Make room on your cal-endar for the 17th AnnualSenior Fest coming to theReno Town Mall Sept. 3, 9-2 p.m.

Senior Fest 2013 is awonderful communityevent for seniors and adultsover 50. A tremendousoffering to the community,

Renown Health and SeniorCare Plus are providing freehealth screenings the entireday, beginning at 8 a.m.Tests include basicMetabolic Panel and LipidProfile, Glycohemoglobenfor diabetics, blood pres-sure checks, Body MassIndex, and pharmacistreview of medications. (Fora complete list of tests seepage 20.)

The Nevada Division forAging and DisabilityServices is funding free flushots, and vaccines forpneumonia and shingles tobe administered by RenownHealth and Senior CarePlus. (Restrictions applyfor pneumonia and shinglesshots.) This generous con-tribution to the community

will be available on a firstcome first serve basis, asvaccine supplies last.

Fasting is required ofblood draws at least 12hours before the test.

Additionally, over 50businesses and organiza-tions will have vendortables to provide informa-

tion and referral for retire-ment living, care manage-ment, health insuranceenrollment, and a host ofother services.

This year’s live enter-tainment features a returnperformance of popularlocal artist CeCe Gable,appearing with The BiggestLittle City Slickers, a sixpiece band giving us thebest in jazz and musicalclassics. Krystal McMullenand the Electric Catfish theBand will perform a variety70’s and 80’s tunes, whilethe Eldorado’s greatShowroom headliner“Grease” will make the 50’s come alive.

The BarbershopExpress, a favorite Reno

(Senior Fest page 20)

r

August • 2013 • 3

Senior Spectrum NewspaperP.O. Box 7124 • Reno, NV 89510

(775) 348-0717e-mai l : S eniorspectrumnv@aol . com

S eniorspectrumnewspaper. comPublishers: Chris & Connie McMullen

Senior Spectrum is a monthly publication dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain.Publication of advertising contained does not constitute endorsement. Signed columns

are the opinion of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publishers. Copyrighted publication. All rights reserved.

This Issuepage 3 - Senior Fest 2013page 4 - Opinion: Social SecurityWindfall Elimination Provisionpage 5 - Opinion: InsuranceRebates Coming to Consumerspage 6 - Washoe County Planpage 11 - Caring for Caregiverspage 19 - Silver Collegepage 20 - Senior Fest 2013Health Screeningspage 22 - Tips for Managing YourPrescription Drug Costspage 25 - Happy Birthday

Rose Marie

Every Issuepage 18 - Calendar page 23 - Eclectic Observerpage 24 - Biggest Little City

page 26 - this ‘n thatpage 27 - Crosswordpage 29 - Community Resourcespage 31 - Eydie Scher - Excerptspage 32 - Seniors 4 Travel

Healthpage 12 - Can Money Make YouHappier and Live Longer?Dr. Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. Center for Healthy Agingpage 14 - Ophthalmology: Dr. Michael Fischer, M.D.page 15 - CMS: What Home HealthServices Does Medicare Cover?

Financial page 7 - I’m a Trustee! Now What?

- Bradley B. Anderson Anderson, Dorn, Rader

2013

Senior Fest 2013Free Health Screenings, Flu, Pneumonia, ShinglesShots for Seniors

The Eldorado’s Grease to perform at Senior Fest around noon.

As a U.S.Senator, oneof my pri-maryresponsibili-ties is toassist myconstituentsas they deal

with the federal government.It can sometimes be a daunt-ing, even frustrating,prospect to navigate themany federal programs, reg-ulations, and agencies thataffect so many aspects ofeveryday life. My job is tohelp make sure that whenNevadans have questions orconcerns relating to the fed-eral government, theyreceive the meaningful and

effective assistance and infor-mation that they need.

The Social SecurityAdministration is one suchfederal agency with whichNevada’s seniors frequentlyrequire assistance. Morespecifically, my office fre-quently receives inquiriesand requests for assistancewith particular situationsrelated to the WindfallElimination Provision(WEP). As with many gov-ernment programs, havingan understanding of WEP’sbasic framework and func-tion will go a long way inhelping to avoid unnecessaryproblems down the road. SoI would like to offer a briefoverview of WEP and

explain how it works, andhow to avoid the costly andconfusing consequences thatcan result from failing tounderstand it.

According to theCongressional ResearchService (CRS), as of 2012,more than 22,000 SocialSecurity beneficiaries inNevada were affected byWEP, and more than 21,000of them were retired work-ers. Clearly, this particularaspect of the Social Securityprogram has a real impact onNevada’s seniors, and if youare not fully aware of howthis provision operates, thisinformation might be ofinterest you.

WEP was enacted in 1983

as a part of legislative effortsto reform the Social Securityprogram and ensure its long-term viability. The provisionwas designed to distinguishbetween workers who spenttheir entire working years inlow-wage positions andthose who appeared to havelow-wage positions becausethey were not covered bySocial Security for a certainamount of years.

Before WEP, a workerwho spent only a portion oftheir career paying intoSocial Security, and the restof their career in a positionthat was not covered, wouldbe subject to the same bene-fit formula as a worker who

(Windfall page 10)

4 • 2013 • August

Sen. Dean Heller

Opinion

The Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision U.S. Senator Dean Heller

August • 2013 • 5

Nevada’sSeniorsdeservequalityhealth carethat they cancount on.And thanksto the

Affordable Care Act, com-monly referred to as“Obamacare,” good thingsare coming to Nevada.

Recently, the Health andHuman Services Secretary,Kathleen Sebelius announcedthat in Nevada, 88,491 resi-dents will benefit from nearly$4 million in rebates frominsurance companies thissummer. This averages out toabout $75 per family.Nationwide, nearly 80 mil-lion consumers saved $3.4

billion on their premiumsdue to insurance companiesoperating more efficiently.

When the AffordableCare Act was signed into law,the “80/20 Rule” as it is com-monly called, requires insur-ers to spend at least 80 centsof every premium dollar onpatient care and qualityimprovement. This is fairboth to the consumer, and tothe insurance company. Ifhowever, the insurance com-pany spends an excessiveamount on profits and redtape, they owe rebates for thedifference to the consumerno later than August 1, 2013.

According to SecretarySebelius, “This new standardis increasing transparencyand accountability, promot-ing better business practices

and competition amonginsurance companies, andensuring consumers receivevalue for their premium dol-lars.” And, “[this] shows thatmore Nevadans are benefit-ing from the tools createdunder the Affordable CareAct to keep consumer costsdown.” The 80/20 rule works,along with the requiredreview of proposed double-digit premium increases, tostabilize and moderate pre-mium rates.

The Affordable Care Actalso makes changes to thehealth insurance market.According to the Centers forMedicare and MedicaidServices, “These reformswork to put American con-sumers back in charge oftheir health coverage and

care, ensuring they receivevalue for their premium dol-lars. The law creates a morelevel playing field by crackingdown on unreasonablehealth insurance premiumsand holding insurance com-panies accountable for unjus-tified premium increases.”These rule changes get rid ofthe status quo that has exist-ed for far too long, and itguarantees that no insurancecompany will ever again puta price tag on a human life.

For more information, orto receive the Reid Report E-Newsletter, visit SenatorHarry Reid’s website athttp://www.reid.senate.govor write Sen. Reid at theBruce R. Thompson FederalBldg., 400 S. Virginia Street,Ste. 902, Reno, NV 89501.

Sen. Harry Reid

Opinion

U.S. Sen. Harry ReidInsurance Rebates Coming to Consumers

6 • 2013 • August

In1900, sen-iors madeup 4.1percent ofthe U.S.popula-

tion. By 2020, it is estimatedseniors will comprise 22 per-cent of our population. Thiscomes from dramaticimprovements over the lastcentury in health care, frombreakthroughs such as theSalk Polio Vaccine in the1950s, the eradication ofSmall Pox, and programssuch as Medicare, Medicaid,Veterans’ benefits and SocialSecurity.

