan, consider whether the state where your Beneficiary resides has a 529 plan that offers favorable state tax benefits that are available if you invest in that state’s 529 plan. Non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal and state taxes and the additional 10% federal tax. The tax information contained herein is not intended to be used and cannot be used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Taxpayers should seek advice from an independent tax advisor based on their own particular circumstances. The Edvest College Savings Plan is administered by the state of Wisconsin. C21220.
10A • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
Seeing clearly as we age is important It’s a fact of life that vision changes occur as you get older. But these changes don’t have to compromise your lifestyle. Knowing what to expect and when to seek professional care are important steps to safeguarding your vision. As you reach your 60s and beyond, you need to be attentive to warning signs of age-related eye health prob-
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lems that could cause vision loss. Many eye diseases have no early symptoms. They may develop painlessly and you may not be aware of changes to your vision until the condition is quite advanced. But wise lifestyle choices and regular eye exams can significantly improve your chances of maintaining good eye health even as you age. Safeguarding your vision as you
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age can have a tremendous impact on your quality of life. You may not realize that health problems affecting other parts of your body can affect your vision as well. Individuals with diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure), or taking medications that have eye-related side effects, are at greatest risk for developing vision problems. Therefore, regular exams are even more important as you reach your senior years. The American Optometric Association recommends annual eye examinations for everyone over age 60. See your doctor of optometry immediately if you notice any changes in your vision. In the years after you turn 60, a number of eye diseases may develop that can change your vision permanently. The earlier these problems are detected and treated, the more likely you can retain good vision. The following are some vision disorders of which you should be aware: • Age Related Macular Degeneration is an eye disease affecting the macula, the center of the light sensi-
tive retina at the back of the eye, causing loss of central vision. Although small, the macula is the part of the retina that allows us to see fine detail and colors. Activities like reading, driving, watching TV and recognizing faces all require good central vision provided by the macula. While macular degeneration causes changes in central vision, peripheral or side vision remains unaffected. An anuual eye exam can help catch devastating eye diseases, like glaucoma and macular degeneration, early. Early detection increases the chances of maintaining healthy vision in senior years. • Diabetic Retinopathy is a condition occurring in people with diabetes. It is the result of progressive damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. They leak blood and other fluids that cause swelling of retinal tissue and clouding of vision. The condition usually affects both eyes. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they will develop diabetic retinopathy, which can cause blindness.
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EDITORIALS APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
MONEY SENSE
STATE CAPITOL COMMENT
All insurance companies are not created equal! By Karen Ellenbecker & Julie Ellenbecker -Lipsky
By Matt Pommer
If you have invested, or are thinking of investing your hard earned money in an annuity or a life insurance policy, do your homework. It is a big decision, so do some in-depth research and evaluate the strength of the insurance company you may be entrusting with your financial future. You must MOVING IN THE RIGHT ask yourself: How do youDIRECTION compare By Bruce Nemovitz life insurance companies? What features do you examine? What criteria do you use? How do you know what to look for? Fortunately, there are a number of independent companies that make these evaluations. These rating companies carefully examine eachAGING insurance ISSUES company in the areas of profitability, By Tom Frazier debt, liquidity, and other factors. From the results of these examinations, they then issue overall ratings. Looking up a company’s rating will provide you with a snapshot of that company’s financial health. Tracking the company’s rating on a regularPLANTING basis may give you some advancedTOMORROW’S warning of DREAMS TODAY trouble. By Brad Olson The four most prominent rating companies are A.M. Best, Standard
SPORTS By Jack Pearson
Standard & Poor’s: 877-7725436, www.standardandpoors.com Moody’s Investors Service: 212553-0377, www.moodys.com Fitch Ratings: 800-893-4824, www.fitchratings.com It seems most consumers use A.M. Best to identify a company’s financial stability. Best rates insurance companies by using 15 rating categories ranging from A++ to F. In most cases, I feel that consumers should choose insurance companies with ratings in the A category or better. Over my 35 years as a financial planner, I have found that a company that struggles with financial stability may not credit competitive interest rates to their clients, their dividends may decrease, and in some severe cases, struggle to stay solvent. At Oak Tree Financial Services, our insurance division selects only companies that meet certain criteria. If you need any help evaluating an insurance company feel free to call us and we can assist, as this choice is a key decision to meeting your financial goals.
Please free to call Brad, President of Oak Tree Financial Services, directly with any financial planning and investment questions or suggestions for future article topics at 262-649-9202, or email him at brad@otfsllc.com. Securities offered through Questar Capital Corporation (QCC) Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Questar Asset Management (QAM) A Registered Investment Advisor. Oak Tree Financial Services, LLC is independent of QCC and QAM. Certain insurance activity is independent of QCC or QAM. The information in this article is not intended to be insurance, investment, tax or legal advice. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented, nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or insurance.
TRAVEL
Financial Fi i l Wellness W ll “Planting Tomorrow’s Dreams Today”
By Brad Olson, CFP
& Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, and Fitch Ratings. Each of these services uses slightly different criteria APRON when rating Emmacompanies. As a result, STRINGS each may have a slightly different view By Aunt Emma of a given company. A.M. Best ratings are based on financial conditions and performance. Moody’s, Fitch Ratings, and Standard & Poor’s ratings are based on claims-paying ability. You should be able to find copies of at least one of these ratings in the reference section of your local library. If you are unable to find them, or if the ratings in your library are outdated, you can contact the services directly. All four services will provide ratings over the phone. A.M. Best Company: 908-4392200, www.ambest.com
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12A • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
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Regain your smile In the United States today, it seems that everyone wants to look younger. This, of course, includes the teeth we show when we smile. In recent years, more people have become concerned about having teeth that are straight and free of stains, chips or other obvious flaws. Popular television shows that provide makeovers encourage this point of view. So do articles and advertisements about whitening agents and smile makeovers. As a result, people often want their teeth to be perfectly uniform and dazzlingly white. Dental offices have responded to consumer demand. They offer many services, including: • Porcelain laminates • Bleaching • Bonding • Replacing amalgam (silver) fillings with white filling • Implants • Dentures Virtually all dentists perform some types of cosmetic services. Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by dental insurance. However, procedures done to repair a cavity or replace a defective filling, crown or other tooth restoration may be covered. The cost of some cosmetic procedures can easily exceed $1,000 per tooth. Despite the cost and inconvenience, many people want a “smile makeover.” They think it’s just as important as having nice clothes or attractive hair. Older restorative materials such as gold or amalgam are durable and
strong but are not tooth-colored. Newer techniques and materials allow for the placement of tooth-colored fillings. Dentists have been doing cosmetic work for decades. But the materials that were used had serious drawbacks. For example, the early composite (plastic) resins tended to stain, chip and change color over time. This limited their use. New composite resins (tooth-colored fillings) are much better. Porcelain veneers cover the entire front of the tooth. They also can be placed with minimal cutting of the enamel. They are another option when the color and shape of the teeth need improvement. Composites are not as strong as gold or amalgam, but they have been much improved over the years. Newer composites are long-lasting and strong. When a tooth has minor chips or a small fracture, many people choose to live with it. Others decide to have a crown (also called a cap) made and placed in the mouth over the tooth. This process is time-consuming and often expensive. However, it’s often possible to “patch” minor flaws, chips or broken teeth with bonding composite resin. This can be smoothed and color-matched to the surrounding teeth. Computer imaging is another useful technique. It allows dentists to create “virtual restorations” on a computer screen. A patient can see what the results will look like before deciding to get cosmetic work done. This imaging technique is relatively new, but more dentists are acquiring it.
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14A • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
Recommendations to treat heart disease continually changing BY DR. DAVID LIPSCHITZ Research on how any disease should be prevented or treated is confusing, and what seems to be the gospel for a long period of time may suddenly change. This particularly applies to preventing and managing risks of heart attack and stroke.
Most remarkable is information related to coffee. In a report published in the journal Heart, researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health followed 25,000 healthy subjects living in South Korea. The results showed that drinking five cups of coffee daily was associated with significantly less buildup of calcium
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in arteries, suggesting a lower risk of developing heart disease. The researchers also suggest that coffee may reduce the chances of developing diabetes. They note that the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee suggested that drinking coffee has minimal effects on the heart. The benefits of coffee were still present in smokers and in those with diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and obesity. The study could not identify the factors in coffee that led to benefits. Though coffee may hold some benefit, it is still prudent to limit caffeine intake because of negative effects on sleep, heart rate and nighttime urination. Recent dietary guidelines suggest that cholesterol intake is not a major risk factor for heart disease or other illnesses. We can now be much more liberal in egg and shellfish consumption. Though more cholesterol is acceptable, intake of the wrong fats -including saturated animal fats, trans fats and omega-6 fatty acids -- must be kept to a minimum. Guidelines place much greater emphasis on reducing added sugar, refined grains and salt intake. The guidelines are no longer enthusiastic about lean meat, as our diet already contains twice as much protein as we need. Not surprisingly, greater intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and seafood is encouraged. Overeating is highlighted as a major concern, and balancing calorie intake with activity levels is encouraged. Greater fruit and vegetable intake appears to reduce heart attack risk by as much as 40 percent. The health benefits of alcohol are
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being questioned. It seemed as if the link between moderate alcohol, especially red wine, intake and improved heart health and longevity was concrete. Alcohol, itself, by reducing stress levels, and resveratrol in red wine, by its antioxidant properties, was thought to be effective in reducing heart attack risk and promoting a longer life. But in past reports, former drinkers have been classified as nondrinkers. That and poor scientific methodology may have accounted for the seemingly obvious benefits of alcohol. A better study just published in the British Medical Journal examined 53,000 adults in the U.K. who completed a survey. In this study, which most agree was done rigorously, moderate alcohol intake (no more than two drinks daily) only benefited men between the ages of 50 and 54 and women older than 65. And the benefit did not seem to be so great as previously thought. Doctors have also been overestimating heart attack risk. Advancing age, male gender, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high HDL cholesterol and low LDL cholesterol were thought to accurately predict heart attack risk in the next 10 years. But a study just published in the Annals of Internal Medicine says the calculators doctors have been using tend to overestimate heart attack risk by 86 percent in men and 67 percent in women. And there are new recommendations for cholesterol lowering using statins. A target for LDL cholesterol of below either 100 or 70 is no longer important. Those who have had a heart attack or an LDL level above 190 should receive treatment with a higher dose of a statin to lower LDL by 50 percent. For those with diabetes but no history of heart disease and an LDL level of less than 190, a lower dose of a statin is suggested. Low doses of a statin should also be used in those with no history of heart disease but whose future risk is significantly increased. What should we make of these myriad changes and new recommendations? Most important is being prudent. Eat the right foods in the right amounts. Exercise. Avoid stress. And be empowered to learn as much as possible about risk reduction of heart disease. Discuss it with your doctor.
APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
• 15A
Isolation is an avoidable problem for older people BY DAVID LIPSCHITZ Today, thousands of older Americans face serious problems of loneliness and isolation. For a variety of reasons, many older people live alone with virtually no contact with the outside world. Loss of a spouse, frailty and an unwillingness to leave the home prevent older citizens from maintaining a social, outgoing lifestyle. Unfortunately, I know of many sad stories of social isolation. Recently, a researcher who studied this problem told me an incredibly vivid and unsettling story about an older man who led a sad, depressed and lonely life. Although he had a very successful career, he had recently lost his wife and was estranged from his only daughter. He felt hopeless, alone, and relegated himself to a life confined within his small, suburban house. Fortunately for him, he met and befriended this wonderful young researcher, and for the remainder of his life she was his closest friend. She served as the only link to the world outside, saving him from total isolation. The companionship they shared changed the course of their lives, mak-
MAY
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ing each day fuller and richer. Although this man’s story left an impact on me, it is far from unique. Another frequent scenario to plague the elderly community lies not with the isolated adult, but rather with his exasperated son or daughter. Oftentimes, the parent refuses to listen to the adult child, and, despite serious difficulties and limitations, refuses to leave the ancestral home. Usually it is a widowed mother, who is unable to climb the stairs, can no longer clean the house, eats inadequately, risks falling and will not go out. Despite pleas, she refuses to recognize the benefits of life in an assisted-living center and ignores her increasingly frustrated family. Clinging to perceived independence, the mother remains unhappy and alone. Beyond frustrating family members, social isolation and loneliness create many adverse health effects. Depression is common. Frequently, meals are missed or there are difficulties purchasing or making meals, which lead to weight loss and malnutrition. This, together with being housebound, leads to weakness and
reduced mobility. Falls are common and, in the end, virtually every illness becomes more common and more dangerous. As a geriatrician, I deal with this problem on a daily basis. Anytime I meet a new patient, I always ask about loneliness. In many circumstances, I find family conflict dominating the entire issue of isolation. Adult children want to take care of their 80- or 90-year-old parent, while the mother or father demands to remain alone. Submitting to the wishes of well-intentioned adult family members often becomes a battle over independence. For children who become their parent’s parent, safety becomes the central priority. By contrast, older people want to maintain independence, and, for them, the psychological benefit of independent (though isolated) living far outweighs the risks. In the end, we must respect the wishes of our older parent, aunt or grandparent. However, we must not allow the desire for independence to overwhelm our responsibility as concerned relatives. All too often, adult
children fail to recognize there are many ways to address isolation and reduce loneliness. As baby boomers of the sandwich generation, we must commit ourselves to finding healthy and creative solutions to address the problems that affect our elderly parents and relatives. Helping with shopping, medication, meal delivery and other daily tasks can reduce the physical tolls on an elderly adult and create new avenues for healthy interaction and socialization. Additionally, there are numerous outside community resources dedicated to helping improve the lives of older citizens, such as the Interfaith Caregiver Coalition that recruits volunteers to visit, befriend and care for older adults, or the local Humane Society that trains “compassionate companions,” pets that assist elderly citizens. Hobbies, clubs, pets or volunteers can change the life of a lonely older adult. With a little research and investigation, concerned relatives will find many avenues and alternatives to help their elderly friend or family member maintain health, independence and happiness.
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16A • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
HERMAN WHITE WRITES
Senior softball, baseball leagues begin this month It’s April; let the games begin. In Major League Baseball its Opening Day at Miller Park on Monday, April 6, the Brewers vs. the Colorado Rockies, starting at just after one in the afternoon. If the State Highway Department doesn’t get going and finish all the work on the expressways around the stadium, it will be a major mess getting in and out. That’s enough about Major League ball. This article is about 55 and older softball and baseball play. We have imparted this bit of info to you in the past, but it bears repeating. There is more and better quality senior softball and senior baseball play here in the Milwaukee area than anywhere else in the country. In softball, for example, every fall when league play here is completed, many of the players make up teams and travel down south or out west to enter major championships. In both senior baseball and softball, league play begins from midApril to early May. Baseball leagues are for men only, but three of the six
ARTS
SPORTS By Jack Pearson
senior softball leagues are open to the ladies—assuming they are good enough to make the team, of course. Because of attrition from season to season, there is always a need for new players. If you’re not already a member of one of the teams, in either softball or baseball, call the League Directors and their phone numbers listed below. Joining a team is not expensive. Your outlay for an entire season is about what you’d pay for one round of golf. For softball, all you’ll need is a good glove and a pair of serviceable athletic shoes. For baseball you’ll need a bit more, usually a team shirt and hat. Balls and bats are provided in softball; in baseball you bring your own.
ENTERTAINMENT
FOR SENIOR SOFTBALL Opening Day for Senior Softball is on Monday, April 27, when the VMP (Village at Manor Park) Senior Softball League (55 and older) begins play. All games are conducted at McCarty Park in West Allis, and all games start at 9 a.m., weather permitting. The league has 12 teams, and it is men only. For more information call League Director Pancho Palesse at 414-543-5776. There are two senior softball leagues that play on Tuesdays. The first is the West Allis – West Milwaukee Recreational Department 55 and Over League. It plays its games in the West Allis Athletic Complex on W. 117h St. and Cleveland Ave., and begins play on May 5th. Games start at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There are eight teams, and all are open to women as well as men. For more info call Dustin Smith at 414604-4938. The other league that plays on Tuesdays is the Milwaukee Recreation League which plays at Burnham Park
at 35th and Burnham in Milwaukee. There are 12 teams and they play at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. The first game is on Tuesday, April 21. For more information call Terrie Brzezinski at 1-41647-6041. On Wednesdays the Southeastern Senior 55 and over Softball League will play its games at McCarty Park in West Allis. The first game of the seaBy Enis Wright son will be on April 29th. All games begin in the mornings at 9:30 and 10:45. There are 12 teams, men only. For more information, call Roly Nellis 262-251-8972. The only 65 and older softball league is the Greater Milwaukee 65 and Over Softball League, which begins play on April 30. All games will be on Thursdays and will begin at 9:30 and 10:15. Games will be played at Wick Field on 51st and Vliet in Milwaukee. There are 12 teams. For more information, call Cy Swiecichowski at 262-677-3752. It is a men only league. The West Allis – West Milwaukee Recreation Department’s 55 Plus Softball League begins play on May SENIOR LEAGUES continued on page 21A
calendar the WRIGHT SIDE of
60
KILLING TIME with Jim McLoone
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• 17A
Meals on wheels may be available!
Q
BY DOUG MAYBERRY . Last week one of my neighbors, who is disabled, told me how pleased she was that she had applied and was now receiving food from Meals on Wheels. She said that she had not previously applied because she receives Social Security and thought that disqualified her. . Every Meals on Wheels facility operates under its own management. Individuals can apply, neither age nor income is necessarily a deterrent. Most applicants are over 60. Other qualifications are based on where you live, if you are homebound, experience disabilities or other individual needs. The Federal government does provide some financial assistance to the organization, but it is limited. Our aging population is growing rapidly. Statistics indicate that by 2050, our aging population will increase by 50 percent. Should you need meal assistance, contact your locally based Meals on Wheels. YOU MAY QUALIFY! . My knee has been hurting me for about a year. My doctor has recommended that I have an operation. I hesitate to have it done because I have a friend whose knee operation has not been successful. What are my options? . In today’s lifestyle, medical decisions, operations, medicine expenses, finding an available doctor and insurance questions are more complicated than ever. Fewer options, frustrations, patience, insurance interpretations, time consumption and work requirements have become more
A Q
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overwhelming for us. I recently sat next to a doctor’s wife on a train trip, who had obvious major medical problems. She was very positive about her health and experienced seven operations since an auto accident years ago. I asked her for her common sense recommendations for health care. Here is her checklist: 1. Prepare a written list of your questions and condition. Doctors usually allow about 20 minutes per patient. Do not waste that valuable time. 2. Choose a doctor with whom who you are comfortable and who you believe cares about you. If he or she does not fit into these qualifications, try to find another doctor. 3. Ask how many times he has performed your recommend surgery. Obviously, the more times he has performed it, the likely hood of your operation will prove more successful. Specialists pay off. 4. If major surgery is recommended, do not hesitate to ask for a second opinion. You will live with the results, and your future is based on the best treatment. Doing so is a major challenge, but patience may prove the best decision you will ever make. 5. Do not bargain over the doctors’ price. Achieving and maintaining good health is everyone’s primary goal! 6. Ask your doctor if you can live under your condition and how long you can by just using medications. What are your options? As a practical matter, it is not always possible to follow the doctor’s suggestions. A doctor’s wife has the opportunity for more options. However, from her list hopefully some of her recommendations may prove helpful and doable!
