Issuu

APRIL 2017

Vol. 30 No. 4

Mesa County’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 28,350 Readers.

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Home and Garden a ProsperousAdvertising Your Guide to by Team the BEACON’s

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ANTIQUE APPEAL

Why treasures stay timeless Photo by Melissa Trottier

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APRIL 2017

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APRIL 2017

EDITORIAL

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No, I’m not leaving, but I’m leaving this page By Kevin K. VanGundy

t was nine years ago that I began writing this monthly column in the BEACON Senior Newspaper. Often a joy and sometimes a chore, it’s always been from the heart and to the point. Also over those nine years, the BEACON has seen so much growth. Here’s a recap: • The monthly BEACON Senior Newspaper has quadrupled in size. • BeaconFest Boomer and Senior Fair has become the largest in the state. • Once a small section in the BEACON, Montrose-Delta spun off into its own monthly publication. • Our website, www.Beacon SeniorNews.com, has been awarded the best senior news site in the country three times in a row.

painful when you love your job but less so when you absolutely love the person taking your place. Starting next month, Cloie Sandlin, who has been with the BEACON for over seven years, will write this column. Cloie started here as an intern and has blossomed into one of the best editors I have worked with. Yes, I’ll still be around, but most of my writing will be relegated to page 46, where I can say stupid stuff and not get myself fired. By the way, you can join me there by sending your opinions (good and bad) to: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com or PO Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502

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And we’ve only begun As the baby boomers retire en masse, the BEACON will see even more explosive growth over the next nine years. This silver tsunami engulfing our country is bringing profound change with it and the BEACON is at the leading edge of this social phenomenon. We have recently purchased “Life After 50,” a popular senior publication that’s now in its 26th year of serving the senior community in Colorado Springs and the surrounding area. Publisher Bruce Schlabaugh and his fine staff have agreed to join the BEACON in educating and inspiring our readers to continue fighting for finding good health care, keeping Social Security solvent and maintaining their independence as they age.

Alas, the future is to the young As an entrepreneur, manager and mentor, your job is to train someone else to do your job and then move onto the next job. That’s particularly

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COVER STORY

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APRIL 2017

Antique appeal: Why treasures stay timeless By Diana Barnett & Cloie Sandlin

ntique stores are among the most visited locations in downtown areas for out-of-town visitors. But in a time where it’s common to hear words such as “downsizing,” “spring cleaning” or “minimalism,” why do people still buy antiques?

The difference between old and not-so-old To be considered antique, an item must be at least 100 years old. Pieces that aren’t quite as old are considered vintage or retro, and are just as coveted. The shelves at A Robin’s Nest of Antiques & Treasures, 602 Main St. in Grand Junction, are lined with almost any item you can think of from periods throughout history—jewelry, dishes, appliances, artwork, tools, furniture, decorative items, trinkets and more. If owners Shane and Robin Allerheiligen don’t have it, they’ll try to help you find it. They make a point of carrying a large assortment of items appealing to all ages. Inventory is supplemented by the shop’s 90 vendors, some of whom specialize in certain types of items or those from a particular

region or decade. Many vendors at A Robin’s Nest are age 50 or older. Some think of antiquing as a hobby and relish the hunt for rare and valuable finds. Others are simply looking to downsize their personal collections.

Sharing memories, telling stories Pat Garlitz, 75, has the distinction of being one of A Robin’s Nest’s longest vendors. She sold antiques at Cobwebs, which was the name of the store before the Allerheiligens bought it. While Garlitz doesn’t specialize in one particular item, she is especially fond of glassware and jewelry. In her family, she’s the designated collector of heirlooms. Some prized possessions in her own collection include her grandmother’s old trunk and her grandfather’s autograph book with entries dating back to 1899. “I was always the one in the family that kept all Grandma’s stuff,” she said. “I loved all those old things.” Starting off married life with little money, Garlitz shopped at garage sales and estate sales for second-hand furniture. While she browsed, other items would catch her eye. Eventually she reached the point where she had “too much stuff.” She started selling items in her collection after she retired and found joy in sharing beloved items with customers, swapping stories and reminiscing, while making a little extra money. Today, she shops local estate sales and auctions, and she and her husband spend several weeks in her father’s small Kansas hometown to see what treasures she can find. “Since we’re retired, it gives us something fun to do,” she said. “I like Pat Garlitz started collecting antiques when she got married and started to sell her “stuff” at A Robin’s Nest when she retired.

Robin and Shane Allerheiligen, owners of A Robin’s Nest of Antiques & Treasures, make a point of carrying a large assortment of items that appeal to all ages in the 20,000-square-foot store, which makes it the largest antique store in the area. going through people’s junk. You find out a lot about people by doing that.”

Making old like new Antiquing is a green industry. Down the street at Brick & Mortar Mercantile, 510 Main St., Becky Ripper takes this concept to another level by finding ways to repurpose vintage items and antiques to fit with a customer’s modern style. “It used to be that everything had to match,” Ripper said. “But that’s just not the rule anymore. In designer homes they accent [a room] with pieces that you never thought would go together.” Ripper sells a combination of items new and old, but old doesn’t mean falling apart. The reliable construction and overall quality of antiques appeals to many, and the fact that most are unique finds due to their age and rarity gives Ripper the opportunity to educate customers and share ideas on how antique furnishings can add flair to your home, no matter your style. Brick & Mortar Mercantile also consigns artwork by local artists. They carry some newer furnishings that share the same antique quality and rustic look, and pieces handmade by

vendors. Other “new items” are crafted from old collectibles.

Someone to enjoy it Every once in a while, a valuable relic or memento will make its way into the stores. Among the mercantile’s recent treasures is an original photo of famous cowboy Wyatt Earp’s wife. “You’ll never see that again,” Ripper said, adding that the area’s western heritage largely impacts the items for sale in the store. But why would someone let go of a treasure like that? “Sometimes people don’t know what they have,” Ripper said. Others don’t care. “They just want to get rid of it.” Although some items have been in a family for years, the chain of passing down family heirlooms will often stop with the current generation. If the kids don’t want it, parents and grandparents are often persuaded to part with it in hopes that someone else can enjoy it. “Younger generations often are not interested in old stuff, even though it has a family connection,” Ripper said. “They often look for more useful pieces; not something that can just be put away and taken out on special

APRIL 2017

COVER STORY

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occasions.” But parting with these treasured items isn’t always easy. “It’s easy to get attached to things, especially when you have something unique, valuable or if it has special meaning,” Ripper said. Although a lot of neat stuff finds its way into the 20,000 square-foot A Robin’s Nest, the Allerheligens try not to become attached. “If we get too attached to items, we might put too high a price on it, or not want to sell it,” Shane said. “We want to help other people with their collections.”

Something for everyone The line of restaurants and specialty shops in downtown Grand Junction brings in steady foot traffic to antique stores and other shops on the Main Street strip. The items on display in store windows draw in locals and visitors alike to see what gems are inside. Antique stores appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds because of the variety of items that make their way in and out of the store daily. Shoppers can uncover trinkets that conjure memories and feelings of nostalgia while others discover photos, wall art and décor items they won’t find anywhere else.

While women are the typical shoppers at antique stores, A Robin’s Nest and Brick & Mortar Mercantile carry a lot of western/ cowboy décor, tools, vintage toys and guns that appeal to men. Though some people just come in to browse, both Ripper and the Allerheiligens said that collectors often come in looking for something specific, such as items branded with logos like Coca-Cola, classic automobile memorabilia or old radios. Ripper said she has one visitor that pops in regularly looking for old clocks. “We just got three 100- or 120-year-old clocks in. They’re just gorgeous,” she said. “I can’t wait for him to come in and see them. If nothing else, he’ll educate me on them.”

Learning about history That’s another appealing aspect of antiquing. While some customers bring in items that are clearly antiquated or of possible value, dealers don’t always know the stories behind them. “Sometimes items find their way to us, and we have no idea what they are,” Shane said. Ripper said it’s impossible for anyone to know the history and value of everything. “People think that just because you own an antique store, you have

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ..............................Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher....................... Susan Capps Editor............................................. Cloie Sandlin Editorial Assistant................ Stephanie Summar Creative Director........................Melissa Trottier Graphic Design.............................. Valerie Sears Graphic Design.............................. Karen Jones Office/Sales Assistant................. Stacey Splude Account Representative................... Sue Bowen Account Representative............... Trina Molacek Account Representative........... Debra Romaniec Account Representative............... Heidi Gofforth Proofreader...................................... Jan Weeks Delivery...........................................Cora Gentry Delivery ................................. Lauren VanGundy Delivery...............................................JR Milner

Becky Ripper welcomes downtown visitors outside Main Street’s newest antique store, Brick & Mortar Mercantile. this vast knowledge of everything,” she said. That’s where vendors and customers help fill in the blanks. It’s common for people from all walks of life to come into the store and share what they know. Often, they will provide perspective about a piece based on their careers, childhood experiences, and the memories and stories they associate with a particular piece. “The things that are really precious are those [that] you know the story behind,” Ripper said. “Often vendors know [a piece’s] history and share colorful stories that make their pieces come alive.” ■

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 ph: 970.243.8829 fax: 800.536.7516 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 and Montrose 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 2017 • All Rights Reserved

First Friday Art Walk Meet the artists and vendors of Brick & Mortar Mercantile from 5-8 p.m. on April 7 during the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Grand Junction. Don’t forget to stop by A Robin’s Nest a few doors down. With no set closing time, it will likely be open for your perusal. You might just get lucky and find your next favorite treasure inside.

Cover Photo: Becky Ripper shares her passion for antiques, local artwork and refurbished items with customers who stop in Brick & Mortar Mercantile on Main Street.

FEATURE STORY

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APRIL 2017

A bigger canvas: Lee Bowerman paints the Western Slope

By Melanie Wiseman

ee Bowerman’s feet haven’t touched the ground for a good share of his life. Working atop ladders and scaffolding, this creative local artist has murals that can be seen throughout the Western Slope and beyond. Observers frequently say the murals are so realistic that they feel as if they could walk right into them. “People tell me it must be a God-given gift,” said Bowerman, 74. “I say it is a God-given gift, but it wouldn’t have been if I painted the way God gave it to me! I had to develop it, and I did some really bad artwork for a long time before I did any really good ones.” He is delighted to interpret a client’s vision into a mural where there once was only an ordinary wall.

The school of hard knocks You could say that Bowerman’s early years were founded on the school of hard knocks. He was raised by his grandparents, and by age 15, he had already lived in numerous towns in California, Arizona, New Mexico,

Colorado and Utah. It’s difficult to calculate the number of schools he attended, and being a student wasn’t in his nature. His high energy, sensitivity and imagination began taking shape in the form of drawing. “I’ve always drawn,” he said. “On my test papers, school notebooks, everywhere. My grandmother gave me a roll of wallpaper once and I covered the whole back of that thing with doodles and drawings.” He had the knack for it, but his unsettled upbringing and personal restlessness kept him from focusing on his talents for some time.

Refining skills, finding home Before enlisting in the U.S. Army National Guard, Bowerman spent some time in Grand Junction. While he was in the Army, he earned his GED certificate and enrolled in an art correspondence course. “It came natural but I didn’t understand proportions and perspective, and I had a severe right-leaning stigmatism,” said Bowerman. “The teachers who critiqued my drawings

Lee Bowerman and his mural of Monument Valley in his living room. discovered it and helped break me of it.” At 20, he was discharged and found an apprentice job at a sign shop just outside of Washington, DC. After nine months he was on the road again—to Chicago, Denver, then back to Grand Junction in 1965. “I left here at 17 with a sour taste in my mouth and when I came back I kissed the ground,” he said. “I said, ‘I’m home.’” He worked for sign shops, attended Mesa College and Rocky Mountain School of Art in Denver, then moved back to Grand Junction for good. Bowerman opened his own studio doing calligraphy, paintings, lettering, illustrations, signs and cartoons.

He sold his art, but continued to work for sign shops and outdoor advertisers to make ends meet.

His big break “For 35 years I painted red and black lettering on white backgrounds,” Bowerman said. “Finally, for the last 20 years, I’ve been doing what I really love.” In the late 1990s, Interiors, Etc. commissioned him to do small residential murals. Then Tally’s Restaurant on Main Street requested a mural on the front and inside of their building as part of a remodel. His imaginative artwork was visible

APRIL 2017

FEATURE STORY

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and getting recognition, leading to many mural jobs from Nevada to the Front Range, and up and down the Western Slope. “Murals really fit me. I fell in love with the idea of doing murals because it got me out of the studio,” he said. “I like working big where I can get the feeling of depth and illusion.” He also loves working with people. “I’ve never met a stranger and make friends very easily,” he said.

Art that’s larger than life Bowerman’s murals are as unique as the people and places requesting them. They can be seen inside and outside schools, restaurants, hospitals, therapy rooms, homes, businesses and the Grand Junction Visitor Center. “I don’t mind the scaffolding, and the ladders and the rain—that’s the nature of the beast,” he said. “Not only do I have the challenge of painting on tough surfaces, many times I have to incorporate windows, doors, beams, pipes and other obstacles into the paintings.” He painted a commemorative mural of a uranium miner on a corrugated metal garage on the Redlands. The heavy wave in the mural’s surface is unnoticeable. His first large mural on the south side of the former Art Depot build-

ing features his self-portrait, which can be seen from Highway 6 & 50. Bowerman said painting on the thick stucco texture was extremely difficult, as were the 100-degree July temperatures. He does private murals as well. “A homeowner in Aurora killed a mountain goat and showed me a photo of where he got it,” said Bowerman. “I painted the scene on the wall of their great room and the full-size taxidermy goat was mounted on the mural.” Bowerman recently completed his largest mural to date, a 16-by-65foot western town portrayed on the exterior wall of Fruita’s In the Middle Liquors. “I would dearly love to paint a mural in downtown Grand Junction that would really capture the feeling of 1920, where the old West meets the new West,” he said. Five years ago, Bowerman’s wife, Carol, requested an orange accent wall in their living room, and came home to find the beginnings of a portrayal of Monument Valley. “I have an absolutely intense love of this area,” Bowerman said. “The history and people are as interesting as anywhere I’ve been and more than most. I’m painting pictures of what I love." ■

Lee Bowerman’s latest mural and his largest to date is painted on the exterior wall of Fruita’s In the Middle Liquors. Photo by Melanie Wiseman

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RECIPES

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APRIL 2017

focus on people

our residents

their lives

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Steak Salad

with Creamy Avocado Dressing Recipe by: Michelle De La Cerda, www.thecompletesavorist.com

Ingredients: Creamy Avocado Dressing:

Steak Salad:

1 large avocado 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped

2 heads of leafy greens, washed chopped

1/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped

2 cups roasted corn

1 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)

2 roasted bell peppers, chopped

1/4 cup greek yogurt

1 medium cucumber, chopped

1/2 cup low-fat milk

2/3 cup chopped red onion

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup queso fresco, crumbled

1/4 tsp pepper

2 medium avocados, cubed

Pinch of cumin

1 lb carne asada, chopped

Pinch of cayenne

Instructions: Creamy Avocado Dressing In a food processor, add all the dressing ingredients but the milk. On medium speed, blend all the ingredients and slowly add the milk to desired consistency. Remove and place in a covered container and keep chilled until ready to use. Steak Salad Clean and chopped the lettuce greens and dry thoroughly. Mix the dressing and the lettuce greens together until well coated. Toss the steak, corn, cucumbers, peppers, onion, and avocado with the dressed greens. Add the crumbled queso fresco to the top, serve and enjoy.

