Published by The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. OCTOBER 2019 • FREE 2 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS

among the most interesting. It was billed as key of C major has no sharps or flats, while a “refresher” session in what is known as the key of C-sharp major is nothing but Music, in theory “music theory.” sharps. When I was in grade school, the year From early morning lectures to evening All through my 12 years of piano les- The insight that really took my breath nearly always began with writing the same performances, from breakfast to dinner to sons as a kid, my teacher included theory away, however, was the one about “relative report: “What I did last sum- nightcaps at the hotel down lessons. I never really understood what minors.” (The term has nothing to do with mer.” It was usually a simple the block (unlike camp), we was theoretical about it: either it’s music how much older some campers were than recital of the fun activities spent the long days sharing or it isn’t, right? others, though we ranged in age from our (and boring ones) we expe- interesting times and making But music theory, it turns out, does early 30s to mid-90s.) rienced with our friends and new friends. have some interesting elements. The lec- Rather, the relative minor is the minor family. This was also my first expe- ture reminded us about key signatures key that shares the same key signature as I don’t remember ever rience participating in a “mas- (what sharps or flats apply to a scale to being asked to draw lessons ter class,” where I played a make it a particular key). For example, the See MUSIC, page 23 from the experiences, or even piece I love rather badly (a to think seriously about them. case of nerves, I like to think), But it was grade school, and and got a kind critique from Calling all Kroger shoppers the point I suppose was to give FROM THE the teacher. He said some- us an assignment to improve PUBLISHER thing along the lines of, “What Have you ever picked up a copy of local sites, including all Super Wawas, our writing. By Stuart P. Rosenthal good would it do for me to be Fifty Plus from a Richmond area selected Walgreens and CVS pharma- Well, this past summer, I teaching here if you played Kroger store? cies, and area libraries, senior/recre- went to sleepaway camp for everything perfectly?” For many years, racks for free pub- ation/community centers, retirement the first time. Granted, it was for less than One day, I was playing a number by lications like ours have been located in communities, doctors’ offices, churches a week and it was “piano camp” for adults. the late Billy Taylor in front of some new the outer vestibule or towards the front and synagogues and other places where But I can’t help feeling an urge to write friends in the jazz workshop room when of many Kroger stores in the area. people live and shop. about it now. in walked our teacher, Larry Willis, a well Unfortunately, Kroger’s corporate If you know of a new location where The program at the Peabody School of known jazz pianist and former keyboardist leadership recently decided to discon- at least 50 copies of Fifty Plus would Music in brought together am- for Blood, Sweat & Tears. “Go on,” he tinue having free publications in all likely be picked up over the course of ateur pianists from the East Coast and said, as I froze mid-chord. their stores. That means this month a month, please contact us at (804) Midwest to learn from Peabody faculty He went on to give me some basic but will be your last opportunity to pick up 673-5203 (or email info@fiftyplusrich- and award-winning performers in both important pointers about playing jazz. a copy of Fifty Plus from a free publica- mond.com) and let us know the name classical and jazz repertoire. Most important: “Keep the beat going tion rack in any Kroger. of the location, its address, and the I was never more than a day camper as a throughout.” I am sorry to report that he To address the needs of our read- name/telephone number of a person kid. But I now understand much better passed away at the end of September — a ers, we are adding a number of addi- with authority to grant permission to what a bonding experience it can be to great loss to the world of jazz. tional free distribution sites for Fifty distribute there. spend a week living with a group of like- One lecture at piano camp that I ex- Plus, including more than 20 Food We are sorry for the inconvenience minded people. pected to be a snooze turned out to be Lions. caused by Kroger’s change in policy, In addition, free copies will continue and thank you for continuing to read to be available at more than 400 other Fifty Plus. Letters to the editor a publication of The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter Editorial Mission: Fifty Plus is dedicated to providing readers with accurate addressed in Fifty Plus as well as on political and social issues of the day. information, professional guidance, and useful resources. Our publication is intended to both reflect and enhance fifty-plus lifestyles, and to encourage Mail your Letter to the Editor to Fifty Plus, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD reader dialogue and input. 20915, or email to [email protected].

Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Fifty Plus is published monthly and distributed free of charge. The advertising deadline is the 20th of each month for the upcoming issue. The entire contents Dear Editor: We owned a week at Massanutten through of Fifty Plus are ©2019, The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be re- The State Council of Higher Education for the consortium RCI. When we tired of vaca- produced in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent has received quite a few calls re- tioning in this way, we simply worked it out of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed by writers and columnists garding the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver to mail our deed to Massanutten. program that was mentioned in the August Anne Sutton do not necessarily represent those of Fifty Plus or its staff. edition of Fifty Plus. Midlothian, Va. Please be aware that the income limit in- Dear Editor: creased a few years ago from $15,000, as the Publisher/Editor — Stuart Rosenthal As a regular reader of Fifty Plus, I am article stated, to $23,850. Therefore, older flattered that my opinion carries weight. President/Associate Publisher — Judith K. Rosenthal adults who make less than $23,850 annually But sadly, I am not able to offer my advice Vice President, Operations — Gordon Hasenei are eligible for this tuition waiver program. concerning the new [online video] service Vice President, Sales and Marketing — Alan Spiegel Tierney Jackson Talk Back Time [announced in your Sep- Managing Editor — Margaret Foster State Council of Higher Education tember issue]. for Virginia At age 98, I am very Old School and quite Art Director — Kyle Gregory [Editor: We apologize for having printed at sea with today’s wonderful technology. Director of Operations — Roger King outdated information. Thank you for bring- Fortunately, I can still say what I think of the ing this to our attention.] many other gripping topics in Fifty Plus. Fifty Plus Richmond • P.O. Box 2227 • Silver Spring, MD 20915 Dear Editor: And I hope to be able to do so many more PH: 804-673-5203 • [email protected] In response to the article in your Sep- times. Thank you for your great publication. tember issue on getting rid of a timeshare, Frances Nunnally © Copyright 2019 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. I had no trouble at all getting rid of ours. Richmond FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com 3 Feature Story Women finally get their own monument By Glenda C. Booth nize women, the Virginia Capitol Founda- PHOTO COURTESY OF VIRGINIA WOMEN’S MONUMENT , mother of five, proba- tion’s Executive Director, Colleen Mes- bly never heard of “breaking the glass ceil- sick, pointed out. ing,” “women’s liberation” or feminism, but “In the U.S., most statues and memori- in 1774 she became the Virginia colony’s als of women are fictional characters, public printer, elected by the Virginia Gen- naked women or the mother of Jesus,” eral Assembly on a two-to-one vote. Messick said, citing a 2017 Rind, who had taken over the Virginia Times article. The Statue of Liberty figure Gazette newspaper after her husband died, is allegorical, as is the woman on the Vir- never missed putting out an issue. And she ginia seal with one exposed breast. didn’t blink when she caused a ruckus by In 2010, at the request of several publishing A Summary View of the Rights women, Senator Walter Stosch of Henrico of British America, ’s introduced a resolution in the state legis- grievances against the excesses of the lature calling for a Virginia women’s mon- British parliament and King George III. ument and creating a commission to Rind is one of 12 Virginia women, most make it happen. After the legislature ap- of them little known, to be honored by a proved the resolution, Governor Bob Mc- new monument opening this month in Donnell issued a proclamation directing Richmond’s Capitol Square. the commission to recommend “an appro- Ten years in the making, Richmond’s newest monument includes a glass wall The first monument of its kind, called priate monument” in Capitol Square. etched with the names of hundreds of the state’s women who made history. Voices from the Garden, honors women’s The nonprofit Virginia Capitol Founda- The interactive monument also includes a dozen varied statues, including a achievements with 12 bronze tion manages the commission and has suffragette, a Native American leader, a Jamestown settler and a nurse known of women from four centuries of the raised $3.6 million to build the memorial, as Virginia’s Florence Nightingale. state’s history. About 400 other women’s with $100,000 to go. names will be listed on a glass wall sur- Hemings, Opossunoquonuske, a missioner and women’s history scholar. rounding the interactive garden plaza. An approachable design leader, and Marion duPont Scott. “We wanted ordinary women doing ex- The monument has been in the works Its request for proposals attracted 36 de- traordinary things,” Messick said. for almost a decade. Virginia Senate Clerk signs, with the winning one coming from The selection process Who are the women in bronze? Among Susan Clarke Schaar has been devoted to Ivan Schwartz of StudioEIS, a - In choosing the women to be honored, the 12 is Adèle Goodman Clark (1882-1983), the project since its 2010 inception. based studio of 10 sculptors, five of whom the Commission’s selection committee a Richmond artist, who helped found the “The more involved I got, the more im- are women. Each statue cost $200,000. worked closely with researchers from the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia; Maggie mersed in it I became,” Schaar said. “It has Voices from the Garden draws people and experts like San- become my passion. The stories inspire into a granite oval plaza and garden where dra Treadway, the state librarian, a com- See MONUMENT, page 7 people. It is important to tell these stories they can linger among the 12 statues. and let young people know they can While one advocate argued for a “wed- achieve whatever they want to achieve.” ding cake-style” monument to equal George

Washington’s equestrian monument, most MAIL OR FAX FOR ✃ Equality for memorials preferred something more approachable Some see Voices from the Garden as a and friendly, with women of geographically FREE INFORMATION step toward “memorial equality.” Since and ethnically diverse backgrounds. Since 1858, Capitol Square has been dominated the statues will be at eye level, designers For free materials on housing communities and by the 60-foot equestrian statue of George hope it will make visitors feel like they are real estate services, just complete and clip this Washington on a granite pedestal, circled in conversation with historical figures. coupon and mail or fax it to Fifty Plus. by six men. The plaza’s oval shape is meant to sym- ❏ Beth Sholom Senior Living (see ad on page 6) Others honored in bronze on Capitol bolize collaboration and democracy, akin Square include 13 named men, including to the White House’s Oval Office and cor- ❏ Dominion Place (see ad on page 6) Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator Harry porate board tables. A bronze sundial on ❏ ERA Real Estate, Woody Hogg & Assoc. (see ad on page 13) F. Byrd, Sr., Civil War General “Stonewall” a granite pedestal is inscribed with a Latin Jackson and writer Edgar Allan Poe. The phrase that translates to “While we have ❏ Guardian Place (see ad on page 9) Civil Rights Memorial has 18 figures but time, let us do good.” ❏ only one named woman — desegregation The curved glass Wall of Honor around Sandston Plateau (see ad on page 7) heroine Barbara Johns. the oval will initially bear the names of 230 Name______Lisa Hicks-Thomas of Dominion En- women who have “demonstrated notable Address______ergy, who serves on the Women’s Monu- achievement, made a significant contribu- ment Commission, believes it will help tell tion or set an important example within City______State_____Zip______Virginia’s whole story. their chosen field of endeavor, their re- Phone (day)______(evening)______“So often the stories of the amazing gion, or at the state or national level,” ac- E-mail______contributions women have made to Vir- cording to the monument website. ginia and to our country as a whole were “The list is intended to represent the many Please tear out and mail this form to:

left untold or scarcely celebrated. This inspiring Virginia women who made contri- Fifty Plus, c/o The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, FP10/19 monument is a step towards rectifying butions or achievements during their life- Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 that problem,” Hicks-Thomas said. times.” Included so far, for example, are Ella or fax to (804) 673-5308 Fewer than 8% of public statues recog- Fitzgerald, Maybelle and Sara Carter, Sally 4 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS InnovationsTechnology & Electric bikes coming to a park near you By Ellen Knickmeyer and David Sharp The e-bikes “make bicycle travel easier park roads that you can’t enjoy them. It’ll “It’s pretty jarring” to those who take to Motorized electric bicycles may soon be and more efficient, and they provide an op- be great to get in the park and see nature public lands to escape city noise and stress humming along serene trails in national tion for people who want to ride a bicycle and all that stuff.” for nature, Brengel said. “You’re adding sig- parks and other public lands nationwide. but might not otherwise do so because of But more than 50 hiking, horse-riding and nificant speed and a throttle to those trails.” It’s part of a new Trump administration physical fitness, age, disability or conven- other outdoor and conservation associations, order — hotly opposed by many outdoors ience,” National Park Service Deputy Di- including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy An expanding industry groups — that will allow e-bikes on every rector P. Daniel Smith said in a statement. and Pacific Crest Trail Association, objected E-bikes are the fastest-growing segment federal trail where a regular bike can go. Welcoming the change in Bar Harbor, in a July letter to the Interior Department. of the bicycle industry, with U.S. sales Sales of the bikes, powered by both ped- Maine, Gordon Goodwin, 69, said he and They say the administration is fundamentally jumping 72% to $144 million last year, ac- als and battery-driven small motors, are his wife look forward to riding the 57 changing the nature of national parks with lit- cording to the NPD Group, which tracks booming, and some aging or less fit people miles of carriage paths that meander tle or no public notice or study. bike sales. The motorized bikes are popu- have sought the rule change. It will allow throughout Acadia National Park. “If you’re hiking on a trail in Utah and lar with commuters and older adults who them to whir up and down biking trails in the The paths, offering stunning views of you’re rounding a bend and something’s might not otherwise get out on a bicycle. country’s roughly 400 national parks and lakes, mountains, forests and the ocean, coming at you at 20 mph, that really The bikes, which can cost $2,000 or more, other federally managed backcountry areas. are popular with bicyclists, but e-bikes have changes the experience,” said Kristen Bren- combine the frame of a regular bike with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt had to stay on the park’s roads instead. gel, a vice president of the National Parks lightweight batteries and electric motors. signed the order without fanfare in August, “We’re really stoked,” Goodwin said. Conservation Association, a nonprofit that In parks and other public lands, as on classifying e-bikes as non-motorized bikes. “There’s just too much traffic on the main advocates for the national park system. city streets and sidewalks, people moving on vehicles powered by electric or gasoline engines frequently jostle for the right of way with people on foot or traditional bikes. In the National Park Service, officials over the decades have tried to carefully sort out rules and systems to minimize conflicts. In their letter, the outdoor groups com- plained that the decision to allow motorized bikes on bike trails breaks with policies dat- ing back to the early 1970s confining cars, dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles and all other motorized vehicles to roads and designated areas or trails on public lands. Interior’s order allows motorized bikes that can go up to 28 mph to be classified as regular bikes. “Parks are already having a shortage of staffs and rangers,” said Randy Rasmussen, whose organization, Back Country Horse- men of America, opposes the rules. “And now what: they’re supposed to be out there with radar guns? It’s unenforceable.” He suspects riders will create danger- ous encounters with spooked horses. Interior said riders must use the motor only to boost their pedaling on the trails, and not zip along on motor power alone. Bernhardt’s order gave agency officials 30 days to come up with public guidance on how the new policy will be carried out by the National Park and National Wildlife Refuge systems, and on land overseen by the Bureau of Land Management and Bu- reau of Reclamation.

