MARCH 2017
Vol. 31
No. 3
Mesa County’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 28,350 Readers.
Create a Legacy and money 2017
time LOCAL guide to giving your
FREE
The fight for Western Slope water rights
Mark Hermundstad preserves water for future generations
INS IDE Photo by Melanie Wiseman
Locally Your Guide to Giving Advertising Team
Produced by the BEACON’s
Visit us on the web at m www.BeaconSeniorNews.co
JOHN LYONS America’s most trusted horseman
Photo courtesy of Charles Hilton Photography
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MARCH 2017
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MARCH 2017
EDITORIAL
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How much should I give? By Kevin K. VanGundy
L
ike you, I am constantly asked to donate. It can seem overwhelming at times as I ask myself, “How much should I give?” In the Old Testament, those of Jewish faith were commanded to bring a tenth of their earnings to the temple storehouse. My cousin, a Buddhist, feels no compulsion to tithe but gives generously, as he believes that it will eventually come back to him with interest. Some practicing capitalists see no reason to give at all. As a Christian, I believe that Jesus spoke of the right amount to give when he spoke of the poor widow, who placed her last few cents in the temple’s offering. Wow! Imagine giving all that you have to benefit another. I have not done that. So until that day, the answer to, “How much should I give?” is always, “More.”
Leave a legacy In this month’s paper you’ll find our Create a Legacy insert—your local guide to donating your time and money. While there are many worthy causes in the area, I believe the organizations in this month’s paper deserve your extra consideration. Read their stories thoughtfully as
they educate you about their mission, the people they serve and how you can volunteer your time or leave a financial legacy for future generations.
BeaconFest is April 20 BeaconFest is an annual event where our community comes together to celebrate aging. This boomer and senior lifestyle show will be Thursday, April 20, from 9 a.m-3 p.m. at Two Rivers Convention Center in downtown Grand Junction. BeaconFest features an exciting lineup of entertainment, free food, lively seminars and informational booths from local vendors displaying their senior-related products and talking about their services. Admission is free!
A few vendor booths remain Does your business sell products or services to boomers and seniors, our area’s fastest-growing demographic? Not only is BeaconFest an effective way of meeting with them one on one (over 3,000 people attended last year), but it’s also a lot of fun! Call us at 243-8829 for information about being a vendor at this year’s show. ■
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
APRIL 20, 2017 Two Rivers Convention Center Downtown, Grand Junction • 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Learn about Estate Planning at our Free Educational Workshops! Experienced & Compassionate Estate, Trust & Tax Planning Attorneys
Why There Is No Such Thing as a Simple Will: The Basics of Estate Planning
v Montrose: March 13th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. v Grand Junction: March 15th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. v Delta: March 20th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Learn the basics about will and trust estate plans and common issues that can make what seems simple, complicated. We’ll discuss the difference between probate and non-probate assets and how they are affected by your will. You’ll also learn how to incorporate powers of attorney into your estate plan to ensure your wishes are followed. Sign up today! SPECIAL PROGRAM! Making Meaning out of Challenging Behaviors (Program 1 of 3) Grand Junction: Thursday, March 23rd, 3:30 - 4:35 p.m.
Presented by Tracy Waite and Debbie Kettler from Aspen Ridge Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. During the program you will explore types of behaviors associated with dementia, the possible causes, and how to help manage the behaviors using interventions. Don’t miss this special program series! Registration is Required for Workshops: Grand Junction office - 1250 E. Sherwood Dr. Montrose - Region 10 Area Agency on Aging, 300 N. Cascade Delta - 1501 E. 3rd St., Mesa Lakes room (Oncology Center) at Delta Hospital. Sign up by calling (970) 243-8250 or on our website: www.brownandbrownpc.com
Phone: (970) 243-8250 1250 E. Sherwood Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81501 1825 East Main Street, Ste. C, Montrose, CO 81401
Baird B. Brown
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Clara Brown Shaffer
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Shauna C. Clemmer
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COVER STORY
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business, surely inspired by the difference Lyons has made in the lives of others, who come to him from all walks of life.
John Lyons rides with his grandson Joe. Photos courtesy of Charles Hilton Photography.
Becoming a horse whisperer
John Lyons:
The story of America’s most trusted horseman By Melanie Wiseman
J
ohn Lyons knows a lot about horses, but he knows even more about people. “A three-day clinic may cost $1,000, but I tell people I charge $100 for the horse and $900 for you,” Lyons said. “It’s so much more exasperating to work with people than it is with a horse because people cannot change as fast as horses can. I teach people that if you want your horse to change, you have to look in the mirror and first change yourself.” This is just one of the concepts Lyons has been teaching for more than
40 years, giving him the reputation of America’s most trusted horseman. Lyons, 69, said he’s been trying to retire for 15 years. His services are still in high demand and he continues to travel, hosting clinics and appearing at stock shows and horse expos around the world. He said he’s cut way back, but even at home in Parachute, he has his 70-acre ranch to care for. Though John has advised his children against training horses due to the dangers involved, three of them—along with several grandchildren—are involved in the family
Lyons has had his own TV show and a magazine with 110,000 subscribers. He’s written 20 books, produced instructional videos and manuals, taught 500 professional trainers around the world and has worked with 100,000 horses. But for him, success didn’t happen overnight. The route his life took is surprising. Lyons grew up in Phoenix. He married young and had four kids, bought a house with some land, added a couple horses, and worked as a successful medical salesman in Kansas City. One might think he had everything a person could want—but something was still missing. “I was making a ton of money but I didn’t enjoy it,” he said. “I didn’t want to wake up at 50 years old and regret what I had done with my life just for money.” John fell in love with Colorado while visiting a stepbrother in Silverton. Striving for a change, he decided to leave his job at age 24 and pursue cattle ranching in Colorado. So in 1976, he bought a ranch in Silt. Despite his hard work and determination to make the ranch successful, interest rates skyrocketed, the bottom dropped out of cattle prices and Lyons felt the brunt of a years-long drought. Through these challenging years, he and his family were learning about training and showing horses. They even made a champion performance horse. After the ranch went broke, Lyons started looking at horse training as a way to support his family. Some trainers’ methods are based on fear and punishment. One horse-training clinic Lyons attended in Eagle struck a nerve. “What this guy was teaching was so dangerous and terrible,” Lyons said. That’s when he started his own clinics and started developing his own training philosophy.
MARCH 2017
“I decided to help people,” Lyons said. “Not just train their horses for them.” Because of his success with horses, people started calling Lyons “the horse whisperer,” a moniker still used to describe him today. But Lyons insists that “horse whispering” has connotations about special abilities, which he assures is not the case with him. “You practice at it and learn,” he said. “I’m no different than anyone else. I was trying to teach people they could do anything I was doing with a horse. It was just a matter of learning new methods.”
The horse mentality Lyons said the first step to horse whispering is understanding the world from the animal’s point of view. “Horses are a conditioned response animal, which means they’re teachable, taught by repetition just like a dog,” he said. “Horses just have a different motivator.” Where dogs have an owner or master, horses do not. They see one person as all people. Lyons believes horses are motivated by togetherness and peace, and says they will trade their freedom and everything in life just to have moments of peace. “It probably took me 20 years to figure out the concept,” Lyons said. “Once I figured that out, I started looking at a horse’s behavior differently.” Lyons said horses are good students, able to retain 90 percent of what they’ve learned over an 18-month period. “That means if you teach them something and leave them alone, they will still remember it 18 months later,” he said. They’re also able to unlearn a 20-year-old habit in 90 minutes and never go back to it. According to Lyons, horses are God’s favorite animal and are mentioned 352 times in the Bible. “He put the same desire in the horse that he did for us: wanting to live in peace,” Lyons said. “When He said, ‘I gave them their beauty, speed and grace, and filled them with
MARCH 2017
COVER STORY
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boundless courage,’ he really meant it.” Lyons supports this philosophy of trust and courage with the story of a horse he once had that went blind in one day. “That horse would still carry me and run full speed,” he said. “What kind of ability and courage would it take for us to be able to do that?”
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The replacement concept Lyons teaches so that his horses never get the answer wrong. His methods are based on building trust with a horse and not motivating it by fear. “I stay focused on what I’m teaching even when the horse is doing something I don’t want him to do,” he said. “I call it the replacement concept of horse training. I never punish or correct the horse’s behavior. Instead I replace it with, ‘Here, try this,’ and make it simple so they get praise.” He requires the owner be present during training so they can practice the same methods he teaches. “I treat the horse like a dance partner, gently redirecting him if he starts going in the wrong direction,” he said. His methods work, as thousands of clients and horse experts can attest to. Lyons has documented several occasions where his horse Zip demonstrated extraordinary trust. Lyons once asked a pilot friend to hover a helicopter so close that Lyons could reach the rudders while on Zip’s back. Another time, he was at a circus in Ohio and asked a trainer if he could take a picture of Zip with an elephant. Zip stood calmly while
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John and Jody with grandsons Austin, Johnny, Rider and Joe. the elephant put his mouth over his withers and laid his trunk down one side. On another occasion, Lyons met a trained Kodiak bear at a game farm in Washington. He asked the bear’s owner to have the bear rear up in front of Zip. Unbelievably, it didn’t faze Zip. They even had the bear and Zip rear up at the same time.
A brand-new day Lyons moved his family to his dream ranch in Parachute. His kids grew older, he separated from his first wife and was single again. Years later he met the love of his life, Jody, and they married in 2003. All together, they have seven children. He’s seen similar “do-overs” in his
work. “No matter what the horse’s past has been, God gives us a brand-new day and a brand-new start,” he said. Lyons was one of the first to introduce Christian teachings to the horse industry, and conducts church services at large expositions. “If you’re a Christian, it should permeate into everything you do,” Lyons said. “I don’t know how to separate Him from my everyday life, so it’s part of my clinics.” When their ranch eventually sells, Lyons and his wife will spend their lives somewhere in Colorado on five acres against Forest Service land, sharing a sense of peace with their three horses. ■
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
Below, Lyons’ horse Zip poses for a photo with an elephant at a circus after it laid its trunk down Zip’s side. Zip also stood still as a trained Kodiak bear reared up in front of him.
Cover Photo: Because of his success with horses, people started calling Parachute-resident John Lyons “the horse whisperer,” a moniker still used to describe him today.
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FEATURE STORY
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MARCH 2017
For the love of food:
Local CSA farms grow roots within community By Paige Slaughter
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Guy and Lynn Borden envisioned a life of self-sufficiency, which led them to start Borden Farms in Pea Green.
hen Lynn and Guy Borden arrived in Pea Green, everyone thought they were nuts. That’s because in 1996, organic farming was still new to Colorado. “We were the oddballs,” Guy said. But the couple wanted to eat good food, and at the time, the best way to get good food was to grow it. Before moving to the Western Slope, the Bordens envisioned a life of self-sufficiency. They had a dream farm in mind, and after a few years of searching, they found it nestled amongst thousands of acres of pasture and corn in Pea Green. As one of the oldest organic farms in the country, Borden Farms is something of a treasure, made brighter by its founders’ sincere love of food. “We just wanted really good quality, old-fashioned food like our grand-
parents had,” Lynn said. From their unimposing belief in quality and freshness emerged Borden Farms—14 acres of vegetables and fruits, and a decades-long commitment to growing quality produce. “We don’t have a political agenda,” Lynn said. “We’re not trying to save the world. We’re trying to do our little part and bring goodness and happiness to people, and we get it back.” This is the story of how Borden Farms began, but it’s also a story about thousands of people who keep it going strong. Without their support, the Bordens would have never started a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, which now brings nearly 125 boxes of super-fresh produce per week to its members throughout the growing season.
ous mountain towns. Buckhorn Gardens in Montrose also provides a traditional CSA model to the communities surrounding Montrose, Ridgway and Telluride. They believe in offering “ultra-fresh” food in their year-round CSAs, with box options filled with a variety of organically grown produce, farmfresh eggs or farm-raised beef and pork. The traditional CSA model works well for those whose biggest concern is supporting small farms, but it’s not ideal for everyone, nor does it suit every kind of farmer. One of the biggest obstacles for community-supported agriculture is the high dropout rate, which hovers around 50 percent. For this reason, among others, many farms are finding alternatives in order to serve customers with different priorities and values.
Sustainable for farmers, fresh for you
Freshness delivered to your door
CSA programs originally began as a way for community members to support local farms by buying in, in exchange for a portion of the farmer’s harvests. Because farming is unpredictable, and farmers’ livelihoods depend on many factors out of their control, programs like these support small farmers and encourage local farming operations. When a virus kills all of a farmer’s tomatoes, or a big freeze hits and wipes out an entire peach crop, what’s a farmer to do? CSA programs give farmers the flexibility to sell produce throughout the season as available. Farmers benefit by being able to harvest in a way that’s harmonious with their land, and members benefit by getting fresh local produce at its best. The Bordens stay true to this CSA model, growing everything on their farm, harvesting produce just before it goes into boxes, and bringing their boxes to weekly pickup locations in Montrose, Grand Junction and vari-
Mark Beckner owns and operates Rooted Gypsy Farms in Grand Junction with his wife, Sara. Like Lynn and Guy, they are also on a mission to eat well and help others eat well, too. To manifest that mission, Rooted Gypsy offers farm boxes in a yearround home delivery system. Locals have three different subscriptions to choose from: the Meat & Salad Box, the Light Meat Box and the Vegetarian Box. Each option contains some combination of leafy greens, farm-fresh eggs and meat raised on their pasture. Customers can choose to receive weekly, biweekly or monthly deliveries, and can put their subscription on hold if they need to. The flexibility that Rooted Gypsy offers to customers stands out in contrast to traditional CSA models, which are more farmer-centric. But Mark pointed out the trend in having food delivered to one’s home, and he sees getting deliveries from a local grower as a bonus.