APRIL 2017

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ASK THE OLD BAG

ASK THE OLD BAG Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd By Gayle Lagman-Creswick Dear Old Bag: I’m a widow of two years and have been dating a guy who is a widower of three years. I really like him, but he has very specific criteria for his next mate—looks, body size, sense of humor—and most recently he mentioned he doesn’t want anyone he might have to take care of financially. While I have enough money to take care of myself, I don’t have investments that pay much, and I don’t have enough to travel the world. I told him the truth, and I haven’t heard from him since. Should I contact him or let him go? Signed, Missing Him Dear Missing Him: I say let him go. He is looking for a good business deal and you are looking for love. There are legal ways of doing a prenup that could spell out these details; however, it sounds like he is looking for a good horse to buy, and you are not it. Move on to find true love. I’m not saying money is not important—it’s just not number one in my book. We all have criteria for a partner in our head, and when we’re dating we are constantly weighing those criteria. One of my requirements is that the person values the relationship above all else. I believe if the relationship is solid, the rest will fall into place. Good luck, OB Dear Old Bag: I’m finding that you can be married to a guy for 50 years only to find out that you don’t like him very much. It’s a low blow to come to that realization at my ripe old age of 69. We have always agreed on most important things, but we have different opinions on politics (to the point where I get so frustrated that I have to leave the room) and whether or not you should interfere in your adult children’s lives. Recently, he gave some advice to our married son and now he and his wife are not speaking to us. He has

changed from a reasonable guy to a bully. I have considered leaving him. What do you think? Signed, Wife

Dear Wife: Marital problems are tough at any age, but especially hard after you have invested 50 years into it. It’s possible there could be a medical reason for this, such as a small stroke, medication reactions, other brain changes, etc. It’s also possible that this could just be a part of aging—they say you don’t change a whole lot as you age, but you usually become more of what you are and have been. So if you’re someone who likes to advise your kids, you may want to advise them more as you grow older. See what I mean? Get him in for a good medical checkup, including a mental health inventory. Talk to your doctor about the changes. Don’t give up on this 50-year relationship just yet. Good luck. OB Dear Old Bag: I have a huge pet peeve. A few people in the retirement community where I live flip out as some of the residents lose a few of their abilities. They want them immediately shipped off to the health center and out of their sight! What is wrong with people? They act as if disability is contagious. My granddaughter is coming to visit and she is in a wheelchair with MS. I can just hear those yappers when I take my wheelchair-bound granddaughter into the dining room. What happened to “There but for the grace of God go I?” Signed, Ticked Off Dear Ticked: I don’t think there’s anything you can do to change those folks, except pray for them. Hold your head high and give thanks that you are not like that! OB ■

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

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APRIL 2017

The secret to a sparkling smile

Healthy Geezer, By Fred Cicetti

s time goes on, some of us get more and more self-conscious about our smiles. But is it worth it to get them whitened?

veneers. Whitening toothpastes don’t change the shade of your teeth, but can help prevent stains from sticking to them.

At-home methods Drugstore products include clear, peroxide-based gels you apply with a small brush and semi-invisible strips coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel that you place on your teeth. Doing the whitening at home under your dentist’s supervision is more popular and more effective. Your dentist will Why your teeth may have mold trays to your teeth and fill them yellowed with a peroxide whitening agent for The most common reasons for yellow you to use at home. teeth are: Some products are used at home about • Aging. As we age, we accumulate twice a day for two weeks; others are surface stains. The insides of our teeth intended for overnight use for one to also yellow and can be seen through two weeks. the outer enamel as it gradually becomes thinner over time In-office methods In-office whitening can take 30-90 • Tobacco that is smoked or chewed minutes and can require up to three • Beverages such as coffee, tea, red appointments. The whitening product wine and dark-colored soda is applied directly to the teeth and is • Foods such as blueberries, tomato used in combination with heat, a special sauce, curry and soy sauce light, or a laser to accelerate the whitYou can also have stains within a tooth. ening. These can be caused by too much fluoride or certain antibiotics during tooth Your cavities must be treated first, because the whitener can penetrate decay development. They are harder to treat and cause sensitivity. Whitening also than surface stains. does not work on crowns or veneers. Your options Regular whitening may not improve The least expensive option to whiten the appearance of a tooth that has had teeth is a bleaching system you buy root-canal treatment. A dentist can emover the counter and use at home. One ploy a special treatment to whiten the step up is a home-bleaching system tooth from the inside. that your dentist supervises. The most So what can you do? expensive procedure is getting your Your dentist can help you choose the teeth whitened in a dentist’s office. technique that is appropriate for you. Costs for all three options vary widely. I recommend seeing your dentist first You can also get your teeth whitened before putting chemicals on your teeth with bonded resins and porcelain without professional advice. ■

Based on clinical studies, whitening processes are effective—96 percent of patients with common stains experience some whitening effect. But be forewarned! Whitening has to be repeated periodically if you want to maintain a sparkling smile. The results can start to fade in a month.

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

APRIL 2017

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Green apples and your brain Dear Pharmacist By Suzy Cohen, RPH

hen I was chopping up green apples to put into my chicken salad, I wondered two things: 1. Does anyone else realize that apples are brain food? 2. Do people ever see their food as “medicine,” or am I just slightly neurotic? When I eat avocados, all I can think of is glutathione! Tomatoes, lycopene. Almonds, aspirin. Okay, I think it’s just me. Let’s move on. Green apples are rich in a bioflavonoid called quercetin, which is a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. A 2014 study published in the journal Neurochemical Research evaluated mitochondrial health in the brain as well as mechanisms that might prevent plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease from developing. Mitochondria are tiny organelles inside your cells that produce energy molecules for you that we term “ATP.” The body gets fat and sugar from meals but then it needs to be broken down into teeny weeny parts so you have energy, or ATP, to function in your life. This reaction is dependent on an enzyme called AMPK, which is the gas pedal in terms of how fast you turn that cheesecake into energy. We know that in Alzheimer’s patients, beta amyloid plaques in the brain cause mitochondrial stress and affect functioning of your ATP generators. The amyloid plaques gum up ATP machinery, as if you were putting Elmer’s glue in your gas tank. Long story short, memory is dampened, learning is stunted and you develop poor concen-

tration, reduced comprehension and brain fog. In the study, a group of mice received natural quercetin each day, while others were given a dose of the famous Alzheimer’s medication called Aricept. The animals treated with the most quercetin had the most positive benefits. These mice had fewer problems learning tasks and had a better memory. There was significant reduction in the amyloid plaque buildup, too. Finally, their mitochondrial function was evaluated and it had improved. There was improved health and function of the mitochondria deep inside the hippocampus—the memory center in the brain. The study showed that AMPK enzyme activity was markedly increased in the mice given quercetin (not Aricept), which is really good. When the AMPK activity was increased with quercetin treatment, it slowed plaque buildup. Scientists know that when this master switch of AMPK is flipped, your mitochondria respond. Additionally, microglial cell activity improves, inflammation goes down and blood sugar balance improves. Quercetin is a wonderful antioxidant sold at health food stores as a dietary supplement. You don’t need a prescription. It naturally occurs in apples, red onions, black and green tea, raspberries, cranberries, citrus and green, leafy veggies. I feel like my chicken salad with green apples gives me an advantage in my quest for better brain health. ■

HEALTH & WELLNESS 11

HEALTH & WELLNESS

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APRIL 2017

Breathe easy, Sneezy:

Natural regimens for allergies By Carol Alexander

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ast year, we bought a house in the middle of a hay field and moved in the first week of March. By June, my husband, Tim, could barely function for the runny nose and eyes, sneezing and congestion. Diagnosis: hay fever. Prescription: Claritin. Before anyone in our home takes a pharmaceutical product, I look it up in the “Physician’s Desk Reference.” Doctors use this monstrous 3,506page book to look up dosages, drug interactions and side effects before prescribing medications for their patients. While some folks feel perfectly comfortable taking Claritin on a daily basis, and even giving it to their children, we did not like what the PDR had to say. Consequently, my guy chose a different route, and through some trial and error, he finally settled on a natural regimen that works. Effective allergy treatment is twofold: Reduce contact with known allergens and work to reduce the body’s over sensitivity. You can reduce contact in several different ways.

Be aware of the pollen count. Most television weather forecasts give this numerical value indicating the concentration of pollen in the atmosphere each day during allergy season. Pollen counts in late summer rank highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. They are lowest after the rain. Armed with this information, you can determine if you should participate in outdoor activities on any given day.

Wear a mask. If you cannot change your plans

according to the weather, or if your employment keeps you outside, you can take a few precautions. You can wear a mask. It may not be a solution for the golf course, but Tim never mows or trims the grass without a mask. He complains of it being hot and uncomfortable but that beats the suffering he would endure if he didn’t wear it.

Use a neti pot. When the day is done, and he comes in for the evening, Tim uses a neti pot. A neti pot is a small vessel used to irrigate the nasal passages. You can purchase one at a health food store or pharmacy for around $15. Following the manufacturer’s directions, you pour a solution into one nostril, while tipping the head, allowing it to drain out into the sink. This procedure washes out any dust or pollen that can irritate and cause a reaction, thus reducing inflammation and congestion.

Reduce the body’s sensitivity. To reduce your sensitivity to allergens, begin a regimen of herbs and nutritional supplements that will match or exceed the effectiveness of pharmaceutical counterparts. Of course, anyone wanting to try herbal therapy in lieu of their doctor’s prescription should consult their physician or a professional herbal therapist first. Our family has used the following products with great success: freeze-dried nettle, quercitin with bromelain and effervescent C. Well known for its sting, the perennial flowering plant nettle has been appreciatedby man for its medicinal uses since the first century, AD. “Stinging nettle contains natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatories (including quercitin) that open up

APRIL 2017

HEALTH & WELLNESS 13

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constricted bronchial and nasal passages, making it a choice therapy for treating asthma and nasal allergies,” said Dr. James Duke in his book “The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook.” No other herb eases hay fever symptoms like nettle. From the last frost in spring until the first frost of fall, Tim takes a capsule of freeze-dried nettle three times a day between meals. The freeze-drying process maintains the active constituents of the herb at their highest potency and action. Buying the conventionally dried herb will cost less per bottle but requires taking more capsules to achieve the same effect. High in calcium, potassium and iron, stinging nettle has no reported side effects or contraindications. Because herbs build and nourish one’s immune system slowly, begin taking nettle about a month before you expect any symptoms to occur. However, for my guy, mowing, handling hay bales or using a chainsaw causes flare-ups in spite of his efforts. At the first sign of an inflammatory response, he takes a capsule of quer-

citin with bromelain. Quercitin is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid that maintains healthy histamine levels. And, according to “Prescription for Natural Healing” by Balch and Balch, bioflavonoids have an antibacterial effect and promote circulation, thus warding off the dreaded sinus infection. Bromelain is an enzyme found in

the pineapple that acts as an anti-inflammatory. Quercitin and bromelain are more effective when taken together than separately. Throw some vitamin C into the mix and it will enhance their absorption. Bromelain, however, acts as a blood thinner. Therefore, anyone taking prescription blood thinners, with a bleeding disorder, or facing surgery

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or childbirth, needs to consult a physician before adding it to an allergy regimen. Finally, Tim uses an effervescent C product. Caught away from home, suffering from a severe attack after mowing grass all day, someone handed him a packet of Emergen-C. When asked how it worked, he said it was instant relief. Master Herbalist Rachel Weaver explained, “This product delivers a high dose of useable, liquid C that goes right into the cells. As with all liquids, i.e. tinctures and teas, it bypasses the digestion process where it would lose some of its value.” Weaver believes that any brand may work just as well but says that if it doesn’t taste good, her children won’t take it. Go ahead, venture out this spring with confidence. By following a natural plan of action, you are sure to notice a marked difference. Who knows, maybe you’ll even be able to fire your lawn service. Tim did. And he is breathing easier. ■

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Silver and sensational:

Move over blondes, silvers are having more fun! By Melanie Wiseman

Janet Neil, 58, is used to people doing a double take at her, since up until two years ago, her swinging silver hair was a rich dark brown. She began going gray in her 20s and started coloring when her kids were still infants.

“Graying out is so liberating!” said Neil. “My hair grows so fast and it became cumbersome to keep up with coloring and touch up. Plus my hair is much healthier now without the chemicals.” Not a week goes by where she isn’t complimented on her hair by friends and complete strangers alike, which is something she never expected. “You’ll know when you’re ready,” she said. “There’s an awkward period of time, but just power through it!” The last time Neil colored her hair was right before her daughter’s wedding two years ago. “It was not looking ‘real’ anymore, as the rest of me was aging,” she said. “I decided to go with how God created me.” Her new silver look has inspired others, including her sister, to do the same. “It’s a great excuse to get a new wardrobe, too!” said Neil. “It’s fun experimenting with new colors I couldn’t wear before.” For others going gray, she suggests embracing purple shampoo, which helps treat gray hair that has a yellow tint. She also suggests switching all white, off-white and light gray clothing with new colors in your

Sue Springer said her silver hair fits her retired, western lifestyle.

Janet Neil said going silver is a great excuse to get a new wardrobe.

omen everywhere are bucking the double standard that silver-haired men are handsome, sexy and distinguished-looking, while silver women are just old. Tired of the constant battle against nature, they are laying down their arms (harsh chemicals, high costs, and the inconvenience associated with dye) and standing up to the opinions and expectations of society. They are embracing the beauty of going silver, loving it and boldly proclaiming, “I’m never going back!” According to stylists across the country, going gray has gone from dreaded to desired. Even the number of young women who are requesting gray dye jobs has skyrocketed. Many local women were thrilled to share their freeing personal silver journeys, and helpful hints for transitioning to healthy, gorgeous hair.

Turning heads

wardrobe.

Why wait? “I should have done it a long time ago,” said Betty Allen, 84, who colored her hair until two years ago. Now she loves the silver look and has no intention of ever going back. Part of the reason she did it was for her kids. Her daughter encouraged her to keep coloring, not wanting to admit that her mom was getting older. But Allen knew how old she was, and got tired of the expense and nuisance of trying to hide it. “My husband was all for it,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to try it. I encourage anyone thinking of going silver to do it!” She suggests transitioning to a full head of gray hair by coloring it lighter over a period of time. Snow white beauty Wylene Baker, 85, was shocked to find she was going gray at 30, and started coloring her hair brown. “When I was 50, my mother told me it was too harsh with my 50-yearold face,” said Baker. “I didn’t cry— she was just being honest and she was right.” She admitted that as she became grayer over the years, it was frustrat-

APRIL 2017

ing to deal with the “line of gray” that showed through her dye as it grew out, and it became harder to get the gray hair to accept and hold color. Even though it seemed like it took so long to grow out, Baker said having a shorter hairstyle helped the process go faster. There’s a time and season for everything, Baker said. She encourages others to be content in all circumstances and accept your age gracefully.

