BEACON - August 2014 by BEACON Senior News

Vol. 28

2014

Aging in Place

Medical Equipment

™

Medical Services Bereavement

Nursing Home

Hospice

Senior Living

Home Care

Assisted Living

Medicare

Financial Planning

AUGUST 2014

Your Local Guide to Aging Well

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

No. 8

Western Colorado’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 33,810 Readers.

Local experts help you sort through your options for aging well in this month’s insert.

Travel to Telluride Even though winter is its peak season, summertime in Telluride is full of festivals, fun and color. Page 18.

Bronco-bustin’ cowboys got nothin’ up on these ladies. Just try wearing a dress and riding sidesaddle at a full gallop.

Riverfront Trail James Robb was a champion of state parks–specifically our Riverfront Trail. How is his vision being carried forward? Page 24. Pets and their people See why BEACON readers love their pets. Check out our reader-submitted photos throughout this month’s issue.

Frontier Belles Photo courtesy of the Frontier Belles

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August 2014

Finally, women can pee standing up By Kevin K. VanGundy

Complimentary Workshops in Grand Junction Presented by Estate Planning Lawyers

odern technology and clever minds have finally brought about true equality to the sexes, as women can now pee standing up. Don’t believe me? We have the complete story of this technological breakthrough on page 46 of this month’s BEACON Senior Newspaper, as well as a gripping video posted on our website at www.Beacon SeniorNews.com. Only time will tell what new wonders await us in the future, but I understand it has something to do with men being able to breastfeed.

Wills, Trusts & POA’s-Beyond the Basics  August 5, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Learn about will and trust estate plans, how to use trusts to protect your assets, heirs and special needs children as well as advance directives.

Long Term Care Planning  August 28, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Learn how to plan for the unexpected—the need for long term care. We’ll cover long-term care insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and more. The workshops will be held at our office at 1250 E. Sherwood Drive. Registration is Required - call (970) 243-8250 or go to our website at

www.brownandbrownpc.com

Phone: (970) 243-8250

Transitions in Aging This month’s special insert on transitions in aging focuses on the continuum of care that you and I are going through as we age—from buying medical equipment to retrofitting the home, and from home health care to moving to an assisted living facility. The options available can be confusing and expensive, but we’ll help you sort them out in our yearly guide to long-term care.

1250 E Sherwood Dr. Grand Junction, CO 81501

Well, here’s a sign that you won’t find in a women’s restroom. In fact, it’s from the men’s restroom at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, New York, home to the Buffalo Bills football team.

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Alternative Health & Wellness In a recent study of today’s active, affluent and aging adults, a healthy mind and body were cited as the topics of most interest to them. Our September insert will focus on health and wellness information from some of our esteemed local experts with an emphasis on non-traditional therapies. Have you tried any? Did they work? Please call us at 243-8829 and tell us what you think.

IF You Have Varicose Veins – Normal Looking Legs Are Still Possible In ONE Treatment Session!

Call TODAY for a cost free ultra sound analysis of YOUR vein problem!

Montrose-Delta BeaconFest   A big senior fair that’s fun! Our fourth annual BeaconFest at the Montrose Pavilion on Thursday, September 18 will not disappoint. A variety of vendors, interesting speakers and talented entertainers will make for another great senior event that you won’t want to miss. For more information, please email me at Kevin@PendantPublishing. com. ■

EDITORIAL 3

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When I showed my wife the picture, she said, “It’s sad that they have to put up a sign like that for men.” I countered by saying, “No, what’s sad is that men don’t pay any attention to it.”

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Laser treatment of varicose & spider veins has now been perfected and no longer requires the stripping surgery or general anesthesia used in the past. Varicose veins of all sizes are the external manifestation of a larger, more extensive vein valve problem. The valves stop working and blood flows the wrong way: down the leg, not up. Treatment for both internal & external deformed veins requires internal (endo) laser, where the laser fiber is placed inside the abnormal veins to “weld” them closed, plus schlerotherapy (chemical treatment) done at the same time. Anything less will invite re-occurrences. All treatment is by local anesthesia and in our JCAHO Nationally Accredited, private in-office operating room. IV sedation can be added as an option. Unlike treatment by others, Dr. Merkel offers a one stop, one treatment session to correct the entire system; not by repeated injections. And yes, some insurances do cover part of the treatment. We’ll check it out for you.

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4 COVER STORY

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Frontier Belles

The Frontier Belles Sidesaddle Club in 2001.

I will be proud to honor and depict the genteel ladies of the 1880s in the spirit of the Old West by representing our group in a professional manner in the way I act, look, and perform: in the way my costumes are cared for and my horse is groomed and handled so that others will be glad I am a Frontier Belle. By Melanie Wiseman

n the late 1800s, women riding sidesaddle with stays in their dresses to help them ride properly were the norm. Since women were instrumental in settling the west, they needed a saddle that was more secure and substantial while working cattle and traveling long distances. Western sidesaddles were developed, and these rugged frontier women were able to maintain their sense of ladylike behavior while working hard. Fast forward over 130 years and you will find a refined women’s riding group depicting the 1880s era right here in Grand Junction. Originally known as the Sidesaddle Sissies, the Frontier Belles Sidesaddle Club has been a performing drill team since 1958. It all began when Grand Junction held a weeklong Diamond Jubilee in 1957. The event included six parades and six performances of the pageant “From Utes to Uranium,” portraying much of the area’s history. Several women rode sidesaddle in the pageant, and the idea of starting a sidesaddle precision drill team evolved from there. Twenty-five years later, the Frontier Belles performed in

August 2014

Grand Junction’s Centennial Celebration pageant.

Knowing the drill The club primarily provides rodeo entertainment and rides in parades. “Drills are not performed at parades as arena drills take a lot of space,” charter member Connie Klauzer, 70, said. “What makes our club unique is we perform our sidesaddle drills at a lope or canter. A lot of people marvel at that.” As far as its members know, the Frontier Belles Sidesaddle Club is the only one of its kind in the U.S. “For a few years, Montana had a group but they only trotted,” Klauzer said. “We don’t trot. Bouncing up and down in a sidesaddle is not pretty.” A recent revival of sorts in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado has led to the formation of a few Spanish-influence sidesaddle clubs. Drill leaders come up with eightminute precision figures of interwoven circles, pass throughs, crossovers, fans, laces and other maneuvers, all done at a gallop. “The horses canter in time with the music,” said Jean Gilleece, 82, a member of the Frontier Belles since 1959. “We choose music that has the right beat.”

A Frontier Belles sidesaddle Klauzer said the horses can hear the music, so it’s important to choose the right kind. “We like them to go at a certain speed and generally have four different songs we use, like ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas,’” she said. And if learning the drills isn’t hard enough, try doing them sidesaddle with long flowing skirts and proper posture. Sidesaddlers’ outfits are reproductions of the riding attire women on the frontier wore right here in Colorado in the 1880s. Club members have designed and made all seven sets of their authentic matching outfits. Although dresses of the era were drab colors, these women are dressed

in colorful outfits to enhance the entertainment value. The skirts are specially made with a knee pocket so when the rider is on the horse, the skirt draping on the left side is straight across the bottom. When walking, the extra fabric is hooked up on a button to keep from dragging on the ground. “The ladies in the 1880s wore wool, but that’s too hot,” Gilleece said.

Sidesaddle style Klauzer said riding sidesaddle is not as difficult as it looks. “I’ve been in a storm [where the horse acted up] where if I was astride I would have been on the ground,” Klauzer said. “But on the sidesaddle I stayed there. We used to do a 2-1/2 foot jump and people loved that.” Gilleece said it’s actually quite comfortable. “You really use your muscles and clamp your legs together,” Klauzer said. But before you can ride in the saddle, you have to get on it first. “The trick to getting on a sidesaddle is getting the horse trained to walk up next to a trailer fender or mounting block,” Klauzer said. “Then you sit down sideways to the horse and adjust your knees over and

August 2014 under the two horns.” It’s still harder than it sounds. Keep in mind that this is all done with yards of fabric blousing around your legs. “We practice in Levi’s and western saddles,” Gilleece said. “So many of the sidesaddles are antiques, that we only use them when we perform. Switching back and forth between saddle types doesn’t seem to bother the horses. They don’t mind the sidesaddles because you’re still centered on their back even though there is only one stirrup on their left.” Sidesaddles can be custom made but are expensive. Klauzer found her 1890 saddle in Glenwood Springs. “I came across it by accident and it was in remarkable shape for its age,” she said.

The belles and their horses The horses that the Frontier Belles use are generally quarter horses but members have had a variety over the years, including wild horses from the Little Bookcliffs. “We don’t have any rules except that you can’t ride mules, studs or mares with colts at side,” Klauzer said. Over the years the Frontier Belles Sidesaddlers have had over 150 members, averaging 20-25 at any given time. They have often had two or three generations riding together. Klauzer and Gilleece both performed until a couple years ago, but continue to be active club members. “Girls can participate starting at age 11 with adult supervision, all the way up to when you can’t get on the horse anymore,” Klauzer said. First year riders are known as pivots. “They ride astride and serve as points we ride around,”

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com Gilleece said. When they are comfortable and demonstrate their skills, pivots move up to riding sidesaddle.

On the road In the beginning, club members didn’t have horse trailers. Horses were transported in pickup beds and some women even rode their horses to practices. They progressed to livestock trucks and finally got trailers. Original members talk of the fun they had rolling out sleeping bags under the trucks or rodeo stands to sleep and bathing in horse troughs. “We’ve had everything happen out there,” Klauzer said. “We have stories

and stories.” Once in Cody, Wyoming, the Frontier Belles were performing at a rodeo. “The wind kicked up to 60 mph and it was so dusty you could hardly see anything,” Gilleece said. “I don’t know what we were doing out there. There were only two or three people in the stands. We’re dedicated and maybe a little stupid. We’ve done some stupid things but when the drill leader says we should do it, we do.” A highlight for the Frontier Belles was performing at the National Western Stock Show in Denver during the early 1960s. They took the train over and stayed at the Brown Palace. The horses traveled in cattle stock cars.

Practices and performances Practices are at 7 p.m. every Monday night during the warm months at the Sheriff’s Posse Grounds near F-1/2 Road and 25 Road. The public is welcome to watch. The club has access to an indoor arena where the members have clinics during the winter. The Frontier Belles Sidesaddle Club generally performs once a month, June through September. They just completed their 26th annual Mesa County Fair Open Horse Show, which they organize as their only fundraiser. It is sanctioned with the Grand Junction Horse Association. All funds go toward their attire and travel expenses. They will also be performing in September’s Colorado Pro Rodeo Finals at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. “I have loved to ride since I was born,” Gilleece said. This passion can be felt among all the women who are proud to call themselves Frontier Belles Sidesaddlers. ■

COVER STORY 5

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ........................ Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher................... Susan Capps Editor........................................ Cloie Sandlin Office Manager ..........................Lisa Moeller Graphic Design.............................. Heidi Graf Production................................ Karen Jones Account Representative...............Sue Bowen Account Representative............ Nanci Cooley Proofreader................................. Jan Weeks Cheerleader..............................Genevra Shal Delivery.............................. Solomon Herrera Delta-Montrose Bureau Assistant Editor...................Liesl Greathouse Account Representative.......... Virginia Carlile Account Representative....... Clay Greathouse Delivery..........................................JR Milner Beacon Mascot Bogart.......................................................... P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 970.24 3.8 82 9  800.536.7516 fax Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com E-mail: Beacon@ PendantPublishing.com The BEACON is published at the beginning of the month. Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Garfield counties. Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Display advertising rates are available upon request. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. © Copyright 2014 • All Rights Reserved

Cover Photo Connie Klauzer of the Frontier Belles Sidesaddle Club, rides her horse sidesaddle in a Norwood arena in 2003. Her outfit is a reproduction of riding attire worn by women in the 1880s.

6 FEATURE STORY

BILINGUAL BIRDS

By Melanie Wiseman

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

make beautiful pets

im Moe, 69, calls his African Grey Parrot, Nikki, a little princess and his Macaw, Max, a clown. A selfproclaimed “dog person” in the past, Jim says he’s now more attached to the birds. His wife, Cheryl, 66, tends to their toy Maltese and Bichon Frise. The Moes took in their first bird from someone who was moving and couldn’t take him with them. Noah was an 18-yearold Conure Parrot, who liked to say “Noah funny, ha, ha, ha.” “We never considered having a bird before,” Jim said. “Once you get involved with birds, you get hooked. I never dreamt I would get so attached to them. We’ll always have birds until I can’t take care of them.” According to Jim, African Greys are rated the most intelligent of all birds. Nikki has a vocabulary of about 2,000 words. “Some people say she’s just repeating words,” Jim said, “but African Greys understand. They respond to questions, interact and make sentences. Nikki can count to five in both English and Spanish.” The Moes got Nikki from a breeder in Texas when she was 2-1/2 months old. One week later Jim had a heart attack and bypass surgery. Cheryl bonded quickly with Nikki during that time, feeding her formula with an eyedropper. Nikki is now 6 years old. “Nikki is such a princess that when we first got her she wouldn’t come out of her cage until I said, ‘You’re

pretty,’” Jim said. “She can tell when I’m getting ready to go somewhere and says ‘I love you’ if she wants to come along.” While Nikki is generally dainty and quiet, she also speaks her mind. “Nikki had enough one day of 2-year-old Max and all his noise,” Jim said. “She said, ‘Max stop squawking.

August 2014

his wings. He follows up the antic by laughing. Max loves children, cartoons and “Sesame Street” and dances when Jim and Cheryl play music. Jim and Cheryl “They are very entertainMoe with their ing, that’s for sure,” Cheryl Macaw, Max, and said. African Grey ParThe Moes love to share rot, Nikki. funny stories illustrating the personalities of their birds. “Jim is a people person and so is Max,” Cheryl said. “It gets Jim out walking everyday and they both get their people fix. People, especially children, are very curious and gather around the modified stroller Jim made. The birds make people smile and laugh and that’s good for Jim’s heart, too.” Once a child approached Max at eye level and the bird said, “Can you talk?” In another instance, when a woman walked by without responding to Max’s greeting, he said, “Hi, hi, don’t be rude.” Cheryl said that caring for birds is a big undertaking. “You have to be dedicated and have a lot of time to spend with them,” she said. “They’re not for everyone. Some types of birds are more work than others. It’s a good thing Jim is retired.” If you’re thinking about getting a bird, consider that they make more frequent Get down on your perch.’ When Max trips to the vet than other obliged, Nikki said, ‘Thank you.’” animals, as they have to have their Another time, Jim was repeatedly beaks and claws trimmed and their asking Max, “What does a dog say?” wings clipped. Their life span is anand he wasn’t getting any response. other factor. Macaws like Max live to Tired of the banter, Nikki said to be 70-80 years old, and African Grays Max, “Just say woof!” live 50-60 years. Jim suggested visitMax discovered he could scare ing www.grandvalleycompanion dogs by saying “woof” and spreading birds.com for more information. ■

August 2014

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

FEATURE STORY 7

The canine DOG TRAINER By Melanie Wiseman

Grand Junction in 2009 and now offers a variety ine years of classes at Tiago, Bob ara Rado Animal McHugh, Hospital. 50, learned a Peanut came hard lesson that to work with would change McHugh every his life as well day for eight as the life of years when Peanut, his he worked at three-legged PetSmart. half Miniature “Peanut is a Pincher-half Chibig part of why huahua mix. I’m doing dog “When Peanut training classes was six months and he plays old he was hit by a big role in a car as he ran them as well,” to greet another McHugh said. dog. He should “He acts as a have been on a demo dog. For leash,” McHugh nut. Pea and ugh McH Bob example, I’ll said. “I didn’t give him a treat know if he was going to live or not. It and tell him to drop it. He shows the could have gone either way, but I’m other dogs what to do.” glad I made the decisions I did to do Peanut is also used as a distraction what it took to save him. I think my dog. life is different because of him.” “He’s trained not to react but Peanut recovered fully except for wait,” McHugh said. “Peanut helped losing a back leg. calm down a German Shepherd who “He gets along just fine, as it’s all growled and barked at just about he’s really known,” McHugh said. everything. His biggest challenge is “I’ve had a lot of dogs with larger puppies but I don’t think I’ll because they step on ever be attached to anhis head.” other dog like Peanut Peanut is also a cerbecause of what we’ve tified therapy dog and been through.” visits assisted-living McHugh found he homes, entertaining had a gift with dog residents with tricks. training when he Peanut is well turned around the ill known around Grand behavior of a friend’s Junction. dog. He received Pea“He’s kind of a star,” nut as payment for his McHugh said. “When help. McHugh began we’re out, people rectraining Peanut and ognize him and know acquired a few clients. his name.” McHugh was hired by PetSmart For training assistance from Peain Denver and received his training nut and McHugh, call Tiara Rado certification. He took a transfer to Animal Hospital at 243-4007. ■

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August 2014

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Angel is a young Chiweenie and was adopted not long ago by Lloyd and Beverly Forthun, BEACON readers who live in Burley, Idaho. In this photo Angel is eagerly awaiting this monthâ€™s BEACON.

