Contributing Writers: Howard Erman Les Goldberg Ronnie Greenberg Dr. Robert Horseman Judith Rogow Debbie L. Sklar VOLUME 44, NUMBER 3 Nick Thomas MARCH 2018 “Serving The Needs of Orange County & Long Beach Seniors Since 1974” Linda Ronstadt “Life’s full of loss, who knows the cost, living in the memory of the love that never was.” —Linda Ronstadt What’s Inside.... Calendar of Events ..................................... 5 Classifieds .............................................. 6-7 Linda Ronstadt ......................................... 10 Gadget Geezer ......................................... 12 Fabulous Finds ......................................... 14 Sacramento ............................................. 22 Busy Boomers .......................................... 30 In The Spotlight ....................................... 34 Book Club ................................................ 36 Tinseltown Talks ....................................... 42 Orange County • Long Beach Page 2 SENIOR REPORTER [email protected] MARCH 2018 Page 3 SENIOR REPORTER [email protected] MARCH 2018 The M.R.I. By Jim McDevitt 2 Locations to Serve OC Seniors dress properly which means the test. I don’t know what his putting on paper pants and a definition of an emergency is paper gown. You must remove but I had already met my defi- all metal like glasses and a nition. watch. My wedding band was allowed to remain on my fin- Then, while you are on this ger since it can’t be removed board it starts sliding you into 714-779-8544 714-868-8544 without cutting off my finger. the mouth of the machine like you are a dessert. Twenty min- 1261 N. Lakeview Ave. 7961 Valley View St. You enter the MRI area by utes I kept thinking as I slid opening a door with a big along disappearing from plan- Anaheim Hills La Palma red sign on it that says DAN- et Earth. You are told to stay Rentals ! Wheelchairs, Lift Chairs, Power Chairs The day started normally. Da- GER. Then you lay down on still but that is like wrapping kota, my German shepherd, a board that is about as wide as someone in bubble wrap very opened the bedroom door, a 2 by 6. You have to fit your tightly and telling them not came over to my side of the head between two blocks that to move for 20 minutes. The bed, nudged me with her head, I think are made of concrete. clinking and banging inside signaling it was time for me to When your head won’t fit, the the machine did not interrupt get up and start my day. Miss attendant steps in and squeez- my counting in my mind, one, Bossy Pants has her own rules es your head in at which time one thousand, two, one thou- and sticks to them. I started to you scream loud enough to be sand as I proceeded to count to move and a shooting pain shot heard up and down the West 1,200 seconds. up and down the left side of Coast. My wife later told me my neck. It took me another she heard me in the waiting At one point, I had an itch 5 minutes of twisting, contor- room which must have been a on the right side of my nose, tions and sliding on my back comfort to the other patients. but I couldn’t even think of before I was able to stand up- Because I am a silly man, scratching it because even if I right. I asked how long the MRI had control of a fly to go and would take just as the atten- scratch it, it couldn’t because My wife, who is the brains of dant handed me ear plugs. there was not enough room for this family immediately, un- Twenty minutes he said and I even a fly to move in there. I derstood the need for me to grinded my teeth as he hand- have a new definition for MRI see an orthopedic doctor as ed me an inflated ball attached and the next time I am told I soon as possible. As soon as to an electrical wire as he said need one; I will react by call- the doctor’s office opened she in the event of an emergency ing it Men Running Irrational- was talking to them and mak- I should press the ball to stop ly as I make my getaway. ing an appointment for me. A day later, I was in the doctor’s office. The doctor ordered two sets of X-rays, a front view and a side view of my neck. With- in minutes I was back in the office while the doctor studied my X-rays. “The good news is you will heal but we need an MRI to see how much damage there is.” I was scheduled for my MRI for the next day while I medi- Planes of Fame Air Museum cated on Percocet. I have nev- 14998 Cal Aero Drive er had an MRI and in case you Chino, CA 91710 haven’t had one, I will explain what happens. First, you must Page 4 SENIOR REPORTER [email protected] MARCH 2018 