We live in a society whereeveryone can live a longhealthy productive life. So itis very good news that thesenior population is thefastest growing in WashoeCounty. In 2010 there were76,000 people over the age of60, in 2020 there will be100,000 and by 2030 130,000.

But are we ready? In the1950s, when the “BabyBoomers” became schoolage, schools were built andteachers hired to educatethem. What do we need todo today? We all help ourrelatives as they get older,but are we ready for a changethat may be the greatest in

the first part of the 21st cen-tury that will affect everybusiness, public and privateinstitution and family? Whatcan we do to ensure oldercitizens live in a communitythat provides opportunitiesand, when they need it, sup-port services that help themremain independent?

Washoe County SeniorServices wants your ideas forthe Washoe County MasterPlan for Aging Services.Over the next few monthswe will create a comprehen-sive plan that does threethings: 1. Create a Master Plan forWashoe County Senior

Services, which includesgoals and priorities to servethe most vulnerable seniorsand innovations to attractnew resources.2. Create a planningresource for business, agen-cies, hospitals and govern-ment. 3. Create a resource for theState Legislature and Statepolicy makers.

The Master Plan willfocus on six areas that sup-port seniors to help them“age in place:” 1. Health and caregiving2. Home andcommunity–based services/

(Master Plan page 10)

Join us in Building a Lifelong Community: TheWashoe County Master Plan for Aging Services

Grady Tarbutton

Grady Tarbutton, Director, Washoe County Senior Services

It is an honor to be namedthe successor Trustee of aloved one’s Trust. As thename implies, you’ve beengiven a position of trust andresponsibility, and it meansthat your loved one thinkshighly of your skill and abili-ty, not to mention yourintegrity.

So, what does a successorTrustee do?

Normally, the person whocreates a Trust serves as theinitial Trustee. Your job asthe successor Trustee doesn’tbegin until that person dies(or, in some cases, becomesdisabled). At this point, youstep into the Trustee’s shoes.

As the successor Trustee,you are in charge of adminis-

tering the Trust. This meansthat you are obligated to fol-low the written terms of theTrust along with any applica-ble provisions of state or fed-eral law in gathering, manag-ing, and distributing the Trustassets.

The terms of each Trustare different, depending onthe purposes for which it wasestablished, the propertyowned by the Trust, and thesituations of the various Trustbeneficiaries. This meansthere is no one-size-fits-allset of instructions for admin-istering a Trust. Instead, youwill need to closely followthe written terms of the Trust,employ your good judgment,and likely seek the advice of

one or more experts.Some of the questions

you’ll encounter as youadminister the Trust include:• What distributions need tobe made? Do these distribu-tions need to be made to oneor more beneficiaries, to oneor more sub-Trusts, or to acombination of these?• What about taxes? Areestate taxes due? What aboutincome taxes – do they needto be paid on behalf of theTrust grantor or the Trustitself?• Should you buy or sellassets on behalf of the Trust?How should you invest Trustassets?

Serving as the successor

Trustee means you have afiduciary duty to the benefici-aries. You must manage theTrust assets in the best inter-ests of the beneficiaries,rather than managing theassets as if they are yourown. Managing this way cancomplicate certain decisionsthat would normally be sim-ple.

For instance, decidinghow to invest Trust assetsmight seem simple. However,you’ll need to consider thewritten terms of the Trust, therequirements of state law, anda number of external factorsin reaching the best choice.One of your duties is toinvest Trust assets in a pru-

(Trustee page 8)

Brought to you byBradley B. AndersonAnderson, Dorn, & Rader, Ltd.

The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneyswww.probatebusters.com • blog.wealth-counselors.com

I’m a Trustee! Now What?

August • 2013 • 7

8 • 2013 • August

dent manner. But what exact-ly does this mean?

As the successor Trustee,it might seem that the safestdecision is to continue theinvestment choices of the ini-tial Trustee. However, thiscourse of action doesn’t fac-tor in changes in the market.A down market can meanlosses for the Trust -- lossesfor which you as the succes-sor Trustee could be heldresponsible.

Each Trust comes with aunique set of circumstancesthat can make the job of asuccessor Trustee tricky. Inmost cases, it is wise to seekprofessional guidance as youcomplete the Trust adminis-tration process. An experi-enced estate planning attorneycan review the terms of theTrust, brief you on therequirements of state and fed-eral law, and alert you to pit-

falls of which you might beunaware. With expert help,you can minimize costly mis-takes and fulfill your role asthe successor Trustee withconfidence.

Much of your job as thesuccessor Trustee may betime sensitive. You’ll need tobe aware of deadlines fortaxes and other filings. Theclock is ticking, but experthelp is just a phone call away.

The Law Firm ofAnderson, Dorn & Rader,Ltd. is devoted exclusively toestate planning. We are mem-bers of the AmericanAcademy of Estate PlanningAttorneys and offer guidanceand advice to our clients inevery area of estate planning.We offer comprehensive andpersonalized estate planningconsultations. For more infor-mation, please contact us at(775) 823-9455 or visit us atwww.wealth-counselors.com.

Trustee / page 7

August • 2013 • 9

10 • 2013 • August

long-term care3. Labor force participa-tion/civic engagement4. Active living5. Economic security6. Basic needs, whichinclude housing, food, andtransportation.

And, of course, WashoeCounty Senior Services willfocus on supporting fami-lies who are providing careand helping seniors with-out family support, whoare frail and homebound,or are a member of aminority community or arelow income.

Please join us! Whenthe Master Plan is present-ed to the Washoe CountyBoard of Commissioners,they will know your con-cerns have been addressed.If you have suggestions or

wish to volunteer to be amember of a committeeworking on this veryimportant plan, you cancall us at (775) 328-2575 orsend an e-mail tosr_info@washoecounty.us.We respond to all ques-tions and comments.

You may also leave acomment on “OpenWashoe,” a county surveywebsite that will featurequestions about seniorsover the next four months.This is the address forOpen Washoe:www.washoecounty.us/index/openwashoe.html.

We look forward tohearing from you!

Write Grady Tarbutton,Director, Washoe CountySenior Services atgtarbutton@washoecoun-ty.us.

Master Plan / page 6spent their entire career in alow-paying position.

Consequently, while oneworker likely had otherretirement income, the low-wage earner likely would not,and yet their benefit wouldbe substantially similar. WEPaccounts for other retirementincome, accordingly reducingSocial Security benefit pay-ments for those who haveother income, for example,from certain state and localgovernment or federal civilservice pensions.

Many retirees may beunaware that their SocialSecurity benefit is actuallylower than what they arereceiving because they aresubject to WEP. Sometimes,benefits are even substantial-ly overpaid before beingadjusted for WEP, forcing the

beneficiary to payback theoverpayments to the SocialSecurity Administration, asituation my office hasencountered numerous timesin the past.

The best approach if youthink you may fall under theWEP benefit formula is tocontact the Social SecurityAdministration, or visit theagency’s website atwww.socialsecurity.gov. Andplease feel free to contact anyof my offices if I can assistyou regarding Social Security(www.heller.senate.gov).

Many Nevadans count ontheir Social Security benefits,for which they have workedhard and which they rightful-ly deserve. It is my hope thatthis information will helpyou avoid any WEP pitfalls asyou navigate through theSocial Security program.

Windfall / page 4

August • 2013 • 11

AARP Nevada held a paneldiscussion and resource fair inJuly to connect caregivers withresources to make life a little biteasier.

About 75 people attendedthe discussion in Reno called“Caring for the Caregiver,”allowing for a question/answersession about services, assis-tance, and relief.

“According to a recent sur-vey, one third of Nevadan’s overage 50 are unpaid caregivers,”said Maria Dent, Director ofCommunity Outreach.Thousands of caregivers workfull-time while providing carein the home, caregiving a familymember that may be an agingparent, spouse, or disabledchild.

