Today’s BoomeR

Today’s

Vol.1 No.3

Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B ---Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!

Get Sour on Sweets!

The Beat Goes on: The Beat Goes on:

Boomer Bands That Still Got IT Boomer Bands That Still Got IT

Go Wild for Go Wild for SalmonSalmon--Alaska StyleAlaska Style

On Your Own:

How to Manage How to Manage

the Finances of the Finances of

Single RetirementSingle Retirement

BoomerBoomer Travel: Travel: Booming Booming Summer Summer Summer AdventuresAdventuresAdventures

2 Today’s BoomeR

Up Coming Cruises-Book Now!

Odyssey of the Ancient Crusaders 2012

“CU Winds of Change EduCruise” September 21 – October 3, 2012

Hawaiian Islands Adventure 2012

“CU Discovery EduCruise” November 3– 10, 2012

A Western Caribbean Adventure 2012 “Credit Union Discovery EduCruise”

November 4-11, 2012

A Southern Caribbean Holiday EduCruise 2012

December 29, 2012-January 5, 2013

An American Wine Country EduCruise 2013

“Credit Union Winds of Change Forum” May 11 - 18, 2013

Today’s BoomeR 3

Founder John Vardallas & Alexandra Maragha

Editor-In-Chief Alexandra Maragha

Contributing Writers :

Karyl Richson– Social Security

Gary Knowles– Travel Writer

Advertising Team

For Letters to the Editor, articles and feedback

as well as advertising inquiries email

Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com

The American BoomeR.com

John Vardallas CAE, CUDE

CEO/Founder Professional Speaker

Business/Lifestyle Strategist

Boomer Sage and Blogger

JohnVardallas@TheAmericanBoomeR.com

(608) 577-8707

Alexandra Maragha

Co-Founder, Editor-In-Chief Today’s BoomeR

Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com

Today’s BoomeR Vol.1 No.3 Today’s BoomeR is published

six times (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/ June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct,

Nov/Dec) a year by The American BoomeR.com

769 North Star Drive (Suite 207) Madison, WI 53718 All rights

reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission

is prohibited.

The American Boomer

@American_Boomer

Today’s

This Issue

July / August 2012

Volume 1, Number 3

Boomer Travel 5

Booming Summer Adventures

Going Sour on Sweets 10

Boomers Managing Diabetes

On Your Own 12

How to Manage the Finances of Single

Retirement

The Beat Goes On 13

Boomer Bands That Still Got IT

Boomer Healthy Eating 16

Go Wild for Salmon-Alaska Style

Social Security 18

Take Your Parents on a Meaningful Tour

of Social Security Website

B2B Marketplace 19

Business 2 Boomers Marketplace

Letter to the Editor 23

Why The Rolling Stones Were the

World’s Greatest Rock Band

4 Today’s BoomeR

(feature) p. 10

p. 4

p. 12

The Beat Goes On...and On

EDITOR’S LETTER

Today’s

Alexandra Maragha

Editor-In-Chief

Alexandra@theamericanboomer.com

Some of the best music that I have ever

heard , and have been moved by, are the

sounds from the 1960’s that my Boomer

parents grew up with. The sound, the

tone, the lyrics, and the feeling make

most songs of today only hold to the

standards of nearing “one hit wonders”.

Those who sang the music created it and

lived the experience allowing for an even

deeper connection to prevail and also

further touch those who heard it.

Even more, those who created these hits

are still able to be re-lived and

introduced to all generations. Once

household names of the Baby Boomer

generation, The Beatles, The Beach Boys

and Neil Diamond are now being

welcomed back into the homes of the

Babies of Baby Boomers. Not just a line

from a song, not just a title, not just the

artist, but the entire experience that

makes these bands living legends who

still got it. Rock and read on this issue!

Today’s BoomeR 5

BO

OM

ER

TR

AV

EL

B

OO

ME

R T

RA

VE

L

“Lift Off” to “Lift Off” to “Lift Off” to North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina for a Booming for a Booming for a Booming

Summer AdventureSummer AdventureSummer Adventure

JetPacking in the Outer Banks

Story and Photography by Gary Knowles

6 Today’s BoomeR

“First in Flight” is the slogan embossed at the top of North Carolina automobile license plates, but it might be more accurate to say “Slipping the Surly Bonds of Earth – Daily.” These “Tar Heels” – an ironic nickname earned during the Civil War when they “always held their ground like their feet were stuck to it” seems to have come a bit unglued since then. They now have a thing for getting up, off the Earth. Maybe it’s in their DNA. They seem determined to see the planet from a higher position. The first and most famous fliers seem to have been drawn here. Those Ohio-based bicycle shop brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright chose North Carolina for their air-borne experiments. Their tenacious and crea-tive spirits gave the human race the opportunity to “kiss the sky” while snacking on mini-pretzels. The Wrights spent three years at Kill Devil Hill on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, on the windy eastern edge of the continent, tinkering with kites, learning to ride and steer gliders, crashing into sand spits and eventually rigging a motor to the reconfigured mangled bits.