Gray is empowering Wylene’s daughter, Patty Rahl, 59, never even considered coloring her hair as it grayed. “I had my mother and grandmother as examples and thought they were stunning,” Rahl said. “They were my biggest driving forces in knowing that gray hair is beautiful.” As her blonde hair transitioned to gray highlights, Rahl’s hairdresser told her to never color it—she said people paid a lot of money every five weeks to have their hair look like hers. “There’s a perception that your face looks younger if your hair is all one color, but why can’t that color be gray?” Rahl said. “I think you look older and unnatural when your body is aging and your hair isn’t.” She said she knows people who have ruined their hair by coloring and perming it.

Patty Rahl, left, thought her mother Wylene, right, had stunning silver hair, which motivated her to go gray as well.

APRIL 2017

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“I’m not going to be a slave to that kind of maintenance,” she said. “Going gray is empowering!” Sue Springer, 66, would still be coloring her hair if she lived in the South, where going gray is less accepted. When she lived in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Carolinas, she made sure to maintain a youthful look for her real estate career. But moving to Grand Junction nine years ago changed her perspective. “Here I’m not trying to impress anyone,” said Springer. “My silver hair fits the Western lifestyle—relaxed and natural. I love the freedom.” Springer’s hairdresser was the reason she quit coloring—she encouraged her to embrace healthy silver hair. It’s a relief that her life doesn’t revolve around the coloring commitment. “Teenagers ask what color I use,” Springer said. “I laugh and say it’s natural, and they say ‘Gosh, you’re lucky!’” Springer said that going silver is an individual decision. You can always dye it again if you want to.

“Granny hair” is in Jennifer Hudson started going gray at 23 and started dying her hair at 26. “I decided to go gray by 40, even if I look 20 years older than I feel,” said Hudson, now 40. “I’ve enjoyed playing with different hair colors, especially red, but I got tired of fighting the gray. Coloring weakens your hair so it breaks and falls out. “I’d rather be gray than bald!” she exclaimed. Hudson’s transition recently involved coloring her hair gunmetal gray. “Most people dye their hair to get rid of gray, but I’m the opposite. It’s popular, so I decided, why not?” said Hudson. “Kids call the trend, ‘granny hair.’” For a fun take on the trend, Hudson suggests adding bright accent colors like pink and purple to silver hair. Now is the time to ditch the box color. Women everywhere are freeing themselves from stereotypes, going silver and looking sensational. ■

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LAUGHING MATTERS

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LAUGHING MATTERS Anniversary

The medical clinic

Submitted by Bob Breazeale

Submitted by Jan Weeks

Two women are having coffee. The first woman says, “You know, Sunday is my 17th wedding anniversary.” The second woman replies, “Congratulations! Say, which one is that? I know gold is the 50th and silver is the 25th.”

An old geezer became very bored in retirement and decided to open a medical clinic. He put a sign up outside that said: “Dr. Geezer’s Clinic. Get your treatment for $500. If not cured, get back $1,000.” Dr. Young, a recent medical school graduate who was positive that this old geezer didn’t know beans about medicine, thought this would be a great opportunity to get $1,000. So he went to Dr. Geezer’s clinic, complaining that he’d lost all taste in his mouth.

The first woman says, “It’s the maritime anniversary. When I married him, I thought he looked like a dreamboat. Now he looks like a tugboat.”

Easter Submitted by Ralph Bickel

Children gobble Easter candy Robins eat whatever’s handy April, month of modest means survives on worms and jellybeans.

When Dr. Geezer heard this, he said, “Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put three drops in Dr. Young’s mouth.”

The nurse administered the medicine and Dr. Young instantly spat it out. “This is gasoline!” he cried.

APRIL 2017

By now, Dr. Young had lost $1,000 and was angry. He stewed for a while, then returned to Dr. Geezer’s a few days later.

“Congratulations!” said Dr. Geezer. “You’ve got your taste back. That will be $500.”

“My eyesight has become weak,” he complained. “I can hardly see anything!”

A few days later, Dr. Young comes back to try to recover his money.

“Well, I don’t have any medicine for that,” Dr. Geezer admitted. “Here’s your $1,000 back.” And he handed Dr. Young a $10 bill.

“I have lost my memory,” he said. “I can’t remember anything.” “Nurse,” said Dr. Geezer, “Please bring medicine from box 22 and put three drops in the patient’s mouth.” But Dr. Young was onto him.

“But this is only $10!” cried Dr. Young. “Congratulations!” said Dr. Geezer. “You got your vision back! That will be $500.”

“Oh, no you don’t,” he said. “That’s gasoline!”

One mistake

“Congratulations!” said Dr. Geezer. “You’ve got your memory back. That will be $500.”

A guy walks into a bar, sits down, and orders a drink. The man on the stool next to him has clearly had a few and is wallowing in self-pity.

Look what you did. Carol and other seniors like her don’t have to face life alone. Your generous donations to St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation helped fund programs like the Senior Companion Program, which provides seniors with support and friendship and allows them to live independent of a nursing home. Read her story at facebook.com/StMarysHospitalFoundation

Submitted by Donna Romero

APRIL 2017

LAUGHING MATTERS 17

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The man turns to him mournfully, jabs his finger toward the floor, and says, “You see this floor? I laid it! I quarried the stone, poured the concrete and fitted the tiles! But do they call me ‘Jack the floor layer?’ No!” Puzzled, the first guy sips his beer and nods. Indignant, the second man pounds his fist on the bar. “You see this bar?” he says. “I built this bar! I cut down the tree, hewed the wood, sanded and varnished it! But do they call me ‘Jack the bar builder?’ No!” Despairing, he cradled his head in his hands and muttered, “But you kiss one goat…”

Missing car keys Submitted by Betty Ruth

My car keys weren’t in my pockets. Suddenly I realized I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the grocery store parking lot. My husband has scolded me many times for leaving the keys in my car’s ignition. He’s always afraid that the car could be stolen. As I looked around the parking lot, I realized he was right. The car was nowhere to be found! I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car and told them that it had been stolen. Then I made the most difficult call of all... to my husband. “I left my keys in the car and it’s been stolen,” I said. There was a moment of silence. I thought the call had been disconnect-

ed, but then I heard his voice. “Are you kidding me?” he barked. “I dropped YOU off!” Now it was my turn to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, “Well, come and get me.”

Retirement living with the emphasis on living

“I will,” he said. “As soon as I convince this cop that I didn’t steal your damn car!”

Cheapskate Submitted by Bob Breazeale

On John and Mary’s seventh anniversary, John happened to be out of town on business. To make matters worse, he was known as the town tightwad and had never given Mary anything except the time of day. She was feeling depressed, but then she got a letter in the mail from her husband. “I’m so sorry that I can’t be home for our anniversary,” John wrote. “We’ll do the town and celebrate when I get back. I love you. P.S., I’ve enclosed a check for you.” But when Mary looked at the check, she saw it was made out for 1,000 kisses. “That cheapskate,” she said. “He can’t even send me some money for a present.” Now both depressed and angry, Mary gets an idea. She writes a note at the bottom of his letter and sends it back. “I can’t wait for you to get home so we can celebrate,” her note reads. “I love you very much. P.S., the mailman cashed your check for me this morning.” ■

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APRIL 2017

Marijuana in the Grand Valley: It’s been a long, strange trip By Susan Elenz

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y husband, Frank, and I met in Greeley in 1973 while attending the University of Northern Colorado. We both enjoyed rock music and concerts, and along with that came marijuana—lots of it. I remember going to friends’ houses to watch “Saturday Night Live” in the ’70s and laughing our heads off while stoned. Weed was free-flowing back then. We knew it to be a harmless, natural substance that simply made you feel happy, hungry and sleepy. After graduation, we contemplated our futures. I was following my dream of being an early childhood

teacher. Frank, a psychology major, wanted to open a record store with his friend Mike. Greeley already had a great record store, The Finest Record Store, and Frank and Mike wanted one just like it. We’d heard that Grand Junction was a boomtown, and the two of them made a scouting trip here to check it out. The city did, indeed, need a record store. Frank and I had an outdoor wedding in Estes Park on August 23, 1975. The very next day, we packed the moving truck and headed west to Grand Junction.

Getting a business off the ground Frank and Mike had each received a loan of $1,500 from their parents to help open the store. Because the starting amount was so small and we had no income yet, the bulk of its merchandise had to be used records. The three of us, plus Mike’s girlfriend, donated our own record collections to sell at the store. We donated our stereos as well. The next question became what to call it. We settled on Smokestack Records. The name alluded to the marijuana that would be smoked while listening to records from a factory. By the time Smokestack Records settled on Rood Avenue (it later moved downtown to Fifth Street), other small record stores had moved into town as well. But a little healthy competition was good for business. Smokestack grew quickly from a used record store to one that sold new albums and drug paraphernalia like rolling papers, clamps, pipes and bongs, provided by Susan and Frank Elenz left for Grand Junction the day after their Estes Park wedding to begin their dream of opening the first record store in the Grand Valley.

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A Great Place to Call Home!

Smokestack Records grew quickly from a used record store to one that sold new albums and drug paraphernalia, even though pot was illegal at the time.

A boom and a bust The business continued to grow. Soon, tapes and video became new ways to hear and see your favorite musicians. Frank and Mike opened a second, larger store on North Avenue, near Mesa College. Airtime Records, Tapes and Video was the first video store in town. Business in Grand Junction continued to boom. Then, in the early ’80s, things began to change. The oil and gas industry left town, and the bust was felt all over the Grand Valley. Many of our customers were gone. Law enforcement began to clamp down on paraphernalia sales, and took Frank and Mike to court over it, fining them $100. They never had to pay because their Boulder lawyers appealed the case, but they removed the bongs from the store shelves and cases.

Changing times These days, marijuana is legal and sold in many different forms. As funny as it may seem, neither Frank nor I have any interest in using it recreationally anymore. We’re glad it’s been decriminalized and recognized for its medicinal qualities. We know friends who find daily relief from painful conditions using the creams and oils made from the plant. We’re pleased by the economic boom brought to Colorado from its legalization, and wish Mesa County could be so fortunate. Today, the old Smokestack Records sign can be found on the wall of Triple Play Records on Main Street. (Owner Rock Cesario was once a loyal customer and employee of ours.) It’s a nice reminder of a time gone by. ■

suppliers in Boulder. Many happy customers used to bring gifts of joints and ounce bags to Frank and Mike at the store. We had no issues with selling paraphernalia, even though pot was illegal at the time.

Around the same time, Frank and I, and Mike and his wife, were starting families. We decided to sell the business and go our separate ways. Shortly afterwards, Frank and I stopped smoking weed altogether and concentrated on our new jobs and raising our daughter. We disposed of all of our paraphernalia, though we have continued to enjoy all kinds of music and concerts.

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APRIL 2017

Handel’s “Messiah” brings joy this Easter season By Kathy Applebee

andel’s “Messiah” premiered in 1742 and has proven to be an enduring work. Each year, concert halls, auditoriums and churches around the world resonate with the music of this 249-page masterpiece, primarily at Christmas and Easter. So how has it grown in popularity despite a worldwide decline in attendance and the purchase of classical music? And how does the Messiah

Choral Society of Grand Junction raise $13,000 to put on this free concert annually? If you ask its founder, 73-year-old Ed Amos, he’ll give you a one-word answer: joy. “As the final ‘Amen” fades, [the singers] are out of air and tired not only from the performance, but also from 13 weeks of rehearsals,” Amos said. “But the joy captivates the audience and the participants. It lifts our

hearts.” He fondly recalled one singer who thanked him for the opportunity sing. She had been depressed, he said, and the performance “had brought the joy back to her life.”

An emotional oratorio Amos founded the choral society after participating in a similar group in Florida. But he was first smitten with the powerful oratorio (an opera without sets) at age 13, when his parents forced him to sit in the sixth row of a 7,000-seat auditorium at the University of Michigan because his sister was playing cello in the orchestra. Rod Harry, an 83-year-old tenor, is another original member of the group. His first experience with “Messiah” at age 7 also made a lasting impression. “We were listening to ‘Messiah’ on the radio when the broadcast was interrupted for a message from President Franklin D. Roosevelt,” he recalled. “It was December 7, 1941 and the Japanese had just bombed Pearl Harbor. It was in the middle of the Hallelujah chorus.”

From an idea to an obligation Funding for the Grand Junction society’s debut in 2004 came from Max and Jeanne Goodwin. “I was working with 80-year-old Max to repair his large, optical telescope at the top of his home in Mesa,” Amos said. “After we were successful, he asked me if I wanted payment and I asked him if he would be interested is supporting a group to perform Handel’s ‘Messiah’ annually. He responded with a $2,000 donation. That changed the idea of creating a Messiah Choral Society here into an obligation.” While the message and the music remain the same each year, the group strives to change the interpretation

Easter Sunday Performance April 16 at 2:30 p.m. Grand Junction High School Informance at 1:45 p.m. talks about the performers, instruments, Handel and the music itself. Double-booked? Come to the dress rehearsal at 10 a.m. April 15 at Grand Junction High School by featuring different soloists. Some are recruited from as far away as Washington State, New York City and even Transylvania. “This year our soprano, Winnie Nieh, is from San Francisco,” Amos said. “One year, our bass soloist, who is now the director of San Diego Opera, came from Egypt. He was tall and somewhat scary-looking. But when he rehearsed with us the first time on Saturday before the Sunday show, he was a knockout!” The 90-member chorus is comprised of volunteers like Sue Chapman, who will sing for the first time this year. She and the others started weekly rehearsals in January. “Everyone is very accepting. You catch the spirit right away,” she said. “You can see the joy on people’s faces; I hear it in the voice of the teacher I stand next to in the bass section.” Jim Warner, the group’s musical director and voice teacher, said the human chorus is a key component of the beauty of the oratorio. “They sing 20 different choruses and change from narrators to angels to a frothing mob,” he said. The April 16 performance will mark the society’s 13th production. The performance is free—a gift from to the public. For more information, visit www.mcsgj.org. ■

APRIL 2017

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The Music Man: Gary Ambrosier, honored music master retires By Melanie Wiseman

ary Ambrosier chuckles at the fact that he’s been called the Pied Piper and compared to “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” He characterizes himself as an advocate who will do whatever it takes for others to become the best they can be. May 1 marks Ambrosier’s final concert as director and conductor of the Grand Junction Centennial Band. He has spent 40 hours a month in this volunteer position for 14 years, which adds up to nearly 7,000 hours. “It’s been a long time, but it went by so fast!” he said.