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18A • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015 PEARSON continued from page 1A And it’s time again for baseball, and all its wondrous sights and sounds. No one seems to talk much about the sound aspect of our grand old game; but it’s there, it’s always there. Think about it; the sound of the vendors hawking their wares; the crack of the bat hitting a ball; the bounce and jive of the organist’s offerings; the yelling and the roaring of the crowd; the hush of it all and then the singing of the National Anthem. There’s also a sound we sort of take for granted; the warm and melodious voice of the public address announcer, welcoming us to the ballpark. He and his helpful information are there, for every game. In truth, it wouldn’t be the same without him and his commentary. Here in Milwaukee we are blessed with having one of the, most polished and articulate PA announcers in all of baseball. His name is Robb Edwards. You don’t see him when you’re at the ballpark; most fans don’t even know where he sits at his mic. It’s up on the second level in the Brewers’ Press Box, about in the center and in the front row. It’s Robb who identifies the players, correctly pronouncing all names. It is he who tells you who the umpires are and the lad or lady who is singing the Anthem, and who all the special guests are down there on the field prior to the start of the game. He’s also the commentator during the wild and popular Sausage Race in the 6th inning. Robb is a most likeable individual, ever congenial and helpful and unequivocally dependable, and, somewhat rare in this avaricious age, refreshingly modest. Robb conveys to us much more than merely a collection of names, all quite helpful and all up to date to the minute. Listen to him closely the next time you’re out at a Brewers game. His voice is resonant and distinctive. For nearly four decades prior to his work with the Brewers, he was one of the top announcers in Milwaukee radio. You’ll discern his love of the game and of his work by his enthusiastic delivery. This coming season will be his 18th consecutive one. Over the past 17 years and close to 1,400 games, his attendance record up in the Brewers’ Press Box is unmatched. Over 16 of those 17 years, he didn’t miss a single game, a
Over the years, Robb has met and befriended scores of Milwaukee Brewers players. Here he is with Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. truly incredible record. The only time he was not on the job was in May of 2008 when he suffered a severe heart attack and had to undergo quadruple bypass surgery at a local hospital. You might assume that kind of a major setback would keep him out for months. Would you believe he missed only six games? “Hey, it was no big deal,” he said with typical self-depreciating laugh. “First of all, I was lucky, the Brewers were on the road for a week, which cut down on the games I couldn’t make. Also, being at the ballpark, in the Press Box and surrounded by all my pals and with the game out there in front of me, is far, far better than being cooped up in a lonely hospital room.” He laughed again. “Besides, you stay away from your job too long and guess what? They find someone to replace you.” Robb was born on April 2, 1945. I impart that little item to you because if you ever were to meet the man, you’d probably estimate his age at the good side of 50. He still has a full head of hair, a little gray of course, a flat waistline and really looks great. All of which make a few of us a bit envi-
ous. He is undoubtedly an A-1 Brewers supporter now, but confesses that it wasn’t always that way. He was once, as dastardly as it seems, a Cubs fan.
“Well, what would you expect,” he explained. I was born in Chicago. Actually, I was also a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, and Duke Snider was my
During his younger years, Robb was a top flight dash man in track & field. Here he is (center) after winning another championship.
APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
hero. How could I have been a Milwaukee fan? When I was a kid even the old Milwaukee Braves hadn’t been formed.” Robb started going to the Cubs games at Wrigley Field with his maternal grandfather Hank Fiset. “Gramps loved baseball and knew many of the Cubs players personally. I was about four years old when he began taking me to the games with him. One of his cronies was the Cubs catcher, Clyde McCullough. He gave my grandfather his catcher’s mitt to give to me. I had it for several years and really treasured it. Over the years, it became lost; I wish I still had it.” Robb and his grandfather often sat down close to the field and not far from the home plate area. “It was near where Cubs’ PA man Pat Piper sat with his mike,” Robb recalled. “I’d watch and listen to him. I even started mimicking him. I guess it was then that I decided on the kind of work I wanted to get into when I grew up. When Robb was about 14, his parents moved to Milwaukee. He later attended Pius XI High School. There his sport was track and field, not baseball. “I tried, I really did,” he recalled, “but I had trouble hitting a curve ball.” (He shouldn’t have let that stop him, I told him. The Brewers have often had players with that same problem, and they were paid millions despite it.) “But I always was a pretty good runner, so I went out for the track team,” he said. He was more than just pretty good. In both the City and State Catholic Conference Championships in 1962, Robb won the 100 yard dash title. “But the next season,” he said, “I tore a muscle and that put a hamper on things.” After his high school days, Robb enrolled at UW-Milwaukee, and made the track squad there (running for the legendary Panther Coach John Tierney). At UW-M Robb also joined the campus radio station, WUWM. He enjoyed his work there to the extent that he decided to leave UW-M, and enrolled at a broadcasting school. His first job in commercial radio followed at station WRAC in Racine. It was then that he was given a new identity. Robb’s original name was Robert Edward Romant. But radio, like the movie industry, prefers names that are easy to pronounce and catchy. “The station manager said my last name, Romant (it’s French), was a
• 19A
Robb Edwards at his home in Brookfield. Robb is now in his 18th season as the Public Address Announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers.
You don’t see him when you’re at the ballpark, most fans don’t even know where he sits at his mike. It’s up on the second level in the Brewers’ Press Box, about in the center and in the front row. It’s Robb who identifies the players, correctly pronouncing all names. little awkward and asked me to change it,” Robb said. “I supposed that I had to, if I wanted the job, but I tried to change it as little as possible. I took my middle name to be my surname, added an S and shortened my first to just Robb. I knew someone who had that name and used two “b’s,” so I did too.” It seems like a minor detail but think about that for a minute. If you were applying for a job and were told that a requisite for getting it was that you had to change you name, would you? Robb stayed on at the Racine station for a year and a half before moving north 30 miles to a much larger market. He was at WTMJ for more than 20 years (not all consecutive) as well as with WRIT, WOY and WZUU.
.In addition to his radio work, Robb has served as a master of ceremonies for a multitude of events, and as the public address announcer for two major sports teams: as the Brewers and also Marquette University men’s basketball. He and his lovely wife, Vicki, have lived in northwest Brookfield for many years. Just down the street from their home is the residence of the late Al McGuire and that of the former Marquette Athletic Director Bill Cords. Over the years, Robb got to know both men well. “One afternoon Bill walked over for a chat,” Robb recalled. “Out of the blue he asked if I’d like to be the PA man for the Warriors (their name then) home basketball games. I was sort of dumb.
DON’T MISS IT! 50 Plus Fest & Retirement Show May 7 9am-2pm Waukesha County Expo Center
20A • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
Walking meditation: Step into the world of zen and now BY MARILYNN PRESTON Have you ever tried walking meditation? It’s a step into the world of Zen, and in case you haven’t been paying attention, Zen is everywhere. There are Zen retreats, Zen temples, Zen chocolates, Zen comics, Zen methods of diapering and accounting, and an actual book called “Zen and the Art of Casino Gaming.” Zen is actually the Japanese word for meditation, and walking meditation is a variation on the Buddhist philosophy of quieting the mind and letting go. Walking meditation is a simple practice that gives you all the benefits of seated meditation -- increased energy, equanimity, awareness -- without the temptation to fall asleep. “Meditation is simple but not easy,” says Henry Shukman, the Zen teacher who taught me and a tent full of others how to do it while walking. It was part of an enlightening winter retreat at Esalen Institute, co-led by yoga master Tias Little. “Walking meditation is a chance to tune into our own experience,” ex-
plained Henry, “to be in this place, to touch this Earth, to be right here, right now.” It’s from that place of total presence that good things flow. Neuroscientists have proven this from the innovative brain imaging studies they’ve done. When you meditate on the present moment, stress eases, your fears and anxieties dissolve, and kindness and compassion rise to the surface. All that, and exercise, too! You don’t have to be Buddhist to give it a shot. Here’s a summary of Henry’s teachings about walking meditation. STEP 1. WALK INTO NATURE. Sometimes walking meditation is done inside a Zen temple -- a break from long periods of time, doing sitting meditation -- but doing it outside, in nature offers special benefits. Wear comfortable shoes, appropriate clothes, and pick a path that is safe and unencumbered. STEP 2: ARRANGE YOUR HANDS. There is a Zen way of doing just about everything -- from eating a meal to being with your dog -- so it’s no sur-
Welcome
prise that walking meditation in Henry’s Sanbo Zen lineage has rules about how to hold your hands. “You put your right hand around your right thumb and use the left hand to gently press your right hand against your solar plexus,” Henry demonstrated. “That’s the Zen way.” Is it the only way? Of course not. It’s so not-Zen to dictate to people what they can and cannot do. So about 45 of us arranged our hands just so, pressing gently on our solar plexus, right in the middle of our upper torso, just below the diaphragm, the energetic center (or chakra) of strength, confidence and joy. STEP 3: MIND YOUR POSTURE. Walk mindfully, in silence, with an upright spine, and a slight chin tuck. Your eyes are open and lowered, but not in a way that makes your walking unsafe. Walk in a way that feels relaxed and aware, opening up the deepest channels of the body, allowing for a flow of energy up and down the spine, drawing up from the earth, drawing down from the sky. I know it sounds a little woo-woo, but so what? Lots of things
to the
new
Senior Lifestyle in Hales Corners
that used to seem woo-woo now appear to be true-true. STEP 4: DON’T FOCUS ON YOUR BREATH. Really? Meditators are always being told to focus on the breath, as a way to connect mind and body and sink into the bliss of boundlessness. For our first walking meditation, Henry took us in a different direction. “Let your mind rest in the soles of your feet,” he instructed. Don’t overthink it. Just let go and let it happen, walking at a comfortable pace, focusing your mind’s eye on the bottom of your feet. When you lose focus -- and you will, just like in sitting meditation -you simply acknowledge the lapse, congratulate yourself for noticing, return your awareness to the soles of your feet, and keep it there until your final step. STEP 5: NOTHING TO GAIN. At the end of this refreshing and revelatory 20-minute walking meditation, Henry had very little more to explain.
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APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
About Facebook There was a time not too long ago that anyone who talked to this person about Facebook might have gotten a blank stare or close to it in return. At our house, while we still don’t communicate via Facebook at least we have knowledge of what it is and how it works. Facebook was launched in a Harvard University dormitory room in 2004. Today, there perhaps are over 600 million active users. We’re told the very first Twitter message didn’t occur until 2006. Over 200 million people now use this means of communication. Yes, twittering is very common today.