MARCH 2017
FEATURE STORY
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Building community roots
To manifest its mission to help people eat well, Rooted Gypsy Farms offers boxes in a yearround home delivery system. Though Rooted Gypsy Farms’ model is, in Mark’s words, “not really a CSA,” their farm box subscriptions achieve one of community-supported agriculture’s primary goals, which is to provide a food system that’s good for the small farmer and the local community.
Plant startups for home gardeners This is precisely what Paola Legarre is doing with plants at Sage Creations Organic Farm in Palisade. Her new Organic Plant CSA program provides organically grown plant starts, seeds and educational resources to home gardeners periodically throughout the growing season. “I want to set gardeners up for success,” said Paola. “We grow all of our plant starts organically at the farm, and I’ve tested them in the fields. I know from personal experience what grows well in our high desert climate, and I want to pass on these varieties to home gardeners, whether they have large gardens or pots on a small patio.” Sage Creations is known for its lavender fields and bountiful greenhouses, which house hundreds of heirloom and
rare varieties of tomatoes, peppers and culinary herbs. The farm’s Organic Plant CSA is a tool for locals who want to grow their own food. Throughout the growing season, members receive a set quantity of organic plants at a discounted price, three times throughout the season. Each box contains a mix of seasonally appropriate plant starts, seeds for direct seeding, and potted culinary herbs and flowers. Members can choose to have Paola handpick their assortment of plants, or they have the option to choose their own favorite varieties. Sage Creation Organic Farm’s Organic Plant CSA opens the door for community members to engage with the farm and with one another. Building bridges between farms and communities is exactly what community-supported agriculture is all about.
Field to Fork, an organic farm in Palisade well known for its CSA program, is no exception. Owners Scott and Jessica Washkowiak are grateful for the support they’ve gotten from the community through their CSA program, the heart and foundation of their farm. “It takes all of us to build our local food systems,” Jessica said. Field to Fork’s CSA has allowed the farm to deepen its roots throughout the community. After successfully starting one of the first restaurant-supported agriculture
programs in the state, Field to Fork is now in partnership with School District 51, providing ingredients for their school lunches and salad bar. They hope to enhance their relationship with local schools by teaching kids about food, farming and nutrition. Local CSA programs vary greatly in intention and style, but they all remind us of one thing: These local farms depend on support from the communities, and the community often depends on local farms. Whether it’s quality, freshness, accessibility, ease, resources or richer relationships we’re after, CSA programs can help us find what we’re looking for. ■
You choose what’s in your basket!
Scott and Jessica Washkowiak value partnerships within the community through Field to Fork CSA
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RECIPES
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MARCH 2017
Senior Homecare by Angels
Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe by: Michelle De La Cerda, www.thecompletesavorist.com
Ingredients: 6-8 bell peppers
1 clove garlic; minced/grated
1 1/2 cup cooked rice; any variety or flavor
1/8 tsp salt and pepper; to taste
1 lb taco meat (or seasoned ground beef) 1 1/2 cup salsa 1-8 oz can tomato sauce; divided 1-15 oz can black beans; rinsed/drained 1 cup corn; frozen or canned 1 1/4 cup cheese, grated (cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack) 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp chili powder
Tomato Water 1/2 cup water 1/8 tsp cumin 1/8 tsp chili powder 1/4 tsp granulated garlic 1/8 salt and pepper; to taste Big pinch oregano, preferably Mexican 4 oz of divided tomato sauce from above.
Instructions: Cut top off each top of the peppers and scrape out the seeds and veins. Set aside. Combine the ground beef, corn, rice, salsa, 4 oz of tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, garlic, cheese, salt and pepper stir until well combined. Gently fold in the black beans; set aside. For the Tomato Water: Mix together the water, tomato sauce and all the herbs/spices and pour into the bottom of a baking dish. Assembly: Arrange the empty bell peppers in a baking dish. Spoon the meat/rice mixture into each bell pepper to the rim. Cover with foil and place in a 375° F oven and bake for one hour or until the meat is cooked. Turn off oven. Once cooked, removed foil and sprinkle with cheese, place in the still warm oven to melt, just a couple of minutes. Spoon some tomato water onto each plate and place a stuffed pepper in the center, serve, and enjoy.
MARCH 2017
ASK THE OLD BAG
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ASK THE OLD BAG Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd By Gayle Lagman-Creswick Dear Old Bag: I am 72 and retired five years ago. I always thought when I retired my husband and I would travel and live a carefree life. Shortly after we retired, my husband had a heart attack and died. So much for the carefree life. I mourned and spent a couple years feeling sorry for myself. My kids have urged me to get out more. I finally decided to join a dating site. When I told my kids they all made me feel old and foolish, saying things such as, “Why would you do such a thing?” or “That’s not a good thing at your age” or “With your luck you will end up with Jack the Ripper. It’s not safe. It is for young people.” I have had coffee with several nice people. I haven’t met anyone I really care for, but it gives me something to look forward to. I’m no dummy. I screen my dates and always meet in public places. Now I feel foolish. Should I listen to my kids? Signed, Ready for Dating Dear Ready: Why is it that many young people feel they have the corner on romance? You don’t grow too old for that! I worked in many nursing homes and the happiest residents were those who still had a little romance in their lives. It heals. It’s the sunshine in the day. It’s the difference of whether you want to put on makeup or jewelry. It’s a spark. I say, talk to your kids about loneliness and about how you miss the companionship of a man. And let them know that you are happier since you began meeting men. Put your foot down and live your life! They will come around. You are a smart and capable woman. OB Dear Old Bag: One of my biggest fears is that when I’m gone, who will hold this family together? It is almost a full-time job. Grandchildren estrange themselves from their parents. Cousins gossip about other cousins, causing hurt feelings. Sisters-in-law complain
behind the backs of other sisters-inlaw. I try my hardest to solve these petty problems. I feel it’s my job as the matriarch of the family. I have tried to teach all of them that we’re family and no infraction is too big not to be forgiven. Who will keep them together when I am gone? Signed, Worried
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Retirement living with the emphasis on living
Dear Worried: I don’t know the answer to that problem. It sounds like you have instilled the importance of family in their minds and likely your children have understood the importance, and they will carry it forth after you are gone. Take some comfort in the fact that in some families, the matriarch herself is the dividing factor, and those families sometimes do not speak to each other for years. Thanks for writing. OB Dear Old Bag: It doesn’t seem like you get many letters from men; however, I always enjoy your column. One thing that’s bugging me is religion. I am a member of a certain religion and have raised my kids in this religion. Now that my four kids have grown up, they do not go to church. In fact, I’m not sure what they believe. But that is not my problem. I am a widower and in my later years have become more spiritual than religious. In fact, I think my religion had almost taken away my spirituality. I have made a decision to leave this religion and get somewhere where they believe in spirituality and are not bogged down with rules and dogma. I feel raising my kids in this religion was a big mistake. They didn’t develop their spirituality! I want you to know I feel greatly relieved to be making this change. I know I will be a better person. I don’t need advice. I just wanted to make a statement. Signed, Awake
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Dear Awake: Thank you. Well said. OB ■
Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net
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THE HEALTHY GEEZER
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Be kind to your liver:
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Healthy Geezer, By Fred Cicetti
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recent study of more than 125,000 coffee drinkers showed that one cup of coffee a day cut the risk of alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver by 20 percent. Four cups a day reduced the risk by 80 percent. It’s not known yet why coffee protected livers in this study. You may not be a coffee drinker, but if you’re drinking alcohol it’s important to consider your liver. Even social drinkers can develop cirrhosis, a condition that causes irreversible damage to the liver. Whether you get cirrhosis depends upon the amount of alcohol you drink and a predisposition for the condition. In the U.S., excessive alcohol consumption is the single greatest risk factor for cirrhosis. More men than women get cirrhosis due to the theory that men are heavier drinkers and women can’t tolerate as much alcohol as men can. The liver, which is located in the upper right side of the abdomen, is the largest organ within the human body. (Skin is the largest human organ.) The liver weighs about three pounds and is—believe it or not—about the size of a football. You can’t live without one. The liver is a multipurpose organ that performs hundreds of tasks. Among its functions are the digestion of fats, removal of harmful substances from blood, production of cholesterol, control of infections and the coagulation of blood. In cirrhosis of the liver, scar tissue replaces healthy tissue. This blocks blood flow through the liver and prevents it
In the U.S., excessive alcohol consumption is the single greatest risk factor for cirrhosis. from working efficiently. At the onset of cirrhosis, there may be no symptoms. As the liver deteriorates, the following may occur: internal bleeding, fluid retention in the legs and feet, bruising, yellow skin and eyes, fluid in the abdomen, itchy hands and feet, dark urine, loss of appetite and weight, nausea, fatigue and red spider veins. A doctor can diagnose cirrhosis through symptoms, a medical history, a physical exam and tests. Tests often used in diagnosis include a computerized axial tomography scan, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or a scan using a radioactive substance that highlights the liver. A doctor might look at the liver using an instrument that is inserted into the abdomen. A liver biopsy—tissue sample—can confirm a diagnosis. If you drink a lot of alcohol, you will hurt your liver. However, you will not necessarily get cirrhosis. You have a one in three chance of getting cirrhosis if you drink 8-16 ounces of liquor a day (or the equivalent in other alcoholic drinks) for 15 years or more. Although liver damage from cirrhosis is irreversible, treatment can help prevent more damage and reduce complications. Giving up alcohol is the primary treatment. Improving nutrition is often part of treatment, too. ■
Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.
MARCH 2017
HEALTH & WELLNESS 11
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Nutritional consequences of gastric bypass Dear Pharmacist By Suzy Cohen, RPH
S
hrink your stomach and you will lose weight. The idea is perpetuated in our country through shows like TLC’s “My 600-lb Life.” It’s a great show, and I highly recommend it—I’ve watched several episodes and empathized with every person. Gastric bypass may end up being your weight-loss solution, but you may not fully grasp the long-term nutritional consequences of the surgery. While some physicians require mandatory nutritional counseling the first year, after that it’s optional. I worry that some gastric bypass patients fall off their provider’s radar of care. I worry they’ll have symptoms of nutrient depletion and will go on to be heavily medicated.
Nutrient depletion Researchers show that deficiencies in macronutrients—proteins, fats and carbohydrates—and micronutrients— vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients— are common. A 2014 scientific review team looked at studies published on many different types of obesity surgeries conducted between January 1980 and March 2014. Major deficits were common, especially the finding of low albumin, a critical protein used to transport hormones including thyroid, electrolytes, fatty acids and more. Deficiencies of vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B12, D, iron, zinc and others were also common. These very nutrients are critical for glucose use and management, energy production and management, gene
signaling and detoxification. Often the first symptoms without these nutrients are fatigue, anemia, memory loss, cognitive changes and loss of vitality that many chalk up to stress or aging. When left to progress, you can end up with severe damage leading to trouble walking, Alzheimer’s and general loss of health and function.
Drug mugging Now consider the added layer of complexity when medications are prescribed! The drug mugging effect will necessitate more nutritional supplements. For example, metformin given for blood sugar can deplete B12 and CoQ10. Certain antidepressants can reduce iodine; and antimicrobials will further damage your probiotic stores. The literature consistently shows bariatric surgery patients tend to run out of B12, B1, folate, C, A, D and K, along with the trace minerals iron, selenium, zinc and copper. Over-the-counter multivitamin and mineral formulas cannot provide adequate amounts of some of these micronutrients. It’s easy to get mistaken for having dementia or some other psychiatric disorder when it’s just a nutrient deficiency related to bariatric surgery. What if you had a gut infection, or had Celiac disease and didn’t even know? Make sure gastric bypass surgery is absolutely necessary before doing it, and find a nutritionist who can advise which protein supplements, medical foods, greens or vitamins you need. ■
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What is love? By Scott Rollins, MD
The different kinds of love
ove of God, love of a child, love of family, love of friends, love of country. Is romantic love different than the love between close friends, self-love or a love of humanity? Is love really blind, unconditional and thus beyond our control? The science of love is a fascinating blend of neurochemistry, biology and sociology.
The Greeks had four words for love: agape, philia, storge and eros. While there is some overlap, these words are an attempt to categorize the different aspects of love. Agape translates to “I love you” in ancient Greek, and means unconditional, giving, selfless, spiritual love. Whether love is reciprocated or not, the love for another continues with no expectations in return. The love of a child, friend, spouse or God might be agape. The affectionate regard for friends, family and community is philia. This is love without passion, the kind that requires a give and take, and relies on virtue and equality. Storge refers to the natural affection found in families, such as that of a parent for a child. Storgic love is the “friends first” kind of love. Eros is “love at first sight.” It’s romantic physical attraction, love without reason. This passionate love is accompanied by sensual desire and longing. The modern variant of the word eros is erotas, which specifically refers to intimate love, but eros does not have to be sexual in nature. The Greek philosopher Plato described eros as transcending physical love for another person and being more about appreciating the beauty within that person, or of beauty in and of itself. Plato wrote that physical attraction for one another is not necessary for love; thus the term “platonic” came to mean “without physical attraction.” Yet another Greek term for love is pragma, short for pragmatic, meaning the love of the head and not of the heart. This is love developed with the rational goal of seeking compatible, desirable traits that will help achieve a common goal. Eros is perhaps the love that drives us most, but unless it mixes in some degree of philia or pragma, it usually fizzles. Love is indeed a many-splendored thing. ■
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The chemistry of love revolves around oxytocin, a hormone first known to play a role in childbirth by causing the uterus to contract and the breasts to secrete milk. It further promotes the maternal-infant bond. But more recently, we’ve come to understand that oxytocin plays a much broader role in the scope of love. Oxytocin is made in the pituitary gland, the little hormone control center located in the middle of the brain. Aside from the childbirth, oxytocin plays a role in sexual attraction and sexual intimacy. Studies show high levels of oxytocin before and during sexual activity. Couples who are newly in love have higher levels of oxytocin, and it is associated with increased romantic attachment and monogamous bonding. Oxytocin can be given to someone to instill a feeling of attachment or bonding. It increases trust and decreases fear, causing more generosity and social bonding. The prosocial effects of oxytocin have led to it being called the “love hormone.” Other hormones play a role in the love process. While estrogen and testosterone are simple players in the lust process, in the case of true love, a whole cascade of brain chemistry comes into play. Dopamine increases make us feel satisfied, content and pleased. Serotonin promotes happiness, while norepinephrine stimulates arousal, attentiveness and focus. All these neurochemicals come together in an intricate chemical dance leading to the feeling of love.