A stellar career Ambrosier’s first memory of music is from third grade, as he watched a little girl in his class play the piano and asked her, “How do you do that?” He started lessons himself, and his musical abilities took off. He still plays the trumpet daily, and practices on the piano his parents gave him in 1955. These days, his resume reads like a textbook of degrees, music teaching and administrative positions, guest conductor clinics and seminars, prestigious awards, volunteer service and numerous other accomplishments. He attended Colorado State University and taught in three different school districts before coming to Grand Junction, where he taught band at Central High School for 15 years and was music supervisor at School District 51 before retiring in 2004. “I even taught junior high school PE,” said Ambrosier. “It seemed to pay off, as there were 22 in class and 18 ended up in band.” In fact, wherever he directed, the

bands doubled in size within the first couple years and thrived under his leadership. Over the years, he has received letters from former students. He had no idea the impact he made on them. He respected the kids, but demanded a lot, saying their accomplishments were his accomplishments. These same principles have guided his approach to the Centennial Band, which he auditioned for and joined in 2003. Coming into the band, Ambrosier wanted a program of challenging music that spanned a broad range of musical styles within a concert series noted for excellence. The all-volunteer Centennial Band was founded in 1972 and has brought western Colorado a variety of popular, novelty, patriotic and Christmas songs. Comprised of more than 60 men and women, they practice two hours every Thursday. The band performs three indoor concerts and 8-10 free outdoor concerts each year. He feels the band makes a unique contribution toward the enrichment of community life on the Western Slope. He said he knows by looking at the band members’ faces that they enjoy what they do. What he may not realize is that they are simply reflecting his own high spirits. ■

Grand Junction native american arts auction & appraisal clinic by the R.B. Burnham & Co. Trading Post

Rugs, Pottery Baskets, Katsina Dolls, Jewelry, Art, and More

April 7 & 8, 2017 Grand Vista Hotel

2790 Crossroads Blvd. Grand Junction

(Horizon Drive and Crossroads Blvd Intersection)

April 7 6:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm

Reception with refreshments – Free Presentation by fourth generation Navajo Trader Bruce Burnham – Free Appraisal Clinic - $15 per item for informal verbal evaluation. Reservation required.

April 8 10 am-Noon Auction Preview 1 pm till done Auction

Catch Gary Ambrosier’s final concert

No Entry Fee to the Auction, No Bidder Fee, 10% Buyers premium Other Native American artist vendors will be available.

Monday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. Grand Junction High School Auditorium For tickets, email: tickets@gjcentennialband.com.

Reservations for clinic: chatch@westcomuseum.org | 970.242.0971, ext. 2212

To join the Centennial Band, contact Ambrosier at 245-9313.

No Museums of Western Colorado curators will be participating in the Appraisal Clinic and no Museum artifacts will be included in the Auction. All appraisal expertise and auction items are supplied by R.B. Burnham & Co. Trading Post.

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Thank you

HopeWest Volunteers!

we recognize you During volunteer appreciation week

and we are grateful for you every single day.

You help us profoundly change the way our community experiences serious illness, aging and grief – one family at a time.

Come visit our Booth at

HopeWestCO.org

APRIL 2017

The future of farming By Paige Slaughter

he average age of the American farmer is 58.3 years old, a number that has steadily increased over the past three decades and will continue to do so. The statistic paints a gloomy picture for the future of farming. But does it tell the whole story? In January, agriculture enthusiasts from across the country gathered in the Grand Valley for two conferences: the 74th annual Western Colorado Horticultural Society Conference in Grand Junction and the fifth annual Western Colorado Food and Farm Forum in Montrose. With his keynote address “A Dirt Farmer’s View of the World,” Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association President Robert Sakata kicked off the WCHS conference with a simple message—farmers must tell their stories. The diversity of methods strengthens farming as a whole, and to support that diversity, farmers must get personal. To convince the room full of farmers in front of him, many of whom have been farming for decades, Sakata ran the numbers. Farmers, he explained, make up less than 1 percent of the U.S. population. If farmers were to reach everyone in the country, every vegetable grower would have to tell her story to 4,359 people. Every orchard or berry farmer would have to tell 2,292 people—and with the population growing every day, farmers are losing ground. Will we leave it up to farmers alone to tell their stories—to ensure the future of our food? Over the course of both conferences, an answer began to reveal itself. In Montrose, conservation agronomist Ray Archuleta began his keynote address with a poll. By a show of hands, the audience identified itself as a diverse mix of permaculturists, organic and conventional farmers, crop growers, tillers, non-tillers, livestock farmers and more. But it didn’t matter, he said. “You are all facilitators of life,” Archuleta said.

Most farmers were taught in school or in practice to battle Mother Nature, to pick up arms and fight for yields. For Archuleta, society has built agriculture on the wrong premise, and we have suffered ever since. “The soil is naked, hungry, thirsty and running a fever,” he said. “Nature is not a machine. It’s alive. We must remember that science is the lowest form of knowledge. It only tells us about our surroundings...[agriculture] has to be personal.” He went on to argue that farms are part of the earth, and yet we approach farming in pieces, looking at plants, soil and runoff as separate entities, when in fact they are all connected. When we begin to understand nature, emulate and nurture the earth, we’ll find ourselves closer to the natural system. Esteemed researchers from near and far presented their findings at both conferences. Speakers presented cherry trees and vibrant table grapes, mulch and cover crop strategies that promote healthier orchards, rain covers that improve fruit quality, tunnels that transform growing seasons and market trends that prove consumers are prepared to support local agriculture. One after another, they showed through their own unique stories that the future of farming is more efficient, more compassionate and more profitable. It’s true that farmers have aged. But could it be that the realm of farming is expanding beyond the definition our statistics are based on? What would the data show if we were to include farm-to-table chefs, community organizers, home gardeners and informed grocery shoppers? What would this picture look like if we all took it upon ourselves to tell the stories of farming? Farmers must tell their stories. But perhaps an even brighter future for farming depends upon those of us listening. Learn more about both conferences at www.coloradofruit.org and www.foodfarmforum.org. ■

APRIL 2017

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Protect the earth. It’s the only one we’ve got. By Arnold Bornstein

was sitting in my car, sipping a cappuccino on one of the first warm and sunny spring days we’ve had. I was people-watching as customers came in and out of our neighborhood chain restaurant. It was the usual morning rush that included utility and construction workers, men and women in business attire on their way to work, and people from the nearby adult communities dropping by for newspapers, coffee or other items. As I watched them go about their business, I’m sure none of them were thinking what I was—that Earth Day was approaching. It seems that some calendars may not even list the holiday. It appears the significance of some holidays are measured by whether it means a day off from work or school. I think for a long time I’ve had strong feelings about the importance of a healthy environment—about things like conservation, ecology, energy, global warming, clean air, clean water, endangered species and recycling. I recalled for the first time in years a visit to Nagasaki while I was in the Navy. Nagasaki was the site where the second atomic bomb was dropped in World War II—the first one was at Hiroshima. I took a walk in Nagasaki about eight years after the bomb was dropped and still saw devastation. We know only too well that weapons of mass destruction include those that are biological, chemical and nuclear. We also know that today’s nuclear weapons have the potential to make atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki look primitive. As an incurable optimist with faith in humanity’s ability to live in peace, I still have profound concerns about the environmental shape of the earth when it’s passed on to our children, grandchildren and their children.

The first Earth Day was on April 22, 1970, and is credited with leading to the founding of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that year and then the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. When you think of Earth Day, you may think about planting and caring for trees, which is something that hits home when you think about all the trees that had to be sacrificed for housing development, warehouses and truck ports. Scientists consider forests “the lungs of our planet,” in that they purify and protect water and soil, and give critical living areas to countless animals and plants. They note that destroying forests hurts the battle against global warming and increases soil erosion. The scientific term “biodiversity” refers to all of the Earth’s plants, animals and humans and their interaction with the environment. Perhaps this article is giving you flashbacks to your old high school biology class. Good. It may be easier to remind ourselves of simpler daily issues, such as the future of the world’s food supply and what the production of energy does to our land, water, air and outer space, and what our plans are for when the fuels run out. Native American Frank Fools Crow, ceremonial chief of the Teton Sioux, once said, “The survival of the world depends upon our sharing what we have and working together. If we don’t, the whole world will die. First, the planet, and next the people.” These are very real, everyday concerns. Yes, I think we actually can change the world, and I believe it starts by thinking more seriously about it. ■

Total Donations in 2016 - $98,512.64

24 TRAVEL

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APRIL

Growing up is Optional

Experience the magic of Disney

By Diana Barnett

loved “The Mickey Mouse Club,” and every Sunday evening, my family gathered around the television to watch “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color”—even though on our set, it was in black and white. What kid didn’t want to visit a Disney theme park after seeing the wildlife adventures, the spinning teacups and Sleeping Beauty’s castle on TV? Fast-forward a few decades, and my husband and I finally made the trip to Orlando to spend a week with my aunt and uncle at their timeshare at Walt Disney World. They

Diana and Brad with the Mad Hatter

had been there many times before, chaperoning students from the high school where they both worked on science-class field trips where they spent several days behind the scenes observing the physics of Disney World. Like most visitors, my aunt and uncle fell in love with the magic. This past summer marked my aunt’s 56th trip, so we knew we were in knowledgeable hands.

Lodging Disney World covers more than 43-square miles and includes four theme parks and numerous on-site accommodations, ranging from modest motel rooms to luxury resort suites. (For the young and adventurous, there are also campgrounds, which is the least expensive option.) Each resort is an experience itself. Explore the halls of the All-Star Movies Resort and look up to see statues of Disney characters tower over you. Or relax in the pool accented with waterfalls, fountains and greenery at the Wilderness Lodge. With over 30 lodging options to choose from, it’s important to do some thorough research to get the most from your experience. Don’t be intimidated by the high-tech MagicBand, the

their d, right, with Diana and Bra nd Jane, left guides, Tom a r u to d ce n ie er exp

computerized Disney wristband programmed to serve as your hotel room key and pass to the theme parks. You can also use it to pay for meals and Disney memorabilia. The cost of staying on Disney grounds is well worth the price, as it includes easy transportation to theme parks, resorts and anywhere within the complex via shuttles.

Inside the parks Even though shuttles can take you everywhere, there’s still a lot of ground to cover inside the park, which can require a lot of walking and waiting in lines. But scooters are almost as common as strollers within the park and can be rented by the day or week. They also fit easily on shuttles. (Another perk is that individuals using scooters or wheelchairs usually have a separate entrance to most park rides, allowing immediate access to ride seating for you and those with whom you are traveling.) It’s important to have a

strategy for visiting the parks. Of course, you’ll want to see them all. Day passes to the parks are less expensive the more days you attend. We planned on spending five full days at Disney. That way, we had a day reserved for each park, and an extra day to spend a little more time exploring the grounds or relaxing at the resort. One tool we found to be essential in our planning is the Magic Guide for Disney World app. Download it on your smartphone and you’ll have all the information you need to plan your trip and navigate through the resort, including detailed maps and information on each theme park, wait

from Tom and Alice derland” “Alice in Won

B Ki

L 2017

TRAVEL 25

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com riverboat and take a daring drop down Space Mountain. Observe the flawless detail of the animated characters in the Enchanted Tiki Room and It’s a Small World. Don’t miss 3D movies, after-dark experiences and special shows, such as Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, where classic Disney characters sing and perform in front of the castle at various times throughout the day.

Mickey Mouse prints

Hollywood Studios

times for rides and events, dining opportunities with prices and, most importantly, restroom locations.

Magic Kingdom We visited Magic Kingdom, the busiest park (and my favorite), on the first day while we were full of excitement and energy. Because this park is the most child-oriented, wait times are longer. But with day passes, you have access to a number of “Fast Passes,” which allow you to move ahead to a much shorter line and reserve spots for a particular time at shows and events. Here you can meet the Disney princesses, Mickey and Minnie, and other favorite characters. For thrills, visit the Haunted Mansion, ride on a

Brad at the Magic ingdom stockades

For a sweet treat, seek out Sunshine Tree Terrace or Aloha Isle and get yourself a Dole Whip, a highly acclaimed frozen soft-serve dessert.

Hollywood Studios We visited Hollywood Studios on day two, which brought back memories of all the movies and TV shows we love. With classic movie-themed shops and experiences and thrill rides, such as the Muppet Vision 3D, Twilight Zone’s Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster featuring Aerosmith, Hollywood Studios brings the wonders of cinema to life. Learn more about Walt Disney and his creative ventures in Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, a museum experience filled with multimedia stories and artifacts telling the story of the man behind the magic. We enjoyed lunch at the ’50s Prime Time Café, where we ate sitting in a convertible while watching black-andwhite reruns.

Animal Kingdom If you love nature and wildlife, you’ll enjoy Animal Kingdom, Disney’s educational zoological theme park, which is centered around the Tree of Life, a 14-story, 50-foot-wide tree, symbolizing the significance of all living things and their place in the Circle of Life. Take one of the trails that meanders through this area to view a tapestry of 325 animals carved into the bark of this

massive tree. Discover the wonders of many living creatures, such as elephants, giraffes, gorillas, butterflies and more. Sit in on shows featuring beloved characters from movies such as “The Lion King,” “Jungle Book” and “Finding Nemo.” There’s still your share of thrill rides, such as Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids, though they seem to be a bit tamer than some in the other parks.

Epcot Center Our tour guides saved what they considered the best for last. Epcot is where you can travel to other countries or explore outside earth’s boundaries without ever leaving the park. Lucky for us, Epcot was hosting the International Food and Wine Festival while we were there, which is held annually in October and November. We definitely saw more scooters and fewer strollers in this park. After touring Spaceship Earth, Epcot’s trademark giant geosphere, we worked our way around the international circle of delights—country pavilions that offer amazing samples of food and wine. Meet Disney characters in their native countries—like Belle in France and Jasmine in Morocco. You can also get into mischief with Donald Duck in Mexico and sing along with Mary Poppins in the UK. For those who appreciate flora and fauna, the landscaping here—as in all the theme parks—is absolutely beautiful. Disney World is not just for kids and young families. With easy transportation, technology and the variety of senior-friendly amenities, it’s a great place to visit and humor your inner child. Walt Disney understood it perfectly when he said, “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” ■

DISNEY WORLD MUST SEE Must sees at the Magic Kingdom: • Sleeping Beauty Castle • Jungle Cruise • Pirates of the Caribbean • Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room • Country Bear Jamboree • The Haunted Mansion • Liberty Square Riverboat & Tom Sawyer Island • It’s a Small World • The Hall of Presidents

Must sees at Hollywood Studios: • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! • Muppet* Vision 3D • The Great Movie Ride • Star Wars Launch Bay • Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage • Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream Fantasmic!

Must sees at Animal Kingdom: • Kilimanjaro Safaris—a ride on an open-sided vehicle and a chance to see African animals on the savannah terrain of the Africa area • Festival of the Lion King—live music, dancing and acrobatics in a theater-in-the-round setting

Must sees in Epcot Center: • Living with the Land • The Seas with Nemo & Friends • Soarin’—an amazing ride from the perspective of a drone

26 FAITH MOVES

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APRIL 2017

A truly holy week By Senior Pastor Steve EasterdayMcPadden, First United Methodist Church

COME GROW WITH US IN CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP!

8:30 am Contemporary Praise Service 9:45 am Christian Education (all ages) 11:00 am Traditional Service with Choir

First United Methodist Church, 5th St. & White Ave. (downtown) 242-4850 www.fumcgj.org

Experience God's love in a traditional setting.

oly Week, or Passion Week, begins with Palm Sunday on April 9 and ends with Easter Sunday on April 16. For some, it’s the most sacred season of the Christian year. During this time, Christians remember with great somberness the events of Jesus’ last week on earth and the sufferings he endured to provide salvation for all. Other Christians feel that Christmas is the most sacred season of the year. I can appreciate both perspectives. Without the Incarnation—God coming to us in human flesh, which we celebrate at Christmas—there would have been no Passion Week and no celebration of Resurrection. But without Passion Week, we would miss much of the meaning and awe-inspiring mystery of God’s willingness to “take on the form of a servant and become a human being” (Philippians 2:7) and experience the best and the worst of what human life offers all of us, even an agonizing death—the ultimate rejection by those he’d come to save. This year, Jews and Christians share the power and significance of this sacred week because our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread within this same time period. It truly is a Holy Week. The Gospel of John differs from the other Gospels in its telling of the timing of the events of the Last Supper, Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, his trials and his crucifixion and death.