On December 17, 1903 the wind was blowing a brisk 27 mph at 10:35 a.m. when Orville Wright climbed aboard the 40 foot wide, 605 pound “flyer.” His home-built twelve horsepower motor sputtered to life pow-ering a pair of propellers. Machine and pilot sped down a rail and…became airborne. For twelve marvel-ous seconds Oliver steered the craft over the flight path, traveling 120 feet before landing on the sandy soil. It was the first time in history humans had experi-

enced the exhilaration of “flying.” To get fired up for a North Carolina adventure, visit “Wright Brothers National Memorial” operated by the National Park System at Kill Devil Hill. Start at the Cen-tennial Pavilion and watch the Park Educator’s detailed historical program using a full-size replica of Wrights’ flying machine. Take a look at the reconstructed 1903 Hangar and living quarters/workshop. Walk up the long path to Kill Devil Hill like the Wrights did before each of their 1000+ glider flight experiments. You’ll appreciate their dogged determination. A soaring 60 foot monument commemorates their achievement. Back be-low, walk the path marking the four flights they made that December day.

This should get your own Icarus gene twitching, urg-ing you to “ride the wind!” That’s just what the flying folks at “Kitty Hawk Kites Flight School”, almost in the

shadow of the Wright Monument, have in mind. Hang gliding pioneer John Harris launched this business in 1974 at Jockey’s Ridge State Park and they’ve been getting people air-borne ever since. It’s tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States. Thirty-five instructors teach about 10,000 people a year. A beginner lesson ($99) runs about three hours with five flights ranging from 30 to 100 yards, traveling 5 to 15 feet over the sand. An instructor will run alongside as

Kitty Hawk Kites “Kite-Boarding

“Wright Brothers National Memorial”

Today’s BoomeR 7

you glide and, great news, carry the wing back up the dune for you!

To add a water element to your flying adventure, step up to “kite-boarding,” a “mash-up” of surf-boarding with hang-gliding. Galan Fowler, a Kitty Hawk Kite-boarding staffer says, “The steady winds here con-stantly reshape the Outer Banks and also create the finest kite-boarding conditions in the world.”

He says beginners go through a two-day, six-hour training session ($400) approved by Professional Air Sports Association. PASA created teaching methods that are now industry standards for safe, professional instruction.

Scanning the beach loaded with ‘boarders, an observ-er might conclude it’s a sport for the college-crowd. Fowler says, “Quite the contrary.”

“In reality, most of our students are forty-plus. One gentleman we trained recently was 76. Some have pri-or sailing or wind-surfing experience, but most are true beginners. They choose kite-boarding because the equipment is lighter-weight and it’s a relatively safe, low-impact sport. About 90% get certified and go on to have another three-hour lesson ($300) before buying their own gear ($1900 - $2600).”

For the ultimate, those who grew up envying NASA test pilots with jet-packs, will be delighted to hear that

Kitty Hawk Kites understands your pain. In 2012 they introduced a dream-come-true JetPack over-water experience. A 200 hp motor blasts water in a power-ful stream through a hose at high speed to two noz-zles and you fly, under control, over the water. For $250 you strap on the pack, get the introductory in-struction and fly up to 35 feet above the ocean.

Luke Baer of Kitty Hawk Kites, tried it and reports, “It’s totally awesome. It takes a bit to get a feeling for con-trolling your pitch, but once you get up there’s noth-ing like it.” Flight time, depending on your stamina, can be up to thirty-minutes. You must be at least 16 years old and in good physical condition.

For a back-from-the-future, feet-off-the-ground ad-venture, try horseback riding. On Hatteras Island “Equine Adventures” offers guided rides ($100-120

Kitty Hawk Kites Hang gliding

“Equine Adventures” Hatteras Island

8 Today’s BoomeR

per person) through Buxton Woods and Coastal Re-serve lands that wind up fulfilling every rider’s dream: a ride through the surf on the white-sand beach. Wild, unending shoreline stretches ahead and riders enjoy spectacular views of historic Hatteras Light. This suggests yet another option for getting elevated: lighthouse climbing! The Hatteras Light at 208 feet is tallest in the country. It has 248 iron spiral stairs, the equivalent of a 12 story building. There’s a $7 climbing fee ($3.50 for those over 62 and children under 11) and tickets are limited to ensure a pleasant climbing experience. Drive north on Highway 12 about 100 miles to Corolla to climb the 214 steps of the 158 foot Currituck Beach Lighthouse ($7 fee). Then hop aboard “Bob’s Wild Horse Adventure Tours” for an unforgettable four-wheel drive guided beach tour. You’ll see the majestic beauty of the Wild Horses of Corolla, descendants of horses brought to the New World by Spanish explorers of the 14th Century. Even more high flying adventure awaits at Fayetteville, about 240 miles west of the Outer Banks. ZipQuest is a 2.5 hour tree-top tour ($85) composed of eight separate ziplines and three “Indiana Jones-style” canopy bridges. Your feet won’t touch the earth for the duration of the expedition that includes a traverse over Carter’s Falls, a 150 foot, 12 foot high waterfall. To really “fly,” forget the wing, forget the parachute, just leap into the air! You can at Fayetteville’s Para-clete SkyVenture – indoor skydiving. You’ll go with an instructor into a vertical wind-tunnel with a column of