Scott Rollins, MD, is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics.
MARCH 2017
HEALTH & WELLNESS 13
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Sleep apnea has personal, economic costs By Amy Abbott
I
f you’ve ever said, “I would pay good money for a good night’s sleep,” you’re not alone. According to Persistence Market Research, plenty of Americans are paying good money for the elusive eight hours of sleep. An August 2016 report noted, “North America dominates the global sleep aids market. The U.S. represents the largest market for sleep aids in North America.” Additionally, the report explained that economic upswing is due to a growing senior population and increased demand for sleep medication in a complex world. A factor in the increasing sleep market is the awareness of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) released a report this summer on the “Hidden Health Crisis Costing America Billions.” The report noted that obstructive sleep apnea is rising in prevalence in the U.S., and an estimated 29.4 million Americans suffer from it. Amazingly, that figure represents 12 percent of our country’s population.
An economic toll “The annual financial burden of undiagnosed sleep apnea among U.S. adults is approximately $149.6 billion,” the report said. “This burden includes almost $87 billion in lost productivity, $26 billion in car crashes and $6.5 billion in workplace accidents.” If the OSA remains untreated, the study authors estimated an additional $30 a year in increased health costs and medication costs related to the co-occurring health conditions listed above. According to the AASM report, if every patient in the U.S. who has sleep apnea were diagnosed and treated, it would result in an annual economic savings of more than $100
billion. But the most obvious cost is to the individual and his or her family. Undiagnosed OSA is dangerous—the sleeping sufferer’s airway is blocked by erratic breathing from an obstruction. They may snore, gasp or even choke during restless sleep, waking up themselves and anyone nearby. The next day, they may wonder why they are so sleepy. OSA can be a contributor to or a consequence of other health problems including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and depression.
Diagnosing sleep apnea Do you snore, gasp or choke during your sleep? You might want to ask your sleep partner, or keep a sleep diary for a week or two with what you remember. Note your awakenings, daytime sleepiness and any naps. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute suggests a visit to your primary care doctor, who may refer you to a sleep specialist. If sent for a sleep study, you may have a polysomnogram (PSG) or a home-based portable monitor. PSGs happen in hospital sleep departments or stand-alone centers. During sleep, you are monitored for brain activity, eye movement, heart rate and blood pressure. Individuals with OSA use a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP), which keeps your airway open while you sleep. It’s not a good idea to order your own CPAP off the Internet. For your safety, CPAP machines are calibrated to your own sleep and breathing patterns by your medical provider. Soon, you’ll sleep better, snore less if at all, possibly reverse some health conditions, experience lowered blood pressure and increase your alertness. Maybe you’ll be able to leap across a building in a single bound like Superman, or at the very least, go without an afternoon nap. ■
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How to pass down your heirlooms without breaking up your family By Cecily Whiteside
E
ach family is unique, with its own history, lore and items of both sentimental and financial value. As one generation gives way to the next, some of these items become family heirlooms. The question is, how do you pass these items down without causing rifts in relationships, especially with large or confusing family trees filled with step children, cousins once removed and every other possible configuration? When my grandmother died, the division of her belongings fell largely along three lines, with my dad taking the things of sentimental value, my uncle taking the things of practical value and my aunt taking the things of monetary value. This worked well for them. All were satisfied with the division, and the perceived value each received was equal enough that there were few resentments. There are times, however, when siblings want the same things, or there are a few choice items—a
broach that has been in the family for 100 years, for instance, or great-grandma’s diamond ring. When one thing rises above the rest in perceived value, rifts can form and feuds can start. Can they be stopped? With communication and a written plan, the chances are good that families can weather the division of assets. “Putting a clause in a will or trust is the best way to address personal property,” said Shauna Clemmer, attorney at Brown & Brown, PC, an estate- and trust-planning firm in Grand Junction. “This is the best way to avoid confusion and possible litigation, as well as hard feelings among family members.” Ultimately, it’s up to the person who currently owns the items to make sure that those left behind don’t fight. The best way to do this is to make a will, being specific about individual bequests. “When you make your will,” said Clemmer, “state in the will that you are listing individual items separately, then follow through by itemizing
With communication and a written plan, the chances are good that families can weather the division of assets.
in another document. That way if you want to change the list at some point in the future, you don’t have to change your whole estate plan. And be specific, maybe even include a photo to avoid any question of what you mean.” Asking your kids for their thoughts on this is another way to prepare the whole family to divide things amicably. Tracy Constable has already asked her daughters about their preferences. “One of them said, ‘I want Grandma’s ring,’ and the other said, ‘Oh good, because I want Mom’s,’” Constable said. “I don’t think there will be any problem between my kids.” Ray Martino’s family is a bit more complicated, with several generations that include numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, plus almost a dozen grandkids. They have a family term for calling dibs on items. “‘Myrtling something’ means saying you want it,” Martino said. “It comes from my mom’s great-aunt Myrtle. When she liked something, she’d say, ‘I want that when you pass.’ It became a family joke that stuck.” But again the key is communication.
MARCH 2017
“We need to speak up about things we want, and parents can’t be afraid to acknowledge the fact that someday, sometime, they are going to die,” he said. Rich and Joan Liversidge have begun passing things on to children and grandchildren now. “We have downsized homes several times since we became empty nesters,” said Rich. “For a while we had a storage bin, but we emptied that out by giving heirlooms—mostly furniture, photos and antiques—to our kids.” As for me, I made a will along with a trust (since my kids are still minors), and I keep a running list. Each time one of my kids “myrtles” something, onto the list it goes. Everybody knows who is going to get what. I’m determined that any arguments that happen are going to happen while I’m alive to mediate—and ultimately to tell them how it’s going to be! This way, the relationships between my kids is determined by something besides who gets what when I’m gone. With a few hours of planning and some difficult but necessary discussions between family members, many of the heartaches of passing on heirlooms can be avoided. If you start early and communicate freely, there is no reason why passing on treasured family heirlooms will ever divide your loved ones. ■
MARCH 2017
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Do you lie about your age? By Geno Lawrenzi, Jr.
C
omedian Jack Benny was the best in the world at playing young. The star of radio, television and films early in his career developed a running gag of telling people he was 39 years old. He perpetuated the myth in show after show, and it always drew a laugh. Why? Because most people hate admitting their age. They don’t like getting old but can’t do anything about it. So they choose the next best path and simply lie about their age. While working as a general assignment reporter at the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, I was assigned by my city editor to cover a newsworthy event at the University of Southern California. Benny and his sidekick Eddie “Rochester” Anderson were there to donate their 50 years of show business memorabilia to UCLA. More than 30 reporters, including some of America’s top television anchors, were there. I took a seat in the front row. With the Herald-Examiner photographer firing away, I managed to get in the first question. “Mr. Benny, you keep telling the world that you’re 39 years old when it’s obvious you are much older than that. What’s your real age, sir?” Benny let the laughter from the other reporters die down, then he said, “39.” He wasn’t smiling. Trying to play Gotcha, I persisted and asked him how old he really was. “I’m 39, son, and I’ll tell you why,” he said as he removed and polished his glasses. “People younger than
The
my real age are dropping dead of heart attacks and strokes every day. Nobody dies at 39. Next question, please?” Benny is good at playing young. It actually gave him motivation for feeling and acting young. Certainly it was good for his health, and being 39 (at least in his mind) must have done wonders for him psychologically. I decided to use what I had learned from Benny in my own life. I didn’t think anybody would believe 39, but I decided they might accept 59. I tried it out on a few people, including my brother. “If you’re 59, you’re younger than me,” said my brother, John, “and we both know that’s not true.” “What’s wrong with me being 59? That makes you 58. Aren’t you happy?” “Not really,” he said. “It gets me confused.” As people age, they try to keep up with as much of the physical activity of their youth as they can muster. If a person ran 10 miles a day when he was in his teens or early 20s, he can try running five miles a day after retiring from his job. If that’s too much, just drop it to a mile or two a day, and do it only on weekends. I run around with a group of older guys in Phoenix who love physical activity. We work out at the gym, play tennis, do jazzercise and run wind sprints. We meet three times a week and we’re in the best shape of our life. But that’s easy to do when you’re 59 and playing young. ■
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LAUGHING MATTERS NASA’s problem
have been a very avid fisherman.”
Submitted by Bob Breazeale
“Oh, he still is,” remarked one of the mourners. “As a matter of fact, he’s headed off to the lake as soon as we bury his wife.”
When NASA first started sending up astronauts, they quickly discovered that ballpoint pens would not work in zero-gravity. They managed to solve the problem after a decade and millions of dollars. They developed a pen that not only writes in zero-gravity, but upside down, on almost any surface, including glass, and at temperatures ranging from below zero to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The Russians had the same problem, but they solved it in about five minutes for a nickel. They used a pencil. Don’t you just love to see your tax dollars at work?
The funeral Submitted by Karen Jones
A funeral procession pulled into a cemetery. Several carloads of family members followed a black truck towing a boat with a coffin in it. A passerby remarked, “That guy must
Fire trucks Submitted by Lewis Armbrust
Several elementary school children were at recess when they started talking about why there is a dog on every fire truck. One boy said, “The dog’s there to keep the firefighters company.” Another boy said, “The dog helps the firefighters rescue people.”
Bungee jumping Submitted by Bob Breazeale
Over the holidays some college kids decided to go to Mexico to do some bungee jumping. They found the perfect spot, a bridge high over a dry riverbed. They got their equipment ready, measured the distance and got everything hooked up. The first guy got into the harness and jumped off. Everything was going fine until they heard screaming and yelling. They quickly pulled the guy up. He was all scratched and bruised and bloody. They asked, “What happened? Was our measurement wrong?” The guy replied, “The measurement was perfect. The problem was there were some kids with sticks yelling, ‘Piñata! Piñata!’”
MARCH 2017
Black bear and Grizzly bear droppings on the golf course. Black bear droppings are smaller and contain berries and possibly squirrel fur. Grizzly bear droppings have bells, golf gloves and sunglasses in them, and smell like pepper spray.
The Senility Prayer Submitted by Dexter Walton
“No,” one little girl interjected, “The dog is there to find the fire hydrants.”
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the difference.
Be on the lookout
Now look what you did
Submitted by Alan Kipling
Submitted by Sheri Moore
It is also a good idea to watch for signs of bear activity. Golfers should be able to recognize the difference between
The boys’ mother heard that a preacher in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The preacher agreed, but he asked to see them individually. So the mother sent the 8-year-old first. The older boy would see the preacher in the afternoon.
The Montana State Department of Fish and Wildlife has advised golfers to take extra precautions and be on the alert for bears while playing on golf courses this spring. They advise golfers to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their clothing to alert the bears, but not to startle them unexpectedly. They also advise golfers to carry pepper spray in the case of an encounter with a bear.
Two brothers, ages 8 and 10, were always getting into trouble and their parents knew all about it. If any mischief occurred in their town, the two boys were probably involved.
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MARCH 2017
The preacher, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, “Do you know where God is, son?” The boy’s mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there wideeyed with his mouth hanging open. So the preacher repeated the question in an even sterner tone, “Where is God?” Again, the boy made no attempt to answer. The preacher raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy’s face and bellowed, “Where is God?” The boy screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home and dived into his closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, “What happened?” The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, “We’re in big trouble this time. God is missing, and they think we did it!”
Philanthropy Submitted by Charlotte and Ted Rhodes
A traveler to a faraway town attended a recital and concert at the city’s Smith Auditorium. He was quite impressed with the architecture and the acoustics. He inquired of the tour guide, “Is this magnificent auditorium named after Steve Smith, the famous scholar?” “No,” replied the guide. “It is named after Kerry Smith, the writer.” “Never heard of him,” said the tourist. “What did he write?” “A check,” replied the guide.
Logical conclusion Submitted by Janet Morton
LAUGHING MATTERS 17
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A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages.
Suddenly, an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages fell out of it. “Mama, look what I found,” the boy called out. “What have you got there, dear?” his mother asked. With astonishment in his voice, he answered, “I think it’s Adam’s underwear.”
Diplomacy at work Submitted by Bruce Robinson
A man walked into the produce section of his local supermarket and asked to buy half a head of lettuce. The boy working in that department told him that they only sold whole heads of lettuce. The man was insistent that the boy asks his manager about the matter. Walking into the back room, the boy said to the manager, “Some jerk wants to buy half a head of lettuce.” As he finished his sentence, he turned to find the man standing right behind him, so he added, “And this gentleman kindly offered to buy the other half.” The manager approved the deal and the man went on his way.
