Lovin' Life After 50 Phoenix - February

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What Could Go Wrong?

Mesa, AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.

The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness, numbness, balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves degenerate – an insidious

cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.

The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “Band-Aid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.

Thankfully, Mesa is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.

1. Finding the underlying cause

2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage (above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable)

3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition

Aspen Medical in Mesa, AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00. Th is ground-breaking treatment is engineered to achieve the following, accompanied by advanced diagnostics and a basic skin biopsy to accurately analyze results:

1. Increases blood flow

2. Stimulates and strengthens small fiber nerves

3. Improves brain-based pain

The treatment works by delivering energy to the affected area(s) at varying wavelengths, from low- to middle-frequency signals, while also using Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling

It’s completely painless!

The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope!

Aspen Medical begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage –a complimentary service for your friends and family. Each exam comprises a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.

Aspen Medical will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until February 28 2023. Call (480) 274-3157 to make an appointment.

Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this offer to the first 10 c allers YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL (480) 274-3157… NOW!!

We are extremely busy, so we are unavailable, please leave a voice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Aspen Medical 4540 E Baseline Rd., Suite 119 Mesa, AZ, 85206

As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves

Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:

Depending on your coverage, your peripheral neuropathy treatment could cost almost nothing – or be absolutely free.

THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THIS TREATMENT IS COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST INSURANCES!!

Leibo At Large Super Bowl ‘bargains’ put skinning in the game

With Super Bowl LVII fast approaching, one can only marvel at the prices being commanded from the tourists coming to the Valley for the Big Game. I am currently staring at the booking page for a Motel Six located near 51st Avenue and McDowell Road in Maryvale.

The price for a 200-square-foot “premium room,” which features two double beds, a fridge, a microwave, and a violent crime rate over twice the national average?

A mere $864 a night.

Keep in mind, this is a hotel with 906 reviews that average two stars. This is not exactly Fodor’s material: “Holes in the walls and floor, green sludge on the floor. Deposit was more than the room. Check out took 45 minutes. Security was solid, though.”

I’m a glass-half-full fellow. Between the solid security and the free WiFi, I can’t recommend these luxe accommodations enough. My only regret is that the Dallas Cowboys got knocked out of the playoff s. I would’ve paid big money to see some cowpoke in a 10-gallon Stetson and a Roger Staubach jersey trying to choose between Filiberto’s up the street or the IHOP on the other side of I-10.

Then there’s trying to book a round of golf. If you read this space regularly, you know I’m addicted to that cursed game.

Right now, even modest public golf courses plan to gouge golfers for upward of $300 a round during Super Bowl week. Consider OrangeTree in Scottsdale, which in summer is almost worth every bit of its $50 bucks in greens fees. This week, rounds in prime time are going for about $150 for 18 holes.

Super Bowl week? If you want to play the Friday morning before the game, be prepared to part with $315 per person.

Factor in that it’ll be a five-hour round full of drunken bros sporting cigars the size of a 7-iron and I’ll pass. But look on

the bright side: These would-be Bryson DeChambeaus typically shoot about 120 not counting mulligans. At $2.62 a stroke, that makes OrangeTree a better buy than a gallon of unleaded.

According to a study by researchers at Arizona State University, SB57 should create about 100,000 visitors to Glendale and points beyond and about $600 million in economic impact.

A sizable portion of this haul will be created by locals renting out their homes. Browsing the available shortterm rentals on VRBO shows about 300 properties left unrented.

The most opulent of the bunch: A “tropical modern paradise” atop Camelback Mountain renting for about $16,000 a night — or 114 grand for the week. It’s a six-bedroom private gated villa close to Paradise Valley with a chipping green and a bocce court. It also includes “daily maid service” and “500 thread count luxury white linens.”

No word on whether security is solid. As a get-rich-quick scheme, I briefly considered going on vacation and renting out my place. Or as I planned to describe it on Airbnb: “Motel 5! LIke A Motel 6 Minus The Crime!”

If a room full of green sludge gets 860 bucks a night, I thought I could get $1,000 a night, easy. Heck, I might even get $1,200 a night if the out-of-towner wanted to borrow my “personal private security force,” which includes Violet, a pitbull mix, and Lucy and Ethel, who together comprise “25 pounds of canine terror.”

Seems like more trouble than it’s worth, though. I’m going to stay home, stay off the golf course, and watch the big game on TV. That means I’ll miss the Super Bowl Experience, and I’m perfectly OK with that.

I’ve been robbed before.

I don’t need to volunteer for a repeat.

Hayworth’s Opinion

49ers strike gold with East Valley rookie

Hall of Fame catcher and noted clubhouse philosopher Yogi Berra offered a mathematically dubious calculation to describe the “mind games” within our national pastime. You might call it “Yogi’s Law.”

“Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.”

Brock Purdy plays a different professional sport in a different era, but he probably would not deny the larger truth preceding Berra’s computation — especially in the wake of the Queen Creek native’s remarkable rookie season in the NFL.

Brock’s improbable rise from thirdteam reserve to San Francisco’s starting quarterback — with his successful string of seven straight victories — is the stuff of storybooks.

As this column is being written, Purdy and his 49er teammates are preparing to visit Philadelphia to play the Eagles for the NFC Championship.

Dizzying heights, for sure… especially for his first year in pro football. But instead of a storybook, Purdy relies on the Good Book, and the Bible has imbued him with wisdom beyond his 23 years.

“Everything happens for a reason; it’s all a lesson from the Lord,” Brock has said.

A few hard knocks have supplemented Scripture and kept him humble.

Mononucleosis sidelined Purdy for the first three games of his junior season at Perry High and affected his standing among major college recruiters, who initially displayed minor interest. Then the big schools saw Brock’s big numbers in passing yardage for the Pumas and pounced with cat-like quickness — especially Alabama, which upped its offer

from “preferred walk-on” to full scholarship.

Tuscaloosa ain’t Tinseltown, but the Crimson Tide’s head coach then appeared to take a page from the unnamed Hollywood casting director who reportedly said of Fred Astaire, “Can’t act, can’t sing, can dance a little.”

During Brock’s campus visit to Alabama, Nick Saban didn’t mince words, telling Purdy, “You’re below average in height. Your arm strength is whatever. Your accuracy is average.”

Whether it was candor meant to inspire Purdy or confusion with another recruit, Saban’s unvarnished assessment certainly proved motivational. It motivated Brock Purdy to pass on the perennial national power, take a close look at Texas A & M and finally choose Iowa State.

Purdy’s four years as a Cyclone were a whirlwind. Foreshadowing his NFL experience, he began his freshman season as a third-stringer, but soon became the starter, opening eight games and ending up with the sixth-best pass rating in the NCAA. His second season brought second-team All Big 12 Honors, and he was first team All-Conference his final two years.

April of last year brought another transition and an action some might consider an insult — or, as Yogi Berra might have called it, “Deja vu all over again.”

Purdy’s name was called at the NFL Draft but was the last name called and that final pick came with a nickname that is less than complimentary.

When San Francisco selected him with the 262nd — and concluding — pick of the draft, Purdy earned the title “Mr. Irrelevant.”

What might seem insulting at first

glance was actually initiated as an honor. The late Paul Selata, who starred as a receiver first at Southern Cal and later with the 49ers, thought the last player picked should receive an “accolade” similar to the top selection.

So Selata began “Irrelevant Week” in 1976, bringing the bottom selection to Newport Beach, California, for a trip to Disneyland, a golf tournament, a regatta, and a celebrity roast, where “Mr. Irrelevant” is awarded the “Lowsman Trophy” — the opposite of the Heisman — get it? There is a higher purpose to the “ex-

ercise in irrelevancy” — raising funds for charities such as SPIN — Serving People In Need — so Brock and his family gladly made the trip.

Now Purdy and the Niners face this fundamental truth: They are one win away from the Super Bowl. Berra would caution that “it’s not over ’til it’s over.”

But regardless of the outcome, for Brock Purdy, this is just the beginning.

News Briefs

AAUW fashion show successful

The AAUW Northwest Valley hosted a fashion show by New Image Fashions at the Sun City West Foundation on January 16. All monies went toward a scholarship fund for women and girls.

Baskets were raffled, and a stained-glass piece by Judy Neigoff and a quilt were part of the silent auction to raise funds. Joy Catering provided lunch while the husbands served wine by donation.

