Lifestyles After 50 Sarasota/Manatee February 2014 edition

A F T E R 50 Vol. 25 • February 2014

www.lifestylesafter50fl.com • Sarasota/Manatee • FREE

INSIDE THIS ISSUEu Florida Cancer Specialists

Celebrates 30 Yearsu Romantic Movie Nightu Heart Attack To Do List

Lifestyles After 50 • February 2014 • page 2

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Saturdays Dance party featuringa live band and DJ. 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

Free snacks. Singles and couples invited. YMCA, 1075 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. $10. 941-756-8303.

Through April 11 AARP Free Tax Preparation Assistance. No

appointment needed. Bring last year’s tax return with you. Tues., Weds., 9 am to 1 pm; Thurs. 11 am to 7 pm. Venice Community Center. 941-861-5000.

Through 23 Circus Sarasota Winter Performance. Weekly,

7 to 9 pm at Circus Sarasota Tent, Sarasota. $10 and $25. 941-355-9335.

5 12, 19 Boomers & Beyond Intro to Android Tablets/Phones. 7 –

9 pm at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Road, Sarasota. Pre-register at igniteyourlife.info. $40/three work-shops or $15/class. 941-544-1331.

6 – Mar. 26 Sunrise Beach Walks. Register for $1 (one-time fee) to re-

ceive a punch card. Complete four 1-mile self-guided walks for a free event t-shirt. Weds., 8 – 9:30 am at Siesta Beach and Nokomis Beach. 941-861-5000.

7 Golf Tournament to Benefit Habitat for Humanity. Ticket includes

lunch, golf, dinner, open bar and auc-tions. 12 to 9 pm at Laurel Oak Coun-try Club, Sarasota. Info: 941-487-5518.

7 to 9 Shake Rattle and Soul Fest. El-vis contest and tributes to Rod Stew-

art, James Brown and Roy Orbison. 2 to 9 pm at Robarts Arena, Sarasota. 3 day VIP pass: $99; General 3-day pass: $69; Sunday Gospel: $19. 508-397-0049.

7 to Mar. 19 30th Annual Friend-ship Center Juried Photographic

Show, featuring works by talented local amateur photographers, at the Friendship Center, Sarasota, 8:30 – 4:30 pm, Mon. – Fri. 941-556-3265.

8 Magic of Manatee Sweet Adelines Chorus Annual Show, showtunes

and barbershop music. 3 pm at Neel Performing Arts Center, Bradenton. Tickets: $18, call Rose at 941-794-0218. www.magicofmanatee.com.

11 Royal Tea Service, 2 – 4 pmat Powel Crosley Estate,

Sarasota. $32. 941-225-9122.

15 Kate Nixon signs her historical novel, The Heirloom Pearls, 10

am – 3 pm at Dearborn Book Festival, Pioneer Park, Englewood. 941-786-8204.

16 Belles Sing the Blues with Belle Canto. Jazz and blues

hits from the days of Ella Fitzger-ald and Billie Holiday. 2 to 4 pm at Glenridge Performing Arts Center, Sarasota. $20. 941-552-5325.

18 – 23 Gulf Coast Senior Games. Watch Olympic-style sporting

competitions for participants age 50 and over at venues throughoutSarasota and Manatee. Free. Details at www.mymanatee.org.

20 Around the World with Rogers & Hammerstein - North Port

Concert Band. 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at The Performing Arts Center, North Port. Cost: $5 – $12. 941-426-8479.

27 Brown Bag Concerts. Free performances at the Phillippi

Estate Park gazebo, Sarasota. 12 to 1 pm. “The Connie Dillon Band” live on stage. 941-316-1309.

Mar. 1 Springfest 2014. 7:30 am5K fun walk-run and 12K

road race. 9 am to 3 pm free festival including food, farmers market, busi-ness expo, live music, egg hunts and family activities. 5849 Sawyer Loop, Sarasota. Details: 941-922-3866.

Mar 4 Manatee Genealogical Society meeting, “Immigration

to North America & Naturalization” and “Exploring the New York Times Archive.” 9:30 am to noon at Manatee County Central Library, Bradenton. Email: [email protected]. Send Around Town news to News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; fax 813-651-1989 or email [email protected]. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. February 10 for March event.)

Around TownW H A T ’ S H A P P E N I N G F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4


Valentine’s Day: He Said…; She Says…Celebrate the Other Person!

Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc

Sarasota/Manatee Edition

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www.lifestylesafter50fl .com

Southwest Edition: Lee/Collier & CharlotteHillsborough Edition: Hillsborough CountySuncoast Edition: Pinellas/Pasco Counties

Lake Edition: Lake/Marion Counties

Attention Readers: The articles printed in Lifestyles After 50 do not necessarily refl ect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. Lifestyles After 50 endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Lifestyles After 50 reserves the right to refuse or dis-continue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for the Mar. 2014 issue is Feb. 15, 2014. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.

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Dear Readers,

Hallmark, red hearts, roses,

dinner reserva-tions, love, romance and $1.6 billion worth of candy—Valentine’s Day. “Everybody loves somebody…” Well, maybe so, but by this age, we know that Valentine’s Day is not always a huge success. It’s not always filled with romance, chocolate and eating dinner out. What to think? What to do? It’s a modern dilemma. Most men have a love/hate relation-ship with Valentine’s Day. Women, being hardwired to desire romance, want to know they’re special to someone. And if a woman is alone, it can be a fairly brutal and lonely day. David and I married four years ago, each of us the survivor in a marriage which had ended in a spouse’s death. We recently reminisced about our long histories with Valentine’s Day, starting with those decorated elementary school boxes stuffed with dime store Valentines.

He said… David said, “We’ve been bombarded with a high level of expectation. I’m like a lot of guys and the whole thing doesn’t have traction for me. I gave Linda a card and helped the kids pick out a card and a gift for her. Nothing more.”

Translation: He’s lost in this new commercialized Valentine’s Day. Further translation: He makes notes to himself to remember to splurge on me for that day.I say… There was one Valentine’s Day when I opened my husband Tom’s gift of a small box of chocolates and found the candy wrappers all askew. He had showed it to our three young sons the night before, fallen prey to their begging and had let them each eat a piece of the candy. When I opened it, there were three sets of eyes waiting for permission to choose from the remaining candy and one very “Sorry ‘bout that” set of eyes begging my forgiveness. The next year he brought in a card—a very plain and unromantic card—and he’d put some cash in it with the message: “Go buy yourself a new dress next week. You know I don’t know how to shop for you.”Translation: He had good intentions but… Further translation: He’d forgotten the fi rst Valentine he gave me. It was a silly little card, but he had written a long, personal love poem to go with it. And that was all I needed again!He said… “That was today?” Yes, Tom actually did that once. He forgot

the holiday. We laughed about it, and he promised to make up for it by taking me to a newly released romantic comedy—some day.

Translation: Valentine’s Day isn’t about fol-lowing a script. If a man is giving his best in a relationship or marriage, he doesn’t

lose anything if he fails to conform to the hordes of those who follow the Hallmark script.

Further translation: Most women will take the real romance of love and attention in the daily routine of life and can even absorb forgotten holidays.

I say… Now, let’s get serious and talk about expectations for Valentine’s Day.Translation: It’s a woman’s holiday and women like to be doted on, to be celebrated.Further translation: The fact is, everyone wants to be celebrated, even for just a few minutes! Make February a month for celebrating others. Write a note to someone who needs to be dot-ed on, male or female. Take someone a fl ower. Or chocolate. Or yourself.

And if love and romance factorin, so much the better!

Janice Doyle, Editor


Breakthrough Procedure Helps Aortic Stenosis PatientsBY ENRIQUE RIVERA, MD, FACC, FSCAI Director of the Cardiac Cath Labat Blake Medical Center

Imagine what it would be like to have a heart condition that

makes you give up much of what makes life enjoyable. Imagine that, due to your other health is-sues, you are not able to undergo the open-heart surgery needed to treat this condition. Imagine how hopeless it must feel. For many patients suffering from severe aortic stenosis, a condition often caused by the build-up of mineral deposits on areas of the aortic valve, this hope-lessness is a reality. Fortunately, a relatively new procedure at Blake Medical Center is giving back hope. This new procedure is called transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR. The less invasive procedure does not require open-heart surgery and often produces results that lengthen

patients’ lives—and that is what is so exciting. A heart team of interventional cardiologists, such as myself and a cardiac surgeon, participate in the procedure to replace a diseased aortic valve without open-heart

surgery. We do this by using a balloon-expandable heart valve placed into the heart through a catheter, or small tube, that goes into an artery through a small incision—in this case, in the thigh. Approximately 7 percent of Ameri-cans age 65 and older have aortic valve disease. It is likely 50 percent of these people will not survive beyond two years after the onset of symptoms, which can include chest pain and/or tightness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue. Advanced age,

severe aortic valve disease symptoms and symptoms from other health conditions can even completely incapacitate people, eliminating quality of life. These patients are often too sick or too weak to undergo open surgery to replace their diseased valve—the preferred treatment. TAVR can be a life changing option for these types of patients. TAVR is still a significant procedure involving general anesthesia, and as any physician will tell you, the decision to undergo surgery is an important one that should be discussed with your family and your doctor. That is why the risks and benefits are also carefully assessed by the TAVR Team and Valve

Clinic physicians to ensure that each patient is making an informed decision about their treatment plan. In certain cases, TAVR may not be an option, but for those who are candidates for TAVR, this therapy may provide relief from the often debilitating symptoms associated with severe aortic valve stenosis. Now imagine what it would be like to walk to your mailbox or take a walk around the neighborhood

without shortness of breath and fatigue. Imagine going out with your family and friends; imagine having hope. Now stop imagining and talk to your doctor to see if your symptoms are associated with severe aortic stenosis and if the TAVR procedure is right for you.

Enrique Rivera, MD, FACC, FSCAI

2020 59th Street West, Bradenton 941-792-6611 BlakeMedicalCenter.com

Edwards SAPIEN Valve

When you suffer from severe aortic stenosis, you give up much of what makes life enjoyable, but don’t give up HOPE. Blake Medical Center is one of the select hospitals in the nation approved to provide transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for those considered high risk or inoperable using traditional valve replacement surgery. Isn’t it time you take back your life?


Friends, Fun, Support at Senior Friendship CentersBY TRACIE SCHMIDT

The resources available to aging adults in Sarasota are

a lot different than they were 40 years ago. When Brother William Geenan of the Holy Cross mission traveled from Cleveland to Sarasota to visit his elderly mother in the early 70s, he noticed an unsettling trend—seniors were finding it difficult to live independently. “Perhaps their spouse had died or they lost their ability to drive, or their health was compromised. For whatever reason, the Golden Years weren’t quite so golden,” says Caro-line Allen, Volunteer Coordinator at Senior Friendship Centers in Sarasota. Starting with John F. Kennedy in the 60s, the emphasis was on youth, she said. There weren’t a lot of services for seniors. “No senior transportation, very little senior housing options, no senior meal program, really nothing

to support people in their homes. Part of that was due to the fact that, 40 years ago, families were more nuclear. You stayed in a 200 mile radius of your kids, generally, and if you got sick or needed help there was family around,” she said. Now, growing distances between fam-ilies and more reliance on electronic communication mean that isolation and loneliness are greater risks than ever. Brother Geenan, with the help of volunteers and donations, established Senior Friendship Centers 41 years ago as a way for older adults to

stay connected to one another and find support. The center in Sara-sota comprises three main buildings: The Friendship Center, home to a cafe, dance and pool hall and rooms for games and activities; The Rubin

Center for Healthy Aging, which hosts a clinic and health classes; and The Living Room, a facility that provides adult day care services and resources for caregivers. Among other things, Senior Friendship Centers is also a home base for the Meals on Wheels program, RSVP, Lifelong Learning and Friendship At Home, a program that matches volunteers with home-bound seniors. Have questions or need help? Social services and legal coun-seling can also be found at the center. “The classes and activities that we have bring all sorts of people,” says

Jen Riesenberger, Senior Center Manager. “It’s a place for people to come, eat lunch, make friends, socialize and get out of the house. There are people who spend the better part of the day here, and they tell me, ‘I don’t know what I would do without the Friendship Center.’” The center is open from 8 am to 5 pm, Mon. – Fri., and they host a variety of classes from art and Mah-Jongg to fitness, conversational Spanish and computers, to name a few. Off-site ad-ventures like paddleboarding are part of the agenda as well. And there’s always live music on the dance floor at 1 pm. Seniors Bob Quilas and Verner Bootsma met at the center. Bob heard her playing the piano in the next room, and the two hit it off right away. “The music brought us together,” he said. Anyone 55 and older is invited to enjoy the center, which is located at 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota. To learn more, call 941-955-2122 or visit www.friendshipcenters.org.