See ELECTRIC BIKES, page 7 FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Technology & Innovation 5

Share your passwords Sheltering Arms is the #1 CHOICE for physical rehab with your spouse By Janet Bodnar investment accounts — but it also covers About a year ago, my friend Susie’s hus- facets of life other than financial. Where is band of 46 years died unexpectedly. John, the warranty for your new stove? The titles a dedicated techie, left Susie with wonder- to your cars? The name of the furnace re- ful memories, an estate to settle, and a pair person? (Susie had to scramble to find technology nightmare: an Apple com- a plumber on New Year’s Eve when her ice puter, four iPads, four iPhones, a stack of maker broke, gushing water onto the floor.) hard drives — and no passwords. Fitzgerald and Wagman have found that That left her unable to get access to critical a number of issues tend to trip people up information (think tax records) and accounts — for example, bene ficiary designations in his name that were on autopay, including on life insurance policies or retirement ac- Amazon Prime and the cell phone bill. counts. “People don’t understand that ben- To help her crack the codes, Susie hired eficiaries take precedence over anything someone from her IT department at work. you have in your will,” said Wagman, “and They were never able to get into the com- they often forget to update them.” puter, but thanks to a combination of logic She and Fitzgerald suggest other ways and “wild guesses,” they managed to open to avoid unpleasant surprises: Be sure the iPads and iPhones. The entire process your joint bank account really is in both took almost a year, “and it all occurred dur- your names. Have a credit card in your ing a time when, as a grieving widow, you own name, and get a copy of each spouse’s are most vulnerable,” Susie said. credit reports. Keep a copy of your will Getting access to key financial and estate outside the safe deposit box. information has always been a critical issue If getting organized sounds overwhelm- for women, who are statistically more likely ing, start small. When Fitzgerald and Wag- than men to be widowed or have a spouse man wanted to get their own affairs in who suffers from a serious illness. order, Fitzgerald began by compiling a list “The problem has gotten more pro- of emergency contacts, and Wagman Sheltering Arms nounced as we’ve gone more digital,” started by opening the mail and looking at said Jody King, director of financial plan- bills and insurance paperwork. Then, said ning at Fiduciary Trust Co. in Boston. Fitzgerald, “practice being on your own by Keeping you active at any age. “With digital records and passwords, taking over the finances for a couple of there’s no paperwork to help you find ac- weeks to minimize surprises.” Whether your goal is to recover from or counts no one knew existed,” she said. And what about keeping tabs on those prevent illness or injury, Sheltering Arms has A further complication is that women of devilish passwords? Some people use digital all ages often delegate key financial and password managers (Kiplinger’s often rec- a comprehensive list of services as part of our estate responsibilities to their spouse. ommends LastPass) — but as backup, they Active Aging Program to help you stay active so “Younger women may have a better also keep a written record and store it in a you can continue doing the things you enjoy! awareness of the family’s financial situation place that’s secure yet accessible to family than older generations, but they still may members. not choose to be involved,” King said. They consider the risk that written passwords might be stolen less serious Make a checklist than making sure everyone can find them To address that problem, Marilee in an emergency — and avoiding a situa- CALL TODAY Fitzgerald and Robyn Wagman co- tion like Susie’s. Wellness Services: AND WE WILL founded Estate of Mine Organizers, a sys- Even in this digital age, paper still rules. WAIVE YOUR POOL tem for helping women organize both Said King, “Any documentation you have • Aquatic and land-based personal and financial records. is always the best thing.” fitness classes in our state- OR FITNESS Their system includes checklists of must- © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, of-the-sceince gym MEMBERSHIP have documents — a will, powers of attor- Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, • Gym and pool memberships JOINING FEE! ney for financial and health affairs, bank and LLC. • Personal training Call MARK YOUR CALENDAR (804) 764-5275 Other Services Include: Ongoing INNOVATION LAB • Neurological rehabilitation In October, the Innovation Lab at Richmond’s Main Library will • Physician and psychology celebrate the season with classes on making humorous tombstones, lighted services luminaries, and “I love my library” mugs. A 15-minute orientation to the • Orthopedic therapy Innovation Lab, located at 101 E. Franklin St., Richmond, is offered twice a • Speech therapy week, on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 1 pm. The Innovation Lab • Support groups is open on Mondays from 4 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Check rvalibrary.org/services/innovation-lab for class times. www.ShelteringArms.com • (804) 764-1000 6 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS

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HOME HELPERS How to choose a healthcare aide who’s the perfect fit for the long term

STAY FIT THIS FALL Summer is over, but you can still Health exercise outdoors and eat fresh veggies More should get breast cancer gene test By Lauran Neergaard But mutations cluster in families, and Helps family members sessment and to make the referrals.” More women may benefit from gene the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Why screen breast cancer survivors? Private insurers follow task force recom- testing for hereditary breast or ovarian has long recommended that doctors After all, they already know there’s a risk mendations on what preventive care to cover, cancer, especially if they’ve already sur- screen women who have relatives with of recurrence. some at no out-of-pocket cost under rules vived cancer once, an influential health BRCA-related cancers, and refer those Take, for example, someone who had a from former President Barack Obama’s group recommended in August. who might benefit from gene testing to a tumor removed in one breast in their 40s a healthcare law. At issue are genes called BRCA1 and genetic counselor to help them decide. decade ago, when genetic testing wasn’t as Cancer groups have similar recommen- BRCA2. When they’re mutated, the body The task force recently expanded that common. Even this many years later, a dations for BRCA testing, and increasingly can’t repair damaged DNA as well, greatly advice to doctors through the Journal of the BRCA test still could reveal if they’re at risk urge that the newly diagnosed be tested, increasing the chances of breast, ovarian American Medical Association (JAMA). It for ovarian cancer — or at higher than usual too, because the inherited risk can impact and certain other cancers. is telling primary care doctors they should risk for another tumor in their remaining choices about surgery and other treat- Gene testing allows affected women to also assess women’s risk if: breast tissue, explained task force member ment. consider steps to lower their risk, such as — they previously were treated for Dr. Carol Mangione of the University of Cal- when actress Angelina Jolie underwent a breast or other BRCA-related cancers in- ifornia, . Not routine yet preventive mastectomy several years ago. cluding ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal And it could alert their daughters or Identifying BRCA mutation carriers Most cancer isn’t caused by BRCA mu- cancers, and now are considered cancer- other relatives to a potential shared risk. “can be lifesaving, and should be a part of tations — they account for 5% to 10% of free. “It’s important to test those people now,” routine medical care,” Drs. Susan Dom- breast cancers and 15% of ovarian cancers — their ancestry is prone to BRCA mu- Mangione said. “We need to get the word — so the gene tests aren’t for everyone. tations, such as Ashkenazi Jewish women. out to primary care doctors to do this as- See BREAST CANCER, page 8 YOU’RE INVITED

Join us Sunday, November 3rd 2:00 - 5:00PM Special guest speaker, Dr. John Zeisel, internationally known expert on dementia care, treatment innovations and author of “I’m Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer Care”, will share details about Hearthstone’s unique I’m Still Here® philosophy and its fundamental premise: Everyone deserves a life worth living.

Beth Sholom Senior Living Community at Parkside Assisted Living in the Sara Belle November Auditorium 1550 Parkway „ Richmond, VA 23238

Register now--tickets are free, seating is limited. Beth Sholom is a certified Register at: https://BethSholomImStillHere2019.eventbrite.com Center of Excellence for Hearthstone For information call (804) 421-5355 or Institute’s “I’m Still Here®” email: [email protected] approach in dementia care. FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health 7

Broaddus Crutchfield, an Indian Tribute pedia Virginia, Confederate President Jef- geous, innovative, determined and exem- Monument Commission member, successfully advo- ferson Davis commissioned Tompkins a plary women of Virginia.” From page 3 cated for , who as a Pa- captain, “which allowed her to escape the As Richmond’s powerful new monu- L. Mitchell Walker (1864-1934), the nation’s munkey Tribe chief, negotiated a peace Medical Department’s purview” and get ment, Voices from the Garden will likely first African American bank president, who treaty with the British and cemented unity medical supplies. inspire many visitors. When several com- founded the Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank among the Powhatan Confederacy. “It is Because of its small size and hygiene missioners visited the New York studio to in 1903; and Ann Burras Laydon (1594-1625), largely because of her efforts that there practices, Tompkins’ hospital had a low see the statues in progress, “It was a mov- one of the two first known women settlers at are still native people living in Virginia mortality rate. Never paid, she was “our ing experience,” Schaar said. “When I saw the Jamestown colony. Laydon survived the today,” Broaddus-Crutchfield said. Florence Nightingale,” Messick said. the first model of Adèle Clark in the and a Native American attack “Women have made significant achieve- Brooklyn studio, I had tears in my eyes.” in 1622. Worthy figures ments and contributions, but often they For more information, including how to Narrowing the choices down to a dozen One honoree, , a have been known only as the wife or get a name on the wall and how to donate, women was excruciating, Schaar recalled. nurse, managed a Civil War hospital for mother of someone,” said Charles H. Seil- visit the website of the Virginia Women’s A few controversies erupted. Confederate soldiers in a two-story Rich- heimer, Jr., Vice Chairman of the Virginia Monument Commission, womensmonu- Some promoted to repre- mond house, earning the label “The Angel Capitol Foundation’s Board of Trustees. mentcom.virginia.gov. sent Native Americans, but Frances of the Lost Cause.” According to Encyclo- “It is beyond time to recognize the coura-

stay together,” said Korenblat. in a season when thousands of volunteers “You put a policy out like this, and it’s a Electric bikes Adam Gariepy, manager of the Bar Har- with trail groups have been in the parks all slap in the face,” she said. From page 4 bor Bicycle Shop, said he’s “tentatively summer improving trails. —AP The National Park Service said in a happy” about the new rules. But he has statement that public comment would be reservations because some e-bikes like MARK YOUR CALENDAR sought as it works to develop a revised his can reach around 28 mph, he said. rule on bicycle use. That speed could be dangerous on trails Oct. 20 BREAST CANCER 5K WALK that have a mix of bicycle riders, horses On Sat., Oct. 20, join the American Cancer Society Making Pros and cons and carriages, hikers, families and pets. Ashley Korenblat, an advocate for pre- “It’s a two-edged sword. It’ll be great for Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Innsbrook, 4901 Lake Brook Dr., Glen serving public lands and CEO of Western older folks who are afraid of the hills and Spirit Cycling in Utah, saw several upsides. want to continue riding. But there should Allen. Registration begins at noon and the 5K walk starts at 1:30 p.m. Funds E-bikes could lead to fewer cars at con- be some speed limit with them,” he said. will go toward research; providing free, comprehensive information and support gested national parks, she said. The bikes Park Service Deputy Director Smith are quiet, not much faster than regular said the parks “should be responsive to vis- to patients; and reducing breast cancer risk. Call the American Cancer bikes and allow people who otherwise itors’ interest in using this new technology couldn’t physically ride to go cycling. wherever it is safe and appropriate to do.” Society at 1-800-227-2345 or sign up at makingstrideswalk.org/richmondva. “You can bring grandma and a 7-year- But Brengel, the parks conservation as- old and the whole group will be able to sociation official, noted the order comes

