Senior Spectrum Newspaper February 2013

The Department ofHealth and Human Servicespresented its 2014 – 2015budget for the next bienni-um during a LegislativeCommission’s BudgetSubcommittee hearing onJanuary 24th, in CarsonCity.

In a major departure ofhow services will be provid-ed for disadvantaged elders,people with disabilities andchildren, the Governor’sRecommended Budgetincludes a consolidation ofseveral programs that willexpand the Aging andDisability Services Division(ADSD). Services reachacross the lifespan toinclude children with dis-abilities or special healthcare needs.

The budget recommendstransferring DevelopmentalServices and EarlyIntervention Services toADSD, to provide a contin-uum of services in oneagency. The division willgrow from approximately230 employees to over 850during the biennium. TheGovernor’s RecommendedBudget totals nearly $240million for fiscal year for2014, and $256 million forFY 2015. Program’s provid-ed in ADSD includeIndependent Living Grants,Senior Rx and Disability Rx,the Family PreservationProgram, Early InterventionServices, Home and

Community Based Services,Idea Part C, the RuralRegional Center, DesertRegional Center, and SierraRegional Center.

The consolidation willalso include the AutismTreatment AssistanceProgram, Deaf and Hard ofHearing Services, InpatientServices, PsychologicalServices and SocialServices. Autism assistancewill double the number ofchildren served increasingfrom 137 in fiscal year 2013to 236 in FY 2014, and 341in FY 2015. Two milliondollars will be added to theprogram from the generalfund. Early InterventionServices will also beexpanded. The programserves approximately 2800children as of June 2012,and will cover over 3600 bythe end of the biennium.There will be increases inDevelopmental Services tofund Supported LivingArrangements, and Jobs andDay Training.

Additionally, waiver pro-grams that serve frail elders,residential group care,assisted living, and in homeservices will be expanded toreduce growing waitlists.The Home and CommunityBased Waiver for the FrailElderly will increase by 117slots (people) over the bien-nium.

Already heard by theInterim Finance Committee,the budget includes fundingof a Dental ServiceProgram, covering 845 peo-ple over the biennium.Dental services include aone-thousand dollar benefitto those eligible.

February • 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 - Governor’s Budgetpage 4 - Opinion: Tax Relief page 5 - Opinion: Inauguration Speech Affirms Promise to Seniorspage 6 - State Health Insurance Exchange Receives Approvalpage 10 - Human Service Awards page 17 - Importance of Movementpage 20 - Your Health: Transradial Catheterization, a Faster Recoverypage 21 - Stop Arthritis Painpage 23 - Grandparents Pass Wisdom & Experience

Every Issuepage 24 - Eclectic Observerpage 26 - Biggest Little Citypage 27 - Crosswordpage 28 - Eydie Scher - Excerptspage 29 - Calendar

page 30 - this ‘n thatpage 33 - Seniors 4 Travel

Healthpage 8 - Dr. Marion: Caregiving page 12 - Current Health Status ofAdults and the Impact on the Future Dr. Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. Center for Healthy Agingpage 14 - CMS: How Medicare Works with Other Insurancepage 17 - Ophthalmology: Dr. Michael Fischer, M.D.page 18 - Get Up & Go! Yoga 101

Financial page 7 - This New Year, Resolveto Review Your Estate PlanningOptions - Bradley B. Anderson

Changes includeChildren withDisabilities andSpecial Health Care Needs

February 2013

Budget RecommendsConsolidation for Aging and Disability Services

Jerry Cruitt, Mod Squad, with Diane Ross, TheContinuum, at HSN Awards.

4 • 2013 • February

As I travelall overNevada, Ihear fromfamilies

who are struggling and des-perate for answers. Nevadacontinues to suffer from thehighest unemployment inthe nation, which is why Iam committed to turningour economy around andgetting Nevadans back towork. The American peopleare desperate for jobs, andthe last thing middle-classfamilies need is highertaxes.

I recently introduced a billaimed at providing tax

relief for the Silver State.Nevada is one of severalstates that have elected touse sales taxes rather thanincome taxes to financegovernment services. Mylegislation would perma-nently extend the state andlocal sales tax deductionand help level an unevenplaying field by ensuringthat Nevada is afforded thesame treatment in the fed-eral tax code as states withan income tax.

I am confident that taxpay-ers in Nevada will benefitgreatly from this commonsense tax relief and that itwill help ease some of the

stress many middle-classfamilies in the Silver Stateare feeling every day. Thisbill would also help encour-age economic growth byattracting new business,generating jobs, and pro-moting investment in localeconomies.

While it’s true that Nevadaseniors are facing a greatdeal of uncertainty duringthese tough economictimes, Congress can helpturn things around byfocusing on long-term eco-nomic policies that bolsterrecovery and provide fami-lies the certainty they needto thrive.

Times are tough, and inorder to move Nevada andthe entire nation forward,Congress must commit toprioritizing policy over pol-itics. Encouraging econom-ic growth continues to bemy number one priority,and I hope the Senatemoves swiftly to pass thislegislation so Nevadans canpermanently benefit fromthis much-needed tax relief.

Contact Sen. Heller by writing to:Bruce Thompson FederalBuilding, 400 S. VirginiaStreet, Suite 738Reno, NV 89501Phone: 775-686-5770

Sen. Dean Heller

OpinionU.S. Senator Dean Heller

Providing Tax Relief for Nevadans


I rememberwhen MartinLuther Kingled themarch onour nation’s

capital. I was working as aCapitol police officer to payfor law school at G.W.University. Along with hun-dreds of thousands of others,I went to listen to Dr. Kingspeak about his dream for afair and equal nation. DuringPresident Obama’s secondInauguration- on the nation-al holiday marking Dr. Kingslegacy- the Presidentaffirmed a similar promise offairness, and in particular hespoke of supporting ournation’s seniors.

“We must make the hardchoices to reduce the cost ofhealth care and the size ofour deficit,” the Presidentsaid in his Inaugurationspeech. “But we reject thebelief that America mustchoose between caring forthe generation that built thiscountry and investing in thegeneration that will build itsfuture.” I stand withPresident Obama. We mustnever relent in our supportfor seniors- the builders andleaders of our nation’s com-munities.

In the last four years, Iworked with the President tomake sure Nevada’s seniors,and seniors across the coun-

try, are given the best oppor-tunity to provide for theirfamilies and appreciate thehighest quality of life. Beforethe Inauguration, the Senateand House ofRepresentatives worked topass a comprehensive set oftax measures that will giveNevadans financial certainlyheading into 2013. The bi-partisan plan protectsNevada’s and America’s mid-dle class by extending taxcuts for 1 million Nevadansand unemployment insur-ance for tens of thousands ofNevadans. The Nevada statesales tax deduction was alsoreinstated and we passedmortgage debt relief assis-tance to help struggling

Nevada homeowners.

The recent Inaugurationreminds us that compromisewill help forge a path towardlong-term economic successand fairness for all Nevadans.I will continue to standstrong for our state to makesure everyone has a chanceto succeed in the yearsahead.

Write Sen. Reid at:Bruce R. ThompsonCourthouse and FederalBuilding, 400 S. VirginiaStreet Suite. 902, Reno, NV 89501Phone: 775-686-5750Fax: 775-686-5757

Sen. Harry Reid

OpinionU.S. Senator Harry Reid

Inauguration Speech Affirms Promise to Seniors

Nevada is closer to imple-menting its health insuranceexchange outlined in theAffordable Care Act.

The Silver State HealthInsurance Exchange receivedconditional approval fromthe Center for Medicare andMedicaid Services (CMS ),and the Center forConsumer Information andInsurance Oversight (CCIIO)for the operation of a StateBased Exchange in Nevada.

“Nevada's Exchange willprovide residents of our statewith a marketplace to shopfor, compare and purchaseQualified Health InsurancePlans in accordance with the

Affordable Care Act,”Governor Brian Sandovalsaid. “I commend the SilverState Health InsuranceExchange for their hard workin receiving this approval.”