The American Association of University Women promotes equity and education for women and girls. AAUW advances gender equity for women and girls through research and education.

Membership is open to anyone holding an associate degree, bachelor or higher

Live

degree from a regionally accredited college or university. For more information, call Cynthia Ferguson at 774-284-0471.

Acacia Health Center named one of the best

Acacia Health Center, the on-site health center at Sagewood Senior Living com-

munity, was recently recognized as one of the Best Nursing Home’s for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care in the 2022-23 U.S. News & World Report.

The annual Best Nursing Homes ratings assist prospective residents and their families in making informed decisions in consultation with their medical professionals about where to receive shortterm or long-term care.

Only 16% of U.S skilled-nursing facilities earned the “Best Nursing Home” designation this year.

“We pride ourselves on Acacia’s top-ofthe-line care, outstanding staff and comprehensive services,” says Natalie Miko, Acacia Health Center administrator. “It is an honor to be nationally recognized as one of the best care facilities in the nation. At the end of the day, it is about making sure our residents are well cared for and I am proud to say we go above and beyond.”

For 2022-23, U.S. News rated more than 15,000 nursing homes on care, safety, infection rates, staffing and health inspections. For the first time, the Best Nursing Homes ratings feature a new measure on weekend staffing and another new mea-

sure on infection rates that led to hospitalizations.

“Choosing the right nursing home based on care needs and comfort is a critical decision for prospective residents and their families,” says Zach Adams, health data engineer at U.S. News. “The Best Nursing Homes ratings highlight nursing homes that excel in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care needs.”

The Best Nursing Homes methodology factors data such as resident care, safety and outcomes. To calculate the Best Nursing Homes ratings, U.S. News evaluated each nursing home’s performance using a variety of data obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Both short- and long-term ratings include data on consistency of registered nurse staffing, use of antipsychotic drugs, and success in preventing ER and hospital visits. The long-term care rating also includes measures of whether a home changed ownership and how well they were staffed on weekends. The shortterm rehabilitation rating also includes measures of a home’s success in preventing falls, preventing serious infections, Briefs...continues on page 7

You will love living in a Kivel Manor Apartment...

Located in East Central Phoenix, the Kivel campus is beautifully landscaped and offers 210 well maintained independent living apartments. As a HUD community it is designated for income qualified individuals 62 years of age and over. Rent for a Kivel Manor Independent Living apartment is only 30% of adjusted gross income. Rent includes Utilities – Air Conditioning, Heat, Water, Sewage, Garbage and free Cable TV channels.

Kivel campus offers a variety of amenities:

• HUD 210 studio & one bedroom apartments

• Basic cable & utilities included

• Full service Hair Salon

• Theatre where residents enjoy movies

• Mini-mart for those little things you might need!

HUD SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

For more information or to schedule a tour, please call Kivel Manor (602) 443-8039

Conveniently located 1 block north of Thomas 3040 N. 36th Street

• Phoenix, AZ 85018

• Attractive dining room serving affordable, delicious and nutritious meals. Dietary laws observed.

• Media center with high-speed internet access

• Laundry facilities on each floor

• Weekly shopping and banking trips along with monthly outings aboard the Kivel bus.

• Bingo is a favorite event but card games, book clubs, crafts, drawing and painting classes along with discussion groups offer stimulating and fun things to do.

Each apartment has:

• Kitchen with a stove/oven, full size refrigerator with plenty of freezer space

• Spacious bathrooms with grab bars and emergency call pull cords

Safe and Secure:

• Off-duty police security patrol

• 24-hr emergency call system

• Automatic fire alarm & sprinkler system

Numerous Social/Recreational Options

• On-site media center & theatre

• Bingo, cards, crafts

• Exercise & Tai Chi

• Discussion groups & book clubs

• Kivel bus for shopping & outings

and making sure residents are able to return home.

Info: sagewoodlcs.com

Fry’s Food Stores unveils new store in Surprise

A new Fry’s Marketplace Stores will open on Wednesday, February 22, which is also Supermarket Employee Day. The 128,000-square-foot, full-service grocery store is located at 16400 N. Pat Tillman Boulevard, Surprise.

“All of our associates at the new store are looking forward to meeting our neighbors in Surprise,” says Monica Garnes, president of Fry’s Food Stores. “Not only will our customers find fresh, affordable food, but they will also find some of the most friendly and caring associates who are ready to meet their everyday needs.”

The new store will feature a modern design with a wide variety of amenities, including:

• Murray’s Cheese shop will feature an array of cheeses from around the world. See our specially trained cheese masters for suggestions on how to pair a cheese with your favorite bottle of wine or craft beer.

• Sushi station will offer a variety of grab-and-go rolls and nigiri as well as a full-service ordering options for those who want something particular to their taste.

• Extensive wine department with a knowledgeable wine steward to assist with selecting the perfect wine for any occasion.

• Starbucks baristas will create the full range of coffees, teas and snacks the public loves, including the Cold Brew Nitro.

• Chompie’s will be offering a wide selection of sandwiches and soups, available in a grab-and-go case.

• Pharmacy will provide an array of prescription services including easy prescription transfers, a complete line of vaccinations, same-day delivery service and a convenient drive-thru.

• Apparel department featuring clothing from Fry’s Dip label, as well as other name-brand clothing, shoes and accessories for the entire family.

• Housewares department will feature the latest kitchen essentials and home trends.

• Pickup services for conveniently ordering groceries online.

• Fuel Center will have 18 pumping stations and will be open to serve customers 24 hours a day.

The new Fry’s Food Store will be managed by Jeremy Valdez, who has a passion for people and taking care of his associates, customers and the community.

Rock and gem club’s show approaching

Apache Junction Rock & Gem Club is hosting its semi-annual Rock & Mineral Show at a new location in March — Mesa Community College, 1401 S. Dobson Road, Mesa.

This dog-friendly event will be held in the parking lot under the solar panel shade structures. Over 70 vendors from Arizona and nearby states will sell precious gems, minerals, rocks, slabs and jewelry.

The show is outdoors 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 4, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 5. Cost for adults is $3; $1 for students with ID. Free for children. Students with school ID are $1. Children 12 years and under are free.

More than 70 vendors will sell pieces with prices ranging from $1 to several

hundred dollars.

The Apache Junction Rock & Gem Club encourages rock hounding at a young age and participates in STEM nights at local junior high schools. The Apache Junction Rock & Gem Club is a nonprofit that provides scholarships to students whose main interests are earth sciences and geology. This year, there will be a scholarship program for undergrad students at MCC. The Scholarship Committee at the AJ Rock Club is facilitated by Vicki Bretey.

The club is located at 2151 W. Superstition Boulevard, Apache Junction. The AJ Rock Club facility has a large lapidary room set up with machines to cut rocks, polish, grind down and shape to make cabochons for necklaces or other jewelry items. There is also a silver smithing program to learn how to set stones in jewelry.

The club arranges more than 40 local

field trips a year to go on rock hunts, plus holds a monthly general meeting open to the public the second Thursday of the month September through May. The cost to join the club is $4/month plus fees for equipment use. Previous field trips can be seen on YouTube by searching AJROCKCLUB.

Info: ajrockclub.com

Storyteller A at

Heart

Kathleen Turner brings ‘that voice’ to MAC

With her trademark husky voice, Kathleen Turner calls herself a storyteller.

She tells stories through movies like “Romancing the Stone,” “Peggy Sue Got Married” and “The War of the Roses” and via Broadway, for which she garnered two Tony nominations for her roles in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.”

“That’s what I do; that’s what I love,” she says.

Turner will share stories of her career with “Finding My Voice” at the Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Theater at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 18. Her show has been described as humorous with music and insights into her extensive career.

“I’m looking forward to Mesa,” Turner says. “I was in Arizona recently. I came out to a wellness spa (Civana in Carefree) and it was amazing. The treatments — oh! — some of the sessions, they were great.”

At her shows, she croons tunes like “Let’s Fall in Love,” “I’d Rather Be Sailing,” “On the Street Where You Live” and “Every Time We Say Goodbye.”

“I tell stories and out of the stories come songs,” she says. “Nothing original — they’re all classics in their way. They act as spotlights on the stories.”

Her latest story is “White House Plumbers,” which hits HBO in March. The ve-episode show takes a look at how Watergate masterminds E. Howard Hunt (Woody Harrelson) and G. Gordon Liddy (Justin Theroux) accidentally toppled the presidency they were trying to protect.