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Later the manager said to the boy, “I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier. We like people who think on their feet here. Where are you from, son?” “Texas, sir,” the boy replied. “Really? Why did you leave Texas?” the manager asked. The boy said, “Sir, there’s nothing but loose women and football players down there.” “My wife is from Texas,” said the manager. “Really?” replied the boy. “Who’d she play for?” ■
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MARCH 2017
Beauty and history blend in the Balkans By Victor Block
A
s I strolled along ancient ramparts that encircle a small medieval city, the view changed with each twist and turn. On one side was a labyrinth of narrow streets lined by tile-roofed stone buildings. In the other direction were stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. Crisscrossing four minuscule countries that once were part of Yugoslavia, I delved into intriguing chapters of history, gazed at breathtaking scenery and checked out local life in tiny towns and magnificent cities. The nation was born following World War I, but because a number of different ethnic groups were patched together, the seeds of conflict were sown from the start. Present-day Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia were part of Yugoslavia when it battled Germany in World War II under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito. After the war, he headed a
socialist government until his death in 1980. While authoritarian, Tito earned a reputation as a benevolent dictator who kept ethnic tensions in check. Following his death, those differences flared, the country splintered along the borders of the former republics, and fighting raged in what became known as the Bosnian War. While the peace agreement that ended the fighting didn’t erase ethnic tensions, today they’re expressed with words rather than war. Visitors hear good-natured but pointed jokes about people in neighboring states who were once fellow countrymen. The tiny sizes of the countries together have a total area about equal to New York state, which makes traveling between them convenient. As the same time similarities become evident, so do interesting differences.
Cities with history One attraction is the appeal of cities. Dubrovnik, in Croatia, is one of the most prominent Mediterranean
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Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia
MARCH 2017
TRAVEL 19
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Stari Most Bridge in Bostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
City wall in Dubrovnik, Croatia tourist resorts with an Old Town neighborhood exuding a Middle Ages atmosphere. The neighborhood’s main feature is ancient fortified walls that encircle the old city, punctuated by turrets and towers. Walking along the top of the fortification provides dramatic views. Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, has been a cultural center since the Middle Ages and boasts an inviting array of museums, many perched in the hilly, historical Upper Town. The pedestrian-friendly Lower Town has inviting squares and parks where locals gather to socialize at outdoor cafes. Ljubljana is a bustling urban center with broad promenades. Statues and a section of stonewall are reminders that this was the site of a Roman town beginning in 14 A.D. Overlooking the setting from a hilltop is Ljubljana Castle, which dates back to the early 12th century.
Rural charm Smaller but equally as enticing are towns and villages. Karanac in Croatia is located in the “Bread Basket” of Croatia, and grapes have been grown on the surrounding hills since Roman times. Hum is a mere dot on maps. A 2001 census counted 17 residents, but I was told that a mini-population explosion has increased the number to 25. Mostar stretches along the shore
Lake Bled Church of the Neretva River in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has a history as one of the most ethnically diverse towns in the region. The graceful Old Bridge over the river was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, and stood for more than 400 years before being destroyed during the Bosnian War. Visitors today see an exact replica. If any city shares both a happy and tragic past, it is Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For several hundred years, it was a cultural and religious haven where Serbs, Croats, Turks, Muslims and others lived in harmony. That peaceful picture ended during the fierce fighting following the Tito’s death. Visitors receive a stark introduction to that bitter warfare in the Tunnel of Life, an underground passage that was dug beneath the city’s airport during the nearly four-year-long siege. Residents made more than five million trips through the tunnel carrying food, medicine and other supplies.
Scenic pleasures Much happier settings are encountered at water-related attractions. For those seeking a sun-and-sand respite, Croatia has beautiful beaches along its Dalmatian Coast. Over 120 beaches also line the short shoreline of Montenegro.
Plitvice Lakes National Pa
rk in Croatia
More dramatic scenery awaits visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. Water fills 16 lakes that are separated by natural dams and spills down hillsides in a series of cascades. Adding to the portrait-like setting are colors of the water—sky blue, emerald green, rock gray—reflecting the surroundings. Equally magnificent is Lake Bled in Slovenia. A graceful 17th-century church is perched on a small island. The little house of worship is a popular wedding venue and a good luck tradition calls for the couple to make a wish and ring the bell so it will come true. By the time I pulled the bell rope, my wish had already come true. I was experiencing four intriguing countries that are small in size but large in terms of attractions and appeal. ■
IF YOU GO… The Crossroads of the Balkans trip that I took is one of dozens of itineraries offered by Overseas Adventure Travel. Along with the must-see attractions in destinations it visits, that tour company’s itineraries include lesser-visited but equally inviting places. For information about OAT trips throughout the world, call 800-955-1925 or visit www.oattravel.com.
20 LOCAL LORE
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MARCH 2017
A Great Place to Call Home! Livestock breathes new
life during calving season in DeBeque By Eileen O’Toole
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ature made babies cute—all kinds of babies. Even though livestock animals aren’t cuddled like puppies, the very innocence of their births inspires nurturing and care. The birthing process is no easy task. Far from cute, birthing is a messy ordeal, and this messy undertaking has been a part of life in western Colorado at this time of year for a long time. Growing up on DeBeque’s Prather Ranches, my late brother-in-law Bobby Prather became the designated veterinarian during especially difficult births. It’s a role ranchers often must take on because livestock can die waiting for the real docs to reach remote areas. Prather was about 8 years old when he watched his dad try to help a sow deliver her piglets. She was in big
trouble, and his dad’s hands were too big to help pull the babies out. His dad asked him to try. He did, and they came, one after the other, with his little hands guiding. He was amazed and proud. Most calves and lambs are born in late February through March. Older cows and ewes have little trouble, even if the weather is nasty, but firsttime mothers often struggle. In an interview a few years before he died, remembering his family’s ranch, Prather said they would leave most of the herd in their winter pastures but would move the heifers into corrals close to the house where they could watch them. These young mothers were often so frightened that the ranchers would move the heifer into a tight chute to keep her still while they helped deliver the calf. Other heifers sometimes had
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Calf and bummer lands at the Prather Ranch in DeBeque. Photos courtesy of Bobby Prather.
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LOCAL LORE 21
CHANCE. C H O I C E. A calf at Finley Ranch in DeBeque, circa 1942. calves coming out backwards. In order to save the heifer and the calf, the babies needed to be pulled. When pulling a calf, ranchers use stainless steel chains attached to a hand-cranked winch. Prather said he would put the chain loops around his hand, reach inside and find the safest spot to slip the loops onto each calf leg, and begin cranking the winch until the calf slipped into its new world. Sometimes the winch wasn’t needed and he used his own strength to pull on the chains. Other times, the heifer prolapsed, losing the womb along with the birth. Not wanting to lose the cow, Prather would use a Mason jar with a lid to push the womb back into the cow and sew up the birth canal. A few days later he would remove the sutures—out would pop the Mason jar, leaving the womb where it’s supposed to be. After their first traumatic birthing experience, the heifers would join the cows the following year and usually give birth normally. During the birthing season, the Prathers would ride out to the main pasture to check on the older cows. Sometimes a cow would die or reject her calf. Prather always liked being able to save the calf, putting it across the saddle of his horse and bringing it back to the barnyard where it could either find another cow to suckle or be bottle fed.
Branding begins a few weeks after calving. The calves are roped and branded, baby bulls are castrated and they are all inoculated for disease and infection. Sheep have many of the same problems as cows. Prather’s mother, Merline, started the sheep business at the Prather ranch. Her family in Utah raised sheep, and they’d often bring her the “bummer” lambs they couldn’t care for. Bummers are lambs whose mothers died giving birth. Merline took care of the family milk cow and she would save some of the milk for the lambs, which were corralled close to the house. She had large bottles with large black rubber nipples that she’d fill with cow’s milk. It didn’t take much to get the babies to drink and they’d crowd the fence at feeding time, bleating in excitement. Merline raised these bummers. Some were kept to grow the herd, some were traded for Angus cows and some were sold. Merline also sold the wool from the ewes she kept. Prather recalled that at one time they had around 200 bummers to feed. It became quite a chore to find enough hands, bottles and time to feed them twice a day. All of this birthing comes with cold, snow, sleet, rain and usually in the middle of the night. Newborns and ranchers alike had to be hardy critters. ■
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couldn’t put it off any longer. If I waited another week or two, I’d be cooped up in the house instead of spending my time out in the garden, mucking around in the warming soil, preparing for flowers and veggies. With winter nearly at an end, it was time to force myself to perform the dreaded, rarely annual spring-cleaning. Up until now, I’d managed to get out of digging through the boxes of paperwork that had been a fire hazard for several years since we’d closed our construction business. My reasons were very creative, and my husband, Rick, had always grudgingly accepted them until this year. But over the years he’s gotten pretty sneaky when he wants me to go along with one of his schemes, and this time he really had me over the barrel. He dangled the most compelling bribe possible under my nose—a page from “Better Homes and Gardens” showing a Martha Stewart-like sewing room. He promised he’d help me turn the attic into my own special place and all I had to do was empty it out. That photo was my dream come true. It showed a sun-filled nook painted in happy contrasting colors. Pretty wicker baskets brimmed with neatly folded fabric. A glossy white pegboard, every little tool and spool in place, complemented the equally glossy bookcase full of craft supplies. A long,
smooth cutting table ran along the wall under a window draped with pristine cotton curtains and decorated with hand-appliquéd flowers. It seemed so easy to replicate. My current sewing room was a hall closet, and all I had to do to achieve this dream was make the attic look like the picture. With visions of a glamorous photo shoot starring me and my new sewing room in my head, I forced myself up the narrow, dark stairs to the attic and opened the door. I was immediately hit with the aroma of stale air, dust and a scent suspiciously like mouse droppings. A seemingly endless sea of file boxes, some half crushed under the weight of others, filled the small space. The tiny window, which only vaguely resembled the one in my dream photo, was crusted with dust and the bodies of unlucky bugs that had fallen prey to spiders before they, too, gave up the ghost. I tried to sigh dramatically but accomplished nothing more than a coughing fit. Girding my loins, I lugged the dusty boxes, one by one, to our seldom-used dining room. By the time the attic was empty it was time for a cold drink and an antihistamine. An hour later (I’m a slow drinker, okay?), I sat on the floor and opened the first box. What I expected to find was a mishmash of old invoices, catalogues from a distant decade and correspondence to and from long-forgotten clients. I sincerely hoped I wouldn’t find anything furry with four legs, alive or dead. But what I actually found was completely different. The first file I opened held several years’ worth of report cards for my now-grown children. I read the
MARCH 2017
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comments with smiles and grimaces, shaking my head at the oft-repeated “does not work to ability.” Mixed in with indecipherable writing assignments were photographs of small boys in large football pads, grinning around missing teeth. Paper ornaments shed glitter all over the place. I thought of those boys now—tall, strapping men with homes of their own, and a couple grandchildren who will soon be following in their footsteps—and I couldn’t help but smile even wider. I found the dust affecting me again as I sniffed back a few tears. The next box held the expected detritus of our long-closed business. But instead of being an annoying waste of time, I found myself recalling the projects—simple and extravagant— the good and bad. Not to mention the challenges that Rick and I overcame to make sure we got a paycheck each month. Those were lean years, with small children, long hours and miniscule budgets. They taught us lessons that we, and our children, still use today. We discovered you didn’t need to go on an expensive vacation to have fun. We made do with cheap camping trips in tents, cooking over the fire and telling ghost stories in the dark. There were times rain came down in buckets and others when we slept on ground that had more rocks than soil. Sometimes it was so cold outside that we all cuddled together playing silly card games. Those days are something we laugh over and reminisce about when we
get together. We never thought we suffered for the lack of money, or were unfortunate because we didn’t have what others did. We enjoyed our spontaneous drives to cool mountain meadows for summer Sunday afternoon hotdog roasts just because the weather was nice. Those were treats we worked hard to fit into our always-busy schedules. Another box contained long-forgotten photos. My great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, myself and my firstborn—five generations of photos that had been casually stuck in a shoebox and might have been lost forever had Martha not inspired me.
I was still buried in boxes late that evening when Rick came home. I was so intent on rummaging through my next treasure chest that I didn’t even notice him standing there until he gave a loud, heart-stopping throat clearing. He told me he hadn’t seen the look of wonder on my face since the day our last child was born. It took me another day to get through the boxes because I made sure I went through every file, and looked at every page. I couldn’t bear the thought that I might miss something, that I might not have the chance to remember that one special moment the next piece would recall. ■
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Reel women y l f e h t n o
LEFT: Kari Sewell holds a brown trout caught on Green River in Utah. TOP: Sewell holds a rainbow trout on the Gunnison River.
Reasons to fish By Melanie Wiseman
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omen nationwide are hanging up their tennis rackets and golf clubs, and picking up fly rods instead. The fastest growing demographic in fly fishing, women and girls now comprise more than 30 percent of American anglers, and 40 percent of these women are over the age of 45. Though women are flocking to the sport, they’re not new to fly fishing. Joan Wulff, 90, started when she was just 10 years old and remains the leading female fly fisher in the world. She outcast men as the National Casting Champion from 1943-1960, and has a fly-fishing school in the Catskills of New York. Jeff McKenna,
manager of Western Anglers in Grand Junction, said when he guides fly-fishing trips, women always catch more fish than the men. “They listen, which is key, and have more patience,” he said. “They are quicker studies and seem to enjoy it more without the competitiveness that’s typical of men.” The growing number of women anglers has spurred Western Anglers owner Ned Mayers to offer Ladies’ Night several times a year. These popular gatherings of women of all ages and skill levels offer fly fishing speakers, support, friendships, merchandise discounts, and a little wine to boot. “This is where we live,” said Mayers, referring to the rich fly-fishing country in Western Colorado. “Take advantage of it. It’s never too late to start.”
