Lifestyles After 50 Southwest Edition, Mar. 2015

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 2


Online Dating Tips Part 2—Playing It SafeBy Elle Layne

Greetings, web-crossed lovers! In last month’s article, we talked

about a few ways to narrow down a dating site. This month is all about making your online dating experience a safe one. We’ve heard the horror stories about predators with fake profiles arranging meetings with unsuspecting dates, or about con artists or phishers who seem caring and forthright at first but then ask for money and aggressively persist if you refuse. Lonely seniors make es-pecially appealing targets for scammers. Rather than allow a few bad apples to ruin it for the genuine beaus out there just looking for a good match, stay one step ahead of them by keeping these safety tips in mind:

1. Protect personal information. Don’t give out your address, phone number, credit card number or other details. This sounds like a no-brainer, but sometimes we can let our guard down in our at-tempts to please others. You do not want this information to fall into the hands of

a stranger, con-artist or potential stalker. Exercise sound judgment and give the relationship time before you trust any-one with sensitive info, for your safety.

2. Meet on your terms. Choose some-where familiar, safe and preferably public when meeting someone for the first time, and drive yourself. If you take your own car, you have the freedom to leave should the date go awry. Make sure to tell a friend where you are going and the name of the person you are with, and have an exit strategy. Never bring

a new date home. Don’t worry about offending the other person; an honest mate will understand your taking precautions.

3. Watch for red flags: These are a few signs that your match might be a scammer trying to lure you into parting with your money or information, according to Match.com:

• Your new match quickly asks to chat on an outside email or messaging service

• Claims to be from U.S. but currently travelling, living or working abroad

• Asks you for money• Vanishes mysteriously from the site,

then reappears under a different name• Talks about “destiny” or “fate”• Claims to be recently widowed• Asks for your address under the guise

of sending flowers or gifts

• Makes an inordinate amount of grammar and/or spelling errors

• Sends you emails containing strange links to third-party websites

• Uses fake photos. Scammers will sometimes pull photos off of stock image sites or other people’s Facebook pages. You can double-check a photo by dragging or saving the image to your computer’s desktop, opening Google Image Search (images.google.com), and dragging the photo into the search field. Then hit the “search images” button to see where else the photo is being posted online. It never hurts to do your homework!

4. Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. And there is no ex-cuse for harassing texts, emails or phone calls. If someone is stalking you, don’t hesitate to report them to the dating site and to the police. Nothing is worth risking your safety over. I hope these tips help make your expe-rience a smooth one. In our next and last installment, I’ll let you know how you can make your dating profile pop!


Dear Readers,

So there I was, with an armful of baby

chickens. I was maybe four or five years old, and my hands were full of squirming balls of yellow down and peep-ing orange beaks. You should have seen the smile on my face. My folks came to their rescue, carefully scooping the chicks out of my hands and returning them to the hay pile they had been resting in. It was the first trip to the North Caro-lina State Fair that I can remember, and the first time I had met a chicken in per-son. Cows, sheep, pigs and goats were equally amazing, and I left having had a chance to see and touch and interact with creatures I had only seen in books. It made a big impression on me as a kid. Unless you grow up on a farm, a fair or a field trip is one of the first and few interactions we have with agriculture. And it becomes easier, as an adult, to lose touch with the earth and where everything comes from. We can take for granted what’s on our plate and how it gets there. There’s a movement you might have heard of called Slow Food that’s all about getting back to the basics—add-ing more fresh, locally grown produce to your diet when you can, and getting to know the people who grow it. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, as I was, you’ll learn more about the move-ment in this issue and how to participate by growing your own food at home or tak-ing advantage of local farmers markets. Florida has a wealth of them! I had no idea until I first moved here from up north. Scattered at street corners across town were stands advertising ripe or-anges and tangelos, flats of fresh-picked strawberries, crisp peppers and onions,

sweet corn, orange blossom honey, bulging watermelons and boiled peanuts. It was a special treat to pile the family in the car and head down to one of the neighborhood fruit stands for a hand-made strawberry milkshake. That stand has been run by a local family farm for as long as I can remember. Still is. Florida has a wonderful agricultural tradition, and now is great time to celebrate it.

Grow your own It’s also a good time to try your hand at planting your own edibles, if a reward-ing hobby is what you’re looking for. There’s something wonderful about eating food that was grown right in your own backyard. Even by accident. When I was a kid, my family ended up with a rogue watermelon one year. It probably came from one of our seed-spitting fights the previous summer. But my little brothers and sister and I watched with fascination as it grew in our backyard. It went from a golf ball, to a softball, to a football-sized fruit in a few weeks. It never got any bigger than

Tracie Lukens,Editor

On Chickens and Accidental Melonsthat, and it wasn’t as sweet as the grocery store variety, but we didn’t care. It was our watermelon, and somehow that made it taste better. (I just hope it wasn’t from one of the seeds my brother shot out of his nose.) A neighbor of mine is more professional about the whole thing, and he has a home gar-den full of broccoli, squash, loquats, kale, pineapple, (proper) watermelon and other fruits and veggies. He usually ends up with more than he can ever use, and enjoys sharing the bounty with others. Our editor emeritus,

Janice Doyle, has fond memories of growing up on her family farm. Shortly before she retired, Janice and her hus-band decided to build a chicken coop in their backyard and have been having adventures raising hens. “We’ve become very 1970’s Mother Earth-y in our conversations,” she told me. “Fresh for us now means eggs that go from nest to skillet in a matter of minutes. We’re inundated with fresh greens from the garden this month and that’s wonderful as well.” The benefits to reconnecting with the earth are manifold. If you can, try grow-ing one edible this year (even if it’s a rogue watermelon) and taste the fruits of your labor. It’s an amazing feeling. Even better, get a grandkid involved and watch the “wow” moments as a seed becomes a plant, and then a tomato, and then spaghetti sauce. Trust me, it’ll make a lasting impression. Spring is here with all its goodness, and there are many seeds to be planted. —Tracie Lukens

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Assisted Living 101

Friday, Mar. 19, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

13901 Shell Point Plaza • Fort Myers, Florida 33908 • www.shellpoint.orgThe Springs Assisted Living is part of Shell Point’s Integrated Healthcare System. Shell Point is a non-profit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc. ©

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your loved one is in need of help. She will also explain how to cover assisted living costs.

This program is free, but registration is required by calling:

(239) 454-2077

Around Town: What’s Happening In MarchSaturdays Downtown Punta Gorda

Farmers Market. Free admission. 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Taylor Street at West Olympia Avenue. 941-391-4856.

Weds. and Sat. through April 30 Historical Walking Tours of

Downtown Ft. Myers. 90 mins., starts 10:30 a.m. at the Southwest Florida Museum of History. $12 (add museum admission for only $6). RSVP/info at 239-945-0405 or 239-321-7430.

Through 28 Sanibel Music Festival. Classical music; includes 7 concerts

with piano, chamber music, recital and vocal ensemble. 8 p.m. $40. Congrega-tional Church, Sanibel. 239-344-7025.

5 – 7 Sanibel Shell Festival. Free shell crafting, meet the artists, purchase

shells, create your own shell to take home and more. Free entry. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. San-ibel Community House. 503-871-1082.

7 Emerald Garden Gala (Black Tie Ball). Hosted by USA Dance, Chapter 6049.

$30/$35. 7 – 10 p.m. Riverside Commu-nity Center, Ft. Myers. 954-798-0757.

7 Guided Nature Walk. Enjoy fresh-water wetlands, pine flatwoods,

scrub areas, and oak and sabal palm hammocks. Free. 9 a.m. Prairie Pines Preserve, Ft. Myers. 239-707-2206.

8 Enjoy being a “wee bit Irish”—if just for the afternoon. This Lee

County Community Band concert in-cludes rousing marches, light classical pieces, Broadway hits and a sprinkling of favorite Irish tunes. Free. 3 p.m. Cape Coral High School. 239-945-2554.

11 “Discover DaVinci & Michelange-lo: Side by Side” multimedia the-

ater performance at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Ft. Myers. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 – $20. 239-481-4849.

12 – 22 Collier County Fair. Daily shows and events, “fair food,”

livestock competitions and more. $10 gate admission; Collier County Fair-grounds, Naples. 941-455-1415.

13 Christian Women’s Connection March Luncheon “Bling It On –

for All that Jazz.” Wear your “Bling” as

Tempe Brown entertains with her Jazz and Blues! $25 all inclusive. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Club at Grandezza, Estero. Reservations required; 239-821-5443.

14 “March in the Park” Plant and garden art sale. Master gardeners

answer questions. Free. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Jaycee Park, Cape Coral. 239-257-2654.