Jen Riesenberger (L) and Caroline Allen (R)


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TD Bank is TD Bank, N.A., a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. Member FDIC. Accounts issued by TD Bank, N.A. are not insured by Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. 1 Money transferred by wire transfer only. Incoming wire fees may apply and will be rebated the next business day. Foreign exchange conversion rates may apply. 2 Assets are only considered for mortgage applications. 3 Subject to credit approval and other conditions. Mortgages limited to property located in U.S. state where TD Bank, N.A. has locations. Equal Housing Lender . 4 Credit cards issued by TD Canada Trust or TD Bank, N.A. Subject to credit approval. Applicants for a TD Bank, N.A. issued card must have a U.S. address within the TD Bank, NA footprint (PA, NY, NJ, CT, NH, ME, MA, FL, VT, DE, MD, DC, NC, SC, VA or RI). Other restrictions apply. 5 TD Bank, N.A. is located in the United States and its support line, Stores, products and services are primarily serviced in English. ® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

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Legendary Branson Performer Coming to Strawberry FestivalBY JANICE DOYLE

No matter where he entertains, Shoji Tabuchi says, “I have a

fresh audience every performance.” And now the iconic Branson performer is bringing his show to an audience at the Strawberry Festival at 3:30 pm February 27. Tabuchi’s story is the stuff of classic Ameri-can legends: How he was born in WWII Japan, began playing a violin at age 7 and as a teenager heard Roy Acuff fiddling in Tokyo. Tabuchi went on to become a country Western fiddler in his own country before coming to America with $500 in his pock-et. Tabuchi went to Nashville and was granted a spot on the Grand Ole Opry in 1968 fol-lowed by gigs around the country. Over 30 years ago he moved to Branson, married his producer wife Dorothy and built his own 8 million dollar, 2,000 seat theatre. Today, The Shoji Tabuchi Show is hands-down the Branson show that has it all—the glam-our of Hollywood, the spectacle of Vegas, the production elements of Broadway and the family fun of Branson. Under daughter Christine’s creativity, audiences enjoy leading-edge produc-tion, choreography, costuming, special effects and a supporting cast including one of the best bands in Branson. In a recent phone interview about his upcoming Strawberry Festival perfor-mance, Tabuchi (68) said, “We’ll play all kinds of music. There is no way we can bring the set pieces we have on

stage at our theater on the road with us, but we will bring all of the show’s elements with us, as well as the same people we work with in Branson.” Well, folks, you may not miss the lavish

sets as you fall under the spell of his superb showmanship and the allure of seeing his many glitzy jackets.

The jackets! At first you may not be aware of it, but as the show goes on, you certainly note the many times Tabuchi changes jackets. If he enters the stage in ruby sequins, he may soon sport birds-of-paradise

rhinestones before two attendants assist him in changing to glittering green or black. You’ll see 10 or more jackets during a show full of country, polka, gospel, Cajun, Hawaiian, rap, rock, and patriotic music (and a shiny stars and stripes

jacket). He typically ends the show in an elegant and blinding white jacket. His gentle jokes, his light-hearted, often self-deprecating, humor—all are a part of every show. So is his flaw-less fiddling, dancing and singing. Daughter Christina is present for more and more of each show, having

performed on stage with her dad since she was 4.

Keeping his edge! Tabuchi hosts two shows a day six days a week during Branson’s 9-month performance season. I asked him how he stays healthy and fit with that schedule, and he said, “I do several things. I try to eat healthy, includ-ing lots of fish.” The problem, he went on, “…is that I love fried catfish.” He also said that performing two shows a day keeps him moving, a good way to get exercise. He’s also an avid golfer and fishes the local lakes. How does he stay cool wearing the elaborately decorated jackets under the hot lights? He says he’s used to it and that on his own stage he typically stands under an air conditioner vent. He added with a chuckle that “because they are heavy, wearing the jackets offers me another way to get good exercise.” “Working with so many young en-tertainers keeps me young. Our whole group is contagious,” said Tabuchi. “And our audiences have remained very loyal and supportive and because of them I love performing.” Christine’s participation and creativity, he says, is bringing in younger audiences. “This past season we did Michael Jackson stuff, and they loved it.”

I mentioned that as we age we often like to go back to our roots. Does Tabuchi do that? He said, “I have been back to Japan several times, and I do like to think about home and family. When my mom and dad were alive, I went to spend time with them.” He has taken his American family back on an extended visit as well as going back to those important high school and college reunions to see how everyone turned out.

His bucket list! Does Shoji Tabuchi have a bucket list? Of course! He has said he’d like to spend more time as an artist and would love to do landscaping, but at the top of his list is “…taking my whole cast to do shows in Japan.” But before he does that, be sure you seeing the Shoji Tabuchi Show at the Strawberry Festival on Feb. 27. To get tickets, call 813-754-1996 or go online to flstrawberryfestival.com.

Shoji Tabuchi

Trivia: The exotic restrooms at the Shoji Tabuchi Theatre in

Branson are a tourist attraction in themselves. Every week the

Ladies Room is filled with fragrant exotic flowers. The Mens Room holds a $35,000 billiards table.

Tabuchi has missed his Branson shows only twice in over 20 years when he was invited to the White House to perform for the two Bush presidents.

Pictured above: Top - Young Shoji Tabuchi; Center - Tabuchi and his wife, Dorothy; Bottom: Tabuchi’s daughter Christina performs with him on stage.


Save $2.00 on Adult & $1.00 on Youth General Admission Tickets at Publix Super Markets!

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Shoji Tabuchi Thu. Feb. 27, 3:30

$15 & $20

Ronnie Milsap Fri. Feb. 28, 3:30

$15 & $20

Colt Ford Fri. Feb. 28, 7:30

$15 & $20

Love and Theft Sat. Mar. 1, 3:30

$15 & $20

Little Big Town Sat. Mar. 1, 7:30

$40

Thompson Square Sun. Mar. 2, 3:30

$25

Rascal Flatts“LIVE & LOUD” Tour 2014

Sun. Mar. 2, 7:30 $55

Charley Pride Mon. Mar. 3, 3:30

$15 & $20

Josh Turner Mon. Mar. 3, 7:30

$20 & $25

Brenda Lee Tue. Mar. 4, 3:30

$15 & $20

Kellie Pickler Tue. Mar. 4, 7:30

$15 & $20

Crystal Gayle Wed. Mar. 5, 3:30

$15 & $20

Lee Brice Wed. Mar. 5, 7:30

$20 & $25

Oak Ridge Boys 40th Anniversary Tour

Thu. Mar. 6, 3:30 $15 & $20

Third Day Thu. Mar. 6, 7:30

$15 & $20

John Anderson Fri. Mar. 7, 3:30

$15 & $20

Boyz II Men Fri. Mar. 7, 7:30

$20 & $25

Dustin Lynch Sat. Mar. 8, 3:30

$15 & $20

Easton Corbin Sun. Mar. 9, 3:30

$15 & $20

Jerrod Niemann Sat. Mar. 8, 7:30

$20 & $25

The Band Perry Sun. Mar. 9, 7:30

$40

STYX Thu. Feb. 27, 7:30

$25 & $30

Visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com or call 813-754-1996 and get your tickets

for the best seats available!

Concert dates and times are subject to change

Seating at 3:30 & 7:30pm is on a first

come, first seated basis.

Free Grandstand

Mobile App

Artists Appearing on the

Soundstage:

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FLORIDA STRAWBERRY

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While online, check out the Free Entertainment, Midway Specials,

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Increase Balance, Confidence While BikingBY BASSEL MOUKADDEM,EZ Trainer Enterprises, Inc.

Poor balance performance increases with aging. More than half of

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When asked “What’s on your Bucket List,” over half of

Americans 50+ would include travel somewhere near the top. Americans love to travel, whether on short or long trips, and whether to visit family or just to sight-see. Moreover, studies now tell us that for modern retirees, travel plays a critical role in personal physical and mental well-being. A new study exposes a clear discon-nect between perception and reality: while boomers dream big about travel in retirement, many are unprepared financially to ensure that their dreams come true. Simply stated, they are not saving sufficiently to make these goals a reality. Even more specifically, only 15 percent have placed a high priority on saving for travel. When it comes

to taking action, less than one-in-five have specifically factored travel into their financial strategy for retirement. “Retirees were asked how they would have prepared differently for travel in their retirement. Of those with regrets, more than half wish they would have saved more,” said Catherine Collinson, president of Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. “People of all ages need to plan and save to make their retirement dreams of traveling a reality.”

Travel as a Path to Healthy Aging Travel—and the activities associated with travel—have now been shown to have positive health outcomes, includ-ing decreased risk of heart attack and

depression and even the promotion of brain health—health issues that are of increasing concern as we age. “Travel is good medicine,” explained Dr. Paul Nussbaum, Ph.D., president and founder of the Brain Health Center, Inc. and a clinical neuropsychologist. “Because it challenges the brain with new and different experiences and environ-ments, it is an important behavior that promotes brain health and builds brain resilience across the lifespan.” The phenomenon of longer lives today requires us to think, plan and act differently and that includes planning for both our physical and mental well-being as well as having social connections. Travel can be a huge part of that plan. Americans who travel are more satisfied physically, emotion-ally and financially, and report greater satisfaction with their physical health and well-being than those who don’t travel.

Travel also has cognitive benefits. Destination Healthy Aging reports that the novel and complex stimuli associ-ated with travel, including navigating new places, meeting new people and learning about new cultures, can help delay the onset of degenerative disease. “It is intuitive that if we stay healthy we will be able to travel in old age, but it is now becoming apparent that the re-verse might also be true: travel and the numerous physical and mental benefits associated with it are drivers of health across all stages of life,” said Michael W. Hodin, Ph.D., Executive Director, Global Coalition on Aging. “Investing in travel could also be a worthwhile investment in healthy aging.” Start saving and planning today for good mental and physical health!

Information from the study: Journey to Healthy Aging: Planning for Travel in Retirement by The Global Coalition on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.

Retirement Plans: Include Financing Travel for Healthy Aging

“…navigating new places, meeting new people and

learning about new cultures can help delay the onset of

degenerative disease.”

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*Certain types of hearing loss may require a hearing aid model that is not appropriate for the Two-Week Free Trial. See clinic for details. Lyric excluded. ‡ As a member of the Connect Hearing network, if we don’t already have the lowest price, we will match any valid competitor quote or advertised price on hearing aids within 60 days of purchase. ** Discount is off of Connect Hearing list price on any hearing aid, any Make or Model. Not valid with any other discounts, offers, or prior purchases. Expires 3/31/14. † 0% financing offer is subject to credit approval. If at the time of your application you do not meet the credit criteria previously established for this offer, or the income you report is insufficient based on your obligations, we may not be able to offer this financing. Complimentary hearing screening and consultation required. Some restrictions apply. Offer expires 3/31/14.

