I’ve reviewed about 4,000 shows. None can compare to what I saw tonight.”
—Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic
“Absolutely the No.1 show in the world. No other company or of any style can match this!”
— Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of the English National Ballet
“Absolutely the greatest of the great! It must be experienced.”
—Christine Walevska, “goddess of the cello”, watched Shen Yun 5 times
“This is the highest and best of what humans can produce.”
—Oleva Brown-Klahn, singer and musician
Royal Oaks’ chefs deliver culinary delights to stimulate the senses while our multiple dining venues promise delightful meals among friends. Come and take a tour and smell for yourself the delicious aromas of roasted leg of pork, clam chowder, and white chocolate chip cookies.
Our campus includes independent living and three levels of assisted living, including memory care and complete supportive living for permanent longterm care. If you or your loved one deserves all the amenities of a vacation resort and extraordinary care, we invite you to call us.
Independent living homes and apartments are available under a Lifecare agreement. Assisted living, memory care, and complete supportive living are free to Lifecare residents and are also available on a monthly fee basis to non-Lifecare residents.
Visit www.RoyalOaks.com to learn more or call 623-815-4132
The Second Revolution The Curmudgeon
By Drew Alexander
It had been simmering for a long time. The disaffection and anger of the American populace over the corruption and gross mismanagement of their government finally erupted on Nov. 8 in a massive repudiation of the self-serving cabal of Washington, D. C., elitists.
Back in March, I compared the mood of the country to an iconic scene in the 1976 movie Network, in which distraught television news anchorman Howard Beale, played by Peter Finch, urged his millions of viewers to stick their heads out the window and yell, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”
This scene is exactly what was figuratively reincarnated in 2016 on the second Tuesday of November.
“Your aunt Dot is tossed!”
Skip the misunderstandings, not the moment.
With a captioned phone, you can hear and read your phone calls on a bright, easy-to-read screen. No asking to repeat. No “can you speak up?” Just the simple joy of conversation.
Fed up with eight years of the inept Obama administration, fed up with being over-taxed and over-regulated, fed up with such deadly blunders as the Benghazi and Fast and Furious tragedies, fed up with Obamacare and the Veterans Health Administration and Internal Revenue Service scandals, fed up with a flat economy and devastatingly high unemployment, millions of really pissed off Americans went into voting booths and made it clear they were mad as hell and not taking it anymore by electing Republican candidate Donald J. Trump as the next president of the United States. But it didn’t end there. Further fed up with President Barack Hussein Obama giving over $100 billion to the terror
Sstate of Iran, failing to secure the nation’s borders against illegal immigration and drug trafficking, allowing so-called sanctuary cities such as San Francisco to harbor criminal illegal aliens, the electorate expressed more of its displeasure by assuring the Republican Party a majority in both houses of Congress.
But wait there’s more!
The Trump “deplorables” were also fed up with the extreme left-wing dogma of the Democratic Party that has corroded the nation’s education establishments, bankrupted cities, and promotes an antimilitary, anti-law enforcement, and antiAmerican values attitude.
Again, as I wrote in March, the nation is weary and leery of political dynasties, whether they carry the surname of Kennedy, Bush or Clinton. Of the latter, the dark cloud of scandal and suspicion of serious wrongdoing hanging over Hillary Clinton reinforced the electorate’s opinion that the former secretary of state was untrustworthy and unfit to hold the highest office in the land.
Nov. 8, 2016, was a historical milestone on an epic scale, a date in which we the people brought about nothing less than
Straus’ Place
Election Reflection
By Bill Straus
And if the pain grew from there, you might really do it …. right?!?!
the Second American Revolution.
For me, the most telling moment of political chicanery in the long, eventfilled presidential campaign occurred on the tarmac of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport when former President Bill Clinton met secretly on an airplane on June 27 with Attorney General Loretta Lynch — the boss of FBI Director James Comey.
The covert meeting was just days before Comey announced that no criminal charges would be recommended resulting from the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s private email server.
A coincidence, you say?
No way. In politics there are no coincidences.
Drain that swamp, Donald. Drain it down to its murky, mucky, malicious bottom.
Drew Alexander, also known as “The Curmudgeon,” is a monthly columnist for Lovin’ Life After 50, writing about political issues. Send comments to drewalexander@cox.net or to Drew Alexander, in care of Lovin’ Life After 50, 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282.
ince those of us who contribute columns to “Lovin’ Life…,” have to submit our columns two to three weeks ahead of publication, this is my first chance to comment on the results of the election. I’ve got a couple of reflections.
• I want you to imagine a hypothetical situation. Imagine you live in relative isolation and you contracted an infection from a small cut on your arm. Now imagine that as the pain increases to an agonizing level, you simply cannot find any relief. There are no doctors, no emergency room to which you can flee. And despite your best efforts at controlling the pain with medication, you fail, and the pain inflames to a degree you just can’t stand. At some point and I remind you this is just a hypothetical isn’t it possible that you would reach that moment when the pain becomes so excruciatingly unbearable you would actually consider cutting your arm off?
In my mind, that’s how I contextualized Arizonans backing the ill-fated SB1070. Illegal immigration was a problem with no solutions forthcoming. It had been more than 40 years since any reforms to our outdated immigration system were enacted and the people in Arizona unquestionably “ground zero” for the issue of illegal immigration were simply willing to try anything to solve the problem, even support a hateful, bigoted and obviously unconstitutional new law.
That’s exactly how I see the people of America voting for Donald Trump. People with very real problems just weren’t getting the attention of our elected leadership, so they reached out for an answer anything to their plight. Trump appealed directly to that group, and he’s now going to be President. They cut off their arm! Is he the answer to their problems? I seriously doubt it. But I seriously doubted he had any chance to
get elected, just as I seriously doubted that SB1070 would ever become law. So my ability to predict is questionable. I’ve got to admit that accepting Donald Trump as our President is not going to be easy for me. Oh, I accept the results. I love this country, respect our history and regard our democratic process in the highest regard. But this one is tough. All I can do is hope for the best; but that hope, which often burns brightly within me, is a mere ember.
• A brief word about Prop. 205, the proposition to legalize recreational marijuana: All I can say is shame, shame, shame on Sheila Polk and Seth Leibsohn. Sheila, the County Attorney of Yavapai County, and Seth Leibsohn, a second-tier conservative talk show host, led the efforts to defeat the proposition. And they stooped to outright deception to do it. The ads opposing 205 were shamelessly deceitful, featuring former elected officials of Colorado, which legalized recreational pot a few years ago. The ads were so fraught with lies, that current elected officials from Colorado felt compelled to formally protest the ads. I don’t know Leibsohn, but I do know Sheila, and I would have hoped she would be above that kind of behavior.
OThe Up Side
Secret to finding the holiday spirit: stop looking
By Michael Grady
ne Christmas, when I was five, I decided to see Santa up close.
I threw aside the covers Christmas Eve, determined to go downstairs and catch the jolly-old-elf in the act.
My older brother told me not to.
I told him I had yet to catch the Christmas spirit this year, and this was my final chance.
He told me he was hoping for a fivespeed bike. And if I messed that up, they would only find my body parts under the tree tomorrow. It made for an awkward standoff.
Then, perhaps just to shut me up, my brother launched into this elaborate tale about catching Santa the previous year. It was a dark, Edgar Allen Poeish version containing several moments where I was to blame for things but my brother had a way with a story.
I can’t remember if he ever got the bike, or anything I got, or said, that Christmas. I just remember the sight of my older brother, sitting cross-legged on the bed, whispering this fantastic yarn in the moonlight.
You never know when this season will etch a little something on your soul.
I’m a sucker for the holidays. If you’ve read this far, you probably are, too. It’s not cool to admit it these days. Most of us lament the appearance of holiday decorations in department stores (Tip to retailers: if you’re trying to jam plastic santas between back-toschool displays? You’re too early.) And we groan at the first holiday commercial sighting or the first carols on our local radio stations. (Soon, they’ll make a Christmas song the closing number for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon.)
Yes, we all get Facebook-snarky about “it’s too early,” and “I’m not ready” and merchandisers’ hair-trigger fingers on the “Fa-la-la-la-la.” But someone is watching Linus’ speech in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Someone’s turning up Bing Crosby on the radio.
Personally, I could use a good holiday this year. After last month’s
election, I’d like to pop open a freakin’ “Perry Como Christmas Special,” crawl in, and hide there ‘til spring.
I imagine many of us are desperate for a fix of old-fashioned holiday spirit. But it took me years to understand the lesson I first learned that night I wanted to catch Santa Claus: the surest way to miss the magic is to go looking for it.
Holiday spirit is like true love, inner peace or any one of those annoying things you can’t order on Amazon: going after it is a futile and often frustrating exercise.
So, I can’t tell you exactly what to do to enjoy your holidays this year. But bitter experience has taught me what not to do:
Don’t be passive-aggressive about holiday cheer
Visiting family, old friends and observing time-honored traditions? That’s great. But put a little effort into it. Too many people return to their old haunts, sit there like a cold lump of buzzkill, and wait for someone or something to light them up. I tried this one Christmas when I was broke, and between girlfriends. It generated a lot of holiday cheer. If, by holiday cheer, you mean: awkward pauses, threats of a restraining order, and questions such as “Mommy, why is he crying at the nativity scene?” It’s a balance. Bring some energy to the festivities, but don’t try too hard …
Don’t be passive-aggressive about holiday cheer.
Everyone has, in their circle, a Decorum Goon, who’ll twist you like a cow’s udder until you produce your allotted portion of glee. (“Be happy! It’s Christmas!”) While forced cheer does improve per capita liquor consumption, it doesn’t really work, and people see it coming a mile away. It’s like flop sweat on a comedian: it signals desperation, and it frightens children and pets. We’ve all run into “forced cheer” guy at an office party. He’s the one who hits the bar like it’s a
tackling dummy, discusses his divorce with the caterers, and winds up shouting at Santa during the gift exchange. If you’re blue, be unobtrusively blue. And whatever you do …
Don’t spend too much time around Christmas songs.
There’s a tendency, if you’re driving around a lot, to depend on Christmas music for inspiration. That’s when you realize how many depressing Christmas songs there are. (Have you heard “Christmas Shoes” or “Where are You, Christmas?” If either of these songs come on, just drive straight to a bar.)
Instead …
Take a life lesson from holiday specials.
The old classics “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas “ have much to teach us. And that’s not just the eggnog talking. Every one in those stories was having an off-year, too: Charlie Brown lost artistic control of the Christmas pageant; Frosty the Snowman became a puddle and a damp hat; George Bailey lost $8,000, alienated his family and jumped off a bridge; the Whos in Whoville, the tall and the small, had every home ransacked, on the best night of all.
What they had in common and what
non-fictional souls like us should keep in mind is that they all gamely rolled with the dark turn their holiday had taken. And when they stopped looking for some external force to cheer them, something remarkable happened.
Think about your three best holiday memories. Chances are, each memory is tied to a moment with a loved one that sprang, unexpectedly, out of nothing much: the surprise visitor; the unexpected kindness; the beautiful lights/table/service/song that meant so much because of the people you shared it with.
That stuff happens, I find, when you neither dread nor expect anything from the holidays. You buy the gifts, wear the awful sweaters and let the crazy choreography just happen.
One Christmas, I decided to see Santa up close. When that didn’t happen, I gave up on trying to make the holiday go my way. The moment after I did so, my brother gave me a story, and a memory, that I still treasure five decades later.
I hope whatever holiday you celebrate this month Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, it comes to you like a friend, easing your worries and lifting your spirits. If it doesn’t, I wish you the stillness to watch your life and all its poetry as it unfolds around you. And I hope somewhere in there, as the Rolling Stones promise, you get what you need.
Aging Today Home care vs. home health: What is the difference?
By Bob Roth, Managing Partner Cypress HomeCare Solutions
Often, there can be a common misunderstanding by many that home care and home health care are one and the same. The difference is this: a “home care” (in-home personal care) agency provides caregivers who assist with activities of daily living, while “home health” is a medical service providing treatment and care for illnesses and injuries at home. The options for care and comfort are increasing as our aging population grows. Both home care and home health care agencies provide services that assist individuals and families with aging successfully at home.
Unfortunately, the differences between these services and many others is not known or fully understood until the need arises.
Home care and home health both encourage individuals to remain in the comfort of home as they age, but there are key differences you need to know so you can understand your loved ones’ needs–and yours–when the time comes.
HOME CARE
The goal of home care is to assist and empower an individual and their family to remain independent
at home. Home care providers accomplish this through care that is focused on the individual’s unique needs. Non-medical caregivers provide assistance with activities of daily living, which can include meal preparation, transportation, running errands, light housekeeping, medication reminders and so importantly, companionship.
The amount of care is directed by the care recipient, family members or a trusted advisor. In addition, the length of service is determined solely by these individuals, which provides additional flexibility for the family. Also, those who receive care are not required to be homebound, nor must they need medical eligibility or a physician’s order.
Medicare is not a payment option for home care. Rather, recipients of home care services have the option of paying privately, through a long term care insurance policy, or through Medicaid, or in Arizona, the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) following a comprehensive application process.
HOME HEALTH
The goal of home health is to treat an illness or injury that will aid in regaining a person’s strength, independence and self-sufficiency. Some of the services home health include physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound care, speech therapy, IV support, injections and the monitoring of serious illnesses. Home health is more medically oriented, where clinicians (nurses, therapists, home health aides) are providing care (nursing, therapies, etc.) for the aging, infirmed and those people that are recovering from injuries, illnesses, or surgery.
Unlike home care, home health requires a physician’s order and that the care recipient must be homebound. In addition, the length of service for home health is determined by the individual’s diagnosis and need, with visits occurring intermittently as needed. Finally, Medicare is an acceptable payment for home health services, along with private insurance.
WORKING TOGETHER
Home care and home health
can also work in tandem to care for individuals and their families. For instance, one of our clients at Cypress HomeCare Solutions who had been receiving our home care services for more than seven years, began needing additional, medicalrelated care nearly 5 years ago. By introducing home health services, this client was able to avoid moving to a skilled nursing facility. The familiar surroundings of home provide the client, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, the ability to maintain a frame of reference while he is receiving both home care and home health care services. By joining forces, the home care agency and home health provider can create an environment that promotes comfort and ensures peace of mind. The client recently passed away, and it is believed he lived longer and enjoyed a better quality of life because of the personalized care he received.
Bottom line: services provided in the home offer individuals and their families added comfort and reassurance that the care recipients and their loved ones can remain in their most comfortable surroundings. Val Halamandaris, president of the National Association of Home Care and Hospice, confirms that “the intervention of services at home makes it possible for people to live out their lives fully.” By understanding that home care and home health are available and knowing the differences in what they provide, it will be that much easier to be prepared for the future.
Also it is important to note that there is no local, state or federal government oversight for home care providers. As many as 29 states have adopted some type of oversight. Here in the state of Arizona we have worked feverishly trying to get some type of regulation in place to keep out the “bad actors” and safeguard our vulnerable aging adults. The bad news is after nearly 10 years we have not been successful in getting a law passed to protect our vulnerable older adult population, but as consolation is that in April 2015, we were able to convince our legislature to pass a disclosure rule that requires all providers of services in the home care trade to disclose certain facts about their home care agencies.
AHealth & Longevity
Stay away from extra sugar this holiday season
By Crystal Jarvie
h, the holiday season. Time to enjoy loved ones, buy presents, and also, deal with being surrounded by endless amounts of baked goods and sweets. Christmas is notorious for being a sugar-coated holiday. Offices and homes this time of year are quickly filled with guilty pleasures. Added sugar from cupcakes, cookies, candy-canes, cakes and pies might taste good, but won’t contribute to your wellness quotient. Added sugar can lead to inflammation, reducing immune health, and can also create unhealthy fat. Plus, there are long-term consequences sugar has on our bodies that correlate to disease. So you might be wondering: how can I enjoy the holidays without suffering sugar shock for the next few months? Consider these seven tips on how to minimize your sugar intake over the holidays so you don’t fall off the wellness wagon this year.