14 and 15 Shrimp Festival and Pa-rade. Entertainment, 5K Treasure

Run and vendors. Free admission. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Lynn Hall Memorial Park, Fortt Myers Beach. 239-454-7500.

17 Spring Fling with the Ft. My-ers Republican Womens Club.

St. Patricks Day theme. 10 a.m. card party and social hour; silent auction at 11 a.m.; fashion show and luncheon at 12 p.m. $30. The Helm Club, The Land-ings, South Fort Myers. RSVP by Mar. 12 required; 239-489-4701.

20 Fort Myers Music Walk. Live bands, shops, patios, bars and

restaurants. 6 – 10 p.m. Downtown Fort Myers. 239-645-6457.

21 Southwest Florida Reading festi-val. Best-selling author presenta-

tions, youth activities, library technolo-gy, contests, booksellers, book signings, a free book for every child and teen and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harbor-side Event Center and Centennial Park, Ft. Myers. 239-337-7323.

25 27, 28 Mystery On The River Queen. While you’re listening

to toe-tapping music, there is a mystery going on and you’re invited aboard. $10. 25: 3 p.m.; 27 and 28: 7:30 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church, Ft My-ers. 239-561-2198 for tickets.

28 and 29 Spring Fine Arts Fes-tival. West Dearborn Street is

transformed into a pedestrian-only art-ist “village” with works for sale. Free admission. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Downtown Englewood. 941-286-3870.

Send Around Town news to News Con-nection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; fax 813-651-1989 or email [email protected] by March 10 for April events.)


By Tracie Lukens

Where does your food come from? Is it healthy? Is its production

beneficial to you, other people or the environment? In today’s culture, it can be easy to lose touch with what we eat. Convenience and cost can lead us to questionable choices that ultimately affect our wellbeing. In response, a growing movement called Slow Food has emerged with a mission to reintroduce the world to everything wholesome about food, from local farms and markets to your table.

Slow Food What is “slow food?” Think of the term as the opposite of fast food. The move-ment is founded on three principles:Good: Our food should include a fresh and flavorsome seasonal diet that satisfies the senses and is part of our local culture;Clean: Food production and consump-tion should not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health;Fair: There should be accessible prices for consumers and fair conditions and pay for small-scale producers. Since the global, grassroots movement was first established in 1989, it has grown to include millions of people in over 150 countries. Chefs like Stefan Mahan, founder of Mahan’s Eatery in Lakeland, Fla., are helping to champion the cause. A farm-ers market opens outside the restaurant’s doors every Saturday, and Mahan relies on its fresh, local goods for his dishes—everything from produce, bacon and seafood to spices and coffee. “It’s something that a lot of chefs don’t do,” he told me. “They rely on a produce company to drop things off. Here, I can touch everything, see everything, and if it’s not up to our standards, I don’t use it.” Like Mahan, you don’t have to travel too far to take advantage of neighborhood farmers markets, which offer benefits to your health and your local economy.

Why Shop at a Farmers Market? For starters, you have access to fresh food, harvested at the peak of its ripeness and nutrition, free of preservatives. Small markets also cut out the middleman, so you have a chance to score some deals on in-season produce, especially if you buy in bulk. Furthermore, you’re bring-ing money back to your community by supporting local farmers. Debbie Butts, one of the workers at Eco-Farm in Plant City, Fla., has been selling produce at the downtown Lakeland farm-ers market for eight years. “I think buying local and organic is important,” she said. “Farmers markets connect people with the community. It’s a big social event, and now that we can take food stamps, we can get good food to the people.” Here are some tips for getting the most out of your farmers market trip:

1. Go early or late: The best produce can go fast, so it pays to arrive when it opens. However, if you show up right before closing, you can find some decent sales.2. Bring a canvas bag or wheeled cart. This keeps plastic bag costs down for farmers and makes bulky produce easier to carry. Don’t forget a small cooler for meats, dairy or frozen treats.3. Bring change. A few vendors will have card scanners, but most markets operate on cash. 4. Try new things. Local growers will sometimes have offerings that you wouldn’t otherwise find in a grocery

store. Dragonfruit? Prickly pear? Why not! You may discover a new favorite. Also, don’t be put off by “ugly” fruits and veggies, as they are just as flavor-ful and nutrient-rich as their waxed, uniform grocery store counterparts.5. Talk to the farmer. The heart of the Slow Food philosophy is getting to know where your food comes from, and most small farmers are happy to answer your questions. You may find that they offer organic produce, even though they are too small to afford an organic certification. Don’t be afraid to ask for samples or recipe ideas—they want you coming back for more. 6. Make it a trip. Farmers markets can be fun, social experiences. Take a friend or a grandkid, learn more about agriculture and enjoy the fresh air and community fellowship.

Accessible Nutrition Farmers markets are also a huge part of making healthy food accessible to everyone through federal programs like the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, or (SFMNP). It provides low-income seniors with vouchers that can be exchanged for eligible foods (fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs) at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and communi-ty-supported agriculture programs. Economically disadvantaged families tend to consume diets low in fruits and vegetables, partially due to poor access to healthy food and the income to pay for it.

These vouchers increase the amount of produce in the diets of some families on food assistance, according to research led by NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. “In terms of healthy food options, farmers market incentives may be able to bring a low-income person onto the same playing field as those with greater means,” said Carolyn Dimitri, an asso-ciate professor of food studies at NYU Steinhardt and the study’s lead author. Currently, only low-income elders living in Alachua, Bay, Dixie, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Hernando, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Sumter, Suwannee, Union, and Washington counties may apply for the program in Florida, though it will expand as program funding increases. Visit elderaffairs.state.fl.us/doea/farmers_market.php to learn more.

Find a Market Near YouUSDA’s National Farmers Market Directory: This database includes direc-tions, hours, products, federal nutrition program participation and more info on 8,100 farmers markets nationwide. Visit search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/.Local Harvest: A great online resource for farms, farmers markets, cooking classes and agricultural events happen-ing in your area. See localharvest.org.Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): In this program, community members can pledge funds to a local farm at the start of a growing season to cover the farmer’s salary and opera-tion expenses in exchange for a share of the farm’s bounty throughout the season—usually in the form of a box of assorted fresh produce or meat and dairy products set aside for pickup each week. Members share risk with the farmer—some yields may be heartier than others, but the reward is a regular supply of fresh food at prices that are usually cheaper than grocery stores. To find a CSA, or to learn more, visit localharvest.org/store/csa.jsp.

Slow Down, Eat Better With Farmers Markets


The Best of Charlotte

8 15th Annual Peace River Celtic Fes-tival. Traditional Celtic music and

dance, food, activities and more. Noon to 7 p.m. at the Celtic Ray Public House, Punta Gorda. $5 entry. 941-625-8544.

11 An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films; Part of the first annual

Punta Gorda Film Festival. Screening at 7 p.m. at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. $15; purchase tickets online at brownpapertickets.com/event/1085294. 718-510-6929.

13 – 15 Spring Bazaar. Arts, crafts and more. 13 and 14: 9 a.m. to 3

p.m.; 15: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cultural Cen-ter of Charlotte County. 941-625-4175.

17 Fishermen’s Village St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. 10

a.m. to 8 p.m.)Vendors, live enter-tainment all day, Lee County Pipes & Drums show and parade (5:30 p.m.), Irish music (6 – 8 p.m.) and food. Free entry. 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. 941-639-8721.

17 Sandwich Seminar: Knee and Hip Pain Relief with speaker

Mark Davis, M.D., Orthopedic Sur-geon. Have your questions answered

and learn to identify causes, symptoms and treatment options, including the latest procedures for total knee replace-ment. Free. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association. Register: 941-637-2497.

19 Military Heritage Museum hosts Reception for Women in the Mili-

tary. 4 – 7 p.m. at the Museum, Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda. 941-575-9002.

24 Ladies’ Luncheon and Fashion Show. Raffles, prizes, music and

more. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; lunch at 12:30 p.m. $25. Cultural Center of Charlotte County, Port Charlotte. 941-625-4175.

It’s Never Too Late To... Play Pickleball!By T. Bryce Reeves

It’s never too late to…pick up a paddle

and play pickleball. This game with a funny name is actually one of the fastest growing sports in America. Combining elements of tennis, badminton and Ping-Pong, pickleball may be played by all ages, including those in their 90s. It is appealing to seniors because it is less strenuous than tennis, yet it can pro-vide challenging competition for more advanced players. Pickleball paddles are smaller than tennis racquets and larger than Ping-Pong paddles. The plastic balls have holes and are similar to Wiffle balls. Check with your city’s recreation de-partment and see if they offer open play sessions. If they don’t, you may want to ask them to look into it.A quick history: The game was created in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washing-ton, and Bill Bell, a businessman, to en-tertain their families during a barbecue.

