Garden SmartsOur garden expert Kathy Kimbrough is back! Send her your garden questions for next month! Page 6.

Explore ArizonaGet a taste of what it's like being a snowbird without heading south for an entire season. Page 20.

Cattle vs. SheepRead more about the battle against cattlemen and sheepmen over grazing land in the 1800s. Page 24.

Now on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Produced by the BeacoNs advertising Team

Vote for this yearsVolunteer of the Year

page 5

Making a differenceon the Western Slope

page 11

Your Guide to Giving your Time and Money

Create a Legacylocal guide to giving

2014

We all want to leave a lasting legacy. How will you leave yours? Read more in this month's insert.

March 2014 Vol. 28 No. 3 Western Colorados Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 33,810 Readers.

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P R E M I E R S E N I O R L I V I N G C O M M U N I T I E S

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March 2014 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com Editorial 3

The dance that couldnt be doneBy Kevin K. VanGundy

Several years ago I heard from a friend of mine, who publishes a senior paper in Phoenix, about their annual Seniors Balla fancy affair for those who had aged out of the nightclubs but still wanted to get their groove on. While I thought that it would be fun to hold a senior dance here in town, I was disheart-ened to see other local people try and fail. So I forgot about it.

Then this last fall, I was having lunch with Mike Green, the in-house marketing genius at Hilltop Senior Living Com-munities. Mike asked if I had any ideas for an event. I said, Just one, and I think its a long shot. That long shot became the recent, surpris-ingly successful, kick-in-the-pants best-ever Valen-tines Dance at Hilltops Garden Room.

I want to thank everyone who at-tended. The place was packed. Joan Stewart and her team provided a real dance floor, subdued lighting and art deco dcor. The band, Clark Gaults Swing City Express, was awesome. Steve and Naomi with Grande River Vineyards helped break down social barri-ers one delicious glass of wine at a time. Meghan Nedvecki and her staff cooked up a variety of tasty high-end treats. Members of the Palisade High School National Honors Society chap-eroned the event and directed traffic. And who can forget Julie Mendelson in her 20s-style flapper dress?

So the dance that couldnt be done

was and will likely be done again next year.

Vote early! Vote often!No, there isnt a City Council elec-

tion this year, but we would like you to help us choose this years Volun-teer of the Year. The winner will be announced at Aprils BeaconFest and will grace the cover of the May issue of the BEACON. We have 15 wor-thy candidates vying for this years trophy and their nominations appear

in this months Create A Legacy insert. Please read about them and vote.

BeaconFest is April 17

Make plans to attend the largest senior fair in the state of Colorado. Our Grand Junc-tion BeaconFest will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, April 17 at the Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St. Dont miss it. Admission is free!

Summer travel plans?

Where will you visit this summer? Somewhere close like the Grand Mesa? Perhaps a road trip to Southern California? Or maybe an exotic trip to Thailand? Whatever your flavor of travel, well have you covered in Junes Summer Traveler. Wed like to include some of your photos. Please include, if possi-ble, the names of those in the photo, when it was taken, and a little about where you were going. Email your photos to Beacon@PendantPublish ing.com or mail them to:

BEACON Senior NewspaperP.O. Box 3895Grand Junction, CO 81502

Phone: (970) 243-8250

1250 E Sherwood Dr. Grand Junction, CO 81501

201 Centennial Dr. #130 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

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Registration is Required for this complimentary workshop. Visit our web-site for workshop description and more information. Register by calling our office at (970) 243-8250 or on our website at www.brownandbrownpc.com

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Treatment for both internal & external deformed veins requires internal (endo) laser, where the laser fiber is placed inside the abnormal veins to weld them closed, plus schlerotherapy (chemical treatment) done at the same time. Anything less will invite re-occurrences. All treatment is on an out-patient basis in our JCAHO Nationally Accredited, private-in-office OR, using IV sedation.

Unlike treatment by others, Dr. Merkel offers a one stop, one treatment session to correct the entire system; not by repeated injections. And yes, some insurances do cover part of the treatment. Well check it out for you.

Tanya and Bruce Marvin gettin' jiggy with it at the Valentine's Dance.

4 covEr Story www.BeaconSeniorNews.com March 2014

to get your home and garden ready for spring

By Melanie Wiseman

Spring officially starts at 12:57 p.m. on Thursday, March 20. In our hearts and minds, however, spring fever is already here. We are anxious to get dirt under our finger-nails, put a fresh coat of paint on the house, and plant a new rose bush.

Doing home and yard maintenance in the spring will give you the op-portunity to focus more on enjoying outdoor activities, longer days and warmer weather, and will ensure your home and yard are in good shape throughout the summer.

YArd And GArdEn mAintEnAnCE1. Clean up your garden.

The first and possibly most impor-tant spring garden task is cleanup. How well you clean the garden now can determine how it will look throughout the growing season. Re-move leaves and dead annual plants that remained over the winter. If you cut back your perennials in the fall, once you start to see new growth at the base of the plants, its safe to re-move winter mulch and prune them down to ground level.

Lori Guillory from Mt. Garfield Greenhouse and Nursery reminds gardeners that maintenance is weather-based.

The old stuff is helping protect what is still in the ground, so you dont want to cut them back too soon, Guillory said. Theyre peren-nials for a reason.

Colorado State University Horticul-ture and Master Gardener Coordina-tor Susan Carter had the following composting advice.

Add the dead stems and leaves to the compost pile to help kill disease-causing pathogens, Carter said. Its best to use a leaf shredder or lawn mower to chop up the debris prior to adding it to the compost pile. Turn the old compost pile to help items that didnt finish composting over the winter. Add nitrogen and water

to obtain the consistency of a damp sponge. Do not add new material to the old compost pile. Use new mate-rials to build a new pile.

2. Prepare your soil.After you clean up and before you

plant, its time to amend the soil. Healthy soil makes healthy plants. Tilling the soil to loosen it up will make soil amendment easier. Tilling also helps the soil dry out and warm up quicker in the spring, allowing you to take advantage of planting cool-season crops. Daytime tem- peratures need to be consistently 40 degrees or more for desirable germination.

Mesa Magic from the Mesa County Landfill is very popular because its local, Guillory said. Bulk is the best buy, but it is also sold bagged. Mesa Magic is made of tree trimmings, grass clippings and manure, which are all well composted. Both Mesa Magic and Soil Pep are excellent for breaking up the clay soil in our area.

Carter also recommended aerat-ing your yard in the spring. Aerating allows oxygen, fertilizer and water to get deep to the roots.

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10 Ways

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Clean up your garden.

Prepare your soil.

Ease into watering

Cool down the house.

Prevent and fight off weeds.

Spring cleaning and more

inspect the outside of your home for wear and tear.

Perform the finishing touches on your yard and garden.

trim surrounding trees. Perform the finishing touches.

test your emergency systems.

March 2014 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com covEr Story 5

It can be helpful to have the soil tested for salt content, Carter said.

The CSU Extension Office can do basic testing or send out samples for more complete soil analysis.

This time of year is when you should trim your ornamental grasses before they start growing, she said. Its also time to prune fruit trees to remove dead, dying and insect- and disease-injured branches. Remove crossing or rubbing branches.

3. Ease into watering.Dont water the same in the spring

as you would in the summer. Gar-den Coach and Garden Scentsations Owner Kathy Kimbrough said spring water is too cold to saturate at first.