The afore mentioned are known as social media. They work beyond traditional boundaries and are quite relevant to the lives of many persons. It is not a credit to our intelligence that we don’t use them or know more about them. Ingenuity is a crown jewel of American life. What’s happening today electronically is way beyond what we could have imagined a decade ago. Now, traditional thinking must follow innovative paths to discover the next generation of prioritized vision in to what can be done.
NEMOVITZ continued on page 6A home presented beautifully and structurally sound to the home that shows poorly and needs structural upgrades. If you do decide to stage your home and use a professional interior designer, you may be surprised at the cost to do so. Stagers are trained to spend the least to gain the most for you the seller. A $10,000 investment can bring you $30,000 more in a sale plus your home may sell in a few days instead of many months and several price drops. There are almost 80 million millennials (some called generation x) many of whom either living with their parents or delaying starting a family. It seems that this group is ready to leave
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SENIOR LEAGUES continued from page 16A 15. Games will be played at the West As in softball play, older players Allis Athletic Complex at S. 117th St. can always play in younger classifiand W. Cleveland Ave., in West Allis. cations, but not the other way around. There are six teams. The league is for All play is for men only. League play men and women. For more informa- begins on Saturday, April 18. All tion call Dustin Smith at 414-604- games are played in the Rock Sports Complex at S. 76th St. in Franklin. 4938. FOR SENIOR BASEBALL The League Director is Tom Johns. For more information and/or to The Milwaukee Men’s Senior Baseball League offers a number of check on availability to join a team, different age classifications. They are call Johns at 414-704-2904, or the 18 and older, 28 and older, 35 and old- Rock office at 414-529-7676. er, 45 and older and 55 and older, and possibly if they can get enough interest, a 60 and older class. the nest and start their families. If you are thinking of selling, this may be the best opportunity in 8 years. Interest rates are still at record lows and buyers are out in great numbers. Spring is the best time to sell as that is when there are the greatest numbers of buyers… that time is now! Bruce Nemovitz is a Senior Real Estate Specialist, as well as Certified Senior Advisor. Bruce has sold residential homes in the four county Milwaukee-Metro areas for 35 years. He works with his wife, Jeanne, at Realty Executives Integrity. Visit www.brucesteam.com or call 262-242-6177 with any real estate questions.
• 21A
Call today for more information: GREENBROOK APTS 414.282.5044 4955 S. Greenbrook Terrace Greenfield, WI 53220
22A • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
continued
EDITORIALS
The best teacher
We have heard that genius requires one percent of inspiration and 99 percent of perspiration. The person who first said this may be unknown and what he or she said may be debatable. Since when is “book learning” or today’s computers something you would sweat over? There’s a chance that we are dead wrong in thinking that the best teacher
TRAVEL
we have today is life itself. But what it teaches is not necessarily what is found in our great books and even in the not so great text books. We like the statement that when a child goes to school, he or she should be taught how to think. Let each one decide what to think. A person’s intelligence has to be motivated to secure an education. This lack of motivation is a great problem
today Time is gone forever when reading, writing and arithmetic were taught to the tune of a hickory stick. What teacher today would dare to use such an educational prop? Our public school system is to be appreciated, if not applauded. Take time to consider the fact that our doors to greater education stand open to
all students. Most of those who walk through them return to society educated, at least in part. We appreciate our schools and place those on pedestals who labor in these classrooms to prepare our youths for productive and moral lives. What would our society be today without great schools and knowledgeable teachers?
SENIOR The Civil War was barbarous time in history The Civil War, otherwise known Answer Man
as the war between the states, perhaps was referred to as civil as it was thought by some to be less barbarous in battle as there always was the possibility that brothers, cousins, friends were on one side or the other or both. Can you even imagine training your gun on a brother and then pulling the trigger? To this day, it is difficult for many of us to believe that slavery ever existed in these United States where freedom always has meant so much to so many. Don’t you wonder how people could be bought and sold during their enslavement, their bondage, their
captivity? The lives of slaves were worth only what they could produce for their masters. President Abraham Lincoln saw the lack of righteousness in slavery. He determined that such as the Slave Market and much more local, the whipping posts that were located on many prosperous farms, as evil. The slaves had to be liberated and were in April, 1865, as the War Between the States came to an end. Still, life was difficult for black People, children and grandchildren of slaves. Into the first half of the 20th century, there was definitely segre-
gation or attitudes accepting such. Do you remember the railway cars for whites only, the separate drinking fountains in various public places and the separate and definitely not equal dining situations? Such embarrassment black persons had to put up with. How could not those with any education at all have chips on their shoulders? The War Between the States ended with the signing of cessation papers by Generals Grant and Lee at Appomattox. Today, there still are black people who feel the scars of those Civil War battles even though they never were
there to be wounded. We are told that Milwaukee’s central city is one of the most segregated in the entire country. What a shame. Too often, we neglect to give to others the helping hands they need even though our creator has attached such to the extremity of everyone’s arms. Whatever happened to the creed of freedom, justice and equality for all in these United States? It is too bad that what we believe in principle, we necessarily do not follow in deeds.
faces if not renewed hopes for another hole-in-one. As I have written previously, when I get that hole-in-one, my wife will perhaps insist that I change both socks. aaaaa This is the penitential season of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday. A friend recently told me that he really appreciates his particular religion. He said, “We forgive our own sins.” aaaaa At a recent get-together of friends from past activities, I reached the conclusion that most people my age seem to be much older. Or is it that they only act that way? aaaaa My sister-in-law has little to do so she reads this column religiously. I’m
told she loves to meet with groups of old friends so they can determine who is falling apart at the seams. aaaaa I got a nice letter the other day telling me where my parents could move to in their old age. Having been passed away for 30-plus years, I hope they’re comfortably in Heaven. aaaaa April 1 is known to many as April Fool’s Day. Do fools roam more so on this day than any other? aaaaa Be prepared. April 22 is Arbor Day. Why this date? It is the birthday of the father of Arbor Day, J. Sterling Morton. I guess he wished to remember his own birth date. aaaaa
If you can still play a musical instrument, be it known that the American Legion Band is seeking members to play at various performances and concerts in the Southeastern Wisconsin area. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at Riverside High School. Contact Director Michael VanPelt at 414-5071408 for further information or go to www.milwaukeeamericanlegionband. com. aaaaa Do you recall the now ancient aged Kewpie Dolls? Historian Fred Keller and his wife still can tell you everything you’ve forgotten about them. Who knows? Fred might even bring a few of them along when he talks at your next meeting.
ME CRABBY
WHITE WRITES
NTERTAINMENT
KILLING TIME continued from page 4A aaaaa The lure of things and places at great distances from us often are quite appealing. We suspect such also is the case for the people who live in these places we think appealing. aaaaa By Enis I read a Wright recent advertisement about a free drink to which no strings are attached. Apparently, the owner is not afraid someone will swipe the glass so there’s no need to tie it down. aaaaa On about the coldest day in February the email revealed details for the summer Nagawaukee Senior Golf League. Our new leader, Dale Stimac, at the very least brought a smile to our
calendar the WRIGHT SIDE of
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We Saw You At…
APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
Milwaukee NARI Home Improvement Show
• 23A
By Margaret Pearson The 53rd Annual Milwaukee NARI Home Improvement Show featured the offerings of nearly 250 exhibitors. It was again conducted in the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park and had as its theme “Put a Little Love in Your Home.” A few of the visitors included:
Madelyn and Gerry Boisvert of Oak Creek.
Gene and Cindy Bridges of Milwaukee.
Don and Judy Klotz of Burlington and their two canine companions, Toni and Jazmine
Janice and Larry McDonald of Waukesha
MAY
7
Marilyn Wilkenson of Milwaukee and Linda Teshner of Greenfield
Wayne Stever of Franksville and Don Erno of Muskego.
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SECTION B • April 2015
Pilot Club of Milwaukee
T
By Jim McLoone wenty plus members of the Pilot Club of Milwaukee gathered for a meeting and luncheon recently on the final cold day of February at the Chancery on South 27th Street, Milwaukee, where talk of donated fleece blankets was somewhat the order of the day. The blankets, 55 in all made by Pilot Club members, recently were donated SENSE APITOL to children as patients MONEY at Children’s By Karen Ellenbecker MENT Hospital, Wauwatosa. & Julie Ellenbecker
ommer
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The Milwaukee Pilot Club presents a Brain Minders program utilizing animal Financial Fi i lW Wellness ll buddies so the kids can By Brad Olson, CFP more easily understand the necessity for better brain prevention APRON Emma methods. STRINGS “Planting Tomorrow’s Dreams Today”
By Aunt Emma
A quite unique organization in that there is only one such Pilot Club in Milwaukee, there are over 300 other Pilot Clubs on five continents. Began by a community-spirited person in Macon, GA., in 1921, the local Pilot Club always is seeking new members. It meets monthly, often at the Milwaukee Catholic Home, which has been generous with the use of its facilities. In warm weather months, when daylight prevails into the evening hours, dinner often is served. In the “darkest” months of the year, the club has mostly luncheon meetings. Ye a rly dues are $128 with $60 of this amount going to the international headquarters and the Milwaukee club keeping
EDITORIALSSuzette Orcholski, Maureen Wolff and Bruno Wolff proudly display the Pilot banner. A past
president and current officer, Orcholski, at left, joined president Bruno Wolff and his wife, Maureen, for this photo. Maureen Wolff was district governor in 2004-2005 and, before that, district secretary for two years. Jean Larson, local club president in 1965-1966, became international club president in 1977-1978 and has the district’s Enthusiasm Award named in her honor. only $50 to cover its yearly monetary needs. Club members come from various business and professional enterprises. There are no quotas or limitations. In fact, presently the club definitely is seeking new members. It perhaps is safe to write that Maureen Wolff, president three times since 2002 and the current club president’s wife, is somewhat the power behind the scenes. She also was the Governor of the Midwest District in 2004-2005. With its main emphasis on brain health, the Pilot Club aids people of all ages with health and/or social needs. The main mission is to trans-
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IT MAKES ME CRABBY
form communities by developing youth, providing service and uplift to families. As Bruno Wolff, current club president, emphasized, “We envision a world where all people are valued. As such, we have a great interest in the family caregiver. To this end, we have a program called “Pick Me Ups” that is designed to promote awareness of the needs of family caregivers.” The club has a program that zeros in on brain health, Brain Minders, a safety program for pre-school and school age children. President Wolff says, “Statistics show that every 21 seconds somewhere in the United States a person suffers a brain injury. These usually are caused in vehicular crashes, falls, sports or recreation related, or assault. Brain damage can occur in a near drowning episode or even during a medical emergency. The best defense against brain injury is prevenPILOT CLUB continued on page 2B
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Pilot Club members putting hands to fabric.