The significance lies in whether Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples (per the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke) or whether he did not and so, in the view of the Gospel of John, became the Passover sacrifice. So this year, at First United Methodist Church, we are following John’s telling and remembering the Last Supper and Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet in a worship service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, and his death by crucifixion on Thursday, April 13, at 7 p.m. We will hold our traditional Good Friday service at noon on April 14. Our Easter Sunday services will be at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 16. The entire community is welcome and invited to join us. We believe expressing our faith through service is an important aspect of our Christian discipleship. Over the last year, FUMC has partnered with our friends at Connection Church in a ministry of serving breakfast to members of the homeless community at Whitman Park once a month. We have two weeks to serve in April: Easter Sunday, April 16, and April 30. This ministry has offered many in our congregation an opportunity to serve others in a meaningful way, and we are grateful for the partnership we have with Connection Church as we team up to live more fully in our mission of “worshiping God and loving one another by taking Christ to the community and the community to Christ.” ■

Holy Week Services at First United Methodist Church • Worship Service, Wednesday, April 12, 7 p.m. • Worship Service, Thursday, April 13, 7 p.m. • Good Friday Service, Friday, April 14, 12 p.m. • Easter Sunday Services, Sunday, April 16, 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Community Service Serve breakfast to the homeless community in Whitman Park • Sunday, April 16 • Sunday, April 30 To learn more about First United Methodist Church, call 242-4850 or visit www.fumcgj.org.

APRIL 2017

TALKING DIGITAL 27

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Don’t let accessibility issues ruin your computer experience

accepting

new patients

Talking Digital, By Adam Cochran

y friend, who used to conquer the BolderBoulder every year, welcomed me into his house by exclaiming, “Guess what? I walked sixtenths of a mile today!”

keyboard, which use internal physical switches to make electronic contacts, which means you have to press more deliberately (not necessarily harder) on the keys to produce a character.

I gave him a congratulatory hug. Besides being my friend, he’s my former church and scout leader, so I made a special house call to help him with a handful of computer problems.

Vision troubles Both Windows and Macintosh computers have numerous accessibility options that enable the user to change colors, font sizes and the contrast of the screen. There’s even a built-in feature that magnifies the cursor. But sometimes the size of the screen itself is the problem. People with macular degeneration may have a limited field of vision, and zooming in doesn’t help. I have a handful of clients who have replaced their computer monitor with a 42-inch or larger television screen, which can be purchased for less than $300 if you shop around.

My friend’s computer issues weren’t due to viruses or failing hardware. They were all related to struggles he was having as he attempted to use the device through his advancing Parkinson’s disease. I hope that this month’s column will help people in similar circumstances, as well as the families and friends who help them.

Are any of these familiar? Parkinson’s or other tremors Holding the mouse still and clicking the button is often impossible for someone with severe tremors. For those experiencing a loss of hand control or general dexterity issues, I recommend replacing the typical mouse with a trackball-style mouse. Trackballs enable the user to move the mouse and click the buttons independently without accidentally moving the cursor or icons while attempting to click. Dexterity issues Most computer users prefer as much sensitivity as they can get in their keyboards, as higher sensitivity means faster typing. For someone with dexterity issues, however, modern keyboards can lead to as much time spent deleting as typing. A better option is a mechanical

Vision impairment Windows and Macintosh both have built-in screen reading software that verbally dictates text on the screen. For blind users, there are software programs and specialized computers that can be operated without a mouse or monitor, but if basic vision impairment is the problem, built-in options should be sufficient. I encourage you to explore the features built into your computer, as they can simplify a number of tasks. On Windows machines, look for the “Ease of Access Center.” Macintosh calls it “Accessibility.” (As a bonus tip, most smartphones have similar options.) I guarantee that there are settings that will help you enjoy a more custom computer experience. ■

Send your technology questions to Adam in care of the BEACON, or email him directly at adamc@talkingdigital.org.

Comprehensive Medical Care Jeri White, D.O. Charlotte Chance, F.N.P. 2478 Patterson Rd. Suite #27

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28 FINANCE

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APRIL 2017

Do you know how to save on online brokerage fees? By Nathaniel Sillin

North Avenue Coins We Buy: • American & Foreign Coins & Currency • Jewelry • Stamps & Postcards • Scrap Gold & Silver • Sterling Silver • Antiques • WW2 Collectibles • Military Items • Colorado Historical Items

Get an offer from US before you sell! Over 40 Years Experience Buying and Selling Professionally. Paying $14 per gram and up for Scrap Gold! Open: Monday-Friday, 10-5 (Weekends by appontment.)

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f you’ve made it to a point in life where you’re ready to start investing, or at least start thinking about investing, you may consider opening a brokerage account. But you’re not alone if the thought of choosing a brokerage firm is foreign to you. While brokers have helped individual investors buy and sell investments for decades, the relationship and services have changed over time. Whether you’ve been investing for years, or are just diving in, it’s wise to occasionally compare brokerage firms’ offerings and costs and find the option that’s right for you. Trading-platform fees might not be necessary. A trading platform is downloadable software or an online app that you can use to make trades, view real-time quotes and news, perform analysis and set up your trading strategies. While platform fees can cost hundreds of dollars a month, many high-quality options are completely free. Others are free as long as you meet minimum account balance requirements. Trading fees are common, but prices vary. Brokerage trading fees can vary widely depending on the financial product and broker. Many online brokers charge a flat fee, typically somewhere between $5 to $10 per online trade for stocks or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Some brokers alternatively charge a fee per share, which could be a better option for day traders. Making a trade over the phone or with the help of a broker rather than on your own online could incur an additional fee (sometimes $20-$50). Mutual fund transaction fees may be higher than the cost of trading stocks, although some brokers have a list of no-transaction-fee funds. Higher trading fees don’t necessarily indicate better service, but the fees could help the brokerage firm invest in its trading platform, customer

service and research tools. Therefore, you’ll want to compare each firm as a whole—not just the trading fees.

More tips Avoid annual fees. Some brokers charge an annual fee, often $50–$75. You might be able to avoid the fee by maintaining a minimum balance in your account, or buy using a brokerage that doesn’t charge this fee regardless of your account balance. Don’t overthink account closure or transfer fees. It’s common for a brokerage to charge $50-$75 to close your account or transfer your holdings to a different brokerage. However, many brokerages will reimburse you when you open a new account with them. Optional services are just that. There are a few services, such as paper statements or premium research tools that often cost money but are easy to opt in or out of based on your preferences. How much would you save by choosing a low-fee brokerage? Unless you’re an advanced investor, there are likely a variety of brokerages that can fulfill your needs. Review the fees you’re paying at your current brokerage and the competition’s offering. Paying $5 versus $10 per trade might not be significant for every investor. However, that’s the difference between receiving $95 or $90 worth of stock when you invest $100. Everything being equal, spending the extra $5 means you take an immediate 5 percent loss, plus you miss out on potential gains. Choosing a brokerage with low fees helps ensure that your money goes towards your investments rather than overhead expenses. Low-fee brokerages aren’t necessarily worse either. Some still offer high-end services, advanced trading platforms and mobile apps that can satisfy the needs of most beginner or intermediate investors. ■

APRIL 2017

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Marriage: embracing the hike By Terry Pickens “Woohoo!” I shouted. My words were lost in the wind and the immensity of the landscape, so I turned in the direction of the wind. “Yahoo!” I yelled. That was a little more satisfying so I did it again. My husband Jim and I had been hiking for the better part of two hours on Rabbit Ears Trail, a nearly six-mile round-trip slog, uphill and rough most of the way. The sky was the particular shade of blue that can only be seen in the high deserts of the West. As we walked, I was thinking it was a perfect way to celebrate our 46 years of marriage. We’ve had our big trips and romantic dinners, but somehow, this particular hike suited the occasion. We were only 22 when we eloped to Las Vegas. It’s an age that seems impossibly young to me now, but wasn’t uncommon then. Here we were so many years later. There are many ways one might compare a long hike to a long marriage. The most obvious being that sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes you love each other madly. Other times you just keep going. There were entire years when we didn’t much like ourselves or each other, but through it all, we kept walking together on city sidewalks and trails all over the West. And we held hands. Even during the trying times, we walked forward together. When the sun cast our shadows ahead of us, the shadows merged so we became one. A few years ago, we’d begun using hiking poles to compensate for poor balance, so we could no longer hold hands when on a trail. Instead, we watched the path and our feet, and took the time to appreciate what was under them. We paused now and then and looked around at the magnificent scenery. Though the flowers were no longer in bloom, the desert was alive with animals. We spotted a small herd of

antelope drinking at a pond, lizards, ravens, rabbits and once a snake, which hurried under a rock. Occasionally we stopped in the shade of a boulder to drink water and eat a handful of trail mix. We’d hiked this trail three times in the past; the last time was 12 years ago. I remembered that it seemed a lot farther than the map indicated, but we’d both forgotten how much climbing and scrambling over rocks it took to stay on the trail. The guidebook said it was a moderate hike, but it seemed harder. At last, the trail dropped away and a stunning panorama spread before us. The vista beyond the river spread from Grand Mesa to the La Sal Mountains in Utah. The wind howled through the canyon like a freight train. No hurry—who knew when or if we would be this way again? I had thought the going back down would be easy. Just as at 22, I’d thought every year of marriage should be easier. I was wrong on both counts. Each year of marriage was merely practice for the next. We’d started hiking that morning later than planned but believed we carried plenty of water and trail snacks. We hadn’t bargained, however, on how much slower we’d become. We were nearly at the end when I suddenly had to stop and rest. Not one more step. As I stretched out on my back under a juniper tree, Jim said, “Look, you can see the pickup from here.” It might as well have been another mile. So I lay there looking at the sky and the sun through the branches of the juniper. I even took a picture because it seemed so impossibly fine to be there, exhausted but happy. Of course, I eventually had to get up and complete the walk to the pickup, so I did. We stopped in Fruita to celebrate our successful hike and marriage with a hamburger and milkshake. The path would have been much easier 46 years ago, but not nearly as satisfying. ■

30 BUSINESS PROFILE

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APRIL 2017

Starvin’ Arvin’s: the Holy Grail of handcrafted comfort food By Christine Feller

hat does comfort food mean to you? Is it Mom’s or Grandma’s handcrafted recipes? A warm and welcoming family atmosphere? How about affordability? Starvin’ Arvin’s has all that and then some. This is one of those homegrown Grand Valley institutions that makes a local wonder how long it’s been around. For loyal biscuit and gravy fans, this is the Holy Grail. The only things bigger than the biscuits are the homemade cinnamon rolls. Owner Arvan Jeffry Leany, who goes by Jeff, spends significant time in his restaurants, chatting up smiling guests and even helping bus tables. Leany started the business in 1983 at age 22. The first restaurant was Starvin’ Arvin’s Big Biscuit, located in

$1.99 • • • •

2 pancakes 1 French toast Biscuit with jam Cheese quesadilla with salsa

the Redlands Marketplace shopping center. The name gave away the size of the biscuits, which are still handmade today from a recipe by Leany’s mom, Donetta. Her green chili recipe is also used daily. Leany’s 82-year-old father, Arvan, still helps out here and there. The second Starvin’ Arvin’s opened on Horizon Drive in 1986. The logo, a cartoonish figure wearing a tall chef’s hat and licking his chops, was designed the same year by a Mesa College student. Things snowballed quickly from there—Leany opened more locations in Montrose (1989), Delta (1996), Fruita (1997) and Clifton (2002), and Pufferbelly Station, which opened in 1989. Each restaurant has its own special characteristics. The Clifton restaurant runs entirely on an engineered

VALUE MENU

geothermal system, and the Montrose restaurant regularly features gluten-free fare and organic eggs on the menu. The restaurants focus on using local, quality ingredients. In season, Leany harvests his homegrown English cucumbers, melons and squash, and buys locally whenever possible. It’s also the perfect locale for diners seeking salads that don’t use pre-cut, bagged lettuce—many types of whole lettuce heads are processed by hand and mixed for salad greens with depth. All the dressings are made from scratch. Bakers arrive at 5 a.m. to make the bread for French toast, their famous biscuits, sandwich buns and cinnamon rolls. Strawberry, raspberry and peach jams and jellies are all canned in the kitchen. A long-standing local meat company makes signature sausages from Jeff’s family recipes, as well as freshground hamburger patties.

Starvin’ Arvin’s owner Jeff Lea ny, right, and his son, Arvan III, left.

Feedback from guests is a key factor in the restaurants’ continued appeal to Western Slope residents. “We want to blow [customers] away,” Leany said. “Our guests are the bosses!” Starvin’ Arvin’s menu is varied and economical. There are $2, $4 and $6 breakfast standards, and dinner specials from $7.29-$8.99. You can find crispy, hand-breaded chicken filets and beer-batter cod, among other seafood, but the breakfast items in particular stand out. Visit one of the five Starvin’ Arvin’s locations on the Western Slope to see for yourself. ■

$3.99 • • • • • •

Biscuits and gravy 1 pancake, 1 sausage patty & 2 eggs Oatmeal Blueberry pancakes Pie & ice cream Chocolate chip pancakes

$5.99 • • • • • • • • •

Biscuit & gravy, 2 eggs & hashbrowns 2 pancakes, bacon or sausage patty & 2 eggs Sausage, 2 eggs, toast & hashbrowns Biscuit supreme Strawberry pancakes Berry pancakes Banana nut pancakes Small french dip with side Small cheeseburger with fries & soda

Open 6am-8pm 3247 F Rd, Clifton • 434-0777 555 Raptor Dr., Fruita • 858-8444

Jeff Leany chats up smiling guests at Starvin’ Arvin’s Fruita location.