MARC
Mayers’ wife, Colette, 47, is also an avid fly-fisher. Working at Whiting Farms in Delta, a leading worldwide source of fly-tying hackle, she gets to share her passion with coworkers and customers. She enjoys the peace that comes with fly fishing, but she especially loves to fly fish with other women. “It’s a great de-stresser,” she said. “I can have a great day and not catch a single fish.” Colette said she’s often caught off guard when she catches a fish because she’s mesmerized by the scenery and life of the river—the wildflowers on the bank, the insects, the sounds of the water and fish waving against the current. “Fly fishing almost forces you to let your mind rest and we don’t do that enough,” she said.
On the flip side, Lennie Watson, a 67-year-old nurse, finds pleasure in the challenge and the technical aspects of fly fishing. “I look forward to the planning and anticipation, as well as actually catching the fish,” she said. Pondering strategy is rewarding for Watson, as she considers factors such as the best fly to use, water temperature, weather and time of year. “I want to learn everything I can about every aspect of fly fishing and how you use your mind, skill and body,” she said. Being a volunteer on Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife Commission for five years opened her eyes to the sport. She took a class with the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife and was excited to hit the water. “Wherever you fly fish is probably one of the most beautiful places you can ever be,” said Watson. “Time flies and the whole world falls away.” While Kari Sewell was growing up, her mom and brother were obsessed
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Kate Larmouth is one of the founders of Able Women, a social outreach aimed at getting women involved in fly-fishing. with fly fishing. She didn’t get serious about it until her mid 20s, after which there was no such thing as too much. “Then life happened, I had two daughters and only went a couple times a year,” said Sewell, 53. Tragedy struck Sewell’s family in 2012 when her husband, Tim, committed suicide. She spent the next several years searching for ways to channel her trauma and grief. Two years ago she reconnected with fly fishing by entering the Grand Valley Anglers Trout Unlimited Carp Fly Fishing Tournament. With her daughters almost grown, Sewell can usually
Lennie Watson fly fishing in Ouray
be found fly fishing at one of her favorite year-round spots. “I was so passionate about it before and I’m so fortunate to have found it again,” she said. “Casting and the focus it requires take the chatter away. For me, it’s a spiritual experience. Fly fishing is the glue that keeps all the pieces in my life together.” For her, it’s about more than just catching fish. It’s about the whole experience, whether she feels like being social with friends, or experiencing nature in solitude.
Fly fishing benefits Kate Larmouth has been fly fishing for 23 years, which is especially a
Get ready to fly fish For more information on fly-fishing equipment lessons, guided trips or Ladies Night through Western Anglers, visit www.westernanglers.com or call 244-8658.
For the right hackle and equipment, contact: Whiting Farms, Inc. - 874-0999 5796 Sawmill Mesa Road, Delta www.whitingfarms.com
Ross Reels - 249-0606 11 Ponderosa Ct., Montrose www.rossreels.com
Want to share knowledge and experiences? Grand Valley Anglers Trout Unlimited – www.grandvalleyanglers.tu.org. Gunnison Gorge Anglers – www.gunnisongorgeanglers.tu.org Able Women – www.ablewomenflyfish.com.
Colette Mayers holds up a fish she caught at a ladies’ float trip.
long time for her since she is only 29. She even met her husband while fly fishing with her dad on the Delaware River. Now they both work at Ross Reels in Montrose. “Fly fishing is more than just a sport,” Larmouth said. “There are physical, emotional and spiritual benefits. It’s about connecting with the outdoors, sharing in a community and giving you confidence in being who you are.” Larmouth is one of the founders of Able Women, a social outreach aimed at getting women involved in fly-fishing, allowing them to share knowledge and experiences
with each other. “Learning to fly fish from another woman is different than from a man,” Larmouth said. “It sometimes felt stressful and like work when I went with my dad. With women, the priority is to have fun. It’s more relaxed and at the end of the day, it’s all about supporting each other.” Whether it’s the calming effect of this quiet sport, the ability to surround oneself with the great outdoors or the camaraderie, women are finding a connection and passion for fly fishing in record numbers. You could say they’re hooked. ■
26 FAITH MOVES
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ShareFest promotes SHAREFESTWEEKEND valley-wide SHAREFESTWEEKEND unity April 24&25, 2010
APRIL 29-30, 2017 VOLUNTEER TO SERVE YOUR NEIGHBORS. Deadline to submit a project request is April 14. ShareFest is an annual event bringing the churches in the greater Mesa County area together to visibly demonstrate the love of Christ through united prayer, a day of serving in the community, sharing service projects, food, and celebrating together God’s goodness.
A CITY WIDE EVENT TO SUBMIT A PROJECT OR VOLUNTEER: Demonstrating the Call: Love970-778-4880 of Christ to Our Community Email: gjsharefest@gmail.com Website: www.gjsharefest.com
970-778-4880
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What can we do for you?
By Melinda Mawdsley
A
fter her husband’s death in 2006, Joan Chaffin was left responsible for the care of their Grand Junction home, including a backyard with a slope so steep that she didn’t feel safe weeding it unless she was clinging to a long rope tied to a tree. Admittedly, Chaffin said, she shouldn’t have been makeshift rappelling in her backyard in her mid70s. She was just hesitant to ask for help. Last year, however, she changed her mind. After seeing advertisements for several years about Grand Valley ShareFest, an annual event pairing community volunteers with people needing work done on their properties, Chaffin finally signed up. “I’m a widow. I live alone, and I just enjoyed theirDemonstrating company so much,” the Chaffin said of her experience with last year’s ShareFest volunteers. ShareFest isn’t just for seniors, but seniors like Chaffin make up a majority of the people seeking help from hundreds of volunteers who spread out across the valley to complete projects. ShareFest is in its 10th year and though most volunteers come from area churches, anyone from the community may take part. In fact, most of the people working at Chaffin’s house last year were Starbucks employees. Rebecca Mashburn first volunteered with ShareFest eight years ago, and in 2016 she returned to work as part of her church group after its congregation decided to take part in the event for the first time. “Before we were strangers, but we really are neighbors,” she said. She said it was a heartwarming experience and it was equally wonderful seeing how the event brought her entire church together. To Tim Roseberry, one of the lasting benefits of ShareFest is its sense of unity, both in the valley as a whole
April 24&25, 2010
and within the faith community. As executive pastor at Fellowship Church, Roseberry’s congregation was one of the original churches to participate in ShareFest in 2008. “Early on, there was just not a lot of church unity in the valley,” Roseberry said. “When ShareFest started, there were principal churches that got together to see this thing through. It brought us together in a way we had never seen before. We did it to see people get help in the valley, but how cool it is that we can come together as a body of Christ?” This year’s ShareFest is April 29-30, and people need not be a member of any area church to receive help. In fact, Roseberry said, volunteers don’t push anyone toward any church. “We want to show the love of Christ in a practical way,” he said. Love of Christ to Our Community Although ShareFest has scaled back in size since its original event that included thousands of volunteers working on nearly 600 projects, longtime organizer Vicki McGee said the event has found its place in the valley. “I think we found that it really is something that is needed, and of course the volunteers love it,” McGee said. “We do yard work, garden preparation, window washing— mainly something that’s going to take manpower. Cleaning up a yard sometimes takes 10 people.” It’s true, Chaffin said. The group who helped her last year spent nearly three hours trimming bushes, cleaning up a planter and weeding her steep backyard. It’s hard to think she once did that work all on her own. “I enjoyed the people who came last year,” Chaffin said. “They requested I apply again so they could come back.” Those in need of assistance with tasks such as turning on swamp coolers, cleaning up yards, window washing or even flipping mattresses are encouraged to apply at www.gjsharefest.com. ■
A CITY WIDE EVENT
What can we do for you?
MARCH 2017
TALKING DIGITAL 27
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Antivirus won’t stop today’s cyber bad guys Talking Digital, By Adam Cochran
What if I told you that you really don’t need an antivirus? I’m not saying that you shouldn’t have one installed, but the traditional antivirus is becoming obsolete, just like DVDs, cable TV and landline phones. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of bad guys in the world and those bad guys haven’t given up on attacking you via your computer. However, they are also realizing that the traditional computer virus is an ineffective and unrewarding way to get the job done. Years ago, computer viruses were little more than the digital equivalent of a “flaming bag of poo” prank. But the new era of cyber attacks can be very profitable for the bad guys, who have found ways to bypass antiviruses by tricking the computer user. Here are a few examples of how these infections work.
The support guy You receive a call from a young man with a thick accent telling you that you have infections on your Windows computer. They often claim to be from Microsoft. They ask you to sit at your computer and follow their instructions. Before you know it, the caller has remote control of your computer and he runs a scan, which shows that you have thousands of malware infections or signs of hacking. He offers you protection for a onetime fee—usually around $100—or a monthly protection plan that is usually in the $300 range. These phone calls are always a scam. And I mean always. No matter how convincing they may sound, there is no way that Microsoft or anyone else will call you to tell you that your computer is infected.
Caring For Your Family with Dignity and Compassion
The error message One night while browsing for videos of pygmy fainting goats, you click on a link on Google and a page begins loading slowly. Suddenly, an error message comes up and tells you that you have a virus and that you should run a scan or call a phone number. It seems that the only way to close the window is to click on the link provided, or call the phone number. Don’t do it. Hold the power button down on your computer for 30 seconds. Then turn the computer back on again. Your computer was never infected and shutting it down will close the fake error messages.
Keep yourself safe online 1. If it causes a shocking emotional response—good or bad—it’s probably a scam or hoax. 2. Don’t ever use wire transfers to send money for something online. Credit cards are the safest form of online payment, but you should always be careful. 3. Don’t believe anyone who calls you to tell you that you have a computer problem. 4. It’s always safe to hang up the phone. 5. You can shut your computer off by holding the power button down for 30 seconds. 6. Don’t trust someone just because they know technobabble that you don’t know. 7. Call your credit card company immediately if you fall for a scam. 8. Don’t be embarrassed if you are a victim. Share your story to help others. 9. If you do need to contact your bank, credit card, or computer support, do it via the phone number associated with the company, not the phone number that is provided in an error message or email. ■
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Estate planning 101: The importance of wills and trusts By William H. Kain, Kain & Burke, PC
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ills and trusts are important aspects of estate planning that should not be taken lightly and drafted yourself in order to save a buck. The decision of whether to spend the extra money to have a qualified estate-planning attorney draft a will or trust for your family is very important, as it can affect the wellbeing of your loved ones for years to come.
The basic outline of a will Everyone should have a will. But what should it include? The introductory paragraph should include your name and any other names you go by or names you’ve used in the past. It should also include the provision that all prior wills have been revoked. In the first couple of paragraphs, a will usually describes your marital status and includes the names of your children. The will should dispose of your personal property—your furniture, jewelry and so forth—to the persons you would like to receive it. Specific bequests should be included, such as dollar amounts to specific people. Don’t forget to state what will happen if that person fails to survive you. Your will should clearly designate your executor and you should include at least one alternate in case the person you’ve selected is unable to fulfill the duties. After special bequests, name the beneficiaries of your residuary estate—which is everything that’s left. Again, don’t forget to state the name of who will receive the portion of the residuary estate if the original beneficiary dies. Finally, your will should be properly executed, witnessed by two people unrelated to you who are not the beneficiaries, and notarized. While it may seem straightfor-
ward, I recommend contacting an estate-planning attorney to ensure that your will is properly drafted and executed. The cost of correcting mistakes in your will after you die can be substantial.
A trust might make sense for your family I’ve worked with parents who’ve spent their working lives scrimping and saving, either for retirement or for the benefit of their heirs, only to have the next generation quickly squander their inheritance on a new car or a lifestyle they can’t afford. If you wish to give money to your children but wish to ensure the money is used responsibly, setting up a trust may be the answer. For example, a bequest to a child of $100,000 could be preserved in a trust for a number of years. There are many ways to set this up, but one way is to direct that the trustee invest the money and pay the child the greater of the income or 5 percent of the trust value on the last day of each year. Depending on the child’s level of responsibility and his or her age, the size of the trust and other factors, one might consider terminating the trust at a specific age, at which time the child is presumably responsible enough to manage the money independently. A trust can also save estate taxes. Some trusts are used specifically for managing IRAs. A child with special needs who is on SSI and Medicaid would probably benefit from a special needs trust. I can’t emphasize this enough: Consulting with an attorney who specializes in these areas before you make any decisions is the best way to ensure your wishes are executed correctly and will save you and your family money in the long run. ■
MARCH 2017
SENIOR SCAMS 29
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Don’t fall for the sweepstakes scam By Megan Terlecky, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office
W
e’ve all had that dream—someone calls you up out of the blue and says, “Congratulations, you won!” But unless you have that winning lottery ticket in your hand, beware. This is a scam.
How it works The scammer will call their potential victim and say the magic words: “You’ve won!” Maybe they claim you’ve won the lottery, Mega Millions or a new car. They try to make you think you’ve signed up for their contest and simply forgot about it. Scammers are convincing and confident in their information, and sometimes bully the victim into believing they already have personal and financial information. In today’s connected age, scammers have gotten even smarter, using personal information from social media websites like Facebook to make their scam more believable. For example, they might name one of your friends, saying they’re the person who signed you up for the prize.
The red flag This is the part where they try to steal your money. In order for you to get your winnings, they say you have to pay up. They may ask you to pay taxes, fees, licensing or for transportation of your new car. If anyone asks for money associated with collecting a prize or lottery funds, it’s a scam. Asking for that money upfront is against the law.