4. Prevent and fight off weeds.Clean up your gardening tools and

have your shears, pruners and mow-ers sharpened so your tools will be ready. Wash any winter salt off the sidewalks. Salt will burn any new growth.

Spring is the time to do proactive weeding against weeds. Damp, tilled spring soil makes it much easier to pull young weed seedlings. Dont compost weeds. They will come back to haunt you.

5. Perform the finishing touches.Spring is the ideal time for divid-

ing or transplanting. Do this as soon as possible after the plant emerges. Youll be amazed at how quickly plants recover from this trauma if you catch them early when the weather is still mild and they are raring to grow.

Prune roses just as the leaf buds begin to plump up.

Its tempting to procrastinate stak-ing your gardens, but youll avoid headaches by letting your plants grow into the stakes rather than trying to squeeze the plants into them later.

Mulching and edging are the final finishing touches. Mulch conserves water, cools plant roots, feeds the soil and smothers weeds. Replenish mulch after the soil warms up and dries out a bit. Finally, adding crisp edging gives your garden beds and yard that polished look.

Dont forget, just as your garden and yards have been dormant over the winter, your yard work muscles may have been, too. Do a little each day and your body will thank you.

HomE mAintEnAnCE6. Cool down the house.

During the spring, one of the most important things you can do is to prepare your cooling system, whether you do it yourself or call a professional.

Avalanche Heating, Cooling and Plumbing Owner Matt Peisser said 80 percent of their spring business is cooling system start-ups.

Professionals verify that waterlines do not have any cracks in them, Peisser said. We pressurize them and inspect for any leaks. Ask any insurance company and they will tell you literally that a 1/8-inch crack can run into the tens of thousands for repairs. When you turn on your water, you may not see water damage

Publisher ....................... Kevin K. VanGundyFounding Publisher .................. Susan CappsEditor ....................................... Cloie SandlinOffice Manager .........................Lisa MoellerGraphic Design ............................. Heidi GrafProduction ............................... Karen JonesAccount Representative ..............Sue BowenAccount Representative ........Marsha KearnsProofreader ................................ Jan WeeksDelivery ............................ Lauren VanGundy Cheerleader .............................Genevra Shal

Delta-Montrose Bureau

Assistant Editor ..................Liesl Greathouse Account Representative ......... Virginia CarlileDelivery .........................................JR Milner

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Bogart .........................................................

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502970.243.8829 800.536.7516 fax

Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.comE-mail: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

The BeacOn is published at the beginning of the month. Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Garfield counties.

Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorse-ment. columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opin-ion of the publisher. Display advertising rates are available upon request. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication.

Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication

Cover PhotoThis month's issue contains mounds of

helpful advice from our area's home and garden experts on topics ranging from spring cleaning to keeping your garden green and healthy.

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Flower PowerWedding season is herefor people of all ages. Many senior weddings are about grace and culture. When ordering flowers for your wedding, bring in lots of pictures that show the designer not only the flowers you like, but also your sense of style. There may be loved ones who cannot attend but whom you want to include in a meaningful way. You might want to have the designer create a special at-tachment to your bridal bouquet, such as incorporating a locket your mother gave you or a memento from a friend.

- The Flower Shop, 241-3500

6 covEr Story www.BeaconSeniorNews.com March 2014for days.

To keep your cooling system run-ning efficiently, fresh cooling pads are typically installed, belts and floats adjusted, and the motor and bearings are oiled. Peisser recommends always using aspen pads and to stay clear of synthetic pads. Avalanche also checks your outside spigots for leaks.

Some doctors are recommend-ing that people with asthma or other respiratory problems switch from swamp cool-ers to refrigerated air conditioners, also known as central air, Peisser said. Central air keeps out allergens.

We do two or three conversions a month.

Scheduling a spring cooling system service saves you from a possible waiting period if you dont call until the first day you need to use it.

7. inspect the out-side of your home for wear and tear.

The outside of your home has taken a lot of wear and tear from the harsh win-ter. Walk around your home and examine caulking around windows and doors. Replace worn weather stripping and youll keep the cool air in and warm air

out. Check your roof for cracked, broken or missing shingles. Clean out

gutters and downspouts at the same time. If your house could use a fresh coat of paint, consider planning for that before it gets too hot outside.

The best time to paint is when the temperatures are between 50 and 90 degrees, Sunshine Painting Owner Mike Day said. Winter is too cold, and the summer can be too hot.

8. Spring cleaning and moreHere are some things you should

inspect and clean while youre at it.

Pressure wash concrete and paved areas that have become dirty. Power wash the vertical surfaces on your home if need be. Check for cracks in the driveway and sidewalks. Spring temperatures make it the best time to do repairs.

Check garden hoses for rot, splits and leaks. Inspect hose faucets for possible freeze damage.

Clean windows inside and out and let the sun shine in. Check for any cracks in the windows.

Turn on fans to make sure they work before the hot weather hits and give them a cleaning while youre at it.

Install your window and door screens. This is the perfect time to wash them with a little soap and water first.

Bring outdoor furniture out of storage and clean it off before putting it on your freshly power-washed deck or patio.

Clean your outdoor grill inside and out.

Freshen up your home by deep cleaning carpeted areas.

Clean out your refrigerator and freezer. If you have a coil-back refrigerator, vacuum the coils in spring and fall for maximum efficiency.

9. test your emergency systems. Smoke and carbon monoxide

alarms and fire extinguishers need to be working properly.

10. trim surrounding trees.Cut back tree limbs and shrubs

growing within five feet of the house or roof.

old Yard Waste Benefits new Plants

March is a great time to prepare flowerbeds and gardens for spring planting. To give your plants a boost, try incorporating locally created compost into your soil to help retain moisture retention and loosen clay soils. Adding organic materials to the soil means less time watering and weeding and more time enjoying your yard and garden.

- Mesa County Solid Waste Management, 263-9319

Let the Sun Shine inGoing solar makes more sense every day. Its economically viable for almost all homeownersand especially for seniors on a fixed in-come. With utility companies raising their rates an average of 6 percent per year, locking in what you will be paying monthly for your electricity is a very sensible way to hedge against these future increases. That way, you will have peace of mind and will consistently know what your electric-ity bill will be in the future.

- RGS Energy, 424-5254 (formerly Syndicated Solar)

Frame it now to Last ForeverWhen framing artwork that you want to preserve for future genera-tions, make sure you use con-servation quality materials. In our sunny climate, its important to use conservation glass, which has be-come very affordable and blocks 98 percent of UV rays, keeping colors true. Talk to professional framers about the best materials to use to extend the life of your art, such as mat boards and backings as well as glass, and to preserve your invest-ment and enjoyment of your art.

- Frame Depot, 245-6999

reclining Comfort Eases declining Energy

Theres nothing much better than finding the perfect chair, particularly when you want maximum comfort but need more. UltraComfort brand lift chairs and power chairs have many different preprogrammed positions to give you a customized re-clining experience that includes total comfort for sitting, napping or watch-ing TV. The chair back can move independently from the legs, which offers flexibility for finding your best position. These chairs even remem-ber your personal favorite reclining, sitting and lift positions.

- Black Carriage Furniture, 263-4433

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March 2014 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com GardEn SMartS 7

By Kathy Kimbrough

Q. I have had problems with aphids on my fruit trees and lilac bushes. The leaves curl up tight in early spring. I cant seem to kill them with traditional pesti-cides because they are hiding deep inside the leaves. What else can I do to get rid of them?