1. Make sleep a priority. Sleeping an adequate number of hours at night is ideal. Research has shown that lack of sleep affects appetite, which increases the “hunger hormone” signal to the brain which can ultimately lead to overeating and weight gain.
2. Reduce caffeine intake. The rollercoaster of energy and hydration levels stemming from drinking caffeine in the morning can make people more susceptible to sugar cravings. Caffeine also dehydrates, so being mindful of your caffeine intake helps control the desire for sweets.
3. Drink more water. This goes hand-in-hand with the previous tip, since dehydration can sometimes manifest itself in sugar cravings. This will especially help when temptation strikes. If you find yourself staring down a plate of sweets, try drinking a tall glass of water and waiting 15 minutes, and your craving should subside. Hydration in the moment will make you feel stronger.
4. Eat plenty of fruit and sweet veg-
etables. The natural sugars in whole foods such as berries, apples, bananas, grapes, pineapple, beans and sweet potatoes can help satisfy your sweet tooth, and the high fiber content helps increase that sensation of feeling full.
5. Differentiate between junk and worthwhile indulgences. Ask yourself, is it worth eating? If it is, do it, don’t deprive yourself. Perhaps this year, instead of having a whole piece, you take 1/3 of what you would have normally had. This way you still get the satisfaction without overindulging. And don’t eat sweets that you don’t enjoy 110 percent; those aren’t worth it.
6. Hit the gym, trail, or yoga class. Continued physical activity helps balance blood sugar levels, reduces tension, and boosts energy. All of this will help reduce the desire for sugar and keep you on track during the holidays. It’s nice in Arizona this time of year; go walk around the block after dinner at night!
7. Find sweetness in your life. No joke! Cravings are not always a sign that your body needs sugar or sweets. Cravings sometimes have psychological components, so take some time to look introspectively and make adjustments accordingly. Finding balance in your life might help balance out your desire for sugar.
Don’t beat yourself up if you falter. Enjoy the holidays and your loved ones.
But do remember, sugar consumed during the holidays can affect your wellness for months to follow. Less is more this holiday season!
Crystal Jarvie is a certified integrative health coach for HealthStyles 4 You. She focuses not only on nutrition but also on relationships, physical activity, career and spirituality, and how those five things are connected to your health and vitality. For more information, please visit www. healthstyles4you.com.
“LLegally Speaking Traditions, heritage, and legacy
By Becky Cholewka
egacy Planning” is usually interpreted as leaving money to your children and grandchildren. I think it means more.
Our legacy can be leaving our children with rich family traditions, an understanding of our family heritage, moral values, and spiritual guidance. Our legacy can also be an estate plan that will keep the family out of court and spending the least amount of time and money after our deaths to deal with our assets. All too often I hear of a different legacy that parents leave their children. A legacy of leaving a complete mess for their loved ones to figure out and fight about. A legacy of a box of pictures — and no one knows the names of
those in the photos or where they were taken. A legacy of a memory of mom’s famous pumpkin bread, because mom never wrote down the recipe for her family.
Here are a few tips to pass down your traditions and heritage.
1.Tell a family member about why you chose to establish your own family traditions. Did you combine your mom and mother-in-law’s stuffing recipes to create your own? (I did!)
Did your children open one gift on Christmas Eve because your parents allowed you to do the same? (Mine was always an ornament from my grandmother, a tradition I have continued for my son.)
2.Place your box of family photos on
TURN THEM INTO CASH TODAY!
your kitchen counter. Each day take a handful and write names, events and dates on the back. My grandmother left us several albums marked with everyone’s names and relation to us.
3.Write down a few of your famous family recipes. Make copies and include it in your Christmas cards this year.
4.Buy a journal or keep one online. Each week write a story about your childhood, valuable lessons you’ve learned, favorite vacation, what you believe and why, and stories of when your children were young. Tell someone where you keep this journal or make copies for loved ones.
5.Ask your children if there are family heirlooms or mementos they would
like to have when you pass away. If two kids want one item, flip a coin, or let children take turns choosing items. This will help avoid family fights later. Include this list in your estate plan. We have conversations every day with families that desire to leave a legacy of love by ensuring there is a plan in place when something happens to them. Commit to taking a small step today, whether it’s booking that estate planning consultation or pulling those old photos out of the attic. Take advantage of family gatherings this holiday season and share your traditions and heritage with the next generation. That is a legacy of love. Becky Cholewka is the founding attorney at Cholewka Law.
The air in Arizona: Poor for those with COPD
By: David Ebner, Staff Writer
Each year, the American Lung Association releases the State of the Air Report, accounting for the air quality of major counties in the United States. It’s probably not news that Maricopa County and the PhoenixMesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area scored poorly in air quality. However, it may be surprising that the county was given an “F” in the category of overall ozone pollution and short-term particle pollution. In addition, the metropolitan area ranked 10th for most polluted ozone out of the 220 areas ranked.
For the 228,913 permanent residents of the area who have COPD, this statistic can cause concern. People with COPD suffer from symptom flare-ups that can be brought on by anxiety, dust, mildew, a chemical smell, excessively warm or cold air, smoke and airborne pollution. Symptom flare-ups include coughing, wheezing, sputum, shortness of breath and fatigue. These facts pose the question: Is our air quality forcing
more than 200,000 residents to consider leaving the area in fear of its effects on their health?
Although the changes needed to improve our air quality are many and it will take years to see results, there’s something more immediate that can help those with COPD in the area. A specialty clinic opened in Scottsdale to help address the growing need for treating those with COPD. The Lung Institute (lunginstitute.com) treats patients with various lung diseases like COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis. They don’t just prescribe supplemental oxygen or a variety of medications; they treat people using stem cells from the patient’s own body.
Stem cells act as the body’s healing system. The body alerts these cells, and they flow to the area that needs repair. However, it takes time for this process to happen. Stem cells are slow to react, and in the body of someone who is
chronically ill, they are even slower. The physicians at the Lung Institute realized this and wondered if they could help the stem cells do their job faster.
The physicians extract a patient’s own stem cells from blood or bone marrow tissue. Then they separate the stem cells and return them intravenously to the body. The cells then travel through the heart and straight to the lungs where they are trapped in the pulmonary trap. That’s when the cells do their job and may help promote healing of the lungs, potentially improving lung function.
Since the Lung Institute expanded to Scottsdale, they’ve reportedly treated 667 patients locally. Nationwide, the company operates five total clinics in Tampa, FL; Nashville, TN; Pittsburgh, PA; Dallas, TX and Scottsdale, AZ and has treated more than 3,000 patients.
A recent research study produced by the clinic indicated that 83 percent of patients report an increase in quality of life after treatment, and 49 percent of
those who took a pulmonary function test saw an increase in lung function. Cleaning the air in Maricopa County will be a much larger discussion in the future and will likely encompass alternative solutions to the problem. What we’re currently doing isn’t working, which is how those suffering from COPD have felt for years. They’ve been told the same thing, given the same medications and little has been done to improve their care until now. An alternative treatment is now available for those with COPD in Maricopa County through stem cell therapy. Maybe we should take a page from Lung Institute’s book and look at our air quality in the same way. If you or a loved one suffer from a chronic lung disease, the specialists at the Lung Institute may be able to help. You can contact the Lung Institute at (855) 842-7878 or visit lunginstitute. com/lovin to find out if you qualify for these new treatments.
Seniors and intimacy: When to intervene, when to refrain
By Elizabeth Landsverk, MD
We focus a lot on care for older individuals: Are they eating? Are they moving their bowels? Do they walk? Are they agitated? But how often do we ask: But what about intimacy? Or romance? When is there risk for an older person, and when does a family member or caregiver need to either refrain from or intervene in an senior’s intimate life? These are questions that are real and about which families, caregivers and medical professionals are wise to be sensitive. Contact and physical affection are important. And this is where it can get delicate. Romance and sex is on the spectrum of affection and in our culture as it relates to seniors, has a “Harold and Maude” feel to it. They are too old for that! But this is not true and sometimes, often, it is lovely and life sustaining for competent seniors to be in a relationship. The key is making sure that everyone is safe and in agreement with what is going on.
When to be concerned and when to leave well enough alone
It is reasonable and responsible to address the following questions:
•Can the senior get hurt?
•Is the senior consenting?
•Is the relationship a happy one, or is it causing stress and agitation?
•Does the senior show the capacity to understand the risks of undue influence?
•Is there a potential risk for financial abuse?
When discussing an intimate relationship between competent seniors, it’s no one else’s business unless there is evidence the arrangement is detrimental for the senior–for undue influence (or when the senior is vulnerable to persuasion that may not be in his or her best interest), abuse or neglect. If your father wants to be with a young woman (e.g. ‘Anna Nichole Smith’) and he fully understands the risks and benefits,
that is perfectly O.K. and nobody’s business but his own. However, if there is doubt about the senior’s ability to understand the risks, or if the person courting the senior is using undue influence, then an evaluation with a neuropsychologist
and an senior law attorney is imperative. An senior law attorney can help safeguard and individual’s assets for their use. If this ruins the relationship and the love interest flees, then the risks were real and the senior was appropriately protected.
Elizabeth Landsverk, M.D., is founder of Senior Consult Geriatric Medicine, a house-calls practice that addresses the medical and behavioral issues facing older patients. Dr. Landsverk is board-certified in internal medicine, geriatric medicine and palliative care.
• Secured environment with the freedom to enjoy outside patios and courtyards
• Weekly community outings and events • And much more!
Ask Gabby Gayle
Advice for the over-50 crowd
By Gayle M. Lagman-Creswick
Dear Gabby Gayle: I have read the “Old Bags Rules for Casual Dating.” I know some men who use it, but I have yet to meet a woman who likes it. We grew up in an age when your date paid for you, and it seems embarrassing to me to be asked to pay my own way. Sure wish you would amend your rules! Signed, Old Fashioned
Dear Old Fashioned: The Old Bag Rules were born basically for two reasons. 1. Many women had written me that when going out with a guy and he pays, he thinks it comes with “benefits.” 2. Guys wrote to me saying they would like to date more but could not afford it, saying that a dinner and theater date could cost $100 or more, depending upon the venue. So the rules for casual dating were born. Concentrate on the word “casual” and also, they are optional rules! What does the Old Bag know about you and your dating buddies? At any rate, Gabby doesn’t care what you do. It should be between you and your date. It is, however, nice to know ahead of time. Guys: please do not spring this on your date, when it’s possible she didn’t bring any money! LOL. P.S. For those who have not followed me for long, in Arizona and Nevada my column used to be called “Ask the Old Bag.” My column is still called by that same name in Colorado. —GG
Dear Old Bag: (from Colorado)
First of all, I love your column. I have been reading the letters about people and their gay children and or grandchildren. What is wrong with you people? These kids of ours were created by God. I am a Christian, but I am smart enough go know the Bible is a book of stories written back before they knew what toilet paper was. Your children and grandchildren are a mixture of the DNA between you and your husband. Did you ever stop to think it’s your fault, not theirs or God’s? Blame science. They are “people” for Heavens sake! I have a gay daughter with an IQ of 189. My feeling is this: God does not make junk! The love I
have for my daughter outweighs the opinion I may have of her lifestyle. She is no different than you and me. She is a human being and deserves love and respect like anyone else. What if it were you? Get your head screwed on correctly. Signed, KM
Dear
KM: Thank you for writing!
This has been a topic which has drawn lots of letters, both for and against acceptance of alternative lifestyles and sexual orientation. I am all for family unity and that requires lots of acceptance and love in every family. If your attitude breaks up family unity, I say rethink what kind of results you want. Do you want family unity, or to create a situation where people do not speak to each other, or engage in other, more covert behaviors?
The Old Bag
Dear Gabby Gayle: I have been following your column for some time and I know you always say, “Don’t give advice to your adult children unless they ask, and then only very carefully.” I agree with this advice, but we have a situation that I believe requires intervention from someone and perhaps me. My grandson is fifteen-years-old and in my perception is way out of hand. They say he has a bad temper. I think it is far worse — maybe bipolar (disorder). I am afraid he is going to hurt someone if something is not done to help him ...What can I do? Signed, Helpless
Dear
Helpless: If you truly believe that someone is in danger, you do need to try to intervene. I suggest you get help yourself from a professional, who can guide you on this path to talk to the child’s parents. I wish you the best in results. Sometimes, it is sad to say, nothing will be done until a crisis occurs. —GG
If you have a question for Gabby Gayle, please send it to: Ask Gabby Gayle in care of this newspaper, or email it to: lagmancreswick@cox.net
623-536-6676
Rock Opera lights up Arizona
Trans-Siberian Orchestra celebrates 20 years of performances and giving back
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Twenty years ago, when Paul O’Neill told his parents he was going to be a musician, his mom said to God: Please don’t let him starve.
“It worked out better than we ever could have imagined,” says O’Neill, the mastermind behind TransSiberian Orchestra.
Take, for example, 2015. TSO released the album “Letters from the Labyrinth,” which marked the act’s third consecutive Top 10 debuting album. Live, it played to more than 850,000 people, grossing $41 million in 45 days. (The TSO team is split into two groups to cover the East and West coasts and Midwest.)
That summer, at the Wacken Open Air music festival in Germany, TSO produced an industry first when the group performed a coordinated set across the festival’s massive two main stages, to a crowd of more than 80,000 fans.
Perhaps, however, Trans-Siberian Orchestra is best known for its holiday shows that blend pyro, dramatic readings, singing and stellar instrumentation. TSO returns for two shows on December 26 at Gila River Arena.
The radio station 99.9 KEZ presents the 3 p.m. show with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Operation Santa Claus. 100.7 KSLX hosts the 7:30 p.m. show with a portion of the proceeds going to the Arizona Animal Welfare League.
“When we started in the ’70s, usually at the end of every year, we would write a check to a charity that we thought did good work,” O’Neill says.
“Then one year our accountants audited the charity and found out something odd: 96 cents out of every dollar went to overhead, and 4 cents went to the needy. What was even scarier was that it was legal. When TSO started to tour, I think it was one of the agents who said, ‘Paul, instead of writing one check at the end of the year, why don’t you write it and take
$1 or $2 from every ticket that you sell and write it for a local charity? This way if you make a mistake it won’t be a total disaster.’
I thought that was a great idea.”
Then it was suggested to O’Neill that he get radio stations involved because they know of reputable, local charities.
“I think the last time we did an audit, 97 cents out of every dollar went to the needy and 3 cents went to overhead,” he adds about locally based charities.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is celebrating its two-decade milestone by bringing back to the stage “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.” O’Neill says there was a groundswell to revive the show after last year’s successful run.
“We received a lot of fan mail from people who loved it and then asked if we were going to be doing it again,” O’Neill says.
“We exist for the fans. Two years in a row isn’t a lot when you consider we did ‘Christmas Eve and Other Stories’ for 13 years in a row. We decided that we were trying to shuffle them to never allow boredom to set in anyway. We do with the special effects on the flight deck to the story to the new singers.”
O’Neill keeps up on all the pyro and special effects trends to make his shows top notch.
“We know all the pyro companies,” he says. “We know all the lighting companies; we know all the special effects companies. They all know that if they invent great special effects that’s insanely expensive there is one band that is dumb enough to buy it—that’s us.
“It’s also always important for us that we get it right away. The disadvantage of that is it’s incredibly expensive when it first comes out. The look on the kids’ faces when they see an effect that has never been done before, it’s just worth it.”
To enhance the view from each seat, TSO places a stage in the back of the arena, too.
“I remember the first time we did it, the accountants said ‘Paul, you can’t do this. You are killing seats. You are killing floor seats.’ I responded with, “Yeah, but it looks really, really cool.” True story. The next day when I showed up at rehearsal the accountant bought T-shirts for the crew. In the front, it just had a little TSO logo. On the back in big block letters it
December 1 Thursday
Back pain: when do you need to see a doctor? (HonorHealth Events), 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Spine Group Arizona, 3621 N. Wells Fargo Ave., Scottsdale, free, RSVP: 623-580-5800. HonorHealth.com/events. Physical Therapy will offer recommendations for minimizing back pain, give an overview of Physical Therapy appointments, what patients can expect, course of treatment, customized exercise plans for home, core strengthening exercises, handouts provided. Presenters include: Dr. Harvinder S. Deogun, MD, Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Fellowship Trained in Interventional Spine and Kylie Scott PT, DPT, OCS, CMPT.