Specializing In Senior Home Care 24 Hour Live In And Out Home Care Services Personal Care Caretakers Available For Cleaning - Cooking Groceries - Driving- Household Chores Spring Cleaning - Garage Cleaning - Ect. Professional Services At Reasonable Rates Call Maggie at 714-542-1304 Page 5 SENIOR REPORTER [email protected] MARCH 2018 March Calendar of Events Dachshund Races their talent through mixed me- Swallows Day Swallows Day Parade Spring is just around Huntington Beach dia art. It includes handmade Fiesta Grande & Mercado the corner, so you might March 4 jewelry, sculpture, primitive San Juan Capistrano San Juan Capistrano want to come out of hi- 3 p.m. (doors open at 2 p.m.) dolls, paper whimsy and more. March 21 March 24 bernation and attend Come see these short-legged Admission is $7 at-the-door. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The parade takes place in one or all of these excit- but swift ‘wiener dogs’ race to At, Spring Field Banquet & This night of Old West en- downtown San Juan Capistra- ing events in and around the finish line once a month at Conference Center, 501 N tertainment consists of four no. This is the nation’s largest the area. From whale Old World Village. Arrive ear- Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. contests are rolled into one: non-motorized parade. It is or- watching to cool places ly and stay for lunch on their Best Dressed Old West Man, ganized and presented by the Cherry Blossom to take the grandkids for dog-friendly patio. $3 admis- Best Dressed Old West Wom- San Juan Capistrano Fiesta As- Festival the day, there’s plenty sion fee for adults, $2 for kids. an, Best Belt Buckle, and the sociation. Arrive early; most MORE 2018 DATES. April 8, March 18 for everyone. Hairiest Man (best moustache street closures are by 10 a.m. May 6, June 24, July 8, August 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and/or beard). Don your finest The parade begins prompt- 19, Nov. 11, Dec. 10. At, Old A FREE day of fun for the Old West outfit, belt buckle ly at 11 a.m. The Mercado is Festival of Whales World Village, 7561 Center whole family filled with Jap- or facial hair and enter one or a street fair and market place Dana Point Ave., Huntington Beach. anese food, music, dance, cul- more of the contests. There is where you can eat, drink, and March 3-4, 10-11 tural performances, and games a $5 entry fee (pay when you shop at more than 100 booths. The annual Dana Point Festi- El Presidente Ball and crafts for the kids. This arrive) per category for each It is THE place to be after the val of Whales celebrates the San Juan Capistrano festival is in support of the contestant entered. For the parade! Listen and dance to the return of the once-endangered March 17 more than 30-year student ex- timider, spectators are always music of “The Working Cow- California Gray Whale with a 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. change relationship Hunting- welcome at the hilarious Fi- boy Band,” a traditional Coun- leviathan-size event. In addi- Journey back to the late 1800s ton Beach shares with its sister esta Grandé. At, Swallow’s try music band. At, Downtown tion to whale watching at the of early California and let the city of Anjo, Japan. At, Central Inn, 31786 Camino Capistra- San Juan Capistrano. Call, Park Bandstand, 7111 Talbert, height of whale watching sea- Fiesta Association show you no, San Juan Capistrano. Call, 949-493-1976. Huntington Beach. son, festival includes a kick-off how “The West was Fun” at 949-493-1976. Continued on page 8 parade, sand sculpting, Ocean this Western style dinner dance. Saint Joseph’s Day Awareness Day, musical en- Enjoy great food and old-fash- at the Mission tertainment, on-the-water con- ioned fun while dancing under the stars (weather permitting) March 19 cert, whale of a block party, to live Country-Western style 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. art shows, pancake breakfast, music. At, Adobe de Capist- Live mariachi music, com- BBQs, kids’ interpretive crafts, rano, 31891 Camino Capistra- munity presentations, special classic car exhibits, lectures/ guest “Swallows Speakers,” no, San Juan Capistrano. Call, seminars at multiple venues Mission Basilica School per- 949-493-1976. including the Ocean Institute, formances, ringing of the his- Pauline Bullock historic walking tours, pad- toric bells and History of St. Glitterfest Joseph’s Day and Swallows dling events, sailing/rowing/ Fullerton Legend. Free for Mission kayak/SUP demos, plus more. March 18 Members.