A recent member surveyfound that “31 percent ofNevada females said they arecaregivers, while 17 percentsaid they have provided care totheir spouse/partner or par-ent/older relative in the pasttwo years,” said Barry Gold,Director of GovernmentRelations. Equally important,“Sixty-seven percent said theyare concerned that their ownhealth can decline, while 83percent are concerned about

staying mentally sharp.”“Caregiving can be a health

issue, and an economic issue,”Dent said. Caregivers can havedifficulty balancing full-timework and family responsibili-ties, and may neglect their ownhealth. Dent stressed the needfor caregivers to be proactiveabout their own health carewhile caring for another.

“The best wayto find out aboutcaregivingresources isthrough eachother,” Gold said.“Word of mouth.”He also empha-sized accessingexisting resourcesto find out whathelp is available.

For instance,contrary to whatmany people

believe, Medicare does notcover long-term care. Medicarewill cover long-term care for ashort period of time, but is notongoing for many months.

For many home and com-munity-based services are agood option to enable people tolive in the community insteadof long-term institutional care.

The state has significantresources available that can beaccessed online athttp://aging.state.nv.us/

People who are stressed canalso get respite relief through avoucher program offered byNevada Aging and DisabilityServices.

“We want our loved ones toage in place,” said AARPExecutive Board member DianeRoss, of The Continuum. “Thevoucher enables people to getthe respite care they need.”

Caring for the CaregiverHelping People Access Resources for Assistance

Representing AARP on a panel discussion (left) MaryLiveratti, NV State President, Diane Ross, Ex. Board member, and Barry Gold, Dir. of Government Relations.

Recently, in a PBS News Hour report,“Money on the Mind,” economics corre-spondent Paul Solman reported on newresearch from the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley. Professors Paul Piffand Dacher Keltner have researchedhow wealth and inequality affects uspsychologically. The results are alarm-ing. The series of studies report thathaving more money leads to moreaggressive, selfish, and “morally repre-hensible” behavior.

In several separate studies conduct-ed on the UC Berkeley campus, in theSan Francisco Bay Area and nationwideand published in the Proceedings of theNational Academy of Sciences, UCBerkeley researchers consistently found

that upper-class participants were morelikely to lie and cheat when gambling ornegotiating, cut people off when driv-ing, and endorse unethical behavior inthe workplace. The studies concluded,"upper class individual’s unethical ten-dencies are accounted for, in part, bytheir more favorable attitudes towardgreed."

In two of the field studies on drivingbehavior, upper-class motorists werefound to be four times more likely thanthe other drivers to cut off other vehi-cles at a busy four-way intersection andthree times more likely to cut off apedestrian waiting to enter a crosswalk.Another study found that upper-classparticipants presented with scenarios of

unscrupulous behavior were more likelythan the individuals in the other lowersocio-economic classes to report repli-cating this type of behavior themselves.

The researchers asked participants,who were at all levels of socio-economicstatus, to perform simple mundanetasks, like playing Monopoly. The gamewas structured where one of the players

(Money page 13)

12 • 2013 • August

Adding Life to Years

Larry Weiss

Can More Money Make You Happier and Live Longer or is it the Root of All Evil?

Dr. Larry WeissCenter for Healthy Aging

would start with two dice and moremoney and the other player have onlyone dice and half of the money. So thegame was rigged so the “winner” waschosen at the start. The researcherstested what the mind does to makesense of advantage or disadvantage. Theresults were shocking. “You become lessattuned to all of the other things thatcontributed to you being in the positionthat you’re in,” Piff said about the“advantaged” test subjects in the report.He noted that the participants given theupper-hand showed signs of increasedgreed and a lack of empathy. While thelower socio-economic status peoplegave proportionately more to others.

The Berkeley professors in thesestudies found that lower class individu-als were prepared to devote a muchgreater share of their income to supportcharity than wealthy people. The studyis supported by the Social CapitalCommunity Benchmark Survey, whichshows that people at the lower end ofthe income scale give almost 30 percentmore of their income in comparisonwith the middle class and wealthy.

It has been said that money is theroot of all evil. Does money make usmore likely to lie, cheat, and steal?According to Dr. Piff and his col-leagues…Yes!

Dr. Dacher Keltner, a co-author said,“One of the things that money does is itcomes with a set of values. One of themis that generosity is for suckers andgreed is good.”

Across these experiments, the mainvariable found that consistently explainsthis differential pattern of giving, help-ing, and generosity among the upperand lower class is feelings of sensitivityand caring for the welfare of other peo-ple. Essentially, the emotion that we callcompassion is lacking. So it's reallycompassionate feelings that exist amongthe lower class that's seen to provokethese higher levels of altruism, generosi-ty, and charity toward other people.

Back in December, 2011, I wroteabout the importance of giving.According to Dr. Weber and others, thesecret to aging well is developing thecapacity to give, be thankful, and for-

give. There is a lot of data that show ifyou are generous, charitable and altruis-tic, you will live longer, feel more ful-filled, and feel more control and free-dom in your life.

Dr. Keltner states that "we are livingin a period of historically high inequali-ty and people in positions of power arenot going to see the inequality. Theyare going to be blind to it and that hasenormous implications for how we edu-cate leaders, why they may not seewhat's obvious and why they may noteven understand the suffering of thepeople below them."

The economic troubled times haveeven made these attitudes and behav-iors more demonstrative. The rich havegotten richer and the diversity betweenthe classes has tripled. The richest 1percent has tripled their portion ofAmerica’s wealth. Other social inequali-ties in health and education occur, aswell. For example, life expectancydecreased for men in 50 U.S. countiesand for women in 900 counties. The USdoes not even rank in the top 40 coun-tries in life expectancy. These indicators coupled with this new

research in the inequalities of the richand their greedy attitudes and unethicalbehavior will result in huge costs formillions of Americans.

The good news is when the rich areput into the role of the poor, they actu-ally can adopt more compassion, gener-ous and altruistic behavior. Even inthese experimental game situations, thisexperience can carry over to real life.

"These findings have very clearimplications for how increased wealthand status in society shapes patterns ofethical behavior, and suggest that thedifferent social values among the havesand the have-nots help drive these ten-dencies," Piff said of the cumulativefindings. Clearly, money does not facili-tate happiness, longevity, nor does it“add life to years”.

Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. is CEO ofthe Center for Healthy Aging. Dr. Weisswelcomes your comments on this col-umn. Write to him at larry@addinglife-toyears.com or c/o Center for HealthyAging, 11 Fillmore Way, Reno, NV89519.

August • 2013 • 13

Life to Years / page 12

14 • 2013 • August

A recentstudyshows thatadults witheye dis-

eases that compromise theirvision are less likely to leavetheir homes, which has arather severe impact on theirsocial lives. When adultswith glaucoma, age-related

macular degeneration, andFuchs corneal dystrophy(which adversely affects theclear outer layer of the eye)were compared with peoplewithout these eye conditions,it was found that 40 to 50percent of them limited theiractivities due to fear offalling. Only 16 percent oftheir peers with normal

vision were less likely toleave home out of fear offalling. This study lendssome further insights intothe effects of vison loss. Inthis case, treatment couldlead to greater social partici-pation and less disability. Itshould be noted - accordingto the study mentionedabove, women with vision

loss were more likely thantheir male counterparts tostay home out of fear offalling and suffering injury.

If you would like furtherinformation on today’s topicor an appointment, pleasecall my office at (775)882-2988. We are convenientlylocated at 3839 N. CarsonStreet, Carson City.

Ophthalmology

Michael Fischer

Is Poor Vision Keeping You Housebound?Michael J. Fischer, M.D.