Prevention What can you do to stop this fraud from happening to you? Remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it is. You can’t win a lottery if you didn’t play. Any legitimate lottery or sweepstakes won’t collect funds from you in advance of giving you your winnings. Do not feel pressured or bullied into providing your personal or financial information to anyone you don’t know, especially over the phone. If you are in doubt, ask someone. Tell someone else what is going on before you head to the bank. If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, call the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office at 242-6707. ■
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30 BUSINESS PROFILE
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Heirloom furniture that leaves a legacy By Amanda Arnold
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eautiful furniture is the key to making your space feel like home. Home furnishings are an investment to share with the next generation, because for many people, a treasured piece came from grandma and grandpa. If you’re on the hunt for timeless furniture, check out Black Carriage Furniture for a wide selection of quality heirloom pieces. The family owned business is the spot to find furniture that leaves a legacy of its own. Black Carriage specializes in hardwood furniture that is handcrafted by Amish craftsmen, who owner Jerald Hawkins and his family know personally. When their Iowa farm flooded in the early 1990s, the Hawkins family returned to the Western Slope and opened Black Carriage Furniture in 1999. Hawkins explained that a solid lumber dining room table will not flake or hold stains. A hardwood table purchased today will look just as good years from now. A lot of Black Carriage’s dining room tables also have leaf storage so the leaves will not get misplaced or damage. The dressers are also of the highest quality with dovetailed drawers, and full extension or ball-bearing drawer glides. “It’s made the way it’s supposed to be, and not glued- or stapled-together fiberboard,” Hawkins said. He said most of the people who shop at Black Carriage Furniture are repeat customers, and many are seniors. “Seniors are quality conscious,” he said. “They don’t want particle board, and they don’t want to shop again. They want to have reliable furniture that lasts the rest of their lives.” The store carries furniture for
Black Carriage Furniture owner Jerald Hawkins and family. Black Carriage Furniture offers a wide selection of quality heirloom furniture to last the generations. all rooms of the house, including a large selection of gliders and rocking chairs; ornate rugs; comfortable Flexsteel sofas, chairs and ottomans; and Ultra Comfort America lift chairs, coming in different sizes with adjustable arms and backs. For small rooms or for people looking to downsize, Black Carriage carries Murphy Wall Beds, which are the perfect space savers and are convenient and easier to set up than an inflatable mattress. Spring is in the air, so make sure to get to Black Carriage for sturdy patio furniture. One of Hawkins’ favorites is the Adirondack chair, made out of poly lumber consisting of 95 percent recycled plastics. Hawkins said there’s no need to oil them or protect them from the elements, and the sun won’t fade them. Black Carriage Furniture keeps a record of furniture purchases, so if someone wants to add to a dining room or bedroom set in the future, the original wood, finish and hardware can be matched. Custom pieces can also be ordered. Visit them at 2680 Highway 6 & 50 in Grand Junction. ■
MARCH 2017
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com
In Grand Junction, Red Hatters matter
BEACON GUIDE HIGHLIGHT 31
BOOTHS AVAILABLE!
By Kaylyn Wold
T
his June, Grand Junction will be teeming with women decked out in red hats and purple clothing, and it’s no coincidence. They’re members of the Red Hat Society, an international social organization for women aged 50 or older, and they’ll be in town for a convention hosted by the local chapter. With this major event just around the corner, now is the best time to join the society, have a blast and make lifelong friends. The Red Hat Society’s website describes the organization as “a playgroup for women created to connect like-minded women, make new friends and enrich lives through the power of fun and friendship.” In other words, its members’ main objective is to have a good time. That’s what attracted Kathy Guerrie, who has been a member for seven years. “We are out to have fun, without a care in the world,” Guerrie said. “It’s a chance to get ladies out to do things your mother never wanted you to do.” The society offers a chance for like-minded women, who are at a similar stage in their lives, to come together over their experiences. “In the society, you are never alone. It’s a big friendship circle,” Guerrie said. “Everyone knows these are our sisters.” The Red Hat Society convention will be held on June 22-25 at Two Rivers Convention Center. It’s open to any society member who wishes to attend, no matter where they are from. Attendees are coming from all over the Western U.S., representing Utah, Arizona, California and more. This is the society’s first convention in Grand Junction, and excitement is growing among the local Red Hatters. “It’s a great way to have fun and take the weekend off,” Guerrie said. The convention is a Roaring
’20s- and mystery-themed affair— attendees are invited to dress up in the fashions of the 1920s and allow themselves to be drawn into a mystery. This event is for ladies only. While their husbands may certainly join them during their stay in Grand Junction, the convention is just for the ladies to let loose and have fun. Whether you’re a visitor to Grand Junction seeking a weekend getaway, or a local looking to make new friends, the Red Hat Society convention promises a great time. Space for the convention is filling up quickly. Those interested in this fun-filled weekend are encouraged to register as soon as possible. For more information about the local chapter and convention, visit www.westerncoloradoredhatters. com. For more information about the international society, visit www. redhatsociety.com. ■
Ladies, let loose with the Red Hat Society
The Great Gatsby Mystery Convention
June 22-25 Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St., Grand Junction
Break out those Roaring ’20s outfits for a fun-filled weekend complete with a social hour, mystery dinner, comedian performance, raffles, door prizes and more!
FREE Admission, Entertainment, Seminars, Food Promote Your Business Over 100 Vendors Over 2,500 Attendees
For information call 243-8829
April 20, 2017 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Two Rivers Convention Center Downtown, Grand Junction
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MARCH 2017
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verybody loves St. Patrick’s Day. It’s the only holiday you can drink as much as you like and make a fool of yourself and nobody gets angry. You’re expected to drink until your eyes glaze over, your speech slurs and you propose to the nearest waitress, married or otherwise. If you’re still sober by March 18, you’ve proven you’re no Irishman. You might as well fold your green merino wool sweater, put it back in a drawer and try again next year. People who rarely notice each other become best buddies on St. Paddy’s Day. Folks who wouldn’t be caught dead in anything green deck themselves out from head to toe in various shades of moss-, lime-, forest- and broccoli-colored outfits. Even the most conservative academics raise a glass of green lager or proudly wear a shamrock. For one day of the year, shillelaghs, Erin go Bragh pins and “Kiss Me I’m Irish” T-shirts are as mandatory as trousers. Sedate offices become places of merriment and goodwill. Old grudges and disagreements are forgotten or temporarily set aside. A thoughtful boss unites his employees by arranging for a catered lunch. Although alcoholic beverages will be left at the bar, thick slices of corned beef are sandwiched between two pieces of green bread. Bright green sugar cookies complement green tea. There might even be a contest held for the most original green costume. Once the workday ends, the mad dash to the local pub begins. Irish music pours forth like Guinness, Jameson and Bushmills, and by day’s end there won’t be a dry eye in the place. In days of old, my dad made the rounds, not wanting to favor one drinking establishment over another. By the time he got home, he had sung every Irish song he could
remember. His Gaelic was questionable, but there was no denying the pride he felt in his heritage. His parents had emigrated from County Cork many years before. Dad never visited the Emerald Isle, but I have no doubt that’s where his heart was on St. Patrick’s Day. It was drilled into us kids to wear something green and proudly pin a shamrock to our clothing. Dad would have a fit if he saw one of us leaving the house in an orange blouse, shirt or sweater. One day of the year, orange was absolutely a forbidden color, for it was a reminder of the old troubles between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland. Even if you’ve never kissed the Blarney Stone, consumed Mulligan stew or tasted fresh soda bread baked in a traditional bastable (Dutch oven), it doesn’t matter. On St. Paddy’s Day, you’re as Irish as a leprechaun. You may not have mastered the tin whistle or bodhran, but that’s okay. Oh, the joy of being Irish. The bliss of melancholy and storytelling, the delight in a jig or reel, and the sheer abandon of inhibitions as voices join together in praise of a country most of us have never seen. For one beautiful day, we share a common heritage. I’m aware other ethnic groups have special days. The Finns celebrate St. Urho’s on the 16th of March. St. Lucia’s Day is December 13. A Google search will yield lots of days that salute various saints, but none are as legendary as St. Patrick. So be merry and recall an Irish blessing as you go on your way. “May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind always be at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face and rain fall softly upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.” Rosin your bow, boys, and let the fun begin. ■
MARCH 2017
The 40-day candy drought By Sharon Kennedy
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hen I was a kid, Lent was the most dreaded time of the year because it meant only one thing: Candy was off limits from Monday through Saturday. I’ve never been good at math, but those 40 days of fasting don’t include Sunday. If you count the days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, you won’t get 40. But I never gave that a second thought. All I knew was I had to give up candy. It was drummed into our heads that giving up something was the proper way to show God we loved Him, but it wasn’t out of love for God we gave up candy. It was out of obedience to our parents. I suppose every kid loves candy in all its forms, but I was a purist. Jelly beans stuck to my teeth so they didn’t interest me. Heath bars were too hard, Three Musketeers too soft, Junior Mints too strong. Mounds had too much coconut, Payday too many
nuts, and a bridge mix was just too complicated. Chocolate-covered cherries were fine once the cherries were spit out. I went straight for Cadbury’s Caramello bar. It was the most delicious candy bar ever to land on a store shelf. The brilliant blue wrapping, the crinkle of silver paper and the ooze of velvety smooth caramel all spoke to my sweet tooth. Never has there been a candy bar as heaven sent as that one. The stuff sold today has the same name, but the taste doesn’t compare to its counterpart of years ago. Growing up Catholic in Brimley, Michigan wasn’t easy. Those delicate years of my religious youth were shaped by a harsh priest, a stern lady from St. Ignace who
taught catechism classes every Saturday morning and a mortal fear of God. Jesus was as real to me as the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. Back to the candy drought of 1957. I remember the tragedy like it was yesterday. When we got home from church, I ran upstairs and checked all my hiding places—my toy metal stove, the drawers of my play cupboard and my red plastic sugar bowl. I rummaged through my dolls’ beds, their stroller and a pretty shoebox holding all my holy cards, but it was no use—my sweets were gone. You can imagine how I felt. I had fasted all week, attended the Stations of the Cross on Thursday evening, said my prayers, did my chores, obeyed my parents and this was my reward. There wasn’t a wrapper or chocolate morsel to be found. I have
no idea how the rest of that Sunday went, but I’m sure I begged for candy from all family members. I never found the thief who stole my candy. The disappearance remains a mystery. But luckily, Lent is no longer the dreaded time it used to be. Kids may or may not have to “give up” something. Stations of the Cross have been abandoned in many churches, and being spiritual is more important than being religious. The convictions of my youth aren’t what they used to be either, and my Catholic roots have withered like October’s Winesaps. Looking back, there was something comforting about our strict Lenten tradition. The routine never wavered, there were no surprises and children never questioned anything. We couldn’t wait for Sunday to enjoy a simple pleasure like munching candy bars after a week of no sugar. My, how things have changed! ■
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The Truth About REVERSE MORTGAGES Yes, it is a big decision, and it’s not for everyone, but it might be right for you! • You own your home – not the bank! • Live in your home for as long as you choose free of monthly mortgage payments (borrower must remain current on property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and HOA dues)! • Heirs inherit all remaining equity!!
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970-210-5610 direct vbegalle@ccmclending.com 2560 Patterson Road Grand Junction, CO 81505
Copyright© 2016 Cherry Creek Mortgage Co., Inc., NMLS #3001. This material is not from HUD or FHA and the document is not approved by the Department of HUD or any Government Agency. HUD does not approve the material presented. Cherry Creek Mortgage Company, is not endorsed by nor acting on behalf of or at the direction of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing Administration, the US Department of Agriculture or the Federal Government. To check the license status of your mortgage broker, visit www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
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MARCH 2017
The best answer is to hang up. Keep up with the latest scams designed to steal your money By Teresa Ambord
Tax scams As tax season approaches, scammers start to salivate. Scams heat up with tax season because Americans have their tax returns on their minds, and are more likely to be alarmed if they’re contacted by the IRS. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reports that, since October 2013, phone scammers have stolen more than $54 million from the public. Although many recent arrests have slowed the roll of these scams, TIGTA warns Americans to beware. If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, chances are it’s fake and the caller intends to steal from you. Don’t believe it even if your caller ID says it’s the IRS. Scammers will do all they can to manipulate you. Callers may also give you an IRS employee title and a badge number to convince you. In some cases, they may have a little bit of real information about you, such as the last four digits of your Social Security number. Other times, the caller may not mention your name at all and will begin telling you that you’re in trouble with the IRS. I’ve had three such calls, none of which used my name. Instead, they launched into a demand that I call a certain number to clear up a critical matter with the IRS. Aggressive callers may tell you the matter is urgent—that you owe money and must pay or be arrested, deported or have your driver’s license revoked. They demand that you pay through a wire transfer or a prepaid gift card—even an iTunes card.
The IRS warns taxpayers that just when you learn what to watch for, scammers may vary their approach enough from what you’ve learned that you doubt yourself and buy the lie. One variation is that instead of owing money to the IRS, the caller says you are due a refund. But to get your refund, you have to provide the caller with your bank account information so he or she can directly deposit the money. Don’t fall for it. Hang up.
With this scam growing and ever changing, the IRS released a statement saying their agents will never: • call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes. • threaten to bring in law enforcement to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying. • demand that taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed. • ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
If you don’t owe taxes or don’t think you do: • Don’t give out any information. Hang up immediately. • Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their Impersonation Scam Reporting form at www.treasury.gov/ tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml or call 800-366-4484. • Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
Aggressive callers may tell you the matter is urgent— that you owe money and must pay or be arrested, deported or have your driver’s license revoked.
MARCH 2017
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For those who owe taxes or think they do: • Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help. A call that seems to be from the IRS has the power to make even the toughest guy go weak in the knees. But don’t be fooled. Unless you’re already in touch with the IRS about a prior matter, hang up the phone without comment. Rest assured, if the IRS wants to reach you, they will.