August 2014

Ask the Old Bag

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd By Gayle LagmanCreswick Dear Readers: Thank you for the feedback on the title of my column. I am printing two letters— one of each opinion I’ve received. I have received many thoughtful and well thought out letters that are too long to print. Thanks again for your participation. Dear Old Bag: Old Bag is the 50-year faithful married couple who can laugh along with the guy who talks about his fourth wife; the cattle rancher who has a kind word in private for the farmer with fences when he sees him in town; the husband or wife who comes home unexpectedly and chuckles at catching the dog jumping off the immaculate sofa; the democrat who votes for a Tea Party lady because he likes what she says; Old Bag is

a place to discuss the out of the ordinary; for telling things to Dorothy Dix or not telling Dorothy Dix things that are unconventional; an interface that can gauge one’s self. It’s a release, an escape and a fun place to go. It’s not a name to associate with ugly media campaigns wanting to control men’s minds through guilt and fear. It’s not a name to be bandied about with the likes of discrimination and prejudice buzzwords. Old Bag is a paradox. It suggests out of the ordinary but deals with the ordinary. It is a name for humor and a place to come home to for relaxing. Signed, JC To Writer of the “Old Bag” column: I am 75 years old and feel offended by the title of your column. The name of the column is a stereotype and helps strengthen

the idea that all women over 50 are “old bags.” We do not need that kind of help. Society is already promoting that kind of image. Because of the name I never read the column. Get with the times and rename your column. Signed, HMM Dear Old Bag: Last weekend we had to put Mother in a memory care facility. She is 60 years old. All the children live out of state. Mother and Dad have lived in Colorado for years. My problem is this: Mother is very mildly memory impaired. I do not see why my dad could not deal with her until she really needs a facility. I find myself being angry with him. It is as if he could not wait to get rid of her! Signed, Help!

ASK THE OLD BAG 9

to deal with this terrible illness. It is also difficult to know how advanced your mother is in her illness until you live with her. Prayers to you and your dad. O.B. ■

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net.

Dear Help: Everyone reacts to tragedy in their own way. Your dad is most likely doing the best he can with a bad situation. Some people are not cut out to be caregivers. Some cannot handle being around sick or dying people. While a support group could be a great help to all of you, it may not change your dad’s ability

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10 THE HEALTHY GEEZER

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Can humans contract diseases from animals? By Fred Cicetti

Many styles of pillows and wedges to help you be more comfortable!

August 2014

nimal diseases that can be transmitted to humans are known as zoonoses. You can get a zoonosis from a household pet. Seniors are among the most vulnerable. Psittacosis is a common bird disease known as parrot fever. It occurs frequently in birds such as parakeets and cockatiels, and can be passed onto a human if one contracts the infection by inhaling the urine, secretion or droppings of an infected bird. Psittacosis can develop into pneumonia and other health problems in humans. To help prevent spread of psittacosis, don’t let birds fly around the house and wash your hands after contact with the birds. Wear a dust mask and gloves when cleaning a birdcage. Antibiotics are used to treat the disease in birds and people. Cats can carry a parasite that causes a disease called toxoplasmosis. Humans can get it from cat feces when cleaning a litter box or by touching something that comes into contact with cat feces. Wearing gloves while gardening or changing a cat’s litter box is important. Washing your hands afterward is advised. Few people who carry the toxoplasma parasite become ill. Those who get sick may suffer from swollen glands and muscle aches. Antimicrobial drugs are available to treat infected people. Worms can infect dogs, cats and humans. Worms live in the intestines of animals and are expelled in the stool. Yards and homes can become contaminated from worm eggs that are passed in animal feces and hatch in the soil. Just one roundworm larva has been known to damage the retina of the eye and cause blindness. Hookworm larvae can cause painful inflammation where they crawl just below the skin’s surface. Drugs are available to destroy worms that infect dogs, cats and people.

People usually get salmonellosis by eating contaminated food, but it can also be transmitted to people when handling feces of pets, particularly reptiles, baby chicks and ducklings. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Most victims recover without treatment. The elderly are more likely to have more severe symptoms. Ringworm is a skin and scalp disease caused by a fungus. People get it by coming into close contact with an infected animal or person. Ringworm can infect cats, dogs, horses and other animals. In humans, ringworm may produce a ring-shaped, reddish and itchy rash. Topical and oral medications may be used to treat ringworm. Cat-Scratch Disease (CSD) may cause fever, fatigue, headache and swollen lymph glands in humans. It’s usually caused when someone is bitten or scratched by a cat. Most scratches don’t develop into CSD. Most people get better by themselves in about three weeks. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the area immediately with soap and water. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that is transmitted through the saliva of a rabid animal, usually by a bite. Domestic animals account for less than 10 percent of the reported animal rabies cases. If you are bitten, immediately wash the wound with soap and water and let it bleed. Get medical help immediately. Mycobacterium is one of the main infectious germ families associated with fish and aquarium water. A common route of this infection in humans is through cuts or scrapes on hands or feet. People should wear rubber gloves when cleaning the fish tank and wash their hands well afterwards. ■

Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.

August 2014

Seniors deliver hot meals on wheels By Liesl Greathouse

he Golden Circle Seniors of Montrose know the importance of taking care of their own. For homebound seniors who would like hot meals at home, the Hot Wheels Meals program is here to help. Until last October, Volunteers of America (VOA) delivered hot meals every weekday to homebound seniors in Montrose. But budget cuts caused them to modify their service and they started delivering six frozen meals twice a month (a total of 12 meals per month). Formed in 1972, the Golden Circle Seniors’ goal is to get older Americans out of isolation and provide opportunities for seniors to socialize. The members strongly believed that frozen meals delivered twice a month did not meet the nutritional or social needs of Montrose’s homebound seniors. So they created Hot Wheels Meals. “We didn’t feel that it was fair and we felt that something more needed to be done,” one of the program’s committee members, Winnifred Tappan said. “The homebound were not able to open the frozen meals and some would forget about them and put them in the fridge rather than the freezer.” The cost of each meal is $5. Seniors are asked to pay whatever they can (an important element in maintaining their independence and dignity) with community fundraising helping to subsidize the rest. One such fundraising effort is Adopt-a-Senior, where for $1 a meal-day, a person or organization can support a senior who cannot pay the full price of the hot meal. To help fund the program, the Golden Circle Seniors was awarded $9,900 from the Daniels Fund to hire a food service vendor who will plan the menu, purchase the food, prepare the meals, and pack them for distribution to program participants. Bill Daniels, a pioneer in cable television known for his kindness and generosity to those in need, established the Daniels Fund to provide grants and scholarships in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

HEALTH & WELLNESS 11

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“The Daniels Fund grant will enable Golden Circle Seniors to reestablish hot meals for homebound seniors, with those meals prepared once again at the senior center kitchen in the [Montrose] Pavilion,” Golden Circle Seniors President Madaline Lake said. “Since March 17, we have been delivering meals prepared in local restaurants. Our volunteers pick up the meals and deliver them to the [Montrose] Pavilion for packing in the totes used by our drivers. We began with two restaurants, one of which prepared meals four days each week. This month, we will deliver meals prepared by 10 restaurants. Golden Circle Seniors is overwhelmed by the support our restaurants gave our program as we awaited word on the grant.” Many of the drivers who volunteered with the VOA program continue to drive for the Hot Wheels Meals program. “Our goal is to help homebound seniors stay in their own homes for as long as possible,” Logistics Coordinator Carol McDermott said. “Research has shown that seniors who live longer in their own home, live longer in general. We want to treat participants with dignity and respect, recognizing their independence.” To donate to the Adopt-A-Senior program, volunteer, or for more information, call 249-4953. For more information about the Daniels Fund, visit www.danielsfund.org. ■

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Caring for aging pets By Carla Johnson

wning or parenting a pet— whichever term suits one’s perspective—is definitely not for the faint of heart. Taking on a puppy can be like reliving a toddler’s terrible twos, and suffering through the loss of an older pet is as wrenching as losing a loved one. Director of Mesa County Animal Services Penny McCarty is a pet owner herself. She knows firsthand the twinge of pain at noticing the first signs of an aging pet. “The most surprising thing I encountered with my 15-year-old border collie, Lady, was the senility issues she developed,” she said. “She had the same backyard, same boundaries throughout her whole life, but she would act like she was lost. She couldn’t find the front door and I had to help her find her bowl.” McCarty advised pet owners to watch their older dogs more closely, as they may wander away. “Owners might not be immediately alarmed because they assume their dog will come back,” she said. According to McCarty, aging pets need mental stimulation. “Just like older people can stimulate their minds with puzzles, dogs need to play games like hide and seek that stimulate their interest,” she said.

August 2014

McCarty said the upside to owning older pets is that they are often a perfect fit for seniors. “People who’ve had knee surgery and lifestyle changes find that senior dogs are more their speed,” McCarty said. Mesa County Animal Services’ Volunteer Rescue Coordinator Cindy Haerle, 48, has a special passion for re-homing older dogs. “I match dogs that are waiting at shelters with appropriate rescues,” Haerle said, “There are all kinds of rescue organizations: pure breed, special needs, injured, pregnant, abused and neglected, but senior dogs are my passion.” Operating a rescue is a thankless job and is often run by people who are short on funds but long on compassion for animals. “You don’t make any money,” she said. “All the money is spent on surgeries and health care.” Haerle said most animal rescues are on the Front Range. Three organizations that specialize in caring for senior dogs are Little Old Dog Sanctuary in Conifer, Izzy’s Place in Evans, and Cayleb’s Kindred in Denver. The ultimate goal of a rescue is to find forever homes for pets. “They’re in the match-making business,” Haerle said. “I take in senior dogs because they’re the hardest

August 2014 to re-home. I currently have three senior dogs.” Haerle concedes that one of the problems with adopting older dogs is that a strong attachment forms between a pet and its owner when the pet only has a few years of life left. “It’s hard to lose a dog every year or so,” she said. “But for all the heartache, they give us more than we give them. Older dogs have wisdom, gentleness and patience. I started appreciating that. They have an older person’s attitude of ‘been there, done that.’” Haerle laments that there are not enough people taking in older dogs. “When a dog ends up in a shelter, it’s an injustice to the dog. It’s not fair,” she said. “It’s like a senior citizen that ends up on the streets. I feel strongly that senior dogs should have that one last best shot at a good ending.” Pet ownership is undoubtedly a bittersweet endeavor, but animal lovers continue to open their hearts for the reward of companionship and unconditional love offered by their furry friends.

A vet’s advice Dr. Robert Turrou, 67, has been a veterinarian for 42 years. As both a pet owner and an animal health care provider at Redlands Pet Clinic in Grand Junction, Turrou shared some knowledge about older pets. • More dogs get cancer than humans. If a dog has had a noticeable tumor for more than five years, it’s probably a benign fatty tumor. • One thing cats and dogs have in common is the propensity to get arthritis. “You’ll notice a cat won’t jump like it used to,” he said.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com • Dogs and cats can also develop diabetes. “Some of the signs are they drink a lot of water, lose weight, and urinate a lot,” Turrou said. “This can also be a sign of hyperthyroidism.” Diabetic canines may require insulin shots for the rest of their lives. Cats, on the other hand, may start on insulin with the condition subsequently brought under control with diet.

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• Sometimes as a result of diabetes, “Dogs develop senile cataracts,” he said. “The eye lens gets cloudy and most diabetic dogs eventually go blind.” Cataracts may be surgically removed, but Turrou said many pet owners with limited finances opt to operate on just one eye, as it is adequate for a dog to function. Turrou suggests pet owners consult their veterinarians as pets begin to age. “If you notice that they are slowing down at six or seven years, it’s probably more a sign of a medical problem than old age,” he said. “Many conditions are easily treated.” Dental problems, for instance, need to be addressed early. “The most common condition is periodontal disease,” Turrou said. “Dogs get it when they’re young and it progresses from there. The longer you wait to treat dental issues, the more likely teeth will have to be extracted. Kidney problems can be related to dental problems.” Most veterinarians carry specialty foods for pets with health or diet concerns. Turrou said obesity aggravates arthritis in dogs, as it puts weight on hips and joints. However, he advised that if your pet stops eating or drinking, call your vet immediately. ■ Miss Kitty belongs to BEACON reader Paul Gray. He said she will gently bite your hand so that you will pet her.

HEALTH & WELLNESS 13

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August 2014

Heart to heart: Life lessons my ugly cat taught me By Jan Weeks

“S

hoo!” I hissed, as the ugliest cat I’d ever seen pranced after me. I was touring the pound, looking for a replacement for Thomas P., my cat of 12 years that had passed away six months earlier. I wanted a black or gray cat, or maybe white, but certainly not the tortoise-shell calico with too small a head and too furry a body that was walking toward me. It looked like a ball of black, tan, white and orange fur with a tiny head stuck on one end and a bottlebrush tail on the other. Definitely not the beautiful, though elusive, cat I wanted to adopt. The pound lady followed me as I petted or cuddled every one of the 40-plus cats given up for adoption, trying to sell me on the calico. “She’s the sweetest little thing,” she said after every few steps. I gave her a skeptical look. I knew what I wanted and it wasn’t the shabby tabby that was now rubbing against my ankle. Looks had been important to me most of my life. In junior high and high school, I lamented my straight, baby-fine hair that wouldn’t flip or hold its loft no matter what I did. I had been cursed with freckles practically since the day I was born. For the first 18 years, I gritted my teeth and wanted to smash the mirror every time I saw my image. As I moved into my 20s, the freckles faded and I learned to style my hair. My figure became svelte instead of stocky, and men started paying attention to me. But if they weren’t up to my standards of masculine handsomeness, I didn’t bother to investigate further. I

was more interested in the package than the contents. My obsession with looks led me to several men who were handsome, yet shallow. Two failed marriages later, I was still looking for Mr. Right—as long as he was tall, dark and handsome. I certainly didn’t want to hook up with anyone—or anything—who didn’t fit my idea of good-looking, especially a ratty little cat. After half an hour of wandering the pound, I had touched—or tried to touch (some cats were pretty snarly)—every cat in the place, except for my parti-colored shadow. The attendant made one last plea. “She really is a very nice cat. And she’s reaching the end of her time here.” I knew immediately what she meant. The city pound couldn’t afford to keep feeding and sheltering animals that weren’t adopted in a timely manner. “Well,” I thought, “just get it over with.” I picked up the tortoise shell, which the attendant told me was about four months old. Holding her cupped in my hands, I placed her against my chest. She snuggled under my chin and I felt a spurt of joy rush through me. It was as if our hearts had melted together. Her purr was almost drowned out by my “Awwwww.” I had found my cat. I took her home and she “squeaked” all the way. No long howls or cute meows for her. What else could I name her but Squeaky? Squeaky didn’t seem to like men. If I brought a potential date to the apartment, she would vanish as soon

August 2014

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hi ng Everyt has a

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Squeaky and Rocky share an ice cream bar. as he walked in the door. She didn’t seem to care if he was rugged, suave or a stand-in for George Clooney. She waited for the real thing to come along before she was willing to make friends. After a while, I started paying attention to her sixth sense. Then I met Rocky Allen. He was 19 years older than I. He was pudgy and he could have played a stand-in for Rodney Dangerfield. He had been born without a left forearm but had made a career as a jazz pianist who toured with Bob Hope’s USO shows, had his own orchestra and nightclub, and who hung out with Bill “Count” Basie and some of the other jazz-era big shots. I’ve always loved music, particularly jazz, and thought Rocky seemed like a really nice guy, so I invited him over for drinks. As he walked in, I warned, “My cat is really shy around men, so don’t be surprised if she never appears.” “That’s okay. I’m not a cat lover,” he replied, sitting down in the living room. Pouring wine in the kitchen, I chattered away, hoping that the evening would be pleasant for both of us. As

I went into the living room, I almost dropped the glasses. Squeak was curled up in Rocky’s lap and he was stroking her fur and scratching her chin. It seemed that their hearts had joined, too. Rocky and I married in 2002. Even though he had retired, he’d sit down at the piano and serenade me with big band, jazz and swing tunes. We traveled together, laughed together, enjoyed life together. Rocky’s heart was as huge as his talent. He enjoyed buying someone’s meal anonymously or picking up the tab for the elderly woman ahead of us at the supermarket. We mourned together as his family dwindled: first his aunt, then his brother and sister-in-law, then his last remaining sibling. In 2006 we mourned again as Squeaky made her heavenly transition after 10 years of being my “spirit” cat. Six years later, I wept alone as cancer claimed Rocky. Even though Squeaky and Rocky are no longer here, I still remember the lesson they taught me and that I almost missed: To truly see, one must use the heart instead of the eyes. ■

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16 LAUGHING MATTERS

Laughing Matters Husband does the laundry Submitted by Rochelle Homes One day, my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, “What setting do I use on the washing machine?” “It depends,” I replied. “What does it say on your shirt?” He yelled back, “Mesa State.”