APRIL 2017

BEACON GUIDE HIGHLIGHT 31

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The Kiwanis Club: putting kids first By Cecily Whiteside

cross the world, there are more than 8,000 Kiwanis Clubs. While every one of these civic organizations contributes to a different set of programs, all are united by a common mission: to change the world one child at a time, one community at a time. There are two Kiwanis Clubs that meet in the Grand Junction area. Golden K meets each Wednesday morning at Redland Community Center and Grand Junction Kiwanis Club meets on Thursdays at Two Rivers Convention Center. Through these two clubs, organizations that benefit the children and young adults of the Grand Valley have been awarded grants totaling more the $100,000 over the past 10 years. This year, the Golden K club put their foundation funds toward a child-driven project. “The Orchard Avenue Elementary School is building a new outdoor playground, which the school district cannot commit funds to,” said John Bacheldor who was the program director at Golden K Club until last year. “We gave them money for equipment and construction. It was conceived by the kids, and the kids drove the project.” Golden K has also given to the Marillac Clinic, HopeWest, Partners, Salvation Army and the Grand Valley Equine Assisted Learning Center. “We look for programs that are geared toward helping kids. We have

a committee that looks at the specific child-related need, and considers what we have available to give,” Bacheldor said. Gifts are made each fall and can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. The two major Kiwanis fundraising events each year are Golden K’s chili cook off in the fall, and the downtown Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast in June. “All of the money we raise for the foundation goes back into the community,” Bacheldor said. The club also makes wooden toys, which are given away by the thousands each year. Kiwanis Club members come from many walks of life and backgrounds. They’re bound by a commitment to their community. But there are benefits for club members as well as the children whose programs they support. “People make connections and network [at meetings]. We have speakers come present at our meetings,” Bacheldor said. Kiwanis provides resources and information for parents about local services and programs, camp opportunities for disadvantaged youth, scholarships for students heading to college and a celebration of secondary students through their Student of the Month program in local schools. For more information, or to join the Kiwanis Club, visit www.kiwanis-gj. org. ■

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APRIL 2017

Comfortable, affordable new housing for seniors: The Highlands opens in May 2017 By Sandy Higgins

he Highlands, Grand Junction’s newest affordable senior apartment complex, is ready for move-in at the beginning of May. Located at 805 Bookcliff Ave., phase one of the project includes 52 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom apartments, each with their own balcony. The second phase, scheduled for completion in June 2019, will add another 72 apartments. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the first phase is scheduled for May 4, 2017 and residency can begin the following day. The Highlands is a secured, four-story building with 24/7 emergency maintenance and senior-friendly conveniences and amenities on every floor. The first floor houses the property manager’s office, fitness center, sitting room and mailboxes. The service coordinator’s desk and space for social gatherings or fitness classes, such as yoga, are on the second floor. The third floor features an artist/ craft studio, game room, TV lounge and consultation rooms, and the top floor includes a library, computer room and even an observatory with a telescope. Laundry rooms and trash chutes are also located on each floor. Residents can stay active with ample walking paths nearby and can keep their green thumbs lively in the

community garden with raised beds. Transportation is no issue. Parking for cars and bikes is available and a GVT bus stop is conveniently located just outside the entrance. “We are hoping to keep [The Highlands] a community within a community and establish a social, healthy, energetic environment,” Grand Junction Housing Authority Special Projects Coordinator Danette Buck said.

Rent includes water, sewer, trash and natural gas, and pets are allowed with an additional deposit. According to Buck, there were over 1,800 income-qualifying seniors for affordable housing in Mesa County as of 2015. Eligibility is determined by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program, which is based on household size and HUD area median income figures. At least one household member must be 62 or older.

Grand Junction Housing Authority is partnering with local agencies to provide classes, activities and blood pressure checks to The Highlands residents for a small fee or free of charge. For more information about The Highlands and the application process, contact Grand Junction Housing Authority at 245-0388. ■

APRIL 2017

Healing cancer with invisible rays of energy By Kevin K. VanGundy

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

t’s amazing to think that roughly a century has passed since Marie Curie conducted the first experiments in treating cancerous tumors with radiation. One can only imagine what

she would think when seeing the new radiation oncology treatments being offered at Community Hospital. “I like to tell my patients that I heal cancer with invisible rays of energy,” said Dr. Ryan Bagley, radiation oncologist with Grand Valley Oncology. Indeed, Community Hospital’s new, multi-million dollar Varian TrueBeam Radiotherapy system looks and operates like something out of a Star Trek movie. Even the room that it operates in, with its thick cement walls, is a work of advanced design and engineering—it’s all built to deliver precise doses of radiation to the exact location of a patient’s cancerous tumor, thereby sparing healthy surrounding tissue and maximizing cures while minimizing side effects. Working with this marvel machine is Community Hospital’s highly

trained and experienced radiation therapy team consisting of Gayle Miller, MD; J. Ryan Bagley, MD; and medical physicist Charles Fuller, PhD, who work closely with medical oncologists, surgeons and specialists from other disciplines to provide this high quality, comprehensive cancer care. In partnership with University of Utah Health and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Community Hospital’s oncology program has become a highly sought after, full-service cancer center, offering both medical and radiation oncology services. “We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone for Community Hospital’s

radiation oncology program,” Bagley said. “It’s important that cancer patients have a choice in where to receive treatment locally.” For more information about Grand Valley Oncology and its services, call 254-3180 or visit www.grandvalley oncology.com. ■

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APRIL 2017

Video games are good for grandparents By Amanda Arnold

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fter a long day, one of Alice Karst’s favorite ways to unwind is to play video games. “I enjoy it. It’s my pastime, and a lot of times it’s a way I get my frustration out,” she said. Her interest was sparked decades ago during the Nintendo days, when her five children were little. Back then, it was a great way to spend time together, playing games like “Mortal Kombat,” “Street Fighter” and “Super Mario Bros.” Her kids grew up, and away went the games. Then one day she went to her son’s house and saw the first “Call of Duty” game. She instantly fell back in love with video games and started playing again. Now her sons bring her new games. Driving games aren’t her forte, but Karst enjoys playing such games as “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” “Halo,” “Mass Effect,” “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,” “DC Legends” and “Grand Theft Auto.” “I remember standing at the mall and waiting for the ‘Call of Duty’ games,” she said. She admits that when she started playing video games 17 years ago, she struggled with even the simplest movements, such as commanding the characters to walk. “Even online, people commented and laughed because I didn’t know how to walk,” she said. In addition to learning the mechanics of the game, her hands had to get used to moving the game controllers. It took time, but Alice can now play for hours, and her hands don’t hurt. When she sits down to play a game against one of her sons, or against strangers online, she doesn’t expect to win or even come close to being the best. She plays just for the fun of it. These days, many video games can be acquired through online downloads, but Karst prefers the hard

copy discs, because one never knows when a game console could break and all could be lost. There’s a pervasive myth that video games are just for kids. Karst promises that is just not the case, and she notices a variety of ages when playing online. Often, friends ask her for advice on getting into the hobby because many older adults think that they are too complicated. “It’s a learning process. If you’re new, you just have to learn like anything else,” she said. Mike Morris, owner of Gamerz Planet in Clifton, said that he sees customers of all ages come into the store to buy a game. He has also learned that he can’t guess what kind of game a person will buy simply by looking at them. “A lot of the fellow gray hairs come in. Instead of just watching TV, which can be passive, they are actually engaged in an activity,” Morris said. “They are giving the brain its workout.” He admits that he doesn’t get to play video games as often as he would like, but when he does, he prefers the Madden sports games, which stimulate his mind and handeye coordination. Several retirement homes in the Grand Valley go to Gamerz Planet to stock up on games for the Wii console and Wii Fit sets, systems Morris said are great for games such as boxing, bowling and skiing. It’s engaging, fun and even provides a workout. He reported feeling the workout in his muscles after a session. According to Morris, video games can contribute to a positive quality of life because they fire neurons and keep the mind sharp. In fact, Morris wishes his father had played video games in his later years. Next time the opportunity to play a video game comes up, remember— they’re not just for kids, but for people of all ages. Especially the young at heart. ■

APRIL 2017

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Egg-cellent art: Local artist paints unusual canvas By Susan Elenz

watched in awe as artist Cheryl Chittenden applied the hot beeswax to the fragile, hollowed-out duck egg with an electric kistka (a wax applicator with a tiny funnel) to create a tree design. Her hand was poised as she made her strokes gracefully with a high degree of precision. Chittenden, 65, is a detailed person with a vision. Her wax designs, created through a Japanese process known as batik, prove it. “I must have a vision and focus with the highest sense of consciousness to create the batik designs on each egg,” Chittenden said. “If I accidentally make a wrong stroke, it can ruin a design. I am always concentrating on the end result throughout the process.” The hot wax drawing is only step one. Sometimes she adds color details with a brush, which she later coats with more wax to preserve the color. Next, the egg is soaked in dye or several dyes. The eggshell is then heated in a toaster oven for about a minute, and must be turned often for uniform melting of the wax, allowing the designs to show through. When it’s ready, she dips it in polyurethane several times. For the finishing touches, she adds Swarovs-

ki crystals and covers the small hole in the egg, where its insides were blown out, with a decorative bead, stone or gem attached to a hook for hanging. The end result is a unique work of art worthy of display and adoration. Her work is displayed at several galleries throughout the area, including the Blue Pig Gallery in Palisade, Working Artists Gallery on Grand Junction’s Main Street and Rose Hue Gallery in Fruita. “It takes several days to complete each egg but I can do four to five designs in one day,” she said. Chittenden learned to use the batik method on eggs from a friend, and has been creating exquisite egg designs for five years now. “I broke quite a few at first, but I have always liked art and I finally found my niche,” she said. Chittenden uses a variety of eggs, but prefers to use large ostrich eggs because they show more artistry and detail. “This is not just painting on eggs,” she said. “Batik is a multi-step resist process. The small egg art could be described as a craft, but the larger eggs showcase the textures, design and art.” She has also used eggs from quail,

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chickens, geese, peacocks and emu. Each egg comes with its own challenges. She sometimes uses brown or speckled eggs in her art, and emu eggs must be painted more than other types, as they are naturally a dark emerald green. She used to blow out her own eggs but now she orders them pre-blown online. Chittenden said duck eggs are the most popular size she works with, and trees are the most popular designs. She also designs butterflies, birds, dragonflies, plants and flowers on the eggs. Chittenden said there are challenges to working on eggs as a canvas. “I have to think I’m walking through a forest and what do I see all around the tree to complete a circular design,” she said. Now that she’s retired,

Chittenden spends most of her time designing and exhibiting her art yearround—not just for Easter. “I’m too busy to do other things because I’m always doing egg art,” she said. “I love creating something that someone can enjoy.” She can personalize eggs with names and dates or meaningful designs. To place your special order with with Egg-xotic Egg Art, call 245-0323 or email chittenden77@gmail.com. ■

36 FUN AFTER 50

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APRIL 2017

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 am–4 pm. Annual membership is $15.

Senior Recreation Center Monthly Calendar of Events MONDAY THURSDAY 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 5:30 pm

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

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

9:00 am Cribbage & Pool Tourney 12:00 pm Gray Gourmet Lunch 1:30 pm Bingo

9:00 am 12:00 pm 12:30 pm 12:45 pm 1:00 pm

WEDNESDAY 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Ladies Pool & Cribbage Jack & Jill Pool Tourney Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) Gray Gourmet Lunch Pinochle & Canasta

FUN AFTER 50

9:00 am Cribbage & Dominoes 10:00 am Dance w/Music (1st Thursday) 10:30 am Membership Meeting 12:00 pm Pokeno (Starts at 1 p.m. on 1st Thursday) 7:30 pm Dance

Activities offered by GJ Parks and Recreation To register for these programs, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org. APRIL 22 Southwest Arbor Fest Enjoy Colorado craft brew tasting, live music, a mac ‘n’ cheese competition and tasting, a jalapeño-eating contest, arts and crafts vendors, Earth Day celebration and tree seedling giveaway at Southwest Arbor Fest, held from noon to 5 p.m. at Lincoln Park.

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

SATURDAY 9:00 am Bridge 1:00 pm Bingo

HEALTH

To make Gray Gourmet lunch reservations, call 243-9844. Cost $3.50

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APRIL 27 Pull Your Own Weight Learn how to use your own bodyweight as resistance and properly use the fitness circuit at Canyon View Park. Wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes. Class is free but space is limited, so please register in advance. TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS Gentle Active Yoga This class is designed for an active beginner and above. Class is at 8-9 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $7 to drop in or purchase a 10-punch pass for $50. MONDAY-FRIDAY Aqua Aerobics These aqua aerobic classes are for beginner or novice individuals. Class is 8:15-9:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Orchard Mesa Pool. Drop in for $4.50 or purchase a 12-punch pass for $46.50.

DANCE THURSDAYS Senior Dances with Live Music Dance from 8-10 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3.

SPORTS APRIL 8 Pickleball Clinics Learn to play pickleball at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $15. • Beginners Class: 9-11 a.m. Learn basic rules, equipment and basic play strategies. • Intermediate Class: 1-3 p.m. Learn playing strategy, court communication and team work.

VOLUNTEER Be a trail host! Spend time outside and have fun volunteering helping out on the Riverfront Trail. Get your application in now. Call Lorie at 254-3876.

SAVE THE DATE AUGUST 21-27 Western Colorado Senior Games Choose from over 55 different events to compete in. With activities designed for the weekend warrior to the seasoned athlete, there’s something for everyone age 50 and older. Registration forms are now available at the Grand Junction Parks & Recreation office.

APRIL 2017

MESA COUNTY 37

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Mesa County Club Activities Art Quilt Association (AQuA) meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the third Saturday in Grand Junction. Location varies. Updates at www. theartquiltassociation.com. Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at 2923 North Ave. Call 243-7874.

Grand Mesa Chorus, Sweet Adelines International, rehearses from 6:30-9 p.m. every Tuesday at the Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 255-9419 or 523-3464 or visit www.grandmesachorus.org for details.

Cribbage Lite meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays at IHOP. Call 201-7823.

Grand Valley Pets Alive meets monthly from 4:30-6 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Church of the Nativity. New volunteers welcome. Call 462-7557 for details.

Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 244 meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday at the VFW Post #3981. All former, retired and active sea service, U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard are welcome. Call 434-0868 for details.

Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday and at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 257-1549 for details.

Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the third Thursday at the Red Cross Training Center. Call 260-4653 or visit www.thefriend shipforce.org for details.

Grand Valley Woodturners meets the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 856-3632.

Golden K Kiwanis Club meets each Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. at the Redlands Community Center. Visit www.gjgoldenk.com to learn more. Grand Junction Chess Club meets from 6:30-11:30 p.m. every Monday in the Safeway Starbucks, 2901 F Road. If you don’t have a chess set, we loan sets out at no charge. For details, visit www.jctchess.com. Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday and 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2328 Monument Road. Email grand junctionrockclub@gmail.com for details. Grand Junction Newcomers Club meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. the second Wednesday at First Christian Church. Call 549-0439 for details. Grand Junction Petroleum & Mining Club meets monthly on the third Thursday. Visit www.grandjunctionpmc.com for details.

Help Heal Veterans’ Craft Center, 1670 North Ave., supplies hundreds of free therapeutic craft kits each week to military service members and veterans receiving medical care. Call 424-0499 for details. Knitting Club meets monthly from 6:30-8 p.m. on the fourth Tuesdays at Community of Christ Church, 2880 B ½ Road. Call 623-1455 for details. Mesa County Genealogical Society meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month at The Commons of Hilltop and at noon on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Museum of Western Colorado. Help sessions are at 1 p.m. on the first Friday at a library branch. Call 640-2388 for details.  Mt. Garfield Daughters of the American Revolution meets at 1 p.m. on April 8 at the Whitman Education Center. Rose Anne Kelley, Jury Commissioner for the 21st Judicial District, will present “The Role and Responsibilities of a Juror.” Call 242-7074 for details.

Not Going Quietly meets from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Two Rivers Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction. This group is intended to create a space of empowerment, grace, community and wisdom for individuals age 60 and older. Call 433-7799. Orchard Mesa Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month at A Taste of Heaven Catering. Call 424-4980 for details. Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets at noon Thursdays downstairs at the Mesa County Public Library Study Room B. Call 250-3969 for details. Thunder Mountain Camera Club meets monthly from 7-9 p.m. on the fourth Tuesdays at Western Colorado Community College. Visit www.thundermountaincamer aclub.org.

