page 2 ..................Opinion page 14................Senior Safety page 4 ..........................Weird News Coming Up! page 15............SRDA Menu page 5..................Health A Happy & Blessed EasterHappy Spring page 16.............Finances page 7...............Social Security & You page 18...............Senior Classifieds page 8............Light for the Journey Remember, Sr. LifeFest’09 - May 8! page 22..............Fremont/Custer Menu SB SeniorIF YOU ARE 50 OR OLDER YOUBeacon SHOULD READ IT!! APR., 2009 Vol. 27: No. 9 Established Aug., 1982 321 Consecutive Months! Social Security Recipients Get $250 In May by Eileen Doherty one payment. owed to state and federal agencies. cial Security at 1-800-772-1213 or 303- Eileen Doherty, M.S. is the Executive Director Individuals who receive this pay- For more information, call So- 333-3482. of Senior Answers and Services and the Colorado Gerontologi- ment will not have to count the economic cal Society. She has more than 35 years of recovery payment as gross income for experience in gerontology in administration, federal income tax purposes. Nor will it “Ted” Trani At LifeFest’09 research, training and education, and clinical practice. She can be reached at 303-333-3482 affect eligibility for SSI. Similarly indi- by Bonnie Lamkin or at [email protected]. viduals will not have to count the stimu- Everyone loves to dance! And the “King Of Dancing” in Pueblo is T.S. “Ted” STIMULUS PAYMENT OF $250 lus payment as income when determining Trani. You know Ted, he’s the energetic, vital 84 year-old, who very happily runs his FOR SOCIAL SECURITY eligibility for Extra Help with the Medi- ballroom dance club, “Trani’s” on S. Santa Fe Avenue in Pueblo, for the benefit of RECIPIENTS IN MAY care Prescription Drug plan. Pueblo and its dancing community. Denver, CO. The American Re- For individuals who have a rep- Ted and his dancing group will be at the Sen- covery and Reinvestment Act, better resentative payee, the stimulus payment ior Life Festival on May 9th. He has been involved in known as the stimulus payment is pro- will be sent to the representative payee in business in Pueblo since 1956. His first business, Acme viding a one-time benefit of $250 for re- the same manner as the monthly benefit. Paint & Hardware evolved into Trani Building Sup- cipients of Social Security, Supplemental For those who receive Social Security on plies and expandined over the years into a lumber yard Security Income (SSI), Veterans benefits the Direct Express Card the payment will in 1968. Ted served in the Navy during WWII from and Railroad Retirement benefits. Indi- be deposited on the Card. 1942-1946. viduals will receive a separate one-time The stimulus payment will not When pressed, ted attributes years of hard payment in late May or early June either count as a resource for those receiving physical work and many hours of dancing each week to through direct deposit at their bank or by SSI in the month in which the payment is his continuing good health. He has had a lif-long love paper checks. received, nor will not count as a resource affair with dancing since he was 12 years-old. Individuals who were receiving for nine months from date it is received. He began teaching dancing at age 45 and still Social Security or SSI in the month of No- Therefore, starting in March 2010, it will teaches on Wednesday’s and Thursday’s at 7:00 pm vember 2008, December 2008 or January be counted as a resource for SSI benefici- and the best part of it is that the lesson ARE FREE OF 2009 will be eligible to receive a stimulus aries. CHARGE!!! Ted likes to share his enthusiasm and en- payment. Individuals who qualified for Disabled children who are re- joyment of dancing with others. Every Tuesday from Social Security or SSI in February 2009 ceiving SSI will receive the one-time 7:00 - 9:00 pm there is a live band and you can come will not be eligible for the benefit. payment, however, children under the age and dance the night away. If both spouses receive Social of 18 (19 if they are still in high school) Senior citizens are a major portion of his la- Security, both parties will receive $250 who receive Social Security benefits are bors. “I’ve always felt they (Seniors) need a nice place for a total of $500. However, individu- not eligible. Disabled adult children will to go and there are never any problems. I’ve never had to break up a fight or call the als who are receiving both SSI and Social also receive a payment. police,” he remarked with a smile. Security will