air moving upwards in a vertical column. It’s been used for military training, but serves now as another North Car-olina airborne thrill ride. For $63 you’ll get a flight suit, an introductory lesson,

two one-minute fly-ing ses-sions and a smile that will stick on your face for a week. The Fayetteville Area, “America’s Hometown,” is proud of to be the home of a dedicated military com-munity and Fort Bragg. The remarkable Airborne and Special Operations Museum (free admission) com-memorates heroism and operations of America’s war-riors from the 1940s with the conception of the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon to today's airborne and special operations units in the Persian Gulf. These sto-ries are told with life-sized dioramas, unique artifacts, detailed displays and large movies. Outside the museum gift shop the urge to fly strikes again. A young boy flings a little plastic airplane across the hall. “Zzzzzooooom!” he yells. His Mom gives him one of those “Mom looks” and he runs over a bit sheepishly and picks it up. Though you understand, the parenting, part of you wants to shout, “Go ahead Orville, let’er fly again!”

*Gary Knowles, Today’s BoomeR’s Travel Writer, is freelance photo-journalist and travel consultant based in Madison, Wisconsin. He is the Upper Great Lakes Columnist for Journal and Topics Newspapers in Des Plaines, IL, serves as Travel Advisor to the Wisconsin Public Radio’s Joy Cardin Show and is author of “The Great Wisconsin Touring Book – 30 Spectacular Auto Tours.”

Hatteras Light House

Spiral Staircase inside Hatteras Lighthouse

SkyVenture indoor skydiving

Today’s BoomeR 9

WHEN YOU GO: Airborne and Special Operations Museum Fayetteville, NC PH: 910-643-2773 www.asomf.org Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (free guide and travel planning assistance) PH: 1-800-255-8217 www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com Outer Banks Visitor Bureau (free guide and travel planning assistance) PH: 877-629-4386 www.OuterBanks.org Currituck Travel & Tourism (free guide and travel planning assistance) PH: 252-435-2938 www.ComeToOurBeach.com Currituck Lighthouse Corolla, NC PH: 252-453-4939 www.currituckbeachlight.com Equine Adventures Hatteras, NC 27943 PH: 252-995-4897 www.EquineAdventures.com

Hatteras Lighthouse PH: 252-995-4474

http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/climbing- the-cape-hatteras-lighthouse.htm

Kitty Hawk Kites PH:1-877-359-8447 - Hang Gliding PH: 252-441-2426 - Sailboarding PH: 252-987-2297 - JetPack PH: 877-359-8447 www.kittyhawk.com Paraclete SkyVenture 190 Paraclete Drive • Raeford, NC 28376 1-888-4SKYFUN OR 910-848-2600 http://www.paracletexp.com Wright Brothers National Memorial - Kill Devil Hill Milepost 7.5 Highway 158, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina PH: 252-441-7430 http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm ZipQuest 533 Carvers Falls Drive Fayetteville, NC 28311 PH: 1-910-488-8787 http://www.zipquest.com

Paratrooper display at Airborne Museum - Fayetteville

10 Today’s BoomeR

The Basics of a

Healthy Diabetes Diet Contrary to what you may have heard, there is no "diabetes diet," per se -- and that's good news! The foods recommend-ed for a diabetes diet to control blood glu-cose (or blood sugar) are good for those with diabetes -- and everyone else. This means that you and your family can eat the same healthy foods at mealtime. How-ever, for people with diabetes, the total amounts of carbohydrates consumed each day must be monitored carefully. Of the different components of nutrition -- carbohydrates, fats, and proteins -- carbo-hydrates have the greatest influence on blood sugar levels. Most people with dia-betes also have to monitor total fat con-sumption and protein intake, too.

To keep your blood sugar levels in check,

you need to make healthy food choices,

exercise regularly, and take the medicines

your health care provider prescribes. A

dietitian can provide in-depth nutrition ed-

ucation to help you develop a personal-

ized meal plan that fits your lifestyle and

activity level, and meets your medical

needs.

Learn the ABCs of a Diabetes Diet

The goal of nutrition for people with diabe-

tes is to attain the ABCs of diabetes. The

A stands for the A1c or hemoglobin A1c

test, which measures average blood sugar

over the previous three months. B is for

blood pressure, and C is for cholesterol.

People with diabetes should attain as near

as normal blood sugar control (HbA1c),

blood pressure, and healthy cholesterol

levels.

Alcohol and Diabetes

Use discretion when drinking alcohol if

you have diabetes. Alcohol is processed

in the body very similarly to the way fat is

processed, and alcohol provides almost

as many calories as fat.

If you choose to drink

alcohol, only drink it oc-

casionally and when

your blood sugar level is

well-controlled. It's a

good idea to check with your doctor to be

sure drinking alcohol is acceptable.