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2B • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
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PILOT CLUB continued from page 1B tion education.” The Milwaukee Pilot Club presents a Brain Minders program utilizing animal buddies so the kids can more easily understand the necessity for better brain prevention methods. Volunteers do this in daycare centers and schools at no cost. Persons wishing for more information about these worthwhile free programs may call Charlotte at 414-810-1006; Suzette at 414-276-6431 or go to maureen2003@yahoo.com. In addition to its Brain Minders program, the club members are active volunteers and in some instances provide finances for Kayla’s Krew, Guitars for Vets, Special Olympics, the Gathering of Southeast Wisconsin, Dry Hootch, Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army and Safe Kids Wisconsin. Club members have donated over 2,000 hours yearly to community service. Mostly accomplished at home or by two or three of the members cooperating, the club donates blankets yearly to the Children’s Hospital for the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. This year, club members made and donated 55 fleece blankets. In addition, Milwaukee Catholic Home volunteers made tiny hats to be given away at the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In addition to Wolff, other current club officers are Kathy Herrewig, president-elect; Barbara Gregory, recording secretary; Linda Brothen, corresponding secretary; Suzette Orcholski, treasurer; Barbara Pierce, director and past president.
Taking time out from serving food at The Gathering are, left to right, Linda Brothen, Barbara Gregory and Barbara Pierce.
This Wolff, Bruno by name and Pilot Club president by title, was in chef’s clothing as he volunteered recently at The Gathering meal site. As a 501C organization, the Pilot Club of Milwaukee gratefully accepts charitable donations to aid it in supporting worthy community projects.
APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
APRIL Poem April winds bring warmer weather from God. In fact, He’s even regularly watering the sod. Imagine the prettiness of being named April, Unless if a boy, then it had better be Bill. It is great to be farmer at a season like this. Planting the new seeds is an act of great bliss. We’ll watch plants now grow until the harvest. Laugh if you like, but we don’t say this in gest. Each Spring, we watch for new fauna and flora. Being Irish, it does remind us of old Glockamora. Was it quite natural to have Nat’l Wildlife Week? So St. Patrick could imbibe from a bird’s size beak? When sheep were shorn while shamrocks did grow And youg’uns down the swift rivers did row. Easter arrives on the first really lovely Sunday. Don’t tarry. Enjoy sun’s rays shining over the bay. If Jewish in faith, it early in April is Passover week. All faithful take note, even those somewhat meek. The lure of this season is so welcome each year Don’t waste a moment of it as time flies, we fear. Our best contributions could be the help to another. Learn to treat people you meet as if he’s a brother. Don’t be just a person with a tongue tied to glossy words. If such is you, you may as well be in one of the herds.
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“Planting Tomorrow’s Dreams Today”
MOVING IN THE Emma isRIGHT inDIRECTION a reflective mood
By Brad Olson, CFP
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Hi, Folks! Here we are already in the appealing month of April. On a recent trip southwest of here while I admired the countryside along the way, I did notice that so much of the arable lands are being turned into AGING housing developments of ISSUES one kind or another. By Tom Frazier I do recognize that much of my thinking may be archaic, but I do believe we’d better cease this promotion of birth control or we aren’t going to have sufficient people to occupy all the coming condominiums and apartments. PLANTING TOMORROW’S Perhaps as I drove along those DREAMS TODAY roads, I was somewhatByovertaken Brad Olson by nostalgic wistfulness as my mind went back to my times as a farm girl. In my mind, I could again see that pasture full of grazing cows where soon there will be more buildings. My Henry is much more of a modern era thinker. He’s able to accept the SPORTS things of today. He does not try to nulBy Jack Pearson lify my thought or stifle me when I am speaking out. But this does not happen very often. My Henry is a kind critic. He does his best to keep me focused when I begin rambling on and on. I am not certain that this topic could qualify as rambling on, but I do believe this action has to be explored further by all the people. We always were told that we should graciously acknowledge each and every gift we receive regardless of how large or small it may be. Assuming that the overturning veto by the Milwaukee County Board of County Executive Abele’s action eliminating the employee overpayments is a very gracious gift, the people getting the “bonuses” should shower the council members with
Emma
SEN
APRON STRINGS
Answ
By Aunt Emma
IT MAKES ME C
thank you notes. They are doing their best to keep certain retirees’ pockets well filled. We’re sure County Exec. Abele still is shaking his head and muttering that the thinking of many is that he was correct. So being right, how could he go so wrong? Did the county board give these retirees an early Christmas gift? If the actions of the board members really were wrong, will these members voting to override pay for their actions at the polls when they are up for election? Henry says this is the same county board that looked a gift horse in the eyes, but wouldn’t feed it any hay when the board refused the sale of the garage to that big insurance company for mucho bucks. Wow! There is never a time in Milwaukee when there’s peace all around. Henry says they are talking at the factory during break times about the governor’s proposal to help build a new arena with a district in which their taxes will be retained to make the payments on needed bonds. Henry says it sounds great, but what about the people who could care less if the arena is built, especially so with public tax money? Henry says these people trying to get into the pockets of stingy Milwaukeeans had better have a compass along as they will be in uncharted territory. Think about some of the above. Surely, you do have opinions. But if your opinions and mine don’t necessarily agree, it doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. I have always been told that you must accept people and their opinions as they are, not as you would like them to be. I have to go now. We club ladies are meeting later this afternoon to determine when we are going to have our Good Will Gathering to take in things to give away to the needy. I have heard there really is a great place helping the needy in Hartland. It is called Lake Country Caring.
HERMAN WHI
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Read 50 Plus each month from cover to cover. EVENTS
Arts & Entertainment Calendar page 2B
Long Term Care can be very expensive
COMPLIMENTARY
Nursing & Rehab Directory page 14B
page 10A
Iwo Jima
March 2015 Vol 29 No. 3
POMMER:
SECTION B
NEWS
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NEMOVITZ:
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MONEY SENSE
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TATE CAPITOL COMMENT
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Let’s visit in the Jacksonville Area page 10B
The invasion of Iwo Jima was never expected to be a “Walk in the park,” but marines and machines were more than momentarily stymied as they came ashore to be stuck in several feet deep of volcanic ash. All the while, Japanese soldiers were reining mortar and machine gun fire at them. IsINit THE any wonMOVING der that our casualties were not even greater than RIGHT DIRECTION By Bruce Nemovitz the nearly astounding number they were?
Some people still are bewildered by the aggressive military thinking that led to this story. From its beginning, 70i years Financial Fi l Wellness W ll does signal a full lifetime for perhaps “Planting Tomorrow’s at least half of today’s society, but there is a segment of these people, Dreams Today” some reaching into By theBrad ageOlson, grouping of the 90’s, still with us today CFP – much older and wiser – comprised of those who realize that we’re IWO JIMA continued on page 21A
SENIOR
MONEY SENSE
By Aunt Emma
AGING By Karen Ellenbecker ISSUES & Julie Ellenbecker By Tom Frazier -Lipsky
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“Planting Tomorrow’s SPORTS Dreams Today” By Jack Pearson
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SENIOR
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PLANTING TOMORROW’S DREAMS TODAY By Brad Olson
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ING TIME with Jim McLoone
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AGING ISSUES
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6B • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
Let’s visit in St. Louis MONEY SENSE
By Karen Ellenbecker & Julie Ellenbecker -Lipsky
By Mary McLoone April might bring May flowers to us in Wisconsin, but the time is ripe for visiting to locales to the south of us. I suspect that you don’t have to go much further than St. Louis, MissouFinancial Fi i l Wellness Wspring-like ll ri, to not only enjoy the “Planting Tomorrow’s Dreams Today” sunshine and warm temperatures, but Brad Olson, CFP to enjoy a vibrantBy community with activities and fun for just about anyone. We will begin with the arch, symAPRON bolic ofEmma St. Louis. To our thinking, STRINGS there is nothing like itBy Aunt anywhere else. Emma Just looking at the gigantic arch is impressive enough, but once you’ve had the ride-Wow! The first time we experienced it was really a treat as building it was quite a feat. But just blocks away, there is much more. Busch Stadium not only is magnificent in its baseball venue architecture, but is an exciting place to visit even when the Cardinals are not on the field. St Louis, situated along the Mississippi River, is less than a day’s journey from Milwaukee via automobile. We recall years ago going through various venues in St. Louis, but first
TRAVEL stopping at the Lincoln historical community just to the north of it in Illinois. While Lincoln was long gone at that time, we happened to be at his once home base in Springfield, Illinois, on April 2, the actual date on which then Pres. Woodrow Wilson, in 1917, had declared war – the First World War. Before we get too involved in what St. Louis has to offer a visitor, let’s identify it. St. Louis is on the eastern side of the state. It is a Mississippi River port of importance just as Kansas City, almost directly across the state to the west, is to the Missouri River. There is so much to do and see in St. Louis that 50 Plus won’t do much more in this issue than touch a few of
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The Cathedral is awe-inspiring.