Accounts of how the name pickleball originated vary. A July 16, 2013 article in The Wall Street Journal says, “The name comes not from the family dog, Pickles, as popularly related. According to a newspaper column by Pritchard’s wife, Joan, it was so heavily based on other games it reminded her of the pickle boat in crew, ‘where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.’” Popular belief is that the game was named after the dog, Pickles, who chased after the ball. Others claim both accounts may be true. Regardless of where it came from, the name pickleball has endured. (From Pickleball Fundamentals by USA Pickleball Association with Mary Little-wood. For more, visit HumanKinetics.com.)

Older adults get a vigorous workout playing pickleballat Clearwater’s Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex.


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Grab Some Shoes, Shake The BluesThey are common suggestions to

remedy stress: You just need a breath of fresh air. Walk it off. Get out and see people. Turns out all those things combined may, in fact, make you feel better—a lot better—a new large scale study sug-gests. Something as simple as joining a walking group may be one of the best ways to improve your overall health. Group nature walks are linked with significantly lower depression, less per-ceived stress and enhanced mental health and well-being, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan with partners in the United Kingdom. People who had recently experienced stressful life events like a serious illness, death of a loved one, marital separation or unemployment especially seemed to see a mood boost after outdoor group walks. “Walking is an inexpensive, low risk and accessible form of exercise and it turns out that, combined with nature and group settings, it may be a very powerful, under-utilized stress buster,” says Dr. Sara Warber, associate professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.”

All of this is good news for individuals looking for effective, non-pharmaco-logical ways to help treat conditions like depression. The physical benefits are also significant, according to a recent report in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Researchers reviewed 42 studies involving nearly 2,000 adults in 14 countries, some of whom had chronic health problems such as ar-thritis, diabetes, obesity, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Joining a walking group led to decreases in blood pressure, resting heart rate, body fat, weight and total cholesterol, as well as improvements in overall physical functioning and lung power. And the social aspect of the walking groups was a powerful motivator to get and stay fit. Three-quarters of the walking group participants stuck with the exercise program. You can reap the same benefits, and it’s easy to start. Try these:

Park and Ranger-guided Walks – Free or low-cost group hikes and guided nature walks are available in many state parks: floridastateparks.org/things-to-do/events. AVA (American Volkssport Association) – This nationwide, grassroots network has about 300 active clubs for noncompetitive walks, hikes, bike rides, swims and events. Find a local club at ava.org.Silver Sneakers – If you’re part of a Medi-care Advantage or Medicare Supplement Health plan, you may already have a Silver-Sneakers membership. This program hosts walking groups, general fitness classes and more. Register/info at silversneakers.com.Charities and Events – Join a local fun run or fundraising/awareness walk team. Search on active.com/walking.Meetup.com – Join a walking club or start your own! Visit walkers.meetup.com. Local health, community and fitness cen-ters will also offer group walking classes. So grab your shoes and hit the trails for a healthier, happier you. (Info from HealthDay, British Journal of Sports Medicine and University of Michigan)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Question: Where was the very first St. Patrick’s Day parade held?Your Answer:

Send in the correct answer to be entered in a drawing to win a prize valued at $25 or more each month. Deadline for entries Mar. 16, 2015. Drawing held Mar. 20, 2015.

Click on the Trivia Palooza button and answer a Trivia question each week for a chance to win a prize at the end of each month.

February’s answer is “The Hanging Gardens of Babylon.” Rodney Rodriguez is February’s winner.

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By Janice Doyle

When America enteredWorld War II in

1941, we faced an enemy that had banned and burned over 100 million books and caused fearful German citizens to hide or destroy many more. Outraged American librarians launched a campaign to collect and send books to American military training bases and to troops overseas. They gathered 20 million hardcover donations for the troops, many of which were not appropriate subject matter (knitting and cooking, for example) and were heavy to ship. Still, the books they shipped were welcomed. “We need smaller books on subjects soldiers can enjoy,” they said.

In 1943, the War Department and the publishing industry stepped in with an extraordinary program: 120 millionsmall, lightweight paperbacks for troops to carry in their pockets and their rucksacks, in every theater of war. Comprising 1,200 different titles of every imaginable type, these paper-backs were instant hits with the troops who often had many hours of waiting to deal with. “Soldiers read them while waiting to land at Normandy, in hellish trenches in the midst of battles in the Pacific, in field hospitals and on long bombing flights. They wrote to authors, many of whom responded to every letter,” says one writer. This effort by the Council on Books turned many service members into lifelong readers. They helped rescue The Great Gatsby from obscurity. Betty Smith’s book A

Tree Grows in Brook-lyn became a favorite and she received letters daily from soldiers. In a new book, When Books Went to War, author Molly Manning traces the history of the program which provided books to troops. She tells stories and quotes letters revealing how much the men loved the books and some of the strange politics that sprang up around the program. Re-publican senators at one

point, hoping to keep servicemen from voting to re-elect Roosevelt, passed a law prohibiting any kind of political references in the books. Pretty much everything, including course mate-rial for Army training, includes some kind of political reference. Eventually

there was enough flak by service-men and their families that the politicians adjusted the law. An impressive part of Manning’s book is about the long-term influ-ence on our culture of getting hun-dreds of thousands of men to read for pleasure. It turned many men into life-long readers who might not otherwise have done so. My favorite parts of the book are the stories of the soldiers and sailors who read the books and the letters they wrote about what books meant

to them. For example, when American troops stormed Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of France, they faced a barrage of machine-gun fire and almost certain death. Troops landing on the beach later that day found many badly injured soldiers propped up against the cliffs of Normandy reading books while waiting for medics to arrive. Truly it was when books went to war. When Books Went to War is yet

another tribute to the so-called Greatest

Generation.

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Grow Your Food: Urban and Small Farm SolutionsBy Tracie Lukens

Ever wanted to try your hand at

growing your own food? There are ways to maximize the yield of small growing spaces or urban farms while minimizing cost and incorporating organic practices. Try these small farm solutions:

1. Earthboxes: Container gardening systems like Earthboxes are portable gardening solutions that work well in small spaces. After initial setup, they last for years with minimal maintenance and use less water and fertilizer than conven-tional farming methods. Earthbox.com.

2. Hoop Greenhouses: These customizable greenhouses are easy to build, inexpensive and allow you to farm year-round. Plants also gain some protection from pests and the elements. Find plans/kits online.

3. Aeroponic Farming: In this soil-free growing system, plants are rooted in a vertical container through which a nutrient-rich solution is circulated. This method conserves space, water and materials. Learn more at vertigro.com.

4. Light, Composting and Rain Bar-rels: If your space has little or no natural sunlight is available, metal halide lights,

which produce a strong output of the blue spectrum, can fill in. Use your own compost bin to help dispose of organic waste while building your own soil. It reduces the need for chemi-cal fertilizers, which can save money and spare the environ-ment. Vermicomposting, which uses a special kind of earthworm to produce compost, can help you build soil in a small space. Use rain barrels to capture rainwater for irrigation and enjoy the water bill savings!

5. A-Frame Chicken Tractors: These portable, lightweight coops offer graz-ing and roosting room for a small group of hens and have a small backyard footprint. Plans/kits available online.6. Green Roof: If you don’t have a yard, but you have a flat roof other outdoor space that you can modify, a “green roof” might be your

solution. A thin layer of soil or other medium can support a dense mat of plants. You can also start small by setting up a potted gar-den on a balcony or windowsill.7. Community Gardens: Talk to your community, HOA or city of-ficials about converting an unused

public space, such as a vacant lot, median or a section of a park, into a small garden that residents can use freely. Growers can earn extra income by selling surplus at community events and farm-ers markets, or provide charity by donating to food pantries.8. Extension Offices: On-line resources and free or low-cost classes on urban and small space farming are available at your local extension office. Ask the experts for more info on these solutions, tips for pest control, small livestock, plant selection and more: solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu.