Diabetes and Glycemic Index

For years, researchers have tried to deter-

mine what causes blood sugar levels after

meals to soar too high in those with diabe-

tes. Potential culprits have included sugar,

carbohydrates, and starches, among other

foods. The glycemic index is a ranking

that attempts to measure the influence

that each particular food has on blood

sugar levels. It takes into account the type

of carbohydrates in a meal and its effect

on blood sugar.

Foods that are low on the glycemic index

appear to have less of an impact on blood

sugar levels after meals. People who eat

a lot of low glycemic index foods tend to

have lower total body fat levels. High gly-

cemic index foods generally make blood

sugar levels higher. People who eat a lot

of high glycemic index foods often have

higher levels of body fat, as measured by

the body mass index (BMI).

Talk to your doctor, a registered dietitian,

or a diabetes educator and ask if the gly-

cemic index might work to help gain better

control of your blood sugar levels.

The glycemic load takes into account the

effect of the amount of carbohydrates in a

meal. Both the type of carbohydrate and

the amount have an effect on blood sugar.

Eating Right With Diabetes

If you have diabetes, it's important to eat

right every day to keep your blood sugar

levels even and stay healthy. Here's some

easy tips:

Be sure to eat a wide variety of foods.

Having a colorful plate is the best way

to ensure that you are eating plenty of

fruits, vegetables, meats, and other

forms of protein such as nuts, dairy

products, and grains/cereals.

Eat the right amount of calories to

maintain a healthy weight.

Choose foods high in fiber such as whole

grain breads, fruit, and cereal. They con-

tain important vitamins and minerals. You

need 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day.

Studies suggest that people with type 2

diabetes who eat a high fiber diet can im-

prove their blood sugar and cholesterol

levels. Similar results have been suggest-

ed in some studies in people with type 1

diabetes.

Serving Sizes and Diabetes

Be sure to eat only the amount of food in

your diabetes meal plan. Excess calories

result in excess fat and excess weight. In

people with type 2 diabetes, excess body

fat means less sensitivity to insulin.

Weight loss in overweight and obese peo-

ple with type 2 diabetes helps improve

blood sugars and reduces those risk fac-

tors which lead to heart disease. Your

dietitian can help you determine the ap-

propriate serving sizes you need, depend-

ing on if you need to maintain your

weight, gain weight, or lose weight, and if

you have high or low blood sugar levels.

In women with gestational diabetes,

it's important to eat multiple meals

and snacks per day as recommended.

Do not skip meals.

Eat meals and snacks at regular times

every day. If you are taking a diabetes

medicine, eat your meals and take

your medicine at the same times each

day.

Note: If you are taking some of the newer

diabetes drugs, some of these tips may

not apply to you; ask your health care pro-

vider the tips you should follow.

The Sweet Truth about Food and

Diabetes

You might have heard that, as a person

with diabetes, you shouldn't have any ta-

ble sugar. While some health care provid-

ers continue to promote this, many -- real-

izing that the average person lives in the

real world and will probably indulge in a bit

of sugar every now and then -- have

adopted a more forgiving view. Most ex-

perts now say that small amounts of sugar

are fine, as long as they are part of an

overall healthy meal plan. Table sugars do

not raise your blood sugar any more than

Get Sour on Sweets

Living with Diabetes

Today’s BoomeR 11

similar amounts of calories from starches,

which is found in many foods that we con-

sume. It is important to remember that

sugar is just one type of carbohydrate.

When eating sugar, keep these tips in

mind:

Read food labels. Learn how to deter-

mine how much sugar or carbohy-

drates are in the foods that you eat.

Substitute, don't add. When you eat a

sugary food, such as cookies, cakes,

or candies, substitute them for anoth-

er carbohydrate or starch (for exam-

ple, potatoes) that you would have

eaten that day. Make sure that you

account for this in your carbohydrate

budget for the day. If it is added to

your meal for the day, then remember

to adjust your insulin dose for the

added carbohydrates so you can con-

tinue to maintain glucose control as

much as possible. In other words,

readjust your medications if you do

add sugars to you meals.

Sugary foods can be fattening. Many

foods that have a lot of table sugar

are very high in calories and fat. If

you are watching your weight (and

many people with diabetes must),

you need to eat these foods in mod-

eration!

Check your blood sugar after eating

sugary foods and talk to your health

care provider about how to adjust

your insulin if needed when eating

sugars. Ultimately, the total grams of carbohy-

drates -- rather than what the source of

the sugar is -- is what needs to be ac-

counted for in the nutritional management

of the person with diabetes.

Diabetes Diet Myths

Before you start a diabetes diet, get the

facts. So many people believe that having

diabetes means you must avoid sugar

and carbohydrates at all cost, load up on

protein, and prepare "special" diabetic

meals apart from the family's meals.

Wrong! Most individuals with diabetes

can continue to enjoy their favorite foods,

including desserts, as long as they moni-

tor the calories, carbs, and other key die-

tary components and keep a regular

check on their blood glucose levels.