Eye Physician & Surgeon

August • 2013 • 15

Medicarecovers a

variety of heath care servicesthat you can receive in thecomfort and privacy of yourhome. These include inter-mittent skilled nursing care,physical therapy, speech-lan-guage pathology services,and occupational therapy.

Such services used to beavailable only at a hospital ordoctor’s office. But they’rejust as effective, more con-venient, and usually lessexpensive when you getthem in your home.

To be eligible for homehealth benefits, you must beunder a doctor’s care andreceive your services under a

plan of care established andreviewed regularly by aphysician. He or she alsoneeds to certify that youneed one or more homehealth services.

In addition, you must behomebound and have a doc-tor’s certification to thateffect. (Being homeboundmeans leaving your homeisn’t recommended becauseof your condition, or yourcondition keeps you fromleaving without using awheelchair or walker, or get-ting help from another per-son.)

Also, you must get yourservices from a home healthagency that’s Medicare-

approved.If you meet these criteria,

Medicare pays 100 percentfor covered home healthservices for as long as you’reeligible and your doctor cer-tifies that you need them.

For durable medicalequipment (like a walker,wheelchair, or oxygen equip-ment), you pay 20 percent ofthe Medicare-approvedamount, after you pay thePart B deductible ($147 in2013).

Skilled nursing servicesare covered when they’regiven on a part-time or inter-mittent basis. In order forMedicare to cover such care,it must be necessary and

ordered by your doctor foryour specific condition.Medicare does not coverfull-time nursing care.

Skilled nursing servicesare given by either a regis-tered nurse or a licensedpractical nurse under anRN’s supervision. Nursesprovide direct care and teachyou and your caregiversabout your care. Examples ofskilled nursing care include:giving IV drugs, shots, ortube feedings; changingdressings; and teachingabout prescription drugs ordiabetes care.

Any service that could bedone safely by a non-medical

(Medicare page 16)

David Sayen

What Home Health Services Does Medicare Cover?

David Sayen, Regional Administrator, Medicare Region 9

16 • 2013 • August

person (or by yourself ) with-out the supervision of anurse, isn’t skilled nursingcare.

Physical therapy, occupa-tional therapy, and speech-language pathology serviceshave to be specific, safe, andeffective treatments for yourcondition.

Before your home healthcare begins, the home healthagency should tell you howmuch of your bill Medicarewill pay. The agency shouldalso tell you if any items orservices they give you aren’tcovered by Medicare, andhow much you’ll have to payfor them.

This should be explainedby both talking with you andin writing. The agencyshould give you a noticecalled the Home HealthAdvance Beneficiary Noticebefore giving you servicesand supplies that Medicaredoesn’t cover.

What isn’t covered? Someexamples: • 24-hour-a-day care athome;• Meals delivered to yourhome;• Homemaker services likeshopping, cleaning, and laun-dry (when this is the onlycare you need, and whenthese services aren’t relatedto your plan of care);• Personal care given by

home health aides likebathing, dressing, and usingthe bathroom (when this isthe only care you need).

If your doctor decides youneed home health care, youcan choose from among theMedicare-certified agenciesin your area. (However,Medicare Advantage plansmay require that you gethome health services onlyfrom agencies they contractwith.)

One good way to look fora home health agency is byusing Medicare’s “HomeHealth Compare” web tool,at www.medicare.gov/HHCompare. This tool letsyou compare home healthagencies by the types of serv-ices they offer and the qualityof care they provide.

For more details onMedicare’s home health ben-efit, please read our booklet,“Medicare and Home HealthCare.” It’s online athttp://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10969.pdf.

David Sayen is Medicare’sregional administrator forArizona, California, Nevada,Hawaii, and the PacificTerritories. You can alwaysget answers to yourMedicare questions by call-ing 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Medicare / page 15

August • 2013 • 17

August 2 - 18 - Jazz & Beyond.Over 50 bands. For schedule ofevents, see JazzCarsonCity.com orcall Mile High Jazz Band at (775) 883-4154.

August 6 - 11 - Hot August Nights.Visit www.hotaugustnights.net forthe schedule of events.

August 7 - Washoe County SeniorServices Advisory Board,Multipurpose Room, Reno Senior

Center, 3 p.m., (775) 328-2575.

August 7 - Human ServiceNetwork, Silver State HealthInsurance Exchange, 11:30-1 p.m.,RSVP (775) 847-9311, ext. 102,humanservicesneswork1@gmail.com.

August 7 - Lazy 5 Regional Park,Alternative Country by TheRefiners; August 14: Americana,Blues & Boogie with Colin Ross

Band; August 21: Celtic,Bluegrass & Contemporary byContraband; August 28: TheBystanders with Katy Simon.For ticket information, call(775) 823-6500.

August 9 - Bridge Group, inter-mediate and advanced players,South Valleys Library, 1-4 p.m.,call (775) 851-5190.

August 10 - E-Book Cafe, bringyour eReader with USB cord,tablet, or smartphone, 11-noon,Sierra View Library, (775) 827-3232.

August 10 - Knitting Club, 2ndand 3rd Saturday monthly, all ages,Northwest Reno Library 1-3 p.m., (775) 787-4100.

August 10 - Evening of Wine &Wisdom, step back in time withMark Twain, Wilbur D. MayMuseum, McAvoy Layne, 5-7p.m., $20, (775) 785-5961.

August 11 & 25 - Reno SeniorDance, 2-5 p.m., $5, Neil RoadRecreation Center.

August 12 - CooperativeExtension Workshop, “CottageFoods’ and Farm to Fork,” newlaws for farmers, home-growers,UNR, Reno; WNC, Fallon, $20,teleconference, (702) 397-2604,ext. 0, holysr@unce.unr.edu.

August 13 - Bands and Balance, 9-10 a.m., $.50 drop in fee, NeilRoad Recreation Center. Aug. 20,27. (775) 689-8484

August 15 - “The Beauty AroundUs,” Jerry Fenwick, 7 p.m., SparksMuseum and Cultural Center.

August 17 - School of MedicineStudent Outreach, free, GeneralClinic, 8-noon; Aug. 24 Women’sClinic, 8-noon, Family MedicineCenter, UNR campus.

August 17 - May ArboretumSociety Fundraiser, MayArboretum Endowment Fund.Garden Party, music, food 5:30-8p.m., mayabroretumsociety@gmail.com, (775) 785-4153.

September 1 - 30 - Reno BalloonRace Collection, Sparks Museumand Cultural Center.

September 3 - Senior Fest,9-2 p.m., Reno Town Mall,health screenings, entertainment,food, vendor information andreferral. Special performance ofGrease! Call (775) 348-0717 forinformation.

VolunteersGentiva Hospice looking for vol-unteers, patient and or office/cleri-cal support. Contact Amanda A.

Smith, VistaCare, (775) 825-5008,Amanda.Smith@gentiva.com.

18 • 2013 • August

Calendar

CeCe Gable - Senior Fest 2013, Sept. 3

August

Question: What’s fun, enrich-ing, social, affordable and sil-ver?Answer: Low-cost SilverCollege classes offered byCommunity Education.

Personal growth should be alifelong experience. Researchshows that learning and socialinteraction are great preventivemedicine for a healthy brain.So, while your brain percolates,you can be making newfriends, swapping stories andsharing laughter.

Silver College is designed foractive seniors who want to takeclasses for fun, on days and attimes that work best for them.Silver College used to be partof TMCC but is now under theumbrella of CommunityEducation. Silver College classes: • Don’t require a college appli-cation, • Focus on the interests ofactive seniors, and • Encourage students toexpand their social network.

Plus, no grades, term papersor final exams! And you neverhave to stand in the corner ortell your teacher that the dogate your homework.