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Make February 14 a Romantic Movie NightFrom can’t-miss classics to newer

releases, these flicks are all worthy of watching on Valentine’sDay, or any other time you feel like a romantic date night with your loved one. In no particular order—and with some favorite quotes—here are some options: • The Notebook (2004) starring Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, Gena Rowlands, and James Garner. “So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s go-ing to be really hard; we’re gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, every day. You and me…every day.”• When Harry Met Sally (1989) starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.• Pride and Prejudice (1995) starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle “Perhaps I didn’t always love him as well as I do now, but in such cases as these, a good memory is unpardonable.”

• Love Story (1970) with Ali Mac-Graw and Ryan O’Neal. “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

• Pretty Woman (1990) with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.

• Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard “You’re afraid to stick out your chin and say, ‘Okay, life’s a fact, people do fall in love, people do belong to each other, because that’s the only chance anybody’s got for real happiness.’”

• Sleepless in Seattle (1993) starringTom Hanks and Meg Ryan.• An Affair to Remember (1957) starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. Favorite Quote: “There must be something between us, even if it’s only an ocean.”

• Love Actually (2003) starring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Keira Knightley. “When-ever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about

the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. It seems to me that love is every-where…fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends.”• Casablanca (1942) starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. “I can’t fight it anymore. I ran away from you once. I can’t do it again.”• While You Were Sleeping (1995) starring: Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. “Do you believe in love at first sight? Nah, I betcha don’t, you’re probably too sensible for that.”

• Dirty Dancing (1987) starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. “Me? I’m scared of everything…and most of all I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you.”

• Shakespeare in Love (1998) starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes. “Love knows nothing of rank or river-bank! …So tell my lady, William Shake-speare waits for her in the garden!”

• A Room with a View (1985) starring Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, and Julian Sands.

• Out of Africa (1985) starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. “I don’t want to find out one day that I’m at the end of someone else’s life.”

• Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) starring Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson. “The moon looks different now …You didn’t ruin it, you just changed it, I guess.”


Don’t miss

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February 6-17, 2014

Tampa, FLat I-4 and US HWY 301

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Advance discounted tickets on sale through Feb. 5. Purchase Online at www.FloridaStateFair.com, AAA Auto Club or at participating

.Senior Discount Days Feb. 10 9am-9pm Feb. 11, 12 & 13 10am-9pm Tickets ages 55+ only $7 in advance, $9 at the gate .Senior Day Seminars.Taste of the Fair Feb. 10, Sample Portions at Promotional Prices.Heroes Day Feb. 6, Presented by Lazydays All active or retired military, law enforcement, fireman & first responders recieve FREE Fair admission with valid ID.Livestock & Petting Zoo

.Country Gold Tour Feb. 12, Shows at Noon & 4pm Leroy Van Dyke, Narvel Felts, T.G. Sheppard, Suzy Bogguss & More! VIP-$15, Reserved seats-$10 (Fair Admission Not Included).110 FREE Things to Do*.Horiculture & Agriculture.Arts & Crafts.Competitive Exhibits.Expo Hall Shopping.Mildred W. & Doyle E. Carlton Jr. Cracker Country Living History Museum

DISCOVER THE PAST. DISCOVER THE FUTURE. DISCOVER THE FUN!

DISCOVER THE PAST. DISCOVER THE FUTURE. DISCOVER THE FUN!


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All Around Tours Presents:

CASINO TRIPS • SIGHTSEEING TOURS DINING & ENTERTAINMENT OUTINGS

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HARD ROCK - $20 PER PERSONWed.,Thurs. and Sun. IMMOKALEE - $20 PER PERSONMon.,Tues. & Sat.

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OVERNIGHT TRIPS (CALL FOR FLYER)

DAY TRIPS2/5 Sanibel $822/6 Keel and Curley Winery $552/7 Medieval Times $602/8 Seafood Festival $402/10 FL Aquarium $552/18 Solomon’s Castle $492/20 Holy Land Exp $822/22 Capone’s $642/25 FL Eco Safari $692/27 Bok in Bloom $57

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Tips for Drivers“More than three

million of our almost 16 million drivers in Florida are age 65 or older,” said Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Julie L. Jones. “Being able to remain active and productive members of their communities is important to our older residents, and by highlighting the importance of driver safety, we hope they can continue to safely enjoy this freedom.” FLHSMV offers these tips to assistolder drivers:• Plan your day so that you do most of your driving when visibility is greatest and traffic is lightest, such as mid-morning and after lunch.• Plan the route to your destination tominimize left turns.

• Look twice both ways before making a turn or entering an intersection.• Minimize lane changes. When you change lanes, be sure to use your signals.• Turn the

volume on your radio down or turn off the radio completely.• Have your vision and hearingtested annually.• Heed warning labels on medications.Even prescription drugs can impairdriving and judgment.• Consider alternative transportation options. For more information and additional resources, visit safeandmobileseniors.org.


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Veterans CornerBY EVELYN MACKEY

If you’re looking for ways to communicate your support to

our troops, take a look at just a few available opportunities. The website troopsupport.com is a good place to start looking for a good fit. Here is a sample of what volunteer groups across our country are doing for American troops in today’s military.

Adopt A US Soldier—this non-profit group connects civilians and deployed troops. The group’s easy-to-use

website includes testimonials, a photo gallery and ways to get connected. www.adoptaussoldier.org.

HUGS—a top-rated Nonprofit in 2013—

successfully gets care packages overflowing with

snacks, hygiene items, DVD’s and CD’s, Oreos, socks and other much needed items to service members in Afghanistan. They encourage helping by either sending items to pack, or with monetary donations to help with the cost of shipping boxes. Their website includes a list of needed items for the care packages and a donation page. And if you sew, the website include patterns for items you can stitch up to put in the boxes (fingerless gloves and more). All donations go directly to the supplies and care package items. www.thehugsproject.com.

Hugs for Heroes—sends ongoing shipments of

essential items and notes of love and appreciation

to troops. The website has instructions for organizing a collection of items to send as well as tips for writing notes that go into the shipments. School involvement with this project is impressive. www.hugsforheroes.org.

Operation Holiday Stocking—is a busy group that knits, packs and ships hundreds (about 5,000 in 2013) of Christmas stockings to troops overseas. Their website guides those who want to

make their own stockings (including knitting directions) as well as those who can donate money toward the shipping costs and the cost of what fills the stockings. You can even purchase a stocking at the store and send it to be stuffed. A great list of stocking stuffer ideas is on the site as well. www.operationholidaystockings.com.

Warmth for Warriors—gives an opportunity to pick up knitting needles and start a project.

Directions for the hats are on the group’s website. The group distributes hats to active duty soldiers overseas, to medical units where soldiers are leaving for hospitals in Germany and to VA hospitals here in the States. A warm wool hat, made with love, provides both physical comfort and a ‘hug of thanks,’ according to the website. http://warmthforwarriors.com/.

Great Ways to Support the Troops

A Note from a Soldier: “I just wanted to say thank you! What a great surprise to have received the hats the other day. I came back from a mission dirty, hungry

and tired; you brought a great smile to all of our faces. I think most of my soldiers slept with your hats on the same day/night. God bless you all;

thank you for what you do.” – SFC K. F


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Your Heart Attack “To Do” List

When chest pain strikes, don’t delay in calling 911.

The risk of a heart attack is real. More than one million people in the U.S. suf-fer a heart attack each year. You need to respond to symptoms within an hour. Save your life or the life of someone you love with this information.

Survive a Heart Attack1. Recognize the symptoms2. Call 911 immediately3. Chew an aspirin while waiting

for EMS

Don’t Drive. Call 911 for an ambu-lance. Your treatment will begin much faster with the emergency team!

About Taking Aspirin• Take within 30 minutes of symptoms• Chew slowly• Take a 325 mg adult

dose (a full aspirin)• Uncoated is best• Other pain relievers won’t help.

(Advil, Tylenol)

“Time is muscle. If you don’t get to a hospital immediately, a larger portion of your heart muscle is damaged.” — Steven Nissen, MD, Chair of Cardio-vascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic.

Be Prepared• Know the signs of a heart attack• Heart patient? Ask about

nitroglycerin• Family member at risk? Learn CPR• Always have aspirin on hand• Alert family and friends to warning

signs and calling 911

Don’t Delay Top reasons people delay calling 911• Embarrassment or fear of “looking silly”• Denial or confusion• Responsibilities – don’t want to

“stop their lives”

• Don’t recognize symptoms• Expect a dramatic

“chest-clutching” event• Mistake symptoms for heartburn

Know the Symptoms Everyone is different. You may only have one or two.• Sudden, increasing chest pain/

pressure (angina)• Pain spreading from jaw, throat,

arm, back or belly• Sweating/cold sweat• Nausea/vomiting• Dizziness• Shortness of breath• Feelings of indigestion/heartburn• Rapid or irregular heartbeats• Extreme fatigue/weakness

Attention Women! While chest pain is the most common symptom, some women have reported no chest pain at all. And women wait four times longer than men to go to the ER. Don’t ignore your symptoms!

Prevent a Heart Attack• Exercise regularly• Eat a heart-healthy diet• Don’t smoke• Find stress reduction activities that

work for you• Know your family’s heart

health history• Talk to your doctor about your risks

10 minutes of brisk exercise a day can reduce your risk of heart attack by almost 50 percent!

Information from the Cleveland Clinic (clevelandclinic.org/HealthHub)


Building A Healthy Community

“We’re a 100-bed acute care hospital with a big heart serv-ing this community. We have a very talented, dedicated, caring group of healthcare providers and support staff ready and willing to make each hospital experience the best it can be. We will continue to focus on providing the highest quality and best patient care, service and experience for the community we serve.” -Dale Alward, CEO, Englewood Community Hospital

Englewood has received the following recent accolades and recognitions: ©TheJointCommission §TopPerformeronKeyQualityMeasures2011and2012 §DiseaseSpecificAccreditationforKnee,Hip,and HeartFailure2012 ©SocietyofCardiovascularPatientCare:AccreditedChest PainCenter2013 ©LeapfrogGroup“A”HospitalSafetyScore2012and2013 ©AmericanHeartAssociation:GetwiththeGuidelines® HeartFailureSilverQualityAward2011&GoldAward2012

Free InFormatIon ServIceLifestyles After 50

for information please return completed form to:News Connection USA, Inc. • P.O. Box 278 • Laurel FL 34272-0278

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Wherever you live in Sarasota County there is a Walgreens store nearby

Open 24 Hours3601 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, 34233 ....................... 941-921-46813901 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34231 ..................... 941-926-25226465 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34231 ..................... 941-921-92225800 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, 34233 ....................... 941-377-15891120 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, 34275 ..................... 941-441-290915180 S. Tamiami Trail, North Port, 34288 ................. 941-423-61001490 Venice Bypass, Venice, 34292 .......................... 941-493-3925

Other Stores - Call For Hours3506 Clark Rd., Sarasota, 34231 ............................... 941-923-28855281 Clark Rd., Sarasota, 34231 .............................. 941-929-94433550 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 34237 .......................... 941-955-42821224 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34239 ..................... 941-953-98041947 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 34236 .......................... 941-955-20641921 Waldemere St., Suite 201, Sarasota, 34239 ..... 941-955-6012391 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, 34285 .......................... 941-244-19771405 E. Venice Ave., Venice, 34292 ........................... 941-488-81224105 Pointe Plaza Blvd., Venice, 34293 .................... 941-497-075115 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood, 34223 ....................... 941-473-77872940 S. McCall Rd., Englewood, 34223 ..................... 941-475-803012600 Tamiami Trail, North Port, 34287 ..................... 941-244-19551009 N. Sumter Blvd., North Port, 34286 ................... 941-426-50831063 N. Toledo Blade Blvd., North Port, 34286 .......... 941-429-61744210 E. State Rd. 64, Bradenton, FL 34208 .............. 941-708-91614320 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205 ..................... 941-755-8596 1504 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34203 ................... 941-752-07051455 Upper Manatee River Rd., Bradenton, FL 34212 .. 941-462-1564

Shingles shots now recommended for adults 50+

Wherever You Live In Manatee County There Is A Walgreens Store Nearby

Ask About:• Our durable goods product lines: lift chairs, wheelchairs, walkers• Our “Go 90” prescription program• Our prescription savings club• Our exclusive savings for AARP members• Our prescription “auto fill” program• Our Balance Rewards Card

Enroll in our balance rewards program today and receive instant points and endless rewards.

