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September • 2012 • 3

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

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

S eniorspectrumnewspaper. comPublishers: Chris & Connie McMullen

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

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

This Issuepage 3 - Editor’s Desk: Affordable Care Act Updatepage 5 - Go Purple!page 6 - Guest Editorialpage 8 - AG Receives Funds for Mortgage Fraud, Foreclosurespage 12 - CDC Recommendationson Hepatitis C for Baby Boomers page 15 - Looking for Hospital orNursing Home Care? page 16 - Pharmacies to EducateMedicare Beneficiaries on Benefitspage 17 - SSA: Social Security & Living Abroadpage 18 - Medicare BeneficiariesSave on Prescriptionspage 20 - Influenza Vaccinations page 34 - Eldorado’s Jersey Nights

Every Issuepage 27 - Sixty Fivepage 19 - Eclectic Observer

Janet Rosspage 22 - Get Up & Go!

page 24 - Eydie Scher - Excerptspage 26 - Biggest Little City

Harry Spencer page 27 - Crosswordpage 28 - Calenderpage 31 - this ‘n that - Anne Vargaspage 32 - Seniors 4 Travel

Robert Boyd & Carolyn Prusa

Healthpage 10 - Chronic Illness

Dr. Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. Center for Healthy Aging

page 13 - Caregiving: Dr. MarionPlanning Your Retirement

page 14 - CMS: David SayenYour Medicare Rights

page 18 - Ophthalmology: Dr. Michael Fischer, M.D.

Financial page 7 - Planning for the Worst-

Case Scenario Bradley B. Anderson Wealth Advisors

Editor’s Desk: Update

Health Care ReformWill Still Leave Many

Without Insurance

September 2012

Nevada Health andHuman Services(HHS) Director

Mike Willden told theLegislative Committee onHealth Care August 29, thatexpansion of Medicaidoffered under the AffordableCare Act (ACA) will resultin a “rapid uptake in the firsttwo years, then a fatteningout” of enrollment. Buteven with expanded enroll-ment projections show 10percent will remain unin-sured by 2020.

Willden told the committeestate staff is working regu-larly to develop componentsof Nevada’s program. Underthe ACA, uninsured peopleearning less than 138 per-cent of the federal povertylevel (FPL) or slightly morethan $15,000 a year canenroll in the expandedMedicaid program. Otherswithout coverage will opt toparticipate in the Silver StateHealth Insurance Exchangewhich will be operational byJanuary 2014.

Willden did not outline theprojected costs to partici-pate in Medicaid expansion,and Nevada Governor BrianSandoval has not made adecision if the state will doso, however there is specula-tion word will come withthe new state budget. TheACA becomes law for allstates in 2014.

There are currently 581,485

uninsured living in the stateand Willden said even withfull Medicaid expansionthere would still be 313,000people without insurance in2020. Many of the unin-sured would be undocu-mented residents and peo-ple who simply refuse toparticipate in an insuranceprogram.

Under the ACA, childlessadults for the first time willbe covered by Medicaid ages19-65. Willden says this isnew coverage that is sur-rounding much of the dis-cussion if Nevada wants toopt into Medicaid expan-sion. “We believe if we optin and allow new eligibles,primarily people that arechildless adults, that we willenroll another 71,000 peopleinto Medicaid.”

Willden told the committeethat there are currently49,000 to 50,000 people whoare eligible for Medicaid thatwill enroll over the next twoyears. Another 29,000 whowill enroll in theCHIP/CheckUp program,for a total of 149,000 addi-tional enrollees by 2015 ifthe state opts for fullMedicaid expansion.

There is a general concensusthat states can opt in ordecide not to participate inexpansion of Medicaid forpeople living at less than 138percent of the FPL underthe Supreme Court decision.

32

4 • 2012 • September


More than 35 mil-lion people areliving with

dementia worldwide.Alzheimer's Associationsays Alzheimer’s disease is aglobal epidemic.

September 21 isAlzheimer’s Action Day,and caregivers, families,advocates, anyone affectedby Alzheimer’s are encour-aged to wear purple cloth-ing to raise awareness andfight stigma associated withthe illness. The Alzheimer’sAssociation is urging every-one to: Speak up about the facts.The fact is Alzheimer's isNOT normal aging or "a lit-tle memory loss"; it's a pro-gressive and fatal disease. Go Purple. Wear purple tosymbolize the movement toend Alzheimer's – and tellpeople why you're wearingit!Create a conversation. Askfriends, family, co-workersand neighbors to getinvolved with the cause orshare your knowledge of thedisease with them.

Whether you have beena Champion or are new themovement, you can make adifference in the fightagainst Alzheimer's.Locally, you can getinvolved with theAlzheimer’s Association,volunteer, attend a class, orparticipate in the Walk toEnd Alzheimer’s. The Walkto End Alzheimer’s unitesthe entire community in adisplay of combined dedica-tion in the fight against thedevastating disease. Whilethere is no fee to register,each participant is expectedto fundraise in order to con-tribute to the cause andraise awareness. Locally thegoal is to raise 120,000.

The 2012 Walk to EndAlzheimer’s is September29, at the Sparks Marina.Registration begins at 8:30a.m. Join a Team, or walk asan individual. The SparksMarina is located at 300Howard Drive, Sparks. Tolearn more contact WalkCoordinator Erica Bakerat (775) 786-8061 [email protected].

Go Purple!Walk to End Alzheimer’s


Guest Editorial

Our veter-ans come from all back-grounds, they range in age,and each of them has specif-ic medical needs. Makingsure these health care needsare met, no matter howbasic or urgent, has been myenduring priority inCongress. The new VAMental Health OutpatientClinic which opened earlierthis month in Reno, and thenew state-of-the-art VAHospital which recentlyopened in North Las Vegaswill give veterans in everypart of the state the carethey require.

In Reno, the new 15,000square foot mental healthclinic will significantlyimprove veterans' access tocare. Since 2007, there hasbeen a 35 percent increasein the amount of Veteransthat receive mental healthservices. I am pleased thatthis new facility will makesure our heroes in NorthernNevada have new opportu-nities to maintain their men-tal health.

The new hospital inSouthern Nevada will alsoboost our state's veteranshealth care services. I

secured $600 million for thehospital which will accom-modate 655,000 ambulatorycare visits per year, and itwill also have 90 inpatientbeds, along with a 120 bedcommunity living center andnursing home facility.

I had the honor of attendingthe VA hospital’s dedicationceremony in Las Vegas inearly August with otherNevada senior veterans, andI was pleased to joinSecretary of Veterans AffairsEric Shinseki for the event.After seeing the facility forthe first time, these veteransknew what I knew- the newfacility will ensure they areproperly looked after and allof their needs would be metwith the best possible med-ical support.

After serving their country,Nevada’s senior veteranshave come home to theSilver State and they contin-ue to play important roles asour community leaders.These new facilities in Renoand Las Vegas will deliveron the promise made tothem when they enlisted-that they would always belooked for their service totheir country.

New Health Facilities inReno Will Support Nevada

Senior Veterans

Sen. Harry Reid

U.S. Senator

Harry Reid

Nevada’s senior veterans areheroes, and we must alwayshonor this important group bymaking sure they have the bestsupport from government.


Estate planning is one of

those things that’s easy

to put off. We don’t

like to think about death –

particularly our own – so we

put it out of our minds.

“What’s the worst that can

happen?” we ask ourselves.

We’d like to think that the

answer to that question is

that, even if we didn’t create

an estate plan, we would be

off the hook. We’d be gone,

so we wouldn’t have to deal

with the consequences.