Nevada is working withXerox State Healthcare LLC.to develop and implementthe two main consumerentry points; the Internetenrollment website and thecustomer call center. Thewebsite will equip consumerswith the tools, cost calcula-tors and support informationthey require to select thehealth insurance plan orplans that best fit each mem-ber of their household. The

customer call center is avail-able to consumers that desirelive telephone enrollmentassistance.

The call center willemploy approximately 50people and be located in LasVegas. When asked aboutthe short implementationtimeframe, Silver StateHealth Insurance Exchange,Executive Director Jon Hager said, "I am pleased with theprogress we have made tomake the Exchange appropri-ate for Nevada. We couldnot have come this far in soshort a time without thehard work of a dedicatedboard and staff, and the

excellent input and supportfrom stakeholder groupsthroughout Nevada

To date, 17 States and theDistrict of Columbia havereceived conditional approvalto operate State BasedExchanges and 2 states havebeen approved to operatePartnership Exchanges.

Nevada's Exchange will beopen for business in Octoberof this year, health insurancepolicies purchased beforeDecember 15th will startcoverage on January 1, 2014.

The insurance exchangecan be reached at (775) 687-9939, or you can learn moreonline at exchange.nv.gov/


Nevada’s Silver State Health Insurance Exchange Receives Federal Approval


The holiday whirlwind isover, you’ve packed up thedecorations, and life is set-tling into its familiar routine.Your thoughts are likely turn-ing to the coming year, andthe things you’d like toaccomplish over the nexttwelve months.

Maybe you have tenpounds to lose. Perhaps youwant to learn a new language,or set aside more time forfamily and friends. No matterwhat your resolutions are thisNew Year, there’s one itemthat you should add to yourlist: take a fresh look at your

estate plan. If you’re one of the 55

percent of Americans who donot have an estate plan, creat-ing one might be the easiestof your resolutions. The firststep is to meet with an expe-rienced estate planning attor-ney.

The consultation is easy.You’ll sit down and chat withyour attorney so that he orshe can get a clear picture ofyour family and your goals.Then, your attorney will rec-ommend a course of actionand prepare an estate planthat meets your needs. The

plan will likely include thesebasic documents:• Living Trust. This will bethe core of your estate plan.Transferring the appropriateassets into your living trustallows you to accomplish anumber of goals. You’llremain in control of yourassets during your lifetime,and your trust will contain aplan for the management ofyour assets in case youbecome incapacitated. Atyour death, the assets in yourtrust will be transferred toyour chosen beneficiaries –without the need for probate.

• Last Will and Testament.Your Will ensures that anyassets accidentally left out ofyour trust will be transferredto your trust and distributedaccording to your wishes. Ifyou have young children,your Will also allows you todesignate a guardian for themin case you pass away beforethey become adults. • Financial Power ofAttorney. This tool allowsyou to appoint an agent –usually your spouse, one ofyour children, or a trustedfriend – to manage your

(Estate Plan page 22)

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

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

This New Year, Resolve to Review Your Estate Planning Options

Thanksfor your

e-mail, Judy. You are notalone. With the complexityof our modern lifestyles,many grandparents andgreat-grandparents are find-ing themselves taking care ofa grandchild or great-grand-child. This usually happenswhen there is drug or alcoholabuse, jail time, or the deathof an adult child in the fami-ly.

This “parenting” role is afamiliar one for the grand-

parent or great-grandparent,but it’s still a difficult newchallenge. Your parentingskills can be reused, but youmay need to take a crashcourse to get up to speed onthe culture and lifestyles ofthe younger generation. Thisincludes learning about themusic, television, movies,books, and fashion.Vocabulary is also vital sincesome familiar words mightnow have an entirely newmeaning.

This is such a common

situation that there are nowsupport groups in somecommunities. Tap into themif you feel overwhelmed.Another important consider-ation is that some arrange-ments require legal clarifica-tion so that the interests ofthe youngster and the grand-parent or great-grandparentare both protected. The ulti-mate goal is for the grand-parent to provide as normaland stable a life as possiblefor the child, and that mayrequire legal action to pro-

tect the rights of everyoneinvolved. So be sure you alsohave your bases coveredthere.

Dr. Marion (MarionSomers, Ph.D.) is the authorof "Elder Care Made Easier"and has over 40-years ofexperience as a geriatric caremanager, caregiver, speaker,and expert in all things eldercare. She offers practicaltools, solutions through herbook, and website. Visitwww.DrMarion.com formore information.


Ask Dr. Marion Dr. Marion Somers. Ph.D.

I’m taking custody of my daughter’s six year!old daughter because my daughter is starting a prison term. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by this new role, but I’m still looking forward to it. Do you have any advice for me and others like me, Doctor Marion? Judy, 47, Indiana

Dr. Marion Somers

Grandparents Becoming “Parents” Again


The 24th Annual Human ServiceAwards held January 17th inReno, honored six people and

an agency for work in helping makeNevada a better place to live. Thoserecognized were nominated by theirpeers for efforts to help those in need.

Nevada Department of Health andHuman Services (HHS) Director MikeWillden was given SpecialRecognition for his leadership andcommitment in meeting the needs ofNevada’s disadvantaged. TheContinuum Executive Director DianeRoss was bestowed the MikeO’Callaghan Humanitarian award forher ongoing service to caregivers andpeople with disabilities, and the LyonCounty School District received theAgency of the Year award for its workto help meet the needs of childrenand families. Central Lyon Youth

Connections AdministratorMichele Watkins was namedAdministrator of the Yearfor her contributions in pro-viding substance abusecounseling and preventionin Dayton and SilverSprings. Reno businessmanMichael Connolly earnedBoard Member of the Yearfor his support of CareChest of Northern Nevada,a non-profit that providesmedical support to low-income families. JanettMassolo received StaffMember of the Year for herwork at the Office of SuicidePrevention, and volun-teerism to prevent suicidesat the Crisis Call Center.Politician of the Year wasbestowed to Carson City

Supervisor Karen Abowd for leader-ship.

Human Service Network (HSN)Executive Director Erik Schoen saidthis years award recipients were rec-ognized “for work well done, pullingfor people who can’t work for them-selves.”

Retiring Aging and Disability ServicesDivision (ADSD) Administrator MaryLiveratti nominated Willden, who isthe longest serving HHS director inthe history of the state. Willden, whohas worked 38-years for the state ofNevada, was first hired to cut grass atthe Caliente Youth Center. He hasserved as HHS director 12-years over-seeing a department of more than5,000 state workers. The HHS budgetis one-third of the state’s budget, con-sisting of the state Medicaid division,Welfare and Supportive Services,

Annual Human Service Awards Honors Those Who Make a Difference

Health and Human Services Department Director Mike Willden receives the Special Recognitionaward at the HSN Awards Breakfast. Photo - Connie McMullen

Diane Ross, Executive Director, The Continuum, is given the Mike O’Callaghan Humanitarian award by HSN Executive Director Erik Schoen. Photo-Connie McMullen

by Connie McMullen

Children and FamilyServices, the Nevada StateHealth Division, PublicDefender and ADSD.Liveratti said Willden iswell-known for his commit-ment to the rural area’s,generosity of spirit, andknowledge. In acceptingthe award, Willden said hecame from humble begin-nings and was raised towork hard. “It has been agreat ride,” he said.

Diane Ross, who receivedthe Mike O’CallaghanHumanitarian award, saidas a young mother she had

a medical issue in her fami-ly. Someone suggested thatshe call the state for assis-tance. Ross said she fol-lowed through and got helpfrom a man who later senther a letter expressingempathy as he too had anillness in his family. “Thatman was Governor MikeO’Callaghan.”

Ross owns and operatesThe Continuum, an inter-generational rehabilitationand adult daycare center inReno. In addition to reha-bilitation services, TheContinuum is contracted toconduct functional assess-

ments of RTC paratransitriders. Ross has been anadvocate for improvedaccess to health care inthe state, and serves on asubcommittee of the

Silver State HealthInsurance Exchange. She isan AARP Nevada boardmember, and an organizerof the Caregivers Coalition.