Ask your friendly Pharmacist about the shingles vaccine and pneumonia vaccine.

Open 24 Hours6003 14th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207 ..................... 941-755-85264220 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205 ............ 941-749-15615945 U.S. Highway 301 N., Ellenton, FL 34222 ......... 941-722-2884

Other Stores - Call For Hours3248 E. Bay Dr., Holmes Beach, FL 34217 ................ 941-778-04513425 53rd Ave. W, Bradenton, FL 34210 ................... 941-752-79975896 59th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34209 ..................... 941-792-38178315 Market St., Bradenton, FL 34202 ...................... 941-907-268614415 Arbor Green Trail, Bradenton, FL 34202 ......... 941-739-57523155 University Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34243 ........... 941-351-92901700 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota, FL 34234 ...941-926-6132930 8th Ave. W., Palmetto, FL 34221 ........................ 941-729-52503535 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234 ............... 941-360-34744210 E. State Rd. 64, Bradenton, FL 34208 .............. 941-708-91614320 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205 ..................... 941-755-8596 1504 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34203 ................... 941-752-07051455 Upper Manatee River Rd., Bradenton, FL 34212 .. 941-462-1564


Treasures is pleased to announce the expansion of the Venice store. If you wondered what was happening on the other side of the wall, wonder no more! Stop by today and find twice the Treasures in our expanded space.

And to celebrate, bring this ad to either Treasures location and get 20 percent off your purchase.Please call to schedule a donation pickup, or for store hours.

Bird Bay Plaza 523 US Hwy 41, Bypass N. • Venice, FL • 941-882-4467

Pebble Springs Plaza 5917 Manatee Ave. W. • Bradenton, FL • 941-792-5500

www. treasuresthriftshop.com

Please call to schedule a donation pickup, or for store hours.

Treasures-Venicehas Grown!

Medicare AnswersDear Marci, I was told that I

would no longer qualify for Extra Help this year. What are some other ways that can help me save on my prescription drug costs? —Parsha

Dear Parsha, If you received a notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA) saying that you would no longer qualify for Extra Help, the federal drug assistance program that helps people afford their prescription drugs, know that there may be other ways to save on your drug costs. Florida’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a part

of SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders). SHINE provides educational materials and free unbiased insurance counseling to Florida elders, caregivers and family members. The goal is to help elders understand and receive the health insurance coverage they need through Medicare, Medicaid, Prescription As-sistance, Long-Term Care Planning & Insurance and other health care issues. Contact SHINE if you have questions by calling the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 or online at floridashine.org. You may also want to take a look at drug manufacturer assistance programs called Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs). These programs vary depend-ing on what type of prescription drug you need. Note that not all drugs have related PAPs. In addition, each PAP varies and may have different eligibil-ity rules and program benefits. To learn more about different PAPs, you can go online and visit www.needymeds.orgor www.rxassist.org. —Marci


855.550.LIFE (5433)

Jameel Audeh, MD

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Richard Brown, MD

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Luis Chu, MD

Patti A. Dolan, MD

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Mehnaz Junagadhwalla, MD

Fadi Kayali, MD

Paul R. Landry, MD

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Scott D. Lunin, MD

Maria Claudia Mallarino, MD

Noel A. Maun, MD, PhD

Yallappa Nadiminti, MD

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Manish R. Patel, MD

Ivor Percent, MD

James R. Rubinsak, MD

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Andres Soriano, MD

Koteshwar Telukuntla, MD

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Curbing Digestive Upsets Caused by MedicationsBY DUSTIN JAMES, MD,

Most of us take medications to help us feel better. Sometimes,

though, they have side-effects that make other parts feel worse.This is es-pecially true for the digestive system. The good news is that there are tips you can follow to curb side-effects. Here are some of the most commonly prescribed medications and ways to ward off potential digestive upsets. NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications)—includes Advil®, Aleve®, Ibuprofen, Excederin®, Asprin, Naprosyn and Celebrex®. These pain and inflam-mation relieving medications soothe aches and pains, but they are also the #1 cause of bleeding ulcers in the United States, as well as causing stom-ach pains from gastritis and diarrhea. Side Effects: The best way to avoid these side-effects is to avoid taking them regularly. If you need to take them daily, antacids called

proton-pump inhibitors, such as Prilosec OTC® can protect the upper part of your digestive system from their bad effects. Some brands of NSAIDS are enteric coated. Unfortu-nately, medical studies show that this coating does not prevent side-effects.

Blood pressure/heart medications, especially calcium channel block-ers—includes Amlodipine, Verapamil and Diltiazem—reduce your blood pressure by relaxing muscles in your circulation. Unfortunately, they also slow down the muscles in your diges-tive system, leading to constipation.

Side Effects: The best initial ap-proach is to keep things moving in your colon with plenty of fiber and water. I recommend my patients take 25 grams per day with at least 8 cups of water. And no, coffee and soda don’t count as water! If you can’t get enough fiber in your diet, try Citrucel® powder (one tablespoon in 8 oz of water daily to twice daily).

If that’s still not enough, try Miralax®.That medication gets its name “Miracle Laxative” for good reason.

Antibiotics—especially clindamycin, levaquin, and azithromycin—are notorious for causing diarrhea by killing off good bacteria in your colon along with the bad ones. Some antibiotics like azithromycin cause severe cramps a couple of hours after you take them. Clindamycin and levaquin carry the highest risk of causing the potentially life-threatening colon infection called C. dificile.

Side Effects: The best way to curb diarrhea is to make sure you’re taking daily probiotics. I recommend my patients start with one to two yogurts a day, preferably Greek. If you are yogurt-averse, then consider pills like Align®. Be sure to talk to your physician right away if you develop horrible fatigue and/or fever with diarrhea, as these may be the first signs of C. dificile.

Antidepressants—includes Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Citalopram, Venlafaxine and Trazadone, to name a few—almost always cause some degree of digestive upset such as diar-rhea, constipation, nausea and pain.

Side Effects: Digestive upsets can be minimized by slowly increasing the medications to their goal dose. Most digestive upsets improve over time. When they don’t, be sure to talk to your doctor about dividing the dose into twice daily, or changing the medication. For instance, people are more likely to have diarrhea with sertraline (Zoloft®) and nausea with Paroxetine (Paxil®). If nau-sea is a problem, ginger and peppermint, such as a tea brewed double strength or tummydrops, can be very helpful. Dustin James MD, The Tummy Doc, is author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Digestive Health.” (Be sure to consult with your physician regard-ing your health related issues before initiating or changing any medicines.)

5 Oral Clues to Your Overall Health

An estimated 90 percent of systemic diseases can be

discovered in the mouth. While these range from serious health problems to vitamin deficiencies, it’s best to take advantage of the valuable health clues in the mouth. Check these clues:Swollen gums: Persistent swollen gums can be early signs of serious

health problems like diabetes and leukemia or less serious concerns like vitamin C deficiency.

Worn down teeth: Worn down teeth point to teeth grinding, probably during sleep, which can cause chronic headaches.

Tender gums: Tender, bleeding gums can point to gum disease, which experts link to whole-body issues like lung disease and cardiovascular problems.

Sore tongue: Early signs of oral cancer often show up on the side of the tongue in small red or white spots.

Tissue sensitivity: Oral tissue sensitivity can be signs of deficienciesin iron, zinc, folic acid and morenutritional imbalances.

Learn more in the book “The Hidden Truth Behind Beautiful Smiles” by Dr. Zack Zaibak.

At the dawn of its 30th year...

Florida Cancer Specialists sets the benchmark for community oncology

Above: ARNP Shawn Bliss & Dr. Richard Brown. Upper Right: Dr. Robert Whorf and patient. Lower Right: Dr. Steve Orman

From its humble beginnings in February 1984, Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) has always placed the highest priority on:

•Providingexceptionalpatientcare •Personalizedattention •Customizedtreatmentprotocols •Treatingpatients—andtheirloved ones—asfamily

“Inthebeginning,”saysFCSFounderandPresidentDr.William Harwin, “when I opened my Fort Myers practice to treat local oncology patients, it was just my wife Marilyn andmeintheoffice.”

Ashisoriginalpracticequicklygrew,Dr.Harwinsoonrecognizedthatheandothernearbysmall,independenthematology/oncologypractitionerscouldhelpsavemorecancerpatients’livesiftheypooledtheirresources.Andthus—fromasingle,family-run,“momandpop”doctor’soffice

—wasbornagroupthatisnowthelargestindependentoncology/hematology practice in the United States with nearly 200 physicians, 100 nurse practitioners and more than70clinicalsitesaroundthestate.Today,FCSservespatients on the Gulf Coast from Naples to the greater TampaBayarea,northasfarasTallahassee,inOrlando and surrounding Central Florida communities, on the EastCoastinDaytona/PalmCoastandnowinPalm BeachCounty. IntegrAted network of ComprehensIve CAre

WhatmakesFCSsouniqueisthateverydoctor affiliatedwiththeorganizationiscommittedtoanidenticalgoal:providingworld-classcancercareusingcutting-edgetechnologies,inasettingwherepatients can be close to home and surrounded by family andfriends.

The team of folks at FCS knows how physically andemotionallychallengingacancerdiagnosisis.That’swhyextraordinaryeffortsaremadetokeeptheancillaryand/orpreventablechallengesataminimum.

There’s nothing “institutional” about the FCS facilities,orthepeoplewhostaffthem.

Rather,allFCSofficesarepositive,upbeat,welcomingplacesofhealingandcompassion. Selectfacilitiesofferonsiteintegrativeoncologyservicessuchasyogaandnutritionalcounseling.

Fromtheadministrativeandsupportstafftothenursesanddoctors,everyFCSlocationiscommittedtopositivepatientoutcomes.

What’s more, the remarkable integration of this statewidenetworkenablesFCStoofferservicesotheroncologyentitiessimplycan’t.

Among them: •On-sitespecialtypharmaciesfor oral oncolytics •On-siteradiationfacilities •On-sitepathologylaboratories •AccesstoPhase1clinicaltrialsinourDrug DevelopmentUnit •OpportunitiestoparticipateinPhase2and3 clinical trials in many FCS locations

Theseefficienciesnotonlyassistinpatientrecovery,theyalsoavaileverypatienttoeveryserviceprovidedwithintheFCSnetwork.

For instance, when FCS began partnering a decade agowiththeNashville,Tennessee-basedSarahCannonResearchInstitute,itopenedupavastarrayofclinical-trialopportunitiesforpatients.Clinicaltrialsofferpatientsaccesstonewdrugs

notyetapprovedbytheFDAincombinationwithstandard,approvedtherapies.FCShasover100clinicaltrialoptionsavailableforitspatients.