receive only one payment. This one-time payment will not Trani’s has been the locale of countless friendships, romances and marriages. Similarly individuals receiving Social be used to collect Social Security or SSI It’s a beautiful, safe, friendly place for all ages and a great place for widows and wid- Security and/or Veterans benefits or Rail- overpayments; however, it can be used to owers to meet and socialize. road Retirement benefits will receive only collect delinquent child support and debts “We are very happy that ted has taken the time out of his busy schedule to join us at the Life Festival this year,” said Kathilee Champlin, director of the yearly event at the Events Center. “He will give any and all a free lesson. What fun!” So come on down to the Senior Life Festival on Friday, May 8. Call 647- 1300 for more information or Kathilee Champlin directly at 719-634-2343. Mark your calendars and BE THERE! Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial On May 1st, the Colorado Law As part of the Memorial events, the Enforcement Memorial will be unveiled Police Unity Tour Fundraiser will also with the name of Nicholas K. Heine added take place. to the list of fallen officers. The ceremo- You can also find information on the ny takes place at 10 am at Camp George Police Unity Tour www.pueblosfin- West in Golden. They recommend get- est.bravehost.com This is the excellent ting there by 0930. The ceremony will be website Jeff puts together in honor of all followed by a luncheon (possibly a BBQ) of us. about 1230. It is a bittersweet honor The two officers who are riding for us and I wanted all of you to know in Nicholas’ it is going on. The Chief and our Honor honor are Guard will be taking part. Agent Sonya According to Don Enloe, CSP: “The Gist, Lake- easiest way to get here, avoiding down- wood and De- town traffic, is I-25 north to Colorado tective Jenny 470, exit 194. Head west 26.2 miles un- P a d d o c k , til 470 drops ontoeastbound I-70. Then Boulder PD. east about a mile to 6th Avenue. Merge A l t h o u g h onto eastbound 6th Avenue and take the Det. Paddock first exit, Indiana Street. Go left (north) has not men- and stay on Indiana. It will take you past tioned the Colfax (US-40) and curve to the left after fund raiser, I am sure it is the same for the I-70 overpass. The Academy is going her. A former Pueblo Municipal Court to be there on your right. The address employee, Sonja Gist of the Lakewood is: 15055 South Golden Road Golden, PD, will be riding in the Police Unity 80401’ Tour Fundraiser in Nick’s memory. She On May 15th, the name of Pue- needs to raise $1500 to participate in the blo PD Officer Nicholas K. Heine will Bike Ride. be added to the National Fallen Officers All orders and/or donations must Memorial in Washington, DC. For more be received by Officer Eric Gonzales, info: NLEOMF.com or cops@national- PPD, 130 Central Main, Pueblo, CO cops.org. 81003 no later than March 26th. Page 2 - Senior Beacon - Apr., 2009 Visit Us at http:// www.seniorbeacon.info Just One Guy’s Opinion by James R. Grasso, Chief Cook & Bottle Washer to explain to the opposition just exactly what I think an editorial opinion is, or any LifeFest’09 opinion for that matter. Mark Friday May 8th on your calendar and come over to the Annual Pueblo I’d like to first take this opportunity to inform one and all that I am in no way Seniors Health and Life Festival. The festivites start at 8 am and continued through to going to try to have my opinions clouded by what I feel is the convoluted and hysterical late afternoon when B-I-N-G-O is the choice of the Senior Community. In between meanderings of the Left. Therefore, even if I wanted to be balanced I couldn’t because there is an ice cream social, dancing lessons, Senior of the Year Award, two Community I don’t understand the Left. I don’t understand people who would take the word of Service awards, color guard, healthy cooking, dinner show and dancing (free for the “algore” that the earth is flat, er, I mean, “burning up” because of carbon pollution made first 150 seniors.... beginning at 11:30 and closing at 12:30 sharp!), Miss Teen Pueblo by man. Give me settled science and then I’ll be enlightened. performances, health screenings and oodles of fun and information provided by some I listened and watched the hysterical Left throughout my lifetime. Dang, I was 50 booth vendors. Kathilee Champlin, the director of the show has done her usual great one of them until I decided to think calmly and clearly about the issues of the day.