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Awards / page 10

The current health sta-tus of the adult 40+ popula-tion and the associatedhealthcare costs are on arocky road. We haveembraced diseases as a partof ‘getting older’ and havefocused on disease manage-ment and acute care versustaking steps as we age toprevent us from acquiringdisease in the first place.

Today I am focusing oncurrent health status ofadults and the major healthissues that are significantlyaffecting our health andhealthcare costs now, and

projected into the future. Health promotion and

wellness trends are current-ly having a positive impacton individual health andhealthcare cost reduction,especially as it relates toemployers and the work-place. This article is a sum-mary of a paper that Iwrote and was published byMetLife Mature MarketInstitute, 2013.

It is a good thought thatif people can be encouragedto be healthy and produc-tive in their earlier adultyears, they will be healthier

and more productivethroughout their workinglife and into old age.Health promotion and dis-ease prevention can lead toa better quality of life, moreproductive employees, andlower health and disabilitycosts. Health conscious-ness can enable individualsto avoid or delay lifestylerelated illnesses and prema-ture institutionalization.Prevention is key to ahealthier society both phys-ically and financially!

Factors that affect cur-rent health status and sig-

nificantly impact the futureof Medicare are obesity,health-related behaviors,and the incidence of chron-ic diseases and disability.

As I have discussed inmany of my articles, obesityis associated with increasedrisk for many chronic con-ditions, such as hyperten-sion, high cholesterol, car-diovascular disease, cancer,and even loss of sight,among others. Obesityimpacts nearly every majorsystem in the body, espe-cially chronic disease.Improved treatment for


Adding Life to Years

”Larry Weiss

Dr. Larry WeissCenter for Healthy Aging

Current Health Status of Adults and the Impact on the Future


many of the conditionsassociated with obesitymeans that obese people today are healthier than theobese person in 1980. Thismay be good for morbidityand even health status, butsuch improvements havecome with increased costs.The therapies are expen-sive, for example; Statinsthat reduce cholesterol orother drugs that lowerblood pressure, come withhigh prices and may notimprove health outcomes.

Unhealthy behaviors andlifestyles that impact ourhealth such as poor eatinghabits, lack of exercise, lackof sleep, excess alcohol, andstress affect our quality oflife and longevity. Morethan a quarter of allAmericans are sedentary;defined as not doing anyphysical activity outside ofwork for 30 days. Twenty-seven-point-eight percentof U.S. adults (66 millionpeople) are obese; definedas being roughly 30 ormore pounds over a healthyweight. The percentage ofadults with diabetes is 9.5percent nationally. Thirty-point-eight percent of U.S.adults have high bloodpressure or hypertensionwhich is a primary risk forcardiovascular disease. Bychanging behaviors andlifestyles these statistics canbe significantly reduced.

Over the recent past,several attempts have beenmade to project obesityprevalence. For example,nationally the prediction ofthe prevalence of obesity in2020 is estimated at around45 percent (Wang et al.,2008). That amounts toabout a 10 to 15 percentagepoint increase in obesity

prevalence, which is anadditional 50 percentincrease over the currentlevel. Healthcare spendingfor obesity in the U.S. isprojected to increase in2018 to $344 billion(Thorpe, 2009).

Growth in chronic con-ditions during the past 10years is due to the preva-lence of hypertensionwhich increased from 35 to41 percent, diabetes from10 to 15 percent, and can-cer from 9 to 11 percent,among those aged 45 andover. This rise in theprevalence of chronic con-ditions has implications forthe financing and deliveryof healthcare in the future.People are more likely to behospitalized, fill more pre-scriptions, have higherannual prescription drugcosts, and have more physi-cian visits (Anderson,2010). Out-of-pocketspending is higher for peo-ple with multiple chronicconditions, and hasincreased in recent years.

Chronic disease andcombinations of chronicdiseases affect individualsto varying degrees, andmay impact an individual'slife in different ways. Theincreasing prevalence ofchronic diseases presents acomplex challenge to theU.S. healthcare system,both in terms of quality oflife and expenditures for anaging population. Risingeducation has been a signif-icant force for improve-ment in disability, but willit continue?

According to theCenters for Medicare &Medicaid Services health-care expenditures in theU.S. exceed $2 trillion ayear. Employers are feeling

the burden of healthcarecosts through higher insur-ance premiums for theiremployees. Employeehealth benefits are one ofthe single largest line itemson profit and loss state-ments, and that line item isgrowing. Employers areseeking approaches to real-ize cost savings.Workplace-based wellnessprograms which couldaffect prevention and havean impact on achieving bet-ter health outcomes atlower cost are showcased aspart of Affordable Care Act(New York Times, 2009).

One positive indicatorfor the future is thatincreases in education andhealth literacy have been amajor force for improve-ment in health over time,primarily in the area of dis-ability. If we can continue

to educate, we can have animpact on changing the tra-jectory of disability, dimin-ishing quality of life.

It is in our power tochange our health status, toimprove our quality of lifeas we age, and to reducethe out-of-control costs ofhealthcare. Changingunhealthy behaviors andlifestyles, and embracingefforts in prevention, healthpromotion, and wellnesseducation will curb theincreasing costs and ulti-mately, ‘Add Life To Years.’

Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D.is CEO of the Center forHealthy Aging. Dr. Weisswelcomes your commentson this column. Write tohim at [email protected] or c/o Centerfor Healthy Aging, 11Fillmore Way, Reno, NV89519.

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Years to Life / page 12

You mayhave won-dered howMedicare

works with other insurancecoverage, such as a grouphealth plan from a formeremployer or union.

It’s an important issuebecause it determineswhether your medical billsare paid correctly and on

time.If you have Medicare

and other insurance, alwaysbe sure to tell your doctor,hospital, and pharmacy.

When there's more thanone insurance payer, certainrules determine which onepays first. This is what’scalled "Coordination ofbenefits," a way to figureout who pays first when 2or more health insuranceplans are responsible forpaying a medical claim.

The "primary payer"pays what it owes on yourbills first -- and then sendsthe balance to the "sec-ondary payer" to pay. Insome cases, there may alsobe a third payer.

The primary payer paysup to the limits of its cover-age. The secondary payeronly pays if there are coststhe primary insurer didn’tcover.

But keep in mind thatthe secondary payer (whichmay be Medicare) may notpay all of the uncoveredcosts.

If your employer’s insur-ance is the secondary payer,you may need to enroll inMedicare Part B before thatinsurance will pay. (ThePart B premium for mostAmericans in 2013 is$104.90 per month.)

Here’s who pays first invarious situations:

If you have retiree insur-ance (coverage from a for-mer job), Medicare paysfirst.

If you’re 65 or older,have group coverage based


David Sayen

How Medicare works with other insuranceDavid Sayen, Regional Administrator

Medicare Region 9


on your or your spouse’scurrent employment, andthe employer has 20 ormore workers, your groupplan pays first. (If thecompany has fewer than20 employees, Medicarepays first.)

Your group plan alsopays first when you’reunder 65 and disabled,have group coveragebased on your or a familymember’s current employ-ment, and the employerhas 100 or more employ-ees. (Medicare pays first ifthe company has fewerthan 100 employees.)

If you have Medicarebecause of end-stage renaldisease (permanent kidneyfailure), your group planpays first for the first 30months after you becomeeligible for Medicare.Medicare pays first afterthis 30-month period.

Medicare may pay sec-ond if you’re in an acci-dent or have a workers’compensation case inwhich other insurancecovers your injury oryou’re suing another enti-ty for medical expenses.

In these situations youor your lawyer should tellMedicare as soon as pos-sible. These types ofinsurance usually pay firstfor services related toeach type:• No-fault insurance(including automobile insurance);

• Liability (includingautomobile and self-insur-ance);

• Black lung benefits;

• Workers’ compensa-tion.

Medicaid and TRICARE(the healthcare programfor U.S. armed servicemembers, retirees, andtheir families) never paysfirst for services that arecovered by Medicare.They only pay afterMedicare, employer plans,and/or MedicareSupplement Insurance(Medigap) have paid.