Turner says she’s in the rst episode and it’s humorous to see what they thought they could get away with. That study of human behavior has kept her passionate since her career began in the early 1980s.

“Acting is the study of human behavior,” she says. “There’s no end to that, Lord knows. Why someone behaves the way they do is endlessly fascinating.”

Discouraged to act

Born June 19, 1954, in Spring eld, Missouri, Turner was raised in a strictly conservative Christian home to parents who discouraged performance.

“My father was of missionary stock,” she was quoted as saying. “So theater and acting were just one step up from being a streetwalker, you know? So when I was performing in school, he would drive my mom (there) and sit in the car. She’d come out at intermissions and tell him, ‘She’s doing very well.’”

Because of her father’s foreign service jobs, she grew up in Canada Cuba, Venezuela and London, England, where she attended The American School in London.

That’s where she got the acting bug. She attended Southwest Missouri State University for two years, when director Herbert Blau saw her in “The House of Blue Leaves.” He invited her to spend her senior year at the University of Maryland. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from there in 1977.

It proved to be a springboard for her career. After making her TV debut in “The Doctors,” she starred as Matty Walker in

“Body Heat,” which brought her international acclaim.

In 1983, she signed on for “The Man with Two Brains” and, subsequently, “Romancing the Stone,” for which she won a Golden Globe. She reteamed with her co-stars Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito in “The Jewel of the Nile.” Her resume also includes starring roles in “Prizzi’s Honor” with Jack Nicholson, “Peggy Sue Got Married” with Nicolas Cage, and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”

In the late 1980s, she partnered with Douglas and DeVito again in “The War of the Roses.”

Turner remained an A-list lm star leading lady in the early 1990s, starring in “V.I. Warshawski” and “Undercover Blues,” until rheumatoid arthritis seriously restricted her activities.

Looking back, she has fond memories of her career, particularly her experiences with “Romancing the Stone.”

“We had such a great time,” she said. “I loved being down in Mexico. I grew up in South America, in part. It was fun to be immersed in that culture again. Michael (Douglas) had one bilingual assistant director. Some of the actors didn’t speak English; Manuel (Ojeda, who played Zolo), almost no English at all. We had to give them annunciation and interpretations.”

Her passions now are directing and teaching. In the fall, she worked with graduate students at the University of Virginia a week every month. After 45 years in the business, she yearns to pass on the ethics and the responsibility.

“I just have to be very, very, very true to myself,” she says. “I can’t make up stories or lie or any of that. I can’t. It’s a constant test of honesty and intention.”

Kathleen Turner: Finding My Voice

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 18

WHERE: Piper Repertory Theater at the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa

COST: Tickets start at $54

INFO: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com

Beating the Odds

‘Shu

Bob’ saves the

Thanks to one man, the residents of The Citadel Senior Living Community in Mesa have a new way to stay active.

Robert “Shu eboard Bob” Zaletel’s efforts resulted in two refurbished shu eboard courts for residents. It’s also home to The Citadel Vikings, the community’s shu eboard team and part of the Arizona Shu eboard Association.

But of all Zaletel’s accomplishments, he never thought he’d accomplish this.

“I mean this with all my heart: I never thought we could even do that,” Zaletel says. “And then once people started coming out, I thought maybe we put a little team together, and some of these some of these people, they never miss (a game).”

Before Zaletel picked up a shu eboard cue, he was a star baseball player at Lorain High School in Lorain, Ohio, where he helped his team to the 1957 state championship, and played Division 1 basketball at Kent State University, where he graduated with a bachelor of science in education in 1963.

Zaletel started playing shu eboard 35 years ago when he was living in Las Vegas and working as a special education teacher for fourth and fth graders.

The natural athlete has continued to earn countless tournament wins and was inducted into Arizona Shu eboard Association Hall of Fame and USA National Shu eboard Association Player Hall of Fame in 2007.

The humble Zaletel says the only other person to accomplish this feat: his shu eboard mentor Bud Walrath.

“I say that with pride, and now I’m not trying to brag, but I’m kind of proud of that fact,” Zaletel says.

Zaletel was president of the Arizona Shu eboard Association in 2000 and suggested to the international association that they bring their biggest tournament back to Mesa for the rst time since 1991.

In March 2003, about 250 American, Canadian, Australian, Japanese and Brazilian players converged on Mesa’s Las Palmas Grand for the World Championship Tournament.

for Mesa seniors

Zaletel says his most memorable tournament happened in 1999 in Hemet, California, where he and his good friend Ed played in a doubles tournament comprising 192 teams.

Seven straight wins in a row and the pair found themselves playing against a hometown team from Hemet.

When the dust settled, Zaletel and his Canadian friend walked out of that tournament with $1,300 in prize money, but to this day he’d rather have the trophy.

“I’d rather have a trophy that I can put on my trophy case,” Zaletel says. “I’m what you call old fashioned.”

Terry Speth, executive director of The Citadel, says Zaletel approached him with an idea about four months ago to x the old shu eboard courts, which had fallen into disarray.

With unkept hedges and overgrowth that made the courts unserviceable, Speth started to research the cost to resurface the courts and landscape the area as well as see if other residents had an interest in playing on them.

Normally good at knowing his resident’s needs, Speth says this is the rst time a resident has taken an active role in providing something for the facility.

“This the rst time we’ve actually had a resident come with a plan,” Speth says. “He’s the one that did the research on how much it would cost to redo the courts.”

Speth says the location gives the residents a perfect spot to play year-round.

“It’s shaded pretty well the way it’s located in here and they can actually play in the afternoons easily even during the hotter times because it’s in the shade,” Speth says.

With physical activity so crucial to an aging population’s health, Speth says it’s awesome to have Zaletel motivating other residents to stay active.

“So, it’s just a huge asset to our facility to have a resident like him that wants to improve other people’s lives, keep them active, keep them you know moving,” Speth says. “That’s a big thing at their age, they need to keep active if they want to keep going.”

On January 13, Mary Alice McKim led the visiting shu eboard team from Orangewood Shadows RV Park.

McKim started playing in 2011 and once played in a tournament with Zaletel, so she knew his reputation.

“So, you can imagine how nervous I was knowing the reputation of Bob,” McKim says. “But he was wonderful, and I enjoyed it.”

McKim says Zaletel was instrumental in getting her and their league started

as well and though The Citadel’s court doesn’t compare to her home courts, she’s happy for the residents and what Zaletel has done for them.

“Bob is very passionate about shu eboard, and I think it’s great that he’s come here and got this set up for the people in the residence here and I look forward to them to continuing,” McKim says.

Fake News

Huey Lewis tribute keeps legend’s music alive

Roger Langdon sees The Heart of Rock and Roll as much more than a Huey Lewis & the News tribute act. It’s a true appreciation for a band who rarely performs due to Lewis’ diagnosis of Ménière disease, a disorder caused by buildup of fluid in the chambers in the inner ear. It causes symptoms such as vertigo, nausea, vomiting, loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, headache, loss of balance, and sweating.

“It’s a love letter to Huey Lewis & the News, their fans and that era of music,” says Langdon, a Temecula, California, resident who’s a dead ringer for Lewis.

“We take what we do very seriously, but we have a lot of fun with it. It’s a very, very fun, high-energy show.”

Huey Lewis & the News found success in the 1980s with songs like “Heart and Soul,” “The Heart of Rock & Roll,” “Stuck with You,” “Do You Believe in Love,” “I Want a New Drug” “If This is It,” “Hip to Be Square” and “Doing It All for My Baby.”

The group’s latest album, “Weather,” was released two years ago.

In The Heart of Rock and Roll, Langdon is joined by six musicians, who have toured with legends like Carrie Under-

wood, Kenny Loggins, Jim Messina and Olivia Newton-John. Saxophonist Steve Nieves played with Loggins and Messina.

The band also includes guitarist/co-founder

Tony Langdon, drummer Jay Smith, keyboardist George Logemann, bassist Russ Reshaw and guitarist Nick Costa.

This year, The Heart of Rock and Roll celebrates 10 years of telling the News’ story. They’ll play throughout Arizona this February.

“The reason we started it 10 years ago was because I was in another variety/cover band that played a lot of Southern California venues,” says Langdon, who is friends with Sean Hopper, the saxophonist for Huey Lewis & the News.