One thing you might try is an application of horticultural oil before the leaves emerge. Horticul-tural oils are an important tool to manage certain pest problems like scale, aphids and mites on fruit trees, shade trees and ornamental plants. Oils can also control some plant diseases, such as powdery mildew. There are many newer horticultural oils available on the market that are much more refined and lightweight than the old dormant oils. Dormant oil now refers to the time of application rather than a characteristic.

rules to remember when applying horticultural oils in the early spring Do not apply during freezing

weather. This can cause the emulsion to break down and produce uneven coverage.

Do not apply if leaves are wet or rain is likely. These conditions inhibit oil evaporation.

Do not spray when shoots are growing. The foliage could be burned when direct sunlight hits the tender shoots.

Q. I have hundreds of spring-blooming bulbs planted through-out my flowerbeds. When they are done blooming and the foliage has died, I always forget where I planted them and end up

planting other plants on top of them. Is there a foolproof method to mark the location of these bulbs? I dont want to obscure them with shrubs or perennials.

This is a prob-lem many of us face with our mixed flower-beds. I cant tell you how many bulbs I have inadvertently dug up while placing a new shrub or perennial in the same location. Now I use metal plant tags to mark where the bulbs are. They are almost invis-ible in the mulch but very durable in the elements. Anyone else have

a clever way to mark bulbs in the garden?

Q. How can I get control of the weeds in my yard this year? Ive seen pre-emergent weed killers at the garden centers but Im not sure when to apply them.

Pre-emergent herbicides or weed preventers are often used to control annual lawn weeds such as crabgrass, foxtails, barnyard grass, spurge, knotweed, purslane and others. They are effective against germination of annual and perennial weed seedlings but will not control existing weeds. As the name implies, a pre-emergent

Garden Smartsmust be used prior to germination of the weed seeds. In the Grand Valley, this translates to a March application. Higher elevations should wait until mid to late April. Apply these herbi-cides when the forsythia is blooming.

After application, pre-emergents must be watered or rained on in order to be activated. There are many types of pre-emergents on the market. Some are more effective on grassy weeds, others on broadleaf (non-grass) weeds, and others are equally effective on both. Refer to the label for specific instructions on when to re-seed or re-sod your lawn.

Conventional core cultivation (aera-tionwhich should be done in the spring), does not reduce the effec-tiveness of pre-emergent herbicides that have already been applied.

Q. I am thinking of replac-ing some of my lawn with less thirsty, low-maintenance plants in my side yard. Suggestions?

Reducing your lawn is one of the best ways to save time, money and water. Will this area have foot traffic? If yes, consider low-growing thyme amongst flagstones. Shady spot or un-der trees? Ajuga or hardy plumbago love a bit of shade in the afternoon. Ajuga blooms in the spring with bright blue flowers and plumbago puts on a show in the autumn with bright red leaves and dark blue flow-ers. If your area is in full sun with no foot traffic, ice plant or other suc-

culents would thrive with little to no maintenance. I would highly suggest buying the book Lawn Gone! Low-maintenance, Sustainable, Attractive Alternatives for Your Yard by Pam Pennick. It's has some good tips on how to reduce or replace your lawn.

Garden Checklist Cut back ornamental grasses before new growth appears. Tie it up with duct tape, sturdy bungee cords or rope. Cut the grass down to approximately 6 inches.

Prune summer-blooming shrubs like butterfly bush, blue mist spirea and Rus-sian sage in late March or early April. Wait to prune spring-blooming shrubs like lilacs until after they bloom.

Clean up around your landscape. Rake leaves and debris from under shrubs and trees. Overwintering bugs can hide here.

Remove protective wrap from trees. Re-move any tape that was securing the wrap to the trees to avoid damaging the trunk as the trees grow.

Get your garden tools ready for spring. Sharpen them and remove rust with steel wool and mineral spirits. Check your gloves for holes and tears. I find the gloves dipped in neoprene last the longest.

Kale (Brassica oleracea) is in the cab-bage family and is grown as a cool-season annual. This super food is easy to grow from seed in the early springlike right now. Start seeds inside one to two weeks before the average last frost and when soil temperatures are at least 60 degrees. They will germinate in 10-12 days. That means, in our area, seed-lings can be placed outside as early as late March through the end of April.

There are several varieties of kale you can grow from seed, the most common being curly leaf kale and Tuscan (dino-saur kale). This attractive plant can be grown in part shade to full sun, in your vegetable or herb garden, or mixed in with your perennials and shrubs. (I always like to mix my edibles with my ornamentals. It keeps the bugs guessing what they came for.)

Plant of the Month

Send your questions to Kathy at Beacon@PendantPublishing.com or mail them to P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502. Please leave a phone number or return address so Kathy can respond to you as soon as possible!

8 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com March 2014

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From properly calculating energy-efficient lighting to planting an edible garden, here are more home and garden tips from area experts with BEACON readers in mind.

Watts Up With new Lighting?Lighting has changed! Wattage is no longer our calculator for light output. Lumens = light produced by a light source; lumens per watt = efficiency. A typical incandes-cent light bulb is about 16 lumens per watt compared to the new LED sources that are 60 to 110 lumens per watt. All LED is not created equal. If youre confused about the changes, talk to the experts. - One Source Lighting, 243-2400

mow no more!Its great to be outdoors in the summer, but many people dread the continual yard maintenance. Mowing, fertilizing, and watering get oldand costlyfast. Now you can get completely maintenance-free and water-free landscaping thats beauti-ful and great for kids and petsor perfect for a backyard putting green! Give yourself the gifts of time and money with water-free grass that looks and feels real. - Waltherscheids WaterFree Grass, 640-4878

Easy Garage organizationMany customers find that starting their spring cleaning and remodeling project by enhancing their garage and turning it into usable space makes the rest of their projects that much easier. An inexpensive roll-out garage floor combined with a func-tional overhead or wall storage system can substantially increase the functionality of even the most well organized garage. - Garage Flooring, 800-956-4301

How does Your Garden Grow?An edible garden can be beautiful and useful at the same time. It can be healthful if you grow organic herbs and vegetables. Consider mixing annual herbs, vegetables and perennial herbs throughout your land-scape. Add splashes of colors and textures by using different-colored basils, lavender and sages. Low-profile hot and sweet pep-pers and heirloom eggplants can add points of interest in any garden. Border your beds with edible flowers, lettuce and chives. - Sage Creations Organic Farm, 623-9556

Already thinking spring? Here are more home and garden tips

Cleaning Windows Easily and inexpensivelyDid you know that coffee filters are great for washing windows? Youll use a lot of them, but they do a better job than news-papers (which leave ink on your hands) or paper towels (which leave lint on windows). For an inexpensive, homemade window cleaner, mix a cup of alcohol, a cup of wa-ter, and a tablespoon of white wine vinegar.- Merry Maids, 244-8597

Stay Safe in Your HomeMost of us want to remain living in our own homes as we get older. Two barriers to making that wish come true are personal safety and accessibility. An easy and inex-pensive start is to install grab bars in the bathroom. A barrier-free shower or walk-in tub can also make your life easier and better. Be sure to consult and use expert installers from a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. - Tile Meister, 244-8453