For more information,visitwww.medicare.gov/publi-cations and read thebooklet “Medicare andOther Health Benefits:Your Guide to Who PaysFirst.”

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask for acopy to be mailed to you.TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

If you have questionsabout who pays first, oryou need to update yourother insurance informa-tion, call Medicare’sCoordination of BenefitsContractor at 1-800-999-1118. TTY users shouldcall 1-800-318-8782.

You can also contactyour employer or unionbenefits administrator.You may need to give yourMedicare number to yourother insurers so yourbills are paid correctly andon time.

David Sayen isMedicare’s regionaladministrator forCalifornia, Arizona,Nevada, Hawaii, and thePacific Trust Territories.You can always getanswers to your Medicarequestions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Medicare / page 14

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Northern Nevada Medical Center recommends getting a baseline EKG so you can document your normal heart function.

We are offering a baseline EKG for $35. When you get your first EKG to establish your baseline, you will receive a wallet-size card with your test results. In the event of an emergency, your EKG card will give first responders information they need to take care of you.

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The Chef of a retirement communityin Reno is having fun playing Santa for

90 school children fromAnderson ElementarySchool.

Chef Michael Johnstonfrom Five Star PremierResidences of Reno hasbeen putting on the TeddyBear Christmas over 10years, and is never sur-prised by the growing num-bers of neighborhood chil-dren living near the resi-dential community expect-ing Santa to make his annu-al visit. Five Star senior res-idents help by raising fundsto buy teddy bears and toysto be handed out the day ofthe event, creating a magi-

cal intergenerational experience for all. The undertaking begins when chil-

dren are given a chore to write a letter toSanta asking for a gift they really want forChristmas. Anderson school teacherssend the requests to Five Star. Seniorresidents and staff then work to raiseseveral thousand dollars for presents.

The children’s Christmas wishes arepurchased by Chef Michael who goes ona tireless hunt to make sure every child isnot forgotten.

The presents are wrapped and readyfor Santa to hand out. Children are thenpaired with Five Star seniors who helpthem open Santa’s gift. Each child is alsogiven a teddy bear and book to takehome.

The whole day is quite an undertakingbut one that never exhausts ChefMichael, who is a child for the day happyjust to make the children and seniorssmile.

Anderson Elementary School Children Share A Magical Intergenerational Event

Dione Prior hugs a teddy bear she will give to a child.


Age-related mac-ular degen-

eration (AMD), the mostcommon cause of blindnessamong older adults in theUnited States, occurs whenan area near the center of theretina (called the macula)deteriorates over time.

As it progresses, thosewith AMD are likely to expe-rience loss of central vision aswell as the ability to discernfine detail. Because this eyedisease is so prevalent andpotentially debilitating, nearlyeveryone should be interest-ed in taking steps to preventit from occurring. One sig-nificant step in this direction,according to recent research,involves consuming plenty of

fish rich in omega-3 fattyacids (such as tuna andsalmon). Omega-3 fattyacids may help ensure properblood vessel function in theretina and reduce inflamma-tion.

Note - recent researchalso suggests that vitamin Dlowers AMD risk by reducinginflammation and/or pre-venting the growth of newblood cells in the retina.

If you would like furtherinformation on this topic oran appointment, please callmy office at 775-882-2988.We are conveniently locatedat 3839 N. Carson Street.Hours are 8-5 p.m., Mondaythrough Friday by appoint-ment. M/C, Visa, MedicareAssignment accepted.

Ophthalmology

Nutrients That LowerAMD RiskMichael J. Fischer, M.D.

Eye Physician & Surgeon

According to a Centersfor Disease Control andPrevention report, the num-ber of Americans who walkat least 10 minutes at a timeone or more days a weekincreased from 55.7 percentin 2005 to 62 percent in 2010– a jump of about 6 percent.Among people with arthritis,the increase was about 4 per-cent.

"Being physically active isa giant step toward improv-ing Americans' health by low-ering risk for arthritis, as wellas other diseases such asheart disease, stroke, type 2diabetes and depression," saysArthritis Foundation Vice

President of Public HealthDr. Patience White. "Weknow that even smallamounts of physical activitybenefit people with arthritisby improving their mobility,reducing pain, increasing bal-ance and strength, andimproving their overallhealth."

While Americans aremoving more than in yearspast, the CDC report alsorevealed fewer than half of allAmericans are getting thegovernment-recommended2.5 hours a week of moder-ate-intensity aerobic physicalactivity like brisk walking toimprove their health.

Importance of Movement

What is YogaTherapy?

It is a yoga-based wellnessprogram where you will

learn a variety of ways inwhich yoga can improveyour physical health, calmthe mind and emotions,reduce stress, and open you

to new possibili-ties for optimalhealth. You’lllearn a series ofsimple, safe, andhighly effectiveskills based inyoga for reduc-ing stress andimproving youroverall well-being. Theseskills includebody awareness,breathing,stretching,movement, anddeep relaxation.

Are you awarethat the work ofthe YogaInstitute in Bombay for over70 years has successfullyused the principles and tech-niques of Yoga to treathypertension, heart disease,respiratory conditions,arthritis and other condi-tions? Doctors have referredpatients who have asthma,emphysema, stiff backs andthose with stress filled livesto Yoga Therapy classes.

Dr. Herbert Benson, aHarvard Cardiologist andearly pioneer in the mindbody health field, shows howmediation was an early cata-lyst for mind-body medicalresearch. Jon Kabat-Zinn,and his stress managementprogram at the University ofMassachusetts MedicalCenter, uses mindfulnessmeditation, Hatha yoga, andbreathing exercises to worksuccessfully with a wide vari-ety of conditions including

chronic pain.

Another organization,Commonweal, in Bolinas,California, has been verysuccessful in providing can-cer patients with educationon alternative treatments.One aspect of their programis the use of yoga posturesand mediation.

Some insurance policieswill reimburse anywherebetween $50 up to $200 dol-lars each year to those whocomplete a yoga course.Check out your own insur-ance; you may have a similarbenefit. Watch for more arti-cles on Yoga & YogaTherapy. For more informa-tion about Yoga Therapycontact Karen Hairfield at775-857-7715 or [email protected] in Yoga Therapy,Yogasage.

Yoga Therapy 101Karen Hairfield


Get Up & Go!


John TysonLocal Storyteller/

Northern Nevadan

*Based on 2011/2012 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Health Plan ratings and Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Study - Medicare & You Handbook. **Based on comparison of plans provider networks offered in northern Nevada counties. ***Based on comparison of Medicare Advantage plans offered in northern Nevada counties. ****Based on CMS Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data for October 2011.Senior Care Plus is a 4-Star Rated Plan. Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed each year and may change from one year to the next. Senior Care Plus is a health plan with a Medicare contract, available to anyone with both Medicare Parts A and B. A member must be a resident of Carson City County, Churchill County, Douglas County, Lyon County, Storey County or Washoe County and continue to pay his or her Medicare Part B premium. John Tyson is a paid spokesperson for Senior Care Plus. Material ID: Y0039_2012_SeniorSpectrumJan File & Use: 01032012 A Medicare Advantage Plan from Hometown Health.

HEALTH CAREPLAN IN NEVADA*

Carson City, Fernley, Fallon, Gardnerville, Reno, Sparks, Minden and Virginia City

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when it comes toyour health plan,

• Low premium plans• Low prescription copays• Largest provider network in northern Nevada**• Multiple plan options• Access to Renown hospitals• No referrals to see specialists• Only not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plan in Nevada***• Rx “gap” coverage

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Choose Senior Care Plus – The health plan that offers more value than just Medicare.

Call Center HoursMonday-Friday 8am-8pm(Now-October)www.SeniorCarePlus.com

(775) 982-3158 or (888) 775-7003TTY Relay Service 711

830 Harvard WayReno, NV 89502Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5 pm

Attend a free informational meeting:

For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings call (775) 982-3158 or (888) 775-7003, TTY Relay Service 711.

Call to reserve your spot: 775-982-3191 or 888-775-7003. A sales person will be present with information and applications.