This answer is partially

true. When you die without

an estate plan, you hurt those

you love by causing them

unnecessary confusion,

expense, and delay in settling

your affairs during an already

emotional time. Not a great

outcome, but not technically

your problem.

But there’s a catch:

Failing to create an estate

plan can hurt you while

you’re still alive.

Imagine that as you age,

you start to develop

Alzheimer’s. The disease pro-

gresses quickly, and before

you know it, you can’t

remember to pay your own

bills, balance your check-

book, or manage your normal

household chores -- let alone

keep track of all the doctor’s

appointments and medica-

tions you’re now faced with.

Someone has to step in and

ensure your health and

finances are taken care of.

Without a comprehensive

estate plan, someone needs to

go to court to be appointed

your guardian.

In the best case scenario,

your family members agree

on who should serve in this

capacity. In this situation, the

initial process takes some

time and involves some court

costs and attorney’s fees. It

also means that your guardian

is obligated to report to the

court on a regular basis and

obtain court permission

before making certain deci-

sions on your behalf. It also

means that the public, includ-

ing your nosy neighbors,

knows all about your legal

affairs.

But what if your family

members don’t agree on who

is best suited to serve as your

guardian? Then the court

process takes on a different

character. Guardianship dis-

putes can be time consuming,

expensive, and emotionally

exhausting for everyone

involved. They often open

old family rifts, and they can

create new rifts that last a

lifetime.

This isn’t what any of us

(Estate Planning page 8)

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

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

Planning for the Worst-Case Scenario


Estate Planning / page 7

want for ourselves or our

families. How can you avoid

the exhaustion and expense

of a guardianship battle – not

to mention the destruction of

family relationships that can

go along with it? One of the

simplest things you can do is

to be proactive. Create a

comprehensive estate plan

that anticipates not only your

death, but also the possibility

that you’ll become disabled

during your lifetime.

Using a Revocable Living

Trust, you can remain in

charge of your assets unless

and until you become inca-

pacitated. If the need arises, a

Successor Trustee chosen by

you can step in and manage

the Trust property according

to your express instructions.

In addition to a Revocable

Living Trust, you’ll want a

Financial Power of Attorney.

This lets you put a trusted

person in charge of any assets

not transferred into your

Trust, ensuring that all of

your property is managed

according to your wishes and

that none of your assets slip

through the cracks.

You should also sign a set

of healthcare documents

appointing someone you

know and trust to make med-

ical decisions on your behalf

and expressing your wishes

for end-of-life medical treat-

ment in the event you become

incapacitated.

This type of comprehen-

sive estate planning helps you

avoid the worst-case scenario.

It allows you to rest assured

that, should you become dis-

abled, your family members

will not have to guess at your

wishes. Instead, people you

trust will be in charge of car-

rying out the plan you put in

place for yourself. An experi-

enced estate planning attor-

ney can help you put things

in order so that you and your

family will never have to face

the worst-case scenario.

The Law Firm of

Anderson, Dorn & Rader,

Ltd. is devoted exclusively to

estate planning. We are mem-

bers of the American

Academy of Estate Planning

Attorneys and offer guidance

and advice to our clients in

estate planning. For more

information or to attend an

upcoming seminar, please

contact us at (775) 823-9455

or www.probatebusters.com.

This article is written bythe American Academy ofEstate Planning Attorneys.

$11.7 Million to

Address Nevada

Mortgage Fraud,

Foreclosure CrisisNevada Attorney General

Catherine Cortez Masto has

received approval to imple-

ment $11.7 million, year one

of a three year $33.5 million

program, of the National

Mortgage Settlement Plan

from the Nevada Legislature’s

Interim Finance Committee.

The program will help

Nevadans by creating a dedi-

cated call center that will

route people to trained hous-

ing counselors that can inform

them of the settlement bene-

fits, and state and federal

foreclose assistance programs.

The Department of Housing

and Urban Development and

other agencies will assist with

the settlement program.


As reflected in thenational Presidentialrace debate, health

care is at the forefront andunderstandably so. Medicare,Medicaid, and insuranceexpenses are increasing atdouble digit rates and simplyconsume too much of ourresources, public and private.

Freid, Bernstein, and Bush(2012) from the NationalCenter for Health Statisticsjust reported on multiplechronic conditions amongadults aged 45 and over:Trends over the past 10 yearsfrom the National HealthInterview Survey.

They found that between2000 and 2010, the percent-

age of adults aged 45–64 and65 and over with two or morechronic conditions (i.e.,hypertension, heart disease,diabetes, cancer, stroke,chronic bronchitis, emphyse-ma, current asthma, and kid-ney disease) increased forboth men and women, allracial and ethnic groupsexamined, and most incomegroups! The author’s majorfindings are alarming:• During the last 10 years, thepercentage of 65+ with bothhypertension and diabetesincreased 44 percent (from9% to 15%); prevalence ofhypertension and heart dis-ease increased 17 percent(from 18% to 21%); and preva-

lence of hypertension andcancer increased 38 percent(from 8% to 11%). • The percentage of adultsaged 45–64 with two or morechronic conditions who didnot receive or delayed neededmedical care due to costincreased 35 percent (from17% to 23%), and the percent-age who did not receive need-ed prescription drugs due tocost increased 57 percent(from 14% to 22%).• In 2010, 21 percent ofadults aged 45–64 and 45 per-cent of adults aged 65 andover had been diagnosed withtwo or more chronic condi-tions. A decade earlier, only16 percent of the middle aged

and 37 percent of the 65+ had2+ chronic conditions. That isan increase of 31 percent and22 percent increase respec-tively.

These chronic disease fig-ures are statistically signifi-cant increases. They arealarming because people withtwo or more chronic diseaseshave a harder time managingtheir health, have greaterfunctional problems withdaily activities, and use moreservices such as prescriptions,doctors, and hospital days.These increases in chronicconditions cost us and thenation more and certainlyimpacts quality of life.

(Life to Years page 11)

Adding Life to Years

Chronic Illness Is Increasing and Alarming! Dr. Larry Weiss

Center for Healthy Aging

Certainly part of the reason for the increase in chronicdiseases is the improved acutemedical care and treatmentincluding prescription drugsthat keep us alive longer.Another contributing factorthat has an impact on theincrease in chronic disease isthe widespread increase inobesity. People are eatingmore and exercising less, andthe food they are eating is lesshealthy. This increase in bodyfat is a prescription forobtaining disease.

However, ability to pay forservices appears to play asignificant role in theincrease in chronic condi-tions as well. Look at thedifference in the proportionof people who reporteddelaying or forgoing med-ical care or prescriptiondrugs in the past yearbecause of cost. Only about7 percent of those over age65 did so, not a significantincrease from a decade ear-lier, but nearly a quarter ofthe middle aged went with-out medical care or drugs, asignificant jump. ClearlyMedicare health insuranceworks to help decreasechronic illnesses by gettingacute medical care to thosewho need it, but not allhave it.

Now with the advent ofmore reimbursableMedicare preventive servic-es and early interventionthrough the AffordableCare Act, the incidents ofchronic disease shoulddecrease.

Another factor impact-ing the increase in chronicconditions is income. Inboth 2000 and 2010, theprevalence of two or morechronic conditions foradults aged 45–64decreased with rising familyincome, and was more thantwice as high among thoseliving in poverty as amongthose at 400 percent ormore of the poverty level.

Among the 65+, the percent-age with two or more chronicconditions also decreasedwith increasing familyincome, but the percentagevaried less by family incomethan among the middle aged.