Overtheyears,countlessFCSpatientshavebenefitedfromearlieraccesstocutting-edgemedicationsbeforetheywereapprovedbytheFDA.

Indeed,whenFCSfirstexpandedintotheSarasotaandBradentoncommunities,thepracticewasabletooffercomprehensiveservicestopatientsallunderoneroofatmanylocations.Today,FCShasfiveconvenientlylocatedfacilitiesinSarasotaandManateeCounties,aswellasaDrugDevelopmentUnit(DDU)thatconductscutting-edgeresearchanddedicatedPhase1(first-in-human)clinicaltrials.FCSisoneofonlyahandfulofcommunityoncologypracticesintheU.S.thatconductsthisadvancedlevelofclinicaltrialresearch.

FCSpartnerDr.RichardBrownsaid,“Communityoncologyisexperiencingatimeofunprecedentedadvancements,aswellasthedevelopmentofmanynewandexcitingservices.Itisveryrewardingasaphysiciantobeabletoprovidecuttingedgeclinicalresearch,includingPhase1and2clinicaltrials, to our patients right here in Sarasota, so they don’thavetogofarfromhometoreceivethemostpromisingnewtreatments.

remArkAble AdvAnCes

FromthetimeDr.Harwinfoundedhisthen-one-personpracticetothecurrent-dayiterationofFCS,cancertreatmentprotocols—and,moreimportantly,outcomes—havebecomeextraordinarilyadvanced.

Longgone,saysDr.Harwin,arethedaysof“bombing” patients with dosages of chemotherapy

drugs in hopes in destroying malignant cells andtumors.

Rather,notesDr.Harwin,“Becauseweunderstandthe biology of cancer so much better now than we didthen,we’vebeenabletodevelopmoreeffective,targeted medications that kill cancer cells while sparinghealthyones.Whatthismeansforourpatients is that cancer is now a far more manageable disease—onethatyoulivewith,notdiefrom.”

AndnowthevastmedicalresourcesandexpertiseofFloridaCancerSpecialistsareavailableineightconvenientlylocatedfacilitiesinSarasotaandManateeCounties.n

sarasota Area physicians Jameel Audeh, MDBrian T. Berry, MDRichard Brown, MDRichard H. Buck, MDLuis Chu, MDPatti A. Dolan, MDJanice F. Eakle, MDRodrigo Garcia, MDPaul W. Gonter, MDMehnaz Junagadhwalla, MDFadi Kayali, MDPaul R. Landry, MDRobin Lifton, MDScott D. Lunin, MDMaria Claudia Mallarino, MDNoel A. Maun, MD, PhDYallappa Nadiminti, MDStephen V. Orman, MDManish R. Patel, MDJames R. Rubinsak, MDCaryn Silver, MD Andres Soriano, MDKoteshwar Telukuntla, MDRobert C. Whorf, MD

FCS offers cutting edge treatments and national clinical trials.

florIdA CAnCer speCIAlIsts - sArAsotA AreA loCAtIonsBradenton East - 401 Manatee Avenue E.Bradenton West - 2401 60th Street Ct. W.Englewood - 714 Doctor’s DriveLakewood Ranch - 6310 Health Park Way

Sarasota Cattlemen - 600 N. Cattlemen RoadSarasota Downtown - 1970 Golf StreetVenice Healthpark - 836 Sunset Lake BlvdVenice Island - 901 S. Tamiami Trail

for more information, visit flCancer.com

Lifestyles After 50 • February 2014 • page 24 Lifestyles After 50 • February 2014 • page 25


The Healthy Geezer—Fall PreventionBY FRED CICETTI

Q. I had an aging aunt who fell and broke her hip. She was

never the same after that. Now that I’m old, myself, I’m worried about falling. What should I do about this?

Well, first of all, you can’t go around worrying about falling or you won’t be relaxed; that can lead to a fall. So, you should concentrate on employing techniques to avoid falls and then don’t let the fear take over your mind. But a respect for the dangers of falling is justified by the statistics. Among older adults, falls are the lead-ing cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. Of all fall-related fractures, hip breaks cause the greatest number of deaths and lead to the most severe health problems and reduced quality of life. As we age, the power of our senses, reflexes and coordination diminishes.

Maladies and the medicines we take for them can contribute to balance problems. Then there’s osteoporosis—a disease that makes bones more likely to snap. There are many steps you can take to prevent a fall and the possibility of breaking a bone. I’m dedicating the re-mainder of this column to the best tips I collected from a variety of experts:• Get your bones tested. Your doctor can prescribe medications that will make your bones harder to break.• Regular exercise makes you stronger and keeps your joints, tendons and ligaments flexible. Weight-bearing exercise such as walking may slow bone loss from osteoporosis.• Get up slowly from lying and sitting to avoid feeling light-headed.• Avoid temperature extremes in your home; they can make you dizzy.• Wear rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes.• Always hold the handrails on stairways.

• Don’t stand on a chair to get to some-thing. Buy a “reach stick,” a grabbing tool you can find at many hardware stores.• Never carry any package that will obstruct your view of the next step.• Mount grab bars near toilets, tubsand showers.• Place non-skid mats, strips or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet, especially bathtubs and shower stalls.• Let the soap suds go down the drain before you move around in the shower. If you are prone to falling, use a shower chair and a handheld shower attachment.• Put night lights and light switchesclose to your bed.• Keep your telephone near your bed. During the day, keep a portable phone with you so you won’t have to walk to answer it.• Tack down all carpets and area rugs.• Close cabinet doors and drawers so you won’t run into them.

• When it rains or snows, considerusing a cane.• Use a shoulder bag, fanny pack, or backpack to leave hands free.• Check curb heights beforestepping down.• When entering rooms, look for differences in floor levels.• Insure that every room in your home has a light switch near the entrance.• Practice balancing. Hold onto some-thing such as a countertop and stand on one leg at a time for a minute. Gradually increase the time. Try balancing with your eyes closed. Stand on your toes, then rock back to balance on your heels. Hold each position for a count of 10.• Be especially careful around pets. If you would like to read more columns, you can order a copy of “How To Be A Healthy Geezer” at www.healthygeezer.com. All Rights Reserved © 2013 by Fred Cicetti.


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The AMD Effect: Ruining Your Granddaughter’s Ballet Recital

Early detection is key to saving your sight from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in people 55 and older. Don’t wait to notice the warning signs, like blurry central vision or difficulty seeing fine details. Contact the Foundation Fighting Blindness for a free packet on preventing and managing AMD.

888-345-2473FightBlindness.org/AMDnow

Through the eyes of someone with advanced AMD.

The AMD Effect: Ruining Your Granddaughter’s Ballet Recital

Increase Balance, Confidence While BikingBY BASSEL MOUKADDEM,EZ Trainer Enterprises, Inc.

Poor balance performance increases with aging. More than half of

people 62 years and older have a fear of falling. Such fear makes it harder to maintain vitality through physical activities since many people decide to stop their favorite sports. The cycling industry faces this reality. With age, a large number of cyclists avoid riding, fearing they might fall. Some will turn to alternative solutions like the use of a tricycle. Others will select rigid side wheels restraining the possibility to lean when riding. The real cycling experience is lost and so is the pleasure, leading to lack of motivation and high drop-out rates. The Adult Stabilizer Wheels designed by EZ Trainer Enterprises Inc. combine flexibility and stability through the flex-ing torsion spring. The product received excellent feedback from industry experts, communities and clients:

• I was in need of these Stabilizer Wheels in order for my brother, who has a brain tumor, to ride his own new bike that he had bought before the tumors began to grow again. The service I got was EXTRAORDINARY and CARING and I appreciate you helping to make what could be a “last wish” come true. —Debbie

• What a great product! At Bike-On.com we cater to adults and children who have limited abilities. We have found the Stabilizer Wheels to be a perfect fit for our customers who have some balance limitations. The Stability Wheels provide just the right amount of balance assist which makes for a confident cyclist—a great product! —Scott from Bike-On

• These training wheels help the rider to gain confidence back. Very innovative way to retrofit your bike without spending a fortune on a trike bike. —Patrick from Lambert

BRIDGE BITESFrom The

American ContractBridge League

The ScissorsCoup

BY BRIAN GUNNELL

This month’s deal features the Scissors Coup, so-called because

it cuts communications between thetwo defenders.

East’s 4♦ was preemptive, showing long Diamonds and not much else. As West, what’s your opening lead? It would be reasonable to lead ♣K, attempting to set up a Club trick while you still have the ♠A entry. That doesn’t work on the actual deal because of Declarer’s Club singleton. A more promising plan might be to lead the singleton Heart, later

winning the ♠A, then underleading the ♦A to East’s hoped-for ♦K, and getting a Heart ruff for down one. As you can see, that plan is the winner. Well, not quite, because there is a clever counter-measure. How can Declarer deprive West of his ruff? Enter the Scissors Coup. Declarer wins the Heart lead in Dummy, and before touching trumps she cashes ♣A and leads another Club, pitching a Diamond when East plays low. By this maneuver Declarer trades a Diamond loser for a Club loser, in the process thwarting West in his plan to reach East with the ♦K. Now, with the defensive communica-tions snipped, Declarer loses only the ♠A and a Club (but there is no Diamond loser and no Heart ruff). Post Script: As West you no doubt found that well-thought-out Heart opening lead. Then as Declarer you made a clever play to bring home the 5♠ contract. Next, imagine that you hold the East cards, but with the ♣6 replaced by the ♣J. Now, after Dummy’s ♣A has been cashed, when a second Club is played, we are quite confident that you would alertly hop up with that ♣J, foiling the Scissors Coup. Nice play! Visit acbl.org for more about the fascinating game of bridge or email [email protected]. To find a bridge club in Florida, go to district9acbl.org/D9Clubsmap.htm. Bridge article provided courtesy of St. Petersburg Bridge Club: www.stpetebridge.org.

Visit Yosemite at 150Yosemite and its surrounding

gateway communities are celebrating 150 years as a national park this year. Historians, artists, photographers, rangers, naturalists and just plain citizens will participate in many special events from now through September. Visit the iconic park and share the lure and lore of Yosemite this year. Information at nps.gov/yose/anniversary.


Do I Need a Realtor?So, is it sensible selling real

estate without a realtor? The internet has opened up various opportunities for people to cut costs and reduce the time taken to sell properties. In some ways it has given people false confidence to go down this particular route because while selling real estate without a realtor can save you significant fees, there are risks!

Contacts in the industry If you go down the route of looking to sell real estate yourself, there are ways and means of doing this, but there are also issues if you get it wrong. The paperwork with regards to the sale of the property needs to be perfect; everything needs to be in place and ultimately you need to guarantee you will receive the money you were promised. There is the potential to save significant costs here, but perhaps we should be looking at this from a different angle?

While eBay is perhaps the best-known auction site in the world, Craigslist has grown into an enormous marketplace. Whatever you are look-ing for, whatever products, whatever services, there is no doubt there will be somebody on Craigslist offering these around the world. Many compa-nies such as Craigslist have attempted to break into the real estate market, but is selling real estate on Craigslist as safe as it is using a realtor? One thing to understand is that pro-fessional realtors basically make their living selling property at the highest price. There is every chance that they could instigate a potential mini auction for your property. By contact-ing people they know in the industry, often large-scale investors, there is the ability to push the price of your property sale beyond what you could hope to expect if doing this yourself.