Plan Your Summer Escape

By Connie Moody, CTA, DSSenior Cruise Specialist

Summertime, especially for full time residents, means travel time. I have

asked my colleagues, Susan Valentine and Margo Buttino, where they are going, and I’m also sharing my travel plans. Perhaps you might want to join us on one of our summer escapes. Susan is headed to Alaska on the Silver Shadow, one of our favorite all-inclusive, deluxe ships. I have been to Alaska seven times myself, and always say, “the smaller the ship, the better the expe-rience.” At 400 passengers, the Silver Shadow visits the usual ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka, but also visits the rarely called upon Nanaimo on the Vancouver Island. This port gives you the opportunity to travel on a 1929 Baldwin steam locomotive through surrounding for-ests during a 35-minute rail journey to Canada’s only steam-operated sawmill. Another highlight of this cruise is the Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest excursion in Sitka. I take this excursion every time I cruise Alaska and am always rewarded with whale, eagle, seal and sea otter sightings. The 7-night cruise departs Vancouver on July 7. Margo is hosting a grand exploration of the British Isles aboard the Crystal Serenity. This comprehensive cruise includes England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland. The ease of flying roundtrip into London makes this especially appealing for passengers who want a convenient gateway to some of Europe’s best culture, history and scen-ery. A highlight of the cruise is a visit to Portmerion and Snowdonia. Portmerion, the set for the television show, “The Prisoner,” is a beautiful Italianate village on the seacoast. The Snowdonia Forest offers beautiful undisturbed scenery with windy roads and passes. The new Titanic

museum is a must-see for Belfast visitors, and the cruise calls on Lon-donderry, a less visited port in Northern Ireland. Other ports of call include Portland, England for Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral, Liverpool for a walk in the steps of the Beatles, Guernsey and Jersey, and Greenock Scotland for a visit to the Highlands and Loch Lo-mond. The 14-night cruise

departs Dover on July 25. I am cruising the Mediterranean aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner, departing from Lisbon on August 17 for a 10 night cruise to Rome. This cruise combines such popular cities as Barcelona, Monte Carlo and Florence with some unique ports of call such as Alicante, St. Tropez and Portofino. Take the opportunity to visit Seville, the Alhambra, see a performance at an Andaluzian Horse Farm, and rediscover David at the Academia. While away an afternoon sipping coffee and people watching at a seaside café in exotic St. Tropez or explore the walled town of St. Paul de Vence where the Impressionists exchanged valuable paintings for food at La Columbe d’Or. You’ll need Euros or a credit card instead. Our opportunities to explore the world happen mostly in the summer when Naples operates at a more leisurely pace. If you’re a full timer like us, you might need a summer break and change of scenery too.


Cataracts… Third Leading Cause Of Blindness In The United StatesJonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACSMedical Director, Frantz EyeCare

Studies suggest that everyone who lives long enough will get cata-

racts, although there may be some re-duced risk if you eat properly, avoid sun exposure and do not smoke. As the eye ages, the normal lens inside the eye becomes cloudy preventing the light rays from passing easily through it, and images become blurry, like a window that is frosted or fogged with steam. Although cataracts usually develop as part of the aging process, other causes include family history, medical problems, eye injury, or unprotected exposure to sunlight. Many people experience blurry vision; glare, or light sensitivity; need brighter light to read, or fading or yellowing of colors. A thorough eye examination can detect a cataract, as well as other conditions that may be causing blurred vision or discomfort. Dr. Frantz introduced Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery to southwest Florida in 2012, the biggest advancement in 20

years. He is pleased to announce that Cataract & Cornea Specialist George Corrent, MD, PhD, has joined the Frantz EyeCare medical team to help with the increased demand for bladeless laser cataract surgery and provide comprehensive

ophthalmology care for patients in their Naples and Fort Myers offices. To make an appointment visit www.bettervision.net or call 239-418-0999.

Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS, is named in The Guide to America’s Top Ophthalmologists. He and his team of doctors at Frantz EyeCare offer a broad spectrum of patient-focused comprehensive care from eye exams and eyewear to bladeless laser cataract removal, treatment of eye diseases, bladeless WaveLight LASIK laser vision correction, and eyelid surgery with office locations in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, Lehigh Acres, and Naples.

Dr. Jonathan Frantz

Stem Cells Take Center StageBy David Ebner, Staff Writer

The world will never forget the day when four young men from

Liverpool, England walked onto the stage of The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. The bright stage lights and the squeals from the crowd rained down on the group, and that grainy black and white image was pinned as a major moment in music history. The introduction of stem cell research to the world stage was not filled with as much fanfare. There were no screaming fans or standing ovations when the first stem cell therapy was conducted in the form of a bone marrow transplant in 1956. The long hours that scientists spent diligently researching and studying cells in laboratories across the world were not recorded in the pages of Life magazine. Even in 2012, when the two scientists who discovered the application of stem cells as the building blocks for human life won a Nobel Prize, the response was limited to the medical community. While the history of stem cell research may seem dwarfed in comparison to

that of the Beatles or Elvis Presley, its impact on the healthcare and medical industry is anything but small. Adult stem cells live all over the body, and if extracted and reintroduced to the body,

they can specialize as whatever type of cell they are near. For example, if stem cells from a patient’s abdominal fat were removed, isolated and re-introduced to the lungs of the patient with a progressive lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the stem cells would become lung cells. These new cells would be disease free and would regenerate more disease-free lung cells, inevitably increasing lung

function. For someone with a debilitat-ing disease, a stem cell treatment like this could mean the difference between struggling for air and breathing easier.

The staff at the Lung Institute have successfully performed such procedures on over 500 patients. Many of these patients have shared their personal stories online at www.LungInstitute.com. The Lung Institute’s Medical Director, Dr. Burton Feinerman said, “Stem cells are important because they offer a different approach. Instead of just treating symptoms and making the patient a little more comfortable, stem cells target the disease and can repairthe damaged tissue.” It’s difficult to imagine a medical breakthrough taking center stage over a story about the latest sensation. However, that isn’t to say that life-changing advancements in medical therapies, like stem cell treatments, aren’t occurring every day. The people that have sought these innovative treatments are already seeing these advancements in action, and although they may not be screaming like the crazed Beatles fans of the sixties, the stem cell fan base is growing every day with people that can now breathe easier.

For improved vision and an overall improved quality of life, call us to schedule your cataract evaluation today!

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How Using an FTRI “Free” AmplifiedTelephone Changed My Life

Let’s imagine this scenario: your son calls to ask if you want to go out for

dinner, but it sounds like there’s something wrong with the phone line. His voice sounds muffled and distant, too quiet. “What was that? You sounded muffled,” you say. He repeats himself, but it sounds the same. “Sorry, one more time?” He sighs and asks you to dinner once more. Finally you hear and understand his invitation but you also hear frustration in his voice. And it’s not the first time this has happened; you noticed the same thing when your best friend, coworker, other family members and doctor called. You are tired of asking everyone to repeat what they said. Eventually you stop answering the phone because it’s too frustrating, too painful to continue straining to understand the conversation. Unfortunately, that is an all-too-common problem. In fact, millions of people suffer with hearing loss, yet only 20 percent do something about it. What the remaining 80 percent might not know is that, in addition to causing frustration and isolation, untreated hearing loss leads to a higher probability of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and falling. Thankfully, the Florida Telecom-munications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) programoffers a solution for Florida residents experiencing hearing loss. FTRI distributes a variety of amplified telephones to qualified Florida residentsto ensure that they’re able to have the bestquality of life at no cost. The no costrationale was made possible with thepassage of Florida’s Telecommunications Access Systems Act of 1991 that implements the current eleven cents surcharge on all landlines in Florida. This not-for-profit program serves any eligible Florida residents over the age of three with a certified hearing loss or speech-challenge that has a working landline at home.

It sounds too good to be true, but it applies to three million Floridians with varying degrees of hearing loss. Florida resident Donald Hoover knows how invaluable his amplified telephone is. “I was unable to use a phone until now,” he explained. “It has changed my life.” Thanks to ClearSounds technology, he is finally able to hear and understand con-versations using an amplified telephone.

Do not let hearing loss come between you and your loved ones—reconnect today with the FTRI amplified telephone program! Call 800-222-3448 or visit www.ftri.org/ClearSounds1 to request an application. Do you know a Floridian friend or family member having trouble hearing on the phone? Share and pass it along one of Florida’s open secrets. Florida is speaking up for better communication! If you are experiencing trouble with your current FTRI phone, have a change in your hearing or no longer need your FTRI phone, please contact FTRI’s Customer Care at 888-554-1151. FTRI is a statewide nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization that administers the distribution of specialized telecommunications equipment for all Floridians with a hearing loss or speech challenge. A surcharge applied to landline subscribers funds the program as mandated by Florida’s Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991. #KeepFloridaConnected

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Stay Off the Sidelines During “Spring Training”By Dr. John C. Kagan, M.D.