Get the facts and start enjoying the foods

you love on a diabetes diet.

Artificial Sweeteners and Diabetes

Artificial sweeteners can be added to a

variety of foods and beverages without

adding more carbohydrates to your diabe-

tes diet. Using non-caloric artificial sweet-

eners instead of sugar also greatly reduc-

es calories in your favorite foods.

Keep in mind that foods with artificial

sweeteners are not necessarily zero car-

bohydrates foods. Many have carbohy-

drates; therefore, you must read the food

labels to determine the gram amounts per

serving that these have in order to take

into account the effect that these carbo-

hydrates have on your glycemic control.

Foods labeled with artificial sweeteners

can affect your blood sugar.

As long as you are aware of the content

of carbohydrates you can adjust your

meal or medication to maintain blood sug-

ar control. "Sugar free" means no sugar

has been added, but you must remember

these foods still contain carbohydrates

which does affect your blood sugars.

Examples of artificial sweeteners you can

use include:

Aspartame

Acesulfame-k

Saccharine

Sucralose

Other non-nutritive sweeteners

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should

avoid saccharine, and people who suffer

from phenylketonuria should not use as-

partame. People with phenylketonuria are

unable to metabolize phenylalanine, an

amino acid that's a common part of many

proteins.

Some artificial sweeteners -- such as xyli-

tol, mannitol, and sorbitol -- have some

calories and do slightly increase blood

sugar levels. The American Diabetes As-

sociation cautions that eating too much of

any artificial sweetener can cause gas

and diarrhea.

The Stats

Add up for

Boomers Here are the facts from

the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention

(CDC).

In 2008 that 68% of

adult incident cases of

diabetes were diag-

nosed between the age

of 40 and 64 years.

About 15% were

diagnosed before the

age of 40 and about

17% were diagnosed

at age 65 or older.

In 2010, over 1 million

people ages 45-64

were estimated to be

new cases of

diagnosed diabetes in

the U.S.

In 2010, 85.5% of

adults ages 45-64

years, and 88.9% of

adults ages 65-74

years who have

diabetes use a type of

diabetes medication.

To know more about these

studies and more information

about diabetes from the CDC,

visit their website at

www.cdc.gov/diabetes/

index.htm

Always consult with your doctor.

This and more can be found at

www.webmd.com

12 Today’s BoomeR

On Your Own:

How to Manage the Finances

of Single Retirement

It's a tough time to be growing old.

Between battles over Medicare and Social Security, disappearing pen-

sions, and a Wall Street meltdown that decimated the investment port-

folios of millions of Americans, the path to a secure retirement is more

tenuous than at any time since the 1960s. And thanks to advances in

health care and smarter lifestyles, those shaky finances are having to

sustain us for longer.

"It's not uncommon for a retiree to live 20 to 25 years after retire-

ment," says Caroline Delaney, executive vice president at Hillis Finan-

cial Services -- a far cry from the four years that the average retiree

could expect to enjoy 50 years ago.

To make things worse, a growing number of baby boomers have to

factor in an extra complication: They're facing the difficulties of retire-

ment and old age without a partner by their side.

Planning Ahead

When it comes to the health problems that arise in old age, married

retirees can usually rely on their spouses for support. But for singles,

long-term care can be more problematic: "Many divorced couples have

grown children who can help them out," notes Jack Hillis, president of

Hillis Financial Services. "But they often don't like to impose on their

kids."

This becomes a particular issue when it comes to end-of-life decisions.

"Typically, a married couple will give each other the medical power of

attorney, which gives them the right to 'pull the plug' in case of inca-

pacitation," Hillis notes. "As single people approach old age, they need

to find a trusted friend or child to take that responsibility."

Not surprisingly, many elderly people build a social circle to help them

deal with the strains of old age. "More and more, we're seeing what we

call a Golden Girls situation, in which elderly people move in together

for companionship and to share expenses."

But while living together can save money on household expenses, it

doesn't do much for health care costs. People who live into their 80s,

Hillis says, face a 50% chance of needing some form of long-term care -

- and, without a spouse or companion, the price of help can add up

quickly. Hillis encourages his clients to begin preparing for these costs

early: "For people in their 50s who are still single, we suggest that they

look at long-term care insurance."

Lifelong Singles

Hillis notes that, depending on their circumstances -- and their spous-

es' level of life insurance -- widows and widowers may not face major

economic hardships. But for lifelong singles, a comfortable retirement

requires a great deal of planning.

"Singles need to accumulate as much equity as a married couple," says

Delaney. This is largely due to the nature of retirement costs: "Many

expenses are fixed," she explains. "They are the same, regardless of

whether you're married or

single."

With this in mind, Hillis suggests

that lifelong singles should begin

seriously planning for retirement

in their 30s, when they are likely to have more than sufficient income.

"Singles often don't have many of the high initial expenses -- like col-

lege educations for children -- that married couples have to cover," he

explains. "We

suggest that

they plow

money into

their 401(k)s

and work on

[moderating]

their spend-

ing. They have

to realize that

they can't

spend all their money on expensive toys."