Eachyear,morethanone

million cardiac catheteriza-tions are performed in theUnited States and mostgain access to the arteriesthat lead to the heart byway of a procedure calledtransfemoral access.During this approach, acatheter is inserted into thegroin

Today, some interven-tional cardiologists are per-forming heart catheteriza-tions utilizing the transra-dial access approach whichis performed by going

through the wrist ratherthan the groin. Thisapproach is making a realdifference in patient out-comes, recovery and overallsatisfaction.

With only about tenpercent of heart catheteri-zations nationally per-formed with the radialapproach, hospitals andphysicians are trying toexpand the utilization ofthis new method and havebegun training with skilledcardiologists certified inradial catheterization. SaintMary’s and Dr. Desai arethe first in Nevada to hostradial heart catheterizationtraining and the only

provider on the West Coastto offer hands on training.The hospital joins the ranksof UCLA Medical Centerand Stanford UniversityMedical Center as one ofonly three providers on theWest Coast offering radialtraining programs.

“It is important toremain at the cutting edgeof medicine and providepatients with safer andlower-risk alternatives,” saidDr. Desai. “The safety andcomfort of our patients isour top priority and offer-ing this procedure limits apatient’s risk of complica-tions and offers quickerrecovery times with less

discomfort.”

The diagnostic andinterventional procedureswith a transfemoral andtransradial approach arevirtually the same, once theartery is engaged. However,the major difference is whatoccurs at the end of eachprocedure. With the tradi-tional method, patients lieflat for 4-6 hours post pro-cedure after an attendingnurse or technician haveapplied pressure to thegroin. This is necessary toensure the puncture sitereaches hemostasis, no fur-ther bleeding.

With transradial access,the patient is able to get upalmost immediately afterthe procedure, allowing thepatient to sit up and walkwith full range of motion.For certain types ofpatients, including obesepatients, women and theelderly, and patients withperipheral vascular disease,transradial access reducesthe risk of bleeding compli-cations by 58 percent.

Expanding use of tran-sradial access for both diag-nostic and interventionalprocedures ensures betterpatients outcomes andcomfort. To learn moreabout transradial catheteri-zation, call Saint Mary’sCardiology at 775-770-7622.


Transradial Catheterization Results in Fewer Complications and Faster Recovery

Devang M. Desai

Devang M. Desai, MD, FACC, FSCAI Chief of Interventional Cardiology

Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center


You have the power to influence.Immunize Nevada wants to remind you the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu is to get vaccinated. This season, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine.

To learn more, visit InfluenceNevada.org

Funding provided by the Nevada State Health Division by Grant Number 5H23IP922549-10 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Southern NevadaImmunization and Health CoalitionSNIHC

Tips to Stop Arthritis Pain

National Council on Aging

If you suffer witharthritis, hereare some ways

you can learn tomanage the pain. Wedeveloped these tips withthe help of the ArthritisFoundation.

Osteoarthritis hurtsOsteoarthritis is a

chronic disease that is nota normal part of aging.Inflammation in the jointtissues causes pain whenyou bend or move.

Arthritis pain can robpeople of their quality oflife—causing them to losemuscle strength, sleeppoorly, and even sink intodepression.

Managing the pain is possible

The best way to beatpain is to stop it before itstarts. Here are severalways to get started:

• Pace yourself - Switchbetween heavier andlighter tasks. Balanceactivity with planned restbreaks, and don’t overdoit.

• Protect your joints -Avoid activities that stressyour joints. Use splints,braces, and assistivedevices if needed, andpractice good posture.

• Control your weight -Losing just one pound of

body weight will take fourpounds of pressure off

your knees. Sheddingextra weight reduces painand improves function.The best way to loseweight is physical activitycombined with a healthydiet.

• Increase physical activity - Being physicallyactive is the best thingyou can do for pain. Butit’s important to movesafely and wisely. Talk toyour doctor about typesand amounts of activitythat can help you buildstrength, increaseendurance, and maintainflexibility.

• Get a good night’ssleep - Better sleep equalsless pain. To improve yoursleep, get regular physicalactivity, avoid alcohol andcaffeine in the evening, goto bed and get up at thesame time every day, andavoid stress before bed-time.

When you need relief now

A combination of pre-vention and pain reliefstrategies works best formost people. When youneed relief right away, tryheat and cold treatments,relaxation techniques, andmassage. Pain relievers,anti-inflammatories, andtopical treatments alsocan help. Remember totell your doctor howmuch pain you have andshare your goals for paincontrol.

finances in case you are inca-pacitated. • Health Care Power ofAttorney. This tool allowsyou to appoint an agent tomake medical decisions,including end of life deci-sions, if you are unable to

make them yourself. Depending on your cir-

cumstances, your estate plan-ning attorney may recom-mend additional strategies toensure that your planninggoals are fulfilled and yourfamily is protected in theevent of your death or dis-

ability. What ifyou alreadyhave an estateplan? The NewYear is a greattime to take afresh look atyour plan. Youmay find thatit needs to befine-tuned tokeep up withchanges inyour family’scircumstancesor changes inthe law. Whilewe recommendthat everyoneperiodicallymeet with theirestate planningattorney to

review their estate plan, sev-eral situations strongly indi-cate that a review is in order.

Family ChangesIf you have recently got-

ten married or divorced, youwill want to ensure yourassets go to the intendedrecipients and that the appro-priate people are in charge ofmaking decisions on yourbehalf.

Your estate planning attor-ney can help you review yourfamily’s changed circum-stances and understand howthese circumstances affectyour estate plan.

Financial ChangesYou might not realize it,

but changes in your financialstatus can have a significantimpact on your estate plan, ascan changes in your chil-dren’s finances.

For example, if your over-all net worth has increased –or if you have increased yourlife insurance coverage – youmay need to think about

estate tax planning. Yourestate planning attorney canshow you strategies forreducing your potential taxliability.

If one of your children hasexperienced a rise or fall innet worth, you may want totake a second look at the pro-portion of your estate each ofyour children will inherit. Forexample, if your son is singleand has a secure job with ahigh salary, he may need lessfrom you than his sister whohas three children and a mod-est income.

New Planning OptionsThe law is always chang-

ing, and these changes canhave an impact on your estateplan. If your plan is morethan a few years old, it islikely that new planningoptions are available to betterprotect your assets, reduceyour tax bill, and ensure thesecurity of your family afteryou are gone. The best wayto find out about new strate-gies is to sit down with yourestate planning attorney andreview your existing plan.

An up-to-date estate planensures that you have the bestsource of protection duringyour lifetime, and that yourloved ones will be protectedand provided for after you’regone. Whether you areexploring the idea of estateplanning for the first time oryou’ve had a plan in place foryears, now is the time to meetwith a qualified estate plan-ning attorney.

The Law Firm ofAnderson, Dorn & Rader,Ltd. is devoted exclusively toestate planning, and are mem-bers of the AmericanAcademy of Estate PlanningAttorneys. For more infor-mation or attend an upcomingseminar, contact us at (775)823-9455 or visit us online atwww.probatebusters.com.


Estate Plan / page 7


There are 70 milliongrandparents in theU.S., more than ever

before. According to therecent study GrandparentsInvesting in Grandchildren:The MetLife Study on HowGrandparents Share TheirTime, Values, and Money,increasingly grandparentsare a vital source of finan-cial support for Americanfamilies. They're also in theenviable position of beingsought after for wisdomand advice, even fromteenagers.

How can grandparentsmake the best of their rela-tionships with their grand-children and have the mostimpact possible? Based onits study, an accompanyingguide provides grandpar-ents with advice on howthey can be influential in apositive way on topicsincluding values, beliefs,civic engagement, heritageand even cooking.

"Grandparents continueto be a positive influenceon their grandchildren.Even though some are longdistance and families seemto have less leisure timethan in the past, it's morecritical than ever for grand-parents to pass on life les-sons, family history andpositive values, throughstrong relationships withtheir grandchildren," saidSandra Timmermann,MetLife, Ed.D., director.