Your dream Homenow!Thinking about a new home? Current low construction costs, reasonable land prices, and historic low interest rates are the keys to getting started. Whether you are look-ing to build your first house or your forever home, to downsize or upgrade, now is a great time to build. As the economy con-tinues to improve, prices, costs and rates will all rise, making NOW the best time in recent history, or the foreseeable future, to start construction on your next home. - Conquest Construction, LLC, 243-1242

its Spring! time to Get Your House ready for next WinterWhen the weather turns warmer, its time for an after-winter inspection. Did your roof suffer ice damage that could lead to ongo-ing water damage? Will your heating sys-tem last another year? Did you experience plumbing problems because of the cold weather? If you own your own home and your income qualifies, you might be able to get a low-interest loan that can help you with necessary roofing, plumbing, electrical and system repairs or upgrades or to make adaptability modifications to your home. - Housing Resources, 773-9739

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March 2014 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com aSk thE old baG 9

By Gayle Lagman-Creswick

Dear Old Bag: Yester-day, I told my neighbor that my dear husband, who passed away re-cently, was still with me. I told her that I talk to him and I feel him comforting me. She said she thinks this is unhealthy and that I need counseling. I would like to know what you think. It seems normal to me. Signed, Not Psycho

Dear Not Psycho: It seems like there is always someone to tell us what we should or should not feel, doesnt it? There is so much we do not know about death and the hereaf-ter. I dont know if your neighbor has lost a close loved one or not, but over the years I have heard from many people who feel that their loved one lingered behind to help them through the tough time. My sister-in-law was almost in a car accident, and she swore that my deceased brother took the steering wheel and made her safe. I have felt the presence of my deceased husband who passed away last May. At first it was pretty constant and now it is only occasional. I dont believe I am crazy. I am open to let those feelings come in. Some people are not. I say cherish those feelings and consider them a bonus. Like most things, if it becomes excessive or lasts for years, you might consider speaking to someone about it. O.B.

Dear Old Bag: My neighbor is giving seniors a bad name. I live in an over-50 community in a very nice area. This woman entertains men late at night...sometimes all night. Everyone is talking about it, but they do not do anything about it. It is not always the same man. I feel like it is my duty to tell her that everyone is talking about her. I will go by what you say. Thank you. Signed, Concerned

Dear Concerned: I do not think you will like what I am going to say.

Ask the Old BagAdvice Column for the over 50 Crowd

I must say, Mind your own business. I do not believe that it is your duty or obliga-tion to speak to her about this. That is her home and she can entertain at any time. You dont know what is going on over there. They could be playing chess for

all you know. Even if they are mak-ing whoopee, it is not your business. Please do not cast the first stone. O.B.

Dear Old Bag: Not so recently, you published the Old Bag Rules for Senior Dating. You have spoiled my budget. I used to get taken out by men who paid for my expenses. Now they follow the Old Bag Rules. I wish you had kept your mouth shut. Arent there any men out there who feel that the man should pay? I am of the old school, and there are plenty of women, Im sure, who agree with me. Signed, Spoiled

Dear Spoiled: Yes, you are spoiled. Women have wanted equal pay, equal rights, but sometimes they do not want them? We asked for it. The big reason for the Old Bag Rules was that when we are retired, we are all on a fixed income, and it helps us all if we share the expenses of dat-ing. It also takes care of that problem, which has been written to me many times, that women say men feel they should have extra privileges if they pay the bill. Sorry, Spoiled, you get no sympathy from the Old Bag. Ante up! O.B.

Dear Readers: We seniors are on a mission to teach the juniors the value of human kindness. Last month, I took a homeless woman to lunch. It was so interesting to hear her story. My granddaughter was amazed and said she always want-ed to do that. What did you do this month to further our cause?

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net.

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Heart racing? Too much wine could be the cause, but so might AFBy Fred Cicetti

Atrial fibrillation (also called AF or AFib) is the most common form of irregu-lar heartbeat. It is an abnormal heart rhythm originating in the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. The rate of impulses through the atria can range from 300 to 600 beats per minute. The risk of atrial fibrillation increases with age, particularly after age 60.

Because the atria are beating rap-idly and irregularly, blood does not flow through them as quickly, which makes the blood more likely to clot. If a clot is pumped out of the heart, it can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. People with atrial fibrillation are five to seven times more likely to have a stroke than the general population.

Infrequent and brief episodes of atrial fibrillation can be triggered by overindulgence in alcohol, caffeine and food. For this reason, doctors sometimes call AF holiday heart. Some of the most common causes of AF are high blood pressure, a variety of heart problems such as coronary artery disease, chronic lung disease and pulmonary embolism, which is a condition that occurs when an artery in your lung becomes blocked.

In at least 10 percent of AF cases, no underlying heart disease is found. In these cases, AF may be related to

alcohol or excessive caffeine use, stress, certain drugs, electrolyte or metabolic imbalances, or se-vere infections. In some cases,

no cause can be found.Many people with AF live years

without problems. However, chronic AF can cause problems. Besides stroke, there is the danger that clots can travel and cause damage to other parts of the body. AF can decrease the hearts pumping ability by as much as 25 percent. In combination with a fast heart rate over a long period of time, AF can cause heart failure.

There are medications to treat AF, but its also best to quit smoking, limit your alcohol and caffeine, and avoid activities that seem related to your irregular heart rhythm.

When initial remedies dont correct or control AF, an electrical cardiover-sion (where an electrical shock is de-livered to your chest wall to restore a normal rhythm) may be necessary. There are also implantable atrial defibrillators that deliver low-dose therapy to convert AF to a normal heart rhythm. Those with chronic AF may be candidates for surgical treat-ment, many which can be minimally invasive.

Send your questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.

1.Racing or fluttering heart

2.Fatigue, dizziness or feeling faint

3.Chest discomfort and short-ness of breath

How might you know if you have AF?Keep in mind that you can still have AF without witnessing symptoms, but here are some possible signs of AF.

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drogenated vegetable fats and sugar) are worse for you.

Unintended consequences come from the use of statins. Some $37 bil-lion a year is spent on statins, such as Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor.

Bowden and Sinatras book states, Statin drugs block cholesterol production. For such an important substance, how could we think that blocking production of something that does not directly cause heart disease, and something that is so

important for the function of our body, would not have unintended consequences? The side effects are not uncommon and are important, includ-ing sexual dysfunc-tion, memory loss, muscle dysfunction and diabetes.

The two authors are not alone in their opinion that cholesterol is not a direct culprit in heart disease, that dietary cholesterol does not influence heart disease or longevity, and that statins are over-pre-scribed and their side effects are under-reported.

In my practice over the past de-cade, I have limited my prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering medications to people who are at high risk for future troubles, said Dr. John Mc-Dougall, who runs a health center in Santa Rosa, California. Unless there is a contraindication, I have recom-mended statins to patients with a his-tory of heart surgery, heart disease, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or strokes, with a goal to take a dosage sufficient to lower their blood choles-terol levels. Furthermore, I have ad-vised that otherwise healthy people, even those with high cholesterol, not take cholesterol-lowering statins.

By Tait Trussell

The Great Cholesterol Myth, a book written by board-certi-fied nutritionist Dr. Jonny Bowden and board-certified cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra, knocks statins for a loop.

The relationship between blood cholesterol levels and heart disease is, at best, weak and more complex than usually pictured, they stated. Half of patients with heart attacks have normal cholesterol levels and half of those with high cholesterol have heart disease.