Students of Silver Collegeexpress their experiences best:• “I truly enjoyed your class. Itbrought a joy back into my lifethat I have missed for years.” –Piano student• “I would have never boughtthe Photoshop program if itwasn’t for this wonderful classand instructor.” – PhotoshopElements student• “Excellent pacing, explana-tions and repetition. Great forfirst-timers, as well as the moreexperienced students.” – SilverTai Chi student

Silver College has added aslate of new fall classes to gowith the “perennials”. Newofferings include:

• Bridge for Beginners• A Day in Local WineCountry• How to Identify Birds, Localand Elsewhere• The Healing Power of Pets• The Art of Caregiving:Dementia Communication

Silver College adapts itsclasses to fit the needs of stu-dents, and it’s easier to register.Visit Community Ed online atwashoecommunityed.org, call829-9010 or pay them a visit atthe Meadowood Center at5270 Neil Road, across fromthe Sears Auto Center.

Need financial assistance?Seniors may apply at theCommunity Education officefor a Sunshine Fund scholar-ship to attend Silver College orany personal interest courses.Those who qualify receive $20off the price of any course thatcosts $50 and above.

So, what’s fun, enriching,social, affordable and silver?Correct! Silver College. Go tothe head of the class.

August • 2013 • 19

Silver College: a goldmine of lifelong learning

unaccompanied (a-cappella)quartet, will kickoff SeniorFest. Their harmony charac-terizes the unforgettablefour-part harmony of barber-shop music.

Entertainment is great funbut there’s more. TheEldorado, Bonanza Casino,and Atlantis Resort will pro-

vide free food samples, untilsupplies last.

Bring a hat and spend theday…that’s Senior Fest, Sept.3rd, where’s there’s plenty offree parking and shuttleassistance provided byLakeside Manor and theArbors Memory CareCommunity. Call SeniorSpectrum at 348-0717.

20 • 2013 • August

Senior Fest / page 3 Lab ScreeningsSenior Care Plus, a MedicareAdvantage Plan fromHometown Health, will beoffering free screenings toattendees age 50 and older,regardless of their healthinsurance carrier. Theyinclude:

Fasting is recommended for8 to 10 hours prior to thefirst two tests listed above.Black coffee and tea are okay.Take morning medications asusual and drink water.

Flu and pneumonia shotswill be given as available. Adult flu shots will have noout-of-pocket costs forMedicare, for attendees age50 and older, regardless oftheir health insurance carri-er. Pneumonia shots willhave no out-of-pocket costsfor those who meet CDC cri-teria and have Medicare(Part B), and Senior CarePlus members. For all others,the cost will be $75.

Senior Care Plus membersonly screenings:• Heel bone scan (womenonly, 100 screenings will bedone first come, first served).• FIT (fecal immunochemicaltest) at–home colon cancerscreening

For more on health screen-ings, call 982-5433.

Basic Metabolic Panel and Lipid ProfileGlycohemogloben (Hemoglobin A1C) for diabeticsBlood pressure checkBody Mass Index (BMI)Pharmacist review of medications

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August • 2013 • 21

We all want to find ways to save money.And with today’s rising cost of critical andoften life-saving drugs, every penny counts.But don’t fret — there is good news thanksto the cost-saving tips below, and a little

help from the Affordable Care Act.

Everyone should:• Consider generic drugs: Ask yourdoctor if your brand-name medication is

available in generic form. Generic drugsare the same as brand-name in dose,quality and safety. And the average costof generic drugs can be 80 percent to 85percent lower than their brand-namecounterparts. To find out whether yourprescription drugs are available ingeneric form, visit AARP’s Drug SavingsTool atwww.aarp.org/drugsavings.• Order drug comparison guides:Printed guides from AARP and theAgency for Healthcare Research andQuality (AHRQ) can help you comparethe benefits, side effects and costs ofmedications to treat specific health con-ditions. Learn more by ordering yourfree online guide atwww.aarp.org/healthorderform.

If you’re under 65:• Get health coverage: Starting

October 1, as part of the Affordable CareAct, the new Health InsuranceMarketplaces will open. These offer a placeto shop for health plans in your state – andfind a plan that works for you and yourbudget. All plans must offer a core set ofbenefits that includes prescription drugcoverage. Now you won’t have to worryabout being able to afford your much-needed prescriptions. To learn more, visitthe AARP Health Law Guide atwww.aarp.org/healthlawguide.

If you have Medicare:• Check out Extra Help: Extra Help is aprogram to help limited-income Medicarerecipients pay for drug coverage. To findout if you’re eligible for Extra Help, call theSocial Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. • Receive Medicare discounts: If youhave Medicare, use the AARP DoughnutHole Calculator at www.aarp.org/dough-nuthole to learn how you can delay oravoid the Medicare Part D coverage gap,otherwise known as the “doughnut hole.”

Even if you do fall into thedoughnut hole, don’t panic —help is now available through acost-saving benefit in theAffordable Care Act. In 2013,you will get a discount of 52.2percent off the cost of yourbrand-name prescriptions, and21 percent off your generic pre-scriptions, while you’re in thedoughnut hole. These discountswill increase every year until2020 – when the doughnut holewill be a thing of the past.

Those drug savings adds up.Since the Affordable Care Actwas enacted, more than 6.1 mil-lion people with Medicare havesaved $5.7 billion on prescrip-tion drugs. People withMedicare Part D saved an aver-age of $706 while they were inthe gap in 2012. Now that’s goodnews! To learn more, visitAARP’s Health Law Guide:www.aarp.org/healthlawguide.

22 • 2013 • August

Tips for Managing Your Prescription Drug CostsNicole Duritz, Vice President of Health at AARP

“It’s a piece of cake,” was therefrain from most of my friendswhen I announced thatcataract surgery was on thehorizon for me. This wasencouraging, as my only sur-gery had been at age five, tohave tonsils removed. Thememory of that event hasaffected me for the remainderof my life. First came promisesfrom my parents that after thesurgery I could eat all the icecream I wanted. It was suffi-cient to allay my fears of goingto the hospital and being put tosleep for the necessary opera-tion. I remember the “greenballoon” filled with ether to putme asleep, but not beingslapped by the nurse who waslate for her lunch and couldn’tleave me until I was fully awake

after surgery. My Motherarrived to see this drama whenshe heard my terrorizedscreams. Oh, well ... therewould be all that ice cream tocompensate. Ha. Anyone whohas endured a tonsillectomy isaware that eating anything aftersurgery hurts.

Despite being blessed withexcellent health, ageing doesbring unpleasant conditions asour bodies wear out. My eyedoctor noted the beginning ofcataracts a few years ago, butadvised I not rush in for sur-gery until I was aware of majorchanges in my vision. Thosechanges - most noticeable aninability to read road signs orsee things clearly in dim light -were apparent early this yearwhen I went to my annual eye

exam. New glasses wouldn’t fixthe problem this time. I wasgiven the names of several rec-ommended surgeons and choseone for the initial consultation.

No problem with the diag-nosis. My cataracts were suffi-ciently advanced to warrantsurgery. Between my ownresearch and the literature pre-sented by the surgeon’s office, Ihad some choices to make. DidI want the Medicare-coveredbasic cataract surgery? Or,would I prefer a laser proce-dure to remove the cloudedlens and new lens that couldcorrect my astigmatism at extracost to me? Did I want to seedistance clearly without glass-es? (Nearsighted and wearingglasses since age ten, thisseemed a great idea.) With theexception of (expensive) multi-focal lens implants, I’d need togive up my ability to read with-out glasses. Or, I could opt for

crystal clear near vision andneed glasses for distance.

I opted for the laser surgery,and an intraocular lens thatwould correct astigmatism togive me glasses-free distancevision. My weaker left eyewould be first for the proce-dure, the right eye two weekslater if all went well. The sur-gery center was a surprise as I’dexpected the doctor would “fix”my eyes in his office. After all,“cataract surgery was a piece ofcake.” Ha. I have nothing butpraise and respect for the staffat the surgery center, but I dowish I’d known the agendabefore I showed up that firstmorning.