Grandparents shouldconsider the following:• Share values and beliefs.Areas that resonate the

most with grandchildrenare honesty and goodbehavior, education, familyhistory, self-sufficiency andgood health habits.Grandparents are also suc-cessful at teaching theirgrandchildren the impor-tance of communityinvolvement through phi-lanthropy, volunteerism andvoting.

• Celebrate family. Theguide suggests taking thetime to create family histo-ry through an audio-visualmessage, a family tree, pho-tos, and/or by preparingmeals together, which cre-ates the perfect setting forconversations.

• Invest in your grand-

children's financial secu-rity. Increasingly, grandpar-ents are helping to supporttheir grandchildren, espe-cially through assistancewith tuition. Grandparentscan be particularly helpfulby also helping grandchil-dren to acquire financial lit-eracy skills. They help fos-ter early saving habits,encourage smart spendingand making investments.The tip sheet also containsa list of resources forgrandparents. Among themare Family Volunteering(www.thevolunteerfamily.org), IntergenerationalLearning Activities(www.gu.org/RESOURCES/LearningActivities.aspx)and Legacy Project(www.legacyproject.org).

Grandparents Pass Wisdom andExperience to Grandchildren

Key Findings• Two in 10 grandpar!ents say they are livingin a multi!generationalhousehold; 30 percentof those householdsinclude grandchildren.

• Just over one in 10grandparents (13%) pro!vides care on a regularbasis for at least onegrandchild. Of those, 32percent are providingcare five or more daysper week.

• Topping the list of veryimportant values grand!parents wish to passdown are honesty(88%), good behavior(82%), self!sufficiency(70%), higher education(69%), and good healthhabits (68%).

• The majority (62%) ofgrandparents have pro!vided financial supportor monetary gifts forgrandchildren within thepast five years. The totalaverage amount provid!ed over the past fiveyears among this groupfor all grandchildren was$8,289 total, with morethan half having givenup to $5,000.


Last fall British authorRachel Joyce was inter-viewed on National

Public Radio about her newnovel, The Unlikely Pilgrimageof Harold Fry. The book’ssubject sounded so interestingI immediatelychecked withWashoe CountyLibrary and happilydiscovered they hada copy available.Joyce’s story aboutHarold Fry’s unusualjourney isnow one ofmy all-timefavorite reads.Harold Fry is65, retired,tethered to abitter spouse,and living inthe southern-most part ofEngland. He receives a briefnote from a former coworkerwho announces she’s dying ofcancer in a hospice at thenorthern end of Scotland.

Harold’s reaction to thenote is totally unexpected and

out of character. I’ll leaveyou there to discover foryourself what transpires inthis heart-warming explo-ration of an “unlikely pil-grimage.”

Harold’s story brought tomind another book about apilgrimage I’d enjoyed earlierin the year. JaneChristmas is aCanadian writerand journalistwho chronicledher own pilgrim-age in a funny,sad, but inspiringtale, What thePsychic Told the Pilgrim - aMidlife Misadventure on

Spain’s Camino de Santiago deCompostela. Jane traveledone of the most popular pil-grimage routes in Europe, the800 kilometer walk fromFrance through NorthernSpain.

A brief diction-ary definition of apilgrimage is “ajourney to somesacred place as anact of religiousdevotion ...” a pil-grim may also be a“traveler, wanderer,wayfarer or crusad-

er.” While there are manyaccounts of early Christiancrusaders, one of the mostrecognized published worksabout early pilgrims isChaucer’s Canterbury Taleswith stories about individualson their way to visit the shrineof Saint Thomas Becket atCanterbury Cathedral in GreatBritain.

Sites of pilgrimage familiarto Christians include Santiagode Compostela in Spain,Lourdes in France, Jerusalemand Bethlehem in the HolyLand. Islam draws its devo-tees to Mecca (the Hajj) andMedina, while Hindus makethe journey to a Kumbh Mela,which incorporates a rotationof four separate locations. Formost, a pilgrimage means ajourney taken, for a large part,

on foot. In someinstances, a pilgrim maytravel on knees or crawl-ing to demonstrate excep-tional devotion.

There’s a great deal ofliterature about pilgrim-ages; it’s almost as if a pil-grim feels the need to

share a highly individual expe-rience with a wider audience.

ECLECTIC OBSERVERby Janet Ross


The Camino de Santiago deCompostela is a frequentsubject and many booksabout it are worth reading.

In addition ofJane Christmas’irreverent journey, Ican recommend TimMoore’s Travels withMy Donkey: OneMan and His Ass ona Pilgrimage toSantiago and ConradRudolph’s Pilgrimage to theend of the World: theRoad to Santiago deCompostela. The“Camino” as it’s alsoknown, has alsospawned a celebritybook by ShirleyMcLaine (not rec-ommended unlessyou’re truly a fan)and a movie written anddirected by Emilio Estevez

starring his father, MartinSheen, The Way. (The filmwas made entirely along theCamino in France and Spain,enhancing landscapes one

may only have readabout.)

A new bookthat covers threepilgrimages hasreceived goodreviews and takesthe reader fromThe Camino to

temples in Japan and thetomb of a Hasidicmystic in Ukraine.The author isGideon Lewis-Kraus.

Whether you’reinclined to make apilgrimage of yourown, even a vicari-ous journey has its

benefits to open vistas andinsights.

Eclectic / page 24

REQUIRED READING:A recent book by veterannewspaperman Guy Cliftonentitled “Images of AmericaRENO” is an important readfor local history buffs. Inessence what the book doesis show important pictureswith comprehensive cap-tions. The photos them-selves are categorized in nineclassifications. They are:Favorite Sons and Daughters;Business and Business peo-ple; Under the Arch;Welcome, Mr. President;Famous Faces; Silver Spurs;Reno Rodeo; The Champs;Disasters and Oddities.

Especially interesting to

this writer were the chapterson “Silver Spurs” and the“Reno Rodeo”. Since I had along relationship with thesetwo events, I enjoyed seeingpictures of celebrities fromboth the celluloid cowboyworld and persons of thedomain of actual cowboys.

Among the Silver Spurshonorees I had the good for-tune to personally interactwith were John Wayne, JimArness, Richard Boone, DanBlocker, Michael Landon,and Lorne Greene. Of themall I most frequently sawGreene because he and Ilived at Incline Village duringthe late ‘70s. Since Greene

was an avid tennis player,those occasions mostlyoccurred on the TahoeRacquet Club courts and atthe Clint Eastwood CelebrityTennis Tournaments. Onone occasion betweenmatches Greene and I dis-cussed the possibility of stag-ing a Western Film Festivalsomewhere in NorthernNevada. As the figureheadof the fictional Cartwrightfamily of “Bonanza” he waswell qualified to act as thechairman of such a promo-tion. Due to the longevity ofthe TV program his produc-ers had occasion to hiremany well-known Westernfigures for their broadcast.Unfortunately Greene passedaway before we could see theproject to fruition.

Additionally, both Blockerand Landon were frequentvisitors to the few nightspots in Incline when theywere on location shooting atthe lake. They were able tohold their own with the vet-eran villagers during theirtime at the bar. It is probablya little known fact that at onepoint in time the principalsin the TV show were innegotiations to purchaseboth the King’s Castle andthe Ponderosa Ranch andconnect them via a sky tram.The driving force oddly inthis project was none otherthan Dan Blocker, whose off-ish appearance in the showwas belied by the fact that hewas the chief negotiator. Justbefore the final papers wereto be signed he (Blocker) hadto undergo what was consid-ered a minor surgical opera-

tion. The operation provedunsuccessful and Blockerpassed away much too youngand the massive projectnever came to be.

Arness was the first TVcowboy to receive the SilverSpurs, all the previous win-ners had been motion pic-ture stars such as JohnWayne, Gregory Peck, JamesStewart, Gary Cooper, AlanLadd, Spencer Tracy, JimmyStewart again, Glenn Fordthe following two years, andFred MacMurray. Arness’award was presented to himby another famous film actor,Rex Bell, who at that timewas the Lt. Governor of thestate.