December 2 Friday
Artlink First Fridays, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., get from place-to-place on a free shuttle starting at the Phoenix Art Museum or at major stops on each route; or print a map from the Art Link website, and guide yourself www. artlinkpheonic.com/first-Fridays, free. Tour more than 70 art galleries, venues, and related spaces and enjoy the spirit and culture of Greater Downtown Phoenix as you mingle with thousands of other residents and visitors.
December 3
Saturday
Here Comes Santa Claus Right Down the Promenade Way, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Frank Lloyd Wright and N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, free, www.scottsdalepromenade.com. Take the grandkids for some Christmas cheer and the opportunity to mug it up with Santa Claus. Photos are FREE and include a keepsake 4x6 print. Plus, enjoy a FREE “make and take ornament” activity for kids and a food drive that will benefit the Harvest Compassion Center.
Meet The Author, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Half Price Books, 6339 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, www.PaulasStories.com, “Have You Ever Heard An Angel Speak???” and “The Adventures Of Baby Cuz.” Each reader personalizes their own book. The angel book contains poems, a journal section and is also an adult coloring book. The three children’s books help young ones learn to read and spell. Makes a great keepsake for the mother after the child has outgrown the book.
...continues on page 15 ...continues on page 23
Trans-Siberian Orchestra comes to Glendale in December.
December 3 Saturday
Phoenicians Barbershop Chorus, A Phoenician Christmas show, 2:00 and 7:00 p.m., Skyline High School, 845 S. Crismon Road, Mesa, $25 for premium seating; $18 for adults; $15 for seniors, and $12 students, 480-947-7464, tickets.phoenicians.org. Chorus and quartets perform happy, harmonious holiday songs in traditional religious and popular musical styles
December 4 Sunday
Exploring the West with the Smithsonian, “Aerial America: Colorado”, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale,
Adults: $13, Seniors (65+): $11, Children: $8, 480-686-9539, ext. 219, rheller@scottsdalemuseumwest.org. The fifth of seven programs from Smithsonian Channel’s epic series of the nation’s most treasured landmarks, all seen from breathtaking heights.
December 5 Monday
Crystal Bridge – Duplicate Games (Runs: Mondays, Dec. 5, 12, 19 & 26),12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Drop in: $10 per player. For information and reservations, contact Harriet at 480.481.7033 or harrietc@vosjcc.org
Regular sanctioned ACBL duplicate games for players with less than 750 master points. Led by ACBL-certified director Maddy Bloom. Enjoy light refreshments and a friendly atmosphere.
December 6 Tuesday
A Less Invasive Approach to Total Hip Replacement, 5:30–6:30 p.m., HonorHealth Orthopedic Institute, 20401 N. 73rd St, Ste. 130, Scottsdale, RSVP: 623-580-5800, www.HonorHealth.com/events Dr. Brian Miller, MD orthopedic surgeon will review the anatomy of the hip, the main cause of hip pain, the newest treatment options both non-surgical and surgical. There will be time for questions. He will explain how less invasive hip replacement allows for a faster recovery, less pain and fewer restrictions.
December 7 Wednesday
It’s Not Just Lunch, Noon - 1:30 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, $5 suggested donation, Register: Chani at 602.492.7670 or chani@sosaz.org Great speakers and a different topic each month along with a full kosher lunch. A collaboration with SOS.
December 8 Thursday
Green Valley Stroke Support Group, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Zuni Room, La Perla at La Posada, 635 S. Park Center Ave., free, RSVP: 520-626-2901. Facilitated by Leslie Rit-
ter, PhD, RN, and supported by Banner - University Medical Center, University of Arizona College of Nursing and Sarver Heart Center. For stroke survivors and caregivers to learn more about stroke, to find positive solutions to shared concerns and to unite in support of each other.
MerryMakers Ballroom Dances, doors open at 6:00 p.m., live music: 7:00 p.m., 2550 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, Members: $7, non-members: $8, www.dancemm.com, Vyda: 480-654-1994.
Got a passion for polka? Can you dance a winning waltz? Join the fun; no jeans T-shirts, tennis shoes or shorts. Manuela Dorante performs.
“Our Season of Rejoicing” - Stardust Theatre, Thurs & Sun at 2 p.m.; Fri & Sat at 7 p.m., 14401 RH
Johnson Blvd, Performances by the 80 mixed-voice chorus are all reserved tickets: $10.00, Sun City West Box Office from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon.- Fri. at 19803 RH Johnson Blvd in Sun City West or online at suncitywest.com
Presented by The Westernaires Chorus of Sun City West.
December
9 Friday
Venture Out 55+ Adult Community, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., 5001 E. Main St. Mesa, 480-832-9000, Myron Sommerfeld and his Orchestra will perform the Music of the Stars to the many folks who enjoy swing and ballroom Dancing.
Greater West Valley Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Briarwood Country Club, 20800 N. 135th Ave. (at Meeker Blvd.), Sun City West. Mail your check by December 2nd payable to CWC: $23 per person to Monica Page Petersen, 13339 W. LaTerraza Drive, Sun City West, AZ 85375; 623-640-5420. The theme of the luncheon is “A Christmas Cup of Tea” — Chico’s Outlet will present a fashion show; enjoy a performance by “Triplicity.” Guest speaker Kara Thomas, former TV fitness personality, nationally certified Pilates instructor, certified fitness nutrition coach, certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor will promote “healthy fun.”
December 10 Saturday
Sunland Village Pancake Breakfast, 7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., $4 for full breakfast, 480-8329003, sunlandvillage.org. Come enjoy a wonderful breakfast prepared by volunteers.
“The Polar Express”, 10 a.m., Film Screening and Children’s Activities, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, 480-686-9539, ext. 219; rheller@scottsdalemuseumwest.org.
Take the grandkids to a screening of this cherished holiday film starring Tom Hanks, based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. ...continues on page 16
ALL MERCHANDISE
Calendar of events...
Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., kids can participate in a silver bell scavenger hunt, make-and-take crafts and games.
Annual Mesa Arts Center Festival – Mesa Arts Center, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., http://www.mesaartscenter. com/index.php/events/free-events/mesaartsfestival the premier place to find unique gifts for the holidays, features original works of art for sale from local, regional and national artists in various mediums; live entertainment showcasing local and national talent on two stages; live artist demonstrations; Family Activity Area and an array of culinary delights.
Phoenicians Barbershop Chorus, A Phoenician Christmas show, 2:00 p.m., Glendale Church of the Nazarene, 5902 W. Cactus Road, Glendale, $25 for premium seating; $18 for adults; $15 for seniors, and $12 students, 480947-7464, tickets.phoenicians.org Chorus and quartets perform happy, harmonious holiday songs in traditional religious and popular musical styles.
December 11 Sunday
Duet’s 26th Annual Poinsettia Tea, 2 p.m., Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch, 7500 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, $70 per person, $37 of which is tax deductible; Proceeds support Duet’s programs and services. Register by Dec. 2: www.duetaz.org or call 602-274-5022. This Phoenix non-profit, interfaith organization will serve up traditional tea, sandwiches, scones and other desserts as more than 500 guests will support Duet’s mission to promote health and well-being by supporting family caregivers, homebound adults, grandparents raising grandchildren and faith communities. Dynamic electric violinist Elizabeth Bacher will perform and Destry Jetton, Arizona Midday Host for Channel 12, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies.
December 12 Monday
Reading of the Play, 10 a.m., Kick-off for the pilot program of Creative Aging Classes which run January through May, 2017, East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road in Chandler. Information: janet.arnold@jfcsaz.org or calling 480-599-7198 Enjoy a reading of a one-act play by East Valley playwright/author, Amy Dominy. Jewish Family & Children’s Service is offering a pilot program of Creative Aging classes from January through May, 201.
December
13 Tuesday
Las Noches De Las Luminarias, (Nov. 25 - Dec. 31), 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., Desert Botanical Gardens, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Adults: $30 Kids: $12.50, 480 941.1225, dbg. org.
Eight thousand hand-lit luminaria bags and thousands of white twinkle lights will set the Garden aglow this winter for 21 magical evenings. Join us for this Southwest holiday tradition that features the sights and sounds of nine entertainment ensembles, including the return of Simply Three. Enjoy dinner at the Garden with family and friends and stroll the paths with a warm cup of cider or cocoa, as you
celebrate the season at this year’s very special Las Noches de las Luminarias
December 14 Wednesday
Duet Caregiver Support, 1:30-3:00 p.m., 555 W. Glendale Ave. Phoenix, 602-274-5022; duetaz.org; Offering support and resources to those offering care for people with Parkinson’s Disease.
December 15 Thursday
Let’s Eat Mature Mavens Dinner, 5 p.m., Please contact Bunnye at 602.371.3744 for current schedule of restaurants and to reserve your place. Meet for dinner, socialize and make new friends.
Discussion with the Rabbi, 11 a.m. - Noon, Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, A collaboration with SOS, reservations recommended, contact Chani at 602.492.7670 or chani@sosaz.org Join Rabbi Levi Levertov for stimulating discussion on Judaism. A collaboration with SOS. Reservations recommended.
December 16 Friday
Zoolights, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. nightly through January 8, Adults: $24.95, Children: $14.95. Join the Phoenix Zoo at the Valley’s brightest holiday tradition: ZooLights presented by SRP. Celebrating 25 years, ZooLights shines with millions of lights, a three-storyhigh holiday tree, hundreds of glimmering light displays and lakeside music-in-motion shows.
Glendale Glitters Enchanted Evenings – Historic Downtown, 6 p.m. -10 p.m., 58th and Glendale Avenues, free, 623-930-2299, www.glendaleaz.com/events. Holiday entertainment, food, crafts, horse drawn carriage rides, this weekend features Glendale’s Spirit of Giving Weekend.
December 17 Saturday
The Myron Sommerfeld Orchestra; 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Las Palmas Grand, 2550 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, Members: $7, Non-Members: $8, (480) 357-1148. Myron Sommerfeld and his “Music of the Stars” orchestra have entertained crowds across the valley since 1997.
December 17 Saturday
A Chorale Christmas: Silent Night, 7:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 100 W Roosevelt St, Phoenix, free, 602253-2224 or phoenixchorale.org. The Phoenix Chorale, first penned 1816, Stille Nacht has become the iconic carol for the holiday season, commemorating this 200th anniversary, the Christmas program will be filled with unique arrangements of
...continues on page 17
this evocative hymn, conjuring peaceful images, also featuring familiar favorites like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Sunland Village Karaoke Night, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., Mesa 480-832-9003 $2 at the door. Always wanted to be a rock star? Here’s your chance. Everyone is welcome!
December 18 Sunday
A Christmas Carol: The Musical, 2 p.m., Fountain Hills Community Theatre, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, $23-$30, 480-837-9661, fhtaz.org Based on the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol” tells the tale of curmudgeonly miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future hoping to change his destiny and save his soul.
December 19 Monday
Child Loss Support Group, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (held 3rd Monday each month), Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10460 N. 92nd St., 1st Floor Conference Room, Scottsdale, 480-323-3878, www.HonorHealth.com/events. The Child Loss Support Group is for parents that have experienced the loss of a child through an illness, accident or natural causes. This support group allows parents, guardians and caregivers the opportunity to share their experiences, grieve together in a group setting and receive encouragement
and assistance from others. The group is facilitated by licensed Psychologist, Abby Garcia, Ph.D. and provided complimentary by HonorHealth.
December 20 Tuesday
Mastectomy Care Program, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10460 N. 92nd St., Scottsdale, free, Register: 480-323-1250, honorhealth.com. A class designed to help you through hospitalization for your mastectomy surgery.
December 21 Wednesday
Yoga for Recovery, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Deer Valley Medical Center, Medical Building 1, 19841 N. 27th Ave., Ste. 400, Phoenix, 623-780-4673; www.HonorHealth.com/events
Invigorate your mind and body in this gentle yoga class tailored for breast cancer survivors that includes soothing stretches, meditation, relaxation and centering breath techniques to help reduce daily stress and boost overall immune function. Open to family and friends. No registration is required, walk-ins welcomed.
December 22 Thursday
MerryMakers Ballroom Dances, doors open at 6:00 p.m., live music: 7:00 p.m., Las Palmas Grand, 2550 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, Members: $7, non-members: $8, dancemm. com, Vyda: 480-654-1994. Got a passion for polka? Can you dance a winning waltz? Join the fun; no jeans T-shirts,
tennis shoes or shorts; Swing Memories Big Band performs (semi formal).
Family Flicks – Elf Showing at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 6 p.m., 3 S. Arizona Ave, Chandler, free, www.downtownchandler.org.Visit with Santa and enjoy complimentary photography, free hot cocoa, popcorn for purchase and the chance to interact with some of Santa’s elves. Bundle up and bring blankets and chairs.
Schmooze & Pastry with Chani, 11 a.m. - noon, Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, register: Chani, 602.492.7670 or chani@sosaz.org
Enjoy homemade pastries and stimulating conversation with Chani.
December 23 Friday
Winter Butterfly Wonderland, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., 9500 Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, Museum Admission: Adults: $19.95, Children: $12.95 plus additional charge for Winter Wonderland; senior discounts available, 480-800-3000, butterflywonderland.com. A holiday extravaganza with music by Scottsdale Strings, 7-ft. living angels, and dazzling décor and as always, more than 3,000 rainforest butterflies.
December 24 Saturday
Christmas Lights at the Mesa Arizona Temple, (Runs all month through December 31) 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.,
525 E. Main St., Mesa, free, 480-964-7164. People of all backgrounds and faiths are welcome at the annual Mesa Temple Garden Christmas Lights display. Conveying peace and goodwill of the season, this unique exhibit showcases hundreds of thousands of lights that serve as a backdrop for the sounds of the holidays. Free concerts offered by a variety of performers begin nightly at 7 p.m. through December 25. The display is entitled Celebrate the Birth of Christ Light and Music Christmas Celebration.
December 25 Sunday
Golfland/Sunsplash, 155 W. Hampton Rd., Mesa, prices vary, group packages, veterans’ discounts and others available, 480-834-8319, www.golfland.com. Get out of the house with the grandkids or kids-at-heart after a hectic morning. Mini golf course, wave pool, tubing, boating, arcades, & more.
December 26 Monday
Holidays at the Heard, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, Monday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas Day (Dec. 25); $18 adults, $13.50 seniors (65+), $7.50 students with a valid student ID, $7.50, children ages 6-17, Children 5 and younger (free). Heard Museum members and American Indians receive free admission, heard.org/holidays
...continues on page 18
a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. Exciting performances and artist demonstrations introduce visitors to traditional and contemporary American Indian music, dance and art throughout the week. Visitors can also browse items in the Museum Shop. Have lunch at the Courtyard Café, open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day during Holidays at the Heard. Included in general museum admission.
December 27 Tuesday
Let’s Knit, (Dec. 6, 13, 20 & 27), 1:30-3:30 p.m., Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. Harriet: 480.481.7033 or harrietc@vosjcc.org Share the pleasure of knitting and crocheting. Help others with projects and patterns. Can’t knit? We’ll teach you. No reservations required.
December 28 Wednesday
Leukemia and Lymphoma Support Group, 5 p.m. –6:30 p.m., Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, 10460 N. 92nd St., Suite 101, Scottsdale, free, register: 480-323-1321, www.HonorHealth.com/events This group offers support to those living with a diagnosis of leukemia or one of the varied types of lymphoma. Guest speakers: VGPCC Social Worker Gerrie Jacobs, MA, LCSW and Transplant Institute Coordinator Steve Dahlstrom, RN.
December 29 Thursday
MerryMakers Ballroom Dances, doors open at 6:00 p.m., live music: 7:00 p.m., 2550 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, Members: $7, non-members: $8, dancemm.com, Vyda: 480-654-1994. Got a passion for polka? Can you dance a winning waltz? Join the fun; no jeans T-shirts, tennis shoes or shorts; DK Orchestra performs.