The most important con-tributing factor in all thesefacts and figures is that mostof us, middle age and older,do not take responsibility forour own health. Changing ourlifestyle and behavior to livehealthier lives, even after adiagnosis of a serious chroniccondition, usually does notoccur. Most chronic diseases

are preventable by changes inbehavior. So, what are wethinking?

Other research on healthbehavior after a diagnosis of achronic condition (e.g., heartdisease, diabetes, cancer, orstroke) shows that most peo-ple do not make lifestylechanges. The majority that arediagnosed with heart or lungdisease and smoke, do notquit. But if they did, theywould cut their risk of anoth-er heart attack in half. Itwould seem to me that this isa no-brainer.

The data reported above

suggests that people get treatment when they can payfor drugs, doctors and otherhealth services. Perhaps 10years from now, the broaderhealth insurance coveragefrom the AffordableHealthcare Act will havemade a difference.Meanwhile, we can help our-selves by adopting healthylifestyles and behaviors, espe-cially after diagnoses of severechronic conditions such asheart disease… What betterway to “add life to years”.

Write comments [email protected].


Life to Years / page 10

New recommendationsby the Centers forDisease Control and

Prevention (CDC) call for allAmericans born from 1945through 1965 or “babyboomers” to get a one-time

blood test for the hepatitis Cvirus (HCV).

The CDC published,“Recommendations for theIdentification of ChronicHepatitis C Virus InfectionAmong Persons Born During

1945–1965.” The report saidin the United States, hepati-tis C is the leading cause ofliver transplants and primaryliver cancer, which is thefastest-rising cause of cancer-related deaths. People bornfrom 1945 through 1965 cur-rently account for more than75 percent of adults infectedwith hepatitis C in the U.S.,and are five times more likelyto be infected than otheradults.

Each year, more than15,000 Americans, most ofthem baby boomers, diefrom hepatitis C-related ill-ness, such as cirrhosis andliver cancer. Unfortunately,over the last decade, deathshave been increasing steadily.

Without expanded access toHCV testing, care, and treat-ment, mortality among thoseliving with HCV infectionwill continue to rise into thenext decade.

New treatments are nowavailable that can cure up to75 percent of infections, andeven more promising treat-ments are expected in thefuture. Linking individuals toappropriate care and treat-ment would prevent thecostly consequences of livercancer and other chronicliver diseases and ultimatelysave more than 120,000 lives.

For more information,visit http://www.cdc.gov/KnowMoreHepatitis/


New CDC Recommendations onHepatitis C for “Baby Boomers”

I’m still a little ways from retirement age, but I’m starting to grow concerned about myfinances. I thought I’d been saving enough (or close to enough) but now I’m not so sure.Can you offer me any tips? Candace, Phoenix, AZ

There has beena lot of dis-cussion about

the crisis many of us will face as wereach retirement age. How will we con-tinue to fund our lifestyle, without anincome? Even for people who think theyhave planned adequately, there may besurprise expenses around the corner.Here are some ways to fund retirement,as well as some ways to cut expenses.

Funding: • Social Security: You should be eligibleto receive monthly payments, onceyou’ve reached the age of 62.Remember though that if you sign upright away, you won’t receive your fullbenefits. If possible, delay signing upuntil you’ve reached the “full retirementage” (varies depending on the year youwere born). • Retirement accounts: If you savedduring your working years, through401(k)s or IRAs, you can use the moneynow, but you will have to pay taxes onit. Remember to take the required mini-mal withdrawals to avoid a tax penalty. • Roth accounts: These have the benefitof tax-free withdrawals, because youalready paid taxes on the contributions. • Home equity: If your home is paid off,you may be able to use a loan or reversemortgage, should you need to. • Insurance: Make sure you sign up forMedicare on time, to avoid a rise inpremiums. Look into purchasing Long-Term Care insurance to avoid having todip heavily into your savings for unfore-seeable health needs.

Ways to save: • Downsize your home: If it makessense for you, consider moving into asmaller place, like an apartment orcondo, and use the extra money to pad

your savings account. • Sell your car: Now that you don’t haveto drive to work everyday, do you stillneed a car? Especially if you are in a 2-car household, consider selling one car,and taking advantage of public trans-portation whenever possible. • Use senior discounts: While somebusinesses advertise their senior dis-counts (movie theaters, hotels, restau-rants), others do not. Don’t be afraid toask! • Travel during the off-season: Withoutthe constraints of work, you can travelduring non-peak times for a tremen-

dous savings. • Cook at home: After a long day ofwork, coming home and cooking a mealcan be tiring. But now, you can devotemore time to grocery shopping andcooking. This is a great way to savemoney. • Seek out free (or cheap) entertain-ment: Chances are, you will be facedwith more leisure time than ever before.Look for free concerts, free museumdays, and any other options your cityhas to offer. If you feel the need to buy anew book or movie, shop used stores orneighborhood yard sales instead.


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

Planning Your Retirement

Dr. Marion Somers

As

a personwithMedicare,you havecertain

rights and protections. Andit’s worth knowing what theyare.

You have rights whetheryou’re enrolled in OriginalMedicare – in which you canchoose any doctor or hospi-tal that accepts Medicare –or Medicare Advantage, inwhich you get care within anetwork of health careproviders. Such networks arerun by private companies

approved by Medicare.Your rights guarantee that

you get the health servicesthe law says you can get, pro-tect you against unethicalpractices, and ensure the pri-vacy of your personal andmedical information. Youhave the right to be treatedwith dignity and respect atall times, and to be protectedfrom discrimination.

You also have the right toget information in a way youunderstand from Medicare,your health care providers,and, under certain circum-stances, Medicare contrac-tors. This includes informa-tion about what Medicarecovers, what it pays, how

much you have to pay, andhow to file a complaint orappeal. Moreover, you’reentitled to learn about yourtreatment choices in clearlanguage that you can under-stand, and to participate intreatment decisions. Onevery important right is to getemergency care when andwhere you need it -- any-where in the United States.

If you have MedicareAdvantage, your plan materi-als describe how to get emer-gency care. You don’t needpermission from your pri-mary-care doctor (the doctoryou see first for health prob-lems) before you get emer-gency care. If you’re admitted

to the hospital, you, a familymember, or your primary-care doctor should contactyour plan as soon as possible.If you get emergency care,you’ll have to pay your regu-lar share of the cost, orcopayment. Then your planwill pay its share. If your plandoesn’t pay its share, youhave the right to appeal. Infact, whenever a claim isfiled for your care, you’ll geta notice from Medicare oryour Medicare Advantageplan letting you know whatwill and won’t be covered. Ifyou disagree with the deci-sion, you have the right toappeal.

(Medicare Rights page 16)


Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

Know Your Medicare RightsDavid Sayen


Two websites that helpAmericans makeinformed choices

about hospitals and nursinghomes have been redesignedto make more informationavailable to the public,according to the Centers forMedicare & MedicaidServices (CMS).

The two sites – HospitalCompare and Nursing HomeCompare – have beenenhanced to make navigationeasier.

“These enhanced toolsgive patients, their families,and caregivers the ability tomake an informed decisionon where to seek care by

looking at how well hospitalsand nursing homes are per-forming on important qualitymeasures,” said Acting CMSAdministrator MarilynTavenner. “Anyone looking tocompare hospitals or nursinghomes – not just those onMedicare – can take advan-tage of these websites.”