Blond man jokes

Submitted by Ronald Puckett A blond man shouts frantically into the phone, “My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart!” “Is this her first child?” the doctor’s receptionist on the other line asks. “No!” the man shouts. “This is her husband!” A blond man was driving home drunk. Suddenly he swerves to avoid

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a tree, then another and another. A cop pulls him over. The man tells the cop about all the trees in the road. The cop says, “That’s your air freshener swinging about.”

Bill, the mailman

Submitted by Maria Gulkey The mailman walks the same route every day. One morning, a girl was playing outside her house and called out, “Hi, Bill!” Though that wasn’t the mailman’s name, he cheerily replied, “Hi!” This went on for weeks until the mailman saw the girl’s mother. He asked, “Why does your daughter keep calling me Bill?” The mother turned red and replied, “Because whenever I see you coming, I tell her, ‘Here come the bills.’”

Doggy dial

Submitted by Janice DeKruger I was working as a telemarketer for a home security firm. Once while I

was reciting all the benefits to a potential customer, he interrupted me and said, “We don’t need it because we have a big dog.” “That’s great,” I replied. “But can he dial 911?”

Golf widow

Submitted by Carrie Lake A woman goes into the local newspaper office to see that the obituary for her recently deceased husband is published. The obit editor informs her that there is a charge of 50 cents per word. She pauses, reflects, and then decided on the wording: “Fred Brown died.” Amused at the woman’s thrift, the editor tells her that there is a sevenword minimum for all obituaries. She thinks it over and in a few seconds says, “In that case, let it read, ‘Fred Brown died: golf clubs for sale.’”

The confessional

Submitted by Daniel Kline A parish priest was being honored at a dinner on the 25th anniversary of his arrival to that parish. A leading

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August 2014 local politician, who was a member of the congregation, was chosen to make the presentation and give a little speech at the dinner, but he was delayed in traffic, so the priest decided to say his own few words while they waited. “You will understand,” he said, “the seal of the confessional can never be broken. However, I got my first impressions of the parish from the first confession I heard here. I can only hint vaguely about this, but when I came here 25 years ago I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The very first chap who entered my confessional told me how he had stolen a television set, and when stopped by the police, had almost murdered the officer. Further, he told me he had embezzled money from his place of business and had an affair with his boss’ wife. I was appalled. But as the days went on I knew that my people were not all like that, and I had indeed come to a fine parish full of understanding and loving people.” Just as the priest finished his talk,

August 2014

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the politician arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and give his talk. “I’ll never forget the first day our parish priest arrived in this parish,” said the politician. “In fact, I had the honor of being the first one to go to him in confession.”

Pricey parrots

Submitted by Julie Foote One day a man goes to a pet shop to buy a parrot. The man asks the clerk, “How much is the yellow one?” The clerk says, “$2,000.” The man is shocked and asks the clerk why it’s so expensive. The clerk explains, “This parrot is a very special one. He knows typewriting and can type really fast.” “What about the green one?” the man asks. “He costs $5,000 because he knows typewriting and can answer incoming telephone calls and takes notes.” “What about the red one?” the man asks. The clerk says, “That one’s $10,000.” The man says, “What does HE do?” The clerk says, “I don’t know, but the other two call him boss.”

Safe comments for men

Submitted by Wilma Quinn DANGEROUS: What’s for dinner? SAFER: Can I help you with dinner? SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner? ULTRA SAFE: Have some chocolate. DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that? SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown. SAFEST: WOW! Look at you! ULTRA SAFE: Have some chocolate. DANGEROUS: What are you so

worked up about? SAFER: Could we be overreacting? SAFEST: Here’s $50. ULTRA SAFE: Have some chocolate. DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that? SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left. SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that? ULTRA SAFE: Have some chocolate. DANGEROUS: What did you do all day? SAFER: I hope you didn’t overdo it today. SAFEST: I’ve always loved you in that robe! ULTRA SAFE: Have some more chocolate.

Reality check

Submitted by Betty Harvey While waiting for my first appointment in the reception room of a new dentist, I noticed his certificate, which bore his full name. Suddenly, I remembered that a tall, handsome boy with the same name had been in my high school class some 40 years ago. Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding, gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was too old to have been my classmate. After he had examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended the local high school. “Yes,” he replied. “When did you graduate?” I asked. He answered, “In 1962.” “Why, you were in my class!” I exclaimed. He looked at me closely and then asked, “What did you teach?” ■ Send your funniest jokes to: beacon@pendantpublishing.com

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he grandeur of Telluride, Colorado can be enjoyed all year long, but the incredible wildflower displays during the summer months are my personal favorite. The town itself is littered with beds and baskets bursting with color. Higher in the mountains are vivid fields of columbine, Indian paintbrush, lupine and more. Special awe-inspiring wildflower locations include the area above Bridal Veil Falls, and Alta and Hope Lakes south of Telluride. Just 130 miles from Grand Junction, a day trip to Telluride is possible, but it will only whet your appetite for more. Telluride is located in the Southwest corner of Colorado in a picturesque San Juan Mountain box canyon. Its remoteness ensures that the town remains a unique Colorado experience. The Utes were the first to inhabit the Telluride area, camping along the San Juan River. The Utes continued their way of life for centuries until Spanish explorers and fur trappers passed through in the late 1700s. The Spanish did not settle in the rugged, high-altitude environment but gave the San Juan Mountains their name. The discovery of gold in the Colorado Rockies in 1858 drew people West. The first mining claim in Telluride was made in 1875. The name Telluride was derived from the mineral tellurium, a non-metallic element often associated with gold deposits. The population of Telluride soared to 5,000 residents with the arrival of the railroad in 1890. The town’s wealth attracted Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch, who began their bank-robbing career in downtown Telluride in 1889. The mining boom lasted a couple decades before silver prices crashed. By the 1960s, Telluride’s population dwindled to less than 600.

In the 1970s, “white gold,” better known as snow, reshaped and revived the Telluride community. The Telluride Ski Area put this small town back on the map. Today, Telluride is thriving, but the population remains less than half of what it was during the mining boom. Thirty year resident, Nancy Barrington, 62, came for the safe, smalltown feel and stayed for the natural beauty. “I appreciate it every single day,” Barrington said. “Almost every night I say to my husband, ‘Oh, look at the sunset!’” Barrington recommended The Cosmopolitan and Brown Dog Pizza in Telluride and The Village Table in Mountain Village above town, as local restaurant favorites. She also recommends the free gondola ride and a leisurely walk along the San Miguel River Trail. Barrington said an extended stay in Telluride might be best spent at the historic New Sheridan Hotel. It opened in the heart of town in 1891 and is one of the few Colorado historic hotels dating back to the mining days. The New Sheridan Hotel was completely renovated in 2008, retaining its historic details.

Things to do Telluride’s summer season is packed full with a variety of special events, activities and festivals. The world-renowned Telluride Bluegrass Festival every June brings together the best bluegrass and Americana roots music musicians in the world

August 2014 for a four-day live music event. The prestigious Telluride Film Festival provides the opportunity for screenings, discussion and education.

Upcoming festivals • Telluride Jazz Festival - August 1-3 • Telluride Chamber Music Festival August 7-17 • Telluride Fiber Arts Festival - August 7-10 • Telluride Top Chef Cook-Off - August 8 • Telluride Mushroom Festival August 15-19 • Telluride Film Festival August 29-September 1 • Telluride Blues and Brews September 12-14 • Telluride WOW Festival (Healthy Fitness Activities) - September 18-21

Free gondola ride Since its opening in 1996, the Telluride/Mountain Village gondola has served as a one-of-a-kind transportation system. It is the first and only free public transportation system of its kind in the U.S. Enjoy an incredible 13-minute ride offering 360-degree views of the San Juan Mountains. Catch the gondola on Oak Street in the town of Telluride and ride it to the core of the Mountain Village.

Hiking Scenic hiking trails abound in the Telluride area. A local favorite is Bear Creek Falls. A gorgeous waterfall and scenic views of rugged cliffs lining Bear Creek Canyon are your reward for hiking 2.3 miles up Bear Creek Trail from Telluride. After enjoying the falls, retrace your steps and enjoy awesome views of the San Juan peaks rising north of Telluride. Stunning Bridal Veil Falls is located at the end of the Telluride box canyon. Its 365-foot cascade is the tallest freefalling waterfall in Colorado. The 1.8-mile dirt road to the top can be hiked, biked or driven with high clearance. The house/power plant at the top generates 25 percent of Telluride’s demand for electricity and offers breathtaking views of the town and surrounding mountains.

TRAVEL 19

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com re-opened as the museum in 1966. The museum provides interactive displays, bringing Telluride’s rich and colorful history to life. A portion of downtown Telluride was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964. The beautiful main street is surrounded blocks of Victorian homes, mining shacks and clapboard storefronts, which set the stage for a busy shopping and dining district. Ashley Boling, a 16year resident and former Director of the Telluride Institute, leads personal historic tours by appointment. Call 970-728-6639.

Play the wild side of Telluride Paragon Outdoors is a familyowned and operated sporting goods shop out of Telluride that offers rentals and guides for numerous outdoor activities year-round. In the summer, let them take you whitewater rafting or show you how to use a stand-up paddleboard. They can also take you on a fat bike and brewery tour during the winter. For more information, call 970-728-4525 or visit www.boot doctors.com. For more information on visiting Telluride, call 888-605-2578 or go to www.visittelluride.com. ■

Thomas Katt resides with BEACON readers Joyce and Duane Howard. He will Telluride’s Historical Museum was shake hands (paws) for a cat treat and he built in 1896 and served as Telluride’s pesters them when seeking attention. hospital until 1964. The hospital

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20 HOME & GARDEN

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Garden Smarts By Kathy Kimbrough

Q. Help! I have wasps or yellow jackets or hornets in my garden. (I can’t tell the difference when I’m running for my life!) How do I get rid of these guys? First, identify what you have. Paper wasps have yellow and black

The Hall family’s Bassett Hound, Rufus Maximus Pathos Hall (Rufus for short), wanted to look cool when he was asked to model in this month’s BEACON. He really rocks those shades. - Robert, Hilary, Samuel & Grace Hall

marks and very thin waists. When flying, their hind legs tend to extend and trail below the body. Yellow jackets have yellow and black or white and black marks and very thin waists. They are about the size of a honeybee. Hornets have white and black marks and are generally larger than yellow jackets.

Look at their nests Paper wasp nests are above ground in a protected area like under eaves, or in hollowed out holes in fences, lawn furniture, etc.

We appreciated their professionalism and attention to detail. is crew has validated our long-held faith in the work ethic of our young people. — Dick and Joan Miller, e Knolls

August 2014

Yellow jacket nests are underground, behind stone walls or rocks. Mud pellets mark the entrance late in the season. However, the aerial yellow jacket has a large nest above ground, similar to the hornet. A hornet’s nest is above ground and large, usually in a tree or shrub.

radishes, scallions and greens like spinach, kale, cilantro and lettuce. Look for days-toharvest information on seed packets and choose varieties that mature in 50 days or less.

to ensure it won’t be used again. Yellow jackets can be caught in commercial traps or baited with fresh meat over water. Trapping is most effective early in the season before large colonies start. The only way to really make a dent in the population later in the season is to find and destroy the nests. Hornets are not lured into yellow jacket traps. Treatments are similar to the paper wasps. ■

 Fertilize lawns between now and mid-September using one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.

 It’s harvest time! Check for mature veggies every morning. Pluck beans when the pods swell. Dig carrots Habits when the tops are one inch across. Harvest corn Paper wasps like a Plant of the Month diet rich in insects when the silk is brown and aggressively and kernels are guard their nests. plump and sweet. Yellow jackets Pick cucumbers and are scavengers. summer squash They like insects while they’re still on (dead or alive), the small side, and Sea Holly - Eryngium planum. This tomatoes and pepmeat, and sweets plant might be just what your garden is such as ripe fruit pers as they become looking for in mid to late summer. Strikand soft drinks. fully colored. Dig up ing blue thistle-like flowers glow when Hornets eat garlic, onions and planted among the pinks and reds of caterpillars and shallots after their agastache, the yellows of goldenrod, other insects tops fall over and and fleshy bright green stalks of upright along with insect start to turn brown. sedums. All cultivars thrive in full sun honeydew. and good drainage. Their long taproot  Harvest apples, Management keeps them going in drier gardens but grapes, peaches, also makes them hard to move, so find a For paper plums and raspbergood spot and let them thrive. This plant wasps, preventries when they look, was bred for the cut flower industry so ing nests will smell and taste ripe. it’s a perfect addition to a flower garden help reduce the Fruit that’s ready as well. This long-lived perennial grows problem. Repair comes off with a from 36-40 inches tall and 18-24 inches holes in walls slight twist. Pick wide and can be planted in the fall and and caulk cracks. pears while they are spring. It is deer and rabbit resistant and Wasp and hornet still green and ripen attracts bees and butterflies. sprays are effecindoors in a cool, tive and easy to use. dark place. Use care Treatments should be when harvesting tree fruits used at night when all of the workers and the queen are in the so you don’t damage the twigs (spurs), nest. Remove the nest after you spray which produce next year’s crop.

Garden Checklist  Plant cool-season vegetables like beets, bok choy, carrots, Chinese cabbage,

 Garden centers are having great sales on plants this time of year. Before you buy, pop the pot. Make sure the roots are healthy and not too crowded. If the plants are root bound and you still want it, score and butterfly the roots before you plant. This will stop the roots from circling and will help them get established in the soil. Keep an eye on your new plants. They will suffer transplant shock and may need a bit of shade and a spritz of water every day to keep them from wilting. ■

August 2014

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Hardscaping: a key to solving landscape problems By Lynn Pribus

hile “landscaping” is a familiar term, the term “hardscaping” may be new for some people. What exactly is hardscaping? Hardscape uses hard building materials. It’s generally permanent and involves natural stone, gravel or boulders as well as manufactured products including pavers, bricks, retaining wall blocks, stepping stones and edging stone. In some cases, treated timber or even metal can be employed. Hardscaping is ideal for solving difficult landscaping situations like steep areas affected by soil erosion, low spots where water collects, and areas where heavy foot traffic makes it difficult to maintain a lawn. People often employ hardscaping for a patio or retaining wall. On a steep property, a retaining wall can level off the slope to provide more useable space because you can develop the level area for a garden or patio. Interlocking pavers are frequently used for pathways or patios and a reasonably handy homeowner can do it with a few tools like a level, tamper, wheelbarrow, and shovel. Retaining walls, on the other hand, can be more complicated. In many places, homeowners must use a certified installer or get a permit depending on the wall’s design. The permit is less about color or materials and more about how much of the property is involved, how the wall will be reinforced and backfilled, and how drainage will be managed. Drainage is always an important aspect of landscaping and hardscaped areas like driveways or large patios can lead to problems with flooding. A good answer for this is the use of permeable materials. These can be part of a green system to capture

and recycle storm water back into the ground by allowing water to penetrate through the material. It can keep your driveway from being flooded and prevent runoff into local streams. Permeable pavers, natural stone and gravel are environmentally friendly, especially in areas where paving isn’t desirable, like a particularly large driveway. In these cases, permeable pavers and stone can let water seep through rather than end up as runoff. Water features are another popular form of hardscape and can be well suited for solving landscaping problems. For example, a low-lying area in a yard can be converted to a fishpond or fountain. Waterfalls with recirculating pumps add a pleasant ambiance to a yard and the sound of the water attracts songbirds. Hardscaping can make a home’s entry more inviting with a curving walkway and handsome brick or stone steps leading to the front door. It can also be useful in making yard care more convenient with mowing strips around gardens. Some homeowners create extra living areas such as an outdoor kitchen with a built-in fireplace, barbecue and counter area. Others opt for an outdoor patio with built-in seating and a fire pit. In areas with poor soil, hardscaping can be used to create raised beds to fill with a good gardening medium for flowers, vegetables and herbs. Hardscaped pathways make it easier for persons with disabilities to move around a yard and to use a raised garden. The bottom line is that to address problem areas, increase livability, and add yard appeal, there are almost endless possibilities for enhancing a property with hardscaping. ■

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22 FUN AFTER 50

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August 2014

Fun after 50

Activities offered by GJ Parks and Recreation

o register for these programs, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org.