Down by the river in many restored buildings from earlier eras, there are great places not only to visit, but restaurants and clubs for fine dining. You may find the cobblestoned streets in this area a bit difficult to navigate. the buttons. For those of you who really wish to learn about St. Louis and just about all it has to offer visitors, we suggest that you get a Visitors’ Guide to St. Louis, available from the St. Louis Visitors and Convention Commission at 1-877-724-7714 or by going to www.explorestlouis.com. We’re certain the 100 page St. Louis guide for visitors will be on its way to you. Just in case you would like to see Milwaukee’s Brewers in action against the Cardinals in Busch Stadium, the
Brewers will be there April 13, 15 and 16, again June 1, 2 and 3 and as the season draws towards a close, Sept. 24-27. For Cardinals’ tickets, call 314345-9000. Briefly, the Gateway Arch gives St. Louis perhaps the world’s most distinctive skyline. Still there are numerous other architectural gems and feats of engineering including a Frank Lloyd Wright home, the homes of the railroad magnates, early successful fur traders and beer barons. Several muse-
APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
HERMAN
PLANTING TOMORROW’S DREAMS TODAY By Brad Olson
ARTS
Lighted at night, the downtown district has a great atmosphere. ums also await your visits. Down by the river in many restored buildings from earlier eras, there are great places not only to visit, but restaurants and clubs for fine dining. You may find the cobblestoned streets in this area a bit difficult to navigate. Yes, there is a metro light rail system for carefree travel among various sites. It is said that one of the world’s most extensive collections of mosaic art is housed and open for all to view in the St. Louis Cathedral. The Beau Arts style St. Louis Art Museum is not to be missed and with warmer months just over the horizon, so to speak, the flowers will be in bloom everywhere. As for this month, the St. Louis Marathon and Family Fitness Weekend is April 11-12. For information
about this, call 314-727-0800. May is much busier with an Art Fair at Laumeier Sculptural Park May 9-10, the famous Shakespeare Festival May 22-June 15 and the popular St. Louis Bluesweek Festival May 2425 at the Chesterfield Amphitheater. As for music, the annual Big Muddy Blues Festival in the historic entertainment district will be Sept. 5-6. It is said to be one of, if not the best blues music festival in the U.S. There are various cruises, tours, trolley rides and even helicopter touring of St. Louis. We enjoyed our time there and know that you will, too. And if you drive, remember Lincoln along the way.
• 7B
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February 2015 Vol 27 No. 2
Meet Medal of Honor Recipient
T
Gary Wetzel
COMPLIMENTARY
page 3A
NEMOVITZ: Are you prepared for tomorrow? page 5A
AQUINE JACKSON: Talented & once with very fast feet page 1B
here is an old saying that people develop wisdom teeth after they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. Well, Gary George Wetzel, Oak Creek, really was not 12 ft. tall when he got out of the U.S. Army after serving so bravely and effectively during the Vietnam War. People just talk this highly about him. Nor did the modest Gary get all choked up about his conspicuous gallantry as he did bite off more than most soldiers could chew. This true American hero did what he did when he did because it was the right thing to do. For this action, detailed below, the comSTATE CAPITOL munity salutes you, former Sp4c Wetzel. COMMENT Born Sept. 29, 1947, Wetzel enlisted in the U.S. Army at By Matt Pommer age 18 and after basic training, he was assigned to the 173rd. Assault Helicopter Company. He was not infatuated with killing the enemy, but was in the army to help win the war. Wetzel is said to have never even considered sidestepping a duty, although as a kid, friends never knew Gary Wetzel to beMONEY SENSE By Karen Ellenbecker extremely adventurous. He was quiet and thoughtful. When & Julie Ellenbecker -Lipsky the occasion called for being considerate, he was in the “little guy’s” corner. To this day, his focus is mostly on doing what must be done while following MOVING IN THE the rules of the game. That RIGHT DIRECTION game where Gary Wetzel first made his mark was war and it By Bruce Nemovitz WETZEL continued on page 11A
By Matt Pommer
Emma
APRON STRINGS By Aunt Emma
page 18A
SENIOR
I bet that you didn’t know that spending for Medicare is projected to be $1,200 lower per person in 2014 than was estimated in 2009, and $2,400 less per person in 2019 versus 2014. In dollar terms, that is $126 billion
TRAVEL
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APRON STRINGS By Aunt Emma
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less spending in 2014 compared to what the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected in 2009. The gap between projected and actual spending is reflected in all parts of the Medicare proFRAZIER continued on page 3A
IT MAKES ME
AGING ISSUES
By Tom Frazier
Emma
EDITORIALS
Medicare SpendingAnswer & Financing Man
Hop aboard the Snow Train
By Bruce Nemovitz
50 PLUS NEWS MAGAZINE
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TRAVEL: STATE CAPITOL COMMENT
Supportive Care Directory page 2B
POMMER:
Is there a need for community policing?
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AGING
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8B • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
Research salt effects Burnham Village
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BY CHARLYN FARGO We may need to rethink salty snacks. New research suggests that even if your blood pressure isn’t affected by excess consumption of sodium, it may affect your blood vessels, heart, kidneys and the brain. That’s the findings in a paper, “Dietary Sodium and Health: More Than Just Blood Pressure,” published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Authors are William Farquhar and David Edwards of the University of Delaware College of Health Science, William Weintraub, chief of cardiology at Christiana Care Health System, and Claudine Jurkovitz, a nephrologist epidemiologist and senior scientist in the Value Institute Center for Outcomes Research at Christiana Care. “Blood pressure responses to alterations in dietary sodium vary widely, which has led to the concept of ‘salt-sensitive’ blood pressure,” says Farquhar. “There are no standardized guidelines for classifying individuals
as having salt-sensitive blood pressure, but if blood pressure increases during a period of high dietary sodium or decreases during a low-sodium period, the person is considered salt sensitive. If there’s no change in blood pressure with sodium restriction, an individual is considered salt resistant.” Potential effects on the arteries include reduced function of the endothelium, which is the inner lining of blood vessels. Endothelial cells mediate a number of processes, including coagulation, platelet adhesion and immune function. Elevated dietary sodium can also increase arterial stiffness. “High dietary sodium can also lead to left ventricular hypertrophy, or enlargement of the muscle tissue that makes up the wall of the heart’s main pumping chamber,” Edwards says. “As the walls of the chamber grow thicker, they become less compliant and eventually are unable to pump as forcefully as a healthy heart.”
APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
• 9B
Tips on shopping smart for Spring BY SHARON MOSLEY We may still be warming ourselves by the fireplace, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start firing up our spring shopping list. The spring trends are popping up in fashion spreads, in stores and online, so it’s the perfect time to make a plan and start browsing for treasures. Yes, it’s all right to dream about wearing that tangy tangerine maxi dress on the beach this summer! But before you get all juiced up about shopping for a new spring wardrobe, check out these tips from the world’s top fashion bloggers whose savvy advice is packed into a creative new book, “Style Yourself,” by Jane Aldridge. Aldridge admits that building the perfect wardrobe takes time and energy, but if you “shop thoughtfully, you’ll find yourself standing in front of your dream closet.” Here are her tips for shopping smart this spring: --We’ve heard it all before, but Aldridge urges taking a ruthless inventory of what’s already in our closets. Winter is a great time to make space by getting rid of what we don’t wear by donating clothes to a charity or making some cash by selling a few things. Then she suggests making notes to ourselves on the things that really do work for us. “It’ll help guide you to more items that are worth your money,” she says. Now you can make that list. --Stick to your plan. Yes, we know that it’s easy to buy impulse items once we get into a store, but Aldridge also admits that shopping should be fun. “So if you fall in love with something that’s not on your list, stroll around the block to consider the purchase.” --Work with what you’ve got. Your shopping list should include items that will work with other pieces in your closet. I personally stick to a few favorite colors to give my wardrobe super mix-and-match possibilities. But if you end up buying something that doesn’t go with anything else in your wardrobe, we all know where that leads, don’t we? You’ll end up needing to source another “perfect something” to make an outfit, notes Aldridge.
--Don’t be afraid to go home empty-handed. Say what? “Don’t cave to the mall’s pressures if you don’t strike gold,” says Aldridge. “It’ll deplete resources that you could spend on an item that you truly love.” --Don’t depend on friends. “Take others’ opinions with a boulder of salt,” says the style blogger. “Shopping with friends can be a blast. They can inspire you or urge you to try on surprising items.” But if you aren’t thrilled with the purchase yourself, then leave it on the rack. --To splurge or to skimp? Be careful when filling a “wardrobe hole,” says Aldridge. “If you can plug it with a quality item, do it! If you go the cheap and trendy route, you’re likely to have to fill this same hole again each year, which means you will spend more in the long run. --Check out the quality of an item. Sometimes we can get so caught up in finding that “perfect” sundress that we don’t check to see if the seams are straight or the buttons secure. One of Aldridge’s tips? “Woven, not printed, labels are a sign of quality.” --Hit the virtual mall. “Online shopping is where it’s at,” admits Aldridge. “That’s where you can hit on amazing deals and one-of-a-kind pieces.” But she has a few suggestions: Know your size and refer to the websites’ sizing guide; read the product descriptions carefully and check out return policies. “If you’re happy with your experience,” she says, “sign up for newsletters and sale alerts that’ll help you snatch up better deals at your favorite sites.” Before you fantasize about wearing your dream dress on the beach this summer, make a shopping plan to find clothes that are worth your money. Tangerine maxi dress from Banana Republic.
50 Plus News Magazine
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HERMAN WHITE WRITES 10B • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
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Every Saturday, 9 am - 1 pm. St. Ann’s Center Indoor Market 2801 E Morgan Ave, Milwaukee There many great products: fresh seasonal, natural & organic produce, preserves, canned goods, handmade items, jams & jellies, soups, soaps, lotions & makeup, jewelry, household items. Also featuring live music, family-fun and free coffee every week! Purchases from the market support local vendors and the young, elderly and clients with disabilities at the center.