As spring returns to Southwest Florida this month, many people

will take the opportunity to enjoy the good weather while taking part in one of our many outdoor sports. Golf, ten-nis, jogging, bicycling and many other outdoor recreational activities are one of the biggest benefits of living in Florida. But jumping into a new sport can leave you on the sidelines if you aren’t pre-pared. Before you start up your “spring training” exercise regimen—especially if you’re going from a fairly sedentary lifestyle to a more active one—keep these tips from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in mind:1. Start slow. If you’re haven’t gotten a lot of exercise recently, don’t imme-diately set your sights on a marathon. It takes time to build up muscle strength and stamina. Warming up and cooling down before and after your exercise, along with gentle stretching, keeps muscles and joints flexible.2. Keep it varied. If you try to swing a golf club or a tennis racquet every day of the week, you’re likely to end up with sore joints and muscles. Mix up your routines so you aren’t using the same muscles and joints intensely every day.3. Don’t forget the benefit of rest. If you find yourself in sharp pain after a workout, your body’s trying to tell you you’re going too fast. As you schedule your workouts, make sure to leave time on the schedule for your muscle tissue to heal and rebuild, particularly if you’re starting up your exercise routine after a long period of relative inactivity.4. Don’t forget your annual physical. If you’re over the age of 50 or have had major health issues, see your doc-tor before you start an intense exercise regimen to make sure it’s appropriate for you. Your doctor can also let you know what types of exercise might be most beneficial for you.5. This is Florida—don’t forget the sunscreen and water. Even in spring, the sun beats down strongly, and it’s easy to get dehydrated quickly. Repetitive motions are the most com-mon sports-related injuries. Tennis elbow, swimmer’s shoulder, and stress fractures and shin splints in runners are some of the most common injuries seen by orthopedic

surgeons. Repetitive trauma caused by overuse of the joints can lead to soreness and injury in a short amount of time. Tendonitis is one of the most common culprits, leading to issues like golfer’s and tennis elbow. The tendon in the elbow swells and becomes inflamed after repeti-tive stress, which leads to pain, redness and tenderness. The bursa, a small, fluid-filled sac between the tendon, muscle and bone, may also become inflamed. Swimmer’s shoulder is often caused by tendonitis of the rotator cuff in the shoulder joint. Shin splints and stress fractures are com-mon injuries for runners. Stress fractures are tiny “micro-cracks” in the bone that result from the muscles being stressed beyond their ability to absorb the shock of impact when the foot hits the ground. Instead, the bone itself absorbs the sock of impact, and the force results in tiny frac-tures. Shin splints are caused by irritation and stress to the area of the leg where the calf muscle attaches to the shinbone. Many of the most common sports injuries offer warning signs before they become too serious. Swelling, reduced range of motion, numbness and tingling, muscle tenderness and joint pain are indications of trauma to the body. Often, simple treat-ments such as resting, applying hot or cold compresses and taking over-the-counter pain relievers are enough to improve the symptoms. If the pain persists, however, or if it prevents you from enjoying your favorite athletic activity, make an ap-pointment to speak with an orthopedic specialist as soon as possible. More inten-sive therapies, such as anti-inflammatory medications or injections or physical ther-apy, may be required to address the issue. More serious problems may require arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment by an experienced orthopedic surgeon. If you have concerns about sports in-juries or other orthopedic disorders, Dr. John C. Kagan and his team are ready to answer your questions. With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres, Athletic Orthopedic and Reconstructive Center (AORC) is devoted to providing the highest level of quality care and treatment of the musculo-skeletal system, which includes the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves. AORC specializes in total joint replace-ment, fracture care, sports medicine, hand surgery, neurology, podiatry and general orthopedics. For more info, call 239-936-6778 or visit www.bone-fix.com.

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Sleepy? Reset Your Internal ClockBy Mike Sesma, National Institutes of Health

Feeling tired and out-of-sorts this week? Springing clocks forward by

an hour on March 8, traveling across time zones, staring at a computer screen late at night or working the third shift are just a few examples of activities that can dis-rupt our daily, or circadian, rhythms. Cir-cadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s envi-ronment. They influence our physiology and behavior, and they’re driven by our body’s network of tiny timekeepers. Four facts about our internal clocks:1. The biological clocks that control circa-dian rhythms are groupings of interacting molecules in cells throughout the body. A “master clock” in the brain coordinates all the body clocks so that they are in synch.2. Nearly everything about how our body works is tied to biological clocks. Our clocks influence alertness, hunger, metabo-lism, fertility, mood and other physiological conditions. For this reason, clock dysfunc-tion is associated with various disorders, in-cluding insomnia, diabetes and depression.

3. Every organism has them—from algae to zebras, and many of the clock genes and proteins are similar across species, allowing researchers to make findings about human circadian processes by studying organisms like fruit flies, bread mold and plants.4. Whether we’re awake or asleep, our clocks keep ticking. While they might get temporarily thrown off by changes in light or temperature, (or time and dis-tance, in the case of jet lag) our clocks usually can reset themselves.Reset Your Clocks Sometimes it can take up to two weeks to get back on schedule. Some helpful tips:• Establish a relaxing pre-sleep ritual, such as reading or listening to calm music. • Make sure the bedroom is quiet, dark and free of the bright lights and stimula-tion of TVs and other electronics. · • Avoid large meals, alcohol (3 hours)and caffeine (6 hours) before bed. • Exercise earlier in the day. • Keep the same bedtime and wake time each day, even on weekends.• Get more sun exposure in the morning and avoid light at night.

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Should I Apply For A MSP?Dear Marci, I think my monthly in-

come is a little over the income limit for a Medicare Savings Program. Should I still apply anyway? —Alexander

Dear Alexander, yes, even if your income is above the guidelines for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), you should still apply. You may still qualify for an MSP because certain income and assets may not count. Each state has its own formula for counting your income and assets to determine eligibility for an MSP. In all states, the following income is never counted:• The first $20 of all income• The first $65 of monthly wages• One-half of your monthly wages

(after the $65 is deducted)• Food stamps Some states may not count other in-come, and/or may exclude things from your income, such as the money you use to pay health insurance premiums (like Part B premiums). Also, if there are more than two people in your household, the

monthly income limit may be higher in some states. In all states, the following assets are never counted:• Your primary house• Your car• Household goods and wedding/

engagement rings• Burial funds for you and your spouse

valued up to $1,500 each• Life insurance with a cash value of less

than $1,500• Many states do not count other types of

assets. Some states have no asset test. To find out your state’s guidelines for determining eligibility for an MSP, contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). To find the contact information for your SHIP, you can go online and visit www.shiptalk.org. —Marci

Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare.

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Over the last few decades, Ameri-cans have been eating out more and

cooking at home less often. But when you cook at home, you can make better choices about what and how much you eat and drink than you do when eating out. A study targeted to the 65+ demographic published in a Cambridge University journal finds that people who cook up to five times a week were 47 percent more likely to still be alive after 10 years. Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore; it can also be a fun activity and a way to spend time with family and friends, as well as a way to discover new recipes and take an active role in your health. Check out these tips for wholesome, easy home cooking:

Cooking for health As we age, our bodies change. The di-etary needs that sustained us in our 40s no longer suffice as we hit our 70s and 80s. Staying mentally and physically healthy requires a multifold approach and too many seniors overlook the need for nutritional counseling. A healthy meal starts with more veg-etables and fruits and smaller portions of protein and grains. You don’t have to eat from every food group at each meal, but thinking about the food groups can help you build a healthy meal. Here are five foods every senior citizen needs to incorporate daily.Fruit: We should be getting at least 1 1/2 servings of fruit a day as a bare min-imum. Fruit servings should not take the form of juices! By opting for juices in-stead of the actual fruit, we are missing out on more than half the needed fiber and vitamins.Vegetables: Older adults should opt for vegetables that are rich in antioxi-dants. These include dark, leafy greens like kale and spinach, as well as orange and yellow vegetables such as car-rots and squash. Two to three cups of vegetables daily is the general guideline for seniors.

Calcium: Bone health is a serious con-cern, and maintaining strong bones depends on calcium. Seniors require 1,200mg of calcium a day. This can be achieved through milk, yogurts and cheeses. Patients with a dairy allergy can opt for tofu, broccoli and almonds.Grains: To maximize fiber intake, choose whole grains over processed white flour. We need between six and seven ounces of grains a day. One slice of whole grain bread is equal to one ounce of grains.Protein: Seniors should aim for 1 to 1 1/2 grams of protein for every 2.2 lbs of body weight. Protein sources should be divided throughout the various meals. Each meal should contain between 25 and 40 grams of protein; anything less won’t assist in bone and muscle health. Protein sources include fish, beans, peas, eggs, nuts and seeds.