Two River Sams/Good Sam RV Club will meet at noon on April 22. For location, call 523-5625. Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway, meets at 11:30 a.m. April 10 at The Egg and I. Call 970-245-5649, or visit www.vestafjelllodge.org for details. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #3981 meets monthly at 5:30 p.m. on the first Wednesdays for a family style dinner and meeting at the Post Hall, 503 ½ Florence Road in Grand Junction. Call 778-8242 for details.  Western Colorado Astronomy Club meets the first Tuesday of every month Colorado Mesa University’s Wubben Hall, room 161. Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets monthly on the second Saturday at 9 a.m. at First Congregational Church. Call 640-2751. ■

River City Singles “Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship!” Fridays at 5 p.m. - Calling all singles over 50!

Meet new friends and play games at Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) in the Hideaway Lounge at the Travelodge, 718 Horizon Drive. You’re sure to find people who are young at heart with like interests. Membership in RCS is only $20 per year. Tuesdays at 9 a.m. - Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie at 245-4995 for details. Sundays at 12:30 p.m. - Bowling Sunday at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road.

RSVP to Bob at 263-8462. Wednesday April 5 at 4:30 p.m. - Meet for drinks at Boston’s, 2404 Patterson, then on to Banana’s Fun Park for laser tag at 6 p.m. There will be pizza in the lunchroom afterwards. Bring money for pizza and activities. RSVP to Fran at 307-262-7389. Tuesday April 11 at 2 p.m. - CPR lessons at Grand Junction Fire Station, 625 Ute Ave. RSVP to Melva at 433-8731. Thursday, April 13 at 11:30 a.m. - The Fun Lunch Bunch will meet for lunch at Old Chicago 120 North Avenue. RSVP to Penny at 712-2588. Wednesday, April 19 at noon - Bring a sack lunch, then tour the garden at the Mesa County Fairgrounds at 1 p.m. RSVP to Melva at 433-7389. Wednesday, April 19 at 2 p.m. - Game day at Mary’s. Play pinochle, Rummikub, Dominoes, Hand and Foot, and more. RSVP to Mary at 242-0630. Monday, April 24 at 10 a.m. – Meet at the DoubleTree parking lot to carpool to Dinosaur Journey in Fruita. Cost is $7. We’ll have lunch at Kannah Creek East, 450 Kokopelli Blvd in Fruita. RSVP to Judie at 250-5084.

38 MESA COUNTY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Mesa County Calendar APRIL 4 Herbal Medicine 101 From 6-7 p.m., Ellen Price, DO, will discuss the emerging and increasingly popular world of herbal medicine in the U.S. and how it works with today’s medical environment. The event is the latest in the 2017 Spring Speaker Series, sponsored by the City of Fruita and Family Health West. All presentations are held at the Fruita Community Center. Creating Scenes for Fiction & Screen Arn McConnell will speak on how to write a scene for the screen from 5:307:30 p.m. at the Mesa County Libraries’ Central Library. Author, professor, designer and award-winning animator, producer and director of films and commercials, Arn McConnell comes with thebackground and experience to back up his advice. He is the winner of

four Colorado Broad-casters Award for the Best Animation in a Commercial and three-time winner of Colorado Press Association Awards. Admission is free, but registration is requested at www.mesacountylibraries.libcal.com.

APRIL 5 Take the confusion out of Medicare If you’re new to Medicare, chances are that you’re confused! Find the answers to your questions at the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Project’s Medicare 101 educational seminar from 10 a.m. to noon at RSVP, 422 White Ave., Suite 090, in the lower level of the US Bank Building. This seminar is designed to help new Medicare beneficiaries understand their health options. Seating is limited. Call 243-9839 to reserve your spot. “Backyard Beekeeping for Beginners” Starting a beehive? Learn the basics

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The right community.

(970) 434-8193 435 32 Rd. Grand Junction Open: Mon.-Sat. 8:30-5:00 www.midlandsvillage.com

at the Mesa County Libraries Central Library at 6:30 p.m. Amanda Quigley, treasurer for the Western Colorado Beekeepers Association, will give a brief overview explaining the first steps toward beekeeping. Her discussion will include research, hive preparation and beekeeper support through networking. Participants will gain the knowledge they need to work toward starting their own hive. The presentation is open to the public at no charge. It is part of Mesa County Libraries’ “Beyond the Garden” series, held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.

APRIL 7 Showcase for library artist in residence Emmi Hall has been working as the Mesa County Libraries’ 970West Studio artist in residence since January. This open house showcases her accomplishments during her residency. The event, which lasts from 4-5:30 p.m., is open on a drop-in basis, and a short presentation will begin at 4:45 p.m. Sagebrush Sparrow Field Trip Watch and listen to singing sagebrush sparrows near the Colorado-Utah state line with the Grand Valley Audubon Society. Then look for raptors and long-billed curlew as we come back over Brewster’s Ridge. Trip is limited to 10 participants and takes place from 8 a.m. to noon. Preregistration is required. Cost is $10 for adults. Register by contacting Mike Henwood at 720840-5070 or mhawkhen@gmail.com. Boreal Owl Prowl Listen for boreal owls on the Grand Mesa from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Be prepared for a late night and cold weather. Meet at City Market in Clifton. Cost is $10 for adults. Preregistration is required. To register, contact Mark & Denise Vollmar at lone-Pine@charter.net or 623-4488. APRIL 8 Piano Salon at the Art Center The early influences of Latin American music on American piano styles date from the nineteenth century. Enjoy the “Latin Tinge” at 2 p.m. at the Art

APRIL 2017

Center. Tickets are $15 and available by calling 243- 7337, ext. 2.

APRIL 10 “Eating You Alive” This new feature-length documentary connects our food to the deaths of 1.7 million Americans each year. Stay for a Q&A session with local cardiologist, Dr. Maria Anderson. “Eating You Alive” takes a scientific look at the reasons we’re so sick, who’s responsible for feeding us the wrong information and how we can use whole food, plantbased nutrition to take control of our health. Doors open at 5 p.m. Film starts at 6 p.m. and takes place in the Colorado Mesa University Ballroom. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit www.eatingyoualive.com. APRIL 12 Cello and guitar duo to perform Acoustic Eidolon, featuring Joe Scott and Hannah Alkire, will perform on a cello and a guitar that were made in Grand Junction by cello maker Chris Dungey and guitar luthier Beau Hannam. The performance is at 7:30 p.m. in the Moss Performing Arts Center’s Love Recital Hall at Colorado Mesa University. Tickets are available at Roper Music and Back Porch Music, and at the door. For more information, call 778-6116. APRIL 16 Easter Sunrise Service on the Monument The community is welcome to join in worship at 6:30 a.m. for the Easter Sunday Sunrise Service on the Colorado National Monument at the Saddlehorn Amphitheater near the Visitor Center. Please enter at the west entrance of the Monument and arrive early as you will need to check in at the entrance gate (no toll required unless you remain in the Monument after the service). The head to Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way for a potluck. Morning service is at 9 a.m. and traditional service is at 11 a.m. For more information, call 245-1478.

APRIL 2017

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APRIL 19 & 22 Spring Bird Walk Join an experienced birder with the Grand Valley Audubon Society for a stroll along the Audubon trail to see and hear who’s back from their wintering grounds and gearing up for breeding season. Walks will last approximately two to three hours, but participants may leave early if they choose. Keep an eye out for lazuli buntings, yellow warblers, yellow-breasted chat, blue grosbeaks and red-winged blackbirds. Walks take place from 8-10:30 a.m. Meet at Redlands Safeway. APRIL 20 BeaconFest Boomer & Senior Fair The BEACON Senior Newspaper is having a party and you’re invited. The 17th annual BeaconFest Boomer & Senior Fair will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St. in Grand Junction. This year’s BeaconFest features an exciting lineup of entertainment, free food, lively semi¬nars and informational booths from senior-related agencies and businesses. Admission is free. Thousands of dollars worth of door prizes will be given away. A special ceremony will be held at 12:50 p.m. announcing the winner for this year’s Volunteer of the Year award and honoring nominees. For more information, call 243-8829. APRIL 22 “From Sketch to Digital Art: A How-To” The process of getting a sketch to a final digital interpretation can be a frustrating process. Learn the steps of getting your idea from paper to screen in this hands-on class at Mesa County Libraries’ 970West Studio. Participants will need to bring a small piece of original artwork to be digitized using Adobe Illustrator. The class runs from 9:30-11 a.m. Seating is limited and registration is required by calling 243-4442 or visiting the online events calendar at www.mesacountylibraries.org.

APRIL 15 Open House & TBM Avenger Historical Designation Celebration The TBM Avenger is the most famous torpedo bomber of World War II and it’s located at the Rocky Mountain Wing of the Commemorative Air Force right here in Grand Junction. Recently, it was designated as a historical property by History Colorado and was the first plane in Colorado to have garnered this designation! Come celebrate with us by seeing our TBM Avenger World War II-era plane, meet our members, tour our extensive museum (you’ve never seen anything like it!), and enjoy free refreshments. Admission is free. Bring the kids and the grandkids, and your sense of wonder and adventure. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get your hands on a piece of American aviation history. The celebration commences from 1:30-5 p.m. at the Commemorative Air Force Rocky Mountain Wing, 780 Heritage Way in Grand Junction. APRIL 22-23 Oil landscapes workshop at the Art Center This fun, two-day workshop is for artists wanting to gain more experience painting landscapes in the studio. A supply list is available at www.gjartcenter.org. The event lasts from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on both days, including an hourlong lunch break. The cost is $135 for members and $175 for nonmembers. APRIL 28 “Writing Mysteries is Murder” An awards banquet turns deadly when an investigative reporter is murdered. Audience members become suspects and deputies in this audience interactive mystery dinner theater at A Taste of Heaven Catering. Presented by Mesa Murder Mystery, the show begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.99 and available at www.cateringatasteofheaven. com. APRIL 29 Contra dance on Main Street Join in the folk dancing at the Margery Ballroom at 523 1/2, Main Street. The dance starts at 7:30 p.m., and a new dancers’ workshop begins at 7 p.m. All dances are taught and cued by a caller. Come with or without a partner in casual dress. Tickets for adults are $8. To learn more, call 260-5852. ■

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40 MESA COUNTY S E R V I N G

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G R A N D

J U N C T I O N

M O N T R O S E

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APRIL 2017

Mesa County Beacon Bits Vouchers to spay or neuter pets The Mesa County Animal Welfare Partnership and local veterinarians are teaming up to offer spay and neuter vouchers to Mesa County residents. The Animal Assistance Foundation has provided funding for more than 360 sterilization procedures, and local veterinarians will offer them to pet owners at a substantially reduced rate of $25. Owners will be required to provide proof of a current rabies vaccination at the time of the procedure. Individuals may be requested to provide proof of financial need or be able to communicate why they have a unique circumstance resulting in need. These vouchers are available through September 30. Participating veterinarians include: All Pets Center; Animal Birth Control; Amigo Animal Clinic; Arrowhead Veterinary Hospital; Cottonwood Veterinary Hospital; Desert Spring Veterinary Services; Jean Fromme, DVM; Footprints Animal Hospital; Grand View Animal Hospital; Orchard Mesa Veterinary Hospital; and Redlands Pet Clinic. Horseshoe Pitching Club offers April league Throughout the month of April, the Western Slope Horseshoe Pitching Club will offer a non-sanctioned, short league on Tuesdays. The abbreviated league is designed to give participants the opportunity to experience horseshoe pitching and decide if they’d like to join the league in May. The club provides equipment if necessary. Horseshoe pitching is an easy way to get exercise and have fun. Call Jeffrey McDonald at 2606287 with questions. Hilltop senior director elected chair of Colorado Nonprofit Association Board The Colorado Nonprofit Association (CNA) announced that Michaelle Smith has taken over as chair of the statewide association’s board

of directors. Smith has more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has served on the CNA board for five years. As the current Senior Director of Learning with Hilltop Community Resources, Smith helps provide wide-ranging human services to western Colorado’s residents. As board chair, she will play a key role in advocating for the nonprofit sector and providing services to the nonprofit community. Smith is placing a particular focus on increasing the association’s educational opportunities to rural communities across the state, including those in western Colorado. Explore western Colorado’s rock art Spend some time this spring learning about art outdoors! Instructor Ramana Konantz will lead a class on hikes that explore local examples of rock art. These classes occur on the following Saturdays: April 22, May 6 and May 20, from 1-4 p.m. Learn about the Fremont Indians and other groups that left behind images on the rocks and what those images might mean. The first class will be an art history lecture and discussion; the following two classes will be guided hikes to local petroglyph sites. Hikes will be intermediate level or below, and transportation is not provided. This class is $50 for members of the Western Colorado Center for the Arts and $90 for nonmembers. Remember to bring water. Home Care of the Grand Valley honored as topperforming agency Home Care of the Grand Valley received the national Home Care Elite award in November for being a top-performing home health care agency in the U.S. It was one of 500 agencies—out of more than 11,000 evaluated—to receive the Home Care Elite award. The recognition is given annually to the top performing Medicare-certified home

APRIL 2017

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health agencies in the U.S. HCGV is one of 131 agencies that have won the distinction for each of the past 11 years, placing it in the top 1.3 percent of home health agencies evaluated. Type 2 diabetes prevention program offered in Fruita Community members are preventing type 2 diabetes together with the PreventT2 Lifestyle Change Program offered at the Fruita Community Center. Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants are learning the skills they need to make lasting changes. The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment for people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes. Together, participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles. PreventT2 is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program and is possible at the local level because of the Mesa County Health Department’s approach to funding. Multiple groups meet at different locations throughout the county. This program is free for those who qualify (see enrollment criteria at www.fruita.org). For more information, join organizers for an informational session on April 24 from 10 a.m. to noon, email Cheri Delaney at cdelaney@fruita.org or visit www.cdc.gov/PreventT2. Employment Readiness Bootcamp at the community college Polish your resume, find the right job and impress at the interview with help from Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado Community College (WCCC). Join the university’s Career Services department at the following events, which run from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at WCCC. For more information, contact 2552800 or cec@coloradomesa.edu. • April 4 - Tackling the Resume and Cover Letter Dust off that resume and learn how to bring it back to life. Learn resume and cover letter writing tips to land you interviews for jobs, volunteer

experiences or graduate school. Time will be allowed for individual work and feedback. • April 11 - Conducting a Successful Job Search Eighty percent of all jobs are never advertised, which makes looking for a job even more challenging! This class offers the ten most effective job search strategies to get your search on track. • April 18 - Nailing the Job Interview Preparation is critical to your success in interviews. Learn practices and strategies that will help you be confident.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES • Mesa County 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. • Mesa County Spellbinders is looking for volunteers to learn a few storytelling skills and make a difference in children’s lives. Spellbinders tell stories to students in kindergarten through fifth grade once a month during the school year. To join, call 462-7346. • Colorado Canyons Hospital & Medical Center is looking for a volunteer to assist with the Activities Department on Saturdays. Duties include engaging with patients by playing games, reading and doing puzzles, and bringing snacks to patient rooms. To apply, visit www.fhw.org/volunteer or call 858-2211. SUPPORT GROUPS • Mending Hearts is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. Grand Junction groups meets from 2-3:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest. Call 248-8844. • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups for family members of adults who have a serious mental illness and connection groups for adults living with a mental illness.