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AprilWRIGHT 1, 7 pm -meeting, the 8 pm - dance SIDE ofSocial Club Vagabond Ski &
Enis Wright WG’sBy Banquet Center, formerly the Knights of Columbus Hall, 3200 S. 103rd Street, (103rd & Oklahoma Ave.), West Allis An active social club for singles and married couples. Meeting and dance; with great music by the Tom Anthony Band. $5.00 Admission. www.vagabondskiclub.com.
G TIME with Jim McLoone Through April 11, 9 am - 1 pm Farmers Market Saturday Mornings Milwaukee County Winter Farmers’ Market, Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. Shop local and select from fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, bakery, poultry and meats all winter long.
April 3, 10, 17, 24 FREE Fridays Milwaukee YMCA The Milwaukee Y will open its doors at all four of its Centers for free every Friday to all community members. The Milwaukee Ys FREE Fridays will include open swim and open gym times, wellness consults, and activities such as Jump-In basketball, Rainbow Rompers, Zumba group exercise classes at the Rite-Hite and Parklawn Centers, and Y-Cardio Funk
Hal Holbrook Mark Twain Tonight!
Mark Twain Tonight! is a one-man play devised by legendary actor Hal Holbrook, in which he depicts Mark Twain giving a dramatic recitation selected from several of Twain’s writings, with an emphasis on the comic ones.
From the moment Hal Holbrook steps on stage, you simply take for granted that Mark Twain himself is up there talking to you.
MONDAY, APRIL 20 UIHLEIN HALL
MARCUS CENTER
Box Office: 414.273.7206 MarcusCenter.org • Ticketmaster.com Discount for Groups of 10+ Call 414.273.7121 Ext.210
group exercise classes at the Downtown and Northside Centers. Find out more at: www.ymcamke.org/FreeFridays April 3, 10, 17, 24 Friday Morning Bird Hike 7 – 8 am Retzer Nature Center, S14 W28167 Madison Street, Waukesha, WI 53188 Meet in the parking lot of Retzer Nature Center and discover the birds returning to the diverse habitats of Brown’s Fen - Retzer’s finest natural area. Fee is $2. April 6–24 Watercolors by Terry A. Fischer Garden House at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park, at 9400 Boerner Drive. Garden House hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Visitors can meet the artist Friday, April 24 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. No admission will be charged at the Botanical Gardens until April 27. Visitors are welcome to walk through the gardens. Early spring wildflowers and some of the many varieties of bulbs will be coming into bloom. For more information, call the Botanical Gardens at (414) 525-5601. April 7 & 21, 1 - 3 pm At Knit’s End The Rotary Room, Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N Calhoun Road, Brookfield Join fellow knitters, both novices and experts at this knitting group. Meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Call 262-782-4140, option 1 for more information. April 7, 9 am - 3 pm AARP Tax Assistance 1900 N Calhoun Road, Brookfield AARP volunteers will be assisting seniors prepare their tax returns. Appointments are required. Contact the Adult Reference Desk at 262-7824140, option 1 to make an appointment. April 9 Wisconsin Prisoners of War Rememberance Day
April 11, 2 - 3 pm Notre Dame of Elm Grove Aura of Pipes - Recorder Program St. Mary’s Visitation Parish, 1260 Church Street, Elm Grove The four-voice range of recorders and a vocal artist will offer unique flavor to the variety in music styles. All are welcome. For more information call 262-782-1450. April 11 - Sunday, April 14 Art in Bloom Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. See floral displays, learn from master gardeners and more. $15, $12 students, seniors and military, $5 members April 14, 6 - 7 pm Getting to Know Medicare Tolzman Community Room, 11345 N. Cedarburg Road, Mequon This class is designed to acquaint current and future Medicare Beneficiaries with the four parts of Medicare as well as equip them to navigate through the various insurance options. April 15 The story of Richard Bong, WWII Ace New Berlin Public Library Community Room, 15105 Library Lane, New Berlin City Center Join John Dorcey, aviation historian, as he shares fascinating, little-known facts about America’s Ace of Aces. Free and open to the public, will have light refreshments after program. Call 262-679-3461 or visit www.newberlinhistoricalsociety.org for more information. April 15, 11:30 am Women’s FOCUS Meeting Ozaukee Country Club, 10823 North River Road, Mequon Christine Nuernberg, Mayor of Mequon from 1998-2010, community volunteer, wife and mother is the April guest speaker. Reservations can be made at www.womensfocus.org. or you may e-mail to reservations@ womensfocus.org. This event is open to members and guests.
NG OW’S TODAY Olson
HERMAN WHITE WRITES APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
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April 17 & 18 Gallery Night and Day The Historic Third Ward The 27-year-old Gallery Night and Day is Milwaukee’s two-day premier art event for both the experienced art connoisseur and most beginning admirer. This world-class event consistently features over 60 venues. Friday 5 to 9pm* and Saturday 10am to 4pm* * Venues set their own hours for the event, so be sure to check with specific venues for event details.
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ans and adults with special needs and the WRIGHT disabilities. Find out more about the SIDE of of programs they farm and the variety By Enis Wright offer at www.steppingstonefarms.org or contact Lia Sader at 414-379-2314 or info@steppingstonefarms.org
G TIME with Jim McLoone April 18th 10:30-12:00 Wisconsin Poet Laureate Kimberly Blaeser Delafield Public Library, 500 Genesee St., Delafield Wisconsin Poet Laureate will discuss poetry, answer questions, and sign books. She is a UW-Milwaukee English professor of Anishinaabe ancestry. Reception to follow. April 20 1:00 pm Monday Movie Matinée featuring the movie Unbroken Common Council Chambers, 500 Genesee Street, Delafield New and popular movies are shown on the third Monday of each month. Free popcorn provided. No registration necessary. April 21 – May 24, 2015 Peter and the Starcatcher Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Patty & Jay Baker Theater Complex, 108 E Wells Street, Milwaukee WI 53202 www.MilwaukeeRep.com April 22, 11 am to 5 pm A Day Of Horse Play at the Farm Stepping Stone Farm, 1439 92nd Street, Franksville Stop by and meet the animals, tour the barns, take a ride on a horse, and learn more about what nature has to offer! There will be a bake sale & crafts to make and buy. Stepping Stone Farms is a non-profit, offering a variety of program for children, veter-
April 23, 7 pm - 8 pm Planning the Patio Vegetable Garden Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N Calhoun Rd, Brookfield. Master Gardener Leigh Schueter will discuss how to plan and plant a patio garden. Perfect for people in condominiums or apartments or residing in a home with clay soil. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. April 22nd 6:30-7:30 pm Know the 10 Signs of Alzheimers Delafield Public Library 500 Genesee St. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or behavior changes, it’s time to learn the facts. Attend this interactive workshop to separate myth from reality and address commonly held fears. Register at 262-646-6230. April 23 Spring Fashion Show Wauwatosa Woman’s Club, 1626 North Wauwatosa Avenue 6:30 p.m. appetizers/7:30 p.m. show. This annual event showcases clothing and accessories from many of the fine shops in Wauwatosa. For tickets information contact the club at wwc.info@gmail.com, or (414) 2579935. April 23rd - April 26th West Side Story Pius XI High School at the Robert V. Carney Performing Arts Center, 135 North 76th Street, Milwaukee From the first notes to the final breath, “West Side Story” is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Sunday is Senior Day with a special showing at 2:00 p.m. and ticket prices at $12.00 for seniors.
• 11B
April 25 & 26, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Wisconsin Alpaca & Fiber Fest Washington County Fairgrounds, West Bend Are you an animal lover? Fiber enthusiast? Or just looking for a free, family activity with 300 alpacas? WisAFF is the premier alpaca halter and fleece show in Wisconsin. For additional information call 920-253-9092 or email: info@oaklawnalpacas.com.
April 30, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm Washington County Senior Conference Washington County Fair Park, 3000 Pleasant Valley Road, West Bend. Washington County Aging and Disability Resource Center is hosting this fun-filled day of workshops, vendor booths, lunch, prize drawings and entertainment. This event is open to adults of all ages. For additional information call 262-335-4497.
April 27, 10 am - 4 pm Green Living Festival Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, 524 S. Layton Blvd. Learn how to live “green,” with demonstrations and exhibitors discussing everyone from green fashion to bio-fuels. Free with regular Domes admission.
FUTURE EVENTS May 2 BBB Shredfest SVA Certified Public Accountants 18650 W. Corporate Drive, Brookfield 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Free document shredding. Protect yourself from identity theft by shredding documents containing your personal information.
April 27, 7am General Douglas MacArthur Commemoration Breakfast ROTC Gymnasium, 1508 W. Clybourn St., Marquette Campus Keynote speaker James Zobel of the MacArthur Memorial Museum will reflect on the newly dedicated MacArthur and McCahill plaques, the unique relationship between Gen. MacArthur and Father Edward O’Donnell, S.J. 7 am registration, 7:30 breakfast and program. April 27, 4 pm MacArthur - World War I Lecture Alumni Memorial Union, Room 157, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee This will feature WW1 historian, Dr. Julius R. Ruff and MacArthur Archivist, James Zobel. April 28, 6:30-7:30 pm Scottish Pipe and Drum Presentation Delafield Public Library 500 Genesee St. Join us for this rare opportunity to hear world-renowned Pipe Major Brian Dondaldson and Drum Major Andres Hoinacki, both instructors at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, perform and introduce Scotland’s national instrument - the bagpipe. To register call 262-646-6230
New Berlin Farmers Market This event will start May 2015. Every Saturday, May-October. 8:00a.m.-12:00p.m New Berlin Safety Building, 16300 W. National Ave. May 1-3 Lake Country Antiques & Art Show Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Rd, Waukesha. Friday 5pm-9pm; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11am-4pm The show features antiques and vintage furniture and decorative items for the home and office. 70 dealers from across the country will be present. For additional information visit www.antiquescenteratwales.com Free Parking, free admission for children (15 and under) and $8 for those over 15. ON-GOING The 68th Annual Ozaukee County Art Show will be on display in the Columbia St. Mary’s Gallery at the Cedarburg Cultural Center from Sunday, March 29 through Sunday, May 3, 2015. The exhibit and sale will feature approximately 200 works of original art by amateur and professional adult artists residing, teaching or working in Ozaukee County, as well as original works by Ozaukee County high school students.