After mountains of paper-work, I was escorted into aroom with multiple cubiclesfilled gurneys. Laid out in one -after being asked my name,date of birth, what eye was

(Eclectic page 28)

August • 2013 • 23

ECLECTIC OBSERVERby Janet Ross

The mostimportantingredient in

the expansion of the RenoAir Races has been theacquisition of the large SteadAir Base venue. When theRaces were moved from SkyRanch on the PyramidHighway, which proved to bea very limiting site, it openedunlimited horizons for theAir Races.

One of the most intrigu-

ing memories I have of theinitial Air Races was thearrival of the Demo Team atthe Mapes Hotel. While thepilots were actively engagedin flying during the daylighthours, they were able to takeadvantage of Reno’s sizzlingnighttime entertainment. Ican recall on several occa-sions in the Skyroom of theMapes Hotel witnessing avery unique practice of theairmen. It consisted of them

downing a beverage theycalled “the afterburner cock-tail”. The recipe for thisdrink was to take a shotglassfull of liquor, light the fluid,and down the burning con-coction without harmingone’s lips. When I wasoffered one of the drinks, Igracefully declined.

We mentioned last monththat the primary nationalattention for the first AirRaces was generated by thecross country race fromFlorida to Reno. We neglect-ed to name the winner ofthat contest, who was WayneAdams of Reno. Newspaperaccounts of the eventappeared in every one of thecities over which the planesflew. Of course, Roy Powersof Harold’s Club, who wasthe only sponsor of that race,collected reams of newspa-per clippings to show hisbosses.

Roy was probably thelongest-serving Renoite dur-ing the fifty years of theevent. He was so enamoredof the races that his asheswere scattered at one of thepylons of the race course.He was also the creator of abook that described andillustrated the various AirRace posters that haveappeared. It was his artist,Mel Matthewson, who creat-ed the art work for the origi-nal trophy and logo for theraces.

Another individual whowas instrumental from thestart was pilot Bob Hoover.For years he was a starter ofthe unlimited class races andalso performed many aero-batic feats, such as the 16point rollover. He fell in love

with the races, Reno itselfand the original committee.So much so that when wehappened to visit him in LAhe took us on a tour of themajor bars along La CienegaBoulevard where he wasextremely well received.

Of all the individualsassociated with the first AirRaces there is none moreimportant than Bill Stead.He originally conceived theidea for the event and wasable to persuade hisHydroplane racing buddiesto participate in it. His nextmove was to seek sponsor-ships from the Mapes Hotel,Harold’s Club and JohnAscuaga’s Nugget. Havingonly seven airplanes availableto participate, he was able toflesh out the spectacle withhot air balloons and theNational Air Guard’s flyingDemo Team, courtesy ofSenator Howard Cannon.

Fortunately the date ofthe first race coincided withthe State of Nevada’sCentennial, enabling Stead tosecure much of the necessaryfunding. UnfortunatelyStead passed away doingwhat he loved most, flyinghis plane, in a fatal crash.Several of us have long pur-sued the creation of a life-sized statue of Stead to beplaced at the main gate atStead Air Base. It is anhonor that has been long incoming.

For an incredible one-of-a-kind event, the Reno AirRaces which will be heldSeptember 11th-15th thisyear, while celebrating their50th anniversary, cannot besurpassed.

24 • 2013 • August

BIGGESTlittleCity

More Reno Air Races by Harry Spencer

Best known for her role asSally Rogers in the 60’s CBSsitcom The Dick Van DykeShow, Rose Marie turns 90 inAugust. “I don’t feel it,” sheadmitted when I spoke withher recently. “I feel 60, and stillkeep busy.”

In the past year, that includ-ed voiceover work for TheGarfield Show on the CartoonNetwork. “I love it. You don’thave to dress up or put onmakeup. All you have to do isshow up! Although I can domany different voices, the pro-ducer wanted my voice so peo-ple would know ‘that’s RoseMarie.’”

Audiences have knownRose Marie for nine decades,since she began performing atan age when most childrenwould still be potty training.Her phenomenal singing voiceas a child (see www.missrose-marie.com) rocketed her tofame overnight.

“I have no idea where that

voice came from, I think Godjust gave me a wonderful gift,”she said. “When I was three, Iwon an amateur contest, andmy family took me to AtlanticCity. We saw a showgirlnamed Evelyn Nesbit performand I started singing along.She invited me up on stage tosing with her, then peoplebegan throwing money.”

Backstage, Nesbit suggest-ed changing her name to BabyRose Marie and her careersoon took off. “I had my ownradio show coast to coast onNBC when I was five.”

But there were alsodoubters. “Unlike other childsingers, I sang adultsongs with adult phras-ing and mannerisms.People would write tothe station in disbeliefsaying that no childcould sing like that andI must have been amidget. So NBC sentme out to play theaters

August • 2013 • 25

Rose Marie (left) poses with the cast of the Dick Van Dyke Show

Rose Marie poses with a hair bow and shoes from her Baby RoseMarie days donated to the Smithsonian's Museum of AmericanHistory in 2008. To this day, she wears a bow in her hair which hasgreat significance for her, but she has refused to explain why in anyinterview throughout her life. "It's a very personal thing," she said.

Happy Birthday Rose Marie

By Nick Thomas

to prove I was a child.”As her fame grew, the

famous wanted to meet her.President Franklin Rooseveltinvited her to the WhiteHouse when she was just six.

“After I sang for him, weplayed tiddlywinks with somepoker chips I found in hisoffice.”

She caught the attention of (Rose Marie page 30)

26 • 2013 • August

Ourthree chil-dren havegiven useight per-fect grand-children,

each of them exceptional inevery way. Of course. Theonly problem is that theirparents insist they live withthem and none of them livein Reno.

We are geographicallychallenged grandparents,envying our friends whoenjoy close proximity. Three of the eight live in SanFrancisco, three in Seattleand two in New York. Sincetraveling for two of us is easi-er than for many of them, we

usually opt to pack the suit-cases. We visit them all asfrequently as possible but themap dictates that wesee some of themmore often.

Two of the familiescome to Reno a coupleof times a year but theones in New York have par-ents whose careers precludethat happening easily so ourrelationship with them isbased on our trips to the eastcoast.

When all three familiesdecided to visit us withinweeks of one another in July,we were both astonished andelated. Frantic preparationsensued with a multitude ofemails to find out who would

want (or not want) what toeat, resulting in ridiculouslyoverloaded grocery carts.

“Something magi-cal happens whenparents turn intograndparents. Theirattitude changes from

“money-doesn’t- grow-on-trees to spending it like itdoes.” Paul Linden

First we saw theCalifornia crew who had justreturned from Helsinki. Ourdaughter-in-law is fromFinland and they had decid-ed to immerse themselves inthat culture for a year so wehad a lot to catch up on andthere were a multitude oftales to be heard. Next came

their Seattle cousins, twovery active little boys andone little girl determined todo everything her brothersdo, their energy level run-ning only on high.

Then Zachary & Samarrived from New York fortheir first visit here; hugeexcitement for all of us. Lifein a 12th floor condo is vast-ly different from life in a highmountain desert town.Manhattan offers a lot ofexcitement but grilling hot-dogs, toasting marshmallowsand eating outdoors aren’tamong them. And whowould have thought that acar wash could be so excit-ing? (this ‘n that page 30)

this ‘n thatby Anne Vargasannevargas3@gmail.com

Anne Vargas

An Abundance of riches…

August • 2013 • 27

Answers page 28

being operated on more thanonce - my hair was coveredwith the equivalent of a show-er cap. Next came a bloodpressure monitor that checkedmy pressure every five min-utes, three other monitorsattached to check my heartfunction, a clip on my finger tomonitor oxygen in my blood,an anesthetic drip attached tomy arm ... and a Valium pill.Next came a series of eyedrops to dilate and numb theeye. None of this was painful,it just seemed to go on forever.