Both sites contain impor-tant data on how well facili-ties perform on qualitymeasures – such as the fre-quency of infections thatdevelop in the hospital, howoften patients have to bereadmitted to the hospital,and the percentage of nurs-ing residents who report

having moderate to severepain while staying in thenursing homes. Researcherswill now be able to access thedata on both of these sitesthrough mobile ready appli-cations.

On both websites, naviga-tion has been improved forconsumers, who will findlarge and easy to use mapsfor pinpointing hospitals,and new search functionali-ties that allow the user toinput the name of a hospital.Glossaries and web resourceshave been enhanced to makethe information easier tounderstand.

These two consumer

tools are highly popular withpatients, their families, andcaregivers. In the first half of2012 there were over 1.2 mil-lion visits to the HospitalCompare site, and over500,000 visits to NursingHome Compare. The sitescan be found at www.hospi-talcompare.hhs.gov/ andwww.medicare.gov/nhcom-pare/

The Eldercare Locatorcan be found at www.elder-care.gov. This public serviceof the Administration onCommunity Living is anationwide service that con-nects older adults with infor-mation on senior services.

Looking for Hospital or Nursing Home Care?The Internet Can Help

Medicare Rights / page 14For more information on

appeals, you can read ourbooklet “Medicare Appeals,”available atwww.medicare.gov/Publications. Or call us, toll free, at 1-800-MEDICARE. You canalso file a complaint aboutservices you got from a hos-pital or other provider. Ifyou’re concerned about thequality of the care you’re get-ting, call the QualityImprovement Organization(QIO) in your state to file acomplaint. A QIO is a groupof doctors and other healthcare experts who check onand improve the care givento people with Medicare. Youcan get your QIO’s phonenumber atwww.medicare.gov/contactsor by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Many people withOriginal Medicare also enrollin Medicare prescriptiondrug plans. Here, too, you

have certain rights. Forexample, if your pharmacisttells you that your drug planwon’t cover a drug you thinkshould be covered, or it willcover the drug at a highercost than you think you’rerequired to pay, you canrequest a coverage determi-nation. If the decision isn’t inyour favor, you can appeal.You can ask for an exceptionif you, your doctor, or yourpharmacist believe you needa drug that isn’t on your drugplan’s list of covered medica-tions, also known as a for-mulary.

You don’t need a lawyerto appeal in most cases, andfiling an appeal is free. Youwon’t be penalized in anyway for challenging a deci-sion by Medicare or yourhealth or drug plan. Formore details, read our book-let, “Medicare Rights andProtections,” at http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11534.pdf.


HealthandHumanServices(HHS)SecretaryKathleenSebeliushas

announced partnerships withseveral pharmacies to helpcustomers learn about newMedicare benefits availableto them under the AffordableCare Act, health care law.

Partnerships – with CVSCaremark, Walgreens,Thrifty White, Walmart, andSam’s Club – will provide

Medicare beneficiaries arange of educational materi-als on newly available pre-ventive services, as well assavings on prescription drugspending in the coverage gapor “donut hole”.

“Our pharmacy partnersare helping their customersmake informed health caredecisions,” said SecretarySebelius. “These partnershipswill help people withMedicare learn more aboutnew preventive services suchas mammograms, and thenew Annual Wellness visitthat are available at nocharge for everyone with

Medicare.” Some examples of how

pharmacy partners are work-ing to increase awareness ofpreventive services availableinclude the following:

CVS Caremark is distrib-uting material about newpreventive services coveredat no cost to beneficiaries atits more than 7,300CVS/pharmacy stores and600 MinuteClinic locations.

Walgreens is distributinginformation in nearly 8,000pharmacies and over 350Take Care Clinic locations.

HHS is working withWalmart and Sam’s Club to

provide healthcare informa-tion to their shoppers online.

Other pharmacies or part-ners can find information onhow to work with CMS toeducate consumers about thebenefits available to them at:http://www.cms.gov/Outreach andEducation/Outreach/Current-Partnership-Opportunities/index.html

To learn more aboutMedicare, visitwww.medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call1-877-486-2048.

HHS partners with pharmacies to educate Medicare beneficiaries about health benefits

Kathleen Sebelius

These days it is more commonthan ever for a person to travelacross the globe – either for

vacation or to live in another countrypermanently. If you are one of thesepeople, Social Security offers a specialwebsite: “Social Security PaymentsOutside the United States.” The websitefeatures all you need to know aboutSocial Security while living abroad. Youcan find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/international/payments.html.

If you’re in the planning stages of mov-ing to another country, you may want tocheck out our “Payments AbroadScreening Tool.” It will ask you a fewshort questions and will let you know

whether your payments can contin-ue. It may make a difference in yourdecision to live abroad.

The page also offers links to publica-tions, such as Your Payments WhileYou Are Outside The United States,which explains how your benefitsmay be affected and other importantinformation you need to know aboutreceiving Social Security benefitswhile outside the country.

In the top, right corner of the page,you’ll find important information onhow to contact Social Security whenyou are abroad — to ask questions,make requests, or report events and

changes that may affect payments.

Whether you’re stateside or abroad,you’ll want to pay a visit towww.socialsecurity.gov/international/payments.html.


Social Security Rita MeierNevada Public Affairs Specialist

Social Security and Living Abroad

Bell’spalsy is aconditionthat results

in temporary paralysis offacial muscles due to a viral

infection that inflames thefacial nerves. The affectedside of the face can display adrooping mouth, a saggingeyebrow and lower lid, andan inability to close the eye.

While Bell’s palsy is notlife threatening, the affectedeye may appear teary, but itremains dry due to theinability to blink or closecompletely. It is recom-

mended that those sufferingfrom Bell’s palsy consult withan ophthalmologist duringthe weeks or months of thecondition’s duration.

Treatment will likelyinvolve the application ofartifical tears on an hourlybasis during the day and anophthalmic ointment at nightIt should be noted - the oph-thalmologist may prescribethat Bell’s palsy patients wearprotective eye patches bothday and night.

If you experience any dif-ficulties with your vision, seeyour eye doctor or call us at775-882-2988. We are locat-ed at 3839 N. Carson Street,Carson City. Hours are 8-5,Monday - Friday by appoint-ment. M/C, Visa, MedicareAssignment accepted.


Ophthalmology Bell’s Palsy and the EyeMichael J. Fischer, M.D.

Eye Physician & Surgeon

MedicareBeneficiaries Saveon Prescriptions Health and Human

Services (HHS) SecretaryKathleen Sebelius announcednationwide, nearly 5.4 mil-lion seniors and people withdisabilities have saved over$4.1 billion on prescriptiondrugs since the AffordableCare Act was enacted in lawin 2010.

In Nevada, seniors andpeople with disabilities saved$24.4 million on prescriptiondrugs, and $590 in the pre-scription drug coverage gapknown as the “donut hole” in2012. In 2011, people withMedicare who hit the donuthole began receiving a 50percent discount on coveredbrand-name drugs and a dis-count on generic drugs.

OCD? Not me! Well,maybe I do have just atouch of Obsessive

Compulsive Disorder ... butonly when it comes to makinglists, and that’s not a bad thingis it? Besides, my lists are allnecessary for one importantreason or another.

For instance, I keep a list ofthe books I want to read,updating as necessary. Howelse would I remember theauthor interview on NPR andwhat sounded like a fascinat-ing story? And, once I read abook, that requires another list(this is an annual list andthere’s a file folder that datesback to 1995 when I beganthis record). This, too, is ahandy list as I have a tendencyto find certain authors andtopics always attract me - andI wouldn’t want to read thesame book twice. I keep aseparate list of movie/DVDs Iwant to see. When I miss afilm at the Riverside thatsounded good, the title goeson my list as eventually I’ll beable to borrow it from theLibrary. I really should have alist of DVDs I’ve seen ... butthat might be obsessive.