In the “Reno Rodeo”chapter full-page pictures aredevoted to two of the mostprominent figures in theevent and they would beHarry Frost who ran RenoPrinting Company andCotton Rosser, who startedas a competitor in the rodeoand eventually became thestock provider for futurerodeos. During its heydaythe Reno Rodeo attractedsuch premiere names asCasey Tibbs, Larry Mahanand Ty Murray. Of all theindividuals that served asPresident of the Reno RodeoCharles Mapes was probablythe most innovative. Whenhe grabbed the reins of theevent in 1966 the rodeo wasin dire straits for funding.He devised a plan whereby local merchants and profes-sional people could con-tribute to an Underwriting Program that was designed

(Biggest Little page 34)26 • 2013 • February

BIGGESTlittleCityHarry Spencer

Guy Clifton Presents Old-Time Reno


Answers page 31

It hasbeen inthe

works for 6months.

Our 50th isn’t until March16th but the only time all ofus are off is Christmas week.It’s a go. Twenty-eight-hundredother friends arejoining us, as is acrew of 1,000 orso. I say friendsbecause that’swhat it seemslike. Everyoneon board smilesholds doors andrevels in the factthat we are shar-ing this wonderfulPrincess cruise together forthe holidays. Our family of14 is especially excited.

Probably like yours, ourfamily hasn’t always been acohesive mix of warm fuzzyfeelings. But I am proud tostate that it is now and willhopefully remain so. Thisvacation exceeded any expec-tations or preconceivednotions we had. It turnedinto a family love-fest rightoff the bat.

The 14 of us met onboardthe Sapphire Princess. Thekids pass out t-shirts with apicture from our wedding onthe back and the words“Production began in 1963.”All of us wear them and getlots of stares and questions.It is quite the icebreaker! Iam chosen to videotape thecruise for Princess. They giveme a hand-held video camerato use. It is supposed to beeasy. The grand kids help me.

Staterooms are scatteredfar and wide on differentfloors. Many of you havebeen on cruises so you knowhow small they are, and howclaustrophobic the bathroomis. It’s funny how fast you getused to it. Bon Voyage!

My daughter and I havemassages and facials. So domy daughter-in-laws.

The Giants football teamis flashing across the hugescreen above one of thepools. It’s not a good time tolose, but lose they do eventhough I am wearing mygiant t-shirt. Relaxing in achaise lounge, soaking up thesun and partaking of foodand drink is certainly not abad way to accept the loss. Astaff member is alwayshandy to procure any ameni-ty if you simply glance intheir direction.

First dress-up night! Thefamily looks amazing. Amillion photos are snappedby us, plus one by the pro-fessional.

The cells don’t work onboard so we actually have tophysically look for oneanother or make calls to

(Excerpts page 32)28 • 2013 • February

Eydie Scher

Eydie Excepts50th Anniversary

Cruise

Icebreaking t-shirt, “Production began in 1963.”


CalendarFeb. 1 - May 26 - A Celebration of NativeAmerican Culture, Sparks Museum & CulturalCenter, www.SparksMuseum.org, (775) 355-1144.

Feb. 1 - April 14 - Magique, EldoradoShowroom, (800) 648-5966,www.eldoradoreno.com.

Feb. 1 - 22 - Buying and Selling on the Web, 12-2 p.m., TMCC Meadowood Center, Rm. 115,(775) 829-9010.

Feb. 4 - April 15 - Creative Writing, 10-12 p.m.,TMCC Meadowood Center, Rm. 324, (775) 829-9010.

Feb. 4 - 14, City of Reno 2013 Senior WinterGames, (775)657-4652,www.reno.gov/seniorgames.

Feb. 5 - 28 - Microsoft Word 2010, 9-11 a.m.,TMCC Meadowood Center, Rm. 115, (775) 829-9010.

Feb. 9 - E-Book Cafe, 11-12 p.m., Sierra View Library, (775)827-3232.

Feb.16 - Homemade Jam, Bartley RanchRegional Park, 7 p.m., Saturday, (775) 828-6612, or www.washoecountyparks.com.

Feb. 16 - Knitting Club, 1-3 p.m., Northwest Reno Library, (775)787-4100.

Feb. 23 - AARP Driver Safety, 10-2:30 p.m., Neil Rd. Recreation Center. Pre-registration,(775)786-3509, $14 general, $12 AARP.

Feb. 23 - Richard Elloyan, Bartley RanchRegional Park, 7 p.m., Saturday, (775) 828-6612, or www.washoecountyparks.com.

Feb. 26 & March 1, Twentieth Century byMcArthur & Hecht, Ageless Repertory Theatre,Circle!s Edge, 1117 California Ave.,charter.net/agelessrep.

March 2 - Blamey Band Mar, Bartley RanchRegional Park, 7 p.m., Saturday, (775) 828-6612, or www.washoecountyparks.com.

March 4 - AARP Driver Safety, 9-2 p.m., RenoSenior Center. Pre-registration, (775)786-3509.Cost: $14 general, $12 AARP members.

March 9 - Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra, BartleyRanch Regional Park, 7 p.m., every Saturday,(775) 828-6612, www.washoecountyparks.com.

March 19 & 22 - Rumors by Neil Simon, AgelessRepertory Theatre, Circle!s Edge, 1117 CaliforniaAve., charter.net/agelessrep.

For read-ers who are

not familiar with what I havepreviously shared in this col-umn, I live on a ship. Sort of.My husband has had too-many-to-count opportunitiesto be a guest lecturer oncruise ships during the past17-years and insists I accom-pany him. Since I get seasickin the shower I initially wentalong with great reluctancebut am now somewhat “sea-soned” and admit that achocolate on the pillow everynight is really rather nice.

As I write this we are get-ting ready to fly off into

another sunrise in order tosail off into another sunset.Again. People frequently askfor details of our kind of trav-el so I decided to write a two-part narrative of this one,from preparation to return.

It is eleven degrees outside.I am wearing wool on top offleece on top of Cuddle Duds(great stuff, by the way) as Iforage through packed-away,alien summer clothes. Threedays from now I will be inSingapore where both thetemperatures and the humidi-ty are in the 90s. The high90s. I don’t “do” that kindof heat so my spouse isresigned to what heknows lies ahead; a cross& cranky woman whowhines a lot.

I am often asked for adviceon how to pack for a cruise,the supposition being that Imust know how since I do itso often. A fair assumption,but not true. I have friends,one in particular, who travelsthe world, from mountains todeserts to exotic eleganceelsewhere, all with one suit-case, Alas, not so with me. Ido have a blueprint I seem tofaithfully follow every time weget ready to go: (1) Announceto spouse that I am takingvery few clothes because Ireally don’t need that much.

(2) Start hangingthose few things ona rack in the bed-room. (3) Put onepair of comfortablewalking shoes and

one pair of dressy shoesbeneath rack. (4)Congratulate myself on beinga savvy traveler. (5) Trot outthe “what-ifs”: what if it isunexpectedly cold (orhot/wet/dry, as the case maybe). What if my eveningattire is too dressy. Or toocasual. What if one pair ofbasic black pants won’t beenough? What if my whitepants get stained? What if Iget a blister; won’t I needanother pair of shoes? Whatif I need a sweater, or a wind-breaker or umbrella? What ifI want to exercise and get inshape (doubtful, but possible),shouldn’t I take gym attire?(6) Look in closet and see alot of other options; startadding more things to the


this ‘n thatby Anne [email protected]

Doing What We Do—AgainPart one

rack. (7) Look at the rack,realize I can’t possibly take allof that but I’m getting con-fused. Take a nap. (8) Startworrying about the possibilityof getting sick & pack everyprecautionary medication wehave on hand and then buymore. (9) Wake up in themiddle of the night to worryabout everything having to dowith the trip and everythinghaving to do with everythingelse.

It’s amazing what I can findto worry about at 2 a.m.:What if we are in a Monsoon?If the plane crashes, will ourgeographically scattered chil-dren know how to get into thehouse? Or how to dispose ofits contents? Should I get upand straighten the closets?Do I have time to clean thegarage? Should I type outdetailed lists explaining whichset of china came from mygrandmother and which came

from my mother,where theChristmas decora-tions are kept, whoto notify of ourdemise?