Now open every Friday & Saturday evening for dessert and coffee

August 23-29

Western Colorado Senior Games The 14th annual Western Colorado Senior Games is for anyone 50 years and better as of August 23, 2014. Compete in a variety of sports and activities. Register by August 8.

DANCE Senior Dances with Live Music

Senior Recreation Center 550 Ouray Avenue - 970 243-7408

The Senior Recreation Center offers activities for seniors age 50 and older. The center is open Monday - Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Annual membership is $10.

S e n i o r R e c re a ti o n C e n te r M o n t h ly C a le n d a r

Ev e n ts

Dance to live music from 7:30 p.m.10 p.m. every Thursday and from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month at the Senior Recreation Center. Mondays

Intermediate Line Dance

Monday

9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

Cribbage Computer Classes Gray Gourmet Card Bingo Dominoes Singles Pinochle (1st & 3rd Monday)

Tuesday

9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m.

Cribbage & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Bingo

Through August 19 (Tues. & Thurs.)

Wednesday

9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

Ladies Pool, Card Social Jack & Jill Pool Tourney Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) Gray Gourmet Pinochle

Thursday

9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Canasta Cleaning Crew (Last Thursday) Membership Meeting w/Music (1st Thursday) Pokeno (Starts at 1 p.m. on 1st Thursday) Dance

Condition your whole body using weights and exercise balls, while focusing on deep torso and spinal muscles to improve balance, control and strength. Class is from noon to 12:45 p.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $5 to drop in.

Friday

9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:45 p.m.

Canasta, Painting Class & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Bible Study Bridge

Saturday

8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m.

Bridge Class Bridge Bingo

Sunday

1:00 p.m.

Dance (1st & 3rd Sunday)

SPORTS August 1

Senior Games Swim Clinic Improve your skills for the Senior Games with this free clinic from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at Orchard Mesa Pool. Clinics will focus on starts, diving off the wall or blocks, turns and wall touches.

Fun after 50 Softball Program is open to both men and women aged 50 and older and is an excellent avenue for exercise and friendly competition. For more information, call Carl at 255-6688

Trail Host Program is ongoing through the summer. Get your volunteer application in now and don’t miss any of the fun. Become an ambassador for the Riverfront Trail System. Call Lorie at 254-3876. ■

Improve your line dancing skills from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $34 for a 10-punch pass and $5 to drop in.

FITNESS Total Core Conditioning

August 29 Free hike to Liberty Cap Trail to Otto’s Bathtub & Corkscrew This loop will excite your senses with collared lizards, leopard lizards, blooming cacti and plenty of wildflowers. There is some exposure on the trail as well as a little scrambling on the Liberty Cap Trail. Meet at the trailhead at 8:30 a.m. Distance is 11 miles with an 1,100-foot elevation gain. Hike is rated moderate to strenuous. Bring water and lunch. Register by August 27.

Jeanette Tyson’s border collie, Alice, celebrated her fourth birthday on July 5.

August 2014

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Blessings inherent in grief By Saralee Perel

finally learned that recovery is possible from the loss of a beloved pet. Our dog, Gracie, died this past autumn. Our vet once said, “Remember the good times and she’ll always be with you.” You know, that’s easier said than done. For whatever reason, all I’ve thought about was her ending… until now. Gracie spent most of her life taking care of me. Ever since my spinal cord injury, she became my guardian. She worried about me so much that she would have given up her life for me. She protected me from traffic, bikers and aggressive dogs. It was only because of her help that I learned to walk again, defying all medical opinions, making my way up to 10 miles. She spent her last few months sleeping a lot in her homemade bed, eating homemade food my husband, Bob, prepared for her and meandering slowly in our backyard. She’d stop every few feet to get her bearings. I don’t think she was sure where she was. When she’d get confused, she’d never get anxious because I’d be by her side, the way she had always been by mine. The touch of my hand grounded her in safety and love. One morning, she stopped eating and taking her medicines. Her ability to walk abruptly diminished. Maybe she didn’t feel like walking anymore. Maybe she didn’t feel like living anymore. Later that day, her body went into a complete paralysis. A loving veterinarian named Gayle came to our home. Knowing how worried Gracie felt when I cried, I would never let her spend her final moments fearing

for my well being. It was a far greater accomplishment for me to hold back my tears than it ever was for me to have walked 10 miles. As Gayle administered the medications that would end her mortal life, I lay on the floor in front of Gracie’s beautiful face so that my face was the last thing she’d see. And the last thing she heard was my voice, quietly singing a fitting final version of the song I used to sing to her. For the last time, the touch of my hand grounded my dog in safety and love. That night a friend said to me, “Gracie helped you end your paralysis. Today you did what you had to do to help her end hers.” I’ve wondered, “Was having her worth the anguish of losing her?” Until today, I hadn’t thought it was. My pal, John, went through the same deep pain when his dog died. When I asked if he was still glad that he had Clancy, he said, even through his tears, “I wouldn’t have missed a minute.” So how do I come to terms with losing Gracie? Hearing those words from John and many others helps me. It also helps to know that my sadness is only so profound because it is in direct proportion to the depth of my love for her. A pain-free loveless existence would feel flat. When it comes down to the basics, what is a life without love? As my dear friend in New York wrote, “I know that the moment Gracie died was one of great love and hurt and conflict for you. She shared your pain and you shared hers as she grew older and less able, but no less willing, to help you. Her pain is gone, but like a song in the room, her love and yours will linger on forever.” Amen. ■

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. For Tim Kenney, his American Water Spaniel, Pato (Spanish for duck), is his hero. Pato is a trained service dog that was assigned to Kenney over a year ago when Kenney’s psychiatrist recommended he consider getting a service dog to help with his PTSD. Kenney wanted an American Water Spaniel because he had previously owned one prior to going to war. “Pato calms me down when I’m in a situation that makes me nervous,” Kenney said. “He is my constant companion. Pato never judges me and always loves me no matter what. As soon as he puts his vest on he knows he is on duty and it’s time to go to work.” When Pato is not on duty, he is the family pet. He and Kenney are inseparable. - Story and photo by Barbara Ward

A true devotion to healing.

24 LOCAL LORE

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fulfilling the legacy of a visionary:

James M. Robb  Riverfront Trail By Melanie Wiseman

I Two baby owls seen along the Riverfront Trail.

The initial junk cleanup at Watson Island.

t’s said that it takes a village to raise a child. But it takes an entire community—Fruita to Grand Junction to Palisade—to connect five state parks along the Colorado River and to build a 35-mile long Riverfront Trail System. Thousands of hours and dollars have been donated to provide a safe haven for native plants and animals, and a welcome break from our busy lives. The soon to be completed section from Grand Junction to Fruita will bring the length of the Riverfront Trail to 31 miles to date. The Colorado River State Park was renamed James M. Robb–Colorado River State Park in 2005 to honor visionary James Robb—a civic leader, former parks board member and chair, elected representative, federal magistrate judge and champion of state parks. He helped create and co-chaired the Colorado Riverfront Foundation with William Ela in 1987. Robb was instrumental in getting community members to work together to build a future river corridor trail system to connect what he referred to as a “string of pearls.” Five unique sections that make up this park include Island Acres,

Corn Lake, Colorado River Wildlife Area, Connected Lakes and Fruita. “Jim was the driving force behind the project,” his wife Maggie Robb, 71, said. Many other community members are now carrying the torch following his untimely death in early 2005 at just 69. A plaque in his honor, which hangs in Maggie’s home, reads, “Jim Robb, The Best Friend our River ever had.”

The vision James Robb grew up in New Jersey

Proposed Monument View Section

FRUITA

Hw y

340

August 2014 but loved the West. “He never lost sight of how trashed the rivers were in New Jersey,” Maggie said. “He loved to drive and be in the wide open spaces. He always had to stop at the rivers and see what other places were doing with them. He loved the vistas of the West.” Having lost his father when he was just 8 years old, Robb found great value in the Boy Scouts and in becoming an Eagle Scout, which exposed him to the outdoors. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Boulder, and eventually settled in Grand Junction in the 1960s. In the Grand Valley, Robb found no public access to the mighty and beautiful Colorado River. “After serving four years in the state legislature in the early 1980s, he was offered many things but they weren’t the right fit,” Maggie said. “The minute Rebecca Frank asked if he was interested in a riverfront project, he went nuts. He wanted to do something for the outdoors. He was a person who was all about giving back.” Frank served on the State Wildlife Commission when she approached Robb. “He was the most visionary person I have ever met,” Frank, 65, Hw y6 &5 0

Blu S

Monument View Section

COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT

Audubon

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said. “He was intrigued by the project and agreed to lead it if he could name his co-chair and board members who would get things done.” Maggie said her husband had a way of generating excitement. With the collaboration of hundreds of volunteers, his connections with the community, his respect for people and their goals and desires, a keen sense of civil engineering, and of course his passion for the outdoors, the Riverfront Trail system began. Bill Ela, 91, is still a member of the Grand Junction/Mesa County Riverfront Foundation. As a youth growing up in Grand Junction, he played and camped near Watson Island, and saw mill tailings piled nearby. “What’s wonderful about volunteering on this project is knowing that you’re working on something sustainable,” Ela said. “Something for now and for the future.” Lions Club member Brian Mahoney, 70, helped jump-start the funding of the Riverfront Trail. He campaigned for funds from the Lions Club, the City, and the Energy Assistance Program to help beautify the Fifth Street entrance into Grand Junction. He and his team were able to buy the property known as Watson Island and Lewis Iron and Salvage, where the botanical gardens now reside. Joining forces with Robb was the beginning

of great things to the old highway to come. Glenwood Springs. A float trip from We’ve made good Watson Island to the progress. I want to Redlands Parkway thank all who have with elected officials been involved. It’s such as City Council taken a lot of people and County Commisin the community, sioners followed. The their financial supenormous amount port and otherwise, of trash and no to make this happen. river access along the It’s an enriching and Colorado River was a soul-building trail.” huge eye-opener. Helen Traylor, 90, Over a period of was president of the years, Watson IsAudubon Society in land was cleared of Maggie Robb holds a photo of James the early stages and debris, a vast area of and William Ela, who co-chaired the was excited to get uranium mill tailings Riverfront Commission at its inception. involved and lend was removed from support. along the river, Jarvis Auto Salvage “I’m so pleased to see the extenwas acquired and nearly 5,000 car sion to Fruita and enjoy knowing so bodies were removed from this yard many people are using the Riverfront alone. Trail,” Traylor said. “It’s exciting to work on a project Passing the torch that has done so much good for so Today, a new generation carries many people, all in your lifetime,” Robb’s vision and passion forward. Mahoney said. “I think the Riverfront Trail is specThings really took off with GoCo, tacular and a great resource for our Great Outdoor Colorado Lottery community,” said David Grossman, money. 42, who started the Grand Valley “Jim Robb came to me and said Trails Alliance. “It is the backbone ‘I’ve got a good idea for you,’” Tillie for walking and biking commuting, Bishop, 81, said. “As a state represeneast to west in the valley. Now we tative, I was in it from the beginning need to add north and south ribs. It is with legislation to support trail sysan infrastructure which promotes a tems. Our ultimate goal is to connect healthy, enjoyable lifestyle.” Fruita to the Kokopelli Trail, PaliBrad Taylor, 57, moved to the area sade to Island Acres, and on down

in 1996 as park manager for the Colorado River State Park. “I was involved with the Riverfront Commission from the day I got here to help them accomplish their goals,” Taylor said. “There is so much unfinished business. I felt I wanted to be a part of the ongoing mission. I’d like to see the Riverfront Trail be a destination for folks to stay and play. Let’s go from Moab to Glenwood, and why not go south to Delta?” Taylor noted there have been so many volunteers throughout the years that there is a bronze plaque near the Fifth Street Bridge honoring the anonymous volunteer. Continued help from volunteers is still needed to spread the word of economic benefits to elected officials, to secure easements, to serve as trail hosts, and for trail maintenance and funding. “Jim had so many more things he wanted to do before he died. But you can see he’s alive here,” Maggie said. “Jim loved America, was a total patriot and a steward of the earth. He often said, ‘You’ve got to leave the wood pile higher than you found it.’” For more information on how you can help, call the Riverfront Commission at 683-4333, email info@riverfrontproject.org or visit www.riverfrontproject.org. ■

PALISADE 1st Street

ue Heron Section

LOCAL LORE 25

GRAND JUNCTION

North Avenue Orchard Avenue

s usine I-70 B

p s Loo

Parks & Wildlife Section

Main St.

Section

CLIFTON

Patterson Road

Palisade Section Clifton Nature Park Section

Proposed Monument View Trail Colorado Riverfront Trail Sections

Las Colonias Section 0

Riverside Section

RIVERFRONT TRAILS

2.5 miles

5 miles

26 FINANCE

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

August 2014

Should you buy pet insurance? By Jason Alderman

ne topic I’ve learned to avoid with new acquaintances until I know them better (along with politics and religion) is where they stand on the treatment of pets. Some people, when their dog gets sick or badly injured, say, “It’s an animal. That’s just part of the circle of life.” Others consider Rover a close family member and would take out a second mortgage to save his life. Pet owners from both camps probably see the barrage of ads for pet insurance and wonder whether it’s worth the expense, which might be several thousand dollars over the life of your pet. I did some research and the best answer I can come up with is, it depends. First, ask yourself: Do you regard pet insurance as a financial investment, where you expect to get back more in benefits than you paid out in premiums over the pet’s life? Or is it more like auto or homeowner’s insurance, where you hope nothing ever goes seriously wrong, but you want coverage just in case? Either way, here are some basic facts about pet insurance that may help you decide whether it’s right for you. Pet insurance shares many features with human health insurance. Policies typically have annual deductibles, copayments and exclusions, and some limit which veterinarians, clinics and hospitals you can use. But there are numerous differences as well. For example, pet insurers are allowed to refuse coverage for preexisting conditions and to set annual and lifetime payout limits. Watch for the following restrictions, among others, when comparing plans. Premiums vary greatly depending on where you live and may increase based on your pet’s age, breed, veterinary cost inflation and other factors.

Typically you must pay the vet or hospital bill out of pocket and get reimbursed later. Many plans deny or restrict coverage for congenital or hereditary conditions (like hip dysplasia in dogs or kidney failure in cats) and preventable conditions like periodontal disease. Along with annual and lifetime maximums on benefits paid out, there may be a limit on how much it will pay for treatment of an individual illness or accident. If your pet suffers a particular disorder one year, don’t be surprised if that condition is excluded at renewal or if you’re required to pay an additional fee for future coverage. Pets over certain age limits are frequently denied coverage. Certain breeds are often excluded or only eligible for restricted coverage. Some carriers let you augment your accident and illness policy with optional “wellness care” coverage for things like spaying and neutering, annual physicals, vaccines and routine tests. Make sure the additional premium is worth the extra cost. Perhaps the biggest challenge when choosing pet insurance is trying to compare plans, apples to apples. There are about a dozen carriers in the U.S. Each offers a variety of plans with varying deductible, copayment and maximum coverage amounts, as well as different covered benefits and exclusions. You can go directly to their websites for plan details and to request a quote, or use an independent comparison website to pull quotes from multiple carriers. I’d recommend creating a spreadsheet to compare benefits and costs side by side, just as you would when shopping for auto insurance. If you decide pet insurance isn’t right for you, at least be sure you’re setting money aside to cover expected and unexpected expenses. ■

The biggest challenge when choosing pet insurance is trying to compare plans.