As for my other lists (youdidn’t think the above was mylimit, did you?) ... There’s adaily “do-list” by the kitchentelephone to remind me aboutthe usual chores - watering theyard, putting the garbage out,paying bills, changing sheetsand towels, ironing, etc. Thislist also keeps me in synch forappointments, lunches withfriends, and special activities.The refrigerator has a differentlist - items we need for thepantry, laundry, cleaning sup-plies and cat food, kitty litter.

Do I need to say one of thegreatest satisfactions of keep-ing lists is crossing off com-pleted items? (Confessiontime - I occasionally add

something I’ve just done forthe pleasure of crossing it offthe list. Case in point, today’sironing.)

We’ve just scratched thesurface of my lists, though ...take a look at my desk in theden. The primary list is a cal-endar, all marked with activi-ties - trips to the gym, volun-teer days at the library, birth-days of friends and family(with dates to mail cards).The calendar list gives me anentire month at a glance so Iknow when there are days fullof obligations and activities.The second list on my desk isdivided into three categories:letters to answer, gardeningtasks, and long-term projects(a few of those have been onthe list for years, such astouching up the paint on thegarage door and restringingbroken necklaces). Do I reallyneed a third list? I must, as itlists the rooms in the houseand what needs to be donelong-term - like sorting theboxes of memorabilia in mybedroom closet.

Now we travel to my bed-side and there the lists contin-ue. In folders at the side of mybed are three more lists. Ihave a Christmas list for giftsto and from family andfriends. Another lists does thesame for birthdays. The lastlist is by months of the year forannual house cleaning projects- August was for carpet clean-ing, washing curtains anddrapes. (Yes, I know somepeople do those things morethan once a year, but without alist I might not do them at all!)

I almost forgot, there’s onemore list and it’s a long one -of every column I’ve writtenfor Senior Spectrum. ThisSeptember effort is number173. And I can now check itoff the list, a task completed.OCD? Well, maybe ...

August • 2012 • 19

ECLECTIC OBSERVERJanet Ross


Older Adults Urged To Get Their Annual Influenza Vaccination

With the flu seasonfast approaching,the National

Council on Aging (NCOA)urges older adults to receivean annual influenza vaccina-tion.

Through the new nationalFlu + You campaign, NCOAis working to improve vacci-nation rates of adults 65 andolder who are particularlyvulnerable to the flu and itscomplications.

"Each year in the U.S.about nine out of 10 flu-related deaths and more thansix out of 10 flu-related hos-pitalizations occur in adults65 and older," said RichardBirkel, Ph.D., MPA, directorof NCOA's Self-Management

Alliance. The body's immunesystem and its ability to fightillness decrease with age,leaving even healthy olderadults at greater risk forinfluenza and its complica-tions.

The age-related decline ofthe immune system alsoaffects the body's response tovaccination. Recent studieshave shown that the tradi-tional flu vaccine might notwork as well for people 65years of age and olderbecause the weakenedimmune system producesfewer antibodies followingvaccination to help protectagainst infection. Antibodiesare the soldiers of theimmune system helping to

respond and protect againstinfection when exposed tothe virus.

For this reason, adults 65and older have two vaccineoptions available to them –the traditional flu shot, aswell as a higher dose flu shot.The higher dose vaccineaddresses the weakeningimmune response by trigger-ing the body to producemore antibodies against theflu virus than would be pro-duced by the traditional flushot.

Both the traditional andhigher dose flu shot optionsare among the vaccines rec-ommended by the CDC foradults 65 years of age andolder and are covered by

Medicare Part B with nocopay.

"Because older adults areat such increased risk, theyshould make sure they arevaccinated before influenzaviruses start causing illnessin their communities, ideallygetting vaccinated in the latesummer or fall months," saidDr. Bridges. "Getting vacci-nated not only helps protectyourself, but also helps pre-vent the spread of flu toloved ones and others whoare at high risk."

Older adults and thosewho care for them can visitthe campaign website,www.ncoa.org/Flu to findadditional information andmaterials.

Yoga Nidra is known asyogic sleep or sleep withawareness. Yoga Nidra is anancient practice that is rap-idly gaining popularity. It isintended to induce full-bodyrelaxation and a deep medi-tative state of consciousness.

Our lives are over stimu-lated and chronicallyexhausted through theworld we live in. Yoga Nidrais a systematic method ofcomplete relaxation, holisti-cally addressing our physio-logical, neurological, andsubconscious needs. It isdone in shavasana, a lyingdown position. One shouldlie on the back on a blanketor thin mat placed on thefloor. The spine should bestraight and completely

relaxed with the body. Thehands should be relaxed,palms upward for receiving,with the fingers slightlybent. Legs should be straightand placed thirty to thirty-five centimeters apart inorder to avoid contactbetween the thighs.

Although shavasana isthe best position for YogaNidra, it can also be prac-ticed in a sitting posture orwhile standing. There are avariety of techniques usedincluding guided imageryand body scanning to aidrelaxation. Participating inYoga Nidra at the end ofyour yoga practice, for atleast 20 to 45 minutes, is abeautiful way to end yourpractice.

There are four differentstages of Yoga Nidra wherethe practitioner begins byquieting the overactive con-scious mind, then movesinto a meditative state, grad-ually finding a state of har-mony in which the brainwaves slow down and a sub-tle euphoria emerges.During Yoga Nidra the brainis completely awake. Itreceives a higher quality ofstimuli and develops a dif-ferent type of awarenessthan what we are experienc-ing now. Yoga Nidraincreases the capacity andcreates a sattvic (peaceful)condition. Most practition-ers emerge feeling rejuvenat-ed. Yoga Nidra uniquelyunwinds the nervous systemwhile it leads to the body’ssense of well being through

(Yoga page 23)22 • 2012 • September

Get up & Go!

The Yoga CornerThe Gift of Yoga Nidra


complete relaxation.Most people think that

relaxation is very simple; justrecline and close your eyes.Yet, except the scientists,nobody understands whatrelaxation really means. Youare tired so you go to bedand think that is what relax-ation really means. Butunless you are free frommuscular, mental and emo-tional tensions, you are neverrelaxed. Despite a superficialsense of wellbeing most peo-ple are full of tensions all thetime. They habitually bitetheir nails, scratch theirhead, stroke their chin, or taptheir feet. Or they may paceabout restlessly, talk compul-sively, display constant irri-tability or chain smoke.People do these thingsbecause they lack awarenessof their own inner tension.Even while sleeping,thoughts and worries revolvein the mind, so that the tenseperson wakes up feelingexhausted. In order to relaxcompletely, the inner ten-sions of the body, emotionsand mind must be released.Then the actual state ofrelaxation dawns. The prac-tice of Yoga Nidra is the sci-entific method of removingthese tensions.

If it is tension, hyperten-sion, and if you know how tofree yourself of tension, youknow how to solve yourproblems in life. If you areable to balance your tensions,you can control your emo-tions, anger and passions.You can control heart dis-ease, high blood pressure,leukemia and angina. Thetotal systematic relaxation ofa Yoga Nidra session isequivalent to hours of ordi-nary sleep without aware-ness. A single hour of Yoga

Nidra is as restful as fourhours of conventional sleep.