“When we did our shows, I would try to imitate the singer. I tried to change my voice to imitate certain people. When we

were doing James Brown, I’d try to sound like James Brown. When we were doing Michael McDonald, I’d try to sound like Michael McDonald. Huey Lewis is in my natural range.”

He admits he didn’t particularly look

The Heart of Rock and Roll: A Tribute to Huey Lewis

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, February 23

WHERE: The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa

COST: Tickets start at $20 INFO: hueytribute.com

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, February 25

WHERE: DesertView Performing Arts Center, 39900 S. Clubhouse Drive, Tucson

COST: Tickets start at $30 INFO: 520-818-1000, hueytribute.com

like him until he lost weight, changed his hairstyle, and started wearing sunglasses onstage.

“That’s why we chose it,” Langdon says. “I look and sound like him. Nobody really around the country is doing a Huey Lewis tribute. We cornered the market.”

If venues permit it, The Heart of Rock and Roll features videos from the 1980s, creating a high-energy tribute.

“You will feel like you saw them again,” Langdon says. “We hear all the time, ‘You guys are just like them. You guys are nailing it.’ That’s the best compliment we can get. It’s a very professional show. We’re not cheesy.”

Gimme ABBA

Mania pays tribute to the great Swedish rock/pop group

Swedish rock/pop group ABBA rose fame in 1974 with its song “Waterloo” and continued with “The Winner Takes It All,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Fernando,” “Dancing Queen” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man after Midnight).”

The group’s music inspired the popular jukebox musical “Mamma Mia!”

London-based Mania: The ABBA Tribute gives audiences a full ABBA experience, complete with choreography and music inspired by the group.

The tour will visit Tucson’s Rialto Theatre on Friday, March 3, and the Mesa Arts Center on Saturday, March 4.

The tribute show was founded in 1999 and had its first performances in 2000. It received the 2002 Radio Regenbogen Award for Best Musical and has been performed in London’s West End.

In 2004, performers from the show were featured during a TV special honoring the anniversary of “Waterloo,” which was broadcast throughout Europe and included ABBA band members and “Mamma Mia!” stars.

In the tribute show, performers from around the world portray ABBA band members Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson.

Liverpool-born Alison Ward, who portrays Fältskog, has a mathematics degree from Leeds University, but she has performed most of her life. She has recorded original music and toured in Germany and appeared in music videos and TV shows on the BBC and MTV. Along with the ABBA tribute, she also does a solo show “All by Myself” on cruise ships, where she performs different genres of music.

Ward joined the ABBA tour in 2010.

Growing up, she listened to ABBA songs, but doing the tribute has given her an even greater appreciation for the band.

Describing herself as a “big fan,” Ward watched videos online to prepare for the Mania gig.

“Watching clips of ABBA in the past, videos that were available to watch them perform, it was quite good to be able to get into the ABBA vibe a lot easier,” Ward

says.

In portraying Fältskog, Ward works hard to stay true to her movements, vocal style and choreography.

“I try to keep it to how she did the songs, very accurate to her. The same with the dance moves. I don’t get too carried away because she always did smaller steps, very simple dance moves,” Ward says.

The costumes, too, fit with the group and time period.

“We try to re-enact as much as we can to make it as realistic as possible,” Ward says.

The show highlights ABBA’s greatest hits, along with one lesser song called “I’ve Been Waiting for You.” Ward is featured on this song.

“It’s such a beautiful song that I love to perform,” Ward says.

During one emotional portion of the show, Ward sings the hit song “Winner Takes It All.”

“It’s quite a big moment. It’s quite a dramatic song. I try and make sure I portray it as she did,” Ward says.

Although she been performing in the show for over a decade, Wards still enjoys

singing ABBA’s music every night.

“I’ve been doing these songs from nearly 14 years, and honestly, I’m not bored of them in any way,” Ward says.

The performances often have a party vibe where audiences respond to their favorite songs.

“Everyone is so lovely. Everyone loves the music, supports it. They all want to meet us after the show,” Ward says.

Mania: The ABBA Tribute

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, March 3

WHERE: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, Tucson PRICE: Tickets start at $27.50 INFO: 520-740-1000, rialtotheatre.com

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4

WHERE: Ikeda Theater, Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa PRICE: Tickets start at $25. INFO: 480-644-6560, mesaartscenter.com

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Calendar of Events

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Chair Volleyball, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter. com

Mindful Art, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Real Country, 6 p.m., Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-9827991, barleensdinnershow.com

Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480288-0300, silverstartheater.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Game Day: Mexican Train Dominoes, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Farm Basket Bingo: Wear Red Theme, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Game Day: Rummikub, 2 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter. com

Rockin’ & Rollin’ Through the Years, 5:30 p.m., Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Jim Weichel Talk and Lunch, 11 a.m., Grandview Terrace, 14515 W. Granite Valley Drive, Sun City West, $30, 623-8260101. Weichel is a retired AT&T Bell Laboratories executive and WV STEM Club member. The topic will be “What You Need to Know about Electric Vehicles.”

Pop-Up Purse Sale with Pure-Impressions, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., repeats 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 4, The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scott-

sdale, free admission, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Art & Conversation: Collectors and Collections, 10 a.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, free admission, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Movie and Popcorn: “42,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

No. 1 Hits Variety Show, 5:30 p.m., Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Rock ‘n’ Roll Jukebox, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

Piano Men: Generations, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-6723223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents. com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4

Dementia Book Club: “Still Alice,” 10 a.m. to noon, Goodyear City Hall, 1900 N. Civic Square, Goodyear, free, reservations required, 623-882-7803, jeremy.dyck@

goodyearaz.gov. It is recommended that participants read the book or watch the movie before attending this event.

Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m. Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Men’s Virtual Family Caregiver Support Group, 10 a.m., first Saturday of each month, virtual using Zoom, free, 602-274-5022, ext. 139, burson@duetaz. org. This support group is led by George Burson, a male caregiver, who has experience caring for his mother. It is open to all male caregivers.

Avondale Health and Resource Fair, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. AZ Complete Health Avondale Resource Center, 995 E. Riley Drive, Avondale, free, 623-333-2703. Services include assistance with AHCCCS, food stamps, parent education courses, support groups, rental and utility assistance, nutrition, and health education. Other event activities include healthy food vendors; free face painting; free Home Depot crafts; DJ entertainment; performances from local schools; and 40 community resource partners, including Sounds of Autisms, WIC, HFIN, CAP, AFERP, Duet and Agua Fria Food Bank.

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Desert Awareness Park Tours, 10 a.m. to noon, Desert Awareness Park, 38100 N. Vermeersch Road, Cave Creek, free, hollandcenter.org

Beyond Proof: Finding Our Loved Ones on the Other Side, 6 p.m., repeats 2 p.m. February 5, The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $17, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

True Country, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

The Bad Co. Experience, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

John Denver Tribute, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6

“The Andrews Brothers,” various times through March 7, Hale Theatre Arizona, 50 W. Page Avenue, Gilbert, $45 for adults, $30 for youth 5 to 17, 480-4971181, haletheatrearizona.com. After the Andrews Sisters’ appearance is canceled, the Andrews Brothers, who are USO stagehands, step up to save the day.

Partners That Heal: Phoenix Theatre Company Showcase, 4 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, free admission, 480488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Veterans Coffee Chat, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Gratitude Journal Workshop, 3 to 4 p.m. or 6 to 7 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale, $45, heavenslightwellness.com

Drawing Made Easy, 9 a.m. to noon, The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street,

Building B, Scottsdale, free admission, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Game Day: Mahjongg, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Wii Bowling, noon to 1 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Sun Lakes Republican Club, 6:30 p.m., Navajo Room of the Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 S. Sun Lakes Boulevard, Sun Lakes, free admission, 262-880-4620, slgop.org. Speakers are Keith DeGreen of DeGreen Capital Management in Scottsdale and NewsTalk 550 KFYI, and Sen. J.D. Mesnard.

Getting the Most Out of Your Health Care, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Charity Crafters, 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Traveling with Disabilities, 11 a.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $10, 480-4881090, hollandcenter.org

Heart Garland, 1 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $35, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Rockin’ & Rollin’ Through the Years, 5:30 p.m., Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Ultimate Hits, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Pickleball New Player Meet and Greet,

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6 to 7:30 p.m., Culver’s, 130 N. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear, free, booron@aol. com to reserve a spot. This public information meeting is hosted USAPA ambassador Ron Wilks.