Can you hear me? When you get a call from someone you don’t know and they begin asking you questions—especially ones that you’d answer yes or no to—don’t take the bait. Just hang up. They want you to answer questions, as they record your voice saying yes or even no at times. So they may start with a question you’re almost sure to say yes to: Can you hear me? For safety sake, the correct answer is always to hang up. Here’s how the scam works. It may be a live caller or a robocall, but by answering yes to questions such questions like “Can you hear me?” the scammers now have a recording of your voice saying yes. What follows may be a sales pitch for a cruise or an alarm system. Suppose you never agree to buy anything, but soon learn that you did agree to a purchase. When you dispute the charges, the scammers trot out a recorded sales pitch, which includes you saying yes. Of course, the conversation has likely been heavily edited, if not totally fabricated. Other similar scams get you to “verify” a purchase by dubbing in your yes answer, when the scammers already have your credit card infor-
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What do you do? Well, first of all, don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize. Be aware that scammers can use a fake area code to make it appear that it’s a call from your town, when it could be from anywhere. If you do answer a call that you’re unsure of, instead of answering any question, just hang up. If you’re in doubt about the legitimacy of the call but think it might be real, Consumerist.org, a nonprofit subsidiary of Consumer Reports, suggests you try to answer questions without saying yes or no. One scam involves a caller saying he or she is from a company conducting a survey. They may even promise you payment or entry into a contest or a prize. Say that they ask, “Do you have a dog?” Instead of answering yes, say, “I have a dog.” If a caller asks, “Can you hear me?” and you aren’t sure if the call is real or a scam, answer by saying, “I can hear you.” That gives you a little more time to check it out. The bottom line is never say yes to a telemarketer or other call from an uncertain source. A variation on this scam is one where an automated voice immediately says, “If you want to be added to the DNC (do not call) list, press one.” Knowing how annoyed we all get by these unsolicited calls, the first inclination for many of us is to press one with a vengeance. But don’t! Just hang up. Pressing any key at all may do something sinister, like opening your phone line for overseas calls that will cost you a bundle. Hang up. ■
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36 FUN AFTER 50
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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)
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
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
.
To register for these programs, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org.
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MARCH 2017
Painting Class & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Lunch Bible Study Bridge Canasta
SATURDAY 9:00 am Bridge 1:00 pm Bingo
To make Gray Gourmet lunch reservations, call 243-9844. Cost $3.50
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 available next month.
SPORTS DROP-IN PICKLEBALL Play pickleball at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $5 to drop in or purchase a 10-punch card for $30. • Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 8:30-11:30 a.m. • Tuesday & Friday: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • Saturday: 9 a.m. to noon • Sunday: 1-4 p.m.
VOLUNTEER BE A TRAIL HOST! Spend time outside and have fun volunteering helping out on the Riverfront Trail. Get your application in now. Training and meetings start March 1. Call Lorie at 254-3876.
DANCE THURSDAYS Senior Dances with Live Music Dance from 8-10 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3.
HEALTH MARCH 30 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 registration is required, and class size is limited. 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.
COOKING APRIL 22 Southwest Arbor Fest Applications are being accepted for those wishing to participate in the Mac and Cheese competition at Southwest Arbor Fest. Visit www.gjparksandrec. org for more information or call 2543876 for a chance to compete for some serious cash prizes!
MARCH 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. Blue Lodge Masons meets monthly at 10 a.m. the first Saturday at the Masonic Center. Call 245-5312 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. Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the third Thursday at the Red Cross Training Center. The club will celebrate World Friendship Day on March 9 with a meeting at CMU’s University Center from 4-6 p.m. The university’s international students will attend, and the foreign exchange students from School District 51 high schools have been invited, along with their host families. Call 260-4653 or visit www. thefriendshipforce.org for details. 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. 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 grandjunctionrockclub@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. 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. 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. 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 523-5965 for details. Grand Valley Woodturners meets the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 856-3632.
Great Old Broads for Wilderness will meet at 4:30 p.m. on March 27 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 536 Ouray Ave. Call 255-9900 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. 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 March 11 at the Whitman Education Center. Call 242-7074 for details. Not Going Quietly meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at the 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.
River City Singles
on the fourth Tuesdays at Western Colorado Community College. Visit www.thundermountaincameraclub.org. Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets from 6-9 p.m. Thursdays at the Masonic Center. Call 261-1670. Two River Sams/Good Sam RV Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 11. For location, call 523-5625. Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway, meets at 1:30 p.m. on March 13 in the west meeting room at Golden Corral. Call Barb at 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 7788242 for details. Western Colorado Astronomy Club meets the first Tuesday of every month Colorado Mesa University’s Wubben Hall, room 161. ■
MARCH 2017 Activity Schedule
“Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship!” 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. Tuesday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m. - Enjoy dinner at Las Marias Restaurant, 118 S. Seventh St., then take your receipt to the Avalon Theatre for free admission to the movies. RSVP to Joan at 241-6583. Thursday, March 9 at 11:30 a.m. - The Fun Lunch Bunch meets for lunch at Las Marias Restaurant, 118 S. Seventh St. RSVP to Penny at 712-2588. Wednesday, March 15 at 2 p.m. - Game day at Mary’s. Play Pinochle, Rummikub, Dominoes, Hand and Foot, and more. RSVP to Mary at 242-0630. Friday, March 17 at 11:30 a.m. - Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with green beer and a corned beef and cabbage lunch at The Ale House, 2531 N. 12th St. RSVP to Carol Sue at 523-7020.
38 MESA COUNTY
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Mesa County Calendar
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MARCH 1 Backyard aquaponics lesson Learn how to use sustainable, yearround growing techniques in your home garden at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library. Rick Kenagy, owner of GroFresh Farms 365, will share his extensive gardening expertise focusing on aquaponics, fish and vegetables, water conservation and year-round growing possibilities. The presentation is free and open to the public. Medicare 101 Are you new to Medicare? Come to this free seminar from 10 a.m. to noon to learn more about coverage, when and how to sign up, choosing the best plan for you and more. This seminar is presented by RSVP SHIP and takes place at the Mesa County RSVP office in the lower level of the US Bank Building. Seating is limited. Call 243-9839, ext. 1, to reserve your seat.
MARCH 4 Library fundraiser Ed Sealover, author of “Colorado Excursions with History, Hikes and Hops”—a new guidebook to Colorado’s history, natural attractions and unique watering holes—will be the special guest at the second annual Table of Content fundraiser for Mesa County Libraries. The event, scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at the Central Library, benefits literacy services at Mesa County Libraries. Tickets are $50 and available at www.mesacountylibraries. org/tableofcontent. No tickets will be available at the door. English Country Dance Enjoy dances and live music from the 18th century in the Margery Ballroom, 523 1/2 Main St. Beginners are welcome—there will be a 7 p.m. workshop to learn the basics. The dance runs from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Admission for adults is $10 per person. Come with or without a partner, in casual dress or regency clothing. To learn more, call Connie at 260-5852. International Women’s Day Celebrate International Women’s Day from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley with a dramatic reading followed by Q&A, a women’s issue roundtable and hearing stories about the triumphs and successes of women in the community. Visit booths from local organizations providing support services and information for women. Kids can make crafts to celebrate the strong women in their lives. View artwork by, for and about women and women’s issues. MARCH 7 AARP Drivers Safety Course This class will be held from 1-4 p.m. at Redlands United Methodist Church in rooms 119, 120 and 121. Upon completion, students may be eligible for an insurance reduction of up to 10 percent. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. For more
information or to register, call Roy Rolland at 858-1514.
Acquiring a Pilot Certificate If you’ve ever wanted to soar across the wild blue yonder, find out how to get your private pilot or sport pilot certificate at this free presentation at 4 p.m. at the Central Library. Library Assistant Tim McGreer, who earned a private pilot certificate three years ago, will discuss the steps he took, the steps he should have taken, and the resources that are available locally and in the library to help people become aviators. MARCH 8 Watercolor sketching workshop Nontraditional resources will be used in this hands-on workshop at the Central Library’s Community Room at 6 p.m. Participants will create their own watercolor kits using everyday household ingredients. Observational watercolor sketching will focus on creating artwork from limited ingredients and surroundings. Supplies are included. Registration is required by calling 2434442 or visit www.mesacountylibraries. org. Medicare 201 Come to this free seminar from 10 a.m. to noon to learn more about financial assistance, choosing the right health plan and more. This seminar is presented by RSVP SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Assistance Project) and takes place at the Mesa County RSVP office in the lower level of the US Bank Building. Seating is limited. Call 243-9839, ext. 1, to reserve your seat. MARCH 10 “Music Makes the World Go ‘Round” Celebrate Irish heritage with the Grand Junction Centennial Band. Its free concert, “Music Makes the World Go ‘Round,” leans toward Irish music and will be held in Colorado Mesa University’s Meyer Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. Donations support music scholarships.
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MARCH 11 “Romantic Traditions” at the Art Center The 2017 Piano Salon Series at the Art Center continues with selected music from the Romantic period and the genres it influenced. The performance begins at 2 p.m.; tickets are $15. Call 243-7337, ext. 2. Fruita Evening of Art The Fruita Evening of Art will be held at the Fruita Recreation Center from 7-10 p.m. Sponsored by Family Health West, this event for ages 21 and up showcases local artists, wineries, breweries, food and music. There will be live art demonstrations, a silent auction and a photo booth. Tickets are $25 and available at the Fruita City Market, the Fruita Recreation Center and from Fruita Art and Culture board members. Receive four wine or beer samples and appetizers with each ticket. Contact Patty at 201-7407 or cpdoss4ht@msn. com for more information. MARCH 13 “Evil Editor Tells All” Join award-winning writer and journalist Jan Weeks and learn what makes editors reject a manuscript and how to avoid those mistakes. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, make your writing the best it can be. This class is held at Western Colorado Community College from 6-8:30 p.m. For more information, contact 255-2800 or cec@ coloradomesa.edu. MARCH 15 Why there is no such thing as a simple will Learn the basics about will and trust estate plans and common issues. The attorneys at The Law Office of Brown & Brown, PC, will discuss the difference between probate and non-probate assets and how they are affected by your will, and how to incorporate powers of attorney into your estate plan to ensure your wishes are followed. This free presentation takes place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at The Law Office of Brown & Brown, 1250 E. Sherwood Dr. Regis-
tration required by calling 243-8250 or visiting www.brownandbrownpc.com.
MARCH 16 The Unknown Stories of Montrose Join the Mesa County Historical Society and the Museums of Western Colorado for a oral history program titled, “The Unknown Stories of Montrose: Legends and True Tales,” presented by Montrose County Historical Museum Coordinator Sally Johnson. This free presentation takes place from noon to 1 p.m. at the Whitman Education Center, 248 S. Fourth St. in Grand Junction. Feel free to bring a lunch. Coffee will be served. For details, call Priscilla at 260-5226. MARCH 18 Meditation retreat Enjoy a one-day meditation retreat at the Benedictine Retreat Center, 8250 Kannah Creek Road in Whitewater, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. No meditation experience is necessary and all our welcome. Space is limited to 15 people and advance registration is required. Registration is $75 per person and includes lunch. Register by visiting www. cslgrandjunction.org/classes or in person at the Center for Spiritual Living. Graphic design workshop The Art Center hosts “Graphics for the Commons: Collaborative Graphic Design for Movement Building” from 1-3 p.m. Whether on flyers, websites, or the street, graphics are a crucial element of any successful campaign. In this hands-on, participatory workshop, attendees will learn strategies for educating and organizing with images. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. MARCH 25 Alternative Health Expo The Western Slope’s largest Alternative Health Expo returns to Two Rivers Convention Center. The expo provides a free day of wellness exploration with more than 90 vendors from around the West showcasing products, information and services. Discover ancient techniques, learn about new innovations.
MARCH 27 “How to Submit Your Manuscript” Join award-winning writer and journalist Jan Weeks to learn how to write and format query letters and synopses, and how to format your manuscript. Come prepared to write. This class is held at Western Colorado Community College from 6-8:30 p.m. For more information, contact 255.2800 or cec@ coloradomesa.edu.
MARCH 31 “Music of Heaven” Join the First United Methodist Church for the Schumann Singers’ 2017 Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. This concert will feature music with heavenly themes from classic and living composers in both America and Europe. Tickets are $12 in advance and available from Schumann Singer members, Roper Music and the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra. They are $15 at the door. ■
New Dimensions Winter/Spring term is going strong! To join this incredible senior learning program, follow the one easy step below
1. Send an email requesting membership to info@newdimensionsgj.org
It’s really that simple!
Fall Term registration will begin in August,so don’t delay!
After completing this step, in the future you will receive timely emails regarding class offerings and registration information.
To Learn more, visit our website at www.newdimensionsgj.org or call 970-314-9911.