December 30 Friday
Music of David Bowie - Symphony Hall, 7:30 pm, 75 N. 2nd. St., Phoenix, 602-495-1999, phoenixsymphony.org. David Bowie’s music lives on. A full rock band and vocalist Tony Vincent join the Symphony to celebrate the one-of-a-kind genius in a sensational musical odyssey through his unforgettable body of work with “Space Oddity,” “Changes,” “Under Pressure,” “China Girl” and many more. Conductor Brent Havens leads vocalist Tony Vincent and The Phoenix Symphony
December 31 Saturday
46th Annual National Bank of Arizona Fiesta Bowl Parade, Central Phoenix, 11a.m., bleacher seating $25, reserved disabled seating $10, www.fiestabowl.org. Enjoy floats, bands, specialty and equestrian units.
New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance, 6 p.m. 12:00 a.m., Sunland Village, 4601 E. Dolphin Ave. Mesa, Catered dinner: $40 per person/reserved. Auditorium doors open at 6 p.m. 480-832-9003. Ring in the new year with music by The Needham Twins.
The Bullhead City / Laughlin Senior Games are located along the banks of the beautiful Colorado River, in Bullhead City, Arizona and Laughlin, Nevada just 90 miles south of Las Vegas. Join us for three weeks of Senior Games action!
The 5th Annual Phoenix Festival of the Arts Returns to Hance Park, December 9-11, 2016
Art inspires, informs and delights. Phoenix art enthusiasts will get a chance to mingle with multimedia artisans and art purveyors as Phoenix Festival of the Arts returns home to Margaret T. Hance Park just in time for some excellent holiday shopping opportunities, December 9-11, 2016.
Phoenix Center for the Arts will present the fifth annual event, featuring more than 125 art vendors and cultural organizations. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend and connect with the local art community and take in Phoenix’ downtown vibe.
If inspiration strikes, the festival offers plenty of opportunities for adults and kids to get creative and get messy. The Phoenix Mural Project, a hands-on collaborative art project organized by acclaimed local muralist, Hugo Medina, returns as a signature component of the festival, allowing community members to paint and create alongside professional local artists. The Phoenix Festival of the Arts Family Zone, presented by the Teen Artist Guild, provides fun, free activities for families throughout the day.
“It’s what makes this event so special—the focus on local artists,” says Medina, a seasoned painter, sculptor, art teacher and custom metal fabricator who created the opportunity for artists to work side-by-side. He says his love for children and community authored his inspiration to add more layers to the event. “Two artists use 4 by 8 foot
...continues on page 19
Muralist Steven Allison poses alongside his 2015 mural.
18
pieces of plywood between them, and together they collaborate. They’re all lined up in a row, and the pieces are available for purchase after the event,” Medina shares.
Medina says the festival draws in a range of people, including families and children, those who enjoy and appreciate art, and also those who simply want to enjoy the season’s pleasant weather and take in the sights and sounds of downtown Phoenix.
The festival’s newest element takes the form of a sizeable 100x40 foot entertainment pavilion, nestled within the center of the festival grounds and featuring live music and dance performances. Mainstage performances, sponsored by AZ Music Project, include local bands and solo artists, dance and hip-hop ensembles, spoken word poets, choral groups, and more.
Beer and wine, sponsored by Hensley Beverage Company, can be carried throughout the Festival grounds. Attendees are also invited to enjoy local fare and beverages. This year’s culinary lineup includes 2 Fat Guys Grilled Cheese, Queso
Phoenix Festival of the Arts
• December 9-11, 2016
• 1202 N 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
• 602.254.3100
www.phoenixfestivalofthearts.org
Hours: Friday, December 9 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: FREE Anticipated Attendance:
10,000 Where: Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix AZ 85004
Parking/Transportation: Limited parking available in the Phoenix Center for the Arts
parking lot. Street parking also available. Avoid the hassle and take METRO Light Rail to the McDowell/Central Ave or Roosevelt/Central Ave. Bike racks available onsite.
Anca & Denisa Barbur
Senior Living Advisors
Over 16 years combined experience
Step 1:
and provide you with quality senior living and care solutions tailored to your needs. From finding the right dementia care or assisted living, or home care, to exploring Veteran’s benefits and how to pay for senior care, we’ll be by your side to ease the way.
Expert Knowledge & In-Depth Evaluation of Your Needs
Call us to get connected to our senior living and care advisors, who will personally meet with you and perform an individualized assessment to understand your: physical, emotional, social, financial, geographic, and lifestyle preferences and needs.
Step 2:
Comprehensive Analysis & Recommendations of Qualified Care Communities & Resources
Present qualified senior living options and care tailored to your preferences and needs, after we validate and review each partnered community’s state licenses and examine their state inspection summaries and violation history. We refer financial, legal and social resources as needed.
Step 3:
Personalized Guidance As You Examine Services & Care Options
We schedule and accompany you on tours, to ensure all of your questions are answered. After the tour, we help each family navigate the often-difficult decision-making process.
Step 4:
Coordination of Care & Transition Support
We guide you through the transition and help facilitate the move. We follow-up after you’ve settled in your new home, to ensure that we have met your needs and expectations.
We, at Arizona Senior Options, are committed and passionate in helping families and their loved ones through one of life’s most challenging transitions with compassion, dignity, professionalism and respect. Our unique focus and mission is to make every experience ‘personal,’ working with you side-by-side to ensure a smooth transition in a safe and loving environment that helps each individual under our guidance achieve the best quality of life possible.
Having a professional to help guide you through what can be a stressful, complex and emotionally sensitive time can make all the difference when it comes to saving money, time and gaining insight into valuable resources.
Our services are always FREE to families as we are compensated by our referral network providers.
frame
Entertainment
Arizona Casinos Listed Alphabetically
Apache Gold Casino
Highway 70, San Carlos (928) 475-7800, www.apachegoldcasinoresort.com
1500 E. Highway 69, Prescott (800) 756-8744, www.buckyscasino.com
Entertainment
By Nick Thomas Tinseltown Talks
50 years on, “Dark Shadows” still looms large
Were you one of those kids who dashed home from school in the late 60s to catch the latest developments in the fantasy/ horror TV serial “Dark Shadows”?
When the show first aired on daytime television on June 27, 1966, Kathryn Leigh Scott was among the original cast of the landmark soap opera. Five years and 1,225 episodes later, Scott had left the series, but Lara Parker was on hand for the final episode. The actresses have been attending conventions and reunions all year to commemorate the show’s 50th anniversary.
“This year is special and a huge milestone for the show which is still so fondly remembered,” said Scott from Los Angeles.
“We have a reunion every year,” said Parker, also from LA. “Around 1,000 fans showed up at the end of June for a convention in New York and it’s amazing the following that the show still generates.”
In their twenties and with only stage experience when hired, “Dark Shadows” was the first time in front of a camera for both actresses. Each went on to play multiple characters in the series which eventually expanded its Gothic romance themes to include time travel and parallel universe plots while incorporating supernatural characters such as witches, ghosts, werewolves, and vampires.
Shot at ABC’s East Coast Manhattan studio and set in the fictional town of Collinsport, Maine, the show was initially slow to gain an audience.
“That’s when writer Dan Curtis said ‘What the hell, let’s add a vampire’ and the show became a cult hit,” explained Scott, who initially played diner waitress Maggie Evans and still recalls the first episode. “I was petri-
fied!” she laughed.
While Parker and Scott faced the camera as rookies, one veteran Hollywood actress was present throughout the series.
“Joan Bennett was our movie star,” said Parker. “She brought a lot of attention to the show.”
“She was so beautiful, and with four daughters treated us very motherly,” added Scott. “She really understood camera acting and I picked up a lot of technical things from her.”
Scott left “Dark Shadows” in 1970, a few months before the show ended, but overlapped for much of the series with Parker who arrived in late 1967.
“I remember our first episode together because we were speaking French,” recalled Scott. “I played Josette, a countess during the flashback sequence to 1795. Lara played my maid, Angélique, who was actually a witch. Both characters loved Barnabas Collins, the vampire character played by Jonathan Frid, and that gave rise to much of the series drama.”
“I remember being catatonic with fear on my first day on the set,” said Parker. “But I soon settled down as there was a tight schedule to produce a daily show and a lot to remember.”
After “Dark Shadows,” Scott and Parker continued in film, television, and theater. Both also became successful authors, writing about the show. Parker’s fourth book, ‘Heiress of Collinwood,’ came out in November (see www.laraparker.com).
Scott has written companion guides to the show and published other topics through her publishing house, Pomegranate Press.
“Dark Shadows: Return to Collinwood,” written with Jim Pierson, contains behind the scenes stories, photos, and an episode guide (see www.kathrynleighscott.com).
As the show continues to draw new fans with all episodes now available on DVD, Scott and Parker believe “Dark Shadows” had an enduring influence on later popular culture.
“The supernatural element that Dan Curtis introduced was new to daytime TV,” said Scott. “It’s the granddaddy of all the contemporary TV series dealing with the paranormal, vampires, and horror.”
“The horror of Gothic romance takes place in the anticipation and imagination of the audience, and we gave ours plenty,” added Parker. “Sure, they were over-the-top theatrical stories, but we played them with total believability and our fans, old and new, still appreciate that.”
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 600 magazines and newspapers.
Lara Parker, left, as Angelique and Kathryn Leigh Scott as Josette from Dark Shadows
Kathryn Leigh Scott, David Selby and Lara Parker in 2015 at Lyndhurst - location for two DS films. Provided by Kathryn Leigh Scott.
Entertainment ... answers on page 47
EvEn ExChangE by
Donna Pettman
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 M A STER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.
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 MONTH H H
H Moderate HH Challenging
HHH HOO BOY! HHHH Put on your helmet!
SCRAMBLERS
Across
1. Tucson’s ____ Week
6. European erupter
10. Working hard
14. Wrinkle removers
15. Warning sound
16. Birthright seller, in Genesis
17. Moisten
18. React to losing a toy, perhaps
19. New Zealand dance
20. “Brave New World” drug
21. Fiber from alkenes
23. Bunch of shots
26. Leader at a
mosque
27. Suns’ star
32. Ciao
35. Koppel and Kennedy
36. Lay up
37. Complain
39. No longer in the USN
40. Crones
41. Capital near Casablanca
43. Mutual fund fee
45. Excluding
46. Carson’s back-up
49. Dark blue
50. Musical composition
53. Plural of Mr.
56. Amateur
58. Keystone’s place
59. Multitude
63. Tucson barrio
65. “Later!”
66. Burden
67. Kept mum
68. Fiber for sacking
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!
69. Blubber
70. Clear the chalkboard
Down
1. Tease
2. They’re found in veins
3. Blockheads
4. Colon cleaner
5. Warren Report name
6. Dwindle
7. Tax that led to a party in Boston
8. Without precedent
9. Assuredness
10. Giant, usually company
11. Military acronym
12. Japanese wine
13. Chinese dollar
22. Country in SE Asia
24. Animal doc
25. Veneer
26. Local, as opposed to across borderlines
28. Keats’ “___ a Grecian Urn”
29. Zen paradox
30. Consequently
31. Continue to be
32. Charlie ___ (jazz guitarist)
33. Newcomer in January
34. Czech/German river
38. Hocking site
42. Bygone title
44. “i” lid
47. “American Idol” for one
48. Rock
51. Money of Iran
52. Susan’s “All My Children” role
53. Plane speed unit
54. Pennsylvania port
55. Shell game
57. Elevator inventor
60. Singleton
61. Attack legally
62. Cooking abbr.
64. Downed
says, ‘Jesus Saves, Paul Spends.’ Again, it’s just worth it, and you see it when the audience is safe.”
O’Neill stresses that his shows are all about pleasing families young and old. He adds that there’s nothing more thrilling than seeing audience members’ mouth agape after seeing special effects or a particularly good vocalist.
But O’Neill’s rock opera takes its cues from Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Who and Pink Floyd. It’s important to O’Neill that there isn’t a bad seat in the arena.
“I saw Pink Floyd, I think in ’96 or ’95. The band was kind enough to give me front row seats and they blew my mind,” O’Neill says.
“I simply had never seen a show that good where every time you thought you saw the ultimate gag, they had 10 more lined up. I wondered what it looked like in the nose bleed. I went all the way back to the farther seats and it was just as good. It was different; it was more cinematic but with Pink Floyd I basically learned you can design a show, if you don’t care about the budget, where there is no such thing as a bad seat in the house. God bless Pink
Floyd because they were doing it in the ’90s. They didn’t have the advantage of all these computers, etc.”
Once again, O’Neill says he feels lucky.
“In the entertainment industry, Christmas is the Holy Grail because any other thing you’re writing about—whether it’s a painting, an album, a movie, a book— you’re competing with the best of your generation or the last two generations.
“When you can write about Christmas, you’re competing with the best of the last 2,000 years. If you’re a painter, it’s not Andy Warhol, it’s Botticelli, it’s Michelangelo. If it’s a book it’s Charles Dickens. If it’s a movie, it’s Frank Capra. When you’re writing anything for the Christmas season, you’re happy to get past the ultimate critic, the only critic you can’t fool, the only critic that counts 100 years from now which is time, because every century filters out what’s really, really, really good. That can be intimidating just into itself. Again, we just lucked out.”
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale, 623.772.3800, gilariverarena.com, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 26, $36.50-$71.25.
Fort McDowell Casino
Bingo Happenings-November 2016
Mesa Adult Center
Experience bingo in Fort McDowell Casino’s state-of-the-art and award-winning 1,700-seat bingo hall.
WHEN: Seven days a week, various times
COST: Charge for cards
Twenty-one games, win up to $500 in losers’ bingo, social bingo and big game bingo.
WHEN: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Fort McDowell Casino, 10424 N. Fort McDowell Rd., Fort McDowell
INFO: 800-THE-FORT, ext. 4380, or fortmcdowellcasino.com/ bingo.php
Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino
Gamers who stop by Bingo Park enjoy picturesque National Park views in the state-of-the-art, 550-seat bingo hall.
WHEN: Seven days a week, various times
WHERE: Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino, 15091 S. Komatke Ln., Laveen
COST: $2 to $32
INFO: 800-946-4452, ext. 1942, or wingilariver.com/index.php/ vq-vee-quiva-hotel-casino/gaming/bingo-park
Lone Butte Casino
The state-of-the-art and spacious bingo hall features 850 seats and has morning, matinee and evening sessions. The morning sessions include five regular games and two specials, with three for $10 and $1 specials.
WHEN: Seven days a week, various times
WHERE: Lone Butte Casino, 1077 S. Kyrene Rd., Chandler COST: $2 to $32
INFO: 800-946-4452, ext. 8928, or wingilariver.com/index.php/ lone-butte/gaming/bingo
Sunland Village East
Prize money will vary during the year based on attendance. WHEN: Sundays, at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Sunland Village East Auditorium, 8026 E. Lakeview Ave., Mesa
COST: Charge for cards varies to number purchase
INFO: 480-986-9822 or 480-313-7033
Beuf Senior Center
Moneyball, 10 regular games plus double action.
WHEN: Mondays and Thursdays, sales start at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Beuf Senior Center, 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Phoenix
COST: Starts at $4/pack, City of Phoenix Membership card or $5 guest
INFO: 602-534-9743
Chandler Senior Center
Bring a friend or make some new ones while enjoying some fun, laughter and prizes.
WHEN: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
WHERE: Chandler Senior Center, 202 E. Boston St., Chandler COST: 50 cents per card. No limit on cards purchased. INFO: 480-782-2720 or chandleraz.gov/senior-adults
WHERE: Mesa Adult Center, 247 N. Macdonald St., Mesa COST: Various costs, call for pricing INFO: 480-962-5612 or http://mesa.evadultresources.org/
Social Bingo
Join others during social bingo.
WHEN: Mondays, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Apache Junction Active Adult Center, 1035 N. Idaho Rd., Apache Junction
COST: 25 cents per card INFO: 480-474-5262 or http://aj.evadultresources.org/
Brentwood Southern
There is a money ball; 17 games include three that are percentage payout.