4 Richmond Doctors Area Locations Dedicated COLONIAL HEIGHTS 524 Southpark Blvd. To Serving HULL STREET 6530 Hull Street Rd. Seniors MECHANICSVILLE 3806 Mechanicsville Turnpike SHOCKOE BOTTOM Call today to 1712 E Broad Street schedule an appointment or tour (804) 489-5713 www.JenCareMed.com 36704 8 Fitness & Health | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS Over 40? Screen for breast cancer Q: I heard October is breast cancer monthly. This way you will become famil- recommended for checking: mammogram. [After age 75, your doctor awareness month. Do both men and iar with your body and can notice any In the shower. While raising one arm, may recommend less frequent screenings.] women need to check for changes. According to Johns use your other hand to move in a circular A mammogram is the gold standard for breast cancer? Hopkins Medical Center, pattern around the entire breast and early detection of breast cancer. If you’ve A: October is indeed “Forty percent of diagnosed armpit area, then repeat on the other side. been diagnosed with dense breast tissue, breast cancer awareness breast cancers are detected In front of a mirror. Inspect with both your doctor may recommend a sonogram month, and it is important to by women who feel a lump, your arms up and down by your sides and or MRI in addition to a mammogram. take your health into your so establishing a regular look for changes in shape such as It is empowering to take your health own hands (literally and breast self-exam is very im- swelling, a rash or any new dimples. into your own hands. These small changes metaphorically) by keeping portant.” Lying down. Place a pillow under one to your monthly routine can have a large up with annual breast cancer If you notice any changes, shoulder, raise the same arm and use the impact. screenings. call your primary care other to check in a circular motion around If you want more information or clarifi- Although more common provider, who can refer you the entire breast and armpit; repeat on the cation, have a conversation with your in females, breast cancer can DR. RX to a breast care center or other side. pharmacist or doctor. develop in men, too. There- By Leah Selznick breast surgical oncologist. Overall, you should be checking for Leah Selznick is a fourth-year pharmacy fore, self-checks for new or ir- These types of oncologists new lumps and bumps, watching for student at VCU School of Pharmacy. She re- regular lumps can be specialize in breast cancer and have exten- changes in color and shape, and looking ceived her B.S. in Biology from Trinity Uni- beneficial for men as well as women. sive experience locating tumors and diag- out for discharge or drainage. versity in San Antonio, Texas. She plans to Q: Can I do checks on my own? nosing the disease. Q: What else do you recommend? pursue a career as a clinical pharmacist A: Yes. It is encouraged, regardless of Q: How do I perform a self-exam? A: It is recommended that all women, be- with areas of interest in critical care, emer- age, to perform self-exams at least A: Currently, there are three methods ginning at age 40, receive a once-yearly gency department and pediatrics.

with the new guidelines, wrote in an edi- patients be tested, but several studies have ing by phone can work. Breast cancer torial accompanying them in JAMA. found testing is done in less than a third. There’s a wide array of gene tests, From page 6 But too few high-risk women ever learn Don’t skip the genetic counseling, said some that search just for BRCA mutations chek of the University of Pennsylvania and if they harbor BRCA mutations, they the task force’s Mangione. BRCA testing and others that test dozens of additional Mark Robson of Memorial Sloan Ketter- wrote. For example, cancer groups have can cause anxiety and sometimes gives genes at the same time. There’s even a di- ing Cancer Center, who weren’t involved long recommended that all ovarian cancer confusing results, finding mutations that rect-to-consumer kit sold by 23andMe — might not be dangerous — things coun- but Domchek and Robson warned it only selors are trained to interpret. There’s a detects the three mutations found most in Please patronize our advertisers. shortage of genetic counselors, particu- women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, not larly in rural areas, but she said counsel- dozens of other mutations. —AP Are You A Veteran? + Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center is a Long-Term Care & Short-Term Rehab Facility that opened in January 2008. This facility was built specifically for our Virginia Veterans. Located conveniently on the campus of the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, this state-of-the-art facility is owned and operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health 9 Arthroscopy less common for knee pain By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. teoarthritis and many instances of torn ately), it’s also possible that people are not doctor and the hospital or surgical center. When knee arthroscopy became widely cartilage that do not block joint motion — getting the surgery due to lack of insur- But it’s also true that a single study is available in the 1980s, it represented a medications and physical therapy may ance, trouble finding an orthopedist, or be- rarely enough to change medical practice major advance. Today orthopedists evalu- work just as well as arthroscopic surgery. cause they just prefer not to have surgery. — doctors are, with good reason, a skep- ating and treating common knee prob- Despite these recent data, some ortho- We don’t know about patients’ health or tical bunch. Subsequent research must lems often recommend arthroscopy, pedists continued to recommend arthro- outcomes: Are some people suffering be- verify and confirm a new finding. during which they insert an instrument scopic surgery for these conditions. Now, cause they didn’t have an arthroscopy Perhaps that’s why the rate of knee into the joint and, with a light and camera that seems to be changing. they needed? How many had arthro- arthroscopy dropped most significantly on its tip, directly inspect the knee from A recent study says the number of knee scopies they did not need and had compli- after the publication of a second trial re- the inside. arthroscopies is falling. Data recently pub- cations, or simply didn’t improve? garding knee osteoarthritis. While there, he or she can diagnose lished in JAMA Internal Medicine demon- We also don’t know whether rates are You can expect to hear much more and treat common painful knee problems, strate that between 2002 and 2015, the falling in other states. Still, it’s reasonable about studies that challenge standard such as arthritis or torn cartilage. The rate of arthroscopic surgery in Florida: to assume that knee arthroscopies are practice, especially when that practice is risks are much lower and recovery times — decreased from 449 to 345 per being performed less often because we invasive (including surgery) and expen- much shorter than standard “open” knee 100,000 people (a 23% decline) better understand when they are likely to sive. My guess is that the number of knee operations. — dropped more among adults under help and when they are not. arthroscopies will continue to fall for some As with any technology or other ad- age 65 (24% reduction) than among those time, until only the most appropriate ones vance in medicine, years of research were over 65 (19% reduction) Why are doctors slow to change? are being done. required to understand when best to use — fell most dramatically after 2008 At the risk of overgeneralization, doc- When it comes to standard treatments it. Not surprisingly, arthroscopy turns out (after a second important trial showed no tors tend to avoid change. That’s true of being called into question, the big ques- to be much more helpful for some condi- benefit of arthroscopy for osteoarthritis of many — but certainly not all — of my col- tion is, “What’s next?” The answers will tions than others. the knee). leagues. So, some of the reluctance of or- come once high-quality research is per- For example, if you have a sports injury thopedists to change their practice in the formed by skeptical researchers willing to in which the medial meniscus (a crescent- Is decline for good reason? face of studies questioning the usefulness question the status quo. shaped, shock absorbing wedge of carti- Reducing the number of unnecessary of knee arthroscopy may be this tendency Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is faculty ed- lage) is torn and blocking the motion of operations is certainly a good thing, espe- to resist change. itor at Harvard Health Publishing. the knee, arthroscopic surgery can pro- cially for one that is so common. However, Another reason might be financial con- © 2019 President and Fellows of Har- vide dramatic relief in a short period of we don’t know if the reduction in arthro- siderations: surgical procedures tend to vard College. Distributed by Tribune Con- time. scopies occurred for the right reasons. generate a large income stream for the tent Agency, LLC. But studies have demonstrated con- While it’s possible that the reduction was vincingly that for many other common because orthopedists are recommending causes of knee pain — including os- them more selectively (and more appropri- Tell them you saw it in Fifty Plus! 10 Fitness & Health | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS Harvard Q & As on metabolism and a-fib By Howard LeWine, M.D. quicker rate, which explains why some tea can also rev up metabolism. fibrillation and normal heart valves. These Q: My friend complains that she people can eat a lot and not gain extra Q: I have atrial fibrillation and take drugs are known as direct oral anticoagu- keeps gaining weight no matter how lit- pounds. Coumadin to prevent a stroke. I have lants (DOACs). tle she eats because she has a slow me- But you can’t entirely blame a sluggish not had any problem with it. But I won- The advantages of DOACs: they don’t tabolism. How much does a person’s metabolism for gaining weight. The reality der if I should switch to one of the require regular blood tests, have no food metabolism really affect body weight? is that metabolism often plays a minor newer drugs instead of Coumadin? restrictions, and have fewer drug interac- A: There is a lot of misunderstanding role. The factors that always will matter A: For 50 years, warfarin (Coumadin) tions. But they are much more expensive about the impact metabolism has on our the most are diet quality, total daily calorie was the only choice for people that needed than warfarin. health, especially in terms of weight loss. intake and level of activity. to take an oral anticoagulant drug. While To consider switching to a DOAC: you In simple terms, metabolism is the in- warfarin is inexpensive, it has downsides. need to have adequate kidney function. ternal process by which our body expends Ways to boost metabolism People taking it require regular blood This is determined by a blood test for cre- energy and burns calories. It runs 24/7, While it may only be a small change, a testing to be sure the dose is correct. The atinine and glomerular filtration rate even when we’re resting or sleeping, by person can speed up a naturally slow me- blood test, called an INR, needs to fall into (GFR). People with a very lower GRF can- converting the food and nutrients we con- tabolism, or rev up one that has become a predetermined range. not safely take these new drugs. sume into the energy our body needs. sluggish over time. Here’s how: A result within the proper range means Here’s what I discuss with patients like This process works at different intensi- Add some high-intensity intervals and the person’s blood is “thin” enough not to you who are thinking of making a switch ties in different people. How fast your weight training to your regular exercise clot easily but not “too thin” to cause a from warfarin to a DOAC. friend’s metabolism works is determined routine. high bleeding risk. Let’s make sure you can afford it. This mostly by her genes. People might have After a period of interval training, your Studies have shown that many people may take some investigation by you to de- fast, slow, or average metabolism, regard- metabolism can stay revved up for as much on warfarin frequently have an INR out of termine if insurance covers a DOAC or if less of their body size and composition. as a full day. Weight training builds muscle the desired range. This makes their blood you can get the drug at a substantial dis- Age also affects metabolism, as it can mass, and that extra muscle will require clot prevention ineffective or puts them at count. slow over the years, even if a person starts more calories, turning up your metabolic risk for significant bleeding. If your insurance only covers dabigatran out with a fast metabolism. rate. Taking the wrong dose and missing (Pradaxa) and apixaban (Eliquis), it means Differences in metabolism speed are Your metabolism increases whenever doses clearly affect the INR test result. you need to faithfully take the drug twice evident in how easy or hard it is for people you eat, digest and store food, a process But even when a person takes the dose ex- per day rather than once a day for war- to gain or lose weight. called the thermic effect of food. Protein actly as prescribed, dietary changes and farin. A slow metabolism burns fewer calories, has a higher thermic effect than fats and interactions with other medications can The other DOACs, rivaroxaban (Xarelto) which means more get stored as fat in the carbohydrates, so eating more healthy change the INR dramatically. and edoxaban (Savaysa), are once-a-day body. That’s why some people have diffi- protein-rich food sources might also help Now new oral anticoagulants are avail- drugs. Missing a dose puts you at risk of culty losing weight by just cutting calories. speed metabolism a bit. able that are just as effective as warfarin A fast metabolism burns calories at a Some studies suggest that drinking green at preventing a stroke in people with atrial See HARVARD Q & A, page 12 FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health 11 Finding the right home healthcare aide By Eleanor Laise A shortage of workers Pin down your caregiving require- worker with nursing skills for a short period When it comes to home-care workers Seniors and their families are strug- ments. but a personal care aide thereafter — an — the aides who provide in-home per- gling to find in-home help as a growing Before you start your search, “it’s so agency will make it easier to coordinate that. sonal assistance and healthcare support to aging population — combined with the important to take a step back and think An agency will also check the worker’s seniors — Brenda Case has seen it all. low pay, physical demands and irregular about what you really need,” said Leah Es- background, verify his or her training and Case, age 55, a real estate agent in Grand hours of home care jobs — have led to a kenazi, operations director at the Family handle the employment paperwork, taking Junction, Colorado, was for several years a severe shortage of home care workers. Caregiver Alliance. some administrative tasks off your hands. full-time caregiver for her mother, who had Between 2016 and 2026, home care If your mother would feel most com- You’ll need to work with a Medicare-cer- severe rheumatoid arthritis. And in that work is projected to be the fastest-growing fortable with a female, Spanish-speaking tified home health agency if you want time, a constantly rotating cast of home care U.S. occupation, with more than 1 million caregiver who has a driver’s license and Medicare to cover your care. To qualify for workers came in and out of the home that new jobs expected, according to PHI, a re- experience in dealing with dementia pa- that coverage, you must need skilled serv- Case shared with her mother. search and consulting organization fo- tients, for example, it’s best to be clear ices such as nursing or physical therapy There was a nurse who was wonderful. cused on the direct-care workforce. about that at the outset. and be “homebound,” meaning leaving There was a bath aide who never came to Home care agencies are already having For seniors who primarily need com- home is difficult or not recommended be- work at all. And there was an occupational trouble hiring and retaining enough work- panionship and basic help around the cause of your condition. therapist who insisted that Case’s mother ers to meet the demand. house, a personal care worker (who may For consumers paying out of pocket, should practice job skills such as moving “The impact on families is enormous,” have minimal training) may be the right fit. however, the higher cost of an agency may coins from one bucket to another — even said Robert Espinoza, vice president of If you need a worker who can perform be a deal-breaker. If you go through an though the patient had no intention of re- policy at PHI. Even if they surmount the some clinical tasks such as wound care, agency, you may pay $20 to $40 an hour, turning to work. initial challenge of finding a worker who however, look for a home health aide who depending on where you live, whereas if “My 70-year-old mother didn’t need to can meet their specific needs, consumers has more training. you hire someone directly, you’ll negotiate go out and get a job — she needed to lift face low odds of hanging on to that worker Training requirements can vary from the wage, which in many cases could be her arms to the microwave and get a cup for any length of time, according to Es- state to state, but home health aides work- about $10 to $15 an hour, Espinoza said. of tea,” Case says. “But that was never part pinoza, because turnover in the industry ing for agencies that accept Medicare Start your search engine. of the regime.” tends to hover around 60%. must have at least 75 hours of training. To find home health agencies, contact Turnover was high, Case said, and she All too often, family members have to cut Weigh an agency versus direct hire. your Area Agency on Aging or use sometimes switched agencies in order to back their work hours or quit their jobs com- A home health agency can offer some Medicare’s Home Health Compare website retain the aides she liked — or avoid the pletely to fill in the gaps. key advantages. If the worker gets sick, an (medicare.gov/homehealthcompare). ones she didn’t. In the three years leading agency will send over a replacement, Caregiver support groups and local chap- up to her mother’s death in 2015, Case How to find the right help whereas if you hire someone directly, ters of organizations focused on specific con- said she worked with seven different Here are four steps to help you find and you’re on your own. home care agencies. retain the right in-home help. If you need a variety of skills — perhaps a See HOME HEALTHCARE, page 13

