Urban Views Weekly November 2, 2016 by Urban Views Weekly

Nov. 2, 2016

Legal Safeguards for Your Golden Years Page 9

Seniors benefit from staying physically active

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Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times

Who gets credit for the gift?

November and December are times of increased giving. So many of us are relationship and philanthropy focused. We open our homes to friends and family, and we open our wallets to nonprofits.

if your money isn’t well managed most major donors will know and that can become a roadblock to securing major gifts.

Knowing that many choose to make financial gifts during this time, nonprofits focus on reaching out to donors through direct mail, online campaigns, and in-person requests for support. Altruism is in the air. But so is the business of nonprofit fundraising. With this column we explore the balance between internal nonprofit fundraising pressures, and the external realities of donor focused fundraising. Internally, organizations put attention on reaching their fundraising goal. This manifests in different ways. Board members may want to ensure they get “credit” for their efforts and are recognized as fulfilling their board-related fundraising responsibilities. Employees with fundraising as a job responsibility want to get “credit,” ensuring they meet their job requirements, and increase their experience, expertise and perceived competence. All parties want to make sure the nonprofit – big or small – meets its fundraising goal.

“Recognizing donor motivation is important to meeting donors’ needs.” effort. There is no one person who “makes it happen.”

The person who solicits donors plays a major role in fundraising, especially when it comes to soliciting gifts at the highest level. But even in these cases there is more than meets the eye. For example, at a very basic level, if But sometimes we forget that fundraising is truly a team your program or institution doesn’t deliver, it doesn’t matter who makes the TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll ask. This means your program staff, faculty, social A recent poll has revealed the fewest Americans workers, artists and/or in 20 years favor making it illegal to manufacture, administrative employees sell or possess semi-automatic guns known as all play a key fundraising assault rifles. role. Same with your CFO:

Externally, amongst your donors, people really don’t care who gets credit for their gift. That is not their focus. They care about your organization’s work and the level of trust they experience. Donor focused philanthropy puts the donor and his or her goals first. It is through the work of nonprofits that so many of us can see our dreams accomplished. If we believe in accessible, higher education we give to scholarship funds; those who believe every child deserves a home give to foster care programs; those believing in the visions of equality and equity give to civil rights groups. There are as many organizations to give to as there are aspirations in our hearts. Donors may also have well defined or unspoken personal, business or political goals associated with their giving. Some want to honor a family member or community leader. Others want to raise their profile. Recognizing donor motivation is important to meeting donors’ needs. Related to this, the year end may not be the right time for a donor to give. Your organization’s timing is not their priority. You need to respect that. Giving and receiving are joyous outcomes of fundraising. Don’t let the pressure of the season take away your joy. Find the right balance. Copyright 2016 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of the new book FUNdraising Good Times Classics Vol. 1 now available on Amazon.com. For help growing your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com, or call (901) 522-8727.

What’s your take? Do you support a ban on the manufacture, sales and possession of semi-automatic guns?

Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com. You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv

Urban Views Weekly | November 2, 2016

Ervin B. Clarke, Publisher publisher@urbanviewsweekly.com

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Jack Berry receives the endorsement from Chuck Richardson, former Richmond City Council member.

jackberryformayor.com

I worked with Jack for 10 years when I was a member of City Council. Jack is sensitive to the racial concerns that faced Richmond. He’s not flashy, charming or controversial, but Jack Berry is an intelligent and humble man, not ego driven. I’ve searched my conscience long and hard before making this decision because I became acquainted with all of the candidates and found Jack Berry to be the best of the group. Paid for by Jack Berry For Mayor

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At the end of the day, I’ve concluded that Jack Berry gives us the best chance of improving our lives, with an open and honest government. In my 18 years as a City Councilman, Jack, as Deputy City Manager, was one of the key people who helped me to serve the 5th District so well. Vote for Jack and I will make sure he fulfills his promise to deliver services to all of Richmond.

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Urban Views Weekly | November 2, 2016

ViewPoints

By Dr. T

Running Out of Time Time is a finite thing. There are 24 hours in a day and 168 hours in a 7-day week and that is all. We cannot stretch that into more days or into more hours. We all get what we get, no more and no less. When you factor in other variables such as predictive life expectancy and premature deaths, each individual’s allotment of time on this earth becomes even more precious as the days and hours come and go. Time is something that once it has passed you can never get back. There are moments and opportunities that are indeed once in a lifetime and others that will simply never happen again. And yet, how much of our time do we waste by lack of focus or purpose, or just by doing the exact same thing in the exact same way and expecting to get a different result? Or even worse, how much time do we waste on frivolous arguments, deadend relationships or holding grudges? Time is so precious and we so often treat it as though it’s in infinite supply, jeopardizing plans and goals as well as relationships with family and friends. Holding grudges and taking offense are imminent threats to the time that we have and the time that we lose with each passing day.