Yoga Nidra can actuallyaid in transformation byreleasing tension, relaxingand peace of mind are thesecrets of transformation.When a man is under ten-sion, his behavior is influ-enced, and when he relaxes,he becomes natural. Heknows the reality, the truth.Then he also knows how tobehave because the knowl-edge of truth is necessary forright behavior. And knowl-edge of truth only comeswhen you are free of tension.To learn more about YogaNidra come join in the YogaTherapy class at theCascades of the Sierras.

For More Informationabout Yoga Therapy contact: Karen Hairfield at 775-857-7715 or online at [email protected]. Specializing in YogaTherapy: Yogasage sessions, yoga health consultation, private yoga sessions, semiprivate classes with 4-6 peo-ple (The classes are tailored

for quiet & comfort withspace for a relaxing overallexperience.) Cascades of the

Sierra is located at 275

Neighborhood Way, Spanish

Springs. For more informa-

tion about the EverFit Club,

call 775-424-5400.

Yoga / page 22


Ourdog isele-

ven. She ishealthy, wellbehaved andcan be left an

entire day alone withoutgoing to the bathroom ordoing any damage what soever. The house is usually

Eydie’s Excerpts

Eydie Scher

ADDD: Attention

Deficit Doggie Disorder

Bella at 8 weeks

clean except for the fact thatshe is black, the carpeting isbeige and every season istime to shed. The vacuumcan only do so much. Its jobis overwhelming. That’sokay. She is worth the mini-mum effort. Dazzy (pro-nounced like the flower) hasbeen an only dog her entirelife.

We arrive back from ourtrip to New York and Daviddeclares an end to traveling,at least for a few months.Like a kid, he has his heartset on a puppy. Maybe shecould be a friend for Dazzy.Dazzy doesn’t always likedogs her own age. The shel-ter has no puppies, onlyolder dogs and mostly pitbulls. This would not be agood combination.

Her eyes meet mine and Iam hooked. She is a yellowlab. She sleeps in my armson the way home. DoesDazzy know she is perma-nent? I seriously doubt it.

A granddaughter namesher Bella. It fits. The otherdogs in the neighborhoodare male. She is the belle ofthe street and has no qualmsabout letting them knowthat. She doesn’t bark oftenbut when she wants to tellanother dog to back off, shelets them know in no uncer-

tain terms that she can outbark with the best of them.

The puppy takes maxi-mum effort. The house iscluttered with toys, waterbottles, boxes, socks andshoes that used to be wear-able but now are part of hercollection. She can untie anyshoe in seconds. Maybe wecan teach her to tie them ifwe place her in puppykindergarten? One toy satis-fies for about 5 seconds andthen she’s ready to locatesomething different.Attention deficit comes withthe package. Food is guzzleddown at an alarming rateand in only a few weeks, thispuppy has doubled in size.Toilet paper trails escape thebathroom.

Our flesh bears the bruntof her teething. The bloodoozes out of my husbandDavid’s ear and my arms.“No” is the choice word ofevery day. No jump, no bite,no dig, no chew and that’sonly the beginning. Thehouse is puppy proofed, orso we think it is. Whenthings go missing, we knowwho took them. It’s a goodthing she is adorable.

Wait, before I continue,there are good points. She iskind of potty trained. I say

(Doggie page 25)


kind of when we don’t gether out of the house fastenough. Training takes theform of our older dog whoonly lashes out at Bella onfew occasions, like whenfood is involved. The littleone tries to get a treat out ofDazzy’s mouth. It is not agood idea seeing Bella’s headalmost disappear in the big-ger one’s mouth. They playtogether if you want to call itthat. If you have more thanone dog, you have an idea ofwhat I mean. The alpha doghas to be patient and Dazzyis.

The training begins inearnest. Come, sit, and stay.She grasps the basics prettyfast. We add paw to the list.

Our backyard has becomethe neighborhood doggiepark. The trend began here.We got the first new puppyon the block. Now there are4 others plus the older dogs.

Seven dogs are play fightingon our turf. The once pris-tine lawn is littered witheverything imaginable. Uhoh, there is digging going onand we know the culprit.

Labs are supposed to bewater dogs. The second dayhome, I’m in the pool and loand behold, Bella jumps in,not once, not twice, butthree times. On her lastjump she needs rescuingsince she doesn’t know howto climb out. Instructionsare taking place daily on thatissue; that was the last timeshe jumped in by herself.We take her to Tahoe andshe steps gingerly in the lakefollowing her big sister.Crowds of people surroundat the site of this puppy. Sheadores being the center of itattention.

The invitation isaddressed to Bella. “You areinvited to a puppy party and

yourhumanparents cancome too!”Six puppiessimilar inage to Bellacome. It‘sat our Vet’soffice.While thehumans geta tour ofthe facility,the puppiesromp for over an hour. Bellanever falters and keeps up asthe most active puppy. Atthe end of the party, shereceives a doggie bag filledwith food, toys, and treats.This is one exhausted puppyand 2 exhausted humans.

She’s now 4 months and istotally potty trained.Teething has become a rarityand is replaced by kisses orlicking.

She is still cute but it maynot last long. Eighty poundsmight be her final weight.Dazzy better be nice to thispuppy because one day soon,she will outweigh her. I’llkeep you posted on hergrowth and how the traininggoes.

A dog adds joy to life! Wecan’t help but love her.

Comments appreciated:[email protected].

Bella at 4 months

Members ofReno’s G.O.D(Good Old

Days) Club are in for atreat at their October19th meeting. At thatmeeting they will hearfrom Corrado DeGasperis, President andCEO of ComstockMining, regarding thecurrent gold mining tak-ing place on theComstock Lode nearVirginia City that couldyield 5 billion dollars’worth of the preciousmetal.

Although Virginia City andneighboring communities willnever experience the originalbonanza that occurred from1860 to 1880, ComstockMining’s projection of at least20,000 gold equivalent ouncesannually is certainly notewor-thy.

The high price of gold ontoday’s market made currentmining feasible in this inim-itable region. The ore isbeing mined and milled onComstock Mining ownedproperty.

Recently De Gasperisspoke to the NNDA(Northern NevadaDevelopment Association)about the operations. Helamented the fact that thereis no Mint in northernNevada. “I hate to send thebullion out of the area,” DeGasperis said. The obviousreason is that gold coinagesells for a much higher price

than gold bullion. A Mint inCarson City or close by wouldprovide even more jobs andgenerate more dollars toremain in that area. In fact, asDe Gasperis noted, northernNevada could become animportant player on the inter-national fiduciary scene.


BIGGESTlittleCity New Life on the Comstock

Corrado De Gasperis

As valuable as gold istoday, according to DeGasperis, it has only begun topenetrate the new global eco-nomic scene. De Gasperiswent into detail explaining thenew scenario.

One of the interestingthings he noted was that therewas a “love market” for goldduring the pre-holiday season.He used a PowerPoint chartto show how rapidly the saleof gold escalates starting inthe several months beforeChristmas. Another impor-tant point was that theemerging markets of Chinaand India are based substan-tially on the precious yellowmetal.

Unfortunately, there are afew residents who are vocifer-ous in their objections to thecurrent mining efforts ofComstock Mining. Rebuttingthe critics, Corrado showed

(Biggest Little City p. 29)

SIXTY FIVE by Peggy Martin

For me it’s been a challengeTo reach the age of sixty-five.I have to credit modern medicineThat routinely keeps me alive.

I buy a lot of pillsOver the counter and by prescriptionA brief mention will explainHope you aren’toffended by mydescription.