Home Based Primary Care Visits Locally-based care team Personalized in-home medical care 24/7 clinical support (including holidays) Treatment of minor to complex medical needs Preventative care Medication management Care management Post-hospitalization discharge follow-up We accept Medicare and other insurances

VPA- Richmond 804-687-4793 visitingphysicians.com 12 Fitness & Health | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS Summer diet tips to stick to this autumn By Health.com ule later that day. energy. It also holds off your hunger be- burn calories in the heat, try walking Over the summer, it’s easier to fill your Plus, when you exercise in the morn- tween meals, so you don’t overeat later on. around an orchard picking apples this fall! diet with fresh produce (hello, farmers’ ing, not only do you burn calories, but you markets) and fit in your daily workout also set yourself up to make better choices Visit the farmers’ market Head outside for lunch (thanks, longer days). Once the fall rolls all day long. Lots of farmers’ markets stay open well Taking a walk on your lunch break is a around, however, a lot of those healthy into November, so drop by to stock up on great way to fit in some exercise. summertime habits go by the wayside. Take advantage of the weather fruits, vegetables, herbs and local meats. Don’t let this healthy habit fall by the But they don’t have to! Here are some Fall is a great time to exercise outdoors Many root vegetables are in season, and wayside as the weather cools. Just be sure warm-weather dieting tips that you should and enjoy the cooler temperatures and they’re an inexpensive and nutritious way to dress in layers, so you can remove the stick with all fall. fresh, crisp air. to add variety to your diet. outer ones once your body warms up. Walking, running, biking and hiking Get up and get moving will get your heart pumping and also treat Think outside the box Drink up Summer heat can be a powerful motiva- your senses to vibrant foliage, crunchy Always wanted to take a ballet class or During the summer, you need more tor. If you know that you’ll have to take leaves underfoot and fresh fall smells in learn how to play soccer? Fall is a great water than usual because of the heat, so your workout indoors if you don’t exercise the air. time to learn something new. it’s easy to chug it down. It also fills you first thing in the morning, you might be New exercise classes get started at gyms, up between meals. more motivated to get an early-morning Eat a healthy breakfast and local teams start to form, so look around Drinking more water can help you lose run in. In the fall, eating a healthy breakfast for something that piques your interest. weight, so make sure you stick with this Carry that motivation on into the fall: should remain part of your morning routine. Plus, a good workout doesn’t have to diet tip into the fall and all year long. being a first-thing exerciser means you’re Starting each day with a nutritious meal seem like exercise. If you thought spend- © 2019 Meredith Corporation. Distrib- less likely to get derailed by a busy sched- jump-starts your metabolism and gives you ing a day at a water park was a fun way to uted by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. MARK YOUR CALENDAR Staying on warfarin is a fine option if PARKINSON’S WORKSHOP Harvard Q & A your INR blood tests stay in the desired Oct. 22 From page 10 Learn how to live well with Parkinson’s disease. A free work- range (2.0 to 3.0) at least 70 percent of the stroke. time, meaning you don’t need frequent shop for families, caregivers and those with Parkinson’s will take place on The DOACs are short acting drugs, dose adjustments, and getting regular Tue., Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Beth Sholom Senior Living while warfarin keeps acting for well over blood tests is not a hassle. Community, 1550 John Rolfe Pkwy., Henrico. For more information, visit 24 hours. So if you tend to miss doses of © 2019 President and Fellows of Har- bit.ly/parkinsonsbethsholom. your medications often, you probably want vard College. All rights reserved. Distrib- to stick with warfarin. uted by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Oct. 20+ LAUGHTER YOGA Laughter can fend off illness and help you lose weight. So grab a yoga mat and get ready to giggle at this free Laughter Club. The next meet- ing is Sun., Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Integral Yoga Center of Richmond, 213 Ronsenath Rd. #102, Richmond. Open to all ages and abilities; no prior yoga experi- ence, special clothing or equipment is necessary. The free classes are ongoing. For more information, call (804) 362-7540 or email laugh- [email protected].

RESEARCH Oct. 26 FAMILY HISTORY Find out more about genealogy research from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 26, at a workshop at Pocahontas Middle School, 12000 Three Chopt Rd., Henrico. Cost is $50. Food vendors will be on site. For more information, visit griva.org. FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health 13 Try this technique for moist, buttery salmon By America’s Test Kitchen cook at the same rate, we prefer to buy a washed thoroughly pot to oven. Cook until salmon is opaque Cooking en cocotte — cooking beef, lamb, whole center-cut fillet and cut it into 2 sprigs fresh thyme and flakes apart when gently prodded pork and poultry in a covered pot with little evenly sized individual fillets ourselves. If 2 garlic cloves, minced with paring knife, 25 to 30 minutes. to no liquid — concentrates flavor. buying individual fillets, make sure they ½ cup dry white wine Transfer fish to serving platter and tent We were skeptical, however, that the are the same size and thickness. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into with foil. Stir wine into leeks in pot and technique would successfully translate to If the fillets are thicker or thinner than 2 pieces simmer over medium-high heat until fish. Fish cooks quickly. Would the fish 1 1/2 inches, you may need to adjust the slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. dry out in the dry pot? cooking time slightly. If you can find only Directions: Off heat, whisk in butter and season We gave the technique a shot with skin-on fillets, remove the skin before Adjust oven rack to lowest position with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon sauce fatty salmon fillets and were more than cooking or the sauce will be greasy. and heat oven to 250° F. Trim any over salmon and serve. pleasantly surprised. By passing on sear- whitish fat from belly of fillet, then cut ing the salmon fillets first, we found that Salmon en cocotte with leeks fish into 4 equal pieces. Pat salmon dry Another option: Salmon en we got just what we wanted: perfectly and white wine with paper towels and season with salt cocotte with celery and orange cooked, moist salmon, basted in its own Servings: 4 and pepper. Add 2 thinly sliced celery ribs and 1 tea- jus, that flaked apart in large buttery Start to finish: 50 minutes Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium- spoon minced orange zest along with gar- chunks. low heat until shimmering. Add leeks, lic in step 2. Substitute ½ cup orange juice Leeks sautéed and then layered first in Ingredients: thyme and a pinch of salt, cover and cook for wine, and add 1 orange, peeled and the pot contributed their onion-like sweet- 1 (1 ¾ to 2 pound) skinless salmon fil- until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in gar- segmented, when thickening sauce. ness and protected the fish from the heat let, about 1 ½ inches at thickest part lic and cook until fragrant, about 30 sec- Nutrition information per serving: 450 of the pan bottom. A quick sauce made Salt and pepper onds. Remove pot from heat. calories; 228 calories from fat; 25 g. fat (7 with white wine and butter added some 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Lay salmon, skinned side down, on top g. saturated; 0 g. trans fats); 124 mg. cho- more dimension and richness. 2 leeks, white and light green parts of leeks. Place large piece of aluminum foil lesterol; 389 mg. sodium; 8 g. carbohydrate; To ensure uniform pieces of fish that only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin and over pot and cover tightly with lid; transfer 1 g. fiber; 2 g. sugar; 40 g. protein.

to let go of one aide who was caring for door,” Whiteman said. Or you can go the low-tech route: “Have Home healthcare her mother overnight, after her mother Technology can help far-flung family a neighbor or friend stop in unannounced,” From page 11 said the worker had slapped her. members check in on their loved ones and Whiteman said. “Make sure someone is ditions, such as the Alzheimer’s Association Another aide repeatedly asked her ease the burden on caregivers, Eskenazi checking in on the situation if you can’t be and American Cancer Society, may offer re- mother for money, saying she needed cash said. “Smart home” technology, including there.” ferrals to home health agencies. for car repairs or to buy a new watch. “If we smart speakers, can provide medication © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Edi- Consumers hiring workers directly often were not on top of this, I don’t know how reminders and reassure families that a tors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content rely on recommendations from friends and much money would have gone out the senior is getting proper care. Agency, LLC. co-workers — but technology can make the search process a bit more sophisticated. Care.com and CareLinx, for example, con- nect consumers with home care workers in their areas. And in 19 states, “matching service reg- istries” match consumers with home care workers based on needs and availability. Some registries require workers to have a background check and a certain level of training, while others have no such re- quirements. You can find details and links to the registries at phinational.org. No matter how you find your in-home help, check candidates’ background and references, “preferably from past employ- ment situations or people who have been under the individual’s care,” said William Dombi, president of the National Associa- tion for Home Care and Hospice. For tips on checking an aide’s background, see the Family Caregiver Alliance’s fact sheet at caregiver.org/hiring-home-help. Monitor the situation. When you’ve found the right caregiver, check in frequently to make sure the rela- tionship is working for both parties. Lynette Whiteman, executive director of Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, has engaged multiple in-home workers for her mother, who has Alzheimer’s. She had To subscribe, see page 21. 14 Fitness & Health | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com B-1

The Resource for Aging Well Formerly “Mature Life”

Executive Director’s Ride Connection… Message Dr. Thelma Bland Watson Connecting People Executive Director, Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging to Health Dear Readers: have supported Ride Connections and In 2016, we published a White Paper similar efforts. on Transportation to celebrate accom- Several important milestones of Ride plishments in meeting human service Connection include providing a record transportation needs of older adults number of one-way trips every day, and individuals with disabilities. The promoting transit travel training, data White Paper summarized challenges, collection/analysis, mobility manage- opportunities, best practices and rec- ment, supporting local initiatives, and ommendations for the future. partnering with providers to increases Among the recommendations was the access and affordability of transporta- call for Senior Connections to “support tion resources. We are proud that Ride and work with the Richmond Regional Connections supports the mission of Planning District Commission (now Plan- Senior Connections by “empowering RVA) to identify solutions for enhancing seniors to live with dignity and choice.” specialized transportation services by While it takes collaborative efforts maintaining service provider information, to address transportation, it also re- coordinating rides, providing informa- quires opportunities for empowerment tion/referrals and examining program and use of person-centered practices. Ride Connection contracts with area transportation providers to help individuals options. Therefore, one of the goals of the new get to their medical appointments. In this issue of Engage at Any Age, Human Services Transportation Coor- For 92 years, Ms. Lenora has called Rich- work around the house” or, if needed, rest. we are proud to highlight Ride Con- dination Entity (HSTCE) that Senior mond home. Born at St. Philip Hospital in Ride Connection provides door-to-door nection and work we are doing to en- Connections is now heading is to “pro- 1927, she spent all her life in Richmond. transportation service. On those days she hance transportation opportunities. mote, facilitate, educate and help to She graduated Maggie Walker High School needs a little extra help getting from her van Transportation is an important re- coordinate regional transportation ef- and met her husband of 56 years, Willie, on a to her home, she has it. She also enjoys Senior source for people of all ages. A key forts to improve the quality of life in local playground. Willie Connections’ Friend- component of service delivery is help- Greater RVA. “ said it was love at first Ms. Lenora’s Advice: ship Café on Thurs- ing people identify and use accessible As we celebrate the milestones of sight, but she took a lit- “Always be nice to people, whether days. Ms. Lenora says and affordable resources to reach es- Ride Connection, we are extremely tle time “to warm to they are nice to you or not. You don’t she enjoys the oppor- sential locations. pleased to highlight the HSTCE that him.” They had one son. know who you will need in this life tunity to socialize and Senior Connections has always pro- will evolve over the next several years. She worked in the before you leave this world.” would go on Mondays vided support for transportation. We We are grateful to PlanRVA for desig- Jefferson Manufacturing as well if she could. have provided information about avail- nating Senior Connections for this and he worked in a tobacco factory. Together The decision to stop driving was hard. “I able transportation resources, and en- role, and to the many organizations they created a loving home in Church Hill, loved driving. I didn’t have to wait on nobody. couraged older adults to drive safely if that are joining with us to provide di- complete with a family car in the driveway. You could just get in your car and go, anytime this is the best alternative for them. We rection and guidance to the HSTCE. After the loss of her husband in 2003, you want. Sometimes I just want to get up have promoted resources such the Vir- The HSTCE will be guided by a diverse followed by her son in 2015, she moved to and go.” Willow Lawn Shopping Center is a ginia GrandDriver Program, an exciting Steering Committee that will help im- The Guardian Place. With the help of fam- frequent stop. She can go to the grocery initiative of the Virginia Division of plement strategic goals for enhancing ily, friends and Senior Connections, she is store and her favorite place, The Dollar Store. Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia human service transportation. living with dignity and choice. Senior Connections’ Ride Connection pro- Department for Aging and Rehabilita- We extend thanks to Ride Connec- For as long as she can remember, Mrs. gram contracts with VIP Transportation tive Services (DARS), which supports tion’s funders, program participants, Lenora has been going to dialysis treatment. Services, a locally-owned transportation safe driving by seniors. collaborative partners, stakeholders, She drove herself for a long time. When she provider, to pick up and safely deliver Ms. Additionally, we have provided group volunteers and staff for the progress chose to stop driving, she enrolled in the Red Lenora to dialysis. Without Senior Connec- transportation for individuals participat- already made, and for their support for Cross Transportation Program. In 2008, she tions’ support, the cost of transportation ing with the very successful Friendship enhancing services and a shared vision joined Senior Connections’ Ride Connection. would be more than she could afford. She Café Program with locations throughout for the future. Thank you for joining us Ride Connection staff coordinate trans- enjoys the driver’s warm “‘good morning’ and the Richmond region. in fulfilling the vision of the Human portation for her three days a week for nice smile.” She never worries about missing We continue to expand Ride Con- Services Transportation Coordination dialysis treatment. During her three-hour her treatment time. “I can trust [VIP]…that I nection and increase the numbers of Entity (HSTCE) for Greater RVA. treatment, Ms. Lenora reads and watches will be picked up on time and get home OK.” older adults and individuals with dis- TV as a machine keeps her body in balance Ride Connection provides services to abilities who are assisted to and from .Best Wishes, by doing what her damaged kidneys can- individuals over the age of 60 and persons various medical appointments and not. While lifesaving, dialysis can be ex- with disabilities. Education, assistance with treatments. We are grateful to key fun- hausting for some. Ms. Lenora says it’s “not medical transportation. To learn more call ders, supporters and contributors who Thelma Watson too bad.” She can come home and “do her 804-672-4497. B-2 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com Senior Connections OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS

Searching for Answering the Call: Transportation Options Spotlight on Ride Across the State Connection Staff By Tony Williams, Mobility Manger When individuals call the Ride Connection Hotline to request in- formation, assistance with tickets or medical transportation, there is a good chance that either Margaret Robinson or Cora Dickerson will be there to answer. Cora Dickerson, Transportation Program Assistant, is a determined go-getter with a strong desire to advocate. “People with disabilities need an advocate and I always love meeting new people. I want to set an example for other people with disabilities.” Diagnosed with polio at age 2 and Virginia Navigator, a family of websites of the most frequently searched for post-polio syndrome at age 30, she including Senior Navigator, Disability services across our family of websites. credits her faith with keeping her Navigator and Veteran Navigator, pro- Whether urban, suburban, or rural – strong. Cora’s mother, a civil rights vides free information about health, folks are in need of connection to trans- activist and community volunteer, aging, disability and post-military re- portation services,” says Kim Tarantino, would not allow her to use the word sources available to Virginians. The infor- Director of Communications & Com- “can’t.” mation focuses on issues such as health, munity Partnerships, VirginiaNavigator. Currently serving as a Transporta- financial concerns, legal questions, When using Virginia Navigator, peo- tion Counselor at Ride Connection health facilities, housing options, trans- ple can enter their city, county or ZIP helps Cora stay connected. After a portation, exercise programs, advocacy, code on VirginiaNavigator and select 20-year career at United Way, Cora and more. The information is organized Transportation/Paratransit from the joined Senior Connections. “I’m not on the website, and allows individuals to menu. They’ll see a list of options in going to retire and just sit around. I Cora Dickerson strives to be a positive exam- search using your city/county or ZIP their area, which may include every- enjoy getting up and going to work.” ple for people with disabilities. code. This search identifies those re- thing from public transport to wheel- Cora, a Care Van rider and mem- sources available in your community. chair-accessible rental vans and on- ber of the City of Richmond Aging “Transportation is consistently one demand services. and Persons with Disabilities Board, shares She describes herself as caring, loyal her experience with individuals in need of and selfless. She is motivated by the work. services as well as community leaders and “I love working with our seniors and indi- government. She is always advocating for viduals who are disabled…they help me Expanding more transportation options that are acces- see things in a different perspective.” sible, affordable and available. Margaret credits her diverse career Margaret Robinson, Ride Connection background and experience as a family Transportation Transportation Specialist, came to Senior caregiver with her success. For over 14 Connections from the Red Cross in 2008 years, she has been helping people get to as that medical transportation program doctor’s appointments. Options ended. Many of the individuals she worked What brings her most joy is “being able to help our clients, giving them resources portation service in the county of with then are still calling Margaret today. On Demand: and words of encouragement to get Chesterfield. Individuals can choose The New Trend through their day. When a client says from four highly qualified providers: With the expansion of ride share they appreciate me, it really touches Dependacare, Owl, Incl., Roundtrip or companies, like Uber and Lyft, many me.” UZURV. You must be registered with older adults and persons with disabili- Margaret understands how impor- Mobility Services through Chesterfield ties are looking to access this type of tant the role Ride Connection and County. For more information, call door-to-door services. Senior Connections play in the com- (804) 706-2796. Innovative options like GoGoGrand- munity. “There are not a lot of agen- parent or UZURV allow people to use cies that provide the array of services such ride share services without a Transportation that we have. We also have partner- smartphone. Local public transportation Information for Veterans ships that are very important.” companies such as GRTC as well as Eligibility for the VA Transportation Both Cora and Margaret know that Chesterfield ACCESS are getting into the Network is based on Veteran’s service Ride Connection provides more than on-demand business. connection and/or financial status. The “just a ride.” Those individuals who call GRTC CARE On Demand enables travel office at the VA makes this deter- for transportation often have few fam- CARE customers to utilize a same-day, di- mination following a travel consult. For ily or friends to support them and rect, non-stop trip. Registered CARE cus- a veteran to access the VA Transporta- spend much of their time alone. They tomers can choose from two CARE On tion Network, they need to request that appreciate Margaret and Cora, who Demand partners, Roundtrip and UZURV. their Primary Care Provider (in Blue, really listen and care. To reach the To learn more, contact GRTC’s Eligibility Emerald, Green, Red or Yellow clinic) Ride Connection Hotline, call (804) Coordinator at (804) 358-3871, ext. 434. place a travel consult. The phone num- 672-4497. Access On Demand in Chesterfield ber for the Richmond VAMC Travel of- County is an on-demand pilot trans- fice is (804) 801-8278. Margaret Robinson strives connect and support all the individuals she serves. FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 Senior Connections www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com B-3

MY MOBILITY PLAN Make a plan today. Stay mobile tomorrow. What can you do to stay mobile? cist. Certain medicines can have side effects that can • Put often-used items within easy reach (about waist Many people make financial plans for retirement, but not change your ability to drive, walk or get around safely. level, if possible). everyone plans for other changes that may come. This in- • Follow a regular activity program to increase your • For items not within easy reach, always use a step cludes changes in your mobility — your ability to get around. strength and balance. Strength and balance activities, stool. NEVER use a chair. No, it’s not always easy to talk about, but as we get older or done at least three times a week, can reduce your risk of • Use bright light bulbs. A 40 watt bulb is not going experience health issues, physical changes can make it falling. Other activities, like walking, are good for you, to get the job done. more difficult to get around and do things we want or need but they don’t help prevent falls. • Place lamps close to the bed where they are within to do: driving, shopping, or doing household chores. • Get a medical eye exam each year. Eye problems can reach. increase your risk of falling or being in a car accident. • Install night-lights to be able to see a path in the Act Now • Keep track of everything. We all have to do this. dark. They can increase your feeling of being oriented Write down all your doctor’s appointments and the and safe. For areas that don’t have electrical outlets, con- You might not have mobility problems now, but you arrangements you made for transportation to and from. sider battery-operated lights. can’t predict the future. Think pro-actively. There are ac- Write down reminders to yourself about when prescrip- • Inside and out – check for loose or uneven steps. tions you and your loved ones can take today, and as you tions will need to be refilled to avoid last-minute crises. Repair if needed. age, to help keep you safe and mobile tomorrow. • Make sure carpet is firmly attached to every step, A Plan to Stay Safe at Home and Reduce Falls: or remove carpet and attach non-slip rubber treads. A Plan to Stay Mobile… • Check for loose or broken handrails. Repair if Check the FLOORS in each room and reduce tripping Staying healthy and managing chronic conditions help needed. hazards: maintain your mobility. To start building your plan, com- • Consider installing handrails on both sides of the • Keep objects off the floor. plete this checklist: stairs, if that is feasible. • Remove or tape down rugs. • Get a physical checkup each year. Some health is- • Use bright overhead lighting at the top and bottom • Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall and out sues may increase your risk of falling. of the stairs and at top and bottom of stairs of the way. • Review all your medicines with a doctor or pharma- • Wear appropriate shoes

My Plan to Stay Mobile: Finish your plan by filling out the table below. Think of all the places you go and how you get there. Then consider how you would get to these same places if you couldn’t use your current way.

Where do I go now? How do I get there now? How will I get there in the (Such as doctor, grocery (Such as drive, get a ride, or future? (Such as bus, rideshare, store, or physical activity class) use public transportation) or ride with a friend)

Meet friends for lunch Drive myself Get a ride from a friend.

Stay Mobile with These Resources: • AARP 1-888-687-2277 or www.aarp.org • AAA 1-800-222-4357 or www.aaa.com Consider a driver refresher course. Some insurers give a discount on your car • National Institute on Aging at https://www.nia.nih.gov/ insurance for taking a driver refresher course or getting refitting for your car. • Senior Connections Ride Connection Hotline at (804) 672-4497 or visit • Virginia GrandDriver Program 1-800-552-3402 or https://granddriver.net/ www.seniorconnecitonsva.org Donate to Senior Connections Ride Connection $18 can give a book of tickets to a Care Van or Chesterfield ACCESS rider $25 can take someone to the doctor • $50 can help give someone a ride to dialysis Complete form below and mail to Senior Connections, 24 E. Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219 or visit https://seniorconnections-va.org/giving/donate/

First name: Last name: Organization: e-Mail: Phone: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Donation Amount $ ($USD): Purpose/destination for your donation: In memory/honor of? Ì I wish my donation to remain anonymous. Ì Please send me more information on how I may be of more assistance to Senior Connections. B-4 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com Senior Connections OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS Public Transportation in Our Community: Spotlight on New Kent and Charles City What do you think when you hear the words “public to curb-to-curb or door-to-services. People who switch to Bay Transit can save an average transportation?” We often think of buses, trains, sub- Since 2005, Bay Tran- of more than $10,000 each year on things like gas, tolls, ways and other forms of transportation that charge set sit, a division of Bay maintenance and parking fees. Public transportation is fares, run on fixed routes, and are available to the public. Aging, has been provid- environmentally friendly because when there are fewer For many in the greater Richmond area, we think ing public transporta- vehicles on the road, harmful carbon emissions are re- GRTC — whether the Pulse, the Care VAN or GRTC ex- tion for residents of New duced. pansion into Henrico. Kent and Charles City People use public transportation to access their college Public transportation is more than vehicles and Counties. Because the classes or jobs. Because there are transportation options, routes. It’s about access and lower costs. Public trans- Bay Transit is supported by the counties of New Kent and people are able to receive more specialized healthcare portation connects individuals to jobs, healthcare serv- Charles City and other funding sources, the fare is kept low. services at facilities in Richmond and Williamsburg. ices, shopping, businesses, recreation and much more. The $2.00 fare per ride opens opportunities for people who Bay Transit helps veterans access veterans’ medical For many older adults and persons with disabilities — do not have their own transportation or for those who can centers in Richmond and Hampton, while others, such who may not be able to access fixed routes, or live in no longer drive. Bay Transit is open to people of all ages. as those legally blind, are able to enjoy life because they rural areas with limited transportation options — access Most people who live in rural areas have long com- call Bay Transit to take them to the wellness center, the to person-centered public transportation is critical. mutes to work or long drives to simply meet their family’s county library and the art gallery. Older adults know Our rural counties are responding to the transporta- most basic needs. In addition to everyday services, now they have a lifeline to avoid sitting home alone and being tion need. Hanover is developing a new paratransit pro- every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Charles City and isolated from others. gram. Chesterfield’s Mobility Services with ACCESS New Kent residents have direct access to Richmond and For more information or to try Bay Transit, please call Chesterfield are giving residents in that county access Williamsburg for services not available near their home! (804) 966-8743 or visit their website at baytransit.org. Volunteer Spotlight: Answering the Call for Action Throughout the Greater Richmond area, older adults volunteer’s schedule. From January 2019 through August and persons with disabilities rank transportation as a 2019, Hanover Rides provided over 1,200 round-trip consistent barrier to accessing medical care, buying gro- rides. While the majority of those rides were to medical ceries and attending to personal business. appointments, the others were to grocery stores, per- Area nonprofit organizations, government and faith sonal business and sometimes pharmacy trips after a communities are working together to ensure that those doctor’s visit. in need have access to transportation services to live Volunteer drivers range in age from 55 to 86 years old their life. For many, that also includes a friendly volun- and give an average of five rides a month. —Charlie teer driver. Resnick, MCEF Volunteers are opening their hearts and car doors to With the success of Hanover help seniors get to medical appointments, grocery stores Rides, the County of Hanover is and banks. Organizations like The Shepherd’s Center of currently seeking transporta- Richmond, Shepherd’s Center of Chesterfield and tion contractors to provide Hanover Rides, teers with individuals needing a ride. paratransit support for comprised of two “Our volunteer drivers are truly angels those citizens who require faith-based or- on earth. They astound me every day.” — wheelchair accessible ganizations, Ash- Julie Adams-Buchanan, Executive Director transportation. land Christian of The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond Many thanks to all the Emergency Serv- Last fiscal year, The Shepherd’s Center volunteers who give their ices (ACES) and of Richmond had 72 volunteer drivers provide time to help those in need get Mechanicsville over 1,300 round trip rides to medical appoint- to where they need to go. How- Churches Emer- ments and grocery stores. ever, MORE volunteers are needed by gency Functions That’s 16,660 miles of generosity. Volunteers give any- these organizations to meet the transportation needs of (MCEF), work to where from two rides to 50 rides in one year and typi- an ever increasing senior population. Please Consider connect volun- cally offer one to four trips per month, depending on the Volunteering Today!