Get started cooking more often at home: If you don’t usually cook, start by eat-ing one more meal at home each week than you normally do, and work up to cooking more often. You may save calories and money! Cooking does take time, but there are several things that you can do to make it easier:

• Make cooking a social event. Grandkids love to be in the kitchen; involve them with the prep work. This will help to teach them about healthy eating and give you an opportunity to bond. Or, make it a potluck. Potlucks are a great option for large families. Prepare a side dish and let each family mem-ber make the rest. It creates less work for you and allows everyone to make and sample each other’s creations.

• Keep things interesting by experiment-ing with healthy recipes and looking for ways to make your favorite recipes healthier. For example, use the low-fat or reduced-fat version of dairy products like cheese and milk or replace sour-cream with low-fat or fat-free yogurt. Also use spices and herbs to add more flavor instead of adding salt or fat.

• Plan ahead to make things easier. Keep healthy staples on hand, such as dried fruit, whole wheat pasta, “no-salt-added” canned vegetables and frozen seafood. Try prepping dishes the night before, or the morning of; prepping the salad or the side dish can help save time later on. Also, try cooking a big meal on Sunday and then freezing extras or eating it as leftovers throughout the week.

• Use free resources. What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl (whatscooking.fns.usda.gov) is an interactive tool that helps with healthy meal planning, cooking and grocery shopping. The site features a searchable database of healthy recipes, options to build a cookbook, print recipe cards, and share recipes via social media.

For more tips, or for information on daily food plans, nutrition and more, visit choosemyplate.gov.

There’s Nothing Better Than Home Cooking

Kitchen Timesavers

Try these kitchen timesavers to cut back on time and make less work for you. By taking the stress

and hassle out of cooking, you’ll have more time to enjoy it and to spend with your loved ones. Organize your kitchen. Keep frequently used items such as cooking oils/sprays, spatulas, cutting boards, and spices within easy reach. This will save you from having to search for them later.Clear the clutter. Before you start cooking, clear off your counters. This allows more room for prep space.Chop extra. When chopping up veggies for a meal, chop more than you need. Take the extra, place in a reusable container and freeze. Then next time you need it, you can skip a step.Have everything in place. Grab all ingredients needed for your meal—vegetables chopped, spices measured, and meats thawed. It will be easier to spot missing items and avoid skipping steps.Double your recipe. For your next casserole or stew, try doubling the recipe and freezing the extra. You’ll save time and make cooking next week’s dinner a snap!Clean as you go. Fill up the sink with soapy water and wash the dishes as you cook. It’ll make clean up go much smoother!Save some for later. Freeze leftover soups, sauces or gravies in small reusable containers.

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LivMD: Making Waves In The Research CommunityIf ten minutes per day and something

the size of a bathroom scale could make you healthier, wouldn’t you try it? Marodyne Medical, a research and development company that specializes in interventions for illness, disease and injury, created LivMD, a device that uses low-intensity vibration to benefit your whole body—in just ten minutes daily. Developed by Marodyne Medical’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Clinton Rubin, LivMD, cleared by the FDA as a Class 1 medical device, is designed to help you maintain overall wellness through the use of low-intensity vibration. By standing on LivMD for ten minutes daily, the low-intensity vibrations “...improve localized circulation during use, strengthen and recondition those under-going rehab, restore motion to joints, redevelop muscles, assist as an adjunct treatment for obesity and relieve aches and pains throughout the body,” according to Marodyne Medical. “The vision of Dr. Rubin, the founder of Marodyne and scientist behind LivMD technology, is to offer the world

a safe, convenient, non-drug, scientifically proven approach to maintaining musculoskeletal health and wellness,” said Patrick Foote, Chief Operating Officer of Marodyne Medical. LivMD has more than 25 years of scientific research developing low-intensity vibration technology from esteemed institutions such as NASA and National Institutes of Health. The research was “initially focused on maintaining and improving bone density and treatment of osteoporosis for various age groups,” Foote said. The past ten years of research, however, have shown that low-intensity vibrations may aid in much more than bone health. “Most recent information is showing that these low-level vibratory signals may be helpful to improving neurocognitive challenges facing humans, helping to overcome neuromuscular weaknesses, particularly as a result of aging or infirmity,” Foote said.

According to Marodyne Medical, not only is LivMD the product of nearly three decades of low-intensity vibration research, the device or one of its prototypes has been used in studies all over the world that focused on “maintain

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Is Your Revocable Living Trust Feeling Empty? The

Importance of Trust Funding…Hello, Friends and Colleagues!

So this is a huge topic for cli-ents and professionals alike.

Trust Funding is the process of re-titling your assets so as to put the name of your revocable trust on them rather than your name. Your Trust will likely be named something like the John and Jane Doe Family Living Trust. So if you re-titled an asset, the name might be John and Jane Doe, Trustees of the John and Jane Doe Family Living Trust. People often become confused about whether the asset title should be re-named as the Trust or whether a change in beneficiary should be used. Assets like bank accounts and corporate stock may be re-titled into the Trust or may be transferred by a “transfer upon death” provision. Generally, “non-qualified” assets may be re-titled into the name of

the trust whereas “qualified” assets like 401Ks and other assets like annuities may be directed to the Trust through the benefi-ciary designation. I cannot stress enough that this is an area that requires expert legal counsel because there are always specific issues that arise when considering

whether to name an asset in your Trust. All of this assumes that your Trust was properly drafted so as to accommodate all kinds of assets such as IRAs, 401Ks, Life Insurance, and S Corporation Stock. I hope this clarifies any confusion about the Trust Funding jargon out there and as always, until next time... —SJG

Steven J. Gibbs, Esq.

8695 College Parkway, Suite #2012Fort Myers, FL 33919www.YourCircleofTrust.com

Phone: 239-415-7495E-mail: [email protected]

FREE SEMINAR - HOT ESTATE PLANNING TOPICS IN 2015!March 19, 5:30 p.m., Main Level Conference Room - Atrium Building,

8695 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33908. Wine, Cheese and Other Refreshments Provided! To RSVP, please call 239-415-7495 or e-mail [email protected] AND include the number of people attending!

Famous BirthdaysDo you share a March birthday with

someone famous? Here are a few: Chuck Norris, 75 on March 10

Albert Einstein; (1879 – 1955) Mar. 14

Sarah Jessica Parker, 50 on March 25

Steven Tyler, 67on March 26

Dana Owens “Queen Latifah,” 45

on March 18

Bruce Willis, 60on March 19


The Healthy GeezerBY FRED CICETTI

Q. I usually get a bit light-headed when I stand, but this feeling is

much worse when I get up from the dinner table. I don’t drink. Any ideas?

A. There’s a possibility you have “postprandial hypotension,” or, in layman’s language, low blood pressure after a meal. This is a senior malady; few younger people experience this. Other possible symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, nausea and fainting. I recommend going to a doctor to have your symptoms checked. When you eat, blood pours into your digestive system. To maintain your blood pressure, your heart pumps more often and your blood vessels constrict. But these compensatory mechanisms don’t work for some people. To help prevent postprandial hypoten-sion, eat small portions several times a day and limit high-carbohydrate foods such as potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. There’s another form of low blood pressure called “postural hypotension” that affects some people when they stand up. Also called “orthostatic hypotension,” this is especially com-mon in older adults who are more likely to use high blood pressure drugs. When you experience postural hypotension, blood pools in your legs. Low blood pressure is commonly caused by drugs for high blood pressure, surgical medications, anti-anxiety agents, diuretics, heart medicines, antidepressants, narcotic painkillers and alcohol. Other causes of low blood pressure include dehydration, heart failure, heart arrhythmias, shock from infection, stroke, severe allergic reaction, major trauma, heart attack and advanced diabetes. The effects of hypotension can lead to falls, which can be serious for seniors. Here are some pointers for avoiding the dangers of low blood pressure: When arising, let your feet hang over the side of your bed. Then flex your toes up and down about a dozen times. Stand up slowly. Count to 10 before you start walking. This is a good idea whenever you get up from lying or sit-ting for more than 20 minutes.Crossing your legs while sitting upright may also help increase blood pressure. Some experts define low blood pressure as readings lower than 90

systolic (the first number) or 60 diastolic (the second number). However, low blood pressure is relative, so doctors often define blood pressure as too low only if there are symptoms. In many instances, low blood pressure isn’t serious. However, it is important to see your doctor if you have hypotension symptoms, because they sometimes can point to serious problems. Chronic low blood pressure may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s-type dementia in some older adults. Low blood pressure without symptoms rarely requires treatment. In symptomatic cases, doctors address the primary problems such as heart failure. When hypotension is drug-induced, treatment usually involves altering the drug regimen.