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812-3687 Groups meet at various times and locations in Mesa County. For additional information, please visit www.NAMIWS.org or call 4623989. • Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision support group, meets from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 241-0315. • Compassionate Friends offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. The group meets monthly at 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Tuesdays at Unity Church, 3205 N. 12th St. Call 434-3822. • MACHO Men cancer support group meets monthly at 5-6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Hospital’s Java City Café. Call 298-2351 for details. • MS and Men, a support group for men living with MS, meets monthly on the third Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the Artful Cup. Call 241-8975.

• MS Breakfast Group meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the first Tuesdays at Village Inn, 757 Horizon Drive. Call 241-8975. • MS Arts & Crafts group meets at 4:30-6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of the month at the National MS Society’s local office, 521 Rood Ave. Pieces are available for purchase and proceeds will go to the NMSS. The class is for anyone living with MS, and family members, friends or caregivers of people with MS. Call 241-8975. • GriefShare is a nondenominational Christ-based support group for those mourning the death of a loved one. This no-cost group meets from 1-3 p.m. Mondays. For location and details, call Vicci at 628-1453. • Neuropathy group (Peripheral-Idiopathic) meets the first Tuesday of the month from 1-2 p.m. at Church of the Nativity, across from Redlands Middle School ■

42 FUN & GAMES

Remember when

a cell phone was something prisoners were allowed to use.

Remember when

Remember when Remember when Remember when

they couldnâ€™t say that on television.

music made sense. music made sense. music made sense.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

APRIL 2017

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FUN & GAMES

APRIL 2017

- Mini Implants to Stabilize Dentures and Partials - 0% Financing Options - Open Fridays - Laughing Gas Available For Relaxation - Friendly, Kind, Experienced Staff - Find Courage And Trust - We’re Here To Help

For the puzzle answers see page 46

Across 1 Per unit 5 Several Norwegian kings 10 WAC school 14 Mother Hubbard’s quest 15 Like some bulls 16 New York night spot 17 Ready for customers 18 Project Gemini rocket 19 Gael, for one 20 1955 Astaire musical 23 Use the unsharpened end 24 Apply bread to gravy 25 Mighty Joe Young, for one 28 Oink-filled pen? 29 ___, skip and jump away 33 Repairman’s reading 35 Log-on requirement, often 37 “Alice’s Restaurant” name 38 Asks to marry 43 Teheran V.I.P. 44 Arcane 45 Computer programming -language 48 Bygone pump name 49 Product of 48 Across 52 Nixon’s start and finish

FUN & GAMES 43

Turn to page 46 for your puzzle answers 53 Wine descriptor 55 Cardiolo-gist’s -concern 57 Margaux’s grandfather 62 Blow, as bucks 64 Scaler’s spike 65 Fam. -members 66 Snooty -attitude 67 180, so to speak 68 Director Kazan 69 Letter’s number 70 Huffs and puffs 71 Jalousie unit Down 1 Dwelling places 2 Gift for 62 Down? 3 Eventually 4 Hangs in the balance 5 Milky gem 6 ___ di Como, city in 50 Down 7 With the stroke of ___ 8 Poison administrants 9 Zigzag downhill 10 Shore defense grp. 11 Books of synonyms 12 Scaleless fish 13 Mastered perfectly 21 Baker’s supply 22 MPG raters 26 ___ Alto, CA 27 United Church of Christ college

30 Sneaky laugh sound 31 Loads from lodes 32 Sharp -irritation 34 Hoops Hall-of-Famer Thurmond 35 Quantico initials 36 Makes tracks? 38 Water transporter 39 Arab -sultanate 40 Traveler’s document 41 Popular ’80’s dolls 42 “Backyards, Greenwich Village” artist 46 Dreaded snake 47 Ascend 49 “1984” author 50 Napoli locale 51 ___ one’s feet 54 Dancer Rivera 56 Frightful giants 58 Place for a vault 59 Vingt-___ (twenty-one, in cards) 60 Cartoonist Walker 61 Pay-to-stay places 62 Subject of this puzzle 63 Narrow inlet_

Crossword Puzzle

44 CLASSIFIEDS

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MATURE ROOMMATE WANTED: I am a retired lady looking for a female roommate to share roomy 2 bedroom apartment or small house and expenses. I enjoy working/playing outdoors, cooking, jewelry making, TV and a clean house. I have two mature cats. Let’s chat. 812-5019.

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Looking for a mature, responsible individual to rent a room in our family home on the Redlands. No pets, no alcohol. Smoking outdoors is okay. Let’s talk. Call 314-4206.

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Mail: BEACON, P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 Fax: 1 800-536-7516 Email: beacon@pendantpublishing.com

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address city

MOVING SALE: Adjustable queen bed $375; dining table with 6 chairs $380; hutch with mirror $475; futon $200; 9-drawer dresser $70; washer/dryer set $180; patio table and 4 chairs $50. 523-7433.

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Burial Plot For Sale. Memorial Gardens Grand Junction. The plot can be located anywhere in the gardens. I will pay transfer fees. $1,100. Call Fred 505-3773539. For Sale: 4-wheeled walker $50; shower chair $5; 4-wheeled small scooter $800; Electric adjustable twin bed with memory foam mattress $800; wine-colored small lift chair $500; companion wheelchair $50; most items used less than 6 months. Call 589-9379 or 260-0493. HELP WANTED

CHOOSE A CATEGORY

❒ Classes ❒ For Sale ❒ Help Wanted

FOR RENT in Pioneer Village. 55+, 3 bed, 2 bath, water, sewer, trash included. $750+ deposit. Also 2 bed, 2 bath, 2984 Kennedy. $750 + deposit. Call Jay 261-4308. FOR RENT: 1 bed, 1 bath, all utilities and trash paid for by landlord. Grand Junction, $795/ month plus $795 security deposit, ground level, air conditioner, shared washer/dryer, quiet neighbors. Call 9 a.m.-5 p.m. John 812-3796.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________



FOR RENT

APRIL 2017

For Sale: Lightly used mechanized lift chair, in very good condition. $1,200 OBO. 2457228.

sales person wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is growing and we’re looking for a mature, loving sales person to grow with us. Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com

writers wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is looking for writers in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com

HOME SERVICES

THE WINDOW CLEANING COMPANY. Quality work at a fair price. Free estimates. 245-2993 / 261-0131. SCENE CLEARLY, LLC Window cleaners specializing in making your day a little brighter! Grand Junction area. Call Frank Cordova at 242-1264. COMPUTER LADY, LLC In-home repair. 15 years serving Mesa County. Windows, internet, Wi-Fi, Android, tablets, Netflix, Roku. Virus removal, installation and instruction. Dependable, reasonable, qualified. 255-1216.

APRIL 2017

CLASSIFIEDS 45

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ANTIQUES, APPRAISALS, ESTATE SALES With over 40 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. 216-0048. DO LITTLE SERVICES, LLC Helping seniors, singles or anyone maintain home/property with swamp coolers, garden tilling, leaf, yard, chimney, gutter cleaning and general repairs. Free estimates. Jeff 773-6337. REMODELING & FOUNDATION REPAIR. Three generations of quality construction, additions and remodels. Residential/insured. References and free consultations provided. Tom Peters: 2614303, tompetersconstruction. com. HAIR ON WHEELS, service at your door. Hair services: perms, cuts, color and styles for men and women. We’re here to serve you! Melody: 201-0267. Husband does yard work and extra jobs! Donovon: 778-7331.

TRAVEL

$AVE MONEY ON TRAVEL! Travel Club membership offering discount cruises, travel packages and decreased condo rates. Checkout www.coconutclubvacations.com. Member # cc1546ue, password #1115. Travel agents at 855-259-1155. Call Susan at 462-1115 before booking a trip so I can call the organization with pre-approval. Free to BEACON readers to use this membership. WANTED TO BUY

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**

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VENDORS WANTED A Robin’s Nest is looking for antique and collectible vendors. This is a great time to earn extra income from your hobby. Space is limited. Stop by 602 Main St. GJ, for an application to join our family of over 90 vendors.

New Windows • Window Repairs • Window Glass Mirrors New Windows • Window Repairs • Window Glass TableMirrors Tops • Insulated Glass Shower & Tub Enclosures • Table Tops • Insulated Glass Rescreens & •New Screens & New Screens Shower & Tub Enclosures Rescreens Same dayservice service on on most Same day mostautoglass autoglass

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NEED GLASSREPAIR? REPAIR? No JobJob Too Too SmallSmall NEED GLASS No

The

of equal or lesser value

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kvetch \ kfech  “I was offended by the two cartoons on the Fun & Games page of this month’s BEACON (March 2017). My mother-in-law and stepmother died from Alzheimer’s and I have another family member who has been diagnosed with it. As for the other cartoon, I am a husband and father of three daughters and I don’t appreciate that kind of humor.”- Lon K. Kevin: “This month we had a number of people who complained about those two particular cartoons. So we have replaced them with ‘Remember When,’ a new series by cartoonist Don Benjamin from Cedaredge. My apologies to our readers.”

Wanna give a shout out? Pass out a compliment? Write us at:

Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

FUN & GAMES Game answers from page 43

Postage due By Cappy Hall Rearick

t was April 15, 2015, and close to 5 p.m. Within minutes, the post office doors would slam in my face. I raced against time, alongside other last-minute taxpayers. The parking lot had runneth over but I spied a space about to open up. Drat! A Volkswagen zipped by me and grabbed it before I could shove my car in gear. The driver left the motor running and hurtled toward the finish line: the building with the American flag on top. He looked back at me and shrugged. I peeked at my watch and my heart did a shag step. Three minutes to go. If I didn’t get inside I was dead meat. Thoughts of cremation caused perspiration to dot my brow. My husband would kill me if I missed the deadline. He had been homicidal ever since I explained why I didn’t stub checks or save receipts. Tax season was never a happy time in our marriage. “I need a parking space! My life is at stake!” I screamed from an open window. An Explorer backed out in front of me. I inched closer, gripped the steering wheel and straddled the lane to stop an Expedition full of rug rats from jumping ahead of me. Grimacing, I revved the motor like I was a starter at NASCAR. I watched as the Expedition slunk by me with its tailpipe dragging between its back tires. Ha! I shoved the car in gear and prepared to drop into the soon-to-bevacated space, and that’s when I saw the two bright blue lines—it was a handicap space. I stomped on the brake pedal. My mouth was dry. My heart was thumping like a kettledrum. In two minutes, the post office doors would slam shut. I looked around and, seeing no vehicle bearing a handicap sticker, eased my car into the space. Racing to the door, I just made the cut. A tired, grumpy-looking postal clerk banged the door shut behind

APRIL 2017

kudos \ ku·dos

me, catching the hem of my skirt. I panicked. She started to walk away, leaving me to flounder. I gave her the pathetic look I save for just such situations. She shook her head and heaved a turbo-sigh. Then she called for backup. His mission: To keep the angry people pounding on the outside door from getting inside while she unleashed me and my skirt. It was obvious that she would have preferred to let me tear myself free and wander through the post office half-naked. When I was finally free, I traipsed over to the long line of impatient people waiting to buy adequate postage to Washington, DC. And 40 minutes later, my skirt still crimped like a French fried potato, I was released from bondage by the U.S. government. Floating out to the parking lot, what was the first thing I saw? A van with a handicap sticker struggling to fit into the small spot beside my car. “I’m so sorry! I’ll be out of there in a minute,” I said. Just before opening the door, I made eye contact with the van driver. It was not a pretty moment. In less than a nanosecond, his scathing look turned me into a slug. My face was three shades of crimson as I tore out of that handicapped space. I tried not to look in the direction of the van. That night, I slept fitfully when I slept at all. I had committed an unpardonable sin, and I felt deep-down guilt in every inch of my aging body. I knew better than to steal that parking space, but I was in panic mode. God will punish me, although nothing he could do will ever equal the look given to me by the man struggling to park his oversized vehicle in that small space. The next morning, I fully expected our income tax return to be sitting in the mailbox with “Postage Due” stamped all over it. That would have been ironic justice, and I would have received my due. ■

 “I read a very nice article in the March issue of the BEACON—‘The fight for Western Slope water rights: Mark Hermundstad preserves water for future generations.’ Mark, sorry to have to say this, but you’re too young to retire! The State of Colorado continues to need you to save our water rights. I well remember the help we got from you almost 15 years ago in finding and getting water for our 15 home-site development, Bonnie Brook Vineyard Farms, LLC. Muchas gracias.”- Arch Archuleta Kevin: “As someone who lives in the Bonnie Brook subdivision, I was not aware of Mark’s work on our behalf. That’s exactly what I appreciate so much about the BEACON’s Create a Legacy issue. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before us and made way to where we are today. I only wish that we could tell everyone’s story. Arch, thank you for creating our beautiful neighborhood. Mark, thank you for securing the water to make it thrive.”

 “My wife and I always look forward to reading about the nominees for Volunteer of the Year. While we each do some volunteering ourselves, it doesn’t compare to the people who are up for the award. Thank you for bringing them to our attention.”- Matt W. Kevin: “Yes, they are an amazing group of people. And thanks to you and your wife for volunteering any amount. Many hands make light work. When I first started with the BEACON, we used to pick the winner ourselves. Each year we would get more and more nominations and each volunteer was deserving, so we finally said, ‘Let’s let our readers pick.’ Readers can vote for their favorite volunteer online at www. BeaconSeniorNews.com.”

Wanna give a shout out? Pass out a compliment? Write us at:

Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

Enjoy the area’s largest boomer & senior fair... GRAND JUNCTION

April 20, 2017

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Thank you to our sponsors!

9 am–3 pm

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Two Rivers Convention Center

I LOVE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE MY OW N PAT H Since 1993, Linda Spinner has been hiking Colorado’s peaks and valleys, always choosing the road less traveled. While she cherishes the freedom, she also values the security of a strong Medicare plan. Linda is leading the way, and Rocky Mountain Health Plans Medicare is with her every step she takes.

Find a Medicare plan that fits your Colorado lifestyle at www.rmhpMedicare.org or call 888-251-1330 (TTY: 711)

RMHP is a Medicare-approved Cost plan. Enrollment in RMHP depends on contract renewal. This information is available for free in other languages. Please call Customer Service at 888-282-1420 (TTY dial 711). Hours are 8am - 8pm, 7 days/week, Oct.1–Feb.14, and 8am - 8pm, M-F, Feb.15–Sept.30. Esta información está disponible gratuitamente en otros idiomas. Por favor llame a la línea de Atención a Clientes, al 888-282-1420 (TTY marque 711). Horario de 8am - 8pm, 7 días a la semana, del 1 de octubre al 14 de febrero; y de 8am - 8pm, de lunes a viernes, del 15 de febrero al 30 de septiembre. RMHP complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-888-282-1420(TTY: 711). CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-888-282-1420 (TTY: 711). H0602_MS_MC241A_09262016 Accepted