Become a Volunteer Driver Today* Anyone that has a little time, a car and a caring attitude can volunteer. Call and find out how to volunteer today! Chesterfield and Henrico, Richmond and Town of Ashland and Hanover Mechanicsville Area Chester Zip Parts of Chesterfield County, Courthouse Zip Codes Zip Codes 23005, 23059 and 23069 23111, 23116, some of 23069

The Shepherd’s Center of The Shepherd’s Center Ashland Christian Mechanicsville Churches Chesterfield of Richmond Emergency Services Emergency Functions Call (804) 706-6689 Call (804) 355-7282 Call (804) 543-6115 Call (804) 357-9360 6800 Lucy Corr Blvd 3111 Northside Ave 507 Caroline St # B 7235 Stonewall Pkwy Chesterfield, VA 23832 Richmond, VA 23228 Ashland, VA 23005 Mechanicsville, VA 23111 *Please contact individual agencies to receive information on the program, application screening process and any questions. FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com 15 PHOTO BY JONATHAN KRIZ Law &

Should Rover have his own insurance? Money See story, page 17. How to submit a complaint and get results By Pat Mertz Esswein paper trail, even though much of the infor- buried, and staff changes, said Nelson (which includes writing in all caps), Santi- Taking a complaint to customer service mation may be digital. For any product or Santiago of Consumer Action, a nonprofit ago said. can be maddening. No one wants to deal service for which you pay a sizable sum, consumer advocacy group. Limit a letter to 250 words or four short with endless phone trees, outsourced rep- keep copies of your order confirmations, re- A face-to-face visit with a local seller paragraphs. Clearly state what you want, resentatives reading from inflexible scripts, ceipts, contracts, work orders, warranties, may quickly fix your problem. But if and keep your request reasonable. automated responses or chatbots. service agreements and billing statements. you’re dealing with an online retailer or a Ask yourself: What solution would be “Despite saying they provide more If you opt to get a receipt by email or corporate office, you usually must follow acceptable, even if it isn’t ideal? Don’t in- ways than ever to contact them, compa- text, save it. Before you dispose of product its complaint process. flate your demands. For example, if you nies are building fortresses around them- packaging, remove enclosed paperwork Go to the next level. If you’re not get- stayed five nights at a hotel and didn’t selves so that no one has to interact with that may include a warranty, customer- ting results, take your complaint up the have air conditioning for one night, you you,” said Christopher Elliott of Elliott Ad- service phone number or even a bar code, corporate ladder. Ask a customer-service can’t expect a refund for five nights. vocacy, a nonprofit consumer group. which you may need to obtain a replace- rep, “If you can’t help me, who can I call Give the recipient a deadline to re- To breach the walls and successfully re- ment item. or write who has the authority to help?” spond. Ten business days is a reasonable solve your complaint, Elliott said, use the Keep copies of emails and take Visit company websites or LinkedIn to length of time, Santiago said. Let the busi- three Ps: patience, persistence and polite- screenshots of online chats. In your first search for contacts. Try clicking on “about ness know that you’ll pursue other solu- ness. exchange with customer service, write down us,” “terms and conditions” or “privacy state- tions if you don’t hear back by then. Don’t expect an instant fix; give the the reference number if one is assigned to ment.” Attach only copies or scans of relevant company’s complaint process time to your case. On the website of the Better Business documents, not the originals, and send your work. Be prepared to tell your tale repeat- Recording the call would be ideal. But Bureau, search by the company name and letter by certified mail. (Go to consumer-ac- edly, taking your complaint up the chain if you can’t, take notes, including the date, look for contact information for owners tion.org for a sample letter and email and a of command if necessary. time, name of the person with whom you and executives under “Business Details.” free guide titled How to Complain.) And even if you’re frustrated and furi- spoke, the substance of your conversation To bypass corporate phone trees, go Try social media. Should you apply ous, make nice. Being polite will help your and any promises made. to gethuman.com and search by company leverage by complaining on social media, complaint go to the top of the pile and get Make your point. It pays to complain for phone numbers and shortcuts to reach also known as “Twitter shaming” or “Yelp you a better response every time. as soon as you know you have a problem. a real person. blackmail”? Here are steps you can take to get the The more recent your experience, the Keep all communication brief, pro- It’s worth a shot, especially if the com- results you want: greater the weight your complaint will fessional and unemotional. Avoid in- Document everything. It’s still called a carry. Plus, memories fade, records get cluding too much detail or shouting See HOW TO COMPLAIN, page 16 Understand the risks inherent in bonds It’s important for investors interested in Interest rate risk primary investment objective is to avoid even bankruptcy. If that happens, the value bonds to understand the potential pitfalls. There’s a term for this: interest rate risk. any capital loss while also receiving some of your bond in the market may fall signifi- For example, some don’t And it’s a significant factor to income. cantly. For this reason, if you wish to buy realize that there is an in- consider. corporate bonds, you should consider buy- verse relationship between The only way to avoid or Investment risk ing a diversified mutual fund or ETF. interest rates and bond minimize interest rate risk is to A second type of risk is investment risk. prices. When interest rates buy short-term securities. For This is the risk that you won’t get your Finding a good fund increase, the value of bonds example, you can buy Trea- principle back in full when the bond ma- Some mutual funds and ETFs manage decreases in value, and vice sury bills directly with varying tures. portfolios of high-yield or “junk” bonds — versa. terms (typically four weeks, If you buy a U.S. Treasury security, you bonds issued by corporations whose rat- Regardless of the quality of eight weeks, 13 weeks, 26 can be sure that you will receive your prin- ings are not considered investment-grade. the bond or bond fund you in- weeks or 52 weeks), or you cipal back at maturity. Because of this cer- The payoff for the greater investment risk vested in, if interest rates in- can invest in a mutual fund or tainty, the U.S. Treasury does not have to is much higher interest than investment- crease significantly, the value THE SAVINGS exchange-traded fund (ETF) pay interest rates as high as other lenders. grade corporate bonds pay. of your bond portfolio, even if GAME that only invests in T-bills. You can buy bonds issued by a corpora- Some mutual fund managers, such as you only have invested By Elliot Raphaelson Although you would be tion that pay more interest than the U.S. Vanguard, have relatively conservative in U.S. Treasury bonds, will minimizing interest rate risk, Treasury with the same maturity length. high-yield portfolios that have performed decrease in value. If the portfolio is primarily the interest you would receive would be However, no corporation has an equivalent well over the long term. long-term bonds, such as those with maturi- small in comparison to what you would re- ability to promise repayment of principal. If you are going to invest in corporate ties of 30 years, the decrease will be much ceive with a long-term Treasury bond. During the period you own the bond, the greater. You should invest in T-bills only if your corporation may face financial problems or See BONDS, page 16 16 Law & Money | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS

As a last resort, you could sue a business — Contact your state’s consumer pro- by-product. How to complain in small-claims court. States set different rules tection office or regulatory agency (search — At the federal level, you can also com- From page 15 and dollar limits (see Nolo.com’s 50-State by state at usa.gov/state-consumer). plain to the Consumer Financial Protection pany is worried about its reputation. At a Chart of Small Claims Court Dollar Limits). — If you’re dealing with a licensed pro- Bureau about a financial product or service; minimum, you may feel better by airing However, many companies insert arbi- fessional or tradesperson, you can com- the Federal Communications Commis- your complaint or commiserating with tration clauses in their contracts, which plain to the state or local licensing board sion about a telecom billing or service issue; other aggrieved consumers. may require you to take a dispute to a with jurisdiction over the person. the Federal Trade Commission about fraud To avoid exposing yourself to accusa- third party for resolution rather than — If you think you’ve been the victim or an unfair business practice; Medicare tions of defamation and a potential lawsuit, going to court. of fraud or deceptive practices, complain about your Medicare health plan or pre- be completely honest, don’t exaggerate, to your state’s attorney general, your dis- scription-drug plan; and the U.S. Securities and back up your assertions with docu- If all else fails trict attorney or the fraud division of a and Exchange Commission about problems mentation. If you’ve hit a wall with customer serv- local law enforcement agency. with brokers, brokerage firms, investment If your efforts don’t get results, file your ice, contact an intermediary. Some groups — Ask for help from the feds. Look for advisers and other market participants. complaint with an intermediary that can will intervene on your behalf; others col- complaint strategies for specific categories © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Edi- assist or advise you, such as the BBB, lect complaints to spot trends and combat of products and services with third-party tors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Consumer Action or Elliott Advocacy. fraud for all consumers. contact information at usa.gov/complaints- Agency, LLC. MARK YOUR CALENDAR looking for high income and willing to take Oct. 23 MONEY TALKS Bonds some risk, you may consider devoting Get finance tips from the authors of the new book Choose FI: From page 15 some proportion of your bond portfolio to bonds, I recommend bond funds or ETFs. conservative high-yield funds or ETFs. Your Blueprint to Financial Independence. The free reading and If you have a diversified portfolio, you min- If you are very conservative, not con- book signing will take place on Wed. Oct. 23 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at the Main imize investment risk. cerned with income and risk averse, you Branch of the Richmond Public Library, 101 E. Franklin St., Richmond. For There are many reliable choices of funds can restrict your bond investments to more information, call (804) 646-4867 or visit choosefi.com. with low annual fees, reinvestment options short-term Treasury investments. and check-writing capabilities. If you are Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions FINANCIAL WORKSHOP conservative, you can restrict yourself to and comments at [email protected]. © 2019 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Oct. 12+ A workshop titled “12 Months to Financial Freedom” is sched- only investment-grade mutual funds. However, if you are a long-term investor Tribune Content Agency, LLC. uled to begin on Sat. Oct. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Richmond Main Library, 101 E. Franklin St., Richmond. The free 12-part month- ly meetings will be hosted every second Saturday by a licensed realtor and Please tell our advertisers, licensed insurance agent. For details, call (804) 646-7223. “I saw you in Fifty Plus!”