Do realtors pay for themselves? The bottom line is that if you have numerous bidders looking for your property then they will likely push the price higher than what you could expect with just one bidder. This is the job of a realtor, instigating interest in your property and obtaining the best price. In many ways this is a win/win situation because the realtor will guarantee themselves a higher commission and you will obtain a higher price for your property. When you bear in mind the various commission rates payable to realtors of today, it would not take a major improvement in the sale price of your property to pay for their services. There are also the various regulations under which realtors operate and the protec-tions offered to both buyers and sellers. Would a buyer be confident complet-ing a transaction with somebody who refused to involve a realtor? Would you be confident handing over the keys to your property without the relevant safety net of regulatory protection if something went wrong?Conclusion There are many people with experi-ence in the real estate market, and it is true that many people outside of the realtor industry could and have completed sales in the past. However, in light of the 2008 mortgage crisis the regulatory hurdles have increased; buyers and sellers are looking for more protection and, ultimately, you may save yourself a few dollars selling your property privately. But the questions re-ally is—are you getting the best price? Information from PropertyForum.com.

Housing

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Take Time to ICE Your PhoneSince life is uncertain, be sure you ICE your cell phone.

That means you load emergency contacts in your phone with the word ICE in front of the emergency contacts’ names. That’s so when someone finds a senior in trouble they know who to call In Case of Emergency. If you can’t do it yourself, find a neighbor, someone at your library or senior center. Emergency workersknow to open a cell phone and look for ICE phone numbers by simply pressing the letter ‘I’.

How to ICE a Phone:• Under ‘I’ in the cell phone contact list, load the In Case of Emergency contact names, begin-ning with the word ICE (ie: ICE Heather).• Make sure the emergency contact(s) agree to be an ICE partner.• Include every phone number (home/cell/work) of the ICE partner.• ICE partners should know the seniors’ medical conditions, doctors’ names and medications they’re taking. Do it now and encourage your friends and family members to ICE their cell phones.

A F T E R 50

Senior Talent Show

Senior Idol Show

February 16, 2014 2:00 p.m.

Neel Performing Arts Center State College of Florida5840 26th Street West • Bradenton, FL 34207

Tickets - $6.00 each.

April 22, 20147:00 p.m.

Ruth Eckerd Hall1111 McMullen Booth Road

Clearwater, FL 33759727-791-7400

Tickets - $7.00 each

For more information regarding the Bright Stars Senior Talent Show

or Senior Idol Show -

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• Learn about hydroponically grown fruits & vegetables.

• Taste locally grown and bottled wines.

• How do you get milk to your table?• Lunch is on your own.• Bring your coolers for purchases.

$49.00 per person. Stops in Port Charlotte, North Port, Venice, and Sarasota. Call All Around Tours at 941-488-9393 for tickets and information. Reservations

are required and must be made by February 12, 2014. Seating is limited.

This will be a day to remember … Come in a

group, or come alone!

A Day In The Country A one-day tour bus full of fun

and education!

Tour Date: Wed. , Feb. 26

Register by: Wed., Feb. 12

Enjoy rural Florida attractions!Get on board, kick back, and

relax! Leave the driving to us! Bring your friends! Bring your family! Groups welcome!


BY CHUCK AND DENA BINGHAM

Ahoy, Mates! It’s time to put a European river cruise on your

Bucket List. I’m talking about the Legendary Blue Danube River Cruise by Mayflower Tours. The only thing a mega ship/mega crowd Caribbean cruise has in common with the Legendary Danube River Cruise is, frankly, the word “Cruise.” We recently took the Danube River cruise as a celebration event with my brother and his wife. He was turning 70 and the two of them were celebrat-ing their 50th wedding anniversary. My wife Dena and I worked with Colette Florido of Mayflower Tours to coordinate the tour beginning the cruise in Budapest, Hungary.

Did you know that Buda and Pest are actually two cities that lie on opposite sides of the Danube River and togeth-er form the city known as Budapest? Our first afternoon in Budapest we took a guided tour of the city’s 20 centuries of history. We spent the next day in Budapest strolling on our own. This city is clean, vibrant and alive with energy, having thrown off the shackles of Communism in 1956. We shopped local stores for hand-embroidered table linens and a handsome beer stein. In the evening we were greeted by the captain as we boarded our ship, the MS Bolero. The 100-stateroom ship holds 850 cruisers and crew on its four decks. A river cruise is all about relaxing and enjoying the scenery and magnifi-cent architecture of 2,000 years of history as the ship travels past Baroque churches, cathedrals, hillsides covered with vineyards and forests and old castles and medieval towns.

The ship’s accommodations were im-peccable and our tour package included three meals a day on board. Meals were tailored to each day’s region with unlim-ited beer and regional wine served at din-ner. English speaking guided tours were available at almost every port of call.

Our first port call was Bratislava, Slovakia. Again, we were in a beautiful city, rich in history and culture. If you cross one of the several bridges over the Danube, you are in Austria. Six miles downriver and you are back in Hungary. In fact, Bratislava was the capital of Hungary for more than 300 years. We enjoyed little cafés and large pedestrian-only shopping plazas tailored to meet every budget. Coming aboard that evening, a quintet of local young women musicians serenaded us.

The next day’s port call was the cultur-ally and historically rich city of Vienna. However, it is arguably best known for the famous composers who were, at one time or another, citizens of the city—Strauss, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and others. During the day we toured Schonnbrunn Palace and at night we enjoyed a private concert of Strauss and Mozart compositions performed by a 20-piece orchestra.

The Danube meandered through the picturesque Wachau valley and on day five, we stopped in the tiny village of Durnstein, Austria. Look up “quaint” in the dictionary; you’ll see a picture of this beautiful hillside hamlet. Later that day we toured the monastery-fortress Melk Abbey. Founded in the 11th century, its current construction dates back to 1702. It still functions as a Benedictine Abbey with over 900 pupils. Farther upstream, on day six, we docked at the city of Linz, Austria. This dynamic city is the third largest in Austria and boasts a significant her-itage. Street performers and outdoor cafes in the city’s Hauptplatz (Main Square) added charm to our day. After sailing northwest, our next stop was Passau, Germany, which is at the confluence of three rivers, making it a major gateway to Austria and beyond. A trip to the mountaintop monastery overlooking the town was a must-see. We downed locally brewed beer and ate hearty sandwiches while enjoying the dramatic view of the city below. That evening we said farewell to our captain and crew and joined a motorcoach tour to Prague, Czech Republic, for an afternoon tour of the city. Beautiful archi-tecture, castles and cathedrals dominate the cityscape. At night the city comes alive with sidewalk cafés, street musicians and shopping until late in the evening. Our final day in Prague was spent window shopping along an endless array of high-end establishments and restaurants. It was there that I pried my wallet out of its resting place in my back pocket; Dena has the most gorgeous garnet and silver earrings, necklace and bracelet to match—a fitting way of remembering this vacation of a lifetime. Put the Legendary Blue Danube River Cruise from Mayflower Tours on your Bucket List. Visit Mayflower Tours at MayflowerTours.com.

Up a Lazy River on a Land Tour and River Cruise

The Best of Europe :

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The 1,000-year-old Bratislava Castle is a National Cultural Monument.

900 pupils attend the centuries-old Melk Abbey.

The cruise passes through the confluence of three rivers in Passau, Germany.

The MS “Bolero,” our home for the Danube River cruise.

Street performers in Linz, Austria, added to the charm of the city.


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Win/Loss Statement Documents Your Play

BY MARK PILARSKI

Dear Mark: Because I don’t keep track of my

wins and losses when I play, my accountant has asked me for a win/loss statement from the casino where I play so I might be able to write off some of my gambling losses. How do I go about getting one? —Jim D.

When you use your player’s card, it documents your play. If you flip it over, there should be a telephone number on the back side. Just ask the rep when you call that you would like a win/loss statement sent to you. Likewise, if you visit the casino often, you can also drop by the slot club booth and request a statement. They probably can print it out for you straight away. You, or in this case your accountant, will report your gambling winnings on a 1040 tax form on the Other Income line. You report any gambling losses on Schedule A, line 28, Miscellaneous Deductions. Your accountant is looking to offset your tax liability on your wins by reporting your losses. If you keep impeccable records while you play, the IRS will accept a written log detailing the date of your wagers, the location, amount of the bet, type of gaming, and wins and losses as documentation. If you don’t, a win/loss statement from the casino definitely helps. Quick note: Gambling losses can only be used to counterbalance gambling winnings during that same tax period. They cannot be carried forward or back to any other tax year.

Dear Mark: I usually play a five- or an eight-spot ticket when playing video keno. I have hit five-spot tickets multiple times, but I have never hit an eight-spot. Does the machine make sure that one or two of my numbers won’t come up because the payoffs are so much larger for an eight-spot ticket versus a five-spot one? —Ellen G.

Video keno games, Ellen, are just as random as if you were playing slots or video poker. Like the cards displayed in video poker or symbols of a slot machine, a random number generator (RGN) determines all numbers drawn in video keno. All 80 numbers on a keno game have the same chance of being drawn. The RNG doesn’t know what has happened in the past. It just keeps picking random numbers, and the odds are the same on every play. As for catching a solid 8/8, your chances are 230,114 to one. Those, Ellen, are pretty long odds. Have you ever thought about playing video poker instead? That said, allow me to suggest some advice when playing the virtual version. First, search for the highest-paying paytable. The higher the payouts for the spots you play, the lower the house edge. Play fewer spots so that the odds against hitting a winning ticket are not so astronomical. Deliberately play at a leisurely pace, because the slower you play, the less of your hard-earned money finds its way into the casino’s coffers. Finally, use your slot club card to offset the losses YOU WILL experience on this high negative-expectation game. (SENIOR WIRE)

Gambling Wisdom of the Month:“Vegas looks like somebody

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– Lance Humble, Ph.D., and Carl Cooper, Ph.D, “The World’s Greatest Blackjack Book” (1980).

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Venice Ranch is a quiet, clean, 55+ manufactured home community in a super location. Here’s what is nearby:

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Speaking of Love, There’s a New Heartthrob in TownBY SY ROSEN

Every Sunday afternoon in my mom’s assisted living facility,

an accordion player, Ramon, comes to entertain. He is fifty, good look-ing, Latin and is the heartthrob of the facility—and he definitely knows it. He struts, he prances, he winks and the ladies all put on an extra dab of rouge when Ramon is there. Lately, however, Ramon seems bored and is just going through the motions like he would rather be somewhere else. When he played his half-hearted version of “You Send Me,” he was really sending everyone to sleep.

I was sitting next to my mom last week and I could see that half of the seniors were dozing but Ramon didn’t seem to care. He knew he was the only game in town.

And then the game changed! My daughter Ann arrived with her 8-month-old baby, Summer. Even at eight months she was making a fashion state-ment with her bow match-ing her outfit. Ann put my granddaughter Summer in my mom’s lap. And there they sat, both of them smiling away. And then a strange thing happened. All sixty gray heads in the lobby turned in unison to watch my grand-daughter with her great grandmother. Ramon was momentarily forgotten. The heartthrob had been replaced. So what could the accordion player do? Of course he stepped up his game to recapture the audience. Nobody was going to steal his thunder. He started to play faster and louder as he bounced around the room, desperately trying to get everyone’s attention.

He played “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Great Balls of Fire.” Both

songs were crowd pleasers and the seniors turned

towards him, but then Summer giggled and the audience turned

back to her. It was like the seniors were watching a champion-ship ping pong match. Their heads turned right and left.

Ramon played his accordion faster and faster. He would cre-scendo and decrescendo. Everyone stared at him. Summer would answer with a coo and a gurgle and everyone would then stare at her. Ramon’s fingers flew across the accordion. And then he did something he hadn’t done in years—a quadruple bellow shake. In the space of one beat he hit a note four times. It was breathtaking and everyone watched him. Summer then made a sound, “boeleebboobbaa” and everyone turned towards her.