WHEN: Mondays, hall opens at 4:30 p.m., sale starts at 5:15 p.m. and bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Brentwood Southern, 8103 E. Southern Ave., Mesa COST: Varies according to games and number purchased INFO: 480-306-4569
Granite Reef Senior Center
Everyone welcome. Enjoy 20 games of bingo with prizes.
WHEN: Tuesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Granite Reef Senior Center 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd., Scottsdale
COST: $1 per card; three-card minimum. No limit on cards purchased. INFO: 480-312-1700 or Scottsdaleaz.gov
Devonshire Senior Center
Devonshire Senior Center provides money ball, 10 regular games plus progressive coverall. Split-the-pot games are early birds and double action.
WHEN: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, sales start at 12:15 p.m.
WHERE: Devonshire Senior Center, 2802 E. Devonshire, Phoenix COST: Starts at $2; must have City of Phoenix parks and recreation membership card to be eligible to play. INFO: 602-256-3130
Red Mountain Active Adult Center
Bingo seating begins at 12:50 p.m.
WHEN: Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Red Mountain Active Adult Center, 7550 E. Adobe Rd., Mesa
COST: Tuesdays there are various prices; Thursdays the cards are 25 cents
INFO: 480-218-2221 or http://rm.evadultresources.org
Peoria Community Center Prize money will vary based on attendance.
Entertainment
WHEN: Tuesdays and Fridays, at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson, Peoria
COST: 25 cents per card; 50 cents for overall INFO: 623-979-3570
Community Bingo
The 200-seat bingo hall open Wednesdays through Sundays in Goodyear. The building—new and well-lit—features Ana’s dinners and desserts.
WHEN: Wednesdays through Sundays, at 6:30 p.m.; Fridays, at 10:30 p.m.; and Sundays, at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Community Bingo, 3690 S. Estrella Pkwy., Suite 108, Goodyear
COST: $21 (includes progressive) for 18 games; $14, late night and matinee for 13 games.
INFO: 623-512-8878
Sun Lakes VFW Post 8053
The organization holds bingo for up to 230 people. Payouts are based on sales; total may reach $900. All proceeds go to veteran needs, including homeless veterans, disabled veterans and military families.
WHEN: Wednesdays, at 7 p.m. Sales start at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes
COST: $7 minimum for play of all 19 games INFO: 480-895-9270
Sunland Village
Auditorium doors open at 4:30 p.m., cards are sold at 6 p.m. and play begins at 7 p.m. There’s a $900 progressive pot.
WHEN: Thursdays in May
WHERE: Sunland Village Auditorium, 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., Mesa
COST: Charge for cards varies according to number purchased
INFO: 480-832-9003
Palmas del Sol
Come join the group to play Bingo weekly. Bingo doors and snack bar open at 5:15 p.m.
WHEN: Thursdays, at 6:30 pm.
WHERE; Palmas del Sol, 6209 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa
COST: Charge for cards varies according to number purchased. INFO: 480-528-4689
Sunrise Village
Join the group to play bingo weekly. The cards start selling at 5:45 p.m., early bird at 6:45 p.m., and regular bingo at 7 p.m.
WHEN: Fridays, at 5:45 p.m.
WHERE: Sunrise Village, 5402 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa
COST: $13 minimum buy in INFO: 480-985-0548
Greenfield Village RV Resort
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Games begin at 7 p.m.
WHEN: Tuesdays, December 6 and 13, 2016
WHERE: Greenfield Village RV Resort 111 S. Greenfield Rd. (enter off Main and Quinn Circle) Mesa COST: Depends on number of cards purchased $1 and up INFO: 480-832-3844
Las Palmas Grand Bingo
When: Monday Night
Where: Las Palmas Grand, 2550 South Ellsworth Road, Mesa, AZ
Cost: $21 Buy-In Info: 480-357-1148
Snack Bar: Opens 5:00 PM
Early Bird Session: 6:30 PM
Free Hot Dog, Chips, Drink – Dec. 5 and 12, 2016 Free Cheeseburger, Chips, Drink – December 19, 2016
NO BINGO – December 26, 2016 & January 2, 2017 Resume Play on January 9, 2017
Games: Double Action, Betty Boop, $1000 Progressive Jack Pot with additional number added each week, with a $300 Consolation Prize.
Pay out $70, Early Bird; $100 Regular Game Got a bingo event?
Include it in this list by sending your info to info@lovinlifeafter50.com
Arizona experts offer advice:
Invest in real estate to create retirement income
By Jimmy Magahern
Retirement
years may seem the perfect time to buy investment real estate you’ve always wanted to own.
Perhaps it’s a cozy bar, or the type of restaurant you’ve always felt could make a killing in your neighborhood. Or maybe it’s a little shop to sell those collectibles you’ve loved since childhood.
Beware, says Michael Pollack of Pollack Investments, one of the largest independently owned real estate companies in Arizona. Delving into “enthusiast” projects generally isn’t the smartest path to growing retirement income.
“What I recommend for creating retirement income is not to simply invest in something that you’re passionate about,” he says. “A movie theater, for example, or an ethnic restaurant or whatever. Although it can be fun, it takes a lot of work. And when you get into retirement years, most people don’t want to work that hard!”
Follow your passion, with caution
Such advice can sound contrarian coming from a tireless 61-year-old entrepreneur who has himself invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into at least a couple of enterprises that are clearly passion projects.
Pollack launched his real estate company in 1973 and is best known for remodeling old strip malls throughout central Arizona into revitalized shopping districts.
The redeveloper is also the owner of Tempe’s Pollack Cinemas, a popular movie house, and the Pollack Advertising Museum, a private, by-invitationonly collection of vintage advertising memorabilia that occupies 8,000 square feet in his Mesa office building.
While Pollack admits he enjoys being involved in both the movie theater and museum, he advises others to steer clear of pouring money into such offbeat investments unless they’ve got “money to
burn.”
“I think it’s wonderful if you can be in a business that you truly love,” he says. “And I always encourage young people to follow their passions.
“But you have to be able to afford your passion, and you have to be able to afford your hobbies. And if you’re interested in community involvement or have a philanthropic side, that’s great, too.
“But you don’t decide you’re going to open up a discount movie cinema, like I did, with the idea that it’s a profitable investment. Movie theaters are very difficult to operate and very expensive to run. And the museum business, that’s a whole ‘nother world! The only question there is how much you’re going to lose.”
Pollack’s best advice: RLS, and stay out of debt
Instead, Pollack advises clients in or near retirement wishing to generate income to invest in real estate in one of three ways:
• Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
• Limited partnerships
• Single family homes, for the purpose of renting them out
“Most REITs are publically traded, so you can invest in them just as you buy stocks,” he says. “Some are better than others, so you have to really research the company, its principals, and find out what their track records are through good times and bad times.
“Anybody in the real estate business
who’s successfully emerged from the great depression of 2008 through 2010 without losing any properties to foreclosures — that’s a person I would automatically consider. That tells me they’ve probably got some pretty good experience.”
As for limited partnerships or limited liability companies, he explains, “They usually are created privately. There will be a sponsor who seeks out investors who, individually, would not have enough money to invest.”
Before entering this kind of investment, Pollock suggests “vetting the sponsor to ensure he or she has the experience and necessary skill sets” to make that kind of investment successful.
“For example, they may think they want to be in the shopping center business. Well, just because you have extra money doesn’t mean you belong in the shopping center industry.
“Or they might think they want to be in the apartment business. It’s not nearly as simple as some people make it look. And so the experience level of the sponsor is critical.”
The third option, Pollack says, is investing in good, old-fashioned single family houses — especially for the purpose of renting them.
He doesn’t encourage retirement debt.
“I know that a lot of times it’s not recommended by investment gurus to pay off your home and own your house or condo or townhouse free and clear,” he
Paula Sindelar in Tombstone, AZ
says.
“But I’m a fan of owning in your retirement years. I don’t care what size it is, it can be a mobile home. But I’d like to see them actually own it.
“That way, in their advanced years, they don’t become renters. And you’re talking to a guy who’s made his living for the last 43 years renting properties to people.”
Pollack is also not a fan of reverse mortgages.
“I think that’s a recipe for eventual problems,” he says. But he is in favor of owning real estate as a retirement investment.
“If you’re looking at single-family home buying strictly as an investment –not to live in yourself, the money’s not made when you sell it. The money is really made when you buy it.
“Timing is critical,” he explains. “You don’t want to ever be buying at the high side of the market and then have the market come tumbling down. And unfortunately, particularly in Arizona, it’s difficult to time the cycles in the market.
“However, at the moment, it’s becoming much more stable. And it’s becoming, more importantly, more diversified.”
To Airbnb or not to be: One Tucson real estate expert’s predictions
A whole new market has evolved for house rentals: Offering properties for short-term lodging through Airbnb. It’s a peer-to-peer online marketplace that enables property owners to rent out homes or parts of homes to guests for as little as a week or even a few days. The landlord, in turn, pays the company a percentage service fee.
Founded in 2008, the privately owned San Francisco-based company now offers more than 2 million listings in nearly 200 countries.
“That’s what I’ve been crazy busy with,” says Paula Sindelar, who runs the Pepper Group Diversified in Tucson, a real estate company the University of Arizona graduate took over from mentor Carl Pepper in 2005.
“I sell homes from Tucson down to Bisbee, and that seems to be what’s going on now. A lot of people are buying homes and renting out at least part of the space to cover some of the mortgage, and many are specifically getting the higher-end weekly rates on Airbnb. It has become a really great investment for people.”
The Bisbee-born agent is a former caterer and wedding planner. In addition
The Shady Dell Resort, Bisbee, AZ.
from 28
to single-family homes purchased as shortterm rentals, Sindelar says she’s seeing a trend of people over 50 buying homes with an extra guest house specifically to use them as Airbnb rentals.
“I have a friend who recently found a house she wanted to buy in Bisbee,” Sindelar says.
“She had decided to shop specifically for a home for herself that included a guest house that she would then rent out.”
“Then, just a couple of days later, I had clients in their early 60s purchasing over by the University of Arizona. They
chose a really neat ranch home with a guest house for the same purpose. I’ve seen other examples, and I think it’s definitely a trend.”
Sindelar says it’s important that investors carefully consider a home’s location before buying property to use as a short-term rental.
“First, you have to make sure you’re buying in a place where people want to stay, that it is a destination,” she says.
“In Tucson, a lot of people like to be over by the University of Arizona or by Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina
...continues on page 30
Michael Pollack shows off his treasure trove of collectibles.
Mountains. Those are usually easy-torent —as long as the HOAs will allow it.”
That, Sindelar says, is the second biggest consideration.
“Many HOAs in Tucson don’t allow short term rentals—or, in some cases long-term rentals, for that matter. That’s particularly common with some condos in the Catalina Foothills.”
She says Bisbee has become a popular destination for Airbnb renters.
“It’s a huge artists’ community, just written up in Sunset magazine as one of the best places to live in the West, along with Seattle’s Beacon Hill and Santa Barbara.
“Bisbee is a mile high, so it’s 10 degrees cooler than Tucson. They have running waterfalls and pine trees. Those rentals are always booked up on Airbnb.”
Sindelar uses Airbnb as a renter, but says she hasn’t yet offered places of her own through the site.
“We go everywhere—Cancun, Playa del Carmen—and when we travel, we prefer to rent through Airbnb. I meet up often with about 20 alums from the class of ‘86 from Bisbee, and we book a big Airbnb and all stay together. It’s the
wave of the future, and I can’t imagine it not lasting.”
Musical chairs
However you choose to invest in real estate as a means for growing retirement income, Pollack stresses the importance of research.
“I think the most important thing to do is your homework,” he says. “Make sure you really know the track record of anyone you’re working with.
“A lot of people sound good, but do they really have the talent, ability and experience to make money for you?
If you don’t understand what you’re investing in, then you have to make sure you’re working with somebody credible, who has integrity.”
That’s particularly crucial now, Pollack says, as the market is finally improving and drawing more players into the game.
“It gets worst when times are best. We saw that in 2005 to 2007. Everybody was a real estate guru, because the market was going up so quickly that all you had to do was sign your name and you’d make money.
“The problem is, it’s just like musical chairs,” he says. “In real estate, you don’t want to be stuck without a chair when the music stops.”
Real estate broker Paula Sindelar shares tips for investors.
Cinnamon Walnut Rugelach
By Jan D’Atri
Happy Holidays Everyone! If you’re looking for something wonderful to gift someone or serve at your holiday get-togethers, try one of my very favorite treats, Rugelach!
It’s said to have come from the Yiddish word “rugel” meaning royal. Rolledout delicate dough filled with a variety of ingredients, Rugelach (pronounced Rug-a-Lach) has grown in popularity from a Jewish specialty baked during the holidays to an American favorite enjoyed all year long. It seems as though every country has its own version and name for Rugelach and there are hundreds of recipe variations for this bite-sized goody. If you would like the updated recipe for the Garlic Mashed Cauliflower and Squash recipe that appeared in November’s issue, kindly send a request to: dmeehl@timespublications.com.
Cinnamon Walnut Rugelach
For the Dough:
1 cup butter, softened
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
For the Filling
1 ½ cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups walnuts, finely chopped
For the dough, sour cream or cream cheese is added to the flour which makes for flavorful dough that’s extremely easy to work with. These one or two bite morsels are generally filled with ingredients such as sugar, cinnamon, walnuts, raisins, chocolate, or preserves with a little cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top. Again, there are a number of ways to roll and cut Rugelach, but the classic shapes are crescents or slightly flattened squares. I know that Rugelach is baked up en masse for the Hanukkah celebration; but there are plenty of chances in the days ahead to make, bake and deliver these delicious and delicate gifts from the kitchen for the holidays ahead!
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, blend together butter and cream cheese until well
incorporated. Add flour, sugar and salt, blending well. Gather dough and divide into two balls. Refrigerate in plastic wrap for at least 1-2 hours. Meanwhile, make filling. In a bowl, mix together 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts. When dough is chilled, cut each ball into two pieces. You will have 4 dough balls to work with.
For the crescent shape: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough ball into an approximate 9-inch circle 1/16 of an inch thick. Sprinkle ¼ of filling mixture over circle, leaving a ¼ inch border. Gently pat filling into dough. Cut circle into 12 wedges. Roll each wedge up starting at the wide end to form a crescent. Sprinkle top with filling mixture.
For the square shape: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 9-inch long rectangle. Sprinkle ¼ of filling mixture over dough, leaving a ¼ inch border. Gently pat filling into dough. Starting at the bottom, roll dough up tightly into tube shape. Gently flatten tube with your hands. Cut into 1-inch squares. Sprinkle tops with filling mixture. Place pieces onto parchment lined (or lightly greased) baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 to 18 minutes or until deep golden brown. Makes about 36 pieces. Dough can be made ahead and stored in plastic wrap for up to one week. Baked Rugelach can be frozen.
Reinvent you R RetiRement at Royal oaks sun City’s premier campus for active retirees
REQuEsT OuR DOWnsIzIng guIDE TO hElp YOu gET sTARTED!
Royal Oaks residents like Claudia, a busy RN, author, educator and consultant, moved to Royal Oaks so she and her husband can enjoy life, not spend time on chores. Shouldn’t you do the same?
We invite you to visit our 38-acre campus and tour beautifully updated casitas and apartments. Our residents rave over chef-prepared meals, the maintenance-free lifestyle, activities, fitness, and friendships. Residents and family members enjoy financial peace of mind, knowing our Lifecare program provides increased services without an increase in fees. If a higher level of care is needed, we offer memory care, assisted living, and nursing care in a complete supportive living environment.
Discover more about Lifecare and Life Plan Communities by requesting our report, The Ten Most Important Questions to Ask a Retirement Community BEFORE You Move In. Download it and our downsizing guide, When In Doubt, Throw It Out immediately at www.RoyalOaks.com or phone (623) 815-4131 and we will send them to you.
marketingdept@royaloaks.com • 623-815-4131 10015 W. Royal Oak Road (south of 99th Ave. and Thunderbird Rd.) Sun City, AZ 85351
Getting the most out of your health insurance
Health insurance often represents one of the largest budgetary expenses of a household. Therefore, you should understand your benefits in order get the most out of them. By utilizing your health insurance to the fullest you may find ways to save money and improve your health. Listed below are some suggestions to maximize your health plan benefits.