“Time is something that once it has passed you can never get back.”

ultimately regret. Regret is the most unfortunate of outcomes because there really is no remedy for it. Time is the ultimate verdict whereas regret is concerned. In this case, TIME has already overtaken any opportunity to rectify the wrong or overturn the transgression by apology or reconciliation, because one or more of the parties involved have passed away or left the geographic location and permanently disengaged from the relationship. Time has irreparably changed forever our ability to reconcile the situation or transform it in some way that brings about resolution or closure. Regret stays with us forever as a thorn in our side and constant reminder of what could have been if only we had more time. The point is we are ALL allotted our portion of time and we do not get MORE!

In this most contentious of times where the push and pull of an extremely consequential election season – on so many levels – has taken us over, we need to STOP and reconsider what truly matters in this life. We need to re-examine our priorities and our belief systems. What do we stand for rather than what we stand against? Is the argument we Love, money, religion and politics are all factors that contribute to the relationship wars are having right now worth the loss of a mother, father, sister or brother? Is the point of waged against our friends and family members on a daily basis. There are people who our contention so important that life-long friendships and loved ones can be sacrificed do not even speak to their mothers and fathers, to their own children or other family and forever lost to us? Will we regret the silence we maintain, and the time and distance members and friends all because of some actual or we have put between one another? Will the days perceived offense suffered at the hands of that loved turn into months and years until it is too late to do Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. one. Whether or not the offensive action actually anything but REGRET the things we said or did, and Founder and Artistic Director occurred or was simply a misunderstanding or the opportunities we never embraced to change the The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor misinterpretation, the problem is time is passing you narrative? Time is a terrible thing to waste, and the Virginia Commonwealth University by while silence and separation is only producing consequences can be devastating to the ones left discontentment, disillusionment, bitterness, and behind. IJS (I’m just saying). DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org

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Family Features

Courtesy of Tabasco

Grill Up a Game Changer Simple ingredients make game day great

Grilling and game day go hand-in-hand, but if your tailgating menu needs a makeover, it may be time to explore new ways to bring bold flavor to your favorite dishes and drinks.

heed these additional meal prep tips from Smillie:

Chef Justin Smillie, of Upland in New York City and author of “Slow Fires: Mastering New Ways to Braise, Roast and Grill,” relies on a good quality vinegar and roasted garlic butter spiked with a bold flavor like Tabasco Sauce to bring heat and add life to the flavors on the grill for game day. “I love to use Tabasco Sauce as a flavor enhancer, much the same as you would use a good vinegar,” Smillie said. “It’s a sauce that helps draw out and accentuate flavor.” Before planning your next game day bash,

• Work with ingredients and techniques that you are already comfortable with and then accent with a new idea. • Have foods set up and nearly ready when guests arrive so they only require a few final touches at the grand reveal before you can enjoy the meal. • Keep pantry items on hand that bring a little nuance and subtlety to a dish, such as a good vinegar or olive oil. • Start early, plan ahead and build flavors. The success of good barbecue never starts the day of; it’s a labor of love that only gets better with time.

Tequila Grilled Shrimp Courtesy of Chef Justin Smillie of Upland restaurant in New York City Servings: 4 2 red bell peppers, stemmed and de-seeded

1/2 cup chives, cut into long, thin strips

limes, cut in half

cloves garlic, grated

tablespoons Tabasco Original Red Sauce

piece ginger (1-inch long), grated

tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for the grill

1/4 cup silver tequila 25 cilantro sprigs, chiffonade Heat grill to medium-high heat and place peppers over flame until charred. Repeat with limes, charring flesh side then set aside. In food processor, puree charred, roasted peppers 30 seconds. In large mixing bowl, combine pureed red peppers, pepper sauce, olive oil, tequila, cilantro, chives, garlic, ginger, lime juice, agave and salt over ice and allow to stand 20 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Curtis Elementary School Teacher Rhonda Bailey-Clarke recognized as the Region I Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted Rhonda Bailey-Clarke, a fifth grade teacher from Curtis Elementary, has received the Virginia Region I Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted Award. This award highlights and recognizes the accomplishments of talented educators providing gifted services to students.