Finally Ramon decided it was time to stop fooling around and establish his superiority. He had to squash Summer and once again become the King of Assisted Living. And he tried to do it by playing “Bolero.” That’s right, he was going for the tango! He didn’t just play “Bolero.” He also grabbed one of the ladies from her seat and somehow danced with her while keeping his accordion at full blast. Everyone watched. And then Summer did something miraculous. She yelped, “Whoooo, whooooo” and wiggled her body as though she were dancing. Game. Set. Match. Summer had defeated Ramon. She had clearly become the Queen of Assisted Living. Ramon had no choice but to acknowl-edge her superiority and decided, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” He danced over to Summer while play-ing “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby.” All eyes were now on Summer and Ramon. But really, they were just looking at Summer. All hail the Queen.

Humor


Love Is In The AirI t’s the month to celebrate all

things romantic with fun outings, movies, music and dance. Have fun with your sweetheart—or meet a future one—at these events:

This month “Love Is In The Air” exhibit: vintage wedding

gowns, wedding photos, newspaper announcements, accessories like garters and jewelry on display at The Friendship Center, Sarasota. 8:30 – 4:30 pm, Mon. – Fri. 941-955-2122.

Thursdays in Feb. Films About Romance. Enjoy free screenings

of classic movies at Venice Library, 300 Nokomis Ave S., Venice. For titles and showtimes, call 941-861-1332.

14 Sarasota County Vow Renewal. Non-denominational service

at 6 pm with light refreshments. $5/couple. Arrive early for best parking. Register by Feb. 12 at 941-861-5000.

14 Valentine Stroll. Enjoy live music, candy kisses, hug

and kisses booth, face painting, flowers and decorations. 4:30 to 8:30 pm at Siesta Key Village, Sarasota. www.siestakeyvillage.org.

14 Renew your wedding vows. Treat your sweetie to an after-

noon of fun and friendship. Sign up to say “I do,” with your special Valen-tine, then enjoy dancing, festivities and refreshments. Senior Friendship Center, Sarasota. Call 941-556-3265.

TICKETS & more information: 941.488.1115 | VeniceStage.com

See a show in February! PAID FOR IN PART BY SARASOTA COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT FUNDS

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Players’ Backstage Studio Presents Edgier Work

Audience members say that seeing a show at Backstage at The

Players is like going to an off-off-Broadway theater in Greenwich Village. The venue is small, the plays are contemporary and the sets and costumes are minimal. This “black box” studio located in the rear of The Players Theatre presents intriguing American works in a spirit of adventure for actor and audience alike. Some are edgy comedies that push the envelope while others are gripping dramas. Backstage’s next production “Last Lists of My Mad Mother” is both. Julie Jensen’s tough, funny and tender work looks at the toll Alzheimer’s disease takes on a parent/child relationship.

Ma is a former schoolteacher who cares about ribbons and bows, intransitive verbs and task lists. Dot, her less-than-perfect daughter,

must contend with the tangle of her mother’s mind while Sis phones in advice from afar. Together they travel well-worn paths to reach a new destination that is moving, unsentimental and truthful. “Last Lists of My Mad Mother” opens Jan. 30 and runs through Feb. 9 with performances Thursdays – Saturdays

at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $15. Backstage at The Players is located at The Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For tickets and more information, call 941-365-2494 or visit theplayers.org.


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Senior Connection • June 2005 • page 36

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Bring Hollywood GiantsTo Your Dinner Table

If you wouldn’t miss seeing the stars

February 24 during ‘The Oscars,’ you’ll love Frank DeCaro’s book, The Dead Celebrity Cookbook: A Resurrection of Recipes from More Than 145 Stars of Stage and Screen. The author spent years collect-ing the favorite recipes of past Hollywood icons. He took the time to create hilarious names for the reci-pes. Each one is laced with uproarious commentary that brings a whole new dimension to cooking! Frank has treats from Tinsel Town’s Rock Hudson, Mae West, John Ritter, Bea Arthur and Liberace. Look for Lucille Ball, Liz Taylor, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Humphrey Bogart.

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The Florida Orchestra: A Valentine’s Day Pops and MoreBY HENRY ADAMS

Concertgoers can enjoy compli-mentary coffee and doughnuts at

The Florida Orchestra’s next morning Coffee Concerts with James Feddeck conducting a program titled “Some-thing Old, Something New.” This program showcases how composers have revisited earlier musical themes, “updating” them to their times. The program includes highlights of works by Vivaldi, Piazzola, Bach, Grieg, Haydn, Brahms and others on Feb 12 at 10 am, Ruth Eckerd Hall and Feb. 13, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater. At the next Raymond James Pops concerts, “An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein,” it’s a Valentine’s Day weekend of best-loved songs from Carousel, The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music and State Fair. Featuring Broadway vocalists Sandra Joseph and Ron Bohmer with the Master

Chorale of Tampa Bay, Stuart Malina conducts on Feb. 14, 15 and 16 in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. American pianist Andrew von Oeyen performs Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini at the next Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concert in a program that includes Michael Daugh-erty’s salute to Superman with his Red Cape Tango and Schumann’s Symphony No. 2. Daniel Hege conducts these concerts at the Mahaffey Theater, Feb. 21 at 11 am; Feb. 22 at 8 pm; Feb. 23 at 7:30 pm. at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Silent film fans can enjoy the comic antics of Charlie Chaplin’s Little Tramp in The Gold Rush. The Florida Orchestra performs the “live soundtrack” to accompany the film, on Feb. 28 at the Tampa Theatre in Tampa and on March 1 at The Palla-dium in St. Petersburg. Both at 8 pm. For tickets, and information, call 727-892-3337 or 1-800-662-7286 or visit www.floridaorchestra.org.


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A Month Of Music8 “Il Trovatore.” A troubador quests

for love in this dramatic opera by Verdi. Cost: $19 – $125. 7 to 9 pm at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. 941-366-8450.

8 Sarasota Concert Band: Harmony of Kings and Heroes. Royal-themed

selections from marches and musicals. 8 to 10 pm at Glenridge Performing Arts Center, Sarasota. $15. 941-552-5325.

15 Bee Gees Tribute Show (Performed by Night Fever)

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20 Sarasota Orchestra presents “Homage.” Mariachi to Mo-

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History and Fun at Lemon Bay FestivalEnjoy a week long celebration of

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5 Sunrise Guided Bird Walk, 8 -10 am, Lemon Bay Park. 941-861-5000.

6 Singing through History with Adam Miller, folk singer. 2 to 3

pm at Englewood Charlotte Library. 941-681-3736.

7 Seashells Extraordinaire! Engle-wood Shell Club presentation.

Collections, crafts and books with free samples and open discussion. Elsie Quirk Library. 941-861-5000.

8 Cracker Fair. Crafts, food vendors, artists, music, and more. 10 am – 4

pm at Pioneer Plaza, 30 W. Dearborn St.

For more information and events, visit lemonbayfest.com.

Arts and Crafts Events8 and 9 20th Annual Siesta Key Craft

Festival. 10 am to 5 pm at Siesta Key Village, Sarasota. Free. 941-685-2274.

15 and 16 26th Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts.

Free. 10 am to 5 pm, Five Points Park, downtown Sarasota. 941-379-0951.

23 Arts at the Point Festival. 9 am to 4 pm. $3. Historic Spanish

Point, Osprey. 941-966-5214 ext. 255.

Mar. 1 and 2 13th Annual Downtown Venice Art Classic.

10 am to 5 pm on West Venice Ave. Free admission. 941-484-6722.

Mar 1 and 2 Sarasota Wildlife Art Show and Wildlife

Symposium. Juried wildlife art exhibition and education. $5 admis-sion. 10 am to 5 pm at Save Our Seabirds, Sarasota. 941-840-1193.


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Cook and drain pasta according to package directions. Cool completely. To make dressing, place an avocado half in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Add the yogurt, basil, mint, olive oil, two-thirds of the lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt and pepper and process until smooth and creamy. Stir the dressing into the pasta. Meanwhile, cut the remaining avocados into 3/4 inch dice. Gently stir into the pasta with the tomatoes, corn and the remaining lemon juice. Season to taste, garnish.

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and sliced cucumber1/4 cup orange segments1/ 4 cup Italian

parsley leaves1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

Cook, rinse and drain quinoa according to directions. Cool. Combine garlic, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, vinegar and salt and let sit for 30 minute to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.Remove the garlic and whisk in remaining olive oil. Combine dressing with remaining ingredients and toss well.

California Avocado Macaroni Salad3 c macaroni 3 ripe avocados, halved, peeled and seeded

1/2 c low-fat plain Greek yogurt1/4 c fresh basil, packed1/4 c fresh mint, packed3 Tbsp olive oil3 Tbsp lemon juice, divided1 tsp lemon zest1 small clove garlicSalt & pepper to taste1 pint grape tomatoes, halved1 c fresh corn kernels

Directions:

Directions:


Word Search FebruaryIn the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions – forwards, backwards, horizontally,

vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to:

News CoNNeCtioN UsA, iNC. P.o. BoX 638, seFFNeR, FL 33583

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on February 21 will win.WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

(Puzzles must be received by Feb. 21, 2014.)

Mystery Prize!

Mystery Prize!

Word Search Answers

From January

Ms. Berkanais last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

The Florida State Fair—As American as It Gets!

The Florida State Fair returns to the Fair-

grounds in Tampa February 6 – 17, 2014! Senior Days – February 10, 11, 12, 13, offering special senior seminars; tickets are $9 at the gate. General gate admission is: Mon. – Fri. $11; Sat. – Sun. $13. Children 5 and under are free.

Now, Think FREE! You’ll find hundreds of things to do and see free at the State Fair. And, there’s free parking with the cost of Fair admission. On Heroes Day – February 6 – all active, reserve or retired military veterans, law enforcement, firemen and first responders are admitted free

with valid identification.Taste of the Fair – February 10, Fair visitors can enjoy small samples of Fair foods from participating vendors.

Free ConcertsFeb. 6, America 7 pmFeb. 13, Sister Hazel 7 pm

Feb. 17, Uncle Kracker 7 pm

NOCKAIR F.M.X. Extreme Motor Cross Show by Nock Entertainment Group (free). More info at floridastatefair.com or call 800-345-FAIR(3247).

Last Month’s Answers January Sudoku

Oona Stephens is last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

Feb. Sudoku Sudoku requires no arithmetic

skills.The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must

include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well. Good luck! The first correct answers selected from

the drawing on Feb. 21 will win.Send your answers along

with your name, address and telephone number to:

NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC.P.O. BOX 638,

SEFFNER, FL 33583

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!Sudoku muST bE REcEIvEd by FEb. 21, 2014

Win Great Prizes!New winner selected each month

Good Luck!


(941) 587-9695

Medicare Enrollment PlansCONFUSED ABOUT...

3 which open enrollment option to choose?3 which prescription plan to choose?3 which Medicare Advantage plan to choose?3 whether you need a supplemental insurance plan?

Let me explain to you your different choices, whether it be:

• Humana• AARP/UnitedHealthcare• Freedom Health

• Cigna• Florida Blue• CarePlus, etc.

Call me for a private consultation. Remember, the enrollment period ends in December.

Insurance DiscountsFor Mature Drivers

Have a Florida’s Driver’s License and are 55 years of age or older?

For Mature Drivers��

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Take Your Class Online!• Study at your leisure, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.• Simply read the course materials online and then answer a few quiz questions.• There is no need to attend boring classes or listen to long lectures.• After completion, of course we will issue a state-certifi ed certifi cate for you to

turn into your insurance company to receive your discount for a three year period.