The definitions of good cholesterol and bad choles-terol are much more complicated than usually por-trayed, the doctors stated. There are good types of bad cholesterol and vice versa.

Like practically everything pro-duced in the body, cholesterol is regu-lated by a relatively stable mechanism. Most importantly, regardless of the complicated cor-relation between levels of cholesterol and cardiac risk, the doctors stated that there is no correlation between dietary intake of cholesterol and blood levels. In spite of this, govern-ment agencies still encourage re-stricting dietary cholesterol. This as-sumed correlation is oversimplified.

Bowden and Sinatra stated that cho-lesterol is vital for many bodily func-tions and forms the walls of our cells as well as many of our hormones. Cholesterol is produced mainly in the liver. If we eat less, the body produc-es more.

The authors stated specifically that dietary saturated fats are not harm-ful, and the alternatives (such as hy-

Busting the cholesterol myth

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12 hEalth & wEllnESS www.BeaconSeniorNews.com March 2014

From stem cells to new teeth

Vegas recently.The promise held by dental stem

cell therapy has led to the rise of tooth banks. Stem cell therapies are already being used to repair bone damage and even organs.

Research progress, however, is still sometimes suspected because of the politics surrounding embryonic stem cell research. Look at some statistics on tooth loss: 7 out of 10 adults age 35 to 45 have lost at least one tooth and about 20 million peoplethose over 65have lost all their perma-nent teeth. High sugar diets have increased the prevalence of peri-odontal disease. You can see that the market for tooth replacement is a big mouthful, so to speak.

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7 out of 10 adults age 35 to 45 have lost at least one tooth and about 20 million peoplethose over 65have lost all their perma-

nent teeth.

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By Tait Trussell

Astonishingly, a fourth of all Americans over age 65 have lost all of their original teeth.

A promising discovery, however, may make you smile: Research-ers from the College of Dental Medi-cine at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Florida have developed methods to enable stem cell growth to generate real replace-ment teeth.

The NSU researchers approach is to extract stem cells from oral tissue, such as inside a tooth itself, or from bone marrow. Once harvested, the cells are mounted to a polymer scaf-fold in the shape of the desired tooth.

The polymer is the same material used in absorbable sutures, so the scaffold eventually dissolves. Teeth can be grown separately, then in-serted into a patients mouth, or the stem cells can be grown within the mouth, reaching a full-sized tooth within a few months.

To date, teeth have been regenerat-ed in monkeys and mice. Clinical tri-als with humans are under way. It is still uncertain whether teeth created in this manner can be nourished by blood and will have full and natural sensations.

Growing new teeth presents a real challenge, according to Dr. Peter Murray and his colleagues, who de-veloped the tooth-growing process. The stem cells must be stimulated to grow the proper balance of hard tissue, dentin (the major part of the tooth beneath the enamel), and the enamel.

If it can be proven that regrowth of teeth is safe and effective, these teeth will be widely accepted in the U.S. Interest from fellow dentists is evident in the fact that Murrays presentation sold out at the American Dental Association conference in Las

March 2014 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com hEalth & wEllnESS 13

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ingly important as an aging popu-lation seeks to continue to live an active lifestyle. The growth of social media has also led to peoples faces being plastered all over Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The way your teeth look is more important than ever.

Some people who feel the need to replace a missing tooth or teeth in-vest in implants. How dental implant surgery is performed depends on the type of implant and the condition of your jaw-bone. But all dental implant surgery oc-curs in stages and can involve several pro-cedures. The major benefit of implants is solid support for your new teetha process that requires the bone to heal tightly around the implant. Because this healing requires time, the process can take many months.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. It is inserted into the jaw to hold artificial teeth in place. It is typically made out of titanium, which is compatible with the jaw-bone. The direct fusing of bone and an implant is called osseointegration, which is a special characteristic of titanium. When a tooth is lost, some bone that helped support the tooth is also lost.

Dental implants help stabi-lize the jaw, prevent-ing future bone loss and maintaining the jawbones shape. Implants are a con-venient alternative to dentures because they never have to be taken out and they

Teeth can be grown separately then in-serted into a patients mouth or the stem cells can be grown within the mouth, reaching a full-sized tooth within

a few months.

feel much more natural and comfort-able. They are better than traditional bridges and crowns because they arent just cemented in place. When mounted to implants, bridges and dentures wont shift or slip in your mouth, which can make talking and eating easier and worry-free. This also avoids other common problems such as gagging, poor alignment and sore spots.

But implants arent cheap. The cost de-pends on a number of things, including what dentist or sur-geon you go to, the type of implant and procedure, how many and which teeth you need replaced, how many implants are required to support these teeth, how

much insurance coverage you have, and your geographic location.

Once you get an examination and talk with your dentist, he or she will be able to provide you with an esti-mate. A single tooth implant typically costs $1,000 to $3,000. If additional procedures such as bone grafts, extractions and extensive imaging

and/or modeling are required, the price can easily inflate

to $5,000 or $10,000. Your dentist will be able to

give you an idea of what costs you are

looking at after a preliminary

examination. All of which

shows the im-portance of stem

cells used to grow new teeth.

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Diversify your investment portfolio with real estateBy Kathy Kimbrough

Youve heard the old adage, Dont put all of your eggs in one basket. This is especially true when it comes to investing your hard-earned money. Many of us have invested for retirement income through company 401(k) programs or IRAs. These are generally in-vested in stocks, bonds or mutual funds. Investing in gold and other precious metals can diversify your portfolio.

Another way to diversify your portfolio is by investing in real estate. Long-term or vacation rental properties, and even commercial real estate can be profitable in a market like ours, which is near the bottom of the valuation cycle.

its a buyers marketGrand Junction native and Cen-

tury21 Homestead Realtor Curt Haskins, 57, has helped people buy and sell property in western Colo-rado since 2001 and has seen the local economys boom and bust cycles. He said our market is at or near the bottom and is rebounding at a slow but steady pace. Real estate values have fallen approxi-mately 30 percent since the highs in late 2007 and early 2008. Our real estate market bottomed out in 2011 and 2012 and so far in 2014, sales prices have increased

approximately 3 to 4 percent. Its a buyers market right now,

Haskins said. Delta resident Rhonda Follman, 44,

has invested in western Colorado real estate for several years.

Dont get emotionally attached to the property, she advised. Treat

it like your other investments. When its time to sell it, sell it. Just like stocks and bonds.

Follman also stresses that it is impor-tant to have a plan for each prop-erty before purchasing it. Do you

want to buy a prop-erty, fix it up and sell right away? Do you want a property for a vacation rental or long-term rental? How long do you intend to hold the property? Start with the end in mind.

When purchas-ing any real estate, it is important to make your money upfront. Find those bargain

properties and below-market listings. Have a property inspection so there are no repair surprises. Have a local Realtor do a market analysis on area rents. Haskins said a general rule of thumb is that rent should equal 1 percent of the sales price.

Begin with the end in mindInterest rates are at historic low

levels, even for investors. Freedom Financial Services Branch Manager Mickie Fisher-Rogers said interest rates are only marginally higher for non-owner occupied loans than own-er-occupied loans. Down payments vary but can be as low as 10 percent.

Our market is at or near the bottom and is rebounding at a slow but steady pace...in 2014, sales prices have increased approximately 3 to 4 percent.

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Getting pre-qualified will give you, your Realtor and the seller the satis-faction of knowing you can afford the property you are looking at and can close quicker than those who have not gone through the process.