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Kitsch and dreams on America’s high- Travel way of hope. See story on p. 21. Visiting European capitals via the Danube By Victor Block plored was an architectural showcase PHOTO BY OLENA KOROL/DREAMSTIME.COM “Now we’re heading toward Durnstein, spanning centuries and styles. We saw so one of the loveliest towns in Austria,” the voice many frescoes, sculptures and mosaics over the ship’s loudspeaker intoned. “So many that it seemed we were wandering artists have gathered at one spot to portray through outdoor art museums. the magnificent surrounding landscape that it Some treasures stood out, particularly became known as the Painters’ Corner.” the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, built As our vessel continued its journey on the between 1696 and 1712 at the direction of Danube River, my wife and I joined other pas- Emperor Leopold I for his son, Joseph I. sengers in oohing and aahing at the beauty The emperor’s goal was to replicate the of other towns and villages along the way. We splendor of Versailles in the 1,441-room passed churches, castles and other historic castle. We agreed that he accomplished landmarks, and marveled over scenery that that, albeit on a smaller scale. made us wish we had the time, and talent, to Another emperor, Franz Joseph, ordered capture what we were seeing on canvas. construction of Vienna’s 2.5-mile long grand The Danube flows through the Czech main boulevard, the Ringstrasse, which is Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, lined by monumental buildings constructed past Prague, Vienna and Budapest, three during the last half of the 19th century. Many of the grandest capital cities in all of Eu- of them are ostentatious palaces built by no- rope; little Bratislava, the miniscule capital blemen anxious to display their wealth. of Slovakia, which replicates much of the Even more impressive are much larger Riverboats travel the blue Danube River, which divides the Hungarian cities of splendor in a more compact setting; and public structures, like the Parliament, Vi- Buda and Pest. Floating past historic cities and villages on a modest-sized smaller towns with their own charms. enna State Opera and Museum of Fine cruise ship that includes land tours as well can be a relaxing and informative We were traveling with Grand Circle Arts, which are as well known for their ex- way to see Europe. Cruise Line, one of several companies that ternal architecture as for what takes place offer voyages along the fabled and fabu- inside. lous Danube River. We chose the company There’s so much to experience in Prague and explore quiet neighborhoods that few collections certain to attract discerning afi- because of its focus on “Learning and Dis- that we welcomed the three-night hotel stay visitors seek out and find. cionados. But even those not drawn to clas- covery.” there, which our itinerary included. That Prague Castle, built more than 1,000 sic art will find a number of other intriguing provided ample time to stroll along its maze years ago, is the largest in Europe. The exhibits, like those in Bratislava Castle. Palaces and gardens of narrow cobbled walkways, find off-the- Castle complex stretches over 18 acres, In the charming Czech Republic town Throughout the cruise, each city we ex- beaten-track chapels and lovely gardens, and encompasses chapels, residential of Ceský Krumlov, museums deal with

PHOTO BY ROB HURSON quarters, galleries and gardens. The site topics as disparate as the history of tor- served in the distant past as the seat of ture and marionettes. A museum in power for kings of Bohemia. We were told Krems, Austria, displays caricatures and that the Crown Jewels from that time are cartoon drawings, and among the more kept hidden in a secret room. than 100 galleries in Budapest, Hungary, When we reached Slovakia, we got a we found some devoted to pinball ma- glimpse of the massive Bratislava Castle, chines, miniature bottles, and Asian art perched on a rocky hill overlooking the and curiosities. Danube. Erected in 1430, its exterior walls and inside corridors contain fragments A sobering historical awareness from Gothic and Renaissance times. In Mauthausen, Austria, we visited a The white fortress-like structure, with very different kind of place, a former Nazi a stocky tower at each corner, houses a concentration camp. Once known as “The museum that traces the history of the Killing Facilities,” the site includes ex- area from the Middle Ages to the present, hibits with titles like “Murder by Poison as well as collections documenting the Gas” and “Disposal of the corpses.” story of Slovak people throughout the Located outside of the Austrian city of world, and coins from the earliest times to Linz, Mauthausen was one of the first large today. concentration camps built by the Nazis, and the last one to be liberated by Ameri- Tourists explore Old Town Bratislava, Slovakia, a city that resembles an out- Art of all types can troops. It was populated largely by Jew- door art museum. From the four towers of Bratislava Castle (top right), visitors All four capital cities on the itinerary See DANUBE CRUISE, page 20 can get a view of Austria and Hungary. have major museums with world-class art 20 Leisure & Travel | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS

was far different from introductions to Dinner with local families the lavish garden in the back yard, Danube cruise the countries we visited, we agreed with The setting changed completely during picked and sampled some of the vegeta- From page 19 our fellow passengers that these stories a home-hosted dinner in Bratislava, during bles, and then enjoyed a dinner entrée of ish prisoners and captured Russian sol- must be remembered so they aren’t re- which we had a basic education in many chickens which, we learned to our dis- diers, along with convicted criminals, “gyp- peated. things Slovakian, and the family members may, had been scampering around the sies” and others who were considered to be One positive sign of the impact the with whom we dined heard about our lives. fenced yard earlier that day. The lucky enemies of the Nazi regime or unfit to rep- camp tour has on people were hand-writ- During the ride to our destination, be- rabbits that shared the compound had es- resent the ideal Aryan stereotype. ten messages left by visitors in a number fore splitting into small groups assigned caped that fate — at least for the time Prisoners toiled in a granite quarry, of languages. Among those I spotted in to different families, our program director being. many literally working to death. They had English were “Never Again,” “You won’t encouraged us not to be shy about asking Grand Circle offers five Danube River to carry heavy stones up narrow, steep be forgotten” and simply “Rest in peace.” questions. Taking him at his word, we en- cruises, among other destinations. Prices steps carved out of a hillside that became Also hopeful was the number of school- gaged our hosts in a discussion of politics begin at $2,195, including international known as “the stairs of death.” Many who children visiting the complex. Their quiet in their country and ours, compared the air fare, all onboard meals with beverages, managed to survive that ordeal were shot, demeanor and solemn expressions, not education systems, and asked and an- guided tours with headsets in every port, the gassed or forced outside in winter, doused the norm among teenagers, offered hope swered questions about our respective sit- use of e-bikes, and gratuities for local guides with cold water and left to freeze to death. that the “Never again” message will be uations regarding immigrants. and drivers. For more information, call 1- While this very somber experience borne out. At their invitation we strolled through 800-221-2610 or visit gct.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Nov. 1+ THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Nov. 8 BLUEGRASS CONCERT A funny Jazz Age musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, will be per- The Virginia Mountain Boys, featuring Virginia Music Hall of Fame inductee Bill Jenkins, are making their Henrico Theatre formed Nov. 1 through 17 at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen debut. Enjoy a night of original folk, early bluegrass and camp meeting music Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd., Glen Allen. Tickets are $8 for those 55 and up. For on Fri., Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine tickets, call the box office at (804) 501-5138. Mile Rd., Henrico. For more information, call (804) 652-1460.

VOTES FOR WOMEN GLOW TIME Nov. 2 On Saturday, Nov. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m., learn about women’s Oct. 26+ Have you always wanted to visit a garden at night? Dazzling fight for the right to vote. Celebrate the 19th Amendment’s light displays will illuminate Maymont’s Historic Estate Entrance and Japanese Garden this fall. Every evening from 100th anniversary at this lecture, “History in Focus: Votes for Women,” at the Oct. 26 through Nov. 10, Maymont’s grounds are open from 6 to 10 p.m. For Meadow Farm Museum, 3400 Mountain Rd., Glen Allen. For more information, more information or to buy advance tickets for $12, visit maymont.org or call call (804) 652-1455. (804) 358-7166 x310.

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© 2019 first STREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. 41494 FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Leisure & Travel 21 A journey in classic cars down Route 66 PHOTO BY THOMAS HAWK By Don Mankin We saw lots of oddities, roadside attrac- start at $2,399 per person. In the 1940s, everyone was humming tions and noteworthy sites, including Mickey For more information, visit about how to “get your kicks on Route 66,” Mantle’s childhood home, the Cadillac guidedroute66tours.com. thanks to Nat King Cole and his hit. Ranch, the Blue Whale of Catoosa, and a More photos are on Don’s In the 1960s, the road fed the fevered huge statue of the Muffler Man, now holding website, adventuretransfor- imagination of an entire generation due to a gigantic hot dog in place of the muffler. mations.com. the two cool, good-looking guys in their Roadside Americana is just what you’d hot Corvette who starred in the TV show expect on Route 66, but we also saw an- At quirky roadside at- “Route 66” during those years. other layer of the country during our jour- tractions like the Back in the day, yours truly — a decid- ney — small-town middle America, Main 1960s Motel Shaw- edly uncool, homely teenager driving a Street USA, that vast land between the ford and Restaurant in vomit-green ‘54 Pontiac that seized up with coasts that those of us who don’t live there Santa Rosa, New Mex- vapor lock whenever it got hot — fanta- sometimes condescendingly refer to as ico, Route 66 travelers sized often about taking the classic Amer- “flyover country.” can get a colorful im- pression of America. ican road trip down the storied route. It was an eye opener. We visited places I Finally, just this past summer, that would have otherwise overlooked that filled teenager — now a cooler, better-looking in the picture of what the U.S. is all about. geezer (whose delusions are fueled by For almost two weeks I was immersed age) — had an opportunity to fulfill that in the Heartland, passing through small fantasy on a Route 66 road trip hosted by towns with friendly people and stately a company called Two Lane America. houses flying large American flags, and For 12 days, my wife and I traveled in a eating huge portions of grits, biscuits with caravan of six cars, including a vintage gravy and red meat in various forms. 1966 Corvette, from to the route’s It wasn’t all light-hearted fun and rose- terminus on Santa Monica Pier. Instead of colored nostalgia for a bygone era, driving our own car, as most participants though. We made at least one sobering do, my wife and I rode along with the stop along the way: the Oklahoma City owner of the company and his father in the Memorial for the 168 victims of the terror- lead van. We also got a lift from other driv- ist bombing of the Murrah Federal Build- ers in the caravan to get their perspective ing in 1995, including 19 young children. on the trip and on America. The memorial is part of our American In his classic novel The Grapes of Wrath, story, too. It was impossible to get John Steinbeck called Route 66 the Mother through the museum with a dry eye, and Road because it was an escape route for I left with a sense of foreboding that this desperate migrants heading west in search was probably not the last such memorial of jobs and new lives. The Model T made it we will ever have to build. possible; the Depression made it neces- sary. A life-changing journey For Okies fleeing the Dust Bowl in the On the ninth day of the trip, we visited 1930s for the promised land of California, the Mineshaft Tavern, the oldest bar in former soldiers heading west after the end New , in the former ghost town of WWII, and beatniks and hippies search- and now booming tourist destination of ing for enlightenment, artistic freedom Madrid, about 30 miles from Santa Fe. and a joint in the 50s and 60s — Route 66 As I sat at the bar, I recalled my own jour- has been a highway of hope for anyone ney on the highway of dreams 44 years pursuing a better life. ago. Ultimately, this trip gave me an appre- Most of my pilgrimage from Allentown, ciation for the American ethos. In many Pennsylvania to Venice, California was on ways, Route 66 is symbolic of the Ameri- Interstate I-40, not Route 66 (though the can character — a metaphor for the mag- routes often overlapped), and I wasn’t flee- netic pull of the frontier and the freedom ing the Dust Bowl. I was fleeing my own and adventure of the open road. personal depression brought on by losing And not just Americans get this. We ran my job, my girlfriend and the publishing into many foreign tourists, including a mo- contract for my first book, all in the space torcycle club from Hong Kong and an- of just a few months. other from Germany making their During that trip, I paused for two thunderous way along the Mother Road. months to visit a friend in Santa Fe and help him fix up a dilapidated miner’s More than just roadside kitsch shack in Madrid. We usually ended our As we rolled down the highway day workdays at the bar in the Mineshaft. That after day, layers of experience unfolded was the summer my luck turned around. like the sedimentary strata of an archeo- Sitting at that same bar, I understood at logical dig. a deep, personal level what Route 66 The top layer consisted of the kitschy, meant for the millions of seekers and iconic sites we saw along the way: old din- dreamers who made their way west on FP1019 ers, gas stations, motels, vintage cars, mu- that narrow, dusty road. I only hope that seums, architectural landmarks and their dreams worked out as well as mine. collections of memorabilia. Two Lane America’s 13-day tours of Route 66 22 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS Arts &

To grow your own pumpkins for next Style year, start now. See story on page 24. Dance club channels Elizabethan era By Catherine Brown One day in 2003, while searching for Small group, intricate steps Historical accuracy When Linda Macdonald was an under- costumes for the Colonial Dance Club, While the Colonial Dance Club has a Crean also appreciates that Macdonald graduate more than 40 years ago, she be- Macdonald stumbled upon a beautiful following of 35 to 40 people, the Richmond creates authentic historical dances. “We came enamored with Scottish dancing. Elizabethan gown — and a new passion. Renaissance Dancers is comprised of only are very concerned about accuracy,” said Fast-forward to 1980: Macdonald had The gown Macdonald found online that a dozen dancers, whose ages range from Macdonald, who spends much of her time moved to Scotland, married a Scotsman, day wasn’t her size, so she asked a seam- late 20s to early 70s. conducting research. returned to Virginia and had a child. Hop- stress to create one. Unfortunately, And although the Colonial is ideal for She pores through historic dance man- ing to dance again but looking for a less though, the completed gown wasn’t quite beginning dancers, the Renaissance dance uals from the era of Elizabeth I, 1558-1603, vigorous form, she joined the Colonial right for the balls held by the Colonial group is suited for those who want to reviewing not only manuals from England, Dance Club of Richmond. Dance Club. learn more complicated dances that would but also from France, Italy and Spain be- The club, dedicated to the preservation “It looked quite regal,” Macdonald said, have been performed by the Court of Eliz- cause the dances from those countries and promotion of English Country Danc- but “people kept stepping on it.” abeth I. would have traveled to the English court. ing, was first established in 1977 and is Determined to find the right place to Mark Crean and his wife, Marianne, “Elizabeth I had an Italian dance mas- still sponsored by the Henrico County Di- wear the Elizabethan gown, Macdonald joined the group about 10 years ago after ter,” Macdonald said. “She was even nick- vision of Recreation and Parks. Macdon- established the Richmond Renaissance having danced for over a decade with the named Florentine because she loved ald, whose husband also participates in Dancers, an offshoot of the Colonial Colonial Dance Club. Italian dancing.” the Colonial Dance Club, became a dance Dance Club that shares the same execu- “Linda was so enthusiastic and passion- The renaissance group meets twice a instructor in 1989. tive board. ate about Richmond Renaissance Dancers,” month throughout the year, adding extra Crean said, “[that] we wanted to partici- practices when preparing for a performance. pate.” They face challenging choreography. A history buff, Crean appreciates that “Some of the dances have lots and lots of he gets to learn more about a part of his- steps,” Macdonald said, “and take a lot of tory he wouldn’t otherwise know while practice to learn.” spending time with Marianne and chal- Although the rehearsals can be difficult, lenging his brain to remember the dance the group enjoys the camaraderie and fel- steps. lowship of working together — and of the “Learning something that takes effort wine and cheese social after some practices. and learning it well enough to stage a per- formance is rewarding,” Crean said. See DANCING, page 23 PHOTO BY RICHMOND RENAISSANCE DANCERS