90 Day Prescriptions: Oftentimes, filling a 90-day supply of your medications is less expensive (lower copay) and more convenient (saving you monthly trips to the pharmacy) than filling a 30-day supply. A lot of insurance plans allow 90-day fills; ask your Walgreens pharmacy staff if this is an option under your plan.
Generic Prescriptions: Choosing generic over brand-name medications leads to savings! Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs and are the same in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that generic medications have the same quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name drugs. When it comes to price, however, there is a big difference. On average, the cost of generics is 80 percent to 85 percent lower than brand-name medications. Therefore, if you are on a brand-name drug, ask for the generic the next time you visit your pharmacy. Even if you are on a brand-name medication that does not yet have a generic, your pharmacist can recommend a switch to a generic drug within the same medication class.
Immunizations: Although most people do not look forward to getting immunizations, doing so may save you time and money. Take for example the flu vaccine, most plans cover the cost as a preventative service; hence, you are able to receive it for a zero copay. If you do not receive the vaccination, you are at an increased risk for getting the flu which can lead to missed days at work and a visit to your doctor. By getting your flu shot, as well as other immunizations, you are pre -
venting serious complications and potential hospitalizations which will end up saving you money in the long run.
Medicare Open Enrollment:
Medicare open enrollment ends on Dec. 7. Therefore, now is the time to reevaluate your plan options to find a Medicare Part D plan that covers all of your medications at the lowest out-of-pocket cost. Switch -
ing plans may lead to less expensive premiums, deductibles, and/ or medication copays. You should thoroughly research all of your options to see which plan will save you the most money. HealthPlanOne is a licensed health insurance agency that can help you evaluate and compare Medicare Part D plans and help you enroll—for free. You can receive their free expert advice
by calling (888) 395-0324. There are a variety of ways to get the most out of your health benefits. Perhaps you may have further questions or concerns in regard to maximizing your insurance benefits. Talk to a Walgreens pharmacist today to help you research ways to get the most out of your insurance and improve your health!
take a look at some of our
Small towns celebrate Christmas in big ways
By Andrea Gross
St. Augustine, Florida, which was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1565, is festooned with three million lights. These represent the candles that brighten Spanish homes during the Christmas season.
The town of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri features a parade of les petits chanteurs who sing French carols, while the Kansas community of Lindsborg, settled by Swedes in the late nineteenth century, celebrates Christmas with Scandinavian music and folk dancing.
Convinced that they’d found the storied Fountain of Youth, the Spanish, along with enslaved African Americans and native Timucuan Indians, established the first permanent settlement in what became the United States. Then knowing that their families back in Europe were celebrating the Fiesta de Navidad, they said a Christmas mass. It was the first Christmas in the New World.
I swallow the water, but it’s laden with sulfur and smells like hard-boiled eggs. I’d rather have eggnog.
And so it goes. Across the United States, people come together to observe the holidays in ways that combine quintessentially American customs while at the same time honoring the traditions of their ancestors.
Here, a spotlight on three towns that speak to the best of America: its commonalities as well as its diversity.
Saint Augustine’s Spanish
Heritage
I take a sip of water. According to legend, this water, which comes from a natural spring near St. Augustine, Florida, is going to bestow upon me a magical gift — the gift of eternal youth.
Today St. Augustine’s annual “Nights of Lights,” which has been selected by both National Geographic and the Smithsonian as one of the world’s best holiday displays, begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs through the end of January.
Ste. Genevieve’s French Connection
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, 60 miles south of St. Louis, is a charming town of 4,500 people, most of whom trace their ancestry back to France.
We explore streets filled with intriguing shops and eateries, stopping for nearly an hour at ASL Foundry where we watch folks craft pewter plates, goblets and — to my delight — Christmas ornaments. Finally we make our way to the town’s historic district, which has gained
St. Augustine has one of the world’s top-rated holiday light displays. (Photo courtesy of FloridasHistoricCoast.com)
St. Augustine honors its Spanish heritage by putting lights in the windows of downtown buildings. (Photo courtesy of FloridasHistoricCoast.com)
The Colonial Spanish Quarter in St. Augustine is filled with museums, eateries and shops that reflect the town’s heritage. (Photo by Irv Green)
Folks at ASL Foundry in Ste. Genevieve use old-time methods to make pewter Christmas ornaments. (Photo by Irv Green)
worldwide recognition for its collection of French Creole buildings.
Christmas in the historic district begins the day after Thanksgiving with Vieux Noël in Lights, during which folks follow a path marked with signs that tell the Christmas story. The path ends at a small crèche that has been secreted in a boxwood grove.
The Holiday Christmas Festival, which takes place a few days later on the first weekend in December, celebrates 500 years of the area’s rich musical traditions. Free performances feature everything from chamber concerts and violin concertos to church music and holiday carolers. For good measure, there’s even a grand holiday parade with Santa.
In addition the Felix Vallé State Historic Site hosts Le Réveillon, which features a French Christmas circa the early 1800s. As French music plays in the background, guides in historicallyaccurate dress explain the various decorations and encourage people to testtaste dessert items such as bûche de Noël, a sweet rendition of the yule log.
But the biggest holiday celebration is La Gulannée Watch Party on New Year’s Eve. Similar to the English custom of Wassailing, partygoers dress in outlandish costumes and go from house to house begging for favors.
music. The season kicks off the first Sunday in December with a music-filled Jultide Concert and doesn’t fully end until spring when the town choir performs the country’s longest running annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah.
The biggest event of the season is the St. Lucia Festival, which celebrates the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice. To brighten a time when light is in short supply, a young girl adorned with a crown of lighted candles is chosen to serve cookies and coffee. The candles, which are set among green leaves, are meant to show that the dark winter is turning into a bright spring.
Finally, as Christmas winds down, folks begin to prepare for the spring presentation of Handel’s Messiah. Although the oratorio is traditionally associated with Christmas, only the first section focuses on the birth of Christ. The latter parts tell the story of death and resurrection and were originally intended to be performed at Easter.
It is then, after a weeklong celebration, that the 200-person Bethany Lutheran Choir performs the well-known piece.
As the last notes fade away, Lindsborg’s Christmas truly ends, just as the sights and sounds of spring begin to fill the air.
Lindsborg’s Swedish Celebration
In Lindsborg, Kansas, where more than a third of the residents are of Swedish descent, Christmas is all about
For an expanded version of this article that includes other ways that these towns celebrate their heritage, see www. Traveltizers.com.
Feliz Navidad, joyeux Noel, god Jul... Happy holidays to all!
Ste. Genevieve’s historic district depicts what life was like for early French settlers. (Photo by Irv Green)
Lindsborg’s Christmas festivities, like those in Sweden, lighten the dark days of winter. (Photo by Jim Turner)
Lindsborg is home to the world’s longest-running annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. (Photo by Jim Turner)
Lindsborg has strong musical traditions. (Photo by Irv Green)
How to stress less during holiday travel
By Ken Arcia, outreach manager for Arizona Relay Service
With the holidays quickly approaching, many of us are probably beginning to make travel plans to visit loved ones. Whether you are traveling by plane, train, or automobile, traveling doesn’t have to be tricky for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Services are available at airports and hotels to make sure individuals can stay safe and informed while en route, and once the final destination is reached. Everyone wants to ensure a safe and hassle-free trip wherever the destination may be, so making sure those accommodations are used is a necessity in order to ease any traveling tension.
What should I do to prepare for a flight?
• If traveling with a service animal, check your airline’s regulations. Most airlines will require documentation proving the animal is a service animal. On longer flights they may also require documentation affirming the animal won’t need to relieve itself on the plane. Contact your airline to
know what to expect. Many airports also have service animal relief areas.
• Find out about screening procedures. Any travelers with inquires and questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint should call TSA Cares. Passengers will need to contact the service at least 72 hours in advance of their flight. The number to call is 1-855-787-2227, available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., EST.
• Don’t forget hearing devices and batteries. While it may seem very basic, it is an incredibly important tip to remember! If you use a hearing aid or cochlear implant, don’t forget to pack an extra set of batteries so you’re not stuck with a nonworking hearing device when you need it most.
If you are traveling by airplane, when you get to the gate, you can inform the agent you are deaf or hard-of-hearing and ask to be notified if there are any gate changes or any
important announcements. In addition those flying in and out of Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, “America’s Friendliest Airport” should know that there are hearing-aid compatible, amplified and text telephones (TTY) available in each terminal, and that the Arizona Local Relay number is 800-367-8939 and the TTY aviation number is 800-7811010.
What accommodations are available if I’m staying in a hotel?
• If you need to be up at a certain time, order a wake-up-call. Every hotel should offer some sort of wakeup-call, and hotels are required to provide an equally accessible wakeup-call to all guests, including visual and tactile (bed vibrator) ringers for guests.
• Hotels are equipped with emergency situation indicators for deaf and hard-of-hearing guests. Hotels are also required to have an adequate strong light alert installed in every guestroom. If there were a fire or
some other sort of emergency, this would alert an individual who is deaf or hard-of-hearing they need to evacuate.
• Hotels are required to provide TTY for guests upon request. This ensures that guests who are deaf or hard of hearing will be able to use the telephone provided at the hotel. Hotels are also required to have a TTY at the front desk.
While there are plenty of accommodations for those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing while traveling, it is recommended that you be proactive and inform the airline or hotel ahead of time to ensure that all accommodations will be readily available.
The holidays are a time to relax and be stress-free, and your travel during this time should be the same. Plan ahead and know what’s available, so you have a relaxing holiday that isn’t interrupted by stressful travel.
For more information on the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, visit http:// www.acdhh.org/, or Arizona Relay Service, visit http://www.azrelay.org/.
Climb aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
A luxurious train ride through the Canadian Rockies
By Ed Boitano
Thisis one time where man really got it right.
Quite simply, the Rocky Mountaineer is a life-changing train journey that touches your very soul, immersed in the sweeping beauty and ever-changing landscape of western Canada. This historic train route was created more than a century ago, linking the country and introducing the world to a new and rugged land of towering mountain peaks, glacial lakes, roaring waterfalls, abundant wildlife bear, elk, deer, moose, bald eagles, osprey, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and pristine vegetation. With departures from Vancouver, B.C., the two-day journey 280 miles each day climbs from sea level to more than 5,000 feet through the Canadian Rockies and Continental Divide to Banff or Jasper, with station transfers to Calgary for your departure cities. All travel takes place in daylight there are no sleeper cars with overnight accommodations in the charming hillside town of Kamloops. It’s a popular excursion for none other than Bill Gates and family (who once rented) an entire coach.
To witness the wonders of such beauty in the comforts of a luxurious rail coach only enhances the experience. Travelers enjoy plush seats in glass-enclosed coaches, along with attentive stewards who deliver passionate and insightful narration throughout the journey. Rocky Mountaineer’s all-inclusive packages include seats at the white linen-clad tables of the dining room, where awardwinning chefs prepare three-course meals using regional ingredients from British Columbia and Alberta. Dishes such as baked wild salmon; slow roasted Alberta bison; wild British Columbia mushroom chowder; and pickerel, a white, sweet tasting fish, should not be missed. Also, try a Caesar, Canada’s answer to the Bloody Mary.
Welcome to Banff and Lake Louise
After the railway journey, guests are invited to spend the night and enjoy quality time in the Rocky Mountain communities of Banff and Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada’s first and foremost national park. The park is a year-round protected wilderness area
offering a remote alpine beauty that one must see to believe. There is an endless array of vacation possibilities available, including a dip in the world-famous hot springs.
Where to Stay: The Fairmont Banff Springs
Modeled after a Scottish baronial castle, the opulent Fairmont Banff Springs is like its own bustling village, tucked away in the mountains. An adult Disneyland comes to mind with its army of impeccably uniformed staff, mammoth ballrooms, elegant restaurants, stately lounges, designer shops and recently renovated European-style spa. If it’s activities you want, this world-class resort is the hub. Make sure you start your day with the phenomenal breakfast buffet at the Bow Valley Grill.
The Backstory
“If we can’t export the scenery, we will import the tourists” was the self-fulfilling prophesy of William Van Horne, General Manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He recognized the potential for
robust tourism at the hot springs near the railway station at Banff, Alberta. It was his vision to design a luxury hotel amidst the stunning mountain scenery of the Canadian Rockies above the confluence of the Bow and the Spray Rivers overlooking the beautiful Bow Valley and the only way to get there in 1886 would be via a railway. The hotel officially opened on June 1, 1888, and was declared a historical site by the Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in 1992.
If Walls Could Talk
In 1956, Marilyn Monroe was staying at the hotel while filming River of No Return, directed by Otto Preminger. During the filming, she sprained her ankle and was on doctor’s orders to be transported around by wheelchair. Needless to say, fierce arguments broke out among the bellmen as to who would get to push Ms. Monroe around the hotel. The dilemma was handled in the only civilized way each morning the young men drew straws.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Located approximately a scenic
20-minute car drive from Banff, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is an essential stop on your free time in Banff National Park. Nestled besides its namesake lake, which itself is set against the backdrop of Victoria Glacier, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is perhaps the most photographed scene in the Canadian Rockies. The location lends itself to the tranquility and stillness of the outdoors; a good place for a gentle hike in the woods or a stroll around the pristine lake. You can enjoy the property’s worldclass amenities or simple things like a good book in front of the properties cozy fireplace.
The Rocky Mountaineer offers more than 65 Canadian vacation packages and four unique rail routes, with other destinations in British Columbia and Alberta such as Whistler, Jasper and Calgary. You may also connect to the Canadian Rockies via Seattle through the Coastal Passage route, which showcases Seattle’s’ stunning sea and landscapes.