Fisher-Rogers said if you are plan-ning to hold the property for a long period of time, a traditional fixed-rate loan is the best way to go. If you are going to buy a property, fix it up and sell right away, you might consider a home equity line of credit on your own home. If you have paid off your primary residence or have built up a large percentage of equity, this might be a great alternative to a conven-tional loan.

Haskins said it is much faster to ac-cess this money and usually cheaper because there are no closing costs or fees. Its clean and quick and puts you in a position to be a cash buyer, which sellers love. Fisher-Rogers also mentioned the lending regulations will get tougher in 2014. She feels this will keep a large pool of good tenants available because they are not willing to go through the process of obtaining a loan.

Single-family or multi-family rentals?

Single-family homes and condos are very popular choices for rental properties. Purchasing multi-family units can also be profitable. Start small if you are looking at multi-fam-ily units. Purchase a duplex and live in one half of it, for instance. Repairs and expenses are not automatically doubled on a duplex. There is only one roof on a duplex. There is only one tax and one insurance bill on the property as well.

Have your vacation home paid for!Buying a vacation rental property

is completely different than buying a long-term rental property. With a vacation rental, you have the abil-ity to use the property yourself as a vacation home and have it paid for by renting it out the rest of the year.

When considering a property for a vacation rental, ask yourself if you would want to vacation in that home. Is it close to attractions? Is it conve-nient to area restaurants, shopping and recreation? Follman said it takes

time to build up a clientele, and ad-vertising on vacation rental websites like VRBO.com and HomeAway.com is helpful.

Buying commercial real estateOwen OFallon, 67, a Grand Junc-

tion real estate investor with both residential and commercial proper-ties, said our economy has nothing in place to kick start it and real estate prices may hold or continue a slight downward trend for the foreseeable future.

If you can afford to get into the commercial real estate market, now is a good time to buy, he said.

Cash flow could be an issue be-cause the lower valuation of the property will mean lower rents. On the flip side, lower rents will attract more tenants. When the market rebounds, rents can be increased ac-cordingly.

Screen potential tenants. Check their credit and criminal history. These services have a minimal cost but are well worth the investment. If you are not going to handle the inevitable repairs yourself, have a list of reliable experts at your fingertips. Collect a security deposit up front to cover the costs of cleaning and/or repairing the property between tenants.

If you are investing in real estate far from your home, consider hiring a professional property manager. They can give you peace of mind, be your eyes and ears and take care of any problems that arise with your property and tenants. Most property managers charge a monthly fee of 8-10 percent of the gross rent.

Investing in real estate can be a great way to diversify your portfolio. If you are comfortable being a land-lord and having a hands-on relation-ship with your investment, real estate could bring another steady stream of income to you. Like other invest-ments, there are risks but there is potential for rewards that are more tangible than mutual funds and stock certificates. You could be buying your own vacation or retirement home and have someone else pay for it along the way.

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Laughing MattersWork or pleasure? Submitted by Ric Keagle

A U.S. Marine colonel was about to start the morning briefing to his staff. While waiting for the coffee machine to finish brewing, he decided to pose a question to all assembled. He explained that his wife had been a bit frisky the night before and he failed to get his usual amount of sleep. He posed the question of just how much of sex was work and how much was pleasure.

A major chimed saying it was 75 percent work and 25 percent plea-sure.

A captain said it was fifty-fifty.A lieutenant responded saying it

was 75 percent pleasure and 25 per-cent work, depending upon his state of inebriation at the time.

There being no consensus, the colonel turned to the PFC who was in charge of making the coffee and asked for his opinion.

Without any hesitation, the young

PFC responded, Sir, it has to be 100 percent pleasure.

Why do you say that? the colonel asked.

Well, sir, if there was any work involved, the officers would have me doing it for them.

No dogs in the bar Submitted by Cloie Sandlin

A man goes to a bar with his dog. He goes up to the bar and asks for a drink.

The bartender says, You cant bring that dog in here.

Without missing a beat, the guy says, This is my seeing-eye dog.

Oh, man, the bartender says, Im sorry. Here, the first ones on me.

The man takes his drink and goes to a table near the door.

Another guy walks in the bar with a Chihuahua. The first guys sees him, stops him and says, You cant bring that dog in here unless you tell him its a seeing-eye dog.

The second man graciously thanks the first man and continues to the bar. He asks for a drink.

The bartender says, Hey, you cant bring that dog in here.

This is my seeing-eye dog, the second man replies.

The bartender says, No, I dont think so. I have never heard of them having Chihuahuas as seeing-eye dogs.

The man pauses and replies, What?! They gave me a Chihua-hua?!

Star salesman Submitted by Sheri Barber

Airman Jones was assigned to the induction center where he was to advise new recruits about their gov-ernment benefits, especially their GI insurance.

It wasnt long before Captain Smith noticed that Jones had almost a 100 percent record for insurance sales, which had never happened before.

Rather than ask about this, the captain stood in the back of the room and listened to Jones sales pitch. Jones explained the basics of the GI

insurance to the new recruits, and then said, If you have GI insurance and go into battle and are killed, the government has to pay $200,000 to your beneficiaries. If you dont have GI insurance, and you go into battle and get killed, the government has to pay only a maximum of $6,000.

The new recruits didnt seem too interested in what Jones had to say until they heard what he had to say next.

Now, he concluded, which bunch do you think they are going to send into battle first?

Are you sure about that joke? Submitted by Donald Hart

A blind guy in a bar shouts to the bartender, Want to hear a blonde joke?

In a hushed voice, the guy next to him says, Before you tell that joke, you should know something. Our bartender is blond and the bouncer is blond. Im a 6-foot, 200-pound black belt. The guy sitting next to me is 6 feet tall, weighs 225, and hes a rugby

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player. The fella to your right is push-ing 300 and hes a wrestler. Each one of us is blond. Think about it, mister. Do you still really want to tell that joke?

The blind guy scoffs and says, Nah, not if Im going to have to ex-plain it five times.

Things just arent the same Submitted by Dorothy Hull

For the first time in many years, an old man traveled from his rural town to the city to attend a movie. After buying his ticket, he stopped at the concession stand to purchase some popcorn.

Handing the attendant $4, he couldnt help but comment, The last time I came to the movies, popcorn was only 15 cents.

Well, sir, the attendant replied with a grin, Youre really going to enjoy yourself. We have sound now.

New hearing aid Submitted by Karen Jones

An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor, who fit-ted him for a set of hearing aids that allowed the man to hear a lot better.

A month later, the elderly gentle-man went back to the doctor.

Your hearing is perfect, the doc-tor told him. Your family must be re-ally pleased that you can hear again.

Oh, I havent told my family yet, the man said. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. Ive changed my will three times.

Touring heaven Submitted by Florence Adams

An elderly couple was killed in a car accident and found themselves in heaven. Just after their arrival, St.

Peter appeared and gave them a tour of heaven.

Here is your oceanside condo, and over there are the tennis courts, swimming pool and two golf cours-es, St. Peter said. If you need any refreshments, just stop by any of the many bars located throughout the area.

Heck, Gloria, the old man hissed when St. Peter walked off, We could have been here 10 years ago if you hadnt heard about all that stupid oat bran, wheat germ and low-fat diets.