I have pills to lower my blood pressureI take the blue one twice a dayAnother regulates my heart beatIt keeps A-phibrilationwell at bay.

Then there’s two pillsto thin my bloodAnd another thatmakes me peeAnd one that’s for my thyroidThough the reason for that I can’t see.

There’s an acidinhibitor for an ulcerAnd a hormoneinhibitor is follow up careFor my left breast that had cancerBut, of course, is no longer there.

I still use Dexedrine to stay awake**Although I also napthree times a day.The medication is hard to findSure hope an alterna-tive is on the way.

At night my c-papkeeps me breathingSo I sleep better than beforeBut after the carpeltunnel surgeryMy thumbs are weakand often sore.

The rest is standard stuffI use a stool softenernow and thenAnd for rashes and the

rough spotsI keep a handy tube of de-si-den.

My “titanium” knee was a miracleBut the gastric bypass didn’t make me thinAnd arthritis in my ankles and feetMake walking “mighty” grim.

Since the Lord has truly blessed meAnd I count my blessings I’m aliveTo enjoy my friends and all my familyI just think it sucks to be sixty-five.

** Peggy Martin has had narcolepsy all her adult life.


Sept. 8 - Knitting Club, 1-3 p.m.,Northwest Reno Library, (775) 787-4100.

Sept. 10, 17, 24 - MedicareCounseling, noon-2 p.m., Reno SeniorCenter; also Tuesday: 10-1 p.m. exceptthird Tuesday; Wednesday & Friday:10-1 p.m.; Thursday 10-2 p.m., call(775) 328-2575.

Sept. 11 - Mile High Jazz Band, Triedand True Big Band Jazz and Poetry, 8-10 p.m., Comma Coffee, Carson City,$5, (775)883-4154, MileHighJazz.com.

Sept. 11 - Grumpy Old Men, 10-11:30a.m., Wednesdays, Reno SeniorCenter, (775) 328-2575.

Sept. 11 - City of Reno SeniorCitizens Advisory Committee, NeilRoad Community Center, 3 p.m.,(775) 334-2262.

Sept. 11, 25 - S.T.E.P. High SierraSwing Dance Club, Charro AvitiaRestaurant, Carson City, (775) 832-1310.

Sept. 13 - Movie Day, Sparks SeniorCenter, after lunch, (775) 353-3110.

Sept. 14 - Senior Dance Club, 8-11p.m., Fridays, Reno Senior CitizensCenter, (775) 328-2575..

Sept. 14 & 18 - The Prisoner of SecondAvenue, Ageless Repertory Theatre, 1p.m., 1117 California Ave., Reno, Free.

Sept. 15 - Real Mining on theComstock, 4-7 p.m., $20 for show anddinner, Maynard’s Station, Gold Hill.

Sept. 16 - Edible Pedal 100, a charitableroad bike ride. For more informationvisit www.ediblepedal100.org.

Sept. 19 - Washoe County ObesityForum, Joe Crowley Student Center.

Sept. 19 - AARP Luncheon, Golden ‘N’Silver, noon, Reno.

Sept. 20 - Alliance for Victims andSurvivors, San Rafael Regional Park,Labyrinth, 11-2 p.m., (775) 355-2220.

Sept. 23 - American Heart AssociationHeart Walk and Run, Scheels, (775)322-7065 or (801) 205-2489.

Sept. 26 - 27 - NHCC/HSC HealthCare Conference, Diabetes Preventionand Control, Atlantis. Visit: http://nhc-creno.org/health-care-conference/

Sept. 28, 29 - Death of a Salesman, RLT,7:30 p.m., $16/$13, 147 E. Pueblo Street,Reno, (775) 813-8900, www.renolit-tletheater.org.


September Calendar


Biggest Little City / page 26several photos of vastly improved andstabilized historical structures madepossible by the mining company. “Wehave not yet begun to preserve thesestructures except to make them morestable. If we had not done this initialwork, the structures themselves wouldhave joined many others that haveturned to dust in this area.” As a long-term sustainability commitment to thedistrict, the Company has committed aone-percent royalty (NSR) to a newcommunity development foundation.

At least now preservationists of theComstock will have a sturdy footing tobuild on. If it were not for De Gasperis’company’s dedication to improving thearea, most of it would crumble and asMargaret Mitchell wrote would be“Gone with the Wind”.

Storey County Commissioners haveseen the value of Comstock Mining’salmost ten-year effort and have workedclosely with the operation. One of thebiggest bugaboos of historical mining onthe Comstock Lode was the mercurypollution that resulted. As De Gasperispointed out, again with the aid of visualmedia, it is necessary to locate such pol-lution and address it on an individualbasis. This statement was reiterated bymy good friend James Clark of VirginiaCity in a Letter to the Editor of theComstock Chronicle recently when hewrote, “The opposition to ComstockMining was replete with ‘speculativeassumptions.’” In other words, theopponents were offering up the worstcase scenario about current miningusing old mining practices as the model.

In his talk to the NNDA De Gasperisexpanded his presentation to a discus-sion, complete with video, about themacro global economy. He noted thatwhat we are seeing in Europe, withmany nations having to borrow theirway out of debt, is a harbinger of theway the entire world is going.

Actually, as famous as it was, theglory days of the Lode lasted a mere 20years, but in that short period of time itdid a lot to create the much larger com-munity of San Francisco, California.

(Biggest Little City p. 30)


Mining on the ComstockLode has always beenfamous for its extraction ofhuge amounts of silver.However, during the halcyondays according to Wikepedia,“The total product of oreextracted and milled in theComstock District, 1860 toJune 30, 1880, was 6,971,641tons, and 640 pounds. Peak production from theComstock occurred in 1877,with the mines producingmore than $14 million ofgold and $21 million of silverthat year (about $270 millionand $400 million, adjustedfor inflation as of 2007respectively). It led famousjournalist of that period DanDe Quille to say, ‘The discov-ery of silver undoubtedlydeserves to rank in meritabove the discovery of thegold mines of California, as it

gives value to a much greaterarea of territory and furnish-es employment to a muchlarger number of people.’”

In addition to its corebusiness of mining, DeGasperis’ company has doneits best to integrate itself intothe societal framework of thearea by purchasing severalproperties including theGold Hill Hotel and theCabin in the Sky building, inaddition to contributing toand sponsoring many localevents.

In his concluding remarksto the NNDA, De Gasperisadvised his listeners to pur-chase gold coinage ratherthan gold mining stocksbecause as William Devanealways says in his TV com-mercials, “Don’t you just lovethe feel of gold.”

Biggest Little City / page 29


this ‘n thatby Anne [email protected]

Ihad a chance to meet many of thevolunteers for the Washoe CountySchool District at an appreciation

event at the end of the school year inJune. The majority of them are retireesand they are clearly enjoying everymoment of their involvement, tellingme they have seldom felt as rewardedby anything else they have done, thatthe best part is the smile of the childwho suddenly understands somethingdue to the help received. They oftenfeel like a surrogate grandparents,which can add a much needed dimen-sion to a life of a child but I was assuredthe reverse is also true. I also spokewith teachers who said they would notbe able to do what they do without thehelp of the men and women whoappear on a regular basis, brighteningthe classroom as well as the faces of thechildren they work with.

Now school has started again.The classrooms are stillcrowded and teachers still

have limited time to spend giving theindividual help some children need.

Lisa Marie Lightfoot, WCSD VolunteerServices Administrator, is looking forcaring volunteers to help support theschools, departments and programs andyou may be surprised to discover howmany different ways a volunteer canmake a difference with just an hour ortwo a week. She provided the follow-ing list of areas where she is hoping forhelp:

“The more that you read, themore things you will know.