For further information, visit: www.RockyMountaineer.com/en
THE 2017 TRAVEL PLANNER
OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST IN TRAVEL FOR 2017
v Compiled by Ed Boitano
INTERNATIONAL
ADVENTURE CANADA — Join Adventure Canada on a voyage through the legendary Northwest Passage. We’ll search for polar bears, seals, walrus and whales; visit vast Arctic bird colonies; hike among budding wildflowers, and tour welcoming Inuit communities. An exceptional team of experts—biologists, historians, Inuit guides, authors, musicians and artists—provides daily lectures and onshore interpretation to complement your journey. (800) 363-7566 or visit www.adventurecanada.com
CRUISEONE specializes in cruise and land vacations to the world’s most exotic destinations, including multi island destination in Hawaii, the St. Lawrence River, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the Mexican Riviera. Programs range from family reunions at sea and honeymoon cruises to river cruising and land vacations. Each independently owned and operated business combines the latest
technology with old-fashioned customer service. Contact Joni Notagiacomo in Los Angeles at (800) 600-4548 or www.luv2cruz.com
DELFIN AMAZON CRUISES — Deep in the Peruvian Amazon, Delfin Amazon Cruises will take you into one of the world’s largest protected flooded forests, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Experienced guides will show you the immense biodiversity of the area. Voyages include visits to native villages, kayaking, swimming near pink river dolphins, fishing, daytime hiking, and
To advertise in this section, contact Ed Boitano at 818.985.8132 or Ed@TravelingBoy.com
night safaris. On board, guests can enjoy exquisite Amazonian cuisine in an authentic, intimate setting with the right amount of elegance and comfort. Call toll-free (844) 4-DELFIN or www.DelfinAmazonCruises.com
LAKAMA TRAVEL — Soul-stirring adventures for travelers in search of the extraordinary. Lakama Travel is a boutique travel agency that works with active and adventurous travelers who want to connect with the road less traveled on a trip that goes way beyond the “typical.” We specialize in intimate modes of travel that take you beyond the ordinary: Smaller ships, smaller groups and custom itineraries focused on luxury, soft adventure and experiential travel. A great alternative to big ship, big group trips. Contact Laurie at 602-540-7338 or laurie@lakamatravel.com; www.lakamatravel.com
TARA TOURS specializes in tours to Latin America with more excitement and mystery one could experience in a lifetime of travel. Tara Tours can take you there, with great service and tour programs, designed with your desires and budget in mind. Experience the majesty of Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro’s “Cidade Maravilhosa,” indigenous market of Chichicastenango; Peru’s Amazon Jungle; the incredibility of the Galapagos Islands, Chile and Argentina’s Patagonia,the ruins of Tikal, Easter Island, and natural beauty of Costa Rica. (800) 327-0080 or www.TaraTours.com
Cruise the Amazon
WILDERNESS TRAVEL has been creating dream journeys for over 35 years. With over 200 journeys worldwide, our cultural, wildlife and hiking adventures offer an incredible range of experiences with trips for every interest. From hikes in Switzerland to thrilling wildlife safaris in Africa and cultural journeys to Machu Picchu, we offer both Small Group Adventures and Private Journeys. All feature the exceptional quality that has made us a leader in adventure travel. (800) 368-2794 or www.WildernessTravel.com
ALASKA
ALASKA CRUISES AND VACATIONS BY TYEE TRAVEL — What kind of cruise is right for you? From casual same AFTER 50ll-ship cruises to elegant luxury ships, Alaskans at Alaska Cruises & Vacations have experience and first-hand knowledge to plan your perfect cruise. Customize a land tour to make your journey complete. For advice from Alaskans who cruise themselves, go online at www.akcruises.com or call (800) 977-9705
CORDOVA — Intentionally off the beaten path. Cordova, Alaska is an authentic commercial fishing town nestled in the heart of a spectacular wilderness, shaped by its dramatic natural setting, rich cultural heritage and colorful residents. In 2017, let Cordova become your base of operations for an unforgettable Alaskan adventure. Go hiking, fishing, birding,
boating, kayaking, or travel to other parts of the state. (907) 424-7260 or www.cordovachamber.com
GRAY LINE ALASKA offers a wide variety of Alaska tours from local experts. Our diversity of Alaska vacation options will bring you unforgettable memories. Breathtaking scenery, wildlife, glaciers and mountains are just a few of the perks you may experience when traveling with Gray Line Alaska. Choose from post or pre cruise options as well as guided and independent Alaska travel packages. For nearly 70 years Gray Line Alaska has proudly delivered the best in Alaska tours. Visit graylinealaska.com or call 1-800-544-2206 for reservations
ICY BAY LODGE — Nestled at the base of Mount Saint Elias in Southeast Alaska, Icy Bay Lodge offers the ideal location for the perfect Alaskan outdoor adventure. We specialize in fishing for Silver Salmon on remote streams in the morning, and go deep sea fishing in the afternoon. Our guides are passionate about giving our guests a true Alaskan experience. Besides fishing, there’s wildlife viewing, kayaking and hiking. After an action packed day, kick back in the main lodge while our chef prepares fresh Alaskan gourmet meals. Book by Jan 1 & receive $500.00 off list price. (303) 520 6344 or www.IcyBayLodge.com
PUFFIN INN is conveniently located near the Ted Stevens International Airport and Lake Hood and just ten minutes from Downtown Anchorage, shopping, flight seeing, fishing and more. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Puffin Inn has four
Enjoy a morning newspaper and deluxe continental breakfast served daily. Free Airport shuttle available. (800) 4PUFFIN or www.puffininn.net
SEWARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE — Known as the ‘Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park’ Seward is a picturesque town located 126 miles south of Anchorage. Discover our bustling harbor and historic downtown filled with quaint shops and art galleries. Experience trophy sport fishing, glacier and wildlife cruises, sailing, hiking, kayaking, flight seeing and more. A wide range of accommodations, restaurants, RV parks, tent camping, and visitor services are available. (907) 224-8051 or www.Seward.com
TOGIAK RIVER LODGE – Located in Togiak, Alaska, we are all about the fishing and keeping you comfortable and well fed. Yes we have the hot tub on the river’s edge, and a sauna too, satellite television for those who must catch up on their sports teams, Wi-Fi Internet, daily room service and more, but it is the world-class Alaska Salmon fishing, King Salmon Fishing, fly fishing Silver Salmon, and Trophy Rainbow Trout fishing that people travel to Togiak, Alaska for. Allow us to take care of you, your family or friends on a remote Alaskan wilderness fishing adventure of a lifetime. (503) 784-7919; www.togiaklodge.com or llchinook@aol.com
TUNDRA TOURS – TOP OF THE WORLD HOTEL — Welcome to Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost city in the United States! Packed with excitement and exhilarating adventures, tourists come from around the world to experience this unique
Arctic region. When you stay at the Top of the World Hotel, you can maximize your trip by enjoying easy access to some of the top things to do in Barrow, Alaska. Head out for an impressive visual experience, or take in some history at the Iñupiat Heritage Center. Most importantly, be sure to experience our new Winter Tours, departing from the hotel, including the Whale Bone Arch and Arctic Ocean visits. Put us on your Bucket List today. (800) 478-8520 or www.tundratoursinc.com
CALIFORNIA
BIG SUR LODGE is located in ancient groves of redwood and oak trees in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Big Sur, California. Guests are invited to step back in time to an earlier, more peaceful era. Our 61 cottage-style guest rooms, each with its own deck or porch, are located on a hillside, within walking distance of our restaurant, gift shop, and grocery store. Your stay at the Big Sur Lodge includes free access to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. (800) 424-4787 or www.BigSurLodge.com
CAMBRIA CALIFORNIA — Nestled among towering pines and the shimmering sea on California’s Central Coast, Cambria is a picturesque village that unfolds along scenic Highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Free of chain stores and brimming with charm, Cambria invites you to exit the beaten path and explore one of California’s truly unique destinations. Just six miles south of the famous historic landmark Hearst Castle, enjoy art galleries, antiques, unique shops, gourmet food and events like the Annual Art & Wine Festival in January 2017. 805-927-3624 or www.cambriachamber.org
DOLPHIN BAY RESORT & SPA — Set along the rugged California Coast, just south of San Luis Obispo, Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa is centrally
located in Pismo Beach. The Dolphin Bay is the ideal hotel for romantic getaways or family vacations where guests stay anywhere from two nights to months at a time. With 60 spacious 1 and 2 bedroom suites featuring all of the amenities of a home, Lido Restaurant, The Spa at Dolphin Bay and an array of activities, guests can experience the best of the Central Coast. (800) 516-0112 or www.thedolphinbay.com
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES OF ATASCADERO — Stay, explore, savor the best of the Central Coast. Experience our award-winning wine country hotel featuring full hot breakfast, Wi-Fi, refrigerators/ microwaves/ Keurig coffeemakers in each room, and an outdoor heated pool & spa. Conveniently situated in the heart of the Central Coast – minutes to Hearst Castle and historic Atascadero City Hall. Marston’s 101 Restaurant & Cocktails and Caladero Event Room – NOW OPEN! (805) 462-0200 or www.hieatascadero.com
PISMO COAST VILLAGE RV RESORT — Located right on the beach, this beautifully landscaped RV resort features 400 full hookup sites, each with complimentary Wi-Fi and cable TV, on 26 grassy, tree-lined acres. Enjoy general Store, children’s arcade, restaurant, Laundromat, heated pool, bicycle rentals and miniature golf course. The resort offers the ideal location for wineries, golf or Hearst Castle. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort was awarded the 2007/2008 National RV Park of the Year. (888) RV-BEACH or www.PismoCoastVillage.com
TAHOE LAKESHORE LODGE & SPA — The only all lake front Tahoe hotel where every room has a lake view and fireplace. Offering both lodge rooms and condominiums, including units with full kitchens. Enjoy the beauty of winter in Tahoe and make plans for your winter ski vacation. Amenities include a private beach, lakeside hot tub and a day spa for ultimate relaxation after
a day on the slopes. Centrally located just minutes from downtown casinos, restaurants and area ski resorts. Use promo code AZCL to receive 25% off your stay 12/1/16-6/15/17, restrictions apply. (800) 448-4577 or www. TahoeLakeshoreLodge.com
THE VILLA CAPRI BY THE SEA is an intimate, charming boutique hotel with on site concierge management in the tradition of fine small European hotels. Nestled in Coronado, this historic property is conveniently located directly opposite the Hotel Del Coronado and the Pacific Ocean. Standard rooms include a king size “sleep therapy” pillow top bed, microwave/fridge, Wi-Fi, cable TV and air conditioning. Full kitchen suites are also available. Guests can walk to shops, restaurants, golf, tennis and theatre. Daily, weekly or monthly rates offered. (619) 435-4137 or www.villacapribythesea.com
HAWAII
VIVE HOTEL WAIKIKI — Located in the heart of Waikiki, just a short two-block walk to the best beach in Waikiki, and a three-minute walk to International Marketplace. Each guest enjoys complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary enhanced continental breakfast, complimentary beach gear (including boogie boards). All guest rooms include flat screen HDTV, refrigerator, safe, remote controlled air conditioners and mountain, city or ocean views. NO RESORT FEE. (808) 687-2000 or www.vivehotelwaikiki.com
WAIKIKI RESORT HOTEL puts you in the heart of Waikiki Hawaii, within walking distance of silky, white sands, renowned shopping and incredible attractions and activities. The three-star Honolulu beach resort
Enjoy the Drive Cherish the Stay
Only a five hour drive from the LA area, the dramatic Big Sur coastline offers breathtaking views. Enjoy the tranquility, and spend the night surrounded by ancient oaks and redwoods at the Big Sur Lodge. Mention this ad for a complimentary breakfast.
Big Sur Lodge
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park 47225 Highway One, Big Sur, CA 93920 800.424.4787 • www.bigsurlodge.com
and deluxe amenities, including mini refrigerators, high-speed Internet access and 32” HD LCD TVs. Enjoy two onsite restaurants, bar and lounge, outdoor pool, hotel shops and more. Consider Waikiki Resort Hotel when seeking hotels that offer comfort, convenience and value. (800-367-5116) or www. waikikiresort.com
UTAH
ALPINE SKI PROPERTIES - If you are looking for cool mountain air and luxury accommodations in the scenic Park City and Deer Valley, Utah Alpine Ski Properties can take care of all your needs. With over 20 years experience in property management and vacation planning, there is simply no other service as capable. Park City and Deer Valley are exceptional resort destinations year-round. With our fresh mountain air, we are confident that you will enjoy your stay. (800) 771-1505 or www.AlpineSkiProperties.com
LOGAN, UTAH - Plan your escape in 2017 to this beautiful high mountain valley with four seasons of beauty and adventure. Enjoy horseback or ATV riding and exploring Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway just 10 minutes from downtown Logan. You can have all sorts of outdoor adventures, experience hands-on living history experiences, and performing and fine arts. It’s a charming and affordable escape and a great launching spot for day trips to stunning Bear Lake or Golden Spike National Monument. Logan is 4.5 hours from Yellowstone, 4 from Grand Teton National Park, and just 90 minutes north of Salt Lake City. (800) 882-4433 or www.explorelogan.com
SUNRIVER - ST. GEORGE is southern Utah’s premier master-planned active adult lifestyle community. Built in an unspoiled, rural location, SunRiver St. George provides a quiet, superbly planned community with occupancy limited to at least one resident 55 or older. From the golf course
layout and community center design to the floor plans of our sensational SunRiver St. George homes, the active adult lifestyle is our central point of focus. SunRiver St. George is “building a lifestyle, not just homes.” (435) 688-1000 or www.SunRiver.com
WESTERN EXPERIENCES
COLORADO TRAILS RANCH — What you need is a week unwinding and exploring the wonders of our first class guest ranch. Colorado Trails Ranch is not far from Durango, in Southwest Colorado. Set in the spectacular panoramas of the San Juan Mountains, our dude ranch resort offers lifetime experiences for singles, groups and entire families. There isn’t one difficult activity in our perfectly personalized programs. The food is delicious, the comfort is wonderful and you’ll feel like a well cared member of the family. (800) 323-3833 or www.ColoradoTrails.com
EMPLOYMENT
HIGH COMMISSIONS, FLEXIBILTY
LARGE PROSPECT BASE
Need help to contact church leaders for Faith Based Travel
We Organize Faith Based Land & Cruise Travel. Groups of 15 or More & You Cruise FREE!
Cruise Planners - American Express
Amy Wylie, Travel Expert
800-497-2129
amy wylie@cruiseplanners com
cEMETErY PLOTs
CEMETERY LOTS
Valley of the Sun Cemetery, 2 lots, side by side, can be made into double depths (2 burials per lot), in the Garden of Honor near the flag pole. Lots are currently selling for $7,900 each, selling both for $8,000 plus quit claim fee of $495 Major cross streets, on Chandler Heights west of Arizona Ave 602-769-2085 or gertland@yahoo com
CLOSING OUT AN ESTATE
We are selling a single cemetery plot located in South Phoenix at East Rest Haven Cemetery on Southern Avenue Seller will pay for the cost of transferring Quit Claim Deed to new owner - $3,999 For more info contact Aaron Cooley: 602-625-0548
CRYPT IN SERENITY
MAUSOLEUM (#392)
Green Acres Cemetery, Scottsdale Highly desirable interior courtyard, view of fountain and Camelback Mountain. No crypts available in Serenity. Package includes: opening/closing, lettering with name/date and vase Current value
$12,000 $8,950 OBO and seller pays transfer fee 480-268-7278
Lindmarq42@gmail com
DOUBLE DECKER CRYPT
For 2 People Located at the Valley of the Sun Cemetery, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler AZ. The plot is in a prime location of the cemetery which has been completely sold out; "Garden of Matthews" This burial plot includes a double bronze marker, vault, flower vase, opening and closing of the grave Seller will pay for the cost of transferring Quit Claim Deed to new owners -
$9,999
For more info contact Aaron Cooley: 602-625-0548
HE aLTHY LiviNg/ FiTNEss
HYDROTHERAPY WALK-IN TUBS MADE IN USA
For those with arthritis & other ailments
Keep your independencelive in your own home longer rather than going into assisted living. Lifetime warranty, better quality and cost than other tubs
Call for more info: Todd 480-388-5335
MEdicarE
ASSISTANCE AND DIRECTION THROUGH YOUR TRUSTED MEDICARE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE Supplements, Advantage, Entitlements, Eligibilities Medicaid Help Rx and Part B Cost Assistance No cost, Complete, Accurate Medicare Guidance Jim Schmidt 480-296-3900
JimSchmidt@SignatureSenior Solutions
MObiLE HOME Parks
WONDERFUL SENIOR COMMUNITY
Centrally located in Tucson
Quiet neighborhood, close to shopping, hospitals, etc.
Recreation Hall, Pool, Laundry
One-and-Two Bedroom Mobile Homes available for sale
Call 520-850-4763 for Details
MaNuFacTurEd HOMEs FOr saLE
CLEAN DOUBLE WIDE
MOBILE HOME FOR SALE
Highland at Brentwood 120 N. Val Vista Dr. #32
Upscale gated 55+ community with golf course Move-in ready Furnished 2bed/2bath, formal dining room, formal living room, breakfast bar, built-in hutch, walk-in closets Washer/Dryer, Heating/AC, Freshly painted interior and cleaned carpet
$14,000
Call John at 760-668-0681 or 480-890-2687
WANT TO PURCHASE
Minerals and other oil & gas interests
Send Details to: PO Box 13557 Denver, CO 80201
WaNTEd TO buY
STAMP COLLECTIONS BOUGHT/SOLD
Will be at the Tucson coin/stamp show January 21-2 Radisson Hotel Extensive U S & Foreign for sale Inherited collection or selling your own? I can help by paying you fairly and getting it to folks who appreciate them Bring collection to show or if too large, call/email in advance, JP Philatelics 30 years APS jpphil@sisna.com 801-943-5824
WE BUY ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES SILVER, GOLD, Jewelry, Watches, Paintings, Glass, Chanel etc What do you have? We come to you! 602-989-1323
ELEcTricaL
ANYTHING ELECTRICAL, AIR CONDITIONING, PLUMBING
Free Service Call with Repair Same Day Service
Guaranteed 24/7 - 2 Hours or Less Troubleshooting
Experts Minuteman Home Service SRP APS Certified Licensed/Bonded/Insured ROC 242804 BBB
A+ Valleywide 602-279- 0942
FENciNg/gaTEs
ALL YOUR FENCING NEEDS
*Block Fencing
*Pool Fencing
*Chain-Link & Wood Fencing
*Concrete Work
*Pavers Work
Free Estimates
Call John Villaverde 602-435-4869
gL ass sErvicEs
GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS
Family Owned with 50 years ' EXPERIENCE
Shower and tub enclosures
Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors
We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors
Jobs both big & small I’ m a 6th grade Mesa teacher working his 2nd job
Phone Estimates
Dave 480-360-5865 or 480-360-JUNK MAUI-Maalaea
TravEL
Harbor and Oceanfront
ALL AMERICAN REMODELING AND HANDYMAN SERVICE
Need some help around the house?