Take Your Mature Driver Course On The Internet!If you have a Florida Driver’s License and are 55 years of age or older, you are now eligible to complete motor vehicle accident prevention course that will allow you to receive a mandatory reduction on your insurance rate for three years.

Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicle Approved Course

To Register go to:www.seniordriverclass.comor call 1-800-771-2255

“Serving All Families ~ Always Honoring Veterans”

941-377-106040 Sarasota Center Blvd. • Sarasota, FL

No DD-214? Call today for no fee replacement assistance.Accommodating and Affordable

Independently Owned“Privlieged to serve all veteran and non-veteran families”

ALL VETERANS ~ ALL FAMILIESFUNERALS & CREMATIONS

Money-saving Tips for TodayIt’s easy to get careless and spend

more money than we need to. We think we’re hungry so we drive through a fast-food place. We’re in a hurry so we don’t think about how many paper towels we use to clean up a mess. Here are some money-saving tips from various online sites:

1. Bottled water is ex-pensive. Take your own water to the gym/sports, outings of all kinds.

2. Eat less! You’ll get used to it and will start slimming down substantially.

3. Make your coffee/tea at home and take it with you.

4. Develop a hobby and save money on “going out” for leisure activities. Or maybe figure out a way to make extra money doing what you love to do. Instead of playing golf for exercise, go for walks and hikes in interesting places.

5. Don’t buy candy. A bag of chocolate chips is much cheaper than a bag of chocolate candies. And instant pudding is easy to make and much cheaper than prepackaged.

6. Put yourself in a “Use It Up” mode for lotion, shampoo, cosmetics and cleaning items. Search your

cabinets.

7. Find free or inexpensive social groups such as clubs, church, senior centers, etc.

8. Use up what’s in the pantry or freezer before buying another BOGO deal.

9. Two words to remember when buying something online: Promo-tion Code. (Google the name of the vendor you’re buying from and add in the phrase “Promotion Code.” For

example Google “Famous Footwear Promotion code” Even when you buy on sale, you can almost always find a promotion code that will take an additional 10 – 25 percent off or free shipping or both.

10. Only wash with cold water. Remember that the detergent does the cleaning, not the temperature of the water. Exception: To kill dust mites you need a high temperature. Otherwise you just give the critters a bath and put them back on your bed!

Finance


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Call 1-800-738-2460 and ask for 49381KWF or order online at www.OmahaSteaks.com/mbos15

Looking for Love? Beware of Online Dating Scams, Says FBIBY DARRELL FOXWORTH, FBI San Diego

Millions of Americans visit online dating websites every year,

hoping to find a companion or even a soulmate. The FBI wants to warn you that criminals use these sites, too, looking to turn the lonely and vulnerable into fast money through a variety of scams. These criminals—who also troll social media sites and chat rooms in search of romantic victims—usually claim to be Americans traveling or working abroad. In reality, they often live overseas. Their most common targets are women over 40 who are divorced, widowed and/or disabled, but every age group and demographic is at risk.

Here’s how the scam usually works. You’re contacted online by someone who appears interested in you. He or she may have a profile you can read or a picture that is e-mailed to you. For weeks, even months, you may chat back and forth with one another, forming a connection. You may even be sent flowers or other gifts. But ultimately, it’s going to happen—your new-found “friend” is going to ask you for money. So you send money…but rest assured the requests won’t stop there. There will be more hardships that only you can help alleviate with your financial gifts. He may also send you checks to cash since he’s out of the country and can’t cash them himself, or he may ask you to forward him a package. So what really happened? You were targeted by criminals, prob-ably based on personal information you uploaded on dating or social media sites. The pictures you were sent were most likely phony and lifted from other websites. The profiles were fake as well, carefully crafted to match your interests.

In addition to losing your money to someone who had no intention of ever visiting you, you may also have unknowingly taken part in a money laundering scheme by cashing phony checks and sending the money overseas and by shipping stolen merchandise (the forwarded package).

In another recently reported dating extortion scam, victims usually met someone on an online dating site and then were asked to move the conversa-tion to a particular social networking site, where the talk often turned intimate. Victims were later sent a link to a website where those conversations were posted, along with photos, their phone numbers, and claims that they were “cheaters.” In order to have that information removed, victims were told they could make a $99 payment—but there is no indication that the other side of the bargain was upheld. While the FBI and other federal partners work some of these cases (in particular those with a large number of victims or large dollar losses and/or those involving organized criminal groups) many are investigated by local and state authorities. We strongly recommend, however, that if you think you’ve been victimized by a dating scam or any other online scam, file a complaint with our Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov). Before forwarding the complaints to the appropriate agencies, IC3 collates and analyzes the data looking for com-mon threads that could link complaints together and help identify the culprits. This helps keep everyone safe.

Retirement Living


Saturday, March 15, 2014 6:30-10:30 p.m.

2014 Gala

Hyatt Regency Sarasota

2542 17th St, Sarasota, FL 34234 • 941.366.2404 • www.catdepot.org

presented by Warren Loranger

Fur Pet’s SakeBY KATE BROWN, DVM

Beyond Obamacare…What About Health Insurance for Fido and Fluffy?

This is NOT an-other article about

Obamacare. As many of my readers navigate through the launch of the Affordable Care Act, now might be a good time to also consider if health in-surance is right for the four-legged members of your family. Having a pet, similar to having a child, is expensive. The cost of any pet is just the tip of the iceberg when viewed over the lifetime of the pet. If economics are an important consideration in having a pet, the best time to start thinking about the expense is before obtaining your pet. The type of pet (cat, dog, or other), the breed (mixed or a specific breed), the source (shelter, rescue organization, private home, breeder or pet store), and the age of the pet will all dramatically affect the lifetime costs of having the pet.

Most pet parents don’t start thinking about those costs until after Fluffy and Fido are part of the family. The costs of routine veterinary care may be fifty to sixty percent of those costs. Non-routine medical problems such as cancer, knee injuries, bladder stones and dental disease can add

Kate Brown, DVM, and her cat, Frankie.

thousands of additional dollars to this. Unfortunately, pet parents rarely inquire about how pet insurance can help until after such problems are discovered, when it’s too late to

benefit from the coverage. Since pre-existing conditions are not covered, the best time to consider insurance is when your pet is young and healthy.Is Pet Insurance For You? Pet insurance can help pay the unexpected and substantial costs associated with an illness or accident, and some policies can cover some costs of routine wellness services.

There are barebones catastrophic plans and comprehensive “Cadillac” plans. Similar to human health insur-ance, there are premium, deductible, and co-pay costs, and a maximum payout. You pay the veterinarian of your choice, submit the claim and the insurance company pays you. Pet insurance is not a way to make healthcare cheaper, any more than having property insurance saves you money if your home gets hammered by a hurricane. You hope you never need to use the insurance, but if you do, you have the peace of mind that you won’t have to make a life and death decision based on economics. My favorite resource is the Pet-Insurance-University.com website. It explains pet insurance, gives good information on some of the diseases and costs that could happen to your pet, gives great buyer’s advice and includes a comparison fact sheet for a dozen companies offering insurance. Another independent website, petinsurancereview.com, has a great comparison spreadsheet that summarizes fourteen U.S. and eight Canadian pet insurance companies. Kate Brown, DVM is the owner & medical director of Brandt Veterinary Clinic in Nokomis Florida. Visit their website at www.brandtvetclinic.com or email her at [email protected]

Landmark Study 50 Years Old2014 marks the 50th

anniversary of the first Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health. The first report by Surgeon General Luther Terry in 1964 was a landmark in public health, identifying smoking as a cause of lung cancer in men, and a likely cause of lung cancer in women.

Today’s CDC report on lung cancer shows progress but is a reminder to the nation that effective tobacco control measures can save lives. One article credits tobacco

prevention and control efforts with preventing 800,000 lung cancer deaths alone between 1975 – 2000.

This Month At Senior Friendship CenterHere are a few of the many activities

available at the Senior Friendship Center at 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota. Details: 941-955-2122.30th Annual Friendship Center Juried Photographic Show: featur-ing works by talented local amateur photographers, Feb. 7 – Mar. 19, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Mon – Fri.Crime Prevention 2014: Feb. 19 at 10 am. Learn the latest crime

prevention tips, presented by a representative from Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department.

Armchair Travelogues: Feb. 21, 10 am. Traveling the world from the comfort of your armchair has never been such fun. This month, “Journey to Croatia” with Dr. Ken Erb.

Dances At The Friendship Center: Live music from 1 – 3 pm, Mon. – Fri.


Seniors on the GoTransportation for everyone on the Suncoast

The Cheapest Ride in Town!

(941) 444-0569We’ll take you to doctors visits, pharmacies,

Shopping, Airports and Cruise Lines (on the East and West coasts) and Much More!

We travel from Orlando to Miami...Ft. Lauderdale to TampaOffice Hours: M-F 7:30AM-5:00PM

Weekends/Holidays 8:00AM-5:00PM www.seniorsotg.com email: [email protected]

We Travel

24/7/365

DANCE PARTYEVERY SATURDAY7:30 – 10:30pm

1075 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota 34237(at the corner of Bahia Vista & Euclid)

Splat Marks the Spot at Nickelodeon Suites Resort

For the grandkids, Nickelodeon Suites

Resort, the world’s only Nick Hotel, is the place for a family vacation. From slidingdown one of 13 water slides and flumes to engagingin interactive shows, familiesconnect through the Nickelodeon experience. Every day is a play day at this action-packed destination. Nick Hotel offers endless ac-tivities to entertain the entire family. The 4-D Experience offers a variety of shows for all ages and allows viewers to enjoy a sensory overload of wind, water, bubbles, scents and slime while journeying along with the likes of SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Starfish, all in the comfort of a state-of-the-art theater.

At the Lagoon Pool, families get soaked

by a 400-gallon bucket of slime at the daily mass sliming. Families also enjoy poolside games and crafts, live

Nickelodeon entertain-ment and themed parties. Private Cabanas offer a tranquil and secluded oasis with a well-stocked mini fridge, cozy lounge chairs and personal poolside service. At the Kid’s Spa, girls are pampered with manicures, pedi-

cures and hair wraps, and boys are inked with temporary tattoos. The 3,000-square-foot arcade offers the latest electronic games and prizes. There’s also family-friendly com-petition at poolside billiards, mini golf and multi-level basketball. EAT: It’s in character—there’s

something for ALL KIDS (no matter how young or old). From fruits and vegetables to fresh seafood and classickids’ favorites, every appetite is

satisfied at a variety of hotel restaurant outlets. Nicktoons Café offers a popular Character Breakfast that invites families to dine on a bountiful buffet while singing and dancing with the ultimate Nickelodeon characters. Families can also hang out and order room service or stock up on snacks in their mini kitchen. Families look forward to a “suite” experience with kid-inspired rooms and private master bedrooms. The resort has 777 suites featuring popular two-bedroom Nickelodeon-themed KidSuites. Each family suite contains a parlor area with a 32-inch LCD flat screen television, pullout sofa and game table, and an adult bedroom with a king or queen-sized bed. Kids’ rooms feature twin or bunk beds and a 20-inch televi-sion. One- and three- bedroom suites are also available with a full kitchen. For more information about the Nick Hotel, visit www.nickhotel.comor call (877) NICKKID.

Nick Hotel is a Great Spot for Grandparents and Grandkids to Connect

Kathy Beck, publisher of Lifestyles After 50 magazine, and hubby Bill spent a weekend

with grandkids Nicholas and Christa. They gave Nick Hotel

a thumbs up!

Expires 02-28-14. Expires 02-28-14. Expires 02-28-14. Expires 02-28-14.

Lifestyles After 50 Sarasota/Manatee February 2014 edition

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