It is possible to raise blood pressure when that is required. Here are some ways:• Eating more salt. However, too much sodium can cause heart failure, especially among seniors.Don’t increase your salt without consulting with your doctor.• Drink more water. Fluids increase blood volume and help prevent dehydration.• Compression stockings used to treat varicose veins may help reduce the pooling of blood in your legs.• There are also medications your doctor may prescribe. If you would like to ask a question, write to [email protected] Rights Reserved © 2014 by Fred Cicetti.

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Word Search Answers

From February

Pat Porteris last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

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

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

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

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

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on March 20 will win.

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

(Puzzles must be received by March 20, 2015.)

Mystery Prize!

Mystery Prize!

Last Month’s Answers February Sudoku

Anne Marshlowis last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

Mar. Sudoku Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through

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

correct answers selected from the drawing on March 20 will win.

Send your answers along with your name, address and

telephone number to:

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

SEFFNER, FL 33583

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES! Sudoku muST bE REcEIvEd by mAR. 20, 2015

Win Great Prizes!New winner selected each month

Good Luck!


Ladies To Catch Fishing Skills“Ladies, Let’s Go

Fishing!”® will host the Matlacha/Ft. My-ers Fishing University for women, March 14 – 15, 2015 at Matlacha Commu-nity Park, 4577 Pine Island Road N.W., Matlacha. Women and teens can learn and practice fishing at sev-eral hands-on skill stations, then have an option to charter fish inshore from boats and kayaks on Sunday. Registration starts

at $69 and includes networking recep-tion and fundraisers, classes, hands on practice and more. Guided fishing on Sunday is additional. New for 2015 is the Ladies’ Choice option to bring a male guest

or invite teens to include the whole family. To register, contact 954-475-9068 or visit ladiesletsgofishing.com.

Pedal and Play in ParadiseOn March 28, grab your bike and

head to Laishley Park Pavilions on Charlotte Harbor, 100 Nesbit Street in historic Punta Gorda at 7 a.m. for a fun-filled day of rides for different experience levels: Chose from four different routes that suit your riding interest and ability:• 62-Mile “Metric Century” Tour• 30-Mile Tour• 15-Mile Tour• Mystery Ride Tour (a whodunit)

All morning rides feature ride sup-port, snacks and drinks, bathroom facilities and phone numbers in case of an emergency. Rest stops will be open until 12:30. Return to Laishley Park for a post-race party with lunch and free beer before the optional afternoon City Manager’s/History Tour ride. Entry fees range from $10 – $45. Regis-ter online up to the 25th, or in person on the day of the event. Register by March 15 for a free T-shirt. Call 941-637-8326 or visit pedalandplayinparadise.com.

Mar. 17From Your Friends At

Mar. 17

From Your Friends At

See Florida By KayakJoin GAEA Guides on one of their

kayak nature tours this month. For info and reservations, call 239-694-5513.

12 Telegraph Creek Kayak Tour. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit this ancient

creek with headwaters in the Babcock Ranch and see some strange, exotic ani-mals! $40/person includes gear and guide.

13 Mangrove Mazes of Matlacha Pass 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. See “Na-

ture’s Cathedrals.”and the wildlife that

lives in these mysterious tunnels. $50/person includes gear and guide.

16 Useppa Island Archeological Kayak Tour. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A special kayak tour to private Pine Island. Visit Useppa Island’s museum which details 10,000 years of human habitation on Useppa. Eat lunch at the historic Collier Inn and see the beautiful flora and fauna of the island. $85 per person (includes parking and entry fee to the museum, lunch and equipment).

The Magical Basics of All Golf ShotsBy Kalliope Barlis

The sole purpose of a round of golf is

to enjoy yourself while having a score that you’re happy with by the time you make your last putt on the 18th hole. You can start making this happen by stating to yourself or out loud what you plan on scoring before you get to the first tee. This leads your brain into accomplishing what you tell it to. Every pilot has a destination that they eventually land. The brain works the same way. Aim your brain by stating in positive language what it is that you want: “I am going to score 72 today.” It’s not about what you don’t want, it’s about what you do want, and saying it ignites the brain’s pathways to achieve it. I’ve heard people say “I just don’t want to mess up.” Well, that doesn’t

really say much to signal the brain other than confusion. Being more specific about what you do want, and visualizing it beforehand, triggers all the right juices in the brain to get your next hole in one. The following magical basics are the foundation of any golf shot. Master them. If you don’t, your body will com-pensate. Maintain them, and your ball will reach your target.

Consistency in landing your target is gained through mastering these seven fundamentals:

1. Decide where you want the ball to land or roll specifically. Always have your target in mind.

2. Have a firm yet passive hold of the club in your hands.

3. Have precise aim with your club face and alignment of your body.

4. Your eyes are focused on the center of the back of the ball where the center of the club face strikes through. In the sand, your eyes are focused one to two inches behind the ball on the sand.

5. Maintain balance while striking through the ball to the end of your follow-through.

6. Face your outcome. Watch the ball land until it comes to a resting position. 7. If the ball lands where you intend-ed, celebrate the outcome internally or with a fist in the air and remember what you did. If the ball did not do what you intended, sense what you can do differently and make the adjustments necessary for the next shot. If you tell your brain what you want and combine it with these fundamental skills, you will dramatically improve

your game with practice.

Kalliope Barlis is an NLP Coach, Master Practitioner and Trainer, Doctor of Acupuncture, GolfImprovement Specialistand author of the guide “Play Golf BetterFaster,” which can be purchased on her

website: www.PlayGolfBetterFaster.com.


Seniors Getting Together4450 INTERESTED IN EVERLASTING LOVE AND MARRIAGE I am an intelligent, beautiful, Christian lady who likes a faith-ful, Christian gentleman 39 – 74. NS, ND, NDrg. Please write and send recent photo.

MEN SEEKING WOMEN4421 ATTRAcTIVE, IN ShApE, 57YO, athletic build, good values, good listen-er, financially secure, conscientious and considerate. I enjoy travel, adventure, sports, movies, music and fun. ISO lady with similar interests.4428 MAN, 70, D, NS, SD, likes movies, music, books, animals, plants, going out for a drink and a bite, takes Bible classes and a Spanish class. ISO woman, 55 – 73, NS, NDrg, SD, for FF, who likes to sit at the bar and have conversation over a drink, affection—kissing, touching, hugging, and has nice legs. Port Charlotte area.4434 GENTLEMAN 74 YEARS OLD look-ing for a Filipina friend that likes nice res-taurants. I want to get married if we fall in love. I have blue eyes. Port Charlotte area. 4441 INcESSANT, pASSIONATE, FAITh-FUL, GENUINE, Dare to think and be young again. Age is merely a number. Pure

WOMEN SEEKING MEN

4119 SEEKING chRISTIAN GENTLEMAN Former airline stewardess and model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., widow, slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare. Fulbright scholar, eats healthy and exercises. Likes sports and animals. Loves the Lord. Florida. 4427 ExpERIENcED MALE DANcE pARTNER WANTED for social ballroom dancing and lessons together. No fat or overweight men. 60’s. No beginners. Serious inquiries only. Must be 5’9’’ or taller. NS. I am a 67YY, W, F, 5’3”.4419 FRIENDShIp! 5’5” W, widow ISO W, widower, R, P, in late 70’s – 80’s. I am R, P, NS, SD, enjoy music, art, dancing, walking, have a good SOH. Am sports fan, dress well and still get 2nd glances. Estero-bonita springs area. 4433 I’M NOT DEAD YET! Female. In May I’ll be 92. Would like a sincere friend. Other than that my purpose is just a true friend. Fort myers area. 4439 FRIENDLY WIDOW WF, 5’2”, 130 lbs, good health. ISO widower able to travel, active, good health, 70-80 YY, likes RV life, NS, likes music, dancing. Lehigh area.

romantic (real) love is totally cerebral and emotional. I am building a home in the B.V.I. on the beach. Dare to be there with me!4451 I AM 84 YEARS YOUNG (that’s what everyone tells me) and a widower. Looking for LTR. I like sports, dogs and cats. Love and romance possible. ISO lady, fun loving, C, F, NS, SD, NDrg. Please write. Fort Myers Area.4452 MAN, 71, NS, SD Likes music, movies, books, plants, animals, evening classes. ISO woman, 55 – 72, NS, NDrg, SD for FF, who looks good in shorts or a skirt, likes bicycle riding, kissing, touching, hugging, going out to a pub for a bite and light social drinking. Port Charlotte Area.

TO RESpOND TO AN ADWrite a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped

envelope and write the ad number on the bottom left hand side of the envelope. Place your stamped, numbered envelope(s), along with $2 for each letter enclosed, into another

envelope and address it to:News Connection USA, Inc.