Please call, I do it all!
*Design
*Carpentry
*Paint
*Flooring
*Electric
*Plumbing
*Drywall And More!
Small projects to full remodels & hydrotherapy tubs
Todd 480-388-5335
HOME & BUSINESS
REMODELING & REPAIRS BY MY FATHER'S TOOLBOX
Honest, Dependable, Quality Workmanship
Upgrade your plumbing or electrical fixtures.
Carpentry, Drywall & Painting Concierge Service Available For free consultation call 480-600-0958.
We accept Major Credit Cards
ROC258814
Painting
Interior/Exterior Painting
Free Estimates
Light Repairs, Drywall
Senior Discounts
References Available Call Jason 480-442-8271
Personal services
PERSONAL ASSISTING & PET SITTING SERVICES
Organize Home/Office
Packing/Unpacking for Move
In-Home Pet Sitting 602-228-8413 christinahelps2012@gmail com
Plumbing
senior services
NEED HELP?
Senior Concierge Services for the West Valley Errands, grocery shopping, meal prep, companion care, house sitting, pet sitting & much more!
Certified, Background, References
Contact Linda 602-410-4076 formanlm52@gmail com
ALL CARE SERVICES
HOME CARE
For those coping with illness or injury, in-home help may be just what is needed. And with All Care, you ' ve found caring professionals ready to engage and encourage a healthier, productive lifestyle right from the comforts of home 623-810-2871
PERSONAL SHOPPER
ERRAND RUNNER/DRIVER
Scottsdale/Paradise Valley
Don't fret over not driving I can drive you to Doctor, barber, lunch, grocery shopping, take your car to the mechanic.
Hourly
Three years experience. 480-371-5224
senior services and assistance
PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Let me do your busy work so you have more time to play! House sitting, organizing, driving to appointments, traveling, or simply companionship; whatever I can do to make your life easier and add to your quality of life. The Holidays are coming and I can help: shopping, wrapping, or creating personal, unique gift baskets to send to your loved ones! However I can make your days a bit easier, a bit brighter, your personal Assistant is here!
Call Margo 928-308-4450
sewing machine & rePairs
SEWING MACHINE REPAIRS
I go to your home
All makes, including Kenmore, Bernina, Phaff, Singer, Janome, Viking & Brother
No drop off - no waiting Price includes trip & labor
John McAulay East Valley - 480-897-0338 West Valley - 623-224-1371
travel
ENOS KING-LEWIS II, AGENT Guide, Producer Fun Trips! Prosperity - Wellness
www Enos4Prosperity com
800-824-1450 (Call 24/7) enos4homes@hotmail com
DRAWER 9792P
DIVERSITY SINGLES CLUB (AGE 60 PLUS)
Meets EVERY Monday 8:00am at Golden Corral Restaurant, 1868 N. Power Rd in Mesa for breakfast Prospective Members Welcome!
DRAWER LL1088
I have a warm and understanding heart Love life, enjoys the little things as well as the big moments in life 5'5", light hair, a NYC Figure Would love to meet you. Live in Sun City. WW Woman.
DRAWER LL1089
WWF, NS, 5'3", attractive energetic lady Looking for a special friend Miss holding hands, looking at the man in the moon, giving and getting good night hugs and kisses Let's see - with the coming Holidays, where it can take two seniors who are not concerned with taking a chance.
DRAWER LL1253
European woman 81 healthy and youthful looking for the companionship of an even tempered gentleman with diverse interests. Scottsdale area. No Botox.
DRAWER LL1344
Old fashioned lady, late 80's I'm in search of old fashioned gentleman Will you take my hand in a LTR for the rest of our lives taking care of each other? Our life is what we make of it!
DRAWER LL1354
SWF looking for someone who wishes to enjoy life & have fun. Age is just a number. Enjoy small trips, movies, plays and anything exciting. I live in Sun City, NS, 5'3", blue eyes, light hair & fluffy figure. Hope to hear from you
DRAWER LL1401
Attractive DWF, ISO single senior male 70+ who knows life, can still offer fun & caring. I'm energetic, positive, active & have a great sense of humor - 5' & 117#. Please tell me about yourself, your hopes, expectations and include the same information that I have offered Please include Phone # Gentlemen, please note: I live in the West Valley near Sun City, Peoria & Glendale
DRAWER LL1517
Christian senior male would like acquaintance with educated retired lady, age not as important as shared interests Ability to speak, write Spanish would be a plus
DRAWER LL1531
Woman in her 70's would like to meet non-smoking woman in her 70's or 80's for a wonderful close relationship Interests vary, sports, casinos, luncheons, small trips
DRAWER LL1547
SWM 64 (semi-retired) young looking Christian gentleman in NE/Scottsdale area who is fit & attractive, likes dining out, movies, music/concerts, short hikes/walks, sightseeing, travel/day trips, exploring new places, quiet romantic nights & more Seeking female 55-65 with same interests for LTR
DRAWER LL1570
Attractive female 65 looks younger, great sense of humor wishes to meet a classy chap who is single, for friendship, coffee, day trips, maybe Europe
DRAWER LL1584
Are you ready for some football? Cute, fun, fairly fit football fan wanted to watch pro/college games with an attractive, fit, fun guy - SWM 64
DRAWER LL1588
SWM 78, 5'5, 160lb
West Valley, Seeking LTR with Female 70-90
Enjoy shows, dancing, cards, short travel trips and mutual interests Please send phone # and we'll talk
DRAWER LL1595
Attractive WWF, 5'2", 110lbs
75+ Enjoy bowling, mini golf, plays, concerts & short trips
Looking for a WWM, ND/NS in Sun City for LTR
DRAWER LL1596
Old Rooster, but still has strut Looking for a classy old Hen to scratch around with
DRAWER LL1591
Professionally employed
DWF NS 58 y/o ISO WM NS 50s-60s for festivals, day trips, dining, museums, and more! I am a moderate conservative, work for a law enforcement agency, military brat I prefer to be casual and if there is a connection, let it develop over time. I look forward to meeting you!
DRAWER LL1592
WWF Attractive, Petite, Sincere Widow, Young 70's, still a kid at heart. Moved from the Midwest, now in the East Valley I enjoy music, movies, dancing, sight-seeing, bowling, cards, board games, and more Have married friends, but tired of being a tag-along Seeking an Attractive, Sincere, Dependable, Sense of Humor, Younger 60's to 75 gentleman who enjoys my interests for some fun and friendship If U R the 1 for me, please write with your phone number. Serious replies only please.
DRAWER LL1594
Need warm West Valley winters, cooler summers, and grief support after the election? Tolerant of all races & religions? Enjoy dancing or at least eager to dance as exercise and/or foreplay? Square? Retired, NS, handy, eat healthy? Fish, boat, swim, golf, play games?
Want a slender, attractive, educated, spirited & spiritual country loving city woman? Answer to meet at a dance!
Bear Market Report
Great giving
By Teresa Bear
This holiday season is a time when we often think about those less fortunate than ourselves. It’s also a time when some begin to think about their taxes. How about combining the two with some little known help from the State of Arizona?
Qualifying Charitable
Organization Credit (QCO credit)
This credit used to be known as the Working Poor Tax Credit. When you write a check to a certified charity, you receive a dollar-for-dollar credit against your Arizona State tax liability. The maximum credit allowed is $400 for single taxpayers and $800 for married couples filing a joint return.
The list of qualified charities is 11 pages long and includes local food banks, women’s shelters, homeless shelters, legal aide organizations and health care charities. The organizations serve people around the state. For a list of organizations, check out the following link: https://www.azdor.gov
This credit is used to help foster children and to aid in the adoption of foster and special needs kids. The contribution limits are the same as the QCO credit, so you can potentially offset your tax by an additional $500 for single taxpayers and $1,000 for married couples.
The following organizations are eligible for the credit: https://www. azdor.gov/Portals/0/RefundCredits/ CertifiedFosterCareCharities2016. pdf
You might be wondering how it works on your tax return.
Let’s assume that Bob and Bev are filing a joint return this year. They are in the 25% federal tax bracket. They itemize their deductions on both their federal and state return. They anticipate that their Arizona tax will be greater than $1,800 so they want to contribute the max.
• First they peruse the two lists and decide the charities to which they
would like to give. They could pick one charity from each list, or more than one as long as the total contribution doesn’t exceed the limit.
• Next, they make a contribution to their selected charity or charities and receive a receipt for each payment.
• In the spring, they include the $1,800 contribution as a charitable contribution for their federal income taxes. This will save them $450 in federal income taxes ($1,800 X .25 = $400)
• Arizona does not allow for both an itemized deduction and a tax credit, so their Arizona itemized deductions are reduced by $1,800.
• Form 321 is filed with their Arizona return showing a list of charities and the amounts given to each.
The good news: you have until April 15th of 2017 to make your contribution for 2016. However, in this instance, you can’t take the charitable contribution deduction on your 2016 federal return. Accounting wise, it’s much simpler to contribute now.
On a personal note, thanks so much to my readers. Have a wonderful holiday and best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.
Teresa Bear, CFP™, CPA (www. TeresaBear.com 480-503-0050) specializes in retirement planning and asset preservation for retirees and those about to retire. Teresa is the author of the book “She Retired Happily Ever After”.
REGISTER FOR THE 2017 GAMES NOW!
T H E F INIS H L INE
Arizona’s Leader in Senior Fitness
The 36th Arizona Senior Olympic Games will be held in venues all around the Valley of the Sun from February 18th through March 25th. The following events are scheduled:
February 18
Track Meet
February 19 Field Meet and Racewalk
February 18 & 19 Handball
February 18 & 19 Racquetball
February 20 Alpine Skiing
February 20 – 25 Bocce
February 25
February 26
Powerlifting and Tai Chi
Swimming
February 27 & 28 Bowling
March 1 & 2
March 3 – 5
Billiards
Softball, Badminton and Cycling
March 4 Archery
March 5 Table Tennis
March 11
Shooting: Pistol and Rifle
March 11 & 12 Volleyball
March 13 – 16 Shuffleboard
March 18 Family Fun Walk, Road Races and Basketball Throw
CELEBRATION OF ATHLETES
We’re Searching for Volunteers
ArizonaSenior Olympics is a volunteer-driven organization. Each year hundreds of volunteers work to make the Arizona Senior Olympic Games possible. They tackle a variety of tasks, from managing events to setting up venues, from keeping time at games or measuring to helping in the office.
Each year we need an influx of new volunteers and this year is no exception. Please consider the following positions necessary to make the Games a success:
• 4 -5 volunteers who know about basketball
• Timers to help with track, road races or cycling
• People who can bend or kneel to measure field events
• Friendly folks to provide hospitality at various sports
• People who have good computer skills to help people with registration
March 19
Shooting: Sporting Clays
March 18 & 19 Tennis
March 25
Shooting: Trap and Skeet
Be a part of the 2017 Arizona Senior Olympics Games! Start your training for one of the 32 sports offered and you’ll be on the road to a more active lifestyle. For more details about any of the above sports, visit: www.seniorgames.org or call the ASO office at 602-274-7741 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Planners who want to help on the Games Management Team
• Photographers who are willing to learn about sports photography
If you are interested in volunteering for any of the above positions, please call us at ASO’s office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.: 602-274-7742.
For a healthy, happy life: VOLUNTEER!
Scottsdale,
Save money on taxes and help ASO
Celebration Time!
Do you know that if you make a donation to the Arizona Lifelong Fitness Foundation, you are helping support the Arizona Senior Olympics? Or, that the amount is deductible from your 2016 taxes?
You won’t want to miss the
CELEBRATION OF ATHLETES this year!
It will be a celebration like no other with entertainment, games, prizes and an ACTIVE LIFESTYLE FITNESS FAIR with lots of giveaways and great food. All athletes are encouraged to bring friends and family to this great, fun time.
The price of admission is a mere $5; you’ll have the time of your life! Find all the details on our website, and buy your ticket on www. seniorgames.org. when you register for the games.
Here’s a way to help Arizona Senior Olympics without spending a dime! You shop. Amazon gives. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support Arizona Senior OIympics by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com
Arizona Senior Olympics was originally founded as a program of City of Phoenix. But in the wake of the 2008 recession, the program was completely cut from the budget. Rather than let the program and the Games die, the volunteer Board opted to form a 501c3 tax exempt organization in order to save it.
Arizona Lifelong Fitness
Foundation (ALFF) was born in 2009 with its signature, primary program: the Arizona Senior Olympic Games. Without the support of our donors, the program, the board, the volunteers – and the games –would be gone.
Please help support the Arizona Senior Olympics program and make an end-ofthe-year donation before December 31. It will be fully eligible for a tax credit in that amount. Send your donation to: Arizona Senior Olympics P.O. Box 33278 Phoenix, AZ 85067-3278
Thank you!
Pickleball tournament rocks El Mirage RV and Golf Resort
By Keri Orcutt
On 16 smaller-than-average tennis courts, teams of seniors whooped and hollered as they hit the ball back and forth over a net. Was it racquetball? Was it tennis? No, it was pickleball.
The Arizona Senior Olympics pickleball championship took place from Oct. 19-23 at the Pueblo El Mirage RV and Golf Resort in El Mirage.
Pickleball is an up-and-coming sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It has become the fastest growing amateur sport in the nation thanks to the simple rules and accessibility to all age groups and athletic levels.
Pickleball has become especially popular among senior communities because it doesn’t take long to master and the court is small. Four pickleball courts can fit on one tennis court.
It’s played with a ball that resembles a
whiffle ball and a paddle that is something between a tennis racquet and ping-pong paddle.
“It’s a very social sport,” said Steve Ricke, a 59-year-old pickleball player who has played for the past three and a half years. “Whenever you’re on the court, you’re screaming and laughing. It’s essentially ping pong on steroids.”
Betty Silver has been playing pickleball for 12 years, six of those on a team with her husband. Residents of Seattle, they also have a house at the Happy Trails community in Surprise, where she teaches beginner’s pickleball. She loves the seniors’ enthusiasm in learning and playing the game.
“It’s a game you can keep playing as you get older,” Silver, 75, said. “It’s so much darn fun.”
Pickleball is a low impact sport, which makes it a perfect way for the aging
Answers ...from page 22
community to stay active.
“I noticed that those who remained sharp (in their old age) were physically active,” said Irene Stillwell, executive director of Arizona Lifelong Fitness Foundation. She started the Arizona Senior Olympics (ASO) 36 years ago when she worked as the director of special events for Phoenix.
Stillwell worked for the city of Phoenix for 11 years, but left in 2008 to save ASO once the recession had caused the program to be cut from the budget.
“This (ASO program) is not just fun and games. It’s about trying to enjoy the years they’ve got left.”
With more than 32 games offered through ASO, there is something for everyone.
More than 274 individual athletes participated in the 2016 Arizona Senior Olympics. The athletes competed in
singles or doubles separated by age and skill. They could either compete in their gender or in mixed gender teams.
“Most people (in this tournament) are in pickleball tournaments every week,” Stillwell said. Pickleball is offered in October because court availability is harder to come by when people are back in town.
Athletes came from all over the nation for this tournament, with more than 30 states represented. Athletes also came from Mexico and Canada.
It was the qualifying tournament for the June 2017 Nationals Senior Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
Marylou Furaus won first place in the women’s 70-74 singles on Wednesday.
“I feel blessed,” said Furaus as she held her gold medal. “Really blessed to be healthy enough at this age to play the sport.”