After about an hour, thesurgeon arrived to do the laserlens removal. No pain. Didn’ttake long. More eye drops.About half an hour later I waswheeled into the surgeryroom for insertion of the newlens. No pain. Didn’t takelong. Back to the cubicle to beunhooked from all those mon-itors before I was escorted tothe “coffee room” for tea and acookie while a nurse gave mydaughter post-op instructions.

Those instructions includedthree different eye drops to beused four times a day, a plasticeye protector for sleeping, anda warning not to press or rubthe affected eye. Post opera-tive discomfort was minimal.As a result, within days, Icould see distances with aneagle’s vision (well, it seemedthat way), but I was one-eyedfor reading until I bought apair of reading glasses.

My second surgery wassure to be that “piece of cake”as this time I knew what toexpect, and it was ... until theweek following when myvision hadn’t improved in theright eye and the surgeonhastily scheduled a secondsurgery to reposition the newlens. This seems to haveworked. “Piece of cake”? Notquite. Now all I have to do isfigure out how to apply eyemakeup again when every-thing close to my nose is ablur.

28 • 2013 • August

Crossword p.27

Eclectic / page 23

August • 2013 • 29

NEVADA INFORMATION .........................211AARP INFO. CENTER .........................328-2506ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION1301 Cordone Ave, Suite 180, Reno-786-8061CARE CHEST7910 N. Virginia Street, Reno..............829-2273COMMUNITY EDUCATION SILVERCOLLEGE, 5270 Neil Rd., Reno……829-9010COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY 1090 East 8th, Reno .................................786-6023ELDER PROTECTIVE SERVICESADSD.….........................................................688-2964FOOD BANK (TRUCK).......................331-3663FOSTER GRANDPARENT.................358-2768HAWC CLINIC, 1055 S. Wells,Reno.................................................................329-6300MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, UNR,Sanford Center for Aging......................784-1612NEVADA STATE WELFARE...........684-7200CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING999 Pyramid Way, Sparks......................353-3599RTC ACCESS TRANSPORTATIONInformation..................................................348-0477RENOWN MED. LOW INCOME CLINIC21 Locust, Reno..........................................982-5270RSVP, Reno...................................................784-1807RSVP, Rural CountiesCarson City...................................................687-4680SANFORD CENTER FOR AGING,UNR.................................................................784-4774SENIOR COMPANION.......................358-2322SENIOR Community Services Employment,AARP, 1135 Terminal Way, Reno......323-2243Job Connect, Reno....................................284-9600Sparks..............................................................284-9520SENIOR LAW PROJECT.....................328-2592SENIOR OUTREACH SERVICES...784-7506SENIOR SAMPLER (Assistance League)1701 Vassar St., Reno...............................324-2003SHIP (STATE HEALTH INSURANCEADVISORY PROGRAM)...........800-307-4444SOCIAL SECURITY1170 Harvard Way, Reno..............888-808-5481VETERAN’S ADMINISTRATION Medical Center, 1000 Locust Street, Reno ............................................................................328-1293VETERAN’S BENEFITS5460 Corporate Drive, Reno.......688-1653, X1(Source: Washoe County Senior Services)

RESOURCES

“The real voyage of dis-covery lies not in seeking newlandscapes but in seeing withnew eyes.” Marcel Proust

Our deck, which has aview ranging from DogValley to Peavine to the lightsof downtown was especiallyfascinating to them. Vastquantities of cereal were con-sumed there early everymorning as they gazed at thepanorama of mountains andsagebrush, watched hawks inquest of food in the ravinebelow, saw quails walkingalong the fence and hum-ming birds hovering nearby.Accustomed to the continu-ous clamor of city traffic,only a distant train whistlemarred the silent tranquility.We didn’t get to see any hotair balloons but one morningthe Coyotes were howling,signaling a kill. It was won-derful to freshly see what isso familiar to us throughtheir eyes. Sam later told us

that the breakfasts were hisfavorite part of the trip andhe wished he could stay fortwo more weeks, wordsguaranteed to melt a heart.

Temperatures soared dur-ing all the visits and heatrecords were broken but theproximity of our housingarea pool, just across thestreet, allowed for hours offun in the sun. A steadystream of wet feet throughthe garage and zip-lock bagsfull of snacks became thepattern for every morningand again in late afternoonbut mid-day found us repeat-edly visiting the Terry LeeWells Discovery Museum forchildren. Of all ages.

“When I grow up I wantto be a little boy.”

Joseph HellerThis amazing place on

Center Street (site of the for-mer City Hall) is somethingReno can be justifiably proudof. Made possible by Terry

Lee Wells Foundation and anumber of generous donors,it was seven years in themaking under the guidanceof people with vision. It real-ly is remarkable, and aftereight visits within threeweeks, I feel I am somethingof an authority. Opened onlytwo years ago, the museumcontinues to add new attrac-tions that captivate everyonebut don’t take my word for it,discover the DiscoveryMuseum for yourself onMonday, August 12th onSenior Day when “you canget hands-on with Reno’snewest & most exciting com-munity resource...”

The Museum will be openonly to senior visitors thatday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.,admission $6 (instead of $8).You can wander on your ownor request a guided tour (forany size group) by calling786-1000. If you visit theirwebsite at www.nvdm.orgyou might want to be first in

line and plan to spend sever-al hours. Terry Lee WellsNevada Discovery Museum,490 S. Center Street, 786-1000.

“The time has come, thewalrus said...” and all toosoon it did. The visits wereover, the cereal was depleted,the towels were dirty and thehouse was empty. As I drovehome from the last trip tothe airport I reflected withemotion on the abundantriches of the precedingweeks, the memories wewould cherish. All of it waswonderful. And all of it wasexhausting!

I walked into the houseand went immediately to thecouch for a four-hour napand then I went to bed. Atsix p.m.

“On the seventh day Godrested. The grandchildrenmust have been out of town.”

Gene Perret

30 • 2013 • August

this ‘n that / page 26

the infamous, too. Whileworking with MiltonBerle in Chicago, avisitor came back-stage. “It was AlCapone and hewanted to invite meto dinner! He pickedme up the next dayand we went out toeat with all themob.”

Years later as ayoung adult, she wasinvited to perform atthe opening of theFlamingo Hotel, inLas Vegas, in 1946,along with JimmyDurante, bandleaderXavier Cugat andother stars of theday. The invitationcame from notori-

ous mobster and hotel owner,Bugsy Siegel. “We becamefriends and he was very goodto me. I just didn’t think ofthose guys as gangsters.”

At age ten, Rose Marie metMorey Amsterdam, whowould become an importantinfluence in her career andlater her co-star on The DickVan Dyke Show. “He was apopular writer for comedianslike Fanny Brice and FredAllen and become a comichimself,” she recalled. “We metwhen I guest starred on a radioprogram. He also wrote mostof my nightclub material andbecome a life-long friend. Iactually got him the Dick VanDyke Show job.”

As for Dick Van Dyke, shesays it was a joy to work withsomeone so talented, and has

only fond memories of Dickand the cast. “We were a closegroup and genuinely likedworking together. Everyonecame to work happy, and ohdid we laugh!”

Speaking from his Malibuhome, Dick Van Dyke recalledmeeting Rose Marie for thefirst time. “I knew she hadbeen in show business sinceshe was three, but never mether until the first reading ofthe script,” he said. “She justknocked me over. She proba-bly had the most razor sharpsense of timing of anybody Iever worked with. She was adelight and still is.”

Nick Thomas is a freelancewriter and the author of Raisedby the Stars. He can bereached on his blog at:http://getnickt.blogspot.com.

Rose Marie / page 25

Baby Rose Marie

No, thisis not a his-tory ofCanadaclass. I will

not grade this paper. You can ifyou want. This story is limitedto one gorgeous Chateau inAlberta, Canada and how itcame to be one of the grandesthotels in the world. Since theChateau sits practically on LakeLouise, the lake has to beincluded.