Seniors Getting TogetherP.O. Box 638,Seffner, FL 33584

TO pLAcE AN ADSend your ad, stating what category you

would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the News Connection USA, Inc. address listed below. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue. No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right

to edit any ads for space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City

or area included at no charge.

RUN YOUR AD FOR ONLY $6 A MONTHSENIORS GETTING TOGETHER

Personal Ad PlacementDeadline for ads is the 15th of the month prior to placement.

Mark The Edition(s) You Would Like To Run Your Ad In: Hillsborough & Suncoast (Pinellas/Pasco) Lake/Marion Counties

Southwest/Charlotte (Fort Myers/Port Charlotte)

Ad Copy • Please Print Neatly • 30 Word Limit

If more room is needed, please use separate sheet. Mail this form along with$6 for each ad per month (add $4 for each additional edition/market in the same month).

We cannot accept your ad without it. This information is confi dential.

Name:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: E-mail:

MAIL TO: ATTN. / SENIORS GETTING TOGETHER, NEWS CONNECTION, USA, INC. • P.O. BOX 638., SEFFNER, FL 33583

Only $6 to place an ad!

Title (First 4 Words):

City(No Charge):

commonly Used Abbreviations:F-Female, M-Male, S-Single, D-Divorced, WW-Widow, A-Asian, B-Black, H-Hispanic, I-Indian, W-White, C-Christian, J-Jewish, YO-Years Old,

YY-Years Young, ISO-In Search Of, SOH-Sense Of Humor, SM-Smokes, S-Light Smoker,

NS-Non Smoker, ND-Non Drinker, SD-Social (Light) Drinker, DR-Drinks, NDrg- No Drugs, LTR-Long Term Relationship, HWP-Height &

Weight Proportional, R-Retired, P-Professional, FF-Friendship First, TLC-Tender Loving Care.

Join The Grande Dames TeaYou’re invited to the Grande Dames

Tea presented by the PACE Center for Girls of Lee County this month. The Grande Dames Tea will honor Sharlene Hamel Dozier of Fort Myers,M. Jacqueline McCurdy of BonitaSprings and Melvin Morgan of Fort Myers on Friday, March 20 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Broadway Palm at 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers. This is the seventh year of the his-toric Grande Dames Tea, which was originated by PACE Center for Girls of

Lee County to honor women who have played major roles in Southwest Florida history through decades of service, philanthropy and helping others. “Our theme of ‘The Wisdom of Age – Honoring the Female Spirit’ is so appro-priate because each of these women has much to share from her own life’s jour-ney,” says event co-chair Mary Fischer. Seats for the tea are $60 per person; reserve at www.pacecenter.org/lee or 239-470-7648. Attendees are encour-aged to wear their favorite tea party hat.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 29 RLifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 23 RLifestyles After 50 • March 2015 • page 38

To learn more and for a free AMD information packet, call 800-434-1974 or visit FightBlindness.org.

Blind spots or blurry vision aren’t necessarily signs of old age. More than 10 million people in the U.S.

are a ected by Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in people

over 50. The Foundation Fighting Blindness provides information about diagnosing and managing

AMD, so you can continue enjoying time with your grandchildren.

MEMORIES WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS ARE PRICELESS.DON’T LET MACULAR DEGENERATION TAKE THEM AWAY.

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Enter To Win!

Last Month’s Answers

Senior Connection • June 2005 • page 36

LEARN HOW TO PLAN FOR YOUR PETS IN AN EMERGENCY

The SPCA’s brochure "Our Best Friends Deserve Better Plans" has allthe latest information on Estate Planning for Pets and Florida's PetTrust Law and it is FREE! This brochure helps pet owners plan for theirpets in case of an emergency or in case their pets outlive them. Use thisorder form to order your free materials.

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NameAddressCity State ZipAge Phone SC/Hills

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Sendyouranswersforadrawing.FirstcorrectanswersselectedfromthedrawingonMar.20willreceive$20cash!

Sendto:News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583

I want information on: Travel / Cruises Recreation / Leisure Entertainment / Events

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Social Security Q & A: Tax SeasonBy Daryl RosenthalPublic Affairs Specialist, Tampa

Now is the time to prepare for tax season! Whether you are a retiree

or a newlywed, here are some Social Security tax tips that may help you.Are Social Security benefits taxable? Yes, for some people with higher in-comes. About one third of those receiv-ing Social Security benefits must pay taxes on some of their Social Security benefits, depending on the amount of their taxable income. Learn more at socialsecurity.gov/planners/taxes.htm. Will I get a tax form for my Social Security benefits? Yes. Beneficiaries should have received their Social Security Benefit Statements (Form SSA-1099) for tax year 2014 on or before January 31, 2015. If you receive Social Security and haven’t received your 1099 yet, you can request one online at socialsecurity.gov/1099.I got married last year. Do I need to re-port my name change to Social Security? Yes. If you’ve legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, court order, or for any other reason, make sure you

change your name with Social Security, as well as with your employer, to make sure your earnings are properly recorded. This will ensure you get the Social Security benefits you are entitled to. Failing to do so could also cause a delay in your receipt of any federal income tax refund. Learn more about how to change your name at socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. Does Social Security have any tips at this time of year for those filing their taxes? Yes. We encourage you to carefully check: your name, Social Security number, and all data on your W-2s; your online Social Security Statement; and your Social Secu-rity card to make sure they all match. A mismatch could delay your tax refund and cause problems with future Social Secu-rity benefits. If you notice an error, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or if the info on the W-2 is incorrect, notify your employer. For more info, visit socialsecurity.gov.

Tech Talk: Pixstar FotoConnect XDWelcome to this month’s Tech

Talk column, where we cover the latest apps, gadgets and websites that make life a little easier. We’re giving away the 10.4” Pixstar FotoConnect XD Wi-fi this month. With Pix-Star, you can take a photo on your mobile device and send it by email straight to this video picture frame at home. You can also receive photos by email directly on your Pix-Star frame, or send photos from your Pix-Star directly to your friends’ email, no computer required. The frame allows you display and stock photos with 4 GB of internal memory. You can use it to display your online pictures, link your external web albums (Facebook, Flickr, Google+, RSS photo feeds, etc...) and display their content on your frame. You can control which photos display with a remote control. The Pixstar Fotoconnect XD also includes fun features like the ability to listen to your favorite web radio stations, create your own playlists, manage contacts or check the weather. The digital frame is available at amazon.com and pix-star.com.

We’re giving away a Pixstar FotoConnect XD to one lucky winner this month (a $150 value!) To enter, just [email protected] or snail mail us at:

Attn: Digital Picture Frame

News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583 Send us your name, address and phone number by March 19. The drawing will be held on March 20, and the winner will be contacted and an-nounced in the March issue of Lifestyles After 50. Look for more giveaways in upcoming editions. Good luck!

Congratulations!To last month’s winner:

Ardella Hutchins of OcalaShe won the

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Shell Point is a non-profit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc. ©2015 Shell Point. All rights reserved. SLS-2873-15

15101 Shell Point Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33908 • 1-800-780-1131 • (239) 466-1131 • www.shellpoint.orgShell Point is located on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, just 2 miles from the Islands of Sanibel and Captiva.

A lot’s been happening at Shell Point, the leader in resort-style retirement living. From our new neighborhood, The Estuary, to a brand new product offering a refundable entrance fee, now is the best time to visit Shell Point to learn all about what’s new. What hasn’t changed is that since 1968, Shell Point Retirement Community has set the standard for retirement living in Southwest Florida. Located in Fort Myers, just minutes from Sanibel Island and the

Gulf of Mexico, Shell Point’s waterfront location is unmatched for beauty. But, what truly sets Shell Point apart is the sense of community our residents enjoy as they explore the variety of resort-style amenities, events, and activities together.

Make new friends and share a lifetime of memories at Shell Point.

Explore Shell Point Today! Attend a FREE Informational Presentation.

We’re holding a series of presentations where you can have all your questions answered regarding the community’s active, vibrant lifestyle combined with the assurance of lifecare. While you are here, you’ll have the option to take a tour and view beautifully decorated model residences.

Seating is limited, so reserve your place today by calling Maureen at (239) 466-1131 or 1-800-780-1131. If you prefer, you can reserve online at shellpoint.org/seminars.

Change is in the Air!

FREE! CHOOSE THE DATE THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU!

LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.

Tuesday March 3 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday March 4 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday March 10 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday March 18 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday March 24 9:30 a.m.

S H E L L P O I N TFort Myer s , F lor ida

Uncompromised LifestyLes | resort-styLe amenities | state-of-the-art heaLthcare

Lifestyles After 50 Southwest Edition, Mar. 2015

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Transcript of Lifestyles After 50 Southwest Edition, Mar. 2015