Understanding Dementia: A Challenging Journey, 9 a.m. to noon, Grand Community Baptist Church, 18350 N. Goldwater Ridge Drive, Surprise, free, reservations required at 602-776-6793, events6@hov.org. Hospice of the Valley Dementia Program Director Maribeth Gallagher explains how the disease progresses, and teaches caregivers how to connect with the person with dementia and reduce stress. Gallagher is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree in nursing. Free continental breakfast is provided.

MacDougal Street West: A Peter, Paul & Mary Experience, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents.com

Giant Paper Flower: Sunflower, 1 p.m.,

The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $60, 480-4881090, hollandcenter.org

Game Day: Mexican Train Dominoes, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Farm Basket Bingo, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Game Day: Yahtzee, 2 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Variety Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-2880300, silverstartheater.com

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Mark Making, noon, The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $40, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter. org

What a Night! Jersey Boys Meets Mamma Mia, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix. com, t2presents.com

Christy’s Craft Corner, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter. com

Movie and Popcorn: “Me Before You,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Real Country, 5:30 p.m., Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-9827991, barleensdinnershow.com

True Country, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Ask us how to try it free!

CoQ10 For Statin Drug Users

Heart, Brain, and Cellular Health

PQQ With NMN and Resvertrol Turmeric with CurCousin

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13

One Family’s Holocaust Story, 4 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $10 at the door, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Coffee and Sudoku, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Take Care of Your Kidneys with Oak Street Health, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Glass Dragonfly, 1 to 3 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $75, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Game Day: Mahjongg, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

If you are having financial hardships and would like to try our products. Please contact us so we can help.

Farmers Market, 9 a.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, free admission, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org, gcfarmersmarket.com

Aretha Starring Charity Lockhart, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents.com

Vision Art Canvas Masterclass, 11 a.mm. to 2 p.m., The Angel House, 2859 W. Haley Drive, Anthem, $55, heavenslightwellness.com/appointment. Manifest the life you want with this guided vision art canvas class, during which participants will utilize worksheets. They’ll leave with a completed vision board.

Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

Loteria with Juan, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Comedy Night at The J with Keith Barany, 7 to 9 p.m., The Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, $30 for J members, $40 for guests, vosjcc.org/comedynight

Stamping and Card Making, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Travel Around the World: Norway (Streamed), 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

GO FIGURE!

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.

SUDOKU TIME

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK H

H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY!

EVEN EXCHANGE

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK H

H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY!

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

SCRAMBLERS

Unscramble the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words. Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag!

Calendar of Events

continued from page 14

Rockin’ & Rollin’ Through the Years, 5:30 p.m., Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Medicinal Desert Plants Workshop, 10:30 a.m. to noon, The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $45, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter. org

Giant Paper Flower: Dahlia, 1 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $60, 480-4881090, hollandcenter.org

Game Day: Mexican Train Dominoes, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Farm Basket Bingo, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Game Day: Rummikub, 2 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter. com

No. 1 Hits Variety Show, 5:30 p.m., Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Ultimate Hits, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Rate Your Plate, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Healthy Cooking Demo: Colorful Dishes with Chef Lucille, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Movie and Popcorn: “John Q,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Variety Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-2880300, silverstartheater.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Navajo Rug and Jewelry Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., repeats noon to 3 p.m. February 19, The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, free admission, VIP tickets available, 480-4881090, hollandcenter.org

Rock ‘n’ Roll Jukebox, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

Mick Adams & The Stones: A Tribute to the Rolling Stones, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19

True Country, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Take Charge of Your Health Care, 10 to 11:30 a.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, free, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Turn the Page: Tribute to Bob Seger, 7:30 p.m., Arizona Broadway Theatre’s Mainstage Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, tickets start at $52, 623-7768400, azbroadway.org

Harmony Hollow Ranch: An Unexpected Journey of Conservation, 4 to 5:30 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, free, 480488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Coffee with a Cop, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21

Dr. Fay Yarbrough Lecture, 5 p.m., Scottsdale Public Library’s Copper Auditorium, 3839 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, free, scottsdalecwrt.org

Meditation Moment: Affirmations (Streamed), 10:30 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Game Day: Mahjongg, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

February Birthday Social, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

The Wild West: Arizona History with Jim Sherbert, 4 to 5:30 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $10 suggested donation, 480488-1090, hollandcenter.org

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Adjusting to Change in Purpose as We Age, 10 to 11:30 a.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $10 at the door, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Coloring and Conversation, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Book Club: “The City” by Dean Koontz, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Charity Crafters, 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Ultimate Hits, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Rummage and Bake Sale, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., repeats February 24 and February 25, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 19002 N. 128th Avenue, Sun City West, free admission, 623-760-8479

Heart of Rock & Roll: A Tribute to Huey Lewis, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix. com, t2presents.com

Game Day: Mexican Train Dominoes, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Farm Basket Bingo, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Game Day: Yahtzee, 2 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Variety Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Barleens Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $33.50, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Rock ‘n’ Roll Jukebox, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24

The Aging Brain: What’s Normal, What’s Not? 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Being Your Own Health Advocate, 11 to 11:30 a.m., Humana Neighbor-

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hood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Movie and Popcorn: “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

Corrie Sachs is Reba: A Tribute to Reba McEntire, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents.com

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Junior League of Phoenix Rummage Sale, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., Arizona Exposition & State Fair Exhibit Building at Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826

W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, $5 morning session, free for afternoon session, jlp.org.

Thousands of items will be for sale, including art; baby accessories and furniture; books; clothing for men, women, children and babies; collectibles; electronics; holiday items; home office supplies; housewares; furniture; kitchen and dining wares; lawn and garden supplies; sporting goods and toys. All items are 50% off during the afternoon session. Parking fee of $10. Additionally, the JLP will provide free mammograms to the first 40 uninsured and underinsured women during the rummage sale this year.

TPR Quilt Show and Country Store, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Trilogy at Power Ranch, 469 E. Village Parkway, Gilbert, free admission, 480-279-2053. Antique/classic car show 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grow Your Own Tomatoes: Container Gardening in the Desert, 10:30 a.m. to noon, The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $30, 480488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m.,

Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-2880300, silverstartheater.com

The Papas & the Mamas, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-6723223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents. com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Ultimate Hits, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, call for ticket information, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

Fourever Fab! Tribute to the Beatles, 2 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Collecting Bling: Fabulous Jewels and the Women Who Wore Them: 4 to 5:30 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $10 at the door, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Coffee and Sudoku, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Member Orientation, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

SilverSneakers Demo, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28

Game Day: Mahjongg, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Tech Talk: Video Chatting (Streamed), hood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707,

Casinos Of Pickleball and Performing

LoCash readies new sets for Arizona shows

Country duo LoCash acknowledges that they, like most musicians, spend 23 hours twiddling their thumbs and one hour doing what they do best — performing.

They kill time co-writing songs, binge-watching TV shows and playing pickleball.

“I don’t know if we’re good, but we can hang in there,” vocalist Preston Brust says with a laugh. “We try to win some money on the road against band members, the songwriters who are out with us, and our managers. They’re weak. We can always beat them.”

They’re bringing the equipment — and music — to Arizona for a handful of shows: 8 p.m. Friday, February 24, at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in Chandler and 8 p.m. Saturday, February 25, with Drake Milligan at Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment in Sahuarita.

This is a special market for them.

“My fondest memory of Phoenix is Tim Richards. He was in radio,” Brust says.

“He’s become one of our best friends. When ‘One Big Country Song’ kicked off (in 2019), he led the way. When it needed a push in the middle, he was there for us.

“When we went for No. 1, he pushed hard for it. He’s the spin leader in the country. He played the song more than any other radio station in the United States. We’re indebted to him. Phoenix stepped up and hit it out of the park.”

LoCash is on tour supporting its forthcoming single “Three Favorite Colors,” a song about the red, white and blue.

“Everything in our life revolves around that song,” Brust says.

Singer Chris Lucas adds, “We hope the song brings America together. There’s so much animosity. LoCash is known for bringing the positive. This song does it. It just shows you we have these colors, and we all stand together. We’re bigger together than we are separately.”

The song comes on the heels of their 2021 EP, “Woods & Water.”

It’s a busy time for the duo, who met as DJs. LoCash has earned eight charting

singles, two successful albums, and over 815 million global on-demand streams. They were nominated for vocal duo of the year at the 56th annual CMA Awards.