Elementary Principal Susan Pereira. “She works to engage each student in the learning process and meets them where they are in their learning. She works tirelessly to ensure that the Virginia Standards of Learning are not only taught, but surpassed through Rhonda Bailey-Clarke questioning and handson activities, and she The Virginia Association for the Gifted encourages students to look at mistakes received many applications from as learning opportunities, which creates extremely qualified candidates. Baileyan environment where students become Clarke’s credentials, experience and risk takers.” recommendations earned her the highest evaluation by the selection committee. Chesterfield County Public Schools The Virginia Association for the Gifted recognized Bailey-Clarke and Julie believes that by recognizing the high Walton, a Manchester Middle social performance standards set forth by the studies teacher, as the 2016 Chesterfield winners, they will inspire other educators County Outstanding Teachers of the and, as a result, improve education for Gifted. Walton and Bailey-Clarke were the gifted in Virginia. nominated on behalf of Chesterfield County Public Schools for the “Rhonda Bailey-Clarke is an exceptional Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted educator, not only to our gifted students, Award through the Virginia Association but to all of her students,” said Curtis of the Gifted.

1/8 cup fresh lime juice, plus zest 2

tablespoons agave

kosher salt, to taste

16 jumbo head-on and tail-on shrimp, peeled and deveined minutes. Remove from ice, submerge shrimp in marinade and allow to stand 30-40 minutes so marinade can fully penetrate shrimp. Heat grill to medium-high heat and grill shrimp 2 minutes per side until completely cooked. Serve immediately with grilled limes as garnish.

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Urban Views Weekly | November 2, 2016

Fitness First! How to Become an As we move further into a technology-driven age, we’re finding more reasons to sit and less reasons to get moving. The bulk of our work is done sitting down, usually bound to a desk, and if we’re not at a desk, we’re returning home after a long day’s work and plopping down on the couch until it’s time to lie in bed for the next eight hours. The truth is that we as a nation are spending less time on our feet and even less time in the gym. It’s worth noting, though, that the younger generations are beginning to place more focus on their health, with fitness trackers gaining popularity. Unfortunately, their parents’ and grandparents’ generations haven’t quite been bitten by the exercise bug. AARP has reported that about 40% of people between the ages of 45 and 64 are considered sedentary, meaning they continue to spend a great deal of their time inactive. And when it comes to people over 64? That percentage increases to 60%. This number is alarming. Over half of our senior citizens aren’t getting adequate physical activity. The stats are troubling for more reasons than one. First, research actually links the lack of physical activity with a faster mental decline. Because exercise increases the blood flow to all parts of your body, including your brain, the chances that seniors will experience dementia and Alzheimer’s disease greatly decrease. In addition to brain health, becoming more physically active will help both wounds and injuries to heal faster. As we know, healthcare becomes costlier as we grow older, so maintaining a healthy heart, mind, and body will cut down on those medical costs further down the road. There’s no better investment in yourself than leading an active lifestyle, and though the transition may be difficult for seniors after retirement, it’s critical that it becomes an 6

Urban Views Weekly | November 2, 2016

integral part of your daily routine. If you’re part of that sedentary age group the AARP speaks of, or are looking to improve your overall health the natural way with exercise, we’ve got a few tips to help you get started. Be realistic. A surefire way to set yourself up for failure is to set lofty goals for a fitness-focused lifestyle that will only last a week before you’ve thrown in the towel. Instead, think about activities that you already enjoy, such as walks around the neighborhood, water aerobics, or a ride on the stationary bike, and decide that those will be your go-to workouts. If you typically struggle with joint pain, maybe running isn’t a realistic goal for you and walking on the treadmill is more your speed. If you’ve always had your eye on those Zumba classes at your local gym, then signing up for a few classes a week may keep you committed. Photo: Janna Hall Whatever it is, decide what type of lifestyle will make for an easy transition, and begin slowly incorporating it into your daily routine. Start small. If you were to interview any distance runner about their secret to a successful race, they’d all give the same secret: I pace myself. The same applies to you. No matter your goals, it’s imperative that you start small and work your way up to a winning pace, or in your case, a healthier lifestyle. Did you only make it to the gym once this week? If you’re up from zero times last week, that’s a win! Did your fitness tracker say you took 4,000 steps today? If you took 3,999 yesterday, that’s a win. In addition to setting realistic goals for yourself, start with small victories. Many seniors, regardless of where on the “senior” spectrum you fall, need to adjust to a healthier, fitter lifestyle, and it takes time. But every step in the right direction counts.