The story begins with theCanadian Pacific Railroad.William Van Horned, a fellowAmerican, becomes the con-struction manager for the CPR.The last spike is driven in 1885

and connects the entireCanadian country. Anotherfriend, Tom Wilson, is the firstto see the lake and names itEmerald Lake due to its green/blue color.

William decides that therailroad can be used for morethan hauling freight and like therailroad in the States, couldbring people and money outwest. William used to say, “Ifwe cannot export the scenery,we shall import the tourists”.Tourists need places to stay so he planned hotels along theroute.

In 1884, the name of the lakeis changed and renamed afterthe 6th child and 4th daughterof Queen Victoria. Its newname is Lake Louise.

Four mansions are builtacross the Canadian Provinceof Alberta. Up until 10 yearsago, they were still managed bythe railroad.

In 1890, William is privi-leged to look upon and take upresidence at the originalChateau at Lake Louise. It getscold up there in the winter anda hot springs provides hotwater for the guests. Theywould sit on the veranda on the30 by 50 foot cabin and enjoythe view.

It is not known what causesthe fire but fortunately thechalet is unoccupied. A secondhotel is built in 1894 and theroad is improved to allow ahorse-drawn carriage ride tothe lake. This structure is not alog cabin as was the first.

In 1896, a second story isbuilt. It is becoming a popularplace.

Guests from England,Europe and America arrive toclimb the incredible unex-plored mountains surrounding.The race is on to see who canascend them first. The easiest

ones are conquered early on. Itis a group of 4 Americans whoreach the highest peak first.Near the top, the head moun-taineer, Phillip Abbot falls pasthis horrified companions tak-ing their only rope with him ashe meets his demise. He is the

first mountaineering fatality inall of North America. But thatdoesn’t deter other climbersand it is the beginning of theGolden Age of climbing in theRockies. Swiss guides leadexpeditions safely for 55 years.

(Chateau page 34)

August • 2013 • 31

by Eydie Scher

Eydie’s Excerpts Canadian Connections: The Chateau

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The Chateau damaged in a fire.

July is always a specialmonth for the Boyd/Prusahousehold – notably becauseof Reno’s Artown Festival,and for the family memberswe entertain during themonth-long festivities. Thisyear we were happy to wel-come several of Robert’s clan.

Yes, it’s hard to beat thewarmth of a family gathering- especially in our record-breaking heat wave (punintended). During the mostrecent gathering of the clan,not even triple digit temper-atures deterred us fromexperiencing some of the“vast tapestry of diversityand culture within our city”,

as Beth Macmillan, ArtownFestival Executive Director,describes it.

Considering that our visi-tors come from some prettysophisticated cultural desti-nations, themselves – i.e.Washington D.C., the SanFrancisco area andBentonville, Arkansas (withits world-class CrystalBridges Museum) – it wasnice to see how genuinelyimpressed they were with theArtown events they attend-ed. Need we mention theywere free? You can’t beatthat.

After a week, our familywent back to their respectivehomes. We, however, con-tinued to show up at one

park or another with our pic-nic and low back chairs for avariety of excellent concerts.We especially enjoyed theMonday Night Music Seriesat Bartley Ranch. The GlennMiller Orchestra andContraband concerts standout in our minds.

We were at WingfieldPark for Pops on the Riverwith the Reno PhilharmonicOrchestra, a night of Irishdancing, Yemen Blues,Mariachi Los Camperos deNati Cano, Reno JazzOrchestra and Pat EstersGospel Choir concert, andShuggie Otis - Artown’s clos-ing night production.

For eighteen years theArtown festival has been cel-ebrated in our communityduring the month of July.And, for seventeen of thoseyears we have been eagerparticipants, especially at theconcerts. It is our observa-tion that as the years go by,the number, quality anddiversity of cultural offeringsall continue to expand. Ourhats are off to ArtownExecutive Director BethMacmillan, the city of Reno,and the numerous othersponsors who make it possi-ble.

Nevada HumanitiesChautauqua Festival –

June 19-28Another educational and

entertaining week in Reno isthat of the ChautauquaFestival, a living history pro-gram that features scholars,in costume and character,bringing historical figures tolife. It’s of special interest tous since, as a youngster inthe early 1930s, Robert andhis family spent their sum-mers at the original

Chautauqua Institution inNew York State. Many influ-ential people whom most ofus only read about in historybooks – Franklin DelanoRoosevelt, Thomas Edison,Albert Einstein and HenryFord, to name a few – werethere during those years,leaving their indelibleimpressions on his youngmind. The Institution stillhas its summer programs, ofcourse, and years back weenjoyed a memorable weekthere.

It was shortly after ourmove back to Reno in 1996(we’d been here from 1989-1992) that, much to ourdelight, we discovered theNevada HumanitiesChautauqua Festival. And,wouldn’t you know it, amongthe performances this yearwere portrayals of AlbertEinstein, Thomas Edison,and Henry Ford – the verymen who in real life Robertremembers well. How muchbetter could it get?

Hot August Nights - Renoand Sparks – Aug. 6-11And now, we’re in the

midst of the 27th AnnualHot August Nights. Whilewe’re not big classic carbuffs, the entertainment line-up at the outdoor venues atGrand Sierra Resort andVictorian Square in Sparksfeatures an incredible arrayof performers, including thelikes of Paul Revere and theRaiders, The RighteousBrothers’, Bill Medley and theJack Dempsey Band.

Borrowing from the lyricsof George Gershwin’s famoushit song, “Summertime andthe living is easy.” In Reno,Nevada, it sure ‘nuff is!

32 • 2013 • August

Seniors4Travel Robert Boyd & Carolyn Prusa

Summertime, and the Living is Easy

August • 2013 • 33

34 • 2013 • August

The Jagged Peaks of theCanadian Rockies

In 1912, Walter Painterbuilds another extension. TheChateau can now accommo-date 320 guests.

It doesn’t last long. Anotherfire destroys an entire wing.No lives are lost and the lug-gage of tourists are saved.

Reconstruction starts upalmost immediately during arough winter, as the new wingis to open the next summer.The whole structure is encasedin a wooden and paper canopy

to keep the temperature abovefreezing. What ingenuity! Yes,the new wing opens on June 1,1925 with 400 rooms. Thenext year, a pool is added. It’sthe second largest outdoor poolin all of Canada.

The hotel needs guests dur-ing the long winters. Skiresorts bloom in 1930 but theguests must walk up to the top.

During the late 1960s, theChateau is losing money andthere is talk of either selling ordemolishing it. Neither occurs.

Fast forwarding to 1982, thehotel is now open year round. It is part of Canada’s National Park System. The winter

Olympics of 1988 is held andbusiness is booming yearround. In the 1990s there isanother expansion at theChateau. There are now 550rooms.

About 10 years ago, theFairmont buys the Chateau andmakes improvements. It alwayswas an amazing place sur-rounded by the Rockies andLake Louise though it’s evenbetter today! It is the crownjewel of the Rockies and sits inthe heart of Banff NationalPark.

You might be interested in afew facts.

Banff is the hiking capital ofthe Rockies. There are 100miles of trails or over 200 kilo-meters. The Lake is 1.2 mileslong, .25 miles wide, and 230feet deep.

The color varies throughoutthe year from a vivid blue to anemerald green. It is caused byminute particles of rock thatare pulverized beneath the gla-ciers and carried down into thelake by meltwater streams.

All the signs are in bothEnglish and French. It is therule to use both languages allover the country even thoughthe residents of most of Canadaspeak English.

The Sierra’s don’t seem ashuge as the Rockies and thecolor of Lake Tahoe is deeperthan the hue of Lake Louise.The only boats allowed onLake Louise are canoes.

Excerpts / page 31

Lake Louise