The duo recently inked a partnership with Monster Jam. On July 1, they’ll play the halftime show of the Monster Jam World Finals at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.

“We’re looking forward to a great partnership,” Lucas says. “I went for the first time, and I was so impressed by it. Even my little girls had a blast.”

2023 also sees LoCash opening for Kane Brown on 30 dates of his Drunk or Dreaming Tour.

Perhaps one of LoCash’s highlights is collaborating with the Beach Boys on the song “Beach Boys.” It features the Beach Boys’ co-founder Mike Love and longtime bandmate Bruce Johnston, and it has tallied 4.56 million global streams to date.

“We became little kids again,” Lucas says about the collaboration. “They’re icons. My dad listened to the Beach Boys. We all know who they are. To get to know them and their secret ingredients — harmonies — to tour with them a couple times was awesome.”

They took the song to ABC’s “Good Morning America” on August 2, 2022, and added to the set the Beach Boys’ iconic “Kokomo” on “GMA3: What You Need to Know.”

LoCash and the Beach Boys made four pop-up appearances. They surprised fans at the Beach Boys’ hometown show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on August 7, 2022, with special guests John Stamos and Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath.

The two performed together during their debuts at Stagecoach in Indio, California, in May 2022.

That same month, LoCash introduced the Beach Boys before their first gig at the Grand Ole Opry.

“That was extra special,” Brust says. “That night will live with us forever in our hearts. It’ll forever be an amazing memory.”

The Beach Boys experiences more than make up for the dull times on the road.

“We spend so much time on the road and in the bus,” Brust says. “We carry writers with us on the bus with us sometimes. Chris and I can knock out six to seven songs on the weekend if we have a couple writers with us.

“They always say there are 23 hours of (expletive) just to get to that one hour of what you really love to do. Those 23 hours we spend trying to be creative if we can. You do need a little time to yourself. You’re cramped on a little tour bus.”

When LoCash does hit the stage, it’s ready to party, Brust says.

“We come out there and just rock,” he says. “We have a high-energy show to make everyone forget about their drama. They get their hands up and sing along with country songs that they know.

Casino Calendar

Matt Farris

8 p.m. Friday, February 3, and Saturday, February 4, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Mo Amer

8 p.m. Friday, February 3, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $15, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

LoCash w/Drake Milligan

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, February 25

WHERE: Desert Diamond Casino, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita

COST: Tickets start at $25 INFO: 1-866-DDC-WINS, ddcaz.com

LoCash

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, February 24

WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler

COST: Tickets start at $29 INFO: 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

“You never know what we’re going to throw in the set. We always switch it up. It’s our way of making the show feel unique every night. If you’ve seen one show or five shows or 10 shows, you’ll still get something different.”

Wanted

7:30 p.m. Friday, February 3, and Saturday, February 4, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $15, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com

Kathleen Madigan

8 p.m. Saturday, February 4, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $34, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

Superzona Kick-Off with Steve

Aoki

7 p.m. Thursday, February 9, The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick

Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $49, 480850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

Sixtiesmania

7:30 p.m. Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $15, 480850-7777, casinoarizona.com

Shaq’s Fun House w/Diplo, Snoop Dogg, Diesel and Myles O’Neal

8 p.m. Friday, February 10, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $400, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

Planters brand Legends Party hosted by Ron Gronkowski and Vernon Davis

8 p.m. Friday, February 10, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $250, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Radio Dayz

8 p.m. Friday, February 10, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Gronk Beach w/21 Savage, Diplo, Lil Jon, Bijou, DJ Irie and Sommer Ray

Noon Saturday, February 11, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $249, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

Sports Illustrated The Party presented by Captain Morgan w/Chainsmokers and Machine Gun Kelly

9 p.m. Saturday, February 11, The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $799.99, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

Powerdrive

8 p.m. Saturday, February 11, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Raymix

8 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $25, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Superhero

8 p.m. Friday, February 17, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Basketball Jones

8 p.m. Saturday, February 18, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Sheena Easton and Taylor Dayne

8 p.m. Saturday, February 18, Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, tickets start at $30, ddcaz.com

Air Supply

8 p.m. Saturday, February 18, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $35, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

Tony Kishman: Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney

8 p.m. Saturday, February 18, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Arizona Blacktop

8 p.m. Friday, February 24, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

LoCash

8 p.m. Friday, February 24, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $29, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Rock N Roll Band

7:30 p.m. Friday, February 24, and Saturday, February 25, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $15, 480850-7777, casinoarizona.com

Mixtape

8 p.m. Saturday, February 25, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

LoCash w/Drake Milligan

8 p.m. Saturday, February 25, Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, tickets start at $25, ddcaz.com

Wild At Heart

The untouched wilderness of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

From my limestone perch, doing my best to meld into a lichen-covered cathedral, I watched 18 Dall sheep gradually grazing across layers of permafrost, peat moss and hillocks, nimbly traversing above a swift-moving Kongakut River 300 feet below. This was the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), and the tundra biome I viewed from about 100 feet away was teeming with Alaskan wildlife.

Narrow channels called runnels braid and flow beneath the Mordor-like North Slope of the Brooks Range, rushing northward toward the Coastal Plain, gritty barrier islands, Beaufort Sea and the Arctic Ocean. In all, the ANWR encompasses 19.3 million acres, one of the most wild, untouched habitats left on the planet. There are no roads, no maintained trails or helipads, and the water is so sweet and clean, filtering it is always an afterthought.

The only access into the ANWR is by either backpacking or flying in by bush plane and then rafting rivers like the Canning and the Kongakut. The impressive Brooks Range towers over 9,000 feet above with countless tributaries like the Pagilak and Paulaluk feeding major rivers that eventually converge with the Arctic Ocean.

Keeping the wild in wilderness

Since the area became a National Wildlife Refuge in 1960, it has grown to be the largest refuge in North America. Even so, this vast area has been in the crosshairs for oil drilling. The 1.5 million acres that make up the Coastal Plain, in particular, are estimated to contain up to 11 billion barrels of oil deep beneath the permafrost. Politicians on the left and right have drawn lines in the tundra, and thus the plain was not protected.

However, this region of Northeast Alaska belongs to Alaskan Natives — the Iñupiat in the north and the Gwich’in in the southeast. They still subsist on their lands in the Arctic, relying on the 150,000plus Porcupine caribou herd that migrates in from Northwest Canada before reaching the Coastal Plain and their calving grounds. This massive caribou herd performs the longest migration of any terrestrial mammal on the planet.

The ANWR supports 43 mammal species, such as musk ox, grizzly bear, Arctic and red fox, Dall sheep, gray wolf and wolverine. During the Arctic’s brutally frigid winters, the Coastal

Plain is an important denning habitat for polar bears. At least 250 bird species have been documented in the refuge. Bald and golden eagles rule the skies. Waterfowl like harlequin and long-tailed ducks, gadwall and mergansers effortlessly swim the rushing rivers. In the spring and summer, thousands of shorebirds rely on the Coastal Plain for nesting habitat, such as Dunlin, red-necked-phalaropes and semipalmated plovers, to name just a few.

If oil drilling was ever to be allowed in the ANWR, it would disrupt its natural wonders, thus setting a precedent for all remaining wild places throughout the west.

Under the Trump administration, a provision in the 2017 federal tax bill made oil and gas exploration in ANWR the law. Leases went up for bid on January 6, 2020. Those bids fell far short of their financial mark of $900 million. About half the region received no offers at all, and not one major oil company submitted a bid. Only two smaller companies — Regenerate Alaska, a subsidiary of Australia-based 88 Energy, and Knik Arm Services, a small Alaska company owned by Mark Graber — each secured a lease, totaling $14 million. Many Alaskan politicians argue drilling would be good for jobs, the economy and state revenue.

However, on his very first day in office, President-elect Joe Biden put a temporary halt to oil and gas drilling in the roadless expanse of the refuge. Regenerate Alaska and Knik Arm Services have rolled back their efforts to move forward with oil exploration. The costs of building roads, helipads and other infrastructure

on the Coastal Plain has apparently far outweighed the means. For now, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is safe.

North Slope megafauna

With only about 50 yards of spongy tundra and permafrost separating us, a wary female grizzly bear with a single cub in tow had a decision to make. She had strategically maneuvered her way downwind of me. Just east of the Kongakut River, with the Coastal Plain 10 miles north of me, I could see her wet snout glistening in the morning sun as she sniffed the crisp Arctic air in my direction.