Rehabilitation at its nest

August 2014

The cat’s meow By Geno Lawrenzi, Jr.

f you are one of the few people on planet Earth who has never been owned by a cat, I feel sorry for you. Admittedly, I have not always been a fan of cats. My grandmother was terrified of cats. Being from the “old country” (she was born on the Russian border) she was superstitious of anything feline and was afraid it would attack her while she was sleeping and drink her blood. It wasn’t until I began dating Grace, a flight attendant with six cats, that I learned to appreciate this exquisite purring creature that has long mystified mankind. I still love watching a cat clean itself meticulously with its rough tongue or one that lets me rub its tummy while it is stretched languidly on its back. If people trusted like that, we would have a better world and there would be no wars. Grace lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and flew for Delta Airlines.

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She was a native of Warsaw, Poland, so she was blonde beautiful and brilliant enough to qualify as an astronaut. Instead, she chose to immigrate to America and became an airline stewardess. I met her while flying back to oversee the family at my father’s funeral. She saw me sitting alone, nursing my grief, and comforted me with a steady supply of glasses of wine. When I disembarked from my plane at Pittsburgh International Airport, I was feeling no pain and had her phone number. After I returned to Naples, Florida, where I lived at the time, we began dating. Grace was very special and I didn’t mind the long scenic drive across the Everglades as I followed Alligator Alley through the Seminole Indian Reservation on Friday nights after work. It was worth it to spend the weekend with Grace and her cats. In her charming Polish accent, Grace introduced me to all six

of them. Her favorite was Blackie. Cuddling the beautiful black cat, she stroked it, eliciting purrs that indicated its pleasure. “He has cancer,” she said. “The veterinarian said it would cost $500 for an operation. I told him to go ahead. The operation is next Tuesday. Please pray for my cat.” Blackie survived the operation. Grace kept the cats in self-cleaning cages while she was on her flights. Her apartment was always immaculate and had a delicious smell because of the scented candles she left burning while she was gone. I developed affection for all of her cats, and it wasn’t just because of my attraction to Grace. Each cat had a unique personality. They would not come up to you like a dog and fawn for your attention. A cat was much more independent. You had to earn a cat’s respect before it would even think about trusting you. But once that trust was won, it was a forever friendship. Eventually, Grace transferred to San Francisco, ending our relationship.

Today I still have a great admiration for cats. My daughter, Rossana, has three cats—a big grey; a cat with mottled colors of black, white and brown; and a small black cat that loves toying with bugs, pieces of string, or anything that moves. Although I love all three cats, my favorite is the grey. It has this habit of leaping into my lap when I am sitting down and licking the crook of my arm with its rough tongue. I never tire of it. Judy, a member of our church who teaches our Sunday morning Bible class, came by for a visit the other day. She was impressed when she saw the cats and our Siberian husky, Sadie, playing in the living room. “That’s amazing,” she said. “Three cats and a big black dog. Don’t they fight?” “They love each other,” Rossana said. “Sadie is very protective of them.” I smiled and picked up the grey. “We may own the dog,” I said, stroking the grey, “but the cats own us.” ■

28 FAITH MOVES

8:45am…Contemporary Serv.

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August 2014

Serving those needing long-term care: a faith challenge for churches

9:50am…Sunday School

10:50am…Traditional Serv.

By Peter Rekemeyer, First Presbyterian Church

eligious organizations at the national and local levels use their resources to provide a broad range of community services. These services include meal programs, counseling, and limited medical and housing support. Now the increasing number of aging Americans has created a need for expanding these programs to include long-term care services to enable others to preserve their quality of life as they age and to undergo a loss of life skills. Here are some suggestions to help guide religious organizations to implement programs directed at assisting senior adults with some of their long-term care needs. Education - Provide seniors with a road map for understanding and navigating the marketplace for longterm care services. This includes an overview of care options, costs, the ability to pay for care, insurance options, library references and limitations of government safety nets. Outside experts may be asked to provide information on financial and legal issues. Direct support - Volunteers can assist the care receiver at home by providing help in performing instru-

mental activities of daily living. These tasks permit one to continue to live independently and consist of meal preparation, cleaning, shopping, money management, medication and transportation. Moral support - Volunteers can provide emotional and spiritual support by interfacing with those in need of care as they face the challenges of aging. Religious organizations have options for establishing long-term care services for the senior community. These options range from integrating the program within the existing organizational structure to setting up an independent group of people who report to the pastor or designated leader. Options available within the normal structure are expanding the charters of the stewardship committee or the Stephen’s Ministry. The latter group is a preferred choice because it has an existing network to identify those who need long-term care. However the organization elects to serve this need, it will know that by adopting the role of caregiver in this arena it is fulfilling its Christian mission as advocated by the disciple Paul in his letter to the Galatians: “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.” ■

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August 2014

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Refurbished computers: to buy or not to buy? Ask the computer guy By Daniel Ashurst, Alpine Computer Solutions

mericans are purchasing more computers and Internet-connected devices than ever before, with reports stating an approximate 5.7 Internet-connected devices per U.S. household. But today’s economic issues have also made many Americans more conscious of their buying decisions. Therefore, many people are choosing to save money by buying refurbished items. I don’t have statistics about how many people buy refurbished electronics, but I would like to address the stigma associated with them. It is important that we differentiate between computers that are actually factory refurbished and those that are simply used computers that have been cleaned up and are for sale. When a computer is built new, it isn’t always necessarily checked for quality before it leaves the factory. It would cost too much to fully test each and every computer after assembly to ensure they work properly. Buying a factory-refurbished computer is advantageous because each and every one is fully tested before re-entering the marketplace. Some computers that go to the factory for refurbishing are simply customer returns that are not

damaged at all, but because of corporate store policies, they cannot be sold as new and therefore must be placed on the refurbished market. Apple is a strong proponent of the refurbished market. They sell refurbished computers with the same 1-year warranty as new computers, but with significant savings. Factory-refurbished Dell computers are some of the best products I’ve seen at a reduced price. Their warranty is typically only 90 days, but the savings are usually greater than what you’d see on Apple computers. The return on investment for a refurbished computer is often easier to hit than that of a brand new computer with the full sticker price. Once it’s set up, most people would never know the difference. If you’re interested in purchasing a refurbished computer, whether it is a Mac or PC, call Alpine Computer Solutions today at 257-1011. We’ll help you find the right fit for you. ■ Email your questions to Daniel Ashurst with Alpine Computer Solutions at solutions@alpinepc.com or mail them to the BEACON at P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502. For professional assistance, call Daniel at 234-1011 or Alpine Computer Solutions at 257-1011.

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August 2014

Dory: adventurer, fighter, teacher, beloved pet By Daniel & LaDonna Ishida

ory was a little Shih Tzu named after the unique boats that float the rivers of the Southwest. The name was strangely appropriate, as Dory loved to be on the water in a canoe or kayak. Life was good but when he was 8 years old, Dory began to lose weight and developed pneumonia. He LaDonna and Dory on the water in a kayak. was diagnosed with megaesophagus, a condition that renders So in March, we made the difficult the muscles in the esophagus useless decision to let him go. It was healing so ingested food is not moved into to see him not have to struggle to the stomach for nourishment. Inbreathe with the pneumonia and to stead, it just sits in the esophagus and just relax and peacefully fall asleep irritates its lining. Dory had to be fed in our arms. We miss him very much in a vertical position in order for food and will never forget this special to get to his stomach. little creature loaned to us for a short We found an abandoned car seat 8-1/2 years. ■ and adapted its frame to fit his skinny little body. He was fed five times a day and was kept in the vertical position in order for gravity to move the food and water to his stomach. He thrived but still had to be watched because regurgitated food could be inhaled into his lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia. Life with these limitations was the new normal. But he still loved to go camping and he had an ever-growing pile of balls, which was an endless source of comfort and entertainment. He taught us so much during this Dory playing in his customized feeding chair. time. He taught us to enjoy life to the fullest, no matter your physical condition. He taught us to be patient. Most of all, he taught us to love. Over the eight months after his diagnosis he kept developing pneumonia. We understood that this would keep happening and it wasn’t something we wanted to subject him to in order to keep him with us. He looked at us one morning as if to say, “Let me go. We gave it a wonderful Dory in an ATV box on Grand Mesa. try but it’s time to say goodbye.”

August 2014

Are YOU a caregiver? By Joni Karp, CaregiverCARE, LLC

aregiver - A family member or paid helper who regularly looks after a child or a sick, elderly, or disabled person. A person who gives help and protection to someone. Are you, or do you know a caregiver? It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to answer no. The most recent study completed by The Department of Human Services estimates that there are 2,800 caregivers in Mesa County alone. Over 60 percent of the caregivers are living with the person they are caring for, and half of the caregivers have been providing care for at least five years. Caregiver burnout - A state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude—from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. I know firsthand how caregiver burnout can sneak up on you, having been a full-time caregiver for my mother who had Alzheimer’s disease and I having worked in assisted living communities throughout the Grand Valley. Now, I currently work as an independent care provider. Whether you’re a full-time, parttime or occasional caregiver, my hat is off to you! It’s no easy job, no matter how much you the love the person or how much you are getting paid. It is a labor of love and caregivers earn their wings every day. However, even the most dedicated and loving caregiver is in danger of burnout. What can we as caregivers do to preserve our own health and well being while making sure the needs of those we care for are being met in a kind and loving manner? Here are a few tips and suggestions: Join a support group. You will meet and network with others facing the same challenges, struggles and even victories. Share and learn from one another. There may be a simple and inexpensive solution to specific

situations and/or behaviors. Learn from others who have been down the same road. See sidebar for a list of support groups. Support and socialize with others in your situation. Share meals and trade care. This can be a rewarding and affordable way to get a few hours to yourself. When others offer to help, let them! They can shop for groceries, do laundry, pick up or make dinner. If you are comfortable in the person’s ability to provide care, let them. Get away and recharge! Get some sleep. At the very least, you should be sleeping for six hours every night. Lack of sleep can produce anxiety, anger and irritability, affect concentration and task performance, and impair judgment to the point of danger (such as when administering medications). Ensure proper diet and hydration, including vitamins. More often than not, caregivers neglect their own health in a way that would be unthinkable to the person they are caring for. Get regular exercise. Release those feel-good endorphins. Just 20 minutes a day will make a big difference in you and the care you provide. Remember to laugh. Find as many moments of joy and laughter as possible. Record these moments and share them with others. Laughter relaxes the whole body, boosts the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins, protects the heart, dissolves distressing emotions and shifts perspectives. Find some funny jokes in the monthly Laughing Matters column in the BEACON. I remember one day when I lost my car keys. As I tore the house apart, my mother observed the frantic search. She started out of her room, stopped, looked over her shoulder and sweetly said with a smirk, “Hm, that’s how it started for me.” We both laughed. ■

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CAREGIVER Support Groups

Alzheimer’s Association 1:30 p.m., fourth Tuesday of the month at the Alzheimer’s Association office, 2232 N. Seventh St.

CaregiverCARE 5:30 p.m., third Wednesday of the month. Call 361-6308 for location.

Aspen Ridge Alzheimer’s Special Care Center

Caregiver Support Group 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m., third Friday of the month at The Commons of Hilltop’s private dining room.

1:30 p.m., second Tuesday of the month at Aspen Ridge, 622 28 1/4 Road. Supervised care available.

Caregiver Connections 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., every Tuesday at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th St. Call Terry Mizak at 683-4920.

MONTROSE Dementia & Alzheimer’s Support Groups

Dementia & Alzheimer’s Support Groups

11:15 a.m., first and third Mondays of the month at Montrose United Methodist Church, 16 S. Park Ave.

Dementia & Alzheimer’s Support Group

Early Stage Support Group

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August 2014

Seniors find companionship with pets through Silver Whiskers program By Liesl Greathouse

have a pet because of finances and because they didn’t want to leave a ith the dual charge of saving pet behind when they pass. BCAS the lives of senior dogs and takes all pets back into our sanctuary cats and enhancing the lives of senior when the senior can no longer care citizens, the Silver Whiskers program for them and boards the pet if the through Black Canyon Animal Sancowner should tuary (BCAS) is be ill or require of great benefit hospitalizato area seniors. tion.” “Research The prohas shown gram is funded that a pet can through grants enhance the and donations. quality of life BCAS provides and health of a all food, vet person,” BCAS care, supplies President and and grooming Founder Debassociated with bie Faulkner, pet ownership. 63, said. “It A volunteer gives the seanimal advoniors a reason cate is assigned to take care of to each client themselves and to ensure the definitely overowners and comes lonelitheir pet have ness.” everything The sanctuthey need. ary opened its Silver Whiskers pairs senior pets with low-income They deliver doors in 2009 seniors or disabled individuals. food and supand is located plies and help on Faulkner’s personal 40-acre ranch transport the pet to the vet or groomoutside Crawford. Its mission is to er. Seniors must be age 65 or older to provide a safe house for dogs and qualify for the program, but pets can cats until permanent homes can be also be available to disabled people found, to promote kindness and com- of any age. passion through animal educational Faulkner pairs pets of all ages with camps for children, and to promote individuals and has many stories of good health for low-income senior seniors and pets coming together citizens by matching them with the through the Silver Whiskers proright pet and providing for all costs gram, showing the power of humanassociated with pet ownership. pet companionship. “I developed the Silver Whiskers “One senior woman whose physiprogram after seeing so many more cal health was limited (she used a senior dogs and cats in the local shel- walker and was not very mobile) ters than ever before,” Faulkner said. wanted a pet companion,” Faulkner “With baby boomers now in their said. “I was hesitant to give her a senior years, so many pass on with 3-year-old male Westie named Tavish no plan for their pets. These pets end because I thought he needed more up in high-kill shelters, typically are exercise than she could give. But she not adopted because of their age, and and the dog bonded immediately are the first to be euthanized. The and I decided to give it a try. Three program has provided pet ownership months later, the woman was walkto seniors that felt they could not ing two miles every day and without

Senior Homecare by Angels

August 2014 a walker.” One man tragically lost his Shar Pei after complications from a routine spay and was very distraught. PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) referred him to BCAS. “He showed me all the photos of dogs he’d owned in the past and became very teary when he showed me the one he’d recently lost,” Faulkner said. “I began to show him photos of available dogs and could tell he was troubled. I asked what he really wanted and he replied, ‘I really want another female Shar Pei.’ I told him I would find him one and that very afternoon I received a call from a man who had found a stray Shar Pei. It was truly a miracle and the man and Lola are living happily together.” Hospice patients also benefit from the program. “One man had an old dog that died and his health began to decline rapidly,” Faulkner said. “Hospice contacted BCAS to see if we had a dog to keep him company for the duration of his life. Hank, a Bassett Hound-Lab mix, lived with the man for almost

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com one and a half years until he passed. Hank was even allowed in the nursing home during the final months of the man’s life.” Hank is back at the sanctuary waiting for his next assignment. One of the program’s younger disabled clients was an 8-year-old girl dying of brain cancer. “She wanted a puppy more than anything,” Faulkner said. “When BCAS was made aware, we gave her a puppy and all supplies through the program. She passed away just three weeks later.” The response from participants is one of the most rewarding parts of what Faulkner does. “I’ve been thanked over and over so many times by clients,” she said. “I’ve heard, ‘You have no idea how the (dog or cat) has changed my life.’ And, ‘I’m now walking and exercising like never before.’ Also, ‘I cannot thank you enough for bringing them into my life. It’s given me a purpose and a reason to get up every day.’” Faulkner would love to expand the program in counties other than

Delta and Montrose. “The supply of dogs and cats is always unfortunately abundant, but lack of funds and volunteer animal advocates are the two main drawbacks to expansion,” she said. “If we could increase donations and volunteers, the program concept is limitless in our region.” Silver Whiskers is one of the highlights of what Faulkner does. “My favorite part of the program is when I receive a call or a note in the mail from clients telling me how much their lives have changed and how happy they are with their pet companion,” she said. “I will continue the program for as long as I can find money to fund it. There will always be Research has shown that pets can enhance the quality seniors needing pet compan- of life of lonely, ill or disabled people. ions and senior pets needing human companions.” person who would benefit from pet Donations and volunteers are ownership, call Faulkner at 399-7152 always welcome, and if you know of or email debbie@blackcanyonanimal any low-income senior or disabled sanctuary.com. ■

34 CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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Crossword Puzzle Across 1 Says more 5 Respond 10 Canton’s Starr 14 Father 15 Diamond flaw? 16 Large part of the globe 17 A man in Jeopardy 18 Transistor predecessor 20 Nebraska river 22 Surreptitious types 23 Farm equipment pioneer 25 S.C. time 26 Laser gun sound effect 29 Buck’s pride 31 Nothing more than 33 Sci-fi vehicle 34 Listlessness 36 Pastoral 37 Trample underfoot 39 Serves beer after beer 41 Like old records 42 Finger or toe 44 Bathing, body, and birthday 46 Rummy game 47 Imitates 49 Redcaps 51 Turn state’s evidence 52 Head of thick, stringy hair 54 Pageant headgear 55 “The Color Purple” star 57 Ascot relative 60 Impossible to miss 64 Fodder structure 65 Type of edition 66 First name in beauty 67 School in Britain 68 Mine finds 69 Name in chicken 70 Colors