Real estate can be a great investment, Hillis notes. In addition to

providing a place to live, it can also provide equity for use in retire-

ment. "Someone who has rented needs to build up other assets," Hillis

emphasizes. "This is why they need to start retirement planning as

early as possible."

Divorced from Your Assets

While retirement is tough for the never-married, it can be even more

brutal for the divorced. Even under the best of circumstances, Hillis

notes, a marital split wreaks havoc on finances: "Divorce is the oppo-

site of compound interest. Your finances are cut in half." For couples

who divorce later in life, however, it can be particularly devastating. "If

you divorce in your 40s, you have plenty of time to plan," Hillis notes.

"But when you divorce later, there's less time to prepare for retire-

ment."

Among baby boomers, this problem continues to get worse. Boomers

made up a large part of the record wave of divorces in the late 1970s

and early 1980s, and are still dissolving their marriages at a stunning

rate. Almost a quarter of today's divorces are "gray divorces" -- the

dissolution of couples who had been legally bound for 20 years or

more.

In addition to slashed assets, many of these divorced retirees and soon-

to-be retirees also have to deal with their own financial ignorance. "In

many marriages, there is one spouse who handles all the family financ-

es, and the other is in the dark," Hillis notes. "We advise that both

spouses should know about their finances and be familiar with their

financial advisers."

? By Bruce Watson

Bruce Watson is a senior features writer for DailyFinance. You can reach him by e-mail at bruce.watson@teamaol.com, or follow him on Twitter at @bruce1971.

Today’s BoomeR 13

?

The Beat Goes On: The Beat Goes On:

Boomer Bands That Still Boomer Bands That Still Got Got ITIT

14 Today’s BoomeR

By Alexandra Maragha

The Beatles

They brought the “British Invasion” to its peak and

their music has lasted to be the favorites of post

Boomer generations. They still release music and Paul

McCartney and Ringo Starr still make headlines with

appearances and music tours. The Beatles had 27 num-

ber one hits combined on both American and British

charts and recorded 208 songs as a group. Sir Paul

McCartney turned 70 years old in June, and is prepar-

ing to continue to take the stage. He's preparing for a

featured role closing the London Olympics opening cer-

emony on July 27 - just another global audience

measuring a billion or more for one of the most

popular performers in pop history. Even McCartney

may be a bit nervous for that one, but he won't be

short of material: Consider a back catalogue that

includes "Yesterday," ''Eleanor Rigby," ''Penny Lane"

and a few dozen other classics, including perennial

crowd pleasers "Let It Be" and "Hey Jude." For more

information about Paul McCartney visit

http://www.paulmccartney.com

In this photo released by MPL Communications, Sir

Paul McCartney is seen at the Diamond Jubilee concert

at Buckingham Palace, in London Monday June 4,

2012. (AP Photo / MJ Kim, MPL Communications)

The Beach Boys

Fifty years in the making, three brothers, their cousin

and a good friend changed the American pop music

landscape. The Beach Boys brought their California

smooth sounds and harmonies to achieve 36 top 40

hits, four No. 1 singles, two No. 1 albums and over 100

million recordings sold. In 2004, Rolling Stone

Magazine listed The Beach Boys as the Greatest Artists

of All Time. The Beach Boys 50th anniversary tour has

reunited Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Dave

Marks and Bruce Johnston to bring all of their hits and

a new released single “That’s Why God Made the

Despite the ups and downs, the break-ups and those lost, the bands and music of the 1960’s

and even 1970’s, was and continues to be the soundtrack of the Baby Boomer generation.

Favorites like Fleetwood Mac, Carlos Santana, The Rolling Stones, and The Bee Gees have all left

their sound. Whether their music was the song of your first slow dance, your first road trip, or

just filled in between everything else, the sounds of the boomer generation continue to please

all. The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Neil Diamond still make everyday headlines with their

anniversary tours and ongoing releases.

Search online or check with your local retro rock

radio station for news and tour dates on your

favorite Boomer music group.

Today’s BoomeR 15

Radio” from their recent album out this past June, that is

No.3 on the Billboard chart. The 50th anniversary tour

continues with much more to come from the Beach Boys.

To check tour dates and more information visit http://

www.thebeachboys.com/

Neil Diamond

After being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

in March 2011, it has been quite the year –and years- for

Neil Diamond. Since the launch of his career in the 1960’s

with hits like “Solitary Man” and “Cherry, Cherry”, he has

sold more than 115 million records worldwide and has

had 13 Top 10 singles.

His most recent album release, “The Very Best of Neil

Diamond,” spans 46 years of songs and growth through

his career. The tour includes Diamond’s classics such as

“Sweet Caroline” with a few changes to each line up while

on tour to get all of the songs in. To see all the concert

dates and more information about Neil Diamond visit

http://neildiamond.com

Click this image to watch

The Beach Boys behind the

scenes video on their official

YouTube Channel!