12B • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
Security advice for seniors
Q
By Doug Mayberry : I am an elderly widow and live alone in a large house. I’m fearful that my surroundings are not so secure as they should be. I often wake up when I hear a strange noise. What might help calm me down?
A
: I understand, and here are some suggestions that might prove helpful. Install a security system, and make certain you stake a highly visible security company’s warning sign. Secure sliding glass doors and windows with wooden dowels in the moving slots that will only allow a couple of inches to open. Make sure all entrances are well-lit. Motion-sensing lights are important additions. Keep bushes, shrubs and trees trimmed to make your home
more visible. When you use valet parking or have your car repaired, separate the one key needed by the service person from your ring and keep the other keys. Make sure your house number is prominently displayed should you need to make a 911 call for help. Know and stay in contact with your neighbors, and keep them informed as to your activities and vacation plans, and ask them to pick up unwanted fliers and trash thrown on your driveway when you’re out of town. Offer to do the same for them. Share your family’s phone numbers in case there’s a fire, a natural disaster, a stranger scouting the neighborhood or a parked car sitting at your curb that does not seem to be appropriate. There is no way to ensure that thieves will not try to gain access to your home. Being aware of that, be especially watchful and alert during
the holiday months, when they are in greater need. Recently, l forgot to lock my car while grocery shopping, and a thief got my cellphone. Activating security precautions is worth your time and effort.
Q
LUCKY GRANDPARENTS
: We are the parents of two daughters, whose ages are 3 and 6. All four grandparents are alive. We struggle to find appropriate holiday gifts for our parents. They all have their “stuff” and do not really need more things. What can we do?
A
empty pillbox and fill it with jelly beans. White ceramic coffee cups are available at the dollar stores; assist the kids in drawing pictures or writing love notes for the grandparents using ceramic paint. You can also create a gift by using white paper plates and crayons. How about gifting a greeting card that includes a come-along meal at a restaurant or an invitation to visit a zoo or park. In today’s world, most photos are shot with digital cameras, but very few are actually printed out. This means grandparents’ “bragging” photo albums have become big-time winning gifts. I hope those thoughts prove to serve your purposes.
: Homemade and creative gifts are what all grandparents love and are most wanted. One idea is to purchase an
GET AWAY TOGETHER- Seniors planning ‘couples trips’ are a new trend By Sharon Naylor Remember the Alan Alda movie “The Four Seasons,” in which couples who were longtime friends vacationed together on a regular basis? That 1981 movie continues to inspire as seniors planning their big vacation of the year are now choosing to travel with their best couple friends. Yes, vacationing with the kids and grandkids is still on their to-do list. But with the overall health benefits from keeping close friendships, many seniors now plan an annual getaway with their best friends, or celebrate a milestone anniversary or birthday at a five-star tropical resort, sipping pina coladas with their friends. And some seniors “carpe diem” each year with a trip just for their circle of couple friends. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, trips taken by mature travelers aged 55-plus accounted for almost half of domestic trips taken, and senior citizens accounted for nearly one-third of domestic travel. With some disposable income and free time after retirement, travel is a high priority for many seniors, and they’d like to see destina-
tions that have long been on their wish list. If you’re interested in inviting your closest couple friends on a vacation with you, keep these important tips in mind: u Plan for privacy. If you’re not used to sharing a hotel room with anyone other than your partner, now is not the time to experiment with “you take that double bed, and we’ll take the other.” Your friends, too, will have their own comfort levels with sharing a room, even a two-bedroom suite, and especially with sharing a bathroom. Separate rooms might be the way to go. u Decide on a trip style. Do you want to go to a tropical island, or is a cruise more your style? Cruises come in different shapes and sizes, from expedition cruises with adventure on the agenda to theme cruises, international cruises and luxury yacht cruises with a private staff and your own staterooms. u Decide on your independence level. A guided tour keeps you on a strict schedule, and if you don’t book a custom tour, you could spend your week with other travelers with whom
you do not mesh. A nonstructured tour lets you relax when you want and tour as you wish. u Decide on the right weather. You may feel achy in the cold, which could eliminate wintry vacation destinations, or you may hate humidity. u Decide on a budget that works for all couples. Discussing money with friends is never comfortable, especially if one couple in your group is more monied than others. But if everyone searches for some budget-friendly options, you can agree as a group on an acceptable spending amount. Consider all-inclusive resorts that may not seem budget-best at first, but if you’re not paying for every meal, snack and drink, this option could work for everyone. u Start with a short trip. If you haven’t traveled with another couple before, you don’t know whether it’s something you’ll enjoy. Better to enjoy three quick days together than to be stuck on a two-week tour with friends whose traveling style doesn’t mesh with yours. If you love it, you can always plan a longer trip next time.
u Think about accessibility for all members of your group. If a resort is hilly, your less mobile friends may struggle getting around on foot and may not like having to be shuttled while everyone else strolls in the tropical moonlight. u Agree on time spent together versus time spent apart. Making a plan to “spend most of the trip together, but some time doing our own thing” gets everyone’s expectations in line. Some of the most popular adventures and activities enjoyed by seniors while on vacation include: u Cruises. It may be a four-hour sunset ferry ride around the island, or it may be an all-day sail aboard a private yacht with a short excursion for a gourmet lunch. MaryAnne DeMatteo Diamante, sales director for Jumby Bay Resort on an island off Antigua, says, “A yacht outing provides VIP service with your own staff, which can be a very special surprise for a group member having a milestone birthday or a couple having a special anniversary.” GET AWAY continued on page 13B
APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
• 13B
When is an older driver a danger on the road?
BY DR. DAVID LIPSCHITZ Telling an older person he should no longer drive is difficult. This can be a devastating blow to the patient, who may resist the suggestion vigorously. No longer being able to drive takes away one’s independence and increases isolation, depression, risk of illness and a likelihood of placement in a nursing home. It is for those reasons that decisions about driving must be taken seriously, must be based on sound medical facts and must not rely on frantic family members (usually children) who are overly concerned about their parent’s safety. Recently, an angry patient, whose family had forbidden him to drive, came to see me brandishing a report published by the RAND Corp. that showed that “seniors” are safer drivers than young adults. It reported that drivers older than 65 have fewer accidents than those younger than 25. The older group causes only 7 percent of accidents, compared with 43 percent for the younger group. “Of course I should drive,” this 85-year-old man insisted angrily. Sadly, the RAND report was misleading. Lumping everyone older than 65 together fails to tell the whole story. Many older people elect to stop driving, drive shorter distances and do not drive at night. According to a report published by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, the number of crashes per 1,000 licensed drivers averages 68 per year, whereas there are only 37 per 1,000 involving drivers older than 65. However, as there are fewer older drivers, a better way to assess risk is to evaluate the number of accidents in relation
to the number of miles driven. If we use this approach, the safest drivers range in age from 55 to 64, averaging 3.2 crashes per 1 million vehicle miles driven, compared with 8.2 crashes for those ages 20 to 24, which happens to be the same rate as the one for drivers older than 85. Of greater concern is the number of fatalities. In the United States, for every 1,000 accidents, there are two deaths. For those between the ages of 60 and 74, the number of deaths is 3.2 per 1,000 crashes, increasing to 8.56 per thousand crashes for those older than 85. Furthermore, the percentage of times the driver is at fault increases with age. Only 42 percent of 50- to 64-year-olds are at fault in fatal accidents. The percentage is 72 for those older than 85. We all know of the sad story of the man with Alzheimer’s disease who crashed into a market in Santa Monica, California, killing 10 people. And recently, a patient in my office who has a physical disability slammed his foot on the accelerator instead of the brake, smashing into one of our nurse’s offices, creating havoc. Had she been at her desk, she would have been crushed. There is no question there are many safe drivers who are older than 80, but just like the case with teenagers, the risk increases. Here it is because of declines in visual acuity, physical disabilities that can lead to longer reaction times and alterations in cognition that can lead to failure in judgment. Medications such as sleeping pills (including Benadryl), as well as other drugs, including alcohol, of course, also contribute. Most people with physical and
GET AWAY continued from page 12B
u Shopping. Duty-free shopping opens up opportunities to indulge. For many senior couples, the athletes may play golf or tennis on award-winning courses or courts, while the non-athletic may take the afternoon to visit the shops. u Nature tours. Check with the concierge about the ease of guided hikes or bike tours, or explore your resort grounds on your own to photograph flowers, trees, ocean jetties and other sites.
u Snorkeling. Being in the water may be comfortable for those with knee or back issues, and snorkeling in a great location provides activity and great scenery. u Fine dining. Many resorts have spectacular chefs in residence, and a delectable meal followed by a shared dessert and fine wine or bubbly creates an unforgettable evening -- especially if the meal comes with a great view.
visual disabilities have the insight to stop driving if they feel unsafe. This often does not apply to patients with memory problems. Anyone who has gotten lost on more than one occasion, has been in a number of fender benders or is believed by family members to be a danger on the road should be closely evaluated. Studies have shown that patients with early Alzheimer’s disease who drive in familiar surroundings are not at increased risk of accidents. However, the ability to drive deteriorates as the disease progresses. If any question about driving ability exists, a driving test, either on the road with a tester or on a computer, should be done. In addition, every older person should consider taking courses offered by AARP to help improve driving skills. u Private dinners on the beach. Again, this may be a surprise, but many resorts will set up a private candlelit table and serve dinner to you as the sun sets. Before booking any vacation, always check with your doctor about any advice you should follow in the region of your vacation (such as taking extra cautions against mosquitoes), and be sure you have enough medication to allow for any delays in your return home. With your safety as a focus, you can enjoy your visit.
Just as we relent and let our teenagers drive, we must ensure that we undertake due diligence before telling an older person not to drive. Only when this person is clearly a danger on the road should this serious step be taken.
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14B • 50PLUS • APRIL 2015
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APRIL 2015 • 50PLUS
• 15B
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