The more that you learn themore places you'll go.”

Dr. Seuss

-Do you have time to help a child learnto read Dr. Seuss? Reading one-on-oneis needed in every school and probablythe most commonly thought of way tohelp. The Read & Succeed tutor pro-gram needs people willing to work withelementary students struggling to readat grade level. Training sessions pre-pare volunteers and provide a Read andSucceed training booklet with valuableinformation on the academic side ofreading to students. Tutors usuallywork with one child throughout theyear and are asked to volunteer at leastone (1) hour per week, per semester.Every effort is made to place the volun-teers at the school of their choice.

“You're never too old, toowacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”

Dr. Seuss

-But there are many other ways to helpas well. The District neighborhoodsreflect a wide-range of backgrounds,needs and variety of schools. Englishas a Second Language (ESL) tutoringcould be enormously helpful for somestudents. Others have never had theopportunity to become familiar withcomputers. Math tutoring is also essen-tial, particularly from men willing towork with teens.

-The Read & Succeed Incentive Bookprogram is looking for help at the 380Edison warehouse location to sortthrough the thousands of donated andpurchased books in preparation for dis-tribution, many of the recipients beingchildren who otherwise might not owna book.

You can find magic wherever

you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.”

Dr. Seuss

-The “Math Paths” tutor program is inneed of people willing to work with ele-mentary students struggling to do mathat grade level as well as Math tutors formiddle and high school students.

-Other kinds of tutors for middle andhigh schools students struggling inother subjects.

-Mentors for the new “SignatureAcademies”. These academies are locat-ed in the high schools and focus of spe-cific careers. Career mentors can helpguide a student to succeed in a careerchoice by sharing their career knowl-edge and offering support.

-Healthy individuals who are able towalk or ride a bike with students goingto local schools, keeping them safe andon time.

-Help at school sites with office assis-tance and classroom support.

-Groups to come in and do projects atschool sites, clean-up, event support,etc.

If you can consider giving one or twohours a week of your time and yourselfand would like to hear more about howyou can best fit in, please call LisaMarie Lightfoot at the Washoe CountyDistrict Office at (775) 348-0345 ormake an appointment to stop by to seeher at 425 East 9th. She is delightfuland dedicated and will welcome youwith open arms, even for just a visit.

“Volunteers don't get paid.Not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless.”

Sherry Anderson

There are 10,080 hours in a week. Can you spare one or two to help make a difference?

That Thomas Jeffersonwas our country’s thirdpresident, followed by

James Madison as the fourthis common knowledge. And,history buffs would agree thatin all probability the two metwhile both served as mem-bers of the Virginia House ofDelegates. Political allies, forsure. But, are you aware thatJefferson and Madison werealso very close friends?

Admittedly, their personalfriendship was news to us.

This fact and many other fas-cinating bits of history weacquired during our road tripfrom Washington D.C. toCharlottesville, Virginia. Thepurpose of our journey was tovisit Jefferson’s MonticelloEstate. (Carolyn had neverbeen there and it had beensome years since Robert’s lastvisit.)

Road signs posted alongHighway 29 near Culpepperfirst alerted us to “JamesMadison’s Montpelier”. Withtime to spare, we decided tosee for ourselves whatMontpelier was all about.

We soon learned thatMontpelier was JamesMadison’s lifelong home, andthat during his lifetimeMadison preferred the Frenchspelling, Montpellier.(Montpellier is a MedievalFrench term for ''Mount ofthe Pilgrim,'' and the name ofa well-known university townin France.)

The vast estate includes theMadison mansion where hetook his bride, Dolley(remember her?), historicbuildings, archaeological sites,gardens, forests, a freedman'scabin and farm, and VisitorsCenter.

Three hours later, after aguided tour of the mansionand walking tour of theMontpelier gardens we wereback on the road, wishingwe’d had more time for theimpromptu visit to theimpressive estate.Nevertheless, we were wellsated with newfound infor-mation of James Madison andhis best friend, ThomasJefferson.

The following day, we went toThomas Jefferson’s MonticelloEstate outside Charlottesville.

First order of business was aguided tour of the mansionthat was Jefferson’s life-longpassion. He personallydesigned and redesigned,built and rebuilt it for morethan forty years. By 1809when Jefferson retired, it hadbeen enlarged to twenty-onerooms. Situated on a 5,000-acre plantation, Monticello(Italian for Little Mountain) isthe only historic house in theU.S. on the United Nations'World Heritage List.

The mansion contains manyof Jefferson’s innovations,including dumbwaiters con-cealed at each side of the din-ing room fireplace for hoist-ing wine from the cellarbelow. Jefferson’s office hadfeatures unique for the time,such as revolving chair, table-top and bookstand made inthe Monticello joinery, acopying machine and scientif-ic instruments.


Seniors4Travel

Robert Boyd and Carolyn Prusa

The Monticello garden, as viewed from Mulberry Row.

Monticello and Montpelier

Although we stepped out ofthe mansion into a cloud-burst, it didn’t dampen ourenthusiasm for the guidedoutdoor tour of MulberryLane Slave Quarters. (It didthoroughly dampen ourclothes, however.) Fromthere, we sloshed on downthe walk to the family ceme-tery. By now, not even thehastily purchased umbrellaswere much help in the blow-ing rain. We had intended totour Monticello's gardens andorchards. Mother Nature con-vinced us otherwise. Nexttime.

A word of advice: In planninga Monticello visit, do notoverlook the opportunity tolearn about the enslaved peo-ple who lived and labored onthe Monticello plantation.And, the family cemetery is amust-see.

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison

Jefferson and Madison sharedmany interests, including alove of reading and politics.Both believed in the power ofthe human mind and individ-ual conscience, and that aneducated public was neces-sary for survival of the coun-try. They loved the Virginiacountryside, gardening andagriculture. They exchangedhouse plans and services of

local craftsmen. Monticelloand Montpellier both haveautomatic doors and other

features designed by Jefferson

James Madison's Montpelier11407 Constitution HighwayMontpelier Station, VA 22957Information: (540) 672-2728,x100www.montpelier.org

Thomas Jefferson’sMonticello

931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy.Charlottesville, VA 22902Information: (434) 984-9800www.monticello.org


Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

Carolyn & Robert with the Madison’s.


“Jersey Nights” A Tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

“Jersey Nights,” nowappearing in the EldoradoShowroom, celebrates themusic of Frankie Valli andthe Four Seasons. The pro-duction will take audiencemembers on a nostalgic tripthrough the best of ‘60s doo-wop and rock and roll.

The Four Seasonsachieved international suc-cess in the mid-1960s andsold 175 million recordsworldwide. Jersey Nights willpay tribute to the group withfirst class musical arrange-ments, perfect harmonies,authentic costumes, dynamicchoreography and all of theFour Seasons greatest hitsincluding “Oh What a Night,”“Sherry,” and “Walk Like a

Man.” While there is some nar-

ration and historic footageshown on a large videoscreen, the story of theband’s trajectory throughrock and roll history is toldprimarily through the music.The international cast isanchored by the spectacularsingers portraying the boysfrom Jersey with pitch-per-fect harmonies and theremarkable tenor-falsettothat made Valli famous.

Ticket prices start at just$19.95 with dinner and showpackages at $29.95! Formore information on showtimes and tickets call 800-648-5966 or visit www.eldo-radoreno.com.

Senior Spectrum September 2012

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Transcript of Senior Spectrum September 2012