(Above) Neil Diamond. Photo Courtesy of

NeilDiamond.com

16 Today’s BoomeR

BOOMER HEALTHY EATING:

Go Wild for Salmon– Alaska Style

Alaska Salmon Burgers 1 can (14.75 oz.) or 2 cans (7.5 oz. each) traditional pack Alaska salmon OR 8 to 10 oz. skinless, boneless salm-on (canned or pouched) 1 egg, slightly beaten 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1/4 cup thick barbecue sauce 1 cup fresh bread crumbs (about 2 slices of bread) 4 cheese slices, if desired 4 Hamburger buns or rolls Procedure: Drain salmon thoroughly, squeezing out excess moisture. In bowl, flake salmon with fork. Add egg, onion, barbecue sauce and bread crumbs. Blend thoroughly until mixture is almost smooth. Divide and form mixture into 4 patties. Preheat broiler/oven or grill to medium-high heat. Place patties on spray-coated broiling pan or well-oiled perforated

Wild salmon is a health “super food”

with its rich omega 3 fatty acids that can

aid in maintaining and improving

longevity. It is one of the most versatile

fish to cook and prepare. Try these

recipes and techniques from

AlaskaSeafood.org that will be sure to

make you go wild!

grill rack, set 4 to 5 inches from heat. Cook about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Add cheese slices, if desired. Serve on buns or rolls.

Visit Alaska Seafood.org

for more recipes and

cooking information.

Today’s BoomeR 17

Planked Alaska Salmon with Asian Glaze

1 bunch green onions, trimmed and sliced lengthwise 2 pounds Alaska Salmon fillets or portions 3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger root* 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1-1/2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic *Add 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for additional heat, if desired. Procedure: Soak wood plank in water 30 minutes to 2 hours. Pat wood plank with paper towels and spray-coat or lightly oil one side. Place green onions on plank; top with Alaska Salmon. Blend remaining ingredients; rub 1/2 to 1 teaspoon on each salmon portion or all onto salmon side. Let the salmon rest 5 minutes before cooking. Heat grill to medium-high heat. Place the planed salmon on the grill using indirect heat (not directly over heat). Reduce heat to medium and cook in covered grill for 10 to 15 minutes. Cook just until salmon is opaque throughout.

Creamy Alaska Salmon Pasta

1 package (8 oz.) el-bow macaroni or small shell pasta 1 cup fat-free milk 1 package (1.2 oz.) creamy pesto sauce mix or lemon dill sauce mix 1 Tablespoon butter 1 shallot, finely shopped, or 1/4 cup minced onion 1/2 cup (4 oz.) sliced mushrooms 1 large Roma tomato, seeded and diced 1 jar (6 oz.) quartered marinated artichokes, drained 1 can or pouch (6 to 7.5 oz.) Alaska salmon, drained and chunked Procedure: Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in small bowl, whisk milk with sauce mix; set aside. In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallot and mushrooms; cook 3 minutes. Stir in milk mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, artichokes, pasta and salmon; stir until pasta is heated through.

TIP: Try a cedar wood plank to enhance the aromas when grilling. Also keep a

spray bottle handy to minimize any flames that may flare on the plank and be aware of your grill’s temperature. Most planks can also be reused if not

overly charred or cracked.

18 Today’s BoomeR

Social Security: Take Your Parents on a Meaningful Tour of Social Security’s Website

Do your parents spend much time online?

Sometimes older parents can be apprehensive about using

the Internet and conducting business online. There is no rea-

son they should be when it comes to Social Security’s online

services at www.socialsecurity.gov, which are consistently

rated not only the best and easiest to use in government, but

in the private sector as well.

What are some of the reasons your parents may want to visit

www.socialsecurity.gov? Allow us to show you around so

you can give Mom and Dad the proper tour.

Front and center, there is always a series of illustrated pan-

els. This is where we share new messages, initiatives, and

items of interest, such as breaking news and tips on new or

improved online services.

To the right, you’ll find a big question mark: that is where

you can find our most frequently asked questions — and the

answers to them. If your parents have a question about So-

cial Security, chances are someone else had the same ques-

tion. We have collected them on our website, and it is easy

to search for questions on a variety of Social Security topics.

Smack dab in the middle of the page is where you can find

press releases and the latest news about Social Security.

To the left of the page you will find our top services. Virtually

anything you want to do online can be found here: apply

online for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits; get an

instant, personalized estimate of future benefits with our

online Retirement Estimator; and obtain information about

how to get or replace a Social Security card.

One of the hottest new services is getting your Social Security

Statement online. Just complete the authentication process,

much like the sort you would go through when requesting a

credit report online, and you’ll be able to set up your online

Social Security account. Once you do, you will have online

access to your Statement, which includes detailed estimates

of future benefits, and a summary of your work history

through the years. This is especially helpful for parents who

may be planning for retirement.

Our website offers many other services as well, such as

online forms and publications, an easy application to apply

for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs, icons to

our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages, and information

categorized by subject matter or by audience.