When I realized what she was up to, I dropped my camera pack, pulled out my bear spray, threw my pack back on, and braced myself for what might transpire. At that point, the ball was in mama bear’s court.

I wasn’t hoping for an encounter like this in Northeast Alaska. However, by rafting the Kongakut and hiking in North America’s largest wildlife refuge, I had immersed myself in this Arctic biome, and crossing paths with its wildlife was inevitable.

Seeking the wild in the wilderness has always been a priority for me. When friend and guide Carl Donohue from Expeditions Alaska messaged me about an opening on his rafting trip on the Kongakut, I didn’t hesitate.

Late June meant Summer Solstices hovered over the Arctic Circle, involving long sunny days that gratefully bedeviled

me through sleepless nights. Sunset was 12:30 a.m. and sunrise was 3 a.m. It never got dark, as long mountainous shadows crept across chilly Class III and IV rapids on the Kongakut. Apparently, the mosquitoes don’t sleep either. Donohue told me the biomass of these pest insects far

outweighed the entire biomass of the Porcupine caribou herd!

Each day, as soon as I was out of the raft and had finished pitching my tent, I was trekking up colossal tributaries feeding the mighty Kongakut, binoculars and 300mm lens seemingly extensions of my body. I ditched my trail shoes and hiked barefoot most of the time. The tundra was soggy and squishy as I trekked up toward snow-capped peaks and thrashed through dense willow thickets. Amazingly, my feet never looked so clean. Encounters with Dall sheep, musk ox, Arctic ground squirrel and small herds of caribou never let me rest. And then there was that female grizzly with her precocious, blonde cub.

Room to ramble

Once my day’s worth of stench confirmed her worst fears, that girthy female grizzly did an about face and rambled eastward up the sweeping river valley, her cub doing its best to keep up. I didn’t take her decision lightly though. As I quickly hiked back to the Kongakut, every 20 paces I looked over my shoulder just to make sure she wasn’t having second thoughts.

Before I knew it, they were at least a mile east of me, melding into the Arctic landscape.

As I drew closer to the Kongakut’s steady flow, the roar of the river calmed my fears. The Beaufort Sea beckoned along the Coastal Plain, and our scheduled bush plane pickup was due two days later. There was no time to waste. I was already scanning for my next moment with ANWR’s megafauna.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

fws.gov/refuge/arctic

Expeditions Alaska

770-952-4549

trips@expeditionsalaska.com

expeditionsalaska.com

What Could Go Wrong?

Do I need travel insurance for my 2023 vacation?

Mark Graham is planning a trip to Sicily and France with his wife this summer. He’s still working out some of the details, but one thing he is sure of: getting travel insurance. Graham can’t imagine traveling without it.

“We feel better knowing we have the safety of insurance,” says Graham, a retired telecommunications worker.

And who can blame him? The pandemic made travel insurance a musthave item for many travelers, including people like Graham, who fit the “must be insured” profile (retired, overseas travel, cruising). Others who are planning their 2023 trips may still be on the fence. I can help you decide.

It’s going to be another interesting year for travel, experts say.

“Between flight disruptions, weather issues and unexpected medical emergencies, travel is unpredictable and will continue to be so in 2023,” says Carol

Mueller, a vice president at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.

It’s natural for people to think about travel insurance. But what should they do? Graham’s concerns are common. For example, what if there’s another COVID-19 outbreak or the war in Ukraine affects his cruise? He’s also worried about a possible trip disruption or medical emergency. Those are issues that a standard travel insurance policy can address. But there are so many choices.

“Travelers are more interested in purchasing travel insurance than ever,” says Karisa Cernera, a director at Redpoint Travel Protection, a travel insurance company. “But choosing a travel protection plan can be overwhelming.”

What kind of insurance is available for your 2023 trip?

If you’re planning to spend more than $5,000 on a trip and you have prepaid, nonrefundable expenses like airfare and a hotel, you need some kind of insurance.

Here are your options:

• Most standard travel insurance policies cover “named” perils such as trip cancellation, delays, medical emergencies, medical evacuation, interruptions and lost luggage. They cost between 5% and 7% of your nonrefundable, prepaid trip expenses.

• A “cancel for any reason” policy covers all of the above — plus, you can cancel your trip for any reason and get anywhere between 50% and 75% of your money back. A “cancel for any reason” policy costs between 9% and 12% of the cost of your trip.

• You may also have coverage through your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, auto insurance or credit card. You’re already paying for them, so you may be able to skip a separate policy.

Before you buy anything, you owe it to yourself to check the type of insurance you already have. It may be enough. That’s what Anand Kumar, a program manager, discovered when he booked a Baltic cruise.

“I concluded that my credit card provides reasonable travel insurance as well as other benefits, so long as I booked my trip with the card,” he says. Why should you buy travel insurance in 2023?

Do you need a travel insurance policy? That depends on who you are — and your circumstances. Here’s a checklist. If any of these apply, you may need a policy.

Peace of mind. That’s the No. 1 reason people buy insurance. “They want assurances that if the worst happens, they’re covered,” says Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, a company that provides medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services. That’s top of mind for 2023, with a war and instability continuing to threaten many vacations.

Medical coverage. That’s a lesson Francesca Owens, a travel coach who moderates Travel the Inside Out Facebook group, learned while traveling interna-

tionally. She says she “stupidly” skipped insurance and had to pay cash to settle her hospital bills in Prague. Now she insists that her clients always get insurance. “If they won’t buy insurance, I won’t work with them,” she says.

Trip interruption and travel delay benefits. Last summer’s airline disruptions made travelers think about ways of avoiding the chaos. “Travelers want security,” explains Terry Boynton, president of Yonder Travel Insurance. “They want to know that if the travel industry is still not fully stable in 2023, travel insurance will help foot the bill for trip interruptions, travel delays, and lost or delayed baggage.”

Cancellation protection. If you can’t afford to lose the money you paid toward your trip, then you might want to splurge for a more expensive “cancel for any reason” policy, say experts like Melissa Beers, co-owner of MyJourneyBeginsTravel. com. Anything else can be a headache when you file a claim, and there’s no guarantee you’ll be covered. “Generally, you have to back it up with medical information and other proof before a travel insurance company will pay the claim,” she says. But do the math before you buy one: You may be spending more than you would get if you file a claim.

How do I know what kind of insurance I need?

Which policy is right for you? That isn’t

easy to answer, because each traveler is different.

If you’re a 20-something adventure seeker, you’ll need a policy like Redpoint’s Ripcord policies, which include rescue. If you’re retired, you’ll want a comprehensive policy. For example, Graham has decided to buy a policy through Seven Corners, which he found after extensive research. It covers the basics, “and it has a good reputation for claims,” he says.

Consulting with a travel professional can help. But don’t rely on a travel agent. Instead, conduct independent research online. (I publish a free guide on travel insurance that may help.)

Geoffrey Millstone, a travel adviser with Clarksburg Travel, says travel insurance has changed since the pandemic. Regular “named perils” policies have new rules that make claims more tedious, and lately travel insurance companies have been slower because of this summer’s travel disruptions. He warns that you have to read the fine print carefully.

“Cancel for any reason policies work, but they can take between 60 and 90 days to process the claim,” he adds.

Whether or not you buy travel insurance for your 2023 trip, travelers say you should at least consider it. Ross Copas, an industrial electrician from Tweed, Canada, says he had a close call on a recent polar cruise that reminded him of the importance of insurance.

“There were a few anxious days before we were tested for COVID and boarded the ship,” he remembers. “We had not bought cruise cancellation coverage for that cruise and were looking at losing a significant amount of money if we tested positive.”

Most major travel insurance policies cover COVID-19 but require you to be hospitalized. There’s a workaround. You can also buy travel insurance through a company like Covac Global, a membership program that specializes in covering infectious diseases like COVID-19 and medical evacuation without hospitalization requirements.

Fortunately, Copas tested negative. But he learned an important lesson: Always

consider your travel insurance options before you book your trip. He says he won’t make that mistake next time.

Christopher Elliott (chriselliots.com) is the founder of Elliott Advocacy (elliott.org), a nonpro t that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t.