“There’s no better inv than leading an a Joining a gym is a small, but meaningful step. Signing up for their aerobics classes is another big step. Coordinating with a trainer who can help you understand movements is an even bigger step. Before you know it, you won’t even need to set goals; an active lifestyle will become the norm for you, and you’ll see the fruits of your labor in the form of a healthy heart, alert mind, and overall improved health. Richmond native Ron Harris has made exercise the norm for him, visiting his local YMCA six days a week. He alternates between the treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike, and even takes the gym’s cycling class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with his daughter and wife, who’s also

nd Stay Active After Retirement

Photo: YMCA

vestment in yourself active lifestyle...” retired. He plays basketball with the YMCA’s youth, and on select days, does light weight-lifting. A 64-year-old retired firefighter with the Henrico Fire Department, he’s seen first-hand the benefits of working his way up to a physically fit lifestyle. “I’m not on any medication,” he boasts. “I don’t have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or any of the other diseases we African Americans are prone to getting.” Another benefit, Harris finds, is that when you’re retired, you decide when to exercise. Knowing you can go to the gym whenever you’d like puts you in the driver’s seat of your fitness journey. Make it fun. If you’ve got a child, spouse, or friend who will jump

on the fitness train with you, bring them along! Having an accountability buddy not only keeps you honest and committed to your workouts, but it removes the dread associated with exercising. Once you’ve got your partner, you’ll find that exercise becomes exponentially more enjoyable. Use your neighborhood walks as a time to catch up on life’s events. If you’ve got fitness trackers, host a weekly competition, comparing steps taken, calories burned, or miles walked. Challenge each other to set new goals each week and give small rewards to the winners. If you’ve joined a gym, take a look at the schedule to see what fun, new classes they’re offering. Richmond’s YMCA locations offer dozens of classes that appeal to all fitness levels, all interests, and all ages. Classes like Gentle Cardio provide a low-impact cardiovascular exercise using a chair, which appeals to members with limited mobility. Classes like PiYo provide a fun combination of Pilates and yoga, while Cycle offers a higher intensity workout using a stationary bike. The YMCA prides itself on providing a well-rounded fitness experience that keeps all members, especially their retired and elderly population, highly engaged. As you begin your fitness journey, explore your options and allow yourself to make this new chapter an exciting one.

By Janna M. Hall

Find exercise opportunities in unconventional activities. Did you know that an hour of raking leaves burns anywhere from 350-450 calories? Mowing the lawn also burns around 350 calories an hour. You may not realize it, but there are countless ways to incorporate more physical activity in your day-to-day tasks without it actually feeling like exercise. If you need to go shopping, park further away from the store’s entrance for those extra yards of walking. Choose to take your dog out for more walks than usual, or get your Photo: Janna Hall holiday shopping done at the mall instead of online. Finding opportunities to be active that don’t include the gym ensure that this healthy lifestyle you’re embarking on is both sustainable and again, realistic. Harris found that adopting these tactics has led to an all-around more enjoyable life. “As I get older, it feels good to know that because I’m getting in exercise all week long, I have the immune system, muscle strength, and endurance to really enjoy life with my family,” he says. “And that’s what’s really Photo: YMCA important to me.” As you embark on your post-retirement lifestyle, plan ahead. Prepare to be unmotivated. Prepare to be tired, inconvenienced, and to want to quit. It’s only with preparation that you can defeat the obstacles and be your healthiest self. After all, your life depends on it. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

The Deal

By Nathaniel Sillin

Make a Difference: Become a Financial Educator Teaching personal finance topics can be immensely rewarding because the lessons are often immediately applicable to many students’ lives. Whether you’re comparing financial products, creating a budget or evaluating the cost of a loan, financial literacy provides the foundation to make a well-informed decision. Even so, many people get little to no financial education. According to a study from the Council for Economic Education, 45 states include personal finance in their K-12 standards, but only 17 states require high school students to take a personal finance class before graduating. After grade school, one might find financial education courses at colleges, universities or employers, but they’re rarely required. If you have a passion for financial literacy, consider passing on your knowledge and helping your community change for the better. Whether you’re volunteering at a grade school or teaching a course at a local community center, teaching money management skills can help improve others’ future financial prospects and encourages community connection and growth. Decide what to teach and take advantage of free resources. There are a wide range of lessons that students of different ages and backgrounds will need, from informative