Take your parents for a visit to www.socialsecurity.gov. It is

one small way you can give back to those who have given so

much for you.

By Karyl Richson

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Milwaukee, WI

Your Social Security Questions Answered

Q: My husband and I are both entitled to our own

Social Security benefits. Will our combined benefits be

reduced because we are married?

A: No. When each member of a married couple works

in employment covered under Social Security and

both meet all other eligibility requirements to receive

retirement benefits, lifetime earnings are calculated

independently to determine the benefit amounts.

Therefore, each spouse receives a monthly benefit

amount based on his or her own earnings. If one

member of the couple earned low wages or did not

earn enough Social Security credits (40) to be insured

for retirement benefits, he or she may be eligible to

receive benefits as a spouse. To learn more about re-

tirement, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement.

Today’s BoomeR 19

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B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE

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Today’s BoomeR 21

B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE

The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!

B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE

The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!

22 Today’s BoomeR

B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE

The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!

Today’s BoomeR 23

B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE

The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!

Here is a Sneak Peak of the Here is a Sneak Peak of the Here is a Sneak Peak of the

Next Issue of Today’s BoomeR!Next Issue of Today’s BoomeR!Next Issue of Today’s BoomeR!

1. BRIAN JONES' HAIR Not only the longest, and the blondest, but the most distinctive coif to come out of the (first) British Invasion... hence his invariably being

positioned as the focal point of the band’s publicity photos, not to mention album covers.

2. ANDREW LOOG OLDHAM Take equal parts Col. Parker and Phil Spector, mix with a liberal helping of Laurence Harvey (cf: "Expresso Bongo"), garnish with a dash

of Anthony Burgess, and you have the wonderlad who transformed himself from failed pop crooner Sandy Beach to frustrated Brian Epstein gofer to chart-topping svengali of the world-famous anti-Beatles all in a mere eighteen months.

3. THEIR STAGEWEAR

As a young impressionable tyke of nine, I remember how totally dumbstruck I was when chancing upon the Stones on a Red Skelton special in '64. After months spent innocently bopping to squeaky-clean moptops on The Ed Sullivan Show, imagine my stupefaction when

Mick Jagger, striped sweatshirt hanging, first suggestively shook his maracas in my parents' living room.

4. THE "PRODUCTION" ON THEIR RECORDS The scene is Olympic Sound Studios, London, May 10, 1963 as recording of “Come On,” the Rolling Stones' first release, has just been

completed: Roger Savage (engineer): "What about the mixing?" Andrew Loog Oldham (producer): "What's mixing?"

5. CHARLIE WATTS' DRUMMING Especially on "Paint It, Black"!

6. THEIR ALBUM COVERS

From "December's Children" to (the untruncated original issue of) "Some Girls”, without forgetting “Through The Past Darkly,” “Sticky Fingers” (particularly the Spanish edition!) and the until-recently-banned “Beggars Banquet,” Stones songs have always come both lov-

ingly and luridly packaged inside the most quintessential photos, graphics and liner notes this side of “The Who Sell Out.”

7. "CHARLIE IS MY DARLING" Forget "A Hard Day's Night," "Lonely Boy" and even "Gimme Shelter": for a true docu-style glimpse of those once-swinging Sixties,

"Charlie Is My Darling," produced, of course, by Andrew Oldham, boldly treads where no Arriflex had been before.

8. THEIR INSPIRED CHOICE OF SONG MATERIAL Nary a Stones album or concert has existed solely on the works of Jagger/Richard(s)... some dusty old (rhythm'n') blues tune has been

given the nod, and been performed in testament to, the moss upon which the band has always rolled (excepting during that "Satanic Maj-esties" detour).

9. THEIR IMPECCABLE FLAIR FOR SELF-PROMOTION

From the early daze of urinating on gas stations ("we piss anywhere, maaann...") in 1965 to their jet-setting, trend-setting string of design-er drug busts in the Seventies, the Stones have always been their own best press agents.

10. LEWIS BRIAN HOPKIN JONES, 1942 - 1969

R.I.P.

Do you have something to say? EDo you have something to say? EDo you have something to say? E---mail Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomer.com mail Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomer.com mail Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomer.com

Back to School for Boomers

Boomer Travel:

Fall in Love with Foliage

“BoomeR-Prenuership”

Boomer Healthy

Lifestyle: Game Day Grub

...And More!

September/October Issue: Don’t Miss Out! Don’t Miss Out!

Subscribe FREE @ Subscribe FREE @ TheAmericanBoomer.comTheAmericanBoomer.com

*Letter to the Editor: *Letter to the Editor: *Letter to the Editor: Ten Reasons Why The Rolling Stones Ten Reasons Why The Rolling Stones Ten Reasons Why The Rolling Stones WereWereWere the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band

Submitted by Gary Pig GoldSubmitted by Gary Pig GoldSubmitted by Gary Pig Gold

*The views expressed are not those of Today’s BoomeR, nor those of The AmericanBoomeR.com. All letters to the editor are reviewed before publication.

24 Today’s BoomeR