Down 1 Immediately! 2 Pickle flavoring 3 Type of battleship 4 Singing group, perhaps 5 Deeply respectful 6 Seaver’s stat 7 Three-point lines, e.g. 8 Two-door 9 Platitude 10 Swings for the fences 11 Tempe Univ. 12 Make fun of 13 South Korea’s Roh ___ Woo

August 2014

19 Poet’s concern 21 BBC receiver 24 Sea eagles 26 A space case? 27 “Jagged Little Pill” singer Morissette 28 Egyptian gateway 29 Toto hit 30 First light 32 Coke’s partner 33 Fresh milk container? 35 Born fool 38 Dossier info 40 Wounded 43 Sweeten the deal 45 Luminary 48 Frappé relative 50 Rubbed out 53 Buddy-buddy 55 Individuals 56 Dome toppers? 58 Moisturizer ingredient 59 Cargo weights 60 Arafat’s org. 61 Something in the water 62 Mineral suffix 63 Modernist, for short

August 2014

Mesa County Club Activities • Friendship Force meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Community Hospital’s lower conference room. Call 260-4653 or visit www.thefriendshipforce.org. • Western Slope Coin Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the VFW Post 1247, 1404 Ute Ave. Get a free coin/currency evaluation before the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Call 241-1770 or visit ww.gjcoinshow.com. • Two River Sams Chapter, Good Sam RV Club, meets at 1 p.m. on August 26. For location, call 523-5625. • Grand Valley Knights is a group of auto enthusiasts that meet every Saturday from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. at Spoons Bistro and Bakery with their sport and classic vehicles. Call 462-6762 or visit www.grandvalleyknights.com. • Mesa County Genealogical Society meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Commons of Hilltop and at noon on the fourth Wednesday of the month (bring a lunch) at the Museum of Western Colorado. A help session is at 1 p.m. on the first Friday of the month at one of the Mesa County libraries. Call 640-2388. • Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays at the Masonic Lodge. Call 261-1670. • Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway meets at 2 p.m. on August 10 at Hawthorne Park in Grand Junction for Viking Day. Don’t miss Norwegian humor and activities. Burgers, brats and hot dogs will be provided by the lodge. Please bring a potluck item to share. Guests welcome. Call 245-5649 or visit www.vestafjelllodge.org. • Christian Women’s Network meets for lunch at noon at the Clarion Inn on August 14. Cost is $15. Program will be “Art and Chocolate” and Susan Chermack will speak about “My Brush with an Academy Award.” RSVP by August 9. Call 256-0749. • Grand Valley Woodcarvers Club meets 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month and from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays at the Redlands

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United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 523-5965. • Levis & Lace Square Dance Club has beginner classes from 7 p.m.8:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge. Call 936-8801 or 434-6541. • Art Jewelers’ Guild meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Grandview Apartments, 1501 N. First St. Call 243-1220. • Stamp Collectors meet the second Wednesday at White Star Electric at 7 p.m. Call 986-1502. • Western Slope Non-Smoking Singles meets at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month at Starvin’ Arvin’s in Clifton for lunch and games. The club also hosts special activities, and dines out on the fourth Wednesdays. Call 434-0803 or 589-9309. • Mesa Fiberarts Guild meets at noon the first Wednesday of the month at First Presbyterian Church, and at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Center for Independence. Call 243-3598 or visit www. mesafiberartsguild.org. • Post 2009 American Legion meets at 5:30 p.m. for dinner at The Atrium of the Grand Valley with a meeting to follow. All honorably discharged veterans are welcome to join. Call 242-9195. • Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club welcomes new members to play at 2923 North Ave. Open games are at 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. Call 243-7874. • The Brush & Palette Club meets on the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Art Center. Call 241-0410. • Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month at the First Congregational Church in the dining area, 1425 N. Fifth St. Call 640-2751. • Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 244 meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the VFW Post 3981, 503 1/2 Florence Road in Grand Junction. All former, retired and active sea service, U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard members are welcome. Call 434-0868. ■

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MESA COUNTY 35

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36 MESA COUNTY

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Thomasina Russell Concert Country/blues artist Thomasina Russell will perform at Two Rivers Center for Spiritual Living, 251 Colorado Ave. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and concert will be 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Tickets are $20 with proceeds benefiting Two Rivers CSL. Seating is limited.

August 2

High Desert Opera’s “Madame Butterfly” The production of Giacomo Puccini’s haunting masterpiece, “Madame Butterfly,” will be performed at 7 p.m. at Colorado Mesa University’s Robinson Theatre. The principal singers include Daria Somers as Cio-Cio-San (Madame Butterfly), Kindra Scharich as Suzuki, Clay Hilley as B. F. Pinkerton, Thom King as Sharpless, and Jack Delmore as Goro. Ticket prices range from $10 to $39. For more information and tickets, call 5239605. Tickets can also be purchased at Roper Music or online at www. highdesertopera.org. August 12

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The entry deadline for Rocky Mountain Collage Society’s members exhibit at the Art Center is August 12. The show will be September 3-29. For more information and to enter, email bthomp1926@aol.com or gayle starr48@gmail.com. August 17

Meditation Class & Happiness Toolkit

The Fruita Community Center will host the AARP SMART Driver Safety Program from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 324 N. Coulson St. in Fruita. Save money on insurance and keep up on newer traffic laws. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Preregistration is required. For more information and to register, call 639-2433.

Brings you

DINOSAUR DAY 2014 Saturday, August 23 Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita

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August 12

August 22

August 1

For details and to purchase tickets, call 433-7799.

In this class, we will learn meditations and new ways of thinking to improve our quality of life. By employing these tools, every situation can eventually become a source of happiness and growth. Everyone is welcome. This class is taught by experienced meditation instructor, Kate Franklin, whose light and practical presentation of modern Buddhism is easily applied to daily life. This class will be 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Yoga West Collective, 1025 Main St. in Grand Junction. For more information, call 303-813-9551.

Featuring

Compiled by Liesl Greathouse

Plans will hold two meetings in Grand Junction to hear from Medicaid clients about what is and is not working about how they receive their health care. One meeting will be from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Workforce Center, 512 29 ½ Road, and the second will be 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Center for Independence, 740 Gunnison Ave. It is also an opportunity for clients to hear about new initiatives of RMHP and there will be advocates available to help people with individual problems related to Medicaid. To RSVP, ask questions or request accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter, call 260-1804.

Mesa County Calendar

August 2014

- MIDN

Rockestra

Cross Orchards Historic Site Featuring . . . Jane Addams portrayed by Annette Baldwin John James Audubon portrayed by Brian “Fox” Ellis Alexander Hamilton portrayed by Hal Bidlack Rosa Parks portrayed by Becky Stone Also featuring Young Chautauquans from local schools

www.museumofwesternco.com/programs-and-events/ dinosaur-day/feast-of-skulls/

970.242.0971 www.museumofwesternco.org

August 2014 August 22

Tiara Rado Ladies’ Invitational Golf Tournament The game is 18 holes of stroke play, flighted by Tiara Rado staff. Golf prize money is an added purse. Payouts go deep into each flight. Also, situation prizes—longest drive and closest to the pin (flighted) will be awarded. An additional skins game is optional. There will be a raffle drawing, and a bag of local business information and goodies will be given to every participant. Cost is $68, which includes green fees, coffee and pastry bar, plus lunch at The Rock @ Tiara Rado. For details and to get an entry form, visit www.golfgrandjunction. net or call 241-0410. A donation will be made to St. Mary’s Cancer Fund with proceeds from the tournament. August 27 & 28

Free Alzheimer’s seminars Learn more about Alzheimer’s dur-

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com ing these free seminars offered at the Alzheimer’s Association office, 232 N. Seventh St. in Grand Junction. “Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters” will be at 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday. “Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s” will be at 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thursday. For more information and to RSVP, call 256-1274. September 2 through October 7

Victim Advocate Academy

Here’s your chance to find out more about being a victim advocate with the Grand Junction Police Department and Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. Victim advocates provide assistance to victims of crime and other traumatic events by offering crisis intervention, support and referral services. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening is the joint academy, put on by the victim advocate coordinators. If you are interested in becoming a victim advocate, call 549-5290. ■

Jack (left): “I’m about to pounce on you.” Jill (right): “I dare you.” - Nanci Cooley

River City Singles

MESA COUNTY 37

August 2014 Activity Schedule

“Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship!” Fridays at 5 p.m. - Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) meets in The DoubleTree Hotel’s lounge, 743 Horizon Drive. The first FAC meeting of the month is the business meeting. Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. - Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie Grose at 245-4995 for details. Tuesdays at 4:45 p.m. - Taco Tuesday in Bailey’s Lounge at the Grand Vista Hotel, 2790 Crossroads Blvd. Wednesdays at 5 p.m. - Dine out at the following locations every week. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie Grose at 245-4995 for details. August 6 - Boston’s August 20 - Edgewater Brewery August 13 - Rockslide Brewery August 27 - Olive Garden Sundays at 12:30 p.m. - Bowling Sunday and card games at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road. RSVP to Bob Lewis at 263-8462. Saturday, August 2 at noon - Enjoy billiards, games of pool and lunch at Bank 8 Billiards, 2460 Patterson Road. Call Mary Wynn at 255-7370 for details. Sunday, August 10 at 8:30 p.m. - Join us for a full moon hike of Serpents Trail. Meet at Albertsons in the Redlands. For details, call John Delehanty at 241-3171. Tuesday, August 12 at 9 a.m. – Join us for a day in Ouray for swimming and lunch. Meet at Orchard Mesa City Market. RSVP to Jim Spiegel at 424-2545. Thursday, August 21 at 5:30 p.m. - Restaurant Rove to Blue Moose BBQ & Grill, 2839 North Ave. Call Penny Hopkins at 712-2588. Remember the Western Colorado Senior Games on August 25-29. For more i nformation and to register, call 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org. See you Tuesday, August 5 for National Night Out in your neighborhoods!

38 MESA COUNTY

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Mesa County Beacon Bits Compiled by Liesl Greathouse

Weight loss surgery seminar If you are considering weight loss surgery, attend a free education session presented by the staff of St. Mary’s Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center. Learn how the different types of surgery work, who qualifies, and how St. Mary’s will support you as you change your life. Sessions take place at the St. Mary’s Life Center, 2686 Patterson Road in Grand Junction. Call 298-6400 to register. ·August 13 - 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. ·August 27 - noon to 1:30 p.m.

Rocky Mountain Health Plans turns 40 Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP) is celebrating its 40th anniversary. In 1974, physicians and community leaders in Grand Junction founded RMHP on the foundation that if everyone in the community had access to high-quality health

care, the quality and cost of care would be improved. In the ensuing years, RMHP expanded throughout Colorado. As the only health insurance carrier based in Western Colorado, RMHP has grown into a major employer and community participant. For more information, visit www.rmhp.org.

ARCH now ADRC: new name, same great organization Adult Resources for Care and Help (ARCH) will now be known as ADRC or Aging & Disability Resources for Colorado. ADRC is housed in the Mesa County Department of Human Services and will continue to provide the same excellent service to residents with the new name. ADRC is a resource center for older adults and adults with disabilities who are exploring options for long-term care services. ADRC connects adult disabled or elderly residents with basic needs such as transportation, handy-

man assistance, caregiver respite, and an in-home program called Home Connections. ADRC also has financial assistance programs that can potentially assist with durable medical equipment, dental and/or vision care that is not otherwise covered. (Please inquire about eligibility requirements.) For details, call 248-2746.

HopeWest receives perfect survey results HopeWest recently had an unannounced, onsite survey that takes place every 5-7 years for hospice organizations in Colorado. HopeWest received perfect results. The goal of the survey is to assure the hospice is following state and federal regulations—from administration organization to quality of patient care. The surveyors make visits to current patients, talk with family members and staff, review medical records, review policies and procedures, and assess the hospice’s quality management program. For details, call 241-2212 or visit www.HopeWestCO.org.

Western Colorado 2-1-1 works! As of June, Western Colorado residents can now dial 2-1-1 even from their cell phones to access important information about health and human services in Western Colorado. Until recently, only landlines could dial just 2-1-1 to reach an operator. Now, all major cell phone carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint have been tested and are working with the 2-1-1 dial. 2-1-1 is the national abbreviated dialing code for free access to health and human services informa-

August 2014 tion and referral. For more information, visit www.wc211.org.

GJ Golden Age Games Team brings home medals! Grand Junction’s Golden Age Games Team arrived home from the national games in Fayetteville, Arkansas with 17 medals. Nine Grand Junction veteran team members participated in this year’s games. • Mary Sonneborn won gold for bowling and horseshoes, and bronze for shuffleboard. • Tiger Adams won two gold in swimming, one gold in Horseshoes and one silver in bowling. • Emma Folnsbee won bronze for bowling, shuffleboard, dominoes and silver for horseshoes. • Linda Bishop won gold for precision walking. • Deb Scott won bronze for shuffleboard. • Ed Wacker won gold and silver for precision walking, and two silver in swimming.

Walk from Obesity Walk from Obesity takes place October 11 at Eagle Rim Park in Orchard Mesa. Registration, check-in, and Tshirt pickup will begin at 9 a.m. The walk will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Online registration is $25 and will be available until October 9. Onsite registration will be $35. To register online, visit walkfromobesity.donordrive. com. For more information, email maria.polen@sclhs.net.

Museum activities • August 7, 14, 21 & 28 - Cool Summer Nights at the Museum, 462 Ute Ave. Free from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Pawnee, a paint quarter horse, relaxes with his pal, Payton Bourdette, as they pose for a photo taken by Pawnee’s mom, Nanci Cooley.

August 2014 • August 14 - Changing Landscapes of Science Lecture at 7 p.m. at the Whitman Educational Center, 248 S. Fourth St. Topic is “Diamond Crystals of Colorado.” Cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. • August 21 - Oral History presentation at noon at the Whitman Educational Center, 248 S. Fourth Street. • August 22 - Downtown Grand Junction walking tour. Meet at Museum of the West, 462 Ute Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $5. • August 23 - Adventure Quest Festival, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at Dinosaur Journey, 550 Jurassic Ct. in Fruita. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for kids (12 and under). Activities include face painting, digging for dinos, bump and jump, obstacle course and more • August 23 - Feast of Skulls, 6:30 p.m. to midnight at Dinosaur Journey, 550 Jurassic Ct. in Fruita. Cost is $75 per person or $130 per couple. Reservations required. Call 242-0971.

Support groups

• Mending Hearts Support Group is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. This group meets from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th St. Call 2488844 for more information. • Caregiver Connections is open to all caregivers. This group meets from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th St. Call 248-8844 for more information. • MACHO Men, a cancer support group, meets at 5 p.m. on the second

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com Wednesday of the month at St. Mary’s Hospital’s Java City Café. For details call 298-2351. • St. Mary’s Stroke Support Group meets from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. on the third Friday of each month in the Grand Mesa Room of St. Mary’s Life Center, 2686 Patterson Road. Call 298-1929 for details. • Breast Cancer Support Group meets from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the Reflection Room of St. Mary’s Hospital (Entrance 25). Call 298-2254 for details. • GriefShare is a nondenominational Christ-based support group for those mourning the death of a loved one, Mondays 1 p.m.-3 p.m. For details, call Vicci Hofmann at 628-1453.

P R E S E N T E D

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MESA COUNTY 39

C O N S T R U C T O R S

Volunteer opportunities • RSVP connects individuals 55 and older to volunteer positions in any of our member agencies. For a list of volunteer opportunities and to register, call 243-9839. • HopeWest is seeking volunteers for a variety of positions. Volunteering can be as simple as one hour a month. Call Volunteer Services for more information: 623-8816. • Operation Interdependence needs volunteers to write notes for the troops, help collect products and pack civilian rations. Call 523-4217. • Gray Gourmet needs several adult volunteers to deliver a weekday lunch to homebound seniors in the Grand Valley. Volunteers are also needed to work at one of their senior dining sites one day per week. Call 243-9844 ■

LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2014

August 30 - 9 am to 4 pm M August 31 - 9 am to 2pm Canyon View Park (I-70 & 24 Road) M Grand Junction, CO 400+ Classic Autos & Specialty Vehicles M 33 Classes Featured Marque: Ford Mustang M Entertainment Music M Food M Swap Meet M Car Sales Corral See our Calendar for Full List of Partner Events

$5 Admission

(Children 10 and under FREE)

($35 for Saturday & Sunday)

Purchase tickets and register your car online:

westerncoloradoclassic.com P R O C E E D S B E N E F I T H I L LT O P C O M M U N I T Y R E S O U R C E S

FREE to a good home! 2 friendly Wethers that will make great pets. They eat weeds so, please don’t eat them. Call Lauren at 234-8005.