Last request Submitted by Frank Bunker

A cowboy and a biker are on death row, and are to be executed on the same day. The day comes and they are brought to the electric chair.

The warden asks the cowboy if he has a last request. The cowboy replies, I shore do, warden. Id be mighty grateful if youd play Achy Breaky Heart fur me before I hafta go.

We can sure do that, says the warden.

He turns to the biker and asks, And you, biker, whats your last request?

The biker responds, That you kill me first.

Short fortune teller Submitted by Lacy Todd

Madame Nyteshade could tell fortunes and was a midget. The local authorities had her arrested because they said fortune telling was fraudu-lent. She was placed in a holding cell but was able to squeeze between the bars and escape. The judge ordered the local newspaper to print an article about her escape. The follow-ing was printed in the paper the next day: Small medium at large.

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PCM Beacon Senior News 3x10.indd 1 11/11/13 9:39 PM

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P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502

18 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com March 2014

By Carrie Kellerby

Tammy McCurry has the power to shape metal to her will. A black-smith, McCurry, 48, works her own forge and owns her own fabrication shop, specializing in custom designs for the home. She calls herself the Iron Maiden. How she got to this remote spot in the desert north of Loma and became The Iron Maiden is a tale almost as intricate as some of her metal work.

Sixteen years ago, she moved to the Fruita area with her husband, Scott, and three children. She thought she was going to be a CPA. She got a job working as a bookkeep-er for Ken Hambel and Associ-ates, a blacksmith with clients all over the world.

At the time, Hambel was hard-pressed to keep up with his work, so about 15 years ago, McCurry asked him if she could do some-thing to help around the shop. He put her to work grinding. She continued to work in the shop for Hambel, essentially serving as his apprentice, for nearly 11 years. When he retired, he told her that she needed to start her own shop and gave her his cli-ent list.

Today, McCurry fabri-cates custom items for

a number of interior designers, some local, some in the Aspen area, and one in Dallas. Almost everything she does is a special order forged to the customers desires, including theme, shape, size, color and patina finish. She admits that while she can do the very specific kinds of things that most interior designers require, her favorite projects are those that allow her a little more scope, and a bit of creative license. She particularly en-joys doing things that she has never tried before.

A friend asked her to do some outdoor lighting with a palm tree motif. She set to work immediate-

ly, weaving a thatched roof and forming coconuts to hang from

the palm trees she constructed out of iron. She then made the support-ing corners with what look exactly like bamboo poles. If I think it can possibly be made

of metal, she said, Id like to give it a try.

McCurry and her daughters friend, Alex, were working on a project

when I arrived at her shop.McCurry pointed to a table,

indicating what she had recently worked on: scrollwork for

a bathroom vanity base. She demonstrated her propane forge and how

The Iron Maiden

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March 2014 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com 19

she worked the hot iron, putting it in the jig to form the scrolls until they were perfect. She then welded them to the large vanitys frame.

The shop where she works is large and comfortable, and its clear from the wood burning stove and the pets that lounge about either on or under all the work tables that she spends a great deal of time there. In her spare time, she admits she likes to go hunting or four-wheel-ing with her family and loves being outside.

Oh, and anything Broncos, of course, she added.

A little less predictably, she also loves to cook and sew. And, she also really, really likes her job.

She designs and fabricates a lot of specialty lighting. One of the reasons for this is that she obtained her Un-derwriters Laboratories (UL) listing. Having a UL listing on her products means that what she sells has been tested and approved by this global safety science organization. Not all artisans acquire the expensive cer-tification, and while it doesnt mean their lighting is unsafe, the UL listing on hers assures the consumer that all of The Iron Maidens work has been safety tested.

Additionally, the skys the limit in terms of style. She fabricates wall sconces, table lamps, chandeliers, pendants, pot racks and an array of outdoor lighting. There is a gallery of things she has made for past clients on her website, www.theironmaiden metalworks.com.

McCurry also makes ornamental gates, range hoods, small tables, hat trees, deco-rative garden orna-ments, candleholders, wine racks, swings and decorative headboards. Shes happy to try her hand at just about any-thing and is willing to discuss any-

ones potential project. McCurry has taken to this work

like a natural. When asked if she was artistic in school, she

laughed, Not really, no. It just seemed like some-

thing she understood from the very beginning.

She said getting dirty has never bothered her.

While she doesnt admit to artistic leanings, she is obvi-

ously more enthusiastic about the creative side of what she does.

She described how much she en-joyed making pinecones out of metal. She said its the variety of projects that she enjoys.

No two projects are the same and I have different things to do almost every day, she said.

Some of her work is currently on consignment at Interiors, Etc. and at Girlfriends in Grand Junction. She estimated that she has about 50 to 70 pieces on hand at the shop, ranging from small decorative tables, coat racks, candleholders and lamps to key holders and wine racks.

If I have to make 10 of something for a client, I often go ahead and make one more so I can show it down the road, she said.

Her special orders can take any-where from a few days to weeks. Larger, more complex pieces, or piec-es with specialty metals or mica dif-fusers (a lamps glass), can take about six weeks from order to delivery.

She is happy to take special orders and have people come to her shop and take a look at the pieces she has on hand.

Its best to call ahead. While she is usually at the shop, she occasionally visits a job site or meets with clients in their homes.

Im really out here, she said. Its better if I give directions.

In addition to the website, you can reach The Iron

Maiden at 216-8497,

or check out her work on Facebook.

If it matters to Boomers and Seniors, its in the BEACON.

Call Marsha Kearns for marketing help.243-8829

Shouldnt you be?

20 travEl www.BeaconSeniorNews.com March 2014

PArT 1 of 2By Melanie Wiseman

Admit it. Every year about this time, youre green with envy as your snowbird friends and fam-ily cheerfully return to the Western Slope with their fresh tans and sto-ries of warm sunny days.

If heading south for the winter is not an option for you time- and budget-wise, listen up. There is still an easy way to get a taste of the snowbird lifestyle without heading south for an entire season.

Step one, get a pair of scissors and cut out this article so you dont lose it. Step two, dust off the cookie jar in the back of the pantry and start mak-ing deposits toward escaping next years wintery inversion.

Mid-January my husband, Dan, and I headed from Grand Junction to southern Arizona for two weeks with our Papillion, Abby, and 17-foot Fun Finder camper in tow. Desperate for a break from the cold and gloomy skies, we decided to get a flavor of what snowbirds are so excited about. To our pleasant surprise, we found many roads less traveled, and came back with more stories of adventure and discovery than we could have imagined.

Southeastern Arizona has a plethora of art, his-tory, culture, canyons, outdoor activities, wild-life and more. Combine this with cool nights, comfortable sunny days in the 70s, and a lack of crowdswhats not to love?

To help you plan your own winter getaway, here are some ideas of things to do, helpful hints, must-sees, best-kept secrets and places to avoid.

Birding and wildlifeDuring the winter months, hun-

dreds of bird species migrate to southern Arizona. Its a bird watch-ers paradise. The state of Arizona and area volunteer groups have stepped in to protect many canyons, preserves, and national conservation and wildlife areas to provide a place that the birds and their watchers can enjoy. Each area comes with a bro-chure displaying the birds to watch for, and a checklist to report back what you saw.

Patagonia State Park, Ramsey Canyon Preserve in Sierra Vista, and Madera Canyon near Green Valley offer three excellent bird watching experiences with few people.