40 MESA COUNTY
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our residents
their lives
their families
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MARCH 2017
Mesa County Beacon Bits Passion for Hope Craft and Vendor Fair The eighth annual Passion for Hope Craft and Vendor Fair takes place March 10-12 at the Red Pointe Shopping Center next to Tuesday Morning on North Avenue. This year’s beneficiary is the Grant a Wish Program. “HMS Pinafore” by Grand Junction Senior Theatre
Grand Junction Senior Theatre performs Gilbert and Sullivan’s “HMS Pinafore” at 7 p.m. on March 17, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 18 at Grand Junction High School. This year’s show is a musical comedy that takes place aboard the H.M.S. Pinafore, where a Royal Navy captain’s daughter falls in love with a lower-class sailor instead of her father’s choice. Tickets are $10 in advance and available at Roper Music and Alida’s Fruits. Tickets are $12 at the door. For more information, contact Stuart Gardner at 640-0351. Housing authority gives “Friends of Seniors” awards Highlighting its 2016 accomplishments, the Grand Junction Housing Authority hosted its annual meeting at Stocker Stadium on January 23. More than 70 community leaders and partners celebrated the construction of The Highlands, Phase 1, a 64-unit affordable senior housing apartment development. Four “Friends of Seniors” awards were given to community partners who have dedicated themselves to serving seniors in the community: Mike Calabro with Museums of Western Colorado; Dan Olson with Gentiva Home Health; Joann Stamp with Center for Independence; and George Wheeler, former owner of Nellie Bechtel apartments. Workshops at The Art Center The following workshops take place
at The Art Center, 1803 N. Seventh St. Members with the Art Center get discounted rates. Call 243-7337 or visit www.gjartcenter.org to register or for details. March 6 - April 10, Mondays, 6-9 p.m: “Nude Figure” This relaxed workshop enables artists to work with live models to hone their skills and understanding of elements such as line, form, shape, value and proportion. This workshop is $60 for members and $90 for non-members. All levels and all media welcome. March 8 - April 12, Wednesdays, 7:30-9 p.m.: “Dynamic Figure Drawing” Artists develop foundational skills for figure drawing by practicing short poses. The poses will progress from one minute in length to a final 20-minute pose. All sessions are guided by a facilitator; artists new to figure drawing are welcome to come early for an orientation. This workshop is $30 for members and $45 for nonmembers. Classes through the Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction
The Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction, 251 Colorado Ave., hosts workshops throughout the month. To learn more, visit www.cslgrandjunction.org, call 433-7799. • “The Four Agreements,” March 6-27, 12:30-3 p.m. Set your intentions and agreements for 2017 in this workshop. Tuition and fees are $79. Register with an additional family member for $59. • “Foundations of the Science of Mind and Spirit,” Tuesdays, March 7-May 9, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; or Thursdays, March 9-May 11, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Build an empowering life aligned in universal principles. Tuition and fees are $245.
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•“Prosperity Plus”, Mondays, March 27–May 29, 6:30–9 p.m.; or Thursdays, March 30–June 1, 1–3:30 p.m. This 10-week experiment in abundant living provides participants with a proven method for living your best life now.
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. 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. 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. • 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 Oil chAnge SeRvice Service hours any make or model Tuesdays at Village Inn, 757 HoriMonday-Friday zon Drive. Call 241-8975. 95 gas engine 7:30-5:30 • Compassionate Friends offers synthetic oils slightly higher friendship and understanding Saturday 95 diesel to bereaved parents, siblings and 8:00-5:00 engine grandparents. The group meets No appointment necessary monthly at 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Tuesdays at Unity Church, 3205 N. 2728 Railroad Ave • 970-625-1680 • www.columbineford.com 12th St. Call 434-3822. • MS Arts & Crafts group meets at 4:30-6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of the month at the NEED GLASS REPAIR? No Job Too Smal National MS Society’s local office, New Windows • Window Repairs • Window Glass Mirrors New Windows • Window Repairs • Window Glass 521 Rood Ave. Pieces are available Table Tops • Insulated Glass Shower & Tub Enclosures Mirrors • Table Tops • Insulated Glass for purchase and proceeds will Rescreens & •New Screens & New Screens Shower & Tub Enclosures Rescreens go to the NMSS. The class is for Same dayservice service on on most anyone living with MS, and family Same day mostautoglass autoglass members, friends or caregivers of people with MS. Call 241-8975. The Brokerage • GriefShare is a nondenomina970-243-4507 970-243-4507 tional Christ-based support group 2200 E. Main • Grand Junction • Open 8am - 5pm• M-F & Junction 8am - Noon Sat. • All Credit Cards Accep 2200 E. Main Grand for those mourning the death of Open 8 am - 5 pm, M-F & 8 am - Noon, Sat. • All Credit Cards Accepted a loved one. This no-cost group meets from 1-3 p.m. Mondays. For location and details, call Vicci at 628-1453.
It’s worth the drive!
“Baby Boomer” Special
19.
54.
NEED GLASS REPAIR? No Job Too Small
Glass
See world-class entertainment at your local theater These operas and ballets are shown on-screen at Regal Cinemas 14, 648 Market St. in Grand Junction. Visit www.fathomevents.com for more information. • A Metropolitan Opera performance of “La Traviata” plays at 10:55 a.m. on March 11, with an encore on at 6:30 p.m. on March 15. Tickets are $24 for adults and $22 for seniors. • Catch a performance of “A Contemporary Evening,” by the Bolshoi Ballet, at 10:55 a.m. on March 19. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. • Enjoy a Metropolitan Opera performance of “Idomeneo” at 10:55 a.m. on March 25 with an encore at 6:30 p.m. on March 29. Tickets are $24 for adults and $22 for seniors. ■
42 FUN & GAMES
FUN & GAMES
4 1 6 9 7 2 4 6 2 1 7 3 4 9 2 2 1 2 4 9 3 3 2 8 6 6 1 4 5 2 6 e by websudoku.com 8 Puzzl
4 1 6 7 6 2 3 4 9 2 1 2 4 9 3 3 2 8 6 6 1 4 5 2 6 8 doku.com
9 2 4 7 1 2
Puzzle by websu
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MARCH 2017
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FUN & GAMES
MARCH 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 Round peg in a round hole 6 Delhi streetwear 10 Decays 14 Poet’s inspiration 15 “I agree!” 16 Euclid’s lake 17 Latent 20 Impresario Hurok 21 Time frames 22 Parser’s parts 23 Traveler 25 Fateful March date 26 Jack Benny catchphrase 28 Where FDR met Stalin 30 Land of Esau’s descendants 34 In full voice 36 Play opener 38 See red? 39 On the mat 43 Honshu shrine center 44 Cartoon expletive 45 Hearth bit 46 “Leaving Las Vegas” girl 48 Inappro-priate 51 Prime minister Moro 52 Hoops great Willis 54 Bonanza dad 56 Sacred text of Islam 58 Oliver Twist’s request
FUN & GAMES 43
Turn to page 46 for your puzzle answers 59 Greek letter 62 Blue 65 Auerbach and Buttons 66 Sovereign state began in 1937 67 Longest river in France 68 Robin’s residence 69 Paper for the house 70 Single-celled microorganism Down 1 Early -socialist presidential candidate Eugene 2 Popular cookie 3 Non-dancer at the dance 4 Ike’s W.W.II domain 5 More humble in status 6 Libyan hot spot 7 “Rag Mop” brothers 8 Matter for the courts 9 Flood 10 Say nay! 11 Port on the Mediterranean 12 Annoying facial movements 13 Come to understand 18 Deuce topper 19 School builder? 24 President Chester Arthur’s middle name
25 “The Seven Year ___” 26 Sinai streambeds 27 Notched irregularly 29 Strong frothy espresso 31 Dieter’s bane 32 Held title 33 Way around downtown 35 Country P.O. letters? 37 Vanilla of rap 40 Got one’s bearings 41 Big name in cartography 42 Sultanate on the Gulf 47 Put the cuffs on 49 Turned the field 50 Burned rubber 53 Cochlea locale 55 Royal kingdom 56 Capped joint 57 Tote board data 58 Like a bagatelle? 60 Daughter of Cronus 61 Bugged 62 Large coffeepot 63 Giddyup! 64 “Me ___ !”
Crossword Puzzle
44 CLASSIFIEDS
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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.
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MARCH 2017
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: 261-4303, tompetersconstruction.com. HOUSECLEANING AND MORE! Safe and secure small animal pet sitting. Your home, Grand Junction and Clifton area. Reliable house cleaning, once a month or more often. References. Discounts available. Call Benni at 241-2611.
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SERVICES
Need a Personal Driver? 2-4 hours a day, 1 day a week or every other week. Doctors’ appointments, grocery shopping, errands. Must be mobile. Starting at $10/hr. min. 2 hours. Not a taxi service. Experienced. 216-2327. 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** 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.
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46 KUDOS & KVETCH
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A funny thing happened on the way to the forms By Bill Levine
N
othing is certain except death and taxes, and certainly nothing is as boring as taxes. We know this because there is no TV show featuring a forensic accountant, in which the telegenic hero ferrets out the creepy tax cheats among the usual suspects of cabinet members and congressmen. But as a tax pro at a retail firm, I have found that every line in the 1040 is the catalyst for a mini-series. If you don’t agree, I will refund your time spent reading this.
Filing status (line 4)
FUN & GAMES Game answers from page 43
Just like your Facebook status, your 1040 filing status can be fraught with drama. A young, newly married client came in hell-bent to file separately. When I said that filing jointly was preferable, he balked. According to him, everything he and his wife had was separate—separate savings, separate checkbooks, separate investments. I could extrapolate from this their existences in parallel universes. At any rate, he finally agreed to filing jointly when I showed him that his family income would be taxed at a higher rate if they filed separately. He said he would come back, but I
haven’t seen him since. Perhaps he and his wife are now on separate vacations.
Gambling (other income line 21) One client had $100,000 in gambling winnings, but was also unlucky enough to itemize $30,000 in gambling losses. This woman was a gifted amateur, as you cannot possibly be a professional slot machine player. But there are professional gamblers—taxpayers who make a concerted effort to make a profit against the odds. They can attempt then to deduct expenses on a Schedule C sole proprietor, as follows: 1. Disguises for getting back into casinos after banishment for card counting 2. Brooms for sweeping up losing scratch tickets, etc. 3. Depreciating the bad luck from mirror breaking over a seven-year, double-declining balance method 4. Visits to psychics 5. Cruises to Bermuda (with an affidavit that you were in the casino the entire trip)
Exemptions (line 42) The IRS does, in fact, allow a slacker deduction. A young woman came in and wanted to claim her boyfriend as an exemption. This lowers the taxable income by $4,000 so I had to question this claim. It turned out to be legitimate. The boyfriend was an aspiring screenwriter who had no income and was supported by the client. This may not be a good social-economic policy for lazy basement dwellers, but they can always argue that they are providing loved ones with tax advantages.
MARCH 2017
Earned Income Credit (line 66) I became suspicious of the claim for an extra dependent of an Earned Income Credit client. A “nephew” was thrown out as a lucrative EIC dependent living with the taxpayer’s family and supported as such. The only problem was that though they could name him, the family could not come up with the youngster’s birthday. They were able to zero in on the year, but were hazy on the month and day. I tried to help them. “What is his sign? When was his birthday party? Think hard about the 100 or so forms you presumably filled out for this so-called dependent— what was the birth date entered?” Not surprisingly, this kid was not included as an EIC dependent.
Refund On some level all clients are just looking for a wizard-like makeover of their return. They think that the preparer is a master attic rummager who will be industrious enough to find a lost Van Gogh, when he is more likely to find a missing case of Go-gurt. In a client’s perfect world these would be valid deduction assertions: • Mercury in retrograde destroyed my seventh house, so I am claiming a casualty loss • My 30-year-old kid acts like a child so I am claiming him as a dependent • I want to claim 800 dependent children who I support via the Save The Children Fund for 25 cents a day • My kid said our trip to Disney World over the summer is a business expense because he needs to maintain his standing in show-and-tell There is often huge disappointment (and some anger) in the eyes of clients getting a smaller-than-expected refund—or worse, owing taxes. I’m sure that they are thinking that a monkey could key into TurboTax and generate a bigger refund. We all have goals. You may want to walk like an Egyptian, be like Mike, or dress for success, but most of all, everyone wants to file like a billionaire and pay no taxes. ■
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Valentine’s Dance: flirty, fancy and fun T
hanks to all who celebrated Valentine’s Day with us at last month’s Valentine’s Dance, brought to you by the BEACON Senior Newspaper and Hilltop Senior Living Communities. For its fourth consecutive year, more than 200 people attended this unforgettable event, which took place in the Garden Room at The Commons of Hilltop. Attendees dined on delectable hors d’oeuvres and sweet treats made by The Commons’ staff and filled the dance floor, swaying to the big band rhythms of Clark Gault’s Swing City Express. An evening with friends, food, drinks, a photo booth and live
Question
of the
Month
Where are your ancestors from?
dance music from an authentic big band, it’s no wonder that the Valentine’s Dance is the top choice as a way for the area’s mature adults to celebrate love in all forms. Here are some of our favorite shots from this year’s dance. ■
➤ Dennis Lankes “I am Irish, Italian and German. Some would say I’m supposed to be an angry, drunk Catholic. My grandmother came to America and met my grandfather immediately after she got off the ship. They married and lived in Buffalo, New York their whole lives.”
Dusty Boyd
➤
MARCH 2017
“My father’s family came from Scotland and my mother’s family came from Wales and Cornwall, bringing with them the recipe for Cornish pasties, a popular lunch in the underground mines in Cornwall.”
➤ Jason Cleckler “We had a great time dancing and visiting with long-time friends in the Garden Room at The Commons, which was so transformed it was amazing. Everything was so well done, making the evening extra special. The Clark Gault band worked their special magic. We posted on Facebook with a caption of keeping the romance alive and must say we saw many examples of folks doing just that all evening! Thank you for keeping this tradition going!” - Joe and Judy Chmielewski
“My ancestors are from Germany and England. When they immigrated to the U.S. it probably was good to have both German and English bloodlines, but I’m not sure what brought my ancestors out west.”
I H AV E M A N Y MILES BEHIND ME AND STILL A LOT MORE TO GO For forty years, Dave Knutson has been enjoying trail running and all its ups and downs. He might not be doing as many miles as he did in his twenties, but he is still going strong. For Dave, there is no over the hill, just the race to the top, and Rocky Mountain Health Plans Medicare will be with him for the long haul.
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_MC242A_10032016 Accepted