And so it goes, I have beendoing this for three days; Ialways do. I know those listswill not get typed and that Iwill vow to do it when wereturn; I always do. I knowthe suitcases will get packed;they always do, I know thatthere will be too many thingsin them that I don’t need andthere will be things I do needthat I left at home, which Iwill discover only after wereach the ship. I always do.

Our pending multi-leg tripfrom Reno to Singapore isabout 197 hours (it seems)but we will get there eventual-ly and sail away to Hong Kongvia Viet Nam and Thailand.It’s hot there, too. My hus-band is anxious to see how

Viet Nam has changed sincethe war and I am anxious tosee the place where he spent ayear.

So as I wander and whine Iwill take notes…and probablyhave some tales to tell. Morenext month.


Crossword p.27

this ‘n that / page 30

rooms. Getting all 14 of ustogether in one spot is not

easy. Often we go our sepa-rate ways and simply meet fordinner.

Fantasticrestaurantswhet ourpalates. The g-kids, and I usethe word looselysince the oldestis 19, the nextup is 17, the 15-year-old, the 14-year-old, theonly boy, andthe 3 eleven-year-olds, usual-ly sit at onetable, and theadults at anoth-er. They orderfrom the menusand the waitersare at their beckand call. Sure,

have the steak! Everything isincluded. Don’t get too usedto it!

Kayla, the 17-year-old, writesme a poem thathas me crying.Kaylin, the 15-year-old, givesme a paintingshe did of ourpuppy, Bella.That cinches thetears. Our sonGreg relates howdifferent thingswere in 1963.They all give us atrip to Banff,Canada.

On ChristmasEve day, the kidscollaborate on agingerbreadhouse for a contest. Ofcourse, it should have won.The houses are on displayaround the ship.

Christmas Day is spent onthe beach in Puerto Vallarta.This beats a cold whiteChristmas any time. It’s ourfirst foray in a port. Most ofus, including me, go para sail-ing. I inhale the breathtakingview. Now I won’t have to goskydiving for my big upcom-ing birthday.

On another trip to port, atender whisks us into Cabo.The water is rough but we seefish when snorkeling. I getknocked over by the waves.My two sons dash to help meup. David arrives back fromthe beach minus his shoesthat are stolen. Promptly, hebuys a pair of flip-flops.Fortunately, there is a mall inCabo and we trek there undera hot sun. Yeah, I’m complain-ing about the heat! A sportinggood store sells the samebrands we do.

Back on the ship, we attenda couples married 50-years or

more dance and champagnetoast. Gosh, they look old.

Quickly we leave. Whales, dolphins and sea

lions pass in the water along-side the ship. Party night is byone of the pools.

Seven pools seem like anappropriate number with atleast that many hot tubs ormore. The best dancing nightis a 70s party where we doYMCA and the hustle. Doyou remember those?

Our last meal on board isbreakfast. Disembarking iseasy and we get to the car by8 a.m. Something is amiss.The engine doesn’t cooperateand a jump-start is required.Finally we are on our way.The trip home takes 10-hoursalthough David disagrees.Hold on Dazzy and Bella. Weare coming home.

Photos tell the story. Afamily fell in love all overagain. I hope you can relate.

Wow, it was the dream of alifetime. We have a wonder-ful family and of coursefriends like you.

Comments always appreci-ated: [email protected].


Excerpts / page 28

All 14 of us!

Delta, Utah

Blue Highways authorWilliam Least Heat-Moon writes about US-

50, “for the unhurried, this lit-tle-known highway is the bestnational road across the mid-dle of the United States.”

Dubbed “The LoneliestRoad in America,” US-50 hasbecome one of our favoriteroutes for a road trip. Eachtime we drive through Nevada,Utah and Colorado on theLoneliest Road, we spend timeexploring towns and sites thatwere overlooked on previoustrips.

It’s been said about Delta,Utah, that your stay probablywon’t be very exciting and thatit may last only as long as ittakes to fill the gas tank andbuy a soda. And, if your onlyknowledge of the town is itswide Main Street (Highway 6and 50), sidelined by a few oldbuildings and a couple of gasstations, that may be true – asit was for us until last summer.

Then, on our most recenttrip through Utah, we desig-nated Delta as our overnightstop, and spent the better partof two days exploring the area.We discovered there’s more tothe community than meets theeye.

With approximately 3,500residents, Delta is the largestincorporated city in MillardCounty. We found businessesto meet nearly every need,including a hospital, an18-holegolf course and RV park. Atnearby Gunnison BendReservoir there are opportuni-ties for fishing, swimming, andboating. South of Delta, offHighway 257, is the Clear LakeWaterfowl Refuge, home to

numerous types of birds. FortDeseret, 10 miles southwest,was erected in 1865 byMormon pioneers, and is theonly remaining adobe fort inUtah. It is on the NationalRegister of Historic Places. Justbeyond Fort Deseret is theturn-off to the Great StoneFace, a rock formation said tolook like the LDS prophetJoseph Smith. Delta is also

considered the eastern gate-way to the Great BasinNational Park.

The Great Basin Museum, Delta

The Great Basin Museum,on Delta’s Main Street, housesexcellent rock and fossil dis-plays and articles from thecommunity’s early history. Itwas from an exhibit at the

museum that we learned aboutthe World War II TopazRelocation Center.

Topaz Japanese-AmericanRelocation Center

Near Delta is TopazMountain which derives itsname from the topaz abundantin the area. The mountain alsolends its name to the World


Seniors4Travel Robert Boyd & Carolyn Prusa

(4Travel page 34)


War II Topaz Japanese-American Internment Camp(also referred to as TopazRelocation Center). Locatedsixteen miles from Delta, from1942-46, the camp held 8500Japanese-American internees,mostly from the San FranciscoBay area.

Citing "military necessity,"the government and the U.S.Army confined over 110,000men, women, and children in10 remote camps. Althoughthe Japanese-Americans werenever charged with any crime,they were forced to abandontheir homes, taking only pos-sessions they could carry, andincarcerated for up to fouryears in camps with very prim-itive conditions, surroundedby barbed wire and armedguards. Topaz was one of thosecamps.

The internment ofAmericans of Japanese ances-

try during WW II is consid-ered one of the worst viola-tions of civil rights in the histo-ry of the U. S. On March 29,2007, Topaz Relocation Sitewas designated a NationalHistoric Landmark. To getthere, take the Sutherland roadfrom Delta and follow signs tothe Topaz Relocation CampSite.

Topaz Museum, Delta In 2012 the Topaz Museum

Board received a National ParkService Japanese AmericanConfinement Sites grant for$714,000. That grant andadditional funds raised are des-ignated for construction of anew Topaz Museum andexhibits. On Aug. 4, 2012, aground breaking ceremony onDelta’s Main Street kicked offthe construction.

For more information onDelta, Utah and Millard

County tourism: www.mil-lardcounty.com, or contactDelta Area Chamber of

Commerce, 80 N 200 W,Delta, UT 84624. Tel. (435) 864-4316

4Travel / page 33

to raise enough money tocover the expenses of theevent. The underwriterswould be repaid on a per-centage basis based on theincome that the rodeogenerated. The first yearthey received somethinglike 60 percent return ontheir money. The amountthey received in subse-quent years finally reached100 percent and the rodeowas on solid footing.

In “The Champs” sectionof the book Clifton foundarchival pictures of the JackJohnson-Jim JeffriesHeavyweightChampionship fight thatwas the first event

that gave Reno internationalstature. Other HeavyweightChampions that visitedReno in subsequent yearsincluded Jack Dempsey,Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier,Larry Holmes, Joe Luis,George Foreman, RockyMarciano and Sonny Liston.Of the aforementioned Iknew Liston the best sincehe had established his train-ing camp in the Skyroom ofthe Mapes Hotel when hefought here.

Anyone who has everwanted to know what Renowas like during its “GoldenEra” has but to turn thepages of Clifton’s latestwork.

Biggest Little/ page 26

Senior Spectrum Newspaper February 2013

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Transcript of Senior Spectrum Newspaper February 2013