40 DELTA/ MONTROSE COUNTIES

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Delta/Montrose Calendar

We offer independent senior and family housing, home health services, in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, memory care,and assisted living. Senior Housing Grand View Meadowlark Court Grand Junction, CO Montrose, CO 970-256-9904 970-252-8272 Centennial Towers Montrose, CO 970-240-0110 Home Health of Western Colorado Skilled Nursing and Therapy Services (970) 240-0139

August 2014

Cimarron Village Montrose, CO 970-249-2010

Heavens View Delta, CO 970-874-5021 Family Housing Pavilion Gardens Montrose, CO 970-249-1200

Valley Manor The Homestead Care Center at Montrose Skilled Nursing Care, Assisted Living, Respite Memory Care, Care, Adult Day Program Respite Care (970) 252-9359 (970) 249-9634 Horizons Healthcare & Retirement Community Senior Montrose Skilled Nursing Care, CommUnity Meals Rehabilitation Center Memory Care, A community based Inpatient/Outpatient Respite Care, Meal Program Rehabilitation Rehabilitation (970) 835-8028 (970) 249-9634 (970) 835-3113 Senior CommUnity Care – PACE A program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (970) 252-0522

Compiled by Liesl Greathouse

montrosebotanical@gmail.com.

August 4

August 6

RSVP Colorado West is offering free personal Medicare counseling on an ongoing basis in Montrose and on selected dates in Delta. Appointments are required. In Montrose, appointments are available most days at the RSVP office, 121 N. Park Ave. in Montrose. Delta appointments are now being accepted for August 4 at the Delta Public Library, 211 W. Sixth St. in Delta. To make an appointment or for more information, call 249-9639.

This series will take place from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at Region 10, 300 N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose. The topic is “Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney: Beyond the Basics,” sponsored and presented by Region 10 and Brown & Brown, P.C. Registration required. For details, call 249-2436.

Free Medicare counseling

August 6

Living with Alzheimer’s class This free class presented by the Alzheimer’s Association will be from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at Sunrise Creek Assisted Living, 1968 Sunrise Drive in Montrose. For more information, call 256-1274.

Region 10’s Legal Education Series

August 9

Smokey the Bear’s 70th birthday party Come celebrate Smokey the Bear’s 70th birthday party, complete with cake and ice cream, from 10 a.m.2 p.m. at the Grand Mesa Visitor Center, Hwy 65 on the Mesa. This free event is open to visitors of all ages. For details, call 242-8211.

August 6

August 9 & 23

Come to the Montrose Botanic Gardens for a presentation on using native plants and other droughttolerant plants in your garden by Susan Carter of the Colorado State University Extension. This free event will take place at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Montrose Botanic Gardens on Pavilion Drive. Bring a chair and a lunch, if you’d like. For details, email

The Montrose Pavilion Dance Club hosts dances at the Montrose Pavilion, 1800 Pavilion Drive, from 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. On August 9, the Ghost River Band will provide music. On August 23, Country Plus will provide the music. Admission is $5 per person. Bring refreshments to share if you wish. For more information, call 252-7172.

Native plant presentation

Dances at the Montrose Pavilion

Custom Engraved:

Home appointments available

• Headstones • Stone Signs • Address Rocks • Sandblasting • River Rocks • Gifts & More

970-323-6658

Please call for an appointment

www.facebook.com/ MorrisMonument

morrismonument.com

1630 South Main Street, Delta

Life’s Legacy in Stone

August 2014 August 14

AARP SMART Driver Safety Course (Montrose) Montrose County Health and Human Services will host the AARP SMART Driver Safety Program from 8:30 a.m.1 p.m. at 1845 S. Townsend Ave. in Montrose. Save money on insurance and keep up on newer traffic laws. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Preregistration required. For more information and to register, call 249-2436, ext. 203. August 16

The Moonshiner’s Ball Habitat for Humanity’s second annual summer fundraiser takes place at the Habitat Barn, 1601 N. Townsend Ave. in Montrose. The Moonshiner’s Ball is a prohibition-era style hillbilly hootenanny. Think: “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” with casino night gambling for fabulous prizes, moonshine cocktails, fun food stations with amazing down-home cookin’ and boot stompin’ music. Proceeds from the evening will be directly invested into the building new homes. Tickets are $35 per person. You must be over 21 to attend. Tickets are on sale at the ReStore in Montrose. For more information, call 252-9304. August 18

AARP SMART Driver Safety Course (Delta) The Delta Bill Heddles Recreation Center will host the AARP SMART Driver Safety Program from 8 a.m.12:30 p.m. at 530 Gunnison River Dr. in Delta. Save money on insurance and keep up on newer traffic laws. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Preregistration

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com is required. For more information and to register, call 424-1778. August 19

Region 10 Lunch ‘n’ Learn This series takes place from noon to 1 p.m. at Region 10, 300 N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose. The topic is “’If it looks too good to be true, it probably is: Play it safe with fraud prevention” presented by Beau Ballinger with AARP. Learn the newest scams, fraud prevention and what to do if you have been scammed. For details, call 249-2436, ext. 201. August 23

Denim & Diamonds This is the only fundraiser of the year in Delta County for HopeWest. It will be 6 p.m.-11 p.m. at the Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 530 Gunnison River Drive in Delta. Tickets are $100, with underwriter and partner opportunities available. For details, call 874-6826. August 29

Music on the Green This free summer/fall concert series is presented by the Senior CommUnity Care PACE Program from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at 2377 Robins Way in Montrose. Bring your own blankets and chairs. Food and drinks are available, with concession sales benefiting the Senior CommUnity Care’s Legacy Program. For details, call 252-0522. ■ If you have an event or photo you would like to have appear in the BEACON, send it to: beacon@pen dantpublishing.com.

Lady loves her owner, Karsun Carlile and the rest of his family.

DELTA/ MONTROSE COUNTIES 41

42 DELTA/ MONTROSE COUNTIES

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Delta/Montrose Beacon Bits Compiled by Liesl Greathouse

Events for veterans The Warrior Resource Center, 11 S. Park Ave. in Montrose, has the following events scheduled for veterans in August. If you have not previously registered with the Warrior Resource Center as a veteran, bring a form of military ID with you. For more information, call 765-2210. • All veterans are invited for coffee from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. every Thursday. • All military spouses (of any branch or era) are invited to a luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on the last Friday of every month. • The public is invited to eagle head cane presentations at 1 p.m. the first Thursday of every month. Beautiful eagle head canes created by Black Canyon Wood Carvers and Wood Workers Guild of Western Colorado are presented to veterans.

Delta walking events • Second Saturday Street Fair -

Come down to Third Street between Main and Palmer Streets from 8 a.m.1 p.m. and enjoy entertainment, food, crafts, bags, cookware, health and beauty supplies, and more.

Montrose walking events • First Friday Stroll - On the first Friday of each month, stroll along downtown Montrose and see artist demonstrations, enjoy free wine tastings and in-store promotional events from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. • ReneWest Interactive Art Crawl - On the third Thursday of each month, stroll along the West Main Arts District in Montrose for fine art, fun activities, drinks, drama, music and special discounts starting at 5 p.m. • Historic Walking Tours and Cemetery Tours - Times and dates are subject to change. For more information, call 249-2085. • Cemetery tours take place at 4 p.m. on the last Saturday of the month. Meet at Grandview Cem-

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etery, 16216 Sunset Mesa Drive in Montrose. • Tuesday Alley Walk - 7 p.m., August 5. Meet at the Montrose Historical Museum, 21 N. Rio Grande Ave. • Saturday Alley Walk - 9 a.m., August 9. Meet at the Montrose Historical Museum, 21 N. Rio Grande Ave.

Support groups • Veterans PTSD support group meets at 10 a.m. Thursdays at the Warrior Resource Center, 11 S. Park Ave. Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 as verification of eligibility of services. Call 765-2210. • Stroke Support Group meets 11 a.m. to noon, twice a month, at Montrose Memorial Hospital’s Acute Rehab Unit. For details and meeting days, call Tim Ramsey at 318-2028. • Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support Group meets from noon to 1:15 p.m. Wednesdays at 645 S. Fifth St. in Montrose. • Caregiver Support Group meets 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays at Crossroads Assisted & Independent Living model cottage at 1380 Aspen Way in Delta. Call 773-4214.

August 2014 • Caregiver Support & Networking Group meetings are structured to be an all-inclusive group for caregivers who care for someone with dementia or any disability or illness in any living environment. For more information and to register, call 249-2436, ext. 203. • Caregiver and Early Onset Dementia Care Recipients meet from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. on August 6 at Region 10, 300 N. Cascade Ave. (Sneffles/ Gunnison Room) • Caregiver’s meeting takes place from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. at Hilltop, 540 S. First St. on August 21. • Mending Hearts Support Group, offered by HopeWest, is open to adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. • Delta group meets at 6 p.m.7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at HopeWest, 195 Stafford Lane. Call 874-6823. • Montrose group meets from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays at the Bosom Buddies Room, 645 S. Fifth St. Call 252-2520. • Cedaredge group meets at 2 p.m. Tuesdays at the Cedaredge Public

August 2014 Library, 180 S.W. Sixth Ave.

Volunteer opportunities • HopeWest in Delta and Montrose is seeking volunteers for a variety of positions. In Delta, call 874-6823 for more information. In Montrose, call 252-2642.

Club activities • Western Slope 4 Wheelers is made up of off-road enthusiasts who enjoy four-wheeling and who work to protect four-wheeling rights on our public lands. Meetings are at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Montrose Rod & Gun Club’s indoor range, 1211 6450 Road in Montrose. For details, call 275-0754.

DELTA SENIOR ACTIVITIES

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com ture - 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., August 20. Set sail on a one-hour sailing adventure and discover Colorado Mountain sailing at its finest. Try your hand at the helm, trim the sails, or just relax and enjoy the scenery of Ridgway State Park. The sailboat fits four passengers at a time. Picnic or hike while waiting your turn. Space is limited. Cost is $31. Bring a sack lunch. • 4-wheel Imogene Pass from Telluride - 6:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m., August 21. Imogene Pass climbs Tomboy Road from downtown Telluride to a summit of over 13,100 feet. The halfday trip is an intermediate 4-wheel drive road. Tour highlights include the Social Tunnel—the summit of

The following activities are offered at Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 530 Gunnison River Drive in Delta. To register, call 874-0923. • Community Evening Dances are held from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Cost is $4 per person. Please bring a snack to share.

MONTROSE SENIOR ACTIVITIES The Montrose Recreation District has the following activities scheduled for seniors 50+ in August. Register one week ahead. Events take place at the Montrose Pavilion, 1800 Pavilion Drive, or transportation departs from the Montrose Pavilion. Please arrive at each event at least 15 minutes early. For more information on any of the following activities, call 2524884. • Gunnison River Pleasure Park Float Trip - 8 a.m.-3 p.m., August 4. This trip is class I and II rapids that starts at the Gunnison River Pleasure Park between Hotchkiss and Delta. This is a mild float trip in which you can take in the beautiful scenery, Dakota formations, and Ute and Fremont Indian petroglyphs, while floating nine miles downstream to Austin. Watch for wild game and a variety of birds. The raft guide will educate you on the geology of the area. Cost is $65. • Hike Grand Mesa Lost Lake - 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m., August 14. Cost is $18. • Barnacle Bob’s Sailing Adven-

Trust is knowing someone is there to catch your fall. It’s knowing someone will be there when you need a shoulder to cry on. It’s knowing a promise made is a promise kept. Trust is something we earn everyday

Funeral Service & Crematory Mesa View Cemetery 682 1725 Road • Delta (970) 874-9988 105 S.E. Frontier, Suite F • Cedaredge (970) 856-3232 209 Bridge Street • Hotchkiss (970) 872-3151 311 Grand Avenue • Paonia (970) 527-3836 www.taylorfuneralservice.com

Imogene and the Red Mountain overlook—which offers astounding views of the towering Weminuche Mountains. Cost is $75. • Winery Tours Palisade -

DELTA/ MONTROSE COUNTIES 43 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., August 26 or 27. Enjoy tours and tastings at Plum Creek, Garfield Estates and Carlson Vineyards. We will also tour Z’s Orchards. Cost is $23. ■

MONTROSE ORAL SURGERY AND DENTAL IMPLANT SPECIALISTS • Specialist Implant Surgeons with Advanced Training • Most experienced implant team in our area • Implants for denture stability & implants for individual tooth replacement • Do your surgery asleep or awake • We work with your general dentist • Conventional, Mini & Orthodontic Implants Craig T. Cayo D.D.S., Dorcha W. Boisen D.D.S.

www.montroseoms.com

970.240.4485 • 600 S. Park Avenue • Montrose, CO 81401

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August 2014

Manufactured Homes RIO VISTA MOBILE HOME PARK BEAUTIFULLY SHADED lots available in Palisade’s premium 55+ mobile home community. Ideal for a single-wide modular home. Ph: 464-7798 for details.

Real Estate for Rent Downtown Location Two bedroom, 1.5 bath ground-floor duplex. Well maintained. Laundry room, covered and RV parking, storage. Downtown location. $900 rent with $1,200 deposit, plus electric bill. Available 9/1. 216-4474.

senior living in a parklike setting Friendly  Affordable  Safe Convenient  Comfortable

FRUITA

1120 Primrose Lane • Located in Fruita’s premier retirement community • 1559 Sq.ft. ranch style unit • 3 Bedroom, 2 bath, split bedroom design • All appliances are included • Landscaping, snow removal and clubhouse included in dues $218,000

125 Grand Avenue, Suite A

Mandy Rush office: 970-241-3939 cell:

970-260-1310

FRUITA

........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... Start running my ad in the month of .....................................................................

For this many months ...................... deadline :

20th of the preceding month

Real Estate for Sale

 Pay for it: Rates: $29 for 30 words or less. Additional words $1 each.

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nellie Bechtel senior apartments 245-1712 • 3032 North 15th Street

REDLANDS Louise Forster 970-250-9913

 credit card # ............................................................... name on card ............................................................... exp. date ..................................... cvc ........................

beacon, po box 3895, Grand Junction, Co 81502 fax: 1 800 536-7516 email: beacon@pendantpublishing.com

name ..................................................................................................................... address................................................................................................................. city ........................................................... state ..................zip ............................. telephone number ....................................................................

queStionS? Call Lisa M-TH, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 970 243-8829 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

1235 Wolfcreek • Parade of Homes People’s Choice Award 2004 • Lock & Leave - Maintenance Free • Large Courtyard - E. Star built Greenhome • Outdoor Living area 1891 Sq. Ft. • 3 Bedroom Ranch, 2 Bath, Large 2 car garage $259,000

c21louiseforster@aol.com

Miscellaneous Services 1979 E 7/8 Road

• 2.9 Acre Horse Property • 4648 Sq. Ft. 2 Story Home • Breathtaking view of Monument • Large covered patio, fire pit, waterfall • Hot tub and wet/dry Sauna $599,000

Hill & Homes, LLC Ben Hill 970-250-5002 www.benhill.com ben@hillandhomes.com

Dedra’s Hair and Nails On Wheels Licensed cosmetologist offering perms, cuts, shampoo sets, color, pedicures, manicures. Tuesday through Saturday afternoons, by appointment only. Service from Palisade to Fruita. 200-9799. Dedra.

Home Care - Work Wanted Efficient Home Care Services Experienced CNA available for appointments, shopping, cooking, light cleaning, companionship. Have other needs? Call Connie at 366-1366. Excellent references. Friendly service with a smile and a song.

August 2014 PASCO/SW, INC.