Urban Views Weekly | November 2, 2016

also offers curricula, lesson plans and educational games for students from Pre-K to college, including those with special needs. A simple Internet search can also turn up results for any financial lesson imaginable. Focus on practical and interactive lessons. Incorporating interactive elements into the mix can supplement financial literacy curriculum and help lessons come alive.

presentations for older adults who are targets of scammers to lessons for high school students who need to learn how to handle finances in college. Prepare for your outreach by identifying the financial topics you want to teach. You can draw from your own strengths and experiences, which can be an effective way to help students relate to the lessons. However, there are also free educational materials you can use to design your personal finance course. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has comprehensive free curricula for adults and young people in grades K–12, as well as a curriculum tailored to the needs of older people. Visa’s Practical Money Skills

You want to give your lessons context and teach students how to apply what they learn to real life situations. For example, explaining the importance of investing for the future and the benefits of compound interest is a great start, but you could continue your lesson by running a stock market simulation that lets students practice investing with play money. Games and apps can also make lessons memorable and engaging. Younger children might benefit from physical activities like dividing allowance into saving, spending and charity jars. Or, they can play fun online games that teach basic lessons like recognizing and counting the value of coins. Whatever topic you’re teaching, plan every lesson with your

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How to Guide

Legal Safeguards for Your Golden Years VETERANS’ AID Eligible veterans have many benefits available for their use. Seniors who may be entitled to receive these benefits should always consult with an attorney to make sure they receive everything they are due. Attorneys specializing in veterans’ affairs have a firm understanding of the different benefits and the procedures for claiming them.

Senior citizens with adequate health coverage and sound finances are more likely to live comfortably in their golden years. But seniors generally confront a wide variety of potential legal issues, including nursing care, wealth management, estate planning and an assortment of probate issues. Because of their advanced age, seniors are vulnerable to scam artists and other predators who take advantage of them. Having competent legal counsel can head off these problems. As a senior citizen, it is important to have the right legal counsel to guide you through some complicated matters. It is too important to risk doing it on your own.

Spouses of veterans may also be eligible for certain benefits. An experienced lawyer can help them navigate the system. ASSET MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION Wealth management strategy is one of the most critical aspects of estate planning. No senior should ignore it. Having a deliberate, tactical plan is a strategic way to safeguard wealth for future generations.

Proper planning puts the power in the hands of seniors. It is a fantastic way to preserve wealth and get lasting benefits for your families. MEDICARE BENEFITS Created in the mid-1960s, Medicare remains one of the several federal programs that exist to benefit seniors. It ensures that Americans over the age of 65 will have health coverage. People who are younger than 65 may also receive benefits under certain conditions. Hospitalization, prescription drugs, visits to the doctor and home nursing assistance expenses are covered by this program. If you want to learn more about Medicare benefits, consult an elder law attorney. Qualified lawyers with experience in this area can provide information about program eligibility. They can also tell seniors how to maximize their benefits. MEDICAID BENEFITS While many people confuse Medicaid and Medicare, the two programs are different.

Medicaid offers medical coverage for low-income citizens regardless of age. It will help pay expenses of prescription drugs, home health care, doctor visits and more. Lawyers who specialize in Medicaid guide clients through the application process. These attorneys will instruct clients about getting the maximum level of assistance possible. DISABILITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE Lawyers who specialize in disability issues inform clients about healthcare resources, financial assistance and even educational benefits. Consulting with these professionals ensures that anyone suffering from a disability has access to available resources to help them fulfill their potential.

out b a k l a t ’s t Le iness. s u b r u o y growing www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Failing to draft a thorough estate plan can be expensive. It can be devastating to decedents who may not have the financial resources to work through legalities. Estate planning lawyers will craft documents that detail their client’s true intent regarding asset distribution. Wills and trusts are two common ways of smoothly transitioning assets from one family member to another. Attorneys can also craft strategies to minimize the estate tax liabilities that heirs may face. Skilled estate planning lawyers will offer creative solutions for protecting assets from the negative effects of the probate process. Getting proper and professional elder care and legal advice not only protects you and your loved ones; it also provides peace of mind.

Ask us how: (804) 441-6255

Urban Views Weekly | November 2, 2016

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