Avoid these mistakes

Buying the cheapest policy

Dan Skilken, president of tripinsurance.com, sees this mistake every day. People will go to a travel insurance comparison site and buy the cheapest insurance. “The cheapest plan is not necessarily the best value,” he warns. “Consider the plan with better coverage that addresses the risks that you are the most concerned about.”

Waiting too long

Many insurance policies exclude medical conditions for which you have received treatment or have sought medical advice within six months before your insurance starts, says Neville Mehra, chief marketing officer for Genki, which sells travel health insurance. “If a condition arises before your insurance begins, then it will normally be excluded,” he says. “If you have insurance, it may be covered.”

Failing to consider alternatives

There are less-expensive ways to insure your trip, says Laura Heidt, the insurance desk manager at Brownell Travel. “If you don’t care about insuring your trip costs and are only interested in the medical coverage, good policies can cost as little as $50,” she says. Heidt also recommends an air medical transport membership like Medjet, which evacuates you in case of a medical emergency.

What’s Cooking?

Cheesy, beefy taco dip with homemade tortilla chips

It’s everything you would want in a party dip. The combination of a sharp cheddar and jalapeño pepper jack, a kick from the poblano pepper, sautéed onion and ground beef, and diced tomatoes with chiles all stewing in your favorite taco sauce makes this cheesy, beefy taco dip a real contender for your holiday buffet table. Add a platter of homemade flour and corn tortilla chips, and let’s get this party started!

I know that we’re always looking for great party foods this time of the year, especially for game days and holidays. This one will not disappoint. You can certainly choose to buy store-bought chips,

Cheesy, beefy taco dip with homemade tortilla chips

Ingredients

For the dip:

• 1 pint button mushrooms, rough chopped.

• 4 tablespoon butter, divided.

• 1 large sweet yellow onion, finely chopped.

• 1 large poblano pepper, finely chopped.

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil.

• 1 pound sharp cheddar, cubed or shredded.

• 1/2 pound pepper jack cheese, cubed or shredded.

• 1 jar taco sauce (16 ounces).

• 1 can diced tomatoes and green chiles or Rotel, drained (10 ounces).

• 1 can pitted black olives, drained and chopped fine (2 1/4 ounces).

For the tortilla chips:

• 1 package corn tortillas, sliced in quarters (8 count).

• 1 package flour tortillas, sliced in quarters (8 count).

• 1 cup vegetable oil.

• Salt for sprinkling on the chips.

but there’s something really delicious about frying up some fresh tortillas that are crispy, warm and salted. These chips and dip are a match made in south of the border heaven!

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a large skillet over high heat, add 2 tablespoons of the butter and mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms are a deep golden brown. Set aside. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and onion. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, or until onions begin to caramelize. Add poblano chili and cook until chili has softened, about 5 minutes. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook the beef until browned, about 5 minutes. In a medium saucepot, add the cheeses, taco sauce, diced tomatoes or Rotel, olives, the cooked mushrooms, sautéed onion/poblano chile mixture and beef. Cook and stir over low heat until cheese is melted. Turn heat to low or warm, and make the tortilla chips. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Stack the corn tortillas and cut into quarters or eights. Repeat with flour tortillas. In a skillet, add one cup of vegetable oil and heat on high. When oil has reached 350 degrees, dip one slice of the corn or flour tortilla into the hot oil. If it sizzles, add remaining tortilla segments, trying not to overlap. (Work in batches, if necessary, first the corn and then the flour tortillas.) When golden brown, about 1 minute on each side, remove with spider or slotted spoon and let drain on a paper towel-lined sheet pan. Immediately sprinkle with salt. Serves 8 to 10.

Hospice Is Hope

Piano gift hits high note for those with dementia

When Steve Harnden brought home a beautiful ebony baby grand, he envisioned his wife learning to play an instrument she had always loved. Monica was thrilled. The piano even had a “player piano” feature so it could play tunes by itself.

Over the next year and a half, Monica took lessons and mastered a few songs. She enjoyed lling their Glendale home with music until she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The optimistic former nurse joined an aggressive drug trial, fully aware that she would not bene t, but hoping it might save lives in the future. She fought for 26 months, living long enough to see her son get married.

In the last weeks of her life, Monica confessed to Steve that she never wanted him to get rid of the piano. But he felt strongly that it should continue to make music and bring joy to people. After talking it through, Steve suggested

donating it to Hospice of the Valley. The nonpro t was caring for Monica through this vulnerable time and providing emotional support to him, too.

“Our care team was outstanding,” he recalled. “Actually, they were angels. Hospice of the Valley was our source of strength during those last few weeks.”

Monica smiled and agreed there was no better place for her piano.

As she grew weaker, the piano lid was lowered and lovely framed family photos were arranged on top for her to enjoy. Steve would launch the player piano feature with his iPad and they would sit together as the music swirled around them.

It took several years after Monica’s passing before Hospice of the Valley’s Dementia Care and Education Campus opened in Phoenix and could accept the generous donation, but Monica’s piano was nally moved into its new home. It now sits in a cozy corner of the dining

area of the Assisted Living at The Campus.

Because music has a magical e ect on people living with dementia, members of the Adult Day Club are treated to impromptu performances — whether it’s listening to holiday tunes and favorite songs on the player piano or enjoying live music, compliments of campus sta , residents and visitors who can’t resist tickling the ivories.

Recently, Steve felt ready to visit Monica’s piano himself. He ran his hand over the small, gold-engraved seal bearing his wife’s name. Then he sat, with eyes closed, as a young Hospice of the Valley volunteer gave him a private concert, playing a gorgeous arrangement of Cho-

pin’s “Nocturne in B- at Minor.” As he applauded, a look of pure delight lit up his face.

“I know Monica is smiling to see her piano in its new home,” Steve said softly. “I don’t feel any sadness — just joy. This is where it belongs so it can continue to make a di erence. It’s really good to see it here.”

Hospice of the Valley’s innovative Dementia Care and Education Campus serves people living with all types of dementia from early to advanced stages. To learn more, visit dementiacampus.org.

The Healthy Geezer

Causes of gas aren’t a lot of hot air

I get a lot of gas, and someone told me it would help if I stopped chewing gum all the time (ex-smoker). That sounds like bunk to me. What do you think?

It’s not bunk. When you chew gum, you swallow more often and some of what you’re swallowing is air. In addition, arti cial sweeteners such as sorbitol that is found in some gums can give you gas.

But what exactly is gas?

Most people produce between a pint and a half-gallon of gas each day. Oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen from swallowed air make up a large part of gas, or “ atus.” Fermenting foods in the colon produce hydrogen and methane as well as carbon dioxide and oxygen.

The unpleasant odor of some atus is the result of trace gases, such as hydrogen sul de, indole and skatole, which are produced when foods decompose in the colon.

We release gas upwardly by belching and downwardly by atulence. When we swallow air and don’t release it by belching, the air will work its way down and out the rectum. About half the gas passed from the rectum comes from swallowed air.

For the record, normal people pass gas about 10 times each day. Twenty times daily is still considered normal.

Some people su er from bloating caused by gas. Most who su er from bloating do not generate excessive gas, but they don’t move swallowed air fast enough. Sometimes, gas in these people moves in the wrong direction, returning to the stomach. The gas accumulates and produces discomfort. Some feel more discomfort than others because they don’t tolerate intestinal stretching well.

Another major cause of gas is partially digested food passing from the small intestines to the colon, where bacteria process the food further and produce gases.

Discomfort from gas is usually nothing to worry about. However, you should go

to a doctor if you have other symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, and sometimes heartburn.

Here are some ways to alleviate bloating:

• Eat multiple small meals during the day instead of two or three large ones.

• Chew food thoroughly and don’t gulp. Eat slowly.

• Don’t eat when you’re nervous or hurried.

• Don’t smoke; it makes you swallow more air.

• Avoid gassy foods. Some of the usual suspects are beans, onions, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauli ower, artichokes, asparagus, pears, apples, peaches, prunes, whole-wheat bread, bran, beer, soda and ice cream.

• Cut down on fatty foods. Fat slows digestion, giving food more time to ferment.

• If you take a ber supplement, try cutting back and then build up your intake gradually.

• Reduce consumption of dairy products. Or try using products that help digest milk sugar (lactose).

• Use over-the-counter aids. Add products such as Beano to high- ber foods to help reduce the amount of gas they produce. Try using simethicone, which helps break up the bubbles in gas. Charcoal tablets also may help.

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