Skilled and unskilled homemaking and/or personal care. Skilled nursing, specialize in wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, CNA, social work, pre-op, post-op services. PASCO/SW carriers certification for Mi, children’s hospice and Tbi waivers. Please call for courtesy evaluation of your home care needs. Serving: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel Cortez (970)565-6833; Durango (970) 247-1211; Montrose (970) 240-1771; Toll Free (877) 685-6833

www.pascosw.com

Home Services Black Canyon Home Services Small Repairs, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Second home care. Visit our website at www. blackcanyonhomeservices.net. Montrose Area. Call John 209-2095. Flooring Great Scott’s Hardwood Floors. Installs, sand and refinish, residential, commercial, sports floor installation and stripping. Remote? No electricity? Not a problem! 25 years’ experience. 433-3539. SCENE CLEARLY, LLC Window cleaners specializing in making your day a little brighter! Grand Junction area. Call Frank Cordova at 242-1264. Antiques, Appraisals, Estate Sales With over 30 years in the antique, appraisal and estate sale business, Great American Estate Sales is the valley’s leader in appraisals and estate liquidation. Settling an estate, moving into a smaller home or just simplifying your lifestyle? Great American Estate Sales can provide a worry-free and quick solution. Free consultation. 216-8236. Professional Flooring Installer Insured and bonded. You purchase the tile, laminate, hardwood or vinyl, and I provide everything else. Special discounts. Call Bill for a free estimate. 245-3344. Reliable Estate Sales Are you in the midst of a stressful relocation or passing of a loved one? Let us handle the burden of personal property liquidation from start to finish. Contact Mark Bluhm at 2602327, cash4@bresnan.net or www. reliableestatesales.net.

Accessibility Services Grab bars. Walk-in tubs/showers. Licensed plumber/handyman. Serving Western Colorado since 1989. Free estimates. Compare and save! 985-1403.

Wanted to Buy BUYING OLD CLOTHING Costume jewelry, purses, sewing patterns and perfumes (pre-1970s). Call Linda 234-4736 or 1-800-572-7670. USED BOOKS BUY, SELL OR TRADE Gently used books on hundreds of subjects. Westerns, Romance, Mysteries, Suspense, Kids, Young Adult, Inspirational, and many others. Large Print. Special Orders. 242-3911. TWICE UPON A TIME BOOKSHOP, 2885 North Ave, Ste. B. Located in front of North Ave. Walmart and next to Subway. 10-6 Mon-Sat 11-4 Sunday. **Bring this ad in for $10 Trade Credit** CASH Paid for Old Stuff Wind-up men’s wrist/pocket watches, gold and silver jewelry, pocket/hunting knives, antique firearms, fishing gear, toys, BB guns, old Colorado bottles, old motorcycles, radios and amps, railroad, military, mining items. www. cash4oldstuff.net. Mark 260-2327.

For Sale Burial Plots 2 side-by-side burial plots in Grand Junction Memorial Gardens on North Ave. Garden of the Christus. Lots C59 – 1 & 2. Asking $2,600 for both. Call 702-647-1128 or email harsay@cox.net.

Help Wanted JACKFM Is hiring radio advertising sales representatives in Montrose and Grand Junction. Offering competitive wages, full or part time. Training available. For retired executives, smiling faces. Please email Debbie.v@taousa.tv Wendy’s NOW HIRING! Shift Supervisors and Crew Members. We are looking for smiling faces and positive attitudes. We offer competitive pay, discounts and a great working environment. Full-time and part-time employment available. Please apply at your nearest location in Grand Junction.

CLASSIFIEDS 45

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National Classifieds  August 2014 ADOPTION PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Talk with caring adoption expert. Choose from families Nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions 866-413-6296 Void In Illinois/New Mexico/Indiana APARTMENTS FOR RENT RETIREMENT APARTMENTS, ALL INCLUSIVE. Meals, transportation, activities daily. Short Leases. Monthly specials! Call (866) 338-2607 AUTO DONATIONS DONATE A CAR - HELP CHILDREN FIGHTING DIABETES. Fast, Free Towing. Call 7 days/week. Non-runners OK. Tax Deductible. Call Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 1-800-578-0408 AUTO’S WANTED CARS/TRUCKS WANTED! Top $$$$$ PAID! Running or Not, All Years, Makes, Models. Free Towing! We’re Local! 7 Days/ Week. Call Toll Free: 1-888-416-2330 GET CASH TODAY for any car/truck. I will buy your car today. Any Condition. Call 1-800-864-5796 or www.carbuyguy.com DONATIONS OR AUTO DONATIONS DONATE THAT CAR or REAL ESTATE to Saving Our Soldiers. Fast FREE pickup. Running or not. Full fair market value tax deduction. SOSCars.ORG Call 1-888-907-9757 HEALTH & FITNESS VIAGRA 100MG and CIALIS 20mg! 40 Pills + 10 FREE. SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. FREE Shipping! 24/7 CALL NOW! 1-888-223-8818 HEALTH/MEDICAL VIAGRA 100MG and CIALIS 20mg! 40 Pills + 4 FREE for only $99. #1 Male Enhancement, Discreet Shipping. Save $500! Buy The Blue Pill! 1-888-797-9029 HELP WANTED $1000 WEEKLY PAID IN ADVANCE!!! MAILING BROCHURES or TYPING ADS for our company. FREE Supplies! PT/FT. No Experience Needed! www.HelpMailingBrochures.com HELP WANTED!!! $570/ WEEKLY Potential ASSEMBLING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS from home + MAKE MONEY MAILING BROCHURES or TYPING ADS FOR OUR COMPANY!! www.HelpWantedWork.com HELP WANTED Earn Extra income Assembling CD cases From Home. Call our Live Operators Now! No experience Necessary 1-800-405-7619 Ext 2605 www.easywork-greatpay.com GREAT MONEY FROM HOME! WITH OUR FREE MAILER PROGRAM LIVE OPERATORS ON DUTY NOW 1-800-707-1810 EX 701 OR VISIT WWW.PACIFICBROCHURES.COM HELP WANTED - DRIVERS Frac Sand Owner Operators Needed Immediately in Texas! Requires tractor, blower, pneumatic trailer. Sting Services Pays 80%...Unlimited Work 214-250-1985 MISCELLANEOUS AIRLINES ARE HIRING – Train for hands on Aviation Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid for qualified students-

Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-686-1704 CASH FOR CARS: All Cars/Trucks Wanted. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Any Make/Model. Call For Instant Offer: 1-800-864-5960 CASH PAID- UP TO $25/BOX for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! 1 DAY PAYMENT & PREPAID shipping. BEST PRICES! Call 1-888-776-7771. www.Cash4DiabeticSupplies. com DISH TV only $19.99/mo! TV Simply Costs Less with DISH! Free Premium Channels*! High Speed Internet from $19.99! Local Installer Call: 888-803-5770 Get Lightning Fast High Speed Internet. AT&T U-Verse Plans starting at $14.95/mo! BUNDLE & save more with AT&T Internet +Phone+TV. CALL NOW. Offers End Soon! 800-9190548 HERO MILES - to find out more about how you can help our service members, veterans and their families in their time of need, visit the Fisher House website at www.fisherhouse.org Make a Connection. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks. Try it FREE. Call NOW: Call 1-877-7379447 18+ TOP CASH PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920’s thru 1980’s. Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg, and Gibson Mandolins/Banjos. 1-800-401-0440 VIAGRA 100MG and CIALIS 20mg! 40 Pills + 4 FREE for only $99. #1 Male Enhancement, Discreet Shipping. Save $500! Buy The Blue Pill! 1-800-213-6202 MISCELLANEOUS/SATELLITE TV DISH Free Hopper Upgrade! Bundle & save. TV & Internet @$24.99/mo. for TV. 2 yrs Free HD. TV anywhere on mobile phone or tablet with. Free 3 months Movie Channels. Limited offer. 1-800-508-8606 MISCELLANEOUS/WANTED TO BUY Want to purchase minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. MOTORCYCLES/WANTED TO BUY WANTED JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES 1967-1982 ONLY KAWASAKI Z1-900, KZ900, KZ1000, Z1R, KZ1000MKII, W1-650, H1-500, H2-750, S1-250, S2-350, S3-400 Suzuki, GS400, GT380, Honda CB750 (1969-1976) CASH. 1-800-7721142, 1-310-721-0726 usa@classicrunners.com TV/PHONE/MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTV, Internet, & Phone From $69.99/mo + Free 3 Months: HBO® Starz® SHOWTIME® CINEMAX®+ FREE GENIE 4 Room Upgrade + NFL SUNDAY TICKET! Limited offer. Call Now 888-248-5961 WANTED TO BUY Cash for unexpired DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! Free Shipping, Best Prices & 24 hr payment! Call 1-855-440-4001 English & Spanish www.TestStripSearch.com

46 KUDOS & KVETCH

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kudos\ku·dos Pee Pocket allows women to take

 “I love the Old Bag. She gives much appreciated advice. As far as I’m concerned she can call herself whatever she wants.” - Linda L., Grand Junction  “The Old Bag has earned the right to name her column anything she wants. I’m not offended in the least.” - Jennifer S., Montrose

 “While I don’t care for the name ‘Old Bag’ and I certainly wouldn’t want someone else to refer to me that way, it’s her moniker and I think she can do as she pleases.” - Tiffany H., Fruita  “My wife doesn’t mind when I call her an ‘old bag’ so I don’t she should either.” - Carl K., Grand Junction  “I’ve known the Bikkis for years. I’m so glad they made their way to our little hamlet in western Colorado. Our community is better because of it.” - Claudia K., Grand Junction

 “I’ve gone to Alpine Computers on two occasions to get work done on my laptop and each time they were friendly, prompt and reasonably priced. Thank you for having them in your paper.” - Emily T., Grand Junction

 “I’m not sure if others in the area realize how much the couple (Paul and Melba Wubben) in your music story have contributed to the culture of our town. Thank you to them and thank you for printing their story.” - Ed W., Grand Junction

Bogart, the BEACON’s mascot, wears a bowler to work.

a stand

kvetch\kfech  “I get your paper at the Denny’s in Clifton but I can’t ever find it at the Denny’s on Horizon Drive. Why not?”

By Cloie Sandlin

omen have reached the pinnacle of equality. Thanks to the Pee Pocket, we no longer have to use nasty toilets or race behind a bush while traveling in the mountains. We can finally pee standing up. Say what? I discovered the Pee Pocket in a press release that was emailed to me recently. It’s not unusual for me to receive emails promoting off-the-wall products such as spray-on hair for balding men, an inflatable unicorn horn for cats, shark socks and electrical outlet stickers. (In case you’re wondering, all of these products really do exist.) Emails like these usually end up in my trash bin without ever being opened. So what made me open this particular email? You have to admit the name is catchy. I suppose that in a world of euphemisms, a juvenile word like “pee” caught my attention. So what is a Pee Pocket? The Pee Pocket is a female urinary device designed for “any woman on the go who has to go.” Basically it’s giving women a way to compete with men if there ever was a pee-whilestanding-up contest—which we would still lose. (See reasoning below.) The email boasts several reasons of how the Pee Pocket comes in handy, including avoiding porta-potties and messy bathrooms, and being able to go when there is no bathroom available at all. Of course, I haven’t tried it. Pee Pockets are not yet available in stores. You must order them online at www.thepeepocket.com. While the YouTube videos that were linked in the email make for good laughs (not the pee-your-pants kind), I can imagine that peeing through a funnel is not as convenient and effortless as the videos make it look. First of all, you still have to find a private place to do your business. Sure, men do as well, but they don’t even have to pull down their britch-

August 2014

- Dennis E., Grand Junction

es. There’s no way we can pee just by unzipping our pants. You’re going to have to find privacy in that stinky porta-potty anyway, so you might as well save the $1.75 you’d spend on a Pee Pocket and hover. (Oooh! Apparently the Pee Pocket is now on sale for 95 cents—a steal— but I bet you they charge a pretty penny for shipping. Better buy in bulk.) However, for those of you with legs that are not as strong and steady as they used to be, it might just be a godsend. The Pee Pocket was created by doctors, so it’s made out of some state-of-the-art, waterproof material. But when you’re not used to peeing like a man, my advice to you is: Watch out for your feet! Fortunately, the packet comes with a disposable wipe (TP in a bag—always a plus) and a bag to put it in when you’re done. Just remember to aim the Pee Pocket away from the bag or any other belongings. You might need a bag to put your bag in and I would make sure you’re equipped with hand sanitizer just in case. The Pee Pocket is perfect for athletes, travelers, the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, parents of young girls, post-surgery patients and active women who enjoy the outdoors, sports, music festivals, camping, hiking, biking, traveling, etc. Now do you think there’s a product that makes it easier to go number two? I’m thinking the “poop chute.” Don’t forget to get a laugh out of the Pee Pocket videos on our website, www.BeaconSeniorNews. com. ■

Kevin: Oops! Sorry, I’ll put them on the list. By the way, readers, if you have a particular place you’d like to see the BEACON Senior Newspaper at, give us a call at 243-8829.  “I think a woman that calls herself an old bag is no lady at all.” - Ken T., Delta

 “One of these days people are going to see trash thrown up and down the base of Mt. Garfield. It’s the new Clifton dump. Where are the county commissioners or the BLM?” - Anonymous  “Senior Games, my ass. Blackjack is not a sport.” - Ted D., Grand Junction Kevin: Lighten up and live my friend. It’s just for fun.

“Years ago, we discovered the world of Greyhound racing. Angie was perfect for us. She was 1 1/2 years old, a runt and had never raced. I discovered she was receiving training at Crowley Prison, where the prisoners learned dog training skills and the dogs learned social skills. On the weekend of our 21st wedding anniversary, we went to pick out a dog. (I like to tell people that my husband took me to prison for my 21st anniversary gift.) She is a wonderful companion, as greyhounds are known to be. She turned 10 this May.” - Larry and Shauna Copley

If you have questions about aging we have the answers. We understand navigating the complex issues of aging can be confusing. You have questions and getting the answers you need can be frustrating. With one free call to the experts at Hilltopâ€™s Senior Helpline you can get all the information and support you need including caring for an aging parent, aging at home, dementia and Alzheimerâ€™s care, independent and assisted living options, community referrals and so much more.

Call (970) 244-0799 today and speak with a Hilltop aging expert or visit www.HilltopSeniorHelpline.org

Grandkids heading back to school? Got a little time on your hands? Make it count! SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE!

Upcoming Events

STROKE

SUPPORT GROUP

Become a Foster Grandparent volunteer Foster Grandparent volunteers serve as mentors and tutors to young students, and they really make a difference. Students blossom with one-on-one attention. No teaching experience needed. To learn more, call 298-9091.

GIVE THE GIFT OF INDEPENDENCE! Be a Senior Companion Senior Companion volunteers provide support and friendship to homebound elders who need assistance with grocery shopping, errands, and other everyday tasks. Without this help, many older adults would have to leave their homes for assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Call 298-9092 for more info.

DELIVER LUNCH AND A SMILE! Join Gray Gourmet as a volunteer Gray Gourmet volunteers staff eight meal sites and deliver almost 300 hot lunches per day to homebound seniors, Monday through Friday. For 86 percent of homedelivery clients, Gray Gourmet is their main meal of the day. Call 243-9844 to learn more.

Visit our website at www.stmarygj.org for information about our services, campus maps, and driving directions.

“We’re here for life.” 970-298-CARE (2273) 2635 N. 7th Street • P. O. Box 1628 Grand Junction, CO 81502-1628 An Affiliate of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System

BE THE FACE OF ST. MARY’S! Be a hospital ambassador St. Mary’s Hospital has always relied on the generosity of volunteers. Each year, more than 1,000 volunteers work in the hospital and throughout the community. From greeting visitors and delivering flowers to playing the piano in our lobby, we have a volunteer opportunity to fit your interests. Call 298-2012 or visit www.stmarygj.org for more info.

Stroke recovery education, relaxation, therapies, and discussions for those recovering from stroke and their loves ones. Third Friday of each month, 1:00-2:30 pm Grand Mesa Room, St. Mary’s Life Center 2686 Patterson Road NEXT MEETING: Friday, August 15, 1:00–2:30 pm Guest speaker: Logan McDaneld, MD, director of St. Mary’s Stroke Program Logan McDaneld, MD stroke trained neurologist

Weight Loss Surgery Seminars Learn how weight loss surgery works and

who qualifies at a free seminar presented by the staff of St. Mary’s Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center. Call 970-298-6400 to register. GRAND JUNCTION, St. Mary’s Life Center Wed., August 13, 5:30–7:00 pm Wed., August 27, Noon–1:30 pm MONTROSE, Holiday Inn Express Thurs., August 21, 5:30–7:00 pm “My mother and my sister both died of diabetic complications. I thought diabetes was my death sentence, too. Now my diabetes is gone.Gone!” -Lisa McGinnett, Palisade Gastric bypass surgery patient