Travel through the historic mining town of Bisbee to Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area to witness 30,000 sand-hill cranes enjoy their winter break from Canada and the northern U.S. Free camping is available.

If youre in the Tucson area, take in the International Wildlife Museum. Get up close to over 400 kinds of mammals, birds, insects and prehis-

See what snowbirds do in Southeastern Arizona

Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista, aZ, sculpture of U.S. cavalry

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March 2014 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com travEl 21

toric animals from all over the world displayed in their natural habitat. And no trip to the Tucson area is complete without touring Saguaro National Park.

Speaking of wildlife, keep your eyes open for javelinas (wild pigs), which are very common in southern Arizona.

Best-kept secret: San Pedro House, east of Sierra Vista, is the starting point for the San Pedro Riparian Na-tional Conservation Area. You can ex-plore this network of trails with their self-guided brochure. The San Pedro River supports 350 species of birds. Forget your binoculars? No problem. Their friendly volunteers are happy to loan you a pair.

SpelunkingKartchner Caverns, near Bensen,

boasts world-class features in this living limestone cave. Discovered in 1974, but not open to the public until 1999, this is a must-see. Formations are awe-inspiring, walkways are safe and wheelchair-friendly, and the tem-perature is a comfortable 70 degrees. They also have outstanding displays at their visitor center for those who arent tour bound. Tour groups are limited so call for a reservation ahead of time.

Best-kept secret: Colossal Cave Mountain Park, east of Tucson, is on the National Register of Historic Places. This ancient dry cave is full of history, including a train robbery escape route and prehistoric beauty. The park also includes primitive camping (just $5) and horseback rid-ing at 132-year-old La Posta Quemada Ranch. As the lone ranch and camp-ing guests, we enjoyed a true wild-west experience.

Hiking and bikingWe never had to look far when

making time each day for hikes or walks. Southeastern Arizona is full of scenic mountain canyons with well-mapped trails. Riverbeds provide more leisurely trail systems. Some of our favorites were Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains near Green Valley, Romero Canyon at Catalina State Park, Brown Canyon in Sierra Vista and the Sonoita Creek Trail near Patagonia State Park.

Avoid over populated Sabino Can-yon Complex east of Tucson.

Tucson and southeastern Arizona are extremely bike-friendly. Bike route maps are easy to find, and wide roadway shoulders are the norm. For mountain biking adventures, try the single-track Arizona Trail, which

traverses 800 miles from Mexico to Utah. The trail is accessible for biking, hiking and horseback rid-ing in hundreds of loca-tions as it serpentines its way through Arizona.

Read part 2 in Aprils BEACON.

Historic Brown canyon Ranch, Sierra Vista, aZ

Hiking Madero canyon near Green Valley, aZ

Birdwatcher pontoon at Lake Patagonia State Park

Just a few of the 30,000 sandhill cranes at White-water Draw Wildlife area

22 fun aftEr 50 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com March 2014

For a complete list of activities, visit www.gjparksandrec.org. You can also pick up an Activity Guide at the Grand Junction Parks and Rec-reation office, 1340 Gunnison Ave., or the Senior Recreation Center, 550 Ouray Ave. Call 254-3866 to register for the following activities.

FitnESSGentle Yoga

Relax, restore and bring focus to your strength, flexibility and well-being. Class is designed for all abili-ties. Class is at 7:45 a.m. Mondays at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $64 for the session, which lasts March 31 through June 5. Drop in for $5.

total Core ConditioningCondition your body using weights,

exercise balls, and your own body weight while focusing on deep torso and spinal muscles to improve bal-ance, control and strength. Class is at noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at Lincoln Park Barn. Drop in for $5.

Friday Hikes: twist-n-Shout (march 28)

This unique trail system overlooks the Gunnison River and Orchard Mesas Spyglass Ridge. Distance is 8.5 miles and difficulty is moderate to strenuous. Elevation gain is 4,906-5,890 feet. Cost is $5 and includes sack lunch. Meet at Albertsons in the Redlands at 10 a.m.

dAnCESenior dances

Dance the night away to live music at the Senior Recreation Center. Dances are from 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursdays and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month. Cost is $3.

intermediate line danceClass is from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Mon-

days at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $34 for a 10-punch pass or $5 to drop in.

Country Swing (April 10 & 17)Learn basic moves and a few turns

in just two weeks. Class is from

7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $14 per person, but you must register as a couple.

EdUCAtionWhat to do when someone dies (march 12)

This valuable workshop covers the basics youll need to know should a loved one pass away. Well discuss how to administer their estate and well give helpful tips on keeping your sanity and avoiding family fights. This free class is at 4:30 p.m. at the Law Office of Brown & Brown, PC. Call 254-3866 to register.

Garden talk (march 19)Plan for a successful household

herb garden. Well discuss easy-to-grow herbs for cooking, home remedies, herbal housekeeping and herbal craft. Class is from noon to 1 p.m. at Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. Cost is $5.

SPortSindoor pickleball

From 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Lincoln Park Barn. Equipment available. Drop in for $5 or get a 10-punch card for $30.

Pickleball referee Clinic (April 12)Increase your abilities and learn

how easy it is to referee pickleball. This free clinic will be from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Clinic will cover rules, calls and scoring. Prepare yourself to help referee the Western Slope Regional Pickleball Tournament on April 26 & 27.

SoftballThis activity is open to men and

women age 50 and older and is a great avenue for exercise and friendly competition. For more information, call Carl at 255-6688.

trail Host program begins March 5. Get your application in now and dont miss out on any of the fun! Become an ambassador for the River-front Trail System.

Fun after 50Activities offered by GJ Parks and Recreation

Senior Recreation Center550 Ouray Avenue - 970 243-7408

The Senior Recreation Center offers activities for seniors age 50 and older. The center is open Monday - Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Annual membership is $10.

Se n i o r re c re a ti o n ce n te r Mo n th ly ca le n d a r o f ev e n tS

Monday 9:00 a.m. Cribbage 10:30 a.m. Computer Classes 12:00 p.m. Gray Gourmet 1:00 p.m. Card Bingo 1:00 p.m. Dominoes 5:30 p.m. Singles Pinochle (1st & 3rd Monday)

Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Cribbage & Pool Tourney 12:00 p.m. Gray Gourmet 1:30 p.m. Bingo

Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Ladies Pool, Card Social 9:30 a.m. Jack & Jill Pool Tourney 10:00 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) 12:00 p.m. Gray Gourmet 1:00 p.m. Pinochle

Thursday 9:00 a.m. Canasta 9:00 a.m. Cleaning Crew (Last Thursday) 9:30 a.m. Bunco (3rd Thursday) 10:00 a.m. Band (1st Thursday) 12:00 p.m. Pokeno 7:30 p.m. Dance

Friday 9:00 a.m. Canasta, Painting Class & Pool Tourney 12:00 p.m. Gray Gourmet 12:30 p.m. Bible Study 12:45 p.m. Bridge

Saturday 8:00 a.m. Bridge Class 9:00 a.m. Bridge 1:30 p.m. Bingo

Sunday 1:00 p.m. Dance (1st & 3rd Sunday)

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If you missed the recent Valentines Dance sponsored by the BEA-CON Senior Newspaper and Hilltop Senior Living Communities, you missed quite the whoop-dee-do! Mark your calendars for next year!

The parking lot was packed and every table occupied. Youth from the Palisade High School National Honor Society took our coats and showed us to a table decorated with adorable handmad