Linda Macdonald, center, founded the Richmond Renaissance Dancers in 2003. The group learns intricate dances dating from the late 16th century, and performs several times a year at Agecroft Hall. Its next performance is scheduled for Nov. 15. FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Arts & Style 23

ing the Queen’s Royal Progress of 1602. At for their 10th annual performance of The Dancers, Macdonald will portray Eliza- Dancing the performance last May, dancers por- Dancing Queen: Court Dance in the Age of beth, the iconic dancing queen. From page 22 trayed historical figures and cracked jokes. Elizabeth at Agecroft Hall. The perform- The Dancing Queen: Court Dance in the Something a bit different “Courtiers, including Lord Robert Dud- ance will include dancing interspersed Age of Elizabeth will take place on Friday, In the spring of 2018, the Richmond Ren- ley, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, with Macdonald’s narration and a November 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Age- aissance Dancers added a new perform- Mary Queen of Scots and many Ladies-in- slideshow about the Elizabethan era. The croft Hall and Gardens, 4305 Sulgrave Rd., ance to their repertoire. In A Royal Waiting, interact with the Queen for a wry group will perform dances from France, Richmond. Tickets may be purchased for Brew-haha, the Queen and members of her twist on world events,” according to the Italy and, for the first time this year, Spain. $10 at agecrofthall.org/events/the-dancing- court arrive at “Richmond Palace” (Age- group’s website. Wearing the royal gown that led to the queen-court-dance-in-the-age-of-elizabeth. croft Hall) in Richmond-Upon-Thames dur- Currently, the dancers are preparing creation of the Richmond Renaissance For more information, call (804) 353-4241.

the A or on the C. Or the opposite? There are a number of other interesting Music Why should the way we perceive a How much of this perception do we have things I learned about — or learned again From page 2 scale or feel about pieces written in a in our control? In some cases, at least, we can — at camp: augmented intervals, seventh a major key. Every major key has a rela- minor key depend solely on where we de- decide where to start and stop our own chords and bluesy notes, for example. tive minor key that starts on the note ex- cide to start and stop playing? music. Each one of them can jazz up a tune. actly one and a half steps down from the And then it hit me. This is a metaphor Are we primed to begin each day in A But to continue the metaphor, it seems major key’s first note. So, for example, the for life in general. Where we start and minor? Or can we jump up a few notes, to me we are all making our own music key of A minor has the same key signature where we stop has an inordinate effect and decide today will start (or at least every day. Each note and chord we “play” (no flats or sharps) as C major. on how we evaluate nearly everything in stop) in C major? I’m still wrestling with in life can either keep the jazzy beat going When a performer sees a new piece of life. this concept and with my newfound appre- or bring us down. What counts is knowing music, the first thing to notice is the key Start a day feeling great and end it ciation for music theory. that it’s all in our hands. signature, so we know what notes to make angry, anxious and with a headache, and sharp or flat. And then we generally look it was a very bad day. Start a day with a MARK YOUR CALENDAR to see where the piece (or first theme) backache and end feeling like a million JOIN A SPECIAL COMMUNITY CHORUS starts and where it ends. That usually tells bucks, and it was a great day. Ongoing us which key the piece is in: whether the This goes for stages of life all the more Joyful Voices, a community chorus for singers with Alzheimer’s major key or its relative minor. so. Looking back, how do you feel about I had learned this as a kid, but sud- your childhood? Your teenage years? Your or other dementia and their caregivers, is now registering singers for the Spring denly, I found myself facing a huge ques- early career? Your parenting years? Your 2020 session. Rehearsals are Thursday mornings at Salisbury Presbyterian tion. How can it be that a minor scale — more recent years? which most listeners can identify immedi- In so many cases, the overall flavor of Church, 13621 W. Salisbury Rd., Midlothian. To register, volunteer or donate, ately upon hearing — uses exactly the those time periods depends on how you call (804) 794-5311, x. 128 or visit JoyfulVoicesChorus.org. same notes as a major scale? The only dif- were feeling as you exited them. Was the ference in the scale is where we start: on overall trajectory onwards and upwards? Introducing ZOOMER! The portable, folding, electric chair that off ers easy one-handed operation “I haven’t been this excited about something since I got my fi rst bicycle!” Remember when you were a child and got your first bicycle? I do. It gave me Sturdy & Lightweight a sense of independence … I felt like I could go anywhere, and it was so much One-touch Folding Frame easier and more enjoyable than walking. Well, at my age, that bike wouldn’t Comfortable do me much good. Fortunately, there’s a new invention that gives me the Seating freedom and independence to go wherever I want … safely and easily. It’s Joystick Control called the Zoomer, and it’s changed my life. (adaptable left or right) If you are one of the countless Americans who need a little help getting around, there is a safe, simple and easy-to-use solution … the Zoomer. It is Powerful Battery/ Dual Motors propelled by small yet powerful dual motors for speeds of 3.7 miles per hour over a variety of terrains, on up to a 10 degree incline. Its innovative airline- safe Lithium Ion battery enables you to go 8 miles on a single charge, and the automatic electromagnetic brakes let you stop on a dime.

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You no longer have to Please mention code 109014 when ordering. move to another chair to The Zoomer Chair is a personal electric vehicle and is not a medical device nor a wheelchair, and has not been submitted to the FDA for review or clearance. Zoomer is not intended for medical purposes to provide mobility to persons restricted work or eat at your table. to a sitting position. It is not covered by Medicare nor Medicaid. © 2019 fi rst STREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. 85002 24 Arts & Style | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS All about homegrown pumpkins By Lela Martin one that is blemish-free and firm all over. grow pumpkins as a cash crop, you may Planting suggestions Nothing says October better than If you’re going to carve a jack-o’-lantern, want to grow a few of your own for next Make sure you have enough space be- pumpkins, gourds and jack-o’-lanterns. look for a pumpkin that sounds hollow. fall. It’s easy if you start now. fore you plant. Vining pumpkins require a Add a few to your doorstep, front porch or One for cooking should have thicker First, decide if you want to grow pump- minimum of 50 to 100 square feet per hill even a planter. Shocks of corn stalks and walls, which are more difficult to carve. kins as décor or as food. Some varieties (small mound of dirt approximately 12 baskets of mums or asters can complete (Cucurbita moschata) are appropriate pie inches in diameter, six to eight inches tall). an attractive autumnal display. How to grow your own pumpkins due to sweeter and less watery If space is an issue, read seed packets If you’re shopping for a pumpkin, select Although some farmers in Virginia flesh, while others (C. pepo) make better and select “compact growing habit,” “semi- decorative pumpkins. bush” or “bush-type.” Semi-bush pumpkin MARK YOUR CALENDAR Pumpkins typically grow better from plants require four feet of space between seed, and this month you can set aside hills and eight feet between rows, while WWII HISTORY TALK Nov. 8 seeds from the pumpkins you bought this miniature pumpkins can be grown as Do you know all of the countries who fought against the U.S., season to plant in 2020. closely as two feet apart in the row. Britain and other Allied powers during WWII? On Fri., Nov. 8, from 7 to 8:30 Keep in mind that seed from hybrid Grown pumpkins can be from less than pumpkins might produce a specimen more a pound (Jack Be Little) to hundreds of p.m., learn more about the shadowy Axis Powers from historian Bert Dunkerly. closely related to one of the species used to pounds each. Do not plant in the same lo- The free lecture will take place at the Belmont Recreation Center, 1600 create them. If you save seeds from heir- cation where other vine crops were loom pumpkins, the new pumpkins will be planted during the past two years. Hilliard Rd., Henrico. For more information, call (804) 652-3409 or email more like the source of the seeds. Check your soil’s pH; the optimum is 6.0 [email protected]. To dry out seeds, place rinsed seeds on to 6.5. Do some math — pumpkins need a dry paper towel or newspaper covering about 100 to 120 days to grow. As long as BELMONT FOR THE HOLIDAYS a cookie sheet. Space them so they’re not there’s no danger of frost, you can plant Nov. 9 In November, Belmont’s halls are decked for the holidays. The touching. Place the pan in a cool, dry the seeds; however, pumpkins planted too place for about a week. Once the seeds early may get soft by Halloween. free Holiday Open House takes place on Sat., Nov. 9, from 2 to are completely dry, store them in an en- To aid germination, soak the seeds for 4 p.m. at Belmont Recreation Center, 1600 Hilliard Rd., Henrico. Check out velope marked with the date and type of about two to six hours in warm water be- seed. fore planting. Plant seeds one inch deep free performances, holiday arts and crafts, fitness demonstrations and the You’ll probably have more seeds than with four or five seeds per hill. chance to snuggle a puppy. Shuttles will be provided. For more information, you’ll want to plant; enjoy the extras by Allow five to six feet between hills, call (804) 652-1443. sprinkling them with salt and tossing spaced in rows 10 to 15 feet apart. When them in butter or oil. Roast them at 325°F for 25 minutes for a tasty, nutritious snack. See GARDENING, page 25 FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Arts & Style 25 Divine Vines Members of the gourd family (Cucu- is confusion about the difference be- bitaceae) include pumpkins, gourds, tween a pumpkin and a squash. The an- squash, cucumbers and melons. Often swer is related to use rather than called “vine vegetables,” gourds are taxonomy. The definition of “pumpkin” typically high in vitamin A and deli- involves its use as puree (i.e., it is not cious to eat. The large, fleshy fruits baked whole) and as an ornamental have a hard outer covering. jack-o’-lantern. Most ornamental pump- Traditionally, we use the word kin varieties are C. pepo, while most “pumpkin” to describe the orange winter squash used for baking whole species of the gourd family. Often there are C. maxima.

using pruning shears or a sharp knife, Gardening rather than snapping the stems. From page 24 Ideally you will leave three to four the young plants are well-established, thin inches of stem attached as a “handle,” each hill to the best two or three plants. since pumpkins without stems usually do not keep well. Care and pollination Store picked pumpkins in a garage or Pumpkins grow in heat as long as they dry shed where the temperature is be- are watered during an extended dry pe- tween 50 and 55°F until you want to dis- riod, especially critical in early summer. play (or cook) them. An unblemished Keep the ground free from weeds by cul- pumpkin can last eight to 12 weeks; how- tivating it with a hand tool or hoe. ever, a carved jack-o’-lantern usually lasts Bees are essential for pollinating squash only five to 10 days. and pumpkins. If the blossoms are not pol- linated, the plant won’t produce fruit — or Potential problems the fruit will be misshapen. Insecticides A white, powdery growth on the upper Our name will harm bees as well as insect pests. surfaces of the leaves is a sign of mildew. As pumpkins develop, place a piece of It can kill the leaves prematurely and in- cardboard beneath the fruit to prevent soil terfere with proper ripening. contact, which could lead to rot. Cucumber beetles and squash bugs can has changed,

attack seedlings, vines, and both imma- Harvesting ture and mature fruits. Watch for infesta- Harvest pumpkins when they are a tions early in the season when they feed but not our deep, solid color (orange, of course, for on seedlings, and then in late summer as most varieties) with a hard rind. If vines populations build. Use integrated pest remain healthy, harvest in late September management (IPM) techniques. commitment or early October, before heavy frost. Treat yourself to a homegrown pump- Wear gloves to protect yourself from kin next year. the sharp prickles on the stems. Avoid Lela Martin is a Master Gardener with bruising the pumpkins when handling the Chesterfield County office of the Vir- to you. them. Cut them from the vines carefully, ginia Cooperative Extension.

Enjoy Fifty Plus? Community Idea Stations is Tell your friends. now VPM, Virginia’s home for Public Media. MARK YOUR CALENDAR HOW REAL ARE FROM PAGE 26 Nov. 10 THE MOVIES? How historically ANSWERS TO accurate is the WWII movie CROSSWORD Monuments Men? James Triesler of the Virginia War Memorial and TEMP I SLA CATS ODOR HAT I N ECRU Twyla Kitts of the Virginia Museum UGLYFAMI LY LEAN of Fine Arts will discuss the real RED OPAL ER I N SUPPLYBUBBLY VPM.org team who helped save art from the SCARY AMENS Nazis. The $1 event is scheduled T I ER SCAL DEE for Sun., Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. at END I NLY ADVERBS AGE ELAL ENOS Henrico Theatre (305 E Nine Mile GAL LO BARON Rd., Henrico). No registration MONOPO L YA L L Y EX I T ABAT ASH required. For more information, call RICH JULYHOMI LY (804) 652-3409. I DEA AMESS ADAM T ERM BARS S EWN 26 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS HOW TO PLACE Crossword Puzzle Not So Quickly Stephen Sherr CLASSIFIED ADS 1234 5678 9 10 11 12 All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our 13 14 15

website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds 16 17 18 Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad 19 20 21 text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th 22 23 24 25 (for Washington and Richmond editions). 26 27 28 Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in 29 30 31 32 33 your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 34 35 36 37 38 39

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